Since we stole the Houston Oilers theme song music, we may as well steal one of the most iconic quotes from the Apollo 13 mission, although the quote was actually “Houston, we’ve had a problem” when the voltage dropped on the electrical system on the spacecraft. We definitely have had a problem, and still have a problem, one that reaches way further than last night’s performance against the Buffalo Bills. Our season, and potentially the Franchise itself is in danger of having a complete meltdown of this season. Even before the unfortunate injury to our QB Tua Tagovailoa , this team looked to be a mess, and that in and of itself was so disturbing and disappointing.
Oddly enough, Josh Allen didn’t beat us, as is usually the case when we face the Bills. I’m just going to get this out there quickly before I forget because I have 1000 things racing through my mind as my fingers hit the keys. Once again, this particular Buffalo Bills roster, the 2024 Buffalo Bills are once again supposed to be an inferior team, and ready and primed to be taken down. However, once again, as the prime time chokers we are, we’re ready to assume the fetal position against good teams, even if they aren’t as good as they used to be, or are supposed to be. Listen, Tua was ridiculously poor last night, and Mike McDaniel may have been worse, if that’s possible. We discussed it last night, why were Grant Dubose and Robby Chosen out there when they had only been here a couple of weeks, and we have so many weapons such as Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Jonnu Smith, De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright etc etc ? Did we try to throw the Bills off track because they don’t have film on these guys? The very first throw to WR Grant Dubose results in an INT. The ball was forced number one, the receiver wasn’t prepared to make the reception number 2, and why on a crucial 3rd down play is our QB trying to thread the needle to a guy plucked from NFL waivers just 2 short weeks ago?
This is going to be disjointed, I have thoughts just racing through my mind. I think our HC is beloved by the players, because he is. I think one of his major flaws is preparation, and game planning. We just don’t seem to look ready or prepared in bigger games. Hell, if it wasn’t for Jevon Holland stripping the football against the Jacksonville Jaguars near the end zone from RB Travis Etienne, we may be 0-2. BTW, Jevon Holland is one guy who has yet to be paid. Hey, maybe we’ll let him test free agency like Christian Wilkins, because that worked out so well. Back to MM. Why the f*ck are WR’s Grant Dubose and Robby Chosen on the field when there’s clearly no rhythm or cohesiveness with Tua at this point? That’s on HC Mike McDaniel. Tua doesn’t set the lineup or call the plays, but the 3rd down throw for the first turnover of the game goes right on QB Tua Tagovailoa for making that throw. 3rd down and 13, and we’re throwing to fucking Grant Dubose, and not a wide open Grant Dubose either, no, a tightly covered Grant Dubose.
On defense, well, Anthony Weaver didn’t seem to have this defense prepared either. Perhaps he was expecting a typical performance from Josh Allen, but Josh was barely a participant in this one. Allen was 13-19, 1 TD, 0 INT’s, more importantly, 2 rushes for 2 yards. We made RB James Cook look like Dalvin Cook in his prime! He finished with 78 yards rushing on just 11 carries along with 2 TD’s, and then 1 catch for 17 yards and another TD for THREE total TD’s. Our defense basically did nothing. No sacks, no turnovers, no nothing. I’m aware we turned the ball over 3 times and that’s disastrous, but the defense was so not special on a day where we need it to be. Yes, Jevon Holland saved the day last week, but on this day we just looked uninspired. Not sure if OLB Jaelan Phillips got hurt, but he only played 23 snaps this week, down from 31 last week. Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson, Quinton Bell, Emmanuel Ogbah did nothing.
OK, back to the elephant in the room. What happens now with QB Tua Tagovailoa, and how do the Miami Dolphins proceed without his services, which may be a few weeks, or potentially the entire season, or even beyond that, the end of his career? You all know well how much I wanted this team to not give Tua a massive contract, especially without protections for a catastrophic injury like another concussion. I said it a 1000 times if I said it once, not only does he not show well in big games, but can he make it through a season when he’s not playing like he’s in bubble wrap? Well, unfortunately, we have our answer, and it’s a resounding NO. Not only he did get injured in what might end his season, or at the very least, cause him to strap on that very same bubble wrap from last season which kept him from making plays like running for a first down, but he once again showed big games are just too much for him, as he shrank in the spotlight. There’s no denying this, 3 turnovers at HOME, 80+ degrees and once again, the guy that throws for 300+ yards against anyone else has his worst performance our division rival Buffalo Bills. Surely, many doctors will urge him to retire, and now that he’s been paid, maybe he will. I know the fire burns strong, and he will want to play, but that fire can be smothered and extinguished by $167.17M
Skylar Thompson so very clearly isn’t the answer. I’d say right now that QB Mike White wishes he was here, and also maybe that S Jordan Poyer wishes he was back in Buffalo. Mike White isn’t the answer either. Depending upon how long the prognosis is on just how long QB Tua Tagovailoa will be OUT, this will affect our decision making on acquiring a new QB. Ryan Tannehill might very well be sitting close to his phone, and Joe Flacco may be as well. Tannehill had 2 NFL seasons with a rating of 100 or higher, but those seasons were pretty far in the rear view mirror, one in 2019. and the other in 2020. Still, he would be a better QB than Skylar Thompson, who really gives me no feeling that he could ever be a quality QB. Can we trade for a backup? Oh, I really don’t want to do that, we have no cap space in the next few years, I don’t want to have no cap space and no draft picks either!
