Current Worries

[Dave Gray]

- Team Dynamic: Whispers about division within the team and this stuff with Martin is concerning and may point to losing the locker room.

- Kicking: I shrugged off the kicking issues, because I'm not holding bull-rushes or missed 57 yarders.  But there have been a few makeable misses here in the last few games that have me concerned about Sturgis...not even for this year, but beyond.

- Tackling: Oh dear, tackling.  Such a problem.  The commentators were loving Grimes last night, and he made some serious plays --- but he missed a lot of tackles that kept extending drives.

- Play Calling: I normally let play-calling slide, since it's a "results" criticism.  But when you're able to run, run, run, run -- why are you passing on 3rd and 1?  Just sneak the ball.  I don't know why we don't run the QB sneak.  I miss Polite.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Moved as this has nothing to do with the other 31 teams. 

[Dave Gray]

Sorry -- posted to the wrong place.

[Spider-Dan]

If those pathetic attempts in overtime by Thomas are the Dolphins' version of the -and-1 run offense, I'd prefer they pass every time.

[Brian Fein]

Dave, I think the first thing on your list is a consequence of a team on a losing skid, perpetuated by the media.  People focus on bad things when the team is down, and start writing things like this.  I think maybe ripping off a couple of wins and magically that one disappears.  

Its funny how, yesterday, the story headline was "Jonathan Martin is bullied by his teammates," but this morning the exact same story headline is "Jonathan Martin getting support from his teammates."  The story hasn't changed, but do you see how one headline is toxic and the other is a feel-good story?

The kicking, I am a little worried about.  I give him a pass for missing from 50+.  I am worried about shanking 34 yarders.  That needs to be stopped.  Given how great Sturgis was in the first 4 or 5 games, I am going to take a "wait and see" approach on this one.

Tackling has been better but was a glaring problem last night.  Mostly the issue was to do with tackling either Bernard or AJ Green. I think this needs work but not top priority.

Play calling has been a problem all season, but seemed to be slightly better vs Bengals.  

I am personally worried about the o-line, as many are.  They appeared to play better last night but had the 3rd tackle in there a lot.  I like the scheme to help protection, if that's what it takes, but you lose a ball carrier that way as well.

[Spider-Dan]

In the second half, the problem was with tackling EVERYONE.  The first guy missed on play after play.

What was Patterson's injury... groin again?  Any update on his status?

What were Clemons and Jones arguing about on the last play of the game?  It almost seemed like Clemons was telling Jones to blitz and Jones disagreed (if so, obviously Clemons was right as that freed up Wake).

[Dave Gray]

Dave, I think the first thing on your list is a consequence of a team on a losing skid, perpetuated by the media.  People focus on bad things when the team is down, and start writing things like this.  I think maybe ripping off a couple of wins and magically that one disappears.  

Its funny how, yesterday, the story headline was "Jonathan Martin is bullied by his teammates," but this morning the exact same story headline is "Jonathan Martin getting support from his teammates."  The story hasn't changed, but do you see how one headline is toxic and the other is a feel-good story?

Regardless of how you spin in, our every game starter is seeking emotional help.  I mean, I hope he gets it and is fully supported by teammates and fans.  But the fact that he's there to begin with is troubling.

Edit:

Why are we so bad on 3rd down?  ...especially 3rd and long.  I just don't get it.  And we're stopping guys and then just falling down in coverage or not tackling.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

especially 3rd and long. 

I think that can occur b/c of the mindset.  And why teams often losing when they go into the prevent defense.

Its 2nd and 1 --- you are going to be aggressive, you want to stop the offense immediately, ideally sack the QB or stop the runner behind the line of scrimmage. 

Its 3rd and 15  -- you play it more conservatively.  You don't care if you give up 14 yards; an incompleted pass is just as good as a sack and by playing it soft.  Dropping more in coverage and less on the line you loss the edge. 

Not unique to the Dolphins, it can be a problem for many teams.   

[Pappy13]

- Team Dynamic: Whispers about division within the team and this stuff with Martin is concerning and may point to losing the locker room.

I disagree to an extent. I think some of the recent troubles will be good for the team in the long run. We need to find out now who can take the pressure and who can't. I still think Martin can come back to the team and be productive, but he'll never have the faith of the entire team again. I don't see him sticking with the Dolphins long term now.

- Kicking: I shrugged off the kicking issues, because I'm not holding bull-rushes or missed 57 yarders.  But there have been a few makeable misses here in the last few games that have me concerned about Sturgis...not even for this year, but beyond.

Agreed, but I always expect some rough patches which is why I was not sold on getting rid of Carpenter in the first place, but once they drafted him I knew it was inevitable that Sturgis would stay and Carp would be going.

- Tackling: Oh dear, tackling.  Such a problem.  The commentators were loving Grimes last night, and he made some serious plays --- but he missed a lot of tackles that kept extending drives.

This is the NFL now. They don't practice tackling like they used to and they don't tackle like they used to. There are WAY too many times where guys are simply running into other guys with their shoulder hoping they go down, rarely do you see a guy wrap a guy up to tackle him. They try to HIT them, not tackle them.

- Play Calling: I normally let play-calling slide, since it's a "results" criticism.  But when you're able to run, run, run, run -- why are you passing on 3rd and 1?  Just sneak the ball.  I don't know why we don't run the QB sneak. I miss Polite.

Yeah, I don't understand the lack of QB sneaks either especially with Tannehill being fairly tall and athletic. I think Tom Brady is about 99% on 3rd and 1's. Heck even if you don't make it you shouldn't lose yards which is what happens on about half of Miami's 3rd and 1 tries when they give it to a back.

[Spider-Dan]

I think Tom Brady is about 99% on 3rd and 1's.

Teams playing against NE aren't going to throw 9 in the box on 3rd-and-1 because they know that's a free set of downs for a QB like Brady.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

 

Its 3rd and 15  -- you play it more conservatively.  You don't care if you give up 14 yards; an incompleted pass is just as good as a sack and by playing it soft.  Dropping more in coverage and less on the line you loss the edge. 

Not unique to the Dolphins, it can be a problem for many teams.   

For example: 3rd & 30, NE played it so soft they gave up 29+ yards.

[dolphins4life]

Worry for me:

The Pats ALWAYS getting the calls

Ummmmmmmmmmm, that's all for now

[Dolphster]

I apologize for getting slightly off topic, but the tackling issue is one that drives me nuts and it isn't just the Dolphins.  Tackling is such a fundamental aspect of the game and yet it seems like a completely lost art anymore.  Everyone goes for the big hit instead of proper tackling techniques.  Every game that I watch, regardless of the teams playing.