As of today, May 4th, the NFL has completed 2/3 of it’s roster filling , with pre-draft free agency, and the NFL Draft. The next phase is post-draft free agency. There are still quite a few players who remain unsigned, and then of course, there will be cuts coming up as well, which will put more players into the free agency pool.
For the most part, the heavy lifting has been done, and any other roster adds most likely will not be major ones. The Dolphins did a great job in free agency and the draft to ensure they filled the roster holes that existed. There still may be some tweaking, but the big moves have been made.
On offense, this is what we’ve done.
QB – Ryan Tannehill, Matt Moore, Brandon Doughty and David Fales
Dolphins signed former Bears QB David Fales in FA
RB – Jay Ajayi, Kenyan Drake, Storm Johnson
At the moment, RB Damien Williams has still not signed his RFA tender of $1.8M. Williams has no option to play for anyone else but the Dolphins in the NFL, so he either signs his tender, or sits out the year.
WR – Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills, Devante Parker, Leonte Carroo, Jakeem Grant, Rashawn Scott and Isaiah Ford
The Dolphins re-signed Kenny Stills in FA and drafted Ford in the 7th RD.
TE – Julius Thomas, Anthony Fasano, MarQueis Gray and Thomas Duarte
The Dolphins traded for Julius Thomas with the Jaguars and signed Anthony Fasano in FA.
OL – Laremy Tunsil, Isaac Asiata, Mike Pouncey, Jermon Bushrod, Ja’Wuan James, Terry Poole, Sam Young, Ted Larsen, Anthony Steen and Kraig Urbik
The Dolphins drafted Isaac Asiata, signed Ted Larsen in FA
This is what we’ve done on defense
DE – Cam Wake, Andre Branch, William Hayes, Charles Harris, Terrence Fede, Julius Warmsley, Nicholas Williams and Arthur Miley
Miami drafted Charles Harris, traded for William Hayes with the Rams, and picked up Williams and Miley in FA
DT – Ndamukong Suh, Jordan Phillips, Davon Godcheaux, Vincent Taylor and Lawrence Okoye
Miami drafted both Godcheaux and Taylor, and signed Okoye as a FA
LB – Kiko Alonso, Lawrence Timmons, Koa Misi, Raekwon McMillan, Neville Hewitt, Mike Hull, Deon Lacey and Lamin Barrow
Miami drafted Raekwon McMillan, signed Lacey and Barrow as FA’s. They call him Lamin Barrow, quite right!
CB – Byron Maxwell, Xavien Howard, Tony Lippett, Bobby McCain, Cordrea Tankersley, Lafayette Pitts and Jordan Lucas
Miami drafted Cordrea Tankersley
S – Reshad Jones, Nate Allen, Walt Aikens, Michael Thomas, A.J. Hendy
ST – K Andrew Franks, P Matt Darr
KR/PR Jarvis Landry, Jakeem Grant and Kenyan Drake
The Dolphins signed the following Undrafted Free Agents:
- Cameron Malveaux, DE, Houston
- Drew Morgan, WR, Arkansas
- Malcom Lewis, WR, Miami
- De’Veon Smith, RB, Michigan
- Torry McTyer, DB, UNLV
- Praise Martin-Oguike, DE, Temple
- Larry Hope, CB, Akron
- Eric Smith, OL, Virginia
- Damore’ea Stringfellow, WR, Mississippi
- Maurice Smith, DB, Georgia
- Chase Allen, LB, Souther Illinois
- Joby Saint Fleur, DE, Oklahoma State
- Francis Owusu, WR, Stanford
- Matt Haack, P, Arizona State
I would have to say the Dolphins exceeded my expectations so far. To me, the biggest questions are on the O-line. Obviously the biggest question is to whether C Mike Pouncey will be healthy enough to play, to play well, and for how long. He’s the cog that gets everything rolling. If he’s healthy, it will be a huge boost for the team. If not, either Anthony Steen, Kraig Urbik or Ted Larsen will have to step up. The next question is who starts at LG and RG. Gase said his preference was Jermon Bushrod at RG, but nothing is in stone yet. Will it be FA pickup Ted Larsen or newly drafted Isaac Asiata at LG? Most of us feel Asiata will take it, but you can’t discount experience, so Larsen, Urbik or Steen are still in the running
Getting LB Lawrence Timmons in FA was a huge pickup. He’s as solid as can be, and he plays every game. He tackles, and he can still run pretty well at 31. Drafting Raekwon McMillan was a necessity. I know Gase likes Misi, and it’s definitely possible that Misi is an opening day starter, but how long can Misi stay healthy? In his 7 year career, Misi has only once played 16 games. Contrast that with Timmons, who played 16 games in 9 of his 10 seasons, missing only 2 games in 2009. McMillan may not start from game 1, but if he plays up to his potential, he’ll be in there at some point.
While Reshad Jones will be back, I’m not thrilled with Nate Allen. The former 2010 2nd RD pick has languished in OAK for 2 seasons. Coming off an injury, he wasn’t the same player. I think the fact we doubled down with T.J. MCDonald was telling. Even though T.J. won’t be available until week 8, to me, that wasn’t a big vote of confidence for Nate Allen.
At CB, we have pretty solid depth. For some reason, Maxwell gets little love here due to a slow start, but he’s a solid player. Howard fought injuries, but he flashed some good and bad, as expected in his rookie season. I’m excited to see what he can do with a full year of workouts and training camp and pre season. Lippett also showed lots of promise last year. Good ole Bobby McCain struggled some, so that could potentially open the door for Tankersley. Not necessarily a slot CB, he might get a shot there, or maybe Howard or Maxwell would move inside while Tankersley stays outside.
On the D-line, we resigned Andre Branch, and traded for a run stopping DE in William Hayes. Drafting Charles Harris who already has a wicked spin move was a great addition and should give our pass rush some sizzle. We drafted a couple of DT’s, both have potential as rotational guys, but neither of them are anywhere near ready to start. Jordan Phillips hopefully will realize his potential this year, and form and unstoppable duo of DT’s with he and Suh.
