Anatomy of an AFC East Win 2015
by son of a son of a shula
If the 2015 season is going to be a success for our beloved Miami Dolphins then feasting on Division opponents will be key to a playoff run. Playing solid, focused football on both sides of the ball, avoiding turnovers and playing excellent Special Teams will be the reason for success in this upcoming season. Winning the three home games will be imperative despite one of those being in London. Avoiding late season collapses is paramount and quite obvious or we face a brutal offseason. Stealing wins in close games on the road would be ideal and keeping the hammer down when we get a lead should become the new norm for Philbin’s Phins.
The Defense:
Led by newly acquired and dominant Ndamakong Suh we must stop the run. Not stop the run for a quarter or for a couple of series – no – we must become a team that is almost impossible to run on. Teams in the AFC East all want to establish the running game control the clock and beat you with a very tough Defe
nse. We have to beat teams to the punch. With Suh, Mitchell and Phillips we have three big tough bodies that will be the catalyst for the ’15 Dolphin’s Defense to be a top squad. We’ll be solid up the middle so it will be up to the Linebackers and secondary to contain outside rushers and not let someone beat them around the edge. Getting a solid push up front will be key to setting up blitzes, disguising coverages and feasting on turnovers. Putting Smith and Cassell in throwing situations is what we want to do. Allow our front to pressure them into bad throws, sacks and of course picks. Forcing Brady to throw can be somewhat of a gamble but if he is hurried (and using properly inflated balls) and on the move then advantage D.
Sure it sounds good when you say it fast – stop the run and pin your ears back and rush the passer, who doesn’t try to do that. Imposing your will and proper game planning will bring about those scenarios. The other factor is the score board, that’s where our offense can make life a lot easier for the Defense so let’s take a look.
The Offense:
I don’t want to cloud this objective with stats. Stats don’t tell the whole story. Yes scoring went up significantly last year as a whole but there were plenty of times when our offense failed to get even a single first down, move the ball enough to flip field position or run out the clock for a win. It has to change. The defenses in the AFC East w
ant to do what we want to do, they want to take away the run, force you to throw it and pressure the pocket. Why is that different against the Dolphins than the rest of the division? One word – Running Quarterback. Tannehill can set us apart with his running ability, he can do just enough to keep the defense guessing while he makes plays outside the pocket both running and throwing the ball.
Now in year two of the Lazor offense and with what appears to be a much higher skilled level of playmakers the time to strike is now. Our offensive line needs to keep Tannehill clean but also allow Miller and company lanes to run the ball. I think it will be important to score quickly against our division opponents to limit what they want to do. We need a more productive passing game in terms of getting the ball down field, and the guys were brought in to do just that. Gone are the days of catch and drop, it doesn’t get you anywhere. Becoming a quick strike explosive Offense will get us leads to play with and allow us the ability to get back into games if we find ourselves trailing.
Special Teams:
It’s very simple here. Spiller can’t run free on us, Landry can’t fumble punt returns, Sturgis can’t miss FG attempts. Having Fields avoid a slump like the one he endured last season will help. Causing turnovers on Special Teams is ideal, fumbles, blocked kicks but not allowing long returns is just as important. Play solid Special Teams and good things will happen.
Playing with a lead because of an explosive passing game and having a consistent running game to eat clock and preserve leads are the keys to AFC East domination. The other key factor, and yes I agree the elephant in the room, is going to be keeping this team playing at a high level for all 16 games. It goes without saying that another long December will be Philbin’s doom. The reshaping of the roster going into this year will have a lot to do with that not happening again. Suh on Defense should easily change the culture there. Gone is the ever tiring Starks, the joking and disappearing Odrick and the feeling of hopelessness as the opponent runs at will all the way to Christmas. Staying healthier this year than last will help as well. On offense we have legit playmaker’s who by all accounts appear to be team first guys, sorry no diva’s needed here. Jennings the vet, Parker the acrobat, Stills the burner and Landry the persistent force. Trust that the Oline will gel and improve under Benton in his second year is all we can do right now, there are enough good players to make that unit solid if not even formidable. Yes I said formidable.
Don’t coach scared Joe, trust in your players and impose your will. New England’s run must end –Now is the time.
Anatomy – no I’m not mad at you
Finsmob Unleashed 
Saw a brief video interview with Devante Parker.
Said he chose Louisville over UCF that wanted him also…and then he later went on to say that so far Kenny Stills has taken him under his wing in Miami.
