They have a pro bowler on every tier. They have a VERY good defense.

that's missing nearly all its starters right now ;)

[QUOTE=JWsleep]Note of caution: Miami is completely shell-shocked. It's tough to judge our progress given their weaknesses.

But this was a serious confidence builder for the o-line and the rest of the team. Lack of mistakes, crisp execution, and ball-control are all Gibbs' hallmarks. This should help build chemistry and confidence across the board.

Boswell's Post column was interesting. Is Gibbs ever going to pull out his real playbook in the preseason? Don't we need a little practice at it before Tampa? I can't wait to see what the master has dreamed up, so maybe it makes sense to hold it until week one, and surprise the hell out of the league. Still, the QBs and WRs, at the very least, could use the polish.

Check it out:

[url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22801-2004Aug21.html"]Boswell: If There's a New Day, It Hasn't Dawned Yet[/url]

What do y'all think?[/QUOTE]
I think after 3 SB wins and 10 years in the NFL Gibbs knows exactly what he's doing by playing the preseason close to the vest. I also think that once camp closed to the public the real offense came out and the offense is getting plenty of work behind the scenes.

[QUOTE=Daseal]They have a pro bowler on every tier. They have a VERY good defense.[/QUOTE]
Dline * Adewale Ogunleye - GONE
Linebackers * Zach Thomas - 13 Total Plays last night
Corners *Patrick Surtain - Did not play last night
Safties * Brock Marion - Plays for the Detroit Lions

So this so called "Great Defense" only had 1 pro bowler player on the field last night and he only played for 13 plays. Knowledge is the key to correct statements. Sure you are not related to Spurrier? He did not know who his players were at times and did not even know when they were cut. Seems you have somthing in common.

[b]Did Not Play[/b]
WR 14 W.Johnson, S 22 S.Wooden, CB 23 P.Surtain, RB 26 L.Henry, CB 27 W.Poole, CB 29 S.Madison, RB 31 S.Morris, DB 40 T.Howard, CB 41 K.Banks, FB 44 R.Konrad, LB 56 K.Mitchell, G 61 A.Wagstrom, G 62 E.Wilson, G 65 S.Lynch, T 77 D.McIntosh, WR 80 D.Boston, WR 86 T.Wilkins, DT 94 D.Romero, DT 95 T.Bowens

21 people not playing including ricky and AO... thats 2 #1 CBs, a #2 CB, and a #3 CB (so they had a #2 and #3 playing), 2 #1 DTs, a #1 FB, a #1,3, and 4 RB, a #1 WR,

that means that VERY good defense was missing half its DBs and half of its D-line, or 36% of the starting D...

One thing I noticed that I didn't like was that the Dolphins were catching Hall's kickoffs on the 15 yard line or so. I really like Hall but I'm getting tired of seeing the other team starting their drives at the 30yd line or better. If it weren't for penalties, the Dolphins would have started their drives in much better field position.

[quote]that means that VERY good defense was missing half its DBs [/quote] That mattered on the three passing plays.

CRT3: How about Jason Taylor, and Junior Seau (ex-pro bowler, still a great player). Not to mention a good scheme. The Dolphins defense was far from just a pushover. We played good football.

I agree with Daseal on this one they are still an above average defense.All those missing db's would have made little difference in the running game.I know it is hard to pull the trigger and say that we played great seeing as how they had so many injuries but I will do it anyways .... WE PLAYED GREAT FOOTBALL.There now I feel better.I also would like to point out that we had a couple of injuries our selves and im not talking about reserve players.

i'm not saying we didn't play well, just that i think you should keep the qualifiers to "we played great" in mind. I'm sure they would have done better if AO was still there and bowens played... those are a couple decent D-linemen.

[QUOTE=Daseal]CRT3: How about Jason Taylor, and Junior Seau (ex-pro bowler, still a great player). Not to mention a good scheme. The Dolphins defense was far from just a pushover. We played good football.[/QUOTE]

I said we executed well and played good football. But to make a stement such as the Dolphins had a great defense is a stretch. Taylor and Seau each played 13 plays. Basiclly 2 series. While I will agree that Taylor is a fine player I think we can conclude that Seau is past his prime bowl status. Still a fine player but the weak link in their linebacker scheme. This was not a great defense!!!

Yeah, everyone says how depleted the Dolphins were...all the more reason the Skins did exactly what they should have done and beat them soundly! Keep in mind that we were missing quite a few players too, and the players could have easily let up because of that, but I think they (Gibbs) wanted to make a statement. Yeah, it's preseason, but this gave the gives both lines a lot of confidence to build on. The O-line for 180+ rushing yards, and the D-line for the shut-out.
Another thought - They have established that they can run, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if they open it up a little this week and try to beat St. Louis at their own game....and especially to get another good look at Ramsey and Brunell before making the final decision on the starter.

CRT3: I'm also not claiming that the Dolphins played their starts for long. Even without Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain they have a decent defense. I didn't expect them to play their starters for very long, and Portis only played for a couple drives himself.

The Miami defensive scheme has been in place, and successfull for quite some time. The defense is hurt with injuries, but should still play a solid game of ball.