By Dr. Bruce Banner
So season no start yet and here I am sitting around, breathing becoming more labored, palms getting sweaty, fists pounding table and generally feeling the need to smash something. Hulk already getting angry and we have not played a down of meaningful football yet. Here is what Hulk is already getting angry about:
The schedule. Hulk know no one can control schedule and there is nothing you really can do about it. But that no mean Hulk can’t be angry about it. 3 of first 4 games on road against playoff teams. Hulk knows NFL history that teams that start 0-2 very unlikely to make playoffs. Teams that start 1-3 not much better. Hulk just no want to see Phins season over before September ends. Hulk tired of the year’s football highlight being the draft. Hulk want team to be playing meaningful football in December and even better in January. In order to do that we have to play meaningful football in September. That may be a tall order with rookie head coach and lots of change over in personnel.
Hulk angry that our RB roster looks more like a MASH unit than NFL depth chart at the position. Our starter is Arian Foster who right now is held together by duct tape and safety pins. He had moments in pre-season but definitely looks a step slower than he has been. Our backup is Jay Ajai who has no cartilage in his knee. He also looked very tentative running the ball in pre-season. Behind those two we have Kenyan Drake and Isiah Pead. Both flashed playmaking ability but both also flashed hamstring injuries in pre-season. That leaves only Damien Williams as the only healthy option at RB and he inspires little fear in opposing defenses.
What makes Hulk angriest of all is that after last season’s abysmal linebacker play we are set to be just as bad again this season. Our only move to remedy what was one of the worst linebacker corps in the league was to bring in an oft injured Kiko Alonzo. Watching Alonzo in pre-season he looks undersized and covers the side line to side line with all the speed and grace of a pregnant yak. With the exception of 1 game our linebackers have been exposed all pre-season in both run defense and pass coverage. Unless our defense plays better we could be in for another long season. This make Hulk very angry and season no even start yet.
Kiko Alonzo in coverage
Finsmob Unleashed 
D, I responded to your political post at the bottom of the old blog, that you might find interesting.
I think when we see the Phins D vs the Seahawks there’s going to be a lot of fans who say “where’d this come from?”. What we’ve seen from the D is nothing. We’ve run a very basic defense in the preseason and we showed little if nothing of what we’re actually going to do. IMO, this is going to be a top ten D and surprise a lot of people.
I just don’t see the personnel in the back 7 to be a top 10 D.
I think we’re kind of stuck in that mindset from past coaching staffs but I think this coaching staff is going to make all the difference in the world and that’s what gets us to be a top 10 D.
We’ve all heard Kevin Coyle say the coaches can’t make the plays for the players but I think what we’re looking at with this staff in terms of motivation and preparation is night and day compared to what was here before and I see the players responding to it.
We may have looked like we struggled some in the preseason but we didn’t see a single guy on either side look like they were just going thru the motions.
Every guy was playing at a high level and when the season gets here and they are actually game planning for the opposing team we’re going to see guys flying around on the field making plays on D. Can we use a few upgrades? Sure we can. That’s why I’m predicting 10-6 and not 12-4.
One thing’s for sure. This D isn’t going to be in the high 20’s this season.
I hope you are right
Alert the villagers — the Hulk has broken his chains and is out of control. Not like the scedule isn’t what it is. No Brady though.
Wow — didn’t realize that would come up so big……point remains though.
HULK: I agree 100 per cent with your analysis. The people in charge of acquiring defensive talent for this team have, with a few exceptions, not done a good job. Nor have they done a good job obtaining quality depth on the O-Line. Throw in our “Mash Unit” running backs and I see most of the necessary ingredients for a loss on opening day. Indeed, the Dolphins are the BIGGEST POINT SPREAD UNDERDOGS of the opening week in the NFL.
Ken, I don’t really agree with your article though you could be right. I want to see a body of work before being concerned. I think you’re making too much out of Alonso being often injured and our RB situation based on a very small body of work in the PS. The OL is the biggest issue in the running game right now and hopefully once they start playing 50+ snaps instead of 7-25 a few times, they’ll get it going. Our LBs and RBs did not play behind the top dogs most of the time in the PS.
Seattle is going to be a tough test but I like that we have to face adversity right away at SEA and at NE instead of fools gold. We started off 3-0 a few years ago and that was a mirage. If you want to be a good team you have to beat teams. “Easy” schedules are a mirage when it comes to playing good teams in big games. Might as well get tested right away and know where you stand.
Meant to say “If you want to be a good team you have to beat “good” teams.
You play the Titans and Texans back to back before playing the cheats, like last year, is much harder to win all 3, compared to playing the tough ones first, so I agree.
Pig Hulk think Real Hulk may be right
Pig Hulk wonder – what if Dolphins resign Miller and spend a draft pick on a LB
Pig Hulk worry about schedule too but Pig Hulk thinks NFL can go fuck self
I agree on the NFL, looking no further than the schedule. The biggest advantage teams have in the league is playing at home on Thursday. Dallas and Detroit get it every year, but the cheats are like 5 out of 6 years now getting home Thurs, while its our 3rd out of 4th on the road.
Bruce Miller is a dirtbag
http://blacksportsonline.com/home/2016/09/49ers-domestic-abuser-bruce-miller-arrested-for-punching-70-year-old-man/
Why exactly are our RBs a MASH unit because Pead has a hammy injury? We have 5 and last time I checked the other 4 of them are good to go.
