http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1839515-breaking-down-the-miami-dolphins-short-yardage-problems
Just thought I'd share something about football.
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I know every roster spot is precious on gameday. But I can't get past not having a fullback or RB that specializes in 3rd an 1 situations. that FB we had a couple of years (was that Javorskie?) ago only had one purpose: 3rd and 1, and he was very effective. Maybe the coaching staff likes Thomas because he can also play the pass in case we don't run, but if he sucks on 3rd and short, it's a waste.
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Considering the success of the Clay FB dive, I'd like to see him get more opportunity to do it; even if that means lining him up at tailback some. -
there shouldnt be a need for a short yardage specialist. if you cant trust your starter to get one yard, then maybe he shouldnt be your starter.
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Barry Sanders probably shouldn't have started then.
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Look no further than to our game against Indy a few years back. We controlled the ball for 45 minutes, ran all over them, and still lost to a high powered passing attack. -
Can you specifically tell me why having a short yardage back is a bad thing? -
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I agree that Clay should be used more in short yardage. With the emergence of Egnew and Miller, the Dolphins have a set of players that can be used in multiple formations to vary short yardage plays. I think Thomas has value but his lack of power and outside speed results in too many easy stops on short yardage.
Varying short yardage between traditional and empty backfields should help reduce the LBers filling holes; freeing their DL to penetrate with limited gap responsibility. The risk of emptying the backfield is that the above have shown limited short yard receiving skills; however, I hope that execution would improve if it becomes part of the weekly game plan.
Additional short yardage plays/looks might be found with direct snapping to Clay. Read option is already in the play and perhaps a wrinkle can be added. Moreover, Miller's speed might make him a good partner for Ricky role in the Wildcat. -
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I don't see the problem with it. If you have a runner that's very good in space and between the 20's, but not great in short yardage, and you're able to pair him with someone that is a good short yardage runner (something Daniel Thomas clearly isn't), then your backfield is going to be more productive than if it were just a guy that was a good runner in all situations.
To me, it's like saying you wouldn't want Pedro Martinez because he rarely finished games. But if you paired Pedro with a guy like Craig Kimbrel, overall you're going to get a much more productive 9 innings than if it was just Mark Buerhle throwing 9 above average innings. -
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Two of the best teams in the NFC are smash mouth teams.
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If you're dressing a player JUST for short yardage ala Lousaka Polite, I can see why that would be a detriment, but I don't see why that has to be the case. -
I think he even made the Pro Bowl because of it.Mainge likes this. -
Also when the Saints were able to establish their running game is when their passing attack became effective against the Miami Dolphins that game. -
I was expecting to open the article up and just see "DANIEL THOMAS".
On 3rd/4th with less than 3 yards to go when running the ball, Miami is 22nd in the league with a 53.8% conversion rate.
EDIT: Source: http://pfref.com/tiny/eqZQJdolfan32323, jdang307, ckparrothead and 1 other person like this. -
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I have Miami at #24/25 out of 32 on 3rd & 2 or 3rd & 3. Miami has passed the ball 90% of the time in those situations. The average is about 75% passing. Coincidentally or not so coincidentally, the most successful team on 3rd & 2 or 3rd & 3 is the Philadelphia Eagles, who run the football 66.7% of the time on those downs. Only the Carolina Panthers run the football even 50% of the time on those downs. -
dolfan22 Season Ticket Holder Club Member
ckparrothead likes this. -
Breath of fresh air. Actual football.
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I find it really interesting that Miami has only gone for it on 4th and <5 yards two times the entire season. Only Indy and the Giants have gone for it less with one instance each. The average in the league seems to be about 5. Conservative play-calling at it's finest.
But profootballreference is great, their game play finder is spectacular. For those who haven't played around with it ever go here: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/play_finder.cgi and just enter in random scenarios. You'll feel more knowledgeable instantly.dolfan32323, ckparrothead, Mainge and 1 other person like this. -
I think short yardage running/success is much less about size and power than many people think. Over the years, some of the guys who were best at it weren't very big (e.g., Walter Payton) or powerful (e.g., Marcus Allen). It's often more about vision, quickness and body lean.
Mainge likes this. -
Moving to Soap Box. No use for this stuff right now, Chris.
Fin D, Mainge and ckparrothead like this. -
You were more concise and explained things in a way the 'lay' NFL fan can understand. Bravo!
I thoroughly enjoyed this one.....ckparrothead likes this. -
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Is part of the issue though that the box is getting stacked? Those two Cincy examples I believe had essentially 9 and 8 players in or near the box. Seems like that would dictate pass, but we still need to be able to convert short yardage. Crucial. Critical.
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Size may be overrated where it concerns short yardage success, but I do think it plays more of a role in short yardage than it does on normal downs.
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vt_dolfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member
When we are in 3 and 1 or even say 4 and 1....
Why not spread the entire field out......and then have Tannehill chose which way to dive the way the Patriots seem to do all the time.?
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