With all the flux in the lineup on the offensive side of the ball necessitated by injuries, COVID-19 etc, the one stalwart, reliable guy all season long has been #11, DeVante Parker. A look at Parker’s catch percentage of 65.8% might not be that impressive unless you watch the games. If you’ve been watching, Parker isn’t getting those easy throws, in fact it seems as if nearly every throw his way is a contested catch. I listen to WQAM as much as I can and NFL radio as well, and of course try to read everything Dolphins that I can. There’s a lot of talk about Tua Tagovailoa needing to learn how to throw to targets that aren’t wide open, as they usually were at Alabama. I believe it, because in some ways it’s counterintuitive. I think there’s a level of trust that a QB has to have in order to make those kind of throws and I believe that’s something that Tua will learn, and one that I also believe may take some time to develop. It’s a skill he hasn’t honed yet, so be patient, but it sure is nice to have to DeVante Parker here as a Miami Dolphin, because he makes those plays seem routine.
This week, the Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals come to town, in tow with a couple of former Miami Dolphins assistant coaches. Zac Taylor is the Head Coach, along with DC Lou Anarumo. As you know, the Bengals lost their promising rookie starting QB Joe Burrow to a knee injury and now have either last week’s starter Brandon Allen or Ryan Finley to choose from. Allen had an uneven start and apparently was lucky to escape with only one INT as he was consistently throwing into crowds. Either way, whomever starts at QB for Cincy has a tough task against our Miami Dolphins defense. Man, it just feels great to be able to say that and mean it!
As far as our Miami Dolphins offense, it’s still unclear as to who will be in the backfield. Myles Gaskin is designated to return from IR but it’s not a guarantee that he’s able to go Sunday. His former Huskie teammate Salvon Ahmed is also not a lock to play with a sore shoulder and last week’s primary ballcarrier DeAndre Washington has a sore hamstring. This could potentially lead to a Matt Breida and Patrick Laird backfield, but I have a feeling Gaskin or Ahmed will be playing and likely getting most of the action, it depends on how each one of them responds during practice, and maybe we even see both. The other big question looming is whether Tua Tagovailoa’s thumb injury is significant enough to keep him out another game which would have our wily veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick getting another cherished start. Fitz may really like Tua but don’t think for a second that he’s not relishing every opportunity he gets to start.
Depending on who starts for the Bengals, either Allen or Finley, they will likely have Giovanni Bernard as their starting RB along with a nice trio of WR’s including former pro bowler A.J. Green, very impressive rookie Tee Higgins and team leading WR Tyler Boyd, with 72 receptions and 723 yards. Higgins is the TD leader with 5 TD receptions. This is a different offense without QB Joe Burrows and RB Joe Mixon. Bernard will share carries with former Dolphins RB Samaje Perine. On defense, Jesse Bates III is having a nice season at safety with 3 INT’s and 13 passes defensed. Pretty impressive, as he also is 2nd on the team in tackles with 75. SS Vonn Bell leads the team with 85 tackles and if we know one thing, it’s never a good sign when your safeties lead the team in tackles. DE Carlos Dunlap was traded to the Seahawks at the trade deadline and basically leaves a toothless defense behind in Cincy. DE Carl Lawson (not to be confused with M’s fave Manny Lawson) leads the Bengals with 4.5 sacks.
Well, this is the easiest game on our schedule for the rest of the season with the Chiefs, Patriots, Raiders and Bills remaining after this week. That doesn’t mean we look past our opponent this week, I know Brian Flores won’t be doing that. This is a must win for us to stay competitive for both the division crown and/or the Wild Card. Neither avenue will be easy but wins mean everything and we better get one this week. At the moment, Cleveland is the top WC team at 8-3, followed by us and Indy but the Ravens lurk just one game behind us at 6-5 along with the LV Raiders and the South division may change hands so both Indy and Tennessee are in competition for a WC spot. Right now we stand as the 6 seed above Indy but this is very fluid and can change weekly. I say we take care of our own business and win at least 10 games and we should be in the playoffs.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
ocalarob says:
December 3, 2020 at 11:21 am
You probably haven’t heard being the “SITH” your are :),
———————————————–
Whoa now, dont bring the Sith into this.
Ok lookie at me im tha firstest.
New blog
No politics. New blog rule applies
Sorry guys we have to drop it for now
And thanks Mike! Lol
Cant we just police ourselves, i mean just “be excellent to each other” oh and “party on dudes”
Another one of my favorite movies…. and we both like Highlander. You into The Warriors and Major League as well?
Yeah, I think we do a good job of policing ourselves generally
These “rules” are not hard rules
It’s just nice once in a while to have an intervening event get us to take a step back from the politics and back to football
Samaje Perine was a player i was upset they let go, i mean he isn’t a world burner but i think he is probably better than most we have on the roster.
I really wanted us to get LaMichael in the draft, again, he isnt a world burner but he is a great rounder skill set back who is better than anyone we currently have.
It’s amazing that the Jets finally gave him the starting spot and he lasted less than a game. That’s the NFL for ya!
Further reinforces just how crazy impressive Frank Gore is, it’s unbelievable.
