Miami Dolphins -- Pretenders or Contenders?

[SF Dolphin Fan]

The big question I have after watching an uneven, but exciting win against San Francisco is whether the Miami Dolphins are for real. Is this team a true contender or a pretender?

The six game winning streak has been exciting and playing meaningful games in December is almost unheard of over the last decade. But almost all of those wins could have gone the other way. The Pittsburgh game was the exception and Buffalo wasn't as close as the final score either. Miami could be 6-5 or 5-6.

Listen, I'm not trying to downplay what the team has accomplished. Miami is finding ways to win and that's what good teams do. New England historically wins the close games. Maybe that's what the Dolphins are becoming. That's my hope.

What are your thoughts? Is this team for real?

 

[Beach Bum]

For me it's hard to say. Our OL's injuries are really hurting our running game. We've held on, but this game against the Ravens will be a big test. Hoping for another victory!

 

[uk_dolfan]

The ravens game will tell you all you need to know

Win that and we are for real

 

[datruth55]

The ravens game will tell you all you need to know

Win that and we are for real

True...we win this game and even the media will have to start paying attention to the Dolphins...well, that might be going to far lol.

 

[xSxPxHx]

This upcoming stretch of game will let us know what type of team we have under Gase. We will know at seasons end. But I do want to see them beat some top tier teams. But I can't say right now at this time. I give the Fins credit though. Winning is winning, doesnt matter how you do it. Close games, long games, short games, long games, doesnt matter...JUST WIN!

 

[fisi]

Ill tell you what, they re playing to win, that says a lot. A lot of close games they've won this year alone would've been loses in the past. I was in a meeting during the rams game, when I checked the score it was 10-0 in the 4th qtr. I told they would lose but when I got up after the game I was shocked and extatic at the same time. headline was "Miami wins 5 in a row". that was something.

 

[Dominate]

I'd honestly say that no matter what happens the rest of the season, we are for as real as we can be all things considered. You can see the change in culture and attitude with Gase and his staff and its clear the players have bought in. All that with an offensive line who has had it's starters injured and out more often than not. Not to mention units that we all worried about even when they were completely healthy being hit by injuries...our LB corp who has seen Kiko look legit but again lose a starter in Misi for the year and other starter Jenkins be hobbled with injuries the entire season, and our best CB in Howard out injured most of the season and losing arguably our best defender in Rashad Jones for the season.

Truth be told what Gase and has staff has done with this roster considering all the injuries, is impressive as heck. To see a Miami coach / staff finally tailor his play calls to the strengths of his players is something we have not witnessed for quite some time. He calls it like it is and doesn't sugar coat it. He holds the players accountable, yet has formed a bond with them in that they have bought in and believe in what he is saying and doing.

 

[FinaticalFinfan]

I'd have to say contenders...pretenders don't usually win 6 games in a row AND deal with the injuries we have dealt with on both sides of the ball. We can even lose this upcoming week, but if we finish with 10 wins, I would still say this team "contended".

 

[Digital]

I'll answer this question by saying we are finally competitive in every phase and good in most. So yes. We are for real. But, we are not a great team this year.

But we can run. We can convert short yardage and pound it in at the goal line. We can break chunk yardage. We can wear teams down and kill off games sometimes. And our RB's can catch the ball and pass protect.

We can pass the ball. We are effective as a ball control short passing game and also a very real and successful deep passing game that opens up the run.

We can take care of the football. Tannehill has thrown like 1 INT in the last 6 games, compared to 9 TD's. Ajayi has held onto the ball only putting it on the ground once. We are winning the turnover battle and the defense has a lot of takeaways.

We can rush the passer. With good production from Suh, Wake and Branch we are hard to block.

We can cover. While our DB's are suspect we are limiting the chunk plays and TD's. Rambo has been a nice addition. Maxwell has been playing with effort ... some games. Lippett continues to improve. Even McCain is running hot and cold.

We can stop the run sometimes. As long as the QB doesn't decide to run.

We can be unpredictable. Drake with a huge return. Phillips dropping into coverage for a pick and a jump. Kiko gliding underneath routes for a pick six. 'Sleeves' Maxwell holding up a TE while Bacarri Rambo forces a fumble. Suh with insane backside pursuit to chase down Kaepernick so that he finishes the game like he starts it--on his knees.

And our head coach takes no crap from anyone.

We may not be great, but we are for real.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

[Daytona Fin]

The big question I have after watching an uneven, but exciting win against San Francisco is whether the Miami Dolphins are for real. Is this team a true contender or a pretender?

The six game winning streak has been exciting and playing meaningful games in December is almost unheard of over the last decade. But almost all of those wins could have gone the other way. The Pittsburgh game was the exception and Buffalo wasn't as close as the final score either. Miami could be 6-5 or 5-6.

