This is easily the strangest opening to a season that I can remember. I don’t recall knowing this little about our team at this point of the season, just 3 days before our season opener. What I do know is our team is a very young team, 2 of the young ones pictured will likely determine our success or demise this Sunday. Rookie starting LT Austin Jackson is getting his first start of hopefully a very long successful career but it will be difficult task going up against a Bill Belichick team. It doesn’t matter what the names are on the New England defense, he will disguise and confuse even the savviest OL, so both Austin Jackson (LT) and big Solomon Kindley (RG) will have to be on point. If you were to subtract the age of our starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, we’re trotting out a very young team. Jackson (21), Flowers (26), Karras (27), Kindley (23) and Davis, the elder statesman at 29. Devante Parker (27), Preston Williams (23), Jakeem Grant (27), Mike Gesicki (24), Durham Smythe (25), Jordan Howard (25) and Chandler Cox (24). The average of the 12 listed (including both TE Durham Smythe and FB Chandler Cox) is 25 years old. Throw in these important factors, very little practice time, no preseason games, a lot of new faces put together, facing a seasoned master in Bill Belichick and there is a chance that many things can go wrong. On the other hand, I think Flores will have our team prepared and I do believe we can see success against the Patriots this Sunday.
That was just our offense, our defense is quite young as well. I’ll spare you the lists with ages but the average age is 25.5 years old. LB Kyle Van Noy is the elder at 30 on the defense. The depth is really young as well, on both sides. It’s a great start in year 1 of the rebuild, it really is. Yes, it was disappointing to jettison Raekwon McMillan who no longer fit our needs because we’ve been doing this for a long time, drafting talent, changing schemes and then purging the talent that doesn’t fit. Hopefully with Flores and Grier we’re done with that cycle. Picking up WR/RB/QB Lynn Bowden from the Raiders make me think we’re not going to be the 1 WR, 2 TE rushing attack a lot of the time. I think we’re looking for playmakers all over the place and in today’s NFL, that’s wise. You have to score to keep up. Nothing like being able to run a game out but you have to be up in order to do that. You can’t stop the best teams from scoring, that’s a fact. You have to be able to keep up. I don’t really know what to expect from our defense. I know we have really shored up the back end with a quality secondary by adding Byron Jones to Xavien Howard for s shutdown duo of CB’s and a fine young rookie NB in Noah Igbinoghene. Bobby McCain will be the centerfielder while Eric Rowe will likely be closer to the LOS. What will be interesting to see how we use the LB’s and DL and in what combinations. Baker and Roberts will patrol the middle with Ogbah and Van Noy on the outside. Of course there will be various formations and Lawson and Strowbridge and Van Ginkel will be a part of. Looking forward to seeing all the pieces in play and even if we’re not successful this Sunday, at least hoping we see signs that things are going to be better.
I look forward to seeing DeVante Parker starting strong and seeing Preston Williams all the way back from injury. Can Jakeem Grant hold off the competition for slot play from Mack Hollins, Malcolm Perry and Lynn Bowden? Will we actually be able to run the ball effectively? Will our young OL be able to pass protect for Ryan Fitzpatrick or will he be running for his life as he did last season. Will our front 7 be able to generate a pass rush for a change? Will the three headed CB combo of Howard, Jones and Iggy be one of the NFL’s best? Can Rowe make the switch to safety and is Bobby Mac ready to resume his role of safety and stay healthy? A lot of questions loom, as the even bigger question that is silent at the moment, but you know when does Tua play is lurking not so stealthily in the shadows. It’s there, because as soon as Fitz has his bad day, it will rear it’s ugly head and be right there in the forefront. For now at least, it hides.
Keep in mind that Bill Belichick desperately wants to answer the question “Was it Belichick or Brady” with a resounding Belichick! Tom Brady, sickeningly so has been anointed NFC MVP and is already in the fucking Superbowl against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. It’s disgusting! I guess the NFL needs a storyline and now instead of seeing New England Patriots 24/7 it’s the freaking Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Brady every second. I think Brady has the better chance to succeed with all that talent on the roster but never count the master Belichick out. True, he won’t have his stalwart QB Brady running the offense anymore and I’m not much of a Cam fan, I think he’s been one of the most overrated QB’s in the game. I don’t think he deserves a marquis, he’s a JAG. If he’s healthy, he’s a threat to run and I think that’s where he’s most dangerous to the opposition. If he’s back there slinging it, I think he’s more dangerous to his own team. It’s going to be fun watching this game, so many angles to come together to make this game a must watch.
