WOW! What an amazing finish to the Dolphins vs Patriots game. That one easily slots historically among some of the best games I have seen this team play. Even if we lost this game, we went punch for punch with the Patriots all day long, but we came up with a Rocky II ending. Not sure if you all noticed, but we scored more than 30 points for the first time in regulation, and we did against the Patriots! Crazy!
Ryan Tannehill. Forget about the future, this young man deserves a lot of credit for his toughness and grit he’s displayed this season. You could see he was hurting, and I admire his resolve to stick it out, and help his team to victory. He’s been getting beat up all season, but like a Timex, he takes a licking and keeps on ticking.
OK, down to business. This game, aside from the excitement meant a lot to me as a fan. These are the games in the last decade that we would crumble and succumb to the pressure of needing to win and stay alive, and this team pulled out a stunner against the TD + favorites New England Patriots. They were clutch. They made plays, and they got contributions from the QB. We were missing arguably our best defensive player (Xavien Howard), and it showed, but we did just enough to win. I think Gase earned some respect yesterday. Smoke and mirrors, we’re -55 in points and we’re 7-6. Crazy! What we as Dolphins fans have to hope is that this game was a springboard to a playoff run. If we can beat NE when it counts, then no other game on the schedule is impossible
Despite the fact that it will be about 30 degrees at kickoff next Sunday against the Vikings, the game will be in a domed stadium, US Bank Stadium, so the weather won’t be a factor. It will definitely be loud, but we can overcome that. The Vikes have had an up and down season, and they face the Seattle Seahawks this evening in Seattle. At the moment, the Vikings are 6-5-1, and although they have showed the potential to score, their last 3 games they have scored 20, 24 and 10, and have lost 2 of 3. Kirk Cousins has done well for the Vikes, but RB Dalvin Cook has been battling injuries, and that leaves the much less explosive Latavius Murray as the lead back. WR Adam Thielen is totally in sync with Cousins, and they have been one of the best if not the best QB/WR duos in the NFL this season. Thielen has 98 receptions, 1166 yards and 9 TD’s. We will desperately need CB Xavien Howard back for this game.
As I said in my blog article this past week, the New England game was a statement game, and the statement was “We’re still in this Dolphins fans, stay with us, keep rooting hard, and something special may happen”
I watched the game at my nephew’s house, and although the video is a little rough, it captured that crazy ending, and your faithful “Crazy Dolphins Fan” again. It’s just funny. Some moments are just humorous when captured on video. None of us had any idea we were being videotaped by his little Nest camera.
Finsmob Unleashed 
It’s over.
Done
That was a very nice throw. ☹️
NFL QBs will beat you if they have time.
McTyer lets guys run past him too much.
Where was howard on that play?
Howard isn’t in the game today.
That is my point.
If you have a half hour, I will list our injuries for you.
On the injury report
Gase is always sitting by himself
He might need a OC calling plays.
Maybe he has a gas problem?
nobody likes him.
grumble grumble grumble
GRUMBLE!
Sigh
Okay we’re likely done. Let the hate begin. Really enjoy the hate though, don’t hold back. LOL
Once again, injuries pile up faster than we can adjust.
Howard out and McDonald limping.
naples,
Tanny did not need to throw that ball at Amendola’s feet. He could have just as easily hit him in the chests/hands. 3 feet higher, which in no way risks throwing it into coverage, its probably a TD.
***
Parker had poor position, no doubt. Throw should never have been attempted. Go somewhere else.
***
The OL isn’t helping either…but it’s not all them.
btw
I ‘m just going to put this out there.
I have not seen the real Reshad Jones all year.
This is why you can’t get behind against this defense.
Starting the game down 21-0 didn’t help
😡
sack by Jawuan James
Why was James looking at Tannehill instead of looking at the pass rushers
Matt Burke might not be coming home to Miami after this game.
Where is Vince Taylor when we need him?
It is a pretty sad state of affairs when Vince Taylor is the guy you need
That’s why i wanted to draft a DL last year.
oh n/m sorry about whining told ya so crap
Everybody knows the same thing.