So now Dolphins fans, crushed as we are, we have nothing to do but wait. Wait and see what the reports are on QB Tua Tagovailoa, find out how long it will be after MRI’s, cat scans, whatever other tests they do. It’s only Week 2, and yet the sky has fallen here, and fallen hard. It’s most difficult to find optimism for this season, despite it only being Week 2, and having a 1-1 record. The Bills have come into Hard Rock, basically their home field as it is, and tore our team a new asshole as per usghe. BTW, I’m sure you’re all aware, the collision Tua had was with DB Damar Hamlin. Ironic? Thoughts racing, caffeine pumping through my veins, along with a lethal dose of despair. I’m already thinking of the Fest as being a vacation only, and the game itself a nuisance that will keep me away from the beach. Hopefully, something good happens for us Dolphins fans, but do they ever?
Finsmob Unleashed 
Can’t agree more.
Problem with the draft is it would be hard to draft 2-3 OL in the first 4 rounds where we will have 4-5 picks depending on comp picks.
Reason being is with all the 1 year contracts, we have needs everywhere except CB, RB and TE next year.
Can’t really expect to have a rookie come in and perform on the OL at a high level as much as you could a rookie on the DL.
Holland is still a FA next year along with all our other safeties. Only safety on the 2025 roster right now is McMorris. Next draft is stacked at safety, you have to take one in the 1st or 2nd at the latest. Need to draft a QB. Jaxson dart will be gone by 2nd round. So need to go Safety then QB picks 1 and 2.
At ILB, Long, Walker and Riley are all free agents. Our DL other than Seiler and Pili are all free agents.
I think it’s impossible to prioritize the draft right now. Maybe we come to an agreement with Holland, who knows. I think we very well may be drafting a QB. You can’t trudge along hoping Tua stays healthy, that’s a fools errand
I meant to say in the article that we really can’t overuse De’Von Achane. 22 carries and 7 receptions seems excessive for a guy who can’t stay on the field. I know Jeff Wilson was hurt, but how hard is to get a RB ready to play these days? 5 touches for Wright, with Mostert OUT and Wilson hurt? C’mon!!!
I know
Not from a mock but off the top of my head:
1st Safety Winston, PSU
2nd QB Dart, Ole Miss
3rd(comp) ILB Jay Higgins, Iowa
4th OG Luke Kandra, Cincy
4th(comp) OT Wyatt Millum, WV
5th DT DeMontre Capehart, Clemson
5th TE Mason Taylor, LSU
7th WR Arian Smith, Georgia (4.28 forty)
7th DT Thor Griffith, Louisville
7th(comp) CB Gentry Williams, Oklahoma
I think we need to look at free agent OL with what cap space we will have for an immediate fix and draft OL for depth and for the future.
MikeE,
I liked what I saw from #25 last night. Achane seems to struggle or tire as he gets touches. He needs to bulk up as much as he can and still maintain his speed, so he can hold up a bit better. That said, we still need a guy to get 10 carries, or so, to help him out. It also allows you to line him up in the slot where I think he’s extremely dangerous.
You mean all five carries? LOL!
You LIKED 5 carries for 4 yards? Low bar man.
what game is the Fest this year
October 27th, vs Arizona Cardinals
thanks, I may come down to hang at D&B and tailgate
That would be awesome Stubbs. I didn’t order tickets for you, but people drop out…. so I could down the road.
But even if not you can get seats close to where we are and probably join us. Nosebleeds don’t get packed in typically.
Thank you, Mike E.!
I bet this was hard to write….lol. A stream of consciousness rant……
Tiki Bar on the beach v game? Hmmm….lol
Right now it’s a toss up! It would be a lot easier to just go to the beach, right?
Lol…yep and I got a kick ass suite this time!
Oh yeah, some parties being thrown at the Krishna suite?
Lol…maybe!
Mike,
McD is just like Dave Wannstedt was but worse. Dave’s players loved him too and the dude won a playoff game too with Jay Fiedler. That doesn’t make McD a good coach when it comes to game planning. He’s terrible at it. If we had real leadership up top, he would be forced to have a real OC.
The ‘I told you so’s’ came really early this year. Letting the best linemen on our team walk while overpaying all the finesse dudes has already brought rotten fruit. This team SUCKS and will suck no matter if Tua comes back or not this year.
