This is the bye week, and I'd like to do something different. I'm asking this forum for good news/positive posts from the first quarter of our NFL season. It can be players, plays, picks, or deals made or not made, anything of a positive note. I'm curious as to how many we can come up with amongst all the Doom & Gloom surrounding our team. It is a very challenging task. Let us see what we can do.
1. M Pouncey, love the fact we finally have a real center and an offensive lineman that can get to the second level and actually block someone. 2. D Thomas has looked like a legit NFL running back when he has managed to get on the field.
Brian Hartline, is having a pretty good year so far. Thomas, despite being worried about him during the pre-season, is doing quite well for his first year. Pouncey, is doing good as well, I can hardly imagine what our O-line would be like without him.
In a no-lose situation today. It's kind of a win-lose when you think about the fact that we can't lose this game, but we also can't really advance in the SFL sweepstakes. Can also be translated as a win-win simply because we can't really win either; so we can't worsen our SFL position.
Starks has been a BEAST, which many have not noticed. He is ranked #3 for 3-4 DEs overall. He does not have a sack but, is pressuring the QB with 2 hits and 5 pressures, and has 13 tackles (very high for a 3-4 DE). He also has really improved vs the run, close to the top, and has 10 stops (ending plays) also close to the top. He is playing great.
Some are saying Pouncey should be in the running for ROY. He has been great in run blocking, great on pulling for screen pass blocking but, just average in pass protection, which is coming. Great pick. DT has also played very well. He has come oh so close to breaking a few, in addition to what he has done. Looks like another great pick. I'm saying this after wanting Ingram in the worst way. Seems like Ireland knew a whole lot more than I did.
Good news is they didn't trade away any future draft picks for a QB this week,sometimes good news is not makeing bad news.
While I don't think Starks has played bad, 5 QB pressures from Randy Starks in 4 weeks is not acceptable. Starks game is getting after the QB, and he has been less then stellar at that this year. He's been better against the run, but we have Langford for that. Starks need to get up the field.
Wake is having a good year. Tied for the lead among 3-4 olbs in QB hits with 7. Tied for 5th in sacks with 3 and 7th in pressures with 12, PFF ranks him 5th overall, and 3rd in pass rushing grade.
Love Pouncey. However, I see so many positive posts about Thomas, and none questioning him. The guy is playing RB in the NFL here, and he's already getting banged up. Banged up in preseason and now banged up now. I am surprised at how well he has run for sure, but it means nothing if he's only playing 9 games a season I'd be lieing if a sad it isn't worrysome
Jimmy Wilson seems like he is adjusting to the speed of the NFL. It seems like he made a lot of progress between getting beat pretty bad vs the Pats to just missing a deflection vs the Browns, to breaking up a pass vs the Chargers... He also has the only INT from the secondary. Odrick has an INT!
I like looking at the bright side, its so much better than doom and gloom. Daniel Thomas is a welcomed addition and may be great before his career is over. Mike Pouncey is playing well enough to make people think maybe he is as good or maybe even better than his brother. Its been a long, long time since the Dolphins had a quality center, not since the days of Dwight Stephenson and Jim Langer. Clyde Gates brings a dimension to the Dolphins they haven't had in a long time, when he develops his skill as a good wide receiver he is going to be a threat and a dangerous weapon any time he is on the field. Jimmy Wilson is going to be a play maker on the field and as his instincts and skills develop he will give the fans something to cheer about. Brandon Fields continues to show he is one of the premier punters in the league and a real positive fixture on the team.
