The one thing I would like to see the Dolphins doing on defense is blitzing Favre early and often. Specifically Nathan Jones.
People are quick to point out our secondary as the glaring weakness on the team. To this, I say a secondary is only as good as the pass rush in front of it. When we get pressure on QBs (Week 3 @ Pats, Week 5 vs San Diego, @ Denver), our defense is able to get off the field quickly, making the secondary look better. When we give the opposing QB all day to throw (Schaub, Flacco, Thigpen, second game vs Pats) our secondary is forced to cover receivers much longer, which inevitably leads to the QB having a big day, and our defense being on the field much longer than it should be.
Joey Porter is a top 3 pass rusher in the NFL this year. Other than him, it's hit or miss. Matt Roth has some big games, but also some where he's non-existant. Vonnie Holliday is a solid veteran, but not a giant threat. Jason Ferguson is primarily a run stuffer.
When Porter is being doubled and sometimes even tripled, our pass rush tends to disappear. A lot of our biggest defensive plays this year have come when Nathan Jones or Will Allen come off the edge and get pressure on the QB, sacking him or rushing him into a poor decision.
Against a guy like Thigpen, this is more difficult because of his mobility. Favre is old, banged up, and slow.
For those worried about Brett beating our secondary over the top if we blitz DBs, you shouldn't be. All you have to do is read the Jets forums or watch a Jets game or 2 to see that his long ball is not good. It's inaccurate and often hangs up in the air. He was constantly under-throwing guys in Seattle last week.
Even against us in Week 1. The 2 major plays were the play action streak to Cotchery where he actually had to come to a stop to catch the underthrown hanger. This was allowed by the DB (Goodman?) who was completely fooled by the play action. Then you have the infamous 4th down duck that Favre randomly lobbed up. That was clearly a fluke.
Plus, I don't think there's a single Fin fan who hasn't noticed how far Andre Goodman has come this year. He was constantly tested 1 on 1 deep last week, and was ready for it every time. I am also reminded of him shutting down Brandon Marshall earlier in the year.
So I say bring the heat early. If Favre proves he is up to the challenge and is able to escape the pressure and beat our secondary over the top, then adjust accordingly. Not to mention a few hits on Favre, even if they come immediately after he gets rid of the ball, will go a long way in this game.
Agree? Disagree?
Thanks for reading.
People are quick to point out our secondary as the glaring weakness on the team. To this, I say a secondary is only as good as the pass rush in front of it. When we get pressure on QBs (Week 3 @ Pats, Week 5 vs San Diego, @ Denver), our defense is able to get off the field quickly, making the secondary look better. When we give the opposing QB all day to throw (Schaub, Flacco, Thigpen, second game vs Pats) our secondary is forced to cover receivers much longer, which inevitably leads to the QB having a big day, and our defense being on the field much longer than it should be.
Joey Porter is a top 3 pass rusher in the NFL this year. Other than him, it's hit or miss. Matt Roth has some big games, but also some where he's non-existant. Vonnie Holliday is a solid veteran, but not a giant threat. Jason Ferguson is primarily a run stuffer.
When Porter is being doubled and sometimes even tripled, our pass rush tends to disappear. A lot of our biggest defensive plays this year have come when Nathan Jones or Will Allen come off the edge and get pressure on the QB, sacking him or rushing him into a poor decision.
Against a guy like Thigpen, this is more difficult because of his mobility. Favre is old, banged up, and slow.
For those worried about Brett beating our secondary over the top if we blitz DBs, you shouldn't be. All you have to do is read the Jets forums or watch a Jets game or 2 to see that his long ball is not good. It's inaccurate and often hangs up in the air. He was constantly under-throwing guys in Seattle last week.
Even against us in Week 1. The 2 major plays were the play action streak to Cotchery where he actually had to come to a stop to catch the underthrown hanger. This was allowed by the DB (Goodman?) who was completely fooled by the play action. Then you have the infamous 4th down duck that Favre randomly lobbed up. That was clearly a fluke.
Plus, I don't think there's a single Fin fan who hasn't noticed how far Andre Goodman has come this year. He was constantly tested 1 on 1 deep last week, and was ready for it every time. I am also reminded of him shutting down Brandon Marshall earlier in the year.
So I say bring the heat early. If Favre proves he is up to the challenge and is able to escape the pressure and beat our secondary over the top, then adjust accordingly. Not to mention a few hits on Favre, even if they come immediately after he gets rid of the ball, will go a long way in this game.
Agree? Disagree?
Thanks for reading.
