Day 649, Quasi-Quarantine: Seize Your Festivus For The Rest Of Us

 

As we prep for hiatus, I encourage you to make the most of your airing of grievances and feats of strength. This year has asked and taken a lot from us, so it's time to grab a marble rye and let the expletives fly.

Happy Festivus to one and all ...

Day 648, Quasi-Quarantine: Dolphins-Jets Game 14 Review

 

As predicted, this one was ugly, with the offense struggling to find its footing without rookie centerpiece Jaylen Waddle and the defense experiencing a few bumps without rookie safety Jevon Holland. In a surprise twist, running back Duke Johnson basically saved Miami's season with a career game (127 total yards and two scores) after being called up from the practice squad.

When the Dolphins were 1-7, getting to .500 felt like a pipe dream, with the idea being to get there and see who is left. Well, in the AFC, it's pretty much everybody, which means having the league's third-hardest remaining schedule is suboptimal. But now how matter how it looked, the 'Fins have won six in a row -- allowing the team to cling to its playoff life for at least another week.

On to the holiday recap ...

Offense

• The Dolphins dominated time of possession (34:22 to 25:38), but three turnovers hurt the team's efficiency. Miami racked up 379 total yards and 23 first downs, converting five of 12 third downs and two of three fourth downs. Perhaps most importantly, the 'Fins turned five red zone visits into four touchdowns.
• In his worst game of the streak, Tua was 16 of 27 for 196 yards with two touchdowns and two picks, and he was sacked once. He added 19 yards on seven rushes and recovered his own fumble at one point, but the sheer number of risky throws and iffy decisions was overwhelming. Backup Jacoby Brissett (finally) got into the act with a rush for two yards and a key fourth-down conversion among his three snaps.
• As noted, Johnson was stellar, racking up 107 rushing yards on 22 carries and adding a pair of touchdowns to earn a 83.5 grade from PFF. Despite a long of just 12 yards and a reputation as purely a receiving back (he added a 20-yard catch), Johnson was effective running between the tackles and displayed tremendous contact balance. Myles Gaskin (26 snaps) backed him up effectively, ripping off a 30-yarder as part of his 54 rushing yards on 10 carries, though he did not factor in the passing game.
• Minus Waddle, wideouts caught just eight passes for Miami. Parker stepped up with four catches (on eight targets) for 68 yards and a touchdown. His scoring grab was a great pluck on a slant that was thrown early and behind him, and he also added a 37-yard reception in traffic to set up another touchdown. Isaiah "Zombie" Ford added 51 yards on three receptions (including a pair of clutch third-down receptions) for an 83.5 PFF grade in only 19 snaps, while Albert Wilson had only a nine-yard grab (off a tipped pass) despite playing 41 snaps. Mack Hollins (13 snaps) and Preston Williams (nine snaps) were shut out as the fourth and fifth wideouts. The receivers were not utilized a ton, but Parker in particular made his catches count. 
• At tight end, Mike Gesicki was targeted eight times, reeling in five for 43 yards, with a long of 20. Durham Smythe had just a four-yard grab in his 65 snaps, while Hunter Long had a rough day, being flagged for holding twice and having his lone target end up as a pick-six on an ill-advised Tua decision.
• With Tua struggling, the Dolphins needed a big effort in the ground game -- and they got it. The 'Fins hammered away, rushing the ball 42 times for 183 yards (4.4 yards per carry), at times bullying the New York front seven. Rookie left tackle Liam Eichenberg (76.3 PFF grade, his career-best rating), guards Robert Hunt (71.5) and Austin Jackson (70.4), and center Michael Dieter (68.3, his best grade this year) all played winning football. Despite being whistled for a hold, Hunt put together his third straight 70-plus PFF grade, and his physicality seems to be rubbing off on Jackson, as the duo did not concede a single pressure on 62 pass-blocking snaps. Right tackle Jesse Davis (39.2 grade) continued his struggles, being beaten three times and allowing two pressures (the 'Fins only allowed four all game long) according to PFF, with a false start to boot. Interestingly, undrafted rookie free agent guard Robert Jones played 10 snaps in jumbo packages.

Defense

• The Jets managed just 228 total yards and 16 first downs, with Miami registering six sacks and limiting the visitors to 3 of 11 on third down. New York did convert two of three red zone opportunities into touchdowns and only turned the ball over once, which kept them in the game. The visitors clearly missed injured Elijah Moore -- who gave Miami fits the first time around -- and quarterback Zach Wilson relied on his tight ends a lot in this one, with Ryan Griffin, Tyler Kroft, and Trevon Wesco combining for 93 yards on five catches.
• On the edge, Andrew Van Ginkel (five tackles, one sack, one quarterback hit) and Emmanuel Ogbah (two solo stops, one sack, one batted pass, two quarterback hits, one fumble recovery) combined for 11 pressures. Rookie Jaelen Phillips had two tackles and one stop for loss in 41 snaps.
• On the interior, Christian Wilkins had a big game, racking up seven tackles, one stop for loss, a batted pass, and a touchdown catch on a goal-line toss. Zach Sieler made the most of his 28 snaps, with three tackles, a game-changing strip sack, a batted pass, and a quarterback hit, finishing with an 89.5 PFF grade. Raekwon Davis had a pair of assisted tackles in 31 snaps, while Adam Butler didn't record a statistic in 28 snaps.
• Jerome Baker was a terror from the linebacker spot, with seven tackles, two sacks, and two quarterback hits, showing stellar energy as a blitzer. Elandon Roberts posted six tackles, good for a 77.9 PFF grade. As the third 'backer, Duke Riley added four tackles, including a pair of solo stops, on nine snaps.
• Both Xavien Howard and Byron Jones bounced back after subpar games in the first matchup with the Jets. Jones had three solo tackles and two pass breakups for an 89.5 PFF grade, while Howard had three tackles and a hit on the signal-caller. In the slot, Eric Rowe had three tackles in 33 snaps and Justin Coleman added a pair in 36 snaps.
• In Holland's absence, Brandon Jones led the way at safety with six tackles, a sack, and a quarterback hit. Instead of his customary nickel duty, Nik Needham played extensively at free safety, coming up with five tackles, including three solo stops, in his 57 snaps.

