Yesterday was a travel day for me, so I apologize for the lack of posts following the HUGE 20-16 win for the Miami Dolphins.
I did watch/listen to the entire game, and after some analysis, I do have a few takeaways:
- As I told you all of last week, there IS reason for optimism for these Miami Dolphins, despite a week of scandal talk, public humiliation, and a loss to the previously winless Buccaneers. Why should you have been optimistic? Well, as I said, a win against San Diego, coupled with a Jets loss would vault Miami into a 6th place tie with New York for the final wild card spot.
So what happened? Miami won, the Jets lost, and all of a sudden the Miami Dolphins control their own destiny for the final six weeks of the season.
- I thought Ryan Tannehill played one of his better games yesterday. He finished 22-35, 268 yards, a TD and an INT. From what I saw, Tannehill only had three bad throws on the night: The interception where he simply didn't see CB Johnny Patrick underneath, the under-throw down the field to Mike Wallace that would have been a sure TD, and a poor sideline pass to Brian Hartline on the final drive of the game that would of given Miami a first down at their own 40.
Other than that, I thought the kid played well. He used his feet more, which he needs to be doing, distributed the ball extremely well (four different receivers had 4+ catches), and kept the chains moving all night long (only one three and out). Does he have things to work on? ABSOLUTELY. He MUST figure out how to throw a long ball. He MUST learn how to extend plays. But in a must win game, I thought his play was solid.
- Good rebound game for a rushing attack coming off an embarrassing TWO YARD performance last week. Daniel Thomas had his best game of the year, gaining 57 yards on 10 carries with a TD. But it was the way he ran that really made the difference. Rarely was Thomas taken down at initial contact, and his ability to break tackles and turn two yard gains into seven yard gains was HUGE. This offense will only be successful in short third down situations, and Thomas was money when it came to that yesterday.
- How about that patchwork offensive line. Without Mike Pouncey, Richie Incognito, and Jonathan Martin, the protection yesterday, in both the run and pass game, was very solid. Yes, Tannehill was sacked four times (although the last "sack" was really just Tannehill running out of bounds), but they didn't come at costly times, and they were spread out.
For a line featuring Sam Brenner, Tyson Clabo, Nate Garner, and John Jerry to put up a solid game yesterday, under the dire circumstances, is a testament to the resiliency within the Miami locker room. Good work.
- Up and down day for Brian Hartline, who recorded 5 catches for 65 yards, but also had a couple rare drops. He did, however, turn a 5 yard out pass into an 18 yard gain late in the game, which was even more crucial because he stayed in bounds, taking time off the clock on the final drive.
- How about Charles Clay. Who would of thought three months ago that losing Dustin Keller would be so insignificant? Clay had a monster game yesterday, catching 6 passing for 90 yards, including a highlight reel 39 yard TD in which he broke two tackles, and barreled over two defenders en route to the end zone. Clay has become a huge playmaker this season, and has blossomed into a top tier TE in this league.
- Brent Grimes was absolutely the steal of free agency this season, and continued to show that yesterday. He picked off Philip Rivers in the first quarter (his 3rd of the season), and batted away the final pass of the game in the end zone. Grimes is a true shut down corner, and is heading for a big pay day this March.
- He may have been quiet for most of the day, but when it came down to crunch time, Cameron Wake, as he always does, showed us why he's one of the best defensive ends in the league. The All-Pro sacked Philip Rivers on the Chargers final drive yesterday, forcing them to use their final time out and derail, for a moment at least, any momentum they were picking up. That's an over looked play because San Diego continued to drive into Miami territory after that, but without that last timeout, they came up just short.
- Caleb Sturgis continues to bounce back nicely after his midseason slump, as he hit two more FG's yesterday. The rookie has shown poise.
- I really liked Mike Sherman's play calling on the final offensive possession. Tannehill and company took over at their own five yard line with a little under four minutes to play. Instead of just running the football and giving it back to San Diego, Tannehill came out firing, hitting Brian Hartline for 15 yards, and Rishard Matthews for 13 yards. Yes, Miami punted, but they reversed the field while also taking time off the clock. Give credit to Sherman.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Joe Philbin, Mike Sherman, and Kevin Coyle all spoke today. Here are some highlights:
- "They're in charge of the review process. ... We're going to fully cooperate." - Joe Philbin on the investigation.
- "We're sticking to the schedule. We'll be fine."- Philbin on the player interviews being conducted this week.
- Philbin on the Panthers: "As hot of a team as there is in the league."
- "We're very fortunate to have a guy like Nate Garner."- Philbin on how Garner can play three different positions on the line.
- Philbin: "We've been in more four or less games than anyone in football over the last two years.... Every snap is important"
- Philbin on Clabo: "The guy is a pro ... he didn't radically change fundamentals. He's been a little more detailed in preparation."
- "He's a young player. I think he has some promise," Mike Sherman said of Sam Brenner.
- Sherman on Daniel Thomas and Lamar Miller: "I look at both of those guys as starters. You kind of just go with the hot hand."
- "Sometimes you're aggressive and it works. Sometimes you're aggressive and it doesn't."- Mike Sherman.
- Sherman on Mike Wallace: "Had a tremendous ballgame ... Changed how they played us and gave us opportunities on runs and whatnot."
- "He doesn't sweat things very much, and that's a credit to him," Sherman said of Ryan Tannehill.
- "I don't think it is going to have much of an impact," Kevin Coyle said of the NFL's investigation being a distraction this week.
- Coyle on Oliver Vernon: "Olivier has really stepped up his game."
- "There is not a team on the schedule we're not capable of beating. I think we've demonstrated that."- Kevin Coyle.
- Coyle on Newton: "He's a rare, rare athlete."
- Kevin Coyle on the final six weeks: "I think we're going to come out and play our best football over the last part of the season."
More to come.
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