The Dolphins believed they have constructed a roster that could legitimately challenge the New England Patriots.Turns out what they actually built was a flawed team that has the worst division record in the league (0-4) and a roster that has been outscored 137-52 against other AFC East teams and ranks in the bottom half of the league in nearly every key defensive category.
In some ways, the gap between the Dolphins and Patriots appears as wide or wider than any time since Miami’s 1-15 season in 2007. What’s more, the gap between the Dolphins and the middling Buffalo Bills also appears sizable; the Bills have outscored the Dolphins 74-31 in two blowouts.On Sunday, the Dolphins made history for all the wrong reasons: According to Stats Inc., this was the first time in NFL history that a team allowed two players (LeSean McCoy, Karlos Williams) to run for more than 100 yards and a receiver (Sammy Watkins) to catch passes for more than 150 yards in the same game.
The Dolphins privately worried about their situation at linebacker, guard and cornerback during the offseason, but there were still several areas they figured would be strengths and have not been. A look at what the Dolphins thought would work in their favor but actually haven’t:
### Run defense: After being gashed on the ground over the final six weeks last season, the Dolphins figured Ndamukong Suh would be the panacea.
Instead, the team’s run defense is even worse, though the supporting cast around Suh shoulders far more of the blame than Suh.
Last season, the Dolphins allowed 121 rushing yards per game, ranking 24th. This season, they’re relinquishing 142 per game after being plastered for 266 on Sunday. Only the Cleveland Browns have allowed more rushing yards per game than Miami (147.6).
Guard Richie Incognito said the Bills kept using the same running plays, with guards pulling to block linebackers, and it kept working. So why couldn’t the Dolphins stop it?
“Just guys getting blocked,” linebacker Koa Misi said. “Just wasn’t our day. There’s been some games where you definitely don’t want to give up that many rushing yards. They gashed us. It’s unacceptable.”
Suh said the Bills “took the interior guys out, even sometimes our ends. We have to find ways to combat that.” He mentioned "great coaches" as a part of solving that problem, but didn’t elaborate.
### Scoring: The Dolphins presumed that their point production would rise because of anticipated improvement from Ryan Tannehill, the overall comfort level increasing in the second year under the direction of coordinator Bill Lazor, left tackle Branden Albert’s return to health and the addition of three well-regarded weapons (DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills and Jordan Cameron).
Instead, the Dolphins’ point production has dropped from 24.3 per game last season (11th in the league) to 21.4 (which ranks 21st). The Dolphins have scored 0, 10, 16, 13 and 17 points over the past five AFC East road games, two of those this season.
Tannehill’s passer rating is down, from 92.8 last season to 88.7, after improving substantially every previous year of his career. He’s on pace for 18 interceptions, compared with 12 last season. He also has been sacked 23 times, tied for seventh-most in the league.
And the Dolphins’ new weapons haven’t made the impact many expected. Stills has had some good moments, including a 46-yard reception Sunday, but his 16 catches for 279 yards are well below his pace last season, when he caught 63 for 931 for New Orleans and had substantially more opportunities.
Tight end Jordan Cameron, who ranked among the NFL’s tight end leaders with 80 catches for 917 yards with Cleveland in 2013, is on pace for 40 catches and 526 yards and was targeted only once on Sunday (a five-yard reception).
And Parker, the team’s first-round draft pick, has played only 110 snaps all season and has four receptions for 49 yards.
### Performance against quarterbacks well below the top tier: Even with their concerns at cornerback, the Dolphins believed they would handle a string of quarterbacks who were either inexperienced, journeymen or perceived to be mediocre.
In the first half of the season, Miami faced seven of those in Kirk Cousins, Blake Bortles, Tyrod Taylor twice, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brian Hoyer and Marcus Mariota. They faced only one elite quarterback (Tom Brady).
And yet Miami is allowing a 97.1 passer rating, 22nd in the league, compared with 89.7 last season (18th).
Opposing quarterbacks have 16 touchdowns and just six interceptions against the Dolphins and Taylor (who has a career 97.1 rating) has a 145.7 rating with four touchdowns and 458 yards (on 32 for 41 passing) in two games against Miami. Bortles, who has a career 74.9 passer rating, had a 102.2 in Jacksonville’s win against Miami.
Several reasons: None of Miami’s cornerbacks have been close to elite; Brent Grimes, toasted by Sammy Watkins on Sunday, has slipped to 36th in Pro Football Focus’ cornerback rankings after finishing in the top 10 the previous two seasons. Linebackers have been shaky in coverage and the Dolphins in some ways have missed safety Louis Delmas, who is out with an ACL injury.
And this is worrisome: Over the final eight games, the Dolphins face top 10 quarterbacks in Brady and Tony Romo (projected to return that game from a clavicle injury) and Phillip Rivers; Super Bowl winners in Brady, Eli Manning, Joe Flacco; and No. 1 overall picks (Manning, Sam Bradford, Andrew Luck).
### Lack of consistent pass rush: This, along with shoddy run defense, is most confounding about the Dolphins’ season. Their 16 sacks are tied for 20th; they’re on pace for 32, behind last year’s total of 39, despite adding Suh, who has more sacks than any defensive tackle since 2010 but three this season.
