Tannehill limited in practice (with video), status still unknown; other notes

The Dolphins were back at today in Davie as they get ready for a suddenly huge showdown this weekend with the Indianapolis Colts.  Why is it huge?  Well, as of right now both of these teams would make the playoffs if they started today, with the Colts the 5th seed and Miami the 6th.  The winner of this one will really distance itself from the pack, while the loser, however still very much in it, will have some work to do.

Now to today's practice notes:

• The Ryan Tannehill watch is in full effect, as the rookie QB fights a hyperextended knee and deep bruise in his thigh.  He worked today with the first team offense, as did Matt Moore, and wore a compression sleeve on his leg.  Tannehill worked in mostly individual drills, while Moore took the majority of the snaps in team drills.  As you'll see in the video below, courtesy of Dolphins.com, Tannehill looked a step slower on his drop backs than he usually is, as he's still nursing that leg.  

• Whether or not Tannehill plays on Sunday will depend on how the rookie responds to today's practice, and how he feels on Friday.  A decision will most likely not be made until then, but stay tuned for further updates.  My guess?  I think he'll play.  But what do I know?

• The Fins have other injury problems as well.  CB Richard Marshall has once again missed practice this week, as he's been dealing with a back injury for nearly a month now.  Marshall has missed the last four games, with Nolan Carroll filling in, and doing a nice job.  Expect Marshall to once again be out this Sunday.

• Rookie lineman Olivier Vernon won AFC special teams player of the week honors this week for his performance on Sunday.  Vernon, the former Hurricane, blocked a field goal, and recovered a blocked punt for a TD, the first of his career.

• Former Dolphin CB Vontae Davis, who was traded in August to the Colts, will not play against his former team on Sunday as he's been out with a knee injury.

What they're saying:

• Ryan Tannehill says he "felt good" moving around in practice today. Said he's "taking it one day at a time."

• Tannehill on his availability for Sunday's game: "I'm doing everything I can to get ready. Hopefully that's the case."

• Reggie Bush on Matt Moore: "It didn't feel like we missed a beat on offense." Said he wasn't surprised at all.

• "We all know what's at stake.  We all know where we're at and where we want to be." - QB Matt Moore on Sunday's game.

• Joe Philbin on the Fins running game:  "Its got to get better. No question about it, we've got to eliminate some negative yard plays."

• "This is the time of year where you start to separate the contenders from the pretenders; gonna be another tough road game." - Reggie Bush

Thats all for now, check back later.

MRI on Tannehill reveals no structural damage; status for Sunday unknown

An MRI on the left knee of rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill didn't show any structural damage, according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson.

However, Tannehill's status for Sunday remains to be seen, and will depend on how, and if, he practices during the week.

Both Tannehill and coach Joe Philbin have expressed optimism in the chances of him playing, with Philbin telling 940 AM in an interview earlier today that "it sounds like he's going to be ready to role."

We'll keep you updated on the latest with the Fins rookie QB, so keep checking back.

For veteran QB Matt Moore, a fitting return to where it all began

The Dolphins had just recovered an unprecedented onside kick, already up 3-0 midway through the first quarter.  The momentum was on their side in the years' biggest game to date, and their young stud of quarterback dropped back to do what he does best on a third down and five from midfield.

Enter Calvin Pace.

Down went Ryan Tannehill, as the 10th year linebacker out of Wake Forest came unblocked off the left side, sacking him in such a way that left the rookie QB with a hyperextended knee, a deep thigh bruise, and an early exit from his first division road game.  All of sudden that momentum was gone, leaving a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the QB position for the first time in weeks.

Tannehill limped over to the sideline, collapsed in pain, and looked straight at backup QB Matt Moore, needing not to say a word as his eyes said it all.  And just like that, if even for just four quarters, the wily veteran was thrusted back into the role that he played so brilliantly for nine games last year.

And how ironic that it happened on the same field where it all began.

Jump back to October 17th of last year, week six in the NFL for the 2011 Miami Dolphins, who were, at this point in the season, a dismal 0-4 and coming off a beat down in San Diego that saw then starting QB Chad Henne suffer a season ending shoulder injury.

Next in line?  Matt Moore, and the 28 year old was, much like yesterday, propelled to the starters role for the teams' next game- a Monday night showdown in the Meadowlands.  However, unlike yesterday, that game was anything but memorable for the Fins.

The Jets would win 24-6, and Moore looked anything but the part, completing less than 50% of his passes and throwing two interceptions, one of which was a 100 yard pick-six for CB Darrell Revis.

Yikes.

Moore, as we all know, would rebound nicely, leading Miami to a 6-3 record down the stretch and looking like a legitimate NFL starter along the way.  However, when training camp came around this past July, the one time MVP of the 2011 Dolphins looked lost in Joe Philbin's new West Coast offense, and, if not for an injury to David Garrard, probably wouldn't of made it past cuts.

Despite his shaky preseason, Moore remained with the team, serving as a veteran presence to backup rookie QB Ryan Tannehill, and spending the first eight weeks of the year mentoring the fan-proclaimed "savior."

Yesterday, however, in the first quarter of an AFC divisional game silly with storylines, it was Moore who played the part of savior, showing such poise and leadership that made you remember just why he was the teams' MVP of a year ago.

And wouldn't you know that it took place on the very same field where it all began.

This time, Moore righted the ship, leading the Fins to a 30-9 victory, a 4-3 record, and, most importantly, a firm spot in the AFC playoff picture.

And he was brilliant along the way, going 11-19, for 131 yards, one perfectly thrown touchdown to Anthony Fasano, and a 96.6 QB rating.  He was accurate, smart, took the shots when he needed to, and, above all, displayed the veteran leadership that he lacked so much in his first start here twelve months prior.  It was as if Moore picked up right where he left off in last start, a 19-17 win in the 2011 season finale against, who else, the Jets.

Who knows when the next time we see Matt Moore will be.  Maybe it'll be this weekend against the Colts, maybe it'll come a ways down the road, maybe it'll come in next August's first preseason game, who knows?  But for three hours yesterday afternoon, when Moore's replacement went down, the veteran picked up the pieces, took command of an offense that made him look so bad in training camp, and reprised the role that he so magnificently played last season.

Ryan Tannehill is the quarterback of the future, there's no disputing that.  But for one Sunday in late October, when the face of the franchise hobbled over to the sideline, Matt Moore looked him in the eye, buckled up his chinstrap, and got back to work.

And it all took place in the same venue where it all began so many months ago.

A fitting twist to such a special season.

Dolphins route Jets 30-9, improve to 4-3

Any game that ends with Richie Incognito blowing kisses to the Jets sidelines is a good one, and that's exactly what this was for Miami Dolphins.

Matt Moore threw for 131 yards and a TD filling in for the injured Ryan Tannehill, and the Fins defense and special teams did the rest, blocking a punt for a TD, blocking a field goal, recovering a fumble, and intercepting Mark Sanchez in the endzone en route to a 30-9 victory.

The Dolphins improve to 4-3 on the season and keep pace with the division leading Patriots.

30-9. I'd call that putting some hot sauce on the Jets, no?

More to come.

Fins dominating Jets 27-3 going into final quarter

Matt Moore has been superb. As has the Fins offense, defense, special teams, discipline, coaching staff. You name it.

Jabar Gaffney caught a 30 yard pass on 3rd down to set up an eventual Anthony Fasano TD, that following a Jets FG.

Chris Clemons would later intercept Mark Sanchez in the endzone.

TANNEHILL UPDATE:

The rookie appears to be done for the day as he's been on the sideline with his beanie on for the entire 3rd quarter. The injury does not appear to be serious, and my guess is if Tannehill was needed to come back in he could have done it.

However, the Fins have this one under control.

And that's an understatement.

To the fourth.

Dolphins lead Jets 20-0 at halftime

What a first half put together by the Miami Dolphins. They've blocked a punt, recovered a fumble, an onside kick, and blocked a Nick Folk field goal at the end of the second quarter.

What's it all led to? A 20-0 halftime lead.

QB Ryan Tannehill had not returned to the game since being knocked out with a quad injury early in the first quarter. However, Matt Moore has done a tremendous job filling in, and seems to have good grasp on the offense.

Tannehill's return is questionable.

On to the 3rd we go.

Tannehill-less Fins lead Jets 10-0 after first quarter

Ryan Tannehill was sacked on the second drive of the game- a drive that started with an onside kick recovery after a Dan Carpenter field goal- and hasn't returned to the game yet. The rookie has a brace on his quad and is listed as questionable for a return.

