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GAME DAY – Dolphins @ Bills – Game 14 – Baby It’s Cold Outside!
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Finsmob Unleashed 
Tannehill won’t carry this team on his shoulders he’ll need big run support, something Ajayi gave him last year.
WAKE-UP, SLEEPYHEADS!! – – IT’S FAU FOOTBALL BOWL DAY!!!!!
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FAU is 2-0 all time in bowl games since becoming Division I in 2005. In tonight’s bowl game (7:00 PM on ESPN) viewers will be treated to one of the best running backs in college football, Devin (Motor) Singletary, who has amassed 30 rushing touchdowns this season, tops in Division I. Viewers should NOT ignore FAU’s all 300 pound plus offensive line, led by THREE C-USA First team selections. WR Kalib Woods and Owls’ QB Jason Driskell will certainly team up on some deep passes. But HC Lane Kiffin is known for his trick plays, so keep your eyes peeled for some truly unconventional play calling in tonight’s game.
ON DEFENSE, Florida Atlantic is led by JR Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, a 6′ 2″, 228-pound wrecking ball who has led the Owls in tackles the last two seasons. His intimidating presence could be a big factor in this game. Also, DT’s Jeremiah Taleni and Stephen Leggett will be a thorn in the side of Akron’s running game.
GOOO-O-O-O OWLS!!
want a QB? should have gave the pats our 2nd this year fro Garrapalo.
he looks like the 2nd coming of Montana
montana
excuse the stuttering
I think adding Nelson and Chubb to this team would help tremendously
he’s built like lacy
Rob
I read that the reason Belichick took only a 2nd RD pick for Garappolo was because he refused to trade Garoppolo within his division or conference, and the Niners were the last team standing that really were interested in Jimmy G, so he took what he could get, mmm, ooh, ooh and Jimmy looked at him with those big brown eyes, and said, you ain’t seen nothing yet, b-b-b-b-a-b-y, you ain’t seen n-n-n-n-o-t-h-i-n yet.
Lol, Well done
Fun Fact: Jim Garoppolo has hazel eyes
Drake has rushed for 347 yards from scrimmage and 2 TDs in the last three games. Damien Williams is an RFA but that probably means we can keep him if we want, especially after the injury. And he is young too (24). Future looking good at RB.
They are announcing the Pro Bowl guys tonight. Some more might get the nod later down the road, but only lock is Suh. Landry, Wake and Jones are possible but not a sure thing. Anyone else with even a chance?
Parkey has been excellent, but he has far too few attempts. Maybe a ST’s player, like Michael Thomas
I think Landry is the only lock based on stats (which is usually how pro bowl voting goes)
The other guys you mentioned have played well but I don’t have faith in pro bowl voters to recognize it
I’m thinking Suh and Landry, with Wake making it as an alternate.
I would vote for Suh 10x over
But I don’t know if the rest of the league shares my perception
We haven’t been cery good on the national stage
If the Phins only made every move every other team in the league did that actually worked out, they’d be SB champs every year!
I say that to myself every year
😝
Next year we have Kiko Alonso, Lawrence Timmons, Raekwon McMillan, Stephone Anthony and Chase Allen returning. If Kiko and Timmons are starting, that really leaves only one starting spot, which I guess would go to McMillan in the middle. Now Anthony or Raekwon would replace Timmons in the nickel, or maybe even Chase Allen.
I wouldn’t mind drafting a LB for the future to replace Timmons, unless they really think either Allen or Anthony are good enough to eventually be solid starters.
That is far from a dominant group of LBs. We definitely need to improve that group
How do you know that? We have no idea what McMillan can be, or Chase Allen really either. We know what Alonso is, and we know what Timmons is, and there’s still a chance Stephone Anthony can be a player. So if it were up to you, when would you draft a LB?
There is no one in that group that scares me if I am an offensive coordinator. That is a pretty run of the mill group. There is no one in there that you have to scheme against. Maybe McMillan could be good but has yet to take a snap. Also I am not Chase Allen bandwagon. To me he screams depth but not starting quality
Round 1, Roquan Smith if we’ve got a shot. Even if we need to trade up a couple of spots. we need a linebacker with range and who is a sure tackler. we ain’t got that now.
Totally agree about Roquan Smith. That would be an excellent addition
Go Owls
Go Driskel
Go OD
Kansas City is our bitch this game is in the bag. We just need Tennessee to keep losing. Buffalo is toast in Miami.
I think we’re getting solid at linebacker. Keep getting more pass rushers. Wake’s age and 50, who’s hurt, aren’t long term.
I wanna see Chaee Allen become a more aggressive tackler. He gets to plays but more sexy tackles.
I’m pleased with Anthony’s progress because he was struggling with the NFL but it seems our staff has done him a lot of good. He gets to a lot of plays fast.
Branch
Wow I just reread not sexy tackles lol he needs to make more. At the point of attack.
Agreed on pass rusher being in the mix, always should be unless you’re loaded and we are not for the near future.
If a LB is the BPA I’d take him. But I’m not reaching for LB because I think this group can get better and I don’t consider them bad at all. They have not played a lot together in the big scheme of things and we’ve used 8-9 LBs this year due to injuries, suspensions and then a release (Maualuga). I think we have a lot to work with on defense already. Yes add to it but we need to focus on the OL and TE along with some depth at RB. People want us to draft a QB too. LOL
Agreed plus Hewitt is back in the fold and I know you and I have liked him.
