The run begins! The Dolphins successfully staved off elimination by defeating the Rams in Los Angeles in their best effort of the season, 23-15. Let’s face it, and this is not hyperbole, every week now is an elimination game. At 3-6, we can probably afford 2-3 more losses, depending on how things shake out in the AFC. A 9-8 record may make it, or it might take a 10-7 mark to get in. If it’s the latter, that leaves us only one loss left, and despite the fact that we’re playing two easier marks in the Raiders and the Patriots, we have no room for error and cannot be caught looking ahead. Let’s face it, we haven’t been anything close to resembling the powerful, explosive offense we had last season in which we were averaging 29.2 PPG. It’s closer to half that at 16.3 PPG this season. WR’s Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have been so under used, they’re basically decoys running around all game. Last season after 9 games, WR Tyreek Hill had 69 receptions for 1014 yards and 8 TD’s. This season, Tyreek Hill has 37 receptions for 462 yards and 2 TD’s. Jaylen Waddle had 40 receptions for 522 yards with 3 TD’s and he missed the Denver game outright, so only 8 games played. This season, Waddle has 31 receptions for 367 and 1 TD. No doubt Hill has the larger drop off, mostly due to Waddle not getting as much action due to the nearly historic season by his teammate WR Tyreek Hill, who was trying to have a 2000 yard receiving season.
So why have Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle been shut down this season? I wish it was easy to say it was only the games that QB Tua Tagovailoa missed, but that’s not even remotely accurate. The Dolphins have been running the ball more than we did last season, and they’ve had some success doing that. Honestly, I don’t mind us being more of a rushing offensive team, I think that when it comes down to playing against better competition in big games, and for us, that means every week, you need to control the line of scrimmage and run the ball effectively. The better teams, along with the cold weather tend to neutralize the aerial attacks, so I like that we can run the ball. Oddly enough, we faced the Rams last week and struggled to run well, but the defense was the hero of the day, led by the return of key players on the defense like DT Zach Sieler, S Jevon Holland and CB Kader Kohou. The defense was excellent, they didn’t allow one trip to the endzone, to a Rams offense loaded with all their WR’s like Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp and their excellent RB Kyren Williams. Also keep in mind the Rams were on a 3 game win streak and were playing very well, especially after getting their two top receivers back the last couple of weeks in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. The defense really did an outstanding job Sunday and carried the day.
So we got one game out of the way, and we need to keep checking them off one by one, never looking ahead any further than the game at hand. This week we host the Las Vegas Raiders who at 2-7 are nearly eliminated from the playoffs. One bright spot for the Raiders is 1st RD pick (#13) TE Brock Bowers who is having a phenomenal rookie campaign. Bowers already has 57 receptions for 580 yards and 2 TD’s. The Raiders are clearly looking to the future as they traded away WR Davante Adams who was just languishing this season and was miserable with very little production. Former Patriots WR Jakobi Meyers is having a nice season, and of course on defense, DE Maxx Crosby continues to rack up QB sacks, and has 6.5 this season. This would have been the week to see our old friend DT Christian Wilkins again, and I suppose we will see him, but he won’t be playing as he’s on IR, potentially for the entire season after a Jones fracture of his left foot. I’ll say this, 39 year old DE Calais Campbell has done his share and more to help fans get over the loss of Christian Wilkins here in Miami. Unfortunately, Calais has made it clear this is his final season, so we have some work to do!
If I told you before the season that De’Von Achane would be leading the Dolphins in rushing yards, many of us probably wouldn’t scoff at that. If I told you he’d have nearly twice the amount of rushing attempts than any other RB on the roster, 105-55, that you would probably laugh at. The guy who had so much difficulty staying on the field has become close to a workhorse back, but his YPC average has shrunk tremendously, going from an outrageous high of 7.8 yards per carry to a meh 4.4 yards per carry. I admit I find it odd that Achane is the primary back, especially with a very capable RB in rookie 4th RD pick Jaylen Wright and veteran Raheem Mostert available, although in Mostert’s case, he’s been injured occasionally. Wright however, has been healthy all along, but seldom used. Let me just get it out there, we see RB’s all over the NFL, rookies that were drafted, undrafted rookies, have success everywhere, and get tons of carries all over the NFL, but somehow in our offense, we can’t make it happen. I’m sure some will say it’s due to the over complicated offensive scheme. Let me say this, if you’re going to run an overly complicated offensive scheme, you better get better at teaching it because players get hurt all the time, and Achane already has a history in his short career, and Mostert even more so, so you better make sure Jaylen Wright understands all his responsibilities before the end of the season, because he may be the best guy standing!
