2008 Week 11: Raiders at Dolphins 1 pm

They have been historically weak against the run and their small fast linebackers are great against the pass, but not so much against the run. They have a lot of expensive beef at the DTs but they haven’t been holding their ground. I think that they are also susceptible to the power running attack of the Dolphins.

They have some pretty awesome running backs, but their O-Line is full of question marks. I think that the improved run defense of the Phins can stop their ground attack. However, if they miss tackles or fail to fill gaps, there will be a lot of big gains.

Miami strategy on third and long: draw play or short screen and punt if necessary. Keep the penalties, especially false start and holding, to a minimum. Playing at home will help a lot.

This is the last of 4 winnable games at home in a 5-game stretch. The Dolphins really need this game.

Who will win?

LDE Derrick Burgess; Grant Irons; Greg Spires
LDT Terdell Sands; Gerard Warren
RDT Tommy Kelly; William Joseph
RDE Jay Richardson; Kalimba Edwards
LLB Kirk Morrison; Sam Williams;
MLB Edgerton Hartwell; William Thomas;
RLB Thomas Howard; Jon Alston; Isaiah Ekejiuba
LC Nnamdi Asomughua; Stanford Routt;
RC DeAngelo Hall; Michael Waddell; Chris Johnson
SS Gibril Wilson; Rashad Baker; Jarrod Cooper
FS Michael Huff; Tyvon Branch
K/P/LS Sebastian Janikowski; Shane Lechler; Jon Condo
LT Kwame Harris; Seth Wand
LG Robert Gallery; Chris Morris
C Jake Grove; John Wade
RG Cooper Carlisle; Cornell Green
RT Paul McQuistan; Mario Henderson
TE Zach Miller; Darrell Strong; Chris Wagner
QB JeMarcus Russell; Andrew Walters; Marques Tuiasosopo
RB Darren McFadden; Justin Fargas; Adimchinobe Echemandu; LaMont Jordan;
FB Justin Griffith; Michael Bush;
SE Ron Curry; Drew Carter; Johnnie Lee Higgins
FL Javon Walker; Arman Shields; Todd Watkins

All I can say is UGH Part II.

Is it easier to pull off an upset early in the season on the favored teams home field or later in the season at home in front of a frenzied crowd when your team is now finding itself?

Definitely more unexpected early in the season at Foxboro.

However, if the Phins could get a lead somehow in the game, a defensive TD or a kickoff return for TD, the crowd would go WILD.

This will be a real test of Sparano's coaching and motivational talents.

What do you think the outcome will be as a big underdog at home?

Patriots Roster (Does anybody see a weakness?)

LDE Ty Warren; Mike Wright;

NT Vince Wilfork; LeKevin Smith

RDE Richard Seymour; Jarvis Green

LOLB Mike Vrabel; Pierre Woods

LILB Jerod Mayo; Victor Hobson

RILB Tedy Bruschi; Bo Ruud

ROLB Adalius Thomas; Shawn Crable

LC Jason Webster; Lewis Sanders; Terence Wheatley

RC Ellis Hobbs; Fernando Bryant; Jonathan Wilhite

SS Rodney Harrison; Tank Williams;

FS Brandon Meriweather; James Sanders; Matt Slater

K/P/LS Stephen Gostkowski; Chris Hanson; Lonie Paxton

LT Matt Light; Wesley Britt

LG Logan Mankins; Russ Hochstein

C Dan Koppen; Dan Connelly

RG Stephen Neal; Billy Yates

RT Ryan O'Callaghan; Nick Kaczur

TE Ben Watson; David Thomas; Marcus Pollard;

QB Tom Brady; Kevin O'Connell;

RB Laurence Maroney; Kevin Faulk; Sammy Morris

FB Heath Evans; Kyle Eckel

SE Randy Moss; Chad Jackson; Kelley Washington

FL Wes Welker; Jabar Gaffney;

2008 Week 13: Dolphins at St. Louis 1pm

The game in St. Louis will be tough if the crowd is in it, but not as bad if they Rams tank like last year (Gradkowski in relief of brittle Bulger and concussed Green). They have a young inexperienced line. I wonder if there will be any Long versus Long matchups to wonder "what if" in the draft.