Jimmy Wilson followed up a third down sack of Mark Sanchez with a blocked punt that was recovered in the endzone by Olivier Vernon.

Paul Soliai recovered a Mark Sanchez fumble on the following drive and the Matt Moore led Fins are on the move.

Whew. To the 2nd.

Gaffney active as Fins, Jets set to go from windy MetLife

It's windy, it's cold, and it's expected to rain on and off today from MetLife Stadium as the Fins and Jets are about an hour away from kickoff.

The Fins are in all white. The Jets, green tops with white pants.

Now, the inactives for the Miami Dolphins: QB P. Devlin, CB R. Marshall, LB J. Kaddu, OL W. Yeatman TE M. Egnew, WR R. Matthews & WR A. Armstrong.

You'll notice that WR Jabar Gaffney is NOT on that list, so he will be active today for the first time since his signing nearly a month ago. The extent of his role remains to be seen.

One notable inactive for the Jets today is Bart Scott, who will miss his first game since 2004.

The live blog begins with the first quarter, so come back and follow along.

Until then, Go Fins!

Gameday: 5 keys to a Dolphins victory

It's gameday here at the Dolphinsider as the Fins and Jets are getting ready to kickoff in just over three hours from MetLife Stadium.  Until then, take a look at what I think are the five keys to a Fins victory today, followed by my Fins/Jets prediction.  Lets go.

1.  Re-establish the run game.  The Fins ran for nearly 200 yards in their week three matchup with the Jets, but have since failed to run for over 100 yards.  Reggie Bush will be the healthiest he's been in weeks today, and after a week full of back and forth trash talking, should be primed for a big day.  If Miami can control the offensive line and establish themselves through the trenches, then it could be a long day for the Jets defense.

2.  Pressure pressure pressure QB Mark Sanchez.  Do not let the embattled QB get comfortable in the pocket, as he's proven that if he's got time to throw, he could hurt you.  Cameron Wake, Randy Starks, and Jared Odrick must make their presence known early and often today, because if Sanchez feel the pressure, he'll turn the ball over.

3.  Speaking of turning the ball over... Win the turnover battle! It may sound cliche, but the team who wins the turnover battle will win the game, period.  Ryan Tannehill hasn't throw an interception since OT in Arizona, and the rookie must continue to build on that today.  Adversely, the Fins must cause turnovers on the defensive side of the ball. Pressuring Mark Sanchez will lead to interceptions, fumbles, and good things today for the Fins, and that, combined with a smart Ryan Tannehill, will go a long way for a Fins victory.

4.  Control the field position.  The weather could, and probably will, be a factor today, so the Fins must win the field position battle. In 2010 when these two met in a December matchup on this same field, the Fins left with a 10-6 victory in a game won by good field position.  Punter Brandon Fields was called upon time after time, and continuously pinned the Jets deep in their own territory.  We could have more of the same today, and in order for a Miami win, winning the field position battle will be crucial.

5.  Come out of the gates firing.  This one has nothing to do with a certain stat, or player, or unit, but instead deals with the team as a whole.  All week both these teams have been going back and forth verbally, but today, the physical game will decide the true winner.  The Fins have come out slow the last two games against Arizona and St. Louis, and have been fortunate enough to get away with it, but they may not get as lucky today.  Coming out of the gates firing on all cylinders, establishing themselves as the more physical team, will go a long way today for Miami, and could be the deciding factor in a huge win, or demoralizing loss.


PREDICTION

This really is a huge matchup today for these two rivals.  Both trail the Patriots in the AFC East to begin the day, but with the division so close that could be completely different by the days end.  The big thing today for the Fins will be RB Reggie Bush.  If the star running back can get it going today, consistently, and take the pressure off QB Ryan Tannehill, then the Fins offense could have a lot of success.  Defensively, the Fins should flourish if they can eliminate RB Shonn Greene from the Jets offense and force Mark Sanchez to beat them through the air.  These two teams want this one bad, and for good reason, but in the end, something tells me the Dolphins want it just a little bit more, and I'll take them in a game that, as always, will come down to the final minutes.

Final:  Dolphins 23 Jets 21


Remember to check back in right before game time for all the last minute news and inactives, and don't forget to check out the live, quarter-by-quarter, blog of today's huge divisional matchup.

Until then, Go Fins!

Week eight in the NFL: Picks and predictions

Big week in the NFL as there are great games across the board.  Fins/Jets, Giants/Cowboys, Falcons/Eagles, and Saints/Broncos are just a few of the games week eight has to offer, so lets get to it.

Last weeks record:  9-3

Overall record:  57-41


San Diego @ Cleveland:  Brandon Weeden has gotten progressively better after his horrid start to his NFL career, however, asking him to keep up with Philip Rivers for 60 minutes is just to much.  Give me the Chargers.

Seattle @ Detroit:  The Lions are, statistically, one of the better teams in the NFL, yet their 2-4 record through the first six weeks wouldn't indicate that.  Seattle will be tough coming off a long week to prepare, but I'm not counting out the Lions just yet, and I'll take them in a close one.

Jacksonville @ Green Bay:  No Maurice Jones Drew means no running game.  Blaine Gabbert behind center means no passing game.  I'll take the Packers.

Carolina @ Chicago:  Cam Newton is turnover prone, and with the Bears defense staring him in the eyes this week that could be heavily exposed.  Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall will pose problems for this 21st ranked defense of the Panthers all day, and I don't think Newton can keep up.  Give me 'Da Bears.

Atlanta @ Philadelphia:  The Falcons may just be the most balanced team in the NFL. With Matt Ryan having an MVP type season and Michael Turner gaining over four yards per carry, its no surprise that this team is undefeated.  However, something tells me that Philadelphia will be playing with a chip on their shoulder tomorrow, and with Andy Reid's job on the line the rest of the way, I like the Eagles in an upset.

Indianapolis @ Tennessee:  After a horrendous start to the year, Chris Johnson seems as if he's beginning to bounce back, especially after last weeks 195 yard performance. Andrew Luck is coming off a nice win against Cleveland, and should have another solid game tomorrow against the Titans' 30th ranked defense.  This one will be high scoring, but I like the Titans in a close one.

New England @ St. Louis:  This one's taking place across the pond in London's Wembley Stadium, but thats about the only intriguing thing coming out of this game. Give me the Patriots.

Washington @ Pittsburgh:  The RGIII express rolls into Heinz field this week, and this could be his toughest stop yet, considering Pittsburgh's 2nd ranked pass defense.  I wouldn't be surprised to see the Skins pull of the upset, but I don't see it, and I'll take the Steelers in a big win.

Oakland @ Kansas City:  This one's a toss up, but regardless of who the QB is, the Chiefs are always tough to beat at Arrowhead.  That, combined with a suspect Raiders run defense, has me leaning towards Kansas City in this one.

NY Giants @ Dallas:  Big game here, as Dallas trails the Giants by two games in the NFC East and needs a win to keep pace.  Both teams are coming off big wins, and it's tough to imagine the Giants being swept by the Dallas this season, but something tells me Tony Romo's due for a big game.  Give me the Cowboys.

New Orleans @ Denver:  Two of the games best QB's going at here from Denver, so expect to see a lot of passing in this one.  However, the Broncos are clearly the better team defensively, as the Saints rank dead last in the league on the defensive side of the ball.  Based on that, I'll take Peyton and the Broncos.

San Francisco @ Arizona:  So much for that 4-0 start for the Cardinals, huh?  They've dropped three in a row since their OT win against Miami, and have an offense that ranks near the bottom of the league in nearly every category.  That, combined with a lethal 49er defense, has me taking San Francisco all the way.


Check back tomorrow morning for all your pre-game coverage, and my prediction, as the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets kick off from MetLife stadium at 1:05.  Also remember to follow the live, quarter-by-quarter, blog as well.

Until then, Go Fins!

War of words heating up as Sunday approaches; other notes

Well, Sunday should be interesting to say the least.

Heck, if it's even half as entertaining as this past week with these two teams then it could very well the game of the year.

First, it was Rex Ryan (what else is new) saying Reggie Bush should apologize for his "what goes around comes around" comment he made in week three, following the season ending injury to Jets CB Darrell Revis.  Bush was injured earlier in the game, that coming after a week in which Ryan said the Jets would need to "put some hot sauce" on the Fins star running back.

