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Positives from the Ravens Game

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by Galant, Sep 9, 2019.

  1. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    Per my other thread on positives this season I thought I'd open up a thread for the Week 1 game against Baltimore.

    I only managed to catch the first half of the game properly, I had to be in and out for the rest of it.

    Early on it was clear the Ravens were going to score a LOT and our QB's weren't going to get anything done. I was happy that the Phins managed to get at least one touchdown, as well as stringing together a few big plays and drives.

    I wasn't in any sort of analysis mode and I haven't reviewed the game, but what stuck out while watching was:

    Parker - He had that one, incredible, highlight reel grab. It was good to see him put himself out there and fight. That one catch saw him catch the ball up in the air between two Ravens defenders and come down hard with it. If Parker is going to turn it around and be the guy everyone hoped he might be - grabbing those 50/50 balls - then he's going to need to put that effort in and I was glad to see it last night.

    Fitz - He was scrambling a lot of the night, with mixed success and some bad passes. But he never seemed to give up. If the O-line can be better than it was and protect him a little more, he looks like he'll fight every game, all game, and bring a never say die approach to each game this season. We all know he's not the answer at QB, but in a season that's going to need a lot of grit, I think Fitzpatrick can be a good leader for the team, and in that a good example for Rosen to follow. If Fitz doesn't give up, despite the struggles and hits, then neither can Rosen, - or anyone else. At least, that will be a real rallying point for the team. He's supposed to be a great locker room guy, so he may actually be a big key in unlocking the potential of this team to take a losing season and turn it into a furnace that produces grit, fight, fire, and resilience that the Dolphins can build on. The potential for adversity to become the foundation on which great things are built cannot be underestimated.

    Rosen - Looked sharp at times, but of course was scrambling a lot too and made some bad decisions, but he also seemed to keep fighting. Both QB's will need to do that a lot. Let's hope he can take this relentless pressure and use it to develop endurance and get better under pressure. I mean the pressure's going to be there all season, if it can be utilised to produce something positive then that will be a big win.

    Coaching - I have to say that compared to last year's frustrating long runs on 3rd, bubble-screens etc - which felt to me like giving up early - yesterday's offense felt far more positive. Lack of OL talent aside, there were still some long shots down field, some tough runs, etc. No one seemed to check out or give up, and this week, before the Patriots game, some of the most vital coaching work of the season might be happening - needs to be happening. How Flores and the other coaches work to respond to the shock of game one could drastically transform the season. If he can get the players to buy into what this season is - adversity - a tough trial - through which the players can work to come together, fight, get better, and build the foundations of something better and lasting... then it could be marvellous. If not, then it could the season could get even worse than what we saw last night.

    Ballage - ran hard. It can't have been easy but despite the lack of breakthroughs there were moments when Ballage was able to gash the defense for 4 or 5 yards. That's not highlight material of course, but I was expecting worse. Instead of zero run game, there was an effort to establish it, and efforts from Ballage to break through. There could have been more, sure. Would have been nice to see more pulls and diverse schemes to try and get a runner free, but considered how recently this OL has been brought together, it would imagine they don't have the playbook down yet. I'd like to see more persistence in establishing the run game, but I'm glad it didn't feel like there was no ultimate surrender.

    And I suppose that was what I felt was the overall bright spot. The team fought and got beat down last night, but they didn't ever seem like they surrendered. If they can keep that up, despite other beat downs, then I'm not sure I can ask any more of the players.

    As for the coaches, much remains to be seen, but if they can put in as much as the players, not give up, get creative and keep everyone engaged, then I'll take that as a win for the season.

    I'll have to leave it here. Got work to do. But these are a few of my thoughts.

    Anyone else got any positive takeaways from last night?
     
  2. jdallen1222

    jdallen1222 Well-Known Member

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    We may have known this in the preseason but now we know he can do it for real. Preston Williams is legit.
     
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  3. steeda

    steeda Active Member

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    Agree with you is Preston Williams. Beautiful catch in the endzone to get both feet in. I enjoyed seeing Parker get some catches. X had a nice pass breakup.
     
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  4. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Preston Williams was definitely the main highlight- and I really think that first catch (that they called a drop) was a TD as well. He's an absolute superstar and the Fins clearly know it since he was targeted early and often.
     
  5. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    Here's the Parker catch:
     
  6. bbqpitlover

    bbqpitlover Well-Known Member

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    The only positive I got is when the game ended.
     
  7. The Guy

    The Guy Well-Known Member

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    The biggest positive from that game was the big laugh I got when Ryan Fitzpatrick got clobbered passing the ball, and then got up to try to make the tackle after he threw an interception, only to get clobbered again. If he would’ve been hurt, I wouldn’t have laughed, but under those circumstances and others it was much-needed comedy.
     
  8. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    A lot of folks here don't like Fitzpatrick because he's turnover prone, etc. but I honestly feel horrible for the guy and the position he's in. Fitz has come to practice early every single day setting an example, then stayed late every afternoon to work with the receivers. The guy has done everything possible to be a true pro and lead this franchise...yet he's literally running for his life and getting clobbered out there.

    I mean, on some of those early plays, there were three defenders instantly in the backfield...all running side by side looking like the great wall of china. I've never seen a worse blocking effort or a QB trying harder- he just doesn't deserve that after going above and beyond for the Dolphins since day one.

    I laughed several times at how inept this team was...but I definitely didn't laugh at Fitzpatrick. I honestly hope he quits before he's carried off on a stretcher.
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2019
  9. Surfs Up 99

    Surfs Up 99 Team Flores & Team Tua

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    In addition to what has been mentioned, I liked what I saw from Albert Wilson, and Gesicki made a catch or two. Baby steps. Baby steps.
     
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  10. AGuyNamedAlex

    AGuyNamedAlex Well-Known Member

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    Parker looked legit. He had that other nice grab on the sideline he couldnt get both feet down for but the effort and grab were phenomenal. Pretty sure that was Parker and not Williams anyway.

    The Williams TD should have been an easy grab, it looked like he forgot he needed two feet until the last second.
     
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  11. AGuyNamedAlex

    AGuyNamedAlex Well-Known Member

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    Matt Moore comes to mind when I think of what was happening to Fitz.

    He isnt the answer but this had nothing to do with him I agree.
     
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  12. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    My positives were Fitz, Parker and Williams. They each had some struggles but generally showed well. I was also happy to see that Dieter had a relatively high score on PFF. I can't say I focused on him to have my own opinion, but thinking back it appeared to me that all the pressure Fitz was under seemed to come from other parts of the line.

    I also liked that they got Rosen in for a few snaps. I don't agree with the narrative that he replaced Fitz b/c Fitz was struggling. I think that getting Rosen a few snaps was the tentative plan all along. I had mentioned in a thread somewhere that Bill Walsh had presented the perfect blueprint for preparing a QB with his handling of Montana. Montana played in every game that first season, but it was spot duty. IIRC he only threw a total of 20-some passes that first season. It was a low pressure way to acclimate a young QB. It gets him used to making reads at speed without throwing him to the wolves. I hope that was why Rosen played.
     
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  13. keypusher

    keypusher Well-Known Member

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    Positives from that game...I thought you were going to make a blank post! But in fact there were a few positives, amazingly enough, so thanks for pointing them out.
     
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  14. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    I was gonna say- we made meatball subs at halftime...that was a pretty positive experience during the game.
     
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  15. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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