The Mike Nolan Effect

will determine how we go this year….

I see it as more of a drill type scenario. But a scrimmage is a simulated game plan. Maybe our defense is gonna surprise some people. I sure as hell hope so.

We drafted all defense except for John Jerry. But really our O-line defends the quarterback so he can work his magic. That feels like a defensive player.

Health and brains will be the factor in our D this year. By brains I mean how quick they can pick up his idea and what they should do and where they should be!!

shouldn’t a sack only happen once in a loong time?
please calm my worries

I think you’re right about the blitz scheme with Mike, he hides it well. Nolan’s impact will be just as good as Ryan’s, due to the fact of aggressive play calling. I noticed in Denver, Mike Nolan had a poor front 7 so he; used overload blitzes and corner blitzes to generate extra pass rush. My fav’ package that he used in week 1 @ CIN was a FS blitz. He had a 3-4 front with 2 ILBs in the A gap, at the same time. The FS was in a cover 2 look, then he rushed in on a delayed blitz, in the same A gap that the LBs rushed in, which left the FS untouched and hurried the QB’s pass to Cinco and the corner picked off Carson Palmer for a beautiful INT. We have better talent in SoFLo so I can’t wait to see what the Mad Scientist aka Mike Nolan will do with our team.

It is my opinion that a majority of sacks and turnovers (greater than 50%) in the NFL are the result of scheme and confusing the offense. That can either be done with a blitz package (straight up or zone) or a disguised coverage that confuses the QB, making him hold the ball and allowing a little more time for a pass rush. Nolan is a master of those types of schemes.

But it will be incumbent on the offense to score early and often in games for Nolan’s defense to be truly great. If the Phins defense has one flaw that I can see right now is that it is a little light on the DL and at LB. I think that this defense will have an issue stopping the run, like Denver’s defense last year. Starks is undersized. Odrick is green. Dansby is a better pass defended than a run defender. Crowder is, well Crowder and not very good.

Some will say that a power running game by the Phins offense is the best defense. Pounding the rock, chew up time, and keep the defense off the field. I think the offense needs to be aggressive early. Score points early. Turn the opponents offens 1 dimensional because they are behing. If the Phins offense can set up the defense like that, this is going to be a really fun year. Because that is where Nolan will shine.

Well Done! Rec’d

According to Omar Kelly, he was dropping back into “DEEP” coverage. This is going to be huge for our exotic blitz packages as it frees up a corner/safety.

I am not worried about our offense: we put up points on some of the best teams last year behind our awesome running game. None of that will change. Except everyone has matured a year and we now have a top 3 WR in football. And you thought we were fun to watch last year?

Here’s my prediction. Our defense will make or break us. If our defense doesn’t step up I say we will be decent but will struggle to gain ground in the tough AFC East by losing some close games. Our schedule is too tough this time around for our Defense to be adequate. The Pats and Jets are good; they won’t be willing to hand the title over if our defense does not produce.

Here’s the good news… In my opinion, If we finish with a TOP 12 Defense in Football… the Miami Dolphins go DEEP into the playoffs. I’m talking AFC Championship potential. Why not? Our offense simply has too many playmakers, so if we stay healthy there is no reason why we can’t turn a whole bunch of heads and grasp dominance over the East. I’m hoping for this scenario; it will be up to the maturity of our young secondary, the pressure of Misi, Wake and newly appointed Dansby, but most of all, the look and feel of our defense masterminded by Mike Nolan.

Imagine our defense gets back up to caliber like it was 10 years ago? Now pair that with the best offense this team has had in decades. Ladies and Gentleman, if this is the case, you are looking at a Championship Football team.

totally agree that Nolan will greatly improve this defense… My comment would be – WHAT TOOK SO LONG – to see this ? (message to the FO)…..All of my dolphins group (meet at a bar to watch EVERY game) wanted Paul P. fired a long time ago. It was clear to us that his vanilla schemes STUNK. NOW – we all want Henning fired too… In my opinion Henning must greatly improve our total points output this year – or he has to go as well. I think he should get this last year to improve……..but, We have a huge new weapon in B Marsh – now lets open it up…. no wasting plays on Pat White…Lets throw the ball early and OFTEN, – running late to control the clock and wear out the opponent, with our power game.
Henne should throw an average of 35 x per week with some weeks going as high as 45.
I have no problems pounding the ball against the weaker teams (Bills) but lets open it up against the better defenses…. Henne still needs to grow a LOT this year – but use BM to advantage…