Through eight 2014 NFL games the 5 - 3, and AFC fifth seeded San Diego Chargers went south to face the 4 - 3 Miami Dolphins.
Miami has the Dolphins (your favorite) football team, they're moving the ball from goal to goal like (no one since thirteen), whether through the air or on the ground they've been (often) in control, and when you say Miami you're talking (on a roll)!!
Cuz we're the Miami Dolphins, Miami Dolphins, Miami Dolphins Number One !!
Today.
The Dolphins splashed about the confines of their Miami aquarium, and doused the highly explosive power grid that is the Chargers. San Diego's quarterback Phillip Rivers came into the day with the leagues third most touchdown passes (20), and only five interceptions thrown while the Charger superstar tight end Antonio Gates entered the game with nine scores in just eight games.
In case the title to this piece moistened your eye's to a blur?
The Miami Dolphins started fast, finished strong, and won the game THIRTY SEVEN to ZERO!
Since the return of starting safety Rashad Jones four games ago, the Miami defense has been catapulted to an elite level, and versus the Chargers they were even better. Rashad Jones has led the team in tackles in all four weeks since his return, and contributed an interception on this day, (his second of the season). For the second consecutive game corner back Brent Grimes had an interception, this time he had two for a season total of four to go along with a pik-six last week, and the Dolphins have six interceptions over the last three games with nine for the season.
Miami has four sacks in two successive outings with eleven over the last three games. Randy Starks set the tone early with a sack of the nearly elite Phillip Rivers on the games very first offensive play for a loss of three yards. The first, and lone substantial San Diego drive of the day covered fifty seven yards in twelve plays only to end on a fourth and one (Rashad Jones) stuff of the running back at the Dolphin twenty three yard line.
The Chargers second possession went three and out for nine yards. Rashad Jones had his interception on the first play of the visitors third touch of the ball. San Diego's fourth series went five and out for sixteen yards which happened to be identical to their fifth and final first half possession. For the first half of play, the Chargers offensive unit snapped the ball twenty five times for ninety eight yards, and ZERO POINTS in five possessions!
On six second half series, San Diego ran twenty four plays for forty eight yards, and ZERO POINTS! Their first second half possession went seventeen yards on six plays, and ended upon Brent Grimes' first interception of the day that he returned twenty six yards to the Chargers nineteen.
The Miami defense splashed again on the visitors following three and out for six yards touch of the ball. Defensive Lineman (Earl Mitchell) got his first sack of the season for a loss of eight yards, and a second Brent Grimes interception of an attempted bomb ended the series on second and eighteen.
Upon the high voltage Chargers third second half possession that netted one yard on three plays, Olivier Vernon executed a third and nine sack and a forced fumble via Rivers that Jared Odrick recovered at the Chargers fourteen.
Charger quarterback Phillip Rivers is benched with 120 third quarter ticks of the clock remaining. Kellen Clemons replaces the near elite Rivers for the Chargers final three possessions of the game, and is greeted by Cam Wake on third and five of a four play for one yard series that ended the third quarter. For the visitors two fourth quarter possessions they ran eight plays for twenty three yards, and ZERO POINTS!
And that's the way it ended, hail to the Miami Dolphin Defense.
Ohh-Wait, Almost forgot.
The Dolphin Offense splashed about through electrified hoops too!
ZERO to ZERO with 7:36 remaining in the first quarter. Miami's first possession with a first down ball at their own twenty three. On consecutive plays that started with a Jarvis Landry reception for nine yards, Lamar Miller run for seven, Charles Clay catch for twenty four, Miller rush for five, Mike Wallace grab for five, Landry for thirteen, Miller run for six, Brian Hartline reception for six, and a Miller rush for one to San Diego's six yard line. The ten play's in 5:56, seventy seven yard drive ended with a Charles Clay six yard TOUCHDOWN from Ryan Tannehill who went six of six for sixty three passing yards, and a Miami Dolphin first quarter lead of Seven to ZERO!
Next Miami possession takes 3:42 to "matriculate" sixty one yards in eight plays. First and ten at the Dolphins thirty nine, Tannehill up the middle for four yards. Following a second down and six incompletion/drop, Tannehill hits Landry for seven, then Clay for another eighteen. On first and ten from the Chargers thirty two Tannehill runs around the right end for twenty two yards and another first down, then hits Miller for an eight yard reception. Third and two from San Diego's two yard line, Lamar Miller TOUCHDOWN for a home team early second quarter advantage of Fourteen to ZERO!
Following the Rashad Jones pick on the visitors third series of one play. The Dolphins have the ball at the Chargers thirty one yard line, they gather a first down on first down with a twenty one yard reception and run for reserve running back Damien Williams to the opponents ten. The series stalls with an incompletion to Brandon Gibson (who was dragging a defender), a Williams rush for nadda, as well as a two yard pass to the running back. Miami kicks a twenty six yard field goal for a Seventeen to ZERO game six minutes into the second quarter.
The Chargers go three and out. Miami takes possession at the Dolphin thirty with 7:23 remaining in the first half. Daniel Thomas shakes and bakes a one yard reception for twelve, and on the Dolphins second third down attempt of the drive Tannehill hits Wallace for thirty eight yards to the San Diego six. They pass on first down to Thomas for two yards, but a negative rush attempt, and an incompletion results in an eleven play, sixty three yard drive in 5:36 for a twenty five yard field goal which puts the home team lead at Twenty to ZERO.
Miami gets the ball one last time in the first half with 1:03 to go. They drive forty eight yards in eight plays from their own twenty four to the San Diego twenty eight, but miss the forty five yard field goal attempt as the clock runs out with a Miami Dolphin scoreboard advantage of Twenty to ZERO!
The Dolphins have accrued 283 total yards (208 passing, 75 rushing on 13 attempts). Ryan Tannehill is 18 of 25 for 208 to seven different receivers. The Chargers have 118 total yards (14 rushing). Miami's defense has one sack, and one interception.
Third Quarter. Miami ball, first down at their own twenty eight, Tannehill to Hartline for eighteen. On the drives third first down play Tannehill runs around the left end for eleven more first down yards, and on second and ten Miller rushes for fourteen yards and the drives fifth first down opportunity at the Chargers twenty one. Second and ten, Tannehill eludes a fierce sack attack, gets creative in extending the play for an end zone TOUCHDOWN pass to Rishard Matthews, and Twenty Seven to ZERO Dolphin lead.
Brent Grimes' first interception occurs on the Chargers following possession, and Miami has the ball at the visitors nineteen yard line. Tannehill goes one for three, the Dolphins cover fourteen yards on six plays, and kick a twenty three yard field goal for a Thirty to ZERO score.
A first down Earl Mitchell sack is immediately followed by a second Brent Grimes interception, this one was of the long bomb variety, and Miami takes control at their own twenty nine. On first down Tannehill completes a pass of eleven yards to Clay, The Dolphin then take the conservative route with three rushes for nine yards, and with 2:53 remaining in the third quarter Brandon Fields has his first and only punt of the day.
Charger ball at their own eleven, third down and nine, Olivier Vernon sacks and forces a Phillip Rivers fumble that is recovered by Jared Odrick at the San Diego fourteen yard line. Miami ball, first and ten. Ryan Tannehill completes short pass to Jarvis Landry who tip-toes down the sideline while towing a double-wide Charger trailer for another Miami Dolphin TOUCHDOWN, and THIRTY SEVEN to ZERO scoreboard final!`
With two third quarter minutes remaining Phillip Rivers is benched. Kellen Clemons reluctantly replaces him and is greeted by Cam Wake for minus five yards on third and five. The sack was Miami's fourth and final of the day, and the third quarter ended upon the punt.
With a Thirty Seven to ZERO Dolphin Victory in hand!
The Miami Dolphins Franchise Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is sat down in order to preserve his health. Not a whole lot took place in the fourth quarter, though Matt Moore did drive the team forty six yards into the Chargers red zone, as Miami exhibited professional courtesy in turning the ball over on downs rather than taking a chip shot field goal of the rub it in your face variety with 26 ticks of the clock to go.
Miami ran 74 plays to accrue 441 yards for a six yard per play average via (309 passing on 39 attempts, and 132 rushing in 35 carries) with 28 first downs (17 through the air, and 10 via the rush) in 36:07. San Diego had 49 plays for 178 yards (128 passing, and 50 on the ground) in 23:53. The Dolphin Defense had four sacks, a forced fumble, and three interceptions.