Go #11 (the REAL #11) 😀
I think Kenny Stills surely must’ve learned some good stuff from Drew Brees, who is a great tactical QB, and from Sean Payton, who is a great Offensive game planner. I hope our guys let him talk about that a bit and really listen.
This is still only Lazor’s 2nd yr as an OC. I think sometimes ppl say it is our team’s 2nd yr under Lazor, but in reality last yr was ALSO Lazor’s first ever job as NFL OC. He was learning what he was teaching, which is very difficult.
GD, I don’t think Pouncey was ever 100% last year coming off of hip surgery missing the offseason and then jumping in at RG. I’m glad he’s healthy, happily paid and back at center. 🙂
Doesn’t matter, if Pouncey was healthy or not, if we don’t have 5 all-pros on the Oline, then our Oline sucks and we need to upgrade, preferable with scrub vet June 1st cuts.
I always did like Garrard; it’s Omar that I don’t like. Glad to hear that Garrard came out in support of Tannehill.
I think we can put to rest any argument over whether or not he IS a Franchise QB. He is.
Drafted 8th, started from day one and every game since, improved statistically every year, stayed in place while the OC was changed, stayed in place while the WR corps was completely rebuilt to his specifications, gorgeous wife … What other criteria are there for a franchise QB?
The only criteria needed is the hot wife, no hot chick is going to take a ring from a guy like Henne.
🙂
Hey Steve, Jeff Luc can also play FB.
A nice 256 lb FB that runs a 4.6
Philbin loves versatile players, but he doesn’t love FBs. Maybe that’s the answer then, bring in Luc on short yardage, no reason to hold a roster spot for one. Do we even have an FB on the roster? I’d like to see Phillips play the fridge short yardage role of FB.
We use one back sets almost exclusively and most of the time have 3 WRs out there so a FB really has not role on the team. If Luc makes it on STs and as a backup LB, then maybe we might see him at FB here and there on short yardage downs.
Jamil Douglas, Suh , Pouncey, and Brandon Albert are all almost exactly the same size.
Suh looks different though. He looks like a modern day Hercules.
Almost exactly 😛
Garrard on Tannehill.
http://www.thephinsider.com/2015/5/29/8688315/garrard-to-nfl-network-tannehill-a-franchise-quarterback
Omar had most against Garrard no doubt the guy is a class act.
I was one who liked the Garrard pickup as a stop gap if Tannehill wasn’t ready to start as a rookie and didn’t think he would be, but we know that all changed.
I liked Garrard as well, he was impressive the times I saw him practice.
I wanted Garrard starting, I didn’t want a rookie QB to start, because I didn’t want to wait another yr for a playoff birth. Had Garrard been the starter I think we would’ve been playoff bound.
This year, I’m feeling it. We’re also going to the Super Bowl. It is known. 🙂
Anyone remember the 1998 4-12 St. Louis Rams and then the 1999 13-3 St. Louis Rams? Why not us? Let’s put our positive vibes together and will it to happen. 🙂
Cool idea Tim.
We should start slowly and build the fan base into a peak psychic frenzy of X-men level mindbeams for the Washington game and then hold the vibe strong all year.
Let’s get this plan moving. We have to get Bat on board. LOL
I’m thinking bring Luc in as a blockingback near the goal line. At only 6’1 that is dense weight and have you seen this guy? He is way jacked. I don’t mean for him to run the ball out in the field, but 3rd and goal from the one, maybe he gets the TD on impact alone.
The new guard at WR.
Those two together are gonna be fun to watch!!!!
Guess which little piggy is driving a jeep around Manhattan
Nice! Congrats!
You might as well just drive into something, it’s bound to happen. LOL
Looks for a good wall
Why would anyone drive around Manhattan?
I’m driving for no reason at all
I just got the car
Gigi, Landry demonstrated great hands from day one and so has Parker. Along with an ascending young Stills, the savvy vet Jennings and the talented TE Cameron, we should be a really tough team to defend and that’s not even talking about our RBs and Sims etc.
I think we’re getting to the point where we might just explode onto the scene and take the league by storm and shut everyone the fuck up! LOL
Yeah that’s right, I said it. 🙂
Until they prove otherwise, we’re going to the Super Bowl. LOL
Looks like you already jizzed 😉
Good luck Piggy!
Here ya go Mike E….just in time to save our OL…LG Chris Williams 😉
The Bills could release OG Chris Williams.
Williams has been a no-show for OTAs to this point. His future with the Bills is in question coming off an injury-shortened 2014. Buffalo added Richie Ingcognito and third-round OG John Miller this offseason, making Williams expendable. The Bills can save $2.85M by cutting Williams.
