Tua is not that guy

[dan the fin]

My statement was... WITH Tua, Miami is a top team. I agree with you that Miami can not win if Tua has a bad game, though that rarely happens unless something significant happens to force him to force balls, or have no time at all.

Though something huge has to happen for Tua to have a bad game, like losing huge amounts of key offensive players, unusually bad Weather (Very windy, extremely cold, Rain/Snow storm)...But if those things happen to any other team, extremely few QBs will have a good game, unless they are Running QBs.

Even with Tua we are not a top "team" as in top 6 in the NFL. Ya he elevates Miami into a playoff team, but 14 teams make the playoffs. Like I said in no way are we on a level if the top teams. The D is brutal. We just shattered the NFL record for missed tackles in a game two weeks ago. We just let old man Rodgers throw for his first 300 yard game in 35 starts. When you D is this bad you are not a top NFL team. And then we have zero physicality on O as well. Tua was good against GB and they beat the living crap out of Miami in the trenches on both sides of the ball. And GB isn't a clear cut top team.

 

[EJay]

Great post...

The problem is too many people need one person to point the finger at.

Tua isn't perfect, but I'd like to see one QB that is.

This team is not built to play in cold weather. This team is not built to play against physical teams.

McDaniel wanted a team built around speed and that's what Grier did. The problem is that doesn't hold up against more physical teams.

While the OLine played well yesterday, a lot of that is Tua. A good QB that gets the ball out quick makes any line look better. The way this team is constructed is not a winning combination against the more physical teams, especially in the environments.

They need to get more physical at guard, and need a big bodied WR. Yes Smith has kind of taken that role, but I'd still try to bring in a 6'3" type of guy that can do damage over the middle and in the redzone.

Defense just has to upgrade the front 7. Of course they will need two starting safeties next year...


There is work to do, and I'd likw to see it done without Grier, not a McDaniel fan either.

WRT the offense's physicality, I agree.

I've been thinking about this again recently, and I believe an answer is to compliment our speed and finesse passing attack with a physical line and physical running back (that's why I lobbied hard for Derrick Henry all off season).

I'm sure there are many good options available in the draft, but one kid I have in mind is Cam Skattebo from Arizona State. We need a back like him that runs with a physical edge and breaks tackles. What's also great about Skattebo is that he's very good in pass game too, as both a blocker and a pass receiver. He'd compliment our team very, very well. The only thing he doesn't bring to the table is world class speed, but they've already got that in Achane. They just desperately need a back that can get those tough yards no matter the elements.

Then on top of a physical back, they clearly need to change the tone of their o-line. We all know that o-line has been and continues to be a sore spot. It is in desperate need of a makeover. And if you're going to do that, why not change direction and focus more on a physical, power running type of line (versus pass protection)?

We've already seen that Tua can get the ball out quickly regardless of who lines up in front of him. If he's going to be pressed to make quick decisions and get the ball out quickly, why not make the focus of the line guys that can really run block and create a power run game?

If the Dolphins can find a way to marry their speed in the pass game with a true power rush attack, look out!

 

[Manning]

Miami ended up with 11 wins last year, with ridiculous amounts of not just injuries, but out for the season Injuries.

If Tua had not gone down, Miami right now has 8-9 wins and the 5th seed (That's the top wildcard position)...So yes, top team, as in teams already in position to get to the playoffs.

When you say top team I’m thinking top 3-5. If you meant top half of the NFL team I’d still disagree but can understand you feeling that way. Have you watch this D play? Rodgers just had the best game he’s had in years against this **** D at home. Least sacks in the AFC. Our Oline is trash and our running game isn’t good either.

 

[tay0365]

Even with Tua we are not a top "team" as in top 6 in the NFL. Ya he elevates Miami into a playoff team, but 14 teams make the playoffs. Like I said in no way are we on a level if the top teams. The D is brutal. We just shattered the NFL record for missed tackles in a game two weeks ago. We just let old man Rodgers throw for his first 300 yard game in 35 starts. When you D is this bad you are not a top NFL team. And then we have zero physicality on O as well. Tua was good against GB and they beat the living crap out of Miami in the trenches on both sides of the ball. And GB isn't a clear cut top team.

When you look at a schedule, you look to see how many playoff teams we are playing, because universally, playoffs teams are considered quality. Miami reached the playoffs last year with 11 wins, and if not for Tua going down, Miami right now is at 8 or 9 wins, with a good chance of reaching 11 or more.

