Miami plans to open it up on Sunday. - The Orange Mane

Atlas · 09-09-2005, 11:50 PM

Posted on Sat, Sep. 10, 2005

SoCals link: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...s/12607248.htm

Saban will throw caution to wind in season opener

The Dolphins' offense was shaky in the preseason, but that won't stop Miami from being aggressive Sunday vs. Denver.

BY ARMANDO SALGUERO

asalguero@herald.com

The Dolphins' offense wasn't exactly humming this preseason, with starting players accounting for all of two touchdowns in five games.

So you think coach Nick Saban is going to protect that struggling unit by being a little cautious and, dare say, conservative Sunday against the Denver Broncos?

Nope.

''I am just the opposite,'' Saban said this week amid preparations for the sold-out regular-season opener. ``I think we should do a lot of stuff. I think we should do as much stuff to execute. I don't think that going [into a shell] is going to help us because it doesn't make a difference what we do.

``We still have to execute and deal with discipline, so it is not what we are doing, it is how we are doing it. Getting conservative is not going to help us, at all. That won't come from me, I can promise you that.''

To say that is a philosophical departure from Jimmy Johnson and Dave Wannstedt's approach is an understatement along the lines of saying the Grand Canyon is a hole in the ground.

When the offense struggled under those coaches, their response was to rein in the horses.

Remember Dan Marino losing his ability to call audibles?

Remember Wannstedt's infamous ''It's no sin to punt'' quote?

So to hear Saban's approach is refreshing to his players.

`OPEN IT UP'

''I think we may open it up,'' starting running back Ronnie Brown said. ``I think that everybody is excited about it being the first game and an opportunity to get started on the right foot for the season. I think that everybody is going to be pretty excited from that standpoint, and hopefully, we can go in and open it up a little bit and play well and eliminate some of the mistakes that we made in the preseason.''

Saban's intention to let the offense be aggressive serves practical and psychological purposes.

It tells Miami's players that the coach trusts them and expects a high level of performance from them.

''A comment like that gives us confidence,'' receiver David Boston said. ``He gives us confidence that we can go out there and make big plays.''

It also is intended to actually help the offense win the game -- a novel idea compared to the past approach of hoping the offense simply doesn't lose the game.

''I don't think you can play conservative,'' quarterback Gus Frerotte said. ``When you play conservative you are playing scared, and you can't play scared. You have to go out and play aggressive. You are playing against a great defense and you have to play like a great offense to beat them.''

Great offenses create mismatches and take advantage of those. And the Dolphins hope to do just that against Denver.

''Being aggressive gives you an opportunity for one-on-one coverages,'' receiver Chris Chambers said. ``But you have to beat your man, and the quarterback has to get the ball there and we have to make the plays. We have to get something going.''

The Dolphins have spent the entire preseason working on plays designed to do precisely that -- plays that folks attending practice saw but plays that were omitted from the exhibition games.

''We've been extremely conservative about what we've done in the preseason on both sides of the ball,'' Saban said. ``We obviously practiced a lot more things in the preseason that we really haven't done in the games. So it's not like we're putting new stuff in.

``We're going to be a little more willing to do some of that stuff and try to get it executed so we can put our players in a little better position to make plays.''

STEALTH GAME PLAN

When the Dolphins limited the offense in the preseason, they limited what the Broncos could see and study in preparing for this game. That should be good for Miami.

''They are going to have to watch the preseason [film] and see what we did and go off of that,'' Frerotte said. ``They are going to have new things for us and we are going to have new things for them. It's going to be a fun game.''

But ultimately, the success and failure of the Dolphins offense won't be determined by how simple or complex the plays seem.

''Execution is what you're looking for, and you can't think that simplicity will help you execute because you're minimizing a number of things,'' Saban said. ``I mean, that's true to some degree, but on the other hand, you're not putting players in the best chance they have to make plays.''

