Dolphins: Aloha

tims4wins

PN23's replacement
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
37,054
Hingham, MA
I say this not in any way trolling, but that had to be pretty disappointing for our Phish Phan Phriends. How long will Flores stick with Fitz?
 

koufax32

He'll cry if he wants to...
SoSH Member
Dec 8, 2006
9,092
Duval
I say this not in any way trolling, but that had to be pretty disappointing for our Phish Phan Phriends. How long will Flores stick with Fitz?
I heard on the radio that some sports book had the over/under on changing qb’s at 2.5 games. I hope some people here placed an enormous amount of money on that over.
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
I say this not in any way trolling, but that had to be pretty disappointing for our Phish Phan Phriends. How long will Flores stick with Fitz?
It what it is. I said it earlier in the thread that the Pats having zero film on the new look offense was an advantage I was nervous about.
Flores and Boyer adjusted in game and played decently, but the run game needs to be held in check much better next matchup.

Offense looked confused at times. Again, almost an entirely new O Line, which played pretty decent, against the top D from last year. Running game struggled to get rolling

I feel confident they’ll learn from this and the next matchup will be more competitive.

Regarding Tua specifically, Miami has a brutal start of the season schedule. They play Jets-Bye-Jets in Weeks 10-12. I expect Tua starts one of those Jets games assuming we get that far.

Miami isn’t in a win now mode. Their window doesn’t legitimately open until next season. We all expect them to be competitive this year, but we aren’t deluding ourselves that Tua needs to start and Miami is set up to make a run at a title this year.
 

RG33

Certain Class of Poster
SoSH Member
Nov 28, 2005
7,199
CA
I say this not in any way trolling, but that had to be pretty disappointing for our Phish Phan Phriends. How long will Flores stick with Fitz?
The best thing that could happen for the Dolphins would be an 0-4 start, and then just turn the reins over to Tua and let him get some NFL experience running an offense. This team has a LONG way to go from a talent perspective, so I don’t see the point of having Fitz get much more playing time than it is absolutely necessary. The Patriots dominated them, should have blown them out if not for the unlucky fumble into the endzone, and the Patriots are lacking in talent due to the opt-outs and the lack of offensive weapons. My eyes saw a 5-11 team lose to a 9-7 team today.
 

SeoulSoxFan

I Want to Hit the World with Rocket Punch
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2006
22,089
A Scud Away from Hell
The OL play has to be encouraging, especially with Karras in the middle and rookies mixed in.

Baker made up for his blown assignments with the Harry strip but that 14 tackles seems like an empty stat line. He was the one who lost Izzo on that big pass play and got sucked in on every other play-action throws.

Xavier signing looks good but I think Miami will regret the KVN contract sooner than later. He looked surprisingly hesitant on a number of plays.

Otherwise, I thought Wilkins on D and Gaskin on O were bright spots.

Now another tough game coming up against the Bills.
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
The OL play has to be encouraging, especially with Karras in the middle and rookies mixed in.

Baker made up for his blown assignments with the Harry strip but that 14 tackles seems like an empty stat line. He was the one who lost Izzo on that big pass play and got sucked in on every other play-action throws.

Xavier signing looks good but I think Miami will regret the KVN contract sooner than later. He looked surprisingly hesitant on a number of plays.

Otherwise, I thought Wilkins on D and Gaskin on O were bright spots.

Now another tough game coming up against the Bills.
Gaskin was maybe the most surprising thing from a Miami perspective in yesterday’s game. Howard struggled to get rolling the first two drives out of the I formation, so they started running it more out of the gun with Gaskin, and he looked pretty decent.

I guess the biggest surprise is it wasn’t Breida getting those shotgun snaps, but Gaskin. That one was a head scratcher, but I don’t think Gaskin did anything to play himself out of reps.

Baker was up and down. He almost made two superhero stops around the goal line, but as you pointed out, got lost in coverage a few times and had the personal fouls.

Another positive was outside of Baker, Miami played pretty penalty free football. Which, starting almost a brand new offensive line, starting two new corners in Igbo and Jones, and having no preseason, bodes well for the line and the job Flores did in preparing them to play.

Not sure if Miami matches up any better with Buffalo. The Josh Allen Rodeo is something they’ve struggled to control the last couple of years.
 

rymflaherty

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2010
3,420
Norfolk
Last night really feels like the first time in years that I’ve watched this team play in a national televised game and they weren’t embarrassed.

