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Dolphins vs. Jets: Quick Hits

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by Vengeful Odin, Sep 7, 2008.

  1. Vengeful Odin

    Vengeful Odin Norse Mod

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    The first game is in the books folks, and our Dolphins are in the L column. I know there are a lot of folks who were disappointed to see us lose, but overall, I'm still cautiously optimistic about our season. Here are my quick thoughts:

    What I Liked
    • Heart - Often times when watching last year's team, I felt that I was watching a team with no heart. I didn't get that impression watching today's game. The team never quit, and that says something about the coaching and attitude. Despite the fact that we seemed to do everything in our power to lose the game, our guys battled back. We didn't get a lot of breaks today, and that is going to happen. You measure a team by how they responded to adversity, and I think we learned a lot about this squad today. While we were on the wrong side of the score, our guys gave 100% out there, and we were literally in the game right up until the last horn sounded. That's a promising sign, and bodes well for contests throughout the rest of the season.
    • Defensive Pressure - Much of the offseason was focused on rebuilding and retooling the front 7 into a 3-4, attacking defense. Based on today's game, I would say its working. We saw Porter make more plays today than he made all of last year. Ayodele was solid in the middle. We managed to sack the legendary Brett Favre 3 times - and we probably could have had a few, given the breaks of the game. I liked what I saw from the front seven. We still gave up a lot of rushing yards (112 yards, 3.6 ypc average), but this is a far cry from being gashed by teams in the running game last year.

    What I didn't Like
    • Running Game - I was expecting to see a 2:1 run-pass ratio in this one, and that's really what we needed to do to keep it close. That said, we only ran the ball 17 times (once on a Ginn reverse) for a total of 49 yards, or 2.88 yards per carry. That's simply not going to get it done. Pennington chucked it a total of 43 times in the contest, which made our run-pass ratio end up at 1:2.53. Not good for a team whose weakness (across the board) is in the passing game. Neither Ronnie nor Ricky did anything of note; both came up with really poor games. Disappointing, considering this was supposed to be a strength going in.
    • Offensive Line - The Jets managed to sack Pennington 4 times, and he was hurried throughout the game. One of my favorite players, Satele, was constantly blown up by Kris Jenkins and pushed backwards all day. Jenkins owned him throughout the game, which is disappointing because I had hoped working with Ferguson would help him improve against mammoth nose tackles (such as Jenkins). I was also surprised to see Jenkins play as well as he did, and for as long as he did, given that this is his first year in the 3-4. As for the #1 overall pick, Jake Long, he committed costly penalties on two potential first down scrambles by Pennington. I was expecting more from this unit, given the attention it received in the offseason, but 2.8 yards per carry and letting your QB take a pounding is a recipe for disaster.

    Standout Players
    • Anthony Fasano - Anyone doubting the trade for Fasano in the offseason has to be pleased today. 8 catches, 84 yards, and a TD. Fasano came through today, time and time again, and it's clear that he has become Pennington’s safety valve. Great game for him. Really, both our TEs looked pretty good today, as Martin also contributed with 4 catches for 53 yards and a TD as well. Nice to see the Tight Ends step up in lieu of the Wide Receivers doing anything of note. With Fasano, it wasn't just the catches he made - it was the timing he had when making plays. They seemed to always come on third down, or when needed most. I don't want to harp on Henning's play calling too much - I think he's working to become familiar with the players, and that takes more than just a few games in preseason - but given Fasano's monster game up to that point, I am disappointed we didn't try to target him in the red zone on the last possession.
    • Davone Bess - Bess had a nifty little 25 yard kick return that immediately reminded me of another former Dolphin. He also was drawing double coverage from the Jets in the red zone. That's a lot of respect for an undrafted rookie free agent. It's one game, but it's obvious that the play-making skill he was famous for in college can translate to the NFL. I'm excited we managed to steal this kid off of the free agent pile.
    • Matt Roth / Phillip Merling / Kendall Langford - Roth and Langford both had sacks, while Merling came up with a huge play on third down that led to a Jets punt. Langford was also responsible for the third down stop that allowed the Miami offense to come back on the field with a chance to win the game. Matt Roth showed more heart in one game than we had seen in the previous 3 years. Standout Play: Roth whiffs on a chance to sack Favre, but comes back and makes a terrific strip of the ball. The move to OLB has been a revelation; we are finally seeing why he was a second round pick, and we're getting a chance to see the motor that everyone raved around in college.

