What they said after loss and the reaction

Here is what the Dolphins said after Sunday's 27-13  loss to the San Francisco 49ers and my reaction:

Coach Joe Philbin envisioned making this game close and winning it in the fourth quarter:

"We wanted to play a game where we talked about winning 21-17. We thought it would be that type of game, a close physical football game. In a lot respects it was. But again, in the fourth quarter we had some opportunities to put some more points on the board but we didn’t. Obviously we were too generous. We gave them the ball on the nine-yard line on one possession. They took advantage of that. It was the type of game we envisioned. We told the team all week, ‘I anticipate that we’ll be in a position to win the game in the fourth quarter.’ I told them we had to play a clean game. This is a good football team, we had to execute well. We didn’t make the plays in the fourth quarter. They did. They deserve to win."

Salguero reaction: The Dolphins have scored 21 points only four times in 13 games this year. Sad, but truth is 21 points is wishful thinking by the coach.

The Dolphins tried to get an edge by putting running back Reggie Bush out wide so as to take advantage of a matchup against the linebackers. That advantage didn't last.

“I guess they saw some film and thought they could go 1-on-1 with our linebackers," 'Niners safety Dashon Goldson said. "They did a good job of adjusting, knew that was coming and put a DB on them. We got the best of that."

Salguero reaction: Bush averaged only 7.6 yards per reception. Not dynamic. The fact is Bush this year is averaging 7.8 yards per reception. Maybe it's time we accept the idea he's not quite the mismatch out there as we hoped.

Rookie Jonathan Martin got off to a bad start, giving up a sack to Aldon Smith early on when the NFL's sack leader basically blew Martin up. Smith finished with two sacks against Martin and the Dolphins lineman also had a false start.

“It was decent," Martin said. "He got me on that one bull rush pretty good. There is a reason why he is one of the best pass rushers in the league. He is a good player. It is a really talented defense, talented d-line. It is a tough defense, we didn’t make enough plays to win the game.

“It is a learning experience. I like challenges like that, going against guys that are the best in the league. It took me a little while to get into it, but after a while I felt really comfortable out there."

Salguero reaction: It's his first game and it came against arguably the best pass rusher in the NFL. Martin did ok. He didn't make us forget about Jake Long. It was, indeed, a step back from Long. It'll be interesting to see how much Martin improves over the next three games. So far, he hasn't made anyone forget Long.

Punt returner Marcus Thigpen fumbled a punt inside his own 10 yard line. The 49ers converted the turnover into a touchdown.

“I felt a couple of guys close to me, and I tried to take a peek at the last minute, then I looked back up and I lost the ball," Thigpen said.

Salguero reaction: Marcus Thigpen has been a net plus-plus for the Dolphins this year. He has a kickoff return TD and a punt return TD. Yes, he made a mistake. He also had a 56-yard kickoff return after the San Francisco score. I wish all Dolphins players answered adversity like that.

Cameron Wake had three sacks Sunday. He was more productive than NFL sack leader Aldon Smith.

“I didn’t even realize till just now," Wake said. "I would give away every sack I got for a winning record and opportunities that we are not capitalizing on. It is hard to contribute with that kind of stuff when we are stinking it up."

Salguero reaction: The Dolphins wasted Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas and Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison. They are wasting Cameron Wake's best years.

Comments

[dolfandave]

Fah-hurst

[hollywood]

same thing year in year out.......

[Thore]

To me it seems Tannehill also has lost some poise. I really hope that Philbin can coach him up and that Ireland can put together a good draft. The last 4-5 games have been more or less dissapointing. We desperately need two, not one, good receivers.

[davidorth]

Martin did ok? he was struggling at RT and is a disaster now at LT. he has been bowled over and sat on his rear numerous times. he sux

[Wang]

Wake is the best player on Defense, is time the Dolphins go into this upcoming Draft and take a impact LB, and not just anybody Notre Dame's Manti Te'o will be able to cover TE and help the run defense, and after that pick go Offense and take as many fast and blue chip players as possible, hopefully Ireland do not take players like D.Thomas, Clyde Gates..

[P.a yuengs-n-wings]

Stay strong PSU

[redsky]

Mando's last paragraph says it all, well said sir!

