Winning Means Winning In The Trenches
Football will always be won in the trenches, no matter how much the NFL pushes the skill positions.
Them ‘fat guys’ in the trenches are the foundation to every “W”
The Miami Dolphins front office invested a lot of money and time this offseason in an attempt to improve the offensive and defensive lines.
During the first 5 games of the season, it was real hard to notice any improvements in either of these areas — real hard. The Offensive line was still allowing a ton of pressure on Ryan Tannehill, and the running backs had a difficult time getting space to run. On the Defensive line, other teams were running up and down the field against us, and the opposing QB was not getting significantly pressured.
Adam Gase kept saying it was protection issues and a missed assignment, here and there, that was causing the house of cards to tumble into the toilet.
Most thought it went well beyond just ‘poor protection’.
It seems, he know more than the best football gamblers.
Over the last two games, which coincidentally were both victories, the Dolphins have dominated the trenches.
We know the story by now, but let rehash it for some good vibrations and to set the memory up with numbers: The Dolphins racked up 222 rushing yards on the Steelers, and then the followed it up by upping the ante on the Bills to the tune of 256 yards. This was astounding, because despite being a bit banged up, both of these teams pride themselves on being tough and physical.
Now, after just two weeks, Miami now has the 8th best rushing offense in the entire league, averaging 120 yards per game!
Who would have thunk just a short time ago.
On the Defensive side, the Dolphins allowed 128 yards on the ground against the Steelers; and then against the Bills, who were the number one rushing team in the league, averaging 152.3 yards a game, Miami held them to a paltry 67 yards, which is downright incredible. The stat that knocks your socks off is that the Bills runners averaged only 1.4 INCHES before contact — YES inches. That means that our D-Line was absolutely bulldozing their way into the Bills backfield, and suffocating any chance the Bills had of generating a running attack. This stat greatly offsets the notion that is was simply the lack of McCoy that was the cause of Miami run D’s success.
Sure this is only two games, but these two games might just have created a culture shock to this team. And if this team can just play with this same emotion and tenacity, then more wins could be on the horizon.
The Jets game coming up will be an excellent Litmus test.
Miami has embraced a timeless truth that was forgotten by the Philbin regime: If you win the battle of the trenches, especially on the offensive side of the ball, they there’s a very good chance you win the ball game. Let’s hope Gase doesn’t forget all that he has learned! Go Fins!!!
I cannot put enough emphasis on the NFL being soft and cannot play a power run team. I’m confident the NFL teams of today cannot hold up. Mentally and Physically they are not coach to play that way. The NFL invest in Pass rushers.
Ajayi only needs 1 second to penetrate the line of scrimmaged and 2 second to clear the middle line backer. If the our wide receivers do their job blocking without penalty we are unstoppable?
The Dolphins are mastered at offensive line execution for running plays. I’ve witnessed it the last two games.
https://youtu.be/GDeyxGoOWnQ pulling guard hitting anyone in his sector
https://youtu.be/AE56R-CZjUI Drive blocking
It’s a valid point that the lack of tackling in practice has equated to an easier time running the ball…would love to see the NFL shift back to a run centered game….
What is this world coming too?
I have agreed w Lemmus the past several weeks now.
The Miami Dolphins are rushing the ball an average of 38 times/games the past 2 weeks,,,,, YES 38 rushing attempts.
Lets not forget these 2 games were against two of the hottest teams in the NFL at the time.
Jay Ajayi is tearing it up, when many of us thought Jay was playing himself right out of Miami early in the season, true story!!
The J-Train is for real….
This is the first time in for ever that Miami has had the starting O-Lineman they planned on and penciled in as starters in August all together and playing a complete game, 2 weeks in a row to boot, again when some of us thought Pouncey, Albert were on their way out (still might be).
Couldn’t have had a better 2 weeks to head into a bye week for this team, its players, coaches, and us fans!
With Albert and Pouncey, there are a long history of injuries and that combined with their salaries is trouble. over the last 2 season Pouncey, Albert and James have only played 9 games together. Albert is less of a problem than Pouncey. Notice last week when Pouncey had a DT lined head up on his he received 2 holding calls that is because he has very little point of attack strength. Darius was out for the Bills and the Steelers were missing interior defenders. This next game against the Jest…Jets will be very tough in the run department. Their line is one of the best in the league. Pouncey will get exposed. Hopefully they can get him to the second level enough to balance it out. His play will be critical. I see them doing alot more counter and reverse action to chase of head up play over the center. Pouncey has always had trouble with zero technique and it always forces a double to support him….but, I’d love to be proven wrong. And veah, you and Lemmus’ love feast was about as shocking as those pair of 200yard games 🙂
Admin
We got our work cut out for us with 3 wins.
