2014 Miami Dolphins: Raw Doggin' It

[dwainw]

 
It sounds funny to say, but on the play Miller fumbled, that might have been his most impressive run as a Dolphin. He was flyin'. He also had a play later in the day where he slipped out of a (near) horse collar tackle (which would have been a loss of yards), and sprinted forward for a decent gain. I can see the Moreno/Miller combo being formidable. 
 
I also think Moreno's the perfect back for Lamar to learn from. Moreno's smart and polished -- in addition to running hard and with good vision, he handles all the "small" things well. Comparitively, Miller came out of UM extremely raw. He's got a long way to go to become a "complete back". Playing behind Moreno seems to be the ideal spot for him right now.

Good points.  I really hope he can maintain the trust of the coaching staff to see a consistent number of touches every week.  I say that as much to protect Moreno as anything.  If Moreno keeps having games like yesterday, I think he'll wear down down the stretch.  It seemed like every run he had yesterday was bruising.  Miller needs to be reliable to spell him.

 

[soxfan121]

Late to the party but wanted to congratulate you Fins Faithful for a deserved win yesterday. As a Pats fan, I left worrying about their toughness, which is a credit to the Dolphins team effort and physicality yesterday. Must have been fun to watch. 
 
But now I hope you lose week 2. 

 

[dwainw]

Late to the party but wanted to congratulate you Fins Faithful for a deserved win yesterday. As a Pats fan, I left worrying about their toughness, which is a credit to the Dolphins team effort and physicality yesterday. Must have been fun to watch. 
 
But now I hope you lose week 2. 

Damn, you Patriots fans are gracious.  It really puts a strain on my ability to hate you* and your damn team.  I still do, though.

*I'm referring only to the football half of my brain, of course.  In the baseball half, I've got nuthin' but love for y'all.

 

[Shelterdog]

Damn, you Patriots fans are gracious.  It really puts a strain on my ability to hate you* and your damn team.  I still do, though.

*I'm referring only to the football half of my brain, of course.  In the baseball half, I've got nuthin' but love for y'all.

Don't worry we aren't all gracious.

Ellerbe is apparently done for the year.

Toodles!

 

[dwainw]

Don't worry we aren't all gracious.

Ellerbe is apparently done for the year.

Toodles!

Could be a blessing in disguise.  With as underwhelming as he's been in his year+ in Miami, perhaps even a blessing in poor disguise.  Like the funny nose & mustache.

 

[sodenj5]

Wow, stunning Ellerbe is cooked.

I wonder if this clears the way for Dion Jordan to convert full time to LB now. DLine is a strength, and I can't see him taking snaps from Vernon or Wake or even McCain in the speed package. Miami is in desperate need of an OLB. To me, it makes too much sense not to do.

 

[soxfan121]

Damn, you Patriots fans are gracious.  It really puts a strain on my ability to hate you* and your damn team.  I still do, though.

*I'm referring only to the football half of my brain, of course.  In the baseball half, I've got nuthin' but love for y'all.

 
Nah - you guys deserved to hear it, especially from me. 
 
EDIT: because I did derail your thread last year with stupid behavior

 

[Clears Cleaver]

Dion will be moved to LB. Has to be. Hopefully misi will be bback soon.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Damn, you Patriots fans are gracious.  It really puts a strain on my ability to hate you* and your damn team.  I still do, though.

*I'm referring only to the football half of my brain, of course.  In the baseball half, I've got nuthin' but love for y'all.

 
This is a kinder, gentler BbtL. So yeah, congrats -- here's a little poem in tribute to your win:
 
Oh but did you hear? 
Ellerbe is cooked for the year.
Pop goes my can of beer.
 

 

[pdaj]

 
This is a kinder, gentler BbtL. So yeah, congrats -- here's a little poem in tribute to your win:
 
Oh but did you hear? 
Ellerbe is cooked for the year.
Pop goes my can of beer.
 

 
Haha, I laughed.
 
