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USA Today | Dolphins Inside Slant

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colmax

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Nice in-depth article by USA Today on the game vs Jax:

â€â€Middle linebacker Zach Thomas is the last remaining member of the 1996 Dolphins who is still playing. Ironically, it was the quick emergence of Thomas as a rookie that was one of the factors in Miami's decision to release linebacker Jack Del Rio, who is now Jacksonville's head coach.

"I remember a mid-round draft pick making plays all over and I remember Jimmy calling me in and telling me it was time to go," Del Rio said Wednesday during a conference call with Dolphins media.

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GAME PLAN: Few teams run well against Jacksonville, especially with massive defensive tackles Marcus Stroud and John Henderson clogging interior running lanes. Still the key to Miami's success in its four-game winning streak was a commitment to the run that wasn't there when the Dolphins opened at 1-6. At least the Dolphins should feel confident in Harrington, who is coming off a season-high three-touchdown performance against Detroit.

Defensively, the Dolphins should be in good shape if running backs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew can be contained. But a smallish Miami secondary may face some height problems against a Jaguars receiving corps that features three wide receivers (Reggie Williams, Matt Jones and Ernest Wilford) and one tight end (Marcedes Lewis) who are at least 6-4.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Dolphins RB Sammy Morris, who is coming off a 91-yard rushing performance against Detroit, vs. Jaguars MLB Daryl Smith, who leads Jacksonville in tackles with 115: The Dolphins need Morris and new backup Travis Minor to help pick up the slack left by Brown's absence. Morris also has to curtail the sloppy ball-handling that has resulted in two lost fumbles in just six games of action. Smith has become the cornerstone to Jacksonville's defense in light of the season-ending injuries suffered by linebacker Mike Peterson and safety Donovin Darius.

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â€â€Dolphins MLB Zach Thomas, who registered a career-best two sacks against Detroit, vs. Jaguars RBs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, who spearhead the NFL's third-ranked rushing offense (142.4-yard average): The strong play of defensive end Jason Taylor has overshadowed what is one of the finest seasons of Thomas' 11-year career. Thomas is well on his way to leading Miami in tackles for the 10th time since 1996, having already been credited with 104 stops. The quick development of Jones-Drew, a 2006 second-round draft pick, has helped keep the injury prone Taylor fresher than in previous seasons.
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Link:http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/dolphins/home.htm
 
Nice article....I didn't even realize Del Rio was on the Phins in 1996.
 
I never knew Del Rio played for the Dolphins.
 
Jack Del Rio never did PLAY for the phins. He was brought in by Jimmy Johnson in his first year here (1996) and never made it out of training camp because Zach Thomas was proving to be a stud during camp.

I honestly don't understand why we didn't keep Del Rio for depth, but it all worked out.

87
 
JJ brought Del Rio in after we lost Bryan Cox to free agency. I remember scratching my head as to why we cut Del Rio for a guy I never heard of (Thomas). Then I saw the season opener against the Pats, and Thomas was a tackling/hitting machine that day. He almost severed Pats receiver Shawn Jefferson's head on a jarring hit on a flanker reverse. I never questioned the decision to cut Del Rio again...
 
Roman529 said:
Nice article....I didn't even realize Del Rio was on the Phins in 1996.
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SAME HERE. tahts amaing.
 
I remember Jimmy saying that cutting Del Rio was the toughest cut he ever had to give. I think he made the right choice though.
 
Alphamale said:
I remember Jimmy saying that cutting Del Rio was the toughest cut he ever had to give. I think he made the right choice though.
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Man, I don't know.........:lol:
 
Del Rio was with the Phins wow good post great info.
 
Zach has never done well vs Fred Taylor, I'm getting paranoid again. Think this game might be a little too tough. OUr best hope is some INT's from Garrard.
 
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