Okay, now that some of the more vocal, and guttural reactions are out of the way, let's look at some of the numbers from the game today.
Honestly, I think one of the big numbers that sticks out to me today is T.O.P.:
MIA - 29:07
ATL - 30:53
Why is this important. Well, it tells us a few things. First of all, Atlanta was not able to play their game, which is keep away and pounding the rock. But also, even though our offense was anemic we were not completely outperformed either. We were still able to control the ball for nearly half of the game, which is close to what we want to do. Ideally we want to be in the 35-40 minute range, but being able to do it for about 30, and looking this bad is a testament to the few things we did right.
Total offensive yards:
MIA - 259
ATL - 281
Total offensive plays:
MIA - 56
ATL - 65
On paper, on these stats alone, it would be hard to see the real story of the game, which might paint the game in a different color if you think about it. Looking at the ending score it might seem like it was a complete and utter blow out, that the game was completely uneven. And really, in a few facets of the game it was relatively close, and competetive. There was only the one major, glaring facet where it wasn't even.
Of course, the big number of the day, and the one that shaped the game, were the turnovers:
MIA - 4
ATL - 0
Not only did we have a sloppy performance ourselves, but we were not able to force Atlanta into any of them. This is the story of the game, not all this other stuff people are talking about , or bringing up for no good reason. Were the fumbles on Fasano's part bad? Of course they were. And, at the minimum we saw a 6 point swing at the end of the half. We most likely would have gone in either 7-7, or 7-3, instead of 10-0 with that fumble. That is a huge difference, especially psychologically. We had to go into the half at our lowest point, and we couldn't even try to match or take the lead coming out of the half. No, this is not to excuse Pennington's miscues either, as they were just as demolorizing. But the fact that we were uncharacteristically reckless with the football is the story.
Today has nothing to do with C.P.'s "noodle" arm. So today, out of how many years of him playing, is the day the house of cards finally tumbled down around him? Sorry, but I am not buying that this is the end of C.P., not yet at least. And as for his "noodle" arm:
Yards per passing attempt
C.P.'s: 6.1
Matt Ryan's: 6.4
I think I will let those numbers speak for themselves.
Today has nothing to do with Fasano needing to be cut come sunrise. These are the first 2 fumbles of his career. Before today in 3 seasons Fasasno has had 0 fumbles. He had a bad day, and I am sure he would be the first to admit it. Did he cost the Fins the game? Maybe, maybe not. He definately didn't help put them in a good position, that's for sure.
Today has nothing to do with Pat White, and him being a "wasted pick" according to some. No the run didn't work. And yes, the pass was overthrown, but it was there. The kid was probably a little amped up, it being his first NFL game that counts, and he was probably thinking about that throw all week. And do you really think the fact he threw that ball so far in the air will go unnoticed?
Today has nothing to do with the Wildcat/pat in general. Coaches can only put the players in situations to win. Pat White's pass play was there to be had, it is the execution that failed. I am not sure what happened on the Ginn run/pass option, but it was at least not a negative play, it did not blow up in our faces, and part of the reason for that may be because our players are used to running this system and know how to handle it when the looks are not there.
All in all, the fact that we can look at very specific plays and pin point where things went wrong show that this game was not a huge setback. Let's be honest, on opening weekend we went to a playoff team's homefield and were beat based upon turnovers. We were not out matched, we beat ourselves, and we can fix that.
Honestly, I think one of the big numbers that sticks out to me today is T.O.P.:
MIA - 29:07
ATL - 30:53
Why is this important. Well, it tells us a few things. First of all, Atlanta was not able to play their game, which is keep away and pounding the rock. But also, even though our offense was anemic we were not completely outperformed either. We were still able to control the ball for nearly half of the game, which is close to what we want to do. Ideally we want to be in the 35-40 minute range, but being able to do it for about 30, and looking this bad is a testament to the few things we did right.
Total offensive yards:
MIA - 259
ATL - 281
Total offensive plays:
MIA - 56
ATL - 65
On paper, on these stats alone, it would be hard to see the real story of the game, which might paint the game in a different color if you think about it. Looking at the ending score it might seem like it was a complete and utter blow out, that the game was completely uneven. And really, in a few facets of the game it was relatively close, and competetive. There was only the one major, glaring facet where it wasn't even.
Of course, the big number of the day, and the one that shaped the game, were the turnovers:
MIA - 4
ATL - 0
Not only did we have a sloppy performance ourselves, but we were not able to force Atlanta into any of them. This is the story of the game, not all this other stuff people are talking about , or bringing up for no good reason. Were the fumbles on Fasano's part bad? Of course they were. And, at the minimum we saw a 6 point swing at the end of the half. We most likely would have gone in either 7-7, or 7-3, instead of 10-0 with that fumble. That is a huge difference, especially psychologically. We had to go into the half at our lowest point, and we couldn't even try to match or take the lead coming out of the half. No, this is not to excuse Pennington's miscues either, as they were just as demolorizing. But the fact that we were uncharacteristically reckless with the football is the story.
Today has nothing to do with C.P.'s "noodle" arm. So today, out of how many years of him playing, is the day the house of cards finally tumbled down around him? Sorry, but I am not buying that this is the end of C.P., not yet at least. And as for his "noodle" arm:
Yards per passing attempt
C.P.'s: 6.1
Matt Ryan's: 6.4
I think I will let those numbers speak for themselves.
Today has nothing to do with Fasano needing to be cut come sunrise. These are the first 2 fumbles of his career. Before today in 3 seasons Fasasno has had 0 fumbles. He had a bad day, and I am sure he would be the first to admit it. Did he cost the Fins the game? Maybe, maybe not. He definately didn't help put them in a good position, that's for sure.
Today has nothing to do with Pat White, and him being a "wasted pick" according to some. No the run didn't work. And yes, the pass was overthrown, but it was there. The kid was probably a little amped up, it being his first NFL game that counts, and he was probably thinking about that throw all week. And do you really think the fact he threw that ball so far in the air will go unnoticed?
Today has nothing to do with the Wildcat/pat in general. Coaches can only put the players in situations to win. Pat White's pass play was there to be had, it is the execution that failed. I am not sure what happened on the Ginn run/pass option, but it was at least not a negative play, it did not blow up in our faces, and part of the reason for that may be because our players are used to running this system and know how to handle it when the looks are not there.
All in all, the fact that we can look at very specific plays and pin point where things went wrong show that this game was not a huge setback. Let's be honest, on opening weekend we went to a playoff team's homefield and were beat based upon turnovers. We were not out matched, we beat ourselves, and we can fix that.
painfully true, but funny...
