Buh Bye Doofins

[Real fan 02]

Christian Elliss showed he doesn't belong on an NFL defense. Gibbens isn't much better, but he is better.

Landry's not great, but he had 2 things going for him coming into the season:

1) He was available.
2) He was willing to come here.

Several people have been talking about gaping holes on both sides of the ball all season long - it's not a finished product. I get people are frustrated by the loss, but people losing their **** over people who are borderline starters at best, or shouldn't be starters at all, is kind of crazy to me.

You can't give half of an NFL-caliber defense MULTIPLE short fields and expect them to somehow shut it all down. It's frustrating, but let's all be realistic.

Spillane is *fine*. He's a replacement-level starter who didn't play Sunday. Milton Williams is a superstar who didn't play on Sunday. Carlton Davis is a replacement-level starter who missed big chunks of the game due to his customary injury, forcing yet another special-teamer-level player to take his place.

It's not a finished product, they did what they could with what they had. Heart only takes you so far. When healthy. this defense rises to the level of 'good enough'. They weren't healthy.

Great post. I'll push back on Ellis though i don't believe he's the problem at all. The problem is the pass rush. JMO.. there are also guys being paid to be high performers that aren't.. Barmore at the top of the list.

We don't get sacks unless the secondary covers and creates coverage sacks..

But all in all as you said the roster isn't fla finished product and the fact that they have some pretty good defensive numbers with this collection of players is still impressive.

I guess it's just we've seen them playing at a high level all season and I have to remind myself this team was 4-13 last year.

Vrabel realistically needs at least another off season to get the roster better than what it is.

But your post your overall point is well taken!

 

[Bill Lee]

That's a contract that is so bad it approaches Deshaun Watson levels of pain.

Google sez:

Chris Grier served as the Miami Dolphins' General Manager from 2016 until late 2025, a tenure of about 9-10 seasons, though he was with the organization in various scouting roles since 2000, totaling 26 years before mutually parting ways with the team. His GM reign included three playoff appearances (2016, 2022, 2023) but no playoff wins, ending with his exit amidst the 2025 season.

Thank you for your service, Chris!

 

[Bill Lee]

You can't give half of an NFL-caliber defense MULTIPLE short fields and expect them to somehow shut it all down. It's frustrating, but let's all be realistic.

Spillane is *fine*. He's a replacement-level starter who didn't play Sunday. Milton Williams is a superstar who didn't play on Sunday. Carlton Davis is a replacement-level starter who missed big chunks of the game due to his customary injury, forcing yet another special-teamer-level player to take his place.

It's not a finished product, they did what they could with what they had. Heart only takes you so far. When healthy. this defense rises to the level of 'good enough'. They weren't healthy.

To me, that's the story of the game.

The offense needed some decently long drives in the second half to keep the ball out of Allen's hands and couldn't get it done.

The second half of the drive chart looks like **** for us other than the one TD.

The kick return team put the defense onto a short field.

The defense was not up to full strength, and in particular was missing its best player, and was gassed by the end of the game.

It was the classic team loss, IMO.

 

[Froob]

The clock management when they were behind was really terrible. Apparently, the coach refused to tell Tua that he was 2 scores behind and not to take each play down to the final couple of seconds.
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MIA would likely not have won, but the coach didn't even try. He just gave up. And then, at the very end, he started to call time outs and try to have a late score.
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Losing may have been because their QB wasn't good enough. But the HC was clearly not good enough.
===========
Yes, they need a new GM and a new HC.

Yeah that **** sucked. He does do some questionable things but I do think he maximized talent on that roster

 

[Real fan 02]

To me, that's the story of the game.

The offense needed some decently long drives in the second half to keep the ball out of Allen's hands and couldn't get it done.

The second half of the drive chart looks like **** for us other than the one TD.

The kick return team put the defense onto a short field.

The defense was not up to full strength, and in particular was missing its best player, and was gassed by the end of the game.

It was the classic team loss, IMO.

I think if the game was a shoot out and Allen won it as the clock expires in the 4th the feel and talk would be totally different..

It's the WAY we lost the game that has most fans pissed and critical of the team.. we dominated Buffalo for 30 minutes of football.. as far as added motivation and a more enhanced focus.. this loss maybe needed to happen in this fashion..

 

[mike_usagisan]

Sounds like McDaniels might bench Tua:

Mike McDaniel has scathing assessment of Tua Tagovailoa

Tua Tagovailoa may have finally worn out his welcome with the Miami Dolphins. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel delivered a scathing verdict on Tagovailoa's

larrybrownsports.com

If they bench him, I have to think they try to move him in the offseason. The real question is who would take Tua off their hands (looking at you, Jets)?

