Five Takeaways from Heat’s Loss to Mavs

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The Miami Heat fell short to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, after a good start from a handful of guys.

Jimmy Butler battled late on the offensive end, but he didn’t have that sidekick to keep up the pace alongside him. Late-game offensive issues came up again with Butler isolations, and it ended in a Mavs win.

So, here are some takeaways from this one…

#1: Miami’s defensive formula against a Luka Doncic led Dallas Mavericks team.

When looking at this Dallas Mavericks team on paper, they’re offensive structure falls right into the Miami Heat’s wheelhouse in terms of ways to defend him. They’re better suited this year for team’s with one superior player who they can try and eliminate from offensive impact totally. Simply, the goal is to make the others around him beat them. And well, we found out soon that those others would end up taking advantage for Dallas in the second half. We can talk about them unsurprisingly sticking PJ Tucker on him to start, while Bam Adebayo swiftly switched onto him with every screen, but the mid-post and half-court stuff was more intriguing. When he got a singular Heat defender on his back, here’s Jimmy Butler edging all the way over for the double. Once again, that’s Butler’s home base, and one of his biggest skills on the basketball court. When he can be that free safety, this Heat defense is at their best. But as the game went on, Doncic found a rhythm. He had a big third quarter as he adjusted to what the Heat were throwing at him, and that’s when he’s scariest.

#2: Omer Yurtseven plugs in, Omer Yurtseven stepping up big early.

Dewayne Dedmon was a late scratch tonight due to back spams, and there was another guy lurking to step right up into that role: Omer Yurtseven. Like he always does, he immediately began to fill up that stat sheet, but how does he do it? For one, the phrase ball magnet goes hand in hand with Yurtseven’s play. Yes, he’s a big guy who take up space around the rim, but the ability to find it and track it down around the rim is certainly a skill. Aside from that, he was putting up some scoring numbers as well, due to relief baskets around the rim. The Mavericks were constantly so worried about the kick-out after the drive to the weak-side wing, that they would predict the weak-side perimeter rotation. That left their defense with no tagger in sight, ending with some easy looks for Yurtseven, or even single coverage for his post hook. He performs at a high level when he gets opportunities, and it’s pretty promising.

#3: Oh hey, it’s assertive Bam Adebayo again.

Bam Adebayo went on another one of those aggressive runs in the second quarter tonight, and it feels like we’re getting closer and closer to this just becoming a regular thing. He’s facing up and just going on those strong side looks, which has a lot to do with Kyle Lowry and Jimmy Butler running away to eliminate that safety blanket retracting pass. There was a possession late in the second quarter where Adebayo dribbled up the floor, which flowed into a Bam-Butler inverted PnR. With an empty corner on his right, he refused the screen and took a strong drive back left with only the slower Dwight Powell standing in his way. He blew by him, got to the basket with ease, and laid it in. This version of Adebayo is scary, but when they can run stuff like that consistently, it elevates even further.

#4: Haywood Highsmith is signed, and immediately in the rotation.

The Miami Heat signed Haywood Highsmith to a 10 day contract earlier today, which could be a two-way contract pretty soon, but he found himself in the rotation pretty soon. With Caleb Martin and Tyler Herro out, there really weren’t many options among the reserves against Dallas, so he got an immediate trial run. When he was initially picked up by Miami early in the season, I said he was a pure Heat guy. Can switch and provide good defensive versatility, can hit the relief corner three, and knows where to be within Miami’s base offensive sets. But when his time ran out with Miami, I mentioned that he would be back. And here he is. Why did I think that? Well, due to all of the things I just named, he fills immediate holes with his versatility to plug right into different spots. We’ve talked about PJ Tucker insurance, but maybe they just needed somebody to eat up some minutes in this fashion.

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#5: Heat’s offensive alternative getting them in trouble in second half.

The Heat were shooting 6 of 13 from downtown in the first half, then proceeded to go 1 of 12 from three over the next quarter and a half. That usually translates to how the offense is performing, but it appeared to be more than that in the second half. For one, combined with missing outside shots, they didn’t have other options at the rim as they did early on. Jimmy Butler grinded out some buckets throughout their rough third quarter stretch, just buying time for somebody to pop. That blended into the fourth, as Butler continued to get into “Butler mode,” purely taking over inside the lane to keep Miami in it. But the element that stood out was something I’ve addressed before: when Bam Adebayo goes out, don’t treat the back-up big like Bam Adebayo in times of need. Offense was stagnant, and somehow they found themselves working everything through Omer Yurtseven in the middle of the floor. He can provide a sparky punch, but the longer he’s out there, the more that can be exploited.

