Dolphins @ Cowboys – Preseason Game 2

dallas preseason
(From CBS Sports)
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699 Responses to Dolphins @ Cowboys – Preseason Game 2

  1. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    WOW! While comparing stats between the four players I came across this nugget.

    Dan the Man did not fumble the ball. He went the first 8 years of his career without a fumble!

  2. herdfan's avatar herdfan says:

    I always know Mike E’s bday. Same as my mamas!

  3. Mike E.'s avatar Mike E. says:

    OD

    We have a slight chance, we’ll know a lot more after the series with St. Louis this week. If they take 3 of 4, or sweep, then they still have some life. If they lose 3 of 4 or get swept, the season is over. Huge series right now.

  4. steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

    As far as stats go RT has very good overall stats, padded somewhat in blowout wins and losses, and the fact that we haven’t run it much the last 4 years. To be fair we didn’t run it much Marinos career either, but we all know he got it done when the game was on the line.

  5. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    steveccnv says:
    August 22, 2016 at 10:00 am

    RT is more comparable to Archie Manning.
    Reply

    Steve, that is the perception, but not reality. The reality is Ryan Tannehill compares well to the other three QB’s over the first four years of his career.

    • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

      Sure when you compare meaningless stats. Those others win when trailing by less than 7, with the ball, and little time on the clock. RT not so much, and not debatable.

  6. Phindog's avatar Phindog says:

    Happy Birthday Mike E !!

  7. Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

    Mike, I thought your birthday was in July?

  8. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    again I am not saying RT is a better QB than the other three, only that over the first four years of each’s career he compares favorably in every category other than the two MOST important ones.

    He is no where close in TD’s or wins.

    of the four QB’s in their first four year:
    Tannehill has the MOST attempts.
    He has the MOST completions
    He has the HIGHEST completion percentage
    He is tied with Manning for the most starts
    He is third in total yards
    He is LAST in average yards per completion
    He has the LEAST interceptions
    He is LAST in TD’s
    He has the 2nd highest Rating
    he is third in fumbles (one less than Luck)

    He compares well across the board with these HOF players and Luck who everyone talks up as a future HOF player.

    Player starts CMP ATT CMP% Yds Ave TD Lng Int Fum Rat
    Tannehill 64 1,392 2,248 61.9 15,460 6.88 87 80 54 23 85.2
    Luck 55 1,224 2,106 58.1 14,838 7.05 101 87 55 24 85
    Marino 59 1,249 2,050 60.6 16,177 7.85 142 85 67 0 95.4
    Manning 64 1,357 2,226 61 16,418 7.38 111 86 81 12 85.17

    • BoulderPhinfan's avatar BoulderPhinfan says:

      the no playoffs is the main difference IMO.

      • The Flying Pig's avatar The Flying Pig says:

        No TDs are the difference

        If Tannehill had marinos numbers in TDs
        We would have been a playoff team in at least a couple of throes 4 years

    • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

      The problem is the rules changed after Marino and Manning had their first 4 years, so the stats aren’t comparable. Luck hasn’t had good stats for the first 3 quarters, he gets it done in the 4th. There’s nothing you can do that I can’t shoot down. Throwing meaningless out there to try to prove some point is meaningless.

  9. steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

    Since it’s Mike’s birthday shouldn’t we be roasting him? Happy birthday big guy😉

  10. BoulderPhinfan's avatar BoulderPhinfan says:

    happy birthday mike. hope you have a great day!

  11. The Flying Pig's avatar The Flying Pig says:

    TDs in first 4 seasons

    Tannehill – 87
    Marino – 144
    Manning – 114

    Quite a disparity between Marino and Tannehill’s numbers

    Steve is right about Tannehill’s stats being passed in losses
    Inflated passing yards are the biggest indicator of that
    When you consider that the passing yards for Marino and Tannehill are the close
    But the TDs are a different world
    It should give you some perspective about
    The difference between the 2 players (or 3 if you include Manning)

    I’m a little tired of hearing about Tannehill’s passing yards
    We haven’t had a high scoring offense w/ Tannehill at the helm

    If you guys are going to call this Post Tannehill hate, you need to get yourself grounded
    Tannehill can’t hold Marino or mannings jock
    A lot of good QBs can’t
    Let’s not compare Tannehill to the greats

    Tannehill had played a lot and produced a lot
    And he just keeps at it
    That deserves credit
    But comparing him to Marino is almost blasphemous IMO

  12. The Flying Pig's avatar The Flying Pig says:

    Happy Birthday Mike E

    PIGKILLER!!!!

  13. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    Happy Birthday Mike E!

  14. The Flying Pig's avatar The Flying Pig says:

    I just put 16 oz of Brocoli and 16 oz of Filet Minon on the scale

    They compare favorably

    Ryan Tannehill is the broccoli

  15. I’m sorry but I’ve never been a huge fan of Pouncey. He’s had his issues in pass protection just as much as any other o-lineman and he’s a weak run blocker. He lacks strength. Steen is a strong guy. You can see that when he’s blocking. He moves well too and you can see that both as a C and when he pulls as a G.
    Personally, if he plays again Thursday the way he’s been playing I’m not going to worry about missing Pouncey. Steen is the ONLY guy on the o-line who’s been consistent enough to be able to step in for a starter. None of the other guys are ready.

