Watching, rewatching, studying their mindset, seeing certain flashes, what they've done in the offseason, their current state of work ethic, where their at in their lives, these are the guys I feel will be better than last year.
SS24...he blew me away in the first practice, really did,it was apparent something had gotten into that boy,and I've seen nothing since that tells me this dude is not ready to bust onto the scene..This will be a good barometer of how a average player with great talent can go to the next level by commitment..I saw a play in practice where he was playing bump and run, the accuracy and quickness of the strike he issued on the receiver was route altering, he flipped his hips in a sec, and the receiver was beaten 3 yards into the route..I don't think he's played well thus far in games, but I'll project him to play at a high level..interesting, how much I'm into his confidence now that he's more focused in his craft.
Karlos Dansby..I've talked about him a lot, won't rehash stuff, I think there are real leadership qualities in the man, I know he's in shape, and I know he's a good player, when the good player starts to figure out there is a correlation between the body and their performance, the majority of time, good results occur.
Koa Misi..he was a player I talked about in camp.I know for a fact he's lighter and quicker..he's a high 2nd round pick, there is talent there, and seemingly he figured out the importance of offseason strength and conditioning.
Reggie Bush..I'll say this, Ireland is in a critical year, if Bush starts out fast, and doesn't get signed to a contract early, I'm gonna be pissed off..I'm not sure if everyone knows how hard this dude works, but it's fu&$in unbelievable, I mean if you can't scheme an offense with that skillset, and that work ethic and intelligence, then you suck..He reps everything we should want to be..
Reshad Jones..I didn't see it in the preseason games,but I sure as hell did in camp, and what I heard and read backed those thoughts..I'm surely not gonna disregard the things that I saw, the dude is built really really well, perfect for a safety..was showing good instincts, yeah, I'm gonna ridethat one out..
Daniel Thomas..talked a lot about him in camp, I saw really good things, I saw mind and feet working together, and I saw some good things in preseason games, if he could just get some spacing and good lanes by this weird oline, I think he will improve a lot..
Davone Bess...wow..he was different..in camp he was moving at a different speed then everyone else, it was apparent then, and we saw it translate to the games...something went down in the offseason with that ninja freak, he found a way to get better, lighter,quicker, faster..I think he will give 100 reps a run, Tannehill isn't stupid, and I saw a clear line of chemistry develop this preseason...Bess is Swoop, Swoop is Bess...Tannehill likey.
Nolan Carroll..something was different in camp, he was just closer to the opponent on a more consistent basis, I think we saw improvement in the games, I expect it to translate into a better player..
Paul Solai..guy has his weight in check, it might not be a big jump here, because he was damn good last year, but I can see a little step up..he's just a big mother, and he's getting better.
Who would you gamble on improving their game?
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GMJohnson, Larryfinfan, Rocky Raccoon and 16 others like this.
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This defense is above average on 1st and 2nd down. Later than that and all bets are off.
Killer Bees likes this. -
Vontae Davis.
Oops wait.
I'll guess randomly and pick Odrick, Burnett, and Clemons. -
Reshad jones would be huge. Really, that's our biggest weakness on d. He's proven to be a ballhawk before so I'm hoping it continues.
I'd hope for Charles clay. The lack of talent at wr should give him some chances.Tone_E likes this. -
Sean Smith intrigues me DJ.
Some folks will tell you he shouldn't be nosy with his eyes in press.
Tend to disagree if he is going to create TO's
You mention those hips and his size. It's development. I think he gets it regardless of the contract season.
He was pushed early in camp. Might be one of the good things we were seeing.djphinfan likes this. -
Daniel Thomas seems more comfortable these days to me.
Maybe a power back just needs consistent reps to get in a zone. Know what I mean?
Carries might be scarce. I'd rather see DT get those carries as opposed to Lamar Miller.
LM doesn't seem to have his feet set with his speed. I hope he isn't an Avery flashback. -
Eh, think SS24 does up his game he is in a contract yr after all
Think the OL performs well after 4 gms or so
Think Misi is just a dud, sorry Deej, dude has Misi on his jersey, reality is it should say "Greenwood"
Think CClemons is in for a very good yr, as is Nolan Carrol.
Think our DT's are underrated, but think Dansby is not what we all had hoped he would be
Think we get blitzed like mad to start the year..and it will work
Think Marcus Thigpen will hit the 2k all purpose yds mark.. -
Misi just won't make many plays Deej.
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My guesses are Bess, Dansby, SS24 and Reshad Jones. And I think they're all critical. Bess is critical, b/c he may be our only healthy starting quality WR to start the season. IMO the primary reason our defense went from horrid to really good during last year was that Dansby rounded into shape. Having him be there in shape all year may be the biggest key to our defense. Both SS24 and Jones showed ball hawking talents in college. If they can step up and do that in the pros our turnover differential (and win total) improves dramatically.
I would also add Bush. I get the sense that he may be taking that step toward becoming one of the better all-around backs in the league.GMJohnson, mullingan, smahtaz and 1 other person like this. -
Misi is stout against the run and may not make the impact plays that stand out, but he absolutely sets the edge in the run game. You can expect that. If you are hoping for him to become a much better pass rusher, you are not alone, but he does contribute a lot imo.
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Before training camp I had high hopes on seeing Hartline have a breakout season with Marshall not hogging up 80% of the passing game. Now with the first game of the season just a deep breath away I have little to no faith in Hartline showing up this season and actually have my doubts he is healthy enough to play maybe 6-7 games out of the 16 he just cannot stay healthy.
Naanee is looking like the guy that must step up his game for this team and seeing preseason that is down right depressing to think we depend on his skill set. This guy needs to wake up or ship out fast.
So that leads me to believe we need a young receiver to make a stand and step up to the next level. Marlon Moore or Rishard Mathews must step up to the level needed. Anyone dare pick which one of these two will be the one? I'm going with Moore because he isn't a rookie.
Last thing if one of these WR's go down do you realize we have to rely on 7/11 Hogan, or Jeff fuller? All the ones with any experience have been pouched or let go. -
Koa just strikes me as the type of player who is good, but will never be great.
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That would be a step up from Greenwood
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Bess has been hitting the gym hard and its shown.
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Larryfinfan 17-0...Priceless Club Member
I disagree with your assessment that Ireland needs to sign Bush if he starts off fast... I'm not knocking Bush, but 1100 yards for the first time in his career doesn't put him in the elite class of RB...he's very good at what he does and he brings a few things that not every RB does, but in the end, his production can be replaced...If Thomas steps up and Miller is utilized on the edges with some ingenuity by Sherman, the production we got from him can be made up... That all said, I hope he tears it up this year, whether he's re-signed during the year or not...
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He's 27, he's the hardest worker, most dedicated player on the team, takes great care of his body, he's coming into his own as a leader, and he can run and catch, with speed..the production he brings on several different levels is worth an extension from this franchise Imo.rather not be looking to fill that role at the end if the year..
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Hartline, Daniel Thomas, Sean Smith, and Misi are guys I see stepping up.
I think Javorskie Lane and Rishard Matthews are going to be surprises as rookies. I really like both of them. -
The OL is a decent group but its going to be tough for them b/c no one respects our WRs. Teams will over play the run, flood the short-intermediate zones and blitz with impunity.
The key IMO is defense and the guys you mentioned will indeed have to step up.
If Jones and Clemons are at least reliable it'll free up SS24 and Marshall to be more aggressive. We know the run d will be stingy. We know Wake will bring the heat, but if Starks and Soliai can get push up the middle and we can get a lil somethin from Odrick/Vernon then our pass defense will be much improved. -
I think Sean Smith will finally realize his potential. Dude has the tools to be a Pro Bowl corner and I think this year he throws his name in that discussion.
I like what I see from Misi so far. He looks more athletic this year. Last year he looked stiff and disinterested. -
Larryfinfan 17-0...Priceless Club Member
He is all that as of the end of last season. Will/can he replicate last season's success?? I don't know, particularly given his inability up until last year. On the other hand, I will say that Philbin/Sherman's system is probably ideal for his talents to be used. While he's no Roger Craig, he's got a lot of the same qualities in a RB that Craig had in a very similar system...