Ten thoughts on Dolphins' preseason loss to Baltimore
- Thread starter DKphin
- Start date
Howard's int was one of the lone bright spots... he was on that nobody receiver, badly thrown ball, and just showed some nice awareness to make the play. Nice catch also
It was hard for me to key in on godchaux, what did everyone think? Also what about phillips playing nearly the whole game? motivational? conditioning? a warning?
Asiata was harder to tell too, it seemed like we didn't see him for awhile.. one sack they showed a replay of, wasnt on him but the LT got beat and he attempted to help. I'd assume Tunsil would do better, the center wouldn't be a 4th stringer and he would look better out there. I think the RT Eric Smith was at least okay for what he is in this game.. probably better last week, but he should absolutely make the team. Sam Young is obviously plan A at swing tackle, but Smith should be plan B, and maybe even get him some guard reps
It was hard for me to key in on godchaux, what did everyone think? Also what about phillips playing nearly the whole game? motivational? conditioning? a warning?
Asiata was harder to tell too, it seemed like we didn't see him for awhile.. one sack they showed a replay of, wasnt on him but the LT got beat and he attempted to help. I'd assume Tunsil would do better, the center wouldn't be a 4th stringer and he would look better out there. I think the RT Eric Smith was at least okay for what he is in this game.. probably better last week, but he should absolutely make the team. Sam Young is obviously plan A at swing tackle, but Smith should be plan B, and maybe even get him some guard reps
gregorygrant83
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Taylor, Phillips and Godchaux played a lot at DT. Once you get past Suh and Godchaux you pretty much have to play the second string tackles a lot. After the starters yo only have, Phillips, Taylor and Okoye and DT need to rest every few series. If you rest Suh, Godchaux and Phillips you would be left with just two tackles to play out the remainder of the game. Phillips was just ok, not great but not bad either.
Yes, Jordan Phillips playing so much was an obvious curiosity. He actually tried very hard. He's just not very good.
However, he's considerably more stout at the point of attack than some of the other options, namely Warmsley and even Taylor. I was not as impressed with Vincent Taylor as other reviews here. He can be driven back on meaningful short yardage plays. I would keep Phillips above Taylor, while accepting Phillips for what he is and not some budding star.
Otherwise:
* Very poor outing for Chase Allen. Specifically the second half. He's not talented enough to have so many false steps. That rapid touchdown drive by Baltimore in the middle of the third quarter was promoted largely due to two inept plays by Allen, one on a weak chase attempt on the left sideline and then awful diagnose on the touchdown play.
* Beginning in maybe 2002 I started posting on Dolphins, Canes and USC sites. Not here until 2005. I had already worked in a sports stats office for years. One overwhelming trend revealed in that office was that screen passes were even more overrated than I always knew they were. I began ranting against screens on Las Vegas radio sports talk panels in fall 1988. Fans are fascinated by those plays but the bottom line is horrendous, and worse than horrendous on third down. I've mentioned many times that the stats office would burst out into group laughter when a third down screen was called in a high profile situation.
There was some blowback here early when I assaulted screens. Likewise on USC and Canes forums. Dolphin fans and USC fans started to see the light at roughly the same time, maybe 5 years ago. I have been impressed at the transition. But the Canes fans still refuse to believe it. I have a few guys on Canesinsight who desperately follow me around and negatively rate every post simply because I've gotten into their head to such extreme by knocking third down screens, and pointing out that power ratings are the basis of how pointspreads are made. Conventional wisdom dies hard.
* Speaking of the Canes, I'm amazed that Malcolm Lewis looks so light, healthy and normal out there. It's unlike anything since early in his freshman season in 2012 before the catastrophic injury at Georgia Tech. He was a sad shell of himself as a Cane in subsequent seasons, but always a fan favorite and favorite of mine simply due to making it back on the field. Prior to the injury Lewis was a freshman phenom and just a shade below Duke Johnson as best newcomer on the roster.
Lewis was too heavy in those later years at Coral Gables. He finally figured out to lose weight to partially compensate for what he lost. Well done. I doubt it will be enough to make the roster but he doesn't look out of place on an NFL field.
* Cutler looked fine. He'll have more weird looking throws than Tannehill. I enjoy uncertainty above adjustment.
* Never thought I'd be begging for a Ju'Waun James appearance
* Smart teams don't run kicks out of the end zone now that the 25 yard line is available. I don't believe Rizzi is sharp enough to explain the difference between preseason and regular season strategy to these kids. I'm not sure Rizzi understands the difference himself.
* It's always a bad matchup against the Ravens. They have certain weaknesses but they are tough. Our annual roster has so many stiffs on the offensive line that we don't qualify as tough. It really is strange that we can't find minimally competent offensive line prospects year after year. None of the third team reserves even look the part.
* Bob Griese is excellent at these preseason games. Just the ideal low key emphasis and without obsession over technique or strategy or anything else. He also plays the good employee role by asking pertinent questions to the owner or CEO during their stint.
* I did not know Sonny Jurgensen went to Duke. That was the downer of the night. I'm still stunned. That's not my era but I darn sure remember the end of Jurgensen's career. He's been a nonstop high profile announcer for the Redskins since that point and I've heard him call countless preseason games on radio and television while vacationing in the southeast over the decades. It's not as if I forgot. I've never heard it and I don't see how that's possible. Dock Stickton really stumped me on that one. I would have set the odds hefty the other way.
* I got my money back on Almaz Ayana when she dominated the world championship 10,000 meter two weeks ago. The geniuses allowed her odds to rise from -250 at open to +110 at go, simply because she hadn't run a race all year.
