In towns such as Buffalo, N.Y.; Indianapolis and Nashville, Tenn., defensive backfields are made up of mere mortals. And yet, the Dolphins failed to capitalize.
So how, then, can Miami’s grounded pass attack expect to survive the Seahawks’ self-named “Legion of Boom?”
In Seattle, the defensive backfield has a superpower: The cornerbacks are abnormally large.
So, the Dolphins will definitely need less Clark Kent and more Man of Steel out of Ryan Tannehill today.
“(I) really need to go out and play well for four quarters, not just part of the game, but for four quarters and get us out of this slump,” said Tannehill, who has posted the worst two-game span of his young career.
But the Seahawks, at least on paper, are no slump-busters. The Seahawks rank third in pass defense, surrendering 196 yards per game. Opposing teams have managed only eight touchdowns through the air against them in 2012.
It might not be a fluke. Seattle sent three defensive backs to the Pro Bowl last season –safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor and cornerback Brandon Browner – and corner Richard Sherman is tied for fourth in the league with four interceptions.
“We don’t look at them like, ‘They’re big, they’re physical,’ ” Dolphins receiver Marlon Moore said. “Nobody’s scared or anything like that, but we know we have to go out there and play physical and be able to match their intensity, and exceed it.”
NO TIME TO SURRENDER
The Cleveland Browns have waved the white flag on their white-flag giveaway.
After days of criticism, the Browns decided to cancel a promotion to hand out white flags to fans before today’s game against rival Pittsburgh. Because white flags symbolize surrender, the giveaway seemed to imply the Browns were giving up against the Steelers, who have won 16 of the past 17 games between the AFC North foes.
Browns spokesman Neal Gulkis said in a statement the team scrapped the idea “in the best interests of everyone.”
The flag giveaway was poorly received by many Browns fans and even some players.
EXTRA POINTS
The Vikings declared wide receiver Percy Harvin out of today’s game at Chicago because of a sprained left ankle. … Eagles quarterback Michael Vick and running back LeSean McCoy have been ruled out for the game against Carolina on Monday night because of concussions. … The Raiders promoted linebacker Kaelin Burnett from the practice squad to fill the spot vacated by the release of ex-Seahawks first-round draft choice Aaron Curry. … The Chiefs waived offensive lineman Rich Ranglin and elevated wide receiver Jamar Newsome from the practice squad.
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