Thoughts on the Bills win.

[Fau Teixeira]

They said on GMFB on NFL network this morning that Tua was examined by the team drs and the independent neurologist and they determined that the gross motor instability was the result of an orthopedic issue (lower back) and wasn't related to any head trauma.

So they took the steps and he cleared the concussion tests as mandated.

[fyo]

^ Good to hear that the independent neurologist was involved.... but I still don't believe for a second that it wasn't a concussion. I watched Tua's post-game interview this morning and didn't exactly come away impressed with the explanation.

[DZA]

Well I hope things are different this season.  Yes 3-0 starts are good but still have plenty of games left to go.
2002- Started 3-0 and ended up 9-7
2013- Started 3-0 and ended up 8-8
2018- Started 3-0 and ended up 7-9

2022-  ?

We could easily be sitting at 1-2 right, fans calling for TUA's head.  Bridgewater has shown that he sux and its a reason why he is a journeyman.  Defense continues to show heart even though making a few mistakes. Coach McDaniels , I dont know man it something about him that continues to impress me.

[EDGECRUSHER]

According to EPA, Miami has the #1 offense in the league.

https://rbsdm.com/stats/stats/

[Dave Gray]

They said on GMFB on NFL network this morning that Tua was examined by the team drs and the independent neurologist and they determined that the gross motor instability was the result of an orthopedic issue (lower back) and wasn't related to any head trauma.

That's crazy.  I thought that he was lying to not have to take the tests.  I don't doubt that he had a lower back issue, but he definitely hit his head on that play, got up shaking his head and then couldn't walk.  It would've been a great coincidence.

[CF DolFan]

That's crazy.  I thought that he was lying to not have to take the tests.  I don't doubt that he had a lower back issue, but he definitely hit his head on that play, got up shaking his head and then couldn't walk.  It would've been a great coincidence.

Saw this on PFT a little while ago ...

The NFL Players Association said it would investigate the injury to see if concussion protocol was followed. At each NFL game is an Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant, a doctor who is on scene to monitor any head injury and can also give tests to determine if a player is okay to return to the game. The NFL said all protocols were followed.

[Dave Gray]

^ Great.

I watched McDaniels press conference yesterday and he said the thing about the back.  I don't expect him to be straight-forward, but he didn't seem sketchy about it.

[Pappy13]

Honestly, with the way that the media has STILL been criticizing Tua after wins ("he's underthrowing on touchdowns! he's throwing to wide open receivers on busted coverages which anyone can do!  BAL's secondary was injured! he was only good for one quarter!"), I think if Tua plays exactly the same as he has, the defense allows more scoring, and MIA has two or three losses, the entire narrative would be Tua Can't Get The Job Done.

Well if you're going to count the likes of Colin Cowheard than yeah, but I don't. You shouldn't either. He's a hack and knows less than I do about football.

[Pappy13]

The Dolphins' performance so far this year may indeed seem "fluky," but consider that as of now they have the most efficient offense in the league as measured by EPA per play.  And that's driven primarily by pass offense, where again they are tops in the league.  Pass defense is worrisome, as they are currently 28th in the league in that area.  But the Dolphins are playing better than anybody in the league right now with regard to the strongest predictor of winning in NFL football -- pass offense.

Let me clarify, I don't think any of the games this year have been fluky at all, great wins all of them. What I'm saying is that 3 games don't make a season. We need the same play for the rest of the season, not 3 games of it. Last year we had 1/2 a season of solid play and 1/2 of a season of shit. If they play this way the rest of the year we're in the playoffs. If they don't, well you never know. That's all I'm saying. Yeah it's been a great 3 games, but lets keep it going. The fans have been starved so long for great play that they are all going bonkers over 3 games which is nice I must admit, but I've seen this before. Play great for 3 or 4 games and then fall apart at the seams. I'd just like to continue to watch some great play for the rest of the season is all I'm saying. They're not going to play great every game or even the entire game all the time, but we need to see more consistency from the team before I start calling them a good team.

