Shame of the Game vs Bills

[Landshark]

My Shame of the Game goes to Bryan Mccann.  He was victimized repeatedly in the second half which let the Bills back in this game.

[dolphins4life]

Roethlisberger for ending our playoff chances with that stupid interception.

[dolphins4life]

^^^^

I can't really do that because I didn't watch the game on TV.

[dolphins4life]

Ok Philibin for keeping Carpenter for too long.

[Jim Gray]

Ok Philibin for keeping Carpenter for too long.

I can't tell if this is a joke or not, but if you are serious, I would point out 2 things.....

1. Carpenter had some critical misses early, but has been rock solid since then and his overall stats are pretty good
2. Philbin didn't get rid of Carpenter, Carpenter was injured last week and is on IR

edited to add - no shame of the game this week.  With lots of key injuries on both offense and defense, the team played well and never let Buffalo make a serious run.  Great team effort.

[mecadonzilla]

1. Carpenter had some critical misses early, but has been rock solid since then and his overall stats are pretty good

Agreed.  He had exactly one critical miss early.  ONE.  And that is the complete and total entirety of his critical misses.  He has missed one FG since the 1st of October.  The real and actual problem was the lack of offense that lead to the need to make sure every single FG was hit every week to ensure a win because they couldn't score TDs.  To blame a kicker when there was SO much blame to go around in non Jet-related losses is absurd and not productive.  Every other team in the league would love a kicker who never missed inside 47 yards for the season. 

[BigDaddyFin]

The middle of the FG/XP line for giving up one block and nearly giving up a second.

[dolphins4life]

He has had at least two misses this year that have directly affected the outcomes of games.

He's cost several games over the past three years that could have swung seasons.

[Jim Gray]

He has had at least two misses this year that have directly affected the outcomes of games.

He's cost several games over the past three years that could have swung seasons.

True, in week 3 and 4.  But since then, he has hit 17 of 19 and I think both the misses were over 50 yards.  He had made a 53 yarder in each of the last games he played.  He has a big leg and gives you a chance inside of 60 yards.  Those misses were unfortunate, but how do you ignore 10 weeks of solid play and still call for him to be cut? 

Maybe this injury is serious and Carpenter isn't the same kicker he was, but based on his performance this year, you don't replace him.

[dolphins4life]

Also in the Bills game, which is three games.

Even if you take just two of those games, Miami is in the playoffs right now

[Jim Gray]

Also in the Bills game, which is three games.

Even if you take just two of those games, Miami is in the playoffs right now

Did you watch the Bills game?  The score was much closer than the game.  We weren't competitive and got outplayed.  That kick wouldn't have given us a victory.  You are right about the other 2 games.  Had Carpenter hit those kicks, Miami wins.

But you are missing my point.  Yes, Carpenter was a train wreck earlier this year and I was critical of him, but he seemed to have figured it out and was rock solid, including 50+ kicks in several games.  You don't get rid of a guy that's performing at a high level because you are pissed he missed long kicks 10 games earlier.  That kind of vindictiveness simple makes no sense. 

Again, maybe he struggles next year and we have to look elsewhere; but I think he has earned a spot on this team for 2013.

[Spider-Dan]

Also in the Bills game, which is three games.

Even if you take just two of those games, Miami is in the playoffs right now

So then, I presume you are proposing that Miami replace Carpenter with a kicker that never misses?  I mean, that sounds like a great idea and all, but...

If you're going to blame Carpenter for the losses to the Jets and Cardinals, then you should also give him credit for the wins against Rams and Seahawks.  (I don't know why you brought up a missed FG against BUF when MIA lost by 5; even if Carpenter had made that kick, Tannehill was intercepted on the final drive before Miami got into FG range.)

[EKnight]

Silly people. Rockstar Tannehill cost Miami more games than Carpenter did this year. If he didn't have so many fourth quarter choke jobs, Carpenter wouldn't have been in a position to have to make long FGs- he'd be kicking extra points. -EK

[Spider-Dan]

EKnight, are you saying that you don't approve of Tannehill?  When did this development occur?

[EKnight]

I know. Shocking, right? In all seriousness, I don't get hanging any loss on a single player, be it Carp, RT, or anyone else. Neither of those guys plays defense. None of the defense throws INTs or misses kicks or blocks or drops passes. It's a team effort. -EK