Dolphins' offensive stats sound a warning http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports...und-a-warning-972929.html?cxtype=rss_dolphins
4 games, in the 2 wins ball control dominated, in the losses we scored 24 in one, and the other Henne's 2 int's and being pulled with 7 minutes to go pretty much meant there would not even be a garbage time TD. This is why I pay very little attention to the stuff at the PBP moment.
The Dolphins have not scored more than 1 touchdown in any half this year. The yardage to scoring discrepancy can be pinned a lot on poor field position and turnovers. When the offense is back at their own 20, then executes a drive looking for the next first down without going downfield, the drive has to be perfect with no chance of error. No turnovers generated from the defense to give us a short field. Here are all the offensive drives in the NE game... - Start at own 20, pick up 2 first downs, drive stalls on wildcat play on 3rd & 6, punt from NE 38... 42 yards, 0 points. - Start at own 36, pick up 3 first downs, touchdown on 19 yard pass to Bess... 64 yards, 7 points. - Start at own 33, pick up 1 first down, pass intercepted... 12 yards, 0 points. - Start at own 21, pick up 3 first downs, pass intercepted... 52 yards, 0 points. - Start at own 20, 3 and out, blocked punt... 6 yards, 0 points. - Start at own 20, pick up 3 first downs, touchdown on 28 yard pass to Ricky... 80 yards, 7 points. - Start at own 20, pick up 4 first downs, drive stalls after sack and 2 incompletions, 53 yard field goal attempt is blocked... 44 yards, 0 points. - Start at own 20, pick up 1 first down, drive stalls on Berger false start penalty and turnover on downs... 25 yards, 0 points. - Start at own 18, pick up 2 first downs, pass intercepted... 29 yards, 0 points. - Start at own 33, pick up 2 first downs, pass intercepted... 27 yards, 0 points. Over 100 yards of offense was spent on drives that ended with interceptions. A drive that moved 44 yards was only going to result in 3 points, until the FG was blocked. A drive that moved 42 yards ended with a punt. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/playbyplay/NFL_20101004_NE@MIA
Offensively it hasn't been fantastic but to compare the points scored now makes little sense. Other teams have played 5 games whereas the Dolphins and a handful of teams have already had their bye so that skews those numbers. Just the same for the defense allowing 92 points this year even though they didn't really.
You have discovered the heart of Stat Monkeydom, ignore things like 21 pts surrendered by the ST and place them on the Defense, ignore the Bye Week, ignore all of those facts and just focus on the final numbers. For me, the poor field position along with Henne's turnovers and Hartline not producing are the keys to the season moving forwards. All three can be cured by running the ball more effectively.
Funny that your argument for Hartline not producing involves plenty of stats, yet there you go throwing around that "stat monkeys" term once again.
Team stats over 4 games and a BYE with extenuating circumstances in the Patriots game is wholly different from a WR who's job it is to accumulate yards and isn't doing that. Your comparison is off. There are no extenuating circumstances as to why Brian Hartline hasn't produced. Brandon Marshall so far has been on pace for career high yards and catches with the double coverage. Skill positions have to accumulate stats to be considered successful. Should we just look at Hartline's blocking and clear out ability? One of the worst comparisons I've seen.
I just wanted to point out that this is only true for the Bills game, in the Vikings game they dominated ball control with a 35:48 T.O.P. compared to our 24:12.
I think it is safe to say Miami got lucky with that win (Minny), however good playoff teams get lucky every now and again....
Our inability to score TDs has been an ongoing issue. In a game where he who scores the most wins that's a real concern, not a stat manipulation. The error comes in the interpretation of the stat. It's not always all on the offense, but in this case much of it is an offensive issue. IMO the biggest part has been our lack of success in the run game. That falls both on the OL and the play calling. Our OL hasn't been as strong as expected and most of Henning's questionable calls occur after we're on the opponent's half of the field.
That is exactly what it is. Sparano talked about going back to the run more often. WTF. When did they decide to become a passing team? Henning has the team and the fans convinced that we are a passing team and that couldn't be farther from the truth. Bottom line this offense is a run based system. It is the true identity yet old Numb Nuts Henning wants to come out slinging it every down except 3rd down where he marches out the WC. What kind of identity is that. I think he has lost his mind and Sparano is just figuring it out so he is trying to run damage control and change the mindset. I repeat.....WE ARE A RUNNING FOOTBALL TEAM...... That is our core and the lack of is the reason this offense has been anemic in the TD department. You can throw the ball and put up big stats but it's all smoke and mirrors.
I was not comparing Hartline's production with our offenses ranking in production, and don't see how the connection was made. I was merely commenting on Padre's newfound propensity for using the phrase 'stat monkeys' so often, while himself uses stats in other arguments. Never did I justify Hartline's stats or insinuate our offense is doing poorly compared to every other team, so please don't try and paint my post as such.
the beautiful thing about stats is that you can almost always manipulate them to prove whatever point you want to prove.
There is one stat the Dolphins in which the Dolphins are ranked dead last, and it is not manipulated from bye weeks... Average Starting Field Position. Dolphins average drive start is on the 24.32 yard line, ranked 32nd. We are the only team with average drive start inside our own 25. Jets are ranked 2nd, Patriots are ranked 8th. Median average drive start in the league is around 29.5 yard line. We are getting destroyed with field position. I don't have the numbers in front of me but I'm sure we're one of the worst kickoff return teams in the league, and then opposing kickers are booming touchbacks half the time. And with three out of four games the defense has not given the offense any turnovers. Only turnovers in the MN game... fumble recovery for TD was awesome, and then three interceptions took place in the red zone, which was critical for stopping Minny from scoring but not putting our offense in good position to march 98 yards down the field and score. Field position isn't the only problem for the offense, but it would be nice if they could get a little help from the friends on special teams and defense. http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/drivestats