  16. I kept saying over and over and over we should have kept Donald Hawkins as a backup T when he was here but we cut him in favor of experience despite the fact that Jason Fox couldn’t block worth a shit and now Hawkins is with Carolina doing an excellent job as a 2nd team T. He had an outstanding game against the Titans this past week at LT and had another one at RT the week before. Now we have the stellar Sam Young who is Fox 2.0.

  17. Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

    Lots of QBs pad stats when they’re behind in a game, it’s kind of how it works. What do you expect them to stop playing? Marino did that too.

    Anyway, I’d rather see Tannehill throw for 3,700-3,800 yards this year because we ran for 2,000 yards. I’d rather see us more balanced on offense. Last year we threw for 4,231 and ran for 1,496.

  18. Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

    Yeah Mike, today is the last day for Leo, I’m at the beginning.

  19. Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

    For the record I don’t compare anyone to Dan Marino. If he were playing today he’d be ahead of everyone else like he was when he played. Many former players have said his numbers would be off the charts in today’s game.

  20. Thru first 2 games we’re seeing a lot of runs by other teams to the outside. The wide 9 is supposed to prevent this from happening but the DE’s aren’t setting the edge like they’re supposed to. They’re getting sucked inside by misdirection and getting stuck there. Then it’s one man to beat which is usually a S and that’s it.

  21. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    Piggy is right. TD’s and Wins are the most important of the stats and RT isn’t even in the same category in those stats. However his career is not over and there is still time for him to improve (As did Manning and Marino)

  22. sb7mvp's avatar sb7mvp says:

    Tannehill and Marino are still tied in SB rings.

  23. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    steveccnv says:
    August 22, 2016 at 10:40 am

    Except when Marino was behind we still had a chance to win.
    Reply

    Except he would drive down the field and score a TD only to have the Defense turn around and give one up again…..Hmmmmmmm

  24. The Flying Pig's avatar The Flying Pig says:

    I think Pouncey is overrated as well (and overpaid)

    But I really don’t want to open up any holes in the OL
    He can be the glue that holds the whole thing fm together
    Right now he has played on our OL the longest of any OL

  25. The Flying Pig's avatar The Flying Pig says:

    I think if Tannehill can lead a high scoring offense it’s going to make a big difference in terms of he perception of him

    We just haven’t been a very good offensive team so far

    I noticed in he Dallas game we kept hearing “he has had 3 OCs in his first few seasons”

    But the reality is he had 2 years of each OC and this is his 3rd OC
    And it’s really not that crazy in today’s NFL

    We are lucky that we go into the season knowing who our starter is
    I suspect if Tanny is the starter for 4-5 more years he will have been through a few more OCs
    Either you fire your OC, you promote him to head coach of they get a job elsewhere
    That’s sort of how it works

    • he’s a 5th yr pro. there’s not that big of a difference between one offense and another. the wr’s still run the same routes. there may be some differences in concepts but as a 5th yr pro he should be picking the stuff up pretty easy by now. not saying he isn’t but, if he wasn’t, then you’d be worried.
      I think the thing that will help the most is having the weapons on offense and being able to run the ball. If he doesn’t NEED to pass the ball to Landry as much and can get it to other guys who have the ability to get open deeper it will make all the difference in the world. That also helps the running game because the D can’t crowd the line.

  26. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    I think when all is said and done with pre-season / off-season workouts Billy Turner will be our starting right guard. Bushrod looks a LITTLE better in pass protection, but he gets NO push in the running game. I saw him getting stood up way to many times the last two games. Turner is the better run blocker.

  27. The Flying Pig's avatar The Flying Pig says:

    Something positive about Tannehill

    And PFF is right about Prescott
    A negative play was nullified by a late hit
    So don’t get carried away with his perfect rating
    It would have dramatically fallen with an INT

  28. stangerx's avatar stangerx says:

    The Flying Pig says:
    That a Guinny Pig on the pic
    An imposter
    ——————
    Most beloved Pig, that was just the pivot with a more soft and fuzzy image that will work better with the general election voters.

    Fair or not…..we have to get what happened in Animal Farm out of the voters’ heads. Even if we know who our true leader should be.

  29. sb7mvp's avatar sb7mvp says:

    I’m not putting much stock in the Prescott preseason hype. People keep saying these games don’t matter but keep pumping up the things that are going on in them.

  30. stangerx's avatar stangerx says:

    Happy B-Day Mike E….and yeah that is Bill Buckner.

  31. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    I’m pissed off because I am going to miss the third preseason game. I have to go to Chicago of work and I will be flying back Thursday and wont land until 9:45 in Ft. Lauderdale then I have a 45 min drive home. I need to remember to set the DVR so I can watch it when I get home.

