13 Thoughts From Shawn Williams: Week 11

By: Shawn Williams

1.  The Offensive Line was an absolute mess.  The run game never got going and Tua was sacked 6...yes, 6...times!  Some seem to think this is a new issue, but this has been the story all season.  The Dolphins, 11 weeks into the season, have yet to find a running game.  If lanes are opened, they don’t stay that way long.  Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Tua are both mobile quarterbacks with great escapability that has helped mask the problem that they often have little time in the pocket.  Jesse Davis was routinely beat off the edge; Austin Jackson was called for a crucial holding call late in the game.  Ereck Flowers struggled, same for Robert Hunt and Solomon Kindley.  It will be too difficult to make any drastic changes mid-season but play calling adjustments should help mitigate some of the issues.
   
2. Miami continues to struggle against the run.  Kyle Van Noy was a total liability on the left side.  Miami could not set the edge and the Broncos dominated on outside run plays.  The Dolphins had looked like they had corrected this issue but playing with a lead in most of their past five games seemed to provide the perfect mirage.  The run defense could ultimately be the downfall of this team if it is not corrected over the next couple of weeks.  Hopefully, Christian Wilkins can return from the COVID list and help fortify the defensive line.
   
3. For the first time in a long time, Miami could not create any pressure on the Quarterback.  Too often Drew Lock had all day to find an open man.  Broncos Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur scheme of play action roll outs and outside run plays was near flawless.  Miami’s defense thrives when they are able to create pressure and rattle the QB.  If the rush is held in check, especially in the Amoeba blitz packages, it leaves receivers open and creates vulnerabilities in the defensive backfield.  The effectiveness of Brian Flores’ scheme relies on getting to the QB, and if they can’t, we’ve seen what happens.
   
4. Tua may be operating inside of a limited playbook as he learns this offense and the speed of the NFL, but Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey needs to find ways to make it easier on his quarterback.  It may be time to stop worrying about “spreading” the ball around and focus more on getting the talent more involved in the game plan.  It’s no coincidence that when Ryan Fitzpatrick came in the game, he immediately went to DeVante Parker and Mike Gesicki.  It would probably behoove a coordinator and rookie QB to lean on the elite talents around them.  Gesicki is a matchup nightmare, and DeVante Parker catches more than 70 percent of the balls thrown his way (and are usually made with less than one yard of separation).
   
5. Nik Needham has continued to grow each game.  He had tight coverage throughout the first half that led to deflections and incompletions when thrown his way.  If he can solidify himself as a dependable slot corner, with Xavien Howard and Byron Jones on the outside, this could be a historically great group of corners.
   
6. Speaking of great, Howard picked up his sixth interception (tied for 1st in the NFL) of the season.  I am not sure why quarterbacks continue to throw his way, but I think it’s time to consider Howard as one of, if not the best, corner in the league.
   
7. Tua was benched in the fourth quarter in favor of Ryan Fitzpatrick.  Coach Flores said he asked Ryan to come in and ‘provide a spark”.  He also stated that Tua will not be losing his starting job.  Fans seemed to not be very keen on the decision to take Tua out and were surprised by the decision.  I think it was a great decision that will only help Tua moving forward.  Tua is not a weak-minded player, and he’s also a rookie who is still learning and trying to find his rhythm.  Coach Flores has continually shown that he will play the guys who give his team the best chance to win, and with Tua struggling, Ryan had the potential to provide a spark to a team in the middle of a playoff race.  It’s my assumption that this will act as a great learning moment for Tua and he will show up next Sunday more determined and focused.  Tua never looked comfortable in the game.  His first series resulted in overthrows to a streaking Jakeem Grant.  Tua also threw a bad interception that was luckily negated by a defensive holding call.  I would relax on jumping to any conclusions on this one.
   
8. As much as we all love and appreciate Ryan Fitzpatrick, it was hard not to have a feeling the game would end exactly as it did.  We saw the best and worst of Fitz all in a span of two series.  The team immediately responded to Fitz, and they semi-successfully orchestrated a high paced drive resulting in a Field Goal (the first points of the second half).  The following drive seemed poised for a game tying touchdown, but instead ended in a Fitzpatrick interception in the end zone.  We got the Fitzmagic and Fitztragic, which again illustrates why they made the decision to not only bring Fitz in, but why they ultimately moved to Tua in the first place.
   
9. Miami needs to really focus on finding receivers with consistent separation ability.  Even Parker is usually well guarded, fortunately his elite ball skills makes up for being closely covered.  The rest of the receiving corp does not possess that ability, rather it’s that inability that puts more pressure on the QB, by not allowing him to get the ball out of his hands quickly.  Despite having the 7th fastest release among quarterbacks in the NFL, a lot of Tua’s completions are dink and dunk passes within 5-10 yards.  I will again reiterate the importance of incorporating Mike Gesicki and Parker even more into the game plan.
   
10. Andrew Van Ginkel is a budding star.  He has had an impressive season, and Sunday was par for that course.  Even after a tough unnecessary roughness penalty, Van Ginkel forced a Melvin Gordon fumble on the one-yard line that kept Miami in the game.  Van Ginkel was also inches away from his second blocked punt in as many games.  AVG could end up working his way towards a Pro Bowl appearance if his play and level of impact continue.
    
11. A good chunk of fans said that Miami needed this reality check, that this win is okay; The Dolphins weren’t supposed to be this good yet anyway (it’s all about a sustained future).  Bull.  Miami has certainly exceeded expectations, but in doing so proved that they’re better than the performance they put on today.  I’m not one for making excuses, rather it’s my belief that accountability is crucial to success in any business.  This one is no different.  While the sky may not be falling after one dud, it is crucial that Miami takes this loss seriously and shows up this week ready to learn and improve upon this disappointing mistake.  A key factor in why Miami has been able to exceed expectations is the fact that Brian Flores holds his team and staff accountable.  It’s likely Coach won’t take it easy on his team this week, and there’s no reason for you to either.
    
12. It’s probably a good thing Miami faces the New York Jets next week as they look to rebound from this loss.  The Jets remain winless on the season after falling to the LA Chargers 34-28.  It is important however, that Miami does not repeat today’s importance next week.  The Jets are going to show up to play, and Gase would love a win against his former team.  Miami’s 24-0 win over New York earlier this year should be removed from the Dolphin’s memory banks, and they need to be focused and committed to their preparation this week.
    
13. Miami’s bid for the playoffs took a tough hit this week.  Their loss puts them at 6-4, good for seventh or eighth in the conference depending on the outcome of the Raiders/Chiefs game.  Miami still has tough games (they all are we learned this week) against the Chiefs, Patriots, Raiders and Bills, and any less than 10 wins may not be enough to get in.  It is time for Miami to buckle down and figure out the kinks against the Jets and Bengals (who will be without Joe Burrow).
    

Please welcome Shawn Williams to PhinManiacs and please check him out on Twitter @swilliams3205