I hate to see depth depleted -- as well as a player get injured for a year -- but I won't miss Ellerbe as a starter. He's been a colosoal bust for the Fins; there's no way he's back next year. He got paid and lost his hunger somewhere on South Beach. I am concerned, however, that Misi could miss multiple weeks with an ankle injury. It'll be interesting to see how Philbin/Coyle choose to solve this new problem. Misi should be back before Dion returns from suspension; so with Koa, McCain, Trusnik, Tripp, Jenkins, Freeny, and now Sheppard, I'm not sure why we should assume Jordan gets a look at LB. This staff has been firm in their stance of developing DJ as a 4-3 DE pass-rusher.

 

[pdaj]

 
Nah - you guys deserved to hear it, especially from me. 
 
EDIT: because I did derail your thread last year with stupid behavior

 
 

 
Haha, I appreciate you doing so. You've been much, much cooler since.

 

[sodenj5]

 
Haha, I laughed.
 
I hate to see depth depleated -- as well as a player get injured for a year -- but I won't miss Ellerbe as a starter. He's been a colosoal bust for the Fins; there's no way he's back next year. He got paid and lost his hunger somewhere on South Beach. I am concerned, however, that Misi could miss multiple weeks with an ankle injury. It'll be interesting to see how Philbin/Coyle choose to solve this new problem. Misi should be back before Dion returns from suspension; so with Koa, Trusnik, Tripp, Jenkins, Freeny, and now Sheppard, I'm not sure why we should assume Jordan gets a look at LB. This staff has been firm in their stance of developing DJ as a 4-3 DE pass-rusher.

It's hard to say. They have been firm on their stance of developing Jordan as a DE, but to me it still feels like they're trying to force a square peg in a round hole.

Maybe the BIGGEST need on this team is a linebacker that can cover a TE or a RB and rush the QB. That just so happens to be what Jordan is actually pretty good at. He can't set the edge against the run, and he hasn't been overly impressive as a hand in the dirt pass rusher this far. Maybe his added bulk this offseason will help, but he didn't flash much in the preseason.

I feel like a solution to one of their biggest needs might be right under their noses, but they might be too stubborn to make the switch now.

 

[pdaj]

I feel like a solution to one of their biggest needs might be right under their noses, but they might be too stubborn to make the switch now.

 
Honestly, I'd love to see it happen. But Jordan hasn't played much at LB since being drafted, aside from a few 3rd down packages. What makes us think McCain, even as raw as he is, isn't better prepared to succeed? At least he played the entire preseason at the position -- while grading out incredibly well in the process. Jordan seems like a smart dude, but I wonder how quick he'd be to pick up a new position, in a new scheme mid-season. At the very least, I expect him to move around a little bit, especially on passing downs.

 

[pdaj]

PFF grades are in. Took these images from Palm Beach Post:
 
http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2014/09/08/pro-football-focus-top-grades-for-dolphins-albert-satele-tannehill-wake-odrick-wilson-starks/
 
Brandon Albert and Satele clearly beasted, with the rest of the OL performing relatively well. That's a really good sign. Wake's score is a no-brainer, while all 3 replacement LB graded at above average, Tannehill's 2.9 score was a bit surprising to me.
 
 

 

 

[sodenj5]

Great sign that Albert came in and wasted no time in being dominant. Satele excelling is probably a pretty big surprise. Good move by Hickey addressing the hole with a proven veteran instead of rolling the dice on a young guy or a project. Satele is also good insurance if one of the guards goes down once Pouncey comes back.

 

[sodenj5]

Also, despite all the good feelings and back slapping after yesterday, it was refreshing to see this quote from Lazor:

My number one feeling is that we better get better fast, particularly in the passing game, Lazor said. I feel like there were a lot of plays that we should have made and didnt make. Some might have been the throw or the decision. Some were the drop. We are going to have to be better to win tighter games. We are going to have to be more productive in the passing game when the plays are there. They were there and we didnt make them. Its going to be a real clear message that weve got to get better.

THAT is the attitude that has been missing for a long, long time. Previous coaches and regimes would have perfectly happy with what Miami did out there yesterday. GOOD teams are always trying to improve and get better. Great to see that Lazor was not satisfied by what he saw out there. There were many opportunities for this offense to pull away, but they couldn't capitalize. That's the type of mentality this team needs. Good is no longer good enough.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

The dolphins played a 5-2-4 vs the Pats much of the second half. I suspect they may do so again. But against buffalo it's all about stopping the run. Stop Jackson and spiller and u win

 

[Clears Cleaver]

The Bills will be a tougher game for Miami than NE. They can attack the LBs with Spiller and will test the O-line more than NE did with pass rushers. Plus, like Miami has Pat's number, buffalo has owned Miami. This is a big revenge game for the fish. But bills are riding high with new owner and win at Chicago.

