The Best Defense Is A Good Offense
By Andy Kent
Special for MiamiDolphins.com
Armed with the number one ranked offense in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys are expected to give the Dolphins defense all that it can handle Sunday afternoon at Dolphin Stadium in Miami's home opener. After all, the Cowboys did put up 45 points and 478 total yards on the New York Giants in their 45-35 win last week.
There are, however, other ways to combat a high-scoring offense like Dallas', and the Dolphins offense could have a significant role in accomplishing that mission. Not only should Miami's offensive players be extra motivated to show their worth opposite such a potent unit as the one the Cowboys have, but they can also employ a little strategy.
"I think the best defense for something like that is to keep them off the field," said running back Ronnie Brown, who was held to just 32 yards on 11 carries last week at Washington. "When they can't be on the field doing the things that they're doing then it's good for us. If we can keep them off the field and take it on as an offense and make sure that we can have those long drives and sustain and keep the ball then I think it's going to help our defense out. That way when they're on the field they're not out on the field as much as they would be and everybody's pretty fresh and ready to go."
In order to put together those long, sustained drives the Dolphins are going to have to rely on their offensive line, which is still coming together because of players either starting for the first time or at different positions. Against the Redskins, the line did a decent job in pass protection, allowing 14-year veteran quarterback Trent Green to complete 24 of his 38 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown.
But the 66 total yards on the ground – 47 of them by Brown and running back Jesse Chatman – is what still concerns the linemen. Rookie center Samson Satele is focusing on that aspect of the Week 1 overtime loss more than how he and the rest of the line did protecting Green and hopes to make a statement Sunday afternoon on the field.
"We're going against America's Team and I've got to play hard and make these guys trust me more," Satele said. "I'm more of a negative guy and look more at the negative stuff I do and I'll try not to make as many negatives as I did last game. Anytime we go against a No. 1 offense or a No. 1 defense of course we're going to be wired up. We're going to show them. I mean this is our home field and we're not going to let anything happen in our home."
Green has been around the league long enough to know the pluses and minuses of altering your offensive strategy based on what the opposing offense is doing. As the quarterback of one of those high-powered offense that could score quickly in Kansas City, he watched other teams try to grind it out and keep him off the field.
Now he is on the other side of the coin, with Miami's offense not yet as feared as Dallas' with Terrell Owens at wide receiver and Tony Romo at quarterback. The 37-year-old Green also has been involved in low-scoring defensive affairs like the Dolphins' 16-13 loss to the Redskins and shootouts like the one between Dallas and the Giants, so he has learned to approach things differently.
"I really am not too concerned with (what the other team's offense is doing). I'm concerned with I want us to play well, I want the offense to get better, I want every series for us to improve," Green said. "Whether they score a lot of points or don't score a lot of points I think that's the mindset you want to take as an offensive team. Every time you get on the field you want to be productive, and whether that means first downs or getting better field position for your team, getting field goals, getting touchdowns, whatever that may be. So I look at it more as us trying to get better as an offense and trying to produce as many points as we can."
If Dallas picks up where it left off in the Meadowlands against the Giants, that production level is going to have to be quite high.
INJURY UPDATE: Head Coach Cam Cameron confirmed that Chatman (knee) did not practice again today but added that head athletic trainer Kevin O'Neill was "more optimistic" than he was on Wednesday and a decision should be made by tomorrow. He didn't rule out both Patrick Cobbs and Lorenzo Booker being active for Sunday's game and reiterated that who was wearing what jersey in practice is insignificant Cornerback Andre Goodman (shoulder) was limited to non-contract drills again ... Cowboys wide receiver Terry Glenn (knee) was listed as out on today's official injury report and definitely will not play Sunday. Linebacker Greg Ellis (Achilles) did not practice, cornerback Terence Newman participated in a limited practice and linebacker Kevin Burnett (ankle) participated in full.
COMMISSONER CRUISE?: Green gave perhaps the funniest analogy to date when asked his opinion on the situation with the New England Patriots facing allegations of cheating by videotaping the New York Jets' defensive signals last week. Knowing that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has seen the evidence and is conducting a hearing, Green referenced the movie starring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson, "A Few Good Men" in his answer.
