MNF Recap: Dolphins Get Rocked on Special Teams As The Patriots Get The Win

Danny Dolphin

Oct 4, 2010

I wanted to get it out there while the game was still fresh, while I still had a headache from one of the most depressing Dolphin performances of my life.

Instead of the usual position grades, I’m going to break it down Clint Eastwood style. And now, for the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Dolphins' Monday night performance.

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The Good… Devone Bess had a breakout game with nine catches for 98 yards. He was very good after the catch and took advantage of the favorable coverage underneath. Linebacker Cameron Wake also found modest success, pressuring Brady with a sack and one forced holding penalty.

The Bad… Chad Henne threw three interceptions, two of which were at decisive moments in the first half, when Miami was in position to put points on the board.

He continues to stare down his primary target on each and every throw. At this level, you can’t get away with that. His leash just got much shorter, especially with a proven veteran in Chad Pennington behind him. I haven’t lost hope with him because he still shows glimpses.

Now we understand why the coaching staff was so protective of him making mistakes on the road in Weeks 1 and 2.

The Ugly… I haven’t witnessed a special teams performance that hideous since, well, ever. A kick return for a touchdown to open up the second half. A blocked punt that led to an easy touchdown. But wait there is more. A blocked field goal for a touchdown to open the fourth quarter.

Miami special teams coach John Bonamego is not going to sleep tight tonight. If not for the special teams collapse, this would have been a ball game.

What’s next? Not only is this a really horrific loss at home to a division rival, but they will have two weeks for this one to sink in with the bye week on tap. But don’t worry, the schedule gets more difficult with the next two games against Green Bay and Pittsburgh (with Ben Roethlisberger).

Unfortunately, it’s going to be a major uphill battle.

This team seems to have some toughness though, so don’t count them out just yet. A 2-2 record isn’t bad, but average. However, it’s going to be tough to turn things around with the inconsistent play at quarterback.

If I’m Henne, I work on one thing for the next two weeks and that’s practicing reading through progressions and looking off receivers. Study Tom Brady. His mechanics are impeccable.

The most troubling part of the season thus far isn’t the fact they’re 2-2, but that both losses occurred within the division and at home.

Hopefully you’re a Heat fan, so you have a nice backup plan. If not, the bandwagon is still taking reservations.