Does Anyone realize this about our D

[Phinsdude]

We haven't talked about this, but it just came to me. We have given up 1 Touchdown on Defense, the past 2 games. That goes into accounts for probably being on the Field more then any other D in the league. The only Touchdown we gave up came on a goaline stand, but having a penalty, bringing a fresh set of downs. This D has practically held us in both games, and this is with the way the offense has looked. Imagine is we had a little better of an offense.

 

[Dol-Fan Dupree]

DW said that this will be the best D in Miami history. Without injuries to L. Chester and T. Bowens and Surtain and Howard, it looks like he could of been correct. They absolutely amazed me against the Bengals.

 

[Phinsdude]

They played without all 4, and look at the way they looked, we get 3 of them back.

 

[musphinzfan]

And for some reason the D gets bashed constantly!!

 

[CanadaPhinsFan]

And for some reason the D gets bashed constantly!!

They get bashed for finishing games the way they did on Sunday. The difference in TOP was only about 3 minutes, and they sure didn't look tired the series before. That's what keeps the D from being considered great.

 

[JJ777]

And also the one TD they did give up was because the O put them in lousy lousy field position.

 

[Ex-DolfanDaveInMI]

They get bashed for finishing games the way they did on Sunday. The difference in TOP was only about 3 minutes, and they sure didn't look tired the series before. That's what keeps the D from being considered great.

Plus the Dolphins' defense has actually been on the field for 4 fewer plays this season than the Dolphins' offense. I think it's the pressure of knowing that they have ZERO margin for error that causes them to crack late.

 

[dolfan91]

not sure if the d was tired .. the bengals attacked the spot poole vacated when injured in the last minute of the game... his absence for that one play gave the bengals the opportunity to make a play down feild .. and they where successful ... and won the game... and remember the pass play before .. it was a great catch by the reciever.. so IMO opportunity knocked on the bengals door and they took advantage... not that the D was tired ...

 

[Lawrence]

not sure if the d was tired .. the bengals attacked the spot poole vacated when injured in the last minute of the game... his absence for that one play gave the bengals the opportunity to make a play down feild .. and they where successful ... and won the game... and remember the pass play before .. it was a great catch by the reciever.. so IMO opportunity knocked on the bengals door and they took advantage... not that the D was tired ...

Regardles of that one catch to Poole's spot, Palmer was 7-8 on that drive. The D has a history of letting up at the end.

 

[dolfan91]

also.. they D blitzed on the pass play before ... which i thought was a bad call ... they played 8 men back through out the game... and palmer had no place to throw.. then all of a sudden a change at the most critical time ... if they didn't blitz in the last minute of the game.. it stood a better chance to going into overtime ...

 

[Muck]

also.. they D blitzed on the pass play before ... which i thought was a bad call ... they played 8 men back through out the game... and palmer had no place to throw.. then all of a sudden a change at the most critical time ... if they didn't blitz in the last minute of the game.. it stood a better chance to going into overtime ...

That ticked me off. When I saw Zach Thomas and Junior Seau coming on the blitz, I was like "NOOOO!!!!". And when the subsequent pass was completed to Johnson over Wyrick, I really got mad.

Like you said, we'd been doing pretty well dropping 7 or 8 around that time. With Surtain, Howard, and Poole out, you're left with Wyrick. That street free agent cannot cover someone like Chad Johnson. And blitzing Zach rarely works. It just takes our best cover linebacker out of coverage and pretty much negates him from the play.

And yet with all these factors considered, Bates decides to blitz anyway with the game on the line. IMO this was probably the only mistake he made all night (if he indeed called the play). At least it's the only one I can remember. He called a great game. And the D was lights out. But when you absolutely cannot give up any more yardage, sending Zach into an offensive lineman isn't the thing to do.

 

[FakeSpike13]

u have to blitz in that situation BECAUSE of wyrick... that was our only hope, because that "street free agent" can't stay with him for more than 2 seconds... the problem was that wyrick and edwards lost sight of Johnson, the best wr on the field.... that left man coverage with the deep safety, who was late in his assignment...

 

[FakeSpike13]

the flaw in our system is that we dont allow our best cb to roam with the best wr...

 

[arsenal]

u have to blitz in that situation BECAUSE of wyrick... that was our only hope, because that "street free agent" can't stay with him for more than 2 seconds... the problem was that wyrick and edwards lost sight of Johnson, the best wr on the field.... that left man coverage with the deep safety, who was late in his assignment...

no i say thats why you help the corner and not blitz... you know wyrick cant cover him so you double team or bring over extra help and try to get pressure with the front 4 like we had during the game... not bring in a massive blitz and leave them out on an island like that...

 

[FinfanInBuffalo]

Regardles of that one catch to Poole's spot, Palmer was 7-8 on that drive. The D has a history of letting up at the end.

They don't have a history of letting up at the end, they have a reputation of letting up at the end. That reputation is not deserved.

They don't let up any more than any other defense. Their let ups are just noticed more because they are in so many close games. When another team wins 38-35, nobody complains about their defense letting up. The Fins D doesn't have that luxury.