I watched HOF Miami Dolphins Center Dwight Stephenson stroll to the podium. He looked happy. I know why he was so happy, but I didn’t know then. He then uttered the words with the 42nd pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State. When he said Mike, my heart raced, and then he actually said GEH-Sick-ee, I screamed a a scream of happiness, it’s possible Tim who is about 45 miles away may have heard it. We did what we haven’t been able to do for over a decade since Randy McMichael, we selected a legitimate receiving TE. I’m happy for Brian in NY, his son, and really, I’m happy for Ryan Tannehill and all Dolphins fans, because this is a gamechanger. It’s the secret sauce we’ve been missing for far too long. Gesicki will open up that field for us, because he will be that nightmare that NFL teams struggle most to cover, including our own Dolphins defense. Just his presence on the field will open things up for our RB’s, and our perimeter WR’s. He will command attention, and that will give other players opportunities they haven’t had here. I can’t wait!
What about me boss? In the 3rd RD, The Dolphins selected Ohio State LB Jerome Baker. Baker who is 6’1 229 is a speed player. He’s not a run stopping thumper, but he’s a chase and tackle guy who can also cover pretty well. It will be interesting to see how Baker is used, and not to belabor the point, but where exactly does T.J. McDonald fit in? Seems we keep adding pieces that lessen the need for T.J. with Minkah Fitzpatrick and now LB Jerome Baker. The Dallas Cowboys want a safety , and we just happen to have one, and the Cowboys have pick #116 in the 4th RD, so maybe a deal can made. We could get a DT, RB and maybe a QB, so keep your eye on MTP who has obviously been tied up and must be raring to go, if he’s been untied that is.
So far, we’ve done and excellent job in this draft, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve had the luxury of saying that. Go DOLPHINS!!
JERSEY STRONG!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
I’m back in the office Tim. Thanks for the update while I was on the road. I feel better than I have going into TC than in previous years for sure.
No problemo! I see some good talent on the roster, we have to become a good team.
SEGMENT on 60 minutes tonight follows some of the 20,000 minority students whose tuition for college was paid for by Bill Gates and his wife. How did they turn out? I’ll be watching.
Thanks
I didn’t know he did that
The Gates are possibly the biggest philanthropists ever. They also provide vaccines around the world in poor 3rd world countries.
Mike Hull is going to have a lot of competition to make the team this year. As the Phins add top dogs throughout the roster they are also trying to upgrade the bottom up. Meet in the middle. Better overall roster with competition.
Something to think about with draft grades, I know it’s all BS, but…the Bears first 3 picks Roquan, they said best player on the board, I don’t think he’s better than Minkah, but it fit their needs better although no great find, there 2nd pick has knee issues, but if it’s not a problem he’s a great pick they said, the 3rd pick they said was picked a little high, but…
Now compare that to our 1st 3 picks and since we needed LB and FS what could we have done better than we did to get Minkah first and Baker in the 3rd? I don’t think we could’ve come close if we had taken Roquan in the first and FS in the 3rd, I know Roquan wasn’t there, but if he was.
These grades don’t mean anything to me because Fitz was an easy BPA and a position we wanted to add talent at.
On day 2 Gesicki was one of the more talented TEs that we had to have and Baker is an athletic and fast OLB who can cover ground.
Smythe as a more in-line blocking TE who is also more fluid as a receiver than given credit for, and a big, fast, talented RB in Ballage were solid additions on day 3. The end of day 3 was more DB and LB depth with a need for a Kicker.
These pundits who grade drafts don’t know every team’s roster through and through. They look at 4-5 players with no real feel for what a team has or is doing.
All I know is the 2018 Miami Dolphins team will not be the same one we saw in 2017. 😉
Go Phins!!!
Since you’re the roster guy, give us who you think is our starting group right now on O and D, and include sub packages too.
Oh okay, sub packages too? LOL
Offense:
LT Tunsil
LG Sitton
C Kilgore
RG Davis
RT James
TE Gesicki/Smythe
FB/H-back Gray
WRs will mix and match – Stills, Parker, Amendola, Wilson and Grant
RB Drake/Gore/Ballage
QB Tannehill
Lots of speed and playmaking ability.
Defense:
LDE Hayes/Wake
LDT Phillips/Turner/?
DT Godchaux/Turner/?
RDE Quinn/Harris
OLB Anthony/Baker
MLB McMillan/Allen
OLB Alonso/Baker
CB Howard
CB Tankersley/Lippett
NB McCain/?
DB Fitzpatrick (upgrade over Thomas – not a knock just true)
S Jones
S McDonald
Lots of speed and playmaking ability.
Too many variables to lock every situation down now. But you can see some mix and match possibilities.
My biggest concern is DT. We need those young guys to really step up.
Who is Turner? Vincent Taylor?
J E T S, jets, jets,
Manitoba knows what I’m talking about.
I refuse to link my friend Toba with the Jets even though I know it’s a hockey / Canadian thing 😎
My proposal to reduce concussions is to go back to the leather helmets instead of hard cap, using the same underlying protection inside the helmet. My sisters husband played 4 years of college football OL, he says it won’t work, what do you say Naples? What causes concussions today, is it using the helmet as a weapon, because it’s hard capped or just the way some tackle?
