There will be lots of decisions that both GM Chris Grier and Head Coach Mike McDaniel have to make to kick off the offseason flurry of moves and machinations. The very first one, and one that will impact all of the others is whether to give current QB Tua Tagovailoa a new contract that would keep him in a Miami Dolphins uniform for the next 6 years or more, or just let him play out the 5th year option we’ve already picked up which would pay Tua $23.17M in 2024. It’s easy to say that if we give him a new contract that it will free up much needed cap room to re-sign players here, and sign other players that are not. On the other hand, this could be a very short sighted move if Tua Tagovailoa cannot bring this team to a championship. I’m a fan of Tua Tagovailoa, he’s as likable as they come. He’s not a “Me” guy, always puts the team first. I want him to succeed, I really do, but my doubts about him really spiked seeing how he struggled against better teams, and I mean every single one of them. It’s not just a slight difference either, it’s Jekyll and Hyde different.
The games I’m referring to are the 2 against the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs, then the Eagles, Cowboys and then the Ravens. I’m going to throw in the Titans game as well.
In 10 games against the Chargers, Jets, Patriots, Broncos, Panthers, Raiders, Giants and Redskins, this is what Tua did . . .
324 pass attempts, 233 completions, 3040 yards, 22 TD’s and 8 INT’s / QBR 113.45
Then in 8 games against the Bills, Chiefs, Ravens, Cowboys and Titans, this is what Tua did . . .
275 pass attempts, 175 completions, 1833 yards, 8 TD’s and 7 INT’s / QBR 81.98
Those numbers are disturbing. The Cowboys game at home was the only game against the better teams that Tua finished with a good QBR, and that was 98.1, but again, we needed 5 Jason Sanders field goals to win that win as Tua managed only 1 TD. If you watched all the games, the numbers alone don’t even tell the full story. Our passing game was just shut down, and a bunch of these games are before the injuries occurred. For example, we out rushed the Bills in our first meeting 142 – 104. So it wasn’t a case that Tua had do it all. The same goes for the Chiefs game during the regular season. We out rushed KC 117-93. It’s not a matter of complimentary football, the run game was working, but the QB just didn’t get the job done. We easily out rushed the Titans, 158 – 83. Again, the QB just didn’t get the job done, and this game, the defense as well. My point is, some of you would probably think that our offense as a whole played poorly in these games, but clearly, that was not the case.
One of my favorite players, Christian Wilkins put up a great season in ’22, and we offered him a relatively low contract, and he decided to bet on himself in ’23. Well, if we can use him as an example of playing on the final year of a contract and rising to the occasion, Wilkins did even better in ’23.
2022 17 Games - 98 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 FF’s, 1 FR, 16 TFL, 7 QB HITS
2023 17 Games – 65 tackles, 9.0 sacks, 1FF, 2 FR’s,10 TFL, 23 QB HITS
Is it really so crazy to let Tua play on his current contract? I suppose the Dolphins can offer Tua a low contract around $40M per with less guaranteed money, but would he take that? I would think not. We could only hope that he would embrace his opportunity like Christian Wilkins did, bet on himself, and cash in in 2024. It would be the best possible outcome, rather than relying on confidence that he can finally step up in these big games, or that we can save possibly $10-12M in cap space in 2024 if we give him a big contract. Once again, that’s looking at the end of your nose, not out in front. Unless you have absolute conviction that Tua Tagovailoa can bring this team a championship, without everything being ideal, then in my opinion you just can’t do it. They already made a choice by opting in for his 5th year. I fully understand that he answered the “Can he stay healthy?” question by not only playing 17 games, but also a playoff game. On the other hand, if you watched every game, no question Tua played like he needed to play next week every game. Sliding before securing the first down on numerous occasions, and in general just not playing with abandon, like his Buffalo Bills counterpart Josh Allen, or even Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, and especially the Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, who puts his body in peril almost every play.
