Rebuilding the Phins

[kcarr]

Quarter Report:
The team is 3-1 and has won some tough games against San Diego and New England
Passing: Marcello Baldwin 56-119, 212 yards, 3 TDs, 6 INTs
Rushing: Ronnie Brown 87 carries, 369 yards, 3 TDs, 2 Fumbles
Ricky Williams 32 carries, 125 yards
Receiving: Chris Henry 13 catches, 182 yards
Ronnie Brown 13 catches, 154 yards
Jermichael Finley 9 catches, 193 yards, 1 TD
Javon Walker 8 catches, 120 yards
Kory Bell 8 catches, 89 yards
Tackles: Tavares Gooden 37, 10 for loss
Will Allen 26 tackles, 2 for loss
Jason taylor 23 tackles, 7 for loss
Kenny Phillips 22 tackles, 1 for loss
Beau Bell 22 tackles, 12 for loss
Sacks: Athya Rubin 4 sacks
Tavares gooden 3 sacks
Jason Taylor 2 sacks
Beau Bell 1 sack
Will Allen 1 sack
Turnovers: Joey Porter 2 INT
Jason Taylor 2 INT
Tavares Gooden 1 INT, 4FF
Jordan Epps 1 INT
Kenny Phillips 1 INT
Leodis McKelvin 1 INT
Beau Bell 2 FF
Athya Rubin 2 FR
Coverage: Leodis McKelvin 24 THAT, 12 CALD, 147 yards
Shevin Lewis 23 THAT, 11 CALD, 160 yards
Will Allen 9 THAT, 5 CALD, 58 yards
Jordan Epps 5 THAT, 2 CALD 25 yards
Kicking:
Jay Feeley 4/5 FG, 46 long, 9/9 xp
Brandon Fields 16 punts, 37.5 avg, 28.6 net, 1 inside 20
Returning:
Leodis McKelvin 10 kick returns, 25 avg
Ted Ginn 7 punt returns, 10.4 avg

[kcarr]

Week 6 at Houston:
During the week it was announced that Ronnie brown was the AFC offensive player of the week and Kenny Phillips was the defensive player of the week.
DE Freddie Clement was signed to a 1 year extension. He has been a solid, if overlooked, part of this tough defensive front and will continue that next season. He started as a UDFA but is now a part of the team.
Another UDFA rookie, Jordan Epps, was signed to a 3 year deal worth 1.1 million dollars. Like Clement, Epps has been a starter all season and has quietly held his position so far this season.
A third UDFA rookie, Shevin Lewis, who has been great so far opposite McKelvin taking on such receivers as Anquan Boldin, Jericho Cotchery, Vincent Jackson, and Wes Welker in his first 4 games and has came out on top more often than not. He really struck gold among UDFA signing signing on for 6 years for over 8 million dollars. While this may not be a top deal for a cornerback he is in a stable contract with decent guaranteed money that earlier this year nobody would have thought he would ever get. As for the Dolphins with Shevin signed to a long term deal and McKelvin on a long rookie contract the starting corners seem to be set for the foreseeable future.
Preview: Houston has recently been on the verge of the playoffs but this year they have fallen to 1-4. They have some young talent on defense with guys like Mario Williams, Amobi Okoye, and Demeco Ryans and some playmakers on offense with Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels. They have solidified the line drafting Brandon Albert and bringing in FA Ben Noll. They also brought in former Cowboys running back Julius Jones who looks to be on pace for a 1000 yard season. On defense their big move was shoring up their secondary by bringing in Asante Samuel.
Key Injuries: Jordan Gross is out giving Vernon Carey the start and Jermichael Finley will be replaced by David Martin. LT Salaam and DT Jason Shirley are out for Houston.
Keys to the game: On defense the Texans need to slow down Ronnie Brown on the ground. With Finley out they will be looking even more to the ground game. On offense they need to not throw picks. Interceptions have come early and often for this defense.
On offense the Dolphins need to find a way to slow the rush by Mario Williams. This won’t be easy without Jordan Gross. On defense they need to contain the big play ability of Andre Johnson. McKelvin has been very good so far this year and this is just another test along the way for him. Johnson is a big time receiver, both physically intimidating and greatly skilled.
The Texans come out playing very physical and drove down for a field goal to start the game. After getting a quick stop they come back and schaub adds to the lead with a TD pass to Johnson from 21 out. Miami does some getting physical of their own and drives down for a FG to cut the lead to 1 score.
The defenses then step up forcing slowing down both offenses to a halt. Finally though the Miami defense came up with a big play as Kenny Phillips makes a pick setting up the offense just 44 yards out. Baldwin throws a pick right back though and Houston tacks on a TD with a minute left in the half to push the lead to 14.
Looking like they are trying to run out the clock Miami runs once and then with the clock ticking goes play action and Baldwin finds Walker streaking wide open down the field for a 78 yard score to cut the lead to 7 at the half.
Early in the 3^rd Houston added 3 points. After driving nearly the length of the field Baldwin is pick by Samuel in the redzone. After a stop though Miami picks up a field goal to cut the lead to 1 score. Miami then gets the ball back with 4 minutes left but after making some nice passes and converting a 4^th and 10 Baldwin turns the ball over with a 3^rd pick in the game. Down a score and with Baldwin having thrown 3 picks the fans are calling for Beck. Coach Carr sticks with Baldwin though and when Miami gets the ball back he gets them close but on 4^th down Ronnie Brown drops a wide open pass that could have set them up 1^st and goal and they lose 20-13.
Baldwin went 8-31 for 182 yards with 1 TD and 3 picks. Brown took 16 carries for 91 yards. Walker caught a pair of passes for 88 yards and a score.
Gooden ended up with 10 tackles, 2 for loss. Crowder had a sack and Phillips had a pick.
Schaub went 18-31 for 187 with a TD and a pick. Jones took 28 carries for 75 yards and a TD. Johnson lit up McKelvin and the defense catching 12 passes for 126 yards and a TD.
Williams made 11 tackles, 2 for loss. Weaver had 2 sacks and Johnson had 1. Ryans had a pair of picks and Samuel had 1. Greenwood forced a fumble.
Post Game:
Reporter: You guys fell short today unable to put points on the board when it mattered. The fans were calling for John Beck by the end. Why did you not go with that change?
Coach Carr: Baldwin is our guy. He knows the offense better than any of our other options and is the guy I felt most confident in. When the chips are stacked against in the last hand sometimes you will lose. It is bound to happen and it did here.
Reporter: Your rushing game did manage 100 yards but struggled running to the right without Gross. What is your plan there for next week?
Coach Carr: Well obviously I am hoping Gross can return and it looks likely that he will. He has been cleared for limited practice to start the week and will hopefully but fully ready by game day.
Reporter: Baldwin was obviously missing having Finley as a safety target. How will you adapt until he is able to play again?
Coach Carr: We need to keep looking for more stability in the passing game and need to find someone who can work the inside of the field. I don’t know who will step up but I am looking for someone who will.