He gives you depth and athleticism if he’s never going to become a starter. You need guys like him though and to play STs. Allen gives us a big LB who can run in the middle. He’s a rook and he can get better. He also plays STs. Anthony at worst looks like the same thing as these guys. But he does have more speed and athleticism than both of them. McMillan will be back to start his NFL career. Alonso will be back and maybe Timmons, not sure on him. I’d be fine with this core group in 2018. Can add to it without going 1st rd though.
Oh man your pal son has been worked up all day. Wife wore her Suh jersey to school today and still has it on. Oh man… it looks good lol
What is a sexy tackle?
I’ll defer to Herd. Lol
Too bad about Malaluga he was really playing well here and seemed to be well liked.
Didn’t our losing streak start after he left. Wish he kept his shit together.
Yeah he f’d up.
I’ll take playoffs at 8-8. Just get in. We should be a playoff team. The AFC is changing quite a bit once Brady is done we have just as good a shot as anyone talent wise. We just have to win. Just win baby. Frame of mind that thankfully Landry brings in spades. We need more like that.
OK, so we’re taking a LB, QB, RB, OL all in the 1st RD? How many 1st RD picks do we have again?
That’s my point, not every area of the team needs 1st rd attention. You have to be realistic about how the team is set up heading into 2018, we’re not replacing a bunch of starters, they’re looking to add some to a few spots. Build on the best you have, add competition and hope you made some significant upgrades. That’s the game.
Looking forward to the next two games to see if some young or new players step up. I wish Tank was not injured, wanted to see more of him. If we make the playoffs somehow awesome! Not expecting it.
That’s it Tim. People are all over the place. We have to take a QB, RB, CB, DE with our 1st RD pick, but we only have one. I just hope we don’t go WR with it, but I’m pretty open to OL, QB, LB, TE, CB, or DE. I don’t think we have a dire need in the 1st for any of those, but if they feel the best guy is there at our pick, go for it
^
I feel the same way about our secondary. It’s different now and if Lippett comes back all good (Achilles), I really like Howard, Tank, McCain and Lippett as our main 4 corners with Jones and McDonald at S. Let the backups to these guys work itself out. I don’t think we need a DB top priority, but as always, BPA is always a factor.
We’ve been lucky to be able to keep Aiken as really a pure ST player even though he takes the spot of a DB. He’s pretty good in the way that little fucker who came in with Zack and went to NE. Izzo!
LOL
Aikens has a role and he knows what it is and plays it well. He’s very good on STs and serviceable as a DB adding some size. He could easily make the team in that role again next year.
Wow, just read Chargers TE Hunter Henry is on IR with a lacerated kidney. He was having a great year.
Ow
Yeah man, that probably hurt like hell
SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTING FIRST HALF in Boca Raton Bowl. YET, FAU leads Akron 21-3 at halftime. OWLS are 3-3 on 4th down conversions, including a balsy call by Kiffin on 4th and 3 from Florida Atlantic’s 27!!! Star of the game has been QB Jason Driscoll, whose calm command of this up-tempo offense has been the difference in this game. GUARANTEE FAU will try to put the pedal down in the second half.
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FAU’s basketball team playing at Texas Tech on DIRECTV Ch 653-1. Big underdog Owls trail only 27-25 to the 9-1 Red Raiders late in the first half.
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GOOD HEARING FROM YOU, SON!!
Enjoy. This should be a second half blow out. Great season for your Owls.
Only 1 of our Phins made the Pro-Bowl (so far) this year: Reshad Jones.
Oh man. Well deserved. I’m really happy for him.
We all know Suh and Landry should be there.
Ah, draft talk in December….the life of a Dolphins fan.
Way to go #20
He certainly earned it. I’m PROUD of Reshad.
Yeah man I love him. He’s a heart and soul guy.
Ditto! Ireland’s best pick?
Oh easily
Did I ever tell you fellas about the time when I found this big hitting safety out of Georgia back in 2010 that I said the Dolphins should draft in the middle rounds? 😉😊😏
Sho nuff. He’s a goodun
Current numbers that may one day be in the Dolphins ring of honor:
Big playoff wins if not a SB would sure help are:
20
93
91
14
You wanna say 17 here but a lot can happen
Maybe with a few more seasons a 32!
I hope 67 is one. And many… more!!! 🙂
22!
25
What I’m about to post are thoughts on our run-Defense… and don’t ask me why I chose run-Defense first, I haven’t the answer. I took a couple of hours examining our weaknesses in this department by cross-referencing several resources and presented some options to fix the problems.
I’m going to do the same for our pass-Defense, our pass-Offense, and our run-Offense.
Your input would be appreciated. If you have a player in mind (via the Draft, FA, or in-house young buck) who could help in this department, post your thoughts.
To me a lot of our issues on defense are a lot of newbees. Communication, chemistry and continued progress by young players. That alone should get better. The offense being better would make the current defense look better. We really have revamped the defense and have also taken some hits with injuries. I think as is, we’re better in 2018.
Defense in ’18
How to fix our run-stopping ability (#13 in yards, #24 in TDs, T-#16-20 with 4.2 YPC)
1) Cam Wake should be relegated as a pass-rushing specialist at this point in his career. Re-sign William Hayes and start him over Wake.
2) The RE combo of Branch and Harris is a liability against the run (5.10 ALY: 30th in the NFL, per Football Outsiders). Could Cam Malveaux be the answer? Maybe draft a stout RE? FA doesn’t look good ATM.
