Dolphins show no heart in embarrassing loss to winless Bucs
What I liked
– Rishard Matthews – The Dolphins 7th round pick from 2012 had a career game on Monday Night. He caught 11 balls for 120 yards and 2 TDs. He worked the middle of the field brilliantly and proved that he is more than capable of filling in for Brandon Gibson.
– 3rd Quarter Intensity – After halftime, the Dolphins played the way I expected them to play. Too bad they limited it to only 1 quarter. They scored 12 points in the quarter and held the Bucs scoreless. Where was this energy and efficiency the rest of the game?
– Jimmy Wilson’s INT – The Dolphins defense finally created the big turnover they needed. Unfortunately, the offense couldn’t do anything when they were handed the ball at the Bucs 7 yard line. Nice play by Wilson on the interception and run back.
– Ryan Tannehill – Tannehill finished 27 of 42 for 229 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT for a QB rating of 84. His INT was a desperate throw to Mike Wallace on 4th and 28. If you take that ill fated attempt out, his QB rating would’ve been 94. He still needs to do a better job with pocket presence and accuracy. But, he also needs some help from his teammates. Doubts about his long term potential are creeping into my mind, which I’m not happy about. But it’s just hard to truly judge his play when he’s getting no help from the running game, his line, and his receivers.
What I didn’t like
– Running Game – The Dolphins running game accounted for a TOTAL of 2 yards. TWO FREAKING YARDS. Daniel Thomas rushed for -2 yards on 4 carries. Lamar Miller rushed for 2 yards on 7 carries. This was the worst rushing performance I have ever seen ON ANY LEVEL OF FOOTBALL.
– Offensive Line – The Dolphins were without Incognito and Martin (just like most of last week’s game), so we knew this might be a problem. They didn’t give up any sacks until the final drive of the game, at which point they decided to get into their stance, stand up, and simply yell “O-LEY”. But the offensive line created no holes for the running game….like, at all. Dolphins running backs were hit at or behind the line of scrimmage on 12 of their 14 runs. FYI – that isn’t good.
– Mike Wallace – I’ve seen enough. I was wrong. (waves white flag). He’s simply not a #1 wide receiver. Early in the game, he beats Revis on a fly pattern up the sideline…Tannehill’s throw leads him toward the sideline (a little too much, but still catchable)….and he does nothing to drag his feet to even try to stay in bounds. On Tannehill’s interception, he also showed no heart or effort to make an attempt to jump for the ball. $60 million for this? FOR THIS??
– Ellerbe and Wheeler – The Dolphins ‘new and improved’ linebackers were awful last night. Missing tackles, getting beat in coverage….which reminds me: Tell me again why Phillip Wheeler was covering Pro Bowler Vincent Jackson on more than 1 occassion?
– Coaching – Where do I start? Philbin going for 2 in the 3rd quarter? The Sherminator reverting to his abandonment of the running game because the plays he did call were as creative as an accountant? Seriously, if I see one more ‘stretch’ running play, I’m going to throw my remote through the TV. By the way, HAS ANYONE SEEN DION JORDAN? Why does this coaching staff refuse to play the #3 pick in the draft more than a handful of plays?
As the NFL’s investigation digs into the “Bully-gate” situation Coach Philbin, The Sherminator, and Jeff Ireland should all be polishing up their resumes because I ultimately think that heads will roll.
– Jon Gruden – I like Gruden, but listening to him pronounce Ryan Tannehill’s name is like hearing nails on a chalk board. It’s supposed to be pronounced “Tan-uh-hill” and he pronounces it “Tan-EE-hill”. I muted the game for the 2nd and 3rd quarters. (continued on page 3, CLICK HERE)