The Wide World of Dirt

Tyler Huntley was not the answer against the Tennessee Titans.

If you’re remotely objective about the Miami Dolphins, you knew going into Monday night that the player better known as Snoop wasn’t going to move the needle enough, even against a Titans team that has looked anemic on offense all season long.

This post will be brief because, honestly, what exactly is there to say?

The team racked up an absurd 98 penalty yards on 10 flags, which screams inexperienced and undisciplined. 78 passing yards on mostly screen passes would look like a great first quarter even a decent first-half performance barring any turnovers.

That was sadly Huntley’s total for the game.

He threw 22 passes, completed 14, and he threw for 78 yards. We earned more penalties than passing yards over 60 minutes of play.

Huntley at least made an effort on the ground, scoring the Dolphins’ lone touchdown on a one-yard run with three minutes left in the game. That shrunk the lead to 10, and credit to the defense, they got a stop.

Then, Tennessee got a safety. Game over, as if it wasn’t already.

We extended our QB. He got hurt.

We extended our coach. He bought into a backup that has not shown he is a competent field general at the pro level. I don’t care how long Thompson has spent absorbing McDaniel’s playbook because the results were awful.

It was poor roster management to get rid of a guy that has proven he can win consistently at this level in Mike White.

If the Miami Dolphins are to win a game between now and Tua’s return (Patriots in New England next week), it won’t be because of the quarterback play: it’ll be purely attributed to the defense and the running game making all the necessary moves.

I appreciate Mike McDaniel and generally glad Miami committed to him long-term as I believe he has the makings of a great football coach that can win a Super Bowl.

After last night where we found out that a second QB can’t run this offense, something significant needs to be done before we face the heart of our schedule after our week 6 bye.

Tua’s return appears to be imminent, but I’m positive that won’t fix much. Buffalo outclassed Miami for much of that game prior to the concussion, so I can’t say I’m optimistic, even for our week 7 matchup with Indy.

It may not be Belichick, but the result will likely be the same without Tua: a Miami L.

(Top Photo Credit: Jason Vinlove/Imagn Images)