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 
About 2 mins behind you Live guys at the moment .. edwards just ran for 1st
nc donald playing good
4 mins behind 😟
Tannehill drops the ball, falls on it for a loss of 6….
Frank Gore loses three yards
fins ball
3rd and 18, pass to gore for 1 yard….
Tannehill fumble on his first snap… 😦
Our offense is offensive
Good thing Gore picked up 4 yards there or we’d be in 3rd and long. Oh wait he lost 2.
Nice tackle by Baker on special teams punt coverage.
ANNND the boos are coming from the home crowd…
Manitoba,
I’m about 2 minutes behind… you aren’t the only one, bud!
Tucker misses FG and they go to commercial… wonder what i get when they come back🤔
Woohoo Jags 😡
BLOWN UP BY PHILLIPS
fitz stuffed that play
Defense sniffs out and crushes the screen pass loss of 4
FITZ IS A STUD
Nice draft pick
Fucking D was tight right there
Minkah effect
Lol just got the fumble
1972 called they’re looking for their D…
this program is brought to you by duffie sports
Ok, Dophins have done their let’s spot them a drive maneuver, now let’s see some offense.
Punt to studio
Pass on first
Drake with 2 tough yards
T Davis calling for Tannehill experiment to end and trade for a Vet … what an aqua!!
Wilson jitterbugging for and exciting 6 yards
drake no gain
Drake stuffed by an ankle grab for no yards
Tannehill sacked 3 and out.
Bullshit he’s changed
I wish we found a way to get Deshaun last year. I’m so tired of this crap.
O-Line sucks thus far…
It’s funny watching the players evesdropping on the conversation the refs have.
I’m just taking a stroll here, don’t mind me as I pause here and adjust my gloves..
drake stuffed by a flea
What I like so far….
Fitz always around the ball
Marquis Lee carted off
blocked fg
WTF!??
BLOCKED KICK DOLPHINS RECOVER
Kiko… WTF was that?!!
Wow, Tannehill second fumble of the night. Loss of 1
offense ragged
Tanny… another fumble… SMH
Even though we’re at home, Flacco isn’t playing, Balt last played on Monday, Balt missed 2 FGs, we’re doing good to be tied after 1 0-0.
So, which is better…..4/7 for 19 or 3/3 for 16..
HA it was a trick question. They BOTH suck.
Tannehill late to throw it to his blankie and misses. another punt coming up
Nice punt….Poor kid can’t even get a high five from anyone coming back in.
LETS GO D
Third and 8? Give em 13….. NO FUCKING PASS RUSH
ROBERT QUINN
QUINN!!!
That video of Kiko running to the wrong sideline and getting a delay of game penalty is going to live forever on the internet.
Drake runs for 30 yards on first down. Doesn’ t count
1.8
WTF is Drake doing, fall down after 9 yards dumbass.
ROFLMAO
Follows up with 1.8 yards
Finally
Gisicki first receptpion
Stills for 10 more
Put the ball in the endzone and get Ryan out of there.
That guy twisted Drake’s ankle on purpose.
AMENDOLA TOUCH DOWN!
ScrAmendola
Wow, wow, wow Wubzie
Amendola with a great move after the catch.
TEAM passer rating so far 118.8. Most of that contributed by Danny Amendola
I should tune it out right now, it’s something like we all wanted.
storm hit took out tv and internet
You missed it. Drake ran for 3.36 yards per carry 22 times in a row. It was glorious.
🙂
TJ 💥
Phillips stuffed that run. McDonald on the tackle.
McMillan misses a tackle on a big 16 yard run….Pooooor
TJ McDonald having an impactful evening.
Griffen with a 21 yard gain on an option.
Balt driving
eating clock
Phillips with a nice tackle on RG3
this game is going fast
Hurry up offense (Hurry up and punt) had kept the Defense on the field 19 minutes to 9
Holding defense 1st and goal again
We’re getting fucked hard by the refs tonight
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5173/5537169283_a9e5f30617.jpg.
Bronco bucking style!
Phillips encroachment, first down again…
It feels like they have been inside the 5 for the last 10 minutes….
miami needs to save time on the clock
Wow, they stopped them
Nice stop
ravens fg
2 min offense coming up
Go score Tannehill you’re allowed to get more than one
1.8!
Wow 😳
Tannehill to Drake for the bomb
grant hurt
Grant shaken up on that play. Still down….
Helmet to helmet!!
concussion protocol
That’s a concussion. Fuck
Hope he’s Ok that was a big hit
10-3 miami
No problems with that D in the first half. Swarming and quick.