Well, what can we say about this game. It was, quite simply, a clinic on how to lose in the NFL, with a trifecta of missed tackles, dropped passes, and turnovers. Miami started off going toe to toe with Baltimore, both teams starting with perfect scoring drives to start the game. The Ravens marched down to the 32 yard line, Willis McGahee took a simple screen pass for a ridiculous run after the catch, and just plain made everyone else look slower on his way to the end zone. The Dolphins answered with perhaps their strongest scoring drive of the season, going 3 for 3 on 3rd down, ripping off large chunks of yardage, and Ronnie Brown running untouched for a touchdown. A drive that featured huge catches by Brandon Marshall, and Brian Hartline to convert on those 3rd downs.
The Dolphins didn't look that good again for the rest of this game.
The rest of the 1st half lived up to the billing. A couple of physical knuckle dragging teams trading field goals, and playing to a 13-10 advantage for Baltimore at halftime. There were some nice defensive stops for Miami during the 1st half, particularly a 3rd and 1 stop by Karlos Dansby to hold them to 3 points on what was a strong drive by the Ravens. The next drive for Miami is moving along nicely until Chad Henne throws his first interception of the day. The defense held on after the interception and forced a field goal attempt, during which the snap was fumbled and Miami recovered. The Dolphins do nothing with the second chance, and punt it away. The next drive for the Ravens ends in a defensive stand punctuated by a sack from Cameron Wake. Dolphins get yet another field goal before halftime.
They would never score again.
In the second half, Baltimore pretty much had their way with Miami, and just were more physical today. Not to mention just an overall better team. The Dolphins were lucky the score was only 26-10 at the end of this one. Henne ended up with 3 interceptions on the day. One of which was his fault, another where Hartline slipped, and arguably could've at least broken it up. This brings us to the dubious 3rd interception. A pass across the middle was short-armed by Brandon Marshall, deflected off his hands, and was picked by Ed Reed. If you watch that replay, he was either scared, or just simply quit on the play. It didn't look like he even tried. Not saying that was the case, but hard to argue with the video tape. You're in the NFL, if the ball hits both of your hands, you should catch that ball every time. It doesn't help your quarterback, or the team if you're unwilling exert yourself, and take advantage of every chance to make a play.
What troubles me about this team is that they tend to be pass happy, and throw in situations when they shouldn't. Everyone saw Ronnie Brown movin' and shakin' in the first half, but only ended up with 9 carries. While Ricky Williams only touched the ball twice. I wrote in my last post that it was time to take the training wheels off the offense, but not at the expense of a balanced and effective game plan. Now, I'm not a coach but, the game was still within reach with enough time to stay balanced, and they seemed to drop back and throw on every play. Wouldn't you keep playing the hot hand? What happened to their "Feed the Wolf" (which makes me laugh every time I hear it), they talked about at the beginning of this season? They hardly threw him a bone in this game. The defense bent until they couldn't any more, and The Ravens just pounded them into submission. Missed tackles were the theme of the day today, together with the offensive turnovers, and dropped passes that doomed Miami throughout this game. Not to mention a Henne missing a wide open Anthony Fasano in the end zone, that looked more like a shot put toss than a NFL throw.
I'm not ready to blow up the roster yet, they're still 4-4 ( in a division with the Jets and Pats), and stranger things have happened, right? Right. This team still requires patience, but at the same time needs to show some kind of growth. There is still promise in a very young, and tough defense anchored by Karlos Dansby, and Cameron Wake. What this team lacks is an offensive identity. The Dolphins were billed as a run first team, as they should be, but seem way to quick to throw the ball. How you only give Ronnie and Ricky just 11 total touches is just beyond comprehension. Especially when it seems to be working. I'm glad I'm not the one that has to sort this offense out (you should be too), but whether it's a lack of creative game planning, personnel, or a young quarterback making poor decisions, these are the growing pains of a rebuilding franchise. Which they have proved so far this year, that they are indeed an unfinished product.
Sidenotes:
Brian Hartline had one of his best games today, 4 catches for 84 yards, and a couple of big third down conversions. His improved play on a consistent basis would be a huge help.
