Limerick Friday #560: It's All Come Down To This For The Metsies -- Day 930

A looming battle in Atlanta town

For the NL East crown

With their fates wedded

The season was always headed

Toward a Mets-Braves showdown

"Katla" was a sensation

With a volcanic revelation

On Iceland's shores

Ancient evil snores

Maybe skip that eruptive vacation

Another bad look for the 'Fins

Tua bent in half on his pins

A scary scene

Avoidable, it would seem

Scrutiny coming from every lens

"House of Dragons" proceeds

As storylines bleed

Who is at odds or in league

In all this palace intrigue

To be watched while drinking many meads

Ragdolled on his head

"It's his back," they said

Hiding concussions

With massive repercussions

The Dolphins keep shitting the bed

Last time ...

Day 929, Quasi-Quarantine: Dolphins-Bills Game 3 Review

The Bills dominated the stats, doubling up Miami in time of possession (40:40 to 19:20), plays (90 to 39) first downs (31 to 15), and yards (497 to 212).

And lost.

In a game that had to be seen to be believed, the Dolphins used a stunning defensive performance in insane heat (three Bills suffered from heat exhaustion) and did enough on offense (three for three on red zone opportunities and zero turnovers) to outlast maybe the best team in football, 21-19. Having bested three of the best five coaches in the league and finding three different ways to win, the 'Fins are 3-0 under new coach Mike McDaniel.

On to the still-don't-believe-that-happened recap ...

Offense

• Maintaining the ball for just 39 plays, Miami made the most of its opportunities, converting all three of its red zone visits into touchdowns, limiting penalties (just four for 20 on the day), and not committing any turnovers. While the Dolphins remain one-dimensional -- managing just 41 rushing yards on 17 attempts -- complementary football is allowing the offense to find its identity early in the season.
• Coming back to earth after last week's scintillating performance, Tua Tagovailoa threw just 18 passes, connecting on 13 for 186 yards and a touchdown. He was sacked once, ran once for no gain, suffered a couple of controversial injuries that knocked him out for three plays, and narrowly avoided throwing a game-clinching pick-six. After appearing to be concussed after a late hit, Tua yielded to Teddy Bridgewater, who came in and had a disastrous series that included taking a sack and nearly throwing an interception. All in all, Tua protected the football, avoided the fumbles that have plagued him, and was at his best in the red zone, giving Miami a chance to win.
• Raheem Mostert once again led the way in snaps with 24, though he managed just 11 yards on eight carries and did not catch either of his two targets in the passing game. Chase Edmonds was in for 19 snaps, rushing six times for 21 yards and a pair of gritty touchdowns and adding a grab for six yards. He showed toughness after bouncing back from a wicked unsportsmanlike hit and scoring on the next play, showing that he may be a surprising option in short-yardage situations. Alec Ingold carried once for no yards and was targeted a single time in the passing game without a reception, not making the impact he did a week ago. The rushing attack is in rough shape after three weeks, so expect the 'Fins to explore its options in this area during the mini-bye after their upcoming Thursday night game.
• At tight end, Durham Smythe again led the way, reeling in three passes for 23 yards and contributing key blocks. Playing on the franchise tag, Mike Gesicki continues to struggle to find his role in this offense, playing just 17 snaps and making a one-handed catch for six yards.
• Jaylen Waddle continues to shine, hauling in four catches on six targets for 102 yards and adding nine yards on an end-around. Most of his catches were of the clutch variety, cementing his status as one of the top young wideouts in the game -- though all but 25 of his receiving yards came on a single drive, showing the strength of a Buffalo defense that was missing several starters. Tyreek Hill was quiet, drawing just four targets and posting two receptions for 33 yards and also being called for an illegal shift. River Cracraft kept his perfect season alive, catching his only pass for an 11-yard touchdown after last week's one-catch, one-score performance. Trent Sherfield contributed a five-yard reception in 27 snaps, but did factor into a huge special teams gaffe that could have cost Miami the game when he backed into punter Thomas Morstead to cause a safety. Recovering from injury, Cedrick Wilson saw just five snaps. In time, I believe the 'Fins will need Wilson as their lone height presence on the receiving corps.
• Up front, the 'Fins allowed just five pressures against a respected Bills defensive front. However, there was little to no movement in the running game and Miami had to run shorter routes to offset the Buffalo pass rush. Center Connor Williams had a false start, left guard Liam Eichenberg was whistled for holding, and right tackle Greg Little was called for ineligible man downfield penalty. Overall, the line appears to be steadily jelling, with obvious room for improvements.

Defense

• Kyle Allen threw 63 passes for Buffalo in insufferable heat, but that was a factor of how much the Bills controlled the ball and not a reflection of an inability to run the ball -- the visitors averaged five yards a carry (23 attempts for 115 yards). Buffalo was close to unstoppable on third down (11 for 18) and also converted two of three fourth-down tries. So how did the 'Fins survive? Defensive coordinator Josh Boyer tried to offset the heat by having 17 players see action on at least 23 percent of the snaps, and his unit limited the Bills to two touchdowns in four red zone attempts.
• The best version of Emmanuel Ogbah showed up for Miami, and his performance deserves more shine. He was credited with a single solo tackle, but he delivered four quarterback hits, was held a lot with no calls, had his best rushes in the most crucial situations, drew a critical holding penalty in the final seconds, and got a hand on a field goal to usher it wide in a vital moment. Ogbah was supported by Christian Wilkins (five tackles) and Zach Sieler (four stops, one quarterback hit) in finding a reserve of energy when the team needed it most despite the conditions.
• With Raekwon Davis inactive due to a knee injury, John Jenkins played 37 snaps at nose tackle, contributing a tackle.
• At outside linebacker, Melvin Ingram played 57 snaps, registering three solo tackles, two sacks, one stop for loss, two quarterback hits, and a fumble recovery. Jaelan Phillips played 62 snaps on the other side, missing some tackles but recording two stops, one tackle for loss, and a pass breakup that he nearly picked off. Andrew Van Ginkel was back for 18 snaps in reserve -- posting three tackles and a quarterback hit -- while Trey Flowers contributed a solo stop in 41 snaps. While Phillips has disappointed and Van Ginkel has been injured, Ingram has been a revelation -- cemented by being named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for September.
• In the middle, Jerome Baker led the squad with 13 tackles, adding a stop for loss, half a sack, one pass breakup and a quarterback hit in 83 snaps. Elandon Roberts contributed eight tackles in his 47 snaps despite some crucial missed tackles, while Duke Riley had five stops in his 28 snaps. Despite the conditions, Sam Eguavoen saw only three snaps from scrimmage.
• At corner, it was more of a vintage Xavien Howard performance despite some shaky moments. He shook off an early personal foul, a potential coverage bust that led to an easy score, and another dropped pick-six to record six tackles and two huge pass breakups in 81 snaps. Nik Needham saw a staggering 91 snaps, delivering five tackles and a critical late pass breakup. Kader Kohou had five tackles in 70 snaps, while Keion Crossen had a solo stop and a pass breakup in 11 snaps. In perhaps the biggest indicator that he will never factor in Miami's defensive plans, Noah Ighbinoghene played two special teams snaps and had zero reps from scrimmage in a game where players were dropping left and right due to exhaustion.
• Brandon Jones notched nine tackles and a pass breakup in 83 snaps, with Eric Rowe adding four solo stops in 27 snaps at strong safety.
• At free safety, Jevon Holland was a machine. Playing a team-high 92 snaps, he registered 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups, a quarterback hit, and a forced fumble while also serving as punt returner. Without Holland and Ogbah, the 'Fins come nowhere near winning this game.