Ryan later backed off the comments about seeking am apology, but Bush, of course, didn't buy it.

"I don't believe that, I don't believe that at all," Bush said.

Then you had LaRon Landry, the very player who put the hit on Bush, give his two cents.

"Every time he sees me, he will remember that hit," Landry said. "If I'm in the box or I'm going downhill, he'll remember that hit."

Landry, if you remember, emerged from the play in which Bush was hurt clapping his hands.

And then yesterday you had things taken to yet another level, this time by the Jets Aaron Maybin, and the Fins Mike Pouncey.

"We feel like we can kick guys' butts legally, in between the hashmarks," Maybin said. "That's what we need to do against Reggie."

Pouncey took issue with that comment.

"He's done nothing in this league to even open his mouth. He's a joke. If he's in there I'll have to be on punt-block or something to say something to him."

Pouncey's got a point- Maybin, a former first round pick, has one tackle this year through seven games.

Game on.


Other notes:

• CB Richard Marshall, who has already missed the team's last two games, did not practice yet again this week.  He is expected to be sidelined yet again on Sunday, and Nolan Carroll will once again fill in.

• Weather could, and probably will, play a factor in the Meadowlands on Sunday.  The forecast in East Rutherford, N.J., calls for a 22-mph wind out of the Northeast, temperatures in the mid-50s and a 40 percent chance of rain.  Just some food for thought.

• WR Jabar Gaffney, who was signed three weeks ago, has yet to be active for the Fins.  Many speculated that would change on Sunday since the Fins are coming off a bye week.  However, Joe Philbin has not yet confirmed or denied that, so it seems we won't know Gaffney's status until just before game time.

• Jets linebacker Bart Scott ("Feels Great, Can't wait") may miss his first game on Sunday since 2004 with a toe injury.

Thats all, check back later.

With Jets week upon us, Miami Dolphins historic rivalry returning to its roots

There's always been a different vibe during what fans now label it as "Jets week."

The stakes become just a little higher.  The anxiety, just a little deeper.  The passion for the game?  Just a little stronger.

And the funny thing is, it hasn't really meant anything since 2008!

Sure, you had the Chad Henne led victory on a special Monday night in 2009.

You had Ted Ginn Jr. returning back to back kickoffs to the house that same year to give the Dolphins the season sweep.

You had an intense Sunday night battle the following season in Miami, a 31-23 Fins loss in one of the few, few breakout games for Brandon Marshall.

You can't forget about the infamous Sal Alosi sideline trip of Nolan Carroll later that season, that coming in a disgusting 10-6 Miami win.

And then you had the 2011 season finale this past January, a 19-17 Fins win to knock the Jets out the playoffs and send Jason Taylor riding off into the sunset of retirement a happy man.

All great games, no doubt about it, but none of them carry the significance of this one. None of them really meant anything to both teams, not at the same time at least, besides bragging rights.  You could make the argument that in 2009 both these teams were semi in the playoff hunt, and I'd probably agree with you, but that's nothing like we have now.

Now we have something real.  Now we have two teams, separated by just a 1/2 game in the AFC East, and trailing the almighty Patriots by just a hair for the all out division lead.

Think things may get intense on Sunday?

For the first time in a long time, this game means an awful lot, not only to both teams, not only to the AFC East, but to the entire AFC playoff picture.  This is what this rivalry needed so desperately to get back to.  This is what the Dolphins/Jets rivalry was built on back in its prime.  The foundation, sturdy for so many years, has been shaky for so long now in this great rivalry.

The foundation, built so strong by the likes of Dan Marino and Ken O'Brien, has been torn down in the past seasons by, say, Chad Henne and Mark Sanchez.

But not this weekend.  This weekend, folks, it's solid as a rock.  This weekend, I'd argue, its's more solid than its been in years.  A win gives the Dolphins an inside track to the postseason, a loss gives the Jets an essential two game advantage heading into the halfway mark of the season.  That's what this rivalry is supposed to be about.  Not dirty sideline trips, not "lets win this one for Jason," or, "lets knock them out of the playoffs," no, this rivalry, this tradition, is about one thing, and one thing only.

The playoffs.  For years thats what it was about- who would take the division lead, who would get that much closer to the postseason, who would gain the inside track to January- and finally, after so many years of not being there, so many years of looking up at a two horse race for the division, the Miami Dolphins have finally returned, at least for now.

They've brought something back with them as well.  They've brought back "Jets week." They've brought back the true meaning of this heralded rivalry between these two division foes, and that will be on full display Sunday afternoon in the Meadowlands.

For the first time in a long time, a late October meeting between these two will hold significant meaning in the NFL.

And you know that, somewhere, Dan Marino and Ken O'Brien are smiling.

Lets hope that it's Marino who keeps on smiling when its all said and done Sunday evening.

Just like he did so many times before.    

Week seven in the NFL: picks and predictions

The Dolphins are on a bye week and I'm out of town and have little access to the Internet. What do these things mean? This will be a lightning round of week 7 picks. Let's go.

Last week's record: 8-6

Overall record: 48-38


Buffalo over Tennessee

Carolina over Dallas

Houston over Baltimore

Cleveland over Indianapolis

Minnesota over Arizona

N.Y. Giants over Redskins

Green Bay over St. Louis

New Orleans over Tampa Bay

New England over N.Y. Jets

Oakland over Jacksonville

Pittsburgh over Cincinnati

Chicago over Detroit


Monday begins a huge week for the Miami Dolphins. Until then, adios.

Critical days lie ahead for resting Miami Dolphins, and improvement is a must

Can we just take a minute, before I really dig in here, and just realize how far these Miami Dolphins have come?

A year ago, during this exact week, the Dolphins were 0-5, coming off a dismantling in the Meadowlands (MetLife? whatever), 24-6, and just four days away from the infamous Tebow game down in Miami.

A year later they are 3-3, coming off back to back wins.

A year ago, the Fins found themselves five games out of first place in the AFC East, and holding down the division cellar.

This week, they find themselves tied for first.

Last year we were talking Luck.

This year we're talking Tannehill.

Last year it was, "when's Sparano getting fired?"

This year it's "when's Philbin getting coach of the year?"

Last year we were praying the bye week would never end.

This year, at least for me, it can't end soon enough.

Last year, we were certain the season would end in week 17.

This year?  Well, this year we're not sure.

And that, right there, is the single, most exciting aspect of the 2012 Miami Dolphins. For the first time in a long time, the Dolphins find themselves smack dab in the AFC playoff hunt, and that means that, for the first time in a long time, the Fins will face a critical matchup every single week, with the next one more important than the previous one.

Oh yes, the next six weeks, for three hours every Sunday (or Thursday), will be brutal. Every play becomes that much more important, every turnover carries more significance, every missed field goal that much bigger, and every win, or loss, more fulfilling, or shattering.

The next six weeks will make the last six weeks look like a walk in the park.  Gone are the days of catching teams off guard, because with the sudden spark and buzz surrounding these resurgent Dolphins, that target grows bigger and bigger on their back.

Gone are the days of winning one week, losing the next, repeat, repeat, repeat, because .500 football down the stretch, while it could get them into the show, probably won't cut it.  Yes, an 8-8 record, considering what people said at the beginning of the year, would be huge in Miami, but if you want to start talking playoffs, and yes, everybody at this point does, then an 8-8 record simply isn't good enough.

It was good enough for the first six weeks, and it may be good enough for the final five weeks considering their schedule, but for the next six?  No way, not if you want a ticket to the show.  Not even close.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again here, the Dolphins must go 4-2, starting with last week's win and running through the end of November, if they want a shot in December.

Just a shot.  And if they want to get that shot, then area's must be improved.

Ryan Tannehill must continue to grow and limit the turnovers like he's done in the last two games.  Brian Hartline can't put on anymore disappearing acts like he did last week.  Reggie Bush must run the ball like he was in the first three weeks of the season.  Daniel Thomas has to stay healthy, and learn how to hold on to the ball.  The secondary cannot continually get burnt in the passing game, week after week.  The run defense must rebound from their pounding last Sunday.  Jake Long and that offensive line can't let Ryan Tannehill continue taking hits like he did against St. Louis, or, as Reggie Bush said, he won't last the entire season.

And, most importantly, this team must continue to string together wins.  They've got two in a row so far, and while that's a start, it can't be the end.  Go out and beat the Jets next week in a huge division test.  Beat the Titans when you get back home.  Go on the road and win your only primetime game of the year in Buffalo.  Wins like these are huge in November.  Wins like these, when strung together, get you into the show.  

