The Black Jersey wearing Oakland Raiders came to Miami for the seasons week three matchup. Real feel temperatures were stifling in the triple digits, and one would figure that the visitors would eventually wilt.
The heart and soul of the Dolphin defense in Safety Rashad Jones would be ruled in-active for this weeks game.
Perhaps the hardest working coach turned commentator, turned coach John "Coach" Gruden worked his but off this past week in preperation for Miami's Dolphins.
Miami won the coin toss and diverted.
Oakland took the opening possession 75 yards in four plays with two of those plays going to ex-Packer receiver Jordy Nelson. On the games second play from the vistors 25 QB Derek Carr hit a wide-open Nelson in stride for 61 yards through the area of what is usually the responsibility of the in-active Rashad Jones. Two plays later Nelson finished the deal with a 12 yard touchdown reception and 7 - 0 visitors lead.
The home team went 3/Out on four yards from their own 29, but with a great punt, coverage, and aid of a Raider penalty, Miami pinned the visitors back to their own 5 yard line. Any "Coach" will tell'ya keep doin what you're doin until they can stop'ya, and 6 plays later from the visitors 26 Carr hit another wide-open Jordy Nelson for 66 yards to the Dolphin 8 yard line.
Miami's Defense held on a 4th/Goal from the one. However. Jordy Nelson (alone) had piled up 139 recieving yards and a touchdown in two possessions before the Dolphins had gained 5 yards. "Keep doin what you're doin until they can stop'ya". Nelson caught 3 balls for 34 yards on the days remainder.
The home team moved out from under their goal-post to the 31 on seven plays and Haack'ed a punt of 28 yards to the visitors 41 yard line. Carr immediately procedded to toss a hail mary into triple coverage that Miami CB Xavian Howard intercepted at the four and returned 39 yards to the Dolphin 43.
A Miami 3/Out was followed by an Oakland 3/Out though the Dolphins lost DE/DT William Hayes to injury 45 seconds into the 2nd quarter on his 3rd & 3 sack of Carr. The Dolphins began the day with a 9 man Defensive-Line rotation, and the loss of Hayes was almost immediately felt. From here on out, Head Coach extraordinaire turned Commmentator Bruce Arians suggested that the Miami DL was "gassed", and he wasn't lying.
The exchange of punts left the Dolphins at the Raiders 35 yard line. Gore got nadda, then one yard on second down while a 3rd down incompletion was a do-over for off-setting penalties. On 3rd/9 Ryan Tannehill dropped a 52 yard (through the air) lolli-pop over the shoulder of a well covered Kenny Stills at the extreme back-end of the endzone for the 34 yard Miami TOUCHDOWN to even the score with SEVENS.
Oakland then received the ball at their 25. Four plays follow and from the Raiders 41 Cam Wake sacks Carr on 3rd/6, but wait, Dolphin DT starter Akeem Spence is penalized & ejected for a man on man unsportmanlike altercation which nullifies Miami's defensive stop.
The home teams nine man DL rotation is now down to 7 (four minutes into the second quater), and Marshawn "Beast-Mode" Lynch along with the Raiders Big, Nasty, Talented OL seems to be having their way as the pre-game wilting scenario has taken a turn for the worse as far as the home team fans are concerned.
The visitors march down to the Miami 7 yard line for a 1st/Goal opportunity. For the days second time the Dolphins D rises to the occassion and this time forces a 25 yard field goal to stay within 3 points.
Miami replied with a nice drive from 25 to 25 for an end of half tying field goal possibility but the refs called a few ghostly penalties on them which led to a sack on a play that should have never came to be (if not for the erroneous calls via the guys in stripes) that pushed the Dolphins out of game tying range. Head Coach turned Commentator Bruce Arians suggested time and again throughout the game that "Gruden had great influence over the refs and that he was in their head". The first half ended with the home team trailing 10 - 7.
