Week 10 Open Thread: Dolphins vs Bills


Buffalo Bills (4-4) at Miami Dolphins (0-8)
1:00 pm EST, CBS
Dolphin Stadium
Partly cloudy, 81 degrees
Line: Bills -3, Over/Under 41
Team Offensive Rankings
Bills - 31st total offense (275.1), 18th rush offense (109.8), 29th pass offense (165.4), 27th scoring offense (16.3)
Dolphins - 18th total offense (322.1), 12th rush offense (116.5), 18th pass offense (205.6), 14th scoring offense (20.8)
Team Defensive Rankings
Bills - 29th total defense (371), 19th rush defense (115.4), 29th pass defense (255.6), 12th scoring defense (19.5)
Dolphins - 23rd total defense (349.3), 31st rush defense (160.5), 6th pass defense (188.8), 31st scoring defense (30.5)
Today's Inactives
Bills: QB Gibran Hamdan, RB Fred Jackson, CB Ashton Youboty, LB Leon Joe, TE Matt Murphy, DE Bryan Copeland and DT Jason Jefferson
Dolphins: WR Kerry Reed, SS Travares Tillman, RB Samkon Gado, DB Jereme Perry, LB Zach Thomas, DT Anthony Bryant, DE Derreck Robinson and DE Rob Ninkovich
3 Absolute Keys to the Game
1. Stay committed to the run. The Dolphins must not fall into the trap of becoming one-dimensional against Buffalo's defense because that is when they are at their best. And we all do not want to see the game come down to the play of Cleo Lemon, because we all know how that will end up.
2. No missed opportunities. This means no turnovers (I'm looking at you, Mr. Lemon) and no stalling drives. Miami must score TDs when in the redzone and not settle for just 3.
3. Don't allow the big play. J.P. Losman and Lee Evans have been quite the tandem against the Dolphins in the past. Miami's defense must not surrender any big plays. They need to make this Bills' offense work for every yard.
Prediction: This is a great opportunity for the Dolphins to pick up their first win. However, they will have to play a nearly flawless football game because the Bills are not pushovers. If Cleo struggles, look for John Beck to possibly make his debut at some point. I'll say Bills win 20-16 with John Beck coming into the game in the 4th with Miami trailing 20-9 and he leads the Dolphins on one long scoring drive, but can't complete the comeback.
GO DOLPHINS!!!!
**UPDATE: This was their best chance to get a win yet and they blew it. The defense played well for most of the game. But a lack of offense and costly mistakes (drops, penalties, etc...) cost them in the end. Where do they go from here?
My full thoughts coming much later tonight/early Monday morning...
0 recs |
35 comments
Comments
Defense
Even with Cleo, our offense is good enough to win most games. We can put up points, we just need to put them up early and play with a lead instead of trying to come from behind.
by tenaciouslee on Nov 11, 2007 12:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Almost a quarter into the game...
But I'll tell you one thing, where has Ginn been in the passing game? He's yet to even be targeted.
by Matty I on Nov 11, 2007 1:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
End of first quarter and...
by Matty I on Nov 11, 2007 1:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
WILL ALLEN!!!!
Don't look now but the defense has come to play!
by Matty I on Nov 11, 2007 2:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Everything is going...
Miami is executing the keys to the game - running well, smart passes, good defense.
My only concern is that despite our good play, we are up just 3-0, anything but a safe lead.
by Natalya on Nov 11, 2007 2:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
One other thing...
by Natalya on Nov 11, 2007 2:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Does the score/stats/such
by Neo on Nov 11, 2007 2:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, Please
The defense has given up a total of 13 points the past six quaters. Miami has scored 13 points with their improved offense. Take away a TD in "garbage time" at the end of the NY game and our "improved offense" has scored 6 points. Kinda really reminds me of Miami offenses of the previous years.
Got a good running game, which is a complete big up to the OL. Lemon has a high % rate this game but for 62 yards? Chatman has 25 more yards on the ground.
