Ya that's why I'm worried about the middle. If our LBs can't tighten it up, we could get shredded there. Still, I believe our D has a better showing than Oakland's...we need to force some T/Os.
I'd love to see Jordan out there in nickel/obvious passing situations, playing the hook zones and keeping an eye on Luck. When we're in base personnel I hope our focus is more on collapsing the pocket and not chasing the bait so to speak. The only way Luck beats us is if he's able to escape, run around and make plays off the scramble.
Part of my reasoning for wanting to use Dion in this role is because I feel it's a bad matchup for Ellerbe..he bites hard on misdirection, coverage is not his strength, and when a Qb extends the play, he loses his bearings..
Well, that's his game, that's how he wins, so, We have a unique player that can combat that, plain and simple..just like your best cover corner follows around their best receiver, same thing here..
I think the point's been raised that the Colts need to worry about how much pressure they gave up on Luck in the game. Pro Football Focus only recorded 1 sack and 3 hits being allowed by the Colts offensive line. Everything else wasn't necessarily a front line blocking issue. Meanwhile against the Browns, PFF recorded 4 sacks and 2 hits being allowed by the Miami offensive line. I think we're the ones that have to worry a little bit more than they do, especially since their QB seems more dangerous under pressure than ours. Just an observation.
I don't think this lessens the Colts offense. Bradshaw is no slouch. They won't skip a beat IMO. Defense needs to be on key in this one.
I agree but I think the offense is just as important. They can't afford another game of Wallace being absent because of poor chemistry between he and Tannehill.
Perhaps they attribute it to Luck holding the ball too long b/c they credit Oakland with 4 sacks, 6 hits and 10 hurries. I'm curious about the hits number b/c I recall Kevin Burnett having both arms wrapped around Luck for an easy sack before Luck dusted him off and ran about 13 yards for a first down on 3rd and long. Typical Luck but PFF doesn't credit Burnett w/ any hits on the QB, what gives there? They show Luck being pressured 12 times on 31 drop backs, he was pressured on all 3 of Indy's TD's. Dude is friggin monster. I think you worry too much
I can't really say for sure but if I were them I wouldn't account that as a hit on the QB. I would account it as a missed tackle. He had like a 134 rating while pressured. And that doesn't even account for his touchdown scramble which was also a pressure. Have to just remember...for over a year there was the whole "Suck for Luck" phenomenon. He took over the worst team in football and took them to the playoffs. Any year now (and year two is generally considered the most likely), he could ascend to be exactly what everyone thought he was which was the best QB prospect to come out in multiple decades. If we lose to that...is it really so bad, or so unexpected? I just don't think we win this game, that's all. I think we stand a better chance of beating Baltimore. Or maybe Atlanta. I give us 0.1% chance on Monday Night Football against the Saints.
i really don't care who gave up the pressure, now they even miss ballard in protection, he claimed that he was 6/6 in blitz pickups against the raiders
wow, i think walden hurt himself in practice on tuesday, he wasn't listed on the injury report there, but then on wednesday he popped up on there with a harmstring
If they didn't have Bradshaw to replace him I might agree but Bradshaw has always been an excellent protector.
Ireland spent most of the offseason beefing up the pass rush and reinforcing the secondary in order to better handle teams like Indy. He added firepower on offense so we're not stuck trying to eek out 17-13 games all year. IMO those changes will be the difference. Luck may indeed go on to join the elite QBs but he's going to take an L this week. I look forward to reading a great BR column on how we pulled it off
Why is everyone attributing this to poor chemistry? I would attribute it to good decision making by Tannehill from what I saw. I saw Wallace with man to man most of the day with Haden, but with a safety over the top, which led to winable one on one's from Gibson and Hartline. I do think the Dolphins will win this game, and I can hardly be confused as a Homer. The difference this year from last year, isn't the improved pass rush, although that will be a factor. I see the difference being the Dolphin secondary, who by all accounts can hold tight man coverage long enough for the pass rush to be successful. Will Luck make some plays, sure he will, but I certainly don't see him making them to the tune of 400+ yards like last season. A game the Colts won by 3. Miami will score points this game, and after they have proven to be able to score under the worst possible circumstances for an offense in Cleveland, the matchups will see an easier time of things this week. There is no Joe Haden this week, and in replacement of such, we have Vonte Davis. I don't think Vonte Davis can cover Mike Wallace, even with an over the top safety. I see a big day for Wallace. On top of that, the Colts produced just 32 sacks in 16 games last season, with Mathis being their most prolific pass rusher with 8. Dwight Freeney has since moved on to San Diego and that leaves Indy even more inept at rushing the passer. It will be a simple task for the Miami offense to design protection for RT this week and that is going to lead to the potential for more big plays for Wallace. Defensively - Miami might just have one of the best units in the NFL. A special unit that ate up a Cleveland offensive line that realistically isn't as bad as we made them look. The Indy offensive line?? Well Samson Satele and Mike McGlynn have to have our trio beast DT rotation salivating for Sunday and while their tackles are marginally better, there is no Joe Thomas and it can be argued that Cameron Wake can beat any right tackle in the league. I see a looooong day for Mr. Luck and if Indy gets down in this game and I think they will or shows no ability to run the football, Sunday could vault the Miami Defense into a major topic of conversation around the league. Of course the equalizer is turnovers and special teams, but if Miami takes care of the ball and has no glaring special teams mistakes, this game might get out of hand. Miami 34 Indy 14
Because the difference between what Wallace had (1 catch, 15 yards) and Wallace having like 4 catches for 100 yards and a TD or two was the chemistry between Ryan and he on two or three throws.
Reasonably, two throws, but can't we just attribute it to poor throws? Certainly the underthrown ball was a poor throw, I can't see how chemistry is attributed. On the Overthrow, perhaps one could attribute chemistry but I'm inclined to believe it was pocket time. Ideally, Tannehill would have liked a another second or two in the pocket, as he released that one before Wallace broke free. I believe the matchups this week for Wallace are going to end this chemistry question. I really do see a big week for Wallace. I'm starting him in fantasy over Victor Cruz. Calvin Johnson and the most underrated WR in this years draft, DeSean Jackson are must starts. I yield to chemistry.
Donald Thomas was always serviceable and was good in New England, if Eric Walden does the same I'll eat my hat.
Colts have 4 ex Dolphins starting for them. Satele/Thomas (Starks/Odrick will eat them alive), Walden and Davis.
CK. There's one factor I don't think you've considered yet. No Sean Smith. Single largest reason we lost that game by far.
Nature of the game, unfortunately. I wish him the best in his recovery. As for what it means to the game, Bradshaw is capable of making plays so we should still be prepared for it.
Bradshaw hasn't played since last year. No preseason, no training camp. I doubt he's the same guy he was in NY.
the more i think about it, i think this is RT's biggest game of his career, on the road against Andrew Luck...there is nothing bigger than putting his stamp on that game
I feel the same way about Lamar Miller. If he can get the run game going I think we'll handle the Colts relatively easily.
We have the better team, he needs to win this game at all costs, and he needs to run for some first downs, feel the pressure come up the middle, see the hole, and explode into the middle of the field, and do it early.
