First, I’ll start off with how close it was when Kenny Stills caught the long, 75-yard bomb. It looked clean and perfect at first glance, but here you see how the ball bounced around his hands for a second, combined with Malcolm Butler getting his arm in there. A+ to Stills for his excellent concentration.
Now here’s a play early in the game. It’s a frustrating part of Ryan Tannehill’s development that I wish he could correct. He doesn’t have a killer instinct when it comes to noticing things. The Titan defense is in disarray. They were literally–and I mean literally– jumping up and down and screaming at each other. Tannehill needs to take advantage of that. Race his men up to the line and hit a quick TD pass to Mike Gisecki (CIRCLED in RED) at the bottom of the screen. Nobody is within 20 yards of Gisecki, PLUS the defenders are facing the opposite way.
But instead, Tannehill took his time and let the defense get settled. He needs to spot this so much sooner. Look at the formation. The O Line is set. They can snap it at any time. If he simply says “hutt hutt” and tosses it to Gisecki, he’s gone. But instead, he went to a long, long snap count and the defense eventually saw Gisecki. Horrible awareness on Tannehill’s part, plus a dishonorable mention to Adam Gase for not telling him through the headset.
Speaking of Gisecki, here is the pass that ended up as Tannehill’s first interception. In this shot, you’ll note the ball is already out of his hands before Gisecki has even cleared the line of scrimmage. It was brilliant defense. Tannehill needs to recognize that his primary target is covered. He also needs to not throw a horrible pass, but that’s a different story. This play was a goner from the get-go.
And finally, I noticed two things on the Titans’ onside kick to end the game. On the far right, the kicker lined up to kick, then went backward, so he could be in formation to get a running start on the kickoff. But… the kicker didn’t kick it. The man in front of the kicker snuck in and kicked it. I thought this was a great, sneaky approach. it didn’t work, but a great try at deception.
Also, in the box on the left are Raekwon McMillan and Jerome Baker. Why on earth are TWO ROOKIE LINEBACKERS playing on the hands team in an onside kick formation? There has to be someone with better hands than these two. That being said, Baker is actually the one who recovered the kick, so props to him. I still don’t think this is a wise use of personnel in this situation, but Gase/Rizzi proved me wrong in this one instance.
And for good measure, here’s a shot of that alleged mighty rain and lightning and thunderstorm at the moment the game was first suspended. Note the abundant sunlight.
Good stuff! I read that Tanny said that the ball slipped out of his hand on the endzone pick. He took full responsibility. Remember a lot of the time the ball comes out immediately it’s then up to the receiver to get to the spot you can’t wait. One on one is not considered covered either or gronk would never get a pass heck Brady throws to him when doubled. Of course being jammed maybe Tanny blows it off I get that point of view.
You hit the nail on the head with The ‘Bust being totally clueless at recognizing situations. Gisecki alone for easy catch and possibly score. After how many seasons and The “Bust STILL doesn’t have a clue!
You guys are right on that one I was yelling throw the F’in thing and they were in hurry up if I remember correctly. What the hell are you waiting for??? If Tanny isn’t throwing it Gase should be yelling at him to throw it!!! It’s the same in short yardage if you catch the D not ready snap the damn thing and sneak it.
Me too!!! ZERO situational awareness after how many seasons?
I’ll give him a pass as it was the first game but he should understand this by now. This year will be his last shot if anything they will most likely draft someone next season unless that QB from the Titans is the guy moving forward…. Tanny better pick it up fast!
No passes after how many seasons? He simply hasn’t learned and never will. I’ll eat those words when I finally see him prove me wrong. We need a QB for the future and mediocrity isn’t good enough.He will always be a mediocre QB. Hopefully both him and Gase will be gone and we can start over-AGAIN!!!!!!
Doesn’t happen often, but now and then you see the opposing defense racing to get their 12th man off the field, and we sit there and let them. No! Get up to the line and snap the ball immediately.
It does happen often. At lest once a game maybe more often the defense is obviously trying to get set and the whole offense is set and it’s like we wait until there all ready and their MLB gives tannehill the all set signal and then with 3 seconds left on the play clock he hikes the ball. FRUSTRATING
It tells me that Gase is micromanaging every call and that dispite what we hear tannehill doesn’t have the authority to do the obvious. What’s more frustrating is that tannehill doesn’t seem to mind. Could you imagine Brady, Brees, Rodgers etc not being able to ad lib from time to time. They wouldn’t stand for it Remember Brady screaming at his OC on the sideline last year. The OC was right and Brady was overboard but essentially he was saying it was his call to make and he screwed it up but like hell if he was going to relinquish the right to make a game decision like that.