Special teams

• Jason Sanders converted his only field goal (from 24 yards) and all four of his extra points, showing terrific distance on his kickoffs.
• Coming off AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, Michael Palardy averaged 53 yards on three punts, placing one inside the 20-yard line.
• Someone named Tommylee Lewis returned a punt for five yards. I got nuthin'.
• Though what actually happened on the play was never quite explained, Clayton Fejedelem was credited with a lost a fumble when he took a snap off the facemask on a punt attempt.

Momentum plays

• Miami started the game with a three-and-out thanks to a fumbled RPO exchange between Tua and Johnson.
• Palardy's punt put the Jets at their own 17-yard line, but New York put together a balanced drive (five runs, five passes) that featured bootlegs to the tight end and good inside running. A third-down flanker reverse with a pass option led to Raleigh native Braxton Berrios running through Howard for the early score -- marking the first touchdown allowed by the Dolphins defense in 24 possessions.
• On the first play of the following drive, Tua airmailed a pass to Parker, leading to an easy pick for the Jets' Ashtyn Davis, setting up the visitors on the 'Fins' 25-yard line.
• Missed tackles by Rowe and Byron Jones allowed Kroft to hammer his way to a first down, but a trick play involving a throw back to Wilson was knocked down by Sieler -- though Baker looked to have an interception if not for the PBU. Good coverage led to a third-down throwaway by Wilson, leading to a short field goal and a 10-0 Jets advantage.
• Another Dolphins three-and-out was marked by back-to-back poor throws by Tua, including a dropped interception by Davis on third down.
• A third-down drop ended the Jets ensuing possession, and a personal foul on New York for hitting the return man on a fair catch seemed to give the 'Fins life.
• Johnson powered his way to a first down on a 3rd & 1, and Miami got another break when a tipped pass intended for Gesicki was caught by Wilson. Tua made his best throw of the game on the following play, fitting a 37-yarder to Parker between two defenders. Johnson paid off the drive when he slid off contact to launch himself into the end zone, trimming the margin to 10-7.
• Two Miami penalties -- a roughing-the-passer penalty on Van Ginkel and a 3rd & 1 flag for too many men on the field -- got the Jets going on the next drive. Coleman and Ogbah then missed sacks on the next play, allowing Wilson to find Griffin for a big gainer. Three straight powerful runs by Tevin Coleman set up a Wilson sneak for a touchdown to extend the lead back to 10 at 17-7.
• The 'Fins found an offensive tempo on the ensuing possession, with Johnson ripping off a 12-yarder and Tua finding Parker for another first. Brissett came in on third- and fourth-and-short plays, pitching to Johnson for a big first down on 4th & 1. A few plays later, an RPO hit to G-Sick set up first and goal, but Tua followed with a too-late throw to Smythe, an awful decision to throw into triple coverage to Gesicki in the end zone, and then a throwaway under pressure. Sanders barely snuck the short field goal inside the left upright, making it 17-10.
• New York converted a 3rd & 15 with a half-field hook and lateral from Jamison Crowder to Berrios for 23 yards, but a Baker sack stymied the drive, forcing a tremendous Jets punt that was downed at Miami's 5-yard line, causing the Dolphins to kneel on the ball to end the half.
• An Ogbah sack helped force a Jets three-and-out to start the second half, and Miami struck quickly with a deep third-down pass that saw Ford outfight the defender for a stellar 27-yard catch. Johnson took a dumpoff pass and broke tackles for a 20-yard pickup, then Tua hit G-Sick to convert a 3rd & 9 and set up a goal-to-go situation. Johnson powered through multiple defenders and was carried into the end zone from there to tie the game at 17.
• A 3rd & 4 that saw Wilson avoid sacks by Coleman and Wilkins, then elude Howard and Butler, gave the Jets life, but sacks by Brandon Jones and Van Ginkel led to a poor punt.
• Taking over at their own 42-yard line, the Dolphins went to work again, with Ford again converting a key third down. Tua ran over a New York safety to energize the crowd, then five straight runs culminated in a fourth-down conversion by Brissett. An end zone interference call drawn by Parker set up Miami at the 1-yard line, and Tua lofted a short pass to Wilkins -- of all people -- who fought the ball for a bit before holding on for a touchdown and a 24-17 advantage.
• On the following drive, Kroft ripped off a 22-yarder catch and run when Van Ginkel lost containment, then Coleman made Brandon Jones miss to get loose for another 22 yards on a run. Sieler came to the rescue for the 'Fins, sacking Wilson and forcing a fumble that was recovered by Ogbah.
• A holding call on Hunter Long put Miami in a tough spot, but a 17-yard pass to Ford set up 3rd & 1. When Gaskin came up short, the Dolphins showed punt on 4th & inches, but the snap hit Fejedelem in the face on what may have been a fake attempt, and the Jets pounced on the ball to gain possession on Miami's 45-yard line.
• The 'Fin "D" came up with a huge stop, forcing a three-and-out that was punctuated by a sack that was credited to Baker but could have been split between he and Ogbah. The punt was not great, but Miami looked to get a generous spot on where it actually went out of bounds.
• Unable to stand prosperity, a long run that saw Johnson break four tackles was nullified by joint holding calls on Hunt and Long. On the next play, Tua lollipopped a telegraphed pass (to mix a metaphor) intended for Long, allowing an easy pick-six by New York's Brandin Echols to tie the score at 24 with 7:45 remaining.
• After Johnson stiff-armed his way to a first-down run, Gaskin busted loose for a 30-yard jaunt before it was Johnson's turn again for a hard-charging first-down carry. After Tua threw too late for Parker in the end zone, the signal-caller redeemed himself with a 3rd & 9 slant to Parker, who made a tremendous catch on a hard-to-handle ball. Parker flopped across the goal line for the go-ahead score at 31-24 with 3:37 left.
• A three-and-out that saw more strong pressure on Wilson was followed by a 63-yard New York punt that was poorly returned by Lewis.
• Miami went three-and-out on a drive that saw two more dangerous throws by Tua, including a 3rd & 5 pass intended for Parker.
• New York took over at its own 37-yard line after the Palardy punt, but Phillips drew a monumental holding penalty to erase a Wilson scramble. The quarterback missed an open man high on 1st & 20, then Ogbah knocked down the 2nd & 20 toss. A 10-yarder to Crowder set up a 4th & 10, but Byron Jones tackled the receiver a yard short to give possession -- and the game -- to the 'Fins. Two Tua kneel-downs cemented Miami's sixth straight win and another sweep of the hated Jets.

