Barry Jackson Florida Sports Buzz: Fins RB chatter
76 repliesLocked
FINS CHATTER
• Daniel Thomas has shown encouraging flashes on occasion through nine practices, and he has this message for fans eager to see his debut Friday at Atlanta: “I’m a different player when the lights are on. Fans don’t know what to expect from me, but I know what kind of player I am. I feel I’ll be one of the better rookies.”
Thomas, who averaged 5.2 yards at Kansas State, said his speed has improved since college and “I think I can get 5 yards a carry. Maybe 4.5.” Dolphins coaches have Thomas studying Houston’s Arian Foster because of similarities in the teams’ running games.
Tony Sparano said what has most surprised him about Thomas – who grew up wanting to emulate Warrick Dunn – is “he has very good hands. Most big backs don’t have that. He catches the ball well out of the backfield.”
• Thomas is very appreciative that Reggie Bush has gone out of his way to mentor him and offers frequent tips to improve. … Among the passing formations Miami likes is Bush lining up at receiver, with the Dolphins’ three top receivers. That’s a third-down option if Clyde Gates doesn’t earn a lot of playing time early in the season.
• Lex Hilliard has been running very hard, and how he fares in preseason will help determine if Miami feels compelled to sign a more accomplished third back. (Thomas' play also will factor into that decision.) The front office wanted to see Hilliard late last season, but the coaching staff never gave him a carry.
• Kory Sheets has looked sharp and explosive off Achilles’ surgery and “they really want to see me play these first two games and see what I can do, mainly pass blocking. They know I can carry the ball.” Sparano said the lack of experience at running back "definitely is a concern, but I feel really good about the group that I have right now."
• By the way, the Dolphins were so disinterested in Baltimore-bound Ricky Williams – who criticized Sparano after the season – that they didn’t even want him back at the minimum. The only other team (besides Baltimore) that showed interest was Detroit, whose offensive coordinator Scott Linehan approached Williams after the teams played last December, which was tampering. This tampering stuff isn’t uncommon. One respected agent said Nick Saban did it when he was with the Dolphins, asking about free agents still with other teams.
• Though offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie would love to play here, the Dolphins had not called or worked him out as of Tuesday morning, even though he graded out much higher than Marc Colombo in every category last season (McKinnie was 16th among tackles, Colombo 76th, according to Pro Football Focus). But Colombo played for this Dolphins staff in Dallas; McKinnie didn’t.
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/10/2352016_p2/um-clarifies-cornerback-situation.html#ixzz1UdNexgoK
PhinGeneralsubscriberBoy, if Daniel Thomas' speed has improved and he can get 4.5 YPC that'll go a long way towards helping this offense.
MonstBlitzforum_veteranThough offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie would love to play here, the Dolphins had not called or worked him out as of Tuesday morning, even though he graded out much higher than Marc Colombo in every category last season (McKinnie was 16th among tackles, Colombo 76th, according to Pro Football Focus). But Colombo played for this Dolphins staff in Dallas; McKinnie didn’t.
:pity:
Stuff like this disgusts me and why I've completely had it with this FO. They clearly prefer taking the easy way out rather than sign more talented players that they aren't familiar with.
"MonstBlitz wrote:
:pity:
Stuff like this disgusts me and why I've completely had it with this FO. They clearly prefer taking the easy way out rather than sign more talented players that they aren't familiar with.
I would have preferred McKinnie.
Silverphinforum_veteran"MonstBlitz wrote:
:pity:
Stuff like this disgusts me and why I've completely had it with this FO. They clearly prefer taking the easy way out rather than sign more talented players that they aren't familiar with.
I dont think it was being unfamiliae so much that McKinnie was cut for being overweight.
PhinGeneralsubscriber"MonstBlitz wrote:
:pity:
Stuff like this disgusts me and why I've completely had it with this FO. They clearly prefer taking the easy way out rather than sign more talented players that they aren't familiar with.
The guy is reportedly near 400lbs, out of condition and has a reputation for not being all that motivated. Even if we were to sign the guy, he would need a lot more time to get down to proper playing weight and conditioning, and asking him to do it on the fly in the Miami heat would be asking for a lot of trouble, IMO.
padre31luxury_box"MonstBlitz wrote:
:pity:
Stuff like this disgusts me and why I've completely had it with this FO. They clearly prefer taking the easy way out rather than sign more talented players that they aren't familiar with.
You do realize Drew Rosenhaus reps both Williams and McKinnie?