Would absoultely love to see Beck in the second half, but leave it to Cameron to find reasons to leave Lemon in.
by Neo on Nov 11, 2007 2:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Halftime
by Matty I on Nov 11, 2007 2:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It does remind me of some old times...
That approach is questionable enough, but with a slim 3-0 lead, it is basically indefensible.
Losman can be awful for 3 quarters then just make 1 or 2 plays and we could easily be down 14-3.
by Natalya on Nov 11, 2007 2:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
FYI:
by Natalya on Nov 11, 2007 2:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
NO CLEO!!
by Matty I on Nov 11, 2007 2:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Check out the baseball score...
That's a perfect example of Lemon not managing the game. All he had to do was throw the ball to the sideline, instead he stood there and just ate it.
by Natalya on Nov 11, 2007 2:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
My gosh...
by Natalya on Nov 11, 2007 2:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I am not even drinking but...
That I could believe.
by Natalya on Nov 11, 2007 2:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Now
by Neo on Nov 11, 2007 3:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Story of the year
so frustrating...
by Matty I on Nov 11, 2007 3:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe so
by Neo on Nov 11, 2007 3:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The offense...
by Matty I on Nov 11, 2007 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Awesome
Good job Cam, way to go. Keep up the good work.
I hope JT's ankle is ok.
by Neo on Nov 11, 2007 4:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
feeling bad
by JC on Nov 11, 2007 4:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Where do they go from here?
~But a lack of offense and costly mistakes (drops, penalties, etc...) cost them in the end.~
So who do we drop this at the feet of? First of all we gotta look at probably the top 3 questions that needs be asked.
- Where was our improved offense in this close game?
- Why for the 5th time in 9 games did we have 7 plus penalties? BTW we've only played 1 game this season where we had less than 5.
- Why even with the offense "REALLY" struggling with Lemon at QB for the 2nd consecutive game was there no Beck?
You drop this at the feet of Cameron.What a wasted opportunity to get started on the future and a possible win.
Good job Cam, way to go. Keep up the good work. Cameron is a idiot.
I think Beck could've remembered that he had legs and feet on that safety, damn Lemon was like a statue. He sucks so bad.
by Neo on Nov 11, 2007 4:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Are you kidding me?
When am I going to learn?
There were three bright spots; Defense played pretty well, O-line played well again, and Chatman was awesome. In spite of this, the Fins could not overcome the special teams play, and Leo's Lemons (thanks to Natalya for the nickname). Feely can't kick a touchback to save his life, and I don't think Buffalo started with much worse field position than their 30 all day. Another holding call on a Ginn runback? Sure, why not? And even though Lemon didn't get a lot of help from his receivers on some important plays, he also didn't make the plays downfield when they were there.
This game should not have come down to the final drive. This team was not playing to win, it was playing "not to lose". Reminded me of the Wanstache days.
by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 11, 2007 4:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
RE:
I don't think that is fair. The lack of offense wasn't exactly Cleo's fault. He had 3 or 4 good passes dropped by the receiver. The problem is that they were to conservative. And one of three things can explain this:
- Cam's play calling. And if so, it was a major disappointment.
- No receivers open so Cleo had to continue to dump it off constantly.
- Cleo didn't see the open receivers.
by Matty I on Nov 11, 2007 4:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I would go ahead and presume to rule out #2...
I think it was more likely a combination of #1 and #3.
IMO.
by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 11, 2007 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
sorry.. typos..
:)
by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 11, 2007 5:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
How do you do that, exactly???!!!
