It’s very difficult to win football games on Sunday in the National Football League. It’s even more difficult to try and win with your Junior Varsity team. Yes, every team does deal with injuries from time to time. Losing your starting caliber players is also hard to get over.
For example, last season the Houston Texans lost Quarterback Deshaun Watson for the year. Defensive stars, JJ Watt and Whitney Mercilus, were also lost for the season. They played without lineman, Duane Brown and then traded him to Seattle. Tight End, CJ Fiedorowicz, retired due to concussions. Backup Running Back, D’onta Foreman, tore his Achilles. The list goes on and on. The Texans won 4 games all last year, they ended with losing 9 out of their last 10 games to end the season. It’s miracle that Miami has even won 4 games thus far.
The list of injuries is almost comical for the Dolphins. This past Sunday, they lost play-making Wide Receiver, Albert Wilson, most likely the remainder of the year. Kenny Stills will not play this week either. In addition to the list, no Ryan Tannehill, Josh Sitton, Daniel Kilgore, Charles Harris, MarQueis Gray, William Hayes, and Chase Allen. Oh ya, I forgot that Cam Wake, Andre Branch, Bobby McCain, AJ Derby and Reshad Jones have missed multiple games. I refuse to even mention DeVante Parker. I wish I could go to work and not produce and collect checks. Must be nice!
Depth has never been a strength for this team. When the preseason was over, I foolishly said “I’m glad no major injuries so far. “I understand that it’s a next man up mentality. The only teams that can hide major holes or injuries are those that have elite Quarterbacks.
Tom Brady can hide average teams, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees can play with backup players and not miss a beat. The Miami Dolphins don’t have that guy, which is not news to anybody. I have been a Ryan Tannehill fan since 2012. He is a middle of the road Quarterback, good enough to bring his team to the playoffs. However, with a $26.2 million cap hit next season, I’d rather go in a different direction. For years, he was the model of consistency play wise and health. Now, he can’t stay healthy. The best ability is availability, if he’s not in the game then he isn’t worth any of the money.
I do believe if the Dolphins stayed healthy this year, then they could’ve made the playoffs. Maybe get 9-10 wins. Get bounced in the first round, then pick in the mid 20’s in April’s draft. As always, they’d select another project guy that “loves football”. This would be doing the same thing over and over again, year after year. News flash, the Phins need to find their Franchise QB.
When you have a young gun slinger under team control with a friendly contract, you can build around him until you need to pay him. Remember what the Seahawks looked like before they had to pay Russell Wilson? Do you see the Rams with Jared Goff?
Thursday nights match-up against the Texans will be a tough task. They have won 4 straight games after losing their first 3. They’re relatively healthy going into the game. 1st place in the weak AFC South.
The Dolphins are going in the opposite direction, losing 3 out of the last 4. I have been to NRG Stadium about 15 times in my life. My Uncle Mike lives outside Houston and he has had season tickets since they became a franchise again. Usually, my Dad and I go up and catch a game while we visit.
I was at the game where Kris Brown kicked a 57-yard field goal as time expired. When Matt Schaub ran a QB sneak to win the game. I was at the game when Daunte Culpepper played for Miami, one of his 3 and only starts of the season. I was also there when Trent Green was taken off in a stretcher, when Travis Johnson stood over him. Last but not least, when Chad Pennington was under center during the “Wildcat Season”. I’ve never seen them win in Houston.
All heart wrenching, soul crushing loses. I unfortunately couldn’t get the time off from work this year. So sadly, only my Dad and Uncle Mike will be there this Thursday. Maybe they’ll win this game, my luck they will.
