
A lot of things have happened last year, trades bringing in top tier talent like WR Tyreek Hill, DE/OLB Bradley Chubb, a few key FA signings, notably C/OG Connor Williams and LT Terron Armstead. With less than a handful of 2023 NFL Draft picks, the front office once again entered the trade market and acquired a huge piece for our defense, CB/S/LB Jalen Ramsey. There were a few FA signings, LB David Long formerly of the Tennessee Titans, S DeShon Elliott from the Detroit Lions, LB Malik Reed from the Steelers, TE Eric Saubert from the Broncos, WR Braxton Berrios and OG Dan Feeney from the Jets and more recently, we’ve signed a couple of OT’s, former 1st RD picks Isaiah Wynn from the Patriots, and Cedric Ogbuehi from the Jets. Besides player personnel, we also signed one of the defensive minds in the NFL, DC Vic Fangio.
I can’t remember a player added via trade that had an impact like Tyreek Hill. He was better than anyone could have hoped, he completely changed the offense, the game, everything. He’s a dynamic force that even when teams employ multiple personnel to try to contain him, is still able to impact the game. On the downside, Bradley Chubb was less, much less that advertised as a Dolphins defender last season. I think that changes significantly this season with Vic Fangio. I can’t wait to see Phillips and Chubb feast with Fangio running the D. Fangio, no doubt was behind acquiring Jalen Ramsey, who will deployed at multiple positions, but the key here is we have so much depth, with S Brandon Jones returning, and the addition of S DeShon Elliott so that Fangio can move guys around without missing a beat. The NFL is set up for parity, but our depth right now both on offense and defense is the best it’s been in a very long time.
Although we didn’t have a lot of picks in this year’s draft, that doesn’t mean we didn’t add valuable players, quite the contrary. Our first pick, CB Cam Smith will have opportunities to play this season. I can’t say he will be the starter outside Game 1, but I do believe he could be before the end of the season. He was a pick both for now, and definitely for the future. CB Xavien Howard is on the decline, and while he possesses excellent ball skills, we have seen his speed, mostly recovery speed diminish. I love that we re-signed AVG, and added Malik Reed and last year’s first pick (3rd RD pick) Channing Tindall will all be key depth guys to help rush the passer. Our depth is truly impressive, with starters DE Zach Sieler, NT Raekwon Davis and DE Christian Wilkins, and then the LB crew of Jaelan Phillips, David Long, Jerome Baker and Bradley Chubb, CB’s Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey, along with safeties Brandon Jones and Jevon Holland. There will be a lot of mixing and matching personnel. Now keep in mind, this is just the defense I’m talking about!
Like I said, having only 4 picks doesn’t mean we didn’t bring in impact players, and I think our second pick, RB De’Von Achane may provide a ton of excitement this season. He will get touches as a return man, both punts and kicks. He will see the field as a RB, and he will be a demon as a receiver out of the backfield. With Hill, Waddle, Berrios, Anderson, Cracraft and even draft pick Elijah Higgins, you simply can’t cover ALL-THAT-SPEED. A-Chain is going to be fun to watch. Now I didn’t mention QB Mike White as one of our FA acquisitions, but let’s face it, we were ridiculously unlucky with our QB’s last season. Tua’s fragility has been well documented, but how many times did our 2nd and 3rd string QB’s get hurt, and a few times in the same game. Mike White also got knocked out of action, but he was tossed around like a rag doll by Buffalo that one game. I expect him, if needed to be better than what we had last season in Teddy Bridgewater and rookie Skylar Thompson. White was impressive when given decent protection, and he played through some tough rib injuries. We all hope Tua remains unscathed the entire season, but I believe if we need Mike White for a game or two, he can deliver.
On special teams, we have new punter, Jake Bailey formerly of the Patriots. K Jason Sanders looks to have a bounce back season. Braxton Berrios, and draftee De’Von Achane will be the return men. With the excellent depth we have on our defense, and offense, our ST’s coverage should be much better than last season with all the injuries. It’s not crazy to expect both our offense and defense to both be top units, certainly top 10 or better. When was the last time you felt this way, and had legitimate conviction about it? So, be excited Dolphins fans, really, be excited! It’s OK, I know somewhere inside there’s that Dolphins Fan Reflex that makes it difficult to get hyped, but we have a very talented team, and I think we have the right coaches to get what we need from the deep roster. GET HYPED!!!
GO DOLPHINS!!!
First
Thanks for your on-going content Mike E – always a good read. I’m not getting hyped. Stopped that years ago. Too many false dawns and the seasons started to feel like a bipolar episode. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intrigued however. No more cheese for UK yet.
We have a lot of positives – HC, speed, DC, speed, a secondary which should yield more sacks, speed, an aggressive front 7, speed, some decent backs, speed and speed.
Keys to the season. Stop dumb penalties. Run the ball a lot more. Create double ’22 level of turnovers, keep Tua on his feet. All dead obvious but if we are still doing those into December, man I will be hyped, I promise.
