I don’t know this for a fact, but highly placed sources tell me Miami Dolphins fans might be a little ticked off.
One sign is the bulging bag of this week’s mail, which arrived with steam emanating from it. After I had my two pooches sniff around for booby traps, I opened it to find a gem.
Although we at Mailbag Central appeal for fans to put comments in the form of a question, Pete Smith gets a pass.
“PUBLIX JUST REVAMPED ITS DELI’S MIAMI DOLPHINS PUB SUB. SEE WHAT’S INSIDE,” he wrote.
Watch Chargers-Dolphins on Fubo
“Roadkill, rotten tomatoes, soured mayo, brown shredded cabbage, Muenster day old cheese, all on a week old hoagie roll…BOGO this week.”
This would be alarming, but Pete knows I’m a sucker for BOGOs.
Anyway, the Dolphins are 1-4 thanks to that 27-24 unraveling at the hands of the previously 1-3 Carolina Panthers.
So let’s see what’s on everyone’s mind beyond that smelly Muenster.
Who you going to hire if Mike McDaniel gets fired?
Chris Leube
If McDaniel gets fired who is in line to take over? It can’t be Weaver considering his defense let up 200 yards rushing. Who would be the option then?
I assume you’re talking a midseason change and the only way that happens is a switch to someone on staff. The favorite would have to still be DC Anthony Weaver, although I can already picture a future mailbag filling up if Steve Ross turned to Weaver in the current climate.
Ruben Hernandez
Can (Jon) Gruden or (Mike) McCarthy turn this team around?
If you’re talking within two years, the answer is no. Nobody can.
Can anything fix this Dolphins defense?
Walid Hannaoui
Dolphins have allowed over 800 yards rushing in 5 games, is this a defensive scheme problem? Coaching problem? Or personnel problem?
You forgot to mention they’re giving up 5.6 yards per rushing attempt, which calls into question why opponents are throwing a single pass against these guys. The problem is all of the above — coaching, players, scheme, execution. There is nothing to like about this run D.
Derrick Chasteen
How do we get Zach Thomas to put the pads back on?
He was honorary captain at the Jets game, meaning the Dolphins not only let Rico Dowdle run free, they also failed to corral Zach when they had him in the house.
Tim Mauzy
What was the name of that back for Carolina that rushed for over 200 yards?
The name is Jim Brown Barry Sanders Walter Payton Saquon Barkley Derrick Henry.
Scott Buss
I watched the Hurricanes last night and their defensive ends are three of the leading tacklers on the team!!! Where is the heart of our players at?!?!
Guess you could say in the secondary. Five of Miami’s leading tacklers in the Carolina game were DBs. When they’re doing all the tackling, it speaks volumes. Watching tape of this game, you can’t help but notice the first guy never makes the tackle for Miami. You cannot say the same thing about Carolina. Also, you’d be delighted if the lanes on I-95 were as wide open as the running lanes for Carolina’s backs.
Bob Dziadik
Why are the Dolphins not trying to bring Wilkins back? It’s obvious Sieler isn’t a 1 and the rookie isn’t stepping up yet. This defense obviously has a major weak spot in the middle and can’t stop anyone.
Zach Sieler hasn’t had a Zach Sieler season so far. But there’s a reason the Raiders dumped Christian Wilkins after giving him that massive contract. We don’t know all the facts behind it. If we did, maybe we would be OK with a Wilkins return, maybe not.
Mark Schleich
Why isn’t Gay playing more since our starting LBs can’t fill the gaps …… Dodson and Brooks aren’t getting it done!!! Swiss cheese defense!!!
Willie Gay, the guy making more plays than anyone in camp, played three snaps while Jordyn Brooks played 69 and Tyrel Dodson 45 against Carolina. Why Gay can’t get a legit look baffles me. And aren’t we on Muenster this week?
Is it time to dump Tua and get a new quarterback?
Joseph Smith
What does the QB situation look like for next year’s draft? Who should we be watching considering the Dolphins will probably draft pretty high.