The offense was pretty set IMO before the draft, save for the O-line. This has potential to be a power run offense, but one that could open it up with the passing game with Landry, Stills, Parker and TE Julius Thomas. Who knows, maybe Carrooooooo even shows up this season.
ST’s should be once again pretty good with pro bowler P Matt Darr returning, and Andrew Franks was OK. Landry, Drake and Grant give some fireworks to the return game so looking good there.
All in all, we have a lot to be optimistic about, I don’t believe this team has a glaring weakness, perhaps just a soft spot if everything doesn’t come together for the O-line.
GO DOLPHINS, ZERO IN!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Stanger,
What would make it so interesting? Why even go to the game at all?
Lots of us do enjoy watching the game as well……but point was just a great group of folks that would make it worth it even if you never stepped foot in the stands. And this is a Dolphins site after all. You must be interested in the team in some way, even if just to talk about them.
I am interested in the team, that’s why I come here, but I can come and go as I please. It’s not the same as a structured social situation with strangers and alcohol being involved. I couldn’t justify 1000 bucks for a weekend where I wouldn’t feel comfortable. Nothing personal.
Is the alcohol being involved the loss of comfort you are referring to or is it the social situation being around multiple people of which some are completely unfamiliar that bothers you? Not trying to pry just trying to understand what would be a more comfortable situation. Im not a big drinker anymore either, so even though the alcohol aspect doesnt bother me, it sometimes feels weird being the sober dude if everyone else is drinking.
SB — completely up to you my friend. But even if yeah there are some beers involved couldn’t image a bad time to be had. And not like we get together for games in Buffalo either. 🙂
There are times at some events that im bored, but for the most part football can keep my attention, but mostly because i wind up analyzing the play of certain players or i try to anticipate plays by looking at formations etc. I almost make it a study event, on top of enjoying it as a game. I have found with ADHD i really have to go to a deeper level of “watching” a game to keep my attention fully immersed in it.
As for those comments by Harris, i almost like those guys who had to really dig it out. They generally get a better understanding than the guys who just have unmistakably natural gifts for playing. If you can find someone with both, all the better, but a lot of times the ones that have had it so easy on the way up, that they just wind up completely reliant on their physical abilities than their depth of understanding of football and having to really refine their play to be at the top. The guys who rely on their gifts usually have a humbling experience when they get to the NFL and every guy on the field matches up equally with their skill level, they have to fall back and accept they have to refine themselves to be great in the NFL. Sometimes they can do that and then you have a Jordan or you have a Coples, etc. Ill take solid with great work ethic, and passion with drive to be the best, any day over top end athletic ability.
cant not can
I like the diggers as well…..and we are talking about a guy who didn’t play football till junior year in high school and lucked into a big school scholarship. Think he has a high ceiling, and hopefully that includes getting better against the run.
D
Your 12:30PM post is why if I’m alone and watching the Mets, I CAN watch the whole game, because I love to analyze what pitch he’s going to throw, and where, whether there may be a hit and run, a pitch out, a stolen base attempt. Those keep me involved every pitch. I do enjoy that, but on the other hand, if we’re losing 10-0, it won’t be interesting to me anymore. lol
I can watch baseball the same way, in fact i use to really get into watching how the catchers set up pitches and how they would target certain batters certain ways, how they shifted the outfield and infield around to play certain hitters dependent on the pitch they would throw, etc. Hell when i was younger i even kept score at home on my own baseball journal where i also put notes down on certain things i picked up (or at least thought i did) from watching it so closely.
That’s pretty hardcore! I was never much into keeping score, but I do love guessing what pitchers and batters are going to do.
Damn….you guys still talking about that girly-man game?
You never played?
nope
D,
There are a lot of reasons I’d be uncomfortable (boredom, crowds, heat). The alcohol is just another factor. People at sporting events who drink are lot more loud, obnoxious, and aggressive than the usual situations I’m in where people are drinking. Plus, there are 1000’s more of them. While you guys are analyzing the next pinch or offensive series, I’m wondering what I’m doing with my life and why I didn’t just take my family to Disney or pay on my student loans. lol. If I’m watching a game at home, I can be involved in something else or just turn the game off altogether and go outside or spend time with my wife and kids. I can’t do that at a live game I spent a good chunk of change on.
LOL – You think too much SB. Just gotta enjoy the moment. There’s plenty of time to worry about everything else man.
Oh, and bring your wife and kids to the game, you won’t feel guilty.
Yeah — talk about family friendly……guess you have to be at one to understand the feeling, but you can get that at Disney World too in a less personal paid for way.
It’s not about feeling guilty Mike. It’s about spending time and money doing something I love vs doing something I don’t. Life is too short to not be doing the things you love. For me, it’s something else.
Not sure how you can know what the Fest is like till you lived it, but all up to you. You have a family of good folks waiting to take care of you if you ever want to give it a shot though.
So… You’re saying there is a Great chance we will see you at the Fest .. 🙂
lol P-Dog…….you know if you are +2 or +3? Gotta put in the number next week. Not that you are tied to it, but will help me.
SB
I totally get that. If it’s not for you, it’s not for you. I think you might be surprised, but I could be wrong.
SB7, i haven’t been to a fest game yet either, some of the stuff you are talking about is partially my reason, though i do feel ill enjoy myself (others may not because i can talk like it type lol), but like im going to Disney this summer, and that’s a 5k+ expense there, and i have projects around the house i need to spend on and spend time on, and i have a lot of things going on at work that dont make taking time off super easy on me. If its not for you then you are right its better to be spending and putting time into what is enjoyable to you. If you find yourself in a better place to do things in the future then im sure it will still be here waiting for you, just like i hope the invitation stays open to me when i find myself in the right position to go.