Alonso played the last 9 games for the Eagles last year and has been healthy this offseason. So we keep considering him injured because he once was? I don’t get it!
Look around the league, lots of guys get banged up, it’s not just us.
Thone that can run it have all missed time within the last year, but that’s why we have 5.
So has most the league. If you play FF you know this. It’s really hard to keep your core in the game. It looks great on paper then you deal with reality.
You asked, Why exactly are our RBs a MASH unit, and I responded to that. What the rest of the league does doesn’t have anything to do with our issues. If there were no concerns we wouldn’t have 5 RBs on the active roster. You take your best 53 players, and that’s what we’ve done, except for a few guys on the bottom that have a higher upside than those released.
Those
I believe the combination of Phillips and Suh inside is going to deadly. Ask me again, I’ll tell you again. lol. Phillips has a year under his belt and I don’t understand the negativity towards him.
When you consider his production vs his snap count he was the 2nd most productive DT we had last year despite playing the least amount of time.
Phillips will break into the starting lineup and take the position from Mitchell and then we’re good.
Don’t downgrade Mitchell though because he’s well respected among his peers and he’s missed all of the PS so he seems to get lost on the mix, but he’s a good player and a good guy for the young guys to be around.
I’m not downgrading Mitchell. I feel he’s a very good player for us on the interior of the d-line and he’s very important for us. However, I feel that Mitchell’s reached his peak and he’s a role player at best. Phillips is the future of the interior with Suh. There’s no doubting that.
I like the fact we’re starting off with a tough schedule. I said yesterday that Gase has me thinking we’re looking at a Harbaugh-like turn around with this team and a return to relevance.
Tim:
My criticism of Alonzo is not that he is oft injured but also how poorly he has played in the PS
Meh… how often was he out there with the other 1’s? In the ATL game when the starters played into the 3rd qtr they had 15-31 rushing for the game. PS is when guys get into football shape because TC has been more about conditioning and mental prep with very little physical play. I saw a lot of shoddy PS play this year from a lot of teams. It changes in the RS.
It was his lack of speed that stood out to me. It had nothing to do with playing with the 1s or PS
Lou, I think Phillips has more upside than Mitchell as well but he’s not as seasoned and hasn’t shown he’s there yet. However I do agree he flashed a lot last year and I love the way he gets his arms up and deflects passes. I think twice last year when he did that it ended up as a pick. Look for Alonso to take advantage of that. He has 5 INTs in 27 games which is a good rate for a LB.
I look at the fact that when you look at Phillips snap count vs the others on the interior it’s much less and if you look at his production for his snap count it’s much better than Mitchell’s and although it would fall short of Suh with similar snap counts his effectiveness is there.
I agree that the deflected passes will result in turnovers but the other thing I like is what I saw from him in terms of push and penetration during the preseason games. You can see a difference there between preseason this year and last year. He’s much more aggressive and I think that helps. I think he’s going to be majorly disruptive .
Piggy:
Not re-signing Miller in the off season is probably the biggest mistake we made. We could have signed him. We had enough money
Miller left us. We offered him a fair deal. He went for the touches. His agent and him said as much.
We could have matched and or offered him more than the Texans and we did neither
Boulder, the Jones (52) is Chris Jones who got cut. But I looked again and I missed 5. When I counted the other day I didn’t count Johnson as wrong. So I missed Duarte, Douglas, Jones, Johnson and Gary.
I put (52) because that was his number
I think when the hitting starts in the games that count we’re going to be happy with what we see. 10-6 baby. Stick that in your diaper and smoke it!!! Whatever that means.
LMAO!!!! I need to find a diaper I guess. LOL
It’s like we traded Miller for Foster and then Rishard Matthews for Justin Hunter.
I think we made out better especially since we’ll likely get comp picks to go with it.
Losing Miller is no biggie, he sucked as a receiver and he had the knock of being, shall we say, – dimly lit.
If you view it at as 2 year project
It may guy be a big upgrade
If we draft a RB early in 2017
Miller was starter quality
And the other guys are hoping to be
It might work out
But it was quite a risk
I just don’t like when out FO gambles like that
None of us know how it will work out
But we know it was a choice on our direction
I don’t know that Ajayi can’t match what Miller was
If that happens we are fine
Although foster looks ready I don’t think over the long haul he is the guy
And the rest of that group is questionable IMO
I never really liked the drake pick
I liked a lot of RBs available in the draft much more than him
So I am biased on that one
If we can get a running game out of this group
Even if the Avg per rush is low
I think we will be fine
We can draft a RB in 2017
It’s a good draft for RBs
And RBs usually co tribute out of the gate
Drake will give us what Miller did, that he was good at, breaking the longs ones, and then some. We haven’t ever had 2 RBs that catch the ball, run routes, and then make moves that Drake and Foster can.
I didn’t really care much for Drake got my into the draft
But I’ve been wrong before on porkleones
Still waiting for you gat seastrunk comeback…
Ken, how does a new HC in Gase come in and guarantee Miller 20-25 touches per game before he even knows the player or the team? Miller’s camp targeted the Texans over a year ago as a UFA destination and the Texans targeted him. It wasn’t about money, Miller felt it was time to move on and go to a team that ran the ball top 5 in opportunities the last 3 seasons. Let it go man, Miller and his agent said this.