  32. Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

    sb7, once the RS starts nobody cares about what anyone did in the PS.

    • I would say yes and no because the coaches are hoping to find guys, guys like Steen, who step up and make it easier for them to make evals and make the correct evals as to which players make the roster. Right now, it doesn’t look so cut and dry. Hopefully after Thursday they have a much better idea.

      • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

        That’s different. I mean stats. We see a lot of guys blow up the PS then disappear in the RS.

        Steen has been earning his playing time in TC and in practice. Then you want to see that carry over in PS games and then in the RS. But unless he plays well in the RS, nobody is going to go back and say yeah but look at how well he played against ATL in the 3rd PS game. That’s all I’m saying.

  33. steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

    Cleon Lemon had a perfect rating in a preseason game too, for SD.

  34. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    One Omar tweet: “People always make excuses for Dan Marino not winning a title. Hogwash. He wasn’t good enough. How many Super Bowls did he get to”

  35. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    The Flying Pig says:
    August 22, 2016 at 10:28 am

    Happy Birthday Mike E

    PIGKILLER!!!!

    To be fair to Mike E, did he actually kill the pig? Most of us have consumed pork and pork products but few of us have actually committed porkicide. (I unfortunately am guilty, 12 gauge slug through the lungs of 20 yds)
    I will never do it again though. The meat just wasn’t as good as store bought. LOL

  36. sb7mvp's avatar sb7mvp says:

    Rock,
    I’ll be flying into Chicago today myself.

  37. sb7mvp's avatar sb7mvp says:

    Tim, I was referring to people talking out of both sides of their mouths.

  38. People think I’m a Tannehill basher but I’M the one predicting a 10-6 season. Can’t be a basher with that prediction.

  39. Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

    Mike, yeah and the 4th PS we’ll probably sit everyone and it will be a last chance game for some players so no big deal if we don’t see it.

  40. I pegged Steen as a guy making squad before camp. Next guy up is Shamiel Gary. Watch him Thursday.

  41. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    Dak Prescott looked really good so far this pre-season. He has more touch downs (6) than he has incomplete passes (5)!

  42. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    Chris Perkins

    @chrisperk

    #Dolphins offense out today: C Pouncey (hip), RB Drake (hammy), QB Moore (concussion)

  43. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    Chris Perkins

    @chrisperk

    #Dolphins defensive players out: DT Mitchell (calf), CB Chekwa (thigh)

  44. I am not ready to pencil in Chris McCain nor Foster on the 53 just yet.

  45. Tim Knight says:

    August 22, 2016 at 11:48 am

    That’s different. I mean stats. We see a lot of guys blow up the PS then disappear in the RS.

    Steen has been earning his playing time in TC and in practice. Then you want to see that carry over in PS games and then in the RS. But unless he plays well in the RS, nobody is going to go back and say yeah but look at how well he played against ATL in the 3rd PS game. That’s all I’m saying.
    _______________________
    Kind of like once Misi is gone and we have real linebackers nobody will ever remember him.

  46. To this point, unless Foster shows something vs Atlanta I would have to say the 4 rb’s going into game 1 are: Ajayi, Pead, Williams and Thomas.

  47. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    I’m watching the twetter feed trying to get some tidbits on the practice today and it is all just Omar arguing with twitwits about Miko Grimes. Who knew, she only stated the TRUTH!. LOL

  48. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    I really like what I’ve seen from Pead so far this year. of course it is limited action and only preseason, but he makes things happen. He has been the best back for us this offseason so far.

  49. Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

    The thing about Pead is he’s made 3 big plays, two runs and one reception which is good. He’s shown explosiveness but he hasn’t been that productive on his other touches. It’s not like he’s getting a lot of 4-6 yard runs which is really what we need. But he’s not getting a ton of carries either. I just don’t want to over hype him. We’ve seen this sort of thing before where a guy has a few big plays in the PS and they still get cut.

  50. The Flying Pig's avatar The Flying Pig says:

    Does anyone else thinks its ironic that a guys named Pead’s number is #2
    Shouldn’t his number be #1

  51. Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

    How many want to bet that if Foster has like 8 rushes in the next game for 40+ yards or so and maybe a couple of nice gains on receps we’ll be reading comments he’s probably going to be the starter? LOL

  52. The Flying Pig's avatar The Flying Pig says:

    Mike

    For your information, Piggyair is a little more sophisticated than a piggy bank with wings

  53. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    The Flying Pig says:
    August 22, 2016 at 2:17 pm

    Does anyone else thinks its ironic that a guys named Pead’s number is #2
    Shouldn’t his number be #1

    NO, because his number is 22. Should it be 11? I don’t see any more irony in this than in Alanis morissette’s song, in which NONE of the scenarios she sang about were Ironic…..

