A Kiss Your Sister Game

[So Be]

I went to the game and the stadium is looking great. I label the game as a "Kiss Your Sister" type game. It was nice but, nothing very exciting. Tannehill played well, the OL held up, and the DL got some good pressure. Everything was vanilla to the extreme with basic plays and running when situations called for pass. I've seen where Pouncey is going to be OK. So, no major injuries are great.

The game was about the same as the whole preseason. Starters, and some others, have played well. However, we only have about a game in total where we have seen them, and our competition was not VG. I'm happy with what I have seen and heard and CAN'T WAIT until it counts.

[Finatic]

Thanks for the report. I didn't get to see the game so it is helpful. I am anxious to get to the real games too. I am dying to see if we really have something or is this another year of broken dreams.

[Dolfan1]

8:00 PM tonight on NFL network Matt. Kiss your sister?? Really Joe?? Not my thing and I haven't seen the game yet but like what I've heard so far.

[Driven_Phinsane!]

"Kiss Your Sister" type... It was nice but, nothing very exciting.

I'm not even gonna go there, lol!

[Phintim Menace]

Offense was efficient and conservative as you said, but consistent and effective. The starting defense was incredible. Consistently pressuring the QB and stuffing the run lanes with just the 4 linemen. On the first ATL possession was 1st down, toss sweep, 3 yd loss, 7 defenders in backfield. 2nd down penalty false start, 2nd down again 4 man rush sack 4 yard loss. 3rd and 22 from own 3, 4 man rush 7 in coverage, Matt Ryan struggled to find an open spot of grass to throw ball away to avoid safety. This defense already is special and going to get better. That gives us the luxury of taking time to integrate Parker, Stills, Jordan and Jennings into the offense and to get Albert back at 100%. Gonna be a fun year for Dolfans!

[cuchulainn]

Indeed. My Falcons fan buddy was talking a lot of ish before the game and was no where to be found after the 1st qtr. lol...

[Phintim Menace]

To add to that, ATL had 80 total yards of offense in first half, mostly against backups. Midway through 2nd qtr ATL had 13 yards rushing!

[Phintim Menace]

Here is another, Tannehill was 15 of 19. Of the 4 he missed, 2 were drops during the first qtr rain. Another was a miscommunication between Tannehill and Mathews. Matthews on go route, RT threw out route, don't know whose fault it was. So that leaves 1 other incomplete pass for the game. Damn, now I gotta go back and find what happened on that one??

[cuchulainn]

Tannehill is completing almost 81% of his passes this PS. He's been sharp and consistent despite the often spotty protection. His improved receiving corp is paying off as well.

[Daytona Dolfan]

IDK, Joe... What's you're sister look like?

[cuchulainn]

Let's hope they aren't twins. ;-)

[So Be]

LOL. Sorry guys, I forgot how very, very young posters are, and that they would not know of "A tie is like kissing your sister" which has been used in football in the not so distant past.

I came away from the game, without looking at tape, feeling that this game was a tie in what I was looking for. The answers in RT and the DL were still VG answers but, the questions being asked by most are still questions. It was "nice" to see the strengths playing like strengths but, not very exciting if you were looking for more payers to step up to be answers.

[cuchulainn]

I didn't see the game as a tie at all... we had some early penalties, miscues, and drops that slowed down our first 2 drives, but it was more us beating ourselves than anything they were doing. Denney also bounced a snap on ST that set them up and the rain helped them out a bit. Defensively, we shut them down while missing Jones and Taylor.

In a real game, I think we'd have dominated from start to finish.

[So Be]

That may be true Super Cuch but, I was looking for some answers at 2nd RB, TE, RG, LB, and secondary. I did not come away with them. Did you see something different?

[So Be]

IDK, Joe... What's you're sister look like?

A little OT here but, my sis is a beautiful gal, an attorney, and married to a supervisor for the IRS in DC. Care to look further? LOL

[Daytona Dolfan]

I think I'll pass, but thanks just the same....

[cuchulainn]

That may be true Super Cuch but, I was looking for some answers at 2nd RB, TE, RG, LB, and secondary. I did not come away with them. Did you see something different?

- TE. You mean TE as in blocking or in the passing game?
- At LB, Misi was back and didn't hurt himself suiting up or anything. He did miss on a tackle that went for longer gain.
- Secondary - we were missing both Jones and Taylor. Thomas and Aikens did alright, although Suh, Wake, and Mitchell made sure they didn't have to do much. lol...

- 2nd RB - Jay Ajayi had a nice showing after what looked like some initial nerves, but then showed some decisiveness and hard running. He didn't make any mistakes in the passing game as a blocker or receiver. Even with Miller's new muscle, Ajayi is easily our most powerful back I think. He runs with great body lean and gets low. He seemed to move the pile or tackler(s) after the initial contact. None of our other backs have these qualities, so he brings a dimension we're definitely lacking.

I think he could develop into a really nice complement to Miller as the season progresses. In his 22 snaps, he had 7 carries for 25 yards at a 3.6 avg. Not bad in his limited role. Looking forward to seeing him and Miller dashing and bashing this season.

[Phintim Menace]

What do you think about lining up Miller and Ajayi together in the backfield and then motioning either or both to the outside? It seems like it would be a hard pre-snap read for a defense.

[Driven_Phinsane!]

- At LB, Misi was back and didn't hurt himself suiting up or anything.

LOL! Now, now..play nice!

[cuchulainn]

Phintim Menace commented 5 minutes ago


What do you think about lining up Miller and Ajayi together in the backfield and then motioning either or both to the outside? It seems like it would be a hard pre-snap read for a defense.

Yeah, it would create some confusion for sure, especially as teams will also be forced to spy on Tannehill... Ajayi has the better hands as a receiver though IMO... what I'm really looking forward to seeing is Earl Mitchell lined up at FB and Ajayi behind him. Ain't no defense going to want any of that. lol...

I'd really like to see Ajayi get the start on Thursday against the Bucs and get in around 12 - 15 reps. That should give us a good indication of what he's got.

He has a very good build and looks NFL ready. He's big and fast and displayed some quick foot movement that projects well. On that run that went for about 8 yards, he showed good vision. There wasn't much there, then he found daylight and burst. He's also a finisher and runs with violence and authority. Still has his good hands also.

I think Ajayi will be splitting snaps with Miller, much like what we saw with Moreno early last year, but that it'll take Ajayi some more time to earn the coaches trust and to prove himself some more. Bucs game should be a showcase for him.

As for Williams, he's a great 3rd down back who has great hands and who great in the open field, but he doesn't have the body lean, vision or burst through the hole to be effective as a 1st & 2nd down back.

If Miller goes down or gets banged up, I'd expect Ajayi to handle 1st & 2nd down, and Williams to continue handling 3rd down...

[cuchulainn]

LOL! Now, now..play nice!

lol... indeed. Dunno if anybody caught it, but coaches had Sheppard in the Mike and Misi at Sam taking over for Chris McCain, who has been a disappointment. Misi got burned by Hester I think. Can't really fault Misi for missing Hester. lol...