It’s hard to compete with curious play calls
How you view the Miami Dolphins’ 2019 season truly depends on what side of the tank debate you reside on.
If you’re onboard with Miami (0-7) performing poorly to ensure that the team lands the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL draft, which would put the Dolphins in position to select the class’ best quarterback, then watching coach Brian Flores’ team be competitive Monday night for a half before shortcircuiting is wonderful.
Things are going according to plan.
But if you think this team full of rookies and players claimed off waiver wire should be competitive, improve each week, and needs to finish games better, then this season has been a rough one for you. And it should make you question everything about this franchise.
Here is the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s report card, evaluating how the Dolphins performed in Monday night’s loss to the Steelers:
Passing game: D
Ryan Fitzpatrick was sharp in the first quarter, throwing two touchdown passes that provided Miami a 14-0 lead. But Miami’s offensive line struggled protecting him (four sacks) after that and the pressure eventually became overwhelming. Fitzpatrick, who completed 21-of-34 passes for 190 yards, threw two interceptions. But the first was a pass tight end Nick O’Leary tipped into the air, and the second was the equivalent of a punt on third down because he was trying to give Jakeem Grant a chance to make play on a deep ball. Hard to criticize him for either turnover, but Miami needs to be more disciplined.
Running games: F
The day Miami traded Kenyan Drake to Arizona for a 2020 lateround selection wasn’t the ideal time to produce one of the worst rushing performances of the season, but that’s exactly what Mark Walton and Kalen Ballage did. The pair produced only 42 rushing yards on 14 attempts. If Fitzpatrick hadn’t gained 17 yards on his five carries Miami would have had the most dismal rushing performance of the season. The source of the struggles was the fact that the Dolphins offensive line got manhandled at the line of scrimmage all game. That doesn’t seem to be fixable at this point.
Defending the pass: D
Xavien Howard, who pulled down an interception and drew a offensive pass interference call that turned a big gain into a penalty, was sensational in the first 34 minutes. Then he was part of a disastrous third-and-20 defensive call that featured Miami rushing eight defenders and dropping three back into coverage. That play delivered a 45-yard touchdown that changed the momentum and got Mason Rudolph going. Rudolph finished the game completing 20-of-36 passes, throwing for 251 yards and two touchdowns (84.4 passer rating).
Defending the run: B
The Dolphins defensive front continues to get pummeled on the ground, allowing the Steelers to rush for 158 yards and average 5.4 yards per attempt. James Conner gained 145 rushing yards and scored a touchdown on his 23 carries before suffering a shoulder injury. The Dolphins need to do a better job of getting push from their defensive tackles, and setting the edge of the defensive front if the tide on their struggling run defense is ever going to turn.
Special teams: B
The Dolphins played a solid game on special teams even though the unit wasn’t much of a factor in the game’s outcome. Matt Haack averaged a whopping 45.5 net yards on punts, and Preston Williams contributed 35 yards on three punt returns, proving he’s more fitting for that role than Jakeem Grant. Grant, who averaged 20.8 yards on four kickoff returns, hasn’t been dynamic this season. At this point teams don’t fear kicking to him anymore.
Coaching: F
Where do we even start with what transpired on third-and-20 from Miami’s 45-yard line with 26 seconds left in the first half? After a timeout the Dolphins called a defensive play that rushed eight and dropped three defensive backs 20 yards into coverage, leaving the middle of the field wide open for Steelers receivers to produce a play that could get the team in field goal territory. The play produced a 45-yard touchdown that closed the deficit to 14-10. Was that play intentional to assist in the tank or are these coaches clueless? You can pick which one you want to believe.
Stock up: Wilson
Albert Wilson didn’t play many snaps against Pittsburgh, but he finally looked like the run-aftercatch playmaker he’s been his entire career on that 5-yard touchdown run. There’s a whole segment of Miami’s playbook designed for Wilson, and the Dolphins have had to put those plays on the shelf until Wilson’s hip and calf injury allows him to get his shake-and-bake back. That one play showed that there’s a chance it returns this season.
Stock down: Davis
Jesse Davis is the most important player on Miami’s offensive line, and the Dolphins will struggle in games where their veteran right tackle struggles. That was the case against the Steelers, who manhandled Miami’s offensive line. Davis gave up one sack, and wasn’t able to produce a surge in the run game. Miami needs more than that from him. The standard has to be higher.