Stop blaming Mularkey

[Louis Oliver]

Look...I have read all the complaints...

1) Daunte is the reason we can't win
2) Mularkey is the reason we can't win
3) The O-line is the reason we can't win

Look...the blame needs to be spread throughout the team.

No offensive coordinator could do well w/ the way our pass protection and run blocking are.

Yes the 2-point conversion looked ugly...Yes Ronnie Brown isn't getting enough carries...

But jesus..have you watched the games...the Phins can barely get a play off w/ out someone busting through the line and hitting the QB and or RB....

I am not saying Mularkey is anything more than average...but what the hell is supposed to do..??

To me our O-line is the #1 reason we are having problems. Yes, the playcalling could be better sometimes, Yes Culpepper could get rid of the ball quicker sometimes, but you can't do crap when you have no O-line.

Amen

 

[Breed]

Look...I have read all the complaints...

1) Daunte is the reason we can't win
2) Mularkey is the reason we can't win
3) The O-line is the reason we can't win

Look...the blame needs to be spread throughout the team.

No offensive coordinator could do well w/ the way our pass protection and run blocking are.

Yes the 2-point conversion looked ugly...Yes Ronnie Brown isn't getting enough carries...

But jesus..have you watched the games...the Phins can barely get a play off w/ out someone busting through the line and hitting the QB and or RB....

I am not saying Mularkey is anything more than average...but what the hell is supposed to do..??

To me our O-line is the #1 reason we are having problems. Yes, the playcalling could be better sometimes, Yes Culpepper could get rid of the ball quicker sometimes, but you can't do crap when you have no O-line.

Amen

I will revert to something I posted in another thread.....it makes it much harder to win if you don't run the ball.

Let's take at the teams Ricky played on since joining the Dolphins..

2002-4th in scoring defense (18.81 points allowed per game). The Dolphins ran the ball 530 times that year (1st in attempts, 2nd in yards) and averaged 4.72 yards per carry. This was the year Ricky had over 1,800 rushing yards and averaged 4.8 ypc. The Dolphins finished 9-7

2003-3rd in scoring defense (16.31 points allowed per game). The Dolphins ran the ball 487 times (8th in attempts) while averaging only 3.73 yards per carry as a team. The Dolphins finished 10-6 despite the low ypc; hmm maybe the scoring defense something to do with that......that and running the ball.

2004- Dolphins are 20th in scoring defense (22.13 points allowed per game). They run the ball only 384 times (29th in attempts) and average 3.49 yards per carry as a team. Fiedler combined for 12 turnovers while Feeley combined for 20 turnovers. Dolphins finished 4-12

2005-Dolphins were 15th in scoring defense (19.81 points allowed per game). The Dolphins ran the ball 444 times (17th in attempts) but averaged 4.27 yards per carry (8th). Dolphins finished 9-7; one of the biggest flukes in franchise history (IMO).

Now let's look at the Dolphins before Ricky arrived:

2001-Dolphins were 11th in points allowed (18.13 points allowed per game). The Dolphins ran the ball 473 times (9th in attempts) and averaged only 3.52 yards per carry as a team (29th); our leading rusher was Lamar Smith who averaged 3.1 yards per carry. The Dolphins finished 11-5

2000-Dolphins were 3rd in scoring defense (14.13 points allowed per game). The Dolphins ran the ball 496 times (8th) and averaged 3.82 yards per carry (24th). The Dolphins finished 11-5

1999-The Dolphins were 20th in scoring defense (21 points allowed per game). The Dolphins ran the ball 445 times (13th in attempts) and averaged 3.27 yards per carry; J.J. Johnson was our leading rusher with 558 rushing yards (3.4 ypc). The Dolphins finished 9-7

1998-The Dolphins had the #1 scoring defense (16.56 points allowed per game). The Dolphins ran the ball 458 times (13th in attempts) and averaged 3.35 yards per carry (30th); our leading rusher was Karim Abdul-Jabbar (3.6 ypc). The Dolphins were 10-6

Fast foward to this year:

The Dolphins are 14th in points allowed. We have run the ball 88 times (with 78 designed run plays) which is good for 28th in the NFL. We are on pace for 352 rushing attempts this year (312 of those being designed running plays).

Here's something I posted on the ESPN boards...

