Some great records were broken last Sunday, so take heart, Dolphin fans, for we may be 1-3 this season, but we are at the very least playing with a lot of heart and a lot of pride. There are guys on this team now who are stepping up. Sean Smith is looking better with every game this season. Brian Hartline continues to make a case for himself as a legitimate number 1 receiver, and this week he made a huge statement that will have the rest of the league taking note. Perhaps most impressive is young gun Tannehill who looks the part of a franchise quarterback more and more.

Just to put this in perspective for everyone, because this really was one hell of a performance here, these records are all the more impressive when you consider that it was achieved against one of the premier defenses in the league. Make no mistake about it, the Cardinals are not at 4-0 on account of their stellar offense. Credit where credit is due – Kolb has been playing more like the guy they thought they were getting, and thankfully for their sakes, more like the guy who warrants the incredible sums of money he is getting, but he is still a far cry from being an elite QB in this league. Heading into Sunday’s encounter, the Cardinal defense had proven to be punishing against both the run and the aerial game, and were getting the the quarterback seemingly with ease. As a result, I concluded that this game would be a low scoring bout between two very good defenses with neither offense getting much going, a game that would be decided by a field goal or less. I was at least right about one thing.

Tannehill was poised, he was cool, he was calm and he was collected. For the most part, he was everything you could want in a QB as he routinely carved up the Cardinals D. The thing to get excited about here is that he looks better with each game. I believe it is still to early to announce that the longtime search for a replacement for Dan Marino is over, but there is certainly hope. Not only did Tannehill break the record for most passing yards for a Miami Dolphins QB (previously held by Dan Marino), but he obliterated it – his 431 yards actually places him second on the NFL rookie passing yards for a single game behind Cam Newton. Newton’s total? 432 yards.

(more…)

This Sunday, Miami travels to Phoenix to take on the upstart Cardinals, who currently are one of only three teams undefeated this season. An impressive record for a team that was floundering horribly in preseason and are unsettled at quarterback, but for all that, this team has an undeniably strong defense and Larry Fitzgerald is always going to make the job of whoever is under center that much easier.

The Dolphins, however, boast a team with arguably an equally impressive defense, especially when it comes to stopping the run – an area where the Cards have been struggling. But if the Phins want to win this one they are going to have to get more pressure on the QB, Wake is yet to even record a sack. Kolb or Skelton will need to throw to move the chains against us, so look for whoever they have starting this week to air it out. Sean Smith has been good this season so far, but he will have his hands full with Fitzgerald. Marshall has struggled and could prove to be the difference in what I foresee as a very closely contested game, defense-dominated and low-scoring.

The Cards’ pass rush has been brutal – just ask Michael Vick – they will be bringing the heat on Ryan Tannehill. Thus, a much more disciplined offensive line needs to show up for this game. Tannehill has only been sacked four times so far this season, but much of the credit should go to him and his quick feet. His ability to evade the pressure coming down on him and to buy his receivers more time has been excellent, sadly, his receivers’ ability to make use of that time, not so much. Bess is as reliable as ever and is a great Number 3 guy. Hartline is decent, but following a great outing against the Raiders, was unable to play as well against a better Jets secondary. He was targeted nine times and came away with one reception, albeit a huge one that almost kept us within striking distance of a victory. He makes a nice Number 2 guy. The game was marred by horrible drops once again, and Tannehill lacks a solid Number 1 receiver. The depleted wide out core will be contending with a solid secondary, which includes the very talented Patrick Peterson. Hartline will likely be removed from the game for most of the night with this match up. Don’t expect Fasano to get open much as I anticipate him being required to try and stave off a mean pass rush for much of this game.

Should we get Bush back this would provide a much needed boost for the team, Reggie has been nothing short of brilliant and would have probably won us the game last week were he not injured. I still cannot believe that the NFL did not make more of the “Hot Sauce” comment from Bart Scott. Either way, Reggie will return in the near future and in the meantime Lamar Miller looks to be a more than capable back up in a similar style to Bush, averaging 5.9 yards a carry. Thomas will continue to feature as the bruising inside runner and capable pass protection, but serious questions about his ability to hold on to the ball are being asked as he has now lost 2 fumbles in just 22 carries.

It could be a chance for Dan Carpenter to exorcise his demons from last week. This will be a tough battle, and I believe that, once again, it will be a game decided by 3 points or less.