ESPN: How Dolphins can close gap with champion Patriots in 2017?

[Perfect72]

The reigning Super Bowl champions are once again in the same division as the Miami Dolphins. Quarterback Tom Brady and New England won their fifth championship Sunday in a 34-28 overtime win against Atlanta.

That means the Dolphins, who won 10 games and made the postseason, still have a steep mountain to climb to catch their biggest rival.
Here is how Miami can help close the gap with New England next season:

No. 1: Improve the defense

Analysis: This was the top issue that held Miami back in its two meetings with the Patriots last season. New England scored 66 points in its two victories against the Dolphins by putting up points in bunches.

Brady didn't play in the first meeting because of a suspension, and Miami's linebackers and secondary still struggled defending the pass in both games.

The Dolphins were ranked 29th in total defense and should improve in the second year running the same scheme, despite the loss of Vance Joseph, who was hired to be Denver's head coach. Former Miami linebackers coach Matt Burke was promoted to defensive coordinator to replace Joseph.

No. 2: Add team speed

Analysis: How did Atlanta jump out to a 28-3 lead against New England in the Super Bowl?

Team speed on both sides of the football.

The Falcons were one of the fastest teams New England faced all season, and it took a while for the Patriots to adjust.

The Dolphins need to take a similar blueprint and get faster at their skill positions via the draft and free agency.

They were not athletic enough in areas such as linebacker, safety, tight end, defensive end and running back. It is hard to out-physical and out-smart the Patriots, but you can beat them with speed.

More at LINK: http://www.espn.com/blog/miami-dolp...-can-close-gap-with-champion-patriots-in-2017

YOur thoughts?

 

[Sons Of Shula]

The Dolphins were ranked 29th in total defense and should improve in the second year running the same scheme, despite the loss of Vance Joseph, who was hired to be Denver's head coach. Former Miami linebackers coach Matt Burke was promoted to defensive coordinator to replace Joseph.

 

[Golphindolphin]

This article mentions nothing about the death of Tom Brady and/or Bill Belichick, nothing to see here.

 

[BahamaFinFan78]

This article mentions nothing about the death of Tom Brady and/or Bill Belichick, nothing to see here.

I really think losing Brady is not going to be a huge loss to the Pats. They went 3-1 with Garrapolo, 11-5 the year with Matt Cassell. Belichick is the one to find a way to get out of there. As long as he is there, we will have a battle on our hands for the division. I believe he could take RGIII and make the Pats a playoff contender

 

[fansinceGWilson]

I really think losing Brady is not going to be a huge loss to the Pats. They went 3-1 with Garrapolo, 11-5 the year with Matt Cassell. Belichick is the one to find a way to get out of there. As long as he is there, we will have a battle on our hands for the division. I believe he could take RGIII and make the Pats a playoff contender

Agreed. Brady has been an elite QB, but Brady didn't stop the ATL O the final 17 minutes, didn't make adjustments to keep him upright in 2H, didn't shut down Julio and the run game. BB is one of the best I've seen at adjustments and, as you say, he has won with different QBs but the same scheme. He may not win a SB with any other QB, but he will certainly have his team in the playoffs. A large part of the reason ATL lost was their inability to adjust to NE's scheme.

 

[Fins1971]

Brady has been an elite QB, but Brady didn't stop the ATL O the final 17 minutes.

What Super Bowl were you watching? He most certainly did stop the Falcons offense by possessing the ball. In the final 23 1/2 minutes the Patriots offense possessed the ball for 16 1/2 minutes. The ran off 40 plays to the Falcons 16. Sometimes the best defense is a offense that matriculates the ball down the field slow and precisely with a score at the end. Really limited the Falcons opportunities by playing keep away.

 

[vcip]

What Super Bowl were you watching? He most certainly did stop the Falcons offense by possessing the ball. In the final 23 1/2 minutes the Patriots offense possessed the ball for 16 1/2 minutes. The ran off 40 plays to the Falcons 16. Sometimes the best defense is a offense that matriculates the ball down the field slow and precisely with a score at the end. Really limited the Falcons opportunities by playing keep away.

only because the Falcons for whatever fatal reason started giving the 3 stooges a 10 yd cushion. Brady ineffective if he has to constantly throw more than 10yds. Jamming them at the line was screwing up their usually clockwork rhythm and causing Brady to hold ball more than 2 seconds. it works and I cannot fathom why every team does not do this

 

[LANGER72]

matriculates ...not sure that makes sense in this context.

