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Dolphins@Bengals notes and opinions

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by Disgustipate, Oct 7, 2012.

  1. Disgustipate

    Disgustipate Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    This really felt like it was going to be like the last several games this year, where they kick the **** out of an opponent, let them back into the game, and trade an escalating series big plays and ****-ups until coming down on the losing side.

    I think the Dolphins got the worst end of refereeing this week than they did any replacement referee'd game. They consistently had close, but I think pretty clearly correct calls go against them.

    I'm pretty confident now Ryan Tannehill isn't going to be a bust. I'm not sure where he's going to end up in terms of career path beyond that, but the upside is pretty damn good and he's really far ahead of the curve on his development.

    Reggie Bush needs to be benched until he's completely healthy. I don't care if you need to give Lamar Miller the bulk of the workload and start treating Jorvorskie Lane like a fullback, but get his *** off the field. He doesn't have the physical advantage he needs to be a good football player if he's playing hurt.

    Jorvorskie Lane I don't think can be really blamed too much for his fumble. He was taking care of the ball reasonably well but got a helmet right into it.

    He's still a bit raw as a fullback, but he's got a lot of upside. He'll throw some nasty blocks, and he's looking like a solid weapon in the passing game.

    There's really nothing sadder to me than Charles Clay as of late. He's got mental issues he needs to work out. He still looks like he could be a really good player, he just needs to work this out.

    Hartline and Bess weren't phenomenal this week, but if 49 and 59-yard performances are considered "down" weeks for you, you're in pretty good shape.

    I'm waiting for the first person to assign blame for Jake Long on the uncovered linemen play. Or the stunt Incognito didn't pick up. I know he gave up a pressure, but I don't think there was really anything else.

    Pass protection overall was pretty good. Run blocking I don't have any condemnation or superlatives for, the backs didn't really distinguish themselves on their own merits.

    Kevin Coyle I think deserves more recognition than he has gotten. The defense has been impressive, and he's done a lot of good stuff scheme-wise in my mind.

    I was disappointed by the run defense, but is that really all that reasonable given the opposing backs averaged 3.85 yards a carry? Bernard Scott was performing well before he injured, but was that as much as change of pace back they weren't really expecting, or did he uncover some secret?

    The linebackers had an all around solid game, but probably a step back for all of them. It's really hard to complain about Burnett, Misi, and Dansby this year, but someone invariably will.

    Olivier Vernon I think played more in a 2-point stance than a 3-point stance this week. Mostly still in passing situations, but they threw in some 3-3 and 3-4 Nickel looks this week. They also seemed to play with Cameron Wake's alignment pre-snap more than normal as a nice way to overcome the Bengals quality pass protection.

    Say what you want about the cornerbacks, but no one is getting their asses kicked pretty much ever. Week in and week out they're playing hard and putting their hands on balls. Sean Smith was up and down vs. AJ Green, but I think it's hard to say he came out a loser. It's the same with Fitzgerald the week before.

    Nolan Carroll and Jimmy Wilson also I think responded pretty well in having their numbers called.

    Reshad Jones is playing really well, and it's hard to act like it's a fluke at this point. He's good in the box, but it seems like every week he's got a play where he anticipates a run or a short pass extremely well and blasts a guy from a deep position. Also, he's getting his hands on balls.

    I criticized the knee-jerk reaction to Carpenter, but I think it's about time you let him walk.
     
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  2. shouright

    shouright Banned

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    I don't think Reggie Bush's problems are physical. How can you hesitate and dance around behind the line even when all your team needs is 10 yards over three plays to win a game?
     
  3. Anonymous

    Anonymous Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I agree regarding Clay. I still believe he can be a valuable weapon for us.
     
  4. Pandarilla

    Pandarilla Purist Emeritus

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    Coyle does deserve a lot of credit. He's tightening up the secondary nicely.

    We should be making 3rd and shorts easy.

    Hartline and Bess are getting better at improvising when Tanne scrambles.

    Not a spectacular win, just solid...
     
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  5. GridIronKing34

    GridIronKing34 Silently Judging You

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    He seems to shy away from contact now... I think that's a little bit mental but a little bit physical as well.
     
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  6. Den54

    Den54 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Seems like a good thread to post this...

    Ben VolinPBP..Tannehill's game by game passer ratings: 39.0, 50.2, 86.5, 91.0, 92.3. Steady improvement.
     