2021 Schedule

Miami 17, New England 16 (1-0)

Buffalo 35, Miami 0 (1-1)

Oakland 31, Miami 28 [OT] (1-2)

Indianapolis 27, Miami 17 (1-3)

Tampa Bay 45, Miami 17 (1-4)

Jacksonville 23, Miami 20 (1-5)

Atlanta 30, Miami 28 (1-6)

Buffalo 26, Miami 11 (1-7)

Miami 17, Houston 9 (2-7)

Miami 22, Baltimore 10 (3-7)

Miami 24, New York Jets 17 (4-7)

Miami 33, Carolina 10 (5-7)

Miami 20, New York Giants 9 (6-7)

Miami 31, New York Jets 24 (7-7)

Day 647, Quasi-Quarantine: "The Office" Funko Advent Calendar Cements Legendary Status With Week 3 Haul

 

After a first week littered with the stars and a second week highlighted by some "B" players, week three brought some truly stellar finds.

• Day 15: Kevin with pot of chili
• Day 16: Michael with doo-rag
• Day 17: Mose
• Day 18: Belschnickel!
• Day 19: Kelly Kapoor in Casual Friday attire
• Day 20: Ryan with dyed hair and shades
• Day 21: Creed

In last week's recap, I mentioned the hope for four characters, and I was half right. I had also -- somehow -- omitted the need for a Creed Bratton, and Funko came through with a "Chase" version of the larger Creed Funko, complete with blood and a "Boo" cup.

With three days left, I can speculate that there may be a Santa Claus version of Michael Scott, with the potential for a Roy, Jan, or *fingers crossed* Todd Packer.

I couldn't be happier with the third week's reveals, and overall this has been an amazing collectible calendar -- a true gift in the Michael Scott sense.

"Presents are the best way to show someone how much you care. It is like this tangible thing that you can point to and say, 'Hey man, I love you this many dollars worth.'"

Day 646, Quasi-Quarantine: The Holiday Season Brings A Fearsome And Disturbed Savage Opress

 

I've long been fascinated by the character of Savage Opress, the terrifying Nightbrother from Dathomir. Imbued with witchcraft-driven powers, the intimidating Opress was a devastatingly memorable character during the Clone Wars.

Asajj Ventress helped create and control him, and he eventually apprenticed under Count Dooku before becoming a Sith Lord under his brother, Darth Maul.

After Maul was defeated and left for dead by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, Opress rescued him and helped restore him to his previous power. Together, they traveled the galaxy as a destructive force in pursuit of Kenobi.

Opress lost his arm in a battle with Obi-Wan, leading he and Maul to align with with Pre Vizsla and Death Watch to create the Shadow Collective and overthrow Mandalore. However, Darth Sidious deemed them to be a growing threat and killed Opress.

Minifigures of Opress vary a lot in price and quality, which guided us away from biting the bullet on his purchase for a while. This version, created by a custom builder on Etsy, features surprisingly intricate chest and back printing, and comes with forbidding armor and a double-bladed lightsaber.

I'm hopeful his addition to the fold will help spur a new round of missions as our long-forgotten Legos get dusted off and rediscovered in the coming months.

Limerick Friday #529: The Captivating And Borderline Entrancing "You" -- Day 643

A cross between Elisabeth Shue
And the "Halt and Catch Fire" guru
I'm definitely finding
Beck spell-binding
In the absorbing first season of "You"

 
Kickoffs and brainstorms, whew
And kickoffs to brainstorms, too
Enough for a 78-slide deck
And an email just for the heck
Welcome to the working team zoo

Hail Mary tosses
In overtime losses
Blown calls
Improbable falls
NC State Shit still bosses

Ignorance ain't bliss
It's a sanity diss
COVID revives
Politics over lives
Your "stance" isn't worth piss

An excessive gift yield
An emotional minefield
Stress and drama
Anxiety and trauma
Defense mechanisms, we wield

Last time ...

Day 642, Quasi-Quarantine: Keeping Up The Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar Tradition

 

The Lego Star Wars advent calendar has become one of our favorite holiday traditions, as we are going on (I think) five years now of this product.

Sixteen days in, this year's version has been notable for a) it's lack of named minifigures and b) it's dearth of holiday-themed offerings. On the plus side, some of the mini-builds have been borderline spectacular, highlighted for me by Mythrol's speeder (shown above).

A couple of other standout builds were the Tusken snow ballista ...

The Imperial troop transport ...

And, of course, the e-web heavy blaster snow launcher ...

As always, big thanks to Jay's Brick Blog for his daily reviews and explanations, which bring some added levity and context to the calendar experience.

While I'm not a huge fan of the decision to show nearly all of the eventual reveals on the box packaging, I do expect some small twists here in the final stretch to Christmas -- a Bill Burr Mandalorian standup minifigure would be a welcomed addition.

Day 641, Quasi-Quarantine: Brilliant Colson Whitehead Turns The Focus Inward In The Singular "Sag Harbor"

 

"You could coexist in this Sag Harbor galaxy in perfectly alienated orbits, always zipping into each other's blind spots, or hidden on the dark side of the moon. Of course that could happen to people who lived on the same street. Sometimes it happened to people who lived in the same house."

Representing a departure from the gut-punching solemnity of books like "The Nickel Boys" and "The Underground Railroad," "Sag Harbor" features Colson Whitehead combining humor and nostalgia in a coming-of-age memoir.

Tinted with sneaky emotion, this novel reads more like an essay, following a group of young Black children as they search for their place in the world as affluent summer residents of a Long Island resort town.

"According to the world, we were the definition of paradox: black boys with beach houses." 

"I was nostalgic for everything big and small. Nostalgic for what never happened and nostalgic about what will be, looking forward to looking back on a time when things got easier."

