Bolts From The Blue: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
New Blog: Once A Metro covering Red Bull New York!

Chargers vs. Dolphins - Offense

The Miami offense went off in their last game against New England.  Their game plan of using the 'Wildcat' formation in which the ball is snapped in the shotgun formation to Ronnie Brown while their QB Chad Pennington became a wideout thoroughly flummoxed the Patriot defense.  They ran it six times and Ronnie Brown ended up with four rushing TDs and one throwing.  While the head coach Sparano is unlikely to achieve the same surprise, there is no doubt he will show some creativity in plays against the Chargers.  The Dolphins are coming off a year in which they went 1-15.  When they Jets released Chad Pennington after picking up Favre, the Dolphins quickly took him to be their QB.  He had been a bit spotty in their first two games, but came on strong against the Patriots, he is currently sporting a QB rating of 88.

Tx_ronnie_brown_rosato_medium

Ronnie Brown via i.a.cnn.net


 

Star-divide

As the result of going 1-15 the Dolphins picked up Jake Long with the first choice of the 2008 draft.  Starting at left tackle this year, he was somewhat suspect the first two games, but was a key player in sparking Brown's amazing game against the Patriots.  Last year the Dolphins line was abysmal and they worked hard to upgrade it in the offseason.  At right guard the Dolphins have Ndukwe who bounced around a few teams before gaining the starting job with the Dolphins and may be exploitable.  An interesting note, the entire Dolphin line was nominated for offensive player of the week along with Brown.

At wide receiver the Dolphins have last years pick, Ted Ginn.  Ginn, a speedster, was largely considered a reach in the draft last year, this year he has eight receptions for 75 yards.  The other wide receiver, Greg Camarillo has 11 catches for 148 yards thus far; this season there are no TDs to either player.  The Miami Tight ends have good hands.  A. Fasano has 11 catches for 150 yards and two TDs, David Martin has 8 catches for 106 yards and one TD; given the Chargers trouble in covering Tight Ends this could be big trouble for them.

The heart of the Dolphin offense really resides in their two backs.  When not smoking the Ganja, Ricky Williams is blasting by linebackers; whether he can keep himself stable for the entire season is an open question.  Williams already has three fumbles in this season, so hanging onto the rock is an issue.  Ronnie Brown is a terrific power runner as he showed last week, between the two of them they have 300 yards on the season, but Brown has all five TDs. I wouldn't be surprised if he got a majority of the carries against the Chargers.

A quick look at football Outsiders suggests that their running game is actually weaker than their passing, they are picking up a respectable 225 yards per game with three TDs and one interception.  Even so their one win was won with their wildcat formation with four TDs coming from the ground game.  One advantage the Chargers will obviously have is that they will undoubtedly practice against that and Brown throwing; hopefully they won't overreact.

Poll
What should the Chargers worry about most?
The Wildcat Formation
12 votes
Covering the Tight Ends
33 votes
The Running Game
48 votes
The Bolts have nothing to worry about!
18 votes

111 votes | Poll has closed

1 recs  |  Comment 2 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

i see your wildcat and raise you

an acrobatic defense. bring it on.

www.wellbelowthemendozaline.blogspot.com

by justdave on Oct 1, 2008 1:29 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

fortunately.....

i think Cooper is the reason their wildcat wouldn’t be successful.

If Cooper wasn’t playing and Miami they had 2 TEs to go along with a 5 guy line they could probably block Jamal (2 guys), Castillo, Igor, Philips and Harris/Tucker. Then you’re just running an option with 2 very good running backs against Smith, Wilhelm, Hart and Weddle. It has a decent chance of working. However, Cooper’s speed destroys every play and forces them to do something different.

I had at least a little fear against every team we’ve faced this year. I have none against Miami. All of their strengths played into NE’s weaknesses, but they play directly into our strengths.

by John Gennaro on Oct 1, 2008 1:52 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

E-mail: boltsfromtheblue@gmail.com
Call or Txt: 760-515-BFTB (2382)
Start posting about the Chargers »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Dscn3531_small
The Broncos 2010 Defense
Small
SB Nation Survey + Chance to donate $500 to a charity of this community's choice
Me_as_a_simpson_small
Represent Your Team in MHR's Live Mock!
Small
This just in-Chargers receive Seahawks' 2011 3rd rd. pick and swap 2nd rd. picks in 2010 Draft
Awesome-kid_small
Maybe I'm jumping the gun but...
J_page_small
Needing Some Assistance
56tearsdownfelixjones_small
LaDainian Tomlinson, a Jet
Small
Mock help
Small
So we sign Marcus Mason?
Small
Gates to be on Pros vs. Joes

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SBNation.com Recent Stories

Photo link

A Deeper Look At The 2009 Cowboys Running Game

Photo +1 updates

Rams, Redskins Showing Interest In QB Sam Bradford

Photo +3 updates

Trent Baalke Reportedly Taking Over 49ers GM Duties

More from SBNation.com >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

Acme Packing Company
Aaron Kampman Wanted To Thank You
Arrowhead Pride
Alabama's Terrence Cody Lining Up Visits With 3-4 Teams
Big Cat Country
2010 Scouting Report: Sean Lissemore, DT, William & Mary

Managing Editor

Chargershorse_small John Gennaro

Assistant Editor

Pomeranian_of_war_small Richard Wade

Graphic Designer

Johnnycashsleeve_small QuesaDiaz