1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

2018 Miami Dolphins Season Preview & Predictions

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by KeyFin, Aug 26, 2018.

  1. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    Well, it's that time of year again...and I can honestly say that I'm less excited about previewing the 2018 Dolphins than any other team in my adult life. That's mainly because we have no freaking idea what we're going to see this year- is Tannehill going to start slow and treat the first month as practice like in 2016? Can we stop anyone from running all over us? Do we even have three starting caliber linebackers at this point? Those are all big fat question marks that we just don't know.

    One thing that I do know- we have talent up and down this roster. Possibly even elite talent. Our secondary is going to drive people nuts this season and I think we will run all over people once the line gets in sync. If we can establish the run, then we will also see Tannehill play his best football without the pressure of coming from behind. I can see it....the whole thing lines up like dominoes and it's beautiful....yet I don't know if we can execute quickly enough to make it matter.

    Offense Preview

    After three pre-season games, I am happy to say that our offensive line looks legitimate....possibly even solid. Both our starting and reserve lines have provided pretty darn good pass protection for all three games and it's really been the only constant on the entire team. Yes, Tunsil has missed a few blocks and yes, there have been some screw-ups and stupid off-sides penalties, but for the most part the pocket has been there and that's something we've waited a very long time for. The run blocking still isn't there consistently but that's okay- that's something we can develop over the season and still win ballgames.

    I also like our skill players on offense and I can see where Gase is trying to take us- he wants a chunk-yardage team that can beat you at all three levels when the right mismatch appears. It sounds great on paper but we just haven't seen it yet (as in- ever). Likewise, we have no clue how efficient Tannehill will be since he's always been a stud in practice. Him looking great off the field in pre-season means next to nothing- that only tells us his knee is okay. It's also wonderful that Gase believes he has an awesome grasp on the playbook and the reads...but we have to see it for ourselves.

    We need to see it all come together for four straight quarters, and then four more the next week. That's the reason RT is a tier 4 quarterback instead of tier 1....he's just never had that complete consistency on offense.

    To me personally, the biggest question mark on the entire season is Adam Gase with that playbook in his hands. He's often been our worst enemy with conservative play calling and in my opinion, that's a lethal blow to a streaky player like Tannehill. Tonight is a good example...he fuddled through three unimpressive drives and couldn't get anything going until Drake was off to the races along the sidelines. From that point on, he was the RT from 2016 that could hit tight spaces and read the field with ease. Gase has to set him up for success so he can get to that point though and we just haven't seen it so far.

    Some of you will say that it's only pre-season....and I get that. But one TD in 3 weeks is definitely reason for concern. At least we got to see Gisecki in action tonight to match what we've heard....he's a match-up nightmare with his height and massive wingspan. If schemed properly, he will be lethal for our offense this season.

    Defensive Preview

    Defensively, I think we're a lot further along...especially considering the departure of Suh was the biggest question mark of the off-season. Yes, we've given up two huge runs in two weeks...but we've also shut down passing lanes and looked pretty dominant at times as well. We all know our run defense isn't a massive concern if our offense can score, so we'd better just hope that Gase has a master plan that will be unveiled in two weeks. If that's the case, we can genuinely be an 11 or 12 win team this season.

    The other thing that gives me hope is the combination of Howard, Jones, McDonald, Wake, Quinn and Fitzpatrick on the field. Folks, we could be top 5 in pass D this year if one of our other corners steps up. These guys are playing awesome and swarming around the field to the point where it may be the story of the year for our team. Quinn in particular has me excited because he's dominated just about everybody he's faced.

    However, I do think that we're going to struggle with the run. Our coaches are very high on McMillian and Baker- I personally am as well. But these guys are going to take some time to develop into reliable run stuffers and I unfortunately think we will see some more long runs against us early on in the season. We just don't have the middle tightened up like it needs to be and it will be a problem all year.

    The great thing about football though is that as long as you're scoring points and the other team is playing catch-up, a weak run D is minimized. We desperately need teams playing into our strengths....those 2nd and 9's or 3rd and longs. That only happens if we're controlling the score board though and making teams challenge us vertically- I think we will dominate in that department.

    So it really comes down to what situations will be the most prevalent. Will we be the predators or the prey?

