"Team Breakdown" at the halfway mark | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

"Team Breakdown" at the halfway mark

twg76

twg76

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Starting with offense.

Offensive Line: These guys are finally starting to come together. Miami has had O-line problems for a couple years now. But it seems like these guys are real close to getting it right. They have improved immensely on their run blocking. Pass blocking is decent. If they get keep the penalties down for the rest of the season, they may finally get the monkey off their back. Halfway Grade: B

WRs & TE: These guys are under-achieving. Some of that blame goes on the QB, but they are just not playing well all-around. If they have done anything well so far, it would be run blocking. Aside from Chambers handful of spectacular grabs, the WRs are missing too many passes, and they are not getting open on a regular basis. McMichael started out the season red hot, but he has stalled out over the past 3 or 4 games. Again, some of that blame can go to the QB. If they stop throwing to him enough, how can he make plays. Halfway Grade: C

Running Backs: This is the bright spot on offense at the halfway mark. Ronnie started a bit slow, but has turned it on and stayed consistent for a long time now. He is the best thing to happen to Miami in years. Ricky is also getting better as each game is played. There is no reason not to expect great things for the rest of the season from these guys. Miami MUST get these guys their carries in each game. If it were up to me, I would continuously develop Miami's offense around these guys. Halfway Grade: A

Quarterback: Yikes. This is where Miami's offense is hurting most. It has been that way for Miami for several years now. And it certainly hasn't change so far this year. Frerotte is not a championship QB. He is a backup QB by definition. He has been missing receivers for the last 5 games now on a regular basis. He is HORRIBLE under pressure. That would explain his MANY mistakes in the red zone so far this season. I don;t see much of a difference between him and Fiedler, other than the fact that Fiedler had more mobility. Gus is one step away from riding the pine where he belongs. Halfway Grade: D-


Now for the defense.

Defensive Line: This is the bright spot on defense right now. I wouldn't say that they are a sure thing every game, but they are getting it done most of the time. This line doesn't have much of a future (2 more years tops). So that means it is critical to get it done now. There is no reason to think that this area of defense will be a headache for Miami in the second half of the season. Halfway Grade: B

Linebackers: Zach Thomas started out the season like a bat out of hell. He was posting record numbers in tackles. Then, out of nowhere, he stopped tackling. When he stopped tackling, so did alot of the defense. Crowder has been improving. He has ALOT of potential. Seau has been a broken man most of the year so far. He is unreliable, and one step from retirement. If Zack steps his play up during the second half, Miami can expect better tackling and play from the linebackers. But that still remains to be seen. Miami will need to get a young linebacker in the offseason. Halfway Grade: C+

Defensive Backs: This is the weakest part of the defense without a doubt. Madison is getting older now. He is still pretty good in coverage, but his tackling abilities have declined. Daniels is a bright spot back there. He will get better over time and has great potential. Schulters is average. Miami needs a stronger tackler at safety. The rest of the DBs are below or barely average. Miami will definitly need to pickup a DB in the offseason. Miami's DBs will have to somehow find a way to stop opposing offenses, especially on third down, if they are going to win football games during the rest of this season. Halfway Grade: D

And finally...

Coaching Staff: Miami's offensive coordinator is from another planet. He has no feel for the pulse of MIAMI'S offense. He has some imaginary offense that he plays to. Unless he starts to really see Miami's offense for what it is, we can expect more bad play-calling the rest of the season. A change at QB would tame his insatiable desire to pass. As far as Saban goes, he has played it cool so far. He hasn't tried anything too risky. He has established a steady ability to ramble on to the press and avoid controversy. But things are starting to boil in Miami. 3-5 is not a very good record at the halfway mark. Evey Sunday, people are watching a good team fall short. It will be up to Saban to make some BIG decisions in order to get this team on the right track. It starts this Sunday against the Pats. This game will most certainly MAKE or BREAK the season for Miami. Halfway Grade: C+
 
