Rewinding the game: Dolphins versus Tampa Bay

I watched the Dolphins 20-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a second time today. Miami still loses. Imagine that. And while there were some good points the Dolphins will probably emphasize for public consumption, there was also a troubling theme to this game:

Nobody that the Dolphins are counting on this year made a big play.

"Look, we’re looking for guys who can make great plays," coach Joe Philbin said after the game. "Whether it’s impact plays, whether it be third down, whether it be a defensive end beating an offensive tackle, sacking a quarterback, a receiver beating a corner in a one-on-one match up, a running back eluding a tackle and making a play, those types of things.

"I don’t think we had enough of them. Tampa Bay had more of it."

Some proof of that?

The startingdefense gave up a 92-yard drive to Tampa Bay's second-team quarterback Dan Orlovsky. That's a long way to go without a play being made. The starting offense didn't score.

Chad Johnson, who is supposed to deliver big plays this season, dropped the only pass thrown his way and the painful thing is it came on third down.

Even Ryan Tannehill, who was among the best Miami players in the game, had Marlon Moore open in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter and he hurried his pass and skipped it just ahead of Moore instead of delivering on target.

"I had Marlon on a great route, my eyes got big and didn’t set my feet (and) threw the ball into the ground," Tannehill said. "That’s one I’d like to have back. He ran a great route, was wide open. There’s no reason I shouldn’t get him the ball there and score a touchdown. I was really upset with that one there. I just got a little antsy and threw the ball in the dirt. You’ve got to score. To win games, you’ve got to put points on the board. It doesn’t matter how many yards you throw for, what your completion percentage is. You’ve got to score points. (I) definitely want to work on that and finishing drives in the red zone next week.”

Some other notes from the game rewind: 

Rookie RT Jonathan Martin: He played every snap into the third quarter. He didn't give up a sack. But he did pick up two false start penalties. He also yielded a quarterback pressure.

Fourth down inside the 5 yard line: Tampa Bay had it once in that situation and converted. Miami had it once in that situation and a Ryan Tannehill pass to Charles Clay was tipped away incomplete.

Kick return: Marcus Thigpen has to be kicking himself (pardon the pun) because he was supposed to get a lot of work returning kicks. But he was injured and did not play. So Lamar Miller and Rishard Matthews got the work instead. And while Miller didn't impress, Matthews was very good. Matthews had a 45-yard return that opened some eyes. Miller, a source tells me, needs to practice better. He's kind of just going along instead of attacking each practice session. He kind of played that way Friday.

Special teams note 1: Dan Carpenter only missed five field goal attempts last year. He missed two Friday night.

Special teams note 2: Jason Trusnick was Johnny on the spot when he recovered a muffed punt. Good work.

The line of scrimmage battle: it was won by Tampa Bay on both sides of the ball. The Dolphins created zero quarterback pressure. They had no sacks. Tampa Bay only had one sack but there was pressure. That's one reason Maat Moore had a couple of passes deflected at the line of scrimmage. As for run blocking? Pat Devlin was Miami's leading rusher on the night. Enough said. On the other hand, the Miami defense lost contain a couple of times. On one, LaGarrette Blount gained 16 yards on a run wide left when Gary Guyton got blocked downa dn Cameron Wake didn't contain on the edge.

Most impressive WR: That would be Roberto Wallace. He caught passes . He broke a couple of tackles. Yes, he dropped a TD pass. But Wallace feasted on the Tampa Bay backup secondary. Afterward, however, he was thinking of the missed TD and I supose that's what led him to say, "I left a lot of food on the table."

More on wide receivers: The Dolphins want, indeed need, one or two of their younger receivers to step up.Wallace (4 catches, 71 yards) did that. Julius Pruitt (6 catches, 52 yards) did that some. They seriously helped themselves.

Jimmy Wilson inexperience: He is a converted cornerbck. He still reacts as one at times and that was the case on Tiquan Underwood's 43-yard catch between Wilson and Smith. The ball should have been intercepted by Wilson but as the ball came down he waited to catch it with his body rather than reach for it at his highest point. That gave Underwood the chance to snatch it for the reception.

Missed tackles count: Three. Sean Smith had two, Koa Misi had one. But I must confess, I stopped counting when the starters left the field. Sue me.

Comments

[scottbibs]

Ireland has just not put enough talent on this team period, we need to draft better, and free agent better

[Tritium]

Is this August? Yes I think it's August 11 2012 and the Fins just finish playing the first "PRESEASON GAME OF THE YEAR" you guys better take this year for what it is a 8-8 season

[Aloco]

Osca, how come your home every Sat nite? Dont you ever go out?

