Sports Buzz 10-19: Examining tangible in-game changes | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Sports Buzz 10-19: Examining tangible in-game changes

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Interim coach Dan Campbell clearly interjected passion and energy and emotion into a Dolphins team that dismantled Tennessee 38-10 on Sunday after playing so listlessly in previous weeks.

But once the game started Sunday, more quantifiable, tangible changes also became evident – some glaring, others more subtle. Most produced positive results, and none backfired. Among them:

### A stronger commitment to the running game. Campbell reportedly poked his head in an offensive line meeting last week and said, “We will run the ball!” And he backed up that promise.

After passing 73 percent of the time in their first four games, the Dolphins on Sunday had more rushing attempts (32) than passing attempts (29). And the Dolphins didn’t merely run; they ran effectively, for 180 yards on 5.6 per carry, with Lamar Miller closing with 113 yards on 19 attempts.

Of course, it helped that left tackle Branden Albert and ace blocking tight end Dion Sims retuned from injury, and that physical Billy Turner replaced Jamil Douglas at right guard.

“It’s just refreshing to run the football,” center Mike Pouncey said. “In the NFL, running the football sets up everything else.”

### Turner’s promotion. Several teammates were surprised when the Dolphins gave the right guard job to Douglas instead of Turner late in preseason. But instead of sulking, Turner continued to work on his technique, something which offensive line coach John Benton said had to improve.

Turner justified his promotion on Sunday. Pro Football Focus gave him a grade of 75.2, which places him 24th among all NFL guards this season. Douglas, conversely, ranks 100th at 31.6.

### Changes in the distribution of snaps among wide receivers. As usual, Jarvis Landry played the most, as he should (63 of Miami’s 67 offensive snaps).

But instead of playing Rishard Matthews, Greg Jennings and Kenny Stills a comparable amount, the Dolphins increased Matthews’ snaps (to 60), dramatically reduced Jennings’ (to nine), while giving 28 to Stills.

And the Dolphins smartly and successfully threw a 38-yard deep ball to Stills, who led the league in yards per reception in 2013. His deep ball skills hadn’t been exploited enough early in the season.

Meanwhile, DeVante Parker logged just six snaps; coaches want to see more consistency.
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### Simplifying on defense. Though several players said the Dolphins didn’t do much differently on defense, Fox Sports reported that new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo reduced the number of defensive packages to only about 10 base play calls and that the defensive linemen were told to attack instead of thinking so much.

After Cameron Wake’s fourth sack, his agent, Paul Sheehy, tweeted: “Another sack by [Wake]… Amazing what happens when you let players play and don’t try to overscheme things. #DanCampbell Fan.”

Said NBC’s Tony Dungy: “The coaching change in Miami has made a difference. Much more aggressive on defense today vs. the Titans.”

The Dolphins, who ranked last in the league in run defense entering the game, allowed only 63 yards rushing (3.5 per carry). Miami also had six sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

### Subtle changes at running back. Jonas Gray, who had just one carry in the previous game, got the ball seven times, ran for 24 yards, and offers a generally effective option in short yardage.

Gray (11 snaps) played more than Damien Williams (nine), which is a change. Also, the Dolphins used defensive tackle Earl Mitchell as a blocking back on six snaps, more than ever before, and that also seemed to pay off for a team that doesn’t carry a fullback.
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More here:
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/
 
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Wow finally someone who gets that square pegs don't fit into round holes.

Changing things within a game, blasphemy! lol.
 
Billy Turner fits the running game bill. Maybe Philbin didn't like his pass protection and that's why Douglas won the job. But the run is the most important thing under Campbell so Turner gets the nod.

All of the changes to the lineup were on offense as Campbell is a TE coach and more familiar with offense. I want to see more Bobby McCain and less Brice. Thomas is also better then Aikens at this stage but we did see Thomas in the game more often so kudos on that
 
Don Shula's mantra was always, don't make a player do what they don't do well. Ask them to do what they do well. The man won a lot of games thinking that way.
I think for a long time (with Marino) that's why we never had a 1,000 yard rusher with him. He rotated a lot of backs in depending on what he wanted done.
 
Great bits, looks like this coaching staff understands flexibility and effective game planning. Amazing Philbin lasted as long as he did.
 
The next step is to figure out something at LG. I'm tired of seeing Thomas get walked back 5 yards on every play. There has to be someone who can hold the POA better.
 
oasis said:
The next step is to figure out something at LG. I'm tired of seeing Thomas get walked back 5 yards on every play. There has to be someone who can hold the POA better.
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I don't think he is on the roster. Douglas? Fox? Having Albert back helps
 
After Cameron Wake’s fourth sack, his agent, Paul Sheehy, tweeted: “Another sack by [Wake]… Amazing what happens when you let players play and don’t try to overscheme things. #DanCampbell Fan.”
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Worth quoting again.
 
After Cameron Wake’s fourth sack, his agent, Paul Sheehy, tweeted: “Another sack by [Wake]… Amazing what happens when you let players play and don’t try to overscheme things. #DanCampbell Fan.”
I think this is a pretty telling quote from Cam Wake's agent and it doesn't reflect well on Kevin Coyle. When Jared Odrick imploded on the sideline last year and it was captured by the cameras, it was because Coyle was overcomplicating things instead of just letting the players play. We heard in the off-season from Joe Philbin that the Defense would be simplified, but the team took a backwards step. Joe will continue to bear the brunt of the criticism but a very big factor appears to have been Coyle's overcomplicated system. My hunch is that Stephen Ross finally got the message directly from Suh and Wake.
 
spiketex said:
After Cameron Wake’s fourth sack, his agent, Paul Sheehy, tweeted: “Another sack by [Wake]… Amazing what happens when you let players play and don’t try to overscheme things. #DanCampbell Fan.”
I think this is a pretty telling quote from Cam Wake's agent and it doesn't reflect well on Kevin Coyle. When Jared Odrick imploded on the sideline last year and it was captured by the cameras, it was because Coyle was overcomplicating things instead of just letting the players play. We heard in the off-season from Joe Philbin that the Defense would be simplified, but the team took a backwards step. Joe will continue to bear the brunt of the criticism but a very big factor appears to have been Coyle's overcomplicated system. My hunch is that Stephen Ross finally got the message directly from Suh and Wake.
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It makes me wonder how much of Dion J's issues were due to things being complicated? If Wannstedt drove Ricky away; its very possible that Coyle & Joe had adverse affect on Dion.
 
jlfin said:
Wonder if Campbell be lives Dion Jordan is salvageable
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From the photos I saw of Jordan, I am in better shape than him at 54.

Campbell would break him and send him packing on day #1
 
utahphinsfan said:
It makes me wonder how much of Dion J's issues were due to things being complicated? If Wannstedt drove Ricky away; its very possible that Coyle & Joe had adverse affect on Dion.
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nah, If reports are to be believed, DJ just hasn't had a good work ethic. He did turn down JT multiple times when JT offered to help him with technique.
 
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