2015 Miami Dolphins thread

Quote Originally Posted by Liturgy_of_Fade:

GL Wake! Looking fwd to seeing Miami this year.

I hope Landry kills it.  Speaking of, will he be returning punts and kicks?  If so, are you happy with him at that role or does the threat of injury not make it worth it?

LaMike James will be retuning punts and kicks this year. Per the Dolphins first depth chart

Yeah, I saw that one today.

The one I was referring to was by a different person. The one I saw on bleacher report had them #11.

Its all just noise till the season starts, but like I said odd to see them get respect.

Brandon Albert is playing

The Dolphins secondary will be determined A LOT by the play of Jamar Taylor, and whether or not he can stay healhty. Which is obviously dicey. I still trust that Grimes has enough in him to be a top 10-12 corner. Its very dangerous because he can't stay healhty. I'm not thrilled with their secondary but I am happy with the depth. I'd rank their corners probably around 10 maybe higher  with Taylor, but without him they are around 20-22. He is huge for this team.

Also, the defensive line should cover up a lot of mistakes for the secondary. Creating pressure and havoc will hopefully allow for the athletic corners and safeties to make a lot of plays.

Miami Dolphins (-2.5) vs Washington Redskins

Not much left to say about this game that I haven't already said. I'm just glad I got this game at 2.5 a few weeks ago. I fully expect this game to hit maybe 5 by kickoff. It seems to have settled at right around 4, but I think it still might go higher.

I'm not going to lie, I wish RG3 was playing but Kirk Cosuin's isn't too much better. He is 2-7 as a starter I believe and really his only good game was against the terrible secondary of the Eagles last year. It really doesn't matter though. When you put a top 3 defensive line against one of the worst O-lines in the NFL, right there you have a huge advantage. That is one of many advantages for the Dolphins in this game. The Dolphins are about as healthy as possible heading into this game. Other than Delmas their entire team is basicaslly healthy which is all I can ask for. Devante Parker had a GREAT week of practice and the most valuable player on the roster (tied with Tannehill) is playing in Brandon Albert. Miami's Oline has gone from questionable to actually really solid. Albert (top 5 olineman in NFL), Pouncey (probowl stud) James (All rookie team honors last year), Dallas Thomas (great off season and preseason) and Jamil Douglas (obviously the weak link but he is a rookie and beat out Tuner). The biggest questionmark on their team has suddenly turned into a really good unit. When Tannehill gets time, he lights it up. Simple as that. The Dolphins first team has scored on 3 of 4 possesions in the preseason (without Albert, and Parker) I fully expect the Dolphins to score at will. Remember with Albert blocking last year they put up 33 points on the Pats (only playing 1 good half of football). 38 points against the Raiders (Tannehill only played 3 quarters) and 37 points against the Chargers. This offense can light it up, and their weapons this year are MUCH better than last year. The Dolphins could easily drop 35+ in this game.

As for the defense, what else needs to be said besides the fact Cameron Wake right this moment is a hallf of famer and he has been double teamed his entire career. This year, he will be single blocked almost every play and the Redskins are starting guys with no experience to block him. Cameron Wake getting 5 sacks this game is possible. Even when the Dolphins dominant Dline doesn't get to the QB, watch how many holding penalities they draw in this game. Washington will be living at 2nd and 19 all day. Again it will get ugly. If this game was played 25 times, the Dolphins would win 22 possibly 23 times out of 25. It is going to be that ugly. It should be over by halftime. I will be at this game with a huge smile on my face.

Prediction: 38-10, Dolphins.

Miami Dolphins -2.5 (10u to win 9.1)
Miami Dolphins FH -2 (3u to win 2.7)
Miami Dolphins over 23.5 (5u to win 4.5)
Wash. Redskins under 20 (3u to win 2.7)

Ugly game.

2-2 + 3.8u

I was at the game yesterday, so I didnt get to see all of the little things you see when watching on tv. Here are my thoughts on the game, and the team in general moving forward.

- The Dolphins did not play well yesterday. The Redskins really set and controlled the pace the first half and really kept Miami out of rhythm. I give credit to the Redskins and I think Suuma is right. They will be decent as the year goes on and I could see them winning 5-6- possibly 7 games. They are not ad bad as I thought they were.

- The Dolphins offensive line played okay. Brandon Albert got hurt for a few plays and the Dolphins let up a big sack during that time. The defensive line played bad in the first half and great in the second half. They had a span of creating 4 straight penalties on the Redskins. Did not create nearly as much pressure as expected, but Kirk Cousins released the ball quickly which created a few problems.

- Really it all comes down to the Dolphins not playing well. They missed a 4th and 1 in the redzone and fumbled when they were in FG range. But ya know what. Good teams find a way to win when things are not going well. Thats exactly what they did. Tannehill needs a little time to gel with Stills and Jennings, and Parker only played about 5 snaps. Dion Sims concussion also set this offense back alittle during the game.

As for next week. I am confident they will get the job done. It might be ugly again, but I think they will win something like 23-13. They could easily score a bunch of points, but the Jags held them in check last year. The Dolphins won 27-13 but had two pick 6's. I think it is very safe to play the fins ML and I do think they cover but I will not be on them with a 10 unit play or anything. Jarvis Landry is really the only player who had a great game on offense. That will happen almost every game, but other players need to step up. The Dolphins were down, and simply did not run the ball enough. Bill Lazor needs to be more balanced and keep pounding the rock.

All in all I am happy with yesterday. They won on the road and shut out the Skins in the 2nd half. I was very surprised the Skins had so much success on the ground. Over 100 yards is pretty crazy in a half, and maybe showed the Dolphins they need to work hard and simply showing up is not enough. I would certainly rather win ugly then lose pretty like they did last year vs Denver. Long season, and the Dolphins are 1-0.