3) ALL of our LBs are VERY sub-par against the run (best is Kiko Alonso: #58 run-stopping LB, per PFF). Can any of our young bucks step up? Maybe draft a 3-down OLB? Paul Posluszy (cheap) or Tahir Whitehead (more expensive) in FA?
A thought: cut Timmons at the $2.75 dead cap figure in ’18 and allocate some of his money to the younger Tahir Whitehead (27 years old). Whitehead has been in Detroit since ’12 and should have a pretty good grasp of what Jim Washburn was installing here with Suh. He’s a top-10 run-stuffing LB per PFF this year, was 1 tackle shy of 100 last year, and can play both the MIKE and the WILL (positional versatility). Last month, he replaced Jaraad Davis as the Lions’ dime LB on a full-time basis. He should be able to be what we brought Timmons here to be… only (hopefully) cheaper, better, and younger.
PS: I’m not worried about our DTs… we’re really good there (6th in the NFL per Football Outsiders).
PSS: I’m not concerned about the run against our bigger, longer, and stronger DBs. Hence, I didn’t include them here.
Audi for the evening… I’ll check back in the morning.
The way we seem to be lining up at LB looks like this will some flexibility.
SOLB Timmons/Anthony
MLB Allen/Hull
WOLB Alonso/Hewitt
I am sorry but that roster makes me nervous.
If we had a healthy Tannehill and no Cutler learning/conditioning curve early on, what do you think our record would be? I’d say 9-4 or 8-6. Our defense was out there by themselves trying to salvage games with no complimentary football from the offense for at least 4 games. But we still had a lot of issues all season and RT could have had some rough moments as well. I’m not worried about the defense moving forward. We have to get better up front on the OL and add some youth at TE.
This is my opinion, but Tannehill is better than Cutler/Moore.
McMillan will be back, he wasn’t part of that list. Our LB corps is very new and young.
You don’t act like a 2017 2nd rd pick is not in the mix anymore because he missed the season with an ACL injury as a rook. It happens all the time. He got hurt in the first PS game in early August. He’ll be a full year by that time in 2018. 9-12 month recovery period depending on the player.
Tim,
I think the thing you are discounting here is that Tannehill did what he did last season with a last place schedule. When you consider we’re playing a much tougher schedule than last year there’s absolutely NO guarantee we’d be doing any better than what we are right now. MAYBE we have one more win but you cannot say with any certainty that we’d have a winning record with Tannehill in there from day one. I’m sorry man but that statement doesn’t hold water.
FAU DESTROYS AKRON 50-3!!! Yes, this was NOT one of Florida Atlantic’s better games, yet they still blew out the #2 team in the MAC. WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TURN AROUND at FAU performed by Lane Kiffen. FAU was 3-9 their last 3 seasons. NOW, under Kiffen, FAU has the second longest winning streak in Division I football (10 games, exceeded only by UCF’s 13 game streak).
TWO years ago, I thought FAU would lose its 2018 season opener at Oklahoma BY 70 POINTS or MORE!! – – NOW, I think FAU has a chance to make this game competitive. The Owls will lose 2 key offensive linemen but, otherwise, they’ll return virtually all of their key players, including QB Driskell and RB Singletary, who was AP third string All-American.
Applications for admission to FAU are up 35% since FAU’s football season started, according to president John Kelly. All of a sudden, FAU is no longer “that little state university nobody has heard of. ” iN FACT, enrollment (now just over 30,000) could approach 33,000 for next September’s term.
I meant 9-5 not 9-4, or 8-6 with Tannehill. I don’t think we would have had some of those bad no competition games on offense. Go ahead and rip me for it, I believe this. LOL
It’s what you believe but there’s no guarantee that would be the case. We’ve got a tougher schedule than last season. Maybe we have one more win but I highly doubt we have a winning record at this point because he’s not the type of guy who can do that; be the difference between where we are now and have a winning record.
We still have difficulty stopping the run and covering te’s and rb’s with our LB’s. I’d say that LB is most definitely a priority. We keep plugging holes at LB with has beens from FA instead of getting young guys with range who can tackle and fixing it once and for all. It’s the offensive line of the defense.
I’m all for BPA in the first and the best OL in the second!
Hell I’m even OK if they want to trade up for an OL in the late first if that’s who we want!
Tim:
My assessment of our LBs has nothing to do with Tannehill. I just don’t think they are that good. I am tired of seeing constantly beaten in coverage. Timmons is very inconsistent. Allen always seems to be a step away from making a play. Anthony is only now just starting to see the field and I have yet to see him make an impact play. You make it sound as if McMillan will be a difference maker. He may wind up being that. However he has yet to take a snap in a game that matters so you can’t count on him just yet.
Alonzo beaten in coverage ^
TOTALLY AGREE WITH PROF LOU’s statement that our group of LB’s are the “offensive line of the defense.” That said, our O-Line IS STILL the weakest part of our entire team!!! –And all this discussion of Quarterback A or Quarterback B IS MOSTLY IRRELEVANT. NO QB could have consistent success behind this O-Line. The only consistency would be that our QB’s consistently get the crap kicked out of them!!! All THREE of our starting QB’s this season spent serious time on the injury list!!! SO-O-O picking a TE or some other position other than O-Line in round one means we DON’T need one of the very best O-Linemen coming out of college. AND THAT’S A LIE!!!! –STUD O-LINEMAN in round one is our TOP PRIORITY. And many draftnicks believe there are 2-4 college boys coming out who rate being taken IN ROUND ONE at an offensive line position. So let’s stop all this horse shit and TAKE ONE so that, whoever is our QB in 2018, can have a chance of staying off the disabled list.
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ALREADY THINKING about Florida Atlantic’s opening game next season at OKLAHOMA!! –Do I think FAU can beat the Sooners in Norman?? – – NO. –DO I think we can hang with them for most of the game?? –YES. FAU’s relentless ground game (spiced with a few trick plays) gives the Owls a chance to keep the clock rolling while Devin Singletary and his pals eat up the clock. If Oklahoma thinks FAU is going to roll over and play dead in the first quarter, they are in for a surprise. But, between now and then, FAU is going to need to recruit 3-4 more stud defenders. I think, in talent rich south Florida, Lane Kiffen is capable of doing JUST THAT.
GOOOOOO-O-O Owls!
Most of our games were winnable this year. The schedule this year vs last year aren’t all that different. People keep bringing up last year’s schedule like it was a cakewalk. This is the NFL and you only get 16 games. Nearly every team is identical talent and coaching wise save for the few that remain at the top. You have to be focused and ready every single game. We weren’t this year, and last year we were. The QB makes a difference, losing the bye made a difference, losing home games made a difference.
I know how we can improve the LBer play,
Take Nelson and Chubb, Nelson 1st and use that 4th to move up early in the 2nd to take Chubb, he looks like eddie lacy, devonte freeman type, heavy low to the ground beast, more importantly get a coach who has a complex understanding of run blocking schemes, get the ground game going and the LBers will be watching most of the game from the sidelines.
the most glaring problem may be at Guard with Bushrods pending FA’cy, will he hang up the cleats?
can this guy from notre dame if that’s who we choose come in and be a day one starter? where’s Asiata? why hasn’t he developed?
i’m not so sure as everyone else is about our OL being bad, they are all NFL talent OL.
My concern is the reason they may look bad is due to scheme and coaching.
verner is also a FA and the reason i mention him is that we are thin at CB so this could be a consideration early in the draft.
look at our sophisticated run blocking schemes LOL, everyone’s man on man!
Did Jay Cutler play this role in Seinfeld??
This is our base 4-3 Defense and their run-stopping grades.
Sorry, this is our potential for 2018.
THIS should be our base 4-3 Defense and their run-stopping grades.
Notes on above images…
1) Raekwon McMillan’s grade was PFF’s run-grade for him in college for ’16
2) As you can see, our current LBs are horrible in run-stopping
3) Tahir Whitehead would be a SIGNIFICANT upgrade and be what Timmons was supposed to be and probably cheaper
4) Godchaux is only going to get better and better
5) I’m giving Kiko a mulligan, thinking he’ll be back to himself in ’18
6) Don’t know what to at RE. Andre Branch has taken a huge step back and Harris has been better than he at stopping the run this year. Harris should continue to get better and better
7) Any one of our young buck LBs could emerge as well
Roquan Smith could certainly be in play with our 1st Round pick, and he would likely be our SAM backer to replace Timmons. It should be noted that Roquan isn’t exactly nice in coverage.
IMO, the ultimate answer at LB should/would be an elite pass-covering specialist who can tango with the stud TEs of the NFL… especially Gronk.
With that stated, I’m going to turn my attention to our pass Defense.
I actually think what Rob is saying is closer to the truth as to why we have such problems on defense. It’s not just running the ball, but IMO, just having an effective offense period, that puts point on the board. Our offense was so bad in too many games, and a lot of times, we moved the ball, but either turned it over, or penalties forced us to punt. If we turn that around next season, the defense will look better, because they won’t be out there as much, and won’t have the pressure of carrying the team. Stats are like dominoes, everything you do as a team touches another domino. When you falter on offense, it hurts the defense.
I absolutely agree with this as well. We do have some problems on Defense, but not NEARLY as many as we do on Offense.
I believe the defense is being revamped this year and the future could be bright. The offense needs upgrades on the OL, at TE and better overall depth.
So glad there are no Thursday night games this week. They BLOW!
Did anyone happen to catch Eddie Royal on Good Morning Football on NFLN? He said pretty much what I’ve always thought. People just see Jay Cutler as a guy that doesn’t care, but it’s not even close to the truth. Check it out . . .
http://www.nfl.com/videos/good-morning-football/0ap3000000895525/Royal-Rivers-and-Cutler-are-more-alike-than-people-think
I think most of it comes down to complementary football and we’ve had too many games where the offense gave the defense no support. We’d be in a lot better shape if we didn’t have those outright horrible offensive performances.
Armando SalgueroVerified account @ArmandoSalguero 18m18 minutes ago
Jermon Bushrod and Julius Thomas (foot) are going on Injured reserve.
Duarte and Eric Smith on the active roster.
Both might have played their last games for the Phins.
Agreed. Thomas could be back but not at his current price.
And Bushrod could as well….but it would be in a compete or maybe “know am a back-up” situation.
To go back to the non TD tD, Ken i think does the best job of explaining exactly how i see it. Its pretty close to the same thing that happened with Dez Bryant in the playoffs against Detroit, again costing a team a victory, and just like that was a catch, so was the one Jesse James did. two feet and make a football move, or a knee, elbow, etc and a football move, and WTF could turning and stretching out for the plane of the goal line be if not a football move. He tried and successfully did move the ball forward after the catch, thats a football move.
