2017 Dolphins: On the Right Track
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I'll hold off on my reaction until more details are acquired. This appears to be really out of character for Timmons, so perhaps the extenuating circumstances are dire. Like, he found out his wife had a 3-some with his 2 brothers ... or something worse? I, mean, I'm joking (a little), but serious. Perhaps some real type shit went down. I hope he's okay, first and foremost.
However, if this ordeal ends up being about Timmons being upset with coaches or something silly, then I'll be really fucking pissed off. Under circumstances like that, I can't imagine his behavior being well received by the coaches and his teammates.
However, if this ordeal ends up being about Timmons being upset with coaches or something silly, then I'll be really fucking pissed off. Under circumstances like that, I can't imagine his behavior being well received by the coaches and his teammates.
It's bizarre because he looked good during the preseason. Coaches were saying he was very professional/looked at as a leader.
Statement from Miami is they know where he is. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, had no idea he went AWOL. It's possible some kind of family emergency cropped up, but why would you not notify someone from the team? Was he pissed that he was going to play OLB and Mike Hull was going to play MLB? That's literally the only thing I can think of, and why would it suddenly be an issue?
Unreal. Just un fucking real. On a human level, you cross your fingers for the guy. As a fan of this team, what the fuck else can possibly go wrong?
What's that you say, 101 consecutive starts, so he's the last guy you worry about having an injury keep him out? OK, well let's just throw in a little off-the-field crisis, and leave your depleted LB corps hanging by a thread. Check.
Fuck this shit. This was already looking like a game they'd have to hope to win ugly. Now they're gonna need the Chargers to wet themselves.
What's that you say, 101 consecutive starts, so he's the last guy you worry about having an injury keep him out? OK, well let's just throw in a little off-the-field crisis, and leave your depleted LB corps hanging by a thread. Check.
Fuck this shit. This was already looking like a game they'd have to hope to win ugly. Now they're gonna need the Chargers to wet themselves.
Follow up tweet. Could very well be a personal issue. Timmons is a veteran. He knows this is inexcusable. Everyone on the team likely has some personal issues tied to the hurricane in some form. You cannot just go rouge.
I guess we hope for a shootout, and Cutler and Parker are better than advertised.
I just can't stop shaking my head.
I just got home and watched the finla three plays. I mean playing for a 54 yard FG? i mean that was very very conservative play calling.
Great kick, but I fully expect the chargers to get into FG position
Great kick, but I fully expect the chargers to get into FG position
LOTS of questions about play-calling will (and should) be raised about this game. But a win is a win is a win. On the road, under significant adversity. What can you say? It was ugly-ISH, but it's a win. Wow.
Brutal end for that rookie kicker. Why didn't SD manage that time better and get a little closer. 44 isn't a bomb or anything, but still.
Red zone play calling was suspect. I give the team a pass in general for the first half. Still largely a feeling out process.
Miami's D looked lost in pass protection. I mean this was no easy task, with everything this team has faced up to this point, and then Timmons going AWOL last second, this game could have been ugly. They were really stout against the run, a huge improvement from last year.
Miami's O Line looked really good most of the game. Ajayi is an absolute Clydesdale. Cutler looked to Jarvis early and often and tried to go to Parker on single coverage several times. Red zone offense needs a lot of work.
Miami's D looked lost in pass protection. I mean this was no easy task, with everything this team has faced up to this point, and then Timmons going AWOL last second, this game could have been ugly. They were really stout against the run, a huge improvement from last year.
Miami's O Line looked really good most of the game. Ajayi is an absolute Clydesdale. Cutler looked to Jarvis early and often and tried to go to Parker on single coverage several times. Red zone offense needs a lot of work.
I absolutely despised the ball-less play-calling by Gase on that final drive. Playing not to lose, it seemed, while a 1st down would have allowed Miami to play down the clock and kick from a much a more manageable distance. Parkey bailed them out by hitting the 54-yarder.
My question, in real time, was ... what about the defense's performance in this game makes you think you can keep Rivers out of FG range with over a minute to play and 2 TO? Of course, they couldn't -- but got bailed out again, this time by Koo, the other kicker.
Even with the 2nd half success, the offense seemed out of rhythm, which is reasonable to understand. There was a lot of dinking and dunking throughout, and I'm pretty certain no other RB, aside from Ajai, got a carry today. (Okay, just checked -- Drake got one.)
