Defense? Check! Offense? Check! Now it’s time to take a look at our special teams unit. Returning for his 15th NFL season is long snapper John Denney. As any good Dolphins fan knows, this guy isn’t just hiking the ball, this guy hustles downfield on every punt and makes his shares of tackles too. The Dolphins as per usghe brought in “competition” for Denney, or more like insurance in the form of one LS Lucas Gravelle out of TCU. Gravelle was a 2018 UDFA.
Matt Haack will return as the punter, and just so Stanger knows, Haack will be wearing #2 this season, showing no respect to future ring of honor punter Brandon Fields. Or maybe he wears it out of respect and love for Fields, not sure. In the 7th RD, Miami most likely landed their starting place kicker in Jason Sanders out of New Mexico. Sanders has a very strong leg, and his kickoffs are always deep. His longest college FG was a 53 yarder, but in practice, he’s hit FG’s beyond 60 and close to 70. The Dolphins also brought in UDFA K Greg Joseph from FAU to provide some competition for Sanders. There are however also always a few veteran kickers waiting for a team to lose a K to injury, or just an outright cut due to poor performance. Matt Haack will continue to be the holder on FG’s.
With Jarvis Landry out of the picture, Jakeem Grant will take over the primary return duties on both punts and kickoffs. With all the changes, it’s hard to know whether the new return rules will be advantageous or not for the ultra fast Grant, but it seems to indicate that it might. With the kickoff team unable to get a running start, that should give the receiving team just a little more time to get up some speed after the catch. On the other hand, the new rule is that if the ball touches the end zone on a kickoff it will be ruled as a touchback, so if the ball bounces past the goal line on a kickoff, it is dead, and declared a touchback. Kenyan Drake will join Grant as the other returner on kickoffs, and at least at the moment, Senorise Perry is behind the aforementioned 2 on the return depth chart.
As far as players who will be counted on to be special teams aces is returning veteran CB/S Walt Aikens, LB Chase Allen, LB Mike Hull, veteran LB Terence Garvin who came over from Seattle, rookie LB Quentin Poling, CB Torry McTyer and possibly rookie CB’s Cornell Armstrong and Jalen Davis. I say possible, because we don’t know yet whether they will all be on the roster come final cuts.
Last year, the Dolphins had one of their best kicking performances in a while from veteran K Cody Parkey. The Dolphins chose not to allocate money towards a K and let Parker walk, so we all have to hope that move doesn’t come back to bite us in the ass. Young Jason Sanders has a tough act to follow after the excellence of Parkey. Last year, P Matt Haack had an OK year, he wasn’t great, he wasn’t poor either. Haack averaged 44.5 yards per punt, with a 40.7 net average
The big questions on special teams are as follows. Is Jakeem Grant ready for prime time, without Jarvis Landry to lean on in big spots? Is Jason Sanders going to get the job done well enough to keep his job through the preseason? Will Jason Sanders adequately replace the excellence of Cody Parkey? Will the new kickoff rules help us or hurt us? Stay tuned Dolphins fans, OTA’s are going on as you read this, so keep your eyes on the reports to see what’s happening.
2018 HulkFest Hotels – Hollywood Beach
The Neptune – Doggy, Toba, Son and their crews
Margaritaville – Mike E and Brian in NY and their crews
The Sheldon – Piggy
Finsmob Unleashed 
Tim Knight says:
May 29, 2018 at 2:00 pm
Has Asiata played center?
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No but he practiced there some last year.
It’s a good think for him if he can play multiple positions
Right guy now he’s not good enough to start at OG, so why not give him some experience there while he competes for playing time
This shit is getting old! I get blasted by someone thinking i like Ajayi, when i respond i get questioned then bashed again, then questioned again.
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pheloniusphish says:
May 29, 2018 at 10:16 am
Hope everyone had a good weekend. Pigs – great job on the the Murph! Amerson is to M13 what Ajayi is to ORob.
steveccnv says:
May 29, 2018 at 10:29 am
Do you really believe it was because of Ajayi leaving? What did he do for us last year, his stats were bad? Our opponents weren’t loading the box, like they did in 2016.