Lamar Miller ran 11 times for 49 yards with a touchdown, and Tannehill had 4 attempts for 47 yards. Charles Clay led the receiving game with 5 catches for 65 yards and a touchdown while others were also equal to the task. To name a few of the nine different receivers that Tannehill connected with. Hartline had 5 for 50, Wallace snagged 3 for 50, Landry caught 5 for 46 with a touchdown, and Rishard Matthews had one reception for 21 yards and a touchdown.
Ryan Tannehill had his career day two weeks ago in Chicago. Today he eclipsed that performance while going 24 of 34 for 288 yards with three touchdowns, zero interceptions, zero sacks, and a QBR of 94.5 with an overall RTG of 125.6. He has fourteen touchdowns to six interceptions on the year, and the Miami Dolphins are 5 - 3 at the mid season point.
Thank You for an Open Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view : )) !!
THIRTY SEVEN to ZERO, GIGGGITTTYYY!!
Beat The Lions!!
GOFINS!!!
Showing posts with label Randy Starks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Randy Starks. Show all posts
Miami Dolphin Bus Driver (Ryan Tannehill) Runs Self Over.
The Miami Dolphins special teams were severely out punted with an astounding hang time and yardage effort by Dustin Colquitt, and the Chiefs had numerous returns of big yardage for naught reversed due to penalties. The penalty match up was lost by the Dolphins with 65 yards to the Chiefs 23 yards, and Kansas City won the time of possession game by seven plus minutes.
Miami's defense missed a plethora of drive discouraging tackles while allowing 342 total yards, though only ten more yards than the Chiefs defense allowed. Kansas City superstar running back Jamal Charles was inactive for the game, and their backup Kniles Davis scampered for 132 yards on 32 carries with a touchdown.
The Dolphin defense won the turnover battle (2 - 0) with forced fumbles in the 3rd quarter by Jared Odrick, and 4th quarter by Brent Grimes while giving the offense an occasional short field to work with. Jelani Jenkins led the team in tackles with 15, eleven solo, and 1.5 sacks. Miami sacked the Chiefs quarterback five times including a safety for two defensive points while the Dolphin quarterback was sacked on four occasions.
The Miami Dolphins play calling was suspiciously questionable on many occasions, and the pass blocking wasn't overly efficient while once again there were numerous dropped balls.
Lamar Miller had a good day with 108 yards on 15 carries which one would think would have opened up a productive scoring game through the air. For a third straight week Mike Wallace led the Dolphin receiving corps with 74 yards on five receptions while in this game Brian Hartline had the one Dolphin touchdown reception.
However. On this particular day!
The Miami Dolphin quarterback Ryan Tannehill failed miserably in connecting on fewer than 50 percent of his 43 attempts for 205 yards at home versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Miami had possession of the ball on fourteen occasions and mounted 332 total yards of offense, at a mere twenty three yard average per possession.
Tannehills lone three scoring drives came in succession for a whopping, mind blowing thirteen offensive points. The first was a second quarter ending drive of 74 yards on eight plays in one minute thirty five seconds for a 22 yard Calib Sturgis field goal as time ran out. Earlier in the second quarter Sturgis missed a 48 yard field goal attempt, and Miami went to the tunnel trailing by a score of 14 - 3.
On the Chiefs opening third quarter drive, Jared Odrick sacked and forced a fumble by the Kansas City quarterback that was recovered by Derrick Shelby at the oppositions 19 yard line. Four plays and nineteen yards later, Tannehill connected with Brian Hartline for a one yard touchdown and a 10 - 14 deficit.
The Chiefs followed with a ten play, 66 yard, five minute touchdown drive for a 21 - 10 lead. Upon the Kansas City kickoff, Miami return man Jarvis Landry gave Ryan Tannehill another golden opportunity with a 74 yard kick return to the Chiefs 33 yard line. Miami went zero yards in 3 plays and kicked a 51 yard field goal to pull within eight points at 13 - 21.
Following a three and out for the Chiefs. Miami went 3 and out. On the Miami punt, the Dolphins got a reprieve from a 48 yard Chiefs return after a KC penalty pushed their backs up against their own goal line at the one.
The Dolphins were down by eight points with 2:42 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Miami fans throughout the world were screaming, ""give us a safety to pull within six, and give the offense an opportunity for a touchdown drive and a one point lead to end the quarter"". On first and ten Randy Starks and Jelani Jenkins got the sack and safety for a 15 - 21 scoreboard. The game was taking a positive turn.
Ryan Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins final five offensive possessions covered a total of eighty two yards with the longest drive being of twenty nine yards and zero points. Kansas City scored two additional touchdowns of the short field variety due to the Miami Dolphins four down territory offensive ineptitude and a final discouraging score of 34 - 15.
Thank You for a (Not So) open-minded read, and comments of which you have every right to "On This Particularly Disgraceful Day of the Dolphins quarterback" Ryan Tannehill!
Off to London for a road game against the Oakland Raiders.
GOFINS!!!
Miami's defense missed a plethora of drive discouraging tackles while allowing 342 total yards, though only ten more yards than the Chiefs defense allowed. Kansas City superstar running back Jamal Charles was inactive for the game, and their backup Kniles Davis scampered for 132 yards on 32 carries with a touchdown.
The Dolphin defense won the turnover battle (2 - 0) with forced fumbles in the 3rd quarter by Jared Odrick, and 4th quarter by Brent Grimes while giving the offense an occasional short field to work with. Jelani Jenkins led the team in tackles with 15, eleven solo, and 1.5 sacks. Miami sacked the Chiefs quarterback five times including a safety for two defensive points while the Dolphin quarterback was sacked on four occasions.
The Miami Dolphins play calling was suspiciously questionable on many occasions, and the pass blocking wasn't overly efficient while once again there were numerous dropped balls.
Lamar Miller had a good day with 108 yards on 15 carries which one would think would have opened up a productive scoring game through the air. For a third straight week Mike Wallace led the Dolphin receiving corps with 74 yards on five receptions while in this game Brian Hartline had the one Dolphin touchdown reception.
However. On this particular day!
The Miami Dolphin quarterback Ryan Tannehill failed miserably in connecting on fewer than 50 percent of his 43 attempts for 205 yards at home versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Miami had possession of the ball on fourteen occasions and mounted 332 total yards of offense, at a mere twenty three yard average per possession.
Tannehills lone three scoring drives came in succession for a whopping, mind blowing thirteen offensive points. The first was a second quarter ending drive of 74 yards on eight plays in one minute thirty five seconds for a 22 yard Calib Sturgis field goal as time ran out. Earlier in the second quarter Sturgis missed a 48 yard field goal attempt, and Miami went to the tunnel trailing by a score of 14 - 3.
On the Chiefs opening third quarter drive, Jared Odrick sacked and forced a fumble by the Kansas City quarterback that was recovered by Derrick Shelby at the oppositions 19 yard line. Four plays and nineteen yards later, Tannehill connected with Brian Hartline for a one yard touchdown and a 10 - 14 deficit.
The Chiefs followed with a ten play, 66 yard, five minute touchdown drive for a 21 - 10 lead. Upon the Kansas City kickoff, Miami return man Jarvis Landry gave Ryan Tannehill another golden opportunity with a 74 yard kick return to the Chiefs 33 yard line. Miami went zero yards in 3 plays and kicked a 51 yard field goal to pull within eight points at 13 - 21.
Following a three and out for the Chiefs. Miami went 3 and out. On the Miami punt, the Dolphins got a reprieve from a 48 yard Chiefs return after a KC penalty pushed their backs up against their own goal line at the one.
The Dolphins were down by eight points with 2:42 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Miami fans throughout the world were screaming, ""give us a safety to pull within six, and give the offense an opportunity for a touchdown drive and a one point lead to end the quarter"". On first and ten Randy Starks and Jelani Jenkins got the sack and safety for a 15 - 21 scoreboard. The game was taking a positive turn.
Ryan Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins final five offensive possessions covered a total of eighty two yards with the longest drive being of twenty nine yards and zero points. Kansas City scored two additional touchdowns of the short field variety due to the Miami Dolphins four down territory offensive ineptitude and a final discouraging score of 34 - 15.
Thank You for a (Not So) open-minded read, and comments of which you have every right to "On This Particularly Disgraceful Day of the Dolphins quarterback" Ryan Tannehill!
Off to London for a road game against the Oakland Raiders.
GOFINS!!!
The Miami Dolphins In or Out?
