Riding the Train: the 2013 Miami Dolphins

[CouchsideSteve]

Loved the aggressive call to go for it on 4th and 5, plus a huge effort by Clay.

Big takeaways for me: the continued maturation of Tannehill and the strong play of our receiving corps. Huge plays down the stretch by Wallace, Matthews and Hartline.

I'm trying to check my excitement, but daaaaamn that felt good!

 

[pdaj]

Update: Grimes says his issue today was just cramping. Thank F'n God.

 

[pdaj]

Loved the aggressive call to go for it on 4 th and 5, plus a huge effort by Clay.

Big takeaways for me: the continued maturation of Tannehill and the strong play of our receiving corps. Huge plays down the stretch by Wallace, Matthews and Hartline.

I'm trying to check my excitement, but daaaaamn that felt good!

 
Simms/Nantz seemed clueless as times calling this came. Carroll was forced back onto the field (knee injury) after Grimes went out, leaving a gimpy Carroll, Jimmy Wilson, Will Davis, and Michael Thomas to defend the passing game. Had the Dolphins punted the ball, they weren't going to get it back. 
 
It always feels good when a game ends with a Tom Brady interception. 

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Great win for the Phins. The Philbin call was as critical as any other play in the game I thought. 
 
The point about Ghost getting Tanny to relax with that KO out of bounds is right on pdaj.

 

[pdaj]

Great win for the Phins. The Philbin call was as critical as any other play in the game I thought. 
 
The point about Ghost getting Tanny to relax with that KO out of bounds is right on pdaj.

 
Thanks, SSF. Yeah, it can't be overstated how big that kick OOB was. Suddenly a tied game was 30 yards away.
 
In speaking of Philbin's aggressive play call, I was surprised to see BB opt for the FG down 17-10 on 4th and 2 from the 5 or 6. I think the decision really let the Miami defense off the hook. Even if you don't convert, you have Miami pinned back -- and you saw what that looks like earlier in the game. 

 

[dwainw]

I hope this really does end up being a "coming of age" game for Tannehill as several commentators redundantly pointed out after the game. 

One interesting play was one of the deep balls thrown to Wallace (I think it was the last one) that, surprise surprise, fell short.  Except that the only reason it fell short was that it was slightly tipped at the line.  The tip took a few yards off the ball, which very likely would have ended up as a TD for Wallace.  The point being, Tannehill didn't actually underthrow it to Wallace.  That's a good sign.

I keep replaying the last play of the game in my head.  It's the exact opposite of the play that kept replaying in my head right before that.  Like pretty much every other human watching the game, I didn't see any way Brady wasn't going to throw a TD there, AT ALL.  With the secondary in as "scary" a condition as it was, how could you think otherwise?  All the sweeter.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

The o-line played great, especially in the second half. Its amazing given all the turnover. The Pats D sucks generally but it was still nice to see them go down the field in the 4Q. My one complaint, I hate when they go no back on third down. It almost never works as the opposition automatically zone blitzes and Tannehill's passes either get deflected or he gets sacked. every time. i will give kudos to the play calling in the red zone. very creative, both TDs were specialty plays we hadn't really seen before. got isolations on slow LBs with backs out of the backfield.
 
the secondary in the second half and especially the 4th quarter was a joke. literally guys who had either never played or never played for miami. i still don;t know what happened on some of those plays, want to watch it again. 
 
happy for the team. cannot let down vs buffalo on the road.

 

[sodenj5]

With the Cincy loss, Miami now officially controls their own destiny. If they win out, they are in.

From user miamifinz at Finheaven:

Yes it does. Cincy loses tonight (looks that way) they're 9-5
Ravens win tomorrow they're 8-6
Cincy and Ravens win next week they're 10-5 and 9-6 respectively.
If Cincy beats the ravens the ravens finish 9-7 and have a worse record than us giving us the 6th seed assuming we win out.
If Ravens beat Cincy they both finish 10-6 the Ravens hold the tiebreaker to win the division. Since we beat Cincy in the regular season we clinch 6th seed.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

Michael thomas is a safety who never even practiced with the defense before the game. he was signed to play special teams. after the three guys got hurt in the 4Q, he not only had to play, but had to play CB! Pats went after him twice in the last four plays, once when they isolated amendola 1x1 with him. 
 
ridiculous.

 

[sodenj5]

Michael thomas is a safety who never even practiced with the defense before the game. he was signed to play special teams. after the three guys got hurt in the 4Q, he not only had to play, but had to play CB! Pats went after him twice in the last four plays, once when they isolated amendola 1x1 with him. 
 
ridiculous.

