Miami Dolphins hit new low with 30-17 loss to Tennessee Titans

For a city in need of up-lifting in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, the Titans’ dismantling of the Miami Dolphins was particularly deflating.  The loss drops the Dolphins to 1-4 on the season.

Awful

Dreadful

Terrifying

Those are words that are heard often this time of year regarding Halloween decorations and costumes.  In this case, they are fitting to describe the 2016 Miami Dolphins after five weeks.

“We’re inept right now…” – Head coach Adam Gase

Adam Gase’s assessment of the Dolphins offense is raw, honest and entirely truthful.

Six sacks

51 yards rushing (at 3.0 yards per carry)

One offensive touchdown

While people will point to new personnel at LT and LG, there is no excuse for the total lack of execution that took place on Sunday.  Billy Turner not only looked like a player making his first career NFL start at LT, he looked like a player who has never played LT at ANY level.

Unfortunately, the same thing could be said for JuWuan James, who suddenly looks like he simply forgot how to play RT over the offseason.  And let’s not even start again on the starting worthiness of Dallas Thomas….

With such a terrible performance by the offensive line, it’s hard to critique the play of Ryan Tannehill.  While nobody can argue that he faced constant pressure, his offense racked up only 200 yards of total offense and he threw two interceptions on the day; which is inexcusable regardless of the protection.

We’re inept right now…on defense

After five weeks, Adam Gase’s defense of Ryan Tannehill is only superseded by his ignoring the defense.  I understand that Gase came to Miami with experience solely on the offensive side of the ball but his apparent lack of awareness of the Dolphins defensive problems is beginning to become troubling.

"We built this defense to play with a lead.. – Adam Gase"

What exactly about this defense makes it equip to perform with a lead?  The Dolphins defense allowed Tennessee to rush for 235 yards at 5.7 yards/carry and allowed Titans QB Marcus Mariota to complete 69% of his passes without registering a single sack.  When your defense couldn’t stop the run or the pass from play #1, it isn’t ‘built’ to play from behind OR ahead.

‘Mighty Mouse’ to the rescue

In OTA’s, returner/wide-receiver Jakeem Grant earned the nickname “Mighty Mouse”.  In the second quarter, the diminutive Dolphin flashed his ‘super powers’; taking a punt back 74 yards for his first career NFL TD.