Thanks UK. Ah, get hyped! It’s not that painful when they let ya down, we’re hardened veterans of this by now. 😂
I think the I’m not getting hyped talk is BS, we all say it year after year, then the first PS game starts and we react as if we expected more, so we really do think this is the year🤔
nice write mike!
Thanks Boulder!
I had to look back 30 years to find a roster as good as this one. You hit the nail on the head DEPTH is everywhere. The young players in the secondary who were forced into action as well as the one we lost to injury bodes well for this upcoming season if injuries should happen again.
From last blog
Pig, I don’t agree
What I’ve mostly read/heard is the Fins look great, as long as Tua stays healthy
It’s a legitimate concern
It’s a legitimate concern
But it’s also a ln excuse to drag Tua
When he was healthy last year there were not a lot of QBs better than him
Based on his healthy performance last year – Healthy Tua is better than than QBs like Josh Allen, Herbert, Jackson, etc
What drags him below this guys is injury, not his healthy performance
I wish more people publicly talked about how good he was when healthy last year
If he’s healthy next year, we are going deep in the playoffs
Is that absurd to say?
I don’t think so
Does anyone make bold statements like that in the media?
I don’t think so
Maybe I have a chip on my shoulder
But I’ve tuned everyone out On the subject bc I think there’s just a lot of negativity surrounding the issue instead of discussions on the other side of the negative
Are any of you opposed to signing Dalvin Cook?
Do you think we will sign him?
I think we have enough weapons on the offensive side. I’d love to see the A-Chain get the touches that Cook would steal. Between Wilson and Mostert (if healthy), I think we’re fine, and hopefully, Achane gets a good amount of touches as well. No reason for him not to.
Cook would be a cancer, high salary and I’d expect his skills to deteriote this year like Zeke and Gurley
I think we sign him
Not only am I not opposed to it
I’m basically praying for it
Do we need it? – no
Will it make us better – yes!
We need every edge we can get if in the postseason
On the downside, Bradley Chubb was less, much less that advertised as a Dolphins defender last season. I think that changes significantly this season with Vic Fangio.
Chubb was actually pretty good for us, we seem to get lots of pressures, but few sacks
I think there’s a reason for that, blitzing speeds everything up for the opposing QB, he sees us setup with 7 players hovering around the LOS in 2 pt stances, and he’s thinking can’t hold the ball too long or I’ll be pounded
Counter side of that is rush 4, with good coverage, gives the rushers more time to get to the QB, that’s what we should see this year
Last year we were leaky in coverage, so QB could hit his 1st target far too often, making the passrush insignificant most of the time
LOL, that is an awesome pic of Hill
Nice write, Mike. I’m about as hyped up as can be. I’m ready to run through a brick wall myself; not that I think that would go well…but I’m ready to do it. Can’t wait for the season!
Welcome back, Markeyh. Great to see you on the board.
Thanks Kong! I’m big time hyped
And Chris Simms is a jackass. He ranked Tua where he did purely to troll us- Omar got that right.
As he does every year, it’s a tradition thing for him, or is he just giving some rebuttal for argument sake, so he has something to talk about, ala Cowherd
If Tua gets hurt, he can say ‘look I was right’, which he will relish, and if not, he knows he’s got Tua’s most avid supporters frothing at the mouth.
Because there is no flippin way if Tua stays healthy he’s the 21st ranked QB in the league.
Good assessment of our situation Mike, you have improved talent, couple of bright draftees, Fangio and close with get hyped
Let’s see, if another reason to be hyped is the young returning players, including Tua pumping up
This year will come down to Tua’s health. If he is healthy we can play with anyone. If he is not we will be competitive with Mike White but we are not going anywhere in a loaded AFC
This is why I wanted and still want more OL
No
If he’s healthy we will beat most of the nfl
We are ready to contend , his health is the only concern for me
That is essentially what I said
I’m just busting pork chops and trying to emphasize what I believe
That things are different and we are on the cusp
You can say the same for every NFL contender. Take away their starting QB and they’re done. We’re no different
Very true. Our concern may be a little bit more acute because of injury history but in theory you are correct
Yes, Tua has had a difficult time staying on the field which makes us more questionable than other contenders
Seems like there’s always something missing with the Tua health discussions or maybe people just assume
We all know we aren’t going anywhere without Tua, but even if he’s hurt this year, as long as we make the playoffs and he’s available, other than for seeding, it doesn’t really matter
We are a good team now
There are some things we can’t control like health
But our roster is solid
This is why I can’t fathom being opposed to being in Dalvin Cook if he’s waived in 6/1
A lot of games are won on a few plays
Some on a few yards
Between good teams – that is sometimes the difference
We aren’t building anymore
We are there
Every little edge makes a difference
A signing like that might have a huge impact if he just makes one cut that turns into one big play
I don’t think you miss that opportunity
I think Achane or Mostert can also make that one cut and go the distance, for Cook to be more valuable, than what we have, he’d have to be a grinder with big play ability, that keeps the D honest, which he’s done, but he’s at that fork age
DeAndre Hopkins released
FU AZ
The Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots had been among the teams reportedly interested in pursuing Hopkins.