Our trench guys just can’t get it done. Too many subs.
James, at times, just looks like his head isn’t in it.
That’s why we need to move on from him. His durability issues and his performance is not worth a big long-term deal.
McDonald went to plant in the hole and his ankle sagged on him.
Seems like if everybody in America knows they are going to run the ball after they fired their OC, wouldn’t the DC for Miami plan for that?
Ken,
It allows them to play their pressure packages and let guys rush. I absolutely agree the OL has struggled today, but getting behind against this defense is a recipe for disaster. They’re just too good.
I meant I agree with you about this
We got away with a holding call there.
I agree with you
Tannehill just surpassed 100 yards passing for the day!!!
Pull Tannehill NOW. He’s going to get killed out there.
8 sacks
The center was supposed to hike the ball.
9 sacks and counting…
This was a team loss today. The D blew early on. The OL is being man handled Tannehill can’t get anything going
This might be the best defense in the league.
Our OL is falling backwards.
And yes that was a hit to the head by Sheldon.
That was a ridiculously generous spot. But at least we don’t get anybody else hurt.
Well we will always have last week
That’s not sarcasm.
That was one helluva hit that Andre Branch just delivered!
k well I hope they craft a game plan for the Jags Defense.
Punt on first down and look for Borttles to make mistakes
Down 21-0 was a really bad start, as depleted and short staffed as we are , I lie that they did not quit and came back to make a game of it .. but again our injuries and bad play all around were too much to overcome.. was good to see Ballagr show some things running
Gase never gave up based on the play calling….. but sure seemed Tanny did. But can’t blame him much after all the hits either.
I thought Tannehill played really tough once again. Never thought he quit he hung in there and took shot after shot
Think he knew was over at the end and played that way. But those kind of games are real hard…. and not just physically.
well with wins by titans, colts, and ravens, it’s an even bigger loss.
Man, my week is gonna suck.
Ken,
Is Bortles still starting for the Jags? I thought they benched him.
Good question I don’t know who is behind him? Same strategy probably applies
They are playing J Johnson.
I feel like it’s going to take at least 2 more draft-classes (likely more) before we’re relevant again… and that’s IF we hit on most players in those draft-classes.
If we can get 2 OL and 2 DLstarters in FA and the draft we will be in good shape.
We’re going to need a new QB too, ya know…
There is no one in this QB class that excites me. Build the lines in this draft and if necessary look for a QB early in 2020
1-6 away and 6-1 at home. The Rock has some kinda magic going on….. and more than just the heat factor.
Gase needs to fix that.
Well… being we play 8 home games and 8 away games per year, that explains our mediocrity being stuck at roughly 8-8 over the last two decades.
Home and away splits never been like that before far as I can remember.
Because it DOESN’T MATTER. All that matters is our final record, bud.
Matters to me M13 — why I brought it up. But am cool if does not to you. Hope OK with you if mentioned though.
It was fun while it lasted. We need a miracle now and I for one am not banking on it. We’re too undermanned. Everyone goes down on this team. Whoa… what did I say there? LOL
Speaking of mediocrity…
M13,
I go back and forth on this defense. I think we have some nice young pieces, but we still play like crap far too often. We struggle to execute simple twist plays sometimes. I thought we were kinda close to being a decent defense…then I’m not so sure.
***
I think the offense has really been hurt by the injuries on the OL. We’ve been playing backups and backups’ backups almost all year. I wish we’d been able to see the starters play all year to give us a better idea of how this OL could perform. Now, we have to wait another year to find that out. Even with that, I think we still need some key skill player upgrades on offense if we’re gonna be a viable playoff team. We simple don’t score enough against good defenses consistently.
Bro, we are consistently inconsistent. Translation: we have a WAYS to go.
I agree that we have some good young pieces, and on both sides of the ball.
I think when healthy we have enough skills players on O. We can argue about QB. However I think it is on both sides of the line that we must focus on. We are just not physical enough on both lines
Naples J Johnson is Washington qb Cody Kessler I believe is still starting for Jax
yes that is totally correct. How could I not keep those two stars straight?
