Heels in the Huddle » Miami Dolphins

The Morning After — 10 Things I Learnt In Week 4

Nat — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 06:27:15 +0000

Randy Moss gets traded to Minnesota… Allegations arise about Brett Favre involved in some inappropriate conduct with a female personality when he was with the Jets… McNabb has a storybook homecoming in Piladelphia. Yes, we are only done week 4 in the NFL. Here are some of the other stories of note.

Jay Cutler – Man down!: He may not be leading the league in interceptions this season but last week Cutler displayed a complete inability to stay composed in the pocket. Sure some blame goes on the O Line - no QB should spend more time on his back than his feet. Snap after snap, Cutler was unable to get rid of the ball quickly (probably worried about throwing a pick) and payed for it heavily. 9 sacks did him in as he left the game with a concussion and will not play in week 5. The Bears need to work on getting his confidence back, but first he needs to get his head in the game.
Josh Scobee – Crazy Legs: There seems to be a revolving door in the NFL when it comes to kickers. Josh Scobee just guaranteed himself employment with a 59 yard game winning field goal against the Indianapolis Colts. That was some mad leg extension!
Arian Foster Only Needs 3 Quarters: Arian Foster was held out of the 1st quarter last Sunday -- Fantasy owners world wide went into panic mode. The reason given was disciplinary issues. It didn't matter though, all he needed was the final 45min to do all the damage. Things are looking bright for this undrafted running back who is bpoised to break a lot of records this season. The Texans have found a gem, let's hope they keep letting him shine.
Philadelphia Eagles – CRUSHED!: Vick gets sandwiched between two Redskins players and Eagles fans are crushed. Literally! Just as he was hitting his stride, Vick was dealt a blow early in the game. Earlier this week, it was revealed that the QB has a crack in his rib cartilage. So aside from losing to the McNabb led Skins, the Eagles will have to go on without Vick for a couple of weeks. Let the Kevin Kolb era begin -- AGAIN!
Kansas City Chiefs – Last Team Standing: The Chiefs are the only unbeaten team in the NFL. Yes, they were on a bye in week 4 but I just really wanted to type that. Doubt I will get to do so again this season. This is not to take away from the ball they are playing. The Chiefs are surprising most of us but they have yet to play some real competition.
Miami Dolphins Ditch The Wildcat: A lot has been said/written about the wildcat. It seemed to be working for the most part but there are just some teams that are well equipped to defend it. Last week, The Patriots dared them and the Dolphins surrendered, essentially giving up on the tried and tested play call. Sporano used it a handful of times in the beat down they took from New England on MNF. I think they need to give the wildcat another shot, their best weapons are under-utilized without it.
LT – Don't Call It A Comeback: He may not have the legs he did in his record breaking season but LT is on a mission to prove he still got it. This week he passed he 100yrd rushing mark for the first time in 2 seasons. His 2 TD's were a big art of the rout the Jets layed on the Bills. I have always been a fan and am rooting hard for him to succeed. If he can put together a string of these games, the Jets automatically becomes my favorites in the division.
Who wants the AFC East?: The Dolphins had a chance to step up on Monday but couldn't. The Jets look great 1 week and horrible the next. Brady is looking like his old self but playing with a young defense. I think by week 6, the Patriots will separate themselves from the pack and become the team to beat.
NFL – Doing it right for the cause: For the month of October, the NFL has once again come together for breast cancer awareness. The NFL and its players have been really successful with this campaign. From pre-game festivities to athlete gear on the field. They raise money selling merchandise and auctioning game worn gear. The MLB and NFL definitely do it big for the cause.
Parity: 4 weeks and we have seen a ton of low scoring games but more importantly they have been close. Really makes you appreciate the parity a hard cap has created. If you are a betting man/woman, its a different story. Tough calls this season but a lot of games going on the UNDER.

Week 3 (2010) — New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins

Nat — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 22:44:43 +0000

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PREVIEW

The Miami Dolphins are 2-0 yet no one is talking about them. That should change if they get the win today and retain top spot in the AFC East. The Jets did make some strides last week but have a ways to go before matching the hype.

Sanchez was finally let loose last week and he had a career day against the Patriots. He seems to have built a good chemistry with Keller and will have to rely more on that today. Why? Because Braylon Edwards got busted for a DUI and will not be starting for the Jets. The bread and butter still has to be the power running game. The Dolphins have been exploited by the ground game and that needs to be the point of attack. Tomlinson is proving his doubters wrong and has re-established himself as a force, but the Jets need Shonn Greene to keep doing what he did last week. On the other side of the ball, the defense needs to be prepared for a Miami’s wildcat plays. They use Ronnie Brown effectively at that spot. Aside from the rush defense, missing Revis is going to hurt. Cromartie has some big shoes to fill in order to keep Marshall at bay.

It may be early in the season but the Dolphins need to be respected. Both their wins came on the road including last week against a good Vikings team. They upgraded their offensive core this summer, adding Brandon Marshall but that has yet to pay off. The team still relies heavily on the ground game and has found success going with the wildcat. While the offense is coming along slowly, it is their defense that has carried them through the first 2 weeks. Forcing turnovers and limiting opponents has been the story all without Jason Taylor who now plays for the Jets. Taylor faces his former team for the first time and hopes they don’t get the last laugh.

While the Dolphins are looking good and the Jets look a little scattered, this is a statement game. I am calling the Jets to pull it together and get one on the road.

My Prediction: New York Jets 20 – Miami Dolphins 17

Week 7: New Orleans Saints @ Miami Dolphins

Nat — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:35:42 +0000

Join me as I live blog this game on The Score – Link

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PREVIEW

I guess you could call this one aerial attack v/s the wildcat. The 2-3 Dolphins will have their hands full against, what is considered by most, the best team in the NFL so far this season. The Dolphins running game has been nearly unstoppable this year, but it hasn’t translated into wins for the most part. They have been successful when they get a chance to play a slow, grind it out game. The Saints ground game is hardly one to scoff at. The trio of Mike Bell, Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush keep the defense honest, with each bringing a different aspect to the game.

Chad Henne has been solid in his two starts, but the Dolphins passing game can’t hold a candle to what Brees is doing with the Saints. Henne needs to play it smart, protect the ball and let the Wildcat do its thing. Brees on the other side has all the options in the world open to him. Last week he managed to get all the players involved on offense and the more he does that the more lethal they become as a team. The Saints are good because they have the luxury to go with whatever is working. Their ground game can get the job done, but if the Dolphins leave any receiver wide open like Colston was last week, the score will be out of reach in a hurry.

Both defenses give up similar numbers but the Saints aerial attack may just be too much for the Dolphins to handle even with the home field advantage. Prediction: Saints 31 – Dolphins 20