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Chris Johnson: How does Miami stop him?

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by Colmax, Dec 15, 2009.

  1. Colmax

    Colmax Well-Known Member

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    Since the bye week, Chris Johnson has been averaging 147 yards a game at 6.0 yards a pop. But in the last two games, he has averaged a human-like 4.2 yards per carry with 115 yard per game average and 2 TDs, with both TDs coming in their routing of St. Louis last week.

    Now I am only posing this question, but WHAT IF Johnson is hitting that proverbial "Sophomore Slump"? Or at least, a Sophomore wall? Johnson already has 21 more carries this year than last at 272. He is also of slight build, weighing in at around 200 pounds. With the carries, and not that he takes the big hits, his body could be slowing down a bit. At least, that is what I hope. This is something to consider, because in college, his highest number of carries was 236 (in his Sr. year). That was his only 200+ carry season. The year before, he carried only 78 times, presumably because of injury. His other two years he carried 134 and 176 respectively.

    Last week, Johnson had an injury to his ankle, and still had 28 carries! He also is dangerous scoring a TD out of the backfield, having two receiving TDs this year with both going over 60 yards. But those are his only two. He is not entirely dangerous catching the ball out of the backfield considering his stats are skewed by one long break. For example, his last game, he had 3 catches for 69 yards, but one of those went for a 66 yard score. But with Chris Johnson, he is dangerous to break the long run at anytime.

    That's the problem with Johnson, a presumably broken play can turn into big yardage gained. Miami really has to be ready for anything. They should be aggressive, but also maintain discipline in their reads because not only Chris Johnson, but also Vince Young can turn broken plays into big gains. In fact, on the 66 yard catch for a TD, Johnson admitted that it was a missed assignment. Granted, it was against St. Louis, but still, this is the NFL.

    I think Miami is lucky to have both Chris Johnson and Vince Young a bit dinged up a bit this week. It could mean the difference between a 66 yard TD on a blown assignment or a 15 yard screen. I do not doubt these guys will play hard, and Miami's D-line has to bring it because their O-line is pretty damned good.

    Although Chris Johnson is amazing, he cannot do it alone. Our OLB's will have to do a good job at setting the edge, and our DBs and ILBs will have to be ready to stick their noses into the trenches.Their TEs are not really a big threat, although, Bo Scaife is averaging about 5 catches and 60+ yards a game over the past 3 games. They are also not a big scoring threat, with only 2 TDs between Scaife and Crumpler (Crumpler scored his first TD last week). It is probable that Miami will cram the box, but it also important for our safeties to be smart. Miami will also have to concentrate on tackling. One missed tackle could mean a TD with Johnson.

    I am confident Miami will come in this game with a good gameplan, but I also know it will probably be Miami's toughest challenge during this 3-game stretch playing on the road in Nashville. I do not think Miami can do too much to really stop Johnson, and I suspect he will get his 100+ yards and a TD, but if Miami can limit him to that, then maybe we have a chance. I also think Miami can help by scoring quickly and often to try to limit the amount of carries Johnson gets. He also gets stronger as the game goes on. So Miami's best defense against Chris Johnson might be its offense. Pair that with both Chris and Vince not being 100%, Miami might just get lucky.
     
  2. Skeet84

    Skeet84 New Member

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    Best way to stop him is.... Oh wait no one has figured it out yet. He plays behind a good Oline and gets solid QB play. I just hope we can get up big and force them to start passing alot.
     
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  3. BuckeyeKing

    BuckeyeKing Wolves DYNASTY!!!!

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    I'd say force CJ to run inside do not let him run to the sideline.
     
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  4. SargeZ33

    SargeZ33 Semperfi!

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    They have won less than they have lost games. Teams have figured out how to do it, and so should we. The Phins are a stronger team down the stretch, and I think our momentum will get us through. Henne will have a huge day, and look for Ricky and Hartline to burn these guys. Our D will OWN!
     
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  5. dgb11112

    dgb11112 Hall Of Fame

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    Years Ago...

    There was a Bruce Willis movie called the "Last Boyscout"...

    The opening scene was a football game in which the RB was running for a TD in the rain, he pulled out a gun and shot the opposing teams p;ayers trying to tackle him...

    Perhaps we should implore that strategy against Chris Johnson....

    Ok Bad choice but I had to say it, we were ALL thinking it
    Just saying....:knucks:
     
  6. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Thing is, if you look at all his long distance runs this season, they've all come between the tackles. Much as he was in college, he's a one cut and go back. We have to stay lane disciplined up front with a huge onus on that interior seven of Soliai, Langford, Merling, Starks, McDaniel, Crowder and Ayodele. We can't allow guards to get off and get out to the second level and eat up our inside linebackers. Crowder had a very good game on Sunday with a lot of run blitzes on MJD. He's going to need a similar game. I also think we'll see a lot of single coverage on the edge with Bell and Wilson even closer into the box than usual. I like my chances with Smith and Davis on the edge, but I think if Heimerdinger has success it will be with play action.
     
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  7. Conuficus

    Conuficus Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Actually if we rely on the same strategy we employed to slow down the Colts running game we will stand a decent chance. Johnson is not a between the tackles runner - in that he doesn't run many plays directly into the A gap. He will cut back inside, but predominantly if he runs inside it is via a cut back, not like Ronnie. The Titans have tailored their ground game to fit his abilities and therefore run the stretch play a great deal, and operate a zone blocking scheme.

    As with most teams that run that scheme, we need to get into a hole, but not all the way through it as the play flows outside. I'm not saying you don't shoot gaps, but that you do so judiciously. Otherwise, you naturally make a cutback lane and off the runner goes.

    We will see the stretch play at least 7-9 times this week, so we had better make sure we defend it properly.
     
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  8. GARDENHEAD

    GARDENHEAD Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Maybe we can trade for Matt Roth, the magical edge-setting elf. Without Roth's unique ability to set the edge, we don't stand a chance!!!!

    Okay, that will be the last time I bash Roth and his delusional supporters.
    Posted via Mobile Device
     
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  9. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Honestly?

    Play Clemons and Jason Allen a bit more to have more speed out on the field, imho our Dline can handle their oline, but Johnson is so quick imho having more athletes on the field will help to contain him.
     
  10. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    You can bet they run it to Sean Smith's side. What Johnson possesses is great vision and anytime he sees a lane, he'll cut back into it. The stretch is perfect for him because it's a slow developing play and allows him to view that side of the field and instantly see a lane. Of course it's also slow developing for the defence, but if they don't play it properly then he's gone.
     
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  11. MonstBlitz

    MonstBlitz Nobody's Fart Catcher

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    The good thing we have going for us is that we typically haven't allowed RBs to beat us this year. That being said, those other RBs haven't been named Chris Johnson. I'm more afraid of Chris Johnson catching passes out of the backfield than I am Chris Johnson running the ball, although both are scary.
     
  12. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

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    they stop him with the same defense that played Sunday against the Jaguars
     
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  13. JMORGAN6977

    JMORGAN6977 New Member

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    Chris Johnson will gain over 100 yards. Thats not the problem. Can the #30 pass defense stop Chad Henne. I would take the gun in a street fight any day over the knife. We will get back to the 30+ points offense this weekend. I have faith in our defense to slow the titans down.

    1. Chris Johnson, TEN 1626
    2. Steven Jackson, STL 1279
    3. Adrian Peterson, MIN 1200
    4. Thomas Jones, NYJ 1167
    5. Maurice Jones-Drew, JAC 1136

    4 of the top 5 in the NFL are obviously not the answer for their teams. It takes more than having the best RB in the league.
     
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  14. SeanP

    SeanP Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I think you hit the nail on the head that this is going to be a high scoring affair. Unless our defense plays the same type of game it played last week.

    So long as we don't have to play on a slippery field and our guys can keep a grip on the ball, I think we stand a pretty strong chance.

    Were this not essentially a playoff game I don't know if I'd be as worried about it as a fan, but at this point every game is a potential playoff ender.
     
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  15. Delfin Alejandro

    Delfin Alejandro Premier League Champs

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    I agree that we should use Bell a lot more during this game. He is one of our quickest guys. Remember the game against the Pats, he made tackles from behind running past both Vontae and Smith. He caught Mr. Welker to prevent 6 points. I think using him will be key in this game.
     
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  16. Conuficus

    Conuficus Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Yeah, I'm sure they will. The question is how often.......from what I've seen we'll see Johnson run at Kendall Langford a hell of a lot. Although Johnson will cut back anywhere.

    Our issue is gonna be can either Ayodele or Crowder get out to the edge? Or, will it be a small advantage in that there will be someone still in the middle if he does cut back.
     
  17. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    8 gap alignment. :D

    [​IMG]
     
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  18. MonstBlitz

    MonstBlitz Nobody's Fart Catcher

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    And I think you can make a strong argument that even in the case of Adrian Peterson, that has had just as much if not more to do with Brett Favre playing great football. Strong passing wins games. A great running game merely helps. IMHO.
     
  19. TiP54

    TiP54 Bad Reputation

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    OLBS need to contain.
    Im so glad Vontae isn't tentative when it comes to tackling, they run ALOT of screens, sweeps and stretches.
     
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  20. MikeHoncho

    MikeHoncho -=| Censored |=-

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    Q: How do they stop him?


    A: Lots of prayer
     
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  21. Delfin Alejandro

    Delfin Alejandro Premier League Champs

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    Everyone go to church on Saturday and light a candle or whatever your faith does..... We need all the help we can get, divine intervention is ok in my book!!!!:up:
     
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  22. krypto

    krypto Banned

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    I think the most important football technique we have to practice this week is tackling because miss tackles on Chris Johnson/Vince Young will turn into chunk yardage.
     
  23. Ozzy

    Ozzy Premium Member Luxury Box

    I know how to do it. Find out where his breakfast is being prepared and get someone to mix a half pound of exlax in it .....

    Otherwise lets hope to contain him because I doubt we can flat out stop him.
     
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  24. Killerphins

    Killerphins The Finger

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    wrap up and tackle at initial contact no missed tackles
    this is a must against cj
     
  25. Shamboubou

    Shamboubou Well-Known Member

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    The best way to stop him is to put up some really quick points against this team. We need to get up 14-21 points quick and make the Titans have to throw the ball down field. If you can get up on these guys they can't use CJ. Just like the Colts in week 5, they got up on them and CJ only got 9 carries. A few weeks later against the Pats same thing, only got 13 carries.

    The other is just like the poster above said, you have to wrap up and tackle on first contact.
     
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  26. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Yep. As I mentioned, I think you'll see Wilson and Bell closer to the LOS than usual. One thing about Johnson's game is that he doesn't like being hit. Certainly as a rookie if you knocked him down and were able to land some physical blows, he tends to struggle.
     
  27. FinsAreLife

    FinsAreLife Well-Known Member

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    honestly, theres not many ways to stop him right now with the way he's playing. Im not saying its impossible because i sure hope we can do it. I think our best bet is to limit him as much as possible. If he has 100 yrds or less and only 1 TD we may have put ourselves in a good shot to win the game.
     
  28. Colmax

    Colmax Well-Known Member

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    I am not. He only has a couple of TDs out of the backfield; granted, both were for 60+ yards. He is not great out of the backfield, but you never know. Miami has seemed to shore up the defensive play against the screen from the crappy play of earlier in the year, but we've not played Chris Johnson. So, who knows if Tennessee will employ the screen or the over-the-middle passes to Johnson because of those factors? It's damned trivial if you ask me.

    IMO, Chris Johnson is scarier running than catching the ball out of the backfield, although, it could just be scheme on the Titans part.
     
  29. NolePhin

    NolePhin Look out for D-Bess

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    I have conflicting interests. I am in the semi-finals of my fantasy league, and I am playing a buddy of mine who I refuse to lose to. Chris Johnson is on my fantasy team. I want him to do well, but I obviously want the Dolphins to win.

    Hopefully he can do really well and the Dolphins win?
     
  30. titanruss

    titanruss New Member

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    hi,
    titans fan here. first off.. good luck this week. should be a tough fight.

    second, you don't really stop chris johnson... but there are a few things that help.

    1. if kerry collins plays... you have a shot of containing him.
    teams know that when KFC (kerry f***ing collins) is in the game all you have to do is blitz. blitz the run, blitz the pass... whatever, and our offense goes backward. Earlier in the season, CJ would break a long one, maybe 2 per game. it makes his stats look great but the offense usually goes nowhere with KFC outside of the huge play or 2 CJ will bring.

    2. if you get a lead.. maybe. but the advantage of a guy like CJ is, when we play from behind and you expect pass, it just opens larger running lanes. CJ, if you've seen him, can score or get out of bounds about as quick as any passing play.

    3. the most effective method i've seen is to play disciplined and not overly-aggressive. the last colts game saw CJ get about 120.. but the feeling was he had been stopped. the colts sacrificed a yard or two just to make sure he stayed in front of them. it worked in a sense... not pretty, but effective.

    4. catching the ball he is much more effective with vince. but if you have a man right at him when he catches he usually doesn't do much. if he is open i give it 50/50 TD odds.

    your best bet is hoping that KFC plays and blitzing the hell out of us.
    if vince plays, i don't care who you are, CJ's going to get about 140 rushing. Vince helps open lanes and freezes the LB's enough to get CJ the first couple of yards... very vital for a speed back. Vince may not run much this week... which could help your LB reads. But his passing is better than KFCs has been all season.

    and CJ does run in the A-gaps. In fact it drives us crazy seeing how much we run him there... sometimes he bounces it and gets yards, but about 3 times a game he'll make you hold your breath because he'll get 1-on-1 with a safety about 8 yards down field.

    again, good luck and here's to hoping whomever wins this game can sneak into the playoffs.:up:
     
  31. DietJesseDew

    DietJesseDew New Member

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    I hopes CJ gets 140+ he only needs like 390 yards to have 2,000. the kids deserves it. Everyone said who is Chris Johnson in the draft. now everyone is saying ,how do we stop CJ?
     
  32. Fin Fan In Cali

    Fin Fan In Cali Dolphin fan since 1970 Luxury Box

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    Welcome bro!:wink2: Nice post. Best of luck to you. May it be a great game with no injuries.:hi5:
     
  33. Fin Fan In Cali

    Fin Fan In Cali Dolphin fan since 1970 Luxury Box

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    Please be respectful to the nice Titan fans coming to visit.:wink2: They are finding us on there own. I have stopped visiting others sites any more before our games.
     
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  34. The Aqua Crush

    The Aqua Crush New Member

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    NIce post Titanruss. KFC...funniest thing i've heard all month. I really hope the Chicken man is playing. Even the option play vince/CJ run scares the hell out of me. It would be tough for any defense to stop.

    I saw the rams had quiet a few series where they penetrated the line and CJ was pretty ineffective. But then they lost gap control or no spy coverage on him for the screen pass, and CJ got it in space and good bye he's gone.

    I think the colts strategy would be best. Let him get his yards but play him in front of you. Just prevent him from being a game breaker.

    Another thing is our LB's and DB's need to have their feet moving. If your caught for a second flat footed he's gone. The tracking needs to be fluid and with contain in mind. If we get overagressive and miss a tackle. TD.

    Should be a fun game. Tough challenges for both teams. HOpefully it's a great game with no injuries. Thanks for posting Titanruss.
     
  35. GISH

    GISH ~mUST wARN oTHERS~

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    i stopped reading when you said the guy with 8 straight 100 yard games was in a slump.
     
  36. Colmax

    Colmax Well-Known Member

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    I did not say he was in a slump ("slump" was in quotes). I posed the question on whether he might hit (or is hitting) a wall.

    Looking at his production, one might surmise that, in his last two games, his production has been very good for average backs, but not Johnson-esque. He is putting many miles on his legs and I wonder if that is contributing to the "low" numbers?

    He also has an ankle injury, so that might be the reason, but the Titans know he has an ankle issue and still gave him 28 carries last game. Was that necessary, esp. against the Rams???

    Like I said, his last two games, he is averaging a very average 4.2 yards/carry. I wonder if this is something to note or just lower statistical games for Johnson?

    Yet, if you had read it in its entirety, I would not have had to elaborate (again)......
     
  37. GISH

    GISH ~mUST wARN oTHERS~

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    The Chris Johnson I saw last week didn't seem to be any less explosive or dangerous. He scored 3 touchdowns and had 186 total yards. Any attempts to make it sound like he is under performing, even for him, is silly. If he repeats last weeks "slump" performance against us, we're screwed.

    there was really no point in reading the entire thing when you started by saying Chris Johnson is under performing.
     
  38. slickj101

    slickj101 Is Water

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    The same way we stopped MJD.

    Realistically, it'd be nice to have a MLB that's athletic enough to just cover CJ on every play. Since Crowder is...Crowder, that won't happen.
     
  39. GISH

    GISH ~mUST wARN oTHERS~

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    As long as Vince Young doesnt play, we should win. (I cant believe I just said that.)
     
  40. austin34997

    austin34997 New Member

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    alright the dolphins will torch the titans D. i think YB and Gibril can contain Johnson (not shut down, just contain). as long as the line protects Henne we will be fine. by the way i am going to this game (3rd row endzone seats) how sweet is that!!!
     

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