I can't wait to re-watch this one, but at least initially, it seemed like Burke put his defense in a lot of bad looks/match-ups in the 1st half. A number of throws were easy to identify pre-snap, and was pitch and catch. Then, in the 2nd half, the pass rush/defense was incredibly ineffective. Failed LB/S blitz after another, and very soft coverage. I thought both Howard and Maxwell were poor in this game.
Not sure what to think of Burke at this moment. He probably still doesn't have enough to work with, but I see good offenses carving the shit out of this defense. Tank' may have been inactive today, but it wouldn't shock me to see him logging major plays in a couple of weeks.
ANYWAY, a win's a win. Always nice when you can learn from your mistakes while avoiding the L.
McCoy botched the clock management. First and ten, they get a first down completion to start the drive and immediately call timeout. Then they're in FG range, they call a timeout so that Rivers can center the FG attempt, and then they nearly botch that with the FG unit running out there instead of them getting up and spiking it.
Miami bailed them out big time calling their timeout. I suspect they didn't anticipate the FG unit running in the field and weren't going to be prepared for the FG attempt, but nether was LA.
There was a play in the first half--I forget exactly when--when Ajayi stumbled and bounced off a defender for what should have been a loss of a couple, but he somehow regained his footing and gained about 10 yards. Tremendous play, epitomizing his all-out, helter skelter style.
I have absolutely no doubt that McCoy would have botched the clock management if he was still the coach and in the building. Unfortuately, he got wacked in the off season.
Lynn had questionable clock management at the end of last week's game in Denver, also.
That first down completion was a real WTF moment. Rivers looked over at him like nooooo you idiot.
That first down completion was a real WTF moment. Rivers looked over at him like nooooo you idiot.
Looking back on the snap counts, Ajayi basically got every carry, with nothing on the offensive side to speak of from Grant, Drake or Carroo.
I'm going to take a wild guess and say Gase leaned heavily on his proven starters in a tough road matchup in Cutler's first start. I would imagine we'll see more of Drake against the Jets, along with some of the other guys. 20+ carries for 16 straight weeks from Ajayi is unsustainable, and I think everyone recognizes that. If Landry is banged up, let Grant and Carroo get some of his snaps.
Gase is usually very smart with these things, and I trust he will adjust accordingly. This week should be a good week for Miami to work out some of those first game kinks and gets some of the other guys on the field.
I'm going to take a wild guess and say Gase leaned heavily on his proven starters in a tough road matchup in Cutler's first start. I would imagine we'll see more of Drake against the Jets, along with some of the other guys. 20+ carries for 16 straight weeks from Ajayi is unsustainable, and I think everyone recognizes that. If Landry is banged up, let Grant and Carroo get some of his snaps.
Gase is usually very smart with these things, and I trust he will adjust accordingly. This week should be a good week for Miami to work out some of those first game kinks and gets some of the other guys on the field.
That was a heck of a win, even if there were sloppy moments. I say that mainly because of the adversity that faces the team leading up to the game.
Also, I mentioned a few days ago about the overall play in the league (week1) being garbage...well it did improve some this week and I have to factor that in when looking at yesterday's performance....The Dolphins hadn't played in weeks. They didn't have a week to iron out some of the wrinkles, so within that context, some of the ugly stuff should have been expected and coming out of it with a W was impressive.
The only real neagative for me yesterday came when I took a look at the season schedule following the game - I don't think I had appreciated just how difficult it is.
Or maybe it's just now having more information, and I swear every time that seems "for real" (after the first two weeks) is on the schedule.
Good thing they won yesterday, they're going to have to pretty much sweep the losing/poorer teams on the schedule to be in the playoff mix.
Also, I mentioned a few days ago about the overall play in the league (week1) being garbage...well it did improve some this week and I have to factor that in when looking at yesterday's performance....The Dolphins hadn't played in weeks. They didn't have a week to iron out some of the wrinkles, so within that context, some of the ugly stuff should have been expected and coming out of it with a W was impressive.
The only real neagative for me yesterday came when I took a look at the season schedule following the game - I don't think I had appreciated just how difficult it is.
Or maybe it's just now having more information, and I swear every time that seems "for real" (after the first two weeks) is on the schedule.
Good thing they won yesterday, they're going to have to pretty much sweep the losing/poorer teams on the schedule to be in the playoff mix.
A 10-year veteran, who has a reputation as a consummate professional/worker ant and has never missed a game in his career, suddenly decides to fly home the night before Sunday's game to see his baby, all without notifying the team or a fellow player.