The Dolphins open the 3rd quarter with a 3 & Out. Oakland responds with a 15 play, nearly 10 minute, 67 yard touchdown drive capped off by a one yard Beast Mode leap over the "gassed" Miami DL. Seems as though that Lynch has run for a thousand today while the Raiders bull their way to a 17 - 7 late third quarter lead. PS. DE Andre Branch went down with knee injury during this previous visiting team TD drive, and the Dolphins 9 man DL rotation for this game is down to 6 with 21-plus game minutes remaining.
Holdup there Ye'Of'Little'Faith, things are about to get interestingly exciting as Adam Gase decides to open up the playbook. Miami takes possession at their own 30. The Dolphin QB named Ryan Tannehill (who as starter with Gase at the helm has now won 10 of his last 11 games played) hits Amendola for 15, then drops another 46 yard (through the air pass) over the shoulder, down the sidelines and into the bucket of first time activated DeVante Parker for a 36 yard gain to the Oakland 19. A play later he flicks a one half yard shovel pass to end-around Jakeem Grant who's blazing speed takes it the remaining 19 yards of the (4 play, 70 yard series) for a Miami TOUCHDOWN to pull within 17 - 14 with 55 third quarter ticks to go.
A Raider, Dolphin, and another Raider punts gives Miami the ball at their own 30 yard line with just one half of the 4th quarter remaining and the home team trailing 17 - 14. Tannehill scrambles for 18. Then on a play from Miami's 48 that appeared to be similar to the planets revolving around Gase' prodigal son/sun. Gore lines up at FB with Grant deep in the backfield, Gore moving to the left drifts across the face of THill for a handoff while wideout left Albert Wilson and Grant cautiously gravitate right, Gore pitches the ball to Wilson who glides around behind the solar eclipsing/blocking QB while the tiny planet Grant streaks into unchartered territories all by his lonesome to recieve Albert Wilson's 27 yard (through the air) pass and takes it to Da'House for the 52 yard first Miami lead of the day 21 - 17 Dolphin TOUCHDOWN.
Oakland then proceeds 77 yards from their own 10 to the Dolphins 13 in four-plus minutes on nine plays before Miami CB extrodinaire X Howard takes away possession for his second of the day on an unbelievable back of the EZ interception.
Frank Gore runs for 6 yards from the Miami 20, and on 2nd/4 Albert Wilson again streaks left across the face of Adam's sun for a one half yard shovel pass that turns into an untouchable 74 yard shooting star to wish upon for another Dolphin TOUCHDOWN and lead extension of 28 - 17.
Jakeem Grant from the fields extreme right ran gradually left across the field stride for stride with Wilson almost as if it were a race, and when they converged at the Raiders 20 they high-fived their way into he EndZone side by side, GREAT-STUFF!!!
TWENTY ONE unanswered Miami Dolphin points before the Raiders score their meaningless end of game field goal to pull within 28 - 20. Miami recovers the on-sides kick, and for a third consecutive week they hold the final possession for the W in VICTORY FORMATION!!!
The Miami Dolphins outlasted the Titans in the leagues longest game in history, they outplayed the Jets in NY, and now (in what became a game against all odds), those of Aqua & Orange have "outwitted, outplayed, and outlasted" the Raiders!!!
These Dolphins of Miami are SURVIVORS, and to win how they've won in 2018 they are far beyond average!!!
YEAAAA BABY 3 - 0 with a two game lead on the entire division, and sole possession of first place after three games for the first time since 1998 when a guy named Danny was who the universe revolved around!!!
Yeee Haaa, GIGGITTY, GOFINS!!!
Showing posts with label Oakland Raiders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oakland Raiders. Show all posts
Miami Dolphins Hire Defensive Line Coach Terrell Williams
The Miami Dolphins defensive line coach of the last seven seasons. (Kacy Rodgers) was lured to the New York Jets last week with a promotion to defensive coordinator (via friend, ex-Dolphin/Cardinals coach, and recently hired NYJ head coach Todd Bowles). Both Bowles and Rodgers came to Miami from Dallas in 2008 in care of Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland, and Tony Sparano.
Terrell Williams whom has held the same defensive line coach position with the Oakland Raiders from the 2012 thru 2014 seasons has been named as Rodgers' replacement for the Miami Dolphins.