Depends on whom you ask because there’s little consensus this early. Sobering thought: Isn’t it concerning that no quarterback ranks among everybody’s top 3-5? Favorites for now include Oklahoma’s John Mateer, Oregon’s Dante Moore, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
Ray Secord
Why is our whole passing game predicated on throwing to a specific spot? I rarely see Tua go to a second or third option, only a dump off. (Similar question posed by Anita Bertha)
My beef is with those passes behind the line of scrimmage. I’m done with them. Usually they’re to a receiver who’s isolated one on one. And most of the time, they don’t make the guy miss. Strangest stat line from this game: Malik Washington had four receptions for 0 yards — despite having an 8-yard catch. As for Tagovailoa, that late miss to a wide-open Jaylen Waddle can’t happen.
Brandon Serletic
Why draft an injury-prone QB who had to be taught how to fall down?
Same reason they just signed a receiver (Cedrick Wilson) off a practice squad while he’s out injured.
Bert R Payne
Tua put the team ahead late in the fourth quarter, and the defense couldn’t make one freaking stop. And the o-line was awful in the second half. You can’t put this loss on Tua, as much as you might want to.
The loss is on everybody. There were inexcusable breakdowns at every level. As for the OL, I get the idea that there will be growing pains with rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea, but his missed assignments and whiffs are out of control. He looks lost. It’s way too early to give up on him, but not too early to say he needs to sit and improve before they roll him out there again.
What’s with the play-calling?
Kenny McMickle
Why did they quit throwing to Waller? He’s a beast across the middle of the field.
You know what I said about Gay not playing being a mystery? Not targeting Waller baffles me. Mike McDaniel chalked it up to the Panthers focusing so much on stopping Waller after that sizzling first quarter. Does this mean defenses ignore a half dozen top receiving tight ends who are household names? Zero second-half targets?
Dennis Douglas
Why did they punt when there was only a minute left and we were down by three?
It was fourth-and-18. They barely had any first downs in the second half. You think they were going to convert that one?
Two-minute drill (dripping with sarcasm)
Stuart Barnett
When is Ross selling the team? That’s the only question there is.
Hey, everybody! Stuart’s buying!
Eddie Clark
Do the Dolphins defensive players wear shoulder pads? Do they ever practice tackling or just playing touch?
Flag, actually.
Marshall Swanger
When do I go buy a stool and rope?
Try the old set of “The Shawshank Redemption.”
Larry Johnson
Why can’t I wear white after September 1st?
Because it worked so well for Penn State and the Buffalo Bills?
Bob Dziadik
The DOLPHINS are also a 1-3 team. Funny how some many fans think they are so much better than the dregs of the NFL. They are EQUALS to these bad teams.
Wise man once said you are what your record says you are. I’m a longtime subscriber to the theory.
Henry Sniezek
Why do opponents adjust during the game but the Dolphins can’t?
Miami has been outscored by 31 in the second half this year. At least some of that is on the coaches.
Randy T. Rindt
Is it time to clean house??? Extra question marks to meet the rule requirements.
If it’s not, it has to be getting close, right??? Reminder: Trade deadline is approaching (Nov. 4).
DeWayne Dusenberry
Who can we trade for draft pics? Anyone who won’t be in their prime 2 years from now needs to go because that’s the earliest we have any chance.
Name someone you consider untouchable. Unless you really do mean “pics.”
Mark Nash
Will the Dolphins win a playoff game in Stephen Ross’ lifetime?
No.
Christian Arellano
Should the fans still believe in this team? And why should they?
After getting trampled by 1-3 Carolina?
Dwight Caserta
Can I pull for Tampa now?
Hurricanes are state champs, Mario informs me.
Michael Cioppa
What are 3 positive takeaways from the Carolina game?
1. It wasn’t shown in 4K. 2. Fox did not show a Kevin Hart commercial during every break. 3. Like the season, it’s over.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Unlike Miami Dolphins defense, our mailbag tackles all following loss to Carolina Panthers
Reporting by Hal Habib, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
