Dolphins beat Bills 15-10 to open season at 1-0

ORCHARD PARK, NY -- It was a nail-bitter, especially after the Bills scored a fourth-quarter TD, but the Dolphins held on today for a 15-10 victory in the regular-season opener.

As masterpieces go, this one was painted in crayons.

But the NFL doesn't judge beauty. Wins and losses are judged by points, be they accumulated in ugly fashion or not.

The Dolphins defense was ugly today. It was a good ugly. They snarled, they spit, they fought, they dominated for the entire game except Buffalo's 81-yard drive in the fourth quarter.

Karlos Dansby, Koa Misi, and Cameron Wake had sacks. Dansby was all over the field.

Jason Allen was unscathed in his starting debut as he shadowed Lee Evans throughout the game.

The Miami offense?

It needs work. Lots of work.

Chad Henne was not sharp. He was 21 of 34 for 182 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He held the ball too long at times. He and Brandon Marshall are still not quite in synch.

Henne underthrew Marshall on what should have been an easy, long TD pass. Forced to come back to the ball, Marshall then dropped it. Incomplete. 

Comments

[beerndrums]

Oderick and Misi held their own today.I was impressed by the D,but the O needs more work.I'd rather be 1-0 than 0-1....how bout you?

[DC Dolfan]

ArmandoTheDickHead...do they make baseball caps in micrometers? Because if the size of your brain were any indication, your cranium must be minuscule. Dolphins did what they had to. Pats weren't tested, let's see what Brady can do when he's pursued by Wake all game. Offense will get nothing but better. Marshall is the real deal. Get the corn out of your ears and ENJOY THE WIN!

[PhinsWin]

Henne can only throw the ball to the receivers. He can't catch it for them too.

[Ripp]

Whats wrong with you guys? After the preseason we had I feel much better about this team. I still have a lot of hope for this offense. Its just the 1st game and just look at the Saints/Vikes game if you disagree with me. I think by mid season we will hear Henne to Marshall on a regular basis. Except for one series Miami's D dominated the entire game while Miami's O dominated the 1st half , it fizzled in the 2nd. Although I thought that Henning was making it a point to pass the ball and for what? If they kept a balance attack like they did in the 1st half they would have had much better success but they went away from that. Which at this point is my biggest concern. This could have been a huge blow out in favor of Miami but this team is not in synch yet. Give it time peps.

[Michael]

I love to make things up, Bills playing Third string offense, I made that up

I also can't spell, rediculous but believe me, I is smart

[beerndrums]

DC Dolphan,you're right....ENJOY THE WIN.

[Po White Trash]

1 & 0 sounds good to me BD.

[beerndrums]

Cameron Wake had a great game too.

[zonk-39]

Henning is KILLING our Drives....way to many BAD Play calls today!!!!

[TheSMF]

Matt Schaub threw for a grand total of 107 yards today and Eli Manning threw 3 picks. The Texans and Giants both won.
A win is a win.
Good Job Phins!
Good Job Henne!
Good Job D!

[PhinsWin]

I think some people still think it's the late 1970s and the Phins are supposed to go up to Buffalo and dominate. Wake up!

Looking forward, we usually don't play well in Minnesota, but I'm holding out hope for a squeaker next week. We stop Peterson, we win. That simple.

[Jimmy Jam]

D looked great except when Culver was caught looking - but one poor play for the game is not awful. J. Allen delivered - kudos. The secondary isn't quite right yet (catch those INTs, please!) and a better team may shred them but the D looked good overall. Misi looks to be the real deal - very happy to see that - a Seau kind of LB. Hopefully he'll develop that way.