While the book is undeniably hilarious (particularly his memories of the New Coke fiasco), Whitehead is at his best when he's exploring family dynamics and coming to terms with the asshole-ness of Benji's father.

"The Street in my father's mind was a vast, abstract plane of black pathology. He'd grown up poor, fighting his way home every day off Lenox Avenue, and any hint that he hadn't escaped, that all his suffering had been for naught, kindled his temper and his deep fear that aspiration was an illusion and the street a labyrinth without exit, a mess of connecting alleys and avenues always leading back into itself."

"The lesson was, Don't be afraid of being hit, but over the years I took it as, No one can hurt you more than I can."

"We were a few months into When Dad Called Reggie Shithead for a Year."

For those waiting for something profound to happen, there may be some disappointment. However, if you push past that expectation and embrace the adolescent feelings of trying to find where you fit and how to be in the broader landscape, "Sag Harbor" hits the mark, bringing melancholy in on soft ocean breezes.

"No houses, not footprints even, just beach grass whispering to itself. Saying -- what? You'd have to spend some time to learn its language. That first generation asked, Can we make it work? Will they allow us to have this? It doesn't matter what the world says, they answered each other. This place is ours."

Day 640, Quasi-Quarantine: The Second Week Of "The Office" Funko Advent Calendar Brings Some Beauts

 

After summarizing the first week of the Funko Pop! "The Office" advent calendar, it's high time to get updated on what the second week of surprises has brought:

• Day 8: Angela with cat
• Day 9: Andy Bernard with banjo
• Day 10: Phyllis
• Day 11: Dundee!
• Day 12: "Casual Friday" Meredith
• Day 13: Toby with "Suck on this" rock
• Day 14: Jim as Goldenface

While this is quite a run of memorable characters, the highlight thus far is Meredith Palmer, complete with censored exposed boob as part of her wardrobe "malfunction." 

I'm hopeful that next week brings Kelly Kapoor, Jan Levinson-Gould, Ryan Howard, and maybe even Todd Packer. But if I had a strong quibble thus far, it's that we are two weeks into the calendar and still no Kevin. 

Make this right, Funko.

Day 639, Quasi-Quarantine: SNL Wrecks It With "Lonely Christmas" Ad

In a somewhat surprisingly good turn as both host and musical guest, bouncy Billy Eilish absolutely owned this "Lonely Christmas" sketch.

Limerick Friday #528: Don't Look Now, But Here Come The 'Fins -- Day 636

Five in a row

How high can they go?

The 'Fins dug a hole

Now they're on a roll

Time now their biggest foe

Numbers back on the rise

Which is not a surprise

Have to celebrate genocide over turkey

And yell about politics murky

As sanity passes out due to sighs

Two points from glory

A familiar State story

But what a season

And next year they're teasin'

To run it back without a worry

Hot toddys and nog

Anxiety and brain fog

Facades before reason

'Tis the f'ing season

Still kinda love the holiday slog

Got in a vax booster mood

So headed to Harris Teeter, dude

Deeply weird

To get speared

While oldsters buy milk and cat food

Last time ...

Day 635, Quasi-Quarantine: Dolphins-Giants Game 13 Review

 

The 'Fins put together a sloppy performance at home, and they were probably fortunate to come away with the victory. In a quick-moving game, the teams combined for just six penalties and a single turnover, but the Dolphins did just enough to earn its fifth straight win and keep scant playoff hopes alive.

Let's be honest: Miami got a lot of help in this one from a Giants team decimated by injury. New York got a shaky second half from former Pack standout Mike Glennon, had a number of dropped passes, and had some mind-boggling coaching decisions along the way.

On to the grateful recap ...

Offense

• Miami managed just 297 offensive yards and 19 first downs, but did not commit a turnover and converted both red zone visits into touchdowns.
• Tua Tagovailoa hit 30 of 41 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns, and he was sacked twice and added a single yard on two carries. Drops were an issue, but Tua was also not as accurate as he normally is, struggling with ball placement on a number of throws.
• Myles Gaskin notched 15 carries for 44 yards, adding two receptions for five yards, while Salvon Ahmed rushed eight times for 23 yards. It's hard to say this about a player who has been on the roster for a couple of weeks, but Miami missed Phillip Lindsay's hard-running style in this one. Patrick Laird played two snaps before suffering a potentially significant knee injury.
• Jaylen Waddle continues to be an emerging force, reeling in nine of 11 targets for 90 yards, with a long of 25. The return of DeVante Parker was important, as he secured all five targets for 62 yards, bailing out Tua with some stellar sideline grabs. Albert Wilson caught only half of his eight targets for a scant 26 yards, while Mack Hollins (one reception, five yards in nine snaps) and Isaiah "Zombie" Ford (one catch, two yards, in 14 snaps) made the most of their lone targets, each posting a touchdown catch. Preston Williams was invisible in his 14 snaps, leading to more questions about why Will Fuller still isn't practicing after 10 weeks out with a broken finger.
• At tight end, Mike Gesicki was targeted 11 times, hauling in seven for just 46 yards. Rookie Hunter Long (10 snaps) made his first career catch on an eight-yarder, but Durham Smythe -- who had been a legit factor in recent weeks -- was shut out as Adam Shaheen sat out with injury again. Cethan Carter earned three snaps from scrimmage as well.
• Up front, the Dolphins were held just to just 68 yards on 25 rushes (2.7 yards per attempt). However, the pass protection was average, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF) -- and average is a win for this unit. Thanks to good work from guard Robert Hunt (88.5 PFF grade with zero pressures allowed) and rookie left tackle Liam Eichenberg (one pressure allowed for the second week in a row, though he did have a false start), Tua had 2.34 seconds to throw, which is workable for an attack predicated on short passes. Center Michael Deiter returned to the lineup and played every snap, giving the front an appreciable boost.

