Author: Bill

Dolphins passing attack heating up, using multiple WR sets with success

Dec. 05 News and Notes

By Matthew C. (@PhinManiacs on Twitter)

The Dolphins employed 13 different personnel groups throughout the game on Sunday and ran a total of 81 plays. In the first half, they ran 52 plays and had 34 passing plays and 18 running plays. In the second half, they ran 29 plays and had 13 passing plays and 16 running plays. As you can see, it was much more balanced in the last half of the game. For the game total, there were 47 passing plays and 34 running plays. Obviously, the Dolphins would like more overall balance throughout the entire game.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Their two favorite formations were 4WR, 0TE, 1RB along with 3WR, 1TE, 1RB. Both formations were used 19 times each throughout the game. Their third favorite formation was 2WR, 2TE, 1RB, which was used 16 times throughout the game.

They ran the ball 15 times to the left, 12 times to the right, and 7 times up the middle. This shows balance between the left and right side, but seems that they don’t like to run it up the middle a whole lot.

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Dolphins can shed the mediocre label with a win on Sunday

Dec. 04 Opinion

By Cyrus (@cyruslassus)

The Miami Dolphins are 6-6 and tied for the last playoff berth in the AFC.  With four weeks to go in the season, it is an excellent position to be in.  It is understandable that a lot of fans are afraid to get excited because they have been let down before, but there is legitimate Super Bowl hope in 2013.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Yes, I said it.

The team must continue to take it one game at a time, but do you have any idea what happens if they win in Pittsburgh?

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Breaking down the Dolphins playoff chances and possibilities

Dec. 03 News and Notes

The Miami Dolphins took their first step towards making a late season push for a playoff berth in the AFC.  The Dolphins win on Sunday over the Jets was good for a number of reasons.  First, it was a win over the Jets, whom we all hate, which is always good.  Second, it was the Dolphins first win in the AFC East making them 1-2, and also gave them the head to head edge over the Jets.  Third, it was a win against an AFC team, making them 5-3 in such games.  That last point is important and we’ll get to why later on in this post.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

So now that all of the games in week 13 are completed, the Dolphins and Ravens are tied for the 6th and final playoff spot at 6-6.  The Ravens hold the tie breaker over the Dolphins, so the Dolphins will need to either finish a game better than the Ravens if just the 2 of them are in contention for the last spot OR they need a 3rd team (other than the Jets) to get involved in tie-breaking proceedings.

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Dolphins very much alive in playoff race after dominating Jets 23-3

Dec. 02 News and Notes

The Miami Dolphins were facing what was essentially a playoff game on Sunday when they headed to the Meadowlands to take on the reeling Jets.  The Dolphins responded and completely dominated the Jets from start to finish.  Yes, the Dolphins bumbled their way through a frustrating first half, but still took a 6-0 lead into the half.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

At the half, the Dolphins had outgained the Jets 265 to 39, in terms of yardage.  They also had 16 first downs in the first half, compared to 2 first downs by the Jets.  They were dominating the game in every way, except for the scoreboard.  After the half, the Dolphins came out and took control on the scoreboard, where it matters most.  The Dolphins moved the ball all day against the Jets defense, through the air and on the ground.

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Pitiful Picks: Can the Dolphins stay alive in the playoff chase?

Dec. 01 Pitiful Picks

Today, the Miami Dolphins have what amounts to essentially an elimination game versus the Jets at Met Life Stadium in New Jersey.  If they can win, we can talk about playoffs and the chances of them getting in.  If they lose, we may well be headed for yet another 7-9 season.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

This is going to be a quick version of our picks, but since we finally got over the .500 mark (27-26) on the season, we needed to get these in!

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Dolphins must change or changes will be made

Nov. 30 Opinion

 

By Miami Jules (@Miami_Jules)

The Miami Dolphins will be facing yet another crucial game this week, and as we look forward to the game, I thought I’d take a long hard look at: How I feel about the team going into the game; What they must do to win; and stay on the winning path to glory.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

I’ll Be Rooting The Phins on

Week after week, no matter who the Dolphins face, my heart, voice and body language will be saying GO Phins! There will be voices stemming from the intellectual and analytical side of my brain that will ever so quietly remind me not to dismiss bazaar and inexplicable behavior from the offensive coordinator’s box. These voices will remind me that in spite of the players’ most heroic efforts, as they sacrifice life, limb, their post-football quality of life, there could be a departure at anytime (usually in the 2nd half) from what has worked and almost like a sleepwalker walks off a roof, the Dolphins will go back to what lost each games for them in the past.  This happens no matter how well the game has been planned for by the coaching staff and how well this plan has been executed right down to each play by our gridiron heroes.

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Dolphins Game Plan: Quick passing game will be key

Nov. 30 Dolphins Gameplan

 

By Cyrus (@Cyruslassus)

The Miami Dolphins will be without their best pass blocking running back in Daniel Thomas and it will force them to make adjustments as they prepare to face a heavy blitzing Jets team.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

The team did not sign a running back, which is either a sign of apathy or a vote of confidence for the guys in the locker room.  I have to believe that it is the latter because Joe Philbin has some intriguing offensive weapons at his disposal that have yet to be truly unleashed.

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Pitiful Picks: The Happy Thanksgiving edition

Nov. 28 Pitiful Picks

While the Miami Dolphins continue to prepare for their HUGE matchup with the Jets on Sunday, the rest of us get to sit at home, watch some football, eat some turkey and stuffing, drink some beverages, and spend time with family and friends.  While watching some football, we need to have some rooting interests, right?

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

So we’re bringing you a special edition of Pitiful Picks for the Thanksgiving Day games.  We’re 24-26 on the season after losing 3 of 5 last weekend.   We would like to get over .500 at some point this season!  So here we go!

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Could CFL MVP Kory Sheets return to the Dolphins?

Nov. 28 Opinion

By Cyrus (@cyruslassus)

The Canadian Football League has already given the Miami Dolphins Cameron Wake and now, with Daniel Thomas out for the year, it could provide the team with another star player.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Two years ago the Miami Dolphins released running back Kory Sheets and in that time he has rushed for 2,833 yards, at 5.6 yards per carry,  added 783 receiving yards at 9.2 yards per catch, and scored 25 touchdowns.  Just yesterday, he won the Grey Cup thanks to a record breaking 197 yard and 2 touchdown performance that earned him the MVP trophy.
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Dolphins coaching mistakes have lost games, playoff positioning

Nov. 27 Opinion

Dolphins fans, if you are a defender or fan of Joe Philbin, you might just want to move on to the next post on PhinNation.com.  When Joe Philbin was hired, I hoped that he would bring an exciting offense (and QB) that we saw him develop in Green Bay.  Unfortunately, the Dolphins offense has been less than stellar.  In fact, after over a year and a half in Miami, the Dolphins Philbin/Sherman offense is ranked 28th in the NFL.  That wouldn’t be so terrible if the NFL had 100 teams, but since there are only 32 teams, 28th isn’t very good…..at all.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

I’ve been wanting to write this article for a while, but due to a very hectic couple of weeks, I haven’t had time.  Well today, I do.  Let’s just put aside the fact that Jeff Ireland is not very good at GM’ing and the players are not developing at all under this coaching staff (in fact, some are regressing).   The Dolphins coaches, mainly Philbin and Sherman, have cost the Dolphins games.  And when the Dolphins are tied with 5 other teams for the last wild card spot at 5-6, even turning 2 of those games around would put them in a great position to make the playoffs.  Again, I fully understand that the players must play the game.  BUT, it is the coaches job’s to put them in the best position to win.  And right now, I have zero confidence that Philbin’s coaching staff is doing that.

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