 

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Kyle Lowry has a Gift: Elevating Others

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It’s one thing to elevate a young group of guys that need that a clear leader above them, as he did for guys like Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin, Max Strus, etc.

But it’s another thing to elevate a proven player in this league who is a 6 time all star, in Jimmy Butler, and a young buck on the trajectory of an elite player in this league, in Bam Adebayo.

As the Heat were batting for a good chunk of time without Kyle Lowry, since he was away from the team, they were trying everything in their power to gather some type of a rhythm. A 3 game losing streak occurred right before he made his official return in San Antonio on February 3rd, and that’s when it hit people: this 35 year old point guard is pretty important.

Since his return, the Heat have won 5 games in a row, and let me preface that by saying it’s not a coincidence. He changes the offensive structure, and more importantly, he opens up the team’s two best players in a surprising fashion.

The trio of Lowry-Butler-Adebayo has played 19 games together so far this season, which they’re 14-5 in those games. When sharing the floor, they’re posting a 106 offensive rating and a 95 defensive rating.

I’d say that’s pretty impressive.

But when looking at the impact of Lowry, stats just simply don’t correlate to what he brings. It’s the spots he gets these guys into. It’s the pace that he provides as soon as the jump-ball goes up. It’s the fact that Miami’s first action usually begins with 21 seconds on the shot clock.

Looking at the clips above, that wild entry pass has become the two man combo with Lowry and one of Butler or Adebayo. He threw a unnecessary one late in the Heat-Nets game that could’ve been costly, but you’ll take that one risky, bad pass when all of this good comes with it as well.

The half-court post insertion pass to Adebayo is not only a signal to their centerpiece big man that he needs to go up and try to score, but it also eliminates weak-side defenders. Post-ups may not be Adebayo’s favorite, but a little game of one-on-one with the size advantage never hurt anybody.

We’re also seeing Adebayo begins to grow up in Lowry’s world, also known as transition offense, since he’s beginning to play a bit of bully ball when running at full speed, while also filling up the right spots on the floor on the break which wasn’t the case early on.

Butler, on the other hand, just changes sports when the ball comes off the rim and into the possession of Lowry. He streaks down the floor, Lowry throws it up, and Butler comes down with the Moss more times than not.

But with Butler, it isn’t about changing speeds like it is for Bam. It’s actually about the half-court insert more than the full-court one.

Over the past week and a half, we’ve seen a shift in the looks Butler is getting. And looking at the final clip above, that pretty much sums it up. Lowry-Butler PnR’s, or inverted PnR’s, are spammed to draw the mismatch. Lowry then retreats back, feeds Butler, and he takes the smaller defender to the clinic.

The two outcomes are either a good look at the rim for a layup, or a trip to the free throw line, which is exactly what Lowry is here to do.

He simplifies what used to be potentially 5 outcomes, down to only 2.

 

 

Number one on his list of elevating those around him is definitely setting their primary players up, but a close second is taking the burden off of them when he decides to turn it up. And that dial will be turned even further come playoff time.

Late in the fourth against the Brooklyn Nets, the Heat had no answer for Kyrie Irving on the offensive end. A player like Lowry, or any player at that, can’t match that type of offensive punch at that time, but he can do just enough to keep his group above water.

And that’s what he did mid-way through the 4th. He found the exploitable parts of this Nets defense, which began with the deep drop he was seeing. High pick and roll with Adebayo, Max Strus clears out to the weak-side next to Duncan Robinson to eliminate two help defenders, and now it’s Lowry time.

Only two defenders he has to worry about, and one of them he knows will have a tough time recovering. He takes it right into the dropping big, and flips it up like only Kyle Lowry would.

A few possessions later, we see an empty corner PnR with Adebayo once again, and now it’s just keying in on dead spots. Gets to the wide open free throw line pull-up to continually stretch out Miami’s lead.

He couldn’t match Kyrie Irving, but he could make it tougher on him with his smart basketball reads, and that’s the exact thing that Lowry provides.

We constantly talk about this Heat team as a defensive powerhouse. We begin by bringing up names like Adebayo, Butler, and PJ Tucker. Then we may blend into the young, gritty defenders like Vincent or Martin. But we sometimes pass over Lowry on that topic due to some believing he’s passed up that specific skill with age.

But when there’s 11 seconds left on the clock with the team needing just one stop, Lowry would be in my first sentence when discussing this Heat team. Looking at the play above, that is always Kyle Lowry at this point in the game.

