I may be stating something that most of you already know. But the fact of the matter is the JT is the more important player on this defense and if we were to get rid of him things would fall apart. I would refer you to review game tape of the dolphins this year. The amount of times JT gets double teamed is unreal. It seems like every crucial situation he is being picked up by one guy and met by a second guy (sometimes a tight end, fullback, other lineman) as he breaks the line of scrimmage. Compared to other players in the league, JT gets double teamed about the most out of anyone I have seen this year with the two exceptions of Freeney and Peppers.
What he does is create sacks and great numbers for the other guys around him. O-Gun's breakout season was due to JT being constantly double teamed. David Bowens benefitted from this as I think he is an average player who had better numbers than he should have b/c the line was so focused on JT. Now we are seeing the same thing with Kevin Carter. Not to take anything away from Carter but he is not a great DE. He has a tough time getting the QB when he breaks free, but he breaks free enough times to make plays b/c of JT garnering all the attention on the right side.
So the point is that the success of the defense starts with the pressure on the QB. The less time the Qb has to operate the easier the job for your linebackers and secondary. Great pressure can cover secondary holes which is what JT has done at times this season. Our secondary has not really played that well, I know many will say that is untrue but look at the QB's who ate us alive. JT is the cornerstone of this D, and losing him would kill this D.
What he does is create sacks and great numbers for the other guys around him. O-Gun's breakout season was due to JT being constantly double teamed. David Bowens benefitted from this as I think he is an average player who had better numbers than he should have b/c the line was so focused on JT. Now we are seeing the same thing with Kevin Carter. Not to take anything away from Carter but he is not a great DE. He has a tough time getting the QB when he breaks free, but he breaks free enough times to make plays b/c of JT garnering all the attention on the right side.
So the point is that the success of the defense starts with the pressure on the QB. The less time the Qb has to operate the easier the job for your linebackers and secondary. Great pressure can cover secondary holes which is what JT has done at times this season. Our secondary has not really played that well, I know many will say that is untrue but look at the QB's who ate us alive. JT is the cornerstone of this D, and losing him would kill this D.
Sorry, kidding. I just love the pictures.