Wow, Monday Night Football! What a marquis matchup we have here! The 0-3 Tennessee Titans come in to Miami to Hard Rock Stadium to face off against the last place 1-2 Miami Dolphins! It certainly looks bad, this is not what the NFL wants of course, but maybe it is. Maybe this is the game that catapults a team that looked like they were ruined to a successful season, while the other one falls further into a hole extremely difficult to climb out of. Neither team has played well, but while the expectations for the Tennessee Titans were modest, expected to be a sub .500 club (6-11, 7-10), the Dolphins, depending on what site you visited, were expected to compete for the AFC East crown with the Jets and Bills with 10-7 or 11-6 record. Every week is a must win the NFL, but if the Dolphins are truly to be a playoff contender, this win carries an awful lot of weight. It’s not a division game, but it is a conference game, and the Dolphins are 1-1 against the AFC with a W against the Jags, and a loss against the Bills.
In my last article I told you that things will shift, and I do still believe that. While I also feel we fell short of building the trenches properly, this team has far too much talent at the skill positions to be scoring only 11.0 points per game. Of course, the catalyst, QB Tua Tagovailoa is OUT, and will remain OUT until at least Week 8, but Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, De’Von Achane, Jonnu Smith, Jaylen Wright and Raheem Mostert (if healthy), should be enough to score more than 11 points, regardless of who is playing QB. So who will be the QB against the Titans for the Dolphins? Skylar Thompson is injured, and by the Gods, he was putrid after having a long week from Friday to the following Sunday, in addition to having 2 years to fully digest this offense. He looked lost out there, confused, hesitant, unsure, inaccurate, indecisive, and just so disappointing. He can no longer be considered the backup or have any future aspirations of being the starting QB of this team. That leaves Tim Boyle, who at the very least looked like an NFL QB that belonged on the field, or Tyler Huntley who has had little time to digest the playbook after being signed from the Baltimore Ravens practice squad on 9/17. Huntley is a better athlete and his legs give him a dual threat, although he’s no Lamar Jackson. No matter who starts on Monday Night Football, they have to threaten the defense down the field.
There are quite a few players listed as questionable for this MNF matchup.
CB Kendall Fuller (concussion)
OT Terron Armstead (concussion)
WR Malik Washington (quad)
RB Raheem Mostert (chest)
CB Siran Neal (?)
FB Alec Ingold (?)
QB Skylar Thompson (ribs)
LB David Long (hamstring)
OT Kendall Lamm played well enough in T-Stead’s place, but it would sure be nice to see the rookie Patrick Paul get some reps so we know that’s one less spot we have to draft for next season. We spent a 4th RD pick on RB Jaylen Wright (5’10 210) from Tennessee, acquired by trading our 2025 3rd RD pick. Is it possible we can make that trade look good by actually using the guy? 7 carries in 3 games, while we wear out 5’9 190 LB RB De’Von Achane with 43 carries for 150 yards (3.5 YPC), along with 17 receptions for 173 yards. 60 touches in 3 games seems like a lot for smallish back who had lots of trouble staying on the field last season, missing 6 games. When he was used sparingly, 103 carries for the season, he averaged over 7.8 YPC. That’s a huge difference. I understand Raheem Mostert is OUT, but isn’t that why you drafted Jaylen Wright in the first place? All over the NFL I see rookie RB’s tearing it up, and YES, I’m aware Achane did just that last season, but we also saw what happened when you use him a lot, he breaks down. Let’s get Jaylen Wright some more work, shall we?
The defense has had its ups and downs. They spotted Seattle 17 first quarter points before buckling down. For the most part, the defense feeds off the offense, and if that’s the case, the defense must be starving, because this offense has sucked since the first snap of the season. Despite moving the ball against Jacksonville, we scored only a TD in the first half, and then in the second half, just a TD and 2 FG’s, one as time expired for the W. Against the Bills, with Tua as the QB, we scored 10 first half points, but also turned the ball over 3 times, (3 INT’s). Against Seattle, it was worse, much worse. We managed only a FG in Seattle, where instead of the 12th man, it seemed like 12 million. We need to score some points against the Titans on MNF, it’s as simple as that. The Titans defense is right around our defense, a couple of notches worse, allowing 26 PPG, while our defense is at 24 PPG.
