Can the Play Calling Be a Source of The Miami Dolphins Issues?

Joe Philbin’s look of deep thought and bewilderment has been on the faces of many Dolphins fans after the team’s last two performances. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-US PRESSWIRE

This season for the Dolphins can be described as a roller coaster ride to say the least. A team that was once 3-3 and looking at having a chance at a wildcard spot or even a shot at a division title has fallen off the track. While the reason for these losses can be placed on many different areas of the team like the pass game, with no deep threat. Even the defense that loves to get their hands on the ball, but for some reason do not want to hold on to it. While all of this stuff has hurt the Dolphins I am going to take a look at the coaching and play calling.

The Dolphins were able to start winning games early on because they were being unpredictable, successfully hiding their weaknesses with their different schemes and play calling. But now after a few weeks teams have been able to identify what the Dolphins have been doing, and have figured out ways to slow it down. For example the corner blitz (Having a corner, usually Jimmy Wilson blitz from one of the corners) that was working so well for the Dolphins has become something opposing teams have been able to shut down with no problem. Giving the quarterback more time to find the open receiver down field. Kevin Coyle has to keep creating new ways to get to the quarterback and confuse the opposing offense.

The play calling on the offensive side has been questionable to say the least as well. It also has been very predictable, as a find myself watching the game and being able to guess what play they will run while they are breaking the huddle. The Dolphins have loved to throw an incomplete pass on first down, and then on second down run the ball right up the middle. Making most 3rd down conversations about 7 or more, something that is hard to complete in the NFL. This team does not have big play threats, but they have good route runners that could get separation. Calling more catch and run type passes should be used more instead of trying to get it all through the air. This would take pressure off both Tannehill and the offense being able to have successful plays and moving the ball down the field.

The play calling has also hurt the run game,and as a result has also hurt the whole offense. If this team wants to win they need to run the ball. Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas have not had success recently trying to move the chains on the ground. A change up in the play calling may be all they need to get back on track, they both have the talent to be solid NFL backs. Something else I have noticed in games the last few weeks is that Reggie seems to be in the huddle less and less each series. It is very puzzling on way they would take out their biggest player so much, especially when they are in need of some big plays.

Hopefully this team is bot done for the season and still have some fight left in them. If they want any hope for a chance at the playoffs a win Sunday against the Seahawks is a must. This team hopefully will get back on the right track and have an exciting last 6 games that will be tough against a Seattle team that is 6-4 and 3rd in the NFL in points allowed.