Remember too, I really like Miller. But I looked into it and it’s not as cut and dried as some of you make it out to be. It seems to be a way of bashing the FO more than really knowing how it went down.
Also as far as me disagreeing with your article, it’s not that I think you’re wrong. I wants to see our 1’s play an entire game with the typical 2’s who flex in and out for every team. Not 0-7 plays, 15 plays, maybe 30+ plays and then 0-7 for many of them again. They’re not real games. It’s just football conditioning stuff.
I’m sure we’ll revisit this after week 2. LOL
I agree with Miller not coming back was his own doing. I also think Gase doesn’t like him that much or he could’ve talked him into staying.
We had the same value on C.J. Anderson and their stats are similar. Miller wants to be a bell cow and he’ll get his chance. There are plenty of fans here who don’t think he’s capable of it. We shall see. But he’s definitely explosive.
I’ve never heard anyone anywhere more critical of Miller than me. He’s not a bell cow. CJ is more of an inside runner and less explosive, and he’ll get you more yards inside. Miller is a feast of famine RB, it’s hard to consistently move an O with that type of back. He’ll get you most of his yards in the first 3 qtrs. and at times that aren’t as important like 1st and 2nd downs, but he really struggled on 3rd and 4th down on running distances.
I think Gase’s history about his use of RBs is pretty well documented. Asked Matt Forte about how many touches he got in Gase’s offense. No player signs for “touches” they sign for money. The money is reflective of how many touches we think the player will get. In the end we opted not to give Miller the money he was asking for. We could have if we chose to. We didn’t. There may or may not have been a cogent reason for it but ultimately I think that will be our biggest mistake of the off season.
Hogwash, what is this based on? You apparently haven’t read the articles on Miller.
Okay, it’s out there if you look for it.
I am not saying Miller didn’t target the Texans. I am saying we didn’t target Miller and that was a mistake.
I like Foster. Miller who?
Then Drake, shit that dude has speed and a wiggle. Should be fun to watch.
I think the cart lodge issue with Ajayi is only a long term concern
Eventually he won’t be productive
But what I saw in the preseason was crappy blocking
And Foster is a smart bet who makes the most out of nothing
I don’t view Ajayi as a lost cause
Was he a cabana boy?
Gase mentioned his RBs getting the most out of a situation, and that’s what he looked for most in preseason. Meaning it’s a better run from a scouting standpoint to gain zero yards on a play you should’ve lost 5, than gaining 5 on a play you should’ve gained 10. Anyone that doesn’t understand this can’t rate RBs properly.
Bingo! On 3rd and 2 we get 2 even though that makes your YPCA look bad. On 3rd and 2 and Miller loses 2 that’s a bad running play for Gase. LOL
How about we see how it goes down before really knowing what’s going to happen. 🙂
I honestly do not expect much from Foster this season. He looked like he has lost his explosiveness. He was slow hitting the holes when they were there in PS. I think he is best used as a receiving option out of the backfield.
I bet some of you end up praising by the FO
If Drake or Ajayi are productive
And you should
But don’t tell me we could not have made a push for Miller
We didn’t do that
So here we are – and we will see if it works
But if it doesn’t i think you hold the FO accountable
Preach it Piggy!
Ken, we offered Miller the same deal as Anderson – 4 years $24M. The Texans gave him 4 years $26M. The Broncos matched Anderson. Let’s not act like Miller put up AP or Faulk type numbers, though I would not be surprised if he does in Houston. But let’s see.
Steve feels Miller is a feast or famine back and to a degree I can’t disagree with him. But I feel he’s capable of more. We shall see. We haven’t been a winning team with Miller so it’s not like we let go a guy who helped us be that. He was not the key to the offseason, the DL and OL were.
Yes we offered Miller the same as Anderson but we did not offer him the same that Houston did. That is my point. We could have matched and we didn’t. My position is that is a mistake for not trying harder to keep him. I think Miller is significantly better than Anderson and yet we offered him the same.
So he left his hometown and first NFL team for $2 more million and that was the only reason? I would agree with you if it was 4 years $32M.
Miller already left when we offered Anderson the same. So that wasn’t an issue between the two camps. But the team that just won the SB matched our offer for their guy who Gase knows well. They obviously value him the same way.
What if Steve is right and so was our FO and coaches not believing Miller is a true bell cow back?
Let’s see how it plays out and then we’ll know. Again, I want to see the 1’s play the entire game instead of 50 scattered total snaps with mixed personnel over 4 PS games. Then we’ll have a better idea of what this team really is.
You act as if 2 million more dollars is not reason enough to leave your hometown. If we offered him 3 million more would he have stayed? we don’t know and now we have inferior talent at RB. That’s all my point is.
Rockphin*
Stanger∆∆
Cool — get yourself at the La Quinta my friend. Worth the price of the room.