Last night was a solid win and a bit of a relief, as I’d been judging the first two weeks under the assumption that the Pats and Bills are two of the top 10 teams in the league, so the team coming out and handling Jacksonville sort of reaffirms that things are still on schedule and headed on the right track.
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
Last night really feels like the first time in years that I’ve watched this team play in a national televised game and they weren’t embarrassed.

Last night was a solid win and a bit of a relief, as I’d been judging the first two weeks under the assumption that the Pats and Bills are two of the top 10 teams in the league, so the team coming out and handling Jacksonville sort of reaffirms that things are still on schedule and headed on the right track.
Yes, Miami got roasted and looked terrible at times in both Weeks 1 and 2. However if you told me after three weeks that they would be 1-2, I would say that sounds exactly right.

Honestly, the offense and offensive line have been a huge positive surprise. Austin Jackson and Solomon Kindley have looked way better than rookies with no real training camp or preseason. Robert Hunt was always a bit more raw, so I’m glad they’re working him in on goal line packages and heavy packages. Getting some game reps without throwing him to the wolves.

The defense finally looked competent after getting roasted. They left Noah to die out there on an island vs Diggs last week, and that’s inexcusably bad coaching. Glad to see them bounce back from both a coaching and execution standpoint on a short week on the road.

Thursday night games are tough to win on the road. Flores, Boyer, and Gailey had the team ready to play and had the Jags on their heels from the opening whistle.
 

rymflaherty

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2010
3,420
Norfolk
The fact Jackson seems to be at least competent already is huge, especially since most assessments that I read listed him as a project, and questioned if he would even be able to play LT.

Does anyone subscribe to PFF and know how he’d been graded? Not that those are the be all end all, but since I haven’t seen every snap, and line play can be tough to judge even when that’s the case, I was wondering how neutral observers viewed his play thus far.
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
The fact Jackson seems to be at least competent already is huge, especially since most assessments that I read listed him as a project, and questioned if he would even be able to play LT.

Does anyone subscribe to PFF and know how he’d been graded? Not that those are the be all end all, but since I haven’t seen every snap, and line play can be tough to judge even when that’s the case, I was wondering how neutral observers viewed his play thus far.
I believe both he and Kindley have graded poorly thus far. I don’t have a subscription, but I recall some consternation on Twitter as they’re graded far lower than their play on the field would suggest.

Could be that they’ve actually played poorly and we haven’t noticed. Kindley had a holding call last night and Jackson caught a roughing flag which was pretty BS.

I think most of us are familiar with Jackson’s backstory. Before donating bone marrow, he was a bit raw technique wise but had plus physical tools and athleticism. He had some of that taken from him his final season at USC and he couldn’t quite mask his technique with his physical play the way he was previously.

He looks to be closer to 100% physically now and also appears to have made strides with his technique. He’s faced a respectable slate of NFL pass rushers so far, though as I recall, I think power guys gave him a harder time at USC than speed guys.

Still very, very early, but the returns on the 2020 draft class look promising, and that’s without Tua taking a snap yet.
 

pdaj

Fantasy Maven
SoSH Member
Dec 15, 2002
3,385
From Springfield to Providence
Gaskin was maybe the most surprising thing from a Miami perspective in yesterday’s game. Howard struggled to get rolling the first two drives out of the I formation, so they started running it more out of the gun with Gaskin, and he looked pretty decent.

I guess the biggest surprise is it wasn’t Breida getting those shotgun snaps, but Gaskin. That one was a head scratcher, but I don’t think Gaskin did anything to play himself out of reps.

Baker was up and down. He almost made two superhero stops around the goal line, but as you pointed out, got lost in coverage a few times and had the personal fouls.

Another positive was outside of Baker, Miami played pretty penalty free football. Which, starting almost a brand new offensive line, starting two new corners in Igbo and Jones, and having no preseason, bodes well for the line and the job Flores did in preparing them to play.

Not sure if Miami matches up any better with Buffalo. The Josh Allen Rodeo is something they’ve struggled to control the last couple of years.
I like Gaskin, since his days at Washington, but Breida’s the most talented RB on this roster, and it’s not close. Gaskin certainly has the edge in the passing game, so getting some run in Spread and/or on 3rd down makes sense, but Breida should be getting more touches.

I can’t figure it out. Part of me wonders if they’re trying to get him signed to an extension first ... but that’s likely grasping at straws. By mid-season, I think he’s our guy.
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
I like Gaskin, since his days at Washington, but Breida’s the most talented RB on this roster, and it’s not close. Gaskin certainly has the edge in the passing game, so getting some run in Spread and/or on 3rd down makes sense, but Breida should be getting more touches.

