Bills' Schonert showing propensity to panic

by Brian Galliford on Oct 27, 2008 10:31 AM EDT in Opinion Comment 42 comments

Schonert's play-calling mystique takes a hit (buffalobills.com)

Panic. It's a word that no NFL team wants associated with anything to do with their body of work; unfortunately, the Buffalo Bills can't escape the word today. The 5-2 Bills, coming off of their second loss in their last three games - to divisional foe Miami, no less - hit the panic button yesterday. Offensive coordinator Turk Schonert was doing the button-pressing.

Schonert, who in his first season as a play-caller has revitalized what was a historically inept Bills offense, is still a rookie coordinator in this league - and we tend to forget that. He's turned the Bills into a 20+ point per game team and has developed Trent Edwards faster than anticipated, but he tends to press the action at key points in the game. In fact, he's forced the action twice this season at crucial junctures - and it's backfired on him both times. Those games? Their loss in Arizona, and yesterday in Miami.

The Situation
The Bills were in command of yesterday's game, folks. Despite a half of poor play and a leaky pass defense, the Bills held a 9-7 halftime lead. Then the offense promptly took the opening drive of the second half, marched down the field, and an 8-yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch gave the Bills a 16-7 lead. This is where the Bills normally flourish - they've shown the ability to take multiple-score leads and shut the door on their opponents.

But the defense continued to give up big plays, particularly to - of all people - Ted Ginn. Chad Pennington had his way with Buffalo's pass defense, and within moments of taking what should have been a commanding lead, the Bills fell behind 17-16.

It was during this stretch of the game - and immediately following - that Schonert panicked, and the offense followed their leader.

Schonert presses too early
Let's flash back: the defense has made a couple of nice plays in the backfield, including a sack of Pennington, to cut a Miami drive short. The score is 16-10 in favor of the Bills. Three Bills offensive drives later, the score is 25-16 in favor of the Dolphins, and the game is effectively out of reach. What happened?

Buffalo ran just 13 offensive plays during this stretch. 9 of them were throws. During those 13 plays, Edwards was sacked twice, lost a fumble, threw an interception (the byproduct of a hit by a Miami defender), and took a safety. Those plays included a series where the Bills went no-huddle, even though they were down a point and had plenty of time to recover. Why all the passing? Why no-huddle? In short, Schonert panicked - and so did his players.

The Bills got away from the run at a crucial juncture in the game, folks. What you saw from Buffalo's offense during this 13-play stretch was, in reality, nothing close to the brand of football the team had employed through the first six games this season. By throwing so much, we're essentially turning our best offensive threat - Marshawn Lynch, who had an outstanding day yesterday - into a blocker. The panic got to Edwards; our young QB is still young, folks, and was asked to put the team on his shoulders when it wasn't absolutely necessary. You could see that he was pressing all day, and especially in the second half.

The kicker? All of this mess happened while the Bills were still within one score of the lead. The game was on the line, but Schonert choked, and then his players followed suit.

Time to Panic? Not yet.
Look, I'm not calling for Schonert's head here or anything. He has a knack for calling good plays at critical times. But that wasn't close to being the case yesterday. There is no reason for the team to be handing the ball off to Lynch 13 times in a game - he's our best player for a reason. Use him.

This isn't the first time Schonert has shown his youth. He got eager in Arizona, and his game plan backfired on him. It was only when the offense re-committed to the run in St. Louis that the offense woke up and embarrassed the Rams in the second half. Schonert needs to stop trying to show Edwards off and run his offense - because his offense works. Trent's play will speak for itself once the Bills get back to basics.

The defense? I'm not worried. Yeah, they were bad, but they still had the team in the game. That may not be enough for many of you, but I'm not concerned. Once that unit is healthier, I think their play will be more consistent. That's neither here nor there. I'm much more concerned with the tendencies I'm seeing from Schonert offensively. It's time for the Bills to get back to basics on offense - run the ball. Protect Edwards. And for the love of Pete, don't panic.

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Thank God!

You said it!

13 carries for Marshawn?

