redclamcrowder
Cure for the Common Person
I know there are a number of posters here who think the 3-4 is the only way for Miami to run a defense(citing that we do not have the personel to run any other defense among other reasons). IMHO, I think Miami needs to do one of two things:
(1) Change our defensive philosophy and bring the heat similiar to what that Fat ******* up in NY does (or even run an attacking 3-4 like up in Pittsburgh). OR.....
(2) Begin to convert this roster into a 4-3 defense.
My reasoning -->
Why is Miami afraid to leave its young secondary on an island in the event it decides to bring an all-out blitz? Are they worried a big play might result against the defense? It's hard to get any worse than what this defense has already become in terms of giving up big plays. There is no legitimate reason this team should not attempt to 'sell-out' hard on defense at least a FEW times a game. At worst, we continue to give up big plays. At best, we increase sack totals and/or force opposing QB's into picks, bad throws, or simply make them eat turf!
One of the 3-4's most endearing traits is that it is easier to disguise the pass rush in order to confuse an offense. What about our defense confuses an offense? This defense constantly shows its 'hand' to the offense, allowing for easy blitz pick-ups (assuming they actually end up blitzing of course). There is no element of surprise to this Dolphin defense, none!
Ok, so why do I want a 4-3? I know right now it seems that we don't have ALL of the necessary personnel to run it. I look at it like this: Sparano is calling out his pass rush (of 3,4, or 5 guys typically) to get to the QB. If he and his staff continue to think that only sending 3-4 guys at a time is enough (and blitzing isn't very necessary) Miami will continue to get burned. We are running a defense that isn't taking advantage of its own strengths. If Sparano only wants to send 3-4 rushers at a time (5-6 max) he should convert the defense into a 4-3 which will feature more athletic pass rushers from the defensive line. Guys like Starks, Langford, and Solai are solid men to put upfront in the 3-4, but are not to be used as pass-rush specialists. I just think that guys like Merling, Crowder, and other players would benefit from the switch to 4-3 in the future, and Miami might be able to generate more passrush from that formation with the proper personnel.
(1) Change our defensive philosophy and bring the heat similiar to what that Fat ******* up in NY does (or even run an attacking 3-4 like up in Pittsburgh). OR.....
(2) Begin to convert this roster into a 4-3 defense.
My reasoning -->
Why is Miami afraid to leave its young secondary on an island in the event it decides to bring an all-out blitz? Are they worried a big play might result against the defense? It's hard to get any worse than what this defense has already become in terms of giving up big plays. There is no legitimate reason this team should not attempt to 'sell-out' hard on defense at least a FEW times a game. At worst, we continue to give up big plays. At best, we increase sack totals and/or force opposing QB's into picks, bad throws, or simply make them eat turf!
One of the 3-4's most endearing traits is that it is easier to disguise the pass rush in order to confuse an offense. What about our defense confuses an offense? This defense constantly shows its 'hand' to the offense, allowing for easy blitz pick-ups (assuming they actually end up blitzing of course). There is no element of surprise to this Dolphin defense, none!
Ok, so why do I want a 4-3? I know right now it seems that we don't have ALL of the necessary personnel to run it. I look at it like this: Sparano is calling out his pass rush (of 3,4, or 5 guys typically) to get to the QB. If he and his staff continue to think that only sending 3-4 guys at a time is enough (and blitzing isn't very necessary) Miami will continue to get burned. We are running a defense that isn't taking advantage of its own strengths. If Sparano only wants to send 3-4 rushers at a time (5-6 max) he should convert the defense into a 4-3 which will feature more athletic pass rushers from the defensive line. Guys like Starks, Langford, and Solai are solid men to put upfront in the 3-4, but are not to be used as pass-rush specialists. I just think that guys like Merling, Crowder, and other players would benefit from the switch to 4-3 in the future, and Miami might be able to generate more passrush from that formation with the proper personnel.
). The other thing is that Philly is EXTREMELY thin at LB right now (lost Bradley, Gaither, Gocong, and eventually Jordan last night) and that affects a defense like theirs. Also, lets not lose sight of the fact that losing Jim Johnson is something that doesn't show up on gameday (at least not obviously) but is felt over the whole season. The guy who took his spot (McDermont?) is NOT EVEN CLOSE to the caliber of d-coordinator that Johnson was, and that does make a difference.
