UncleJamFinFan
Practice Squad
Why The Offense Is In Shambles --
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After watching the Dolphins play the Bengals on Sunday night, I couldn't believe how ineffective the offensive production was during the game. Because of my own adrenaline and emotional engagement in watching, it's difficult to offer any commentary other than, "This team blows," while the game is being played. I decided to break the game down, last night, to see if I could spot why and how the offense struggled as mightily as they did. Beyond the "We need better players" mantra, I wanted to see if there were play calling or scheme problems that could be addressed to make the offense more productive or more efficient.
And here is what I found -- Out of 20 running plays that were called, not ONE was outside the tackles. No pitches, no sweeps, no counters, no reverses, no extended hand-offs. Out of 20 running plays called, only TWICE did I see anything other than straight-ahead blocking schemes, and those two times were both left-guard pulls into trap blocks, between the tackles -- one in the first half and one in the second half. It's obvious that the 1.8 yards and a cloud-of-dust power running game DOES NOT WORK in Miami. And although DW continually says that he has no desire to abandon the running game, why not TRY something other than power-dives over the guard or center for little or no gain time-after-time-after-time?
It's as though the offensive philosophy is so myopic, there are only about five plays in the play book. Each time the Dolphins did something different, quick slant, quick screen to Chambers, seam pass to Mc Michael -- they had a degree of success! I counted at least five different times when a Bengals defender had a clear shot to the quarterback without as much as a chip block. Now after the Indianapolis fiasco last year with Freeney, how could you not have your blitzers and ends accounted for?
Out of 39 passes called, only ONCE did I see any attempt to move or roll the pocket for AJ. Not once in 39 passing attempts did AJ line up in the shotgun formation where he could catch the snap and simply deliver the football on a quick hit, out, etc. And please, someone tell me why is it the Dolphins rarely, if ever, roll the pocket and throw the ball down the field? Even if it's just two times a game it's more than what they do now.
I will concede that the Dolphins are a sub-par offensive team and need work on cohesion, but the philosophy that comes onto the field from the sidelines is so mindless and without strategy -- I'm amazed at the hire of these guys in the first place. I don't mind if we play a team that is better than we are who beats us physically -- but the penalties and the coaching vacuum has me stymied beyond reason.
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After watching the Dolphins play the Bengals on Sunday night, I couldn't believe how ineffective the offensive production was during the game. Because of my own adrenaline and emotional engagement in watching, it's difficult to offer any commentary other than, "This team blows," while the game is being played. I decided to break the game down, last night, to see if I could spot why and how the offense struggled as mightily as they did. Beyond the "We need better players" mantra, I wanted to see if there were play calling or scheme problems that could be addressed to make the offense more productive or more efficient.
And here is what I found -- Out of 20 running plays that were called, not ONE was outside the tackles. No pitches, no sweeps, no counters, no reverses, no extended hand-offs. Out of 20 running plays called, only TWICE did I see anything other than straight-ahead blocking schemes, and those two times were both left-guard pulls into trap blocks, between the tackles -- one in the first half and one in the second half. It's obvious that the 1.8 yards and a cloud-of-dust power running game DOES NOT WORK in Miami. And although DW continually says that he has no desire to abandon the running game, why not TRY something other than power-dives over the guard or center for little or no gain time-after-time-after-time?
It's as though the offensive philosophy is so myopic, there are only about five plays in the play book. Each time the Dolphins did something different, quick slant, quick screen to Chambers, seam pass to Mc Michael -- they had a degree of success! I counted at least five different times when a Bengals defender had a clear shot to the quarterback without as much as a chip block. Now after the Indianapolis fiasco last year with Freeney, how could you not have your blitzers and ends accounted for?
Out of 39 passes called, only ONCE did I see any attempt to move or roll the pocket for AJ. Not once in 39 passing attempts did AJ line up in the shotgun formation where he could catch the snap and simply deliver the football on a quick hit, out, etc. And please, someone tell me why is it the Dolphins rarely, if ever, roll the pocket and throw the ball down the field? Even if it's just two times a game it's more than what they do now.
I will concede that the Dolphins are a sub-par offensive team and need work on cohesion, but the philosophy that comes onto the field from the sidelines is so mindless and without strategy -- I'm amazed at the hire of these guys in the first place. I don't mind if we play a team that is better than we are who beats us physically -- but the penalties and the coaching vacuum has me stymied beyond reason.
