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Star in the making.

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by djphinfan, Jun 17, 2015.

  1. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZHh8v9OlEE

    Been going back looking at Chris Mccain

    Today he admitted today that he wished that he had studied more as a rookie, said coming from the pac 12 didn't quite prepare him, he regrets it, acknowledged it, and says that isn't a problem now..Said that he deserved the lack of snaps that he got last year..

    Says everyone looks good in shirts and shorts, but he loves the physicality when the pads come on, he can't wait for that, thats when its fun..says he and this team is ready for a big year...

    Heres the thing, and i'm just being honest out loud, do I think he took his education seriously throughout his life?..no..do i think he realizes that,? yes, do i think he has a higher level of intellect than what you hear sometimes?..yes I do..

    He was so raw in college just flying around playing on all instincts, but goodness you could see the natural ability, the way he deeks lineman on the get off, the way he tracks screens in the flat, covers on a wheel route, man, he's talented..

    He's added some good weight, and it fits nicely, so worrying about him getting bulled over is less of a worry, he's active with his hands, playing outside backer is a perfect position for his skill set.

    I think its awesome we have this kid to be our new outsidelinbacker...I think he's really gonna add a dynamic to the defense, raw emotion is gonna be evident, his athleticism in space will be on display, and he's just a natural pass rusher, and with him also being on our pass rush jet package, with him, Suh, Vern, and Wake, were gonna get pressure with our four man rush...serious pressure.

    I really think he is the x factor that puts over the top in becoming a top 8 defense..
     
  2. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    oh yeah...and Dion Jordan..maybe you can learn something from chris mccain this year, and become grateful for the opp to play a game.
     
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  3. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Admitting that you made mistakes is the first step, certainly. I love when people show contrition and accept their part of the blame, so good for him. We all hope that he can turn it on and take it to the next level. The opprotunity is certainly there for the taking.
     
  4. Pandarilla

    Pandarilla Purist Emeritus

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    [​IMG]

    McCain!
     
  5. Colmax

    Colmax Well-Known Member

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    We shall see. I like the guy. Seems all about 'Miami'.

    I will have tempered expectations until the pads come on. The talent is there. Let's see if he has the maturity to keep it together when things do not necessarily go his way. I hope he does. I think he will make some plays, some damn fine plays. But let's see if he stays consistent (mentally) throughout the year.
     
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  6. Ohio Fanatic

    Ohio Fanatic Twuaddle or bust Club Member

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    I hope he pans out too, but I no longer drink the kool-aid before TCamp. Saying the right things is different from budding into a star. Still, with the Dline coming into this kind of shape, it really will open up opportunities for our LBs this year. If they throw away this opportunity, then they are chumps.
     
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  7. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    i saw pads go on last year...def will have to see how he approaches the game from a behavior perspective, but theres some charisma and charm in this kid..
     
  8. Killer Bees

    Killer Bees Bringin' the Ruckus

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    He definitely showed flashes last season, now I really hope he takes it to the next level. Curious does anyone know how Misi graded out last year?
     
  9. Agua

    Agua Reality: Try It!

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    Yeah, I listened to that interview as well. Hope he actually puts in his study time this year. There's usually a reason a seemingly good player isn't getting the playing time all us internet coaches think they should be getting. :shifty:
     
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  10. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    DOLPHAN1, Larry Little and Fin4Ever like this.
  11. Linus

    Linus Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    He just absolutely dominated the preseason game against the Rams when he played last year. That's what he should be doing against third stringers but it was good to actually see it.

    Then add in he scared B Marshall and brings a kid on the field before every game...hoping he goes nuts once the pads come on.
     
