Last year was a disappointing year for our offense. We only managed to score 19.4 points per game, and averaged only 331.7 yards per game. Both of those are too low to be anywhere near playoff contention. So let’s take a look at what we’ve done to improve our offense this season.
On February 8th, we made our first and wisest move of the offseason, terminating the contract of OT Jason Fox. On March 7th, we terminated the contract of veteran WR Greg Jennings. March 11th, we made our first effort to shore up the offensive line, signing OL Jermon Bushrod, along with OL Sam Young. Bushrod is a quality veteran OT, who played for HC Adam Gase with the Bears last year, while Sam Young was a swing tackle for the Jaguars. Both moves to improve the depth at OT, and in Bushrod’s case, maybe add in another challenger at the OG position. On March 16th, we re-signed backup QB Matt Moore.
We then signed WR Griff Whalen, formerly with the Colts, and the next day, signed OG Kraig Urbik, who started a lot of games early in his career for the Buffalo Bills, but in the last 2 years, has been a depth player, but still saw action in every game, but only starting 13 out 32 games. On 3/29, we signed TE Jake Stoneburner, and 2 days later, signed OT Ulrick John, formerly of the Colts. On April Fools Day, no kidding, we signed RB Daniel Thomas (now truly DT3, as this is his 3rd time with the team), RB Isaiah Pead, and also signed TE MarQueis Gray, formerly of the Browns, Vikes and Bills. Our last move for the offense was signing ERFA WR Matt Hazel.
It was pretty clear, this organization was not happy with our offense, and made plenty of moves to ensure the OL shortcomings of years past would not occur on their watch. Even before the draft, you have to admit we truly improved the depth on the offensive line, and would not leave our 2 tackles spots undermanned. Then came the draft . . .
Not since the dramatic fall of QB Dan Marino in the 1983 draft have the Dolphins received such a gift with a first RD pick. OT Laremy Tunsil was almost unanimously rated as the best player in the draft, although some had CB/S Jalen Ramsey rated equally or higher. Regardless, when you’re making your selection at #13 in the first round, you’re not expecting in the least to have the best prospect waiting for you to select them, but due to a social media snafu, Laremy Tunsil is ours. This was huge, not only for this season, but possibly the next decade or more. Make no mistake, despite hearing nonsensical assassinations of this kids personality, along with rumors of pre arthritic ankles, we got the best OL in this draft, hands down!
It didn’t end there though, the Dolphins were determined to improve this offensive unit, and in the 3rd RD, we selected Alabama RB Kenyan Drake. Not the workhorse of that Alabama team, that was Derrick Henry, but Drake is a very talented RB who is a shifty runner, and a good receiver out of the backfield, who also brings us special teams value, as he was the gunner on kickoffs. We then traded back into the 3rd RD, and in order to get back into the 3rd RD, we traded away TWO 2017 picks, a 3rd RD and 4th RD. The 3rd RD pick will be our normal 3rd RD pick, but the 4th is conditional, so if we are granted a 4th RD compensatory pick, that will be the pick that we give away. Either way, a steep price to pay, but I LOVE the player we got with that selection. With pick #86, the Dolphins selected Rutgers WR Leonte Carroo. Carroo is physical receiver, who compares himself to Anquan Boldin (but faster!). He has strong hands, and he scores TD’s, and was a big play machine for Rutgers. As excited as I am about getting Laremy Tunsil, I’m excited to see what Carroo can do for you, despite the fact that we have no picks next year. (j/k)
OK, so we probably went defense with the rest of our picks, right? NO! Gase was not in a daze, and his mandate to fix this offense was ringing clear in the Miami war room, as our next selection in RD 6, was diminutive WR Jakeem Grant, from Zach Thomas’ Texas Tech. Grant really is a small NFL player at 5’6″ 165, but this kid is ELECTRIC! Grant has reportedly, though not officially, run a sub 4.2 40 yard dash. The fact that he’s so low to the ground allows him to make unbelievable stops and cuts, his highlight reel is something to see.
So that’s it for the offense. NO! No it isn’t! We did draft a defensive player in the 6th RD, but never mind, we’re all about that Gase, bout that Gase, no defense . . . With our first of two 7th RD picks, we nabbed Western Kentucky QB Brandon Doughty. This kid lit it up last season, and no, not with a gas mask, on the field! Doughty completed 72% of his passes, with a high 9.4 YPA, over 5000 yards, 5,055 to be exact, along with 48 TD’s and only 7 INT’s. That’s a fabulous season in any conference, although we all understand that Conference USA is not the SEC. He has been compared to Chad Pennington, so hopefully the kid can stay healthy, unlike the great Chad Pennington. At worst, we’ve drafted Matt Moore’s replacement as Tannehill’s backup, and if the kid shows he’s an NFL caliber starter, it’s a great problem to have having 2 quality NFL QB’s.
With our final pick, our last but not least, we took UCLA TE Thomas Duarte. Another exciting addition to the Dolphins offense. I’m ready to personally guarantee that this kid not only makes the 53, but that he makes a little impact. He’s essentially a large, slightly bulked up WR who will be difficult for a LB or safety to cover. I expect he will be used as a 2nd TE or even in the slot. Duarte has reliable hands, and that alone should have him making the roster.
Overall, it was a pretty impressive haul for the offense, both in FA, and the Draft. We were very careful not to allow the O-line to be our undoing this season, as opposed to seasons past. We found many different types of weapons for our QB Ryan Tannehill, from the fast, shifty RB Kenyan Drake, to the alpha receiver Leonte Carroooooooo, to the electrifying Jakeem Grant and the sure handed TE Thomas Duarte. We’ve come a long way Dolphins fans, and of course, we need to reap the fruit of the moves we made, but I have to admit, I’m very much looking forward to see what we can be this season. I’m a little unsure if we did enough on the defensive side, but I do think the offense playing at a high level takes a lot of pressure off the defense, and now, with a veteran defense with some youth sprinkled in, maybe we’ll have a stronger backbone and resolve to not break like we did last season. All I know is, the season can’t start fast enough for me, I WANT SOME FOOTBALL NOW!!!!
I expect us to run the ball more than we have the last few seasons, and really, the run will game will be a full time participant in our offense, not just a first act. I don’t think we’ll be running the ball 40 times a game, but if it can be done to close out a game with a win, maybe it happens now and again. I know Tannehill has his doubters, but I think with adequate protection, which I expect him to get this season, we’ll see some real positive strides from our still young QB. With better protection, Ajayi and Drake running the football, Parker, Landry, Carroo, Stills, Cameron, and yes, even Duarte, I think there will be plenty of targets, and lots of success this season from this offense.
Here’s to the 2016 Adam Gase led Dolphins turning this franchise around, having a successful season, and more of those to come.
GO MIAMI DOLPHINS!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Just got back from the shore. Happy Memorial Day everyone. I’d like to reiterate what Mike said because he hit it on the head.
“Thank you to all who died defending our country, to all who are still here who have defended our country, and to all who still defend our country, and provide us with our freedom and liberties.”