Special teams

• It was a quiet day for Jason Sanders, but after last week's surrendered kickoff return for a touchdown, that was a good thing. He hammered his kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks and was perfect on three extra-point tries.
• Thomas Morstead had an eventful afternoon, punting five times for an average of 43.6 yards. He had a long of 60, placed two inside the 20-yard line (including one at the one-yard line), and came up with a booming free kick after the safety. The bad news? He gave up the safety when he punted directly into the arse of his personal protector, Sherfield.
• The return game was nonexistent, as Mostert found no room on his three kickoff returns (54 yards) and Holland fair-caught the lone Beefalo punt.
• The play of the game on special teams came when Justin Bethel vaulted into the end zone to bat a Morstead punt back into the field of play to be downed at the one-yard line. 

Momentum plays

• Buffalo dodged a near fumble by Stephon Diggs and benefited from a weak personal foul call on "X" in a confrontation with Diggs to set up first and goal. After three stops, Miami blitzed, with Roberts seemingly missing an assignment to allow an uncontested fourth-down toss for a score and a 7-0 lead.
• After an initial first down, the Dolphins were forced to punt. On a third-down play, Holland timed a blitz beautifully, knocking the ball out of Allen's hand and allowing Ingram to pounce on it to give Miami the ball on the 7-yard line. Three players later, Edmonds paid it off with a short run to tie the score at 7.
• On a lengthy drive that bled into the second quarter, Allen converted a 4th & 2 with a scramble, then fumbled on an Ingram sack, with Sieler and Jenkins just missing recovering the ball. Buffalo easily converted a 2nd & 19, then found an open receiver on 3rd & goal on what appeared to be a coverage bust by Howard, putting the visitors up 14-7.
• Passes of 17 and 9 yards to Waddle and a 9-yard run by Mostert got the 'Fins moving on the next drive, with Tua firing an 11-yard dart to Cracraft to tie the score.
• Following two quick first downs, pressure by Ogbah forced a dangerous throw back to the middle of the field, with "X" rising high to knock a 3rd & 10 pass away from Diggs and force the lone Buffalo punt of the contest.
• Three plays later, Tua hit Waddle to convert a third down, but got up woozy after a late hit by the Bills. Inexplicably, Bridgewater came in firing, dropping back to throw on three straight plays, resulting in an incompletion, a sack, and a near pick-six to end the drive.
• Some missed tackles gave Buffalo life, but an Ogbah hit on Allen led to a flutterball and an easy pick that was dropped by Brandon Jones. With time running out, Allen fumbled a spike play, forcing him to fire a pass to the sideline that was nearly intercepted by Howard before being snared by Diggs to run out the clock to halftime.
• After intermission, Miami went straight backwards with a -6 run by Mostert and a holding penalty on Eichenberg, forcing a Morstead punt that Bethel made a phenomenal play on to down at the 1-yard line.
• Buffalo appeared to get away with a grounding penalty that would have resulted in a safety on the ensuing play, then went on to convert four third-down plays on a lengthy drive that only resulted in a field goal to make it 17-14 after Ogbah pressured Allen into a third-down throwaway.
• After not seeing the ball for 28 minutes of real time, the Dolphins promptly went three-and-out, catching a break when Buffalo dropped an easy pick-six.
• In a drive that spanned into the fourth quarter, the Bills missed an ugly field goal that looked like it may have been tipped due to the spin. A few days after the game, Ogbah was indeed credited with a block -- the first of his career -- on the attempt.
• A 32-yard deep out to Waddle jolted the 'Fins to life, then the Tua-Waddle connection struck again on 3rd & 22 as Waddle ran an impeccable corner-post route to reel in a perfect throw by Tua for a 45-yard completion. Edmonds dropped a second-down pass, but unnecessary roughness on the Bills nullified the play, and Edmonds hammered in from three yards out to push the Dolphins ahead, 21-17.
• Buffalo overcame a personal foul on Allen when Allen hit Devin Singletary on a delayed wheel route for a 22-yard gain on 3rd & 10. With both teams reeling from exhaustion, missed tackles aided the Bills' drive, along with back-to-back near interceptions by the Dolphins. Allen converted a 3rd & 5 with a nifty run, and after another near-pick by "X," Allen missed a wide-open receiver in the end zone on fourth down.
• A shaky series of plays and poor clock management narrowly avoided a pair of safeties, but Miami couldn't duck a third gaffe when Sherfield backed up into Morstead to result in a butt punt and gift safety for Buffalo to make it 21-19 with 1:33 remaining.
• A stellar punt by Morstead and resulting tackle by Van Ginkel pushed the Bills back to their own 23-yard line. Holland jarred what would have been a 20-yard gain out of Diggs's hands with a jolting hit, then Needham knocked away a sideline pass to a bigger receiver. After a Bills' first down, Ogbah drew a late flag on a clear hold, and on 2nd & 20, Ingram missed a sack and Allen dumped the ball off as he was being hit by Ogbah. The receiver could not get out of bounds thanks to a savvy tackle by Howard, allowing the time to run out to preserve the 21-19 Dolphins victory.

