One aspect of yesterday's game that hasn't really been discussed...

[volk]

...is hitting. I agree with most of the comments I have seen about yesterday's game so far, but I just wanted to comment about the physical toughness of our team against the Broncos. When was the last time that you saw so many consistantly hard, punishing blows delivered by our defense? Even Zach was bringing the lumber on several plays :eek:

This was very encouraging to me, as one of the problems with our "top ranked" defense in the past has been that as the games (and the season) wore on, our defense started to wear down, and we seldom made teams pay for completions and runs. We had solid execution, but we were "soft". I didn't see any sign of this in yesterday's game, and instead of wearing down, the defense built in intensity. Gameplanning and talent are important, but football is still a game of imposing your physical control over your opponent. This causes frustration and doubt in your opponent and can single-handedly lead to victory. You see this in teams like New England, and now I believe it has finally come to the 'Fins.

 

[retired opfinistic]

...is hitting. I agree with most of the comments I have seen about yesterday's game so far, but I just wanted to comment about the physical toughness of our team against the Broncos. When was the last time that you saw so many consistantly hard, punishing blows delivered by our defense? Even Zach was bringing the lumber on several plays :eek:

This was very encouraging to me, as one of the problems with our "top ranked" defense in the past has been that as the games (and the season) wore on, our defense started to wear down, and we seldom made teams pay for completions and runs. We had solid execution, but we were "soft". I didn't see any sign of this in yesterday's game, and instead of wearing down, the defense built in intensity. Gameplanning and talent are important, but football is still a game of imposing your physical control over your opponent. This causes frustration and doubt in your opponent and can single-handedly lead to victory. You see this in teams like New England, and now I believe it has finally come to the 'Fins.

Your assessment is based on what, one game?

One hard-hitting, dominating, in your face smash mouth game!

I agree with you, if the team plays at that level all year, we will be feared!

I kept waiting for Plummer to give us the finger!

 

[volk]

I can't gaurantee that the ability to hit like that all season will be there, nor can I guarantee that Miami won't ever be dominated physically. What I am sure of is that the philosophy behind that style of play is now fully in place and will not be let up on all season. This is no longer a team where playing on cruise control is acceptable. This is a team where physical toughness and hitting will become the norm, not an abheration, and that is a major step in the right direction.

 

[Samphin]

Ask Rod Smith if we were physical. I saw Thomas almost tear his head off on his first reception an dTebucky Jones sent him to the sindelines for a few plays after nailing him pretty good later in the game.

The guys on defense were tackling and tackling solidly throughout the game.

 

[arsenal]

zach was playing great yesterday, those goal line stands he was hitting the holes and the RBs hard... our safeties were very physical too which is a good thing, we should be a physical team... we have BIG linebackers and punishing safeties, hopefully we keep it up that kinda physical play all year...

 

[cnc66]

Brown Pancake, not just our Defense, Ronnie Brown knocked out Chump! BTW, Jim Rome gave us props on our relentlessness and said we will make people play us for 60 mins. We were relentless and that is a specific goal and not an accident. It might not repeat next Sunday but it will be a goal. I think our boys liked that feeling and will be looking for more. We will see.

 

[Jaj]

The point is we didn't miss tackles, except for sacking Plummer. We missed on a couple of those. It helps tremendously when your defense is able to tackle well.

 

[FinNasty]

Does anyone think that the lack of hitting during practice had to do with solid tackling and strong hitting in the game? Maybe they were fresher?

Nasty

 

[cnc66]

Does anyone think that the lack of hitting during practice had to do with solid tackling and strong hitting in the game? Maybe they were fresher?

Nasty

that may be a factor, but I would think Saban and the attitude he has demanded was what we were seeing. I do not think this was an accident I really don't. I think this is where we are going as a team.....relentless

 

[McDuffie81]

Ask Rod Smith if we were physical. I saw Thomas almost tear his head off on his first reception an dTebucky Jones sent him to the sindelines for a few plays after nailing him pretty good later in the game.

The guys on defense were tackling and tackling solidly throughout the game.

Dont leave out the big fat SUPLEX Crowder gave Tatum Bell! (correct me if it wasnt Bell)

 

[Jimi]

Crowder, Thomas and Jones in no order made punishing hit after hit.

 

[Buddy]

Saban said that he wants opposing teams to hate playing us because we are so agressive and physically punishing. He backed it up on the field and I am so glad to finally have a real coach. Lobster traps are nothing compared to a sound game plan, agression, and true team unity. I am TOTALLY PSYCHED now!!!!!

 

[MtnFinFan]

Brown Pancake, not just our Defense, Ronnie Brown knocked out Chump! BTW, Jim Rome gave us props on our relentlessness and said we will make people play us for 60 mins. We were relentless and that is a specific goal and not an accident. It might not repeat next Sunday but it will be a goal. I think our boys liked that feeling and will be looking for more. We will see.

I agree, we should be punishing on both sides of the ball. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't one of the reasons Nick selected Brown was because of how many of his D players were in the training room after playing against Brown? Add Ricky in October lowering shoulders into linebackers and Dbacks the Phins should be as Nick wants, a team none of the other teams want to play.

 

[Canadianfishfan]

On that play just before McMichael was flipped in the air did anyone see who laid that block just a miniscule second before the hit?

 

[enigmatics]

...is hitting. I agree with most of the comments I have seen about yesterday's game so far, but I just wanted to comment about the physical toughness of our team against the Broncos. When was the last time that you saw so many consistantly hard, punishing blows delivered by our defense? Even Zach was bringing the lumber on several plays :eek:

This was very encouraging to me, as one of the problems with our "top ranked" defense in the past has been that as the games (and the season) wore on, our defense started to wear down, and we seldom made teams pay for completions and runs. We had solid execution, but we were "soft". I didn't see any sign of this in yesterday's game, and instead of wearing down, the defense built in intensity. Gameplanning and talent are important, but football is still a game of imposing your physical control over your opponent. This causes frustration and doubt in your opponent and can single-handedly lead to victory. You see this in teams like New England, and now I believe it has finally come to the 'Fins.

Most definately...........we were out there rockin' people. I've never seen the D look so vicious. I remember the camera was on Keith Traylor and Junior Seau (as he was yellin' his arse off) when they were lining up for one of those goaline stands........you could just see it on the posture of those two that they came to take some heads off. During the second goal line stand they showed how hyped up the entire D-line was as they were facing 4th and 1 ............. I wanted so badly to be in that endzone screaming for them.