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Dolphins Details: 2011 Preseason Game 3 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by Xiidaen, Aug 28, 2011.

  1. Xiidaen

    Xiidaen Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Preseason Game 3: The closest idea we have of what the team will really look like. The teams have at least basic game plans in place, the starters usually play into the third quarter, and the teams get a dry run of their game week schedule and procedures. It’s not the real thing, but it’s the best barometer we have to measure how the team is doing.

    Unfortunately, the results were mixed. QB Chad Henne looked very good for the second week in a row, but the offensive line continues to struggle and the running game was non-existent. I’ve been advocating the importance of fixing the offensive line all offseason (even over making a change at QB) and right now it looks painfully similar to the results we saw last year – decent pass blocking, but unable to get a push in the ground game. Sadly, this remains my number one concern about the team, and if it’s not fixed, will be a damning indictment of HC Tony Sparano given his background and reputation as an offensive line expert. I still believe this team will sink and swim based on how the offensive line plays and how effectively we run the ball.

    On the plus side, the Patriots looked mortal against the Lions this week, especially due to the pressure brought by the front seven. While we don't have Ndamukong Suh this is a strength of the Dolphins team. The defense will need to play like a top 5 defense for Miami to have a chance to win the home opener.

    Here’s what caught my eye from the Tampa Bay game:
    Players and Plays
    • QB Chad Henne throws a very nice deep sideline pass (Q1 08:47) to WR Brandon Marshall who breaks a tackle from the CB EJ Biggers, jukes FS Cody Grimm, and stiff arms SOLB Quincy Black to the ground while running another 30 yards to the end zone. Great ball placement from Henne, and the after the catch moves from Marshall that we didn’t get to see often last season. We’ve heard Henne and Marshall have worked hard to improve their communication and chemistry –excellent news to see it pay dividends on the field. Henne had nice deep passes all game, while they weren’t always caught his ball placement was much better than I’ve seen before.
    • P Brandon Fields standing at the back of the end zone (Q1 04:55) with a shortened formation and Tampa Bay looking to block the punt, booms a monster punt to the Tampa 37. WR Sammie Stroughter had a decent return, but the Buccaneers still started on their side of the field. Outstanding punt from Fields who had a great game overall posting a 59 yard average.
    • TE Anthony Fasano gives QB Chad Henne an excellent hot read target (Q2 12:06) as Tampa Bay brings massive pressure up the gut. Henne stands in long enough to deliver the ball and Fasano picks up 9 yards. It’s a short gain, but the kind of play Henne and Miami tended to miss last season, and Fasano has been very productive this preseason.
    Fist Pumps
    • Passing Offense: QB Chad Henne had an excellent game at 10/13 for 175, 2 sacks, 1 TD, 143.9 QBR. Henne nicely outplayed his counterpart QB Josh Freeman, who struggled with accuracy issues all game, completing only 52% of his passes. I’m a Henne supporter, but he exceeded my expectations for this game because we saw some things from him (and the offense) we didn’t see last year. Henne made sharp throws and decisions all game, but his deep passes were placed very well, something we haven’t always seen from Henne in the past.
    • Kickoff Coverage: Special teams played well for Miami overall (a big change from much of last year) but kickoff coverage was especially effective. K Dan Carpenter in 4 kickoffs had 2 touchbacks, but left two balls returnable (at the 1 and at the -2) that the coverage units stopped inside the 20 both times. Great job by the kickoff coverage units to shut down a good return team.
    • Defensive Front: Miami’s defense played well in this game – not perfectly, but you could see the pressure coming from the front 7, nice use of blitzes, and good flow to the ball. The play wasn’t always made, but the defense looks sound overall. If they can hang on to some of these interceptions and cut down on penalties, we could get the top 5 defense we’ve been hearing about all offseason.
    Face Palms
    • Fumbles: Facing 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] and 8 from their own 15 yard line (Q1 05:41) QB Chad Henne is sacked and fumbles after RT Marc Columbo, and RG Vernon Carey are all beat essentially simultaneously. Henne had maybe 2 seconds to throw the ball, and might have been able to hit RB Reggie Bush as his outlet, but was unable to step up in the pocket with DL Michael Bennett and LB Dekota Watson both hit him at the same time. Heads up play by Bush to cover the ball at the 3 yard line. Later, WR Brandon Marshall fumbled on another impressive run after the catch, stopping a promising drive with 2:12 left in the first half.
    • Short Pass Defense: much of the damage done by Tampa Bay in this game came on short pass plays that Miami didn’t play well. RB LeGarrett Blount (Q1 00:56) took a two yard pass 59 yards when no one picked him up out of the backfield, SS Yerimiah Bell missed on the cutback, CB Sean Smith went for the ball and missed, and CB Vonte Davis slowed him enough for LB Karlos Dansby to make the tackle. I expect the Patriots to look closely at that play and try a few of their own in Game 1. Tampa Bay RBs had 89 receiving yards in the first half, and TEs had 26 –- 115 of the total 146 passing yards in the first half. Miami’s defense also struggled to contain QB Josh Freeman when he ran the ball, something that could be an issue as the team prepares to face
    • Run Blocking: There is little room for optimism here, but the run blocking scheme seemed very vanilla – there were fewer pulls than I expected in this game, instead the offensive line blocked straight ahead and failed to open an running lanes for the backs to exploit, and on many carries were unable to even keep the defense out of the backfield. Most runs ran into the pile at the line and then tried to bounce outside. The team may see things I don’t to solve this problem, but I’d been looking outside the team for a solution. Perhaps Giants OC Shawn O’Hara who worked out for Miami earlier in the offseason?
    • Goal Line Offense: For a second week Miami struggled inside the 5 yard line, with 2 unsuccessful runs and a QB scramble. I do think Henne missed an open WR Brian Hartline in the corner of the end zone on 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] down.
    • Penalties: Both teams gave up a lot of penalties in this game – a sign that’s its still preseason, and a shortened preseason at that. These penalties shortened drives and an illegal contact penalty on OLB Jason Taylor nullified a safety.
    MIA in Miami
    WR Brian Hartline was quiet this week, though I thought he was open for a TD in the second quarter. I saw less of FS Chris Clemons than I expected given the tight battle at that position with Reshad Jones. FB/TE Charles Clay was held out of the game with a hamstring injury. I’m hopeful he’s going to be a pleasant surprise, but that may be too much pressure on a 6[SUP]th[/SUP] round pick.