That was expected
Hopefully some darkhotse with a lot of money to spend in the nfc makes a play
Yeah, like AZ🤪
The reason I want Cook is because the jest got A-arod.
And what if an AFCE team gets Nuke.
I love the Achane draft, but he’s a rookie and tiny. Untested on the NFL level. I hope and think he’ll do well, but I KNOW Dalvin is a legit top 5 star RB in this league.
We have a top 5 CB room, a top 5 WR room, and a top 10 DL a pro bowl punter, pro bowl kicker, and pro bowl PR guy.
If we get Cook, we’ll have a top 5 RB room.
We’ll need to outscore Cincy and KC.
Well need to counter Lamar Jackson and Rodgers and Trevor Lawrence with buckets of points.
I agree with Piggy.
I watched Dalvin Cook beat us at the Fest last year with one big run.
They don’t play at that level for long, will he be the same this year?
Thank you, Mike E.!
I can only be cautiously optimistic…lol. It’s a long season.
Great write up MikeE! Though I would not add Cracraft in the group when you said “you simply can’t cover ALL-THAT-SPEED”. He ran a 4.62 then a 4.57 at his pro day. That was the reason he was an UDFA.
What keeps him around is he is a very smart player, very good route runner with quickness in his breaks and a good blocking WR.
But yeah, there isn’t another team with as much speed we have on offense.
I like Dalvin Cook but we don’t need him compete this year. He’d be a luxury.
Mike, X was playing with multiple groin injuries last year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had big season. I’m not sold he’s on the decline. The same with Ramsey as some have said.
I know he’s been hurt, but I think that’s the new X at this point. We’ll see. I’d love you to be right and all of a sudden he’s playing like he was 3 years ago
X looked really good in the playoff game in Buffalo. Best he looked all year. I am hoping that is what we see
X was healthy the previous 2 season. Yet everyone seems to have this perception he’s always hurt. I guess we’ll see. I’m excited for our secondary and our entire defense.
X has had his share of injuries in his career, including last year, he isn’t close to losing a step
Also Ramsey will light a fire under his ass, because he wants to be the best CB on the team
The competition between them will make them better and it will be a great influence on the young DBs. Cam Smith is in a perfect situation.
Dalvin Cook will be expensive and has a history of shoulder injuries which is not good for an RB. He is an excellent player but I don’t think he makes us substantially better. Mostert and Achane are both faster and as explosive and Wilson is probably a better inside runner. I just don’t think Cook changes anything and I am afraid if we get him that means reducing the reps for our other weapons
I’m leaning that way too. We don’t need him. I’d probably be more interested if we didn’t draft Achane.
Wilson is not a better inside runner, but I’m with you on everything else
The window for the bang for the buck is pretty small
Great Write-up, Mike E.
Hey we also signed Tyler Kroft at TE who is a ferocious blocker who knows the Shanahan offense.
We’ve done so much good personnel work that it’s hard to keep track of them all.
Right on! Totally forgot about Kroft – Thanks!
We had a very productive offseason.
We only need Dalvin to be top drawer for 2 years.
I think we can afford that, and it would add years to the other RBs, too.
Any takers😁
https://variety.com/2023/film/news/jennifer-lawrence-no-hard-feelings-trailer-sex-1235625197/
What positions do you think we target in June after cuts and more cap relief?
NT?
We could use more depth there. Maybe another vet OL for competition as well.
Naples – if it was one of those deals where Cook really wants to come here and will take less to play here, I think you do it. We don’t need to overpay for him
Does he want a certain number or does he want a chance to win? I doubt he gets the kind of money he’s reportedly seeking.
I haven’t looked into it Tim, no idea what he wants. I’m just outlining the circumstances where he could end up here
I think he’s looking for 10-12M per year.
Tim – if that’s what Cook wants he most certainly will not be playing for us
He might not be released according to some sources
https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/dalvin-cook-2nd-thoughts-leaving-vikings/
I thought it already happened?
Great Write Mike E !! I’m effing pumped for this season. Hell I’m springing a pink pencil right now 🐕
LOL – awesome!!
Nap time. BBL when I get to work.
I expect quite a few BUI’s this long weekend. Usually see about 10 a day booked in to both jails on weekends like this.
Ogbah Davis Wilkins
Chub Baker Long Phillps
Ramsey Howard
Holland Elliot
Shawing!
That doesn’t even include the likes of
Sielter Van Ginkel Tindell Kohou Jones Needham Crossen and the immortal Igbinoghene….
Sieler
Smith too.
I forget about him and he’s not shown on the roster on ESPN. Maybe hasn’t signed? Huh.
I went to all the trouble to space them out behind each other and WordPress took out all the spaces ;_-(
———————-Ogbah———— Davis————– Wilkins
————Chub ————–Baker————– Long —————Phillps
—Ramsey ————————————————————————Howard
——————Holland ————————————-Elliot
Loss of four
Great Read Mike E!
