2009 Dolphins Linebackers. Are they really that bad?
by markus_13 on Jan 2, 2010 6:49 PM EST
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PrintTony Sparano would never come out and say it, actually it is his policy to never speak bad about his team, but how do you think they really feel about this current linebacker group?
Do you think they are ready to start all over? bring in more talent in FA and the draft?
We all are screaming YES but do they feel the same way?
We will never know the answer to that question until the NFL Draft and FA period is done. In the meantime, I wanted to show how you can consider our LB's play has been this season by simply putting there numbers against other teams that play the similar 3-4 defense we do. Please note I only used the starters from each team.
The teams I have decided to highlight are the Steelers, Jets and Ravens. All of these teams have a similar record to our team so it should be a good test to see how these groups match up. To make this section readable for everyone I am simply going to breakdown the group by Tackles, Sacks, INT's, Pass Defended, Forced Fumbles and the leading tackler in the LB group.
Steelers
Tackles - 301
Sacks - 30.5
INT - 1
Pdef - 17
FF - 11
Leading Tackler - James Farrior, 95 Tackles
Overall amazing numbers for a team that is having a down season. Each player in this group is pretty strong and it shows. The most amazing part is you can see the effect they have in the passing game whether it is in Pdef or Sacks. Statistically speaking they turnover the ball the most and are in the Top 2 in every catergory, the scary part is most of these players are young except for James Farrior.
Jets
Tackles - 319
Sacks - 15.5
INT - 2
Pdef - 6
FF - 6
Leading Tackler - David Harris, 126 Tackles
I was expecting more when I started this as Sexy Rexy is know for getting pressure on QB's but these numbers don't really show that. The one thing it does show is that this group hits the other team with both ILB leading the team in tackles.
Ravens
Tackles - 272
Sacks - 12.5
INT - 2
Pdef - 17
FF - 4
Leading Tackler - Ray Lewis, 121 Tackles
This group defenitly misses Bart Scott but it still has decent numbers but not numbers you would expect from a Ravens defense. The one thing they do well though is Pdef and Ray Lewis is still a beast as NFL.com has his at 121 tackles, 2nd best among LB's I looked at.
YOUR MIAMI DOLPHINS
Tackles - 196
Sacks - 16
INT - 2
Pdef - 8
FF - 5
Leading Tackler - Akin Ayodele, 65 Tackles
The numbers themselves aren't too bad in most areas as they are similar to other teams but the main concern that jumps out at you is tackles .. the next closest team is the Ravens and they have 76 more by there starting group. Furthermore we are the only team in this group that doesn't have a LB that leads the team in tackles, Akin is 3rd best on the Dolphins.
So overall what we need is young Zach Thomas .. a relentless tackling machine. Someone who just has a nose for the ball. Of the players I think you would want to bring JT back as he makes game changing plays and without his stats (7sacks, 3FF, 3Pdef, 1INT) this would have also looked much worse.
The next step is to see where the Trifecta goes and gets this unit upgraded in the offseason, will it be at the OLB position due to the age factor or will it be the ILB position due to lack of productivity or better yet will it be both. The options are endless with the FA and Draft ... all I ask for after really seeing this is that they don't let another offseason pass without paying attention to this area.
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I don't care about stats. THEY ARE THAT BAD.
Their coverage skills are absolutely pitiful. Even though JT and Joey put a lot of effort into stopping the run at the beginning of the season, lately it hasn’t been extremely good. When it comes to the pass rush, the performance has been extremely uneven, and the stats don’t even start to tell the story. They’ve had great games and they’ve had awful games. Lamentably the awful games came against the best teams we faced and that ultimately cost us a shot at the playoffs. I mean in conclusion, its not that they absolutely suck, because they don’t, but man as a unit they are just bad. Specially because of the coverage issues. Teams like Houston, Indy and New Orleans have absolutely pass the crap out of us because these guys just can’t cover at all. Not to mention our great safeties. All in all: Joey did a good job against the run this season but completely lost a step when it comes to rushing the passer. JT was solid, he even had a couple of game changing plays like the fumble against the Jets and is a solid leader, but again, nothing elite or anything similar to that at rushing the passer like the old days. Then, Crowder, wow. Non impact whatsoever. Sure, solid at calling plays and stopping the run. But thats about it. Just no impact at all. No interceptions, no forced fumbles, no sacks, no tackles for loss. Just nothing whatsoever. And Akin, he is 100% the face of mediocrity. Thats probably why Channing doesnt stand out a lot too. So even though this guys aren’t awful, they don’t hold a candle to guys like the Steelers or Houston or even the Jets. People like Cushing, Demeco, Mario Wiiliams, Lamar Woodley, Harrison and etc etc etc. We need playmakers and we need them very soon.
Channing Crowder has been doin better this year,
he had a pick, and at least 5 TFL. if only he had a better partner then i think he would have really shined. and what do you mean he has no impact did you see when he left what happened? we got murdered by the run this man does make an impact.
Chillin in the Henne ERA!!!!
DRAFT GOLDEN TATE BANDWAGON!!!
Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."