At 7-4 and in the thick of things as far as playoffs, we shouldn’t need to talk politics. I’m not gonna say we drop politics altogether, i think that’s nearly impossible, but it should be kept to minimum at the least.
I think political discussion on this blog should only be allowed by people who represent the extreme far middle…
Mike E — Good take on the game. And yeah it is nice to say that QB is gonna have problems with our defense cause it is that good. Especially well configured to give young QBs fits. Unless perhaps if they can run. We saw what the evil genius had as a game plan for us.
Thanks Stanger
Nice write, Mike.
Thanks Kong
The Flying Pig says:
December 3, 2020 at 12:04 pm
New blog
No politics. New blog rule applies
_________________________________________
you’ve done it now! you are now losing your “230” protection! 🙂
Lol.
Cauliflower!!
Covfefe!!
Cavalierkong!!
That is skirting dangerously close to “political talk” Stanger. I mean it’s nonsensical but we all know the source of the nonsense and the temptation to bash the stupidity of that source may be too much for someone….. 😉
Rock — have no idea what you meant….. was just typing and fell asleep before the end of the word I meant. Have a narcolepsy thing 🙂
Cauliflower is my new “Mittens”
The Iphone takes me back to my most recent post when I refresh, but the top of the page if I haven’t posted anything, soooo
CAULIFLOWER
CORNDOG
Cornhole oh wait a minute
Good write up Mike
stangerx says:
December 3, 2020 at 12:50 pm
Another one of my favorite movies…. and we both like Highlander. You into The Warriors and Major League as well?
—————————————-
I’m a movie buff, have a lot of movies i like, for different reasons, but yeah all those you mention are on my live list.The Warriors i think is a lot better if your from up in that area because you can visualize the area and how tough it could be to get from point A to point B given the obstacles they faced. I mean it was still a pretty awesome movie but i think it might have not been as well appreciated had i been from that area and have grown up during that time.Out of your list that my least favorite, but i do think it coveys a lot of the emotions experienced by the different characters pretty well.
People died when the Warriors came out. Watching it today you might not get why, but they did. And you are right about location. NYC was in a bad place back then, even if not quite like in the movie.
Corndog? That’s a little controversial for this blog, don’t you think? Keep it down there Rob!
https://www.nfl.com/pro-bowl/ballot/offense/qb/
Click the link and show the Dolphins some love. Sanders should be an all-pro this year, but he is in 4th or 5th place in votes right now
Sanders just didn’t get a lot of opportunities early on, that’s why his numbers are down. His accuracy and ability to hit from just about anywhere makes him the best. I think the players or coaches or both also pick players so he should make it when that happens. Hard to say he’s not the best this year.
I voted twice for each: Sanders, Grant, Howard, and Ogbah.
I hope that means Jordan Howard! He was awesome! Too bad his stay got cut short
LOL
We’ll look back on this season and it will forever be known as the year we let Jordan Howard get away.
“Both guys have played well, both given us competitive coverage. How they prepare this week will say a lot about how they play. They’ve attacked each week in the correct manner and it’s shown up on game day. Hopefully that continues.”
— Flores on Eric Rowe and Nik Needham:
Seems as if we really scored on Needham. Iggy now has to show us a lil something to be optimistic about for next season.
Iggy will be fine, he’s awesome on ST and he backs up DPOY candidate Howard and 25 mill a year Jones he’s a luxury now that will pay dividends in the future regardless of the fact we could have had Ay-lair or Metcalf he’ll be fine. Good pedigree and team player.
Not going to lie. I voted for a lot of Dolphins on the pro bowl voting. Gonna be hard to explain to other nfl fans why Tua is a probowler with so few starts this season
I will give it a try though. Here’s my explanation to fans of other teams: fuck off
Good for you you finally voted correctly
Lol
Good write, Mike. Let’s get to 8-4 and get ready for the playoff push in the last quarter of the season. Go Phins!!!!
Yes Tim, let’s get in shape for who knows what. This is an opportunistic team who knows what the hell might happen.
Can’t over look Cincy we need to take care of business.
No over looking or that trap game stuff. I don’t think Flores would ever treat an opponent like that anyway. This team hasn’t accomplished anything yet. I think we have so many guys who are still trying to prove themselves that the players wouldn’t do that either. I’m just looking at it from a fan standpoint. We’re better than the Bengals and we’re home so we should win this game. Then the next 4 games will probably be tough matchups. But like you said, this team is opportunistic so I agree “who knows what the hell might happen.” It’s fun to be back in the mix.
Great job Mikey, you’re awesome 😎
This can be an all important Conference win and we need those.
Only two defensive linemen in the NFL had more tackles than Raekwon Davis in the month of November
How ya doin?
And he plays NT pretty much most of the time. Impressive!
He’s a slammer, a big giant slammer he might end up being a Reggie White type force on the line. On OUR team!
He doesn’t get pushed around and like you said he’s a giant of a man. When a RB runs into him it’s over.
The list of NFL kickers that have kicked 6 50 yard field goals, in NFL history, in a single calendar month is the following:
Jason Sanders Miami Dolphins November 2020
End list
Nice!!!
Thank you, Mike E.
I live our aggressive defense and want more. Hulk-mode!
