Our Red Zone woes?

[MikeO]

Henne DID throw bad passes to numerous people and make bad decisions.  He throws better passes now, and his decision making is a ton better.  He isn't helping us as much as a stud QB should, but he isn't hurting us as much as a shitty QB would either.  He's slightly above average.

being better and good are two different things. Better than last year, YES. He still is a bad NFL quarterback. He isn't anywhere near "above average." Not even close.

[CF DolFan]

From the Herald today...


It’s not the lack of production in terms of yardage. The Dolphins, 21st in total offense last season at 323.1 yards per game, have improved to 12th in the NFL this season at 387.7 yards per game. The Dolphins have been in the red zone 13 times — tied for fourth most in the AFC. It’s what is not happening inside their opponents’ 20-yard line — the magical place where the NFL’s best players score touchdowns and the also-rans settle for field goals — where the woes are taking a toll.


.....

“For the most part, just communication [has been the issue],” Bess said Tuesday. “Whether it’s the receivers on my behalf, not getting a certain signal, messing up a play that could have potentially been a touchdown, or whether it’s the quarterback not giving the signal out and the line not understanding what the protection is or not — these are errors that we are causing on ourselves. It’s not even the defense. It starts with us.
“It stems from not putting in as [much] time as we should in the meeting rooms. It’s a work in progress. We can’t dwell on it. We have to fix it and move on.”


.....

Henne told WQAM’s Joe Rose on Tuesday there are times he has called in audible in the red zone when teams have shown blitzes or he has believed the Dolphins could exploit an opening. He did so Sunday in the second quarter against the Browns, making a change at the line to throw it to Marshall.

“Great call,” Henne said. “We just didn’t execute it there. Brandon’s one-on-one. Got to make that play, and he knows that. Hopefully, next time we get down there, we’ll call one of those plays again and he’ll make it.”

I found this article interesting for several reasons. One ...  if communication really is the issue then they should continue to get better over time. Two ... Henne kind of called out Marshall which I had not seen him do to anyone previously.  He didn't throw him under the bus but he did bring light to the fact Marshall blew a TD. I think this is good that Henne feels comfortable enough to do this but I wonder how Marshall will react to it as he can be immature. Oh yes and three ... our offense isn't that far off from being a pretty decent one.

[Cathal]

I found this article interesting for several reasons. One ...  if communication really is the issue then they should continue to get better over time. Two ... Henne kind of called out Marshall which I had not seen him do to anyone previously.  He didn't throw him under the bus but he did bring light to the fact Marshall blew a TD. I think this is good that Henne feels comfortable enough to do this but I wonder how Marshall will react to it as he can be immature. Oh yes and three ... our offense isn't that far off from being a pretty decent one.

If our offense could actually score in the red zone, they'd be a damn good offense.

That is an interesting article, and it does seem like there is some finger pointing, which isn't too bad. If it is communication, then I would think, as you point out, they could remedy. Of course, as a fan, I'm not sure how they don't understand each other yet if this is their job in life.

[tepop84]

Henne is too stupid to be allowed to call audibles.

[Doc-phin]

My feeling is that our Red Zone woes are due to timing and poor mechanics by Henne.

It really comes down to hesitation.  Henne is just a bit hesitant to throw the ball for fear of a turnover.  Most passing TDs (in the red zone) have to be quick because the receiver runs out of realestate quick.  There is a quick moment when the ball is snapped and the receiver makes a break and the ball has to be delivered.  When he doesn't deliver the ball on time either the defender can close the gap or the ball is delivered high.

Henne claims that communication is the issue.  It is possible that he isn't sure his receiver will make the same read as he is making and that is causing the hesitation.  Solution, take away the option routes in the red zone.  Spread out the defense and go to the best match up which would either be Bess/Hartline on a slant or Marshall/Fasano on a comeback.  It isn't complicated.  You either use the size matchup or speed matchup depending on your scouting report.  But make a decision on where the ball is going before the snap and make it based on player matchups not defensive alignment.

Lastly, give up on fade routes.  Not many teams effectively use fade routes anymore because cornerbacks are so used to playing against them.  There are simply more reliable ways to use a big receiver's body to his advantage.  If it accidentally becomes a jump ball, so be it but forget designing it that way.

[phinphan]

Henne is too stupid to be allowed to call audibles.

Really ? COME ON MAN!!!!
The reason Henne has improved this season is the fact that he is allowed to call audibles and run the offense.Last season the couple times he did deviate from the plays called in to him,For big pickups in yardage,instead of patting him on the back and saying good job of reading the D.They smacked him with a newspaper and told him bad boy....Don't you remember Marshall calling him out for not disobeying his bosses.

[BigDaddyFin]

It's funny how many of these issues could be averted by having an actual fullback on the team. 

It's true the offensive line isn't playing as well as it had in years past and I'm sure also there are communication problems.  You can't run the football every play.

But you need a fullback so that you can turn and give the ball to somebody at least once down there and let them try to plow it in.

[MikeO]

please Lex Hiliard has been an above average fullback this year. Daniel Thomas has had 2 GREAT games thus far mainly due to Lex's blocking. And there is NO fullback on planet earth that could make Reggie Bush look good running the football.

Hillard has been a good fullback this year.

[BigDaddyFin]

^^^

how many rushing touchdowns not counting chad henne do we have again?

[MikeO]

^^^

how many rushing touchdowns not counting chad henne do we have again?

Who cares? Plus that has a lot to do with playcalling and not talent. We have an idiot offensive coordinator who likes to throw jump balls and fade passes near the goaline.

Daniel Thomas in the 2 games he has played is averaging 101 yards per game RUSHING. That counts!!!  Reggie Bush sucks, no FB would make him look good.

When our #1 backfield of Hilliard at FB and Thomas at RB is out there, they produce. Period. END OF STORY!

[tepop84]

^^^

how many rushing touchdowns not counting chad henne do we have again?

out of the 5 whole attempts inside the 10 yard line, they don't have any.

[Diehard_Dolfan]

out of the 5 whole attempts inside the 10 yard line, they don't have any.

I think Mike O watches a different team...or he's very delusional?   Lex Hillard  has been a good FB?   He's been in on maybe 5 plays as a FB and beside running for a 1st down... I don't recall any blocks he's made for anyone!  Most of Thomas yds have come via a single/oneback formation.

[MikeO]

5 plays at FB? Are you serious. I don't know what games YOU are watching.

The announcers were raving about his blocking last game vs Cleveland and even showed replays of 2 big runs in which he paved the way. Buy a TiVO or DVR, tape and start and re-watching the games my friend.

[BigDaddyFin]

We no longer run the football on the goalline.  I rest my case.

Producing between the 20's is one thing.  I never said we couldn't run the football.  I'm glad we can run the ball.

However, we get inside the 5, and the whole stadium knows we're throwing, unless Paul Soliai is in the game.  Think that makes it easier for the defense? 

[Spider-Dan]

Lex Hilliard has been so good as FB that they replaced him with Soliai on the goalline.

Hilliard is garbage; he's on the team solely for special teams contributions.  He is the Jason Allen of the offense.