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The Dolphins have left themselves open to second-guessing with several personnel decisions the past two months, from Marc Colombo to Reggie Bush to the reluctance to sign a quality backup tight end. But there also have been several curious in-game decisions that were discussed this week:
• When the Dolphins made Karlos Dansby the highest paid inside linebacker in NFL history in March 2010 (five years, $43 million), he was expected to be among the unit’s top playmakers. But Dansby wasn’t on the field for any of the 13 plays on Cleveland’s game-winning touchdown drive Sunday.
Dansby said he was on the bench because he’s not part of the package Miami was using most of that drive. He said the Dolphins went to another package the final couple of plays, and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan said Thursday he should have sent Dansby back in.
Dansby said Nolan apologized to him Monday.
Koa Misi appeared at times in that late-game lineup, which included the team’s top pass-rushers and as many as six defensive backs. So why not use Dansby, the only NFL player with 25 sacks and 10 interceptions since 2004?
Said Nolan: “Cleveland was using a lot of receivers, and … you don’t want too many linebackers. The only [inside] linebacker we had on the field was Kevin Burnett.”
Dansby said he was surprised — “it was a frustrating situation” — but didn’t complain.
• Bush’s usage. Several analysts have said Bush isn’t ideally suited to be a between-the-tackles runner. But seven of Bush’s 28 carries have been up the middle. He gained 13 on the first of those seven but just 10 combined on the next six.
Bush has 4 yards on three carries when running behind right guard (Vernon Carey or John Jerry) and 18 yards on seven carries behind left guard Richie Incognito. His 2.9 per carry average is well below his 4.0 career mark.
What’s more, Bush averaged 6.0 and 5.5 receptions per game in his best years with the Saints but only 3.5 so far this season. The Dolphins know they must do more to maximize his skills.
Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said Thursday he wants to use Bush at times not only as a slot receiver (something he did in the preseason but not last week), but also a bit as an outside receiver.
• Why do the Dolphins send Cameron Wake in pass coverage a few times a game when he’s their best pass rusher?
“To give someone else a chance to rush and disguise what he’s doing,” Nolan said. “If they are going to waste two players on Cameron … you would much rather have Cameron be the guy dropping and rush the other guy, because then you’ll get the matchup you want. It’s very difficult to get anyone to beat two players. Occasionally, you mix it up for that reason.”
• Deployment of cornerbacks. Nolan Carroll has been in position to be victimized more than many Dolphins fans can stomach this season for multiple reasons: the injury to Vontae Davis, which threatens to sideline him a second consecutive game Sunday; personnel moves (Miami opted to sign Will Allen and dump Benny Sapp after the opener, instead of keeping both), and the subsequent decision to use Carroll to fill in for the injured Davis, defending an outside receiver, instead of Allen.
That means Carroll played more last week than Allen (65 snaps to Allen’s 43). Pro Football Focus ranks Carroll’s play this season 100th of 101 cornerbacks. He has been targeted 16 times and allowed 11 catches for 155 yards.
CBS’ Dan Fouts noted that after Davis was injured against Houston, the Texans put 6-3 Andre Johnson on the 6-1 Carroll’s side of the field to try and keep him away from the 6-3 Sean Smith. Johnson beat Carroll for a touchdown, though Reshad Jones was mostly to blame.
Smith said such an approach makes sense because the Dolphins were often double-covering Johnson, and “Why put me on the side we’re doubling?” Smith said he and Davis are assigned to specific sides and have not switched at all this season. And San Diego’s dangerous 6-5 Vincent Jackson should pose more matchup issues Sunday.
• Late-game play selection. Even though Miami needed only 15 yards or so to get in field goal range late against Cleveland, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll defended the deep throw to Clyde Gates, noting it was a favorable matchup and “was six inches out of bounds.”
WQAM’s Channing Crowder said incredulously: “You’re going deep for a touchdown? You love these field goals, Tony [Sparano]. Kick another field goal!”
• When the Dolphins made Karlos Dansby the highest paid inside linebacker in NFL history in March 2010 (five years, $43 million), he was expected to be among the unit’s top playmakers. But Dansby wasn’t on the field for any of the 13 plays on Cleveland’s game-winning touchdown drive Sunday.
Dansby said he was on the bench because he’s not part of the package Miami was using most of that drive. He said the Dolphins went to another package the final couple of plays, and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan said Thursday he should have sent Dansby back in.
Dansby said Nolan apologized to him Monday.
Koa Misi appeared at times in that late-game lineup, which included the team’s top pass-rushers and as many as six defensive backs. So why not use Dansby, the only NFL player with 25 sacks and 10 interceptions since 2004?
Said Nolan: “Cleveland was using a lot of receivers, and … you don’t want too many linebackers. The only [inside] linebacker we had on the field was Kevin Burnett.”
Dansby said he was surprised — “it was a frustrating situation” — but didn’t complain.
• Bush’s usage. Several analysts have said Bush isn’t ideally suited to be a between-the-tackles runner. But seven of Bush’s 28 carries have been up the middle. He gained 13 on the first of those seven but just 10 combined on the next six.
Bush has 4 yards on three carries when running behind right guard (Vernon Carey or John Jerry) and 18 yards on seven carries behind left guard Richie Incognito. His 2.9 per carry average is well below his 4.0 career mark.
What’s more, Bush averaged 6.0 and 5.5 receptions per game in his best years with the Saints but only 3.5 so far this season. The Dolphins know they must do more to maximize his skills.
Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said Thursday he wants to use Bush at times not only as a slot receiver (something he did in the preseason but not last week), but also a bit as an outside receiver.
• Why do the Dolphins send Cameron Wake in pass coverage a few times a game when he’s their best pass rusher?
“To give someone else a chance to rush and disguise what he’s doing,” Nolan said. “If they are going to waste two players on Cameron … you would much rather have Cameron be the guy dropping and rush the other guy, because then you’ll get the matchup you want. It’s very difficult to get anyone to beat two players. Occasionally, you mix it up for that reason.”
• Deployment of cornerbacks. Nolan Carroll has been in position to be victimized more than many Dolphins fans can stomach this season for multiple reasons: the injury to Vontae Davis, which threatens to sideline him a second consecutive game Sunday; personnel moves (Miami opted to sign Will Allen and dump Benny Sapp after the opener, instead of keeping both), and the subsequent decision to use Carroll to fill in for the injured Davis, defending an outside receiver, instead of Allen.
That means Carroll played more last week than Allen (65 snaps to Allen’s 43). Pro Football Focus ranks Carroll’s play this season 100th of 101 cornerbacks. He has been targeted 16 times and allowed 11 catches for 155 yards.
CBS’ Dan Fouts noted that after Davis was injured against Houston, the Texans put 6-3 Andre Johnson on the 6-1 Carroll’s side of the field to try and keep him away from the 6-3 Sean Smith. Johnson beat Carroll for a touchdown, though Reshad Jones was mostly to blame.
Smith said such an approach makes sense because the Dolphins were often double-covering Johnson, and “Why put me on the side we’re doubling?” Smith said he and Davis are assigned to specific sides and have not switched at all this season. And San Diego’s dangerous 6-5 Vincent Jackson should pose more matchup issues Sunday.
• Late-game play selection. Even though Miami needed only 15 yards or so to get in field goal range late against Cleveland, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll defended the deep throw to Clyde Gates, noting it was a favorable matchup and “was six inches out of bounds.”
WQAM’s Channing Crowder said incredulously: “You’re going deep for a touchdown? You love these field goals, Tony [Sparano]. Kick another field goal!”
