FYI -- the Rams have announced that Jared Goff will start his 1st game this Sunday, vs our Dolphins. That makes me very happy.
2016 Miami Dolphins: Amazing Gase
- Thread starter sodenj5
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Miami now ranks 6th in the league in team DVOA, directly behind the 5th place Patriots, and are one of only two teams that have all three units ranking in the top 1/2 half the league (Seattle being the other team, ranked 2nd overall).
This actually makes me a little bit nervous from the standpoint of we know what Case Keenum is. The dude sucks. We know what the offense looks like. It's terrible and if you load up to stop Gurley, you can beat the Rams.
We don't really know what the offense looks like under Jared Goff. Maybe they run a little more up-tempo no huddle, which is what he ran at Cal. Maybe they spread the offense out more with more shotgun looks than they have previously.
Maybe they do the exact same thing they've been doing because Jeff Fisher is a buffoon and he doesn't trust Goff.
Just the unknown variable that is Goff makes me a little more nervous because their defense is absolutely good enough to hold Miami to 10 points or less. One big run from Gurley or one big play action pass while Miami is trying to stuff the run could be the ball game.
Yes, Keenum is not a good QB, but he's still a guy that managed to put up 271, 321, 291, and 296 against the Bills, Lions, Giants, and Panthers. He's also demonstrated a terrific rapport with Kenny Britt, who has 44 receptions for nearly 700 yards this season.
This preseason, Goff didn't look comfortable at all. What's changed since then? Watching Case for 9 games? I guess we'll see. I just think we're more likely to see him hold the ball and take sacks or force the ball and complete turnovers.
Still, if we look at LA and SF as potential trap games, this one concerns me the most, as Miami has played much better at home this season. The Rams are the type of team that can get a TD off a TO, kick 2 FG, and still win the game. If the Dolphins can put up more than 17 points, I think they'll be good; but I'd feel better with 20.
Miami's finally above .500, some positive articles have been written this week, and the Fins may even be favored by Sunday. If we're going to see a let down from the club, I think this will be the week.
I'm a little concerned with Miami's offensive line, a unit that's a bit beat up after facing Buffalo, the Jets, and Chargers in succession. The Rams front 7 won't be any less of a challenge.
This preseason, Goff didn't look comfortable at all. What's changed since then? Watching Case for 9 games? I guess we'll see. I just think we're more likely to see him hold the ball and take sacks or force the ball and complete turnovers.
Still, if we look at LA and SF as potential trap games, this one concerns me the most, as Miami has played much better at home this season. The Rams are the type of team that can get a TD off a TO, kick 2 FG, and still win the game. If the Dolphins can put up more than 17 points, I think they'll be good; but I'd feel better with 20.
Miami's finally above .500, some positive articles have been written this week, and the Fins may even be favored by Sunday. If we're going to see a let down from the club, I think this will be the week.
I'm a little concerned with Miami's offensive line, a unit that's a bit beat up after facing Buffalo, the Jets, and Chargers in succession. The Rams front 7 won't be any less of a challenge.
The Rams defense is what worries me. They're legitimately good. They've proven they can win ugly. They can win a game 9-6. They're currently ranked 10th in defensive DVOA. Miami is 7th. The Rams are 12th against the pass and 8th against the run. Might be another game a lot like last week's. Miami will have to grind it out on the ground and hope to spring a few big plays on them to open the game up.
The 49ers are just bad in all phases and Miami has them at home. West Coast team going to the east coast, etc. etc. I feel pretty good about that game.
Maybe I'm just being naturally pessimistic after years of continued mediocrity, but if Miami is going to make a run at the playoffs, they absolutely need these games against LA and San Fran.
Branden Albert will miss Sunday's game with his wrist injury.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18065443/miami-dolphins-left-tackle-branden-albert-injury
Tunsil will move over to LT and Urbik will likely play at LG, which is what happened when Albert left Sunday's game. I'm not worried about Tunsil at LT, it's switching up the line and inserting another guy at guard that worries me, especially with Aaron Donald on the interior of the Rams D-Line.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18065443/miami-dolphins-left-tackle-branden-albert-injury
Tunsil will move over to LT and Urbik will likely play at LG, which is what happened when Albert left Sunday's game. I'm not worried about Tunsil at LT, it's switching up the line and inserting another guy at guard that worries me, especially with Aaron Donald on the interior of the Rams D-Line.
Pretty great little article by Fahey on Tannehill:
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/film-room/2016/film-room-ryan-tannehill
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/film-room/2016/film-room-ryan-tannehill
Thanks for sharing. That was excellent. We've all pretty much acknowledged that the guy has never lacked toughness in the face of inept protection year after year. But the following paragraph needs to be highlighted for all the doubters (myself included).
Ayyyyy, we had a good run boys. Albert is out and Pouncey is questionable after reinjuring his hip.
With Albert, he sounds week to week. With Pouncey it's still very unclear. He has a history of hip problems and already missed 4 games this year with the same hip injury. He hasn't been ruled out, but it also wouldn't surprise me if he misses a few weeks.
I suppose if there were a time for these guys to miss a game or two, it's these next two. I would be cautious with both, hoping to scratch and claw out the next two weeks and have them as close to 100% for Baltimore as possible.
With Albert, he sounds week to week. With Pouncey it's still very unclear. He has a history of hip problems and already missed 4 games this year with the same hip injury. He hasn't been ruled out, but it also wouldn't surprise me if he misses a few weeks.
I suppose if there were a time for these guys to miss a game or two, it's these next two. I would be cautious with both, hoping to scratch and claw out the next two weeks and have them as close to 100% for Baltimore as possible.
Yikes! The Pouncey news is unexpected and could be a real problem this week. The Rams defense is legit and my fear all along has been a low scoring loss. Let's hope the defense can stop Gurley and put Goff in some uncomfortable third and long situations. A special teams or defensive score could go along way toward victory this week.
On the flip side, Miami really needs to win these next two games to stay alive, so it's poor timing from that perspective. But I get what you're saying.
Realistically they need to get to at least 10 wins to have a shot at a wild card, IMO. And 10 may not be enough with how the west looks.
Quit worrying about the playoff picture and just enjoy the ride, man. Playoff appearance or not, this season is shaping up to be a resounding success with the Gase/Joseph tandem combined with the continued evolution of Tannehill.
This organization might finally be on the track towards relevancy.
EDITED TO ADD: Regarding the horrifically one-sided officiating last week in San Diego:
Amazing to think it was almost the difference in the outcome.
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article115661538.html
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Albert's absence is a much bigger deal than Pouncey's, in my opinion. I'm a Steen fan; he's really solid.
Am I a little concerned with this week's game? Absolutely. I think that we're apt to see a mistake or two (or more) from the line that may result in a pressure/sack/whatever -- but it's crucial that none of these mistakes lead to turnovers. The key to winning this game will be making LA earn every yard/point. This could end up being a very low-scoring affair.
It seems as though we've been waiting all year for this team to be at "full strength", or at least 85%, but that's the nature of the NFL. I'm of the mindset that I'd rather lose Albert and Pouncey for these 2 games. With the momentum Miami has built, I'm hoping the team continues to collectively step up and overcome these setbacks. Tannehill will likely have to carry some of last week's play into this one.
Win these next 2, get Pouncey/Albert/Howard back; and maybe even Culliver's ready to help at that point. Miami will have to be locked and loaded for their game @ Baltimore and beyond.
Edit: Two additional thoughts.
Pouncey's already seen his last big contract, right? He's only 27, but his body's clearly breaking down. He's really struggled to stay healthy. While he's signed until 2020, Miami could cut him after the '17 season and suffer only 2 million in dead money. In '19, the dead money would be 1 million. In 2020, it'd be 0.
Is this Albert's last season with Miami? I got the feeling that Gase and company may have been leading towards keeping him 1 more year, but he's no longer capable of playing an entire NFL season. He's set to make 10.6 million next year, and if cut, the dead money would be 3.4. The following year, he could be cut with a dead-money cost of 1.7.
Am I a little concerned with this week's game? Absolutely. I think that we're apt to see a mistake or two (or more) from the line that may result in a pressure/sack/whatever -- but it's crucial that none of these mistakes lead to turnovers. The key to winning this game will be making LA earn every yard/point. This could end up being a very low-scoring affair.
It seems as though we've been waiting all year for this team to be at "full strength", or at least 85%, but that's the nature of the NFL. I'm of the mindset that I'd rather lose Albert and Pouncey for these 2 games. With the momentum Miami has built, I'm hoping the team continues to collectively step up and overcome these setbacks. Tannehill will likely have to carry some of last week's play into this one.
Win these next 2, get Pouncey/Albert/Howard back; and maybe even Culliver's ready to help at that point. Miami will have to be locked and loaded for their game @ Baltimore and beyond.
Edit: Two additional thoughts.