😊 I’ve been having that problem all year with Cousins, smith, and broncos qb
Ken says:
December 16, 2018 at 4:21 pm
There is no one in this QB class that excites me. Build the lines in this draft and if necessary look for a QB early in 2020
I agree with this. Let’s get our lines fixed so we don’t get our new shiny rookie QB slaughtered and ruined.
We tried that when we took Jake Long over Matt Ryan in 2008.
There will be no Matt Ryan where we are picking in this draft
I’m always up for drafting OL! But, if you are assuming Kilgore and Sitton will come back as starters next year, what position do you draft? I doubt they’ll draft a guard in the first. RT?
RT or DT
Want 2 of the first 4 in the draft to be OL, but doesn’t mean first. Even if not keeping James would have to make that a possibility.
That’s why I think we need a FA starting OG.
I think with those 2 coming back we are not as dire as it seems right now, but at some point we will need some OL help, maybe not 1st pick ..
If we had Wilson and Grant back, we’d have enough offensive weapons.
We can’t get enough sacks, we can’t stop interior runs, and we can’t get pressure up the middle.
And we blow coverage in the back end too much.
Ken says:
December 16, 2018 at 4:29 pm
There will be no Matt Ryan where we are picking in this draft
————-
Don’t think about it as to WHERE we pick in the Draft. Rather, if you are in love with a player (in this case, QB), trade up if necessary.
However, I’ll say that the ’19 QB class isn’t looking too good.
I would never trade up for Grier or that baseball player either. Who else is there?
That is also my point that there is no QB in this class that I think would be worth the investment to move up for
Agreed.
Could always go LB too
Ken,
I think we still need a difference maker at receiver. Parker just doesn’t seem to be it. Stills is a decent complimentary guy but nothing more. I’m gonna leave the QB thing alone. Lol
I am not totally disagreeing with you. I do think Parker is a disappointment but I think with a healthy Wilson and Grant we would be fine
I say draft a DE in the 1st round. Why?
Wake is waning, Quinn is over-priced and really not that good, Charles Harris is a bust, and Andre Branch makes too much money per his (lack of) production.
No disagreement from me on this
I’m down for that if that is the best that falls to us.
There plenty of really good DL in this draft year.
K Go Steelers, even if it is too late for us.
Also there needs to be a way for Gase to keep those DL honest so they can’t just tee off on our PL every single play. Hot reads, draws, screens whatever that they have to honor. Play action worked a little today early.
Plus our QB could not even walk after last week’s game so you know he was stiff today.
stangerx says:
December 16, 2018 at 4:30 pm
Matters to me M13 — why I brought it up. But am cool if does not to you. Hope OK with you if mentioned though.
—————
It’s ALL GOOD(!) for you to feel that way, Bro! I’m just sayin’ that success in your experiences doesn’t necessarily translate to fans who live outside of Florida. As a die-hard, I don’t care WHERE we get wins… just get wins! I want to see us make a Super Bowl run(s) before I die, man!!! 🙂
I think most Phin fans would agree, no?!! 🙂
The difference this year is just stark and hard to miss. And yes some of that is cause have seen the heat advantage at work, but interesting nonetheless. Look at the difference btwn the two Pats games….and I wasn’t at either one.
It’s all good, man 🙂
Never wasn’t. Was just curious as to what the problem with bringing up the home and away records…. and you answered.
My theme for the offseason.
Agreed
Good teams have to be able win on the road not just at home
^^^
Just viewed Cam Wake’s post-game presser. I cannot say enough GOOD about that man! I think he should go into coaching after he retires. Such an A+ attitude, a ‘never surrender’ mentality, and he’ll NEVER throw anybody under the bus.
Not like our schedule has been all that easy.
Texans 10-4
Bears 10-4
Pats 9-4 (X2)
Colts 8-6
Titans 8-6
Vikes 7-6-1
Stanger,
I know how much you loved Brandon Fields… and same here, he ROCKED! But how about Matt Haack?!! That kid is MOST impressive!
Bigger leg….not as much touch. Would take Fields, but am fine with Haack.