We shall see. If Miller was the key to this season then I’m lost. Trench play was the biggest need to upgrade to me. It just went down differently then I imagined it. But we might have gotten it right. We shall see. 🙂
So here’s our starting defense if healthy. (*stands for new)
Base Defense:
LDE Williams*
LDT Suh
RDT Mitchell
RDE Branch*
SOLB Misi
MLB Alonso*
WOLB Jenkins
CB Maxwell*
CB Howard*
S R. Jones
S Abdul-Quddus*
From here I really don’t know yet. But Wake will be coming in on long down and distance situations. LOL
Mitchell over Phillips? Close call but ultimately I think Phillips edges his way into starting job. The kid looks like a playmaker. He just needs some consistency
I’m with you and Lou here. Phillips is gonna play. I’m saying if healthy Mitchell starts. But we could see both Mitchell and Phillips play 25-30 snaps per game. It’s a rotation and once the game starts the starting lineup means nothing. We will also see Jones and Warmsley getting reps inside in some situations. Suh is going to play high 40s into the 50s. Only so many reps inside.
Having an awesome Labor Day weekend. Hoping everyone else is too. Just off the Shenendoah after floating with my sister and our Bff. Saw Bruce Hornsby Sat nite. His new release ‘Rehab Reunion has a track that mentions Dan Marino and Don Juan Shula!’ Better than good times! I needed it!!!
Awesome Herd!!!
We only lost one camera and one oar! A successful trip! Lol
Floating is awesome…..you talking the lazy river thing?
FEST HELP NEEDED (and updated) — who is in for the Sat nite before?
Game is the Bills on Oct 23 at one (tailgate before as usghe).
Now need to figure out who will be at the meet-up the night before (important to know roughly how many to plan it).
IN
The Flying Pig*
Hulk*
Brian NY*
OD (+1)*
stanger (+1)*
Chef Warren (+1)*
Son (+3)*
Rock*
Mike E (+1)*
markeyh
Al in MIA (+1)
Toba (+1)*
Phindog (+2)*
getterdone (+1)
Bookman*
I put asterisks next to the ones I am either sure or pretty darn sure will be there (but feel free to correct).
If you don’t have one next to your name — tell me if you will be there on Sat nite or not.
And if you are on that list but no longer sure you are coming to the game —- NOW is the time to let me know. Will be actually buying the tix TMRW.
Sorry that I’m not making the fest but not at all sorry for the reason. Any of you who are friends with me on FB have seen already. 🐴
Congratulations, I’m happy for you and it’s good to see you enjoying some good times but dammit I was looking very forward to meeting you.
Herd, does Hornsby gave a new band or do they just have a new name? It used to be Bruce Hornsby and the Range.
I’m gonna try and find the song with the Marino and Shula reference later when I get a chance.
Evening Update
SEASON VIII
DOLPHINS-SEAHAWKS
Piggy 19-14 MIA
MikeE 23-20 MIA
B’man 24-20 MIA
Tim 26-23 MIA
Randy 27-17SEA
Son 13-10 MIA
Howie 20-17MIA
Rock 34-13 SEA
Wyo 24-13 SEA
Cav 17-16 MIA
Naples 16-13MIA
Old 37-17 SEA
N/A 31-21 SEA
Stang 28-7 MIA
GO PHINS!!!
Come to the Fest
And wear your Twilley jersey, I’ll find you this time. I saw you last time. I saw the jersey but I didn’t know it was you. You were among us.
Anyone agree with this Walker horseshit?
The team is thin at cornerback, linebacker, tight end and running back. An injury or two at any of these positions could sink the Dolphins, and injuries happen every season.
Is TE thin? I don’t think so, because we have 2 capable pass catchers and the 3rd resembles Charles Clay, and we have Duarte waiting in the wings.
Is LB thin? It might be thin, because we don’t have a star, but maybe Alonso is that. I haven’t seen any indication that he is yet. Hull, Hewitt, and Paysinger aren’t going to significantly downgrade the unit.
Is RB thin? We’ve got 4 guys that can carry the ball, and a 5th that is pretty good running outside and catching the ball. As for catching the ball, it may be the best backfield we’ve ever had. Even Ajayi was pretty good in college catching the ball, but he hasn’t show it yet in the NFL.
Is CB thin? Yes, but I think the starters are pretty good, and have Lippett off the bench, who isn’t a great starter, but he can be affective in a pinch and if you pick on him too much he’ll pick you back.
Put our 1s on the field, press the opposing O, and lets see where the D is, I’d bet it’s closer to what Lou is saying than what we saw last yr. On O, if RT gets time to throw we’ll score 25 pts a game, even without an affective running game. Not saying the running game is going to be bad, just saying we don’t need to rush for 1800+ yards with a YPC of over 4 for the O to be affective.
stangerx says:
September 5, 2016 at 6:06 pm (Edit)
Floating is awesome…..you talking the lazy river thing?
Hmmm. Not really. Part of it was really calm but my ass feels like there some bruises from the rocks in some Rapids areas. Lol.
LOL — never did it hard core like that, but my only time was in Texas. Do remember is when you are in for the ride only way was to wait till it was done. And no whitewater was involved . Sounds like you had a good time though….and that is the most and best.
Under Adam Gase and Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins aim to go from worst to first in AFC East
The previous Walker article:
Miami Dolphins will struggle to climb out of AFC East basement
I think he’s just throwing shit against the wall.
He has us sweeping the cheats, but getting swept by the Bills.
I like him only slightly more than Omar which pretty much means I hate him
Yes son I would love to be there. Dont have a Twilley Jersey But I do have the Camarillo cardbord cut out taped over Welkers name…
HELL YEAH!
I know I saw you the one year you couldn’t find us. I just didn’t know it was you.
