Issues are undeniably bleak for the Miami Dolphins, however at the very least there’s some novelty to accompany their season-opening skid.
Miami would possibly earn its first victory of the season when the equally winless New York Jets come to city on Monday evening, and the Dolphins might, just like the Jets, safe their first takeaway of the season.
What we do know is the Dolphins will look Dapper (if not Duper) whereas doing no matter they do at Arduous Rock Stadium, as they’ll be donning their Nike Rivalry “Darkish Water” uniforms.
So, there’s that, proper? Proper?!?
ESPN Analysis tells us that is the primary season since turnovers turned an official statistic in 1933 that a number of groups are 0-3 with out forcing one.
Ask many in Dolphins Nation and so they’d like to rely a takeaway as eradicating numerous personnel from the entrance workplace, sideline, and/or subject. After guiding Miami to playoff berths after the 2022 and 2023 seasons – each ending in AFC wild-card defeats – coach Mike McDaniel is 8-12 since.
Optimism and hope had been nowhere to be present in a season-opening 33-8 loss at Indianapolis, and there wasn’t far more to love about slender losses to New England in Week 2 and at Buffalo the next Thursday.
McDaniel nonetheless is saying the best issues, although, specifically about quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who took eight sacks via the primary two video games whereas wanting misplaced on numerous reads.
Tagovailoa responded with barely greater than a whimper in Week 3, going 22-of-34 for 2 touchdowns and an interception whereas the O-line remarkably stored the previous MVP clear.
Tagovailoa entered Week 4 ranked twenty ninth within the NFL with a 35.8 QBR whereas his 6.4 air yards per try had been twenty fifth. From McDaniel’s perch, nonetheless, Tagovailoa possesses the psychological moxie for a turnaround.
“The sport of a franchise quarterback isn’t simply nonetheless … there’s alternatives that he must benefit from,” McDaniel stated. “There’s additionally a ton of alternatives to show the ball over that he hasn’t taken. He is actually answered the bell for 99 p.c of the time. … It is not a simple job to be in his footwear, however I am very proud of the place his thoughts is at and the place his focus is at as a result of if he was a weaker-minded particular person, it is robust for any quarterback throughout any shedding streak or any no matter.
“He is targeted on being 1-0 towards the New York Jets and that is why I do know he is succesful and I am excited to see his subsequent alternative that we work on all week due to simply that, of being targeted on the best issues.”
Dolphins devoted are also miffed at Tyreek Hill, you will have heard, so maybe complementing Tagovailoa’s arsenal might assist.
Miami expects 6-foot-3, 238-pound tight finish Darren Waller to make his crew debut after working via a hip harm within the early season.
“That dude walks round, he appears like a tower over guys,” wideout Malik Washington stated. “So, together with his potential to catch the ball, his potential to run routes and his potential to dam and be on his project, we have seen it in observe and stuff. I feel including him to the component, that simply provides one other playmaker to our crew.”
Waller got here out of retirement in July, in order that’s one thing new and completely different for followers, too.
Heaven is aware of the shedding in Miami is getting previous.
