Did Wilson exploit Dolphins CB problems in finish? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Did Wilson exploit Dolphins CB problems in finish?

DKphin

DKphin

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Veteran receiver Doug Baldwin beat young Bobby McCain for a 2-yard pass and the game-winning score. The story behind the play is interesting, though, and underscores what everyone knew about the Dolphins having cornerbacks who need to develop for this season to succeed. Quarterback Russell Wilson had never called the audible he did for this play – “I was first thinking, ‘What is he doing?’ ‘’ Baldwin said. But he then realized there were, “certain matchups,” they’d talked about going into the game, he said. Baldwin against McCain obviously was one of them.

Here’s what Russell said: “Without saying too much, it was a great route. We have a lot of games left, I don’t like saying anything to (the media). The power of social media these days, and everything else, I’m going to keep my mouth shut on that one. But it was a great route, one-on-one matchup. One of the best receivers in the league gets open.”
Let's be fair: You give up 12 points, you should win. It's not all on the defense. But it’s no secret the Dolphins have cornerback questions, and Wilson's thoughts on that final play underline that. Baldwin had three catches for 33 yards on the final drive - all against different cornerbacks (Byron Maxwell, Xavien Howard and McCain). His fourth-and-4 catch that drive for nine yards on Maxwell in zone coverage kept the game going.

But for much of Sunday, aided by a strong pass rush, the secondary not only held up by played a good role. Russell threw a career-high 43 times. On Seattle’s final possession, that changed. Wilson got hot on a sprained ankle, converting two, fourth-down passes. The Dolphins pass rush disappeared. Mario Williams was out with a concussion. Cam Wake started that series, then went to the bench. So the Dolphins’ two top pass-rushing ends were out. Andre Branch and Jason Jones were there to close the game.
Russell then did what he does. He found the right target. He left with the win the Dolphins thought they had.
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/...aveHyde-blog+(Dave+Hyde+|+Sun+Sentinel+blogs)
 
Our CBs played well. Didn't that big play on Maxwell happen when he was lined up in the slot?

Don't line Maxwell up in the slot.
 
the defense played 78 snaps and was on the field for 35 minutes. can't do that week 1. they were absolutely gassed that last drive. offense went 3 and out 5 times and was 3-14 on 3rd down. only had the ball 25 minutes. gotta do better than that.
 
Corners weren't the issue, surprisingly. Not blitzing a gimpy QB was. Playing not to lose never works for this team. Yet it keeps happening.
 
CB's will be an issue though. Can Culliver play in the slot? I've never been as high on McCain as some on here. While he makes some nice picks (preseason mind you) he seems easily beaten a lot.
 
The Dolphins pass rush disappeared. Mario Williams was out with a concussion. Cam Wake started that series, then went to the bench.
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Without a good pass rush, our secondary will get burned.
 
It won't be just Wilson, there's 15 more weeks of these corners being exploited.
 
BobDole said:
Corners weren't the issue, surprisingly. Not blitzing a gimpy QB was. Playing not to lose never works for this team. Yet it keeps happening.
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What do you think happens with you Blitz a QB and your secondary is questionable? Hell if I recall correctly one of there conversions was specifically because we Blitz instead of play back and letting them beat us.
 
Lack of a consistent pass rush but really we lost the game by leaving 13 points on the field

Ozzy rules
 
BobDole said:
Corners weren't the issue, surprisingly. Not blitzing a gimpy QB was. Playing not to lose never works for this team. Yet it keeps happening.
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The tendencies of VJ's time in Cincinnati continue as they rarely blitzed there either. The defensive play also confirms to me what I thought about his overall press scheme and just how soft his CBs play at times. Not even close to the physical press scheme that was boasted around here.
 
Colostomy Bag said:
The tendencies of VJ's time in Cincinnati continue as they rarely blitzed there either. The defensive play also confirms to me what I thought about his overall press scheme and just how soft his CBs play at times. Not even close to the physical press scheme that was boasted around here.
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Although I thought the CB play was much improved, the drive at the end of the first half and final drive to win, the defense playing soft stood out. I really dislike playing not to lose.
 
BobDole said:
Corners weren't the issue, surprisingly. Not blitzing a gimpy QB was. Playing not to lose never works for this team. Yet it keeps happening.
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it doesn't work for anyone - never did - the "prevent" defense has taken on different looks over the years but the results are almost always the same - you prevent yourself from winning. If you are going to lose, go down being aggressive especially if that's what got you in the situation to begin with - like yesterday.

---------- Post added at 01:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:57 PM ----------
Colostomy Bag said:
The tendencies of VJ's time in Cincinnati continue as they rarely blitzed there either. The defensive play also confirms to me what I thought about his overall press scheme and just how soft his CBs play at times. Not even close to the physical press scheme that was boasted around here.
Click to expand...
i didn't know this about him. I thought we were going to be an attacking defense?
 
ANUFan said:
What do you think happens with you Blitz a QB and your secondary is questionable? Hell if I recall correctly one of there conversions was specifically because we Blitz instead of play back and letting them beat us.
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You might get a sack and push them back. Or even a turnover. Instead we just let them march down the field and score with almost no time left. Being that what we did ended up in a loss, I'm assuming a different strategy might yield a different result.

Are you saying you agree with what we did? Because hindsight is not on your side.
 
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