Defense

• The 'Fins limited the depleted Giants offense to just 250 total yards and 16 first downs. The blitz packages seemed to confuse Glennon in the second half, with the Dolphins "D" generating 15 pressures and three sacks for the game. 
• On the edges, Andrew Van Ginkel continued his strong late-season play, with four tackles, a stop for loss, a batted pass, three pressures, and a quarterback hit, though he was whistled for an offsides. Rookie Jaelan Phillips was active again in just 29 snaps, notching a pair of sacks (giving him five in the past two games) among his three tackles, with a pair of hits and five pressures on the signal-caller to boot. Emmanuel Ogbah was quiet, notching a pair of assisted tackles.
• On the interior, Christian Wilkins had five tackles and two quarterback hits and Adam Butler added a pair of solo tackles, a sack, and a quarterback hit. Zach Sieler and Raekwon Davis each notched two tackles, with Sieler committing a false start on a field goal attempt.
• Jerome Baker had three solo tackles, two stops for losses, and a quarterback hit to pace the linebackers, with Elandon Roberts contributing two solo tackles, a stop for loss, a batted pass, and solid pass coverage (one catch allowed for negative yardage) on his way to an 80.0 run defense grade from PFF. Duke Riley had three tackles in 33 snaps, while Vince Biegel had a solo stop (two snaps) and Sam Eguavoen (three snaps) added a late quarterback pressure as the Dolphins continue to try to find reliable third and fourth linebackers.
• At nickel, Nik Needham added five stops in 38 snaps, while Justin Coleman added a pair of tackles in 22 snaps. It's fair to say that Miami benefited from a slew of dropped passes from the Giants.
• Xavien Howard had two tackles, a pass breakup, and a key interception to earn an 81.6 PFF coverage grade, while Byron Jones had five solo tackles at the other boundary corner spot. New York rarely challenged down the field, but the cornerbacks had solid position when they did.
• At safety, Jevon Holland had five assisted tackles, two pass breakups, and a quarterback hit. Eric Rowe had a team-leading seven tackles filling in for the injured Brandon Jones, but the squad misses both players at their best positions. Rowe and Byron Jones combined to allow 13 catches for 102 yards according to PFF.

Special teams

• Jason Sanders continues his rocky season, missing a 51-yarder and barely making a 48-yarder to put the game away. He did convert both extra point attempts and continues to get tremendous distance on his kickoffs.
• Michael Palardy dropped three more punts inside the 20-yard line, averaging 48.3 yards on his six boots. He did have a 65-yarder, and if he can finally eliminate that one poor kick per game, he'd be considered among the best punters in the conference. Proof came when he was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after the contest.
• The 'Fins trotted Waddle back there on punts and kickoffs again, and the results were the same. He had 32 yards on a pair of kick returns and added a seven-yarder on punts, but he looks uncomfortable in the role and it's worth rethinking the risk/reward proposition of putting him in a position where he seems tentative.
• In coverage, Clayton Fejedelem had a pair of special teams tackles, while Hollins added a solo special teams stop in his customary strong play in the third phase. Former first-rounder Noah Igbinoghene was active, though his lone contribution was committing an offsetting personal foul.

Momentum plays

• An initial third-down conversion by the Giants got the first drive going, but what looked to be a poor spot on a 3rd & 10 catch led to New York surprisingly electing to punt from Miami territory.
• Taking over at its own 11-yard line, the Dolphins got a couple of first downs on Tua-to-Waddle strikes, but a third-down pass for the rookie wideout feel incomplete amidst heavy pre-catch contact without a flag. 
• After Palardy uncorked a beautiful punt that pinned the Giants at their own 7-yard line, New York converted a 3rd & 11 with a shot from Mike Glennon to Evan Engram. Miami was fortunate to avoid a late hit penalty on Roberts on another first-down catch by Kenny Golladay. Glennon then went deep for Engram, but "X" attacked the ball in the air for a stellar interception. He was ruled down at the 3-yard line, nullifying a 54-yard return, but the turnover came at a crucial moment after a lackluster start.
• A quick three-and-out featured Tua barely avoiding a safety on a sack that saw him take a bad drop. A meh Palardy punt set the visitors up in Miami territory at the 37-yard line.
• Golladay beat Byron Jones on a 3rd & 6 play, but a pair of drops ended the Giants drive, leading to a 39-yard Graham Gano field goal and a 3-0 lead at the start of the second quarter.
• A nifty run by Ahmed, an RPO hit to Parker, then a third-down grab by Parker jumpstarted the ensuing 'Fins drive. The refs missed a helmet-to-helmet hit on a short catch by Waddle, and an underthrow to Wilson on the next play led to a 48-yarder by Sanders to tie the score at 3.
• A 16-yarder to Engram on 3rd & 9 sustained a New York possession, but Miami stiffened, forcing another Giants punt.
• Stuck at their own 10-yard line, the Dolphins used a bevy of short -- and occasionally terrifying -- passes to move down the field. A deep fade to Parker was followed by a 3rd & 5 conversion to Waddle, and two plays later, Hollins bobbled a pass in the end zone before controlling it and dragging his back foot for the touchdown and a 10-3 lead with just 26 seconds left in the half.
• A quick Miami three-and-out began the second half, and the Giants took advantage with a 3rd & 10 Glennon-to-Engram conversion. Saquon Barkley and Devontae Booker then ripped off back-to-back big runs, but two throws to the end zone fell incomplete, forcing New York to settle for a 34-yard field goal to trim the margin to 10-6.
• Another Dolphins three-and-out gave the ball right back to the Giants, but the defense answered with a three-and-out of its own, highlighted by a near interception by Roberts and a drop by Slayton.
• Yet another 'Fins three-and-out featured this trio of errors: a false start, a negative run, and a nine-yard sack.
• Taking over in great position again at their own 46-yard line, the Giants had a 3rd & 2 pass dropped by Engram -- then elected to punt for reasons that no one could understand.
• A 17-yarder to Waddle interrupted three straight three-and-outs, but the competence was short-lived. A drop on a slant by Waddle was followed by a poorly placed 3rd & 8 ball to Wilson that could have been caught, though there was good coverage on the play.
• A well-placed Palardy punt pinned the Giants on their own 15-yard line, and Glennon missed a wide-open John Ross on a drag that had a lot of open field in front. Barkley converted the 3rd & 7 with a strong run, but Phillips got back-to-back sacks when Glennon held the ball for seemingly 10 seconds on consecutive plays.
• Beginning the fourth quarter at its own 39-yard line, Miami got some energy when Waddle went up for an intermediate pass, though he fumbled, recovered, and was shaken up on the play. Wilson took a short pass, made a guy miss, and got another first down, then the Dolphins paid off a 3rd & goal play when New York had a rollout pass perfectly covered before a defender inexplicably let Ford drift to the sideline for a toe-tap touchdown and a 17-6 lead.
• Back-to-back pressures from Baker were followed by a Butler sack when Ogbah forced Glennon to climb the pocket. The three-and-out was compounded when New York got off a weak punt and then committed a penalty on the return.
• Starting at the Giants' 38-yard line, the Dolphins went three-and-out when Tua misfired high to an open G-Sick on third down. Sanders then missed the 52-yard field goal, giving the visitors good field position at their own 42-yard line.
• After a Van Ginkel batted passed on 3rd & 2, New York finally went for it on fourth down on the ensuing possession, with Barkley converting on a run. A couple of near-miss pass connections led to a Gano 51-yarder to pull the Giants within a score at 17-9.
• An insane sideline catch by Parker on 3rd & 6 led to a collective sigh of relief from the home crowd, then Tua followed with a dangerous 3rd & 4 throw to Gesicki, who made an incredible grab to keep the drive going. Miami ran Gaskin three straight times to get the clock under two minutes. Sanders missed again from 43 yards, but Sieler's offsides gave him another crack from 48, which he barely tucked inside the left upright for a 20-9 advantage with 1:11 remaining.
• The 'Fins narrowly avoided a Baker late hit early in the following possession, which saw the Giants finally lean hard on Barkley in the passing game to move into Miami territory. With 14 seconds left, New York elected to try a long field goal to extend the game, but Gano missed just right from 56 yards away, allowing Tua to kneel on it to end the contest.

