In the last issue of Dolphin Digest, the headline on this very page was, “Will better be good enough?”
If the first two weeks of the regular season were any indication, it’s clear the answer was no.
The Dolphins found themselves at 0-2 after dropping games against the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills to open the 2020 season, just like they were 0-2 after opening 2019 with losses against the Baltimore Ravens and those same Patriots.
That the Dolphins are better is indisputable, and you can just look at the combined 52-39 scores this year and compare them of the 102-10 abomination of a year ago.
But what those first two games of 2020 provided was a dose of reality that the Dophins, while better, still aren’t there yet.
It’s certainly obvious on defense, where the large influx of talent had some suggesting this group could end up in the top half of the league after finishing 27th in 2019.
Again, that’s not what we saw in the first two weeks. What we saw was a group still lacking a pass rush, not able to stop the run in the opener, and not able to cover well enough in the home opener against Buffalo.
This story is from the October 2020 edition of Dolphin Digest.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2020 edition of Dolphin Digest.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Xavien Howard worth every penny
The Miami Dolphins were in the news daily during the offseason, but it was mainly regarding starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Offensive line an early season concern
PARTING SHOTS
Can Miami tackle their tackle issues?
The Miami Dolphins currently have a 2020 first-round pick, a 2021 second-round pick, a 2019 second-round pick, and a player who has started 56 games for them over the last four seasons to choose from at right and left tackle.
Solid preseason offers hope for running game
How unlikely would it be if the answer to the Dolphins running game concerns is a former seventh-round pick in his third season out of Washington who was the last of 25 running backs taken in the 2019 draft?
How good can the defense be?
Had it not been for the Miami Dolphins’ defense last season, they would not have won 10 games.
Dolphins 101 with Professor Klump
Miami finally has their guy at quarterback
Who is calling the plays?
The Miami Dolphins have struck out the last two seasons at hiring the right offensive coordinator for their football team.
AROUND THE AFC EAST
Buffalo has their future QB...do the other teams?
PARTING shots
It’s time for Baker to become elite
Time to take stock of Tua
The Dolphins quarterback showed improvement in his second camp, but the question remains as to how big a jump he can make in 2021