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Thoughts on the LA Game

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by KeyFin, Sep 18, 2017.

  1. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    I noticed that we don't have a full review of the game yesterday so I'll give my opinions below. They are in no particular order.

    1) I thought Jay Cutler looked awesome yesterday given that he's only been back in football about a month. His throws were accurate, he evaded pressure well and he seemed really comfortable moving folks around when he saw opportunities or mismatches. His first deep pass to Parker was slightly low (should have been picked) but Parker went beast mode and took the ball out of the defender's hands....but that was the design of the play.

    One thing I noticed quickly is that Cutler will throw the ball before the receiver is open- we saw that on the short TD to Stills in the end zone. There was nobody open, Stills briefly glanced at Cutler while making a cut and Jay saw him look.....then threw the ball where Stills could run it down. Very smart play by a veteran QB.

    2) Ajayi looks possibly more impressive than last season? I don't remember him having that dynamite spin move to fake defenders out of their shoes. The only way you tackle him is wrapping up the legs and now that he's spinning out of tackles, that's not even a viable option. The J Train will be rolling this season.

    3) The offensive line also looked awesome- I only saw one sack and about four pressures. Then again, Cutler was quick to abandon the pocket and buy extra time so we looked good even when the blocking was sub-par on a couple of plays.

    4) Landry looked like Landry EXCEPT when Parker got hit hard....Jarvis could have got an unsportsmanlike flag on that play for shoving and running his mouth. A few plays later though, he was engaged in a block with the same dude who lit up Parker, the defender hit him in the face and Landry started backpedaling away from the confrontation. He actually used his mouth and his intensity to draw a flag for the Dolphins instead of against us, and that shows a little more maturity than we're used to seeing. As usual, he played great and so did Stills, Parker, etc.

    5) Quick comment about Grant...I was disappointed that he didn't get an opportunity on offense. He made me nervous catching punts on the run though and made several bad choices in my opinion. I get that he's faster than everyone and trying to make a lane for himself, but he was running 25-30 yards per punt and only advancing the ball a yard or two. On a few of the punts he lost yardage from where he initially caught the football.

    6) Offense overall, I'd give a C+...mainly because of Gase. We dominated the game on offense and appeared capable of scoring on every single drive except for the 2nd one...that's when Grant caught the punt at the 5 instead of letting the ball go into the endzone. Gase called a very conservative game though and left a lot of opportunities on the field. At the end of both halves, we settled for a field goal by staying super-conservative and it was frustrating- we bet the entire game on a rookie making a 53 yard kick with a minute left.

    Because we didn't pick up an additional first down though, it allowed LA to march right back down the field. One more first down, we kick the ball 40-45 yards with a second left on the clock and it's an easy victory. Gase ALMOST blew this one and we were very lucky their kicker choked twice- especially when we could have scored at least 3 additional TD's with better play calling.

    Props to our young kicker though....he did fantastic under pressure.

    7) On defense, let's start with Harris. I watched him a lot and I have to say that I was impressed. Although I don't think he had a sack, he was smoking the RT frequently and pressuring the QB often. He was a non-factor on run plays for the most part but the guy was competing.

    8) The rest of the DL also looked sharp and LA's coach said at halftime that Suh was a beast that they weren't able to stop. Our DL/linebackers really stepped up against the run and had a great day.

    9) Our secondary....or lack of secondary....was the big reason for concern. I didn't see a single pass challenged. Maxwell always appeared to be a step behind and I don't think we had a chance on a pick all day long. Part of that was a great QB but we looked woefully outmatched for most of the day. Reshad had a few nice hits, but then again he was never in position to be the ball-hawk that we normally know him for.

    10) Special Teams also looked good on the day both in punt coverage and punts/kicks/field goals (except for Grant mentioned earlier...he was trying to do too much with too little).

    In summary, LA was really fired up to take that victory but we matched their tempo most of the afternoon. I understand that Gase was starting slow with Cutler and I respect that, but the game should not have been that close at any point in the day. The offense looked amazing across the board and I really believe that this team will score at will in the weeks ahead, but we were very lucky to squeak out of LA 1-0. Adam Gase set us up to lose by (1) having a rookie take a long field goal with a minute left and (2) giving the Chargers a minute to torch our weak secondary. One safe throw by Cutler on that last drive ends the game and wipes the two opportunities to lose, yet we ran up the middle on 1st and 2nd down when the other team was clearly waiting for it. The offense was the star of the day and that's who should have had possession of the ball in the final minute.

    Then again, it's hard to be too critical of Gase when we're 1-0. We know that he will watch film, be hard on himself and realize that he didn't give Cutler enough chances to make that a blowout. So overall, very good showing in week one- much better than what we did against Seattle a year ago. I am very happy that the offense started fast and looked to be in complete control.
     
