I always find it funny how fickle this board can be. Last week, everyone knew that the season was over, this week we suddenly have a chance to win the East :rofl3: I think we need some meds to balance us all out...it's like we are bipolar or something.
Here is my best attempt at unbiased review on this game, starting with the positives:
1. Defensive lineman unite for massive amounts of steak and your beverages of choice, because you deserve it this week. Outstanding pressure all day long, with some huge plays. Vonnie and JT really brought the A game. Outstanding.
2. Linebackers. Missing two starters, the linebacking crew puts up a respectable showing. We still need a little more discipline and experience here, but a good showing.
3. Ricky Williams. Ricky looked better than Ronnie this week and demonstrated power and breakaway speed. The touchdown late in the fourth probably saved this game for the 'Fins. Excellent effort.
4. Gus Frerotte. This is what Gus was brought here to do, and it can be very effective when he can execute. Gus still made some bad decisions and held on to the ball for way too long, but still, this was a definite improvement over his typical play. If only every game could be against the Raider secondary......
5. Chris Chambers. Chambers earns a little slack this week, but not much. He still has a problem with easy drops, and spends way too much time begging for a flag after each one.
6. Offensive Line. The OL did another good job this week. Perhaps Houck's training is starting to really take hold.
7. Lance Schulters. Toughness and gamechanging playmaking ability. Nice work Lance. Excellent ball hawking skills.
Now, on to the bad stuff. Before you all go off and flame me for being negative about a win, remember that Saban's philosophy is all about the process, not the outcome. With that in mind, here is what I didn't like in the Raider's game:
1. Sam Madison. I know that Madison has become everybodies favorite whipping boy, but I really focused on him this week, and it wasn't pretty. There were numerous blown assignments and lots of what appeared to be really poor effort. Sam made one good tackle, but even that was a gamble.
2. Pass Interference. While the secondary (save Madison) played fairly well, we absolutely must get PI flags under control. These penalties continue to harm us at the worst possible times.
3. Ronnie Brown. Fumbling. These are two things that should not go together. Ronnie played a good game but got a little careless with the football. Not worth beating him up over, but it is something that deserves a little attention in practice this week.
4. Playcalling. While it worked out against a weak Raider defense, we were once again calling plays as though our passing game is our strength, despite having a lead the entire game. This allowed the Raiders an opportunity to come back on us and seems to be a pattern for Linehan. This will not work against better teams. Our strength is at RB...start acting like it.
5. Randy McMichael. He scored a touchdown, so why is he in the negative section? The easy drops he made up until that point in the game. Randy has great talent, but someone needs to figure out how to properly help him focus. Randy has missed a lot of opportunities in the last few games, and he missed a few yesterday as well.
Honorable mention for gross ineptitude: The officiating crew for this game. I have never seen so many questionable calls. Why do Dolphin receivers and DL get mugged so often and yet never draw a flag, yet our defense so much as looks at the opposition's receivers and we draw one? Note to the NFL: Decide exactly what constitutes PI this offseason and make it very clear how it is to be called.
Here is my best attempt at unbiased review on this game, starting with the positives:
1. Defensive lineman unite for massive amounts of steak and your beverages of choice, because you deserve it this week. Outstanding pressure all day long, with some huge plays. Vonnie and JT really brought the A game. Outstanding.
2. Linebackers. Missing two starters, the linebacking crew puts up a respectable showing. We still need a little more discipline and experience here, but a good showing.
3. Ricky Williams. Ricky looked better than Ronnie this week and demonstrated power and breakaway speed. The touchdown late in the fourth probably saved this game for the 'Fins. Excellent effort.
4. Gus Frerotte. This is what Gus was brought here to do, and it can be very effective when he can execute. Gus still made some bad decisions and held on to the ball for way too long, but still, this was a definite improvement over his typical play. If only every game could be against the Raider secondary......
5. Chris Chambers. Chambers earns a little slack this week, but not much. He still has a problem with easy drops, and spends way too much time begging for a flag after each one.
6. Offensive Line. The OL did another good job this week. Perhaps Houck's training is starting to really take hold.
7. Lance Schulters. Toughness and gamechanging playmaking ability. Nice work Lance. Excellent ball hawking skills.
Now, on to the bad stuff. Before you all go off and flame me for being negative about a win, remember that Saban's philosophy is all about the process, not the outcome. With that in mind, here is what I didn't like in the Raider's game:
1. Sam Madison. I know that Madison has become everybodies favorite whipping boy, but I really focused on him this week, and it wasn't pretty. There were numerous blown assignments and lots of what appeared to be really poor effort. Sam made one good tackle, but even that was a gamble.
2. Pass Interference. While the secondary (save Madison) played fairly well, we absolutely must get PI flags under control. These penalties continue to harm us at the worst possible times.
3. Ronnie Brown. Fumbling. These are two things that should not go together. Ronnie played a good game but got a little careless with the football. Not worth beating him up over, but it is something that deserves a little attention in practice this week.
4. Playcalling. While it worked out against a weak Raider defense, we were once again calling plays as though our passing game is our strength, despite having a lead the entire game. This allowed the Raiders an opportunity to come back on us and seems to be a pattern for Linehan. This will not work against better teams. Our strength is at RB...start acting like it.
5. Randy McMichael. He scored a touchdown, so why is he in the negative section? The easy drops he made up until that point in the game. Randy has great talent, but someone needs to figure out how to properly help him focus. Randy has missed a lot of opportunities in the last few games, and he missed a few yesterday as well.
Honorable mention for gross ineptitude: The officiating crew for this game. I have never seen so many questionable calls. Why do Dolphin receivers and DL get mugged so often and yet never draw a flag, yet our defense so much as looks at the opposition's receivers and we draw one? Note to the NFL: Decide exactly what constitutes PI this offseason and make it very clear how it is to be called.