[oscar canosa]

I've been attacked twice in my career as a Psychiatrist, both during my rotations at the VA Hospital. The worst one was a heroin addict that routinely, when his check ran out he came to the Hospital to try to get admitted until his next check came. That night, around 1AM I was in the psych ER along with the nurse when this guy comes in and says he's hearing voices. I didn't know him and I look at the nurse. He shakes his head then I told the guy we had no beds available. In less than a wink, he takes my pen from my pocket and sticks it all the way thru his forearm,sticking out of the other side. Then he proceeded to systematically destroy the ER, computers, desk, pictures and was after me when the Nurse intervened and they started fighting in some kind of Martial Arts style. I ran to the Medical ER and some MD's came and finally restrained him. Later, he would look straight at me and kept repeating, what, you spanish doctor, you gonna admit me now?. I admitted him, and everyone else after that. Fuc- Them. Oh, he had HIV.

[oscar canosa]

How many times do I have to repeat this? I'm Celibate.

[oscar canosa]

These speakers are still too loud.

[bobbyd12]

Reports out Chad Johnson arrested for Domestic Violence per Omar Kelly

[oscar canosa]

Nobody answers, again. I guess they are not Celibate, like me.heheh

[bobbyd12]

@OmarKelly: Dolphins receiver Chad Johnson was allegedly arrested on domestic violence charges Saturday night. We're hunting down a police report.

[oscar canosa]

Broder!

[oscar canosa]

Yup. Just read it at the SS.

[aa]

Bye Chad. Was fun watching you drop the only pass thrown to you. Good luck with your Walmart gig once you blow your money on ho's.

[Dashi]

I'm not even going to try the touch the paranoia one. I believe U.

But I'm with nesto on this one. It's the high high that gets u paranoid

Now all these polls or medical studies is on a select few

All drugs affect people differently.

/on tackling

R.Marshall, trusnick, Dansby. Everyone was pretty solid except Smith.

Misi is a DE not a OLB.

Vernon was OK.

The defense couldn't contain nothing to the outside. No safety help with the tackling.

[oscar canosa]

Listen, you cannot be naive with these Miami kids. They are very talented and tough but also extremely wily. At the slightest indication of not trying, cut them.

[Dolphin 77]

Let the side show circus begin!

[aa]

I will lose respect for Philbin if he doesn't cut him.

[superPHIN]

Cut chad johnson NOW...and make sure hard knock captures it all on film.....Never liked this pick up to begin with and now like it even less..This GUY is not worth it...not even through training camp and already an arrest....CHILD LEAVE PLEASE!!!

[oscar canosa]

Except for Misi(I guess we saw different games) LB's were non-existent.

[oscar canosa]

It's not the individual performances, is just something you perceive that the Team as a whole was not sharp.

[oscar canosa]

Idunno, yet.

[Jake Mc]

Cut Chad. This team doesn't need his crap.He better be gone by noon tomorrow

[superPHIN]

Police said Johnson head-butted his wife, Evelyn Lozada, in the head during an argument while driving home from dinner. She was treated at the scene for a "pretty good-sized" laceration and later taken to the hospital, Cpt. Dale Engle told NFL.com and NFL Network.

Police said a "heated argument" started when Johnson found a receipt for codoms in the car.

Johnson told police that the two accidentally knocked heads.

Johnson remains in custody and won't be eligible for release until a bail hearing is set, which could be as late as Monday, the police said.

Wonderful.....so much for turning over a new leaf, theres always call of duty Ochostinko and madden, that way you might be on someones roster during the season!!!

[oscar canosa]

Broder! GN.

[certified turd burglar]

agreed superphin,
There are a bunch of hungry WR on this team that deserve that spot over Ochocinco. 34 yrs old? nope, I'd rather keep Chris Hogan.

[DragonFly34]

Watched Philpin on Hardknocks, last night and thought he was a meally mouthed coach, who insires nothing. He talks like a preacher, very low toned, etc, etc. I dont see the Dolphins going anywhere with meally mouth.
The Dolphins have no talent.

[DragonFly34]

I'm a loser but I swallow and make friends that way.

[austin]

philbin exhibited weakness when addressing johnson about his media session...at least look the guy in the eyes..more troubling was the fact that he let johnson walk into a coaches meeting...

this is not surprising...the guy was basically advertising his domestic problems..
cut him, he's not worth it.

[superPHIN]

Certified,

Agreed, think about when miami gave up on marshall for off field problems and considering he is light years ahead of ochostinko in terms of talent...why would miami give this guy another chance....Get rid of the drama b4 it gets worse!!!

[Dashi]

If reports are true, cut Chad.He needs to stop playing FiFa

The team tackling was ok. The pursuit was horrible. Now it's the run d something I'm not that worried about. It's like matt Moore to some. Now if this happens the next 2 games like matt Moore will. Then yes, things won't look so good.

