PLAYOFFS: WHAT WILL IT TAKE?

                                       FinHeaven's Ten Keys for Ending the Playoff Drought 

                         Can the Fins find the unity needed to pull off an improbable turn around?

The Miami Dolphins are one game out. They are one game out of the division lead, one game out of playoff contention and they are one game out of completing a most unlikely turnaround for a once troubled franchise. Who would have ever thought that this team which could not find a way to win barely a year ago would today be sitting in this position? This season is a success by all measures and I think every fan can agree that Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland have this franchise headed in the right direction. But for the sake of this article we are going to be a little greedy. Why? Because we are fans and we always want more. It is the fan way. So this article is not about being content with improvement, and it is not about patting everyone on the back and saying "next year". It is about getting this team into the playoffs and being a factor right now. So if you are not a rabid fan who wants more than stop reading now. If you bleed Dolphins colors and you miss those storied days of playoff football where we went to the dance and were considered one of the elite teams then put on your aqua and orange colored glasses and read on.

1. Reduce penalties: The Fins have had way too many penalties and they have come at costly times (yes, Ted Ginn I know you know). They have to play smarter cleaner football down the stretch and avoid negative yardage and costly mistakes.

2. Get Pressure on the QB: When the defense can get to the QB the coverage is better because it doesn't have to hold up as long and the team gets more turnovers. This means someone other than Joey Porter has to get pressure. Roth, Merling, Lankford have to do step it up.

3. The Secondary has to improve: The good pressure can not be wasted by DBs who blow coverage and are out of position. The secondary has to play smart and well. Giving up 300 and 400 yard passing games is not going to cut it in the big time.

4. Run the ball: The base offense has got to be effective in getting 150 yards or more a game running the football. It is important for this team to have that identity and it is important for the weak passing game to have that help. An effective running game brings up the safeties and opens up the Pennington style passing offense with the tight ends and crossing routes. The offensive line has to overcome injuries and the back-ups have to rise to the occassion and make better holes for Ronnie and Ricky.

5. Create turnovers: This offense needs as many opportunities as possible and the defense needs to keep them on the field.

6. Convert red zone opportunities: The team has had to settle for too many field goals this season. They don't seem to have that player who has a nose for the endzone when they get in close. Perhaps Ricky does more than anyone and he has become as much of a threat in the air as he is on the ground. In a playoff situation they need touchdowns not field goals.

7. Win the games they should: Miami has played down to its competition and let games against lesser teams become close games. This really burnt them against Houston where the Texans pulled it out in the end instead of Miami. How important may that loss end up being? The Dolphins have Buffalo, San Francisio and Kansas City. They simply have to win the two games against the 49ers and the Chiefs and they should. If they blow one of those then its over. Beyond that they need to split and win either the game against Buffalo this week or pull the upset in the meadowlands against the Jets at the end of the year. Of course if they win them all then it is a slam dunk.

8. Stretch the field: When Miami has chosen to go downfield early it has changed the game for the better. Chad Pennington is comfortable letting Ted Ginn go after the ball and Devon Bess has shown that he has reliable hands. Additionally, the tight ends Fasano and Martin have proven they can work the seams and get deep. The coaches need to force the opposing defenses to respect the passing game by taking a few more shots down the field. Pennignton is accurate and smart enough to not throw into coverage. Trust him and it will pay off.

9. Improve special teams coverage: No more cheap TDs please? It just deflates the whole team and it puts the opponent righ back into it. The coverage has got to hold up and not only eliminate the returns for touchdowns but also maintain better field position for the defense. Too many opponents have started drives past the 40 yard line. That really puts the pressure on the defense and makes it tough to win.

10. Keep your cool: The melt down that was displayed at the end of the New England game is inexcusable at this level. This is the NFL and the Miami Dolphins are a proud franchise. Don't give up yards and possessions by letting things get into your head. Be professionals.

If the Miami Dolphins can pull these areas together they can really make this a memorable year for the team. Already we as fans have gotten so much more out of the 2008 season then we could imagine. Either way it will be a crazy ride to the finish and it feels good to be sitting here after Thanksgiving and feeling this way. Knowing that if we can pull it together and start peaking now, that we can make it into the playoffs and who knows from there? The playoffs for us Dolphin fans would indeed be very Merry Christmas.

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