Flag football 🤓 That should reduce a lot of concussions or they can play two hand touch. Or we can convert to the lingerie league were it would be ok to neel…. Not for the Anthem. 😆
If I had to grade our draft, I’d give it a 92.5%… meaning right on the cusp of B+ and A-, and that means a VERY GOOD DRAFT!
I don’t very much care for ‘outsider-expert’ opinions, being they don’t really know our team like we do. Thus, their opinions are poop. 🙂
I’d like that idiot to explain how in the world you draft Minkah Fitzpatrick but your draft is a failure. That’s just a shot at the team more than anything and by a guy who I’m sure sucks at evaluating talent entering the league.
This draft was a solid A.
And i usually find fault with every draft.
I find fault that we didn’t draft a QB of the future, being Tannehill may not be back to 100% after the long layover, and Brock Osweiler kind of SUCKS.
I wish we’d have drafted an O-Lineman at some point, and I still don’t understand drafting Minkah when we have Reshad and TJ signed up. 3 Pro-Bowl caliber Safeties when all 3 won’t see the field at the same time but for ‘sub-packages’? And it’s clear that TJ isn’t going to be playing LB full-time now.
These are the ONLY things that prevent me from giving this draft class a solid “A+”.
You draft BPA in the first, especially when you have FS issues making Minkah the obvious choice. Don’t we have a huuuge need to stop TEs?
Look at some of our lineups to close out the season, we need depth back there.
Notice I left Branch out. He’s a solid player as well. Not sure how he fits unless we have a vision for a 5th DE. We might look to trade him to a team that didn’t land a DE they hoped to in the draft or suffered and injury. They have to be willing to take on a $10M cap.
That said, maybe Hayes is more of a sub package interior DL. The coaches really liked a much cheaper Malveaux last year.
I’m not sure of the plan. We haven’t seen it yet,
Im not sure how Branch fits either, but I have to assume Hayes is going to play a lot of DT, since we didn’t draft one.
Yep, Hayes may rarely play DE and be that sub package interior rusher while 3 DTs do the dirty work on other downs. Not sure yet.
Stave, yeah my bad on Turner and not Taylor.
You sound like my cousin from Georgia, Stavie
M13,
Reshad isn’t getting any younger , and his cap number is very high. TJ was disappointing last season, and TBH I don’t know why we signed him to an extension before he even played a down with us. I think it’s a smart move for the future, drafting Minkah.
See below. By the way… NICE NEW AVATAR!!! 😀
Manitoba, yeah it’s a miracle Subban is fine, FN flop.
Seems to be a theme in round 2, all the teams down 1-0 are getting the calls, and the goal reviews going their way.
steveccnv says:
April 29, 2018 at 9:01 pm
You draft BPA in the first, especially when you have FS issues making Minkah the obvious choice. Don’t we have a huuuge need to stop TEs?
Look at some of our lineups to close out the season, we need depth back there.
—————
But did we REALLY have FS issues? Granted, TJ couldn’t join the team until his suspension was served, halfway through the season. And yeah, we ALL heard the soundbite of Gase thinking that Reshad and TJ were expected to work better together once TJ got back.
I’m not sure we had an ‘issue’ at FS, I think TJ was just getting acclimated to his new team, halfway through the season. We signed TJ long-term, without even KNOWING how that experiment would work out — again — halfway through the season with a brand new team.
If we needed “depth back there”, we certainly didn’t need to use a 1st rounder to do so… know what I mean?
I’m not sure Minkah is the ‘TE problem solver’… I think TJ is more geared for that. JMO, as always.
We’re going to find out the roles soon enough. To me it’s all about matchups.
Yessir… I’ll reserve true judgment to the playing field. Y’all KNOW I hope that it all translates to SUCCESS!!!
You gotta stop the cheats, Minkah surely helps, what’s the problem?
Who would you rather we reached for?
If Minkah can show and prove that HE can stop the Patsies*, then I’m going to LOVE IT!!!
I’m not trying to put the cart before the horse, I’m just trying to rationalize having 3 GREAT Safeties on our team. If it works… GRAND!!! 🙂
The Chiefs took it to the next level once Kelce become a star, the cheats with Gronk are pretty much unstoppable at the end of games, SD has been pretty good with Gates.
What can Gesicki do for us?
We’re about to find out, man!!! 🙂
And as a PSUer, I think you’re going to LOVE Gesicki!!! 😀
It’s not really just about stopping the TE. It’s about stopping the guys like Amendola and Landry. How do you defend those bunch formations with a bunch of guys who are quick and use rubs and picks. You need quick, athletic guys to cover them. Bigger, box type safeties struggle doing it more. If you can’t get a good jam, you’re kinda screwed…and those bunch formations are designed to counter jams.
It’s both. Corners cover WRs, but who covers those TEs and bunch formations? Like you said earlier tackling is key to all of it. You’re gonna get beat from time to time, but missed tackles change games. 5-7 yards becomes 15-20, big difference especially on 3rd and 15.
