Samphin
Dolphins Homer
Well, after the highest of high's in week one, Miami and its fans came crashing down to sea level in week 2. A hard fought game against New York left us a little battered and a little bruised, and with a loss. However, it wasn't a total meltdown and the defense looked good again. The offense was able to move the ball downfield a few times but shot itself with drops, penalties and missed field goals. In order to bounce back and be on the positive side of .500, Miami is going to have to correct these essentials.
They will also have to beat a talented Carolina team that just got through beating the defending World Champs. With the likes of Julius Peppers, Stephen Davis and Steve Smith on their team, this will be no easy task for Miami. However, it isn't impossible. Looking at the film and stats, it is clear that Carolina has some weaknesses as well. If Miami can expolit said problems, they should be able to walk out a winner.
So, without further adieu...The keys to the game:
The Problem: Carolina's front seven
Talk about a significant problem. Julius Peppers is arguably the best DE in the game. He is the perfect blend of size, speed, and strength. He commands a double and sometimes even a triple team from opponents. Oh and by the way, that frees up the other DE, Mike Rucker, who is no slouch himself. These two ends are very similar to what Miami faced last week in New York. They are very talented and WILL cause havoc in the backfield. Along with the likes of DT Brenston Buckner, and LB Dan Morgan, the front seven have held talented running backs Deuce McCallister and Corey Dillon to 100 yards on 40 carries. That is a very anemic 2.5 yards per carry. Not to mention they have pitched a virtual shutout on receiving as well. Those two combined for two receptions for 5 yards, both catches coming from Deuace in week one. Needless to say, they are going to be a tough egg to crack in the running game.
The Solution:
Running up the middle. I know, it sounds like a death sentence, but here me out. Deauce is much more of an east-west runner than a north-south guy. The few times he did run between the guards, he was able to pick up some yardage and a few touchdowns at the goalline. Plus, Kris Jenkins is out for the season which puts a damper on their inside attack. With the bulk of Ronnie and Sammy, we should be able to push the ball at least a few yards inside and keep the defense on the field. Remember, this is a home game in September. It should be humid and they should be wearing BLACK. We need to be able to control the ball on the ground and wear them down.
Misdirections and counters could work as well if Miami wanted to go outside at all. Julius is very quick and may over commit. However, they still have a very good defense behind him and the linebackers are disciplined. We may just have to grind it out inside and hope for the best all day long.
The Problem: Steve Smith
Steve Smith is very very good. Unlike the Jets, Carlina has a definitive number one receiver and Jake is not afraid to get the ball to him. Although only listed at 5'9" and 185 lbs, Steve plays like a 6'3" 220 pounder with speed. He can catch the ball anywhere on the field and run away with it. He has 172 of the 366 yards receiving Carolina has and a TD.
The Solution:
Double team him. Be it with Bell, Jones, Schulters or whomever, we need to double team Steve and take him out of this game. I would put Madison on him and have him follow him around all day long with the safeties playing over the top. I know that goes away from our zone coverage, but sometimes, you have to adjust to the players you have and your opponent has. Remember, Steve Smith has 172 of 366 passing yards this season. That means, 194 yards have been spread out among six other receivers. that is good for 32yards on average for the other receivers. Divide that by the number of games played and the rest of the team is averaging 16 yards per game. In other words, they aren't much of a threat. Their second leading receiver is Ricky Proehl with 61 yards. No one else has caught a TD pass yet. More good news? Steve Smith was held to four catches against New England. A team that runs simiilar style defenses as ourselves. Take Steve Smith our of the equation and dare the others to beat us.
The Problem: Carolina's running attack
This is probably the biggest strength on Carolina's team. The Panthers have Stephen Davis, Deshaun Foster and Nick Goings. Those three have combined for 238 yards on 55 carries. That is a 4.32 ypc average. Not to mention the fact that Stephen Davis, their main back, already has four touchdowns on the ground. They are very good on the ground and for the third week in a row, Miami will have to deal with a solid o-line.
The Solution:
Blitz. Blitz all downs and every which way you can. Traylor can suck up blockers like he has in the other games, but I really think we are going to need more help. So far, we haven't seen the manic blitzing we saw even in preseason. We have played pretty well in our bas defenses, but this weke it should change. Bring the pressure on rushing downs and FORCE Carolina into a passing attack. Jake can move a little bit but if we bring the house AND double team Smith, we can make this a very long day for Delhomme and co. We have to force Carolina to pass though. Delhomme has three picks to one TD and a passer rating of 56. We cannot afford to let them wear down our defense in the muggy air because we won't win otherwise. Send the house and make Jake beat us.
The Problem: Carolina's DB's.
Carolina has a solid D throughout. Ken Lucas and Ricky Manning Jr. are very talented corners who will have help from rookie standout Thomas Davis at Safety. Given the foul amount of drops Miami had last week, I wouldn't be surprised if they send their LB's and Safeties ( Davis already has a sack ) on blizes and dares Gus to throw to our drop prone wideouts.
The Solution:
Randy McMichael. He has been our best receiver so far this season. Along with Welker, he has shown great hands early on and has two touchdowns in two weeks. He has 14 receptions for 132 yards. If Carolina sends the safeties or backers on blitzes. I would try to keep the RB(s) in to h epl block and look for Randy over the middle. He knows how to get open and can run. Not only that, but he does a great job of using his body to shield defenders away from the ball. this should hep Gus tremendously when passing. It did against New York.
Miami may also want to think about using Ronnie Brown's hands more in this game as well. I think the more matchups we can have with our receiver's on their linebackers the better. If I were a fantasy man, I wouldn't start Chambers or Booker this week. McMichael though, should be right there though.
