Miami Dolphins Week 8 Game Ball
Yet again, it's time to give out a game ball following a Miami Dolphins loss. At least this week, the team seemed to have a fire. They couldn't keep it going for all 60 minutes, but at least they went at the New York Giants, and they stayed with them for most of the game.
Quarterback Matt Moore looked like a sure beat to get the game ball early, picking apart the Giants defense, and making some impressive scrambles to extend plays. He was hot early, but fizzled out in the second half.
Wide receiver Brandon Marshall suddenly looked like a wide receiver, starting to actually catch the ball. He finished the game with 4 catches, on 6 targets, for 55-yards.
Kevin Burnett had a solid game. He seemed to be everywhere, racking up 10 tackles, 2 for a loss, and 1 pass defensed.
Steve Slaton scored a rushing touchdown, and had a huge, 42-yard kick off return to give the offense a chance to win the game. For a guy who was waived by the Texans, claimed by the Dolphins, and then has spent much of the season inactive, it was a great performance filling in for the injured rookie Daniel Thomas.
I nearly gave the game ball to Reggie Bush, who reached the 100-yard rushing mark for just the second time in his six-year career. His last 100-yard performance was in 2006, when he rushed for 126-yards, also against the Giants. He finished the game with 103-yards rushing on 15 attempts (6.9 ypc), along with 4 catches for 17 yards.
But, this week's game ball goes to Mike Pouncey. The rookie center was the best lineman for the Dolphins, playing exceptionally. He was a factor in pass blocking, and was out, leading runs. He made holes for Reggie Bush. And, maybe the most visible reason for his getting the game ball, the team seemed to completely change when he went out with a neck injury. The Dolphins had to shift Nate Garner from left guard to center for a play, then bring in Ryan Clark to replace Pouncey, and the offensive line was never the same. In a year where All-Pro left tackle Jake Long is obviously slowed by injury, Pouncey has been the top lineman for the Dolphins. Luckily, the injury does not seem serious.
I still hope one of these weeks, I can give a game ball to a winning team!
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Fist
1. Andrew Luck 2. Landry Jones 3.
Sure ........Luck means a lot in football. Not having a good quarterback is bad Luck. ~ Don Shula
Not having a good Quarterback is still bad Luck ~ Zsnoop
Possibly
Ryan Cook
1. Andrew Luck 2. Landry Jones 3.
Sure ........Luck means a lot in football. Not having a good quarterback is bad Luck. ~ Don Shula
Not having a good Quarterback is still bad Luck ~ Zsnoop
ie ...
I clicked on Ryan Clark … and he’s a safety for the Steelers.
1. Andrew Luck 2. Landry Jones 3.
Sure ........Luck means a lot in football. Not having a good quarterback is bad Luck. ~ Don Shula
Not having a good Quarterback is still bad Luck ~ Zsnoop
Bush was my pick for the Game Ball
Can’t argue Pouncey but 100 rush yards against the G-men slowed their pass rush down abit an enabled us to jump out to a big lead.
Damn the sheriff, Bring on MARSHALL LAW
No win = no game ball
Try again next week.
Studies have shown that 23% of all institutionalized mental patients
are capable of living normal lives in a productive society.
The other 77% are Jets fans.
NY Jets fan base: Bringing insanity and inbreeding to your community since 1960.
Back on the Hennewagon. Chuggin' along with no spare...
pouncey played well
But he usually plays well, I don’t think his play was anything special compared to his high level of play in every game. I would rather the ball go to reggie bush. Bush took over when Moore was struggling and has made the loss of henne less painful. He was able to take over for Daniel Thomas well and lookedlike the HB he was drafted to become, which is something similar to CJ2K. Even thoug Pouncey played well, it was reggie’s performance that really stood out to me.
Admiral of the RGIII "Robert Griffin," silver medal battleship of the luckfleet.
Trade Marshall NOW!!!
Daniel Thomas for 2012 pro bowl
Dear Reggie Bush, GTFO of miami
Vontae Davis and Sean Smith = Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain 2.0
All hail the mighty brandstater, the true qb god
by AnishB15 on Nov 1, 2011 6:44 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Good point.
A dude who has a 100 yd rushing game is gonna help a Qb’ passing game.
I never got a prize for doing what was expected of me.
Can't agree with this one Mosul
Pouncey gave up a sack and was then out for nearly half the game. His PFF rating fell from 4th to 15th in the NFL this week. Reggie Bush for me.
I'd give it to Reggie
Pouncey allowed a sack and 2 QB hits. He was actually the lowest rated offensive lineman for Miami on Sunday.
- Attempting to debate with a person who has abandoned reason is like giving medicine to the dead.
- Defeat isn't bitter if you don't swallow it.
I was suprised to not see Reggie Bush on here
Not to say Pouncey hasn’t been good, but c’mon dude. Bush was freakin solid on Sunday.
It was Cook who replaced Pouncey.
