1. I'm amazed that the refs didn't call Brian Hartline's touchdown immediately. On the first replay, it was obvious that he had scored. There shouldn't have been any question.

2. Just as I was badmouthing Reshad Jones for allowing two touchdowns (first, he gets run over at the goal line and then he slips on the coverage and takes a poor angle chasing the receiver on the next score) he comes up with an excellent play on third down and plays well the rest of the way.

3. Nolan Carroll played another good game. We aren't forced to rush Dimitri Patterson back onto the field before he's ready.

4. I haven't heard anything lately about how much better our offense would be with Dustin Keller on the field. Charles Clay has really blossomed and is playing extremely well. I enjoyed the stunned look on Polamalu's face after Clay's touchdown. Wonderful closeup.

5. Tannehill drives me crazy with his constant underthrows of Wallace, but he has been putting up the points when we need them. His run from scrimmage was a thing of beauty.

6. Daniel Thomas ran very well for a guy that was supposed to be out for the season.

7. The offensive line is getting it done. I can hardly believe I can say that now.

8. Say what you will- this team is proving itself mentally tough when it has to be. I know some of you are down on the coaching staff (an understatement) but how do you explain it?

Rick

You either have the touch for the long ball or you don't Rick.

Right now however, Tanny is doing just fine with what he does.

dolphan4545 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 1. I'm amazed that the refs didn't call Brian
> Hartline's touchdown immediately. On the first
> replay, it was obvious that he had scored. There
> shouldn't have been any question.

Agreed. Scoring plays are reviewed automatically so most officials will call a TD if there is any doubt. Pretty bad officiating right there but on the game I thought they were alright.

> 2. Just as I was badmouthing Reshad Jones for
> allowing two touchdowns (first, he gets run over
> at the goal line and then he slips on the coverage
> and takes a poor angle chasing the receiver on the
> next score) he comes up with an excellent play on
> third down and plays well the rest of the way.

He has been maddeningly inconsistent this season. I don't know what the issue is but he hopefully he straightens it out, we've got quite a bit of money tied to him for the next few seasons.

> 3. Nolan Carroll played another good game. We
> aren't forced to rush Dimitri Patterson back onto
> the field before he's ready.

Very impressed by Carroll this season. He's not a great scheme fit for us but he's going to get some offers around the league this off-season. He's turned into a fine player.

> 4. I haven't heard anything lately about how much
> better our offense would be with Dustin Keller on
> the field. Charles Clay has really blossomed and
> is playing extremely well. I enjoyed the stunned
> look on Polamalu's face after Clay's touchdown.
> Wonderful closeup.

Probably the most improved player on the roster(OV might disagree). It's great that we finally have TE figured out. Good pick by Ireland for seeing the potential and great coaching to see it fulfilled.

Speaking of, I'm a big fan of our TE coach, Dan Campbell. Former player that has developed Clay from potential into a weapon and Egnew from a bust into a useful player in certain packages. Can't wait to see Sims next season after a full year under Campbell.

> 5. Tannehill drives me crazy with his constant
> underthrows of Wallace, but he has been putting up
> the points when we need them. His run from
> scrimmage was a thing of beauty.

Yeah we have left a lot of points on the field due to the lack of timing/chemistry between Tannehill and Wallace. Imagine our offense/scoring the last 13 games with a half dozen 50+ yd TD catches thrown in.

> 6. Daniel Thomas ran very well for a guy that was
> supposed to be out for the season.

I was surprised as well. I've been saying Thomas is having his best season. He's a useful player that fans would appreciate more if he'd been drafted in the 4/5th round instead of the 2nd.

> 7. The offensive line is getting it done. I can
> hardly believe I can say that now.

Mckinnie has been playing great, he's always had a lot of talent but it seems like playing back in Miami has rejuvenated him. Garner and Brenner have taken their chance and running with it. Jerry is his usual solid self, not a lot of great plays but not many really bad ones either. Clabo has turned his season around, this is the player Ireland and Philbin thought they were getting when they signed him. Having Pouncey back helps a lot too.

