The Houston Game Will Tell Us...What?

I chose the top response - 1 game is just 1 game

It's only 1 game. Houston is a much better team than us, so losing to them won't really mean much. Winning will be impressive however still only 1 game.

Can learn things about all the above even in a loss. But they play these games for a reason. Could be worse, we could have the Jets offense.

We have two votes out of six at this point that this game will tell us something definitive about the team, Ireland, Philbin, and/or Tannehill, yet no explanations of what it will tell us.

I think we'll know something about Tannehill after game 1. A couple of big scoring drives and we'll know he's a gamer. If he has a rough game won't mean anything definitively though.

I think this game will definately tell us some things. Was the preseason what we are or not. Does this staff gameplan correctly? Are there formations, plays, and wrinkles in the offense not seen yet? Same with Defense. Can this staff make half time adjustments which has been not happen much from previous regimes. Game management, fire, desire, and urgency in the players. But as for the definate future of specific players, staff. Probably not.
I think if most of the previously mention items have a postive answer we could very well pull the upset!!!

Nothing Definitive.

Remember last years game, when Henne put up 400+ yards and looked as good as Brady, while our defense played badly?

I didn't vote. I think an extreme performance either way could show something about the future. But, that isn't an absolute and most likely we won't see that. Neither option really worked for me.

With this game we will see what Philbin truely brings to the table. When we are battling for the win in the 4th quarter you will be saying i sure am glad we got this coach. Who says we dont have any superstars? If this is a honest day of work i am buying in

Option B

Only because it's the start of a new era against IMO the best team in the AFC. Will the Dolphins fold after adversity? How well does Tannehill deal with an exceptional D with a fantastic DC. It's the best team I think we face all year, and while a win is not likely certain aspects will give a decent idea of things to come IMO.

"Two Tacos wrote:

I didn't vote. I think an extreme performance either way could show something about the future. But, that isn't an absolute and most likely we won't see that. Neither option really worked for me.

Sounds like option A is the choice for you.

it will tell us that Houston is a better football team right now and we are rebuilding/retooling with a new coaching staff and scheme. win or lose

I think every game will be definitive. Not 'the end of the world', but each is an important step.

...go on.

"Larry Little wrote:

I think every game will be definitive. Not 'the end of the world', but each is an important step.

But definitive in terms of telling us something definitive about the future. That's the question.

In other words, what you could you possibly see in this game that would allow you to determine definitively anything about Jeff Ireland, Joe Philbin, Ryan Tannehill, or the team.

"DOLPHAN1 wrote:

it will tell us that Houston is a better football team right now and we are rebuilding/retooling with a new coaching staff and scheme. win or lose

But do we not know that already? We don't need the game to tell us that, do we?

The question is, what will this game tell us definitively about the future success of anything having to do with the team?

If we can atleast play Houston tough it should tell us that we can give any team a run for their money. If Houston just blows us out 35-0 i'm probably going to deflate my hopes for a day or two.

I can only base this Texans team off of last season. They don' t have Mario Williams anymore (not that they ever did with injuries) but their defense was near elite last year and I don't see why it wont be again. Kareem Jackson is their weak link on defense in my opinion and hopefully Tannehill can expose him. I think going up against this defense will tell us how ready Tannehill really is. Keep in mind that we may see a different Ryan Tannehill by week 8 so it's hard to really say.

I think this game will also tell us if our defense is on the same page yet. Seemed like it took a few games before our defense started to work together last year. Once it did our defense was top 5 talent in my opinion. Speaking of our defense Sean Smith and Richard Marshall will face a big obstacle in Andre Johnson. Is Smith really improved? Was Marshall the right addition? I think we will atleast be able to put an early grade on those questions as well after Sundays game.

I'm trying to answer the question as best as I can but I think it would probably be better to reserve judgement until week 5. That is usually the point where the players seperate themselves from the pretenders. Right now there isn't an expert out there that can tell you what teams are good and bad. I know right now we are getting a bottom of the tier grade around the world, hopefully that changes and we can win some games.

"ExplosionsInDaSky wrote:

If we can atleast play Houston tough it should tell us that we can give any team a run for their money.

I think if that happened, you'd have a number of people saying that, and about an equal number of people saying it should tell us nothing because Houston must have had an off week.

If the Dolphins are within a TD halfway through the 4th Quarter it will tell me something definitely positive about Philbin and staff. Just think about the quality of coaching this roster with a rookie QB will need to stay close against one of the AFC's superbowl favorites.

I think that's the only way I can draw a definitive based on this game.

No matter what kind of performance Tannehill shows (good or bad), I won't jump to any conclusions yet.

"shouright wrote:

Sounds like option A is the choice for you.

I disagree, I think it's entirely possible that it could show something. I'm just not going to make a declarative statement.

"Two Tacos wrote:

I disagree, I think it's entirely possible that it could show something. I'm just not going to make a declarative statement.

What could the game possibly show definitively about the future?

"shouright wrote:

What could the game possibly show definitively about the future?

Tannehill comes out and throws 6 TDs and he's a Dolphin for the next 4 years.

I chose B. I`ll be looking for the possibility of sloppy play, costly turnovers, undisciplined penalties...that sort of thing. If we show up and play hard have a decent game plan and show an effective use of the clock and timeouts then i`ll be satisfied. Of course its only the first week but at least we`ll have something to be positive about. Even if/when we lose it will be important for Tannehill to at least show promise and that he belongs in this league. I`m not talking about a monster game from him but at least an effective one.