Couple DB cuts of note we might want to look at. Zack Sanchez, and a guy I liked from a year ago, converted QB Nick Marshall. Marshall woukd be ideal in the press corner role with his size and closing speed. After draft year before last, I really hoped we would pick him up as a priority UDFA as a Safety prospect for the defense we were running then, for this one I think he could be a solid CB.
Don’t forget Misi.
Misi – Alonzo – Jenkins
Is a good group I don’t understand all the panic.
Misi does a lot of stuff no one sees, he’s disruptive and a hard hitter and always around the ball.
lol. he did a lot of stuff nobody saw when Joe Philby was there like pick up the gum wrappers.
I know you hate Misi but I see a solid linebacker I just wish he didn’t get hurt so often.
do solid LB’s make 90% of their tackles after 5 yds?
How much of that is him coming across the defense making a play from the backside? He runs down a lot of plays and seals the edge very well. He can stand up blockers and sheds well.
he doesn’t shed well. he gets blocked out of so many plays it’s ridiculous for a guy his size.
Misi showed that in preseason, hope he stays healthy to be able to continue.
I watched him in the Atlanta game from the stands just thumping mofo’s the whole time he was out there.
Never! Misi sucks, let it go. LOL
Lou, Misi probably makes more tackles at the LOS or behind than any of are other LBs. His problem is durability for the long haul and his physical style of play is part of the problem.
he definitely makes most of his tackles well beyond the l.o.s.
It’s interesting that you see some fans ready to call a DT who’s coming into his 2nd season a bust after his rookie year and then others who are in love with a mediocre lb.
I didn’t forget him. 😉
^ Misi lover
It’s funny how we all see different things. It’s all good. Win games Phins so we don’t have to spend so much time on the specifics. LOL
I don’t think we all see different things, you me and Son all see the same thing. Lou pretends to be this know it all, but he bases his preseason opinions on stats, so he’s not fooling anyone. On the other blog the same thing was happening with David on another topic a couple of days ago.
and you know the least of anyone
Yep Son, I had my Camarillo on the back and was down towards the front of 426 I think, I knew you guys where up there but I dont know who is who. Besides, I was already pissed off after the parking lot incident.
I walked up on some young’uns with a MOB sign so I asked where is everyone and they looked at me like I was crazy.
SHIIIIT!
why Justin Hunter will make the Titans roster…The guys doing the video absolutely hate him, the one guy has bashed him for a couple of years, but says he’ll make the roster, because he does one thing that no one else on their roster can do, run in a straight line fast. With our WR coach previous being his WR coach in Tenn. why would he want to take on this project again that he couldn’t help previously?
I compare him to what Jordan Cameron was for us last year based on what these guys are saying. He doesn’t run good routes, drops a lot of passes, but both can make that great play in a pinch when your back is against the wall that the overacheiver can’t make.
Any truth to the rumor that this guy is coming to the fest
Oh, and that game Sucked Balls! That was like the most lack luster effort I have ever seen.
The Titans Game 😦
Howie — amazed you were there for the first Fest. Just sorry didn’t get the chance to meet you. All the folks in the crew are cool as cool can be. Hope you join us for one, even if just the night before. No matter who wins, best time at a football game ever. Just good folks……..and better than they sometimes seem on the board. 🙂
Chad Kelly will be the #1 pick in the 2017 draft.
I can’t help it if I spend football season at a Holiday Inn Express.
http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/article-1/Dolphins-Announce-First-Depth-Chart-Of-Regular-Season/0f190ced-03bb-48c2-bf82-87b05a7affeb
Depth chart, and an interview with Gase about it.
Is it easier to pile up the stats per minute, if you play every play or, if you play sparingly? In basketball you always get that guy that comes in and plays 10 minutes and gets 6 rebounds per game, and the media will note that, if he played 40 minutes he’d have 24 rebounds per game. We all know, if you’re only playing 10 minutes a game you can go all out in those 10 minutes, so you’re more apt to have higher numbers per minute played.
If you wanted the Phins to draft Ragland keep and eye on Reuben Foster because he may be even better
Yes
He’s looks good
He’s a different kind of an LB, looks to be more of a 3 down guy, with more speed, but the same pop.
Aaaalright Stanger!
Im going to work my ass off between now and then to make it down this year. Doubt I go the night before, I will be staying with my buddy who still lives down there and I dont think he will be into going to that.
The game is no problem, easy and cheap to get in so I hope I find you guys in the parking lot this time and most surely can sneak into the same section everyone is in
Awesome Howie. And awesome offer by Brian too.
And to find us all that need happen is Ken gets your cell number. You’ll know the general area beforehand and Ken will tell you exactly where we set up.
Don’t buy a tix before talking to me though. Often end up with an extra or two.
I just hope the Wife doesnt have any aunts or cousins visiting down there any time around then.
It costs enough to send her and the daughter down to her mothers for the weekend then another 500+ for the 3 of us the next week. I just dont think I’ll be able to swing it…
You’re ticket is on me if you can make it down. Consider it a thank you for all the years of posting scores. It seems like a menial task, but it does take some effort week week in and week out.
Very nice. Like Stanger said these are great people.
Good article Ken.
Here’s what makes Brian in NY angry: the lack of appreciation for Lamar Miller.
