This IS the pivotal game thus far for the Dolphins. The Bolts are in a must win situation if they want a chance at the post season.
I am convinced this is where Saban and his coaching staff must earn their money. Right here, this game. Everyone knows Shottenhiemer is a crafty veteran coach with considerable talent but has had a tendency to go conservative in big games and lose in the end.
Miami must craft a creative game plan to have any semblence of a chance of winning.
I will be looking for not just the results of this game to judge Saban, but how they perform, play calling, and strategy to take away SD comfort, and how we anticipate their game plan against us.
This is a coaches game IMO. These teams do match up rather closely although SD has the overall advantage, but I believe the pressure is on them which gives us a very good opportunity to take advantage of.
On Offense:
I look for lots of variation in formations with shifts and motion. Running out of spread formations, throwing on early downs, and we have to take shots deep early in order to influence SD out of loading the box against our run.
I would anticipate SD blitzing early and often and a game plan to take away our run placing the game on Ferrotte shoulders - advantage Bolts.
We must get the ball to McMike and force the dbl coverage. This will free up a WR, and allow us to run the ball. Ferrotte is going to have to make quick accurate pre-snap reads and be willing to hit the check down when SD plays cover 2, but challenge down field vs man.
On Defense:
Caution here vs cut back runs, sprint draws, stretch plays. We have been soft on the edges vs runs and SD will force our corners to tackle. We will see a mega dose of LT both running and recieving.
Miami will have to be very selective on down/distance and field position when calling blitzes or risk giving up the long run and big play. Miami must disguise the blitz and must get to Brees early to set the tone and get him to throw the check down.
We should mix coverages dbling the TE with MLB + safety, but this will expose us to man coverage on LT matched against a LB - pick your poison.
This is Sabans and Linehans game to call and I will NOT be looking at the outcome of the game but rather the game plan and preparedness of the team.
I am convinced this is where Saban and his coaching staff must earn their money. Right here, this game. Everyone knows Shottenhiemer is a crafty veteran coach with considerable talent but has had a tendency to go conservative in big games and lose in the end.
Miami must craft a creative game plan to have any semblence of a chance of winning.
I will be looking for not just the results of this game to judge Saban, but how they perform, play calling, and strategy to take away SD comfort, and how we anticipate their game plan against us.
This is a coaches game IMO. These teams do match up rather closely although SD has the overall advantage, but I believe the pressure is on them which gives us a very good opportunity to take advantage of.
On Offense:
I look for lots of variation in formations with shifts and motion. Running out of spread formations, throwing on early downs, and we have to take shots deep early in order to influence SD out of loading the box against our run.
I would anticipate SD blitzing early and often and a game plan to take away our run placing the game on Ferrotte shoulders - advantage Bolts.
We must get the ball to McMike and force the dbl coverage. This will free up a WR, and allow us to run the ball. Ferrotte is going to have to make quick accurate pre-snap reads and be willing to hit the check down when SD plays cover 2, but challenge down field vs man.
On Defense:
Caution here vs cut back runs, sprint draws, stretch plays. We have been soft on the edges vs runs and SD will force our corners to tackle. We will see a mega dose of LT both running and recieving.
Miami will have to be very selective on down/distance and field position when calling blitzes or risk giving up the long run and big play. Miami must disguise the blitz and must get to Brees early to set the tone and get him to throw the check down.
We should mix coverages dbling the TE with MLB + safety, but this will expose us to man coverage on LT matched against a LB - pick your poison.
This is Sabans and Linehans game to call and I will NOT be looking at the outcome of the game but rather the game plan and preparedness of the team.
