RE-CAP: Jax vs Mia

8/17/2009	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	OT	F
DOLPHINS	3	3	6	0	0	12
JAGUARS	0	6	3	0	0	9

Well I had a lot of observations in this battle of the FG kickers in Miami's 12 to 9 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coach Sparano managed to test a lot of things out, but keep in mind several things will be different in the next game. For one, Jacksonville has very little pass rush, and that will change versus Carolina. Jacksonville does have a stout line against the run however, and that showed when the 1st teamers were up. But once Donald Thomas came in to the game, behind starter Shawn Murphy, that all changed. Let's face it, anyone who saw the game and watched the line play KNOWS now that Donald Thomas will be starting on day one of the regular season. Shawn Murphy was not good at run-blocking and got called for a penalty at one point, which was one of three penalties committed by the offense. Jacksonville on the other hand had two drives in the 2nd half where they were going backwards due to back to back to back penalties.

I'm not going to do a weekly stock report like Omar Kelly, but I will say what went right and what needs work.

Right:

• Cam Wake was as expected - he applied the most pressure of the game.

• Joey Porter did not get in the backfield in limited reps but looked stronger against the run and in coverage.

• Jason Taylor looked both strong and energetic. He got some good push into the pocket.

• Henne showed he still has the arm, and the ability to recover. He looked better after throwing the INT. He also seemed less bother by the defensive pressure than the other two QBs (maybe it's all the sacks he's taking in practice?).

• Ted Ginn. Had he had a full game he might've gotten the game ball. Besides Lex Hilliard, I can't think of anyone who moved the ball as much as Ginn.
  

• Lex Hilliard looked like Justin Fargas' twin in this game. He's heavy but is very tightly compacted so he can both drive into a tackle as well as slip through them.

• Donald Thomas got a major amount of reps all-things considered, and looked much better than I thought he would. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if he's back at starter in practices this week.

• I don't know how this happened but little Chris Williams has suddenly made a big statement for himself. I would be willing to bet he set a pre-season record for most return yards in a game, not that they keep such records. He had issues fielding the ball but once he had it he was dangerous (remind you of anyone?).

Wrong:

• I know it's early, but between the scrimmage, this game and a handful of recent practices, Pennington looks out of sorts a bit. I know it's Pennington's job to lose but if he doesn't get back on target, and Henne shows even a bit more of improvement, there WILL be a QB controversy in Miami again.

• The play-calling/Dan Henning. I know it's the pre-season but you don't run on 3rd and 5 against Jacksonville's tough run defense, and there was NO reason to show some of the things that pat White did, mainly the designed QB draws. While every opponent may know it's coming, they don't need it on tape this early on. What happened to 'we brought Pat here to be a QB"? The guy ran the ball more than he passed, and that wild-cat-ish play was completely unnecessary.

• Greg Camarillo did not play in the game. I don't know why, but with this stiff WR competition going on, what he did last year doesn't count anymore. He needs to get in the game.

• Vontae Davis got outshined by Sean Smith in their first NFL game, with Smith shutting down his man most of the time (I think he only gave up ONE catch all game) and getting the big INT plus collecting 3 or 4 tackles. Davis meanwhile got called for two penalties, took an earful from Gibril Wilson, Reggie Torbor, and Coach Sparano, and looked like he wanted to cry when he was on the bench at the end of the game. In fact, most people won't notice this, but Davis GOT benched and Sean Smith got to go back in for some more reps before garbage time came around.

• Eric Green. Green just was not there. He honestly looked like a high school player out there. If you had to choose between Green and Davis being out on an island with a receiver, I'd pick Davis because even if he gives up a catch you know he'll make the tackle due to his size and strength. Sean Smith is clearly leaps and bounds ahead of those two for the starting job.
  

Here's how the game went:

1st quarter:

• 1st pass rush is collapsing pocket, mostly due to JT. Ferguson also getting great push up the middle. Jax is countering with short drops, shovel passes, screens, etc. but for the most part the front 7 is disrupting David Garrard.
• When Dolphins have the ball, Pennington looks very nervous and slow making the decisions he needs to make. He will need a lot more pre-season reps than last year.
• 3rd down MIA: Donald Thomas absolutely stands up Ellison, Jake Long takes his guy out of the play. Pennington has about an hour to find Ginn underneath and he turns up field (and out of bounds) for the 1st down. It is the first 1st down of the game but on the fourth drive.
  
• Ronnie started the game but came out almost immediately. Ricky getting all the carries at this point, showing speed on an end-around. The middle of the defense is stout but the blockers are holding them off enough to get Ricky to the outside. Next play Ricky gets called for holding. on the very NEXT play Ricky collides with Pennington causing near fumble and on the next play Ricky loses two yards trying to go up the middle. Miami ends up with 3rd and 26 and ends up punting on next play. Offense is not moving well with Pennington at the helm.
• Tony McDaniel is looking active, surprisingly spry for a 300+ lb guy.
  
