MiamiSportsGen
Keeping the Fan Faith Alive
Dave Hyde, sport columnist from the Sun-Sentinel, had the time to discuss a few key Miami Dolphins topics following Sunday's game in Atalanta. Dave has been with the Sun-Sentinel since 1990 and has a great understanding South Florida sports. He weighed in on the Fins' week one performance and the team moving forward:
Q: What was the biggest flaw exposed in Miami's offense and defense?
Dave: The biggest flaw was simply the turnovers -- as Prof. Tony Sparano said, teams that have four turnovers in a game win 10 percent of the time. That isn't the biggest worry, though. Tight end Anthony Fasano had two fumbles in the game. He had two in the three seasons before this. So it was uncharacteristic for a team that last year tied a NFL record low with 13 turnovers. I'm not worried about the turnovers being a long-term concern. The worry is the offensive line. Atlanta isn't expected to be a terror on defense, and the Dolphins gave up four sacks. Jake Long gave up 2 1/2 sacks all last year and he gave up two this game. The Dolphins have few big-play makers on offense, and a lot of money ($155 million) has been invested in the line. The question is whether this game was indicative of problems or also will be an aberration.
Q: Will the Monday Night game against Indianapolis be tougher, easier or about the same difficulty as the Atlanta game?
Dave: The Indy game got a little easier with the news that Colts receiver Anthony Gonzalez got hurt. That takes away a big target for Peyton Manning. You'd like to think the game will be easier in that it's at home, on a Monday night stage, rather than an opener on the road against a decent team. Manning will challenge the rookie cornerbacks, though. And tight end Dallas Clark must have seen how Atlanta tight end Tony Gonzalez had a big game against the Dolphins safeties. Miami doesn't want the game to turn into a Manning shootout, because they aren't a big-play offense. Easier than Atlanta? Sure. Easy? Nope.
Q: The secondary, special teams and offensive line all struggled, which one is in the most need of improvement entering week two?
Dave: Again, I get back to the offensive line needing to improve. It was expected to...
Read the entire discussion here.
Q: What was the biggest flaw exposed in Miami's offense and defense?
Dave: The biggest flaw was simply the turnovers -- as Prof. Tony Sparano said, teams that have four turnovers in a game win 10 percent of the time. That isn't the biggest worry, though. Tight end Anthony Fasano had two fumbles in the game. He had two in the three seasons before this. So it was uncharacteristic for a team that last year tied a NFL record low with 13 turnovers. I'm not worried about the turnovers being a long-term concern. The worry is the offensive line. Atlanta isn't expected to be a terror on defense, and the Dolphins gave up four sacks. Jake Long gave up 2 1/2 sacks all last year and he gave up two this game. The Dolphins have few big-play makers on offense, and a lot of money ($155 million) has been invested in the line. The question is whether this game was indicative of problems or also will be an aberration.
Q: Will the Monday Night game against Indianapolis be tougher, easier or about the same difficulty as the Atlanta game?
Dave: The Indy game got a little easier with the news that Colts receiver Anthony Gonzalez got hurt. That takes away a big target for Peyton Manning. You'd like to think the game will be easier in that it's at home, on a Monday night stage, rather than an opener on the road against a decent team. Manning will challenge the rookie cornerbacks, though. And tight end Dallas Clark must have seen how Atlanta tight end Tony Gonzalez had a big game against the Dolphins safeties. Miami doesn't want the game to turn into a Manning shootout, because they aren't a big-play offense. Easier than Atlanta? Sure. Easy? Nope.
Q: The secondary, special teams and offensive line all struggled, which one is in the most need of improvement entering week two?
Dave: Again, I get back to the offensive line needing to improve. It was expected to...
Read the entire discussion here.