And I didn’t think Pouncey had all that great of a game. He was beat a few times. How does Bush not get the ball on this one? The second 100 yard rushing performance of his career is very significant. I am the first one to say that a RB cannot do anything without the big dogs up front opening holes for him, but I think that Bush really played well inside for the first time this year and possible for the first time in many years.
He played well the last few games but didn’t keep getting the touches. That’s always been the issue with Bush. It’s either been injury or touches. That’s why he left NO. I watched him there and he’d have a great first half then never see the ball again and people would be down on him.
Haters gon' hate...
I belive the last time was (3-4) years ago against the NYGiants 100yds.+
Well done kido!
wopper "the king" computer
We often look rite past the positive's cuz the negative's-r-so hard they dominate! Have you touched & preened your beaver-pelt yet! Captain beem me abord the luckmobil!
by wild zion beaver on Nov 1, 2011 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Last week TS gave the game ball to Devlin,..
and told him to throw it away. Devlin throw it out of the practices facility and into a lake near. I think we should do that too, but because of the sponsor, i guess we cannt.
I will see the Dolphins win a SUPER BOWL before i die(Quarter of a Century and counting)
I think Powncy or Bush should get the GB...
I also thought Jimmy Wilson did a great job as I recall.
Jimbo
by Dolphinator on Nov 1, 2011 11:18 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I actually thin Jimmy was picked apart
Especially in the first half when he gave up that fade route TD. I want him to improve though, I really like him.
Founder and creator of the "DT33" nickname
"Ima take my talents to South Beach"--LeBron James
Strapped on to Ryan "El Capitan" Lindley's bandwagon 2012
"I make onions cry"--Tom Brandstater
NO WAY dude !!!!!!!! - His PFF rating fell from 4th to 15th in the NFL
Pouncy was AVERAGE AGAIN… he was the 15th overall draft pick….that’s very high for a Center – and I just expect more…Our WHOLE OL just plain stinks this year….Pouncy is not to blame for it but he dosent deserve much credit either, for his middle of the road ranking and performance…… I don’t understand this love affair with pouncy (sounds like the name of some little girls kitten) He gave up a sack and was not that great IMO.
also – His PFF rating fell from 4th to 15th in the NFL …so now he is the 15th best Center in the NFL ? yea…. this is why OL is not as important as the SKILL POSITIONS QB, WR, RB…… REGGIE BUSH got most of his yards after the contact, bouncing off tacklers and using his speed….Bush played with fire and passion – Slaton stole his TD as well…when inserted at the goal line. bush deserves this so much more…6.9 yds per carry ? also – BUSH has been more durable than Dan thomas….. speed is what this lame team needs, and at least Bush provides that…
41 Year FIN FAN
Franchise QB... NOW !!! ...Draft Ryan Mallett ...Draft some Freakin speed for a change. WR & RB speed kills......
Agreed.
They give it to Slaton in the Redzone but not Bush. Can use the “bruiser back” excuse their. I don’t get it. Let Bush do all the running up until the 20 yard line then take him out. Still bad coaching in my opinion.
Haters gon' hate...
Or i think u have Bush on ur fantasy ; )
I will see the Dolphins win a SUPER BOWL before i die(Quarter of a Century and counting)
Our cheerleaders would not be there
because we were in NY
2010 The Jim Mandich NewsFlash Award Winner.
Miss the misery.
Need a reason for a change.
Need a reason to explain.
So turn it on again.
Don't change your mind.
You're wasting light.
can we stop giving game balls to the losing team
If anything, give the fans a game ball for putting up with these guys for another week
by ricenbeans82 on Nov 1, 2011 12:04 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I have to agree with the general concensus here Mosul
as much as I like Mike Pouncey and as well as i think he has played this sason I thought for weeks that his PFF ranking was overrated.He is a good young player, and he will probably be a great player in the NFL, but he struggles with the things that one would expect a young center to struggle with. Obviously Center in the NFL is a brutal position to play both physically and mentally. He still doesnt make all the pre-snap reads that a Center in the NFL is responsible for and as a result the line suffers. Strictly from a physical standpoint he is a phenom. He is big, strong and athletic and he can make all the blocks whether they are zone blocking or man schemes. However he does still struggle fundamentally (especially on the second level where he has missed multiple assignments on screens) and his vision has to improve. Like John Jerry he will occasionally get himself positioned off balance and too far forward which exposes him to the athleticism of NFL defensive lineman. Like John Jerry (although better than Jerry)I think he is a better run blocker than he is a pass blocker as he is deadly at the point of attack. Pass blocking is a different skill set and Pouncey still needs to improve in this area (as is to be expected). His vison needs to improve, his footwork and body positioning and he needs to improve with the correct protection calls.
2008 AFC EAST Champions.
I think we are overlooking the obvious plus this week
At least someone other than Fields earned it this week. Be it Pouncey, or Reggie, Burnett, or even Bell.
One thing stems to mind about this weeks Dolphins: Progress, not perfection.
by dolphinfan4lyfe on Nov 1, 2011 2:36 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
game ball are you kidding
Ross is about to blow a gasket the only possible game ball he is providing is of the NERF variety

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