A good article by John Congemi. http://thefinsiders.com/blog/2012/what-we-learned-from-otas-and-mini-camp He enumerates five things he took away from camp. The first was the pace/tempo, which I think has stood out to everyone. The second was a comment on the QB competition, I think he's basically just trying to say it's even at this point (which I personally am skeptical about). The third was a comment on the defensive talent, specifically praising Dansby, with some notes about Vontae & Sean, as well as Reshad Jones. Fourth observation was (IMO) a little white-washing of the WRs unit. Fifth and final observation was about Charles Clay and how much he'll end up used in this offense, especially along with Davone Bess on option routes in the red zone. I thought that was an interesting note. Personally, this is what I take away from OTAs/Mini Camps, which isn't all that much: 1. Congemi's exactly right about the pace, but it has its benefits and drawbacks. One immediate benefit should be the Dolphins ready to get off to a fast start, especially at home in the heat, as they'll be highly conditioned by fast paced field activity. One immediate drawback could be seeming to run into a wall with several players that just aren't learning things properly because they need a slower pace in order to learn (see: Johnson, Chad). 2. Receivers unit is in trouble, outside of perhaps Brian Hartline, who really didn't participate in many OTAs/Minis due to "personal" surgery (could range anywhere from appendectomy to nut-ectomy). Chad Johnson came in and immediately looked like the alpha of the unit, which is concerning because he was the afterthought of New England's receivers unit. He was the only one here that could get open impressively versus man and consistently catch the ball. That doesn't bode well because we still have zero clue whether Chad is going to learn the playbook, ESPECIALLY considering all of the calls that will be made at the line, and the pace they're trying to set. He's already put most of the receivers unit to shame with his skill on the field, yet he hasn't even tackled his biggest obstacle to making the roster. I don't like that. 3. The offense is extremely portable. It's like Madden, any given play you can audible any/all of the routes at the line based on what you see in the defense. This has benefits and drawbacks as well. The benefits are obvious, the ability to never get caught running a bad play. The drawbacks are very real, though. If you don't have the right guy making those calls at the line, he can ruin the shape of the offense by audibling too many route combinations that don't make sense, being predictable, etc. It also puts a lot of responsibility on the receivers, tight ends and backs to adjust to everything that is going on. Another drawback is I don't expect Ryan Tannehill to make a serious showing in this QB competition, by virtue of the nature of the offense. I don't care if he already knows the name of each play, route, formation, etc. What he has yet to learn is how to call them and run them against NFL defenses, and that's going to take a lot of time. 4. Sean Smith will probably improve, based on the way he's trained in the off season and his approach during practices, to go along with all the interceptions. When Dansby was asked who has stood out to him, he answered very quickly and very emphatically Sean Smith. He didn't hem or haw, didn't try to name every player on the defense, he had one name and one name alone, and said he's stood out because of how hard he's working and his general approach. Speaking of, I've heard some hints (latest coming from Congemi) that suggest Dansby is really taking like a fish in water to his new role as Mike in Kevin Coyle's defense. He sounds like he's going to be very aggressive and he's really in his prime. Reshad Jones is looking like he'll improve and has surprisingly emerged as pretty much the one guy you're absolutely sure will be starting at safety. 5. The following position battles are trending the following directions at the moment: Artis Hicks over John Jerry (RG), Lydon Murtha over Jon Martin (RT), David Garrard over Matt Moore (QB), Legedu Naanee over Clyde Gates (WR4), Charles Clay over Michael Egnew (TE2), Koa Misi over Gary Guyton (SLB), Reshad Jones over Tyrone Culver (RS), Chris Clemons over Jimmy Wilson (LS).
I'd really wish some of these people who had a chance to go to camp would give us some degree of technical details, even if it is a bit limited. What is the defense actually lined up like? Where is Charles Clay lining up? Etc. and so on.
They're not allowed. Anything more detailed than a very basic who is playing what position...draws Harvey Greene's hammer.
I am just glad that they are going to find a way to implement Clay into the offense. I thought he might be the odd man out with Fasano and the drafting of Egnew. Clay is a play maker that can be a match-up nightmare for opposing defenses. In fact, I would even like to see formations with Egnew and Clay as the two TEs, providing Egnew shows he can contribute year 1.