The reason was the D gave up on the team, once they realized the O was so bad.
pheloniusphish says:
May 29, 2018 at 11:28 am
Here we go. Again.
Steve – Don’t you know that Ajayi was the entire team over that 22 (14-8) game stretch? I still can’t understand how two team managed to lose to Miami after he left, given there was no one on the field to oppose them.
Mike E. says:
May 29, 2018 at 11:47 am
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AjayJa00.htm
It’s funny, when you look at the stats, they have no wins and losses. Why is that?
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Can’t you read tim? and Ken I just want to win.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tim Knight says:
May 29, 2018 at 12:35 pm
Who is debating you about establishing a running game?
Ken says:
May 29, 2018 at 12:39 pm
I don’t know why but I think O Rob wants to see us commit to the running game
Reply
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Here we go again!
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Rockphin says:
May 29, 2018 at 2:31 pm
ocalarob says:
May 29, 2018 at 10:34 am
14-8 with him 2-7 without, do the math
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I see your math and I raise your arithmetic! That had NOTHING to do with Ajayi. that was because we lost Tannehill!
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NO FCK’N COMMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ll see you guys at the start of the season
Let’s just stop with the Ajayi talk, he’s no longer on the team.
Maybe you can just write my posts for me
Rob,
You’re just getting razzed because of your obsession with telling everyone the ABCs of the running game and relentlessly invoking its worth. And you WERE pretty heavy on Ajayi for the better part of the season, to the exclusion of all else. Almost everybody on this board agrees with you that the running game is a major factor, and I’m pretty sure everybody here knows all the little details and factors the running game brings, but you talk it ad nauseum, and you’re just getting some shit for it.
Case in point, I made a minor joke last night, somewhat obliquely referencing your obsessive running game spiel, and you proceed to give me the lowdown on why running the football is important.
Try not to take it so personal, bro. It’s just standard guys giving shit to one another. 🙂
NO COMMENT
LOL, is that the online equivalent of taking your ball and going home?
Isn’t taking the time to write ‘NO COMMENT’ a comment?
Ah well, I’ll leave you alone before you blow a gasket or something. Too many people on this blog have had health issues recently. Peace, man. (smoking a joint emoji here)
Not mad, i like all you guys.
I was just asking who’s questioning you that a good running game is important. I don’t think anyone here disagrees that running the ball well is key in winning.
We love ya Rob – Don’t get salty! 😉
I am pretty sure the no FCK’N COMMENT was aimed at me for razzing him with a double razz (Ajayi wasn’t that good and Tannehill is…) I’m not sweating it. I am pretty sure Rob knows I am only busting balls.
I HATE how the Herald makes you watch stupid unrelated videos while you are trying to read an article. if you aren’t using a browser with a “read” pane you must download and watch them. You can’t even pause them to shut them up. Chrome sucks because it doesn’t have a Reader button.
Reading their articles from my phone uses too much data, so i just dont.
Careful Mike. Don’t tell Rob not to get salty, I’m pretty sure he has a “pillar of salt” for you. LOL
Ewww
Werent all your people turned to pillars of salt back in your day?
Yeah, that’s where the expression “pillar of the community” came from
I read that Sony Michel has the same thing Ajayi had coming out of college, bone on bone in one of his knees.
Sony went RD1, Ajayi went RD5. I hope for the Patriots that it’s much worse than Ajayi’s
I’m starting to like him more and more, but it doesn’t matter the cheats will get great draft grades no matter who they select, even though their draft hasn’t been good lately.
C’mon ORob…There was no blast in those posts. Heck, there wasn’t even a cap gun pop!
From Ron von Clausewitz on football. “Running, above all things, is the first quality of a playoff team. Two qualities are indispensable: first, a power running game that, even in the darkest hour, retains some glimmerings of the inner light which leads to touchdowns; and second, the courage to follow this faint light where it may run over a defensive player.”
