Metal Panda
One Moe Win
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Hi everybody, Rob here, I'm new to the forum. Been a Dolphins fan since about 1988, I'm 25 years old. This season, despite no playoffs, has been EXCITING, and what a treat to see such a winning streak in December.
That said, the Titans, despite being banged up, will not be a slam dunk victory, as last week's struggle against the Jets at home proved. The following are my opinion as to what the keys of victory are (feel free to disagree).
1. Eliminate the deep ball
This is one we thought we'd never see, right? With Surtain and Knight gone, and a bunch of inexperienced corners, Miami has been torched with the big play all season, and the scary thing is, it has happened in both of the last two home games. JP Losman had two huge touchdown throws and Bollinger hit Jolley deep downfield last week for a TD. The secondary is not a playmaking secondary like it used to be, although it has started to force some turnovers lately. What this defense needs to do is keep the Titans in front of them. The "bend but don't break" method worked against the Chargers and we certainly don't want McNair taking over the game, as he is still capable of despite his team's woes.
2. Run the ball effectively and make it a focal point of the game
Having to play from behind much of the season has often led to an abandonment of the run game at times. Miami should strive to establish the run early (and should be successful, with Ricky taking the reins today), and utilize it often to set up 3rd and shorts. Certainly, Frerotte will want to take his shots downfield at their shoddy secondary, but they need not forget running the football effectively today will make it easier for Frerotte to find open targets.
3. Eliminate Third down conversions
This has been the Dolphins achilles heel this year (sorry for the bad cliche). Miami tends to give up the third down conversion at alarming rates, and they must focus on stopping the Titans on third down today to prevent what should be stalled drives from continuing on.
4. Spread the ball around
Chambers has been on a tear, but Miami's quarterback duo has tended to focus too much on him and that makes the passing game easy to shut down. Get Booker and McMichael involved...even Ricky out of the backfield. The more evenly distributed the passes are, the more likely for a consistent balanced offense.
5. Offensive line must not commit penalties
Miami's offensive line probably played one of its best games of the year last week in terms of miscues. Very few false start penalties as opposed to earlier in the year. The Titans don't exactly have anybody on their line that should make the Fins cringe in fear, so as long as they keep their heads in the game, the miscues will be kept to a minimum.
6. No opening drive scores
Miami has given up a score on the opening drive in way too many games this year, and the team, while it has made two nice comebacks, doesn't typically play well from behind, and the momentum being lost at the onset of the game typically doesn't bode well. Prevent them from 3 or 6 on the opening drive, and your offense plays with a different swagger.
That said, the Titans, despite being banged up, will not be a slam dunk victory, as last week's struggle against the Jets at home proved. The following are my opinion as to what the keys of victory are (feel free to disagree).
1. Eliminate the deep ball
This is one we thought we'd never see, right? With Surtain and Knight gone, and a bunch of inexperienced corners, Miami has been torched with the big play all season, and the scary thing is, it has happened in both of the last two home games. JP Losman had two huge touchdown throws and Bollinger hit Jolley deep downfield last week for a TD. The secondary is not a playmaking secondary like it used to be, although it has started to force some turnovers lately. What this defense needs to do is keep the Titans in front of them. The "bend but don't break" method worked against the Chargers and we certainly don't want McNair taking over the game, as he is still capable of despite his team's woes.
2. Run the ball effectively and make it a focal point of the game
Having to play from behind much of the season has often led to an abandonment of the run game at times. Miami should strive to establish the run early (and should be successful, with Ricky taking the reins today), and utilize it often to set up 3rd and shorts. Certainly, Frerotte will want to take his shots downfield at their shoddy secondary, but they need not forget running the football effectively today will make it easier for Frerotte to find open targets.
3. Eliminate Third down conversions
This has been the Dolphins achilles heel this year (sorry for the bad cliche). Miami tends to give up the third down conversion at alarming rates, and they must focus on stopping the Titans on third down today to prevent what should be stalled drives from continuing on.
4. Spread the ball around
Chambers has been on a tear, but Miami's quarterback duo has tended to focus too much on him and that makes the passing game easy to shut down. Get Booker and McMichael involved...even Ricky out of the backfield. The more evenly distributed the passes are, the more likely for a consistent balanced offense.
5. Offensive line must not commit penalties
Miami's offensive line probably played one of its best games of the year last week in terms of miscues. Very few false start penalties as opposed to earlier in the year. The Titans don't exactly have anybody on their line that should make the Fins cringe in fear, so as long as they keep their heads in the game, the miscues will be kept to a minimum.
6. No opening drive scores
Miami has given up a score on the opening drive in way too many games this year, and the team, while it has made two nice comebacks, doesn't typically play well from behind, and the momentum being lost at the onset of the game typically doesn't bode well. Prevent them from 3 or 6 on the opening drive, and your offense plays with a different swagger.
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