Besides Tua, this team has plenty of other decisions to make. We must shed contracts and open up cap room. We’re nearly $50M over the cap so the roster as it stands can’t remain. I think we’re going to lose some good players, one’s we’d like to keep, like OLB Andrew Van Ginkel. We can’t win a bidding war, and I know fans like to think he wants to stay, and he probably does, but $$$ talks, it always does. Of course we’ll ask the top salary earners for restructures which basically pays them money up front, so no problem there. Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb and probably Jalen Ramsey will be the ones to accommodate here. I do believe we may have seen the last of CB Xavien Howard in a Dolphins uniform. Unfortunately, I feel the same for ILB Jerome Baker. LT Terron Armstead is another huge earner, and there are thoughts he may retire. That would be great for our salary cap, not so great for the team, although his availability is in question every year, and every game to be fair. OLB/DE Emmanuel Ogbah is another player who may have played his last game in Miami. His $17.7M contract is not going to happen, despite our hole at OLB with both Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips injured and questionable to play at the start of the ’24 season, along with the potential departure of OLB Andrew Van Ginkel.
Our draft haul is so important, and although meager in quantity, we absolutely need to hit on our first 2 picks. What I mean is not only do these players have to be good down the line, but we must get quality contributions NOW! We’ve been awful, just dreadful lately. RB De’Von Achane was the only bright spot, but already his durability is in question. CB Cam Smith, our first pick in RD2 couldn’t make any contribution at CB, despite a plethora of injuries at that position. Disheartening in the least! 2022 was no better. LB Channing Tindall RD3, WR Erik Ezukanma RD4, and then LB Cameron Goode and QB Skylar Thompson in RD 7. Zero, zilch, nada! That just has to change this season. We’ve traded to acquire lots of talent, never a prudent formula in the NFL. The best organizations like the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, both perennial playoff teams just don’t do that. Now we’re stuck in a cap forced window where we just have a year or so to succeed. We must hit on picks so that when that window closes, we don’t fall to the basement of the AFC and spend a decade digging ourselves out. Just to reiterate something here, if we give Tua a contract now, it would almost certainly be in the neighborhood of $45-50 per year. If he plays so well this year in 2024, and say takes us to the Super Bowl, maybe he gets $55-60M? Well worth the gamble in my opinion. On the other hand, if he plays worse, the team regresses, or he gets injured, while also unfortunate, we’ll have made the right choice.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Randy
I don’t think there’s any question that Tua has arm strength limitations compared to some of the strong armed QBs in the league
But I’m not sure that’s going to stop us from winning a championship with him
Piggy,
That’s why I said his arm is good enough. I don’t think it’ll win us a championship either, but it’s competent. It’s more the other stuff alongside an OK arm. Most high end QBs have either great arms or great legs or both. Tua has great accuracy. Then nothing that stands out too much.
***
When you run a precision/timing offense, little things can gum it up. We see teams time and time again take away Tua’s first throw, and he struggles to adjust and doesn’t have the innate physical abilities to win that down. Am I imagining that I’ve seen that play out over and over in big games?
Nope!
Mike E I believe you meant RTG not QBR The Highest QBR possible is 99.9.
Good article otherwise.
We’ve discussed this before. The NFL’s official Quarterback rating, which goes up to 158.3. Not ESPN’s rating.
Before you answer, if you prefer to me just say rating, just understand this rating you are talking about pertains to the QB, which kinda makes it a QB rating, no? 🙂
I am just going by what they are called Joseph. What? Your name isn’t Joseph? Well QBR isn’t Passer Rating either. Never was, never will be. 🙂
I always appreciate what you write, Mike. But a lot of fans and not just on this blog seem to keep forgetting how depleted our team was. That had more to do with our struggles down the stretch than one guy. The QB! Friends of mine who aren’t Dolphins fans were pointing out how injuries killed our season. Not me making excuses. My one friend said you had to sign LBs the week before the playoff game just so they could play the game. That’s brutal.
I can already see this offseason is going to be a massive bitchfest regurgitating the same stuff over and over until the 2024 kickoff. 😂
and well past kickoff as we continue to tell you how right we were.
I don’t care about any of that.
Thanks for the content, MikeE. Always appreciated.
You got it Randy! Thanks pal!
The team IS going to regress next season, no question about it. We cannot even field a complete team at this point. Grief blew his load “going for it” (poorly IMNSHO)
Waiting on Tua to progress while the rest of the team will most definitely regress is fools gold. They will make excuses for him because “we lost this guy, we couldn’t put a solid oline in front of him, our D failed because of lack of depth and injuries, etc, etc, etc”
Just refer to the Avatar ^^
Grief must go! We will NEVER win a playoff game with him at the helm.