2022 Schedule

Miami 20, New England 7 (1-0)

Miami 42, Baltimore 38 (2-0)

Miami 21, Buffalo 19 (3-0)

Day 928, Quasi-Quarantine: Fever-Dream Quality Propels A Tale Of Love Lost To Alcoholism In "Under The Volcano"

 

" ... And for a moment they stood on the porch without speaking, not holding hands, but with their hands just meeting, as though not quite sure they weren't dreaming this, each of them separately on their far bereaved cots, their hands but blown fragments of their memories, half afraid to comingle, yet touching over the howling sea at night."

Reading like a fever dream, "Under the Volcano" tracks the alcoholic shenanigans of "the Consul" -- Geoffrey Firmin -- a British government employee and frustrated novelist drifting through Mexico and estranged from his wife, Yvonne. 

When Yvonne returns after a year to spend "Day of the Dead" with him, the pair experiences the day separately even while together, as a host of characters drift through the narrative. Yvonne has had affairs with both the Consult's half-brother, Hugh, and his longtime friend, Jacques Laruelle, lending extra tension and weight to the pending reconciliation.

"How indeed could he hope to find himself, to begin again when, somewhere, perhaps, in one of those lost or broken bottles, in one of those glasses, lay, forever, the solitary clue to his identity? How could he go back and look now, scrabble among the broken glass, under the eternal bars, under the oceans?"

"You are walking on the edge of an abyss where I may not follow."

Malcolm Lowry brilliantly weaves symbolism, imagery, and mysticism into the tale, rendering the novel a tragedy, a romance, a case study on alcoholism, a comedy, and a quasi-autobiography. According to Stephen Spender in the foreword, "'Under the Volcano' is, it is true, perhaps the best account of a 'drunk' in fiction."

"He was not the person to be seen reeling about in the street. True he might lie down in the street, if need be, like a gentleman; but he would not reel."

The emotion sneaks up on you as the characters literally and figuratively slide inevitably toward the barranca. As the Consul is increasingly depicted as a bystander in his own life, the questions of choice and destiny emerge, and we are forced to reconcile his inaction with all the sentiments and repercussions he foresees in the event that he were to act on his unvarnished desires.

"He had few emotions about the war, save that it was bad. One side of the other would win ... And in either case one's own battle would go on."

While one wishes that Yvonne's perspective was more clearly articulated and acknowledges that the prose can bog down into a mix of languages and stream-of-consciousness, "Under the Volcano" is an unquestionable masterpiece.

"Even almost bad poetry is better than life, the muddle of voices might have been saying, as, now, he drank half his drink."

Day 927, Quasi-Quarantine: Rewriting Order 66 With A More Competent Jedi Temple Guard

 

Having found a new Etsy shop -- Galactic Brick Store -- I decided to see if we could rejuvenate Lego interest in my building partner with a couple of unique purchases.

Top of the list was the Jedi Temple Guard, who arrived in immaculate packaging and is comprised of top-quality materials. 

A member of the security force maintained by the Jedi Order, the guard is tasked with protecting the Jedi Temple of Coruscant. These "anonymous sentinels" are honored by being singled out to serve under Jedi Master Cin Drallig as part of a lifelong commitment to the Jedi Temple and emotional dettachment.

These guards made an appearance in "Star Wars: Clone Wars" when they arrested Padawan Barriss Offee for treason, then crossed over to "Star Wars: Rebels" when the one who survived the Great Jedi Purge became the Grand Inquisitor under Emperor Palpatine. The Grand Inquisitor was defeated by Padawan Kanan Jarrus, leading him to commit suicide.

This version is marked by the distinctive mask and hood, as well as the double-sided lightsaber pike, with a trademark golden color. This minifigure is impeccably designed at great value -- ensuring that Galactic Brick Store will remain top of mind as we seek out other rare and memorable minifigs.

Limerick Friday #559: "Andor" Does Its Best To Rescue A Shite Week -- Day 923

Lots of ado and fuss

Usually makes me suss

But the gritty is real

With a rebellion feel

This is "Andor" on Disney Plus

When things are going your way

And you're feeling like "OK!"

There's always some asshat

To shit over all of that

And try to fuck up your day

Things looked pretty bleak

Until Tua went on a hot streak

Brought back memories of Clayton and Duper

On a day that was sublimely super

Now can you do it week after week?

Dealing with emotions and strife

And considering problems rife

A welcome challenge most of the time

But shitheads come in on a dime

Make you wanna quit that manager life

A week with no end

Check yourself before you press "send"

An emotional burden

Makes me feel like Tyler Durden

Everyone's just gonna pretend?

Last time ...

Day 922, Quasi-Quarantine: Dolphins-Ravens Game 2 Review

Somehow, some way, Miami scored 35 points in the second half against the hated Ravens and coach John Harbaugh, scoring 21 unanswered points in a 7-minute stretch to pull off the biggest road comeback in franchise history. The Dolphins' fourth-quarter drives started on their own 41-, 36-, and 32-yard lines, an underrated element of Miami's ability to put so many points on the board in such a short amount of time. In a game that featured more than 1,000 yards of offense, the 'Fins -- which have now won 10 of its last 11 games -- were also whistled for 10 penalties (two were declined) vs. one for Baltimore, a staggering disparity based on the Ravens' style of play and a variable that made the comeback even more impressive.

According to The Athletic, the 'Fins under Tua had been 1-8 in games where their defense and special teams were "meaningfully below average statistically." In a game where Miami overwhelmingly lost two of the three phases -- defense and special teams -- the fact that the Dolphins were somehow able to come back from such a deficit on the road bodes well for what kind of offense the team can put out there this season.

On to the suck-it-Harbag recap ...