So here we go, Game 2 on the MUST WIN parade of 9 games in which we practically have no room for error. We’re home, but unlike the majority of seasons, we’re struggling at home at Hard Rock Stadium and are 1-3. We have to do better, we have to win at home and on the road, but when you’re home, you should be at your best. I don’t mind being better on the road, that could work for us if somehow we earn a playoff berth, but there are no excuses at home, no crowd noise interference or cold weather. Good news is Zach Sieler is back, along with Jevon Holland and Kader Kohou. Bad news is starting CB Kendall Fuller is OUT with a concussion, his second of the season. LG Robert Jones is QUESTIONABLE, and if you didn’t know, LG Isaiah Wynn is practicing, but unlikely to be ready this week. He has been designated for return, so his 21 day window is open, but not yet determined if he will be on the roster, much like S Patrick McMorris, who by the way is in FULL participation in practice, which is also good news. If neither Isaiah Wynn or Robert Jones are able to go, OG Lester Cotton will get the nod. He had mixed results last week, more negative than positive unfortunately. We also learned earlier this week that RT Austin Jackson is done for the season, so Kendall Lamm will go at RT for now, while rookie 2nd string LT Patrick Paul sits at the ready for now. ILB David Long was released, as his replacement the last couple of games Anthony Walker has flourished. It’s surprising to cut a team captain, but results are imperative at this point, and kudos to Weaver, Grier and MM for making a tough choice. Let’s hope the LG and RT positions don’t haunt us, and we make it through for yet another elimination game vanquished!
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
when we get to the GB game at 5-6 I’ll start considering a run
I did say the run “begins”. No more than that. lol
Playoffs? You’re talking about playoffs?
Mike E,
Very good write! Only one correction: Calais Campbell cleared the air yesterday and said he won’t make a decision on retirement until the offseason, leaving the door open for a possible return next season.
We still need to prepare with life without Calais, so I’d still highly consider getting his replacement ASAP. It would be great to have Calais take a rook under his wing, just as T-Stead has taken Darth Paul under his wing.
Thanks M – Either way, we need to have someone ready to go next season because Calais will be 40, and despite how much he’s playing this season, it’s reasonable to expect a drop off in both playing time and success.
Yup! See just above…
👍
Is it not ridiculous that the Tyson vs Paul fight won’t start till after 11PM? WTFF!
If neither Isaiah Wynn or Robert Hunt are able to go, OG Lester Cotton will get the nod.
I sure hope Hunt can play😜
Do we really care if the Panthers over paid guard can play this week? 🤣😆😂
Steve and Mike E,
Are either of you watching the Tyson fight tonight?!! You know I am!!!
Nice write, Mike. One game at a time.
BALL HAWK!!! *hiccup!!!*
Sorry, had to relieve some of my excitement for the Tyson fight tonight!!!
No offense to those who suffer from Tourette syndrome, but when I get really, really excited, I just scream out of nowhere BALL HAWK!!! 😀
But only on this blog, NOT in real life, LOL 😀
I was born in the mid-70s, but my kidhood was spent in the 80s. As an 80s kid, most of us idolized the ‘3 Mikes’: Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan, and Mike Tyson.
To me, this is probably the very last time us 80s kids ever get to see Iron Mike fight. It’s akin to others who idolized Mohammed Ali fighting his last fight. Win, lose, or draw, it’s something that us fellow 80s kids all want to see… and we ALL are rooting for Tyson, in order to recapture those magical moments!!!
GO MIKE!!!
HELL YEAH!!!
Not a single one of us wants to see Mike go out with a whimper, as Dan the Man did in his very last football game against the Jags in ’99.
Dan Marino will ALWAYS be my favorite athlete of the 80s, hence my handle mf13ss: MarinoFan13.
On Robert Hunt – Wishful thinking on my part! 🙂
Overpaid or not, he’d probably be our 2nd or 3rd best OL at worst
I don’t think I would fight Mike Tyson when he’s 80. lol
SAME!!! LOL
I mean, he could be in a jazzy at 80 years old, chasing a mofo around the ring, and all it would take is ONE PUNCH to kill somebody!
Robert Hunt has played 100% of offensive snaps for Carolina. About 3 more games of snaps and he will solidify our 3rd round comp pick for him. He needs to play a minimum of 75% of offensive snaps, I believe.
