The Dolphins are relevant, 8-3, good for 2nd in the AFC East after last night’s Bills victory over the division rival New England Patriots. We’ve managed to get through the easier part of our schedule with a bunch of wins, as any good team does. We’ve won 5 in a row, but really none of those victories has anyone thinking the Dolphins are the AFC’s best team. I’m not belittling anything this team has accomplished by any means, like I said, you beat the teams you play, especially the bad teams. This week will be different. The SF 49ers were very aggressive at the trade deadline acquiring the super talented , do it all running back Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers. That trade incidentally helped our Miami Dolphins by making their former starter, RB Jeff Wilson Jr. available to us and Wilson’s former coach jumped at the chance to reunite and GM Chris Grier promptly traded for his services. While McCaffrey has elevated the 49ers offense, Wilson has done the same for the Dolphins.
Let’s call this game for what it is. This is a measuring stick game. The 49ers all of a sudden are being considered a power team, and now one of the favorites to take the NFC crown. The Philadelphia Eagles are 10-1, the Minnesota Vikings are 9-2, but the 7-4 49ers have thrust themselves into the elite., Having the #1 scoring defense can do that, especially in the new NFL, where the rules heavily favor scoring and the offenses. The 49ers are allowing a very stingy 15.7 PPG. For contrast, the Dolphins are few ticks worse than midpack and allowing 23.3 PPG. To be fair, I think our defense is trending upwards now, with the acquisition of LB Bradley Chubb. For clarity, our offense is scoring about 3 points per game more than the Niners, while they’re allowing nearly 8 points less. A high flying offense against a top ranked defense, somethings gotta give.
The Dolphins will be losing a major player for this game, LT Terron Armstead with a strained pectoral injury.. The 49ers will be gaining a major player, as DT Arik Armstead returns to the lineup after missing 9 games. This could potentially be a huge a loss for the Dolphins. Greg Little will take Armstead’s place at LT, in a very difficult spot, matching up against former DROY and 2X Pro Bowler DE Nick Bosa. Bosa on the season has 11.5 sacks and 30 QB hits. He also has 13 TFL. This guy spends a lot of time in the offensive backfield, so LT Greg Little will need some assistance from either a TE, FB, or both.
This is such a compelling game, it really is. The Dolphins have slid some in the Power Rankings, while the Niners are ascending. If we are somehow able to defeat the 49ers, this could go a long way to legitimizing both the Dolphins playoff chances and their standing as bona fide playoff team. The Niners have eclipsed the top 5, vaulting to #3, while the Dolphins have slipped to #6, after a BYE week and and a victory against the hapless Texans. What better way to climb the rankings than to beat the best defense in the NFL in their house? Next man up has been a rally cry all season long for our Dolphins. We have lost, or simply never had the services of a few big players. We have yet to see CB Byron Jones play this season. One of the top cover corners, his surgery in the spring ruined this season for him, and it’s looking less likely each week that he will ever return to the field wearing aqua and orange. We lost a dynamic player in S Brandon Jones in week 7. We lost CB Nik Needham in week 6. We lost DE Emmanuel Ogbah, who was never really fully healthy this season in week 9. If I told you the starting DB backfield would be LCB Xavien Howard, RCB Kader Kohou, SS Eric Rowe and FS Jevon Holland before the season, you’d likely laugh. These guys, however, have stepped up, and CB Kader Kohou, UDFA has been a huge positive for us. With Needham OUT, Keion Crossen and veteran Justin Bethel have stepped up and held their ground. With Terron Armstead OUT, Greg Little and others will have to do the same.
As I’m writing this sentence at about 11AM, RB Raheem Mostert is still questionable, his participation or lack thereof will spell out his availability this week. It appears that depth RB Myles Gaskin is also questionable, and did not practice yesterday. Mostert did practice in a limited capacity. It sure would be nice to have the 1-2 punch of Wilson and Mostert. Supposedly there is a small chance Armstead could suit up, but if there’s danger of that injury getting worse coming back to soon, I’d sit him and let him heal while we continue to scream NEXT MAN UP! Back to RB, if both Mostert and Gaskin are OUT, that would mean RB Salvon Ahmed would be next up. I’m going to guess Ahmed’s legs are fresh, he’s had 4 carries this season.I’ve yet to mention RT Austin Jackson, who just made his return to the lineup last week against the Texans, only to hobble back off the field with a high ankle sprain, so he is questionable this week, which signals the return of Brandon Shell at RT. Shell has held his own quite nicely this season. So we hope the NMU’s can lift us to victory in what looks like a very difficult matchup, the young HC (39YO) who learned an awful lot from the slightly older HC Kyle Shanahan (42YO). The Dolphins high flying aerial attack against the 49ers top defense. Can the Dolphins D stop CMC, Deebo and Jimmy G, and really don’t forget WR Brandon Aiyuk, who is much better than he gets credit for. He’s probably the 4th or 5th guy you think of in this offe3nse, but Aiyuk is a very strong WR having a very nice season, leading his team with 51 receptions for 652 yards (12.8 YPR) and 6 TD’s. I have yet to mention All Pro TE George Kittle. Here’s to hoping we measure up!!