Not sure if Ricky Williams loved Wannstedt. He ran that boy into the ground
Affirmative…one of the reasons he quit was because Wanny’s one-trick pony offense
True that but our guys love playing for McD so much….they all demanded more money to have to play for him. If that’s love………
New Age – I think MM is a very intelligent guy. He definitely knows offense, but for some reason, there seems to be a disconnect with game planning, and play calling. I’m not sure why, but it’s been a weakness of his for sure.
Yeah, he’s smart but he can’t gameplan. It’s a talent and he may get better at it someday but he needs another voice in the mix. Maybe a couple. Randy’s right. His offense has been neutralized and he doesn’t have answers yet. He should though because it was neutralized last year.
biggest flaw I see is, we built our team from the outside in, instead of the inside to the out. The game is won in the trenches
No doubt about that. I complained about it all offseason long. We got a bunch of JAGS with the exception of the late signing of Calais Campbell. We then cut down from 9 DL to 5, which meant the “heavy” rotation we were supposed to be employing went out the window, because the only 2 guys coming in for the 3 starters, Zach Sieler, Benito Jones and Calais Campbell are Brandon Pili and Da’Shawn Hand, and to some extent Emmanuel Ogbah. Campbell is fine, but is limited in how many snaps he can play, so the rotation thing we were sold seems to be nonsense.
agree, D line had no push for the most part. I believe we’re stuck with the QB we have. What QB would want to stand behind our O-line
It really sucks feeling like the season is not going to be a good one now. 😔
Welcome my friend. Some of us have been feeling this way all year!
I talked about the difference between designing plays and calling a game last year. They’re completely different skills/talents. MM is still a young HC, so I think he can certainly get better. He’s also hampered by a limited OL and QB. But, those were his choices. He built this offense. Teams figured out how to defend him pretty quickly. It’s really just to play a Fangio defense, ironically. Keep everything in front of you, funnel to the center where you have help, swarm to the ball and make tackles. Throw in a wrinkle here and there to try to fool the QB and get a TO.
It’s only 2 games, but the issues we had last year seem to still be issues. I still think this offense can put up points, but MM needs to show his brilliance now by coming up with a counter to their adjustments to our offense. Tua is gonna be out for awhile. If he’s not, this whole “protect the players” is a joke. He might be out a month. Then what? Even if he does come back, he will be a liability and at the very least need some time to readjust….as the whole offense will. This totally blows.
MikeE,
No, he didn’t get a lot of touches, but I thought Wright looked the part. I’d feel comfortable with him getting more.
he looked ready to me
rookie RBS often make an immediate impact
Yes, I think he IS ready! RB’s in general can get a workload early on, stop hampering rookies and let them play! Jeff Wilson probably won’t be here next year, and Mostert may not either, so can we see what we have in this kid? Give him a workload, see what he does, and use Achane more as a receiver and for spot carries.
personally I wouldn’t make any dramatic decisions about the teams future for at least a few weeks
no trades
no nothing
we may need all the capitol we have
and there is no reason not to use this as an opportunity to evaluate how they respond and if they can adjust
the roster should be built to withstand whatever is thrown at you – and if it’s not, they messed up
but I want to see what happens next on the field over the next few weeks before i react
I agree to a point.
However, when you see a fire you should put it out. You shouldn’t wait for the fire to go out on its own because there’s nothing left to burn
Sure,
but you don’t want to throw a bucket of water on a lady lighting a cigarette bc you smell smoke….
True, although I would never waste Randy’s bucket of water on that
Randy’s bucket doesn’t hold water….
lol
MM makes some perplexing decisions
I like him a lot
but we knew coming into the game that Buffalo was successful shutting down waddle/hill and being physical
I though it was a major factor in pursuing Jonnu Smith and OBJ
I know OBJ isn’t available but to see Robbie Chosen and Some one who’s name (dubose?) I heard for the first time contribute to two early turnovers from the WR3 spot is my biggest gripe from last night
OBJ isn’t available
but maybe it’s better to get Malik Washington out there than a couple of guys that aren’t really final 53 material
I know we are trying to get Achane involved as a 3 but that’s a lot to ask of the 2nd year RB
doesn’t seem like we are utilizing Jonnu Smith
and it seems like Hill and Waddle were coming off the field at very bad times
herbstreit said something about bigger receivers getting open downfield – but I’m pretty sure that’s not the way it works
we need Hill on the field when we are trying to convert 3rd downs
he didn’t get a call on a hold – but that’s not likely to persist all game
seeing him come off the field at critical times has me really questioning MM
Jonnu had 7 targets, but I thought he should have had a lot more, especially when we barely used Hill and Waddle. Don’t get cute and try to use guys who have done nothing, get the ball to your playmakers ferchrissakes!
Write had 5 touches for 4 yards.
Right, write, wright, rite! RB’s need carries to get in a rhythm, not a carry here and there.
Wright. LOL
Not bad behind that O line
He had 3 yards on his first carry. OL went to shit before he went in also.