Pouncey's already seen his last big contract, right? He's only 27, but his body's clearly breaking down. He's really struggled to stay healthy. While he's signed until 2020, Miami could cut him after the '17 season and suffer only 2 million in dead money. In '19, the dead money would be 1 million. In 2020, it'd be 0.
Is this Albert's last season with Miami? I got the feeling that Gase and company may have been leading towards keeping him 1 more year, but he's no longer capable of playing an entire NFL season. He's set to make 10.6 million next year, and if cut, the dead money would be 3.4. The following year, he could be cut with a dead-money cost of 1.7.
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Tough to say on Pouncey. He clearly has had issues staying healthy the last few years. He himself has expressed doubts over his long term future. I would say the positive is he had hip surgery in both hips in the last two years, with this latest injury seemingly being unrelated to the actual surgery that he had.
I believe had had labrum repair done in both hips. His injury from this preseason was more of a stress fracture or crack in his hip from impact. I'm not a doctor, but longer term, if he's playing through a stress fracture and isn't having complications from his labrum repair, he could be 100% next year because he wouldn't require any offseason surgery. Just rest and rehab.
Brandon Marshall is a guy that comes to mind that had a few hip surgeries and was able to put them behind him and play at a high level still.
It really tough when top two paid o-linemen play half a season nearly every year. At some point you have to cut bait. albert is likely gone after this season and, depending on Pouncey's injury, could be this or next year. The unicorns 10-1 record is great, but that's 11 games out of the last 25 they all played a full game together.
Sunday is going to be a tough game. I hope Fish can win specials because the Rams are going to make Tannehill win the game and without Albert and Pouncey, the running game is going to take step back. Goff might give them the game, but I expect 30 touches out of Gurley.
I'd be happy with a 9-6 win. Ecstatic even. LOL
Sunday is going to be a tough game. I hope Fish can win specials because the Rams are going to make Tannehill win the game and without Albert and Pouncey, the running game is going to take step back. Goff might give them the game, but I expect 30 touches out of Gurley.
I'd be happy with a 9-6 win. Ecstatic even. LOL
Hard to disagree. Both Albert and Pouncey are paid top tier money for their positions, and they just haven't been able to stay on the field. Mike played 12 games in '14, 14 games last year, and he's set to miss his 5th game this season. Meanwhile, Suh's cap hit jumps from 12.6 to 19.1 next season, and then 26.1 the year after. That money's coming from somewhere; no way Albert plays more than 1 more season in Miami, if this isn't his final year.
And, yeah -- just win, baby. I don't care how ugly it is. Win and move on.
Culliver released; Brendel (OL) promoted from PS for Sunday's game. Kind of saw this coming following Gase's comments this week. Didn't seem like Culliver was making the progress needed to contribute anytime soon. Unfortunate.
With the rise of Lippett, I'm not too broken up about this. Xavien Howard is still waiting in the wings. Again, I'm in favor of doing whatever it takes to get to Baltimore with as many people as possible. Sit Pouncey. Sit Albert. Sit Howard. Do whatever it takes to win the next two weeks.
I saw a tweet from La Canfora that said the news on Pouncey's hip is positive. Shouldn't miss more than this week. I would hold him out of the SF game just to be safe. Rapsheet confirms with similar news.
To quote pdaj- just win baby.
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That's awesome news on Pouncey. Huge relief.
I expect the Rams to be run-heavy today, with a lot of cute stuff. I expect Austin to be involved quite a bit. When Miami played the Pats earlier in the year, who were forced to go with Brissett, they were successful with a lot of screens, taking advantage of the Fins' aggressiveness.
Keep the Rams in 3rd and long, and Goff is more likely to shit himself today.
I expect the Rams to be run-heavy today, with a lot of cute stuff. I expect Austin to be involved quite a bit. When Miami played the Pats earlier in the year, who were forced to go with Brissett, they were successful with a lot of screens, taking advantage of the Fins' aggressiveness.
Keep the Rams in 3rd and long, and Goff is more likely to shit himself today.
five straight Rams blitzes resulted in five direct hits on RT. Either he doesn't see them and change protection (most likely as the OL doesn't seem to adjust at all to the blitzer) or the OL just misses assignments
Need a defensive or ST TD to win this game
Need a defensive or ST TD to win this game
its tough on a D when you know if you give upa FG you probably will lose the game.
that PI on Maxwell is absurd. it occured 4 yards from the LOS. I really despise the NFL passing rules
that PI on Maxwell is absurd. it occured 4 yards from the LOS. I really despise the NFL passing rules
0-8 on third down. they have almost no chance of scoring on offense unless they hit a lucky bomb. the o-line is getting humiliated.
alonso is a disaster against the run. he needs to be the weak side LB and play in space, he gets lost so often between the hashes.
that missed sack on third down kept them in FG range. That FG is basically the game
that missed sack on third down kept them in FG range. That FG is basically the game
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Might?
