2023 Dolphins: Greatest Show on Surf
- Thread starter sodenj5
- Start date
RBG, the cast of the Spider-Man musical, and the teller from my local BofA branch? Any of those would be adequate, we’ll platoon them.Plus who else is going to cover D. Parker?
lol. Xavien Howard does seem to get at least one pick per game on a target for Parker, so I wouldn’t want to mess with that formula if he’s active.
So Jalen Ramsey is still pretty good.
Concern moving forward is for the health of the O Line. Williams dressed but didn’t play, so I would expect to see him in Germany. Lamm came back in. Hunt may miss the game as it seemed he had a hammy.
Don’t look now, but the defense is starting to cook, and should be near full capacity next week. Chubb has played outstanding the last few weeks.
Needless to say, next week’s game might be the biggest regular season game of the year for Miami. A win could wind up meaning the playoffs go through Miami.
Concern moving forward is for the health of the O Line. Williams dressed but didn’t play, so I would expect to see him in Germany. Lamm came back in. Hunt may miss the game as it seemed he had a hammy.
Don’t look now, but the defense is starting to cook, and should be near full capacity next week. Chubb has played outstanding the last few weeks.
Needless to say, next week’s game might be the biggest regular season game of the year for Miami. A win could wind up meaning the playoffs go through Miami.
I’m fully sold on Mike McDaniel after hearing this from Rich Eisen. I think instilling belief in your kids or players is priority 1 of being a parent/coach. I hope my son plays for a coach like him.
It’s 7 minutes long, but worth your time
https://x.com/richeisenshow/status/1720541819182928086?s=46&t=IVL2VrlFgLlpc3mjGGto8Q
It’s 7 minutes long, but worth your time
https://x.com/richeisenshow/status/1720541819182928086?s=46&t=IVL2VrlFgLlpc3mjGGto8Q
I was told in the McDaniel(s) thread that it’s simply “recovery speak.”
Towards the end of the season, when Tua was going through all of the concussion stuff, McDaniel was nearly in tears in front of the media talking about how devastated he was for Tua the human, and couldn’t care less about the football side of things, he just wanted to see Tua being Tua again.
People sort of dismissed him as feeling bad for himself, or feeling remorse because he may have put Tua in harm’s way to benefit himself, but I think Mike McDaniel deeply cares for all of his players and has a special relationship with Tua.
That was me. And sincere or not, it was recovery speak.
I actually didn’t post the thing I wanted to which was that for a guy who says he cares more about the players than winning McDaniel sure didn’t seem to act very decisively to protect Tua when he was visibly stumbling around and left out on the field for multiple plays to get hurt further – and then played him in the Thursday night game.
That said, I don’t doubt McDaniel’s sincerity or blame him for that puff piece Fox interview. The NFL spends an inordinate amount of its resources lying to the world about how much it cares about its players, women, etc. And they are happy to use Mike McDaniel to further those lies. But if he’s sincere about all this—which I assume he is—he will prove it over time.[/QUOTE]
I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt as a young coach with a lot of shit going on during a game to lose sight of his morality for a few minutes.
I wouldn't be shocked if, after a few years of experience, you see him a little more firm on this stuff. I think of Andy Reid telling Mahomes that he wasn't going back into the game until he got a scan of his injured leg, despite Mahomes begging otherwise. Experience slows situations down and allows clearer decisions.
I am as well -- tho that doesn't really explain why Tua was played the Thursday night game. My read at the time was that McDaniel was possibly intimidated by the team's medical staff and was listening to them rather than what his gut and his eyes (and the eyes of anyone who saw the game, really). After all, their offense at the time was absolutely humming -- and I imagine the pressure to keep the good times going was immense from the whole organization -- from his subordinates to Ross (who is a horrible guy by most accounts).
All of which is to say, I appreciate that McDaniel may be quite sincere about caring for his players as people. But he is in a league that quite clearly doesn't. He is employed by an owner who doesn't seem to. And, in the one instance so far where McDaniel had a chance to really *demonstrate* his leadership in this area, he completely failed/caved/etc. So I think we should at least pump the brakes on this stuff for a bit.