I don't think it's necessarily going to affect Reggie one way or another. In fact it sounds to me like he's going to take a bigger role in the passing game and therefore a smaller role in the run game.
I don't see what the point would be, it's all information that the general public can get in camp or pre-season.
There was a general agreement that reporters would get any access to OTAs, so long as they didn't give out any details. Either way, I think ever since the team has adopted the more media-friendly approach, it makes the beat reporters less trustworthy.
I think the reporters are given more access than the general public at these OTAs and Mini Camps. In return they ask not to be specific about X's and O's.
I just booked my training camp trip starting on the 26 for four days, I'm gonna have some fun but I'm gonna have a ninja like focus..lol
Man, Solomon Wilcotts is barking up the dolphins, he really thinks the difference between coaching staffs for the Phins is night and day, and the speed and organization for which this team is prating is completely original and focused..says , the Dolphins are going to be the surprise team" Looks like Chris Clemons is gonna win that Job, that's good to see seeing that he takes a lot of heat from fans, who I believe underestimate him.. Really good to hear that Rjones and SS24 are walking around strong and confident about their positions, Omar has RJ being a breakout player.. Cam Wake is a superstar and quite possibly the most athletic freak in the game, nice combination if you ask me, cause were talking about what's good from a longevity standpoint. Dansby is in beast mode, and for the first time IMO, embracing how it feels to be in top condition..is becoming a great leader..He 30, and he's our oldest starter..me likey our young bad *** defense. Reggie Bush has a chance to reinvent his career, and should try to make a run at 2000 total. And he's only 27. Paul Solai is in shape.. And we might have just hit a home run with our new coach...
He's in the race no doubt, Martin isn't what most thought we were getting, which was a sure fire plug in and go player, hes a 2nd rounder trying to get a start, I think there will be a good battle.
Wait...I think you are selling Martin short because he hasn't been in the OTA's. This minicamp was his first practices with the team because Stanford doesn't finish their semesters until sometime in June, as opposed to those Rooks that have been in the OTAs and minicamps all along... Let's give the kid some slack until he has a chance to work some...
He hasn't done it in pads. Defense has the advantage when they're padless usually. Doesn't help that he went against Wake a lot. And as Larry said, he missed OTA's being in class while guys were training everyday.
Yep, all reports I have seen is he is a bit behind because of time missed but is a athletic freak. He will start.
I don't think I'm selling him short, I just don't think it's gonna be as easy as a lot expected when he got drafted, when most pundits thought he was a steal..
Only reason Murtha is ahead because he knows the NFL. Murtha, if lucky, will make the roster. If luckier, he be active on game day. Outside of that, he is still Lydon Murtha. Save the post.
anyone thinks our run defense could suffer at the beginning of the season because they practice against that fast paced offense only ?
Congemi really needs a few more exclamation points in his writing! Really! #ThesamegoesforBushwhocanbeatyourunningthefootballorcatchingathree-yardpassandturningitintoa25-yardgain!
No, I think the run D will be just fine. If anything the overall conditioning of the D should be better because of it. The defense is the least of my worries. IF Koa Misi can play 4-3 LB I think this D will easily be top 5.
I heard that and almost wrecked my car in shock. I wonder how his comments played with the rest of the crew at NFL Radio that make a living off Dolphin bashing.
Is this the link you were referencing with that information? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNS-fWkHSQY
No, there is an interview up at miamidolphins.com and I heard him on serius radio...He's all over the place talking about how impressed he is.
Perhaps, but at first glance, you seemed to be basing your opinion on what he's done or not done so far and the fact that he's not been in camp with the rest makes all the difference in the world for a rookie, even a highly drafted one...
I don't think fast paced really means that there's a lack of a run game, I think it means more along the line that there's a lot of no-huddle being practiced. That's something I think is pretty helpful in regards to playing the Patriots.
Anyone who watched the ducks the last couple of years knows that fast paced goes just fine with a running game. Sent from my SGH-T959V using Tapatalk 2
