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Dolphins-Chargers, who brought home the bread?

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by Regan21286, Oct 5, 2008.

  1. Regan21286

    Regan21286 MCAT's, EMT's, AMCAS, ugh

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    First off, you have no idea how happy I was that I didn't have to watch another Raiders game this weekend. All 3 fave teams (Dodgers, Dolphins, Bruins) winning over the weekend is something I haven't had in a long time. It was raining in all 3 so I don't know what to make of that but moving on...

    We did all the right things today and even though the boxscore looks closer than it should, we were the unquestioned dominant team today. Got in Rivers face and that's a good thing too because the one drive we didn't exactly put the pressure, they went and got a TD. But overall, just dominance in the trenches. Though I do feel a little sorry for the Chargers. I don't know what Norv Turner did to piss off the refs but they've been getting bad calls for better or worse (see the pass interference call on a pass that I felt was out of reach for anyone shorter than Yao Ming). I don't complain but if it were any other team I probably would've.

    In a format that's a little pertinent to our current issues with the economy, here's how I saw it:

    Earned a Raise

    Ronnie Brown - He is the reason the Wildcat succeeds and why it's the new "It" trend in NFL strategy. Handles the ball well and runs with a passion. So many runs he just barrels right into the defenders and huge yards after first contact. Effectively iced the game with hard running to keep getting 1st downs. No passing today but he didn't need to. We've seen this before so he really needs to keep himself healthy to keep this going.

    Greg Camarillo - Ok, I hate Stanford with a passion (as much as FSU hates Miami and vice versa), but I have to give props to Camarillo for a good job. It's like the boss who wants to fire an employee but can't because he produces. He's been our top WR because he fights for balls, runs crisp routes, and gets separation. If we can get a real good WR (ala Roy Williams), Camarillo could be our Welker.

    Yeremiah Bell - The linchpin of the secondary comes through today against the run and pass. In every run play, he was always there either to make the tackle or about to make the tackle. In the passing game, he broke up key passes and helped our CB's with double coverage. Essentially he did everything a safety should do and he did it to perfection. Didn't have a pick or FF but still earns this one.

    Matt Roth - Who here questions his role on the defense. Exemplary at the OLB position with his non-stop motor and tenacity for the ball. How many times has he penetrated deep into the pocket or broke up a run play the second the RB got the ball? Finally, he's breaking out. In fact, the entire DL deserves to be put here. Ferguson was eating up blockers and putting pressure, the DE's were in Rivers' face for most of the game, and LT was stopped cold.

    Keeps their Job

    Chad Pennington - Efficient game as always. Just above 200 yards passing and a TD but most importantly, no picks against a very pick-happy defense. And that one play that could've ended up a safety but instead he made a smart move in picking himself up and throwing it away? Classic veteran play. Incredible accuracy and even some touch on medium throws. Of course, he did have some trouble moving the offense later and a few close calls but I can't complain. Undefeated vs. San Diego.

    Ricky Williams - Sub-par job running today. Just didn't have that agility and insane power that made him look like Barry Sanders was in Earl Campbell's body back in 2002-03. But a huge key block that sprung Ronnie Brown loose for a TD that would've led to the medical carts coming out if the CB didn't back off. Handled the Wildcat to perfection with stretch runs. Would earn the raise if he had a better time running up the middle and breaking tackles.

    Ted Ginn - Beleagued WR looks to be getting back in the groove. Improved his route running but I still see a bit of progress still to go. Can't seem to be elusive after the catch and for someone who's supposed to be shifty, isn't showing it. Still 7 catches is better than his usual 2-3. But I don't think anyone's going to mistake him for a dependable #1 WR yet.

    Anthony Fasano and David Martin - Productive as always in the passing game. Really makes an impact blocking and you can see it when LB's and DE's are being pushed aside. If not for a drop that could've been a 1st down and no TD today against a D weak against the TE (I benched Cooley for you! ASDLJKADSKJALDJ), he would've gotten a raise. Martin had a catch and likewise did some good blocking.

    The OL - Superb blocking up front to let Brown shift in high gear and only letting Pennington get sacked once. Pennington got to have all day on some plays (even though the WR's weren't getting open enough) and Brown went for 125 yards. Satele's been tripping Pennington up and they gotta fix that. Still good job.

    LB crew - Porter and Crowder did an admirable job bottling up a hobbled LT and making sure Gates didn't have a field day. Got thrown a bit off by screen passes but recovered quickly. Applied pressure as always though didn't exactly notch up tackles or force turnovers.

    Put on Notice

    Davone Bess - Horrible ST play this time with a costly fumble that could've gone for 7 and a tie game if LT was 2 feet taller. Can't be elusive, can't get downfield quickly enough, can't find seams, and can't help out with field position in the return game. Did a fair job as a receiver but just piss poor as a returner. Under 20 yards in kickoffs and 7 in punts is horrible.

    Will Allen - Got beat by Chambers for the TD looking out of position and spinning around like Drunken Lucky on a barstool. There was a 2 yard gap between him and Chambers for that play and if Rivers wasn't so pressured, Chambers wouldn't have to tiptoe in the endzone. Otherwise, didn't show a lot of ball skills (see Chambers 8 yard 1st down catch) and Chambers left so Davis was more manageable. If Rivers had time in the pocket and Chambers didn't leave, could've been much worse. For the rest of the CB's, Goodman did leave his man Jackson for a burn but he was a solid tackle. Mostly, it was the pressure that prevented Rivers from making his reads and the safties with help double covering guys. Even Crocker made a few plays tackling though he did whiff on Jackson's long ball. No picks again despite Rivers getting harangued. We need a playmaker here.

    Special teams - Carpenter missed a 42 yarder that could just kill his confidence. Fields couldn't get it inside the 20. Coverage squads did an average job against Sproles. Don't even get me started on Bess.

    Fired/Foreclosed, Now Get Out

    Ernest Wilford - Saw him play but he did nothing. Again. Can't get open with those slow feet of his. He's the lazy delivery guy who never shows up and loses packages.

    Derek Hagan - If Wilford was the lazy delivery guy, then Hagan's the equivalent of an accountant who causes the company to hemorrhage money. Purely invisible and keeps tricking us with his solid performances when there's not a game. So much promise, so much futility.
     
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  2. Fin Fan In Cali

    Fin Fan In Cali Dolphin fan since 1970 Luxury Box

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    I agree on Wilford and Hagan. I caught a little flak for Hagan when he was having another all star training camp, and I said let's see it during the season. I think it's time to move on with both of these players.:wink2:
     
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  3. Roman529

    Roman529 Senior Member

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    My Dolphins and Phillies both won!!! Perfect weekend!!!!
     
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  4. Regan21286

    Regan21286 MCAT's, EMT's, AMCAS, ugh

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    I was a bit high too on Hagan considering he's at his proverbial 3rd year when most WR's break out (really a myth though when you think about it). :up: He's just the kind of guy who does well in practice but not in the real thing. Sort of the anti-Adarius Bowman performance-wise. But with a 6'2 frame and decent speed, he should be much better than he is now.
     
  5. GARDENHEAD

    GARDENHEAD Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Anyone who watched the Senior Bowl coulda predicted Hagan would suck in the NFL. I've told this story dozens of times:

    I watched the Senior Bowl and saw him drop 4-5 passes. The ball would hit him in the hands each time. I never heard of the guy, so I made sure to remember his name so that on draft day, so I could laugh at whatever sorry team ended up wasting a draft pick on him.

    True story.
     
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  6. Regan21286

    Regan21286 MCAT's, EMT's, AMCAS, ugh

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    Well, Hagan had a poor Senior Bowl but everything else he looked like a decent prospect and you can't put everything on one performance. Still, the tools are there, he just doesn't know how to use em yet. The ceiling is still there but frankly, I just want to move on and have us draft a guy like Heyward-Bey or sign a guy like Roy Williams.
     
  7. Larryfinfan

    Larryfinfan 17-0...Priceless Club Member

    The guy didn't win the job outright in camp, he's not their boy, so he's got a long way to go to prove himself to Sparano and co. He can't do it when he's inactive on gamedays.

    Wilford, on the other hand, is Sparano's doings and I'm glad they are playing the "what have you done for me lately ?" routine on him and forcing him also to earn his keep...which he certainly has not done...
     
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  8. late again

    late again Senior Member

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    Good essay, regan. I was one who was pretty high on Wilford. At 6'4 he was supposed to be the guy who would box out those 5'11 CBs and move the chains. What a disappointment he's been.
    I agree....show him the door.
     
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  9. jdang307

    jdang307 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I thought our OLBs were great.
     
  10. vmarcilfan75

    vmarcilfan75 blah...blah...blah... Club Member

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    He currently holds the Pac-10 record for career receptions with 258.
    Second in conference history with 3,939 career receiving yards.

    True Story
    :confused2:
     

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