Dolphins vs Steelers: Three Key Matchups
by Matty I on Dec 30, 2009 12:15 AM EST
in 2012 Miami Dolphins News
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PrintLet me start off by saying first that Lousaka Polite was robbed and it's a damn shame. He should be a Pro Bowler this season and it's a joke that he was snubbed. It's a complete joke.
Anyways, while many want to look ahead to the offseason already after back-to-back losses that all but ended Miami's playoff hopes, the players are sure to keep grinding - that's just how this team was built; it's what these players do. So like them, we'll keep on grinding as well. And we'll kick off our coverage of Sunday's game with our usual Wednesday article: three key matchups.
Dolphins offensive line vs Steelers pass rush
While Pittsburgh's secondary has been average at best for most of the season (in large part because of Troy Polamalu's absence), they can still get to the quarterback as good as any team. Their 44 sacks on the season ranks second in the entire NFL. Just last week, the Steelers recorded four sacks against a Ravens team that had given up less than two per game heading into the game.
The Dolphins, on the other hand, have struggled to protect the quarterback of late. The offensive line has only allowed four sacks over the past two. But Chad Henne has been under a lot more pressure than the stats lead you to believe.
The two interesting battles will be at the end of each line. We'll see Jake Long and Vernon Carey against James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley. Those two have combined for 21.5 sacks this season. And as good as Jake Long has been - surrendering just one sack since the first game of the season - Vernon Carey has been struggling of late. His back and/or knee is obviously an issue. But hopefully he can hold up for this last week and keep Henne upright in the pocket on Sunday.
Vontae Davis/Sean Smith vs Hines Ward/Santonio Holmes
Every week it seems like Miami's two rookie corners - Vontae Davis and Sean Smith - have to face another great receiver or two. This week is no different as two 1,000 yard receivers (and two Super Bowl MVPs) come to town - Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes.
Together, the two have combined for 165 receptions and 2,349 yards receiving. Both present some difficult matchup problems for the rookies, too. Ward is the savvy veteran who is a terrific route runner and is very physical. Holmes is the burner of the two.
It'll be interesting again too see which rookie gets matched up with which receiver. The Dolphins used Davis to defend Randy Moss in two games this year while Smith was matched up on Andre Johnson just last week.
Dolphins kick return unit vs Steelers kick coverage unit
Here's what we know. The Dolphins kickoff return team has been terrible the past couple of weeks. I'm not sure any returner gets worse blocking than what Ted Ginn gets. But Ginn is still dangerous if only he can get a lane - rather than see no opening and then curl up into the fetal position.
The Steelers could be just what the doctor ordered. No team has allowed more kickoff returns for touchdowns than the four that Pittsburgh has allowed. In fact, the four kick returns for a touchdown the Steelers have allowed in 2009 is the most in a single season since the Vikings also allowed four back in 1998.
Ginn has played very well as receiver the past couple of weeks and it would be a great confidence builder for him to have both another solid game receiving and a big game returning. But he'll need some blocking in front of him if he wants to break a long one.
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The Phins Need To Get After The QB
The key to containing the Steelers offense is putting constant pressure on Big Ben. And when you get to Ben you have to bring him down. The Steelers offense is most explosive when Ben is able to extend the play and free lance. That is when Holmes, Ward, and Wallace are most dangerous.
The Steelers have given up 47 sacks this year. And Big Ben has been hit countless more times. If the Phins don’t sack him, harass him and bring him to the ground, it could be a long day for the defense.
I can't believe we can still make the playoffs
Albeit with a lot of help.
The only thing I see falling apart is not tackling him.
I’ve seen this defense get to a mobile QB and miss the tackle a bunch of times. As long as PP doesn’t forget to put consistant pressure on Big Ben, I don’t see too many extended plays like you are talking about
The only wisdom is the knowledge that you don't know
Pressure on Ben
Constantly putting pressure on Ben is the most important thing that miami needs to do in order to win this game. Just look what happened to him against the Browns. He will not be able to make any big plays as long as he is continuously being forced to throw under pressure. Getting sacks on him will also be great.
I agree with the comments on Ginn
He has really bounced back from his errors earlier in the season, and I almost have faith in his abilities. I hope he finishes with a big game and ends this season on a high note, he has really made some great catches these past few weeks. Also the kick return blocking is awful… I don’t know what happened but anytime your return man jukes and breaks 4 tackles and still gets brought down at the 20 there is a huge problem…. and this happens on the reg
It seems that Ginn has been trying to make something happen when there's nothing there
Like when he tries to turn the corner (going backward in the process, trying to outrun the defenders) on his kick returns instead of trying to just run behind his blockers for more yardage.