Williams became one of many staff expendables with the Raiders hiring of a new head coach in the defensive minded Jack Del-Rio. Williams had actually accepted the highly touted Florida Gators Defensive Line Coach position previous to the Dolphins sudden need.
Born in 1974, Williams is just 40 years old while his only NFL job was that of the above mentioned in Oakland. He was a two year Nose Guard at East Carolina just 19 years ago from 1995 thru 1996. From 1998 to this day he has been a Defensive Line coach that has steadily rose through the ranks of collegiate as well as prestigious NFL venues with Oakland, and now Miami.
His Defensive Line Coach resume includes a 1998 stint at Fort Scott Community College which was followed by consistent steps up in class with two years at North Carolina A & T while also holding an internship with the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars in 1999.
Two years at Youngstown State
Two years at Akron
Four years at Purdue
Two years at Texas A & M and then
2012 thru 2014 as the Oakland Raiders Defensive Line Coach.
Kacy Rodgers as an NFL Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle coach in 2003-2004, and defensive line coach since is five years older than Terrell Williams while having the same five years of additional overall coaching experience though at lesser collegiate venues.
With a far inferior cast of 4 - 3 schemed defensive line characters in Oakland! The Raiders versus an offensively superior division in both the run and passing game were 22nd in the league versus the rush while the similar 4 - 3 Dolphins defense ranked 24th.
Is this to be looked at as a fresh start with more upside, or a step backwards?
What does it mean as far as FA DT Jared Odrick's future Dolphin status is concerned?
Do you remember the televised verbal tongue lashing that Odrick bestowed upon Joe Philbin as Kacy Rodgers stood by with arms folded?
Thanks for an open minded read, and we look forward to your angle of view : )) !!
GOFINS!!!
Terrell Williams whom has held the same defensive line coach position with the Oakland Raiders from the 2012 thru 2014 seasons has been named as Rodgers' replacement for the Miami Dolphins.
Williams became one of many staff expendables with the Raiders hiring of a new head coach in the defensive minded Jack Del-Rio. Williams had actually accepted the highly touted Florida Gators Defensive Line Coach position previous to the Dolphins sudden need.
Born in 1974, Williams is just 40 years old while his only NFL job was that of the above mentioned in Oakland. He was a two year Nose Guard at East Carolina just 19 years ago from 1995 thru 1996. From 1998 to this day he has been a Defensive Line coach that has steadily rose through the ranks of collegiate as well as prestigious NFL venues with Oakland, and now Miami.
His Defensive Line Coach resume includes a 1998 stint at Fort Scott Community College which was followed by consistent steps up in class with two years at North Carolina A & T while also holding an internship with the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars in 1999.
Two years at Youngstown State
Two years at Akron
Four years at Purdue
Two years at Texas A & M and then
2012 thru 2014 as the Oakland Raiders Defensive Line Coach.
Kacy Rodgers as an NFL Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle coach in 2003-2004, and defensive line coach since is five years older than Terrell Williams while having the same five years of additional overall coaching experience though at lesser collegiate venues.
With a far inferior cast of 4 - 3 schemed defensive line characters in Oakland! The Raiders versus an offensively superior division in both the run and passing game were 22nd in the league versus the rush while the similar 4 - 3 Dolphins defense ranked 24th.
Is this to be looked at as a fresh start with more upside, or a step backwards?
What does it mean as far as FA DT Jared Odrick's future Dolphin status is concerned?
Do you remember the televised verbal tongue lashing that Odrick bestowed upon Joe Philbin as Kacy Rodgers stood by with arms folded?
Thanks for an open minded read, and we look forward to your angle of view : )) !!
GOFINS!!!
Miami Dolphins Frolic Across The Pond
The Oakland Raiders tootled around London for seven days whilst the Miami Dolphins stuck to their usual routine amongst the blood thirsty Miami media and fan speculation. Miami head coach Joe Philbin in an attempted quarterback motivating move, (by not naming his starting quarterback for the week four match up) fueled the jumping to conclusions paparazzi like mob.