"Can you see Bill Belichick and Roger Goodell in the office having the conversation and you picture Roger Goodell as Tom Cruise and you picture Bill Belichick as Jack Nicholson," Green said. "And they're sitting in the courtroom and they're having this discussion and all of a sudden Goodell's like, 'Did you order a Code Red?' And Belichick's sitting there and you know he's just getting peeved that he's even in there and the audacity to bring him and question him.
"When that whole thing was going on that's the analogy and kind of the visual I have is that eventually Belichick kind of snapped and said, 'You're darn right I ordered a Code Red. Yes I did.' Maybe I'm the only one that kind of has that warped perception."
Those familiar with the movie could see one of Nicholson's most famous lines reworked this way by Belichick: "You want me on that sideline! You need me on that sideline!"
CRAZY LIKE A FOX: With the Dolphins-Cowboys game being broadcast nationally on FOX, either former Dallas fullback Daryl "Moose" Johnston or Kenny Albert will be the featured guest Friday Wednesday on Miami Dolphins.com All-Access. The Internet radio show, co-hosted by Barry Buetel and Andy Kent, airs from 2-3 p.m. on MiamiDolphins.com and also can be downloaded as a podcast.
NEW RECOGNITION: Green was named the Player of the Game by the Miami Dolphins' Alumni Association for his performance against Washington. The award is something new this year through up by former Dolphins receiver Nat Moore, who is in charge of alumni, youth and special projects.
Green, who also was voted by his teammates to be the team captain, said he would have rather received the award following a victory and was honored to be recognized. He respects the tradition established by the alumni, and Cameron said it was important to uphold that tradition and to stay connected with the alumni.
As for the league approving the new gesture of having a "C" sewed onto the captain's jersey like they do in hockey, Green likes how it helps let the fans know who has been voted on by his teammates instead of just guessing by who is out at midfield for the coin toss. In addition to Green, kicker Jay Feely is the captain of the special trams and defensive end Jason Taylor and linebacker Zach Thomas are the defensive captains.
"It definitely means something because it's all the players that vote," Thomas said. "Especially me and Jason being older guys we try to lead by example and we definitely try to help everybody out."
Special for MiamiDolphins.com
Armed with the number one ranked offense in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys are expected to give the Dolphins defense all that it can handle Sunday afternoon at Dolphin Stadium in Miami's home opener. After all, the Cowboys did put up 45 points and 478 total yards on the New York Giants in their 45-35 win last week.
There are, however, other ways to combat a high-scoring offense like Dallas', and the Dolphins offense could have a significant role in accomplishing that mission. Not only should Miami's offensive players be extra motivated to show their worth opposite such a potent unit as the one the Cowboys have, but they can also employ a little strategy.
"I think the best defense for something like that is to keep them off the field," said running back Ronnie Brown, who was held to just 32 yards on 11 carries last week at Washington. "When they can't be on the field doing the things that they're doing then it's good for us. If we can keep them off the field and take it on as an offense and make sure that we can have those long drives and sustain and keep the ball then I think it's going to help our defense out. That way when they're on the field they're not out on the field as much as they would be and everybody's pretty fresh and ready to go."
In order to put together those long, sustained drives the Dolphins are going to have to rely on their offensive line, which is still coming together because of players either starting for the first time or at different positions. Against the Redskins, the line did a decent job in pass protection, allowing 14-year veteran quarterback Trent Green to complete 24 of his 38 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown.
But the 66 total yards on the ground – 47 of them by Brown and running back Jesse Chatman – is what still concerns the linemen. Rookie center Samson Satele is focusing on that aspect of the Week 1 overtime loss more than how he and the rest of the line did protecting Green and hopes to make a statement Sunday afternoon on the field.
"We're going against America's Team and I've got to play hard and make these guys trust me more," Satele said. "I'm more of a negative guy and look more at the negative stuff I do and I'll try not to make as many negatives as I did last game. Anytime we go against a No. 1 offense or a No. 1 defense of course we're going to be wired up. We're going to show them. I mean this is our home field and we're not going to let anything happen in our home."
Green has been around the league long enough to know the pluses and minuses of altering your offensive strategy based on what the opposing offense is doing. As the quarterback of one of those high-powered offense that could score quickly in Kansas City, he watched other teams try to grind it out and keep him off the field.
