Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/08/16/3567722/dolphins-quarterback-ryan-tannehill.html#storylink=cpy It will be an interesting litmus to see Tannehill against the same opponent he's previously faced. That said, this is preseason, and a lot of Tannehill's supporting cast have changed too, so it's not just a measure of how much he has improved individually. Overall, I epxect this offense will start clicking with this being it's third game together and Walalce and Matthews now in the fold as well (is Wallace playing? Is Matthews?). The O-line will be tested more than Tannehill, imo. Also, Brent Grimes will see Andre Johnson across from him, and that will be fun to watch. It would be nice to see Jamar Taylor's debut in a Phins uni as well. Here's hoping Tannehill posts a 2:1 or 2:0 TD to INT ratio this time around! GO PHINS!
Offensive skill position players Week 1 vs Houston last year: Tannehill Bush Lane Hartline Bess Naanee Fasano And this year: Tannehill Miller Clay Keller Wallace Hartline Gibson So of course the media is obsessing over the offensive line.
You guys read the one in the PB Post- Tannehill looks for not bad, some mistakes here and there showing against the Texans ? See what I did there?
The offense only had a couple of plays to Wallace called in the Jags game and the protection was an issue through the middle. The author makes it sound like Tannehill either is ignoring Wallace or can't find him, and ignores the fact that the RG had issues in protection which contributed to Wallace's plays not being executed. As for the run defense. The starters haven't given up much of anything. 14 yards in one game...
I want to see miller. I'm starting to think we are hiding him.id like to see tanny use a play action once
I do agree that the talent level appears to be better this year than in the previous years. As far as the team playing cohesively, this is where great coaching comes into play. It is up to Philbin and his coaching staff to get this talent to play to their potential. Because Tannehill is only in his second year as an NFL starter,it might be asking too much to expect him to lead this team to playoffs this year. Yet it should not be expecting too much of this team and coaching staff to at least have a winning season this year. A record of at least 9-7 would show that this team and the coaching staff are finally headed in the right direction. Anything less than nine wins would have to raise questions about Philbin and the entire coaching staff, as well as Tannehill's future as the teams QB. The players on last years team won seven games. Two of the games they lost last year were because of field goals missed at the end of the game. If this team is truly more talented than the 2012 team, nothing less than a winning season should satisfy the fans of the Dolphins.
The question, is has you added enough talent to offset the slight increase in difficulty on your schedule? Every team on your schedule this year looks to be better than last years, with the exception of the Jets. If you guys (the Dolphins) win 6 games, I'd be impressed. San Diego, Tampa Bay, & the Jets twice are the only "gimmies" I see. You pull out another 2 wins, & that's saying something. Not where you want to be, I understand. I'm not saying you won't win 9 or more games. Just saying, drastic changes like HC, GM would be a mistake if were to only win 6.
If this team wins only six games as you suggest, getting rid of the GM and the HC would almost be mandatory. Ireland has been the GM for the past six years and if the Dolphins have another losing season in 2013, that will make it five years in a row with him as the teams GM. There is nothing drastic about not retaining a GM who has been with the team for five consecutive losing seasons. As far as this team only winning six games and Philbin remaining the coach. I think that would be a hard sell to season ticket holders. He has to start proving that he was the right selection for the position and winning less games this year than they did in 2012 would not be evidence that he is the right man for the job. I think a six win season would mean that the next GM will be bringing in his own HC and possibly his own QB in the 2014 draft. Hopefully the Dolphins will have several more wins than just six in 2013.
If this team disappoints again, and is blown up with a new GM and HC I'm not sure I'll invest the same level of time in it again. Low ROI as a fan. GOtta show me something this year or I'll just jump on the bring a team to L.A. bandwagon until it happens.
I live in South Florida and I will always be a Miami Dolphin fan. Of course if they ever relocate, I would drop them like a hot potato. I agree that the team needs to show improvement over last year. This not only means they have to play better, but they HAVE to have a winning season. There is no excuse for them to not win at least nine games this year. Anything less would be considered a failure, as far as I am concerned. It would also make me reconsider purchasing season tickets for the 2014 season. Of course if they have a losing season and Ross hires a top GM and a top Head Coaching prospect, I'm sure that would entice me to buy season tickets in 2014. Hopefully this years team will have a winning record and I won't even have to think twice about attending games next year.
"Looks" is the key - as you never know how things pan out once the season gets going. Some teams' (Patriots for example) success hinges on one player, Brady goes down, and the Pats are Mediocre imo, Mallett looks awful thus far, and Tebow, well he is Tebow. Also, I see multiple games winnable with the roster we have - you say two more after the teams you list, I see 4 more we could very well win - Indy, Buffalo (at least once), Cleveland, Carolina - on top of that, I am not overly scared of N.O. if our defense shows what it has been showing of late. I also think we can steal one from the Pats. The Bills are unproven at QB and we could take BOTH of those. Six would be a heavy disappointment with this team even with the current schedule. If we don't win 8 this season is another suck...We win 8/9, decent and people will keep their jobs, we win 10 or more, and it's a success. That's how I see it.
Keep in mind, I didn't say you'll only win 6 games. You should win six, anything less is unacceptable. You win more than six, then there's been improvement. Looking at the teams on your schedule that is. You won't be favored to win but 4 games that I can see. Every game you win as an underdog says something about your team.
