Dolphins to run on the Vikings? Bet on it

To run the football ... or to not run the football. That is the question facing every team that plays the Minnesota Vikings. That is the question facing the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

The Vikings pride themselves, among other things, on being one of the NFL's best run-stopping defenses. They were No. 2 against the run in 2009 and folks in Minnesota were upset about because they were No. 1 against the run in 2008.

And in 2007.

And in 2006.

No. 1 against the run.

The Vikes boast the Burly Wall of Kevin Williams and Pat Williams inside and have an athletic set of linebackers. Perhaps that is the reason the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints basically decided not to try running the ball against the Vikings in the NFL season-opener -- at least not in the first half.

The Saints decided it was best to soften up the Vikings in the first half by throwing 21 times and running just three times. It wasn't until the second half when the Vikings were seemingly expecting the pass that New Orleans began to run. The Saints finished with 36 passes and 25 runs.

The Dolphins, however, aren't that type of team.

They are a run-first team. If you have any doubt about that consider that offensive coordinator Dan Henning said this week his dream would be to never pass the football.

"You want the honest-to-God's truth?" he said to me. "I'd like to line up and run the ball every down and get in the end zone on every drive. We'd go to the Super Bowl and we'd win. Without ever throwing!"

He added, "of course it doesn't happen that way," but that is what he'd love to do.

So what do the run-first Dolphins do when they run headlong into the best run-stopping team in the NFL the last four seasons?

I spoke to one offensive player this week who told me the answer is simple. The Dolphins will run.

"They're a physical defense. We're a physical offense," the player told me. "Let's see who is more physical. We're going to do what we do."

This should not come as a surprise. Last year the Dolphins faced a couple of Top 10 run-stopping teams -- the Jets and Steelers. And they tried to run the football. The results were mixed.

In the first meeting with New York, Miami rushed 36 times for 151 yards and a 4.2 yard per carry average. In the second meeting, the Jets obviously adjusted. Miami rushed 23 times for 52 yards and a 2.3 yard average. The Jets were the No. 8 rush defense in 2009.

The Dolphins rushed 25 times for 99 yards against the Steelers for a 4.0 average per rush. The Steelers were the No. 3 defense against the run in 2009.

I recognized this is a new year. The Dolphins have two new guards and Joe Berger is settling in at center. I recognize Ronnie Brown is healthy. I recognize Ricky Williams is a year older. Miami also has a star wide receiver option outside in Brandon Marshall that it didn't have a year ago. So yes, the dynamics have changed.

But has the philosophy changed in Miami? Are the Dolphins going to abandon running the ball just because Minnesota is perhaps the NFL's best run defense?

Um, I wouldn't count on that.

Comments

[odinseye]

Did someone just say there's a vivacious hot Hawaiian all alone out there somewhere?

Hmmmmmmmmmmm...........................

[redsky]

humuhumunukunukuappua'a

[Cuban Menace]

Yes Odon, Unfortunately your in Michigan and I'Am in Brooklyn....HOt ASHLEY

[bobbyd12]

WTF is a beeper??? Guys gonna be doing smoke signals next

[Cuban Menace]

Easy Redsky, You'll "CLIMAX" to early.LOL,HOT ASHLEY.

[ALoco]

did any one seen henne 's wife ? IS SHE better looking than ASHLEY?

[ALoco]

WHY i feel some one is talking to himself ?

[Cuban Menace]

Gotta Go Boys, See you all later, HOT ASHLY.

[ALoco]

the DOLPHINS ADD BAKER DROPS ROSE

[odinseye]

Bobbyd12,

We had the party last night instead of tonight. Couldn't wait, go figure.

Anyway, the guys I jammed with we're sending up some smoke signals if you know what I mean. Everybody there got stoned, whether they were smoking or not!

[Cuban Menace]

LOL @ Aloco, Michal told me you "SNIFF" Glue and other stuff.Please get help Aloco, The Future is great. HOT ASHLEY.

[ALoco]

BREAKING ,FINS SIGNS DEFENSE MAN RYAN BAKER ,WAVING ROBERT ROSE.

