ESPN.com - NFL - Take 2: Rams vs. Dolphins Friday, October 22, 2004
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Rams and Dolphins. Now they're back with a
second look.
Miami FS Antuan Edwards is listed as doubtful with a groin injury and
Arturo Freeman is expected to replace him if he can't play. Freeman has
good man-to-man cover skills, but he lost his starting job to Edwards
during the preseason. He will get caught out of position at times and
isn't a great open field tackler. That doesn't bode well for the Dolphins
with St. Louis' spread passing attack coming to town. If Edwards bites on
play-action or misses a tackle trying to deliver the big hit, the result
should be some big plays for the Rams.
Last week Buffalo's Willis McGahee became the fourth back to rush for more
than 100 yards against the Dolphins this year. Miami RDE Jason Taylor
believes that one of the reasons the run defense has faltered is defenders
are looking to force fumbles rather than wrapping up. Rams RB Marshall
Faulk hasn't lost a fumble since the 2002 season and backup Steven Jackson
is a powerful runner capable of breaking any arm tackles. As a result, the
Dolphins' run defense must stop pressing for the big play and focus on
tackling well.
Miami head coach Dave Wannstedt discussed replacing QB Jay Fiedler with
A.J. Feeley with his staff following the Dolphins' loss to the Bills last
week. While they decided against it at this point, there is a good chance
Wannstedt makes the move if Fiedler struggles early. The key for Fiedler
will be staying patient and managing the game well. He doesn't have the
weapons to keep pace with the potentially explosive St. Louis offense and
he'll open the door for another turnover-riddled day if he starts forcing
the ball downfield.
Jackson has impressed the Rams' coaching staff with how quickly he has
learned the offense and it feels comfortable with him in the game in
critical situations. One of the biggest reasons for his progress has been
Faulk, as he has shown Jackson the importance of preparing for each
opponent, watching film and constantly trying to get better. Jackson, who
is more powerful than Faulk, gives St. Louis a back who can grind out the
tough yards and protect the lead late the game. He should get plenty of
carries working against a Miami front seven that lacked depth before the
Dolphins released DE Chidi Ahanotu earlier this week.
Miami will line TE Randy McMichael up in the backfield at times
for three reasons. The first is it makes it more difficult for the outside
linebacker or safety to jam McMichael. McMichael has the burst to get
downfield quickly when he doesn't get held up at the line. The second
reason is the Dolphins can use McMichael to strengthen pass protection.
While McMichael isn't a great blocker, he has the size to hold his ground
at the point of attack. The third reason is it helps keep the defense off
balance. If the Rams don't recognize that McMichael is lined up in the
backfield he should have some success sliding out into the flat or
settling over the middle.
St. Louis QB Marc Bulger is showing good touch on his deeper throws and he
is making more big plays. One of the ways Miami can keep Bugler off
balance and still protect against getting beat deep is frequently bluffing
the blitz. If Bulger releases the ball before he sees the safeties or a
safety dropping back to give the corners help over the top, the result
could be a costly turnover.
The Dolphins' linebacker corps was far too aggressive inside the 10-yard
line last week and the Bills burned it for a touchdown off play-action.
The Rams may try to exploit that weakness when they get inside the red
zone, so Miami will have to play with much better discipline.
The Dolphins don't have great speed at running back, so they need quality
blocking to be effective attacking the perimeter. Offensive coordinator
Chris Foerster will help his offensive line seal the edge by putting a
receiver in motion and using that receiver to block down on a linebacker
or safety in the box. If the corner gets caught running with the receiver,
the back should have some success getting outside.
The Rams didn't practice on Wednesday, but don't take that as a sign that
head coach Mike Martz is overlooking Miami. Martz believes that giving his
players an extra day of rest following a Monday night game makes them
fresher and more energetic when they return to the practice field.
One of the reasons that St. Louis' run defense has struggled at times is
players are still adjusting to the changes new defensive coordinator Larry
Marmie has made to the scheme. As the players get more comfortable and
start making fewer mistakes the run defense should improve. The Rams did
an excellent job of shutting down Tampa Bay's ground attack on Monday
night. They look to build on that success working against a Dolphins team
that will come out running in an effort to take some pressure off the
passing game.
Special Teams
Miami PK Olindo Mare will miss his second consecutive game with a strained
right calf and Matt Bryant will replace him once again. Bryant connected
on both of his field goal attempts last week, including one from 47 yards.
St. Louis could also be without its place-kicker, as Jeff Wilkins sprained
an ankle on Monday night and is listed as questionable. The Rams have
signed Jeff Chandler as an insurance policy.
St. Louis P Sean Landeta was named the NFC's Special Teams Player of the
Week following his strong performance against Tampa Bay. He averaged 50.2
yards a punt and placed two of his four punts inside the Buccaneers'
20-yard line. With Miami's offense struggling to move the ball, Landetta
needs to have another strong game, as it will force the Dolphins to
sustain longer drives.
