Dolphins control playoff future because roster is full of playmakers/Thomas Vid

I'm excited about the team, they have shown me some brotherhood and as a fan that's gratifying.

I'm not really sure I agree about no weaknesses... I mean, our oline is 2nd rate and defensively... It seems like there's always a leak on the ship week to week. Whether it's secondary, LB's, or DL, there's always something wrong.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but if Miami wins out and Cinci loses to Baltimore, we're in, right?

"Clark Kent wrote:

I'm not really sure I agree about no weaknesses... I mean, our oline is 2nd rate and defensively... It seems like there's always a leak on the ship week to week. Whether it's secondary, LB's, or DL, there's always something wrong.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but if Miami wins out and Cinci loses to Baltimore, we're in, right?

Yes.

"Clark Kent wrote:

I'm not really sure I agree about no weaknesses... I mean, our oline is 2nd rate and defensively... It seems like there's always a leak on the ship week to week. Whether it's secondary, LB's, or DL, there's always something wrong.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but if Miami wins out and Cinci loses to Baltimore, we're in, right?

for the 143rd time....yes

WIN AND WE ARE IN. Don't have to worry about anyone else.

The only thing that bothers me about our playoff situation is the Tamp Bay game. A game we never should have lost. Quite possibly the Carolina game too, but that one was a tougher challenge, but Tampa... Ugh... that one hurts. With that win in our pockets right now things are so much better for us.

I do love how we've had guys step up though... Clay in for Keller showing that Clay could be the guy all along. Matthews in for Gibson, while maybe not the same redzone threat that Gibson/Tannehill became, he's made some big plays in key situations. Nolan Carroll. Yup, he's struggled at times, but down the stretch here he's played pretty well in place of Patterson. Brenner on the OL...

I think alot of people talk about Philbin and the staff needing to go, (myself included), but you look at things now, where we are at, with these near bottom of the roster guys stepping up, making plays and playing well in the grand scheme of things, and to me... that's on coaching. That's showing that these guys are prepared, top of the roster, down to the bottom. Personally I think that bodes well for the return of Philbin regardless of making the playoffs or not.

"Clark Kent wrote:

I'm not really sure I agree about no weaknesses... I mean, our oline is 2nd rate and defensively... It seems like there's always a leak on the ship week to week. Whether it's secondary, LB's, or DL, there's always something wrong.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but if Miami wins out and Cinci loses to Baltimore, we're in, right?

"Destroyer wrote:

WIN AND WE ARE IN. Don't have to worry about anyone else.

As Destroyer said, we win both games we are in, we control our destiny. How everyone else does only controls what seed we are in the whole damn thing!

Just because this is freaking awesome: The drive of the week

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-drive-of-the-week/0ap2000000300181/Drive-of-the-Week-Dolphins-keep-playoff-hopes-alive

"brandon27 wrote:

The only thing that bothers me about our playoff situation is the Tamp Bay game. A game we never should have lost. Quite possibly the Carolina game too, but that one was a tougher challenge, but Tampa... Ugh... that one hurts. With that win in our pockets right now things are so much better for us.

I do love how we've had guys step up though... Clay in for Keller showing that Clay could be the guy all along. Matthews in for Gibson, while maybe not the same redzone threat that Gibson/Tannehill became, he's made some big plays in key situations. Nolan Carroll. Yup, he's struggled at times, but down the stretch here he's played pretty well in place of Patterson. Brenner on the OL...

I think alot of people talk about Philbin and the staff needing to go, (myself included), but you look at things now, where we are at, with these near bottom of the roster guys stepping up, making plays and playing well in the grand scheme of things, and to me... that's on coaching. That's showing that these guys are prepared, top of the roster, down to the bottom. Personally I think that bodes well for the return of Philbin regardless of making the playoffs or not.

Tampa was tough but we were coming off the whole Bullygate so that was a hard game to win. What we have done after has been amazing.

"brandon27 wrote:

The only thing that bothers me about our playoff situation is the Tamp Bay game. A game we never should have lost. Quite possibly the Carolina game too, but that one was a tougher challenge, but Tampa... Ugh... that one hurts. With that win in our pockets right now things are so much better for us.

I do love how we've had guys step up though... Clay in for Keller showing that Clay could be the guy all along. Matthews in for Gibson, while maybe not the same redzone threat that Gibson/Tannehill became, he's made some big plays in key situations. Nolan Carroll. Yup, he's struggled at times, but down the stretch here he's played pretty well in place of Patterson. Brenner on the OL...

I think alot of people talk about Philbin and the staff needing to go, (myself included), but you look at things now, where we are at, with these near bottom of the roster guys stepping up, making plays and playing well in the grand scheme of things, and to me... that's on coaching. That's showing that these guys are prepared, top of the roster, down to the bottom. Personally I think that bodes well for the return of Philbin regardless of making the playoffs or not.

While I to have bashed this coaching staff at times Im not about to give them a free pass nor am I about to give Ireland any more chances. We had/have some major holes still in our game the Oline while better than the start is still bad. Rolling Tanny out is the only way to keep him safe. We had many chances to get Olineman and Irlenad blinked. We need secondary help Cousins is a liability. Listen Im not trying to piss on anyone parade but our coaching cost us a few games which we should be 10-4 right now and in control. Im happy were relative honestly 2 weeks to go and were still in the discussion fells good, but I just don't think we have the talent to get further than 1 and out IF we make it.