No-Matter!
What does matter! Is that Ryan Tannehill's liver felt the force of Joe Philbins foot to his backside, and responded by leading his team from behind with THIRTY EIGHT UNANSWERED Miami Dolphin points.
Oakland took the opening kickoff and drove 74 yards for an early 7 - 0 lead, and didn't score again until a touchdown in garbage time.
The Dolphins responded with a field goal to the Raiders opening touchdown and trailed 7 - 3. At this point, Ryan Tannehill proceeded to complete FOURTEEN successive attempts on three Miami Dolphin first half touchdown drives.
Miami executed scores on four of their six first half possessions for a 24 to 7 halftime lead. The two possessions that they didn't score on were due to a fumbled punt return in Oakland territory, and a purposeful first half ending kneel down.
In facing a 7 - 3 deficit. The Dolphins marched 91 yards that ended in a Mike Wallace TOUCHDOWN on their second possession. Wallace took the screen pass at the 15 yard line, uncharacteristically powered through two defenders at the five yard line, and another at the two for the score in Charles Clay type fashion. Ryan Tannehill went 6 for 6 for 86 yards of the ninety one that led to a 10 - 7 Miami lead.
On the Dolphins following drive of 63 yards. Tannehill went 3 for 3 and Miami scored in an aggressive manor from 8 yards out on a Lamar Miller 4th & one TOUCHDOWN play. Fins 17 Raiders 7.
After a Miami fumbled punt return possession on Oakland's side of the field, and another defensive stop/Raider punt. The Dolphins marched 90 yards on 9 plays for a 24 - 7 scoreboard advantage. Ryan went 5 for 5 and capped the drive with his fourteenth consecutive completion which was an absolutely beautiful TOUCHDOWN pass and catch of eighteen yards to backup tight end Dion Sims.
Miami took a knee on their final first half possession and went to the tunnel ahead by 17 points.
Ryan Tanne-THRILL was 17 of 19 for 204 passing yards and two touchdowns with 18 additional yards coming by way of his legs in only the first half of play.
The Dolphins took the second half kickoff, and Ryan's second down attempt of a 15th consecutive completion was dropped. No-Matter. On the next 3rd and 12 play he converted a pass of fourteen yards to Brian Hartline for "another Miami Dolphins first down". He drove HIS TEAM seventy yards down to the opponents two yard line before a Lamar Miller fumble at the goal line.
Oakland took the ball at their own 20, and NOW it was the Miami Dolphins defenses turn. On a Courtland Finnegan blitz that forced an errant throw, Brent Grimes intercepted the ball at the Raiders 35 and returned it to Oakland's three yard line. Two plays later Lamar Miller neutralized his own previous fumble with his second TOUCHDOWN of the day for a Dolphin lead of 31 - 7.
Upon the Raiders next attempt, a bad snap blew by the quarterbacks head and was swooped up by Courtland Finnegan who walked 50 yards for another Miami Dolphins TOUCHDOWN to go up by a score of 38 - 7.
The Raiders next possession resulted in Miami's Jimmy Wilson returning an Oakland interception from his own 38 to the opponents 31, (the ball was placed on the 16 yard line after an Oakland personal foul penalty on the play). On the Dolphins first play Ryan Tannehill hit a short pass to Daniel Thomas who scored his first touchdown of the season and Miami's 45th point of the day, but it was reversed by a penalty. On another touchdown attempt during the same possession, Dion Sims had the ball bounce off his two forearms for a Raiders interception, Tannehills first and only of the day. Oakland went three and out.
Later down the long and winding road whilst trailing by a score of 38 - 7, Oakland scored a touchdown with 11:50 remaining in the 4th quarter to pull within the games 24 point spread finality.
The Miami Dolphins defense didn't have a 2014 interception prior to this game. Late in the 4th quarter Rookie corner back Walt Aikens added a team third interception to the day for the "Jolly Ole Chaps" of the American South East Football Franchise.