#stangerstrong
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
First (maybe)
uhhhh, definitely!
Nice article Mike E. From what I understand all indications are Mostert will play.
Thanks Ken – I hope so. I like what he brings when Wilson comes out, I don’t see really see much of a dropoff. Gaskin or Ahmed however, you hit them and they go down. Mostert is much harder to hit because he gets through the hole or to the outside so damn fast
He is far more explosive than Gaskin or Ahmed. I think he is better RB on the roster. Supposedly he could have played last week but they decided to rest him to make sure he is fully healthy for this game
Best RB^
Excellent, if depressing, article.
I think Bosa and Kittle will beat us.
Maybe Aiyuk helps out.
If we can hold Bosa to one sack and
Kittle to one TD while shutting Aiyuk out of the EZ,
we’ll win.
sheesh
It’s not depressing, we’re in the thick of it Naples. We’ll find out this week if we belong there.
We beat Buffalo and Baltimore. We belong
Ok, so honestly, big difference in the “when” we beat them. Not taking anything away from either victory, but beating either of those teams now would mean a whole lot more than beating them earlier in the season. Anyone who knocks off BUF now is a giant slayer.
You can only beat them when they are on your schedule. The first 3 victories this season were impressive victories out of the gate against tough teams.
Ken – I think Wilson brings more physicality than Mostert. We need that. Mostert just has that gear that if he gets in the open can get those big chunk runs. I like Wilson as the lead back and Mostert as the changeup, it works very well.
Wilson is really good and more physical than Mostert despite being almost the same size. There a good combination and both need their touches
Nice write Mike! When did they rule Armstead out for this weekend? I thought he was day to day
My understanding is he is not been ruled out but it is unlikely he plays
Not official Boulder, but unlikely that he plays.
Unfortunately, that guy is mentally unstable. He really needs to be checked in to help him get through life w/o being a danger to himself or anyone else.
Ken – I understand all that, and again, not belittling the wins over the Ravens or Bills. December is the time when the contenders really step up and make their push and the pretenders slip into anonymity. Let’s hope we’re contenders.
I agree 100% Mike. I don’t expect them to beat the Niners in San Francisco with Armstead out, but I hope they keep it close. I do think they should beat the chargers and most likely will lose to the bills. Those two games would not be the end of the world as long as they keep it close and show they can compete in December and also show that they belong like you said
Did anyone else in the Northeast see the meteor yesterday evening? It was HUGE! 💫
No, I’ve been laid up with the flu. What time was it?
Around 7:30 pm.
Pay…Miami is going to spank SF!
I dreamt we were up 52-7 late in the 4th.
We were playing the Saints, so not sure what that means about this weekend’s game, but it was still a nice way to wake up, lol.
Armstead…
INJURIES
LT Terron Armstead (pectoral) will do limited reps in Friday’s practice, per coach Mike McDaniel.
RT Austin Jackson (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday by McDaniel.
Testing that pec, seeing if playing Sunday is a legit possibility.
How does one test a pec? lol
I test my pecker frequently…oh wait a minute
lol, very carefully
Real nice aticle Mike E. Might sound weird but that we’ve done this year with all the injuries gives me a lot of hope for the next few years. That and gives me a lot of respect for McDaniel.
Thanks Stanger, this game is must watch TV. I’m so curious to see where we stand.
“Dolphins (75 percent) and 49ers (71 percent) rank Nos. 1 and 2 in the NFL at using pre-snap motion.”
I’ve had my pee tested plenty of times but never my pec lol
Bri – We don’t have to win to be considered legit contenders. This is a tough game for any team, to go to SF and beat them at home, especially the way they’re playing right now. I think our best hope is that we score early and often and make the Niners play catchup instead of running and and throwing short to CMC. That would be some accomplishment though against the Niners D
Forgot to say that if we play a close game but the Niners pull out a FG win, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. I just hope we’re in this one till the end, either way.
I approve this message
Feel better Bri! I had some kind of virus for 2 weeks and it’s still lingering, although the coughing, sneezing brown mucus thing is gone, but my throat still hurts, especially when I’m sleeping, or trying to sleep. There are some wicked strains floating around. How long have you been ill?