D — nothing magical about coming to the Fest other than deciding to be there, and if long-winded was a problem then you haven’t met me or OD in person yet. 🙂
Many different kinds of folks that all mesh together in a Kumbaya kinda thing. And heck — even understand folks have other priorities — it is only a long weekend, not that it can’t be extended to more.
In the minors they’re already speeding the game up by using a pitch click, 20 seconds between pitches. The click means nothing, it must remind them to get moving, or so the fans can see it.
D, (regarding watching baseball ‘closely’)
IMO, that’s exactly how to watch it and what makes the game so interesting. Many of you know I have played chess for almost 40 years now (including coaching chess teams)… Baseball has a similar feel. The nuances of the game. Its why I hate sitting in the outfield…. for me I have to get as close to the infield as I can.
Now, if your favorite team is having a good year, then its even more fun because you get to discuss how the nuances affected the outcome. 🙂
I’ve been pig racing for over 12 years now
It sucks when your squiggly drags you down
Ahhhhh…but the wind in your snout and the dirt beneath your trotters…VICTORY!
LOL
Gotta love that there is a bar across the finish line just perfect for tripping them and making them eat a face full of….whatever that stuff is that they are running in. Sawdust maybe?
They might as well just had them run on hot charcoal and cook themselves while they were racing, i mean the winner probably gets the extra special grand prize of being the last one eaten that day.
Monster!!!
Man position numbers have really changed in recent times. LBs wearing 40’s, DL wearing 50’s and WR wearing teens.
More rules for it than in college where DL player can be seen wearing #1……
Yeah college is way different but the NFL has really changed. Both our rookie DL are wearing 50’s numbers – Godchaux 56 and Taylor 53.
In fact for College only offensive players have uniform rules, defensive players have one rule, your number has to be between 1 and 99. Also in college, you can have players wear the same jersey number, they just cant be on the field on the same down as one another.
Godchaux was 57 in college, but there is a guy on the team right now who has that number. Its a guy though that might not be there at end of camp, so he might be able to get his 57 before beginning of the season. Taylor was 96, which is what Okoye is wearing, again, he might be able to get that number if Okoye fails to make the team, not sure why he picked 53 as a replacement or at least placeholder for 96 though.
Players don’t always get to pick their jersey #, they are given it. Tankersley said he’d prefer a # in the 20’s but got 30.
They can choose if its available, and they can pay a player to give it up to them as well if they really care about it. Harris said since Wake had his number he chose one step down from it, because he was the little brother he needed to be a step down from him.They do get to choose but the Phins didnt have a 20’s available to him.
Im showing Timmons wearing a 90’s number too, so its going to be an off looking number scheme on the field lol
He’s wearing #94 which he wore with the Steelers. But yeah, Timmons 94, Alonso 47, Misi 55, Hewitt 46 and McMillan 52.
McMillian wont be able to use his college number, they dont allow for it in the NFL
D, I remember in the 80s and 90s, teens were just QBs/K/P, 40’s RB/TE/DB, 50’s OL/LB and 80’s TE/WR. That’s all changed.
It’s so crazy now
I like the old way better
It was easier to is identify a player you never watched before
In the 70s and before DL/LB wore 80’s and WR 40’s. Does anyone know when and why it changed in recent years?
Hearing the Rams might cut Robert Quinn after a couple injury plagued off years production wise. I dunno if i could keep myself from at least taking a chance to see if i could get him to take a show me contract, with some decent money attached, or longer contract a little light on the guarantees just to see if he has bounced back. Quinn though when he has been on has been an absolute terror as a DE. He is going to be out of position in the Rams new 3-4 defense as he has always been in a 4-3 previously. He’s still young, at 26 but its mostly about health at this point. We have the cap space to get it done, and he would be a sizable upgrade over Branch on the right side. Wake/Harris, Suh, Phillips, Quinn/Branch, thats a scary DL.
Yeah when healthy he’s a terror. Not sure he’d play on the cheap though and we still have Landry who wants a new deal.
Id for sure test it out. Maybe he wants out of that situation since he will have to completely change positions to stay and that would likely hurt him as far as a next contract if he doesnt adapt well.
My memory from as far back a i can fathom, RB’s had more 20’s and 30’s, FB’s were 40’s OL )C’s were 50’s OG’s 60’s and OT’s 70’s. TE’s and WR’s were 80’s and yeah the single digit low teen numbers were K,P, and QB’s. On the opposite side of the ball most the DL’s were 70’s or 90’s, most the LB’s were 50’s the CB’s were 20’s safeties were kinda all over the place but more commonly 30’s and 40’s but i seem to remember Louis Oliver wearing 25.
I think Keyshawn Johnson wearing #19 coming out of college might have been the start of the change for WRs.
How can Quinn be an upgrade over Branch if he hasn’t been able to stay on the field?
I think he just means talent level when healthy. I like Branch though, thought he showed great effort. He earned his new deal and loves this team and the culture. I don’t expect him to slack off now, I expect him to possibly have his best season.
Hell, it sounds like these festivus gatherings are all about dirty hookers at the hotel and drinking until you yell and scream at opposing fans. Oh yeah…and pool! What’s not to like? Lol
That basically sums it up
The hookers are not that dirty…
THE BLOOD-LETTING CONTINUES AT ESPN. Hall of Fame RB and NFL analyst JEROME BETTIS is the latest to fall victim to the massive round of job cuts in Bristol. Mrs. OD’s response? —“If you cut the bus, you’ve got to take a taxi!”
————-
BAD NEWS for ESPN is good news for the NFL Network. Some advertisers have jumped “The Mother Ship” in favor of The NFL Network, to the surprise of no one.
Tim – Regarding Quinn…hip, knee, and back (surgery) injuries in 2015. Concussion, shoulder issue, and mysterious illness in 2016. He showed some potential his first four years, but seems to me he may be like Jake Long. Talented and snake-bit. I wouldn’t consider him to be an upgrade over Branch at all. If the Rams cut him, I would guess the injuries are still a problem.