I believe Nantz and Simms were talking about Thomas after the pick. They said something along the lines of, the Niners didn't want him to leave, and they bumped up his salary 3K per week, but still signed with the Fins. He made 2 huge plays with the game in the line. Even if he contributes nothing more, the signing was well worth it.

Still settling in to the fact that this team really has a legit shot at the playoffs. Unreal after all that had gone down this season.

Also crazy that now we root FOR the Ravens. If the beat NE next week, Miami has a shot at the division.

 

[pdaj]

With the Cincy loss, Miami now officially controls their own destiny. If they win out, they are in.

From user miamifinz at Finheaven:
 

 
Come on, you didn't know this already? ;-) Great day for the Fins yesterday.
 
 

Michael thomas is a safety who never even practiced with the defense before the game. he was signed to play special teams. after the three guys got hurt in the 4Q, he not only had to play, but had to play CB! Pats went after him twice in the last four plays, once when they isolated amendola 1x1 with him. 
 
ridiculous.

 
What a great story. More details provided on MMQ:
 
http://mmqb.si.com/2013/12/16/nfl-week-15-monday-morning-quarterback/
 

Last Monday morning, San Francisco practice squad safety Michael Thomas was sleeping in on a victory Monday for the Niners. A day off, other than getting a lift and a workout in at some point during the day. At 10:20 a.m., late for Thomas, he finally paid attention to the vibrating phone and sat up. He’d missed four calls from his agent, Christina Phillips, and a text that said, “WAKE UP! There’s a team that wants you. If you don’t wake up soon they’re going to move on.”

 

[pdaj]

Also crazy that now we root FOR the Ravens. If the beat NE next week, Miami has a shot at the division.

 
Sure, anything can happen; but I just don't see NE losing to Buffalo at home with the division on the line. That storyline ended when they miracle at Cleveland happened. Just makes the losses to the Bills, Ravens, and Bucs that much more painful.

 

[sodenj5]

 
Come on, you didn't know this already? ;-) Great day for Fins yesterday.
 

Crazy that Miami might make the playoffs by virtue of an OT safety.

 

[dwainw]

Michael thomas is a safety who never even practiced with the defense before the game. he was signed to play special teams. after the three guys got hurt in the 4Q, he not only had to play, but had to play CB! Pats went after him twice in the last four plays, once when they isolated amendola 1x1 with him. 
 
ridiculous.

Watching him get so emotional at the end of the game was pretty cool.  I thought the play he made prior to the interception was much more impressive.  He had pretty decent coverage but got beat by the throw.  He stayed with it all the way through, though, and knocked it free.
 

With the Cincy loss, Miami now officially controls their own destiny. If they win out, they are in.

To be in this position at this point, all things considered, is amazing.  Next week at Buffalo will not be easy, but what a relief that they don't have to rely on other teams.

 

[Red PR]

A great W yesterday for this team. I must admit with the whole Bullygate fiasco I thought Philbin did not have pulse on this team. Boy was I wrong. Nothing short of coach of the year efforts these last few weeks. Also props for Ireland picking up Thomas from SF practice squad (and Mc Kinnie). They truly went from the brink, last straw, to my opinion feel good story (at least for fin fans)  in the NFL now

 

[pdaj]

There's a few well-known pundits picking against Miami tomorrow. Buffalo on the road is always a tough game; plus, the weather will be shitty. But a true playoff team doesn't drop a second game to Thad Lewis. I'm hoping for an easy win for a change. My heart could use it. 

 

[Clears Cleaver]

I'm with you. No Stevie Johnson either. Not sure who is going to play for Miami defensively. Hopefully the revamped line can block someone.

They can both clinch a playoff spot and be eliminated today depending on what happens. Or nothing could be decided. I just want to see a complete game, no stupid TOs, etc

 

[sodenj5]

There's a few well-known pundits picking against Miami tomorrow. Buffalo on the road is always a tough game; plus, the weather will be shitty. But a true playoff team doesn't drop a second game to Thad Lewis. I'm hoping for an easy win for a change. My heart could use it. 

Agreed. If Miami is to be taken seriously, they can't let Thad Lewis beat them twice. No Stevie Johnson either.

Hopefully this is a solid division road game W, and we can turn our focus to NE v BAL.

 

[pdaj]

I'm with you. No Stevie Johnson either. Not sure who is going to play for Miami defensively. Hopefully the revamped line can block someone.