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  7. byroan

    byroan Giggity Staff Member Administrator Luxury Box

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    I give Sean Smith a lot of credit. Two straight weeks going against two of the best WR's in the league and he's held his own. I would have liked to see him hold Green's arms back on the fumble but he's playing really good. Dalton threw a beautiful ball on the TD.
     
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  8. shouright

    shouright Banned

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    That isn't accurate.

    The ratings have gone 39, 91, 50.2, 86.5, and 92.3, in that order.
     
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  9. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Two things, he's banged up so naturally he's going to shy away from contact and he's missing time in practice which affects him all around. I think Dpate might be right in this regard. Maybe it is time to force him to sit one out. Although, with Daniel Thomas apparently receiving his second concussion in a month, we might not be able to now. Good news is the bye week should help here shortly. Also think DT was having a nice game before the injury. Finally running with some authority again. Just his luck he gets knocked out by Maualuga. Eh.. still pissed we didn't draft him... :shifty:

    Reshad Jones is becoming the player I thought he could be when we drafted him. I'm not going to start a thread saying I told you so though.. :shifty:... Got to credit Coyle in this regard. He seems to have a knack for taking safeties and making them better. Chris Crocker wasn't even passable for us. Yet for the Bengals he's been okay... They brought him back this past week because they were thin at safety with some injuries.

    Jimmy Wilson might have just had his best game as a Dolphin. The PD on the endzone play to Hawkins was exceptional. And the close trail technique on the last Bengals' offensive play of the game that resulted in Jones INT was superb. Dalton had the tiniest of windows.

    Thought Nolan Carroll quietly had a great game. Was nice to see him come back from getting clubbed in the head by one of our guys. We seem to do a great job of hitting our own players.

    Thought Sean Smith continues to play well. And he's thinking turnover after the receiver catches it... which signals to me he's really involved mentally.

    Tony McDaniel was a nice guy to have back... I'm glad we didn't cut him. You can't teach his size at the DT position. And I thought he did a great job of getting in Dalton's face all day. He made one hustle play on a short pass that IMO saved a HUGE play from happening.

    Charles Clay successfully demonstrated in one game why he can be good and bad. The seam pass was solid and a nice throw by RyTann. But then came a drop followed by a bonehead move in not going down in bounds... that could have really cost us. Thankfully it didn't.

    Not sure what to do with Carpenter. He's got one of the strongest legs in the game. And it's not like his 50+ yard field goals haven't been close. Unlike the Packers kicker who missed a game tying fg at the end of regulation vs the Colts. I mean that guy wasn't even in the vicinity of making the kick. I think you might have to go with a punt in those situations. Four point lead vs a seven point lead is marginal when you're on the road in a game you aren't supposed to win. If the Bengals score a TD, you're likely to lose anyway you slice it. Seeing as we've lost the last two weeks in OT... I'm inclined to punt it and show some confidence in your defense. That's the biggest thing now. They are playing well. Let them win the game for you in regulation. Just like they did today.

    Hopefully we have turned the corner today in that respect. Our defense closed the game out... finally.

    Also think RyTann turned the corner today in that he didn't turn the ball over the entire game. He even took a sack at midfield rather than forcing it. He then came back with a nice underneath hookup to Fasano (IIRC) which setup the FG attempt by Carpenter (which he ultimately missed).

    I hope Vernon can turn into something special as a pass rusher. He certainly has other ways of making an impact though which is a good sign. He's got some natural talent when he's in space. Putting him on two feet must be a way of utilizing that talent.

    Thankfully the refs evened things out a little at the end of the game... talking about the call on Hartline for pass interference. That was a big play.

    Speaking of Hartline... Bess... I don't think these were down or off games for them... more like normal games. I do like that Tannehill has developed a sync with Hartline. The long sideline play on the scramble was nice. And the play action to Bess underneath where he turned it up for 20+ yards was equally nice... and a great call by Sherman who IMO had one of his best games calling plays for the Dolphins.

    Coaches had a great game today. Think you can credit Coyle's knowledge of the Bengals' personnel for that as well. There were some pass plays where our defense looked a step ahead of them... screen plays as well. And we know that never happens.
     
