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Dolphins Rushers to test Pats o-line

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FOXBORO -- The Patriots offensive line is in flux and will be tested immediately in their first regular-season game since dealing Logan Mankins to Tampa Bay.

Bill Belichick said earlier this week that the Dolphins have one of the strongest defensive fronts the Patriots will see this season. It features left end Cameron Wake and right end Olivier Vernon, as well as defensive tackles Jared Odrick, Randy Starks and Earl Mitchell, who signed as a free-agent in the offseason.

In two games against the Patriots last season, the Dolphins had 11 quarterback hits on Tom Brady, including five courtesy of Cameron Wake in Miami's 24-20 win back in December.

Patriots left tackle Nate Solder will likely see more of Vernon on Sunday, who Solder explained as a pass-rusher who relies more on his power than his speed.

"He's not the fastest, but he's got a lot of speed," Solder said. "He's got a lot of upper-body strength. He can bend really well with his hips. Good with his hands. Good at shedding blockers."

Solder could see some of Wake as well. While Wake has made his living on the right side of offensive formations, Solder noticed that Wake played on the left side at times during the preseason.

"He has a little different repertoire of moves," Solder said. "He can really get to that edge, kind of get around you, get underneath your leverage."
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Solder said he expected the Dolphins to test the cohesiveness of the Patriots line by stunting at various points, forcing he and his teammates to communicate with each other effectively. For all the practice time that the Patriots line has spent together leading up to Week 1, Solder explained that there is no good way to simulate what the Dolphins will be able to do live.

"You can't," he said. "You prepare the best you can by watching film. There is some advantage to having played them before, but they're dynamic guys. You can't predict what they're going to do. They're very skilled. It comes back down to fundamentals, really."

Without Mankins in Miami the Patriots will have to make sure that those touchstones of solid offensive line play are on point. Otherwise, Tom Brady may end up on his back.
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http://www.csnne.com/blog/patriots-talk/patriots-line-readies-versatile-dolphins-rushers
 
This, IMO, is where we win or lose. Our fat boys vs theirs. We have a new and improved OL plus one of the most talented DLs in the league. They have lost some on the OL and a good DL. If our OL holds up and our DL plays like they can I have no doubt we win.
 
The Giants showed us the way to beat the Pats (or maybe we showed them). Keep Brady on his back and running for his life and we will win. No problem!
 
Brady will be running for his life! Probably doing lots of short stuff..
Dolphins can bring the pressure from all angles.
The dolphins should be able to move the ball with the additional second or two with the upgraded line..
 
Buddy said:
The Giants showed us the way to beat the Pats (or maybe we showed them). Keep Brady on his back and running for his life and we will win. No problem!
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Probably the main reason we went to a 4-3 right there. Because of the Giant's success.
 
Vernon got a lot of sacks last season but didn't look impressive doing it. I think that could be reversed a bit this year. Based on hearing he killed Albert at times in camp I predict he could have some highlight reel sacks this season but he'll be lucky to produce the same sack numbers. And if Volmer thought he was strong before he may be in for a rude awakening Sunday...
 
I believe the other side of the coin is just as important to us.

Buchannon, the backup to Jones is out. Jones, the backup to Wilfork who might normally be starting, is out, which makes the depth of their DL very weak with two rookies as DE types. Easley is 290 however.

You wear down Wilfork and get Knowshon going, it becomes very favorable to us.

I see Tommy runing the hurry up all game long.
 
Randy Starks, Jared Odrick, and Earl Mitchell versus a Mankins-less interior line is going to be fun to watch on Sunday.
 
Interior pressure is going to be huge....prevent Brady from stepping up and buying an extra second is how they will slow him down.
 
My one question is Earl Mitchell I heard lots of people loving the signing but I haven't seen much in preseason to feel good. Anybody else see good things in Mitchell?
 
Same key as always vs. NE

Hit Brady early and often. Do it, you can win. Don't, and it's gonna be a loooong day.
 
zach attach said:
Probably the main reason we went to a 4-3 right there. Because of the Giant's success.
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Quite possibly.

---------- Post added at 05:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:05 PM ----------
Bumpus said:
Same key as always vs. NE

Hit Brady early and often. Do it, you can win. Don't, and it's gonna be a loooong day.
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10-4
 
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