Other than RT, I don't think any other player means as much to the Phins chances this year as this guy. I am not as down on our interior line as some others. I think there is a chance to be better than last year--I'll actually be surprised if we're not.
I think our DBs will also be better. BMax actually got it turned around after the fifth or sixth game was ok (before that he was a "WTF" guy)...I like Xavien and I actually think Lippett can play a bit. We also have talent at the slot with McCain and some of the younger guys.
WR we are loaded. RB, I think we are fine. That kid from Michigan, De'Veon Smith can play. He doesn't have 4.5 speed, but between the tackles, he doesn't need it. I think he can be that 4th RB.
I like our DEs. Wake is timeless, I think Hayes will be a good player, and Branch was more than serviceable last year. I think our LBs will be much improved with Timmons and McMillan...
Brings us to DT. What gives me hope is Jordan Phillips has all the talent in the world...he plays next to a great player, and he is in a contract year. If the light goes on for this guy, and we get the play he's capable of, our defense can be a top 12 unit.
What gives me pause is to this point in his career, he's been lazy. He hasn't been sound fundamentally, and he loses focus.
But this guy can be a Pro Bowl player if he plays consistently the way he flashes. He's huge and at times plays great. If we get even close to PB caliber play out of JP, our whole defense will be greatly improved. The closer your best players are to the ball, the better your team will be. DL, imo, is the most important position on the defense. Thats where the disruption takes place.
I hope Phillips plays the way we think he can. If he does, this could be a very special season for us.
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I all honesty, I think you'd be better off wishing for this with one of the late draft picks from this year, because I think the JP story is already written, he is a rotational player, a low effort, lazy, sloppy tech player, just like he was in his unimpressive college career.
I still can't believe we took this guy with Ali Marpet still on the board.Last edited: Jul 17, 2017dolphin25 likes this. -
IF...regardless of how big the if is, he turns it on this season, we could be force playing late in January. Our team is missing that presence on the Dline. If we get it, we are perhaps good enough at every other position.
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I agree the Phillips performance is important. I disagree that he is the most important player after Tannehill.
MOST IMPORTANT PLAYERS TO OUR SUCCESS:
1) Ryan Tannehill
2) Mike Pouncey
3) Cameron Wake
4) Ndamukong Suh
5) Jay Ajayi
6) Lawrence Timmons
If any of them are injured or just have a garbage year (unlikely for Suh, but still, the point is how important their performance is) then our team is much more negatively affected than if Phillips poops the bed.
I'd put Phillips 7th tied with Rashad Jones. Even though Jones is a much much better player. Truth is, it'd be easier to scheme around a hole at Safety, imo, than plugging a major hole right up front. Especially in a wide 9. -
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Which would you choose...
Phillips at last years level paired with Suh at last years level, with Kiko Alonso at MLB, Raekown the rook at OLB and Hewitt or Lacy at the other OLB spot. (So the only upgrade to our run D over last year is Raekwon, if the rookie is ready)
OR
Godchaux the rookie (who reports are is not yet starter material and may not be, ever) and Suh with Timmons at MLB behind them, flanked by Raekwon and Alonso
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I see where you were coming from with the original post. As for most important player, I think it is Pouncey, but after qb, the most important position is the defensive line and specifically stopping the run. Stopping the run seems to be the springboard to unleashing an offense that can be special this year, but it has to have enough plays. With that said, Phillips is important, but so are DE's and LB's that can set the edge.
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Who would add more Dolphins playoff wins...
If Phillips had a Defensive MVP season or if Timmons did?
Hm. Not sure.Redwine4all likes this. -
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I am thinking of very good defensive teams that make it to Superbowls. More often, the MLB is getting crazy props. Singletary. Kuchely.
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even though he isn't a MLB -
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Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkRedwine4all likes this. -
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After reading the responses, I realize the way I posted the premise was rather clumsy. You guys did a better job of presenting the answers that I did of posing the question--sorry about that.
If I may try it again...who, of the new players or last years players, would it be most important to be a Pro Bowler. I think, after Tannehill, its Phillips. Suh and Wake are already at that level. If Phillips could be too, IMO, it would be ridiculously good for our defense.Phins_to_Win and Bpk like this. -
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I agree...Xavien playing at an elite level would make this defense scary good.
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1. Parker
2. Phillips
3. McCain
4. Lippett - improved last year and took steps
5. Howard
6. Drake
7. Carroo
8. Grant (ST)
and we need immediate impact from 2017 from:
1. Harris
2. McMillan
3. Tank
4. Asiata
5. Ford
I am not sure from what I hear that the DT's stick.
That's 13 people we need production from or 25% of our rosterRedwine4all likes this. -
Our defense wasn't good last year, but they also weren't healthy. We pretty much ended the season with only like 2 or 3 defense starters out of 11.
Had they stayed relatively healthy we still would have struggled against the run but with additions of Hayes, Raekwon and a healthy Reshad, we should improve on that.Puka-head, cuchulainn and Ohio Fanatic like this. -
I completely agree that would be amazing for the defense. And maybe I'm not giving the DT enough credit here. Usually I think probowl DT and we stopped the run. Probowl MLB and I think we stopped the run and disrupted the passing game... That might be over simplifying the answer though. Phillips is clearly high on that list of players that will impact the game the most if he turns it around though.Redwine4all likes this. -
I'm kinda MEH on Phillips. Hasn't stood out to me very much. Of course I hope he improves but some players just don't it's the reality.
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Phillips reminds me of Daryl Gardener... all the tools, but inconsistent. He flashes and disappears, then makes an eye popping TFL, INT or runs a RB down 20 yards down field.
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1996-04-21/sports/9604210057_1_dolphins-daryl-gardener-schwartz
Hopefully, this is the season Phillips starts to put it all together and improves his play. He can be a real difference maker when motivated and the fatboy has some wheels on him.Redwine4all likes this. -
DG started having back problems(common with tall DTs) after a few years in the league, and eventually it made him retire early, I think that's what you're remembering. -
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I remember it being a common Dolphin joke when a player would screw up, "CUT!!" would ring out through the bar, JJ had no problem cutting high draft picks if they weren't panning out. -
I remember DG needing a fire lit in his *** as well.cuchulainn likes this. -
Once he got that $50M contract, he was a bum. He was prone to missing meetings and workouts and was reprimanded for once starting a fight with OJ McDuffie of all people.
DG loved to talk... about himself - a top 10 draftee, superbowl, all pro, HOF... etc... he did none of that.
Right now he and Phillips aren't that far apart at either level. -
Yep, Those additions, plus Timmons sure won't hurt. -
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