    Team Strengths/Weaknesses

    Strengths- O Line, WR, RB, DE, TE, Secondary

    Weaknesses- DT, CB opposite Howard

    Unknown- QB, LB, Gase's play calling

    Just to be clear here, I'm expecting Tannehill to have a very impressive year. We're not going to repeat 2016's performance playing like crap on offense for 3 quarters and then stealing games with a few solid drives in the final minutes. This team wasn't built for 17-14 or 23-20 victories and we need to see 4 quarters of solid offense a heck of a lot more often. The 23 minutes Baltimore controlled the ball tonight in the first half just isn't going to cut it if we expect to be a playoff team.

    If we can find that tempo and take some early leads though, I have a feeling that you'll quickly see Gase's vision. This is a team that can crash the edge as good as anyone and completely shut down passing lanes while blitzing from exotic angles. This is a truly elite, all-pro defense that can punish you...we saw that last year against NE on prime time when everyone said, "Where the heck did that come from?" It's been there all along and this defense can dominate entire ballgames...all we need is an early 10 point lead to put others in catch-up mode. Then we're rolling and it becomes almost impossible to beat us.

    The key to this entire season will be getting Tannehill in his stride in the first quarter- we're undefeated over the past two seasons when this team starts fast. The problem, however, is that we've only managed to start fast in 4 of the last 32 ballgames (4 of 33 if we count the playoff loss). That has to change quickly or it's going to be a really long season.

    With that said, let's move onto some predictions.

    Predictions/Game Expectations

    Sept. 9: vs. Titans. This is a typical trap game for Miami with a solid team coming to our house on week one. We normally play up in these games, but I just haven't seen enough offensively to say that we'll be ready. Without Parker and Grant on the field, we're not going to have enough firepower to win unless the defense (or Drake) does it single-handed. Loss 0-1

    Sept. 16: at N.Y. Jets. Hey, the Jets....they suck, right? I think this one will be competitive but we'll find a way to blow it in the 4th quarter. God I hate the stinkin' Jets and I hate playing down to weak competition even more! Loss 0-2

    Sept. 23: vs. Raiders. The Raiders are intriguing because they have talent and one of the greatest football minds coaching them. Like us though, I think they're going to struggle early and we'll earn our first win on the season. Win 1-2

    Sept. 30: at Patriots. We all know that winning @ Gilette stadium only happens for NFL opponents about once a year- it's the ultimate test for any team. That's why this will be RT's breakout game for the season as we take the early lead and send the front 7 loose for a Brady buffet. Win 2-2

    Oct. 7: at Bengals. That stride I said Tannehill had to hit? Yup, he hit it. Close game but we take the W. Win 3-2

    Oct. 14: vs. Bears. Another close one as our offense builds some rhythm and the secondary starts to flat out to scare people. We take the early lead and never let off the gas. Win 4-2

    Oct. 21: vs. Lions. I think we drop one of the next two and I couldn't decide which was which. We probably win this one and drop our only prime time game on the short week. Win 5-2

    Oct. 25 (Thursday): at Texans, 8:20 p.m. Loss 5-3

    Nov. 4: vs. N.Y. Jets. This time around, we beat the brakes off the Jets and start to look like a real AFC contender....this is a blowout. Win 6-3

    Nov. 11: at Packers. Big time match-up that may get bumped to the 4 PM slot. I think our D keeps Rodgers honest and this one's a shoot out...it is really too close to call. But since I have to then I'll call it a loss. Loss 6-4

    Nov. 18: Bye Week Still 6-4...we avenge last year's shocking bye-week loss!

    Nov. 25: at Colts. I think the Colts are going to be a good team this year and I think it's another high-scoring battle. I have a feeling we squeak this one out though. Win 7-4

    Dec. 2: vs. Bills. These last five games make or break the season for one reason- we will either be scoring in the first half and blowing people out on defense, or we'll be playing from behind and getting torched on the ground. I think we're 100% there by this point and this one isn't even close. But if I'm wrong and the offense is still sputtering, we could very likely end the year going 0-5. Win 8-4

    Dec. 9: vs. Patriots. This game likely decides the division since the Pats will probably be 9-3 at this point. In the S Florida sun, we get all over Brady and leave this game in 1st place. Win 9-4

    Dec. 16: at Vikings. We're on a roll. Our Fins can't lose! Oops, we just did in the frigid cold...and now we're back to 2nd place in the division. Loss 9-5

    Dec. 23: vs. Jaguars. Momentum is headed in the wrong direction as the offense sputters and we wonder if this is the same team that beat the Pats, Colts & Bengals...1st place is now a distant memory. Loss 9-6

    Dec. 30: at Bills. It always seems to come down to Buffalo in the cold, doesn't it? It almost feels like Tannehill's kryptonite. With the Wild Card on the line, we finally close a season out and RT gets his first playoff game. Win 10-6

    Final Summary

    I will point out again that this was extremely frustrating to predict since everything depends on Gase and RT getting on the same page early. Folks, I think we have the legitimate talent on our roster to win 13-14 games this season and sweep the division.....but most of that talent is wasted if we can't start fast.

