First Miami game for the year that's been televised in Australia, so the first I can really comment on. Here goes...
Tannehill: Generally speaking, I'm a lot more impressed by this game than what I saw in a few games shown here last year. Absolutely terrible throw in the first quarter that was basically picked off (reversed after review), a couple of notable underthrown balls to Wallace (more about that later) but after that there was a lot to be positive about. It was really good to see him going through progressions (when he had time), the timing throw to Clay for the TD was top notch, and there were other equally impressive passes. There were a few throws that were behind receivers which most probably resulted from having a defensive lineman right in his face, but overall (and crucially) no turnovers which is a minor miracle when you consider the...
Offensive Line: After all the high end the draft picks, all the money, this is the best this group can do? The bull rush on Martin was pretty close to the comic (tragedy) play by Smith that was gif'd last year - then it was repeated on the other side of the line. The high number of pressures, sacks, and complete lack of running lanes is simply not good enough. Something has got to be done, or else Tanny will leave the field in a body bag before the season is out...
Offensive Coordinator: Sherman has to get some stick for this game (and maybe Philbin too if it's a flaw of his overall plan). Calling nine rushing plays by running backs does nothing to lessen the pressure on the O-line & QB. Rushing & QB protection never seemed to be a high priority in Green Bay either so this isn't a total surprise mind you, but with a young QB he needs all the help he can get. I can understand the logic of keeping Tanny in the pocket as long as possible to help his development (and seeing him going through his progressions on some plays seems to give this idea some weight), but it doesn't help if it ends up getting him continually mauled. When the protection is this bad they have to get him outside the pocket more, he can run, he can throw on the run, we've all seen him do it successfully like late in the last quarter.
Rushing: Basically non-existent. Are these guys even practicing running plays? The backs don't seem to start deep enough to get any momentum - not that it matters as there's usually no holes to rush to anyway, that or they're hit in the backfield. I'm still wondering why Thomas is on the team, apart from the fact that Ireland burned three draft picks on the guy - he's not a power back and has no explosive speed, has shown less than nothing in three years. It's at the stage where maybe the guy should be returning a few kicks to see if he can actually do something, and we use Thigpen & Clay more in the backfield as a change up with Miller.
Receiving: Speaking of Thigpen, there was talk here of him being used more of a wide receiver, but I swear we still seem to be a receiver short. Hartline, Clay & Gibson seem to be doing their bit, and having Wallace run a few deep routes is nice, but I think we need an additional deep threat to keep defenses honest - can Thigpen be that guy? Is Matthews back soon? Do we need to add someone else to have a four or five wideout group that will present a genuine deep threat, spread defenses and maybe take a little pressure off the O-line in the process?
Wallace: To be honest I had some doubts about this acquisition, and the jury is still out. We knew about his speed, and we knew (or should have known) about his drops before we got him. A few times it was very noticeable (and said by CBS during the game) that Tanny & Wallace seemed not to be on the same page, which itself may be a good or bad thing - if it's fixed we could see a great combo which should drastically change our offense, if not we never will. On the surface Wallace also seems to be taking responsibility for his own lack of early success - he seems to care and this may indicate it's just teething problems adjusting to a new team and young QB. His adjustment to make the deep catch on the underthrown ball early on in the game was exciting, the drops on passes slightly thrown behind him were frustrating (although he wasn't alone in this), the different routes/responses to what Tanny was expecting to see was nothing short of bizarre. This is clearly not the instant success of the Marino-Fryar combination, it's a work in progress - maybe we're expecting too much, but how long do we give it?
Defense: Considering how long they were on the field and our own injuries, yet again these guys did a really amazing job. Ellerbee was an absolute beast in the first quarter, losing him & Wake really hurt, Soliai, Misi, Starks & company were a wall of strength all game, and Vernon had a great day pressuring Flacco. I really didn't notice Dion Jordan until those two big plays, the almost interception and the key deflection resulting in one - we have to get him more game time if he's fit enough. Wheeler seems to cop a lot of shit here, didn't really notice him much to be honest, no really bad plays, nothing great either. Secondary was okay considering just how banged up they are (the two shockingly bad PI calls didn't help), although I am a little worried about one player...
Reshad Jones: One of my favorite players from last year who I thought was really unlucky not to get a Pro Bowl birth, he just didn't seem to be the same guy out there. Yeah he got the interception on the tip ball and was good enough to take it to the house, but for most of the game he really didn't seem to nail the tackles or shut down receivers like I saw last year. A few times he seemed to be spectating, where last year he would have rushed in and made the play. Maybe I'm being picky, and maybe he's having to adjust for the rest of the banged up secondary - anyone else have similar or opposing views on this?
Overall: It was a close, tense game, not an overly pretty one to watch though. We're 3-2 which is a lot better than I was expecting at the start of the year, although the team still appears to be a work in progress - the rest of the draw could open up with Tampa Bay & Pittsburgh stinking it up so far, and the Bengals being a real Jekyll and Hyde team. That said, I also get the feeling the Bills & Jets may end up being tougher opposition than we give them credit for too.
Ps. The white uniforms didn't look too horrible to be honest, for some reason the aqua seemed a little more greenish (like the previous aquamarine color) in daylight as opposed to the heavier blue/cyan color in some photos I've seen from the New Orleans game. The new logo still sucks though.
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