Now that we’ve got all the roster battles out of the way, this Saturday looms large for some players who either can lose their starting jobs because they don’t show enough to keep them, or for players trying to establish themselves as starters to prove they are worthy of such. The third game of the preseason is the game in which starters get their longest look, some may play at a minimum the first half, and some even continue into the 3rd quarter. It’s the closest thing to REAL game the preseason gives you. That doesn’t mean there will be extensive game planning for the game, that’s not the case, but starters will get plenty of reps to get them ready for the regular season.
There’s so much talk, particularly on this blog as to who the starting RB should be. Some feel it should be long time veteran Frank Gore, and some feel it should be young upstart Kenyan Drake. As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t really matter. If it makes some people happy that Gore is on the field for the first snaps of our 1st offensive series, so be it. Kenyan Drake is the back that will be receiving the majority of the touches. How much of a majority will depend on the game circumstances. Drake is the explosive big play home run hitter, and he has the potential to do that on any play. He showed that last season, and he will improve. As I’ve pointed out several times, Drake was always the 2nd fiddle to backs like Derrick Henry, and T.J Yeldon. It was partly due to minor injuries that hampered Drake, but also because the other backs were getting it done while Drake was not. Drake is ready folks, and we will use him in a fashion that best suits the team. He’s an excellent pass catcher, and explosive runner. Gore is also an excellent pass catcher, although he doesn’t have the breakaway speed he once had, if there’s a short yardage situation where we need a yard or two, Gore would be my choice for sure.
Ryan Tannehill needs to get this team in the endzone. That delay of game in preseason game II in the redzone is just a drive killer, and unacceptable. Honestly, I saw another series where he had a delay of game, at least according to the play clock they showed on the field, he got an extra 2 seconds somehow, but it wasn’t called anyway (maybe the play clock we saw was incorrect). The Ravens always give us fits, so I’m not expecting too many good things, but a couple of TD’s from the first stringers on offense would be nice. I would also like #86, TE Mike Gesicki to show a pulse in the passing game, and go out there and catch some passes, maybe even a TD.
The defense allowed some big plays last week, so I’d like them to not allow that to occur. I don’t follow any other teams closely, but it seems like a lot of ex-Dolphins are real chippy now that they are elsewhere. Is it just the Dolphins that have ex players so disgruntled and petty? Suh took a shot at the DL after Christian McCaffrey busted through for a 71YD TD run, in which Suh put on Instagram “Right up the gut”. You would think these guys have enough to worry about with the respective teams they currently play for, but . . .
I would say one of the biggest issues on the defensive side of the ball is is a math equation, X + ? = CB. We know Xavien Howard is starting on the right side, but which CB starts opposite him is the key. Right now, former slot and nickel CB Bobby McCain is tops on the depth chart, and he played eh against the Panthers. Cordrea Tankersley took a step backwards, and Tony Lippett is M.I.A. with an ankle injury. So that leaves Torry McTyer, Jalen Davis, Cornell Armstrong and Taveze Calhoun, as well as Tony Lippett if healthy, as the CB’s who have a shot, along with do everything Minkah Fitzpatrick, who may be pressed into action early on. My hope has always been that either Tank elevates his play or Lippett gets healthy, and goes back to his 2016 form and forms a solid CB tandem. At the moment, both seem in jeopardy.
Will Devante Parker ever be and remain fully healthy, and will he ever be the top talent receiver we thought we drafted at #14 in 2015? Probably not, it hasn’t come together yet, and Parker was exercised the 5th year option in April of this year, so odds are, if Parker is going to have a great season, he will do it in ’19 just to torture Dolphins fans as he most likely walks when we don’t pay him $16M per after he catches 80 passes for 1400 yards and 10 TD’s. Besides Parker, we have Kenny Stills who is been a big play WR for us. Stills averaged over 15 YPR every season except last season with Jay Cutler, where averaged just under 15, at 14.6YPR. Danny Amendola will be taking over for Jarvis Landry as far as working the middle and short areas, and I believe Albert Wilson will be doing some of that as well. Wilson may line up more on the outside, but he’s the type of receiver you get the ball with a little bit of separation to, he can turn that into a big play. Jakeem Grant is another such receiver. They want to get the ball into his hands, because Grant is a HR waiting to happen. Wilson will probably get the occasional rushing play too, and Grant will as well. As to which WR, if any, gets the 6th WR spot, my hopes are Frances Owusu makes his case. Ford may have a slight edge, and of course due to investment, you can’t totally count Carroo out, but I think Carroo better show an awful lot if he wants to stay.
The TE situation is kind of muddy at the moment. MarQueis Gray is now atop the depth chart, followed by A.J. Derby and then Gavin Escobar. 1st RD pick Mike Gesicki is now 5th, one spot behind Thomas Duarte, and just in front of Durham Smythe. Message? I think so. If Gesicki goes up against the #3’s, he will probably do some damage there, but preseason depth charts are jumbled anyway, even for the dress rehearsal. One thing is certain, MarQueis Gray is a good blocker, and I expect he will help get the run game going against an always tough Baltimore defense. It seems like Gase wants guys with experience against the Ravens, and I can understand that. John Harbaugh is a top NFL coach, and his teams are always disciplined and tough.
The Ravens have somewhat of a new look offense, with new WR’s Michael Crabtree from the Raiders, Willie Snead from the Saints, and John Brown, the speedster from Arizona, along with a refreshed rushing attack led by Alex Collins who had a very nice season last year with 973 yards rushing, and 6 TD’s, his first year as a starter.
The DL didn’t look bad, and Robert Quinn looked downright fast as he had his way with LT Matt Kalil. The 71 YD run is not all on the DL, they are the 1st line of defense, and then the LB’s, CB’s and safeties. All have to break down in order for that run to happen, and it did. I still think our DL is way underrated, and I expect us to be pleasantly surprised. The addition of Kendall Langford will only help, a nice mix of vets (Phillips, Spence and Langford) and youngins (Godchaux, Taylor and either Pittman or Moten)
All of a sudden, the fanbase turned on McMillan, who looked so slow, and out of position all night. Relax! I think McMillan will be a very good player for us this season, let him get some action, he knows what he’s doing, he needs to get up to NFL game speed. Kiko is fine, definitely a solid player, as long as he’s not covering a mismatch TE or RB, and Baker looks poised to make some noise.
Things we all want to see, are red zone TD’s, no FIST PUMPS! We want to see some player, whoever that may be, solidify the CB spot opposite Xavien Howard, no big plays or really long drives for the Ravens, and if the Dolphins are going to score TD’s, please do it while Ryan Tannehill is in so we can stop talking about that. Most of all, we want all our Dolphins to get healthy, and stay that way!
Finsmob Unleashed 
At pick 119 in my FF draft last night need to pick up my 4th wideout. Didn’t plan it at all by my two top choices are Parker and Stills. Went with Parker cause of the upside. So yeah see some value in his potential at least.
SB7, I just said Derby cause he is a bigger receiving threat.
I think we should keep Gesicki, Smythe, Gray and Derby.
Have they used Gesicki in the slot in these PS games? Makes it a little easier to get off the line.
Patrick Shouts
http://www.dolphinshout.com/2018/08/miami-defensive-backs-poised-for-great.html?m=0
Parker definitely still has upside. I think it’s still possible he blossoms, but his window is closing.
Parker isn’t bad, just hasn’t lived up to first round status. Catches about 59% of the balls thrown his way. Who knows if he’ll ever play to his talent consistently.
OD – I will happily use you $100 to buy the mob beer.
Kenyan Drake is averaging 6.4 yards per carry this preseason. That’s an improvement over his 4.8 yards per carry last season. And, yes, it’s the preseason so defenses aren’t game-planning to stop Drake.
But neither are the Dolphins game-planning to spring Drake.
That offense that has seemed maybe uninspiring and vanilla this preseason has a package ready to go for receiver Albert Wilson that we’ve not yet seen in a game.
I’m told Gase has extensive plans for rookie tight end Mike Gesicki which neither you nor any NFL defensive coordinator will see until the regular season.
And there’s going to be more to Drake out of the backfield this year that we also haven’t seen previously.
This stuff matters. It adds context to this team and its preseason.
I’m not saying the Dolphins you’ll see Sept. 9 and for 16 regular season games are going to be a steamroller methodically crushing opponents week to week.
But an undisciplined team that cannot line up and run a play because of pre-snap penalties? The worst team in the NFL as ESPN’s most recent power ranking would have you believe? A disaster movie about to start?
Lazy opinions lacking context and facts.
You tell’em Rock!
I cut and pasted that from Armando. The by line did’t cut and paste with it. Plagiarism?
According to your high school teacher would be…. but then we ain’t in high school anymore.
yes, and ain’t aint a word according to the same old lady.
BBM,
Gase doesn’t use Gray to his full potential. I think he’s better than Derby and provides a better dual threat in the passing and blocking.
Back up down.