I’m not going to bore everyone with his all of his stats, but 4.6 YPC is pretty damn good for someone who never averaged more than 13 carries per game in any season of his career. He has very good vision (he’s not perfect), he has developed into a good blocker (he’s not perfect), and has VASTLY improved his recieving skills (he’s not perfect), while increasing his catches every season in the league. He never go the touches he deserved, and how many fumples did he have in four years? Four? Five? Some here still attach this stigma to him that was more deserving of his first season, and ignore how he has improved dramatically during his tenure with the Dolphins. There is no doubt in my mind that , if utilized correctly, he can be a top 5 back in this league. Money talks, and we should have thrown some more at him, had Gase sit down and tell him how much more he would be used in this offense to reassure him that he would get the touches he deserves. I’ve stated this before, and this will wind up being the biggest mistake we made this offseason, and it’s not even close.
Barry Jackson
@flasportsbuzz
Dolphins awarded former Titans WR Justin Hunter on waivers.Caught 22-264 last season. 68-1116-8 TDs in three yr career. Former 2nd rnd pick
From the 3 days late department ^
Micah Kiser, LB, UVA: 14 tkls, 1 tfl, 1 sack, 2ff and it’s only the first game
Last year I was toying Foster over Ragland until he decided to go back to school. He is as good as Ragland but with better coverage skills. Ragland has the size that Foster doesn’t have but it’s not like Foster is a point wimp. Another guy I like from last year’s LB group, who also rejected to return to school is Kendell Beckwith of LSU. Reeves-Maybin was another that elected to return that again tops my list.
Touting
Elected not rejected
keep an eye on Micah Kiser of UVA vs Oregon this weekend.
Also Lou is right about Midi disengaging a blocker. He is bad at it. He is though a very sure tackler when he meets a ball carrier unimpeded. He also has decent, though not great instincts for reading the offensive play call.
Misi
He too moves like pregnant yak
Thing about Misi is he’ll make a tackle here or there for a loss and he can make a solid hit on guys but most of his tackles are made after a decent gain has been made. In addition, he provides nothing else. Where you’ll see other LB’s with passes defensed and forced fumbles, Misi has none of that. At best, he’s really a backup LB.
Good job Hulk! LOL @ pregnant yak
I’m hoping what the defense showed this preseason, especially the LB’s was a charade.
Props to Prof Lou for knowing the Remo Williams reference
https://twitter.com/byrosenberg/status/772932476213669888
We are always average
☹️
Lol I was thinking it too lol. Beat me too it
The unranked teams that win will probably be ranked now
These are not huge upsets IMO
It’s a combination of things. One talent depth coming out of highschool is and has been getting better yearly. Kids are choosing smaller schools now so they get to start sooner and get some tape out there because they have seen the small school representation in the NFL draft increase yearly as well. You don’t have as much stacked talent at some of the bigger schools now nor the wide divide in talent level you use to have.
Also if you are on top you have to keep pushing yourself out you don’t stay there and some of the bigger division schools are not doing that. It’s a good thing to see IMO and I have been hoping it would get there soon. I don’t like to think anyone should have bragging rights that are underserved, I like to know they are earnedt and continue to be earned.
That said I also am not shocked by some of the so called upsets. The Miss State one was the closest to a shocker, but they are going through the same adjustment that UF did post This. Too many eggs in one basket now they have got only replace the eggs but pretty much build a completely new basket.
I’d also argue that the coaching is better T smaller schools because they have to yearly do more with less
I think the long and short of it is
Alabama is the powerhouse of the SEC and the other teams probably should not be so highly touted
That conference is just not what it used to be
I think the 2nd best team in the conf right now might be TAMU…maybe Georgia or UF
LSU looked like crap
and I still thing they are crazy talented
preseason rankings are usually worthless anyway
its based on repuation more than anything
not surprised that Notre Dame was overrated in the preseason again
that is practically an annual event
Piggy
If it makes you feel better, last year we were BELOW average. lol
watching Omar debate seahawks fans on twitter is comical. Now they know what we deal with all year.
I hardly even go on twitter anymore, what is he arguing, that Tannehill sucks, and they disagree?
I wouldn’t be shocked if they were. Omar is more anti Dolphins than our opponents each week
no he’s telling them that their team is not that good. But they are better than the phins.
Boulder
I think the Seahawks are suspect. They’re a good team, but not sure they’re a great team
Ken,
Remo Williams is one of my favorite movies of all time. Joel Grey is awesome as Chiun.
Dolphins exec Dawn Aponte leaves for owner Steve Ross’s RSE Ventures
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/sfl-dolphins-aponte-leaves-for-owner-ross-s-rse-ventures-20160906-story.html
Not happy about that. I thought Aponte was great at what she did
She’s still working for a Ross Company…….so this was not a take the job and shove it thing. Sure does mean that the FO is Tannenbaum now though. She was a direct report to Ross.
mike,
the seahawks play well at home even if they’re not that good. I think its a tall task to expect us to win on the road in seattle.
I agree, and I’m not even sure if we’re a good team or not. We’ll find out after a few games what we really are.
Here is where we will simply note the fact that in the last three years Adam Gase-coached offenses are 0-3 versus Seattle (including Super Bowl XLVIII), averaging 261.33 yards per game (to be fair, that includes last season’s Jimmy Clausen-led punt-fest).
\-/ here’s to hoping Gase can buck the trend! Come on Adam, open your career as a WINNER and keep your record there FOREVER! (by having winning seasons every year.)