The chance of rain on Sunday has dropped to about 40% at game time. It would be kind of nice to win this game in the rain, we could kill two birds with one stone. The last refuge would be Tua can’t win in the cold.
Winter is coming
I definitely am thankful that I got my flu shot this year.
Some nasty bugs are out there.
I’m kind of thinking it would be better if Armstead rests up. Worst case scenario is that he plays, gets injured worse, and then is done for the season. That’s an awful situation. Unfortunately, I believe that the Dolphins are probably looking at it like if Greg Little is playing LT, there’s a chance we lose Tua for the season. If only Tua weren’t that fragile. Anyone feel the way I do?
I agree. The Niners game is a big game. It’s a measuring stick game, if we lose people will say “aha, see…”, but the fact is, of the next 3 games, it is the least important of the 3.
If resting him this week means he plays against the Chargers and the Bills, I’ll take that. And if by playing him this week, we risk losing him for a longer period of time, I say rest him even if it looks like he could play.
As for Tua getting injured, we play Khalil Mack next week, and the Bills (who have hurt Tua twice in the last 3 games against them) the following week. Gotta face it sometime.
And Kyle Van Noy who probably has a bone to pick with us after we cut him. The good thing is the Chargers rush defense SUCKS, so we have to do what we have to do. I think we can pass on them too, just get the ball out quick. They only have 22 sacks this season, which is 3 less than us, and I think we’re getting better.
Good video…
“Scarier Team: Bills or Dolphins?”, from GMFB on NFL Network.
That was a good video, and I agree with most of what they said. Despite all of our success, we have to prove we can play a tough team and still do what we do. I honestly feel like our defense is better than it was earlier in the season is getting hot at the right time. No one even talks about our defense, but we watch every week, and if they play like they did at the end of the season last year, we can be very dangerous.
Mostert is playing Sunday!!!!
Yup!
Mike E,
Great work as always, bud! Thanks for keeping this place going.
Thanks M
herdfan says:
December 2, 2022 at 12:40 pm
Did anyone else in the Northeast see the meteor yesterday evening? It was HUGE! 💫
————-
I wasn’t outside to see it live, but I’ve seen several videos catching it in action… WOW!
It was observable from as far west as Ohio and as far south as Virginia from what I’ve been able to gather. And of course, most of the Northeast could see it!
Mike E. says:
December 2, 2022 at 3:23 pm
That was a good video, and I agree with most of what they said. Despite all of our success, we have to prove we can play a tough team and still do what we do. I honestly feel like our defense is better than it was earlier in the season is getting hot at the right time. No one even talks about our defense, but we watch every week, and if they play like they did at the end of the season last year, we can be very dangerous.
—————
Yeah, man, I hear ya… especially on Defense. It just kills me though that we’re without Byron Jones, Brandon Jones, Nik Needham, and now without Ogbah.
If Brandon Chubb can hold his own, we’re going to be alright though, IMO.
I forget how the PUP works, is Byron Jones eligible to come off any time or is there a cutoff date?
As I understand, Byron can come back at any time.
And I don’t think it’s that you forget how PUP works, it’s more of these constant rule changes every year! It’s difficult for me to keep up with it as well.
I’m very sure that Byron can come back at any time, Bro.
Cool, thanks M
And that is the reason that Coach McDaniel is asked the very question every media availability he gets.
Nice write, Mike! I agree this will be a tough game and I think SF is a good team, but they also haven’t beaten many good teams, the Chargers and the Seahawks are the best wins they have.
Thanks, glad you figured out your issue. It’s funny about who they’ve played, they are still getting major respect and 3rd in the power rankings. I hope after this game we’re 3rd or even 2nd!
All I care about is 9-3 rankings. 🙂
M – True that, the rules are a changing all the time!
It’s frustrating to me, man. It’s very difficult to keep up with these new rules.
Shanahan said earlier Deebo has to show something in Friday’s practice for him to be even a gametime decision on Sunday. Looking good for us.
That would just give Aiyuk a bigger role, and CMC. They really don’t have anyone that can replace Deebo and play like him. That would be good for us.
CMC is also hurt but likely to play
SF is really beat up too
Ken – saw something earlier that CMC is feeling great now and is ready to take on a full workload this week
He was limited as if yesterday but I suspect he will be a go. However he is fragile so who knows
That is the best our injury report has looked all year.
This is just awesome from Barry Jackson. Never seen anything like this from the team. And no Icognito meetings at strip clubs don’t count.