Thanks dude!
Thanks Rock
You got me wanting to play Madden
but they had two updates in the last 2 weeks and the dolphins are unplayable again. SMH MFRS
Brandon Jones > Elliot
You forgot 29
We’re deep in the middle of the field from to back
Never mind you did mention him above but I think he’s ahead of Elliot
Yeah Sonny, I got Brandon Jones. He’s ahead of DeShon as long as he’s healthy
THAT above is the OPENING DEFENSIVE grouping at the Fest. BEER?
Tim Knight says:
May 25, 2023 at 10:55 pm
Actually it all started during Bill Clinton’s presidency…
—————-
I was speculating on the exuberant tension between the left and right of today (Obama vs Trump), but I think you are absolutely correct in terms of when the match was lit… the Clinton administration.
Very good point, and for the reasons you stated.
Just to clarify, Newt Gingrich and the conservatives/republicans were just as guilty in starting the divide as the liberals/democrats. It wasn’t as bad as it is now but as you put it, that’s when the match was lit. Obviously both sides have disagreed for longer than that, but there was more civility and compromise. Now they don’t even talk to each other in a civil manner.
Question: what is the weakest point right now on our team?
If one is only as strong as their weakest link…
I would say either Tackle or DT.
Give me Brandon Shell and Shelby Harris, come June 1st.
And if we’re still on to trade for Dalvin Cook, send them Cedrick Wilson in the deal.
OFFENSIVE LINE…LMAO!
I’m with ya, man! I don’t want to take ANY chances on that unit as is. Get me Brandon Shell.
we have like 4 former first round picks competing for two Tackle spots. Hopefully health and competition brings out what made them first round picks and we wind up with a flip of worst to best like Dallas did over one season years ago.
That would be GREAT! However, I’d still bring in Brandon Shell… just in case.
Friendly reminder: there are 64 starting Tackles in the NFL… Left and Right.
Brandon Shell ranked as the #13 rated run-blocking Tackle last season, per PFF. We paid him just north of a mere $1M last season, with a cap hit of a mere $597K.
Ya bring him back! God forbid Tua goes down again or Austin Jackson doesn’t pan out… at least we can run the ball down the opposing Defense’s throat with Shell in there at RT.
I feel like tackles are sometimes like relief pitchers in MLB. Shell had a good year last year, but what was his rating the previous season? I’ve also said to bring back Shell, but if they don’t, maybe it’s because they like the guys they just picked up.
Shell had a condition that caused him to produce an enormous amount of gas it became difficult in the locker room and quite obnoxious as well. On a bad day there would be sharting as well.
As to whether or not he comes back – Depends
LOL
Ingold carried the ball 6 times last year and got 5 first downs and a TD.
That’s some serious production.
And Smythe carried twice for a first down and a touchdown.
So I’d say we got that thing covered.
stats from ESPN
We only got 8 interceptions last year.
That to me is one of the key reasons that Boyer had to go,
although I know that we had massive injuries to our DBs.
Kohou had 63 SOLO tackles last year.
Out where he plays, those are game savers!!
A lot of his tackles were near the LOS in run support or short passes
awesome !!!
I remember how in some years past …
those would’ve gone for 6, 8, 12 yards
and kept drives alive against our defense.
OK 😄
Carful Doggie they will get Democrat Senator Cavanaugh after you!
Achane stood out in OTAs (touch or flag football) as you’d hope/expect, because of his size, quickness and speed
How does MM turn his touches into flag football?
Run plays with lots of time on the play clock, in space, passes within 2.5 seconds of snap
Quick passes, Tua’s specialty, so that fits, getting the play off quickly not so much
Forget all the motion stuff, so Tua can get a presnap read, just go
Achane and Berrios should add a new dimension to the offense. They’re both slippery and fast. To add depth with that kind of speed puts a lot of pressure on a defense throughout the game.
I want those 2 used on 3rd downs short, instead of what we did last year dropping Hill and Waddle short
Don’t attract a crowd let Waddle and Hill go 15+ yards deep, leaving the underneath stuff open
That might be the plan. Tua showed he’s not afraid to go for big chunks on 3rd down but if it’s not there just get the 1st down.
I will be happy if Hill and Waddle are not the only way we can move the ball.
They got beat up last year, as soon as DCs figured that out,
and during that second losing string,
we had trouble finding someone else to get yards.
Last year Hill averaged 10 targets per game and Waddle 7.
Next were Gesicki and Sherfield with 3 each.
With the run game also not pitching in much,
that’s a lot of pressure to use a lot of moves and show a lot of routes,
so, late in the season, there was not much mystery left.
That’s also a lot of hits absorbed by just two (small) guys.
I agree
If we see Hill and Waddle setting yardage and reception records, it may not be a good thing
IMHO
MM’s job #1A is scheming new stuff,
now that there’s book on what he does and what Hill likes to do within that playbook.
