From: chf0@roger.gte.com (Curtis Fennell)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Re: Dolphins Secondary
Date: 16 Dec 92 13:32:57 GMT
Organization: GTE Laboratories

In article <1992Dec15.153630.11871@asl.dl.nec.com> nix@aslslc43.asl.dl.nec.com (David Nix) writes:
>>I saw on British TV teletext that JB Brown returned an interception for
>>a touchdown against the raiders last night. The secondary seems to be coming
>>up with a lot more interceptions this year and while not being in the Vikings
>>class seem to be scoring a lot more defensive touchdowns. Is this just my
>>imagination ? ( does anyone have any stats on this) What is the reason for this
>>improvement the pass rush doesn't seem to be noticeably better, is it that the
>>defense isn't such a sure thing to run on any more or is it better defensive
>>schemes ? ( i.e multiple DBs such as against Buffalo )
>
>Miami has 16 interceptions this season, including 2 returns for TDs. 

I think you've missed one, Dave.  There are 3 interception returns for
TDs - all of which have helped the Dolphins immensely in each of the
games they occurred in.  The INT return by JB Brown against the
Raiders put the Dolphins up 10-0 and sparked the entire team.  

Vestee Jackson's INT return for a TD against Atlanta basically won
that game.

And, of course, there was Olivers' 103 yard return against the Bills.

>The secondary is better this season because Louis Oliver is having
>his best season yet, and the rookie Troy Vincent has made immediate
>contributions. 

Don't forget that JB Brown has been playing better than ever, also.
In his previous 3 years at Miami, he has 2 interceptions.  This year
he has 4.  Vestee Jackson was also playing great as the 5 DB in the
nickel defense - he had 3 INTs before he went down with an injury.  

In fact, each starting DB has at least 2 INT's.  Even Bryan Cox has
one. To the best of my knowledge, the totals are:
	
	Player		No of INTs	TDs
		
	JB Brown		4	1
	Louis Oliver 		3	1
	Vestee Jackson		3	1
	Troy Vincent		2	
	Jarvis Williams		2
	Bruce Alexander		1
	Bryan Cox (!)		1


>> What is going on with the special teams ? 
>
>I can't figure out Miami's special teams, they are so inconsistent.  

I think it's that they are young and are making rookie mistakes.  They
are very talented, but inexperienced.

>>Finally given last years debacle in the last two games of the season what
>>chance have they got for the playoffs ? 
>
>After last night's win, Miami must win one of their last two to get in.  If
>they lose both they can still get in with help; however if they lose the last
>two games they don't deserve a playoff berth.  

That's the truth. However, I don't think that the Dolphins will fold
this year like they did last year.  The biggest reason that the
Dolphins lost the last two games last year was the failure of the
defense to hold on to leads late in both of those games.  This year,
the defense is not only much more talented, but also more motivated.
They are playing very aggressively and are performing much better
against the run.

It's true that the Jets always give the Dolphins a hard time and that
the Patriots could be tough in New England - but I don't think that
will make much difference in the long run.  

Last year, the Jets were also playing for a playoff spot when they
came to Miami, but they won't be playing for anything this year other
than pride.  And the Patriots just have too many problems to beat the
Dolphins.

Also, even though Miami beat the Raiders, they realize that they have
a lot of work to do if they are to go very far past the end of the
regular season.  Their offensive performance against LA was not good
enough to lull them into complacency (I hope!).

>With Buffalo facing New Orleans and Houston the final two games, Miami still
>has an excellent chance to *win* the division.

This has been a most bizarre season, all the way around.  No one in
the AFC - in fact, no one in the league seems to be truly dominant
this year.  No team has played so well, week in and week out, that
they could be said to have a lock on the SuperBowl.

But one thing IS for sure - soon, we will KNOW who is best this year.

Curt
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
-- 
Curt Fennell, Unix Sys Admin, GTE Labs    EMAIL: chf0@gte.com
==============================================================
"With Mr. Lawrence, mercy is a passion. With me it is merely
good manners.  You, yourself may judge which is more reliable"