Phinfever (Big Dave)

David Blake, Lic Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate, MBA. Following the Dolphins since 1970 (Key West, FL). Phinfever: created 1999. Christ follower.

[Phinfever (Big Dave) @phinfever]

Losing DT Zach Sieler for the season with a torn biceps is a huge blow to this defense. We were hoping to get a look of what QB Kyle McCord could do while Malik Willis rests his groin, but now McCord is looking at at least a month of starting experience. as Willis goes on IR. Hopefully, he can make the most of it. Meanwhile, the offensive line really needs to step things up on the right side. Giving the quarterback a little time to throw instead of making him run for his hills would be a nice change of pace.

https://t.co/H8dNDBx87g

[Phinfever (Big Dave) @phinfever]

Apparently, nobody bothered to tell the Dolphins defense that they're still a work in progress. They're not supposed to be giving the NFL's #1 offense, #1 running back, and #1 offensive line this much trouble. Somebody really needs to remind these guys they're ahead of schedule. 😂🐬

[Brian Baldinger @BaldyNFL]

.@Lions @MiamiDolphins nothing in the NFL is better than watching Growth & Development...I could watch the #PhinsUp boys play run defense all day long...A whole bunch of teams wish they could do this v @Jahmyr_Gibbs1 #BaldysBreakdowns

[Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz]

Dolphins have moved up to 13th in total defense after Sunday. The fact that a defense that entered the season with only 2 veteran proven unquestioned starters is accomplishing this is incredibly impressive and speaks well of Sullivan, Hafley and the players.

[Brian Baldinger @BaldyNFL]

.@MiamiDolphins start 3 rookies and after @ChrisJohnson28 got his first INT v @Lions all 3 rookies now have at least 1 int...I don't believe any other team can make that claim. #phinsup #BaldysBreakdowns

[FinsXtra @FinsXtra]

🎥 Detroit Lions DE Derrick Moore on facing the Miami Dolphins: "I got to give Miami a lot of credit... I felt like they knew who they was, they know what their identity was, they tried to attack us in different ways." (@Lions) #PhinsUp

[Phinfever (Big Dave) @phinfever]

The defense has been bringing the fight every week. Now, if we could just get the offense to show up and join the party, we might actually have something.

[Billy M @BillyM_91]

Miami's run defense held Gibbs to a 35.5% success rate yesterday. I was impressed with Rodriguez, Brooks, Kenneth Grant, and Zeek Biggers!

[Phinfever (Big Dave) @phinfever]

A couple of good seasons could certainly turn things around, but right now, Stephen Ross owns what we're seeing at Hard Rock Stadium on game day. The empty seats, the opposing fans taking over, and the frustration of a fan base that's been waiting forever for something worth cheering about. This all happened on his watch. You can change coaches, general managers, and quarterbacks all you want, but there's one guy who's been there through it all. 😖

https://t.co/6rFvaiaggT

[Phinfever (Big Dave) @phinfever]

Does anyone remember games played in conditions like this? I enjoyed watching them.

[Kevin Gallagher @KevG163]

Could you imagine these scenes in today's NFL?

Ankle-deep mud, uninterrupted on-field public drunkenness, a lake taking up the better part of an end zone

The Dolphins and Patriots at Boston College's waterlogged Alumni Stadium

November 9, 1969

[Phinfever (Big Dave) @phinfever]

This defense was not supposed to be doing this yet.

[Joe Schad @schadjoe]

The Dolphins held Lions QB Jared Goff without a passing touchdown for the first time in 30 games, ending the longest
active streak in the NFL

[Phinfever (Big Dave) @phinfever]

When the Lions pulled off that fake punt earlier in the game, I got that all too familiar feeling of watching the Dolphins get embarrassed yet again. You know, that sinking feeling we've become a little too comfortable with over the years.

But one thing I'm really starting to like about Hafley is that he's got some fight in him. He didn't just sit there and take it. He turned around and gave the Lions a taste of their own medicine with a successful fake punt that picked up a nice chunk of yards.

And you know what? I loved it! It wasn't just about the yardage. It was about sending a message that we're not going to be anybody's punching bag. Hafley got a little payback and gave us back some of our dignity. After years of watching this team get pushed around, it's refreshing to see a head coach who knows how to punch back.

