Post by Zig on Sept 7, 2014 16:16:23 GMT -5
I'm not one to get too high or too low over 1 NFL game, especially game 1 of 16, but so many things I saw today only re-enforced some of my concerns with this team. Where to start? I guess the offensive line is a good place to start since that was my biggest concern even before the Mankins trade. Brady was sacked 4 times and hurried/knocked down many more times ( I lost count) As I said while watching the game, it reminded me of the first Super Bowl match up with the Giants when Brady was constantly pressured (if not pummeled) by the Giants front 4. Now the Dolphins do have some talent up front too, although not quite on the level of the '07 Giants but still, it is a fairly big problem if your o-line can't block 4 guys...To make matters worse, RT Nate Solder had to leave the game early in the 4th quarter. No details on his injury yet but it didn't appear to be serious. They get a D- . They did a pretty good with run blocking which saved them from getting an F
The Defense...A better QB/offense might have put up 50+ on them. Couldn't stop the run (AP next week, yikes) and if not for many errant passes by Tannehill , some "Drops" namely from Wallace, and turning it over 3 times., again it really should have been a much more lopsided final score. But unlike the 0-line, I have faith this group will get better. Much better. Defense gets a D
Brady: It's hard to judge his performance since again he didn't have much time most of the time. He did miss a couple open guys when he did have time and also fumbled. He's about the least of my concerns with this team so no need to over analyze 1 game. I guess I'd give him a C- for the game
The lone bright spot would be the RBs. They probably should have been more heavily involved really. I like the stable of RBs, my only concerns with them are staying healthy (Vareen) and Ridley holding on to the ball. I'll give them a B
Coaching gets a D. Besides not using the RBs enough, much like that '07 SB, no adjustments ever came while Brady was constantly under pressure. It was also pretty clear the Fins were "more ready" and played with more intensity. They were the better team today and deserved to win.
As bad as it was, it's still only 1 game. The 1st of 16. I don't remember many week 1 losses they've had (without looking) but I know they started 0-1 in both 2001 and 2003 and those years ended with Lombardis so again, no reason to panic yet. Cause for concern, sure, not panic time though.
The Defense...A better QB/offense might have put up 50+ on them. Couldn't stop the run (AP next week, yikes) and if not for many errant passes by Tannehill , some "Drops" namely from Wallace, and turning it over 3 times., again it really should have been a much more lopsided final score. But unlike the 0-line, I have faith this group will get better. Much better. Defense gets a D
Brady: It's hard to judge his performance since again he didn't have much time most of the time. He did miss a couple open guys when he did have time and also fumbled. He's about the least of my concerns with this team so no need to over analyze 1 game. I guess I'd give him a C- for the game
The lone bright spot would be the RBs. They probably should have been more heavily involved really. I like the stable of RBs, my only concerns with them are staying healthy (Vareen) and Ridley holding on to the ball. I'll give them a B
Coaching gets a D. Besides not using the RBs enough, much like that '07 SB, no adjustments ever came while Brady was constantly under pressure. It was also pretty clear the Fins were "more ready" and played with more intensity. They were the better team today and deserved to win.
As bad as it was, it's still only 1 game. The 1st of 16. I don't remember many week 1 losses they've had (without looking) but I know they started 0-1 in both 2001 and 2003 and those years ended with Lombardis so again, no reason to panic yet. Cause for concern, sure, not panic time though.