BAKER HAD 4 TACKLES IN PRE SESON GAMES .

[bobbyd12]

Lol Odinseye, glad u had a good time, thats what life is all about.

[redsky]

cuban menace, i was trying to charm HOT ASHLEY with my command of the Hawaiian language. lol

[Cuban Menace]

ALOCO, Do you say anything relevant about the fins , or do you Babble because of drug usage?,HOT ASHLEY.

[ALoco]

keep talking cuban.lol

[redsky]

sapp is going to pick off farve

[Cuban Menace]

Redsky O wai kou inoa?

[Cuban Menace]

akahele Aloco. HOT ASHLEY

[Derek4Dolphins]

Good Evening Guys, I see where the Jests trolls swung through and strained the very pages on which we write, disgusting. Took a can of rain and a half gallon of bleach to delouse and sanitize my computer screen.

First, I saw where Cuban Menace was keeping tabs on predictions. Some may have seen I have been doing the same from the beginning of the last blog, but welcome ANY help or Parallel list. ....IF... You have made a prediction concerning the Dolphins/Vikings game tomorrow, on either this or yesterdays blog... I have that logged and will post those predictions Monday before MNF. Some of you have posted with stats predictions also, this is cool too... I will post the stats of the game along with score.

I WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE PREDICTIONS UNTIL 11:00AM EAST COAST TOMORROW.... PLEASE, GIVE ME A BREAK AND DON'T DOUBLE POST.

Thanks Menace for the help.....

Thanks!!!

GO MIAMI!!!!!

[redsky]

cuban my name is norm, what's yours?

[Cuban Menace]

Derek, My Man says the fins are gonna be blown out like 28 to 10,cause there's a lot of concern\s of the offense and a bigger question about the Defense, I personally think he's a Idiot.HOT ASHLEY

[Home]

Home Predicts:

Miami 31 Minnesota 20

***** The Dynasty Be Fins! *****

[Home]

Miami 1-0

3 To Go

Miami Dolphins start the 2010 NFL season 4-0

***** The Dynasty Be Fins! *****

[Home]

Miami 31 Minnesota 20

Brandgetterdon Marshall 2 TDs at Minnesota

***** The Dynasty Be Fins! *****

[Home]

Dolfans

Enjoy the Game!

***** The Dynasty Be Fins! *****

[Cuban Menace]

cuban my name is norm, what's yours?

Posted by: cuban my name is norm, what's yours?

Posted by: redsky

His real Name is Michael but he thinks of his-self as a Cuban (Third generation), though his Spanish is the equivalent of a third grader . LOL HOT ASHLEY

[odinseye]

Derek,

I said Miami by 3, earlier but I didn't give the score.

I hope you don't consider this a double post.

Miami 24

Posers 21

[newenglandfinfan]

Jet Fan, you're so pathetic, and stupid. As most, um, all Jet fans are. Sanchez sucks. More smoke and mirrors for ya. Unless your defense scores 20 pts a game, you're in for a long season, because you let your 2 best RBs go and kept the one who fumbles and got a worn out has been! LOL. Pathetic and stupid.

[odinseye]

Ashley,

Does the Cuban look like Armando Salguero?

PS: I think my Harley could stand one more "road trip" before the weather gets here?

[redsky]

Mahalo Ashley

[Cuban Menace]

Odin, No the Menace looks nothing like "Mando:... Mando doesn't even look like , That picture of Mando that was taken in his high school.

[redsky]

guys, why respond to jet fan, you're just encouraging him.

[Home]

His real Name is Michael but he thinks of his-self as a Cuban (Third generation), though his Spanish is the equivalent of a third grader . LOL HOT ASHLEY

First off his name is miguel and second you're miguel's imaginary girlfriend or should i say blow up doll !!

[odinseye]

Ashley,

That was anti climatic.

For some reason I was hoping you would say, "yes, he looks just like Armando".

Name some people we recognize that you and the Cuban look like.