They can both clinch a playoff spot and be eliminated today depending on what happens. Or nothing could be decided. I just want to see a complete game, no stupid TOs, etc

 
How much has this new line truly improved? McKinney's been with the team now for 8 games, Brenner's heading into his 5th game as a starter, and Clabo's performed like we all expected he would when signed since re-entering the starting group in Week 9. I think today's game will be as good of indication as any. Miami has to run the ball with some success and keep Tannehill upright. If he's pressured/dropped often, I'm worried the turnovers will follow.
 
Just win, baby.

 

[sodenj5]

Crap, the line can't stop the Buffalo pass rush yet.

 

[pdaj]

Hartline's got to make that catch. Miami's offense sputtering early.

 

[pdaj]

Not sure why Sherman hasn't used any read option yet -- the Bills are really crashing down on any handoff to Miller/Thomas. Play calling has been as predictable as fuck thus far. No play-action, no read-option, and no screens.

 

[sodenj5]

Unreal. They're getting eaten alive on the offensive line. Brenner getting routinely manhandled.

 

[sodenj5]

Not sure why Sherman hasn't used any read option yet -- the Bills are really crashing down on any handoff to Miller/Thomas. Play calling has been as predictable as fuck thus far.

 
 
I've seen it a few times, Buffalo has defended it pretty well.

 

[sodenj5]

What an absolute fucking let down this game is right now. Miami playing like complete shit.

 

[SMU_Sox]

 

Yeah... well I think the key is that BUF has a mean front 7 that, in theory, shoukd really kill MIA. I feel like MIA is heading into a bad matchup but because they've had a few good games strung together their bandwagon is going strong. Hopefully they win by less than 9. Just a feeling based on the numbers and the matchup that MIA takes a loss here or barely wins.

 

 
 
Posted from the gambling forum. I haven't watched the game but my general take on it was BUF would win the battle on both lines of scrimmage and especially against MIA's offensive line. On the other side of the equation BUF should be able to run the ball well with their O-Line and MIA struggles against the run. The JM Keys for me were if BUF could get their pass game going just enough to score some points and if MIA could hold up against the BUF pass rush. So what's happened? Was my take somewhat on the mark? It's not rocket science but you guys were getting -3 so while my take wasn't ingenious it didn't align with Miami being favored.

 

[pdaj]

What an absolute fucking let down this game is right now. Miami playing like complete shit.

 
Out-coached and out-played in the first half. No doubt about it.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

Total embarrassment all game. These guys are so mentally and physically soft sometimes. Tannehill has not been good, especially in calling protections, but he has gotten zero help. 10 points is probably enough unless the D scores

 

[pdaj]

Too much to be disgusted about in this game. Wheeler's stupid-as-fuck penalty after the unit forced a 4th down inside the 10. And the front 7 getting their ass whooped on obvious running downs. 
 
Edit: Let's see how many more drops Hartline can muster before this one's over.

 

[sodenj5]

HAHAHAHAHA and Tannehill is hurt. FUCK THIS GAME.

 

[pdaj]

HAHAHAHAHA and Tannehill is hurt. FUCK THIS GAME.

 
I'm surprised he's lasted this long into the season.

 

[pdaj]

 
I'm surprised he's lasted this long into the season.

 
What a throw by Moore -- possibly the best backup in the league. We could use a change of pace, gun-slinger mentality in this one.
 
Edit: Picked off! Haha, spoke too soon. Worst. Game. Ever.

 

[sodenj5]

What an absolute disgrace of a game. I seriously hope Miami gets eliminated tonight after this shit. 

 

[CaptainLaddie]

edit: never mind

 

[Clears Cleaver]

I hope they get eliminated and no one shows up next week. Not that that's a big change from any normal Sunday. But like zero fans

 

[pdaj]

Mike Sherman has to be on the hot seat. Even before this game, the Dolphins ranked 24th in offense this year. And the previous year was worse.

 

[jsinger121]

The 2013 Miami Dolphins: Riding the train right out of the playoff race

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Mike Sherman has to be on the hot seat. Even before this game, the Dolphins ranked 24th in offense this year. And the previous year was worse.

 
Jeff Ireland may also be gone if Miami doesn't make the PO. 
 
Also, if you're Mike Sherman, how the hell do you not adjust to Robey blitzing over and over again? 

 

[sodenj5]

Siiiiigh. Dolphins still very much alive. I suspect this is only to string out the agony one more week. Is there any chance Ryan reviews the tape from the Buffalo game and doesn't send a constant stream of blitzes?