Offense

• The offense caught fire in the second half to end up with 547 total yards and 27 first downs, wearing down Baltimore a bit by dominating time of possession.
• Tua was lights-out, especially in the second half. He threw for 469 yards and six touchdowns, connecting on 36 of 50 passes. He was picked off twice and sacked once, but avoided the fumbles that have plagued him at times. In the fourth quarter alone, he went 13 of 17 for 199 yards and four scores (154.pass rating), and a staggering four of his touchdown tosses came on third downs. While there could be quibbles on a few passes, the reality is that Tua -- who received an 85.2 grade from Pro Football Focus -- took a dramatic step forward in terms of team and national perception, and that is not something to be taken lightly.
• Playing 39 snaps, Raheem Mostert was low-key huge, rushing 11 times for 51 yards and adding 28 yards on three catches. Chase Edmonds was out-snapped (36), but factored late with a 28-yard run that helped him collect 41 total yards on six touches, though he did commit a costly tripping penalty. Alec Ingold (PFF grade of 76.8) had a pair of receptions for 15 yards and added a one-yard run in his 26 snaps, but his biggest contribution came on a number of vital downfield blocks.
• At receiver, there is only one word for the performance: historic. Jaylen Waddle (19 targets) and Tyreek Hill (13 targets and an 85.8 PFF grade while fighting through cramps) had 11 receptions and two touchdowns each, combining for a stunning 361 yards. River Cracraft (one catch for a two-yard touchdown) and Trent Sherfield (two grabs for nine yards) rounded out the top-heavy wideout contributions, with Cedrick Wilson failing to catch a pass and dealing with injured ribs.
• The re-emergence of Mike Gesicki was a welcome development, as the athletic tight end snared four passes for 41 yards, including a high-rising TD grab that re-ignited the Dolphins on a crucial drive. Durham Smythe added a five-yard catch.
• The starting offensive line played all 71 snaps, a huge development for a unit that has been searching for continuity. At tackle, Terron Armstead earned a 78.7 grade from PFF and Greg Little made some key blocks on running plays. Connor Williams had a damaging illegal block in the back at center, but he and guards Liam Eichenberg and Robert Hunt (who was whistled for ineligible man downfield) held up well against a strong interior rush from the Ravens. Despite allowing 11 hurries, the line did well to stave off a respected Baltimore front.

Defense

• Miami gave up 8.8 yards per play and 473 total yards without a sack, quarterback hit, or turnover. The team gave up three touchdowns over 75 yards and allowed Lamar Jackson (318 yards passing, 119 rushing) to become the first quarterback in NFL history to throw and run for touchdowns of at least 75 yards in a single game. The bright spot? On third and fourth downs, Baltimore converted just four of 13 opportunities.
• At defensive end, Christian Wilkins led the way with eight tackles and two stops for losses, while Emmanuel Ogbah was uncustomarily quiet, posting just two tackles. Zach Sieler was disruptive as usual, recording the best PFF grade (78.3) on defense with three tackles.
• At nose tackle, Raekwon Davis had two tackles, while John Jenkins was held without a stat.
• On the outside, Melvin Ingram had a pair of tackles, a stop for a loss, and a key deflected pass, but was also flagged twice (facemask and offside). Jaelen Phillips made one solo tackle, but showed stellar pursuit on occasion. Trey Fowler assisted on a tackle in reserve, but Andrew Van Ginkel did not take a defensive rep despite playing 17 snaps on special teams.
• At inside linebacker, Jerome Baker played all 59 snaps and had a pair of tackles, while Elandon Roberts added four, including a stop for a loss. Sam Eguavoen made the most of his seven defensive snaps, making three tackles, while Duke Riley was also active in reserve, recording four stops.
• This game won't go on Xavien Howard's Hall of Fame consideration reel, as he was a central factor in both of Baltimore's long touchdowns. He ended up with four tackles and a pass breakup, but he was also whistled for holding and dropped a sure pick-six. On the other side, Nik Needham had two tackles and was flagged for holding. Kader Kohou (25 snaps) had two solo tackles but also earned a holding flag, while Noah Igbinoghene did not take a snap from scrimmage.
• After a strong opener, Brandon Jones struggled a bit at strong safety, making four tackles but taking some questionable angles and drawing a pass interference penalty. Eric Rowe was an unsung hero in his return (35 snaps), making six solo stops and playing tight coverage on All-Pro Mark Andrews despite the tight end's final numbers (nine for 104 yards and a score).
• At free safety, Jevon Holland played all 59 snaps but had just two tackles and looked slower in pursuit in this one. 

Special teams

• The story here is obviously the 103-yard kickoff return by Devin Duvernay to start the game in the worst possible way. Kicker Jason Sanders gave a balky effort on the play, but helped redeem himself by recording touchbacks on all his other kicks and burying six extra points.
• It was a quiet day for Thomas Morstead, who punted twice for a 41-yard average and landed one inside the 20-yard line.
• Durham Smythe had a sneaky-important 18-yard kickoff return, while Jevon Holland had a tentative eight-yard punt return.
• Keion Crossen and Andrew Van Ginkel had impressive special-teams tackles, while Justin Bethel jumped offside on a Baltimore field goal, though the penalty was declined.

