Jetfan13 Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 I'm normally not an apologist for quarterbacks, but it must be pointed out there are numerous factors that contribute to poor performances like the stinker Chad Pennington had against the Ravens last Sunday. The Dolphins offensive line was manhandled and confused by Baltimore's defensive front. The running game got suffocated. Receivers weren't making the right sight adjustments. And the overall offense showed very little fight against the Ravens, which contributed to Pennington's four interception performance. Pennington, who completed 25 of 38 passes for 252 yards and one touchdown, was under so much pressure from the Ravens' THREE MAN front line, and regular FOUR man rush, the Dolphins had him in the shotgun 80 percent of the snaps. And he was still sacked three times, hurried 10 times, and knocked down on six more plays. Rookie left tackle Jake Long got beaten twice for sacks. His first one was to Terrell Suggs, who beat him with speed and effort. Suggs initially went inside, where he was blocked by center Samson Satele. But Suggs got off that block and went around Long to bring a retreating Pennington down. However, Long doesn't deserve all the blame on the play. Pennington had nowhere to go with the ball because Ted Ginn Jr. never noticed his quarterback was in trouble, adjusting his route, or coming back to the ball. On the second of Long's sacks the Ravens got him with a cornerback AND safety blitz. Both players came from his gap and left guard Andy Alleman deserves half a sack for not picking up one of the speedy defenders the Ravens brought on that fourth-quarter play. For the record, that was a six man rush. You regulars know I've loved Joe Flacco since I first heard one of his PASSES whiz past me at the Senior Bowl (I'm going again this year, so I'll hopefully fall for some more draft prospects). That big arm the rookie has allows him to make certain throws Pennington will never be able to make. Evidence of those throws were some of the 10 to 20 yard deep outs Flacco completed against the Dolphins. Those passes are the most difficult to throw, and defend. Only a handful of NFL quarterbacks could have completed that amazing 31-yard sideline throw Flacco made to Derrick Mason in the final minute of the second half, which led to a 31-yard field goal three plays later. While Pennington proved he can make many throws this season, he can't make that one, and proof if it was that bad pass he threw to Davone Bess on a post route. That's the one throw Pennington said he wishes he had back, and when you look at the film you understand why he threw an interception because Bess was blanketed by a safety and cornerback. Baltimore crowded the middle of the field all game with four to six stand up defenders (three down linemen routinely), forcing Pennington to throw outside the numbers. An offense with a good running game would have run on that scheme. But that defense made Pennington rely on his arm strength more than he'd like. That's what led to two of his four interceptions. Pressure contributed to three of the four picks, including the throw to Bess. The last interception was just a great read by Ravens safety Ed Reed, who said he noticed Pennington stares down his receivers during his film study. Reed had no business breaking on that ball, leaving the right side of the end zone without safety help. But the Ravens secondary blanketed the two options Pennington had over there.... Enough quarterback talk (some of you know how painful that is for me).... Enough quarterback talk (some of you know how painful that is for me).... Paul Soliai's recent play has somewhat altered my opinion about his potential, which still requires exploration. It must be pointed out Soliai, who recorded four tackles this season, was unblocked on the forced fumble he caused on Baltimore's first offensive series. The right guard was pulling and Soliai found the hole his departure created and hit it quickly, punishing Le'Ron McClain with every ounce of the 355 pounds he carries. Even though Soliai has shown some progress this season, it would still be wise for the Dolphins to draft or sign another nose tackle this offseason. Jason Ferguson, who turns 35 next season, isn't getting any younger. His 22 tackles was a career low as a starter during his 12 year career.... The first quarter end zone pass to Todd Heap that Yeremiah Bell broke up by jumping on the tight end's back and using his huge arms to force the ball out makes an excellent case why re-signing Bell should be atop this team's offseason agenda. While Bell has only contributed one interception in his career, his role as a strong safety is to bring physicality to the secondary, not hawk balls down. However, Bell has broken up 11 passes this season, and a number of them were critical stops like the one he got on Sunday. I suspect a four-year deal that pays Bell around $14 million is justified, but the Dolphins might want to do something shorter. Safeties are one of the worst paid positions in the NFL, ahead of only kickers and punters, fullbacks and tight ends. St. Louis' O.J. Atogwe and Cleveland's Sean Jones, who is coming off a season-ending knee injury, will likely set the market for free agent safeties this offseason. Gibril Wilson, who is 27, got a six-year deal worth $39 million