The rule is stupid and everyone knows it.
Time to get Farty
Ross is spending $60 mil on tennis courts and facilities outside of Hardrock to keep the Miami open here, which I think is great….but do wonder how it is going to impact tailgating. Some of this might be temporary, but are we going be able to party on the new courts?
I think we will manage
says the guy who goes to one game a year.
those are some prime tailgating spots.
Not like there won’t be a Fest tailgate, but could end up it happens across the street in what used to be the pay lot that will be then be the new orange lot. They already were expanding the blue.
Here’s a nugget for you:
The eight starters on IR accounted for nearly $40 million in salary cap space in 2017.
Farty for Duarte!!!
Im thinking Bushrod and Thomas might have been playing on those injuries and likely could have remained playing on those injuries, as i don’t remember any events where they seemed to sustain them during the game. Its also convenient that we just got to this point as the season pretty much hit a out of playoff consideration point. This is probably more evaluation time than anything and i don’t blame them. I think that it could also point to likelihood that neither are back next year, or they are trying to get an early jump on the decision based upon recovery outlook. Ill be happy to get a better look at some of these guys, i have been hoping to see Duarte active on our roster, and being its Thomas and not Fasano that’s out, we likely get to see a healthy dose of him early on. I hope we get to see Asiata more so than Smith. If we insert some young guys we might as well get a bunch of them in the mix and see how they do.
I believe Smith was beating out Young before he went on IR.
I think Jay Cutler is fine, i think he need to be the same Jay every day to be called good, and i think if he was, he wouldn’t just be called good he probably would be pretty close to great. Still as is the case, i think we have to look for something better next year, and though the return of Tanny may be better, i think we owe it to ourselves to be prepared to take the next step past him, even, by selecting a QB who can potentially be better. We dont know how Tanny is going to return, we dont know if he is going to pick up where he left off, and we dont really know how much further past where he was he can reach. So i think thats too many unanswered questions to put off yet another year of not showing we expect more by trying to do better. It may help Tanny over the hump, just by putting a legitimate threat there with him. He does have a very competitive nature to him, we just haven’t challenged him at all.
I agree with this. He really has never had any legitimate competition here, except maybe his rookie year, but Garrard got injured and that was that. It may raise his level of play, competition usually does. At worst, if we draft a young QB that gives Tanny a good run, we have a future QB on the roster whether Tanny excels from the competition or not.
From the PBP:
When the Dolphins give up a touchdown where a receiver prevents a receiver from working through a screen, it’s called a well-executed “rub” or a “pick.” Ask Jarvis Landry. Too often when Miami does it, it seems it’s called a “penalty.”…
I COMPLETELY AGREE!! Fucking Cheatreaots make a living on this type of play and get called on offensive PI ….. well never!
Welcome to my man crush list, Uchenna Nwosu
What’s up with Derby? IS he still on the roster?
Yes but I think he’s dealing with an injury.
Uchenna Nwosu?
We have to pass on him, sorry.
I cannot pronounce his name!
Rock
I don’t worry as much about pronouncing Nwosu as much as I worry about saying I’d love to have Chubb in my backfield. lol
ROFLMAO!!
Go ahead. You can say it. It won’t change how we feel about you.
At worst, if we draft a young QB that gives Tanny a good run, we have a future QB on the roster whether Tanny excels from the competition or not.
Plus, how nice would it be to develop a young guy and trade him (or Tannehill) for a high draft pick like the Patriots** have done with Jimmy G and Matt Cassell.
I am all for drafting a QB. This year and every year (within reason)
The Pats used a 2nd rd pick on Jimmy G only to trade him for one 3 years later. The trade with Cassel also included Mike Vrabel but I get your point. 🙂
Stanger
They would definitely have to move the tailgate areas around, no way they would allow people to ruin those courts.
Might be some way to turn parking lots into practice courts come the tourney, but for sure going to be a different plan with the permanent stuff. What is in the pic is all the best tailgates on the home side. We didn’t set up there, but take them out and would be lots of spillover. Will always have a place to set-up though.
This is our nickel package, 4-man (D-Line) pass-rush. The D-Line numbers are pass-rushing grades, all other numbers are coverage grades.
Defense in ’18
How to fix our pass-Defense ability (#15 in yards, #24 in TDs, #20 with 6.4 YPP)
1) If we relegate Cam Wake to pass-rushing specialist, he’ll be fresh all the time.
2) Charles Harris is only going to get better and better.
3) Jordan Phillips is a better pass-rusher than Davon Godchaux, Godchaux is a better run-stuffer than Phillips.
4) Pay NO attention to the pass-defense grades of our DBs. Our Safeties are nice and our CBs are young, playing well, and will be nice next year.
5) Matt Burke and Lou Anarumo need to focus on man-to-man coverage and not go so zone-heavy.
