Samphin
Dolphins Homer
Well, Sunday should be one of the most anticipated openers for the Miami Dolphins ever. New coach, new quarterback, new offensive and defensive systems. Basically, and mercifully, nothing like last year's debalce of a team. With all the new shiny things, hopefulyl comes a new attitude, one that allows our players to compete and have a gameplan that is actually useful as well as adaptable to expose in game weaknesses that are found.
Now, this won't be a post where I say we need to tackle better, stay disciplined and not got penalties. Those go without saying. This post here is more of a gameplan to beat the Broncos.
Week 1 sees us taking on Denver. A solid middle of the road team that can realistically finish first in its division, or very well finish last. They have some serious strengths but also some glaring holes that Miami will need to capitalize on. So without further introduction...Samphin's keys to the game:
-The D-Line
Denver's d-line is week. Trevor Pryce is the only player on the line that really concerns me. For some strange reason, Denver thought it would be a good idea to import the line of one of the worst teams in the league last year and make it their own. Ebenezer Ekuban, Courtney Brown, Gerard Warren, and Michael Myers have all come over from the Cleveland Browns and make up, along with veterans like Marco Coleman and John Engleberger, one of the least impressive group of guys in the league.
-The Solution
Run. Run often and run right at the line. For how bad Denver's line looks, they make up for it with Linebackers who can run and hit with the best of them. Therefore it is crucial that Ronnie Brown and Sammy Morris are able to get some yards in the middle. The O-line is going to have to drive the d-line back and get on those LB's quickly. Pulling Hadnot on sweeps and counters may be an option to to get those fast linebackers out of position and hopefully get our RB's into the secondary.
-The Secondary
Champ Bailey is good. Champ Bailey is really good. John Lynch, the hard hitting safety, is also in the secondary and the two of them could severly limit thepassing game. Denver also has three rookie CB's to go along with Champ and the rest of the safeties are not world beaters.
-The Solution
Spread them out. As good as Champ Bailey is, he also has a hamstring injury. It isn't anything that will keep him out, but I wouldn't mind testing it by sending Chambers or Boston deep. As I mentioned, Denver has three rookies in their secondary. Three rookies playing their first game in the NFL on one unit isn't something you see very often. Scott Linehan really needs to try and exploit this by getting four receivers on the field for some plays. Chambers, Boston, Booker and Welker could cause the seocndary to have fits, and with Denver's already discussed D-line likely to put little pressure on Frerotte, he, in theory, could have plenty of time to find his veteran receivers.
-The Running Game
It has been said that only two things in life are guarenteed. Death and taxes. You can make an argument that a third should be added: Denver having a 1000 yard runner. Year after year this team seemingly has a different running back break the mark with relative ease. This year should be no different. Talented runners Tatum Bell, and Mike Anderson are joined by Giants castoff and bulldozer Ron Dayne. All three can run well and behind this cut blocking o-line, should be able to have success again this year.
-The Solution
Keith Traylor. More specifically, his gut. Traylor is our replacement for Bowens. He needs to clog up those lanes on the inside and force Denver into second and third and long situations. He will have some help from veterans Zgonina and Holliday but Traylor is going to be key to stopping the run inside. On the outside, Taylor and Carter are going to have to contain because if these backs get to Sam Madison or the other corners, Miami will be in trouble. Another option is to bring a safet up do to Denver's wide receivers but I would like to avoid that due to how vulnerable we could end up being if coverage is blown on a playaction.
-The Passing Game
Jake Plummer has been around for awhile now and knows what he is doing, well with the eexception of his facial hair anyway. He has had a good camp and his two main receivers in Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie are always a threat. Beyond those two though, their isn't much in the way of receivers. Denver has five TE's on their roster and using the west coast offense, you know they will seemingly have at least one in their every down. Putzier is a quality TE.
-The Solution
Blitzkreig. On obvious passing downs, Plummer needs to be pressured and often. Plummer is notorious for making boneheaded or "creative" plays when he is put in a pinch. Sending Seau, Thomas, corners, safeties from all directions is sure to confuse him to the point where he might throw it right to one of our defenders. The key will be to mix it up however. We don't want to just send Seau or Thomas. We also don't want to have Taylor rushing on every play, the key will be to mix it up pre and post snap as to not be so predictable. This defensive scheme is designed to cause turnovers, and it will have to do that early this season to help put the offense in good positions.