I recall your love of the unsung Punter position, and that you used to play rugby. Once Haack got 2 punts blocked last week and went rugby-style afterward, I instantly thought of you! 🙂
This game was the reality check we needed but I’m hearing some crazy opinions like we don’t need a QB. Physically, Tannehill is 30 going on 38. The guy has been mauled to the point it’s willpower and little else pushing him thru. And willpower alone isn’t enough as evidenced by his missed games the past few years. We need a QB this upcoming year….and next year…and maybe the year after that.
We also need a ton more than QB. Our DL is TERRIBLE. Our OL is TERRIBLE. Our WRs are complimentary which is meh but not the biggest problem Our TEs should be acceptable. Our RBs…good. Our DBs need a CB. Our LBs are ok if we ever get two really good DL. We honestly need to hit on about 10 players over the next two drafts. That’s almost impossible so we need to find FAs that make up the difference. Good luck to us but it starts with a QB.
^^^
I’m fine with bringing in a QB, including drafting in the first round. Would be real against either trading up hard in the first or breaking the bank for a FA (and don’t think any big name will be out there anyhow).
This team doesn’t do well enough in FA to lose those picks. We need a FO that aggressively trades used up and garbage players like Wake, Branch, Quinn, etc instead of overpaying to get and keep them.
Will at least respectfully disagree that Wake is a garbage player, even if for all I know might not be on the team next year. And Quinn has done a fine job, even if might not be here either. Am also against overpaying anyone…so right with you on that one.
WOAH!!! What a play by the Patsies* on that punt, to keep the ball out of the endzone!!!
MIND YOU… I’m NOT celebrating the result of the play! But it was just INCREDIBLE!
https://twitter.com/CBSSports/status/1074428576026513409
“According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Kalen Ballage reached 21.87 mph on his 75-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, the fastest top speed by a Dolphins ball carrier in the past three seasons.”
There’s zero doubt that Ballage was flying(!!!) on that run, but I highly, highly doubt he’s topped other ball-carriers like Drake, Stills, or especially Jakeem.
Not doubting you, Stanger… I’m doubting “NFL Next Gen Stats”.
Your Picks:
Round 1 Pick 18: Bryant, Austin, DE, Clemson (B)
Round 2 Pick 18: Coney, Tevon, ILB, Notre Dame (A-)
Round 3 Pick 17: McGovern, Connor, C, Penn State (A+)
Round 4 Pick 18: Hyatt, Mitch, OT, Clemson (A+)
Round 5 Pick 18: Huggins, Albert, DT, Clemson (A+)
Round 6 Pick 17: Boyd, Kris, CB, Texas (A+)
Round 7 Pick 13: Hansen, Justice, QB, Arkansas State (A+)
This is for you Bookman 😉
I’d *almost* be willing to trade up for Kentucky’s DE/OLB Josh Allen in the ’19 Draft. He’s likely going in the top-5, so it would be very costly. And yes, I’d obviously play him at the DE position (not LB).
How many elite (potentially) pass rushing DE’s do you see in the draft. I’m thinking just Allen and Bosa. I know it also depends on who else declares for the draft.
Seems it’s a DEEP class for pass-rushers, but “ELITE”? I’m 100% with ya on Bosa and Allen, man. I don’t want to ‘settle’ for the next Charles Harris.
Ken, we win and lose in the trenches every week. So do most teams. Go 2019! lol
That’s why I want more linemen in the draft
This loss hurts but not as much cause I am still reveling in last weeks win. Sucks that playoffs are a very very long shot now.
Hey, Tim! How about your guy Jaylen Samuels this evening?!!
I can’t really take credit for him. LOL
Stanger,
I had Wake as a used up player. I added him to the garbage Branch and maybe a combo of the two in Quinn? Harris probably on the garbage list when his time is up. Our DEs are bad and have been bad for a while. Wake is old and already a role player. The other guys bring almost zero pressure for whatever reason we want to make. Wake hasn’t been top tier in about 3-4 years? He usually piles up his sacks against Jets-like teams.
MF-13, I agree about Allen. Maybe we move up for another type of elite? We need to start hitting more on our picks just because of how far we are from some of these teams.