Prediction: Rams 24, Dolphins 16
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Rams and Dolphins. Now they're back with a
second look.
Miami FS Antuan Edwards is listed as doubtful with a groin injury and
Arturo Freeman is expected to replace him if he can't play. Freeman has
good man-to-man cover skills, but he lost his starting job to Edwards
during the preseason. He will get caught out of position at times and
isn't a great open field tackler. That doesn't bode well for the Dolphins
with St. Louis' spread passing attack coming to town. If Edwards bites on
play-action or misses a tackle trying to deliver the big hit, the result
should be some big plays for the Rams.
Last week Buffalo's Willis McGahee became the fourth back to rush for more
than 100 yards against the Dolphins this year. Miami RDE Jason Taylor
believes that one of the reasons the run defense has faltered is defenders
are looking to force fumbles rather than wrapping up. Rams RB Marshall
Faulk hasn't lost a fumble since the 2002 season and backup Steven Jackson
is a powerful runner capable of breaking any arm tackles. As a result, the
Dolphins' run defense must stop pressing for the big play and focus on
tackling well.
Miami head coach Dave Wannstedt discussed replacing QB Jay Fiedler with
A.J. Feeley with his staff following the Dolphins' loss to the Bills last
week. While they decided against it at this point, there is a good chance
Wannstedt makes the move if Fiedler struggles early. The key for Fiedler
will be staying patient and managing the game well. He doesn't have the
weapons to keep pace with the potentially explosive St. Louis offense and
he'll open the door for another turnover-riddled day if he starts forcing
the ball downfield.
Jackson has impressed the Rams' coaching staff with how quickly he has
learned the offense and it feels comfortable with him in the game in
critical situations. One of the biggest reasons for his progress has been
Faulk, as he has shown Jackson the importance of preparing for each
opponent, watching film and constantly trying to get better. Jackson, who
is more powerful than Faulk, gives St. Louis a back who can grind out the
tough yards and protect the lead late the game. He should get plenty of
carries working against a Miami front seven that lacked depth before the
Dolphins released DE Chidi Ahanotu earlier this week.
Miami will line TE Randy McMichael up in the backfield at times
for three reasons. The first is it makes it more difficult for the outside
linebacker or safety to jam McMichael. McMichael has the burst to get
downfield quickly when he doesn't get held up at the line. The second
reason is the Dolphins can use McMichael to strengthen pass protection.
While McMichael isn't a great blocker, he has the size to hold his ground
at the point of attack. The third reason is it helps keep the defense off
balance. If the Rams don't recognize that McMichael is lined up in the
backfield he should have some success sliding out into the flat or
settling over the middle.
St. Louis QB Marc Bulger is showing good touch on his deeper throws and he
is making more big plays. One of the ways Miami can keep Bugler off
balance and still protect against getting beat deep is frequently bluffing
the blitz. If Bulger releases the ball before he sees the safeties or a
safety dropping back to give the corners help over the top, the result
could be a costly turnover.
The Dolphins' linebacker corps was far too aggressive inside the 10-yard
line last week and the Bills burned it for a touchdown off play-action.
The Rams may try to exploit that weakness when they get inside the red
zone, so Miami will have to play with much better discipline.
The Dolphins don't have great speed at running back, so they need quality
blocking to be effective attacking the perimeter. Offensive coordinator
Chris Foerster will help his offensive line seal the edge by putting a
receiver in motion and using that receiver to block down on a linebacker
or safety in the box. If the corner gets caught running with the receiver,
the back should have some success getting outside.
The Rams didn't practice on Wednesday, but don't take that as a sign that
head coach Mike Martz is overlooking Miami. Martz believes that giving his
players an extra day of rest following a Monday night game makes them
fresher and more energetic when they return to the practice field.
One of the reasons that St. Louis' run defense has struggled at times is
players are still adjusting to the changes new defensive coordinator Larry
Marmie has made to the scheme. As the players get more comfortable and
start making fewer mistakes the run defense should improve. The Rams did
an excellent job of shutting down Tampa Bay's ground attack on Monday
night. They look to build on that success working against a Dolphins team
that will come out running in an effort to take some pressure off the
passing game.
Special Teams
Miami PK Olindo Mare will miss his second consecutive game with a strained
right calf and Matt Bryant will replace him once again. Bryant connected
on both of his field goal attempts last week, including one from 47 yards.
St. Louis could also be without its place-kicker, as Jeff Wilkins sprained
an ankle on Monday night and is listed as questionable. The Rams have
signed Jeff Chandler as an insurance policy.
St. Louis P Sean Landeta was named the NFC's Special Teams Player of the
Week following his strong performance against Tampa Bay. He averaged 50.2
yards a punt and placed two of his four punts inside the Buccaneers'
20-yard line. With Miami's offense struggling to move the ball, Landetta
needs to have another strong game, as it will force the Dolphins to
sustain longer drives.
Prediction: Rams 24, Dolphins 16
