Lol

 

This is what I love to hear! I agree that I wish more of our players were this driven and motivated.

If Lamar can remember his playbook, we could have a star on our hands.

 

I will say this kid is going to be a star this year! Injury would be the only thing holding him back. There is something very symetrical about his body that screams running back, and his balance and wide stance is square, kinda reminiscent of Adrian Petersen. He looks really natural running the ball. I can see him stunning some people in the passing game as well, with screens and short throws underneath.

 

It can only be a good thing! Combine good natural physical ability with work effort and dedication, and you get a really good NFL player. Imagine if Tannehill and Miller both develop into really good players. We've never had that combo at the same time in my lifetime.

 

Just imagine if Tannehill, Martin & Miller become the answers at QB, LT & RB while Jordan, Taylor, Sims become the answers at DE, CB & TE. Plus all the solid players that could be from OV, Davis, Jenkins, Randall, Matthews, Kaddu, Gillislee, D. Jones, Sturgis, D. Thomas and I think this will one of the better 2 draft combos ever.

 

Trading up to get him was an inspired draft day decision. There's a lot of hype stories that I view very skeptically. Lamar Miller hype is not among them. He's going to be good.

 

If his footwork has gotten even better, oh man..

Don't forget his hands either, their good...been looking at that more.

I swear, watching him last year I have no idea how he got 5 yards a carry, I thought his balance was off and his mind and feet were not working together harmoniously, well, bigger faster stronger, better footwork, another year in the system, if his head and feet click, he's real smooth, and with that exceptional speed, he could be that home run ala Ricky style.

 

The 2012 class could be real special. I think an additional two UDFAs from that class could join the team along with Samuda and Shelby. Jonas Gray I think has a chance, and I'd bet if not for the broken foot, Kelcie McCray would've made it last year. Jeff Fuller is still lurking, but that's a tough ladder to climb.

 

Daniel Thomas is screwed...

 

Daniel Thomas is a solid 3rd down back and a good special teams player. Now when his contract is up...then he'll be screwed.

 

Sherman said he is looking at our young guys, but I don't think Thomas's job is in jeopardy, you do?

 

I am talking every down, but also yeah honestly if he goes into this year *****-footing like the other years, I think they even get rid of him eventually....

They are sick of him I believe with Egnew being a close second...

 

That's how I see it. He'll have to take a step up in production and durability to be brought back at anything much more than the min. RB is just too fungible of a position.

 

I think it depends a lot on how much he has grown up over the past season.

 

I think Thomas' role as the third-down back isn't in much jeopardy, unless Gillisee is very impressive and beats him out.

 

Ireland had some positive things to say about Daniel Thomas in the Jesse Agler training camp preview video. Almost too positive...almost akin to his Gibril Wilson comment. That's what struck me, I could be dead wrong. Guess we'll see what happens.

 

When did DT ever land this job you speak of?

If Miller's hands and pass-pro are decent then I'd much rather leave him out there on 3rd down. Idk how it'd even be a question.

 

I don't really understand all the hate for Thomas. He's a very good blocker, and he's a very good receiver. He's not a great runner, because he doesn't have good vision. But he makes the best out of whatever hole he finds, and that makes him a decent short-yardage option. His skillset is very well suited for a third down back.

 

They shouldn't let Lamar Miller play all three downs. I don't think he's as good as DT as a pass protector and receiver either way though. DT is pretty underrated in terms of pass-pro and receiving IMO.

 

On a 3rd and long I know who I'd feel more confident in taking a dump-off for the 1st and it def ain't DT.

 

They can spell him sure but he's too explosive to only use on 1st and 2nd, imo.

 

Miller is definitely the better open-field runner, without question. But what you can do in the open-field is a very small part of what a 3rd down back does.

 

It's a question because, going back to college, Miller's never played 3rd downs.

I do think Miller's going improve and be an exciting playmaker, but I think expectations are a little too high at the moment. He looked good last year against weak competition (OAK, NYJ, BUF) and a lot of it came in garbage time. He's the starter for sure, but my concern is how many touches he can handle and remain effective - I'd say I'm confident with around 15 (ran soft at the U when he got nicked). I mean, he wasn't even active every week last season, couldn't beat out DT and Reggie Bush for snaps. Some of this hype makes it sound like he's going to be this team's bell-cow, and I just don't think you can bank on that happening this year. There'll be snaps for someone to play substantial #2/3rd-down RB, imo.

 

I think it absolutely is in jeopardy.

 

I think Daniel Thomas' blocking is a bit overrated. When you really sit down and look at it, he's having lapses all over the place. People just assume since it's the one thing he's mediocre at that he must actually be good at it. But he's no Clinton Portis or anything.

He's good after the catch though. The Dolphins switched up their use of Thomas to try and get him on the outside and in the open field more, toward the mid-to-late portions of the year. It was a good adjustment. He's much better in open field situations and out on the perimeters than he is in traffic.

Disagree on him being a "good" short yardage back. I think if you look at his effectiveness and track it, and you look at his skill set and tendencies, he's actually quite poor at that.

 

By "they" do you mean the fans? Because I don't believe that opinion extends to the coaching staff or front office. If anything he doesn't wait long enough for his blocks to develop. I do agree they'll get rid of him eventually, no need to pay extra $$$ on a second contract for a backup RB and another reason I like the Gillislee pick.

 

It's not a knock on Miller, for me it's more about keeping Miller fresh w/o sacrificing anything in the play action dept.

 

Oh come the f*** on. Daniel Thomas is an excellent short yardage back.





















All of his carries seem to go for 3 yards or less :shifty:.

 

That made me laugh out loud.

 

Maybe when I see Gray or Marshall run the football in the preseason things I'll change my mind..but we will at least keep 3, and one of those guys Gray/Marshallwill have to beat him out, that's not an easy projection without seeing them in an NFL uni..but I see that you feel confident in Gray, I'm just not as confident on that college tape.

 

Not just Jonas Gray. Mike Gillislee as well. And Cameron Marshall for that matter. The chances of Daniel Thomas truly performing like the 2nd best runner on the roster by the end of preseason/training camp to me is not high. Do they have the guts to pull the trigger and demote him? Don't know.

 

Oh ok, you mean losing the 2nd string job..I thought you meant outright cut.

 

I don't think he's going to lose the third-down role if he's not the 2nd best runner. The third-down back most likely will be the best blocker/receiver.

 

Right, and if you mean short yardage then I can't agree that DT is very good there either. Miller should def have a shot at that duty as well.

 

This is actually true, but not necessarily an indictment of him as a third-down back. His success rate was decent as a runner. He's not bringing much in terms of creating a running game, but if it is 3rd and 3, he is going to get that 3 a lot more often than someone like Reggie Bush.

 

I don't think Lamar Miller should be playing all three downs. Just not worth it to have your best runner playing on third down. There are very RBs in this league that can do that.