By: by Randy Campbell (OLD DOLFAN)
GAME #16; Oakland @ Miami, Dec. 30, 1973
THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
The Oakland Raiders came into existence because Los Angeles Chargers’ owner Barron Hilton threatened to forfeit his franchise unless the fledgling American Football League placed a second team on the West Coast. Hilton, one of the wealthiest men in America, got his way. Subsequently, an Oakland limited partnership was created to run the proposed Oakland AFL franchise. Oakland would be the eighth, and final, charter member of the AFL thanks to Hilton’s demands.
The Raiders went 6-8 in the first year of the American Football League (1960). They split their home games between San Francisco’s Kezar Stadium (home of the NFL’s ’49ers) and brand new Candlestick Park (home of baseball’s Giants), also in San Francisco. The team lost about $500,000 that year and may have folded but for a $400,000 loan from Ralph Wilson, owner of the Buffalo Bills. Bleak times continued as Oakland went 2-12 in 1961, drawing less than 50,000 fans for the ENTIRE SEASON!! In 1962, the team was moved to Frank Youell Field in Oakland (capacity 18,000). The team lost their first 13 games of the season and head coach Marty Feldman was fired. After the ’62 season, Oakland managing partner H. Wayne Valley hired former Chargers’ assistant Al Davis as head coach and general manager. It would be the turning point in the history of the franchise. The Raiders moved into brand new Oakland/Alameda County Coliseum in 1963 with 33 year old Davis firmly in control. Oakland went 10-4 that season and established themselves as a leading franchise in the AFL.
In 1966 Davis bought 10 per cent of the franchise for $18,000 and named himself as partner in charge of football operations. He hand selected John Rauch to be the next head coach for 1967. That year the Raiders crushed the Houston Oilers 40-7 in the AFL Championship Game, earning them a trip to Super Bowl II in the historic Orange Bowl. Oakland fell to the Packers 33-14 in what would be Vince Lombardi’s last game as head coach of Green Bay.
The following two years saw Oakland win the AFL Western Division crown, only to be defeated in the AFL Championship Games by the eventual Super Bowl winning teams, the Jets (1968) and the Chiefs (1969). By this time, future Hall of Famer John Madden had become Oakland’s head coach.
The AFL and the NFL merged in 1970. That year Oakland lost their third consecutive AFL/AFC title game to the team that eventually won the Super Bowl, the Baltimore Colts. Madden’s Raiders went 8-4-2 in ’71 but failed to make the playoffs.
Oakland’s 1972 team seemed headed for a playoff showdown with the undefeated Miami Dolphins. But, in one of the most controversial endings to ANY game, Oakland LOST 13-7 when Pittsburgh’s Franco Harris caught a deflected pass on fourth down and scored in a game forever known as the “Immaculate Reception.” It was the Steelers’ first playoff game in their 40 year history!!
The 1973 Oakland team that roared into the historic Orange Bowl on December 30 was loaded with future Hall of Famers and star players. Besides Al Davis and John Madden, the Raiders boasted future HOFers Fred Biletnikoff, Gene Upshaw, Art Shell, Jim Otto, George Blanda and Willie Brown. Star players like Ken Stabler, Darryle Lamonica, Jack (the Assassin”) Tatum, Otis Sistrunk and George Atkinson made the Raiders one of the most talented (and nasty) teams ever assembled! And they had just crushed their nemesis, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the week before in Oakland.
The Raiders-Dolphins rivalry had been a lopsided affair as of 1973. Miami’s first coach, George Wilson, NEVER defeated Oakland from 1966 through 1969, going 0-5-1 against them. His successor, Don Shula, broke through with a victory during the 1970 regular season. But Oakland got revenge, edging Miami in the 1970 playoffs.
The next meeting between these franchises occurred the second week of this 1973 season. That game saw Oakland break Miami’s 18 game winning streak when they edged the Dolphins 12-7 in a game played in Berkeley. Shula believed the absence of Paul Warfield may have been the difference between victory and defeat. This time, though, Warfield was healthy and raring to go. His devastating crack-back blocks would play a key role in Miami’s running game as these two teams squared off for a trip to Super Bowl VIII!
Miami’s players and coaches so badly wanted to avenge their earlier 12-7 loss to Oakland. Many secretly hoped they’d get the chance to do JUST THAT in the playoffs!! The football gods had granted their wish. And, just to throw more gasoline onto the playoff fire, Raider QB Ken (the Snake) Stabler said,”There’s no doubt WE are the best team in the American Football Conference!”
80,000 frenzied, fanatic, fans jammed into the 75,000 seat Orange Bowl on game day. I was one of them! Me and “My Boyz” had had a belly full of the “Bad Boy” Raiders and their idiotic fans who, thankfully, were only able to buy a small number of tickets to this contest. The old stadium nearly exploded as the white clad Dolphins ran onto the field!! Some of us were already hoarse even though the game hadn’t even started!!
It was a perfect 74 degree day at kickoff. Where else to play this game other than the historic Orange Bowl?? It was, in so many ways, PERFECT!! I turned to my brother-in-law Jim and said “The Raiders have NEVER seen anything like this! –We’ll remember this game for the rest of our lives!”
The Dolphins won the toss and elected to receive. In their prior playoff win over Cincinnati, Miami won the toss and SCORED on their very first drive. Quarterback Bob Griese was hoping his offense could do the same thing against Oakland. Griese took turns handing off to Csonka, then Morris, then Kiick. Guard Bob Kuechenberg, playing with a thick cast on his broken arm, was having a field day wielding his “weapon” and abusing Raider defensive linemen! “Oakland’s defense talks a lot,” said Kooch. “The best way to shut them up is to beat them down, physically.” Kuechenberg did just that, bludgeoning several Raiders, one of whom (Sistrunk?) sported a bloody face in the first quarter.
