*FAN SUBMISSION by Eddie Ryan of Ireland. Follow him on Twitter @storyteller.*
So now we know. The 2013 Dolphins are not the real deal. What we learned on Monday night football? The Dolphins are now a decent team, and not as the early season hype would have you believe, an elite team. On the other hand, the 4-0 start with Sean Peyton back at the helm for the Saints means happy days in New Orleans.
Courtesy: Palm Beach Post
The new Dan Marino tag afforded to Ryan Tannehill, may well have been awarded in haste. The eternal search for a franchise Quarterback in Maimi, lurches onwards. Every time someone starts to measure up to the profile of a young Marino, they promptly fall flat on their face again.
The ‘Phins’ new playmaker looked ill at ease under the Monday night lights. With Drew Brees on fire, it was time for Tannehill to step up. Instead he looked back to his rookie year form, with a series of ill-advised throws, and the by now obligatory fumble. True his protection was as usual wafer- thin, but he did not inspire confidence at any stage, after a polished enough opening drive.
This was the age old Dolphins on show. Flimsy defense, toothless offense, and a frustrating inability to convert, even on a third and inches. One of the few positives was the D’s performance against the run, with Jared Odrick putting in a heroic shift. Mike Wallace was a gamble, and he was again guilty of some horrific looking drops. And affording the Saints the opening drive and early momentum, wasn’t the smartest coaching decision, Joe Philbin’s ever made.
Prayers are now been offered, on the quick return to action of Cameron Wake. He is been sorely missed, and the Dolphins just don’t have the strength in depth on the roster, to cope with his loss. The alarm bells were really starting to ring, when linebacker Austin Spitler was re-called during the week, having been cut in pre season. Whose next? The tea lady!
With the Ravens up next, reality is beginning to bite. Lose there, and suddenly 3-0 looks a life time ago.
Any trip to New Orleans house of pain, can leave very deep scars. Confidence is a fragile thing, the Dolphins are now being asked the serious questions. Sunday will go a long way to providing at least one those searching answers.
The Saints meanwhile are back in the groove. They looked like what they are, an elite team. Sadly for the Dolphins’, they are light years away from being that.
