The Dolphins spent a king’s ransom on signing the leagues best defensive tackle in Ndamukong Suh, and the reason they did this was because they desperately wanted to get better against the run. Since Suh has been in Miami he has been a beast in practice and the preseason, and all signs were pointing to an upgrade in the Phins run defense. However, in the Dolphins first game of the season last week, they looked like the same old run defense.
Last week, the Dolphins defense was carved up for a whopping 161 yards, with Alfred Morris leading the charge with 121 yards. The Redskins were having so much success running the ball that they ended up running the ball on 37 out of their 58 offensive plays, and had a 4.35 yard per carry average. It is only one game, but Miami is currently ranked 30th against the run, with only the Packers and Vikings worse then them.
Miami must get better against the run, and they must do it fast. The one positive thing on the defensive side was that they did not break on their side of the fifty and keep opposing points to a minimum. In actual points allowed, the Dolphins defense did an excellent job of only allowing 10 points, which has them currently ranked tied for third best in the NFL. Most sports betting fans would agree that the more important stat for a defense is keeping the other team off the board verse yards allowed. While yards allowed is important, it can be mitigated by a “bend but don’t break” style. Even with that being said, Miami must fix their run defense.
Dolphins will be make a short trip across the state this weekend when they play Jacksonville, and it is important for the ‘Phins run defense to focus on stopping the Jaguars from running all over them. Last week, the Jaguars lost to the Panthers, and they were able to run for 96 yards on the ground. Those 96 yards puts the Jaguars rushing attack at 18th best in the league, and on paper should be an easier match-up for the Dolphins defensive line. Last year, the Jags gave the Fins fits in the first half, so nothing should be take for granted.
The Dolphins defensive line is not only supposed to be the strength of their defense, but they are supposed to be the back bone of their entire team, which means they better start acting like it. It was only one game, and good defenses need time to play together, before they can become great defenses. I believe that “Suh and CO” will continue to get better as the season progresses, and this weekend against the Jaguars could be a good way to make a big step in the right direction. What does the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans think about whether or not the Dolphins rush defense can improve, or is this going to be a lingering problem this season?
Call me disloyal, but what I saw that first game was DB’s that were out-of-position, tackled poorly ( excluding Rashad ), and doing the same damn’ arm-tackling as last year. You can only say ” yeah’ we’re gonna’ fix that ” so many time before we deeply wonder IF you know how to fix it. I will take other’s words that Dallas ( RG ) played acceptably. I am hardly panicking, and I realize that the offense and defense both need time to get their timing down. Having said that, get a move on guys !! The other teams in our division aren’t waiting on us to get our sh** together. No excuses – Man up !! Go Dolphins !! Kick A** !!
Freak, Majority of Championship teams have a dominate “D” line that can put pressure on the passer w/just a 4 man rush. I will agree with you about Coyle, never been and still not a fan, Philbin should have parted ways and brought in a fresh/creative mind to team up with his fresh/creative OC. Opportunity missed that may cost Philbin dearly. Coyle inherited a good D upon his arrival, and has not improved anything during his time here. I understand you can only lead them to the water, but seems as though Coyle is not sure where that water is. I do also like your thought about a 5 man front (especially once D.Jax went out Sunday), but not w/Suh at D end, keep him at D tackle and if teams are going to double that could free up the nose to disrupt the middle of the line of scrimmage. Don’t see many teams having success around our ends in a 50, although could leave underneath D backfield (linebackers) vulnerable in passing game.
Jimmy, how about Freak??? We knew there would be a negative post involved w/Freak. However; I do see a few valid points raised by Freak (a step in the right direction 🙂 !!!
Freak, not panicking after week 1, or even week 2 once we are 2-0, thats right, 2-0!!! We will get a true evaluation come week 3, when we know Ryan will be running the ball 30+ times for that game. Should our run D produce (or not produce) like week 1 then we may have concern (and Coyle should be looking over his shoulder).
Freak, I can feel you coming around, it will be alright for you to jump on the band wagon. We shall give you a pass this time. After all we don’t want to say “I told you so”!!!! HaHaHa
Well, Im not ‘coming around’ in terms of my outlook for this squad so long as its coached under Philbin. And, I also think the spend on Suh was a collasal mistake. Fins could have signed an marquee OLman, thumper at RB and thumper at MLB, kept Soliai or either of the DT’s they cut last year for the same cap.
This team made a PR signing, not a football signing with Suh. No DT is worth that cap cost. Wait till next year when Fins have to dump players to pay Suh.
Its not looking any better down the road past this year.
This team will struggle to go .500, and Philbin will get fired.
I agree that the problem right now is with our linebacking core. It’s no surprise we saw undrafted rookie free agent Zach Vigil play at least half of the game at MLB. Kelvin Sheppard is not the man for the job. Great MLB see where the gap is forming and plug it. I don’t even know how there is so much guess work involved. They are not running towards the right, through Suh, they are going through Mitchell and Vernon who are not the biggest guys at their position. We are also really missing Delmas on that side of the field. Aikens/Thomas were pretty unimpressive.
I don’t know about Suh at the 5 technique, running around the DE, but we definitely need to get a harder look at Jordan Phillips who I thought was not moved as easily as Mitchell, same as Fede for Vernon. I do agree with Freak that we need some more creativity in our defense. 3-4 fronts, 5-2, fronts, and a blitz here and there wouldnt kill us, if only to create some confusion for some of the unexperienced quarterbacks we will be facing like Bortles and Taylor. I am most worried about our LB core, which did not play well at all. McCain inactive was very surprising.