Miami’s initial drive bogged down at the Oakland 38. It was third down and 11 yards to go. Griese dropped back, saw nobody open, and ran up the middle of the field for 27 yards and a first down at the 11! A massive roar came from the Dolphin faithful. From the 11, Larry Csonka burst through a nice hole and SCORED THE FIRST TOUCHDOWN OF THE GAME! The Orange Bowl erupted as Miami took a 7-0 lead. Griese’s key run on the first drive was a product of long hours watching game film. Griese noticed that, on third and long situations, Oakland often brought in a fifth defensive back and removed a linebacker. This nickel back would cover the tight end while the other DB’s double covered the wide receivers. Griese saw that when the tight end went deep and the receivers veered to the sidelines, there was no one left to cover the middle of the field. This knowledge would pay more dividends to Griese later in the game.
The rest of the first quarter and the first part of the second quarter produced plenty of big hits but no scoring. Then, nidway through the second quarter, the Dolphins mounted another long drive.
Moving exclusively on the ground, Griese again made use of all three of his primary running backs. This 15 play, eight minute drive. ended when Larry Csonka scored on a two yard dive making the score 14-0, Miami, at halftime! A bruised and battered Oakland defense was getting little help from the Oakland offense. Miami’s “No-Name Defense” had stuffed Oakland in the first two quarters.
A fired-up Oakland offense moved the ball deep into Miami territory early in the second half. George Blanda’s 21 yard field goal gave the Raiders some life and some hope. But Miami responded with a drive of their own. Garo Yepremian’s 42 yard field goal attempt was PERFECT! Miami was cruising with a 17-3 lead.
But the cruise soon hit a major bump. Quaterback Ken Stabler began to hit receivers Fred Biletnikoff and Mike Siani. A pass to running back Clarence Davis got Oakland their offense in high gear. From the Miami 25, a mix-up in the Miami secondary left Siani open for a 25 yard TD reception! Blanda’s conversion narrowed the gap to 17-10 entering the fourth quarter.
Shula told Griese “We’ve GOT to regain the momentum. Go out there and SCORE!” With the game on the line, Miami began their next drive from their 18 yard line. More runs and a rare passing play got the ball near midfield. Then, on third and seven from the Raiders’ 45, Griese went backinto the huddle and CALLED HIS OWN NUMBER!
Just as before, Oakland left the center of the field uncovered. And, just as before, Bob Griese ran the quarterback draw to perfection! His 17 yard gain to the Oakland 28 was HUGE! A few plays later, Yepremian drilled a 27 yard field goal, giving the Dolphins a safer 20-10 lead midway through the final quarter.
A desperate Ken Stabler moved the Raiders up to their own 45. It was fourth down and one yard to go! Head coach John Madden knew time was running out. His team had to go for it! Everyone in the historic Orange Bowl was standing. The noise was deafening!! Then, fullback Marv Hubbard was CRUSHED by a head-on collision with Miami safety Dick Anderson! The ball squirted loose behind the line of scrimmage! Stabler fell on it but was unable to get up and advance the ball. Miami took over on downs. Out came the white hankies as Dolfans celebrated this huge play by their All-Pro safety!
A few minutes later, Larry Csonka scored his THIRD TOUCHDOWN from the Oakland two yard line! The Miami Dolphins had defeated the Oakland Raiders 27-10 in a bruising display of brute power running! But the biggest runs were NOT by a bruising runner. “Griese’s two runs broke our backs,” said Oakland linebacker Phil Villapiano.
On the day, Miami ran the ball 53 times for 266 yards (a 5.0 average) and those three touchdowns by Larry Csonka. Csonka ran for 117 yards; Morris got 86 yards on just 14 carries; Kiick got 12 yards. But Griese’s 44 yards on two key carries may have been the most important carries of the game! (Griese had a third carry in the game which lost 5 yards. Still, his 39 yards net rushing exceeded his 34 yards net passing — 27 of which were to Warfield!)
Miami’s victory meant that they would be the FIRST TEAM IN HISTORY TO MAKE IT TO THREE STRAIGHT SUPER BOWLS! And a win vs. the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl VIII would put Shula’s Dolphins next to Lombardi’s Packers as the only teams to win CONSECUTIVE SUPER BOWLS up to that point!
Me and “MY BOYZ” had plenty to celebrate! Our team had sent the “Bad Ass Raiders” back to Oakland with their tails between their legs! It was PARTY TIME! The Miami Dolphins were going to the SUPER BOWL!!
The 1973 Miami Dolphins were now 14-2.
Finsmob Unleashed 
So the Jets WR Decker looks to have a PCL injury that could keep him out awhile.
So D
when you went back and looked at the tape
Did you think the DL played poorly
or do you thing it was undisciplined play by the LB or being int he wrong spot
My guess is that its the later
I don’t think Sheppard is playing well. Misi and Jenkins at least flash as do guys in the secondary. My main concern is our guys up front can’t make more noise in the pocket and backfield.
I generally agree
There is something to say about general comfort level in terms of LB not being where they should be
That is the kind of thing that may get better in time
but instincts probably don;t get better
So time will tell
But I’m not inclined to go crazy about personell or scheme after game 2
I think Phillips looks good, I think Mitchell has played well, Suh – meh. Not what I expected. But the LB play has been horrible. Even Jenkins who I like has not played all that well.
Phillips isn;t really playing that much and is single teamed everytime he plays
I like Phillips but I don;t think you can really compare anyone to Suh
the thing is, Suh is playing well – but the people behind aren’t
Our DEs have played poorly imo.
They aren’t that different GDP.
GD, the NFL hasn’t changed so much that lining up under center makes no sense or anything. Not sure why we can’t run more plays like that to set up bootlegs and play-action.
ken,
here is what coyle said about the aiken play. per jackson
“### Of the play in which Walt Aikens was beaten badly for a touchdown by Allen Robinson, Coyle said: “Walt got beat on a double move. I told the players put on SportsCenter and you will see five or six other guys getting beat on double moves. Has it happened to us a lot? No. But it happened.
