SoFlaTitan
Practice Squad
After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Dolphins-Titans matchup.
1. The key for Miami will be third down:
The Dolphins are second in the league at converting on third down situations (49%); fullback Lousaka Polite is a major weapon in those situations -- 13 of 13 when given the ball on third and short situations this year. Continuing this trend is essential.
2. Keep Chad Henne's passing attempts to under 30:
Henne has done a good job of managing this team after being thrust into the starting quarterback position after Week 3. He can extend the pocket and make plays on the move -- yet does not take too many chances. He is not the type of quarterback that can carry the team on his arm and needs to be surrounded by a strong ground game. More than 30 throws = Dolphins are playing catch-up. That's bad.
3. Limit Chris Johnson:
This is obvious, but the focus should be on eliminating explosive plays. The Dolphins held Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew to 59 yards on 18 carries -- an average of 3.3 yards per attempt -- this past Sunday; half of his carries were for two yards or less. Johnson is probably even more explosive than Jones-Drew and the Dolphins need to focus on limiting his long runs. Against the Rams on Sunday, Johnson scored three times with runs of 39 and three yards and a 66 yard catch-and-run.
4. The Fins need to spread the wealth:
Miami lacks a true number one receiver that can force defenses to roll their coverage or double team. Henne has done a good job of playing within the system and taking what the defense gives him; he needs to continue to move the ball around.
5. One matchup to watch -- Miami RB Ricky Williams vs. Tennessee LB Stephen Tulloch:
Williams is closing in on a 1,000 yard season and has run for over 100 yards in four of his last five games. He is thriving on being the primary ball carrier and seems to get stronger as the game wears on; he's averaging 23 carries a game in the past five weeks.
6. The Titans may get creative:
Whenever you play the Titans, you focus on stopping Chris Johnson (see above). Tennessee needs to find new ways to get the ball into his hands in space, where he is most effective.
7. You'll see a lot of eight-man fronts from TEN:
Tennessee defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil wants to take away Miami's most dangerous weapon; stacking the box to slow down Williams, Wildcat options and more will help do that.
8. Tennessee must protect the pocket:
Quarterback Vince Young injured his hamstring this past Sunday and backup QB Kerry Collins had to come in to finish the game; Young should play this week, but the O-line must keep him clean. If he aggravates any injury, the Titans lose a key weapon.
9. The Titans need to win the special teams game:
Tennessee has not been explosive with either their punt return unit or their kickoff returns. Miami's kickoff return specialist Ted Ginn Jr. has two touchdowns on kickoff returns -- so the Titans need to be extra careful with their coverage units; stay in your lanes and keep Ginn under wraps. An explosive return by either team could have a huge impact on the outcome of this game.
10. Another matchup to watch -- Tennessee RB Chris Johnson vs. Miami SS Yeremiah Bell:
Bell leads the Dolphins in tackles with 97 and needs to be extra conscious of keeping Johnson out of the end zone and limiting his explosive plays.
I did not write this, it was a write up that I saw on another message board and thought that I would share.
1. The key for Miami will be third down:
The Dolphins are second in the league at converting on third down situations (49%); fullback Lousaka Polite is a major weapon in those situations -- 13 of 13 when given the ball on third and short situations this year. Continuing this trend is essential.
2. Keep Chad Henne's passing attempts to under 30:
Henne has done a good job of managing this team after being thrust into the starting quarterback position after Week 3. He can extend the pocket and make plays on the move -- yet does not take too many chances. He is not the type of quarterback that can carry the team on his arm and needs to be surrounded by a strong ground game. More than 30 throws = Dolphins are playing catch-up. That's bad.
3. Limit Chris Johnson:
This is obvious, but the focus should be on eliminating explosive plays. The Dolphins held Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew to 59 yards on 18 carries -- an average of 3.3 yards per attempt -- this past Sunday; half of his carries were for two yards or less. Johnson is probably even more explosive than Jones-Drew and the Dolphins need to focus on limiting his long runs. Against the Rams on Sunday, Johnson scored three times with runs of 39 and three yards and a 66 yard catch-and-run.
4. The Fins need to spread the wealth:
Miami lacks a true number one receiver that can force defenses to roll their coverage or double team. Henne has done a good job of playing within the system and taking what the defense gives him; he needs to continue to move the ball around.
5. One matchup to watch -- Miami RB Ricky Williams vs. Tennessee LB Stephen Tulloch:
Williams is closing in on a 1,000 yard season and has run for over 100 yards in four of his last five games. He is thriving on being the primary ball carrier and seems to get stronger as the game wears on; he's averaging 23 carries a game in the past five weeks.
6. The Titans may get creative:
Whenever you play the Titans, you focus on stopping Chris Johnson (see above). Tennessee needs to find new ways to get the ball into his hands in space, where he is most effective.
7. You'll see a lot of eight-man fronts from TEN:
Tennessee defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil wants to take away Miami's most dangerous weapon; stacking the box to slow down Williams, Wildcat options and more will help do that.
8. Tennessee must protect the pocket:
Quarterback Vince Young injured his hamstring this past Sunday and backup QB Kerry Collins had to come in to finish the game; Young should play this week, but the O-line must keep him clean. If he aggravates any injury, the Titans lose a key weapon.
9. The Titans need to win the special teams game:
Tennessee has not been explosive with either their punt return unit or their kickoff returns. Miami's kickoff return specialist Ted Ginn Jr. has two touchdowns on kickoff returns -- so the Titans need to be extra careful with their coverage units; stay in your lanes and keep Ginn under wraps. An explosive return by either team could have a huge impact on the outcome of this game.
10. Another matchup to watch -- Tennessee RB Chris Johnson vs. Miami SS Yeremiah Bell:
Bell leads the Dolphins in tackles with 97 and needs to be extra conscious of keeping Johnson out of the end zone and limiting his explosive plays.
I did not write this, it was a write up that I saw on another message board and thought that I would share.
