Evaluating our team and what it takes to become a contender.

Evaluating our team and what it takes to become a contender.


Ability to play from behind.

If you can't play from behind, you will never make it through the playoffs. You can't expect to make it anywhere if you can't respond to adversity. I'm talking to you Jacksonville

Down two scores against the Jets in week 1, Miami showed composure and mental focus. They battled back to the final play, and had themselves in a situation where winning was very achievable.


Ability to play with the lead.

Playing with the lead may sound easy, but it is hardly that. When you're losing, the tempo is dictated by the clock. When you're winning though, you must dictate the clock, and control the tempo. It's a very tough task to accomplish, and looks easy when it's done correctly. But Sage Rosenfels and the Texans proved today how horrible it can be when done the wrong way.

Miami played with the lead from the first quarter to the end of the game. For once, I wasn't scared when we had to punt. I was confident that our defense was going to hold. And on offense, the final drive was a thing of beauty. Excellent play selection, combined with hard running from Ronnie and Ricky, and smart accurate passing; woah, we've got a win.


Ability to run the football.

Being one dimensional will take you nowhere fast. Ask Arizona... They have perennially led the league in passing, yet tailed the league in rushing. You don't need to be the Jaguars and knock peoples teeth out on every play. But you do need to at least be able to keep the defense honest on 2nd and 3rd downs.

Miami has not only been successful in running the football, but they have redefined how to do it in this league. I'd like to thank the offensive line, but that would be an injustice to the rest of the offense. Every single player is playing lights out. It especially shows in the blocking. We have some of the best blocking tight ends in the league right now. They are jumping off the screen with the hits they are laying out. With the vision, quickness, explosiveness, power, and speed of Ronnie, the defense doesn't stand a chance. Way to run the football!


Ability to stop the run.

Playing good defense starts with stopping the run. Once a team is forced to give up on the run, you have them by the throat. That frees your linebackers to roam the field, or to rush the passer. Safeties can focus on their coverage assignments. And corners can use the timer in their head. It's a trickle down effect.

Miami showed this ability today against the highest scoring offense in the NFL. They snuffed LaDainian Tomlinson out. They broke his spirit, and took his pride. Ronnie mocked LT's celebratory ball flip the same way the Chargers defense mocked our offensive gameplan. Randy Starks is one hell of a defensive player. He is quick at reading the screen, and that will show up on film to future opponents. Matt Roth will likely get more attention after his success. I wonder Roth's success is due to Langford getting doubled? I didn't catch that. But for teams to add Roth to the list of nightmares, thats awesome. I love our front 7, and its AMAZING depth, up front anyways.


With these abilities under our belt, who stands in our way? Boomer said it on ESPN, 'they're more than just professionals................theyre con-ten-daaas.'





Go Dolphins!!!!!!