The good thing is I think our offense is being set up to do the same thing. We have a lot of speed and options on offense that we didn’t have last year because of a patchwork offense due to injuries and circumstance.
Gase is an offensive guy, he hated our offense the last two years. He decided it won’t stay the same both with coaching and personnel. Here we are.
Go Phins!!!!!
If I had to guess I’d say Gase hated Landry.
We have really gone small and quick with our LB’s. Even going back to last year, Raekwon is only 6’2″ 247lbs, Jerome Baker 6’1″ 225, Quentin Polling 6’0″ 234Lbs,
Raekwon is huge by todays standards, but he’s athletic, so his size is a benefit.
McMillan is closer to 6-2 240 at 22 years old. That was the same size Harry Carson was most of his career. LOL
Chase Allen is 6-3 250 and Stephone Anthony is basically the same size.
Alonso is 6-3 235 and Baker is 6-1 230. In a 4-3 defense this is what you expect at LB. There is nothing out of the ordinary here except for little experience playing together.
How many times have we seen our D get worn out on a drive, we need all the quality depth we can get.
We ARE going for the 4-7 formation. LOL Tall big CB’s Big S smaller quick LB’s for DE’s rushing or dropping…..
We’re going for speed, were going the distance…
Is that Cake or Soul Coffin, always get them confused. 😉
Reluctantly crouched at the starting line
Engines pumping and thumping in time
The green light flashes, the flags go up
This year is the year of Isaiah Ford
Don’t sleep on him, agreed. He’s like the Lippett on offense.
Toba,
The Jets are a damn good team. I hope you get to watch a cup run!
yuck
Tim, agreed on your 8:06 post.
And, this is the NFL today. We are coming out of the OD era….oops.
We have multiple issues, including fs, or dbs. Not enough good ones. Also, agree with piggy on the 3rd third-down draft we just witnessed.
We’ll see…
Exactly, we’ll see. 🙂
Not trying to start shit which is weird to me anyway, but we forget this guy who did not play last year. He can make big throws and make big plays with his legs. Add that to all of the rest that we talk about.
If we can run the ball and be solid in pass pro we’ll be fine.
he sucks!
Who forgot he didn’t play last year?
In social media people talk like last year was on him. It’s bizarre. Time to move on from Tannehill, we were 6-10 last year, is Gase and Tannehill really the answer? LOL
Yes that kind of BS is out there.
I look at Tannehill like I do the rest of the offense doing their job. I see potential for a good offense and team.
Tim just as with anything.its not necessarily about replacing him but having a good next man up scenario. You keep ignoring the fact that shit can happen it happened twice already putting him out of 22 straight games. I don’t question your love child offers us potential solid QB play but I do questions what we do if something happens again or if he doesn’t come back at the level he left off as. You see to just cast off those concerns too easily for me
We forget this guy didn’t play last year…..there I fixed it for you
Huh? “but we forget this guy who did not play last year”. What’s the confusion?
Yeah, that’s 2016
Really good double OT game between Winnipeg and Nashville. Playoff hockey is sweet.
Notice all the games are 1-1 or 1-0, think that’s a coincidence?
Series ya mean ?? Shows how closely matched teams are .. i will feel a lot more comfortable if we sweep the 2 coming up in Winnipeg
Still so excited about this draft. I can’t wait to see these guys on the field. I love what we’ve done. OK, so we didn’t get a QB this draft, you can draft one next year, I swear, there will be at least 1 QB that will enter the draft next year. lol
I’m def excited about minkah and Gesicki and Baker has good potential. Ballage is a good compliment back to Drake. I was kind of surprised be the doubly up at DB and LB once we got two top prospects but they grabbed guys that can give us ST help, depth and possibly rotation support so those picks were soild. I give us a B+ overall
It’s not going g to be a strong class but I’m good with them not forcing the issue this year. Take it if its there take what is there if it isn’t
We just have to accept Tannehill is the QB until he’s not, and hope he takes his game to another level which I think he was doing before he got hurt over a year ago.
It’s fucked up, we should be rooting him on and we’re not as a majority.
I’ll be so bold to say it, I’ll take Tannehill over every QB in this year’s draft. The fantasy of projection can override true performance. Let’s see them all do it. Take the hits, make the big throws, the speed of the game is more than you ever knew. Go be great. Good luck! LOL
The latest draft class is always better when half of them won’t beat out seasoned vets.
D – That’s it in a nutshell. They had more pressing needs this year, special teams is a big part of the game, and we took some hits in that dept. this year. We needed to replenish that, while also adding competition at LB. Minkah definitely upgrades the back end of our defense. Gesicki will no doubt give our offense a jolt, and Smythe should see some playing time as an in line blocking TE. Filled a bunch of needs, and was especially happy we did so w/o moving all over the place and sacrificing future assets. Well done!
Good post. We have become a really athletic and fast team. Now it’s time to make that a good team.
Go Phins!!!!
