Fins, Niners scoreless after first quarter

The Dolphins have played solid football thus far.

Ryan Tannehill has been sharp, as had Davone Bess. They currently have the ball inside the 49ers 15 yard line.

Cameron Wake has two sacks, and the defense has looked impressive all day.

To the 2nd

Fins, 49ers ready to go; the inactives

Fins are Niners are about 20 minutes from kickoff.

The inactives for Miami are Pat Devlin, Michael Coe, Josh Kaddu, PatrickBrown, Michael Egnew, Jimmy Wilson, and Kyle Miller.

The Fins are in all white. The 49ers in their red and gold.

Beautiful day in the Bay Area! Live blog starts soon, so follow it.

And, as always, Go Fins!

Gameday: 5 keys to a Dolphins victory PLUS prediction

It's gameday here at the Dolphinsider, as the Fins and 49ers are about three hours away from kickoff out in San Francisco.  Until then, take a look at what I think are five keys to a Dolphins win today, plus, my prediction.  Enjoy.


1. Contain Colin Kaepernick.  I wrote about this earlier this week, and it's pretty simple, when the Fins play mobile QB's, they have not done well this season.  Andrew Luck, Jake Locker, Russell Wilson and Ryan Fitzpatrick all had success against the Dolphins defense because they all make plays with their legs.  Today will be no different with Kaepernick.  The Fins must contain him if they hope to win.

2.  Ryan Tannehill must be accurate.  Last week we saw the bad side of Tannehill, as his accuracy was off for a good part of the afternoon.  That led to missed opportunities all over the place, especially on that first quarter overthrow to Brian Hartline that would have been a sure fire TD.  Tannehill cannot afford to miss opportunities today, not against this 49ers defense, because he may only get one or two.

3.  Make a special play on special teams.  Surprisingly, this was the downfall of the Dolphins last week, with the muffed snap by P Brandon Field, and the roughing the kicker by Jimmy Wilson.  Today, the Fins are going to need a spark in this area, especially because I don't see the offense scoring a lot of points.  Whether it's a blocked punt, a kick return for TD, or even a surprise onside kick, the Fins must look for a big play today from their special teams.

4.  Run Reggie, Run.  This will be asking a lot, especially given that the 49ers rank 3rd at stopping the run, but if the Fins are to pull of this upset, it will be crucial that Reggie Bush make some big plays on the ground.  He's been looking better the last couple weeks, and could take a big load of Ryan Tannehill's shoulders if he can open up some passing lanes by running the ball effectively.

5.  Make the plays on the "money down."  This is what players refer to third downs as in this league, the "money down."  Why?  Because this is the most crucial play of every series, and this is where these guys make the big bucks, both offensively and defensively.  The Fins, specifically Ryan Tannehill, have been terrible this season on this down, as he's thrown only one TD and six INT's.  He must find a way to correct this today, because you can only have so many three and outs until the game gets out of hand.  Defensively, it's pretty simple, GET OFF THE FIELD!


PREDICTION

I'm teetering on picking the upset here, because this is the kind of game the Dolphins like.  What do I mean by that?  I mean that this will be the most physical game of the year for the Fins, and that's playing into their strengths.  They love these type of games, it's the other games, the finesse, speed type of games that they tend to lose. But not the physical ones, because, say what you want about them, these Dolphins do not get pushed around.  However, it's still a road game against an angry 49ers team, and as much as that scares me, just imagine Ryan Tannehill back there without his pro bowl LT... YIKES

Final: Dolphins 14 49ers 24


Remember to check back in right before kickoff for any last minute news, including the inactives.

And, as always, follow the live blog throughout the game.

Until then, GO FINS!

Week 14 in the NFL: picks and predictions

Gotta have a big bounce back week, lets do it.

Last week's record: 7-8

Overall record: 110-70-1


St. Louis @ Buffalo:  Both teams are still "mathematically" in the playoff picture, but lets be honest, these guys are playing for pride the rest of the way.  I like what Jeff Fisher has done in St. Louis, but I don't go against Buffalo at home in December.  Give me the Bills.

Baltimore @ Washington:  RGIII had a big time win on Monday to vault the Skins back into the playoff picture, while Joe Flacco got outplayed by Charlie Batch.  These are to teams going in opposite directions, and I like that to continue this week with another big Redskins win.

Philadelphia @ Tampa Bay:  Andy Reid named Nick Foles the starter for the remainder of the season earlier this week.  Unfortunately, I think it's to late for the embattled head coach.  As for this game, I'm going Buccaneers all the way.

San Diego @ Pittsburgh:  Even if Big Ben wasn't playing I'd probably still pick the Steelers.  The fact is, the Chargers just aren't very good.  Is the Norv Turner era FINALLY done?  Regardless, I'm going Pittsburgh.