The Rams boast a stable of great running backs (not unlike Brown/Williams, but their O-Line is much shakier, even if Pace is healthy). Add declining QB play to a group of inexperienced WRs and the Dolphins can win if they can stop the Rams rushing attack.The Rams have had trouble stopping the run, so once again Miami must rely on its ground game to pull it to another victory. No mistakes allowed on special teams! Who wins?

LDE Chris Long; Leonard Little; Eric Moore

LDT Clifton Ryan; Claude Wroten

RDT Adam Carriker; LaRoi Glover

RDE Victor Adeyanju; James Hall

LLB Quentin Culberson; Chris Draft

MLB Will Witherspoon; Tim McGarigle

RLB Pisa Tinoisamosa; Chris Chamberlain

LC Ronald Bartell; Jonathan Wade; Fahkir Brown

RC Tye Hill; Justin King; David Macklin

SS Oshiomogho Atogwe; Todd Johnson

FS Corey Chavous; Jerome Carter

K/P/LS Josh Brown; Donnie Jones; Chris Massey

LT Orlando Pace; Brandon Gorin;

LG Jacob Bell; John Greco

C Richie Icognito; Brett Romberg

RG Mark Setterstrom; Roy Schuening

RT Alex Barron; Mark LaVoir

TE Randy McMichael; Anthony Becht; Joel Klopfenstein

QB Marc Bulger; Trent Green; Bruce Gradkowski

RB Steven Jackson; Brian Leonard; Antonio Pittman

FB Richard Owens; Dedrick Harrington

SE Torry Holt; Donnie Avery; Reche Caldwell

FL Drew Bennett; Keenan Burton; Dane Looker

2008 Week 8: Buffalo Bills at Miami 1 pm

Key game in the division. Buffalo has a really good offensive line, but their defense looks susceptible to the power running game as long as it is to the outsides (against their cornerbacks). I think that Jason Ferguson can beat Melvin Fowler  in the one-on-one matchup. He is the weak link in their O-Line. Trent Edwards doesn't make mistakes, so the Phins need to pressure him enough to make him dump off the pass and then tackle the receiver short of the first down. That is not an easy task with their personnel. Buffalo lives off of turnovers, so no turnovers and no special teams breakdowns. Will have to contain their running game with just the front seven because the safeties will need to help on Lee Evans and James Hardy.

Who do you think will win?

LDE Chris Kelsey; Ryan Denney

LDT Marcus Stroud; John McCargo;

RDT Kyle Williams; Spencer Johnson; Jason Jefferson

RDE Aaron Schobel; Chris Ellis

LLB Angelo Crowell; Blake Constanzo

MLB Paul Poluszny; John DiGiorgio

RLB Kavika Mitchell; Keith Ellison; Alvin Bowen

LC Leodis McKelvin; Jabari Greer; Reggie Corner

RC Terrence McGee; Will James; Ashton Youboty

SS Dante Whitner; Bryan Scott; John Wendling

FS Ko Simpson; George Wilson

K/P/LS Rian Lindell; Brian Moorman; Ryan Neill

LT Jason Peters; Patrick Estes

LG Derrick Dockery; Christian Gaddis

C Melvin Fowler; Jason Whittle

RG Rashad Butler; Duke Preston

RT Langston Walker; Demetrius Bell

TE Robert Royal; Courtney Anderson; Derek Fine

QB Trent Edwards; JP Losman; Gibran Hamdan

RB Marshawn Lynch; Fred Jackson; Dwayne Wright

FB Darian Barnes; Jonathan Evans

SE Lee Evans; Roscoe Parrish; Steve Johnson

FL James Hardy; Josh Reed; Justin Jenkins

2008 Week 9: Miami at Denver 4:05 pm

Always tough to play in Denver. Got to stop the run. The Broncos backs are nothing special and this year their O-Line isn't up to the usual high standards. I think Brandon Marshall is too inconsistent to be a #1. I think their defense will struggle against a power running attack like Miami's.

