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?