T'Was like night and day in comparison to Miami's previous contest. The Dolphins stuck to their routine while changing everything with brilliant play calling designed towards the proficiency of Ryan Tannehills strengths. Miami skill players (for the most part) executed to a tee, the special teams showed up, and the defense forced turnovers play after play, after play.
Miami totaled 435 yards, (Tanne-THRILL directly accounted for 313 via his arm and legs). The Dolphins accrued 278 yards through the air on 31 passes with Brian Hartline being tops for 74 yards on six catches. Miami had 157 on the ground off of 35 attempts with Lamar Miller leading the way on 12 carries for 64 yards and two touchdowns. The defense had two sacks and forced four turnovers (one for six points) whilst allowing 317 yards, (53 via the ground). The Dolphins punter Brandon Fields had just two attempts on the day.
To the joy (in one way or another) of all the attempting to be a distraction media, as well as all the faithful Dolphin fans far and wide. Backup Quarterback Matt Moore did indeed play on this day, (for the last eight minutes of the game) along with the rest of The Miami Dolphins much appreciated backups.
Head Coach Joe Philbin learned and understood that his ploy to motivate his young quarterback backfired to some extent by causing noise from the outside. In order to assure his team of such knowledge, he and his coaching staff relinquished their first class seats to the players on the flight from Miami to London! A CLASS MOVE and total team motivator!
Now (for at least two weeks through the Fins bye). The media saboteurs and Dolphin doubters must fall on their sword and attempt to LEARN TO APPRECIATE that The Miami Dolphins are quickly LEARNING from their previous mistakes!
THANK YOU for an Open-Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view !!
YEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAA, GIGGGGITTTTY, WOOOOOO HOOOOOO MIAMI DOLPHINS !!
Cheery-Ohhh, GOFINS !!
No-Matter!
What does matter! Is that Ryan Tannehill's liver felt the force of Joe Philbins foot to his backside, and responded by leading his team from behind with THIRTY EIGHT UNANSWERED Miami Dolphin points.
Oakland took the opening kickoff and drove 74 yards for an early 7 - 0 lead, and didn't score again until a touchdown in garbage time.
The Dolphins responded with a field goal to the Raiders opening touchdown and trailed 7 - 3. At this point, Ryan Tannehill proceeded to complete FOURTEEN successive attempts on three Miami Dolphin first half touchdown drives.
Miami executed scores on four of their six first half possessions for a 24 to 7 halftime lead. The two possessions that they didn't score on were due to a fumbled punt return in Oakland territory, and a purposeful first half ending kneel down.
In facing a 7 - 3 deficit. The Dolphins marched 91 yards that ended in a Mike Wallace TOUCHDOWN on their second possession. Wallace took the screen pass at the 15 yard line, uncharacteristically powered through two defenders at the five yard line, and another at the two for the score in Charles Clay type fashion. Ryan Tannehill went 6 for 6 for 86 yards of the ninety one that led to a 10 - 7 Miami lead.
On the Dolphins following drive of 63 yards. Tannehill went 3 for 3 and Miami scored in an aggressive manor from 8 yards out on a Lamar Miller 4th & one TOUCHDOWN play. Fins 17 Raiders 7.
After a Miami fumbled punt return possession on Oakland's side of the field, and another defensive stop/Raider punt. The Dolphins marched 90 yards on 9 plays for a 24 - 7 scoreboard advantage. Ryan went 5 for 5 and capped the drive with his fourteenth consecutive completion which was an absolutely beautiful TOUCHDOWN pass and catch of eighteen yards to backup tight end Dion Sims.
Miami took a knee on their final first half possession and went to the tunnel ahead by 17 points.
Ryan Tanne-THRILL was 17 of 19 for 204 passing yards and two touchdowns with 18 additional yards coming by way of his legs in only the first half of play.
The Dolphins took the second half kickoff, and Ryan's second down attempt of a 15th consecutive completion was dropped. No-Matter. On the next 3rd and 12 play he converted a pass of fourteen yards to Brian Hartline for "another Miami Dolphins first down". He drove HIS TEAM seventy yards down to the opponents two yard line before a Lamar Miller fumble at the goal line.
