Rewind thoughts..Dolphins vrs Falcons..

A few thoughts of my own from the game last night on some of the key units I wanted to see.

QB: I thought Chad Henne was okay, and yeah, just okay. The first throw wasn't perfect, but Fasano has to make a play on that. The second Interception he threw might have been the wrong route, but I'd expect someone like Peyton Manning or Drew Brees who sees something like that either goes to the next read or throws the ball way immediately, let alone lob one in there. I won't fault Chad for the throw if the route really was wrong, but it was a dumb decision. I can't remember him throwing that nice of a deep ball since he hit Ted Ginn in the Monday Night game against the Jets in 2009. Did a nice job of dumping the ball out to Daniel Thomas on the blitz. I wish he would've played longer (more on that later). I thought Matt Moore was decent. He played better than what I remembered of him from his Carolina days. Someone (Travis I think) noted in another thread about his ball placement on the Gates TD. That was a really nice throw. So was the deep ball to Roberto Wallace. Didn't really pay much attention in the second half so I won't comment on Devlin and O'Connell.

Offensive Line: Well, the 1st unit's run blocking was pretty bad. I think we all saw that so I won't sugarcoat it. I thought both Lydon Murtha and Marc Colombo were better in pass protection than I thought they would be. Granted, Ray Edwards wasn't in, and there weren't that many blitzes that I saw. Didn't notice any errant snaps from Mike Pouncey, so that's good. But still, the interior of the line got mashed pretty good. Vernon Carey a few times I saw getting knocked back pretty good, which isn't good for the Dolphins. I'll say it's pretty hard to imagine going into the New England game with the supposed starting five, but somehow, it'll happen.

Defensive Front Seven: I thought Randy Starks had some nice push on the first unit. Jared Odrick looked pretty good coming back, but I'd like to see more of that on a consistent basis. Ronald Fields popped out to me a few times. Paul Soliai got mashed a few times on some big gainers for Michael Turner. I hate to say this now, but I missed Channing Crowder last night. Kevin Burnett got owned several times and had a tough time getting off blocks from what I could see. I know most Dolfans won't like reading that, but I was not impressed with him against the run. He did some nice things coverage wise, but he's going to have to bring a little more to the party as my old linebacker coach would say. A.J. Edds was impressive and did some nice things. That sack was something I don't think I'd ever seen him do while he was at Iowa, and I'd seen him play a few times living here in Big 10 country. Ikaika Alama-Francis didn't disappoint me and actually did some nice things out there instead of looking somewhat lost. That was good to see. Didn't notice much from Quinton Spears or Jonathan Freeny in what limited action I watched in the 2nd half - I'd like to see more of them. Maybe one is good enough to crack the 53 man roster.

DBs: How is Tyrone Culver still on the roster? He cannot cover. Vontae Davis looked alright. I didn't notice Atlanta throw on Sean Smith at all. Was Vontae out of position on the crossing route to Julio Jones or was someone supposed to pick him up over the middle? Chris Clemons jumped out a little bit; still a good tackler. Nolan Carroll, if he does end up being the 3rd CB, needs to bring his "bigboy pants" to quote Parcells. I think he got handled a few times by Julio Jones, maybe once by Harry Douglas as well. Nate Ness had some good and some bad moments; it'll be tough for him to hold of Jimmy Wilson if Wilson keeps up his play and stays at CB. For as much as people dump on Benny Sapp, he came to play last night. I'd like to see more of that. Again, Jimmy Wilson was pretty impressive. Let's see what he can do against non-backups though. Just a hunch, but it wouldn't surprise me if Will Allen doesn't make the team. Hard for me to believe he's recovered from that injury if he keeps on missing practices and games.

Returners: Didn't notice Clyde Gates all that much. The Livas guy has some impressive speed. But dude, please, stay on your own two feet! I'd like to see him get a crack against the 1st teamers on special teams to see what he can really do.