  54. BoulderPhinfan's avatar BoulderPhinfan says:

    I think foster is starting to get that he might not make the team

    Omar Kelly ‏@OmarKelly now1 minute ago Davie, FL
    Beautiful screen to Arian Foster. Then Foster deep for 25. Where has this guy been the last two weeks? Looks like a totally different back.

    • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

      Or he’s progressing as time goes on. Not uncommon for a guy coming off of an Achilles to get better in time. He had to get back in football shape and they were careful with him early on.

  55. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    “The thing about Pead is he’s made 3 big plays, two runs and one reception which is good…….”

    Tim, every year I pick one of our “underdogs” to be my favorite pre-season player. This year it’s Pead I am rooting for. He may not even make the team, but he’s my guy until then. LOL

    Javorsky Lane was one of my guys after he knocked out that Dallas CB in the pre-season a few years ago.

  56. If Kenyan Drake cannot show anything between now and the beginning of the season the chances of him going on IR with the designation to return later are probably pretty high. So, that gives a rb on the roster right now the chance to stick for the time being until Drake becomes available.

    • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

      Unless he has a setback it’s not going to happen. You can’t just hide guys on IR, I think you only get to put one guy on the designated to return IR, then they have to sit out like 6 weeks.

      • did it with Ajayi last season and Drake isn’t needed right now.

      • and, by the same token, why would you waste a roster spot on a guy who can’t play and isn’t ready because of missing so much practice time?

      • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

        Ajayi was going to be out a while, Drake should be ready for the opener. You don’t need to get a huge amount of reps to play RB, guys come in off the streets and play the next week. Who says he won’t be ready by week 1 or 2? Drake isn’t needed now? Have you watched us run the ball?

      • what has Drake done to this point? If he misses the remainder of preseason with his injury he’s most likely going IR with designation to return. he’s not a first round pick with tremendous upside. no reason to waste a spot if you know he won’t be ready.

      • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

        By the same token, you don’t waste the designated to return spot on IR, for a guy who could play week 2. What has Drake done so far? He was our best pass catching RB all offseason.

  57. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    James Walker ESPN Staff Writer

    I’m starting to see something in preseason games and practices that concerns me. Dolphins MLB Kiko Alonso is struggling in coverage, which should be an area of strength for him.
    share

    • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

      These guys are still learning the system and learning to play with each other, give him until the season starts, but he’s on my short leash too.

  58. steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

    Someone mentioned Bushrod struggling against the run. If our OL can pass block like the starters did against Dallas, I wouldn’t be concerned with the run blocking. Thomas and Turner looked like stiffs playing against 2nd and 3rd stringers last week.

  59. Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

    Do we know Drake’s status right now, is he going to play Thursday night?

  60. The Flying Pig's avatar The Flying Pig says:

    Rock
    is ironic bc his name is a synonym for urination but doing #2 is pooping

  61. sb7mvp's avatar sb7mvp says:

    I thought the Arian Foster reports were glowing before thus last PS game? Short memories for the reporters

    • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

      Yeah, what have you done for me lately, SMH, especially in a preseason game with a vet coming off that kind of injury. Same stupid logic hilderbeast backers use to defend her.

  62. D's avatar D says:

    Btw comparing any current QB to any past ones is retarded. This era of can’t hit high can’t hit low can drive them into the ground can’t touch the receivers, pads QB stats. Compare him to current QBs Peyton’s first 5 years were still in the era of real football.

  63. D's avatar D says:

    Foster just has to knock the rust off. I expect him to look a lot better this week.

  64. herdfan's avatar herdfan says:

    It has been an absolutely beautiful day. Sunny skies, low humidity for a change and the temp was 76 as I was driving home….which is 20 degrees cooler than it has been lately. Ahhhhh!!!!!!!!! 🙂

  65. BoulderPhinfan's avatar BoulderPhinfan says:

    I don’t know Grimes got abused by both marshall and watkins. We’ll see how maxwell does against them.

    Omar Kelly ‏@OmarKelly 2h2 hours ago North Miami, FL
    Omar Kelly Retweeted Lee Cooley
    Every players skills diminish in their 30s. But Grimes is still twice as good as any CB on Miami’s roster now. Twice

  66. Rockphin's avatar Rockphin says:

    Piggy, I just saw a commercial that lost your people the war. Google Hardee’s bacon 3-way burger. I have no idea what “bacon jam” is, but i want some.

  67. olddolphan's avatar olddolphan says:

    Mike E: – – Belated Happy Birthday, young Mike!! Not sure how old you are BUT my oldest daughter (the research scientist) turns 51 tomorrow, while one of my great grand kids turns 6. –NOW, if I could just remember how old I WAS!!!

    Hope you’ve had, and continue to have, a great birthday!

  68. sb7mvp's avatar sb7mvp says:

    Just landed in Chicago. Landing was rough. I think Piggy fared during Touchdown. I thought that only happened on Sundays.

    • The Flying Pig's avatar The Flying Pig says:

      it happens whenever I’m nervous
      which is usually Sunday and when there is a chance I crash during a landing

      take it from me – today is your lucky day

  69. getterdone's avatar getterdone says:

    Happy Bday Mr. Hand!