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  12. Fin4Ever

    Fin4Ever Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Now, if we can just get Luc in the middle.......put Misi in the DE rotation...as he is pretty good rushing the passer and he is also a decent Sam, so occasionally they can swap Misi and McCain when they are on the field together...talk about throwing an offense off track......Sa...........Weeeeeeeet.:pointlol:
     
  13. Fin4Ever

    Fin4Ever Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Wow, when did Jordan do this?.......and here I thought he was still ignoring everyone in the 305 & 954


    Edit * Sorry, you were talking about McCain now that I read it again.:up:
     
  14. PhinFan1968

    PhinFan1968 To 2020, and BEYOND! Club Member

    Misi, on PFF anyway, graded out as the #12 ILB in the league...that's against 4-3 as well as 3-4 ILBs. NE and Baltimore had 2 ILBs above him, NE's were #2 and #3.

    Pretty decent...not Zach T...but not bad.
     
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  15. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Way I see it, if McCain and Jenkins develop we will have our best outside Lb duo since the JJ days.
     
  16. Killer Bees

    Killer Bees Bringin' the Ruckus

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    Yeah just watching games week to week he never has those flash plays but he also rarely has those plays where he completely blows it. He's been solid, watching his interview it was interesting to here him say he's happy to be playing the same position and how he really knows this defense now.

    As a dolphins fan it's nice to hear that because we are so used to changing coordinators almost every year, you really get to see the guys just go out there and play when they have a full grasp of the play book and what the coach wants.
     
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  17. Brasfin

    Brasfin Well-Known Member

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    If McCain and Jenkins develop, we have a top 5 defense in the league, IMO. When healthy (knock on wood) we have one of the most talented group of guys on defense.. we saw the potential in the beginning of last season, statistically we were top 5 until about week 9 or so, IIRC. I think we play even better this season, but this time it won't collapse midway.
     
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  18. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Lots of #2 Cb questions and whether or not Delmas comes back 100% quickly

    Do think our Dline depth is now top 5 in the league, also think we are paper thin behind Misi who has had injury issues
     
  19. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

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    I disagree. Misi blitzing up the middle is almost not fair. A runningback is not picking him up.
     
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  20. Brasfin

    Brasfin Well-Known Member

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    Which is why I said "when healthy". We do have some depth issues. I don't think number 2 CB will be a problem this season.. As for Delmas, by all accounts, he is already 100%..
     
  21. RoninFin4

    RoninFin4 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    IMO, just based on some of the games last year, Miami was very effective when they crossed Misi and Jenkins through one A gap. It's most effective if Misi goes first to engage the OL who is not engaged, or the RB in pass-pro to allow Jenkins a free release through the line.

    Miami's also coupled that cross blitz with Reshad Jones coming up between the two as a 3rd blitzer. IIRC, Miami used this effectively against Green Bay, Jacksonville and San Diego for sacks or TFLs on plays.

    Tough for an O-line to handle that if the blitz is timed well, especially when you have Wake and OV coming off the edges; if OV develops his spin move a little more that blitz can be lethal as the interior of the OL will also have to focus on Suh, who is either going to command a double-team, allowing the LB and/or S to have an opportunity to run free, or you're trusting a guard to handle Suh 1-on-1. Even if Suh doesn't get the sack, he's still going to make a mess of things just as he did several times against Miami last year.
     
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  22. RoninFin4

    RoninFin4 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQQ55mqM3bw

    The quality of this video is crappy, but go to about the 1:40 mark. That shows Jenkins and Misi on a Double-A gap blitz. They don't cross on this one, but it gives you a pretty good idea of how it can create pressure. Jones comes through and sacks Blake Bortles. The only thing about this play that throws you off, is that Miami drops BOTH Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon into the flats. IMO, that's something you shouldn't do, especially since there's a TE on the line and a RB in the backfield. Now, if it was an empty formation, or flexed with only a RB in pass-pro, I could see that as you don't want to give up a hot-read to the flat from the jump.

