Dolphins Still Need Fixing

Helping Tim Tebow and the Broncos lead the AFC West, by beating the Raiders until their silver turned blue, the Dolphins have proved they are not a team you want to play on your schedule. They are on one of the best steaks in the NFL, out-scoring their opponents 139-54 in the last 5 games. Even with their success, however, there are a few issues that still need to be addressed.

Playing Conservatively
The Dolphins seem to only respond when they are hyped up. When they are blitzing, throwing the long ball, giving Reggie weird looking plays, and giving the backs a chance to hit someone. These guys are playing like they are in the backyard, and it works. It reminds me of another team that played the same way, the 2000 Rams. The only time we see these Dolphins lose interest is when Tony Soprano gives them some Ritalin and makes them play conservative. Soprano needs to stop giving these guys Ritalin when they are hyped up and hand those boys some more sugar.

Matt Moore
Matt Moore seems to have one terrible problem, he focuses on one receiver. This is nice because he doesn’t turn the ball over, but Brandon Marshall is not open when he stares at him like that weird guy on the subway. Matt Moore has had a lot of time to survey the field and needs to do just that.

The Secondary
This has been beaten to death, but I don’t believe the fault lies with the secondary; it lies with the Ritalin. Late in these past 5 games the Dolphins are not playing on the front seven like they want to hit the quarterback, but playing back. This is leaving the quarterback a lot of time in the pocket, and the secondary cannot stay on the receivers forever. Now this does not excuse blown coverage. There is no excuse for that, but one in a game is not as bad if you make them pay for every down they play the rest of the game.

There are a few things that need to be praised.

The hitting
I cannot remember a time when so many people were injured during Dolphins games (that weren’t Dolphins). It looks like Call of Duty out there. Every time someone catches the ball they will remember it for days, by the big welt on their bums. I mind when they complete a ball for a first down, but it doesn’t hurt as bad if you nail them to the turf, and our Dolphins are doing just that.

The Speed
This is on both sides of the ball. Offensive line is jamming quickly, the defense is rushing and players are getting to the runners and wide receivers in swarms. It’s nice to know that when the other team gets the ball that huge tidal wave of aqua comes crashing down on top of them.

Special Teams
This has been a problem for a long time, but it seems to be working again. The defense is getting to the receiver and the offense is blocking. I don’t know what else to say, but “Get them Austin Spittler!”