@SSMiamiDolphins
Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Ted Larsen suffers knee injury http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-ted-larsen-20180828-story.html …
That sucks! Second season in a row where Larsen can’t make it out of the PS to the RS. 😦
If Larsen is gone, who is our back-up Center?
Mike Matthews
Jake Brendel is also a backup C, he’s had a calf injury
sb7mvp says:
August 28, 2018 at 1:37 pm
BBM,
Gase doesn’t use Gray to his full potential. I think he’s better than Derby and provides a better dual threat in the passing and blocking.
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I agree, mostly. I think Gray is a more dynamic offensive weapon, but he more of a Charles Clay type player, you try to find mismatches with him and you dont try using him in a traditional way. Derby is more of a pure move TE and doesnt have a ton of upside as a blocker or the versatility you get with Gray. Now as far as what Gase needs for his offense, i dont know, he might would rather have a Derby than a Gray, but i do agree that Gray is a much more potent offensive weapon than we have seen him used as.
Larsen = Cursed
Stanger – IMO, Stills is the much more draftable WR. I couldn’t rely on Parker to give even WR3 type numbers, unless of course he finally gets his shit together, and stays completely healthy, because a hangnail might hamper his catching ability.
Depends on the situation. Best laid plans of mice and me thinking grab RBs, but ended up with three strong wideouts to play each week absent injury. So large part was which one on your bench could really break out. If was looking for a “who can you play in the flex” guy would have gone Stills.
Was Stills still available at that pick?
Yep. Went 2 picks after. But we are talking 9th/10th round here when everyone goes off the computer rankings.
Stanger – Yeah man, I mean at that pick, it’s no big deal either way. You just start grabbing depth players that hopefully if you need them, you can put in for a week or so, and not get killed
OK, maybe not cursed then
We’ve been really lucky with injuries this preseason, and the starters should be sitting for all or next to all of PSG4 so we should have a full complement going into RSG1. It’s been a great preseason in that regard. Woohoo!
Go Dolphins!
Yeah I doubt significant starters will play at all especially vets. This is a game where bubble guys get a last chance to prove themselves whether to make the 53 or PS.
Brendels injury might be worse than his then. Brendel has been out most the PS.
The fact that they have already stated they will have some cuts on Friday im sure there are people that they already are done and this last game is just to showcase for another team or so that the Dolphins invest a PS spot on them. I wonder how many will get cut Friday vs Saturday, ie i wonder how many that are really on the fence about. I have a bunch of them im really thinking deserve a shot that likely wind up being cut, so for me Saturday would have quite a few people left and quite a few people id being having to make a hard decision on.
I think Malveaux will make the team. He always seems to flash and makes some plays.
He will definitely be one of the ones that we wont find out for sure until Saturday. I think he has earned a spot but he is also competing with Langford and i think Pittman for that last spot in the DT/DE group.
I’m really curious to see if we keep 6 WR’s, and who the 6th is (Owusu, Ford or Carroo), and whether we keep 4 TE’s, I think 3 should be Gesicki, Smythe and Gray, and then maybe Derby.
D, I could see us keeping 10 DL.
Baker has passed Anthony at SOLB and it seems as if Allen has passed him on the depth chart as well being he plays all three positions.
Yeah im leaning toward Anthony not making the 53.
Alonso, McMillan, Baker, Allen and who else?
Terrance Garvin
Ginda to the PS
Mike E. says:
August 28, 2018 at 4:51 pm
I’m really curious to see if we keep 6 WR’s, and who the 6th is (Owusu, Ford or Carroo), and whether we keep 4 TE’s, I think 3 should be Gesicki, Smythe and Gray, and then maybe Derby.
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I think probably 6 WR’s and 4 TE’s. If we go Tempo we are going to need that many WR’s and TE’s. I think 6th WR is Ford, Owusu maybe if Parker is going to go on short term IR.
Could be D, but with all the rotating they want to do on the DL, Tim might be right about 10 DL, so we have to cut down somewhere.
I also think Perry will make the team. He’s looked good in the PS and he can play STs.
“It’s difficult for the defense because, when you have a tight end and a running back that are threats outside, now the defense, if they want to play any kind of man coverage, they have to decide who they want to put on those players. There’s going to be a linebacker on one and a safety on the other. Drake on a linebacker, I like that matchup. If they want to put a linebacker on Gesicki, I like that matchup. It just puts the defense in a bind and you start seeing less Cover 1 because they don’t want to get that matchup. Now you get a lot of zone which is softer coverage, which makes it better for our receivers.”
