New York Jets Run Offense vs. Miami Dolphins Run Defense

by John B on Oct 10, 2009 12:54 PM EDT Comment 4 comments

Miami ranks second in the league against the run, only surrendering 61 yards per game. The average against them is 2.9 yards per rush. This is going to be a tough team to get the run game going against, but the Jets' offensive line needs to start living up to its potential. The Dolphins are one of the rare teams to operate primarily out of a traditional 2 gap 3-4 defense. Every coach with such a scheme is from the Parcells-Belichick school. In this system, the linemen are responsible for tying up defensive linemen, holding the point of attack, clogging 2 gaps, and freeing others up to make plays. Other teams with a base 3-4 like the Jets want their linemen to pick a gap, win a matchup, penetrate, and make a play.

Former Jet Jason Ferguson anchors the middle. Paul Solai is his backup at nose tackle. This will probably be the area to watch in the run game. It's up to Nick Mangold to win battles up front by himself. He's certainly capable of doing so. If that happens, the other linemen get freed to hit the second level. It comes down to whether Channing Crowder and Akin Ayodele can get off the blocks of Jets linemen. Advantage New York if that's the case. I'm sure we'll see plenty of 8 man fronts. Yeremiah Bell is strong in run support. If Mangold wins his battle, though, the Jets are going to be able to get the ground game going.

At end, Miami will rotate Randy Starks, Kendall Langford, Tony McDaniel, and Phillip Merling. Langford is the starter opposite the right side of New York's line, where the Jets like to run a lot. Damien Woody' status could be a key here. I know how much everybody loves Brandon Moore, but he's looked very ordinary when the man next to him hasn't been good. Moore has been something of a liability without a strong tackle like Kareem McKenzie or Woody. He hasn't been able to help compensate for weaker players like Adrien Jones and Anthony Clement.

It's also time for more Shonn Greene. Teams are stacking the box against the Jets. There hasn't been a ton of room to run. Get the physical rookie in there to grind out yardage.

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Time for Shonn

I agree. Shonn should get 10 carries on Monday nite. I think it pushes Jones and keeps Neon Leon from getting beat up between the tackles. Jones seems to go down too easily on initial contact. I think if TJ’s touches are threatened he might run a little harder. Especially if Greene snaps off a couple of nice runs.

by Crackback on Oct 10, 2009 1:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

That is my one knock on TJ and that’s that he goes down too easily. Greene on the other hand made a name for himself within the college game for his yards after contact effort. 1000+ yards last year after contact I think, I remember towards the end of the season he passed 800 but I think when all the games had been played that number had risen to over 1000.

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by David_Wyatt on Oct 10, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Works best as a 3 back rotation

If we’re able to concentrate on the run each back has enough talent to be part of a timeshare. Think we may need to go to the air a couple of times to win this one, but that is just what my gut says.

And yes, I say “we” in reference to my team. We buy the tickets, the merchandise, the satellite options, drink in the sports bars, argue on the blogs, and act as the 12th man. You and I are invested in the team as well. Arguably to a longer term commitment than most of the staff that pass through.

Rex Ryan is great for New York.

by Bro Namath on Oct 10, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Feast on Fish!

Drop Leon in the slot and ram the ball alternating from Jones to Green every other run! They can see it coming but if the O-line does its job, the ground game will start to make gains. After they establish that sledge-hammer approach, play action to Keller and Leon!

Ahem, tartar sauce please!

by rcoolc66 on Oct 10, 2009 7:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs