The backbone of the Phins defense is good coverage
Recovering from offseason surgery,Star cornerback Xavien Howard was considered a longshot to make the opener against the Patriots. Miami’s other star corner Byron Howard has been limited with a sore Achilles Tendon. The tea-leaves looked ominous that the Phins could be down their top two cornerbacks to kick off the season…
… But, the situation has made a 180-degree turn!
The latest injury report has Jones and Howard ready to play. For Phin fans hoping to upset New England, this as good a news as Miami could get.
The Achilles injury of Jones is a bit concerning though
I love that everyone is playing besides Safety Clayton Fejedelem. But, the Achilles issue with Byron Jones, is a bit concerning. While players can battle through and get over sore Achilles, it can also go the other way. Anyone who has had a sore Achilles knows how it feels. It doesn’t take the Best Pay Per Head Reviews to know a torn Achilles is a career killer for a cornerback. Given the abuse that corners put on the tendon coming out and going into breaks, we aren’t out of the woods yet... so keep your fingers crossed.
This Phins defense is made or broken by the pass defense
The 2020 Miami defense lacks elite pass rushers, but that’s not a big deal given their scheme. This defense isn’t like past Miami defenses that depended on instant pressure from the edge with players like Cameron Wake. Similar to the Patriots, Miami wants coverage to lead the defense.
Brian Flores loves man-coverage and zero looks to eliminate the quick throw for cheap yards. The pass rush is designed for the most part to be a slow boil this is why the secondary must force the QB off his first read. Interior pressure, while maintaining gap integrity, is the primary focus. Stunts are then added in to compensate for the lack of elite athletes. But, this pass rush design demands that the coverage buy time for the rushers.
This is why Chris Grier has spent so much cap space and blue-chip draft picks to fill the secondary with talent.
Most of Miami’s pass rushers are big and even their edge rushers rely on strength as much as speed to generate pressure. If Miami can field Byron Jones, Xavien Howard, Nick Needham, and NoahIgbinoghene with Bobby McCain over the top and Kyle Van Noy underneath, this pass rush will be fine.
Even if Xavien Howard can provide 10-15 snaps Sunday, Miami will be in a very good position to keep it a game into the 4th Quarter. You can’t ask for more than that up in Foxborough, Brady or not.
Cam Newton on the move
Miami has had problems with mobile quarterbacks for years. And Cam Newton has proved he can hurt you on the move. But, a popular misconception is that despite his cannon of an arm, Newton isn’t at his best on deep throws. The strength of his game is throwing on the move and short intermediate routes. In many ways, the scheme won’t change that much from Brady to Newton. Of course, Newton brings a whole new facet to the offense. His mobility and ability to throw on the move is a dangerous addition to the Pats’ offense.
This sounds like a recipe for disaster…
… But, if Miami can have quality man coverage, then they can use the free defender to spy on Newton. Keeping Newton penned in is key to the Phins success. If they can keep him between the tackles and force him into his second or third option, then an upset is far more likely.
I’m looking forward to watching this Secondary play. Hope they can bring as much excitement as the Dynamic Duo? Secondary being Flores strong point they have the opportunity to be much better.
“There was no tension,” Surtain said. “Every day in practice we did extra things to make each other better, and it showed. We were two students of the game. We would call each other, watching the Monday Night Games, and be like, ‘Man did you see this?’ Like both of us were thinking the same thing. Like, ‘When this guy has his mouthpiece out of his mouth, it’s definitely a pass.’ We studied the game. That’s what made us so special.”
Madison was a Pro Bowler in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002.
Surtain was a Pro Bowler in 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Taken from: By Joe Schad Dynamic Duo! Here’s Patrick Surtain’s advice for Miami Dolphins stars Xavien Howard and Byron Jones https://youtu.be/gsjW-Y8ARRU
Steve! Great to hear from you… here we go, brother! They have the talent… not sure they can match up with those two, though. Also, their era had the game more in their favor… now the edge goes to the QB and receivers. Still, they could be good ones… if they can stay healthy!