> 8. Say what you will- this team is proving itself
> mentally tough when it has to be. I know some of
> you are down on the coaching staff (an
> understatement) but how do you explain it?

Looks like the coaches have been working on performing better in the 2nd half. I'd still like to see more consistency but that's on the players as well because I guarantee Philbin preaches consistency(never met a coach that didn't).

ChyrenB Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You either have the touch for the long ball or you
> don't Rick.
>
> Right now however, Tanny is doing just fine with
> what he does.

**********************************************

RT has the arm strength, but just doesn't have his timing down, especially to Wallace.

Something he and the QB coach will have to really work on during the offseason.

RE the long ball. Yesterday Tannehill threw a real nice long ball to Clay that hit him right in stride and dropped in perfectly over the defender. Can't remember how long it was but at least 30 yds I think. It just shows that Tannehill has the ability.

And interesting point about the acceleration. Wallace is faster, by far, than anyone Tannehill has ever thrown too. Tannehill has zero experience to draw from when throwing to someone with his speed, it's gonna take time.

phinsfan402 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> RE the long ball. Yesterday Tannehill threw a
> real nice long ball to Clay that hit him right in
> stride and dropped in perfectly over the defender.
> Can't remember how long it was but at least 30
> yds I think. It just shows that Tannehill has the
> ability.
>
> And interesting point about the acceleration.
> Wallace is faster, by far, than anyone Tannehill
> has ever thrown too. Tannehill has zero
> experience to draw from when throwing to someone
> with his speed, it's gonna take time.

******************************************

Yes, it is going to take time, but won't be worked on until the off season. I mentioned earlier where Sherman said they rarely work on the long ball because it would take too much time during practice and would be too taxing for the receivers (Wallace).

As I, and a few others here, have stated, RT just needs to make his drop and let it go. Put enough air under it so Wallace can run under it. DBs can't keep up with him, so it will either be a catch or too long. I'll take those two scenarios over throwing short where Wallace doesn't seem able to judge it or fight for it.

I would say that was more like "a lot of quick things"

Man what's with the Steelers player's hands near our player's tooshies.

Agreed-and if he does throw it short, its in play for an interception, and we all know Wallace doesn't fight for the ball very successfully.

Rick

Oh well- some weeks there's more than other weeks.

Rick

Hartline is a bad white boy! and to think everyone thought Brian Robiskie (2nd round pick) was the best OSU WR.

WR's drafted ahead of Hartline in 09...

Darrius Heyward-Bey
Michael Crabtree
Jeremy Maclin
Percy Harvin
Hakeem Nicks
Kenny Britt
Brian Robiskie
Mohamed Massaquoi
Derrick Williams
Brandon Tate
Mike Wallace
Ramses Barden
Patrick Turner
Deon Butler
Juaquin Iglesias
Mike Thomas

A decent crop but a bunch of injury risks, busts, inconsistent players and Wallace. Nicks and Wallace are the only two who have more yards.

He's on pace for 1,052 yards and 5 TD's this year.

.....................................................................................
“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

eesti Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hartline is a bad white boy! and to think everyone
> thought Brian Robiskie (2nd round pick) was the
> best OSU WR.
>
> WR's drafted ahead of Hartline in 09...
>
> Darrius Heyward-Bey
> Michael Crabtree
> Jeremy Maclin
> Percy Harvin
> Hakeem Nicks
> Kenny Britt
> Brian Robiskie
> Mohamed Massaquoi
> Derrick Williams
> Brandon Tate
> Mike Wallace
> Ramses Barden
> Patrick Turner
> Deon Butler
> Juaquin Iglesias
> Mike Thomas
>
> A decent crop but a bunch of injury risks, busts,
> inconsistent players and Wallace. Nicks and
> Wallace are the only two who have more yards.
>
> He's on pace for 1,052 yards and 5 TD's this year.

Wow, so many talented players with injury issues.

He left off Indianapolis :-)

Honestly, we should have beaten just about everyone but NO so far this year.

wierd how we beat good teams and lost to some really bad ones.