“He made a mistake, he anticipated a play they had run out of that formation. His anticipation was correct. Instead of running the route we saw on tape, they ran a go route. Is it a mistake? Yes. Is it a mistake that could happen to a 10-year veteran? Absolutely.””
I agree with him on that.
Coach speak for not wanting to beat up a young player too much. It was a dumb mistake. He has to know his responsibility was the deep middle and he came running up. I get not beating him up too much but dumb mistake.
sb7mvp says:
September 22, 2015 at 1:13 pm (Edit)
Benton is used to working with an offense that doesn’t spend all day in shotgun.
**************
I was about to say the same thing
it wasn’t that long ago when he was helping the Texans be the best OL in the NFL
and that wasn’t in the shotgun but was a ZBS
but if he is not capable of this scheme maybe he’s not the right man for the job?
…or maybe we should change the scheme (I doubt that will happen)
“but yet didnt you just do the same? even if I agree with you, everyones judgement should be about the team/players/coaches/owners you just did the same to him. you gave him your judgement about him while you told him to spare you his judgement.”
Not a chance I did that FFR. Not even close. Saying “don’t judge me” isn’t making any judgement,
Stop trying to instigate. Our relationship is one of humor, lets keep it light. Let me say my piece just like I let you say yours.
Remember my line on “don’t judge me” from the past Oddyssey
Yes! Exactly. LOL…
Or we can go another direction if you’re bored. 🙂 I haven’t mixed it up on here for awhile…..;-)
Ken I saw a few clips of wake and Vernon making some mistakes
you might be right on the DEs
They are also both hurt and that may be a factor but their play has been not what we expected.
Afternoon Update
DOLPHINS-BILLS
GDP 27-17 MIA
N/A 27-17 BUF
Howie 35-10 BUF
Piggy 20-17 MIA
Try 24-13 BUF
Bold 27-10 BUF
MikeE 17-6 MIA
Real 33-13 BUF
AL 31-13 MIA
Stang 21-10 MIA
Gigi28-15 BUF
Cav 24-13 MIA
UK 20-17 MIA
Rock 34-17 BUF
Herd 24-20 MIA
Ken 23-14 MIA
GO PHINS!!!
Some random receiving stats from the first two games.
Jarvis Landry — 16 catches for 163 yards
Rishard Matthews — 10 catches for 149 yards
Jordan Cameron — 7 catches for 135 yards
Mike Wallace — 9 catches for 101 yards
offensively we were really bad last year int he first couple of games
but Miller had over 100 yards on the ground in 2 games as opposed to his 67 this year
he then went off for 108 in game 3
we were 1-2 after 3 games last season BTW
Think the running game and Miller is the key. Passing game is going just fine. Still nice to see Wallace with less yards than Mathews though. 🙂
So what some of you are saying is, in the PS, the other teams didn’t care, and didn’t game plan, but now they do care, and they have game planned, and that’s all it takes to neutralize our defense.
Turn it around and don’t look back. If Philbin has to come to every game dressed as pimped out Kosmo Kramer then so be it.
Stanger
I never expected to see so much of Rishard, and so little of Stills. Right about now it seems silly making the trade for Stills
Just two games in……..but Mathews getting so much time is surprising, but hey he showed it last game. And believe Stills is coming off an injury. Just cause you are back doesn’t mean you are 100%…..just like with Parker.
Stills missed a lot of time in camp and should become more of a factor as we go.
2 games into the season I’m not even touching evaluating whether it was worth making the trade or not
But thy have a much different skillset
and Still is really the only guy that really stretches the filed like wallace did for us
eventually I think that will keep defnses honest
in fact (piggy prediction coming) maybe this week we hit Stills for 1 deep pass which affects the whole game
Parker will be able to do it too when he’s 100%
stangerx says:
September 22, 2015 at 2:05 pm (Edit)
Think the running game and Miller is the key. Passing game is going just fine. Still nice to see Wallace with less yards than Mathews though
*************
well
running for 108 in week 3 vs KC was actually a bad loss for us
maybe our worse loss last year
they killed us
I like balance offense
I think most people do
but we also lost the game where Miller ran a 99 yard TD
I tend to think we will get the running game together even if we continue to run fromthe shotgun and everyone (inlcuding me) pull out there hair
The pats beat the bills last week by passing a whole lot. They rushed 12 times and passed 38 times.
In an ideal world I think you want balance on offense
but, like the example you gave, I think teams have been successful being one dimensional
Maybe the Bills are vulnerable that way…
Most respected Pig — from what I’ve seen part of me just wishes that they let Tanny go all Peyton on them. Just throw and throw. When they start getting on their back heels, pop in the draw and screens. We have a QB and receivers that can run that plus a real fast RB that can make them pay for adjusting.
I think they can work in the HB screen a little more
There seemed to be a lot of it in preseason
Mike E. says:
September 22, 2015 at 2:03 pm (Edit)
So what some of you are saying is, in the PS, the other teams didn’t care, and didn’t game plan, but now they do care, and they have game planned, and that’s all it takes to neutralize our defense.
______________________________________
That’s what good coaches do. They neutralize the other team’s strengths. I know that is a foreign concept around here.
Much like the famous Bum Phillips quote about Shula. “He can take hizzin and beat yourzzun and he can take yourzzuns and beat hizzuns”
Tim Knight says:
September 22, 2015 at 2:16 pm (Edit)
Parker will be able to do it too when he’s 100%
****
I got the sense he is 100% now they are just working him in slowly
if Matthews Stills and Parker are worked into the offense – I don;t know what we are going to do with all our WRs…maybe Jennings a little less, that drop by him last week was disappointing
😦
You need depth so I don’t worry about it. Right now Hazel isn’t part of the mix.
Is Hazel even active?
