Greg Cosell breaks down our gameplans vs NE

[TheWalrus]

In Week 1, you'll see some interesting game plans. That's what happens when teams have five months to prepare for an opponent. The Miami Dolphins clearly took advantage of the extra time and had an effective game plan for the Patriots in their 33-20 win, on both sides of the ball.

The creative wrinkles started on the first third down of the game, by Miami's defense. For years the Patriots have leaned on quick inside throws on third downs. The Dolphins took that away by dropping eight into coverage on a third and 4 on New England's first drive.


On the snap, Dolphins defensive end Derrick Shelby dropped off the line into short coverage. Tom Brady wanted to throw the quick slant to slot receiver Danny Amendola, it was clear as a bell. He was ready to pull the trigger and all of a sudden Shelby was right there. He had to move, and threw incomplete to Rob Gronkowski.

More on this, including more pictures and video, at the link: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...ns--plan-shut-down-new-england-175631735.html

IMO not Cosell's best work. For my money he's the best NFL analyst in the world, so my standards for him are high, but this is what happens when you have a statement win. People sit up and take notice.

 

[spiketex]

Great article - thank you for posting. Maybe our coaching staff are finally doing something right. We won't have the time to gameplan against other opponents like we had to prepare for New England but it appears that our success wasn't just some good luck, but excellent preparation. Even with Misi and Ellerbe getting injured, the Defense was totally prepared and demolished the Patriots in the 2nd half. Also taking away Brady's quick slant throw to his slot receiver was huge, he has killed us with that play for the past decade.
Joe Philbin strength as an Offensive Coordinator in Green Bay was built on excellent preparation. Every player knew precisely what he had to do. It seems that old Joe may be building this strength in his coaching team.

 

[mega-fin-love]

Very nice. Agree with everything including Tannehill not playing that great. Well written accurate piece. Kudos to Cosell for a good article and thanks to Walrus for the good find

 

[j-off-her-doll]

The Dolphins had a lot of different looks for the Patriots. They blitzed a lot, 17 times on Brady’s 60 drop backs. That’s 28 percent, a high percentage in the NFL. The Patriots offensive line struggled, especially in one-on-one pass protection and particularly on Brady’s longer drops.

Strange mistake to make.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/04/07/team-blitzing/

Rounding, four teams blitzed 28% of the time in 2013 (20th-23rd in blitz frequency).

20 KC 28.41% 718 204
21 NO 28.26% 637 180
22 TB 27.96% 608 170
23 SL 27.95% 594 166

As you can see, Miami blitzed 36% of the time last season. I've argued for a while that Coyle blitzes too much. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come - both in outcome and tactic.

 

[FinfanInBuffalo]

Biggest difference in this year's OL? The athleticism.

Here is a shot of Shelley Smith blocking 14 yards down field on a 13 yard running play by Moreno.

View attachment 12960

 

[spiketex]

Strange mistake to make.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/04/07/team-blitzing/

Rounding, four teams blitzed 28% of the time in 2013 (20th-23rd in blitz frequency).



As you can see, Miami blitzed 36% of the time last season. I've argued for a while that Coyle blitzes too much. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come - both in outcome and tactic.

Agree with you re the blitzing. However, when it starts working, it can be pretty intimidating. I thought that our DTs (Starks, Mitchell and Odrick) set everything up last week and were getting good pressure up the middle and the Patriot O-line had difficulty with them plus Wake and OV on the edge.
Our D-line looks very good if we can keep them healthy.

 

[Yessir]

The scheme helps the Dolphins, and if quarterback Ryan Tannehill was sharper they would have scored even more. Tannehill missed a lot of throws, and he must become more precise with ball placement if he’s going to become a high-level NFL starter.

True.

 

[MRojas4]

Need to get a gif/image of Miller shoe flying 100ft in the air on that fumble.

 

[cash]

Strange mistake to make.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/04/07/team-blitzing/

Rounding, four teams blitzed 28% of the time in 2013 (20th-23rd in blitz frequency).



As you can see, Miami blitzed 36% of the time last season. I've argued for a while that Coyle blitzes too much. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come - both in outcome and tactic.

i've always said he blitzes too much as well but our corners and linebackers are just not good enough to just sit back and cover. not to mention we have starks wake and vernon just 3 absolute beasts

 

[utahphinsfan]

...Also taking away Brady's quick slant throw to his slot receiver was huge, he has killed us with that play for the past decade...

That play IMO has hurt alot of teams over the yrs. It may be the key play in their playbook i.e. the one that sets up everything else.

 

[foozool13]

Dropping all these guys (8 guys) into coverage is what teams would do to Dan The Man and it really does work when running an effective Zone D, which is Coyle's specialty.

 

[TheWalrus]

Strange mistake to make.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/04/07/team-blitzing/

Rounding, four teams blitzed 28% of the time in 2013 (20th-23rd in blitz frequency).



As you can see, Miami blitzed 36% of the time last season. I've argued for a while that Coyle blitzes too much. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come - both in outcome and tactic.

Good catch.

For me the issue with Coyle hasn't been how much he blitzes, but how much he likes to slant and twist the defensive line. That's what's created huge holes in the running game at times. I haven't had time to look at this game in detail but I tend to doubt we did it as much as we've done in the past.

But I don't mind if he blitzes a Phillip Wheeler every play, for instance. It's the only thing Wheeler does well.