—————————-
“Victory Monday,” is what they call it in the NFL.
And then quarterback Tua Tagovailoa approached teammates on the happy flight home with a slightly different message.
“I remember Tua walking up to me on the plane saying ‘11 a.m. meeting tomorrow; we’re trying to get the whole offense together,’” center Michael Deiter recalled recently.
And here’s what’s neat: Dolphins players meeting on their off day, without coaches, wasn’t the least bit unusual this season. Tagovailoa has done it repeatedly..
— Left tackle Armstead runs the players-only offensive line meeting on Mondays and invites players to work on their craft with him on Tuesdays, the one day off that players always get.
— All season, Tagovailoa has been running players-only meetings with his receivers in the middle of the week. “It’s twice a week,” Cedrick Wilson Jr said. “He comes to our room and it’s a Tua-run, player-run meeting.
— With co-captain Roberts leading the charge, the linebackers have added an extra players-only meeting on Thursdays this year.
— Safety Jevon Holland has led a similar players-only meeting among defensive backs.
— The Dolphins’ defensive linemen used to have a Thursday night dinner. This year, they began inviting the linebackers. “Christian [Wilkins] and Zach [Sieler] are two of the main guys.
— Armstead does the same with the offensive linemen, inviting them to dinner on Thursdays.
Full (no paywall) https://www.yahoo.com/news/details-impressive-behind-scenes-change-181956058.html
That’s awesome!
That’s great stuff!
They are making me feel lazy
I sleep in on my days off…
Count 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan among the many doubters of Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa entering this season. and count him among the many people needing to eat crow after the brilliant job done by HC Mike McDaniel, Shanahan’s former top assistant, in bringing the best out of Tagovailoa.
“I wasn’t totally sure of Tagovailoa’s fit in the scheme ,”Shanahan said via the Athletic’s Matt Barrows.” and I remember turning ( the television ) on in the preseason and watching his first game and I was like, wow, this guy looks totally different and looks very comfortable. and you turn it on in week 1 and I thought he was playing in week 1 as good as anyone in this league.”
Tagovailoa doesn’t have the strongest arm, which a lot of people thought would limit all the speed the Dolphins had collected on offense. but Shanahan says Tagovailoa’s quick processing is helping him hit players open windows and making the offense go.
” When that back foot hits, he knows where to look,” Shanahan said.” they have so much speed that they blow the top off of stuff, which gets some people open underneath. Tua’s the reason that they’re leading the league in explosive. he knows how to hit people over the middle.”
Thanks again, Mike E, and I agree. This is a “good” measuring stick on a number of levels, from pupil to teacher, O v D, the physicality, the similarities.
I hope we’re not pretenders and ready for the playoff push.
Hope so too Krishna – We’ve been pretenders or less for waaaaay too long. It would be great to be a real contender.
We are contender we have just been emotionally abused for too long and are having a hard time coming to terms with it
Correct Ken
Everything is different now!
Folks on NFL live really hyping the Miami @ SF game. Squealing and stuff. Three out of four picked Miami to win and the forth said he is only picking SF so that twitter doesn’t punish them. LOL Tua has a QBR of 99 in the mid to deep middle. SF is allowing a QBR of 3. THREE. Something has to break.
Ken – Yes, now we’re contenders, what I mean is how will we view ourselves after this game. This is big for us.
Deebo Samuel faked out reporters on Friday. The media saw the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver leave for the weight room as practice kicked off, causing reporters to assume he would not participate for the second consecutive day.
Moments later, Samuel re-emerged and joined his teammates on the practice field, forcing several tweet corrections from the media on hand.
https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/164024-49ers-dolphins-deebo-samuel-returns-practice-trent-williams-issues/
He’s still an unofficial OL coach…. but good sign.
“Let’s get guys to go out and let’s do things with our guys, whether that’s finding a basketball game to go to, trying to find a box, trying to go rent out a movie theater, trying to go watch a baseball game, whatever that may be, Top Golf. I don’t know. We’ll try to find some things that we can do that’ll help us get closer with our guys on this team.”
— Tua on what the btwn game time in Cali might include. He really takes a holostic approach to the team.
Funny line Stanger, you’re Incognito remark. That was good. And true, doesn’t count.
Least seems Richie tried to teach Martin how to take on two defenders hitting two gaps.
That video of Drew Brees getting struck by lightning was a fake promotional stunt he was doing for PointsBet.
Damn would have been far funnier if it wasn’t
I wish PointsBet would get struck by lightning. This betting is so freaking out of control. It’s at all time high, sports betting is as commonplace as buying lottery tickets.