Miami’s Secondary I believed will create the most problems for their opponents while this Dolphins Team learns how to win during the season. Will Bill allow back to back wins against the Fins could only mean two thing one The Patriot dynasty is over and two Fins “Have Cease their Fraudulent Performances.” In this league We need a combined offense/defense that can produced 35 points a game to even be competitive. “Go Fins”
I totally agree. When you have strength at the corners, you can do much more with your front 7. I think an upset could be brewing. I totally agree that Newton must be contained and not able to run around and make plays with his arm and legs. Given the number of players the Patriots have lost over the past few years (several to the Dolphins), and how well the Dolphins have drafted the past few years, along with this year’s solid FA pick-ups, Miami might just be finally the better team!! Have not been able to say that for about 20 Years. Additionally, like I mentioned in an earlier article you wrote, Fitzpatrick played in Chan Gailey’s offense for 2 or 3 years. This is big, considering the Pats offense if complex and they also lake the offensive “fire power” that we have. If the Dolphins can play dicipline football, we will have a chance for sure. How sweet would it be to go up to New England two years in a row and come away with a win!! Time for the tables to be turned! Fins last year were one of the better teams in the league in the penalty area and turn-overs too! Flores is a real stickler for toughness and dicipline. Sound familar (Shula rest in peace)!
Here we go, Stephen! Every defense is designed differently. The Wide-9 demanded elite MLB and DE’s to run the scheme as it was based on edge pressure from those DE’s. This scheme is based on corners (at least one elite) and a versatile S. The pressure comes from overload blitzes and stunts for the most part… it’s not about one man dominating because they must keep gap integrity… so far not too bad.
Forget Stills! The key to this defense is the pressure applied by the front. Our secondary will look very good with a little help from the big guys.
Still tried to usurp Flores… he’s done in Miami. I just couldn’t see him being brought back.
Hello M.J
I’m looking forward to watching this Secondary play. Hope they can bring as much excitement as the Dynamic Duo?
Secondary being Flores strong point they have the opportunity to be much better.
“There was no tension,” Surtain said. “Every day in practice we did extra things to make each other better, and it showed. We were two students of the game. We would call each other, watching the Monday Night Games, and be like, ‘Man did you see this?’ Like both of us were thinking the same thing. Like, ‘When this guy has his mouthpiece out of his mouth, it’s definitely a pass.’ We studied the game. That’s what made us so special.”
Madison was a Pro Bowler in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002.
Surtain was a Pro Bowler in 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Taken from:
By Joe Schad
Dynamic Duo! Here’s Patrick Surtain’s advice for Miami Dolphins stars Xavien Howard and Byron Jones
https://youtu.be/gsjW-Y8ARRU
Steve! Great to hear from you… here we go, brother! They have the talent… not sure they can match up with those two, though. Also, their era had the game more in their favor… now the edge goes to the QB and receivers. Still, they could be good ones… if they can stay healthy!
Hello Admin/Jimmy and Dol-Fans
Miami’s Secondary I believed will create the most problems for their opponents while this Dolphins Team learns how to win during the season. Will Bill allow back to back wins against the Fins could only mean two thing one The Patriot dynasty is over and two Fins “Have Cease their Fraudulent Performances.” In this league We need a combined offense/defense that can produced 35 points a game to even be competitive.
“Go Fins”
Newton was too much… scrappy effort, but raw. The Oline played pretty well though.
MJ,
I totally agree. When you have strength at the corners, you can do much more with your front 7. I think an upset could be brewing. I totally agree that Newton must be contained and not able to run around and make plays with his arm and legs. Given the number of players the Patriots have lost over the past few years (several to the Dolphins), and how well the Dolphins have drafted the past few years, along with this year’s solid FA pick-ups, Miami might just be finally the better team!! Have not been able to say that for about 20 Years. Additionally, like I mentioned in an earlier article you wrote, Fitzpatrick played in Chan Gailey’s offense for 2 or 3 years. This is big, considering the Pats offense if complex and they also lake the offensive “fire power” that we have. If the Dolphins can play dicipline football, we will have a chance for sure. How sweet would it be to go up to New England two years in a row and come away with a win!! Time for the tables to be turned! Fins last year were one of the better teams in the league in the penalty area and turn-overs too! Flores is a real stickler for toughness and dicipline. Sound familar (Shula rest in peace)!
Here we go, Stephen! Every defense is designed differently. The Wide-9 demanded elite MLB and DE’s to run the scheme as it was based on edge pressure from those DE’s. This scheme is based on corners (at least one elite) and a versatile S. The pressure comes from overload blitzes and stunts for the most part… it’s not about one man dominating because they must keep gap integrity… so far not too bad.