The Phinsider
sanguinity (noun) - an inclination to believe in the most favorable outcome
I see Flag Day was moved this year. It should have been on June 14th (but you knew that), yet arrived a bit late on December 30th as the Miami Dolphins and the Cleveland Browns combined for 67 accepted penalties for 814 yards and Mike McDaniel even tossed two challenge flags in the mix just for a splash of color.
At least the Fins won, because this one brought the pain.
Or a dog and a Dawg, amirite Cleveland fans?
Dawg Pound?
Shut up.
The Browns came into the game 3-12 and they earned every bit of it. Jerry Jeudy has been the only bright spot in their offense and Myles Garrett anchored their defense while the rest of the team does everything pretty poorly. And this is coming from a Dolphins fan so, ya know, it means something.
Meanwhile, Miami headed into the contest with a veritable amber-lamps full of injuries, headlined by the last minute exit of Tua Tagovailoa in favor of Tyler Huntley at quarterback.
Let’s examine a list of the disappeared Dolphins versus their stand-ins:
Tyrel Dodson for Anthony Walker - Dodson had 15 tackles, 1 PBU, and a QB hit against Cleveland. He’s had both flashes of greatness and flashes of being like every other Fins linebacker since Zach Thomas so far this season. I like him. He’s not a Micah Parsons clone, but he’s definitely better depth than Miami’s linebacking corps is used to. And I’d take him over Walker as is.
Storm Duck for Kendall Fuller - Quackers doesn’t appear to have the same missed tackle bug as a lot of the Dolphin defenders (though I could be acting like them myself and missing his missed tackles, causing an infinite loop of incompetence that will cause the planet to fold in on itself). He’s a rookie replacing a (historically) top tier corner and he fills in well for being so new. Plus, his name rules.
Patrick Paul for Terron Armstead - Paul has played decently in his debut efforts this year, filling in for the oft-injured Armstead who is at the tail end of his career. Sunday he got got by Myles Garrett a bunch, but when Garrett isn’t trying to commit first degree murder with a helmet, he’s an elite rusher, so, grains of salt and all that. He could be a future building block, as long as he keeps developing and stays in one spot.
Malik Washington for Jaylen Waddle - The rookie wide receiver caught 4 passes for 41 yards and looked capable (as he has in previous games). He may not have the high-first-round skillset of Waddle, but when Waddle takes Hill’s spot, it seems plausible that Washington will take Waddle’s.
The big kahuna: Tyler Huntley for Tua Tagovailoa - Huntley played like a backup should. He went 22/26 (85%) for 225 yds, 1 TD, 0 INTs, and added 52...