Oakland took the ball at their own 20, and NOW it was the Miami Dolphins defenses turn. On a Courtland Finnegan blitz that forced an errant throw, Brent Grimes intercepted the ball at the Raiders 35 and returned it to Oakland's three yard line. Two plays later Lamar Miller neutralized his own previous fumble with his second TOUCHDOWN of the day for a Dolphin lead of 31 - 7.
Upon the Raiders next attempt, a bad snap blew by the quarterbacks head and was swooped up by Courtland Finnegan who walked 50 yards for another Miami Dolphins TOUCHDOWN to go up by a score of 38 - 7.
The Raiders next possession resulted in Miami's Jimmy Wilson returning an Oakland interception from his own 38 to the opponents 31, (the ball was placed on the 16 yard line after an Oakland personal foul penalty on the play). On the Dolphins first play Ryan Tannehill hit a short pass to Daniel Thomas who scored his first touchdown of the season and Miami's 45th point of the day, but it was reversed by a penalty. On another touchdown attempt during the same possession, Dion Sims had the ball bounce off his two forearms for a Raiders interception, Tannehills first and only of the day. Oakland went three and out.
Later down the long and winding road whilst trailing by a score of 38 - 7, Oakland scored a touchdown with 11:50 remaining in the 4th quarter to pull within the games 24 point spread finality.
The Miami Dolphins defense didn't have a 2014 interception prior to this game. Late in the 4th quarter Rookie corner back Walt Aikens added a team third interception to the day for the "Jolly Ole Chaps" of the American South East Football Franchise.
T'Was like night and day in comparison to Miami's previous contest. The Dolphins stuck to their routine while changing everything with brilliant play calling designed towards the proficiency of Ryan Tannehills strengths. Miami skill players (for the most part) executed to a tee, the special teams showed up, and the defense forced turnovers play after play, after play.
Miami totaled 435 yards, (Tanne-THRILL directly accounted for 313 via his arm and legs). The Dolphins accrued 278 yards through the air on 31 passes with Brian Hartline being tops for 74 yards on six catches. Miami had 157 on the ground off of 35 attempts with Lamar Miller leading the way on 12 carries for 64 yards and two touchdowns. The defense had two sacks and forced four turnovers (one for six points) whilst allowing 317 yards, (53 via the ground). The Dolphins punter Brandon Fields had just two attempts on the day.
To the joy (in one way or another) of all the attempting to be a distraction media, as well as all the faithful Dolphin fans far and wide. Backup Quarterback Matt Moore did indeed play on this day, (for the last eight minutes of the game) along with the rest of The Miami Dolphins much appreciated backups.
Head Coach Joe Philbin learned and understood that his ploy to motivate his young quarterback backfired to some extent by causing noise from the outside. In order to assure his team of such knowledge, he and his coaching staff relinquished their first class seats to the players on the flight from Miami to London! A CLASS MOVE and total team motivator!
Now (for at least two weeks through the Fins bye). The media saboteurs and Dolphin doubters must fall on their sword and attempt to LEARN TO APPRECIATE that The Miami Dolphins are quickly LEARNING from their previous mistakes!
THANK YOU for an Open-Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view !!
YEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAA, GIGGGGITTTTY, WOOOOOO HOOOOOO MIAMI DOLPHINS !!
Cheery-Ohhh, GOFINS !!
The Dolphin - Raider Match-up
The Oakland Raider - Miami Dolphin games have lost a little luster over the years but these two teams don’t like each other. It goes way back… In the 1974 AFC Divisional Playoff Game, Miami was about to earn a 4th consecutive Super Bowl appearance. Only 24 seconds remained in the game when Raiders RB Clarence Davis somehow caught the game-winning touchdown pass with three Dolphin defenders draped on him and QB Kenny Stabler throwing from his knees.
