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Nasty's Notes - Saturday's Scrimmage 8/2

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by FinNasty, Aug 6, 2014.

  1. FinNasty

    FinNasty Alabama don’t want this... Staff Member Club Member

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    OK, well this is obviously really late, lol. Life has been kind of crazy, and by the time I had actually had some time to sit down and write something up, it was 3-4 days afterwards so I figured it would be old news. But DJ insisted that wasn't the case. So for those that are interested, here were my thoughts from the scrimmage. Since I'm sure most here have read all the play by play type tweets, I'll talk more about specific players.

    Jarvis Landry
    This was a player I didn't get to watch as much during the first practice I attended, so I made sure to watch him more on Saturday. He catches the ball well away from his body. And his catches are so clean, there is no bobble to them. The pass hits his hands and just sticks, no double catching or clutching or anything. Just "pop", hits his gloves and that's it. He did however have a rare drop this practice, on a crossing route from right to left. It was weird, watching the replay from the back of the endzone on the big screen, it seemed like he miss timed his steps or something? Kinda took a false step just before the catch, was a little awkward. I'm guessing he miss judged the ball or maybe saw it late or something, hard to tell what happened with that false step. But other than that, he was good. He made a nice catch on the left sideline on an out route for a first down a couple plays later to make up for the drop. His best play of the day though was what I believe was a slant from the right side (LOS around the opponents 15 yard line or so). The ball was low, but he snagged it, spun back to the outside to make his defender miss, and then made another defender miss and broke a tackle for a touchdown. It was a great play.

    Lamar Miller
    He also had a very nice practice. He made multiple defenders miss throughout practice, and was playing with good speed. He caught a 10-15 yard TD on a wheel route to the left on a good hot read from Tannehill, and from my vantage point seemed to break a long run for what would have been a 55 yard TD later on in practice. The play was blown dead once he got into the secondary, so I don't know if the coaches deemed that a defender would have got him and didn't want an injury... but from where I was sitting it didn't look like anyone would have got him. The reporters didn't seem to report that though from what I saw so maybe they saw something that I didn't? Regardless, he looked pretty good. Knoshown isn't taking that starting spot unless he really just starts to tear it up now that hes off the PUP. I'm skeptical of that happening. Fantasy players in PPR leagues, I do think he'll catch more passes this season than he ever has in his limited career. They are sending him out and using him as a release valve fairly regularly, and far more than last year.

    Damien Williams
    Speaking of running backs, I like this kid man. As I mentioned in my first practice report, I had no idea who this kid was or that he was even on this roster. But, I kept seeing this #5 RB and had to look him up. He's just a kid that catches your eye in practice, even when you're focusing on other players or aspects of the practice. Good size, good speed, a little wiggle, and flashes. Saturday's scrimmage was no different than the first practice I went to. Limited sample size (2 practices), but I like his odds to make the team. He'll obviously need to be able to play a role on special teams to solidify a spot, and I don't know how proficient he is on STs... but its worth watching that during Fridays preseason game. If he performs well on special teams, I think he makes it... b/c I like his ability at RB. He gets up field quick and seems decisive. If we're running a 1 cut and go type zone blocking scheme... I can see how he would fit well.

    Arthur Lynch
    A guy who I don't think will end up making the team is Arthur Lynch. Maybe I'll be wrong, but I just don't see it man. Again, I'm basing this off a very small sample size of 2 practices, so who knows. But he doesn't flash. He doesn't look that big, or that fast, hasn't made any plays worth noting that I've seen, etc. And if I had to guess, he's not blowing away the coaches in the practices I haven't seen b/c he hasn't got any reps with the 1st team in the 2 practices that I have attended. Meanwhile, besides Clay, both Egnew and Simms have got plenty of reps with the 1st team. And how many TEs will we actually roster? I cant see us keeping 4, and while Egnew hasn't really done a whole lot in the practices I've seen, he does provide some position flexibility being able to be a lead blocker in an H-Back/fullback role in addition to TE. And unless the team is taking the approach of giving Egnew "enough rope to hang himself" by giving him all the reps and opportunities hes getting vs. a guy like Lynch (which could be possible)... I just think they like Egnew more. IMO, Lynch is heading to the practice squad if he stays in a Fins uniform.

    Dion Sims
    But regarding the other TE on this roster not named Clay (I'm doing a pretty decent job at this segue thing, huh? lol)... IMO Dion Sims is the #2 TE on this roster. Like Egnew, hes getting reps with the 1st team (maybe even a tad more), but unlike Egnew... hes actually doing some pretty good things with them. He's made plays in both the practices I've attended. Seems to be getting open and the QBs are looking his way. On Saturday, some of the more notable plays were a nice 4th down conversion on a quick out to the left around mid-field and a nice 15 yard or so TD down the seam. He's not supplanting Clay anytime soon, but hes looking like he's developing into a solid #2 TE.