Atlas · 09-09-2005, 11:53 PM

If Saben does this it could be the breakout game the Denver Bronco defense has been waiting for.
SACKS
FUMBLES
INTS

Let's hope.

easymobee · 09-09-2005, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlas

SACKS
FUMBLES
INTS

Just what i was thinking as i was skimming through the article.

I do wish AJ was starting though, cause Gus has much more "big game" potential.

Remember the one game where he threw for 400 and 5 tds for us (and 4 INTs)?

Or that he actually once started a mini-QB controversy involving himself and Daunte Culpepper.

Of coure i was a big Gus homer when he was here ( thought he was better than Griese ).

What would happen when i'd try to start a G-U-S chant when Griese was sucking though? Everyone else in my section would start clamoring for Jarious Jackson (Sometimes you Bronco fans really piss me off).

Odysseus · 09-10-2005, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by easymobee

Of coure i was a big Gus homer when he was here ( thought he was better than Griese ).

What would happen when i'd try to start a G-U-S chant when Griese was sucking though? Everyone else in my section would start clamoring for Jarious Jackson (Sometimes you Bronco fans really piss me off).

Tiger's take on Gus:

We got Gus! Woo Hoo!
You guys should stop making fun of his head banging.
You guys should stop making fun of ME banging my head.
He's crying? There is no crying in football!
Nefarious? (These were the years of darkness when the QB was forsaken)
Woo Hoo! We got rid of Gus!

Gus highlight:
Chargers vs Broncos
Broncos down 17 points(?). Fans start to leave.
Broncos battle back. We are back in the game.
Broncos down 21 points(?). Fans start to leave.
(This happens a couple of times. It's just too funny)

Charger fan talking mad smack. I asked him to bet everything in his pocket because we were going to win this game. Charger fan balks.

Broncos come back and win after 900 Gus Frerotte interceptions.

Gus cries. I cry. Charger fans cry. Chargers cry. Good times.

footstepsfrom#27 · 09-10-2005, 12:55 AM

Somehow the prospect of GUS FREROTTE throwing caution to the winds in a a freewheeling wide open offense really excites me. This is possibly a classic rookie head coaching mistake with this guy thinking he's onto something nobody before him has thought to do. Saban shouldn't be to quick to toss aside what Jimmy Johnson thought was a good idea. Jimmy has 3 rings for a reason. It's one thing if you've got Manning or Culpepper but when your QB is GUS FREROTTE its a good idea to maybe play a little conservative and see what you're defense is going to give you. If this isn't a psych job I could see our defense having a huge day.

24champ · 09-10-2005, 01:02 AM

Jimmy Johnson had Troy Aikman, Irvin, Smith when he won rings with the Cowboys, dolphins have NOBODY. This idea of "spreading the offense" comes from the notion that the Colts beat us using it, what the ROOKIE coach doesnt get is that he doesnt have Peyton Manning on the field!

Bob's your Information Minister · 09-10-2005, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 24champbailey

dolphins have NOBODY

I wouldn't go that far.

Marty Booker, Chris Chambers, Randy McMichael, David Boston...

They have guys that can get open downfield, for sure.

watermock · 09-10-2005, 01:10 AM

Stop salivating DWill. calm down....

24champ · 09-10-2005, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

I wouldn't go that far.

Marty Booker, Chris Chambers, Randy McMichael, David Boston...

They have guys that can get open downfield, for sure.

Boston hasnt played in a year, Mcmichael could be suspended, chambers is ok booker is ok. Other than that nothing scares me....

watermock · 09-10-2005, 01:11 AM

How many times does Bob need to be kicked to the curb to finally get it.

watermock · 09-10-2005, 01:12 AM

They have Ricky Williams...oh wait...

They have Ronnie Brown....

24champ · 09-10-2005, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watermock

How many times does Bob need to be kicked to the curb to finally get it.

maybe kicking him to the curb isnt enough?

watermock · 09-10-2005, 01:16 AM

RR was posting smack tonight as well. Just as I said, Moss will catch 3-6 balls and then dissapear in the 4th quarter.

