The Dolphins know they found quality starters with their first two 2014 draft picks, offensive lineman Ja’Wuan James and receiver Jarvis Landry. What’s far less clear, as their rookie season closes, is what exactly the Dolphins have with their six other selections from that draft. Guard Billy Turner (third round) and receiver Matt Hazel (sixth) haven’t played a snap all season; Hazel was promoted from the practice squad last Saturday. Tight end Arthur Lynch (fifth round) spent the season on injured reserve with a back ailment. Defensive end Terrence Fede, a seventh-round pick, had one of the best moments of any Dolphins rookie this season with his blocked punt that essentially won the Minnesota game. But on a deep defensive line, Fede has played just 82 defensive snaps. Cornerback/safety Walt Aikens, a fourth-rounder, has logged 64 and fifth-round linebacker Jordan Tripp just 12. All have had significant roles on special teams. Whether any of these six drafts develops into a key contributor, beyond special teams, must play out. But there have been encouraging signs. Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...notes-on-dolphins-um-heat-.html#storylink=cpy
Jordan Tripp is the head scratcher. With the injuries and poor play from certain players, how did we not get more of a look at him.
I would have rather seen Wheeler on the bench and Ellerbe as well when he was healthy, Tripp get in there OLB/MLB and Jordan get reps at OLB as well. Meaningless Jets game coming up- does Philbin pull a Wannstedt (cue Ricky Williams) or get the young guys in there for experience and see what they can do?
It's a pretty fair accomplishment that neither of the first two picks appear to be "developmental" at all, and have played at fairly high levels immediately. Picks from the third round on are typically developmental anyway, and so hopefully some of those guys can develop and make bigger contributions in the years to come.
I would hope Jordan see's significant playing time at LB this weekend. Need to see him in game situations and have the film to evaluate his performance for next season.
If Billy Turner can tone it down from bull in a china shop to bull in a walmart or costco he'll probably do pretty well.
I think that Philbin's *** will be a little less clenched now that Ross has greenlighted him for 2015.
I have been dying to see him play all year. I don't think he has the size or strength to really hold up right now, but was really hoping to see his reading and reacting and his speed/angle to the ball. Have to be excited about Fede's size. He is a big boy at DE if that's where he ends up. If Turner has been practicing and doing well then why can't he get some snaps? Puzzling as hell.
Fede is a DE, Jordan is not. Compare body types and strength at LOS and you can see the difference. I believe in Jordan's potential at OLB, but if the coaches wanted him at DE then they should never have drafted him in the first place- he's an OLB, straight up. Fede- with him you have a big bodied, athletic DE with strength at the LOS and the athletic ability to create havoc. I'm a buyer.
Billy Turner and Shelley Smith were supposed to solve our guard problem. One of the most disappointing parts of the season for me. Although Turner has had some injury problems.
Tripp's biggest issue is that he isn't physical enough at the POA and gets washed out by guards pulling to the second level. He is unable to shed blocks right now. He gets completely washed out of plays and leaves a gap in the defense. Hopefully a year of offseason lets him put on strength. He is athletic, quick, and able to read and diagnose pretty well for a rookie. None of that matters if you get completely dominated physically by the opposing team. Similar to Jenkins last year but Jenkins was better at shedding blocks at that point than Tripp.
Really hard to know w/ Tripp when he's had I believe 12 snaps on D. Not exactly getting a good picture of him.
This game, with a run first Jets offense, is a great opportunity to see what Tripp can do and if he can match up physically.
He was injured early in the season, and that probably put him behind. Sort of like Turner and his turf toe. Hard for a rookie, especially from a smaller school, to earn time when he falls behind early.
Right now, Tripp has started 2 games this season and recorded 2 tackles and 1 assist. We saw very little of Jelani Jenkins his rookie season as well. Tripp had a chest injury early on and has had a foot injury of some sort of late. As a rookie, Jenkins recorded 15 tackles and 2 assists. They only played him in reserve. Tripp may very well bloom next season...
I'm actually the most intrigued by Chris McCain. Hoskins could catch fire if he hangs on long enough. Tripp looks like a strong safety. Turner should replace Colledge this game.
Yeah, on the 15th we waived Hoskins and signed TE Gerell Robinson, a converted WR, off the team’s practice squad. The Seahawks picked up Hoskins...
This staff has always been very slow to adjust, IMO. They really don't like making significant changes. See Jason Fox v. Dallas Thomas as exhibit A.
More than that imo. He's pretty crafty and can catch, just not a true seam buster. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDZZHM7aOls https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRwTFzfdVzg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtOOng9v9-o
If it weren't for injuries Jelani Jenkins would still be riding the pines. Evaluating their own talent, recognizing it, and being willing to play young talent are not necessarily strengths on this staff.
Lynch is a fine seam threat. I watched several Georgia games and he was always catching the ball down the seam 30-40 yards and other games he made a lot of the teams highlight reals..this guy catches and blocks very well and looking forward to training camp. Besides that we all know Philbin will stash these young players anywhere he can except the playing field. Quite a few of these young guys should have been getting plenty of looks.
If the Ginger would have had only two people playing, people here would be asking for his head. What a funny crowd.
So I guess this thread was too positive for you? Folks are excited about the future but you decide "let me try to derail."
I like the different possibilities at LB next season(Jordan,McCain) but I still say we draft at least one early.
You couldn't be more wrong IDH...I love the positive post here, just think it's funny how the same circumstances are viewed differently by the same people. I think every poster (most every poster) has hopes for the players we bring in. No one wants them to fail. I even (still) have hopes for Wheeler. I think our LB's and CB's next season could be very special.
Coyle has been on their 53 all year as far as I know. I liked him better at MT than I did Tripp, and they got him as a UDFA.
I'm a fan of Lynch, but the pro game is faster and I don't think that he has the wheels to be a true seam buster at the next level. Everything else is there, from what I've seen, complete package. He just doesn't have those elite wheels, but he's fast enough to be highly effective. He'll be a player for us imo.