6) We’re #25 in the NFL in Adjusted Sack Rate, per Football Outsiders. We need more pass-rushers… can’t have enough of them. Kiko Alonso and Lawrence Timmons are the #11 and #12 pass-rushing LBs (not EDGE defenders), respectively, per PFF (pretty darn good). If only they could defend the run better…
7) If we could get an elite pass-coverage specialist at the LB position, we’d be much better off. We’re #28 in the NFL vs TEs, per Football Outsiders. This MUST get fixed
Notes…
– Stephone Anthony is our best coverage LB at 67.7 (t- #37 in the NFL)
– Eagles’ LB Nigel Bradham (28 years old) is slated to become a FA after this season. He’s the #5 pass-defending LB in the NFL… but he’s a liability against the run (run-grade is roughly equal to Kiko Alonso)
– If we continue to play a zone-heavy scheme, ballhawk David Amerson is slated to become a FA after this season. He’s the longer, stronger type of DB that our team covets. He will flourish in a zone-heavy scheme while he’s been up-and-down in a man-to-man-heavy scheme
– We could use another pass-rusher on the edge for the future, due to Cam Wake’s age. Keep an eye on Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas-San Antonio
We play man/press quite often as well. All teams mix up coverages, you have to or teams will adjust to your one way of doing things and exploit it.
I feel this defense needs to keep building on the core and youth they have and the more they play together the better they’ll be. Lots of LBs and DBs have been in and out of the lineup all season. We need to do a better job of staying healthy as well but that seems to be a league wide issue.
IMO, we’re probably a starting LB and another young edge rusher away from being a nice Defense. If Matt Burke learns from his mistakes and the players continue to gel, we should be good.
LB: give me one of either Tahir Whitehead (SAM, stud run-stopper), Nigel Bradham (WILL, stud pass-defender), or Paul Posluszy (best of all worlds, but an ageing stop-gap) in FA. Of course, there is the Draft. JMO, but we should address the Offense on days 1 & 2 of the Draft.
EDGE: TOO EXPEN$IVE in FA, look to the Draft.
PRIORITY RE-SIGN: William Hayes
I don’t think LB is the key at all to making the SB. It starts on the other side of the ball. We could be a playoff team with this defense as is if the offense wasn’t a no-show so many times.
I hear ya, Tim… and I don’t disagree. I’m doing a breakdown of run-D, pass-D, run-O, and pass-O.
I’m done with the Defense now and I don’t really see anything that’s GLARING. My takes on Defense are just ways we could improve. I agree with you that most of our issues are a 1st-year DC, the Defense needs to gel, and our Offense is problematic for our Defense.
Offense is next up!
And for what it’s worth… I feel we’re going to part ways with Lawrence Timmons. He hasn’t played as advertised and he’s not worth the $$$ we’re paying him. His AWOL episode made him relatively ‘cut-friendly’ for next year.
It’s all good. I like the core we have on defense. The offense needs to be revamped in some areas. Yet I like some of what we have there as well. I don’t think we not a lot, I think we need some more special. That can also come from young players already on the team who have not broken out yet. This season has been a disappointment but I like enough of the team to feel confident we can be good in 2018. We need to add a few more pieces.
Agreed in general, man. I pretty much feel the same way. Just a few players here and there and NAIL the Draft.
Have to build thru the draft. Tough part is hitting on those picks…
+1000000000000000
Building through FA is a recipe for disaster. *cough, cough*, Mike Tannenbaum.
However, adding 1 or 2 key FAs is WISE. My rule of thumb? 1 on Offense, 1 on Defense… and they do NOT have to be ‘blockbuster’ signings (*cough, cough*, Mike Tannenbaum again)!
FA should be for just solid positional guys. Off you’re close, then go get that blockbuster guy to put you over the top.
This ain’t baseball where the the rich teams get to just keep spending….have to hold back sometimes and hope you are drafting guys consistently good. Problem is keeping them later on…
^^^
And they have done that. Lot’s of draft picks on this team. Lot’s of additions from FA and UDFA. We’re not in peril, it wasn’t our year will all kinds of nonsense – injuries, change in personnel, off-field stuff etc. It was an off year. I still believe we can be good in 2018. Yes he said that! LOL
You guys do not… DO NOT want to see our lack of run-blocking. HOLY $#!t it’s bad. Kenyan Drake is a THOROUGHBRED running behind these nincompoops!
MF-13; Todd McShay’s first mock draft for 2018 is out today. He’s forecasting the Dolphins will select 6’5″ 329 pound LG Quenton Nelson of Notre Dame with their 1st round pick. According to McShay, Nelson is the most NFL-ready offensive lineman in the draft. He believes Nelson “is ready to start right now in the NFL,” which is MUSIC TO MY EARS!! McShay believes a few O-Linemen may be taken ahead of Nelson, thereby increasing the chance that Nelson will still be available if Miami selects at it’s current position of 14. Your reaction, Mr. Spikes?
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And how’d you like that major league ass-kicking Florida Atlantic put on Akron last night?
Mr. Campbell,
I’ve been saying it for a while now… Quenton Nelson is a very special player. He can play in ANY scheme/system being he’s a stud run-blocker, a stud pass-protector, he can pull pretty well (not to mention he’s 330 pounds!), and he seems to be ‘clean’.
If we take him in the 1st Round, I’ll be THRILLED!!! So will Tannehill and Drake!!!
If we land both Quenton Nelson and Frank Ragnow in the Draft, you will be a VERY happy man as it pertains to our O-Line!
Well, Mr. Spikes, if you and I both like Nelson, I’d say there’s close to NO chance T-BOMB will pick him, if memory serves me correctly. But, even a blind squirrel finds good food on occasion, right?