Your killing me man!

by Scoe221 on Oct 27, 2008 10:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

exactly, I think he needs the ball 20 plus every game no matter what. especially when we’re up 11 on the road in the second half. I love Turk but he’s got to be a little more conservative at that point in the game.

by kdog on Oct 27, 2008 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great insight

I never felt that the game was out of reach. I kept waiting for the offense to put together a drive. 3 turnovers and a safety later, the game was over. I was frustrated watching Chad P. throwing wounded ducks all over the field. I know some of Phins receivers are fast, but 12 yard cushions seem a little much. Add to that NO pressure on Chad P, and you get handed your second L. Your right though. This is still a solid and YOUNG team. This was a bad L to take, but it won’t be our last. Still think we are a play off team, but now I’m not sure a playoff game in Buffalo is in the future. Gotta put it behind, and take it to the NY Bretts next week. GO BILLS

by bad karma on Oct 27, 2008 10:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't be afraid to run the ball, Turk

We don’t expect to see the same mistakes again from you, but to repeat something i wrote last week, the success of this offense comes from the balance between the pass and run. You tipped the scales in favor of the pass (when there was no need to), and it cost the team a chance to win.

Give Trent some more support by taking some of the load off his shoulders and putting on Marshawn’s.

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on Oct 27, 2008 10:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

the Bills were moving the ball.

If you want to blame the offense, look no further than four turnovers and a safety.

by Joe P. on Oct 27, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i agree that he did panick and shouldve run more

but the dolphins secondary is horrible and we struggle against the no huddle so i dont think its as bad of a move as you said. just saying…

by dolfanstanley on Oct 27, 2008 11:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Great post Brian!

I 100% agree with you. I doubt that they go into the game thinking they will only give the ball off to Marshawn 13 times… I wonder when and if they will give Steve Johnson his chance in the SB position. I was hoping to see him yesterday when Reed came out, he looked great in pre-season and a 6’2" 202lbs receiver in the slot has a clear advantage right off the bat.

Another observation that I have is that getting gashed for 175y by Ginn was absolutely un-acceptable. Why didn’T Fewell re-adjust? Seems to me that the past few weeks they’ve been so concerned with stopping the run that they have left themselves vulnerable to the deep pass. What exactly did Ko Simpson do that got him benched? Seems to me that Ko is a better FS than Donte. Donte is amazing as SS. Not sure that I like their latest personel changes..

by keysh67 on Oct 27, 2008 11:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What exactly did Ko Simpson do that got him benched?

Ko played a lot yesterday. Donte was moving around a lot. I like the fact that he’s versatile, but they need to find a position for that kid and keep him there.

But again… more concerned about the offense.

by Brian Galliford on Oct 27, 2008 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m still trying to figure out why he keeps giving Lynch less and less chances.

On the opening drive of the second half we were having good success running off tackle left. Why he stopped doing that, we’ll never know.

Other than that, the players have to do their jobs. Trent played like garbage in the fourth quarter, the OL started allowing some rushers in and we started turning it over. These guys still have to get the job done out on the field.

by Kurupt on Oct 27, 2008 11:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

coaching, coaching, coaching

I mean up 17-6, after playing like garbage in the 1st half, it looked like finally we were going to impose our will. I was baffled by some of the play calling. Down at our own 2 and he calls 3 consecutive passes in which Trent dropped back not for 3 step drops but 5-7 step dropbacks. That was assinine.

Then it was execution. Lynch drops a screen pass on 3rd down, we punt, and they hit a screen pass for a huge gainer to Ricky Williams I believe. I mean combine poor coaching with players who did not execute and that is what you get. A 9 pt loss. I guess, to see inconsistency from a Dick Jauron team is tough to take being usually the mental errors are not there. But yesterday we just got flat beat by better coaching mostly and lack of execution.