Who will win?

LDE John Engleberger; Jarvis Moss

LDT Dwane Roberson; Carlton Powell; Kenny Peterson

RDT Alvin McKinley; Marcus Thomas;

RDE Elvis Dumervil; Tim Crowder; Ebenezer Ekuban

LLB Boss Bailey; Jordan Beck;

MLB Nate Webster; Niko Koutavides; Spencer Larson

RLB DJ Williams; Jamie Winborn; Wesley Woodyard

LC Champ Bailey; Karl Paymah; Jack Williams

RC Dre Bly; Dominique Foxworth

SS Hamzah Abdullah; Marquand Manuel; Josh Barrett

FS John Lynch; Marlon McCree

K/P/LS Matt Prater; Sam Paulescu; Mike Leach

LT Ryan Clady; Erik Pears

LG Ben Hamilton; PJ Alexander

C Tom Nalen; Casey Wiegmann; Kory Lichtensteiger

RG Montrae Holland; Dylan Gandy

RT Ryan Harris; Chris Kuper

TE Daniel Graham; Tony Sheffler; Nate Jackson

QB Jay Cutler; Patrick Ramsey

RB Selvin Young; Michael Pittman; Ryan Torain

FB Cecil Sapp; Mike Bell;  Peyton Hillis

SE Brandon Marshall; Darrell Jackson; Samie Parker

FL Keary Colbert; Brandon Stokely; Eddie Royal

2008 Week 10: Seattle at Miami 1 pm            

Seattle has been Weak against the run at times last year; They are super deep on the D-line and cornerback; They have good LBs but small and susceptible to the power running game They are very thin and a little injury prone on the OL and at WR. They struggle on the road away from their loud homecrowd  advantage. 

I think the Phins can stop Julius Jones and force Hasselbeck to throw a lot to a subpar receiving corps. I think the Phins can power run against Seattle and stay away from the pass. I think the Phins take this one.

Who do you think will win?

LDE Patrick Kearney; Jason Babin;

LDT Brandon Mebane; Red Bryant; Craig Terrill

RDT Rocky Bernard; Larry Tripplett; Marcus Tubbs;

RDE Darryl Tapp; Lawrence Jackson

LLB Leroy Hill;  Lance Laury

MLB Lofa Tatupu; DD Lewis;

RLB Julian Peterson; Will Herring; Wesley Mallard

LC Marcus Trufant; Jordan Babineaux; Kevin Hobbs

RC Kelly Jennings; Josh Wilson;

SS Deon Grant; Mike Green;

FS Brian Russell; Omare Lowe; CJ Wallace

K/P/LS Brandon Coutu; Ryan Plackemeier; Tyler Schmitt

LT Walter Jones; Floyd Womack

LG Mike Wahle;

C Chris Spencer; Chris Gray

RG Rob Sims; Mansfield Wrotto

RT Sean Locklear; Patrick Willis

TE John Carlson; Jeb Putzier; Will Heller

QB Matt Hasselbeck; Seneca Wallace; Charlie Frye

RB Julius Jones; TJ Duckett; Maurice Morris

FB Owen Schmitt; Leonard Weaver; David Kirtman

SE Bobby Engram; Ben Obamanu; Jordan Kent; Deon Branch

FL Nate Burleson; Joel Filani; Courtney Taylor

This will be an interesting strategic question for Sparano. Do you use the bye week to get ready for Houston, a very winnable game (conceding a loss to the Chargers), and risk getting blown out by San Diego at Home after the bye? Do you use the bye week gameplanning for the Chargers (gambling to catch San Diego looking ahead to their next week match-up with New England) and risk losing valuable gameplanning time on Houston?

If Sparano listens to Parcells and follows the example of Tom Coughlin in the Giants' 16th game versus New England, he will go for the upset at home and use the bye week to try to catch San Diego in a classic trap game. The Giants had nothing to gain and everything to lose playing to win against the Patriots in New England's 16th win. Yet they left that loss knowing that they could hang with the best team in the league and went into the playoffs completely fearless and confident.

