Miami's terrible pass blocking? Huh? And lets not forget that the Jets and the Fins were battling for #1 and #2 in rushing for the first half of the season before Ronnie went down... Our OL is one of the best at run blocking, along with yours.
I have no idea what you're talking about. Signed, Dwight Freeney in a game that the Colts stopped playing in
I agree and I'm not trying to say Miami's OL is subpar by any means. But in regards to the article, he slights the NYJ pass protect even though they gave up less sacks than Miami last year. Then he calls Miami's line the best run-blocking unit in the NFL even though, statistically (the only thing to base any of this shit on), the NYJ were #1. FAIL.
honestly that may be a little wishful thinking for the Fins O-line essentially, everything outside of Jake Long and Vernon Carey have the "if" label attached to them
I'm sure that's what you were doing. So please explain to me why the Miami line is better than the NYJ line since you have studied all the film. The weak link of the NYJ line last year was Alan Faneca who has been exiled. Vlad Ducasse will not be worse than Faneca was in pass protect, and will not be as good at run blocking but the Jets more than likely haven't lost anything with the switch, but have gotten younger.
In terms of pure on the field evaluation, the Dolphins DO have the best in line drive blocking in the league. They fire off the ball quickly and get a great push. That's what allows them, to run the wildcat so effectively. By the time an average defense reacts to the backfield..they have already been fired back 2-3 yards..which allows the skill players to get into open space. Pass protection wise they are quite average. They're decent against standard front fours but they don't counter very well to a collapsing pocket and their blitz pick up is fair at best. They're almost a classic "Big ten" style O-line.Big,strong and smart..but not very versatile or athletic. If not for the wildcat demolishing the notion as well as Ryan pegging the term,quite honestly they are a purer form of the "Ground and pound" style offense to that of the Jets. What the Jets have is a very athletic group that also has great size.More of a SEC style O-line if you will. They don't get quite the straight ahead push that the Dolphins do..but they still create good space and get to the second level quickly. What makes them the superior unit to the Dolphins and in my opinion the best unit in the league is their versatility. They can do a lot of different things in the course of a game. They have the size and strength to run the ground and pound, the agility to run counters and screens and the feet for quality pass protection during a shootout or 2 minute drive. There is no front 7 in this league they don't match up with b/c they do so many things well.If they get into a good rythym and they're healthy, they are flat out dominant in a lot of categories. That's what makes them the best in the league.
Sounds like YOU have been breaking down actual footage, unlike Jason Cole. Either way, the stats support your breakdown.
I'm sorry... are you misinterpreting me for the writer of the article? Why dont you ask him? Hes the one that did the work and wrote the piece... lol. And you simply said that total rushing stats is "the only thing you can base this shit on". I was just stating that its definitely not the only way, and isnt even the best way, as stats dont always tell the whole story. As far as Miami's OL, I think our OL is one of the better OLs in the league. As far as where I'd rank us, its hard b/c I have a question about our Guards, and LG spot in particular, that I will have to wait until TC to see once the pads come on. I dont like to make assumptions about changes, until I can see it with my own eyes... Also, to be fair, I think you should be higher than 7th. I'd put us both in the top 5. I would say that you have a question mark at 1 spot (LG), and we have a question at 2 (LG and RG). None of these are glaring question marks, but definitely ones that we wont have much of an answer for until the pads come on...
For clarification I meant the array of stats provided are all we can use to assess the OL play because very few of us have actually recorded the games, rewatched them and broke down each and every play. If you have done that and know something I don't, just say so. I agree Miami has a solid OL. Top 5 in the NFL, I think the Jets are #1 or #2 in the NFL though, the last 2 years has been great to watch.
Great write up. Appreciate you putting the time/thought into it... And while I do agree with a lot of what you are saying, one thing you either dismissed or overlooked was Miami's ability to pull its Guards. For instance, in the Wildcat like you mentioned, or any of our Power O plays, they almost always it include a Guard pulling... and they did so quite effectively, getting on the second level and opening/sealing/extending the hole. Also, if Donald Thomas does indeed win the starting LG spot... he was one of, if not the most athletic lineman at the combine (one of the top performers in the 40 YD and 3 cone drill). And of course Jake Long, one of the better at the 40 in his class, and one of the best in the 3 cone. Dude is 320lbs and has abs! lol But you are very correct about how we are based on inline drive blocking, are very "smashmouth" oriented in that way, and do it very well... I'm curious to see how our LG spot pans out, with some fierce competition there, between Thomas, Gardner, and rookie Jerry.
Right, but if he came to the determination that they were 7th, or at least lower than what the stats say, then he defintiely had to be evaluating them differently than just stats... most likely by watching film and truly evaluating their play...
I don't disagree with your post, but don't use 40 times and combine cone drills to make your argument. That makes you sound like you are a Raiders' fan. Numbers from the combine don't matter when it all comes down to the battle in the trenches. I remember last year all you guys did was talk about Donald Thomas and how he was going to manhandle Kris Jenkins.
Strictly talking about athleticism when referring to the combine stuff. The combine isnt worth much, lol, but it does measure athleticism. I was not saying those players were good or talented b/c of combine numbers, lol. Just saying that they do have some good athleticism.... so I dont think it is an accurate statement to say they arent very athletic...
Also.... Parcells always talks about using gimmicks and tricks when your team is outmanned... Well, how about all the Wildcat BS..... IMO, the jury is still out on just how good this Miami OL can block playing man up without the gimmicks... MAN UP Miami!
The Wildcat is pretty much as "man'ed up" as you can get. Fuck the QB... just going to run it right up the gut in pure smashmouth football. There really isnt much "gimmick" to our Wildcat. 90% of the WC plays are power runs up the gut by Ronnie. Another 8 % is Ricky Jet Sweeps... and the other 2% are the rare pass. And I'm pretty sure you used the Wildcat to help propel yourself in the playoffs, lol. So, if it isnt "manning up", you're just as guilty of it as we are...
Please not another Wildcat/gimmicky offense argument. If the Jets run it and it works, I love it. If the Dolphins run it and it works or the Jets run it and it does not, I hate it. I don't consider that formation "manning" up though. There is too much motioning and guessing game shit. Lining up like the Jets did many times last season with the opposing defense knowing were are going to run it and we run it anyway, that is "Man-ing" it up.