  10. unifiedtheory

    unifiedtheory Sub Pending Luxury Box

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    I really think Reshad Jones is becoming an ascending player for us. He's making big plays and is not getting killed in coverage. If it continues we are set at a position we come into the season thinking we were doomed at. I like it when players start playing well and we can check off "needs".

    Speaking of "needs", Chris Clemons MUST be replaced. We don't have anyone to take his job now but he is the first guy I replace on the defense in the offseason. Add a couple of corners, a safety and another pass rusher this offseason and I think we have a top 5/dominant defense.
     
  11. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    yeah.. I'm not looking forward to seeing Clemons against the Pats. Brady has carved the Broncos up so far in their game today. Clemons play recognition is extremely slow... as opposed to Jones.
     
  12. Eop05

    Eop05 Junior Member Club Member

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    With Naanee gone, Armstrong still hurt, and Gaffney inactive, our 3rd receiving target today was Charles Clay. 3 WR sets consisted of Bess, Hartline, and Clay.

    That's a problem. Gaffney needs to get the playbook down and get healthy fast. (good thing we have a bye week after next week).

    But in a game where you absolutely needed Clay to step up.....man did he not. That pass he dropped had the potential to be a 35+ yard gain. And not getting OOB on that 3rd down was just not being smart. He dropped another ball in the 4th quarter where he was defended well (so it's probably not considered a drop), but good players haul those in.

    My posts on this may be getting redundant, but it's not not having a #1 or a vertical threat. It's the lack of depth at WR that's hurting our offense. The lack of a 3rd option. Clay was supposed to be that option today. He didn't step up
     
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  13. rdhstlr23

    rdhstlr23 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I hated the 53 yd FG call. Although Carpenter nailed a 46 yd FG, he hasn't made a 50+ and giving them field position was a perfect way to allow them back into the game. Other than that, the coaches did well. I still believe we are a below average team, but Ryan Tannehill makes you watch every week.
     
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  14. Eop05

    Eop05 Junior Member Club Member

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    Not sure how you can believe this after watching the last 4 games. At worst we're average, IMO
     
  15. Pandarilla

    Pandarilla Purist Emeritus

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    I think fans are now spinning the "we aren't that good" mantra. It's a good fan strategy because it marginalizes expectations.

    I think most Dolphin fans know what we have going. They just don't want to muck it up with bravado...
     
  16. Rocky Raccoon

    Rocky Raccoon Greasepaint Ghost Staff Member

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    Very nice win. We needed that.

    Reshad Jones has been really good this season. Kind if came out of no where to me as I wasn't expecting much from him but he's been very solid. He makes a big tackle in the backfield every week it seems. Looks like a missile and is making plays on the ball as well.
     
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  17. Rocky Raccoon

    Rocky Raccoon Greasepaint Ghost Staff Member

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    Oh, and Randy Starks is having the best season for a Dolphin defender since JT's MVP season in 2006. An absolute force.
     
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  18. Eop05

    Eop05 Junior Member Club Member

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    I guess so. It's just real hard to deny that we're an OT missed FG and a 4th and 10 stop from being 4-1.
     
  19. rdhstlr23

    rdhstlr23 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    This isn't going to be the prevailing thought around here, especially after a win, but I don't think we're good.
    I want nothing more than the Dolphins to be turning it around or to be good. However, I see no difference between this team or the past 3 years.

    We are in every game due to our ability to stop the run and run the ball. We've been one of the toughest and most physical teams for years now. However, we always find ways to lose, including twice already this year.

    Do we have pieces? Yes. Do we have youth? Yes. But, every year or some combination of those years we've felt that way too. As a fan, I'm over the moral victories.

    Am I pessimistic? Ya, maybe. But, I've seen this song and dance before. I've been disillusioned before. We are still plenty far away and in need of playmakers.

    It feels great to win, especially when I thought we were well on our way to blowing it again. Plus, I was in a bar up here in Chicago full of Bengals fans.
     
  20. Eop05

    Eop05 Junior Member Club Member

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    That's fine that you feel that way. And in some ways so do I. But you just described a mediocre or average team.
     
  21. ToddPhin

    ToddPhin Premium Member Luxury Box Club Member

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    Completely agree. SS24 is impressing the heck out'a me.
    We held Green to 65 yards, but only 45'ish came vs Smith IIRC..... and in Cincy's final 3 possessions trailing by 4 points, Smith shut AJ down. Soon to be NFL top 5 corner. Sean's gettin paid.
     
