The Miami Dolphins’ preseason loss to the New York Giants left plenty of fans with the same blunt reaction: ugly. The scoreboard and the box score both gave them reason to feel that way, and the conversation afterward quickly turned from disappointment to bigger questions about what this roster is supposed to look like once the games count.
One of the loudest alarms came from the offense, which managed just 3 first downs. That number alone was enough to set the tone for much of the reaction, and the rest of the stat line only made it worse: 102 total yards, 2.8 yards per play, 2-11 on third down conversions, plus 8 penalties, 2 fumbles, and a bunch of drops. One fan called it “butt ugly,” while another simply said, “Not very pretty.”
A lot of the discussion centered on who was actually on the field. Several fans pointed out that the game featured second- and third-string players, along with others who likely won’t make the team.
Dave21 argued that preseason struggles are part of the process, writing, “Well the game was not fun to watch that’s for sure, but all second ,third string and players that won’t make this team. We know the starters and some starting players were banged up before this game.
Pre season is just for players trying to win a job. Our 1’s don’t look horrible, but if we lose any of them these season will be much worse than expected .
This will be a long a bad season zero doubt in my mind, 27 should be much better and 28 should be great. Player growth takes time, I have been preaching that on here forever.
These boys a green and they need experience. We have sucked for 30 years, 1 more is that bad!!
We’re used to it!!”
Others were far less patient. bluebull53 thought keeping the starters out did more harm than good, saying, “I feel whoever decided to sit the starters probably did more harm than good. This is a new team and a new system that will take time to gel.
They really should have at least had one drive. Week 1 against the Raiders might be winnable so if Malik Willis doesn’t do so well, the first thing I’m going to think is he didn’t get enough game speed reps in the preseason.”
JUK questioned the point of the exercise altogether. “My primary thought is that preseason games are pointless.
If the starters aren’t going to see the field in the second game why even bother?” he wrote, before adding that Tahj can kiss any lingering thoughts of a roster spot goodbye, the team needs to sign a lineman to replace Salyer, Moore needs to be OK, and the secondary has to be fully healthy with hafley scheming if the Dolphins are going to have a chance.
Some fans focused on the bigger roster and cap picture. AquaAndOrange said he’s already lowered expectations, describing this year as “3 scrimmages and 17 preseason games” and backing the plan to clean up the salary cap.
“I still don’t think there will be any splash free agent signings next year either. The days of living beyond our means ended when grier was sent packing.
We’re going to build through the draft with this regime. There’s only so many draft picks each year.
It will take a few years to fill out the whole team. Next year will be much better though.
I can wait. At least we don’t have that debt hanging around our neck after this year. 2027 will be a new beginning.”
The coaching setup drew heat too. heatforlife said he does not trust the idea of a first-time head coach, writing, “rookie hc new on the job thats always very scary i would have rather hired a established hc.harbaugh was out there of course ross cant get him.tomlin out there?even jon chucky gruden been out there being blackballed by nfl.hafley is he another in the line of great ross hires.just goes on and on and on with this org.ive been saying this for a while until ross is gone----”
There was also a theme of waiting for the defense to carry the load. MiamiItaliano put it plainly: “They better hope the defense is lights out this season”
phinskiller, meanwhile, said the goal should be no injuries and building from the bottom up, but also blasted the depth on defense. He said the Dolphins’ defensive line, cornerbacks, safeties and linebackers could not tackle, and called the speed - or lack of it - “glaring.” He also said the team will likely be looking at moves once other teams start cutting players.
Jptapt framed the problem as the natural result of an empty cupboard. “This all you can get when the cupboard is bare.
All the cap money is paying people who aren’t on the team anymore. Sooner or later we had to pay the piper.
Hopefully we can find a real player or two when teams start their cuts.”
FLexile took a longer view, pointing to the Florida Panthers as the kind of model the Dolphins should follow. “Follow the Florida Panthers blueprint.
Every game, win or lose, learn something and get better with each week. There’s alot less games in the NFL, so the learning curve is alot steeper.
I’m more concerned about how this team finishes the season than how they start.”
And Francesco ITA said the front office and coaches will get some patience because of the cap situation, but not forever. “It’s clear that all the FO, coaches, will get a pass due the salary cap situation… But not more than 2 seasons ok ?
This season is tanking, evaluating talents ( -,- ), ok …. But in season 2 (and hopefully at the end of this season) there must be drastic improvements.
Flores did all that…”
That was the mood coming out of the game: frustration, some resignation, and a lot of eyes already shifting toward the roster churn ahead.
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There were a few bright spots, most notably rookie Jackson Woodard, who flashed with tackles and a fumble recovery, but the bigger concern was what happened up front. Miamis offensive line depth struggled significantly, which is the sort of issue that can ripple through the rest of the roster if it does not get cleaned up quickly. Injuries to linebacker Trey Moore and running back Ollie Gordon only added to the uneasy feeling leaving the game, because preseason losses are one thing, but depth concerns that come with physical setbacks are usually the ones teams spend the rest of August trying to solve. [Read more 🡒]