Siggghh tough loss in double OT but Jets looked much better tonight
Randy Steve and OD thanks for the props to the team.. been a long time coming as we were without a team for 15 ish years .. FO has done a hellebuyck job drafting and developing to get to this point .. we are young, we are fierce, we are the Winnipeg Jets🏒🏒. Good luck to yer Golden Knights Steve thats a surrealistic situation going on there … also good luck to ODs Lightning.. i was a very small minority cheering them on against the Flames to their first cup.. Randy, sorry about your loss 😎. I ll try to buy ya A beer at Vikes or Packers game if we manage to get to them.
This is how much some of these draftniks know:
On every analysis of the Dolphins draft I have read, the Ballage pick went something like this:
“Will be a good change of pace back and complement Frank Gore”
Huh? Gore will be complimenting Drake, and I have not read ONE article that even mentions Kenyan!!!!!!
For super hero fans everywhere
Good, after “Infinity wars” they are going to need some new heros……….
Bwahahahaha
D says:
April 29, 2018 at 11:01 pm
Tim just as with anything.its not necessarily about replacing him but having a good next man up scenario. You keep ignoring the fact that shit can happen it happened twice already putting him out of 22 straight games. I don’t question your love child offers us potential solid QB play but I do questions what we do if something happens again or if he doesn’t come back at the level he left off as. You see to just cast off those concerns too easily for me.
___________
Pretty much my sentiments. We’ve got Tannehill coming back from injury and we’re going to rely on Osweiler and Fales whenever we face a break the glass scenario? We saw what not having a good plan did for us at QB last year.
If RT goes down for the year we’re not going anywhere anyways, the only situation where a backup will help is if RT gets hurt and will miss 4 or 5 games and we need the backup to win 2 or 3.
Even Belicheat didn’t win enough when Brady went down. Dont expect another Philly situation. Gase must feel the team isn’t ready to compete for a title yet or he has confidence in Brock, it worked before.
All I said was how it went down. Not whether it was a good idea or not. The FO must be confident that Tannehill is good to go and they don’t fear any setbacks from his knee injury. Lots of team have meh backups.
https://www.nfl.com/share/10103061-7033-0000-0093-0267f2a051d0
Even if only Minkah and Gesicki significantly contribute this year with decent success i’ll call the draft a success. I expect Baker to make a significant contribution too, even if only on 3rd down. We don’t currently have someone with his pass coverage skills, maybe Raekwon, but…
I just wonder, in the first game when we come out on offense barring injury of course, on 1st and 10 who will be the starting tailback?
I highly doubt it will be Drake.
Why
Gase doesn’t use his backs that way. He puts one in for a series or two, maybe switching the 3rd down back in on 3rd down, then he uses the other back. Ballage should see the bulk of the 3rd down carries and the other 2 will alternate, with the one having the hot hand maybe getting more snaps. Starting or not might not matter, and they may alternate based on opponent. Not sure Gase even knows yet.
How much does Gore have left? Splitting the carries, more than he’s even had to do will also prolong his career. I don’t care who rushes for an individual amount, but the team needs to get about 2k.
I think he realizes he needs to put this team in manageable 2nd and 3rd down situations, having Drake run up the middle on first down wont do that. why else would he acquire two bruising backs?
because Drake should be used in 3rd down passing situations, he’s more of a scat back.
that’s why they got Gore and drafted Ballage, they needed a bread and butter back on the early downs
JMO
I think Gase has been looking for that T.E. threat, he tried to get it with Julius Thomas
I think he found it!
He better have, I just hope we get to see some of it this year. It’s been rough for receivers to make a big splash in their rookie years.
Without any draft day trades to bitch about, this place has become a morgue. Mike, cat get your tongue😉
Nope, happy about our draft, and complete lack of trades. I’m surprised, but happy.
Then i caught you lurking😀
Rob Rang gave us a B+, which was the best in the AFC east and 3rd best overall in the AFC. Only Denver and Cleveland received an A from him.
I hate to say it but I think the Stej hit a homerun with there draft!
I think we legged out a double??????????
Except they had to trade 3 2s to trade up, when they didn’t need to. Darnold the TO machine would’ve been better going to another team, for the jets he’s another butt fumble waiting to happen, on any given play. I said before the draft I didn’t want them to get Darnold, but I’m good with that pick now.
Clev should’ve gotten an F, they easily could’ve made some trades to get future year picks and gotten the same guys they took in the first, especially when teams were getting a randsom for the top 10 picks. What does it mean to have a good draft? The players you took or the value at the spot you drafted? To me it’s the latter, therefore the F.
Jets hit it out of the park? They got their QB, which they paid for pretty well in draft compensation. After that? Meh. I know were in love with fatty, but that’s just an OK pick. They didn’t get a great TE, Shepherd is a project. What did they hit out of the park?
You would’ve thought they had learned the first time around trading up selecting a USC QB, History repeating itself.
I’ve heard a couple people reference Osweiler’s relationship with Gase. I don’t know where that comes from. Osweiler signed with Denver after Gase had been gone a couple of years already. I don’t even think Denver was still running the same offensive system when Osweiler got there.