  22. Disgustipate

    Disgustipate Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I think what's also noteworthy is that Davone Bess is becoming a less route-limited player. He's been either a slot receiver or a guy who played wide with a somewhat limited route tree, but this coaching staff has increased what he does down the field a fair amount.

    He's never going to be a big home-run threat, but coming into this game he was tied for 12 with 20+ yard receptions in the NFL. He added two more in this game.
     
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  23. Frumundah Finnatic

    Frumundah Finnatic U Mad Miami?

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    I think we need to put Reggie in motion more, we know he's a good reciever.
     
  24. GMJohnson

    GMJohnson New Member

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    Tanne is by far the biggest surprise on the team IMO. A problem pops up and the next week it's gone or at worst clearly diminished, meanwhile he continues to look more comfortable and confident. The two plays where he scrambled away from pressure and hit Bess and Hartline for big plays to get us into scoring range were outstanding. The Week 1 pass deflections are a distant memory, the protection issues vs Arizona seemed to be taken care of yesterday, haven't seen any of the bonehead plays like the INT to Laron Landry either.

    I couldn't have been more wrong about the kid.
     
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  25. cdz12250

    cdz12250 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    We are far from set on offense. 17 points is not exactly overwhelming, and we have a problem with inability to move the ball towards the end of the game. Defense won us the Bengals game.
     
  26. Muck

    Muck Throwback Uniform Crusader Retired Administrator

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    I think it's indeed mental with Clay. He actually made a couple of nice catches yesterday, but had that key drop and then ran out of bounds. Guy can be a weapon in this offense if he wants to be.

    I think the OP is dead on with Reggie Bush. I don't know if he's leery about contact with that knee or what, but he's regressed the last two weeks. He left yards on the field in Arizona, but on Sunday it was virtually every freaking attempt. He's avoiding contact instead of taking what's given. And being limited, he can't get away with it as much.

    Kevin Coyle indeed appears to be good hire right now. I wanted us in a 4-3 a couple years ago and really enjoy the work those guys are doing. Some national media people questioned the logic of transitioning a pretty good 3-4 group into a 4-3. They didn't think we had the personnel. I think we're showing that it was indeed a wise decision. We're even better against the run. Our best pass rusher is now arguably the NFL's best, most complete 4-3 DE (where he belongs). Starks is lighter and better here. Misi is clearly better at 4-3 OLB. And the light appears to have come on for Reshad Jones and (so far) Sean Smith.

    For all our struggles in coverage, the Dolphins are actually (gasp) 5th in interceptions thru 5 games.

    Speaking of the pass defense, I think Nolan Carroll should keep that job. At least for next week. If they ain't getting noticed, that's a good thing. And Carroll was pretty 'quiet' yesterday.
    I cringed when he took that shot headshot from Burnett (who was cracking people yesterday).

    Sean Smith has done a real nice job versus a Top 10 receiver in consecutive weeks.

    Incidentally, Channing Crowder lauded Kevin Coyle (along with the other coaches) yesterday for the job he's done. Crowder said the coaches have done a good job making adjustments week-to-week. But in Weeks 3 and 4, the halftime adjustments were also good and kept the Dolphins in those games. He's seeing an improving staff.

    And Ryan Tannehill....what can you say. I think everyone has bought in. And that means we're entering an era of hope. Knowing that you've got a QB and from here on out, you'll have a chance to compete each year.
     
  27. Muck

    Muck Throwback Uniform Crusader Retired Administrator

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    I hated, hated, hated that call too.

    You're defense is playing lights out with an 11-point lead on the road. To me you punt and make them go 90+ yards against said defense. Instead Philbin risked 40 yards of field position for a 53-yard FG attempt by a kicker caught in the worst funk of his professional career.
     
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  28. Bumrush

    Bumrush Stable Genius Club Member

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    When do we see more of Lamar Miller with Bush obviously nursing multiple injuries?

    D-Train did pickup some aggressive blitzes and seemed to do well in pass pro when needed.. But I'd love to see what a dynamic Miller can bring to this offense. It can't be worse than the production we have gotten the past two weeks.
     
  29. Bumrush

    Bumrush Stable Genius Club Member

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    I liked it. Carpenter needed a confidence boost after making the 47 yarder. Either he will snap out of this slump or not. But we can't continue to play scared. A 53 yarder with the wind at your back should be makeable for Carpenter.

