Random Bye Week Thoughts

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Tua

Since every thread starts with Tua, where does he rank among the AFC East quarterbacks? At the beginning of the the season there was no argument. Josh Allen was clearly the class of the division. But now? Tua is quickly closing the gap IMO.

In the latest QBR rankings, Tua has now passed Allen as the seventh highest ranked qb. Allen is 8th and Jones is 14th. Too early to rank Wilson.

I think that last drive in the Monday night game kind of epitomizes Allen's career. A terrific throw to Diggs to get close to midfield, but melting down in the redzone. Throwing high, making the wrong reads etc

The Run Game

This game also pointed out, as if we needed the reminder, how important the run game is. I was surprised at the success New England had pounding the rock.

Let's face it, most teams now are geared to stop the pass, or at least that is the priority.

The Dolphins absolutely have yo make this the offseason focus, putting close to 100 percent of their resources into the offensive line and finding a running back with some power.

New England, Buffalo and the Jets all play in cold weather. That's another reason to get the run game going.

So You're Telling Me We Have a Chance?

After that dreadful 1-7 start it's nice to be mathematically in the race. No team has ever started 1-7 and made rhe playoffs. It's not likely Miami gets there, but at least the season isn't bleak anymore.

Draft Class of 2021

The 2021 draft class could go down as one of the best in Miami Dolphins history. Waddle, Phillips, Holland and Eichenberg all playing major roles.

Watching the rookies adds some excitement to the last part of the season. Will Waddle break the all-time rookie reception record? Can Phillips get to 10 sacks? What else will we see out of Holland and Eichenberg?

 

[NBP81]

Just glad they made my first live game interesting. Flying down on the 16th to catch the Jets game... I'll be honest, wasnt looking forward all that much 5-6 games ago...

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Just glad they made my first live game interesting. Flying down on the 16th to catch the Jets game... I'll be honest, wasnt looking forward all that much 5-6 games ago...

I've seen Miami play in San Francisco and Tampa Bay. Never in Miami. Definitely have to make that happen.

Glad you got that experience!

 

[ANUFan]

Allen like Jackson, I think, ability to use their legs to create game changing plays both help and hurt them overrall as a Qb. I think it takes away from they have to be the best passer on the field period to give their team the best opportunity to win.

A guy like Tua isn’t going to live off his feet so he BETTER know how to throw the ball out of the pocket accurately and consistently.

So when crunch time happens I think guys like Jackson and Allen are conflicted. They really want to run but they have to pass and make the best pass of the entire game.

When you look at the last pass of the NE game it’s clear had he led Beasley his clutch guy on the pass that was very like an easy TD.
But he went for the more difficult and awkward throw to Davis which likely didn’t have a chance.

 

[GhostArmOfMarino]

AFCE? Not really much competition. Wilson is trash, Mac isn't that good in my opinion, so you're left with Allen.

I'd still take Allen despite his down year, but id comfortably slot Tua in at #2.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Allen like Jackson, I think, ability to use their legs to create game changing plays both help and hurt them overrall as a Qb. I think it takes away from they have to be the best passer on the field period to give their team the best opportunity to win.

A guy like Tua isn’t going to live off his feet so he BETTER know how to throw the ball out of the pocket accurately and consistently.

So when crunch time happens I think guys like Jackson and Allen are conflicted. They really want to run but they have to pass and make the best pass of the entire game.

When you look at the last pass of the NE game it’s clear had he led Beasley his clutch guy on the pass that was very like an easy TD.
But he went for the more difficult and awkward throw to Davis which likely didn’t have a chance.

Good analysis. I always feel like Allen plays better when he gets going in the running game.

That last play was just a bad decision by Allen. Like you said, looked like an easy touchdown if he goes to Beasley. Also, he should have recognized with the blitz that the middle of the field would be open.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

AFCE? Not really much competition. Wilson is trash, Mac isn't that good in my opinion, so you're left with Allen.

I'd still take Allen despite his down year, but id comfortably slot Tua in at #2.

I think most Dolphins fans would also take Allen. But it's getting more interesting. Tua is showing big in big moments, which matches his time at Alabama.

 

[steveo style]

I don’t know why it’s too early to rank Wilson but it’s ok to rank Jones. Because Wilson missed a couple games?

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I don’t know why it’s too early to rank Wilson but it’s ok to rank Jones. Because Wilson missed a couple games?

Nah, I just don't think he was ready to start. Going from BYU to the NFL is a significant leap. I put that on the coaching staff in NY.

I did like his highlights at BYU.

 

[NBP81]

Things I've heard after last season...

"Herbert was clearly the better pick over Tua..."
"You cant compare Josh Allen's rookie year with Tua's rookie year, you could clearly see Allen was going to be an elite QB in this league..."

21 rating/YPA without even bringing the worst NFL OL into context.

Herbert 98 / 7.5
Allen 98 / 7.3
Tua 96 / 7.1

Now some context. pocket-time

Herbert 2.4s
Allen 2.3s
Tua 1.9s (Shortest time in the league yet 7th best in sack%)

 

[tay0365]

Tua

Since every thread starts with Tua, where does he rank among the AFC East quarterbacks? At the beginning of the the season there was no argument. Josh Allen was clearly the class of the division. But now? Tua is quickly closing the gap IMO.

In the latest QBR rankings, Tua has now passed Allen as the seventh highest ranked qb. Allen is 8th and Jones is 14th. Too early to rank Wilson.