And he also sent out a bulk email to every NFL team saying McKinnie would play for "2.5 million plus reasonable incentives"?
Nappy Rootsforum_veteranIf McKinnie was down 40 pounds or so as of now, I would sign him. However, at 400 lbs, that would be just dumb to do. I think we are going to have to role with Colombo/Garner combo, with Willis being the wild card. If Willis is healthy, hes much better then Colombo(although thats not saying to much).
Wilson Performance on Facebook
Wilson Performance on Twitter
:hammertime::hammertime:
padre31luxury_box"Nappy Roots wrote:
If McKinnie was down 40 pounds or so as of now, I would sign him. However, at 400 lbs, that would be just dumb to do. I think we are going to have to role with Colombo/Garner combo, with Willis being the wild card. If Willis is healthy, hes much better then Colombo(although thats not saying to much).
Those big men can drop weight fast, the problem is he is not in very good football shape, it is not just a matter of losing the pounds, his cardio and overall strength will not be very good, add in Wake was owning him last yr when he was in better shape and what exactly is he bringing to the table?
djphinfansubscriber"MonstBlitz wrote:
:pity:
Stuff like this disgusts me and why I've completely had it with this FO. They clearly prefer taking the easy way out rather than sign more talented players that they aren't familiar with.
lol..the guy is a 32 year old fat ass that has never taken care of his body like a professional should...He's freakin 400 lbs and your taking shots at our front office..Our staff especially Sparano puts priority on players who have the character to take care of their bodies..
I would welcome McKinnie back to Miami. I believe the move will help both him and the team. Murtha has looked good in practice, Colombo may be the average RT he once was but, there is no way in hell that either are even close to McKinne when he is down to his playing weight, and $2.5M is not a lot for what he would bring to our OL
Nappy Rootsforum_veteran"padre31 wrote:
Those big men can drop weight fast, the problem is he is not in very good football shape, it is not just a matter of losing the pounds, his cardio and overall strength will not be very good, add in Wake was owning him last yr when he was in better shape and what exactly is he bringing to the table?
Wake owned some good players last year. Colombo got and is getting manhandled by no bodies.
Wilson Performance on Facebook
Wilson Performance on Twitter
:hammertime::hammertime:
padre31luxury_box"Nappy Roots wrote:
Wake owned some good players last year. Colombo got and is getting manhandled by no bodies.
Practice vs Games?
MrCleansubscriber"djphinfan wrote:
lol..the guy is a 32 year old fat ass that has never taken care of his body like a professional should...He's freakin 400 lbs and your taking shots at our front office..Our staff especially Sparano puts priority on players who have the character to take care of their bodies..
I think more than his being a former Cowboy, the main thing they like about Colombo is he's a warrior, in that he'll do whatever it takes to play. He gutted it out last year on one good leg and Tony appreciates that kind of dedication. Also, he isn't likely to give you any cause for concern in how he behaves off the field. South Beach would be an irresistible beacon for a guy like McKinnie IMO. Much less so I'm guessing, with a guy like Colombo
“... I hope I never ridicule what is wise or good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can.”
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Last year, McK was the #16 OT in the NFL playing LT, based on PFF. Colombo was at #76 of 78 playing RT.
Hmmm, let me try to sort out those numbers, and get back to everyone.
MonstBlitzforum_veteran"djphinfan wrote:
lol..the guy is a 32 year old fat ass that has never taken care of his body like a professional should...He's freakin 400 lbs and your taking shots at our front office..Our staff especially Sparano puts priority on players who have the character to take care of their bodies..
We see where this staff's priorities on character have gotten us so far. Mired in mediocrity.
I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on o-linemen here. I'm just reading the opinion of the writer that McKinnie grades out better than Colombo, coupling that with what I've heard about Colombo getting owned so far in camp along with past instances of this FO using the Dallas pipeline instead of searching out more talented players and drawing some conclusions. Maybe Colombo is the better of the 2, I don't know. Doesn't change how I feel about Ireland and company taking the easy way out with Dallas connections. There are better players out there worthy of this FO's attention.
padre31luxury_box"MrClean wrote:
I think more than his being a former Cowboy, the main thing they like about Colombo is he's a warrior, in that he'll do whatever it takes to play. He gutted it out last year on one good leg and Tony appreciates that kind of dedication. Also, he isn't likely to give you any cause for concern in how he behaves off the field. South Beach would be an irresistible beacon for a guy like McKinnie IMO. Much less so I'm guessing, with a guy like Colombo
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4872438
Seeing how McKinnie was booted from the pro bowl squad for partying to much I'd say that is a valid concern.
