Miami Dolphins Stats Review: What's most surprising?
by Matty I on Oct 29, 2008 12:15 AM EDT
in 2012 Miami Dolphins News
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PrintSo we're now 7 games into the season - and the Tony Sparano era - and I thought it might be fun to examine some of the interesting statistics and decide which is the most surprising. Check out the nominees below and then vote.
Dolphins being 3-4: I know that I wasn't as optimistic as some of you. But the Dolphins have found a way to win football games and are 3-4 through 7 games - with the 3 wins coming against pretty damn good teams (Pats, Chargers, Bills) whose combined winning percentage is currently .591. Entering training camp, I don't think many people saw this coming.
Dolphins having a 2-1 divisional record: The last time the Dolphins won at least 2 divisional games in a season was 2005. In 2006 and 2007, the Dolphins had a combined divisional record of 1-11. But the Fins have found a way to win these divisional contests in 2008 - including a trouncing of the Patriots up in New England.
Dolphins having a +7 turnover differential: This is a really great stat because it takes into account both offensive efficiency and a defense's ability to force turnovers. Last season, the Dolphins had a -7 differential. This year's +7 differential is tied for 2nd in the NFL, only one behind the Titans. The last time the Dolphins finished a season in the top 10 in turnover differential? 2003 - with a +2 differential.
Dolphins having the 9th ranked offense in NFL: Last season, the Dolphins ranked 28th in the league in offense, averaging just 287.5 yards per game. But in 2008, the Dolphins average 350.1 ypg and are currently ranked 9th. When was the last time the Dolphins had a top 10 offense? You'd have to go back to 1995, when the Fins ranked 8th and averaged 357.2 ypg.
Chad Pennington's success: One of the main reasons the Dolphins offense has been so good is because of who is under center. Chad Pennington has had a surprisingly good first 7 games as a Dolphin. His 1,710 yards passing ranks him 9th and he has a QB rating of 100.5 - 5th in the league. Projecting his stats out across 16 games puts him on pace for 3,900 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions. His previous career high for passing yards in a season? 3,352. If he can keep up this pace, he'll be headed to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.
Defense ranked 9th in sacks: Remember back when the Dolphins traded Jason Taylor and many people were wondering where the Dolphins pass rush would come from? Anyone still worrying about that? Joey Porter has led a fierce pass rush this season. And thanks to his remarkable 10.5 sacks, the Dolphins are ranked 9th in the NFL with 17. Last year with Jason Taylor, the Dolphins only finished the season with 30 - which was 9th lowest total in the league.
The production from Anthony Fasano and David Martin: Who would have thought the Dolphins would get this kind of production out of their tight ends? Fasano's stat line is 19-251-3, all of which being career highs. In fact, Fasano only had 28 career receptions heading into this season. Meanwhile, Martin (18-253-1) was supposed to be an impact last season when the previous regime signed him in free agency. But he disappointed. This year, despite being the #2 tight end in this offense, Martin is more than halfway to his '07 reception figure (34) and just 50 yards away from setting a new career high in receiving yards - which he set last year.
Defense's ability to stop the run: One of the best stats to judge how good a team is at stopping the run is yards-per-carry allowed. In 2007, the Dolphins ranked 29th, surrendering 4.5 ypc. But in 2008, the Dolphins are ranked 8th, allowing just 3.7 ypc. Not bad considering how the Dolphins started off the season, allowing Thomas Jones to gain 101 yards on 22 carries (4.6 ypc).
Yeremiah Bell's production: Bell has had a very good start to his '08 season - and much better than his '07. Despite coming off of a torn Achilles', Bell leads the team in tackles, with 55. That's the 3rd highest total among all defensive backs in the NFL and is just 13 shy of his career high. He is also tied for the league lead in forced fumbles (3). Could Bell be a potential Pro-Bowler? Possibly.
So tell us all what you think. Vote for what you feel is the biggest surprise thus far in 2008 and then comment below...
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Good post man specially after the cat fight on the other post.
I think you could add the winning mentality and these guys hunger because that has been huge.
eh, we lost to the jets in the first game...we were a totally different team 7 weeks ago
knocking off the number 1 and number 2 seeds in the division is awesome, and something i didn’t see coming.
Good stuff Matty
just having to chose from so many different options is awesome. Who would have thunk at the beginning of the year that even 2-3 of these would even be a choice?! I really hope we clobber Denver Sunday and have some real solid mid-season stats to appreciate along with these wonderful ones. Really liking the way things are going……
"When we win, we're humble" Coach Sparano
well said!
I agree Husker, who woulda thunk we would be having this discussion about how many different good things the Fins are accomplishing, relative to the entire league?
I must, however, point out that I was one of the Fans that was actually expecting that we would exceed a .500 record, so I am not at all surprised to be 3-4 at this point. :^)
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Oct 29, 2008 1:32 AM EDT up reply actions
think thank thunk
i think it,
we thank it
nobudy thunk it.
;)
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Oct 29, 2008 2:39 AM EDT reply actions
I always say
I watch the fins because a) I enjoy it and b) I’m proud of the team. I don’t support them to brag or for any reflected glory. So I don’t really care whether we win or lose as long as the players give everything and there are plenty of positives to take from each game, things to get you excited for next week. Last year that didn’t happen at all, and as a fins fan, it really hurt like hell. More than the losing, it was the hopelessness, the lack of any spark that made it such a bad year. This year it seems like something promising happens in each game, whether we win or lose. We’ve said for many times in the past ‘this team is going to be great in the future’, now it finally feels like the future is arriving each week.