  70. Ken's avatar Ken says:

    Happy birthday Mike E. Let’s give him a hand

  71. Wyoming85's avatar wyoming85 says:

    Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 19m19 minutes ago
    Why Indy signed Antonio Cromartie: CB Vontae Davis has ligament damage in ankle, expected to miss at least first month of season, per source

  72. olddolphan's avatar olddolphan says:

    D: AGREE WITH YOU that Dan’s 48 touchdown passes and over 5,000 yards passing in ’84 was mind-boggling!! –The old record was 36 TD passes in a season, shared by Y.A. Tittle and George Blanda back in the early 1960’s!!!

    • olddolphan's avatar olddolphan says:

      PS: Herd, saw you had a beautiful 76 degree day in West Virginia. Sounds like a typical January day down in these parts.

  73. Wyoming85's avatar wyoming85 says:

    The Sky is Falling!!!!!!!!!

    Heath Evans thinks the Miami Dolphins could be a playoff team

    http://slicemiami.com/2016/08/22/heath-evans-miami-dolphins-playoffs/

  74. Mike E.'s avatar Mike E. says:

    Thanks for the birthday wishes all! Appreciate it!

  75. ukfinfan's avatar ukfinfan says:

    Happy Birthday Mike E from your favourite 60s psychedelic band Colin and the Chiffon Robes

  76. olddolphan's avatar olddolphan says:

    ME AND MRS. OD will be able to watch the Falcons-Dolphins preseason game on TV from a Chattanooga station Thursday night. –Lots & lots of Falcon fans in that neck of the woods. –Friday could be a difficult day if the Falcons win.
    ————–
    MIKEE—don’t eat too much of the birthday cake before you go to work!

    • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

      We’re talking about Falcon’s fans. I was in Atlanta when we played the Falcons one year in preseason, no one cares about them.

  77. Good thing about being my age is I at least got to witness the Phins win two superbowls and the undefeated season. A large number of Phins fans have never seen them make the playoffs

  78. Chad Johnson ‏@ochocinco · Aug 18

    Jarvis Landry will have 1,500 + yards this season, I’m not a gambling man but I’ll give up McDonald’s all of 2017 if I’m wrong.

    • Landry would need to have about 155 receptions which means we have another losing season.

      • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

        I see something different for him this year, I expect less catches and about 13 or 14 ypc. With Parker and others, I expect the field to open up over the middle.

      • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

        Ditto! Parker, Stills and hopefully at least a competent running game and I think Landry gets more opportunities to get some nice gains.

      • I like Jarvis and think he’s got the grit you want in a receiver plus he catches pretty much everything. But realistically he’s not going to have that kind of avg yds per catch. He’s a guy who’s going to avg 10 yds per catch his entire career because he’s the relief valve; the check down guy or the guy you throw the quick pass to and let try to get some yac. He’s not the guy who’s going to get open in the intermediate part of the field consistently nor should he be. The team needs Stills and Parker to be those guys as they are the one’s who can do the most damage.
        Jarvis will get you the first down and keep the chains moving and there’s a definite need for that type of guy.

  79. Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

    Landry will probably not be more than a 12 YPCA guy but I think we need to get him space to run after the catch more. He’s good with the ball in his hands, he’s creative and tough. He never stops moving until they get him down. I really like him Parker and Stills as our main group of receivers. The biggest thing we need to see is a competent running game that balances everything out. I don’t care who it is getting those yards, as a team we need run the ball effectively so the offense can take the next step.

    • Definitely need to run the ball effectively. Will be a key part of the offenses success. Personally, though, I think it will happen even though it hasn’t looked like that’s the case to this point of camp and preseason.

      • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

        So far I like that Gase sticks with the running game even if it’s not overly productive. 32-104 and 29-120 in our two PS games. If we can be that in the RS season that’s the balance we need. Not 11 or 17 carries in some games like we’ve seen in the past.

      • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

        Run to keep the D honest, try to make positive yards on every carry, while reducing the 4 to 5 yard losses. Not real important that we have a high average, would be nice though. Stay out of 3rd and long, and be able to convert on short yardage/goal line situations.

    • We averaged 21 rushes per game last season which was dead last in the league. We need to be closer to 26 or 27x/gm in order to be successful. It might not come early in the season or we might not be successful in every game but we need the attempts to be higher.

  80. Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

    Look at our first four games last year rushing – WAS 18-74, JAC 16-42, BUF 20-102, NYJ 11-59. That was 16.25 rushes per game. I think that’s over with Gase.

    • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

      It has to be, and why the pass protection looked bad. You can’t let them Tee off on your QB too often.

      • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

        That’s the thing, you always have the OL on their heels. You want to make oppsing defenses think run. We did not do that last year and when you really get down to it, the reason we even averaged 21 rushes per game last year was because he had 3-4 games where we had big rushing games. Most games we didn’t even get to 20.