    Now that this trend has continued, it may be time to start punting in those situations or going for it. At this point, Carpenter looks like a lost cause at anything over 45 yards.

    Does anyone know why, mechanically, a kicker would continue to have distance but miss wide right/left all the time?
     
  30. Lt Dan

    Lt Dan Season Ticket Holder

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    Probably would have been 80 yards max since Fields was kicking everything into the endzone yesterday
     
  31. HULKFish

    HULKFish Artist and Scribe

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    Starks was a beast!

    Tannehill had a very solid game, with some very impressive throws! Unfortunately Charles Clay didn't catch a couple of them. One of the knocks on Tannehill was supposed to be that he wasn't good working the middle of the field, but that is where he has impressed me the most! He drops passes in over the LB's that I can even believe, and haven't seen since Marino! This season, I believe "J-Train" Lane has shown to be much better than Clay in the passing game...

    The Run D wasn't nearly as effective this week, and that was disappointing. Also, the screen-play weaknesses showed up again. BETTER get that cleaned up before we play the Patsies, or Brady will screen us to death. That being said though, Coyle deserves MUCH credit for this game! The way he disguised the coverage with the showing blitz was genius! They executed that extremely well! Looked like the old Pats D...

    Bush didn't look 100%, but then again you have to at least get the guy to the LOS for effectiveness. Getting RB's hit the backfield will never get it done. Also, get him more involved in the passing game.

    SS24 is steadily improving, but surely needs to work on his redzone skills, when the ball is in the air! That should be his strength with his size!

    Overall good stuff! I forgot to post my "guarantee" last week... I knew we'd get over the hump this week.
     
  32. shouright

    shouright Banned

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    Plus, when you're on the road, especially in a close game, and you have the momentum, your goal IMO should be doing everything possible to keep from giving the other team momentum. Missed field goals, especially from long range, do just that, and you saw what happened on their ensuing drive.

    Make them build their own momentum. Pin their *** back deep and demoralize them even further. What I would've called was the fake FG/pooch punt by Carpenter we saw earlier in the year, which has even more of a demoralizing edge to it.
     
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  33. Bumrush

    Bumrush Stable Genius Club Member

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    On the flip side, Carpenter hit a somewhat long range FG earlier in the game.. So in this case you just have to trust your kicker to hit a makeable FG with the wind at his back.
    If you can't trust him to hit the FG there, you need to bring in other kickers to compete for the job.
     
  34. shouright

    shouright Banned

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    Reggie Bush has always been a player who appears to avoid contact, whether that's intentional or not. The difference the last two weeks was that what was "given" was far less, and so instead of hitting a wide open hole that's there like he was the first three games, he's hesitating and dancing around.

    The problem with him is that his mentality is one of a Barry Sanders, without the talent. Unless he has a wide open hole, he's going to try to "create" and far more often do more harm than good. His mentality needs to change IMO.
     
  35. shouright

    shouright Banned

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    You're looking at it in a vacuum. Take into account the entire context. On the road, close game, holding the momentum. In a different context I would make the kick too, but not that one.
     
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  36. Nappy Roots

    Nappy Roots Well-Known Member

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    I also think Coach wanted Carpenter to hit it thinking it would give him a great boost of confidence.

    I have no problem with the attempt.
     
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  37. shouright

    shouright Banned

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    If I'm the coach I'm coaching for the team's best interests in the present moment, not for improving one player's mentality. Carpenter can have his chance to improve his self-esteem some other time, when the game isn't on the line.
     
  38. Nappy Roots

    Nappy Roots Well-Known Member

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    That's the only time he's going to improve his confidence. And if you don't trust your kicker there, you need to find another kicker.
     
  39. Desides

    Desides Well-Known Member

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    Having a confident kicker IS in the team's best interests, especially after losing two OT games in a row.
     
  40. GMJohnson

    GMJohnson New Member

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    The weeks 1-3 version of Bush would be a welcome sight but it's not all on him. Arizona and Cincy used 8 man fronts to control our running game, it's tough to run consistently vs that healthy or not, good blocking nor no. It's passing game's job to take advantage of the favorable coverages that result. So far it's been marginally successful, but not enough to discourage the loaded boxes and we'll continue to see them until until we start making more big plays down the field.
     

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