The preceding rant is not directed at or have anything to do with the great folks here at Dolphin Shout. It's directed at the writers and fans replying to the blogs in the Miami Herald and Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. Personally I think these folks should move on to another city and write for another team. It is obvious, "Hometown" has no meaning.
The Broncos beat the Ravens 49 to 27 and the Chiefs beat the Jaguars 28 to 2, why care about these scores? Those were the only games in week one of the NFL with a higher point differential than the 13 point margin of victory for the Miami Dolphins over the Cleveland Browns.
In the thirteen other league games, the average margin of victory was less than 5 points. The Broncos rolled up a staggering 49 points on 7 Manning TD throws and the Jags staggered to a lowly safety. Those far-flung numbers represent the stratospheric difference between these two teams but largely, the NFL is a league of parity and it is easy to place teams under a microscope before stepping back to view the big picture.
Lost in the negative reactions to Mike Wallace and the anemic offensive line play was the line set in Vegas, the Dolphins were picked to lose. On the road, without a running game, while completing only one pass to prized off-season acquisition Mike Wallace, Miami found a way to win.
If told prior to the game, Miami would rush for a grand total of 20 yards and Mike Wallace would catch one pass for 15 yards, the thought of a 13-point victory would be dismissed as fantasy. The reality is, Miami played as underdogs in a hostile environment. They looked like a team in the confusion of the first week of the season and yet came away with a convincing victory.
It seems Miami fans enjoy the anguish of defeat much more than the luster of victory. Immediately following the game, the headline read, “Philbin has much work to do!” Why? Because Mike Wallace was unhappy, and Randy Starks gave his teammates a middle finger salute. When the headline should have read, “Cameron Wake Leads a Crushing Miami Defense to Victory!” The media fabricates a story about Mike Wallace’s hurt feelings. The offensive line play is proclaimed as the doom soon to follow the gloom of a victory against the lowly Browns.
Imagine being a member of the Miami Dolphins and having victory shoved in your face like rubbing a puppy’s nose in the foul stench of oops on the carpet. Thirteen games won by an average of less than five points and Miami fans complain about winning by 13 points.
There may be a few elite teams in the NFL and there are probably a few dregs, but most of the league’s teams straddle the middle of the pack scratching to get over the edge. The only way over the top is to beat the other middlings. Nothing pretty is necessary, no eighty-yard bombs or pick sixes, just the sweet taste of victory. The taste Miami fans refuse to savor…
Any given Sunday a team will rise from the ashes and snatch an unlikely victory, but this win over Cleveland was no anomaly. Miami was clearly the better football team even with an inconsistent rushing attack and a number one receiver relegated to a decoy.
Vince Lombardi had a saying, “winning is contagious and so is losing.” In those words, Miami fans must understand the importance of this victory to start the season. League-wide parity alludes to the fact that there is little difference between the talent levels of players on different teams. The difference in the level of play comes from the contagion known as victory.
To sell the effect of that potion short is to show a lack of understanding of the human spirit. Few teams thrive on adversity, the vast majority respond to positive reinforcement. The Miami Dolphins may have lost their gleam, but the media and fans are far worse than even the ignorant New York Jet fans. The difference is, even when the Jets suck, the fans still cheer for them as if Joe Namath was behind center. In Miami, the MO is to berate the quarterback because he is not Dan Marino, rather than stand behind him and build his confidence.
Fans only believe they have impact as the 12 man in lending some mystical power to victory. They rarely see themselves as the broken arrow stuck in the wound of defeat.
The trend of negativity began when Don Shula could not lead a Dan Marino quarterbacked Dolphin team to a Superbowl victory even when ten win seasons were the norm. The time has come to break the chain. The time has come for the media and fans to step up and show support in Miami. A barrage of ridiculous comments follows every blog entry on the newspaper sites. Harsh hurtful words typed by vicious anonymous characters that can only raise their own self-esteem by caustically lambasting others.
Is this what Miami Dolphins fans have turned into? Are these fans truly expecting a team of men to respond positively to this input? If so they are remarkably myopic.
Football has become overwhelmed by its own success. Jealousy over a football player making millions while a teacher labors in obscurity cannot change the millions of dollars sponsors flood into the league’s pockets. The choice is simple, stop watching. If it is so difficult to be a fan, for whatever reason, stop watching.
Spend the time wasted on angry comments and worthless banter on pursuits that may give life a meaning. Make the choice to be a Miami Dolphin fan and use that energy to reinforce the positive.
Winning is contagious, be a winner, act like a winner, react like a winner and perhaps your favorite team will turn out to be winners as well.
The Broncos beat the Ravens 49 to 27 and the Chiefs beat the Jaguars 28 to 2, why care about these scores? Those were the only games in week one of the NFL with a higher point differential than the 13 point margin of victory for the Miami Dolphins over the Cleveland Browns.
In the thirteen other league games, the average margin of victory was less than 5 points. The Broncos rolled up a staggering 49 points on 7 Manning TD throws and the Jags staggered to a lowly safety. Those far-flung numbers represent the stratospheric difference between these two teams but largely, the NFL is a league of parity and it is easy to place teams under a microscope before stepping back to view the big picture.
Lost in the negative reactions to Mike Wallace and the anemic offensive line play was the line set in Vegas, the Dolphins were picked to lose. On the road, without a running game, while completing only one pass to prized off-season acquisition Mike Wallace, Miami found a way to win.
If told prior to the game, Miami would rush for a grand total of 20 yards and Mike Wallace would catch one pass for 15 yards, the thought of a 13-point victory would be dismissed as fantasy. The reality is, Miami played as underdogs in a hostile environment. They looked like a team in the confusion of the first week of the season and yet came away with a convincing victory.
It seems Miami fans enjoy the anguish of defeat much more than the luster of victory. Immediately following the game, the headline read, “Philbin has much work to do!” Why? Because Mike Wallace was unhappy, and Randy Starks gave his teammates a middle finger salute. When the headline should have read, “Cameron Wake Leads a Crushing Miami Defense to Victory!” The media fabricates a story about Mike Wallace’s hurt feelings. The offensive line play is proclaimed as the doom soon to follow the gloom of a victory against the lowly Browns.
Imagine being a member of the Miami Dolphins and having victory shoved in your face like rubbing a puppy’s nose in the foul stench of oops on the carpet. Thirteen games won by an average of less than five points and Miami fans complain about winning by 13 points.
There may be a few elite teams in the NFL and there are probably a few dregs, but most of the league’s teams straddle the middle of the pack scratching to get over the edge. The only way over the top is to beat the other middlings. Nothing pretty is necessary, no eighty-yard bombs or pick sixes, just the sweet taste of victory. The taste Miami fans refuse to savor…
Any given Sunday a team will rise from the ashes and snatch an unlikely victory, but this win over Cleveland was no anomaly. Miami was clearly the better football team even with an inconsistent rushing attack and a number one receiver relegated to a decoy.
Vince Lombardi had a saying, “winning is contagious and so is losing.” In those words, Miami fans must understand the importance of this victory to start the season. League-wide parity alludes to the fact that there is little difference between the talent levels of players on different teams. The difference in the level of play comes from the contagion known as victory.
To sell the effect of that potion short is to show a lack of understanding of the human spirit. Few teams thrive on adversity, the vast majority respond to positive reinforcement. The Miami Dolphins may have lost their gleam, but the media and fans are far worse than even the ignorant New York Jet fans. The difference is, even when the Jets suck, the fans still cheer for them as if Joe Namath was behind center. In Miami, the MO is to berate the quarterback because he is not Dan Marino, rather than stand behind him and build his confidence.
Fans only believe they have impact as the 12 man in lending some mystical power to victory. They rarely see themselves as the broken arrow stuck in the wound of defeat.
The trend of negativity began when Don Shula could not lead a Dan Marino quarterbacked Dolphin team to a Superbowl victory even when ten win seasons were the norm. The time has come to break the chain. The time has come for the media and fans to step up and show support in Miami. A barrage of ridiculous comments follows every blog entry on the newspaper sites. Harsh hurtful words typed by vicious anonymous characters that can only raise their own self-esteem by caustically lambasting others.
Is this what Miami Dolphins fans have turned into? Are these fans truly expecting a team of men to respond positively to this input? If so they are remarkably myopic.
Football has become overwhelmed by its own success. Jealousy over a football player making millions while a teacher labors in obscurity cannot change the millions of dollars sponsors flood into the league’s pockets. The choice is simple, stop watching. If it is so difficult to be a fan, for whatever reason, stop watching.
Spend the time wasted on angry comments and worthless banter on pursuits that may give life a meaning. Make the choice to be a Miami Dolphin fan and use that energy to reinforce the positive.