    It's my hope that this is something Kevin Coyle nixes when it comes to "simplifying the defense". Miami did this against Kansas City and didn't bring pressure up the middle and got SHREDDED frequently. The Chiefs' longest pass in terms of yards traveled down the field through the air was 11 yards. That game was on Coyle. No way Miami should have surrendered 34 points to a Chiefs team that was without Jamaal Charles and whose longest downfield pass was 11 yards. There were instances where he did bring pressure (Jelani Jenkins TFL, and the Jenkins/Starks safety), but those were too few and far between.
     
  23. Bpk

    Bpk Premium Member Luxury Box

    Deej I love your posts, perspective and passion, man.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  24. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZHh8v9OlEE

    this is a 20 year old kid playing against a big time college football program and qb...with a boy body..whatta you think he's gonna be when he becomes a man..
     
  25. Disgustipate

    Disgustipate Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I'm not sure that I believe that Chris McCain is going to become a star because the stuff he does particularly well isn't really a coherent role. He's at his most dangerous on inside stunts and delayed blitzes. I think he's really dangerously good at those things, but can you really make a starting role out of those things while being OK in the bread and butter facets of either linebacker or DE?
     
  26. Piston Honda

    Piston Honda Well-Known Member

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    Good post. What are your thoughts on the A gap pressures now that Suh is on board? Would you use it more to put more pressure on the OL or be more conservative, rely on on Suh & co to push the pocket and keep the LBs back in better position to handle their coverage assignments?
     
  27. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    because of his movement skills and size, and some instincts, some underlying intellect, and how his body has the potential to develop, I think the ceiling is pretty high Pate..hes got some fundament qualities that have the makeup of one..
     
  28. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    really good question, I mean that jet sub-package with Mccain, Vern, Suh and Wake is awfully tempting to let them do their thing and drop 7...idk
     
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  29. RoninFin4

    RoninFin4 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Depends on the situation. IMO, Kevin Coyle has far too often faked A and Double-A Gap blitzes and dropped the ILBs into coverage and has gotten burned on it as it puts them at a natural disadvantage just given how far the players have to physically travel to cover the hook, curl or flat zone. With Suh on board, I think you can pick and choose your spots more on where to use it as he's just so good 1-on-1 he's going to cause pressure up the middle naturally, which I think gives you more opportunities to use delayed blitzes, green dog blitzes, etc. with McCain and Jenkins on the outside, as Disgustipate alluded to.

    In short, if it's 3rd down and less than 5, I wouldn't use it as I think you can rely on Suh, Wake, Vernon and a 4th lineman - be it McCain, Shelby, another DT, whomever - to generate enough pressure and still be stout enough to protect against draws that you don't need to blitz up the middle. I'd be more inclined to use it on 2nd and long, 3rd and long, and obvious passing situations (i.e. 1st & 10 but the opponent is down 14 with 3 minutes left). I think where Coyle *can* get creative is by not having those linebackers walked up. The more you can disguise that A gap pressure, the better IMO. Jelani Jenkins was pretty adept for a first-time starter at blitzing the A and B gaps, and more often than not he was successful when blitzing from normal LB depth or when BOTH LBs blitzed.

    I think sugaring the gaps and only sending one ILB was a downfall Coyle had in terms of picking his blitzes. Surprisingly, I think he's been better when he's sent a lot of pressure than when he's just sending 1 LB or 1 CB from the slot, #JimmyWilson. It'll be something interesting to watch. If he's simplifying the amount of plays within each personnel grouping/package, then that might be something he shies away from because when he did send both ILBs on Double-A gap blitzes, he dropped Wake and/or OV into coverage, which is just robbing Peter to try and pay Paul (i.e. the blitz may not hit). Sometimes it worked, like the play I linked where Reshad Jones sacked Bortles. Sometimes it didn't, like the KC game.

    What I think we may see some more of are "games" using Suh.

    [​IMG]

    In the above shot, Detroit basically takes Suh out from a 2i or 3 technique look and puts him as a Ghost 7, and stunts Ziggy Ansah around him for the sack. I think something like this works with both Wake and OV, but it could be something Miami looks at in nickel packages to give OV more opportunities as Wake's get off is so good you really don't have to use him in stunts; you're just making his rush a tenth of a second longer.