He’s physical enough with Irving to not let the entry pass be easy, then makes a Butler like gamble to get the steal and go in the other direction.

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Stats aside. Film aside. Narratives aside. Kyle Lowry just makes those around him better.

Watching Bam Adebayo surge lately doesn’t just coincidentally align with the return of Lowry. Watching Jimmy Butler hysterically laughing on the court and bench since the game in San Antonio doesn’t just coincidentally align with the return of Lowry.

He changes things. In a good way.

He led a young group of inexperienced players to a winning record when Butler and Adebayo were out, alongside Tyler Herro, which just summed up the wide range of a role he can play at this stage of his career.

Lowry is a skilled passer. We know he can score the basketball. He has a history of defending at a high level. He’s a champion. But when asking the question: ‘what is his biggest skill?’

My answer would be elevating those around him.

 

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Top 10 Super Bowl Betting Sites In 2022

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Every week during the regular season, there are a variety of ways to gamble on the NFL; however, nothing compares to the Super Bowl. At the top Super Bowl gambling sites, you’ll find a lot to choose from. The list of betting promo codes is a common term when it comes to these sites.  Therefore, this post will give you an insight into the top 10 super bowl betting sites for 2022.

 

1. DraftKings

 

The DraftKings Sportsbook is now available in more than a dozen states. Legal markets have quickly established DraftKings as one of the most popular options for punters. A large number of people were using it as a DFS platform before sports gambling was legalized in 2018. This is a great place to bet on NFL games. You’ll be able to swiftly look over all of the Super Bowl wagers and bonuses. 

 

2. FanDuel

 

FanDuel started as a daily fantasy sports site and has since grown into a free-to-play option. There are other choices available before the Super Bowl, such as wagering on the outcome of specific matchups. FanDuel will be another platform with a plethora of Super Bowl gambling bonuses and specials. A parlay insurance bonus appears to be offered regularly.

3. PointsBet

 

Many people consider PointsBet to be a favorite sportsbook. This is primarily because of the PointsBet’s function. Most online Super Bowl gambling sites will offer fixed odds wagers. The amount you win or lose is determined by the amount you are away from the spread with PointsBet.

4. BetMGM

 

MGM Resorts is the company behind BetMGM. M Life Rewards is a loyalty program that allows players to receive incentives for the sportsbook as well as savings at MGM facilities across the country.

 

You can choose your favorite NFL team on BetMGM. The site will provide you with more squad alternatives! You’ll also find a live streaming option, a cash-out option, a sports gambling guide, and the ability to alter your wager on BetMGM.

 

5. FoxBet

 

If you have been watching Fox’s NFL coverage, you have probably seen FoxBet ads. You can find all TV personalities on the site, including Terry Bradshaw and Colin Cowherd. A big part of FoxBet’s business is the NFL. In comparison to other sports, football gambling receives more attention with this site. Stay up to date with FoxBet’s specials by following the Twitter account.

 

6. Caesars Sportsbook

 

There are several reasons why Caesars is ranked highest, including that they offer over 2,000 ways to wager on the Super Bowl in 2022. As well as major sports, they offer odds on several smaller, less popular sports. There are plenty of payment options, and the wagering limits are very high, making it a good choice for high rollers. Players of all skill levels will find their website easy to navigate.

 

7.  WynnBET

 

The best online sportsbook for newcomers may be WynnBET. Maybe you are wondering, “How do I wager on the Super Bowl?”.  WynnBET simplifies the process. The mobile design of the site is simple and uncluttered, so wagering on the big game will be a breeze. WynnBET’s customer service is top-notch, and they’ll be delighted to walk you through how to gamble on the Super Bowl.

 

8. Unibet

 

Unibet, TwinSpires, and BetRivers are all powered by Kambi, so the user experience is very similar. Kambi was originally owned by Unibet before it was spun out. It offers generous welcome bonuses, attractive odds, and a wide range of Super Bowl forms of gambling, including popular Super Bowl props.

 

9. BetRivers 

 

One of the most popular online sportsbooks across the United States is BetRivers. NFL fans choose BetRivers to gamble on Super Bowl chances because of its generous welcome bonus, its loyalty program, its odds boosts, and its intriguing parlay promotions.

10. Bet365

 

Bet365 is the most recognizable sports gambling brand in the world. It offers a highly advanced wagering platform, the fastest payouts, and the highest wagering limits of any Super Bowl gambling website. Besides a huge welcome bonus, you’ll also get a top-notch gambling platform and a fantastic mobile app. 

 

Conclusion

 

Online gambling has the advantage of offering a wide variety of markets. A greater number of Super Bowl markets are available on online gambling services than at brick-and-mortar sportsbooks. There are so many Super Super Bowl gambling sites to choose from, you can take your time finding the best site for you.

 

Snooker Betting Strategies to Increase Your Chances of Winning

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Snooker is distinct from many other famous billiards games. Snooker is a highly professional sport that involves tactical thought and outstanding technology. In this sport, players must execute flawless strokes and plan their movements to perfection. As a result, snooker is an intellectual game in specific ways. High concentration and attention are required here, as they are in many other comparable games. The high mental preparedness of the athletes often yields positive outcomes. Snooker is usually entertaining to watch and applaud because of these traits. It is also possible to place a wager on the game.

  • Avoid Wagering On Short Format Tournaments

Snooker isn’t a fixed sport at the moment; it is evolving. Consequently, new snooker events and variants pop up all the time. Almost all of these arrivals are regarded as “short clocks” in general. Their critical distinguishing trait is a predisposition towards expediting processes. Such competitions are well-known among experienced gamblers, who prefer to avoid them. These events, in this case, are appropriate for casual gamblers who wager for pleasure only. Focusing on classic and regular events is far preferable if you want to profit from snooker gambling at a site such as https://www.ufa365.info/ufabet.

  • Do Not Overlook Handicaps

Given that snooker tournaments are held regularly, it’s easy to observe how obvious favorites face up against high-priced outsiders in the early rounds. In this instance, straightforward match betting isn’t likely to yield significant results. It may be helpful to use comparable handicaps to attain reasonable odds and a relatively high winning chance. Individuals well-versed in the sport are well aware that unexpected outcomes might occur. That’s why putting positive handicaps on underdogs makes a lot of sense. Outsiders frequently manage to get off to a strong start, saving them from a significant setback. On the other side, negative handicaps might be applied to favorites. If you are confident that a favorite will have no trouble with their opponent, you should give him a handicap of around -3.5. Even a not-so-lopsided final score of 10-6 will bring in certain rewards in this case, and the odds for the contest will be pretty appealing.

  • Bet A 147 To Be Scored At Any Point In The Game

Wagering on a maximum to be scored at any moment is an intriguing method to make money in snooker. The fascinating aspect here is the enticing odds. Players’ abilities have improved dramatically in recent years. As a result, something that was thought to be insurmountable a few years ago is now simply a tough test for current players. Almost all the 32 qualifiers for the World Championship can now shoot a maximum break because of their quality enhancements. Furthermore, there’s a good chance that they’ve all done it before in their careers. Considering this, the likelihood of a 147 being scored at any point appears to be relatively high, as does the possibility of winning. As a result, this might be an excellent approach to considerably profit from snooker gambling at an online casino such as ufa365.info/ufabet.

Conclusion

These are among the bits of advice that gamblers may employ to get the most out of their snooker betting. At the same time, nobody is restricted to using these tactics solely. You have the freedom to develop a plan that works for you.

Inter Miami CF

Three Takeaways From Inter Miami’s Draw Against The Columbus Crew

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Inter Miami kicked off their Carolina Challenge Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw over the Columbus Crew.

The game wasn’t the prettiest, nor did the Herons play “free-flowing soccer” but in comparison to where they were this time last season, the difference is night and day.

Here are three takeaways from the match:

Defensively Compact

Heading into 2022, Miami wanted to mend the wrongs of their relatively slow 2021 backline.

Last season, the teams biggest weakest was a lack of cohesion in defense. With all the offseason acquisitions Miami has added over the last few months, there is now a clear vision of how the coaching staff wants them to defend.

The starting back three of Christopher McVey, Ian Fray, and Damion Lowe impressed. The trio was quick, on the same page, and was alert to every attack the Crew had for Miami. The three had the ability to calmly dribble/clear the ball out of nervy situations and were also very tidy with their passing.

For example, Miami’s first goal came thanks to a passing chain that was started by McVey in midfield:

However, that all changed late in the second half.

As soon as Phil Neville took out the starters, the lack of togetherness and experience started to show.

The Crew, through Derrick Etienne, started to pressure Miami’s right-hand side that eventually saw the men in yellow equalize in the 86th minute of play.

But, while Miami didn’t get the win, they certainly look far more competent at the back than they’ve ever been.

The Higuian to Lassiter Connection

Offensively, the game wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing.

Of course, most pundits and fans would like to see Miami play a more “beautiful brand of futbol” but looking at the current roster makeup, the days of wanting the Herons to carve up every MLS side like they’re 2009 Barcelona are dead on arrival.