Wow I didn’t know he had all of that. That’s too bad.
I’m reading an article on CBS sports about Matt Harvey, and then reading the comments that follow. A lot of silly comments, but this one cracked me up! Actually, it’s the reply that cracked me up, not the original comment, which BTW, I think is becoming close to being the reality for Harvey
***********************************************
mmac30
14 hours ago
Potential is over for Harvey the sad fact is 28 years old with 31 wins and two serious surgeries. He will be lucky if he reaches 75 wins and pitches for 5 more years.
FlagShare
LikeReply
TexasSports!
13 hours ago
you nailed it. all this fuss over a pitcher with a ERA of around 5 for the last two seasons…..
Guy has as many missing dildos as wins this year
Very Sad!
It is sad for sure. Nick B has always been one of the real good ones. Obviously given what he did the first thought is CTE, but he is also 76. My Mom never played football, but similar started happening to her when dementia hit at about the same age.
Sad situation. I suspect a lot of football players will be dealing with this later in life.
.
Miami Dolphins – Guard
The Dolphins addressed the guard position this offseason by signing Ted Larsen from the Bears in free agency and drafting Isaac Asiata from Utah in the fifth round. That said, the Dolphins should in no way be set at guard considering Larsen has just two slightly below-average seasons paired with five very bad seasons under his belt and the subpar play that Jermon Bushrod has displayed throughout his career. Asiata has a very good shot at starting this season and may exceed expectations of a fifth-rounder only because of the competition of the position. Laremy Tunsil started at LG but will kick out to LT this season, leaving the guard position as a big question mark and in the eyes of PFF, the biggest need still left on the team.
I just read that earlier this morning. Where was that from?
People are really tough on Bushrod (and Steen as well)
and I really think it’s uncalled for
we were shuffling guys all last season
there were holes opened each week it seemed
it wasn’t one guy’s “subpar” play
it was the OL being constantly unsettled IMO
If we added another OG, you still have that risk
More than anything I am concerned about the health of our OL rather than the personnel
Heath is the key for sure Pig. I’m OK with the situation as long as Pouncey looks good to go, but unless they know he is would like Mangold in there. I’d give him $3 mil for one year as insurance right now……and who knows what comes up in the June cuts.
“Aaron Hernandez was granted an abatement today on the murder of Odin Lloyd because he had an appeal in place when he died, meaning the former New England Patriot is considered not guilty in the eyes of the court.”
In his suicide note to the mother of his child he included…..“YOURE RICH.” We’ll see if it works out that way, but seems that was his final play.
Not guilty in the eyes of the court but was in prison for life without parole? Our laws are bizarre sometimes.
Well said Piggy – I think we’ll be alright, but admittedly, I’m expecting Asiata to step up big time and be our starter, and be a good starter.
Me too
It’s not that we can’t improve
But the OL is a unit that needs to work as a team
Not sure where that article is from but I feel it’s overly harsh on Larsen and Bushrod. I wouldn’t be surprised if the intent was too be negative without much knowledge of either ones play.
Larsen and Bushrod are to my mind lower-third starters. And that is what their paychecks say they are. Maybe they surprise and flash, but they ain’t young’uns either.
Tim
Did you see my comment about Matt Harvey?
LOL
“Guy has as many missing dildos as wins“
I would call Bushrod an average starting OG in this league. I don’t think it is fair to call him sub par
I agree
He’s okay
Sure we can do better
But the OL shuffling doesn’t help any individual
Exactly
I doubt the team looked at Larsen and said boy he sucks, let’s sign him. Oh and Bushrod was a disaster for us last year, let’s bring him back. LOL
Hopefully he gets better with more time in position. He’s still 32 though.
Larsen was primarily signed for depth imo
Who cares if Hernandez is deemed innocent or guilty anymore. He is dead. Goodbye and good riddance
^
My guess the mother of his baby does if it keeps his NFL pension flowing. Same with the victims families trying to sue.
I am sure there is some legal consequences but bottom line is everyone knows he is guilty and it doesn’t matter what some piece of paper says
For sure he is stained forever.
We’ve discussed this before, but the key to our OL is Pouncey.
This is probably Bushrod’s last season. He contemplated retirement this year but came back one more year because he really likes the team. He’s a nice stopgap until will find some more young guys.
Only reason Bushrod resigned was to prove Prof Lou wrong. 🙂
And hopefully Asiata works as far as the future. Never had so much hope for a 5th rounder.
Ken, it seemed that we signed Larsen for his versatility and insurance if Pouncey goes down again. He’ll compete for a starting spot but the team may want Steen to compete at guard this year and not center. Urbik can also provide depth at multiple positions including center. Asiata winning a spot would be great and maybe some sleeper who comes out of nowhere would be cool too.
I agree he is versatile and that is what makes him very valuable from a standpoint of adding depth
Sorry for the delay. The post I put up came from “PFF’s AFC’s biggest needs” article. I thought it was pretty brutal in it’s evaluation too.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-the-biggest-remaining-need-for-each-afc-team/
Thanks, I knew I saw it this morning, but wasn’t sure which article it came from
Least we are just worried about whether are Gs are good enough rather than…..
“No one knows who the Jets plan to roll out at quarterback in Week 1……the Jets most likely have their sights set on the 2018 class, which they are (un?)favored to have a top-three pick.”
The Jets want Hackenberg to win the job but signed McCown just in case.
I don’t think they have any hope of Hackenberg panning out. I think their sights are set on Darnold or that kid from Wyoming
Why draft him in the 2nd rd last year then? I’m not saying he’ll be any good and should not have been picked that high, but if that’s how they feel about him, that’s a poor grade for Maccagnan.
I think they really regret that draft choice now. Every report on him has been horrible
Cool! 🙂
I’m not signing with the Stej!