Job #1B is preplanning running plays that he’ll feel comfortable calling in the heat of the moment that’ll get chunks or at least keep the pass rush honest so they can’t pin their ears back and leave nothing back to set the edge. (These can include screen passes etc to the RBs)
also IMHO
Job #2 btw to me is cutting the crap, such as pre snap OL flags and getting the plays in late and getting too cute such that the play locks up due to its own complexity.
All of which is related and all on the HC/play caller/playbook designer to distill out.
What does the OC in our system do for example?
Maybe offload some tasks to him that MM can trust him with,
so MM doesn’t have to do everything 24/7.
Is pre-planning like a double negative, so on the fly😁
off topic for a minute
sorry
I’ve never been to a drag queen show.
Are they fun?
What happens at one of those?
Are they a music show? a comedy show?
They can’t be a beauty pageant or strip club show,
because there are no women.
I don’t really understand it.
Men dressed as divas. Think Ru Paul.
It’s really a lot of fun, if you go there with an open mind
My gay brother and 2 of his gay friends and I went a few years back, my brothers friend form Wisconsin was the MC
Used to go gambling with them every Friday, this was one of those nights
I went with my wife and another couple years ago in Key West. It’s entertaining like Steve said with an open mind. I’m not “offended” by different lifestyles.
Last year our RBs ran the ball 329 times in 17 games.
That’s 19 per game.
We threw the ball 33 times per game.
That’s about 63% pass and 37% rush.
So almost 2:1 pass to rush.
This does not include about 2 QB scrambles per game, and
the FB ran the ball about once every 3 games, so n/m that..
What should the split be this year?
I’d like to see the RBs average 24-25 times per game. Then you add some of the QB runs and jet sweeps etc. We’re going to throw the ball a lot. Most teams do.
In 2022 Gesicki had 52 targets and Sherfield had 51.
Those are available for Berrios and Chosen (or whomever).
MM admitted he didn’t run the ball enough. I don’t think we need a lot of new schemes. We need to execute better and be more balanced.
What about the Achane package?
I’d think MM would want to also have specialized stuff for Berrios and Chosen
I was saying not a lot. What could be so different? To me other than being a RB Achane could lineup as a WR, go in motion quick strike routes, jet sweeps. The same with Berrios other than being a RB. I think Welker will have a big impact on them with the finer points of playing in the slot. I do think Achane will be used as a WR at times.
Our TEs might get some easy catches due to all our speed. Opponents can’t play a lot of man against us.
Wondering why Achane ran track, if he couldn’t keep the weight on
You’d think, at least his 2022 season, he’d do whatever to increase his draft stock, but whatever, if he had we wouldn’t have gotten him in 3rd😁
Maybe he loved running track and knew once he was in the NFL those days would be over.
Sure, but at what cost?
What’s done is done.
Does anyone agree with this?
Balancing America’s budget is an “equation” with two components, Linda Bilmes, a senior lecturer at Harvard Kennedy School who focuses on budgetary and public finance issues, told Fortune. “There’s a revenue side and a spending side…You cannot balance the budget or get anywhere close to it by cutting spending without raising revenues. The equation just does not work.”
New math. Pretty sure that if you cut spending below your revenue you have a surplus which can then be applied to you debt until your budget is balanced. At least that’s how my household and business budgets work.
Nut I didn’t attend Harvard or lecture there, so there is that…
You also can’t get out of debt by borrowing more.
Cutting spending is where it starts. Of course increased revenue is a positive. The government doesn’t behave like a household though.
Increased revenue = more taxes. This is a positive?
No a household making more money gets you out of debt if you stop spending. The government doesn’t behave like that. They don’t create wealth, they just spend what they tax.
I’m with you, Naples. MM needs to improve big-time, as well. I give him pass as a first-year head coach. The training wheels are off now.
Hopefully, he’s developed some “shorthand” and found some assistants to offload tasks or be another set of eyes.
He made the playoffs losing his starting QB and even #2. I’m not concerned about MM at all.
steveccnv says:
May 27, 2023 at 3:44 pm
Does anyone agree with this?
Balancing America’s budget is an “equation” with two components, Linda Bilmes, a senior lecturer at Harvard Kennedy School who focuses on budgetary and public finance issues, told Fortune. “There’s a revenue side and a spending side…You cannot balance the budget or get anywhere close to it by cutting spending without raising revenues. The equation just does not work.”
—————
IMO, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. I agree with Phelon and Tim above.
This all goes back to a political argument: how did we get out of The Great Depression?
Liberals will say we spent our way out, conservatives will say WWII got us out of it. I happen to agree with the latter, being ya DON’T put yourself in more debt when ya can’t even pay your overdue bills, right?!
I think that at the rate we’re spending (like a drunken sailor), we’re either hoping for WWIII to bail us out, or for The Great Reset to bail us out.
Either option will be an unmitigated disaster for all of humanity, and that’s the truth of it.
IMO, it’s time to end the Federal Reserve, get back on the gold standard (or an equivalent), and end wars.