I just need to see dansby and Burnett together. The reason why I was saying before the draft it was either T-Hill or the LB.kuechky. With his daddy as a coach U know the fins were going to draft T-$izzle. The whole league knew the fins were going to draft him. Even without a pro day.

[Dashi]

Chad can't catch a break

[superPHIN]

miami was better off signing edwards or owens at this point...at least they may go all preseason without incident...and dashi...Chad brings it on himself, so breaks are not something he's looking for apperanty....Unless it includes breaking his wife!!!

[Dashi]

I could have helped Chad with a nice BJ if his wife wasn't up for it.

[Kris]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/eye-on-football/19780072/report-chad-johnson-arrested-for-domestic-violence

[Reg]

He caught her buying condoms. He married a whorrree haha, what a dumb fk. Cut the clown, we don't need his show.

[Reg]

Correction. She found his receipt buying condoms, so he was cheating. What a surprise. Rich dumb ghetto athlete fooling around.

[Carl]

They have no choice, they have to cut him. Otherwise nobody will respect what Philbin says. Just as well. Good riddance.

[Joe Philbin's Clipboard]

It so figures that a guy with a perfect record comes here and does this.

I'm so tired of being a laughing stock of the league.

[ray]

JI JI JI what a stupid as s. GM clueless in every sense of the word! Everything he touches turn into s h I t. Wantabe GM.!!

Guys all those JI apologist!! Come on where are you!!! First all those bust players. Personel hiring QB that are broken down. WR that have personel problems. On and on and on!!! He has to go period!!! Fire ireland
He is a joke enough is enough!! Don't come on here saying is not his fault!!! It is he picked this clowns!!! I'm tried of the same crap!!!!

[Welcome to the circus]

Hard Knocks
Chad Diva
Moore Garrard Tannehill
Ireland

[Sasco]

This isn't JI's fault. Chad had no record of this. Seems like every player that comes to Miami beats their girl.

[MJ]

Irescum should've never signed Ochostinko or Garrard.

[df!]

Ray, did you go to school beyond 4th grade? Are you in rehab?

[Kris]

a terrible end to a terrible week with the FINS.....

[TrojanEnz]

Kris why aren't you over at the other cj blog of 7?

[Roscoe]

Have to agree with Carl. How could they possibly keep him at this point? In one week Chad has represented the team like a low class ghetto slug, dropped the only ball thrown to him, and attacked his wife. If they keep him Philbin will lose control of the team.

[Vegas Mike]

Philbin cant control the team. Another Cameron and 1-15 season.

[ray]

Sasco!!
No you are wrong that's third grade!
HAHAHAHA!! But I like that you are real good joker!! Smoker! Mid nite toker!! Hahaha. JEFF IRELAND GM OF THE YEAR!! Hahaha. But I love my PHINS!!

[ALoco]

WELCOME TO OUR NEW CORN BEEF COACH,,,,,

[Coalition for all Coalitions]

Can we please fire Ireland now?

[Coalition for all Coalitions]

WHAT A FRIGGIN LAUGHINGSTOCK TEAM. INCOMPETENTS THROUGHOUT THE FRANCHISE!! LMFAO CAUSE I DONT WANNA CRY!

[ALoco]

WELCOME TO ARMANDO'S BLOG,WHERE YOU FIND THE UNEMPLOYED AND THE UNEDUCATED..................

[KT]

Even Sparano has to be laughing.

[So True]

WELCOME TO ARMANDO'S BLOG,WHERE YOU FIND THE UNEMPLOYED AND THE UNEDUCATED..................

Posted by: ALoco | August 11, 2012 at 11:27 PM

[KT]

Lets bring back Jimmy Cefalo lol

[ALoco]

BLOT GOT ANOTHER GOLD TODAY AND THE FINS HIRED A CORN BEEF COACH WHO'S GOING TO TALK AND TALK AND TALK LIKE OUR EX PIZZA MAN ,,,,,,,,

[HELP]

WANTED WR'S THAT WILL PLAY FOR PEANUTS, 2 ARMS AND 2 LEGS REQUIRED. CONTACT THE MIAMI DOLPHINS.

[HELP]

DA BEAST HAS GOT TO BE LAUGHING!!!!!

[ALoco]

OUR CORN BEEF COACH LET THE MVP IN THE NFL GO ,MARSHALL THAT IS ,AND KEPT THE BUSTS....HARTLINE,THOMAS AND BESS.

[ALoco]

HOW IN HELL CAN OUR GARAGE MANAGER LET MARSHALL GO AND KEPT ALL THE BUSTS AROUND?

IRELAND THE GM FROM ...HELL

[Cellar Fins]

Tannehill will get buried with these WR's. LOL