The money down belongs to Miami's offense

[BAMAPHIN 22]

Third down is where players make their big money because it is the most important down.

If the offense is converting on third down, it is staying on the field and depressing the heck out of the defense. If the defense is winning on third down after third down, it is shutting down the opposition's opportunities to score because the opposition is busy headed to their seats on the bench.

So I think we can all agree, third down is the money down.
Now, let's agree on this. The Dolphins are doing excellent work on third down so far this season.

I wrote earlier this week how the Dolphins are very good at converting third-and-2 or fewer yards. Very good is translated as they are converting 85 percent of the time in those situations and no one in the NFL is doing any better.

Well, today we expand on that a little bit.

Simply said, the Miami offense -- for all its flaws and shortcomings -- leads the NFL in third down conversion. The Dolphins have converted 42 of 75 third down plays into first downs this year. That's a 56 percent conversion rate and, it bears repeating, that is the NFL's best rate.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolp...lone----know-the-nfl-game-consists-of-fi.html

 

[Birdman]

yeeeeeeeee

 

[greasyObnoxious]

it's both strange and interesting that we're doing a good job on defense on 3rd and mid-range, but are close to awful on 3rd-and-10+.

 

[Lester]

it's both strange and interesting that we're doing a good job on defense on 3rd and mid-range, but are close to awful on 3rd-and-10+.

Somehow 3rd and long is the scariest time for our defense. Usually it is the time defenses are licking there chops. for us, it means a deep pass which will most likely be a will allen interference or miraculous catch by the opponent who is just barely open.

Thats also why the defense gets better in the endzone; not as much wide open space to give up.

I am a bit scared how many big penalties we give up this week with Brees chucking it around.

 

[Pat-London]

This was my post on the original article...

However you may have missed a very important point.

Reviewing the stats at the bottom, which I love, but I am Rainman like that. It is clear that we are not doing so well on 3rd and long. ie. over 7 yards

Over 7 yards we are a woeful 6 of 25 or 24%.
So it begs to differ.. is the Money down FIRST Down... to put ourselves in a situation of "easier" conversion.

On 3rd down and less than 7 we are...wait for it...36 conversions out of 50 attempts or an off the charts 72% conversion.

So where does the money really go...

Great info though Armando...

Posted by: Pat - London | October 23, 2009 at 10:48 AM