Tim – I’m glad you appreciate what I write, I do, but I’m not convinced you actually read this one. I outlined the games before we had all the injuries, and we ran the ball better than our opponents. Those are the games we needed to win, should have won in fact. If the run game is working, we should have excelled in the passing game as well, and we failed, which in turn left us on the losing side. You said it yourself yesterday, complimentary football.
I did read it, and I also watched every game. We dealt with significant injuries and key players not able to play all season. It finally caught up with us because it got worse. I was bummed out like everyone else but you could see it was getting tougher and tougher and we weren’t the same team. I was saying that in my posts as the season winded down. I was fully in the mindset that maybe they’ll surprise us but I knew it was a tall order. My friend who is a Dolphins fan was on the same page as I was, hope for the best. Neither of us were very confident. That’s why I wasn’t devastated or pissed off, just bummed out that it went down the way it did.
Ok, but the game we played Buffalo the first time, injuries weren’t the issue. Same with PHI & KC. What about those games?
The first game against Buffalo they kicked our ass. They were more physical and played faster. It happens. That didn’t derail our season. Both the PHI and KC games were competitive into the 4th quarter. Where was it written we were supposed to win those games against the two Super Bowl teams from last year and on the road? Those games didn’t derail our season either.
I don’t view those three losses on the road to playoff teams as any indictment on the team.
Randy – He definitely played to live another day all season. I can almost guarantee you this was put into his head ad nauseam all season long so he would indeed be available the entire season. Problem with that is he gave up too many times where other QB’s would extend the play or dive for a first down or challenge a defender and fight for a first down. You didn’t get that from him, which is something you get from most of the other QB’s still in the playoffs. He never threatened with his feet, so that aspect of our offense was something the defense never had to account for.
He did seem to want to protect himself instead of trying to make something happen. Can’t blame him too much for what he went through in 2022 season. I hope he can grow past that now that it is a season behind him.
Also, that mass he put on did seem to slow him down a bit.
They weren’t losing shootouts.
No, we were struggling to score more than once
Great article MikeE. and I am on board with most of it. Unfortunately, I believe our hands are tied with the Tua contract. He has to be extended to make our cap work. Only other option is to trade him and draft another QB but that isn’t going to happen.
Again, I do think we can win it all with Tua, everything just has to go our way on the injury front.
Just want to make sure we’re on the same page. You’re saying that the $10M we may save in cap room for just one season, 2024 is more important than the next 6?
We’re trying to win while we still have certain players starting with Hill, Chubb and Ramsey. Also some young players still on rookie deals. There will definitely be turnover this year with a lot guys who have been here for a few.
I heard that we can create 18m in cap space by cutting X after 6/1
I think there is also space to be created with guys like Ogbah and Jeff Wilson
Seems like there is a lot of wiggle room
So that’s good news
If we create that much cap room with post June 1 cuts, so we really need to sign Tua this offseason
Tua had an ankle and quad injury down the stretch. That may have been why he looked sluggish running. He didn’t look like that earlier in the season. He’s not really a runner to begin with.
SO BUMMED!! Skipped going hunting this week and planned on going next week. My boss killed a 10 point last night and another 10 point this morning. That is his 3rd 10 point or better this season. The one this morning I have been trying to get but he had been covering a lot of territory. I had his timeline narrowed down with trail cams as he kept hitting the same 3 food plots every night but so did my boss. I had the perfect spot to ambush him from my climber as he came in in the evening. He set up a ground blind off a logging road and got him. I got another one to get after and have until Feb 10.
I would get a new boss….
You’re saying that the $10M we may save in cap room for just one season, 2024 is more important than the next 6?
————-
I’m not saying that. What I am saying is that it looks like it is Grier’s only option to make the cap work.
Was likely part of the plan.
They still have a chance to change the plan. Hope it’s not a mistake if they follow through with it
They really don’t and still have cap space for this year.
The team’s plan is moving forward with Tua. They’ve already said it publicly. That’s all we need to know.
I am the King of the World. That’s all you need to know.
The problem with Post June 1 designation is it doesn’t lessen the cap hit. It just splits it between this season and pushes half off into next season as dead money. It doesn’t save a penny. ALSO Post June 1 money CANNOT BE SPENT until after June 1.
Look away Herd, Look away
LOL
LMAO!
I can’t wait to show this to my wife. I’ll hold it till she’s gabbing away with one of her friends.
That’s funny as shit!
In 10 games against the Chargers, Jets, Patriots, Broncos, Panthers, Raiders, Giants and Redskins, this is what Tua did . . .
