I’ll be the only honest pessimist out there today, while everyone else is all giddy.
Outside of one series, our defense looked atrocious. Vic Fangio’s scheme gave up more points than we gave in any game last year. As a matter of fact, you have to go all the way back to Tom Brady to find the last time the Dolphins gave up more than 34.
Xavien Howard looked tired and took lazy penalties. The defensive line took a water break during every single rushing play. It was truly as if the whole D line said, “Ahhh, I’ll just sit here and wait for the secondary to tackle Eckeler.” The pass rush was zero all day, aside from a few key stops. All in all, a win is a win, and we’re all happy. But, man, there were a dozen times I was begging to have Josh Boyer back.
That being said, the D stepped up when we needed it most. And even then–I must point out, the Chargers really helped us.
Let’s go back to Tua’s interception, and LAC had the ball at their own 5-yardline. They got it to third and one. I was certain that they were going to rush it. They only needed one yard to move the chains. They were successfully running it down our throats the whole game. Here comes a first down.
But no! In a horribly bad play-call reminiscent of the Gase era, LAC called for a deep dropback pass by Herbert. Kader Kohou got in there for a huge sack, nearly a saefty. A nice defensive play, but…let’s be real. Why on earth did LAC call a long dropback pass there on third and short?
Skip ahead to their final drive, when they had plenty of time on the clock and their two timeouts. LAC got pass-happy. I guarantee you that a few rushes by Eckeler would have been effective for the LAC, plus, it would have demoralized the Dolphins D. Thank goodness that LAC got stupid and greedy and went away from their successful bread and butter.
Actually, to give Fangio some semblance of credit, he blitzed at the right time there at the end on first and fourth down, and both of those blitzes secured the win. But 34 points is a disgusting number to give up, and Fangio gets no free pass just because Tua bailed him out.
Also, I have to credit the D players themselves for that final stop. Personally, I thought it was a good thing when Sanders missed the last PAT. That tells the defense that we must prevent them from getting into FG range. I think it toughens you up mentally, and we saw the result.
If Sanders made the PAT, the defensive mindset changes to “Ok, we can give them a FG to tie it, but let’s not let them have a TD.” But when you’re up only 2 points, you change that mindset into killer mode, and you absolutely cannot let them get to midfield.
Now onto the offense, and my final negative comment of the day is on Connor Williams, who cost us points. No need to overreact, but he has to take extra reps this week just practicing his snaps. Man, he is scary!
I was watching the Chargers press conferences, and coach Brandon Staley pointed out that the Dolphins were keeping 7 and sometimes 8 men in to block. That was a thing of beauty to watch on Sunday, and great for an opposing coach to recognize. You saw the results. Sometimes you can just send 2 men out there to run routes, and they still can get open. 36 points proves that.
The extra blockers kept Tua upright all day, and it was wonderful. I hope McD continues those max protection packages, because we saw the results.
Tua had a great day passing, but the big change that I noticed is how he scrambled in the pocket several times. He stepped up to avoid the rush at times, and he rolled left and right at other times. It was a noticeable change from last year, when he was a split second too late trying to move around.
Tyreek Hill just continues to run past defenders. As Rex Ryan summarized, “When the DB thinks they are playing deep enough on Hill, they’re not.” I expect other teams to adjust to this, maybe have one guy deep in coverage and one guy at the line to hit Hill. That’s fine, because then Tua will start looking Waddle’s way.
Just an outstanding performance by the whole offense, with extra credit to the O line.
What was bothering me about our C Williams, was this – whenever you see that happen (2x’s in the same drive? WTF?) on ALL levels of football – what you will normally see is : when they are back to the sideline following that – they will Practice the C-QB exchange, until they get it Right ! Reps will usually fix it, especially early in the season. It was very sickening to me to see them both just sitting on the bench after that Fiasco, doing absolutely nothing ! Any HC (worth his salt) would demand that they get off their asses (on the bench) and practice it – again and again. Inexcusable !
And I totally agree that missing the pat, after our last TD – actually saved Fangio’s bacon. We know that he doesn’t blitz nearly enough, and was forced into calling those, only because of the score. Hopefully he learns from this, and mixes in a few more blitzes, throughout the game. Boyer actually blitzed too many times, and became too predictable, and got burned way too much.
Yes practice snaps, run D and running on O. Will need it next week especially if weather is crap.
I have a feeling they’ll get the D fixed too much talent and Fangio is better than Boyer. You are right Boyer became predictable but Fangio can blitz a little more. Almost like he was saving something for the patsies.
Belicheat will take away Hill but it was nice to see secondary receivers. Craycraft, Berios, Smythe, etc..they all played well. Better than Sherfield and Gesicki last year as when it counted they failed.
Taking away Hill is not possible without leaving major holes in the defense. The only hope in this endevor is to pressure the QB.
Yes you aren’t wrong but you know he’ll try. If anything he’ll try to clog up the middle of the field more which still leaves those fly patterns down the sideline or underneath routes. Because Tua throws even crossing routes over 20 yards it really stretches the D in all directions. Becomes almost impossible to shut down. I’m just hoping that the weather isn’t a monsoon as that could hurt the Fins somewhat.
I think McD’s coaching style is to be a buddy and never get in a player’s face. But Tua himself should have chewed Williams out. It was refreshing, however, to see McD furious while asking for that intentional grounding call. He went storming onto the field and could have gotten a 15-yarder himself.
Yes that was critical as they took forever to make that call. I’m sure they saw him screaming. That’s all you have to do in those situations.
I’m going to post some photos this week. On the grounding play, Herbert threw to the right. To his left, he had a man WIDE open with no one around. Thank God he didn’t look left/
Hat’s off to our former bust Noah Igbinoghene for scoring his first-ever touchdown last night!
Hey, who should we root for tonight??
I can’t root for either one. I’m hoping for a rare tie.
I think the jests, because they are way, way too overrated – and Rogers is way over-hyped in that excessive media market. By the end of the season(it’s a long one) things will be much different regarding Rogers and that media.
And if we have any hopes of toppling the bills for the division, the more losses for them, the better.
I just can’t bring myself to cheering for them either of them. Hate the jesters but you are probably right they’ll self destruct as normal. Maybe both QBs will go out of the game that would be something.
lol both Rogers and Allen both having season ending injuries would be something. Let’s hope for a tie. That would screw them both.
Exactly!
In the past, I woulda rooted for NYJ 100%. But now that they have Rodgers and seem more formidable, I don’t know. but you’re right. Anything to help keep the Bills down is good. So, reluctantly, go Jets.
Rodgers already out could be knee or ankle. Typical jesters…
4 plays. $40 million annual salary. He made $10 million per snap.
Wonder how that will affect their cap this year and next. I think this year he was cheap but next not so much. It could cripple their cap for a few years.
Rodgers out and the Bills lose…that feels like 2 wins for us.
Gotta be honest and agree with you. I know we’re all supposed to lie and say “I never want to see anyone injured,” but come on. Gotta be real. I saw a tweet that said “Rodgers’ injury after soooooo much offseason hype is the most Jet thing ever” That team has no luck
It’s official he’s done for the year. Definitely helps the Fins but still hate for this to happen to anyone. On top of it jesters gave bills a loss and they are now frustrated and in disarray.
Aaron Rodgers was in for 4 snaps. 5 snaps if you count the snapped Achilles.
It reminds me of when we were all hyped over Chad Pennington then he was out for the year after the first few snaps. I’m guessing it was around 2009. I think we lost our backup too a couple drives later and the poor third string had to come in. Thankfully the last guy stayed healthy.
Yep. Chad Pennington got hurt on a Sunday game. Then in came Chad Henne, who also got hurt, along with Pat White. We had to sign Tyler Thigpen as an emergency, and our next game was Thursday night. Poor Thigpen had 2 days to learn the offense and we got killed.
I am one of the biggest Jets haters that I know of! Watching the opening with the lights, fireworks, etc., I wondered…hmm, I hope all this obnoxiousness doesn’t backfire on them. Well, it was the backfire heard across the country! Surprised Woody didn’t have him brought to the field on a white horse! It went from Jet fans feeling they won the lottery to sorry you will be on Medicad. I feel badly for Rodgers to have an injury that we know is a difficult one to rehab and come back from. Feel bad for the players who were excited to play with Rodgers. But I’m not feeling bad for the Jet fans.
Josh Allen had 3 more completions to the Jets than Rodgers did.
Can we just keep our heads cool because this was just ONE game the Dolphins won. Tua has to play well EVERY week…I’m not a Tua hater…I like him as a person, as a team player and an all around great guy. But one game isn’t making me feel “In Tua We Trust”. Not even close.
I think the only thing we really have to worry about is his health and the oline with extra blockers did a great job keeping him clean. If they can continue to do this he will continue to rip it. He’s shown us in enough games that he can do this more often than not so being an optimist I’m quite happy where they are at. Just fix that run D and get their own run game going better and they will be tough to stop.
Yeah, I agree with FlyerFinfan. I don’t think it’s “just one game.” He has had many games like this. Sure, not every one will be this successful, and yes, Belichik’s defense will be stronger than the Chargers. But perhaps the Tua we saw on Sunday is the norm, and not the rare exception.
Rodgers out for season.
https://www.mlive.com/sports/2023/09/jets-confirm-aaron-rodgers-suffered-season-ending-achilles-injury-4-plays-into-season.html
Did you guys read the article about Colin Kaepernick wanting to play for the Jets now? Omg please do so they will continue to be a laughingstock.
I hear Matt Ryan. I wanted the Dolphins to get Ryan instead of the Skylar/Mike White combo
Also, I can’t wait to play the Jets, and I pray Tua is healthy. Last year, the Jets faced us twice. We had Teddy B starting, and he lasted one series before giving way to Skylar. The second time, we had Skylar starting. We only scored 28 points in both games combined. We need Tua !
yes, I was impressed with Tua’s pocket movement. he moved up into the pocket on multiple occasions. more of that, please!
I also think Vic Fangio game plan was to accommodate the run and take away long pass game. of course giving 200+ yards rushing was not part of the plan, but I think it was a case of pick your poison. and since Phins could keep scoring and keep up with Chargers it sorta worked. and By not blitzing during the game, this setup up the Chargers offense for unexpected blitzing on last possession. in seasons past, our defense was opposite – stellar during game but then bending and breaking on last possession
Yup, Tua stepped straight up several times, and it was a beauty. One time Bosa knew he was beat and grabbed the facemask. Glad the refs saw that one!