Head Coach Mike McDaniel has uncharacteristically taken a lot of heat early on in this season. Who could have thought it possible thought after scoring 496 points (29.2 PPG) that fans would be calling for Mike McDaniel’s head after 3 games? I think it’s crazy myself, it’s just too early, and as we all know painfully well Dolphins fans, it ain’t how you start, it’s how you finish! How many seasons have we gone through that? While Rock is still 100% correct that all the games count, if we finish strong and end up 10-7, or 11-6, and we’re playing well, not a soul will care about our 1-2 start. It’s time to set things right, and there is no question there is a lot of pressure on this team to perform better. Not sure if Skylar Thompson will be healthy enough to suit up as the 2nd or 3rd QB, I’d prefer someone lose his uniform. In any case, the way the NFL has been churning through QB’s, we might need 3 on Monday night. I would also tend to think whomever starts will not have a long leash if the offense is stagnant. Whether it’s QB Tyler Huntley or QB Tim Boyle, they’re going to have to earn the right to stay on the field.
Have I brought up the fact that we gave both of our top WR’S really nice extensions before the season started? YEAH! We gave Tyreek Hill a 3YR/$90M extension, and Jaylen Waddle got a 3 YR/$84.75M extension! Hey, did I mention what type of production we’ve received from these 2 players?
Tyreek Hill – 3 games – 7 catches, 130 yards, 1 TD / 1 rush, 12 yards
Jaylen Waddle – 3 games – 13 receptions, 176 yards, 0 TD’s /. 2 rushes, 7 yards
That’s right folks, last season, these were stats for 1 game, and not necessarily a great game either. It’s painful, and yes, it is an indictment on Mike McDaniel at just how ineffective this offense has been. He has to turn it around, no matter who the QB is. We can’t continue to be this poor, and still utter the phrase “offensive genius”. I for one am not carrying a pitchfork ready to storm Miami Gardens FL and try to get our Head Coach fired. I mentioned last week that the Baltimore Ravens are 1-2 as well, and QB Lamar Jackson has played all 3 games. Granted, the Ravens have scored 71 points, more palatable than our 33. The LA Rams are also 1-2, and they were supposed to also be a contender. What I’m saying is it’s still early, we win this game, even win ugly, and then we move on to the next one, but we have to come away with the “W” at home, knowing well that our schedule just gets more difficult when we come back from the BYE, whether Tua is our QB at that juncture or not. My feeling is that he will be, no one should be making this decision other than #1, QB Tua, along with his wife and family. In spite of that, the optics can never be good for this team, especially if he goes down again.
Not to say “I told you so”, but I did. His health will be our problem until he miraculously gets past them or he decides to retire. Due to the money in the contract, unless he gets hurt again, or even whether he doesn’t play another down for us this season, the future cap ramifications will haunt us unless he retires. The public relations nightmare, that we’re throwing him out to the slaughter will also be there as long as he’s on this team. It’s not a pretty picture for us, or him for that matter. I believe, ultimately the blame will be on the Miami Dolphins if Tua plays again and is concussed again. I hope for both his sake and the team’s sake that after that hit, he does the prudent thing for the rest of his life and retires, and enjoys his life with his family. Let’s not forget he’s already earned $73M. That’s a helluva lot more than any of us stiffs who root for him, and I think he might be able to just scrape by if he never plays again, but once again, that’s up to Tua.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
As a child, MATT ROTH once shot a spitball up in the air. It thus destroyed the then 5th planet of our solar system, now known as the asteroid belt.
I thought I read that somewhere! lol
@Schultz_Report
As I reported Tuesday, Davante Adams wants to be a New York Jet. The #Jets want Davante Adams.
But so do a whole host of other teams…
@NealDriscoll
I am asking the Miami Dolphins to hold themselves accountable, so I must do the same. It’s only four games into his career, so I am not writing him off by any means, but it does appear that Chop Robinson was not the right draft selection for Miami. Especially considering Graham Barton looks like an all-pro for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Through four games, Chop Robinson has zero sacks. Against the Titans, he was a non-factor with his lowlight being completely obliterated on that long Tony Pollard run. Chop will get better, but this team needed an instant impact player. The Miami Dolphins guards, Liam Eichenberg and Robert Jones, is one of the worst guard tandems we have ever seen.