Well, they at least get you into December.  But let's worry about that when it gets here, because that, folks, is a long, long way off.

Critical days, in-fact, do lie ahead for these Miami Dolphins.

Critical days indeed.  

Transformation of Miami Dolphins defined by gutsy, fourth quarter play call

I'd seen it time and time again, to the point where I just sunk back in my chair, put my head in my hands, and closed my eyes, knowing all to well what was coming next.

It was fourth down and one for the Miami Dolphins, and with a little under four minutes to play, the Fins had once again left too much time on the clock for the opposing team. I'd seen it a million times over the years- the conservative, let the defense win it, old school style attitude- and I knew a punt here would most likely lead to the same ending I'd become so accustomed to in Miami.

The heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, this can't seriously be happening again, ending.  I sat there and knew what awaited the Miami Dolphins, because, well, I'd seen this movie before!  They'd give the ball to the Rams, with just enough time to drive up the field, get into comfortable field goal range, tie the game up, and win it in overtime.  We saw it in the Jets game, and the Cardinals game, and, heck, we nearly saw it last week too.

But, there in-lies the beauty of what is quickly becoming a special season in Miami. These Dolphins are learning from their mistakes, where teams' from the past would refuse to do such a thing.  Tony Sparano refused to ditch his old-school style of play. Chad Henne refused to look down field, and instead continued to check down. Brandon Marshall refused to catch a touchdown pass, and instead dropped nearly one a game.

But in one single play, in the fourth quarter, in a game that meant so much to this organization, Joe Philbin made a call that, for lack of a better phrase, took some serious, serious onions.  Who would of thought that, in a year full of so many big-time plays, a three yard run up the middle would be the biggest?

Philbin called for a fake punt, on his own 40 yard line, up by only a field goal, with plenty of time left on the clock.  And with one swift direct snap to Chris Clemons, and three seemingly easy yards later, the Miami Dolphins season was defined.  Suddenly, that image that I was so accustomed to seeing, week in and week out, year in and year out, began to fade away, much like those old, heartbreaking memories.

The culture in Miami, after a decade of stubborn refusal, has finally turned the corner, something that, just six short weeks ago, seemed nearly impossible.  All of a sudden, the Fins retained the ball.  All of a sudden, with one simple fake-punt, the Rams went from getting the ball back in decent field position, with two timeouts and the two minute warning, to taking over nearly a minute later, from their own six yard line, with only one timeout.  A minute, you might say, doesn't make that big of a difference.

A minute, in football, makes ALL the difference.  Imagine if Jeff Fisher had just one more minute to work with yesterday, you think he still kicks a 66 yard field goal?  Fat chance.  In-fact, with the way the Rams were driving, I'm willing to bet that they would have scored a touchdown on that drive if they were given just one more minute.

I'm willing to bet that, had Philbin not called that fake punt, the Dolphins would be 2-4 today, and not 3-3.  Why am I so sure?  Because, like I said, I've seen this episode so many times before.

But not yesterday.

Yesterday, much like this season, was different.  Yesterday, with one gutsy call, the culture in Miami began to transform.

And in a season filled with so many transforming plays- Reggie Bush dazzling in week two, Ryan Tannehill breaking records in week four, and Reshad Jones sealing the win in week five- isn't it ironic that a three yard run on fourth down may prove to be the most transforming play of all?

Enjoy the bye week, Miami Dolphins, you've earned it.  

 

Dolphins get back to .500, defeat Rams 17-14

Greg Zuerlein missed a 66 yard field goal as time expired, an interesting decision by coach Jeff Fisher. With the Rams driving, Sam Bradford was sacked on third down near midfield, but instead of calling timeout with about 18 seconds left, Fisher decided to run the clock down and give his kicker a chance at a mammoth field goal, which he pushed left.

The Fins defense, for the second week in a row, had their backs against the wall late in the 4th quarter, and for the second week in a row prevailed.

Ryan Tannehill had another solid day, going 21-29, 185 yards, and two TD's, one to Moore and one to Fasano.

The Dolphins now enter the bye week at 3-3, and very much in the AFC playoff race.

Who woulda thunk it?

More to come.

Dolphins leading Rams 17-6 after third quarter

Ryan Tannehill orchestrated a huge 10 play drive to begin the half resulting in a one yard TD pass to Anthony Fasano in the back of the endzone.

Defensively, the Fins have forced and recovered two fumbles, only to have both reversed by referee Gene Steratore, who is doing his best to go 2-0 at Sun Life Stadium in his career.

To the fourth quarter we go.

Dolphins lead Rams 10-6 at halftime

The Dolphins, somehow, are leading this one. Sam Bradford has so far had his way with the Fins secondary, throwing for close to 200 yards in the first half. But, as I mentioned earlier today, the key to this one would be to bend, but not break, on defense, and so far the Fins have done just that, holding the Rams to four field goal attempts, and only two makes.

The first miss by Greg Zuerlein set Miami up near midfield, and Ryan Tannehill would later hit a wide open Marlon Moore for a 29 yard TD strike. Tannehill is 11-15, for 108 yards, and he's thrown that one touchdown.

Miami would recover a fumble on the following kickoff, but settled for a Dan Carpenter FG. 

Greg Zuerlein missed another FG right before the half.

To the third we go.

Rams lead Dolphins 6-0 after ugly 1st quarter

The Rams are outplaying the Dolphins in every single aspect of the game. They've run all over the defense, they've thrown with ease, and have yet to allow the offense to put together any sort of drive.

In-fact, Miami is lucky to only be down 6-0, it could easily be 14-0.

Not good.

To the 2nd.

Fins, Rams ready to go; the inactives

Big game today. A win puts the Fins back at .500 heading into the bye week. A loss raises more questions.

Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas are being inducted into the Dolphins ring of honor today. Two of the best Dolphin defenders of all-time, and both are extremely deserving of it, so good for them.

Now, the inactives: Michael Egnew, Jabar Gaffney, Pat Devlin, Richard Marshall, Daniel Thomas, and Rishard Matthews.

Yes, Jabar Gaffney is once again on this list. He has yet start a game since his signing two weeks ago.

The Fins are in all white today, the Rams in all blue.

It's windy, rainy, and mostly cloudy currently at Sun Life Stadium.

Kickoff is just over a half an hour away from Miami, so follow the live blog after each quarter and remember, go Fins!

Gameday: Three keys to a Dolphins win PLUS prediction

It's gameday here at the Dolphinsider, and with the Fins and Rams set to kickoff in just over three hours from Sun Life Stadium, we've got all your pregame coverage ready to go.  So, without further adue, here are the three keys to a Fins victory today.  Enjoy.

1.  Re-establish the running game.  Yes, the stats say the Dolphins never really lost the dominant running game, as they rank in the top ten in rushing yards with 136 yards per game.  But, lets not kid ourselves here, folks, the ground game in the last two weeks is not what it once was.  Reggie Bush has been battling a knee injury, and the Fins have run into two highly respected defenses, but, with that being said, finding that dominant running game again today will be critical.  If Reggie Bush and Lamar Miller can once again get going on the ground against a Rams defense that ranks 18th against the run, then expect a big day out of the Fins offensively, as not only will the Rams be vulnerable in the trenches, but also through the air with the play action pass with Ryan Tannehill.

2.  Win the turnover battle.  Here's a stat for you, the Fins have won 12 of their last 13 games, 6 straight, when forcing 3 turnovers, as they did last Sunday in Cincinnati. What's this mean?  Force turnovers!  Sam Bradford lost his top receiver last week, Danny Amendola, to a shoulder injury, and that means the young QB will be working with an unproven receiving core.  The Fins secondary, led by Sean Smith, Reshad Jones, and Nolan Carroll, must capitalize on this and be agressive in the backfield, because if they establish themselves early on then it could be a long day for the third year QB out of Oklahoma.  Mark my words, if Miami wins the turnover battle, then they will come out on top, it's just a proven fact.

3.  Win the red zone battle.  I touched on this earlier in the week, and I'll stress it again here, when the Fins find themselves inside the 20, whether it be on offense or defense, they must take advantage of it.  Offensively, Miami ranks in the middle of the pack when it comes to red zone scoring, as they come away with a TD 53% of the time, good for 15th in the league.  Ryan Tannehill must not settle for average today against a defense like the Rams, because he may not get that many opportunities, so when he does, he must find a way to capitalize.  A touchdown could mean the difference in tightly contested, defensive battle like many expect this one to be, and with the way Dan Carpenter's been kicking the ball, it's in the Fins best interest not to leave it up to him.