Also, not to go OT, but my 16 y/o super sports-fan daughter sent me a TikTok of Matt Rhule speaking to his players at Nebraska about women fighting breast cancer. It's honestly an incredible speech -- he talks for like 5 minutes extemporaneously and it was quite moving. But when I had a chance to talk to her about it in person, I also reminded her that football has a long, long history of being one of the most misogynistic cultures in sports -- and mentioned how just recently Mel Tucker at Michigan State brought a sexual assault survivor to speak to the team and how inspiring it was ... before he ended up getting fired for sexually harassing her. So I told her that while Rhule's words were really impressive and that it's hard to give a speech like that about something if you don't actually care about it and mean it, at the end of the day, it's just words.
BTW, I don't want to be too harsh here. @sodenj5 is a HUGE 'Fins fan and deserves to be excited about this offense. He's waited a long time for a great team -- and McDaniel is clearly an incredible offensive mind. I just feel like we need to take all these non-football character-related things with a grain of salt.
BTW, I don't want to be too harsh here. @sodenj5 is a HUGE 'Fins fan and deserves to be excited about this offense. He's waited a long time for a great team -- and McDaniel is clearly an incredible offensive mind. I just feel like we need to take all these non-football character-related things with a grain of salt.
McDaniel didn’t cave to anyone. He said at the time “I’m not a neurologist. I’m trusting what the experts are telling me because that’s their job.” Believe it or not, that’s the correct thing to do.
If the doctors and neurologists and spotters aren’t doing their job, that’s a large scale failure. I think that McDaniel in hindsight would probably have liked to protect Tua better, but he was going with the information that was available to him.
The concussion Tua suffered in Cincy was obviously catastrophic, but Mike McDaniel listening to the medical advice he was given isn’t the reason that Tua scrambled out of the pocket, held the ball for 8 seconds and got spiked head first into the turf. Tua playing hero ball pre dates Mike McDaniel. Tua took protecting himself very seriously this offseason, and so far he’s made it through every game unscathed.
“I just feel like we need to take all these non-football character-related things with a grain of salt” is a far cry from saying Rhule is a phony. It really is ok to admit the limitations in one’s knowledge.
The other Matt in Lincoln
I mean, it's the NFL. This isn't like you have neurologists at Mass General on the sideline. I mean, maybe you do. But the "experts" are guys who are being paid by teams to keep the talent out on the field until the risk of doing that outweighs the benefit. Their job is not to keep these guys healthy. If it were, they'd be telling the players to go do something else other than contact football.
Mike McDaniel knows this. Not because he's an NFL football coach -- but because *everybody* who so much as watches football a little seriously knows this. In addition, everybody who watched that game knew that Tua was concussed in real time when Milano brought him down. The announcers were talking about it, everyone was. The idea that the team medical personnel were saying otherwise at the time should've been a huge red flag. Instead, McDaniel made the choice to leave Tua out there to get killed some more -- and to play him four days later.
Again, I'm not trying to single you out here, @sodenj5. Most of us football fans are suspending disbelief to some extent every time we tune in. But the fact that the Dolphins shitcanned the medical personnel after the Thursday night game was nothing more than epic ass covering designed to absolve the young, super talented head coach of responsibility. We've seen this story many times before.
Just for clarity, the NFL shitcanned the independent, league appointed specialist after reviewing the entire protocol that allowed Tua back in the game.
The league didn’t officially find any wrongdoing with what Miami did, but Teddy Bridgewater was pulled from their next game during the first series and Miami was essentially forced to play with Skylar Thompson for a full divisional road game. You can interpret that however you’d like.
Someone virtue signaling concussion tracking is one of the weakest posts you'll ever read on this site.
And then, of course, the NFL (and its fans) go back to "normal." Brock Purdy plays through a concussion, manages to clear the protocol in time for the following week's game (unusual nowadays), and then is observed holding his head after hitting in on the ground (no response from the sideline spotters).
No one's questioning Shannahan or suggesting Purdy retire?
Anyway, I'm merely deflecting after yesterday's loss. So many dropped opportunities -- literally.
No one's questioning Shannahan or suggesting Purdy retire?
Anyway, I'm merely deflecting after yesterday's loss. So many dropped opportunities -- literally.
The BYE was a nice break for me, but man, did I miss seeing this team play!
Back this week are De’Von Achane and River Cracraft, while key guys, Terron Armstead and Jalen Ramsey, are an additional week removed from their prior injuries. I thought Robert Hurt would be back for this game, but considering the quick turnaround next week (@ Jets on Black Friday), the Dolphins are being conservative. Overall, the health of the team is trending positively!
As for the Raiders, we have:
1) An average WC team traveling to the opposite coast for a “10 AM” game.