[Richard3000]

It's been this way for too many years I don't even care if they turn it around any more

[9/11 was an inside job]

Tannehill is the best thing, by far, we have had since Danny. It is obvious our receivers are to short and to slow to make a play for the ball.

Fasano can never get separation.

Sean Smith is not a good cornerback.

There it is, no playmakers, besides Tanny, on offense and no one to cover receivers on defense. Our linebackers also get killed in coverage.

What we can bank on; a good coach, a potential great QB and the majority of players that are willing to fight to the end.

World Trade Center tower 1, 2 and 7 were brought down by controlled demolition.

You can watch the truth here Wtc7.net

The Pentagon was hit by a missile and not a plane.

[9/11 was an inside job]

Oh yeah, Omar Kelly does not know what the hell he is talking about. The guy does not know football. He still thinks Henne is better than Tannehill and the reason he is having a tough time has nothing to do with the talent around him. wow

[ChadPenn]

Too many holes on offense.

[klndry]

The offense is slow and methodical. Tanne doesn't pass well to his right on throws over 20 yards.

The defense really does have some holes in the cornerback position. Smith can be good but he shouldn't be standing around watching. He only had to watch 40 year old guy and he didn't do diddly. He also seems afraid to mix it up. I think he is already playing for next year.

[nO1readsyercrap]

Armandos last paragraph was a fking joke. Sounds like an emotional bTCh that just hit middle age and isn't living in a house she finds to be big and expensive enough.
Hey Armando you liTtle crybaby bTch, if you feel you are wasting YOUR best years covering this team the GTFO ya jackass!

Yes
STFU and GTFO!

[dolphin 77]

The best thing since marino. Get off the crack bro. When you throw 6 straight incomplete passes you are far from being good. Long would have given up 3 or 4 sacks to smith so he is not missed. It all starts with theqb and the dulphins Do Not have one.

[mike]

Keep it close and win it in the 4th quarter was Dave Wannstedt's mantra (speaking of wasting Zach and JT's best years). Sad to see history repeating.

[Mitch]

Mike Sherman HAS to go. First Dan Henning and now Sherman. Can we please get an O.C. under the age of 65????????

[bk]

What I think the fins will do in the offseason:

Resign

Harline, Fasano, Clemons, Smith, Long

Let walk: Bush, Starks, other FA's

Trade: Devon Bess (Could nab a 3rd from NE for him. I think its time to shake things up)

Cut- Kevin Burnett (need more speed and youth at the position), Rich Incognito,

Reasoning: Odrick is a great run stuffer and can be moved inside to get a more successful pass rusher on the end.

FA:Sign KC WR Dwayne Bowe. Any other Acorn Ireland can find

Draft: Should be 11 or 12 in draft order. Trade down to 20 and acquire another 2nd and 6th pick. Left with 1st, 3 2nd rd picks, 3 3rd round picks, etc

1st- ALA OG Chance Warmack
2nd- Stanford TE Zach Ertz
2nd- BYU DE Ezekiel Ansah ( Very good with speed pass rusher)
2nd- GA ILB ALec Ogletree ( Bit of a risk bc of behavior but a stud if he can be kept in line)
3rd- Vandy WR Jordan Matthews
3rd- UF OLB Jelani Jenkins
3rd- OHio CB Bradley Roby
4th- Texas A and M WR Ryan Swope

Rest BPA

[promichael]

Armondo,

I have emailed you and posted often about the receivers not being able to separate. Philbin can only come up with what the talent on the team allows. Players have to share in the reasons why this team is not bound for the playoffs. However the decisions to go with lower tier receivers is the main reason. Rules have enabled receivers to have an advantage making it paramount to have receivers who are top tier. The Dolphins have a #4 and #5 starting and a tight end who will never be able to get open enough to be a force in the offense. It is up to the Dolphins to change their recruiting of skill position players which is not easy for a GM who was trained by a dinosaur like Parcells.

[Randy S]

1. Teo or a pass rusher
2. WR
2. CB
3. S
3. RT(Let Long walk)
4. TE

[Tommy]

Sorry guys, I don't see how we don't draft a CB early. These guys are rubbish.

