Postscripts, notes, thoughts from Dolphins' preseason opener

[fishfanmiami]

The good news:
### Ryan Tannehill was terrific on the 10-play, 73-yard opening drive, completing 6 of 6 passes for 61 yards, including an 8-yard TD to Brandon Gibson and a 36-yard pass to Rishard Matthews. His line gave him ample time. Bill Lazor used a mix of formations and was creative in his play-calling, including an 8-yard pass to Gibson off a read option earlier in that possession.
And Miami did it all without Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, Charles Clay and of course, Knowshon Moreno and Mike Pouncey.
### No kidding: The Dolphins began preseason with a TD on their first drive for the first time since 1988. Lorenzo Hampton scored that one.
### Also encouraging: The Dolphins’ run defense was generally stout, allowing 2.6 yards per carry on 32 attempts.
### Will Davis capably defended at least four passes.
### The return game was promising. Jarvis Landry broke two tackles on a 48-yard punt return and Marcus Thigpen had a 28-yard punt return. The return job looms as one of the most interesting in camp. Having Landry handle all returns saves a roster spot, but the staff also likes Thigpen.
### The offensive line allowed only one sack, when Billy Turner was victimized in the fourth quarter.
### Several players competing for roster spots made impressive plays, including tackles for loss from Anthony Johnson and Garrison Smith.... Tight end Brett Brackett was reliable as a receiver… Terence Fede made a tackle for a loss and Jordan Tripp was active and seems to have a nose for the ball (cliche alert!).

Here’s what’s discouraging:
### The Dolphins were outgained 372-229 and allowed the Falcons to march down the field for a touchdown on their first possession, with Matt Ryan finishing 7 for 8 for 53 yards on the 15 play, 77-yard drive that chewed up 9:16 of the clock.
### The Dolphins still can’t run the ball, certainly not with any consistency. Miami finished with 52 yards on 21 carries, equaling 2.5 per carry. Lamar Miller ran four times for 11 yards, Mike Gillislee 8 for 30, Orleans Darkwa 2 for 9, and Damian Williams 6 times for just 2 yards.
### Williams, the undrafted Oklahoma running back who the Dolphins really like, had to be carted off with a foot injury late in the game. He was in a walking boot after the game.
### The Dolphins still do Dolphins-like things at inopportune times. With the Dolphins at the Falcons’ five yard line and just under three minutes left, Seth Lobato couldn’t handle Kyle Larsen’s snap, and the Falcons recovered.
“There are some things that have happened in practice that reared their ugly head at a bad time in the game,” Joe Philbin said. “When we had the ball at the 5, I would have bet my ranch we would win the game. Balls are on the ground too much in practice and on the ground again today at a bad time.”
### Lobato (14 for 28, 128 yards) quarterbacked the Dolphins for their final 10 drives but the Dolphins scored just three points during that time, and he committed the key late fumble. But he didn’t throw any interceptions and if Pat Devlin fails to impress when he returns from a hamstring injury, the Dolphins could keep just two quarterbacks (Tannehill and Matt Moore) and place Lobato or someone else on the practice squad.
Moore sat out to rest a sore shoulder and Brock Jensen didn’t play.
### Jason Fox, battling for a roster spot as a backup tackle, was beaten on a running play that resulted in a five-yard loss for Damien Williams.
### The defensive line failed to get any consistent pass rush. The Dolphins had no sacks. Miami’s only sack – on a blitz by linebacker Koa Misi – was negated by a holding penalty against Jimmy Wilson.
### As usual with this team, the linebacker play was spotty. Misi, adjusting to middle linebacker, was faked out on one play, leaving him shaking his head. Undrafted rookie Chris McCain, impressive early, missed a tackle and made a costly mistake in pass coverage on a pick, leading to a long gain. Philip Wheeler did nothing to disrupt the Falcons’ opening drive. Jelani Jenkins was beaten on a third-down catch.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...iley-delivers-firm-message.html#storylink=cpy

 

[DKphin]

### The Dolphins still do Dolphins-like things at inopportune times. With the Dolphins at the Falcons’ five yard line and just under three minutes left, Seth Lobato couldn’t handle Kyle Larsen’s snap, and the Falcons recovered.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...iley-delivers-firm-message.html#storylink=cpy

Someone needs to tell the writers that cover the team that it helps if you actually know the name of the player your writing about.

 

[kcbrown]

Wheeler looked clueless AGAIN on that opening drive. Zero impact.

 

[MD]

Obviously the starting offense looked pretty damn good. Nice to see some creativity. The only thing I can say negatively was Tannehills throw to Matthews was slightly behind him. If he hits him in stride Matthews most likely walks into the endzone.

Very disappointed the NFL has chosen to no longer allow DBs to participate in the game.

