Stock Up
Albert Wilson
Guess who’s back… back again. Sorry, it was hard not to. This would be Wilson’s third appearance on my list and as usual, it’s well deserved. You could make a case that Wilson was the primary factor in the Dolphins coming up with the home win against the red-hot Chicago Bears coming off a bye. Wilson finished the game catching 6 of his 9 targets for 155 yards and 2 touchdowns. It’s not the 25.8 yards per catch that’s impressive there, or the fact he had another 75-yard touchdown reception, it’s not even the fact that that he had over 100 yards after the catch on Sunday. The most impressive part of his game was that both of his biggest plays of the day came when we really needed scores. Fourth quarter, down by a score, we need someone to make a play here. Enter Albert Wilson. This wasn’t a well-run route and perfectly timed throw here. These were both short plays, a screen and 4 yard curl where he just found a hole in the zone in the middle of the field, that Wilson took to the house purely on his ability to run after the catch. Remind you of a faster cheaper version of any former Dolphins? He broke 4 tackles on those plays and put the Dolphins right back in the game in the fourth quarter. They have a word for performances like that ladies and gentlemen, it’s called Clutch.
Brock Osweiler
Yes, I know. I didn’t expect to put him here either. My brother and I were tailgating before the game, and both got the ESPN alert at the same time, “Tannehill ruled out vs. Bears. Brock Osweiler to start”. Letting out a collective sigh of disappointment, we proceeded to each grab an adult beverage, and prepare for the long day against the league’s top defense, with a backup quarterback. Then the game started, and 380 passing yards and 3 touchdowns later, we were all jumping for joy in the stands as Jason Sanders kicked the game winning field goal in the final seconds of overtime. Osweiler did what Tannehill needs to be able to do more, manage the game and get the ball to your playmakers. It wasn’t perfect, he had two bad interceptions on the day, and many of his yards came on the feet of his playmakers around him. But he came into the game and accomplished the one thing that any fan wants from their quarterback, to win the game.
Offensive Line
The offensive line had one of its best games of the year on Sunday. And they did it against arguably, barely an argument If you ask me, the best defensive player in the league this year. Khalil Mack and the Bears defense entered the game leading the league in points allowed, sacks, sack yards and forced fumbles. They are also second in rushing defense, interceptions, forced three and outs and are one of only two teams to not allow a rushing touchdown all season. Piece of cake for this line missing 40 percent of its starters, right? I mean, all they did was give up zero sacks (even with the extra quarter) and pave the way for over 500 yards of total offense, including 161 yards and 5.2 yards per carry on the ground. The tackles, Laremy Tunsil and Ju’Wuan James both had great days and virtually neutralized the DPOY front runner on Sunday. Mack finished the day with just 2 tackles and virtually no impact on the game thanks to James and help from the tight ends and running backs.
Stock Down
Kenyan Drake
I almost feel bad putting him here after seeing his reaction to that overtime fumble on the half freaking yard line. He put a towel over his head and just sat on the bench and got very emotional about the whole situation. Rightfully so, the young man believed he just blew the entire game in overtime. One thing that shows me though, is that he has heart. He cares about winning and takes it very seriously, you need players like that on your team. That being said, Drake has not been effective nearly all season, and Sunday was no different. While he managed 78 yards from scrimmage, he did still have that nearly devastating fumble. He also been overshadowed nearly all season by the 35-year-old Frank Gore. Sure, Frank Gore is ageless, he is also a hometown hero growing up and playing high school and college football in Miami, and he’s also a future hall of famer, but this is Drake’s chance to cement himself in that lead back role. So far this season, he is playing like he’s still in the role he’s been in throughout his entire playing career as a pro and in college, and that’s role is purely complimentary.
DeVante Parker
Not that too many people will be surprised to see this enigma’s name on the stock down list, as he has been earning spots here for years. The DeVante Parker project is all but over in Miami. His season has, once again, been riddled by injury after injury. Nothing major, just little things here and there that cause him to miss a game or two, or just not be at 100 percent when he does play. So far it has limited him to playing only two games this year, against the Raiders and this week against the Bears. It has added up to a grand total of 4 targets, 2 receptions and zero touchdowns. The lack of effort and enthusiasm is apparent even when he’s on the field. It’s the same song and dance, about as reliable Marino to Clayton, or Ricky to Mary Jane. The 6’3’’, 216-pound athletic freak that is DeVante Parker will go down alongside Yatil Green, Randal Hill and the Ted Ginn Jr in the list of Dolphins first round wide receiver busts. The only wide receiver that the Dolphins drafted in the first round that wasn’t a bust, was O.J. McDuffie. Hopefully some team is dumb enough to trade for him at this point. If not, maybe he can muster up a few good games to put on tape when he inevitably hits the open market next offseason. The Dolphins did pick up his 5th year option, but have the option to rescind it come the offseason.
Ryan Tannehill
He may not have played in this game, but the last two weeks have not gone the way Tannehill had hoped, and missing another game due to injury isn’t exactly helping his cause. Tannehill started the season off red hot, but has sizzled over the last three weeks. After posting passer ratings of 89.9, 123.1 and 155.3 in his first three games of the season, Tannehill has posted a 47.9 and a 57.4 in the Patriots and Bengals games respectively. This shoulder injury suddenly bother Tannehill seems odd, but there’s no doubt that it saved him from going up against the Bears top ranked defense. I do not believe Tannehill would’ve had the day Osweiler had. Is that me saying that we should switch quarterbacks? Absolutely not, but the Bears spent the better part of two weeks preparing for Tannehill. They studied the cadences, audibles, strengths and weaknesses he’s displayed over the first 5 games. They were ready. Then, the Dolphins stun the football world (Okay, maybe just the world of us Dolphins fans) when they announced the morning of the game that Osweiler was going to get the start over the injured Tannehill. Good move by Gase seeing as you get the benefit of resting your starting quarterback and letting him heal for an extra week, and catching the Bears off guard. Hopefully, Tannehill can get his head right for the upcoming home matchup against the Detroit Lions.