Beware tho Mikey, his big ass has missed A LOT of games over his 7 yr career.
It doesn’t matter, any OG we can bring in is an improvement for now, then once camp starts our OL will suck again.
We’ll likely add a vet guard after June cuts but not sure we find the guy. Add some experienced competition, it can’t hurt.
🙄
The appeal of Tom Brady’s suspension will be heard on June 23.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the appeal hearing could even be pushed back further to June 25. In other words, we won’t know the actual length of Brady’s (for now, four-game) suspension for nearly another month. The Patriots decided against filing an appeal for the draft picks they lost and money they were fined by Roger Goodell, which may ultimately work in Brady’s favor during his individual appeal.
I hope they just keep pushing it back, so it doesn’t start until week 5.
Tim Knight says:
May 29, 2015 at 7:06 pm
This year, I’m feeling it. We’re also going to the Super Bowl. It is known. 🙂
Yes, it is known. 😉
What section?
I’m reaching for the stars, bro! Why not, we added Suh, re-signed Pouncey, extended our 4th year franchise QB and added some quality players for good competition. It’s fuckin go time!!!!
Super Bowl!!!
What’s up Fuers?
We’re going to the SB
steveccnv says:
May 29, 2015 at 9:08 pm
It doesn’t matter, any OG we can bring in is an improvement for now, then once camp starts our OL will suck again.
Reply
That’s the spirit steve, that’s the spirit……
I was playing Eeyore for Mike.
I understand your enthusiasm Tim. I feel there is a different feeling with the team this year. Still, we have to get it done on the field.
Until I see the OL in action I won’t know what to expect from this team. I think we are pretty well set at most positions but OL and until I get a better sense of that unit I will curb my enthusiasm
We’ve got 3 PB type players at the main 3 spots, I know Mike wants 5 PB type players, what do you want Ken?
Go Dallas Thomas! 🙂
Falcons signed OG Chris Chester, formerly of the Redskins.
He’ll slide comfortably into Prince Shembo’s roster spot. Chester, 32, started every game for the Redskins over the past four seasons, and has experience at all three interior positions. Coached by Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan in Washington 2011-2013, Chester is a fit for Atlanta’s new zone-blocking scheme. Last year, Chester graded out positively as a pass blocker but had run-game struggles as the Redskins implemented a power-rushing attack. He becomes the favorite to start at left guard in Atlanta, with Jake Matthews at left tackle, Joe Hawley at center, Jon Asamoah at right guard, and Ryan Shraeder or Tyler Polumbus at right tackle.
And I worry about our OL. Wow Atlanta’s is a mess.
MikeE—–what do u make of the CWS women softball Gators pitching all these shutouts in the last half of season.
http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2015/05/ncaa_softball_florida_shuts_ou.html
jetssuck
I haven’t an opportunity to watch any of the games, but that’s very unusual. There have been great pitchers, but to keep throwing shutouts is pretty impressive. It’s probably a combination of things, a pitcher gets in a zone where they just throw a lot of their pitches pretty much exactly where they want them, and mix up the speeds well, and the hitters are just off balance all game long. I haven’t had one of those dominant games myself in a while, but I hope I still have a few left in me. I pitched pretty well last outing, but still gave up 4 runs.
25 shut outs in 56 games. Lots of 1 run games also. They have pitching that is normal speed among softball college picthers.
Maybe the competition is watered down? I have no explanation. If I saw every game, I’d have a better idea as to what’s up
Mike E, I’m conjuring us to the Super Bowl. 🙂
Interesting . . . .
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25198350/nfl-schedule-49ers-travel-most-miles-eagles-the-fewest
The AFC North will always have the fewest travel miles within their division, so if they draw the AFCE they will have the least overall. If Philly or Wash or NY has Dallas at home and the AFC E or N, then they will almost always have the least.
Any west coast team that draws the NFC E or AFC E will always have the most.
(Going to London changes everything of course.)
And I thought Philly, Wash and NY all played Dallas at home, what was I thinking?
Steve
That really isn’t true. I never said we need to have 5 pro bowl O-linemen, although I wouldn’t have any objections to it. I wouldn’t mind competent ones though, and I don’t think Dallas Thomas has proven to be competent. Billy Turner might be, we’ll find out. All it takes is one weak link on the line, and the season can be sabotaged.