Chicago @ Minnesota:  If I were to ask you where the Bears rank offensively, I bet you wouldn't say 30th, would you?  I'm still not sold on this Chicago team, and with the Vikings at home this week I like them for the upset.

Atlanta @ Carolina:  Weren't the Panthers supposed to be playoff bound this year?  I can tell you who is, the Falcons, and that's who I'm taking tomorrow.

Dallas @ Cincinnati:  This is going to be a fun one from Cincinnati, as both teams are in the thick of the playoff race, and both are coming off big time wins.  I think the Bengals are hot at the right time, and I'll take them in a signature win at home.

Kansas City @ Cleveland:  Brady Quinn put on a heroic performance a week ago, and I like that to continue in his return to Cleveland.  Give me the Chiefs.

Tennessee @ Indianapolis:  Boy, this Andrew Luck kid is special.  Don't ask me to go against him, especially at home.  I'm going Colts all the way.

N.Y. Jets@ Jacksonville:  Well, that was a short lived benching for Mark Sanchez, huh?  In another installment of the battle of mediocre QB's, I'll take Henne over Sanchez.  Give me the Jags.

New Orleans @ N.Y. Giants:  Drew Brees is coming off a FIVE interception performance last Thursday night in Atlanta, while Eli and the Giants are fighting for their playoff lives after a road loss in Washington.  I like New York to bounce back this week, and get back on course for January football.  If they don't win tomorrow, they could be in serious trouble.

Arizona @ Seattle:  The Cardinals haven't won a football game in two months.  Enough said.  Give me the Seahawks.

Detroit @ Green Bay:  Intriguing matchup here on Sunday night, and even though the Lions have drastically underachieved this year, I still like them to give the Packers a run for their money.  However, Aaron Rodgers, as usual, finds a way to get it done at home.  Give me Green Bay.

Houston @ New England:  Easily the game of the week on Monday night, and quite possibly an AFC Championship preview, no?  Tom Brady did not look good last week, and will have his hands full again for this one, as the Texans defense ranks 6th in the league.  However, something tells me Brady and Belichick get it done at home, but it's cloooooooose.  Give me the Pats.


Check back tomorrow for all your Miami Dolphins pre-game coverage, including my prediction, as the Fins and Niners kick things off at 4:05 from Candlestick park.

And, as always, follow the live, quarter by quarter blog, of the game.

Until then, Go Fins!

The 49ers one weakness Miami must expose (but with caution); other news

Did some researching this week, and found out that the almighty San Francisco 49ers do, in-fact, carry a bit of baggage with them.

Where?

The pass blocking.  Through 12 games this year the 49ers rank near the bottom of the league in sacks allowed, giving up 34 sacks and 52 QB hits.  To put just how high that is into perspective, teams such as the Carolina Panthers, Kansas Chiefs, and Oakland Raiders all rank ahead of the 49ers in this category.

This is where I believe Miami must focus most of its defensive efforts this week. However, with that being said, they must proceed with caution as well.  Why? Because that new guy behind center, Kaepernick I believe, yeah, he can run.  And so far this season, mobile QB's have KILLED this defense.

Andrew Luck makes plays with his feet, and he was unstoppable.

Jake Locker makes plays with his feet, and he handed the Dolphins their worse loss in decades.

Russell Wilson was a NIGHTMARE a couple weeks ago.

Heck, even Ryan Fitzpatrick gave this defense fits with his legs.

The Dolphins have not performed well against mobile QB's!  In-fact, they had their best defensive game IN MONTHS last week against Tom Brady, of all people, because he doesn't have that added element.  The result of that?  Four sacks, and no big QB scrambles (or any for that matter).

Defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle has to put together a gameplan that a) exposes this vulnerable 49ers pass protection, but b) also doesn't allow the second year QB the freedom to run at will, like so many mobile QB's this season have.

My point? Even though the 49ers given up a lot of sacks, It must be approached with caution, because if you don't take Colin Kaepernick down, it's off to the races.

And the Fins rarely win a race like that.


Other Notes:

• Rookie RT Jonathan Martin will make his first start of the season this Sunday at LT, filling in for Jake Long, who was placed on IR Monday with a triceps injury.  Martin, however, has played LT all of his career, until being moved over to the right side this season.

• According to the Miami Herald, The Dolphins are not optimistic that nickel cornerback Jimmy Wilson will be able to play Sunday. Wilson has missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday and is not expected to work on Friday, either.  His replacement will most likely be Bryan McCann, who played last week against the Patriots. McCann has been on the roster for about a month.

• Joe Philbin on Colin Kaepernick, just in case you didn't quite believe me: "The discipline of our rush games have to be there," Philbin said. "Our success is going to come from keeping (Kaepernick) contained."

Until next time, adios.

Long placed on injured reserve; Fins sign Brown

Jake Long was placed on injured reserve today after suffering a left triceps injury Sunday against New England.