1. CB
2. WR
3. CB
4. OG
5. RT
6. OG

I would keep Bush or Long for the right price, but that likely means Long is gone.

[budtki@verizon.net]

don't get lost in the noise, this past offseason ROSS made it known that he wanted a stud quarterback, to me that means a difference maker, a QB who will find the right target to throw to and do so quickly and accurately, a QB who is mentioned with names like aron rodgers, peyton manning...it's easy to identify these guys as they either have IT or they don't, look no further then luck or RG3 as examples. that being said ireland and philbin would be smart to begin looking for their next QB, as it is obvious that tannehill is not the caliber of QB that ross nor fans desire. doessn't rex ryan look foolish to be so adiment about sanchez when it is so obvious that he is NOT the answer in new york, many coaches have allowed their careers to become tarnished with foolish pride by not admitting they made a mistake and moving on, opting to join at the hip with a QB when it was known from the beginning that he was not the difference maker that was coveted. sure better talent around such a QB WILL make him better, but the team will always be behind as teams who surround great QB's with better talent will always be that much better.

[Hayden Fox]

I have already forgot Jake Long. Jake Long is a shell of himself from the 2008 and 09 years. Let Martin be the guy.

[dj starface]

Armando, without a shadow of a doubt this is one of your most honest and revealing posts that I have had the pleasure of enjoying. Your cause and effect, pro and con simplicity of yesterdays events in Candlestick Park are accurate and fair assessments of the team. This post shows me why I read this blog everyday and follow it specifically during the games. I hope the front office gets the memo. Philbin is dreaming when he stated that he saw a close game where we scored 21 points. As a fan who has watched every game this year there has been little to no offense. There have been flashes of brilliance and many exercises of futility.

[scottbibs]

The offense is pathetic, they made a mistake going with the rookie QB, unless your happy with sacrificing a whole season to see if you got your future QB or not. The offense was better last year, big mistake getting rid of Marshall and not replacing him with someone with similar production.Right where Jeff made the cuts is were we struggle the most. Same old Story thought I was watching sparano's dolphins out there. One last thing about the offense they run a lot of the same plays, always running the ball out of the shotgun formation, throwing two yard passes on third and eight looks like the Henne years.

[Earl]

New coach, new QB, same old sh&t. Fire Ireland

[Whats New?]

Ryan Tannehill = another Ireland bust

[amazingift]

Thill over throw our wide out causs they are so freaking slow , and some one please, please tell me why the hell we are wasting are time with fasano he is the biggest problem on off. And on d. Get rid of the whole back n except jones, sean smith please!!!! He has to go

[Kiper]

This is what should be drafted

1 QB
2 WR
3 CB
4 LT (put Martin back at RT)
5 RB
6 WR

[mmh7713]

I've said it time and time again: we messed up by not getting Mallet. He was the one. NE won't trade him within division so we get to watch him flourish somewhere else and wonder "what if" for 10 years. Hell end up in arizona or philly or minnesota and be that top 2 or 3 qb.

[Gruden]

Trade Tannehill for a ham sandwhich. He sucks!

[Sammy29]

Re-sign Clemons? He is the biggest wuss in the NFL. He actually avoids contact 90% of the time. Watch the damn game and you will agree. He ducked twice yesterday and was hurdled because he doesn't have the balls to form tackle. He literally slapped at Frank Gore. We need a man back there not a coward. I'm not hearing enough hard hits out of this unit to begin with. The last thing we need is a scaredy cat back at the FS position.

[Sammy29]

Tannehill will be fine. He is being put in some tough situations by Sherman and the alleged wideouts.You can't run on nearly every first and second down for no gain and then tell the rookie to go get the first down.We do not mix formations up enough. We have another old man calling old man plays (see Henning). The few times that we get more formations on the field we seem to play alot better. Tannehill doesn't need max protect. He needs receivers that can actually get open quickly.

[Shula]

There is nothing wrong with the Dolphins that an elite QB wouldnt fix.