Gase on the value of having Drake able to do deep routes, and also seems yeah Gesecki in there on longer pass situations is a given.
There are many ways to skin a cat.
How has Smythe looked? I only saw the first PS game and didn’t really notice him.
He has looked pretty solid. I dont remember anything spectacular, but i think he has done a good job blocking and i know of at least a couple of plays he got open on. I think he is a better receiver than anyone is giving him credit for so i hope they try to utilize him that way instead of just sticking the blocking TE label on him.
He might be one of those TEs who’s not a big time receiver but when the opponent forgets about him he can sneak out and help move the chains. Hopefully he’ll become a solid prototype TE.
At LB im thinking 6 LB and i think its Alonzo, Baker, McMillan, Allen, Poling and Garvin, though id really like to see Collins make it. Anthony could make it over Garvin i guess but Garvin is supposed to be a ST ace, so i dunno.
The problem with Anthony is he can’t lock down a starting job and he’s not considered a STs guy.
Mike E. says:
August 28, 2018 at 5:20 pm
Could be D, but with all the rotating they want to do on the DL, Tim might be right about 10 DL, so we have to cut down somewhere.
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QB 2, RB 4, TE 4, WR 6, OL 9 = 25
DL 10, LB 6, DB, 9 = 25
ST 3
53
If i were going to go 10 DL this would be how i broke it down. Flip flop the DB and DL numbers if you think you need more there.
You have to also consider we have some hybrid players like our DE’s who will also line up at DT. We also have CB’s who line up at NCB and S, so we dont have to have the number of player you would think to cover the positions because we can mix and match.
I think we probably start the year out with Lippett on IR, maybe Larsen too.Have to see how bad Larsen’s situation is but putting him on IR might give them a chance to carry another player and make sure he is fully healed before coming back, same with Lippett.
I was just looking at the same thing and came to the same conclusions. LOL
Im not so sure we shouldn’t think about adding a player to be out backup QB. I heard someone mention Chase Daniels recently, and another person im hearing might be cut loose is Matt Schaub, who as a backup is pretty solid i think. Tons of experience, solid but not spectacular play. He probably gets you through a 2-3 game stretch without losing a ton of momentum.
Jerome Baker recently said I’m 225 not 215 which I haven’t been for awhile but for some reason people keep saying he’s 215. A 6-1 225 LB is not that rare. There are quite a few LBs that size in the league who can run and cover ground. It’s about making plays. If he can do that, so be it.
Thats pretty much what Deon Jones is. If he has good core strength then the 225 isn’t going to cost him against linemen or bringing down running backs, unless his technique is just shit.
So far he seems to be a guy who can sift through the muddle and get guys down. He’ll get swallowed up at times but so do a lot of guys bigger than him. Having his speed on the field can help cut down on big plays because he can track those guys down from behind and prevent a score even after a big gain. Live to have another stance and keep them out of the endzone. When you’re too slow on defense, you get beat for big plays too often.
I definitely think Anthony is in danger of being cut, I’ve been saying that for a few weeks.
Yes you have, I’ll confess to that 😜
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/lions-release-de-robert-ayers-just-one-day-after-signing-him/
https://twitter.com/PFF_RyanSmith/status/1034576905540980738
Does the WR catch the ball here or not? That was some tight coverage but I can’t see if it was a completion or not.
No it’s incomplete
Okay cool! I see the WR’s hand go up like I got it, no idea what he’s doing.
Minkah has given up 14 yds on 7 targets? That’s HoF status right there.
With the new kickoff rules accenting speed and maneuverability over bulk, with Anthony not able to learn anything, and with Minkah and Bobby Mc able to play corner and safety, I return to TJ playing a hybrid S/LB … ok Gae we won’t call him that but in dime pkgs, he’s in the game.
That might be how we keep only 4 LB, 5 at the most. Kiko, Raekwon, Baker, and Allen. I’d rather have more DEs as fresh pass rushers and S+DTs as fresh interior pressure/runstuffers.
TJ and Reshad are both heavy hitters with ball skills and the speed to cover RBs and TEs.
Not that that is how it will turn out, but it’s a thought. What good is a slow LB?
S+DTs ??? I just meant to type DTs.
Tried posting link to Patrick’s piece at Shout but it didn’t post
Try again…
GoodStuff!!!!
http://www.dolphinshout.com/2018/08/miami-defensive-backs-poised-for-great.html?m=0
GOFINS!!!
As a yearly ritual, it’s nearly impossible to fathom that 1,184 players are going to be without an NFL job in a week.