Nappy Rootsforum_veteran"padre31 wrote:
Practice vs Games?
?? are you trying to tell me Colombo didnt get abused during last season? in games?
Wilson Performance on Facebook
Wilson Performance on Twitter
:hammertime::hammertime:
"padre31 wrote:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4872438
Seeing how McKinnie was booted from the pro bowl squad for partying to much I'd say that is a valid concern.
I think McK being much better, at his worst, than Colombo, at his best, is a bigger concern that partying at the pro bowl. Put the two Canes together, and we will be a better team.
Da 'FinsmoderatorLike the stuff on Thomas. But I hate stuff like this from all-talk-no-walk Sparano:
Tony Sparano said what has most surprised him about Thomas – who grew up wanting to emulate Warrick Dunn – is “he has very good hands. Most big backs don’t have that. He catches the ball well out of the backfield.”
Like his offense will really utilize this? Ronnie Brown had "great" hands, not just "very good hands" and he was underutilized as a receiver his entire career. Sparano had no clue how to use Ronnie in the passing game. Just did not have a vision. Maybe Daboll will with Thomas but ... we'll see if they use the guy effectively in that area.
I do like the Reggie Bush as a receiver and in motion stuff. He's got open-field talent. Hopefully they won't try to run him like he's Ronnie Brown or something. They have to use him effectively - which means getting him the ball in space, not in-between the tackles.
DisgustipatesubscriberBryant McKinnie would not be able to start anytime even remotely soon. He's just a massive piece of **** right now, and frankly, he's probably not that big of an upgrade over Marc Colombo circa 2009.
Stringer Bellsubscriber"Da 'Fins wrote:
Like the stuff on Thomas. But I hate stuff like this from all-talk-no-walk Sparano:
Like his offense will really utilize this? Ronnie Brown had "great" hands, not just "very good hands" and he was underutilized as a receiver his entire career. Sparano had no clue how to use Ronnie in the passing game. Just did not have a vision. Maybe Daboll will with Thomas but ... we'll see if they use the guy effectively in that area.
I do like the Reggie Bush as a receiver and in motion stuff. He's got open-field talent. Hopefully they won't try to run him like he's Ronnie Brown or something. They have to use him effectively - which means getting him the ball in space, not in-between the tackles.
Sure they did, they just thought Patrick Cobbs was a better receiver than Brown.
“Come on, shake your body baby, do that conga!”
MrCleansubscriber"Southbeach wrote:
Last year, McK was the #16 OT in the NFL playing LT, based on PFF. Colombo was at #76 of 78 playing RT.
Hmmm, let me try to sort out those numbers, and get back to everyone.
Just curious, but can you check PFF for how Colombo did in 2009 and 2008?
“... I hope I never ridicule what is wise or good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can.”
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Disgustipatesubscriber"Da 'Fins wrote:
Like the stuff on Thomas. But I hate stuff like this from all-talk-no-walk Sparano:
Like his offense will really utilize this? Ronnie Brown had "great" hands, not just "very good hands" and he was underutilized as a receiver his entire career. Sparano had no clue how to use Ronnie in the passing game. Just did not have a vision. Maybe Daboll will with Thomas but ... we'll see if they use the guy effectively in that area.
I do like the Reggie Bush as a receiver and in motion stuff. He's got open-field talent. Hopefully they won't try to run him like he's Ronnie Brown or something. They have to use him effectively - which means getting him the ball in space, not in-between the tackles.
The only thing Ronnie Brown did well in the receiving game was catch the ball while looking at the quarterback. That's it. He didn't run good routes, he wasn't particularly dangerous with the ball in his hands, he didn't do a particularly good job of finding the soft spot in coverage as an outlet receiver, nor was he particularly good at catching the ball on the run. He got inflated numbers in a broken offense with non-starters at quarterback.
They weren't at all shy with using other backs at receivers. Patrick Cobbs got loads of use in the role, and it was the absolutely right thing because he was better than Brown at it..
bkbuffetNew MemberI was listening to a local sports radio show yesterday. They reported that in addition to being over 400 lbs, McKinnie supposedly has a Cholesterol test at over 400 as well. I don't have a link or anything but if true he's a heart attack waiting to happen.
Edit: found link: http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Bryant-McKinnie-trolling-for-work.html
Log in to reply.
This thread is locked.