    Think of this team as a cheetah, we need that initial burst to grab our prey and lock in the kill. If it doesn't happen quickly, then we burn out and just can't manage to catch up down the stretch. That will be the story of every single game this season- if we can get a few early scores, we likely win in impressive fashion. If we putter around though, then it's a blowout for the other guys or a last second victory.

    One good thing we have going for us is that we have 9 games we could/should win fairly easy- and I'm counting our home game against NE in there since we can shut down Brady with a lead. The problem though is that we've never blown out weak teams in the Gase era...that's happened only a few times out of the last 32. And we're just not built to hang around in tight games or come from behind.....our young LB's almost guarantee that.

    Best Case Prediction Scenario- 13-3, AFC Champs, Cinderella Story, Super Bowl Bound

    Worst Case Prediction Scenario- 5-11, last place AFC East

    Actual Prediction- 10-6, sweep the Pats, win in 1st round playoffs

    Well, there ya go...I'm on record for the most befuddling preseason of my entire life. I've been saying for awhile now that it all comes down to Tannehill and I still think that's the case...but I think it's really a Gase/RT combo at this point to figure out the new offensive weapons. If we do start quick and some of those early predicted losses end up being wins, this can actually be our year folks!

    One final thought- you may have noticed that I didn't mention Drake or the run game a single time. I believe that will be a huge strength this year IF we use him as a change-up instead of a one-trick pony that is tested throughout the 1st half. If the run game is there early, then fine...pound away Mr. Gase. But if it's not, then this team's season depends on you kicking off the training wheels and having Tannehill attack the field. Not in the 2nd quarter or the 2nd half, but on the very first drive.
     
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2018
  2. canesz06

    canesz06 Well-Known Member

    1,648
    754
    113
    Mar 13, 2012
    4 to 6 wins this year and i think that's a stretch. The defense is horrible and the offense can't score enough to win in a shootout.
     
    Dorfdad, bigballa2102 and KeyFin like this.
  3. cbrad

    cbrad .

    10,659
    12,657
    113
    Dec 21, 2014
    I'm going with 6-8 wins. Can't see how this year is worse than with Cutler last year, but I don't see much different than the mediocre teams of past years. I think Tannehill will prove once again he's at best slightly above average.

    I don't think Gase will be fired even with 6-8 wins, but I think he should be fired with anything less than a winning record. Not my decision obviously, but it's not like Ross has shown he's good at picking HC's.

    And obviously I hope I'm wrong on all those predictions and things turn out much better!
     
    bigballa2102, Irishman and KeyFin like this.
  4. Rick 1966

    Rick 1966 Professional Hipshooter

    8,565
    3,821
    113
    Nov 23, 2007
    Powell, WY
    No more than 8 wins this year.
     
    Dorfdad and KeyFin like this.
  5. Dorfdad

    Dorfdad Well-Known Member

    4,052
    2,347
    113
    Dec 9, 2007
    Nice write up but with your listed strengths on offense I wouldn’t expect a lot more explosiveness and points on the board but 1 TD is kinda weak.

    I also agree Gase is a concern sometimes he just goes silly. Like those runs up the middle on long passing situations. This is preaseason air imit our some give some coordinators reasons to gameplan against you. Plus non of this counts
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  6. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

    12,162
    5,057
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    6 wins tops... and only because we will catch some teams sleeping on us.. 3 wouldnt shock me... this team is lacking too much talent on so many areas... it looks like we are playing in mud while other teams are far more explosive..
     
    canesz06 and KeyFin like this.
  7. jw3102

    jw3102 season ticket holder

    7,760
    3,486
    113
    Sep 4, 2010
    Maui, Hawaii
    While I would love to be positive and predict a 10 win season and a playoff berth, the fact is I just don’t see that this FO and coaching staff have upgraded the talent on this roster overall.