Henne needs a lot of work. He can't feel a rush (especially backside - remember how Marino - from day one - would feel it and do that little stutter step? Can't imagine how many sacks he avoided doing that), he still has very poor touch passes, continues to telegraph passes and under/over throws far too much. He needs to get out from under center better - was that three times he tripped/was trodden on by his center? He looks horribly uncomfortable and stiff. With Pennington being unable to throw a deep pass, I still feel Thigpen is the most dynamic QB on this team. I hope Henne finds consistency and becomes the QB his supporters say he is but, right now, he is not looking like the answer. Over half of Marshalls catches were caught because Marshall is Marshall - behind, underthrown, off target.

Hartline didn't look so great, Bess is a reliable 3rd receiver. We could def. use an upgrade at 2nd WR. Running game looks good. OL better than I expected. Fasano looked good - I thought he'd suffer without Martin, but I was wrong.

If Buffalo weren't so awful, I'd be feeling pretty good about our chances this year. Hopefully the offense gels more (and quickly) - for the most part, they have the talent. Finally.

[Jeremy in the Canadian Cowtown]

I know it may sound like an excuse. But does anyone think the Marshall drop on a slight underthrow by Henne was caused by the wind. It seemed that all kickoffs going the other way went for miles and kickoffs going that way were pushed back?

[beerndrums]

I heard that some guy named CJ Spiller was at the game.....how did he do?

[mrmikejohnson]

It's better to make improvements after a win than make them after a loss. They got a lot to work on.

1. Henne + Marshall need to develop chemistry
2. DBs need to learn to catch

It's nice not to have Gibril Wilson on the field. Clemons looked real good.

[MD Dolphin Fan]

Offense is built for Pennington not Henne. Either change it or change your QB.

[PhinsWin]

@zonk-39,

I agree with that. Henning was not on his game today. And no way should the Phins have let Buffalo get the ball back late in the fourth quarter. We were gashing them on the ground just prior to 2:00 in the 4th and what does Henning call? Two straight passes and we punt! Awful.

[bobbyd12]

Po White, impressed with defense, Clemons showed he can play which was a potential question. Offense will get into sync, little practice and time. Looked like we pulled back in second half. Hate WildCat in redzone, let Henne take charge instead of putting him in 3rd and long. Special Teams looked good except for Carpenter kicking ball out of bounds and missing field goal. Saw nothing out of Clifton Smith that he is better then Bess out there. We are not starting 0-3 and won on the road against a division opponent. I am happy, drunk Dolphin fan week one

[Home]

Jason Allen held Dolphin Killer Lee Evans to 4 catches for 34 Yds
Was instrumental in the Dolphins WIN today

Just Interviewed locally w/Kim Bo
Jason Allen very humble and respectful and wants to watch film and improve

This starting CB
JASON ALLEN (Damn Good football player) is who
Home wants to represent the Miami Dolphins Organization

Show me on the field
Not With Your Mouth

Also Keith Sims, The Finsider writer and former Miami Dolphin Pro Bowl CB Sam Madison
HAVE ALL AGREED
"Starting CB Jason Allen Had a GREAT DAY"

Congrats to Mike Nolan & Jason Allen

***** The Dynasty Be Fins! *****

[Po White Trash]

Excellent analysis B12.

Have a drink on me!

[Jimmy Jam]

MrMike - you're right - another nice surprise in Clemons. I'm happily surprised by Clemons, Misi, Odrick and Allen.

Happy about the win and that's a great point about making improvements after a win.

I think that, for Henne to have an opportunity to shine, they need to take the reins off him a bit. If he succeeds then great. If he then fails, change him out for Thiggy. But don't make him play with one hand tied behind his back. If he is to fail, let him do it with every opportunity you can afford him. I agree - this is not Pennington's offense; design it to meet Henne's strengths (his arm). Time will prove if the has the smarts, heart and potential for growth.

[Jersey Dolphan]

Buffalo is going to be a tough team to beat, they'll be better then the jets.
I DON'T CARE what any one of you say.
The Dolphins normally lose these kind of games and WE WON.
Classic ugly divisional game, which we needed and won. We're leading the division and that's ALL that matters.

