2026 outlook

[Pappy13]

I hate reading the anti-fins section so I'm gonna try to look at the positive side of this year and see if we can't salvage something from it.

As far as the coaching staff is concerned, for the most part I've been onboard with what they have done. I didn't care for the Malik signing but that was largely just because I think they overpaid for his services. I could be wrong and if I am then I'll be happy to admit that and it will put another check mark on the positive side of the ledger for them. Things that I have been on board with was their draft strategy and in general trying to get tougher and uglier. I've felt that we have been too pretty of a team for a long time and we needed to get back to being less glamorous and more ugly. Let's play some smash mouth football and actually try to win a couple games in December. Lets try to win with stellar defense and good enough offense. I'm tired of only being able to win games when the weather permits and the offense puts up 30 points.

So what I'm looking for is not necessarily a lot of wins, I don't think we will see that, but wins and a playoff game are not what I looking for from this year. What I want to see is an offense commited to run the ball first and pass it once the defense adjusts to try to stop it. I want to see an offense that can run the ball up the gut on 3rd and 1 and get a yard even when the defense knows it's coming. I want to see an offense that can keep the clock moving and keep moving the sticks. I want to see a QB that can make an off schedule play. The offense doesn't necessarily have to score a lot of points, but it needs to be able to move the ball and make a few plays here and there when the play call breaks down.

Because I also want the defense to be able to prevent the opponent from doing the same. Get some 3 and outs. Get a stop on 3rd and 1 or 4th and 1. Get some turnovers. Hell just force the other team to kick FG's instead of TD's would be nice. Anything to keep the offense in the game and prevent them from having to air it out to stay in the game.

And I want to see a team that looks better in the 4th quarter than they do in the 1st quarter. Make some half time adjustments and find something that works, don't just continue to do the same thing expecting a better outcome. Show me that you have some grit and desire to win. I don't care if you get beat, but at least be in the game in the 4th quarter and don't get blown out. Make me believe we have a chance to win even if we don't.

If the team is able to do these things, the year will be a success even if they only win a handful of games in my opinion because that will be something we can build on for next year when hopefully the team is able to put a better roster together than this year.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

What I want to see is an offense commited to run the ball first and pass it once the defense adjusts to try to stop it. I want to see an offense that can run the ball up the gut on 3rd and 1 and get a yard even when the defense knows it's coming.

I don't think you are going to see a lot of that.  Teams that are playing from behind tend to throw a lot, teams playing from ahead tend to run a lot.  And you seem to be admitting you expect them to be playing from behind  a lot. 

[Pappy13]

I don't think you are going to see a lot of that.  Teams that are playing from behind tend to throw a lot, teams playing from ahead tend to run a lot.  And you seem to be admitting you expect them to be playing from behind  a lot.  

Yeah, I want to see a team that doesn't abandon the game plan when they get behind by 7 or 9 or 10. Stick with it. Keep working on it. Let your defense have a chance to get a turnover and get you back in the game or force a 3 and out to give your offense another chance. Basically I want to see not just a team that believes in themselves, I want to see a coaching staff with some backbone. The game is 4 quarters. If you get to the 4th quarter and have to throw it on every down to get back into the game so be it, but you don't need to do that in the 2nd quarter.

Playing from behind is a learned skill. The more you do it the better you get at it. Don't be afraid of it, embrace it and learn from the experience. Remember that your opponent is SUPPOSED to win this game, the longer you stay in the game the more the pressure builds on them. You don't need to be winning, you just need to be close enough to win. Don't do something stupid that will take any chance of winning away and let the pressure off your opponent.

[masterfins]

I just want to see the Dolphins shut down Tua and the Falcons in pre-season and beat the Chargers in December.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I just want to see the Dolphins shut down Tua and the Falcons in pre-season and beat the Chargers in December.

I am guessing you are more concerned with shutting down the Chargers offense than you are at score a lot of points on their defense. 

[masterfins]

I am guessing you are more concerned with shutting down the Chargers offense than you are at score a lot of points on their defense. 

That would be nice, but I'll take any win.

[Pappy13]

I saw this today and thought it was appropriate for this thread. I completely agree.

How Badly do the Miami Dolphins need to upgrade the skill positions

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I saw this today and thought it was appropriate for this thread. I completely agree.

How Badly do the Miami Dolphins need to upgrade the skill positions

I agree.  You should be able to evaluate your QB.  I think Qunn Ewer deserves a shot to compete (but that is a different matter). If your HC, GM, and OC can't tell the difference between a well thrown ball that was dropped by the receiver and a poorly thrown ball when they know what the play was called and the route tree that was supposed to be followed than your issues go much deeper than the QB.