PLUS Osweiler sucks, like REALLY bad. Like he throws an Int for every TD bad. I feel that was a mistake and it was compounded by not taking a rookie to groom.
everyone thought Cutler was bad, he seemed better under Gase
he was still bad, even if better under Gase.
Maybe they’re lovers? lol
Osweiler was with Dener in 2012-2016. Gase was in Denver 2009-2014.
There’s also a cap figure, we didn’t have much space to sign a backup QB.
steveccnv says:
April 30, 2018 at 9:05 am
If RT goes down for the year we’re not going anywhere anyways,
___
Yeah Steve, that’s what my entire post was saying. That’s why we needed to do better this offseason in securing someone who could take the team somewhere if he did go down.
And who was that we could’ve gotten for $4M? Certainly not a rookie. You cant replace everyone, they took their shot that RT was going to be healthy and if not Osweiler was good enough. Neither would’ve been good enough without our offseason moves.
I don’t think any QB in the draft could beat out Osweiller this year.
Certainly not anyone taken after the first round.
I don’t think this FO shares the view of some around here, QB wasn’t a position of need, not to mention if you take a QB early you wont have Minkah, but what you will have is a non contributing player holding a clip board.
LBer, DB, K, TE,RB, those were our positions of need
I think its pretty close, but some around here dont seem to understand the guidelines of player acquisitions. This funny little thing called a salary cap, they seem to think we should be able to sign our own for top $, not cut Suh, get 3 more OL, a QB to compete with RT…
Wyo – If anything, I think the Bills had a great draft, but an awful lot of that hinges on whether Allen ever becomes a good NFL QB. You I loved Edmunds, and I liked Phillips a lot too
we have Stills, Parker , amendola, wilson, Gesicki, Tannehill will have some good recs to work with this year also Grant, and owusu who i think looked great last pre season
And 3 RBs that can catch. Gase now has his guys. A TE that can catch, 3 RBs that can run, block and catch, a full set of complimenting WRs, and hopefully an OL. If everyone stays healthy we should see the real Gase O.
ocalarob says:
April 30, 2018 at 9:51 am
I think he realizes he needs to put this team in manageable 2nd and 3rd down situations, having Drake run up the middle on first down wont do that. why else would he acquire two bruising backs?
Rob, why do you say this?
Drake averages 5 yards per carry in the first quarter of games.
He averages 6.8 yards per carry when on our side of the field from 1 yard line to the 20 yard line.
meaning he averaged 6.8 yards per carry on the first play of a drive. That puts you in pretty good D&D
I want to see in year 3 if Gase under Gase is better
? If gase under gase is better?
Yeah, if Gase is better in year 3
I’m going to get me a #80 Smythe jersey this year. Thank god we finally drafted a real tight end!
LMAO – You’re still eating go-gurt cream? Let it go Rock!
WHO? If you are referring to a player on another team, I don’t care about them. I’m just excited we got OUT tight end. GO SMYTHE!
** OUR tight end
I think the SDSU thing was an issue, if you noticed all our early round picks were from big schools. I believe that wasn’t a coincidence, because they want these rookies to contribute this year.
Gase under Gase better be better in year 3.
Right on!
I’m glad we drafted that big wide receive too. what was his name again? Ghey-suck-he or something like that?
Gesicki in no way is the blocker Smythe is, but he can block, he just didn’t care about it in college. I noticed a lot of guys on tape not putting themselves in unnecessary injury positions, meaning not throwing their body on the pile like they do in NFL or just going thru the blocking motions. I would think that would be different in the NFL, because they’ve gotten paid.
We have all the parts we need to compete, we just have to put it together now. The D is up to par with 21st century offenses, and the O seems to be complete too.
Look This will be the last time I ever talk good about the stej!
Starting QB
2 Starting DT’s
A starting CB
a TE that will push for snaps
A good running back
4 Starters is a pretty good draft!
That’s your opinion Wyo that they got 4 starters. I think you’re overrating Faty and Shepherd, and Nickerson as well for that matter. If all those guys are starting, well it’s just because the Jets suck
It’s always in everyone’s opinion! 😉
The Fins got
2 starters
2 that will push for snaps
ST
Rockphin says:
April 30, 2018 at 10:33 am
meaning he averaged 6.8 yards per carry on the first play of a drive. That puts you in pretty good D&D
___________________________________
Stats are for losers, what did he avg on 1st down with runs under 6 yards?
ROCK, Drake breaks off 60 yard scampers then add it to his YPC,
it is misleading and also supports your agenda.
Drake is a 3rd down back
Drake reminds me of Reggies Bush
steveccnv says:
April 30, 2018 at 10:19 am
. If everyone stays healthy we should see the real Gase O.
___________________________________________________
I agree, and it also puts gase on the spot,
i give him this year and next year to produce a winner, otherwise……..
Why is everyone so quick to jettison Gase?
I give him as long as it takes. The previous plan that started before he was here was gutted, and he wasn’t afraid (Philbined) to make wholesale changes, what else do you want him to do?
I’m not ready to get him out of here, I think he’s moving in the right direction but it’s time to improve the win/loss record, I’m sure his job is safe this year regardless of the outcome however if he has 3 losing seasons in a row i’m sure he’d be gone, that said i like the direction we’re heading in.
steveccnv says:
April 30, 2018 at 10:12 am
I think its pretty close, but some around here dont seem to understand the guidelines of player acquisitions. This funny little thing called a salary cap, they seem to think we should be able to sign our own for top $, not cut Suh, get 3 more OL, a QB to compete with RT…
___________________________________________________
exactly, welcome to reality,
Rob, I do not have an agenda. I just think your criticism of Drake is unfounded. He was AS GOOD or better than Ajayi was on first down. IMO he is a starting quality (top of the league quality) running back. No agenda.
I think Drake is freak’n Great! I just think we should use him more to his skil-set, not pound him up the middle on 1st down, he’s not a starting tail back.
we need to get him in space,,, then WATCH OUT!
it would seem to me this FO was worried about pass coverage as they addressed it big time in the draft, minkah, baker, the cb are all coverage guys added to our secondary, also anthony was acquired last year, they seem to want to put a blanket on the opponents passing game.
on offense we got the FA OL, wilson amendola, drafted Rocksicki, got Gore, drafted Ballage.
and who did we lose? Overpaid SUH and Landry…Fragile Matt Moore…Timmons…whats the other always hurt LBer that assaulted some dude in a bar??
i think we’ve made huge steps on this team, pardon me for not shedding a tear for those gone
ORob,
Did you just tell Rock that stats were for losers and then immediately ask for more stats? Lol
Yes i did, to show a clearer picture of those with blind folds on
yes he did. LOL I let that one pass
Rockphin says:
April 30, 2018 at 11:43 am
He was AS GOOD or better than Ajayi was on first down
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I’m not buying that statement, Ajayi is a more forceful RB than Drake, he started making major gains and D’s had to game-plan for him, they may have slowed him up but left other areas open and with a result of 10-6. we were 4-3 when Ajayi left and ended up 6-10, that’s the only stat that matters
Sigh, Ok, you win. there is no argument that can win this. I can go and show stats but those are for losers. I could go play by play but you use your eyes. You and Lou can just keep on keeping on when it comes to “knowing”
Hey man, Don’t lump me in with him.
A lot of things happened after Ajayi left, including the last 6 games having the best RB ib the NFL. Ajayi did nothing the first 7 games, it was the Ds coattails the team was riding on. He was however very good in 2016 overall, but his big head got in his way in 2017.
teams didn’t respect Drake, they played pass D, they were not worried about Drakes big gains because for the most part he could be stuffed on first down putting the team in predictable situations, on the other hand Ajayi could gain the 4 to 6 tough yards putting the team in great down and distance on 2nd and 3rd downs, he also could break off big runs as well, this forced DC’s to game-plan for Ajayi leaving other areas open, they didn’t have to do this with Drake, that’s why we lost.
Yeah that’s it, but had nothing to do with our incredible 2017 OL.
Rockphin says:
April 30, 2018 at 12:07 pm
Sigh, Ok, you win. there is no argument that can win this. I can go and show stats but those are for losers. I could go play by play but you use your eyes.
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Maybe you should just look at the RB additions to this team, Maybe the FO will do a better job of convincing you after acquiring 2 power backs.
I wonder why they didn’t pursue a scat back if Drakes the bread and butter?? Hmmm???
steveccnv says:
April 30, 2018 at 12:19 pm
A lot of things happened after Ajayi left, including the last 6 games having the best RB ib the NFL. Ajayi did nothing the first 7 games, it was the Ds coattails the team was riding on. He was however very good in 2016 overall, but his big head got in his way in 2017.
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when Ajayi ran more than 20 carries we were undefeated in 2017, when he ran for less we were winless, it’s a fact. this is not a coincidence.
It’s not about the yards gained, it’s about forcing D’s to add resources to stop Ajayi opening up other facets of our offense
Lol, you just contradicted your own statement.
how’s that?
You said it’s not about the yards, it’s about the D using resources to stop Ajayi, if he isn’t getting any yards why would they use resources to stop him from getting no yards?
He was getting the yards! do you remember the back to back 200 yard gains? i think he had 3 games like that in 2016, D’s cant let Ajayi run all over them so they had to game-planned for him to stop him, that left other areas open.
there’s no contradiction here.
I get it, you think drake is the best RB in the NFL and i think he’s good also, i just don’t think he should be our bread and butter back, he’s not a starting tail back.
either Gore or Ballage should be the starter
Thought after the draft was that Minkah was good at covering TE, but what about TJ? He is 6’3″ after all. And that assignment would go with him playing nickle LB.
TJ surely is better covering anyone, than what we had at LB last year. We got enough moving parts in the back 7, that Gase and co are going to be busy this offseason putting together the different packages.
Even after watching him….what am not sure of is how good he is in actual coverage. Know he has quick burst react and hits like a tank, but maybe that would be all he needs anyhow if he was at the LB level.
He’s decent in coverage for a safety, that makes him pretty good as a coverage LB.