I think that last drive in the Monday night game kind of epitomizes Allen's career. A terrific throw to Diggs to get close to midfield, but melting down in the redzone. Throwing high, making the wrong reads etc

The Run Game

This game also pointed out, as if we needed the reminder, how important the run game is. I was surprised at the success New England had pounding the rock.

Let's face it, most teams now are geared to stop the pass, or at least that is the priority.

The Dolphins absolutely have yo make this the offseason focus, putting close to 100 percent of their resources into the offensive line and finding a running back with some power.

New England, Buffalo and the Jets all play in cold weather. That's another reason to get the run game going.

So You're Telling Me We Have a Chance?

After that dreadful 1-7 start it's nice to be mathematically in the race. No team has ever started 1-7 and made rhe playoffs. It's not likely Miami gets there, but at least the season isn't bleak anymore.

Draft Class of 2021

The 2021 draft class could go down as one of the best in Miami Dolphins history. Waddle, Phillips, Holland and Eichenberg all playing major roles.

Watching the rookies adds some excitement to the last part of the season. Will Waddle break the all-time rookie reception record? Can Phillips get to 10 sacks? What else will we see out of Holland and Eichenberg?

To say that Miami legitimately could have the Offensive Rookie of the year, or the Defensive Rookie(S) of the year is insane to even say if it were not 100% true.

Not saying Miami will end up having either, but three players are extremely high in consideration right now.

 

[ANUFan]

Good analysis. I always feel like Allen plays better when he gets going in the running game.

That last play was just a bad decision by Allen. Like you said, looked like an easy touchdown if he goes to Beasley. Also, he should have recognized with the blitz that the middle of the field would be open.

Allen, yes we all know, is as big as an ox and stronger than a locomotive is living on borrowed time with all that running crap! It one thing the pocket breaks down and he escapes. But those design runs into the teeth of the defense is asking for all sorts of trouble.

There was a shot he took on that came on a led type play that you can tell rocked him.

You’re a damn Qb, like a Tua, your first option should be to pass and not run with the ball.

 

[dolfan91]

Tua - He's been on a tear since his return. He's been absolutely deadly accurate. His quick short passing game is driving defensive players bonkers. To the point several have made comments about him in a negative way.

He makes throws few QB's can make. His ball placement is astounding compared to others. He knows how to utilize the jump ball skills of guys like Parker and Gesicki. What's missing is better protection from the guys up front. His only problem per say, is dropped balls from his recievers. If Miami didn't lead the league in dropped passes, he'd even be better, and he's great now.

Run Game - Nothing exciting here. Once again the guys up front are mainly responsible for the lack of a running attack. The RB's have also left plays and yards on the field, due to their lack of vision. Hopefully the F/O finally fixes the issue this coming offseason. Tua and Miami needs it.

Draft - The 2021 draft class has been absolutely fantastic. Well at least the first three picks, have. Waddle, Phillips and Holland have been instrumental in Miami's turnaround from the 1-7 start. There is a core group beyond those three. It's been amazing how they've integrated themselves as rookies. Players like Gesicki, Smythe, Parker, Hollins, Baker, Wilkins, Sieler, Van Ginkle and Howard constantly contribute. Its a good developmental core. Lets hope Grier, if retained can find a few more draft gems, in 2022?

Moving Forward - Miami needs to finally find better answers to the offensive line, RB and middle linebacker. They also need to find a way to keep both Ogbah and Gesicki, because the F/A class is extremely underwhelming for 2022.

Lastly - #LFGD!!!

 

[DolfanISS]

I think most Dolphins fans would also take Allen. But it's getting more interesting. Tua is showing big in big moments, which matches his time at Alabama.

Every Patriots fan would take Mac over the other 3.

 

[Joe Dolfan]

Tua - He's been on a tear since his return. He's been absolutely deadly accurate. His quick short passing game is driving defensive players bonkers. To the point several have made comments about him in a negative way.

He makes throws few QB's can make. His ball placement is astounding compared to others. He knows how to utilize the jump ball skills of guys like Parker and Gesicki. What's missing is better protection from the guys up front. His only problem per say, is dropped balls from his recievers. If Miami didn't lead the league in dropped passes, he'd even be better, and he's great now.

Run Game - Nothing exciting here. Once again the guys up front are mainly responsible for the lack of a running attack. The RB's have also left plays and yards on the field, due to their lack of vision. Hopefully the F/O finally fixes the issue this coming offseason. Tua and Miami needs it.

Draft - The 2021 draft class has been absolutely fantastic. Well at least the first three picks, have. Waddle, Phillips and Holland have been instrumental in Miami's turnaround from the 1-7 start. There is a core group beyond those three. It's been amazing how they've integrated themselves as rookies. Players like Gesicki, Smythe, Parker, Hollins, Baker, Wilkins, Sieler, Van Ginkle and Howard constantly contribute. Its a good developmental core. Lets hope Grier, if retained can find a few more draft gems, in 2022?

Moving Forward - Miami needs to finally find better answers to the offensive line, RB and middle linebacker. They also need to find a way to keep both Ogbah and Gesicki, because the F/A class is extremely underwhelming for 2022.

Lastly - #LFGD!!!

C'mon. Enough with the drops thing. Miami is actually 4th in the league in drops; the Chargers are first.

Also, 25% of the team's drops came in one game: Houston, which Brissett QB'd. I can't find a game-by-game drop statistic, but I'm guessing at least half of Miami's 20 drops were on Brissett passes.

People also call drops where none exists. For example, a lot of people keep saying Gesicki dropped that pass in the end zone, but the defender got a PD; that's not a drop.

Edit: Actually, Miami is tied for 3rd with KC in drops.