IMO, we’re being ‘slow-walked’ into a global society, a global currency, and a global dictatorship… but what do I know.
The problem is, it’s dangerous, and they know it, but they’re trying to sell it as a way to continue spending
Raises taxes is stealing from one group to give to another
Here’s another way they’re pushing shit on people, and this one us dangerous as it gets for the victims in general
(like a drunken sailor)
—————–
Hey, I resemble that remark. 🙂
M13, you’re a Star Wars guy. Global comes before the new frontier. People don’t like change but you can’t stop it.
Think about if a more advanced species exists and can get to earth. Is it a nation of their planet like the USA, Russia or China, or are they a united species? Humans are considered to be about 200k years old. We were still horse and buggy and no aeronautics a little over a 100 years ago. Very primitive. What if that other species has had a similar path as us but they’ve been around 300k more years than us with technology thriving. We can’t even comprehend the science. They don’t have racial and cultural issues anymore, they’ve gotten past that. They’re now interstellar.
They’re only going to come back and want reparations for us destroying what they put in place thousands of years ago. See ancient aliens 😄
Chiefs and Bills “were the only teams to have substantive trade talks” for DeAndre Hopkins prior to his release, per
@AlbertBreer
Goes on to say contract was issue with Bills.
Ranking the NFL’s 3rd-String Quarterbacks
1. Sam Darnold, San Francisco 49ers
2. Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh Steelers
3. Case Keenum, Houston Texans
4. Herndon Hooker, Detroit Lions
5. Malik Willis, Tennessee Titans
6. Jeff Driskel/David Blough/Clayton Tune, Arizona Cardinals
7. Matt Barkley, Buffalo Bills
8. Skyler Thompson, Miami Dolphins
You must be really bored. LOL
22. Graham Barton OT Duke
54. Raheim Sanders RB Arkansas
150. Brevyn Spann-Ford TE Minnesota
182. Danny Stutsman LB Oklahoma
214. Omari Thomas DT/NT Tennessee
Barton was one of the best all-around tackles in the country as a junior this season.
In fact, he was the only Power Five tackle who posted 85-plus grades as both a pass- and run-blocker. He finished the season with 17 big-time blocks (PFF’s highest-graded blocks), five more than any other tackle in the country. Barton likely could’ve been a Day 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft but instead will be one of the best offensive tackles in college football for another season.
Raheim Sanders RB Arkansas, 6’2, 227 pounds, 4.44 speed
Spann-Ford is arguably the most well-rounded tight end returning to college football.
The redshirt senior’s 82.5 run-blocking grade in 2022 ranked second among FBS tight ends, while his 82.1 receiving grade placed eighth. His 2.22 yards per route run also stood fourth among all tight ends. He’s essentially an extra offensive lineman at 6-foot-7 and 270 pounds but must be respected as a receiver, as well.
Me and the wife went to Laughlin yesterday and came back with a little cash. I’m not a gambler at all but I did find a Willy Wonka slot machine that was entertaining and payed out well. 😎👍
You really outdid the odds, I’ve always done shitty in Laughlin, but good times
The themed slot machines, movies, tv shows anything trademarked, have the worst odds, because an addition 5% of the payback goes to the trademark
In general penny slots have something like an 87-91% payback, the machine you played had an 82-86% payback
You can win on any machine, it’s just harder on these
I have to support my fellow umpa lumpia’s. 😆
Lumpas ^^^^^^
And don’t get me wrong mudder puckers , I like lumpia. Chit Gotdam 😎
Heading to Windcreek Casino in Atmore, AL tomorrow. Built up 11.5 mil in points which is enough for a $100 in free play, comp room, free massage and $50 food credit. Going to hang out at their pool most of the day then play slots in the evening.
Points are worth much more than that but after you go into the “W-Store” and buy something with your points it exits you out. When you go back in the store the cost in points almost doubles from the first time you enter. Fuckers! I get the most expensive thing first then work my way down.
Still worth it, since the only thing it costs me is playing their online game in my free time. Usually when I am watching TV or farting around on YouTube.
Well good luck and have a great time.
I figured you and Phelon would get my PI joke above 😎
Tim, I was very bored at work. lol
But I liked my draft. lol
I think the 2024 OT draft class is going to be better than this past year. Even some good day 2 prospects. I am looking at least 4-5 OT’s who could be 1st round solid plug and play guys.
QB class will be better also hopefully moving some others down.
LOL
Those who liked TE Darnell Washington out of UGA, I think you will like Spann-Ford at 6’7, 270 pounds who runs a 4.72. He is Washington 2.0 but a better route runner and more athletic, IMO.
Brock Bowers will be gone before we pick.
In reality, my first option at TE would be in the second round and take TE Cade Stover, 6’4, 255 pounds from Ohio State. He was Ohio’s “Mr. Football” as an OLB and played WR on offense in high school.
BTW, looking at TE’s again as Saubert and Kroft are here on 1 year contracts.