Tannehill has to be better

 

[sodenj5]

The Bills will be a tougher game for Miami than NE. They can attack the LBs with Spiller and will test the O-line more than NE did with pass rushers. Plus, like Miami has Pat's number, buffalo has owned Miami. This is a big revenge game for the fish. But bills are riding high with new owner and win at Chicago.

Tannehill has to be better

 
I completely agree that this is a tougher matchup for the Fins. Buffalo's two strengths are running the ball and dominating with the DLine. Miami's O-Line seems to be greatly improved, however Spiller and Jackson do worry me with all of our LBs being banged up. Miami needs to follow a similar blueprint to last week. Get up early, then use the running game to grind the clock while being able to unleash the pass rush with Buffalo behind. I like Miami's chances significantly more with the ball in Manuel's hands than I do with the ball in the hands of Spiller and co.
 
The focus needs to be on stopping the run and making tackles. Don't let 4 yard runs or screens turn into 15 or 20 yard chunk plays because of bad tackling.

 

[dcmissle]

 
Haha, I laughed.
 
I hate to see depth depleted -- as well as a player get injured for a year -- but I won't miss Ellerbe as a starter. He's been a colosoal bust for the Fins; there's no way he's back next year. He got paid and lost his hunger somewhere on South Beach. I am concerned, however, that Misi could miss multiple weeks with an ankle injury. It'll be interesting to see how Philbin/Coyle choose to solve this new problem. Misi should be back before Dion returns from suspension; so with Koa, McCain, Trusnik, Tripp, Jenkins, Freeny, and now Sheppard, I'm not sure why we should assume Jordan gets a look at LB. This staff has been firm in their stance of developing DJ as a 4-3 DE pass-rusher.

Since you are hoping to follow in our footsteps, beware of Ravens parting ways with LBs and defensive players generally. It's like the Atlanta Braves letting players go. Jarrett Johnson may be the lone exception who jumps to mind.

 

[pdaj]

Since you are hoping to follow in our footsteps, beware of Ravens parting ways with LBs and defensive players generally. It's like the Atlanta Braves letting players go. Jarrett Johnson may be the lone exception who jumps to mind.

 
LB Arthur Brown (2013 2nd-rounder) is the latest Raven to be available (via trade block). When Ian Wharton reported that Miami was one of the few teams available, I was like, "Hell no!" Unless it's for a 7th-rounder, of course. I haven't seen much of Brown; but considering Daryl Smith started last year over him, and Mosely was drafted in the 1st this year to replace him, the writing is on the wall. If added, I'd consider it nothing more than a depth move.

 

[Super Nomario]

 
LB Arthur Brown (2013 2nd-rounder) is the latest Raven to be available (via trade block). When Ian Wharton reported that Miami was one of the few teams available, I was like, "Hell no!" Unless it's for a 7th-rounder, of course. I haven't seen much of Brown; but considering Daryl Smith started last year over him, and Mosely was drafted in the 1st this year to replace him, the writing is on the wall. If added, I'd consider it nothing more than a depth move.

The Draft Twitter nerds loved him coming out of KState last year. He's a smaller, coverage-type LB that probably fits better as a 4-3 weakside linebacker than a 3-4 ILB like the Ravens were trying to make him.

 

[pdaj]

The Draft Twitter nerds loved him coming out of KState last year. He's a smaller, coverage-type LB that probably fits better as a 4-3 weakside linebacker than a 3-4 ILB like the Ravens were trying to make him.

 
Good info. This makes more sense now, considering the Ellerbe was manning the WLB in the Fin's 4-3. I'll see what I can find on YouTube from his K-State days.
 
That 5th week BYE may end up being a blessing, but a Week 2 BYE might have been significantly better. Wheeler was limited at practice today, while Misi (walking boot), McCain (hip), Tripp (chest), and Starks  (walking boot) missed today. That would leave Trusnik at Mike, Jenkins at Will, and Freeny or newly-added Sheppard at Sam? Ouch. And if Starks can't go, that will surely compound the LB issue.
 