Winning is contagious, be a winner, act like a winner, react like a winner and perhaps your favorite team will turn out to be winners as well.
A Review & Preview of the Miami Dolphin Front Seven
In the
first of a series of articles, the writers at Dolphinshout will analyze changes in key areas of the Miami Dolphin football team. This installment focuses on the
defensive front seven.
The
responsibility of the front seven begins most notably with pass rushing. In
today’s NFL, money goes to the players that pass the ball, protect the passer, catch the ball, rush
the passer and cover the receivers. The front seven is the main force in
rushing the passer, but must also shut down the running, while covering the
middle of the field.
The pass
rush is where the players on the front seven earn their reputation. The Miami
defensive backs take the blame for the lack of big plays on the defense, but
balls fluttering in the air are easy pickings compared to perfect passes thrown
in rhythm. Pressuring the QB disrupts the passing game and takes the pressure off
the coverage unit. The QB has a much better chance of completing passes the
longer he has to survey the field.
The brain
trust of the Miami Dolphins is well aware the DBs are not solely to blame for
the team’s inability to create turnovers. Moving from a base 3-4 to a base
4-3 defense, changes the roles of several players in the component most experts believe is the
overall best unit on the team. There is talent left from the Sparano
regime, but Kevin Coyle’s defense attacks differently from the scheme coached
by Mike Nolan.
The
pressure is now applied mainly by the defensive ends where it previously came
from the outside linebackers. Where there was a primary nose tackle in a 3-4,
there are two tackles in the 4-3. The following illustration shows the difference
in the two alignments side by side.
The
dolphins will interchange these two formations in a hybrid defense; the base
scheme is pictured on the right. Under coach Coyle, the Miami defense changes
from the left picture to the right picture. In this simplistic interpretation,
a defensive lineman replaces a
linebacker.
The change
does not seem drastic, but the type of players required for the scheme to work
presents issues when transforming to the new the system. Paul Soliai manned the nose
tackle position in the 3-4, but he is now joined by Randy Starks at the under
tackle position. The NFL game is evolving from common five and seven step QB drops
replaced by 3 step drops in a rapid-fire up-tempo sling fest.
In this
modern passing game, the QB releases the ball so quickly, the outside linebackers
in the 3-4 are mitigated by the release time of the football. Here is a look at
the same illustration with the arcs of the pass rushers added in red.
Notice the
distance required to get the passer in a 3-4 versus the distance in a 4-3. As
the game evolves to a quicker tempo, the pass rushers have to find ways to get
to the QB fast. Lining up closer is one obvious advantage as the red lines
indicate. There is an added benefit in the 4-3 by having two tackles coming up
the middle. Any pass rush coming around the end is going to have issues
reaching the passer in the 3-step drop.
Bringing pressure up the middle can disrupt the timing of the up-tempo offense. The 3-step drop with only a single nose tackle is much easier than a 3-step drop with two tackles. Fortunately, Miami has two players already on the team capable of playing the positions, Soliai and Starks, but there needs to be rotational players to rest the starters. For that the Dolphins will need Jared Odrick to bulk up. A heavier Odrick cannot man the DE position in a 4-3, because he does not have pure pass rusher speed.
Bringing pressure up the middle can disrupt the timing of the up-tempo offense. The 3-step drop with only a single nose tackle is much easier than a 3-step drop with two tackles. Fortunately, Miami has two players already on the team capable of playing the positions, Soliai and Starks, but there needs to be rotational players to rest the starters. For that the Dolphins will need Jared Odrick to bulk up. A heavier Odrick cannot man the DE position in a 4-3, because he does not have pure pass rusher speed.
The Dolphins
began reshaping last year by drafting DE Olivier Vernon but the process was
not complete until they jumped up to the number three spot in the draft to add
Dion Jordan. With Cameron Wake at RDE, the addition of Jordan on the left side will strike fear
in QBs and the Miami defensive line has now made the complete transition to the new
defensive scheme.
Soliai,
Starks and Odrick at the tackles with Wake, Jordan and Vernon at the ends, are
as solid a group as there is in the NFL. Keeston Randall, Vaughn Martin and
Dereck Shelby will fight it out with a large group of rookies for the final two
or perhaps three DL roster spots.
The linebackers
feature free agents Danell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler joining Koa Misi in
a change from four linebackers to three. By releasing Karlos Dansby and Kevin
Burnett, the Dolphins cut ties with two older free agent linebackers but the
need for more change is still evident when looking closely at the alignment.
The areas
circled in red demonstrate how the roles of the OLBs change from one scheme to
the other. The simple diagram shows why Dansby and Burnett are no longer with
the Dolphins. The need for speed becomes obvious when shown graphically. The
OLBs in the 4-3 have twice as much ground to cover and the two aging veterans
were a mismatch for the defense.
Both OLBs
needed to be replaced with more speedy players and the dolphins are probably
not done, but will wait for next off-season to tweak in the LB corps. Dion
Jordan and Cameron Wake will be used in hybrid type roles leaving the LB corps
manned by more special teams’ demons than by actual starting caliber LBs.
The Names
Jason Trusnik, Austin Spitler and Josh Kaddu don’t inspire thoughts of
greatness and hoping a host of rookies led by Jelani Jenkins will sure up the
LB corps is wishful thinking. The Linebackers may be the weakest unit on the
team. The free agent acquisitions are still unknowns, but there is a lot riding
on the two new players stepping up in a big way.
In conclusion,
the defensive front seven is a unit with impressive talent on the line, backed
by an unknown group of linebackers. The line will hold its own and the
linebackers should be sufficient without being spectacular. The group will be outstanding
if Ellerbe and Wheeler make the leap from spot starters to true every down
players. The group could go the other direction if these two players fail to
step up.
As go
Ellerbe and Wheeler, so goes the front seven…
Dolphin Contract Players Doing Themselves no Favors
Now shout fans understand why I wouldn’t come off the five win prediction I
made prior to the season. Now they understand what was tugging in the back of my
mind forcing me to avoid following my heart. Been there, done that, no way was I
setting myself up for the inevitable disappointment. I wasn’t surprised
when I turned the television off at the beginning of the third quarter of the Tennessee debacle, I expected it.
After the 30-9 destruction of the Jets, the Dolphins should have
been poised to play hardnosed competitive football for the rest of the season,
but they packed it in. They beat their nemesis, proved they could rise above
500, and started beating their chests forgetting there was still half a season
to play. Many of the dismal stats that fans refused to believe were important, showed up when emotion could no longer carry the day.
“That team I watched for 30 minutes was not the team I
coached for eight games,” said Joe Philbin. Welcome to our world Joe. We’ve
come to understand, talent outside the QB position is not much different from
team to team. We understand the game is about intensity, discipline and
overcoming adversity. We learned this through watching other teams rise from the
abyss, like Colts have done with a rookie QB. We’ve learned good teams show up
for games every week because any team can win in the NFL.
The Dolphins have yet to figure it out. The QB or coach
doesn’t seem to matter, it’s the new Dolphin legacy, South Beach millionaires
cannot be expected to show up for mere football games, they may get dirt under
their manicured finger nails. The stands were noticeably sparse, perhaps the
faithful decided they would not get fooled again by a team that teases and then
kicks them in the face. One of the Dolphinshout brethren drove all the way from
South Carolina to feel that donkey punch. He will certainly think twice before
undertaking that endeavor again.
All the clichés dictating how to lose were on display, not
taking care of the ball and getting baited into bonehead penalties, not
tackling and being in the wrong coverage or no coverage at all, being
completely dominated on both sides of the line of scrimmage, it was all there
Sunday. Losing is inevitable when the team plays like losers. It’s okay Dolphin
fans you can say it, the Dolphins are losers.
Mr. Ross, it’s not about celebrity and extravagance, in fact
it’s the opposite. The real Miami fans are dwindling because the team appears
to care more about celebrity and extravagance than football. The supposedly
sold-out stadium was half empty because the tickets are bought by people that
can afford extravagance but could care less about football. The real fans are
priced out and people that can afford the tickets don’t show up. It’s the same
product on the field, players making too much money go partying on South Beach then
don’t show up for the game.
Sadly, Joe Philbin is only now beginning to realize what he
got himself into when he accepted this job. It must be puzzling to look up at a
sold-out stadium with a sea of empty seats. It must be puzzling to see a
talented football team decide to not show up for a game. The Dolphin roster
is full of players in a contract year and the impact on their future value
should be an incentive to play at high level week in and week out, but it
appears to be of no significance. It makes sense, once there's a few million in the bank football doesn't really matter anymore.
