Finsmob Unleashed

It’s the Fest Game folks, so I’m putting aside all the negativity that’s usually laid on pretty thick, and well deserved I might add, for this one magical week. It’s our annual get together, and one I so very much look forward to. I think this is year 13, which to me is amazing. I’m thankful that this group has stuck together all this time, and can’t wait to see everyone again. What’s nice is this particular game has the potential to have some magical moments of its own, with the return of QB Tua Tagovailoa. We know he struggled before getting injured, and this offense never really got in stride with him at the helm this season, but this week is an opportunity to really have a strong game. The O-line is relatively healthy, we should have all 3 RB’s (Mostert, Achane and Wright) in good shape, and you just know that both WR’s Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are itching to have an offensive breakout. This game against an Arizona Cardinals team that just lost their best pass rusher, OLB Dennis Gardeck who is on IR, is a team we should be able to handle. Their defense has been generous, allowing 25.4 PPG, and they’re one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. This is one of those games where we can methodically run the ball, and then open some big plays in the passing game.

Tua coming back is such a boost to the team, you have to think that Waddle and Hill are just salivating knowing they finally have someone who can deliver them the football. If I told you before the season that after 6 games, Tyreek Hill would have 294 yards receiving, and played in all six games, you’d say I was crazy. On that same token, if I told you that Jaylen Waddle would only have 269 yards receiving, and that combined, these 2 great WR’s have only ONE receiving TD, again, you’d think me mad. That’s how bad this offense has been. Right now though, the RB’s are feasting, and I’m not the only one that feels this way, but rookie Jaylen Wright should be the workhorse back. He looks great, agile, slippery, quick, powerful, and has good vision and anticipation. This is not the time to worry about guys contracts, like Raheem Mostert, and you really don’t want RB De’Von Achane getting too many touches if you want him to be around for the entire season. Let’s start giving Wright more carries, Mostert can be the #2 guy, and then find Achane for some big plays here and there, maybe even in a 2 back set on 3rd and 5 or less.

Besides Tua coming back, we potentially get a boost in the secondary as well, as CB Cam Smith is set to make his season debut coming off of IR. The fact that CB’s Kader Kohou and Storm Duck are both hurting, Kohou with a neck injury and Duck with an ankle injury, Smith may get a good amount of playing time. CB’s Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller are the starters, and special Teams ace Siran Neal will also get some snaps at CB as well. CB Ethan Bonner will also potentially get some snaps, but I think the Dolphins want to see what they have in Cam Smith. Kohou has not been ruled out, either has Duck, but a fully healthy Cam Smith may finally have his time to shine.

Last week, TE Jonnu Smith, who I, and many others here felt could really have a big season here in Miami finally had his breakout game. Jonnu had 7 catches for 96 yards and a TD, and just think how precious and few receiving TD’s have been for these Dolphins. Just imagine, that was the first Dolphins TE touchdown reception in 23 games. Unbelievable! I know there will be the temptation to throw to Hill and Waddle who have been languishing in the absence of Tua Tagovailoa, but Jonnu Smith should not be ignored. Of course I want to see Waddle and Hill be Waddle and Hill for a change, but it doesn’t have to be at the expense of TE Jonnu Smith. Keep feeding him the ball, and use him in the red zone, where the smaller Hill and Waddle don’t have the physical presence Jonnu has. If you saw his TD reception, he weaved and ran through a bunch of defenders to get his TD, it was very impressive. We need more of that!

Once again, I can’t wait to see all of you, this will be the latest arrival for my family and I, I had to work, but I will be ready to party once we get there. Some day, we can get a few of our regulars down in FLA, Tim, Randy and M13. I know they would have a blast! Tim did experience a NE Fest at the Meadowlands, and I know he thoroughly enjoyed it, but we need to get him to experience the real Fest of Fests, a Florida Fest. Now none of us have ever met M13, it would be special to get that done at a Fest. We do get the wonderful Doggy family back this week, I look very much forward to seeing them again. We also get the almighty one, Jahn as well, and some of the usual attendees, Stanger and Hulk, Sonny and his family, Toba and Dar, Herd (now a regular), Krishna, Twice, Steve, Robert and others, too excited to remember everyone, don’t hate me! See y’all soon!

GO DOLPHINS!!!