Yeah man I agree. It's always tricky to pull of sarcasm on a forum. I hope Smith is healthy because another season of watching Bess and Cobbs returning is going to be excruciating. I like them both for their other contributions, but I can't remember a duller set of return men.
As much crying as some of us have done lately, the differences in starters are: Brandon Marshall now a starter Dansby now a starter Berger now full-time starter rather than sometime Gerbil gone, Clemons can't be worse Odrick in, Starks in the middle Wake on the Weak, Ike/Misi on the Strong For all the crying about rotational players and old guys, that's 4 starters new to the team (Marshall/Dansby/Misi/Odrick), one new rotational player (Ike) and everyone else is either at a new position (Starks) or promoted (Clemons/Wake/Berger).
I wouldn't pay much attention to the Mike/Moe talk. These reporters haven't really demonstrated to me that they know the difference or how to spot who is playing what, let alone whether it's something that switches. I would be very surprised if during the game we didn't see Misi-Francis packages in addition to Misi-Wake and Francis-Wake packages. Mike Nolan made it clear he questions whether Cameron Wake has the stamina to play every down. Who do you think the backup at WOLB is? It's not Charlie Anderson, he's gone. And I absolutely don't buy that Quentin Moses is working there.
Clifton Smith for DBess and N Carroll Bobby Carpenter for Charlie Anderson We will be fine, as long as Chad Henne does not throw 3 straight picks in the 4th qtr.
And every one of those positions is now more athletic and better than the players they are replacing.
Good call - that actually makes me feel pretty good about the team. It's easy to get caught up in the negativity of the last week or so, but a positive perspective is alwyas nice. EDIT: Particularly realising that Gibril Wilson will no longer be involved. It's always good to be reminded of that
not pure venom & vitriol spewing across the forum: there are real reasons for concerns & until they win some games the concerns will remain & the gnashing of teeth & wailing will continue within DolFandom. by game four our season will have been defined & the brilliance or stupidity of the coaching cadre will have been confirmed. game-one starts in about 48 hours. not so long to wait.
I would be stunned if we do not see a Wake DE/Misi and Ikaika at OLB package. Q comes into the game if Misi and Ikaika cannot hold the point at the Sam.
I dunno...there are always ups and down in a season. We started 1-3 in '08, and it wasn't the end of the world. It certainly can feel like it though
Friend DePhinistr8: I believe by game-four we'll have an excellent idea how good these preseason moves were & what our chances are to contend this year are. this is year three, I've never seen a Parcells team rebuild an offensive line in year three. whatever, its a forum & everyone follows & posts. it is what it is... but for me there are no more excuses
For the ledge climbers Sean Smith will play on Sunday, JA won't be out on the island all day long..take a step closer to the window...
We have 9 Olineman. Depth for what? We are one Olineman short of two Olines. Pats have two as well, both rookies. Three TE's isn't required. DB is a concern but if the Ravens are Super Bowl picks with their defensive backfield, then we're good.
Lookin' good to me... Oh and in case it hasn't been reported yet, the Jills put Mitchell on IR and signed Akin! LOL! http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-bills-mitchell
2nd team Oline: Eh, still cannot help but think Feinga could have been Tsoumpas's slot. Interesting that Hartline is working at RG, he was an "okay" center, sooner or later I suspect he will see time at Tackle ala Garner last yr.
Ineteresting, one would think Jason Allen would seem to be the logical Nickel Cb, but if Vontae is the backup Nickel you'd have to think JA was not really considered for anything but boundary Cb.
Bills have some betting momentum heading into the weekend. That is fine, afaic no one knows what this team is capable of so anyone who bets on this game is a touch foolish imho.
Yeah I think only Sapp,Carroll, and Davis have the ability to go inside for us. I assume when we go nickel this week, with Sapp being so new that we see Smith and Allen on the outside and Davis on the slot in nickel situations
I don't think Carroll will be active this weekend, they have Sapp/Vontae and Smith riding pine, and his ST role was taken by Clifton Smith, so there really is little need for him.
Fixed.... I'm not going to say it is a must win game, but I also am not that it isnt...This game is a must have for Miami....
Check out Coach Sparano....up late at night..waiting for Sean Smith to tweet something about his hair getting braided.. Sparano needs a twitter account..
It's all about the ability to match Vontae on the best WR most of the time really. Now if they don't make Vontae and Jason switch sides then the only way a team could get Vontae off their best WR would be to switch them to the other side of the field. If the team is going to have Vontae work all 3 spots then I like this news. No more scheming to get the WR away from our best CB which has happened far too often since the Madison/Surtain days.
Just venting, nervous energy. But believe you me, whether you predicted 1 win this year or 16, come Sunday we will all be rooting our butts off for this team to DESTROY the Bills.
Anyone know if Clifton Smith is getting first team reps as kick and punt returner? Curious about the status of his health.
Right now it's unsure if he'll even play, and not due to injury. He's not listed on the injury report.
**** I hope not. The guy was a tackle in college in the MAC. No way this guy sees time at tackle IMHO just due to his footwork. He is good enough inside, but he should not be in space like that on this level. Nice player for C. Michigan, but no thanks to him playing tackle.
If the term "Moe" doesn't work for you you can always go back to the tried and true 'Ted' as a reference for the other inside linebacker. Ted came about as it links back to the defensive tackle this player essentially replaces on the field. (not exact, but close enough for today).