^love
Thanks Tim, Sonny and Krishna
Did someone say Hulk?
Who do you guys think could make the pro bowl from our team? I say Ogbah, Howard, Sanders and Grant (STs – returns)
Agree with the first three. I know Grant’s return yard average is among the top, but he needs to break a few off to get more noticeable, imo.
Ogbah and X are close and with 5 games left could do it. We’re starting to get noticed as a team and that should help, too.
Sanders, no reason not unless he gets a case of “shanks”. He’s been awesome, so far.
It’s so great to see this team be in the mix for a playoff spot and keep getting better for the next phase. Three prominent rookie OL and a rookie QB in Tua in year two, is where a big jump can happen. Add some more talent which we can do big time in the draft. I’m not sure we’ll be big players in FA. Maybe one or two significant players, but not top end. With the team we have now, I see a core building with youth and a manageable cap.
2021 offseason in no particular order – RB (physical), Edge (quick and versatile), WR (speed). Do that with the above, and we’ll compete for the prize. 🙂
But we’re living the 2020 season and who knows what will happen. This team started off 1-3 and shocked us at 6-1. You don’t want to play teams like that. How cool is it that’s we’re that team? 🙂
Nice look at the upcoming game Mike E.
Thanks as always!
MIKE E.; Let me echo Elephant’s positive comments about your write-up. Top drawer, as usual. This season has evolved into a typical Shula season. In the DON’s 26 seasons here, about 22 or 23 of them we were either IN THE PLAYOFFS or we were SERIOUS CONTENDERS FOR A PLAYOFF SPOT. You may say Dolphin fans were spoiled by the DON’S success. You’d be right. But we EARNED THAT RIGHT during the first 4 seasons when the Fish absolutely stunk (as most expansion teams do). Through thick and thin, Dolfans from 1966-1969 backed their team, no matter how miserable they played. But the SHIT WE PUT UP WITH FROM JETS FANS was beyond belief. Getting hit in the head by a thrown beer bottle is NO FUN, especially for the BOTTLE (thank goodness for my thick skull!). And the insults from the Green Slimers were unending. DOLPHIN FANS FROM THAT ERA EARNED THEIR STRIPES, and then some!! So we think we have the right to demand excellence, and NOTHING LESS WILL DO!! — So all of you who enjoy “BEING IN THE HUNT” need to understand this was “business as usual” from 1970-1995. And we STILL BELIVE that going all of the 21st century without a playoff victory is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!!
—————————–
I believe Coach “FLO” believes this, too. After 6 years with the Patriots’ organization, he came to expect, and DEMAND, excellence!!
THAT’S WHY HE’S A SUCCESSFUL COACH!!
WE AREon the cusp of something special here, folks!! ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY. And don’t settle for anything less!!
I’m a believer in Flores, too. Today and tomorrow look promising, OD.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/dolphins/2020/12/03/raekwon-davis-dolphins-towering-tough-guy-turns-around-rookie-season/3819905001/
Good stuff….
Our DL is coming together, too.
https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/allbengals-insiders-plus/bengals-opponent-outlook-dolphins-insider
I agree with this. Thanks.
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/greg-cote/article247554390.html
https://www.thephinsider.com/2020/12/2/21856016/when-are-we-going-to-start-giving-tua-tagovailoa-the-credit-he-deserves-miami-dolphins-analysis
Well, except for the part we shouldn’t bash him and give him his kudos, I disagree with just about everything else.
He has to prove himself just like everyone else in the NFL. Hopefully, what he’s done so far are good signs. I hope so.
Just going to say “hope” one more time….lol.
Sorry.
I haven’t read the article, only the title of the link, but my answer is “When he deserves it and not before.” He looks mediocre at best so far.
well, now I have read the article and it is a garbage fan post. The dude is drunk on koolaide. “we finally have our franchise QB” after 4 games. Right.
I am not one who should throw stones about spelling and the incorrect use of homonyms but for goodness sake! This is from a Sports Illustrated Article!!
“The best thing he’s done is not through an interception yet, ”
Do they not have editors!? Even MIke E has me lurking in the peanut gallery to jump on his mistakes!
I stumbled across that, too. Lol!
LOL at you correcting the typo in that post. 😉
You better put on your ignorance is bliss glasses and stop looking too closely because you see it almost every article these days and if it bothers ya, you might as well give up reading them because it is only getting worse.
Give a shit about proofreading seems to have gone with give a shit about content and turthfulness
truthfulness
don’t know why I replied above. It should have been here about correcting your typo. LOL
On things i care about all that writing rule stuff i have to write it, read it, get made at myself for how shitty a job i did and then settle into a corrected draft, then give it to a proofreader lol. My first draft of things are typically very bad, like so bad im embarrassed to give it to the person that reads and corrects bad stuff.
Id say with Tua, when he is out there he looks the part, he looks like a guy who is going to be good but i do admit you have no proof of it at this point. I mean he isn’t the first nor the last to be sworn in as savior on day 1, but i think he is the most inspiring of hope that we have had in like 2 decades.