2) Miami’s coming off the BYE.
3) Miami’s playing at home.
I’m expecting a barnburner.
Back this week are De’Von Achane and River Cracraft, while key guys, Terron Armstead and Jalen Ramsey, are an additional week removed from their prior injuries. I thought Robert Hurt would be back for this game, but considering the quick turnaround next week (@ Jets on Black Friday), the Dolphins are being conservative. Overall, the health of the team is trending positively!
As for the Raiders, we have:
1) An average WC team traveling to the opposite coast for a “10 AM” game.
2) Miami’s coming off the BYE.
3) Miami’s playing at home.
I’m expecting a barnburner.
This will be an ass kicking unless you can’t stop Maxx. Zach was able to put a lot of yards on these guys(for him) but Jets Thangs stopped them from converting yards to points. I don’t see that being an issue in SoFlo
Nearly 90% of money and tickets on the Dolphins for this game. I like fading the public.
Keep it close, Raiders!
Keep it close, Raiders!
Weird game from the offense. They seemed pretty committed to the run game. It never really got rolling and Achane going down early probably didn’t help.
The defense carried them to this win, and if Miami is going to be a for real contender, they’re going to need to win games where the offense isn’t scoring 40. Ramsey is incredible. QBs aren’t even testing him, and when they are, he’s coming away with the ball.
Obviously would have liked a cleaner game. Two fumbles in within their own 30 kept the Raiders in the game and keep points off the board. Inexplicable whistle on that backwards pass from AOC that would have been a Miami TD, but either way.
Short week and we see the Jets on Black Friday. I anticipate a game similar to this one. Maybe a bit of a slug fest with our defense hopefully making Zach Wilson pay when it counts.
The defense carried them to this win, and if Miami is going to be a for real contender, they’re going to need to win games where the offense isn’t scoring 40. Ramsey is incredible. QBs aren’t even testing him, and when they are, he’s coming away with the ball.
Obviously would have liked a cleaner game. Two fumbles in within their own 30 kept the Raiders in the game and keep points off the board. Inexplicable whistle on that backwards pass from AOC that would have been a Miami TD, but either way.
Short week and we see the Jets on Black Friday. I anticipate a game similar to this one. Maybe a bit of a slug fest with our defense hopefully making Zach Wilson pay when it counts.
Dolphins are doing a great job taking care of business against teams they should beat. I expect they’ll keep that up the next two weeks (against the Titans and Jets, both at home) and be 11-3 heading into that showdown with Dallas on Christmas Eve.
Really their game of the season is in Baltimore. Very, very real chance that game is for the #1 seed.
It just so happens that all of Miami's toughest contests (Buf, Philly, KC) have taken place away from home. Any of those would have served as incredibly impressive wins.
The game vs. Dallas, however, is in Miami. A loss here justifies the "can't beat tough teams" narrative.
Assuming they take care of business, that game vs. Baltimore (again, on the road) is going to be bananas.
They caught a break in that KC was a neutral site, but yea, they’ve gotten all of their tough opponents away from Hard Rock.
They’ve taken a very conservative approach to injuries to try and have players be as good as they can be for December and January. It will be interesting to watch and see how all-in they go for this push for the 1 seed. In my opinion, anyone that isn’t literally dead should be playing in Baltimore.
What a turnaround for this guy. Went from not getting his fifth year option exercised to a contract extension.
I think the terms are reasonable for both sides. Austin Jackson is still young enough where if he continues this level of play for the next 2 years, he’s probably getting a massive bag.
Miami doesn’t overcommit to a guy having a breakout season in his walk year.
The 2020 draft class with Tua and Jackson looks a lot better than it did 1-2 years ago. Noah is obviously still a large miss, but walking away with a franchise QB and a very good tackle is a win in any draft.
Also, Butch Barry might be the second best coaching hire this franchise has made in the last 20 years. The downright competency we’re seeing from the line in picking up stunts and protections is something we aren’t used to seeing.
I had a couple of a friends attend this game in Germany, and they reported that the Chiefs/Dolphins fan ratio was likely 80/20, if not worse. This contributed to very loud conditions, which for Miami's timing-based offense, has been a difficulty on the road, in similar conditions. We've seen this culminate with challenges getting into their sets, avoiding pre-snap penalties, and snapping/receiving the ball successfully. I think the team's been working on this, but we'll know for sure in Baltimore.
