New Dolphins Career

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Game Review:

Dolphins 28
Bills 24

This one was a real close one! We were down all game and came back in the last minute to win it. Buffalo dominated at the beginning, going up 17-0. No room to run for Lynch but Trent Edwards made some incredible throws on 3rd and long (maybe my playcalling was a bit too conservative on 3rd downs? mostly using 2 deep Safeties in these situations). Both teams couldn't get their ground game going and we struggled with our passing game in the first half. However, in the second half our defense came up big (Gino King returned a fumble for six) and didn't allow much. They gave us a chance to spark a comeback with a vital 3-and-out with 2 minutes left to play. Our defense stopped them and it was up to Scotland and the offense to march from our own 27 to at least FG range (we were down by 3). Scotland found rookie Darrell Ogunleye (who previously had some drops) on the right sideline. I was just about to shout at Ogunleye to get out of bounds to stop the clock when he broke free from his defender, turned upfield and simply ran over the Safety. He went all the way and suddenly we had the lead for the first time in the game (with 1 minute left). 2 sacks, a short pass and an incompletion later we had won it.

Some key stats:
Scotland: 15-29 for 290, 2 TD, 1 INT
James Hardy: 6-122, TD
Ogunleye: 4-112, Game winning 73 yd TD with 2 broken tackles ;-)
Gino King: 11 tackles (7 for loss), 1 sack, 1 fumble forced and returned for a TD
David Finley, Demarco Tribble: 4 TFL, 1 sack each
Buffalo: 19 rushing yds


During the Week:
Gino King was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week
re-signed P Brandon Fields
released CB Twa Pippens
signed SS Jade Bridges (1 yr)
re-signed K Dan Carpenter
re-signed LB Jeremy Leman to a multi-year deal
re-signed C Delwan Littman to a multi-year deal
re-signed OLB/DE Tony Bake


Game Preview, Week 6 vs Minnesota:
No injuries aside from Bart Scott. The Vikes have to replace WR Santana Moss and LB Tyjuan Hagler. Both teams have rookies under center (Scotland & Huckerbee) so don't expect mistake free football. The Vikings will run a lot with Peterson and maybe some option with Huckerbee (very mobile). We won't be able to run against the Williams Wall (or what's left of it) so it'll be up to JS to spread it out. Look for Kenton Kasom as a shifty receiver out of the backfield.


Game Review:

Vikings 29
Dolphins 52

Wow, what a shootout! The Vikings secondary was one of the worst I've ever seen. Jason Scotland went 33-39 for 440 yds and 6 TDs. It doesn't come as a surprise that his favorite target was once again RB Kenton Kasom (13 for 140 yds, TD). Other scores went to Ogunyele (2), Reese, Hardy and Miles. Kenton also had a rushing TD. On defense we held AD to 36 yds but Darren Huckerbee played well (303 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT). Elvis Dumervil had a great game with 6 tackles (3 for loss), a sack and a pick.


During the Week:
LB Reggie Torbor got injured against the Vikings. He'll miss 4-5 weeks
John Scotland was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week
re-signed DE Lionel Dotson


Game Preview, Week 7 vs New England:
In this dynasty all my games against the Pats have been blowout losses and there's no reason to believe this could stop. We have some issues at ILB without Bart Scott and Reggie Torbor. The Pats are missing 3 key players in RB Lawrence Maroney, NT Vince Wilfork and LB Jerod Mayo. Without Wilfork there might be a chance to run the ball. This gameplan obviously is history if/when we're down by a couple of TDs...

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Game Review:

Patriots 31
Dolphins 38

This was not a misspell, we really beat the Patriots (good feeling for any Fins fan, espacially on a day where Miami plays the Pats in the real life NFL)...
Tom Brady played well (as usual) for most parts but he threw 3 costly picks, 2 of them were returned for TDs by Sanrick Raines. With Maroney out the Pats had no intention to run the ball so I could just drop 7 in coverage, bring our three Defensive Linemen and blitz one of the Linebackers from different angles. DeMario Waddell held Randy Moss to 1 catch (although Waddell had some help for most parts). Their only thread to us was TE David Thomas (5-109, 2 TD). Wes Welker (6-41, TD) returnerd a kickoff for 6.
In the first half we struggled with turnovers as both QBs threw 2 picks (Scotland & Josh Johnson). Aside from the 2 INTs Scotland was outstanding as he threw 18-32 for 382 yds. Our RB trio was able to run the ball effectively when required (we were trailing most of the time so no need to run a lot). The best performance of the day probably came from rookie Darrell Ogunyele who had 11 catches for 196 yds and a TD (from Johnson). Our other scores came from goalline rushes by Josh Johnson and FB Mike Tolbert. Our O-Line gave up only 1 sack.
On defense Gino King (8 tackles, 4 TFL, FF), Sanrick Raines (2 INT, 2 TD) and Tony Bake (3 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 sacks) impressed in particular.