The only wisdom is the knowledge that you don't know
Remember Josh Freeman?
Our Defense had trouble tackling him cause he was so big, well that’s big ben. He’s very tough to be down, but if we give him alot of pressure, he should throw alot of picks.
It ashame Lou was robbed of the Pro-Bowl.I think he’ll take his anger out on the Steelers LB’s on Sunday.
I read that Ward is hurt and might be out for the game. I hope he is. But I don’t think we’ll have trouble covering them. I’ve watched Ben since he came into the league, and he’s not that accurate.
Ted Ginn is taking one to the house.
"Welcome to The Doghouse"
Your best? Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen! -Sean Connery
"The more people I meet the more I like my dog."
"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart."
Steelers fan here with just a few thoughs
You definitely will have troubles with the receivers, but what makes the problem harder to defend is our 3rd WR, Mike Wallace. I have yet to see a DB who can match his speed, as Wallace ran a 4.28 40. If you pay too much attention to the other two, Wallace will beat you deep. Also, keep in mind we have one of the most underrated TEs in the league, who has a habit of making big plays when he is needed most.
Our Special Teams coverage unit is not the same as it was at the beginning of the year. We made a ton of roster moves to correct the problem, most noticeably getting back Anthony Madison, our ST ace from last year. Since we have made those moves we haven’t allowed a TD return and the biggest return we allowed was against Cleveland on a bad punt in really windy conditions. Ginn is definitely a threat, I just wanted to let you know it is a different ST almost completely.
Optimism. Positivity. Win.
Well ? What do you say players ?
Do we show up and pound those norderners back to towel town /
or do we come to the game, sign autographs, and proceed through
motions with no fire in our hearts ?
I mean right now we couldn’t beat Cocoa Beach high school with the
lack luster performance we been throwing down lately.
How about giving the fans something to cheer about…Win or lose !!!!!!!!
Jimbo
All i can say is, we better win, or i'm getting alot of abuse on Monday.
"Welcome to The Doghouse"
Your best? Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen! -Sean Connery
"The more people I meet the more I like my dog."
"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart."
hey by the way
congrats to the Brannon Condren, got signed by the jets
"it is with books as with men, a few play a great part, and the rest are lost in the multitude."-Voltaire
"Give me Ernest or give me death"-me
"how about this story, from 1-15 to 11-5 and the best team in the afc east, from 15 games out a year ago to reigning champions, unbelievable" Jim Mandich
and that's good for him how?
"Welcome to The Doghouse"
Your best? Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen! -Sean Connery
"The more people I meet the more I like my dog."
"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart."
as much as i love my phins i wasnt surprised
About the loss on sunday to houston and won’t be surprised if they lose this sunday…I would rather NOT see them make the playoffs and embarrass themsevles in the first round like the Jest will. This team is soo flawed and has soo many holes. I’ve seen 3\4 of my south florida teams get to the championship(Panthers, Heat, Marlins) two of em(Heat, Marlins) win it all…I haven’t even seen my favorie team in the conference championship! I’m starting to feel like a damn Cubs fan!
by Superzoe92 on Dec 30, 2009 11:59 AM EST via mobile reply actions
uuhhh since when have the Panthers competed for a stanley cup?
Also I would much rather see a one and out performance in the playoffs than not making it. Making the playoffs is its own accomplishment.
The Year of the Rat
96 baby, Beezer, Skruey and the boys gave us a year to remember. Lost in the finals to the Avalanche though.
No playoffs may not be a bad thing
These guys are banged up, cant make tackles, so if they some how make playoffs, WHATS IT GOING TO ACOMPLISH? To get blown out by Cincy or New England! If we make them, awesome, but are chances of going all the way are slim to none. Thiers always next season when we can have a healthy offense, with a more comortable QB.
I just wiped my ass with a Terrible Towel.....
its a freaking Towel….. how is it so terrible?
Are you serious? Come on….
With they way they’ve been playing as of late, we better find a way to beat them.
Leader of the - Settle down Junior!, Henne is the Starter Movement
"We've moved. We're Here....Get Over it"
If Pat White played Tyler Thigpen for the starting QB position for the Miami Dolphins, who would win?
Answer - A 2010 Draft Pick
The last few teams that disrespected the Towel did not fair well afterward…
Optimism. Positivity. Win.
by John Stephens on Dec 30, 2009 12:57 PM EST up reply actions
Its a towel...when I piss, I'll dry my hands with it.
