i agree about carroll, he was going against julio jones today

 

Fine post, sir.

What I saw (defensively) was an awesome game from Julio Jones, but not a game-breaking one, and a practically silent day from Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. That's a good game plan, it's too bad we couldn't stop the run or this game might have been a lot more one-sided.

 

The Falcons scored what a total of 10 points in the second half? 7 of those points came off of one turnover that hopefully Miami can correct. I mean that was just an odd play. So all in all 3 points or so for an offense like Atlanta's?

If Miami is healthy next week, with the right scheme, and the right players playing they've got a good chance.

 

You kind of gotta wonder if we shouldn't run the offense like that all the time.

 

They're at their best when they use the team's strengths. I think it's time they move towards those and accumulate wins rather than trying to do things like the outside zone which is ridiculous because it goes against the strength of the OL. In addition keep it simple on D you've got the talent, let these guys play and play your best players (Jordan at RE, Shelby to start) instead of trying to develop guys that aren't playing well or any of that chicken ****.

 

Lucky....HAHAHA

Teams like NE, Pitt, Balt have been catching breaks for years. That's called doing the little things to put yourself into position to catch those breaks.

Anyone who truely believes we didn't deserve to win that game, doesn't understand sports.

 

It seems like everytime the other team we are playing completes a pass, its against Jimmy Wilson, if its not him its Carroll. The two rookies need to get healthy and on the field.

 

I know its already been said, but these are the games that good teams find a way to win. 3-0 is obviously great, but gutting out a win against a quality opponent when you're not at the peak of your game is a very encouraging sign.

We need Patterson and a healthy Taylor in the worst way for this Saints game. Carroll and Wilson will be Christmas morning for Brees.

Im hopeful the missed tackles can get corrected. Wheeler knows better than to arm tackle, and I'm sure it will be drilled into him this week in the film room. I'm also curious if we'll re-sign K Randall, because we need a space eater inside. Vaughn Martin was getting manhandled and got pancaked on the first Falcons TD run.

Wonder how Mike Wallace is reacting to another decoy game? Hopefully he's celebrating a bigtime win with his teammates.

 

Exactly, I was thinking the same thing after today... Why don't we just start the game in "2 minute drill mode" and put up some quick points. After we have a comfortable lead we start reverting back into a more balanced offense with more running plays. It seems like we always try a balanced offense in the beginning of the game, only to have our running game completely stuffed, and start passing more in the second half, which only then does our offense work better.

 

The problem is, Sherman runs it when it's so damn predictable, and barely ever does it consecutively. Sometimes you just have to stick with it and give it a chance to breathe. He runs it once and maybe we get 1 or 2 yards out of it and then he puts in on the shelf for extended periods of time.

 

New England basically ran the two minute drill for an entire season. I don't see why not...

 

I made a separate thread in Club, but figured I could post this here as well.

I sold my tickets to the Bengals vs. Packers game today so I could ensure I'd see all of the Dolphins game against Atlanta. During the first quarter I thought I had already made a mistake, and man, am I glad I'm wrong. Our Dolphins are 3-0 for the first time since 2002 and just knocked off a (battered) Atlanta Falcons team that nearly made the Super Bowl last year. Miami was outplayed for 56 minutes, and pretty much beaten handily in every statistical category until the last offensive drive. Obviously the long week comes at a pretty beneficial time as you've got Ryan Tannehill, Mike Wallace, Mike Pouncey, Paul Soliai, Cameron Wake, Dannell Ellerbe, Dimitri Patterson, and the two rookie CBs all banged up and/or coming off injury.

The game next week is probably one of if not the best marquee matchup in the entire NFL next week, 3-0 vs. 3-0. And to boot, a fellow Dayton Flyer (Jon Gruden) will be in the booth. If he mentions the term "UD Ghetto", I'll explain what that is after that game. Please note, yours truly is not in that video, I graduated in 2008...but it's not to say I didn't partake in similar activities during my time there. No word on Gruden's rompings while he was there.