Those details scare me.
I, for one, am hoping that Timmons has always had a mental health issue for which he's had treatment for, and perhaps he went off his medication or requires an adjustment. Because, if not, I'm not sure how the possibility of CTE symptoms can be so quickly disregarded.
(We're talking about a guy who's played the MLB position in the NFL for a decade.)
That said, it's likely that this isn't a behavioral issue that requires team discipline. At this point, it seems as though that the details regarding Timmons mental health need to be acquired, and after that, Miami's doctors can determine whether or not he's fit (or if it's safe) for him to play.
I don't think cutting Timmons outright is even an option on the table at this point. Even if this wasn't a very sensitive, private health issue, 11 of 12 million of Simmons' contract is guaranteed.
I just hope the dude's okay, for the short-term and long-term.
Those details scare me.
I, for one, am hoping that Timmons has always had a mental health issue for which he's had treatment for, and perhaps he went off his medication or requires an adjustment. Because, if not, I'm not sure how the possibility of CTE symptoms can be so quickly disregarded.
(We're talking about a guy who's played the MLB position in the NFL for a decade.)
That said, it's likely that this isn't a behavioral issue that requires team discipline. At this point, it seems as though that the details regarding Timmons mental health need to be acquired, and after that, Miami's doctors can determine whether or not he's fit (or if it's safe) for him to play.
I don't think cutting Timmons outright is even an option on the table at this point. Even if this wasn't a very sensitive, private health issue, 11 of 12 million of Simmons' contract is guaranteed.
I just hope the dude's okay, for the short-term and long-term.
Definitely a concern, and Gase was wise to keep everything in house yesterday and not speak about it publicly, even though everyone had a lot of questions.
Seems as if everyone's reaction was that of surprise and concern instead of anger or outrage. That speaks to Timmons' character and how quickly he has shown that he's a consummate pro, and how out of character something like this would be for him.
Genuinely hope he is ok. Times like these, football takes a back seat and you just want to make sure he's ok, mentally and physically, before moving forward.
Seems as if everyone's reaction was that of surprise and concern instead of anger or outrage. That speaks to Timmons' character and how quickly he has shown that he's a consummate pro, and how out of character something like this would be for him.
Genuinely hope he is ok. Times like these, football takes a back seat and you just want to make sure he's ok, mentally and physically, before moving forward.
Doesn't Rivers give that look about 50 times a game? God his teammates must hate that prima donna.
I think you have to add him to the list of guys you only like is he's playing for your team. The guy is constantly chirping -- either complaining to the refs, angling for a call, or pestering teammates, as well as the opposing defense. The mics during this past game picked up just about everything, so it was more apparent than usual. He's really the one QB that I love to watch being interviewed post-game after a loss. (He's had 3 straight losses to MIA at home.)
Solid article from Hyde this AM, which talks about something I pondered following Gase's press conference yesterday:
(If you haven't seen it, check Miami's official site. Gase was BB-like with questions pertaining to Timmons, minus the statuesque body language.)
The gist: You may have a reasonable excuse/explanation for breaking a team rule, even if it is out of the ordinary, but it still won't/can't be tolerated. Why? For the sake of the team, and the culture of accountability being created in Miami. Team first.
From Hyde:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-hyde-dolphins-20170918-story.html
(If you haven't seen it, check Miami's official site. Gase was BB-like with questions pertaining to Timmons, minus the statuesque body language.)
The gist: You may have a reasonable excuse/explanation for breaking a team rule, even if it is out of the ordinary, but it still won't/can't be tolerated. Why? For the sake of the team, and the culture of accountability being created in Miami. Team first.
From Hyde:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-hyde-dolphins-20170918-story.html
My guess? At the very least, Timmons is given a 3-4 game team suspension. The ideal situation would be for Miami to keep a key player on the team's weakest unit, while also maintaining the culture of accountability.
Miami is so thin at LB and Timmons basically fully guaranteed contract make it seem highly unlikely they just cut him.
2-3 weeks seems about right. Miami has NYJ and NO next up, so they may view it as an opportunity to send the message without absolutely shooting themselves in the foot.
Certainly a sticky situation, but Gase has handled everything as professionally as possible and I would expect him to hand down some form of discipline once he gets all of the facts from Timmons, his agents, the doctors, etc.
2-3 weeks seems about right. Miami has NYJ and NO next up, so they may view it as an opportunity to send the message without absolutely shooting themselves in the foot.
Certainly a sticky situation, but Gase has handled everything as professionally as possible and I would expect him to hand down some form of discipline once he gets all of the facts from Timmons, his agents, the doctors, etc.
Miami officially announces that they have suspended Lawrence Timmons indefinitely.
Based on the above tweet, it looks like this move was made in an effort to potentially minimize the cap implications of eventually cutting him.
Either way it likely means that Timmons' Dolphins career is over before it even started.
Looking at the roster, Miami's LB corps is shite. Maualuga may eventually work himself into shape and make some kind of contribution, but that's likely still a few weeks away. We're staring down the barrel of the Mike Hull and Chase Allen era.
Based on the above tweet, it looks like this move was made in an effort to potentially minimize the cap implications of eventually cutting him.
Either way it likely means that Timmons' Dolphins career is over before it even started.
Looking at the roster, Miami's LB corps is shite. Maualuga may eventually work himself into shape and make some kind of contribution, but that's likely still a few weeks away. We're staring down the barrel of the Mike Hull and Chase Allen era.
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Miami traded for former 1st round draft pick Stephone Anthony from the Saints.
Really interesting to note he lead the team in tackles at MLB his rookie year, then got shuffled to SLB and injured the last two seasons. They moved him again to WLB this year and appeared he didn't really have a fit on the roster anymore.
New Orleans defense stinks, so on paper, acquiring a guy that couldn't earn a spot on that D isn't exactly super reassuring, however he has the pedigree and ability to be a contributor on a team that has basically zero depth at LB.
Anthony did get hurt a little last year, but he was already in the doghouse before then. In 8 of his 10 games he played 13 snaps or fewer on defense. I don't know what the deal was, but I agree he's worth a gamble provided the price wasn't too high. NO has shown zero ability to develop defensive talent.
The deal was for an undisclosed pick, but its rumored to be a fifth rounder. Seems a little high for a guy that was on the fringe of their roster, but Miami is in desperate need of LB help.
I imagine they move him back to MLB and make his responsibilities as simple as see ball, get ball on rushing downs. If he handles that well, maybe expand upon his role. Anthony is certainly a physical specimen, and he played at a high level, if only for one season. If he's healthy, he certainly has the talent and ability to be an upgrade over either Mike Hull or Chase Allen.
Another interesting nugget is Gase's father-in-law, who is now a consultant for Miami, was Anthony's LB coach his rookie year. Seems likely he put in a good word for Anthony.
Just wanted to append my thoughts on Anthony:
This reminds me a lot of when Miami picked up Kiko Alonso. Another really talented guy that got banged up and moved around a bunch and came to Miami with low expectations on the cheap.
Also like Kiko, I think Anthony has a bit of a reputation as a guy that doesn't do well with a lot on his plate mentally. He functions much better when he's allowed to attack and play instinctually. I think that's the type of defense Miami is trying to build. The notable transition from Kevin Coyle to Joseph last year simplified their defense and the defensive responsibilities. It's very much an attacking defense, and I think that Anthony may do well in a simplified role.
This reminds me a lot of when Miami picked up Kiko Alonso. Another really talented guy that got banged up and moved around a bunch and came to Miami with low expectations on the cheap.
Also like Kiko, I think Anthony has a bit of a reputation as a guy that doesn't do well with a lot on his plate mentally. He functions much better when he's allowed to attack and play instinctually. I think that's the type of defense Miami is trying to build. The notable transition from Kevin Coyle to Joseph last year simplified their defense and the defensive responsibilities. It's very much an attacking defense, and I think that Anthony may do well in a simplified role.
As a fan of this team who doesn't have to concern himself with keeping an entire group of men accountable, I want Timmons back with the Dolphins following a several-week team suspension. At the moment, I'm not convinced Gase wants him back. It's pretty likely the front office does, however. I think what Gase wants will eventually happen.
So, what will it take for Timmons to be back with Miami? My guess is ... strongly communicated remorse and observed proof that he's re-committed to the team. Accountability. Can he be trusted going forward? For all we know at this point, Timmons has done neither of these things. Gase stated yesterday that the issue/process will be kept "in house", so we have no information regarding this.
I'm hoping that a few weeks serves to heal wounds and cool hot heads. If this ends up being the case, perhaps Timmons will be back for Miami's first true home game vs. Tennessee.
According to the CBA, he can be suspended a max of 4 games. So we will get a resolution eventually.
