The Dolphins season is realisticly over. A win by the Jets will drop them to third in the division and even if they do finish second in their division, they will probably go on the road for a wild card game and with the way they are playing now and their recent history any AFC team will love to get them in the playoffs. The outcome of this game is not much different than the big December games of past years. It was the Indy-Tampa games last year and this year it's the Niners-Pats games. The Dolphins turned the ball over 3 times and didn't get any turnover or big play of
their own. The run defense is non-existent. The good thing is Miami, even if they get to the playoffs, they will probably lose in the first round and won't face the Steelers' Bettis...
QB A solid game for Fiedler. He didn't throw many short passes and it hurt his percentage but he played well going 21 of 37 for 320 yards and 1 TD with no INTs. It was Fiedler's first 300 yard game as a Dolphin (oddly enough he is now 2 shy of the second place in Dolphins history...) B
RB The front office knew why they didn't sign Smith for a long term deal. He can't run. It's not only his fault but much of it is. Smith also fumbled inside the Patriots five when he had a first and goal in hand. His fumble virtually ended the game (hence ending the competetive stage of the season). Minor and Konrad won't tell their kids about this game either. D-
WR Gadsden was out with an injury. MvKnight was his usuall mediocre self. Weaver lost a fumble that turned into a Patriots TD. The TEs were involved more than usual since a few WRs were out (McKnight was injured and came back). Chambers was the only star again. He caught 7 passes for a career high 124 yards. It will be a surprise if he doesn't start the 2002 season in the starting lineup. He is the best Dolphins WR since Fryar, no doubt about it. Without Chambers it's a D-. B-
OL Running game ? This was back to the Marino days runwise but without Marino... D-
DL Very bad, very very bad. Smith ran for 156 yards. The Patriots almost rushed for 200 yards and Miami almost gave up 200 for the second straight week. Too bad there isn't a grade worst than an F. They were awful and that was suposed to be Miami's strength and the deepest position. 3 of the 4 starters (although Gardener is injured) make more than 5 million a year and are Miami's highest paid players (with Madison and Thomas). F!
LB Rogers and Greenwood were just bad. If I could vote again I wouldn't put Zach in the probowl either. The run defense is inexecusable. It wasn't Dickerson-Payton or Jerome Bettis out there, it wasn't Corey Dillon either, Heck it was Antowaine Smith ! 156 yards ! 6 yards a carry. F!
Secondary When the other team rushes for 196 yards do you really need to pass. They didn't seal the opposing receivers and gave up a TD to a guy named pass. D
Special Teams For the second straight week Turk had a 16 yard punt. Chambers is the best WR to hit the field in Miami since Fryar but he is not the best kick returner. Ogden won't go to the probowl as a returner either. Turk finished with a 35.2 yard average and Miami fumbled a kick return. F
Coaching Dave Faulwell Wannstedt made Newt Gingrich look like a ultra liberal. No urgency, no hurry up, nothing and the play calling. 4th and a sloid 1 down by 20, and they give it to their grand 2.9 yards a carry RB. Can you be more predictable. Down by 17 thn should have gone to a hurry up offense the entire 4th quarter and what's the point of running in this situation ? What can happen ? Smith breaking lose for a 7 yard run ? As you can see I'm writing this moments after the game. They were pathetic in the most important game of the season. (and worst than that they could have won playing that ugly). F!