[beerndrums]

Hell yeah Bobby.This was a huge win for the Dolphins.Henne didn't look great,but he held his compuser and didn't throw back to back to back INt's like last year.

[dishpan]

Way to play jason allen. hey there mandouche

[JoeMiami]

Henne had time to find a receiver, the oline did a fine job. He needs to look off and come back to the primary and be on time. Way too many underneath throws on third down.

Defense was impressive with only one visible gaff.

[Todd]

1st down 3 yards
2nd down 4 yards
3rd down incomplete
4th down punt

throw the ball downfield

"chunk" yards, didn't see it

[shaggy]

officials were horrid today, wake was getting tackled all day.

[Po White Trash]

Saw that to shaggy.

[dolphin77]

the dolphins easily should have had 31 points. d played well except for that breakdown in coverage. henne still scares me. bad decision maker.

[Home]

Key reasons for Miami Dolphin Victory

sean smith didn’t play a down.

Home has been Pounding the Table to Bench "POSER BOY"
since discovering this CB was a Fraud at Miami Dolphin Training Camp 2009

... the sheep did not listened and believed Omar Kool Aid Kelly, "The Hellen Keller Of Miami Dolphin Insight" and his disgusting jaded man crush on "POSER BOY"

Well all Home can say is ...

Stop the bleeding before it starts

Bench sean smith

Dolphin Killer Lee Evans kept in check by starting CB Jason Allen

Miami Dolphins 1-0

God Bless Mike Nolan

[dishpan]

remember, the bills defensive backfield is outstanding

[Jon]

It seems like Dan Henning puts too much emphasis on 'mixing it up' with multiple formations, when he should keep it a little more straight forward now that Miami has weapons and can hurt teams in multiple areas. Look at teams like the Colts and Pats, they only run a handful of formations.

Obviously the plays are different but the point is, Miami should get to that point with Henne and let him Mature. Also, I would let Henne work out of the gun' more. He takes a little too long to set up when he's dropping back from under center. I think they'll get there if they game plan better towards the teams strengths.

[redsky]

i was impressed by the whole D. allen, clemons, wake, misi.....and odrick tasted first blood. let's see what nolan comes up with against the vikings, hopefully farve will still be rusty.

[Po White Trash]

But we luv you dickhead.......

[FB]

Have you guys noticed that the Dolphins are the only away team that won today? Having said that:
1. We need to improve our play calling on offense; it is indeed offensive.
2. Jason Allen played really well; it's a shame that he couldn't hold on to that ball and take it in for 6. He would've made a huge bang!
3. We don't need the wild cat.

congrats guys!!!

[Lebron's headband]

A win is a win baby
f u to all the haters
henne looked good , no dumb plays
too many drops
great play by the rookies
we missed Two pick six
dink and dunk special by henning
only 1 deep ball
no fist pumps by sunglass man only the silly fist that smith puts up one ready to return punts
what happened to alama?
Carey needs to loose 20 lbs
i want more bess and less hartline

[Cuban Menace]

Great Win for the Mighty air-breathers. Congrates, Now lets see how the "D" plays against a potent offense in Minny.....

[DyingBreed]

Matt Schaub threw for a grand total of 107 yards today and Eli Manning threw 3 picks. The Texans and Giants both won.
A win is a win.
Good Job Phins!
Good Job Henne!
Good Job D!

Posted by: TheSMF | September 12, 2010 at 04:45 PM

Henne 1st start right out of the chute. There was an issue or two as you should well expect from a very young 2nd yr starter. But I'll take what I saw from Henne today over a rash of turnovers. He had not 1 turnover.

[Lebron's headband]

Wake was being held all day long
wtf???

[Cuban Menace]

Oh Yeah Lebron, Congrates to you too, You were the closes in your perdiction 20 t0 10.....

[DyingBreed]

Most important we broke the 6 season streak of 0-1 out of the chute. Henne and #7 were a charm!

[Po White Trash]

Well said DB.

