POLITASPORTS

Game Overview

Sunday was a difficult day. A Dolphins’ loss is always a bitter pill; an OT loss when they had ample opportunity to win the game? That’s more like a cactus suppository. It is difficult to grasp that the Phins’ last two back up QBs have outperformed their “franchise” starter. The Tua Throng needs to quiet down, there is plenty of NFL, not Alabama, game film howling at all who hear that he is not an NFL starting, let alone franchise QB. Flores needs to coach courageously in key situations. He too often falls back on antiquated NFL traditional theory. 3rd and short? Up the middle. 4th and <1? QB dive. He attempted these plays on four separate occasions yesterday, including invoking the Wildcat on 1st and 2nd and goal on the final drive only to run straight up the middle for a loss and no gain. Las Vegas is looking more like Win City than Sin City, and the Dolphins helped contribute to the moniker.

Coaching

Flores had many opportunities to put his mark on this team’s soul. To announce to his players, Phins’ nation, the NFL, and himself that the Miami Dolphins are here to WIN. Instead he reverted to timid plays. I’m not sure if the two-headed lamb that is our offensive coordinator was overruled, or if they chose to run wildcat twice from the one yard line, but that was suspicious play calling. I stared incredulous at my screen as the coaches chose to kick a FG in OT giving the ball back to an offense they had struggled to contain all game. Maybe he was going for a Yahtzee record 1-1-1 across the board, but it was the wrong call. The shovel pass that preceded that FG attempt was also inexplicable. I could understand if the intention was to go for it on the ensuing 4th down, but if their mind was made up they were going to play for the tie, then you have to call a play that goes beyond the line to gain. Another play that in essence cost the Phins the game was the WR screen safety. Why are you calling a pass play behind the line of scrimmage leaving your WR alone in the endzone without blockers in front? The strategy yesterday evening was dubious at best. The Chargers played for victory. Going for it on 4th and short and then sticking with the decision after a false start penalty made it 4th and long proved to be the winning choice.

Demerit(s): 5 (if this continues, a pink slip may be in order)

Receiving

Parker dropped, I began this section the exact same way last week. This one wasn’t so much a drop as a perceived lack of effort. Parker consistently makes difficult catches look easy, when he is alone and uncovered. But when the situation calls for him to out jump, out muscle, or out fight a defender? The results are much different. If he wants to stretch himself into a prolific number one receiver, he needs to start making plays on 50/50 balls. Waddle’s safety was not his doing. He was put on an island and given a brick for a boat. Fuller came up with a huge catch on the 2-point conversion and had a chance to win the game on an endzone throw even with the obvious (TO EVERYONE BUT THE OFFICIAL) pass interference, but it is hard to penalize a player that was thrown to the ground for not coming up with a tremendous catch. All in all however, 120 combined receiving yards at the WR position is not a good look. Gesicki played a great game, leading the team in yards and coming in behind only Waddle in targets and receptions. Gesicki caught the pass on 4th and 20 in OT to keep the drive alive and made some key catches during the Dolphins’ final drive in regulation that led to them tying the game. Want to see more attempts down field.

Demerit(s): 3

Running Backs

Gaskin again averaged at least 5 yards per carry against the Raiders. Including a big gain in overtime putting the Dolphins in FG range to tie. He wasn’t considered very much in the passing game. He led the team in rushing with 65 yards but was kept out of the endzone. Instead the Dolphins used Brown in goal line situations, the previously mentioned wildcat plays on 1st and 2nd and goal. Brown was the only other running back to get any carries, ending with 7 rushes for 31 yards and the lone score by a running back. It appears as if Ahmed may be relegated to spot relief of both Gaskin and Brown.

Demerit(s): 2

QB

Brisset got the start in place of the injured Tua, and the offense, as anemic as it is, looked healthier. Brisset completed over 65% of his throws, but only managed 215 yards on 32 completions. This is a result of coaching schemes, not QB ability. To put this in perspective, Carr completed only 26 balls for a whopping 386 yards. The Dolphins didn’t even try to look down field until the final drive and overtime when they drew a PI penalty to set up first and goal, hit Gesicki on 4th and 20 in OT, then came up short to Parker down the middle, and should have drawn another pass interference in the endzone. Continuing this dink and dunk approach is not a winning strategy. It gave Oakland 2 points (Waddle safety), and clogs up the running lanes. Opposing defenses can crowd the box because, even when Miami throws, they run. It is absolute non-sense. Brisset didn’t throw a pick and ran for the score that set up his 2pt conversion pass to Fuller for the tie. Averaging less yards per attempt than your running back? No Bueno.

Demerit(s): 2

The Trenches

The defensive line played better. They got some pressure on Carr forcing an interception and sacked him 3 times, including a great sack on 3rd and short that allowed Miami to get possession back and eventually tie the game. They faired a bit worse against the run however, giving up 140 yards including 111 to not Tiki Barber. The offensive line again looked like they were carrying water in a sieve. They only gave up 2 sacks, but that was because Brisset fled the pocket like he robbed someone gaining 37 yards on the ground to trail only Gaskin in rushing yards. He also was forced to throw the ball away several times including one that was nearly a fumble. Even though they gained 133 yards on the ground, many of those were on Brisset bail outs and after contact for Brown and Gaskin. They failed to push the Raiders off the ball not once, but twice on consecutive 3rd and 4th and inches plays that resulted in a turnover on downs. This group needs work.

Demerit(s): 4

Secondary

They gave up 386 pass yards, but when a QB has time and serviceable receivers including all-pro Darren Waller, that isn’t the worst bit. They only gave up one play over 25 yards and came up with timely plays including a 85 yard pick six early in the game. Howard made an exceptional play to deflect a would be first down late giving the Phins a chance at the tie. The linebackers came up with 6 points. This group is making strides and has kept the Dolphins takeaway streak alive, now sitting at 25 games.

Demerit(s): 2

Officiating

How this could be a pass interference, but not call the tackling of Fuller in OT , is beyond belief. Maybe the officials thought giving Miami two endzone interference calls on successive drives was too much. But they both were equally egregious.

Demerit(s): 5

Special Teams

Sanders missed a FG at the end of the first half off the upright. This very well could’ve been the deciding factor in the game. He did convert all his extra points, which is more than the Raiders fans can say, but that is a must have FG.

Demerit(s): 3

Overall

They lost. And the lowest part is, they played to tie. Flores needs to “cowboy up” a bit on his play calling. More attempts down field, more going for it on 4th down. The Dolphins are not the favorites. Just as the Charges went for it on 4th and long when in go-ahead FG range, the Dolphins need to risk losing in order to collect some W’s. The odds are not in the underdog’s favor. The more chances they give to better teams the higher their odds of losing become. The season that started with promise is turning to poison.

Demerit(s): 4