I’m just saying we are loaded right now at WR…on paper at least
(Piggy bows)
Fucking Mongolians!
https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=south+park+mongolians&back=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fyhs%2Fsearch%3Fp%3Dsouth%2Bpark%2Bmongolians%26type%3Datt_pc_homerun_portal%26hsimp%3Dyhs-att_001%26hspart%3Datt%26ei%3DUTF-8&fr=%26fr%3Dyfp-t-900&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DWN.CJNSgTpzaUTkX4DtAEUA%252bA%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hulu.com%2Fwatch%2F262941&tit=South+Park%3A+Mongolian+Eradicator&l=68&vid=92d3cdd10d55c91ed3de6159ccaef63e&sigr=1105gt2e7&sigb=13sr2ov1a&sigt=110o5a79g&sigi=1214q20ft&hspart=att&hsimp=yhs-att_001
Ken, Hazel is on the roster but I don’t think he’s been active for games.
Piggy, I’d say we’re deep with potential at WR but many of them still have much to prove before I would use the word loaded. There’s a lot of big plays to be made before they can be considered really good,
Drunk Samuria doesn’t mind using the word “loaded”
I’m surprised you didn’t find a pic like this with him walking a pig. LOL
Our RBs have 10 catches already. I also like they way we’re getting Landry involved on some runs. He’s really good with the ball in his hands.
piggy,
I think that’s what the pats thought was the bills vulnerability. Pass defense. They started the 1st 2 series with only passes. Once they softened up the D they started running the ball.
They were short quick passes to beat the blitz. I think we need to take the same approach against the bills.
we basically run that offense already since we can’t do anything else….lol
You guys pretty much already knew it, but just confirmed the night before the Fest up meet will be same as it ever was.
D&B’s from 6-10 (but they won’t kick us out after that either, and not like someone else will have our normal spot reserved).
Could have considered other places, but since most of you are staying at La Quinta there will be a few less drunks on the road.
They close at 10PM normally?
No — that is how long we are paying for the private space.
Show up to a Fest sometime and you’ll learn about this stuff. 🙂
drunk samurai thinks D&B is open much later
For sure it is, but we only have the space for so long. Last year they said…….”you can hang out longer but you have to pay more.” Pretty silly since we were still buying drinks…….
https://twitter.com/theflyingpig44/status/646394400524890112
Thats why i lump Aikens miscue and Tannys for that matter as “shit happens”. Its something you have to keep working on o limit, but it happens. Im not overly upset with that, im not calling for him to be replaced or whatnot, but it kinda goes along with playing good fundemental football and working hard to refine your game. He keeps biting on the break in a double move then there becomes a problem, but its coachable thing and an experience thing that hopefully works itself out.
Drunk Samurai is my new response to questionable stories/tweets and decisions
Ken
When you have a great defense, you don’t get neutralized. That’s the truth. Maybe once in a while, but not consistently. Maybe we really don’t have a great defense.
I’m really hoping we’re just off to a bit of a slow start. In the big scheme of things it’s not like we’re allowing a ton of points. We’ve allowed 33 in 2 games, the offense has scored 30 in 2 games.
Hope so. I was more confident with our defense than I was with our offense, mostly due to the O-line.
Again the debate is coaching vs. talent. Is it that the talent is overrated such as guys like Suh, Wake and O.V. are really not that good or is it that the coaches don’t know how to use them. I lean toward the latter.
I don’t know what they’re not doing to use the DL better. DL is not rocket science. We know what their responsibility is. Play tough, stop the run and harass the QB. It’s not complicated. Jimmy Johnson’s defenses were as vanilla as you can get.
Drunk Samurai thinks that is a horse
The colts would have been done with if they were in AFC east. In AFC south they can still win the division with 7-9 record 😦
Tim
Landy looked explosive on one of his carries out of the backfield. I was impressed!
Landry looks faster this year. He got deep on a ball last week. He ran away from defenders on that punt return. He looks fast on that jet sweep.
Definitely. He worked on it.
Drunk Samurai thinks the letter “R” is unccessary to when discussing Wide _ecieve_s
That Land_y sweep play was awesome
I say store it in the bank for use against the cheats
https://twitter.com/holdthisbeer/status/645089181694164992
Didnt even look at it and was already laughing lol.
Landry has 2 runs for 14 and 6 yards.
I think int he last game
if memory serves me right (which is usually does not)
There was a fake that ended up being a Land_y reverse
Anyone remember that play
it was nice
but there may have been a penalty to negate it
There was a penalty, and man I was pissed. Tanehill faked a throw, and then Landry flew around the right side.
James got called for the hold.
Dallas Thomas on a hold.
You may be right Ken, James hodl brought back a long one too. I can remember which affected which.
The Flying Pig says:
September 22, 2015 at 1:15 pm
So D
when you went back and looked at the tape
Did you think the DL played poorly
or do you thing it was undisciplined play by the LB or being int he wrong spot
My guess is that its the later
——————————————–
Agian my finger is pointing at Coyle. In washington game, the LB’s atually did what they were asked to do. I thought i was going to ass ream Sheppard when i watched btu he actually wasnt awful. They played containment, tried to keep them from cutting back or getting outside. This was a power run team, they dont do a lot of that. Because it was contain, they were 3-4 yards deep before they came up to meet the RB and then momentum and driving through the tackles got them extra yards after contact. I bet if you go back and look up that stat, their yards after contact was pretty high.
The DT’s also looked to do what they were schemed to do. They ate up blockers with head on assignments they drew doubleteams and then one OL would slip off their blocks and engage the LB. Most the time the LB’s shed the blocks but again, because this is all happening 3-4 yards deep, its too later to get a good tackle on a 230lb RB with momentum behind him. Suh was played well by Scherff, Scherff cut the legs out from Suh, which probably was by design, so i cant give credit as much to Scherff for being a BA OL, as much as he executed the game plan really well. He looked like a disciplined player, with a few years of experience more so than a rookie.
