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 
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.
————————————————-
OD, 100% correct in my belief also. They thought they could go into Conway, SC and get an easy win over a ranked team to bolster their schedule. I believe BYU was the one who reached out to Coastal Carolina. Then they got bitch slapped.
This falls right in line with the saying, “Be careful what you wish for!” LOL
Let’s go Dolphins
It Tua Time!
HEY PIGGY, Mike E., or anybody. Is there any new news on Preston Wilson’s progress from injury?? We’re sure as hell going to need him against the Chiefs.
So , for the first Covid wave our province had very low #’s , since September ish they have climbed … still small #’s compared to you guys , but this is also on a small population count … positivity rate is 13.1% , we have had a total of 381 deaths , 19 yesterday..
Two weeks ago they put us in Code Red , all restaurants (dine in) bars gyms and malls are closed .. retail stores cannot sell Non essentials … so our super markets and Costco and Walmart’s have moved stock around and roped off aisles or shrinkwrapped items that cannot be shopped for .. all non essentials can be ordered on line for delivery or curb side …
We are only allowed 5 non residents into our homes .. no gatherings of more than 10 in or out … couple of Fringe churches have had drive in services and been fined large amounts. They have set up Snitch phone lines to report people..
Masks are mandatory in any stores , subject to fines …
Wife is stressing over our 5 kids (from 3 households) and us 3 , not being allowed to get together at our house for Xmas…
#’ s have NOT slowed down…
Pretty much sucks. You guys did well to avoid such until now. And the vaccine is coming…. even if that might mean 6 months for people like you and me. Should be good to go for the next Fest though. 🙂
honestly , travel restrictions are about the only thing that i feel as an imposition.. the rest of it, i am a homebody for the most part so … tired of the situation though ..
hoping for a green light for fest next year , but winter holiday appears to be a non factor this year..
I just feel bad for other people. Yeah can biotch about not eating at the bar at our favorite places….. but then there are our favorite bartenders who served the meals. This was life-changing for them.
OD
I don’t think Williams is eligible to come of IR until very late this month. I haven’t heard a thing about an injury update
And WIlliams went on IR last year too. Parker must love being known as the healthy receiver. 🙂
Dolphins Malcolm Perry RB/WR
Dolphins Salvon Ahmed RB
Dolphins DeAndre Washington RB
Dolphins Adam Pankey T
Dolphins Benito Jones DT
looks like Kindley is back in ..
That is good news
Sounds like Gaskin will be the RB too.
Shit, have to go to next county to 2 bonds. Probably going to miss first half. Sucks!
Howie’s List
🔎💰 27-3 MIA 🐬
🦈 35-14 🐬🍩
🐷 31 – 6 🐬
🦍 31-17 🐬
🐘 26-8
toba 35-6 Fins
Naples 27-9 MIA
Howie’s List
🔎💰 27-3 MIA 🐬
🦈 35-14 🐬🍩
🐷 31 – 6 🐬
🦍 31-17 🐬
🐘 26-8
toba 35-6 Fins
Naples 27-9 MIA
stanger 28-24
I would like to get Bowden more involved today
I can’t stand James Lofton as an analyst
I remember that from last week lol
😆
Howie’s List
🔎💰 27-3 MIA 🐬
🦈 35-14 🐬🍩
🐷 31 – 6 🐬
🦍 31-17 🐬
🐘 26-8
toba 35-6 Fins
Naples 27-9 MIA
stanger 28-24
🦏 23-10 🐬
What games you got on your multi media set up Toba?
Oh and for Mrs. Toba go Niners
Fins with audio , Jags/Vikes (wife’s money league QB Cousins), texans/Colts, with Jets/raiders in previous button
👍
So who are we wanting to lose more today Colts ? Or Texans ?
Texans
no question, colts. We want a Texans loss and a Titans win. With our win it will be best every possible way.
Go DEFENSE!!!
And yes Ken I will feel very dirty cheering for her 9ers tomorrow
There will be peace in the Toba household at least for one day
Everything is relative 😊
Nice coverage by Jones time
Time? Where did that come from?
Time is everywhere
Let’s go DOLPHINS!! Go-Go-Gaskin!!
I’m a bit worried about Bernard going off against our D today. Run defense is still our biggest weakness. With the investment in DBs, make the young QBs throw the ball … so our DBs can earn their pay checks lol.
Wilkins playing so should be somewhat better this week
true. good point. 🤞
At least I hope so 🤔
Nice punt. 51 yards and the coverage was there.
Was a very dangerous decision to catch that
Tua clock
I hope the Jets beat the Raiders today to knock them down in the playoff hunt and possibly lose the #1 pick. LOL
I endorse this message
And boom Jets TD
Go Jets. Now I think I need a shower
Better make some defensive plays today…yuk
BLACKED-OUT HERE in Tampa Bay!!!! The local CBS affiliate has not reached a deal with DIRECTV so all CBS programming is not available here!!! –The Super Bowl is on CBS — so if there’s no deal by early February, those with DIRECTV won’t see the Super Bowl here!
