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?
98 Vikings with Moss, Carter and Robert Smith
98 Vikings.
99 Rams.
Manning Era Colts.
Fouts Era Chargers.Every Patriots team during their dynasty
Peyton Colts in the early years. They finally found a defense and run game when they won the superbowl
Bills in the 90’s - the NFC was just more physical those years
Greatest Show on Turf, Manning Colts and Broncos teams, Brees/Payton Saints teams, couple of McVay’s Rams teams, Mahomes/Hill Chiefs teams, current Dolphins team, and I would also say the 08 Patriots
1992 Oilers
Kept scrolling and saw no mention of the Drew Brees era Saints. Always thought they were a finesse team that was always dropping bombs and had Bush catching passes.
I think of the 2002 Bucs (in a good way.) They were a smallish defense that relied on speed and smarts to beat opposing offenses, and they were great at it. But if the Raiders had chosen to run the ball down their throats in the Super Bowl (instead of Gannon passing it all over the place,) they’d have been steamrolled.
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.
My take: Colts dominant regular seasons during the Peyton era. '05-'09
Greatest Show on Turf. Every play they ran was fucking pretty. Holt, Bruce, and Faulk were the definition of finesse. Even Orlando Pace moved like Fred Astaire.
I actually kind of disagree, people forget those teams were dominant in run defense
Greatest Show on Turf
My thought too - but the defense was good and Marshall Faulk could smash if/when he needed to.
2008/2009 Cardinals.
2013 Broncos
Chiefs 2020 the Bucs bullied them