We need more Thumpers on Defense. | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

We need more Thumpers on Defense.

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dreamblk

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Right now we are not tackling well. Guys are in the position they are just not aggressive like last year. We need more thumpers on the second and third level on defense like the late great Sean Taylor, Ronnie Lott, Zach Taylor even John Lynch.
How many times have our players' allowed guys to break tackles short of the first down marker only to get a first down on Third down?
 
dreamblk said:
Right now we are not tackling well. Guys are in the position they are just not aggressive like last year. We need more thumpers on the second and third level on defense like the late great Sean Taylor, Ronnie Lott, Zach Taylor even John Lynch.
How many times have our players' allowed guys to break tackles short of the first down marker only to get a first down on Third down?
Click to expand...
You need the exact opposite of "thumpers" in this era. You need fast guys who can cover at both the second and third level. Miami's linebackers are awful. Even with Baker on the field. You need guys like Darius Leonard in today's game at linebacker. In the back end, Miami is fine. They haven't been playing as well as last season, but they have been banged up and the front seven isn't holding up their end of the bargain. Holland looks like he is going to be exactly the type of guy that can do what is necessary to be great. He can cover and hit, so he kind of fits what you are asking for.
The front seven as a whole is not getting any pressure. Miami's defensive tackles get absolutely no push or pressure up the middle of the pocket and never disrupt the passing game and the ends have been getting marginal pressure sporadically.
 
dreamblk said:
Right now we are not tackling well. Guys are in the position they are just not aggressive like last year. We need more thumpers on the second and third level on defense like the late great Sean Taylor, Ronnie Lott, Zach Taylor even John Lynch.
How many times have our players' allowed guys to break tackles short of the first down marker only to get a first down on Third down?
Click to expand...

There needs to be another word besides "thumper." A true 1970-1980 thumper is a dinosaur. They were too slow for today's game. Now, there are a few "thumpers" around today, but emphasis on "FEW." Just as there are few CBs who can live on an island.
Given that, MIA needs a run-stopping LB. Doesn't need to be All-Pro - just find the hole, shed the block, make the play. OTOH, I believe MIA's D is middle of the pack in rush yards/game and rush yards/att. And that's with NO thumper
 
rickd13 said:
You need the exact opposite of "thumpers" in this era. You need fast guys who can cover at both the second and third level. Miami's linebackers are awful. Even with Baker on the field. You need guys like Darius Leonard in today's game at linebacker. In the back end, Miami is fine. They haven't been playing as well as last season, but they have been banged up and the front seven isn't holding up their end of the bargain. Holland looks like he is going to be exactly the type of guy that can do what is necessary to be great. He can cover and hit, so he kind of fits what you are asking for.
The front seven as a whole is not getting any pressure. Miami's defensive tackles get absolutely no push or pressure up the middle of the pocket and never disrupt the passing game and the ends have been getting marginal pressure sporadically.
Click to expand...
I found it interesting Miami’s defense is supposedly the fastest in the NFL overall and LBs #1 according to an article put out this week…

www.espn.com

Ranking the fastest -- and slowest -- NFL teams: Why the Panthers, Eagles prioritize speed

Which teams have the most -- and least -- speed? How do all 32 teams stack up positionally? And why is speed so important in today's game and roster building?
www.espn.com www.espn.com

TEAM SPEED RANKINGS​

Method: We found players' average yards covered per second by computing their five top speeds -- run and pass plays only -- recorded during the 2020 and 2021 seasons (through Week 6), using player-tracking data from NFL Next Gen Stats. Team, unit and position group speed were calculated with the top three WRs, two TEs, two RBs, two QBs, four DBs and 2 LBs from each team according to weighted average of top speed and snap count. Offense speed was weighted with 45% WR, 25% TE, 20% RB and 10% QB, while defense speed was weighted with 70% DB and 30% LB. Team speed is 50% offense and 50% defense. And lastly, players who changed teams count toward their current roster, and they must have made an appearance this season to factor in.

20. Miami Dolphins​

Overall average yards per second: 9.40
Offense rank: No. 30 (9.08)
Defense rank: No. 1 (9.73)
Fastest unit relative to NFL: LB (No. 1, 9.54)
Slowest unit relative to NFL: RB (No. 28, 9.04)
Team speedster: William Fuller V, WR (10.16)
 
If you watch some of these plays, the players are more focused on stripping the ball rather than tackling the player. The problem is when they don't strip the ball, they're giving up tons of YAC or rushing yards. You also see a lot of shoulder tackles which a lot of the players just bounce off of. They are not taught to tackle the legs and wrap them up anymore. Basic fundamentals, wrap up the legs and they can no longer run. It's very sloppy play...
 
rickd13 said:
You need the exact opposite of "thumpers" in this era. You need fast guys who can cover at both the second and third level. Miami's linebackers are awful. Even with Baker on the field. You need guys like Darius Leonard in today's game at linebacker. In the back end, Miami is fine.
Click to expand...
Thumpers are guys who when they tackle the play ends. They set a tone as well as a technique. Look how many tackles are being broken by our current defense and drives are being extended because of bad tackling.
Who cares if your fast if you can not tackle. But I agree with you about Holland he is a good tackler and covers well.
 
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