24champ · 09-10-2005, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watermock

RR was posting smack tonight as well. Just as I said, Moss will catch 3-6 balls and then dissapear in the 4th quarter.

who the hell posts smack AFTER their team loses

Kaylore · 09-10-2005, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 24champbailey

who the hell posts smack AFTER their team loses

Well if Raider's fans waited until after a win, they'd only get to post smack about four times a year. Seize the day!

footstepsfrom#27 · 09-10-2005, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

I wouldn't go that far.

Marty Booker, Chris Chambers, Randy McMichael, David Boston...

They have guys that can get open downfield, for sure.

It remains to be seen how Boston's come back. Neither Chambers or Booker cracked the top 30 WR's in yards gained last year. They're average starting WR' and not in Rod or Ashey's class IMO. McMichael is decent...they throw it to him a lot but he's not the downfield threat Putz is, and he's certainly no Gonzalez or Gates. Some Fish fan will tell me..."but they didn't have a decent QB to throw them the ball...". To which I reply...they still don't. Put the Fish in the AFC West and they stack up like this:

QB=last
RB=last
WR=4th
TE=3rd
OL=last
DL=4th
LB=3rd
DB=3rd

wabbit · 09-10-2005, 01:37 AM

Boy, this would be a very risky game plan...I'm wondering if Saban isn't throwing out some fluff for the press.

You start heaving the ball around all over the place at the NFL level, you had all better be firmly on the same page.

One yard of miscalculation will end up in an int, one missed block can result in a fumble.

That can happen any play, you say...yes, of course it can, but when you're running a well practiced scheme, players know what to do when something breaks down...there's often an unspoken...and well practiced...alternative.

Not so when everyone is new to one another.

Very risky stuff...Frankly, I hope he means exactly what he's putting out there.

Bob's your Information Minister · 09-10-2005, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

It remains to be seen how Boston's come back. Neither Chambers or Booker cracked the top 30 WR's in yards gained last year. They're average starting WR' and not in Rod or Ashey's class IMO. McMichael is decent...they throw it to him a lot but he's not the downfield threat Putz isd

I think you're vastly underrating them.

If I said Kennison was better than Booker or Chambers I'd get laughed out of the forum here.

McMichael is decent? Putz is better? He had 73 freakin' catches last year.

wabbit · 09-10-2005, 01:46 AM

'Bob, I know you froth at the mouth in enjoyment with your reminder to us of that ass kicking in KC...and that's fine, we, or more specifically, the Broncos, deserve it for losing so badly to such a crappy team that late in a play-off bound season.

But for God's sake, and certainly your own rep, drop the juvenile Madden '05 game-boy virtual field.

It, and you, look silly.

Why not post up one of those vibrator things where the players bounce their way to football slaughter.

At least there would be some nostalgia

Sheesh

Bob's your Information Minister · 09-10-2005, 01:48 AM

C'mon, I'm serious.

I'll be just as worried about the Dolphins weapons when they face KC. Unless of course, I'm wrong and the Phins prove between now and then that they suck.

Bob's your Information Minister · 09-10-2005, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wabbit

But for God's sake, and certainly your own rep, drop the juvenile Madden '05 game-boy virtual field.

Wait, what? That's from NFL.com. The same graphics accompany all their game recaps.

wabbit · 09-10-2005, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

C'mon, I'm serious.

I'll be just as worried about the Dolphins weapons when they face KC. Unless of course, I'm wrong and the Phins prove between now and then that they suck.

'Bob, seriously, if Denver were coming off a 7 & 9 free-fall like the Chiefys, I'd be worried about playing the practice squad.

24champ · 09-10-2005, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

Wait, what? That's from NFL.com. The same graphics accompany all their game recaps.

hmm wonder if they kept that for the 38-3 beatdown we handed to the DoLLphins....

Bob's your Information Minister · 09-10-2005, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wabbit

'Bob, seriously, if Denver were coming off a 7 & 9 free-fall like the Chiefys, I'd be worried about playing the practice squad.