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Oct 27, 2008 11:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

the way I see it

I’d rather have us make all these mistakes against the bottom dweller in the division and learn from them for our games against the Jets and Pats. Brian i know you are saying that the Dolphins are on the level with us but I don’t agree. I think the Jets matchup well against us because Brett Favre arm power could give our defense headaches if we can’t pressure him into interceptions and I think the Pats are a great team unless you can force Matt Cassel to have to win the game, at which point they are average. The Dolphins played a bad game yesterday, as should have been expected, we just played worse, and I think playcalling may have somthing to do with it. Seriously, on our own 3 yard line and we don’t run the ball??

Anyway, my point is, I don’t see the Dolphins as a threat to us in the wildcard hunt or the divisional title, so if we had to lose one of the three divisional games this would be the one for me. Now we have to learn and beat the Jets and Pats

McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year

by poz on Oct 27, 2008 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is a bit harsh, Brian. Especially since EVERYBODY wanted to see less predictable O game calling. I agree the safety series was inexcusable (and Trent held the ball too long a few times), but most of the problem in the fourth was execution. Why did Edwards hold the ball out like a high-school QB? Lynch drops an easy screen (call more screens, Turk) at an o-so-crucial moment. The players turned the ball over on every possession in the fourth quarter. This post puts too much blame on Turk, and does not hold poor player execution responsible. 4 turnovers in the 4th quarter, boys.

by thurman on Oct 27, 2008 12:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why did Edwards hold the ball out like a high-school QB? Lynch drops an easy screen (call more screens, Turk) at an o-so-crucial moment.

The point of this article, which I did not express in the way I wanted to, was to promote my belief that there was a trickle-down effect starting with Schonert yesterday. The Bills were pressing offensively because that’s what their coordinator wanted them to do. Edwards was pressing when he held that ball out. Lynch was looking upfield when he dropped that screen. They were trying to do too much, too fast, and it was Schonert’s fault.

I don’t think this is harsh at all. Turk’s a good coordinator. But he needs to stay calm in certain situations. If we stick to our guns in that situation, the chances that we are able to pull out a win skyrocket. At the very least, we don’t hand the game to Miami on a silver platter.

by Brian Galliford on Oct 27, 2008 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whoa, whoa, whoa

They were trying to do too much, too fast, and it was Schonert’s fault.

Say what?!?!?!

It was Turk’s fault that Lynch dropped a perfectly called and well-designed screen? That play was going to be a big gainer. It’s Turk’s fault that Trent decided for some reason to reach the ball up in the air on a QB sneak that had already gotten the first down? Is it Turk’s fault that Robert Royal stinks?

I’m not understanding how you can blame Turk for the players making mistakes and not executing. Yes, the safety may be due to Turk calling deep drops in the end zone, but again, Peters and Walker have to block Porter on the play. Playcalling was probably poor in that situation, but that’s not the whole reason for the safety. But in those other situations where the O made mistakes, those are player errors.

Thurman’s right about one thing here…..we all wanted a less predictable O, one that takes a few chances. Well, running a no huddle and passing from deep in your own territory runs along those lines. We can’t have it both ways.

I understand what you are getting at that maybe Turk got a bit impatient, but the players still have to do their jobs. They still have to go out and succeed when they are put in that place and given the opportunity. (This isn’t the same as Fewell playing CB’s so far off the line, which isn’t giving them a chance to succeed)

by Kurupt on Oct 27, 2008 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand what you are getting at that maybe Turk got a bit impatient, but the players still have to do their jobs.

No arguments re: players making plays. All I’m saying is that when Schonert got stressed, his players followed suit. Players reflect their coaches, man. Schonert’s impatience led to his players being impatient, hence Edwards forcing the issue on his sneak, and hence Lynch looking upfield before securing the ball. Little things like this are a lack of execution, and a lack of execution can be traced back to coaching – not every time, mind you, but in this case, I think it fits.