Didn’t double check the contracts but Omar seems to be about right on with this.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/play-for-pay-a-dozen-miami-dolphins-players-on-the-purge-watchlist-for-2024/ar-AA1bLBBI?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=ee96e9657dac4f9597f063867f260f45&ei=17
Some of these purges will happen. We have to create a lot of cap space.
He’s preached this for years, it’s one of two things he’s actually gotten right and stood by, the other being Diggs, he had the mancrush before that draft and continued to talk about how great he was in Minn
One of my coworkers is a big Texas hold ‘em player , and goes to Laughlin a few times a year .. he and his wife are next headed there 06/22 for a week 750.00 total including flights and hotels
I can’t help but want that big RB. I think Raheim Sanders at 6’2, 227 pounds with 4.44 speed and good receiving skills would be an upgrade over Jeff Wilson. As Omar said, we could save 3 mil after 2023 whether it is a pre or post June 1 cut. Smart contract by Grier.
Though, if Wilson plays well and stays healthy, Sanders would be a HUGE upgrade as a #4 over Ahmed or Gaskin. Mostert, Wilson, Achane and Sanders would be a hell of a backfield.
My only knock on Sanders is while he runs with good power on short yardage runs, he doesn’t impose that size on the second level and seems to be brought down by a single DB at times.
He does have good vision, patience and lateral quickness with speed/acceleration to get to the edges.
I didn’t see much there to show he’s a power back, looks a lot like a slower Achane, with cement around his ankles at times
Well, he is about 40 pounds of muscle bigger than Achane. Two totally different RB’s. I don’t it is so much cement as it is patience letting blocks develop. When the hole is there he shows good burst and top end speed.
I watched him in quite a few games. When the hole is not there, he dips and bulls for positive yardage. Of course, with the highlight reel we get the big plays.
You’re talking about next year for Sanders, right?
Yes
Rock, sorry for all the 2024 draft talk. lol
NFL news is slow this holiday weekend unless you want to read 100 articles or posts about Deandre Hopkins.
Danny Stutsman LB Oklahoma is a good ILB prospect. He is a junior this year so it will depend on if he enters the draft. He’s a 6’4, 240 pound ILB. In his first year starting as a sophomore he had 124 tackles (70 solo), 3 sacks, 2 INT’s with 5 PD’s. He’s a FL guy from Windermere outside Orlando.
As much as I bitch about NFL stats, stats from college are 10 times more likely to be skewed, but this guy seems to be a good prospect, his NFL body also helps
Yeah, stats only show so much. Got to look at the tape to see all the intangibles.
I think DT/NT Omari Thomas, 6’4, 320 pounds from Tennessee would be a good DL backup as a day 3 pick. He can play multiple techniques on the inside. In 2 years as a starter he has 48 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 FF and 8 batted balls at the LOS.
He suffers from what Christian Wilkins does, lack of sacks
Many of the great IDL get the majority of their sacks from playing outside, but Wilkins doesn’t even get those sacks
IDK, most of these guys are projects
He’s disruptive, he just can’t seem to get to the QB
Yeah, I think he needs to gain some lower strength to get more push. Playing half his time as a NT, he is not going to get many sacks or stats anyway. He does well to command 2 blockers at times and getting the paw up to bat away passes.
Again, I have him as a day 3 pick with some potential to be a good backup.
I appreciate your input, Steve. None of us are experts.
This is just my early look. Some others will rise to the top and a few spring out of nowhere that we are not yet aware of.
My mind will change 10,000 times over the next 10.5 months. LOL
Geeze, the amount of ordinance used on just this one city is crazy. That’s how Russia does it though. They just try to level it, destroying anything and anyone to drive those remaining out. It’s not a city anymore.
I guess this Memorial Day we could pray for the families in this conflict on both sides. The families of Ukrainians trying to defend their country and families of the Russians many of who were forced into service only to be pushed through a meat grinder or be killed by their own military if trying to retreat.
I guess the kill ratio is around 5-6 Russians to 1 Ukrainian in the battle of Bakhmut.
Hope NATO doesn’t get pulled further in as Ukraine has started using Nato weapons to strike inside Russian territory.
Here you go Steve. This dude can eat!
I’ve seen many of his videos for the food, but yeah, he can eat
He’s mentioned he doesn’t eat for quite a while before doing a challenge, 1+ days
Thank you to all who have served and to all who have sacrificed
PREDICTION about RUSSIA’S WAR ON UKRAINE. Putin believes he can bomb and destroy many of Ukraine’s major cities with impunity.
HE IS DEAD WRONG!!
Eventually, Ukraine will target Russian territory, whether the U.S. likes it or not. Targets will include military sites from which Russian attacks originate – – such as sites from which drone attacks initiate.
I AM MOST SYMPATHETIC with Ukraine’s right to defend themselves. If pushed into a corner, the Ukraine WILL NOT give Russia a “free
pass.” Nor should they.
Dictators should NOT be given free reign to attack their neighbors. They should be eliminated ASAP. We learned a grim lesson about this in WWII when appeasement was thought by some to be the best way to treat Hitler.