I dont see us winning both games I say were 1-1 in these next two games and we are relying on someone else to lose to squeek in. Thats not good enough in my book. We need to address the GM role and get some real playmakers.

"mnfinfan wrote:

Tampa was tough but we were coming off the whole Bullygate so that was a hard game to win. What we have done after has been amazing.

Nonsense. That game, like the Buffalo game earlier in the year, was a game we had the lead late and couldn't finish. They're playing better now, but those two games may yet turn out to be costly.

"PhinGeneral wrote:

Nonsense. That game, like the Buffalo game earlier in the year, was a game we had the lead late and couldn't finish. They're playing better now, but those two games may yet turn out to be costly.

For me, it wasn't that we lost the Bucs game, its that we came out flat. That was a big strike against6 the coaching staff for me. At the time, I considered that a fireable offense, but I have softened on that and now count it as a strike against instead of the death blow. The more I think of it, the more I'm chalking it up to a tough situation that a second hear HC coach failed on.

"PhinGeneral wrote:

Nonsense. That game, like the Buffalo game earlier in the year, was a game we had the lead late and couldn't finish. They're playing better now, but those two games may yet turn out to be costly.

True that we had the lead late, but IMO and IMO only it was a game that we would have had a lead late even if we had put in the 4th Preseason starters. But emotionally the team was spent and by 60 mins it caught up with us. Definitely costly but so was the first NE game too. We have had a lot of those games. Anyway, if it helps me sleep at night justifying it that way, at least something does!

Just win.

This is a tremendous fluff piece, as this roster is not full of play makers.

This team has made plays all year. Primarily you've gotten plays from your QB, which is key, but your also getting plays from throughout the roster. This is similar to what NE has done for the last decade or so. It's what happens when you get players fitting into and buying into the system. This speaks well of both the coaching staff and the FO. I agree that the team coming out flat against Tampa was a failing of the coaching staff, but since then the team has generally appeared prepared and motivated. I think the adjustments and game planning have improved. And we've had several injuries since then, but keep finding the next man up who not only fills the spot, but also makes plays. That only happens if the FO is finding guys that fit what the coaches want and the coaches are preparing them well.

This is one of the stronger overall rosters in the league. 2 thousand yard starters at Wr, with 2 stud slot guys and a very good TE. Great depth at Rb. The defense has more than enough game changers. Yes, we've got all the playmakers we need.

"KB21 wrote:

This is a tremendous fluff piece, as this roster is not full of play makers.

If you keep talking like this and we keep winning all the way to the playoffs, it's gonna get silly..personnel evaluations is the most important part of the gig....someone can check him in terms of his media policies, he surely doesn't look for the camera, and as I recall when Philbin got here he told everyone that the media would be treated with respect and they would be as accessible as the rules would allow..they even went and visited to the newspaper headquarters.

I want my GM in the dark room..if this collection of young players perform and get in the playoffs , credit has to go to the personnel man as well, and having more cap space then anyone else, has to be taken into account..

"djphinfan wrote:

If you keep talking like this and we keep winning all the way to the playoffs, it's gonna get silly..personnel evaluations is the most important part of the gig....someone can check him in terms of his media policies, he surely doesn't look for the camera, and as I recall when Philbin got here he told everyone that the media would be treated with respect and they would be as accessible as the rules would allow..they even went and visited to the newspaper headquarters.

I want my GM in the dark room..if this collection of young players perform and get in the playoffs , credit has to go to the personnel man as well, and having more cap space then anyone else, has to be taken into account..

This coaching staff is getting milk from a turnip, and you are severely overrating a run this team is making against some mediocre teams.

Jeff Ireland has done a crappy job of putting this team together.

"KB21 wrote:

This coaching staff is getting milk from a turnip, and you are severely overrating a run this team is making against some mediocre teams.

Jeff Ireland has done a crappy job of putting this team together.

Lots Of Laughter.

I say that just in case you think LOL means Lord Our Lucifer.

There is more of an argument to the coaching staff holding the team back than getting milk from a turnip.

"Dol-Fan Dupree wrote:

Lots Of Laughter.

I say that just in case you think LOL means Lord Our Lucifer.

There is more of an argument to the coaching staff holding the team back than getting milk from a turnip.

No, there isn't. This team has two standout players on the entire roster. That's it.

"KB21 wrote:

No, there isn't. This team has two standout players on the entire roster. That's it.

In your opinion.

In my opinion there are more than two standout players on the front four on the defense.

"KB21 wrote:

No, there isn't. This team has two standout players on the entire roster. That's it.

Jeff Ireland is literally finding standout players from other teams' practice squads.

"Stringer Bell wrote:

Jeff Ireland is literally finding standout players from other teams' practice squads.

Wait. I thought Jeff had no authority to do that.

"KB21 wrote:

Wait. I thought Jeff had no authority to do that.

He does. He just doesn't have total control and/or any type of absolute authority. He's just responsible for the departments that scouted him.