324 pass attempts, 233 completions, 3040 yards, 22 TD’s and 8 INT’s / RTG 113.45
Then in 8 games against the Bills, Chiefs, Ravens, Cowboys and Titans, this is what Tua did . . .
275 pass attempts, 175 completions, 1833 yards, 8 TD’s and 7 INT’s / RTG 81.98
Fixed it for ya
Alec Baldwin indicted by grand jury for involuntary manslaughter over deadly ‘Rust’ shooting
So he wasn’t indicted for being an annoying fuckturd?
Nah, then they would have to do it for more than half of Hollywood.
Good write up Mike E!
Grier and Tua can go ride off into the sunset together! Lol
Thanks ER! LOL
Getting the truck in 3 hours, loading tomorrow and Sunday, driving Monday to Sebastian FL for the permanent move. My LV house closing was supposed to be Monday, but the buyer can’t seem to get an IRS document, closing pushed back to end of month at earliest
Sebastian is nice. Anything north of West Palm, except Daytona, I’ve always liked. Good luck with the move!
Anyone here watch The Rings Of Power on Amazon?
If we are going to draft a center and want to get the one we want, I believe it may have to be with our first pick at #21.
Reason being is reports are saying the Eagles center Jason Kelce has said he is going to retire. They will have a need at center. Eagles pick right after us at #22 but also have two second round picks at #50 and #53 both before our second round pick at #55.
Though, they will have 28 mil in cap space to sign a F/A center and also have Cam Jurgens on their roster now. Maybe they think he is their guy.
Just thinking out loud.
Dallas center Tyler Biadasz is a F/A so they will be in the market for one. I think Jags, Steelers and Titans may also have a need at center.
If there are only 5-6 teams looking at a center we should be fine with 4-5 good free agents available. Cowboys and Steelers have a negative cap though.
We won’t be playing the Ravens in 2024, we’ll get the Brown’s instead
Texans may be a powerhouse next year. They have a solid team, over 74 mil in cap space and 9 draft picks.
MikeE,
I watched the Rings of Power. Visually cool. Not sure if they made any effort at all to stick to canon, but it’s an interesting storyline that touches a bunch of familiar and popular characters. Maybe better than the Wheel of Time series but not awesome. I have always liked the lead actress. I’m a sucker. I’ll watch anything made about a book/series I liked.
Cool, I’m on episode 4. Like you said, it is visually stunning. I like the storyline as well. I’d say so far it’s pretty well done
Soundtrack is awesome as well. Crank it up in Dolby Digital and it’s beautiful
I’m tired of snow. That is all. 😖
Thanks for the new content Mike. 😁
I like the snow. Too bad I was off today because they closed my office. I need an extra day off like a snow day
Gotta roll with the punches
BBM
Funny you mention the Texans, I was bemoaning about them the other day. They are on the upswing, have all that capital to build with. Weren’t we celebrating fleecing them? Just more pain for fans of this franchise.
Things change quickly. There are windows. Roll with it as long as you have it. We all know what it’s like to be in the mediocre pool. No playoffs and the dream of draft picks and cap space. That was fun for two decades eh?
Oh right… 02, 08 and 16. Not liking playoffs in 22 and 23 back to back? It could be worse. 🙂
We only have a couple inches of snow, but it is zero right now….so there’s that. ⛄️
Thank you, Mike E….you’re awesome!
Tua needs to step up and we used to make a 3-year plan for QB development in the old fuckers’ days…lol.
We need to keep our best players together for as long as we can and figure out the rest with draft and free agency…I’m not that smart…lol.
Lol….just a fan…hard core, long time
That didn’t work…does this?
I’ve always liked this song, Krishna! Good call!
The critics also hated Led Zeppelin. 🤔🤣
I missed the snow in Gatlinburg this week. Snowing there again today and tonight. Maybe next time I will get up there.
I shoveled and cleaned off cars for the first time this year. No biggie, I actually enjoyed it. 😂
I did it for the 3rd time yesterday, 3 days in a row. The first time it’s not so bad. Yesterday? No. Didn’t enjoy it at all. I’m over it! 🥶
Nice write Mike.
“ Is really so crazy to let Tua play on his current contract? I suppose the Dolphins can offer Tua a low contract around $40M per with less guaranteed money, but would he take that?”