Piggy – Who is the woman smoking the cigarette? That’s an important detail you left out. lol
Dolphins fans:
Hey Captain, any chance you can make it to the Fest?
Capt. Stubbs
says:
September 13, 2024 at 2:17 pm
thanks, I may come down to hang at D&B and tailgate
Mike E. says:
September 13, 2024 at 1:55 pm
I think it’s impossible to prioritize the draft right now.
———
Not impossible for BBM! lol
It’s always really impossible until we see who is resigned or added in free agency. Though, with our limited cap space, it makes it a little easier knowing we can’t sign much in talent.
Tim – it’s crushing. I didn’t go to sleep until after 3 I was distraught
I was talking with my friend during the game, he’s a Dolphins fan too. We were both crushed in multiple ways. It sucks!
There are a lot of interesting QB’s this next draft and, hey, we will likely be picking higher. Some I think who would be good in MM’s system:
1st round
Quinn Ewers, Texas
Garrett Nussmier, LSU
Cam Ward, UM
2nd round
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
2nd/3rd
Miller Moss, USC
Others
Brady Cook, Missouri
Will Howard, Ohio State
Those were just ones I think “fit”. Some I think won’t fit:
1st round
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado (holds ball way too long)
Carson Beck, Georgia (accuracy issues across the middle)
2nd round
Jalen Milroe, Alabama (have to see more of him)
Drew Allar, PSU (haven’t seen “it” in him yet)
Forgot one who might be a “fit”:
A day 3 pick in Cameron Rising, Utah
UDFA fits:
Will Rogers, Washington
Haynes King, GT
Dillon Gabriel, former UCF, from Oregon would maintain the lefty status.
We could always go with Skylar next year and tank for Arch Manning in the 2026 draft. lol
Obviously we all wish Tua well, but what was he thinking? Slide!!!!
He thinks he’s Larry Csonka when he has a defender right in front of him. It was totally unnecessary.
I owe you a beer.
We all need one. 😂
I know the players don’t have the electronic first down line we watch on TV, but I’ve always been amazed how they seem to know where they need to get to for a first down.
Tua had the first down and kept going right at a tackler. All he had to do was slide.
Mike E.
I’ll definitely try to make it down to the Fest. I don’t plan to far in the future. Would love to hang out at D&B and tailgate. Not sure I want to waste money on going in the stadium unless the product on the field improves. I’d rather beat the traffic back to the hotel room. Gaze at the ocean. I’d rather turn the faucet on in the sink and watch the water go down the drain than watch another abysmal performance like last night lol
Awesome Brian – Hope to see you next month!
Son, yeah, Dillon Gabriel would be another one that would “fit”. He has been around quite a few years.
I thought he was a little short for the NFL, I could be wrong. At least, slightly shorter than Tua. He has put up great numbers that’s for sure.
Now that I think about it, not just because he is a lefty, he reminds me a whole lot of Tua. There are a ton of comparisons. Size, accuracy, very quick release.
By PFF’s rankings he should be available in the 5th. However, Draftbuzz (who’s simulator I use) has him as a mid 2nd round pick.
I can see him going somewhere between there, 2nd to 5th. If he was there in the 4th, I would take him. He has all the tools to run MM’s offense.
I honestly had hoped that the secret to the universe was something a little bit more complex than God’s a frizzy-haired, homicidal lunatic.
Lol, that came out of nowhere.
I just heard that line in a show I’ve been watching and it cracked me up, and kinda fit my mood, lol.
Lol, I knew it had to come from somewhere but I had never heard that before or anything like it. Made me laugh too.
I don’t know what to say or even think right now, but for one thing: this beloved franchise of ours is truly, truly cursed. Perhaps there really is something to building our stadium on ancient Indian burial grounds.
Prayers up for Tua. I’ll stand by whatever decision he makes, whether it be retirement or to give it another go. I just hope he doesn’t end up with CTE someday down the road. 😦
Not cursed. Inept.
Grier had the audacity to sit there and laugh at everyone for worrying about the OL. Again…best G we’ve had in forever he let walk. Howd the DL look? Yep let him go too. And for what? Keep overpaying for soft ass chokers and a QB that has already shown us what we are getting.
Burn it all down. GM and HC. I’m tired of the quirky schtick from our HC. He’s not fit to run the team.
RIDER: Nothing of great consequence will happen until we get A NEW OWNER!!!
I’m Devastated. But not surprised.
What DID surprise me was Tua’s ability to last as long as he has with, arguably, the worst O-Line in the NFL.
Ross’s FO has been reluctant to draft enough top rated linemen to fix the truly “Offensive” Line problem that has dominated this franchise for many years.
Can’t find it now because I can’t remember who said it
He said “McDaniel needs to quit playing checkers and play chess like the rest of the NFL”.
