Miami Dolphins: 3 Takeaways vs. Raiders in Week 9

3. Adam Gase’s message was received

Following a half-season of futility, Adam Gase’s frustrations finally boiled over with the offense after the loss to the Baltimore Ravens last week. Gase absolutely laid into his team, and the offense in particular, questioning their dedication to learning the offense. Gase even went so far as to call out the players for not putting in the time and effort needed outside of team meetings to learn his playbook. It was a message to the squad to “shape up or ship out”.

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That message was further sent when just prior to the NFL trade deadline, the team shipped Pro Bowl running back Jay Ajayi out of town. Ajayi was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for a fourth-round draft pick, sending the message that no one player is above the team. You’re going to do things the way Gase wants, or you’re not going to be a Dolphin anymore. At least for one week, that message seems to have been received loud and clear.

For possibly the first time all season, the Dolphins didn’t come out of the gates flat. They came out looking sharp, and like a different team all together. Jay Cutler came out throwing early and often, and connecting on nearly everything. The Dolphins offense started off with 16-straight completions and put points on the board in the first half, a rare occurrence for this offense.

That’s not to say everything is fixed with the offense. Far from it, in fact. The team needed a late touchdown to surpass the 20 point mark. Penalties cost the team dearly. It’ll be a process, but they look to be turning a corner offensively.