POLITASPORTS

Game Overview

ELIMINATED. Ugh. A few weeks back I wrote after the Giants game: “…they need a clean sweep to be the 17 game schedule equivalent of 9-7 (10-7). It’s not impossible, but something tells me this will come down to beating the Pats that will be resting half their starters and the Fins will figure out a game plan to lose.” I was off by one week. Miami couldn’t have come up with a less productive game plan if they tried. Watching this group bumble around attempting double reverse flea-flickers (yes, plural), was excruciating. Tennessee eventually did what any slightly above average team would have, they fileted the fish. The fact Miami kept it within wishful thinking distance for most of the game is due to their defense. The entire offense needs to be deconstru…. demolished. Imploded would be best. The two-headed OC needs to be hung from the ramparts. I’m not sure what Ross has planned for the leadership structure of this team, but a reorganization must be in order.

Coaching

I have not been the most enthusiastic Flores fan over the course of his tenure. I have offered applause when warranted. Throughout this year as I have written these columns, “fire Flores” has popped up a few weeks here and there, but so too has appreciation for the job he has done. Can this team progress under Brian Flores? That is the franchise dollar question. Ross needs to fire Grier. His time here has expired. After which, Ross should have a sit down with Flores and outline the path forward:

1. He (Flores) needs to fire his OC’s, and perhaps more of his coaching staff.
2. Must hold off on re-hiring until a new GM is on board to assist with the staff search.
3. Coordinate with the new GM a game plan to get back to winning; draft strategy, FA targets, required role players, etc.
4. Along with new GM, formulate a Tua tactic. [from trade scenarios, customized offense, benchmarks for extending or releasing after rookie contract]

This is four points. More may be needed, but this would be a start. If Flores can’t articulate a strategy in these areas, then you part ways. Very simple. I for one, hope Flores stays one more year. I would not offer any extension, there isn’t a need as he is still under contract for two more seasons. All that being said, getting eliminated from the playoffs, guaranteeing less wins with more games than the year prior, laying an absolute egg in a must win game? These are all reasons enough to move on from Flores; add in the inexplicable play calling mentioned above, the TE passes, the lack of down field plays, it wouldn’t shock me if Flores only has one more game left.

Demerit(s): 5 (the ineptitude displayed on Sunday is not worthy of a NFL head coaching position)

Receiving

It was not a great game for this group in what has not been a memorable season. Seeing the frustrations of this group with every errant throw was palpable. They may like Tua as a teammate, but it was evident they’d prefer another passer. Parker clearly shook his head after one 3rd down throw sailed over his head while he stood wide open beyond the sticks. Later there was miscommunication? perhaps as Parker went inside and the ball floated outside. The first vertical throw of the game was attempted by Gesicki, the sencond by Brisset. Both fell incomplete, Gesicki’s because he never should have been attempting a pass from inside his own 20 yard line downfield to a teammate in triple coverage. Brisset, for his part came in on 3rd and short and instead of a QB sneak, threw a gorgeous ball to Waddle that glided through his arms. It was a must catch ball. Waddle later made a nice catch on a Tua ball for 45 yards, but Miami came up empty. Gesicki led all receivers in catches and yards. The weather played a role, but it was second fiddle to the QB.

Demerit(s): 2.5 (yes, not every ball was on target, but you need to catch the ones that are)

Running Backs

This was a game that should have featured the backfield. Wind howling, rain falling, field turned to muck. If ever there was a day to give Tua’s arm a rest and rely on feet, it was Sunday in Nashville. In order to do that though, you need an offensive line that is able to create lanes. They struggled once again to provide consistent running room. Johnson and Gaskin found some slivers, both averaging over 4.5 yards per carry, but 23 and 49 total yards yesterday, not going to win many ball games. The Dolphins will certainly look to shore up the offensive line this off-season, hopefully they focus as much on run blockers as pass protectors.

Demerit(s): 3.5

QB

I have made my thoughts on Tua clear throughout this season and within this column. He is serviceable, but will not become super. The data is in after two seasons garnering the bulk of the starting duties. Burrow and Herbert are the standard. When studied as a whole, Tua requires much more refinement. Tua is Milwaukee’s Best, Burrow and Herbert are Stag. And if you understood that reference, you’ve no doubt been on a country float trip.