Now he is on the other side of the coin, with Miami's offense not yet as feared as Dallas' with Terrell Owens at wide receiver and Tony Romo at quarterback. The 37-year-old Green also has been involved in low-scoring defensive affairs like the Dolphins' 16-13 loss to the Redskins and shootouts like the one between Dallas and the Giants, so he has learned to approach things differently.
"I really am not too concerned with (what the other team's offense is doing). I'm concerned with I want us to play well, I want the offense to get better, I want every series for us to improve," Green said. "Whether they score a lot of points or don't score a lot of points I think that's the mindset you want to take as an offensive team. Every time you get on the field you want to be productive, and whether that means first downs or getting better field position for your team, getting field goals, getting touchdowns, whatever that may be. So I look at it more as us trying to get better as an offense and trying to produce as many points as we can."
If Dallas picks up where it left off in the Meadowlands against the Giants, that production level is going to have to be quite high.
INJURY UPDATE: Head Coach Cam Cameron confirmed that Chatman (knee) did not practice again today but added that head athletic trainer Kevin O'Neill was "more optimistic" than he was on Wednesday and a decision should be made by tomorrow. He didn't rule out both Patrick Cobbs and Lorenzo Booker being active for Sunday's game and reiterated that who was wearing what jersey in practice is insignificant Cornerback Andre Goodman (shoulder) was limited to non-contract drills again ... Cowboys wide receiver Terry Glenn (knee) was listed as out on today's official injury report and definitely will not play Sunday. Linebacker Greg Ellis (Achilles) did not practice, cornerback Terence Newman participated in a limited practice and linebacker Kevin Burnett (ankle) participated in full.
COMMISSONER CRUISE?: Green gave perhaps the funniest analogy to date when asked his opinion on the situation with the New England Patriots facing allegations of cheating by videotaping the New York Jets' defensive signals last week. Knowing that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has seen the evidence and is conducting a hearing, Green referenced the movie starring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson, "A Few Good Men" in his answer.
"Can you see Bill Belichick and Roger Goodell in the office having the conversation and you picture Roger Goodell as Tom Cruise and you picture Bill Belichick as Jack Nicholson," Green said. "And they're sitting in the courtroom and they're having this discussion and all of a sudden Goodell's like, 'Did you order a Code Red?' And Belichick's sitting there and you know he's just getting peeved that he's even in there and the audacity to bring him and question him.
"When that whole thing was going on that's the analogy and kind of the visual I have is that eventually Belichick kind of snapped and said, 'You're darn right I ordered a Code Red. Yes I did.' Maybe I'm the only one that kind of has that warped perception."
Those familiar with the movie could see one of Nicholson's most famous lines reworked this way by Belichick: "You want me on that sideline! You need me on that sideline!"
CRAZY LIKE A FOX: With the Dolphins-Cowboys game being broadcast nationally on FOX, either former Dallas fullback Daryl "Moose" Johnston or Kenny Albert will be the featured guest Friday Wednesday on Miami Dolphins.com All-Access. The Internet radio show, co-hosted by Barry Buetel and Andy Kent, airs from 2-3 p.m. on MiamiDolphins.com and also can be downloaded as a podcast.
NEW RECOGNITION: Green was named the Player of the Game by the Miami Dolphins' Alumni Association for his performance against Washington. The award is something new this year through up by former Dolphins receiver Nat Moore, who is in charge of alumni, youth and special projects.
Green, who also was voted by his teammates to be the team captain, said he would have rather received the award following a victory and was honored to be recognized. He respects the tradition established by the alumni, and Cameron said it was important to uphold that tradition and to stay connected with the alumni.
As for the league approving the new gesture of having a "C" sewed onto the captain's jersey like they do in hockey, Green likes how it helps let the fans know who has been voted on by his teammates instead of just guessing by who is out at midfield for the coin toss. In addition to Green, kicker Jay Feely is the captain of the special trams and defensive end Jason Taylor and linebacker Zach Thomas are the defensive captains.
"It definitely means something because it's all the players that vote," Thomas said. "Especially me and Jason being older guys we try to lead by example and we definitely try to help everybody out."
posted by The Gryphon at 7:35 PM
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