Not sure if anyone posted anything about this yet, but apparently, Dion Jordan hasn’t yet applied for reinstatement.
http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/article-1/REPORT-Jordan-To-Apply-For-Reinstatement/f7ccead3-dbee-4778-8f3b-a7345249aa72
Not sure why he hasn’t yet.
He most likely made a late decision that he did want to come back and play so he had to get in some shape first and then apply, he still needs to get in better shape while he awaits a decision. JMHO
He has to get into football shape. He’s been conditioning himself obviously. He’s under 270 where he was rumored to be at about 280 a year ago.
I still feel he would be better served to play somewhere else its just he has zero trade value IMO.
He’s got one more year left on his rookie contract if we don’t pick up the 5th year option. This year is his new audition season so we know what we do or don’t have. If he’s ready to play he could help us. This is the worst time to trade him, he has no value as you said.
I think Jordan can help us, but first he has to be reinstated of course. He could be a future player for us, he’s still young enough that if he can show something for us this season, he’s worth holding on to.
I wonder how Jordan is viewed by the new coaches? DE or LB or both? If he’s committed he should be an effective sub-package defender at the least.
I have zero faith in Dion, it’s to late for him in Miami
Fair enough, why would you? I’m a more wait and see type person. People change, sometimes they don’t. We’ll see.
The good thing is we have depth now on defense
If what was said in the article is true I expect him to help us this year, if it isn’t true he’s done and won’t be reinstated.
GSW! I really hate Westbrook and his SpongeBob antics, always flopping around on the deck like a fish. I think at the end of games it’s really hurt OKC, because they aren’t giving him those BS calls.
Not long to go now F’ers!
Stanger,
Sorry I didn’t get back sooner, holiday weekend and all. Go ahead and put me down for 2. If something happens between now and then and I can’t go I’ll re-imburse you.
Attaboy
Way to go SB7 — nothing like your first time my friend. 🙂
Markey,
The team has made personnel moves as if Dion won’t make it anyway so it’s nothing but upside at this point. San Francisco will probably make an offer but who knows how desperate Chip Kelly and Ned Yost (San Fran CEO) are. If you read the USA today article, Yost works out where Dion Jordan currently is training out in SF. We all know Chip Kelly is all about his former Oregon Ducks so there’s no need convincing that guy. If Jordan is ever traded, the team will never receive back the value they gave up to get him.
I’m just curious, but would you give up Dion at this point for a 3rd RDer Markey?
I would keep him and see how he plays this year. We’re not gonna get anything anyway and with misi probably missing games it never hurts to have good LBs.
Boulder,
Absolutely. The contract is favorable to the team, isn’t guaranteed, and the talent is still there (experience is not) … it’s nothing but upside at this point.
His contract isn’t close to being favorable to the team, he’s got a huge cap number, based on what we might see in return, he has a $1.7M guarantee coming up soon, and his base pay is somewhere around $3M. They seem to be holding out hope that he reaches his potential, that’s why they keep giving him chances.
Agree 100% on the upside. Keep the expectations in check, and really, anything the kid gives you this season is gravy. If he doesn’t get reinstated or doesn’t make the 53, just move along like he was never here.
Tom Pelissero on NFL radio was talking about Dion Jordan this morning. He met him in SF where he does his workouts. He thinks Jordan will be a part of the team this season.
That’s great, I feel the same way, and he may be a key cog in stopping Gronk, if we ever get to a meaningful end of season game with the cheats.
What my Buccos pound the Marlin last night, but man this ain’t a baseball town. Bit under eleven thousand announced attendance. Sad to see that nice stadium so empty on Memorial Day.
Marlins usually have a competitive team too, but just like the Dolphins don’t usually fill the stadium, either do the Marlins.
For the Phins they say the Hispanic population isn’t as in to Football, but they love their baseball. Maybe it is the weather.
What’s your reason for being a Buck fan? I was there in Pitt for all the playoff and WS games in’79.
Bucs fan
That was the “We are Family” Pirates
How awesome that must have been to be there in ’79
First game I ever went to was Cardinals and Mets. I was four. Remember flipping through the program and their was this full page add saying “The Pirates are coming.” Guess I liked Pirates. We had Mets seasons for a number of years and back then they were in the NL East….so I got to see a bunch of their games.
My dad’s family is from Pitt, I spent 2 weeks there my high school summers, always on a long Pirate home stand 10+ games. Student tickets were like $2. I got 3 baseball’s sitting in the front row in left field, all thrown up from players
That’s cool. Never sat where that would happen, but can tell you when you are a kid who showed up at Shea during batting practice you get autographs from Bucs players. Sad that I lost them during this or that move along the way.
They talk about Jordan being in football shape, because he missed all of last, but so what, it would be like a player that was injured in camp and missed the year, except he doesn’t have to rehab. Who are these players that come into camp in football shape?
Can’t be in football shape until you start playing football
Agree, muscle memory cannot be shaped while you aren’t on the field.
That goes for everyone on the team, so why single him out?
He hasn’t played in 2 years
It was great Stanger watching that ’79 team play, but 30 degrees for the WS games, and I lived in Miami at the time, so cold as shit.
Won’t feel sorry for you there cause you were THERE. 🙂
My dad took me to the ’76 World Series Game 4 @ Yankee Stadium, the Reds completed the 4 games SWEEP of the Yankees, and I enjoyed every second of it, despite the fact that it was freezing in the upper decks
Steve,
IMO $3 mill is a huge cap figure and doesn’t restrict a GM much (teams make up the cap charge YR/YR starting at a min of pro-rated signing bonus and at least $1 of base salary; they can shift $3 mill of any future player’s contract into another year to offset the charge of Jordan). There is no dead money on Jordan’s contract beyond what is to be allocated in this year’s cap and the team doesn’t have to pay for any time he is suspended.
er $3 mill isn’t i meant to say.
The cap hit is like $5M.
stangerx says:
May 31, 2016 at 10:00 am
What my Buccos pound the Marlin last night, but man this ain’t a baseball town. Bit under eleven thousand announced attendance. Sad to see that nice stadium so empty on Memorial Day.
——–
It’s a two fold situation…
The stadium would probably be only at 20,000 in attendance anyway given a normal owner but the town despises Loria and looks at him as a crook they won’t support.
Do the FLA natives like any owner? lol
Different situation.
Ross isn’t seen as a crook and his commitment to win isn’t questioned, just how he goes about it.
Loria is one of the weakest owners in all of the major North American sports (NFL,MLB,NBA,NHL) and his history of shenanigans dates back to his time as owner of the Expos. He was ‘given’ the Marlins by the MLB in a non-competitive bid process (he would have been outbid by just about any group out there if it was competitive). He lets a guy who divorced his daughter run the team and exhibits pompous behavior time and time again.
I get that, but really, do they like any owner?
The current mayor of Miami doesn’t support the Marlins and he has never attended a game (might be the only mayor in a MLB city that has never attended a game). He voted against the stadium deal as a county seat holder and was one of the reasons why he was voted in as Mayor after the financing deal took place.
