Philbin confidence in short-yardage runs shaken

After early success with Jorvorskie Lane hulking into the line and picking up a couple of short-yardage first downs and even a TD, the Dolphins are officially struggling on short yardage runs of late.

They blew an opportunity to convert a third-and-1 Sunday. They've blown a couple of similar opportunities the previous two weeks.

So where is coach Joe Philbin's confidence when the team dials up a short-yardage run now?

"It's not very good," Philbin said Monday. "It's not very good. You look at the film, the film is not good to watch."

This says it all: After the Dolphins failed on a third-and-one run early Sunday, they faced three other third-and-one situations during the game. They passed on all of three.

The problem is there's a multitude of issues for the failures.

"It's a variety of things," Philbin said. "Sometimes penetration, sometimes read of the back, it's a combination thereof. Usually the things that affect runs are quick penetration and decisiveness running the ball or poor course or poor read. It's all those things. You throw on our tape for third-and-1 and you'll probably see all of that."

Philbin did not name names. But here's the issue on a personal level.

Daniel Thomas, at 228 pounds, is more a thoroughbred than a plowhorse. He's not really a move-the-pile on short yardage kind of guy -- at least he hasn't proven he is.

Reggie Bush isn't that guy either, although at 200 pounds, one wouldn't expect him to be.

Guard Richie Incognito and John Jerry along with center Mike Pouncey are fine when all is fair. But on third-and-one, the defense is expecting a run to attack the A-gap. The defense is stacked and ready. All is not fair. And when that has been the case, the Miami interior line hasn't consistently moved anyone backwards.

Well, how about wide runs?

That also hasn't been a solution because, well, Jonathan Martin needs to get a bit stronger and Jake Long doesn't seem as agile as he used to be. Also, the blocking out of Miami's tight ends has not been consistently good on such plays.

Lane, meanwhile, failed on a couple of attempts after showing promise early. Coaches have gone away from giving him the ball since those failures. The team did give him another opportunity on the first drive Sunday.

He failed.

 

 

Comments

[Jeffrey Martinez]

While there is plenty of concerns on the O line that need to be addressed, my biggest issue is this terrible play calling by Mike sherman. Watching him call plays is like watching Dan Henning calling plays all over again. Seriously has he been comparing notes with Dan.

[Shula 73]

Philbin and Tannehill are both amateurs. It'll take 5 years AFTER Ireland is fired to fix this mess.

[Zonk]

D Thomas = MONUMENTAL BUST

[dj starface]

I hope we can focus and regroup for Thursdays game in Buffalo. There was plenty of blame to go around and those who watched the game witnessed a regression from the team as a whole.

[Fireland]

Has anyone ever seen D Thomas break a tackle?
Me neither.

[Dennis Morelli]

Let's call an end to the finger pointing. The fins have the talent. It is time the team leaders sat down in a closed door session and challenged the players to man up, accept responsibility and play up to their capabilities!

[Homer Jones]

Lets just ignore the problems.

[Billy Scrumptious]

Dennis- Will you be my friend? It is clear you don't have many within this blog since you seem to think the Dolphins have talent. I don't have many friends either, even though I recognize we don't have much talent. :(

[Craig M]

From the last blog,

I'm confused. WHRBs are you NOW We Have Back-up Running Backs. Why does everyone feel this need to keep changing their sign in names all the time. I have no idea who I'm talking to half the time. So, is this someone impersonating you or same guy?

As far as running backs go, I don't believe the 'Phins coaching staff has the right plan on using these guys. I believe our backs are better than they are showing. They start with Bush and usually spell him with Thomas if things are going that well or Bush needs a rest. Only if the other two are struggling do we see Miller. I think we need to come up with a new plan on how to use the running backs. It starts this week against a suspect run D in Buffalo. If Buffalo shuts our running attack down this weekend then we really do have a problem. Three days to get this figured out coaching staff....let's go!

[Craig M]

Did I read on the weekend that the team released Brandon McDonald, the CB we picked up last week from TB. Can anyone can confirm this? What was the logic with this move?

[mike]

Well, Dolphin tickets on resale will be dirt cheap from now on. LOL

[We Have RB's]

"I'm confused. WHRBs are you NOW We Have Back-up Running Backs. Why does everyone feel this need to keep changing their sign in names all the time. I have no idea who I'm talking to half the time. So, is this someone impersonating you or same guy?"

It's still me. I was making a joke after the way we've run the ball the last few weeks.

[Beerphin]

Might as well just go with Thomas to get the game started and spell him with Bush... Makes more sense to soften the defense with the bigger back and use Bush on 3rd and longs.

[mike]

Were there 40,000 empty seats yesterday or was everyone dressed as an an orange seat?

[2 watt]

lol

[Beerphin]

They need a new stadium close to metro downtown area.

[2 watt]

ireland = f.

[Craig M]

WHRBs,

Got ya. Yeah good point!

Getting back to Starks, you've got to be disappointed with the way he's played the last few weeks. If this continues can you still justify the money he's going to want to resign? I'd like to hear the case why. Thanks.

[2 watt]

soooooooooo, the texass a/m o and qb ain't gonna work in the nfl neither huh?
lol

[Beerphin]

to clarify I post under beerphin and b33rca53 though not at the same time to troll

[MJ]

The stadium wreaks of urine. They need a new domed stadium.....preferably near Los Angeles.

[MJ]

2 watt,

Clearly Texas A&M has a better QB and OC this year then they did last year.

[We Have RB's]

"As far as running backs go, I don't believe the 'Phins coaching staff has the right plan on using these guys. I believe our backs are better than they are showing. They start with Bush and usually spell him with Thomas if things are going that well or Bush needs a rest. Only if the other two are struggling do we see Miller. I think we need to come up with a new plan on how to use the running backs. It starts this week against a suspect run D in Buffalo. If Buffalo shuts our running attack down this weekend then we really do have a problem. Three days to get this figured out coaching staff....let's go!"

It's not all on the RB's but right now we don't have that guy that can carry the ball 25 times per game. I have no idea if Miller can be eventually be a lead back in the NFL but he's clearly not one yet. RB by committee can work. It does in New Orleans but they also have a pretty damn good O-line which in all honesty we just don't have. Although we had a very good draft & outperformed so far this year the truth is that this team is only in its first rebuilding year & our problems are not going to be rectified by one draft/FA & one off-season. Too many holes to fix & many needs to address.

BTW--Regardless of whether Tannehill had a bad game I'm positive our QB is not the problem.

[Beerphin]

retractable roof near Bayfront preferably

[Saban Lost Saturday]

Did the first comment really reference Dinosaur Dan Henning?

C'mon it not that bad.

Tannehill is still a rookie, mistakes are going to happen. Be patient people.

[Bruce]

How does Tannehennereach's stats compare to the other rookie qb's?

[Yesterday's Gone 4Ever!]

J-Lane was awful on that 3rd and 1 run. I watched him. He just put his head down and plowed right into a none hole.

The sad thing about it is had he had his up and looking like a rb is supposed to do. There was enough hole on that left side to easily pick up that 1st down.

I think thats what Philbin means by the rb isnt reading the hole. You cant be a very successful rb running towards the line with your head down.

[Zonk]

Henne > Tannehill

[We Have RB's]

Got ya. Yeah good point!

Getting back to Starks, you've got to be disappointed with the way he's played the last few weeks. If this continues can you still justify the money he's going to want to resign? I'd like to hear the case why. Thanks.

I said before that there's only one player that TRULY deserves an extension right now & that's Hartline. If Starks wants to stay in Miami he's going to have to step it up over the next seven games or the decision to let him walk will be an easy one & we'll have another MAJOR hole to fill.

BTW--Same thing goes for Long & Smith.

[LMAO]

Playoffs.

[2 watt]

moore = 8-1.

[MJ]

The same idiots that loved Henne love Tannehill.

[2 watt]

the vets want moore.like zach said, he ain't gonna b no lab rat.
lol

[We Have RB's]

The same idiots that loved Henne love Tannehill.

MJ,

Yeah they're called Dolphin fans. How's your Sanchise working out in NY??? Our guy is a rookie what's Sanchez's excuse???

[Beerphin]

can you franchise a player then trade him before the draft?

[Draft Barkley?]

Can we still get the #1 pick in the draft?

[DarrylDunphy]

....I'm not prepared to give up on this season yet. I'm not using the playoffs as a barometer either. This is from the criteria set before the preseason as to what each of us thought would make for a succesfull season.

Most if not all of us had discarded the record as the primary indicator. Since we outperformed most bloggers expectations. Some of us(me) got greedy, and forgot exactly what the realistic expectations of this team were. I still have hope that we should be able to win some games. Are we a playoff team? Today, no.

Anyway..One of the citeria that I included in the success and failure of this year was seeing how this team reacted in crisis. Well this certainly qualifies. This Tennessee team was a team we should have beat. For what ever reason, we didn't. Add the dissappointing second half versus the Colts, and this is now 6 straight losing quarters of football. Where we were outplayed, and outcoached. How do we react on Thursday IMO has a huge bearing on the success of this team in the confines of "bouncing back"..

As bad as we have played, there is the opportunity this week to right the ship. Even if this team has been exposed, if we aren't who we believed we were 2 weeks ago. This game is important as a guage of Philbins ability to put out a fire before it turns into an inferno. I am curious to see what Miami team shows up this week.

[We Have RB's]

can you franchise a player then trade him before the draft?

Beerphin,

Yes. The problem is if no one wants to trade for him & then you're stuck.

[Chris in CO]

Bring back Polite for 3rd and 1.

[Beerphin]

4-5 and still in 2nd place in the division...

[Craig M]

WHRBS @ 1:26pm,

Well said. We've been a bit off on our opinions the last couple of weeks but I agree very much with what you've said above.

Did I read that CB McDonald was released on the weekend? Know anything about that?

[DEREK]

please wavie SEAN SMITH

[Yesterday's Gone 4Ever!]

CraigM,

Im not sure what you expect from Starks. He's still playing a little undersized as a 4-3 DT. Starks game is about quickness not power. He'll have games where he outquicks some of the behemouths in the middle. But not a whole lot of them.

Starks is kind of a tweener d-lineman. He's slightly to big to be true 4-3 DE, and slightly to small to be a true 4-3 DT. So you gotta kind of take what you can get from Starks. I believe he'll always have ghames where he's own and off in this style of defense.

This is a totally diffrent defensive style and previosly our front 7 defensive personel fit the 3-4 most. Thats another issue that has to be addressed.

That's why I like drafting Manti T'eo. He's a true 4-3 mlb and Dansby isnt. We already had many holes to fill, then we trade4d Vonte/Marshall and went with a new d-system meaning eventually bringing in the proper personel with a better fit.

[We Have RB's]

"Most if not all of us had discarded the record as the primary indicator. Since we outperformed most bloggers expectations. Some of us(me) got greedy, and forgot exactly what the realistic expectations of this team were. I still have hope that we should be able to win some games. Are we a playoff team? Today, no."

Daryl,

Agreed. I drank the Kool-Aid too early as well. Although there are teams who are MUCH worse off than we are like the Jaguars we need more talent here.

[We Have RB's]

"WHRBS @ 1:26pm,

Well said. We've been a bit off on our opinions the last couple of weeks but I agree very much with what you've said above.

Did I read that CB McDonald was released on the weekend? Know anything about that?"

Craig,

I'm assuming he must have sucked.

[Actually, you are irrational and ill-informed fools.]

Use logical and germane parameters of analysis or you risk sounding like irrational, ill-informed fools.

[Craig M]

YG,

My point is Starks is going to want big money. He's been a Pro Bowler in the past, even if it was an alternate. What I'm having a tough time with is this notion that EVERYONE get scrutinized (Long, Tannehill, Thomas, Bus, Smith etc..) but not enough is said about our DL and the fact it hasn't gotten the job done the last few weeks. This is supposed to be the strength of the team. I like Starks but no way should he be piad big money based on what he's contributed the last few weeks. We could achieve the same thing by move Odrick inside and having more of a pure pass rusher, which I believe to be one of our achilles.

I'll be watching closely on Thursday in person to see if we're getting enough pressure on the QB.

[We Have RB's]

I think it's going to be interesting to see if we can bounce back against the Bills.

[Truthseekers United]

Accolades for the few bloggers that saw this team for what is is and reported to us the truth.
Tannehill clearly was not ready to start , but shows some promise, despite inaccuracy and turnover issues in big games.
Today, the homers cannot stand the truth from those who knew Tannehill is not and never was all that.
Tannehill cannot close games and has an odd habit of turning the ball over three times usually with interceptions in groups of three and losing in all big games.
Now still in denial and no appreciation for the bloggers that really have Dolphin vision and warned us of this, so they want to ban the bloggers.
Unbelievable, but true.

[MJ]

The same idiots that loved Henne love Tannehill.

MJ

Yeah they're called Dolphin fans.

Posted by: We Have RB's | November 12, 2012 at 01:29 PM

Actually they're called delusional kool-aid drinkers.

[Yesterday's Gone 4Ever!]

The biggest headscratcher on the d-line was the decision to draft Odrick and have Stark play NT. This was all in anticipation of Soliai not working out. But then he did.

That bad decision cost us a #1 pick and Odrick's not only was injured for that entire season. He's yet to play worthy of the #1 pick yet. He has had a few nice moments, thats it.

[2 watt]

lol

[KingShula]

Ireland is a scout so he will contiue to draft by grading players and taking the best available going by need.When everbody is doing the same thing there isnt any value in it.The Dolphins need to build an offense with starters that can score more points.The offensive skill players they have combine to give the Dolphins a mediocre offensive team.Next off-season is a good time to take risk and draft differently and or pick-up the free agents that will allow the Dolphins to get 10 wins in 2013 with the same interior defensive line and some late round or free agent help in the secondary.I think this notion of drafting an offensive player in the first round and a defensive in the second and an offensive player in the third has a team near the bottom like the Dolphins addressing the same needs in one draft after another they need to do something different focus on one side of the ball this off-season,I myself would choose the offense since they have made a large investment in Tannehill and also in a new coach that wants to run a pass first offense.

[Craig M]

YG,

I can tell we're going to disagree on this one. I know your plan is to draft the kid from ND and get rid of Dansby, or even move him to OLB. I'm assuming you are also going to want to keep Starks, which may mean a big contract. My guess is your plan is to get to the QB via the linebackers. I can certainly see that working but my issue is paying Dansby $12 million to be an OLB. To me he's not worth that. I know you and I disagree on this but to me he's more valuable in the role he's in right now. I know you want the ND in that role. Again, I think that's not a bad plan but what happens if aren't able to draft him. What happens if he's gone when we draft.

[jm]

Is there a Dolphins blog where you can find some marginally interesting and intelligent commentary?

This one is just godawful.

[Jeff Irelands Island]

WELCOME all busts and scrubs and bums who want to live out the dream and cash a check like an NFL Player.

[Start Moore]

So Ross said he wanted to retire Tannehill's number. Well, there's no time like the present.

[2 watt]

lmao

[Yesterday's Gone 4Ever!]

CraigM,

I agree about Starks. He should get big money to play in a 4-3 system. He's not the right fit. He's a tweener. Too big to play de and a little too small to play DT.

Starks is a true 3-4 de, that where he made pro bowl alternate. Actually Soliai is more nt than dt himself.

We change d-systems using leftover 3-4 personel. Maybe thats something thats beginning to catch up to us defensively too. I'll also keep eye on that as the end of season draws nearer.

[KingShula]

Using the SAME old approach to the draft and free-agency in the era we are in will probably take years to get much better.The NFL is now a league of parity,check the number of teams at the end of the regular season who are at or close to .500.