https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/08/27/2014-preview-miami-dolphins/ I thought this was reasonably interesting, if a bit shallow in places. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
I think folks who were questioning the oline relative to last year are very quiet..they have performed much better and have much more talent..were better across the board there.
Biggest ? on D is the Lb corps, Wheeler and Ellerbe have had success in the past and they have a yr in the system, that said Jenkins, Tripp and maybe Jordan are waiting in the wings along with McClain
The sooner we can get Wheeler and Ellerbe to the bench the better off we will be. Especially Wheeler. Ellerbe I have a little faith in for a bounce-back...not much but a drop.
Our offensive line last year was historically bad. Not hard to be better. We've sure upgraded at tackle, but the interior still looks like a disaster waiting to happen.
I thought CK was showing that in terms of startrs in preseason, we aren't that much farther ahead in 2014 than 2013. BUT the eyeball test looks much better in 2014, I think.
James has already shown he can stand-up on pass pro and handle his job, and showed a little run blocking against allas. If he can even marginally improve on his run blocking he's going to pay big dividends this year. I just can't stomach another 58 sack year for our young starting QB, even though he probably could...he's tough. It at least appears they have shored up the pass pro by a vast amount compared to last year, we just need the playcalling/scheming to do its part and we should be nowhere in the same neighborhood of 58.
Agreed, but right behind Lbs I'm worried about the secondary. Grimes should be good, but outside of that we might have problems. I don't see Clemons to Delmas as an upgrade. We're missing Jones 4 games and he's coming off a year where he was less than impressive. At corner theres potential to be good, but what's the chances that we get a return to form from Finnegan and one of our 2nd year players elevates their game to play well as the 3rd corner? Too much uncertainty to feel comfortable about the group at this point I think. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
If Pouncy is back by the end of September, and no one else is lost to injury, the sack total should be down to around league average. The national media will be scratching their heads saying "no one saw this coming!"
After the removal of Dallas Thomas from the right guard spot last week, the oline looked at least serviceable. I am hoping that wasn't an illusion. I do worry about Satele's relatively small size being a problem against Vince Wilfork and the like as it was before.
Just so you don't think I've been won over by this OL. I still think once the regular season begins, the OL is going to be a huge question mark. Of course they will be better than last years OL, but that doesn't take much. I know they did a much better job last week in run blocking, but that was against the Cowboys and I think that Cowboys defense may be the worst defense in the entire NFL. A top college team could probably run for 150 yards or more against that defense. I think I'll hold off making any judgement on this OL until after they play the Patriots and Bills. If they can have success against these two teams, then I'll be willing to accept that they will be a much improved unit this year.
McCain!!! I do agree with your general premise though. I remember in Shula's first season with Miami, he started two unsung rookies at OLB. Mike Kolen, a 12th round pick, and Doug Swift, a UDFA in a 17 round draft. I'd like to see Philbin and Coyle show some sack, and start McCain and Tripp on either side of Misi. I'd prefer McCain at Will though, because he is so damned good at backside pursuit and being in chase mode.
The safety position is a major concern, especially the first 4 weeks. Wilson scares me with his shoddy tackling technique. If he did order the book Tackling For Dummies off Amazon, it must have gotten lost in transit. Jimmy needs some new tattoos. On the back of his left hand, tattoo the word "Wrap", and on the back of his right hand, tattoo the word "Up". He could glance down at his hands as a reminder before every play. Oh wait. He's wearing gloves. So, never mind.
Couldn't agree more. I see Tripp winning out the Mike at some point though. The two of them just get it, and its evident. Wilson at S is scary to me... Satele against Wilfork is scary as well. If an upgrade at S, and G pop up I hope we take them! I also hope we pepper in Matthews, DWilliams, and Landry Week 1.