Generally actuality is tough to take. The saying goes {that a} spoonful of sugar can assist the drugs go down, however there wasn’t something candy out there to the Dolphins — or their fanbase — on Sunday in Seattle.
So, put together your self, as a result of this dose isn’t going to style good.
The Miami Dolphins are a foul soccer staff.
Positive, they squared off with the Seahawks with out their beginning quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, however the issues with this South Florida squad run a lot deeper than that.
The staff was dominated in all aspects of the sport whereas being embarrassed by a rating of 24-3 — with the one factors placed on the board basically handed to the offense courtesy of an interception which set the Dolphins up on the Seahawks’ six yard line. The staff gained one measly yard earlier than settling for 3 factors.
However, hey, we are able to’t place the blame solely on the gamers on the sector, as Miami’s teaching employees — particularly head coach Mike McDaniel — should shoulder their justifiable share of the guilt as properly. Let’s get into all of that and extra as we dissect the nice, unhealthy and ugly from the Dolphins defeat by the hands of the Seahawks on Sunday.
GOOD
Miami’s protection toughens up in second-half
The Miami Dolphins protection didn’t play properly within the first half towards the Seahawks — giving up 17 factors within the first two quarters of play. On a day when the gameplan ought to have been clear — play stout protection, management the clock, and play turnover free soccer — Miami discovered themselves down early.
Fortunately, regardless of his shortcomings relating to defensive gameplans heading into the video games, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver appears to make strong halftime changes on his facet of the ball.
The Dolphins didn’t enable second half factors to each the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Buffalo Payments in weeks one and two — and allowed simply seven second half factors to the Seahawks in week three.
On a day when the positives had been arduous to return by, Miami’s second half protection gives a glimmer of hope for individuals who nonetheless have some expectations for the 2024 season.
BAD
Miami penalized incessantly
The Dolphins had been known as for 11 accepted penalties towards the Seahawks in week three. Each time I eliminated my head from my arms and wiped the tears from my eyes, all I might see was yellow painted throughout my tv display.
That is a matter that must be corrected and all concerned — each gamers and coaches — must be embarrassed at the truth that the staff is likely one of the most undisciplined squads in the complete Nationwide Soccer League.
Is Mike McDaniel, together with his proclivity for fostering a “pleasant” relationship together with his fellow coaches and gamers, capable of put his proverbial foot in somebody’s behind in an effort to make an instance of a participant who’s falling far wanting expectations? I’m not so certain. To right this concern, he might have to be.
Once more, on a day the place the Dolphins wanted just about all the pieces to go proper if they’d hopes of stealing a victory away from Seattle, committing 11 penalties wasn’t what the staff envisioned after they drew up what they believed to be a profitable gameplan.
UGLY
Skylar Thompson shouldn’t be an NFL caliber quarterback
Skylar Thompson is in 12 months three of his profession — with all three of these years being beneath the tutelage of Mike McDaniel in Miami.
All week, we persistently heard from the Dolphins’ head coach that Thompson was prepared for the second and that he had earned the respect of his teammates by being a pacesetter and making performs in coaching camp and preseason.
I would love some particular examples from coach — launch the footage, please — as a result of all we noticed on Sunday was a quarterback who regarded terrified each time he touched the soccer.
Thompson completed with simply 107 yards passing after leaving the sport as a result of damage within the second half.
Tim Boyle — who has solely been with the Dolphins for a matter of weeks — appeared to maneuver the ball higher than Thompson, who once more, has been with Miami for THREE YEARS. On the very least, Boyle regarded like somebody who has performed quarterback earlier than, which is one thing that I can’t say for Thompson after watching Sunday’s sport.
The choice to maintain Thompson as Miami’s backup to Tua Tagovailoa is proving to be a comical one — and as soon as once more, Mike McDaniel has some inquiries to reply. Nevertheless, I’m certain he’ll serve up a giant, unappetizing plate of word-salad as soon as once more as he “umms and uhhs” his means by way of one other press convention.
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The Dolphins are 1-2 on the season. Sure, it’s nonetheless early and the staff might flip issues round, however with two disgusting performances in a row from the squad, many who observe the group couldn’t have decrease hopes. Do you suppose they’ll begin Tyler Huntley subsequent week towards the Tennessee Titans? Do you suppose his presence would make a distinction? Let me know within the feedback beneath or on Twitter at @MBrave13. Fins up!
