Dolphins hope to save season with revenge win over Jets ~ ~ ~

[kelly]

Ten things to know about the Miami Dolphins (4-6), the New York Jets' next opponent  :

1. We last saw the Dolphins in London, where they fell to 1-3 and fired their coach. Surely, you remember that Week 4 contest: They forgot to show up for the first half, couldn't tackle Chris Ivory and clinched Joe Philbin's fate with a 27-14 loss.

2. Interim coach Dan Campbell is 3-3. The coaching change provided an immediate spark, as the Dolphins won their first two games under Campbell. They returned to earth quickly, in large part because their offense stinks. You have to like his enthusiasm and fiery attitude -- he's the anti-Todd Bowles -- but there's virtually no chance he gets the full-time gig. Former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum, the Dolphins' football czar, will look to hire his own man after the season.

3. Are you pumped up for the Quinton Coples homecoming? After getting fired by the Jets, Coples, claimed on waivers Tuesday by the Dolphins, will return to MetLife Stadium with a chance for payback -- if he's active. No, this won't generate as much notoriety as the IK Enemkpali return ... unless we discover he punched out a former teammate.

4. Basically, this game is an elimination bout between two dazed and battered fighters. The loser can forget about the playoffs, especially if it's the Dolphins, who have an 0-4 record in the AFC East. They were outscored in those games, 137-52. Yowza. If they can't beat the Jets, they'll probably take an oh-fer because they close division play with the New England Patriots. Good luck with that.

5. The Dolphins' main problem is an inability to score. That's important. They're 26th in scoring offense, having averaged only 14.5 points per game over the past four. In fact, they've topped the 20-point mark only twice in 10 games. The Jets are no juggernaut, but they've done it five times.

6. A lot of the blame has fallen on Ryan Tannehill, the same quarterback who received a six-year, $96 million contract extension last offseason. He peaked last month with a four-touchdown game against the Houston Texans, but his Total QBR has plummeted to 23.3 over the past four games. Want to rattle Tannehill? Blitz him. His QBR against the blitz is a league-low 19.2. Make no mistake, he will see a lot of blitzes on Sunday.

7. The coaching change provided a wake-up call for Ndamukong Suh, the Dolphins' $114 million free-agent defensive tackle. In four games under Philbin, he had no sacks and 10 tackles, according to ESPN Stats & Information. In six games under Campbell, he has four and 29, respectively. Bad news for the Jets, recovering from a J.J. Watt hangover.

8. The Dolphins' best player in the previous meeting was Jarvis Landry, who had 258 total yards (including 189 on kickoff and punt returns). The Jets held him to four catches for 40 yards as a receiver (12 targets), but they had Darrelle Revis on him. Revis (concussion) may not play this game, which could pose a problem.

9. Campbell, a former New York Giants tight end, has placed an added emphasis on the running game. The beneficiary is Lamar Miller, who is getting more touches. He has slumped the past couple of weeks, but he had a previous streak of five straight games with a touchdown. He ran for 175 against the Texans, a lot more than the Jets did.

10. There was at least one positive last week for the Dolphins: They didn't allow a safety for the first time in four games, avoiding a dubious record.

>        http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/56454/dolphins-hope-to-save-season-with-revenge-win-over-jets

[Integrity28]

**** the Dolphins.

[kelly]

Rich Cimini ESPN Staff Writer 

The Jets could see former No. 1 pick Quinton Coples on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Coples was claimed on waivers by the Dolphins and chief exec Mike Tannenbaum, the former Jets GM who drafted him in 2012. Coples will arrive for tomorrow's practice; no word on whether he'll suit up, but Miami needs front seven help. Could there be gamesmanship involved? Maybe a little, but you're reaching if you think Coples' knowledge of the Jets' schemes will make a difference in the game.

>      http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyj/new-york-jets

[kelly]

The Miami Dolphins made an interesting move to claim former New York Jets pass-rush specialist Quinton Coples via waivers on Tuesday. He is a former first-round pick who underachieved in New York but could provide a spark for Miami’s struggling defense.

Here are some initial thoughts on the acquisition of Coples:

• The first question is where does Coples fit in Miami’s defense? The Dolphins run a 4-3 scheme that is different from the 3-4 defense the Jets have run under current head coach Todd Bowles and former head coach Rex Ryan. Due to his size, Coples was a better defensive end than outside linebacker in New York. He likely will spend most of his time at defensive end where the team is trying to find a pass rush after Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Wake was lost for the season with an Achilles injury. Coples has 16.5 sacks in four seasons.

• Do not underestimate the Coples connection to Dolphins vice president Mike Tannenbaum. He drafted Coples in 2012 as the former general manager of the Jets. Coples has a reputation as an underachiever, but Tannenbaum always believed in his talent. Coples also became available at an ideal time as Miami will play the Jets on Sunday. Coples knows New York’s defensive scheme well and could provide valuable insight.

• Also, here is a good note from my colleague and ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini: Coples has a fifth-year option of $7.75 million guaranteed in 2016 for injury only. Therefore, if Coples plays for Miami and is injured, the team is on the hook for the full amount in what will already be a tight cap next year for the Dolphins. There are some risks involved with this move.

Overall, do not expect an immediate impact from Coples. He will be limited for at least a couple weeks as he learns Miami’s scheme and terminology. But it is clear the Dolphins (4-6) are not giving up on their season as they try to make a late push for a wild-card spot in the AFC.

>     http://espn.go.com/blog/miami-dolphins/post/_/id/18484/how-quinton-coples-fits-in-the-dolphins-defense

[drsamuel84]

Dolphins are a bad team but so are we right now.  This game also scares me because we can just never beat these guys twice in a season.

[slats]

Conversely, the Jets are trying to get their season back on track with a win against the fish. Them picking up Coples is interesting. Would hate to see hm have any success against us immediately after being waived. 

[kelly]

. -- The Miami Dolphins are 0-4 against AFC East opponents -- and most of the games haven’t been close.

Miami is getting embarrassed in division contests this season. The team has lost all four AFC East games by an average of 21.25 points.

It’s never a good sign when you’re getting pummeled by the opponents that know you best. Miami already has been swept by the Buffalo Bills in two games, lost 36-7 to the undefeated New England Patriots and suffered a 13-point defeat to the New York Jets in London.Miami (4-6) will face the Jets (5-5) again Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Their previous meeting in Week 4 marked the end for former Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin, who was fired promptly after returning from London. Interim head coach Dam Campbell has taken over and gone 3-3 in place of Philbin.

Campbell has his theory of why Miami has struggled mightily within the division.“I think that all of these teams in our division have a pretty good defensive line,” Campbell said. “And I think a lot of these teams they’ve got a big front -- big, long guys. ... So I just think that they make life a little bit harder to try to run inside for us. We’re not the biggest line up front.”

Indeed, Miami’s offense line usually struggles against the Bills, Jets and Patriots. Often the Dolphins cannot establish a running game because they’ve fallen behind so quickly in division games.Quarterback Ryan Tannehill also has been sacked 12 times this season in four division games. Injuries to starting left tackle Branden Albert (hamstring) and starting right tackle Ja'Wuan James (toe) certainly haven’t helped matters. James is expected to miss Sunday’s game, as well.

It is extremely difficult to make the playoffs when a team cannot win in the division. Miami is 4-2 against non-AFC East teams but owns a 4-6 record overall. The team must first learn how to better compete with the Jets, Bills and Patriots before thinking about the bigger picture.

>     http://espn.go.com/blog/miami-dolphins/post/_/id/18495/dolphins-getting-pummeled-by-afc-east-foes-in-2015

[#27TheDominator]

Coples will flourish.  The Jets misused him and the Dolphins are going to use him to replace Cameron Wake?

[kelly]

Mike Rodak ESPN Staff Writer 

The Bills put in a waiver claim for DE Quinton Coples, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates, but the Dolphins had a higher waiver priority. Instead of being reunited with Rex Ryan, Coples will rejoin Dolphins VP Mike Tannenbaum, who drafted him 16th overall in 2012.

>    http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/mia/miami-dolphins

[kelly]

Here are the most interesting Miami Dolphins stories Wednesday from around the Web:

• Hal Habib of the Palm Beach Post writes the Dolphins are historically bad with their third-down offense.

Morning take: Miami’s 28 percent conversion rate will not cut it. That would set a new team record if the numbers don’t improve over the final six games.

• Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel examines whether Ryan Tannehill is a franchise quarterback.

Morning take: In four seasons, Tannehill hasn’t shown enough to earn the “franchise” label. He struggles on third down and in the fourth quarter, and he doesn’t win enough games.

• Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald writes Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi is gaining some intrigue.

Morning take: Ajayi has done well with limited carries, and his role should increase down the stretch. He’s running hard and has fresh legs.

>     http://espn.go.com/blog/miami-dolphins/post/_/id/18490/dolphins-third-down-offense-continues-to-sputter

[Ken Schroy]

I like our chances in this game. But we are talking about the Jets. lol

[kelly]

James Walker ESPN Staff Writer 

New Dolphins DE Quinton Coples said he's happy to be a full-time DE with the job of rushing the QB. He made it clear dropping in coverage wasn't his thing.

>  http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/mia/miami-dolphins

[Beerfish]

Don't worry Coples dropping into coverage has not really been Cromarties thing this year either.

[kelly]

New Dolphins DE Quinton Coples on playing Jets: 'It brings chills to me'

DAVIE, Fla. – This will be a very interesting week for defensive end Quinton Coples.

On Sunday, Coples suited up for the New York Jets. On Monday, Coples was cut by the team that drafted him in the first round in 2012.But on Tuesday, the Miami Dolphins claimed Coples via waivers, and the first team Coples will play against will be the Jets. Things have quickly come full-circle for Coples, who will return to MetLife Stadium in an opposing uniform.“Definitely, it brings chills to me to be able to go back and face them this Sunday,” Coples said. “So I’m looking forward to the preparation to get back out there and come out there with the win.”

Coples said he will not get too caught up in the circumstance of playing his former team this week. His stint with the Jets had a few ups – such as 16.5 career sacks – and mostly downs, such as a position change to outside linebacker.

Coples said he’s still confused on why things didn’t work out with the Jets.

“I never got a great explanation for it,” Coples said. “Things just didn’t work out. I move forward and I’m here now. I wasn’t playing. I was on the bench. They benched me for whatever reason.”Coples said he’s happy to be a full-time defensive end again in Miami. He played both defensive end and outside linebacker in New York’s 3-4 scheme.

The Dolphins believe he’s a natural fit for their 4-3 defense, and he will help replace the sack production lost when former Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Wake went down for the year with an Achilles tear. According to Coples, he brings “relentless effort, pass-rushing and QB sacks” to Miami’s defense. Those are all things the team needs on its front seven.

Miami interim head coach Dan Campbell briefly offered words of encouragement to Coples upon arriving.“Coach Campbell said that he loves me,” Coples said. “He loves what I do and he’s going to get me out there on the field. I gotta make it happen.”

>    http://espn.go.com/blog/miami-dolphins/post/_/id/18502/new-dolphins-de-quinton-coples-on-playing-jets-it-brings-chills-to-me

[kelly]

James Walker ESPN Staff Writer 

Dolphins interim head coach Dan Campbell said RT Ja'Wuan James (toe) will not play this week but he is making good progress.

>    http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/mia/miami-dolphins

[Larz]

jets fan syndrome

coples will take out fitz and we get geno for 5 weeks

yay

[jamesr]

Revenge game?

The beatdown we gave them in London got rid of their crappy coaching staff, the players should be thanking us for it! 

[Larz]

giving up on coples mid-season for a special teams linebacker looks a lot worse to me after a few days.  sure coples was a big disappointment, they probably shopped him before the deadline, but based on the fact 2 teams wanted him, with his current contract, tells me macc could have traded him in the off season

probably not for much, but now a division rival that saw its best pass rusher go down has a healthy body for the stretch run

pretty dumb move by the jets

 

[BurnleyJet]

I think they felt a high profile cut (Former first rounder), was worth it to get the team back on track. I hope their right.

[Ex-Rex]

When is the last time the Jets beat the Fins at home? It has been a while, for some reason they always let them come into their house and dictate and dominate. Keep it close and the Fins will fold at the end, but if they get an early lead, time to head for the exits.

[Jet Nut]

Dolphins are a bad team but so are we right now.  This game also scares me because we can just never beat these guys twice in a season.

never?  Lol

[Jet Nut]

When is the last time the Jets beat the Fins at home? It has been a while, for some reason they always let them come into their house and dictate and dominate. Keep it close and the Fins will fold at the end, but if they get an early lead, time to head for the exits.

2001.  I remember painful games where we dominated, held them to 100 yards passing and lost on a return.  Painful game

[UnitedWhofans]

When is the last time the Jets beat the Fins at home? It has been a while, for some reason they always let them come into their house and dictate and dominate. Keep it close and the Fins will fold at the end, but if they get an early lead, time to head for the exits.

2011. The Monday Night game where Revis pick sixed Matt Moore. 24-6 Jets.

[TJ]

Jarvis Landry with 200 yards / 3 TDs.  Coples with a sack!

[The Crusher]

jets fan syndrome

coples will take out fitz and we get geno for 5 weeks

yay

Good heavens.  First thing I thought when I  saw they picked up Q. 

[jamesr]

giving up on coples mid-season for a special teams linebacker looks a lot worse to me after a few days.  sure coples was a big disappointment, they probably shopped him before the deadline, but based on the fact 2 teams wanted him, with his current contract, tells me macc could have traded him in the off season

probably not for much, but now a division rival that saw its best pass rusher go down has a healthy body for the stretch run

pretty dumb move by the jets

 

Coples contract next year would have made teams steer clear of trading for him, just wait till we cut him.

He would count something like $7.5m next year if he got hurt too, and no, you don't need to be on the field to get injured ...

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000588569/article/redskins-chris-culliver-tears-acl-mcl

 

[kelly]

-- Most waiver-wire additions do not see the field after just five days, but new Miami Dolphins defensive end Quinton Coples is not your average late-season pickup.The 2012 first-round draft pick can help fill a pass-rushing void on the Dolphins' defensive line. The team lost Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Wake for the season due to an Achilles tendon tear in Week 8.

In addition, Coples has added motivation playing against his former team Sunday, when the Dolphins travel to play the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Coples was cut by the Jets earlier this week.“It’s going to be crazy,” Coples said Friday with a big smile. “Being there for the last three years and then going to the other side of the stadium on the visiting side should be quite interesting. But my job is to get in there and help this team get a win. That’s what I’m here for.”

Coples has just three practices under his belt. But Miami has every intention of playing him right away in a defensive end rotation that also includes Olivier Vernon, Derrick Shelby and Terrence Fede. Interim Dolphins coach Dan Campbell said Coples is comfortable enough playing in the base defense, but it will take more time to get accustomed to sub and specialty packages.The best asset Coples brings is his ability to get to the quarterback. He has 16.5 career sacks despite being moved to outside linebacker in the Jets’ 3-4 defense early in his career, which wasn’t a natural fit. Coples will play exclusively at defensive end in the Dolphins' 4-3 scheme.

“I see a guy who has looked better every day, looked a little more comfortable with what we’re trying to do,” Campbell said. “As crazy as it sounds, it’s a little bit of an adjustment from what he’s been doing. He’s primarily spent his career in a two-point [stance]. Now, we’re putting him back in a three-point [stance], hand in the ground.”

Coples likes the fit in Miami and hopes to make an immediate impact.

“When I first got here, it was a lot of teaching and things going on,” Coples said. “But the scheme works pretty much in my favor as far as just rushing [the quarterback]. It’s not too complex. It’s been good and I’m looking forward to going out and play.”

>     http://espn.go.com/blog/miami-dolphins/post/_/id/18540/quinton-coples-hopes-to-make-immediate-impact-for-dolphins

[kelly]

The Miami Dolphins (4-6) will try to avoid the season sweep against the AFC East rival New York Jets (5-5) Sunday at MetLife Stadium. The Jets won the first meeting 27-14 at London's Wembley Stadium in Week 4.

Can Miami get revenge? Here are three keys for the Dolphins to even the series  :

Key No. 1: Win in the trenches

The Dolphins were pounded in the trenches in their first meeting with the Jets. They must change that on both sides of the football to earn a season split. The Jets rushed for 207 yards and held the Dolphins to 59 in Week 4. New York running back Chris Ivory (166 yards) had a field day and punished Miami’s front seven even as the Dolphins were unable to establish the same physical presence on offense. Miami also cannot fall behind early and become one-dimensional, which will allow New York’s defensive line to focus on pressuring quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Key No. 2: Reduce physical and mental errors

The Dolphins have not been a smart football team over the past month. They have lost three of their past four games, with penalties and physical and mental errors common themes in the defeats. Miami had nine penalties in the Week 11 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Several of them negated positive plays that could have made a difference in an otherwise close game. Interim head coach Dan Campbell said reducing penalties was a major focus this week and he’s confident the team won’t have issues in those areas.

Key No. 3: Take advantage of no "Revis Island"

New York Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis is dealing with a concussion and not expected to play against the Dolphins, meaning things just got easier for Miami receivers Jarvis Landry, Rishard Matthews and Kenny Stills. Revis is a big part of New York’s scheme on defense and he has the ability to shut down any receiver he is covering. Without him, the Jets have fewer options in coverage and cannot be as comfortable and creative with their blitz packages.

>       http://espn.go.com/blog/miami-dolphins/post/_/id/18524/three-keys-for-dolphins-against-the-jets