Tackling is definitely an issue and that’s on the coaches.
Sorry fellow Fins fans. I am as die hard as a fan there is, and have been for ever. We will not go any where with the CURRENT STAFF!!! Not a single adjustment throughout the game, not a single adjustment from last week. Coyle should find his own way home and Philbin has cost this team yet another game with his stupidity before half. I dare this staff to prove me wrong, won’t happen. Mediocrity is easy, and that is all we will be under THIS STAFF. Absolutely pathetic.
The Dolphins spent a king’s ransom on signing the leagues best defensive tackle in Ndamukong Suh, and the reason they did this was because they desperately wanted to get better against the run. Since Suh has been in Miami he has been a beast in practice and the preseason, and all signs were pointing to an upgrade in the Phins run defense. However, in the Dolphins first game of the season last week, they looked like the same old run defense.
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Call me disloyal, but what I saw that first game was DB’s that were out-of-position, tackled poorly ( excluding Rashad ), and doing the same damn’ arm-tackling as last year. You can only say ” yeah’ we’re gonna’ fix that ” so many time before we deeply wonder IF you know how to fix it. I will take
other’s words that Dallas ( RG ) played acceptably. I am hardly panicking, and I realize that the offense and defense both need time to get their timing down. Having said that, get a move on guys !!
The other teams in our division aren’t waiting on us to get our sh** together. No excuses – Man up !!
Go Dolphins !! Kick A** !!
This D still sucks vs run. You stop rush game w LB’s not DL’s. I don’t think Coyle is smart enough to coach a playoff caliber D.
I think Suh should be in the 3 and 5 technique vs 1 where he’s dbl teamed and neutralized especially given the wimps at LB.
Id like to see more odd man fronts w a NT and Suh at DE w more run blitzes and 2-man D’s.
But hey that’s just me.
Freak, Majority of Championship teams have a dominate “D” line that can put pressure on the passer w/just a 4 man rush. I will agree with you about Coyle, never been and still not a fan, Philbin should have parted ways and brought in a fresh/creative mind to team up with his fresh/creative OC. Opportunity missed that may cost Philbin dearly. Coyle inherited a good D upon his arrival, and has not improved anything during his time here. I understand you can only lead them to the water, but seems as though Coyle is not sure where that water is.
I do also like your thought about a 5 man front (especially once D.Jax went out Sunday), but not w/Suh at D end, keep him at D tackle and if teams are going to double that could free up the nose to disrupt the middle of the line of scrimmage. Don’t see many teams having success around our ends in a 50, although could leave underneath D backfield (linebackers) vulnerable in passing game.
Jimmy, how about Freak??? We knew there would be a negative post involved w/Freak. However; I do see a few valid points raised by Freak (a step in the right direction 🙂 !!!
Freak, not panicking after week 1, or even week 2 once we are 2-0, thats right, 2-0!!! We will get a true evaluation come week 3, when we know Ryan will be running the ball 30+ times for that game. Should our run D produce (or not produce) like week 1 then we may have concern (and Coyle should be looking over his shoulder).
Freak, I can feel you coming around, it will be alright for you to jump on the band wagon. We shall give you a pass this time. After all we don’t want to say “I told you so”!!!! HaHaHa
Go Fins, 2-0, bring on the Bills!!!
Well said Dunner
Well, Im not ‘coming around’ in terms of my outlook for this squad so long as its coached under Philbin. And, I also think the spend on Suh was a collasal mistake. Fins could have signed an marquee OLman, thumper at RB and thumper at MLB, kept Soliai or either of the DT’s they cut last year for the same cap.
This team made a PR signing, not a football signing with Suh. No DT is worth that cap cost. Wait till next year when Fins have to dump players to pay Suh.
Its not looking any better down the road past this year.
This team will struggle to go .500, and Philbin will get fired.
I agree that the problem right now is with our linebacking core. It’s no surprise we saw undrafted rookie free agent Zach Vigil play at least half of the game at MLB. Kelvin Sheppard is not the man for the job. Great MLB see where the gap is forming and plug it. I don’t even know how there is so much guess work involved. They are not running towards the right, through Suh, they are going through Mitchell and Vernon who are not the biggest guys at their position. We are also really missing Delmas on that side of the field. Aikens/Thomas were pretty unimpressive.
I don’t know about Suh at the 5 technique, running around the DE, but we definitely need to get a harder look at Jordan Phillips who I thought was not moved as easily as Mitchell, same as Fede for Vernon. I do agree with Freak that we need some more creativity in our defense. 3-4 fronts, 5-2, fronts, and a blitz here and there wouldnt kill us, if only to create some confusion for some of the unexperienced quarterbacks we will be facing like Bortles and Taylor. I am most worried about our LB core, which did not play well at all. McCain inactive was very surprising.
Tackling is definitely an issue and that’s on the coaches.
Freak, Go ahead, say “I told you so”
Sorry fellow Fins fans. I am as die hard as a fan there is, and have been for ever. We will not go any where with the CURRENT STAFF!!! Not a single adjustment throughout the game, not a single adjustment from last week. Coyle should find his own way home and Philbin has cost this team yet another game with his stupidity before half.
I dare this staff to prove me wrong, won’t happen. Mediocrity is easy, and that is all we will be under THIS STAFF.
Absolutely pathetic.
Freak, Now that win in Washington looks much better,HUH? Actually, a real good road win to say the least!!!