I don’t think, though, that we can over-estimate the effect Chaddy Peet (sorry, that was horrible) has had on the team. At the time of the draft, I found myself constantly comparing our situation with that of the Falcons and Chiefs. Everyone seemed to agree that the Chiefs used their huge haul of picks very wisely, and would be an improving team on the up. But even at the time, I wondered how these young players would be able to be competetive in games and improve without a real leader under center. And so it has proved. The Falcons got lucky with Matty Ice, he’s had a hell of a start and I’m pleased for them. Perhaps Henne might have been capable of the same. But I really feel that despite Sparano’s excellent coaching, if we had gone out there with Beck or Henne this year we’d be no better than the Chiefs. (Waits for Beck, Henne fans and everyone else to pile on)
Anyway, we’re not quite at the halfway mark so this seems a little premature and we MUST beat the Broncos (family issue), but here’s to a job well done so far.
Football isn't a matter of life and death - it's far more important than that.
good read Agumen
I don’t like the Bronco’s at all. Here, they are local coverage with the Chiefs. There are a lot of Bronco fans around here. Some of them friends, so I feel you when you say we MUST beat the Broncos. I’ll add you to the list of Dolphin fans that really need this one because of the stink of Bronco fans nearby. lol
I think you have brothers in arms with Befea and Krab and myself of course.
"When we win, we're humble" Coach Sparano
by HuskerDolphin on Oct 29, 2008 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
i lived in denver for 2 yrs recently and still dont live too far away now
… my wife and son are diehard broncs fans even… they’re everywhere, it’s a conspiracy… but you’ll never get me, do you hear??? neverrrrrrrrr!!!! finforlife! my blood is teal in my veins and it turns orange when oxygen hits it!!!! … and its Miami orange, not donkeyloving orange!!! gotta win this one… or its gonna hurt….
can i get an "Amen!"
I am totally with ya on the “good game and effort” thing. This year (except for the Phoenix Phiasco), I have been able to deal with the losses because, for the most part, I have seen the Fins playing pretty good football, and that is all I was hoping for after last year. The wins are awesome, but seeing my team play like a real football team again, and not be the punch line to the rest of the league is the real joy this year. Let the “lowly” tag pass to another team like Detriot or KC. NO ONE is saying “the lowly Dolphins” THIS year!
I also agree about Chad P…. he may not be the future, but he is doing pretty good as the “now”. People seem to forget that Brady’s strength is as a “game manager” also. His smarts, not his arm, make him an asset and let the Pats win. Cassel can throw the ball downfield, but Brady makes good decisions. That quality in a QB can not be overrated. Not saying Chad P = Tom B, but when I look around the league right now, he is starting to look like like the closest thing to him.
Broncos! Argh. Same same here. Dad lives in Denver, my boys are Broncos fans…. I will have to hear about it if the Fins lose to ’em. :)
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Oct 29, 2008 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Matty
nice breakdown….1 problem though..i think Joey Porters success should be an option outside of the entire defense. 10.5 sacks and his overall superstar play has been my biggest surprise. especially after they reported his shoulder could make him retire…to this? surprise doesnt cover it
"If my mother put on a helmet and shoulder pads and a uniform that wasn't the same as the one I was wearing, I'd run over her if she was in my way. And I love my mother."
--Bo Jackson
Chad
think 16td gets you in a pro bowl? hope so…i think hell have over 20 though as w really start to click
"If my mother put on a helmet and shoulder pads and a uniform that wasn't the same as the one I was wearing, I'd run over her if she was in my way. And I love my mother."
--Bo Jackson
I think it should.
and I also think that if he outplays Favre, he will win the “popular” vote. :)
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Oct 29, 2008 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I was also on the 9+ wins bandwagon right after preseason
but kinda lost confidence after the thumping in AZ. Then was back on the 9+ win bandwagon after the two wins against the Pats and Chargers, Then started to lose a little confidence after the Texans / Ravens losses. Now Im back again on this 9+ win bandwagon which is beginning to feel more like a roller coaster ride. But I LOVE it. If this pattern of wins / losses (lose 2, win 2, lose 2, win 2) holds true, we’ll be looking at a win in Denver this Sunday.
I went with the +7 turnovers
Maybe not so surprising that we’re NOT turning it over on offense, but the fact that we’re CREATING turnovers on defense. I didn’t expect us to be able to do that as much as we have.
"I throw better than anybody in college and I can throw with anybody in the pros. There, that's what I think."
"I've been a Dolphin for 17 years, and I'll be a Dolphin for the rest of my life. That will never change."
- Dan Marino aka Quarterback God
by Little Nicky 21 on Oct 29, 2008 12:32 PM EDT reply actions
I'm with chrislucas on this one
The Offense…….I thought this offense was going to be ball control to win the field position battle and kick alot of FG to stay in the game. I thought Chad would be able to lead 1 maybe 2 solid drives during the game and we would have to win with D and special teams. These guys not only can score TD but they can do it late in the game or when we need it most. There has been several times this year were the O needed to put points on the board to recapture the momentum and they did it (houston comes to mind, Jets game, Bills, Chargers also) and for them to be able to take 6 min off the clock to run out the clock against the chargers is still my favorite moment, so far, this year. This is the team who we all said was lacking at WR and we are ranked 9 in the league, that’s impressive…….
me 2
I figure the D would be good with the young blood and Ferg, but I also expected the Offense to be conservative and run oriented. I NEVER expected this offense to come out this year and be exciting and able to pass for ~300 yds and score more than 17 points on a regular basis.
For me, this is the most pleasant surprise for my fins. :)
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Oct 29, 2008 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
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