D, what I am seeing so far with Tua is what I was concerned with when he was at Alabama. His WR’s were always wide open at Alabama, not when the coverage is tight he hesitates or throws away from some of the guys that are more tightly covered. (part of the reason he has no Int’s, the other part of the reason is he has gotten VERY lucky with ticky tacky pass interference calls calling back an Int and others going through or off of defenders hands.)
I think he is hella accurate, and i think that plays into his confidence in throwing those passes. A lot of QB’s throw those passes because there are very few truly negative things that can happen as long as they are thrown to the right spot. PI is part of why they throw those because its as good as a completion. I dont see that there is anything wrong with him so far in that capacity, he just needs to grow some and get the feel of the NFL game to get better. His quick release, etc makes it hard for the DB’s to make plays on the ball so its fairly safe even though the coverage might be tight. Yeah he did benefit from open recievers in college, but so did all of the QB’s, none of them had tight coverage in college, so i really dont see him as having any less of that than anyone else in the college game.
Hey Phel and Mikey, have you guys ever tried the Nub cigars? The Nub make their cigars to where you start pretty much at the sweet spot of a traditional cigar which is the 2nd 3rd of most of the modern cigars.
I say modern ones because the puro’s which are you more old school style have been sorta replaced as the way cigar manufactures are appealing to the new generations of cigar smokers. They have a mix of different leafs from different regions to make a more tailored taste including leafs from all over in the binders fillers and wrappers. Im a little more of a fan of these thought a Cuban Puro is amazing.
That said, i have been making my own nubs out of presidente’s and some of the larger churchill’s and what i do is cut them in half so i have a quicker smoke and smoke one end backwards so that im burning what would have been the middle of the cigar first. I started doing this after watching a video of a cigar review where the guy said he smokes all of his cigars backwards since the better part of the cigar is at the backend of cigars. So when i find a really good deal on a presidente r churchill box of 20 or so, and i will smoke some of them traditionally and cut some in half for times when i dont have the time for a hour and a half smoke.
Now i wouldnt do this to any of your premium cigars, but if you do have some that you like and you can get a churchill for a good price, try cutting it in half and smoking the front end backwards and see how ya like it. Wont do any good on a puro, but a mixed filler/binder modern cigar, it seems to me it smokes with more of the good favors doing it this way. Just thought id pass that along.
Have not
Nice write Mike E !! Thanks for doing what you do.
Rock
I think you are missing the mark with your analysis of Tua
As D said, his accuracy is top notch
It doesn’t matter that his receivers aren’t as open as his receivers were in Alabama
What I am seeing is he is taken enough deep shots
And to some extent, I think that’s bc of the offense they let him run
The other thing is I’m not sure receivers with a wide catch radius like Parker and Gesicki really get a chance to exploit that catch radius when Tua is QB
He’s going to have to trust his receivers a little more to fight for the ball
It’s true that the Dolphins receivers aren’t getting much separation. I think we are among the worst in the league at it. But when Fitz is QB we see Parker and Gesicki make some pretty impressive catches just bc Fitz takes more chances
I honestly think Tua performance has been pretty good and I don’t need him to set the stats on fire, I just want to see him avoid turnovers and sacks so he’s not hurting the team – which I think he has done well
But the next gear to this offense is utilizing a lot more chunk yardage. Not sure if we are going to get there this year, the Dolphins seem content to play it really safe with Tua
I agree that Tua is pretty accurate. I think he struggled more with knowing his protections so far and being able to just play and not overthink everything. He just looks like he’s processing too much and not just playing. I think that comes with time. Fitz does it automatically because he’s done it for years and knows defenses…probably before the snap. Tua is still trying to process everything in his head as the play is going on….including where the pressure is coming from. Fitz has already processed a lot of that stuff pre-snap and knows what he’s gonna do. That helps everyone around him as well. Tua can’t make up for shortcomings in the OL or at receiver yet. He’s just too inexperienced.
***
I have no idea what sort of QB Tua will end up being, but it’s way too early to be worrying about that crap anyway. If he’s still struggling to look like a franchise guy as the season progresses next year….then I’m gonna start wondering what his ceiling is. Right now I’m fine with him finding his way a little. Patience grasshoppers.
Just to be clear, I was not bashing Tua, only reacting to the over the top fan article that Phellon posted where Tua IS the second coming of God. That said, I hope he works out, but I don’t see the “accuracy” you guys talk about. there have been plenty of passes behind the receivers, low throws, high throws, etc.
he isn’t bad at all, just hasn’t shown great IMO.
I know you aren’t bashing him
I’m just disagreeing
Rock,
I agree he’s looked off on throws. But, I think it has more to do with his anticipation and being able to throw guys open more than the accuracy of his arm. I think his ball placement will improve once things are slowing down for him.
Yeah, I agree. The other thing is the left handedness just looks unnatural so it’s harder for me to judge.
Someone said during one of the recent games that he looks like he can’t see the field fully and I was kind of agreeing with them, the way he moves around, but it may just be the whole backward thing too. I’m not sure.
He is NOT Rosen so he has that going for him. LOL
LOL, of course we have. Laird will probably need to have his appendix out tomorrow. Our RBs should get hazard pay.
He’s played 4 games at the NFL speed and nothing should compare. It was much easier at AL and now it’s not.