    I think the defense will end up being near the bottom over the course of the season and Tannehill will once again prove he is nothing but the same average to below average QB he has been since being drafted by the Dolphins. The OL will also once again prove to be a mess during the season.

    My prediction is that the Dolphins will win between 4 and 6 games. I also predict the new FO and head coach in 2019 will use the first round pick in 2019 to select a new QB. It will be at least another three years before this team is a legitimate playoff contender and that will only occur if Ross actually
    hires competent individuals to run the FO and coach the players. If he continues to hire the same type of incompetent individuals he has so far, mediocrity or worse will continue to be the normal for years to come in regards to the Dolphins organization.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  8. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    Well, we know Reshad Jones and Cam Wake are elite players at their position. We also know that Quinn had an amazing pre-season and belongs in that elite category as well. Fitzpatrick and MacDonald are both gamers....maybe we don't call them elite quite yet but they're pretty darn close. Howard has been spectacular since recovering from injuries. That's 6 of our starting 11 that you could argue as potential Pro-Bowlers.

    To me, Kiko has always been a solid contributor. He's not great in pass coverage since few linebackers are, but he has a high motor and plays with intensity. Hes definitely a positive for this team and that's 7 of 11 as a virtual lock.

    For our opposite corner, McCain has probably looked the best of the bunch and it's important to remember that we have elite help over the top this season. Fitzpatrick really is that darn good and we already have one of the best of the best in Reshad Jones. So while McCain may be average in the NFL, I think that's minimized a good portion of the time by a heavy rush and our safeties bailing us out.

    I think McMillian and Baker will be eventual strengths- it's just a matter of time. Maybe we don't see everything come together in 2018, but I believe that we will be very tough on passing downs and around average on runs. And while that doesn't inspire a lot of confidence, we could literally have 8 potential names on Pro Bowl ballets by the end of the season. I think this defense could be scary good if our DT's and LB's fully develop- and pretty solid if they don't.
     
  9. Fin-O

    Fin-O Initiated Club Member

    11,375
    11,392
    113
    Sep 28, 2015
    Tenn - L (Too much balance for a defense w/o a solid versatile front 7)
    NYJ - W (We will play better in this spot and force turnovers)
    RAI - W (This should/could be our first big offensive day, O/U 50)
    NEP - L (Divisional road games for this team is never a plus)
    CIN - W ( We are a better team than Cincy, it should show)
    CHI - L (Vic Fangio vs our type of offense is scary, don't like it)
    DET - W ( We have some familiarity and their off strength is our def strength)
    HOU - L (Prep for Watson on the road on a short week? BAD for this D)
    Jets - L ( we split road victories with a team and a QB that is better than expected)
    GB - L (3 straight L's at the hands of the best QB in the game killing us softly)
    IND - L (Dearest Mother, the Dolphins Lb's were easy targets of our weaponry)
    BUF - W (Happy to be home we make easy work of the Bills and Josh Allen)
    NE - W ( Season isn't dead yet and we pick up that momentum needed)
    MIN - L ( Too good of a defense for our short passing game. We lose a close one)
    JAX - W ( We find a way on defense to contain Leonard and Blake cant beat us alone)
    BUF - W (In a meaningless game the Bills are vying for that #1 pick and we let them have it)

    Oh look, 8-8. But we won 4 of 5 to end the season so the false optimism of all things Dolphins will linger into 2019.
     
  10. jw3102

    jw3102 season ticket holder

    7,760
    3,486
    113
    Sep 4, 2010
    Maui, Hawaii

    Wake and Jones were both elite players earlier in their careers. At this time Wake is still an above average DE but he is no longer the player he was just a few years ago. Jones also is still a quality safety but he still isn’t the same player he was before he was injured a couple of years ago.

    I believe Fitzpatrick will eventually be the best player on the defense and could certainly reach elite status in the coming years. I think Kiko is average at best and he is below average when it comes to pass coverage. I think McMillian still has a lot to learn and it is still a huge question as to whether he will be a quality LB in the NFL or not.

    While Baker has the speed, I just question if he has the size to be able to stand up to the pounding he will take playing LB in the NFL. Overall, I believe the LB’s are going to be a major issue during the season.