Last season's record has very little to do with this season. You should know that. In today's NFL, a 7-9 team can easily win the Super Bowl the following year...need I cite examples?

24champ · 09-10-2005, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

Last season's record has very little to do with this season. You should know that. In today's NFL, a 7-9 team can easily win the Super Bowl the following year...need I cite examples?

One example isnt going to be the Cheifs....

09-09-2005, 11:50 PM	#1
Atlas Draft Defense Early&Often Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18,526	Miami plans to open it up on Sunday. Posted on Sat, Sep. 10, 2005 SoCals link: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...s/12607248.htm Saban will throw caution to wind in season opener The Dolphins' offense was shaky in the preseason, but that won't stop Miami from being aggressive Sunday vs. Denver. BY ARMANDO SALGUERO asalguero@herald.com The Dolphins' offense wasn't exactly humming this preseason, with starting players accounting for all of two touchdowns in five games. So you think coach Nick Saban is going to protect that struggling unit by being a little cautious and, dare say, conservative Sunday against the Denver Broncos? Nope. ''I am just the opposite,'' Saban said this week amid preparations for the sold-out regular-season opener. ``I think we should do a lot of stuff. I think we should do as much stuff to execute. I don't think that going [into a shell] is going to help us because it doesn't make a difference what we do. ``We still have to execute and deal with discipline, so it is not what we are doing, it is how we are doing it. Getting conservative is not going to help us, at all. That won't come from me, I can promise you that.'' To say that is a philosophical departure from Jimmy Johnson and Dave Wannstedt's approach is an understatement along the lines of saying the Grand Canyon is a hole in the ground. When the offense struggled under those coaches, their response was to rein in the horses. Remember Dan Marino losing his ability to call audibles? Remember Wannstedt's infamous ''It's no sin to punt'' quote? So to hear Saban's approach is refreshing to his players. `OPEN IT UP' ''I think we may open it up,'' starting running back Ronnie Brown said. ``I think that everybody is excited about it being the first game and an opportunity to get started on the right foot for the season. I think that everybody is going to be pretty excited from that standpoint, and hopefully, we can go in and open it up a little bit and play well and eliminate some of the mistakes that we made in the preseason.'' Saban's intention to let the offense be aggressive serves practical and psychological purposes. It tells Miami's players that the coach trusts them and expects a high level of performance from them. ''A comment like that gives us confidence,'' receiver David Boston said. ``He gives us confidence that we can go out there and make big plays.'' It also is intended to actually help the offense win the game -- a novel idea compared to the past approach of hoping the offense simply doesn't lose the game. ''I don't think you can play conservative,'' quarterback Gus Frerotte said. ``When you play conservative you are playing scared, and you can't play scared. You have to go out and play aggressive. You are playing against a great defense and you have to play like a great offense to beat them.'' Great offenses create mismatches and take advantage of those. And the Dolphins hope to do just that against Denver. ''Being aggressive gives you an opportunity for one-on-one coverages,'' receiver Chris Chambers said. ``But you have to beat your man, and the quarterback has to get the ball there and we have to make the plays. We have to get something going.'' The Dolphins have spent the entire preseason working on plays designed to do precisely that -- plays that folks attending practice saw but plays that were omitted from the exhibition games. ''We've been extremely conservative about what we've done in the preseason on both sides of the ball,'' Saban said. ``We obviously practiced a lot more things in the preseason that we really haven't done in the games. So it's not like we're putting new stuff in. ``We're going to be a little more willing to do some of that stuff and try to get it executed so we can put our players in a little better position to make plays.'' STEALTH GAME PLAN When the Dolphins limited the offense in the preseason, they limited what the Broncos could see and study in preparing for this game. That should be good for Miami. ''They are going to have to watch the preseason [film] and see what we did and go off of that,'' Frerotte said. ``They are going to have new things for us and we are going to have new things for them. It's going to be a fun game.'' But ultimately, the success and failure of the Dolphins offense won't be determined by how simple or complex the plays seem. ''Execution is what you're looking for, and you can't think that simplicity will help you execute because you're minimizing a number of things,'' Saban said. ``I mean, that's true to some degree, but on the other hand, you're not putting players in the best chance they have to make plays.''