🤣
He’s been roasting the organization for a bit now. He’s seen enough!
When we were blogging during that game, I posted about Robinson getting blown out of the play on the long Pollard run.
I’m a Penn St fan, and said I didn’t love the pick. He wanted Barton big time. I viewed Robinson as a bit of a project
I wanted
Players we could of had instead of Chop.
WR’s Brian Thomas Jr. or Waxier Worthy
IOL Graham Barton or Jackson Powers-Johnson
OT’s Tyler Guyton or Jordan Morgan
DT’s Jer’Zhan Newton, T’Vondre Sweat, or Braden Fiske
If they had resigned AVG, Chop would not have been on their radar and we would have on of the above.
one of the above
What gets me every year is the hype. Every one of these draft sites and draft guru’s get caught up with hype. Hype and stats.
Perfect example is Shedeur Sanders. Just about every site and guru (right now) have him as their #1 QB and most NFL ready.
I see a QB with good accuracy and doesn’t get rattled to easily.
What is most worrisome is he holds on to the ball forever. He takes 3-4 seconds to throw the ball much of the time. In 11 games last year, he was sacked 52 times, 3 of those 11 games he was sacked 7 times, 9 of the 11 games he was sacked at least 4 times.
This year so far, he was sacked 5 times by Nebraska and sacked 8 times by Baylor.
But none of these sites or guru’s point that out. He is much worse than Tannehill in this regard. It is a very bad habit he has developed and he will get crushed and suck in the NFL, IMO.
I think he is far from QB1.
You better stop talking crap about our next QB! 😁
Milroe has climbed up many draft boards and some consider him a first rounder but then say this:
“Milroe needs to improve his ability to read coverage, his knowledge of defenses, his communication, and his football I.Q.”
That almost covers everything you need to be good at to be an NFL QB.
Then end with what they say about everyone:
“He is a hard worker and a good kid who is putting in a lot of time to getting better.”
bailbondmike
says:
October 3, 2024 at 4:00 pm
Players we could of had instead of Chop.
WR’s Brian Thomas Jr. or Xaxier Worthy
IOL Graham Barton or Jackson Powers-Johnson
OT’s Tyler Guyton or Jordan Morgan
DT’s Jer’Zhan Newton, T’Vondre Sweat, or Braden Fiske
———-
To me, it’s FAR too early to make any assessment about a rook. However, I MUST say that prioritizing Chop over the rest made me scratch my head. What I mean is that if we’re in WIN NOW mode (which we were), it would’ve made more sense to draft an impact player who could start on day 1 of the regular season.
We created glaring holes on both sides of the trenches in allowing Christian Wilkins and Robert Hunt to walk into FA.
I wanted Jer’Zhan (Johnny) Newton to replace Wilkins and Cooper Beebe to replace Hunt. And if not, I would have LOVED to get any of Graham Barton, JPJ, Guyton, Sweat, or Fiske.
I do believe we got a good/great one in Patrick Paul (finger crossed), and I do believe we got a good/great one in Chop Robinson. The problem? They are both developmental players, not plug-n-play from day 1, especially given the players starting in front of them on our current roster.
We drafted for the future, not for our current “open window” in the WIN NOW mentality. Grier could have WON NOW with any of the above mentioned players, though I don’t care about the WRs. JMO
I included the WR’s as if we were in win now modecand needed a dynamic WR3.
Chop’s snaps just went up. It’s time to step up kid. That’s why he was drafted. No Chubb and no Phillips but let’s ignore that.
Focusing on future drafts doesn’t solve the issue at hand. There are still 13 games left.
If you were Grier and this happened to you I’m sure you’d all have the solutions. Seriously?
You can’t lose top players and expect the same results. If that is so, why are you focused on the draft? Anyone should step up.
Like Randy has said, it’s always about talent.
You’re just bummed out like the rest of us that this happened.
Nothing will solve the issue at hand so why not focus on future drafts. The “issue” at hand was created before the season started, IOL and DL. They didn’t try to upgrade either.
Teams have MM figured out and it is exposing how bad our OL is.