    I believe that Suh was overpaid, but there is no DT now on the roster who is anywhere close to his ability. The argument that they didn’t have a good defense with him on the roster is simply absurd.
    They didn’t have a good defense because they didn’t have much talent on the defense when he was with the Dolphins. The fact is he was by far the best defensive player on the Dolphins while he was on the team and over the course of an entire season, he will be missed on the Dolphins defensive line.

    I also think that Gase is at fault for not hiring an experienced DC. When I look at the coaching staff overall, I just don’t see a lot of quality coaches and that certainly includes Gase and his hand picked DC.

    I certainly hope I am wrong but I just don’t see this team winning more than 6 games this season and 4-12 or 3-13 would not surprise me in the least.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  11. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

    40,533
    33,035
    113
    Dec 11, 2007
    If you go by production and play on the field, that is 100% false
     
    danmarino and KeyFin like this.
  12. Itsdahumidity

    Itsdahumidity X gonna take it from ya

    2,073
    1,194
    113
    Dec 10, 2007
    This team lacks top talent & discipline thus my prediction of a season closer to the 2007 embarrassment.
     
  13. Shoes

    Shoes Junior Member

    374
    204
    43
    Dec 20, 2007
    10-6 and back into the playoffs
     
  14. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    I feel the same way- it should be 9 wins or bust for Adam Gase. If we go 8-8 then maybe you don't fire him, but you definitely start looking around at that point making plans for 2020. Or maybe you keep Gase but insist on bringing in an offensive coordinator to call the plays. I do like the guy but I think he's so deep into strategy, it sometimes backfires on him.

    Ultimately, I think that this is the "no excuse" year. Regardless of who gets hurt or what hurricane blows into town, we need to win 9+ football games to show that we've turned a corner.
     
    cbrad likes this.
  15. Irishman

    Irishman Well-Known Member

    573
    532
    93
    Oct 16, 2017
    High Point, NC
    I feel this needs a lot more stretching.
     
    danmarino likes this.
  16. Irishman

    Irishman Well-Known Member

    573
    532
    93
    Oct 16, 2017
    High Point, NC
    I can't predict how we will do in the first 5 games.

    I feel if we win all 5, then we will go on to be undefeated. Who do we play in our last 11 games, who will be more trouble then some of the first 5 teams we played? I am looking forward to a VERY successful 2018 season.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  17. phin81

    phin81 New Member

    5
    5
    3
    Aug 23, 2018
    6-10 at best. I can easily see 4-12.
     
    bigballa2102 and KeyFin like this.
  18. TheHighExhaulted

    TheHighExhaulted Well-Known Member

    5,818
    4,664
    113
    Jan 15, 2008
    The fan perceptions of this team are fascinating.

    It's either this team is going to be 4-12 at best with a possibility of being so bad that they get the 1st overall pick in the 2019 draft.

    Or, they will be 10-6 with the possibility of making a little run in the playoffs.

    Very cool.
     
    DolphinGreg, Irishman and Brasfin like this.
  19. Pauly

    Pauly Season Ticket Holder

    3,696
    3,743
    113
    Nov 29, 2007
    I agree with the broad thrust of what Keyfin said.
    Tannehill gives his supporters and detractors enough to hold their views.
    LB remains a question mark, obviously we all hoped McMillan would be beastly, given the hype around last year’s pre-season. My opinion remains Alonzo is a good LB if he doesn’t have to worry about what the other LBs are doing, so having McMillan or Allen stand up and be at least competent at the Mike position is desperately needed.
    I think we saw enough with the game planning not to be worried about the playcalling too much, if the refs didn’t allow the ravens to basically tackle Gisecki at the LOS every play there were enough chunk yardage opportunities to keep us ahead of the game. Havinag said that I’d much rather have Gase turn the playcalling over to his OC.

    I’m not too much into doing game by game predictions. Going by the upgrade Tannehill gives this O over last year that should be good for at least another 2 wins, even allowing for the phins winning more games than they statistically should have. The defense looks like it should be better. Losing Suh hurts, but it was/is the LB position that hurt us the most and the talent level looks like it should be better, so if the LBs play to potential then that could add another in or two.
    So 8-8, with the potential for better if the D gels together.

    If you want to do the if all the ifs go bad then 4-12. If you want to do if all the ifs go good then 12-4.
     
    danmarino, KeyFin and Irishman like this.
  20. cbrad

    cbrad .

    10,659
    12,657
    113
    Dec 21, 2014
    Actually just in this thread there are as many predictions in that 6-8 win range, which is also what I predicted. So it's not just those two extremes. It's all over the place lol. Hey.. at least someone is likely to be correct!
     