Mike E. says:
May 31, 2016 at 11:00 am
I get that, but really, do they like any owner?
————
Heat owner Mickey Arison is seen as a first class owner.
OK, so there you go. I was under the impression they just hate anyone and everyone
I would try to get a 2nd rounder in some conditional way like if he plays full time but I would have no issue getting a 3rd round pick for Jordan. This guy is poison IMO even his late applying for reinstatement is a bad sign.
REG: Dion Jordan
There is no way we get a 2nd or even a 3rd for him right now. We might after a few games, but if he’s playing well why trade him? I’d rather keep him next year and win with him than trade him for a 3rd rounder in 2017 or something like that.
That was just my reply to the question posed by Al in Miami:
Markey,
The team has made personnel moves as if Dion won’t make it anyway so it’s nothing but upside at this point. San Francisco will probably make an offer but who knows how desperate Chip Kelly and Ned Yost (San Fran CEO) are. If you read the USA today article, Yost works out where Dion Jordan currently is training out in SF. We all know Chip Kelly is all about his former Oregon Ducks so there’s no need convincing that guy. If Jordan is ever traded, the team will never receive back the value they gave up to get him.
I’m just curious, but would you give up Dion at this point for a 3rd RDer Markey?
Al — don’t know as much about the past history, but what Loria did after he got the stadium deal just wasn’t right. He gets it and puts like five of six top players up for auction in a firesale. Yeah it was legal, but what a breach of face.
And you know who hates Loria most of all?……..Ross. He had to right a check for $500 mil to improve “The Hard Rock” cause of that snakey move.
Sorry…”Breach of Faith”……but “in your face” too.
Dion last played at the end of 2014, what’s the difference between his situation and someone that missed all of last year due to injury, in regards to being in football shape? They make it sound as if he’s been out of the game for a long time. Plus he’s young.
Only you’re comparing him to someone who missed time with a season ending injury. I compare him to players who have practiced and played the last 2 seasons, either in the NFL or college.
Steve
I’m not overly concerned about Jordan and being in football shape. I think if he’s in top physical condition, he’ll be fine.
The Ship has sailed on Dion in Miami IMO there is NO WAY he can makeup for the wasted years he would be better suited to get a fresh start somewhere else and the 49ers seem the best option. I would take a 3rd rounder and a bag of chips for that guy…
Anything s better that what we got from him so far…
Not true, he hasn’t lived up to draft status, but he has made some plays on STS, covering TEs and some in the rotation. A smart businessman doesn’t care about the past, he only cares about what the future potential is, and assesses the situation accordingly. Do you really want Dion to go to SF and be All Pro?
I’d take a 3rd for him too…..don’t think it is coming though. The big value for him is two years left for not that much money at least. Big hit is one bad drug test away for at least another year out. Huge fans will be bashing me risk for any GM making a trade for him on that.
Mike, reports keep talking about Dion not being in football shape, as if the odds are against him that he’ll ever get back in football shape, so I proposed the question, why is he any different from someone out the entire year due to injury (except he doesn’t have to rehab)?
OK, I don’t agree at all that he can’t/won’t be able to eventually be in football shape, it may take a little longer than it usually would.
You don’t see them worrying about guys that missed the year due to injury getting into football shape. Just another case of reporters not making sense.
Markey
I’m not ready to give up on him yet. If he has turned himself around for real, and is focused, I’ll be happy to see what he can do for us. He’s a very talented athlete, he can be a good player if he gives a sincere effort.
Fool me once “Shame on You”…..this guy failed 3 test in as many years in the league. I do not care about his personal issues he let this team down too many times. I realistically feel we have no options but if they had any offer from the San Francisco 49ers I would make a deal. We can always get a young talented player in the draft next year and I am excited about Andre Branch (26) and what he will do for Miami.
I’m glad you aren’t running the show. Seems like you have issues with guys that run into trouble. I’m more of a bottoming type of guy. Someone with his skillset don’t grow on trees, so you bend things a little bit to try to make it work. I’d expect different results with him this year given VJ is now our DC.
Ricky was in the same situation and I feel he worked out well for miami. I wouldn’t give up on Jordan either. At least not in 2016.
Ricky was proven, Dion has proved nothing in the NFL……
Trading Jordan right now would be a waste. I have pretty much given up on him ever being near worth the 3rd overall we spent on him but he has more value to us on the team than we will find in trade so we might as well just roll with him and hope for the best. Im not as forgiving as Tim, i was up until the last suspension, as i feel he has his second chance and a third already, but there have been players that got their shit together in the 25th hour so its not completely out of the question.
Stanger,
Politically speaking, support for Arison & Ross can be justified to some extent given their investments in the area. Related Group, subsidiary of Related Companies which Ross heads, is 15th largest private company in Florida as of June 2015, according to the South Florida Business Journal. Arison head Carnival Cruise Lines which runs biz in 5 ports in Florida (Tampa, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Port Canaveral) . Loria? He’s got nothing of significance in this state. The only ones who supported the stadium financing deal via a vote were getting kick backs from people who were going to be part of the stadium construction. Those politicians were voted out of office.
Al — anyone get charged for kickbacks? Not saying it doesn’t happen, but you get the idea……and there are plenty of legal ways to influence anyhow. Even if it was the legal way, Loria threw those guys under the bus too by blowing up the team. At the same time his team, he can do what he wants so long as it is legal. Owning one comes with a bit of public obligation though. You break it and folks don’t come to watch the games. Just like now.
Markey
That’s assuming someone would even offer us anything for Jordan. I wouldn’t take a 5th-7th RD pick for him, I wouldn’t take less than a conditional 3rd RD Pick. I would hate to see him flourish elsewhere.
Id take a 5th or above, i think he has too much potential to take less, but i also think a 3rd is pretty much not going to happen. 4th-5th even if they are conditional and/or supp pick 4th/5th’s.
As i said above though, i dont think we are going to get any offers that high for him so its kinda moot.
Dion Jordan’s late request for reinstatement really bothers me for some reason. You would think if he was really serious he would have applied as soon as he could. I think this dog and pony show by his agent is a last minute change of heart by Dion to try and salvage his career. I am not sold!
I think like much of what he said in that interview is he had to get himself right first so when he does file for reinstatement he’s all in and ready to go. As long as he gets some OTAs in before TC he should be fine.
You might be right Markey. I’m usually very skeptical, but we don’t know why he waited to ask for reinstatement, maybe he wasn’t ready to commit earlier, but now he is. In any case, if he’s in the right frame of mind, and he’s OK physically, I think he can help our team, this year, and beyond.
Mike what has he done in the NFL to warrant such trust? I don’t get it. He is the true definition of “Fools Gold”
I think Markey makes good points and the difference he expresses from the rest of us is just differences in how to run a biz. I can see benefits doing either strategy.
I would also like to say that as much as we know of Dion Jordan from the outside, there is still much from the inside (non-public info) that we don’t know that factors into the front office’s decision.
Steve, Dion said he needs to get into football shape and the only way to do that is to do football stuff. It’s not like he can’t get up to speed once he starts participating, he just hasn’t in quite awhile. I don’t think it’s a big deal or anything.
Andre Branch will be the player we thought Dion would be for us….bank on it!
He’s still young enough to up his game and have his best seasons ahead of him. Let’s hope that’s the case.
His role in our defense will let him play the kind of game that will make him a potential pro bowl player….just wait and see. He will get plenty of raves in training camp!
As for Jordan’s contract itself…the Dolphins have already paid out the signing bonus (paid out in its entirety at contract inception) and any future $ payments to him are done through roster bonuses ($1.6 mill for this year) and a very low base salary (~600k). Jordan gets non of it if cut and the Dolphins have zero dead money related to anything outside of the signing bonus pro-rated amount not charged yet against the cap (~3 this season and zero into the future). The cap charges on the signing bonus are non-cash charges.
I’m sure this hit the board at the time, but didn’t catch it until today in an article.
“Last season Landry set an NFL record for most receptions by a receiver in his first two seasons in the league with 195”
And not like our O was with Peyton, Brady, Fouts, etc. running it. Talk about a keeper.
He just needs to get into the end zone more and that will make him a top 10 WR. All those receptions but few TD’s for the amount of receptions.
Never said he was the next Gronk…..but you have to agree a 2nd well spent. Not every player does everything in all phases. Still thinking the plan is Cameron and Parker as the key red zone targets. Even if Landry is the key btwn the 20’s……gotta love him on the team.
Don’t get me wrong I love the guy, he just needs to take it to the house more with all the receptions he is getting. Constructive criticism….
markeyh, here’s the thing. If we trade or cut Jordan and he goes onto be what he was drafted to be, we got burned again by him. We really should see if he can help us first before cutting bait. If he isn’t looking like anything special in TC then we at least gave him a look and moved on with something to go by rather than to do it now.
I have seen enough of Dion I am sick of this kid he is a spoiled brat and has proved nothing when he did play. He could not beat out OV, was not even better than Derrick Shelby. I too felt like many of you until this latest attempt to try and sell this clown.
It’s just to late IMO to get anything for him and if some GM is enamored like some of you I say make a trade ASAP!
Markey
He’s done nothing yet, but that doesn’t mean he won’t do anything now. His talent is undeniable, and he was undersized coming in, with a shoulder injury. Now he’s bigger and stronger. We’ll see, because odds are slim that he’s traded, so we’ll see soon enough what he’s all about.
I understand your hope I too had that hope for him. But no more!
If Miami can convert Dion to OLB he might stand a chance but at the DE position he has no shot we are deep at that position and he could not beat out Derrick Shelby when he was here.
I’m not really being optimistic or expecting anything special from Jordan. I’m just interested to see how it plays out.
Kind of in the same place. I hope he can do something for us, but I’m not expecting it.
Right, if he comes in and looks really good and stays clean that’s a bonus for us. One more mistake and he’s done and he himself said he can’t waste this opportunity. So we shall see.
I hope it plays out that we can still find a taker for him….the best option to salvage what in hindsight was a bad deal……I do blame the lame coaching we had for some of his issues.
markeyh, I think our entire offense needs to get into the endzone more often. As long as we’re doing that I don’t care who’s getting the scores. Landry will always help us move the ball even if he’s not a big TD guy. Parker and Ajayi might be the big TD guys this year.
Landry had over 1100 yards receiving and 110 receptions but just 4 TD’s an average of one TD every 4 games. That is not what you should get from a WR getting that many opportunities.
Parker had 26 receptions and 3 TD’s think about it!
I’m not saying I wouldn’t like to see him score more, just that he might not be a high TD guy. I hope he does score more, I hope a lot of guys score a bunch of times this year. 🙂
Me too
If Jordan had no drugs in his system for this one test……he’s pretty frick’n stupid. But guessing this is more a “Mom was holding it for a friend” thing.
————————————–
Jordan insists he never had a drug problem, and says he has been drug-free since months before the December 2014 diluted sample that led to his current banishment. His agent, Doug Hendrickson, says Jordan panicked before that drug test because he had been drinking alcohol, and didn’t know that he wouldn’t be tested for alcohol, so he tried to flush his system.
His first two suspensions were for marijuana and ecstasy. That doesn’t mean he had a drug problem, but it was irresponsible for sure. So if it was just a matter of not doing that anymore than maybe he can stay clean. He’s been tested twice a week since being suspended the last time and hasn’t failed so maybe he’s on the right path.
Wait until he face some adversity and see what happens this guy is weak minded and immature and he actually did not justify his draft status before he got into trouble. He did not transition well to the NFL and I do not see him doing it now. Hopefully he will prove me wrong but history shows this is just a bad situation with nothing good in sight.
so what’s your definition of drug problem if two suspensions for drugs don’t count? lol
rhetorical question
It is just either a stupid excuse or he is stupid Tim. How after two suspensions could he not know exactly what they are testing for?
I’m not defending what he did. It was stupid. I’m saying it doesn’t mean he has an addiction or a drug problem. Based on what we know now, what he did was irresponsible and dumb. If he fails again it means he didn’t learn from his past mistakes, he doesn’t care or he does have a problem. All he can do is go from here.
Markey
So many passes Landry caught were probably 10 yards or less from the LOS. It’s hard to score under those circumstances, and if you recall, he did score on one short pass, it was an amazing effort to get that TD, it was an unbelievable run after catch.
Let’s hope the new offense opens up the field more for everyone.
Like I said it’s just honest constructive criticism. Great kid, great competitor but to be an elite WR he needs to score more TD’s that is the truth.
It’s a good thing that all we have is the future Markeyh. As of now, Jordan’s past is just that…the past. He’s not costing a whole lot for us to keep him and his trade value is extremely low. We’re not recouping what we spend to get him so we might as well keep him.
If we have to keep him it is what it is but some of you seem to still be hanging on to some hope that this clown will turn over some new leaf. I just don’t see any value anymore and my disappointment in him is so deep that I will trust him no more.
Time to move on beyond this kid we don’t need him IMO.
You’re right that you don’t see the value. Shouldn’t any fan have some hope that a player for our team can contribute and make a difference even if they haven’t yet? Don’t confuse the hope that people have with missing the reality of the situation.
It is not my intent to dash anybodies hope, I hope you are right. I just don’t have much faith in Dion anymore.
SB7, I know people who have taken all kinds of shit but they don’t have a drug problem. Meaning they’re not addicted to any of it. Lot’s of young people smoke some weed and take ecstasy from time to time.
What Jordan did was irresponsible knowing you can’t do that shit if you play in the NFL. It doesn’t mean he has an addiction. He’s been passing tests for quite some time now so he’s been clean. However that doesn’t mean he won’t mess up again.
taking drugs kept him from doing his job. that’s pretty much the definition of a problem. drug problem doesn’t equal drug addiction. besides, I said the question was rhetorical. lol.