I remember they were saying that Hackenberg was definitely not NFL material, and that was basically because the Jets didn’t think he was. They were discussing it on NFL radio before the draft. They thought Petty should be given a shot, but not Hackenberg.
Here’s our Pre Season schedule
Week 1: Falcons at Dolphins, Aug. 10, 7 p.m.
Week 2: Ravens at Dolphins, Aug. 17, 7 p.m.
Week 3: Dolphins at Eagles: Aug. 24, 7 p.m.
Week 4: Dolphins at Vikings, Aug. 31, 8 p.m.
All four games will appear locally on WFOR-CBS 4.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article149501739.html#storylink=cpy
I’m not sure how often this happens, but we play two of them again during the regular season.
I just looked at our schedule again and we have FIVE prime time games. (This may be replied to with DUH) I thought we only had 4 prime time games this year. (which is better than NO prime time games last year.)
OOOOOPS!!!! Disregard. I just realized that one is the London game and is at 9:30 AM not PM. DUH Rockphin.
It’s not prime time but it is nationally televised
I am going to have to pull out my fishing pole the morning of October 1st. My standing rule is that I cannot drink before noon, unless I am fishing, or on the boat to go fishing, or in the back of the truck to drive to go fishing. With a 9:30 am game, I need to tie a fur mouse to the fishing string and go fishing in my house for my cat during the game so I can drink too.
LOL — or maybe you can just tell your cat that it is a Fest day. Pretty sure have seen you drinking before noon on those, with my own beer in hand will add. 🙂
Some of you guys are going to be getting up a 6:30 am to watch the game. SMH wow.
Is that game televised nationally?
Okay I see Ken said it is. Cool!
we picked 22, so doesn’t that make us #10 in power rankings as of last year?
i’m sure that we have improved since last year with the FA’s, Draft and main players back healthy.
So why does ESPN feel the need to move us up from 21, to 13??, while it’s great to move up in the power rankings somehow this feels like a kick in the groin!
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article149513349.html
Tim Knight says:
May 9, 2017 at 1:20 pm
The Jets want Hackenberg to win the job but signed McCown just in case.
Reply
Ken says:
May 9, 2017 at 2:01 pm
I don’t think they have any hope of Hackenberg panning out. I think their sights are set on Darnold or that kid from Wyoming
I’M NOT SIGNING WITH THE STEJ! 😉
What if they offer you a multi million dollar contract?
Interesting comment from Omar on QAM today. He expects Raekwon to start, and then pointed out that he thinks “they are figuring out a scheme so those three inside LBs all play together.” Not sure how that will work in pass coverage but sure should help with the 2nd level run tackling.
Burke dismissed that they’re all ILBs when Omar asked him about that. He views them as LBs and doesn’t think they are just ILBs, explaining that in our system our LBs play off the ball most of the time and responsibilities could change week to week due to matchups.
Go to 8:20 of this video.
http://www.miamidolphins.com/multimedia/videos/Burke-Discusses-New-Additions-To-The-Defense/bb65b999-7457-439b-b091-4be2b3018801
For sure they all can’t play MLB at one time, but seems Alonso was last year, Timmons will be next year and Raekwon was last year too. Thinking some RBs are in for some hard hits while they all line up in the 4-3.
Think about it like this, is it really a stretch for our LBs to lineup at any of these 3 positions? I don’t think so.
It is not a stretch at all Tim and am excited that they have three great LBs. Timmons would be the last one I would put in coverage, but who might end up with that might change week by week. Think they are going flexible and match-up specific rather than straight position role What the Pats have done for years……and liking that we are going that way too.
Right on Stanger! Funny thing is basically every fan and media pundit keep saying put Alonso at WOLB. Why, I thought he’s an ILB? LOL
If you asked all of these LBs if they could play any of the positions they would say yes and that they have. Don’t forget Misi and Hewitt in this scenario as well.
The only time I look at a LB as a 4-3 WOLB is when they are undersized at say 5-11 225. But even then they could play the other positions at times as well. All our LBs are 6-1 235+.
Burke has been a LBs coach for over a decade, I think he might know a little bit more about it than Omar and us. LOL
Seems Alonso wanted to be an inside backer too though…lol Funny that you took issue at the the three middle backer thing though…..too me that meant hitting and solid run D. I love that we have three guys who have played the middle in there. Alonso does seem the only coverage backer, but guessing they will scheme around that.
No taking issue for me, in a 4-3 base they are all box LBs who play off the ball, inside the tackles and read and react. Most of them have the mentality of “see ball go get ball”. Timmons said that when he signed with us and so did McMillan when he was drafted.
I was saying that the LBs are interchangeable before the draft
Honestly think a lot of LBs are fine playing outside in a 4-3
I don’t get where Omar is going with that bs
and wherever they are playing – either they drop in coverage or they don’t
and either they blitz or they don’t
Its not like the defense is going to let everyone know what they are doing by only having a WOLB do certain things
I think the point is to be versatile
Omar always gets fixated on these ideas bc he is trying to show his “football smarts” but these things are a lot more fluid than he gives them credit for
We know Kiko has played Outside before and is probably better there
Timmons was an inside LB in a 3-4 his own career and that is usually pretty transferable to OLB in a 4-3
and McMillan is just getting started!
^
The trained eye strikes again w
Anyone remember where Alonso lined up when he baited Rivers on the pick 6?
I’m pretty sure that was a nickel defense
Wasn’t it 3rd down?
Yeah because LBs move around. Oh my! LOL
http://thebiglead.com/2016/11/13/kiko-alonson-baited-philip-rivers-into-a-game-winning-pick-six/
So do DL pre-snap at times. I mean Phillips dropped into coverage. Imagine a guy doing something other than one thing. LOL
I believe he was on the field Tim.
I am pretty sure he was lined up in the middle and was playing in the middle of the field when he stepped in front of the receiver
He was showing blitz up the middle and moved to the right quite a bit as a nickel.