I’m not blaming Schonert for the loss. I’m blaming Schonert for getting his offense out of sync at a critical juncture.

by Brian Galliford on Oct 27, 2008 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Testify K!!!

by Joe P. on Oct 27, 2008 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

K, apparently you know little about leadership and its effect on people

A good leader has a positive effect on people that produces far more than you would expect out of them. A bad leader (or a good leader having a bad day) will drag down the people who follow him. That is what Brian is saying.

by thefourwinds on Oct 27, 2008 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not worried about turk

He’s turned a 30th or so ranked offense into something much higher than that. He will only get better. No worries here

by jdol1568 on Oct 27, 2008 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree 100%

by Joe P. on Oct 27, 2008 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Speculation

I don’t see how we can think running the ball (when the D is probably expecting that) skyrocket the chance for a win. I DO see how not ever letting Royal touch the ball would help ; -)

by thurman on Oct 27, 2008 1:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The idea

What we’re talking about is when you’re up 16 -7 against a team that has given up yardage on the ground all day. There’s no need to run a pass-heavy offense at that point. Keep a good balance between run and pass to keep the Dolphins D guessing and control the time of possession. This also has the added side benefit of keeping a nicked up Bills D off the field and somewhat fresher for the end of the game, when they need to play sharp.

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on Oct 27, 2008 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly, play action on 1st down is a good way to do that

When a team goes up by 2 scores, the D of the opponent starts to expect a run heavy scheme to chew up the clock. Running PA on 1st down, with a sweep or pitch on 2nd down with a straight ahead plunge on 3rd will usually give this team a 1st. We have good players, and can run outside, lets use that.

Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....

by WABillsfan on Oct 27, 2008 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

PA: another play we have not used a bunch

I wonder if play action is not utilised often because we need new looks as the season wears on?

Agreed, Blitz. Ball controll and a running attack should have been priorities in that situation. It just seems funny that this seems to be the issue we focus on first thing Monday. I would have been more frustrated if Miami stuffed 3 runs, like we used to endure. And just to make it clear, I thought the run game was doing well most of the game.

by thurman on Oct 27, 2008 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Miami Game

I don’t think Turk panicked. Although they did move the ball well on the ground yesterday the Dolphins D has been somewhat effective in that area this year, remember them stopping LT at the goal line. And their secondary has been suspect for years. Turk chose to go no huddle because the Dolphins could barely handle it in the first half, I think they should have run it more int he second half but when you are that deep in your own end you need to do something drastic and thats what Turk chose to do. The fact is the turnovers cost us the game, we usually don’t have that many, thats part of the reason the D got abused at times and why we got away form the run, playing from behind you really are forced to pass.

by louiethegent on Oct 27, 2008 1:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree with the post

Some of you guys are pointing to other reasons we lost but I agree with the premise of the post. I thought he pressed the panic button, too. It certainly didn’t help him that Edwards fumbled on 3rd and 1 and Lynch dropped the screen but the post isn’t titled “WHY WE LOST”. Relax guys.

I like “pressed” rather than “paniced”. I think he got a little pass-happy when he didn’t need to just yet. When you are down by a point (and especially when you are near your own goal line) I think you need to run. Even if it’s from the spread formation, what better time to run a draw then when everyone is gunning for Trent in the end zone?

by MattRichWarren on Oct 27, 2008 2:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How come no one is asking....

about where was ML at the goal line in the first qtr. when FJ got basically stuffed 3 plays in a row. I like the fact that they tried to run it but why not your stud back who has shown a nose for the end zone this year. On first or second down he might have needed a breather but on 3rd down? I know it was early in the game but it was a big pyschological lift for the Dolphins.

by Honestabe75 on Oct 27, 2008 3:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Never Mind DJ just said ML was dinged at the time

by Honestabe75 on Oct 27, 2008 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, here is my issue with those goal line plays, and I think this is the biggest key in our loss

1st and Goal- Yes, with ML out and FJ in, Turk decided to try and catch the Phins unaware by running the 1st time. Usually if Action JAckson is on the field it is a pass play, most teams still key him like that. Its understanable, and I am a proponent of running on 1 and goal.
Result- FJ run off left.