Yessir!
NICE INT of Tom Lady*!!!
BOOM!!! Down go the Patsies*!!!
That all but takes us out of the playoffs, but it’s always NICE to see the Patsies* lose!
————–
Like I just said above…
The Pats loss was really bad for the Dolphins playoff hopes, which is all I care about. Smh
While you’re correct it is still hard for me to feel bad about a Pats loss
I hope Gore’s all right.. got to see some quality time for Ballage…my biggest head scratcher was why they are always late getting out of the huddle, they are barely getting the plays off always snapping the ball at the last second…seems to me if you wait that long the defense knows the snap count as well.
Rivers does that the most I have ever seen , seemingly every snap within 1-2 secs left.. I agree it would seem to lean toward giving an edge to D as to when snap is coming
Bookman,
You’re right, NE losing hurt us, but not as much as us losing ourselves. It’s OK, I was hoping we were game today, and we hung in there for a bit, but the thing that scared me was their pass rush, and eventually it was what did us in. I give our team credit this year, were down a lot of guys, but they kept fighting, and gave us a thriller against NE. Now it’s pretty much time to look at next season, which is probably a lot of the reason they didn’t want to take a chance of playing X today. Let him finish this season healthy, and be ready from minicamp next season, no need to ruin him.
Who was the other DL we got from rams who was injured early this year ?? Is he under contract for next year ?
Hayes
He’s a FA in March,we gave him 4m for 1 year
He was missed this year.. very good vs Run .. but I guess not likely back next year ..
WELL I HAVE TO ADMIT that my self-induced euphoria over “The Miracle In Miami” might have played a role in my decision to take the 7 and 1/2 points and predict a Miami victory. TRUTH IS Tannehill has never been a strong QB when it comes to road games. And our overall talent level (considering all of our injuries) is NOT conducive to consistent road victories, which is a MUST if you are going to be a serious Super Bowl contender! WE ARE WHAT OUR RECORD SAYS WE ARE —- a team very close to the .500 level AND NO MORE.
————————–
AS MUCH as I admire Tanny’s toughness and fortitude, I have to admit he’s NOT a QB that can get us to a Super Bowl. We need to move on to another quarterback. And the BEST way to do that is to draft one in the first round of the 2019 draft. Rounds 2 and 3 must focus on our O-Line and D-Line needs. We are a below average to poor team in those two vital areas. I’m NOT confident that the Ross/T-Bomb team can bring us the significant improvements we so sorely need.
————————–
I ALSO ADMIT I take perverse pleasure ANY TIME the evil empire known to us as the “CHEATRIOTS” suffers another loss. Pittsburgh’s 17-10 win was loudly cheered in this household. This makes it virtually impossible for The Cheats to host the AFC Championship Game this season!! The demise of the CHEATRIOT EMPIRE IS AT HAND! The sooner that happens, the better for Miami Dolphin fans everywhere in this great land (and Canada and Great Britain,too!)
NOW it’s time to tune in the Lightning at Jets NHL game.
Good game so far 3-3 after 2. Lots of chances for both side .. Go Jets !!
When you can name half a dozen positions or units of your team that need an upgrade, you’re just not a very good team. This was a tough test today. I didn’t get overly confident about the miracle against NE, and I’m not getting overly demoralized over this loss. Learn from it. Get better. Move on.
I still cannot figure out what this team is. We have had a tough schedule and tons of injuries but we are 500. However our team stats suck and our point differential is atrocious. I just can’t figure out what we are
We’re the luckiest bad team or the unluckiest good team.
WHAT we are, Hulk, is a franchise that has NOT won an NFL playoff game during the ownership of Steve Ross. And I’ve heard nothing about the imminent sale of this franchise.
——————-
Now WHAT does Hulk have to say about that?????
Ken,
I think early on it was the TOs we were getting. Without those, I don’t think we fair so good. Then, the injuries started to pile up, we weren’t getting the TOs as often and things went downhill.
Appeared to be quite the drop off from X to Bobby McCain
Scheifele OT winner 🥅🏒
Congrats to you and your team, ‘TOBA. There will be more meetings between these two outstanding teams down the road.