Adversely, on the defensive side of the ball, the Dolphin defense must continue to take on that bend, but don't break, attitude.  They've done it all year, especially last week against the Bengals, and it's been the game changer many a time.  If Miami can hold Sam Bradford and company to a field goal more times than less inside the 20, then the Fins have a great chance at winning this ball game.

PREDICTION

The Dolphins are favored for the first time this year today, and for good reason.  If the Ryan Tannehill doesn't turn the ball over, is allowed time in the pocket, and is helped out by his running game, then the Fins should do alright offensively.  Defensively, Miami must create turnovers, stiffen up in the red zone, and continue to limit the rushing yards, forcing Sam Bradford to throw to an untested receiving core.  The Fins should be able to do all these things, and I expect they will, but I caution anybody who takes the Rams lightly, just ask the Cardinals.  However, I don't see this Joe Philbin team doing that, and at the end of the day, I believe the Fins will get back to .500 heading into the bye week.

Final: Rams 17 Dolphins 24


Remember to check back in right before kickoff for all the inactives for today's game and any last minute updates.  And don't forget to follow the live, quarter by quarter, blog of today's game!

Until then, go Fins!

Week six in the NFL: picks and predictions

Back to back good weeks, lets keep it up:

Last week's record:  10-3

Overall record:  40-32

Dallas @ Baltimore:  Tony Romo and the Cowboys are coming off a much needed bye following their debacle two weeks ago against Chicago.  The Ravens escaped Kansas City last week with an ugly 9-6 victory, and for the first time this year, had a poor showing on offense.  However, I see a rebound game here for the Ravens, and I'll take them in a close one.

Cincinnati @ Cleveland:  The Bengals will win this one, but proceed with caution, Cincinnati fans, because in the words of Lando Calrissian, "It's a trap!."  Yes, that Star Wars reference just happened.

Indianapolis @ N.Y. Jets:  Mark Sanchez is hanging on by a thread, because with every loss the Tebow chants get louder and louder in New York, and he's now lost two in a row.  Adversely, Andrew Luck seems to be coming into his own, leading the Colts to an improbable come from behind victory last week against the Packers, and a 2-2 record overall.  This one is a toss up to me, but I do know this, lately, luck hasn't been on the Jets side, and that will be true once again this week.  Give me the Colts.

Oakland @ Atlanta:  The Raiders are coming off a bye week, so I guess they have that going for them. Unfortunately, thats about it, and with this one in Atlanta, I don't see the Falcons undefeated streak in any jeopardy this week.  I'll take Atlanta.

Detroit @ Philadelphia:  The Lions just haven't put it together this year, have they? Come to think of it, neither have the Eagles.  Michael Vick is a turnover machine, and continues to fight off weekly questions about his QB play.  In a game featuring two underperforming teams, yes, even at 3-2 you're underperforming, Eagles fans, I'll take Philadelphia to come out on top in this one.

Kansas City @ Tampa Bay:  The Brady Quinn era is underway in Kansas City as QB Matt Cassell is out this week with a concussion.  While many Chiefs fans may be excited about this, remember one thing first- Cassell and Quinn share something in common- neither is very good.  Give me the Bucs.

Buffalo @ Arizona:  Both teams are coming off embarrassing losses, with the Cardinals looking bad in St. Louis, and the Bills looking horrendous in San Francisco. Ryan Fitzpatrick will put up more than three points in this one, but it still won't be enough as the Bills woes continue.  I'll take Arizona.

New England @ Seattle:  The Seahawks have a lot going for them in this one- they're at home, they boast the leagues' top rated defense, and they're coming off a big win on the road.  Unfortunately, Tom Brady and the Pats are in town, and they look like they've hit their stride.  However, I need an upset pick this week, and something tells me the Hawks could pull it out.  Gulp.

N.Y. Giants @ San Francisco:  Easily the game of the week here in the Bay area, as the defending champs travel back to where it was all made possible earlier this year in that classic NFC title game.  Both these teams are playing well right now, especially offensively, but it's the defense that will decide this one, and I find it hard to go against the 49ers in that respect.  In a close one, as it always is, I'll take the Niners to get their revenge over Eli and crew.

Minnesota @ Washington:  I want to take the Vikings seriously, I really do, but I still haven't seen enough out of that offense.  Christian Ponder has been doing an excellent job at managing games, but the kid has yet to be in a position where he had to do more.  I think that chance may come this week as RGIII and the Skins can put up a lot of points on you in a hurry, and even with that Minnesota defense, I can see them doing more of the same this week.  In a close one from Fedex field, I'll take the Redskins to knock off the up and coming Vikings.

Green Bay @ Houston:  The Texans have coasted by thanks to an easy schedule thus far, but the real test starts this week as an angry and desperate Green Bay team comes to town.  Aaron Rodgers has done well this year, despite his 2-3 record, and needs help from his defense and receiving core if they are to turn it around.  I think that will happen this week, with their backs against the wall in Houston.  In a close, emotional win, give me the Packers to get back to .500, and send Houston to their first loss of the year.

Denver @ San Diego:  Peyton Manning played his best game of the year last week in a losing effort to New England, and much like Rodgers, needs some other players to step up if he's going to get the Broncos back to .500.  If Manning can leave San Diego with a win then the schedule lightens up significantly down the stretch, but that's a big IF with the way the Chargers have been playing thus far.  However, we've seen Peyton do it time and time again, and when his back's against the wall, the old-time seems to always get it done.  Give me the Broncos.


Remember to check back in tomorrow morning for all your Miami Dolphins coverage, and don't forget to follow the live, quarter by quarter, blog all throughout tomorrow's game against Jeff Fisher and the St. Louis Rams.

Until then, go Fins!  

Fins, Rams game will come down to offense, special teams; other notes

The St. Louis Rams, at first sight, won't scare you defensively.  With the exception of Cortland Finnegan, Chris Long, and perhaps James Laurinaitis, they're not a particularly well known team on the defensive side of the ball.

But I caution you to look twice.

They're tied for 7th in the NFL with 15 sacks.  The other team with 15 sacks?  The Miami Dolphins.

They're tied for 3rd with eight interceptions, three of which are by Cortland Finnegan. The Dolphins are tied for 5th with seven.

They only give up an average of 18 points a game, two less than the Miami Dolphins.

They give up an average of 218 passing yards a game, good enough for 12th in the league.  The Fins give up an average of 282 yards a game through the air, which puts them near the bottom of the league.

My point?  All the talk I've heard this week has been centered around this Fins defense, but in reality, these two teams are eerily similar in this case.  In-fact, the Rams, 13th overall, actually rank ahead of Miami, 14th overall, in team defense.

So, based on that, this game, while many think could come down to the better defense, will actually be won or lost on the OFFENSIVE side of the ball.  Which QB, Sam Bradford or Ryan Tannehill, will step up at the right times to put their teams' in position to win?  Which offensive line will take control of the running lanes?  Who's going to turn the ball over more?

While most think the defenses will decide this, I believe the offenses will.  Can an unproven, yet talented, Sam Bradford take advantage of a shaky Miami secondary? Can Ryan Tannehill continue to build upon an impressive rookie season and not make that one mistake that turns the game?

The defenses in this game are two of the better units in the NFL, so I believe, in a way, they almost cancel each other out.  The deciding factor will be which offense can separate itself.

Which brings to my second point- special teams.  The last time the Fins were on this field, they lost in this category.  Dan Carpenter missed two crucial field goals, and Tim Tebow sparked a Jets TD drive with a fake punt conversion.  Neither of these teams are particularly great in the red zone, with the Fins scoring TD's on 53% of their trips, good for 15th, and the Rams only punch it in 36% of the time, good for 27th.

Combine that with the fact that both these defenses rank in or near the top ten (MIA-7th, STL-11th) in allowing TD's in the red zone, and you could have a game that comes down to field goals.  Greg Zuerlein, the rookie kicker out of Missuri Western State, has kicked and made 13 field goals this year for the Rams.  Dan Carpenter?  Not so much. He's 6/10 this year in kicking field goals, and I fear this is the type of game that could once again come down to his leg.

Yikes.

While defense will play a tremendous role in this one, I believe the game will be won or lost with the offensive and special teams units, respectively.