In reference to his game planning. Ouch
I shot the worst round of golf I’ve had in months this afternoon! Still pissed about the game. 🤬
Retiring is hard! ⛳️
lol
ElephantRider
says:
September 13, 2024 at 8:23 pm
Not cursed. Inept…
———
If ya truly feel that way (and you’re not wrong, either!), look no further than MR. CAMPBELL’s (Old Dolfan) reply to ya. The buck stops at the top… and that’s owner Steve Ross for the hirings he’s made in the FO.
It is Friday the 13th today… and while I’m really not superstitious at all, I can’t help but feel this franchise is cursed. We just can’t have good things in Miami Dolphins land, ever since Joe Robbie built the stadium on sacred Indian burial grounds. Maybe it’s a cop-out? I dunno, but HWH (RIP) and Steve Ross have both sucked as owners ever since.
I heard Armando on the radio today on FSR, after asked by the host if Tom Brady is in the equation to replace Tua.
‘Mando listed about 7 reasons why it would be an improbable proposition, least of which was why would Tom Brady want to play behind this inept O-Line of ours. Totally agree with ‘Mando!
Tyler Huntley is on the Ravens practice squad he’d be a decent pluck.
I really like Huntley, but I don’t view him as somebody well-versed in the WCO at the pro level.
yeah but he’s got the necessary wheels to get the hell out of the way
I just don’t think Skylar is the answer
I’m with ya on Huntley’s wheels and that he’s better than Skylar.
Being serious, as usghe (I actually had to copy and paste the term ‘usghe’ because I never know how to spell it! Thanks, Mike E!)… if ya want a savvy vet QB who won’t cost an early round draft pick or cost us major $$$, I’d look at trading for Case Keenum.
Keenum probably knows this (WCO) system better than anyone not named Jimmy G or Tannehill… who will both co$t us. Keenum > Skyler.
On the other hand, perhaps it’s time to tank for a top QB in next year’s Draft? In that case, stick with Skyler. JMO
Is it time to bend for (Carson) Beck?
I don’t believe Steve Ross will allow us to tank or bend at this point, coupled with his advanced age. I suspect — pending on Tua’s health return/decision — that we’ll be signing or trading for a competitive QB.
JMO
If that’s the case (it won’t be Keenum, LOL), look at Trey Lance, Jimmy G, or Tanny.
Watch us trade our ’25 2nd rounder to Dallas for Trey Lance… just like we did with the Cardinals for Josh Rosen.
Case would be alright
Tyrod Taylor?
I bet the Steelers are calling US to pawn off Russell Wilson
Bro, Russell Wilson would be the way to go! Only thing? How much would he cost us in a draft pick(s), and how effective could he be behind our very defunt O-Line?
Jameis Winston lol
dude can sling it just not always to the right team
I hadn’t thought of Winston. He’s got a BIG arm to reach ‘Reek and Penguin deep. Hmmmm…
Anyone I’ve listed so far I’d want before Tannehill
What about Carson Wentz? Could we make him great again?
I’m not feeling it with him
Nor am I.
Especially behind our O-Line.
M, Lance sucks ass no way we could win with him
I agree… and the Cowboys would likely want a 2nd rounder, just like the Cardinals wanted a 2nd rounder for Josh Rosen. Fool me once…
Re-signing Mike White isn’t going to cut it for me, either. He sucks.
No way OMG he’s horrible
I didn’t list the owner because he’s not going to fire himself. Just so deflated.
I hear ya, Brother. I’m so very deflated as well. 😦
Son,
We’re seriously in trouble this year, my guy! I can’t find a way to solve our issues without surrending major $$$ or early draft picks.
SUCKS, man!
We have plenty of cap for this year beyond that remains to be seen
I’m not sold on Carson Beck. I’ve watched him and seems to have accuracy issues. Could be just me though. I will have to watch more of him this year.
I don’t understand how so many people see and have seen these issues for years and these high paid “football intelligent” professionals don’t? The fuck are they looking at out there?
The blunders from Grier and McDaniel continue to compound. I
^
Since it is time to focus on the draft before week 2 is even over. Some games to watch today.
Alabama at Wisconsin, 11am FOX
LSU at South Carolina, 11am ABC
Memphis at FSU, 11am ESPN
Boston College at Missouri, 11:45am SEC Network
Texas A&M at Florida, 2:30pm ABC
Oregon at Oregon State, 2:30pm FOX
Washington at Washington State, 2:30pm PEACOCK
Ball State at U Miami, 2:30pm ACC Network
Ole Miss at Wake Forest, 5:30PM CW Network
UTSA at Texas, 6PM ESPN
Georgia at Kentucky, 6:30pm ABC
UCF at TCU, 6:30pm FOX
IU at UCLA, 6:30pm NBC/PEACOCK
Colorado at Colorado State, 6:30pm CBS
Some of these aren’t great matchups but have players to keep an eye on.
There will be a good game to watch in every time slot though.
I’m still bewildered. Can’t get a grasp on what happened Thursday night. Still don’t seem real. Freaking bummer, man
LSU/SC is a good matchup. LSU vs SC DL and LSU WR’s vs SC secondary.