A few things to consider. 1. Seattle’s offensive line doesn’t seem to be as good as it was. It may still be good but not AS good. 2. They no longer have Irvin to provide pressure on the qb. 3. They no longer have Beast Mode running the ball. None of their rb’s are close to what he was.
That being said, they also have a history they need to buck and that’s a history of starting slow. If you want to catch them at the right time it’s the beginning of the season. I feel good about this game. We may not come away with the win but I think it’ll be a lot closer than ppl think it will be.
I feel our d-line can do a good job against their run and, like I said, what we saw from the D in preseason was pretty vanilla. So, expect Joseph to bring pressure from a number of different areas during the game and make Wilson get rid of the ball early.
Seattle’s O-line is definitely not that good, and yes, Rawls is not Marshawn Lynch. We have a shot, we have to turn it up on defense, and not make mistakes on offense.
they actually have Rawls listed at the bottom of the depth chart and Michaels listed as the starter. ???
Stanger
Yeah, that’s a big part of what I’m not thrilled about. He and Aponte basically held the same job, and unfortunately, he won out. Good for her that she has an opportunity, but you know how I feel about T-Bomb.
My main knock on Tannenbaum is that the Jets went into cap hell while he was — in name at least — running that side of them, but then might have been Rexy was really calling the shots on that.
You ever hear anything about him from your BFF Jets guy?
We discussed him a few times. He’s amused by him. He intimated he does his job like a gunslinger. He likes to wheel and deal, which is obvious to anyone and everyone. He’s too professional to go into detail though. He wants me to pitch for his softball team though, but I’m not sure I can swing it due to what day and time they play. Would be fun for sure.
Gunslinger doesn’t seem to match up with Ross, but then he is getting older and you can’t see the team win when you can’t.
And ain’t you the most wanted superstar. 🙂
What do you mean same job Mike, I thought she was the capologist and he was the VP head of football operations?
TBaum was a capologist for the Jets back in the day. That’s more his specialty than personnel guy.
stanger,
at this point I would be fine going to cap hell if we can play in 2 consecutive AFC championships like the Jets did. What good is cap management if the team never goes to playoffs like the last 8 years?
I think too much is made of it as well. We’re also under the cap so not sure why it concerns anyone.
I would too Boulder, but surely you know that is not a strict either/or proposition. My choice is build a team that is like the Steelers, Packers or yes Pats. One that is in constant contention……and willing to wait for it.
Armando Salguero @ArmandoSalguero 19m19 minutes ago
Vance Joseph confirms what I said last nite: Jason Jones starts. Cameron Wake pass rush package guy.
Armando Salguero @ArmandoSalguero 19m19 minutes ago
Vance Joseph says Cameron Wake is capable of starting but keeping him healthy and fresh is more important.
Makes an awful lot of sense to me. I think he’ll have a bigger impact that way
Agreed, we’ve all been saying the same thing all offseason. He’s 34, undersized and coming off an Achilles injury. It’s time to play that Fred Dean, Kevin Greene, Trace Armstrong role.
It must be topic leftovers on the blog today.
Steve
Tim answered perfectly. That’s exactly what he was with the Jets.
What does, what he did for the jets have anything to do with it?
You have a QB coach that used to be an OC, the OC gets fired and the response is well they did the same job. What kind of logic is that?
Ian Rapoport @RapSheet · 34m34 minutes ago
The #Patriots traded for #Eagles DB Eric Rowe in exchange for OL Josh Kline and a 4th rounder in 2018 that can become a third, source said
Armando Salguero @ArmandoSalguero 25m25 minutes ago
Vance Joseph says Jordan Phillips started slow but had “tremendous” training camp and preseason. “Very pleased..,” He said.
ProfessorLou @UolRosseforp · 13s13 seconds ago
Maybe Aponte quit because they claimed Hunter, who has a cap hit of $1.1M, and is an extreme long shot.
I think the problem of Tannenbaum putting the Jets in cap hell is that a big part of that was giving Mark Sanchez one of the worst contracts in league history
Stanger
LOL – Not really, but pitchers are always in high demand in the leagues I play in. If you don’t have a solid pitcher, you can’t win.
You still must be good though…even if just a middle relief FA possibility for the puke green team.
His days are numbered:
Armando Salguero
@ArmandoSalguero
For bookkeeping purposes, Isaiah Pead (hamstring) has not practiced in over a week and isn’t today. Not playing Sunday.
Aponte probably won’t effect the on field performance
I thought she was good at what she did too
but it never made us a contender even if she was good at her job
congrats to her for taking a promotion
HELL YEAH!
Thanks BriNY count me in!
My Buddy from Hollywood will be with me but he can get a ticket anywhere and then just go with the flow.
GO PHINS!!!
Afternoon Update
SEASON VIII
DOLPHINS-SEAHAWKS
Piggy 19-14 MIA
MikeE 23-20 MIA
B’man 24-20 MIA
Tim 26-23 MIA
Randy 27-17SEA
Son 13-10 MIA
Howie 20-17MIA
Rock 34-13 SEA
Wyo 24-13 SEA
Cav 17-16 MIA
Naples 16-13MIA
Old 37-17 SEA
N/A 31-21 SEA
Stang 28-7 MIA
GO PHINS!!!
