It was third-and-13 from the Baltimore 14-yard line. The Dolphins, trailing the Ravens, 28-7, halfway by the third quarter, wanted a landing.
The pink zone offense, which the Dolphins solely really confirmed as soon as within the opener in opposition to New England, needed to make a play. It got here by in a giant means as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hit tight finish Mike Gesicki ultimately zone for a landing, transferring the Dolphins offense nearer to a solution in that essential class.
What did they study in regards to the pink zone offense?
“We’ve got playmakers and we’ve got guys all over the field that can make plays, and we’ve got a quarterback willing to put the ball on the open guy,” Gesicki mentioned.
The pink zone wasn’t the one class the place the Dolphins realized a factor or two about their offense.
The offense confirmed a capability to return again from a two-score second-half deficit. The offensive line confirmed it may possibly ship a commanding efficiency with a starter absent. And the working sport, which gained 86 yards and averaged 4.8 yards per carry, confirmed it may be efficient.
None of those are closing solutions. It’s too early for closing solutions.
But many important points of the Dolphins offense confirmed exceptionally effectively in Sunday’s efficiency, particularly within the second half.
Look on the comeback potential for instance of one thing they realized. The Dolphins got here again from a 35-14 fourth-quarter deficit for that stirring 42-38 victory at Baltimore. Many groups assume they’ll accomplish such a feat, however the Dolphins now know they’ll flip the trick.
Coach Mike McDaniel mentioned having such an expertise, and having that confidence, serves groups effectively.
“For every team, every year you kind of have to feel that before you can totally have complete and utter commitment and control over games moving forward,” he mentioned.
The pink zone offense supplied one other space for confidence.
During the season-opening 20-7 victory in opposition to New England the Dolphins’ pink zone offense had two possessions, certainly one of which was the sport’s closing possession when the Dolphins had been working out the clock.
On that pivotal third quarter pink zone possession in opposition to Baltimore, Tagovailoa dropped again in opposition to a nine-man protection/two-man rush protection, waited patiently, then threw to Gesicki, who stretched his 6-foot-6 body so far as it could go, prolonged his arms excessive within the air, and snatched the landing cross in dramatic style.
The Dolphins, who obtained two pink zone touchdowns from extensive receiver Jaylen Waddle, one from Gesicki and one from extensive receiver River Cracraft, ended the Baltimore sport 4 for 4 within the pink zone.
The offensive line held collectively effectively regardless of lacking proper deal with Austin Jackson (ankle), who was changed by Greg Little. Tagovailoa was solely sacked as soon as and the dashing sport had holes to run by.
“Greg did a great job,” middle Connor Williams mentioned. “We have a great O-line group. We have a great room. Everyone is just going to step up and do as needed, and fit in where they’re needed. I think that’s O-line play at the end of the day because you never go through the 17 games healthy.”
The dashing sport didn’t produce head-turning numbers. But it obtained the job accomplished when wanted led by working backs Raheem Mostert (11 carries, 51 yards) and Chase Edmonds (5 carries, 33 yards).
The Dolphins rank twenty fifth in dashing offense at 75.5 yards per sport earlier than the 2 Monday night time video games (Tennessee at Buffalo; Minnesota at Philadelphia) so the dashing offense stays a piece in progress. The Ravens sport, nonetheless, confirmed the dashing offense has its arrow pointed upward.
As for the teachings realized Sunday, the power to return again from a giant deficit may be essentially the most useful. McDaniel mentioned that truly serves as a two-way lesson.
“You learn that you’re in every game, but also that no lead is safe,” he mentioned.
In the method of the crew studying in regards to the offense, McDaniel realized one thing about his crew.
“I was really excited about that whole process and just how guys responded,” McDaniel mentioned, “because there were plenty of times where they could have tapped and they didn’t.”
Gesicki and the griddy
Gesicki has gotten numerous humorous and playful reactions from his model of the “griddy,” the dance he tried after his landing. Gesicki has loved the eye and the laughs.
“I was too excited,” he mentioned of his model of the dance most famously accomplished within the NFL by Minnesota extensive receiver Justin Jefferson.
“I hit it in about fast forward. So maybe [I should] slow it down. But that’s what I do. I have fun. I enjoy myself. I had an opportunity to make a play, made the play and then was able to celebrate it.”
McDaniel had a video cutup made from different poor makes an attempt at doing the dance and confirmed it to the crew. McDaniel mentioned he needed gamers to know Gesicki didn’t essentially give a foul effort.
“There could be worse,” McDaniel deadpanned, “but it was in the family of ‘worse,’ if that makes sense.”
Defensive lineman Christian Wilkins applauded Gesicki’s try.
“That was, wow, it was interesting,” Wilkins mentioned with a smile. “I give Mike props for the hassle. He will get an ‘A’ for effort however the execution was fairly dangerous. That was fairly humorous. I respect all of the laughs I’m getting seeing it on social media in all places.
“Mike’s one of my best friends so I give him an ‘A’ for effort.”
As for the video McDaniel confirmed the crew, Wilkins appreciated it.
“That was really funny, that was really on point,” Wilkins mentioned. “We all got a good laugh out of that one. I didn’t see Mike laughing too much, but I thought it was pretty funny.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com