POLITASPORTS

Game Overview

Two great drives help the Phins evade a failing grade. Their two opening drives of the game and second half were wonderful. Especially the opening possession of the game. They had a wonderful balanced attack with Gaskin and Ahmed contributing to moving the ball forward both on the ground and out of the backfield. Tua found and connected with open receivers and capped the drive by making the correct RPO read on the goal line. The opening second half drive ended in a Waddle TD from Tua, leaving Pitts as the only top receiving draft pick scoreless in week 1. Of course, these two drives were followed in both halves by absolute nothingness. Seven of Miami’s 16 first downs came from these two drives, 155 of their 259 yards, and 14 of their 17 points. They “lost” in every statistical category save two; turnovers and POINTS!

Coaching

The coaching staff receives the Dolphin’s first Demerit. Flores, it appears is capable of getting his players ready to play. Thus far in his tenure at the helm, even when it seemed to Phins Fans that losing would be winning, these Flores Phins have come out willing to compete. This is no small compliment after suffering the Gase and Philbum years. However, his in game decisions leave questions that require answers. My first question would be: why wasn’t the opposition’s rookie QB pressured? All game, I wondered when they would blitz Jones. The strategy seemed to be to give him rope and let him hang himself; but instead he threw darts. Jones’ “welcome to the NFL” moment will have to wait till next week. I would have also questioned the insertion (on two occasions) of Brisset, but they did pick up two first downs. The timing was odd, end of first half and end of game. But when it works, it works. I also hoped they would try to get Waddle the ball in space, but this didn’t seem to be a priority. Dubbed the “next Hill” maybe Flores should reach out to Reid for advice on how to use his explosive new toy. With a second year QB that you pulled twice last season, getting him some “easy” completions to his Tightends may have helped as well.

Demerit(s): 2

Receiving

Parker played well. He had one play in the 2nd QTR that as a Phin’s Fan we’d love to see him come down with, but he was well defended and the throw was a bit wide. He more than made up for this minor blemish with a gorgeous sideline grab 30 yards downfield on 3rd and 8 keeping the second half opening drive alive and leading to their only after halftime score. Parker finished with 81 yards and a 20ypc average. Waddle too, played well. I assumed he would be used more on the quick slants that Parker was running successfully throughout the game or maybe even a WR screen or two, but that is a coaching issue, not a performance issue. He caught 4 of 6 targets, and one target was not catchable. I’ll take 4/5 targets for 61 yards and a score all season long. As for Gesicki and Smythe, lets just say you were more likely to encounter a tightend in the Villages than in Foxboro. With only 4 targets between them, one being the no look throw it away Tua heave that ended up in the hands of Jonathan Jones, this again would be more a coaching preference than performance issue.

Demerit(s): 0 (I’ve been told I’m too negative, this is me working on that)

Running Backs

Gaskin averaged as many yards rushing as receiving: 5.4. That is a solid number. Gaskin was featured heavily on the Phin’s opening drive, 5 of his game high 9 carries, but then was seemingly put on the inactive list. I don’t understand it. He finished with 76 total yards on 14 touches. As a featured back, I’d like to see that as a rushing number. The 5 catches was a good figure. If Gaskin continues to perform like this, 20 total touches should be a minimum. Ahmed made a couple nice plays out of the backfield but didn’t do much with his few carries.

Demerit(s): 1

QB

I wrote an article stating I’d take Watson as long as the price was not too steep. After week 1, I’d give them the 3 1st round picks and throw in a 4th as gratuity. Tua continues to display the same lack of confidence and decision making that plagued him last year. Compared to the other 2020 picks of Burrow and Herbert, Tua isn’t even on their radar screens. Then watching as Mac Jones picked apart the Dolphins Defense for 289 yards, it is obvious, Tua is not a starting QB. Here is his opponent’s assesment: “That’s what Tua do. If he doesn’t have his first read, he’s just gonna throw the ball up.” – Pat’s CB Jackson.

Demerit(s): A LOT, lets set a hard cap of 5 going forward, like marking an 8 on your scorecard and going to the next hole. I didn’t even mention the INT.

The Trenches

For sake of brevity and to keep the demerits lower, I’m combining the Lines. They say the game is won in “the trenches” that is the grinder of 300 pound bodies trying to create lanes or inflict pain. The Phins lost the trench warfare, but somehow, won the battle. If this trend continues however, the season forecast is bleak. The Dolphins played against a rookie QB and only had one recorded sack, few hurries, and no INTs. This is not great. They couldn’t get pressure. Their O-line didn’t fare much better. Tua was sacked twice, hurried multiple times, and due to the pressure threw many errant balls, two of which were intercepted. Our trenches have to improve. Phillips recorded zero tackles and few pressures. As the 18th pick, he must do better.

Demerit(s): 3

Secondary

I’ll put the rest of the D in this category: Linebackers, Cornerbacks, and Safeties. The D played well overall. Holding any NFL team to just one TD and 16 points needs to be praised. Howard, though he had no interceptions, came up with the biggest play of the game forcing and then recovering a fumble on the 9 yard line with under 4 minutes to go in a 1 point contest. The Pats stayed away from him nearly all game. Baker and Van Ginkel combined for 10 tackles, that is a low number and gave up 125 yards on the ground. But the two turnovers this group forced probably decided the game.

Demerit(s): 1

Officiating

THAT WAS A CLEAN SACK! Wow! What happened to the NFL? This call lead directly to a NE touchdown. The running back Stevenson blocked Elandon causing him to fall towards Mac Jones. How this was ruled roughing the passer is beyond the pale.

Demerit(s): 5 (see rule above)

Overall

The Dolphins start the season on the road in a place they haven’t won since 2008 with a victory. The only AFC East team without a week one loss. Alone on top of the division. I’m not going to say anything negative about that.

Demerit(s): 0