Great. the public is all over the Dolphins again.

Didn't expect them to be #1 public favorite and have 80% on them.

Yeah from the outside looking in I don't blame anyone who lays blame at the feet of Philbin. It is completely acceptable when you have the talent the Dolphins do and keep finishing 8-8 and looking poor in week 1.

The only argument I have from Philbin this game was going for it on 4th and 1. The Dolphins were down 3-0 at this point. Grimes had just picked off a pass at the 14 yard line, so the Dolphins were kind of free rolling. On this paticular play Tannehill lined up under center and handed of to Damien Williams. He should have had the first down but got run down from behind by Kerrigan, which is on the o-line. Still going for it here it dumb. If they were down 7-0 then I would be fine with this call even though they didn't get it. When you are down 3-0 on the road, you need to take the points and keep the momentum.

After watching in-depth highlights of this game a few things I noticed were.

- The Dolphins were held on a lot of the plays I saw. Koa Misi and Wake were held early and often. Those calls will be made in the future and especially at home.

- Jamar Taylor played bad. He reminds me alittle of Jimmy Wilson but he has a looooong way to go before he gets that far on my bad side.

- I revise my statement that Landry was the only player on offense to play well. Cameron and Rishad Matthews did too. I really like Matthews. He fights for the ball in the air and when he leaves the Dolphins after this year he should shine in his next offense where he isn't #5 on the depth chart.

- Run the ball Bill Lazor. I know he likes to throw to set up the run but they need to run the ball more. They only had 4 plays in the first quarter (thats crazy) so I know they wanted to make big plays. They just need to run the ball more Miller is more than capable and had some really nice second half runs.

The Dolphins played as bad as they possibly can all season in the first half. The second half they outscored the Skins 10-0, ran the ball well and made big plays when it was needed. All I know is Dolphins will not play as bad next week. I hope they blow them out but I am feeling a 6-10-13 point win. I see some value in Dolphins ML and Jags TT Under.

glyde

(Dolphins (-6, 41.5) at Jags)

I've put a lot of thought into this game and after a lot of thinking, I came to the realization that I over thought. This game is really simple. The Dolphins are a much better team and playing on basically neutral site. The only thing really holding me back is Cam Wake and Reshad Jones are both questionable. Both practiced on limited basis all week. Wake is more likely to play than Jones but I think both will suit up and possibly play limited snaps if anything. I don't care how good or deep your team is. If you lose two of your top 4 players you are going to have some sort setback. The D-line is extremely deep and I trust the backup safety Michael Thomas, but still it is not something I want to see with a chance to start 2-0.

Now onto the game. The Dolphins played as bad of 28 minutes of football as they might play all year in the first half of week 1. They could not stop the run, and they could not move the ball and were down 10-0. The only thing preventing it from being worse was they forced a turnover, missed kick and did not turn the ball over themselves. The next 32 minutes were alot better but certainly not as good as the Dolphins can play. They outscored the skins 17-0, made enough plays to win the game (shoutout Brice Mccain). What I liked the most though was the fact they were able to run the ball and run the clock out. Something they have struggled with for awhile. That gives me confidence that they will be able to hold leads late. Lamar Miller broke some nice runs and needs to be more of a factor for this offense. I think he has a really good game tomorrow. One of the reasons he was not week 1 was the fact they ran 4 plays in the first quarter. That is a pretty crazy number. Once they got down, Lazor knows he has a quick strike offense so he came out throwing. I am not about abandoning the run at any time until late in the fourth when you are down big. If Miami is winning or even close in this game Miller will be a huge factor with a bunch of carries.

I was alittle nervous to back the Dolphins this week. When I realize they played as poor vs a better team then they do tomorrow and still won by 7 points I feel I am on the right side. I definitely think the Dolphins come out and play much better tomorrow. 2-0 is in site and they want to get the bad taste out of their mouth from last week. They still have the same amount of playmakers as they did last week, I just need to stay the course with this team and not get too high or too low. This team has the potential to beat any team on any given sunday or pull the 'same old Dolphins' and come out flat. This is going to be a tricky team to read this year. I really think how they played the week before, they will play different the next week. Still have the potential to be one of the best defenses in the NFL and a handful of playmakers on offense. As long as Albert Tannehill and Landry are in, this team can beat anyone. Tannehill was 22-34 for 226 yards, 1 TD / no ints and he admittedly said he did not play good. A lot of teams in the NFL would take those numbers. Especially from a QB who had a down game. Also, if you are not on the Landry bandwagon you need to be. I already described him this year as 'too good for words' and he really is. Every time he touches the ball he can score. Star in the making if he isn't already after last week. Once he has a 10 catch game for 100 yards he will earn more respect I think. Always a possibility with his targets.

Bottom line, The Dolphins are the better team and should come out on fire this week. The Jaguars simply do not scare me. Their offense vs the Fins defense is going to be really tough for them. Never thought much of Bortles and after week 1 showing vs a team not as good as the Dolphins at home, I can see why public is all over the Fins. Last year when the Fins played @ Jax they played almost a full game of how they played last sunday, but had two pick sixes and were up 27-6 late in the fourth quarter. The Jags scored a garbage time touchdown on a busted coverage to make it 27-13. Miami should dominate this game and I think they will. They either come out on fire and blowout the Jags or their defense keeps it close and they most likely win it on a Jax error late. Possibly a late touchdown to win by 7, but I don't think it comes down to that. I feel a comfortable win tomorrow. The Dolphins are a better team than they showed last week. They know it, I know it, and you should know it. They are eager to show that.

Prediction: 30-13, Dolphins.

Miami Dolphins (-6):5.3u to win 5
Jaguars (under 17): 2.2u to win 2

YTD: 2-2 +3.8 units.