I see this win as a milestone for this franchise. We were not able to compete with the top-tier teams in the last 2 seasons. If you can beat the best team in your division you have a legitimate shot at the playoffs. The offense is clearly improved with John Scotland under center and the defense has shut down every RB it faced so far this year.


During the Week:
Kirk Barton is injured again. This time he'll miss roughly 4 weeks
Sanrick Raines was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week


Game Preview, Week 8 vs Baltimore:
John Scotland will miss the game with an undisclosed injury. Everyone cross their fingers he won't be out long! Fellow rookie Johnny Chapman will get the start. The 2 ILBs are also out. The Ravens have to replace Haloti Ngata which is good news for our RBs. Last year they ran all over us so we have to make sure Ray Rice and Willis McGahee are contained. If Chris Essex can beat us through the air then so be it...


Game Review:

Ravens 36
Dolphins 29

We wanted to make Chris Essex beat us and he did. Essex was impressive, completing 23 of his 31 pass attempts for 258 yds. 2 TDs and no INTs. Their running game was just held under 100 yds but did some damage by getting some crucial 1st downs late. Johnny Chapman played well (19-28 for 281, 2 TD) and James Hardy had 6 catches for 111 yds but the defense couldn't stop the Ravens passing game.


During the Week:
QB John Scotland is still injured and will miss this week's game at the Jets. He is expected to be back for the Bengals game in 2 weeks though.
CB Will Allen and WR Antrel Miles signed contract extensions


Game Preview, Week 9 at New York Jets:
Chatman played well last week and will start in Scotland's absence. The 2 LB's are still out. The Jets will be without DE Philip Merling.
They are a running team, our defense is stout against the run so it should be a perfect fit. If our offense can produce and QB Chatman doesn't make some rookie mistakes we should have a good chance to get the win against our archrivals. Look for some outside running and quick passes against their aggressive defense.

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Game Review:

Dolphins 35
Jets 21

There's nothing better than a big victory over your hated rivals. The game was not as close as the score might indicate, we've been in control all game and the Jets scored 2 garbage time TDs. Kenton Kasom had one of the best single game performances I have ever seen by a RB. He rushed 15 times for 214 yards and 5 touchdowns (and caught 4 passes). Granderson, McCoy and Johnson added a combined 57 yds on the ground, as the Jets were held to 20 rushing yds. Johnny Chapman threw 12-18 for 133 yds and a pick as we kept it on the ground for most parts. Gino King was a force against both, run and pass. He finished the game with 12 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. Waddell also had a pick.

Half way through the season and we're 5-3.


During the Week:
Kenton Kasom was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week
Gino King was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week
SS Tom Zbikowski and OLB Angelo Craig have signed contract extensions


Game Preview, Week 10 vs Cincinnati:
John Scotland and Bart Scott both return to action which should boost both, offense and defense. The Bengals are only missing a backup DT. They have a great roster on both sides of the ball. I have no idea why they aren't a perannial playoff team. We'll have to respect their passing attack as well as their running game. On defense they have a great secondary and a decent front seven with one true stud (Rivers).


Game Review:

Bengals 20
Dolphins 7

For the first time this season we were unable to stop the run. Vonnie Mendenhall (122 yds) and Preyear (49) ran all over us and if needed Carson Palmer converted some nice 3rd down conversions. He didn't throw much but was accurate when needed (9-12, 138, TD). John Scotland returned from his injury and threw 12-26 fro 167 yds, a TD (to Kasom) and a pick. Ogunyele was the only consistent WR (8-150), as we had some problems with drops in this game. Dumervil (11) and King (10) led the defense in tackles but we didn't have an big plays from our defense or special teams.