Coaching: Obviously Sparano said it was going to be vanilla. And for the most part it was. I did like the new formations and the use of the shotgun for Chad Henne. However, despite it being preseason, shouldn't we have given more reps to Chad Henne? Just wondering, because, you know, that Patriots game is less than a month away now. I did like how he left him in to get some confidence with the TD to Hartline (was that against the 2nd team? I thought it was, but am not sure).

Things I'd like to see more of/improve for game #2

1) Give Chad Henne more reps.
2) The run-blocking and Daniel Thomas gain positive yardage.
3) See what the offense looks like with Brandon Marshall and Reggie Bush in the game.
4) Livas get first crack at kick/punt returns.
5) Kevin Burnett against the run.
6) Nolan Carroll against top receivers - he needs to improve.
7) Someone in the secondary make some plays in the 1st team unit.

Alright Deej, Jimmy "Jules Winnfield" Wilson..Sanders...or not?

Sticking to buying in? Is #35 a hit man on the field?

Last play, Froman INT, my Q Spears was coming on that dude...he knew it..

All in all 3 longshot guys played well, Wilson, Livas, Wallace, and last yr's long shot had a good game Ikaika Alama Francis looks and plays like a OLB now.

I agree with Ronin's post. Everything he said there was spot on imo.

"padre31 wrote:

Alright Deej, Jimmy "Jules Winnfield" Wilson..Sanders...or not?

Sticking to buying in? Is #35 a hit man on the field?

Last play, Froman INT, my Q Spears was coming on that dude...he knew it..

All in all 3 longshot guys played well, Wilson, Livas, Wallace, and last yr's long shot had a good game Ikaika Alama Francis looks and plays like a OLB now.

no not bob sanders, but I like the kid..I saw your boy make a rip move and pressure...practice squad buddy.

"Ludacris wrote:

I agree with Ronin's post. Everything he said there was spot on imo.

me too..dude has a good eye..

"djphinfan wrote:

no not bob sanders, but I like the kid..I saw your boy make a rip move and pressure...practice squad buddy.

Not yet..have yet to see that first step, if he has it then it will show up and I'll be sure to highlight it...:shifty:

"padre31 wrote:

Not yet..have yet to see that first step, if he has it then it will show up and I'll be sure to highlight it...:shifty:

brother, practice squad for that dude is awesome...I need to train his body..

"djphinfan wrote:

brother, practice squad for that dude is awesome...I need to train his body..

Skinny kid back in '97 was not physically developed either, but that first step...

"RoninFin4 wrote:

Just a hunch, but it wouldn't surprise me if Will Allen doesn't make the team. Hard for me to believe he's recovered from that injury if he keeps on missing practices and games.

A lot of people are talking about a possible battle with Wilson, Ness, Sapp and Carroll for the other CB spots. I agree with your assessment that it might actually be Allen that is cut. Guy has barely seen the field in like 2 years now and is still apparently dinged up. He is just to much of a liability at this point I think to hang onto. I bet we stick with him for a few more weeks just to make sure none of the DBs collapse or vanish, but if they all play somewhat consistently I can see Culver and Allen being the cuts.

"padre31 wrote:

Skinny kid back in '97 was not physically developed either, but that first step...

OT, but I remember seeing that "skinny kid" at my first Ohio State game. Grandmother took me to it when I was in middle school. Needless to say, Ohio State beat the "skinny kid's" team something like 70-7, but the "skinny kid" had like 18 tackles in that game.

I wonder the chances of Livas and Gates making the team. We desperately need a spark at KR/PR.

There were 2 thoughts I had this off-season, with quality value out there in FA:

With a rookie and Bush at RB, we need a solid 3rd back. Lex Hilliard and Kory Sheets is not gonna cut it during the season.
I'll never know why we didn;t sign Marion Barber, or re-sign Ricky or Ronnie. We needed them.

I don't know why we didn't make a play for Olsen or Miller at TE. That is a killer.

Both positions suffered last night with depth here...TE just suffered in general.