Just some food for thought.


Other notes:

• Dolphins CB Richard Marshall (back) continues to be sidelined. Expect Nolan Carroll to start again.

• RB Daniel Thomas suffered another concussion last week in Cincinnati. His status for Sunday is unknown.

• WR Jabar Gaffney worked with the first team today at practice.  He was inactive last week.

• Dolphins DT Randy Starks was named the AFC's defensive player of the week.

Until next time, adios.

 

Miami Dolphins put in position to contend with latest win

I told you two weeks ago that this last road trip would define the 2012 Miami Dolphins season.

And low and behold, it did.

I wrote to you that if the Fins came back home this week at 1-4, instead of, say, 2-3, the rest of this season could be what many predicted it would be before it even began- a rebuilding year.  And while it could very well still be that, the standings, energy, and buzz surrounding this young group out of South Florida says otherwise.

It says contention.  Now there's a word we're not used to around these parts.  Yes, folks, this young group, led by a rookie QB and rookie head coach, will be playing meaningful football games in October, and if they play their cards right, and thats still a big IF, the same could be said for Novemeber.

The schedule is begging for a Miami Dolphins run.  A run that could have that same vibe of another special Fins team- the 2008 group.  Starting this week, and running until their December 2nd matchup against the Patriots, the Fins' schedule looks like this:

St. Louis Rams

Bye week

@ N.Y. Jets

@ Indianapolis

Tennessee

@ Buffalo

Seattle

By my account, and obviously this could change, Miami should be favored in all three home games and at least one of the road games (take your pick at this point). Considering the Fins have not been favored in even one of their first five game, this carries significance.  This means, and if you follow the NFL at all this shouldn't come as a surprise, that for the next six weeks the schedule heavily favors the Dolphins. Gone are the daunting games of Houston, Arizona, and Cincinnati.  Instead, replace those with the likes of, say, Indianapolis, Tennessee, and Seattle.

Now, tell me that doesn't bring just the faintest of smiles to your faces.  No, I'm not looking past the St. Louis Rams, in-fact, I think this game could possibly be the toughest on that schedule, and I caution anybody who thinks its not.  But, lets just peer ahead for a minute.  IF the Fins can rattle off just four wins in the next six weeks, the Rams, Jets, Titans and Seahawks come to mind, then things start to become really serious.

Four wins puts Miami at 6-5 heading into one of the most daunting Decembers to date- New England twice and the 49ers.  And folks, I've said it before, 6-5 in this years' NFL has you right in the thick of it for the stretch run.  However, this magical run I'm envisioning, this 2008-esque run, must start this weekend at home.

A win on Sunday puts the Fins at .500 heading into the bye week, with momentum, and with an extra week to prepare for the Jets.  A win on Sunday, all of a sudden, has become that much bigger with this latest Fins win.

Contention.  It's a word that, at this time last year, was used by Fins fans all over in reference to the number one pick in Aprils draft.

My what a difference a year makes.

Meaningful football, if just for a few weeks, is back in Miami.

Some stats and observations from Sunday's 17-13 win over Cincinnati

Some final stats and observations:

• Ryan Tannehill: 17-26, 223 yards, no TD's or INT's.  QB rating of 92.3. Solid game from the rookie, as he moved well in the pocket, made some impressive throws on the run, and most importantly, protected the football.

• Reggie Bush:  19 rushes, 48 yards, and a 13 yard TD run to give the Fins some breathing room in the 3rd quarter.  Bush wasn't electric like some expected, but give credit to him for that TD run, it was huge.

• Daniel Thomas:  10 rushes, 29 yards, and a key TD towards the end of the first half to give the Fins their first lead of the day.  

• Brian Hartline:  4 catches, 59 yards.  While Hartline was contained for most of the day, I believe he made one of the more important plays of the game. On third and four from their own 33 yard line, the Fins were on the cusp of giving it back to the Bengals.  Tannehill was flushed out of the pocket, and hit a streaking Hartline, who adjusted his route when nothing was there, down the sideline for a 30 yard gain.  Excellent play from both players.

• Sean Smith:  Another impressive day for Smith, who is quickly establishing himself as one of the better cornerbacks in the league.  Smith recorded a team leading 8 tackles, and contained WR A.J. Green for most of the afternoon.

• Nolan Carrol:  I was worried when CB Richard Marshall was ruled out for this game, but Carrol had himself a fine day opposite of Smith.  The young cornerback batted down passes all day long, and more importantly, didn't allow a Bengals receiver to get behind him for the big play.

• Cam Wake:  Another big day for Wake, as he recorded another sack (two QB takedowns, .5 a sack each time), and gave the Bengals fits all day in the backfield.

• Reshad Jones:  7 tackles, one for a loss, and the game-clinching interception on the final Bengals drive.  Enough said.

• Turover margin:  3-2, in favor of Miami.  Huge.

• Penalties:  Only two for ten yards.  Disciplined day for the Fins.

More to come.

Dolphins defeat Bengals 17-13 in Cincinnati

Reshad Jones intercepted QB Andy Dalton with 1:22 left to seal the Fins 17-13 victory on the road.

Ryan Tannehill made smart decisions all day long, Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas each had a TD, and the Fins defense contained a very good Cincinnati offense.

More to come later.

Fins lead Bengals 17-6 after 3rd quarter

Reggie Bush scampered 13 yards for a Miami TD that was set up by a Randy Starks INT. Dan Carpenter hit a 46 yard field goal on the next drive to make it 17-6, but missed a 50+ yarder on the ensuing drive to set Cincinnati up with great field position. The Bengals are driving as we speak.

To the fourth.

Fins lead Bengals 7-6 at the half

Daniel Thomas punched it in from two yards out to cap off an impressive Miami drive and put the Fins up 7-6.

Ryan Tannehill has looked good today when given the chance to throw, going 7-10 for 101 yards. The Fins have been stuffed on nearly every run and must change their game plan in the second half.

Defensively, Miami has been stout, holding the Bengals to only two field goals even though they've had great field position.

On to the 3rd we go.

Bengals lead Fins 6-0 after 1st quarter

Turnovers. They're killing the Fins in this game much like they've done all season long. A Jovorskie Lane fumble ended a nice drive inside the Bengals 20, and that led to a Cincinnati field goal. The other field goal came off a Miami punt return in which the ball touched a Fins player and was recovered by the Bengals.

On to the 2nd.

Fins, Bengals ready to go from Chilly Cincinnati; the inactives

Fall is here, and you can tell from looking on in Cincinnati, where it's overcast with temperatures in the 40's.

The Fins are in all white today for you uniform geeks.

The inactives include: Pat Devlin, Richard Marshall, Will Yeatman, Michael Egnew and Rishard Matthews. Carroll starts for the injured Marshall. Also inactive is newly acquired WR Jabar Gaffney, who may be struggling to learn the new playbook.

Come back later and follow the live, quarter by quarter, blog!

Until then, go Fins!

Gameday: The "X" factors' in today's game PLUS prediction

The Fins and Bengals are set to kick it off from Paul Brown Stadium in just a few hours.  Until then, let's start week five off right with some pre-game analysis here at the Dolphinsider.  Here are the "X" factors' in today's game.  Players who I believe will play a big part in deciding the outcome.  Enjoy.


Jake Long, T:  The Cincinnati Bengals are second in the league with 16 total sacks through four games, only one behind last weeks opponent, Arizona.  Jake Long hasn't had a bad year by any standards, but at the same time, the pro bowl tackle hasn't been all that great either. Long has given up a team leading three sacks in the Fins first four games, this after allowing just sixteen in his first four seasons.  Long must protect Ryan Tannehill today, because a rookie QB under duress, on the road, in a hostile environment, never bodes well for anybody except the defense.

A.J. Green, WR:  Green is having himself a phenomenal sophomore season in Cincinnati, as he trails only Brian Hartline for most receiving yards in the league.  The Fins rank in the bottom three of the NFL in passing defense, giving up nearly 300 yards a game through the air.  It's hard to imagine a scenario where Green has a big game and the Fins still win, so knowing where the big time receiver is at all times will be a must today.






Brian Hartline, WR:  Speaking of Brian Hartline, the Fins receiver is coming off a record breaking week four performance, and while he probably won't put up numbers quite that impressive today, he's still going to play a huge part in this one.  Hartline must continue to stretch the field and provide Ryan Tannehill with big play opportunities, along with freeing up fellow WR Davone Bess on the other side of the field.  When Hartline and Bess are hot, this Fins offense is tough to stop, so Hartline must not have a letdown game today.