I don’t think we are goin g to see Landry score 10TDs in a season
if he does do that – I agree with Markeyh that makes him elite
but I don’t really think he is a prototypical redzone threat and I think part of the reason we drafted Parker is bc Parker is a great redzone threat
I think all the pieces are meant to work together
Landry is the engine of this team
but I suspect, even if the offense is scoring a lot more than it did last season, Landry won’t be a double digit TD guy
That is why he will always be very good but not great….
Most WR’s with his numbers are in the double digit TD range
I tend to agree. His best shot at double digit TDs would be 7-8 receiving and 2-3 on rushes and returns. He had one of each last year. But you never know, if we get into the redzone a lot the opportunities will be there.
I think given we drafted Drake and Grant maybe Landry is used less on returns and can focus on being a WR
Absolutely Pig. He was never supposed to be a red zone threat……not sure why we need to be down on him for doing what he was supposed to do very, very well.
I am not being down on him just stating a fact that his TD’s are disproportionate to the amount of touches he received in BOTH years as his 9 TD’s with almost 200 receptions is an issue that needs to be resolved.
Jarvis ranked 57th in TD’s last year…..just saying
Did I read that right?
Dion Jordan was trying to mask alcohol
which he thought he was being tested for?
Masking it with drugs
therefore he doesn’t have a drug problem
If all that is true
he does not have a drug problem
He has a stupidity problem
What’s next Dion? I didn’t know I wasn’t suppose to pee into the wind? I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to shower with electric appliances? I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to sit on porcupines?
Oh look there is a DUI checkpoint
I better get high so I don’t get a DUI
WTF is that!
There is no doubt he fucked up by making stupid decisions. Nobody is denying that. Not knowing alcohol is on the list once you’re in the drug program was stupidity on his part. Once you’re in that program you can’t use anything. That doesn’t mean he can’t stop doing it, but he wasn’t smart about it that’s for sure.
Your choice — stupid for thinking they were testing for alcohol, stupid for being dirty for the test, stupid for not being able to beat the test or stupid for putting out a lame excuse afterwards..
When people say great or elite I never know what definition they are using. It’s hard to have a discussion when those terms are brought up. A lot of people would say that Welker was elite or great and he had double digit TDs once and that was with Peyton. Landry’s limitations aren’t really on him as a player and that’s the problem I have with Markey’s argument. He’s been targeted a lot, but bubble screens aren’t really the best to get production out of a player.
Markeyh
I think Landry is great
There are a lot of double digit WRs I would take him over
but I have a different perspective than most
I really think there are some skills that don’t show on paper
I don’t think Landry will ever be perceived to be a top 5 WR in t he NFL like his colleague Beckham is
but I’m okay with Landry being the same Landry he has been every year for the next 10 years
I don’t think players like Landry fall out of trees
He might not put up all pro numbers
but if he catches 100 passes a season for 10 years
he wilbe in the Hall of Fame even if he onhy has 4 TDs a season
Miami needs to score more points that is a fact, so if your receiver who is getting the bulk of the targets and catches is only scoring once every 4 games that is a problem that needs to be resolved. Either get other WR’s the ball more or Landry needs to get in the end zone more.
I too love Landry his toughness and fire but at the end of the day more TD’s need to come from him.
LOL Piggy – I don’t think he tested positive for drugs, I think the test came up that he diluted the sample, and therefore, it’s the same as a positive result, because they assume he was masking drugs, when in his case, he was trying to dilute the alcohol. Either way, not too bright.
was he driving to the urinal?
Who would think they have to mask alcohol for a drug test?
What a moron
LOL – The kid almost set his entire body on fire, so no, he’s not very smart.
Once in the drug program you can’t drink either so he had to mask the alcohol or he fails. The masking didn’t work. He made a bunch of bad decisions. Not knowing he couldn’t drink either was one of them.
TIm — but his agent said Jordan “didn’t know that he wouldn’t be tested for alcohol.” Never heard about any NFL player coming up dirty in a test for booze. Not saying you are wrong, but first I heard of it.
SB
I’m an elite blogger, you’re just a great one. lol
was hoping for mediocre. don’t know if elite blogger is a brag or not. lol
Mike, here’s the story on how Jordan was set on fire. He was a kid when it happened. All of the kids involved didn’t know the danger in what they were doing. But it’s not like he dumped gasoline on a fire.
http://www.dailyemerald.com/2012/10/18/dion-jordans-life-threatening-injury-nearly-derailed-a-promising-career/
Did Jordan try to dillute alcohol with cranberry juice, orange juice, or lime juice?
I usually call that a cocktail
not masking alcohol
What he fuck is his agent talking about
was he drinking scotch on the rocks or something?
I feel like this is the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard
I didn’t even know you can dilute alcohol
can you do that
If I hear that Dion Jordan mixed a high end alcohol with vinegar I am burning my jersey
that is disrespectful to alcohol
Pig — even if Jordan actually thought they would be testing for alcohol……it is gone from you system in less than a day. So we are left with him taking in the day before what he thought he would be tested for. Jordan should have just left it at “I F-ed up bad, but am NFL born again…..just watch what I do.”
Just keeping everything in perspective Landry is averaging a TD every 22 receptions and Parker scores one every 8 receptions.
We have perspective. They aren’t the same type of receiver. Comparing the two for TDS is “silly”.
Here’s the breakdown of TD receps we had last year. Nobody had more than 4, Landry and Matthews with 4 each. Matthews probably would have had a few more if he didn’t get hurt, but the offense didn’t have a good year overall so nobody was going to score a lot.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/stats/_/name/mia
That just proves my point, look at the receptions and Jarvis had 3 times more than anybody else but just 4 TD’s…..
Looking at the NFL stats for receivers is the best way to compare things IMO considering the amount of catches he had…..
http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?tabSeq=0&statisticCategory=RECEIVING&conference=null&season=2015&seasonType=REG&d-447263-s=RECEIVING_YARDS&d-447263-o=2&d-447263-n=1
Jarvis was #4 in receptions but # 57 in TD’s
Nobody is denying that just 5 and 4 TD receps his first two seasons isn’t a lot. LOL
Stanger, I think what happened was that at the last minute Jordan was told you can’t have alcohol in your system either and panicked. He didn’t know alcohol is also a no no once you’re in the drug program which is bad on his part and his agent. Isn’t there a briefing on the rules?
I think what happened is he had something other than alcohol in his system, knew it, and tried to flush it out with one of those regimens they have that has you drink gallons and gallons of water (plus masking agents) in a day or two. Then his sample came up “diluted” cause of that. NFL has caught on to such.
Just have a hard time thinking his agent was so bad as to not sit him down after the first two tests and tell him exactly what he would be tested for….and what he would’t be for. Again…..I know they don’t test for alcohol and I never played in the NFL.