Momentum plays

• The Dolphins started the game with a whimper by surrendering a 103-yard kickoff return to Duvernay, who easily outpaced a weak-efforted Sanders and barely skipped past Crossen, who gave tremendous effort to nearly push Duvernay out inside the 10-yard line.
• Staring down a touchdown deficit 13 seconds into the game, Miami got the offense started with back-to-back first-down tosses to Waddle, followed by a 12-yard dart to Gesicki in traffic to convert a 3rd & 7. Two plays later, however, Tua forced a throw into coverage, with Baltimore snaring the interception off a deflection.
• The Ravens converted a pair of third downs and a fourth-down play, moving into the red zone. After three straight goal-line stops (including a play that was called a touchdown before being overturned), Lamar Jackson fumbled on a fourth-down sneak attempt as Wilkins jarred the ball loose, giving the 'Fins the ball back at their own 6-yard line.
• Miami got out of the shadow of its own goal post with a floater to Waddle, who quickly scampered down the sideline for a 59-yard pickup. Back-to-back first down passes to Hill and Sherfield set up the Dolphins, and Waddle paid it off with a bubble screen that saw him pick up nice blocks from Eichenberg and Armstead to tie the score at 7.
• The tie was short-lived however, as Rashod Bateman beat Howard badly on a slant on the first Ravens play, racing 75 yards for a touchdown and a 14-7 advantage.
• Ingold picked up a fourth-and-short by taking the snap from a center, but back-to-back blown blocking assignments allowed Justin Houston to hit Tua twice, forcing a punt.
• A 19-yard Jackson scramble was followed by a 26-yard strike to Mark Andrews, then a 1-yard pass to Andrews for a touchdown that saw three Baltimore players be wide open as the home team forged ahead, 21-7.
• Two first downs gave Miami life, but Tua threw deep into double coverage for Waddle as he was being pressured, resulting in an interception by Marcus Williams.
• The Ravens wasted no time, with Isaiah Likely picking up 34 yards on a play that featured poor effort and worse tackling by the 'Fins. Ingram lost contain, then jumped offsides, with Jackson finishing the drive with a 12-yard touchdown to Robinson. With just 29 seconds remaining in the half, Baltimore held a 28-7 lead.
• Miami got the ball to start the second half, and proceeded to get Mostert going, with three straight touches for 33 yards. An illegal block in the back on Williams slowed the drive and forced a 2nd & 24, but Tua hit Hill for 14 and Waddle 11 to convert. On 3rd & 13 from the Baltimore 14, Tua threw a pass that looked like it was going to sail through the uprights, but Gesicki climbed the ladder to make an incredible catch and trim the margin to 28-14.
• The Dolphins quickly forced a three-and-out, but a tripping call on Edmonds forced a 2nd & 16 that Miami couldn't overcome, forcing a punt.
• On the ensuing 3rd & 2, Jackson kept it on an RPO and burst into the secondary, where "X" couldn't catch the signal-caller on his way to a 79-yard touchdown and a 35-14 lead.
• Tua quickly hit Waddle for 33 yards to end the third quarter, then found him again for 12 and 16 yards to set the 'Fins up in the red zone. On 3rd & goal, Tua spun away from pressure and found River Cracraft (who was hit late without a call) from two yards out to pay off the drive and cut the margin to 35-21.
• Sieler stuffed Jackson on 3rd & 2, then Roberts, Flowers, and Eguavoen combined to stop Jackson again on 4th & 1, giving Miami life and good field position at their own 41-yard line.
• A Waddle drop that should have been intercepted set up a 3rd & 10, giving Tua a chance to roll out and hit Hill open on a coverage bust for a 48-yard touchdown. The ball was underthrown, but the Ravens never turned to look for the ball, allowing the Dolphins to creep closer at 35-28.
• A dropped pick-six by Howard marked the next possession, but Miami still managed to force a rare Ravens punt.
• Three plays later, Baltimore once again inexplicably left Hill uncovered, and Tua took advantage, hitting "Cheetah" from 60 yards out to knot the score at 35 with 5:19 remaining.
• The Ravens used 16-yard passes to Andrews and Duvernay to move into Miami territory, but Ingram pressured Jackson on a deep shot to Andrews that fell harmlessly into the end zone, with Rowe in coverage. Justin Tucker drilled a 51-yard field goal with 2:18 remaining to put Baltimore up 38-35, with the Ravens declining an offside penalty on the 'Fins.
• Under pressure, Tua threw a no-look 21-yarder to Hill, then followed with a nine-yarder to Hill. On 2nd & 1, Edmonds took a shotgun handoff and busted loose off the right side -- sprung by a stellar block by Little -- racing 28 yards to the Baltimore 7-yard line. After throwing high for Waddle on a play that should have drawn on obvious interference, Tua rolled out and threw a dangerous pass to Waddle, who high-pointed the ball above the defender for a touchdown and a 42-38 advantage with just 14 seconds remaining.
• Jackson hit Andrews for 15 yards and Wallace for nine to set up a Hail Mary, but the ball came up short and incomplete to Bateman, with "X" in coverage to end the heart-stopping contest.

2022 Schedule

Miami 20, New England 7 (1-0)

Miami 42, Baltimore 38 (2-0)

Day 921, Quasi-Quarantine: Self-Deprecation, Radical Transparency Propel "Permanent Record" Toward Required Reading

"A 'whistleblower,' in my definition, is a person who through hard experience has concluded that their life inside an institution has become incompatible with the principles developed in -- and the loyalty owed to -- the greater society outside it, to which that institution should be accountable."

Tossing expectations out the window is the best way to approach "Permanent Record," an autobiography of Edward Snowden's rise to infamy. 

A meticulous -- and occasionally diffuse -- writer, he covers his childhood, growing fascination with computers, search for belonging, battle with epilepsy, and eventual recognition of the lies and abuses perpetrated by the government he adored.

"If most of what people wanted to do online was to be able to tell their family, friends, and strangers what they were up to, and to be told what their family, friends, and strangers were up to in return, then all companies had to do was figure out how to put themselves in the middle of those social exchanges and turn them into profit. This was the beginning of surveillance capitalism, and the end of the Internet as I knew it."

Snowden goes to great pains to explain very technical concepts in a very accessible way, and the result effectively circumvents efforts to smear him and his decisions to expose privacy abuses and governmental lies.

"A decade later, it had become clear, to me at least, that the repeated evocations of terror by the political class were not a response to any specific threat or concern but a cynical attempt to turn terror into a permanent danger that required permanent vigilance enforced by questionable authority."

The author even delves into a discussion of institutionalized gaslighting perpetrated by a government once held up as a global model.

"The attempts by elected officials to delegitimize journalism have been aided and abetted by a full-on assault on the principle of truth. What is real is being purposefully conflated with what is fake, through technologies that are capable of scaling that conflation into unprecedented global confusion."

" ... The creation of irreality has always been the Intelligence Community's darkest art."

Obviously this is a one-sided account by its very nature, but "Permanent Record" should be essential reading for anyone interested in pivotal moments involved in democracy's seeming crash course.

"I still struggle to accept the sheer magnitude and speed of the change, from an America that sought to define itself by a calculated and performative respect for dissent to a security state whose militarized police demand obedience, drawing their guns and issuing the order for total submission now heard in every city: 'Stop resisting.'"

"Technology doesn't have a Hippocratic oath. So many decisions that have been made by technologists in academia, industry, the military, and government since at least the Industrial Revolution have been made on the basis of 'can we,' not 'should we.'"

Day 920, Quasi-Quarantine: The Low-Key Republic Fighter Tank Is A Sneaky-Strong Addition To Your Lego Inventory

 

Lego sent a love note to all "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" fans by releasing the Republic Fighter Tank (set #75342).

This 262-piece, quick build features a cool hover effect and a pair of spring-loaded shooters, perfect for reliving classic Clone Wars confrontations.

The set comes with two 187th Legion Clone Troopers and a Clone Commander, as well as the stellar Mace Windu minifigure, which is highlighted by unique arm printing. As a bonus, the set comes with a pair of Battle Droids as well.

