Conducting a little bit of an experiment with this discussion… when you hear the term “finesse” (typically in a derogatory manner), which teams from across the decades spring to mind?
2013 Broncos
It’s funny I was thinking the current dolphins
I think this is a great example, though I don’t really think of it as “derogatory.” Finesse has its weaknesses the same way sole power does. Maybe only in regards to their offense though…
Is there even a way to play finesse defense?
Deion Sanders would argue yes
It’s true to a degree, but a lesser degree than last year. Dolphins are currently the #2 rushing offense in the NFL behind the Ravens. Lead the league in YPC at 5.5 / carry. (Ravens #2 at 4.9 / carry)
Last year the Dolphins were 26th in rushing, 22 in YPC.
It’s tough to shake a “finesse” label once you have it but the Dolphins are much less of a finesse team than last year.
you can argue though that the way we run the ball is still a “finesse”. we typically dont run between the tackles and gut out yards. we use a heavy compliment of sweeps and reverses to try and hit the home run.
I dont really see it as being a bad thing though. we are playing to our strengths, which is speed. If you know your better then anyone else at a certain skill, you take advantage. And its not like there isnt hard work on blocking outside runs too.
Marino dolphins maybe?
- 2013 Broncos
- 2016 Falcons
- 2018 Chiefs
I always think of a finesse football team as one with high flying offense that gets let down by their defense.
high flying offense that gets let down by their defense
just summarized brees whole carrer
i mean some of the saints defenses are pretty famous for hitting people…
Rams under Dick Vermeil and Kurt Warner.
Rams “greatest show on turf” era
Colts at peak Peyton Manning era
Current Chiefs under Mahomes
Raiders that got blasted by Bucs in Super Bowl
Have you seen Pacheco run?
A few years ago we were much more finesse, so I’ll 1/2 agree
100% agree with the Chiefs. They are getting a little more balance recently, but the first 4 years of Mahomes was finesse in my opinion
Air coryell chargers
Fouts Chargers
Marino Dolphins
Rams with Mike Martz or Dolphins this year
2019 ravens
The offense was not a finesse offense. It was literally the greatest rushing offense of all time and our OL was dominant.
The defense however was the definition of a finesse defense. They covered very well but they lived off of turnovers, all our pressure came from blitzes and our run D was soft as bread pudding. Nobody ever tested it until the playoffs bc the offense always jumped ahead to such giant leads.
True but didn’t the titans defense hold the ravens offense off for most of their he game until the ravens scored 2 tds in the 4th quarter.
98 Vikings with Moss, Carter and Robert Smith
Bill Walsh era 49ers
Air Coryell. Chargers
1994 Little Giants
O’Shea was the only real bruiser on defense and she only played half a game. Pretty sure Zoltek was their second-leading rusher behind Vennaro. This was a game that Urbania lost, not a game the Giants won. No yards given up and only up three scores? Should have been a warning signal.
A mix of hubris and painstakingly horrible mental mistakes (along with some really dodgy pursuit angles) lost the game.
Yet the Giants were the victors and their coach probably went home and banged the starting QB’s mom.
oh also the 2017 falcons