Again, he made a lot of dumb decisions one after the other. He failed for trying to mask alcohol which was also banned as part of his program. Once you fail for a couple of things your restrictions increase and no alcohol can be a part of your particular program.
http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/pittsburgh-steelers-nfl-features-news-blog-long-form/2015/8/28/9218621/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-nfls-substance-abuse-policies-martavis-bryant-steelers
But they don’t test for it Tim and it is out of your system within 24 hours even if they did. Let’s just leave it at stupid decisions agreed. You at least agree that he might have not been trying to mask alcohol I hope…..was his agent talking after all. I figure it was pot, which stays in your system far, far longer when it comes to testing.
I sure hope Branch is what you think he’ll be Markey, because if he sucks and he lit up Tunsil the way he did last week…
I think we got a great deal with Branch and to have him learn from Wake and Williams I am expecting big things from him….
Were all hoping, pads will be on soon enough to see. I saw Branch wreak havoc on the Bills in London last year, so…
I do not like trying to use Tunsil at Guard but what option do they have?
Jarvis issue is the exact thing that lowered his draft grade is his lack of speed and Miami needs to find a way to score more and that will have to include getting the ball into Stills and Parker’s hands more. IMO
I don’t agree, because he takes small quick steps and plays fast, we just haven’t seen him on the outside much, but that will change. It’s tough to score underneath down close.
Jarvis ran a 4.65 40
Odell ran a 4,43 40
https://youtu.be/ykiEx5Hv-NQ
I believe a few of his TDs in his career were down inside the 5 on the outside where he caught a quick hitch, made one man miss and dove for the pilon.
Andre Branch has been a bust his whole career to date; never achieving the sack rate expected of him or even creating pressures the way Jax expected. I hope you see something the rest of people don’t.
He has played unlike Dion and with Miami and his new role I feel he will excel…..unlike Dion,
He’s not a bust, just hasn’t been the pass rusher he was projected to be. Is that him or bad scouting? He’s known for being good against the run though. He does have 14 sacks, 5 FF, 3 FR, 11 PD and 8 tackles for losses as basically a rotation DE his entire career.
I don’t view him as a top defender but a solid rotation guy who does make some plays.
masking alcohol makes a lot more sense give n the rule/program Tim is referring to
maybe he didn’t know what they would be testing for until the last second
but the reality is – its no excuse if he was not supposed to be drinking
I guess he is trying to say
“I’m just doing a normal thing – drinking”
and he doesn’t have a drug problem
but I didn’t get the context to that quote from his agent
but I suspect his agent avoided the topic of whether he should have been drinking or not so that is a little unclear in the statement
He hasn’t made any excuses. He knows he fucked up multiple times. There is no way around that.
but the agent’s statement is a little less than authentic in admitting that the mistake was drinking
so it ends up being confusing
he really already paid the price for his screw up
so I think its done
but the quote left me head scratching when I first read it
I think alcohol in this case is like every guy who ever got busted for steroids….”Oopps — bought the wrong thing at GNC.” And since he got busted for the diluted sample…..even the NFL doesn’t know what he was trying to hide.
This was PFF’s analysis of Branch after the season:
DE Andre Branch
The frustrating thing with Branch (62.6) is that he can stand out as a pass-rusher, he just does it so rarely that it doesn’t justify having him as a starter. He’s registered just 15 sacks, 14 hits, and 62 hurries in 1,238 pass rushing attempts since 2012.
New team different opportunity for him is it ant different than what you are hoping in our BUST Dion? Why the hate on Andre? He is a Dolphin now. And word is he is looking good in the early camp. Time will tell but I would be willing to bet he helps Miami more than Dion…..
Dion has 3 sacks in 3 years…..
He’s not a great pass rusher. Neither is OV and he just got paid $85M. LOL
OV was not worth what he was paid and Branch and Williams will more that cover for OV’s production.
Markeyh
here are Wes Welkers stats
http://www.nfl.com/player/weswelker/2505790/careerstats
He had 50 TDs over an 11 year career – which is not a lot
He had 1 10 TD season, and a 7, 8 and 9 TD season for the Patriots
but look at the yards and receptions
they demonstrate how much he contributed to some pretty potent offenses
I don’t think Landry will be like Calvin Johnson or Andre Johnson in their prime
I think he is more like Wes Welker who was crucial to a lot of hire scoring offenses without big TD numbers
I don’t think Landry needs to be an “alpha” receiver type
If Landry stays exeatcly what he is in 2016 and 2017 and so on we can still dramtically improve on offense in terms of scoring
I don’t think we need him to be a 10TD guy to score a lot as a team
but we need to take adavantge of what he does for us outside of the redzone
and I don’t think we did that in 2015
I made the pretty much the same post
markeyh says:
May 31, 2016 at 1:36 pm
Jarvis ran a 4.65 40
Odell ran a 4,43 40
——–
He had an issue with his hamstring during the pre-draft process. His true 40 yd speed is probably 4.5X sec range which isn’t elite. However, there are different ways of attacking an opposing defense and playing WR other than burning a DB in the post and not every player can fit the requirements of each WR alignment position. Landry is very good; he’s compared to Hines Ward by some and Ward was never a high volume TD guy but did all the little things to win vs his opponents.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/4-77-second-setback–how-mom-helped-lsu-s-jarvis-landry-recover-from-shaky-start-in-nfl-draft-process-182631261-nfl.html
I’m not looking at the combine numbers now
but think Odell ran a little faster than 4.43 as I recall
actually his numbers as I recall were jawdropping
No question – two different types of speed irrespective of Landry’s hamstring issues
but Beckham is something we haven’t see before
didn’t he break some rookie records in limited time?
I agree I would also compare him to a Hines Ward that is not a bad thing and my legitimate constructive criticism seems to have rubbed some of you the wrong way and now I am getting a barrage of defensive attacks to try and somehow convince me (A JARVIS FAN) that his TD’s don’t matter. But they do and others have the same legitimate criticism about Landry.
He needs to score more with the amount of receptions he gets or disperse the ball more to others who can score.
At the end of the day that is the goal to score TD’s!
It’s Landry Blasphemy!!!
lol
You are not wrong
I think the bottom line is that he is one of our good pieces
You get no argument from me….I wish we had more players with the heart and competitiveness of Jarvis. I just want more TD’s from Jarvis.
Stanger, what I’m saying is that the last test he failed for was reported for masking for alcohol use and it doesn’t even matter what you masked for at that point. That was strike 3. Whatever the condition of the player’s program is, if you fail again it’s for a year.
Yeah
that’s is the underlying point which is somehow missed
he was drinking alcohol when he was not permitted to under the program he was in which based on his earlier defaults
I guess he is just trying to say
I don’t have a drug problem
I was just drinking and I should not have been while I was on “probation”
So he broke the rules
and he paid the price
and he is not a meth addict….lol
Right! But he continued to be immature with his career by not knowing what the rules were or he didn’t care at the time. No matter what, he fucked up 3 times within a short period of time. Now he has to prove that he doesn’t have a problem and was immature and dumb. LOL
I wouldn’t get too caught up with who on the DL is looking good in shorts. The OL can’t really get physical without pads so it’s really one-sided. The DL gets to fly off the ball and the OL can only play technique, no pads to lock onto and try to drive the DL one way or the other.
http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2016/2/15/11003494/jacksonville-jaguars-2016-nfl-free-agent-profile-andre-branch-defensive-end
Keep in mind who Branch is surrounded with in Miami compared to who he had to work with in Jax. That is a huge difference.