• Nate Jones on outside blitz gets to the QB just beating JT there. sack causes the ball to pop right into Randy Starks' hands but he drops it and Jax recovers.
• Chris Williams will get almost every punt and kickoff return in the game. On this one he makes a huge blunder, fielding the punt at the 5 yd line then running across the field and backwards, gets tackled inside his own 1 yd line pinning Miami deep.
  
• Pennington tries to get out of there by going deep to Ginn. Ball just doesn't get there but Ginn makes GREAT adjustment on the ball, ends up drawing a defensive pass interference call, good for 35 yards and a first down.
• Ginn runs out of bounds after a 14 yard gain on a reverse. Another 1st down.
• Ronnie gets his first carry of the game, 3.5 yards up the middle.

2nd Quarter:

• Sparano doesn't allow Pennington to continue drive. As soon as quarter begins he puts in Henne.
• 1st play a quick pitch to Brown who bobbles the pitch but hangs on and gets 5 yards. On 3rd and 5 Ronnie runs up the middle for 4 yards.
  
• Punt - Vontae Davis playfully (and stupidly) runs into returner who calls for fair catch - 15 yard penalty. Davis gets coached on field by Gibril Wilson. It was sort of a judgement call by the refs as the whistle had been blown a good two seconds before the little hug Davis gave the returner.
• On the next play Davis makes a good adjustment and reacts quickly to make a good strong tackle on the running back.
• Nate Jones gets screened off his man, Dillard, who gets wide open across the middle for a big gain.
• Eric Green stumbles, gives up easy 1st down catch.
• Green not paying attention to the snap gives up another easy catch.
• On ensuing kick after a Jax FG, Chris Williams shows his straight line speed with a 35yd return but he allowed the kicker to push him out of bounds...had he turned inside, he would've had an easy 101 yard TD return.
  
• With Henne in game they've run the ball 4 times in a row. D Thomas is making holes.
• Henne's 1st throw underthrown into double coverage. Considine spears the ball with one hand but drops the should've-been INT.
• Out of the shotgun on 3rd down, Henne finds Hartline open underneath for 19 yards. Good run after the catch.
• Patrick Turner open for 10 yards. He makes sure he has the ball secure before turning up field.
• On 3rd and 1, Ricky gets stopped 2 yards behind the LOS but bounces off tackles to get the 1st down.
• Quick pass to Polite for 3 yards.
• On 3rd and goal there is a delay of game penalty. Inexcusable considering the giant play clock in front of Henne, but it appeared to be Grove's fault or at least mis-communication between the two.
• 3rd and goal again, Henne throws PERFECT fade pass to Ricky, hits him in the hands, and Ricky drops the easy TD. Miami settles for a FG.
• Eric Green gives up another easy catch. This guy is not looking anywhere near starting caliber NFL cornerback. He looks like he's thinking about something else.
• Cam Wake gets LEVELLED on his 1st pass rush. He gets stood up by the RT and then the tight end comes up and smacks him in the mouth, sending him into the air and on his back. HUGE block. On same play Bouman completes pass to Williamson in front of Davis' coverage which wasn't bad, and he makes solid tackle, but needs to not let receiver get inside of him like that.
• Next play Wake comes back and ALMOST gets to Bouman, forcing a rushed (and bad) throw.
• Next play Wake gets blatantly held - no call - and the Jags get a lucky ricochet catch for a 1st down at Miami's 13 yd line with 37 seconds left in the half.
• McDaniel saves a TD on a WR screen after he chases down a speedy receiver.
• 2nd and 5 and Culver deflects pass, Eric Green is just out of reach of an INT.
• 3rd and 5: Jax false start.
• 3rd and 10: Jax false start.
• 3rd and 15: WAKE!!! Cam gets to Bouman despite the RT grabbing his facemask. Bouman got the pass out but it goes nowhere due to the impact.
• Jax settles for a FG.
• Chris Williams picks up a squibbed KO and again nearly takes it to the house.

3rd quarter:

• Jax squibs kick again and again Williams with big return out to the 40.
• Henne quick hitter complete to Brandon London for 5 yards. London looks strong after the catch but can't get open for rest of the game.
  
