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Thoughts on Panthers Dolphins Game

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by KeyFin, Nov 14, 2017.

  1. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Let me start by saying that the Carolina Panthers will win the Super Bowl this season if Cam Newton stays healthy. He's finally getting things figured out after being injured and starting slow this season, and when the guy is on...holy ****! The guy was having fun tonight just tearing us to pieces....Cam Newton is on a completely different level than any other QB in the league right now.

    Why'd I start by praising Cam? Well, I always start with the good news and that's about all I saw tonight. This wasn't a game we were expected to win and Carolina is just too complete of a team to come in with a broken offense and expect to compete against. We pretended like we were almost in the game for the first half but once Cutler threw that stupid, stupid pick with less than a minute left in the 2nd quarter, that was essentially game over for us.

    Some good news- Drake and Williams once again showed why we shouldn't be missing Ajayi. In fact, I miss Juwan James a heck of a lot more since out offensive line looked horrible tonight. Cutler didn't play well BUT most of his throws in the first half were rushed due to pressure from the right side...the line made decent adjustments at halftime but it was far too little, too late. Between dropped passes, poor throws due to pressure and penalties, this just isn't an offense that's going to catch fire UNLESS it's on Drake's shoulders.

    Additionally, Cutler threw some sweet intermediate passes tonight but he also missed every toss long (often missing badly) and I counted 5 balls that should have been picked off. And remember folks, I'm the happy optimist on this site that always says we have a chance....and we had no chance. It was straight out ugly on offense EXCEPT for Drake and Williams. Drake was even blocking like a stud tonight and saved Cutler's *** twice on beautiful borderline chop blocks.

    On defense.....hell, I don't want to talk about defense. Suh played his *** off and got shut down by constant double and triple teams....I was really waiting for him to be ejected for after the play frustrations. And besides Suh, almost our entire defense almost flat out quit in the 2nd half except for Tankersley...we now know that the kid has heart anyway. Tank ran down 2 or 3 TD's from behind as the rest of the team arm tackled and jogged down the field...hopefully Gase sees that in the film room and gives the rookie some more snaps going forward.

    Moving forward, this team only has one chance....and sadly it's the exact same thing that folks got so mad about here earlier in the season. Run the crap out of Drake- at least he's hitting holes and gaining positive yardage every time he touches the ball. I may have been wrong two weeks ago when I said he's nowhere as talented as Ajayi...Jay is still a beast but it's obvious that Drake is better while following the game plan. At least we got rid of one bum from this team.

    Final thoughts- My dad came over about 2 PM today and asked if I felt like taking him to the game. My dad's 83 and I kept thinking, this may be the last chance he gets to see the Fins live...plus his 2nd favorite team is Carolina. My dad has a bad hip though so cheap seats in the upper deck wouldn't have worked, and the best "affordable" seats I could find were close to $350 for the pair. I debated back and forth for almost two hours, kept looking for cheap decent tickets on Craigslist, and finally decided to take my dad and the family to a good dinner instead.

    We drank a few beers, ate great ribs with fries, and talked about why Miami was likely going to get blown out by an ultra-hot Cam Newton. Thank God I didn't drive 90 minutes to Charlotte tonight for that whooping- it would have been one heck of a long ride home and it definitely would have ruined my week.

    I still love our Fins and I will continue to support them, but I think they really need to support us a little first before we're expected to throw over $400 in their direction just to attend a game. So I did the next best thing- we're going to see UM at Clemson in three weeks. That's a worthwhile investment win or lose.
     
  2. cbrad

    cbrad .

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    Off thread topic, but I've never liked Cam Newton and if the Dolphins aren't in the playoffs I'll probably root for Drew Brees (a guy that SHOULD be a Dolphin!!) to get a 2nd SB ring.
     
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  3. Alan in England

    Alan in England Active Member

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    Pats will win the Superbowl -its preordained.
     
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  4. ExplosionsInDaSky

    ExplosionsInDaSky Well-Known Member

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    I don't post much, but....I was at the game tonight.
    I thought we had a chance at at least making this a competitive game.

    A few things,
    If TJ Mcdonald could have somehow came up with that interception, things may have turned out different.
    The Cutler interception literally sucked the life out of the entire team. I knew once that happened it was game over. That has always seemed to be the way things go for us.
    I went in to that stadium fairly excited, but I also knew we had a minimal chance at success. On my way out of the game I was literally laughed at by several Panther fans. That was an awful game to sit through and the 3.5 hour drive home was equally as awful. I did meet some cool Miami fans though, and it's always a pleasure to hang with fellow fin fans.