    Invisible Players
    • Wide Receivers (All) - Up until the final drive, our Wide Receiver core had managed a total of 2 catches for 25 yards. On the day, Camarillo led the WRs with a total of 3 catches for only 37 yards. Part of this may be due to play calling; I would have liked to see Ginn used more efficiently, with either some bubble screens or some underneath crossing routes. I thought our slot receivers would give the Jets linebackers some trouble in this game, but we didn't seem to attack the middle of the field at all. Revis made a great play on the final drive, but Ted Ginn has to do a better job reading the defense and adjusting accordingly. Revis had his way with him for pretty much the entire game, rendering him a non-factor.
    • Chris Crocker/Andre Goodman - Favre really didn't test Will Allen or Yeremiah Bell all that often, but Chris Crocker and Andre Goodman both got burned to give up touchdowns. Goodman got absolutely toasted by Jerricho Cotchery (albeit Favre made a great fake), and Crocker allowed rookie WR Chris Stuckey to get behind him, which gave Favre the chance to chuck and pray on the fourth down TD throw. Granted, that was basically a sandlot hail mary, but the bottom line is our team allowed the Jets to score on it. It reminded me too much of Randy Moss against our secondary last year.

    Overall Thoughts
    Our team was down 20-7 going into the fourth quarter, and managed to play themselves back into the game, driving down to the Jets 2 yard line with a chance to win the game. For a team coming off a 1-15 season, the fact that they came back against a team like the Jets (current media darling and a possible playoff team) speaks volumes about the character and makeup of the team. I'm sorely disappointed we lost, but I felt like we learned a lot about this team today. Pennington was solid. Fasano stood out and made an impact. Our defense made some plays. Most importantly, this team never quit, and was in the game for all four quarters. Good effort, would have liked the win, but I'll take this as a starting point for the future.
     
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  2. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    Great write up and very accurate and concise.
     
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  3. Jaj

    Jaj Registered

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    Very far off on the WRs and OL. If you watch the game again the WRs weren't invisible they flat out failed. The OL will be the linchpin but they shouldn't be. They were average.
     
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  4. Fin Fan In Cali

    Fin Fan In Cali Dolphin fan since 1970 Luxury Box

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    The offensive line will gel better. The WR's need to step it up. Channing Crowder looked lost out there on a few plays.
     
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  5. AZFan

    AZFan Hopeful at Last!

    Other than Camarillo on a few occasions the rest of the wide receivers couldn't get open and I felt Pennington was constantly dumping off with no where else to throw. In another thread someone said to activate Armstrong....I am for that 100% as maybe some more speed will help. I certainly didn't see ANY speed from Ginn and he looked too scared to even catch the ball on returns.
     
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  6. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    Can't argue with anything VO, excellent write-up as usual.

    Just wanted to add to the Jenkins domination. It shouldn't come as a surprise because facing heavy tackles is Satele's biggest problem.
     
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  7. Vengeful Odin

    Vengeful Odin Norse Mod

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    Thanks man.

    Maybe it was just me, but I thought Samson got blown up at the point of attack throughout the game. I found that disappointing, particularly given the promise he showed last year, and the work he has put in during the preseason working with Ferguson.

    Jenkins surprised me. Like a lot of folks, I expected to see him wilt in the Florida heat come the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, by that point in time we had already abandoned the run.
     
  8. Vengeful Odin

    Vengeful Odin Norse Mod

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    It's painfully obvious that our WR corps is as bad as advertised. Our inability to unleash Ricky and Ronnie today disappointed me, given our O-Line is supposed to be a strength. They did, however, show more promise than the WRs.
     
  9. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    Yeah, I agree. If you remember my "key things to watch" in the game thread, one of them was Kris Jenkins play. I thought he looked very good out there. I said if the game was close and we pounded it, he would wear down but that didn't happen. I am not happy that we got away from the running game early but I have to say that Jenkins so far looks good in the 34. I also saw the Jets play some 43. Off-topic note but I watched Vernon Gholston on a few plays. Man he can't do anything. He's a downhill runner and that's it. He was running full speed on a play and just as he thought he was going to hit Pennington, Carey came out of the clutter and leveled him lol.
     
  10. Vengeful Odin

    Vengeful Odin Norse Mod

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    Gholston was a complete non-factor. He reminds me of another muscle-bound Buckeye (David Boston), in that he seems to play stiff and upright. Pace is worth the money he got in free agency. He ate our lunch on the flea-flicker. Too bad too, because that would have been a game changer.
     
  11. Rick 1966

    Rick 1966 Professional Hipshooter

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    The offensive line will certainly get better, but I am not sure the WR corps has the talent to step it up.
     
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  12. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    They should imo. Ginn has the ability, he needs to put it out there for sure though. Hopefully we can get Bess a bit more involved.

    Great to see Fasano have a huge game though, that can do nothing but help.
     
  13. Fin Fan In Cali

    Fin Fan In Cali Dolphin fan since 1970 Luxury Box

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    May take roster moves as well.:wink2:
     
  14. Vengeful Odin

    Vengeful Odin Norse Mod

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    Dude, that was me clicking on the rating button on accident, :lol:

    I can't remove/take my vote off, so it stayed.
     