I disagree with your grades and assessment of our LBs and Coaching staff... Just because Zach's tackling numbers are down doesnt mean much... The D-line had a heck of a Saints game and we all keard ZT graded out higher in this game with like 3 tackles than the game before against KC with like 15... Seau is old, Crowder has big time potential, and Spragan has been OK, minus that one huge penalty against Sam Adams in the Bills game in the red zone... As for the coaching staff, I think they are still feeling out what they have, and they are so smart that they sometimes outthink themselves.. 3rd and 2 last week, look at it like you have two downs to make 6 feet with two stellar or above-average Rb's... they chose the element of surprise route and got burned for it, because it turns out that it wasnt such a surprise with ricky and ronnie in the backfield (8 pass, 1 run last week when this was the formation)... just for the simple fact we have 3 quarters of our win total at the half way mark warrants at least a B in my opinion... move the linebacker core to a B-/C+ grade, more towards B- and the coaching to a B/B-
 
I disagree completely with your assessment of the coaching staff. Things are starting to boil in Miami? It's Sabans first 8 games as a head coach. I actually thought we would be worse than 3-5, so I'm pleasantly surprised with that.

Every Sunday, people are watching a good team fall short? You really think this is a "good" team? I think we're a very average football team with a few above average players on it. With the exception of JT, Zach, Ricky, Ronnie, CC and McMike (may have left a few others off the list), we are missing key players in important positions.

I think the coaching staff is doing what they can with what they have to work with, which in my opinion, isn't a whole lot. The oline is now starting to jell, which I can see. But the QB position is a mess along with the secondary.

Good post other than the comments about the coaching staff.
 
All in all, the grades you list are fair.....I would lower the OLine slightly to a B- or maybe a C+ simply because while on occasion they have blocked extremely well in the running game, they have also blown assignments on runs. They still havent been able to put a long time consuming drive together. Its certainly not all their fault, but via penalties this unit still adds negative yards far to often.

I think the pass protection game and its blocking from the 5 Lineman hasnt been consistent. But a high C+ or low B- is still above my expectation from this unit. I think the passing scheme has assisted in some of the lines stats this year. Saban himself has said that they are trying to help the OLine by throwing quick shorter routes and using RB or TE for extra protection. Gus is horribly inaccurate but has been recoginized as helping by getting the ball out before the pressure gets to him.

Our QB play has been far below expectation. Gus has played below expectation for what he is being asked to do which has surprised me. I just expected more from him since he wasnt asked to put the offense on his shoulders alone.

The overall Defense to me has been at best a C- this year. They just havent played well out of the gate to start a game or following half time. They have given up points in the first drive or both halfs far to often. They can still rise to the occasion and come up with a big stop, but more often than not this year they really have been outmatched in the pass defense and even stopping a key drive following a Dolphin score. Giving up over 4 70+ yard drives to Atlanta was just the latest in a year long battle to get off the field. This D unit's weakest area is in the coverage secondary. But the 3rd down unit is being shreaded. The injuries have hurt this unit so I take that into consideration.

At the half way point the teams record is a pretty fair assesment. We are 3-5. We are close to a .500 club! That is avg. We are just below avg. Which coming into the season, with a new Head Coach and staff hired to turn around a franchise that was in its lowest point is pretty much what you would realistically expect. As fans, its not what we want, but if you look in the mirror based on how you felt last year and following the hiring of Saban you should honestly feel that the franchise is right where you expected it to be, and our faults are shedding light on our weaknesses that will be fixed in the off season.

Thats actually the silver lining I see. Including the coaching staff and the work they have put in to change attitudes and individual players and units performance. Our weaknesses are being exposed and therefore its clear to see what needs to be fixed and improved.

That is exactly what I wanted from this season, and at the midpoint its helping us for the future. I would rather have this, than somehow having the results mask or cover our weaknesses and misleading the areas that need to be tweaked. The year still has 8 big games left. Regardless of scoreboard I can see improvements and can see the stepping stones to a positive future being put in place.
 