Back to today's win. I mentioned this in the game thread, but it reminded me a lot of the 2008 win against the 49ers. Miami won that game 14-9 with TDs coming from David Martin and Joey Haynos (remember him?). How appropriate two TEs made big plays on the final drive for Miami today. Michael Egnew got a key catch to keep the chains moving and of course Dion Sims one-handed the winning TD. If you remember that 49ers game, much like today, the 49ers basically destroyed Miami in all facets of the game, and if not for a Joey Porter sack, probably would've had more than a decent chance at going down and winning that game. That was gut-check win; as was today's 'W'. Ryan Tannehill channeled his 2012 4th quarter performance against Seattle and marched Miami down for a big victory. I think it's a HUGE victory in terms of confidence for this team, and as Coach Philbin mentions, this is only a start.

Here are my thoughts on the game today. Please beware, there's more in the "Bad" and "Bizarre" columns than the "Good" column today.

Good:

- It was uglier than a Mark Grace "slump buster", but a Win is a Win. 3-0 start.
- Ryan Tannehill led about as good a 4 minute drive as a QB can lead to win the game. If Lamar Miller hangs onto that football, Miami probably wins it right there, but would've left a lot more time on the clock for Atlanta. Miller's drop was a blessing in disguise.
- Speaking of Lamar Miller, his pass-protection today, especially on that final drive, put Daniel Thomas' pass-pro today to shame.
- Brandon Gibson and Rishard Matthews both really stepped up today and each had some critical 1st down catches.
- Brian Hartline has a big day even when he doesn't have a big day. Good adjustment on the TD catch and he also had a nice catch to setup the field goal to close out the first half.
- Michael Egnew and Dion Sims both made key catches on the final drive. How sweet was Sims' one-hander? Nice ball, even better catch.
- Jelani Jenkins came in and played one full drive in place of Philip Wheeler (who later came back) and made a nice 3rd down stop.
- Dion Jordan had some decent pressures and had a key stop on the goal line to prevent a touchdown.
- Some may disagree, but I thought Dannell Ellerbe had a better day than his numbers will indicate. I think him coming back from that rib injury showed toughness and leadership on a defense that may not really have a true leader. Philip Wheeler also had some underrated plays in an otherwise pedestrian day.
- Brent Grimes had a really nice game today, and you could tell Atlanta knew he was dangerous as they stayed away from him for the most part.
- Reshad Jones probably had his best game of the three Miami's played today. It wasn't pretty, but it was a step back in the right direction.
- Don Jones. Well, Paul 13 already started a thread on this, so I don't think there's anything more to add. Great job by John Denney fighting for that fumble recovery. He surely didn't start out with the ball in that pile.
- I think Caleb Sturgis has made my list all 3 weeks I've done this now. The kid is money.
- Mike Sherman on the last drive. I think he made several key adjustments, mainly, having receivers run shorter routes and allowing Tannehill to get the ball out quickly.
- Kevin Coyle made a nice adjustment in the 2nd half. Miami through three games has only surrendered 16 total points in the 2nd half of games, and only one touchdown (today off the sack-fumble) this year. I appreciate him dialing down the aggressiveness more in the second half and playing more coverage...except for that 3rd down before the missed field goal. That was a choice spot for a blitz, and while Miami didn't quite get the sack, they forced the FG, which was missed.
- Joe Philbin. This guy never loses his cool, and he's a "cool" 3-0 in challenges this year. He truly has a handle on this team.

Bad:

- I don't think the gameplan did Miami many favors today on either side of the ball. In my opinion, Mike Sherman still abandoned the run too quickly. I think he shies away from it even when it's working sometimes. More on this, and we'll start with the defense first.
- Kevin Coyle definitely got too cute today. Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling both ripped off 4.8 ypc averages today. As was pointed out on the broadcast, he was stunting quite a bit, and it cost Miami several times.
- Tackling. The tackling in general today was bad, and Atlanta clearly played more physically in the first half. Miami rectified that somewhat in the second half. But, games like that are eventually going to burn you, and New Orleans is a team that can really make you pay.
- Nolan Carroll showed today that he's merely a guy you want on your squad as a backup. I think he got overhyped a lot from last week because he shut down Grif Whalen.
- Chris Clemons jock strap is somewhere on that field, and he might have more than one out there. He's usually a pretty sure tackler, but Jacquizz Rodgers pulled a very nasty move on him.
- I think Miami's blitzes can be picked up on a tendency basis pretty easily. You almost know who is coming and when, especially when it's pressure from the slot. Miami tried to sugar gaps today, but it certainly didn't fool Matt Ryan very much. This is something I think Kevin Coyle needs to shake up, and I think getting guys like Jamar Taylor, Will Davis, and Dimitri Patterson will allow him to do that more from a personnel standpoint. Jimmy Wilson shouldn't be blitzing, and nor should you blitz Nolan Carroll from the field side with just Reshad Jones in top coverage on Julio Jones. Not only did Matt Ryan burn that instantly, it allowed Atlanta to pick up a key 3rd down and extend that drive in the 4th quarter. Ultimately they missed a field goal on the drive...but that was ALL balls and NO brains. Even Tony Sparano doesn't appreciate that call. I'm glad Reshad Jones made the tackle. Very glad.
- The pass-rush stunk today. I know Cameron Wake didn't play very much. But, Olivier Vernon, Derrick Shelby, Dion Jordan, etc. can't notch one sack with Lamar Hughes playing out of position and Jeremy Trueblood filling in? If I'm Sean Peyton, I'm salivating already. That has to change next week.
- Mike Sherman's play-calling falls under both the "Bad" and "Bizarre" categories today. Did he ever run the ball twice in a row when not in the redzone? Has he yet this year?
- I felt like he also called too many slow-developing plays. Atlanta was short-handed defensively, and I think Sherman bought into that too much. Mike Nolan called a better game than Sherman until the last 4 minutes of the 4th quarter.
- Ryan Tannehill's pocket presence has to improve. I wonder how much of that has to do with deeper routes (routes that take longer to develop) downfield than normal. Miami had so much success with quick-hitters last week against Indy, and Atlanta certainly gave them opportunities for that today.
- Lamar Miller should switch from Under Armour to Nike gloves. Two drops today.
- Mike Walllace was a non-factory. I hope he's not being affected by that groin too much.
- Dion Sims' block on the sack-fumble in the 3rd quarter was not good enough. Luckily, he redeemed himself later on.
- The clock management, whether that's on Tannehill, Philbin, or Sherman - I'm not sure, at the end of the first half wasn't that great. Yes, Miami got a field goal, but they wasted a lot of time on that drive.

Bizarre:

- There were actually a lot of fans at Sun Life Stadium, and there was evident noise on the broadcast.
- Mike Sherman and Kevin Coyle both get to be in this group today. Their gameplans were not very good. However, Miami pulled out a win in a game that that should have lost. Since 2000, historically Miami's snatched more defeats away from the jaws of victory than vice verse, that was a nice change today.
- The AFC had dominated the NFC in head-to-head matchups. The AFC is 11-2 this year (soon to be 11-3 with the Bears thumping of Pittsburgh tonight).
- Ron Winters actually called a good game. For some reason, I feel like I remember Miami getting jobbed several times when he's had their games in the past.
- I think Tim Ryan has a mancrush on Charles Clay. He circled Clay on just about every 3rd down...and then Miami never went to him.
- Also bizarre that on the TD pass to Dion Sims, it was Charles Clay faking the dive over the pile on the play-action. I wonder if he's going to be used in a FB role in goal line situations on a more regular basis.
- Miami also displayed a true 3-4 alignment today for the first time since the Jacksonville game this year. Dion Jordan and Jason Trusnik were the OLBs in the formation, with Wheeler and Ellerbe up the middle.
- Jason Trusnik played a decent 3 quarters of football filling in for Koa Misi. Most people's lasting impression of him on defense seems to be that play last year when Colin Kaepernick juked him out of his gourd on that long TD run to ice the 49ers game. I thought he played well, all things considered today.
- I don't know if I can personally recall a game where Miami had as many back-up players make key contributions. You have in no particular order: Daniel Thomas, Brandon Gibson, Rishard Matthews, Dion Sims, Michael Egnew, Derrick Shelby, Jelani Jenkins, Jason Trusnik, Nolan Carroll...I suppose, Don Jones, and John Denney.
- Paul13's man-crush may have shifted from A.J. Francis to Don Jones today. And no, I don't think A.J. Francis would've made a difference today.
- Miami is 3-0 in the "storm trooper" uniform this year. New Orleans has been wearing white at home...does Miami have to mix it up next Monday? If not, does Miami mix it up anyway and go with the aqua pants on prime time, just because?
- DJ didn't post a recipe (that I saw) in the game thread today. I hope my eating nachos at Indianapolis last week didn't scar him.
- Samphin's prediction was wrong this weak. He had been 2-0. Maybe it only works when Miami plays on the road? I'll assume that's the case for now, as we'll put it to the test next week.
- The high school team I coach finally cracked the win column. They pitched a 35-0 shutout this week.