  15. jensenbeachjet

    jensenbeachjet New Member

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    it was scary....

    let me tell you somethin....i saw a dolphin team that was totally reversed from last year! THIS TEAM SHOWED HEART!!!...as a jet fan, i am fully aware of what pennington can do in the clutch..yes, he might not throw it 50 yards anymore but he WILL keep you in games!!!
     
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  16. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    A roster move called Micheal Crabtree lol :up:

    I love Ginn, but just not sure if hes up to being a #1. Im hoping he can be at least a Santana Moss, at best a Steve Smith minus the roid rage. But he just might be best suited to playing second fiddle. I dont know, I hope im wrong and he steps it up.
     
  17. Rick 1966

    Rick 1966 Professional Hipshooter

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    Ginn has raw speed, but I am not sure if his speed translates into separation. He's getting beat up at the line of scrimmage before he ever has the chance to get open and he lacks the size to power out of it.
     
  18. Rick 1966

    Rick 1966 Professional Hipshooter

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    At least one of our top three picks in next year's draft should go to WR. And we should sign at least two FA defensive backs.
     
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  19. funkdat

    funkdat New Member

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    The post funk era
    I thought the offensive line play was the worst i have seen in years, and that says a'lot seeing how i'm a " Dolfan "

    Overall i thought offensive played like poo, but we still almost won so i really can't complain.

    The "D" played as well as you could hope for, playing a HOF QB.Even with that one crazy play they kept him under 200 yards.

    Matt Roth is playing at the Pro Bowl level like i've been talking about for weeks.Pack your bags son!!!!His 1st real start as a olb and the other team was trying to run away from him.That kind of says it all.
     
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  20. Phinperor

    Phinperor formerly In_Flames Luxury Box

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    Great post Odin, very well thought out. :up:
     
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  21. Samphin

    Samphin Κακό σκυλί ψόφο δεν έχει

    I didn't think the o-line played all that bad when you consider that they had two rookies and a new guy playing LG. I also think Ricky was a lot more hype than substance. Ronnie did okay behind the very same line.

    Something else to consider. The o-line didn't go up against a 3-4 front much at all during the preseason. In fact, outside of our own defense, I am not sure they saw it at all.

    That means the two rookies, in their first game were going up against looks that they hadn't seen yet.

    I have a feeling they will do better against Arizona, but that our defense will do worse. I'll explain later in the week.

    Great writeup Odin, I agree about our TE's. Fasano looked like a stud and I am scrambling in a few leagues to pick him up. The wideouts left something to be desired. Camarillo looked ok, but where was Ginn/Hagan/Wilford? Did Wilford even touch the field? He seems like he would have been a better option for the goalline fade than the small Davone Bess.
     
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  22. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    Sam, Wilford was inactive for the game. I don't know where the hell Hagan was. I didn't see him at all.
     
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  23. Vengeful Odin

    Vengeful Odin Norse Mod

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    Appreciate the kudos Sam - FYI, Wilford was on the inactives list.

    Kurt Warner going up against this secondary scares me.
     
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  24. Samphin

    Samphin Κακό σκυλί ψόφο δεν έχει

    I didn't see WIlford on the inactive list, good catch. :up: The next tallest would have been Hagan, who probably should have been in there, anyone but Bess really.

    As for Warner, the guy can still wing it all over the field. The key will be pressuring him. If we can get to him (the defense got good pressure al day today) then we might be able to contain him. However, their wideouts are much better the New York's and our secondary made some spectacularly bad mistakes today. If Boldin or Fitzgerald are given any type of daylight, they are gone.
     
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  25. Brown42000

    Brown42000 Chillin

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    Arizona's run defense is poor. Miami should have success against it next week but if they don't the run game will be serious trouble this season.

    Miami will have success getting to Warner next week as SF seemed to get to him often in todays game.
     
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  26. Fin Fan In Cali

    Fin Fan In Cali Dolphin fan since 1970 Luxury Box

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    I forgot to tell you bro nice write up. If this continues, there is Eric Parker that is still unsigned, that could be brought in for a tryout.
     
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  27. Onehondo

    Onehondo Senior Member Club Member

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    Nice write up VO!
    In all honesty, what did we all expect from a team that was juggled completely around this year and still hasn't developed that chemistry that makes a good team. We all knew and acknowledged that this was a rebuilding project and would take some time.
    I know we all wanted the Dolphins to start the season with a win but we just have to be patient. At least I think we have some coaches and management that can make adjustments and tweak things to make them better, unlike some coaches in the past that kept trying to make things work that were unworkable.
     
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  28. Rick 1966

    Rick 1966 Professional Hipshooter

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    Better playcalling. I think this loss could have been avoided if Dan Henning had made quicker adjustments.
     
