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After analyzing this matchup and the performances of the players throughout the year, besides starting Goff, here are a few more things I would consider.
Robinson continues to mirror Jason Smith and is by FAR the weakest link of all starters on this team. Saffold needs to hold down LT and put both Wichmann and Brown at guards. The truly disappointing thing about Robinson is that his run blocking has been even worse than his pass blocking. For all the hand-wringing over keeping Keenum in place for too long...Robinson has proven over too long that he just doesn't have what it takes.
Austin is fine in the gadget role, but Cooper, IMO, is a better receiver in the slot. For that matter, so is Marquez. Kendricks has been surprisingly ineffective as a run blocker and should be utilized almost exclusively as a pass catcher. Higbee has graded better as a run blocker than Kendricks but that role should truly go to Harkey. Speaking of Harkey, he has quietly become one of the NFL's most effective fullbacks. We should run more plays with him in that position.
My most controversial change would be expanding Benny Cunningham's role as a runner and reducing Gurley's snaps. Benny has simply outperformed Gurley and though it's not all Todd's fault, defenses simply play differently when Cunningham lines up. I am NOT suggesting Benny supplant Todd as the starter as that would have several negative consequences. But for THIS game, I want the ball more in Benny's hands.
On defense, the Dolphin's recent success has been running the ball. However, the Dolphin O-line is no match for AD and Brockers. The Fin passing attack doesn't feature the TE and with Joyner dinged up and needing to get healthy, I'd use Forrest more in this game. Jarvis Landry as the only scary receiver on their roster and Tru needs to exclusively shadow him. Hill and Gaines may be coming on but I would make this a personal challenge to Tru and have him completely focus on that to the exclusion of run and blitz responsibilities.
As far as ST, I wouldn't change a thing. Now that's refreshing.
One last thing, I thought Groh was brought here to upgrade the passing attack. He has shown more creativity lately and with Jared making his first start, I'd like to see a focus on mid range passes on first down and screens to slow down the pass rush. While I thought we became too predictable with the jet sweep last year, I feel we haven't used it enough this year. I would also like to see Goff unhurl deep shots three times on second and short in this game.
Robinson continues to mirror Jason Smith and is by FAR the weakest link of all starters on this team. Saffold needs to hold down LT and put both Wichmann and Brown at guards. The truly disappointing thing about Robinson is that his run blocking has been even worse than his pass blocking. For all the hand-wringing over keeping Keenum in place for too long...Robinson has proven over too long that he just doesn't have what it takes.
Austin is fine in the gadget role, but Cooper, IMO, is a better receiver in the slot. For that matter, so is Marquez. Kendricks has been surprisingly ineffective as a run blocker and should be utilized almost exclusively as a pass catcher. Higbee has graded better as a run blocker than Kendricks but that role should truly go to Harkey. Speaking of Harkey, he has quietly become one of the NFL's most effective fullbacks. We should run more plays with him in that position.
My most controversial change would be expanding Benny Cunningham's role as a runner and reducing Gurley's snaps. Benny has simply outperformed Gurley and though it's not all Todd's fault, defenses simply play differently when Cunningham lines up. I am NOT suggesting Benny supplant Todd as the starter as that would have several negative consequences. But for THIS game, I want the ball more in Benny's hands.
On defense, the Dolphin's recent success has been running the ball. However, the Dolphin O-line is no match for AD and Brockers. The Fin passing attack doesn't feature the TE and with Joyner dinged up and needing to get healthy, I'd use Forrest more in this game. Jarvis Landry as the only scary receiver on their roster and Tru needs to exclusively shadow him. Hill and Gaines may be coming on but I would make this a personal challenge to Tru and have him completely focus on that to the exclusion of run and blitz responsibilities.
As far as ST, I wouldn't change a thing. Now that's refreshing.
One last thing, I thought Groh was brought here to upgrade the passing attack. He has shown more creativity lately and with Jared making his first start, I'd like to see a focus on mid range passes on first down and screens to slow down the pass rush. While I thought we became too predictable with the jet sweep last year, I feel we haven't used it enough this year. I would also like to see Goff unhurl deep shots three times on second and short in this game.
