For the 3rd time this season, the Miami Dolphins put together and excellent effort in which the bulk of the team played extremely well, and it resulted in a comfortable victory. I expected the team to bounce back from last week's disappointing loss and they did so in a major way. From the onset of the game the Dolphins offense was crisp. Lead by the outstanding play of Ryan Tannehill, the offense executed some impressive drives throughout the game. Even after they finished the first half with just 14 points, despite leaving the field feeling like they should have more given how well they played and the defense just having surrendered an opening 2nd half TD drive, the offense made a HUGE statement by capping off a 7 minute, 80 yard TD drive of their own, with a Lamar Miller TD run. That was the moment you felt like the Phins were in total control and that on this day we would not be saying Dolphins gonna Phin. That 3rd Qtr drive pretty much summed up today's game. It was refreshing to see Tannehill and the Phins offense answer in such a way.
The QB was excellent all the way around today. The only blemish on today's performance for Tannehill would be the lack of a really deep throw. But, Tannehill sprinkled in some throws that attacked the intermediate range of the field and backed the defense off enough to allow the OL and Miller to get going in the 2nd half.
In the first half, Tannehill went on a run of 13 consecutive completions, mixing it up, and throwing it to several different targets, keeping the defense off balance. His throws were crisp and well on target. It was nice to see Clay and Sims get involved again. Even Trashline had a couple of nice grabs during the operation.
It has become apparent that getting Ryan Tannehill involved in the rushing attack is going to be something that the coaching staff needs to continue to work into the plans. Having Tannehill run the ball adds an element to our offense that keeps the defense off balance enough to allow Tannehill to become more effective throwing the football. It seems to create situations where both the running game and intermediate passing game has a few more openings. Tannehill is simply not going to stand back in the pocket for 60 minutes and pick a team apart. Moving him around and giving the defense something else to consider keeps them off balanced and helps our entire offense.
The defense really showed what it can do today. Having an offense that is moving the ball effectively and giving them a lead to work with allows them to do what they do best....... get after the QB and be aggressive when defending passes. It just shows again how solid QB play makes all aspects of this team exponentially better.
The only problems I had with today's performance were our kicking game and Philbin's decision to challenge a call on a spot. I think there should be legitimate concerns at this point about our kicking game, even Fields. Sturgis is just a disaster and I do not trust him at all in a big spot. As far as Philbin goes, I do not think there is anyone who exists that still thinks he is capable of making sound decisions on game management issues.
You really have to love the play of our cornfed so far this year. Brandon Albert is one helluva player. The rookie on the right side is doing and adequate job. He is making a few mistakes here and there but, I fully expect him to learn with experience. The interior does give up a pass rush here and there, but all in all this unit is one of the league's best. They are light years better than last years crop.
Lamar Miller continues to be a pleasant surprise to me. If he could eliminate the fumbles and the occasional dropped pass, he could be one helluva RB. He showed some good vision today and is running with more power than I had seen from him last season.
Great bounce back game from our secondary. Grimes and Finnegan both deserve special recognition for an OUTSTANDING job today vs. two very good WRs. Those guys disappointed a lot of fantasy players today who were all too certain that Marshall and Jeffery were going to go off.
On a normal day, those 2 guys would split player of the day honors, but Ryan Tannehill played a damn near perfect first half and that drive to answer Chicago's score that cut it to 14-7 was special. For that Tannehill has to earn MVP of the game for the Phins. The offense would have easily scored 30+ if Sturgis were not the worst kicker in the NFL.
So while today was a great win, the Phins MUST come out and match it next week. This situation is much like the 3rd Qtr drive. We can not rest on this just as our 1st half was not enough to rest on today. This win means nothing if we come out and **** the bed vs. the Jags next week. Go out and claim victory next week and we can put ourselves in position to play a big game the week after that. This win needs to be a BUILDING block and not our season. PHINS UP!!!!!! :up:
The QB was excellent all the way around today. The only blemish on today's performance for Tannehill would be the lack of a really deep throw. But, Tannehill sprinkled in some throws that attacked the intermediate range of the field and backed the defense off enough to allow the OL and Miller to get going in the 2nd half.
In the first half, Tannehill went on a run of 13 consecutive completions, mixing it up, and throwing it to several different targets, keeping the defense off balance. His throws were crisp and well on target. It was nice to see Clay and Sims get involved again. Even Trashline had a couple of nice grabs during the operation.
It has become apparent that getting Ryan Tannehill involved in the rushing attack is going to be something that the coaching staff needs to continue to work into the plans. Having Tannehill run the ball adds an element to our offense that keeps the defense off balance enough to allow Tannehill to become more effective throwing the football. It seems to create situations where both the running game and intermediate passing game has a few more openings. Tannehill is simply not going to stand back in the pocket for 60 minutes and pick a team apart. Moving him around and giving the defense something else to consider keeps them off balanced and helps our entire offense.
The defense really showed what it can do today. Having an offense that is moving the ball effectively and giving them a lead to work with allows them to do what they do best....... get after the QB and be aggressive when defending passes. It just shows again how solid QB play makes all aspects of this team exponentially better.
The only problems I had with today's performance were our kicking game and Philbin's decision to challenge a call on a spot. I think there should be legitimate concerns at this point about our kicking game, even Fields. Sturgis is just a disaster and I do not trust him at all in a big spot. As far as Philbin goes, I do not think there is anyone who exists that still thinks he is capable of making sound decisions on game management issues.
You really have to love the play of our cornfed so far this year. Brandon Albert is one helluva player. The rookie on the right side is doing and adequate job. He is making a few mistakes here and there but, I fully expect him to learn with experience. The interior does give up a pass rush here and there, but all in all this unit is one of the league's best. They are light years better than last years crop.
Lamar Miller continues to be a pleasant surprise to me. If he could eliminate the fumbles and the occasional dropped pass, he could be one helluva RB. He showed some good vision today and is running with more power than I had seen from him last season.
Great bounce back game from our secondary. Grimes and Finnegan both deserve special recognition for an OUTSTANDING job today vs. two very good WRs. Those guys disappointed a lot of fantasy players today who were all too certain that Marshall and Jeffery were going to go off.
On a normal day, those 2 guys would split player of the day honors, but Ryan Tannehill played a damn near perfect first half and that drive to answer Chicago's score that cut it to 14-7 was special. For that Tannehill has to earn MVP of the game for the Phins. The offense would have easily scored 30+ if Sturgis were not the worst kicker in the NFL.
So while today was a great win, the Phins MUST come out and match it next week. This situation is much like the 3rd Qtr drive. We can not rest on this just as our 1st half was not enough to rest on today. This win means nothing if we come out and **** the bed vs. the Jags next week. Go out and claim victory next week and we can put ourselves in position to play a big game the week after that. This win needs to be a BUILDING block and not our season. PHINS UP!!!!!! :up:
