After a heartbreaking loss there's nothing else to do besides look at the next game.
This game could be a must win early in the season, as we play NE week 3, and SD week 5, after the bye.
Quarterbacks:
Dolphins- Chad started out pretty slow against the Jets, but found his cool when we needed him most. He failed to get the ball to the receivers, however, the tight ends looked absolutely terrific. Look for Chad to have a much more poised game against the cards. And those who say chad had a horrible game, if not for him we would not have had a chance to win. However, chad does not need to be throwing 43 times in a game.
Cardinals- What else is there to say about Kurt Warner besides that he is a great quarterback. He has had a habit of making big time throws in his career, wherever he played. We'll see if we can take advantage of his age and play too fast for him to keep up.
Slight Edge: Cardinals
Running Backs:
Dolphins- The running game against the Jets looked awful. They didn't carry the ball enough, and the times they did have the ball they couldn't find the running hole, if there even was one. If we can't get the run game going we can say bye bye to any hope this season. Ricky and Ronnie both need to have better games, and also get more touches.
Cardinals- Edgerrin James used to be a phenomenal back in the NFL, and he is still an above average back but his name rarely still comes up as an elite back. He can still make plays, and this defense has to be on their A game.
Slight Edge: Dolphins
Tight Ends:
Dolphins- This was the bright spot in yesterday's game. Anthony Fasano and David Martin both showed up and made big plays at crucial times. These two guys will be a pretty dangerous threat in two tight end sets. Both showed they could catch the ball and make plays.
Cardinals- Leonard Pope only had one catch for 5 yards yesterday, but his 6'8" frame is a definite mismatch. Being a 3rd round draft pick you know this guy can be a dangerous player.
Slight Edge: Dolphins
Wide Receivers:
Dolphins- The receivers were nowhere to be found yesterday. Hagan didn't have a catch, and the other receivers hardly had an affect on the game. If they don't show up against Arizona, our passing game could be severely hindered.
Cardinals- Wow. Anquan Boldin AND Larry Fitzgerald. These are two pro bowl receivers who have shown why they are one of the most proilific tandems in the NFL. Our pass defense better not make the mistakes they mad last game, these two will surely make them pay.
Major Edge: Cardinals
Offensive Line:
Dolphins- The line yesterday was shaky. Chad was under a lot of pressure and the running game could not get going. This is the vital piece for week two, because if we cannot get our offense going, we will not be able to keep up with the fast paced Arizona offense.
Cardinals- Not many guys on this line are known by name, but it seemed to do the job yesterday as Edge ran for 100 yards. We need to blitz and cause havoc in the backfield to prevent their offense from making plays. If we do that we can fatigue this offensive line and it will set the tone for the rest of the game.
No Edge
Defensive Line:
Dolphins- The D line did an OK job. we put some pressure on the quarterback. We didn't control the line of scrimmage though. Thomas Jones got going pretty good and Favre was able to make some plays. We need to control the line in this game.
Cardinals- Decent Defensive ends and pretty good Defensive tackles. We should be able to get the run game going if the line is even slightly efficient. We should expect big games from ricky/ronnie.
Edge: Miami
Linebackers:
Dolphins- Matt Roth and Joey Porter showed up yesterday, each getting a sack and Crowder was making tackles across the field. This group was good against the Jets, and looks like a pretty solid linebacking core.
Cardinals- Dansby and Okeafor can get after the quarterback, so we need to have an idea where they are at all times so they aren't disrupting the backfield. Gerald Hayes is a pretty good tackler as well. This is a pretty good linebacking group so hopefully we can open up some holes and get blocking 5 yards downfield.
Slight Edge: Dolphins
Secondary:
Dolphins- I expect a better game. The secondary missed assignments, and wasn't aware of where receivers were at times. Some good plays were made, and yeremiah was doing a good job at safety, but too many mistakes were made. We need to be solid in this part of the game to stop the Cards potent passing attack.
Cardinals- They have a pair of great safeties, Adrian Wilson and Antrelle Rolle (previously a corner). Rodgers-Cromartie is a rookie but still a playmaker at corner and will probably be pretty good in coverage. Their other corners are decent and we may be able to take advantage of some one on one coverage downfield.
Slight Edge: Cardinals
Special Teams:
Dolphins- Fields and Carpenter need to show a much better performance. Fields had a 9 yard shank and Carpenter was sub par on kick-offs. Punt returns were a good area yesterday. Bess looked like a threat returning punts, while ginn fumbled a ball out of bounds on a punt.
Cardinals- Rackers is a pro bowl kicker, and Dirk Johnson is an above average punter. They definitely don't lack in the kicking game. Breaston is a better punt returner than kick returner, and only averaged 13 yards per kick return yesterday.
Slight Edge: Cardinals
Overall: We need to make less mistakes, and capitalize on Arizona's mistakes. Winning the turnover battle and controlling the line of scrimmage will lead to a victory for the dolphins. Not controlling the line may lead to better pass protection for Warner...and lets just say we don't want that. Look for the Dolphins offense to get going in this one.
