From: chf0@harvey.gte.com (Curtis Fennell)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Dolphins vs Rams observations
Date: 29 Sep 92 14:52:24 GMT
Organization: GTE Laboratories

I didn't get the chance to see the Rams game, living in patriots
country as I do, but having watched the highlights and looked at the
stats, the game went just about the way it was "supposed" to go.  The
Dolphins played well in their home opener and won an easy game against
a poor Rams team.

On the Offensive side, the Dolphins scored 17 points in the first
quarter, putting themselves ahead early and then coasting to victory.
Mark Higgs got 111 yards rushing on 23 carries for a 4.8 yd average
and Bobby Humphrey backed him up with 46 yards on 7 carries for a 6.6
yard average.   All in all, the Dolphins played a conservative
ball-control game, rushing 37 times for 158 yards and controlling the
ball for 35:55 minutes.

This is old-style Dolphin offense and Shula seems content to stick
with it as long as it works.

There were no surprises with the passing game, either, as Marino
passed conservatively for the most part and spread his passes around
to all of his favorite receivers.  Duper and Edmunds each had 4
receptions.  Mike Williams, a young receiver that the Dolphins are
pretty high on, also had 3 receptions and Paige, Banks, Humphrey,
Martin, Saxon and Baty all helped out with receptions.

Marino finished up 21-37 for 223 yards, 1 int and 2 TDs to Edmunds and
Duper (naturally).  

The Defense also had a good day, holding the Rams to less than 300
total yards and efficiently stopping the run, holding the Rams to 84
yards on the ground.  Their pass rush was less effective than I might
have hoped, as they only had 2 sacks - both by Bryan Cox.  The 'Fins
also had 2 ints by JB Brown and Jarvis Williams.

Troy Vincent played his first game, and while it's difficult to tell
how well he played, he did have 2 tackles in the game.  Marco Coleman
also played and had one tackle and one assist.

In the all-important catagory of turnovers, Miami commited 2 (1 fumble
and 1 int) and took the ball away 4 times (2 int's and 2 fumble
recoveries).

GOOD STUFF:  The Dolphins won this game easily, never giving the Rams
a real chance. To be a playoff team this year, the Dolphins must win
the games against the mediocre teams.  On offense, they controlled the
ball very well and the running game was very effective. On defense,
they stopped the run well and kept the Rams from mounting any kind of
comeback attempt.

BAD STUFF: Overall, there weren't many low points in this game, but
there were a few things that worried me.  On offense, the Dolphins had
trouble putting the ball in the end zone when they got down close.
This is not a problem against the Rams, but against the Bills, this
would be fatal.  On defense, the Dolphins still need to pressure the
QB more and try to reduce the average yardage they give up on the
ground - while they did hold the Rams to only 84 yards rushing, the
Rams did average 4.4 yards per rush.  That's way too much.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:  A solid win for the Dolphins and a reassuring
effort after the close game in the first week.  

--
Curt "I always pick the Dolphins - even against Buffalo!"  Fennell
			DOLFAN in New England.             
'72 Dolphins - The perfect team in the perfect season - 17-0
Miami Dolphins - Winningest Team in professional sports since 1970