The Miami Dolphins are 1-4 after a 27-24 loss at the Carolina Panthers.
This season is unraveling quickly. Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, De’Von Achane and Darren Waller had good moments. But Miami’s defense folded again.
Many coaches believe “The Tape Don’t Lie,” and that list includes Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel.
“The game tape survives time,” McDaniel says.
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Dolphins lose to Panthers: The Tape Don’t Lie
Why is the Dolphins run defense horrid?
Defensive tackles Kenneth Grant and Jordan Phillips, both rookies, both struggled to shed blocks and make tackles at or near the line of scrimmage.
Linebackers Tyrel Dodson and Jordyn Brooks were too easily blocked on some plays.
Brooks and Ashtyn Davis went for strip fumbles and didn’t make tackles on a long run.
On another long run, Willie Gay and Davis were both blocked well.
On another long run, cornerback Jack Jones went for a strip and not a tackle and came up short.
Could the Dolphins stand to insert thumper K.J. Britt into the equation? The Dolphins do not have a thumping linebacker on the field at this time.
Dolphins rookie Kenneth Grant struggles
Could the Dolphins be well served by increasing the reps of massive nose tackle Benito Jones and reducing the reps a bit for Grant and/or Phillips?
It is true that both Britt and Benito were on the field and blocked for a long Panthers run. But Benito had a few plus plays in run defense.
Where does defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver turn?
At times, it appeared the Panthers called run plays where they had an advantage in the number of blockers leading the way for Rico Dowdle, whose name we all now know.
Edge Chop Robinson, maligned for run defense, did make a few strong plays in run defense.
The Dolphins appear to have miscalculated the importance of Calais Campbell, who was allowed to walk to the Arizona Cardinals.
Weaver needs to take a hard look at making adjustments to playing time, scheme, approach and play-calling.
McDaniel said as much after the Dolphins allowed more than 200 yards rushing to the Panthers. This has been almost unfathomably bad.
Jonah Savaiinaea has rookie struggles for Dolphins
When rookie left guard Jonah Savaiinaea was beaten by Derrick Brown for a key sack, it appeared he was beaten with hands and feet.
Savaiinaea continues to work on hand placement and strike and balance and movement.
It all seems all over the place at times. It’s hard to watch.
This is a big, strong, quick man, who is really struggling to adjust to the NFL.
Look, backup right guard Cole Strange and backup right tackle Larry Borom have not be without blemish.
But right now big ol’ #72 is sticking out and not in a good way. He’s struggling with power and speed and speed and power and inside moves and outside moves and bull rush and…
Yeah.
The Dolphins gave up second, third and fourth round picks for his player and they have to find a way to help him get it right.
On one sack, center Aaron Brewer moved left to assist Savaiianea and a pass rusher went, you guessed it, past right guard Cole Strange.
Where do you lean the help? In most cases it’s going to be Jonah. But that can create additional problems, too.
On Miami’s last drive, Savaiinaea was beaten for a second sack. Painful.
Darren Waller heads this and that
More Darren Waller, please.
More snaps. More targets. More touchdowns.
Tua was good in this game. He was accurate. He was confident.
The 46-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle late in the game should have been the storyline of this game. But, as we know, Miami’s defense faltered again.
But Miami should be encouraged by how much burst Waddle showed in his first game this season without Tyreek Hill on the field.
This was another positive step for Tua after a slow start to the season.
He’s not among the Top 5 Dolphins problems right now.
But there are many. Too many.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins Jonah Savaiinaea, Kenneth Grant struggle; The Tape Don’t Lie, review | Schad
Reporting by Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
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