 

[Daytona Fin]

Closing the gap is easy but won't accomplish much. Since '03 the Pats have missed the AFC Championship game only 4 times, 4 ****ing times. Until we figure out how to win the division, the gap will be as wide as the Pacific.

 

[DuderinoN703]

What Super Bowl were you watching? He most certainly did stop the Falcons offense by possessing the ball. In the final 23 1/2 minutes the Patriots offense possessed the ball for 16 1/2 minutes. The ran off 40 plays to the Falcons 16. Sometimes the best defense is a offense that matriculates the ball down the field slow and precisely with a score at the end. Really limited the Falcons opportunities by playing keep away.

More so b/c Atlanta didn't sustain any drives. They had 41 total plays to New England's 88.

1st drive in 3rd qtr: 3 and out.
2nd drive in 3rd qtr: 85 yard TD drive
3rd drive in 3rd qtr: Recovered onside kick at NE 41, had holding penalty and a sack. Lost 15 yards on drive.

1st drive in 4th qtr: Fumble on 3rd down at own 36 yard line.
2nd drive in 4th qtr: The infamous 1st and 10 at NE 22 with 3:56 to play. They run for a 1 yard loss, get sacked on 2nd and 11, and then have another holding penalty that makes it 3rd and 33 at the NE 45. A net loss of 23 yards on the drive.
Last drive of game with 57 seconds on clock: 16 yards total.

Atlanta is the biggest choker of all time IMO.

 

[Adam Strange]

Closing the gap is easy but won't accomplish much. Since '03 the Pats have missed the AFC Championship game only 4 times, 4 ****ing times. Until we figure out how to win the division, the gap will be as wide as the Pacific.

Contrary to the constant predictions of Brady and Belichick and the Patriots falling off a figurative cliff, their dynasty actually gets better with age. Not only have they missed the AFC championship game only 4 times since 2003, but they've only missed the AFC championship game ONCE this decade. And we're already over halfway through it.

 

[fansinceGWilson]

What Super Bowl were you watching? He most certainly did stop the Falcons offense by possessing the ball. In the final 23 1/2 minutes the Patriots offense possessed the ball for 16 1/2 minutes. The ran off 40 plays to the Falcons 16. Sometimes the best defense is a offense that matriculates the ball down the field slow and precisely with a score at the end. Really limited the Falcons opportunities by playing keep away.

You may be right, I didn't watch the 4Q intently, but I didn't see No. 12 playing D for NE. OK, apologies for the sarcasm and, yes, I understand long drives by NE reduce the POTENTIAL number of possessions by ATL. BUT, Brady had no hand in the ATL 3-and-outs or (I think ATL had) a 4-and-out, no hand in the sacks, nor the Ryan fumble, nor shutting down the run game, nor harassing Ryan in the pocket. It was the D that allowed Brady to win with "only" 3 TDs. And, again, it wasn't Brady blocking for himself on pass plays. And everyone saw in 1H how "elite" he was when harassed by ATL's D. It was BB who had a hand in all those. I credit all those to adjustments by BB. It doesn't matter how good Brady is if NE had the same strategy they did in 1H. As evidence, look at the 2H adjustments by ATL, ummm, I guessing they made some and, if thy did, thy made the wrong ones.

 

[joenhre]

Pretty simple make smart personnel decisions. Start by improving the offensive line with some real OGs. On defense start by getting some quality LBs. If you make some good decisions and continue to improve the talent on your team if Gase and his staff are the real deal your team will overtake the Patriots within the next couple years.

 

[fansinceGWilson]

Contrary to the constant predictions of Brady and Belichick and the Patriots falling off a figurative cliff, their dynasty actually gets better with age. Not only have they missed the AFC championship game only 4 times since 2003, but they've only missed the AFC championship game ONCE this decade. And we're already over halfway through it.

Don't know about BB, but Brady WILL fall off a cliff. The question is when will time take it's toll. 2017? 2020? No one knows, but when the decline starts due to age, it's rapid.

 

[Adam Strange]

Don't know about BB, but Brady WILL fall off a cliff. The question is when will time take it's toll. 2017? 2020? No one knows, but when the decline starts due to age, it's rapid.

Of course it will happen eventually. But the point is that people on this site predict that it will happen every single year for at least the last ten. And yet that team just keeps on getting double digit wins, winning division titles, making it to the AFC championship with ease, and have now won 2 Super Bowls in the last three years. Most dominant team ever.