I can’t figure it out. Part of me wonders if they’re trying to get him signed to an extension first ... but that’s likely grasping at straws. By mid-season, I think he’s our guy.
I was very surprised week 1 but I’m becoming less surprised because Gaskin has looked pretty good. Jordan Howard looks like a goal line back/corpse.

I agree that I think Brieda has the most talent out of the 3, but Gaskin hasn’t played himself out of the reps and no one has outplayed him yet.
 

Silverdude2167

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 9, 2006
4,681
Amstredam

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
Well that stat does not mean he tackled anyone, so your opinion and the stat can both be riight
True. Van Noy has been a mixed bag so far, IMO. He’s been dealing with a thumb injury, so that might explain some of his issues regarding run defense.
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
Another week, another disappointing loss to a future playoff team.

Miami switched roles this week. Their offense has been playing well and carrying the defense for the first three weeks, but today, outside of a horrible collapse at the end of the first half, Miami held the hottest offense in the league in check.

The offense stalled in the red zone repeatedly, and Flores played it surprisingly conservatively on fourth down, opting to take field goals on several fourth and shorts and tempting fate giving the ball back to Russell Wilson.

We’re also ¼ of the way through the season, so it a good time to reflect on what we’ve seen so far:

Offense
Line play a huge positive sign. Jackson and Kindley look like keepers.

Gaskin continues to be good enough and they’ve started sprinkling in more Brieda. Jordan Howard is Miami’s LaGarrette Blount.

Fitz continues to be good enough, and is not the reason Miami is 1-3, although one of his picks was classic Fitztragic.

Defense

Xavien Howard is starting to look like himself again. That pick on Metcalf in the end zone was vintage Howard. If Jones can get back next week, that takes some of the heat of Igbo, who again was torched badly at the end of the first half.

Defense continues to struggle stopping the run and generating QB pressure. Ogbah and Lawson showed up at different points in today’s game.

No idea what Elandon Roberts looked like in training camp to convince the coaching staff to trade away Raekwon McMillan, but I sure hope it wasn’t this. Miami is missing a true 3 down MLB that can play both the run and the pass well.
 

BigSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
May 31, 2007
47,083
Another week, another disappointing loss to a future playoff team.

Miami switched roles this week. Their offense has been playing well and carrying the defense for the first three weeks, but today, outside of a horrible collapse at the end of the first half, Miami held the hottest offense in the league in check.

The offense stalled in the red zone repeatedly, and Flores played it surprisingly conservatively on fourth down, opting to take field goals on several fourth and shorts and tempting fate giving the ball back to Russell Wilson.

We’re also ¼ of the way through the season, so it a good time to reflect on what we’ve seen so far:

Offense
Line play a huge positive sign. Jackson and Kindley look like keepers.

Gaskin continues to be good enough and they’ve started sprinkling in more Brieda. Jordan Howard is Miami’s LaGarrette Blount.

Fitz continues to be good enough, and is not the reason Miami is 1-3, although one of his picks was classic Fitztragic.

Defense

Xavien Howard is starting to look like himself again. That pick on Metcalf in the end zone was vintage Howard. If Jones can get back next week, that takes some of the heat of Igbo, who again was torched badly at the end of the first half.

Defense continues to struggle stopping the run and generating QB pressure. Ogbah and Lawson showed up at different points in today’s game.

No idea what Elandon Roberts looked like in training camp to convince the coaching staff to trade away Raekwon McMillan, but I sure hope it wasn’t this. Miami is missing a true 3 down MLB that can play both the run and the pass well.
Houston 0-4. You guys get their first 2 picks this year. That is going to be insane value coming back. Realistically, Dolphins fans should look for team to lose as much as possible this year. Then, you’ve got Tua ready to go with a ton of draft capital coming in.
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
Houston 0-4. You guys get their first 2 picks this year. That is going to be insane value coming back. Realistically, Dolphins fans should look for team to lose as much as possible this year. Then, you’ve got Tua ready to go with a ton of draft capital coming in.
I would be lying if I said I hadn’t been peeking at Houston’s schedule. They have the Lions, Jags x2 which look like winnable games. Coin flip on the Bears and Colts.

Either way, they don’t look good and Miami may have two top ten picks in the upcoming draft in the first and second rounds.

Also, I think Miami is exactly what their record is. They have had a tough start to the season against 3 good teams, but they didn’t embarrass themselves in any of the games (think Baltimore last year) and were competitive against one of the best teams in football yesterday. Obviously a moral victory more than anything, but I think any reasonable person would have predicted Miami to be 1-3 looking at their opponents.