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http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...they-thought-would-work-to-their-advanta.html
In some ways, the gap between the Dolphins and Patriots appears as wide or wider than any time since Miami’s 1-15 season in 2007. What’s more, the gap between the Dolphins and the middling Buffalo Bills also appears sizable; the Bills have outscored the Dolphins 74-31 in two blowouts.On Sunday, the Dolphins made history for all the wrong reasons: According to Stats Inc., this was the first time in NFL history that a team allowed two players (LeSean McCoy, Karlos Williams) to run for more than 100 yards and a receiver (Sammy Watkins) to catch passes for more than 150 yards in the same game.
The Dolphins privately worried about their situation at linebacker, guard and cornerback during the offseason, but there were still several areas they figured would be strengths and have not been. A look at what the Dolphins thought would work in their favor but actually haven’t:
### Run defense: After being gashed on the ground over the final six weeks last season, the Dolphins figured Ndamukong Suh would be the panacea.
Instead, the team’s run defense is even worse, though the supporting cast around Suh shoulders far more of the blame than Suh.
Last season, the Dolphins allowed 121 rushing yards per game, ranking 24th. This season, they’re relinquishing 142 per game after being plastered for 266 on Sunday. Only the Cleveland Browns have allowed more rushing yards per game than Miami (147.6).
Guard Richie Incognito said the Bills kept using the same running plays, with guards pulling to block linebackers, and it kept working. So why couldn’t the Dolphins stop it?
“Just guys getting blocked,” linebacker Koa Misi said. “Just wasn’t our day. There’s been some games where you definitely don’t want to give up that many rushing yards. They gashed us. It’s unacceptable.”
Suh said the Bills “took the interior guys out, even sometimes our ends. We have to find ways to combat that.” He mentioned "great coaches" as a part of solving that problem, but didn’t elaborate.
### Scoring: The Dolphins presumed that their point production would rise because of anticipated improvement from Ryan Tannehill, the overall comfort level increasing in the second year under the direction of coordinator Bill Lazor, left tackle Branden Albert’s return to health and the addition of three well-regarded weapons (DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills and Jordan Cameron).
Instead, the Dolphins’ point production has dropped from 24.3 per game last season (11th in the league) to 21.4 (which ranks 21st). The Dolphins have scored 0, 10, 16, 13 and 17 points over the past five AFC East road games, two of those this season.
Tannehill’s passer rating is down, from 92.8 last season to 88.7, after improving substantially every previous year of his career. He’s on pace for 18 interceptions, compared with 12 last season. He also has been sacked 23 times, tied for seventh-most in the league.
And the Dolphins’ new weapons haven’t made the impact many expected. Stills has had some good moments, including a 46-yard reception Sunday, but his 16 catches for 279 yards are well below his pace last season, when he caught 63 for 931 for New Orleans and had substantially more opportunities.
Tight end Jordan Cameron, who ranked among the NFL’s tight end leaders with 80 catches for 917 yards with Cleveland in 2013, is on pace for 40 catches and 526 yards and was targeted only once on Sunday (a five-yard reception).
And Parker, the team’s first-round draft pick, has played only 110 snaps all season and has four receptions for 49 yards.
### Performance against quarterbacks well below the top tier: Even with their concerns at cornerback, the Dolphins believed they would handle a string of quarterbacks who were either inexperienced, journeymen or perceived to be mediocre.
In the first half of the season, Miami faced seven of those in Kirk Cousins, Blake Bortles, Tyrod Taylor twice, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brian Hoyer and Marcus Mariota. They faced only one elite quarterback (Tom Brady).
And yet Miami is allowing a 97.1 passer rating, 22nd in the league, compared with 89.7 last season (18th).
Opposing quarterbacks have 16 touchdowns and just six interceptions against the Dolphins and Taylor (who has a career 97.1 rating) has a 145.7 rating with four touchdowns and 458 yards (on 32 for 41 passing) in two games against Miami. Bortles, who has a career 74.9 passer rating, had a 102.2 in Jacksonville’s win against Miami.
Several reasons: None of Miami’s cornerbacks have been close to elite; Brent Grimes, toasted by Sammy Watkins on Sunday, has slipped to 36th in Pro Football Focus’ cornerback rankings after finishing in the top 10 the previous two seasons. Linebackers have been shaky in coverage and the Dolphins in some ways have missed safety Louis Delmas, who is out with an ACL injury.
And this is worrisome: Over the final eight games, the Dolphins face top 10 quarterbacks in Brady and Tony Romo (projected to return that game from a clavicle injury) and Phillip Rivers; Super Bowl winners in Brady, Eli Manning, Joe Flacco; and No. 1 overall picks (Manning, Sam Bradford, Andrew Luck).
### Lack of consistent pass rush: This, along with shoddy run defense, is most confounding about the Dolphins’ season. Their 16 sacks are tied for 20th; they’re on pace for 32, behind last year’s total of 39, despite adding Suh, who has more sacks than any defensive tackle since 2010 but three this season.
More on link about HC presser etc..
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...they-thought-would-work-to-their-advanta.html