The same reason why I felt OV was overpaid because he had so much talent on the line that I feel OV should have had double digit sacks last year.
Mario will have double digit sacks and Branch will have as many if not more than OV did last year.
Branch is excited with his new role in Miami which is to RUSH the passer. You never know what can happen when a player is given a new opportunity on a different team.
Markey,
I understand you completely with Landry and I agree.
Everyone has a skill they bring to the table and Landry is what he is and the Dolphins simply have to make the team better overall; especially the TE situation when it comes to the passing game. The safeties need to be challenged.
Markey,
Regarding Branch, I have the same opinion of him as Jordan and that is, if he surprises, he surprises. They aren’t being viewed as or relied on as starters by the FO. The team has other guys they are interested in as starters -> Wake & Williams but they also know Wake is coming off injury and they need a guy with experience to cover for him. Branch was Shelby’s replacement.
Right, and Jones was added as more rotation depth. There are other DEs currently on the roster who will compete to make the final roster and for playing time as well – Fede, McCain, Laing (CFL) etc.
That is why they have camp….
Indeed!
Based on the reports I’ve read, Jordan failed for weed, ecstasy and then masking for alcohol. That’s what the newest reports claimed. Not looking any deeper than that. Remember when he looked all bulked up and people said he looked to be about 280 and it had to be PEDs? He never failed for PEDs. He got the one year suspension for violating the terms of his drug probation by using well known masking agents. I think it’s that simple. It doesn’t make it better or worse, it is what it is.
Tim — I just was looking deeper than that. Part of it was it came from his agent….you know how those guys work. 2nd part was the claim was he was trying to mask something that the NFL doesn’t test for, which brings up either a stupid move or a best face on it, especially given that we’ll never know what Dion was trying to mask given that the fail was for trying to mask.
Actually would prefer that he smoked pot a week before rather than thinking he would get caught for what the NFL doesn’t test for, but that’s just my preference.
And actually take back that the NFL never tests for alcohol…..they did with Josh Gordon, but apparently according to the CBA there has to have been an alcohol related incident in the past to tie it in. Guess that does make Jordan’s presented misunderstanding more understandable though.
This team is fine at DL, it’s the LB that concern me. I hope Kiko can revert to form and get passed the psychological issues associated with coming back from injuries.
Kiko played the last 9 games of the year for the Eagles last season so not sure psychological issues will be an issue. His last two games he had 8 and 9 tackles as well. He’s not an injured player at this time. People are just concerned if his knee will be an issue down the road.
They do need some young DE’s to come in and be ready for backing up Wake and Williams now and the future.
I expect the draft in 2017 to focus on DE and more LB depth.
Very likely with the short contracts at both positions for multiple players.
I’m personally praying that the 2017 draft will be a defensive draft
LB is going to be ugly for us this season IMO
Its already off to a good start with Misi in trouble again
I don’t get what we did this offseason at LB
but I do think if the DL and the secondary are good, it can mask some personell issues
You only need one very good LB, they think Alonso is that guy. The others can be solid and just do their job. When you don’t have any very good ones they all look like shit.
Dion didn’t use the masking agent for alcohol, thats a retarded excuse, like the one the cheats came up with for what the deflator meant, weight loss.
How do you know that? That’s what was reported.
Some of you guys talk like we have to have great players at every position, and when we don’t, like every team, it’s we need this or we need that. I’d like to have great players at every position too, but… For years all we heard was the owner was too cheap,that didn’t work, so now it’s something else.
I agree. Very few teams have a lot of great players. Who are the ‘great players’ on the Pats?
I think the LB position is over-hyped and it’s not a premium position anymore. Most of the time only one or two are on the field. Unless a LB is an exceptional overall talent or a pass rusher, they’re a dime a dozen position now similar to RB with all the spread stuff teams rum these days. You need 4-5 LBs you can rely on to do a solid job. Everyone is looking for LBs who can cover the Gronks of the world. Who are they? He keeps putting up numbers so who exactly is covering him all day? The answer is nobody. You can cover him or TEs like him here or there, but not all day.
Pass rush and perimeter coverage is paramount these days like VJ has said. If you fail there, LBs aren’t going to save you. Most LBs aren’t as good athletically as RBs, TEs (the good ones) and WRs. You just need to get them to do their jobs and cover their space. Asking them to shut those skill guys down in coverage all over the field is a fallacy. Why do you think teams are always looking for skill players on offense who are a mismatch on LBs and safeties? They’re the ones you attack. It’s the same for every team.
ok then I take a dozen luke kuechlys 🙂
Well you only need one or two of them. LOL
That’s who everyone is hoping for, the exceptional guy. The last two drafts didn’t produce a lot of LBs like him. Even he gets burned quite a bit and gets called for PI or gets away with it at times. All anyone remembers is when he gets a pick and returns one for a TD or has solid coverage here and there. What about all the other pass plays?
The league passing numbers wouldn’t be what they are if so many LBs were covering everyone.
Which is exactly why everyone on here except Markey wants to give Dion another chance Tim.
Luke is a tackling machine, but yeah even he gets beat at times, he doesn’t or can’t be perfect.
The league doesn’t allow it for any backfield defenders. Pass rush and having corners who can challenge WRs at the POA is paramount. Even those corners are going to get called for penalties as good as they may be.
I think the good corners are as good as they are, because they get away with it more. A team that plays zone is at a disadvantage, because they don’t have a CB at the LOS getting away with holding the WRs.
I get that but even Revis looked mortal last year. You have to be good up front on defense or you are toast.
You need to harass the pocket/backfield. Once the offense has clearance big plays happen.
The new college game and NFL CBA rules have also ruined good tackling techniques. It’s become a space game, not tight quarters like it used to be. You need exceptional athletes to fill those roles or you’re vulnerable. Not a lot of them available.
Again see our love for Dion posts.
LOL, I don’t love Dion. He’s pissed me off more than any Dolphins player I can remember. We all know what his ability is. Is he ready to be that guy? I have no idea other than what anyone else knows.
But he’s no different than many other talented players who get chance after chance because they have elite skills – Aldon Smith, Greg Hardy etc.
Ok, now that Dion Jordan and Andre Branch have been fried today.
Who’s the next guy to roast? 🙂
You forgot Markey:P
And Landry, but I expect all 3 to play a favorable role this year. I’m down on Dallas Thomas, Aikens, Michael Thomas, Misi, and Damien, that’s about it, from last year. I expect the rest to play better, just because of Gase and VJ. I’m as high on VJ as I am on Gase.
Tannehill is always a good one. LOL
You’re really going there?
