Tag: Brian Hartline

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 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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Dolphins Offense is the key to a win over the Bucs

Nov. 11 News and Notes

The Miami Dolphins haven’t played a football game in 11 days and with all of the craziness that the last week has brought, it’s about time!  The Dolphins return to the field tonight to take on the Bucs in Tampa Bay.  The Bucs are 0-8, but if you look at their games and statistics more closely, you’ll see that they will be a tough matchup for the Dolphins.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

The question that everyone is asking is how the Dolphins will respond to all of the drama surrounding the Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin situation.  Will the effects of being under the media microscope hurt the Dolphins ability to focus and play?  Or will the team come out and play as a united team in an ‘us against the world’ moment?  We’ll know after tonight’s game.

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Dolphins WAKE up and pull out win over the Bengals

Nov. 01 News and Notes

The Miami Dolphins took the first step in saving their 2013 season last night.  They also might have taken the first step in saving their head coach’s and general manager’s jobs.   The Dolphins never quit despite blowing a 14 point lead for the second week in a row.  Their defense, which was exhausted from a never-ending 3rd quarter, ultimately made the play that decided the game.  This was a team win…. a win this team can build on…… a win that came on a short week when the team was surrounded by negativity.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

The Dolphins offense moved the ball effectively in the 1st half, running for 142 yards.  They built a 10-3 lead at the half.  Then, with the Bengals driving in the 3rd quarter, Brent Grimes stepped in front of an Andy Dalton pass and took it to the house, giving the Dolphins a 17-3 lead. The problem is that the Bengals drive consumed over 7 minutes of game clock and 14 plays.  After the Grimes TD, the Bengals got the ball right back and the Dolphins defense wilted, allowing a 12 play, 80 yard TD drive.

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Ryan Tannehill is ‘The Answer’ for the Dolphins

Oct. 22 Opinion

Ryan Tannehill’s turnovers cost the Miami Dolphins what was supposed to be the easiest game on the 2013 schedule.  He threw a pick six on the game’s opening possession, an interception in the end zone down 14-0 in the first quarter and then fumbled with the team up a point on a sack that gave the Buffalo Bills possession in field goal range with under three minutes to go.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Eliminate one of those three turnovers and the Miami Dolphins are likely 4-2 and heading up to New England with a chance to take over the division lead.  Yet, I am not mad at him or at the Dolphins coaches.  They have put the ball in his hands and he has shined even when things have not gone his way.

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Blame goes all around in Dolphins embarrassing loss to the Bills 23-21

Oct. 21 News and Notes

The Miami Dolphins had 2 weeks to prepare for the Buffalo Bills. The Dolphins coaches talked at length about making adjustments, changing things schematically, and getting their players healed up during the bye week. That’s right, the Dolphins had 2 full weeks to prepare to face the 2-4 Bills. The Dolphins had 2 weeks to sit at home and figure out how to pass protect and run the football more effectively. The Dolphins talked a lot about how they couldn’t wait to play a division rival. And yet, with 2 weeks to prepare for a sub-par opponent, at home, the Dolphins still managed to play down to the Bills level. And the sad part is, the Dolphins might not have played down to the Bills level….it might just be the Dolphins level.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

The Dolphins fell into a 14-0 hole after Ryan Tannehill threw a pick-6 on the Dolphins opening drive and then the Bills walked down the field and scored a follow up touchdown. The Dolphins would battle back though, limiting the halftime deficit to 17-14. It was 17-7, but Tannehill and the boys marched down the field and put the ball in the end zone when they needed it badly. After the half, the Dolphins defense stepped up and would limit the Bills to only 2 field goals. The offense, however shied away from the running game that had been working all day (4.8 yards per carry).

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All the Dolphins do is score touchdowns

Sep. 28 Opinion

There are a variety of reasons why the Miami Dolphins are number one at red zone scoring efficiency this year with an 87.5% touchdown conversion rate.  The first reason is obvious and Brian Hartline describes it with just two words, “better players”.  Miami’s three scores on the road against the Indianapolis Colts outline are proof of a more explosive line-up.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

A bubble screen pass for an 18-yard touchdown, designed to either side, went to the self-proclaimed fastest man in the NFL, Mike Wallace, who runs a 4.21 40-yard dash.  The most sought after offensive weapon in free agency took his talents to South Beach and is making an impact.

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How can the Dolphins game plan to beat the Saints?

Sep. 25 Opinion

The biggest test for the Miami Dolphins is coming this Monday in New Orleans. The Saints are 3–0,  in reasonably good health and are led by their super bowl winning all-pro QB, who always seems to be on a mission when playing against Miami.  Apparently he hasn’t gotten over how Nick Saban passed him over for Daunte Culpepper. That was the good news, here is the bad news: Our top players on defense are out with injuries and our offensive line struggles continue, and New Orleans has a fairly good defense against the pass and the run. It looks like we have a lot to look forward to doesn’t it?

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

There’s one thing the Saints don’t have, and that’s our own QB, Ryan Tannehill. The set of intangibles qualities this young QB possesses is why I’m not giving up on this game. This game is one more difficult hill the Dolphins must climb, in order to be considered one of the NFL’s best, and they can do it with a smart game plan and a commitment from the players on offense to be disciplined and execute.

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Tannehill leads Dolphins to impressive 27-23 victory over Falcons

Sep. 23 News and Notes

The Miami Dolphins may be the walking wounded right now…..but they’re the 3-0 walking wounded!  The Dolphins lost a number of starters before and during the game on Sunday, but they stuck together and gutted out a win in their home opener.  The Dolphins quickly fell behind 10-0, but Ryan Tannehill lead them on a touchdown drive capped off by a 5 yard Daniel Thomas touchdown run.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

The Falcons battled back and edged out to a 13-7 lead in the 2nd quarter.  BUT, right before the half, the Dolphins moved the ball into field goal range and rookie Caleb Sturgis hit a field goal to send the game into the half 13-10.  Following halftime, the Dolphins got the ball, but Tannehill fumbled when sacked and the Falcons quickly built a 10 point lead after scoring a TD after the turnover.  At 20-10, many Dolphins fans were still hopeful, but doubt began to seep in.

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Pitiful Picks: Can the Dolphins make it 2 in a row?

Sep. 15 Pitiful Picks

The Miami Dolphins started their season off the right way, with a 23-10 victory on NFL Kickoff Weekend.  Unfortunately, we didn’t fair quite as well on Opening Weekend.  We went 1-2 with a push in the 4th game….That’s simply not good enough.  So we did some homework and hope to do better for you this weekend.  By the way, if you’re looking for some fantasy advice, check out our Fantasy Focus column here.  Also, if you want some fantasy advice next week, email us at phinnationblog@gmail.com before Wednesday at 4pm and we’ll answer as many questions as we can in a post on Thursday.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Alright, so let’s get into our picks for week 2 of the NFL season:

Redskins +7.5 over Packers

So last week our pick of the Redskins over the Eagles didn’t pan out.  We should have known that RG3 would be rusty and that Chip Kelly would have some surprises in store.  Little did we know that the Eagles would move the ball so easily against the Skins defense or that Alfred Morris would be so ineffective.  Towards the end of that game, RG3 seemed to get into a rhythm.  I don’t think the Redskins necessarily win this game, but I think they’ll keep it within a touchdown.   The Packers are coming off of a tough loss against a good opponent, so they’ll be desperate for a win too.  But I think the Redskins will be able to keep pace.  Prediction:  Packers 34 Redskins 30

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