This is among the most reasonably priced Lego sets I can remember of recent vintage. Six minifigures -- including multiple highly-sought-after ones -- plus a ship with solid playability? Mark this as a worthy set for those looking to build out clone battalions as well as those seeking a nostalgic addition to their Star Wars collections.

Day 919, Quasi-Quarantine: Tua Taps Into The Extraterrestrial In Surreal Landmark Win

What better way to represent the TuAnon phenomenon than with an "X-Files" gif?

After looking completely outclassed in the first half, Tua Tagovailoa helped fashion the biggest road comeback in the history of the Miami Dolphins, bringing the 'Fins back from a 35-14 deficit against the Baltimore Ravens by throwing for 469 yards and six touchdowns.

Nothing makes sense anymore. But I'm not asking questions, either.

2-0. Onward.

Limerick Friday #558: There Are No Fingernails Left In Queens -- Day 916

 

As anyone could've foretold

The Metsies have gone cold

A sinking ship

Choking as they grip

During the annual fold

Move at a snail's pace

A no-self-awareness case

Useless as fuck

So hey, good luck

Finding a better place

Patsies wilting in the Miami heat

For another big Dolphins beat

Yes, Tua was terrifying

But I should be clarifying

No downside to crushing Belicheat

One of the greatest sportsmen of all time

Turned tennis into the sublime

The Swiss Maestro

Said it's time to go

Best ever and Federer rhyme

There are no magic potions

For a week of emotions

Exhaustion and sadness

Gratitude and gladness

It all made me miss the oceans

Last time ...

Day 915, Quasi-Quarantine: Dolphins-Patriots Game 1 Review

 

Committing no turnovers and just four penalties, Miami notched a season-opening win against the visiting Patsies, 20-7. In his first game as coach, 39-year-old Mike McDaniel recorded his first victory. The blemishes were an uneven performance by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (who nevertheless improved to a sterling 4-0 vs. New England) and some immature and stupid playcalling at the end, which led to Bill Belicheat being pretty pissed afterward.

On to the this-is-my-pity-face recap ...

Offense

• Frankly (pun intended), Miami's offense did not look any different under new offensive coordinator Frank Smith and McDaniel. The Dolphins managed just 65 rushing yards, averaging under three yards per carry, and finished with 307 total offensive yards (5.2 yards per play) despite forcing three Patriots turnovers and controlling time of possession (32:30-27:30). In addition to not committing a turnover, the 'Fins converted a respectable six of 14 third down attempts, and also got conversions on a pair of fourth downs. However, Miami did not convert either red zone visit into a touchdown.
• Tua's final numbers looked much better than he actually played, as he went 23 of 33 for 270 yards and a touchdown. He got away with some shaky throws, was less accurate than normal, scrambled twice for zero yards, held the ball too long, was sacked three times, fumbled once, and narrowly avoided multiple turnovers. Going forward, the Dolphins are going to need much cleaner play from the signal-caller position.
• Chase Edmonds got the most snaps in the backfield (38), but managed just 25 yards on a dozen carries, though he did add 40 yards on four receptions, with a long of 15. Raheem Mostert (25 snaps) got just five carries for 16 yards (including an 11-yarder), but he did have a crucial 16-yard catch and run. Alec Ingold (22 snaps) converted a 3rd & 1 with a 2-yard run, caught a pass for 8 yards, and was targeted on a downfield toss at one point. Last year's starter, Myles Gaskin, was inactive, but much more was expected from the rushing attack considering McDaniel's pedigree. Granted, New England is stout against the run, but Miami is going to have to rely more on the ground game in coming weeks.
• At wide receiver, Tyreek Hill made a big impact in his Miami debut, reeling in eight passes on 12 targets for 94 yards, with a long of 26. He added a six-yard run, but bad fundamentals led to him carrying the ball in the wrong hand and fumbling out of bounds at one point. Jaylen Waddle (75.4 grade from Pro Football Focus, second-best on the offense) made the  most of his targets, snaring four balls for 69 yards -- including his 42-yard touchdown on a pivotal fourth-down play -- and rushing once for eight yards. Another new Dolphin, Cedrick Wilson, caught a pair of passes for 20 yards and contributed an eight-yard run. Trent Sherfield (21 snaps) caught an eight-yard pass, while River Cracraft was the only other wideout to play, earning 10 snaps. All three of Miami's top receivers got a rushing attempt, giving a snapshot of how the 'Fins likely intend to bolster a lackluster running game. 
• The tight ends were mostly relegated to blocking in this one with Durham Smythe (38 snaps) posting a 14-yard reception and Mike Gesicki (25 snaps) adding a one-yard catch. Hunter Long (12 snaps) and Cethan Carter, who left with a concussion, provided depth, but the Gesicki usage is troubling and is a likely indicator that the 'Fins should have traded him this offseason.
• In a repeat of so many 2021 recaps, the offensive line was, well, offensive. New center Connor Williams was assigned an 82.3 grade by PFF and even better marks in run blocking, but he was badly beaten on a play that resulted in a fumble that he fortunately recovered. New left tackle Terron Armstead missed two snaps with an injury but otherwise allowed only a single pressure in 35 pass-blocking snaps, while new right tackle Austin Jackson was limited to just 14 snaps due to an ankle injury. Liam Eichenberg (left guard) and Robert Hunt (right guard) played all 60 snaps but struggled to limit penetration by the Patriots front, and reserves Greg Little (45 snaps) and Robert Jones (three snaps) pitched in due to injuries. While the line was not helped by Tua's tendency to hold on to the ball, they allowed way too many clean rushers and created way too few running lanes in a disappointing start to the campaign for the unit.

