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Five Ways To Keep Success Going (article)

dolphinator86

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This was an article i saw on Miamidolphins.com named the Five Ways To Keep Success Going

http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/news/andycohen.asp?contentID=6069

Here are the main points
1. Don't think the New Look Offensive Set will solve all the problems:
Expect to see Ronnie Brown in the shotgun formation this week again. Expect to see Ricky Williams coming into motion and Chad Pennington lined up at receiver. But also expect the San Diego Chargers to be ready to stop it. This is an intelligent league. Rarely does one team get away with the same trickery two games in a row. Maybe a few times, but certainly not on a regular basis.

The Dolphins are going to have to move the ball with their normal offensive set. That means Brown and Williams running out of the backfield and Pennington throwing play-action passes. That means the offensive line won't have it as easy because the Chargers won't be confused the way the Patriots were.

Don't get me wrong. I love that "Wildcat" formation. I think it provides endless possibilities and it will remain an important part of this offense. But it can't become a crutch, and I believe Tony Sparano and his staff realizes this. The Dolphins have to figure out how to score points the old-fashioned way and so far they have yet to do that with any consistency.

2.Quit making critical mistakes in the secondary:
Don't be lulled into a false sense of security because the Dolphins did so well against the passing of Matt Cassel. This was not a polished quarterback, certainly not the caliber of player the Dolphins will be facing beginning with Phillip Rivers this Sunday.

This secondary will be tested repeatedly in the coming weeks and the long passes will continue until the Dolphins demonstrate they can stop them with some semblance of consistency. This is clearly the biggest concern on defense and a legitimate concern moving forward. Sparano said prior to the bye week that he needed to concentrate on fundamentals and here's hoping the play of the secondary received extra consideration during those "fundamental" drills.

This week there is Chris Chambers. Next week it's Andre Johnson of Houston. The list goes on. The secondary needs to step up its game.

3. Put the "Special" back in Special Teams: This has been an area of great concern through the first three weeks of the season and it will remain so until the Dolphins show they can consistently stop teams from coming up with big returns and, at the same time, put together some quality kick returns of their own.
Bottom line here: The Dolphins aren't talented enough to continue to win without winning the battle of special teams. This has to change.

4. Chad Pennington must operate with a surgeon's precision:
It always comes back to the quarterback, doesn't it?

I've said publicly what we saw from Pennington against the Patriots was the best performance by a Dolphins quarterback since Dan Marino. Now that he knows the offense, now that he has a feel for his receivers, it is imperative that Pennington continue what he showed against the Patriots.

Make smart decisions. Spread the ball around. Be sharp with his passes. Understand the limitations of this offense and seize upon the strengths. These are all things Pennington must continue to do to be successful.

5. Finally, get over New England:
Realize that it was just one game. Savor the accomplishment, but if the helmet size of the players increases to the point where they expect that kind of result every week, they will be in trouble. Build off the good things that happened against the Patriots, but keep it all in the right perspective.

This is crucial in the big picture. These Dolphins players have spent the last two weeks getting pats on the back so many times they must be sore. News flash, Dolphins: You caught the Patriots at the perfect time. They were feeling good about themselves after two straight wins. You unveiled a new look offensive set that they had no answer for. You were facing a back up quarterback who obviously still has a ways to go.
 
I think Henne looked comfortable in the pocket playing Zona and it woudn't hurt to have him play a few series (even have Henne stand out at the WR spot during the Wildcat) or let Henne play if the offense stalls with Pennington's precision pass game...

Either could muck up SD's likely plan to fill the box..., to stop the tandem
 
The Dolphins are going to have to move the ball with their normal offensive set. That means Brown and Williams running out of the backfield and Pennington throwing play-action passes. That means the offensive line won't have it as easy because the Chargers won't be confused the way the Patriots were.

We were driving all over the field without the wildcat formation.
 
I think Henne looked comfortable in the pocket playing Zona and it woudn't hurt to have him play a few series (even have Henne stand out at the WR spot during the Wildcat) or let Henne play if the offense stalls with Pennington's precision pass game...

Either could muck up SD's likely plan to fill the box..., to stop the tandem

I'm really agianst platooning QB's. It's never worked and doesn't help the team.
 
I really hope they don't have Henne play. First, Penny has been (at least in the Pats game) efficient to a T. Second, Henne needs to develop. If he comes in and SUCKS...it's gonna be way worse for him than it is losing the game. His ego, his mentality...it's just not worth the risk. He's not ready yet.
 
Not endorsing Henne to play now. But lets get past this psycho babble about hurting players ego when they struggle. Just as many people respond positively to adversity. Those are the people you draft. If Henne, Beck or any of them can not handle the pressure of being a professional, let's get rid of them now.
 
if i may add 1 more...

1} OUR FANS MAKING AN IMPACT AT THE GAME, BECOMING THE 12TH MAN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME.
 
Not endorsing Henne to play now. But lets get past this psycho babble about hurting players ego when they struggle. Just as many people respond positively to adversity. Those are the people you draft. If Henne, Beck or any of them can not handle the pressure of being a professional, let's get rid of them now.

How many times has a rookie QB in the NFL started too early, struggled and then been labeled a bust. ONLY...to end up becoming successful on another team when the expectations have been lifted? You have to remember that 1) these are still kids. These "professionals" are normally only in their early to mid 20s. To have entire Cities bash them...that's a harsh pill to swallow. Professional or not. 2) There's a difference between a rookie that's had a year to adjust to the NFL and learn his team's system and a rookie that's been thrown in their with no chance to learn with the hope's of the entire team on his shoulders. Pressure is a killer.

I'm not saying Henne will break under the pressure. He could thrive and become the greatest QB that ever played. But he could also not. I don't want to take that risk. Not when we don't have to.
 
I'd rather have Ginn doing the kick and punt returns. Bess to me looks very unpolished on kick returns especially. He often hesitates and the second he does...he's toast. The other teams special teams unit busts thru the "wall" and Bess doesnt have the "Hester" ability to make up for it.
 
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