I know we have a really bad offensive line and our offense has been one of the worst in the AFC (and NFL), but all the games we've played have been very winnable. If we can keep our defense off the field, I actually think our defense is good enough (even with the suspect pass defense) to win another 8 or 9 games. How do we keep our defense off the field? Answer: Not getting in 3rd and 20 (etc.) situations; run more on first down and balance out the playcalling. How many times have we had 2nd and 10+ yards this season? If it's 2nd and 15 (for example), is any team really going to expect a run? If there is a run, it usually won't be but 3 or 4 yards; so we end up passing again and there's either a false start or a sack. We're shooting ourselves in the foot; I can barely watch the Dolphins anymore....we have no shot at moving down the field under the circumstances.

I know people didn't like Wanne ball, but a team is far more likely to win running it 60% of the time than passing it 60% of the time; especially with our offensive line. There are no "if" ,"and" or "buts" about it; our offensive line sucks both in pass protection and run blocking; but by running it more on 1st and 2nd downs, we cut down the 3rd and long situations.

If we continue to pass the ball 63% of the time, we will finish with one of the worst records in football; I'd be suprised to see us win 5 if we continue with the same stupid playcalling. As bad as things look; it's still not too late to turn things around...... if we just run the ball.

 

[SHEDDAWG DOLFAN]

So....What your saying is that you agree..

3) the O-Line is the reason we can't win

 

[emocomputerjock]

Look...I have read all the complaints...

1) Daunte is the reason we can't win
2) Mularkey is the reason we can't win
3) The O-line is the reason we can't win

Look...the blame needs to be spread throughout the team.

No offensive coordinator could do well w/ the way our pass protection and run blocking are.

Yes the 2-point conversion looked ugly...Yes Ronnie Brown isn't getting enough carries...

But jesus..have you watched the games...the Phins can barely get a play off w/ out someone busting through the line and hitting the QB and or RB....

I am not saying Mularkey is anything more than average...but what the hell is supposed to do..??

To me our O-line is the #1 reason we are having problems. Yes, the playcalling could be better sometimes, Yes Culpepper could get rid of the ball quicker sometimes, but you can't do crap when you have no O-line.

Amen

Thus far, the following suggestions have been made:

Mularkey needs to run a no huddle spread offense more.

He needs to hand the ball to Ronnie 30 times a game.

He needs to stop using the shotgun.

He needs to stop calling trick plays.

He needs to bench Culpepper for Harrington.

He needs to trade Booker and a high draft pick to pick up Moss.

He needs to fire Saban, or alternatively fire himself.

He needs to trade Ronnie, because Ronnie is a bust.

He needs to stop staring down recievers.

He needs to stop dancing around in the backfield.

He needs to throw to Chambers more.

He needs to play for next years draft.

If i missed any, let me know.

/crazy sarcasm while agreeing with the original poster

 

[dw10]

I agree. Mularkey's just part of the problem. Think about it.
Game 1 at Pitts. Mularkey didn't give up that disgusting 87 yd TD to Heath freaking Muiller late in the game when we leading.
In game 2, Mularkey didn't throw the Int. to the Bills as we were driving to take the lead before the end of the half.
At Houston, Mularkey didn't get burned by Andre Johnson time after time and get beat on 3rd down time after time. Mularkey didn't fail to sell the fake on the 2 pt conversion at the end.

Actually, I think it falls on the equipment manager. Nooker has been slipping all year and did so on Sunday when it mattered:wink: . Yeah, that's it. Blame it on the equipment manager!!!

 

[csabe]

I know people didn't like Wanne ball, but a team is far more likely to win running it 60% of the time than passing it 60% of the time; especially with our offensive line. There are no "if" ,"and" or "buts" about it; our offensive line sucks both in pass protection and run blocking; but by running it more on 1st and 2nd downs, we cut down the 3rd and long situations.

If we continue to pass the ball 63% of the time, we will finish with one of the worst records in football; I'd be suprised to see us win 5 if we continue with the same stupid playcalling. As bad as things look; it's still not too late to turn things around...... if we just run the ball.

I could not agree more about the above statement. Ideally it would be around a 50/50 split keeping a defense off balance would actually give our QB time to throw once and a while.

 

[emocomputerjock]

I could not agree more about the above statement.

Then research our first and second down plays called. I think you'll change your mind.

 

[D_BO]

Then research our first and second down plays called. I think you'll change your mind.

Care to share your wealth of knowledge about our play calling ratios, or just want to sound smart?

