A Closer Look At The Failure In Baltimore: Coaching
Miami’s defeat happened because of failure at nearly every level.
From Coaching to coverage, Miami was victimized, but will the failure continue?
It’s been a few days since the Miami Dolphins failure at the hands of the Ravens in Baltimore, and due to a vacation, this is the first chance I’ve had to analyze the game and write about a closer inspection.
Using game footage, instead of memory, this reanalysis has made Miami’s path to defeat more clear.
In this first part, I’ll break down how and why the Dolphins defensive coaching set the tone for the entire team’s failure.
First, we’ve seen this type of game from the Dolphins in every defeat but Seattle — nearly to a tee, actually.
Despite the ease it would take to blame the players first and foremost, upon deeper inspection, coaching is the prime mover to this defeat and attributed heavily to the players failures.
In these first four play, the Ravens offense probes and then escalates with great coaching acumen. The Dolphins defensive staff doesn’t respond in kind.
Scheme failure needs to be quickly diagnosed and responded to with adjustment.
Vance Joseph‘s decision to play a soft-zone with a free release from the Corners and Linebackers with an ‘over’ technique is what his philosophy is based off. It’s very similar to what Miami ran when they dominated on “D” with Taylor, Thomas, and Madison (minus the high degree of a free release). But, the difference in talent at the second level and the NFL’s adjustments to bolstering the passing game leaves this type of defense far more exposed than in previous incarnations — especially with the total lack of disruption in the receivers routes.
The primary problem with running this passive style of defense is that you are not challenging the QB’s progressions or his receivers routes. Yes, you challenge the offense with the pass rush, but if that’s not working at a high level, then the QB runs through his progressions with ease and picks you to pieces. Time is a primary catalyst in wrecking a ‘soft zone’, and with zero disruption at the line of scrimmage by employing a free release, a defense is in deep trouble if the pressure is not there, and you don’t have premier covering LB’s.
All of the above was plainly evident from the get-go.
Top coaches are quick to see game-plan failure.
And as in pic #6, a missed assignment with so much space offers a receiver too much opportunity for YAC…and that can prove disastrous.
I get that Joseph’s foundation for the defense is potent pass rush and limiting big plays. This first drive is understandable as you are setting a philosophy and game-plan, feeling out your opponent, and try to limit anything big at this early stage.
But, it’s drive #2 of the Raven offense that is a huge concern.
Joseph’s defensive call again was primarily a ‘soft-zone’ (although it appears this time there are some elements of man involved in play #4) with zero disruption of routes, and every time he used a free release concept, it failed — except once, when pressure disrupted the throw.
In play #2, he again went with a free release, this time with a man-coverage backed by six pass rushers. The coverage was too thin and was broken with a TE beating an LB trapped in open space. Most of the time this is a losing proposition for an LB, and no good pay per head sportsbook would say the odds of success are high.
Joseph’s heavy reliance on pass-rush combined with soft coverage is being exposed, and he is not responding.
Joseph called a Zone-Blitz in the Red Zone with Earl Mitchell dropping and disrupting the drag-route. This play broke both the TE’s route and the play’s timing causing a incomplete pass.
But, on the next play he returned to a soft-zone, which resulted in a touchdown.
Failure should never get a doubled-down.
At this point, Miami is down 14pts in the 1st Quarter and light speeding the Dolphins to a defeat.
Ryan Tannehill‘s first pick was a result of a slightly off throw, missing a better read and an amazing play by the safety. It’s not even close to being acceptable, but given all the elements involved it was a play made by the defense, and that happens because they get paid too.
But, these two defensive drives by Miami are systemic issues: slow diagnosis and adjustment by coaching. The most troubling part is that this isn’t even close to being an isolated event and is appearing to be a hardwired weakness in Joseph.
Joseph’s game-day coaching and weekly game-planning is proving to be a huge liability.
He doesn’t seem to have a fall back concept to adjust to when his gameplan and players weakness’ are exposed. And what’s more trouble is his primary philosophy and concept has been exposed often, and yet he still refuses to, or hasn’t found a way, to respond. In essence, he is quickly appearing a One-Trick Pony, and if that trick works, all is well, and if not, then the day is lost.
As much as I like Joseph, if he can’t evolve, then Miami needs to find either an All-Star roster or, more realistically, find a new defensive coach, because he fast becoming the Dolphins weakest link. Go Fins!!!
Great point Lemmus and absolutely true. I didn’t understand any of the defensive philosophy for that game. I mean, I knew they were going to get ride of the ball in under 3 seconds, dink dunk each pass, why didn’t Joseph? A soft or shell zone only plays into what Baltimore was trying to expose, and expose it they did.
As much as I like the staff, I just worry about Joseph in big games or games vs the likes of Billacheat, Harbaugh, even Ryan, etc., the BIG boys. I often wonder how this years defense would do with a defensive guru as the “D” coach? I know we are handcuffed w our current LBers.