Cupcakes
However, he's considerably more stout at the point of attack than some of the other options, namely Warmsley and even Taylor. I was not as impressed with Vincent Taylor as other reviews here. He can be driven back on meaningful short yardage plays. I would keep Phillips above Taylor, while accepting Phillips for what he is and not some budding star.
Otherwise:
* Very poor outing for Chase Allen. Specifically the second half. He's not talented enough to have so many false steps. That rapid touchdown drive by Baltimore in the middle of the third quarter was promoted largely due to two inept plays by Allen, one on a weak chase attempt on the left sideline and then awful diagnose on the touchdown play.
* Beginning in maybe 2002 I started posting on Dolphins, Canes and USC sites. Not here until 2005. I had already worked in a sports stats office for years. One overwhelming trend revealed in that office was that screen passes were even more overrated than I always knew they were. I began ranting against screens on Las Vegas radio sports talk panels in fall 1988. Fans are fascinated by those plays but the bottom line is horrendous, and worse than horrendous on third down. I've mentioned many times that the stats office would burst out into group laughter when a third down screen was called in a high profile situation.
There was some blowback here early when I assaulted screens. Likewise on USC and Canes forums. Dolphin fans and USC fans started to see the light at roughly the same time, maybe 5 years ago. I have been impressed at the transition. But the Canes fans still refuse to believe it. I have a few guys on Canesinsight who desperately follow me around and negatively rate every post simply because I've gotten into their head to such extreme by knocking third down screens, and pointing out that power ratings are the basis of how pointspreads are made. Conventional wisdom dies hard.
* Speaking of the Canes, I'm amazed that Malcolm Lewis looks so light, healthy and normal out there. It's unlike anything since early in his freshman season in 2012 before the catastrophic injury at Georgia Tech. He was a sad shell of himself as a Cane in subsequent seasons, but always a fan favorite and favorite of mine simply due to making it back on the field. Prior to the injury Lewis was a freshman phenom and just a shade below Duke Johnson as best newcomer on the roster.
Lewis was too heavy in those later years at Coral Gables. He finally figured out to lose weight to partially compensate for what he lost. Well done. I doubt it will be enough to make the roster but he doesn't look out of place on an NFL field.
* Cutler looked fine. He'll have more weird looking throws than Tannehill. I enjoy uncertainty above adjustment.
* Never thought I'd be begging for a Ju'Waun James appearance
* Smart teams don't run kicks out of the end zone now that the 25 yard line is available. I don't believe Rizzi is sharp enough to explain the difference between preseason and regular season strategy to these kids. I'm not sure Rizzi understands the difference himself.
* It's always a bad matchup against the Ravens. They have certain weaknesses but they are tough. Our annual roster has so many stiffs on the offensive line that we don't qualify as tough. It really is strange that we can't find minimally competent offensive line prospects year after year. None of the third team reserves even look the part.
* Bob Griese is excellent at these preseason games. Just the ideal low key emphasis and without obsession over technique or strategy or anything else. He also plays the good employee role by asking pertinent questions to the owner or CEO during their stint.
* I did not know Sonny Jurgensen went to Duke. That was the downer of the night. I'm still stunned. That's not my era but I darn sure remember the end of Jurgensen's career. He's been a nonstop high profile announcer for the Redskins since that point and I've heard him call countless preseason games on radio and television while vacationing in the southeast over the decades. It's not as if I forgot. I've never heard it and I don't see how that's possible. Dock Stickton really stumped me on that one. I would have set the odds hefty the other way.
* I got my money back on Almaz Ayana when she dominated the world championship 10,000 meter two weeks ago. The geniuses allowed her odds to rise from -250 at open to +110 at go, simply because she hadn't run a race all year.
Cupcakes
jtoomuch
Apalled and aghast
I think all three of them should consider retirement. Kind of a geriatric booth. I am old too but I would like a little more vitality.
Was it griese who said something like: "and fales is back in at coach, errr quarterback"
Gold
BenchFiedler
Undrafted Pro-Bowler
Not sure how good Maxwell is but he is a different player out there compared to the 1st 6 games of the 2016 Season. He is not afraid of contacts anymore, his coverage has been excellent and he creates turnovers.
mrhankey81701
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There were positive signs from the defense on the first few series. That being said I can't give them too much credit since they were playing against Mallett who was beyond terrible.
Pandarilla
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If Griese's gonna be drinking during the telecast, Then I want him plastered. Slightly buzzed Griese is awkward and sad.
I really do not understand the running kicks out vs taking the 25. The upside is low - getting to the 26 or better is no sure thing, you can fumble or more likely - you will be called for a block in the back (feels like 35% or so of all kicks that get run back). I only run a kick out if its 2nd half and I am down and trying to make something happen. Take the 25 for crying out loud.
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PS isn't to win - it's to see what's on the roster. Can't grade players on touchbacks. And not just the returner. All 11
Fintastic2124
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Tell me about it. It doesn't help the team, even in preseason, when you get tackled at the 13, have Fails go 3 and out and the ravens get the ball at the 50. You aren't learning much
gregorygrant83
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Downing kickoffs in the endzone in preseason is 100 % worthless. The whole idea is for the two teams to be able to work on their return blocking and coverage, something that you lose by downing the ball in the endzone. The goal of the play isn't like regular season. You don't care if you start at the 25 or 15, you want to see how players handle their blocking assignments. It's no different than in practice, what would be the point of taking a knee during a return drill in practice?
gregorygrant83
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I think Fales's odds of going 3 and out at the 25 are similar to if they were on the 15. You're not going to improve your return blocking by taking a knee. Coverage teams can't improve their coverage if you're taking a knee. I think it would be silly for a coach to be worried about the 5 or 10 yard difference in field position in preseason.
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