Andy Dalton, QB:  Who said there was such a thing as a sophomore slump?  Don't try to tell Andy Dalton it exists, as the second year QB out of TCU is having himself a fine season thus far, throwing for over 1,100 yards, 8 TD's, and a QB rating in the three digits.  If the Fins are to win this game, containing this X factor will be as crucial as any of them.

Cameron Wake, DE:  Wake had a fine day last week in Arizona, sacking QB Kevin Kolb 4.5 times and pressuring him throughout the day. The pro bowl defensive end must continue this play today, as Andy Dalton, like most QB's, benefits from a pretty pocket to throw out of, and if Dalton is given this pocket today, then expect a long day on the defensive side of the football.

Michael Johnson, DE:  The defensive end for the Bengals trails Cameron Wake by .5 sacks to begin the day, and could be a force in the Miami backfield.  Containing Johnson will be a must today, and if the Fins fail to do this, then expect a lot of sacks, and a lot of interceptions thrown by Ryan Tannehill.



Ryan Tannehill, QB:  Speaking of the rookie QB, didn't think I'd forget him, did you? Tannehill put up monstrous numbers last week, torching the Arizona defense for over 400 yards en route to a career day.  However, with that being said, Tannehill must limit his turnovers today.  The rookie threw two interceptions last week, one in overtime, and fumbled once late in the fourth quarter.  The rookie must correct this today or that Cincinnati defense will feast on him from the word go.

Reggie Bush, RB:  I believe this to be the biggest factor of the day for the Miami Dolphins. OC Mike Sherman must expose the Bengals subpar run defense, and with Reggie Bush close to full health for the first time in two weeks, I believe he can.  If Bush can put up  a performance like he did in week two vs Oakland, then the Fins will have a huge leg up in this one.







Prediction:

Another tough one today for the Fins, but they matchup well with the Bengals.  The key today will be containing A.J. Green, and this is especially true since the secondary will be without CB Richard Marshall, who is out with a back injury.  Offensively, RB Reggie Bush will play a huge factor in this one.  I believe that in order for a Fins win, Bush has to have a day like he did a few weeks ago against Oakland, and with the Bengals only ranked 22nd against the rush this is a real possibility.  Like I said, I like this matchup today for the Fins, and believe they've played too well over the course of the last three games to lose again.

Final: Dolphins 23 Bengals 17

Remember to check back right before kickoff for any last minute updates and the inactives list.  And don't forget to follow the live, quarter by quarter, blog of today's game!

Until then, Go Fins!

Week five in the NFL: Picks and predictions

Had a great rebound round last week after a dismal performance in week three.  Lets try to keep it up, shall we?

Last week's record: 11-3

Overall record:  30-29


Lets do it:

Green Bay @ Indianapolis:  Have the Packers figured it out yet offensively?  Tough to tell after last week's win over New Orleans, only based on the fact the Saints boast one of the leagues worst defenses.  However, with that being said, I think they have, and it's going to take a near perfect performance from Andrew Luck this week to keep up with it, and I don't see that happening just yet for the rookie.  Give me the Packers.

Baltimore @ Kansas City:  In order for the Chiefs to win this game Jamaal Charles has to have a week similar to the one he had in New Orleans a few weeks ago, and I don't see that happening against this Raven defense, who is 12th against the run.  That, combined with a mediocre QB in Matt Cassel, tells me that the Raven's could have their way with the Chiefs in this game.  Oh yeah, they also boast the leagues 2nd ranked offense, led by a top ten QB in Joe Flacco.  Give me the Ravens.

Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh:  I have a bad feeling about the Eagles in this one.  Michael Vick was harassed two weeks ago in Arizona and that could look like a cake walk after this one's over.  The Pittsburgh defense will be the healthiest it's been all season, and that, combined with a Mike Tomlin led team coming off a bye, has me going Steelers all the way in this one.

Atlanta @ Washington:  RGIII did it again last week in Tampa, leading the Skins down the field late in the game to come from behind against the Bucs.  The rookie has looked superb so far this year, boasting the leagues 4th best QB rating at 103.2 en route to a 2-2 record through the first quarter of the season.  However, it's awfully tough to go against Matt Ryan and the undefeated Atlanta Falcons, and while I wouldn't be surprised to see an upset here, something tells me the Falcons will be too much on both sides of the ball for the Skins to keep up with.

Cleveland @ New York Giants:  Giants.  Next.

Seattle @ Carolina:  Cam Newton looked better in last week's loss to Atlanta, however, the second year QB is still fighting through an inconsistent sophomore season.  The bigger problem with the Panthers has been their defense, which struggles to stop both the run (24th) and the pass (21).  However, a young Seahawks team, led by a young QB in Russell Wilson, could be just the cure for that, especially at home.  Give me the Panthers.

Chicago @ Jacksonville:  The Bears should win this game, especially with the way they played on Monday night in Dallas, however, this one screams trap game to me. Jay Cutler looked all world a week ago, and if he follows his usual patten, he could throw up a dud in this one.  Maurice Jones Drew will be the only chance for the Jags offensively, and with the Bears boasting a defense ranked 3rd in the league against the run, I don't see much coming out of that department this week.  I'm going with the Bears, but this could be a trap if they're not careful.

Denver @ New England:  Game of the week from Gillette Stadium, as Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are set to renew their rivalry after a year off.  The Denver defense will be the deciding factor in this one, as they rank 7th in the league overall, and 12th against the pass.  Tom Brady and the Pats offense seemed to finally put it all together in the second half last week, but the true test will come tomorrow.  In a game that will most definitely be high scoring one, can Peyton Manning keep up?  I think he can, and in my upset of the week, I'm going with the Broncos.

Buffalo @ San Francisco:  I'll keep it short.  The 49ers are the far better team, they're at home, and they're coming off a routing of the Jets.  Enough said.  San Francisco.

Tennessee @ Minnesota:  Chris Johnson finally got it going last week in Houston, however, it still wasn't enough as the Titans got pummeled 38-14.  On top of that, QB Jake Locker left the game with a shoulder injury and will not start this one as Matt Hasselebeck will be behind center for Tennessee.  Whether this will be good or bad is still unknown, but the bigger issue for the Titans will be that Viking defense, which ranks 8th overall through the first four games of the season.  That, combined with an already bad Tennessee offense, has me going Minnesota all the way.

San Diego @ New Orleans:  A month ago this game looked like one of the premiere games of week five.  Now, I'm guessing NBC wishes it would switch places with that New England/Denver game.  The Saints are winless through the first quarter of the season, and the team is so desperate for a win that they've been granted permission to have coach Sean Payton in attendance for this one.  On the other side of the ball, the San Diego Chargers are enjoying a 3-1 start to their season, including a routing of Kansas City a week ago.  I don't know what it is, but there's something about the Saints that just tells me not to put them away just yet, and as crazy as it may sound, I'm taking the Saints to pull out the desperation of all desperation wins on Sunday night.  Gulp.

Houston @ N.Y. Jets:  First Darrell Revis and now Santonio Holmes?  If there was ever way to make an already mediocre team even worse than the Jets have done it, and last weeks' loss to the 49ers may only be the beginning of it.  This week they get the undefeated Houston Texans, who bring with them the leagues leading defense, and one of the more explosive offenses, yikes.  I don't care who your QB is- Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow, or, heck, throw Joe Namath in there- it won't matter in this one, because when you're facing a defense like this, you're going to struggle.  Give me the Texans.


As always, folks, don't forget to check back in tomorrow morning for all your Miami Dolphin pre-game coverage, including breakdowns, analysis, and predictions for tomorrow's 1 pm kickoff in Cincinnati, and remember to follow the live, quarter-by-quarter blog during tomorrow's game.

Until then, Go Fins!

 

Miami Dolphins by the numbers headed into week 5

Some numbers on the Miami Dolphins as they head into week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

• The defense ranks 1st in all of football against the rush, allowing 56.8 yards per game.  The Bengals rushing attack ranks in the middle of the pack on the ground, rushing for 110 yards per game.

• The Fins actually dropped down to 5th in the league on the ground with 153.2 yards per game, dropping one spot after only rushing for 86 yards last week.

• Brian Hartline leads the NFL in receiving yards with 455.  Ironically, A.J. Green is 2nd with 428 yards.  Might there be a battle within the war this weekend between these two?

