(Dolphins.com)
It's been a victory Monday in Davie, FL, where the Dolphins continue to celebrate their big week one win yesterday against the Patriots.
Speaking of that win, the Dolphins did so much right in that second half, didn't they?
They blocked well. They ran well. The passed well. The rushed the passer well.
It's hard to pick just one!
Luckily for you, I'll pick five things. If you remember, I went over five specific things Miami needed to do yesterday in order to win. And I have to tell you, I can't recall a game over the past two years where the team actually executed all five things like they did yesterday.
Let's revisit them:
1. Create pressure without blitzing. Yeah, check this one off your list. Four, count them, F-O-U-R second half sacks for the defense yesterday, and none came off the blitz. Cam Wake had two, Jared Odrick had one, and so did Olivier Vernon. Executed to absolute perfection.
2. Use the HEAT. The heat index was 95 yesterday, which is EXACTLY why 1 pm games are an advantage for this team. You cannot sit there and tell me that the temperature didn't affect the Pats just a tiny bit in the second half. They looked slower, older, and out of shape. And the second half splits only strengthen that argument. I wanted a fourth quarter lead so we could pin our ears back, use the heat, and win the game. Check, check, and check.
3. Use Knowshon. I've told you for a while now, and is there any more doubt after yesterday? Knowshon Moreno is the starter on this offense. The depth chart may not say it, the coaches may not admit it, but he is. And thank GOODNESS he is. 24 carries, 134 yards, and the game-sealing TD on third and four. Greg Gumbel said it best: Knowshon Moreno put that team on his back.
4. Be emotional. No question about it, the Dolphins wanted this game more. They were hungrier, more passionate, they hit harder, ran harder, and, in the end, played harder. LB Chris McCain cried after the game, his eyes were swollen in the post game interview. Think he wanted it more yesterday? Be emotional, use the crowd, and win the game. Perfect.
5. Eliminate GRONK. 4 catches, 40 yards, and a TD. No second half catches. None. The only slip up was when Brent Grimes was matched up with Gronk at the goal line.. that's a problem all day long. Besides that there was no magic between Brady and Gronkowski on this day. Great second half adjustments by Kevin Coyle and the defensive secondary.
Again, this may be the first time all five keys were accomplished to perfection. Do things need to be corrected? Sure. Cleaned up? Absolutely. But it was a near perfect start for your 1-0 Miami Dolphins.
ELLERBE OUT FOR YEAR
One bit of sobering news on this otherwise happy Monday. LB Dannell Ellerbe left yesterday's game early on with a hip injury. He remained on the sidelines but never re-entered the game.
Well, it turns out that injury was far more serious than initially thought, because it was announced today that Ellerbe has been placed on the IR, and will miss the remained of the 2014 season with a hip injury.
Veteran LB Kelvin Shepherd has been brought in to replace Ellerbe. I like Shepherd. He's a good leader, has good experience, and should be just fine.
But this is a tough loss a unit that's already so thin to begin with.
Look for Chris McCain, Jelani Jenkins, and Jason Trusnik to see A LOT more playing time this season.
Check back later for one final post game article before we turn our attention to the Bills.
Alright, you may return to your Victory Monday.
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