Jax game was a little different, but again it looked liek lack of an agressive defensive scheme led to their scheme working out exactly as planned. Double teams on Suh, more cut blocks, and plays designed to isolate him out. We got nothing in pass roush fromt he edges, to me that was the most damaging part of the DL play, though i think im not seeing as much push from the interior as i expected on passing plays. We just arent makign anything confusing to the OL.
LbBers played decent in the Jax game, again, i felt i would probably have some issues with Sheppard, but he wasnt bad. We pretty much shut down their running game. 2.8 YPC avg shows we did much better in that department. We got zero pressure on the QB though, and a lot of it imo was lack of LB’er blitzes. Corner Blitzes worked some, but then who’s covering Robinson, oh thats right …no one lol. They had nothing from their TE’s, they werent even attempting it, so why not bring the LB’s and Safety more.
Im not seeing problems with our players, they are executing the game plan , its the game plan thats not working and needs some tweaking.
Mike E. says:
September 22, 2015 at 3:06 pm (Edit)
There was a penalty, and man I was pissed. Tanehill faked a throw, and then Landry flew around the right side.
****
that was a nice play design
save that shit for the Patriots though
Why save it if we can’t beat Jax?
it would have worked well without the penalty
I’m sure we’ll have some shit for the Patriots. Hopefully not too shitty though. lol
D
You say the D-line was supposed to occupy blockers, and I think it’s totally the opposite. They penetrate upfield, and that’s what they’ve been doing, but they’ve been late to the spot. Guys like Bowens and Gardener ate up the blockers, but that’s not what Suh and Mitchell do. I don’t know why you say that.
Mike, they had stright up assignments. No stunt, not twists, maybe thats what you expected, but thats not what they were schemed for. DT’s can be used in all kinda ways and most teams use them to free the LB’s to make plays. Thats what Coyle is calling right now. You can tell by how they are lined up and their first step off the snap.
Yes, but what you’re describing is a DT basically blocking the O-line to free up LB’s, and that’s not at all what our scheme is. Never mind stunts and twists.
I don’t agree with D on his assessment either. I see the DL not beating anyone to the ball and it has nothing to do with scheme.
Yeah we’ve had some good plays on both sides of the ball called back. Not saying they weren’t legit calls but they really bum you out when they happen. James didn’t need to hold either.
Adam Beasley @AdamHBeasley
Pouncey on Tebow (!!!): “Tebow is the best. … He’s a guy that lives the right away.”
LMAO
Thanks for your thoughts on how to live the right way Pouncey…
BTW can you get me some drugs for a party I am having….
Adam Beasley @AdamHBeasley
Pouncey calls Philbin loyal: “Every time I’ve had a bump in the road, he comes to me. … I’ll never turn my back on him.”
Adam Beasley @AdamHBeasley
Pouncey on Dallas Thomas: “I don’t think you put all the blame on DT. … It’s a group thing, a collective thing.”
Adam Beasley @AdamHBeasley
Pouncey: “We’re more bummed about this than our fans our. I’ll tell you this: We’ll be ready this weekend.”
Exactly what you needed to hear
Romo doesn’t scare me….I hope he is back….he’ll be a deer in the headlights with our settled in DL by that time!
It might be Weeden instead
I dont know what to say Mike. Its not what i see and i have played both sides of the ball. Im seeing a straight 4-3 scheme with nothing fancy being done at the line, and only minimal creativity from the LB position.
LMAO @ Pouncey on Tebow. Hey Tim want some X or do you want meet at Tootsies?
Mike and Tim,
What do you think the DT’s do. Do you think that their jobs are to jail break on every play? Do you think every play is designed for them to make the tackle….if so im sorry but you are completely wrong. DT’s job is to stuff the hole, eat up blockers to free the LB’ers to assess the play and make the tackle. All you really have to do is look at stats to see how few DT’s get and how many a LB does to see that 75% of plays are designed just like that. DT is supposed to shed block and pursue the ball but only when a stunt is called, or a pre-snap shift to A/B gap are they being called to penetrate the backfield. What im saying is, these guys arent penetrating the backfield, not because of failed effore but because the scheme itself has them stright up on the OG and engaging him. Again, you can tell by watching the DT’s first step. If its strigth at the OG, ithey are not being called on to stunt. They are being asked to engage and shed.
Im not trying to be a know it all but dude, i have played this position, i have been coached to eat blocks and i know that a stunt is not called every play, and a stunt is pretty much the only time when it just isnt handed to you that your trying to penetrate the backfiled. Ultimately it would be nice if a DT could do this. I HATED eating block so someone else could make the play, however the defense doesnt work right if you dont do your part, and thats the part that DT’s are asked to play.
Do you remember Jimmy Johnson’s defense’s both in Dallas and here. They were as straight up 4 man fronts as you can get and won one on one matchups. Our guys aren’t getting off blocks enough. I think you’re making it out to be more complicated then it is.
Agreed…..I’ve said before when we first got Suh, that he’ll help everyone else’s stats at the demise of his own, so to speak.
He’s still settling in, and sop are the ones behind or around him.
i think the fins will win 275-2 then beat the jets 189-1 crush the titans 489-0
i dont want to upset any of you on here who cant stand reading from those of us who bitch and complain and want immediate changes
Uh-oh
Might have to send a few tweets
I’m not looking forward to this game after what I saw from the Jets last night.
Yeah
but if I can them to use a few of my tweets
hmmmmm…..
Mike E. says:
September 22, 2015 at 3:15 pm
Yes, but what you’re describing is a DT basically blocking the O-line to free up LB’s, and that’s not at all what our scheme is. Never mind stunts and twists.
———————————————-
What im describing is what a DT does, he doesnt block the OG, he engages him, he does try to shed and pursue the ball but what you are describing is a stunt with the backfield penetration shit, and no they werent being called to do that much if any.
I really with Randy was here, he could validate what im saying lol.