Its a TOWEL….
and its yellow….isn’t yellow supposed to be a adjective that describes people that are scared?
its a Scared Towel…wave it with all of your pride lol
Leader of the - Settle down Junior!, Henne is the Starter Movement
"We've moved. We're Here....Get Over it"
If Pat White played Tyler Thigpen for the starting QB position for the Miami Dolphins, who would win?
Answer - A 2010 Draft Pick
Yellow is also the name a Sea in China, but that has nothing to do with the Terrible Towel. Haha. I am just saying, last few people that disrespected the towel, were ‘cursed’, sort of like the Madden Curse.
And a common misconception with the towels is that we Steelers fans treat them delicately and frame them when we get home. Nah, I use mine to wipe spilled beer off myself, clear up food spills, etc.
Optimism. Positivity. Win.
by John Stephens on Dec 30, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions
Alright, so I have a misconception.
And truthfully, I don’t even have a very good reason to dislike the Steelers, I just do. Maybe it was because of the facial expressions I saw Cower have on the sideline. I don’t know…. I just hate them…..which is weird, because I respect Hines Ward, Polamlu, and Bettis a TON.
Leader of the - Settle down Junior!, Henne is the Starter Movement
"We've moved. We're Here....Get Over it"
If Pat White played Tyler Thigpen for the starting QB position for the Miami Dolphins, who would win?
Answer - A 2010 Draft Pick
Funny story
I actually always liked the Dolphins, because of Ace Ventura. When I saw the movie and saw Marino in it, I was like, “oh, he is a cool guy. And they have a live dolphin mascot? That’s awesome.” Simple, I know, but I was young.
I’ve gotten used to other fans hating our team. It is mostly because of people that suddenly become “life-time” Steelers fans after XL or XLIII.
Optimism. Positivity. Win.
by John Stephens on Dec 30, 2009 3:56 PM EST up reply actions
I will admit, I really don't like the Steelers that much.
But I do have a reason, or at least explanation, why. I live just outside St. Louis and have for most of my life, and there are a good number of Steelers fans around here. And with the exception of only about 3 or 4, all of them that I have met and talked to have been extremely arrogant, rude, and insulting. And I’m sure that 90% of them are the “life-time” fans you were mentioning.
I know that not all Steelers fans are like that, I have a good friend and also my boss are both big Steelers fans and they are nothing like that. But unfortunately, when I was growing up through high school and college, the only Steelers fans I met were the d-bag kind. I think this sort of soured me to the team for a while, and I’ve found that I dislike them less now than I used too.
And the only other reason I think that adds to my dislike is that for some reason I just cannot stand Hines Ward at all. I can’t pinpoint it on anything in particular, but something about him just rubs me the wrong way. I don’t know if it is his look, his attitude or what, but everytime I see him I just want to punch something! LOL
I do respect that he is a great player, and I respect a lot of the other Steelers players, but I think my dislike is just going to have to slowly wear itself down. I was the same way with the Patriots for a while, so I know it’s not permanent.
"Why don't you put that in a memo and entitle it 'Shit I Already Know'!" - Sarge from Red vs. Blue
I can't brain today, I have the dumb.
28 "Phinsider Feud" Points
Same here man, but it's worse here in PA
"Welcome to The Doghouse"
Your best? Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen! -Sean Connery
"The more people I meet the more I like my dog."
"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart."
I never understood why anyone hated Hines Ward, but I guess that is my insider looking out point of view. The guy plays harder than any receiver in the game.
Optimism. Positivity. Win.
by John Stephens on Dec 30, 2009 6:07 PM EST up reply actions
only prob i have with ward is.....
HE SMILES TOO MUCH! Does he have gas or something?
"Welcome to The Doghouse"
Your best? Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen! -Sean Connery
"The more people I meet the more I like my dog."
"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart."
Like I said,
I can’t really pinpoint it on anything in specific, just something about him that doesn’t sit well with me. Like I said though, I do respect him as a player and how hard he plays, because you can just see how much heart and energy he is putting out when he plays.
"Why don't you put that in a memo and entitle it 'Shit I Already Know'!" - Sarge from Red vs. Blue
I can't brain today, I have the dumb.
28 "Phinsider Feud" Points
Im interested
how the crowds complexion is going to be slanted, towards Miami or Pitt.
Staring down Mark Sanchez. Just look into the those brown beauties.
Pittsburg fans travel better than anyone....