Agree
We are legit contenders and I agree with Ken we’re just not used to it. I bet there are 49ers fans saying we’re is a big test for them too. The Chiefs slaughtered them this year. We’re one of the top offenses too.
I have a lot of Niners fans as friends. None of them are taking us lightly, and they are nearly all concerned about this game.
TK…we need to pass this/our test….
I think we may be legit…now is the time to show me….lol
Our first big test was the Bills and we passed that one. For me this game in SF needs to be competitive even if we lose. It’s not like we’re not allowed to lose a game or we’re not for real.. But I do believe we can win this game.
It depends on how we lose it though. If we lose this one 24-3, I’ll put myself at the top of the list of people who don’t believe we’re contenders. Now if we lose 23-20 in a hard fought game, I’ll feel we belong. What happened earlier in the year doesn’t matter now, this is now.
I agree with you. We were 3-1 at quarter mark against Bills, Ravens, and Patriots….who did we lose too…lol
We can/should/must be able to do it again…
What Mike E. said….and win the next 3…lol
“Show me” as in the next six weeks and beyond…
I can’t remember the last time the Dolphins were 8-3 at this point of season…lol
Krishna, the last time we were 8-3 was 2002.
Mike, that’s why I said this game needs to be competitive even if we lose. It’s funny you mentioned 23-20, that’s the score I’m picking us to win. 🙂
Our defense needs to play a good game. Our team is always looked at as all about offense and for good reason, as weird as that is. But on the road you need your defense to step up. That helps every other phase.
A long fucking time ago….thank you! Lol!
And, I agree with you about the D needing to step up, especially at this time of the year!
The teams we’ve lost too are 7-4 (Bengals, Jets) and Vikings 9-2. Tua missed 2 of them and went down in the 2nd quarter of the Bengals game. That’s what our opponents need to be concerned about. 🙂
Again, I agree with you! I WANT to believe…lol!!!
I hear ya!
Lol
Daryl Hall & John Oates – Adult Education (Official Video)
RIP Song Bird.
^
Nice Tim, amazing talent RIP
For fucks sake
People often compare Christine and Stevie likes it’s a competition. They love each other and made beautiful music together. Music is not a competition. Their music ruled the radio waves in the mid 70’s into the 80’s.
I’ve tried like 10 times to post a video. No joy.
Brower connections to YouTube have changed. Go directly to YouTube to get the link. You’ll notice it’s more shorter.
One more. Mick is deep “in the pocket” on this one. Great song:
Great song, was going to post this but wanted to have the song bird connection first time around. Love it!
Y’all need to stop talking about losing being okay, effort, close game, blah blah blah. Losing is losing. Ain’t no trophy for second place, just means your the last to lose. Miami will win.
Oh ye of little faith…
We got this and niners won’t know what hit them.
Maybe spam.
deGrom to the Texas Rangers
I saw that. I think it’s a family decision. There are rumors they don’t like NY living.
Good stuff. And thanks whoever got me out of video jail.
You’re welcome. 😊
Do they all need posted? Some looked the same, I can’t see the name, just the link.
You got them both.
Howie’s List
Week 13: 🐬 @ ⛏
🐷 28-10 🐬
🌴 16-13 🐬
🗿 23-20 ⛏ 😭
🦍 24-23 🐬
🐟🐠🐡 35-10 🐬
👴23-20🐬
🦬 27-20 🐬
🇨🇦❤️ 48-17 🐬
🇨🇦 🧠 24-21 🐬
☀️ 28-16 🐬
Okay I wanted to pick 23-20 Phins but I see two of them already. I’ll pick 31-27 FinsUp.
One of them has us losing. 😭
Is that Rock?
Howie’s List
Week 13: 🐬 @ ⛏
🐷 28-10 🐬
🌴 16-13 🐬
🗿 23-20 ⛏ 😭
🦍 24-23 🐬
🐟🐠🐡 35-10 🐬
👴23-20🐬
🦬 27-20 🐬
🇨🇦❤️ 48-17 🐬
🇨🇦 🧠 24-21 🐬
☀️ 28-16 🐬
⚔️ 31-27 🐬
Tua has QB’d 10 drives this year while trailing in the 2nd half.
Tua’s passer rating in those drives is 154.
158.3 is perfect.
the details:
81 completion %age
34/42 passing
for 477 yards (14 yards per completion)
6 TDs and 0 INTs (while LOSING and under pressure to catch up)
1 sack for -7
2 runs for 21
and we scored a TD on 8 of 10.