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2017
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  2. dirtylandry

    dirtylandry Well-Known Member

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    defense needs a whole lot of work. need a pass rush to make up for the lack of playmaking at LB and DB. I really wanted to see the full arsenal of weapons like Drake, Grant and Williams. But maybe we keep that on the shelf until the Saints game. I expect the playcalling and play making on offense to open up this week. I thought we went to conservative to end the game. we controlled the ball and clock after the Grant return and they couldn't stop us. they could have played for a shorter FG, a TD, and ate most of the clock up. Playing to kick a FG with 1:15 left and that defense is a recipe for a loss.
     
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  3. Walter

    Walter Well-Known Member

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    First off I really like Gase But.........He doesn't walk on water like many of our fans think, IMO.....
    The guy is possibly going to be a great HC but its clear to see from last year and this, that He is still learning on the job....
    Difference is he actually learns and pretty fast but the lack of HC experience I see still can effect a more positive outcome....( we lucked out yesterday and it took a little to long for our adjustments to be realized and go into effect., their kicker missed one that was in the bag) but I'll take it....
    Cutler just shows the separation of quality between real experience and Tannehill 5 years of still learning ...its clear to me.

    And here's another point....MVP of yesterdays game you'd have to greatly consider Parkey... 4 FG's, winning one from 54 yds with 1+ min left (Outstanding)...
    My apologize to him and staff for my like of enthusiasm when we pick up 2 FA's a kicker and punter...boy the kicker really paid off..

    Now if we can just get our DBs to play in the same area code and realize their job is to defend and try to break up passes and not just make the tackle after every completion.... Christ they look horrible.
     
  4. dolphin25

    dolphin25 Well-Known Member

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    Were conservative entire first half and the last drive. Almost cost us
     
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  5. btfu149

    btfu149 Well-Known Member

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    Hard to believe Parkey is the same guy who missed 3 field goals against us last year!
     
  6. tirty8

    tirty8 Well-Known Member

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    I'm kinda with you on the people thinking Gase can walk on water. I think that he called a pretty bad first half in all honesty. I think that he was way too conservative and should let Jay sling the rock a bit more. Cutler looked solid out there, and I really didn't understand why Gase felt the need to be overly conservative.
     
  7. Finatik

    Finatik Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    I think some of those "out of position" calls on the DB's were actually Rivers seeing that the guy would have to trail all the way across the formation to keep up with the WR. Sometimes they got caught up in trying to fight through the "wash" of the play.

    So many here crack me up. At the preseason it was all about how the run defense is horrible. then they shut them down for only 44 yards and not a peep is heard except now its the linebackers and db's. Go figure we have issues at LB since the starter ran off screaming into the night. The rook actually came in, started and did a pretty decent job.

    The pass rush was a little anemic as I didn't hear Wake or Suh's name all day that I can recall. Not sure why that was since I didn't go back through the tape. I watched it live.

    The offense looked about where I thought they would with a QB that hadn't been here through much of camp. Cutler missed a TD wide open on one of the series but overall I thought put the ball where it needed to be. As much as we want our QB to be perfect, wait for it....he isn't. Oh my god what a revelation. Not much practice, traveling and practicing on a High School football field in Oxnard why your houses are potentially being destroyed - they did a decent job.

    AJ was a beast. that guy was carrying people and ran hard. No hard is not even a good enough adjective. And the offensive line, the same one many here were pissing and moaning about, were opening holes and protecting Cutler pretty well against a pretty potent Defense line. Props to them.

    When the kicker came out for the game winner I just knew we had a chance. That's a 90% kick but the Chargers always find a way to screw it up at the end so I thought it was pretty much 50/50. And I was right. A great day.

    With the Jets up next and then the Saints, it is the best possible scenario to get the team into playing shape for the next biggest test after the Saints game, the Titans and Falcons.
     
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  8. Bpk

    Bpk Premium Member Luxury Box

    I won't nitpick this victory right now.

    The Dolphins overcame a LOT of adversity Sunday. That says a lot about Gase's leadership.

    Frankly, we should have come into this game flat, drained, distracted and gotten massacred.
     
  9. Silverphin

    Silverphin Well-Known Member

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    I thought Jay Cutler played as well as he could given the circumstances. Some mistakes here and there, but he wasn't shooting himself in the foot.
     
    Last edited: Sep 19, 2017
  10. Brasfin

    Brasfin Well-Known Member

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    Cody Parkey isn't a rookie though, I think he's in his 3rd season... played last year for the Browns (missed about 3 FGs that one game against us lol). Unless you mean "rookie" as in "new guy" on the team.
     
