Stock Up/Stock Down: Week 6
STOCK UP
Anthony Steen:
Many would argue that nobody on the offensive line deserves to be on this list. As a unit, the offensive line is playing poorly right now. However, Steen was a bright spot on an otherwise third consecutive dreadful game offensively.
PFF had him ranked as the third best guard overall for the week with an 84.2 overall rating. They said he “dominated as a run blocker with a grade of 90.4”. He is supposed to be the question mark of the line, now what is their excuse?
Kiko Alonso:
This defense is starting to look good. They are currently the only defense in the league to not allow an opponent to score more than 20 points so far this season. This week we had two players grade out at the number one at their position across the league. Kiko Alonso was one of them coming in with a 91.7.
Alonso had another impactful game as he tied for the team lead with six tackles. He also notched a sack and only allowed 18 yards on the four times he was targeted. Most importantly, he contributed a strip sack which resulted in a touchdown by the next player on the list.
Reshad Jones:
Honestly, the only thing keeping the entire defensive unit from landing in the stock up column is the fact that another player on offense or special teams would have to take the third spot. And honestly there aren’t many deserving of it following this game. Reshad Jones is a star ladies and gentlemen. He has the fire, he has the speed, and he has the ability to lay the wood.
Dolphins fans already know this, now it’s time for the rest of the NFL to catch up. Best of all, he has a knack for the endzone that hasn’t been seen by a Dolphin since Hall of Famer Jason Taylor donned the 99 jersey in Miami. Jones also graded out at the top of the league at his position with a 90.3. If he can keep this up, along with the improvements from the other players on this unit, we are looking at a top-10, and possibly top-5, unit. Atlanta this week will be their biggest test to date.
Stock Down
Jay Cutler:
Not to beat a dead horse, as this is his second week on the list and third straight poor game, so I’ll keep it short and sweet. Yes, it’s well documented that he is playing behind a line that consistently allows him to be pressured. Cutler has been pressured on 38.5 percent of his drop backs, which ranks as the sixth highest in the league. The thing is, this is the NFL, there are no excuses.
Cutler was paid $10 million to come to Miami and be an effective leader of the team. His deep shots (passes over 15 yards) have gone down each game, this week he had just one. As stated last week, the dink and dunk offense is clearly not working. The defensive players get paid lots of money to make sure the quarterback is under pressure, if Cutler can’t deal with that, than maybe he is better suited as an analyst after all.
Cody Parkey:
The hometown hero of the Dolphins opener has now missed two extra points in three weeks. They were not blocked, he just flat out missed them. This may be a tad nitpicky as he is currently 5 for 5 on the season, and he did nail his 41 yarder in the first quarter. However, at the end of the day, the extra points are kicks that need to be made, and he knows that.
Miami has won an astonishing ten games in a row that were decided by one score or less dating back to last season. If that is to keep up, every point counts. If the Titans would have scored on any of their final few possessions than that one missed extra point would’ve been the difference between the Dolphins being 2-2 versus 1-3. Fortunately the defense was able to hold them in check, so the hypothetical bullet was dodged. There is little doubt that this is something that will be corrected. Parkey needs to make sure it happens sooner rather than later.
Adam Gase:
If there is one name you don’t want to see here, it’s the head coach. Adam Gase needs to turn this ship around, and soon. His coach of the offensive line just resigned under some of the most embarrassing circumstances that you can imagine, which only adds to shortcomings of this already underperforming offensive line.
The offense is currently ranked dead last in the league in yards per game, yards per play, passing net yards per game, passing net yards per play, first downs per game, third down efficiency and points per game. Thats seven major categories! Isn’t this the same man who, with the help of Peyton Manning of course, was responsible for the greatest statistical year of all time just a few years ago?
This is the same man who has been dubbed the “quarterback whisperer” by numerous experts around the league. Now he is throwing almost every other offensive unit under the bus to deflect the direct, and well deserved, scrutiny of his starting quarterback. “In Gase We Trust” has been the motto for the Miami Dolphins fan base since last year. He put together a great season in 2016, so we all know he is capable. Now he just needs to find a way to get this offense rolling and play up to the potential that the surrounding talent allows.
AROUND COVER32
The Colts nearly blow a fourth quarter lead, hold on against the 49ers
Jaguars defense shows up against the Steelers as they pick Big Ben five times
Texans must cope with another season-ending injury to J.J. Watt in loss to the Chiefs
What to make of the Titans backup quarterback situation
Fantasy Football: Easy Peasy Week 6
