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Dolphins search for ways to stop Rodgers
DAVIE, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins have a huge task this week when they face Green Bay and quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who might be the best in the game right now.
“Some guys you’d just love to watch on tape, you just put the tape on and observe,” defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle said.
“You wish you didn’t have to try to defend him because he’s magical with what he does with the ball and the decision-making and the speed that he gets the ball out with, his accuracy, his ability to extend plays, it’s really uncanny, coupled with the fact that he’s got a rifle of an arm.
“He’s a big challenge and he’s got good weapons around him, and they’re very well-coached. We’re going to have to be at our best this week to slow those guys down.”
The Dolphins have had success against quality quarterbacks recently. Since the start of last season, Miami has 10 victories; seven have come against quality quarterbacks — New England’s Tom Brady (twice), Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger, Indianapolis’ Andrew Luck, Atlanta’s Matt Ryan, San Diego’s Philip Rivers and Cincinnati’s Andy Dalton.
Still, Rodgers is a different animal. He has 12 touchdowns and just one interception this season. He’s an amazing passer, as his 114.8 rating (second in the NFL) will attest. And Rodgers is also a strong-armed quarterback who can throw accurately on the run.
By the way, this starts a nasty quarterback gauntlet for the Dolphins, who face Chicago’s Jay Cutler the following week and Rivers in three weeks.
It’ll be important for the Dolphins to get off to a decent start against the Packers. They’ve trailed at halftime in three of their four games and their passing game isn’t reliable if they need to play catch-up.
However, if it comes to beating Green Bay in a high-scoring game, the Dolphins think they could get it done.
“I think we have the playmakers across the board to do it,” quarterback Ryan Tannehill said.
Meanwhile, Tannehill thinks he knows why the Dolphins are fifth in the NFL in rushing at 142.3 yards per game, and the answer might be a surprise.
“I think the offensive line,” he said. “I think establishing the line of scrimmage, the way they can control people up front. The different looks that we present seem to control the numbers. Just slow down their play a little bit, make them hesitate and, if you hesitate for a second, then the running back is already getting four yards.
“That’s a big part of it as well as the running backs. They’re running hard, they’re getting in space and creating extra yards once they have contact. I’m excited about our running game in general.”
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