Ever wonder where the “In the Grasp” rule came from? It wasn’t the last time the Raiders changed the rulebook… In a 1978 game against the Chargers, Stabler fumbled the ball, RB Pete Banaszak deliberately batted it into the end zone, TE Dave Casper recovered for a touchdown and the Raiders won. After that play, only the offensive player fumbling the ball could advance it. Remember the tuck rule, this time the Raiders were on the wrong side of what surely should have been a Tom Brady fumble. A little history lesson makes it easy to see why the Raiders are the most hated team in the NFL, not to mention their obnoxious fans.
That 1974 playoff game was the end of an era for the Dolphins. When Joe Robbie refused to pay Larry Csonka the million dollars he demanded that off-season, Csonka, with Jim Kiick and Paul Warfield defected to the World Football League’s Memphis Southmen. That playoff game would be the final game together for one of the greatest teams in NFL history. For old school Dolphin fans, it will live on in infamy. These players have no link to that history, but it’s time to remind them of their roots and give them a reason to hate the Raiders as much as their fans do.
The Raiders 7-4 record is out of line with its statistical performance. The Oakland defense, allowing over 5 yards a carry, ranked 20th against the pass and 27th in scoring, is not a formula for success, but the Raiders have found their stride. QB Carson Palmer, after a complete collapse in his 1st game, a 28 to 0 loss to KC, has reeled off 3 consecutive victories. The statistics are indicative of the mistake of using overall stats to predict how a team is playing later in the season. The Raiders are playing above the numbers in the stat column and will prove formidable, if taken lightly by the Dolphins.Oakland has been able to overcome the loss of starting QB Jason Campbell and RB Darren MacFadden, not making the playoffs since 2002 is fueling the Raider fire. Miami will need to play at the top of its game to beat a Raider team that is rolling downhill. Losing to the Cowboys effectively eliminated the Dolphins from the playoffs but this is also a team on the rise. Miami will need to force the Raiders away from its 4th ranked rushing attack and then bring pressure on Palmer to create turnovers.
On the offensive side of the ball, Miami must not revert to a vanilla game plan on 1st down. The Dolphins find trouble offensively when forced into predictable play calling on 2nd and 3rd down caused by forcing the run between the tackles on 1st down. The Dolphins reverted to predictable play calling against the Cowboys and went away from what had led to a 3 game win streak. The Dallas game plan looked like the Miami coaching staff trying to change what was on film in the 3 previous victories.
Dallas showed a weak front on 1st down and Matt Moore checked to running plays, but the front was a façade as Dallas was bringing safeties in run support at the snap. The coaches showed a season long inability to make adjustments during the game. In-game adjustments are often overrated and teams do not vary much from the game plan, but that only alludes to a flawed game plan from the beginning. The Dolphin offense plays better when not forcing the run early and the game plan must take advantage of this strength. Spreading the field and pulling the defense out of the box opens the running lanes.Tony Sparano broke his tendency to establish the pass with the run prior to the Dallas game and the old phrase, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” applies well for Miami. The Miami offense works better by setting up the run with the pass because this approach takes advantage of Reggie Bush as a pass receiver. Defenses must respect Bush when he lines up out of the backfield and cannot stack the box giving Bush the open space he needs to use his elusiveness. Forcing Bush to run between the tackles takes away the advantage Miami gains from Bush’s ability in the open field.
The Keys…
Play with the passion of the past.Shut down the Raider running game.
Pressure Carson Palmer and create turnovers.
Spread the offense on 1st down.
Set up the run with the pass.
Miami 31 – Oakland 14
Chad Henne Finally Plays Like He Should Have Been Playing All Season
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| Henne Showed Promise On Sunday |
Yesterday, we saw that Chad Henne was finally able to play the way we have been expecting him to play the entire season. He was able to throw the ball deep when he needed to, but the most important thing was that he didn't have to carry the entire team on his shoulders.
The Miami Dolphins running game was able to carry part of the load, and that was a huge help for Henne. There have been too many games this season where the Dolphins have relied completely on Henne's arm, and he isn't ready for that kind of responsibility yet.
He shouldn't have to have that kind of responsibility, either. Not many veteran quarterbacks can do well without help from their running game, so why would a young Chad Henne be able to do any better for the Miami Dolphins?