2021 Schedule

Miami 17, New England 16 (1-0)

Buffalo 35, Miami 0 (1-1)

Oakland 31, Miami 28 [OT] (1-2)

Indianapolis 27, Miami 17 (1-3)

Tampa Bay 45, Miami 17 (1-4)

Jacksonville 23, Miami 20 (1-5)

Atlanta 30, Miami 28 (1-6)

Buffalo 26, Miami 11 (1-7)

Miami 17, Houston 9 (2-7)

Miami 22, Baltimore 10 (3-7)

Miami 24, New York Jets 17 (4-7)

Miami 33, Carolina 10 (5-7)

Miami 20, New York Giants 9 (6-7)

Day 634, Quasi-Quarantine: Phenomenal "Circe" Digs Deep Into The Motivations Of Greek Lore

 

"My whole life, I had waited for tragedy to find me. I never doubted that it would, for I had desires and defiance and powers more than others thought I deserved, all the things that draw the thunderstroke. A dozen times grief had scorched, but its fire had never burned through my skin. My madness in those days rose from a new certainty: that at last, I had met the thing the gods could use against me."

Madeline Miller's incredible novel has been billed as "subversive" as a feminist retelling of a key character in "The Odyssey," but beyond that, it is a compelling story that draws together a number of Greek myths in an intensely personalizing way. 

"Circe" has a rhythm-and-flow lilt, calling to mind epic poems, and it is a tribute to Miller's talent that she pulls this off without distracting from the essential storyline. 

With notable struggles, the heroine straddles the divine and mortal worlds, making mistakes, exposing her heart, and finding her soul.

"He was another knife, I could feel it. A different sort, but a knife still. I did not care. I thought: give me the blade. Some things are worth spilling blood for." 

The ending felt slightly abrupt, but fits nicely within the overall arc, as Circe makes a decision of where to etch herself in the fabric of mythology and legend. 

"Of all the mortals on the earth, there are only a few the gods will ever hear of. Consider the practicalities. By the time we learn their names, they are dead. They must be meteors indeed to catch our attention. The merely good: you are dust to us."

It was difficult not to find yourself wanting to return to Aiaia again and again, to revel in the witchcraft and walk the beach in a suspension of disbelief -- all while knowing that every great saga must come to an end.

"The light darted silver from the waves. I lifted my hand in blessing and gave my son to the world." 

Day 633, Quasi-Quarantine: Living My Best Season With The Funko Pop "The Office" Advent Calendar

The Funko Pop! "The Office" advent calendar has been a welcome addition to the holiday season ... despite a not-insignificant part of me missing the beer advent calendar from last year.

The first week of pocket Pops from the calendar has featured:

• Day 1: Michael
• Day 2: Jim
• Day 3: Pam
• Day 4: Darryl
• Day 5: Dwight
• Day 6: Oscar
• Day 7: Stanley

The highlight thus far has been "Florida Stanley," complete with straw hat, pink "Miami Vice" shirt, and sunglasses. 

With so many of the main characters already unveiled, I look forward to some of the hilarious side characters -- Creed, Angela, Toby, Phyllis, Kevin, Meredith, etc. -- getting their day in the sun.

Michael: "Christmas is cancelled."

Stanley: "You can't cancel a holiday."

Michael: "Keep it up, Stanley, and you'll lose New Year's."

Day 632, Quasi-Quarantine: The Witching Hour Escapes The NFL And Comes To "The Rose Zone"

 

We're faithful viewers of "NFL Red Zone" -- despite our recurring issues with host Scott Hanson's ability to get to the right game at the right game and ignoring certain contests for hours at a time -- so rediscovering this aged skit from SNL (from 8 years ago?!) hits close to home. 

Distilling trashy reality TV moments down to 10-second bites at a time? Yeah, I'd say "The Rose Zone" would have serious staying power.

Limerick Friday #527: Defying NC State Shit In The Most Glorious Way Possible -- Day 629

Staring down the barrel of defeat

Before Emeka Emezie's feats

His Mossing they couldn't defenser

As we screamed in a hotel in Spencer

Watching State take down the Cheats

"Fear the Walking Dead," hear this

I think you're being remiss

By forgetting Alicia fair

If you want to make me care

Bring back the one that I miss

Women's team No. 2 in the land

The men made a four-OT stand

Then landed the top point guard

While the football team starred

A great time to be Pack fanned

An underrated cast

The action furious and fast

A Ray Liotta appearance

With top security clearance

How long can "Hanna" last?

