Miami Dolphins Behind Enemy Lines: Q and A with Bills writer Dennis Amo
Miami Dolphins Behind Enemy Lines: Q and A with Bills writer Dennis Amo
Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
I recently had the opportunity to have a discussion with a Dennis Amo a writer from “Buffalowdown.com”. We both asked each other five questions about this week match up and/or the state of our team. Here is what transpired…
Here are my questions to Dennis:
1. The Buffalo Bills have always seemed to have a knack for drafting or finding free agent Running Backs. Fred Jackson, CJ Spiller and Marshall Lynch. Now that the dust has settled, do you still believe that trading away Marshall Lynch to Seattle was a better move than drafting CJ Spiller?
"It is always tough to have a player be traded away and then see them do well somewhere else. I believe that Lynch was not happy here in Buffalo and it showed during his performance at times. Sometimes there needs to be change of scenery to a different venue to a player to fit in a perform to their abilities and I think that this was the case. CJ Spiller fits into the philosophy here right now and is able to perform like he needs to. It is tough to say whether it was the right move or not because we don’t know how CJ wold perform in Seattle or Lynch here at this point."
2. What are you hearing about your pro ball safety Jarius Byrd? Is a trade going to happen, if so what team is the top contender and what are the Bills asking for?
"As of right now the talks are very minimal if at all. But that also doesn’t mean that it will stay that way either. Byrd has just gotten over a foot injury and got back on the field for the first time since last year this past week. I wouldn’t put it to bed just as of yet but nothing to this point has been said."
3. Kristian Kiko Alonso a second round draft pick from the 2013 NFL draft has taken everyone outside of the Bill fan base by surprise. As of right now this prospect is tied for 1st in interceptions, what are your thoughts on his play style and can this trend continue?
"Kiko has been playing outstanding and if there is any questions at this point about his play, his stats are able to back his play up. He is able to read and react to plays as they are just beginning and allows for the defense to be more productive. He is playing like he is a 5 or 6 year veteran. I believe that there is no looking back for Alonso at this point and he will be at the top of a stat category and possibly win defensive rookie of the year at the end of the season."
4. Like the Miami Dolphins it seems that since Dan Marino, Jim Kelly era, we both have been on the ongoing search for the franchise QB. With the Bills selecting E.J Manual do you believe that your search is finally over?
"We believe, here in Buffalo, that EJ Manuel is the answer to the long time question of franchise quarterback for the Buffalo Bills. Manuel is a smart kid and is able to sit in the pocket and throw the ball as well as run if needs be. He just has to learn that he does not need to take unnecessary hits for the team, especially after he already has the first down."
5. As the Dolphins and Bill battle within the AFC East twice a year, what are your outside thoughts on the development of our team? I wanted to see this in the eyes of our enemy, what scares you about our team and what facets do you think the Bills will expose this Sunday?
"The biggest thing that comes to mind is the Dolphins bringing in Mike Wallace to help out Tannehill. I would say that this combination scares me the most as the Bills secondary is still trying to get over injuries and find their way. The Bills have an excellent front 4 and if there is any weakness on the offensive line for the Dolphins, this will be exposed and poked at all game long. Pettine has a way of getting pressure and only sending 4 guys at the QB. This will be a match-up to watc"
Dennis questions to me:
1. We are coming into week 7 for the season. Where do the Dolphins stand at this point for making the playoffs as well as what do they need to do to make the playoffs?
"The best news for the Dolphins is that the hardest part of their schedule is over. No one, myself included, thought the Dolphins would go into the bye week at 4-2; many experts predicted a 2-4 record. With 7 of the 10 remaining games against teams that are currently under .500 the outlook looks great. With the Patriots continuing to shine, I believe that the Dolphins will be in wildcard hunt as we enter December.If you have watched any Dolphins game this year, we need to get better at protecting our QB and opening up some running lanes for our backs. We both know that to be a true playoff team you need to have a strong running game, especially in December when the weather starts to turn."
2. What are three keys for the Bills to focus on that will guarantee a victory for them this week?
"This is a hard question; you want me to give you pointers on how to beat our team. I can’t do it. However, what I can tell you is that you need to hit us hard and fast. We have a solid backfield, and our front 7 is the best in our division. If you want to score points you are going to have to pick on our cornerback’s. Bret Grimes is playing at pro ball level, so I would attack the other side of the field and stretch our Safeties deep. Jones and Clemons are not playing up to their talent level…yet.I would come right out of the gate and run a play action deep fly and see what happens. Once I get ahead I would want to keep Tannenhill off the field. Use your best asset which are your Running backs and control the clock and the line of scrimmage."
3. Who on the Dolphins may have been flying under the radar that Bills fans should watch out for this week?
"This is an easy question and some people around the league are starting to take notice as well. The player is Charles Clay. When Dustin Keller went down in the preseason, no one knew who was going to fill the void at Tight End. Clay has stepped up large! Watch the game tape on him against Indy and ATL, and you will see a player that is all over the field. Joe Philbin is lining him up at FB, WR, TE and H-back to try and expose a weakness. On Sunday night, you are going to be cussing the name Charles Clay."
4. You mentioned the Kelly/Marino era and both the Dolphins and Bills have been looking for the franchise QBs since them. Is Tannenhill that guy?
"I grew up watching Kelly and Marino go head to head. And truth be told, my older brother is a Bill’s fan. Back in the day, the Bills owned this match up, regardless of how we played each other in the regular season; it was in the playoffs where we couldn’t move the ball in the frozen tundra of Ralph Wilson Stadium. Fast forward to 2013 and I am seeing a player develop into something special.Tannenhill did not impress me his rookie year, I honestly didn’t think he was the solution. However, it is a brand new season and a brand new player. The control he has shown on and off field is something you want to see in your starting quarterback. His awareness in the pocket has improved substantially which make me a believer that he is trying to learn on and off the field. Desire is something you can’t teach a player, you have to earn it.Tannenhill is starting to earn my respect. He still has a long way forward (he has to learn to step up in the pocket and reading his hot routes to get rid of the ball faster) but the shadow that Marino casted over us is starting to fade."
5. What is your prediction for the Bills/Dolphins game?
"It’s going to be a great battle against two teams that are trying their best to keep up with the Brady bunch. The Bills QB situation is suspect without EJ Manual and although Lewis has shown great poise against a top rated Cincy D, I can’t see him leading the Bills to victory. The Dolphins will throw the ball to Wallace and Hartline on the outside and move the chains with Gibson. Plus add in the Miami humidity it will be a long day for the Bills front seven.Miami 24 Bills 13"