They have San Fran and Denver, which no longer look as daunting as it once did. The next two weeks will be telling.
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
Added a poll to the thread, since most of Miami’s season revolves around if and when Tua starts in 2020.

I’m still of the opinion he doesn’t come in until one of the Jets games, most likely the one after the bye week.

Remaining schedule would be Jets, Bengals, Chiefs, Pats, Raiders, Buffalo. He would see every division opponent once, and have a few winnable games in the Jets and Bengals lined up before going Chiefs and Pats back to back at home.
 

rymflaherty

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2010
3,420
Norfolk
Yesterday was only deflating to me because I thought they behaved like a stupid team.

Specifically kicking the 5th field goal. And really, the 3rd down run if they weren't planning on it being 4 downs to get a first.

You run through every potential scenario and score moving forward and the only scenario that the FG benefits is if you immediately stop Seattle...and even within that scenario it’s a questionable decision, because if you have that much faith in your defense, why not go for it and worst case you have them pinned deep?
It didn’t make sense to me...still doesn’t. You cut it to 2 instead of 5. Great... If Seattle gets a Fg you need a TD either way. Seattle gets a TD, it’s a two score game either way.
Just typing this is making me upset again.

I know this team still has a ways to go in terms of talent, so being competitive and losing to a team like Seattle is fine...but I was starting to take pride in, and feel good about the team, because they had been behaving like a smart team (for lack of better word) and yesterday, in my estimation, that was not the case.
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
Yesterday was only deflating to me because I thought they behaved like a stupid team.

Specifically kicking the 5th field goal. And really, the 3rd down run if they weren't planning on it being 4 downs to get a first.

You run through every potential scenario and score moving forward and the only scenario that the FG benefits is if you immediately stop Seattle...and even within that scenario it’s a questionable decision, because if you have that much faith in your defense, why not go for it and worst case you have them pinned deep?
It didn’t make sense to me...still doesn’t. You cut it to 2 instead of 5. Great... If Seattle gets a Fg you need a TD either way. Seattle gets a TD, it’s a two score game either way.
Just typing this is making me upset again.

I know this team still has a ways to go in terms of talent, so being competitive and losing to a team like Seattle is fine...but I was starting to take pride in, and feel good about the team, because they had been behaving like a smart team (for lack of better word) and yesterday, in my estimation, that was not the case.
Flores suddenly playing conservative at home against a team they were outgunned against seemed very odd. You pointed it out perfectly, why in the world are you calling that run on third if the plan wasn’t to go for it on fourth down?

It seemed like the gamelan was try and keep it close and see if they can steal it at the end, but they were always playing with fire there. It felt like they played not to lose, instead of playing to win, and that’s the first time I believe I’ve seen that out of Flores.

Obviously they’ve lost plenty with Flores but he seems to err on the side of aggressively trying to win.
 

E5 Yaz

Transcends message boarding
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 25, 2002
90,014
Oregon
You folks have to be serious excited about the Texans' start
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
You folks have to be serious excited about the Texans' start
Off to a good start, but the Steelers looked like they were circling the drain last year and Minkah raised them from the dead.
 

E5 Yaz

Transcends message boarding
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 25, 2002
90,014
Oregon
Off to a good start, but the Steelers looked like they were circling the drain last year and Minkah raised them from the dead.
The Steelers aren't run and coached by Bill O'Brien
 

rymflaherty

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2010
3,420
Norfolk
Flores suddenly playing conservative at home against a team they were outgunned against seemed very odd. You pointed it out perfectly, why in the world are you calling that run on third if the plan wasn’t to go for it on fourth down?

It seemed like the gamelan was try and keep it close and see if they can steal it at the end, but they were always playing with fire there. It felt like they played not to lose, instead of playing to win, and that’s the first time I believe I’ve seen that out of Flores.

Obviously they’ve lost plenty with Flores but he seems to err on the side of aggressively trying to win.
Reading the bolded, looking back, it certainly did seem that way. Maybe that’s why I reacted the way I did than, because while I was watching that play out, to me, 4 minutes left (or whatever it was) was the end. That was the chance to steal it.
I didn’t like them settling for FG’s, but I understood in those instances. In that regard the plan actually had worked.