GO DOLPHINS!!
#staythecourse
Finsmob Unleashed 
Terrible job by Grant
Yuck
That fake crowd noise about made me crap my pants. I though right there at the end it said “ball, ball, ball” I was oh fuck Grant coughed it up.
Naples, they’re allowed to pipe in a certain amount of crowd noise through the PA system
I dunno if it’s bring piped in to the stadium or if it’s part of the broadcast. Done of the broadcasts are adding it in for viewers
Gaskin has been a pleasant surprise so far.
Yes.
Gaskin, the Huskies’ all-time rusher, closes his career with 5,323 yards, 57 rushing touchdowns, 5 TD receptions and 1 TD pass.
Mask-cot
D – I read that every team is allowed to pump a certain db level of crowd noise due to the lack of fans. Supposedly the NFL is monitoring each stadium to make sure they don’t exceed the db level
Grant redeems himself
Yep
GRANT MAN BOUNCES
What a bogus holding call
Tua time?
Grant Sr. looks more like Grant Jr. Oh, and fuck that bad decision by Fitz
Fitz didn’t read that right
What was Fitz thinking?
In division news the bills are thrashing the jests
That was a double pick on that play to edelman
Excellent penetration by wilkins.
They need better protection…oh wait a minute
Wilkins balling!!!!!!!!!!
Wilkins starting to dominate
Wilkins has flashed for sure.
So the Pats got 4 TO?
What the Folk was that? Lol
I’ll take 7-3 at the half guys
On the road
In New England
After 2 turnovers
Hopefully, Fitz settles down but I agree. Lots of new players in a new environment at one of the hardest places to win.
Just after Tua clock
Gaskins has been a good surprise…… but where the heck was Howard in the 2nd half and Breida ain’t getting much play at all.
Best stat of the half for me — no sacks. Plus Fitz had time. And running game was working. Maybe the new OL is the one we’ve been looking for.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see tua start 2nd because Fitzgerald ruined his own momentum.
I don’t anticipate that
Start with a surprise onside kick. That would be ballsy
Gaskin and Wilkins are balking, don’t see much else. Secondary must be playing good.
Pats not throwing much
Cam Newton in the half — 6 of 9 for 72 passing yards and 2 sacks.
Ain’t Brady’s Pats any more… or maybe our pass D is that good.
Cam Newton will give up a bunch of sacks as a mobile QB, though those two were legit pass rush sacks.
Come on – don’t give that easy stuff up
So once they start throwing slants they are an unstoppable juggernaut?
Foot went out before ball crossed
Not a TD
Who cares….if they are at the 1 inch line instead it’s not much better
More time off the clock so might as well let it stand lol.
That answers the question of who got the refs in the divorce
Lol
Definitely out, but again we aren’t stopping them right now. Maybe we get to take a big shot on cam but that’s about it
Let see some offense Dolphins
Move the ball
That wasn’t even close to a TD
Crap
Definitely a PI but would been hard to call that live.
Incredible
We are one half into the season
Did Wanny take over the playcalling on O?
I guess we didn’t watch any film on Cam. Our defense is acting like it’s Brady out there. SMH
DB is hugging Gesicki
Didn’t see the start of it but that is how a whole lot of PI calls look at the end.
Its not exactly creative playcalling on offense
Look alive Dolphins
These games count
they look like they are sleepwalking through the game
I’m about to stop watching this game
It’s just making me miserable
Fitz INTs has killed two drives.
It’s super boring to watch them run these trash play effectively
Not encouraging signs for the run D this year. Still early but this game already looks very over and we look pretty bad. Still lots of work to do but every game counts.
We get a break!
Sweet Baker
Fucking NE refs. EVERY GAME.
Yup
Awesome play by Baker
Awesome play Jerome!
Roughing = tickling
BS but it doesn’t matter now.