At least we're not facing a strong running team this Sunday. Oh, wait ...  

 

[pdaj]

Update per Rotoworld:

 

Dolphins SLB Philip Wheeler (thumb) will not play against the Bills in Week 2.

Wheeler joins fellow starting linebackers Koa Misi (ankle, week to week) and Dannell Ellerbe (hip, injured reserve) on the sideline. Wheeler and Misi have a shot to return in Week 3, but missing them against a Bills team that is going to pound the run is scary for Miami. They'll start Jason Trusnik in the middle with Jelani Jenkins and Jonathan Freeny on the outside
 

 

[Clears Cleaver]

Will McCain play? He hasn't practiced last two days.

Looks like the 5-2 defense will be back this week.

 

[rymflaherty]

Count me amongst those that considered it a blessing in disguise to get in the younger, more athletic LB'ers to help in coverage against Brady and the short passing game.
 
Now having said that, I do worry that this week they could prove to be a liability against a Bills team that wants to run the ball.
On the plus side they will now have a full week to get reps and prepare...but again, it is a tough matchup, so I will be very interested to see how that group holds up.
I'll be more worried if McCain is not available.
 
Thanks pdaj for posting those grades.

 

[pdaj]

Thanks pdaj for posting those grades.

 
My pleasure!
 

Will McCain play? He hasn't practiced last two days.

Looks like the 5-2 defense will be back this week.

 
McCain was back at practice today.
 
Buffalo's running game is getting a lot of attention (for good reason), but Manuel did a surprisingly effective job of challenging the Bears' defense vertically via passes to Woods, Watkins.and Chandler. They have Mike Williams as well, right? This could present a challenge for Miami's smaller secondary.  

 

[dwainw]

[SIZE=13.63636302948px]Good news for the sake of LB depth.  [/SIZE]Wheeler has a new cast and is now expected to play v. the Bills. 

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2014/09/phillip-wheeler-set-to-play-sunday-after-all.html

 

[sodenj5]

[SIZE=13.63636302948px]Good news for the sake of LB depth.  [/SIZE]Wheeler has a new cast and is now expected to play v. the Bills. 
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2014/09/phillip-wheeler-set-to-play-sunday-after-all.html

 
 
Still not sure if I would start him. Wheeler at 100% is a bad tackler, never mind with his hand still in a cast. I would probably keep him as a reserve/3rd down pass rusher (what he's good at) and let the healthy guys handle first and second downs where the Bills are more likely to run. 

 

[dwainw]

 
 
Still not sure if I would start him. Wheeler at 100% is a bad tackler, never mind with his hand still in a cast. I would probably keep him as a reserve/3rd down pass rusher (what he's good at) and let the healthy guys handle first and second downs where the Bills are more likely to run. 

Agreed.  But as thin as we're getting back there, we need all the warm bodies we can muster.

 

[pdaj]

 
 
Still not sure if I would start him. Wheeler at 100% is a bad tackler, never mind with his hand still in a cast. I would probably keep him as a reserve/3rd down pass rusher (what he's good at) and let the healthy guys handle first and second downs where the Bills are more likely to run. 

 

Agreed.  But as thin as we're getting back there, we need all the warm bodies we can muster.

 
+1. I'll take the warm body, as a 3rd and long pass rusher.

 

[pdaj]

The "final" injury report:
 
http://espn.go.com/blog/miami-dolphins/post/_/id/9945/miami-dolphins-final-injury-report
 
Out: C Mike Pouncey (hip), DL Terrence Fede (knee), LB Jordan Tripp (chest)
 
Doubtful: G Billy Turner (foot), LB Koa Misi (ankle)
 
Probable: RB Knowshon Moreno (shoulder), DE Derrick Shelby (knee), TE Dion Sims (neck), WR Mike Wallace (hamstring), DT Randy Starks (toe), LB Philip Wheeler (thumb), S Walt Aikens(hand), TE Charles Clay (knee), LB Chris McCain (illness) 
 
Very, very please to see that Starks and McCain are ready to go.

 

[Shelterdog]

Oh noes, bad looking elbow injury for Moreno. 

 

[Clears Cleaver]

Sigh. Looks like week 16 all over again. Pathetic.

Unless the defense or specials score they will be shut out. The guard play is so bad.

 

[sodenj5]

Sigh. Looks like week 16 all over again. Pathetic.

Unless the defense or specials score they will be shut out. The guard play is so bad.

Guards are being absolutely manhandled. Miami's D is doing a good job holding Buffalo to FGs, but I have zero confidence in Miami putting a drive together against this D.

 

[dwainw]

Tannehill is all kinds of off today.  Very disappointing.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

someone give Lazor a contract extension and raise IMMEDIATELY. or hadn him the head coaching job. Second game in a row he's made adjustments at halftime and team has resounded. 
 
That was a ridiculous catch by Wallace. Tannehill has actually been WORSe this week than last week but they are actually back in this game. Get a three and out here and Buffalo D might be winded a bit

 

[Clears Cleaver]

or not.  game over
 
Grimes again beaten on crossing pattern

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Miami has now been outplayed in 3 out of 4 halves. I think the injuries are just becoming too much to overcome so far in the short season. 

 

[Clears Cleaver]

its incredible how bad the prior drafts were. 
Tannehill
Jon martin!!!
Olivier Vernon is a good pick
Egnew!
Lamar Miller
Kiddu
 
2013: dion jordan, Taylor, Dallas Thomas, Will Davis, Mike Gillesslee.....
 
pretty soon Tannehill will be considered a bust I fear. no way you give this guy a Dalton contract. so then what? 
 
Blame injuries, sure, but getting maybe two useful players out of 11 picks in the first five rounds is ridiculously bad.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Da'Norris Searcy, EAT.

 

[Stitch01]

Guess this time isn't different.

 

[sodenj5]

Special teams was atrocious, which is surprising, since Miami has been solid in ST since Rizzi took over.

Agreed on Lazor. Miami had absolutely nothing going in the first half, and he made the necessary adjustments to at least give Miami a shot.

 

[sodenj5]

Da'Norris Searcy, EAT.

Is this a game thread?

 

[Stitch01]

Yes

 

[sodenj5]

A divisional loss is tough, but the bigger blow might be the loss of Moreno and possibly Miller.

Too many missed opportunities. The odds were stacked against the Fins. Buffalo is a tough matchup for them, never mind missing all of their linebackers, their starting safety, their pro bowl center, and then losing Moreno and Miller, coupled with the Bills opener with the new owners in place, and it was a hugely emotional game for the Bills.

The end result was pretty much what was expected. Miami had way too many miscues to win a game like that on the road.

Hopefully Moreno isn't seriously hurt, Miami can get healthy, and get Jones and Jordan back.

 

[Darnell's Son]

A divisional loss is tough, but the bigger blow might be the loss of Moreno and possibly Miller.

Too many missed opportunities. The odds were stacked against the Fins. Buffalo is a tough matchup for them, never mind missing all of their linebackers, their starting safety, their pro bowl center, and then losing Moreno and Miller, coupled with the Bills opener with the new owners in place, and it was a hugely emotional game for the Bills.

The end result was pretty much what was expected. Miami had way too many miscues to win a game like that on the road.

Hopefully Moreno isn't seriously hurt, Miami can get healthy, and get Jones and Jordan back.

Didn't realize how beat up their D was going into the game. How did Tannehill look?

 

[rymflaherty]

That was all kinds of disappointing.
I'm not shocked Buffalo beat them, but I am surprised that they let EJ Manuel look like a Pro-Bowl QB, and that they failed in really all 3 phases of the game.
 
Buffalo has had their number for a while, so I'm not ready to bail and forget all the positives from week 1.  They have 2 winnable games coming up, so they can right things quick, and we'll see where they stand then.
I just hope the injury situation doesn't become too much to overcome.

 

[dwainw]

For me, aside from the injury situation which is looking dire, Tannehill's regression is the most disappointing thing to come out of this game.  Yeah there were several of the obligatory drops, but he was off on a bunch of throws today, usually coming up short or throwing just behind guys.  I'm not sure why he's still so tentative, but It's disturbing.

 

[Tony C]

I was flipping in and out on this game and, yeah, where was that guy last week for the Pats? Really poor accuracy.