The day we’ve waited so long to arrive will be here in 3 more days. Yeah, there’s a game on tonight, and may even be a good one, but I’m looking right past it to Sunday, 1PM, Hard Rock Stadium. This team has made a lot of changes and we will be relying on a lot young players, but if you look at the drafts we had last year and this year, I feel pretty confident.
On the offensive side of the ball, we brought in free agent LG Josh Sitton, I feel that is a clear upgrade. Returning at LT is Laremy Tunsil, and he will most definitely benefit by playing next to Sitton. At center, we said goodbye to Mike Pouncey, and traded for SF 49ers C Dan Kilgore. In theory, it will be nice to have all our starting OL practicing together and hopefully developing a rhythm and a chemistry. Kilgore will probably be an upgrade run blocking, but Pouncey was good last year pass blocking, and throughout his career, so Kilgore will have to play very well to in that regard.
Gone is the go-to-guy Jarvis Landry who caught over 400 passes in 4 years here in Miami, and in his place will be veteran WR Danny Amendola, as well as rookie TE Mike Gesicki, and WR Albert Wilson. 3 new faces for Tannehill, each with their own particular skill set. I never loved Amendola, but that guy is a clutch performer, helping the Patriots big time in the playoffs with excellent performances. Wilson was relatively underused in KC, and my hope is it’s not because he didn’t have the goods, it’s because they had too many weapons in KC with Kareem Hunt, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. Gesicki can be the TE we’ve craved here for too long, at least as far as a receiver, his blocking is a work in progress. Gesicki brings athletic ability we haven’t had, and he’s a very talented pass catcher. We’ll also have the oft (minor injured) Devante Parker and Jakeem Grant as well. Grant will bring excitement, and Parker disappointment, just the way it usually is.
Ryan Tannehill returns from injury as he hasn’t played a regular season game since December 11th of 2016. Tannehill is acutely aware this is his team now, and if he can elevate his play, the team will come along as well. This is a great opportunity for him, I hope he makes the most of it. With Kenyan Drake, Frank Gore and Kalen Ballage, I think he has the tools to succeed. I think the backs will share a workload, but Kenyan Drake is the primary back. There won’t be a workhorse among the 3, but Drake is the lead, Gore next, and then Ballage and Senorise Perry.
On defense, we let go a pro-bowl caliber DT, one who played an exorbitant amount of plays for us, and he will be replaced by the frequent rotation of Jordan Phillips, Davon Godchaux, Akeem Spence and Vincent Taylor, with an occasional sprinkling of DE William Hayes. At LB, 2nd YR Rookie Raekwon McMillan returns after missing last season with an ACL injury. He’s joined by Kiko Alonso and and a combo of Jerome Baker, Stephone Anthony and Chase Allen. The biggest change is at CB, where Xavien Howard returns at RCB, but opposite him will be Bobby McCain, who was previously the slot and nickel corner. Depth wise, Cordrea Tankersley, Torry McTyer and rookie Cornell Armstrong round out the CB position. At safety, a few veterans return in Reshad Jones, T.J. McDonald, Walt Aikens, but they are joined by do it all rookie sensation Minkah Fitzpatrick. We’re going to see him on the field A LOT!
So on to the game! Tennessee will be lead by 5th YR QB Marcus Mariota, and the run game led by big back Derrick Henry (Kenyan Drake’s RB mate at ALA), former Patriots RB Dion Lewis, former Dolphins WR Rishard Matthews, 3rd YR WR Corey Davis and veteran TE Delanie Walker. The Titans like to impose their will with a power run game led by a tough OL with excellent bookends Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin. Henry had previously been splitting carries with RB DeMarco Murray, but with Murray out of the picture, Henry will be getting the lion’s share of carries. We have struggled defending the run, at least in the preseason, so we’ll see if we can hold here at home.
On offense, Devante Parker is OUT, so Albert Wilson will likely replace Parker as wideout. In the preseason, the offense was a fast pace, no huddle short pass game clinic. Not sure if that continues in the regular season, or if we’ll be more balanced with more of a rushing attack, and also get the TE’s more involved in the passing game as well. We have a rookie kicker, and supposedly Jason Sanders has ice running through his veins. Let’s hope we don’t need to find out!
MIA 30 – TEN 13
Finsmob Unleashed 
If Gase gets pass happy like last year we will be doomed
trying to pass 63% of the time like we did which BTW was the highest pass vs run % in the league…. that netted us a 6-10 record.
