Dolphins vs Ravens game Summary
1/13/02
Grading the Dolphins
The Dolphins ended the season with an abysmal pathetic game, losing 20-3. Sure, Miami made 5 straight playoffs, but their exits... 164-13 in the last 5 playoff exits. The Dolphins aren't good enough. They are a decent team that rarely loses to weaker opponets. But against better opponets, the Dolphins have no offense and their defense always collapses (especially the run defense) in the big game (remember Terrell Davis' 199 yard day in 1998 and Fred Taylor's walk in the park in 1999).
They have a good defense and good special teams but it can take you thus far. Miami looks without an offense and suddenly Mike Ditka's theory of an entire draft for a franchise star offensive player doesn't look that ridicoulus (Ricky Williams-Marvin Harrison-David Boston this kind of star). Would you trade a few middle round DL and a few OL that usually don't make the team and Minor (and he was a good draft pick) for an Edgerin James ? I mean Miami needs a star offensive player. Aside from Chambers, who excites you in this offense ?
QB Somehow, by the end of the season, Fiedler is the least of Miami's concerns heading into next season. He will be a free agent. He barely crossed the 100 yard plateu and threw an INT at the end which hit McKnight right on the face. His WRs were pathetic. Without Chambers they are the worst in the NFL. C
RB The RBs rushed for a grand total of 20 yards, that's t-w-e-n-t-y yards. Any other grade you can suggest ? F
WR Pathetic. How bad can it get. Your "star" WR (Gadsden) catches one pass for 9 yards, n-i-n-e, really, this is no missprint. McKnight caught 4 passes for a grand total of 26 yards for 6.5 yards a reception, how's that for a "deep threat". He was pathetic instead of holding on to the ball he gave the Ravens an INT after the ball hit him on the face mask. What did he want a ball to be thrown to his hands with glue on it ? Anyone remember the Jets game and his INT.
He was responsible for more INTs than some NFL quarterbacks. Ward is a 4th WR - enough said. The Dolphins head into next season with one WR (Chambers - didn't play because of injury), and Chambers' absence was felt badly in this game. F!
OL See RB - T-w-e-n-t-y yards. Sure it's the Ravens but 20 yards by your RBs. Only decent running play - A QB option by your backup QB that goes for 10 yards. Fiedler couldn't pitch a tent down there as far as pass protection is concerned either. F
DL No Gardener - No run defense. The Ravens rushed for 226 yards. Two hundred ! Headed by a hundred year old Terry Allen for crying out loud ! This was no 1984 Eric Dickerson, it was Allen somehow still playing in the third millenium, with a guy named Jason Brookings running for 65 yards on 10 carries - In one word - Pathetic. F
LB Thomas was OK and his zillion tackles were also a result of no DL. Greenwood is going to be fine next year (but that's for my season summary and the season grades). D
Secondary Surtain was burnt twice, on a long pass and on a penalty call that nullified a great Dolphin play. Anyone still wondering why Madison is in the probowl without a lot of INTs ? He could have slept for half the game, nobody even tries to throw his way. Marion was the best player on this team and I don't mean in this game, to think nobody wanted to sign him is bizzare. I hope he stays for next year. C+
Special Teams Turk is a great punter, take away a few bad games at the begining of the season and he should have been voted for the probowl. Coverage teams played well, although a decent kick/punt returner would be helpful. A-
Coaching The Dolphins lost at home 20-3. They didn't try any trick play and didn't take any chances. Were they thinking they could win with this kind of offense ?
P-l-e-a-s-e... F
On the 1st of November, 1970, RB Mercury Morris, gained a Dolphin record of 302 combined yards. He ran 8 times for 89 yards, received 3 balls for 68 yards and returned 6 kicks for 145 yards. |
CB Patrick Surtain
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