D – I didn’t play, but that doesn’t mean I don’t understand. What I’m saying is, our D-line scheme is to move up the field and collapse the pocket for the QB, and disrupt the running lanes of the RB’s. What Bowens and Gardener did was occupy the blockers, more than 1 each to keep the LB’s, specifically Zach Thomas free to make the plays. here is a difference between 2 schemes, despite the fact that they were both 4-3 defensive fronts. That’s not what Suh and Mitchell are supposed to be doing. They really are two different ideas.
35-10 Miami
Weeden will surprise some people with valuable playing time in Dallas now, instead of the ‘mistake by the lake’.
Well, the Phins are now 17-17 since the start of the 2013 season…..
We’ll need a good showing @ home sunday to get that over .500.
Go Phins!
‘I seriously want to know from some of you if you want it to turn out bad just so you get what you think you want, or do you want us to turn it around. Couple comments i have seen here really make me think you would rather be right than have a successful team, and that really troubles me.’
D,
you got to be kidding right. i dont for one second think that anyone on here want the team to suck just so the can be right. a lot are sick and tired of the team being mediocre and if it takes a 4-12 season to force changes then so be it. but there isnt anyone on here who wants a losing season just to be right
Armando Salguero @ArmandoSalguero
Former New York Giants TE Adrien Robinson worked out for the Miami Dolphins today, per source.
D says:
September 22, 2015 at 3:27 pm
I really with Randy was here, he could validate what im saying lol.
me too, i really wish he could tell us how bad tanny is.
(and just busting balls, i liked randy’s insight, wish he would make it back)
Mike E, Tim Bowens recently explained that’s the exact difference between our current DL and the one he played in. That’s why JT and Timbo said these guys shouldl get more sacks than we did.
Congrats & Thank You Don Shula on such a milestone!
GDP:
Weeden blows
He came in cold and went 7-7 & a TD to seal the win in Philly last week.
Dallas will take that blow anytime.
D,
you got to be kidding right. i dont for one second think that anyone on here want the team to suck just so the can be right. a lot are sick and tired of the team being mediocre and if it takes a 4-12 season to force changes then so be it. but there isnt anyone on here who wants a losing season just to be right
Reply
————————————-
FFR reading the whole post i said that, i said i know you guys just want better but after 2 games already saying another mediocre seson awaits is just giving up very early on hope. Its almost like you walk in the season expecting bad, and first sign of it….oh here we go again…. ALL SEASONS HAVE ADVERSITY…how we react to it and where we go after finding it is what makes a team great and after 1 loss it should be no more apparent that we are doomed than it would be that we bounce back from it. What i was saying in that post as i have every post so far is give it some time before jumping off the bridge. Ive not once told anyone here they should or should feel bad. Im sjut trying to bring levity to the situation as we did what we always do and run around screaming like the house is on fire when we should be doing is looking for ways to put it out.
its not like we haven’t seen this before from a philbin coached team. IF this was his 1st year coaching then I say you’re right. But we’ve seen this same exact thing play out 3 years now.
The team playing to the level of its competition with no passion. Players going rogue and doing what they want. Not finishing. Bad play calls. Not stopping the run. Not able to run.
The oline not being able to protect. All of these we’ve seen with philbin teams and all philbin teams have ended up mediocre. So not sure, after watching the 1st 2 games you think something magical is going to happen.
Mike, then explain what you have seen that leads you to believe this….. i have told you that by where they line up pre snap, there first step and the position they take when engaging the OL why i see a different assignment, but you havent told me why im wrong.
I won $6.00 on DraftKings last weekend
I spent $17
so there is that
Brandon Howard @SprtsTlkBrandon · 5m5 minutes ago
Mike Pouncey told me communication up front is fine; finishing blocks is an issue.
Tim Knight says:
September 22, 2015 at 3:40 pm
Mike E, Tim Bowens recently explained that’s the exact difference between our current DL and the one he played in. That’s why JT and Timbo said these guys shouldl get more sacks than we did..
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So Tim Bowen says that is what he expects them to do or what he saw in the first two games? What is expected and what plays are called are different….. Im not saying that i didnt expect them to be a gap DL scheme….im saying they arent….first thing that gives it away…NOT LINED UP IN THE GAPS!
Im over it. Doesnt matter anyways. Suh mysteriously forgot how to play, so did Mitchell. You win Tim. Talnet on this team is fucking bad.
He said they anchored more where our current DL goes up field more. JJ’s Dallas defense was more like our current one because they more athletic where Timbo and Gardener had more brute strength.
About this game though….. about both these games….. or was this preseason?
FFR, you guys got room on your side of the party. Bored with wasting my breath on this side. Maybe if we do wind up sucking so bad we lose a few more games the argument can be settled by whom they fire, the overrated talent or the coach who designs perfect schemes.
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/09/22/darlington-dolphins-struggles-defensively-on-the-coaching-staff/
FFR reading the whole post i said that, i said i know you guys just want better but after 2 games already saying another mediocre seson awaits is just giving up very early on hope.
D,
but that is just it, it isnt just 2 games, it is going on the 4th year of the same ole same ole. to me, thinking things are going to be different when nothing has change is just fantasy thinking.
I do think its only 2 games
teams define themselves every season during the season
not the year(s) before
I’m gonna let this play out before I start talking firing people
actually this is 3 years of this same shit.
Exactly right but some people can’t move on they basically wait for the worst and the moment there is an opening they pounce. Not sure how you enjoy yourself that way but to each their own.
Maybe. I dunno im going to take it game at a time i think. Im not happy with things either i guess maybe i just try to convince myself otherwise.
exactly. see above for my response to D.
D, not looking to win. Just sticking to what I see. Let’s hope they get it together.
D, Timbo and JT watched practices etc. They know what the scheme is when they see it. We’re not going to practice one way all offseason then play a completely different way during the season.
Me hoping its only 2 games and will turn around
Anyone of you left leaning fans out there like the website Salon?
what is that?
A disgusting BS progressive (if you could call it that, not progressive at all) website.
Their writers are wack.