I'm pumped for this and hope that Hunt, Lamm, and Conner is next. (I think the first two are very likely to be extended before the offseason.) I'm wagering that this is Armstead's last season with Miami, considering his very limited availability and the success of those who have covered in his absence.
I'll take a win for Christmas, please. Here's hoping Armstead, Tyreek, and others can stay on the field today ...
This felt like the first big boy win Miami has had in a long time.
Dallas came to play and Miami got their best shot. They neutralized Micah Parsons with 4, I said 4, backup offensive linemen.
Both McDaniel and particularly Fangio deserve a lot of credit for how they adapted in game. Miami’s defense was getting smoked in the first quarter. Cee Dee Lamb had nearly 100 yards and a TD. He had two receptions for 12 yards after the first quarter. Chubb continues to play his best football, maybe of his entire career. He’s been a man possessed.
The offense had to go and win the game with 3 plus minutes on the clock. Again, McDaniel and Tua did an excellent job of getting into position and leaving Dallas with no time left. When they absolutely had to have it, it was the running game and the line that delivered. Jeff Wilson getting the hard yards with Dallas knowing what was coming and not being able to stop it.
Credit to Jason Sanders who looked like All-Pro Jason Sanders tonight. Hitting one from 57 is absurd, and the rest of them looked like chip shots.
Wins aren’t always pretty against good opponents. But these are the games Miami needs to learn to scratch and claw their way out of.
MASSIVE game next week at Baltimore for potentially the 1 seed. Miami controls their own destiny. Win out and they’re AFC East champs and have a first round bye. Stumble and both of those are at risk.
Dallas came to play and Miami got their best shot. They neutralized Micah Parsons with 4, I said 4, backup offensive linemen.
Both McDaniel and particularly Fangio deserve a lot of credit for how they adapted in game. Miami’s defense was getting smoked in the first quarter. Cee Dee Lamb had nearly 100 yards and a TD. He had two receptions for 12 yards after the first quarter. Chubb continues to play his best football, maybe of his entire career. He’s been a man possessed.
The offense had to go and win the game with 3 plus minutes on the clock. Again, McDaniel and Tua did an excellent job of getting into position and leaving Dallas with no time left. When they absolutely had to have it, it was the running game and the line that delivered. Jeff Wilson getting the hard yards with Dallas knowing what was coming and not being able to stop it.
Credit to Jason Sanders who looked like All-Pro Jason Sanders tonight. Hitting one from 57 is absurd, and the rest of them looked like chip shots.
Wins aren’t always pretty against good opponents. But these are the games Miami needs to learn to scratch and claw their way out of.
MASSIVE game next week at Baltimore for potentially the 1 seed. Miami controls their own destiny. Win out and they’re AFC East champs and have a first round bye. Stumble and both of those are at risk.
Huge win, for sure; and a much-needed step up in the organization's ascension.
This team's tough and resilient. To win 11 games this year -- including one against what may be a top 3 NFC team -- without 4 of your original starting OL, Jaelan Phillips, Jerome Baker, Jevon Holland, Emmanuel Ogbah, and Waddle/Mostert (for long stretches of the game) speaks to this.
With Baltimore set to play an incredibly physical game in SF tonight (short rest for Week 17), I'm hopeful that the circumstances are in place for another win next week. Just need to get healthier!
We haven’t talked about it, but Hard Knocks last night was particularly excellent.
On the game clinching third down screen play, McDaniel let Tua and Tyreek essentially call their own shot. The growth we’ve seen from Tua in two years is so beautiful to watch.
Edit: this tweet is from Tua’s trainer. I thought the clip was a little odd, but man Tua is really playing chess if this is real.
On the game clinching third down screen play, McDaniel let Tua and Tyreek essentially call their own shot. The growth we’ve seen from Tua in two years is so beautiful to watch.
Edit: this tweet is from Tua’s trainer. I thought the clip was a little odd, but man Tua is really playing chess if this is real.
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Pretty cool clip. As a Patriots fan, it's hard to like the Dolphins. But I'm rooting for them in the playoffs. BURY the Chiefs for the next decade.
This is the kind of stuff that probably had no impact at all on the play...but in the .5% chance it did?
*chefs kiss*
(Great Googly Moogly...)
View: https://youtu.be/WPOZbG7ibEE?si=9iskoKi_9kpNCsre
Agree 100%.