No, but the problem isn’t just Tua’s contract, it’s their cap situation, as you mentioned. There is absolutely no way on God’s green earth that Tua is taking $40 million. The reason why I can sum up in two words: Daniel Jones. He will get at least $45 million per season. I’m not terribly concerned with the cap- I’m sure the Dolphins have had a plan for this. It’s not as if Grier woke up last Monday and said “Holy Shit! How are we that much over the cap?!!!!!!”. They will make the necessary cuts, trades , and restructures to get under the cap. We won’t be able to keep everyone , but we will keep most.
The Dolphins can’t, and shouldn’t, move on from Tua. He’s only got two years playing under a coach that is helping him realize who he can become. I understand and recognize his shortcomings, but I am hopeful he can improve upon them. To start over with a new QB in the next year or two would be incredibly risky. Tua did lead the league the last few season in some major categories. I hope that MM can work with him and he can become better next year than he is right now.
I think Tua’s contract will be around 45 million per season
They actually free up a bunch of cap room by cutting players like Howard after 6/1
In the forties with a high only in the fifties today oh the horror
Now I know how our guys felt last Saturday
We are going to have that next week and it is being called a heat wave
We go back into the 80’s next week 😁
It’s 23 in nyc lol
15 up here with a windchill of minus -3 . Brutal
43 with 33 wind chill
Back to mid to upper 60’s maybe 70 by Wednesday but with low’s also around 60, that’s nice.
BBM going to hunt and fish this coming week.
Bri – so you feel that Tua is capable of winning the big games. That’s fine. You and Ken are on the same page. I remain totally unconvinced and feel that saving $10-12M for this upcoming 2024 season isn’t a good enough reason to pay him $45M or more which will wreck our cap in a couple of seasons. I’d give him this year and if he still struggles and can’t beat quality teams then I find a QB that can
According to a new report by NFL on CBS insider Josina Anderson, New England Patriots’ legend Bill Belichick will be the next head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
Though highly coveted on the NFL market and with seven teams having coaching openings, the 71-year-old Belichick has only interviewed with the Falcons. According to Anderson, the deal is “expected, barring a snag in negotiations.”
Next year will be another big one for the Dolphins and Tua…and MM too, I think. First round playoff loses ain’t the goal.
I agree. Also, I don’t think there is any way we can suffer through all the injuries we have last season. No way that happens again to that degree. That was just unreal looking back.
It was absurd.
Man, both Lions coordinators, OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn getting a lot of HC interviews.
Looks like the Raiders finally did something right by retaining Antonio Pierce as their HC.
I just saw an advertisement for some brand of pants and they said as though it was some great feature that you can “choose the size that best fits you”. A genius idea no ones ever thought of buying pants in the size that best fits.
😂
Mike,
You misread. I said I am HOPEFUL, not that I think he can. I hope that he can continue to improve. I would love to see him play out his fifth year, but that’s not going to happen. He’ll get extended this offseason.
I know some fans are down on Tua but not extending him this offseason is also not a good look for the organization’s confidence in him and that also trickles down to his teammates. You don’t lead the league in passing yards and top 5 in other categories because you’re not good enough. Lots of QBs struggled in the playoffs until they didn’t. Ken pointed out those QBs the other day. The struggles down the stretch were team losses not because of just Tua.
Go Texans!!!!
As Case Keenum’s agent, I agree! 😉
GO TEXANS!!!
😂
Tua hasn’t just struggled in the playoffs. He has struggled against winning/playoff teams and not just this year. This is why there is the “narrative”. Its not something the media just made up. He has struggled when the pressure is on. He didn’t play lights out and they still lost. He struggles when it matters most. He struggles at the slightest adversity and things not perfectly being executed. The elite QBs overcome. They make plays and elevate the players around them.
Just my opinion.
You’re entitled to your opinion, but don’t be shocked or surprised when he gets an extension this offseason. McDaniel and Tua are locked up together for a few more years. Two playoff appearances in a row bought them that time. As we all know coaching and QB carousels aren’t good times.
Oh I know he’s not going anywhere. Lol
I mean it took them how long to move on from RT17…
I think it’s the same situation
Nah Tua is better the RT. Tua is only 25 and McDaniel is a good young coach. They’re two years in together and playoffs both seasons. The way this team is setup you don’t start making major changes. You keep building on the core.