"texanphinatic wrote:

A lot of people are talking about a possible battle with Wilson, Ness, Sapp and Carroll for the other CB spots. I agree with your assessment that it might actually be Allen that is cut. Guy has barely seen the field in like 2 years now and is still apparently dinged up. He is just to much of a liability at this point I think to hang onto. I bet we stick with him for a few more weeks just to make sure none of the DBs collapse or vanish, but if they all play somewhat consistently I can see Culver and Allen being the cuts.

If in fact Allen is cut (just something that seems plausible to me at the moment), it makes the front office continue to look a little worse as they didn't pay him that injury settlement last year. Rather, they paid him (more) to stay on IR. For those wanting to re-sign guys like Wake, Soliai, and Langford, well there's some potential money we theoretically could have had. It might be small potatoes, but it's still potatoes nonetheless. It's a small part of the many reasons I'm frustrated with the current front office.

"padre31 wrote:

Skinny kid back in '97 was not physically developed either, but that first step...

JT..

overall Im seeing pretty good stuff. I noticed most of Julio Jones big plays came when Tyrone Culver was on coverage. I don't have an issue with Culver or anything, but I'm annoyed that Jones is getting so much good press now as if he was beating our starters like that.

Im very happy to hear Clemons is a baller. He was always flying around last season and hopefully he takes another step.

Livas? It's just awesome to see someone get a shot in preseason and make something happen. I hope he makes the squad. He has a history in college of doing well in the return game.

Fasano can just go eat pine for all i care. I am so sick of seeing this. I feel like Hennes had more WR's literally hand defenders INTs than any other QB in our history. In fact, i know he has. Off the top of my head I know Bess, Marshall, and Fasano have all done it before. Its bad enough not to catch the pass, its 100x worse to bobble it into a defenders hands. /rant.

That's dissappointing to hear about Burnett. I really hope hes not Dobbins 2.0. If so i hope the coaches make the move to Edds.

"RoninFin4 wrote:

OT, but I remember seeing that "skinny kid" at my first Ohio State game. Grandmother took me to it when I was in middle school. Needless to say, Ohio State beat the "skinny kid's" team something like 70-7, but the "skinny kid" had like 18 tackles in that game.

Spears made All SWAC 3 yrs in a row, but as he is from a HBCU they did not play the semi pro college teams.

"RoninFin4 wrote:

If in fact Allen is cut (just something that seems plausible to me at the moment), it makes the front office continue to look a little worse as they didn't pay him that injury settlement last year. Rather, they paid him (more) to stay on IR. For those wanting to re-sign guys like Wake, Soliai, and Langford, well there's some potential money we theoretically could have had. It might be small potatoes, but it's still potatoes nonetheless. It's a small part of the many reasons I'm frustrated with the current front office.

I wonder how much our medical staff has changed and "improved" since the time we decided Culpepper was a better risk than Brees. We have brought in an awful lot of guys with bad injury histories, and it has bit us in the ass routinely. Then you see guys going down early and often last year (Edds, Oddrick) with Od in particular turning into a saga.

And god forbid we screwed Long's shoulder playing him after the injury last year.

Are we just this bad at preventing and diagnosing injuries and risk, or are we just getting unlucky?

"Sethdaddy8 wrote:

I wonder the chances of Livas and Gates making the team. We desperately need a spark at KR/PR.

There were 2 thoughts I had this off-season, with quality value out there in FA:

With a rookie and Bush at RB, we need a solid 3rd back. Lex Hilliard and Kory Sheets is not gonna cut it during the season.
I'll never know why we didn;t sign Marion Barber, or re-sign Ricky or Ronnie. We needed them.

I don't know why we didn't make a play for Olsen or Miller at TE. That is a killer.

Both positions suffered last night with depth here...TE just suffered in general.

I'll attempt to tackle these one at a time.