Tannehill just needs to throw the ball sooner to Wallace and not wait for the seperation, just accept it is going to happen

Dolphin. I guarantee that the Wallace, Tannehill connection will be worked on and mastered this off-season. Next season mark my words. Tannehill will be a top 5 qb. I expect well over 4k yards probably closer to 5k with around 30 tds to about 13 ints and probably 300 yards rushing and another 3 tds doing that.

Tannehill under throws Wallace a lot but Wallace doesn't do a lot to try to help with the catch, he always seems to be waiting for the ball to drop into his hands instead of going up to make the catch, especially when he is covered.

Sickofit+1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dolphin. I guarantee that the Wallace, Tannehill
> connection will be worked on and mastered this
> off-season. Next season mark my words. Tannehill
> will be a top 5 qb. I expect well over 4k yards
> probably closer to 5k with around 30 tds to about
> 13 ints and probably 300 yards rushing and another
> 3 tds doing that.

********************************************

Too many "elite" QBs in the NFL to put RT in the top 5. We also have to see what happens with the OL.

Key to RT being one of the top QBs is his OL giving him enough time and his work with Wallace during the offseason.

jrhammerjr Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tannehill under throws Wallace a lot but Wallace
> doesn't do a lot to try to help with the catch, he
> always seems to be waiting for the ball to drop
> into his hands instead of going up to make the
> catch, especially when he is covered.


That's true but Wallace is a speed guy. He runs under deep balls. He doesn't get to full speed and then stop and then go up for a jump ball. That's never been his game. Although, it would be nice to see him fight for those jump balls a bit more.

jrhammerjr Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tannehill under throws Wallace a lot but Wallace
> doesn't do a lot to try to help with the catch, he
> always seems to be waiting for the ball to drop
> into his hands instead of going up to make the
> catch, especially when he is covered.

I remember a play this year where Tanny overthrew Wallace deep by something like a foot and a half. I was livid that Wallace didn't lay out for the catch. He just stuck his hands out half-heartedly. Not to mention he refuses to block anyone downfield!

phinsfan402 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> jrhammerjr Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Tannehill under throws Wallace a lot but
> Wallace
> > doesn't do a lot to try to help with the catch,
> he
> > always seems to be waiting for the ball to drop
> > into his hands instead of going up to make the
> > catch, especially when he is covered.
>
>
> That's true but Wallace is a speed guy. He runs
> under deep balls. He doesn't get to full speed
> and then stop and then go up for a jump ball.
> That's never been his game. Although, it would be
> nice to see him fight for those jump balls a bit
> more.

402,

Do you think Tannehill 's issue with Wallace could be that when he knows that Wallace is going to be wide open that he sort pulls a string on his throw out of fear of overthrowing him? That he just sort of try to lay it in there like a baseball pitcher with a "get me over" curve he needs in the strike zone?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/12/2013 09:54AM by THE Truth.

THE Truth Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> phinsfan402 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > jrhammerjr Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Tannehill under throws Wallace a lot but
> > Wallace
> > > doesn't do a lot to try to help with the
> catch,
> > he
> > > always seems to be waiting for the ball to
> drop
> > > into his hands instead of going up to make
> the
> > > catch, especially when he is covered.
> >
> >
> > That's true but Wallace is a speed guy. He
> runs
> > under deep balls. He doesn't get to full speed
> > and then stop and then go up for a jump ball.
> > That's never been his game. Although, it would
> be
> > nice to see him fight for those jump balls a
> bit
> > more.
>
> 402,
>
> Do you think Tannehill 's issue with Wallace
> could be that when he knows that Wallace is going
> to be wide open that he sort pulls a string on his
> throw out of fear of overthrowing him? That he
> just sort of try to lay it in there like a
> baseball pitcher with a "get me over" curve he
> needs in the strike zone?

**************************************

Your question wasn't aimed at me, Truth, but....

it's a combination of things.

(1) I do believe he has that thought in his mind of overthrowing it.

(2) He is aiming more for Wallace instead of getting it out there and letting Wallace run under it.

(3) RT hasn't had anyone as a teammate that can run that fast; hard to judge.