I have no doubt they’ll be well represented.
Leader of the - Settle down Junior!, Henne is the Starter Movement
"We've moved. We're Here....Get Over it"
If Pat White played Tyler Thigpen for the starting QB position for the Miami Dolphins, who would win?
Answer - A 2010 Draft Pick
Doubt it
The last few games the stadium has been desolate. Too many of the fans expect perfection and get all butt hurt when they don’t receive it. Many of those fans, are probably only now, starting to realize we still have/had a shot at the playoffs. You might see a good bit of Terrible Towels, but not as many as if we were 12-3 or something right now.
Optimism. Positivity. Win.
by John Stephens on Dec 30, 2009 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
well...you guys lost to some terrible teams (don't take that offensively)
You guys are a great team, and when the great teams lose to terrible teams, fans become PO’d. So I’m sure there will be alot of fans their ( Dolfans, that is, lol)
"Welcome to The Doghouse"
Your best? Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen! -Sean Connery
"The more people I meet the more I like my dog."
"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart."
hey by the way
matty, i never knew about this site ’till this year, but i went back and read your post after the win of the decade, up in the meadowlands last year, what a season, brought me to tears.
"it is with books as with men, a few play a great part, and the rest are lost in the multitude."-Voltaire
"Give me Ernest or give me death"-me
"how about this story, from 1-15 to 11-5 and the best team in the afc east, from 15 games out a year ago to reigning champions, unbelievable" Jim Mandich
whoa
Mike Leach is out, fired, wow
"it is with books as with men, a few play a great part, and the rest are lost in the multitude."-Voltaire
"Give me Ernest or give me death"-me
"how about this story, from 1-15 to 11-5 and the best team in the afc east, from 15 games out a year ago to reigning champions, unbelievable" Jim Mandich
Sacking Big Ben is going to be harder than a woman trying to fight off Big Ben
…Too soon?
For every woman masturbating right now, there is a guy masturbating while imagining that woman masturbate.
2009 NY Phin PhansFantasy League Champion
2009 Best Regular Season Record in NYPPL.
Smith and Davis
Put Smith on Santonio and Davis on Ward. Davis is more physical.
I remember a poor tackler/great cover corner: Deion Sanders. I’m excited for our young corners. We need a great safety and true #1 receiver.
Go Teddy!
Special Teams may be the pivot point in this game. If he can give us 6 or even 12 like the last Jets game, it may prove to be the difference.
A Dolphin Fan in the Desert
Gotta admit...
this matchup scares the shit outta me…Big Ben is throwing like crazy lately…500 yards a few weeks ago….they go DEEP…no confidence in Gibril whatsoever.
To win this game we gotta come out throwing…hurry up offense would be nice. Ricky….if he even plays….has looked horrible the last few weeks IMO…totally doesnt wanna be the lead back..and totally looks tired. If we are gonna run id give it to Lex and Lousaka on straight up the gut stuff.
Big Ben gets hit….and he gives you time to get to him…i like the fact that we have so many ppl to rotate….we should get our share of sacks for sure.
This is gonna be one motivated pissed off Steelers team coming here Sunday…if they come out in the 1st half like shit again….this team wont let them back in it.
Phinsider Hall of Fame Class of 09' / 2-Time 09' Matty Award Winner
Can all of us finally agree, it's Clemons Time?
"Welcome to The Doghouse"
Your best? Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen! -Sean Connery
"The more people I meet the more I like my dog."
"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart."
The Steelers D can be vicious
even with Polamalu out, which he most likely will be again this week. Like Matty said they can get to the QB so our line has to do a much better job than they did against the Texans if they want a shot of winning this game…our rookie corners will have their hands full with Ward and Holmes, and how they will be able to contain them will be a huge factor in what the Steelers can do on offense…Davis can not have any mental lapses and allow a big play…this will be a physical game
-"No excuses, No explanations"
-Matty's assistant
- LN21 and MHTD - Going Commando
- Founder of the Draft Brandon Spikes Bandwagon
by MiamihastheDolphins.... on Dec 30, 2009 11:14 PM EST reply actions
Total crap about Lou!
Who the hell is the FB for the pro bowl? Anyway gotta say this game will be a tough one! Ted Ginn should watch Hines Ward play receiver he is never afraid to get physical there is a guy who earns his paycheck.He is what Ted Ginn should be,never afraid to make the play and take the hit like a real football player. I would start Lex if it was my call rest Ricky for next year and let Lex pound the steeler defense. we can win this but the key is getting ben on the ground early and often his line sucks but he may be the toughest Q.B. to sack he makes a ton of plays after he sheds would be tacklers. I hope this will be ginns last game unless he agrees to cut his pay and give it to Camarillo and Bess who have earned it. Prediction Big day for Hartline and dolphins 24 Squeelers 17 go phins!