D
They line up on the defensive line, 4 across. What they do after that is about the scheme. Do you want them to line up in the secondary? They can line up differently by sliding right or left, meaning each guy is over a different O-lineman, but that’s what they play, straight up 4-3
getterdone says:
September 22, 2015 at 3:48 pm (Edit)
He came in cold and went 7-7 & a TD to seal the win in Philly last week.
Dallas will take that blow anytime.
________________________________
He had a nice game in relief but to put into context Cleveland is a team that is desperate to find a QB and they sent him packing You don’t just do that with 1st round QB draftees. He is not that good. Dallas only saving grace is that no one in that division is particularly good so maybe they get by with Weeden long enough for Romo to get back.
Cleveland sends every QB packing because they ruin them quickly….Dallas is a good home for Weeden.
Again, I think he’ll prove to be enough to carry them for awhile….not a superstar, but perhaps a decent game manager.
Tim
Bowens comments are exactly what I’ve been going by. Sorry I didn’t get back to you on that earlier.
Mike the problem with the Bowen comments is they arent on what we did the first two weeks. They were from what we were doing in PS and so far that has been different. Compare the games man.
I saw them trying to get upfield, but they weren’t as successful as they were in the PS. That doesn’t mean they weren’t attempting to get upfield.
GDP
I rarely enjoy political commentary left or right
I don’t think I’m inclined to go to a left or right website
Avoid Breitbart and Huffington Post, then. Haven’t made up my mind on Vox yet.
I changed my avatar to reflect hope for the season
Fly Piggies…FLY!!!
http://thesportsquotient.com/other/2015/9/21/high-school-football-player-blamed-for-pouring-icy-hot-on-opponents
Mike, we agree on that. I think your missing the point of what im saying and its getting fucking draining to expound further. In the PS swe saw them line up different. What Bowens said was in relation to what they were showing them. They lined up in the gaps a lot, they stunted, they showed more penetration, but thats what they were doing defensively. They dont choose this assignment of make up their minds to shift, this is either part of the play call or in cases where they shift, the LB’s call for it. If they are not line up in the gap, and they are asked to stright engage the OL as every bit of game footage i have watch shows they did majority of the time in both games, then they are not being schemed to penetrate, and this is whay im saying its the coach. Im not using historical reference to Bowens coments made earlier this pre-season but from what i have seen called during the games we have looked bad in at getting pressure on the QB and stopping the run.
Let’s just end it here then. I’m cool with that. No need to drag it on.
The Flying Pig says:
September 22, 2015 at 4:06 pm
I do think its only 2 games
teams define themselves every season during the season
not the year(s) before
I’m gonna let this play out before I start talking firing people
yeah, right. the pats, packers, seahawks and i am sure others define themselves every season. they just get lucky and keep winning.
well the Cheats were 2-2 after 4 games and Belicheat had to avoid every question at a PC conf after the KC loss with “we are off the Cincinatti”
the Packers were so bad rogers had to say “RELAX”
and the Seahawks are 0-2 now and I bet they are in the postseason
Yeah, I think we’ve seen knee jerk reactions early for good teams int he past
Regarding the Jags game and PFF grading via ESPN’s James Walker Fins blog:
“Defense:
it was a good day for Miami’s linebackers, according to Pro Football Focus. Jelani Jenkins (4.0 grade) and Koa Misi (2.6 grade) were the second- and fourth-ranked 4-3 linebackers in Week 2. The pair combined for 16 tackles against Jacksonville.
Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh had a 1.1 grade, according to Pro Football Focus. That ranked him 20th out of 82 defensive tackles graded in Week 2. Suh had one tackle and one missed tackle. Despite constant double teams and chop-blocking, the Dolphins must find ways to get more impact plays out of Suh.
Miami safety Reshad Jones is balling. He’s making big hits and, according to Pro Football Focus, has yet to miss a tackle in 131 snaps played. rated Misi & Jenkins high in their individual assignments.
Offense
It wasn’t a good day for Dolphins running back Lamar Miller, who had a minus-1.9 rushing grade. Miller didn’t get many holes, failed to break tackles and injured his ankle and didn’t return to the game. He finished with 14 rushing yards on 10 attempts.
Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry is the Pro Football Focus’ third-ranked receiver in the NFL so far at 4.9. He had a 3.5 grade on Sunday. Landry caught eight passes for 110 yards, including a couple very impressive catches in traffic.
———————-
From Miami Herald citing PFF stats:
According to Pro Football Focus, the Dolphins generated 15 quarterback hurries Sunday — including six by Earl Mitchell.
PFF ranks Douglas ranks 72nd and Thomas 74th among 84 guards.
Douglas, through two games, has allowed seven quarterback hurries, fourth-most among guards.
What’s more, right tackle Ja’Wuan James committed three penalties, all costly, and yielded one of the three sacks that Miami relinquished Sunday. (Fox and Douglas were beaten for the others.)
Regarding Skrines, several guys that I follow on Twitter that scout think he’s garbage and the charts don’t look good for him.
Here’s what I thought our philosophy was on the DL. Suh, Mitchell and Co. push the middle up field to not allow a pocket to step up into while Wake, Vernon and Co. collapse the edge. The QB either get the ball off quickly or he goes down. Not that it would happen every time, but more often than any team would want it to be. I’m not seeing the DEs collapse the edge much at all. They seem to be held too far outside. I don’t see the strong edge rush either.
On running plays it seems like LB are just in the wrong place sometimes
or are undisciplined
I don’t think we have the right configuration and I’m not sure Sheppard remains in the middle. But someone else has to step up and earn the playing time before we change.