Sometimes, it’s okay to play direct.

That ‘directness’ this season may very well come from the budding partnership of Ariel Lassiter and Gonzalo Higuain.

Though the Costa-Rican didn’t start, his influence off the bench was unmatched. Not only did his pressing disrupt Columbus playing out of the back, but his pace and ability to get in behind also gave Miami the lead in the 59th minute.

After the game, Lassiter spoke about his developing chemistry with Higuain:

Look for Miami to continue to exploit their partnership come February 26th.

Back Three Is Here To Stay…For Now

In all of Miami’s preseason games, they have lined up in either a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2.

Though Neville has spoken about using multiple formations, it appears that the South Florida club will stick with three at the back.

The way the roster is constructed, it’s hard to see Miami playing any other formation but a back three, especially with the number of central defenders on the roster:

Naturally, things are subject to change as the season continues, but – for now, it looks like three at the back is here to stay.

Quick Shoutout to…

Noah Allen!

The 17-year-old was one of Miami’s better players vs the Crew. His performance didn’t go unnoticed. He played well and held his own against a tough MLS opponent:

Allen was one of the brighter spots during the match. Should he continue his good form, it’ll only be a matter of time before he gets signed to the first team.

Five Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over Nets

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The Miami Heat had a good looking lead against the Brooklyn Nets early in the 4th, but Kyrie Irving began to happen. Miami would try and mix things up, but he would beat every double that came his way.

Kyle Lowry and Bam Adebayo had some big shots throughout to keep some padding, but it’s something to keep an eye on. As PJ Tucker noted previously, leads aren’t a comfortable nature on this team.

A big time Jimmy Butler drive with 20 seconds left put Miami up 3, which should always be his late-game outlet. An eventual Lowry steal iced it as they tried to get it to Irving.

Anyway, here are some takeaways from this one, heavily focused on the early game positive elements…

(Twitter thread incoming on the 4th quarter stuff later)

#1: Gabe Vincent: Two-Way deal to two-way dominant force.

When you hear the word “versatility,” your mind immediately flows in the direction of someone like Bam Adebayo, who can guard positions 1 to 5, be placed in different roles, and still be an evolving young player. But when watching Gabe Vincent, versatility is a key word. For one, you see him make unexpected plays on the defensive end, like Iguodala-esque steals and a highlight block at the rim. But more importantly, he’s constantly shifted within the offense. He’s running sets and dissecting the mid-range immediately. Then they go small with Lowry-Vincent-Herro-Strus-Adebayo, which relies more on his off-ball spacing and ball movement stringer. He kept Miami’s offense afloat in that first half, and it wasn’t just because of that 11 point mark in the scorers column.

#2: Tyler Herro looking fresh early on.

Staying the course of Miami’s first half offensive avenue, Tyler Herro was the other piece next to Vincent to keep things above water early on. But aside from that, he just looked fresh. After getting two games off, he came back in full dissector mode, but one play in that first half showed major growth. When facing drop, which he has major success against, the defender looped over the top of the screen and cut him off as he flowed into a potential mid-range pull-up. Instead of retreating back out per usual, he turned the corner, kept his dribble alive baseline, and found himself wide open around the rim for a lay-in. The phrase “turning the corner” is the interesting part, and it’s something we didn’t attach much to him in the past. But I’ve found myself noticing it a ton this season. He ended up not closing which was a bit surprising, but I’m not sure the specifics yet on why.

#3: My minor offensive evaluation: Bam Adebayo growing in “Kyle Lowry world.”

Watching Bam Adebayo get the ball on the break, run in the open court, then finish in traffic for a transition lay-in provides some flashbacks to what we’ve seen throughout this week. But seeing it on repeat over this recent stretch leads to further evaluations. Kyle Lowry basically forces surrounding pieces into playing at an extremely fast pace, but there’s an adjustment period with that, especially with Adebayo early in the season. Yet recently, I’ve seen Bam filling up transition gaps in a much more comfortable way. It may be Lowry’s world, but Bam seems to really fit the mold of his community.

#4: PJ Tucker. That’s it. That’s my takeaway.

Miami’s off-ball movement begins, the ball starts to swing, and finds the hands of PJ Tucker as he rises up from the dunker spot to post position. He gives a quick little post move, then turns into a nice looking post hook. Yeah, abnormal. The following possession, two defenders end up doubling Kyle Lowry in the corner, which he then flips it to Tucker on the baseline slip. He gets into post position again, kicks it out, but the ball gets tipped. What do you usually do next? Well, a normal person would see the Nets defense scoop it up and get into transition. But when you are PJ Tucker, you dive on the floor and tap it out in perfect fashion for a Duncan Robinson corner three. Plays like that just sum up Tucker, as he crawled back to the defensive end with Adebayo simultaneously picking him up.