Someone said, patience grasshopper. I agree. Way too early to judge…what the future brings.
So true. Nice T shirt.
These days just concentrate on not being wrong….. there is a difference.
I do try to make sure of my sources. I’m not a cultist, in fact, I question everything.
Just not a blind follower.
Yep — opinions differ, facts should not.
My name is Fett…
JANGOBOBA FETT.WOW(!!!) on “The Mandalorian”!!!
I’ll still go by JANGO FETT, though.
Man we’re really banged up at RB with Brieda now on the Covid reserve list. Who’s going to play?
I know a free agent we can sign
Snouty Pigskins gained over 1500 yards in his final season at Alabama
Sure it was just the intramural season
But he’s ready to go
LOL
he was the ball not the ball carrier (pig skin)
ball hog
Time to get Wilkins some snaps…
LOL, Laird is the only healthy tailback. He’s a nice role player but not sure he’s a double digits rusher.
Hopefully the activate Gaskin
https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/top-news-the-byron-jones-effect
Nice piece on the dolphins web-site. I am so glad that the FA move where we made a guy the highest paid in the league again finally is paying off. (both guys at one point we made the highest paid, but one is home grown and re-signed)
{when he got hurt at the beginning of the season, I had my momentary doubts}
That’s a nice read. I don’t think any CB tandem in the NFL is playing better than X and Jones. And Needham and the safeties are no slouches themselves. These guys have really had an opportunity to gel, and it shows on the field.
We’ve also been pretty fortunate in the injury department on defense. Jones missing 3 games is the only major time missed that I can think of for our entire starting defense. Van Noy has been banged up, but hasn’t missed much time, and Wilkins missed a couple games for COVID protocol, but has any other defender missed any real time?
Unless you count losing Godchaux for the season, no other defenders jump out as missing much time. It’s a lot of fun watching this new and young defense grow together and be productive. I always feel a big play is possible. It’s been a long time since I felt that way.
Thanks, I completely forgot about Godchaux. That was a blow. It just goes to show how well this defense has done. And it’s nice we’ll get him back next year, it’ll feel almost like a FA pickup.
And heck yeah, it’s been ages since I felt this good about one of our defenses. You really do feel a TO is always right around the corner. We’ve been averaging 2 TOs forced a game for 7 games, and the crazy thing is in a number of those games, we’ve left a couple of TOs on the field.
Howard damn near came up with 3 INTs last game. He also just missed another INT in the Chargers game. He is playing the ball so well, I wouldn’t even look his way right now if I were an opposing QB.
Totally agree. But how do we get Godchaux back next year other than re-signing him, isn’t he a UFA?
I just assumed he was still under contract, but you’re right he’s a UFA, so I guess if we resign him it will feel exactly like a FA pickup, lol.
more than likely….
If we do have to play the game down to Laird and Cox, pretty sure the game plan is going to have to be altered to more passing and maybe some more jet sweeps. Maybe Bowden and the Wildcat too.
I’m thinking there is a good chance Gaskin will be activated. He practiced all week. Maybe this is just Flores doing the Pet thing and not giving away any info until it’s necessary.
That would be great, we need him.
Coaches always talk about winning each quarter of the season. So this is how we’ve faired.
1-3
4-0
2-1
Also play your best football late in the season. Let’s finish off the 3rd quarter 3-1 and gear up for the playoff run. I know I’ve said this before but I’m excited about. 🙂
So, there’s 4 quarters in a game and you put up 3. I’m confused. Whatever.
Season, my bad. I agree.
Breaking the game down in quarters for the season. 4 x 4 = 16
Tears For Fears: Pale Shelter Lyrics
Gaskin has been practicing for 2 weeks now. Flores didn’t like his state of conditioning last week but I think he’s just playing it mysterious so Cincy doesn’t know who they face. Gaskin would have to be activated by tomorrow in order to play Sunday
Flores isn’t a yapper. He’s a “you’ll find out when you find out” type of guy. LOL
If that doesn’t come together for us, Snouty will be ready
Don’t fumble the ball Laird and you’ll be fine.
High and tight mother fucker get that ball up in here and don’t let them get it 💪🐬👀
Is it wrong to want my son to choose Nova Southeastern over the other schools he has been accepted to because he would get 2 free tickets to every Dolphin home game for the next 4 years? I better check my frequent flyer miles
Not wrong!!! Make it happen! lol
👍 working on it. I think it will depend on if he gets into Catholic or Drexel
Perry could probably play some at RB being that is what he did mostly at Navy.
Never mind, I see Perry is questionable for this Sunday.
I think Gaskin is going to play tomorrow. We need the win and we need at least one player that can run the ball. He’s healthy, maybe not in perfect football condition, but better than anyone else we have.
Fitz for RB !!!!
