Preseason Keys to the Game

Well, here we go again. The 2009 season is upon us and Dolphins fans are getting waist deep in their enthusiasm for the season opener. However, we have some fun pre season games to go through as we find out which players have a good chance to make the 53 man roster. But it is not preseason for the Dolphins only; my old butt needs to get the fingers working again so here is my season opening Keys to the Game. By the way, this will be pretty quick.

1). Can the Dolphins pass rush bring pressure against a pretty good Panthers Offensive Line?

In last week’s game against the Jaguars the Dolphins pass rush looked very good, forcing some bad throws and hurrying starter David Garrard on every series. However, the Jaguars offensive line does not have the same level of talent at offensive tackle as the Panthers do….at least not until the Jags rookies get their feet wet. Both Jordan Gross and Jeff Otah are a step up in class for the Dolphins corp of pass rushers. Jason Taylor looks to be out for the game which may place Cameron wake squarely on the field with the first team this week. After a good performance last week against the Jaguars, Wake will get a nice test this week.

Personally, I think the Dolphins will try to keep Joey Porter away from Otah, as Porter may simply be overwhelmed. Joey Porter is a much better pass rusher than a run defender, and Otah is physical mauler at the point of attack. Joey may have the quickness advantage, but Otah will look to latch on early and make Porter work to gain separation. Otah’s punch will likely keep Porter at bay and make him less of a factor. I am not saying Porter will see no action on the strong side, but it will likely be in spurts. Cameron Wake is a much stronger player. Based on last week’s action, Wake appears to gain leverage and uses power as a secondary rush move. Wake did surprise me in his fundamentals in the run game, but I will be looking to see how he reacts to blocks and if he can disengage quickly.

2). Will the Dolphins alter their blocking assignments as they figure out the personnel along the Offensive Line?

Last week the Dolphins did not look good running the football up the middle until late in the game. The interior of the line did not create the type of movement that both the fans and coaching staff desire. I have to wonder if the coaching staff will look to alter how they block certain plays along the front. I might look to see if the Dolphins coaches try to allow Donald Thomas to reach the second level more often. Jake Grove is not the fleet footed center the Dolphins had last year, and he may be best suited in close quarters. If so, the Dolphins need to get an offensive lineman into the second level. Donald Thomas is a good option. Thomas’ initial punch will certainly handle most DT’s and allow Grove time to take over on the combo block. Thomas is the better athlete of the two players and should be able to find a man to block.

The ability of our rather polite fullback to block will come into question as well as last week Lusaka Polite was not adequate in helping to clean up the lanes along the front lines. Basically look for the coaches to make the scheme fit the players’ strengths a bit better this week.

3). Will Ted Ginn play with the same bravado as last week?

Why mention Ginn? There is a lot riding on the 3rd year player as the regime went out and brought in 2 more players to compete with and already had a surprise in UDFA Davone Bess a.k.a.” The Smilin’ Hawaiian”. Ginn’s presence must be established for a number of reasons. Some of more apparent are the affect it has on keeping a safety deep at all times, thus affecting run support, and it forces the defense to defend both side of the field, rather than sitting on Bess’s short to intermediate routes. Ginn showed last week that he is much better at playing faster all the way through his routes, a trait he must continue to show this week. Defenses may feel they can cheat a linebacker underneath to Bess’s side as a means to take him away from the passing game. Ginn’s ability to make plays will force the defense to use its linebackers in a different manner. The linebackers may be able to focus on one player as much or one side of the field, making the defense more balanced.

Ginn will likely be available of short routes as well, but Ginn needs to use his speed to stretch those plays into good sized gains. Bess is the shiftier of the two, but if Ginn can provide the slashing back breaking plays on slants and digs in much the same role as John Taylor used to do for the 1980’s 49ers, then the secondary will have to pick their poison. No, Ginn is not John Taylor and I’m not saying he is, just the role he could fill may be similar.

4). Will the Dolphins secondary be tested by the Panthers receiving corp?

If the Panthers do not play Steve Smith this week, the answer is no. Without Smith the Panthers’ offense is not as dynamic and explosive. Smith’s presence would be a great test for a secondary that is breaking in two rookies and needs contributions from both to be successful. Also given the Dolphins’ safeties styles of play, their ability to defend the deep ball and the deep middle of the field would also be tested. Both areas of the secondary could use to be exposed now, so that some corrections could be made. However, without Smith, the Panthers do not have a true speed receiver that will cause a secondary to game plan for. The coverage will be rolled to one side or another, again an element of the defensive strategy that must be tested now. The Panthers have two receivers in Mushin Muhammed and Dwayne Jarrett who are similar in body style, although Jarrett has not proven to be a factor thus far in his career.

My basic concern is that people will read too much into our secondary play if we are successful without Steve Smith seeing much action. If the secondary cannot shut down the rest of the Panthers’ receivers then there has been a serious let down from last week.