Lawrence Timmons has 43 passes defensed and 12 INTs in his career. He has returned one for a TD and totals 274 yds in INT returns incl ones for 89, 58, and 53.
He’s had a great career, but he turned more inside banger in the last few seasons for the Steelers. Thinking that is what he will be for us as well.
In the last 2 yrs, Timmons has 11 PDs & 3 INTs incl one for 58 yds.
Good counter on that, and admittedly was going about what I read about him when we signed him after the Steelers chose not too. Same time maybe he still has some coverage routes in him even though being a 4-3 MLB does not require as many of them.
Kiko has 9 PDs in 3 yrs and 7 INTs incl a 60 yd TD (smile).also a 32 yder.
Alonso was not great against the run last year. I do not think he’s a MLB who is gonna stick his nose in a gap and stop a runner for a short gain. He certainly didn’t do it last year. When you were as bad against the run as we were last year, your MLB did not play well. 100 tackles doesn’t mean you played well. So, it’s not crazy to think he’s a better fit as an outside backer. And, if the team actually believed he was the answer at MLB, why sign Timmons? Timmons is not an outside backer. Yes, you can line him up outside if you want to bring him on the rush, but in base…he’s in the middle. Can some guys play every LB position? Sure. But that doesn’t mean it’s their best fit or that they will be good at all of them. Plus, players usually do not like being moved all around. It makes their jobs much harder, and they know they are better at one position or another. As the team even said; they chose not to move Kiko to the outside last year because they didn’t want to mess with his head. Move your best coverage LB around for matchup purposes…nothing new there, but these guys aren’t gonna be moving around from position to position. I’ll believe that crap when I see it.
They do it all the time. I’m amazed that people think positions are so static.
Randy — my feelings about Alonso were similar. Love him as a player but thought he should be on the weakside. Timmons is one tough MF who think will be great in the middle though. We’ll see if Raekwon can set the edge or cover at SAM, but not a doubt in the world he can tackle. Still some nice flexibility in the skill sets there if they want to scheme a bit though.
Raekwon has 10 PDs and 1 INT (returned for a 24 yd TD) in 3 yrs IN COLLEGE
Tim,
No they don’t. Teams do it a little more in a 3-4, but in a 4-3, they don’t switch around much. As I said, teams will move a guy around to take advantage of their coverage ability, but they do not move lbers all over the place often.
Okay. I’ve never seen it, I just make it up. LOL
Tim,
I guess we’ll all find out when they start playing. I’ll be very surprised if we see a lot of moving around other than in coverage situations.
***
My guess is that Burke really just doesn’t know how he’s gonna use his LBers until he gets into camp and sees how things play out, and he probably didn’t want to pigeonhole guys at a specific spot in May.
Agreed, Burke said all of that. But we have moved our LBs around. LBs are hunters, not one dimensional position players. We’d be doing them a disservice treating them as such.
Timmons can also come up to the LOS, shoot the gap and sack the QB, from either side as well. Imagine being able to do more than just sitting down at your ILB spot. 😉
By the way Damien, sign your deal.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap3000000771532/Lawrence-Timmons-sacks-Matt-Moore-on-back-to-back-plays
Tim i think we play out of double TE sets a bit, but i wouldn’t be shocked to see three TE’s out there on some plays, with Thomas in the slot or even out wide. Fasano isnt a great receiver but if you set him up well, ie have all eyes looking away from him he would make a decent outlet receiver or as i said part of plays specifically set up to shock a defense by utilizing him as a primary. Its nice to have a guy who people will sleep on, because that guy can really punish ya for not giving him his due credit.
Tannehill to Fasano in 2012
41 rec 332 yds 8.1 ave 22 long 5 TDs
stanger,
I think we have improved our overall skill level at LB, no doubt. I think Timmons, if he can continue playing at a high level, can bring a toughness to our defense we haven’t seen in many years, which I think is exactly why they signed him. I also think Kiko will be better on the outside. It’s not that I thought he sucked. I just thought he played pretty soft inside. Timmons will knock the shit out of you. i’m looking forward to watching how he plays for us. I hope he’s still got a few years left.
See the video above that I posted of him in the playoffs against us. Doesn’t look like a guy who’s done to me.
Randy — I would go as far as to say that LB is by far the most improved position group. And given where it was last year and what we put into it….it should be. Should be a lot of RBs getting stuffed when they run right at us. My only concern is what happens when we face a passed-based O, but guess I will have to trust in Gase to figure that one out.
Tim thats a Mass law, and its only upheld IF the person had appeals left.
Their theory is that a person with appeals left is not certainly guilty, as the appeals could overturn the conviction. Seems to be an their version of innocent until proven guilty, with exception of it being proven guilty as many times as it takes to not have a chance to prove you are innocent any longer. I do agree its a stupid law, but by their logic it seems that they are erring on the side of not wanting an innocent person to live or be remembered as a criminal when they shouldn’t. All laws designed this way have great potential to protect or at least benefit the guilty, and it brings up the argument, are you more willing to have a innocent man suffer for the sake of making sure that a guilty man doesn’t get let off unwarranted.
Just to be clear, again, i do not see innocence in Hernandez, and i do not agree that he should be cleared of his crimes, im just stating what Mass Laws are trying to do, and to be certain, i fully recognize they have some of the most liberal laws out there concerning criminals rights and punishments. I dont think its fair for Odin Lloyds family to have it vacated, because its almost like “The State of Massachusetts does not acknowledge a crime has been committed in the case”.
Only thing i can hope is that it somehow makes a positive in the life of Hernandez’s daughter. Maybe she will grow up and go on to do great things, break that cycle of thuggery and some how contribute to the world in a way that will offset what Hernandez took from it.