LSU OL vs SC DL
Was high on LSU LB Perkins but looks like they moved him outside.
He was not good vs the run in their loss to USC
I don’t even want to post Ryder’s breakdowns of our offense and defensive woes. Who wants to relive that shit again.
The more I think about it, the less I blame Grier for what is going on. You have these players who all want to be paid ridiculous amounts. The cap is what it is. When you have a small fraction of the team taking most of the $$$, what else is he to do? He gets players on the cheap because that’s all he can do. We can’t get premium OL players to protect Tua because he, along with a few others, wants it all for themselves. They make a lot of $, and I acknowledge they deserve to be rewarded. But how much is enough and when does it become about bragging rights to say you’re the top paid player? Congrats! You fucked your team, your fans and ultimately yourself because you were greedy and if winning a championship is something you want, will likely never happen. But enjoy the money. Most of them are so stupid they waste it and end up broke. 🤯
I agree!
Perfectly said. The hometown discount doesn’t go very far…lol
What’s that? LOL
If we end up picking in the top 10, I am going after LSU QB Garrett Nussmier.
I would even double down on QB and take Georgia Tech QB Haynes King. He’s got a decent arm, but he is also a serious dual threat to run. Take him with one of our 7th round picks to develop on the PS.
Should have been drafting a QB every year.
The NFL made a conscious choice to have higher scoring games. More appeal because casual fans just want scoring. More fans. More money. It worked, brilliantly. To ensure that happened, they started changing the rules to favor offense. They started promoting QBs like they were superheroes…but protect them like children, which has started to bleed into other offensive positions.
The NFL got what they wanted…money. The game has been thrown out of balance. The “ultimate team game” is no longer a true competition. But, fans are okay with that as long as the game is good entertainment….until it’s not. And then….humorously so…fans blame the grunts…not the superstars. In a game designed to favor the skill guys every time.
I’m not shocked by what Grier has done because the NFL is somewhat dictating it. But, he’s still made choices. He has built this team inside out. I still believe you win in the trenches…but do you anymore? Will it work? So far…not so much. We’ll see if it changes.
Correct. These QBs are putting up gaudy numbers, then demanding massive contracts, all because the rules have been changed to protect them and promote more exciting offenses. (Aside: somehow our QB gets hurt to the point where he’s linking at early retirement.)
looking
Solheim Cup! Go USA!
Looking at Tankathon, it looks like the Hunt Compensation pick will be a 4th. Projected comps are:
Christian Wilkins – 3rd
Robert Hunt – 4th
Deshon Elliott – 7th
With our current 1-1 record we are sitting at these 10 picks:
1st #19
2nd #51
3rd (Comp) #98
4th #119 and (Comp) #133
5th (from Denver) #138 and #155
7th #232, (from Chicago) #234 and (Comp) #250
I just hope we don’t trade any away, BUT they are in “win now” mode. SMH
LSU’s IOL sucks!
I knew LSU would have an issue with SC’s DL and DB’s
I wonder how long before LSU fires their coach
Post Tua Concussion Mock Draft 😦
PICK: 19 RND: 1 Garrett Nussmeier QB LSU
PICK: 51 RND: 2 Xavier Nwankpa S Iowa
PICK: 98 RND: 3 (Comp) Luke Kandra OG Cincinnati
PICK: 118 RND: 4 Jay Higgins ILB Iowa
PICK: 133 RND: 4 (Comp) Wyatt Milum OT West Virginia
PICK: 138 RND: 5 DeMonte Capehart DT Clemson
PICK: 155 RND: 5 Mason Taylor TE LSU
PICK: 232 RND: 7 Thor Griffith DT Louisville
PICK: 214 RND: 7 Arian Smith WR Georgia
PICK: 224 RND: 7 Haynes King QB Georgia Tech
Meh
Florida State is sucking ass again.
I can handle the Bills still kick our ass, 15 games to go. But what happened with Tua is the ugly part of Thursday night. We don’t know if he retires or not. But I don’t see us having or finding a QB that gets us to where we want to go.
There are a few options out there that could work out, Skylar is a poor option.
There is absolutely no one out there that can be a replacement for Tua. There is not 32 starting caliber QBs in the NFL. The worst thing we can do now is panic and do some dumb move out of desperation. More likely Tua doesn’t retire. He returns in a month. We just need to hold serve for the next 4 weeks
I’m actually pretty upset the Bills showed they have our number again
The reality is Tua might not be the QB of our future
I don’t think signing him to a big contract prevents us from drafting a QB – I was saying that since the last of last season
I think for Tua he has to make a decision on whether he wants to play again – and for me that decision is totally up to him
but, depending on what the doctors say now, and if he wants to play, he won’t be out long than the Indy game
our next games are Seattle, Tennessee, New England , BYE and Indy
it’s not murderers row
we can be 5-1 of 4-2 or don’t think any worse than 3-3 after week 7
the bigger issue is whether we can match with teams the caliber of the Bills – and the answer was NOT EVEN CLOSE
so of the season shapes up that way and we are say…4-2
and Tua still wants to play football (which I think is his choice)
then the season becomes about changing our culture and our habits and finishing strong against good teams
Nd we are going to need that anyway
if we started 6-0 and had a healthy team – the. Creative would still be -“how do they finish”
and that’s still the narrative –
that’s what the 🐬have to prove
“I told him he’s the starting quarterback of his family. Go in the locker room, take a deep breath, and I’ll see you soon,” said McDaniel.
