This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Zach didn't have a great game, but he was very active. He made a lot of tackles, but also missed some (ie Parker's longest run of the day). Not sure what game you were watching though as he was very active
Yea. He's not as good as he was in his prime. But he's still a top ten LB. That's how good he is. He did muck up some tackles. But in his defense, Parker was running really well last night.
Give it a rest homer! 
Zack was airborn when Batch hit the turf ... I don't think airbrakes apply!
Zach also had the coverage on the TE Miller for the 89 yard catch. He blew it (or Sabin put him in a mismatch). Either way, Miller was his man.
Fair enough. I wasn't watching each play closely I just noticed that on a couple big plays Thomas got burned (Miller) or was chasing Parker from a few steps behind.
That doesn't necessarily mean he's lost anything. I haven't watched a ton of Dolphins games over the years, but I don't ever remember Thomas being a speed LB who locks down TEs in pass coverage. He looked no different last night than any other time I've seen him.
No. He was credited with leading the team in tackles last night. There is a difference.Thomas looked horrible last night.
I don't think Zach was ever great in coverage and trying to cover Miller is a definite mismatch.
Zach Thomas' whole game is speed and his knack to get to the hole. He isn't a cover LB, he is a middle LB. Most MLB do not have great cover skills and it's generally considered a mis-match in the offenses favor if they can get into a play where the MLB has to cover a pass receiving TE down the field.Thomas did miss a few tackles and he is no longer as dominant as he once was but he is still one of the better MLB's in the game with an active motor.
Exactly. I thought Taylor was dominated much of the game. He blew his outside contain badly on the 4th and 1. It's really unfair to pick on one play, but as the DE, that's #1 on every play, and he blew it, on a huge play, and they went on for the TD. I thought the Miami D as a whole looked, old. Again, it's only one game, but the big concern/knock by many on the 'Fins was the D getting up in years. I thought Thomas played well. He's never been a great cover LB, and was exposed on a couple last night. I still think Miamis D unit as a whole has to be somewhat of a concern. They'll get scored on. The upside for 'Fins fans (fantasy fans aside) is that their Offense wont be facing the likes of the Steelers every weeks. They'll be able to put up enough point to compensate most weeks. The D was on the field a lot, because the O had no run game last night. 18/38, but 2 of those were the TD's at the goalline. They simply had no run game. Also only 18 completions. Miamis D was on the field for 35:27. That'll wear on ya. People who though Miami was vastly improved, may be right, they're just not at Pittsburghs level, yet. And those that thought Pittsburgh had fallen off couldn't have been more wrong. They looked great, on both sides of the ball, at every position. Holmes looked shakey, but it looked like nerves. He did look spectacular on that threaded needle pass from Batch early though.aposulli said:
I wasn't fishing. I was at the game and saw Z hit Batch pretty good after he slid. I didn't see a replay so if it wasn't late I apologize.Mapmaker said:Godsbrother said:
It was close, but as such it wasn't dirty. Both guys pressed the envelope, with Batch sliding very late, and Thomas hitting him at the last possible moment when it wouldn't have been a penalty IMHO. The non-call was the right call. If I was Thomas, though, I would have strongly considered giving Big Ben the bird for his crazy protest antics after that play.I wasn't fishing. I was at the game and saw Z hit Batch pretty good after he slid. I didn't see a replay so if it wasn't late I apologize.Mapmaker said:Godsbrother said:
I recorded the game (at least I hope I did) so I'll be able to get a better look at it later. But I believe you guys if you say the hit was OK. When I saw it live I thought it was late but of course I was pretty pumped and had also consumed a few beverages so I may not have been the most objective observer.It was close, but as such it wasn't dirty. Both guys pressed the envelope, with Batch sliding very late, and Thomas hitting him at the last possible moment when it wouldn't have been a penalty IMHO. The non-call was the right call. If I was Thomas, though, I would have strongly considered giving Big Ben the bird for his crazy protest antics after that play.I wasn't fishing. I was at the game and saw Z hit Batch pretty good after he slid. I didn't see a replay so if it wasn't late I apologize.Mapmaker said:Godsbrother said:
Dolphin fan here, but I am very pleased with the Dolphins. Pitt is a solid team and as you said played very well on both sides of the ball. That being said, the Dolphins had the ball on a nice drive to the Pitt 44 with 7 minutes to go in the game with a 3 point lead. They had a 3rd and 2 and to me this play was the turning point. I wanted Miami to run it up the gut but would have understood if they play actioned because of their failure to run. The pitch play was not a good call and they had to punt which led to the huge Miller TD and then followed by the Culpy pick for a TD. Miami gets that first and I think they steal the game.
They went from they're own 5 to Pit's 44 on seven pass plays (one was a Culpepper scramble) and a reverse. The playcalling was beautiful. Daunte and Chambers were getting in a groove. The three-yard run by Brown was an okay call, but that toss on 3rd and 2 was just horrible.
It was a blown three deep coverage. Zach Thomas had nothing to do with it.Looked like Travares Tillman was responsible for the slot receiver (Miller) and moved up to press the outside receiver, who was already covered. Thomas tried to recover put couldn't get into the passing lane in time. Apparently Renaldo Hill was supposed to be in deep coverage as well, but it's hard to blame him when the tight end doesn't even have to run a route to get behind the original blown coverage assignment.If I were a Fins fan, I'd be itching to see Jason Allen very soon. Tillman was out of position on two touchdown passes last night.Hairy Snowman said:
The Good Doctor is right.Thomas had NOTHING to do with covering Miller on that play. The TE was not his responsibility.
You have to look at that call from the perspective of the Miami coaches. I'm sure they didn't think their O-line could move the Pittsburgh D-line 2 yards in a critical situation. That left them with two options 1) play pass or 2) the pitch play. Of the 2, the pitch was the safest in terms of preventing a turnover. The fact that the play was not executed to perfection and the Pitt D stayed disciplined was unfortunate.
I haven't rewatched it but that would explain it. I thought it was a bit peculair that they would have him cover the TE.
If you watch the play again the Dolphins had more bodies to run up the gut as Pitt was not in a run defense. That being said, BEFORE the play I told my buddies I want a run here and then we could possibly go for 3rd down if short. Like I said, I would understand a play action, but the pitch play is something Pitt's speed is very good at shutting down. I will take my chances on RB moving a pile that was not in run stuffing mode. I thought the Dolphins were out coached there as well as each team having a 3rd and goal and coming off a called time out and Pitt scored and the Dolphins didn't. Pitt's play was well run and the Dolphins was the corner throw...I am pumped about Saban, but I thought he and his staff had poor (not awful) game management.You have to look at that call from the perspective of the Miami coaches. I'm sure they didn't think their O-line could move the Pittsburgh D-line 2 yards in a critical situation. That left them with two options 1) play pass or 2) the pitch play. Of the 2, the pitch was the safest in terms of preventing a turnover. The fact that the play was not executed to perfection and the Pitt D stayed disciplined was unfortunate.
His whole game is intelligence and heart. It's the same Zach Thomas as always. Good D leader and will be top 10 in tackles.