Listen, I'm not trying to downplay what the team has accomplished. Miami is finding ways to win and that's what good teams do. New England historically wins the close games. Maybe that's what the Dolphins are becoming. That's my hope.

What are your thoughts? Is this team for real?

There were games they could have won also in the beginning but this is the NFL, all that matters is the win/loss column.


When this line is healthy the offense has the potential to beat any team. Winning is contagious and right now this team has strong case of resilience. Sunday will be a good test but I think we already know what this team is made of and it isn't pretending.

 

[raving]

This Dolphin team is for real.

Gase reminds me of Shula - no nonsense approach - gets players to buy into a team approach.

The Dolphins have a nice shot at beating the Ravens - Flaccos having an off year - and the Dolphins tend to do better against immobile QBs.

Dolphins might do an injury job on Flacco - do not be surprised if they cart him off the field.

The team will win if they can score 24.

We win this game and we put pretender in the rearview mirror - lose it and we are likely done for the year (sorry folks) that's where we are.

 

[psfign]

Regardless of this year's outcome, I think next season will be very exciting!

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I'd honestly say that no matter what happens the rest of the season, we are for as real as we can be all things considered. You can see the change in culture and attitude with Gase and his staff and its clear the players have bought in. All that with an offensive line who has had it's starters injured and out more often than not. Not to mention units that we all worried about even when they were completely healthy being hit by injuries...our LB corp who has seen Kiko look legit but again lose a starter in Misi for the year and other starter Jenkins be hobbled with injuries the entire season, and our best CB in Howard out injured most of the season and losing arguably our best defender in Rashad Jones for the season.

Truth be told what Gase and has staff has done with this roster considering all the injuries, is impressive as heck. To see a Miami coach / staff finally tailor his play calls to the strengths of his players is something we have not witnessed for quite some time. He calls it like it is and doesn't sugar coat it. He holds the players accountable, yet has formed a bond with them in that they have bought in and believe in what he is saying and doing.

No doubt have to love what the coaching staff is doing. Miami's third and fourth quarters (point for/against) also show that the coaching staff is adjusting well at halftime. Don't know why this team starts so slow. Maybe that will change.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I'll answer this question by saying we are finally competitive in every phase and good in most. So yes. We are for real. But, we are not a great team this year.

But we can run. We can convert short yardage and pound it in at the goal line. We can break chunk yardage. We can wear teams down and kill off games sometimes. And our RB's can catch the ball and pass protect.

We can pass the ball. We are effective as a ball control short passing game and also a very real and successful deep passing game that opens up the run.

We can take care of the football. Tannehill has thrown like 1 INT in the last 6 games, compared to 9 TD's. Ajayi has held onto the ball only putting it on the ground once. We are winning the turnover battle and the defense has a lot of takeaways.

We can rush the passer. With good production from Suh, Wake and Branch we are hard to block.

We can cover. While our DB's are suspect we are limiting the chunk plays and TD's. Rambo has been a nice addition. Maxwell has been playing with effort ... some games. Lippett continues to improve. Even McCain is running hot and cold.

We can stop the run sometimes. As long as the QB doesn't decide to run.

We can be unpredictable. Drake with a huge return. Phillips dropping into coverage for a pick and a jump. Kiko gliding underneath routes for a pick six. 'Sleeves' Maxwell holding up a TE while Bacarri Rambo forces a fumble. Suh with insane backside pursuit to chase down Kaepernick so that he finishes the game like he starts it--on his knees.

And our head coach takes no crap from anyone.

We may not be great, but we are for real.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Love your reply. Well said and also explains the up and down nature of games. Against SF, there were times when Miami looked like they could do almost anything they wanted to...relatively easily. Then, at other times, couldn't do much right.

I guess we aren't quite there yet, but competitive. After starting 1-4 that's really good enough for me right now.

 

[Sherif]

The big question I have after watching an uneven, but exciting win against San Francisco is whether the Miami Dolphins are for real. Is this team a true contender or a pretender?

The six game winning streak has been exciting and playing meaningful games in December is almost unheard of over the last decade. But almost all of those wins could have gone the other way. The Pittsburgh game was the exception and Buffalo wasn't as close as the final score either. Miami could be 6-5 or 5-6.

Listen, I'm not trying to downplay what the team has accomplished. Miami is finding ways to win and that's what good teams do. New England historically wins the close games. Maybe that's what the Dolphins are becoming. That's my hope.

What are your thoughts? Is this team for real?

The mere fact that you count close wins as possible losses with no regard to the possibility that we could be 8-3 if not for a missed FG against Seattle tips the scale to contenders.