the real problem with this years team

[HelloMotto]

Yes we have alot of problems areas with the 2005 dolphins. I think that one problem is more serious than what we relize. Our defense. On our current losing streak we are constantly playing from behind. We're all screaming to run ricky and ronnie more, Screaming for our qb to complete some passes and have our wr's make a play. But i think the real issue is this old defense. Look at todays game. The browns were in the lead before i could get settled into my couch. I think our next draft and free agency will address this. other than a few starters our defense looks old and slow. I would like to see saban bring in some more lb's like crowder and db's like danials. Saban has addressed the d line but we sure need some more help over there.

 

[flintsilver7]

Yes we have alot of problems areas with the 2005 dolphins. I think that one problem is more serious than what we relize. Our defense. On our current losing streak we are constantly playing from behind. We're all screaming to run ricky and ronnie more, Screaming for our qb to complete some passes and have our wr's make a play. But i think the real issue is this old defense. Look at todays game. The browns were in the lead before i could get settled into my couch. I think our next draft and free agency will address this. other than a few starters our defense looks old and slow. I would like to see saban bring in some more lb's like crowder and db's like danials. Saban has addressed the d line but we sure need some more help over there.

That's not true. Saban spent most of the draft building the defense with Roth, Crowder, and Daniels. In the offseason, we traded one of the best cornerbacks in the league for cap reasons. We allowed Sammy Knight to go, and released another in Arturo Freeman. We simply do not have the personnel we had last year.

Then there are the injuries. Will Poole was lost for the season - an expected starting corner. Seau is old and has lost a step. Zach Thomas was the lynchpin, and now has a separated shoulder. Jason Taylor is still playing hurt and still drawing double teams. I'm not sure what we should expect. The defense is actually doing pretty well considering everything.

This is a tough season, because there's very little personnel to work with.

Look at next season. Assuming the QB issue is addressed, we've got the running backs and I still believe that the wide receivers will produce with a better quarterback.

But the defense looks better. What can we do next year?

Taylor and Thomas have at least two good years left in them. Poole, Daniels, and Madison can certainly do pretty well as cornerbacks. Crowder is looking like he will be good, and Spragan, should be resigned, will help significantly. Lance Schulters should be resigned. Strong safety is an issue, and I'm sure it will be addressed. Somebody we have will step up and fill it - maybe Jones or Tillman. Traylor might have another good year, and he might not.

This just isn't a good year. You can't look at what the team's been through and expect success.

 

[gonick1]

Good point but I think we have enough youth in the Key positions to phase out some of the older guys slowly and not have it be such a shock to Miami's consistent D play.
but it is deffenetly something that ought to be watched carefully.
I exspect to lose Seau/Howard(thank gawd!) this season perhaps traylor as well and I have'nt heard but is schulters Injury serious?, I heard it was his neck/spine? and finally, I dont excpect tebucky back at all, healthy or not. But bell has played well at safety as has tillman so its not that grim.

 

[MiamiMan147]

When you score 0 points, you did not lose because of your defense. Sure, our defense is aging and will need work, but the offense is a much bigger problem.

 

[DolfanISS]

That's not true. Saban spent most of the draft building the defense with Roth, Crowder, and Daniels. In the offseason, we traded one of the best cornerbacks in the league for cap reasons. We allowed Sammy Knight to go, and released another in Arturo Freeman. We simply do not have the personnel we had last year.

Then there are the injuries. Will Poole was lost for the season - an expected starting corner. Seau is old and has lost a step. Zach Thomas was the lynchpin, and now has a separated shoulder. Jason Taylor is still playing hurt and still drawing double teams. I'm not sure what we should expect. The defense is actually doing pretty well considering everything.

This is a tough season, because there's very little personnel to work with.

Look at next season. Assuming the QB issue is addressed, we've got the running backs and I still believe that the wide receivers will produce with a better quarterback.

But the defense looks better. What can we do next year?

Taylor and Thomas have at least two good years left in them. Poole, Daniels, and Madison can certainly do pretty well as cornerbacks. Crowder is looking like he will be good, and Spragan, should be resigned, will help significantly. Lance Schulters should be resigned. Strong safety is an issue, and I'm sure it will be addressed. Somebody we have will step up and fill it - maybe Jones or Tillman. Traylor might have another good year, and he might not.

This just isn't a good year. You can't look at what the team's been through and expect success.

I agree, when talking about today I'm more concerned with the 0 than the 22.

 

[PHINANALYST]

It is VERY TRUE ....

How many games this year has the opponent driven down the field on their 1st possession and scored. That answers it right there ... does the defense make solid adjustments throughout the game - yes.

There has never been a PHIN defense that has ever 'scared/intimidated' opponents. We have had some overachieving defenses, such as this defense 3 and 4 years ago - was very good, but not great.