All things considered, today was great. I haven't felt this good being a Dolphins fan since the 2008 season. I'm excited that Miami's got a marquee matchup next week, on Monday Night Football. And I hope those players dealing with injuries all get back to health. Miami will need them next week.

 

If that's our most efficient way of scoring, I also don't see why not. I don't really think there are many teams in the NFL, if any, that can stop us right now when running the 2 minute drill effectively, why not use it most of the game? Or at least until we are up by 2 scores, then revert to a more balanced offense, to control the clock and mantain possession. Then we can try some long bombs to Wallace set up by the play-action to kill the game for good. :yes:

 

The two-minute is a very aggressive approach. If you give up the ball quickly and your defense gets floored you're in trouble. That said I think they should do that against New Orleans so that they can surprise that team and get on the board quickly. That Saints defense is tough, I think the place to beat them however is through the short passing game via Tannehill in the two-minute drill. Get them in their dime and run on them with size while mixing it up with some quick routes and PA to keep them honest with Mike Wallace over the top.

 

Tony G didn't do **** outside the first Quarter. I think that bears mentioning.

 

I don't think he has his legs under him yet, to be honest. He hasn't done **** all year.

 

This. That's my only real gripe of the season.

I think much of the fan base doesn't fully appreciate what Soliai means to the defense until we see it w/o him like today.

 

To counter-point that, Miami did a lot better in the second half when they stopped trying to use stunts and run-blitzes so frequently. In the first half, there were 2 or 3 instances where Jared Odrick beat his man so thoroughly on a stunt, he either took himself completely out of the play or missed the tackle because he was so far upfield. I think Kevin Coyle might have panicked a little bit in the first half when Atlanta tried running the ball so frequently. I mean, a short-handed team usually tries to shorten the game like Atlanta did today, but even I was surprised they ran it as much as they did without Steven Jackson.

Atlanta had total of 146 yard rushing. I think 97 of that came in the first half.

 

That's a fair point. I did forget he was playing dinged up today.

 

I'd think a successful start to the running game against a Soliai-less defensive front would be graciously welcomed by Atlanta with Roddy not at 100% and with Gonzalez dinged up early on, regardless of who's at running back.

 

I thought he looked good in the preseason, no different in form than last year's campaign from what I could tell.

 

Zero false starts for the 2nd straight week and only 2 total penalties, correct?

 

I believe you're correct on both counts there. I know John Jerry had a holding call. Nolan Carroll had the pass interference call. I can't think of any others.

 

Yesterday, Wilson was thrown at 4 times and allowed 1 completion. It just happened to be for a TD. Carroll was thrown at 8 times and allowed 5.

 

That was a terrible call on Jerry.

 

My dislike of his game is not the receptions, it is the lack of good tackling consistency.

Guys will give up catches, however you have to tackle them effectively to limit the damage

 

He's full of fecal matter. He thinks he knows more than Matt Ryan? Sure, let's believe Tony was open on every play and one of the league's best QBs, has such poor awareness and vision he only targets him 5 times for 4 catches. Yeah. Sure.

 

Most missed this, but this game was very very physical.

Mr Gonzalez's head went boom boom on the ground during a tackle and he suddenly was less effective afterwards they began to target Mr Jones

 

I agree it was questionable at best. Though, with Ron Winters out there, if that's the worse that happened, I consider the Dolphins lucky.

 

Shhh...

 

Speaking of questionable calls......



Was this the play of the PI call?

 

Yes.

 

Does that look like defensive PI to you?