(4) With all the sacks and hits he has taken this year, he is jittery back there and not concentrating on what's going on down the field. We see RT cool, calm, and collected on those short-to-medium passes because he knows he is getting rid of it pretty quickly, whereas when he has to hold the ball for the long ones, he has been hit too often.

(5) Sherman has stated they don't work on the long ball too often during practice.

(6) RT just has to get it in his head that when his target is Wallace on a down field pass, to just take his drop and let it go, putting plenty of air under it. Hopefully, if it isn't right in Wallace's hands, that he will at least make an attempt to get it.

THE Truth Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 402,
>
> Do you think Tannehill 's issue with Wallace
> could be that when he knows that Wallace is going
> to be wide open that he sort pulls a string on his
> throw out of fear of overthrowing him? That he
> just sort of try to lay it in there like a
> baseball pitcher with a "get me over" curve he
> needs in the strike zone?

I'd say that's a good point and definitely has happened on some of those throws. Hard to say if that's the main issue though.

I also agree with Cap's points in the above post.

phinsfan402 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> THE Truth Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > 402,
> >
> > Do you think Tannehill 's issue with Wallace
> > could be that when he knows that Wallace is
> going
> > to be wide open that he sort pulls a string on
> his
> > throw out of fear of overthrowing him? That
> he
> > just sort of try to lay it in there like a
> > baseball pitcher with a "get me over" curve he
> > needs in the strike zone?
>
> I'd say that's a good point and definitely has
> happened on some of those throws. Hard to say if
> that's the main issue though.
>
> I also agree with Cap's points in the above post.


I think its a combination of what Cap pointed out and a mental block as well.

A lot of baseball pitches, when they need to throw a strike, take something off the ball.

I heard that RT says he's doing this. I'm sure if its true that its a result of over thinking the throw because they lack the timing and chemistry Cap spoke of.

Its interesting.

I have a friend I've been in a few fantasy football leagues with over the years and he has a rule for not drafting WR's the year AFTER they change teams. He researched it years ago and found that most guys who change teams see a drop in production for obvious reasons: Learning the offense, no chemistry or timing, etc.

I wonder if we will see a big jump in Wallace's numbers in year two?

I think the problem is RT hasn't had enough long throw reps with Wallace, and is trying to throw the ball on the fly so to speak. He is trying to anticipate the variables to make the pass.. Very hard if not impossible to do... RT has to have a clock in his head and throw the ball to a spot as far as distance to where he knows Wallace will be without thinking about it... Right now it is an on the spot judgement, it needs to be a feeling thing based on repetition... Wallace needs to know where he needs to get to on the field. RT needs to get it there, and forget about trying to hit a moving target 40 yards down the field at a pace greater then he is use to. Just pick some spots at different counts in his head and put the ball there... That is not what is happening and that is the problem as I see it...

-----------------------------------------------------------------
All things are subject to interpretation whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.
Nietzsche

THE Truth Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think its a combination of what Cap pointed out
> and a mental block as well.

That's true. It could be he has developed a bit of a mental block, especially with how much those plays tend to be talked about and dissected.

> A lot of baseball pitches, when they need to throw
> a strike, take something off the ball.
>
> I heard that RT says he's doing this. I'm sure
> if its true that its a result of over thinking the
> throw because they lack the timing and chemistry
> Cap spoke of.
>
> Its interesting.
>
> I have a friend I've been in a few fantasy
> football leagues with over the years and he has a
> rule for not drafting WR's the year AFTER they
> change teams. He researched it years ago and
> found that most guys who change teams see a drop
> in production for obvious reasons: Learning the
> offense, no chemistry or timing, etc.
>
> I wonder if we will see a big jump in Wallace's
> numbers in year two?

I'd expect so. If Tannehill had hit Wallace on even a few more of those big plays he'd be over 1,000 yds already and approaching double digit tds.

Tannehill spots his problem areas well and works in the off-season to fix them. He has already said it's an issue and I'd bet he'll make it a focus area in the off-season.

I think tannehill will be a better pocket qb next year once he works at it in offseason.