There are plenty of new things to watch for in opener in Miami
The penalty flag (or "flag") is a yellow cloth used in several field sports including American football and lacrosse by game officials to identify and sometimes mark the location of penalties or infractions that occur during regular play. It is usually wrapped around a weight, such as sand or beans so it can be thrown accurately over greater distances. Many officials previously weighted flags with BBs, but the practice was largely discontinued after a flag thrown by NFL referee Jeff Triplette struck Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Orlando Brown in the eye during a 1999 game vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars, causing a serious injury to Brown, who later attacked Triplette and threw him to the ground. Brown was forced to sit out three seasons because of the eye injury and settled with the NFL for a reported amount of $25 million.
The yellow flag trumps all offensive or defensive schemes. The best game plan imaginable is worthless when the yellow flag hits the ground.
Lindsay H.Jones,USA Today Sports:
"We understand where the game is going, and we adapted to the rule change," Seattle safety Earl Thomas told USA TODAY Sports. Thomas and his secondary teammates have grown used to hearing opponents complain to the referees about their handsy play.
The Miami Dolphins defense is strong up front with Olivier Vernon, Randy Starks, Earl Mitchell and Cameron Wake. Cameron has been wreaked havoc on QB Tom Brady in the past. With the warm weather and changes on the Patriots offensive line, it will be important to keep Cameron, at bay. Blitzing will be nonexistent because of the subpar linebacking.
The Patriots offense should be able to exploit the weak linebacking crew of Dannel Ellerbe, Koa Misi and Philip Wheeler. The Dolphins corps has struggled against the pass, and will have their hands full with Rob Gronkowski and Tim Wright over the middle, and with Shane Vereen out of the backfield. Miami has a solid secondary with Cortland Finnegan and Brent Grimes.
It will be up to the New England defense to slow down the running game of Lamar Miller and newcomer, Knowshon Moreno. When Knowshon was in Denver, he had some solid rushing efforts against the Patriots defense. Of course, he did have QB Peyton Manning handing off to him. Things are different with youngster Ryan Tannehill trying to negotiate the up-tempo offense under new offensive coordinator, Bill Lazor. Bill trained under speed merchant, Chip Kelly in Philadelphia.
Lots of moving parts on both sides of the ball. Questions for both teams on the play of the offensive line. Miami has five new bodies along the front, including OT Branden Albert over from the Kansas City Chiefs. New England works a new lineup having replaced OG Logan Mankins with Mr. X. The Patriots are always so secretive.
Three things that are essential to surviving the NFL season. 1. Patience 2. RedZone 3. Double A batteries. That television remote is going to get quite a workout if the yellow flags keep falling on the carpet. We can only hope that they don't like reaching down to pick them up anymore than we like seeing them.
If the Seattle Seahawks can adapt to the new rule changes, so can we at home.
Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.
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