Look forward to them sir 👍👍
test 1
test 2
Merry Christmas!
And that’s a wrap…
Not having Howard was unfortunate against the Vikes. He would have made a big difference, but ultimately it was their pass rush that beat us. Tannehill just couldn’t operate with people on him all the time. Not sure Cornell Armstrong is ready for prime time yet. Nice to see a big play from Ballage, gives a little hope for the future with Drake and Ballage at RB. I wish someone would whisper in the ear of Gesicki and get that kid in gear. We need him to be a factor next season in the worst way. It gives the offense a whole different dimension.
When you are late getting out of the huddle and snap the ball with 1 sec left routinely that gives the DL an advantage because they know you have to snap the ball.
Look at how the Rams OL line-up, they go from the huddle to the LOS running with plenty of time on the play clock, this catches their opponent off guard and out of position most of the time instead of routinely slouching up to the OL. maybe Tannehill should ask the opposing D if their ready to sack him.
you can blame the sacks on the OL but I blame it on a lack of discipline and the coaches.
it’s the little things we suck at!
i was at the last playoff win game, was the Colts at Miami, 2000, 18 years without a playoff win and if i’m not mistaking only 2 chances in those 18 years to get one.
This was the last playoff (Only playoff) game I was at . . .
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198301080mia.htm
Which was all about getting revenge for this game
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198212120nwe.htm
THAT IS ALL
If Gase’s atoms are scattered somewhere in that conflagration, that’s all that matters.
The “Miracle” bought Gase 6 1/2 days. Now I am back to looking for explosives grade plutonium on line. Everyone must go!
Starting with thank jinxed / cursed long snapper!
You do move in decisive ways. But we’ll always have those 6.5 days btwn Homeraide Kid and Nuclear.
One thing I noticed when we were still only down 7 in the 3rd qtr, Gase abandoned the run. That’s when the vikings loaded up and kept sending an army after Tannehill. Ballage was balling and Gase took the ball out of his hands. Then we couldn’t sustain a drive, our D got gassed and their D stayed fresh. Sound familiar. He averaged over 10 yards a carry and we don’t want to ruin that so lets stop giving him the rock. Subtract that big run and he was still averaging over 4 yards a carry. SMH
The only miracle in Miami would be if Gase didn’t call the plays next year. IMHO
I can’t really point to play calls in that game because we had such a difficult time operating and executing. Outside of two big plays one on defense and one on offense we didn’t do much of anything the entire game on both sides of the ball.
Pretty sure Gore’s choice will come down to no football or football in Miami.
————————————–
Cameron Wolfe, ESPN Staff Writer
Frank Gore’s incredible streak of 122 consecutive starts will end due to his sprained foot injury. He’s one of the game’s ultimate warriors and was still the Dolphins lead RB at 35. He’ll be a free agent at the end of the season and will have a decision to make on his future.
Expect to see a lot of Kalen Ballage for Dolphins last two games. Frank Gore took the rookie under his wing this season and has told me he likes his potential to be a difference maker.
SunSentinel Dolphins
@SSMiamiDolphins
Ja’Wuan James says Dolphins surrendering 9 sacks is “unacceptable
No Shit Sherlock!
I guess he could live with 5 but 9 is just unacceptable. SMH
Talk radio up here is that was far and away the best game of the year for their OL. That we played right into their hands by getting down and that their blitzes worked great…and they blitzed often. Former players/analysts were saying every blitz they called seemed to work perfectly both in the right spot and timing. Oh, and we suck. Fuckers.
I don’t think Minnesota is a good team this year. It was their best game…because we do suck. Which position/player do you want first if you were the GM Randy? Ill even say outside of QB this year, who have you liked and wished we could get?
If Minnesota was a good team we wouldn’t have gotten as close to taking the lead back as we did. I dont think they are hacks but i dont think they will last very long in the playoffs. A couple of burst plays and some turnovers kept things close, so were they playing good disciplined football we would have never gotten those opportunities.
Agreed — we did make it close there for a bit after being down 21.
