My job is such that every once in a while we do special events for charitable organizations on Sundays. Today was one of those days. Usually I can get out of them, but today was one benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project, a cause that’s near and dear to me. Got to meet some really cool vets, including a guy who was 6’6″ who served in the Army’s 5th Special Forces unit. It was a great event, but I did miss most of the game. Travis (Aqua4Ever04) texted me and was giving me updates. I made it home and to the TV just in time to see Miami go on the drive that tied the game at 17.
I’d recorded the game and just finished watching it. What a comeback! What resiliency! What a defense! Miami made some nice adjustments at halftime and the defense held Atlanta scoreless in the second half. Miami is STILL one of two teams not to allow an opponent to score more than 20 points in a game, along with the Bills. To do that, on the road, against Atlanta’s offense (with Julio Jones playing the whole game, unlike how the Bills beat them) is VERY impressive. The run defense, especially guys like Hayes, Suh, Phillips, and Timmons were pretty good again today. Atlanta made most of their 100 yards on two plays. Suh and Wake recorded sacks and Reshad Jones made a masterful play, combined with Cordrea Tankersley, to seal the game. Miami kept Matt Ryan in check in the second half and held him to 239 yards (I feared it’d be worse), and really didn’t give up a whole bunch to the backs. Credit to Matt Burke for that.
Credit to goes to Miami’s offensive coaches, especially Adam Gase, Chris Kuper and the newly hired Dave DeGuglielmo. “Goog”, as he’s known, did something right as Miami’s running game started clicking again, and even with Jake Brendel replacing Mike Pouncey for the second half. Miami got the J-Train rolling and totaled 138 yards rushing as a team at 4.5 ypc. Miami’s time of possession on the day was 34:24 to Atlanta’s 25:36. It was nice for Miami to be able to sit on the clock in the second half.
Miami also had some creative play designs as well – rushing and passing. The TD to Landry was very nicely designed as they had run him in ghost motion several times and Atlanta followed his “ghost” like a charm. Jay Cutler needs to continue to play better; today was a step forward, but there’s still a long way to go. You can’t help but wonder what Miami would be doing with Ryan Tannehill under center right now, especially with this defense (and I can’t help but wonder how this defense would be if it still had Raekwon McMillan too).
All in all though, road win like today is one that can galvanize a team and set the tone for a nice stretch. It wasn’t a normal win, as I saw Adam Beasley tweet after the game that Miami has now won 11 one-score games in a row. That’s insane. Several players were wearing shirts that read “We R Not Normal.” When asked, Gase said that he’s got a group of guys that fight no matter what.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous on that final drive when Matt Ryan started completing passes. But, when Reshad secured that pick, I damn near took out the ceiling fan in our living room. I did see that live and that was a great feeling to have again.
Speaking of feelings to have again, somehow it’s Jets week. Again. Seems really soon. But, I think Miami will be out for blood this week. And being back home at Hard Rock Stadium, where Miami is now 7-2 under Adam Gase (a nice change from previous regimes) is a welcome thing. I think Miami may be able to get on a mini-roll with a win Sunday and then a short week against the Ravens heading into a “mini-bye”.
Great read!
Gase's press conference was very telling. He said that they continue to practice well but couldn't figure out why they can't execute. I for one have thought about a qb change, but obviously, this team might be close to a full breakout and that is why Gase wants to keep it intact. They have improved over the past two weeks. I'll take that gradual improvement, vs a full-blown offensive juggernaut, fifths defense continues to play well. I think as Miami improves, more of the playbook gets opened up. Imagine they are 3-2, with 0 productivity from TE and catching from Parker, Ajayi, Carroo, Grant, and Stills to an extent.
Agreed. I think if they can figure out a way to unlock the Jets front and get Ajayi going, even a little bit, that will open more things up against the defense. I think some of the misdirection stuff Miami ran against Atlanta could work well against the Jets aggressiveness.
The Dolphins are not normal. Neither are most of their fans.
what up with the title of this thread Ro/
you do know dolphins players are rocking a t-shirt that say we are not normal" right?
That's why I made it the title.
pic please