Fair enough, you just reiterated what I said with a lot more words. LOL
Tim,
I did not see Burke’s press conference. I was just responding to the comments here. I really don’t care what he does…as long as it works! Just win, baby! Lol
It’s all good. Just trying to state I’m not just making this shit up. You know I love defense and believe DT, edge pass rusher and corners are the building blocks of a defense, yes over LBs. LOL
That said I like what we have at LB going into this season better than last year and I did not think the group would struggle as much as they did last year. but we basically went through all of them due to injuries. Our LBs and DBs went down all season last year. Hard to have a strong back end with so many groupings week to week. Let’s hope we can keep a core on the field this season.
Go to 8:20 of this video or even watch the whole thing. He doesn’t hide much.
http://www.miamidolphins.com/multimedia/videos/Burke-Discusses-New-Additions-To-The-Defense/bb65b999-7457-439b-b091-4be2b3018801
Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill NFL’s 2nd-best deep ball thrower (via Deep Ball Project) https://t.co/M7iKzjpZTc https://t.co/Z8K7yjtBX7
He never does that. 🙂
Expect much more of that this year. We’re building a top five RB, 3 WR and TE offense. Fasano plays on some 1st downs, 2-TE sets, short yardage and goal line. Thomas is the 4th receiver. Sorry Carroo fans. LOL
Tim i think we play out of double TE sets a bit, but i wouldn’t be shocked to see three TE’s out there on some plays, with Thomas in the slot or even out wide. Fasano isnt a great receiver but if you set him up well, ie have all eyes looking away from him he would make a decent outlet receiver or as i said part of plays specifically set up to shock a defense by utilizing him as a primary. Its nice to have a guy who people will sleep on, because that guy can really punish ya for not giving him his due credit.
At least that’s what Gase’s vision for Thomas is. He said if teams play base against this formation, Thomas is going to get a lot of targets. Something interesting Gase also pointed out was teams did play their base again that formation often. I think Ajayi was a big part of that but we didn’t have the TE to make them pay for it.
Duarte needs to get under Thomas’ wing like Harris wants to do with Wake. That’s what Duarte’s game is going to be – mismatches against LBs and safeties. Nobody expects him to be a stalwart blocker.
Carroo is next man up at WR, he’s very much in the Matthews role. When opportunity calls, be ready.
Then mix in Drake, Grant and Williams. We’ve got more offensive fire power and depth potential than we’ve had since the Marino days.
It’s all about being able to keep these guys on the field.
That stuff about the OG’s seem very much like an Omar statement, even if it wasnt, i didnt bother checking to see who was eventually referenced to it.
Bushrod, first off has always been considered a top player, he was a pro bowl OT, and according to Gase they had him graded out better than most any of the talking heads did, and probably a lot better than we feel like he did. I admit i felt like he was doing a really solid job through the last half of the season myself. He was pretty bad early, completely out of place, he didn’t have a good feel for playing OG at all. He did however really turn it around.
Larsen also has had better than 2 below average seasons with 5 putrid ones, that’s a little much. Seems like if you scale that back to rational standards, you have a guy who probably was a little better than average for a couple years and a little less than average the other 5.
Steen is actually a better than average player and if he becomes the LG or RG i feel you will see that him being an average OC (a position he had never played before) you will see a better than average OG.
I would like to be in a better place OG wise, but i also dont see us looking like gimps at the position anymore either.
^
A lot of the NFL teams/DC’s do not see LB’s with the labels the old fuddy duddies do. Get out of the era of no face masks and step into the new world of high tech engineer equipment you ole geezers!
I’m older than some of the fuddy duddies and I’m saying the same thing. Most of the time a defense is in nickel anyway. LBs are surely not going to play the same way in nickel every down. I’m really amazed that this topic has gone on this long.
Let Burke figure it out, it’s his job anyway. LOL
D, Fasano will have those easy 8-12 yard receptions when he slips out because nobody is paying attention. He might only have 15-25 receps, but they’ll be open. 🙂
Regarding the O-Line; ignore the talk and the hype. Just show me, baby! SHOW ME this line is above average from stem to stern. Show me they’ll play all 16 regular season games. Show me they’ll open holes for Ajayi. Show me they’ll keep TANNY upright instead of being among the most sacked quarterbacks in the NFL. Critics believe at least one of our starting guards will need to be upgraded THIS SEASON. Critics say TANNY will take yet another beating from too many sacks and not enough protection. Critics say NO WAY IN HELL Pouncey starts all 16 games. Well, from my point of view, I don’t believe the critics NOR do I believe the Kool-Aid drinkers. I’M gonna wait and see if Gase continues to confound his critics. Here’s hoping he does JUST THAT!
——————-
DID ALL YOU “FESTERS” see what happened at Spirit Airlines counters in Ft. Lauderdale? When it was announced that NONE of the airline’s pilots would work a specific flight, ALL HELL BROKE LOSE!!! At least 3 persons were arrested and dozens more were pissed when they found out they could NOT get to their destinations until another day passed. Seems like the pilots’ union called an unofficial “slowdown/sick-out” stranding large numbers of passengers. Current negotiations have been stalled for weeks, according to a story in the WSJ. Bottom line is this: DON”T EVEN THINK of flying Spirit until this labor dispute is settled. And, by all accounts, both sides agree on one thing: a compromise is NOT going to happen in the foreseeable future.
——————
Rangers Vs. Senators TONIGHT! Ought to be yet another outstanding playoff game between two evenly matched clubs. GO BLUE!!
OD, I don’t think there is any hype about the OL. We all hope Tunsil is what they say he can be at LT (the blind side), Pouncey stays healthy and James continues to ascend – played well down the stretch. The guard position will be the best of what we have. Not great but be solid and not a weak link. Go Asiata! 🙂
Bushrod with a 17 game season at RG under his belt should be better than the guy coming in last year never playing the position before. Yes at 33 by the season’s start he’s getting up there, but he’s not the only 33 year old playing in the NFL. LOL
He’s a stopgap until we add more young guard prospects. We can’t address everything in one offseason. There is quite a bit of talent on this team. I think staying healthy is the key.