Prediction:
Dolphins 31
Cardinals 20
This game could be a must win early in the season, as we play NE week 3, and SD week 5, after the bye.
Quarterbacks:
Dolphins- Chad started out pretty slow against the Jets, but found his cool when we needed him most. He failed to get the ball to the receivers, however, the tight ends looked absolutely terrific. Look for Chad to have a much more poised game against the cards. And those who say chad had a horrible game, if not for him we would not have had a chance to win. However, chad does not need to be throwing 43 times in a game.
Cardinals- What else is there to say about Kurt Warner besides that he is a great quarterback. He has had a habit of making big time throws in his career, wherever he played. We'll see if we can take advantage of his age and play too fast for him to keep up.
Slight Edge: Cardinals
Running Backs:
Dolphins- The running game against the Jets looked awful. They didn't carry the ball enough, and the times they did have the ball they couldn't find the running hole, if there even was one. If we can't get the run game going we can say bye bye to any hope this season. Ricky and Ronnie both need to have better games, and also get more touches.
Cardinals- Edgerrin James used to be a phenomenal back in the NFL, and he is still an above average back but his name rarely still comes up as an elite back. He can still make plays, and this defense has to be on their A game.
Slight Edge: Dolphins
Tight Ends:
Dolphins- This was the bright spot in yesterday's game. Anthony Fasano and David Martin both showed up and made big plays at crucial times. These two guys will be a pretty dangerous threat in two tight end sets. Both showed they could catch the ball and make plays.
Cardinals- Leonard Pope only had one catch for 5 yards yesterday, but his 6'8" frame is a definite mismatch. Being a 3rd round draft pick you know this guy can be a dangerous player.
Slight Edge: Dolphins
Wide Receivers:
Dolphins- The receivers were nowhere to be found yesterday. Hagan didn't have a catch, and the other receivers hardly had an affect on the game. If they don't show up against Arizona, our passing game could be severely hindered.
Cardinals- Wow. Anquan Boldin AND Larry Fitzgerald. These are two pro bowl receivers who have shown why they are one of the most proilific tandems in the NFL. Our pass defense better not make the mistakes they mad last game, these two will surely make them pay.
Major Edge: Cardinals
Offensive Line:
Dolphins- The line yesterday was shaky. Chad was under a lot of pressure and the running game could not get going. This is the vital piece for week two, because if we cannot get our offense going, we will not be able to keep up with the fast paced Arizona offense.
Cardinals- Not many guys on this line are known by name, but it seemed to do the job yesterday as Edge ran for 100 yards. We need to blitz and cause havoc in the backfield to prevent their offense from making plays. If we do that we can fatigue this offensive line and it will set the tone for the rest of the game.
No Edge
Defensive Line:
Dolphins- The D line did an OK job. we put some pressure on the quarterback. We didn't control the line of scrimmage though. Thomas Jones got going pretty good and Favre was able to make some plays. We need to control the line in this game.
Cardinals- Decent Defensive ends and pretty good Defensive tackles. We should be able to get the run game going if the line is even slightly efficient. We should expect big games from ricky/ronnie.
Edge: Miami
Linebackers:
Dolphins- Matt Roth and Joey Porter showed up yesterday, each getting a sack and Crowder was making tackles across the field. This group was good against the Jets, and looks like a pretty solid linebacking core.
Cardinals- Dansby and Okeafor can get after the quarterback, so we need to have an idea where they are at all times so they aren't disrupting the backfield. Gerald Hayes is a pretty good tackler as well. This is a pretty good linebacking group so hopefully we can open up some holes and get blocking 5 yards downfield.
Slight Edge: Dolphins
Secondary:
Dolphins- I expect a better game. The secondary missed assignments, and wasn't aware of where receivers were at times. Some good plays were made, and yeremiah was doing a good job at safety, but too many mistakes were made. We need to be solid in this part of the game to stop the Cards potent passing attack.
Cardinals- They have a pair of great safeties, Adrian Wilson and Antrelle Rolle (previously a corner). Rodgers-Cromartie is a rookie but still a playmaker at corner and will probably be pretty good in coverage. Their other corners are decent and we may be able to take advantage of some one on one coverage downfield.
Slight Edge: Cardinals
Special Teams:
Dolphins- Fields and Carpenter need to show a much better performance. Fields had a 9 yard shank and Carpenter was sub par on kick-offs. Punt returns were a good area yesterday. Bess looked like a threat returning punts, while ginn fumbled a ball out of bounds on a punt.
Cardinals- Rackers is a pro bowl kicker, and Dirk Johnson is an above average punter. They definitely don't lack in the kicking game. Breaston is a better punt returner than kick returner, and only averaged 13 yards per kick return yesterday.
Slight Edge: Cardinals
Overall: We need to make less mistakes, and capitalize on Arizona's mistakes. Winning the turnover battle and controlling the line of scrimmage will lead to a victory for the dolphins. Not controlling the line may lead to better pass protection for Warner...and lets just say we don't want that. Look for the Dolphins offense to get going in this one.
Prediction:
Dolphins 31
Cardinals 20