Logic would say one of two things, either these players do
not want to play in Miami or they are just not very good. Not
wanting to play in Miami would be inconsequential when a free agent can select his next
destination. Playing well in Miami would only raise his value no matter where
he lands, so that only leaves one option, these players do not care. They expect
the fans to show up in the stands but they don’t show up on the field.
The coaches can prepare a team to play, they can go through
all the scenarios expected on game day, but they cannot take the field. It is
up to the players to show up on game day and the Dolphins did not. The only
clear message after so many years of below average performances is to jettison
the players that are not showing up. Let pending free agents go. The team should be very careful which players on this free agent list deserve a premium contract.
Jake Long
|
Matt Moore
|
R.J. Stanford
|
Randy Starks
|
Tony McDaniel
|
Jonathon Amaya
|
Reggie Bush
|
Austin Spitler
|
Ray Feinga
|
Anthony Fasano
|
Nate Garner
|
Jonathan Freeny
|
Chris Clemons
|
Jason Trusnik
|
Pat Devlin
|
Sean Smith
|
Jabar Gaffney
|
Marcus Thigpen
|
Brian Hartline
|
Jeron Mastrud
|
Anderson Russell
|
Will Barker
|
The Dolphin management needs to call these players out.
Some will demand a salary comparable to the best players in the league at their
positions. The question is, are they playing at that level? Of the starters listed on the
left, only Randy Starks, Anthony Fasano and Brian Hartline
are playing a level worthy of consideration and only Starks is in the upper
echelon at his position. Long, Bush, Clemons and Smith are not worthy of anything more than a
mediocre deal equitable with their mediocre play. Of the non-starters, only
Matt Moore is worth the $2.5 million he is paid as a backup.
Two weeks in a row and the names Long, Smith and Bush
rise to the top of the ire in Dolphin fandom. For the second week in a row
Dolphin fans are asking these players to step up and be a veteran presence. It
is time for Joe Philbin to make some critical decisions, it’s obvious by sitting of
Bush and Incognito he is very unhappy with players making stupid mistakes.
These are also the players others look to for leadership and it is not
happening.
It may be a knee jerk reaction to call for heads to roll,
but the tabulator is making the calculations. If the Dolphins wish to change
the culture of the team, players that are not showing up on Sunday should be
looking over their shoulder. Joe Philbin has one chance to make it as an NFL
head coach. He has to decide whether a player is in or out every Sunday
and the players not showing up will need to be gone if he hopes to succeed.
Dolphin fans are over it, they have watched season after season of being out of contention by the beginning of November and they are not going to continue being disappointed. There will be more and more empty seats and it should be no surprise to Stephen Ross, Joe Philbin, Jeff Ireland or any player on this team...
The Dolphins need a wakeup call because if they spend another game sleep waking, the season will be over and another hunk of the once proud Dolphin fan base will walk away. There is a lot better things to do than watch the most disappointing team in the NFL. It's not worth expending the time, emotion or money on a team that can't bother showing up on Sunday.
If the Dolphins can't show up, I'm certainly not...
The Dolphins need a wakeup call because if they spend another game sleep waking, the season will be over and another hunk of the once proud Dolphin fan base will walk away. There is a lot better things to do than watch the most disappointing team in the NFL. It's not worth expending the time, emotion or money on a team that can't bother showing up on Sunday.
If the Dolphins can't show up, I'm certainly not...
Have the Miami Dolphins Done Enough?
Hello Dol-Fans!
Take a look around, if you dare; Free Agent players are being swapped and signed everywhere! So where does this leave our beloved 'Fins in 2011. Well, until we sign a quality veteran QB to compete with Chad Henne, we're in quite a bind. Honestly, we need much more than that to be completely truthful. Let's take a look.
Positions of Need: QB, RB, OLB, DE, S
QB - Aside from signing Pat Devlin, the Dolphins are still trying to lock-up Kyle Orton. To date, that's still "in the works", so it really doesn't count.
RB - Signed Reggie Bush to a 2 year contract, but with his injury track record, it's best to resign Ronnie Brown as insurance.
OLB - We really haven't addressed this need as of yet. I believe the Front Office is hopeful that we can manage with what we've got on hand. Unfortunately, we won't know for sure until we see live action in the Pre-Season, and by then it might be too late.
DE - Resigning Randy Starks allow some shuffling along the D-Line which could open up some possibilities. We really won't know for sure what we'll have until we see some Pre Season games. I believe this is still a great area of need and concern.
S - This area has been a weak one for a few years now, and the Dolphins just haven't found the right combination to assist Yeremiah Bell. Hopefully we'll see a miracle in this area, but as of now there doesn't appear to be one on the horizon.
All being said... I believe the Dolphins will have a very competitive team this year with a lot of potential.
I'll keep my eyes peeled and ears alertly listening for additional updates, and post them ASAP.
Take a look around, if you dare; Free Agent players are being swapped and signed everywhere! So where does this leave our beloved 'Fins in 2011. Well, until we sign a quality veteran QB to compete with Chad Henne, we're in quite a bind. Honestly, we need much more than that to be completely truthful. Let's take a look.
Positions of Need: QB, RB, OLB, DE, S
QB - Aside from signing Pat Devlin, the Dolphins are still trying to lock-up Kyle Orton. To date, that's still "in the works", so it really doesn't count.
RB - Signed Reggie Bush to a 2 year contract, but with his injury track record, it's best to resign Ronnie Brown as insurance.
OLB - We really haven't addressed this need as of yet. I believe the Front Office is hopeful that we can manage with what we've got on hand. Unfortunately, we won't know for sure until we see live action in the Pre-Season, and by then it might be too late.
DE - Resigning Randy Starks allow some shuffling along the D-Line which could open up some possibilities. We really won't know for sure what we'll have until we see some Pre Season games. I believe this is still a great area of need and concern.
S - This area has been a weak one for a few years now, and the Dolphins just haven't found the right combination to assist Yeremiah Bell. Hopefully we'll see a miracle in this area, but as of now there doesn't appear to be one on the horizon.
All being said... I believe the Dolphins will have a very competitive team this year with a lot of potential.
I'll keep my eyes peeled and ears alertly listening for additional updates, and post them ASAP.
Nose Tackle Paul Soliai Might Not End Up With The Miami Dolphins Next Season
Despite his good play, though, the Miami Dolphins aren't going to be able to re-sign him before he becomes a free agent. While it would be possible for Soliai to re-sign before a new CBA is reached, he isn't going to because he doesn't want to be held back by the 30% rule.
In a nutshell, the 30% rule states that once a player's rookie contract expires, his new contract (if he re-signs with the same team that he signed with as a rookie) cannot be higher than 30% more than his original rookie contract.
That was just a short, basic description, and I am honestly not sure what the point of the rule is, but all you need to know is that in order for Soliai to get the big contract he deserves, he needs to become a free agent this offseason. The Dolphins will be able to sign him once he reaches free agency, but they will be competing with other teams to sign the 355-pounder.
According to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, Soliai wants to stay in Miami, but he also wants to get paid the money that he deserves, which he wouldn't be able to do if he just re-signed with the Dolphins.
I hope that Miami does whatever they can to sign Soliai when he hits free-agency. He really showed up this year, and the Dolphins would be smart to keep him. It is hard to find someone that is his size with his talent, and when a team has a chance to lock up a player like Soliai, they better take it.
Miami's defense was really good last season, and it is important to keep as many players from that group as possible. The old saying goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and I think that applies to the Dolphins defense of last year.
Miami could try the Randy Starks experiment at Nose Tackle again now that Jared Odrick will be back, but that seems to me like a risk not worth taking. They would probably save money by going with Starks instead of Soliai, but if Stephen Ross wants to fill Sun Life Stadium, then he needs to show that he is willing to make investments in talent.
Thanks for reading, and let me know what you think about Soliai.
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Say It Ain't So: Jared Odrick's Injury Throws A Huge Wrench In The Miami Dolphin's Plans
The Miami Dolphins first round draft pick Jared Odrick fractured his leg Wednesday, and now he is going to be out for the rest of the season. Odrick was finally returning to practice and seemed to be recovering well from his previous hairline fracture before he reinjured the leg Wednesday during practice.
This is terrible news for the Dolphins because all of their plans for the defensive line depended on Odrick playing.
