POLITASPORTS

Game Overview

Last week look I railed against kicking field goals, just as I have in other posts before:

“I said right at this moment: ‘they lost.’ I have recorded my disdain for FGs. Unless you’re kicking with no time left AFTER exhausting all efforts to reach the end zone, it is a losing play for a loser team.”

If a tie is “kissing your sister” than a FG attempt inside the Red Zone is akin to tonging your taint. There are all kinds of problems with this team that start at the top and have flooded down to the field. This is another game in which they didn’t appear ready to compete, especially defensively. I struggled to watch, but I did, for the sake of my kids. Their fandom is on the line. My 6 year old asked me, “why don’t we like a team that wins?” Flores coaches as if it’s 1967 and he has a dominant defense paired with a crushing ground game. Neither of which are remotely true. They said they would take more chances downfield earlier in the game, and they appeared to, the TD to Gaskin was great, what they need to do is just take more chances. Last week vs the Colts with 4th and short at midfield Flores sent out the punt unit to draw a delay of game, yesterday he left the offense on the field to attempt a pop warner play, faking a snap to entice an offsides. It did not work and so he took another delay penalty. It is de ja lose. Spoiler Alert, high demerits ahead.

Coaching

Flores needs to go, but not Flores only. Grier needs gone too. The talent on the field is not enough to compete in this league. That has become immensely obvious to any observer. The Dolphins have had several first and 2nd round picks through consecutive drafts and both the talent on the field, and the talent left on the board, manifest their miscues weekly. 2019 1st RD Christian Wilkins has not lived up to a #13 selection. He hasn’t been a run-stopper nor a pass rusher. Now in his 3rd season, this was a miss with a top 15 pick. 2020 is even more glaring in light of what others are doing on the field, namely Herbert, taken one pick after Tua. It is reasonable to refer to Miami’s top 3 selections in 2020 as mistakes. Austin Jackson was finally removed from playing tackle. A 2nd year top 20 selection, and O-Line being the teams most glaring weakness, you can’t have a miss this bad. Add in the Igbinoghene and Hunt picks and you have 4 selections in the top 39 and not one has made an eye popping impact on the team. As fans thought, “well you can’t cock up the draft any worse” in 2021 Grier said “hold my beer.” The Phins held the 3rd pick due to Houston’s collapse in 2020. It was a gift landing at number 3. There was immense talent available, even if they chose not to move on from Tua. Instead the Dolphins schemed their way into moving down 3 spots for a first round draft pick in two years. It was a dumbfounding decision. Waddle may prove a great WR, but the early returns suggest that staying at 3 and taking Chase may have been the better option, or perhaps Sewell at 6 (though I wouldn’t have been a fan of that choice). I believed they needed more explosive offensive weapons as opposed to protective offensive weapons. In truth, they still need both. Not a great report after 3 drafts, two with multiple first round selections.

As for the game, it appeared as if they were going to try and stretch the field as suggested after last week’s loss, but quickly reverted back to short yardage throws. Preston Williams showed promise in the first half, but was rarely targeted in the 2nd half. Not a good look, and the defense continues to be a let down. Changes are needed. Flores followed up a vast overstatement with an incredulous understatement. “We’ve had some good plans going in,” Flores said. “We just haven’t been able to execute and we’re not getting the results we want.” If you continue to believe that dink and dunk passing along with ineffective running is a “good plan” the Phins are a long way from their second win, even against the grinder Jags.

Demerit(s): 5 (last week I ended with “if this continues a pink slip is in order” this week, a pink slip is in order) That was from last week. If the Fins can’t beat the Jags this week across the pond, G and F need to be sent walking.

Receiving

Their best receiver was their running back. Preston made some nice plays early including turning a short catch into a 34 yard gain setting the Phins up with 1st and goal. They then rushed twice for minimal gains before targeting Waddle and then settling for a FG. When you have no defense, points are the priority and 7 is greater than 3. A losing team can not, nor should not, settle for 3 over 7 inside the Red Zone. This equals losing four out of five games. Waddle had a nice gain on their 3rd possession of the 2nd quarter, but the drive eventually ended with a QB sack fumble recovered by Tampa. Their two starting receivers combined for half the catches of Gaskin. That is not a winning formula. Waddle also had a drop that lead directly to a Brisset interception and Preston dropped a TD pass in the end zone, but was able to draw a PI penalty against the Bucs. Waddle dropped a TD that would’ve been overturned due a Dolphins’ penalty, but would have at least required Tampa to accept the call giving the Dolphins another opportunity on 3rd down.