Wilkins was already a given 3rd round comp before his injury.
I didn’t know this was still a thing:
Former NFL linebacker Antwione Williams, 31, was arrested Thursday in Georgia on accusations of assaulting law enforcement during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection on the U.S. Capitol.
I guess he was wearing clothes in a photo on his Instagram that looked like clothes a big black guy was wearing at the capital on January 6th.
Soon to be rightfuly pardoned.
That is, if he didn’t assault a LEO. Something tells me he didn’t, being it took this bloody long.
Mike E.
says:
November 15, 2024 at 3:19 pm
Overpaid or not, he’d probably be our 2nd or 3rd best OL at worst
————–
I think Hunt was most certainly overpaid. However, he would have made both Aaron Brewer and Austin Jackson (as evidenced over the last couple of years) that much better this year. And THAT is why I think we should draft a stud RG in the ’25 Draft. Definitely not on day 1, but possibly as early as day 2.
Eich ain’t right as our RG, he stinks. He could use some Right Guard deodorant he stinks so badly.
His name is LUKE KANDRA!
I trust your eyes, MR. BB Mike. Luke Kandra may be the solution to our O-Line on the right side.
I was hoping the Falcons could give us a win over the Broncos this weekend but, damn, they have 8 players OUT on their injury report for the game, 7 on defense.
INJURIES
INJURIES
Those last 2 posts weren’t the official injury reports.
@schadjoe
No timeline on Kendall Fuller (concussion) but he is feeling better than the previous concussion Week to week based upon advice of medical experts and feedback
Mike Tyson came out of NY foster home that Cus D’Amato took under his wing and made him the man and boxer that Don King made a boat load off…imo
Cus was Ali’s coach…the best boxer ever, imo, and held to his beliefs
Conner Williams retires
wow
M, I have Netflix up to watch Tyson
Remembering why I don’t watch much boxing
boxing – 1
MMA – 10
Tyson getting one last pay day. I doubt he’s allowed to go 100%…..even at his age.
In the last three seasons, teams finishing 9-8 made the playoffs four times and missed it nine times.
That’s 31 percent.
Of course, two years ago, Miami went 9-8 and made the playoffs under Mike McDaniel.
Three years ago, Miami went 9-8 and missed the playoffs under Brian Flores.
Armstead is questionable for Raiders game with a knee issue. He didn’t practice all week.
Looks like our OL may be Patrick Paul, Robert Jones with a bad knee, Brewer, Eich and Lamm.
Only a few good matchups tomorrow:
#3 Texas at 5-4 Arkansas, 11am ABC
#20 Clemson at 7-2 Pitt, 11am ESPN
5-4 BC at #14 SMU, 2:30pm ESPN
#22 LSU at UF, 2:30pm ABC
#23 Missouri at #20 South Carolina, 3:15pm SEC Network
7-2 Arizona State at #16 Kansas State, 6pm ESPN
#1 Oregon at 5-4 Wisconsin, 6:30pm NBC
#7 Tennessee at #12 Georgia, 6:30pm ABC
Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr. may be the #1 TE in the country come draft time, if not already.
Through 10 games, he has 83 receptions for 1170 yards, 8 TD’s and 5 rush for 49 yards with 1 TD. He has 3 receptions of 60+ yards.
Before anyone throws the small competition BS out there, he had 11 receptions for 137 yards and 1 TD vs #8 PSU. Also, he had 8 receptions for 145 yards and 1 TD vs #25 Texas A&M.
If you’re as old as dirt, and can’t stay up at 11pm, how are you going to stay up until 1 am?
Answer – I didn’t!
I work on Saturday so I’m up early
not worth the hype
Dolphins captain dropped the mic on DeShon Elliott after calling Miami soft
No one is taking this sitting down
By Brian Miller | Nov 15, 2024
When DeShon Elliott went on a podcast earlier this week and opened a can of worms about the mental toughness of the Miami Dolphins, it opened the door for players to speak out against those comments.
Several Dolphins defensive players have already spoken out against his comments. Elliott said the Dolphins were “soft as f**k” last year and that they would never be a winning franchise given the Miami culture. He also said that several teammates gave up after last year’s loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Among those to respond to the former Dolphins safety was Miami team captain and defensive lineman Calais Campbell, and he didn’t hold back with his thoughts on what was said about his current team.”
Anybody can say anything, right? Define soft. I think the guys I’m going to war with everyday, I believe in. I know they’re tough, and we’re going to show it….