Im not down with this lecture Matty.
Anyways, while many want to look ahead to the offseason already after back-to-back losses that all but ended Miami’s playoff hopes, the players are sure to keep grinding – that’s just how this team was built; it’s what these players do
Uhm, “the players are sure to keep grinding, that how this team is built”?
That sure make some of us look like villains, while the players end up like heroes? huh. What about the fans that kept “grinding” last Sunday, paying ridiculous prices for a “playoff” like game? What about some of the fans like me that came over from another country to support these guys? I dont know if you saw the first half of that game, but it I did, and it was a pathetic excuse for a season defining game. When they were already down by more than 2 touchdowns, not one player other than JT cared to go over to another teammate and support him, give him advice or just pump him up. Henne would just walk down to the bench and sit down with his eyes on the turf and just shut up until the next series came up. Bunch of guys laughing it out on the sideline while the team got absolutely raped. Then the half assed comeback. The defense sure showed up finally, but the offense and the play calling was pathetic. Henne missing on short throws and receivers dropping passes. Even the 30 something yard pass Ginn caught that helped us get closer to another TD was a horribly thrown pass by Henne. With a hang time that not even Fields could achieve. You should have listened to the old timers that were sitting next to me and behind me. Just a pathetic performance. Not because of the drops or the miss blocks or tackles, but because of the lack of emotion and guts this team failed to show and collect. If there are fans looking up to next season and have given uo on this season, they have every right to do so, after all, why shouldnt they? If this team did so first.
JT is awesome and that only shows some of his talents we don't usually
see because thay are not on the field things. I don’t really think the offense really believe in it self because Ricky can’t hang unto the ball tro save his life, and Henne iswhat he is, a work in progress that has tremendous upside.
The only wisdom is the knowledge that you don't know
Watching the game
I was in New Mexico Fishing during the game. And Am Glad to have been catching fish instead of watching us lose. Check me out on You tube under dryocum and wade trip december 27 I am the bald guy who catches the cutbow. Any how I tried to post a blog but it said body was blank so here goes. Ted Ginn has no heart period. I just watched him fumble twice and no turnovers but the guy is so afraid of contact he now has a complex. I know some of you guys hate me bashing Ginn but the guy is so scared of football he can’t even hang on tho the ball now! Here is my rock solid grounds for argument, Ted does not give 100% on every play end of story. If you want a guy who is 75 to 80% on the play he is your man. There are millions of blue collar guys who get paid less than half of Ted’s salary and they get the job done EVERY day. Superbowl teams have players that sacrifice and get it done no matter what. I myself would cut off a finger for one year of teds pay checks. Realize that Ginn is part of the problem and a strait up pussy. People that are real on the team are who will make the plays like LEX,Vontae,LOU Polite,Bess,Hartline etc these are the real players, Time to cut the guys who are just here for the paycheck. 2110 looks good go phins.
Cool video. I don't think Ginn was a negative for this game. He made a couple of good grabs
plus the amazing long TD that was set back. He is making way to much money for his kind of production though, I agree there.
ps- Yes 2110 is looking good for the phins. The robot we got at QB reminds me of a guy that played for us almost a 100 years ago. This guy Henne…
maybe stick to fishing?
u don’t watch the game, but unleash an anti-ginn hate rant?!
sure you aren’t a jets fan? that’s their style!
tedd’s not the problem.
That's what i was doing
is watching the replay of the game. And in the first half Ted fumbled twice one on a punt return and one on a catch that wasn’t called because Henne got the ball snapped before they could review. Now as for being a jest fan profanity not being allowed on this sight stops me from telling you what I think of you. If you love ted than good for you bud but I don’t understand how you can love a guy so afraid of contact and a guy who plays at less than full effort.
wrong game dude, the punt fumble (recovered) was the tennesee game.
i do like ginn but recognize in a balanced way he’s got issues to deal with…
that’s why posts that seem like prefabricated unbalanced rants, especially given ginn’s recent performance, tip toe sideline, acrobatic last week in the, uh, houston game, are slightly irritating. i shouldn’t rise to the bait. we both have better things to do.,
Ginn recovered his own fumble in the texans game
And you are right this is a waste of time just like waiting for Ginn to become a receiver
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