———————
UNBELIEVABLE!!!
THE CBS STATION in Columbus also is owned by the same group— so NO CINCY at MIAMI game in central Ohio, either!!
I watch online
Crackstreams.com
NOT an option for me.
I’m wearing Dolphins socks for the game.
So it’s TOA time ??
TOEA
Need to see Tua rolling out and/or TEs crossing patterns over the middle (like last week with Fitz)
Will someone at least mention the score every few minutes??
THANKS!!
None so far sir
It’s 0-0 right now a few mins into the game
THANKS for the update!
Prett sire I just saw a bengals false start that wasn’t called
I have Direct TV for the singular purpose of NFL, NBA, and MLB packages…
Nice job Hammy
Great play by Needham… again!
NEED HAM was a great find.
TD Texans to tie , pending PAT
I can’t believe we have to face Peeeee-rind again
What are they doing to me?
XXXXX a with INT
Tee Higgins not getting a lot of attention this year – but he’s very good
My favorite samurai last draft
Saw that coming as soon as he threw it
Beer
I meant ME , but sure 😊🍺🍺
Howard !!! man, he saw that one all the way. Such great position.
Howard ran the rout like he knew it better than the receiver!
Wow Howard
The X-Man strikes again!!!!
Keep throwing at X
If they do he’ll have 15 picks by years end. LOL
So, what helps us best in the Browns/Titans game?
Titans win
Tie ??
We asked the Bengals QB if he can throw a completion
Survey says
LOL that one is awesome. LOL Keep the link for future use.
3 rookie OL today. hmm
It was a matter of time
Nice grab by Bess
I guess Gailey heard me … a roll out, then over the middle (except not a TE)
Off on that throw
Well at least we got a first down
Ken, so cheering for Titans will mean having them win AFC South… then the two games Colts vs Texans has us conflicted between WC and higher draft LOL. A split might be the best. I know a playoff spot is the best thing, but can’t stop thinking this upcoming draft can really set us up as a deep run team. Let em play and I guess I’ll accept either one. 🙂
All I want for Christmas is the playoffs
Still no score OD
Haak averaging 53.5 yards per punt today.
Towns up 10-0
Or BROWNS
Landry with the TD
Cue David lol
The really aren’t going to let Allen throw it deep much
TD Boyd. Cincy 6-0
Those points look GREAT on my FFB Bench
ugh
TD Raiders
7-0 Bengals
Well, that sucked. We look flat as fuck
Houston up 10-7
Tua BLOWS
Yep he should have covered Boyd better
He should just keep the D off the field instead of going 3 and out
That was ugly
That just looked like a vulnerable defensive formation
He didn’t have to break any tackles
Are we so vulnerable in the edges?
Sold out on run stop
Henry fumble Brown all at the 5
I’m sorry, that’s on me. I didn’t have any laundry going and was not wearing my faded teal, old logo Dolphins shirt.
Things have been corrected. I also have had a sip of alcohol which I had not until now.
Reset
Go!
Bad by play by Jones on TD
Is it me, or do Tua’s passes not have the same ‘zip’ on them as his first two starts?
Got to show some life on offense
Gotta move the team now Tua
Does it feel like they are always on top of our receivers?
I like seeing Bowden being used
Gesicki over middle, then Tua roll out. Keep them coming.
Rhino, if you ask me, zip isn’t the issue. I feel like every throw is a low line drive. Never see touch on any throws yet
Coming back
Yep
Wow that was a bad miscommunication
No he tackled Parker
LMAO. Announcers just said Laundry day in Miami
We aren’t just going to get PI
We may get an extra 15 yards
I don’t understand why we declined the foul
I hate Lofton
TD Jets
Woohoo shower time again
Well you are green ?!🤔
I am always angry
Flowers … damn.
Nice moves by Bess 😊
Bowden again
Td Colts. 14-10
Cleveland TD.
17-7
Flowers looked like he won’t be playing for a while.
Was an ugly twisting
Holy shit Browns 24-7
Don’t like the play call
Nope
It’s a horrible 3rd down call
But they are being super careful with Tua
Shaheen was uncovered
I like that one pending the call
Grrr
I guess er can’t do that
Oh well
7-3 Bengals
Texans miss FG
For Hunt’s sake….. I hope the coaches rather than him screwed up.
Nice job D coverage sack
13-10 jets over raiders
FG raiders after a Darnold fumble 13-10 Jets
Our offense blows. I am liking my mock draft this morning more and more.
TD Colts
20-10 pending pat
Fuck grantman!