A great defense STOPS the opposing offense when it needs to. Our PHINS defense has NEVER been able to do that - why because even under JJ, we didn't have to size to STUFF the opponent.

This is the style of defense SABAN wants - a more physical RAVEN style defense. We will get there, one player at a time - but not with the current starters [less JT and Crowder].

Who knows what Vickerson, Wright will bring to the table - unfortunately, we have to wait until next year to find out. We know about Crowder [yes] and we know about Roth [no, not an intimidator] ...

We need more ferocious defensive players - period ...

That is going to take at LEAST 1 more year ....

 

[Danny]

The problem is that we should be rebuilding the defence but instead we're playing the oldest defence in the NFL.We need to play the young guys.Face the facts people.We're not going anywhere with this defence.They're old and used to losing now.Even when this defence was pretty good 3 or 4 years ago, they could never hold a lead when it mattered the most.They chocked time after time and they were way overated.I'd say to keep Crowder and Lance and Daniels and play Roth more.Also play Vickerson and Wright and see what they can do.Nick can get rid of every guy that's in their 30's as far as I'm concern.All this talk about "we can't get rid of JT or Zack" (who by the way I love those players)is nothing but bull....what have we won with them here? Is it their fault only? No...but we need changes and noone's untouchable.Stop defending the defence already!!

Ozzy rules!!

 

[HelloMotto]

That's not true. Saban spent most of the draft building the defense with Roth, Crowder, and Daniels. In the offseason, we traded one of the best cornerbacks in the league for cap reasons. We allowed Sammy Knight to go, and released another in Arturo Freeman. We simply do not have the personnel we had last year.

Then there are the injuries. Will Poole was lost for the season - an expected starting corner. Seau is old and has lost a step. Zach Thomas was the lynchpin, and now has a separated shoulder. Jason Taylor is still playing hurt and still drawing double teams. I'm not sure what we should expect. The defense is actually doing pretty well considering everything.

This is a tough season, because there's very little personnel to work with.

Look at next season. Assuming the QB issue is addressed, we've got the running backs and I still believe that the wide receivers will produce with a better quarterback.

But the defense looks better. What can we do next year?

Taylor and Thomas have at least two good years left in them. Poole, Daniels, and Madison can certainly do pretty well as cornerbacks. Crowder is looking like he will be good, and Spragan, should be resigned, will help significantly. Lance Schulters should be resigned. Strong safety is an issue, and I'm sure it will be addressed. Somebody we have will step up and fill it - maybe Jones or Tillman. Traylor might have another good year, and he might not.

This just isn't a good year. You can't look at what the team's been through and expect success.

i agree saban is already working on this problem but we still need more help. Our lb's and db's looked pathetic today. There are so many holes in this dam i don't know where to stick my finger. I know we will be alot better on d next year but this year i think it is really hurting us more than we realize.

 

[Dphins]

Quarterback is the biggest problem on this team.

 

[HelloMotto]

I agree, when talking about today I'm more concerned with the 0 than the 22.

we started a touchdown down at the beginning of the game. scrub boy started to pass to catch up and things went downhill fast. :cry:

 

[HelloMotto]

Quarterback is the biggest problem on this team.

i think we could win some games if gus was just a caretaker. but since we are always behind we need him to win us some games and he can't do it. Its a catch 22 with this team.

 

[NYPhinFan]

In very simple,simple terms..out biggest problems this year have been the inability to convert third downs on offense...inability to score TDs in the red zone...and our inability to get off the field defensively on third downs. Tough to win alot of games when you struggle in these particular areas

 

[Shouright]

It is VERY TRUE ....

How many games this year has the opponent driven down the field on their 1st possession and scored. That answers it right there ... does the defense make solid adjustments throughout the game - yes.

There has never been a PHIN defense that has ever 'scared/intimidated' opponents. We have had some overachieving defenses, such as this defense 3 and 4 years ago - was very good, but not great.

A great defense STOPS the opposing offense when it needs to. Our PHINS defense has NEVER been able to do that - why because even under JJ, we didn't have to size to STUFF the opponent.

This is the style of defense SABAN wants - a more physical RAVEN style defense. We will get there, one player at a time - but not with the current starters [less JT and Crowder].

Who knows what Vickerson, Wright will bring to the table - unfortunately, we have to wait until next year to find out. We know about Crowder [yes] and we know about Roth [no, not an intimidator] ...

We need more ferocious defensive players - period ...

That is going to take at LEAST 1 more year ....

This is my take on it too. As good as some of our players are on defense, I still think we lack that aggressive "leader" type (Ray Lewis is the prototype) that really inspires guys and shapes the character of the defense. I think that's why at times, especially when guys really need to step up, the defense seems to have no character.

We need someone out there who shapes the identity of the defense so the defense knows what to expect from itself at crucial times. Warren Sapp and company did a great job of that for the Bucs a few years back. Whenever the going got tough for them, they EXPECTED themselves to respond with toughness and resilience.