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  11. CashInFist

    CashInFist Well-Known Member

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    Adam Gase walks on water for me until we are mathematically eliminated from the Playoffs (Hope that never happens).

    ALL of the adversities Adam Gase faced leading up to this game, and we still win on the road against a one day Hall of Famer, Phillip Rivers, on the road in crazy California? Major Kudos to Coach Gase for closing the deal after all of the tragedies we had to deal with. And making the playoffs with a questionable roster last season cements Adam Gase in my short list of people I love right now. We're in 1st place in our division, yet we had to deal with:

    Hurricane Irma - you *****
    Ryan Tannehill out for the season
    Raekwon McMillan out for the season
    Lawrence Timmons (2 yrs/$12 million ****ing $$$) - AWOL (I assume there is a VERY good reason for all of this **** - but still another hurdle - a ****ing HIGH HURDLE)

    When we make the playoffs again this year, it's "Hands Off" for negative Adam Gase posts here, as far as I am concerned.
     
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  12. Tin Indian

    Tin Indian Rockin' The Bottom End Club Member

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    A couple things, Suh had a beast of a game. He did a phenomenal job pressuring the middle of their line and getting into Rivers face a couple of times.

    Play calling in the 1st half drove me crazy but I understood that since we hadnt played in over 20 days that Gase was kind of easing everyone back into the swing of things. That said there was the one play where they handed the ball to Landry and he was trying to set up and throw, got pressured and pulled the ball down, reset and threw it out of bounds. The announcers missed it but it was clearly a designed play. Landry was looking to throw all the way. It was impressive he had the moxie to throw it out of bounds.
     
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  13. cuchulainn

    cuchulainn Táin Bó Cúailnge Club Member

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    Gase has won 10 of the last 12 regular season games with 3 different QBs. Only Bellichick has done that recently TMK...

    Also, Chargers defense was far and away better than ours and they have a fierce pass rush. He did what he had to do to slow them down, especially early.
     
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  14. Redwine4all

    Redwine4all Well-Known Member

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    byron Maxwell s hould go away. Immedia tely. Hes awful.
     
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  15. hitman8

    hitman8 Well-Known Member

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    Well, he actually outplayed xavian howard this last game, although only marginaly.

    Both our starting corners are playing terrible.
     
  16. hitman8

    hitman8 Well-Known Member

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    They should design a play like that for marquise gray, he is a former QB.
     
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  17. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Nope, I blew that....I forgot he was the guy from Cleveland. A few people quoted me already though so I didn't try to be sly and change it afterwards. =)
     
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  18. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    I agree 100%- I definitely wasn't complaining by any means. We know that Gase holds himself accountable though and he will see the exact same issues in the play calling- it's the only reason I harped on it. I don't know that I'd trade Gase for any NFL coach at this moment simply because he's so darn balanced and holds himself as accountable as his players. I love the guy and thrilled that we have him.
     
  19. Redwine4all

    Redwine4all Well-Known Member

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    I agree. Xavien wasn't good, either. But he's only in his second year and on a cheap rookie contract. Maxwell's "suckage" is now legendary. And he's expensive.
     
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  20. bigballa2102

    bigballa2102 Well-Known Member

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    I thought cutler was average, his experience helped him a lot but some of those throws where just down right lucky, he's lucky parker went up like Dennis rodman and snagged that ball. But I agree with most there is too much too careful I thought we could have blitz'd a little more, I thought suh played great but everyone else on D needs help.

    I really thought there should have been better plays called on the final drive all we needed was that first down and we could have taken all the time, that was bad management and it almost cost us good thing young hoes miss!!!!

    But im not going to complain anymore since we are sitting on top of the east :) But I would like to see more out of cutler as far as down the field against the jets and I would love to see more designed blitzes.
     
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  21. Brasfin

    Brasfin Well-Known Member

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    It's all good, you probably confused him with Haack, the punter, who really is a rookie. :smile:
     
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  22. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    Louie Tee's take on the game:

     
  23. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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  24. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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  25. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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  26. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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  27. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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  28. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Just finished the game.

    1) that was an impressive win imo..I didn't get the same impression that most were saying.that looked like the team that won 9 out of ten games last year...very similar, very tough and gritty, never quit in that game, kept fighting..

    2) of course there was a conscious effort from a playcalling perspective to start the game and first half with a conservative approach..

    3) it was our first damn game of the year, where the other team had already played one..we were on the road..new QB...getting a feel..I thought it was very calculated and smart.

    4) Jay Cutler was in control...no mistakes that I saw..accuracy in the short stuff looked good, touch was excellent when needed, and awareness/vision of the entire field was there..he's a smart dude with talent, all he's missing is consistent discipline to be applied to his game..enter hopefully the respect of a coach in Gase to make him do so.

    5) to hold that offense to 17 points at their house was impressive..they did nothing downfield, our defense kept everything in front of them and allowed rivers to make completions, doing this with our linebacking situation was Impressive to me..

    6) our Dline unit is very freakin good..they stuffed the sh$$ out of the run..

    7) once again this was their first game..they were at a severe disadvantage..

    8) you could tell the team was very happy after this win by their reaction..that's a bonding exp to go thru all the sh&& they have had to go thru, persevere and come out on top at the end..

    Great win.
     
  29. SocaCasualuk

    SocaCasualuk Active Member

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    I thought James played a hell of a game, excellent in pass pro and got to 2nd level in run blocking carrying on the form he showed in latter part of last season. In fact, the Online as a whole played much better than than I expected against a very decent front 7, notwithstanding tunsill and his brain fart against Gordon. Kudos to them and Coach Foerester.
     
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  30. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    I think that kind of sums it up- two years ago, we would have marked this game on our calendar as a definite loss. We just didn't have the character to overcome that much. But that's also a testament to Gase and how much everyone has bought into his system (players and us)...and to some extend Gase himself. He said at halftime that he was mad at himself for not giving Cutler more opportunities to attack. It's hard not to appreciate someone that blatantly honest.
     
  31. Dolphin North

    Dolphin North Well-Known Member

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    I think he was conservative because he knows Cutler is a slinger who has very little experience with these receivers and probably didn't want to turn the ball over early. I'm not putting Cutler down, he is what he is IMO. A QB who cannot run like Tannehill, but has a strong arm like Tannehill and much better awareness and can movement within the pocket. Tannehill was just showing signs of sometimes climbing the pocket last year and Cutler climbs and moves laterally when necessary, regardless of the play call. Refreshing. I doubt he can withstand the pounding Tannehill withstood his first 5 years, but he probably won't have to. We just have to always hope that when he does take a hit he can get back up.
    Back to Gase. I think he was trying to either protect the ball because of the lack of chemistry that will continue to build with Cutler and his receivers, protect Cutler because he didn't want to see him hold the ball and take big hits, or protect our weak pass defense from an experienced and very good QB and TE, along with the receivers. It may even have been a combination, but I think the last 2 possibilities I mentioned are most likely. JMO.
    We'll definitely find out in the coming weeks what the identity is supposed to be in our passing game. Maybe at home against a QB that doesn't scare Gase he let's Cutler fire away. It'll be interesting to see.
     
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  32. cuchulainn

    cuchulainn Táin Bó Cúailnge Club Member

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    Gase knows Jay better than any of us from their year together in Chicago and now here, and he knows he has to protect Jay from himself. If you go back and look at what Gase did with Cutler in Chicago back in 2015, it was tons of screen passes, quick low risk plays, and picking the deeper shots at select times. Same thing we saw in this past game. Also have to bear in mind that Jay had shoulder surgery last year so you don't want him getting rocked. He has a history of injury at the worst of times... knee, thumb, ribs, shoulder, etc...

    We were 2nd in the NFL last season on the percentage of screen plays. You can expect this all season, but hopefully Gase with adjust like he did with RT last season and Cutler and will find his groove and start lighting up defenses by the end of the first qtr of the season. Just don't want to see Ole "fk it and chuck it" Jay being revived.
     
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  33. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    love that point..gase knows jay better than anyone..so he manages the gameplan with him.
     
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  34. Dolphin North

    Dolphin North Well-Known Member

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    Exactly.
     
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  35. tirty8

    tirty8 Well-Known Member

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    I understand what your concerns may be, but nothing on the field showed me that those concerns had any validity. Just on watching the game alone, do you think Cutler was an asset or a liability? There is no question in my mind that he was an asset on Sunday. Did he appear out of sync with his WRs? Not for a second. The fear that the outlaw Jay Cutler will start slinging the ball is unfounded. In fact, we should do a little slinging of the gun from time to time. He through a jump ball to Parker, and Parker bailed him out with a nice catch. I really think it would be stupid if we didn't throw at least a few 50-50 balls to Parker deep down field each game. That is the number one advantage of having a WR like Parker.
     

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  36. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Well, he took a deep shot to (Stills?) in the first half and slightly overthrew him....it was a deep toss over the middle and it was thrown as the receiver tried to break. It was Stills or Landry, can't remember....I think it was Stills.

    On tosses like that though, it's about the same as a punt....why not launch it every now and then? The odds are pretty good that either Stills will outrun the coverage or Parker will just flat-out take it away from the coverage, so I'm not really worried about a few dangerous shots downfield. Once Tannehill found his groove last year we took at least two of those shots per game and they often paid off. I'm all for airing it out on 1st and 10 or 3rd and long.
     
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