DeShon, a guy I like [and] a good teammate when I was teammates with him, his opinion, for us, doesn’t matter. His opinion, it means nothing to me.
What Campbell said is right. This team is not last year’s team. Personally, however, I can see where Elliott might be coming from.
The Dolphins nosedived after that loss to the Titans last season, but last year’s team was at odds all year long with former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who wasn’t the type of coach that could alter his approach to bring out the best in his players.
Under current defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, Miami is playing much more physically and are getting better the longer they are in the system. This is not the same team that was on the field last year, even if some of the personnel is the same. The Dolphins are also making changes.
Miami Dolphins not wasting time showing players the door who are not all-in.
Linebacker David Long, Jr. was released earlier this week after being named a captain at the start of the season. Last year he led the league at his position in tackles. This season, he was demoted and then released in a span of three weeks. Miami’s coaching staff are holding the players accountable.
Campbell has been in the league for 17 years and he doesn’t look as though he is stopping anytime soon. He helps bring out his teammates’ best abilities around him, coaches them up, and holds them accountable by making them hold themselves to the same standards.
Can’t believe I stayed up for the fight. Then couldn’t fall asleep after. Now facing a 14 hour workday on 4 hours sleep.
Keep waiting for Pitbull Mike Tyson but he never showed up. I was still entertained by it but left wanting more.
Connor Williams retiring in middle of season
I was disappointed by the fight last night, just waiting for Tyson to unload… never happened. Gotta give him props for lasting all rounds at age 58, albeit only 2 minute rounds.
He’ll always be a hero of mine (on my Mt. Rushmore of sports figures) and I’m happy I got to see what was likely his last fight. There was SO much hype for this fight… that Tyson was going to knock Paul’s block off! Why? BECAUSE IT WAS MIKE FUCKIN’ TYSON!!!
Yeah, even at 58 years old, many (if not most) people believed he was gonna win last night. That’s one helluva reputation and part of the legend that is MIKE TYSON!!!
steveccnv
says:
November 15, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Conner Williams retires
————
Woah! Makes ya wonder if Chris Grier knew something, choosing to go with Aaron Brewer instead. That’s a win for Grier.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/42413540/seahawks-center-connor-williams-abruptly-retires-nfl-27
Seems his retirement was not injury-related, rather for personal reasons (“things he’s working through”).
I wish him the best and hope he’s alright.
And it looks like Christian Haynes (who many of us wanted to draft, including myself) isn’t playing very well. It’s in the link above.
we need Tyler Warren. I don’t care if we take him in the second as long as we draft him .
STUD!!!
I’m all for it. We just need to nail an OG pick at #98 or #99
agreed. Warren is perfect for McD’s offense
He should be a priority resign:
@OmarKelly
Dolphins have elevated long snapper Tucker Addington and tackle Jackson Carman to the active roster for Sunday’s game.
Miami also downgraded OG Isaiah Wynn and S Patrick McMorris to out because neither has been ready to get elevated from IR/PUP.
@schadjoe
The Miami Dolphins have a 29 percent chance to make the NFL Playoffs according to modeling by The Athletic
wow
I give us a 5% chance, we’re too soft, too mistake prone, and have zero discipline
another Warren TD
It is Purdue though. 😉
He’s a beast. I wonder if he is related to MATT ROTH. lol
I hate he keeps improving his draft stock.
we have to take him. We haven’t had THAT TE in a long time.
You know he is good when he is your leading receiver AND leading rusher in a game. lol
@MikeTyson
This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time. I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won. To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you
@jakepaul
Love you Mike. It was an honor. You’re an inspiration to us all.
the fight was fixed, it was obvious Tyson had no business being in the ring
Surely they told Paul not to punish Tyson
Squirrel White with a great catch. If he’s there in the 6th round, I would have to take him.
Dodson is not happy…lol
“I think I played pretty well. Led the team in tackles. There’s a new culture over there, so lot of the guys leaned on me. I leaned on them. I was a leader. [One] man’s trash is another man’s treasure, so it is what it is.”
I think we have 2 starters from Seattle’s trash…lol
Hmmm….not going to stir the pot this time…lol
GAMEDAAAAAY!!!!! 🤘🤘🤘🤘🐬🐬🐬
Tailgating was an UNBELIEVABLE experience!!! Just rows and rows of people cooking and bartendending offering anything you could ever want! This Montana Fins Fan is having the time of his life!!!
Glad you’re having fun! Now the Dolphins need to do their part and give you a big W today!