(Norman? Is he related to Albert? I guess we know who isn't a genius.)
He is not a playmaker, he is a very very very mediocre ILB at best.
Ray Lewis: Solo Tackles 86 Sacks-3 Pass Def 7 Forced Fumbles- 2
Channing : 43 – 1 – 3 – 0.
So there you have it. He is not an impact player. Much less a playmaker. Mediocre at best.
but that isn't telling the whole story he has a very poor supporting cast in Akin.
Also youre comparing him to Ray Lewis.
The only wisdom is the knowledge that you don't know
I agree about Akin. The guys is serviceable but that is it. He doesn't even
handle himself as the typical football player. He should head to fashion or something…haha.
And yes, haha Ray Lewis…
I would replace Akin and Torbor BEFORE any thoughts about repacing
Crowder. Crowder is a very solid player, whom specializes against the run (and does it well). He is an above-average player that could work well next to a playmaking ILB.
The only wisdom is the knowledge that you don't know
He would be a very good contributer on a all-star defense, we need to get a young SOLB
and a playmaking ILB next him, and a new NT for an elite front. I hope he stays for a long time.
The only wisdom is the knowledge that you don't know
The answer
The answer to are problems is Brandon Spikes and a healthy Channing Crowder
by Dolphins2010Future on Jan 2, 2010 7:14 PM EST reply actions
or Rolando Mcclain/Micah Johnson/Brandon Spikes
the stats dont tell the whole story watch them on sunday
i like McClain the best
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
No hating on Jay Fiedler, please.
Official Back-Up Phinsider LOL'er.
The one and only "ho-nerd"
You Put Stats Too What Me And A Lot Of Others Have Been Saying!
These stats for the Phins are horrible. The one thing that you count on the LB’s to do, above everything else, is tackle. The fact that Lewis and Harris has more tackles individually than Crowder (44) and Adoyele (65) combined tell you all you need to know. All I hear about is how well the Phins LB’s play against the run. Where is the proof? It sure as shit ain’t in the tackling numbers! For Crowder to have only 44 tackles through 12+ games is pathetic.
The tackling numbers combined with the other numbers: sacks, pdef, int’s, etc. all point to a below average (way below IMO) LB corp. Did anyone ever think that the safety play, both Bell and Wilson, would be better against the pass if they didn’t have to support the run so much? If the Phins actually had ILB’s that tackled maybe the safeties wouldn’t bite on play action! Maybe they could play a little deeper and not allow WR’s behind them! Maybe they could, you know, be safeties!
Nicely Done! Rec’d!
By the way, I would rec'd this post more than once if I could!!
All the Crowder lovers should read this and compare him to the other ILB’s above. Two (Lewis and Harris) have almost 3x as many tackles as Crowder. Farrior has more than 2×.
We need to completely revamp the core
We have the second highest payroll in football!!!! Thanks CT. Porter has a 2.2 mil roster bonus ib feb I think and will be 33 he gets the axe. If the FO feels Wake will be ready after another camp to be a 3 down LB then 36 yr old JT will not be resigned if not he will be brought back on the cheap. We will draft mostly 2 OLBers and 1 veryb well could start. Akin Ayodele will be 31 and making over 2 mil next season and is no more then a backup he is a goner. Hopefully we get McClain making him an instant starter next to Crowder. I think Crowder is above average ILB will healthy BUT he misses alot of time not something Parcells likes. Yet he was signed to an extension last year and Parcells likes him he stays atleast 1 more yr. We will draft atleast 3 backers maybe 4 in this years draft barring FA. I want 3 new starters in this group next yr.
With our payroll so high we have no chance at a stud FA at any position IF IF IF we dont cut some guys and their salary bye Wilson, Porter, Penne, and others.
3 new 2010 starting LBers via 2010 draft
Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure
The other day that someone mentioned that we had the second highest payroll
in football I just couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It has changed my whole perspective on this team. I’d like to here from someone if this payroll thing is insignificant in the way that we can easily clear a lot of cap space in a hurry or if this is actually long term money we have committed. Bottom line, being a rebuilding team we were supposedely making room for one or two superstars, specially a top tier wideout, and now all of a sudden we are deep in debt? What is going on?
Without the CBA
We get Brown for $5M and we are supposedly able to cut Wilson without taking the cap hit we would with a new CBA. We also no longer have to pay Pennington his QB money (unless we re-sign him in a back-up/mentor capacity for cheap, something I doubt will occur). One of the reasons our payroll is second in the NFL likely has a lot to do with the fact that we spoil our offensive line with green.
Weigh or argue the pros vs. the cons of paying them as much as we do if you wish, that’s money we need to sink into those boys if we want to be the dominant team so many of these fans want.
I’m sure the front office will do what is necessary with the unnecessarily large contracts of those who don’t deserve them elsewhere.
Crowder, however, is tough to gauge.. I believe it depends on how Parcells’ scouting goes and which ILBs actually hit the market. We may be stuck with Crowder’s somewhat large (for a “non-play-making ILB” anyway) salary for the coming year with or without the CBA.