 

[Real fan 02]

Sounds like McDaniels might bench Tua:

Mike McDaniel has scathing assessment of Tua Tagovailoa

Tua Tagovailoa may have finally worn out his welcome with the Miami Dolphins. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel delivered a scathing verdict on Tagovailoa's

larrybrownsports.com

If they bench him, I have to think they try to move him in the offseason. The real question is who would take Tua off their hands (looking at you, Jets)?

He's probably a backup the rest of his career should the Dolphins move off him..

 

[mike_usagisan]

He's probably a backup the rest of his career should the Dolphins move off him..

Right, but he might be able to go somewhere like Mac in San Fran and revive something of a career.

 

[Real fan 02]

Right, but he might be able to go somewhere like Mac in San Fran and revive something of a career.

Good points.. it's unfortunate he's had the concussion history as we all know what that leads too.. he's a young man with generational wealth.. suprised he's even still playing..

Mac can do well in a structured environment as we've seen in SF... Tua has had hill, Waddle and some great offensive weaponry his entire career..

 

[Bill Lee]

Sounds like McDaniels might bench Tua:

Mike McDaniel has scathing assessment of Tua Tagovailoa

Tua Tagovailoa may have finally worn out his welcome with the Miami Dolphins. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel delivered a scathing verdict on Tagovailoa's

larrybrownsports.com

If they bench him, I have to think they try to move him in the offseason. The real question is who would take Tua off their hands (looking at you, Jets)?

2019: Tank for Tua!

2025: Tank because of Tua!

Looks like they have a lot more tanking to do...

Interesting that MIA has as many wins as KC!

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

and they have benched him......

Dolphins bench Tua Tagovailoa for Quinn Ewers

Everything was on the table. And the table has quickly turned away from Tua.

www.nbcsports.com

 

[TommyD4207]

Sounds like McDaniels might bench Tua:

Mike McDaniel has scathing assessment of Tua Tagovailoa

Tua Tagovailoa may have finally worn out his welcome with the Miami Dolphins. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel delivered a scathing verdict on Tagovailoa's

larrybrownsports.com

If they bench him, I have to think they try to move him in the offseason. The real question is who would take Tua off their hands (looking at you, Jets)?

Brian Flores was right.

 

[PatsFan2]

Sounds like McDaniels might bench Tua:

Mike McDaniel has scathing assessment of Tua Tagovailoa

Tua Tagovailoa may have finally worn out his welcome with the Miami Dolphins. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel delivered a scathing verdict on Tagovailoa's

larrybrownsports.com

If they bench him, I have to think they try to move him in the offseason. The real question is who would take Tua off their hands (looking at you, Jets)?

I can think of Four Teams.

 

[jal]

Good news is that instead of pushing for playoffs they are likely in tank mode for our game at end of the season. But who knows maybe Ewers will be more effective than Tua (not a high bar lately!)

That roster definitely has talent but can't afford Tua being a liability with his cap hit. They are gonna see what Ewers and maybe even Zach Wilson have, then likely look to tank for a rookie QB and restart the cycle.

 

[PatsFan2]

Good news is that instead of pushing for playoffs they are likely in tank mode for our game at end of the season. But who knows maybe Ewers will be more effective than Tua (not a high bar lately!)

That roster definitely has talent but can't afford Tua being a liability with his cap hit. They are gonna see what Ewers and maybe even Zach Wilson have, then likely look to tank for a rookie QB and restart the cycle.

Bad news for them poor QB Crop in 2026.

 

[TommyD4207]

Great post. I'll push back on Ellis though i don't believe he's the problem at all. The problem is the pass rush. JMO.. there are also guys being paid to be high performers that aren't.. Barmore at the top of the list.

We don't get sacks unless the secondary covers and creates coverage sacks..

But all in all as you said the roster isn't fla finished product and the fact that they have some pretty good defensive numbers with this collection of players is still impressive.

I guess it's just we've seen them playing at a high level all season and I have to remind myself this team was 4-13 last year.

Vrabel realistically needs at least another off season to get the roster better than what it is.

But your post your overall point is well taken!

Elliss gave up the Cook walk-in touchdown on the pass, because he couldn't figure out where the hell to lineup, or that he had man coverage on the back.

Christian Barmore has been very good, considering he's been doubled and tripled on every play since Williams went down. You've got an irrational hate-boner for Barmore and it's like you're expecting him to have 20 sacks from the DT position. He's dealing with replacement-level ends at this point, and practice squad-level DTs next to him (except Tonga, who's had a couple of bad games for him in a row).