Last year he played very well against playoff teams. He beat Baltimore in Baltimore. He beat Buffalo and played very well in Buffalo in the snow in a loss. So not true when you say not just this season
Anyone else noticing how pressure effects a game? 😉
Yessir!
By the way… *affects
I fuck that up all the time. 🤣
Have you seen Jay Gruden and RGIII acting like teenagers on social media? Guys… STFU!!! 😂
SIMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
Tim,
I also see a lot of pressure on big offensive plays too. That’s why a sack is always better. No chance for a positive play with a damn sack! Lol
The debate was never about a sack isn’t better, it was about pressure being an overrated stat and it’s not. 😉
That last 3rd-down play by the Ravens was nearly disastrous. Can’t have two receivers so close to one another. We did the same too often this last season.
Sometimes a play is called to bunch things up in one area to open up another. But the ball is not supposed to go there.
I’m beginning to wonder if Tua has problems when it comes to man-to-man coverage. See, he’s so used to Defenses playing zone coverage (that’s when Tua excels) due to the speed on our team and he’s GRAND.
Throw man-to-man at him and he seems to get confused, being he sees so very little of it.
I’d made a comment (don’t recall which team it was against) in-season, saying that IF that team plays man-to-man coverage against us, Tua’s going to have problems. I got a few responses saying that it would be suicide for a Defense to go man-to-man against our speed.
Guess what… teams started playing man-to-man coverage against us in the last several weeks and Tua suffered as a result.
The good news? This is correctable with coaching/training.
They game plan against our offense, not just Tua. Our offense is predicated on getting the ball out quick, and if a team is playing man, the receiver needs to create separation. Hill destroyed the Redskins when they played man against us.
The run game has to be prominent. That’s the key to all versions of the WC offense. Play-action is the big play opportunity.
Lamar is about to get knocked the FUCK out!!!
I think the Ravens need to move on from Lamar Jackson
Desmond King has been playing GRAND this evening!!! That’s my dawg!!!
We had the chance to sign him during the season.
YESSIR! And I lobbied to sign him!
I hate that new, overused term “off schedule plays”
Tim,
And sometimes pressure is overrated when it doesn’t really affect the play. It’s not a black and white debate. It’s a “yeah but” debate, so it can go on forever. It’s probably one of my top 5 around here! Lol
Okay, it makes things tougher on the QB. Geez! 😂
Anyone notice who’s starting @center for the Texans?
I haven’t, but I think it’s Michael Deiter?
I only say that because I saw a tweet last week about former Phins who are in the playoffs this season.
^
Man, I’m reminded how much our return game sucks watching this game
We lacked big plays down the stretch in all phases. Part of that was because backups had to start or play significant roles on offense and defense. That’s what happens when you lose key players, your depth has to play more overall snaps. That always gets overlooked.
M13:
Zone defense always has gaps or openings. It’s the downside of zone. Our sort of precision, throw to spots type of offense works best against zone. It looks beautiful against zone when it works. When they take away those gaps or zones and force you to adjust….whether that’s by going to M2M or another adjustment….is when the real play starts. We seem to sputter at that point.
EXACTLY, Randy.
M2M is great when you have the physical advantage….for either side. If you can just win physically for whatever reason, you want to be in a one-on-one situation because you’ll probably win. It’s why defenses don’t like going to M2M if they don’t have the athletes. You’re gonna get beat. Zone is safer. More help. Fewer big plays.
Here’s the thing: once ‘Reek became gimpy with his ankle… and Waddle was battling through injury ever since game 2 of the season… Defensive coordinators finally realized that they could play M2M against us late in the season.
Again, we were compromised by injury.
No excuses, anyone can be Hill and Waddle. 😉
The 49ers in the Super Bowl against us in 84/85 played mostly a 4-1-6 defense and we couldn’t run against it. Was that because Marino sucked or nobody was open?
^ @ Tim
This looks more like the Ravens team we expected
We messed them up with the 0-blitz under Josh Boyer.
Texans fighting better than we did.
Defund Tua! 🤣
Who wanted us to draft J. Greenard? ME!
Sucks that he just jumped offside.
See, that Isiaiah Likely TD demonstrates how important it is for us to have that big, redzone target at the TE position.
At this point in time and regarding our salary cap situation, coupled with the potential retirement of T-Stead, I’m not sure we can address the TE position via the ’24 Draft.