[mattybfromNC]

Calling Tannehill a bust after less than a year shows the lack of football knowledge on this blog. Has he had a good year.. NO.. but has shown signs of being a good QB. He has to get consistent. As soon as Moore rolled over in training camp and let a vet that hadnt played in over a year and a rookie both beat him out then i knew this year was a wash. Philbin did a good job hiding the diffencies on this roster early on giving fans the hope of playoffs, me included. Tannehill was expected to sit this year out until we were eliminated from playoffs. Once Moore couldnt keep his starting job it was Tannehills job all year and a job where he had to learn on the job. He had 19 starts in college coming out and now has 13 starts in the NFL. Compare his college starts to RG3, Luck, Wilson, Weeden.. He lacked experience and he is getting it. He will be far improved next year based off of his work ethic and how smart he is. Remember hes the one that signed the contract saying that in his 4th year if hes not starting or the team is ready to move on they dont have to guarentee his salary. Ireland put that in there and after one day of holding out Tannehill said ok I need to prove myself. That in and of it self says alot. His monetary future depends on how he plays guys.

[mattybfromNC]

After the 1st sack, Martin did pretty decent against an elite pass rusher. Especially after having switched from a LT, that hes played all throughout college, to a totally different position against NFL talent, and then was asked to switch back. Foot work is totally different on both sides. He did decent and it was a true test of his FIRST START as an NFL LT. He gave up a sack against a guy that recorded 5 in one game.. pretty decent.. This week will tell more of how Martin will be at LT.

[Monte]

I’m sick of hearing the excuse that Tannehill doesnt have weapons. We heard the exact same garbage about Henne. So we got Henne the most expensive OL in football, we got him Brandon Marshall and we got him Reggie Bush. Guess what? It didnt make a bit of difference. When a QB stinks a QB stinks and Tannehill stinks bad. A total bust and coming from Ireland we shouldnt be a bit surprised. Losers make excuses.

[mattybfromNC]

Also losers should know their football before trying to make a point, Bush was brought in last year after Henne was gone.

[Monte]

So Matty, because he lacked experience he should've been a 6th rd project not the 8th pick in the entire friggin draft! Tannehill is a 6th rd project....that is NOT working out.

[KingShula]

Jacksonville is next for all the Hennehills on this blog it rhymes with Bennyhill

[Monte]

matty, Henne was on the team last year. 0-7 remember? Check your facts before you spew your nonsense,

[mattybfromNC]

Nope that was on me Monte..

[Sammy29]

Monte....apples and oranges dude.

[mattybfromNC]

Im sorry but ill take Philbins opinion on the kid over yours..

[mattybfromNC]

But yes that was my stupidity on Bush.. I didnt think before I typed

[Ron Son]

out of touch out of towners = clueless

[KingShula]

Your boy Henny comes to town to try to outplay incumbent Tanny in the shootout at Sun King Corral Ross is brining in a Howard Cosell impersonator for the announcing duties for the game.

[Craig M]

Funny to read people sing Martin's praises yesterday. He got manhandled on the first sack by Aldon Smith. Made him look bad. The same crap that we'd be reading page after page if it was Long. Yeah I realize he's one of the best pass rushers in the league but are we going to make excuses for the kid every week? I've read guys say 'Martin will be fine. He's a natural LT. Nothing to worry about'. I'm saying SHOW ME.

Armando's right. He did OK. Certainly not ready to hand him the job. Again the comments bashing Long are nothing more than people's anger that we took Long over Ryan. I'm saying GET OVER IT!!

[DC Dolfan]

Philbin had a good strategy. Added wrinkles to give his team a chance. Tannehill played a pretty good game. Managed the game well. Defense played almost flawlessly. A few mental mistakes. It was those critical plays at critical times once again that did us in. Hard for a team with such a small margin-of-error to win without playing mistake-free. But this is the same old story for the last dozen + years. You need more talent because it's impossible to play mistake-free every game.

[KingShula]

Henny VS Tanny HIGH NOON(plus 1)Sun King Corral
The owner Ross will be there throwin em back in the owners box.

[Craig M]

And then we have to listen to this crap from promichael that Hartline and Bess are 4th and 5th receivers. I've addressed you before on this bud, but tell me which 4th and 5th receivers in the league you're talking to. Very likely Hartline and Bess are 2nd and 3rd WRs or at worst two thirds. Don't make crap up, man.