Miami was supposed to move Randy Starks to nose tackle this year after he had played at defensive end for his entire career, and drafting Jared Odrick was exactly what the Dolphins needed to allow Starks to move in at tackle.
While Odrick was injured earlier this season the Dolphins had to move Starks back to defensive end and stick Paul Soliai in as the nose tackle. So, I expect that they will keep the same lineup with him being gone for the rest of the year. This lineup hasn't been especially terrible for Miami, but they could have been so much more dangerous with both Starks and Odrick on the line.
Just imagine what it would be like if we had Odrick back. We would have Odrick and Kendall Langford in at the ends with Starks at the tackle. Pair those three with Cameron Wake who will sometimes be on the line, and it would be hard not to get excited about the potential damage they could do to opposing offenses.
I feel bad for the kid, though, because he was only able to play in one game and get one tackle in his whole rookie season. Let's just hope that when he gets healthy again that he will be able to get back in shape and return for next season.
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The Miami Dolphins Randy Starks Move Is High Risk, High Reward
 |
| Randy Starks making a tackle |
The Dolphins are being very, very risky by going against what most people consider common football knowledge. They are putting in somebody smaller at the Nose Tackle position than most teams would even dream of doing.
It is a risky move, and it could either spell out huge success and possibly the creation of a new way that teams view Nose Tackles, or it could be a huge disaster and make the Dolphins staff look really bad.
Think about it. Miami took one of their most successful defenders last year, Randy Starks, and moved him to a position he had never played before in the NFL. The expression goes: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
So, why would Miami move a very successful defensive end to the nose tackle position where he has never been and is considered too small by normal standards?
Here is an answer for you right from the mouth of Randy Starks courtesy of the Miami Herald:
"Some of those bigger guys might not be as strong so they need the extra weight to hold the point. They need to be 320 or 340 pounds. I can be 305 and still be effective."
For those of you that don't know, the point is the very middle of the line, basically right across from where the center snaps the ball.
It is a good thing that Starks is confident in his abilities. I do think this will end up being a good move.
The only problem I see with it is Starks will most likely take a hit in statistics. Nose Tackles don't have as good of stats as other defensive lineman because their main job is to occupy as many blockers as they can so other defensive players can get through the line.
But, that is only a problem if Starks makes it. Hopefully, he will understand that the team needs him there and take the hit in stats to help the team win.
Let's hope this risk pays off, because I would love to see a new revolution at the Nose Tackle position. It think it would make the NFL more fun to watch because you will have more explosive NTs in the game. It would make defense even more fun to watch.
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Dolphin Shout Miami Dolphins Fan Question - "Defensive Scheme" from Barry
Today we have another question from our man in London: Barry West. This was a tough one, so thanks for making me think a little bit more Barry. Here it is:
Hi Paul,
What scheme do you think Mike Nolan is going to run this season, bearing in mind our personnel?
Without a true NT will we see a hybrid scheme with Randy Starks at NT, and then Paul Soliai in when operating a more standard 3-4?
My Answer
First, let me say that I don't expect Paul Soliai to play a whole lot this season. Soliai is a good player, but I think that Starks is an even better player.
The only time I see Soliai in is when Miami is running the standard 3-4 like you kind of said, but Starks will probably still get more time in the standard. I believe that Miami is going to try and use Starks as much as possible at Nose Tackle to see if he is capable enough at the position because it is really hard to find talent at the Nose Tackle position.
To me, Starks (305 pounds) seems to be the better decision because he is smaller than Soliai (355 pounds). I know it sounds weird to think that smaller is better for a defensive lineman, but it can be.
Starks is obviously going to be faster than Soliai, and he can use his speed to his advantage. Most centers in the NFL are about Starks size. So, while bigger Nose Tackles like Paul Soliai would be unable to quickly pass a center, Starks has a better chance of being able to. I'm not saying that Starks is a small man compared to you and me, because he is still huge. He just isn't as big as other NFL Nose Tackles.
As for when Miami runs the hybrid scheme and brings a linebacker down to the line, expect Starks to be in. That is because he will no longer be at the nose of the defensive line.
Normally in a 4-3 you have two tackles. One is bigger like Soliai, and his primary focus is to stop the run and take on two blockers to leave an opening for one of the linebackers. The other is usually smaller and around Starks size. His main goal is similar to the others, except he needs to try and rush the quarterback during a pass play.
The great part about having Starks in as the player in the bigger tackle spot is that he can also rush the quarterback. Normally the big guy wouldn't try and rush the quarterback, but with Starks being smaller he is able to. Now, instead of having one tackle who is a threat to the quarterback, you have two tackles threatening him.
The only problem with two smaller tackles is that the linebacker has a harder time getting to the quarterback. But, that shouldn't be too much of a problem because Starks is great at getting to the quarterback himself.
So, in a nutshell your answer is this. Starks will definitely be in during the hybrid scheme, and he should be in for the majority of the traditional scheme. Soliai is good, but Starks is better and he has the potential to become a very good Nose Tackle.
Thanks for your question Barry, and keep them coming everyone. I enjoy difficult ones like those. My email for your questions is paul@dolphinshout.com.
Also, let me say this. As much as I try to be completely accurate about formations and such, I sometimes mess up something or describe a position wrong. If I do please either email me or leave a comment letting me know.
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Hi Paul,
What scheme do you think Mike Nolan is going to run this season, bearing in mind our personnel?
Without a true NT will we see a hybrid scheme with Randy Starks at NT, and then Paul Soliai in when operating a more standard 3-4?
My Answer
First, let me say that I don't expect Paul Soliai to play a whole lot this season. Soliai is a good player, but I think that Starks is an even better player.
The only time I see Soliai in is when Miami is running the standard 3-4 like you kind of said, but Starks will probably still get more time in the standard. I believe that Miami is going to try and use Starks as much as possible at Nose Tackle to see if he is capable enough at the position because it is really hard to find talent at the Nose Tackle position.
To me, Starks (305 pounds) seems to be the better decision because he is smaller than Soliai (355 pounds). I know it sounds weird to think that smaller is better for a defensive lineman, but it can be.
Starks is obviously going to be faster than Soliai, and he can use his speed to his advantage. Most centers in the NFL are about Starks size. So, while bigger Nose Tackles like Paul Soliai would be unable to quickly pass a center, Starks has a better chance of being able to. I'm not saying that Starks is a small man compared to you and me, because he is still huge. He just isn't as big as other NFL Nose Tackles.
As for when Miami runs the hybrid scheme and brings a linebacker down to the line, expect Starks to be in. That is because he will no longer be at the nose of the defensive line.
Normally in a 4-3 you have two tackles. One is bigger like Soliai, and his primary focus is to stop the run and take on two blockers to leave an opening for one of the linebackers. The other is usually smaller and around Starks size. His main goal is similar to the others, except he needs to try and rush the quarterback during a pass play.
The great part about having Starks in as the player in the bigger tackle spot is that he can also rush the quarterback. Normally the big guy wouldn't try and rush the quarterback, but with Starks being smaller he is able to. Now, instead of having one tackle who is a threat to the quarterback, you have two tackles threatening him.
The only problem with two smaller tackles is that the linebacker has a harder time getting to the quarterback. But, that shouldn't be too much of a problem because Starks is great at getting to the quarterback himself.
So, in a nutshell your answer is this. Starks will definitely be in during the hybrid scheme, and he should be in for the majority of the traditional scheme. Soliai is good, but Starks is better and he has the potential to become a very good Nose Tackle.
Thanks for your question Barry, and keep them coming everyone. I enjoy difficult ones like those. My email for your questions is paul@dolphinshout.com.
Also, let me say this. As much as I try to be completely accurate about formations and such, I sometimes mess up something or describe a position wrong. If I do please either email me or leave a comment letting me know.
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Dolphin Shout Miami Dolphins Fan Question - Phillip Merling from Anthony
We have another question from our man in the heart of enemy territory. Anthony Bertolini from New York has a question about Philip Merling. So, here it is:
Paul I have a tough time dealing with 6' 4" 305 pound Phillip Merling hitting his pregnant girlfriend. Do you think if he's found guilty Miami will cut him automatically?
Paul I'm far from an angel myself but hitting a pregnant woman, or any woman for that matter is inexcusable.
Thanks & Regards as Always,
Anthony
My Answer
I, like you, am not on Phillip Merling's side on this one. Hitting a woman is never acceptable, but hitting a pregnant woman is five times worse.
While I would like Miami to get rid of him if he is guilty, I am not really sure if they will. They really didn't say or do much when the story first came out. I don't think they will do a whole lot more, either. They may suspend him for a certain amount of time, but that won't be likely for one reason: the NFL will probably get to him first.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell enjoys giving out big fines and suspensions. That is why the NFL will probably suspend Merling for at least part of the season and hand him a nice fine.
While he deserves all of the suspensions and fines, I think the one thing he deserves most (being cut from Miami) might not happen. Merling is a talented player, and with Randy Starks moving to Nose Tackle Miami may try and keep him because of his skill. It may not seem right, but it is a possibility.
Let's hope that Miami does cut him. I would rather just depend on Kendall Langford and Paul Soliai than having to follow Merling. We will see, though.
Thanks for the question and keep them coming guys. Also, don't forget about my fantasy football league. Email me for details about it or to ask a question about Miami at this email address:
paul@dolphinshout.com
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Paul I have a tough time dealing with 6' 4" 305 pound Phillip Merling hitting his pregnant girlfriend. Do you think if he's found guilty Miami will cut him automatically?
Paul I'm far from an angel myself but hitting a pregnant woman, or any woman for that matter is inexcusable.
Thanks & Regards as Always,
Anthony
My Answer
I, like you, am not on Phillip Merling's side on this one. Hitting a woman is never acceptable, but hitting a pregnant woman is five times worse.
While I would like Miami to get rid of him if he is guilty, I am not really sure if they will. They really didn't say or do much when the story first came out. I don't think they will do a whole lot more, either. They may suspend him for a certain amount of time, but that won't be likely for one reason: the NFL will probably get to him first.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell enjoys giving out big fines and suspensions. That is why the NFL will probably suspend Merling for at least part of the season and hand him a nice fine.
While he deserves all of the suspensions and fines, I think the one thing he deserves most (being cut from Miami) might not happen. Merling is a talented player, and with Randy Starks moving to Nose Tackle Miami may try and keep him because of his skill. It may not seem right, but it is a possibility.
Let's hope that Miami does cut him. I would rather just depend on Kendall Langford and Paul Soliai than having to follow Merling. We will see, though.
Thanks for the question and keep them coming guys. Also, don't forget about my fantasy football league. Email me for details about it or to ask a question about Miami at this email address:
paul@dolphinshout.com
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For Better Or Worse: Randy Starks Is Officialy The Starting Nose Tackle For The Miami Dolphins
Some of you may have heard by now, but for those of you that haven`t Miami Dolphins Nose Tackle Jason Ferguson has announced that he is retiring from the NFL after a long career.
Ferguson was going to be out for the beginning of the season and Defensive End Randy Starks was set to take his place for at least as long as Ferguson was out.
Now there isn't any question that Starks is going to be the starter all year because there isn't anyone who looks to be able to take his spot.
Don't worry though Dolfans, Starks looks to be capable enough that it won't be a problem for him to start.
So, let us wish luck to Ferguson and Starks. One is moving on and the other is moving up.
What do you guys think? How will Randy Starks do this year and how do you feel about Ferguson leaving? Let me know with your comments.
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Ferguson was going to be out for the beginning of the season and Defensive End Randy Starks was set to take his place for at least as long as Ferguson was out.
Now there isn't any question that Starks is going to be the starter all year because there isn't anyone who looks to be able to take his spot.
Don't worry though Dolfans, Starks looks to be capable enough that it won't be a problem for him to start.
So, let us wish luck to Ferguson and Starks. One is moving on and the other is moving up.
What do you guys think? How will Randy Starks do this year and how do you feel about Ferguson leaving? Let me know with your comments.
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Dolphin Shout Miami Dolphins Fan Question - Ronnie Brown And Randy Starks From Stephenson Camille
We have another question from Florida from a Dolphins fan named Stephenson Camille. Keep the questions coming Dolfans. Here is Stephenson's question:
Hi Paul.
Do you think that Ronnie Brown will sign with the dolphins by the start of the 2010 season or do you see Ronnie Brown playing for another team?
Also I'm wondering what kind of an impact will Randy Starks make playing the NT position?
My Answer
Ronnie Brown is a unique situation. He isn't a bad influence or a diva, which is why his contract situation is a little surprising.
The Dolphins declined a $5 million team option for Brown's salary this offseason, so basically they aren't willing to pay him $5 million for this season. They then offered Brown a tender deal worth just under $4 million, and that is the current offer.
That doesn't leave a lot of room for negotiation. So, if Brown doesn't like the amount of money offered, he will most likely have to move on to another team.
This isn't very likely, though. Brown is expected to take the tender offer before training camp starts. I believe that he will sign before training camp, but it is still possible that he decides to go to another team willing to pay him more.
So, while he will most likely stay with Miami, there is a possibility that he will leave. But, even if he does leave you don't need to worry. Miami has a bunch of talent at the running back spot that will last them a pretty long time.
As for Randy Starks, I am very optimistic about what he can do. He is smaller than a standard Nose Tackle. Many people think that is a disadvantage because he won't be as strong, but it can actually be an advantage because he will be faster than most NTs. If the Dolphins are able to use his speed to their advantage, then he can do exceedingly well.
Starks played Nose Tackle a little bit last year according to GM Jeff Ireland, and he apparently did pretty well. I wouldn't worry too much about the move simply because they have already tried him out at that position. They wouldn't put him in if he wasn't able to be successful at the position.
Thanks for the question Stephenson, and everyone else keep the questions coming. I will try and answer yours as soon as possible.
Let me know what you guys think with a comment?
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Hi Paul.
Do you think that Ronnie Brown will sign with the dolphins by the start of the 2010 season or do you see Ronnie Brown playing for another team?
Also I'm wondering what kind of an impact will Randy Starks make playing the NT position?
My Answer
Ronnie Brown is a unique situation. He isn't a bad influence or a diva, which is why his contract situation is a little surprising.
The Dolphins declined a $5 million team option for Brown's salary this offseason, so basically they aren't willing to pay him $5 million for this season. They then offered Brown a tender deal worth just under $4 million, and that is the current offer.
That doesn't leave a lot of room for negotiation. So, if Brown doesn't like the amount of money offered, he will most likely have to move on to another team.
This isn't very likely, though. Brown is expected to take the tender offer before training camp starts. I believe that he will sign before training camp, but it is still possible that he decides to go to another team willing to pay him more.
So, while he will most likely stay with Miami, there is a possibility that he will leave. But, even if he does leave you don't need to worry. Miami has a bunch of talent at the running back spot that will last them a pretty long time.
As for Randy Starks, I am very optimistic about what he can do. He is smaller than a standard Nose Tackle. Many people think that is a disadvantage because he won't be as strong, but it can actually be an advantage because he will be faster than most NTs. If the Dolphins are able to use his speed to their advantage, then he can do exceedingly well.
Starks played Nose Tackle a little bit last year according to GM Jeff Ireland, and he apparently did pretty well. I wouldn't worry too much about the move simply because they have already tried him out at that position. They wouldn't put him in if he wasn't able to be successful at the position.
Thanks for the question Stephenson, and everyone else keep the questions coming. I will try and answer yours as soon as possible.
Let me know what you guys think with a comment?
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Dolphin Shout Miami Dolphins Fan Question - Defense - From Anthony Bertolini
Here is a question from Anthony Bertolini in NY. That's right, he's in the heart of Jets territory. But, please don't attack him because he is loyal to the aqua and orange. Here is his question:
Although we went Defense in the draft I'm very worried about numerous factors:
-We're still a bit weak at OLB
-We still dont have a proven Free Safety
-We have a defensive lineman moving to NT for the first time as a permanent solution
-Even Jason Ferguson (when he gets back) is in his late 30's and has to be battling weariness after all these years
Paul, I'm very excited about the upcoming season, and I wait all year for this, so I guess my question is...... Are we thinking with our hearts too much as opposed to our heads? Is there a distinct possibility that I'm going to have to suffer through another sub par season while praying for a great 2011 draft? Is Mike Nolan capable of taking pieces from elsewhere and making them work in new positions? Please keep in mind I'm surrounded here by Damn Jet Fans who think every year they're Super Bowl Bound..........Please can you give me some news?
My Answer:
First, let me put one thing to rest. Jets fans are always going to think they are good, even if they aren't. Just ignore all of the hype. They maybe pretty good this year, but they aren't near as close to where their fans think they are.
As for thinking with our hearts and heads, I will admit that I do get a little over-excited and think with my heart sometimes. But, I don't think that there is a possibility that you will have to suffer through another mediocre season. Everything really is looking up for Miami. The offense is very, very good, and our defense is getting better by the day.
