RealDriscoll
Still Perfect.. and You're Not.
Last night the Miami Dolphins made their return to Prime-Time; all the stars were there and the crowd was more alive than ever but Peyton Manning and the Colts pulled out a tough win. As usual "Dolphin Nation" is going crazy calling for the head of certain players and I can't believe someone actually said to get rid of Tony Sparano. We find ourselves in a familiar situation as last season as we sit at 0-2 but this year is very different. The Dolphins proved to the world last night that last season was not a fluke because the Miami Dolphins are a good football team. They physically dominated the Colts throughout the entire game but lost where it counts most, the score. Here is what I think about the game and the team...
The Good...
*Ronnie Brown answered my call. I said he would need to step up to get a contract extension and he did that and more. He is an absolute bruiser and he keeps fighting for yards. I am glad that America got to see this guy tonight because I stand by my stance which is that Ronnie is a top 5 back in this league.
*The Offensive Line responded very well to the debacle in Atlanta. Jake Long was so impressive that it gave me chills. Dwight Freeney got one sack that wasn't Jake's fault by any means. The line as a whole was very good and this why we invested the $150 million we did. Donald Thomas had defenders on their back and Jake Grove manhandled opposing Defensive Tackles. Jake Long was #1 pick worthy and if you are going to questions this guy or start threads "We should have taken Matt Ryan" than fist yourself b/c Jake Long works his *** off to be an Elite Left Tackle and he is becoming that every week.
*I want you all to be very very careful what you wish for. I know you want Henne or White as the starting Quarterback b/c you have seen success with young Quarterbacks such as Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, and most recently Mark Sanchez. Chad Pennington is very good if not bordering greatness. He played a brilliant game Monday Night and he made the game winning throw but Ted Ginn Jr. didn't catch it but I will touch on that later. Pennington is a smart Quarterback who audibled into some big plays last night. As usual Penning was very accurate and his throws seemed to have more of a zip on them. CP is not the problem here.
*Sean Smith is going to be a star in this league. He did a GREAT job on Reggie Wayne who is without question a top 5 Wide Receiver in this league. Smith really has amazing ball skills and this guy could be the very best Corner we have seen in a very long time.
*Ricky Williams for my money is the best backup back in this league. He is running the ball harder than he ever has and he is punishing defenders who try to bring him down.
*The Wild-Cat still works ladies and gentlemen. Ronnie Brown is a special player at the helm of this formation. The Wild-Cat torched the Colts on Monday night.
*Our special teams kick-off coverage was the best I have seen in a long time. Lex Hilliard was a beast with 3 solid tackles.
*Ted Ginn Jr. put up #1 receiver statistics. His route running is much improved but he still needs to try to make more happen and stop falling to the ground and running out of bounds.
THE BAD.........
*Dan Henning's play calling baffles me. I know we were having success with the run but on 3rd and 6 we try to run it? Very bad call. Championship teams know how to finish and scoring touchdowns is finishing and kicking field goals is playing safe.
*Dan Carpenter kicked well out of the infield dirt but that one he did miss was terrible.
*Letting Peyton Manning drive the Colts for a field goal before the half to tie the game. You have to play the sidelines in that situation and we didn'. Tony McDaniel jumped offsides which ultimatly made that field goal good.
*The opening play reminds me of when the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Dolphins on Monday Night in 2000; Fred Taylor opened the game with an 80-yard touchdown run. I don't know why we didn't adapt to Dallas Clark but it seemed like we didn't know who he was. Yeremiah bell might have had his worst game as a Dolphin. Gibril Wilson seems to be this years' version of Ernest Wilford to me. He should have made that interception before the half, he should of tackled Dallas Clark on that opening drive, etc.
*Why aren't we getting the ball to Davone Bess? He is our best Wide Receiver...
*Anthony Fasano has been moved into more of a blocking role sort of like Todd Heap in Baltimore last season; Fasan lead our team in receiving touchdowns so I don't really see the logic here. If Fasano wants to be a Dolphin next season he won't get the contract he is expecting..
*Ted Ginn Jr. had a good game and was clutch during the final drive but how did he not catch that ball? People selected at #9 overall make that catch and that is why Ted Ginn Jr. is a #2 receiver. We need a #1. I think Ginn as a #2 and Bess in the slot is very good for the future of this team but we need that game-changer.
