It’s time for Adam Gase to show off his Miami Dolphins playbook
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins will play the Patriots on Sunday and one of the biggest factors very well may be Dolphins head coach Adam Gase.
Throughout the pre-season media and fans alike asked where the Dolphins offense was. Adam Gase simply said he wasn’t going to show everything he had in his playbook. He may want to show that this weekend. It’s time.
It is hard to imagine that Gase’s desire to conceal portions of his game plans were simply the touchdown pass from Albert Wilson to Jakeem Grant. Or the flip pass to Albert that went some 70 yards on Sunday. Those are plays you don’t run in pre-season. Most of the questions surrounded Mike Gesicki and his use in the red-zone. Is that what we should expect in New England?
If Gase was telling the truth about what he was keeping under wraps then we have to believe we have yet to see any of it in a game thus far. Miami’s offense has been good but they really have done nothing that they didn’t do in 2016 aside from a few pre-designed plays. If we are to believe Gase, then there has to be something more.
Earlier we mentioned the need for a complete game in all three phases on Sunday. The fourth wasn’t covered and that is Adam Gase. Gase needs to call a near perfect game. He can’t get hung up on sticking to scripted plays early or sticking to one area of his offense that might not be working.
Against the Raiders Gase continued to try to pound the ball on the ground but the Raiders effectively and successfully took that area of the game away from Miami. Yet in the first half, Gase didn’t stray too far from that area of his game plan. When he realized that the Raiders were going to give up the passing lanes he adjusted. Luckily his adjustments came at the right time.
More from Phin Phanatic
- Tua Tagovailoa practicing with teammates is everything a leader does
- 4 offensive tackles Miami Dolphins could draft at 51
- Miami Dolphins don’t need CB help but these 5 could be available at 51
- 4 players that could replace Wilkins if Miami Dolphins don’t re-sign him
- Miami Dolphins have a starting point with Wilkins after Simmons deal
This week he can’t stick to what is not working and instead needs to drive with what is and drive it down their throats every chance he gets. If the Patriots are going to take away the running game then burn them with your short passing game. Force them to make adjustments and when they do, come back to the running attack and force them to change it again.
This week is a chess match and so far, Gase has yet to win in Foxboro in two previous attempts. Bill Belichick makes teams play against him they way he wants them to. Gase needs to send that message to Belichick early on Sunday and then continue it the entire game.
Will Mike Gesicki play a bigger role this week? If Gase has that bottled up in a safety box now is the time to open it and open up Gesicki’s physicality and catch ability. There have been glimpses but glimpses won’t beat the Patriots. It has to be done this week. A three game swing in the AFC East would be huge this early in the season and set up the Dolphins for success in 2018 but until they beat the Patriots in Foxboro, nothing is for certain.
As a head coach this is clearly Gase’s best job so far but he needs to continue it. It could be one of his biggest games of his young career and not to add any pressure but everyone in the NFL is watching to see who these Miami Dolphins really are. A win on Sunday will open their eyes.