Wins turn to losses and shocks

A team that can't outrace the clocks

The Colts causing heartache

How much more can he take?

In this season of truly "Hard Knocks"

Last time ...

Day 628, Quasi-Quarantine: Dolphins-Panthers Game 12 Review

 

The Dolphins came up with an incredible defensive performance to secure its fourth straight win. Miami harassed Scam Newton, reminding people that he's no longer a viable NFL quarterback, and committed only five penalties on the game. The efficient performance and three-phase beating not only vaulted the 'Fins into fringe playoff contention, but served notice that some of its rookie are beginning to show out in a big way.

First-rounders Jaylen Waddle (137 yards and a touchdown, 87.5 Pro Football Focus grade) and Jaelan Phillips (three sacks, 90.0 PFF grade) were dominant, and second-rounders Jevon Holland (interception, 78.6 PFF grade) and Liam Eichenberg (one of the best games of his career) also made massive contributions. While the 'Fins are likely to run out of games on their playoff run, the development of some key youngsters is a strong sign for the future.

On to the authoritative recap ...

Offense

• The Dolphins put up a modest 315 total yards and 22 first downs, but dominated time of possession (37:34 to 22:26), converted 6 of 14 third downs and both fourth-down attempts, and committed just a single turnover. Perhaps most importantly, Miami turned four red zone visits into three touchdowns.
• Tua hit 27 of 31 passes for 230 yards, averaging 7.4 yards per toss and adding a touchdown. He took two sacks that cost the team field goals and ran four times for zero yards, but he was intensely accurate and his ball placement allowed Waddle and others to maximize yards after the catch.
• Myles Gaskin (16) and Phillip Lindsay (12) combined for 28 carries, with Gaskin posting 49 yards and two touchdowns while adding three receiving yards on two catches. Lindsay was decisive, rushing for 42 yards and looking good in blitz pickups. Salvon Ahmed notched a nine-yard catch and five carries for 17 yards, with a long of 16, to help Miami eclipse 100 yards on the ground again. The Dolphins are doing just enough in the run game to keep defenses honest, and I expect Lindsay's snap count (15) to increase in coming weeks.
• Waddle broke through in a big way in this one, reeling in nine of 10 targets for 137 yards and a score, with a long of 57 and a false start. He killed the Panthers on slants, giving the 'Fins a glimpse of the type of game-breaking speed they've been needing. Albert Wilson caught five of six targets, but for just 17 yards, and he also committed a false start and ran backwards to nullify a first down at one point. Isaiah Ford (one reception, 11 yards, in 12 snaps) and Preston Williams (one catch, four yards, in 23 snaps) rounded out the receiver production. The team is missing what DeVante Parker and Will Fuller potentially bring to the offense, but Miami continues to find a way to minimize reliance on the wide receivers.
• That's because the Dolphins continue to feature tight ends. Durham Smythe got seven touches, reeling in five passes for 32 yards and adding two short-yardage runs that saw him take the snap from center. Mike Gesicki was quiet with three catches for 17 yards, and even rookie Hunter Long (24 snaps) made his first appearance in a while, though he wasn't targeted. Adam Shaheen did not make an appearance in this one due to injury.
• It was another promising effort on the offensive line. While only averaging 2.8 yards per carry, Miami still managed some push in short-yardage situations, with the squad managing nine rushing first downs. The unit did allow 10 pressures, with Austin Jackson being overwhelmed a few times and getting whistled for two penalties (holding and false start), and Austin Reiter had an awful snap that led to a Carolina score. Jesse Davis recovered a Tua fumble on a sack that he allowed and Eichenberg was called for holding, but overall the unit seems to be finding some measure of consistency.

Defense

• The stampeding Miami "D" held the Panthers under 200 yards and only 10 first downs, collecting three turnovers and five sacks. Frankly, it was one of the most thorough defensive performances I can remember seeing in recent history.
• Off the edge, Phillips was a monster, notching three sacks among his four tackles and adding a pass breakup and four quarterback hits for good measure in just 28 snaps, though it 's fair to mention that at least two of his sacks were forced by teammates. Emmanuel Ogbah posted three tackles, a sack, a pass breakup, and a quarterback hit, and Andrew Van Ginkel was a menace, with two stops, a pass breakup that led to a pick, and four quarterback hits, having been robbed of at least half a sack along the way. The trio was borderline unblockable, harassing Carolina quarterbacks all game long.
• On the interior, Christian Wilkins (31 snaps) led the way again with five tackles, a sack, and a quarterback hit, while Raekwon Davis added three tackles in 23 snaps. Zach Sieler (23 snaps) had two stops and a batted pass and Adam Butler (31 snaps) also contributed a batted pass and could have split Wilkins's sack. The snap allocation in this one felt more in line with the kind of balance Miami is hoping for in this rotation.
• Jerome Baker and Elandon Roberts (21 snaps) each had three tackles and a stop for a loss from the linebacker position, with Duke Riley (30 snaps) recording three stops and the huge blocked punt. Sam Eguavoen (seven snaps) had a quarterback pressure in garbage time, while Vince Biegel was primarily used on special teams, seeing just a single snap from scrimmage.
• At nickel, Eric Rowe led the defense in snaps (50) and had five tackles and a pass breakup; Nik Needham (38 snaps) had four stops, a pass breakup, and a late-game interception; and Justin Coleman (20 snaps) recorded a touchdown on Riley's blocked punt. All in all, a productive contest from this spot, which saw more action due to Brandon Jones's unavailability at safety.
• On the boundaries, Xavien Howard had a solo tackle, a pass breakup, and a big interception, while Byron Jones had two stops and miscommunicated with "X" on the 64-yarder to D.J. Moore. Someone named Javaris Davis (10 snaps) had a pair of solo tackles and former first-rounder Noah Igbinoghene (10 snaps) also played in reserve duty with the game out of hand.
• At safety, Holland had a relatively quiet day for the most part, with a solo stop and a pass breakup, but his early interception set the tone of the game. With Jones sidelined, the 'Fins relied on the nickel position much more, though Clayton Fejedelem (solo tackle in six snaps) and Sheldrick Redwine (solo stop in 10 snaps) got a few reps in the fourth quarter.

