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 Friday, January 7
Taking the pressure off Marino
 
By Sean Salisbury
ESPN.com

 

<img src="hhttp://espn.go.com/i/nfl/playbook99/wkwc_miasea_1.jpg" width=400 height=480 border=0>

If the Miami Dolphins want to win, they must run and take pressure off Dan Marino. They once again have struggled to run. They will be one-and-done if they don't make the Seahawks respect their running game.

The Dolphins will line up with fullback Rob Konrad weak and tight end Hunter Goodwin strong to the right. Running away from Goodwin will hopefully be a weak spot in the 'Hawks defense. They will probably slant their defensive line toward Goodwin, giving the Dolphins offensive line better blocking angles.

This is man-on-man blocking, where the low man and the most physical team wins. The offensive line needs to get good angles and create a new line of scrimmage. This play will hit outside left tackle Richmond Webb and either bounce outside or head up field. The offensive line has to strike Seattle first. On 70 Outside, the Dolphins have to give running back Autry Denson some daylight. If the Dolphins average 4.5 yards per carry, they can win on the road.

The big keys to this play are movement by the offensive left side and a good block by O.J. McDuffie, the X receiver, who is blocking the corner. He must sustain his block for a long time to let the Dolphins clear to the next level. McDuffie must not let the corner cross his face.

It is critical that Konrad blows up the weak-side linebacker, who will be coming 100 mph. Konrad cannot let the weak-side linebacker get in Denson's vision. Konrad must give Denson some vision so he can cut to the proper hole. This play must work for the Dolphins or they will be watching the rest of the playoffs at home.

 


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