This past Sunday, the Miami Dolphins stormed into Jacksonville and exited the first half with barely a whimper 10-3. If I was told the Dolphins would not have an offensive touchdown for almost three quarters, I’d assume they lost the game.
Thank goodness for the Miami Dolphins secondary who saved the collective tail of left guard Darryn Colledge, quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and finally head coach Joe Philbin with a pick six from Louis Delmas (81 yards) in the first half and Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes (21 yards). Each pick six kept the Dolphins with a lead of at least 14 points for much of the game.
We’ve seen in previous weeks that the Dolphins have the type of offense that can put points on the board to the tune of 27 plus points. However, this week, that same offensive precision vanished into thin air giving way to the monstrous hole or revolving door left in the absence of controversial left guard Richie Incognito. Let’s admit, that left guard position has been terrible for the Dolphins and Daryn Colledge who was taken out later in the game due to a migraine, gave way to former second round draft pick Dallas Thomas.
For Miami, the offensive line woes were exposed and Ryan Tannehill barely had enough time to think or go through his progressions after being sacked three times. Tannehill, who barely passed for 196 yards with a touchdown and an interception, mustered just enough offense to control the ball to the tune of 27:37; anything but the ball control seen by the Dolphins offense versus the Bears.
As analysts and writers of this Miami Dolphins team, 26 yards of offense at the 2:50 mark left in the half is clearly seen as unacceptable.
Part of the blame can be attributed to quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s inconsistencies, the entire offensive line sputtering, and finally offensive coordinator Bill Lazor who is running out of days to perfect this offensive attack. The Dolphins are 7 weeks into the season with 9 games to play and we are still at square one and constantly trying to tinker with an offensive game plan that doesn’t work in the first half.
Dropped passes on makable catches from dependable receivers such as Brian Hartline near the red zone are an awful sign of confidence and most of all a lack of consistency. Even though there was a turning point in the 3rd quarter with a 50 yard completion after an incredible catch by Mike Wallace, 1-4 in the red zone is nothing to be happy about.
Now, frankly to blame Tannehill on all of this could be seen as accurate, but in reality, if Ryan Tannehill was the answer at QB wouldn’t the game plan be changed sooner rather than later? Again, why do the coaches have to make every move for Ryan Tannehill in order for the team to be successful when his fellow NFL quarterbacks such as Tom Brady, Joe Flacco, among others can make adjustments at the drop of the hat.
Seriously, let us not make this upcoming week about Ryan Tannehill. He isn't good yet, but he isn't the only problem.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) October 26, 2014
Again, thank goodness for the defense. A defense that was much maligned after the Buffalo game who is now starting to show it’s force with a ferocious pass rush by sacking the quarterback and now has added interceptions to their collective résumé.
As the Dolphins do some short term soul searching, this much is true: they are 4-3, they played the third worse team in the NFL in terms of record, and they put the game away early with some crafty turnover causing magic.
It was not an excited locker room today. #Dolphins clearly were not happy about their performance.
— Andrew Abramson (@AbramsonFL) October 26, 2014
PhinsPhocus.com MVPs:
On Defense:
Safety Louis Delmas: 1 Interception/1 TD/ 1 Fumble recovery
Cornerback Brent Grimes: 1 Interception/ 1 TD
Defensive End Terrence Fede: First NFL Sack
Safety Reshad Jones: 1 sack/ 8 total tackles
Special Teams:
Defensive End Olivier Vernon: 1 Blocked Field Goal
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