MVP
We are 8-1 in games Tua starts. Not sure we lose the Cincy game if he doesn’t get hurt. That’s what we as fans are dealing with. We win a lot with Tua but it’s still kind of new. Let’s enjoy the fuck out of it!!! LOL
Lot of Dolphins fans wandering the streets of San Fran today 👍👍
Isn’t it cool that we’re involved in big games? We’re not perfect but we’re a fun winning team.
It’s awesome that we are involved , and even getting some national media hype
I’m here 🙂
Should be a very close hard hitting game.. Love to come out with the W.
Late to Friday night tunes but birthday piggies don’t care
Everyone should become a fan of the deftones if you aren’t already
Just joking but found this funny. 😉
Howie’s List
Week 13: 🐬 @ ⛏
🐷 28-10 🐬
🌴 16-13 🐬
🗿 23-20 ⛏ 😭
🦍 24-23 🐬
🐟🐠🐡 35-10 🐬
👴23-20🐬
🦬 27-20 🐬
🇨🇦❤️ 48-17 🐬
🇨🇦 🧠 24-21 🐬
☀️ 28-16 🐬
⚔️ 31-27
✋️20-17 🐬
Only 5 college games (big college conf champ games) today and they schedule them at the same time. WTF
KSU vs TCU at 11 am central
UCF vs Tulane at 3 pm central
LSU vs UGA at 3 pm central
Clemson vs UNC 7 pm central
Purdue vs Michigan 7 pm central
There are a bunch of other games. These are just the big schools.
Utah upset Southern Cal by 3 TDs!!
I am so starved for Ws for the Dolphins.
All this Tua hype is great, but I want us to go 12-5 or better
as a validation of the whole team.
Then we can go into our draft picks and upgrade at coverage MLB and blocking TE
and cover corner on the boundary and depth at RB
and wow we’ll be hell to play in 2023!!
Right with you on the MLB and blocking TE.
TE Mayer from ND won’t be in our reach. Been looking at a couple who may be there in the 3rd.
As a blocking TE, I really like Luke Schoonmaker 6’6 250 from Michigan. He is like having an extra OL in there. Just sure of his quickness to fit our scheme though. That is why Long is struggling in our system. He has no quickness to him and is always late getting on his blocks. That is also why he was behind Cethan Carter on the depth chart.
Luke Musgrave, 6’6 250 from Oregon State is another one. He is bigger receiving threat like Gesicki. They say he runs a 4.51 and has a 36.5 vertical at that size but I don’t know what kind of blocker he is.
The other that interests me is Jaheem Bell, 6’3 230 from South Carolina. He plays very physical and runs in the 4.5’s. He has really good running ability and is used on jet sweeps. He lines up everywhere at TE, HB and FB.
We are going to need a receiving TE. Smythe is under contract and is a good blocker. Gisecki is likely not coming back as his contract is up and is not a great scheme fit
Chubb is slated to line up against Trent Williams, another one of the league’s best tackles. With that said, Williams left practice on Friday with back spasms and is something to track as we get closer to Sunday’s game between the Dolphins (8-4) and 49ers.
I’ve decided that if the phins beat the Niners I’ll fly out to LA next week and watch then there as well. Go Phins!
Book em Dano
stangerx says:
December 2, 2022 at 2:50 pm
“Dolphins (75 percent) and 49ers (71 percent) rank Nos. 1 and 2 in the NFL at using pre-snap motion.”
Watching a video of KC beating the Fangio cover-6, using motion to help determine the coverage
Thinking, if motion helps determine the coverage, why aren’t other teams using it more?
Are they not as smart as MM and Kyle, or do they not care as much or do they have QBs that don’t need help?
Ken, if it is a good receiving TE you want then Luke Musgrave may be the guy. There is Dalton Kincaid 6’4 240 from Utah. Also, there is Tucker Kraft 6’5 255 from South Dakota State. Kincaid is probably the worst blocker of them all.
Josh Whyle 6’6 250 from Cincinnati is another possibility. He’s no Gesicki but he has 15 TD receptions over the last 3 seasons. He should also be a decent blocker coming from a program that runs the ball a lot.
Whyle sounds like the kind of TE MM likes. A 3 down TE
Smythe is underrated as a receiver.
agreed …
and under utilized
Gronk played at 6’6″ 265 lbs.
I want a guy that big because it helps handle DEs
who are typically that large or even bigger.
Ogbah for example is 278.
Arik Armstead for SF is 290 @ 6’7.
Bosa is only 266, but he’s only 6’4, so he’s much thicker than our TEs.
It will be very hard for our TEs to block guys that big 1 on 1.
Gesicki is only 250 and Smythe is even lighter at 246.
Both are the same height as Gronk.
