By Phinatic
Posted on Tue Mar 13, 2007 at 12:03:05 AM EDT
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Here is guest writer Travis Wingfield's latest article. This week, he takes a look at Miami's defense:
It's an issue that has worn out its welcome with the Miami Dolphins' faithful. The fans have had to listen to the redundant topic that the Miami Dolphins' defense is getting too old. Looking back, I recall hearing it every year in this decade. Each analyst claims, "This will be the year Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor lose a step." Number 54 and number 99 have shown us each year that those so called "experts" continue to be proven wrong. When Nick Saban came to Miami, he essentially made the front seven of the defense older, especially on the line. Vonnie Holliday, Keith Traylor and Kevin Carter were brought in to help neutralize running games, and rush the passer efficiently. Carter is now gone and Matt Roth steps in a DE, but other than that position, it's still the same dinosaurs manning the trenches on Sundays. The secondary is getting younger but has struggled the past two years. New coach Cam Cameron is starting the youth movement, and has also brought in a veteran former pro bowler in Joey Porter. Porter is one of only two players (Clay Matthews) to record 60 sacks and 10 interceptions in their respective NFL careers. The bottom line is that this defense is only getting better and will likely be one of the top 5 defenses in football again in 2007.
Matt Roth was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2005 draft and has done nothing but impress the Miami fans, organization and coaching staff from day one. Despite his best efforts, number 98 was not able to crack the starting lineup due to the fact that he resided behind the man who currently ranks 4th among active players on the career sacks list. Kevin Carter was released from the team to clear cap space, and now Roth will have his opportunity to start. He is coupled with Vonnie Holliday coming off the ends in the Dolphins revamped 3-4 defense. Clogging the holes at the nose tackle spot will be 337 pound Keith Traylor. Traylor enters his 17th season and will be 37 years old come opening day. Despite the mileage, Traylor is extremely effective at stuffing running holes and giving opposing guards and centers fits in the trenches. Holliday is not exactly a kid any more either. Vonnie enters his 11 season and is 32 years old entering the 2007 off season. Sure these guys are old, but this front line will perform and the Dolphins will see similar results to the 2005 team that recorded a team record 50 quarterback sacks.
Next is the Dolphins heart and soul of their football team, the linebackers. Now I know it's not exactly set in stone as to what position Jason Taylor is, but we'll call him a linebacker for this article's sake. Taylor and Joey Porter have combined for more than 160 sacks in their NFL careers and make up arguably the NFL's top pass rushing defense. All I have to say for the Dolphins' opposition in 2007 is, "good luck blocking these guys." Dom Capers has confusing blitzing packages and the speed coming from the outside of that 3-4 will be extremely difficult for most offensive tackles to handle. In the middle is 7 time all pro Zach Thomas, and 3rd year man Channing Crowder. Had Crowder finished his collegiate career, 2007 would be his rookie season in the NFL and Channing is starting to show maturity and production on the field. He is a student of Zach Thomas and Junior Seau, perfecting the art of film study and the "fast and nasty" technique of Seau. I expect Crowder to be the type of compliment to Thomas as Adalius Thomas was to Ray Lewis, and Lance Briggs is to Brian Urlacher. Last but certainly not least, the man who when he retires every Dolphins' fan will cry, Zach Thomas. Number 54 enters his 11th season in the NFL and looks to lead the league in tackles for the 6th time in his career. The man has been phenomenal and needs no describing in terms of his accomplishments. His actions speak louder than words ever will and, until he leaves the game, is the best linebacker today, in my humbled opinion. Don't blink Dolphins' fans; this group of linebackers is going to be very fun to watch this year.
Here's the big question mark of the Dolphins' defense, the secondary. Last year, this unit was the Achilles heel and left the Fins burnt in a few games. Although there are still some moves yet to be made, there's a pretty clear picture of who the 4 guys will be. Will Allen is going to be one of the corners, which is a certainty. Will has tremendous speed and tackling abilities, but can't catch a cold and has problems making breaks on the football. The other side is unknown, but it is up to Andre Goodman, Travis Daniels, a potential rookie through the draft, or even a free agent signing. Renaldo Hill is on the trading block, Yerimiah Bell is there, and Jason Allen isn't sure weather he will be a safety or a corner next year. No matter what happens, this unit likely won't be very strong. The good news is that they don't have to be great. With how furious the pass rush is, the secondary won't have to cover receivers as long as they are used too. Sure this defense is getting old, but do any Dolphins' fans really worry about that? As long as Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas are their usual selves, they have nothing to worry about. Last year, Miami's defense ranked 4th in the NFL in total defense. With the addition of Joey Porter, the unit should only improve. As a Dolphins' fan, I'm very excited to see what these guys can do. It is my opinion that the defense was responsible for all 6 wins in 2006. In the 6 wins, the defense allowed 10, 13, 10, 20, 10 and 0 points in those games. Just imagine if the offense is able to be just average in the upcoming season. It's scary to think what this team and, in particular, this defense might be capable of.