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#5: The solidity of a back-up big.

Looking at the teams that sit atop their respective conferences as the 1 seed–in the Heat and the Suns– we can pick out many similarities between the teams. But one that grazes under the radar, yet shouldn’t, is the solidity of the back-up big spot. JaVale McGee is another story with the way he can plug into the starting lineup or provide spark minutes, but Dewayne Dedmon just shows that he can be Bam Adebayo’s playoff minute eater. Bam playing 40, while Dedmon keeps them afloat across the other 8. Looking at tonight, it clearly wasn’t his most efficiently impactful night. He had some moments where he’d snag a needed rebound, or even hit a three early on, but perimeter teams who go small can play him off the floor and put him in an odd spot. When watching runs like the one seen from Brooklyn tonight, it shows the importance of his impact. Or better yet, the potential of Miami going small in a shrunken rotation against certain teams in the post-season.

 

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Goldie’s Best Bets: Rams will be Champions

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All the twists and turns of a wild NFL season have led us here: Super Bowl 56. Just like the NFL, Uncle Jeff and I have also endured our own set of twists and turns in picking games this season. After many ups and downs in a very hectic season, again I find myself completely level versus the spread. One game to go, for all the marbles and for a positive record! Win or lose, I appreciate you all for coming along for the ride… Here.. We.. Go!

 

Goldie:

All Time Record: 297-149-1          

Vs. Spread: 223-223-1

 

21-22 Season:  171-94-1               

Vs. Spread: 134-134-1

 

Conference Championship Record: 1-1          

Vs. Spread: 1-1

 

Guarantee Record: 17-15

Upset Record: 18-13              

 

Crazy Uncle Jeff 

All Time: 36-19              

21-22 Season: 20-18       

Final 2020: 16-1

 

Super Bowl 56

Cincinnati Bengals (13-7) vs. Los Angeles Rams (15-5)

Vegas Picks: LAR -4

Goldie’s Take: Rams Win 30-24

We couldn’t have asked for a more likable Super Bowl matchup. On one end you have a true Cinderella story with the Bengals making it to their first Super Bowl since ‘88, and on the other end you have veteran QB Matt Stafford who is making his first Super Bowl appearance in the midst of a tough 13 year career (thanks, Detroit). Hard to root against either team in this one. Before the season, FPI only ranked the Bengals above three teams in their odds to win the Super Bowl at +10000, or 100 to 1. Now Joe Cool has the chance to lead the Bengals to their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history, and he also has the opportunity to be the first QB ever to win the Heisman, a Collegiate National Championship and the Super Bowl. This, in just his second season. Unbelievable! However, what stands in his way is his toughest test yet. The Rams went all in on a Super Bowl this season, and they absolutely have the roster to back it up. The Rams had one of the most complete rosters in football to begin the season, and additions such as Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. have only made them stronger. Aaron Donald and that fierce Rams pass rush should have Burrow on the run (or on the ground) a lot, and unlike Tennessee, LA has a high powered offense to go along with their rock-solid defense. Burrow and the Bengals have already way outperformed expectations this season, and they’ll be competitive for years to come, but Jeffy and I agree that this is Matthew Stafford’s time. Stafford has been waiting a long 12 year career for this moment. He beat the Goat. He finally got the Rams over the 49ers hump. And now it’s time for Matt Stafford to finally get that elusive Super Bowl win. The Rams win their first Super Bowl since 1999 with a win over the Bengals! 

 

*****

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Josh Boyer observes practice

Dolphins opt to retain Josh Boyer as defensive coordinator

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The Miami Dolphins revealed on Friday that defensive coordinator Josh Boyer would be retained for the position. This report comes shortly after the news broke that secondary coach Gerald Alexander would not be staying on the staff.

The decision to retain Boyer comes from a place of desiring continuity. Boyer was handpicked by Brian Flores in 2020 to run his defense after being on his staff as the defensive pass game coordinator & cornerbacks coach in 2019. By keeping Boyer, head coach Mike McDaniel hopes to keep the same level of defense that gave him fits in San Francisco.

“What I saw was a defense that I didn’t want to go against.” McDaniel said during his introductory press conference on Thursday. “What I saw was a collective group of people that I could, from the tape, I knew they loved football and that is such a key component that people undervalue because there’s so many dollars, there’s a lot of fame out there for players, but the teams that win, the people love football and you can feel it and it’s visceral.