    [​IMG]

    Here's the stunt.

    [​IMG]

    Ziggy Ansah sacks Tannehill on this play, but Suh's still getting enough penetration to force Tannehill outside into Ansah's path. Ja'Wuan James is able to wash Suh into traffic and prevents him from getting upfield more, but the damage by Suh has already been done and results in a sack - see picture below.

    [​IMG]
     
  30. RoninFin4

    RoninFin4 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    The above screen shots of that stunt are something I think we could see in nickel and dime looks. The "Speed Package" as DJ said, would be how I'd incorporate it. You can play McCain and Wake at DEs, Vernon rushing from a stand-up 3 technique (he was wicked doing this in 2013; see 1st Jets game, Steelers game) and Suh pretty much wherever you want. In essence, you can replace Derrick Shelby with Suh inside. Or, you can leave Shelby inside and put OV at DE with Suh next to him. Whatever. You're going to get pressure with 4 guys and can drop 7, as DJ said.

    Suh's so good that on that same play, while he's getting upfield, engaged with Ja'Wuan James, he actually helps spring Ansah by knocking Mike Pouncey off his block. With one arm.

    [​IMG]
     
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  31. 54Fins

    54Fins "In Gase we trust"

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    I honestly feel his days are done now.Money makes some kids stupid and he's one of them.
     
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  32. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    We have been a poor tackling team for a long long time R4
     
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  33. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Actually R4 my questions more revolve around whether or not the front 4 are good enough to make sugaring gaps particularly productive vs dropping 7 and leaving the front 4 to generate most of the pressure

    IE, Suh makes Coyle's job rather easy..meaning adding Phillips was merely helping that front 4 to generate more pressure via staying fresh
     
  34. Pandarilla

    Pandarilla Purist Emeritus

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    Is there a limit to how far back the qb can take a shotgun pass?

    They'll be longsnapping all game long...
     
  35. RoninFin4

    RoninFin4 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I think that's a fair question to ask. I think in terms of pass-rush, Miami's starting front 4 is good enough to get home on most snaps by themselves, especially in obvious passing situations. I think a move that they'd be keen to make would be to remove whomever the 1-technique NT is, be it Earl Mitchell, Jordan Phillips or C.J. Mosley from the field, and reduce OV inside to rush over a guard and have Chris McCain (provided he keeps developing his pass-rush) rush from a DE spot. That way, even if you shift to nickel, you're really only taking 1 guy (the 1-technique) off the field. In terms of "simplification" that'd seem to fit the bill.

    I think if they do rotate some of the other guys in for a series or string of plays at a time, which they did last year, that combination of Fede, Mosley/Phillips/Johnson and Shelby is not good enough simply to rush four.
     
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  36. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    I think you could make the argument that not only was that game plan a bad defensive decision, but it may have been the worst possible defense we could have used. You have an offense whose one strong ability (with JC out) was getting the ball out quickly into the short zones. Coyle's response was to vacate the short zones and send more pass rushers that have almost zero chance of getting there before the pass is released. All it did was make what they do best easier for them. It was the opposite of Belichek's taking away what they do best.
     
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  37. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Suspect they hope Phillips, if nothing else can benefit from Suh, I do believe if Mitchell sticks around he would be perfect for that role. PPL forget early in the yr Mitchell was highly ranked by PFF
     
  38. RoninFin4

    RoninFin4 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    You'll like my Defense Preview post I'm putting together. Should have it up this weekend sometime.
     
  39. Brasfin

    Brasfin Well-Known Member

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    Hope it gets posted in the mains... :)
     
  40. Fin4Ever

    Fin4Ever Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    This too will change, along with all of the other bad things that we had going on for so long...We are all on the upswing now...ready for winning football to become the norm again for the Dolphins...working our way up to sweep right in and shock the world with the Lombardi for the 2015 season.:up:
     

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