They actually doubled Tyreek on the play anyways, but the fact that Tua had the awareness to know that the Cowboys sideline might be keying in on who’s in the huddle with him and McDaniel is light years beyond the Tannehill/Dark Ages.
Mostert inactive today vs the Ravens.
I’m a bit frustrated by the mentality they’ve had around injuries. They’ve seemingly been playing for tomorrow all season long.
The playoffs are here. Right now. Your season is defined by the next two games. Holding guys out because they’re less than 100% in extremely high leverage games is fool’s gold.
I’m a bit frustrated by the mentality they’ve had around injuries. They’ve seemingly been playing for tomorrow all season long.
The playoffs are here. Right now. Your season is defined by the next two games. Holding guys out because they’re less than 100% in extremely high leverage games is fool’s gold.
The in-season of Hard Knocks has been more enjoyable for me than I expected. Of course, it's still got it has its fair share of fluff, but the program's in-game coverage has been cool to watch. The team's chemistry is palpable; they've been such a fun team to root for this season.
That being said, if Achane doesn't get a heavy dose of touches (15), I'll be pissed. I'm all for Wilson's fresh legs being mixed in, but this should 100% be a De'Von game.
Starting Achane over Bijan and Barkley in my league's fantasy playoffs. Go, Fins!
I'm 95% with you here, but I think there are better examples than this one. Mostert sitting likely has to (almost) exclusively with the assessment that he won't be as fast/effective as the team needs him to be. Otherwise, I think he's a go.
That being said, if Achane doesn't get a heavy dose of touches (15), I'll be pissed. I'm all for Wilson's fresh legs being mixed in, but this should 100% be a De'Von game.
Starting Achane over Bijan and Barkley in my league's fantasy playoffs. Go, Fins!
I think where I’m more miffed is he can’t even be available for 5-10 red zone touches? Raheem has been so effective at finding the end zone this year.
They were already down Waddle. Being down a 1,000 yard receiver and sitting your 1,000 yard RB in arguably your biggest game of the season has my expectations on the floor.
Maybe they’ll shock us and this will be “The Claypool Game,” but I’m doubtful.
The positives:
Tua's chemistry with Cedric Wilson seems to be improving. He and Chosen might need to step up big today. Cracraft and Berrios have been missing in the passing game for a while ...
Ramsey's playing, after a Friday questionable distinction.
Holland and AJ's back!
The injuries for this team have been nutty. I'm hoping Miami at least manages to secure the division, and that Waddle, Hunt, Baker, and Mostert are ready to roll for the playoffs.
Tua's chemistry with Cedric Wilson seems to be improving. He and Chosen might need to step up big today. Cracraft and Berrios have been missing in the passing game for a while ...
Ramsey's playing, after a Friday questionable distinction.
Holland and AJ's back!
The injuries for this team have been nutty. I'm hoping Miami at least manages to secure the division, and that Waddle, Hunt, Baker, and Mostert are ready to roll for the playoffs.
Mostert has been on the injury report for roughly 10 straight weeks, no? I would think McDaniel is considering his longer term health playoff health than any one opponent, game, or how effective he has been in the red zone and finding the end zone this season. Achane and Wilson are more than suitable in those roles without risking a longer stretch on the shelf.
Everyone is banged up in late December. This is definitely a pattern for how they’ve handled injuries all season. They’ve been very conservative.
My contention is when the division and the 1 seed are still at stake, the time to be conservative is over. The Titans loss cost them the ability to drop one of these next two games.
There’s a world that exists where Miami is the 5 seed entering the playoffs and misses out on both the 1 seed and the division.
I get what is on the line but the team is 11-4 so the team's conservative handling of injuries has been correct all season. There is no need to change that approach now given that the team has clearly said Mostert has not turned the corner this week like he usually does. To be as effective as finding the end zone, Mostert's health is paramount. He doesn't have it this week.
McDaniel is looking at playoff health and with Mostert banged up all year, holding him out is probably the correct move.
McDaniel is looking at playoff health and with Mostert banged up all year, holding him out is probably the correct move.
Not apples to apples but the Pats just won a road game without Henry, Peppers, and others. And the Pats are way worse than Miami. One or two guys can be overcome especially in the regular season.
Yeah, that is where I am at with this today. Achane and Wilson should be just as effective in those roles today while Mostert gets healthy for the playoff run.
IOW, if Miami loses today, it won't be because Mostert did not play.
IOW, if Miami loses today, it won't be because Mostert did not play.