exactly what MM should do
and exactly what I’m doing – Tua is going to make the decision for himself (and his family)
Kapernick?
Low cost high reward but would not hold my breath he is the answer and or even in game shape
We need a backup QB as an answer. I think he keeps in shape/trains, but maybe gave it up.
I’ll take a knee on that one…
lol
he hasn’t played in 17 years. No way he can acclimate to the nfl again
I had no idea it’s been that long! Lol
If they sign Kaepernick, I’ll mail them all my jerseys and become a Bucs fan.
The irony that would be…lol
son of a son of a shula
says:
September 14, 2024 at 2:38 pm
Florida State is sucking ass again.
———-
And I don’t even have any homer picks for Memphis. Not even the QB.
I agree with Ken. We can’t replace Tua. This is a timing offense with tons of motion. It would be a very difficult situation for any QB to just step into. I’m only making a QB move if Tua retires. They chose their backups. Time to play them…just like on the OL.
I think we are going to run the ball a lot
and I thi k we can be successful running the ball doing a lot of the things we were doing early v the bills
I’m with ya on running the ball a lot… but understand that our O-Line is already getting beat up with injuries.
LMAO
@schadjoe
Dolphins are 1-point favorites at Seahawks in Week 3 Via DraftKings
If we want to remain playoff contenders (as in, “WIN NOW”), we can’t just drop the ball to the next man up… Skylar Thompson.
Coach McDaniel said we will be adding a new QB, but for now Skylar is QB1.
If we stick with Skylar, the season is OVER. If we can sign/trade for a better QB, hope prevails. We shouldn’t want to use day 1 or day 2 draft picks to trade for a temporary QB, so there’s that.
My best guess that if we’re going to attempt to upgrade from Skylar, it’s going to be Ryan Tannehill. We have the cap space to easily add him, and he’s a FA… won’t cost us a draft pick.
Added bonus? He can play well in cold weather situations.
HOWEVER, our O-Line still needs to be upgraded.
I think they have to understand what the story is with Tua first and foremost
I agree. I suppose I’m talking about the worst case scenario where Tua misses multiple games. We can’t lose too many games in the interim or we’re already OUT of the playoffs.
Oh, and of course, the WORST case scenario is that Tua retires. I will stand by Tua’s decision, regardless.
I think the best option without spending a lot of money and/or giving up a draft pick would be CJ Beathard who was with the 49er’s from 2017 to 2020 then the last 3 years with the Jaguars.
He is a free agent
He is good for depth but I don’t think he’s anything better than Skylar Thompson
As in any team in the NFL if we lose our starting QB for the season we are done. It is true for 31 other teams in today’s league. There are no Earl Moralls out there going to carry their team into the playoffs off a bench. Our best case scenario is Tua comes back in about a month. We have a winnable stretch of games even with a backup QB. If doesn’t come back we are sunk no matter what. So let’s not do anything stupid
Agreed
You never know. 49ers never thought Purdue would become what he did.
If we plan on running a lot, we’d better pick up some RBs that don’t get injured every time they get significant carries.
No matter what Tua does we need a vet QB. Even if he comes back the next one is the last one just as we may have witnessed this one being.
Right now I don’t think we’ll see him again.
exactly. Even if he does come back, he’s going to miss time again.
I think I’d pluck Tyler Huntley from Baltimore for starters and then go from there.
We probably have to wait until after all of this weeks games to finish
I realized Jimmy G is still serving out a suspension, but that is over after this weekend. Still don’t want to trade for him unless it’s a 7th round pick.
He is also vey fragile
my gut tells me Tua retires after March 1, the latest. I think he’s done.
he can’t take a hit anymore. That wasn’t a particularly hard hit by one of the smaller players in the league.
He wasn’t hit. He ran into him head first.
Yep
Anymore? I’ve always said he was fragile, before we drafted him.
Herd’s right. Tua went head first into the guys chest…that’s all it took…yikes!
I saw Marino in a commercial talking about coming back. Sign him!
I am well aware he ran into him head first. He was hit. It’s not like Hamlin was standing still and he ran into him. The point is it wasn’t particularly hard contact. It shows how susceptible he is to concussions. How many QBs in the league get a concussion on that hit in the same exact scenario- I’m guessing only a few, and Tua is one of them.