This is the same coach that helped Ajayi become a top back in 2016. Why do you keep acting like he won’t run it if it’s working? Trailing in too many games is why we passed so much last year. Remember we were shut out twice and basically a 3rd time when we finally scored with no time left to the Jets losing 20-6. Ajayi was also the RB for all 3 of those games. It’s more than just the running game and Gore is not the key to our season, he will be a part of our offense, not the key.
I would let last year go and hope we don’t have that kind of fucked up season again.
Mike E. says:
September 8, 2018 at 10:06 am
It’s easy, everyone knows 1 player converts 3rd downs, not the other 10.
_______________________________________________
ahhh LOL at the sarcasm….it’s not who gets the actual 1st down, it’s who puts us in a manageable position to have better odds of picking it up, Drake was not that guy last year.
1.8! 😉
the numbers don’t lie
I can’t wait to see how Drake does this year as the full time starter (or at least the back the carries the ball the most, a player can play one snap a week and be considered “the starter”. He has the potential to be a game changer and despite what his detractor say he has all the skills to succeed.
I also like that he gets better as the game goes on. His second half averages are better than his first half averages. The more he touches the ball the better his overall play is.
Just about everyone except ORob thinks Drake can be special. Even FF leagues consider him a #1 RB with a huge upside.
i think he’s great just not the bread and butter guy
being at the bottom of the league in both rushing attempts and first down proficiency go hand in hand with losing.
I agree with that
“3rd down proficiency”
Drake is great in space, don’t pound him up the middle on a consistent basis, and i really think the first play on 1st down and 10 tomorrow Frank Gore will be behind Tannehill
It doesn’t matter who starts the 1st play.
We also don’t pound anyone up the middle on a regular basis, that’s not how our running game is built. We use mainly zone counter/trap runs.
what ever you want to call it just make consistent positive yardage on 1st down…something drake was unable to do last year
Totally not true and when he wasn’t effective it wasn’t because of him it was because the OL didn’t block it, the same way Ahayi got stuffed many times.
8 of these runs are on 1st and 10. Maybe he just gets too many yards for your liking. LOL
I had already said he had 8 good runs, it’s not about breaking off a 40 yard run, it’s about putting your team in manageable down and distance, he didn’t do that on a consistent basis last year, that’s why we had the worst 3rd down proficiency rating in the league. he’s fools gold on 1st down.
Tim Knight says:
September 8, 2018 at 2:22 pm
This is the same coach that helped Ajayi become a top back in 2016. Why do you keep acting like he won’t run it if it’s working? Trailing in too many games is why we passed so much last year.
_________________________________________
he said in 2016, “don’t let me get away from running Ajayi” as if he’d rather pass the ball every down, the reason we fell behind in those games is we couldn’t effectively run the ball so we went to the pass and lost, anytime Ajayi carried the ball 20 times or more we won, we were also 4-3 when we lost Ajayi. and of those 4 wins Ajayi ran the ball 20+ times, if you account for 16 & a partial 17 with Ajayi we were 14-9, we went 2-7 the rest of the way with Drake back there and running behind the same OL, that isn’t a coincidence.
Okay, ORob. It’s Drake’s fault when nothing is there inside he has the ability to make something happen anyway. If we open holes for him more consistently he will be awesome and we should all enjoy it.
Those were just Drake’s best plays, not every run. He had other tough 3-5+ yard runs inside as well. When the OL doesn’t block it and you get the minus or 0-2 yard runs it skews the stats. Every back has those. If you’re asking Drake to run over DTs at the LOS or in the backfield it’s not going to happen. But show me one back who does? Most backs punish defenders at the 2nd level with a head of steam, they don’t run over guys with 70 to 100 lbs. on them.
ORob, Drake is the least of our worries. Trench play on both sides of the ball will be key.
OL keeps the QB/RBs clean and DL keeps the LBs clean. That’s how it works.
If you notice how our roster shaped up, a lot of it had to do with what Rizzi was saying about the new kickoff rules. More speed players than big guys. 5 RB, 6 WR, 6 CB, 4 TE. Some of them are definitely here mainly for STs.
Yep, and Titans are strong in the trenches on both sides,
They have good RB’s, TE, & the kind of QB that have hurt us over the years,
They aren’t slouches,
To BEAT THEM WOULD BE A GREAT START!!!
GOFINS!!!
Any win is a good win.