Although I won't get into draft grading this early my initial impression is that Hickey has produced a solid draft.

I really like Michael Thomas. That stop he made when he was the last man to beat was text book.

 

[ANUFan]

Obviously the starting offense looked pretty damn good. Nice to see some creativity. The only thing I can say negatively was Tannehills throw to Wallace was slightly behind him. If he hits him in stride Wallace most likely walks into the endzone.

Very disappointed the NFL has chosen to no longer allow DBs to participate in the game.

Although I won't get into draft grading this early my initial impression is that Hickey has produced a solid draft.

I really like Michael Thomas. That stop he made when he was the last man to beat was text book.

Wallace huh?

 

[finfan54]

Seth Lobato for 3 1/2 quarters....lol we still could have won.

 

[TheJetsBlow]

Wallace didn't play...

 

[NBP81]

Obviously the starting offense looked pretty damn good. Nice to see some creativity. The only thing I can say negatively was Tannehills throw to Wallace was slightly behind him. If he hits him in stride Wallace most likely walks into the endzone.

Very disappointed the NFL has chosen to no longer allow DBs to participate in the game.

Although I won't get into draft grading this early my initial impression is that Hickey has produced a solid draft.

I really like Michael Thomas. That stop he made when he was the last man to beat was text book.

Yeah sure but then they would have called a too many men on the field penalty...

 

[AJDUHEJETKILLER]

1988? that is a nugget that hurts... Great opening drive.

 

[MD]

My apologies. Matthews. To early in the morning.

 

[roy_miami]

Obviously the starting offense looked pretty damn good. Nice to see some creativity. The only thing I can say negatively was Tannehills throw to Wallace was slightly behind him. If he hits him in stride Wallace most likely walks into the endzone.

Very disappointed the NFL has chosen to no longer allow DBs to participate in the game.

Although I won't get into draft grading this early my initial impression is that Hickey has produced a solid draft.

I really like Michael Thomas. That stop he made when he was the last man to beat was text book.

That really is maddening and I hope they let up on that somewhat. If not thinking you just made a great defensive stop only to have the drive continue by a little contact away from the play is going to happen so often that the mere idea of defensive stops will become an afterthought. The game just took one more step to becoming the arena league and eventually some coach will figure out that you don't need a "running" back at all anymore. For me great defense vs great offense is the ultimate matchup, that Seahawks-Broncos SB was one of the most intriguing in a long time. One of the most memorable Super Bowls for me was the 2000 Ravens team. If defense is eliminated from the game then that'll be the time I move on from NFL football, and good riddance.

 

[MD]

That really is maddening and I hope they let up on that somewhat. If not thinking you just made a great defensive stop only to have the drive continue by a little contact away from the play is going to happen so often that the mere idea of defensive stops will become an afterthought. The game just took one more step to becoming the arena league and eventually some coach will figure out that you don't need a "running" back at all anymore. For me great defense vs great offense is the ultimate matchup, that Seahawks-Broncos SB was one of the most intriguing in a long time. One of the most memorable Super Bowls for me was the 2000 Ravens team. If defense is eliminated from the game then that'll be the time I move on from NFL football, and good riddance.

I loved watching the Raiders "Soul Patrol" on the field. Those guys defined physicality and it was on display every Sunday. Allowing DBs to hit until the ball was in the air is how it should be played.

The NFL is going to far in assisting offenses in the passing game and I think are in danger of creating a dull one dimensional game. Unfortunately the thought process of producing higher scores generates more revenue outweighs the enjoyment for guys like you and I who love watching a good defense thats not neutered.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

I have two thoughts on the illegal contact rules:

1. They had to do something. Enforcement of illegal contact, defensive holding, and pass interference has been terrible and uneven, and if their emphasis is on calling it every time it's committed -- rather than whenever they feel like it -- that's a good change toward fairness of officiating.

2. You're not going to see this many penalties during the season. They will either relent and dial back on enforcement, or the players will change the way they cover.

Either way, if you think this 'ruins' the game, you can thank Seattle. If they hadn't done what they did so effectively, and then bragged about their technique for getting away with penalties to some guy from Sports Illustrated, it might not even be an issue.

 

[fishfanmiami]

Very disappointed the NFL has chosen to no longer allow DBs to participate in the game.

It certainly looking like that's the NFL's approach. I understand next year DB's will actually have one hand tied behind their back.

 

[fishfanmiami]

2. You're not going to see this many penalties during the season. They will either relent and dial back on enforcement, or the players will change the way they cover.

Either way, if you think this 'ruins' the game, you can thank Seattle. If they hadn't done what they did so effectively, and then bragged about their technique for getting away with penalties to some guy from Sports Illustrated, it might not even be an issue.

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