 

[flintsilver7]

Just a quick note - the 2004 scoring defense was actually 10th in the league, not 20th. If you hold the defense accountable for field goals, rush touchdowns, and receiving touchdowns, they ranked 10th. Miami led the league in "other" touchdowns - 10 total touchdowns allowed by something other than the defense. If you further adjust for things like yards per play, time of possession, and field position, they kept a very efficient and solid defense that year.

The 2005 defense simply did not have the same personnel and tailed off accordingly.

 

[emocomputerjock]

Care to share your wealth of knowledge about our play calling ratios, or just want to sound smart?

First down playcalls, from Sunday:

15 Pass, 12 Run

That counts the last drives of the game as well.

Props to Finole for flat out documenting with tape evidence.

Give me a second longer to find overall calls.

 

[D_BO]

I agree. Mularkey's just part of the problem. Think about it.
Game 1 at Pitts. Mularkey didn't give up that disgusting 87 yd TD to Heath freaking Muiller late in the game when we leading.
In game 2, Mularkey didn't throw the Int. to the Bills as we were driving to take the lead before the end of the half.
At Houston, Mularkey didn't get burned by Andre Johnson time after time and get beat on 3rd down time after time. Mularkey didn't fail to sell the fake on the 2 pt conversion at the end.

Actually, I think it falls on the equipment manager. Nooker has been slipping all year and did so on Sunday when it mattered:wink: . Yeah, that's it. Blame it on the equipment manager!!!

You're right, Mularkey didn't help us win by making plays on the field, because he is not a player!!! He is the offensive coordinator, he calls the crap plays that put us in a position to have to catch up, or pass on 2nd and long cause we were sacked on 1st down for the bizzilionth time.. And no, he doesn't call the defensive plays, or have an impact on the coacihing of the defense, but he does force our defense to be on the field for way too long due to the lack of production on the offensive side, due in a large part to his play calling.. Why are you supporting this clown? He clearly is not a very good OC, and definately has not put his unit in a favorable position to produce positive yardage, time and time again..

 

[Louis Oliver]

What I was trying to say and probably not so clearly..is that the reason for our losses is a combination of problems.

Teams are stacking the line of scrimmage and sending guys every time because they know we can't block it. Therefore it makes calling plays difficult.

I would love to see Ronnie get 30 carries a game ( I have him on my fantasy team as well ) but it is hard to run it when bodies are flying from different angles at your QB/RB.

We need to pass protect and run block better and more plays will start working.

 

[Breed]

First down playcalls, from Sunday:

15 Pass, 12 Run

That counts the last drives of the game as well.

Props to Finole for flat out documenting with tape evidence.

Give me a second longer to find overall calls.

That's a horrible ratio for 1st downs, especially with this OL.....you're just asking for a 3 and out when you're passing it on 1st down 55.6% of the time (especially with a poor OL). This is a large reason why we've only run it 37.8% of the time...

 

[FanMarino]

Look...I have read all the complaints...

1) Daunte is the reason we can't win
2) Mularkey is the reason we can't win
3) The O-line is the reason we can't win

Look...the blame needs to be spread throughout the team.

No offensive coordinator could do well w/ the way our pass protection and run blocking are.

Yes the 2-point conversion looked ugly...Yes Ronnie Brown isn't getting enough carries...

But jesus..have you watched the games...the Phins can barely get a play off w/ out someone busting through the line and hitting the QB and or RB....

I am not saying Mularkey is anything more than average...but what the hell is supposed to do..??

To me our O-line is the #1 reason we are having problems. Yes, the playcalling could be better sometimes, Yes Culpepper could get rid of the ball quicker sometimes, but you can't do crap when you have no O-line.

Amen

Giving Ronnie Brown 12 carries in the game when he is known to get better in 2nd half is criminal and we were not out of the game. Who do you blame for the playcalling? The O-Line? nope. Culpepper? Nope. Rosemary the telephone Operator? Nope. Malarkey? hmmmmm.

 

[emocomputerjock]

That's a horrible ratio for 1st downs, especially with this OL.....you're just asking for a 3 and out when you're passing it on 1st down 55.6% of the time (especially with a poor OL). This is a large reason why we've only run it 37.8% of the time...

I'm still looking for overall breakdowns (google isn't helping me, should have bookmarked the damned page), but remember - those pass numbers include the final drives of the game where we were down, and passing extensively to try to come back.