Maybe it’s not a big deal though long term, because if Flores is the coach I had believed him to be, he’s likely thinking the same thing today and kicking himself.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

posts way less than 18% useful shit
SoSH Member
Nov 17, 2010
14,425
And boom goes the Dolphin’s dynamite. I actually think this is good for Houston and subsequently bad for Miami.
If Houston is run competently, it should be good for the Dolphins. If they were smart, theyd auction off anything not named Deshaun Watson and go from there.

That literally just worked for Miami. Hell, even trade Watson. Tank, get Miami the #1 pick, and then buy it back from them with all the picks they got from trading Watson, Fullee, Tunsil, etc.

Miami isnt gonna need the #1 with Tua. They can cleanup (again) thanks to Houston. And at least Houston gets a reset with Trevor.
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
If Houston is run competently, it should be good for the Dolphins. If they were smart, theyd auction off anything not named Deshaun Watson and go from there.

That literally just worked for Miami. Hell, even trade Watson. Tank, get Miami the #1 pick, and then buy it back from them with all the picks they got from trading Watson, Fullee, Tunsil, etc.

Miami isnt gonna need the #1 with Tua. They can cleanup (again) thanks to Houston. And at least Houston gets a reset with Trevor.
Lol the incompetence of that sequence of events would be staggering. Not saying you’re wrong in your thinking, but imagine drafting and signing your franchise guy and completely squandering it that badly.

I don’t know where Houston goes from here because they’ve dug themselves into such a deep hole from a draft capital standpoint. They’re bad this year, will likely be bad next year due to them not having their first and second rounders, and you’ve now wasted an additional two years of Watson’s prime staring down a rebuild.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

posts way less than 18% useful shit
SoSH Member
Nov 17, 2010
14,425
Lol the incompetence of that sequence of events would be staggering. Not saying you’re wrong in your thinking, but imagine drafting and signing your franchise guy and completely squandering it that badly.

I don’t know where Houston goes from here because they’ve dug themselves into such a deep hole from a draft capital standpoint. They’re bad this year, will likely be bad next year due to them not having their first and second rounders, and you’ve now wasted an additional two years of Watson’s prime staring down a rebuild.
No, that's fair. I just dont know how they dig out of their hole without trading Watson. Their skill players are weak. Their defense is aging and porous. Their line isnt anything special. I suppose keeping Watson and trading away the rest of the team could work IF they hit on the draft picks.

Either way, its stunning what O'Brien did to this team.
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
No, that's fair. I just dont know how they dig out of their hole without trading Watson. Their skill players are weak. Their defense is aging and porous. Their line isnt anything special. I suppose keeping Watson and trading away the rest of the team could work IF they hit on the draft picks.

Either way, its stunning what O'Brien did to this team.
The recent trend of trading away draft picks for established players, somewhat pioneered by Belichick and used by the Rams, only works if the rest of the team is really good and you’re making a Super Bowl push that year. You’re leveraging your future for the present.

Much like most of O’Brien’s strategy, he saw something that worked and then applied it terribly.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

posts way less than 18% useful shit
SoSH Member
Nov 17, 2010
14,425
The recent trend of trading away draft picks for established players, somewhat pioneered by Belichick and used by the Rams, only works if the rest of the team is really good and you’re making a Super Bowl push that year. You’re leveraging your future for the present.

Much like most of O’Brien’s strategy, he saw something that worked and then applied it terribly.
What team in my example would be trading away draft picks for established players? I'm proposing the other side of that deal, and it's one that seems to happen with regularity.

We just saw Tunsil, Jamal Adams, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ngakoue, Stephon Diggs, Buckner, and Khalil Mack get traded for large draft pick hauls. What's stopping the Texans from pushing the button and doing the same?

It certainly seems like teams are willing to trade the draft capital.
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
What team in my example would be trading away draft picks for established players? I'm proposing the other side of that deal, and it's one that seems to happen with regularity.

We just saw Tunsil, Jamal Adams, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ngakoue, Stephon Diggs, Buckner, and Khalil Mack get traded for large draft pick hauls. What's stopping the Texans from pushing the button and doing the same?

It certainly seems like teams are willing to trade the draft capital.
No I’m saying that’s what the Texans did previously in trading for Tunsil, Cooks, and Johnson. You’re correct that they should tear it down and sell everything with value.
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
So the first half went well.

This is the first game where both sides of the ball are playing well.
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
Huge credit to Flores and his staff for having this team ready to go. Cross country road trip. Left Tackle goes on IR. RT to LT. Rookie RT inserted into the lineup. And they dominate.

Best thing I can say about the line is you didn’t hear Davis, Hunt, or Kindley’s name all game. Fantastic job.