from the Raiders, who paid him $16 million in guaranteed money. Wilson contributed nine more tackles, and half a sack more than Bell. But Wilson has 13 career interceptions, doesn't have an injury-plagued past, and is nearly four years younger than Bell.... The Dolphins never got Flacco down for a sack, and overall, the defense fell 11 sacks shy of the team's three sacks per game goal. Troubling is the fact Joey Porter (17 1/2 sacks) alone contributed as many sacks as all 13 of the team's contributing defensive linemen and linebackers combined. Vonnie Holliday, Nate Jones (on a cornerback blitz), Channing Crowder (two quarterback hurries), Rodrique Wright, Reggie Torbor and Akin Ayodele came close to getting Flacco down. But the Dolphins only pressured the rookie seven times on his 23 passing attempts. That's not good considering it was a key to the game, and more proof the defense needs another pass rusher. Sparano singled out rookie defensive end Kendall Langford (33 tackles and two sacks this season) for playing one of his better games against the Ravens. Langford only contributed two tackles, but he consistently held his ground on running downs, and was effective shedding his blocker. The next step for Langford is to start creating more pass rushing pressure. He played against Baltimore more than he usually does because Randy Starks was sidelined by his ankle sprain.... Brandon London's four catches for 38 yards showed the potential this waiver-wire pickup possesses as a receiver. It'll be interesting to see how this special teams stud develops this offseason as a wide-out. Will he get stronger, and improve his film study habits? His development might lesson the need for the Dolphins to draft a receiver early.... Davone Bess should be commended for playing through a severely sprained right thumb. On the same drive he dropped a pass because of the thumb injury the undrafted rookie produced that big 45 yard play by taking a quick hitch 40 yards up field, changing directions four times. His quickness allows him to work better in tight space than any receiver the Dolphins have on the roster. It'll be interesting to see what this team will be able to accomplish with Ginn stretching the field next season, and a healthy Greg Camarillo and Bess working the underneath stuff again. Add London to the mix and the Dolphins presently have four receiver spots locked up for 2009. For those who want to criticize Ginn, keep this in mind: Put him on a team with a dominant running game, one that would make play-action fakes work, and a strong armed quarterback like Flacco and he'd become one of the NFL's biggest deep threats. Ginn had been running so many decoy 9-routes, stretching the field against the Ravens, by the time that critical end-around play was called he was gasping for air in the huddle. His hands were actually on his knees (a bad sign). Along with the pressure the Raven's blitz presented, I suspect his fatigue contributed to the fumbled exchange. It was a poorly timed play-call, a mistake offensive coordinator Dan Henning deserves more heat for than Ginn does. Ginn still has value, and needs time to develop into a better all-around receiver. It should be interesting to watch what he does with Chad Henne in 2009, during training camp and the exhibition season. Receivers usually show what they will become in their third season, when their tools are more polished. I'm personally far more disappointed in Ginn the returner (20.3 yard average on kickoffs and 7.7 yards on punt returns) than Ginn the receiver (team-leading 61 receptions for 828 yards (13.5 yards a reception), and four touchdowns (two rushing). These rewinds have been a painful labor of love. I hope you've enjoyed them because they very time consuming, and take a ton out of me. But what I, and hopefully you learn from them are priceless. ENJOY C J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crashingjet Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 At least Miami made it to the playoffs, and we did it the best possible way, by beating the Jets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetfan13 Posted January 10, 2009 Author Share Posted January 10, 2009 At least Miami made it to the playoffs, and we did it the best possible way, by beating the Jets. yep, you sucked a little less then we did Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afosomf Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 At least Miami made it to the playoffs, and we did it the best possible way, by beating the Jets. did hardcore ever show up or did he blow his brains out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crashingjet Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 yep, you sucked a little less then we did Uh, 2 wins better actually, but thanks for playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridajet Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 At least Miami made it to the playoffs, and we did it the best possible way, by beating the Jets. Great comeback dork... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetfan13 Posted January 10, 2009 Author Share Posted January 10, 2009 Uh, 2 wins better actually, but thanks for playing. and we split, nice accomplishment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTM Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 I'm continually amazed by grown mens almost instinctual need to rush to the defense of the noodle arm. It's like he's a defenseless little girl or something. I.don't.get.it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aec4 Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 At least Miami made it to the playoffs, and we did it the best possible way, by beating the Jets. does a 1st round playoff exit really get you all arroused? It's meaningless. NOONE will remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docdhc Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 One play typified Penningtons limitations. On the int that Ed Reed fielded and returned for a long TD Chad tried to go long to Ginn who had created space on the CB and had Reed on the inside. If Pennington could make the long throw over Ginn's shoulder toward the sideline that play might have been a TD. Instead the ball floated short and towards the middle of the field allowing Reed to get under it, and then he made a great runback to score. An elite QB like Brady or a guy with a gun like McNabb or Cutler can make that play, but Chad cannot. When you need him to win the game with a big play against a top defense he comes up short. That is why he has never won anything beyond a wild card game and is 2-4 in the playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#27TheDominator Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 does a 1st round playoff exit really get you all arroused? It's meaningless. NOONE will remember. Herm Edwards kept his job on just that for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aec4 Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Herm Edwards kept his job on just that for years. No kidding. I'm not a big time supporter of mediocrity though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boynton Beach Jets Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Long is so overrated he was dominated by the Ravens he was like a little boy among men Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbatesman Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 I'm continually amazed by grown mens almost instinctual need to rush to the defense of the noodle arm. It's like he's a defenseless little girl or something. I.don't.get.it. Honestly, it's comical. The guy is a grown man and a professional quarterback (by some standards). He's just not very good against a real opponent. There's no formula or trickery involved, no elaborate defense necessary. He's mediocre. The discussion starts and ends there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aec4 Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Honestly, it's comical. The guy is a grown man and a professional quarterback (by some standards). He's just not very good against a real opponent. There's no formula or trickery involved, no elaborate defense necessary. He's mediocre. The discussion starts and ends there. It's pretty easy to figure out. HIs ball just doesn't get to it's destination as fast as the next guys. When a team like the Ravens is there FLYING around, it's tough for Pennington to figure out the D. That's a split second lost. His arm can't make up the split second, giving the Ravens Defenders times to fly to the ball. Look at that pick in the red zone.. Ed Reed comes all the way from the other side of the field and makes the play... Why? Because he has the time to react due to the over analysis by Pennington + the lack of arm strength to get the ball there in time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmike1 Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 At least Miami made it to the playoffs, and we did it the best possible way, by beating the Jets. Who cares? You beat an awful Jets team that lost to the horrible seahawks the week before. The dolfags still best zero good teams in the entire season and they were blown off the field at home in the playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbatesman Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 It's pretty easy to figure out. HIs ball just doesn't get to it's destination as fast as the next guys. When a team like the Ravens is there FLYING around, it's tough for Pennington to figure out the D. That's a split second lost. His arm can't make up the split second, giving the Ravens Defenders times to fly to the ball. Look at that pick in the red zone.. Ed Reed comes all the way from the other side of the field and makes the play... Why? Because he has the time to react due to the over analysis by Pennington + the lack of arm strength to get the ball there in time. I think the thing that gets me is how his defenders always say he's a "winner," like he's a poor man's Joe Montana--limited physical tools but the heart of a champion. That simply isn't true. The problem isn't just that Chad has an arm like a twelve-year-old girl, it's that he completely freezes up in big games and makes terrible mistakes. Not that the Chad fanboys would ever believe that--after all, he's so good at taking care of the football... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor99 Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Herm Edwards kept his job on just that for years. I'm still trying to forget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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