Dolphins-Bills

I watched the Dolphins host the Bills from the comfort of a sports bar with way-too-small TVs and no audio, so my commentary might be a bit limited this week.

-One thing which has bothered me all year has been the Dolphins need for these short kickoffs. They are almost never successful, and they basically guarantee that the opponent will start past the 35. I don't understand the logic behind them, I don't like that Cameron/Armstrong keeps ordering them, and although I love Feely's kicking ability, I miss Mare's thunderous leg. Wouldn't it make sense to spend a roster spot on a kickoff specialist who could put it out of the end zone on a consistent basis?

-The Dolphins threw on a 3rd and 1 play early. At first, I got mad because it didn't work and it's always easy to blame play calling when something doesn't work. However, when I thought about it, I really liked the call. With all the defenders up in run support, a completion and missed tackle probably means a touchdown. Also, the Dolphins were in 4 down territory, so why not treat 3rd and 1 like 2nd and 1 when the defense can't afford to. It was actually relatively brilliant, especially had it worked. Likewise, going for it on 4th down was the right call (especially in light of throwing on 3rd down), but once again the Dolphins had nothing to blame but poor execution.

-If Cameron insists on starting Lemon because he gives us "the best chance at winning" and if he really wants to get a look at him as a quarterback in the midst of a lost season, he needs to let him throw the ball early in the game before the Dolphins fall behind. Every game, it seems like we run ourselves into the ground early, and then we score our points passing when it's already too late. Lemon seems to have some ability, but because of the conservative play calling, we don't really know. It has become very apparent that Cameron's reasoning for not making a switch at quarterback has a lot more to do with his plans for Beck and a lot less with winning.

-Pretty terrible work when you have a 2nd and 1 and a 2nd and 2 and you end up turning it over on downs and punting.

-The Dolphins D appears to have turned the corner and fixed whatever was wrong. The change in philosophy in the secondary a few weeks ago seems to really be working. Also, they are finishing plays and tackling as a team. However, they still can’t stop anybody when they need to. Every time the Dolphins do anything good on offense, they seem to fall apart immediately on defense.

-On the Bills 2 point conversion, Taylor slipped a block to the inside, but in doing so he made the block for Buffalo and created a hole by not taking his man on. That's not the type of responsibility football you'd like to see from your best player.

-Booker was absolutely horrible today. One play after Ginn had another work of beauty called back (by the way, did anybody see the hold or hear Camarillo's postgame commentary on the play...unbelievable), Booker dropped a completion that would've gone for 30+ yards to continue his horrible day. Sure, the Dolphins got cheated maybe out of a victory on the Ginn return, but it's not like they didn't have their chances.

-Why do I have to watch the most important plays of the game on these impossible camera angles?

-Even when we control the entire game, we find a way to lose. The Bills making the play when it counts and the Dolphins getting called back show the difference in what a good special teams will do. Never have I missed Mike Westhoff more.

-How fitting that the game ends on a ball Booker could have caught. The 3rd failed slant to him of the day.