Looking ahead to Miami

[gibbsisgod]

I know its still a 1 1/2 weeks away, but here is a small glimpse into the Dolphins. IMO, we have a pretty good shot at starting out 1-0.


Porter hasn't playeed yet in this preseason and is still expierencing some swelling in his knee. He says he expects to play against Washington.
ESPN - Porter returns to Dolphins practice, eyes opener - NFL


Their offensive line is a mess. If anyone thought we had problems up front they should take a look at this mess. Injuries, rookies, or position changes at nearly every spot on the line. This little excerpt is from Foxsports.com.

The offensive line remains in flux, as Dolphins coach Cam Cameron still hasn't finalized his starters, particularly at right tackle, where untested Anthony Alabi and nine-year veteran L.J. Shelton have flip-flopped. Cameron tried to motivate former center Rex Hadnot by moving him to right guard and then by demoting him for sixth-round rookie Drew Mormino. That experiment didn't last long, but more because Mormino couldn't block anyone, and not because a sore-toed Hadnot was playing like a Pro Bowler. The supposed anchor of the line, Vernon Carey, who has been moved from right tackle to left tackle where he's largely responsible for protecting the blindside of a 37-year-old quarterback, tweaked a knee in the opening exhibition game, and doesn't seem at full strength. Throw in a rookie center in Samson Satele and it could be a long - or short - season for Green, depending on how many hits to the head he takes.

Defensively, they are real strong up front but their secondary is struugling with injuries and inconsistent play. Last years first round pick Allen is really struggling and projected starter Goodman is injured and may not play until week 4 or 5.

[Daseal]

I think there are a lot of parallels between the skins and the dolphins. Very talented teams (though in different ways) that just can't quite get it together. I think Chris Chambers is a great WR, Ronnie Brown is a very good back, Trent Green can manage the game and keep them from losing games. Their O-line is a mess, but for our scheme I dont see that being as big of a handicap. Granted our blitzes may get through easier, but we don't get 4 man penetration.

Their defense is aging but very good. If I were Samuels I would NOT want to go against Jason Taylor my first game back. If he's not ready, we'll know in a hurry. We should win, but we should have beat MN last season too.

[freddyg12]

thanks for posting this, yesterday I was looking a little for any updates on the fins other than Porter. Basically, they sound like a team w/a solid front 7 on D & a vet QB. RB is also a strength, but what good is that w/a shabby line?

I would still think it's gonna be a low scoring tight contest, but we'll win.

[Hog1]

We should beat the Fins!
Gigantic RED flag if we do not. Daseal has covered most of the ground but, the sports shows in the area are in agreement:
Trent Green....big????
Ronnie Brown, so far not living up to expectation
Chambers-good-only weapon they have

Our D should be able to puinish them. It will be a great first game tuneup and reality check. I would have hated to start with New Orleans, or New England............ HTTR

[gibbsisgod]

I have read a few reports that have the starting RB position still in question. Word is that Cameron has not named a starter yet. IMO this means they are not sold on RB being their go to guy this year.

[Daseal]

I can't remember his name, but their new TE is supposedly quite an athelete, and I hear Chambers is moving to the slot when they have 3 WRs which he normally does great in.

[jbcjr14]

I think the Skins will win this game. However, I do think it will be ugly. We really haven't shown a bit of life on offense yet in the preseason outside of the 2nd and 3rd teams. Defense will dominate this game and 17-20 points will win it.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by jbcjr14

I think the Skins will win this game. However, I do think it will be ugly. We really haven't shown a bit of life on offense yet in the preseason outside of the 2nd and 3rd teams. Defense will dominate this game and 17-20 points will win it.

yeah, we haven't shown anything on O, but having Portis back will at the least help the attitude of the O. He brings a fire & leads by example & mouth!
I certainly don't expect fireworks, if we score 21+ I'd be happy & we should win. The O will likely need time to come together, but they're capable of at least being avg. at this point.

[12thMan]

I think the Skins will win by 13 or 14 points.

I just don't think Trent Green is all that comfortable in the new scheme yet, and our blitzing will further throw off his timing.

