Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers - What to Watch For
by kmb8488 on Oct 1, 2011 8:00 PM EDT
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I'd like to apologize in advance for the brevity of this post. Being a working musician on the weekends means I get to do fun things like play weddings. And when that wedding takes place in a state I do not live in, well, multiply that fun factor by about a million
Anyway, in case you missed it (and I envy you if you did), the Dolphins officially hopped onto the Andrew Luck Watch 2012 train after that morale-boosting second half in Cleveland last Sunday. And now it's off to San Diego, where our team should feel right at home playing in an environment that pulls in about the same amount of fans as Sun Life(less) Stadium.
I don't think it's a stretch to say the Dolphins will be playing with house money from here on out this season, which would have me a lot sadder if not for the wonderful QB prize(s) that await at the end of this long, humiliating season. I'll never root for the Dolphins to lose, but I sure haven't felt as horrid after each of our three losses this season. And why should I? Our red-zone offense is depressing, and our defense looks like it spent the offseason committing to the Gilbert Brown diet.
Of course, the Chargers haven't looked unbeatable this season, either, and were an eyelash away from handing Kansas City its first win last week. And as bad as we've played, we're not as bad as the Chiefs (I think). So maybe we give these guys a run for their money on Sunday (Ah, I can almost see the possibility of Andrew Luck fading away like the photograph of Marty McFly's family in Back to the Future).
Let's take a look at some factors that could have a big influence in this game.
Antonio Gates is unlikely to play tomorrow
After watching our defense continue to hemorrhage yards and points up the seam this season, it'll be nice to not have to worry about Antonio Gates going upside our heads repeatedly during this game. Of course, their other tight end is Randy McMichael, and we all know how feels about the Dolphins franchise.
Daniel Thomas and Vontae Davis won't be playing, either
Oh, and then there's this little disadvantage. Thomas has looked monstrous the last two weeks, and Davis' inability to suit up last week actually forced us to depend on Nolan Carroll (which is something I wouldn't recommend). Thomas has the look of a big, franchise-caliber back, and not having him in the line-up this week will likely allow the Chargers to stretch out in coverage. It'll be interesting to see if Steve Slaton gets any work during this game.
Davis' absence will be a good thing for Philip Rivers, who is struggling thus far this season (I know this because he's killing my boss' fantasy team). Look for Rivers to try and get well on the spot that Davis would normally occupy.
Clyde Gates should be able to do some damage in the return game
To say the Chargers' special teams play is bad would be extremely kind. It's actually so bad, it kept the Bolts out of the playoffs last year (a team that had both the No.1 offense and defense in the league). This could be good news for Clyde Gates, who has been very close to reeling off a big return on multiple occasions this season. It's time to show off that sub-4.3 speed he supposedly has.
Play both halves, please
I thought the Dolphins looked perfectly fine in the first against Cleveland last week, but their inability to pressure the quarterback during the second half ultimately cost Miami the game. Philip Rivers isn't Colt McCoy, so if the Dolphins want to escape southern California with a victory, its defense must pressure Rivers throughout the second-half. Don't give this guy a full minute to scan the field and find one of his tree-like receivers. San Diego's only real stud lineman is center Nick Hardwick, so it's not unrealistic to expect the Dolphins' front seven to get into the Chargers' backfield and create problems. Whether or not that will actually happen is an entirely different story.
Prediction: Miami 19, Chargers 17
I can't pick against the Dolphins, regardless of how disgusted I am with them right now.
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Sadly I am ready to take an "L" just for more firepower to get a new head coach...
I think that for this team to turn into a winning org and really bring excitement back to south Florida. Then we have got to make a change…
Jimbo
agreed
I’m in favor of anything that leads to a new coach as well as a GM if necessary.
by phinsphan85 on Oct 1, 2011 9:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think Fasano has a big day tomorrow
Founder and creator of the "DT33" nickname
"Ima take my talents to South Beach"--LeBron James
Strapped on to Ryan "El Capitan" Lindley's bandwagon 2012
"I make onions cry"--Tom Brandstater
The Phins need to run the ball tomorrow, but don't have a RB to run the ball.
The Phins can’t get in a shoot out with the Chargers. If they do, they lose. The Chargers will also get after the passer. We all know how the Phins are pass protecting, so they have to run the ball. But I don’t trust Bush or Slaten or Hilliard.
I really don’t have any idea how this game is going to be played. This is a game us bettors would say “stay away from this one at all costs”.