“To win (seven) consecutive games, I think it was, (near the) end the season, you could see players playing hard. You could see a defense that again, I’m glad is our defense.”

There is some controversy surrounding the decision. Rumors are swirling that the defense’s sudden turnaround is because of Brian Flores taking over the play calling. However, many Dolphins players attributed the defense’s success to Josh Boyer, if only in part.

“I’ll say giving the offenses different looks.” DE Emmanuel Ogbah said when asked what Boyer had done to fix the defense. “That attributes to practice, just giving our offense different looks just to see how they react to it. Coach Boyer, he’s done a great job disguising plays, all-out blitzes. We kind of went back to our old thing but I’m glad he’s switching it up and giving offenses different looks, confusing them.”

The endorsement by Ogbah speaks volumes. He was asked for specifics into what Boyer contributed to the defense and that was his answer. What’s more, it heavily implies Boyer was still calling plays. For Boyer to give opposing teams different looks, he has to call the play in the first place.

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McDaniel further explained the decision during his interview with WQAM on Friday morning, when the news first broke Josh Boyer was staying.

“Here’s another simple formula.” He said. “I feel like if you’ve coached offense your whole career, one litmus test is if you are deciding what defense you play, how awesome would it be if you didn’t want to play that defense? For it to be the defense you have? And the defense was miserable. They crushed us in 2020.

“And I believe in their style. I think versatility is paramount. You say aggressive? I think every play is aggressive, I think when you’re playing a four-man rush, it’s aggressive. I think you do things that give your players an advantage and you keep offenses off balance. So our style of football is going to be aggressive but we might be rushing four, we might be rushing six. It’s the way we play, our fundamentals, how we attack blocks, the way we use our hands, the way we come off the ball, the way we tackle, the way we strike, the way we go after the ball. The list is long. But it’s an aggressive mentality that I really enjoy. And I enjoy the philosophy of the defense and case in point I don’t want to go against it. So why don’t you join us?”

With Boyer as the defensive coordinator in 2021, Miami’s defense was ranked 14th in rushing and 16th against the pass. Obviously, the numbers would have been better if not for the 7-game losing streak after Week 1.

The real reason behind the defense’s drastic drop off may never be known. However, if most of the personnel can stay the same, then at least there is a template to follow. Obviously, some players will leave. But the young core is now firmly in place. The very last quote from Boyer before the season ended offered insight into how he views the game of football.

“The reason I love football so much is because it really kind of relates or correlates to life.” Boyer said on Jan. 4. “Sometimes you get knocked down and all of us have experienced loss or tragedy, and sometimes you have to push forward and put your foot in front of the other for others. That’s why I like football because when you sign up for that, you’re a part of something that’s greater than yourself. We’ve got a lot of good guys, a lot of mentally and physically tough guys in our locker room. We’re excited about the challenge this week, for sure.”

The quote may have been before the Patriots game, but it still stands today. Miami’s players on defense are going to push hard to be successful. True, Brian Flores is gone now. But he would not have picked Boyer or let him continue his job from 2020 if he thought him incapable. Flores fired offensive coaches on a whim. It’s unlikely he would tolerate failure from his defensive coaches if he felt expectations weren’t being met.

Josh Boyer deserves at least one chance to prove he can be a good defensive coordinator. If the defense doesn’t play up to par, then McDaniel will have a new set of options to choose from in 2023. For now, give Boyer the benefit of the doubt and keep the scheme intact.

Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for seven years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

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Five Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over Pelicans

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The Miami Heat faced the New Orleans Pelicans on the night of the deadline, after a rather quiet afternoon, but still got the win.

A Kyle Lowry triple-double, Jimmy Butler dictating, and Bam Adebayo aggressiveness.

The Heat’s 3 best players were their 3 best players.

Anyway, here are some takeaways from this one…

#1: Another high awareness offensive start from Bam Adebayo.

Bam Adebayo entered this game in New Orleans with some pretty aggressive offensive showings right behind him. He’s found ways to exploit these switchy teams, put his back to the basket when needed, and find some clear lanes to attack. But in this match-up, it was clearly a bigger body than we’ve seen recently, in Jonas Valanciunas. But right from the jump, we saw a similar mindset. It’s one thing to be aggressive, but it’s another thing to be decisive. Tonight, we saw both. Instead of taking advantage of a one-on-one match-up, he found the dead spots on the floor and rose up. That exact area was the middle of the floor inside the free throw line, where he flowed into that jumper early. He dominated around the rim yet again, even with the surrounding size, and that’s when you know we’re noticing change. He’s evolving.