The OL is about synchronized footwork between 5-6 guys. Learning each others footwork takes time its not like we are trying or are capable of overpowering DL’s. Last year was about learning assignment and adjustments to changing DL/LB alignmnetns. Learning how to gain leverage with proper footwork can only after learning assignments and footwork techniques. I have seen with local tv news reports they are working with footwork with practice ropes squares to step into and out. In years past we would see RB’s practicing running through these.
What, I can’t bust your bawls a little bit here 😉
the stretch of 5-7 games on the road is not good, but the 3 game stretch of away games takes a lot out of teams considering they have travel to and back then next week they have to do it again thus they lose a extra day and if the oppts are coming off of a home game they gain 2 days advantage. This becomes very bad the 3 rd week.
the only good thing about the three game strench is that all the games are on the east coast and after the NE game 4 days then we have 10 daYS BETWEEM games. The NE game is a tough one but NE has the same number of days to prepare and the pats are coming off game at home with jets..
Tim
Conjure away my friend 🙂
SB here we come!
I think there is a difference between saying what our team’s weakest position or position group is and saying that it is a weak position (group). For us it is LG (or OG or OL). But is our OL really weak compared to all 32 teams?
If your definition of “weak” is bottom half, maybe. Bottom quarter, maybe not.
If your definition of “weak” is that it will cost us the playoffs, then I might argue with you that our OL is not in and of itself weak enough to guarantee we miss the playoffs pretty much no matter what.
For example name what the weakest position group is for all 32 teams. (We could do that.)
Let’s just do the AFCE.
Buff – QB
NJ – QB
Miami – OL (or just OG if Albert plays)
NE – DB
Now for part 2 … is that position group weak enough to cost their team the playoffs all by itself?
IMHO — no no no and no
Wait what? Other teams have weaknesses too?
Field Yates @FieldYates · 2h2 hours ago
Source: the Jets have retooled (and slightly beefed up) the contract of WR Brandon Marshall. http://es.pn/1J9NOoP
I forgot the LMMFAO
There was a reason the Bears let him go, and he almost got traded to the cheats before last season started. He’s not the player he’s been in the past, lots of drops and age have started settling in.
Tim is this better?
I missed this one!
A positive about the team? When Pigs fly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Armando Salguero @ArmandoSalguero · May 21
Blog. Some agents have noticed there’s a change in way Dolphins are doing business: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2015/05/miami-dolphins-offseason-has-settled-family-business.html …
Patriots: Behind Enemy Lines a Look at the Miami Dolphins.
http://clnsradio.com/new-england-patriots-news/item/11965-patriots-behind-enemy-lines-a-look-at-the-miami-dolphins
Pretty fair take, especially from a Pats fan.
That did remind me that we got Stills for not just a third, but that Ellerbe was part of the deal too. Pops up his value a bit.
lots of “articles” out there by 20 year old college students… the era of digital publication. 🙂
Hey — the worldwide internet has given voice to both trolls and anyone who cares to try hard enough to get attention.
OK Rhino
I’m ready to pony up!
Hit me with it!!!!!!!!!!!
LMAO… I work on it today. I actually have been so busy I hadn’t thought of it until now. Way to man up!
A lot of folks in my building aren’t happy cause another one is starting to go up across the street. It’s going to cause traffic delays on our street for a almost two years and, more importantly, going to be taller than ours and ruin a bunch of peoples’ views.
Knew the name of the company behind it before, but today learned who owned it…….Stephen Ross.
Wyo: Here’s an idea… I’m still debating “self-deprivating” vs “forced fandom” lol
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B2LgMTYCEAA_wcH.jpg:large
Eagles LG Evan Mathis’ agent Drew Rosenhaus said the Dolphins are not a “strong possibility” for the disgruntled guard.
“I’ve been given permission by the Eagles to shop Evans,” Rosenhaus said in a radio interview. “We thought we had a trade with another team leading up to the Draft. It was not the Dolphins.” Coach Chip Kelly has said Mathis has been available to trade for two offseasons, but to this point Rosenhaus has yet to find a partner. Mathis is not happy, but he will likely remain an Eagle for at least one more season.
Wonder if that means they don’t like Mathis (or his price) or that they feel comfortable with what we have at G?
Idea #2 for Wyoming’s Avi:
https://ioneadwnews.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/11335156_466898866806122_465898491_n.jpg?w=640&h=640
Me likes the idea, but I’d rather not look at that fuck and his head bobbin’ floppin’ ass.
Idea #3 (final idea)
New blog up
well shit… now I need to repost these 3 choices. lol