09-10-2005, 01:16 AM	#13
watermock "Hoodie Jr" "Hug me!" Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hot Springs, Ouachitah Posts: 77,090	RR was posting smack tonight as well. Just as I said, Moss will catch 3-6 balls and then dissapear in the 4th quarter. Last edited by watermock; 09-10-2005 at 01:18 AM..

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09-09-2005, 11:53 PM	#2
Atlas Draft Defense Early&Often Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18,526	If Saben does this it could be the breakout game the Denver Bronco defense has been waiting for. SACKS FUMBLES INTS Let's hope.

09-10-2005, 12:55 AM	#5
footstepsfrom#27 helmet to helmet hitter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 16,126 Adopt-a-Bronco: Joe Mays	Somehow the prospect of GUS FREROTTE throwing caution to the winds in a a freewheeling wide open offense really excites me. This is possibly a classic rookie head coaching mistake with this guy thinking he's onto something nobody before him has thought to do. Saban shouldn't be to quick to toss aside what Jimmy Johnson thought was a good idea. Jimmy has 3 rings for a reason. It's one thing if you've got Manning or Culpepper but when your QB is GUS FREROTTE its a good idea to maybe play a little conservative and see what you're defense is going to give you. If this isn't a psych job I could see our defense having a huge day.

09-10-2005, 01:02 AM	#6
24champ Livin' the dream! Methwolfe Alliance Captain Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 18,700 Adopt-a-Bronco: DomCasual	Jimmy Johnson had Troy Aikman, Irvin, Smith when he won rings with the Cowboys, dolphins have NOBODY. This idea of "spreading the offense" comes from the notion that the Colts beat us using it, what the ROOKIE coach doesnt get is that he doesnt have Peyton Manning on the field!

09-10-2005, 01:10 AM	#8
watermock "Hoodie Jr" "Hug me!" Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hot Springs, Ouachitah Posts: 77,090	Stop salivating DWill. calm down....

09-10-2005, 01:11 AM	#10
watermock "Hoodie Jr" "Hug me!" Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hot Springs, Ouachitah Posts: 77,090	How many times does Bob need to be kicked to the curb to finally get it.

09-10-2005, 01:12 AM	#11
watermock "Hoodie Jr" "Hug me!" Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hot Springs, Ouachitah Posts: 77,090	They have Ricky Williams...oh wait... They have Ronnie Brown....

09-10-2005, 01:37 AM	#17
wabbit Ring of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Aurora Posts: 5,449	Boy, this would be a very risky game plan...I'm wondering if Saban isn't throwing out some fluff for the press. You start heaving the ball around all over the place at the NFL level, you had all better be firmly on the same page. One yard of miscalculation will end up in an int, one missed block can result in a fumble. That can happen any play, you say...yes, of course it can, but when you're running a well practiced scheme, players know what to do when something breaks down...there's often an unspoken...and well practiced...alternative. Not so when everyone is new to one another. Very risky stuff...Frankly, I hope he means exactly what he's putting out there.

09-10-2005, 01:46 AM	#19
wabbit Ring of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Aurora Posts: 5,449	'Bob, I know you froth at the mouth in enjoyment with your reminder to us of that ass kicking in KC...and that's fine, we, or more specifically, the Broncos, deserve it for losing so badly to such a crappy team that late in a play-off bound season. But for God's sake, and certainly your own rep, drop the juvenile Madden '05 game-boy virtual field. It, and you, look silly. Why not post up one of those vibrator things where the players bounce their way to football slaughter. At least there would be some nostalgia Sheesh

09-10-2005, 01:48 AM	#20
Bob's your Information Minister Chiefs > Broncos Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 25,931 Adopt-a-Bronco: CHRIS KUPER!!!	C'mon, I'm serious. I'll be just as worried about the Dolphins weapons when they face KC. Unless of course, I'm wrong and the Phins prove between now and then that they suck.