Randy — sounds like they are as happy as we were after we beat the Pats. But we beat the Pats and not us…. lol.
herdfan says:
December 16, 2018 at 9:35 pm
We’re the luckiest bad team or the unluckiest good team.
——————————————–
We are definitely the luckiest bad team. We have won games where the other team had 400+ yards total offense to our under 200 and won, hell in this game we were even with them deep into the 3rd with them totally dominating the offensive stats. Turnovers is a lot of it, our DB’s give the offense the ball back and score a lot. It keeps in the games until we either some how find a way to stop them at the end and seal a win or until they wear us out and shit comes unraveled.
New Age,
I haven’t really looked closely at draft prospects. To me, when you have needs in 4 or 5 different areas, BPA in the first is always a good way to go. I just want a good player. If I had to pick….probably DT or DE.
Thoughts…
1) It’s time to ditch the ‘wide-9’ Defense… it isn’t working for us, AT ALL.
1a) Can we fairly assess Matt Burke, being he was more or less promoted to continue the ‘Wide-9’ D? I haven’t the answer, but I’m ready to see Burke relieved of his duties.
2) Adam Gase should be put on notice at this point. He’ll get next year (and I think deservedly so), but there are no more excuses left to give.
3) It’s past time to prepare for life after Ryan Tannehill, and for all too many reasons… and it’s not because he sucks. Tanny is a middle of the road QB who runs hot and cold: when he’s hot he’s HOT, when he’s cold he’s COLD. His injury history is now of concern, and he was drafted in 2012 (instant starter)… he is what he is at this point with more than enough time to have shown and proven.
3a) Have we ever seen a TE succeed with Tannehill as our QB? The answer is NO: I wonder if he even knows what a TE looks like.
4) We haven’t had a legit O-Line this decade and then some. Blame it on poor draft-classes, the GM, injuries, coaching, bad luck, or whatever else under the sun… NO MORE EXCUSES. No other team in the history of the NFL has had as many problems — and for as long as we’ve had — on their O-Lines. We’re talking about an abysmal level of failure in HISTORIC proportions, here. I refuse to believe that this is mere coincidence or just “bad luck”… this must be remedied!!!
5) Mike Tannenbaum should be fired, and I’m not even sure his role (‘czar’) needs to be replaced. Chris Grier (IMO) is more than capable of running this team as GM, without having to report to a “Tannenbaum”… screw the red tape/bureaucracy that Steve Ross has installed in the FO.
5a) It’s nothing short of a miracle that we’re still technically in playoff contention, after having to swallow the huge contracts ($uh, just as one example) that Tannenbaum had saddled us with. And had Tannehill not been injured before the year began last season — prompting a restructured contract — we’d have been SCREWED, as I’d cautioned. Tanny’s injury last year likely SAVED Tannenbaum’s job. SMH
Welp, that’s all I’ve got right now! Sucks that Frank Gore is out for the rest of the year, too: I really hope he comes back next year. But in the meantime, lets see what Ballage and Bolden can do behind our patchwork O-Line over the next 2 games.
GO PHINS!!!
HELL YEAH!!!
I agree with all but #5
Tannenbaum is doing Aponte’s job and I think they are handling it well. This team has all the cap basically available in 2020 and they quit the flashy signings.
All good, ER! I’m happy to bat .800 in anybody’s eyes! 🙂
To ALL of y’all who appreciate the classic Fullback… look for him in three to four years in the NFL Draft…
If you predict FB in high school being drafted in the NFL you deserve a medal
It’s hard enough to predict a player from HS being drafted
But a dying position isn’t increasing your odds
OL play is just not good throughout the league.
Relative to the old-school we grew up on, absolutely agreed. The rule changes have affected much of this without a doubt.
Yet, some old-school teams still value O-Line play… talkin’ about the Stealers*, the Ravens (formerly from Cleveland), and a few others. These few teams always seem to be perennial playoff contenders, and that’s not by accident.
The Jaguars actually ‘miracled’ their way, deep into the playoffs last season by their running game, behind a tough O-Line (NOT by Blake Bortles, LOL).
Winning in the trenches makes life SO much easier for all.