    Overall, I can't find too many positives to speak on. When you get beat down like that, it hurts. This team has been really bad this year, and I'm honestly surprised we sit at 4-5 right now. It's on to the next one, I wanna see more Drake and maybe some shots down the field.
     
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  5. dirtylandry

    dirtylandry Well-Known Member

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    I don't know who is to blame for the failures this offseason. It is the most confusing front/office head coaching combo in the nfl. You have the exec in Tannenbaum, but apparently Gase and Grier are tied to the hips, but Gase has say on final 53? Did I get that right? Let me start by saying this game was the culmination of a failed offseason. There were so many open issues at qb and OL, with injuries and talent. Ryan Tannehill had a "ligament" injury. He has to be the only player I know that refused to have surgery. This was a selfish decision by all parties. Why? Because the blueprint stayed the same - depend on him to come back and make no alternative plans. They almost seemed confident that this would work. Surgery or not, Miami had an injured starting qb. Never did they consider drafting, trading or signing a capable qb? They went with Matt Moore, despite the team losing to NE and Pitt at end the year. In addition, the offensive line helped a major run last year when the 5 guys were healthy. But it wasn't sustainable. It was some games and in the big picture, aside from those games, the running game struggled. Pouncey's hips were obviously not right. They were successful with Albert at LT and Tunsil at G. I believe the team struggled with Tunsil at T. With all these issues on the line, what did they do to fix it? Again,selfish. They thought Pouncey would come back to dominate? Signed Ted Larsen and drafted Asiata? Was Gase quoted as saying "I could get a guard to play anytime?"They were in a spot in the draft to get a qb or even a lineman. Instead they go and get a pass rusher, after signing Branch and having a rotation at that position.

    The defense is perplexing, because Miami did go after issues they had. I was proud of their offseason on defense. things made sense. Drafting McMillon and signing Timmons made sense. Drafting Tank, signing Mac and getting back Jones all were exciting. I just don't know how this team continues to give up chunks of yards in the run game. Is it scheme? And to top it off, they draft Harris and pretty much don't have a pass rush still. I keep looking at this Suh contract, and I'm leaving toward saving the $4M and cutting him. Nothing against him, just that it makes no sense to have a player like this when the team has so many holes. Miami will have to think long and hard on Wake. Why can't our DE's torture qb's with having DT's take up mass and blockers? What is going on in the trenches that I am missing?

    I am not sure if things will improve. I am leaning toward Miami imploding. It has been way too much this season. So what happens next? I keep referring to the quick build by LA. Their offensive line was rebuilt and their qb made the leap. Miami has to go this route. The dependency on Tannehill, who is serviceable, is not fair to the fan base. Not when there are so many holes to fill, combined with their inability to fill the holes. Miami needs a star qb. We cannot keep holding out for players that have been mediocre in their careers. switches don't turn on that often to these players. I believe they should keep RT one more year, but go ahead and draft or sign a qb. Look at the excitement in Houston and Philly. It's all about a qb and their ability to play at a high level, despite holes on the team. I don't think Gase will be fired, as stated earlier. I think Ross has to figure out who is to blame for this offseason and why last season's success was a mirage and not fixed. I think he has too many cooks in the kitchen. Who is in charge of personnel and who is coaching? Moreover, who is going to call plays? That needs to be sorted before anything. In addition, who does Miami even hire if Gase is fired? Harbaugh? I will say this, Gase has a way of showing confidence despite all that has happened. That needs to be stripped down. He needs to ask for help. He needs to be more humbled and say what he needs. He wants to be a miracle worker, but it just can't happen. All this behind closed doors. He can be whatever he wants to the media. But this team is starving of talent. You have to let personnel people pick players and coaches coach.
     
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2017
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  6. CanGasePlaybook

    CanGasePlaybook Active Member

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    Tamnenbaum and the whole front office needs to be fired. I say the whole front office because it would be a mistake to promote someone that Tannenbaum trained and just lead to more of the same.

    Gase, he is real lucky that we are 4-5 and not 1-8. Our wins were only wins because the other teams beat themselves. Gase will get a pass due to Tannehill and ESPN convincing Ross and other followers that Gase is a genius and the reason why Peyton Manning was great. Really, what is Gase’s record against >.500 teams?
     
