EightyTwenty
Practice Squad
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2004
- Messages
- 741
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Here ya go boys- some analysis from the SportingNews War room:
"Miami’s defense is in pieces. Tackle Tim Bowens and cornerbacks Patrick Surtain (groin) and Reggie Howard (hamstring) missed last Sunday’s game vs. Cincinnati, and end Jason Taylor suffered a foot injury during the game. Bowens is trying to return this week, but tackle Larry Chester is done for the season after tearing his right ACL. Can Miami’s defense hold things together while the offense tries to gain a measure of competency? Right now, it doesn’t matter who’s behind center  the QB faces more pressure than a senior during exam week. In addition to a wretched passing game, the team’s running backs can’t even get to the line of scrimmage without getting pancaked."
On McMichael:
"McMichael is coming off a six-catch, 93-yard game vs. the Bengals. Miami’s offensive line is wimpier than “John Mayer’s Greatest Hits,†and McMichael will remain the Fins’ top passing option until things change dramatically. This week, Mac will use his size, power and speed to post another strong game vs. Pittsburgh’s average linebackers and secondary, especially off play-action."
More:
"Miami is averaging 45 rushing yards a game  easily the worst rushing offense in the league. The passing game appears OK superficially, but Miami’s quarterbacks have thrown an AFC-worst five interceptions  including two that were returned for TDs. Pittsburgh’s line is good enough to quell the run immediately and apply pressure to A.J. Feely. The Pittsburgh secondary is somewhat weak, but will Feeley have enough time to get off a pass? The Steelers will blitz creatively to apply pressure from all over the field. There is no way Miami will be able to mount an effective offense under these conditions"
Even more:
"Miami’s offensive line was exposed vs. the Bengals last week. Miami has four new starters, and the unit hasn’t proved it can effectively run block or pass block. Feeley started last week and showed some positive signs, but for the most part, he was battered like a catfish filet. Cincinnati’s defensive line isn’t particularly talented, so what will happen vs. a more talented Pittsburgh defense? Feeley is expected to start this week. He has the talent to make the passing game work in Miami, but that won’t happen until his line improves dramatically. Fiedler? Fiedler is an even worse option."
And finally some stuff on Gordon:
"Gordon isn’t as awful as his stat line suggests. Miami’s offensive line is probably the worst in the NFL at run blocking, and it has created no holes for Gordon to exploit. Gordon might be a three-star back in the right situation, but this isn’t it. The Steelers’ defense will stuff LG like a martini olive."
How bout them apples....
"Miami’s defense is in pieces. Tackle Tim Bowens and cornerbacks Patrick Surtain (groin) and Reggie Howard (hamstring) missed last Sunday’s game vs. Cincinnati, and end Jason Taylor suffered a foot injury during the game. Bowens is trying to return this week, but tackle Larry Chester is done for the season after tearing his right ACL. Can Miami’s defense hold things together while the offense tries to gain a measure of competency? Right now, it doesn’t matter who’s behind center  the QB faces more pressure than a senior during exam week. In addition to a wretched passing game, the team’s running backs can’t even get to the line of scrimmage without getting pancaked."
On McMichael:
"McMichael is coming off a six-catch, 93-yard game vs. the Bengals. Miami’s offensive line is wimpier than “John Mayer’s Greatest Hits,†and McMichael will remain the Fins’ top passing option until things change dramatically. This week, Mac will use his size, power and speed to post another strong game vs. Pittsburgh’s average linebackers and secondary, especially off play-action."
More:
"Miami is averaging 45 rushing yards a game  easily the worst rushing offense in the league. The passing game appears OK superficially, but Miami’s quarterbacks have thrown an AFC-worst five interceptions  including two that were returned for TDs. Pittsburgh’s line is good enough to quell the run immediately and apply pressure to A.J. Feely. The Pittsburgh secondary is somewhat weak, but will Feeley have enough time to get off a pass? The Steelers will blitz creatively to apply pressure from all over the field. There is no way Miami will be able to mount an effective offense under these conditions"
Even more:
"Miami’s offensive line was exposed vs. the Bengals last week. Miami has four new starters, and the unit hasn’t proved it can effectively run block or pass block. Feeley started last week and showed some positive signs, but for the most part, he was battered like a catfish filet. Cincinnati’s defensive line isn’t particularly talented, so what will happen vs. a more talented Pittsburgh defense? Feeley is expected to start this week. He has the talent to make the passing game work in Miami, but that won’t happen until his line improves dramatically. Fiedler? Fiedler is an even worse option."
And finally some stuff on Gordon:
"Gordon isn’t as awful as his stat line suggests. Miami’s offensive line is probably the worst in the NFL at run blocking, and it has created no holes for Gordon to exploit. Gordon might be a three-star back in the right situation, but this isn’t it. The Steelers’ defense will stuff LG like a martini olive."
How bout them apples....