In a vacuum, the team is better with Timmons on the roster than without. Miami is so thin at LB, even if Anthony is some sort of miracle revelation, Miami would still have at least one hole at LB to fill, and I don't have a lot of faith that Maualuga will ever make a meaningful contribution to this season.
So I imagine if Timmons does whatever the team asks of him over the next few weeks, he would be given the opportunity to return if Gase, management, and the locker room all unanimously decide to accept him back.
In a vacuum, the team is better with Timmons on the roster than without. Miami is so thin at LB, even if Anthony is some sort of miracle revelation, Miami would still have at least one hole at LB to fill, and I don't have a lot of faith that Maualuga will ever make a meaningful contribution to this season.
So I imagine if Timmons does whatever the team asks of him over the next few weeks, he would be given the opportunity to return if Gase, management, and the locker room all unanimously decide to accept him back.
Personally, I don't think the Maualuga situation has gotten enough media coverage. We're not talking about a guy who was coaxed out of retirement. Maualuga was actively pursuing employment. So it's a shock to me that after several weeks with the team, he still has the body shape of a DT, as opposed to a MLB. How serious does this guy take his work if he's not staying in somewhat decent shape?
If it wasn't for Burke's familiarity with him (and Maualuga's familiarity with his defense), there's 0% chance he's here right now. I, like you, am not holding my breath as the team awaits his work readiness. If Chase Allen performs well over the next week or two, I think Rey's gone if/when Timmons returns. Because Allen won't make it back to the team's practice squad.
One of the WQAM guys from yesterday's show said that when Maualuga was set to be drafted, one scout alerted him to the fact that Rey was a functional alcoholic. Sure, you can find a bar or beer just about anywhere, but I'm sure it doesn't make the lure of South Beach any easier, either.
I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but Ross seriously is one of the better owners in the league right now.
Michael Thomas and Kenny Stills kneeled for the national anthem last year. Thomas was a captain all year last year and again this year. Stills is a first time captain this year.
Michael Thomas and Kenny Stills kneeled for the national anthem last year. Thomas was a captain all year last year and again this year. Stills is a first time captain this year.
I can't recall the poster who put together the Patriots' statement in that thread, but I nearly ruined my laptop with coffee. Hilarious.
I also read your thoughts on the situation as it related to Kraft and Brady's support for Trump. I think we've all been there as fans, at one time or another, whereby the players or organization we root for challenge our fandom in one way or another. We've all had to compartmentalize at times.
Obviously, I'm not a Pats' fan, but I did have more respect for Brady and Belichick prior to learning of their Trump allegiance. I lost more respect for Brady than for BB, because in the case of the latter, at least I can say, like my father (and other people his age), he's a byproduct of his upbringing. "Their" learning history is drastically different than today's younger generation. However, in Brady's case, he's had contact with a diverse group of people his entire life. His work environment is greater than 50% African American. How can he not empathize with the social injustice so many of his peers experience?
I've always leaned left politically, but I have many friends and colleagues who are very conservative. Most of my "right" friends just couldn't, in clear conscience, vote for Trump, a candidate they believed was clearly unqualified and racist. It was that rare instance when political affiliation didn't matter.
It'll certainly be interesting to see how Kraft responds to his buddy's comments.
What has led you to believe that Brady doesn't do this? The hat? That was a long time ago and Brady said it was in his locker waiting and Kraft had sent it there as Trump's request. Other than that, Brady has done what he's always done, which is avoid saying negative things when prompted to. He did the same thing with Kap when asked about him last week, which is say he's a talented guy deserving of a roster spot. If people want to criticize Brady for not being more vocally opposed to Trump, sure I guess I get it, but to make the jump that Brady supports what Trump supports because he hasn't overtly attacked Trump is too much. It's just not who he is as a person. The dude didn't even attack Goodell.
Peyton, meanwhile, golfs with Trump and nobody bats an eye. I guess it's because he has an accent? Rex MC'd one of his rallies. There are plenty of high-name white NFL players or coaches who have done far more to show support for Trump and his causes and it's no biggie.
Kraft had less rope with me, because of the way he's handled Goodell on multiple occasions and a few other things.
It's been a pretty shitty exsistence as a Dolphins fan. Much of the time it's been one embarrassment after another...so it feels good for once to be able to say that I'm proud to be a fan of this team.
It's already felt like things were getting back on track with Gase, but now Ross has put it over the top.
It's already felt like things were getting back on track with Gase, but now Ross has put it over the top.