  81. steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

    With 10+ yards to go after first down Dallas killed us with screens and running plays. As if no team has ever done that before. We get into long situations and pass for 2 yards.

  82. Randy's avatar Randy says:

    As you’re all alluding to, we simply need a more balanced offense. We definitely need to back defenses off. Typically that’s done by hitting intermediate to deep throws. Teams have been playing us up tight, giving us the deep ball for several years. We need to be able to exploit that. I’d also like to see us use the same personnel sets to run different plays. We’ve been way too predictable. We need to line up and show we can run several different plays from the same set.

    • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

      Yes, and it’s why we can’t run it. With the ZBS you push guys to the side using leverage, but that isn’t so effective when there’s someone in every gap.

  83. BoulderPhinfan's avatar BoulderPhinfan says:

    tim,
    I wish I could say that low rushing numbers is over with gaze. It’s not like we didn’t want to to rush last year. The problem was we got no where when we rushed. So far from what I’ve seen in the preseason from the first team, its the same shit. I guess we’ll see

    • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

      Even, if we get nothing we still have to run it. You can still play action off of it, and keep the D from not paying attention to it.

      • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

        That is something Al and I have discussed for years. When the opponent knows you’re committed to running the football they have to respect it. When they know you’re willing to abandon it like we have the last few years, they will simply pin their ears back and play the run on the way to the passer. That has been the biggest issue our offense has had.

  84. steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

    Grant may back them off too.

  85. steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

    Seems we didn’t use Grant much last week. I wonder, if Gase doesn’t want to show his hand or, doesn’t want to get him hurt.

    • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

      Maybe he wanted to let him just focus on returns which will be his primary role. Grant may only have 20 something receps and maybe 7-8 rushes this year. But the hope will be he breaks a few of them. There are too many other players who are going to get the ball for him to have big numbers unless he just takes off.

  86. Randy's avatar Randy says:

    steve
    That’s why I kept defending our OL. Not that they’ve been good, but they are often trying to play against an extra man. They definitely need to play better, no doubt about it. But, Gase can help them a lot too by designing plays that get that extra guy out of the box. 5 can’t block 6.

    • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

      Against Dallas I saw our OL basically stonewall the rush most of the first half, with no big gaps to allow stunts. In the 2nd half I saw the same ole shit DT63 and Turner looking like they have cement in their shoes, and big gaps next to them. Time to let both go.

  87. Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

    61-224 rushing in the two PS games is a good start. They’re not great numbers but you can see the commitment.

    Randy, Gase has said he likes to keep the same personnel on the field during a series of downs and even drives. That’s the only way you can play uptempo. If you’re shuffling players in and out you can’t play uptempo and you may not get into a rhythm. I also like that Gase uses plenty of under center formations instead on 90% shotgun. It looks more like 50/50 from I’ve seen.

    • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

      You really can’t take these rushing stats from preseason and give them much meaning, as most of the yards came in the 2nd halves. The 50 50 under center and shot gun are huge.

      • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

        Like I said they’re not great numbers but you can see the commitment. With Lazor we probably would have had something like 31-115 in the two games.

  88. steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

    Play action is huge for RT, if he can run 6 or 7 of a game, he’ll look great this year. Freeze the LBs and S, and create holes.

    • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

      Absolutely!!!! It would be a crime not to take advantage of his legs more in the passing game which we have done his entire career. Most of his passing on the move was escaping ridiculous pressure he never gets credit for doing. Not play calls. I have already seen Gase utilize it more with a small body of work.

      You can’t look at Thomas and Turner and say they suck and then say RT really has to step up his game. No QB has a good day with inside pressure. Oh yeah Pouncey is also overrated by most accounts. Remember those words folks. 😉

      • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

        Thomas and Turner suck, it’s like teams set them up for the big play, at a crucial point in the game, as they always seem to fuck up at the most inopportune time. We all know 2Ts suck, why don’t you think RT has to step up his game? Doesn’t matter what caused it, he still has to step it up.

      • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

        So those two do what you’re saying and I agree but RT has to do what with it? How about being competent at guard and then watch RT take advantage of it when he’s not being attacked within 2 seconds right up the middle. It happens way too often and we all know this. The OL wouldn’t be a topic of discussion if that wasn’t the case.

        The contradictions on this issue get exposed all the time. Not coming down on you Steve, but the media doesn’t even get their hypocrisy. LOL

        The OL is still struggling, who are the starting 5, Thomas and Turner still don’t look the part, Pouncey not as good as advertised, this is a huge year for Tannehill. Oh Okay! Who’s next to deal with this nonsense? Know what I mean?

  89. D's avatar D says:

    Tanny is best when he is moving and that’s also from the perspective of knowing when to take off and his throws just seem better. I know he is much safer in the pocket, but you do have to go with strengths, and i would like to asee a lot more pocket shifts, bootlegs, etc. Roll a RB out there with him to give him a read pass option. He will have his downfield reads, a dump off option and ability to run with it if the safety/LB plays Foster instead of shadowing him.

    • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

      I’d like to see a TE stay in to block more, then let him be the outlet.

      • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

        I think we may see more max protect at times than we have in the past. We’re likely going to see a lot of 3 WR sets, 1 TE and 1 RB. Maybe we see more let’s see if the 3 WRs can get open and use 7 to block. It wouldn’t surprise me. Then run it, then do that again. Then spring a TE or RB lose in the patterns.

        In the big scheme of things, 5 receps for both the TEs and RBs could be a good thing if we run it 28-30 times on a regular basis. That’s 25 receps for the WRs on a regular basis. That’s balance. Keep the defense thinking and having to worry about all of it. Not yeah we throw bubble screens 10-15 times and run out of shotgun most of the time – anywhere from 15-20. That’s a failed system. You’re always at the LOS. We have to establish a running game and push the ball down the field to make plays like that more viable. DeVante Parker!!! He’s a big part of all of this. I think he’s our Michael Irvin – can keep the chains moving and make big plays.

      • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

        A big problem we had last year was Stills, he was supposed to stretch the field, but didn’t do it enough.

  90. Al in MIA's avatar Al in MIA says:

    Mike E,
    Happy belated bday.

  91. Al in MIA's avatar Al in MIA says:

    I’m more afraid of the defense than the offense.
    Without a solid defense, it’s almost impossible to win more than 7-8 games unless you play in the Colts division.

  92. steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

    I hope RT becomes a gunslinger, let it rip, and not worry so much about the Int, that’s what Luck does.

    • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

      There is something to that kind of thinking. That was Marino who had two 5 INT games in his career. He always went for it. You can’t play safe forever but I don’t think RT is like that. He takes chances too. He has to play loose and go for it now, nothing to lose. You either are or aren’t a top NFL QB. Just do it! That’s what I want to see. Go for it!!!

      • D's avatar D says:

        I disagree, i think he is gun shy about the deep ball. I think he heard it so much about him being unable to throw a deep ball it kinda got in his head a little and then also deep balls you have to hold on to it a little longer to let it develop and he was gun shy about his protection. Its also pretty bad confidence builder when your HC wants to replace you and the OC has no confidence in you audibling out of plays, The guy had it bad, lets be honest, but i still dont think he is going to be given a lot of leniency with how long he has to settle in. I have already seen a few things i really am encourage to see from him, so im hoping this is they year that that number 8 draft status starts to show. This is the year for him to take that leap, take those shots, and lay it on the line.

      • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

        The stats don’t support your argument. Despite the teams’ ills RT started going down field more last year with success. It did happen.

  93. D's avatar D says:

    Al in MIA says:
    August 23, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    I’m more afraid of the defense than the offense.
    Without a solid defense, it’s almost impossible to win more than 7-8 games unless you play in the Colts division.
    —————————————–
    Im not really worried about the D either. I expected them to be more ready but the D itself feels decently aggressive, which is an improvement, but, they just are playing very sloppy. Alonzo is concerning me a little because i haven’t really seen him do anything special and i have seen him do a lot of bad fundamental football. I still think though he is going to come around and im hoping to see some of that next game.

    Maxwell concerns me a little after that last game, i mean it is Dez Bryant but Maxwell’s game is supposed to be good against physical receivers. He’s suppose to be able to out physical them but he got worked by Bryant.

    I think our D looks OK, i know the scoreboard looked bad last game but i think the sloppiness is going to get corrected and then the positives will start to outweigh the negatives. We definitely feel like a more formidable defense, not the watered-down predictable shit we were showing last year.

  94. Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

    D, Tanny started hitting deep balls with Mathews, Stills and Parker last year. I think it’s a talent thing, not RT can’t do it. 15.4, 16.3 and 19.0 is unusual and a trend I think we will all enjoy. Carroo could be Matthews 2.0. We’re not even talking Landry here. LOL

  95. Randy's avatar Randy says:

    Play action only works if you actually have the threat of a running game. Tannehill also has never been great at looking people off or using his eyes to move players around or influence them. Teams mostly just pin their ears back and get guys upfield on us. Plus, doing more roll outs always sounds like a great idea…until your QB takes a shot….then HCs think twice about it. And, teams can stop roll outs by playing their DEs differently. It’s never gonna be a significant aspect of an offense. Bump it up to maybe 5 times a game. The significance is WHEN you do it…not how often.
    ***
    What I’d like to see more of isn’t designed roll outs…it’s Tannehill moving outside the pocket in the natural progression of the play…scrambles. He really isn’t/hasn’t been very good at feeling pressure and escaping it. If you think about his big throws, they weren’t mostly on designed roll outs….they were on broken plays where he slipped out of the pocket and made a throw on the run. He just doesn’t do it very often. I can really only think of a few times he’s done that in 4 years. I’d love to see him get away from pressure laterally and make plays. I’ve always felt he threw better when he just trusted his arm and winged it. He gets in trouble when he becomes mechanical.

    • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

      He does it a lot because he gets pressured 3 out of every 5 times dropping back. One man’s opinion is not the same as another watching the same thing. 🙂

      • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

        And he gets pressured a lot, because DT63 and Turner can pass block for shit, but we won’t have to worry about those two matador’s this year.

    • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

      There’s so much I don’t agree with that Randy, I don’t know where to start, so I’ll start right at the top. Play action only works if you actually have the threat of a running game. That’s not even close to being true its a falsity the announcers say, because once upon a time someone said it. I put it right up there with an end over end punt.

  96. Randy's avatar Randy says:

    I disagree, Tim. It’s part of why he takes so many sacks. He simply doesn’t do it. He gets sacked a lot when he’s standing dead in the pocket. You see it in guys like Wilson and Rodgers. You don’t see it with Tannehill. He needs to develop escapability while still being able to make a play.

    • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

      Wilson takes almost as many sacks as RT, so…His problem used to be he’d get scared or something and just run out of the pocket to no place in particular and end up right in the arms of a DE that had been blocked. Marino couldn’t run, so he’d just take a step or 2 up in the pocket, Brady does the same thing. Unless you get all the way outside the pocket it’s usually not a good idea to even try. Another thing I don’t like that he does is gets too deep in the pocket, so he has to throw the ball 15 yards downfield to get a 2 yard completion.

      Marino please teach RT the 2 step.

      • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

        Reply to Wilson with 100 less attempts. Yes Wilson is more of a scrambler like Tarkenton but that’s not why Seattle won. Lynch and defense.

    • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

      You just mentioned two QBs who get sacked at almost the same rate. Dude, protection is huge. Without it Brady would be a nobody. He’s a flatfooted dork who throws the ball 90% of the time less than 10 yards. Can we get serious here?

      • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

        Now you’re just making stuff up. Sacks the last 4 yrs Brady 126, Wilson 164, and RT 184. Brady has worse protection last yr than RT has ever had, and he was only sacked 38 times. RTs lowest is 40. Brady moves up in the pocket and throws it quick, because he reads the D as well as anyone.

      • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

        Not really what I said.

        For the record. I don’t think Brady is all that. Yes he’s smart and he plays within himself. He’s not very gifted. He’s always got a team that’s ready to play regardless of names. I think it’s more Belichick than Brady. BB won two championships before Brady was a part of anything. His first SB victory and MVP was all about Ty Law but he wasn’t worthy enough, whatever!!!! LOL

  97. steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

    James Walker
    ESPN Staff Writer 
    Two interesting returns in Dolphins practice today: RB Kenyan Drake and CB Chimdi Chekwa are participating.

    No team drills for Dolphins rookie RB Kenyan Drake (hamstring), only individual so far. He’s working on the side with a trainer.

    Looks like both will be ready for the opener.

  98. steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

    It’s up to Wake, if he’s going to play, says Gase.

  99. Randy's avatar Randy says:

    steve,
    I’ve talked a ton about Tannehill managing INSIDE the pocket. I was talking about rolling out/laterally escaping pressure by scrambling because we were discussing rolling him out more. Two different things. I don’t consider shifting a yard one way or another in the pocket as scrambling. Scrambling is when you need to move outside the pocket to escape pressure. He’s often too late in feeling or recognizing the pressure and escapbg it.
    ***
    Wilson actually does it a lot moe than Tanny. His OLs are just as bad as ours. But, he uses his lateral mobility to make plays a lot better than Tanny does.

    • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

      I haven’t said anything in contrary to this, I agree with it all. Wilson gets sacked a lot, because he holds the ball forever, thinking they won’t get to him, it’s how he’s able to bring his team from behind. In no way is anyone on that team more important than him, nor have they been.

  100. Randy's avatar Randy says:

    Tim.
    Brady’s OL was horrendous last year. You know the difference? A QB who knows how to manage the pocket. This is pointless if you truly think Tannehill is good at managing and dealing with pressure. I think the eye in the sky says otherwise. We can just leave it at we see different things. AGAIN! Lol

    • steveccnv's avatar steveccnv says:

      Not sure how anyone can argue this, except RT does make a lot of plays moving around, I just wouldn’t call his pocket presence very good, but it is above average. The things he hasn’t done well are reading a D, moving up in the pocket, and moving the D with his eyes (which has always been a weakness).

      With that said, he isn’t as bad at pocket presence as people here say, and I’m sure I’ve been one of them.

      • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

        Moving up in the pocket? The one that is rarely there? LOL

        Come one guys, how can Pouncey be overrated and both Thomas and Turner suck, but step up into that mess? LOL

    • Tim Knight's avatar Tim Knight says:

      Never compared the two. Just pointed out the team around Brady – minus the cheating. LOL

      Brady is in his 16th season, not his 5th and he was not the reason the Pats dynasty started is all I’m saying. He’s Jeter 2.0. 😉

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