Tim Knight says:
September 22, 2015 at 4:13 pm
Exactly right but some people can’t move on they basically wait for the worst and the moment there is an opening they pounce. Not sure how you enjoy yourself that way but to each their own.
move on? to what. and some people think magically by not changing a thing that they will magically become a different team. i am not sure how you enjoy yourself that way. but if one like playing make believe then find out reality sucks to each their own
The new season. LOL
tim
and i wasnt waiting for the worse. you didnt hear me say anything before the season started. but i have seen this movie before. if you enjoy watching the same thing over and over, have at it. more power to you
Why do you think I’m always talking about you?
piggy,
if the past few years the fins were winning and in the playoffs like ‘we are on to Cincinnati’ or ‘relax’ i would agree with you. but they werent, they were just a mediocre team that collapsed at the end of the season. once again if you or others want to see some magical hope for things to be different, then i am happy for you. i just dont see it
Its just early
that’s all
I think teams really shape up to who they are in October and November
We were 3-0 in 2013 and we ended up being 7-9 or 8-8 (I don’t remember which )
Given our early schedule, I think anything less than 4-2 after game 6 is a problem
but that is really the value of these early games, positioning yourself to make a run
1-1 record wise it not devastating
and the way we played in both early games will probably not be the way we play in the 2nd half of the season…it might be worse like 2013….lol
Tim Knight says:
September 22, 2015 at 4:50 pm (Edit)
I don’t think we have the right configuration and I’m not sure Sheppard remains in the middle. But someone else has to step up and earn the playing time before we change.
****
both safeties have been pretty good in run support
but I think relying on them to play so close to the LOS is a long term problem
piggy,
i said before the start of the season it was more important how they finish. most sb teams get hot at the end of the season. so i get that, it is just i have no hope based on the past. sorry, i just cant get excited about the same ole same ole.
now that is way different then hoping they turn it around and become great, of course i hope that, but i also hope kate upton comes to her sense and shows up tonight.
Tim Knight says:
September 22, 2015 at 4:48 pm
Why do you think I’m always talking about you?
its not you tim, everyone is always talking about me. get use to it
Tim,
I think the things along the DL are correctable. To me the best way to adjust with the kind of group Miami has is to open or close the spacing between players. When you bunch them up, you can go inside out; when you go wide alignment, you go outside in. Each aligment leaves you open to something but none the less a choice has to be made based on OL ability and QB/RB ability. Wide alignments leave the middle of the line more exposed, the closed alignments leave the outside zones open for outside runs.
tim
and seriously, i dont know if you were or werent, i was just having a conversation with you. i fit the comment you made or d made that started my responses. it is just a conversation about the dolphins, not solving the fate of humanity
Yes that’s true. It just a real downer at 1-1 to start talking like the entire team sucks and already predicting more failure. It’s way over the top and I’m just not into all the negative energy. That’s all. I can always leave for awhile too.
I’d like to see at some point a power alignment where Mitchell & Phillips are DT and Suh & Fede are the DE.
well we have a ton of DTs so why not
New Poll up
The Flying Pig says:
September 22, 2015 at 4:57 pm
New Poll up
it is so disappointing every time you say that. i go and look but i dont see a single stripper.
Catch you folks later.
Tim Knight says:
September 22, 2015 at 5:11 pm
Yes that’s true. It just a real downer at 1-1 to start talking like the entire team sucks and already predicting more failure. It’s way over the top and I’m just not into all the negative energy. That’s all. I can always leave for awhile too.
lol, ok leave. i have no idea why you went there but ok. if you dont like the blog no need to stay. i like it, even with all the rah rah positive energy. like i said, thought we were just having a conversation.
No I mean for a few hours if I don’t like the ongoing team bashing at the time, not leave for a long stretch of time. LOL
It’s also not as much about you. There is plenty of negativity that comes here.
I honestly think the “negative energy” people come here for 2 main reasons
1. To vent their frustrations
2. To be talked down from the ledge (in other words, they are looking for something to give them hope).
Ostensibly I suppose we are all here for the same reason: to talk about the one thing we all share in common that can bring unbelievable joy or unmitigated sorrow- our fanaticism for the Dolphins.
tim,
i get it. and hope things are looking better with what you got going on. catch you later
Evening Update
DOLPHINS-BILLS
GDP 27-17 MIA
N/A 27-17 BUF
Howie 35-10 BUF
Piggy 20-17 MIA
Try 24-13 BUF
Bold 27-10 BUF
MikeE 17-6 MIA
Real 33-13 BUF
AL 31-13 MIA
Stang 21-10 MIA
Gigi28-15 BUF
Cav 24-13 MIA
UK 20-17 MIA
Rock 34-17 BUF
Herd 24-20 MIA
Ken 23-14 MIA
Naples35-10MIA
GO PHINS!!!
“Yeah, I think we’ve seen knee jerk reactions early for good teams int he past”
Piggy … The huge difference being that the Seahags, Cheats and Pack are good teams with proven records of recent success. There is legitimate reason to believe they can turn around a poor start. We, on the other hand, are an average to below average team with no recent success to speak of. The last four seasons have been remarkably consistent in their mediocrity. There is little reason to believe anything has changed.
I don;t really have any expectations except to go game by game right now
I’m hoping to get over the mediocre hump this season
but 14 games left leaves a lot of time to get better
I would agree there is nothing we saw in games 1 & 2 to evidence it will happen
at some point if we are around .500 my hope goes out the window – but not after 2 games
Ken says:
September 22, 2015 at 10:09 am
Until we can put a string of strong performances together where we play good, tough and inspired football I can’t expect anything other than what we have seen for the last few years. I am really disappointed with the way this team started the season.
*
I was just thinking this exact same thing.
Try Pod says:
September 22, 2015 at 5:28 pm
I honestly think the “negative energy” people come here for 2 main reasons
1. To vent their frustrations
2. To be talked down from the ledge
not me, i just come here for the boobs
and those are gone now so you’re screwed.
bat,
that was pretty much my point. those teams have been winning so their fans can see a potential turn around.
Yep. We have nothing but past history to doom our hopes. As Ken stated, the Dolphins really need to string together a set of wins. If not, they are going to fall back into the “here we go again” mentality.
Brian in NY says:
September 22, 2015 at 5:53 pm
and those are gone now so you’re screwed.
dammit i hate when i get screwed without any boobs.