Stills, Wilson, and Amendola at WR tmrw. And hopefully Grant too. Not a lot of height in that group. Might be a a time for for some tall rookie of a TE to step for that part.
Gesicki will be more about being a receiver his rookie year than a complete TE.
Think he is gonna get a lot of plays in the pass routes, especially since Grey went down. And might always be going so deep. He’s a real easy target over the middle.
thing 1: DC’s do not lose sleep over 3.5 yard per carry backs. They lose sleep over backs who can take 40 yards on any play.
I am happy we have a game changing back who is a good pass blocker and pass catcher is quick and fast and can play all three downs no matter what the play responsibility (I.e blitz pickup, route running, inside run, outside run, screen, etc) is so we can keep the defense on their heels. I’m not a fan of the “specialty back” unless it’s a full back.
As counter intuitive as it may be, I am more concerned with our defense tomorrow than our offense. I just don’t like the scheme we have been playing the past few years.
Do you know what that scheme was and what’s different about it this year?
?? Yes, I understand the wide nine concept, we have even discussed it in depth on here. They haven’t changed the concept they are running. (As far as I’ve heard) No, I don’t know what is different this year. Do you?
My point above was, my emotional me, feels better about the offense than it does about the defense. There is no definitive evidence yet to say one or the other or both will be good or bad. Just what we have been able to see in parts and pieces through the 4 preseason games.
Drake is the reason we beat NE in December last year
watch that run at 2:01 man
The guy is a playmaker. He showed it again this preseason.
Not expecting superbowl, but when think about this team Q that comes up is what area are we worse than we lined up than last opening game? Only answer I have is DT. Other places about the same, but also better in a number of spots (OL, TE, DBs and LBs come to mind).
Tim Knight says:
September 8, 2018 at 3:38 pm
Do you know what that scheme was
AND we played way more zone than I prefer, from what I’ve read it was a decision the coaches made due to what they saw when they tried to play man in practice early one and some of the player / week spots, but they stilled played too much soft zone.
Yes personnel and execution was key. It’s not always soft zone, it’s off man, read and react and make the tackle. Last year we had too many plays we had stopped by scheme only to miss tackles and allow a 6-7 yard gain short of the 1st down turn into a 1st down. All teams play the same stuff. Tackling is paramount. We also had too many communication issues where guys looked like they didn’t know who to cover due to too many personnel changes. Let’s hope we can clean that up and keep a core on the field.
We have a new DB coach this year who maybe utilizes our talent better? I don’t know. But last year we used a lot of different LBs and DBs through the course of the season and it looked like that.
The wide nine when you play zone behind it is too vulnerable to it’s soft middle if you play the right pass concepts against it. If you run routes to the flats and shallow crossing routes you pull the LB’s to the outside too and leave the middle open to be gashed by the run. Again and again and again. Need 14 yards? Run it on a draw against your D.
*** our D
It also tends to increase the times when an OL is on our smaller LB’s. The DE’s line up so far outside that they become the TE’s and T’s responsibility, especially when it’s an inside run. The TE only needs to slow the DE down and the DE’s are basically out of the play, that leaves 3-4 OL blocking 2 DT and smaller LB’s.
The Eagles under Schwartz play the same scheme. It’s about each defender knowing their assignment. Execution is more important than any scheme. We’ve seen every scheme get schooled if not executed properly. If it was all about scheme every team would just do the same thing. It’s still about personnel and execution.
I hope Gase can start a streak of beating Pees H2H going forward.
WHY IS THE DOLPHINS GAME BEING BROADCAST ON FOX!!??
Odds: Titans -1.5 | O/U: 45
All-time record: Dolphins 20-16 (Regular Season)
Most recent meeting: Dolphins 16-10 @ Miami (Week 5, 2017)
Streak: Dolphins 1 win (2017); 5-5 last ten (regular season)
Congrats to South Florida. Down 38 – 28 in the 4th qtr they come back and win 49 – 38 over Georgia Tech! Good game to watch!
BBL
Damn Mosquito’s will bleed you dry !
My prediction for tomorrow
Phins 24
Titians 20
I can’t do a prediction until I see this team play a real game.
Go Phins!!!!
Why not? It’s not like once you see the team play your prediction has any chance of being closer, lol. (like all of us)
I don’t have a feel for this team yet. Okay Dolphins 31-17, how’s that? LOL
Nice pick! lol
What happens with the D is gonna be real interesting tmrw. Think the way they are setting it up is for the passing teams…. but Titans ain’t that. A hard running team that ORob would be proud of. And my main concern is the run D. Don’t think it our best match up in that way, but then that makes it even more of a test.