#2: Jimmy Butler hunting again, as Miami tries to find a rhythm.

As we saw in a recent game against Charlotte, there’s one difference in this Heat team compared to recent ones. Even though there’s a similar focus on three-point shooting, it isn’t the only deciding factor in winning and losing a game. In past years, if they weren’t shooting well, they would keep going to it since it was their only choice. This season, that is usually a signal for Jimmy Butler time. He always finds a way to keep them afloat during that time, and that begins with mismatch hunting and camping out at the charity stripe. For one, Kyle Lowry being slotted next to him allows for much quicker insert passes, but it’s still all Butler in terms of seeking out opportunities to get to the line. And that’s how they survive.

#3: Omer Yurtseven next to Bam Adebayo again?

When looking at this Heat roster tonight, without Tyler Herro and Caleb Martin, I was intrigued with how the rotation might shake up. But it should’ve been obvious against a bigger Pelicans’ team that they would go big. We saw Dewayne Dedmon next to Bam for stretches, but Omer Yurtseven entering was the part to mention. It makes sense to go big in that manner when losing depth options, but we saw it in a positive light once again. The reasoning: it’s for short stints. Anyway, we saw the high-low actions being spammed, and man did they look good. Adebayo would get position down low on a 4, no help was in sight, and he went up in the post for a decent look. We’ve seen this as Bam as the ‘high’ one and PJ Tucker as the ‘low’ guy, but Tucker isn’t a post threat. That’s the small difference in the offensive sets, and it’s good to see that diversity depending on the personnel.

#4: Heat dodging a bullet in New Orleans, and it’s not about the game.

As the Heat play the Pelicans on the night of the trade deadline, it blends right into the conversation many have been having about this team the past 24 hours. If a move was going to be made, they needed someone at the back-up 4 to eat up some minutes for PJ Tucker. And well, that’s what the buyout market will be for. Anyway, as Tucker drives baseline for a bounce pass into Bam in the middle of the floor, the play quickly escalated to more than an offensive set. Tucker went down on the floor grabbing his knee, leaving many Heat observers in freak-out mode. (If that doesn’t showcase the importance of Tucker, I don’t know what does.) Anyway, it ended up being named a left knee contusion, and there was Tucker standing on the court as the third quarter started. I personally wouldn’t have played him after he went down, but it’s hard to hold back Tucker when in that competitive state.

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#5: The impact of Kyle Lowry.

Forget the stats tonight, which were as Kyle Lowry as Kyle Lowry stats get. (Triple-double btw.) But when watching impact, there’s no one better. For starters, it is just simply night and day in the ways the offensive sets are run with this Heat team. Their first action begins so much sooner in the shot clock due to his initial full court entry pass, but the half court stuff is much more noticeable. The main element ties back to Bam Adebayo. It isn’t a coincidence that Adebayo’s aggression and comfort aligns perfectly with the return of Lowry to the lineup. Looking at his assist numbers, he just sets Adebayo up quite perfectly, and not just out of the PnR. He finds him. He aborts the play. And forces him to go to work. The best play for Adebayo.

 

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Dolphins hire Jon Embree to assist Mike McDaniel

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Jon Embree has been hired as the tight ends coach and assistant head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

 

 

This past Sunday, the Miami Dolphins hired 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel as their new Head Coach. 

 

Embree follows Mike McDaniel to South Florida to coach a TE group consisting of rookie 3rd round pick Hunter Long and Adam Shaheen

 

 

Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe are Free Agents, unless Miami retains one or both of them. 

 

Embree first made his mark on the NFL in 2006 as a Tight End coach with the Kansas City Chiefs. There he coached Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez who led the league in 20007 and 2008 in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. 

 

He then joined the formerly known Washington Redskins in 2010 where TE Chris Cooley ranked 2nd in TE receptions. He also helped Jordan Cameron reach the Pro Bowl in 2013 as Cameron ranked 2nd in receiving yards (917). 

 

In 2016 with Tampa Bay, Embree helped TE Cameron Brate establish career highs in in receptions (57) yards (660) and touchdowns (8) which tied most in the NFL among tight ends. 

 

 

From 2017-2021, George Kittle was developed under Embree who helped him earn All-Pro honors, 49ers franchise records for tight ends, PFWA All-NFL and All-NFC and was selected as a starter in the Pro Bowl multiple times. 

 

 

Embree has played in college and been in the NFL for 12 years and brings an experienced mind in the offensive room and help develop talented tight ends in Miami.

 

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