SOME OF YOU MAY remember my statement to the effect that John Elway stunk it up his first season. He was given the starter’s job and, after a few dismal performances, was unceremoniously benched. I looked up on Elway’s rookie football card and noticed he had seven TD passes his first year. His other stats were equally dismal. Marino, on the other hand, came in part way through the season and passed for 20 touchdown passes, earning himself a spot on the All-Pro team!! I point this out because very few rookie QB’s have “lit-up” the NFL in their rookie seasons. To expect TUA to have a Marino-like rookie year is very unrealistic. Indeed, most rookie QB’s are drafted by teams that were in dire need of a new quarterback. And most of THOSE TEAMS (like the Dolphins) are coming off of a pretty bad season. These under talented teams often are lacking decent O-Lines, solid running backs, and some other parts of what would constitute an above average NFL offense. So these rooks are “fed to the dogs” in the HOPE that they can return their franchise to some level of respectability. That’s likely a MAJOR CHANGE for a highly drafted quarterback who came to the NFL from a winning college program with a solid O-Line, speedy and talented wide receivers, and a stable of NFL quality running backs.
ADJUSTING FROM A WINNING, MAYBE DOMINANT, COLLEGE PROGRAM to a below average NFL franchise IS NOT EASY!! Even Joe Burrow only won 2 games while starting for the Bengals!— I am NOT trying to make excuses for TUA. But I am saying some of the criticisms of him have gone way overboard. “Blown Pick,” “Poor passes,” “Holds the Ball too long,” etc., etc., are statements directed at a QB who, so far, has gone 3-1 in games he has started. I say let’s get his injured thumb healthy and see what he can do. Then let’s see what happens when Miami DOES HAVE an upgraded, faster, group of receivers. Let’s see what he can do when his starting running backs are better than Laird and Cox. Let’s see what happens when the Fins add ANOTHER STUD O-LINEMAN. And let’s see what happens when Miami upgrades their defense in the coming draft.
MY BEST GUESS is that, next season, Tua will start and will lead Miami to the playoffs. And talk of a “Blown Pick,” will be totally forgotten. In Marino’s second season, he led Miami to the Super Bowl. And while Miami did lose to the 49ers, it was understood that the Niners simply had a BETTER TEAM than did Miami, especially so on defense.
————
GO TUA!!
GO DOLPHINS!!
For Howie’s List
27-3 MIA
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I think Bowden can play RB
He can, but they want him to be a WR, and he’s not getting any reps at RB
Necessity is the mother of….or just a mother….
I think we should just go out and run the wishbone with Tua, Cox, Laird and Grantman in the backfield!
Actually a distinct possibility that I would like to see them try
Howie’s List
🔎💰 27-3 MIA 🐬
🦈 35-14 🐬🍩
Howie’s List
🔎💰 27-3 MIA 🐬
🦈 35-14 🐬🍩
🐷 31 – 6 🐬
Game day!
Ken does every student at Nova Southeastern get free tix to the Phins games or are you saying you will buy them?
You pay a one time $75 fee and you get a free ticket to every home game for 4 years and you get a second ticket for a guest
On request
Sorta of guessing you have the NFL blackout to thank for that sweet deal. Must be a lot of students real active on stub hub.
No this deal has been in effect for a while. Nova doesn’t have a football team so they made the deal with the Phins so as to adopt them as their home team. I also think the Dolphins use some facilities at the Davie campus
Dolphins training camp is held either on campus or right next to it, but Ross is building a new facility near the stadium. Not sure when that will be done.
KEN: Nova Southeastern has several campuses. Might your son be going to the one in Ft. Lauderdale?? – – There’s also a campus in Palm Beach Gardens just off I-95. –Plus other satellite campuses, kind of like FAU.
It’s the main campus in FT Lauderdale
And it’s not a definite he will go there. He has been accepted to 5 schools so far and has 8 more to hear from. His brother applied to 8 and has not heard from any yet
Howie’s List
🔎💰 27-3 MIA 🐬
🦈 35-14 🐬🍩
🐷 31 – 6 🐬
🦍 31-17 🐬
Why does Phel have a donut?
Because he is hungry
Famished
lol, I guess if ya ask a stupid question… 🙂
Rice beating #21 Marshall 20-0 as result of Marshall QB throwing 5 (!!) INTs and 3rd QTR still underway. crazy
Poor Herd must not be doing laundry today
OMG… it’s horrible. I turned it off after 4. I’m waiting on my son to get dressed, I VOLUNTEERED to take him to practice parallel parking rather than watch any more. His test is in 10 days. 😂
Good luck with that it’s a lot of stress. One of my sons needed 3 tries not because he can’t drive but because he was so nervous
“How Miami Dolphins free agent pickups have played compared with players the team bypassed” according to Barry Jackson.
I hate re-dos on drafts, but for some reason OK with this good info. Makes me think Byron Jones is not as good as I thought…. but maybe that is just a lot of Zero coverage looks.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/miami-dolphins-free-agent-pickups-145923776.html
HERD: I’m ABSOLUTELY STUNNED that Marshall got blown out AT HOME by a seedy-ass Rice team!! DIDN’T exactly make my day, either.
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FAU’s scheduled to play Ga. Southern in Statesboro a little over an hour from now. Never know when the Covid-Virus is going to cancel a game. Hope we play one.
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Local CBS affiliate stiffed DIRECTV–SO NO GATORS’ GAME TODAY AND NO ALABAMA-LSU GAME EITHER. ANY future Dolphin games shown on CBS are likely not going to be shown, either! A friend in Buckeye ville says CBS is blacked-out in Columbus, too, so Cincy @ Miami will NOT be on TV in Central Ohio, tomorrow! Seems to me that this is a job for VITO!!!!!!
