Fans deserve fixes, not tired excuses
Coming off yet another weak performance, fans can expect the same excuses and explanations from team officials. How about trying something different; fixing the issues?
Offensive line needs to play better
Try not patching the issue with an injury-prone center and two ‘bargain basement’ guards. Pouncey’s play has been uneven for the last couple of seasons even when he has been on the field. If Miami is going to jettison running back Jay Ajayi due to unreliable knees (among other things) then shouldn’t Adam Gase rethink anchoring his offensive line with a center that has two unreliable hips?
As for upgrade at guard? Signing Ted Larsen at a little over the veteran minimum and bringing back Jermon Bushrod just says that Miami doesn’t really value the offensive line.
This unit has under-performed dating back to before GM Mike Tannenbaum took over but, other than the unexpected fall/drafting of Laremy Tunsil, Miami has put little resources into bolstering this unit.
Proposed fix: Release Pouncey and JuWuan James. Draft a tackle, sign a proven veteran and Move Tunsil back to guard where he excelled last year.
Better offensive play-calling
Most of the offensive starters from last year returned to the team in 2017. Why then does the offense seemed to have taken a step back?
How about the utter failure to keep a balanced offense? I am not talking about an even run/pass ratio. When your offense operates a majority of the time within a 7-yard box, it causes little trouble to the opposing defense.
Okay, there were a couple games this season where Miami had trouble protecting the quarterback but Sunday wasn’t one of those days. Cutler had 5+ seconds in the pocket on multiple occasions but only ONE deep ball was thrown for the first 55 minutes of the game. No wonder the run game has sputtered.
Proposed fix: Enough of the “bubble screens”! They don’t work when the CBs don’t have to respect the deep ball. Stop relying on 3-yard passes to the running back. The game plan should include a MINIMUM of five shots down the field. The Dolphins are paying alot for their wide receivers so let them earn their keep.
As for the defense, I think it’s time that Miami go looking for an upgrade at defensive coordinator. On paper, this team has a tremendous defensive line, was happy with its linebackers and raved about the depth at cornerback. In reality, it couldn’t stop the run last year and can’t stop the pass in 2017. So is it personnel or scheme? The team can’t have it both ways.
“Do your job”
The most recent mantra for the Miami Dolphins. Over the last week, Gase has expressed anger that players are not learning the playbook/assignments. Since most of the players are returning from 2016, why is this an issue that is only being addressed now? After a year-and-a-half, did Gase JUST NOW start to notice that players weren’t prepared?
Proposed fix: This one is pretty simple…..hold players accountable. The TALK has been that this has taken place under Gase but apparently it hasn’t.
Miami has been trotting out the same cliques for over a decade. Fans are tired of hearing them and coaches should be tired of spewing them. It’s time the team put their actions where their talk has been.