[Pappy13]

True, but it seems like every year we say "You know, if we got a bounce here and didn't get called for a bullshit PI penalty here, we would be 6-5 instead of 4-7". This year, we're on the other end of the spectrum so that is a very positive shift.

Absolutely which is great for a win or 2 here or there. If we want to continue winning we need to keep playing at a high level because if we do, we won't need a bounce or 2 here or there, we'll be up by 14 and it won't matter that we don't get the bounces. That's what I'm saying.

[Spider-Dan]

Interesting stat:

In the last 16 years, NFL teams are 2-106 when being out-gained by at least 275 yards. The two wins:

2020 Dolphins vs Rams (Tua)
2022 Dolphins vs Bills (Tua)

That Rams game was Tua's first start.  I don't think he made any huge clutch plays in that game like 3rd-and-22 yesterday, but it's a fun stat.

[Dave Gray]

Well if you're going to count the likes of Colin Cowheard than yeah, but I don't. You shouldn't either. He's a hack and knows less than my 1 year old grandson about football.

Cowherd exemplifies the national media narrative.  He's probably the most popular voice.  You can't discount him just because he's wrong.  He has a huge voice over both radio and TV.  And he's not S+ tier troll like Bayless or Stephen A.  He covers mostly high profile markets and big stories.

But that's where a lot of people get their sports take.  Then they feed each other and call in these shows and hit the internet and the Facebook pages with it.  The Cowherd Tua narrative is the prominent national narrative.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Absolutely which is great for a win or 2 here or there. If we want to continue winning we need to keep playing at a high level because if we do, we won't need a bounce or 2 here or there, we'll be up by 14 and it won't matter that we don't get the bounces. That's what I'm saying.

Well, we easily handled the Patriots who aren't as good as us. We had that crazy game against Baltimore who are a very good team and we just beat Buffalo who might be the best team in the NFL.

If we need some miracles against the Commanders and Bears, then I would look negatively upon that.

[Dolfanalyst]

Interesting stat:

In the last 16 years, NFL teams are 2-106 when being out-gained by at least 275 yards. The two wins:

2020 Dolphins vs Rams (Tua)
2022 Dolphins vs Bills (Tua)

That Rams game was Tua's first start.  I don't think he made any huge clutch plays in that game like 3rd-and-22 yesterday, but it's a fun stat.

And how were those wins accomplished?  Essentially with defensive scoring.  The Rams game featured defensive and special teams scoring, while the game yesterday involved the defense's handing the offense the ball in prime position to score.  The sack/fumble was the most impactful play of the game yesterday in terms of EPA.

[Pappy13]

Cowherd exemplifies the national media narrative.  He's probably the most popular voice.  You can't discount him just because he's wrong.  He has a huge voice over both radio and TV.  And he's not S+ tier troll like Bayless or Stephen A.  He covers mostly high profile markets and big stories.

But that's where a lot of people get their sports take.  Then they feed each other and call in these shows and hit the internet and the Facebook pages with it.  The Cowherd Tua narrative is the prominent national narrative.

Not really. Cowheard is just a little bit more likeable version of Bayless or Stephen A. He really doesn't offer much more insight. They are all looking for viewers mostly and they get a bunch but it's mostly from people that don't really know a whole lot about sports. Sure they watch it on TV, but other than that they don't know much. Sports fans, not students of the game. You want to get some real insight listen to a former player/coach. I loved listening to Troy Aikman. He used to visit once a week with the Ticket in Dallas and he was great for insight. He actually knows what he's talking about and isn't just trying to get viewers. And it doesn't have to be at the NFL level, there are ton of podcasts by former college players etc that can break down game tape and really explain what's happening. You'll get more insightful conversation from those guys then you will Colin Cowheard. There's plenty of actual sports news out there if you just know where to get it. It might be the prominent national narrative, but I don't think it's actually the national media narrative, many of whom know better.