Can we just borrow Cam Ward?
Brian,
I thought the same thing. It wasn’t a hard hit. It was right on the back of his head and bent it forward. Those do suck. Tua’s reaction was more severe than I expected, and, frankly, it scared me for the young man.
yes, his symptoms were similar to the 2nd one against Cincy
Brian,
It was more that he reacted so severely to a relatively light blow. Concussions can be kind of nebulous but thats not good.
yes- like the one against Green Bay (?) where he was knocked down and hit the back of his head off the turf that put him out for the remainder of the 2022 season.
Why didn’t he just go down? Man it’s so clear to see. Had a good drive going, points there and it’s 31-17 and they didn’t score in the second half.
he was well past the first down. My guess is he was trying to motivate the team by playing tough guy and trying to run over the DB.
The exact thing he’s been coached and sworn out of. In the heat of the battle I guess you are who you are.
^
It was just instinct to fight for extra yardage and also on TV its easy to see he had the first down but not so much on the field
ND playing pissed off today, where was this team last week
^^
Just sign Tannehill and be done with it… unless we can pry away a QB via trade for a day 3 draft pick.
If we can get Jimmy G for a 4th rounder or less, I’m good with that, too.
The status quo of Skylar Thompson as QB1 is not going to cut it.
The MAGIC of our Offense is that opposing Defenses have to be prepared for the deep ball that Tua delivers. That makes it that much easier for our RBs to do damage.
Without Tua, opposing Defenses will be able to stack the box against our running game, and with our very weak and injured O-Line.
IMO, we’ve got to make a play for a solid interior O-Lineman.
What’s more… why did Kendall Lamm take the reps at LT when T-Stead went down? I think it would have been more appropriate to give Patrick Paul those reps. Again, JMO
Let’s revisit the 2020 Draft, shall we?
R1P5: QB Tua Tagovailoa (may end up retiring due to concussions)
R1P18: T Austin Jackson (got SCHOOLED by old man Von Miller on Thursday, not a top-tiered RT)
R1P30: CB Noah Igbinoghene (OUCH)
Ya can’t whiff on THREE 1st round picks in the same Draft and still keep your job.
R2P39: G Robert Hunt: allowed him to walk to FA
Robert Hunt went before Jalen Hurts in the ’20 Draft.
Who was my #1 QB in the ’20 Draft? JALEN HURTS.
Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Ha…Sounds like something Heinlein would have written.
The Number of the Beast was the first sci-fi book I ever read.
Great start.
The receiver for TCU Bech is a good player. Sucks he’s having a great night against UCF but 31-28 with 11:30 to go they’re up.
UCF wins 💥
Tua ran into Hamlin like he was a goal post. I still don’t know what he was thinking.
He had those competitive juices flowing, and they just took over.
he wasn’t thinking. That’s why he has another concussion.
M – I don’t think the offense relies on the deep ball so much, or that’s the magic. I think it’s just Tua throws the ball pretty quickly and knows where the receiver should be and throws it on the money, even if it’s just 10-15 yards downfield. Skylar Thompson has very little accuracy, and doesn’t know the offense nearly as well as Tua does. Tua was also great at fakes and is very good handling the ball with the various “tosses” he does whether behind or beyond the LOS. Our offense will be pretty boring and ineffective with Skylar as the QB all season long. I can’t imagine they’re going to let that happen, and will surely look to upgrade.
I really hope they bring up EZ, Skyler had good chemistry with him in the PS.
Though, IMO, he should have been on the 53 to start the season.
agreed Mike E
Ken
says:
September 14, 2024 at 8:53 pm
It was just instinct to fight for extra yardage and also on TV its easy to see he had the first down but not so much on the field
Ken,
if he doesn’t know exactly where he needs to get to for a first down and where he was on the field then we have much bigger problems. I don’t believe that for a second.
IDK, it could be from a lack of running it. He knows where the sticks are in the pocket but when the rare occasion comes when he runs, I could see him being unsure.
hes been playing football his entire life. If he didn’t know where the first down was that would be concerning
Who is that on top of the BIG 10 conference? Move over, it’s 3-0/1-0 Indiana!
Rarely can I get excited about IU football. lol
Sounds like Tua looking to return?
https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1835312223889104932
We will see
obviously depends on advice he gets but he isn’t at the stage of saying no way José
Man, there are so many college QB’s playing well. We could get a good prospect all the way to the 4th round.
3 days later and I am still sick to my stomach.
Though IU’s first 2 opponents were lesser teams, in 3 games they have outscored opponents 150-23. Their senior QB is one to keep an eye on in the mid rounds. Kurits Rouke has completed 74.3% of his passes for 755 yards, 7 TD’s and 0 INT’s.
25-33 for 307 with 4 TD’s and 0 INT’s yesterday at UCLA.
Rouke has a good arm and is mobile. Nice accuracy. He transferred from Ohio University to IU. Good size at 6’5 225.