CpuFan
Active Roster
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2003
- Messages
- 1,748
- Reaction score
- 41
Dolphins have rarely come up short
Offense and defense excel on third down
By Joe Burris, Globe Staff, 12/5/2003
On Sunday, they face a Miami Dolphins team that has two of the AFC's most proficient players on third and 1 -- quarterback Jay Fiedler and running back Ricky Williams. The former is 4 of 4 on third and 1, and the latter has converted 8 of 9, trailing only Kansas City running back Priest Holmes's 14 conversions.
Moreover, the Dolphins lead the AFC in red zone defense at 28.6 percent, and are fifth in the AFC in red zone offense at 54.8 percent. They lead the NFL in fourth-down defense efficiency, as their opponents have converted just one fourth down in 10 tries.
Offensively, they've converted 2 of 4 fourth-down tries.
"It's kind of unusual for one team to be at the top of the league on short-yardage offense and defense," said Belichick. "The Dolphins haven't given up 50 percent conversions on third down and 1 this year. They're stopping [opponents] a lot, and converting [third down and 1] almost every time.
"They nailed us twice [on third and 1] in the first game," said Belichick, referring to the Patriots' overtime victory in Miami Oct. 19. "They're stopping everybody. You think you can make a yard, but it's hard to make one."
http://www.projo.com/patriots/content/projo_20031205_05patsjo.1258da.html
Offense and defense excel on third down
By Joe Burris, Globe Staff, 12/5/2003
On Sunday, they face a Miami Dolphins team that has two of the AFC's most proficient players on third and 1 -- quarterback Jay Fiedler and running back Ricky Williams. The former is 4 of 4 on third and 1, and the latter has converted 8 of 9, trailing only Kansas City running back Priest Holmes's 14 conversions.
Moreover, the Dolphins lead the AFC in red zone defense at 28.6 percent, and are fifth in the AFC in red zone offense at 54.8 percent. They lead the NFL in fourth-down defense efficiency, as their opponents have converted just one fourth down in 10 tries.
Offensively, they've converted 2 of 4 fourth-down tries.
"It's kind of unusual for one team to be at the top of the league on short-yardage offense and defense," said Belichick. "The Dolphins haven't given up 50 percent conversions on third down and 1 this year. They're stopping [opponents] a lot, and converting [third down and 1] almost every time.
"They nailed us twice [on third and 1] in the first game," said Belichick, referring to the Patriots' overtime victory in Miami Oct. 19. "They're stopping everybody. You think you can make a yard, but it's hard to make one."
http://www.projo.com/patriots/content/projo_20031205_05patsjo.1258da.html
Last edited by a moderator:
