Miami’s performance against Cincinnati left me encouraged by the defense and increasingly concerned about the offense and special teams. The corners held their own against an elite receiver duo, Chris Johnson continued his improvement, and Ollie Gordon gave Miami something to build on in the running game. Here are my seven biggest takeaways.
1. Special Teams Still Look Unprepared
There has not been a moment this season where I have felt confident that Miami’s special teams were prepared. At this point, I think the coordinator’s job deserves serious scrutiny. This unit needs to give Miami dependable execution, and I have not seen that consistently. I am less certain about how much blame belongs to the coordinator versus the roster’s lack of depth. That could be contributing to the struggles, but it does not remove the coaching staff’s responsibility to prepare the players available.
2. Malik Willis Is Not the Answer
At this point, I do not see Malik Willis as Miami’s long-term answer at quarterback. His accuracy remains inconsistent, especially downfield, and he is too often unwilling to take the checkdown. Combined with his turnover issues, those missed opportunities make it difficult for the offense to sustain drives.
What also frustrates me is his reluctance to run when the defense gives him space. His athleticism should help him turn a covered passing play into positive yards. He needs to take those opportunities instead of forcing a throw or passing up an available gain.
3. The Interior Held Up in Protection but Struggled to Create Movement
Miami’s interior offensive line held up reasonably well in pass protection against Dexter and Jonathan Allen. The bigger challenge came in the run game, where it was difficult to move them off their spots.
That is a tough assignment for most offensive lines, so I wouldn't describe this as a poor performance overall. Miami generally held its own in protecting Willis, but struggled to generate interior displacement and create room for the backs.
4. The Defense Was Once Again Miami’s Best Unit
The defense was Miami’s best unit again, and the corners deserve credit for their work against Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Aside from a deep completion to Chase off a tipped ball, the two combined for seven catches for 45 yards. Miami largely kept an elite receiver duo from creating explosive plays.
Cincinnati still moved the ball through short completions and an efficient running game, so there are areas to improve. Even with those issues, the defense gave me the most encouraging takeaways from this performance.
5. Chris Johnson’s Improvement and the “Jacob Rodriguez Effect”
Chris Johnson keeps getting better each game, and his punch-out against Cincinnati was another encouraging moment. The way he attacked the football reminded me of Jacob Rodriguez's “Peanut Punch.”
That is what I mean by the “Jacob Rodriguez effect.” Seeing another young defender make that same deliberate effort to knock the ball loose is a positive sign. Whether or not Rodriguez directly influenced the play, I like seeing that approach show up elsewhere in Miami’s defense.
6. Outside Zone Worked, but Gordon Needs to Lead the Backfield
Outside zone was an effective part of Miami’s offense, with Ollie Gordon looking like the better option. Against an interior defensive line that was difficult to move, attacking wider gave Miami another way to create rushing opportunities.
Jaylen Wright feels almost unplayable to me right now because he lacks vision and tough running. I am not seeing him consistently identify the available lanes or finish runs with the physicality Miami needs. Based on this performance, Gordon should lead the backfield and receive consistent touches throughout the game.
7. Miami Has to Draft Jeremiah Smith
If Miami has the opportunity to draft Jeremiah Smith, I believe it has to take him. He is a generational talent and, in my opinion, arguably the best wide receiver prospect ever. With no quarterback in this class currently worthy of the first overall pick, Smith is my clear No. 1.
Jon-Eric Sullivan said Miami plans to build around Malik Willis next year. If that is the direction, adding Smith would give the offense the kind of centerpiece it needs.
My concerns about Willis haven't changed, but I wouldn't force a quarterback selection over a player I rate this highly. I want to see more of the season before making a final judgment on the quarterback class. Right now, Smith would be my pick.
Miami’s performance against Cincinnati left me encouraged by the defense and increasingly concerned about the offense and special teams. The corners held their own against an elite receiver duo, Chris Johnson continued his improvement, and Ollie Gordon gave Miami something to build on in the running game. Here are my seven biggest takeaways.
1. Special Teams Still Look Unprepared
There has not been a moment this season where I have felt confident that Miami’s special teams were prepared. At this point, I think the coordinator’s job deserves serious scrutiny. This unit needs to give Miami dependable execution, and I have not seen that consistently. I am less certain about how much blame belongs to the coordinator versus the roster’s lack of depth. That could be contributing to the struggles, but it does not remove the coaching staff’s responsibility to prepare the players available.
2. Malik Willis Is Not the Answer
At this point, I do not see Malik Willis as Miami’s long-term answer at quarterback. His accuracy remains inconsistent, especially downfield, and he is too often unwilling to take the checkdown. Combined with his turnover issues, those missed opportunities make it difficult for the offense to sustain drives.
What also frustrates me is his reluctance to run when the defense gives him space. His athleticism should help him turn a covered passing play into positive yards. He needs to take those opportunities instead of forcing a throw or passing up an available gain.
3. The Interior Held Up in Protection but Struggled to Create Movement
Miami’s interior offensive line held up reasonably well in pass protection against Dexter and Jonathan Allen. The bigger challenge came in the run game, where it was difficult to move them off their spots.
That is a tough assignment for most offensive lines, so I wouldn't describe this as a poor performance overall. Miami generally held its own in protecting Willis, but struggled to generate interior displacement and create room for the backs.
4. The Defense Was Once Again Miami’s Best Unit
The defense was Miami’s best unit again, and the corners deserve credit for their work against Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Aside from a deep completion to Chase off a tipped ball, the two combined for seven catches for 45 yards. Miami largely kept an elite receiver duo from creating explosive plays.
Cincinnati still moved the ball through short completions and an efficient running game, so there are areas to improve. Even with those issues, the defense gave me the most encouraging takeaways from this performance.
5. Chris Johnson’s Improvement and the “Jacob Rodriguez Effect”
Chris Johnson keeps getting better each game, and his punch-out against Cincinnati was another encouraging moment. The way he attacked the football reminded me of Jacob Rodriguez's “Peanut Punch.”
That is what I mean by the “Jacob Rodriguez effect.” Seeing another young defender make that same deliberate effort to knock the ball loose is a positive sign. Whether or not Rodriguez directly influenced the play, I like seeing that approach show up elsewhere in Miami’s defense.
6. Outside Zone Worked, but Gordon Needs to Lead the Backfield
Outside zone was an effective part of Miami’s offense, with Ollie Gordon looking like the better option. Against an interior defensive line that was difficult to move, attacking wider gave Miami another way to create rushing opportunities.
Jaylen Wright feels almost unplayable to me right now because he lacks vision and tough running. I am not seeing him consistently identify the available lanes or finish runs with the physicality Miami needs. Based on this performance, Gordon should lead the backfield and receive consistent touches throughout the game.
7. Miami Has to Draft Jeremiah Smith
If Miami has the opportunity to draft Jeremiah Smith, I believe it has to take him. He is a generational talent and, in my opinion, arguably the best wide receiver prospect ever. With no quarterback in this class currently worthy of the first overall pick, Smith is my clear No. 1.
Jon-Eric Sullivan said Miami plans to build around Malik Willis next year. If that is the direction, adding Smith would give the offense the kind of centerpiece it needs.
My concerns about Willis haven't changed, but I wouldn't force a quarterback selection over a player I rate this highly. I want to see more of the season before making a final judgment on the quarterback class. Right now, Smith would be my pick.
