Adam Gase needs to improve his game management skills

Game management. Phrased differently, the management of game responsibilities related to in-game scenarios, the clock, and replay challenges. Although Coach Gase has been impressive so far, the first two games demonstrate that he needs to improve his game management skills.

There are many reasons for the Miami Dolphins’ 0-2 start. An offense that has yet to consistently get into gear. A non-existent running game. A defense that has not made stops when needed. An inconsistent placekicker. Untimely penalties and turnovers. Blame for those shortcomings falls upon the players, coaches, and ultimately, the head coach. To save this season, Adam Gase needs to not only improve the team in each of those areas but also in his own game management skills.

As a position coach and a coordinator, Adam Gase’s responsibility was focused – on a particular position, a particular player, or a particular side of the ball. Now, as a head coach, Coach Gase is responsible for all aspects of the team, every player, every position, every coach, every side of the ball. He is also responsible for managing the game itself – in-game scenarios, the clock, and replay challenges. The first two games demonstrate that Coach Gase has plenty of room to improve his own game management skills.

In Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, the Dolphins faced a 4^th and inches on the Seattle 17-yard line in the first quarter. “Playing to win,” Coach Gase went for the first down rather than the 34-yard field goal. Miami failed to convert and eventually lost the game by 2 points. It is certainly true that Miami had several other opportunities after this point to change the ultimate outcome of the game. But the decision here reflects more emotion and optimism than thoughtful coaching. Miami was on the road, across the country, against a playoff-caliber team. Miami had an inexperienced center that made a quarterback sneak impractical. The offensive line had yet to demonstrate that it could impose its will on the opposing defensive line. In that situation, take the 3 points early in the game.

In Week 2 against the New England Patriots, Coach Gase was forced to make a decision immediately after the Dolphins won the coin toss. Miami was on the road, up the coast, against a playoff-caliber team and division rival. This time, rather than being aggressive and taking the kickoff, Coach Gase deferred. The Patriots took the kickoff and marched down the field for a touchdown. They followed that with two more touchdown drives. By the time halftime came around, any hoped-for advantage to be gained from receiving the second half kickoff was gone. In that situation, take the opening kickoff and give your offense an opportunity to set the tone of the game.

Late in the game against the Patriots, Coach Gase elected to use the first of the team’s timeouts with 2:17 remaining. That was a prudent, time-saving decision. However, when the Patriots succeeded in getting a first down on the next play, Coach Gase did not use a second timeout at the 2:13 mark but instead let the clock run down to the two minute warning. In fact, Coach Gase likely could have used all three of his team’s timeouts prior to the two minute warning. Perhaps the difference would have been just 15 seconds or so, but those 15 seconds could have proved very meaningful at the end of this particular game. Therefore, if you are going to take one timeout prior to the two minute warning, take as many as you can to save time.

Adam Gase needs better game management

By Scott Lascari | Sep 20, 2016

Game management. Phrased differently, the management of game responsibilities related to in-game scenarios, the clock, and replay challenges. Although Coach Gase has been impressive so far, the first two games demonstrate that he needs to improve his game management skills.