With regard to Gates and Livas. I equate Gates to having more of the role that Mike Wallace had for the Steelers a year ago, i.e. being that 4th receiver to start out who is also our vertical threat guy. That might not happen right away or at least until he's firmly grapsed the offense, but that's what my vision for him would be. With regard to Livas, I think his only shot at the roster is to be a devastating returner. I mean, what other jobs can he do? I don't really see him taking snaps on offense (where as you could see that with guys like Roberto Wallace or Marlon Moore). Can he do the jobs Wallace did on special teams to lop him off the roster? Regardless of Livas, I think one of the two between Wallace and Moore doesn't make the team this year. Livas, if he shows really well, could potentially make it so that both Wallace and Moore both don't make it. If I were to bet on it though, I think they keep Wallace over both Moore and Livas. He does more "jobs" and that's something Tony likes, be it right or wrong.

As for RB, it still kills me they didn't pay to get Ahmad Bradshaw. However, that ship has sailed so I won't harp on it any more; it's just a move I wish (and think) they should've made. Hilliard and Sheets didn't blow the doord off anyone last night; but the run blocking was pretty bad all around. I mean, Daniel Thomas didn't do anything either. I, for one, am glad they moved on from Brown and Williams as they are both on the decline; but I think they could've (and should've) handled the RB situation better than just simply adding Reggie Bush to it.

At TE, well, I'm at a loss. I think it's a position they've shown they just don't value highly. Like QB, like S, like RB. It's just lumped into one of those categories where they think they can take a guy, regardless of draft round or free agency, and plug him in. They did it with Marion Barber in Dallas (who I'm glad they didn't bring in, as that's just merely taking the jersey off Ronnie's back and putting it on a guy who does less jobs IMO). They've done it with Chris Clemons and Reshad Jones here (both 5th round picks). They did it with QB post 2008. Pat White was an experiement, and they certainly didn't bring in a "big name" this year. I think TE is just one of those positions where they feel like they can get away with a guy. David Martin happened to fit in really well with Chad Pennington's skillset in 2008. Joey Haynos was...effective in 2009. I think they're banking on guys like Shuler, Mastrud, Epps, and Brackett to fill that role. I think Charles Clay will fill that role, though he seems to have the Lawrence Vickers role of the Dolphins offense Daboll has brought over.

"Sethdaddy8 wrote:

I wonder the chances of Livas and Gates making the team. We desperately need a spark at KR/PR.

There were 2 thoughts I had this off-season, with quality value out there in FA:

With a rookie and Bush at RB, we need a solid 3rd back. Lex Hilliard and Kory Sheets is not gonna cut it during the season.
I'll never know why we didn;t sign Marion Barber, or re-sign Ricky or Ronnie. We needed them.

I don't know why we didn't make a play for Olsen or Miller at TE. That is a killer.

Both positions suffered last night with depth here...TE just suffered in general.

Seth, I will go on the record and say both Gates and Livas make the team..

I will also say that Kory sheets gets cut..

I agree with your concerns..should of went after a tight end, and I think we will add a running back this preseason..

"texanphinatic wrote:

I wonder how much our medical staff has changed and "improved" since the time we decided Culpepper was a better risk than Brees. We have brought in an awful lot of guys with bad injury histories, and it has bit us in the ass routinely. Then you see guys going down early and often last year (Edds, Oddrick) with Od in particular turning into a saga.

And god forbid we screwed Long's shoulder playing him after the injury last year.

Are we just this bad at preventing and diagnosing injuries and risk, or are we just getting unlucky?

I won't speak to the other stuff, as there's no way we could really know that. That is of course if we knew someone on the staff (I don't personally).

As for Jake Long's shoulder. I had the exact same injury two years ago. Playing him with it wasn't a risk, especially if the labrum was completely torn. The labrum, as my surgeon put it to me, is like a clock face/circle. My was torn from 12 noon to 9 o'clock, or 75%. The only risk is Long took by playing was tearing it the rest of the way. However, the only thing the labrum really does is help you to throw, move your arm over your head, etc. Well, Jake isn't a QB, and if a LT has his arm's up over his head, he's probably not very good and has been put in a bad position. I think his sitting out know is just totally precautionary. I mean, if there's any one player on this team we would bet on to stay in elite shape during the offseason, I'd bet on Long.