I predict a heart-breaking loss to San Diego, but the planting of seeds of future victory in the next games as the Young Dolphins realize that they can hang with the toughest teams in the AFC. The Chargers, for all their pass rush prowess can be run against successfully. They've got some question marks along the O-Line. Even LT can be stopped if their O-line can be overwhelmed. Chris Chambers is going to be dangerous in this game. They have to watch out for him because he'll bring his A game to stick it to his former team. If the Phins are forced to throw the ball a lot, they are doomed. Their secondary is too good and their pass rush is too dangerous, but they are weak up the middle assuming Jamal Williams can be moved. Hopefully the hot weather and run heavy offense can wear him down and get him hyperventilating on the bench. Roster included below. Who do you think wins? Comment on how you would use the bye week…

LDE Igor Olshansky; Ryon Bingham

NT Jamal Williams; Brandon McKinney

RDE Luis Castillo; Jacques Cesaire

LOLB Shaun Phillips; Marques Harris

LILB Derek Smith; Steven Cooper

RILB Matt Wilhelm; Brandon Siler

ROLB Shawne Merriman; Jyles Tucker

LC Antonio Cromartie; Antoine Cason;

RC Quentin Jammer; Cletis Gordon; Dejuan Tribble

SS Clint Hart; Steve Gregory

FS Eric Weddle; Paul Oliver

K/P/LS Nate Kaeding; Mike Scifres;

LT Marcus McNeil; Tony Pape

LG Erik Dielman; Scott Mruzchowski

C Nick Hardwick; Cory Withrow

RG Mike Goff;

RT Jeromey Clary; LJ Shelton

TE Antonio Gates; Brandon Manumaleuna; Scott Chandler

QB Phillip Rivers; Billy Volek; Charlie Whitehurst

RB LaDainian Tomlinson; Darren Sproles; Marcus Thomas

FB Andrew Pinnock; Jacob Hester

SE Chris Chambers; Craig Davis;

FL Vincent Jackson; Eric Parker; Kassim Osgood

This is the key game of the year. If Sparano can get a team ready to play a crucial game probably defeated by San Diego at home after a bye week and then go on the road likely sitting 2-2. This is a winnable game, but the phins have to stop the Texans run game and make sure that they establish the run, or Mario and company will have a field day on whoever is the QB.

Houston is emotionally vulnerable coming off facing Jacksonville on the road and Indianapolis at home. I think that their offensive line is suspect and their cornerbacks  without  Dunta Robinson are vulnerable. Miami has to take advantage.  Roster included below.

Houston Texans

LDE Anthony Weaver; ND Kalu

LDT Frank Okam; Jeff Zgonina

RDT Amobi Okoye; Anthony Maddox

RDE Mario Williams; Rosevelt Colvin

LLB Kevin Bentley; Zach Diles

MLB Demeco Ryans;

RLB Chaun Thompson;  Morlon Greenwood

LC Fred Bennett; Jamar Fletcher; Dunta Robinson

RC Jacques Reeves; Antwaun Molden; DeMarcus Faggins

SS Will Demps; Glen Earl

FS CC Brown; Brandon Mitchell; Brandon Harrison

K/P/LS Kris Brown; Matt Turk; Bryan Pittman

LT Duane Brown; Ephraim Salaam

LG Chester Pitts; Charles Spencer

C Chris Myers; Chris White

RG Fred Weary; Mike Brisiel

RT Eric Winston; Rashad Butler

TE Owen Daniels; Marc Bruener; Joel Dreessen

QB Matt Schaub; Sage Rosenfels;

RB Ahman Green; Chris Brown; Steve Slaton

FB Vonta Leach; Jameel Cook

SE Andre Johnson; Jacoby Jones;

