Dolphins at Chargers Pre Game Discussion

[Topcat]

Where is the weakness in our defense? Defensive tackle.

Put Okoye in there...I'd like to see how well the Phin O-line handles CJ's bullrush...dude's a monster...we better not let him get poached...

[sonorajim]

We haven’t see any of our starting O play except two OL. Maybe four guys on D? And our backups went 2-1 in preseason. Hard not to feel pretty positive, especially when a lot of the guys we haven’t seen yet are top ten players at their positions. That’s a lot of firepower! And who really knows what our O will look like with those missing star starters? Run to set up the pass? Motion every damn play? I know Miami doesn’t know…but they will in two weeks.

The all depth OL on that Kelly 75yd run were awesome. If Moore & co can get that with 2s & 3s, I expect the 1s to do no worse.

[sonorajim]

If Fangio runs what he usually runs and what he's running in that clip above we will run for 200 on them. The defensive front doesn't look at all comfortable in that scheme in that clip.

It's an interesting matchup. Staley runs Fangio's defense and Fangio is now in Miami. Renaldo Hill got run outta town here and is now in Miami. McDaniel got absolutely embarrassed here late last season. I expect Miami's attack to be a lot different.

Where is the weakness in our defense? Defensive tackle. Fox will probably be a starter and is more of a pass rusher. AJ is coming off PUP. Attacking that area is something McDaniel didn't take advantage of at all in the last matchup. If you want an example of what Miami's attack is likely to look like go back and watch their game vs Cleveland last year. They committed to the run and put up 200+ rushing and obliterated Cleveland.

I feel confident it's gonna be a fairly run heavy attack for both teams. But I think Staley will be prepared because he has Jeff Howard on his staff as linebackers coach who was part of that cleveland defense last year that got obliterated by the run last year in Miami.

Run defense was our greatest weakness on D.Fact. We missed AJ and Bosa for sure. The LBs were nothing special but lousy tackling by DBs was the killer. That chunk yardage really pumps the avg against stat.
Moving forward, yes, I'd attack with the run if I were Mia.
Bosa and Mack have the edges. That's solid. The IDL will be decent, may be very good. Kendricks at ILB field general is an upgrade. So, can our DBs tackle RBs? That remains to be seen. Hopefully the D front keeps the need low. I have a vision of EK firing K9 like a cannon at RBs.
Meanwhile the scoreboard will be active, posting Chargers points. How long can Mia stick with a ground attack? Mia's pass D was garbage last year. Fangio can help but we'll practice against his D at home . Staley knows it well. Moore will attack in air and on ground.
Uh-Oh!

[OG619FrightninLightnin]

As far as predicting what happens in the game, I keep reminding myself, we don't know shit!

We haven't yet seen the (starting) gears of the newly devised running game on the field together.

We can't say with any certainty the degree to which Tuli and Rumph-- and anybody else-- can join Bosa and Mack in being legit pass rush threats.

We can only guess about the kind of impact Kendricks and Henley will make. Likewise with J.T. Woods.

I'm optimistic, but not counting unhatched chickens.

I expect a TON of rust and wouldn't be surprised if Fins build a halftime lead.

It be interesting to see if the Bolts can shake the 3rd quarter blues.

[Boltjolt]

Bolts 38
Phins 17

[Formula 21]

I’m looking for a new team culture this year. No more lost quarters and lost halves. I’m also looking for more attacking on D and especially on O. Staley is an aggressive guy at his core. I think he wilted from that last year and will get it back this year.

[sonorajim]

I expect a TON of rust and wouldn't be surprised if Fins build a halftime lead.

It be interesting to see if the Bolts can shake the 3rd quarter blues.

I expect to be sharp. The Chargers are a very talented, very hungry veteran team with 13 days to organize Miami's destruction.
I share your interest in 3rd quarter. I believe Moore will attack successfully but it's not a fact until we do it.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

It be interesting to see if the Bolts can shake the 3rd quarter blues.

As I used to say during the Mike McCoy Era, the Chargers would go into the lockeroom at halftime, and make maladjustments.

[richpjr]

I expect to be sharp. The Chargers are a very talented, very hungry veteran team with 13 days to organize Miami's destruction.
I share your interest in 3rd quarter. I believe Moore will attack successfully but it's not a fact until we do it.

I have no idea what to expect. We literally saw none of our skill players in preseason games and the only report we have was an uneven passing performance and a solid run performance vs the Saints. I expect we'll be a very good to elite offense but I'm not sure how long it will take to get there.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

Staley is an aggressive guy at his core. I think he wilted from that last year and will get it back this year.

True, he DID reduce the number of times the offense went for it on 4th down in head-shaking situations.

[sonorajim]

I have no idea what to expect. We literally saw none of our skill players in preseason games and the only report we have was an uneven passing performance and a solid run performance vs the Saints. I expect we'll be a very good to elite offense but I'm not sure how long it will take to get there.

That's the reason I mentioned VETERAN team. Our starting players know each other very well indeed. Getting used to Moore is the only question and I
recall his emphasizing that we are not reinventing the offense, rather keeping what we do well and adding to it.

[SK21209]

Still up in the air whether they'll have Armstead for Week 1. Needless to say, that makes a huge difference.

We looked like a very good/complete team for the first 1.5 games of last season before Linsley went out, Herbert took that shot to the ribs and everyone got hurt against Jacksonville the next week. I'm not worried about how this team looks when its healthy, I'm worried about how it handles a couple of starters out here and there. For Week 1, I really like our chances.