    Dion Jordan
    Speaking of Dion's (ok, I reached here on the segue, lol. But I do want to talk about him)... he continues to look good. I know its been said, but he's definitely added bulk. Before he looked like a basketball player, and now he looks like a football player. It hasn't however seemed to have effected his quickness and burst, b/c he still seems fast out there. On the "2nd team", he went up against Albert a lot which was nice to see. He got him a couple times too. He's playing both LDE and RDE... and does appear to be holding the edge better against the run. We all know that is going to be the key to him getting more playing time, but he's definitely showing improvement in that area.

    Terrence Fede
    I want to see this guy get more action against the 1's... b/c he looked good against the 3rd string. But its the 3rd string. Got some good pressure (maybe credited with a sack?), and had a nice leaping PBU swatting a pass to the right side of the offense. He's mainly been playing LDE... which I found surprising b/c I wasn't expecting that when we drafted him. I was more under the impression he was a DT post-draft... but if he has played on the interior in the practices I've been at... I haven't seen it. He's a big boy for sure, but doesn't play like it in terms of having light feet. Our DL is so deep, its hard to know if he will make this roster, but he looked good Saturday. We'll have to pay close attention to him during the preseason. I'm hoping we'll get to see him go up against some better competition to better evaluate what we have in him.

    Ja'Wuan James
    I still see 72 and think Vernon Carey. Is that weird? I'll tell you what though, physically, he looks nothing like Vernon Carey. Dude is big but LEAN. Not skinny or anything, but lean. Maybe its just b/c hes so damn tall it makes him look leaner... but he looks like a guy who is in fantastic shape, not some blubbery slow flat lineman. He played well on Saturday. I didn't see him give up a sack or even a pressure (if I missed one, I apologize)... and seemed to hold the fort down, even when he went up against Wake in the couple possessions of 1s v 1s. I'm hoping it wasn't an aberration... b/c he is VERY important to our success this year.

    Jordan Tripp
    I just don't know what to think of this kid. When he was out there, I really tried to spend a decent amount of time on Saturday watching him b/c I didn't watch him much the first practice... and to be honest, I didn't come away that impressed. He made a hell of a play with the strip fumble return for a TD... so I'll just put that out there right now. But other than that, he was just kinda "meh". And while a strip fumble return for 6 is about as impactful of a play as you can make, he didn't make many impactful plays other than that one. One time, he bit HARD on a play action and blew a coverage. I don't know. I want to like him, and maybe he'll show up more in the preseason game... b/c again... I'm looking at 1 singular practice for this kid, so the sample size is tiny. And to be fair, he DID make a freaking huge play, lol. But I guess I was left wanting more. Just didn't seem to be around the ball much, and doesn't really stand out to you physically/athletically either. We'll see on Friday.

    Walt Aikens
    This kid I really like. He just LOOKS the part. He seems to have a real nice combo of size/speed/athleticism. He's going to have to play special teams, as he needs some grooming no doubt... but I like him as a safety prospect. Seems to have the tools you look for... and while he isn't flashing all over the place like some other players mentioned... he does flash here and there. He had a great stop in the backfield for a loss. So far, I like.

    Last but not least, Ryan Tannehill
    Like most reports said, he had a good practice. He stayed clean, showed good mobility both scrambling and on roll outs, and made the right throws. The TD on the wheel route to Lamar Miller was just a great read. It was a hot read as the defense was blitzing (both a safety and linebacker appeared to blitz) and Tannehill knew right where to go with the ball for the easy TD. His best throw of the day was a fantastic one. It was dropped... but still worthy of talking about. He rolled out to the left, and while rolling left threw a beautiful laser to the back of the endzone to Richard Mathews who was crossing right to left along the back edge of the endzone. On the run to your left, throwing across your body, and threading cluttered redzone coverage to a crossing WR in the back of the endzone is a freaking HARD throw... but he nailed it. To bad Matthews blew the damn play with a terrible drop... but it didn't take anything away from it. The throw was perfect with the level of difficulty being extremely high. Tannehill came back a play or 2 later with probably his 2nd best throw of the day, threading another laser (this time from the pocket) to Dion Sims on the seam route for the TD. One thing is clear... this offense is going to be demanding of Tannehill to be quick and decisive with the football. We aren't keeping players in to block. We're sending them out on routes... and its on Tannehill to make a quick read and get it to the open guy. And on Saturday, he had no problem doing just that. I'm hoping that continues to be the case... its all on him.


    Well, that's all I got. Sorry its so late! I tried to give you something a little different than the play by play since most of you already got that through the tweets and such. Hope you enjoyed! Only 2 days until the first preseason game... cant wait!
     
  2. dolfan22

    dolfan22 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    Great to read , informative and also well written , thanks !
     
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  3. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Unzips..

    That was a better more informative, more trustworthy read I've read since camp started, no BS, there's just something about one of us giving us the low down, we've all been together for 7 years and more, I have a feel about what it is you say because of your history of posting..

