A Battle of the Winless: Phins vs. Crop Dusters

There are some storied games between the division rival NY Jets and the Miami Dolphins. From playoff clinching finales, to Monday night record breakers. Just about everything in between. In this early contest however, it is a battle between two winless divisional rivals. The winner keeps a 2 game deficit behind the NE Patriots while the loser gets to sit with the Bills in the basement…because you know they are not going to be the Pats.

So let us get started with the week 3 game preview.

Coaches: Eric Mangini vs. Cam Cameron

This is close, but Mangini gets the nod…for now. Both coaches are winless and that means that both teams are struggling. That starts with coaching and preparation. Mangini is in his 2nd year, and although the Jets surprised everyone by making the playoffs last year, this start is fueling rampant rumors that he is not Man-genius.

Cameron on the other hand is in his first stint as an NFL HC and under his watch, more questions have surfaced by fans than answers. Cameron talks about family and commitment while fans just want to hear about winning and when the hell Ted Ginn is going to “pleasantly surprise” us. This may be that week that Cameron gets out of the O and into a W.

Both teams have started off playing opponents who are sitting at 2-0.  Washington and Dallas for Miami and New England and Baltimore for the Jets.

When the Phins have the ball:

Trent Green must put last week behind him. His exceptionally poor outing has many fans already calling for both Lemon and Beck. Green needs to realize that this is as big a game for the Dolphins as Oakland or Denver for the Chiefs. In Miami, there is no game bigger. Lose to the Bills and it sucks, but you move on. Lose to the Pats and you can blame them for cheating. Lose to the Jets and it makes you puke. Over the last few years, many Dolphins fans have lost a few pounds in the days that follow the Jets game.

Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman have the opportunity to finally get the running game going as the defensive front of the Jets is nothing special. This will be the first game this year that the Phins’ offensive line should be able to handle whats in front of them. That should give Green time to throw and that in turn should open up the running game.

The Jets are allowing over 120 yards a game, and Miami can not find a running lane. In the air, the Jets are allowing an average of 240 so Chambers and Booker should have absolutely no excuses for a piss poor performance. It is time for Ted Ginn to show up somewhere other than running for the sidelines on punt returns. His speed should open up the underneath if Cameron would stop protecting him by sitting him on the sidelines. Ginn has had two balls thrown his way…he has caught neither. He has to get more involved in the game.

Look for Hagan and TE Martin to have decent games over the middle. Jonathan Vilma is a very good LB but the Dolphins can force him into one on one coverage and Martin should easily be able to overtake him.

The Jets have no interceptions this season and no sacks. They will try and press Green into making mistakes and the secondary will obviously be watching tape on last weeks performance. If the WRs’ can get separation and the Oline can continue to provide adequate pass protection, Green should have a good day against a defense that is not very good. Still, it is the running game that will open up this offense. If the ball can not be ran, or Cameron abandons the run early or at all, this game will be a lot closer than anyone would care for.

On Defense:

The Dolphins need to start playing like a football team that was ranked in the top 5 last year. Jason Taylor needs to start playing like he was mediocre…right now he is nonexistent. 1 sack to his credit. Taylor will have the freedom to move around and he should find that a rushing lane will be available. Chad Pennington, likely to start after missing last week (working out without a limp) needs to be pressured and Jason is that guy.

The biggest surprise was the trade of Pete Kendall to the Redskins just prior to the start of the season. The reason is that the Jets had no one left to fill the hole on the left side. Vonnie Holliday needs to take the opportunity and shut down the Pennington led Biplanes. The Jets do not have a solid running game and last years star Leon Washington has only carried the ball 4 times thus far. The duties of running the rock belong to former Bear Thomas Jones. So far, Jones is not that good.

By stopping the run, the Dolphins can force the Jets to throw, if they can do that, then Roth, Taylor, and Thomas should be able to exploit the weak LG spot between LT D’Brick and C Nick Mangold. The right side of the line is not very good.

Former Dolphins turnstile Wade Smith anchors on the RG spot and that is pretty much it. If Jason Taylor can not get pressure on Pennington in this game, then there truly are some serious issues.

In the secondary Travis Daniels took in some Safety practice this week, but in all likelihood, he will stay at CB for this game. Will Allen will likely be lined up on Jericho Cotchery who by himself can torture the Dolphins.

Cotchery has the ability to get open. He finds the seam and knows where to sit in the field where coverage is soft. Cotchery should have a very solid game against a secondary that hasn’t really stopped much.

Laveranues Coles lines up as the number 1 WR and his production is off this year. Likely due to the situations with the rest of the Jets offense. Still, he is dangerous and he loves to play Miami. Travis Daniels will have to stay close and not allow Coles to get behind him.

The Jets web site is saying that Leon Washington will handle all return duties and will see considerably more action behind the QB on Sunday. Washington singlehandedly beat Miami last year. The Dolphins must be aware of this.

The Dolphins match up well with this unit and their front 7 talent level should find it pretty easy to get that extra jump in their step. They have to.

Special Teams:

On kick and punt returns the Jets have a the edge with speedy Leon Washington. Ted Ginn is a shell. He is very tentative and can not make a decision on which way to go. On punt returns he really just runs for the sidelines, on kick-offs, it’s up the middle to the 20. He vastly needs to improve here.

Leon Washington is speedy and can his the holes. The Dolphins have given up 3 big returns this young season and that has to stop against Washington. He will exploit them every chance he gets.

If the Jets get a bump for the return guys, then Miami gets one for their Punter and Kicker. So far Jay Feely is making people forget about Olindo Mare, and Brandon Fields has already made fans forget every other punter back to Reggie Roby.

For the Jets, Mike Nugent will handle the FGs’ and he could be in for a busy day as this game could become a “Who kicks last” type of game.

Predictions: As much as I think the game should be close, there is the inside voice that keeps saying the Phins put it together this weekend and come out ahead. The Jets seemed to have been at the heart of several controversies involving cheating the last two weeks, and Miami just wants to win. I think they want it more, and I think they do. Final score: Miami 31 – Jets 15.