THAT, my friends, takes some very special coaching!
by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 11, 2007 5:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think equal
oh-- there is enough blame to go around to add cam cam's play calling. abysmal... it looked like he had no idea what the hell to do when they can't hand the ball to chatman??
and back to the receivers- why the routes consistently short of the first down marker on third down? do we need to have that yellow line painted on the frickin' field?
and good point Neo- the next two weeks are horrible environments to throw Beck in there, while this week was the perfect scenario. chalk another one up for brilliant head coach. if he's such a great play caller, let him focus on that and bring someone else in to make the HC decisions.
by NumberSeven on Nov 11, 2007 5:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Cleo NEVER goes down field
~ And even though Lemon didn't get a lot of help from his receivers on some important plays, he also didn't make the plays downfield when they were there~
Cleo always checks under.
U don't think thats fair?
Lemon has cost Miami 12 possible points the past 2 games. Fumble at the end of the half in London. A bobble at the end of the 3rd quater in London. A he stood like a statue and took a safety in Miami.
Ok, I'll give you the receivers dropped a few pass, but he has thrown WAY more "Lemons" to the receivers than he had dropped. The fact of the matter is the Fins "improved offense" has scored 20 points the past 2 games with Lemon at the helm (and as previously stated Lemon gave 12 of them back). Now if you wanna blame that on Cam's conservative play calling (wonder where we've seen that before) I'm all for it cause I don;t like Cameron as a HC.
But I stand by my statment of Cleo going back to back games with similar stats 17-30 for 149 1 TD (passing) in London and 16-29 for 131 (rushing) helping that offense struggle.
Mind you with a bye week, at home and this is what Cameron comes up with? I'm glad the defense is playing better, now there is no other person to blame but Cameron.
Nat and I tried to tell you all bout the offensive numbers being skrewed and its being shown these past 2 games. Now that the defense is playing well keeping the games tight, the offense sucks. These games look no different than back in the Dave Wannstedt.
Now you see we weren't haters, just truth tellers.
by Neo on Nov 11, 2007 5:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bingo!!
Then we are to be blame too. So may excuse are made for this clowns. They are getting pay to F** this team up and we approved there incompetence.
Finally, Beck SUCKS!! For the entry Dolphin org Lemon is better then Beck, you made the math!! We need to draf a QB with our 1st pick of the 08 draf. GO DOLPHINS!!
by Aleta on Nov 11, 2007 7:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yes! Go Rams!
Thank you, St. Louis Rams. Thank you.
BTW, who is this Beck person everybody keeps mentioning?
by urbino on Nov 12, 2007 12:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Little Things
- Allowing a safety
- Penalty on Ginn's kick-off return
- Dropped passes
- Not running routes to the first down marker
Lemon is not a leader. Let's get Beck in there.
by gophish on Nov 12, 2007 1:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yup...
- Allowing a Safety = Bad QB play. THROW THE DAMN BALL! - 100% on Cleo.
- Penalty on Ginn's kick-off = That makes 2 now. (And possibly 2 W's)
- Dropped Passes = Booker, ex-Pro Bowler, had an awful game.
- Not running routes to the first down marker = On Lemon for taking the checkdown. (Look, routes are designed to be run at a certain depth - this is where the timing between a QB and a WR come into play. If the play breaks down and Lemon scrambles, then the WR should ensure they get past the sticks. If not and the ball is thrown in the rhythm of the play, this is completely on Cleo for checking to the wrong route.)
Look - I am fairly certain that the position coaches coach the WR's to run their proper routes and make sure they get past the sticks when things breakdown, etc. (As well as teach them to catch the ball - hell, Booker is a former Pro Bowl receiver, am sure he knows how to catch) Am also sure that Cleo has been coached and taught to get rid of the damn ball when standing in your own end zone and players know not to hold on kickoff returns.
As I have stated many times before - at some point - players need to make plays.
One thing that is obvious - I have seen Ronnie Brown make plays, I have seen Jesse Chatman make plays, I have seen Marty Booker make plays, I have seen Ted Ginn make plays, I have seen Zach Thomas make plays, I have seen Jason Taylor make plays, etc. I have not seen Cleo make plays yet - ESPECIALLY in crunch time. (Or have the ability to make plays...)
Time to see if Beck can make some plays.
by azphinner on Nov 12, 2007 11:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

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