Was reading the Herald article about the OL and Davis being told he will start at RG, it also said the team has confidence in Eric Smith and Zach Sterup for depth at tackle. I believe Smith was impressing and beating out Young last year in camp before he got hurt and went on IR. But Young played well down the stretch at RT last year so he might make the team anyway.
It would be nice to go from five turnstiles to actual quality depth on the line. I am sick of watching the smallest and fastest collapsing pocket in football.
That never happens, you weren’t really seeing that, it’s just Tanny-homers making excuses for him. 😉
Amen
This is potentially the best oline we’ve had since the wildcat days.
For the record
I also miss Ajayi
And the $100 I spent on his jersey
🐷😟
A pig and his money are soon parted.
Stop buying jerseys you jinxster jerk! LOL
It’s all about keeping the top 5 OL on the field which over the years it just never happened. I get that guys get hurt and you need to patch guys in there from time to time, but can we get more than a handful of games for once?
Its also about having the right guys who are all playing as a unit not individuals. Our OL has never had a team identity. We have had some talent out there but it never integrated with what we had. Its true some of our guys looked like they tried to play the position on roller skates but i think more than that we just never played as a team, partially because of injuries and partially because the personnel we had didn’t seem to mesh/gel with one another. Every snap seemed like a bunch of fat me flailing around.
men
Thought maybe you had put on weight over the weekend.
I know its repetitive but i’m being addressed about the RB situation, I guess i should just tell the person debating this topic with me to STFU!
I didn’t bring this convo up. and if i reply It’s the condescending remarks directed at me later that sucks.
That said, I’ll just avoid commenting anymore on what i perceive as the weaknesses of this team just to avoid the condescending remarks.
it seems to be a big waste of time typing this shit anyway.
BTW… Did i tell you we need to run the ball better with a bell cow and not some light ass pussy named Drake?
I wasn’t sure if i mentioned that?
The cool thing is we have players at every skill position who can take it to the house from anywhere on the field. Even TE now. If Gesicki hits a route and gets past the defenders even he can go the distance. If you watch his 40 time at the combine he has a gait like a horse. It will be hard for defenders to catch him once in stride.
We are just busting your balls O Rob, don’t be so sensitive. Furthermore we all pretty much agree with you
except for the part about Drake. I least I’m honest when I say I think he is the better all around back and should start.
I think Drake will lead the team in touches. Playmaker!
pheloniusphish says:
May 29, 2018 at 10:16 am
Hope everyone had a good weekend. Pigs – great job on the the Murph! Amerson is to M13 what Ajayi is to ORob.
———–
ORob, if you’re being compared to me, you’re ALL good, my Brother! 🙂
Ha – Not so much comparing you guys as pointing out y’alls penchant for getting tunnel vision when it comes to certain players.
I am excited by the potential of this team. Of the “idea” of it. unfortunately it can just as easily be a mirage.
Or every time the wind blows 😉
See Orob equal opportunity ball buster
Here is a cool article for those who wish to read nice stuff about our players. Especially top running back type players.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/fantasy-football-metrics-that-matter-kenyan-drake
He sucks
Yeah, it’s hard not to let the years of exciting springs leading to disappointing falls beat down the hope of today. Things always look good in May.
But I keep holding on to the hope this year will be different.
It really does seem we added talent on both sides of the ball. We look to have playmakers at all the skill positions on offense, and have seemingly solidified the middle of the oline, and we have Tanny back with the talk being he appears to be picking up right where he left off before injury.
On defense, we get our shiny new middle LB back with hope he can be a stud and run the D. We have stout safeties and added a S with coverage ability that can shore up and supplement both DB positions as needed. Middle of the Dline and LBs are still a big question mark IMO, but we have new faces at both levels which hopefully can step up.
I’m probably homering and caught up in the excitement of glowing OTA reports, but I feel we have potentially fewer holes on this team than at any time in recent, and not so recent, memory. It’s funny, we got lambasted this off-season and hammered for our moves, and I think this may, in retrospect, be looked on as one of the best offseasons we’ve had in decades.
