I like PFF but they screwed the pooch on this one. IMO our pass rush was horrible last year. Counting sacks is nice, but counting how many times an opposing QB had 4-5-6 seconds to throw is just as important. Outside of Cam Wake, who only played in obvious passing situations, no one generated any consistent pressure. No one consistently drew a double team. JT and Porter brought it off the edge here and there, but there was hardly ever any push up the middle so QBs just stepped up in the pocket and through bombs down the field. Our best blitzers were Wilson, Bell and Jones, who couldnt blitz often because that would leave our ILBs in coverage, and that wouldve been suicide. The ILBs were horrible blitzers, couldnt beat a RB or FB, couldnt reroute and find open gaps in the protection schemes. Our DL couldnt get much pressure either, Starks being the only exception. Merling had one good game and then he dissapeared. I expect things to be better this year, alot more speed, LBs who can run, and a FS who isnt Gibril Wilson. Nolan will have alot more flexibility in his coverages and pressure packages, and I mean, it cant get much worse
Watch the rest of the league and you'll see the same thing. A consistent pass rush doesn't exist anywhere in the NFL. I don't care what team you pick. You watch the their opponents and you'll say those QBs have 4-5-6 seconds to throw too often.
I agree that no one pressures the QB on every snap, but there are several teams who generate enough pressure to throw QBs out of rythym and prevent big plays. NYJ, Green Bay, Dallas, Minneasota, Pittsburgh, Nawlins, Indy. Some teams have a Freeney, Ware or Jared Allen, and rely on them for pressure. Some teams like NY and Nawlins use scheme, lots of blitzes/stunts etc. We had neither. No consistent pressure guy, and no scheme that could manufacture pressure either. We were basically counting on one of out OLBs to beat his man one on one, outside of the games vs. Buffalo, it didnt happen.
I think you're equating having a big name with having a good pass rush. That stats show that the overall amount of pressure the Dolphins provided last year was among the best in the league. In fact, compared to most they relied less on the OLBs to get pressure. When they use Wake more this year they actually will have a guy outside who can beat one on ones. Now I agree that I didn't love their schemes last year and complained about them often. That was why I argued that our biggest need was a schematic change not bringing in more pass rushers. I think that's why you saw that among all the LBs they brought in, none were primarily pass rush guys.
How effective are the stats of reflecting our ability to get consistent pressure though? I'm willing to bet that on 1st and 2nd down, our passrush was among the worst in the league. Majority of our sacks came on 3rd down, when we were able to bring in Wake. Ideally you want someone in your front-7 who is going to cause offenses to adjust their blocking schemes. If you don't even have guys that can win 1-on-1 you're going to be in trouble. If you look at a team like the Saints, the best way to beat them was by forcing them to adjust blocking schemes up front.
Stats lie, especially if you dont put them into perspective. Miami was 31st in giving up big pass plays, which is next to impossible if you have a good pass rush. 2nd, nothing is a replacement for watching the games, stats included. Opposing QBs were comfortable in the pocket all year, with few exceptions. Our pass rush didnt compare to the other teams I mentioned, nothing on PFF is gonna convince me that Im blind .
that is why i said in an earlier post to go back and watch the games. stats do lie especially judgement stats. QB's ate us alive back there last season with all the time they had back there to throw. there are many ways to pressure and force opposing QB's into making mistakes. this pass rush regardless of the sacks didn't get it done last season and we have to improve if we want to avoid another season of big pass plays.
and they let their two best pass rushers walk because they disappeared way too often. especially as the season wore on. that might tell you something about how they felt about the guys we had. they didn't do enough
Actually, it's not impossible if you have poor tackling and nobody playing deep enough to stop the big play. That's what the problem was with Miami last year. And what the stats show is what I saw when I watched other teams play. No team had a consistent pass rush. All other teams have times where the opposing QBs have too much time and are comfortable in the pocket. So if you want to call yourself blind that's your prerogative. I just feel you were being subjective rather than objective.
It says that they didn't do enough. But the fact that they passed on bringing in pass rushers to replace them with and didn't even attempt to pursue any other pass rushers says that they felt that wasn't the issue. What they did bring in and what they did pursue shows what they thought the issues were. They brought in coverage LBs with a history of good tackling and they made offers to 3 FA Ss and drafted another S. Clearly they felt their issue was coverage and tackling.
I sincerely hope not. We'd allow 200 yds rushing per game if we put those guys out there. I think Anderson is the Will and Moses the Sam right now, Wake and Misi will have a chance to unseat them though.
I disagree. Wake and Anderson are both WOLBs. I see them splitting time. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Wake were not a starter but ended up getting the most snaps of any OLB. On the strong side, I see Moses, Misi and Walden rotating until Misi is able to become the starter. I do agree that Dansby and Crowder are the probable starters inside and I see Edds getting increasing time as the season progresses in the nickel packages. I think this unit would be a clear upgrade over last year's.
