Dolphins postgame thoughts

Joe Joe · #1 09-10-2012, 02:43 PM

I didn't record game, but it did not seem like Texans blocked well consistently for the run game early. Outside of a two or three runs by Foster, it seemed like the Texans were having to fight for a lot of the rushing yards.

I think Foster's injury was overblown. I suspect the whole Foster injury was out of the Shanahan playbook of misinformation. Got to have a few fake/minor injuries listed as probable or questionable so that when Kubiak lists a guy as probable that has no chance at playing, the opposing team still has to plan on playing him. I still would have liked to see more Tate as there was no reason for Foster playing in a game that has been decided.

Arky · #2 09-10-2012, 03:35 PM

I think the reasoning for Foster still in the game in the latter stages was that he is the "most trusted" RB we have, i.e. least likely to fumble. I think the announcers even mentioned it once.... With such a large lead, I think I might've tried Tate or Forsett at least until they committed an error.....

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I thought pre-game that the final score might be 30-10, but I had no idea it would play out the way it did. It was an ugly 30-10.

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No turnovers = lovely.

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Gosh, it sure is nice to have a competent football team representing the city... In case you've been under a rock, the Texans are forcing their way into the national consciousness.... To use a slightly degenerate example, the Texans opened as 7.5 pt favorites against the Jags this week and for a while, had already moved up to 9.5 pt favorites...

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Understatement alert: this is a really good team..

HPF Bob · #3 09-10-2012, 04:02 PM

I wondered too if they didn't stick with Foster too long when the game was no longer in doubt. Holliday scares me in kick returns the way Jacoby Jones did - it might be great or it might be terrible. I sometimes think the best return man we ever had was J.J. Moses. He lacked the fourth gear but he rarely made mistakes.

Jags didn't look too impressive against the Vikings but they almost pulled it out. I'm guardedly optimistic whenever we play in our second home state.

barrett · #4 09-10-2012, 04:45 PM

I don't think fumble concerns should be an issue with a 3 TD 4th quarter lead against the dolphins. You have to get Foster off the field there.

Roy P · #5 09-10-2012, 09:04 PM

I am wondering about OT Ryan Harris, and just how long he needs to practice with the team before he supplants Newton at RT. I think he was a great signing after Butler's injury and would believe he'd be an upgrade in the Run Blocking department & possibly better pass protection as well. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I was not pleased with the way Miami was able to run the ball. MJD will have a field day against us if we don't figure something out.

barrett · #6 09-10-2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy P

I am wondering about OT Ryan Harris, and just how long he needs to practice with the team before he supplants Newton at RT. I think he was a great signing after Butler's injury and would believe he'd be an upgrade in the Run Blocking department & possibly better pass protection as well. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I was not pleased with the way Miami was able to run the ball. MJD will have a field day against us if we don't figure something out.

I honestly think we were just as soft at times last year (maybe even softer against Miami last year when Daniel Thomas gouged us). I just think NFL teams rarely stay with the run. Miami abandoned the run even with Tannehill having no success and over a half to play. Most OCs are passing game guys to start with, and then they can't be labeled an offensive genius or get a head coaching job for calling a hand off. Great running teams are always looking for ways to prove they are now passing teams.

Plus, when you are running game centered, one penalty or one run for loss kills your drive. Or if you do get down field, things usually stiffen in the redzone.

So as long as we put points on the board and the opposing offense has to keep up, I doubt anyone exposes our soft underbelly too badly.

Nconroe · #7 09-10-2012, 10:33 PM

All true. I was thinking after first quarter our defense adjusted some and one or two guys would stay home up the middle. Once they did that Miamis runs became much less successful as well.

nunusguy · #8 09-11-2012, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Holliday scares me in kick returns the way Jacoby Jones did - it might be great or it might be terrible. I sometimes think the best return man we ever had was J.J. Moses. He lacked the fourth gear but he rarely made mistakes.

Jags didn't look too impressive against the Vikings but they almost pulled it out. I'm guardedly optimistic whenever we play in our second home state.

I'm thinking Holliday is on a real short lease and one more game like Sunday and he's gone. And isn't Tuesday the day they often release players ? First he's gotta get thru today ?
Looking at the Minny-Jags stats, Gabbert had 2 TDs and 0 pics with 2 sacks so maybe he's playing better his soph year. Wonder if Barwin is getting excited right now after getting 4 sacks on Gabbert last year in one game ? Connor sure looked bigger Sunday, and not as quick as last year I thought ?

Keith · #9 09-11-2012, 03:13 PM

I expected to see an injury report on Schaub's shoulder the way his passes lacked velocity. I know he doesn't have a strong arm, but man his passes looked different to me on Sunday. Maybe he just slept funny on his shoulder Saturday night.

That and why are we signing an extension the day of the opener? Might that have given the starting QB a restless night or something?? I dunno. In the 2nd half the passes were a little sharper iirc.

popanot · #10 09-11-2012, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

I expected to see an injury report on Schaub's shoulder the way his passes lacked velocity. I know he doesn't have a strong arm, but man his passes looked different to me on Sunday. Maybe he just slept funny on his shoulder Saturday night.

I agree and posted in the gameday thread during the first half that his passes had zero zip on them. He did look better in the second half, though. I'm hoping it was just rust from not playing for awhile and perhaps a sprinkle of him just playing it safe and not trying forcing things while getting reacclimated with the speed of the game. This game did count so maybe he was a bit apprehensive. I certainly hope it's not an injury.

popanot · #11 09-11-2012, 06:39 PM

I think a big reason for the struggles with stopping the run is the lackluster play at ILB. They seemed to be waiting for the RB to hit their area rather than moving forward and attacking the LOS. We all know Cush is great, but you can tell those ribs are still bothering him (and definitely after that body-slam on the INT). James is a mess and you can't rely on the other guys.

This D could be SanFran 49er good with an upgrade at the other ILB position. We might be wishing we had never traded Demeco, especially if Cush can't regain full strength. Demeco had lost a step, but he was fearless and attacking at all times. This may sound insane, but I think they should try Mercilus or Reed at the other ILB (I'd try Reed).

popanot · #12 09-11-2012, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Holliday scares me in kick returns the way Jacoby Jones did - it might be great or it might be terrible.

I know they wanted to evaluate Holliday, but for the life of me I can't understand why they didn't give Martin a few reps at KR/PR during the preseason. If it's because the fall back plan was/is Manning, that's just poor planning, IMO, when you have an ideal low-risk/non-critical candidate in Martin sitting there on your active roster. He's done it in college but he still should have had some preseason reps if he is in fact option #2 or #3.