Even if Campbell isn't clicking on all fours, I could still our running game doing quite well.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Daseal

I think there are a lot of parallels between the skins and the dolphins. Very talented teams (though in different ways) that just can't quite get it together. I think Chris Chambers is a great WR, Ronnie Brown is a very good back, Trent Green can manage the game and keep them from losing games. Their O-line is a mess, but for our scheme I dont see that being as big of a handicap. Granted our blitzes may get through easier, but we don't get 4 man penetration.

Their defense is aging but very good. If I were Samuels I would NOT want to go against Jason Taylor my first game back. If he's not ready, we'll know in a hurry. We should win, but we should have beat MN last season too.

For the life of me I don't know why Chambers is respected around the league. I mean remember how we lovingly called Gardner 50-50 because he only caught half of what was thrown to him? Well Chambers isn't quite that good. Caught 39% of passes intended for him last year, 49% in 05, and a robust 50% in 2004. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think that he's very good, at all.

Their O Line is a mess, and it really takes away a lot of Ronnie Brown's effectiveness. Trent Green can still be an adequate QB in the style of a Mark Brunell, but when that's the most dangerous part of your offense, your unit is pretty pathetic.

Pretty much dead on about the defense. Question is, will they put together another good season, or be like the Skins in 2006.

Another angle: perhaps one of the reasons Saban bolted was that he saw little potential in his team, and thought it a better career move to get out and quit on his guys before his reputation got ruined.

[MTK]

Chambers is a far cry from being great. He's way too inconsistent, he's basically a higher functioning version of Rod Gardner.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Daseal

I can't remember his name, but their new TE is supposedly quite an athelete, and I hear Chambers is moving to the slot when they have 3 WRs which he normally does great in.

Thank god for those athletes. They are a rare breed in this league.

In all seriousness, theres really nothing on the Dolphins offense that should scare even our defense last year. You have to keep an eye on 23 at all times because he can beat you in a lot of ways, but outside of that, they shouldn't put up very many points on any team.

[hagams]

I'm looking forward to this game, more than I am the Dallas game. My Gunny and my girl are both huge Fins fans. I have a bet with my girl, If the Skins win she has to buy me an authentic Taylor jersey, and if the Fins win she gets a Zach Thomas jersey. On top of that, she's going to the game. She won't let me start my skins room either, because she says it has to be a Fins/Skins room. I think I need to end this, and just get a dog

[Daseal]

Take a look at who has been throwing Chambers the ball. Also, the type of situations Chambers is often put in the position for jump balls and other highly contested balls because of his frame he will make fewer catches. I'm curious, where did you get those intended for stats?

I think it's foolish for us to underestimate Miami or act as if we're much better at this point. Both teams have squads full of question marks.

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

For the life of me I don't know why Chambers is respected around the league. I mean remember how we lovingly called Gardner 50-50 because he only caught half of what was thrown to him? Well Chambers isn't quite that good. Caught 39% of passes intended for him last year, 49% in 05, and a robust 50% in 2004. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think that he's very good, at all.

Their O Line is a mess, and it really takes away a lot of Ronnie Brown's effectiveness. Trent Green can still be an adequate QB in the style of a Mark Brunell, but when that's the most dangerous part of your offense, your unit is pretty pathetic.

Pretty much dead on about the defense. Question is, will they put together another good season, or be like the Skins in 2006.

Another angle: perhaps one of the reasons Saban bolted was that he saw little potential in his team, and thought it a better career move to get out and quit on his guys before his reputation got ruined.

To me it all boils down to this:

Will the Redskins enter this game as they did the 2006 opener against the Vikings? This is essentialy the same situation. the problem in the 2006 opener is the Redskins looked past it to the game 2 monday night game in Dallas and who do we play on monday night in week 2 Philadelphia in Philly. For the 3rd straight season we play a division rival on Monday night football. So the Miami game, like the Minnesota game last season is a trap game. The Redskins made a mistake of abandoning the run game early and not taking it one game at a time and if that happens again this season we will be right back there in 2007 where we were in 2006.