But they are giving away 15 pounds to Gronk and
usually at least 20-30 pounds to standard DEs.
btw
Hunter Long is our biggest TE at 6’5 253.
(Tanner Connor is too small at 6’3 232.)
One reason the Patriots have such a good D is
that their DE Lawrence Guy is 315!!
Deatrich Wise on the other end is 6’5, 275.
Our TEs cannot be left alone to block those men.
I love how the talking heads picking SF to win because of their D talk about MIA last 3 opponents being punching bags but neglect to mention that SF’s last four have been the Rams, Chargers, Cardinals, and Saints. Records of 3-8, 6-5, 4-8, 4-8.
It’s pretty surprising how often we get slighted. I can tell you this though, the WFAN in NY’s Saturday morning host Richard Neer said when talking about the Dolphins vs Niners game this morning that he thinks the Dolphins are the best team in the AFC East
It’s as if they don’t pay attention to anything but the narrative they want to put out there.
If we lose tomorrow we will be in 3rd place and outside the wild card spot. That’s how close the top of the AFC is.
So you’re assuming the Jets are going to beat the Vikings, eh?
Oh, didn’t you hear? Mike White is the next coming
Those other wildcard games have not been determined yet.
Don’t worry, Rock. Miami is going to win going away.
Smythe isn’t really underrated as a receiver. He’s meh. We need to find a TE that can really do both, block and be a dangerous receiver too. There aren’t many of those, they don’t make ’em like that in college anymore. They’re either one or the other in most cases. No one circles Smythe’s name on Gameday and says we have to stop him from killing us. We need that player. I thought Gesicki was that guy, he’s been the closest to that guy we’ve had, but he’s not that guy either. He has no RAC ability, it’s so strange.
I don’t like the current advantage we seem to be taking against the Bills, so if we beat SF and tied we have the tie breaker, I’d rather have what Buffalo has, a game against us at home remaining
Likewise against the jets, think we have the advantage, with week 18 in Miami
“No, that wasn’t the plan [on flying to San Fran]. He’s focused on getting right … Just when you guys don’t expect it, that’s when you’ll see him.
“You know what? He actually told me he’s only going to come back when you guys stop asking me. So it’s kind of on you guys.”
— McDaniel on Byron Jones
Poupart round up of how talking heads are predicting the game. Trends Niners, but not as much as I was expecting.
https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/miami-dolphins-san-francisco-49ers-week-13-predictions-roundup
Broadcast map for Phins game….. might not be good news for our guys upstate.
This weather sux… not even a warm rain
“The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” And Mark Twain wasn’t even talking about Decemeber in San Fran.
I just got back from the next county doing a couple bonds. I had to turn the A/C on in the car driving there and back. Florida winter. lol
It is warmer than the -10F we left , but I may need new shoes. Mine are soaked
Whew
I made it in at the edge of the Philly-Tennessee zone.
Sucks, I’m in that zone here on the panhandle. I don’t get it.
They think you’re an NFC fan because of your proximity to the Saints.
That’s why I used to get sucked into that as a Tampa Bay fan
because I’m on the West Coast.
They don’t do that to us that much any more.
They finally realized that Naples is much closer to Miami Gardens
than it is to Raymond James.
I used to get pissed in Rockledge because the NFL decided that even though we were closer to Miami than Jax we would get Jax games and not Miami games. F them! That is just Fn cruel.
Our Phins are in the mix and this is a statement game for both teams. It’s a good matchup and there is a connection side story with McDaniel coming from the Kyle Shanahan tree most recently in SF. It’s okay to be concerned about standings and all of that with this game. At worst we’ll be 8-4 if we lose. Nothing is over we’ll have 5 games left and 3 division games. Remember the Dolphins and Bills have the best AFC conference records at 6-2. This is not a conference game and neither will be the Packers game. We’re in good shape and we all know we probably have to win at least 3 more games out of 6 to make the playoffs.
I’m enjoying this team and the run they’re on. We’ve won 5 in a row and that is not easy to do in the NFL. Believe!!!! 😉
Not spam
wow that’s significant.
Like, has the little boy pouted himself right out of town?
PS
Goooo Vikings!!!
Zach Wilson lost the team. He might have too much of a Johnny Manziel type character.
Mike E. says:
December 3, 2022 at 5:15 pm
Smythe isn’t really underrated as a receiver. He’s meh. We need to find a TE that can really do both, block and be a dangerous receiver too. There aren’t many of those, they don’t make ’em like that in college anymore. They’re either one or the other in most cases. No one circles Smythe’s name on Gameday and says we have to stop him from killing us. We need that player. I thought Gesicki was that guy, he’s been the closest to that guy we’ve had, but he’s not that guy either. He has no RAC ability, it’s so strange.