[DyingBreed]

I know its only Buffalo but we are 1-0 to startv a season for the first time in 7yrs guys!!!

[DyingBreed]

Gotta admit I feel better about a not so great win than I wouldn have after a not so great loss!!!

[Venom]

great job Dolphins!!!!
congratulations to all the fans!!!
F U all hatters!!!!!
we are 1-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TED SIDELINE JR]

Wake was getting held all game long no calls!!! Run D was stout! Pass D was ok but still suspect!! Oline played ok!! Pass offense sucked!! And Henne was horrible I said it last year he is too ROBOTIC lol He has not improved at all in fact he looks more uncomfortable than last year!! NO pocket presence or awareness, throws the ball too hard even on 2 yard checkdowns, balls get batted at the line, he overthrows all the time or underthrows and worst of all he had all day to find receivers and didnt he SUCKS PERIOD.....

[kyphinfan]

good road win today; defense looked good, and despite what some on here say Henne didn't look bad 62% completion (could be better but there were some drops), and he didn't throw the int. Read somewhere Odrick had a deep bone bruise in the 3rd quarter (hope he is ok for Minnesota. Finally I guess all the sky is falling posers on here last week have left, and all I can say is good riddance, and go Baltimore tomorrow night

[kris]

When we are in December fighting for a playoff spot or the AFC EAST crown no one will give a damn how this game was won and neither will I.

[ALoco]

now,FOR ME i miss ted ginn .in a game like this one gin would have 2 TD but i tell you how i feel marshall is a huge bust .next game if we win it in MIN thje gate will be open to the playoffs.

chicochinco my A S S.BRADY is number 1 i the league.

fat rex will be defeated tomorrow for sure .

[Po White Trash]

Go Baltimore!!!!!

[ALoco]

Kris, how you know december we r going to fight for the playoffs.first we have to win in MIN or we will be insalata mista .

[kris]

D-head

Does your VAGE hurt? It is what it was. If you don't like it log off.

No charge for solving your problem. Thats what I do.

O....

[ALoco]

is marshall a bust yet w/50 million dollars.i saw brady and he showed why he's a 72 million man .marshall showed me we r screwed for 50 million .

[TJ]

We need to score more points, give up less points, and get more turnovers. If we can do all that we will win more games.

Posted by: ArmandoTheDickHead | September 12, 2010 at 05:40 PM

Actually if we score the same amount of points, give up the same amount of points, and get the same amount of turnovers we will finish 16-0.

[kyphinfan]

got a question (not dolphin related but football related) did anyone see the last play of the lions vs. bears game? Calvin Johnson caught the ball got both feet down, took a step slid on his butt with the ball in both hands in front of him (td right?) he rolled over to stand up and put the ball on the ground and released it and the ref said no td because he didn't control the ball all the way through. Now I know the rule but I don't think in that situation it would apply Detroit was cheated by the refs.

[kris]

A loco....

Translation please. i can't decipher what you said

[odinseye]

ArmandoTheDickHead,

You sound eerily familiar to last weeks leader of the Sky is falling crowd.

You need to change your sign in name. You're not Armando the Dick head your simply a dick head.

PS: Miami man handled the bills. Doh! Stings don't it dick head?

[sean37]

Not the best looking win but defense looked pretty good and no int. for Henne. I think a few more games Henne and Marshall will be in sync. Stop crying and lets celebrate the win. GO PHINS!!!!!!

[lewD]

Henning continuing to call cute plays will cost us a couple of games this year ... bet on that!

replace Henning with Pennington as the play caller ... his field experience and intelligence along with his voice in Henne's ear would make a world of difference ....

if Henne got hurt, let Pennington call the game from the huddle .... like the QB's did so many years ago ...

[R & R EXPRESS]

We need to score more points, give up less points, and get more turnovers. If we can do all that we will win more games.

Posted by: ArmandoTheDickHead | September 12, 2010 at 05:40 PM
_______________________________________________

Armando TDH - time to move on to Football 102.