Awesome to hear!!!
This may be a better draft for TE than I thought depending on what underclassmen enter (like Mason Taylor).
For that reason, I think Grier will pass on a TE in the first 3 rounds.
We also have Jonnu Smith next season, but it would be nice to bring in a young talented receiving TE
Pretty sure I just saw Robert Jones (not Hunt) come out of the tunnel
Let’s go DOLPHINS!!!
♥️🐬🏈
butterfingers held the hall too long
Jonnuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!
Ballsy call on 4th down. The bubble screen 5 yds behind LOS just wasn’t there
Raiders making the stupid mistakes we were making earlier in the year
Good to see a new blogger on board and repping us at the Rock.
Thx to all who bring this space to and particularly Mike E for an 👁 popping 1001 articles. Big ✋️ for the main man
LMAO. Scott Turner brought his dad to school
those are the dumb, consistent penalties that have haunted us and either kept teams in the game or enabled teams to beat us.
unfortunate, not stupid
Wow so close on punt block
ST fuck up that gives the opponents points. That must be a first for the Fins this season, right?
what a cowardly play call by the raiders
yes, but me likes
Kinda funny that the penalty was running into the kicker when the kick was off, he didn’t impact the kicker at all, in fact, ain’t that a kick in the head? 🤣
might be better for us if the jets win today, but I don’t want them winning and getting any mo, with 2 games coming up vs us
wtf was that throw
Moestert likley out …. Sounds like Mr wright time
He’s back
easy first down throw to waddle without any pressure just completely missed for no reason
Holy shit he caught one
Brewer is good when he’s moving, but he is not good at moving guys, in short yardage or handling big guys one-on-one. He never gets any push inside.
Brewer gives up his first sack of the season.
We do need Jets to beat Colts.
Thanks UK, not all of the 1001 are mine. Piggy wrote a bunch, OD had his Absolute Perfection series, Sonny wrote a bunch, and there were other contributors as well. Regardless, it’s very cool that this group has remained together all these years
Your welcome. I know many have contributed over the years – teamwork makes the dreamwork – fair to say you’ve done most of the heavy lifting latterly tho. It is indeed cool – been blogging with y’all longer than I’ve been with any of the women in my past 👀 😲
Lol!
Still can’t cover TE’s
Not same defense we saw on Monday night
exactly the same, drives with no tds, assuming they don’t score here
They are going and we are playing much softer especially in pass coverage
not a 1st down, reached out after being OB
1st down
This game is lost. Raiders score here get the ball first in second half and we are playing from behind
the sad reality is we are an average NFL team
what’s with these 30 second TOs going to commercial, we aren’t drafting
guess they didn’t have enough commercials in the half with only 4 drives
😂
gotta make those billions Steve
Ken – we give up a FG, that’s exactly the same defense as last week
Not the way we are letting them convert 3rd downs
Against a much weaker offense
That just fired its OC and LC
piss poor play calling. Just kneel on it at this point . Nothing good can happen
too many plays the go backward
he’s not undrafted….lol
That play was miserable
Tua don’t throw ropes.
did I mention i like the small ball🤪
97
Defense 🤬
That was shitty defense on this drive
I hate our defense
Calm down killer, the defense won the game last week. We’re not a great defensive team, but we’re supposed to be an offensive juggernaut. We score 30 points we win this game
^
if anyone was wondering if we could stop them after we scored, then score again to go up 24-6 and make it easy, the answer is no.
we weren’t close on the 4th down play, that was our only hope
wow Maxx
looked at the clock 6 seconds left and 17 on the 40 second clock and thought no way they’re running a play
bad penalty on Brewer . Also, J Hill missed yet another block. He sucks
should’ve been Longed
and the SOB just made his first play of the season
Dangerous throw by Tua to Wright
I hate when they wait for the D to set up, just run it quick
Jonnuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!
damn, you’re way ahead of my feed
(blowing in a conch)
good catch and run by J Hill. He’s awesome
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I was saying the same thing in real time 😂😂 Right after saying he sucks! Hahaha!
Nail in coffin
too early for that, but we’re trending there
Good job by the offense, doing what they need to do
O has done its job today. Long grinding drives with most ending in TDs
Now I want to see our D protect this lead
our O gameplan was what we saw against us the year we were 1-15
teams would run this conservative O, that we couldn’t stop
the games would be close in score only
how ’bout a real 3 and out now
finally called pi/holding outside on Raiders
Bowers unstoppable, at least against our defense