The Dolphins (don't tell the rest of the NFL ) should have a look at Rugby Union when it come to tackling. Why? Well I'll tell you this, most of those pathetic attempts at making a tackle by the defensive players are nothing short of pathetic. They flap about like sea lions out of water. As a coach (at school) used to say. Players cannot run if they have their legs taken. There is a player playing at San Deigo, who plays with a large yellow marigold covering one arm, who was awesome last week V the Pats. That is how it is done. It's not really that difficult a skill to master. A 300lb bloke will batter past most if you try and grab around his torso, but cannot go anywhere without the use of his legs. So to conclude, the only way to tackle is around the legs EVERYTIME. (shhhhhhh.Keep this to yourselves )
Rugby tackling is a different beast to NFL tackling, I played rugby when I was young. In rugby you have to make sure the player being tackled can't pass the ball to a teammate, so the tackling is a bit more wrestling than NFL hitting. In close in situations the first tackler's job is simply to stop the opponent moving to so your team mates can come in and strip the ball. Having said that good rugby tackling in the open field involves hitting with the shoulder and driving through with your legs, which means surer tackling (less whiffs or misses) than NFL tackles. The ideal point of impact is low chest/abdomen, near the center of gravity so your leg drive will force the person you are tackling to lose balance. Leg tackles are more a desperation thing in rugby since they can be stepped out of. You do them if you have poor position. My biggest issue with tackling is that good tackling is more a product of desire and determination than skill
I'd rather them "wrestle" tackle the guy....form tackle, wrap up, secure the tackle the first guy there.....it'd be better than the deplorable display of "Tackling" we've shown this season.
If the defense tackles better, all the 'Coyle is an idiot/needs to be fired' guys would be silent. Well... they'd be *****ing about something else.
well, Seems like Jonas Gray can get over 100 yards rushing with Wheeler, Sheppard, and Trusnik in. Wonder how many missed tackles the defense will have.
In his first press conference Philbin was asked what kind of team he wants to be..one of those things was being the best tackling team in the NFL.
The great Dolphin defenses were the perfect blue print. The first player stopped the ball carrier or slowed him down, and the rest of the Dolphin defenders converged on the ball carrier and gang tackled. It was exciting just to watch them in action.
Actually we've had some good tackling games - Chicago, San Diego for example. What this tells me is that the problem is motivation not technique or scheme. For me that means someone high up in the coaching tree is messing up his man management. Not being in the the room makes it hard to point the finger at the culprit, but Coyle or Philbin would be my prime suspects.