Kyle Van Noy has had himself yet ANOTHER great season! So nice of Brian Flores to chase him off our Phins. 😡
Flores was not the guy I thought he was. I really liked him as our HC and then he decided he was almighty like a dictator. He’s really an asshole.
I absolutely agree, man.
Lots of talk about that silly thing called pressure. 🤣
Ryder with a TE prospect. I’ve been reading where he might be the 3rd TE off the board ahead of Cade Stover and Jaheim Bell because he is the best at everything after Brock Bowers. He is just not going to get you the big play, IMO. He does have some RAC ability. Good size at 6’4 245. Ryder seems to have a man crush on him but I don’t think he is worth a 2nd round pick as I don’t see him giving us more than what Smythe and Hill do. He does have versatility as an inline TE, HB and FB.
At this point in time and regarding our salary cap situation, coupled with the potential retirement of T-Stead, I’m not sure we can address the TE position via the ’24 Draft.
————–
That is why I have been looking at day 3 TE’s. First on my list is Dallin Holker.
I do think they are bringing Tanner Connor back. At least him and some others who were on the PS are now showing up on our 2024 roster but with no contract info. Maybe they are just on there until the official end of the season.
I had to quit watching the game. I don’t feel like watching the Ravens win.
M13,
What I saw a lot was defenses taking away the short to intermediate, in-breaking routes. It wasn’t M2M as much as adjusted zone. What we didn’t do was adjust for whatever reason. We wanted Tua throwing the ball quickly and hoping our skill guys get YAC. If you can keep them from getting the ball to begin with, you got a shot. It’s the Jordan rules. Deny them the ball. Buy your rush more time against a porous OL. Beat up the smaller WRs a little bit. You know the QB isn’t running, so you can take more risks. It worked against us often.
^ That was exactly it.
… What we didn’t do was adjust for whatever reason…
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Until we can adjust, it will be more of the same next season. And THAT is why I put the failure on Coach McDaniel, not so much on Tua.
It’s over in Baltimore… SMH
Lamar took over the game. He’s growing as a QB. He’s also one of the most skilled players in the league. But it didn’t happen overnight. 😉
He will be unstoppable if he doesn’t stop growing
31 teams passed on him. It didn’t happen in 2-3 years. Today’s society is instant gratification. 🙄
Yes, but the physical ability was always there. At this point, we are at “what you see is what you get” with our QB. Not saying he can’t improve. He can, mentally not physically. We saw that mental improvement this year and hopefully he can continue that curve.
Tim Knight says:
January 20, 2024 at 6:22 pm
We lacked big plays down the stretch in all phases. Part of that was because backups had to start or play significant roles on offense and defense. That’s what happens when you lose key players, your depth has to play more overall snaps. That always gets overlooked.
Tim,
Not every issue we had was due to injuries. Not sure why you use that as a defense for every shortcoming this team has. The special teams have sucked for years.
We were banged up at crazy levels all year. Not every team dealt with that. Why is that not a reason? It’s as if it didn’t happen. I don’t get it.
Lamar Jackson is growing as a leader and a QB, but he won the MVP his second year in the NFL.
That means nothing in the big scheme of things. How many times did Rodgers win it and not win the big deal? Admit it, you’re piling on Tua and not seeing the forest for the trees. 😜
Go Packers😎
I read on here earlier today that Tua looked slower , and I agree.. I don’t watch much college , but was he not a lot more mobile at Bama ?? I don’t mean like Lamar, just would actually take off every once in a while ??
Or as usual am I out to lunch ?
I’ve seen Tua since college days and never thought that…lol
Never thought what ? That he was mobile ? Or that he was slow ?
Either…never thought him as mobile or slow…lol
Hard to compare speed between college and pros. It’s a different game with better athletes on the field even when compared to the SEC
Did he run more in college than he is in NFL … asking for a friend
He did
😊 thank ya councillor
So the broken hip , then the concussions, even though concussions were from sacks not running , have tempered his desire or ability to run .. then couple on the added bulk this year …. Maybe that’s what he works on this off season
Different offense is the principal difference. He was never going to be a running QB in the pros. The RPO offense he ran at Bama was not suited for his talent at the pro level
Thank you for the clarity sir , most appreciated
This is going to be a long offseason of bickering and blaming one guy which is totally ignorant. Sorry but it’s true. Tua is the new whipping boy. Oh and Grier and McDaniel too. We didn’t fulfill my expectations. Whaaaahhh, whaaaah. Seriously, stop, geez!
