POLITASPORTS

I enjoyed the game Monday night, more than I should have. I went to my first MNF game and took my boys to their first ever Fins game. Spending an evening with my sons, even while watching my favorite team quit was a memory I’ll always cherish. I have described it like this: “the night was great, the game sucked.” The Dolphins were lifeless. A game like Monday night brings a fan base to the brink of throwing in the towel. Like we’re doctors struggling to find the cure for mediocrity “sample McDaniel failed, put him in the exHC box. What are we doing wrong? It appeared viable. Add a touch more ‘Shula’ in the next sample. Remove all ‘cool'”

I have stated before that Coach MnM needs to hand over play calling duties. This needs to be a directive not only from Grier, but Ross. Last year I wrote this:

“Coach MnM needs to consider handing over play calling duties. Either he is incapable of calling a complete game, or he doesn’t trust his personnel, if it is the latter, whom doesn’t he trust?”

On Monday Night Football; it appeared like McDaniel neither trusted his team or himself to execute. He continued to overuse screen passes. He called the exact Hill WR reverse play several times. Even to the surprise of no one; on a critical 4th down. Two of the three times Miami went for it on 4th down they lost yards. The Fins were in this game, mathematically, all night. The problem was they never entered the game mentally. McDaniel’s overall appearance and demeanor I believe is a large part of why. He needs to be a head coach, not a best bud.

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Coaching: (F-); This grade is higher than he deserves after Monday night and through the first four games. Miami is the worst team offensively in the NFL. Miami has not lead once this season during time of play. Thankfully, they’ve lead after time expired on one occasion. The Tuapologists are out in force, but this isn’t an issue that arose only after the injury. Miami WITH Tua has struggled mightily in many games. But if your offense is so complicated that only one player can execute it; that is a coach problem. Skylar has been on the team 3 years; why doesn’t he know the offense? Again, a coach problem. When you have to start a practice squad QB due to injury; why not run a simplified version? Another coaching issue. When the offense you are running leads to false starts, illegal shifts, and illegal formations, yet you make zero adjustments? Ding Ding Ding: coaching. Flores’ final season started with a thud. I was shocked he last through the bye week. Somehow he woke the team up and nearly lead them into the playoffs. McDaniel needs to do the same. If not, then yes, I believe replacing McDaniel should be on the table. Grier certainly needs to go.

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Running Backs: (F); The stats are abysmal. Achane averaged 1.5 yards on ten carriers! Wright fared a bit better, but he came up short on a critical 3rd and 4th downs. Huntley lead the team in rushing. This unit didn’t make up for the poor rushing in the pass game either. Putting all of it on the O-Line is passing the buck. Yes, running backs need blocking; but you have to create as well. You have to have instincts when to bounce outside or cut up field. Hill on the 4th down parallel run, had openings to turn vertical and didn’t. He ran straight to the sideline and exited the field on the same plane he took the hand off. Running backs need to see openings that aren’t in the play design. The Miami group hasn’t shown that ability.

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Receivers: (F); Four reception lead the team. 36 yards lead the team. No YAC. In the 4th quarter Tyreek broke free down the middle and Huntley launched the ball his direction. It was the first deep ball Huntley attempted all night. He missed Hill, overthrowing him by a yard or so. My boy said “why didn’t Hill dive for it?” I said, “well it could’ve been farther out of reach than we can see from up here.” It was. But what Hill did after was disturbing. He slowly, he very slowly, walked off the field toward the bench. He removed his helmet, while still on the field. He was still on the field when Bailey punted the ball. You may not have seen it on TV, but from the stands it was clear. He was done. He nearly cost them a penalty. After that, if Miami did decide to trade him, I wouldn’t be too upset. He quit. Not saying they should; but when you act like that, don’t be shocked.

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Defense: (C); They get the best grade of the night. From Tennessee’s opening drive they played well. Forcing a turnover and giving the putrid Miami offense the ball back. Miami managed to turn the ball right back over to the Titans; but this game is not on the defense. They played well throughout. The offense let them down. This unit held TN to under 250 total yards. 2 for 12 on 3rd down conversions. They fought. Yes, would be great to get to the QB more often. But Miami did not lose this game because they couldn’t stop Tennessee. Through the first four games, the defense has fought. It has been the offense that has shown minimal signs of life.

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Special Teams: (B); Baily punted five times and averaged nearly 48 yards a punt. He had a long of 57. Sanders made both field goals and the lone point after. He had a long of 56. Berrios had a nice punt return that set Miami up with wonderful field position. This unit deserves a better grade; but in a 31-12 loss there can be no “A’s.”

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Quarterback: (D); I can’t give a practice squad QB an “F” for the game he played on Monday Night Football. His struggles were on the coaching and play calling. Huntley should have been given clear instructions about how many reads and when to tuck ‘n run. The pre-snap motions should have been eliminated or greatly simplified. If your scheme is so precise that only one person can succeed; it is a horrible scheme. It is not genius, it is not revolutionary. It is trash. Bill Walsh created the West Coast Offense. It was quickly adopted by nearly every team at every level of football. Ford and his assembly plant. Science experiments; to be successful they need to be replicated. If you can’t replicate the results; then your experiment has failed. McDaniel needs to figure this out.

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Officials: (D); Miami’s opening drive ended in a most peculiar turnover. A screen pass to Hill, which he dropped and gave up on, was ruled incomplete. As Miami lined up for second down, the official said NY ruled it a lateral recovered by Tennessee. The stadium was incredulous. Live it did not appear to be a lateral. I have re-watched it at home and yes it was a lateral. Hill once again dropped a pass that lead to a turnover because he gave up on the play. Shades of Kansas City. Another call I disagreed with on stadium replay was the Huntley spot. But this game was not decided by the zebras, but by lack of Dolphins’ effort.

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Overall: (F); I had a great night with my boys at Hard Rock Stadium. We engaged with other Fins Fans outside. Played catch with tailgaters, walked around the F1 pit areas, and toured the stadium. Overall the evening was wonderful because I was with my young sons. The game however? The game was atrocious. No heart. No leadership. No hope that Miami can turn this around. That is the feeling their play inspired. I said last week: “The Dolphins next four games are favorable. Home against the Titans, away vs the Pats and Colts, then back home against Arizona. I don’t expect they’ll win them all, but if they aren’t above .500 heading up to Buffalo, the season is over.” Losing at home to the Titans does not help. The Titans debacle last season cost Miami the division and a home playoff game. What will it cost them this year? Their coach?

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