You move LBs around to confuse an O, and to get mismatches. Timmons against Damien last year was a huge mismatch. It doesn’t matter, if an LB is better at one position than another, what matters is the element of surprise and the matchup. What difference does it make, if an LB goes up the middle or around the outside against the same blocker?
What does every QB try to do before every snap? Identify the Mike. Why do Ds switch who the Mike is? To confuse the O. I’m not saying anything that isn’t common knowledge here, so why all the talk about moving LBs around? Every team does it, so more than others, but confusion creates mistakes, which create turnovers.
^
One thing that is cool is McMillan is going to learn from 2-3 year vets and beyond. I think like Jenkins did as a rookie, midway through the season he’ll be called upon if not earlier. But I also feel Raekwon is a better prospect than Jelani. He’s also only 20 years old. He’ll be a different guy in a couple of years when Timmons and Misi are gone.
last 2 yrs @ titans
34 rec 372 yds 11 ave 37 long 4 TDs
Tannehill to Fasano in 2012
41 rec 332 yds 8 ave 22 long 5 TDs
Not sure he’ll be that guy anymore.
i tried to show that in my comparison.
Ken,
Yes, but he also threw a lot fewer 20+ yard throws(37) than he had last year(57), and he threw a lot fewer than most top end QBs. Small sample size…so his numbers look better. Rodgers threw 57. Brees threw 70. Carr threw 50. Ryan threw 69. Brady threw 45. Gase asked him to throw fewer…smart. Stats can be wonderful things. It’s hard to say he would have been as successful if he had thrown 25-30 more of them. Schad failed to point out that significant piece of information. Lol
i seem to count 88 on the roster. Is there a CBA rule saying we must have 90 by a certain date or for a certain period of time? We really don’t need anyone else.
I don’t think so, I believe we were always around 88 or 89 last year. I think 90 is just the max.
Mike E.
I hate octopus AND squid.
It is against my religion to eat anything with suction cups, tentacles, or ink-spurting abilities.
I do love watermelon however.
Naples, in reply to the Fasano reply. Fasano had those stats with him as our primary TE target, think how much better it might be with him as a less expected target. He might not get as many targets, but I think he will get to do more with them.
LOL! I used to be one of the pickiest eaters in the world, i wouldn’t try new things, and squid and octopus would definitely be out of the question. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve seriously expanded my culinary horizons.
As I’ve gotten older I no longer have the desire to turn around and eat my own poop.. That stuffs for puppies !!
P-Dog — you know if you will be +2 or +3? I have to put in the number tmrw. Even if we are not tied to it closer what we actually need the better as far as choosing the seat block.
More passionate Wu-Tang Clan fans out there than you would have guessed.
“According to the Social Security Administration, there were 1,459 documented children named Raekwon, and all were born between the years of 1995 and 1999.”
Sorry Stanger, I was in a meeting. I will check with my son and get back to you today.
https://twitter.com/MDCheer/status/862097158492889088
OD,
Actually, our OL was ranked 10th in sacks allowed last year….and 19th in QB hits. So, Tannehill had pretty good protection last year. I know folks love to blame everything on the OL, but they did not give up tons of sacks and hits last year. Looking at it objectively, they were actually very good in sacks allowed(top 10) and average in hits. They can definitely improve, but protection was not a significant issue last year.
Yeah they were definitely better last year in all phases. The problem was keeping guys on the field. Pouncey is the main concern I have for the OL. Can he get healthy or will his hips remain an issue? The OL is significantly better when he’s on the field.
https://twitter.com/MDCheer/status/862324303513235457
AHHHH !! Motorboatin 🙂
Stanger,
It will be Phindog + (2) again.
So is it Dog and 2 pups, or Dog, a pup and a ….. well i guess ill just end that analogy there lol 🙂
No Doubt.. I can’t even joke about the B word. She’s awesome though !!
D — Mrs. Dog to you will be one of like five or six wives there…..not as crazy a time as it is made out to be. Still darn fun though.
Cool — thanks for letting me know.
Dog, i usually assume good dudes roll with good ladies. I cant say that in my adult life i have found many men i respected that had wives that i didnt. Now, in my younger days, sure, there were plenty of girlfriends that my buddies had that i was like, wake up dude that’s a not what you want, or at least not what the most of you wants lol. They did all seem to make pretty solid decisions for wives though.
Ya know, i am glad for Raekwon that his mother preferred that name, otherwise we might have a guy on our team now thats name was Dirty, or Method, wouldn’t have been too bad if she had named him Ghostface, because that might up the intimidation factor if you had a dude named that about the drop the hammer on you for a sack or TFL. “Ghostface McMillan is lining up on the outside, looks like he will be coming with one of his patented apparition blitzes!”
With all these odds makers having us at about 7.5 wins, what were our odds last year?
Do they have us at a 7.5 over/under? The real question is whats the pay out for over and what is it for under. I bet its not uncommon for them to have a lot of teams at 7.5. 8-8 being a average season, offs of 7.5 just mean they are making it enticing to bet on both sides. I mean if they made the line 9.5, or 5.5, then they wouldnt have the odds to collect, because there are probably a bunch that are very skeptical of us getting 10 wins again, and probably not a lot that think we will get 5 or less after having a 10 win season. I think thats just a smart place to put us and about 70% of the NFL teams
Understand they are want to collect from as many as they can, so history of middle of the road seasons, only one year of success in past few years, its just the safest thing they can do to to be at about 50% odds. In some way i see that as a success, it says they cant get a bead on us, which probably works to our advantage.
And yet we’re favored in 9 games. I know the cheats are favored in all their games, but…again the line isnt an indication of how many wins they think we’ll get, but a middle grounds to get betting on both sides. They also get to hold your money for free, for several months.
That’s a much better way to say what i was trying to Steve, thanks.
Nice break down Mike E
GO PHINS
Thanks ER! NEW BLOG UP