2 and Goal- Why the hell wasn’t ML out there, and why didn’t we run a sweep or for that matter a PA pass to ML out in the flat? Let our best offensive weapon make a play for us, and do it in a way that allows him to use his talents, he has a nose for the end zone, let him go.
Result- FJ run off left

3 and Goal- Ummmm, why no fade route to Hardy? He was ON yesterday, outside of one underthrown and several overthrown balls by Trent, Hardy had a solid day and didn’t seem to be suffering from the dropsies like earlier. USE THE 6’ 5" PLAYER DANGIT!
Result- FJ run off left

4 and Goal- Opening drive, I don’t likie going for 3 here, we were POUNDING the Phins the whole way down, and with three straight stops they were celebrating that. Going for it on 4th here actually helps us because the D then gets stressed out having to stay out there and make a big play, for the 4th time in a row. That favors us, and besides, if we botch it, they get the freaking ball at the 1 yard line. MAKE the Phins go 99 yards on us. At this point they had done some damage, but not like later in the 4th when we giftwrapped the game for them.
Result- FG, score 3-7 Phins

If we get a TD 7-7, and maybe Turk doesn’t start pressing so much later in the game. Look, we all want unpredicatable from the O, but I would prefer it to be while we are trying to SCORE, rather than when we are trying to get the heck out of our OWN ENDZONE.

Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....

by WABillsfan on Oct 27, 2008 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Philosophically, I disagree with you on your last point. Yes, I see the merits of going for it on fourth down, but you CANNOT come away without a score in that situation. You’ve just driven the length of the field, and it’s the first drive of the game. It’s much better to take the points and give your defense a chance to redeem itself than to go for it (what does that say to your defenders?) and come away empty, field position notwithstanding.

I’m not singling you out here, WA, because you’re one of a massive number of people to do this: second-guessing Jauron on these types of decisions. I’m not talking about the “CBs off the receivers” bits, either – I’m talking about game situations, where each situation can be nit-picked to death. Jauron makes these types of decisions – when to kick, when to go for it, when to challenge, when to call timeout – with unflinching consistency. To expect something different, especially knowing that there’s a perfectly legitimate counter-argument, is absurd – that’s just the way Jauron rolls.

by Brian Galliford on Oct 27, 2008 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess were going to have to agree to disagree here Brian

I think by going for it there it sends two messages.

1- We WANT our O to make a play and get us 7 points, we have so much confidence we are willing to let it ride on their shoulders. If we do that, perhaps later in the game our boys won’t press so much and the mess doesn’t happen as it did.

2- We trust our D to make a stop somewhere on a 99 yard drive. Playing at Jr.High to college ball Brian, I played DE every year and I can tell you that whenever our coaches went for it on 4th down, the D got fired up. Why? Because it meant the coaches trusted us to get the stop if the attempt failed and to get the ball back for the O again. I think the D wouldn’t have cried about that attempt, I think they would have been jacked up about it, and would have played harder than they did. Besides, don’t discount that sort of thing when it comes to Fewell’s scardy cat D. You said the O took on Turk’s manner with the pressing, then by extension, the D took on Fewell’s pants pissing attitude to the passing game from the Phins.

Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....

by WABillsfan on Oct 27, 2008 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You’ve got me slowly warming up to the anti-Fewell bandwagon. I like the coach, but there are things about the defense each week that irritate me.

It’s not the corners playing off the ball. It’s not the lack of a pass rush. It’s no one thing each week. It seems to be something different each week, and that’s what bothers me. That needs to change.

For the record, I’m a huge proponent of zone defenses. I think philosophically, the Bills employ the best defense out there – the Tampa 2. But it’s not working because there’s no pass rush and it’s not aggressive enough in terms of forcing the action. The first can’t be fixed right away; the second can.

by Brian Galliford on Oct 27, 2008 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What do you like about Fewell?

I have nothing good to say about him anymore. His in-game coaching is so weak, it’s almost laughable.