KEN: Thanks for answering. Is your son still considering Florida Southern in Lakeland? – – It’s slightly closer to Tampa than Orlando south of I-4. Plenty of “action” in those two cities. However, Lakeland is pretty much a Trump/KKK city with plenty of good ole boys and rednecks.
Yes that is very high on the list along with Nova
Go-Go-Gaskin!
Glad to see he’s been activated off of IR.
Herd, sorry about your boys. I am worried about my Hoosiers today vs Wisconsin. They lost their starting QB last week to an ACL tear.
Why is the US so bad at dealing with Covid? As many Americas died from it yesterday as have in Japan since it started. We are the world’s best.
Bottom line is there is resistance to wearing a mask and maintain proper social distancing
It’s no different than people who don’t know how to drive, have no consideration for others as if they’re the only ones who exist, and don’t say thank you when you hold a door for them etc. A lot of people suck and are also stupid. The USA is also the 3rd most populated country in the world and a global hub.
Agreed on all the other points , but Japan has 1/3rd of the US population and that was one day.
Japan has been wearing masks for years. Different experiences and culture. We’re a melting pot that makes things much more complicated. That’s just the way it is.
So then require masks. Seems pretty simple to me.
Can we sign him back?
So we get the draft pick and if he clears waivers he’s a FA so he can sign with any team including us, right?
Yep
Not that Isaiah Ford is this top player or anything, but that’s something the Pats would do to us back in the day. Not sure we’ll sign him but it would be funny.
I actually thought he was playing pretty well at the time we traded him. I was surprised we traded him and I would not mind bringing him back
I didn’t understand why we traded him either but we did so I’m not sure why we moved on from him.
Stanger, many people in The USA do not want more central government requirements in their life. Many people in the USA don’t even like the country or its principles. The melting pot is more complex than people realize even though many of us get along in our communities. Many people are not nice.
BBM check out Jaylan Thomas CSU
He runs hard and gets low upon contact. I like punishing runners. Will have to keep an eye on his production next year. Looks like he is a true sophomore right now.
Stanger,
COVID is 6 times more likely to hospitalize people with heart disease, diabetes, or obesity. It is 12 times more likely to kill you with those diseases. Let’s see how America fares on this;
1 in 7 have diabetes
42% are obese
48% have heart issues.
It’s not about masks, selfishness, etc. We love to blame and shame each other but it’s mainly about poor health decisions. A lack of intelligent leadership at the governor level specifically and at all levels universally hasn’t helped. Japan has the lowest obesity and coronary heart disease in the world. This is a highly contagious disease that specifically affects a subset of Americans much worse than other groups. Our poor health, and prior desire to glorify obesity are leading to unnecessary death.
Masks help prevent the spread. Diabetes, heart disease and obesity are not confined to the United States. Furthermore diabetes and heart disease are far from always a result of poor health choices. As a diabetic and a person with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy I know both of my diagnosis were a result of genetics and not health choices. I exercise regularly and I generally watch what I eat. Masks and social distancing are what I rely on for people not to infect me with brazen disregard for my health and rights. I do not want to catch this disease. I also don’t want to run and hide but I need people to practice social distancing and wear a mask because as a diabetic, as a cancer patient and as a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy my risk factors are way up and for someone else to have to wear a mask doesn’t sound like to me
Sound that bad ^
And you are the exception. Most of the health problems in this country are self inflicted..
I beg to differ I don’t have stats but those conditions are not confined to the United States and there are many various causes for each. Furthermore it really doesn’t matter because what are you saying? Don’t wear masks don’t social distance fuck the heart patients and diabetics and just let them die?
Preach it!
Stanger – Japan had mor die from suicide than COVID in October. They have their own problems.
No Ken…what I’m saying is that New Age is right. America is full of fat ass slobs who make bad health decisions. Yours are genetic making you the minority. And other countries are having the same issues. You should be careful because you are very high risk, but this virus has a 98+ percent survival rate. I get that you are scared. I wear a mask because it makes others around me comfortable not because I’m particularly worried about getting COVID.
Thank you for wearing a mask
Here you go Ken – We are hands down the most obese country in the world.
https://www.google.com/search?q=world+obesity+rates&rlz=1C9BKJA_enUS753US753&oq=world+ob&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0i457j0l4.8799j0j7&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=LZi87vrxtnHc9M
I agree with Tim
People suck and are also stupid.
I don’t suck but have been known to be stupid at times. 😉
Howie’s list
🐘 26-8 🐬
I wear a mask but think I already had it several months ago. Got it from a co-worker who tested negative but was told several weeks later it was a false negative (WTF) and that she actually had it. I tested negative but was never told it was a false negative but had some symptoms, loss of taste, sinus congestion and felt tired as hell for 2 days then was fine. Still not sure. Thought I heard somewhere that smokers are less likely to get it or if they do it is less severe. Good thing I am having such a hard time quitting. lol Truth be told, I have heard conflicting reports to that so who the fuck knows.