[King of Phinland🐬👑 @KingOfPhinland]

This is peak

[Phinfever (Big Dave) @phinfever]

If you're actually watching these games, you can see these young bucks are making teams earn every bit of their wins. Miami isn't exactly the easy win on the schedule that some people expected. Don't get me wrong, I'm not enjoying the losing. I've been a Dolphins fan long enough to have earned a lifetime subscription to disappointment. But I am enjoying the fight, effort, and potential I'm seeing from this young nucleus. There's something to build on here, and for once, that's not just my annual preseason optimism talking.

[FinsXtra @FinsXtra]

🎥 Dan Campbell on Miami Dolphins' pass rush: "Chop and those guys, they bring it off the perimeter... they got speed on the perimeter and it's a little different. They play hard." (@Lions) #PhinsUp

[Phinfever (Big Dave) @phinfever]

If you're going to put the blame on Malik Willis for this game, take a good look at the pass protection first. Then ask yourself, "Am I actually watching the game, or am I just looking for someone to blame?" I didn't just see Willis trying to avoid one pass rusher. There were times he was trying to escape two! It's pretty hard to go through your progressions when you're running for your life before you can even finish your dropback. Apparently, some people expect him to read the defense, dodge two defenders, and deliver a perfect pass. All in about two seconds. Piece of cake, right?

https://t.co/ppVzpkQ33C

[Phinfever (Big Dave) @phinfever]

There were plenty of mistakes by young players in this game, and you expect some growing pains with an inexperienced team. But Dulcich has been around the league long enough to know better, and Brewer and Austin Jackson were getting flagged for holding like they were collecting frequent flyer miles. These are veteran players who should be setting the example, not contributing to the problem. At some point, experience needs to show up on the field, not just on the roster.

[eric smith @OLCoachSmith63]

This is on Dulcich IMO.

With the WR engaging immediately, Dulcich needs to remain behind the LOS for this to be legal. He not only draws the penalty by running this too far downfield, but trips over his blocker as well.

[Phinfever (Big Dave) @phinfever]

I really enjoy watching the camaraderie between the teams after games. This game was closer than it had any business being, but watching the Lions shows what can happen when you build a team the right way. Draft well, make smart moves in free agency, and pull off a few good trades. Amazing what happens when you actually have a plan and stick to it.

I also noticed that Savaiinaea traded jerseys with Penei Sewell after the game, even though he had another rough outing. One thing I do like about Savaiinaea is his desire to improve and his pursuit of excellence. You have to respect a young player who wants to learn from one of the best in the business. Unfortunately, wanting to be great and actually being great are two different things. I'm pulling for the kid, but perhaps he doesn't have what it takes to become a legitimate NFL starter. Hopefully, some of Sewell's talent rubbed off on that jersey. At this point, I'll take whatever help we can get.

[David Furones @DavidFurones_]

A lot of cool stuff happening on the field after the Dolphins-Lions game, via @CBSMiami:

-Jeff Hafley and Dan Campbell shake hands; Hafley then greets his former BC lineman Christian Mahogany, and Campbell says what’s up to Dolphins head of security Drew Brooks;

-Josh Uche and Aidan Hutchinson, a pair of Michigan Wolverines, link up;

-Jahmyr Gibbs shakes hands with Zeek Biggers, a former Georgia Tech teammate;

-An all-Rodriguez jersey swap;

-Jonah Savaiinaea does a signed jersey swap with Penei Sewell.

[Phinfever (Big Dave) @phinfever]

Yeah, that's usually a pretty good sign your offensive line is getting its butt kicked and you're doing everything you can to keep Willis from getting killed back there. PFF isn't exactly the Holy Grail of football analysis, but it does give us something to go on, and they gave Brewer a whopping 26.5 pass blocking grade. That's not a grade you hang on the refrigerator.

I actually had someone complain to me that Willis made some bad throws and wasn't going through his progressions. Seriously? What progressions? The guy barely had time to finish his drop before somebody was in his lap. Maybe we should give him more than half a second before expecting him to read the entire defense, make a sandwich, and deliver a perfect pass.

[Phinfever (Big Dave) @phinfever]

This is worth sharing.

[Mike Kennedy @MikeKennedyNFL]

This is one of the greatest tackles by a QB ever, courtesy of Geno Smith.

Hit stick 📈