"It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." MACBETH
"Walter, I love you, but sooner or later, you're going to have to face the fact you're a goddamn moron." THE DUDE (The Big Lebowski)
The rize err return of the wild-citty!
wopper "the king" computer
We often look rite past the positive's cuz the negative's-r-so hard they dominate! Have you touched & preened your beaver-pelt yet! Captain beem me abord the luckmobil!
by wild zion beaver on Oct 1, 2011 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions
CT
i dont really know how we are going to cover all the weapons they have offensively, especially without Vontae Davis. Its pretty obvious to me they are going to try and stretch us out early and often. From what ive seen of the Chargers this season they love to run 4 wide, with that personel gtouping remaining the same throughout virtually the entire gaem last week against San Diego. Last week their 4 wide sets were Vincent Jackson, Malcolm Floyd, the deceptively dangerous Patrick Crayton and Randy McMichael. With Vontae out this Dolphin team just doesnt have corners who can match up against their receivers in man. But we cant chip help to everyone, especially on a consistant basis.
There are other matchups in this game that are far more even than the Chargers receivers against our secondary, but I honestly dont know how Mike Nolan is going to gameplan for their aeriel assualt.
2008 AFC EAST Champions.
i feel as though we are somewhat handcuffed
defensively because of the precautions we have to take against their passing attack. Will Allen, Sean Smith and Jimmy Wilson are not talented enough to deal with San Diegos widouts, so ultimately we going to have to give them alot of help. This naturally takes away from our front which we are going to have to rely on to get pressure and stop the Chargers extremely dangerous multi-back running game.
2008 AFC EAST Champions.
We as a fan base need to realize something about the Dolphins secondary: They don't play a lot of man coverage.
They play a ton of zone coverage because they don’t have the players to play man. Even if you want to say the Davis and Smith are good man coverage CB’s (Davis isn’t IMO), that is just two players. There are 3 other receivers in the route that need to be covered. Who on the Phins are going to cover the slot WR, the TE and a RB? That is the area where they are getting killed.
The key to the Dolphin defense isn’t the secondary, it is the front 4. They need to create pressure with 4 to succeed. One of the most under reported stories of the offseason is that Miami didn’t adequately address this issue. Wake is very good, but he needs help. Taylor is old and doesn’t have it. Misi can’t. Odrick, Starks, Langford have been non-existent in rushing the passer. The last 3 weeks of the season last year, Wake had 0 sacks and they lost all three games. No Pressure. This year, the Phins have 4 sacks in three games and lost all three. No Pressure.
What does the Miami defense do now? Blitz to create pressure leaving the DB’s to cover man? Or rush 4, get no pressure the majority of the game because Wake can’t do it by himself, and give the QB all day to throw? This team needs another pass rusher big time. Until they find one, this defense is in trouble.
"It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." MACBETH
"Walter, I love you, but sooner or later, you're going to have to face the fact you're a goddamn moron." THE DUDE (The Big Lebowski)
i essentially agree with everything you are saying
including that we only have one corner capable of holding his own against talented NFL wideouts in man coverage. I believe that corner is Vontae Davis however not Sean Smith who I really see struggling week in and week out.
As for the lack of pressure you are absolutely right. The lack of consistant pressure is a serious problem for the Dolphins right now. i like Koa Misi and I think he is an underrated player who adds depth and intelligence against the run especially in edge setting. Jared Odrick is a guy who really concerned me in his limited action last year. He simply doesnt win man on man matchups. He also doesnt have the play recognition ability of Koa Misi and so often finds himself out of position. i hate to right him off so early in his career but he doesnt have alot of ability in terms of pass rush and he cant diagnose plays or get off his blocks well in the run game. Jason Taylor like Koa Misi is a good edge setter and he is a very intelligent player but he doesnt have the upfield pass rush anymore, and teams do a great job gameplanning for Cam Wake. In the NFL it isnt all that difficult to eliminate one threat.
The player who needs to play better on the line though is Paul Soliai. We are very dependent on his play being exceptional and it simply hasnt been so far this year.
2008 AFC EAST Champions.
Forget about Soliai and pass rushing. It is not his role. He is an interior run stuffer who isn't even on the field on passing downs.
In a 3-4 defense, pass rushing is done with the OLB’s on the edge and DE’s who assume DT positions in a pass rush. Starks, Langford, and Odrick are doing nothing to collapse the pocket. Even when Wake and Taylor (Misi isn’t playing much in passing situations because he can’t rush the passer) get an edge in their rush, the QB is just stepping up in the pocket because there is no one there.
