Dolphins 2016 Sack Total
The 2016 Sack Total will be a huge indicator of the Dolphins success.
Miami’s sack total in 2015 was terrible and was a big reason for their failure.
The Miami Dolphins didn’t like their sack total of 2015. They spent a lot of time and money trying to remedy that weakness to support Vance Joseph‘s new Zone-Press scheme. So, what would be a sack total to justify this effort and make 2016 a success?
The Dolphins run defense and pass rush was downright terrible last year. Simply adding a new, competent coaching staff should bolster last season’s terrible total of 31 sacks, which was tied for 25th worst in the league.
The top 6 teams in the league in sacks (which all had 44 or more) all made the playoffs last season: Denver (52), New England (49), Pittsburgh (47), Kansas City (47), Houston (45), and Carolina (44).
With all of the Dolphins new additions, and a more aggressive defensive game plan, most football gambling fans are betting that Miami should see a dramatic increase in their sack total.
Let’s take the likely top 3 leaders in sacks this season and their averages: Suh 7, Wake 10, Williams 9, and if you take 2 off both Williams and Wake for a possible down year, you get the sum of 22 sacks.
Now, that’s 8 less than Miami’s team total of last year.
Add the next tier’s averages: Branch 3, Phillips 2, C.Jones 4, J. Jones 4, Misi 2, and you get the sum of 15.
The combined total of averages is 37 with Williams and Wake having a down year and none of these players having outstanding years.
This list also doesn’t include Alonso, Jones, Jenkins, Mitchell, any corners, or back up LB’s.
For me the “goal” for this unit should be 44 sacks which would be less than 3 sacks a game on average.
Sacks are a huge part of any teams game as they are great for changing momentum, stopping a long drives, causing fumbles and turnovers – all of which are can mean the difference between winning or losing a game.
Pressure leads to increased sack totals…and to wins.
But, for the Zone-Press, which Miami is running (similar to what was played under Johnson and the Stash), it is essential to this defensive philosophy.
Zones have their weaknesses, but time is the most significant.
Give an opposing QB and his receivers time, and they’ll find holes, and rip to shreds a zone defense – that’s the bottom line.
Miami’s season will ride on the amount of pressure they create, and the sacks they register. They have said they will be aggressive, they brought in Jim Washburn and his Wide-Nine, they kept Wake and added Williams: 38 sacks is a bare minimum for a decent season. The closer they get to 44, the closer this season gets to being a darn good one. What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans expectations for the total amount of sacks our Defense can generate this season?
Yeah, Steve the pass rush isn’t something I’m not too concerned with – but, it needs to get into that low 40 range to be a playoff contributing element…
Defensively I don’t see a problem!
The years when the Dolphins have had a descent Defense our Mediocre offense has kill our defense?
Here are some things that our Defensive line need to perfect this season for a play off run.
Creating indecision in the offensive blockers as to which defender they will need to block on the play.
1, Can we align Suh on to the Weakest offensive linemen each game and just aligned him on the weakest players each play?
2. Can we moved Wake side to side for better penetrating ?
If Suh and Wake required double team less identify the Weakest linked on our opponents offensive line each game.
Defensive linemen do not have to be stationary prior to the snap. Defensive linemen can move up and down the line, Hopefully, this indecision causes the offensive blocker to be late off the ball or end up attempting to block the wrong defensive player.
…I’d be happier than a pig in a wallow with 44, I would
…but …but …but a lot of ifs have to go right for that to happen …Jordan having a comeback year at SLB …Wake staying healthy and playing at least two downs …Suh having a throwback season in the new defence …etc etc etc
…we have a LOT of new bodies on the roster …not to mention two of the three coaching units are newbies here …I’d like to believe they can get it done …but then I once upon a time thought Philbust could too ?
it’s nice to hear Miami won’t owe Jordan the bonus!!! I don’t think Jordan will be a huge impact on sacks – Alonso yes. If Alosno goes down the QB’s progression might get shorter and then allow less time for the rush to arrive. Overall though, I think pass rush is one of the more likely sure things this season – least, I hope so!!!