Record: 5-4


During the Week:
LB Bart Scott was injured again in the Bengals game. He'll be out 2 months and was placed on IR.
signed TE Reggie Kelly (1 yr)


Game Preview, Week 11 at Houston:
Bart Scott is on IR but Reggie Torbor and backup Tackle Kirk Barton return. The Texans have some injury problems with DT Frank Okam, WRs Andre Johnson and Jacoby Jones, G Ben Hamilton and backup RB Kevin Faulk all out. Without those receivers Matt Schaub's best weapon is TE Brandt. They have a good RB duo in Rudi Johnson and Lito Bushrod. On defense they play Cover 2 and their secondary is one of the best in the league (unlike in the real NFL). Jake Long vs Mario Williams will be a key matchup...

[Kurt l o l]

As always great read, will be looking forward to see if you get to your goal of 0.500.

[kdmajoslin]

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Do you guys have similar experiences facing Cover 2 teams?

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The Computer loves the Buccaneers or more specifically HC Jon Gruden, when Gruden is there the Bucs are a force regardless of talent...when he leaves, they are still good, but not nearly as dominate. At least in my experience.

[burnum]

Thanks Kurt, looking forward to see which direction your own dynasty goes...

Off-Topic:
What a sad day for a Dolphins fan. Anyone who saw todays embarassment against the Patriots knows what I'm talking about. You can lose games at New England because they are a heck of a team. But you can't give up like that...

Back to a better world


Game Review:

Dolphins 40
Texans 32

The Texans took an early lead and were able to have some big plays on offense because my defensive playcalling was way too aggressive. John Scotland threw a pair of picks in the 1st half and Houston cashed in on it. Scotland did not have a good game (10-26 for 163 yds, TD, 2 INT) but Josh Johnson compensated with some big plays out of the Wildcat. He finished the game 4-7 for 84 passing and 6-30 (3 TDs) rushing. Kenton Kasom (14-69, TD) and Andre Granderson (11-78, TD) shared the workload in the backfield. They complement each other very well as a Thunder (AG) and Lightning (KK) combination. Darrell Ogunleye got injured early in the Q1 but Adam Reese stepped up and went 6-132. Gino King was in beast mode once again, totalling 10 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks, plus a forced and recovered fumble. Tony Bake also had 2 sacks. For the Texans, Matt Schaub was accurate (14-20, 235 yds, TD) but he was under constant pressure. Houston only had 6 first downs which underlines the fact that most of their offense came from a couple of big plays by their rookie RB.

Record: 6-4


During the Week:
WR Darrell Ogunyele will be out about 2 weeks with a Hernia
Gino King was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week


Game Preview, Week 12 at Chicago:
Scott and Oguyele out for us, John Tate and Brandon London out for the Bears. They have Mike Zazzali at QB so we have to look out for a dual threat. They're usually more a running team with Matt Forte. Their defense is very good(Harris, Urlacher, Briggs, Vasher, Tillman, Steltz) so we better don't give up too many points.


Game Review:

Dolphins 24
Bears 3

Our defense really dominated the Bears all game. Scotland was 17-30 for 243 yds with 2 TDs and 2 INTs. Zazzali only threw for 173 yds and a pick (Waddell). Kenton Kasom caught 7 balls for 131 yds and a TD. We held Forte to 3.0 yds per carry and sacked Zazzali 6 times. Although our defense was outstanding no player deserves special mention. It simply was a very good team effort.

Record: 7-4


During the Week:
Nothing to report.


Game Preview, Week 13 vs New York Jets:
No changes on the injury report for us but Ogunyele is expected to be back next week. The Jersey Boys have to replace NT Kris Jenkins and Tackle Ryan O'Callaghan. Last time we played them we manhandled them all day. Look for a heavy dose of Kenton Kasom today as he had a career game in Week 9 at Meadowlands. If we stop their power running game and don't turn the ball over too often we should win.

[Kurt l o l]

In my Bills chise I just hired Gruden as my DC.. Any ideas how I can use his Tampa 2 playbook?

[Mike3207]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kurt l o l

In my Bills chise I just hired Gruden as my DC.. Any ideas how I can use his Tampa 2 playbook?

Best you can do is switch some of your plays for some of his during the hiring process to give him some control during the hiring process. Otherwise, steal some plays from a Cover 2 team.