Dolphins in the red zone: Week 15
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The Dolphins went into last Sunday's game as one of the best teams in the NFL in turning red zone trips into touchdowns. That's why their struggles last week were so surprising to me - especially their inability to convert a "goal to go" situation into six points.
Perhaps it was Miami's opening possession that set the tone last week. After a Vontae Davis interception, Miami began the drive at Tennessee's 25 yard line. Two plays later, the Dolphins had a 1st & 10 from the 13. But that's when this "drive" stalled - with a Ricky Williams two yard run, an incomplete pass, and a short completion to Anthony Fasano. While I like the decision to take the points rather than trying to convert on 4th down, I was left with a sour taste in my mouth.
Miami's next red zone trip came thanks to a Chad Henne to Davone Bess pass completion, setting up the Fins with a 1st & goal from Tennessee's 8 yard line. This is when poor execution cost the Dolphins. After Pat White came in on first down and carried for a yard, Lex Hilliard carried on second down for just two more. Would I have rather have seen a pass here? Yes - I'm not particularly a fan of running the ball on back to back plays inside the 10 but short of the 5. Either way, if you demand on running it - let's use Ricky, please. I know he fumbled earlier - but he's still Ricky. Anyways, a Brian Hartline false start penalty cost Miami five more yards and the Dolphins would eventually settle for three points.
The next red zone trip ended in disaster when, on the first play from inside the 20, Henne forced a throw to Ricky on a wheel route. It was under thrown as well, resulting in the costly interception. That was the fifth time this year where a red zone trip resulted in no points - and the first time since that disastrous Ricky Williams pass attempt in Buffalo.
The Dolphins did convert for touchdowns on their final two red zone opportunities - both in the fourth quarter. And I'll admit that you have to give credit to Dan Henning for that 4th down play-action pass call with the game on the line. It took some guts to roll out Henne and put the game on his arm. But it was the perfect call in that situation.
Miami's 2 for 5 day in the red zone on Sunday puts the Dolphins at a still impressive 62% success rate of converting these opportunities into touchdowns. And by the way, Miami's five red zone drives on Sunday was the most this offense has had since back in week seven against the Saints.
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the wheel route to ricky...
i wouldve wanted ricky to fight for the ball a little, i know it was underthrown but watchin the carolina game… lil steve smith caught passes like that and made matt moore look like a probowl qb.
"You're gonna eat lightning, and you're gonna crap thunder!"
Rocky
by Davone_Is_BessT on Dec 23, 2009 12:04 PM EST reply actions
Ricky is not a WR... that play should've gone to one.
by metalhead86 on Dec 23, 2009 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
much agreed, dont compare steve smith who is an allpro wr to ricky
start clemons over gibril
sign ronnie to a long term deal
the lousaka monster should be a pro bowler
"We liked a couple of those receivers up there, but we didn't feel there was a guy that was going to come in and make more of a contribution than a linebacker." — Dave Wannstedt, on why he chose Eddie Moore over Anquan Boldin in the 2003 draft
by ronnie brown for president on Dec 23, 2009 12:13 PM EST up reply actions
i no im not even askin him to come up with it
he just backed up and let the defender pick it off.
"You're gonna eat lightning, and you're gonna crap thunder!"
Rocky
by Davone_Is_BessT on Dec 23, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions
no he's not
but I do love the wheel route in that situation. usually it results in the back getting matched up on a linebacker. that time it didn’t – and Henne shouldn’t have thrown it.
i don’t blame the play call, though.
the call was okay
just horrible execution, if you run the wheel and have your RB matched up on a corner you either check down or just eat it at that point… especially on a first down play…
Well yeah
That’s what Matty was going with. When Henne faces that situation again, he will do what you suggested and what I agree is the proper play.
I’m not worried. He’s got to see every situation at least once to correct them next time around. I’d rather he saw a little of everything now and then didn’t make the mistake in 2010.
David A. Fuller, CPA, MST
2009 Unofficial "The Phinsider" (Phinaddict's League) Fantasy Baseball League Champion
by Dave.Phuller on Dec 23, 2009 2:42 PM EST up reply actions
yeah
i wasnt questioning matty… matty is God i am a mere mortal with no place to question him, only reaffirm what he said lol
lol
i wouldn’t go that far man. Nobody here or anywhere is “god”. And it isn’t wrong to question him or anybody else, either.