• Cameron Wake is tied for 6th in the league with 4.5 sacks, three behind leader J.J. Watt.

• The Fins offense ranks 14th in the NFL with 10 touchdowns on the year, six behind the league leading Buffalo Bills.  Some notable teams behind Miami include Detroit, Pittsburgh, Dallas, and Philadelphia.

• The knee injury to Reggie Bush has set him back slightly from where he was two weeks ago among running backs.  He's dropped from 2nd to to 6th, 54 yards behind leader Marshawn Lynch.

• Despite Sean Smith's two interceptions last week, and limiting Larry Fitzgerald to only 64 yards, the Fins defense ranks 29th against the pass. The Bengals offense ranks 8th in the passing game, with 279.2 yards per game.  This will be a problem on Sunday.

• Dan Carpenter has missed three field goals this season (5/8), that's only one shy of league leader Billy Cundiff, who's missed four (6/10).

• Ryan Tannehill ranks 31st in the league with a 66.4 QB rating.  However, he has the second most passing yards out of all five rookies, 1,046, and trails only RGIII with 1,070 yards.

• Despite the Fins 1-3 record, they only trail by 1 game in the AFC East. After Sunday's game, the schedule favors Miami for the next five weeks, as they will host St. Louis and Tennessee, and travel to New York and Indianapolis (not in that order), with a bye week squished in the middle.

• Some notable rookie season comparisons to keep things in perspective. These numbers represent the stats after each of the following QB's first 4 games started of their careers.  Also included is their records after four games:

Peyton Manning: 81-146, 992 yards, 3 TD's, 11 INT.  QB rating: 52.0  (0-4)

Drew Brees: 57-96, 609 yards, 4 TD's, 3 INT.  QB rating: 78.8  (4-0)

Aaron Rodgers:  78-126, 961 yards, 6 TD's, 3 INT.  QB rating:  91.4  (2-2)

Tom Brady: 74-121, 820 yards, 5 TD's, 0 INT.  QB rating:  95.0  (3-1)

Brett Favre:  89-134, 998 yards, 5 TD's, 1 INT.  QB rating:  97.7  (2-2)

Average: 75-124, 876 yards, 5 TD's, 4 INT.  QB rating:  82.9  (2-2)

Ryan Tannehill:  80-143, 1,046 yards, 2 TD's, 6 INT.  QB rating:  66.4  (1-3)

As you can see, Tannehill is right in the middle of the pack.  His TD's are slightly down, his interceptions are slightly up, and his QB rating isn't where you'd like it. However, his passing yards are there, and he's got a win under his belt.  Just some food for thought to keep things in perspective, folks. The kid's come a far way, but he's got miles to go as well.

Until next time, adios.  

 

Miami Dolphins sign WR Jabar Gaffney, waive Legedu Naanee

The Dolphins have [finally] waived struggling WR Legedu Naanee and signed free agent receiver Jabar Gaffney.

Naanee has struggled this season, and this was no more evident than on Sunday, when he caught his first pass of the year, only to fumble it away to the Cardinals.

Gaffney, 31, worked out for Miami a month ago and has caught 443 passes for 5,622 yards and scored 24 touchdowns in his 10 year career.

Good move by Jeff Ireland.

Despite 1-3 record, 2012 Miami Dolphins turning the tide

The fan in me wanted to say so many things after Sunday's OT loss.  He wanted to rip Mike Sherman for the play-calling late in the fourth quarter.  He wanted Legedu Naanee cut first thing Monday morning.  He wanted Dan Carpenter left behind in Arizona to take lessons from former Fins kicker, and Sunday's game-winning kicker, Jay Feely.

But I knew those were knee-jerk reactions from a fan.  Fair reactions? Possibly.  But knee-jerk nonetheless.  So the journalist in me thought better of it, and decided to give it a day or two before truly giving an evaluation.  And in doing so, I've realized a few things from re-watching film, listening to press conferences, and looking at the first quarter of this season as a whole.

Number one is, Ryan Tannehill is going to be a good, and has the potential to be a great, quarterback in this league for a long time.  No, don't call me a homer, because I would hope you know by now that I call it like I see it.  I've sat through the Fiedler-Beck-Lemon-Henne-Moore era's, and I can tell you right now, with absolutely no doubt in my mind, that this, folks, is different.  The stats, as coach Joe Philbin said yesterday, are a bit deceiving.  Yes, Tannehill only has two touchdowns next to six interceptions.  Yes, the kid's completing just over half of his passes through the first four games. But the intangibles that Tannehill brings to the table week after week are something I haven't seen out of a Dolphins QB not named Chad Pennington in all my life.

The poise in the pocket, for starters, is really quite remarkable considering that this is Tannehill's what, 24th career start at QB this Sunday?  This from ESPN's stats inc..:

“Ryan Tannehill faced extra pressure on 25 of his 44 dropbacks, and completed 16-of-22 passes for 306 yards, a touchdown and an interception against at least five pass rushers. Tannehill’s 306 passing yards against at least five pass rushers is the highest single-game total by anyone since the start of the 2008 season.”

“More impressive for Tannehill is who it came against–entering Sunday, the Cardinals’ defense led the league with a 34.1 completion percentage and 3.6 yards per attempt allowed when sending at least five pass rushers."

To me, this was most evident in the 3rd quarter of Sunday's game, when Tannehill dropped back to pass on third down and three from his own 43 yard line.  Jonathan Martin was beat off the edge and Tannehill had a drive ending sack headed his way. However, where the like's of, say, Chad Henne would have taken a sure sack, Tannehill stepped up in the pocket, evaded the blitz, and threw a 30 yard touch pass to the well defended Brian Hartline at the Cardinals 27 yard line for a first down.

Rookie QB's just don't do that, folks.  This one does.

Here's something else that sets the rookie apart from the previous failures before him. Tannehill’s 94.8 rating in the fourth quarter this season is 11th-best in the league, and leads all rookie QB's in his class.  I don't have the exact stat on them, but I can guarantee you that Chad Henne and John Beck came no where near that number.

And all this is coming during a stretch where Tannehill faced two of the leagues unbeaten teams on the road, and if you include the Jets, three of the NFL's more blitz-heavy defenses.

The second thing I realized is, first year coach Joe Philbin is no Tony Sparano, or Cam Cameron, or Nick Saban, or Dave Wannstedt.

And this is a wonderful, wonderful sight.

His demeanor, on and off the field, is something I've never seen before in all my years following this team.  He hold's his player accountable, for starters, but at the same time instills a quiet confidence in them.  Take Sean Smith for example, who had two huge interceptions on Sunday, yet was responsible for the game tying touchdown catch on fourth down.

Here's what Philbin said.

When asked about the play of Sean Smith:

“I thought he did a lot of good things. I thought there was a couple impact plays that he made and really they’re quality plays when you watch them on film. You like them. I thought he did a good job.”

When asked about the game tying touchdown:

"Obviously, Sean Smith's over there...we’ve got to have tighter coverage in the flesh.”

Confidence, yet accountability.  Joe Philbin has done this since day one, and it's something we haven't seen out of a Miami coach in a long time.

The second thing I noticed when watching the rookie head coach is the comfort I feel with him at the helm.  Tony Sparano, God bless him for trying, never really struck me as a head coach.  He was a great motivational speaker, and he had a great football mind, but, and I think most fans will agree with me here, you just never felt comfortable with him.  Not in game situations, not in game planning, and certainly not with quarterback development.

This, I believe, is where Joe Philbin excels.  Listening to the way he speaks of this football team, watching him on the sidelines, and most importantly, watching the product of football on the field (yes, I did just coin that term from Philbin himself) shows me that the decision Steve Ross and Jeff Ireland made back in January was absolutely spot on.  Philbin knows he has a young team, with a young QB, but at the same time, knows the potential of this team, and you can see it with every little smirk he gives in a press conference, or on the sidelines.

I trust him with Ryan Tannehill.  I trust him with the offensive game planning.  And, above all, I trust him with the direction of this football team.  That's something I haven't been able to say, well, ever.

I can say it now with full confidence.

You may be reading this and calling me a dreamer, or a homer, or just a plain bad journalist.  Thats completely fine, folks, I understand where you're coming from, the fan inside of me knows all too well.

But this team is different.  If you've watched for as long as I have then I think you'll agree with me.  Despite a 1-3 record out of this young group I think the tide is finally turning in Miami.

Lets grab a spot on the beach and watch it roll on into Cincinnati.