Dan Carpenter missed his first field goal in his last 14 tries.
Sean Smith started his second game in a row for Jason Allen.
The last time the Dolphins beat the Ravens was in 2007, on Greg Camarillo's overtime touchdown catch from the arm of Cleo Lemon. Their only win of the 2007 season (1-15).
Joe Flacco is now 3-0 against the Dolphins.
The Dolphins didn't look that good again for the rest of this game.
The rest of the 1st half lived up to the billing. A couple of physical knuckle dragging teams trading field goals, and playing to a 13-10 advantage for Baltimore at halftime. There were some nice defensive stops for Miami during the 1st half, particularly a 3rd and 1 stop by Karlos Dansby to hold them to 3 points on what was a strong drive by the Ravens. The next drive for Miami is moving along nicely until Chad Henne throws his first interception of the day. The defense held on after the interception and forced a field goal attempt, during which the snap was fumbled and Miami recovered. The Dolphins do nothing with the second chance, and punt it away. The next drive for the Ravens ends in a defensive stand punctuated by a sack from Cameron Wake. Dolphins get yet another field goal before halftime.
They would never score again.
In the second half, Baltimore pretty much had their way with Miami, and just were more physical today. Not to mention just an overall better team. The Dolphins were lucky the score was only 26-10 at the end of this one. Henne ended up with 3 interceptions on the day. One of which was his fault, another where Hartline slipped, and arguably could've at least broken it up. This brings us to the dubious 3rd interception. A pass across the middle was short-armed by Brandon Marshall, deflected off his hands, and was picked by Ed Reed. If you watch that replay, he was either scared, or just simply quit on the play. It didn't look like he even tried. Not saying that was the case, but hard to argue with the video tape. You're in the NFL, if the ball hits both of your hands, you should catch that ball every time. It doesn't help your quarterback, or the team if you're unwilling exert yourself, and take advantage of every chance to make a play.
What troubles me about this team is that they tend to be pass happy, and throw in situations when they shouldn't. Everyone saw Ronnie Brown movin' and shakin' in the first half, but only ended up with 9 carries. While Ricky Williams only touched the ball twice. I wrote in my last post that it was time to take the training wheels off the offense, but not at the expense of a balanced and effective game plan. Now, I'm not a coach but, the game was still within reach with enough time to stay balanced, and they seemed to drop back and throw on every play. Wouldn't you keep playing the hot hand? What happened to their "Feed the Wolf" (which makes me laugh every time I hear it), they talked about at the beginning of this season? They hardly threw him a bone in this game. The defense bent until they couldn't any more, and The Ravens just pounded them into submission. Missed tackles were the theme of the day today, together with the offensive turnovers, and dropped passes that doomed Miami throughout this game. Not to mention a Henne missing a wide open Anthony Fasano in the end zone, that looked more like a shot put toss than a NFL throw.
I'm not ready to blow up the roster yet, they're still 4-4 ( in a division with the Jets and Pats), and stranger things have happened, right? Right. This team still requires patience, but at the same time needs to show some kind of growth. There is still promise in a very young, and tough defense anchored by Karlos Dansby, and Cameron Wake. What this team lacks is an offensive identity. The Dolphins were billed as a run first team, as they should be, but seem way to quick to throw the ball. How you only give Ronnie and Ricky just 11 total touches is just beyond comprehension. Especially when it seems to be working. I'm glad I'm not the one that has to sort this offense out (you should be too), but whether it's a lack of creative game planning, personnel, or a young quarterback making poor decisions, these are the growing pains of a rebuilding franchise. Which they have proved so far this year, that they are indeed an unfinished product.
Sidenotes:
Brian Hartline had one of his best games today, 4 catches for 84 yards, and a couple of big third down conversions. His improved play on a consistent basis would be a huge help.
Dan Carpenter missed his first field goal in his last 14 tries.
Sean Smith started his second game in a row for Jason Allen.
The last time the Dolphins beat the Ravens was in 2007, on Greg Camarillo's overtime touchdown catch from the arm of Cleo Lemon. Their only win of the 2007 season (1-15).
Joe Flacco is now 3-0 against the Dolphins.
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