Demerit(s): 3 (hard to judge them more severely when they were used so sparingly)

Running Backs

I have repeatedly said during my “Dolphins’ Demerits” that Gaskin needed more touches. He has averaged 5 yards per touch in nearly every game he saw significant action. Against the Bucs he averaged 5ypcarry and 7.4ypcatch. He led the team in rushes with 5 and receptions with 10, catching every ball thrown his way including two touchdowns. On the second drive Brisset connected with him on a wide open 24 yard TD down the left side. It gave hope that they may attempt to push the secondary, but in the end it was an illusion. Ahmed was the only other back used, rushing and receiving twice each. Brown, the featured back from last week was nowhere to be found. Gaskin came up one yard short of 100yfs.

Demerit(s): 1

QB

Brisset performed well. He accounted for two turnovers, but neither were his fault. Waddle dropped an easy short pass that bounced up off his hands into Dean’s waiting arms and the fumble was the result of a collapsed pocket and great play to strip the ball just as he began his throwing motion. For his part he made some sack saving throws on numerous occasions to extend drives and prevent large losses. He finished the day with his best performance as the Phins’ starter completing nearly 70% of his throws for 275 yards and 2 scores. If you’re hope for the Dolphins to turn their season around is in the return of Tua, you’re in for a massive let down. The defense did him no favors however giving up over 400 yards and 5 TDs to Brady.

Demerit(s): 2 (even when not your fault, turnovers are costly)

The Trenches

They continue to lose this battle on both sides of the ball. The D-line got to Brady twice, but other than that provided little pressure on a stand and throw QB. They also gave up 122 yards on the ground. This unit needs to find a way to get to the QB. They need to start racking up hits and flushes if they can’t get sacks. They have done little of all three all year. Phillips recorded his first solo sack of the season, but still needs to make better strides to warrant being the 18th selection.

The adjustments to the O-line didn’t produce the results they hoped. Brisset would’ve been sacked at least twice as much as the 3 the Bucs managed if it wasn’t for him fighting off tacklers to deliver key completions. They gave up the strip sack in FG range with the game still in reach, and provided little running room when the Dolphins were still in contention. This unit needs to be imploded, not simply rearranged. The Phins managed a combined total of only 39 yards on the ground.

Demerit(s): 5

Secondary

Another lackluster effort from this group. I called last week a “bad outing” not sure what adjective could describe this week. They routinely gave up first down catches on 3rd and long situations, including a 62 yard catch and mostly run TD to AB early in the game. Howard continues to get blown up in coverage, not living up to his demands for money through the first 5 weeks. Last year teams avoided him, this year they are challenging him, and he has come up wanting. Allowing 411 yards and 5TDs is a fail, and “that’s all I have to say about that.”

Demerit(s): 5

Officiating

As I stated in the Week II disaster vs the Bills, officiating didn’t matter yesterday at Raymond James. There were a couple hits on Brisset that appeared worthy of a flag, but most came while down by 3 scores late in the 4th anyway. It was an awful game, but the stripe crew wasn’t a factor.

Demerit(s): Inconsequential

Special Teams

Moving Waddle to returner after letting go of Grant didn’t produce anything worth mentioning. Sanders made his lone FG, that he never should have been called out to take, along with both XP opportunities. Palardy punted more than he should’ve as Flores continues to refuse to attempt to go for it on 4th and short. He did average a respectable 44 yards per punt.

Demerit(s): 2 (that should be added to the “Coaching” demerits)

Overall

They play Jacksonville. That provides at least a modicum of hope. Seeing as the Dolphins are Opher London however, I won’t be betting on them. By year three of rebuild, progress should be seen, instead we’re witnessing regression. That should be placed on the shoulders of both the GM and coach. They are the ones that decided the talent they assembled could produce better results than the 10 win team from last year, they have failed. Unfortunately the Phins don’t get a bye week after London as is usually the custom. I fear this means more games with Flores at the helm. If Ross hasn’t moved on from him yet, he probably has until the week 14 bye to salvage his job. What will it take? They have 8 games remaining before the bye, will 4-4 save his job? 6-2? If they enter the bye week above .500 (they would have to go at least 6-2 to accomplish that), maybe you let him finish the season. But baring a playoff appearance, I would sever ties with him and Grier.

Demerit(s): 5