    Irishman likes this.
  21. jdallen1222

    jdallen1222 Well-Known Member

    2,752
    1,373
    113
    May 31, 2013
    Plantation, Fl

    Thats basically a notch above or below the mediocrity the team has been wading through the past 2 decades. Not too extreme from where this team has recently been. Id say 9-7.
     
    Irishman likes this.
  22. Nappy Roots

    Nappy Roots Well-Known Member

    10,191
    4,187
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Bradenton,FL
    The problem I see with this, is that even though we as fans saw it last year, and thought the Fitz was going to fix the issues, the Dolphins staff continues to put Jones high and McDonald down in the box. Jones is and has been elite while defending at or near the LOS. He was pedestrian last year when McDonald came back from suspension. And that wasn't because Jones just wasn't the same player, they simply put him in a position that he shouldn't be in. Now with our CBs outside of Howard and McCain ****ting the bed, its looking more and more like we are going to be in the same position as last year regarding Jones and McDonald. Add that to the issue with our LBs being awful in coverage and you have a recipe for disaster in the pass game as well.

    My thoughts on this team coming up are just all over the place. I try to not be super swayed by preseason. But I also like to think you can tell some things about preseason.

    The defense scares me. They have no true boundary corner outside of Howard. The linebackers look bad. All for a variety of different reasons.

    The offensive weapons look great. I love these wideouts, even without a talent like Parker. I love the backs. Rookie tightends usually take a while to adapt so I am not sure we are going to see much of an impact out of MG too early. But the offense scares me too. Some of what you highlighted in the first post. Adam Gase calling plays. But also with that Tannehill. Can say whatever you want, but you can't question Tannehills arm talent. Strength and accuracy. But RT continues to look like the QB that waits people open. That does not work for 3rd down conversions and in the redzone because defenses know the yards needed to gain. Spaces get tighter. Add that fact to Gase continues to want an underneath passing attack and defenses don't have to worry about over the top. The offense is going to have trouble scoring points, not moving the ball, but getting touch downs.

    The offense isn't going to score enough touch downs I don't think and the defense will still have issues with big plays. We have some extremely talented players that are going to keep us in some games and win us some games. But I see 7-9 in our future unfortunately...Hope I am wrong.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  23. Dorfdad

    Dorfdad Well-Known Member

    4,052
    2,347
    113
    Dec 9, 2007
    No way Ross goes back in Gase that quickly. This was his hire he wanted him badly. I believe the organization has already come to the conclusion that we’re in a rebuild mode and that Gase has convinced them that jettisoning all those “troublemakers” is going to change the team. This is all Gases plan now he’s in control and Ross is going to give him another 2-3 years before we rebuild again.

    The really confusing part for me is Tannehill. He’s not a rookie and he’s not an old QB he’s been a starter shown promise but deep in my heart I can’t inagine Gase thinks he’s an elite QB. They brought in cannon fodder to back him up so Gase is going to live and die with Tannehill.

    I would consider trading him if we’re really talking 2-3 rebuild. In 2-3 years we might not get anything for him.
     
  24. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    Before Tannehill got hurt last season, Gase said that "he was playing perfectly" and "exactly where he needed to be". I don't think there's even a slight chance that they trade Tannehill since Gase sees him as elite.

    And you're right, we are technically in rebuilding mode. I do think we can win now though if the offense can get rolling.
     
    Irishman likes this.
  25. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

    11,881
    4,834
    113
    Nov 26, 2007
    Detroit Metro Area MI
    Two wins against New England? Gonna say no on that. Good write up though.

    This season feels very in flux overall with expectations all over. I could see 4-12 if Tanny bombs and the defense blows. I could see 10-6 if both excell. There are big big questions to be sure. Did we pick the right answers or are we about to go down hard?
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  26. mooseguts

    mooseguts Well-Known Member

    362
    368
    63
    Jan 12, 2018
    Though my optimism has dwindled I want to believe in this coaching staff and Ryan Tannehill the same way my nephew believes there's a monster under his bead. I'm going with 9-7.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  27. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    Here ya go, hook your nephew right up!

     
    mooseguts likes this.
  28. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,648
    67,540
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    I haven’t heard anything about Grant not being ready to play week one, nor Parker..
     
  29. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    bigballa2102 likes this.
  30. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,648
    67,540
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
  31. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    I agree, I think he's the key to everything this season.