Now granted, a very few (up to 320 of them) will remain on practice squads. It’s just the heartbreaking reality of this BIZ… for those who have worked SO very hard to get to this level to begin with.
Anybody have their eyes on potential cuts from other teams?
When the cuts come, I’ll be looking at rock-solid back-up QBs like McCown or Fitzpatrick and thumper back-up LBs. It’s the only two positions where we are in need of an influx of outside talent.
Or maybe a QB like Driskel or Kelly, young and cheap with huge upside play-making potential. I still like that Griffin QB from Tampa Bay.
Anybody considering RG3 himself? Now that would be interesting.
I’d take Kelly over what we have now!
I absolutely cannot disagree with ya, especially on the backup QB position. But as we heard yesterday, Adam Gase stated that our backup QB is already on our roster.
My ‘wish-list’ is comprised of only one thing: find a BIG-BODY/ANCHOR to spell Jordan Phillips. Everybody else on our D-Line is 305-ish (is that a coincidence? LOL).
That’s in the draft next year!
CAN’T WAIT, MAN!!! 😀
Lots of big boys in the first round!
INDEED! 😀
So Larsen injury not serious afterall???
Our fortune must be of some new batch…
Hull injury looked like he be done, (NOT) though potential 8 game IR
Lippett, RMc, THill no setbacks &
Parker only broke a finger,
So at least he’s not hindered to leg issues for the first time,
and I’d imagine that he’s been Doin a ton of running,
Should be good to go,
Can’t wait till Saturday’s initial Roster Results,
and who/what becomes available via the league
GOFINS!!!
“”””AWWW-RIGHT””” Jeremy Bergman
“”””Color me numb. The sun rose? Swell. Yeah, New England will win another division title, but it will feel like a swan song. The revolution is coming and its names are Kenyan Drake, Albert Wilson and Minkah Fitzpatrick. While the Patriots will win the East with a fine 11-5 record, Miami will sweep the Pats, building upon last December’s Monday night beatdown, and surprise the league by stealing the second wild-card spot from the media darlings in Houston. “”””
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000951944/article/afc-east-preview-patriots-still-rule-dolphins-to-surprise-in-2018
GOFINS!!!
The Pats will not win the east, they suck, they have no speed at WR and little munchkins for RBs, their best rec is suspended.
GO PHINS
Fitzpatrick is gonna be a stud
Tony Lippett while leading Miami in picks in 2016 may not make the 53, Asiata and Caroo are in jeopardy as well
I think Lippett makes it, possibly on IR, i think Asiata definitely makes it, and i think Caroo is a dead man walking.
I think Ford may be the surprise this year to make the 53 due to his speed which Gase covets.
I think he makes it too, and for the same reasons your saying, he is a speedy slot receiver with outside speed. He can line up in any of the positions and he runs good routes. He’s Albert Wilson pretty much, and definately the type of receiver i think Gase wants lined up at each of the spots. I am really starting to think Gase doesnt need a big bodied guy like Parker, i mean its a nice luxury to have a dominant outside alpha, but i dont think this system needs one.
Rob – How is Rex Burkhead (5’10 215) or Sony Michel (5’11 215) a munchkin?
I think Asiata makes it. Thought he played well, especially run blocking
im 99% sure he makes it. He’s this regime’s draft pick, he is only in his second year and he has been improving. I dont know if he makes the starting lineup this year without there is an injury or something like that, but i dont see them cutting him.
Mike E. says:
August 28, 2018 at 6:56 pm
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/lions-release-de-robert-ayers-just-one-day-after-signing-him/
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I thought i remember Robert Ayers being a beast, am i thinking of a different guy? The way the article reads is he is just a guy.
He was a 1st RD pick by the Broncos in 2009.
NEW BLOG UP!
Liar
mf13ss says:
August 28, 2018 at 10:10 pm
My ‘wish-list’ is comprised of only one thing: find a BIG-BODY/ANCHOR to spell Jordan Phillips. Everybody else on our D-Line is 305-ish (is that a coincidence? LOL).
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There are 4 bonafide studs. Ed Oliver, Raekwon Davis, Derrick Brown, Jeffery Simmons (probable the most underrated of the bunch even as a top 15 prospect). Watch Mississippi States DL this year they should be pretty impressive with one of the best DE’s coming out next year and best DT’s next to him.
http://dailysnark.com/the-browns-made-a-parody-of-jarvis-landrys-training-camp-speech-its-hilarious/
I know he’s gone but this is still funny !! BTW.. NSFW 🙂