Dolphins' defense wants to force the pass By Harvey Fialkov | South Florida Sun-Sentinel September 4, 2008 DAVIE - Although most of the pregame hype surrounding the Jets- Dolphins season opener Sunday has centered on the quarterback matchup between Brett Favre and Chad Pennington, it might be the running backs who decide the outcome. The Dolphins were ranked last in run defense in 2007, while the Jets were not much better at 29th. The Dolphins allowed eight running backs to rush for 100 yards last season, including Jets tailback Thomas Jones, who had 110 yards in New York's 31-28 victory on Sept. 23. When Jones wasn't running through the Dolphins, change-of-pace back Leon Washington had three of his six touchdowns against Miami, including a 98-yard kick return. "Sounds like Football 101, stop the run and put pressure on the passer," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said. "If we don't do it this week, we won't win. "We do need to stop the run here, and that's been our message to our defense from day one. I have a lot of respect for Leon and Thomas Jones." The Jets have also beefed up their offensive line with free-agent pickups Alan Faneca and Damien Woody. "You hate to say let the quarterback beat us with Brett Favre, but that's the option we're faced with," linebacker Joey Porter said. "We want to take away the run and put the ball in Favre's hands. They can't be able to do both." In an effort to bolster their porous run defenses, the Dolphins brought in nose tackle Jason Ferguson and run-stuffing linebacker Akin Ayodele, while the Jets added Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and rangy linebacker Calvin Pace. Porter recounted how the Dolphins' starters stuffed elite running backs from the Jaguars and Chiefs in the preseason, holding Maurice-Jones Drew, Fred Taylor and Larry Johnson to a combined 55 yards on 22 carries. "We stopped them pretty good when they had their [first-teamers] in there, so we're confident about the run [defense]," Porter said. "We feel like our front seven is up for the challenge." The Jets have had just as many problems containing the Dolphins' two-headed backfield of Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown. Brown has a franchise-tying three consecutive 100-yard outings against the Jets, including 211 all-purpose yards in the Game 3 loss last year. Switch at WR? Receiver Greg Camarillo lined up with the first team Wednesday in place of Derek Hagan and appears headed for his first NFL start. "That's always been my mentality, practice as though you're going to get cut," Camarillo said. "I feel like I started getting my swagger back as a receiver and Pennington came in and helped out a lot." The Dolphins re-signed two players they waived on Sunday, adding rookie receiver Anthony Armstrong and linebacker Rob Ninkovich to complete the eight-man practice squad.
Not that our passing game is going to be anywhere near what the Pats had last season, but this reminds me of Wade Phillips post-game press conference after getting toasted by the Pats. He stood up in front of the mic and told everyone that there defensive game plan was to make Brady throw the ball. I couldn't believe what I heard, but yeah, that's what he said. If I were the Fins I would want us to try and run the ball, not pass it.
Man, I feel like I just read a Herman Edwards interview without some outlandish analogy embedded neatly inside.
Porter apparently hasn't seen all the tape of LC and Cotchery abusing the fins. They were even able to do it with a guy that has limited ability throwing a football. Whatever Joey, shouldn't you be sucker punching people in casinos...
It's not even close to laughable if Favre pulls the "Sex Cannon" routine he did in 2005 and 2006, where he made a read or two and just heaved the ball deep to friend or foe if they werent open.
The weather will most likely be crappy, so the run game will be very important. I think we have to worry about their run game a lot more than they have to worry about ours.
The Phins no longer have the dancing queen to apply pressure. I'd love them to use this approach. Throw to set up the run. I hope they throw it every 1st down!
I still cannot open new threads, that's why I'm asking that here... First play a deep ball to teach their secondary ? It's tempting, but isn't it what they'd expect ? Nevertheless, I'd like to see LCo going a deep in, Smith on a deep comeback, JCo on a crossing, Richardson on a block and release swing, LWash on a swing. O-Line is good enough without ....What about a 4 WR-Set with LWash in there and a quick slant throw ?
Well, the guy that QB's our team has played in weather that's been much, much worse than what this game will be played in, that's for sure. On another note, if the wind is kicking up a bit then it's their guy that's going to struggle trying to throw into it...
Well. Looks like the gameplan is rather simple to me. Jets should look to score quickly on big strike from Favre early in 1st Qtr and 2nd, while holding Chad and the Fins to the minimal gains. *DDDP, anyone?* If the Jets can establish double digit lead by 2nd Qtr, the Fins are dead. Chad cannot throw downfield to make up for the quick strike capability the Jets possess now. Once the Fins trail by double digit and enter the second half, that's when we can finally see if Lowery really has the ballhawk skill that can translate to the NFL level. Chad wouldn't dare throwing to the middle *Rhodes* or to his right *Revis*
Dolphins are a joke and will be for this season and next season untill parcells can pull somethin out his crack which in time maybe but right now this season. There gonna get shitted on to the fullest. Favre goes 25-35 320 Yards 3 TD's...:finssuck:
If we cant run the ball, and cant stop the run, its going to be a LONGGG day. I got a bad feeling going against Ricky Williams and an underrated dolphins Oline
I think the Jets are far from a fine tuned machine right now. Sure Brett is one of the best ever, but their offense is hardly ideal right now. I honestly think Miami has nothing to lose in this game so they may as well let all hang out and see what happens.