    I believe that the new concussion protocol doesn't have a time limit though- you're in it until you pass all the tests with a clear head. Someone like Moore could be under the protocol for weeks so there's no telling how long it will take or if it will effect Grant afterwards...it really scares me since he's a smaller guy. Will he play nervous coming back out? There's just a lot we don't know.
     
  32. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,648
    67,540
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    Also Key I don’t think Gase will report anything positive about their return until game day..let the opponent think they will be out..
     
    Irishman, jdallen1222 and KeyFin like this.
  33. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    Well, I heard we are playing some starters but Grant would probably only see the first series or two anyway...so that's not a big deal there. I'm just hoping that he's okay.
     
    Irishman likes this.
  34. bigballa2102

    bigballa2102 Well-Known Member

    1,318
    638
    113
    Oct 22, 2013
    So CAL
    ill make my serious prediction after week 1, i don't usually like to go off the wagon i want to see what gase has up his sleeves. If its still this same 5 yard passes and screens then we will know week 1. As of right now i see this team around 6-10 or 7-9. But that could change after week 1.
     
    Irishman likes this.
  35. Irishman

    Irishman Well-Known Member

    573
    532
    93
    Oct 16, 2017
    High Point, NC
    I like your approach. Lets go with the 12-4, although I think that may be a little low.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  36. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    Here's how I see it w/ New England-

    #1- We've stomped their asses just about every year in Miami.
    #2- Our closest games in Gilette have come early in the year. We are screwed there in December.
    #3- Tannehill's comeback in 2016 against NE was the best I've EVER seen him play.
    #4- Our defense completely embarrassed NE last year and showed everyone how to beat them.

    I love that we go to them early when it still feels like a Spring day in NE, and that's a big reason why Gase is keeping most of the playbook under wraps. Our first NE match-up is our "unveiling" and I think week 4 is just about perfect for where this team is at today. And I think we're going to torch the crap out of them with big gimmick plays from Grant, Wilson and Drake early to set the tone. I also think Gisecki is going to be a massive red zone problem since it takes attention away from others...we just have too darn much speed to also have two guys out-jumping everyone else on 50/50 balls.

    Make no mistake, every roster move we make is to shut down Brady. Every scheme is designed to knock him on his ***. That's been every coach's job over the past two decades- beating NE twice. And I think we're finally there, I think we are the more talented team. If Tannehill can get hot in week 4 then I feel like it's our game to lose.
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2018
    bigballa2102 and Irishman like this.
  37. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,648
    67,540
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    I meant for regular season, no way grant or Parker play preseason game 4
     
    Irishman and KeyFin like this.
  38. bigballa2102

    bigballa2102 Well-Known Member

    1,318
    638
    113
    Oct 22, 2013
    So CAL

    seeing how suh is gone, i would expect brady to run draw after draw as he did prior to suh getting there, take wake and the pass rush away and just cut the LB up. i would say beating them twice is a 1% chance and beating them once is a 25% chance. but like everything there is a chance.
     
    Irishman likes this.
  39. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    Well, we've beat them at home 4 of the last 5 years, so I'd definitely give that one a higher percentage....maybe a 35-40% chance of winning that one. I mean, we embarrassed them last year with Cutler at the helm, plus our defense is highly upgraded since then and we really beat the crap out of Brady. We know how to beat NE better than any team in the league, and we're talking about 85 degree weather for the home game. I'm very confident that we win that one.

    As for playing in Gillette....yeah, maybe a 5% chance of victory is fair. But again, we have that team's number and as long as we execute, it will be a game. You have to remember that that's our basically our Super Bowl each year and it means more to the players, coaches, etc. since they hate the Pats just as much as we do. I think if we see the hot RT, we have a decent chance if we take the early lead and get to play our pressure game on defense.
     
    Irishman likes this.
  40. Phin McCool

    Phin McCool Well-Known Member

    713
    735
    93
    Jan 29, 2017
    United Kingdom
    I thought that said your nephew believes there's a monster under his beard. I thought that must be some serious **** he's smoking...!

    As much as I think we've drafted well and added some quality players through FA, I think we'll be 6-10 or 7-9 at best. The defence is still too porous for my liking and the offence will continue to bonk in the red zone. Hope I'm wrong but I don't see a winning year ahead.
     
    KeyFin and Irishman like this.

Share This Page