Phillips was playing the first four games, but let’s ignore that. Chop has been a disappointment thus far. Still plenty of time to develop though.
And even BEFORE the season, I was talking about upgrading from Skylar, knowing damn well that he wasn’t going to be IT if Tua went down. Case Keenum would have been a huge upgrade, being he knows the WCO like the back of his hand. Oh well… what do I know.
Here we are, and even Rich Eisen was talking about how foolish we were to not make an upgrade at the backup QB position. He’s talking in hindsight, I was talking in real time when we could have upgraded during the offseason.
But ultimately, it comes down to the trenches. Yes, even Keenum would be decimated behind our defunt O-Line, and opposing RBs would run rampant against our defunt D-Line.
Though the game has certainly changed, it’s still won and lost in the trenches.
bailbondmike
says:
October 3, 2024 at 4:01 pm
If they had resigned AVG, Chop would not have been on their radar and we would have one of the above.
————
100% agreed.
I get the rationale of drafting Chop because of the injuries at DE, but I definitely would have gone OL. There is still plenty of time for him to develop. One thing that concerned me about his Penn St career was that he didn’t generate a lot of sacks. Hopefully he can turn that around too.
They could have easily resigned AVG and not put themselves in that position.
no argument here. Every fan loved AVG. I hate Grier more and more very day.
Dolphins have claimed OLB Tyus Bowser off the Seahawks practice squad. Played for Weaver in Baltimore.
He was one I said we should sign during FA prior to the draft.
@flasportsbuzz
Armstead and Fuller are not out of concussion protocol yet. But they were full participants in practice, which is encouraging.
Poyer the only non-practice participant on the 53 man roster.
Jaelan Phillips moved to IR, with Tyus Bowser signed to replace him.
Dolphins
Did Not Practice
LB Jaelan Phillips (knee, IR)
S Jordan Poyer (shin)
Limited
WR Braxton Berrios (ankle)
LB David Long Jr. (hamstring)
RB Raheem Mostert (chest)
LB Duke Riley (hamstring)
QB Skylar Thompson (ribs)
WR Malik Washington (quadriceps)
LB Emmanuel Ogbah (rest)
Full
OT Terron Armstead (concussion)
CB Kendall Fuller (concussion)
RB Jeff Wilson Jr. (knee)
WR Odell Beckham Jr. (knee)
CB Cam Smith (hamstring)
Sorry herd, posted the injury report with a bunch of highlighted and underlined names. I will repost it.
No worries. I wasn’t busy at the moment. 😂
You so fast!
Did Not Practice
LB Jaelan Phillips (knee, IR)
S Jordan Poyer (shin)
Limited
WR Braxton Berrios (ankle)
LB David Long (hamstring)
RB Raheem Mostert (chest)
LB Duke Riley (hamstring)
QB Skylar Thompson (ribs)
WR Malik Washington (quadriceps)
LB Emmanuel Ogbah (rest)
Full
OT Terron Armstead (concussion)
CB Kendall Fuller (concussion)
RB Jeff Wilson Jr (knee)
WR Odell Beckham Jr (knee)
CB Cam Smith (hamstring)
atriots
Did Not Practice
C David Andrews (shoulder)
S Kyle Dugger (ankle)
WR K.J. Osborn (shoulder)
OT Caedan Wallace (ankle)
Limited
S Jabrill Peppers (shoulder)
WR Kendrick Bourne (knee)
LB Anfernee Jennings (shoulder)
CB Jonathan Jones (shoulder)
G Mike Jordan (ankle)
C Nick Leverett (ankle)
OT Vederian Lowe (knee)
S Marte Mapu (calf)
G Layden Robinson (ankle/wrist)
LB Sione Takitaki (knee)
CB Marcus Jones (groin)
I guess I will watch the Bucs tonight and that new stud OG they have.
Though, I know some of you will be watching baseball.
I can’t watch the Mets game tonight- going to see Sebastian Maniscalco!
The drafting brain trust on this site has a better record than any dolphins GM in the last 50 years. They’ve consistently picked good players year after year that don’t get drafted by this team. So I would trust what they have to say before I would decide to consistently argue with them.