We’re not young bucks following football but some of you act like you started a couple of years ago. 🙄
I was just curious if the running element was ever a part of his game …. I don’t see much of it , and wondered if it is possibly something he can or did do .. it is a huge asset when yer qb can pitch in the run game without getting killed 🤷♂️.. not ragging on him
Patience brigade is batting .000 for the last 20 years. How you feel you can call anything or anyone ignorant when you’ve been wrong for the last 20 years is beyond me,. The lack of self-awareness and perspective is staggering.
Oh no, wait, I’m right this time! Give me a break. How about seeing you’re right for the first time in decades, then start talking about being right.
I knew I’d get some of you fired up. 😂
lol…cheers, brother.
We may disagree, but we do all want the same thing.
And now people are whining about people whining. Can we just talk politics already? 😉
His running style at Bama I would describe as more elusive than fast
Fair enough .. I mean he has better pocket awareness than RT did 🙄 ,and pivots , i guess is the word to avoid rusher # 1, I think last year before the concussions he was on occasion taking off up field for 8-9 yards … never saw that attempted at all this year .. like to see at least a threat of it sometimes.. adds another dimension
Toba,
That may have been my comment, and I meant he looked more sluggish inside the pocket this year…even from last year. Tua was never a big running threat or an RPO guy in college, and I never expected him to be. That’s not his game. He’s okay on designed roll outs, but what I’ve noticed is he just looks like he’s slower or more sluggish inside the pocket. He’s not gonna get you many yards as a runner though.
The one thing that gives me hope going into the next season, is Tua has improved his game in a specific way each off season, and I hope we’ll see some imp,orvement against the fgood teams this year.
I have made my position clear, I’d let him play on his 5th year or if he’ll take it, give him a shorter contract extension…but I do have hope that we’ll see an improved Tua next season. I am so rooting for the young man, he’s so likeable, I want him to succeed as our QB. I believe in McD. I think he’ll adjust. and I am fucking drunk as a mother effer.
My yojngest daughter is moving to the east coast in a couple of months and I am so bummed out. You mother fuckers had better take care of her!!!
Problem with Tua is he plays puny
What about the Ravens game last year?
Ravens and bills both had a slew of injuries in the secondary and we were healthy
I can’t believe GB is playing with the Niners this well. GB cam eout of nowjere this postseasjn,
Tim,
Your comment “it didn’t happen overnight” was alluding to us giving Tua more time to develop into an elite QB. My response that Lamar won the MVP was saying that it pretty much did. As for me “piling on Tua”, I suggest you read my earlier comments.
I’m not looking for arguments or to be an asshole. I just think a lot of you are jumping ship way too early.
GB can probalbly win rtheg ame on this drive
Where the fuck did GB come from? Love has really become a pretty dang good QB
Underrated defense on the rise
They’ve been really impressive. Not too surprised by what they did to Dallas and Dak Romo, but this game against the Niners…wow, but two missed fgs now
That was like a 40 yarder…missed!!…lame!
Wait, I think I’ve confused who has missed fgs
Niner were my preseason Super Bowl pick
HOw can you keep a kicker who missed 6 extra points? That is garbage
Ima be pissed if the packers lose on that crap missed fg
I’d love a packers vs lions championship game
great catch
It’s a game.
fun game. go gb
Chance to go down an win or at worst wend it into ot
playoffs
fuuuuck
That was such a fucking stupid decision
A microcosm of Jordan Love in a nutshell. Tremendous ability with a penchant for bad decisions. When they went on their run he kept the bad decisions to a minimum but that is kind of what he has always been
So bad to make that throw. 20 yds away from a game tying fg and you thorw that on 1st down? wow, wow, wow
I’m not even sure what the eff he was seeing there. There certainly wasn’t a packer open there…so bad,
‘there’…word of the moment…lol
Always has been? He’s played 1 season and won a playoff game on the road. Lol
Going back to college ER. That was the knock on him coming out of college
Good run for the young Packers.
yep, and young Texans.
M13/Brian – Bills Sign Ex Broncos WR To Futures Deal, On Saturday, the Bills added some potentially-high-reward depth on offense in former Denver Broncos receiver K.J. Hamler.
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I liked him coming out of college, but dude has been plagued by the injury bug in a bad way.