Yes, the D needs to be ready for the big back and running game. Stop that and I think we win. They are not a top heavy WR team. TE Delanie Walker is a threat though.
Agreed. I think tomorrow will likely come down to whether we can limit their power run game, unless our offense goes off. And until I see our offense become a juggernaut, I’m in I’ll believe it when I see mode with them.
I heard the Titans aren’t going to be a run heavy, power running team this year, that’s why they changed coaches.
They were doing that already.
Saw some comments about leveraging and Nike stock not going up. Just wanted to weigh in, lol
My rule on leveraging is it should be avoided in the first place with good picks and good entry points. Of course it can happen anyway, and if the urge to leverage hits i have a hard rule on it.
1. Never leverage, unless You are CERTAIN it will rise, or You will be babysitting a falling blade with heavier skin than before.
2. If You are thinking leverage, get the freaking buy point right the second time since You screwed up the first one.
Nike Stock isn’t bad, I have some in my portfolio and it’s risen two days straight. Nothing spectacular, but it’s good for margin maintenance since it has maximum margins and is a decent riser.
I like NIKE, AMD, and CGC for my margin guys. CGC is a Canadian Marijuana stock that been on a huge bul run
I love NLST though, bought a hundred thousand shares 3 days ago at 12 cents each, Friday it hit 33 cents, but holding till it hits a buck.
It’s up 137 percent Friday and aftermarket
The small clappers are risky as hell, but very rewarding if the entries and exits are good
Fins will win manana, the NFL is going after the streaming market big time this year.
I hope I will like CBS all access this year, 5.99 a month for CBS Fin Games!
I didn’t have any NIKE stock until a few days ago when it dropped 3 percent. That gets my attention since I like to buy dips on strong companies.
It’s up a couple percent in 2 days, and is up aftermarket too, won’t retire on it, lol but gains are gains, and margin gains keep me out of the margin doghouse where I found out isn’t a nice place to be.
My prediction for Titans game is Miami 28, Titans 27
My Hot picks for next week if Your into big weekly swing trades are NLST, GEMP, EYEG, INPX, SDPI, MNKD, FLKS, IPCI, APRI. CGC, CRON. These picks are severely undervalued IMO, damn the RSI index on a few.
If u can’t make money on these next week, I didn’t either, lol
Thank you Wyo … this is very helpful.
IT’S GAME DAY BITCHES!!
FINALLY!
GO DOLPHINS!
This is not a drill
I repeat- this is not a drill
BITCHES!
A Samurai falling on his blade!
This is why Steelers bailed on Bryant, but go Miami, one and oh!
Didn’t check the actual forecast, but this weather forecaster is saying gonna be hot and humid today. Already is now at least, which is unusual.
Titans will be missing their 2 top draft picks for the game as well as their starting OT and starting Safety. That might be a break we need.
You going to Slattery’s to Oink?
In a cab on the way now!
Here’s the actual forecast — “real feel” for the game is like 98 and 99. And the Titans bench will be in the sun while the Phins are in the shade for a good part of the game at least. Unfortunately OD and I will be on the visiting side, but we’ll take it for the team…. or maybe we have no choice. 🙂
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/hard-rock-stadium-fl/33056/hourly-weather-forecast/53559_poi
cool
Was planning on taking a shower before the game, but after the seeing the forecast decided…. what’s the point? And I sweat like I was Pig’s brother. 🙂
The heat is a huge factor for visiting teams
Looks like the Rookie TE’s are going to get major snaps!
GAME DAY!!!
Has anybody been keeping tabs on our predicted scores for this game?
And just like that!
We have a volunteer! 😉
😆
I’ve been too busy to have kept track, bud!
Only Howie should do that
It’s a Howie thing
I miss Ocala! Hope he comes back soon!
Hope so
Everyone deserves a break every once in a while
https://twitter.com/theflyingpig44/status/1038820210487242755?s=21
Go Dolphins.
I see the inflatable is wearing the Titans half-time score!
38-3 Dolphins
Too bad Ballage is inactive
And WTF Parker
MR. Wake should FEAST today like it’s Thanksgiving. 2 sacks today, at least.
I thought everyone was going to cut and paste and then add theirs.
??
I’ll start (or restart).
