That is my intro. Please proceed to the physique of the textual content.
One other robust begin
Clearly the massive headline for the Miami Dolphins in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals was the heralded return of Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback.
The offense’s first drive with Tua in cost seemed nice. Besides he nearly fumbled as soon as. And so did Julian Hill, who continues to get alternatives and make the least of them.
However the Fins went 64 yards on 10 performs and punched in a landing on the legs of Raheem Mostert.
Then the protection adopted that up by smothering the Arizona offense, forcing a 3 and out after holding them to 4 yards.
The house crowd in Arduous Rock Stadium felt electrical with Tua’s return. Anticipation was by way of the roof and the staff was delivering.
This was the staff everybody anticipated firstly of the season.
Some younger gamers confirmed somewhat one thing
Not solely had been the staff’s core items enjoying effectively, however a number of of the newer additions obtained some reps. Whereas they weren’t setting the world on fireplace, they had been contributing whereas being labored into the sport plan, identical to followers would hope to see.
Cam Smith performed on the boundary and, whereas I didn’t watch each snap on All-22 or something, I didn’t hear his title known as a lot and didn’t see him get burnt to a crisp, in order that’s good.
Chop Robinson harassed Kyler Murray all through the day, producing stress and forcing him to maneuver round (which, sadly, Murray’s superb at) whereas almost nabbing his first profession sack. I dare say if it wasn’t such a gifted quarterback on the opposite facet, Chop would have gotten one.
I noticed Dee Eskridge catch a cross and Malik Washington deal with returns. Child steps.
Once more, not any Rookie of the Yr stuff, however extra involvement and constructive involvement from youthful guys.
All issues which can be good.
The offense was evening and day, as anticipated
Skylar Thompson, Tyler Huntley, and Tim Boyle: Tua, they aren’t. Love or hate Tua, suppose he’s over or under-rated, or suppose he shouldn’t even be on the sector anymore; he runs the Fins’ offense to its potential.
He was decisive and correct (although he didn’t look downfield a lot and his one deep cross was, let’s be well mannered and say, suspect), confirmed the command we’ve come to count on, and completed 28/38 (74%) for 234 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT.
Mike McDaniel’s playcalling was different, fairly balanced between run and cross, and unfold the ball round to completely different gamers. He even known as his well-known fullback dive on 2nd and quick as an alternative of third!
There weren’t many penalties, Jason Sanders made his subject purpose makes an attempt, and the staff went into the second half up 13-7.
This model of the offense, with Tua again in type, seemed on its approach to being the juggernaut we Fins followers have come to like.
They’re who we thought they had been
Then: nonsense.
With 6:15 left within the third quarter, Miami had 2nd and 10 from its personal 13 yard line.
Tua was within the shotgun. Heart Aaron Brewer snapped the ball, Tua wasn’t having it, fumbled, tried to slap it out of the again of the tip zone like Will Smith at an awards ceremony, and it will definitely made its manner out of bounds for a security.
Was that the play that ended all the things for the Dolphins?
No. It reduce their result in 20-12.
However, boy, did it look unhealthy. That’s some Benny Hill gobbledigook. Get that beneath management.
Anyway.
Regardless of the clown present of that one play, the staff nonetheless had an 8 level lead. In truth, with 12:22 left within the 4th quarter, their lead had change into 11 factors at 27-18.
Alas, the protection wasn’t taken with stopping the Cardinals anymore. Kyler Murray can play like one of many prime QB’s within the league. Marvin Harrison Jr. seems like a stud. Trey McBride is current.
All it took was these three gamers to run roughshod over Miami’s protection by way of the complete second half till the sport profitable kick sailed in as time expired.
Anthony Weaver’s group folded like a Gambler who does, in truth, know when to fold ‘em. Too unhealthy they need to have been holding them. Arizona moved the ball at will all half lengthy. That they had a pair fortunate bounces, however that’s going to occur. The protection simply utterly failed to search out a solution.
In a sport when the offense lastly confirmed some life, the protection performed possum.
So what’s the deal?
Falling quick is changing into endemic
If this was a 28-27 nailbiter loss to an important staff (Arizona could be at the very least good, however they aren’t nice) to take Miami to, say, 5-3, I’d be feeling loads otherwise.
A 28-27 nailbiter loss to a possibly good staff to take Miami to 2-5 feels, sadly, like a season ender.
Whereas that may appear dramatic, I feel it’s sensible. The Fins have 10 video games remaining and I believe they must go 7-3 over that span so as to make the playoffs. Nothing up to now this season has pointed to their skill to take action.
The offense got here again from the useless with Tua, however the spectre of an damage perpetually looms over him. The protection proved it might probably give up a cushty lead, no downside. Every group has individually performed effectively this yr, however nearly by no means on the similar time. That may sometimes be sufficient to beat unhealthy groups, hardly ever be sufficient to beat good groups, and by no means be sufficient to beat nice groups.
Dropping shut video games, being throttled by accidents, falling in need of expectations: it might probably all really feel a bit predestined after 24 years of it.
So what’s the deal?
Is it a scarcity of preparation, poor sport planning, dearth of expertise, no motivation with a 2-4 (now 2-5) file?
A curse?
I genuinely don’t know. I’m certain it isn’t only one factor. However no matter it’s, it places the Dolphins in a tricky spot.
With large contracts structured as they’re, gamers heading to free company, and different personnel concerns, the entrance workplace might imagine that their window to compete solely extends another yr. If that’s the case, is it most prudent to take a seat Tua for the remainder of this season, successfully pack it in by Week 8, and retool for another run with this core group subsequent yr?
Possibly.
I don’t know. I don’t actually know something. I simply suppose issues.
And I feel the remainder of this season goes to be tough.
Really feel just like the Dolphins are going to provide Buffalo what for subsequent week? Really feel just like the yr is already completed? Really feel nothing as a result of Miami has rendered your ache facilities out of date? Seek for that means within the feedback beneath.