I'm surprised to hear that some think the coaching staff is really smart. So far, they haven't been dumb. I will give you that. But they haven't really done anything that special either.

Also, I do think that Miami is a good team. I think they are only one or two steps away from winning alot of their games. There are some problems with a lack of player talent on both sides. I agree. That may be the reason they are losing those close ones. But the coaching staff may only be a couple of "smart" decisions away from getting this group to play winning football.
 
I desagree, one year ago, if this coaching staff have been given to us, we would have signed every days, so let them work and next year with a good QB and LT we will be in the play off and who's know after that !
 
mcteems said:
I'm surprised to hear that some think the coaching staff is really smart. So far, they haven't been dumb. I will give you that. But they haven't really done anything that special either.

Also, I do think that Miami is a good team. I think they are only one or two steps away from winning alot of their games. There are some problems with a lack of player talent on both sides. I agree. That may be the reason they are losing those close ones. But the coaching staff may only be a couple of "smart" decisions away from getting this group to play winning football.
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In the big picture this is one of best coaching staffs in all of football. Its clearly one of the best this franchise has had in a long long time, top to bottom.

I understand the questioning of a specific play call because the results contributed to a loss. But this coaching staff has done a tremendous job in putting a scheme together, coaching technigue, and holding players accountable. Those are solid foundations that good organizations put in place to make it easier for new FA's, draft picks, etc come in pick up the system and contribute faster. Its what creates a winning attitude and a dynasty-like atmoshphere.

The coaching staff puts players in the proper place to execute. Granted you can be frustrated that a given play call on offense or defense defied logic, but its still up to the players to execute.

I think this staff should be commended for creating an atmosphere where players are able to be in the proper position to execute. Especially where young players are coached-up and able to contribute in their rookie season. These are all positive signs.
 
Dolphins_SR66 said:
In the big picture this is one of best coaching staffs in all of football. Its clearly one of the best this franchise has had in a long long time, top to bottom.

I understand the questioning of a specific play call because the results contributed to a loss. But this coaching staff has done a tremendous job in putting a scheme together, coaching technigue, and holding players accountable. Those are solid foundations that good organizations put in place to make it easier for new FA's, draft picks, etc come in pick up the system and contribute faster. Its what creates a winning attitude and a dynasty-like atmoshphere.

The coaching staff puts players in the proper place to execute. Granted you can be frustrated that a given play call on offense or defense defied logic, but its still up to the players to execute.

I think this staff should be commended for creating an atmosphere where players are able to be in the proper position to execute. Especially where young players are coached-up and able to contribute in their rookie season. These are all positive signs.
Click to expand...

Most of what you said is theory. The Miami coaching staff has not proved much of what you are claiming. And BTW, a C+ is not that bad of a grade.
 
mcteems said:
Most of what you said is theory. The Miami coaching staff has not proved much of what you are claiming. And BTW, a C+ is not that bad of a grade.
Click to expand...

I dont know if it qualifies as a theory, but I like what I see, I cant find fault in what I hear in press conferences, I like how the players are reacting and responding to the coaching. I like some of what I see from this OLine only one year removed from last years staff. So theory or not I give credit to the coaching staff that has been assembled from top to bottom.

All grades are based on expectations, a C+ is fine if you expected a C or worse, but its not fine if you expected a B- or better.
 
I agree with these grades except I may move Coachign Staff to a B- and D. Line to a B+. Also I'd give the DBs a D+ because we're playing fairly good safety ball.

One other thing -- I'm not too sure what you mean about the LBs. Zach has 2 tackles in the Saints game but followed that up with 13 tackles and a FF vs the Falcons. Stopped tackling? Doesn't he still lead the league?? :confused: Also, Crowder had one of his best games last week. Bar the Chiefs game, these guys have been the sole reason why we have one of the best run defenses in football.
 
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