And about Mike Nolan, I am completely confident in him. He is the least of any of my concerns this year. I did a little bit of analyzing how he helped defenses when he was a coordinator, and here is what I came up with:
Nolan has been a defensive coordinator for 11 years. In 8 out of those 11 years, Nolan's defense has been in the top half of the NFL in points allowed. Of those 8 seasons, his defense has been in the top 10 six times.
While those are just statistics and the results can vary from team to team, that is still a very good indicator of his skills.
I have also read about how he has changed Miami's defensive mindset to a more agressive one, which I think sounds great.
I know you are concerned with the OLB position, the free safety position, and the moving to the nose tackle position. But, stop worrying about it. If Mike Nolan is willing to make the move, then I am willing to trust him. He has 22 years of coaching experience in the NFL. He knows what he is doing.
So, put your mind and heart to rest. Miami is going to be great this year, and any problem they may have most likely won't be big enough to ruin the season. The Dolphins have a great chance at making the playoffs this year.
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Although we went Defense in the draft I'm very worried about numerous factors:
-We're still a bit weak at OLB
-We still dont have a proven Free Safety
-We have a defensive lineman moving to NT for the first time as a permanent solution
-Even Jason Ferguson (when he gets back) is in his late 30's and has to be battling weariness after all these years
Paul, I'm very excited about the upcoming season, and I wait all year for this, so I guess my question is...... Are we thinking with our hearts too much as opposed to our heads? Is there a distinct possibility that I'm going to have to suffer through another sub par season while praying for a great 2011 draft? Is Mike Nolan capable of taking pieces from elsewhere and making them work in new positions? Please keep in mind I'm surrounded here by Damn Jet Fans who think every year they're Super Bowl Bound..........Please can you give me some news?
My Answer:
First, let me put one thing to rest. Jets fans are always going to think they are good, even if they aren't. Just ignore all of the hype. They maybe pretty good this year, but they aren't near as close to where their fans think they are.
As for thinking with our hearts and heads, I will admit that I do get a little over-excited and think with my heart sometimes. But, I don't think that there is a possibility that you will have to suffer through another mediocre season. Everything really is looking up for Miami. The offense is very, very good, and our defense is getting better by the day.
And about Mike Nolan, I am completely confident in him. He is the least of any of my concerns this year. I did a little bit of analyzing how he helped defenses when he was a coordinator, and here is what I came up with:
Nolan has been a defensive coordinator for 11 years. In 8 out of those 11 years, Nolan's defense has been in the top half of the NFL in points allowed. Of those 8 seasons, his defense has been in the top 10 six times.
While those are just statistics and the results can vary from team to team, that is still a very good indicator of his skills.
I have also read about how he has changed Miami's defensive mindset to a more agressive one, which I think sounds great.
I know you are concerned with the OLB position, the free safety position, and the moving to the nose tackle position. But, stop worrying about it. If Mike Nolan is willing to make the move, then I am willing to trust him. He has 22 years of coaching experience in the NFL. He knows what he is doing.
So, put your mind and heart to rest. Miami is going to be great this year, and any problem they may have most likely won't be big enough to ruin the season. The Dolphins have a great chance at making the playoffs this year.
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5 Miami Dolphins Defensive Players Primed For A Breakout In 2010
I apologize to anyone who was expecting a post this weekend, but I was taking the 4th of July weekend off, but now I am back to business.
I've told you about offense, and now I will tell you five defensive players who are bound to break out next season. Our defense needs a lot of these players to have breakout seasons because of how pitiful the defense as a whole was last year.
The Miami Dolphins need players who can end drives instantly. Here are 5 players who have a chance to break out next year and do just that.
1. Vontae Davis, CB
Vontae Davis is going into his second year as a cornerback. Last year he showed flashes of greatness during times, but still gave up a lot of big plays to receivers. Part of that may be because he was always covering the best receiver, but still.
He has a great opportunity to break out this season because he can only get better from last year. New defensive coordinator Mike Nolan has also implemented a new agressive defense, and hopefully Davis will thrive in it. Davis has a lot of potential. Hopefully he will be able to harness it in 2010-2011.
2. Sean Smith, CB
Sean Smith is another cornerback Miami drafted in last years draft, so this is also his second year. Smith was drafted in the second round, where Davis was drafted in the first.
Smith has a lot of potential, and has a very good chance to break out this year. He is very tall, which can be used to his advantage. He was a pleasant surprise last year when he started all 16 games as a rookie. Just like Vontae, he has a lot of potential and Mike Nolan should only help him improve.
3. Randy Starks, NT
The Miami Dolphins moved Randy Starks to the nose tackle position this offseason. He is a very strong player, which is important for the nose tackle. He was very good last year with 7 sacks, so some people may not think that changing his position will help him, but I beg to differ.
Starks' is a great player who can perform really well on the line. It doesn't matter where he is on the line. He may be lighter than most nose tackles, but that doesn't matter too much because of his strength. He is also faster, so he should be able to quickly move past his blocker.
4. Koa Misi, LB
Koa Misi should be able to break out very well as a rookie this season. He is very quick and athletic, and he should be able to fit in Miami's offense well. Misi can either be a linebacker, or he can move to the DE position well. That will be a huge help and will increase his ability to break out.
What will really help Misi is that he is hard working. You know he will have the best chance to do well every game because he worked hard at what he had to during workouts and practices during the previous week.
5. Reshad Jones, FS
I really hope Jones can break out this season. Miami's biggest question mark on their defense is the free safety position, and Jones is a likely candidate to fill that void. He is a very hard-hitting safety, and he should be able to strike fear into anyone who runs his way with the ball.
While his coverage skills may not be where we want them to be, don't worry too much. He should be able to develop better coverage skills with an experienced defensive coordinator like Mike Nolan. Breakouts often occur when you aren't expecting it, and that will most likely be the case with Reshad Jones.
Let me know what you guys think with your comments. Thanks for reading.
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I've told you about offense, and now I will tell you five defensive players who are bound to break out next season. Our defense needs a lot of these players to have breakout seasons because of how pitiful the defense as a whole was last year.
The Miami Dolphins need players who can end drives instantly. Here are 5 players who have a chance to break out next year and do just that.
1. Vontae Davis, CB
Vontae Davis is going into his second year as a cornerback. Last year he showed flashes of greatness during times, but still gave up a lot of big plays to receivers. Part of that may be because he was always covering the best receiver, but still.
He has a great opportunity to break out this season because he can only get better from last year. New defensive coordinator Mike Nolan has also implemented a new agressive defense, and hopefully Davis will thrive in it. Davis has a lot of potential. Hopefully he will be able to harness it in 2010-2011.
2. Sean Smith, CB
Sean Smith is another cornerback Miami drafted in last years draft, so this is also his second year. Smith was drafted in the second round, where Davis was drafted in the first.
Smith has a lot of potential, and has a very good chance to break out this year. He is very tall, which can be used to his advantage. He was a pleasant surprise last year when he started all 16 games as a rookie. Just like Vontae, he has a lot of potential and Mike Nolan should only help him improve.
3. Randy Starks, NT
The Miami Dolphins moved Randy Starks to the nose tackle position this offseason. He is a very strong player, which is important for the nose tackle. He was very good last year with 7 sacks, so some people may not think that changing his position will help him, but I beg to differ.
Starks' is a great player who can perform really well on the line. It doesn't matter where he is on the line. He may be lighter than most nose tackles, but that doesn't matter too much because of his strength. He is also faster, so he should be able to quickly move past his blocker.
4. Koa Misi, LB
Koa Misi should be able to break out very well as a rookie this season. He is very quick and athletic, and he should be able to fit in Miami's offense well. Misi can either be a linebacker, or he can move to the DE position well. That will be a huge help and will increase his ability to break out.
What will really help Misi is that he is hard working. You know he will have the best chance to do well every game because he worked hard at what he had to during workouts and practices during the previous week.
5. Reshad Jones, FS
I really hope Jones can break out this season. Miami's biggest question mark on their defense is the free safety position, and Jones is a likely candidate to fill that void. He is a very hard-hitting safety, and he should be able to strike fear into anyone who runs his way with the ball.
While his coverage skills may not be where we want them to be, don't worry too much. He should be able to develop better coverage skills with an experienced defensive coordinator like Mike Nolan. Breakouts often occur when you aren't expecting it, and that will most likely be the case with Reshad Jones.
Let me know what you guys think with your comments. Thanks for reading.
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