Posted on Tue Mar 13, 2007 at 12:03:05 AM EDT
</I>
Here is guest writer Travis Wingfield's latest article. This week, he takes a look at Miami's defense:
It's an issue that has worn out its welcome with the Miami Dolphins' faithful. The fans have had to listen to the redundant topic that the Miami Dolphins' defense is getting too old. Looking back, I recall hearing it every year in this decade. Each analyst claims, "This will be the year Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor lose a step." Number 54 and number 99 have shown us each year that those so called "experts" continue to be proven wrong. When Nick Saban came to Miami, he essentially made the front seven of the defense older, especially on the line. Vonnie Holliday, Keith Traylor and Kevin Carter were brought in to help neutralize running games, and rush the passer efficiently. Carter is now gone and Matt Roth steps in a DE, but other than that position, it's still the same dinosaurs manning the trenches on Sundays. The secondary is getting younger but has struggled the past two years. New coach Cam Cameron is starting the youth movement, and has also brought in a veteran former pro bowler in Joey Porter. Porter is one of only two players (Clay Matthews) to record 60 sacks and 10 interceptions in their respective NFL careers. The bottom line is that this defense is only getting better and will likely be one of the top 5 defenses in football again in 2007.
Matt Roth was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2005 draft and has done nothing but impress the Miami fans, organization and coaching staff from day one. Despite his best efforts, number 98 was not able to crack the starting lineup due to the fact that he resided behind the man who currently ranks 4th among active players on the career sacks list. Kevin Carter was released from the team to clear cap space, and now Roth will have his opportunity to start. He is coupled with Vonnie Holliday coming off the ends in the Dolphins revamped 3-4 defense. Clogging the holes at the nose tackle spot will be 337 pound Keith Traylor. Traylor enters his 17th season and will be 37 years old come opening day. Despite the mileage, Traylor is extremely effective at stuffing running holes and giving opposing guards and centers fits in the trenches. Holliday is not exactly a kid any more either. Vonnie enters his 11 season and is 32 years old entering the 2007 off season. Sure these guys are old, but this front line will perform and the Dolphins will see similar results to the 2005 team that recorded a team record 50 quarterback sacks.
Next is the Dolphins heart and soul of their football team, the linebackers. Now I know it's not exactly set in stone as to what position Jason Taylor is, but we'll call him a linebacker for this article's sake. Taylor and Joey Porter have combined for more than 160 sacks in their NFL careers and make up arguably the NFL's top pass rushing defense. All I have to say for the Dolphins' opposition in 2007 is, "good luck blocking these guys." Dom Capers has confusing blitzing packages and the speed coming from the outside of that 3-4 will be extremely difficult for most offensive tackles to handle. In the middle is 7 time all pro Zach Thomas, and 3rd year man Channing Crowder. Had Crowder finished his collegiate career, 2007 would be his rookie season in the NFL and Channing is starting to show maturity and production on the field. He is a student of Zach Thomas and Junior Seau, perfecting the art of film study and the "fast and nasty" technique of Seau. I expect Crowder to be the type of compliment to Thomas as Adalius Thomas was to Ray Lewis, and Lance Briggs is to Brian Urlacher. Last but certainly not least, the man who when he retires every Dolphins' fan will cry, Zach Thomas. Number 54 enters his 11th season in the NFL and looks to lead the league in tackles for the 6th time in his career. The man has been phenomenal and needs no describing in terms of his accomplishments. His actions speak louder than words ever will and, until he leaves the game, is the best linebacker today, in my humbled opinion. Don't blink Dolphins' fans; this group of linebackers is going to be very fun to watch this year.
Here's the big question mark of the Dolphins' defense, the secondary. Last year, this unit was the Achilles heel and left the Fins burnt in a few games. Although there are still some moves yet to be made, there's a pretty clear picture of who the 4 guys will be. Will Allen is going to be one of the corners, which is a certainty. Will has tremendous speed and tackling abilities, but can't catch a cold and has problems making breaks on the football. The other side is unknown, but it is up to Andre Goodman, Travis Daniels, a potential rookie through the draft, or even a free agent signing. Renaldo Hill is on the trading block, Yerimiah Bell is there, and Jason Allen isn't sure weather he will be a safety or a corner next year. No matter what happens, this unit likely won't be very strong. The good news is that they don't have to be great. With how furious the pass rush is, the secondary won't have to cover receivers as long as they are used too. Sure this defense is getting old, but do any Dolphins' fans really worry about that? As long as Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas are their usual selves, they have nothing to worry about. Last year, Miami's defense ranked 4th in the NFL in total defense. With the addition of Joey Porter, the unit should only improve. As a Dolphins' fan, I'm very excited to see what these guys can do. It is my opinion that the defense was responsible for all 6 wins in 2006. In the 6 wins, the defense allowed 10, 13, 10, 20, 10 and 0 points in those games. Just imagine if the offense is able to be just average in the upcoming season. It's scary to think what this team and, in particular, this defense might be capable of.
The writer refers to the state of the atmosphere with respect to heat or cold, wetness or dryness, calm or storm, clearness or cloudiness in the sentence, "Jason Allen isn't sure weather he will be a safety or a corner next year."