[Derek4Dolphins]

Cuban...
I logged your friend's prediction, let's hope your right about him!....THXS

Home...
Got your score and 2 Marshall TD's covered..THXS

Odiseye...
No worries, Gotcha covered.....

Also... For those that have heard his show, do you think Armando's voice is a little..Ehhem...Whiny?... Or is it just the Amigo always disagreeing with him?

Just a thought flashing by...

[redsky]

miguel salguero?

[Cuban Menace]

Your welcomed Redsky. HOT ASHLEY

[bobbyd12]

Beautiful, the Racist Coward Home put away his white robe to grace us with his presence.
amazing, when he got mad at Omar he called him a monkey.
Gets mad at Sean he say shukin n jivin
Mad at me he uses the "N" word.
YOU HOME ARE A RACIST
And your a COWARD but im not suprised,
Most of u Racists are Cowards.
You showed everyone who u really are
Scared of me, scared of black people so u hide behind a white robe and computer keyboard to hide what u really are.
Your a disgusting, low life human being.
I dont care if ur a Dolphin fan
Your EXACTLY what i knew u were from Day One
Racist Coward

[odinseye]

DAMN! I didn't know Hawaiian Chicks had valve stems!

Ouch!!!!

[Cuban Menace]

Sorry but Armando looks like a "Chipmunk" Through the "Cuban Menace looks like a "Car-Wreck"That you cant look away from.IMHO. HOT ASHLEY., Gotta go guys, have a good night.

[REDSHIRT COMMIE]

I'm sitting Brown this week in my fantasy league..then again I'm starting Bradshaw against the colts who gave up 231 yards to some random dude. Still picked the Fins to win in my pick em league, I really hope we end Favre's career this week.

[Cuban Menace]

RED COMMIE, Doubtful, The guy hasnt missed a game in 15 years, HOT ASHLEY

[odinseye]

BobbyD12,

I judege people by there own merits, I'm not into racism.

I find ethnic groups and heritages different from own very interesting.

I don't want this to sound wrong, but I couldn't help wondering if you're Black and If you are, how did Home find out?

Just curious.

PS: If you find this offensive, I apologize and please feel free to just ignore.

[ALoco]

bobbyd12, is an african american .no thing wrong w/that .

[REDSHIRT COMMIE]

who is HOT ASHLEY? link?

[REDSHIRT COMMIE]

And I think he is due for an injury..my prediction is Starks breaks his ribs..hey I can always hope!! Sorry Jet trash..haha

[odinseye]

Hot Ashley,

I picture looking like Lucy Lings prettier sister?

If I'm wrong, tell us someone that you look like.

[REDSHIRT COMMIE]

If it wasnt for African Americans our football team would suck ass...how did this even come up????????????

[ALoco]

cuban would be proud if he looked like armando ,handsome .

[odinseye]

Thanks to African Americans and Indians, Jimi Hendrix is absolute baddest assed guitar player of ALL TIME!

Who cares how this came up?

Ok, it was me. Bobby alluded to it in his response to Home. It's not an issue with me whatsoever. It's just that me an Bobby get along here real well and I like to know things about the people I converse with. That's all.

[Hot Ashley]

Bobbyd12 real name is jakson .

[REDSHIRT COMMIE]

gotcha...nothing wrong with that, just didnt see what led up to the question...GO FINS

[odinseye]

For example:

I know Aloco is French and has a man crush on Armando-LOL!

armando ,handsome .

Posted by: ALoco | September 18, 2010 at 09:11 PM

[Hot Ashley]

odin,

what do you think cuban looks like ?

[bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com]

i have vikes 27-17, hate to say. sucks with jets and pats coming up, schedule is brutal

[ALoco]

Odin, you should see armando's picture w/the amigo on the radio page .just beautiful.

[odinseye]

Hot Ashley,

I'm positive The Cuban Menace looks exactly like a Hispanic Greg Brady ;p

[REDSHIRT COMMIE]

I look just like Tom Brady..no joke...its creepy

[ALoco]

last 15 minutes of the movie AIRPLANE ..CLASSIC