Just being honest. LOL
GSW was dead in the water down 3-1, but you can’t measure heart by stats. Red Sox down 3-0 10 years ago and came back to win over Yankees. Stats, stats, stats…
We can always count on Randy and Lou to come through on an RT roast 🙂
Even though nothing has changed since January to now except a new coaching staff, some personnel dept. realignment and new personnel added. It’s as if RT did something wrong since last season. What more can be said about last year that hasn’t already been said? LOL
He gets written off all the time. I think we need a break with the big 3 like he says. This guy works hard to be the best he can be. I’m a Brandon Albert fan.
http://www.miamidolphins.com/multimedia/videos/Albert-I-Just-Continue-To-Work/c7f33ef3-0dcb-4aee-bd94-7eb9efec4372
lets hope the oline stays healthy. I really think that’s the key to our season.
6-1 with the big 3 playing together. Over 32 games that’s just about 22% of the time. Not good enough.
Guys get banged up in this league but we need to see that number jump to at least 75% of the time in 2016. Add Tunsil and whomever to the mix to make up the top 5 and maybe we finally got it. Hope so. 🙂
Andrew Abramson @AbramsonPBP 36m36 minutes ago
CB Byron Maxwell standing out in #Dolphins practice. Adam Gase is the least surprised http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2016/05/31/cb-byron-maxwell-standing-out-in-dolphins-practice/ …
yep. No more of this that’s why
But he made his money in the Seahawks’ zone defense. He couldn’t replicate his success playing man coverage in Philadelphia.
Nice article Abramson, I think you Fd it up a little though.
Should be interesting to see what happens with Dallas Thomas.
He still remains within that ‘developmental’ time frame that draftees are afforded under their rookie contract. He still has the skills to play back up at OG-OT.
I think that’s where he’s headed and he won’t be here past this season if he even makes the roster. I wish him well, I just don’t see him making the final 8-9 OL in Miami now.
we better hope he doesn’t make it.
You get similar things in different sports when it comes to young guys. Teams leave a a spot out there at different units for developmental players sometimes. They will carry someone who is younger over a more productive veteran if that veteran cannot push for the starting lineup. The nature of sports I guess.
LT Albert, Bushrod (when he’s ready)
LG Tunsil (emergency LT), Douglas
C Pouncey, Douglas, Urbik
RG Turner, Urbik
RT James, Urbik, Young
Something like that. I would not be shocked if Thomas is out.
I thought everyone is saying bushord is gonna take the RG spot. I just hate going into season with turner as our starter.
He’s really in his 2nd season. His rookie season he had the same injury as James (turf toe) and missed most of it. You never know who he’ll be in his 3rd season.
I just threw out some depth options I could see happening. We don’t know yet.
Turner has lots of upside and showed he can be a good run blocker but still needs work at pass pro. However, in theory he will likely get help from as the other 4 positions should be manned by pretty capable players
Turner really isnt any better than Thomas overall, they both are very flawed and not particularly good at either run or pass pro. One just gets beat physically, the other gets beat because he’s not very good at the position, technique and instinct wise.
What say you?
http://www.miamidolphins.com/multimedia/videos/Ajayi_My_Objective_Is_To_Be_The_Starter/0b21dc06-a584-4e7f-bb09-b69373fcb00f
his last statement about breaking tackles is what I want to see from him, everything else will take care of itself, if he can just do that.
Turner is stronger than Thomas that’s for sure. He’s been F’d with a toe injury that has hampered his development as an OG. Unlike Thomas who got experience at OG & OT while at Tennessee, Turner was a career LT at North Dakota State from what I remember.
The only major flaw that I have noticed of Turner and it’s something that hurts Thomas too is mental lapses at the snap. Every now and then a D lineman is already in his first step shooting the gap while Thomas is stuck in pre-snap mode without reacting.
Turner has horrible instincts at OG, he would be much better moved back to a OT position. I have seen him flat out whiff on blocks, because he doesnt know how to read for blitzing LB’s, he gets confused by the cross stunt, and doesnt have a good enough instinct and first step to keep the DT’s from shooting the OC/OG gap.
Pouncey had his work cut out for him last year because he had Turner with those flaws and then Thomas who was getting overpowered on the other side. Thomas has quick feet and gets good position he just gets bent back. He needs to stay lower and he needs a lot more core strength.
Speaking of Thomas, maybe now that Mario is his teammate, maybe he can show Dallas how easy it is to set him up on a pass rush lol.
BoulderPhinfan says:
May 31, 2016 at 5:21 pm
I thought everyone is saying bushord is gonna take the RG spot. I just hate going into season with turner as our starter.
——————————————
Im with ya on that, we need Turner and Thomas to be backups this year.
I agree. We need a decent vet option in that spot. I really thought it was gonna be one of the vets we picked up.
Turner = Thomas = Turner…. If either of them are capable of starting next year then im going to be nervous and/or extremely shocked they ever amount to more than a backup.
Do you mean Turner = Thomas = Douglas?
I agree with you as I doubt any one of the three of those guys breaks out.
This is why I voted for Gary Johnson 4 years ago
and while I might vote for him again
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2016/05/31/gary-johnson-takes-on-trumps-anti-immigration-lies/
He’s running on the libertarian ticket
and he thinks Trump is a racist too…lol
I’ll take anything Jenneifer rubin writes with a grain of salt. I’m not a fan of her at all.
Well queen Hillary is your alternative and nobody lies as well as she does. Good stuff! Not! LOL
When did she lie?
Trump has been saying what the people he wants to support him want to hear. 75% of what all elected candidates say during the campaign never comes to fruition. Just like before the draft, you have to read between the lines.
Somebody reported a “new” and “strong” independent candidate will declare son. Bloomburg? Mitt Romney? Peyton Manning? Condaleeza Rice? Colin Powell? Elon Musk?
SO some of you have SERIOUS DOUBTS about our O-Line??? –Heh, heh, heh. Did T-Baum get bushwhacked by Bushrod?? –And when will this guy go back on the DL/PUP list?? –I’m tellin’ ya, we do NOT YET have the answer to all of our O-Line woes.
What more could we have done this off season? We drafted the best OL in the draft and we signed 3 OL in FA. No guaranty they pan but it is not like we did not address the issue in a major way
Yeah that’s exactly what they were saying. Is your last name Clinton?
He thinks he’s a shock jock, no one really cares what says, they’re just nice to him, because they met him at the fest.
Tunsil fell into our laps. Let’s hope he pays off. A healthy Albert, Pouncey and James along with Tunsil is huge.
Anyone of our top 4 other OL can play that RG spot and we’ll be fine.
I for one DO NOT have serious doubts about the O=line and I felt this way before we got Tunsil so we should have more than enough guys to put out a line that can allow a professional offense to operate efficiently.
Which guys gave you that confidence before we got Tunsil?
Oy! yous guys…
Everyone we have. Turner and Douglas will be fine it was all scheme remember, or did you lose the script?
Oh except Thomas, that Ireland pick is toast
If one was to say Tannehill sucks he gets refuted with – oh my God the sheme the coaching the playcalling, the this the that every condition possible was wrong,
but if you say our o-line sucks its just because they suck no other variable comes into play.