    Up Next: Dallas Cowboys
    Week 4 in the Preseason is essentially about remaining roster battles, and evaluating players for the practice squad. Look for the starters to play briefly and coaches to try and get out of the game quickly without injuries. There are position battles for #3 TE, 3-5 CB, and #5 WR that bear watching to see who we keep and in what role. Players at the bottom of the roster may not be safe as we look for players cut by other teams who can make an impact as well – particularly at Linebacker, Offensive Line, and Tight End.
     
    GRT8, Pandarilla, SeanP and 4 others like this.
  2. Frumundah Finnatic

    Frumundah Finnatic U Mad Miami?

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    I think Hartline had a nice catch but it was negated by a penalty(shocking isnt it?)
     
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  3. AdamC13

    AdamC13 Well-Known Member

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    Nice write-up...but I swear Brandon Fields gets NO RESPECT. Even Dolphin fans don't know his name. Matt Turk? :lol:

    Must have been watching the Jaguars-Bills game simultaneously.
     
    Xiidaen likes this.
  4. CaribPhin

    CaribPhin Guest

    Cable's still out due to the hurricane and I have cable internet in my apartment meaning I couldn't watch the game or check the stats. At my friend's place getting online.

    Thanks for the write-up. I really wanted to know how this game went.
     
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  5. GRT8

    GRT8 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Dont panic yet, as Jake long will go along way into solidifying the Oline. That part needs to gel over the first few games. We will need to rely on a great defensive effort, turnovers and big plays on O. IMO
     
    Mile High Fin likes this.
  6. dolfan22

    dolfan22 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    Maybe not panic , but also not have a false sense of security that 77 will solidify 2 positions currently being manned by players that have NO business starting. Right now it is a major stretch to think either of them may be serviceable , let alone both.
     
  7. Xiidaen

    Xiidaen Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Nope, new baby, no sleep. My bad, I'll get that fixed.
     
  8. Xiidaen

    Xiidaen Premium Member Luxury Box

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    This is more my concern -- Long is an outstanding lineman and will help us a lot, but not on the right side of the line. If I'm playing Miami I'd swap my best rushes and blitzes to that side until the line shows they can stop it...which right now, they can't.
     
  9. CD13

    CD13 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I hope they make a change at RT, just fear Columbo is in the "club", and we will be cursing his name all year.
     
  10. dolfan22

    dolfan22 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    Having 2 weak points on the line is more than a challenge, having them beside one another is a sure recipe for disaster imo. One of the moves that didn't get done in FA that I mentioned over and over again as an opportunity.

    How much of this is on Sparano and how much on Ireland , I don't know. As management though it is on them and they have have no excuse to why we are in such a mess at this point .

    They seem locked in to using Pouncey at C , right now the best , and most immediate move may be to bring in O'Hara to bring some veteran presence there , move Pouncey to the Guard spot they want movement from then deal with RT.

    And they do need to deal with RT , their current decision for that problem isn't the correct one.

    I would not call it panic, however I do think there is a sense of urgency here , and luckily because of the lock out and all that entailed we have some options that ordinarily we wouldn't have to try to fix this lingering , festering problem. You want some continuity if not a lot , so I think one semi significant move gets made in the next couple of days.

    Fixable Tony? sure but not by doing what has been done with the players here , it may be fixable by replacing turnstiles with a player(s) that has a chance to hold his own , imo.
     
  11. atomdomb

    atomdomb Banned

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    Another face palm would be that Henne had seven series and came away with only 7 points. Not saying he played poorly but the offense is on his shoulders. 7 points is not good.
     
  12. pacadermng67

    pacadermng67 New Member

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    Penalties absolutely killed drives. You throw in Marshall's fumble and the the strip sack of Henne and thats what you get. Plus he drove the team down for a field goal so he actually scored 10. 2/7 leading scoring drives when the rest of the team played as poorly as they did is pretty good. Especially for Henne.
     
  13. adamprez2003

    adamprez2003 Senior Member

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    just wanted to say that was a nice writeup. hope you keep it up
     
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  14. KingofMiami

    KingofMiami FINS ARE KING

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    Lets see how they look offensively against the partriots
     

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