You are dead on that the zone D won’t work without a pass rush. This is where you have to get physical with the WR’s and disrupt their timing. Anything to slow down the routes and give our rushers a chance to get to the QB when they normally wouldn’t. The cover 2 worked great for teams like Tampa, Chicago and Indy because they had multiple guys who could get to the QB. We don’t have a single guy who can do that. I just don’t know why he still keeps trotting the same zone principles out there when our D can’t consistently succeed in it….

by Kurupt on Oct 27, 2008 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Fewell just puts them in a soft zone

and prays to God that someone on the offense makes a mistake or someone on defense makes a play (like Mitchell in the SD game).

by Joe P. on Oct 27, 2008 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn’t that Dick Jauron’s philosophy? Hope the opposition makes a mistake instead of forcing them into making them???

by Kurupt on Oct 27, 2008 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jauron hired Fewell so that is very possible

lets hope not!!!

by Joe P. on Oct 27, 2008 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

True, he did and that is mostly because DJ's favorite guy Lovie Smith took his job, and Ron Rivera hadn't become a good Tampa 2 DC yet.

I think we need to make a very serious run at Ron Rivera this offseason. He was the guy working with Lovie Smith when their D became a beast. He also worked with DJ for DJ’s first season as coach in Chicago. He runs the same Tampa 2 style defensive scheme but it is a lot nastier attitude wise than Perry’s will EVER be.

Btw, anyone else getting a ‘01 Bears vibe from the Bills this year? NFL.com has this to say about DJ that season: The highlight of his Bears’ tenure career came in 2001 when Chicago finished 13-3 and claimed its first division championship since 1990. Under Jauron’s leadership, the 2001 Bears were 8-0 in games decided by seven points or less, and engineered five second half, come-from-behind victories.

Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....

by WABillsfan on Oct 28, 2008 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I get that feeling too, though I doubt we finish 13-3.

by Kurupt on Oct 28, 2008 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That would be amazing if we did, but with this squad, very unlikely

But the whole 7 points or less and 5 second half come backs seems to be right on the money. Great, my heart and liver need more of those!

Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....

by WABillsfan on Oct 28, 2008 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Overall, Turk pressed, the O took on his urgency, and we gift wrapped the game for them

Turk got a bit scared, and Trent took on his urgency as well. That reach out on the sneak was a classic pressing to make the play move seen all over the country by young players at ALL levels of football from Pee-Wee to the Pros guys.

Turk made some bad play calls, our guys pressed to much and started to make mistakes and broke down the continuity of the attack. This lead to 4 turnovers, and ANY good team will capitalize on them folks. Only sad sack franchises like the freaking LIONS wouldn’t be able to do that.

A Bill Parcells team WILL take advatange of 4 turnovers. I CANNOT understand why so many people here continue to discount the Phins when one of the most winning coachs/personal men is running our division rival. Those guys will play hard week in and week out, Sparano is a Parcells clone becuase thats what Bill wants on the field since he isn’t calling the plays now. Wayne has handed the whole damn franchise over to Bill, he isn’t runing it, Cam Cameron isn’t coaching it, Nicky Saban isn’ coaching it, this is a WHOLE DIFFERENT TEAM! Get used to it, the Phins will NOT be an easy W until Bill is long gone guys. The Cowboys are winning despite Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips, why? Becuase 80% of that roster is still Bill’s boys, get your heads out of your butts Bills fans. The Phins are legit, and they are as good as we are, they are still growing as a team as well. The next game is going to be ROUGH.

Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....

by WABillsfan on Oct 27, 2008 4:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think many Bills fans had their heads up their butts, but yes, a lot of people are underestimating the Dolphins. Still doesn’t excuse the fact that we lost that game yesterday.

by Brian Galliford on Oct 27, 2008 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Dolphins were 2-4 heading into the game. Yes, they are better than last year, but it’s still a major work in progress there. That’s not a game we should be losing if we want to win the division and make the playoffs for the first time this decade….

by Kurupt on Oct 27, 2008 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

quick change in mo

after a poor first half, I was feeling pretty good after we took it to the phish on that Q3 TD drive and went up 16-7. great finish by Marshawn. then we abandon him and the run?? Dolphs proved they can get up off the canvas and we proved that we are a work in progress. Have to find a way to get Marshawn the ball in crunch time. Hardy is a good addition , but Trent seemed to really miss Josh. If Reed misses any games, would love to see what Steve Johnson can do.

by sestak on Oct 27, 2008 5:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs