This was a very ugly game. Very ugly. I was mad when in the (begining of) third quarter Miami didn't even try to score, it looked like they were leading by 25. Confidence in the defense is one thing but scoring 10 points and then by going with an all out defensive game plan is another. If anyone in Miami is thinking that the Dolphins will
continue winning like that, they are dreaming. That could be enough against Cincinnati next week, but, not for long, you can write this down in your calender, October 8th, Buffalo Bills.
Miami is 3-1 and that's good and after Cincinnati the schedule will become brutal. It's important Miami wins the games everybody penciled in as a win at the begining of the year and this was one of them. Cinncinati is another.
QB Fiedler wasn't very good. he completed 12 of 24 for just over 150 yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs. The first INT caused the 3 points New England did manage to score. He tried to do too much and got intercepted on a shovel pass (!). He was sometimes way off on relative short passes. He also took forever to release the ball, the so called play action fake and the 7 step drop slowed his throwing process. There will come
a time that Fiedler and the offense will actually have to score if Miami has any chance of winning and it doesn't look like Fielder is ready. Not now anyway. D+
RB Smith rushed for 42 yards on 20 carries. Miami didn't do anything in order to score, at times it looked as if Miami is not interested in scoring knowing the defense will bail them out. That translated into running plays that didn't have a chance of gaining any yards from the get go. Thomas had 37 yards on 4 carries. One 40+ yard run by Smith was called back because of a holding call (Donnaley). The Dolphins were better than the stats indicate. C+
WR Without the 3 best recivers (Martin is expected back next week) and with a young QB that completes only 12 passes in the game you can't even make an adequate assessment of their ability. Add to that Miami's unwillingness to try and score in the second half and you end up with recievers that are as involved in the game as a punter. Emanuel had a nice TD. Shepeard was OK and so was Gadsden. C+
OL Again they were OK, usually giving Fiedler time but with all those "fakes" (really, exept for the TD throw, who were they kiding ?) Fiedler took forever to release. The run blocking could have been better and the Donnaley holding penalty nullified a 40+ yard run. D+
DL Bledsoe came into the game giving up 15 sacks in 3 games, the Dolphins managed only 2 (Armstrong). In some cases Bledsoe had all day to throw the ball. The run stopping was good but Kevin Faulk doesn't remind anyone of Eric Dickerson. They should have put pressure on Bledsoe more, the sacks and hurries were a result of the brilliant coverage. New Engalnd has a weak OL and Miami handled them without a problem. A-
LB They did a fine job both in the run defense and in the pass defense, Bjornson really didn't do anything. Again a solid game. A
Secondary At times they were superb, holding the Patriot WRs and preventing Bledsoe to throw. As I said the hurries and sacks were mainly coverage oriented. Brian Walker should merit an A+ all by himself for the hit-causing fumble of Kevin Faulk at the one (!). Marion was also solid. Teams are starting to just stop throwing his way. Surtain was also very good. On the other hand, Glenn got by the corners for a sure TD but Bledsoe simply overthrew him. But that Walker hit, WOW what a hit ! A+
Special teams They weren't very good. The return was so and so. Kelly got hurt and didn't return. Turk was solid, often kicking from deep in Dolphins territory. Mare was, well, Mare, enough said. (Mare is still perfect for the year kicking 6 of 6) C-
Coaching If Wannstedt and Gailey think this appearence was any good they are dreaming. Miami doesn't stand a chance to win if their offense keeps playing that way, heck, Nader has a better chance of being president.
I personally don't like the "fakes". A few OK, sure they can help, but, it shouldn't be the essence of the offense. They should be completing straight forward 10-15 yard passes to recievers, plain and simple. Sure Mcduffie is missing, but it's a part of the game.
Then again a win is a win. B-