Just to be on the safe side I go and have a cig after every customer I deal with. lol
Oh, and wake the fuck up! It’s game day bitches!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Dolphins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“It appears that Tua Tagovailoa will be back behind center for Miami. The Dolphins quarterback is expected to be back in as the starter today, assuming all goes well in warmups”, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
In anticipation of being back in the lineup, Tagovailoa took most of the first-team reps this week.
Tagovailoa suffered the thumb injury to his throwing hand in practice on Nov. 25 and missed last week’s game against the New York Jets. Ryan Fitzpatrick got the start and led Miami to the 20-3 win.
The Dolphins are 3-1 in Tagovailoa’s four starts. The rookie out of Alabama has passed for 602 yards and six touchdowns this season.
Miami (7-4) plays host to the Cincinnati Bengals (2-8-1) at 1 p.m. ET.
Howie’s List
🔎💰 27-3 MIA 🐬
🦈 35-14 🐬🍩
🐷 31 – 6 🐬
🦍 31-17 🐬
🐘 26-8 🐬
27-9 MIA
IT’S GAME DAY BITCHES!!
GO DOLPHINS!!
The best game of the day yesterday had to be BYU @ Coastal Carolina. Coastal Carolina is the example of what perfect execution results in. Both on offense and defense. They took on BYU with their big beefy DL while playing with, inch for inch and pound for pound the smallest OL in the country. I mean their center is only 5’9″. Come on man!
They used 19 different ways to run the football out of a modern triple-option backfield. It was coaching genius (should be coach of the year for college, IMO) and a display of execution, heart and desire by all their players.
Also, huge props to the Coastal Carolina defense for keeping one of the countries top 3 QB’s and Heisman candidate in check.
They are also playing this miracle season with a true freshman at QB.
Their conference championship game will be a good one to watch as 10-0 #18 Coastal Carolina will take on the 9-1 #25 Ragin Cajuns of Louisiana. Both won yesterday so their rankings will probably go up especially with CCU beating the #13 ranked team.
Some good small school fooseball y’all !!! LOL
BBM: I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU regarding the BYU@CCU game. But, I heard one guy say “Let’s give a big pat on the back to BYU for agreeing to play Coastal.” BULLSHIT! BYU need ed to bolster their anemic strength of schedule ranking so they could have a shot at one of the bigger paying bowl games. And the #18 team was available, all be it on short notice. This was a money-driven decision, NOT an act of kindness or charity. And I’m OK with that as long as they don’t try to hide their true motives.
After watching yesterday’s games, here is my December Mock. Went offense early.
11. DeVonta Smith WR, Alabama
22. Kyle Pitts TE, Florida
43. Najee Harris RB, Alabama
54. Josh Myers OC/IOL, Ohio State
85. Christian Barmore IDL, Alabama
123. Caden Sterns S, Texas
194. Joshua Kaindoh EDGE, Florida State
203. Chris Rumph II EDGE, Duke
251. Dazz Newsome WR, North Carolina
I actually went with Smith over Waddle. He is such the real deal, smart, reads what defenses are doing and executes routes to perfection. The reason he gets so open is no fluke.
OLB Joseph Ossai was gone by #22. Thought that spot was to high for LB Dylan Moses. Didn’t like any of the other Edge players at that spot. Had Pitts staring me in the face so I took him. He relies on his size and catch radius which works on the college level. He does know how to adjust well on his routes to give QB’s a better target and shield defenders. He just needs to improve his route running and he will be one of the best. He is a slight better blocker than Gesicki when he got drafted but will need to improve on that also. Feel like that was a luxury pick and maybe should have grabbed someone else. Not sure though.
I could have gone with CB Shaun Wade or OT Cosmi there and would have been solid picks at #22. Thought it may have been to early there for LB Zaven Collins but think that is who I should have taken there.
Myers at 54 and Barmore at 85 AFTER getting three offensive skill weapons…
… this mock made me smile!! and I would have to assume we upgrade run defense through FA.
Just rumor, but heard a rumbling about Lions. With Matt Patricia out, they try to purge the Pats again. This time for their OC Josh McDaniels to be their new HC. Also, in this scenario, they are done with Matthew Stafford and trade him to horsehead in Denver. Then spend their first 2 picks on BYU QB Zach Wilson and WR Terrace Marshall of LSU.
Doesn’t sound too far fetched to me. Not that it matters much to us. lol
REGARDING the mask/no mask debate. I will NOT let anyone, including relatives, enter my house or my work space without wearing a mask. PERIOD! NON-NEGOTIABLE!! One delivery guy actually threatened to attack me. I told him “This 75 pound Greyhound at the end of this short leash will literally eat your ass off if I give her the signal. And you can forget about trying to out run her, you fat and ignorant slob!”
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I’ve decided to go all-in on the mask issue. No mask–no service where I work. Both my wife and I have had way too many surgeries (not to mention my bout with cancer) to tolerate idiot assholes. So, when home, I’m answering the door bell with a hungry Greyhound. And if that doesn’t work, I’ve got a wild west equalizer right by the door.
Yes, preventative medicine is, in many cases, the best medicine.
OD — and you are visibly in a high risk category. Plus it is your house and thus your rules. I would have given that delivery guy’s company a call.