I agree except, I don’t have a problem with DT and LB. You need a QB that’s pretty good, but not great as long as the supporting cast is very good, and we have that. Jarvis addition by subtraction.
Yep, I honestly don’t think we’ll miss Landry.
In terms of yards after contact per attempt, Drake looked even better, posting our most efficient season ever recorded (4.29)
PUSSY!
LOL
I think Drake will have a very good year. I believe he will have 10+ total TD’s this season. Rushing / Receiving.
I do too, but he doesn’t need to have a lot of carries, receptions or TDs, he just needs to be efficient. We have plenty of depth, so 15 touches a game should do. They won’t come game to game though, he’ll have some 10 touches and 20 touches, with Gase going with the hot hand.
^
mf13ss says:
May 29, 2018 at 8:56 pm
pheloniusphish says:
May 29, 2018 at 10:16 am
ORob, if you’re being compared to me, you’re ALL good, my Brother! 🙂
Reply
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You’re one of the best football minds here, the others are wannabees.
Simple minds think alike😁
Does this mean you two will be taking long, warm showers together?
Vegas Golden Showers?
When i lived in Miami, my next door neighbor used to great everyone with hey bonehead, so naturally he got the nickname bobehead.
Are you catching my drift here Mike? Should we start calling you VGS?
Should’ve read, should we start calling you MGS? Get you Mike’s Golden Showers here.
OD, what do you think of the Wilson non-suspension for game 2? I hate seeing suspensions, the team with the suspended player seems to have the advantage, because they’re all pissed off.
Wilson suspension?
Phelon, when you going to key west? We had a great time! Only regret is we waited until our last 2 days to go on a snorkeling trip and it ended up being to windy 25 mph winds so we didn’t get to go. Did go boating with a friend though, so that was nice. He owns a roofing company here in Pensacola but has been down there since the hurricane last year. He actually opened a new office down there. We have another good friend who lives there (Pensacola transplant). She works for the city of Key West and took us to all the best restaurants and bars. My liver is recovering nicely. LOL
Going to Key West with a transplant liver on ice is always wise….. glad you had a good time. Did you see signs of the storm damage still?
IMO, the running game will be just fine. I feel really good about this OL more than I have in a decade. We just started the OTA’s and have our 5 starters already identified. When was the last time we saw that? We usually see so many different combo’s all the way into training to see who rises to the top. Sometimes we don’t even know half way through preseason. We haven’t had a starting 5 OL who has had time to gel for a very long time. This year is VERY different and I am excited about this OL.
Oh wait??? it’s the immature hour here…..sorry wrong blog….you kiddies have a nice day
It’s not just an hour, it’s pretty much 24/7, and honestly, none of us would have it any other way. That would be too mundane, and no one would want to come here.
Ok i get it, so you want me to insult you?
As long as it’s mixed with with fun, go ahead. I get it all the time here.
You two guys are pussy’s
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steveccnv says:
May 30, 2018 at 9:33 am
Simple minds think alike😁
pheloniusphish says:
May 30, 2018 at 9:40 am
Does this mean you two will be taking long, warm showers together?
ORob — is that like your report to Human Resources? The FU HR Department has had to deal with a whole lot worse before. 🙂
Pussies check out until the season starts when people bust their balls.
No pussy’s run their mouth
Stanger, yes but mostly between north of NAS Key West and south of Key Largo.
I felt real bad for the folks in the middle keys, but at the same time if that storm had rocked far more populated Key West like it did them……highest point on the island is like 10 feet above sea level.
stangerx says:
May 30, 2018 at 11:19 am
ORob — is that like your report to Human Resources? The FU HR Department has had to deal with a whole lot worse before. 🙂
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No Stanger, it’s a fact,
they wouldn’t talk like that if we were face to face, so to do so when there’s no repercussions is pussy.
It’s all good, at least i have identified them so i can ignore their pussy-ness in the future
maybe the HR dept should look at the instigators instead of the respondents
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maybe i should become a troll to battle the trolls??? No that’s not the answer.. just thinking outloud
I get you’re pissed man….but ignore is always the best option. I’ve had people throw stuff out at my wife that was most distasteful. I just pointed out that it was so and moved on.