—————
Know what kills me, Mike E? For YEARS you, Brian, and I (and others) had been clamoring about getting a legit, seam-splitting, TD-making TE… and we finally got one in Mike Gesicki!!! YAY!!!
But now that there has been yet ANOTHER change in the offensive scheme, it would seem Gesicki is no longer on the scene. If it drives you and me nuts, I KNOW it has to drive Chris Grier nuts: he finally gets our guy, and now he’s not our guy, SMH.
We all get it, but it’s just so bloody frustrating!
That stated it’s best to hitch our wagon to what Coach McDaniel is doing!
HELL YEAH!!!
Gesicki is a one-trick pony. He’s a tall galloping athlete down the field. His game is limited. He can make spectacular catches and can play an important role in an offense. But he has no quick-twitch movement after the catch. I happen to agree with many others he doesn’t seem to be a fit in this offense.
Not my point, but I concur. What I am saying is that he fit our Offense once upon a time… and he was NICE!
Gesicki will be another casualty of constant regime changes… something most of us have understood, but then the whole Brian Flores/Steve Ross thing happened.
It is what it is.
Not sure how that wasn’t your point, I thought we were discussing the same thing.
I don’t feel Gesicki is a 1-trick pony, that’s all. I believe he can fit this Offense with wrinkles and be dominant. But then again, I’m not the HC and this isn’t my Offense.
I will roll with Coach McDaniel… he’s earned it, IMO.
And NO… we can’t afford to retain Gesicki for what he’ll be going for in FA. I’ve already parted him from my heart, LOL.
We need Mostert back to add that speed dynamic out of the backfield. Wilson is a grinder who has deceptive speed. Those two make us a better team. Both might have a chip on their shoulder for this game. 😉
Yessir! I agree.
Especially Wilson.
I still can’t believe how right you were on Wilson: GREAT CALL!
Wilson was leading the 49ers in rushing and was top 3 in the NFL at the time of the trade. LOL
It’s Saturday night and for some reason I am as nervous for this game as I usually am right before kickoff.
1. Buff won
2. our o-line question marks
3. west coast trip
I hope posting this purges the jitters enough so I can get some sleep tonight. 🙂
Rock on!
Fear not, Rhino!
Yes it can happen but Tua doesn’t lose often. Just saying. 😉
And Tua IS at home on the West Coast.
If Gesicki was worth 10M someone would’ve traded for him at the trade deadline
I doubt he gets a 10M contract next year, more like 5M from Rams
Howie’s List
Week 13: 🐬 @ ⛏
🐷 28-10 🐬
🌴 16-13 🐬
🗿 23-20 ⛏ 😭
🦍 24-23 🐬
🐟🐠🐡 35-10 🐬
👴23-20🐬
🦬 27-20 🐬
🇨🇦❤️ 48-17 🐬
🇨🇦 🧠 24-21 🐬
☀️ 28-16 🐬
⚔️ 31-27 🐬
✋️20-17 🐬
🇬🇧 27-17 🐬
Twitter gameday bookmark dump – apologies in advance if any are duplicates
The first us a Cowturd humiliation
https://mobile.twitter.com/HardRockSB/status/1598776696840146944
The only creature on the planet that is more of a dick
NOW, I know what to get my wife for Christmas! 😉
Lol
Speaking of knobs
https://mobile.twitter.com/B_Shousejr/status/1597420027543965698
I’ll include Satan in this 😃
https://mobile.twitter.com/BSSportsbook/status/1597994236259233794
This chap would look good in a Fins Uni
https://mobile.twitter.com/B_Shousejr/status/1598889007337070592
Live this
https://mobile.twitter.com/GhostOfAdamGase/status/1598753490767052809
And this
Awesome. Having fun.
Omens everywhere (unfortunately the first came true)
https://twitter.com/buitengebieden/status/1599007824922652677?s=20&t=yOR6qL5i4ieN0rIuUgcFcw
Waddle running a double stop and go then reaching the promised land
The news of Jackson being out is probably a blessing looking at this smh
Mob members attending today wrap up warm. You don’t want to end up like this
Per Schefter
’49ers WR Deebo Samuel, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a deep thigh bruise, plans to play vs. Miami, per source. The 49ers didn’t think Samuel would be able to play until Friday, but he has made big improvements and, barring a pre-game setback, he plans to go today’.
Coach already knew Shanny was going to hustle him. Fail
I thought She’ll played RT really well. Hopefully he’s back there. Haven’t seen an injury report yet. Assuming Armstead is playing.