Miami's numbers running the ball actually weren't anything special. With the exception of a late 45 yard touchdown run when the game was already put away, the Dolphins numbers were a little pedestrian. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams gained 180 rushing yards together off of 44 carries. Those are pretty good numbers, but you would think they would have been able to gain more yardage with that many carries. If you take out the 45 yard run, they combined for 135 rushing yards on 43 carries. That is 3.1 yards per carry, which isn't very good.
What I am trying to say, though, is that maintaining a steady dose of the running game is important because it keeps defenses guessing. Keeping defenses guessing helps Chad Henne do better and throw fewer interceptions. Even though running the ball didn't move Miami down the field too well, it still kept the Raiders defense honest.
I liked what I saw in Henne against Oakland, too. He was able to keep his composure after throwing a bad interception and continue to drive the ball down the field later on. The crazy thing is that he didn't even have Brandon Marshall. He wasn't even playing with his best players, yet he was still able to throw the ball all over the field. He threw touchdown passes to Marlon Moore and Patrick Cobbs, who (I might add) aren't really considered playmakers in the NFL.
I'll be honest, I wasn't too confident about the Dolphins coming into this game, but Chad Henne showed me a lot on Sunday. He had good numbers, but the biggest improvement was the mentality he played with. He is playing with a lot more fire after being benched for Chad Pennington and then Tyler Thigpen.
Don't give up on him yet. I have a feeling that he is going to have a great career after watching that game.
Thanks for reading, and please leave a comment saying what you think about Henne.
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Miami Dolphins Pull Out Win Against Raiders Thanks To Balanced Attack
The Miami Dolphins was finally able to be the dominant offense they were capable of being, and they didn't even have Brandon Marshall.
Miami was able to gain 471 total yards on offense, and they dominated the Raiders in pretty much every aspect of the game except for special teams. Miami's special teams allowed a kickoff to be returned for a touchdown on the opening drive and Dan Carpenter missed two field goals later on. If it weren't for the Dolphins special teams, then this game would have been that much better.
Special teams were probably the only bad thing about the Miami Dolphins this game. Ronnie Brown combined for 180 rushing yards on 44 carries. I know 44 carries may seem like a lot, but it is a refreshing number considering how little they ran the ball against the Bears.
Chad Henne also had a good game. With the exception of a stupid mistake that resulted in an interception, Henne played well, throwing for 307 yards and two touchdowns. Davone Bess also had a great game. He caught 6 catches for 111 yards, and was the Miami Dolphins top receiver with Brandon Marshall being absent.
On defense, the Dolphins were able to turn the ball over three times, including 2 interceptions on Bruce Gradkowski. Cameron Wake also picked up another sack, which puts him at 10.5 sacks for the season. That is a really impressive number, and makes Dolphins fans not miss Joey Porter even less than they ever did.
That's about all for today. If you'll excuse me, I have to go trash talk my Dad now who is a Raiders fan.
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Miami was able to gain 471 total yards on offense, and they dominated the Raiders in pretty much every aspect of the game except for special teams. Miami's special teams allowed a kickoff to be returned for a touchdown on the opening drive and Dan Carpenter missed two field goals later on. If it weren't for the Dolphins special teams, then this game would have been that much better.
Special teams were probably the only bad thing about the Miami Dolphins this game. Ronnie Brown combined for 180 rushing yards on 44 carries. I know 44 carries may seem like a lot, but it is a refreshing number considering how little they ran the ball against the Bears.
Chad Henne also had a good game. With the exception of a stupid mistake that resulted in an interception, Henne played well, throwing for 307 yards and two touchdowns. Davone Bess also had a great game. He caught 6 catches for 111 yards, and was the Miami Dolphins top receiver with Brandon Marshall being absent.
On defense, the Dolphins were able to turn the ball over three times, including 2 interceptions on Bruce Gradkowski. Cameron Wake also picked up another sack, which puts him at 10.5 sacks for the season. That is a really impressive number, and makes Dolphins fans not miss Joey Porter even less than they ever did.
That's about all for today. If you'll excuse me, I have to go trash talk my Dad now who is a Raiders fan.
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