If there is a CBA, I believe he’s making too much for the cap hit to be worth the open space. If there isn’t, there’s just little-to-no market for ILBs left. As linebacker-heavy as I expect BP to be this coming draft, I just don’t see him starting two new ILBs.
Ginn is making decent money.. he may be gone for cap reasons alone. Bell makes solid money but there’s no way he goes anywhere just yet.
I don’t know if I’m missing much, but if you wanted a short answer, our offensive line is commanding most of that payroll allocation.
David A. Fuller, CPA, MST
2009 Unofficial "The Phinsider" (Phinaddict's League) Fantasy Baseball League Champion
By the way
I know SOMEBODY here, at least one person, hates the Grove signing and thinks he was a “bust.”
Per Yahoo!:
“The Dolphins’ rushing production dropped 13.4 percent on a per-carry basis in the 4 1/2 games Jake Grove missed. The running game averaged 4.63 yards per carry up to the point of Grove’s injury at Carolina, and that figure dropped to 4.01 YPC during his absence (152 carries for 609 yards).”
Perhaps your argument is just that he’s a bust because he missed four and a half games. If that’s the case.. this is football. Players (especially those in the trenches) who are physical get hurt and miss games. Give him the offseason to rest and go through Miami’s rigorous training program and he’ll be fine.
David A. Fuller, CPA, MST
2009 Unofficial "The Phinsider" (Phinaddict's League) Fantasy Baseball League Champion
Ginn is gonna make about 1.5 mil
less then Akin at 2 mil. Monies can and I think will be saved via Penne 5 mil, Porter 5 mil(with 2,2 mil roster bonus), Akin 2 mil, Wilson( not sure), plus the FA’s Fasano, Haynosect
3 new 2010 starting LBers via 2010 draft
Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure
i have a lot of opinion about what we should do with our linebackers.......
….but right now i only have time to say they are average, overpaid. and aging rapidly
i called for 2 corners drafter early last year and everyone thought i was crazy……
we grab linebackers this year……watch
Just one man's opinion...
....."running mac games as if your name was Scott Skiles".....
"mark my words...we will draft 2 corners within the first 4 picks" - 2009
I hope your right!
"I hope you know a lot more than you believe in"-Gram Parsons
"Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that."-Steve Earle
by texascowpunk on Jan 3, 2010 11:24 AM EST up reply actions
we're going LB in the draft
either round 1 or 2
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
No hating on Jay Fiedler, please.
Official Back-Up Phinsider LOL'er.
The one and only "ho-nerd"
we will; go LB
in both round 1 and 2 and maybe even 3rd. Either way we draft ATLEAST 3 LBers this coming draft.
3 new 2010 starting LBers via 2010 draft
Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure
i wanna a DT in the 1st round
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
No hating on Jay Fiedler, please.
Official Back-Up Phinsider LOL'er.
The one and only "ho-nerd"
wont happen
we will be drafting 11 or 12
Brace wasnt drafted until 2nd. You think Williams or Cody better? Williams maybe. Cody unless he gets under 350, gains strength, some quickness, and a good interview wont make it to the top of the second round he is fat and has no stamina. He better make his millions NOW before the combine. Williams is good but not a 3 down NT and at our draft position a huge, monsterious reach. This draft makes or breaks us IF like we think this team is a huge riser for years to come it will be a decade b4 we draft anywhere near this high. We need a defensive playmaker and means a LBer
3 new 2010 starting LBers via 2010 draft
Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure
I miss Zach....
Current Ranking for Miami Dolphins Player Pick 'Em Contest: #9
Current Ranking for New Orleans Saints Player Pick 'Em Contest: #11
Driver of the "GET PERCY HARVIN AT ALL COSTS" Bandwagon
tell me about it
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
No hating on Jay Fiedler, please.
Official Back-Up Phinsider LOL'er.
The one and only "ho-nerd"
I wish they would bring him back as a LB coach.
"I hope you know a lot more than you believe in"-Gram Parsons
"Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that."-Steve Earle
by texascowpunk on Jan 3, 2010 11:25 AM EST up reply actions
thats wat i said
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
No hating on Jay Fiedler, please.
Official Back-Up Phinsider LOL'er.
The one and only "ho-nerd"
Glad to see that you agree with me Sam!
"I hope you know a lot more than you believe in"-Gram Parsons
"Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that."-Steve Earle
It may be an overcomplicated scheme,
remember when Sparano and co. were talking about their installs this year and how their were TWICE as many as last year, maybe we should have just perfected what we we’re doing last year instead of trying to learn that much again, just sayin.
Good point. Sometimes less is more!
"I hope you know a lot more than you believe in"-Gram Parsons
"Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that."-Steve Earle
by texascowpunk on Jan 3, 2010 11:25 AM EST up reply actions
a lot of times less is more.....
Just one man's opinion...
....."running mac games as if your name was Scott Skiles".....
"mark my words...we will draft 2 corners within the first 4 picks" - 2009
They dont cover well
We need to get faster at OLB and Tougher at ILB,
Find someone to play FS and the defense is deadly
Ted Ginn supporter
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