Again, these are some keys that are specific to the Carolina game. We all know that the Dolphins need to cut back on penalties and dropped balls, but that goes without saying here. Obviously, if they do those things, it can and will negate the above gameplan. But, if Miami can get themselves disciplined in the essentials, they should be able to focus on this gameplan and execute it.
What do you guys think?
They will also have to beat a talented Carolina team that just got through beating the defending World Champs. With the likes of Julius Peppers, Stephen Davis and Steve Smith on their team, this will be no easy task for Miami. However, it isn't impossible. Looking at the film and stats, it is clear that Carolina has some weaknesses as well. If Miami can expolit said problems, they should be able to walk out a winner.
So, without further adieu...The keys to the game:
The Problem: Carolina's front seven
Talk about a significant problem. Julius Peppers is arguably the best DE in the game. He is the perfect blend of size, speed, and strength. He commands a double and sometimes even a triple team from opponents. Oh and by the way, that frees up the other DE, Mike Rucker, who is no slouch himself. These two ends are very similar to what Miami faced last week in New York. They are very talented and WILL cause havoc in the backfield. Along with the likes of DT Brenston Buckner, and LB Dan Morgan, the front seven have held talented running backs Deuce McCallister and Corey Dillon to 100 yards on 40 carries. That is a very anemic 2.5 yards per carry. Not to mention they have pitched a virtual shutout on receiving as well. Those two combined for two receptions for 5 yards, both catches coming from Deuace in week one. Needless to say, they are going to be a tough egg to crack in the running game.
The Solution:
Running up the middle. I know, it sounds like a death sentence, but here me out. Deauce is much more of an east-west runner than a north-south guy. The few times he did run between the guards, he was able to pick up some yardage and a few touchdowns at the goalline. Plus, Kris Jenkins is out for the season which puts a damper on their inside attack. With the bulk of Ronnie and Sammy, we should be able to push the ball at least a few yards inside and keep the defense on the field. Remember, this is a home game in September. It should be humid and they should be wearing BLACK. We need to be able to control the ball on the ground and wear them down.
Misdirections and counters could work as well if Miami wanted to go outside at all. Julius is very quick and may over commit. However, they still have a very good defense behind him and the linebackers are disciplined. We may just have to grind it out inside and hope for the best all day long.
The Problem: Steve Smith
Steve Smith is very very good. Unlike the Jets, Carlina has a definitive number one receiver and Jake is not afraid to get the ball to him. Although only listed at 5'9" and 185 lbs, Steve plays like a 6'3" 220 pounder with speed. He can catch the ball anywhere on the field and run away with it. He has 172 of the 366 yards receiving Carolina has and a TD.
The Solution:
Double team him. Be it with Bell, Jones, Schulters or whomever, we need to double team Steve and take him out of this game. I would put Madison on him and have him follow him around all day long with the safeties playing over the top. I know that goes away from our zone coverage, but sometimes, you have to adjust to the players you have and your opponent has. Remember, Steve Smith has 172 of 366 passing yards this season. That means, 194 yards have been spread out among six other receivers. that is good for 32yards on average for the other receivers. Divide that by the number of games played and the rest of the team is averaging 16 yards per game. In other words, they aren't much of a threat. Their second leading receiver is Ricky Proehl with 61 yards. No one else has caught a TD pass yet. More good news? Steve Smith was held to four catches against New England. A team that runs simiilar style defenses as ourselves. Take Steve Smith our of the equation and dare the others to beat us.
The Problem: Carolina's running attack
This is probably the biggest strength on Carolina's team. The Panthers have Stephen Davis, Deshaun Foster and Nick Goings. Those three have combined for 238 yards on 55 carries. That is a 4.32 ypc average. Not to mention the fact that Stephen Davis, their main back, already has four touchdowns on the ground. They are very good on the ground and for the third week in a row, Miami will have to deal with a solid o-line.
The Solution:
Blitz. Blitz all downs and every which way you can. Traylor can suck up blockers like he has in the other games, but I really think we are going to need more help. So far, we haven't seen the manic blitzing we saw even in preseason. We have played pretty well in our bas defenses, but this weke it should change. Bring the pressure on rushing downs and FORCE Carolina into a passing attack. Jake can move a little bit but if we bring the house AND double team Smith, we can make this a very long day for Delhomme and co. We have to force Carolina to pass though. Delhomme has three picks to one TD and a passer rating of 56. We cannot afford to let them wear down our defense in the muggy air because we won't win otherwise. Send the house and make Jake beat us.
The Problem: Carolina's DB's.
Carolina has a solid D throughout. Ken Lucas and Ricky Manning Jr. are very talented corners who will have help from rookie standout Thomas Davis at Safety. Given the foul amount of drops Miami had last week, I wouldn't be surprised if they send their LB's and Safeties ( Davis already has a sack ) on blizes and dares Gus to throw to our drop prone wideouts.
The Solution:
Randy McMichael. He has been our best receiver so far this season. Along with Welker, he has shown great hands early on and has two touchdowns in two weeks. He has 14 receptions for 132 yards. If Carolina sends the safeties or backers on blitzes. I would try to keep the RB(s) in to h epl block and look for Randy over the middle. He knows how to get open and can run. Not only that, but he does a great job of using his body to shield defenders away from the ball. this should hep Gus tremendously when passing. It did against New York.
Miami may also want to think about using Ronnie Brown's hands more in this game as well. I think the more matchups we can have with our receiver's on their linebackers the better. If I were a fantasy man, I wouldn't start Chambers or Booker this week. McMichael though, should be right there though.
Again, these are some keys that are specific to the Carolina game. We all know that the Dolphins need to cut back on penalties and dropped balls, but that goes without saying here. Obviously, if they do those things, it can and will negate the above gameplan. But, if Miami can get themselves disciplined in the essentials, they should be able to focus on this gameplan and execute it.
What do you guys think?
