Dolphins postgame thoughts

[popanot]

I think a big reason for the struggles with stopping the run is the lackluster play at ILB. They seemed to be waiting for the RB to hit their area rather than moving forward and attacking the LOS. We all know Cush is great, but you can tell those ribs are still bothering him (and definitely after that body-slam on the INT). James is a mess and you can't rely on the other guys.

This D could be SanFran 49er good with an upgrade at the other ILB position. We might be wishing we had never traded Demeco, especially if Cush can't regain full strength. Demeco had lost a step, but he was fearless and attacking at all times. This may sound insane, but I think they should try Mercilus or Reed at the other ILB (I'd try Reed).

[barrett]

Originally Posted by popanot

I think a big reason for the struggles with stopping the run is the lackluster play at ILB. They seemed to be waiting for the RB to hit their area rather than moving forward and attacking the LOS. We all know Cush is great, but you can tell those ribs are still bothering him (and definitely after that body-slam on the INT). James is a mess and you can't rely on the other guys.

This D could be SanFran 49er good with an upgrade at the other ILB position. We might be wishing we had never traded Demeco, especially if Cush can't regain full strength. Demeco had lost a step, but he was fearless and attacking at all times. This may sound insane, but I think they should try Mercilus or Reed at the other ILB (I'd try Reed).

I agree it was an issue sunday. The truth is that Cushing has to be a mad man for our scheme to work. He was less than that Sunday and it showed. Hopefully it is not an injury that lingers and hopefully nobody is patient enough to make us pay for it.

But I am not worried about Demeco being gone. If they have to turn to Dobbins he is fine when it comes to filling the hole and playing forward. Playing Mercilous or Reed would mean 6 guys on the field who can't cover. I am not excited for that since we already struggled with Bush out of the backfield the other day.

I'd say just play more Nickel/Dime but we cut Nolan for a ST guy (and then promptly gave up a return TD). So if it comes down to what we have at ILB on early downs or a DE/OLB or Keo, I say play with what we have. The way Quinn and Manning started getting into the backfield the last 3 quarters helped too as long as we aren't playing a great passing team.

[cadams]

i think it seems pretty clear that cushing's ribs were bothering him on sunday. one other thing i did hear during an interview was that they kept waiting for bush to try to bump his runs to the outside as he has in the past to avoid big runs, and that bush consistently took the cut back lane to the inside. not sure if this is just spin, but it makes at least a little sense. hopefully that was one of the big causes of the issues. we will see if it was this weekend, because mjd is going to run right at them.