When you say top team I’m thinking top 3-5. If you meant top half of the NFL team I’d still disagree but can understand you feeling that way. Have you watch this D play? Rodgers just had the best game he’s had in years against this **** D at home. Least sacks in the AFC. Our Oline is trash and our running game isn’t good either.

I am saying reaching the next level (Playoffs), and if Tua had not gone down, Miami right now would have had 8 or 9 wins, but I will agree with you that the defense can not be counted on, so it does weaken the team tremendously.

If the offense was in top form like last year, then I have to say Miami's still dangerous against any team, but the offense has still not hit top form yet, and with the way you can't count on the Defense, I will agree with you that even if by some miricle Miami made the playoffs, unless the Offense can get in top form, or the defense starts finally playing well, it's not going to be a long visit in the playoffs again for Miami.

On Offense Miami does have somethings it did not have last year, Jonnu Smith has become a beast, and an extra dangerous weapon that no opponant wants to see. Though I did not really want him, and he is doing horrible, OBJ is still a talented extra receiver that makes it tough to cover and stop Miami's passing game if he starts producing. Finally, Jaylen Wright is a quality RB that is close to exploding, though if Miami is not going to use Mostert, they need to start using Jeff Wilson Jr more to keep Achane fresh for 2nd half.

If Miami can start raising their offense production more, I think they can overcome the defensive inadequacies. I'm an optimistic person, so I still have to hope Miami can win 4 more games, and teams in front of us will lose 2-3 games...Then we can just let things fall where they may (Hopefully some unexpected wins in the playoffs).

 

[39wildman]

McDaniel should let Tua call plays because he is reason. He still got jobs.

 

[Mach2]

McDaniel should let Tua call plays because he is reason. He still got jobs.

I seriously doubt a QB (any QB) calling his own plays is viable today.

Defenses have become too complex for a guy on the field to see and understand what's going on in real time.

 

[AgentXof12]

I seriously doubt a QB (any QB) calling his own plays is viable today.

Defenses have become too complex for a guy on the field to see and understand what's going on in real time.

I still think some of the best offensive minds in the game are among the players. I think guys like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are as good, if not maybe even better, than the best offensive coordinators in the league. And I think we still see the players wanting certain plays called at the right time when the coaches and coordinators might not be thinking it, and it's absolutely the right play to call and we see it work.

Not sure about QBs calling their own plays as that's not something you want anyone on the field, including the sideline, doing throughout the game. I think you want a good coordinator in the box who has a view no one else does, of course.

 

[dan the fin]

When you look at a schedule, you look to see how many playoff teams we are playing, because universally, playoffs teams are considered quality. Miami reached the playoffs last year with 11 wins, and if not for Tua going down, Miami right now is at 8 or 9 wins, with a good chance of reaching 11 or more.




I am saying reaching the next level (Playoffs), and if Tua had not gone down, Miami right now would have had 8 or 9 wins, but I will agree with you that the defense can not be counted on, so it does weaken the team tremendously.

If the offense was in top form like last year, then I have to say Miami's still dangerous against any team, but the offense has still not hit top form yet, and with the way you can't count on the Defense, I will agree with you that even if by some miricle Miami made the playoffs, unless the Offense can get in top form, or the defense starts finally playing well, it's not going to be a long visit in the playoffs again for Miami.

On Offense Miami does have somethings it did not have last year, Jonnu Smith has become a beast, and an extra dangerous weapon that no opponant wants to see. Though I did not really want him, and he is doing horrible, OBJ is still a talented extra receiver that makes it tough to cover and stop Miami's passing game if he starts producing. Finally, Jaylen Wright is a quality RB that is close to exploding, though if Miami is not going to use Mostert, they need to start using Jeff Wilson Jr more to keep Achane fresh for 2nd half.

If Miami can start raising their offense production more, I think they can overcome the defensive inadequacies. I'm an optimistic person, so I still have to hope Miami can win 4 more games, and teams in front of us will lose 2-3 games...Then we can just let things fall where they may (Hopefully some unexpected wins in the playoffs).

We are not talking "quality teams". Just making the playoffs puts you closer to an average team then it does the "top". Top is like 4-6 teams max. We are not in that class.

 

[tay0365]

We are not talking "quality teams". Just making the playoffs puts you closer to an average team then it does the "top". Top is like 4-6 teams max. We are not in that class.

A team that won 11 games last year (With severe injury issues), and had a very good chance of winning 11 or more games again this year if not for losing it's qb is not average.

As far as only 4 to 6 teams being quality teams, we disagree there. Once you reach the playoffs, you have as much of a chance at reaching the superbowl and possibly winning it as any of the other teams.

It's true that Miami has had injury issues, and mental toughness to win in the playoffs for a very long time now, but a team is incapable of winning in the playoffs, until they all of a sudden can.

This year has looked like a slight disaster, but let's still see how this year goes.

 

[MrChadRico]

A team that won 11 games last year (With severe injury issues), and had a very good chance of winning 11 or more games again this year if not for losing it's qb is not average.

As far as only 4 to 6 teams being quality teams, we disagree there. Once you reach the playoffs, you have as much of a chance at reaching the superbowl and possibly winning it as any of the other teams.

It's true that Miami has had injury issues, and mental toughness to win in the playoffs for a very long time now, but a team is incapable of winning in the playoffs, until they all of a sudden can.

This year has looked like a slight disaster, but let's still see how this year goes.

Top teams don't have records like this!

 

[Mach2]

A team that won 11 games last year (With severe injury issues), and had a very good chance of winning 11 or more games again this year if not for losing it's qb is not average.

As far as only 4 to 6 teams being quality teams, we disagree there. Once you reach the playoffs, you have as much of a chance at reaching the superbowl and possibly winning it as any of the other teams.

It's true that Miami has had injury issues, and mental toughness to win in the playoffs for a very long time now, but a team is incapable of winning in the playoffs, until they all of a sudden can.

This year has looked like a slight disaster, but let's still see how this year goes.

Agree with the first paragraph. We are above average, slightly above.

Disagree with the second paragraph. Every team that makes the playoffs does not have an equal chance. It isn't even a debate. History clearly shows that home teams, division winners in general, have won more than wild cards. I would be surprised if that weren't the case, TBH. Do wildcards occasionally make a run? Yes, but let's not pretend it's common.

As much as it pains me to agree with @MrChadRico .......lol....... I think what he said about only being 4-6 top tier teams at any given time is accurate.

 

[tay0365]

Agree with the first paragraph. We are above average, slightly above.

Disagree with the second paragraph. Every team that makes the playoffs does not have an equal chance. It isn't even a debate. History clearly shows that home teams, division winners in general, have won more than wild cards. I would be surprised if that weren't the case, TBH. Do wildcards occasionally make a run? Yes, but let's not pretend it's common.

As much as it pains me to agree with @MrChadRico .......lol....... I think what he said about only being 4-6 top tier teams at any given time is accurate.

But that's the point, I'm not saying wildcard teams have just as good a chance to reach, or even win a Superbowl, my point is those so called not quality teams like the Giants twice, Raiders, Patriots, Cowboys, Bills, Broncos, Titans, Ravens, Steelers, and Packers have all reached the Superbowl at a disadvantage, which shows that though it's tough, teams as wildcard can reach the the big show, and are quality teams. Once you reach the playoffs, it's a new season, but teams that reached it are the top teams in their conference that year.

If Miami had not lost so many players last year, with the way they were playing, would they have not ended up with the overall #1 position into the playoffs?

If Tua had not gone down, would Miami not have won 8 to 9 games to this point this year, with again a possiblity of again winning 11 games?

People can tell me that Miami is not playing like a top team right now. Agreed

People can tell me that because we don't have a good backup, and Grier is incapable of finding a quality backup, when Tua is out, we are closer to bottom tier team then top. True

But when Tua is playing, and injuries are not devastating, Miami can beat anyone...Well almost anyone (Bills have Miami's number right now, and it's called Josh Allen).

ChadRico is right, because of mental toughness, and injuries Miami has issues winning against other top teams, but it's not talent or ability that has stop them from performing, but stupid mistakes. Miami had the Bills and Cards beat this year, all Miami had to do was drive for the lead, while taking as much time off the clock as possible, so that when the Bills and Cards got the ball back, they would have little to no time to drive for a FG (We know our D is suspect, why put it in their hands), but we did beat the Rams, the team that this past week beat the Bills.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I have eyes, and know what I have seen from this team with Tua, so not thinking they're a quality team just does not allow me to fall on that side.