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  7. bigballa2102

    bigballa2102 Well-Known Member

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    I agree after that gase and all his team should be fired they havnt tried to change anything that was the saem offense and same defense form the past 9 weeks, I was merely saying we should keep gase because no one is out there but the fact that grudens name is being brought up for the bucccs and Tennessee I say you gut everything and give that dude sole control of everything. as it sits right now landry will not resign a dolphin so he will be gone. we are 1 lucky missed kick and 1 lucky injury to marriota from being 2-7 your 100 percent right and people lose sight of that, we literally have Cleveland browns stats and there are people who are hopeful, but in stead of hopeful be glad we won 4 lol
     
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  8. bigballa2102

    bigballa2102 Well-Known Member

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    when your unsure who to blame id usually start at the top and work your way down like cutting the top off a pineapple, they are there to make sure the team plays and competes and neither is happening this offensive guru in gase has literally lost the team, the defense is done playing because the offense cant score
     
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  9. cbrad

    cbrad .

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    In 2016 that record was 1-5 with the sole win being against Pittsburgh. So far in 2017, if you go by current standings, it's 2-2 because we beat Tennessee and Atlanta but lost to NO and Carolina. I do agree that's an important stat to watch.
     
  10. CanGasePlaybook

    CanGasePlaybook Active Member

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    Hard to really count the Tennessee win due to Cassel being their starter. Thankfully he was or that would have been a loss. We have 5 games against winning teams coming up. Buffalo has a winning record right now but maybe they are imploding.

    I’m actually worried about Tampa and Denver. Fitzy has his moments. It would be embarrassing to lose to either of them.
     
  11. cbrad

    cbrad .

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    Only ray of hope for this season right now is that all teams we play except NE are having serious issues themselves. Buffalo just got destroyed as much as we did last night, Bucs and Denver played real bad, and KC despite a winning record has lost 3 of last 4.

    Not only that but the other 4-5 teams in the AFC we are competing with (mathematically) for a WC spot are also having trouble. Ravens have lost 3 of last 4 (and lost 5 of last 7!!) and the Raiders have also lost 5 of last 7. So that last playoff spot in the AFC is going to who sucks the least haha!
     
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  12. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    I don't think you blame anyone since we were one of the hottest offenses in the league last season. Our ability to win close games was ridiculous, Tannehill looked like a top 5 QB and our skill positions were playing great. RT (and to some degree Moore) was the catalyst though- everything flowed through our offense grinding out runs, giving the defense rest and then connecting on the long ball. If Stills got open last season, it was darn near a guaranteed TD.

    One thing I forgot to mention, Stills did play well last night. He hauled in every pass that came his way and fought for yards. Landry dropped a few but he also looked good. I believe Parker was only targeted twice and he wasn't open either time....but he caught the ball and did what he could. Williams...we didn't really do anything with him after the first quarter.

    I have a really hard time listening to the folks saying "Fire Gase", because at this point it's not the play calling....it's the execution. But then again, Gase wanted Cutler and that's his fault. The offense can't find a rhythm. Cutler looks great at times but mostly off-balance. And now Cutler is saying that he's not retiring after this season- he wants to stay long-term and extend his career. Will there really be a Tannehill/Cutler starting QB battle next season? To me, that's certifiably insane- the missing component is Tannehill in this offense.

    Could you even imagine RT playing with the confidence of Cam Newton last night? He has all the same skills and Cam has a coach that says, "Just go get it done..." A lot of those big gains were audibles at the line.
     
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  13. bigballa2102

    bigballa2102 Well-Known Member

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    RT WILL NEVER BE ON THE LEVEL CAM IS THATS CRAZY TO EVEN MENTION THEM IN THE SAME SENTENCE!!! comparing apples to freakin almonds

    Do you watch the same game? execution is based off play calls and the defense that is lined up opposite of you, I seen cam audible when he seen a different defense where the play originally called wasn't gonna work and he scored a td, what does Cutler do, runs the freakin play that is called and checks down everything do you understand how easy we are to defend? we cant complete open out routes or down field passes so they don't even cover it. I wish I could find the play were cutler hit parker on a post rout same as the raider game and you can see stills again in 2 steps was wide open and cutler had the time to throw him open, but parker was option 1 once again. this team is playing so remedial its not even funny anymore its become expected to get blown out we havnt been close on any of our loses and you think its not play calling not scoring is based on the plays called if guys were dropping open passes and cutler is being cutler missing guys 20 times a game wide open then that's execution. that's exactly what should happen to gase and the front office is execute and get rid of them.
     
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  14. cbrad

    cbrad .

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    You HAVE to blame someone because our offense is dead last right now lol.