Tell me again how I said 'these guys ar great' or that 'I use your sign name to make posts'.....you f8cking loser!!

[Craig M]

DC,

Any comments on the score yesetrday? Who won?

[Mitchell]

RT is "losing poise" b/c he's frustrated by the lack of talent around him. I can see it in his eyes as he walks up to center. Give him help on the edges !

[JUSTIN CREDIBLE]

PLAYMAKERS ARE NEEDED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL.

FASANO,HARTLINE AND BESS SHOULD ALL BE GONE.

THE ONLY THING WE CAN COUNT ON WEEK IN AND WEEK OUT IS THEY WILL CATCH THE BALL AND GO TO THE GROUND.

WHILE THE OTHER TEAM MAKE SCREEN OR A 5 YARD OUT INTO A 75 YARD TD.

[DC Dolfan]

Craig, you're just doing the same thing you're saying they're doing, whining because you're hard-headed about Jake Long being the answer to everything.

Did we lose because of Martin? NO! Would we have won if Long was in there? NO! So it's pretty pointless to talk about the freaking LT.

Your thinking is what's wrong with the team. WHO CARES about the LT? You have NO WR to make a play when it counts. You have NO TE to create mismatches. You have NO offense to score like clockwork. And somehow the thing we should spotlight is the LEFT TACKLE?

Get some perspective dude. We lost because we made critical errors and couldn't overcome them because we have an anemic offense void of talent. Crabtree, Gore, Davis, Kaepernick, that's talent. Welker, Hernandez, Gronk, Lloyd, that's talent. Bess, Hartline, Bush, Fasano, that's NOT ENOUGH TALENT TO BEAT THE BEST TEAMS!!!

But keep screaming for Long. Hell, let's give him 300 million dollars, to give up 1 fewer sack than Martin. And prevent us from improving the people who, I don't know, TOUCH THE BALL AND SCORE TDs!!!

[NHFINSFAN]

Tannehill is NOT an elite QB....Period

Does he have the abilities to be an above average QB, maybe?

Will he most likely be an average QB....yes.

Top 10 QB's in the league based on QBR Rating:
Peyton Manning, Brady, Ryan RG3, Rodgers, Smith, Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Luck, Schaub.

11-20:
Wilson, Romo, Brees, Stafford, Freeman, Dalton, Foles, Cutler, Newton, Locker, Flacco.

21-30:
Tannehill, Hasselbeck, Bradford, Vick, Fitzpatrick, Palmer, Vick, Gabbert, Ponder, Rivers.

So our boy wonder is hanging out in the bottom third of the league with QB's past their prime (Rivers, Palmer, Vick) along with ones who will never be great: Fitspatrick, Hasselbeck, Ponder, Gabbert etc...

I predict that Tannehill will statistically always be in that bottom half of the league because honestly I've seen enough to know he'll never be an elite QB so stop dreaming he will be.

"Greatness shows up early and often"

[#1 Dolphin Fan in Montreal]

I think Jumbo Elliot has more career TDs than Bess and Hartline...When is our clueless owner going to fire Ireland??? Another losing season...Less and less people at the games...How much more destruction do you want to see Mr.Ross????

[KingShula]

All you regulars on here I expect blowout predictions from some of you considering the opponent.What makes it more interesting is Henny is coming back.

[Jeff]

" Keep it close and win it in the 4th quarter " is the reason why we have inexcusable losses to the Jets, Bills, Colts,and Cardinals. You're just as likely to lose close games as win them.

[#1 Dolphin Fan in Montreal]

DC, LOL!!!

[Craig M]

DC,

Where did I say that's why we lost? Please don't twist what I said. I fairly simply said, 'we were told by many that we'd be fine with Martin' and I read comments on here yesterday saying Martin was doing a great job and I'm saying he didn't. I'm saying if that was Jake Long yesterday there would be page after page of complaints. If you're going to talk about REPLACING a Pro Bowl LT, then let's compare. I don't give a shyte that it was his first game, against the best dfence in football. This is the NFL. No free passes. Is he better right now than Long at the position. I'm saying DEFINITELY undecided.