Is anyone honestly surprised? Did anyone really believe the playoffs were anything more than a pipe dream with their remaining schedule?
Good effort there, what's the rule on that - can you just push someone into the end zone? Or to a first down.
Not knocking the phins, nice play there but I thought that wasn't allowed.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Tannehill and Parker caught fire the last 5:00 and change of the game. Gase finally cracked the Rams defensive code and started spreading them out. Tannehill made some major league throws and that was a huge, huge road win for Miami.
Tannehill and Parker caught fire the last 5:00 and change of the game. Gase finally cracked the Rams defensive code and started spreading them out. Tannehill made some major league throws and that was a huge, huge road win for Miami.
Can't remember a better comeback in a meaningful game since the Marino era. There may have been one or two, but holy shit.
Y'all talked about winning this game by whatever means necessary. I'd say they found the necessary means.
Y'all talked about winning this game by whatever means necessary. I'd say they found the necessary means.
I can count on 2 hands how many times I nearly walked away from the television and left my house in disgust before this game was over. Gase certainly waited long enough before opening up the offense and spreading out/testing the Rams vertically. A give a lot of credit to Miami's patched-together offensive line, as the protection on those 2 late TD drives was excellent. Ajayi also picked up a couple of important blitzes.
Has Parker officially broken out? If he can play this way for the remainder of the season, phew, what a difference-maker he'll be.
I'm leaving the house now, but now for a different reason -- a celebratory food purchase.
Edit: Oh, and loved Gase's decision to call the TO (Miami's final one) with .40 remaining to dial up the Tanny-to-Parker TD play. Well done.
Has Parker officially broken out? If he can play this way for the remainder of the season, phew, what a difference-maker he'll be.
I'm leaving the house now, but now for a different reason -- a celebratory food purchase.
Edit: Oh, and loved Gase's decision to call the TO (Miami's final one) with .40 remaining to dial up the Tanny-to-Parker TD play. Well done.
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JUST. WIN.
Good lord it was ugly as hell. DVP makes Miami so much more dynamic. Credit to the piecemeal o line for pulling it together and keeping 17 clean the last two drives. KC lost today. Miami now one game behind Denver and KC and those three still have to feast on each other.
The energy and enthusiasm of this team is unlike anything I can remember. Gase knows exactly what he's doing. He's running the clock to not give LA too much time, but knows he's going for the kill.
Good lord it was ugly as hell. DVP makes Miami so much more dynamic. Credit to the piecemeal o line for pulling it together and keeping 17 clean the last two drives. KC lost today. Miami now one game behind Denver and KC and those three still have to feast on each other.
The energy and enthusiasm of this team is unlike anything I can remember. Gase knows exactly what he's doing. He's running the clock to not give LA too much time, but knows he's going for the kill.
Much appreciated. From 1-4, to 5-straight wins. It's nice to be excited for December football.
first 25 drop backs, Miami had 27 yards passing and one INT. In the last 13 drop backs, Miami had 115 yards and two TDs
LOVE, LOVE the effort by the o-line and others on the Jarvis Landry touchdown. He caught the ball at the 5 and was quickly wrapped up at the 4, and the linemen who pushed him into the end zone came from 10 yards away from the play. Just outstanding.
They didn't convert a third down until late in the fourth quarter. Ugly, ugly win. But those count the same as all the others. You can point to a play or two that would make the difference in just about every one of these five straight wins, but here we are looking at a very good chance of reaching 7-4. How much will they rue that shit performance against Tennessee.
They didn't convert a third down until late in the fourth quarter. Ugly, ugly win. But those count the same as all the others. You can point to a play or two that would make the difference in just about every one of these five straight wins, but here we are looking at a very good chance of reaching 7-4. How much will they rue that shit performance against Tennessee.
Seahawks fans thank you guys for that one. Feel free to do that to Arizona too.
Didn't get to see any of the game, but was stunned to see the score at the end.
Didn't get to see any of the game, but was stunned to see the score at the end.
Huge thank you goes out to Jeff Fisher for making a 7-9 decision to kick a FG on 4th and 1 up 10 points in the 4th. Completely changed the game when Zuerlein doinked that.
Still processing this, but wow what a gritty effort from Miami.
Still processing this, but wow what a gritty effort from Miami.