*To lose a game in which you dominated the opponent so much is gut-wrenching. The Colts ran 3 plays in the entire 3rd quarter yet still won this game.
*I don't understand why you don't give Pat White chances to make plays. Having him simply hand-off is worthless. i understand they were running the spread option but let Pat throw the ball downfield. Tale the Wild-Cat to the next level.
* I love Patrick Cobbs but we need a return man. We need someone who can hit the homerun.
Thoughts....
Believe it or not this weeks game against the Chargers in San Diego is a must win. If we do not win this game than Chad Henne will be at the tip of everyone's tongue whether it's Penningtons' fault or not. Pennington gives us the best chance to win now and if we are not winning why not prepare for the future. The front office is very high on Chad Henne and eventually I will be on board with their thoughts BUT I still think we sign Pennington to a 2-year extension b/c Pat White was more of a gimmick pick. We need to start talking contarct with Ronnie Brown now before his asking price goes up. It seems to me that Greg Camarillo isn't in the teams' long term plans. In think Ted Ginn Jr., Davone Bess, Brian Hartline, and Patrick turner have safe roster spots but I think we will aim for a big-time Wide Receiver this off-season. Dez Bryant from Oklahoma State is a guy worth watching. The future of this offense seems to be on the up with a solid Offensive Line, a very good if not great running back, Chad Henne, but really need to improve by finding a #1 receiver and a pass catching tight end.
The defense on the other hand is interesting. Jason Ferguson, Joey Porter, Jason Taylor, and Will Allen are all on the downside of their careers; despite playing at a high level age does catch up with you. JT and Ferguson are free agents and unless they come as big discounts they will be goners. Gibril Wilson needs to step up big time or Free-Safety becomes a need as well. At the end of the day I am extremely happy with Randy Starks, Phillip Merling, and Kendall Langford. Joey Porter will probably play out his contract in Miami. Channing Crowder does more talking than playing and Akin Ayodele is solid but we need a difference maker in the middle of this defense. Keep an eye on Ndamukong Suh, Terrence Cody, Rolando McClain, Brandon Spikes, and Jerry Hughes come April.
It will be interesting to see how this team responds after starting 0-2 and we have had good success against the Chargers over the last couple of years. I hope LT plays because Darren Sproles scares me. The Ravens ran all over this team and we should be able to do the same. Also our defensive line should find some success against a patchwork offensive line in San Diego. I think the Dolphins win in the end this week and if not bring on Henne. I love Pennington but if we start 0-3 it might be time to prepare for the future. Until next week...
The Good...
*Ronnie Brown answered my call. I said he would need to step up to get a contract extension and he did that and more. He is an absolute bruiser and he keeps fighting for yards. I am glad that America got to see this guy tonight because I stand by my stance which is that Ronnie is a top 5 back in this league.
*The Offensive Line responded very well to the debacle in Atlanta. Jake Long was so impressive that it gave me chills. Dwight Freeney got one sack that wasn't Jake's fault by any means. The line as a whole was very good and this why we invested the $150 million we did. Donald Thomas had defenders on their back and Jake Grove manhandled opposing Defensive Tackles. Jake Long was #1 pick worthy and if you are going to questions this guy or start threads "We should have taken Matt Ryan" than fist yourself b/c Jake Long works his *** off to be an Elite Left Tackle and he is becoming that every week.
*I want you all to be very very careful what you wish for. I know you want Henne or White as the starting Quarterback b/c you have seen success with young Quarterbacks such as Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, and most recently Mark Sanchez. Chad Pennington is very good if not bordering greatness. He played a brilliant game Monday Night and he made the game winning throw but Ted Ginn Jr. didn't catch it but I will touch on that later. Pennington is a smart Quarterback who audibled into some big plays last night. As usual Penning was very accurate and his throws seemed to have more of a zip on them. CP is not the problem here.
*Sean Smith is going to be a star in this league. He did a GREAT job on Reggie Wayne who is without question a top 5 Wide Receiver in this league. Smith really has amazing ball skills and this guy could be the very best Corner we have seen in a very long time.
*Ricky Williams for my money is the best backup back in this league. He is running the ball harder than he ever has and he is punishing defenders who try to bring him down.
*The Wild-Cat still works ladies and gentlemen. Ronnie Brown is a special player at the helm of this formation. The Wild-Cat torched the Colts on Monday night.