    Because of that,I will look closer to the players you mention good or bad, especially Aikens, Fede, Tripp, and Williams, we need some depth payers who are really young, and who have great physical measurables..All four do.
     
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  4. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Very exciting news about Sims..not something I expected.huge plus for us if this is a real jump in level of play.

    Good to hear that James looking the part..love that his frame is long and lean, coupke years he should be just right...

    I wasn't a fan of taking him at 19 but we needed an upgrade at that position desperately, if there was ever a time to draft for need by a GM, I guess what Ireland left Hickey, gives him the green light..
     
  5. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    About this Aikens kid, when we drafted him some of us Automatically thought conversion to safety, I'm happy we finally have an athletic specimen with size as a safety project, from what I've heard and how I've heard it, this dude has opened some eyes and has created a buzz.

    Of course we'll see with our own eyes, but i don't mind the hype and excitement about these players.
     
  6. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Dan cambell chimes in..

    Cambell seems like a real good coach and I'm sure had something to do with clays ascension..
     
  7. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member

    Camp-bell. Dan Camp-bell. Campbell Campbell Campbell. :yes:

    [video=youtube;7sxFyu_U2go]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sxFyu_U2go[/video]

    Camptown ladies never sang all the doo dah day...
     
  8. Hiruma78

    Hiruma78 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    Thanks for the report and thanks to DJ also, for insisting : very very informative and interesting. Particularly happy about Miller as a safety target and the Williams running back, let's hope we have found a keeper(I'm on mobile, so I can't thanks the post, I'll oblige as soon as possible #
     
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  9. FinNasty

    FinNasty Alabama don’t want this... Staff Member Club Member

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    By the way, I totally get my hypocrisy with Tripp vs Aikens. Both flashed with an impactful play with stops in the backfield, etc (Tripp's actually being more impactful b/c he stripped the ball too and took it back for a damn touchdown). So, maybe it was a matter of expectations? I went in looking for Tripp, where as Aikens was a guy who I wasn't looking for but would catch my eye. Maybe I'm racially biased towards black athletes, lol. I dunno. But Tripp just didnt stand out much to me physically/athletically, didnt really seem to fly around out there, etc. Well see. I'm sure everyone thought the same thing about Zach Thomas too, and we know how that turned out. And if he consistently creates turnovers for touchdowns... I'll love him to death, lol. But he kinda just seemed like a JAG.
     
  10. vt_dolfan

    vt_dolfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    Thanks for the report bro..woulda been a good read had you posted it in December.

    What was your take on the tempo? Using the naked eyeball test..how much different does our offense look. Its one thing to read the tweets..but Id love to hear your gut feeling.
     
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  11. FinNasty

    FinNasty Alabama don’t want this... Staff Member Club Member

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    It's definitely different. There were less quick formation shifts this practice than the first one I went to (so, maybe it was just a point of emphasis that they were working on that first practice), but they still do them... which is something I don't ever remember doing much a all of under Sherman. It definitely is up tempo... and for a portion of practice they went straight no huddle play after play... which again we didnt see much before this season.

    Otherwise, the big changes to the offense that I've noticed is lots of play action and not keeping people into block. We're sending everyone out... opposite of the "max protect" philosophy we played with at times last year. And that is a big change. It puts pressure both on the defense to account for 5 possible targets... but also puts pressure on Tannehill to make quick decisive reads. In curious how that is going to play out. Will teams blitz much if Tannehill continues to burn them with correct hot reads? If they don't, it makes the defenses more passive and less aggressive. But if Tannehill isn't getting rid of the ball quickly, it could be bad.

    Also, we are moving Tannehill more, both with rollouts and things like the read option. IMO, that is beneficial b/c it makes the pass rushers think more and have to be reactionary... instead of pinning their ears back knowing their target destination prior to the snap. That alone I think will really help pass protection.

    ,
     
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  12. vt_dolfan

    vt_dolfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    Man...I truly hope we can finally have an offense that will put pressure on other teams.
     
  13. FinNasty

    FinNasty Alabama don’t want this... Staff Member Club Member

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    Ya, we'll see about Sims. It could be that he's developing well... or could be a case that he's just generating some production b/c someone has to catch the ball as a backup TE. The part that makes me think it is more than that though is that the QBs do seem to be looking for him in big spots. He caught that 4th down conversion, the TD I mentioned (which I believe was on 3rd down?)... and I also think he had a 2pt conversion. When you're getting targeted in spots like that, it would indicate that the QBs trust him to make a play.
     
  14. Tone_E

    Tone_E Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Thanks for the great report.

    I've been waiting for RBs to utilized more for years, as most of us have. Using Miller as a release valve is much better than asking him to stay in and block at this point in his career. I'd rather have him running a flat as an out for THill as opposed to him staying in trying to block resulting in a sack.
     

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