I’m standing on the edge of the pool dipping my toe in to see if the temperature is equal to the effort put forth in entering it. lol.
The pool water here is only warm enough if it’s over 100 degrees outside.
so it’s definitely not worth it
We just had our best draft since 1983 and were talking about Ajayi.
Gase says he only talks about the players on the roster.
Ozzie Newsome getting praise for his LAST draft, lol, but he used next years capital.
No we’re talking about Drake not being the starting tailback on this team, Ajayi is just an example
A RB by committee is different RBs start a set of downs. It doesn’t matter who “starts” the game.
Tight ends caught a league-high 94 passes against the Phins. Opposing QBs completed 70 percent of their passes to TEs. Seems both throwing to and defending against…2018 was the TE draft.
I dub this as the year of the TE. LOL
was that your New Years Resolution for working out lol
Pretty clear it was to me….lets hope we look at that fondly down the road. Have to go to out 2nd 4th and Ballage where those pesky TEs were not involved.
Rob we’ve got 3 backs that can all carry the load, doesn’t matter to me who starts, who finishes, who gets what yardage. We have a 3-headed tailback that’s going to rush for over 2000 yards.
It’s going to be nicknamed the no named tailback.
Based on all the DEs we have on the roster, maybe William Hayes is going to be more of a sub package DT than DE. Not saying he won’t play any DE, but maybe more as a rush DT.
They already said he was going to be used in that role.
Just continuing from yesterday about how Branch fits in etc. We used Hayes in that role a bit last year too. Just suggesting maybe even more this year. We might see more 4 man fronts featuring all DEs too.
I’d like to see the 4 man DE front and the 5 man LB front.
However they do it…on passing down think we will have 3 DEs out there at times, even if cause we have a five man line.
ocalarob says:
April 30, 2018 at 12:17 pm
……..I wonder why they didn’t pursue a scat back if Drakes the bread and butter?? Hmmm???…
You are mixing apples with oranges. I can turn this argument around and say that the front office thinks that Godshow and Phillips are as good as Suh. I mean they didn’t pursue a top DT in the draft either so the projection of what I think they think must be right because of the evidence?
Lol
either Gore or Ballage should be the starter
Only if you think our 2nd and 3rd best RB’s should be the starter….
BTW the big bruiser RB’s in this league are not the starters. they are the short yardage / specialty package guys.
Not important who starts, it just matters that we have a running game.
^
Bet you right now that Smythe gets more starts than Gaesicki.
Again, why does it matter?
It doesn’t matter…..no doubt which TE is more important.
with the drafting of Ballage, Gore’s teacher to student ration just doubled. 😉
stangerx says:
April 30, 2018 at 1:20 pm
Bet you right now that Smythe gets more starts than Gaesicki.
Not just more starts, but more snaps too, I am willing to bet. You play the guy that can block you use the big receiver on your gimmick plays 😉 Note the winky eye! this was said in jest. and to stir Mike E’s pot.
When the draft started I was worried about 7 things.
Now I’m only worried about 3.
Of those 3 (QB, OL, DT) I’m least worried about DT, moderately worried about QB cuz Tanny has had significant time to heal, and most worried about OL as we are one injury away from cluster*f there.
However, TE and covering the TE seem to have fixed our biggest gaping hole from last year. Let’s hope for healthy guys until the next draft. 🙂
You cant fix everything, to win the SB things have to align, if the things we’ve fixed work, we have enough to compete for a title.
We’re going to be running the ball and passing it with either TE in the game, and with both in. No way are we going to dictate the play by personnel.
Both sides of the ball is going to see lots of interchangeable parts.
Gesicki is like Goedert, but with the ability to separate and contest jump balls.
And a vertical over 40″ who is going to be in his air space? No one.
4th and goal from the cheats 5. AFC Championship game on the line, here comes Gronk in to try to stop Gesicki. Gesicki TD, Gronk hangs his head and walks off the field and sits down next to Brady.
Now that’s a nail biting pacing moment.
Dolphins score with 1:22 left on the clock……
You know the rest of the story.
Weaknesses
Built more like a high-jumper than a tight end
Long and lanky with a stride length that limits quickness in and out of breaks
Will struggle to shake coverage on short routes near the line of scrimmage
Play strength is below average
Needs to prove he can handle physical jams and route redirection
Can be slow to get head around and find the ball
Passive approach as blocker puts run plays in immediate peril
Hand usage is poor in run game
Rarely sustains blocks against legitimate edge talent
Strengths:
Makes Rockphin cry without the euphoria of a Fest game in the rain
I hated playing the volleyball guys in basketball, those guys played above the rim.
Rock — he’s a seam buster with good speed, great hands and a vertical that makes him a nightmare redzone threat. And no one ever said he could block.
Weaknesses
Moves with somewhat restricted stride length.
Is not a route salesman. Gives route intention away with early directional leans into breaks.
Rarely relies on leverage and head fakes to create his separation.
Looked bigger on tape in 2017 and quickness appeared to suffer somewhat.
Would benefit from varying route speeds.
Too eager to try for one-handed spear attempts rather than two handed snares at times.
Agility with ball in his hands is average by NFL standards.
Effort level as blocker can be inconsistent. Needs to get better hip roll into initial contact.
May need a fire lit under him in order to handle in-line blocking duties as a pro.
who is this from? Some guy taken by another team? WHO CARES!?
Fake news ESPN
When everyone is covered, just throw it up to him, or Parker.
you are right! Smythe or Parker will come down with it! woooooo hooooooo go dolphins!
Starting TE:
Strengths
Has good size and should continue to grow into his frame
Has a finisher’s demeanor as a blocker
Plays like an offensive lineman
Technically sound blocker
Hand placement is accurate and he unlocks his hips into opponent
Runs his feet on down blocks until the block is secured
Understands his landmarks and takes proper angles
Excellent timing and radar when working up to linebacker on combos
Plus blocker for the position in-line and on the move
Trustworthy in pass protection
Was able to work the seam and lay out to make the catch
Unfazed by hitters in the middle of the field
Weaknesses
Straight-line mover who struggles to adjust his release when defenders are looking to lean on him
Initial speed into patterns is average
Routes are very readable for safeties and linebackers
Comes out of his turns without much burst
Separation could be a challenge against man coverage
Let Smythe start, and bring in Gesicki when you need a big catch, no reason to wear out your stars will minuscule tasks.
I don’t know why some of you keep discussing this Eagles player, whatever his name is…I can’t remember.
#80 Go Smythe!
Hes going to be the reason we run for 2k.
In goal line formations who do you put in? The guys who can block and / or catch or the one trick pony that will struggle to shake coverage on short routes near the line of scrimmage, has play strength that is below average, can’t handle physical jams and route redirection at the line of scrimmage, Can be slow to get head around and find the ball and who’s passive approach as blocker puts run plays in immediate peril
Thats the guy
Plus I hear he is from New Jersey which cannot be good for anything.
Only 2 things come from NJ, steers and…Mike what’s your take on NJ TEs?
Staring at her…its the wrong way
YOUR TEAM
MIAMI DOLPHINS
YOUR PICKS
1: R1P8 QB JARRETT STIDHAM AUBURN
2: R2P8 G BEN BREDESON MICHIGAN
3: R3P8 C DALTON RISNER KANSAS STATE
4: R4P8 RB MYLES GASKIN WASHINGTON
5: R5P8 LB BEN HUMPHREYS DUKE
6: R6P8 CB ISAIAH LANGLEY USC
7: R7P8 DL JAY HAYES GEORGIA
What??
Too soon?
It’s not too soon for me. I really like Stidham and was talking about him back in November.
And a big F.U. to Fanspeak for assuming we will be picking at #8 next year!
Thats alright, it’s better than the 32 ESPN had us in their power poll.
Gesicki 6’6″
Smythe 6’5″
Parker 6’3″
Hope Tanny has been working on his redzone high loft TD stuff.
now let’s see where Madden ranks him this season….
Jimmy Graham at combine
6’6″
260 lbs
35″ arm length
10 5/8 hands
4.56 40
38.5 vert
122″ broad
Rock just give up man, learn from my mistake
give up on what?
The ajayi argument
Ahhhh. That is just a silly argument anyway. LOL
The Madden comment was because they always downgrade our players no matter how good they are in real life.
I think Smythe is a better receiver than given credit for. Look at what he had for QB it’s hard to have shown how good could be with those opportunities. The little bit I saw in his film where you got to really see his routes and receiving ability he looked solid to me. I don’t think he is going to be a really huge stat guy but I think we are going to be surprised what we get out of him
Agreed. He’ll give us those standard TE routes like those short out routes about 5 yards deep and then try to turn up field to get as many yards as possible, and the medium in routes for 10 yards or so.
Watching his combine performance, he’s not just this lead footed big TE, he ran well and looked fluid in drills. Caught the ball well too.
With all the receiving weapons, he won’t see many thrown his way, but we should see the occasional slip out for 8 yards, and around the goal line he should have his chances. Just catch them when thrown to, he doesn’t need a lot of catches.
Guys like him get ignored throughout a game and like you said slip out from time to time for an easy catch and decent gain. He’ll probably only be a 1-2 catch per game guy.
Madden Ratings:
Suh before he came to dolphins 96
Suh after coming to Dolphins 84
He had better individual performance with the Lions but he was more disruptive in our defense. There is no stat in Madden for that
We do seem to have some sort of negativity towards us though, in the media, etc
“I wanna play til my mid-40s”
— Tom Brady (no word on whether or not Gisele agrees)
She was fine with it, because she doesn’t want to hear him cry about it, she said in So many words.
This morning she told me he couldn’t get it up anymore so she was through with him! 😉
“I want him in a wheelchair in his mid-40’s”
– Rockphin on Tom Brady (doesn’t care what Gisele thinks)
He’ll probably only be a 1-2 catch per game guy.
But will probably end the season with 5 TD’s
Yes sometimes that’s how it goes. Fasano had seasons like that with us.
And that would be great for this year, as long as his blocking stays close to the same as it has been.