  29. Rocky Raccoon

    Rocky Raccoon Greasepaint Ghost Staff Member

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    I think people should let up a little on the receivers. If you add Pennington's arm to the fact he was being pressured constantly then that is not going to result well for the receivers.

    I'm not saying they don't deserve blame or that they are a fantastic bunch, but I think there was more to it than the fact they weren't making plays. Not to mention the Jets corners did a heck of a job.
     
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  30. Larryfinfan

    Larryfinfan 17-0...Priceless Club Member

    Nice post, as usual, but I think you are being too hard on the WRs...if the QB doesn't have time to get the ball to them, then they will be "invisible".

    The bottom line for this game was that our OL stunk the joint up, not letting the run game get going, therefore the passing game couldn't get going...Pennington, Favre, Marino, Elway, Unitas...none of them could have done much better with that OL performance...
     
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  31. Jaj

    Jaj Registered

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    Why should we let up on the receivers when they're the one's who completely screwed over the offensive line? Go watch the Cardinals for example play. Their OL sucks horribly as far as talent goes and their coaching is no better than ours but because their receivers can get open they look much better.

    It's lucky for the WRs that they don't get shown for the most part down the sidelines and in deeper routes because otherwise the true picture would be shown of just how much they sucked.
     
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  32. Jets81

    Jets81 Junior Member

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    Hey guys, good game. Put a scare into a lot of us.

    One thing to consider about the running game: It's hard to run the ball when teams can put 8 in the box. It wasn't just Jets fans talking trash about Pennington, it's the truth. If any of you caught the post game interviews with the Jets players (Thomas Jones in particular) they talked about how much easier it is to run the ball with a QB that can make all the throws. Team that with your admittedly weak WR's and you could be struggling to run the ball all season regardless of the talent that you have at RB or OL.

    Good luck with the rest of the season (until you come to NJ). With Brady out it looks like the division could be up for grabs.
     
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  33. Brown42000

    Brown42000 Chillin

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    I really don't think the offensive line was "horrible" as you guys are putting it. I thought they had an average game and there was more then one occasion Chad had time in the pocket but no one was open.
     
  34. Jaj

    Jaj Registered

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    I can think of an easy one off the top of my head, the final play of the game. Pennington had ALL DAY...
     
  35. Larryfinfan

    Larryfinfan 17-0...Priceless Club Member

    I didn't expect him to wilt...remember he's practiced in Charlotte heat for 9 years...it's almost as bad in the summer here as in SFL...but he certainly did school Satele...no doubt about that...
     
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  36. HULKFish

    HULKFish Artist and Scribe

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    OL sucked... Sparano will be rightly ALL over them this week! Hopefully we'll see a big difference next week. I'm not going to panic yet being it was week 1 and we're a young team.

    Negatives:

    OL - Welcome to the NFL Jake Long! 8-in the box and done for the running game... Teams will do that until we can correct that or WR's start making plays.

    Secondary - More specifically Goodwin looked lost and out of position most of the day. Crocker looked like a rookie.

    Run D - Looked Bad overall. Weren't getting any penetration! Crowder and Ayedele missed a couple tackles. Thomas bounced to the outside way too easily.

    WR - This wide receiving corps looked aweful! Bess and Camarillo were the only 2 to managed any kind of consistency. Ginn played with no speed. LOT OF WORK NEEDED.

    POSITIVES:

    DL - Pass rush was pretty good though blitzing was required too much. Merling and Langford are going to be pretty solid guys!

    LB
    - Porter looked MUCH better then last season and Roth was very good too! Crowder wasn't bad and Ayedele made a couple nice stops.

    TE
    - Our TE combo of Fasano and Martin looked solid and pretty dependable! That was a big plus!

    Ronnie Brown - Proved he was healthy and SHOULD BE the starter. That is all I can say.
     
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  37. gunn34

    gunn34 I miss Don & Dan

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    Nice write up VO. Thanks. I thought we lost it when we were at their 3 and passed it two times. Why we didn't run wide (lots of room) IDK. I was happy with the overall performance. It was nice finally seeing the team play with heart. Also I agree with the Roth write up. He was finally doing what a 2nd rounder is supposed too. Crowder looked lost out there minus maybe 2 plays. I'm really going to miss Zach.
     
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  38. Brown42000

    Brown42000 Chillin

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    Didn't say this is my first post but nice write up.
     
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  39. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    Thanks for the nice comment. I do disagree with you a little though. Pennington did not have a problem making throws [after the 1st quarter jitters], he had nowhere to go. I saw nothing really that indicated that Pennington's arm was part of the problem. The WR corps played horribly, I watched the entire game, they deserve 99% of the criticism on this one. Chad did not look bad at all given what he had to deal with.
     
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