Dolphins preseason week 2 Vs cowboys takeaways
Even though the Dolphins got torn apart by the Cowboys 41-14 in their second preseason game, some improvement was made, those small victories and down right ugly play will be reviewed here.
How did the Dolphins lose this game so badly? The main reason looks to be similar problems that have festered on defense, run defense and poor tackling. New DC Vance Joseph looks to have his work cut out for him. His defense played well last week and fell flat this week.
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To look even deeper the compounding cause came when backup quarterback Matt Moore went down. Had he not gone down the game most likely would have been closer it tends to throw things out of kilter as for the flow of these games. So the only thing to do at that point was to put in the next backup Brandon Doughty who had his first snap sail high, he pulled it down but the defense quickly closed on him. His timing seemed to be affected by that first play and then held the ball too long with the next few plays after which he was yanked for 4th stringer Zac Dysert for mop up duties leading to a boring blowout game.
Small victories
This is like dropping the ball in the bucket drill only it is good for a Tannehill/Stills TD
Ndamukong Suh shows the importance of making sure the runner is down by contact don’t leave any doubt for the Refs.
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This is a play Gase has liked to call on so far for end zone plays. It sells movement in the end zone but the receiver will sit down on the spot.
Adam Gase has real nice route combos in his play calling allowing receivers a greater opportunity to get and stay open longer. Then add in better protection Tannehill was afforded he can then process where they play is developing best and even look off the defenders notice how Tannehill’s helmet is facing away left of target even after the toss helping to feint the defender off of Stills.
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Ryan Tannehill throws from around the twenty yard mark and Kenny Stills catches it around the opposite thirty yard mark for a pass of around fifty yards. Pretty nice play here as it involves a roll out something Tannehill is good with and he puts the ball to a spot only Stills could get it.
Down right ugly
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With this view you can see how hard it is for Maxwell to defend Bryant (or anyone else for that matter)
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Same play: This view you can see how Bryant does a bunny hop movement while still pinpointing the ball staying in-bounds and boxing out his defender something many receivers could take note on. You can also see that is Dak Prescott throwing the ball, he looks Romo-esk.
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Branden Albert needs to find a way to cheat father time for one more season, if he can just regain a step for one more season it will go a long way. Last week there was a play like this one with him but it was Jordan Cameron who engaged OV first before going out for a pass.
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Speaking of Jordan Cameron here he is in a should be TD, looking closely you can see the defender gets to him after the ball is leaving his buttery hands this is all on him. Factoring this and not much shown from him up to this point some are calling for him to be cut.
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I know there has been work done with Jarvis Landry and end zone drills but seeing this it seems apparent that some high pointing the ball drills are needed.
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Arm tackling: What can be brought up on this that Dolphins fans and many other teams fans haven’t already bandied about over? Maybe all the defensive players can have a copy put in their playbook tablets “How to Tackle in Football: 14 Steps (with Pictures)” from some wiki. You can hug someone and then turn your shoulder in you should be able to tackle, easily said from those of us sitting at home watching the games.
Growing pains
You gain ground and then lose it. Two steps up one step back, this is an all too common occurrence for the Dolphins if you have been a fan for very long. One thing to note is that the whole team is going through it even the coaches brought in, they are first timers at their respected positions so they are feeling it as well. They still have some time to work out the kinks but that time is drawing short as the games that count are fast approaching. From the sampling we have seen so far you have to feel that there may be a lot more to come, they don’t want to overload the players and show their hands as well.