OD Mia 27-17
Naples Mia 23-17
OD Mia 27-17
Naples Mia 23-17
Pig Mia 38-3
I’m bummed that Ballage is inactive. Isn’t that dangerous? Or it could mean Gore is NOT getting a serious share of carries, so as to be unlikely to be hurt.
Titans @ Phins predictions
OD Mia 27-17
Naples Mia 23-17
Pig Mia 38-3
M13 Mia 24-20
Titans @ Phins predictions
OD Mia 27-17
Naples Mia 23-17
Pig Mia 38-3
M13 Mia 24-20
WYO Mia 21 – 17
Son Mia 15-12
OD better step up his game!
Go MIAMI!!!
MIAMI 30
Tits 17
I hope everyone has been doing great
Titans @ Phins predictions
SB7 Mia 31-14
NewAge Mia 23-21
CavKong Mia 24-17
Rockphin Mia 34-27
Manitoba Mia 27-16
Rhino Mia 17-16
David Mia 28-27
M13 Mia 24-20
Tim Mia 31-17
OD Mia 27-17
Naples Mia 23-17
Pig Mia 38-3
WYO Mia 21-17
Titans @ Phins predictions
SB7 Mia 31-14
NewAge Mia 23-21
CavKong Mia 24-17
Rockphin Mia 34-27
Manitoba Mia 27-16
Rhino Mia 17-16
David Mia 28-27
M13 Mia 24-20
Tim Mia 31-17
OD Mia 27-17
Naples Mia 23-17
Pig Mia 38-3
WYO Mia 21-17
Son Mia 15-12
Thank you, i just spent 45 Mins scrolling through posts and could not find the score i put out …
No problem, Brother!
It’s game day. Smite ’em!
HELL YEAH!!!
does anybody know a site the game is streaming on
Almost game time. Starting to get angry 🤢
Take it easy Banner
It’s pregame
It is too stressful to take it easy
Have a beer!
<———–!!!
*BEAST*!!!
Time to Rumble !!!
Mike: in my scrolling i saw your post about Football feeling like a second job.. i 100% agree and have felt the same last couple years … 4 Fantasy leagues, a Survivor Pool with 5 picks to start, weekly Sport Select tix , wife and i each make two TIX , one i pick 3-4 ties,(within 3 pts) other is 3-5 games picking winners … it can be exhausting, but at least drafts are outta the way now 😯
That plus all those CFL games
Now playing: “The BEAST” by Tech N9ne
GETTING PUMPED UP!!!
Go Fins. Optimism springs eternal!!!!
(I am so pumped I don’t even know what that statement means)
The drug lord inactive today! only brought the rookies today!
Ugh Chris Carter
FUCK! I need a drink already!
Twittering device is… OFF!
GO PHINS!!!
HELL YEAH!!!
One of the raffle prizes at slatterys is Steven Ross’ shorts
OD, should I buy a ticket for you?
Shorts or underwear? And how did they get them?
I’m not asking
[_]
I hope the Dolphins follow my lead today. No slow start for me. I’m going right past the beer straight to the Captain Morgan!
NO SLOW STARTS! TD FIRST DRIVE MFr’S!!
Game time douchebags!
Titans @ Phins predictions
SB7 Mia 31-14
NewAge Mia 23-21
CavKong Mia 24-17
Rockphin Mia 34-27
Manitoba Mia 27-16
Rhino Mia 17-16
David Mia 28-27
M13 Mia 24-20
Tim Mia 31-17
OD Mia 27-17
Naples Mia 23-17
Pig Mia 38-3
WYO Mia 21-17
Son Mia 15-12
ER Mia 27-19
Good Luck to all of us cuz the first dropped pass = 2019 draft talk LOL
I’m thinking OL, DL, or CB in the 1st.
OK, here we go!!!
NO TD FIRST DRIVE. LOL
Shitty kickoff
Titan unis are AWFUL… logo gets lost on the helmet
Damn, wide open
Minkah rocking !!
FITZ IS EVERYWHERE!
Back to back plays for Fitz.
Nice play by Minkah
poor pass by Marriota
Nice tackling Minkah
Minkah is EVERYWHERE!
DROTY!
Hulk already say that
Fist pump for the D
Ok, only 3. Let’s get that Captain Morgan start Dolphins!
Okay time to see what we got !!!!
2 back set NICE
pass on first
1.8!
Passes dont count Mike get with the program
Drake now on first down oh wait a minute