Chop is struggling with what he struggled with in college. We talked about it. He gets engaged and has a really hard time getting disengaged. He looks good when he’s not blocked. That doesn’t happen much in the NFL. Still too early to say how good he’ll be, but I see the same issues. They need to free him up and get him some rush lanes. He doesn’t beat guys 1-1 often that result in a play/tackle. I’m not saying he can’t develop, but he’s got work to do.
I would have preferred an OL pick. I just wanted to make that clear in case anybody was confused. This statement applies in every situation. 🙂
Wah wah wah… it never ends.
Everyone is an expert about something they have no control over.
I’m surprised you came on here with that instead of celebrating that amazing 9th inning victory over the Brewers in the deciding game.
I watched the Mets game last night – OMG!!!
Mets are doing exactly the opposite of the Dolphins. Winning big games, coming up big, not small. Going in completely different directions, The Dolphins despite all the hype, look like garbage. For the Mets, this wasn’t supposed to be the year, but they’re getting it done.
LGM!!!
Lol….I could never be a Yankees fan, but Mets OK.
About 1:30 left, Atl vs TB, 4th and 15 from Atls 21 yard line and glory hound Lavonte David picks off Cousins and returns it to the 28
Those extra 7 yards would’ve likely resulted in a FG to put TB up 6, and force Atl to score a TD with about 1:20 to play and no timeouts
Not sure why that play is tolerated in the NFL, back 10+ years ago the Chargers picked off Brady late in a playoff game, on 4th down on a deep pass, which was fumbled and recovered by the Cheats, who ended up scoring the winning TD on that drive
I’m not sure what you’re saying, are you saying he should have just went down? I think in the moment you always just try to score once you have the ball in your hands.
He’s saying he should have knocked it down instead of intercepting it. Would have given Bucs the ball on the 21 instead of the 28 of the Falcons.
Why do I not feel encouraged???
@CameronWolfe
Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel tells reporters WR Odell Beckham Jr. (knee) and RB Raheem Mostert (chest) could play Sunday vs. Patriots with modified reps. Will be determined after watching them in practice today.
I think this is a good thing
@schadjoe
Mike McDaniel not optimistic on safety Jordan Poyer
What groove?
@OmarKelly
“He has been living in the training room to get it right. He is starting to get in a groove with his opportunities,” McDaniel on Braxton Berrios.
@AdamHBeasley
McDaniel said he’s “fairly optimistic” that Terron Armstead and Kendall Fuller will clear concussion protocol after today’s practice.
It could be a close one. Oh, wait, we have Sanders…
@schadjoe
NFL Offense
Dolphins 32nd, 11.3 points per game
Patriots, 31st, 13.0 points per game
Both were starters. Wallace was a rookie starting at RT. You PSU guys know.
@DougKyed
Patriots HC Jerod Mayo announced C David Andrews and rookie OT Caedan Wallace will go on injured reserve.
Just saw Cousins completed 42 of 58 passes for 509 yards. Damn!
Kong, I was really just busting balls but it didn’t come off like that without any laughing emojis.
I’m blown away by what the Mets pulled off. This team is gritty and we’ve had other teams like this. They do have some great moments in between all the frustrations.
The Brewers pitcher had a tell, the Mets hitters in the 9th knew if the pitch was going to be a change up or fastball
I just read that today, that Williams was tipping his pitches.
One hell of a finish. Even I jumped up and hollered when Alonso smacked that HR.
Those are the types of moments that make sports great!
@MikeGarafolo
Oh nothing, just Davante Adams posting a pic of Edgar Allen Poe…
https://x.com/MikeGarafolo/status/1842262580531789855/photo/1
————-
Baltimore
I’d know better than anyone! LOL
I still say Davante ends up in New York as a stej.
”The Raven”, by Edgar Allan Poe. There is a team named after that poem…
I know, man! I’m a direct decendent from the Poe family.
@jeffphowe
Guardian Caps aid NFL’s lowest number of preseason concussions since 2015, league EVP says
These athlete exhibition fights are getting downright ridiculous. Chad Johnson is going to fight James Harrison MMA style? Are you kidding me?! A skinny little 190 lb yapping dog against a 250 lb mauler.
What is the point of this?
NEW BLOG UP!!!!!