Chiasson is 26, and I think he could have a Robert Mathis-type ceiling, if he has an alpha on the other side of him. They've been putting him on the left tackle a /lot/, meaning they think he's their best pass rusher - the team does. He needs an alpha on the other side. That's not Landry.

We need a safety better than Hawkins (I think Woodson's been a godsend, but he's still a rookie), and our linebackers grade out at 'terrible'. If Robert Spillane is your best linebacker, you need another linebacker. Spillane needs an athletic running mate so he can go thump. He's by himself. Gibbens is a special teamer with some rotational traits. Tavai has been bad again this year, and you know my thoughts on Christian Elliss.

You need Carlton Davis' replacement for 2027 in camp next year. He's a league average #2 who gets himself injured a lot, thankfully not missing games, but missing plays and series in crucial moments.

The money doesn't matter, yet. But next year might be even more critical than this year, because the people you're bringing in next year will be part of the solution. Landry, Davis, Spillane, Moses, Bradbury, these are stop-gap guys, Guys who can play at the NFL level, but are limited, that stop the bleeding from the absolute dearth of talent that was on the roster to start the year. I think you get them all for another year, although hopefully their roles will change.

 

[Real fan 02]

Elliss gave up the Cook walk-in touchdown on the pass, because he couldn't figure out where the hell to lineup, or that he had man coverage on the back.

Christian Barmore has been very good, considering he's been doubled and tripled on every play since Williams went down. You've got an irrational hate-boner for Barmore and it's like you're expecting him to have 20 sacks from the DT position. He's dealing with replacement-level ends at this point, and practice squad-level DTs next to him (except Tonga, who's had a couple of bad games for him in a row).

Chiasson is 26, and I think he could have a Robert Mathis-type ceiling, if he has an alpha on the other side of him. They've been putting him on the left tackle a /lot/, meaning they think he's their best pass rusher - the team does. He needs an alpha on the other side. That's not Landry.

We need a safety better than Hawkins (I think Woodson's been a godsend, but he's still a rookie), and our linebackers grade out at 'terrible'. If Robert Spillane is your best linebacker, you need another linebacker. Spillane needs an athletic running mate so he can go thump. He's by himself. Gibbens is a special teamer with some rotational traits. Tavai has been bad again this year, and you know my thoughts on Christian Elliss.

You need Carlton Davis' replacement for 2027 in camp next year. He's a league average #2 who gets himself injured a lot, thankfully not missing games, but missing plays and series in crucial moments.

The money doesn't matter, yet. But next year might be even more critical than this year, because the people you're bringing in next year will be part of the solution. Landry, Davis, Spillane, Moses, Bradbury, these are stop-gap guys, Guys who can play at the NFL level, but are limited, that stop the bleeding from the absolute dearth of talent that was on the roster to start the year. I think you get them all for another year, although hopefully their roles will change.

Ok for point Tommy.. fair point.. now Barmore is the 55th best player at his position.. while he graded high for pass rush pressure rate.. .maybe i just haven't seen it..

If you're seeing my take on him correctly I've stated multiple times and to PatsFan2 and TheRainMaker that I gave him thr benefits of the doubt for large parts of the season due to him having a serious condition.

Sometimes players are never the same afterwards and maybe it's unrealistic to expect that from him.?

Because of late is like when I was a kid watching my older sisters play patty cake and hot hands.. he can't shed single blocks.. seemingly and the defensive line is supposed to be the deepest part of the team. But again it's not hate like you hate Ellis it's criticism of a player being paid highly to impact the game i give the same criticism to C Davis..who has 0 Ints.

Spillane is 31.. Ellis is younger and getting better. We need to address young athletes at LB, Edge this offseason

I agree the safety position definitely needs upgrade Hawkins has been solid but nothing extraordinary.

 

[Uptown]

 

[Uptown]

 

[TommyD4207]

Ok for point Tommy.. fair point.. now Barmore is the 55th best player at his position..

Your first mistake is believing PFF grading. It's just wrong, and takes nothing into account (like double and triple-teams, scheme, etc).

If Barmore were the 55th best player at his position, in reality-land, he would have been the one traded to SF and not Keion White, because he would have garnered a much higher draft pick.

Also, Elliss is not getting better - he's still got zero instincts for an off-ball linebacker. If he were bigger and had any skill, maybe you turn him into a pass-rusher or something, but the dude's a career special teamer forced into playing defense.