Got the idea for this thread from another board. This is actually a good question when you approach it the right way. I'm just thinking along the lines of the games I've watched thus far, where guys like Greg Hardy and Geno Atkins beasted and looked like men amongst boys, at the level of competition they faced. I'm trying to think, who is going to look like THAT. What guys does Miami have that would look like that against the level of competition they're likely to face tonight. I come up with a few guesses. 1. Brandon Marshall - He has the ability to look like a beast against the #1's in the game. He's just pretty effing awesome. 2. Cameron Wake - I think he has the ability to look beastly against the opponents' #1's. It's not as likely as with a Brandon Marshall, but he has a good shot at standing out against Donald Penn who let Charlie Anderson's speed get the better of him a few times last year. 3. Jared Odrick - I don't think he's going to look like that against the starters, but I think the Dolphins are going to keep him in the game a little longer than the veterans to see him going up against the Bucs' #2 and even #3 players. When he starts going up against those backups, I think he COULD look beastly, because he's such a physically superior product...along the lines of a Geno Atkins or Greg Hardy. 4. Ikaika Alama-Francis - Stay with me on this one, I haven't exactly been a fan of his but the fact of the matter is he'll be going up against #3 players on the Bucs, and he's now backed out to a position where he has superior size and strength. He won't get noticed for his all-around game which could be atrocious in some ways, but he could make some flashy plays that send the message board thread-makers in an exclamation point frenzy. This is because normally the guys playing his position have a certain size and a certain strength and a certain athleticism, and he's above the line on all of that...therefore probably a mismatch for #3 players. 5. Paul Soliai - Again we've got a guy that will be going against the #2's and maybe some #3's and I think in this slightly more aggressive scheme you could see him make plays in the backfield or generally playing on the other side of the line of scrimmage a lot, and I think some of the fans are going to notice that and say he stood out. He's gotten better literally every year he's been in the league and this training camp has appeared to be no exception to the rule. Wildcard: Reshad Jones - I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that he makes a big hit or two, maybe even pulls down an interception. He's that kind of player, in the games. That's about it, really. My best guesses.
I'll go with nolan carrol esp. on the blitz paterns.......possiblt roberto wallace on some sideline goes. My REAL outside possibility would be (drum roll ) Pat White...just tonight though, the coaches will let him use his feet more than normal, and again maybe not
I like Ike and Paul standing out too (Ike will be to us what Bodden is to NE-- a Detroit castaway who wasn't played properly or to his strengths). Wake is a virtual given IMO. I'm going with Pat flashing some good moments to quiet the haters for a week. I'll toss in Lexi on offense..... and Dansby is on a mission to make a statement IMO (dont think he wants to wait till regular season to make it either) Anyone want to throw Clemons out there? Anybody... anybody? -Nolan vs Benn or Williams? That could be very interesting. -I'll thoroughly enjoy watching Jerry's 1st NFL pancake (the non-IHOP kind), especially against McCoy or Price. -How about a pick by Misi vs Winslow? If this thread were 3 years ago, we'd all be studdering.
I wonder if he has a good preseason (3-5 Ints and some memorable hits) and Clemons has a quiet one (minimal mistakes but no significant plays made) how will the Dolphins deal with it.
David Martin. He's a bit old but he's going against 3rd string LB's. He's going to bust seams and asses. Sticking with veterans, Charles Grant could very well do some beasting. Going against 2nd and 3rd stringers will be pretty solid for him. Moving to young guys, if John Jerry plays extended snaps, he should stand out. For him to be top of the depth chart as a rookie, then he'll definitely kill opposing lineman of the 2nd string variety.
Thats really where it starts for me too. Henne needs to have a couple of confidence building drives this preseason... nothing earthshattering is necessary. Just something that gets him going mentally for the season. It's hard to say that any of the first string guys will stand out tonight because they won't be in for long. It's the second and third team guys that NEED to stand out and I expect some of them will. A guy like Jason Allen who might be on the bubble, could have a huge game. Greg Camarillo will likely catch 4 or 5 balls. Patrick Turner may have a huge game going against some 2nd and 3rd string corners. I expect Charles Grant to have a huge night.
Brandon Graham stood out for the Eagles last night. I wish we would have drafted him. He is going to be a beast.
I'm going with a mix of desperate veterans and unknowns: -Richie Incognito, John Jerry has pretty much taken his RG job. -Charles Grant, he had a one way ticket to the UFL when Irish called, he knows what this game means for him. -Jason Allen-play well or they will move Frank Walker ahead of him. -Roberto Wallace-2nd and 3rd string Qb's will have to put the ball in the air quickly, Wallace with his size and speed will have plenty of chances. -Ryan Grice Mullin-tweaked hammy or not, either he plays well or he is on the street. -Rolly Lumbala-he has a good all around game, he HAS to pancake people in run blocking and make an impact on ST. -Pat White..there should be more than the 3 second buzzer ticking in his head, but I think he surprises everyone tonight.
1. Randy Starks. I'd like to see him in the backfield a few times, especially if he's not doubled. 2. Pat Cobbs. Is he 100%? 3. Chris Clemons. Perhaps I'm a contrarian, but I'm not buying the "one mental error" line that's being peddled. 4. Koa Misi. Please have a good showing so that Omar will get off your back. Set a few edges, a few curl/flat zones, and maybe even throw in a QB pressure. 5. Karlos Dansby. Any Dolfan will notice an immediate difference in the way our D looks with him out there. 90 minutes to go! Where is my grown man MUG?