So those are some of the main keys I see going into this game. Obviously, in game adjustments will need to be made. However, I feel if Miami sticks to these basic principles this week, they can leave Sunday afternoon with a victory under their belt.
What are your thoughts?
Now, this won't be a post where I say we need to tackle better, stay disciplined and not got penalties. Those go without saying. This post here is more of a gameplan to beat the Broncos.
Week 1 sees us taking on Denver. A solid middle of the road team that can realistically finish first in its division, or very well finish last. They have some serious strengths but also some glaring holes that Miami will need to capitalize on. So without further introduction...Samphin's keys to the game:
-The D-Line
Denver's d-line is week. Trevor Pryce is the only player on the line that really concerns me. For some strange reason, Denver thought it would be a good idea to import the line of one of the worst teams in the league last year and make it their own. Ebenezer Ekuban, Courtney Brown, Gerard Warren, and Michael Myers have all come over from the Cleveland Browns and make up, along with veterans like Marco Coleman and John Engleberger, one of the least impressive group of guys in the league.
-The Solution
Run. Run often and run right at the line. For how bad Denver's line looks, they make up for it with Linebackers who can run and hit with the best of them. Therefore it is crucial that Ronnie Brown and Sammy Morris are able to get some yards in the middle. The O-line is going to have to drive the d-line back and get on those LB's quickly. Pulling Hadnot on sweeps and counters may be an option to to get those fast linebackers out of position and hopefully get our RB's into the secondary.
-The Secondary
Champ Bailey is good. Champ Bailey is really good. John Lynch, the hard hitting safety, is also in the secondary and the two of them could severly limit thepassing game. Denver also has three rookie CB's to go along with Champ and the rest of the safeties are not world beaters.
-The Solution
Spread them out. As good as Champ Bailey is, he also has a hamstring injury. It isn't anything that will keep him out, but I wouldn't mind testing it by sending Chambers or Boston deep. As I mentioned, Denver has three rookies in their secondary. Three rookies playing their first game in the NFL on one unit isn't something you see very often. Scott Linehan really needs to try and exploit this by getting four receivers on the field for some plays. Chambers, Boston, Booker and Welker could cause the seocndary to have fits, and with Denver's already discussed D-line likely to put little pressure on Frerotte, he, in theory, could have plenty of time to find his veteran receivers.
-The Running Game
It has been said that only two things in life are guarenteed. Death and taxes. You can make an argument that a third should be added: Denver having a 1000 yard runner. Year after year this team seemingly has a different running back break the mark with relative ease. This year should be no different. Talented runners Tatum Bell, and Mike Anderson are joined by Giants castoff and bulldozer Ron Dayne. All three can run well and behind this cut blocking o-line, should be able to have success again this year.
-The Solution
Keith Traylor. More specifically, his gut. Traylor is our replacement for Bowens. He needs to clog up those lanes on the inside and force Denver into second and third and long situations. He will have some help from veterans Zgonina and Holliday but Traylor is going to be key to stopping the run inside. On the outside, Taylor and Carter are going to have to contain because if these backs get to Sam Madison or the other corners, Miami will be in trouble. Another option is to bring a safet up do to Denver's wide receivers but I would like to avoid that due to how vulnerable we could end up being if coverage is blown on a playaction.
-The Passing Game
Jake Plummer has been around for awhile now and knows what he is doing, well with the eexception of his facial hair anyway. He has had a good camp and his two main receivers in Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie are always a threat. Beyond those two though, their isn't much in the way of receivers. Denver has five TE's on their roster and using the west coast offense, you know they will seemingly have at least one in their every down. Putzier is a quality TE.
-The Solution
Blitzkreig. On obvious passing downs, Plummer needs to be pressured and often. Plummer is notorious for making boneheaded or "creative" plays when he is put in a pinch. Sending Seau, Thomas, corners, safeties from all directions is sure to confuse him to the point where he might throw it right to one of our defenders. The key will be to mix it up however. We don't want to just send Seau or Thomas. We also don't want to have Taylor rushing on every play, the key will be to mix it up pre and post snap as to not be so predictable. This defensive scheme is designed to cause turnovers, and it will have to do that early this season to help put the offense in good positions.
So those are some of the main keys I see going into this game. Obviously, in game adjustments will need to be made. However, I feel if Miami sticks to these basic principles this week, they can leave Sunday afternoon with a victory under their belt.
What are your thoughts?
That's awesome! Well played. We were calling him porn-stache for awhile.