David A. Fuller, CPA, MST
2009 Unofficial "The Phinsider" (Phinaddict's League) Fantasy Baseball League Champion
by Dave.Phuller on Dec 23, 2009 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
i agree fully
it was a joke… but i feel like my thological beliefs dont really belong here at the moment.. hmm maybe in a fanpost.. lol
I'm a fan of going for it more inside the 10...
The Fins, for all of their shortcomings are pretty good in the red zone due to quality possession receivers and a good ground game (you don’t need blazing speed at WR inside the 10 for obvious reasons) and you have the Lousaka monster.
EVEN IF you don’t make it,
you trap the other team against their own end zone and restrict their play calling,
you force them to travel the length of the field (even just to get a field goal, they have to go an additional 15 yards.
If you stop them, you get good field position and can play field position back and forth on their end of the field.
Probability-wise, if you succeed 50% of the time, you score 7 to two field goals which is only 6.
Right now, I would trust our offense more than our defense
Abandoned the Draft Sean Smith at #25 Bandwagon to Join the Draft Sean Smith at #61 Bandwagon and get Vontae Davis and Chris Clemons. Trio > me.
Was it me and I'm not trying to make excuses here but, I believe the commentator Fouts said that the defender got away with a push off or armbar or something along those lines. I'l have to take a look at it tonight to see.
I havn’t had time to watch the replay because of the holidays and all.
might be
"You're gonna eat lightning, and you're gonna crap thunder!"
Rocky
by Davone_Is_BessT on Dec 23, 2009 2:49 PM EST up reply actions
with the way the refs screwed us I wouldnt be suprised if they missed that call.
Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23
T.Lex doesn't want to be fed, he wants to hunt. Can't just suppress sixty five million years of gut instinct.
there was some contact
but if you throw a flag on every play there is contact then 9 out of 10 times the ball is in the air there is alittle jostling…. might have been a little but i dont think we can really hold that one against the refs….
We must take care of business
but here is how I look at the playoff picture; despite the heartbraking loss at the Titans last week, we still got a shot to get in
here is the playoff picture
Wild Card teams
Ravens 8-6
Broncos 8-6
Other teams still in the hunt
Jacksonville 7-7
Miami 7-7
NY Jets 7-7
Pittsburgh 7-7
Tennessee 7-7
Houston 7-7
We play Houston and Pittsburgh AT home the last 2 games, we are the only team that does not have to go on the road the rest of the way
Baltimore plays Pittsburgh this week, I really dont care who wins cuz it works pretty well for us either way. If Baltimore wins, yes they are 9-6 and in the playoffs basically, but it also eliminates Pittsburgh from getting in, giving us one less team to fight for the playoffs against.
Denver goes to Philly, I really like the Eagles chances to help us all out.
Tennessee has San Diego, Jacksonville goes to New England and the Jets play at Indy. Hopefully the favorites win those games and help us out a bunch.
That leaves our game against the Texans, which basically is an elimination game. Loser is basically out of the playoffs.
Lets say for fun sakes that we beat Houston, Baltimore beats Pittsburgh, Philly beats Denver and Tennessee, Jacksonville and the Jets all lose (Which is very possible). Playoff picture would look like this
Baltimore 9-6
Denver 8-7 vs Kansas City
Miami 8-7 vs Pittsburgh
Baltimore would basically be in and we would fight with Denver for the last spot. If Pitt beats Baltimore it would look like this
Baltimore 8-7
Denver 8-7 vs Kansas Cith
Miami 8-7 vs Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh 8-7 at Miami
Basically Miami/Pittsburgh would again be an elimination game. Anyway there are so many things that could happen. Maybe Jacksonville beats New England and the Pats lose their last 2 games, we win our last 2 and we win the division?
These are all scenarios in the crazy AFC playoff picture. We have a decent shot to get in, but most important thing is we MUST win our last 2 games, or all these scenarios are moot
Sorry for the really long post and GO DOLPHINS!!!
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Dec 25, 2009 10:58 AM EST reply actions

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