Just more a fan of conversation than battle.
You’re the best Stanger and you have a lovely wife, you’re a credit to this Blog,
i’m sure if someone were to do what you are saying in person you wouldn’t stand for it. I get it, what can you do over the internet except call them out.
These same guys have said shit in the past, i’ve known they were pussy’s for quite some time, recently i thought they had matured as we were having good convos even if they didn’t agree with me.
oh well, they must have an inferiority complex and it boosts their ego to talk shit unprovoked behind their key board.
after all they don’t have to face me to say shit!
trollish
Way the internet works Rob. And part of what makes the Fest great. A whole lot different when it is in person. And that goes not for just this group but internet versus real world in general.
Armando Salguero
✔
@ArmandoSalguero
TE Mike Gesicki catches a pass in end zone thrown about 10 feet high. I understand now.#whocatchesTDpassesintheredzone
YEAH BABY! That’s what I’m talking about! Oh how we’ve needed that for so long!
He can’t block so he sucks and is a liability on the field
I would phrase it more like he wasn’t asked to block, but he can block if he’s asked to, but he probably needs to learn proper technique. Did anyone care if Jimmy Graham blocked?
He’s a rookie, we’ll see, this teams problem is a lack of blocking, especially run blocking so if they say he doesn’t block well and you have him in on running downs…thus we cant run the ball….we lose
Sorry for being lazy and not scrolling back a ways, but what game are you guys doing the fest at this year?
10/21 vs Lions
Can’t wait!
And seats still available DRG….best ones we have ever had. Lower half of the top deck on the 40 for $65. Fri night Dog and his guitar hit up Hollywood Beach and traditional Sat nite get together.
BBM – I’ll be back in KW in a couple of weeks. I’m there every month or two. I hear you about the wind. It’s tradewind season there. Also about the liver.
Do they allow Pussy’s in KW??
I dunno. Have you been there?
Grew up there, and you should stay away
I’m a 5th generation Floridian. And I go where I want. You implying otherwise. Making a half ass threat?
Well, i was just there, so…
ORob – I don’t know you, haven’t met you. But, based on what I see here, you have esteem and anger issues. You should seek help, maybe medication. And, yes, I will talk to you the same way in person.
You’re a pussy!
Yokay little girl.
Come on settle down pussy brigade.
Ha!
We now have MTP, PB, and MGS.
steveccnv says:
May 30, 2018 at 12:15 pm
Well, i was just there, so…
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steveccnv says:
May 30, 2018 at 9:33 am
Simple minds think alike.
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WTF’s your problem fuck face? why would you say something stupid like that, i wasn’t referring to you in anyway and you insult me?
Don’t you think this is pussy of you?
would you call me “simple minded” to my face unprovoked and expect to keep your teeth?
Just wondering??
Why so uptight? We’ve said over and over we’re JBB.
Simple minded is a play on great minds think alike.
So i can insult you and use the JBB excuse?
OK……….. i’m hammering balls
It’s all in fun, hammer away.
To all the wonderful bloggers here and the pussy’s…
i have to go work on my project house today, so i hope you have a good day,
all is good.
P.S. Drake Sucks!
I love the offseason
Lol
WTF
Oh well let me make this a complete shit show! 🙂
ocalarob says:
May 30, 2018 at 12:02 pm
Do they allow Pussy’s in KW??
Log in to Reply
No they’re completely banned That is why the men who live there Or have lived there fuck each other in the ass
And I would say this face-to-face. But of course if we were face-to-face you can see the irony in the expression and could tell one was joking.
LOL
Not that there is anything wrong with that, but then have been thinking might be a great place to have a place. Most distinctly married Faux UKfin does…..you’ve met him.
NEW BLOG UP!
Gase must be complete idiot. He has Kenyon Drake running with the first team And Frank Gore running with the second team. Fire him now!