New England PatriotsNE
6 1 0 .857 3-1 3-0 1-1 5-1 176 107 +69 W3
Buffalo BillsBUF
4 3 0 .571 2-1 2-2 1-2 1-3 187 131 +56 L1
Miami DolphinsMIA
3 4 0 .429 3-1 0-3 1-1 3-3 146 159 -13 W2
New York JetsNYJ
2 5 0 .286 1-2 1-3 1-0 2-3 119 180 -61 W1
No need to get cute remember that’s how Seattle lost the Super Bowl
https://youtu.be/BZmTNMS6syI
The run game is designed to beat down your opponents who wants to see our line pulling towards them full speed?
https://youtu.be/FJ5Ln4NLMn4
This is why I like the run game the defense does not know who is going to legally knock them on their Butt.
Every body do there job the Receiver the Tight Ends and wide out learn who and how to block we will be unstoppable.
Admin I will guarantee no NFL team will want to play the Dolphins?
I agree Miami will be formidable if they can harness that effort with smart play. ST MUST clamp down and penalties MUST get under control. I’m trying to break down Jets and Dolphins film for a little video comparison…trying my darndest. Pouncey is the biggest wildcard because of his great strength and great weakness, If they can run on the Jest…they will run on everyone. Really excited and nervous about this game, Steve!!!
…tain’t no love feast atall …Dunner jest come to his senses …seen the light he has …happens to all of us now and again 🙂
…now if’n I could jest reach out and tap a few more …hep them pull their cranium out of their rectal orifice, eh …and of course, the fins whup up on the jests …that combination jest mite make my day …mite I said, didn’t promise nuttin …wouldn’t want Dunner to git all excited and piddle on the floor agin 🙂
…Stills is the deep threat, a real one …he’s not going anywhere
…and you’re right, unless defenses start beating the 2 TE sets, Gase would be a fool to change to a 3 WR set as his primary weapon …we’ll see it but not frequently …don’t fix what ain’t broke
…Parker has to earn the starting spot, so far, he hasn’t…Stills has repeatedly gotten free for the deep ball and his dropsies have not been a problem lately …unless they return, Parker will remain #3
…and that’s ok imnsho
I concur Lemmus!
Thing with Stills is both Landry and Parker are soon up for a contract as well. Landry is gonna’ be HUGE and Parker still has time to click it on and ask for a big one too…2 large contracts and one mega contract in the WR core is gonna’ be hard to keep…Stills has been excellent and it will be a tough decision, especially with Carroo being invested in so heavily. As far as the two TE’s it’s fortunate that Sims will be back for the Jets game!!!!
Well Samson, I hear what you are saying. However; what you are mentioning requires 11 personal (1-TE, 1-RB), in other words the 21 (2-TE, 1-RB) personal sets that have been so effective the past 2 weeks would have to change. There is a spot for Parker for sure, it just may have to require moving Stills to the 3rd WR spot allowing Parker to be on the field during all sets.
Where were we in rushing 2 weeks ago? I know it was bad. I believe Parker could be the biggest piece of the offensive puzle. Landry is Landry and Stills may have turned the corner. With this running game if Parker plays the way he is capable then our offense could be dangerous… Especially in the red zone where we need it
25. Miami Dolphins
2016 record: 1-2
Week 3 ranking: No. 29
What does a convincing, 15-point win over the Pittsburgh Steelers get the Miami Dolphins? According to ESPN’s NFL Power Rankings, the Dolphins gained a little respect from our expert panel.
Miami jumped two spots to No. 27 and got out of the bottom five for the first time in several weeks.
After the defeating the Bills. Miami is Ranked number 25th in the NFL. We still have much work a head.
I keep saying we have A team. The Dolphins initiating Whipping against their opponents have just be gone. By the time teams really take the Dolphins serious they may have a play off spot this season leaving teams scratching their heads?
Consistency, consistency, consistency: consistency is the most radical thing anyone can do!!!
Yeah, Samson. Parker is playing far under his talent.. I think all his conditioning issues are being resolved and he will have an up and down this season, but look for next season for his explosion. He is a physical freak and it seems Gase has an ability to coach up guys.. Parker seems to be coach-able, but an off season also seems needed for him to hit his stride. I do think as this year progresses he will make some big impacts as he flashes and moves closer to consistency.
In the trenches are the foundation to every “W” Going on the Bye Week Stats!
Number 8th in Rushing
Number 17th in Passing
Number 2 in Defense
Lets not get cute like Seattle lost the Supper Bowl on the last play. We must continue with the game plan that’s working.
Steve, if somehow those numbers can continue…look out!!! Playoffs will come. Now, I’m not going to say they will continue to play as that level…but if they DO…………….