Pouncey might be back soon
Center may practice next week after missing four games.
sive coordinator in Chicago. “We did the same thing in 2012. We sputtered around, went 2-3, and we looked terrible. Then it clicked for us, and we rattled off 11 straight (wins).
“Last year in Chicago, it was the same thing. We struggled early, and then the more comfortable I got with the quarterback and he got with me, things came easier, guys started learning what to do, we made less mistakes and we gave ourselves a chance.”
A couple of things come to mind here. In 2012, Gase was working with Peyton Manning, a quarterbacking savant, and not Tannehill. Not a fair measure of what to expect as far as an offensive explosion, or when to expect it.
Also, last year Gase’s quarterback project was Jay Cutler, who had one of his most efficient seasons but still went 6-9 in his 2015 starts. That’s pretty much the production level we’ve already seen from Tannehill around here. If there’s not more to show in this fifth season as Miami’s starter, there won’t be a sixth.
Still, Gase tells himself to keep working, to believe that his pressing, hurry-up offense will have a proficient operator here, and in a hurry.
“The way this offense goes is, the longer you’re in it, the easier it gets, the faster you can play, the easier the checks are,” Gase said. “We are struggling where somebody makes a mistake, we get the wrong read, we mess up the protection. That’s part of the process. That’s part of the learning experience. It’s no fun going through this part of it.”
It’s no fun missing the playoffs, either, and it’s about to happen again for the eighth year in a row. It would be easier to attribute this tough start to Miami’s brutal September schedule if the only Dol- phins victory weren’t an overtime escape against winless Cleveland.
Look at the Los Angeles Rams, 2-1 under the direction of journeyman quarterback Case Keenum.
Look at the Dallas Cowboys, 2-1 with Dak Prescott taking the snaps. The big rookie is completing 66.7 percent of his passes and doing damage as a runner. He’s got great instincts, and isn’t that what the physically talented Tannehill seems to lack?
Those strip sacks can’t all be the fault of poor pass blocking. After three seconds, the ball needs to be out of the quarterback’s hands. Any longer, and it’s time for a helmet stress test. If Tannehill doesn’t know that by now, it might be time to think about going back to the wide receiver position he played in college.
Asked Friday if pocket presence can be taught, Gase said: “Yes, absolutely. Did it last year.”
Again it’s back to Cutler, who without Gase this sea- son has two interceptions, one lost fumble and eight sacks while giving way for backup Brian Hoyer because of an injured thumb. Gase couldn’t completely fix him in one year. It’s unrealistic to imagine that he can with Tannehill.
Maybe things will improve overall for the Dolphins’ offense when Mike Pouncey returns from his hip injury to play center. Perhaps Gase can settle on a running back and not just a committee of contenders. What’s more, a string of four consecutive home games might allow the offensive line to hear itself think when Tannehill is shouting out those last-second audibles.
For now, though, a quiet Sunday afternoon is just what the doctor ordered for the Dolphins. Too much has happened too soon in Gase’s debut season, and too much of it has been achingly familiar. DAVIE — The Miami Dolphins expect center Mike Pouncey to return to practice next week, according to coach Adam Gase.
Pouncey, a Pro Bowler, has missed the first four games of the season with a reported hip fracture.
If all goes according to plan, Pouncey will re-enter the lineup against the Tennessee Titans at 1 p.m. on Oct. 9 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Third-stringer Kraig Urbik started at Cincinnati after b a c k u p A n t h o n y S t e e n started the first three games. Steen was seen in a walking boot at Cincinnati due to a high ankle sprain.
Whil e i t a ppe a re d l e f t tackle Laremy Tunsil played well in his first start at left tackle, Gase mentioned Tunsil made a few costly mental errors.
Gase was not re ady to delve further into the availability of other players such as left tackle Branden Albert (ankle) or linebackers Jelani Jenkins (knee/groin) or Koa Misi (neck.)
But the return of Pouncey should provide a comfort blanket for quarterback Ryan Tannehill and aid the slowly improving running game.
L i p p e t t t o r e m a i n starter: Cornerback Tony Lippett “looked comfortable to me,” Gase said Friday, despite having a tough night against Bengals receiver A.J. Green.
Gase said as of now, Lippett remains the starter at cornerback.
Green fini shed with 10 receptions for 173 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown and a 51-yard catch. Illustrating how difficult the Dolphins’ secondary found it to cover Green, those 10 receptions came on only 12 targets.
Of course, not all that yardage can be blamed on Lippett. But enough of it was on the second-year cornerback who was a surprise starter. Lippett replaced ineffective veteran Byron Maxwell, who didn’t play a snap.
“I was prett y excited,” said Lippett, who was told about the chance a couple of days in advance. “It was a great opportunity: Thursday Night Football, to play against one of the greatest wide receivers. I was just trying to embrace the opportunity as best I can.”
Green started the game with the 51-yarder by outwrestling rookie Xavien Howard. On the 7-yard touchdown, Green easily shoved aside an attempted tackle by Lippett to coast into the end zone. Later, he burned Lippett deep for a 43-yard reception, setting up a field goal.
“Obviously, he’d like that missed tackle back,” Gase said. “He was in good position, too. Anytime you’ve got to go against A.J. Green that much, I mean, it’s not easy. He’s an elite guy.”
Lippett found it a learning experience.
“Not letting receivers get free releases,” he said, as a priority on his to-do list. “That’s one of the things. I have to utilize my arms and my length a little bit more.”