We’ll see. If Tannenbaum/Grier flunk this Draft, I’m going to be writing some letters…
You guys, your opinions on free agency is not practical in the real world. Teams get 7 draft picks per year. Most will be out of the NFL in an average of 3 years, (just the way it is, that’s the average career) You can’t replace 53 players every 5-6 years, even if you hit on and keep 80% of your draft picks. You must use FA too to fill out your roster.
That being said, I agree it should be done to supplement your good drafts and big $ FA’s should be steered away from unless they are serious game changers. ($114M DT’s for example, not)
The best teams in the league draft well, are able to trade away players because they are behind better players and then draft replacement players for the guys the traded guys were sitting behind. (was that sentence twisted enough)
I follow you and agree 100%!
There are ‘guys’ that we’ll HAVE to sign via FA just to fill the roster, for example. Just stay away from BUILDING a roster via BIG FA $$$.
ROCK: Your belief that free agency must be blended in with the draft is correct, ESPECIALLY if Ireland or T-BOMB are doin’ the draft pickin’
LOL
Tim Knight says:
December 20, 2017 at 3:00 pm
The Pats used a 2nd rd pick on Jimmy G only to trade him for one 3 years later. The trade with Cassel also included Mike Vrabel but I get your point. 🙂
Reply
I could have pointed out conversely how many freakin 2nd round picks he Dolphins have traded away for QB’s over the years. Joey Harrington anyone?
Feeley was a 2nd, Harrington a 5th. Can we not re-live those days of sigh………? LOL
La. TECH DESTROYING SMU 42-3 in the SECOND QUARTER OF THE FRISCO BOWL!!! – – Rack up another win for Conference USA in the post season bowls. I think C-USA is 5-2 in the bowl season already.
These are our run-blocking numbers, and it’s beyond disheartening. Everybody’s number is based on run-blocking, except for Drake, of course. Drake’s number is how well he’s run behind this monstrosity, and I feel it should be MUCH HIGHER.
Put Quenton Nelson next to Tunsil, and I’m SURE Tunsil’s performance will improve in this department. Put Frank Ragnow or Billy Price at Center, and we’re talking about a formidable left-mid O-Line in this department.
All the poaching of practice squads of players and stashing of players on practice squads is part of the free agent system too. Free agency is the rule of the land in the NFL and is so because the players insisted on it. The best teams just use free agency better as well.
Then there is the overriding factor in the entire equation. Luck. The best teams are lucky. This has been shown again and again. How many “great” coaches have there been? How many great GMs have there been? How many teams have those greats worked for? Everyone fails eventually.
MF13, what is the score for an average run blocker.
EXCELLENT question, Rockphin. I’d say around the high 60s to low 70s. That would be ‘average’ for an O-Lineman.
Make that anywhere in the 60s, to be more precise.
Put Quenton Nelson next two Tunsil and Pouncey and they all look better. 😉
Man my spelling has been bad tonight. I think I’m tired. LOL
I know what ya meant! All good!
NO DOUBT!!! 😀
Nelson looks the part, I know we’ll see him being a fixture on some team in the NFL for years. We need a fixture like that at least at one guard spot. 🙂
I think Quenton Nelson is even BETTER than my former man crush Zack Martin. Man, Notre Dame sure has been churning out some O-Linemen as of late!
Tim Knight says:
December 20, 2017 at 9:58 pm
Feeley was a 2nd, Harrington a 5th. Can we not re-live those days of sigh………? LOL
LOL that’s why I used the cheatriots in my example instead of our past first go around.
These are our pass-pro numbers. All WRs’ and Thomas’ numbers are strictly receiving-based, here. Drake’s number is pass-pro-based (and he doesn’t get enough credit for it, IMO).
Jay Cutler hasn’t done too shabby, having only been sacked 20x this year: his pocket-presence has been his ally in these matters.
And I don’t agree with the WRs’ numbers, so pay them no attention. Jarvis should be higher, Stills should be higher, and DeVante should be lower. Again, pay them no attention. Focus more on the BIG UGLIES up front.
IMO, the answers on Offense are plain and simple: fix the O-Line. I’m STILL of the opinion that we have a STELLAR WR corps with Jarvis, DeVante, and Stills. Don’t believe me? Try asking Jay Cutler to form chemistry with them behind our petty O-Line, having coming out of retirement with no OTAs, post- arm surgery on a new team, battling through rib injury and a concussion.
Know who HAS chemistry with Jarvis, DeVante, and Stills? RYAN TANNEHILL… and he’s going to be our starting QB in ’18: PROTECT THE ‘HILL!
KENYAN DRAKE is REAL. Fix the O-Line, and he may become supernatural. Gase states that he doesn’t want a ‘featured back’ (LOL), but he used Ajayi in that role last year… and Drake is a stellar receiver, unlike Ajayi. This almost makes me rethink drafting my man Rashaad Penny to augment Drake… being Drake could be a featured back as Ajayi was.
Time to draft a NICE TE (Mike E and others will like this!). Having landed on I/R (foot), per Armando (thanks, Tim… I was too busy analyzing our team to break news), Julius Thomas’ days are all but over… barring a major paycut in ’18.
It’s also time to draft a QB at some point this year (and y’all KNOW this)…
It’s nothing less than ASTONISHING that we’re still in the playoff hunt — entering week 16 — when ya look at ALL we’ve gone through this season. Now fix the funkin’ O-Line, Tannenbaum/Grier… and do NOT ‘patch it’ with more defunct FAs, just because they can play Center in the event and probability that Mike Pouncey goes down, yet again, SMH. Pouncey is a mere shadow of his former self.