Defense

• Miami came out strong on this side of the ball, holding the Patsies to just 271 yards, forcing three turnovers, and scoring a defensive touchdown. New England went four of nine on third downs and didn't convert its only fourth-down attempt. Despite surrendering a pair of 12-yard runs, the 'Fins still held the Patriots to 78 rushing yards and a 3.5-yards-per-carry average, not allowing the visitors to sustain a consistent ground game. The Dolphins will need to generate more pressure from its front four throughout the season, but New England quarterback Mac Jones did focus on getting the ball out quickly.
• Up front, Miami got plus games from its defensive ends, with Emmanuel Ogbah setting the tone with four tackles, a sack, a stop for loss, and two quarterback hits on his way to a 76.5 PFF grade. Christian Wilkins added five stops, including one for a loss, while Zach Sieler posted two solo stops and a pass breakup.
• At nose tackle, Raekwon Davis played one of his better games, recording five stops in 36 snaps. John Jenkins added a tackle in his 10 snaps.
• At outside linebacker, Melvin Ingram had a memorable Dolphins debut, picking up two tackles, a stop for a loss, a fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown to earn a 76.8 PFF grade in his 32 snaps. Jaelan Phillips struggled on the strong side, registering a tackle and a fumble recovery in his 40 snaps, but also losing his man in coverage for an easy score. Recovering from having his appendix removed, Andrew Van Ginkel saw just seven snaps (making one tackle), and the unit missed his motor in this one.
• On the inside, Jerome Baker led the linebackers with six tackles, playing every snap. Elandon Roberts had five stops, but missed multiple tackles in space and generally had a forgettable game. In his 20 snaps, Duke Riley contributed four tackles and a pass breakup.
• Xavien Howard played every snap at corner, making a pair of solo tackles, breaking up an end zone pass that turned into an interception, and getting flagged for illegal contact. On the other side, Nik Needham played all but one snap, notching four solo tackles, and despite getting beat deep a few times, played winning football. In reserve, Kader Kohou stood out, recording three tackles, a stop for loss, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble in just 18 snaps -- earning a PFF grade of 91.2, the highest on the team. Keion Crossen had two stops in 16 snaps, while Justin Bethel added a solo tackle.
• At strong safety, Brandon Jones was everywhere, playing all 57 snaps and leading the way with 11 tackles, plus a sack, quarterback hit, pass breakup, and a forced fumble that led to a defensive score. Jones also displayed a unique ability to make himself small to fill gaps in run support. At free safety, Jevon Holland played every snap as well, delivering three solo tackles and a pass breakup to go with his pick. With Eric Rowe inactive with a pectoral injury and Clayton Fejedelem on IR, Elijah Campbell had two tackles in four scrimmage snaps.

Special teams

• Jason Sanders had a promising start to the season, hitting a pair of 40+-yard field goals and both extra points.
• In his first game as a 'Fin, Thomas Morestead averaged 45.8 on four punts (with a long of 58), with three downed inside the 20-yard line, including a pair inside the 10-yard line. He also adeptly handled a poor snap on one of his punts.
• Despite a lot of intrigue surrounding Hill or Waddle handling punts, Holland was back at punt returner, fair-catching two punts inside the 10-yard line -- which may earn him some extra coaching this week.
• On kickoffs, Mostert had a 16-yard return and Ingold added a 12-yarder.
• Smythe (14) and Sherfield (13) led the way in special teams snaps offensively, while Riley (15), Bethel (15), and Crossen (13) paced Miami defenders.

Momentum plays

• After an impressive New England drive that saw a nice mix of runs and passes, Mac Jones ill-advisedly challenged Xavien Howard, targeting former Dolphins DeVante Parker on a deep jump ball in the end zone. "X" swatted the pass away, and Jevon Holland came over to snare the ball and return it 31 yards.
• Tyreek Hill converted a 3rd & 2 with a short catch, then New England jump offsides on 4th & 1 to continue the ensuing Miami possession. Connor Williams was beaten badly on a 3rd & 7 play, resulting in a strip sack on Tua, with Williams fortunately recovering the fumble to set up a 43-yard Jason Sanders field goal.
• Following an exchange of punts, Brandon Jones perfectly timed a safety blitz, hit Jones, and forced a fumble that Ingram scooped up for an easy score and a 10-0 lead.
• The 'Fins overcame a stellar catch by Jakobi Meyers to force another punt, and clutch conversions to Hill and Waddle got Miami moving from its own 8-yard line. On an ill-advised jump ball, Hill stole away an interception for a nice gain, but the Dolphins faced a 4th & 7 with just 24 seconds left in the half. Instead of punting, Tua hit Waddle on a slant, and he made three New England defensive backs run into other as he scampered 42 yards for a score and a 17-0 advantage with just 18 seconds remaining in the half.
• After a quick Miami three-and-out to start the second half, New England put together a lengthy drive, aided by an illegal contact call on "X" on a fourth-down shot to the end zone. On 3rd & goal, the 'Fins rushed three, putting Phillips in coverage, where he lost his man in the flat for an easy Patsies touchdown, cutting the margin to 17-7.
• The Dolphins responded, getting an 18-yard catch-and-run from Hill and a 16-yard catch-and -run from Mostert to move into New England territory. Miami had to settle for a 49-yard field goal from Sanders, which barely tucked inside the left upright to push the score to 20-7.
• An exchange of punts gave the Patriots good field position at their own 43-yard line, but a Sieler run stuff on 3rd & 3 paved the way for a huge Kohou pass breakup on fourth down to end the New England opportunity.
• An ugly Dolphins drive ensued, with Tua nearly throwing an interception before nearly fumbling. In a huge moment, Morehead cleanly fielded a terrible snap, then calmly drilled a 41-yarder that was downed at the 5-yard line by Crossen.
• Kohou made his presence felt again, this time drilling Nelson Agholor to jar the ball loose, with Phillips pouncing on the ball for (what should have been) the game-clinching turnover.
• Inexplicably, Miami came out looking to throw deep, with Tua holding the ball too long and putting an easy win in jeopardy. Fortunately, the Dolphins got bailed out by a Patriots penalty that converted a 3rd & 2, allowing the home team to kneel on it twice to secure the victory.

2022 Schedule

Miami 20, New England 7 (1-0)

Day 914, Quasi-Quarantine: Off-Putting Structure Undercuts Intriguing "A Visit From The Goon Squad"

"Alex closed his eyes and listened: a storefront gate sliding down. A dog barking hoarsely. The lowing of trucks over bridges. The velvety night in his ears. And the hum, always that hum, which maybe wasn't an echo after all, but the sound of time passing."

A dizzying tale that laments the loss of youth and dissects generational gaps, "A Visit from the Goon Squad" is a quick, fun read. Jennifer Egan sketches memorable characters, but makes them difficult to place in her continuum of interweaving plots.

Admittedly, the author's sneaky humor and cultural commentary do make up for some of the discontinuity along the way.