Now, labrum recovery is typically 2-6 months, depending on severity and on the type of person operated on. I worked for Anthony Munoz, the Hall of Fame Bengals tackle, he had the same surgery. He was out of a sling and golfing just over 3 months after operation. But he's a former NFL player who is still in outstanding shape. I was able to golf and such about 4.5 - 5 months after my operation. Obviously I'm not an NFL athlete, but I'm in decent shape. I'd think they're just being over-cautious with Long. And, depending on when he had the operation, he could still not be at full 100% with range of motion stuff. That said, it's possible to get back to 100% after surgery, and my shoulder feels even better than it did before surgery (I'll conceded I had dislocated it a few times in football). But still, it's possible, and I think Long will be just fine.

Good point Deej. New offense----- Henne definitely needs more reps. Too much miscommunication in game 1. We need to make up for time lost.

"RoninFin4 wrote:

I won't speak to the other stuff, as there's no way we could really know that. That is of course if we knew someone on the staff (I don't personally).

As for Jake Long's shoulder. I had the exact same injury two years ago. Playing him with it wasn't a risk, especially if the labrum was completely torn. The labrum, as my surgeon put it to me, is like a clock face/circle. My was torn from 12 noon to 9 o'clock, or 75%. The only risk is Long took by playing was tearing it the rest of the way. However, the only thing the labrum really does is help you to throw, move your arm over your head, etc. Well, Jake isn't a QB, and if a LT has his arm's up over his head, he's probably not very good and has been put in a bad position. I think his sitting out know is just totally precautionary. I mean, if there's any one player on this team we would bet on to stay in elite shape during the offseason, I'd bet on Long.

Now, labrum recovery is typically 2-6 months, depending on severity and on the type of person operated on. I worked for Anthony Munoz, the Hall of Fame Bengals tackle, he had the same surgery. He was out of a sling and golfing just over 3 months after operation. But he's a former NFL player who is still in outstanding shape. I was able to golf and such about 4.5 - 5 months after my operation. Obviously I'm not an NFL athlete, but I'm in decent shape. I'd think they're just being over-cautious with Long. And, depending on when he had the operation, he could still not be at full 100% with range of motion stuff. That said, it's possible to get back to 100% after surgery, and my shoulder feels even better than it did before surgery (I'll conceded I had dislocated it a few times in football). But still, it's possible, and I think Long will be just fine.

I agree. I had a full labrum tear with subsequent surgery, and mine's ok now...... and I my surgeon probably wasn't as good as Jake's.

That pass to Fasano wasn't perfect but it was good enough. It him in the shoulder/helmet barely to his backside. That isn't on henne. It wasn't a perfect pass, but it should have been caught or incomplete. Just unlucky it went to a Defender.

That TD run by Turner. Watching the slowmo replay I see him barrel straight ahead, Soliai was sliding left had to shed a blocker adn then take on a full speed ahead Turner. It appears that Turner got the best of Soliai because Soliai's back inverted and of course the TD, but a full speed Turner vs a guy who had to shed a block and then take him on, it was an impressive show of strength by Soliai. If it wasn't on the goal line it would have been an excellent stop because he dropped him right there.

"ToddsPhins wrote:

Good point Deej. New offense----- Henne definitely needs more reps. Too much miscommunication in game 1. We need to make up for time lost.

Another way to look at this is, Henne is getting the reps, but Moore is getting series after series during the games, in essence they are prepping both for the Qb job.

"padre31 wrote:

Another way to look at this is, Henne is getting the reps, but Moore is getting series after series during the games, in essence they are prepping both for the Qb job.

I didn't interpret it that way Padre. I saw it as a staff trying to see what they have in Moore during his 1st game with the team. No Marshall, no Long, no Bush..... why keep Henne in for a while?