Back to Soliai. He is playing well again this year. Teams aren’t running up the middle. The majority of runs are off tackle. That is where the ILB’s need to step up. The biggest problem with the run defense is Burnett and Dansby. They have been nonfactors this year.
"It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." MACBETH
"Walter, I love you, but sooner or later, you're going to have to face the fact you're a goddamn moron." THE DUDE (The Big Lebowski)
i did not mention Paul Soliai
in terms of struggling in pass rush. NT is the hardest position on the field to rush the passer from and that isnt the role of any Nose Tackle in the 3-4 defense. However i havent always been thrilled in his play. By the end of last season he was playing as well as anyone in the league in terms of play recognition and lateral movement down the line. Take the Texans game for example, as much success as they were having off tackle they still pounded us with cut back runs. Ben Tate is a very dangerous one-cut runner and he made six or seven 5+ yard pops on cut back runs behind left and right gaurd. Soliai needs to make those plays. he is so good and we as a defense dependent so much on his ability against the run, yet he has been beat more this season.
Granted our play at inside linebacker is a serious problem right now i am offering no counter argument. Kevin Burnett is taking much of the blame amongst the fanbase but Karlos Dansby is by no means innocent in all this, including missing some crucial tackles which is almost unbelievable.
2008 AFC EAST Champions.
The Chargers also have a great offensive line CT.
look at the left side of their line Marcus McNeil, Kris Dielman and Nick Hardwick. All three are very talented players. Loius Vasquez is brand new at RG this year but hes surrounded by talent. In the past few years Jeremy Clary has taken heat at RT but the Chargers have a tonne of faith in him and just resigned him thsi offseason to a 4 yr. 20 million dollar deal. He will also get help from their backs, predominatly Jacob Hester against Cam Wake today.
2008 AFC EAST Champions.
The worst OL that the Phins have played this year, including today's game, is NE and they dominated the Phins pass rush.
I won’t get any easier against the Jets and Broncos the next couple of games either. Again, not addressing the pass rush this offseason is / was a huge mistake, IMO.
"It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." MACBETH
"Walter, I love you, but sooner or later, you're going to have to face the fact you're a goddamn moron." THE DUDE (The Big Lebowski)
As for the Pats having the worst line weve faced
i dont know. They have alot of talent up front and I see them in the same realm as Cleveland. Houston easily has the best front of the three teams we have faced.
2008 AFC EAST Champions.
Back-Up RT, they lost their starting C in the 1st Quarter, and they had a RG that was only in camp a week prior to the game.
The Pats right side of the OL was terrible and the Phins did nothing against it. The Texans have a very good OL. The Browns with Thomas and Mack anchor a good OL. Like you said the Chargers have a good OL.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Phins.
"It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." MACBETH
"Walter, I love you, but sooner or later, you're going to have to face the fact you're a goddamn moron." THE DUDE (The Big Lebowski)
It's the "stench" Sun (life-less) Stadium kinda has a smelly cent, err ring to it!
Let me clearify, not the “smell of dead” fish, but the dead scoring oppertunities. That (lie all over) the field, after every chance for the max td , with exacted demorilizing field-goals!
wopper "the king" computer
We often look rite past the positive's cuz the negative's-r-so hard they dominate! Have you touched & preened your beaver-pelt yet! Captain beem me abord the luckmobil!
by wild zion beaver on Oct 1, 2011 9:01 PM EDT reply actions
ew ew that smell
i can smell it too
by scrappy the wildcat on Oct 2, 2011 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions
quick question...
For all the suck for luck cls’s…..
What if we turn this thing around and win 10 games this season…. Its a strech but not a far fetched one.
We went 0-3 to start the season in 08. We ended up winning 11. So 10 isnt out of the question. What then… Will you finally be off this kick?
by dolphinfan4lyfe on Oct 1, 2011 10:19 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Nah, hatters goin to hat, lol.
2011 Super bowl or bust!!!
J-E-S-T-S SUCK, SUCK, SUCK.
I always take life with a grain of salt, plus a slice of lemon, and a shot of tequila
Jonesen for Landry bandwagon member!
your post makes it sound like those of us with concerns all woke up yesterday with them. hardly.
a white sports coat and a pink crustacean
by a1a on Oct 2, 2011 7:43 AM EDT up reply actions
ur team is as godd as ur lines.
if ur OL cant create holes for the run game or pass protect, then ur offense is gonna suck. if ur DL cant rush the passer or stop the run, then ur defense is gonns suck. you want to go to the show, fix the lines.