Byron Jones>Noah Igbinoghene. Not that that’s breaking news, but the secondary looked much better with Byron back in there. Ogbah has been a beast the last few weeks. Zach Sieler and Andrew Van Ginkle keep flashing.

Timeline changes now with Miami playing the Jets next week and then the bye week.
 
Apr 24, 2019
1,278
Awesome job by Miami. Congrats on a terrific, dominating win. Miami is not a team I’d want to play right now. But I’m a 5’9” dad in my early 50’s, so.
 

swiftaw

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 31, 2009
3,434
I’m been on this ride before. Great performance this week probably means a loss to the Jets next.
 

SeoulSoxFan

I Want to Hit the World with Rocket Punch
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2006
22,089
A Scud Away from Hell
Congrats. That was a beat down. I don't care if the Niners were short-handed. It is very difficult to beat any team by that much, especially on the road.

No, Flores is too good of a coach to let Miami lose to the Jets this Sunday (Phins vs Broncos game was rescheduled due to the Pats/Broncos fiasco).
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
Congrats. That was a beat down. I don't care if the Niners were short-handed. It is very difficult to beat any team by that much, especially on the road.

No, Flores is too good of a coach to let Miami lose to the Jets this Sunday (Phins vs Broncos game was rescheduled due to the Pats/Broncos fiasco).
After reading this, I don’t really recall a Dolphins team under Flores coming out flat and laying an egg like I’m so used to seeing. Sure they’ve been beaten, and beaten badly, but I don’t recall them being totally unprepared or unmotivated or playing without effort.

They should hand the Jets a loss and maybe send Gase to the unemployment line.
 

pdaj

Fantasy Maven
SoSH Member
Dec 15, 2002
3,385
From Springfield to Providence
It's only been a season and about a 1/4 for Flores in Miami, but what we've seen thus far suggests that, like BB, his team will get better as the season goes on. It's certainly happened last year, and we're seeing it now. If that continues, as expected, and the team's health remains relatively stable, things could get interesting. How?

Well, for the sake of this discussion, let's say Miami takes care of the NYJ next week. I think they will. That will leave them 3-3 headed into a Week 7 BYE, which I think is an advantageous schedule change for them.

Then, headed into Week 8, they face the following schedule: Rams (home), Cards, Chargers (home), Broncos, Jets, Bengals (home)

*Note: Always love WC teams coming to Miami. The Rams have been the exception in winning many of these contests.

Is it crazy to think they could take 5 out of 6 of those games and be 8-4 headed into the hardest portion of their schedule? KC, NE, LV, Buffalo.

The recipe: QB ("Good Fitz"), continued strong offensive line, and a tough, patented Flores' defense. Such a combination could lead to an improbable, fun season.

Edit: One possibility that hasn't been talked about, or at least I haven't seen it anywhere ...

What if Miami, as a team, continues to get better and manages to win games despite inconsistency from Fitzpatrick? Now, around Week 10-ish, could Tua be considered as part of a playoff push? Sure, a lot would have to happen, but I don't think the scenario is entirely impossible.
 
Last edited:

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
View: https://twitter.com/jason_otc/status/1316006564252221440?s=21


Interesting tweet showing scoring performance relative to strength of schedule. Miami lumped into the grouping that includes Tampa, Seattle, Buffalo, Green Bay and KC.

Kinda of what the eye test suggest that Miami has played pretty well on both sides of the ball for most of the season against some tough opponents.

Regarding Miami’s upcoming schedule, I think 5-1 is a bit optimistic. I see Chargers and Broncos as coin flip games. Rams I see as a loss. Jets, Bengals, and Cards I’d lean W.

Tough to call with so many unknown variables with health and scheduling, but it isn’t impossible to think they can be “in the Hunt” before they stare down the end of their schedule.
 

BigSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
May 31, 2007
47,083
View: https://twitter.com/jason_otc/status/1316006564252221440?s=21


Interesting tweet showing scoring performance relative to strength of schedule. Miami lumped into the grouping that includes Tampa, Seattle, Buffalo, Green Bay and KC.

Kinda of what the eye test suggest that Miami has played pretty well on both sides of the ball for most of the season against some tough opponents.

Regarding Miami’s upcoming schedule, I think 5-1 is a bit optimistic. I see Chargers and Broncos as coin flip games. Rams I see as a loss. Jets, Bengals, and Cards I’d lean W.

Tough to call with so many unknown variables with health and scheduling, but it isn’t impossible to think they can be “in the Hunt” before they stare down the end of their schedule.
Lol, Jets