"Kathy's husband, Clay, wore seersucker shorts and a pink oxford shirt, an ensemble that might have seemed ironic on a different sort of person."

"'This is my period of youthful experimentation,' he says, with an earnestness that would be laughable in a person who wasn't from Wisconsin."

The music industry is an undercurrent running through the story, but not being able to characterize the book as a novel or a collection of short stories can lead to some reader disorientation (if looked at as a collection of short stories, "Goodbye, My Love" is the standout here for me). 

"I can't tell if she's actually real, or if she's stopped caring if she's real or not. Or is not caring what makes a person real?"

Egan's talent is apparent throughout, and accepting her embrace of non-traditional, post-modern structural decisions is key to a full appreciation of "A Visit from the Goon Squad."

But, somehow, this book won the Pulitzer Prize in 2011, and -- not to put too fine a point on it -- I just didn't see it.

" ... Atavistic purism. AP implies the existence of an ethically perfect state, which not only doesn't exist and never existed, but it's usually used to shore up the prejudices of whoever's making the judgments."

Day 913, Quasi-Quarantine: Missing Mo

 

It's been a decade since we lost this lovely lady. 

Not a day goes by that I don't think about her.

Much love and laughs, Mom.

Day 912, Quasi-Quarantine: Just Over Rockin' Out To "You've Got a Work Friend"

This instant hilarity feels hyper-pertinent on the occasion of my 5th work anniversary.

Limerick Friday #557: The Pack Fades A Brutal Programmatic Setback -- Day 909

Did the worst they could do
On the road at ECU
Couldn't believe it
We went from NC State Shit
To NC State *pshew*!

A Friday imposition
Of meeting repetition
I'll just be over here
Making my mind clear
Don't mind the fetal position

Slumps and ruts
Hitting like a putz
The bullpen a mess
If you follow the Mets
Time to hold on to your butts

Bored and isolated
Scared and enervated
Bribes and safeguards
Even courage cards
This generation we've created

A long offseason at an end
How you feel will depend
On who you believe
And what's up your team's sleeve
Can the 'Fins actually contend?

Last time ...

Day 908, Quasi-Quarantine: The 'Fins Subvert Building Plan To Go All In On Tyreek Hill

The Dolphins set the NFL news cycle on fire in March when they landed Kansas City Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill, trading five draft picks for the six-time Pro Bowler. Miami sent its first- (29th overall), second- (50th overall), and fourth-round picks in the 2022 draft to the Chiefs, in addition to fourth- and sixth-rounders in 2023. The 'Fins then promptly inked Hill to a four-year, $120 million extension, including a whopping $72.2 million guaranteed.

The pluses: I mean ... Speed. Hill leads the NFL with 14 catches of more than 50 yards since he came into the league in 2016. Still only 28 years old, he's coming off back-to-back 1,200-yard-plus seasons. In his six-year career, he's racked up 6,630 receiving yards on 479 catches, with a 13.8-yard average and 56 touchdowns. Hill is also a legitimate threat on reverses and in the return game, where he is likely to get some opportunities for Miami. As a bonus, the Dolphins beat out the Jets to land him -- a minor detail but a meaningful one in the context of the AFC East.

The minuses: I mean ... off-the-field issues. Hill faced domestic abuse charges in 2014 after choking and punching a pregnant girlfriend, leading to him being thrown off Oklahoma State's football team. He was also investigated for battery of a juvenile in 2019. On the field, his per-catch average (11.2) was its lowest since his rookie year, and he won't have Patrick Mahomes slinging the ball to him. Will the Dolphins offense -- and signal-caller Tua Tagavailoa -- be capable of featuring his top skills? At 5-10, 191 pounds, Hill also is susceptible to injury, though he's been pretty durable to date.

The bottom line: I understand it. But I wouldn't have done it.

 

Teams are more open to following the Rams model now, swapping draft-pick lottery tickets for proven assets. And honestly, the draft collateral doesn't even bother me that much -- how many times have the Dolphins accrued a slew of picks, only to misfire on 75% of them (hint: a LOT)? My concern leans more toward the idea that Miami pulled the plug on a sustained, painful building process for a wide receiver with character issues and a monumental contract. If you're willing to detonate the "plan," don't you do that for a quarterback (no, not Deshaun Watson)? Again, I get the appeal and I appreciate the dynamism and open space he could bring to the 'Fins attack, which coincides with a new coach and era in Miami. So while I can't disagree with the move, I personally would not have made it for the player and position the franchise did.

Day 907, Quasi-Quarantine: "White Noise" Transcends Satire With A Scathing, Hysterical Assessment Of Contemporary Society

 

"In these night recitations we create a space between things as we felt them at the time and as we speak them now. This is the space reserved for irony, sympathy and fond amusement, the means by which we rescue ourselves from the past."

Resisting any genre labels, "White Noise" is a brilliant satire that is part commentary on consumerism, part observation of environmental degradation, part statement on the dissolution of the nuclear family, and part vivisection of academia -- among other themes. 

Don DeLillo's clever, flowing language and believable dialogue lend an air of modernity to this example of postmodern literature, making the novel feel much fresher than its nearly 40 years.

"These things happen to poor people who live in exposed areas. Society is set up in such a way that it's the poor and the uneducated who suffer the main impact of natural and man-made disasters. People in low-lying areas get the floods, people in shanties get the hurricanes and tornados. I'm a college professor. Did you ever see a college professor rowing a boat down his own street in one of those floods?

"I'm not just a college professor. I'm the head of a department. I don't see myself fleeing an airborne toxic event. That's for people who live in mobile homes out in the scrubby parts of the county, where the fish hatcheries are."

The much-divorced pioneer of Hitler studies, Jack Gladney, navigates his midlife crisis under the specter of a radiation event. As he juggles a morass of children, stepchildren, and exes, Gladney is in constant struggle against the reality of his own mortality.

That the author is able to render the pervasive feeling of impending doom into a comedic undercurrent is a tribute to DeLillo's literary brilliance and nuanced grasp of issues of mortality and culture.

"Murray said, 'I don't trust anybody's nostalgia but my own. Nostalgia is a product of dissatisfaction and rage. It's a settling of grievances between the present and the past. The more powerful the nostalgia, the closer you come to violence. War is the form nostalgia takes when men are hard-pressed to say something good about their country.'"