GET ME 2 OF THESE 3 IN THE DRAFT: Quenton Nelson, Frank Ragnow, and Billy Price!!!
I could live with that. Any number of combinations I could actually live with including Braden Smith in there as well and/or a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball.
I agree with both of you guys, Quenton Nelson or Billy Price in the 1st and Ragnow or Braden Smith in the 3rd. …though it wouldn’t shock me if both Ragnow and Smith move up into the 2nd round come draft time.
I don’t think we need to shake up the we unit either
I would focus on OL before WR
TE and LB are also good spots to upgrade
Nice reading your stuff M
Here we are agian….OL OL OL……maybe this will finally be the off-season that pans out
looking at the formations and ratings for the players MF-13 has posted above, it appears that we have a problem at both guard positions. Who knew?
I wonder if Asiata will ever develop into anything or if he is just another wasted draft pick
WELL, ROCK, T-Bomb & Grier did the pickin,’ – – does that give you a hint??
Major League Baseball has just shot themselves in the foot in Tampa Bay with the trade of Evan Longoria to the Giants for a bunch of nobodies. NEXT SEASON, the Rays and the Marlins will field two MINOR league teams that couldn’t have winning seasons at the Triple A level. Expect attendance at these two teams’ home games to average LESS THAN 10,000 fannies in the seats this coming season.
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Meanwhile, Stuart Sternberg, primary owner of the Rays, wants taxpayers to pay about 80 per cent of the cost of a proposed new stadium in downtown Tampa. I’d say there’s a better chance that Trump will join the NAACP than there is for such a proposal to pass here in Tampa Bay. IN FACT, a clear majority now want major league baseball OUT OF HERE!! And that’s also true in the greater Miami area, too!
Baseball urgently needs an NFL/NHL style salary cap, with teeth in it. The bottom teams should be forced to spend at least 75% of what the New York, Boston and LA franchises are allowed to spend. Competitive balance allows an expansion franchise like Las Vegas a chance to reach the Stanley Cup Finals THIS YEAR, their first season!! Competitive balance allows smaller cities like Green Bay a chance to win the Super Bowl.
Rob Manfred can tout revenue sharing all he wants. It’s NOT WORKING!!! Empty ball parks bear grim testimony to that truth.
I agree 100% OD – Baseball definitely needs a hard salary cap and floor system. The fact that one team, such as the SF Giants can spend over $150M, and another team like the A’s spend $23M is absurd. There just can’t be that much of a gap.
Mike E. says:
December 20, 2017 at 10:50 am
Stats are like dominoes, everything you do as a team touches another domino. When you falter on offense, it hurts the defense.
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Exactly!
FIRST !!
Not in the game of pool!
He sure is in real world Guitar Hero though.
I have Greg Zuerlein in one of my FF leagues, and he’s now on IR, and for some reason, after Playoff Week 1, you can’t make any more roster moves. That’s crazy! I have a replacement for every position except K.
Can only guess that rule is in there to stop teams not in the playoffs from dropping players to selectively help those who are.
I guess that’s possible, but if that was going to happen, why not last week also? That’s a good 8 or more points I just lost, which as we all know, can be huge in FF
Not only that, but this is a keeper league, so no team is letting go of a prime player
Still thinking that the rule is in there to stop someone from gaming the system….even if it never happened in your league it might have in others. Sorta like the undroppable player thing that is standard. Even in a keeper league must be someone like a hot replacement running back who could help but wouldn’t be kept for the next year. Have been tempted to drop reserves at times to help a team was hoping would upset a stronger team in the playoffs (even if held off cause figured wasn’t fair).
I started watching Roquin Smith after some of you mentioned him
Wow he’s fast
He wouldn’t be a bad pick at all
Is it wise to have a Roquan and a Raekwon at LB?
“Oh sorry coach, I thought you said Raekwon”
I guess maybe they can get in the happen if calling them “Smith & McMillan”…but that kind of sounds like a steakhouse or something
the steakhouse is McMillan & Smith
McCormick and Schmidt?
I also like the center from Alabama … Bozeman?
We need two new OL one of which must be an OG.
I am wondering (worrying?) if the coaches think Davis is starting guard quality?
I’m also worrying that Gase loves Pouncey too much to see the writing on the wall.
ditto Julius
Julius does have the third most TDs of any TE since 2013.
If that’s the case, then perhaps Gase isn’t as smart as we all hope he is.
One more FF issue. I have 4 really good RB’s, and this league, like most has a flex spot. I have Zeke, Shady, Kamara and Drake. It’s going to be very difficult for me to take out Shady, but I think Drake might be the better play this week, but I would hate myself if Drake has a poor game, and Shady goes off. I think Zeke and Kamara are must play, but we know how NE will do their best to try and limit the opposing team’s best player, and that’s definitely Shady.
My advice is to sit Kamera in that league and Toba’s too. 🙂
You have three of the top six or seven RB plays and Drake, who would still be a sure start on most FF teams. So smart play is not Drake, but then imagine watching him run for a long score against KC. Sometimes more about how you feel after.
LOL! So you like Shady over Drake, huh? It’s a tough one, I feel like Drake might have a huge game against KC, whereas Shady might have his hands full in NE. At this point, you gotta go with what brung ya, which is McCoy, but I think Drake has the better matchup, and if Williams isn’t playing again, he’s getting almost all the work for sure.
NEW BLOG UP!