FL Kevin Walter; Andre Davis; David Anderson

The Ravens look pretty impressive on paper if healthy, particularly their safeties and D-Line. The Ravens D-Line will make it hard to run the ball, but the Raven cornerbacks are not known for their tackling. I would recommend a lot of short passes to the backs out of the backfield and running to the edges of the Ravens D. Their greatest weakness is at QB and they have some question marks on the O-Line. That means that the Phins can stop their running game, Rice and McGahee notwithstanding. If so, then they can put the game in the hands of a shaky QB and shaky receivers in a hostile environment. They will travel to Miami after a road game at Indianapolis, so they will have less time to prepare regardless of who is at QB. This is to Miami’s advantage especially if Pasqualoni adds some wrinkles to the D. The Ravens will be looking for revenge for last year so do not underestimate the motivation factor.  However, with Cam Cameron as offensive coordinator, there will be plenty of motivation for the Miami Defense to take out a years worth of frustration on the Raven offense. I say advantage to the Dolphins. Roster included below. Who do you think wins?

Baltimore Ravens
LDE Trevor Pryce; Dwan Edwards
NT Kelly Gregg; J’Vonne Parker
RDE Haloti Ngata; Justin Bannan
LOLB Terrell Suggs; Gary Stills
LILB Bart Scott; Nick Greisen
RILB Ray Lewis; Tavares Gooden
ROLB Jerret Johnson; Antwan Barnes
LC Chris McAlister; Derrick Martin; Corey Ivy
RC Fabian Washington; Samari Rolle;
SS Dawan Landry; Tom Zbikowski
FS Ed Reed; Hakuri Nakamura
K/P/LS Matt Stover; Sam Koch; Matt Katula
LT Jared Gaither; Oniel Cousins
LG Ben Grubbs; David Hale
C Jason Brown; Chris Chester
RG Marshal Yanda; Adrien Clarke
RT Adam Terry; Mike Kracalik
TE Todd Heap; Daniel Wilcox; David Martin or Justin Peelle
QB Troy Smith; Kyle Boller; Joe Flacco
RB Willis McGahee; Ray Rice; PJ Daniels
FB LaRon McClain; Justin Green
SE Derrick Mason; Marcus Smith; Justin Harper
FL Demetrius Williams; Mark Clayton;

All I can say is UGH. There's really not much to discuss here, but it is nice to get a harsh reality check once in a while even during the preseason. If there is a weakness, besides some kind of fortuitous injury to Tom Brady, it is the Patriot cornerbacks. I think that they can be run against successfully. Force the Pats to put their safeties in the box or run blitz and beat their corners in one-on-one matchups for big plays. Play ball control to keep the ball away from the Patriot offense (like everybody else tried last year). In the Super Bowl, the Giants benefited from key injuries to the Patriot O-Line and even then barely won on an interception drop by Samuel and a circus catch by Tyree. Special teams will have to play a critical role in this game. Porter and company will have to get pressure on Brady to even have a chance. Pasqualoni will need to be extra creative. Projected roster included below. What do you think the outcome will be?

LDE Ty Warren; Mike Wright;

NT Vince Wilfork; LeKevin Smith

RDE Richard Seymour; Jarvis Green

LOLB Mike Vrabel; Pierre Woods

LILB Jerod Mayo; Victor Hobson

RILB Tedy Bruschi; Bo Ruud

ROLB Adalius Thomas; Shawn Crable

LC Jason Webster; Lewis Sanders; Terence Wheatley

RC Ellis Hobbs; Fernando Bryant; Jonathan Wilhite

SS Rodney Harrison; Tank Williams;

FS Brandon Meriweather; James Sanders; Matt Slater

K/P/LS Stephen Gostkowski; Chris Hanson; Lonie Paxton

LT Matt Light; Wesley Britt

LG Logan Mankins; Russ Hochstein

C Dan Koppen; Dan Connelly

RG Stephen Neal; Billy Yates

RT Ryan O'Callaghan; Nick Kaczur

TE Ben Watson; David Thomas; Marcus Pollard;

QB Tom Brady; Kevin O'Connell;

RB Laurence Maroney; Kevin Faulk; Sammy Morris

FB Heath Evans; Kyle Eckel

SE Randy Moss; Chad Jackson; Kelley Washington

FL Wes Welker; Jabar Gaffney;