I just like squealing about bs calls against the cheats
I get it! It was BS!
Okay offense, get your heads out of you asses. Yes you Fitz!
Preston
Grabbing Gesicki before the catch too
On the one
Put it in
It’s amazing that they call that but not the earlier one
Boom 💥
🎶🎶🎶
And when you say Miami
🎶🎶🎶
💥👍🐬
Nice job by the OL. Lindley on the QB sneak in particular
Now get a stop Defense.
🐷 🐬🐷🐬🐷🐬
Two picks but he makes it fun to watch
Stupid penalty
That book sounds like firewood to me
We are doing a shit job of contain.
Challenge that spot – he was a yard short
That was short
But probably not in NE
It’s like a yard short – I can’t beleive they tried to get away with that spot
12th man doing the work
Why was Baker ejected?
Anyone see that?
Wasn’t ejected.
Newton was holding Baker down that’s why he pushed off him.
Little things like Parker struggling with a hamstring really pisses me off more than anything
My streaming ended and I can’t get it back. I’m really annoyed at the NFL that I have to have a fucking dish. Fuck you! My day has been ruined when all I wanted to do was watch my team play a fucking game. Fuck you!
Now newton is taunting wilkins.
Wilkins should just say ” I got 2 Cam”!
Bad throw by Fitz
three picks…..
Is it Tua time yet?
Gesicki was tackled on that play. NO CALL! That’s some hot garbage!
Don’t worry Tim! Storm just knocked my feed out!
Ken, that throw was to Gesicki who was being held and tackled while he’s trying to make a play and there was no call. Just watched it in slo-mo, it’s a fucking joke.
Saw that too. Least the end of it. Wonder if we’ll see the interaction, but guess doesn’t matter cause is all over.
Still a bad throw into traffic when you need 2 scores
Man that’s terrible cheating by the refs. Egregious
That was PI
Cleveland is looking good though. LOL
Wilkins. Was that not pi on gesicki?
Man that was egregious. OMG
That’s why I started to hate the NFL…a decade ago. Pats just allowed to cheat every game.
Say they score instead of the INT. Like 1:30 left. Do they go onside kick or kick back to the Pats and burn their time outs hoping for a 3 and out?
I hate to kick away (we didn’t stop them often), but that’s got to be the call?
Think you are probably right, but also seems either way our chances were slim….. not that I didn’t want that TD.
Did we just play a game against NE with 1 holding call on the OL?????
And no sacks, even if one was only not cause Fitz sneaked over the LOS. Liked what this OL showed.
1 sack when Preston slipped (again)!
I was not happy with our team played into the 3rd quarter when I was able to watch it.
Oh by the way, start Tua and let’s get the new era going. We’re not going to the playoffs with Fitz. We’re just prolonging the inevitable. I know it’s only one game but we’re all just waiting for the new era to begin. Start it next week.
Who stole Tim and replaced him with a pod person?
Fitz is on his good year/bad year cycle. He plays too loosey goosey like he’s Brett Favre and he’s not. I don’t want to watch an entire season of that.
For Christ’s sake! Gesicki is going to have to get rape counseling after that play!
I forgot how insufferable twitter was after a dolphins loss
The Ravens just keep on winning. I felt like the Chiefs and the Ravens were the 2 safest bets this week. The Ravens just don’t win, they steamroll you. Will the Browns ever be good? I feel like they could have the 1st pick every year and they’ll still suck. They just can’t put it together, but the Ravens is a tough test early.
Let’s see where this team is in a couple of weeks
I’m not going to give this game too much weight
Bring on the Bills
This game is kind of what I expected. We are still a work in progress. I am a little disappointed in Fitz today he was a little sloppy with the ball
But we have a team. Didn’t feel that way last year.
Austin Jackson played well, and that sack wasn’t his fault. Fitz rolled right into where the defender was engaged with Jackson and Jackson had no idea Fitz was there. There was a play early in the game where Kindley was pulling and he moved so slow he never even touched the defender he was supposed to block. Behemoth is not great on the move, better in a phone booth.
I really liked what I saw in Lindley
Fitz had time almost every play. And the runners had lanes.