Yet another storm that Miami Dolphins couldn’t seem to escape

So they say that lightning rarely strikes the same place twice, well tell that to the thousands of Miami Dolphins fans at Hard Rock Stadium yesterday. Yet another storm that Miami Dolphins couldn’t seem to escape.

This is becoming an annual event on opening day, not only a storm in the sky above Miami, a storm of penalty’s, you know the mental mistakes that have plagued this team for quite some time now, have reared their ugly head again and are still a huge Miami Dolphins problem that always put the team in unmanageable situations. The special teams and defensive tackling was absolutely atrocious (with a few exceptions) and stole the spotlight for the biggest concern on Sunday though. I understand that this was a rare start and stop, wet and wild game that had no real flow, but man, it was bad.

The special teams did not look like a Darren Rizzi coached unit, missed tackles, blown assignments and they even gave up a return for a touchdown . Nobody seems to step up  and take hold of the holes left by Michael Thomas and Damien Williams, both big free agent special team loses.

Time after time Dion Lewis should have been stopped well behind the line, but repeatedly broke tackles and ran for positive yards. The middle of the field was gashed throughout the whole game through the air. I don’t even think I heard Raekwon McMillan or Jerome Baker’s name once (and that’s not a positive).

The linebackers need to be present everywhere, or maybe I was just spoiled watching Zach Thomas throughout his career. If it were not for Reshad Jones being the all pro that he is, things could have gotten real ugly.

There was absolutely zero pass rush, so much for the dynamic duo at the end’s of the defensive line. Cameron Wake and Robert Quinn were invisible and they were against Tennessee’s back up tackles, I mean,  really? It would appear perhaps father time has caught up to Cameron Wake and that Robert Quinn did nothing to take some of the focus to the other side of the D-line. Time will tell I guess.

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A lot of work needs to be done to this very young and inexperienced defense and growing pains are going to hurt, but there surely will be growing pains.

The brighter side of the defense was the solid play of the secondary. Bobby McCain was the obvious selection to be picked on early, but stood his ground and actually elevated his game as it went on. He did a nice job fulfilling his role! Reshad Jones, well, it’s Rashad Jones, the man can simply ball.

Rookie Minkah Fitzpatrick proved worthy of being the first draft pick of this years draft and played well, especially in the critical situation at the goal line for the 4th and goal stop in the first quarter. Xavien  Howard was solid as well, not hearing much from anyone he was covering all day (and night).

So after a few soul crushing and tedious delays and what I’m sure was a few tough mental and physical adjustment for the team throughout the afternoon, the Miami Dolphins got the W, and walked back in the locker room for the 3rd time of the day victorious with several things to work on before the next game.

Oh and one more thing, too all the people (not mentioning names) who said the Miami Dolphins were the worst team in the NFL, did you see the Buffalo Bills game. I know its real early in the season but I’ll be B-B-Qing up the crow for you at next weeks pregame.