*Our special teams kick-off coverage was the best I have seen in a long time. Lex Hilliard was a beast with 3 solid tackles.
*Ted Ginn Jr. put up #1 receiver statistics. His route running is much improved but he still needs to try to make more happen and stop falling to the ground and running out of bounds.
THE BAD.........
*Dan Henning's play calling baffles me. I know we were having success with the run but on 3rd and 6 we try to run it? Very bad call. Championship teams know how to finish and scoring touchdowns is finishing and kicking field goals is playing safe.
*Dan Carpenter kicked well out of the infield dirt but that one he did miss was terrible.
*Letting Peyton Manning drive the Colts for a field goal before the half to tie the game. You have to play the sidelines in that situation and we didn'. Tony McDaniel jumped offsides which ultimatly made that field goal good.
*The opening play reminds me of when the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Dolphins on Monday Night in 2000; Fred Taylor opened the game with an 80-yard touchdown run. I don't know why we didn't adapt to Dallas Clark but it seemed like we didn't know who he was. Yeremiah bell might have had his worst game as a Dolphin. Gibril Wilson seems to be this years' version of Ernest Wilford to me. He should have made that interception before the half, he should of tackled Dallas Clark on that opening drive, etc.
*Why aren't we getting the ball to Davone Bess? He is our best Wide Receiver...
*Anthony Fasano has been moved into more of a blocking role sort of like Todd Heap in Baltimore last season; Fasan lead our team in receiving touchdowns so I don't really see the logic here. If Fasano wants to be a Dolphin next season he won't get the contract he is expecting..
*Ted Ginn Jr. had a good game and was clutch during the final drive but how did he not catch that ball? People selected at #9 overall make that catch and that is why Ted Ginn Jr. is a #2 receiver. We need a #1. I think Ginn as a #2 and Bess in the slot is very good for the future of this team but we need that game-changer.
*To lose a game in which you dominated the opponent so much is gut-wrenching. The Colts ran 3 plays in the entire 3rd quarter yet still won this game.
*I don't understand why you don't give Pat White chances to make plays. Having him simply hand-off is worthless. i understand they were running the spread option but let Pat throw the ball downfield. Tale the Wild-Cat to the next level.
* I love Patrick Cobbs but we need a return man. We need someone who can hit the homerun.
Thoughts....
Believe it or not this weeks game against the Chargers in San Diego is a must win. If we do not win this game than Chad Henne will be at the tip of everyone's tongue whether it's Penningtons' fault or not. Pennington gives us the best chance to win now and if we are not winning why not prepare for the future. The front office is very high on Chad Henne and eventually I will be on board with their thoughts BUT I still think we sign Pennington to a 2-year extension b/c Pat White was more of a gimmick pick. We need to start talking contarct with Ronnie Brown now before his asking price goes up. It seems to me that Greg Camarillo isn't in the teams' long term plans. In think Ted Ginn Jr., Davone Bess, Brian Hartline, and Patrick turner have safe roster spots but I think we will aim for a big-time Wide Receiver this off-season. Dez Bryant from Oklahoma State is a guy worth watching. The future of this offense seems to be on the up with a solid Offensive Line, a very good if not great running back, Chad Henne, but really need to improve by finding a #1 receiver and a pass catching tight end.
The defense on the other hand is interesting. Jason Ferguson, Joey Porter, Jason Taylor, and Will Allen are all on the downside of their careers; despite playing at a high level age does catch up with you. JT and Ferguson are free agents and unless they come as big discounts they will be goners. Gibril Wilson needs to step up big time or Free-Safety becomes a need as well. At the end of the day I am extremely happy with Randy Starks, Phillip Merling, and Kendall Langford. Joey Porter will probably play out his contract in Miami. Channing Crowder does more talking than playing and Akin Ayodele is solid but we need a difference maker in the middle of this defense. Keep an eye on Ndamukong Suh, Terrence Cody, Rolando McClain, Brandon Spikes, and Jerry Hughes come April.
It will be interesting to see how this team responds after starting 0-2 and we have had good success against the Chargers over the last couple of years. I hope LT plays because Darren Sproles scares me. The Ravens ran all over this team and we should be able to do the same. Also our defensive line should find some success against a patchwork offensive line in San Diego. I think the Dolphins win in the end this week and if not bring on Henne. I love Pennington but if we start 0-3 it might be time to prepare for the future. Until next week...