Have a great time at the game all you Left Coast Fin Fans!
You can't build a reputation on what you're going to do." - Henry Ford
"Any time you try to win everything, you must be willing to lose everything." -
Larry Csonka
It's a win/win situation
Either we turn it around and have a miracle season or we get this luck kid, just plz don’t go 7-9 again.
"The Reggie Bush Experience" coming this fall !
when has gate been ready to break one?
I thought he has been sucking in that department
here kitty kitty kitty BANG!
Pretty much any Gates return that involved a holding penalty on Jason Trusnik
Time to unleash the Greatest Show on Surf!
I do not give us much chance in this game
Injuries to Thomas and Davis hurt our chances. I want to stay positive, but I think the Fins get beat in this one with a score of 33 to 13. Hope I am wrong!
Nobody hurt a tackler like Zonk did.
by rintintinsoldier on Oct 2, 2011 8:40 AM EDT reply actions
i smell 0 - 4
and its not smellin’ so good.
The Luck talk is WAY too premature however – - there are plenty of other teams in the same position as miami. plenty of “have nots” to go around in the age of parity.
KC for example – from (weak) Division Champion – to Andrew Luck sweepstakes – they will be in it all year too I have a feeling.
Its this crappy 4-team division format that has teams bouncing so much from year to year.
by scrappy the wildcat on Oct 2, 2011 10:00 AM EDT reply actions
2-14 looks possible at this point
I think the turning point for the Fins was when the owner went behind Sparano’s back to interview Harbaugh. That situation was handled so poorly that I can’t see how it can’t have had long term repercussions on the team. The owner has no confidence in his coach so he tries to interviews a replacement in secret. But when the secret goes public, the lack of confidence in Sparano goes public too (after all, you don’t replace a coach you’re in whom you’re confident). The owner doesn’t get his new coach but also realizes how badly he’s weakened Sparano in the eyes of the team and fans, so he offers him a contract extension. If he offered Sparano a one-year extension, many would say it was just to temporarily smooth things over with a coach that he wants to get rid of anyway. So he offers him two years hoping that would fool the team and fans into thinking Sparano is the guy.
What’s happening now, I saw coming. In fact, I couldn’t see a reasonable scenario to avoid it. There’s just no way this team is going to put it all on the line for Sparano. And that’s not Sparano’s fault; I blame Stephen Ross more than anyone. If you don’t have confidence in your coach, fire him and get someone else. Ross cut off Sparano’s balls and the result is the enough players have no confidence in him and they don’t all play hard for him. This has to be Sparano’s last season …hell, I’d switch midstream if I could just to not allow any long term malaise to set in.
So I said 2-14. Aside from KC and Denver, I’m not seeing many other games that scream win for us. Maybe one against the Jets if the stars line up the right way since historically we rise to the occasion for those games, but yeah… it’s going to be a long year. Maybe we can coax Cowher out of retirement next year.
Agree...
To a certain extent. I agree that what Ross did was F-ed up. And the team also tried to do the same thing to Henne. Total laughingstocks! However, these guys are still paid professionals so how about showing a little F-ing pride!
by miamimike71 on Oct 2, 2011 11:14 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think takes more than pride; I think you have to have inspiration too. Ross put Sparano in a position where he can’t take about the future of this team since it’s pretty clear that the owner doesn’t intend for Sparano to be a part of it.
Every player on that team knows there’s only so much tread on the tires …every hit you make, every hit you take, every pass you stretch out for and hit the ground… a career only lasts so long. So how much of that tread are these guys going to be willing to burn for Sparano knowing he’s almost certainly gone after this season? I think for a lot of these guys, and especially as the season goes on, it’s going to be about being healthy in camp next year and impressing the next coach. But as I said before, I think that kind of attitude can result in an infectious malaise that could have longer term repercussions. Honestly, if I were running things, I’d find some older coach to come in as a stop-gap at some point around mid season and then I’d spend the next couple of months buying lobster dinners for Cowher.
thats a whole lot of FGs.
2010 The Jim Mandich NewsFlash Award Winner.
Miss the misery.
Need a reason for a change.
Need a reason to explain.
So turn it on again.
Don't change your mind.
You're wasting light.
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