This means his 2012 season is officially over.  And, unfortunately, his career as a Miami Dolphin could be effectively over as well.  Long will be a free agent this offseason and the team has yet to say whether or not he will be resigned.

This is a huge blow to an already shaky Miami offensive line, especially when they have the 49ers coming up, who pose one of the strongest defensive units in the NFL.

Short term, you have to imagine rookie Jonathan Martin will take over for Long at LT. That's where Martin played at all of his college career until this season, when he moved over to the right side.

Long term?  Who knows.  Long could be resigned to a long term deal.  The Dolphins could place the franchise tag on him for a year.  Or, what I fear most, they could let him walk.

Only time will tell.

In other news, the Fins did sign offensive tackle Patrick Brown and safety Tyrone Culver today.  Culver, as you might remember, was a member of the team for the past three seasons.  The Fins also cut CB Anderson Russell today.

Miami Dolphins lack of weapons on offense more glaring than ever; Long's season over?

Statistically, Ryan Tannehill is having a poor rookie campaign.  He's thrown only 7 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and has one of the worst QB ratings in the league at 72.3.

But anybody who's watched Tannehill this season knows that he's showed signs of being that franchise QB this team has lacked for over a decade.

He's poised, in command, confident, and knows this offense better than anybody else on it.

So why is he, statistically, so far behind the likes of Andrew Luck, RGIII, and Russell Wilson?  It's actually quite simple..

They all have playmakers surrounding them.

Tannehill, bluntly, does not.

Let's look at Andrew Luck.  He's got one of the best wide receivers in the game in Reggie Wayne to throw to.  He's got a rookie weapon in T.Y. Hilton to throw to.  Heck, I'll even throw in rookie TE Colby Fleener, who's battled a injuries all season, but when healthy, is still a weapon for Luck.

What about RGIII?  Well, for starters, he's got WR Santana Moss, who only has 7 TD's this year.  He's got rookie RB Alfred Morris, who will probably eclipse the 1,000 yard mark tonight, and already has 6 TD's.  And he's got Pierre Garcon, who, much like Fleener, has battled injuries all season, but when on the field, is yet another option for the rookie QB.

Russell Wilson?  He's got them all around.  Sydney Rice is having a monster year with 7 TD's.  Marshawn Lynch is already nearing 1200 yards.  Golden Tate has turned into the weapon most thought he would be out of college, putting up 7 TD's on the season. Heck, he's even got a polished veteran at TE in Zach Miller.

And now, we look at the arsenal around Ryan Tannehill.  Yes, he's got Reggie Bush, but aside from him, the weapons are sparse.  No disrespect to Davone Bess or Brian Hartline, both are fine receivers, but are they going to change a game like, say, a Reggie Wayne, or a Santana Moss, or a Sydney Rice will?

I don't think so.

Let me put it to you like this, when your number one receiver in Brian Hartline only has one TD on the season, you've got serious problems.

My point?  The Dolphins don't have a game changer.  They don't have somebody who can make a big play out of a five yard catch (like Brandon Marshall), or catch every pass, good or bad, thrown his way (like Reggie Wayne), or stretch the field (like Santana Moss).

They have one really solid number two receiver in Brian Hartline, and one of the better slot receivers in the game in Davone Bess.

And don't get me started on Anthony Fasano.  His time is waaaaaaaaaaay past due here in Miami.  Did he even play yesterday?

And then, of course, they've got Reggie Bush.  Who, I may add, could very possibly not be with this team next season.

If the Miami Dolphins want Ryan Tannehill to blossom into this franchise QB, and, as I've said time and time again, I think he can, then they absolutely need to surround him with the pieces to do that.

James Jones comes to mind.  Did you see that catch he made in the endzone yesterday for Aaron Rodgers?  That ball is either intercepted or incomplete if Ryan Tannehill throws it.  But Jones has done it time and time again this year, as he's already hauled in 9 TD's.

Greg Jennings comes to mind.  The 29 year old will be a free agent next season, and I fully expect the Fins to take a look at him.

USC wide receiver Robert Woods comes to mind.

Heck, I'll even throw in Tennessee WR Justin Hunter.

This offense is severely lacking a play maker, a game changer, a weapon, and if Ryan Tannehill is to become that franchise QB everybody, including myself, has envisioned, then GM Jeff Ireland has to at least give him a chance to do so.

Because if you have playmakers to turn to, then you're really not that far off from playing in January.

Just ask Russell Wilson, RGIII, and Andrew Luck.


JAKE LONG UPDATE

Long left yesterday's game in the first quarter with a triceps injury, and did not return. Reports coming out of Miami have not been good, and, even though the team has yet to officially announce anything, it appears Long's season is over.

A team source told Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald today that Jake Long is "probably" out for the remainder of the season, and it would be a surprise to the team if he's not.

With Long facing free agency next season, one has to wonder if yesterday was his final game in a Dolphins uniform.


Until next time, adios.