That game was a perfect shitstorm. Bills D line absolutely manhandled Miami's O line. Need to quickly move on and be ready for the Jets game.

 

[Oil Can Dan]

If Miami wins next week are they in the playoffs?

 

[Mystic Merlin]

Yes, unless SD loses and BAL wins.
 
They lose a H2H tie with BAL, but they win a 3-way tie at 9-7.

 

[Oil Can Dan]

Thanks

 

[dwainw]

 Is there any chance Ryan reviews the tape from the Buffalo game and doesn't send a constant stream of blitzes?

That game was a perfect shitstorm. Bills D line absolutely manhandled Miami's O line.

They are who we thought they were.

It was just an utterly deflating game after thinking they were finally starting to put it all together.  Hell, the team was even starting to have a bit of a "feel good" aura about it.  Certainly some of the media were trying to frame it that way.  Now I'm not sure how much I care if they make the playoffs.  They've got some real interesting and tough decisions ahead of them at this point, at all levels of the organization.  Next week's game just feels to me like the platform from which next year starts.

 

[rymflaherty]

Siiiiigh. Dolphins still very much alive. I suspect this is only to string out the agony one more week. Is there any chance Ryan reviews the tape from the Buffalo game and doesn't send a constant stream of blitzes?

That game was a perfect shitstorm. Bills D line absolutely manhandled Miami's O line. Need to quickly move on and be ready for the Jets game.

 
That was my thought last night as well after seeing they still have a very real shot.  I now have to use pre-2004 fatalist Red Sox logic with this team.
 
That was one of the most difficult Sunday's in a long while.  I guess much of that is because they did get my hopes up and had me buying into their streak and potential playoff berth.  And like some others mentioned, I'm really not too concerned with tie-breakers because the fact is they lost twice this year to a Thaddeus Lewis led Bills team so they have no one to blame but themselves.
 
To me the positive of yesterday will be if that was the final nail in the coffin for Ireland.
I realize we've seen some improvement from guys like Clay and Vernon, but those victories don't nearly offset the consistent mediocrity.  I'm sorry but I just don;t have faith in a guy that has 5 picks in the first three rounds (last year) and winds up with virtually no on field production to show for it.
The one positive I will say for him is, if they do go in another direction, the team will be in much better shape in 2008.  I just hope it will be someone else now building off what is a decent core.
There's only so many times you can see the same mistakes and not lose confidence.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Is there any chance Ryan reviews the tape from the Buffalo game and doesn't send a constant stream of blitzes?

 
Since Mike Pettine was with the Ravens & Jets since 2002 and under Rex, I say Pettine learned a few things from RR and Ryan has all the tapes he needs already. 

 

[SMU_Sox]

All these words to describe a loss because of a bad matchup. Fundamentally this is a team with a weak O-Line, and a D-line vulnerable to the run. BUF has a strong O-Line and an even stronger D-Line. When your biggest problems are the opponent's biggest strength you're going to have a bad time. The fins are a classic .500 team with studs and duds. Losing to BUF is less surprising than upsetting NE.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

With as much $$ and draft picks invested in the front seven as Miami has, it's ridiculous how poor they are against the run.

Soliai and Starks. Wake. Vernon. Odrick. Wheeler. Jordan. Ellerbee. And get dominated at point of attack

 

[SMU_Sox]

Didn't buy into the Jordan hype. That and remember you're going against a powerful and large BUF OLine. Cordy Glenn looks like he ate Cameron Wake.

 

[sodenj5]

Didn't buy into the Jordan hype. That and remember you're going against a powerful and large BUF OLine. Cordy Glenn looks like he ate Cameron Wake.

 
...Jordan isn't a run stopper. He's a pass rusher/LB that they're trying to play as a 4-3 DE. They've been using him in various roles. I've seen him covering TE's many times. Also, he missed a significant part of the offseason having to finish classes and recover from shoulder surgery. I think it's a bit premature to make any assumptions about Dion Jordan at this point. 

 

[SMU_Sox]

Fair enough. Although if we were bearish on him pre draft I think it's fair to say he hasn't done much to change our minds whether that is due to extenuating circumstances or not. Lane Johnson was available. I never claimed he was a run stopper. He was drafted where he was because he profiled as athletic freak pass rusher. But when you already have an average to above average pass rush and you could use a boost to your T position and a solid RT is sitting there why swing for the fences on the other side of the ball?