I wish we had better coaches….. sounds like what I’ve said for ten years!
It’s a no brainer to catch a team with too many men on the field or a wide open receiver. Any QB should be able to snap the ball and take advantage and if any coach tells you otherwise I’d fire him. That’s ridiculous not to. Who knows what’s going on maybe philbum drilled this into Tanny’s head don’t do anything without me telling you to and it’s stuck???
One of your best articles, not biased, based on facts and with good analysis.
Im glad the phins won. But Im disappointed with the pointless and disrespectful kneeling. I haven’t visited this board in about 2 years and assume most here dont care and I respect that. Understand that I do care and wont patronize the NFL until this debate is over and people start respecting each other’s sensitivities. Inclusiveness should have no exclusivity but in today’s age it does. And thats not right. I miss when things were just about the fun and politics were not part of our favorite past time. Keep on kicking Dolphins Truth. One day soon the mainstream of the Dolphins Nation will understand its time for the fans to have input and our concern is derived from love of our team not uneducated complaining. Maybe I will be back someday and I hope this place will be here when Im ready. I cant say if you respond that I will reply back. But we will see. Miss you all and especially miss having battles with Bills and Jets fans here. That shit was so much fun and makes me smile! Ruffing!
Phins! Come back to us, my friend. We do remember you. The kneeling and fist-raising persists. Like you, it bothers me, but I don’t let it detract from our Dolphins love. I try anyway.
Like Phil says below, once that opening kickoff happens, I’m back to rooting for Kenny Stills
I agree come on back like they said don’t sweat the small stuff football is too much fun to let this kind of crap ruin it. I simple don’t watch it go take a leak or grab a beer…and to be honest tv isn’t showing it anymore which is a smart move.
We need you for those hated jets!!!! Big one Sunday…
I did a ten year stint in the United States Army and you know what?.. I don’t givashit if these players kneel, do somersaults, back flips, or make mud pies on the sideline during the national anthem and you know why?.. CAUSE IT’S FOOTBALL TIME BABY!!!!!!
Admin, I would like to know, how do you think the Dolphins receivers are going to stack up against the Jets cornerbacks and safeties?
Honestly, I don’t know much about the Jets new secondary this year. I want to say they played exceptionally against the Lions, but after reviewing that footage, their big plays due to Matthew Stafford’s ineptitude, rather than the Jets doing anything special. Last year, we only scored 6 points in New York, including 30 whole rushing yards. Statistically speaking, it will be hard to do worse than that Sunday.
Our talent is so much better than last year. It’s just a matter of Gase taking advantage of that.
Plus the lions didn’t run the ball one bit making it easy for the jets to tee off on them. I can’t see the jets completely stuffing the Fins run game unless Gase quits on it. If the Fins show balance then they can take advantage of loose coverage. Their D lost some big players so I’m not sure how they can be better this year.
on to the other side of the ball the Fins pass rush should do better this week as the jets oline isn’t nearly as good as the titans even with injuries last week. Pressure the rookie from his right side and make him go to his left all day he’ll cough it up.
Sitton might be out though and he was prolly the biggest reason the line played so well in week 1. Without him it might be tough to consistently run the ball.
Yeah they need him but at least this year they do have better back up options. In the past it was rookies or busts backing up now they have some guys who’ve been around. Either way hopefully he’s ok.
Fuck!!!!!!!……Sitton out for the year!!! This one really hurts!!!
Yes, Justin beat me to that one. Sitton is indeed out with a rotator cuff injury. He’s not a pitcher. He doesn’t need a rotator cuff to play football. He should just wrap it up and play this year. But seriously this could hurt. But I’d rather it happen now than in December. Time to adjust.
Also, I saw several discussions with Ted Larsen this pre-season, and he was PISSED about being benched for Sitton. He went so far as to say Gase lied to him about being a starter, and then Gase went behind his back and brought in Gase’s Chicago buddy Josh Sitton. My point is that Ted Larsen has a chip on his shoulder now with something to prove. I hope he goes out and has a monster season.
I will miss Sitton’s look though. He had the long biker hair and beard and he looked intimidating out there. Was a nice change of pace for the vanilla-looking Dolphins!
Definitely sucks….