• Henne sacked, Brandon Frye gets caught on an island. Terrible job of lining up. The DE just waltzes into Henne.
• Fields with a HUGE 63 yard punt....into the end zone for a touchback.
• Langford beats his man on a stunt and LEVELS Bouman as he gets rid of ball.
• Williams back to receive punt, electrifying 24 yard return, bouncing off tackles. He bobbles the catch almost everytime, but his speed is dizzying. Think he makes BOTH teams nervous. The return is called back, but the replay shows that JAX should've been called on the play for dangerous block in the back.
• Henne throws a bullet to Turner. 16 yards and 1st down.
• Another good throw from Henne to Turner but Turner can't hold on.
• 3rd and 9 under heavy pressure Henne makes bad decision, and bad throw to John Nalbone and JAX comes up with the INT. And right on cue, the sky opens up and the rain is flash-flood worthy. The infield immediately turns into a slimy sponge.
• Vontae Davis gets called for pass interference over the back. Tough call, he was trying to be physical, but too physical (we all knew that was going to happen since draft day).
• 3rd and 6: Wake gets by the RT again - he's gotten close a few times.
• 3rd and 11: after JAX penalty, a screen pass for TD is called back due to ANOTHER penalty.
• 3rd and 16: false start JAX.
• JAX settles for a FG on 4th and 13. JAX up 9 to 6.
• Chris Williams ANOTHER big return to the 39, then the Jax kicker gets called for a personal foul, giving up another 10 yards (do kickers only get 10 yds instead of 15?)
• Hilliard in, gets 9 yd run behind left side of line. D Thomas with good pull.
• Hilliard 3yds up middle, 1st down.
• Wilford left ALL ALONE, Henne hits him for 33 yard TOUCHDOWN! The safety makes terrible effort to tackle Wilford who just steps over the sliding defender. The extra point is blocked after Carpenter slides on the slick infield.
• Jax ball, 1st and 1o: false start.
• 1st and 15: false start.
• 3rd and 8: Wake applies pressure, but Bouman gets the ball out for 1st down. Clemons gets his first tackle.
• Courtney Bryan called for late hit penalty after Sean Smith makes solid tackle.
• On 1st and 10, Bouman throws a beautiful touchdown pass to....SEAN SMITH!! Smith jumps the route and looked like the WR on the play (for what its worth, Smith had beaten the defender/wide receiver with his speed) and makes the HUGE INTERCEPTION in the end zone. Smith celebrates with the fans in the..wait for it...shark pool. Nope, couldn't say that with a straight face.
• Pat White comes in with 3 minutes left in the 3rd. White rolls out and throws UGLY out pass to Turner who turns into Mr. Fantastic and stretches for the catch. Next play they run the exact same play but Turner shows hands of lead. Better throw from White.
• Hilliard 10 yd run up the middle.
• White runs for 8 yards.
• Hilliard up the middle again for 7 yards.
• White rolls out to the right, has to throw across his body, not a good idea, TERRIBLE pass, incomplete.
• Murphy gets called for false start, but Ndukwe (RT) jumped as well.
• White pass to Anthony Kimble bounces off of Kimble's chest and is picked off by Jax.

4th Quarter

• Jax goes for it on 4th down but good coverage from Jason Allen and low pass turn the ball over.
• 2nd down MIA: White slips a bit on the infield but manages a good pass out to Anthony Armstrong but the ball hits Armstrong in the hands (and I'm not exaggerating here) bounces back a good 5 yards. it was as if A.A.'s hands were a concrete sidewalk and the football was a super bouncy ball like you get out of a vending machine.
• 3rd down: terrible throw into the turf.
• 4th down: Cam Wake makes the solo tackle on punt coverage.
• Jax ball - 1st down Joey Thomas makes good open field tackle, 2nd down Wladen makes a big tackle to bring up 3rd and 5.
• 3rd down: JD Folsom gets a free welcome to the NFL interception. Ball is thrown right to him.
• Wilford whiffs BADLY on not one but TWO defenders and Hilliard loses yardage as a result.
• First "SPREAD" 5 receiver set - Armstrong, London, Hilliard, Haynos and James Robinson are the receivers. Good throw out to Robinson for 7 yards.
• Next play White has 5 receivers (including 2 or 3 wide open ones) but chooses to run across the field for a one yard gain on 3rd and 3. Miami has to punt.
• Okay, it's officially garbage time, the final eighth of the game: Jason Allen makes a big tackle on a WR screen to prevent a big gain.
• Rod Wright saves a TD in the mud, after over-running the play, he gets back in time to make the tackle after the running back bounced outside and had clear lane.
• HUGE pass break up by Jason Allen on the goal-line to prevent the touchdown.
• 4th and 4: Beautiful PBU by Courtney Bryan on a sure TD in back of the end zone.
• White runs a bizarre 'baby-wildcat- looking play, looked ugly but he runs forward for 10 yards.
• Hilliard hits the hole for 6 yards.
• White on an ugly looking but effective QB draw, gets the 1st down so Miami can run out the clock.