With the practice games behind us, it’s time to think again to Opening Day.  As I’ve mentioned before, the NFL did no favors for the Miami Dolphins with the schedule this year.   We have very little weather advantage this time around.  Typically, the humid September games bury the opponents.  But this year is different.  Our first opponent is also used to this weather, and they won’t be affected by the humidity any worse than the Dolphins.

Opening Day is a home game for the Dolphins, but there will be plenty of Tampa Bay fans in attendance as well.  This is a game I wouldn’t mind playing on the road.   A short bus ride to Tampa is far better than flying to San Diego or Kansas City, or even London.   Essentially, the NFL has done a huge favor for Tampa Bay:   a short trip, plenty of hometown fans, same weather conditions as you’re already accustomed to.   We play the tough NFC South this yer, and this is our only home game against that division.

The Buccaneers themselves are seen as formidable by many NFL insiders, but I feel they’re still one dimensional.  Jameis Winston is that whole offense, and no one else scares you on that team.  Stopping him is the issue.   Dolphins defensive coordinator Matt Burke showed no promise whatsoever in the off-season (or even during the 2016 regular season).

This begs two huge questions:    Why on earth was this guy promoted to run our defense, and what can he do to stop Winston?    As I write this, I have neither answer for you.

Our offense will only go as far as Jay Cutler can take us.  In a few quarters of practice games, he had a few good moments.  But he also fumbled away a promising drive, and I’m still not convinced his heart is in this.   Come to think of it, that is the same complaint I have about Ryan Tannehill:   his heart and determination and fierce desire to win are never seen.

I feel the key to this season is Adam Gase’s playcalling.   Last year, he was far too pass-happy.  It led to close games that we should have won easily.  It led to losses.  It led to my questioning what goes on in his mind.  The bottom line is that Gase’s offense scored more than the opponent 10 times, and we’ll take that.   But when you need overtime to defeat Cleveland and Buffalo, two of the worst teams in NFL history, it’s a pretty underwhelming win.   When you squeak by the Cardinals because of a lucky 2 points after a blocked extra point return, you have to realize “By all accounts, that should have been a loss.”   Miami was 3 plays away from being 7-9.   We’ll take it, but we can’t count on it again.

The offensive tools are there for Gase to use, and it’s up to him to utilize them all correctly.   Up to Gase to make Matt Burke better.  Up to Gase to correct all the mistake he made last season.   And if he does improve and make these corrections, then it could be an interesting and productive year.   Starting on September 10 vs. Tampa.

 

 

27 Comments

  1. Don’t forget skating by the ‘Niners somehow.

    1. Author

      Yes, as Suh facemasked Kaepernick on the last play of the game but the refs luckily missed it.

    2. Author

      And to prove my point about Gase in the San Fran game, I believe we led the 49ers by 17 points in the 4th quarter, and Gase kept calling pass plays.
      That led to two or three different 3-and-outs in a row, and got SF right back in the ball game.

      1. Tannehill was great at 3 n outs. League leader?

        1. Author

          I don’t care what names you guys use, but please don’t use the ADMIN variations for your screen name. I see your I.P. and I know who you are, so this is just a friendly reminder !!

          1. This is my new name. You don’t use your name so why should we? If you don’t like it then kick me out cause its not changing.

            1. Author

              A really childish reply to a simple, courteous request. If I kick you off, then all your nay-sayers win. And all the people who keep begging me to ban you win. You don’t want that.

              1. Then use your name. Mine is NOT changing unless you use your name….or kick me out if you like. I don’t care who “wins”.

                1. If I’m kicked out….u all lose IMO.

        2. Author

          Also, I do agree that Tannehill had a TON of 3-and-out. But to be fair, many were not his fault. We had soooooooooooooo many 3rd-and-1 situations, and invariably, Gase would bench Ajayi, foist Damien Williams into the game, and then have everyone go out for a pass. No QB sneaks. No smash it down their throat. There is a time and place for finesse and trickery, but NOT on third-and-inches.

  2. I’ve been on many many blogs sports and otherwise and no one uses ADMIN!!

  3. They should simply be better due to more experience but the schedule may do them in even if they are better. It will be interesting. The cuts will be tough as well odds are they pick up an Olineman and LB…

  4. I don’t know how you guys feel but I think the Bucs game is going to set the tone for the next several weeks. This is a must win IMO. If we can win this one I think we’ll be in good shape for a few weeks. No rhyme or reason just what I think.

    Also with the Bucs coming to town, I’m sure Mrs. Grimes will have some savory things to say about Tannehill, Ross, and Dolphins management in general. Now I’m not saying she doesn’t know the game, but to me she has zero class.

    1. I see you found it necessary to try and gin up some hate towards a football player’s wife who has no bearing what so ever as to the outcome of the Bucs v Fins game.

      Now that’s really classy.

      1. Take a look at her twitter feed from September 1st and tell me she’s classy…

        1. Doesn’t matter if she’s classy or not. Look, one thing Dolfans must stop doing is being wimpy. We must start being harder. Start ignoring the irrelevant BS and not take the views and comments of some other team’s player’s wife as if what she says has some bearing on these games.

          I’m a Dolfan first, all the other BS comes last.

    2. She’s obviously an intellectual person glad you follow her comments I’m sure that you learn a lot about life from her.

  5. Andrew franks got cut. All new kickers this year. Nothing like continuity, eh ?

    1. Kind of surprised as Franks was coming along but maybe they want to send a message that you need to perform at all times if not you can be cut at anytime. No different than what the patsies do.

      1. Parkey had a horrible game against the Fins then only missed 2 FGs the rest of the season. 2!!! I believe he also made every single point. Pretty damn good and maybe he was rewarded for helping the Fins in that game…

        1. Author

          You have to wonder why the Browns cut him.

          1. Maybe because he blew the Fins game in his hometown state? Possibly he wanted out which isn’t something new in Cleveland. Either way he should be motivated to play here hopefully he’s the Fins kicker for a decade now…

    2. Really? Apparently both guys were beat out in camp so they should just keep their job automatically? What a great mentality to have around the clubhouse. The new kicker has also made a probowl so this may end up being a large upgrade.

  6. Author

    By the way, the loss of Matt Darr shouldn’t hurt. He was stud in 2015, but his numbers in 2016 were significantly down. Seems like he never really boomed one when we needed it most.

    1. They apparently like left footed punters as they cause trouble for returners…drives ST coaches nuts so even if they’re even he’s an advantage over Darr. Hopefully works out as I had no problem with the kickers….

  7. Is Thursday night a possibility I’m hearing that….wouldn’t be bad as that would give them more time to head out west and prepare. They should be ready already for the bucs anyway what’s a few days early. Could end up being a positive even if they start the game early.

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