Special teams

• Jason Sanders flubbed an extra point, though he did convert three other point-afters and hit both of his field goals, including a 46-yarder. His kickoffs also had great distance, though the miskick was further evidence that  the operation is a bit off this season.
• Michael Palardy had flat-out stellar game, putting all four of his punts -- all in the first half -- inside the 15-yard line. He averaged only 40.5 yards per kick, but his placements played a huge role in stymieing the Panthers offense.
• There were no kickoff returns for either team, and Holland added two punt returns for 19 yards, including a long of 12. Waddle, however, took a big hit on his seven-yard punt return, lending further credence to the idea that he probably shouldn't be back there for those.

Momentum plays

• A roughing-the-passer call on Carolina jumpstarted Miami's initial drive, and a 3rd & 11 dart from Tua to Waddle on a slant kept it rolling. However, a third-down sack and fumble lost 18 yards, pushing Miami out of field goal range.
• A great Palardy punt pinned the Panthers at their own 5-yard line, and a big hit by Riley forced a third-down incompletion. On the next play, Riley blocked the punt, with Coleman grabbing it and being carried into the end zone for a 7-0 Dolphins lead.
• On the ensuing possession, a third-down blitz didn't get home, allowing Newton to loft a deep one to D.J. Moore, aided by miscommunication between Jones and Howard. Three straight runs punched it in from there for Carolina to tie it at 7, with the third-down run seeing Newton being stopped before spinning out of it when Miami didn't wrap up.
• Some nifty RPO work pushed the 'Fins into scoring territory, but once again, a third-down sack knocked them out of field goal range. Palardy came through again, however, with his punt being downed at the Panthers' 9-yard line.
• Carolina managed a first down on the next drive, but Holland picked off Newton on a third-down throw, setting Miami up in enemy territory at the 47-yard line. However, Tua fumbled a third-down snap and had to fire incomplete forcing another Palardy punt.
• Two plays later, Newton threw another horrible pass into impeccable coverage, with "X" intercepting and returning it all the way to the Panthers' 9-yard line.
• After two plays gained nothing, Tua rifled a pass to Waddle between Carolina defenders on third down to stake Miami to the 14-7 advantage.
• The 'Fins forced another three-and-out, with Waddle getting drilled on another indecisive punt return.
• With Lindsay making a key block on a rusher, Tua found Waddle in stride on a slant, with the rookie wideout jetting 57 yards before being pushed out of bounds. On a 3rd & 1, Tua slid for the first down on a keeper, setting up Gaskin to punch it in on a Wildcat run, aided by a Williams block and despite being hit at the goal line. The extra point made it 21-7, giving Miami firm control of the contest.
• After another Panthers three-and-out, back-to-back false starts on Wilson and Waddle turned a 3rd & 8 into a 3rd & 18, forcing another Palardy punt to be downed inside the 15-yard line.
• Carolina managed a first down, but pressure from Phillips and Van Ginkel quickly led to another Panthers punt.
• With little time left, Tua hit Gesicki twice for a first down, then found Waddle and Ford for another first. Another Waddle grab had Miami well-positioned at Carolina's 27-yard line, but a terrible shotgun snap was not recovered by Tua, which led to a Panthers recovery and stumble down the field before Ford finally made the tackle at the 'Fins' 24-yard line with no time left.
• After intense lobbying by Panthers coach Matt Rhule, a second was added to the clock, allowing the visitors to hit a 41-yarder to make it 21-10 headed into halftime.
• Roberts stuffed a third-down run on the Carolina drive to start the second half, but the Panthers successfully faked a punt to extend the possession. However, the Dolphins defense stiffened quickly, forcing a punt four plays later.
• A 16-yard run by Ahmed off an option pitch by Tua on 3rd & 1 got the next drive rolling for the 'Fins. A Waddle third-down conversion kept things going, then a taunting penalty on the Panthers gave Miami a first down on what would have been a 3rd & 15 play. A couple of RPO hits to Smythe set up another Gaskin touchdown that saw him score untouched out of the Wildcat. Despite Sanders doinking the extra point off the left upright, the Dolphins surged ahead, 27-10.
• A holding penalty nullified a long Carolina run on the following possession, and Wilkins pressure set up a Phillips sack. On the 3rd & 34 play, Butler batted a pass at the line, nearly leading to yet another pick. Holland muffed the ensuing punt, but recovered himself and put together a 12-yard return.
• Taking over in Panthers territory, Miami turned to Lindsay for five straight runs. Ahmed converted a 4th & 1 play, but back-to-back penalties on Eichenberg (holding) and Jackson (false start) ruined a promising drive. Sanders redeemed himself with a 46-yard field goal, however, pushing the advantage to 30-10.
• With Newton finally benched, Ogbah and Phillips sacks set up Van Ginkel to bat a pass while pressuring P.J. Walker, with Needham making a diving interception on the deflection.
• On the next drive, Smythe went in motion, but stopped and took the snap from center, plunging ahead on second effort to convert a 4th & 1. He did it again two plays later to convert a 2nd & 1, but a Tua end zone throw to Ford fell incomplete when pass interference went uncalled. In conservative mode with less than 4 minutes remaining, the Dolphins ran it on 3rd & 9 to set up a Sanders 33-yarder for a 33-10 lead.
• The 'Fins went with backups in the secondary to close out the game, and a 24-yard strike by Walker gave some life to Carolina on the next possession. The Panthers went on to convert a 4th & 2, but sacks by Phillips and Wilkins forced a throw out of the end zone on 4th & 22, allowing Tua to kneel on it twice to end the game.

2021 Schedule

Miami 17, New England 16 (1-0)

Buffalo 35, Miami 0 (1-1)

Oakland 31, Miami 28 [OT] (1-2)

Indianapolis 27, Miami 17 (1-3)

Tampa Bay 45, Miami 17 (1-4)

Jacksonville 23, Miami 20 (1-5)

Atlanta 30, Miami 28 (1-6)

Buffalo 26, Miami 11 (1-7)

Miami 17, Houston 9 (2-7)

Miami 22, Baltimore 10 (3-7)

Miami 24, New York Jets (4-7)

Miami 33, Carolina 10 (5-7)