Game 2: We Still Look Like Crap

I don't know how many of you had to endure the game in public, but I was at a sports bar in suburban Chicago with every other game on an array of flat screens and besides the Raiders being pummeled again, and Houston being thrashed by the Colts, the Dolphins were the sorriest team on the air. Actually, Houston looked better. They were playing the Colts after all.

Now, I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but when do we start asking to see Joey Harrington? I mean it's not like Culpepper didn't have time, and in replays when he was sacked it looked like he had a man open. So, they weren't all (how many were there? 7?) coverage sacks or incompletions. If Fiedler in his prime had that much time in the pocket he would have made more plays. In fact, I bet he did.

There's no question the Defense did its job for the most part. They were on the field way too long as always. Ronnie Brown had moments of brilliance but they went away from him when the lead got too big. Then that last drive. That might mean Culpepper saved his starting spot. Does any of this seem too familiar to anyone else?

Argh. 0-2. This is not the season I was envisioning. At least we have Tennessee and Houston next, but at this rate I don't know if those are sure things anymore.

Comments

[Allison Solow]

Okay, here's what I want to know: is Mike Mularkey's offense this bad or is it Culpepper's failure to execute? I don't think we can know unless/until Harrington is given a chance. Right now, I'm so disappointed in Culpepper that I could cry. He seemed confused and hesitant to throw the ball down the field. And after 68 yards in the first half, Ronnie Brown barely got a carry in the second half. Is that Mularkey's calls?

One thing for sure, when Culpepper drove the team to the Buffalo 20 before the end of the first half and then threw an interception -- seemingly right to the meat of the Buffalo defense -- instead of settling for a field goal, the game was lost. We never got over that mistake.

Culpepper seems out of sorts. He's dropping the ball, holding it too long, taking sacks, and looking indecisive. Based on what I saw in pre-season -- granted it was just pre-season -- Joey Harrington seems more sure of himself.

I predict that pride and money will keep Culpepper in the starting spot, but if we fail again and lose to Tennessee (at home), Saban will have to answer for it. His choices are looking poor indeed.

[Dave T]

Allison,
I totally agree although I usually pound my fists on the table and order another beer when we look that bad.
I think they have to try culpepper against a crap team and see how he does. If he stinks up the joint in the first half bring in harrington in the second half and if he does well he'll start vs. houston.
That interception was not even close. I mean two HUGE Bills were between him and the WR.