Lemmus I agree, and I think others do (should) as well, we are in desperate need of 2 LBers in order for this defense to take the next step into a top 10 defense regularly. How about Tannebaum pulling off another draft day swap w the 49ers, moving down spots for Bowman? Just a random thought, pulled it off this year, why not (word on street is he is/wants out in ’17).
I must disagree about our CBs. I believe they are solid and we will have a solid 3 here soon (return of Howard). It was the coach that put the CBs into bad situations vs Baltimore. Remember, both Lippett and Maxwell had been playing very very solid in that 6 game stretch. Play vs Harbough and they really didn’t attack our boundary/outside corners. Good coaching. And we face another good coach Sunday that realizes our weaknesses, and it is not our outside CBs. Assuming all 3 CBs are here next season, I don’t think we need to draft a CB in the top 4 rounds (unless incredible value is there) in 17’s draft. Like a D-Lineman, you always draft 1 somewhere. LBers, LBers, TE, Guardx2 and we are off to the races.
I have my doubts Sunday because the coach we are playing against (Arians), not necessarily the team.
If Joseph can not adjust or at least implement a game plan vs every team that maximizes our strengths and protects our weakness, then it may be time to find one that does/can!
As Lemmus mentioned; Gase was part of the problem as a whole. We got here by running the ball. We didn’t do that, 12 carries for Ajayi???? Com’on coach, feed the beast, fuel the train. That is the only way we are going to get to the playoffs this season and beyond w Tanny as our QB. As disappointed as I was in Joseph I was equally disappointed in Gase, Please don’t say the game got out of hand. You can (should )still run down 14-0.
Here to the J-Train rolling once again. HOOT HOOT!!!!
Dunner that was something I couldn’t get…everyone knew what the Ravens were going to do, but Joseph didn’t have a plan B. I also, don’t understand how they have near zero press involved in there defense, I am still working on my little retort about Gase’s culpability. Not to say he is innocent…he’s not. But, from my goings over the game, situations and mistakes forced his hand to throw the ball and move away from the run. Still need to present my case and do a thorough analysis to even confirm it to myself. But, I see it that the defense let too many point up to quick and forced a pass heavy attack on the O. I have one more Jimmy article and hope to do it by tomorrow — fingers crossed.
Admin
The Dolphins will have a Scenario coming up: Todd Bowles the Jets Head coach most likely will be cut this month. Miami Defensive problem is over by hiring Bowles again. This take the guess work out of our defense.
Bowles During his time with the Cardinals, Arizona’s defense ranked in the top five in the league in several statistical categories.
Scott Linehan Dallas Cowboys Offensive Coordinator: The Dolphins must go after and let Gase Head Coach. Many problem would be fixed. And send Tannehill to work for Stephen Ross. Can we handle the Truth?
Dunner
Navorro Bowman is on the injured reserved list for as I know? https://youtu.be/8GGBTSMw-OM would be a positive addition if healthy, good leadership and awareness on the field. What would the Dolphins have to give up for him? I think he is being paid about 12 million?
It would be nice with a veteran in that position. My gut is saying for the Dolphins to draft the Florida Gators:
Jarrad Davis Currently Ranked number 2 ILB in the 2017 draft projected 42nd second rounder. Would be less money and a monster at that position with super value. He really is that Good!
https://youtu.be/TVYsP46TbBo
If the Dolphins Management could draft Tim Williams in the 1st round and Jarrad Davis in the Second this would help the Dolphins tremendously.
st Rounder ranked number OLB about picked 18th
https://youtu.be/G9wTtXm9PtA
Tim Williams || Unstoppable Pass Rusher ||
…good breakdown …Joseph either gets it fixed or is gone come January
…but it still comes down to talent …we need better LBs and DBs …if we had them, the coaching fails wouldn’t hurt nearly as much
…my only dis is that you’re not holding Case just as accountable for the offensive debacle …we have a RB/OL that produced 5+ ypc and yet we only ran it 12 times …run it 18 more times and that’s 90 yds more offense, a worn down opp defense in the 4th, and TH not playing dodgem so often with the pass rush …not to mention the turnovers
…yes, there is logic in going to the pass when you’re 2 TDs down and your running game isn’t working …but that was NOT the situation on Sunday
…this loss belongs to the entire coaching staff including ST …when you deperately need points but don’t have the confidence in your kicker to try a 46 yd fg, a huge part of your ST ability stinks to high heaven
…that said, I still think Gase is the answer …but as an unproven rookie HC of a losing franchise, his ability to attract coaching talent was limited …I think that will improve drastically come January if we finish with a winning record
…did I ever mention my love/hate relationship with spell checkers? 😱
I’m working on the rest of my study, but Joseph was the head of the glass from what I saw. I’ll present my finding and let you judge. I also am not saying he is the only culprit, just the primary, because defense must limit points if you are to be a running team. If the defense fails early and often, it compromises the entire plan, Now, if he did his part and Case…errr Gase 🙂 threw the ball around that would be one thing. IF you watch the game again, you might feel differently and it might not be exactly how you remember it. The situations played a large part in him moving from Ajayi…but, I’ll do a study and present it and let you be the judge.