Tua didn’t lose this game, though his turnovers, poor decision making, and holding the ball too long sure didn’t win the game. I said last week that it took several current “all-pro” QBs some time to develop and gave him a ceiling of Big Ben. Tua at this point isn’t even a game manager. Miami won seven games in a row with him, not despite of him nor because of him. If a big move can not be made in the off-season to acquire a franchise QB, give him one more year, but develop the roster as if you’re rebuilding, this way, if after 2022 a new direction is needed, you’re one season ahead.

Demerit(s): 4.5 (Tua is regressing)

The Trenches

The Dolphins were ineffective on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The only gaps the offensive line could open were in pass protection, and the D line failed to stop the run or put pressure on Tannehill. Miami had led the league in both blitz percentage and QB sacks. Tennessee struggled in both areas, giving up the most sacks and Tannehill struggling against pressure. Yet Miami backed off their blitzes and only got to Tannehill one time all afternoon. It was a puzzling game plan. Tennessee didn’t throw much, and less in the 2nd half, but there were opportunities early to put pressure on the Titans and force Tannehill to make decisions with the ball that he is at times uncomfortable making. Instead Miami sat back in coverage allowing for screen and run plays to be extremely effective. At one point Tennessee ran several screens on one drive, all producing positive yards. An incredible two month span for the D-line came to an end Sunday. As for the O-line, it would not be a shock if Miami had five new names up front next season.

Demerit(s): 4

Secondary

The Titans only attempted 18 passes, completing 13. They didn’t get much work. Howard and Hollins each had one pass defended. Not much transpired from this unit on Sunday. Tennessee chose to grind the game out on the ground due to the conditions, and Miami had no answer.

Demerit(s): 1

Officiating

Vrabel should have walked across the caverns of Nissan stadium and handed this crew a game ball. The two most egregious calls were in the passing game. The first, was a defensive pass interference against Miami on an incomplete third down play. It would’ve ended the Titans drive early in a one score game. Instead, Needham was flagged for DPI, replay showed offensive pass interference would’ve been a more correct call. What should’ve happened on that play is nothing. An incomplete pass. Later, with the game still close enough to keep viewers’ attention 17-3 and Miami moving the ball effectively, Parker was grossly held on 3rd down. The call would’ve given Miami a first down inside the 15 yard line. A touchdown would’ve cut the lead to seven with over 10 minutes left. These two calls alone should give this crew an F rating.

Demerit(s): 5 (Does Miami win with these two calls? Probably not. But officials can’t screw the pooch this badly)

Special Teams

A missed 53 yard FG that never should have been attempted. It was a big ask of Sanders to kick any FGs on Sunday, let alone a 50+ yarder in the driving wind and mucked up field. Flores is too enamored with goal posts. Also, the return unit let three punts drop that all bounced behind them, two were downed inside the five, one inside the ten. Two of them should have been fair caught to save at least ten or fifteen yards. Especially in a game where the offense is struggling. A yard saved is a yard gained.

Demerit(s): 3.5

Overall

Flores has yet to make the playoffs. He has had two seasons in a row come down to winning in the final weeks and failed both times. Failed miserably I will add. Last season they lost to Buffalo by 30 as well. Flores threw up more kicks this season than the Rockettes. He struggles with in-game adaptions to his strategy, he has yet to figure out how to maximize Tua, hasn’t found a running back, incapable of building an offensive line, and his play calling situation is ineffective. I have teeter-tottered all season about keeping Flores or letting him go. I outlined above what I would require for him to stay. If he baulks at any of the above, hand him his pink slip, pay him what’s owed and bid him good day. I won’t be shocked if Miami comes out against New England and plays ultra tough, with nothing on the line. To me, it would be one more brick on the “fire him” side of the scale.

Demerit(s): 3.5 (They played poorly on Sunday, but the fact we got to watch a meaningful game in January after a 1-7 start deserves praise.)