Miami Dolphins 13
San Diego Chargers 23
What a difference a year makes. Last season the Dolphins were coming off of a 1-15 season with minimal expectations yet played a physical, mistake-free and very efficient brand of football resulting in an 11-5 Division Championship season matching the greatest single season turnaround in NFL history. Coming into this year, despite boasting the leagues toughest schedule, expectations were high but what we’ve seen thus far is vastly different than that of last year and that was blatantly obvious against the San Diego Chargers. Miami just can’t seem to stop shooting themselves in the foot. Just when they look like they are here to stay and able to compete with anyone as demonstrated with a 17 play, 94 yard drive eating nine and a half minutes off the clock they do something to completely implode like Ronnie Brown fumbling on that 17th play before there was even contact at the 1 yard line through the back of the end zone for a touchback. They never recovered; in fact, it only got worse from there.
There are glaring holes in this Dolphins squad that keeps being highlighted as each week passes. Most notably is the play of our safeties, Gibril Wilson and Yeremiah Bell, who haven’t proven they can cover their mouths when they sneeze let alone All Pro’s like Tony Gonzales, Dallas Clark and Antonio Gates who have completely gouged the Phins secondary. Phillip Rivers threw for over 300 yards and Vincent Jackson had 120 yards receiving. The Dolphins run defense has been excellent actually and they proved that yet again by holding the dangerous Darren Sproles to only 41 yards on 18 carries but it’s a moot point when the secondary has been falling asleep allowing the Chargers to have 7 passing plays over 25 yards.
Offensively, Miami has proven that they cannot play without the lead and even when they do move the ball and make something positive happen they do something stupid to kill the drive like a penalty or turnover, something they did not do last season. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams continue to punish defenders with their running style and they produced great numbers, albeit many came from the Wildcat, accumulating 130 yards on 26 carries. Miami would take that every week and feel good about their chances of winning the game but that has not been the case. In fact, Miami has done very well in run defense, run offense, time of possession, first downs and passing efficiency which are normally good indicators of success yet the Phins find themselves 0-3 because they have struggled wit pass defense, red zone offense, turnovers and 3rd down efficiency on both sides of the ball, which are clearly good indicators that you won’t be successful. Miami’s passing game has struggled with Davone Bess being the only receiver worth mentioning with his solid play in the middle ala Wes Welker in New England. Ted Ginn continues to struggle this time going without a catch entirely and dropping two consecutive low passes when Miami was attempting to mount a rally. Tight End Anthony Fasano has been a non-factor for some unknown reason this year after being one of the focal points last year. Like I said, what a difference a year makes.
To add insult to injury, on the first possession of the second half Chad Pennington was hit legally by LB Kevin Burnett after attempting a 3rd down pass and fell to the ground dislocating his already twice repaired throwing shoulder. It was later determined that the injury is season ending and truly unfortunate for CP10 as his value to the Dolphins cannot be quantified in numbers. Heir apparent Chad Henne stepped in and immediately showed why he didn’t win the job outright by displaying happy feet, showing nervous jitters and telegraphing his throws, one of which was picked and returned for 6 by CB Eric Weddle. In defense of Henne, the entire Dolphins team seemed to lose its steam and confidence after Pennington left with the injury.
While the Dolphins look to have lost another season at 0-3 the San Diego Chargers have their sights set on a deep playoff run. Hopefully next year with a polished Chad Henne at the helm we will be able to make that claim. Here we are after 3 weeks and still in September and thoughts about “next” year are already creeping in. Not good.
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