The Dolphins Make Me Cry.com - Forums

Tua

McDaniel for having the guts to believe in him. 

McDaniel for me.

I really can't say enough good things.  Mistakes were made, but overall, it was such a breath of fresh air.

Tua and McDaniel. Game plan was great and we adjusted for the running attack not being there and some O-Line injuries.

Hard not to give the game ball to McDaniel for an overall solid game in his first ever outing as a head coach - and against Bill Belichick to boot.

Really want to give an Honorable Mention to Kader Kohou. I'll readily admit I had to look the guy up. Never heard of him. Undrafted Rookie. Intriguing back story (born in the Ivory Coast, family moved to the US when his father won the lottery and could thus afford it, didn't really start playing until his senior year in HS, played D2 ball in college), as often seems the case with these unknown players.

Anyway, undrafted rookie, long shot to even make the roster, not on the field the first two defensive drives, 3 solo tackles on 17 defensive snaps, 1 pass defended (out-jumped Agholor to kill a drive), 1 forced fumble (recovered by the Dolphins). Not too shabby ;)

He's been noticed quite a bit in camp. Glad to see it is carrying over.

For me it has to be coach McDaniel too. He had them ready to play and they never faltered even when things didn't go right. Honorable mention to Brandon Jones who continues to shine.

I'll give it to McDaniel for his first win, against a touch coaching opponent.

The Defense.  Forced three turnovers, one of them resulting in a Miami TD; and held the Patriots to one lone score.  Just like last year their dominant play was the reason for the win.

Hill, Waddle and whomever stripped the ball on our defensive TD. Not sure who it was.

Kader Kohou, my honorable mention above ;)

It was actually Brandon Jones #29 who snuck up to the line after motion and the calls on the line were made. He is great at blitzing and has developed great technique in getting in unblocked.

Indeed, you are right. That's a 29, not a 28 ;). (And that's what I get for trusting coverage online and not looking at the tape again myself.)

Kohou forced the fumble after the Nelson Agholor catch late in the game (recovered by Jaelan Phillips).

Yes he did. Joe Rose said this monirng he also graded out the highest on the defense. Pretty impressive for an undrafted rookie in his first NFL game. We may have found a dimaond iin the ruff.

In actuality we should give X some props. He held Devante Parker to 9 yards while many of us worried that Parker was going to come out and bite us in the butt as many former players do.

Definitely McDaniel for me.  Love the gutsy play calling, going for it on 4th downs at midfield multiple times (without the lame predictable hard-count-timeout BS).  And it seems like for once the team is behind the guy, rather than against him...

Kudos on your first win, Coach.  Here's to 12 more...

Interesting note ... Joe Rose said he confirmed the 4th down play where the Pats jumped offsides was going to be a play. Coach wasn't just out there begging for an offsides.   

I thought it was interesting how few times the Patriots went for it on 4th down. I remember a time when it seems they would go for it on 4th down anytime they crossed the 50 but were out of field goal range. Course that was back when they had a certain someone at QB. Seems like Belichick is less likely to go for it on 4th down now. Anyone else notice this?

I was actually wondering about that. In my mind i had no doubt they were out there to run a play, and I'm glad Joe asked the question.  Faith restored! ;)

One thing that caught my attention was the discussion (both Gumbel/Archuletta - and the sideline reporter) about going for it on 4th down at the end of the half. How was that EVER a discussion? It was 4th and 7 on the Patriot's 42. Critically, though, there were only 24 seconds left on the clock and the Patriots were out of timeouts. I would have been absolutely LIVID if the Dolphins had punted. It was basically a free play - with a turnover really the only risk and even then the Patriots would have had to return the turnover into field goal range (or really close) since it would be difficult for them to run a play and get the field goal team out in time for a kick.

Hill for me - just involved with everything on offense all game.

Special mention for the defense who were so dominant. Kohu looks a very promising young talent.