YOUR 2014 DOLPHINS ARE ALIVE AND WELL

Well, the Redskins game turned out to be not what was advertised, didn't it? The preseason crowned "Top 5 Defense" couldn't stop the run, and Ryan Tannehill threw some ducks along with some very nice passes showing us that he isn't as consistent as he looked in the preseason.

No matter, my friends. This is week 2 and the Dolphins are facing the Jacksonville Jaguars. The odds say the Jaguars are going to upset a couple of teams this year, but there is just too much talent and potential on Miami's side to show another letdown. Keep in mind that defensively the Dolphins corrected a number of their problems at the half. Which makes me wonder why it took so long to do so? This isn't the NCAA. A DC has to correct problems on the next couple of drives.

You all know that I begged the Dolphins to cut Kevin Coyle loose after his 3rd consecutive defensive slide of our Dolphins since he took over. I have nothing against Coyle, but a good defensive coordinator will be able to scheme his defense to good production. Maybe he's simplified the wrong part of his game. The big problem the past few years was his zone coverage that his linebackers and secondary (and defensive linemen) had to constantly think about in games. It was too complicated. It sounds to me that Coach Philbin directed his friend in the wrong direction in his simplification order.

GAME BALLS TO S RASHAD JONES AND WR JARVIS LANDRY

I honestly believe that if Rashad Jones and Jarvis Landry had missed last week's game, that we'd be looking at an 0-1 record right now. Seriously. Rashad Jones was all over the field and played excellent defense against the run and the pass. He is my early MVP for this Dolphins team. I may have to go out and buy a Rashad Jones jersey because he is a serious "play-ya". Unfortunately he will be out this week because of a hamstring injury, so, our young and up-and-coming safeties will have to show us why they made the roster. I like Walt Aikens, but he needs the experience to improve.

What can I say about Jarvis Landry? If everyone on the offense played as he did on Sunday we'd be unstoppable. He willed himself to a first down when the Dolphins needed it. And the punt return for a touchdown was a thing of beauty as he ran 69 yards untouched to the end zone. Sure, the Redskins punter outkicked his coverage as Brandon Fields did on occasion last year, but Landry showed great vision on the return.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T82CfyD4yM

OC BILL LAZOR NEEDS OFFENSIVE BALANCE

Or does he? I agree that Lamar Miller needs to get the ball more, but when the offense cannot generate a running game and are going 3 and out, it was very good to see a Brady-esque performance by Ryan Tannehill. Sure, Tannehill missed a wide open Dion Sims in the end zone and got his tight end injured. All he had to do was to set his feet and he would have had better control.  Tannehill also threw a couple of passes that should have been picked off in the 2nd half. It seems that Tannehill forgot about his footwork and reverted back to Mike Sherman Tannehill.

I will say that when Tannehill lined up in what was going to be a pass, he moved the Dolphins down the field.  There is a big positive in that. His game was off but he moved the Dolphins when the running game was not working. Lazor just needs to pull back the urge to throw the ball on every play when the game is still close, and get Lamar Miller more involved. Every smart offensive coordinator has to fight this urge all the time, and Lazor is a very intelligent offensive coordinator. This offense is made for Ryan Tannehill.

BRICE MCCAIN ... WOW

I am concerned that we have very short starting cornerbacks, but you have to love that interception by Brice McCain. I've been watching the Dolphins since 1970 and if I had to list the top 5 inteceptions that I've ever seen from the Dolphins I would have that interception in that group (along with Grimes one-handed interception last year). Outstanding! It wasn't a bad pass by Cousins as he expected Garcon to go up and get the ball over the 5'9" McCain, but McCain seemed to will that pass into his possession.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhDdYL7M9e4

IS CAM WAKE STARTING TO SHOW AGE?

Did anyone notice that Cam Wake seemed to disappear in last week's game for many plays at a time? I understand that he had as bad a game as the rest of the defensive front 7, but he played poorly on the edge in sealing off the run. I'd hate for one of my favorite players to be on the decline when we finally get a player such as Suh in the middle to funnel plays to him and take away blocker in passing downs to free him up. I'm just a very concerned fan right now. Cam Wake ... where the heck are you?

Go Dolphins!

Big Dave