Midterm grades reflect 4- 4 mark
DAVIE— The Miam iDolphins have been a schizophrenic team in the first half of the season.
Even coach Joe Philbin admits he’s still trying to identify his team’s personality.
“We’ve had some good games, some not sogood games and some bad games,” quarter back Ryan Tannehill said, explaining the Dolphins’ 4- 4 record, which came as a result of losing two overtime games and last Sunday’s fourth- quarter nail- biter to the Indianapolis Colts.
“You have to realize where you are at and push forward,” Tannehill said. “We are at a critical point in the season, halfway through, and it can go either way from here.”
PASSINGOFFENSE: Tannehill, a rookie, is ahead of schedule as an NFL starter. He’s cut down his turnovers ( zero the past three games) and has steadily improved his quarterback rating ( 78.2), which has him ranked as the 27th- best quarterback in the NFL. But Tannehill needs to improve his completion percentage ( 58.9) and efficiency in the red zone. The Dolphins have only thrown six touchdown passes, which is tied for worst in the league. BrianHartline is on pace to catch 80 passes for 1,324 yards if he plays all 16 games, and Davone Bess is on pace to contribute 900 yards. But the offense still lacks big- play punch. Only 12 teams have allowed fewer sacks ( 16) than Miami’s offensive line, and the team’s yards per attempt ( 7.3) has Miami tied for 14th. Grade: C
RUSHING OFFENSE: The Dolphins
rank 13th in rushing yards per game ( 111.9) but 28th in rushing yards per attempt ( 3.8), which means Miami’s committed to the run but not maximizing the carries. Last year, the Dolphins averaged 4.2 yards per carry. Miami’s extremely efficient running the ball in the red zone. Only three teams — Houston, New England and Washington— have scored more rushing touchdowns ( 11) this season. Reggie Bush is on pace to produce back- to- back 1,000- yard rushing seasons, but his yards- per- carry average ( 4.4) is dropping. So are his carries because Miami wants to seeDaniel Thomas and Lamar Miller, the team’s two younger backs. Grade: C
PASS DEFENSE:
The Dolphins’ passing game is full of contradictions. Only two teams — Tampa Bay andWashington — give up more passing yards per game ( 298.2) than the Dolphins, but only eight teams have a lower cumulative quarterback rating than Miami ( 79.5), and nine teams have allowed fewer
touchdown passes ( 10). The problem is the Dolphins have allowed too many big plays ( 35 passes of 20 or more yards). Only three teams have given up more. Losing Richard Marshall for the season ( he was put on injured reserve on Wednesday) won’t help matters, either. The Dolphins could also use more pass rush considering Cameron Wake and company are averaging 2.8 sacks per game. Grade: C
RUSH DEFENSE: The Dolphins have been one of the NFL’s stingiest run defenses for the past three seasons, so it is not surprising that Miami checks in third in both rushing yards allowed per game ( 83.9) and yards per carry ( 3.6). Only four teams have allowed fewer rushing touchdowns ( three) than the Dolphins. But Miami’s front seven can do better. In the 4- 3 scheme, Miami’s defensive front has the talent to finishNo. 1. The Dolphins have allowed just eight rushing touchdowns in each of the previous two seasons, and that’s a good bar to set for the second half. Grade: ASPECIAL TEAMS: Punter Brandon Fields is having a career year, averaging 51.6 yards per punt and 43.6 net on punts. He’s battling New Orleans punter Thomas Morstead for the league lead in both categories. Marcus Thigpen resembles a dynamic returner every few games, producing one touchdown on a punt return and a 57- yarder on one of his 18 kickoff returns. The coverage unit has been stout despite numerous injuries and the Dolphins have blocked a few kicks and punts. Dan Carpenter has made 12 of 16 field- goal attempts this season, but he can do better. Grade: B+ COACHING: It is obvious Miami’s young players are getting better, and Philbin and his staff deserve most of the credit for that. But players do get better with age and experience. However, it appears Kevin Coyle’s defense fits these players better than Mike Nolan’s 3- 4 scheme. Mike Sherman’s done a good job building an offense that works for Tannehill, but the Dolphins’ offense has few explosive traits. Philbin and his staff need to do a better job of compensating for the roster’s deficiencies, or addressing them. Grade: BDOLPHINS