    Also, I'm not sold on Tannehill yet. Tannehill played really well at the end of last year (~8 games), and his total number of passing attempts is large enough to claim his passing stats DURING that time are a reliable indicator of performance in those conditions, but it's nowhere near large enough to claim he can do what he did last year across multiple seasons.

    It's precisely why I agree we need to keep trying to find a great QB (either draft one high to compete with Tannehill or just trade/buy one) even after seeing how Tannehill played last year.
     
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  15. bigballa2102

    bigballa2102 Well-Known Member

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    RT had a cake schedule last year!!!!
     
  16. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    I saw the play you're talking about...I noticed Stills behind the entire defense as well.
     
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  17. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Oh, I do blame someone....the 11 someone's on offense that aren't executing. It doesn't matter what play a coach calls if there's little blocking, bad routes and lousy throws.
     
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  18. bigballa2102

    bigballa2102 Well-Known Member

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    that has happened 2 games in a row, all cutler had to do was step up he wasn't under much pressure one step and sling it to stills = TD
     
  19. bigballa2102

    bigballa2102 Well-Known Member

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    the defense matters when they are constantly having the right defense to cover every play we run and we don't audible your execution doesn't matter 6 guys on 4 will win every time. if the defense can guard the run and bubble screen at the same time because we cant throw down the field then you become obsolete I don't care how well you execute, this isn't basketball where you should be able to tell the defense what your running and they still cant stop it.
     
  20. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    I'm sure it happens every game to every team at times, but you have to be realistic here- we have a older, formerly retired QB with bruised ribs trying to run an offense on the field....he's going to get that ball out as fast as humanly possible. The part you're leaving out here though is that he took several deep shots last night that weren't even in the same area code as his receiver....he had 4 or 5 possible TD throws that he completely choked on.

    When the game started with our first series, I looked at my wife on 1st down and called a run to the left. I was right. Then I called a short pass to the right...I was almost right, it was a screen. Then I called a run to the right...I was wrong there. I continued this throughout the 1st quarter, calling the play based on the formation and what Cutler looked at- I was right about 75% of the time. And if I can guess the play, so can defenders.

    The problem isn't the play calling.....it's the execution. Gase can call anything and it doesn't matter if the blocking isn't there and if people run lousy routes, drop passes, etc. I do agree that Gase needs to switch things up, like that shuttle pass for the TD was sweet, but it ultimately comes down to the players to execute.
     
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  21. bigballa2102

    bigballa2102 Well-Known Member

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    you are 100 percent right on this, it does happen all the time. its not hard to stop a screen and a run with the same defense that's easily done and that's what happens. Cutler is so unemotional its not even funny the team looks so lackadaisical when he's playing I think his demeanor brings the whole offense down
     
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  22. jw3102

    jw3102 season ticket holder

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    So basically what you are saying is the Dolphins have a chance to finish at around 8-8 and end up
    missing the playoffs and still only getting a draft pick around 14-18.

    This has basically been what has been happening for over a decade and it has done nothing but lead to consistent mediocrity. The fact is the Dolphins need a high draft pick who can come in and become a ten year starter on this team, while actually being an impact player.

    I don’t want to root for the Dolphins to lose. Yet this team has so many holes throughout the lineup that it is going to take at least another three years of solid drafting before most of those holes are filled.

    Unfortunately with Tannebaum and Grier in charge of drafting players, we obviously can’t expect them to draft players who will help turn this franchise around.
     
  23. cbrad

    cbrad .

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    Which do you think happens first? Us getting our act together, winning the AFC East and maybe some playoff games, or us NOT getting our act together but Belichick retiring, thus with luck winning the AFC East and maybe some playoff games.

    Past decade suggests the latter is more likely LOLOL.
     
  24. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    Like Cleveland? :up:

    For real though, not much point in tanking, play hard and see who is worth keeping and building. We do have good pieces, we just have some big holes. QB looms large. If you play it smart, I think we can be fine with whatever draft position we end up at. I think if we can't identify and draft a solid starter at pick ... oh, 12-14, I don't really have any faith we can do it at 3-6 either. Those guys go bust as well.

    We see teams turn around fast lately. Look at the Jags and Rams. Last year they were bottom feeders, this year they are solid playoff contenders. Then look at a team like the Bucs with their QB who should be taking a leap ... and they suck, potentially worse than us.

    It's about finding the best players regardless of where you are picking. Maybe picking early in theory gets you better talent. I am not sure that it's worth a tank job though, not the least because the players themselves don't want to tank.
     

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