Would be cool if it was real
Danerys?
https://twitter.com/animalvid/status/773185089027137539
If DVP can’t go against Seattle Sunday this could be a great opportunity for a guy like Carroo to show something.
I believe DVP will eventually contribute but it’s extremely frustrating when you’ve got another 1st rd pick who’s questionable as to whether he’ll contribute
So the Eagles are trading Rowe to the Pats and now he’s going to be one of the greatest cb’s of all time. SMH.
I don’t want anyone to take this the wrong way because this is NOT a Tannehill “bash” post but if you’re going to defend him by saying the offensive scheme was poorly designed and the OC and the HC sucked then it applies to everyone equally.
You can’t defend RT using those arguments but then say someone like Stills was a disappointment because it’s a terrible argument if you do.
There were a lot of things wrong with the team last year. It was never about one guy.
Gase says in his presser today that the Broncos were interested in Russell Wilson in the draft but not Tannehill.
Reply
Yeah but tell the whole story. They weren’t looking at 1st rd QBs after signing Peyton.
Lol
nevertheless, they liked what they saw in Wilson more at the time than they did Tannehill.
He didn’t say that. He said probably more at Russell than Ryan because we weren’t really looking in that range. Denver also didn’t have a 1st rd pick that year and took Brock Osweiler in the 2nd before Wilson went to SEA in the 3rd.
Wilson did go in the third…….does sound he might have been Pan B for the Broncos though. And we do know how Plan A worked out. 🙂
Im not sure i believe that, or maybe its like Tim said, later on in the process they decided they wouldnt go with a first round QB. I remember really well them bringing Tanny in for a visit, and the rumors were they were considering taking him. Again, these were just rumors, but most of the time there is at least a little truth to them.
Denver didn’t have a 1st rd pick though.
I do remember hearing Mike Shanahan liked RT over RGIII though.
didn’t bennett call Tanny mediocre last year? Or any mediocre QB can get a big contract or something like that? I hope Tanny shuts him up.
Michael Bennett?
yea
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000695709/article/michael-bennett-thinks-ryan-tannehill-is-a-cool-dunker
Okay that is weird because of what else he said about him being a great athlete etc. when they were teammates at TAMU. He was probably just annoyed during his own contract negotiations and seeing what QBs get paid. But I do remember that now.
I was hoping it would be Tony Bennett.
LOL
Stanger, well Denver could have taken Wilson instead of Osweiler in the 2nd but they passed.
Wilson fell due to his height, probably no other reason as he was very good in college.
Forgot they took Osweiler that year. Sounds like some ex-Denver player evaluator was going, “would’ve, could’ve should’ve.”
Then Osweiler screwed them.
I’m not a big odds guy but we are the biggest underdogs of the week at -10.5. Let’s fuck that line up! LOL
Tony Bennetts greatest song is “Tanny is overpaid, doowap…”
I would love to see Tannehill rub that trash talk from Michael Bennett in his face after a big game
Well If he doesnt do it this year then maybe next, NOT!
Tanny better become really good now or he is out on his ASS!
How about the rest of the team?
Apparently the eagles traded for Kline just to trade him to someone else. Pure craziness
How so?
Just read an article that said eagles already fielding trade offers for Kline
That is strange unless the draft compensation from the Pats was really what they were looking for.
Think you had a shitty weekend?
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter 17m17 minutes ago
Former Patriots DL Joe Vellano lost his home Thurs in a fire, was cut Sat, signed with Falcons practice squad today, per @seanstellato.
I just watched Marshall Faulk “A Football Life” and at the end he’s talking to a bunch of players and says: (paraphrasing) “No one player wins a football game. It takes everyone putting in the work and pushing themselves to get the most out of themselves.”
Then you turn on football networks and it’s all about QB W/L records. LOL
There is a reason QBs get paid what they get paid. Odds are without a good one, you can’t win jack in the NFL.
If vikings, who I think were a playoff team, thought they could still get in the playoffs with Hill, wouldn’t have given away the house to get a mediocre one in bradford.
Okay let’s see one win with no blocking, no defense and nobody making any plays. LOL
It’s not about QBs not being important, but this idea that they win the games by themselves is asinine and it’s covered like that too often.
TOLD a co-worker (an FSU alum) that “today is a great day to be a Seminole alum!” He replied “Why is that? –We were getting the shit kicked out of us (28-6) when I turned the TV off!” –When I told him about the miracle comeback by the ‘Noles. he was incredulous. But, after checking it out on the internet, he was all smiles. “Thanks for making my day,” he said as we went home.
That’s great. Ole Miss really gave that game away last night.
Tim is too easy.
So the Broncos won the SB because of their QB? LOL
I’ve got a lot more examples for you if you need it. 🙂
No, I’m talking about my Broncos wanted Wilson over Tannehill post. There’s always one guy……
Oh but you were wrong in how you said it. LOL
By the way, “My Broncos?”
wow. that wasn’t right. It was supposed to read ” about how the Broncos”.
Oh, I said it that way on purpose. I’m a trouble maker. I knew someone would jump at that
I look at it this way. Misi is my whipping boy. Everyone knows that. But I was even impressed with the way he played vs the Falcons. Yeah, it was preseason but he looked like a different players. So, if this coaching staff could get that out of Misi they’ve got to be a hell of a lot better than what we had in the past. Misi’s even been healthy. No ankles or back injuries from picking up gum wrappers.