Finishing Drives

[dolphins4life]

This was a huge problem last year and now it is a problem this year.

What do you think they should do about it?

I remember in 2008, we used the Wildcat and Fasano to do well in the Red Zone.

I think this is the single biggest factor in our offense's failures.     

[EKnight]

Bigger than three turnovers in a single quarter? Dubious... -EK

[dolphins4life]

Those turnovers were flukes.

Usually batted balls fall to the ground.

This has been a problem that affected us last year and it's affecting us again.

That's what the main problem with the offense is.   

[Phishfan]

Before considering performance in the red zone as the main problem, I think considering failure to get to the red zone is much worse.

[Dave Gray]

Those turnovers were flukes.

Sorry man...not true.  The batted balls (regardless who is responsible) is something that happened all preseason.  There are an inordinate amount of batted balls and several of them popped straight in the air that were not picked off, as well.  If this isn't addressed, we will continue to turn the ball over in this manner.

[EKnight]

Someone IS paying attention!! This is a Tannehill problem, not an O like problem. Out of his 15 INTs last year in college, 8 came of tipped or batted balls- that's over half! And don't forget, Tannehill also fumbled a snap, that was only saved by Thomas's quick hands. -EK

[MikeO]

Sorry man...not true.  The batted balls (regardless who is responsible) is something that happened all preseason.  There are an inordinate amount of batted balls and several of them popped straight in the air that were not picked off, as well.  If this isn't addressed, we will continue to turn the ball over in this manner.

As Philbin said today, O-line must engage better and Tannehill must find better passing lanes. Not to mention Houston led the league with batted balls all last year.

It's week 1, people really need to chill out. Everyone knew we would stink this year ya can't be shocked when we lose a game to a superior team.

[MikeO]

This was a huge problem last year and now it is a problem this year.

What do you think they should do about it?

I think its Week 1 with a new coaching staff and a rookie QB and give it time. With this group of WR's scoring TD's is going to be tough from the redzone at times. Teams can fill 8 or 9 men in the box and dare our garbage WR's to beat them. Most times they won't. It's going to take creative playcalling and perfect execution.

It might take a few weeks to get things moving on offense and with a rookie QB it might be a struggle at times.

[Dave Gray]

As Philbin said today, O-line must engage better and Tannehill must find better passing lanes. Not to mention Houston led the league with batted balls all last year.

It's week 1, people really need to chill out. Everyone knew we would stink this year ya can't be shocked when we lose a game to a superior team.

I agree with both assessments here, but I'd also like to add one thing: The West Coast offense might add to the amount of batted balls we're seeing, as well.  Plays and throws are happening so fast that Tannehill can't really get air under the balls, since they're short dunks, not to mention that the defensive line knows that the ball is coming quickly, so they just put their hands up.

[MikeO]

I agree with both assessments here, but I'd also like to add one thing: The West Coast offense might add to the amount of batted balls we're seeing, as well.  Plays and throws are happening so fast that Tannehill can't really get air under the balls, since they're short dunks, not to mention that the defensive line knows that the ball is coming quickly, so they just put their hands up.

Yep, and plus Houston is really really good at doing this (batting balls). We also didn't move Tannehill out of the pocket once and have him throw on the run either, which is something we will also see going forward. It was just 1 game and some folks need to chill.

Look in 3 or 4 weeks if we are having the same issues then time to get nervous maybe. But starting a rookie QB there will be growing pains.  Combine it with a new offensive scheme for the entire team, and lackluster WR's and an o-line that is good but nothing special...it is what it is.

[EKnight]

I don't follow this logic. It was an issue in college. Scouts pointed out he had an inordinate number of balls tipped last year. It was a problem in the preseason- and only for him, none of the other QBs had consistent issues with it. Now it's cost Miami a game. What further validation do you need in 3 or 4 weeks that over a year hasn't shown you? -EK

[Pappy13]

I have one tip for Tannehill. Stop throwing the ball to Naanee. Only 2 things can happen when you throw to him and both of them are bad.  

[Pappy13]

I don't follow this logic. It was an issue in college. Scouts pointed out he had an inordinate number of balls tipped last year. It was a problem in the preseason- and only for him, none of the other QBs had consistent issues with it. Now it's cost Miami a game. What further validation do you need in 3 or 4 weeks that over a year hasn't shown you? -EK

Do any of the other rookie QB's have Miami's line? Do any of the other QB's run Sherman's offense? Do any of the other rookie QB's have Naanee? Did any of the other QB's play the Texans this past weekend?

Give it up EK. We know, you don't like Tannehill and no matter what any of us say you still won't like him. Every time he has a bad game you're gonna come here and tell us how you were right. Enjoy it while you can, because I just can't wait till he has a good game so I can BLAST the living shit out of you just to annoy you. You reap what you sow.

[EKnight]

What do having Miami's o-line, throwing to Nannee, or playing Houston have to do with the fact that he had 8 INTs off tips his senior year or that neither Moore (as bad as we was), nor Devlin had as many tipped balls in the entire preseason as Tannehill had in one half against Carolina? It's completely a Tannehill issue. Whether I like him, hate him, or am indifferent to him, it's his issue, not any other part of the team, because it's isolated to only him and is a continued problem from college. -EK

[Spider-Dan]

Before considering performance in the red zone as the main problem, I think considering failure to get to the red zone is much worse.

When Brandon Marshall would get the Dolphins into the red zone with regularity, all we heard was, "but he drops touchdowns!"

Reap what you sow.