Eventually, Hitler was NO LONGER APPEASED. He was DEAD!!
I absolutely, positively, will not countenance appeasement in these kinds of aggressions. Russia, and PUTIN, must be told there is a price to be paid for those who invade.
I’ve seen too many grave sites of American soldiers who paid the ultimate price for appeasing a dictator. It’s time Putin was stopped.
———————–
TODAY, honor our vets who defended freedom.
Well said.
Happy Memorial Day fin fans and all service members past and present
Memorial Day, a day to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
To all veterans, thank you for your service.
Brandon Shell signs with the Bills
We had a chance to sign him but passed so he wasn’t in our plans.
bailbondmike says:
May 28, 2023 at 12:33 pm
Rock, sorry for all the 2024 draft talk. lol
NFL news is slow this holiday weekend unless you want to read 100 articles or posts about Deandre Hopkins
Why were you apologizing to me? I haven’t been around for a couple days. LOL Carry on BBM. 😉
Dolphins third round RB Devon Achane has one trump card already before he plays an NFL snap: speed. Achane ran a 4.32 second 40 yard dash at the Combine this year which was the fourth fastest ever for a running back. it hasn’t taken his teammates long to notice at OTAs.
“It’s an instant impact.”Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle said via Click2Houston.com’s Aaron Wilson. “you can see it in practice. you can see it in the way he goes about meetings, just his work ethic. having a great guy in the locker room and an explosive player on the field is obviously going to help us a lot.”
Achane joins a Dolphins skill position group that is loaded with speed. in addition to Waddle, Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill and RB Raheem Mostert all run sub -4.4 40s or faster. it’s a clear point of emphasis for HC Mike McDaniel. “Speed, we generally like around here, ” McDaniel said. “that running back group for us is very important and we found a person who fits the skill set we like, but someone who also fits in the room. he is fast.”
Achane’s not the biggest back, mentioning he’s been trying to put a little bit of weight on to hold up at the NFL level and is now at 192 pounds. however, he notes in didn’t hold back in the SEC and he doesn’t expect it to be a problem in the NFL “people always say i’m small, but i’ve been dealing with that my whole life,” Achane said.” i feel like my size doesn’t mean anything. i’ve been good in my career this far. i do break a lot tackles. i’m not the type to take any head on tackles. i feel like i have a natural ability to avoid tackles, and that’s something i’m very ,very good at.”
I am as excited about him as I would be about a typical first round pick. I can’t wait to see him in this offense.
His change of pace should be a nice addition and I expect to see him used in the passing game.
Lol at sub 4.4 or FASTER
The VGK visit DALLAS tonight for Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals. A win by Las Vegas tonite advances them to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers, who, earlier, eliminated the Carolina Hurricanes by winning 4 strait games by a single goal!
Some may think that the home standing Dallas Stars should be favored. I disagree. The visiting team has won 45 playoff games and lost 37 during this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs. And, simply put, I believe the VGK has the better team, despite the fact that Dallas has won the last two games of this series.
If Vegas DOES WIN, they’ll host Florida for Game 1 of the Finals, set for, I believe Friday Night on TNT. Neither Vegas NOR Florida has ever won the CUP! One of them WILL win it if the VGK wins tonight.
PS: TONIGHT’s Vegas at Dallas game is 8:00 PM on ESPN
Finals start on Saturday
The Heat have a flight scheduled to Denver, not Miami, after the game tonight, per FAA records.
love the confidence
It’s great to see ya here, Markey!
Mike E. says:
May 29, 2023 at 3:03 pm
Brandon Shell signs with the Bills
—————
SVUCKS! Haven’t seen what they signed him to regarding $$$ (probably not much), but hopefully, it’s enough to prevent them from signing Nuk.
Last thing I heard, Nuk really wouldn’t mind reuniting with Deshaun in Cleveland. Better Cleveland than KC or Buffalo… or the Patsies*.
Memorial Day bums me out a lot more as I get older. I mean, I hope we’ve all had a great weekend (I did!), but to think of all the lost souls… it just really hits me hard.
God bless the dead who perished in battle.
unfortunately man will always be at War
I hear ya, and that doesn’t bode well for the rest of the galaxy when we’re able to travel in an interstellar fashion!
It’s just a shame we cannot enjoy the diversity God created in mankind like we do Flowers, the majesty of the earth and the universe as well as other things God has granted us.
It’s nice to be back…. 🙂
HELL YEAH, Bro! 🙂
VEGAS CRUSHED DALLAS in the first period. The VGK lead the Stars 3-0. They out shot the Stars 16-7. And the game was actually more lopsided than the score. I will be SHOCKED if Dallas comes back and wins this game.
Meanwhile, back in Sunrise, the Florida Panthers are preparing to take on Las Vegas. They’ll do so, secure in the knowledge that they’ve won a mind-boggling 8 PLAYOFF GAMES IN A ROW.
Like I said up the page, the VISITING TEAMS have had the edge in this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.
MAKE THAT 8 CONSECUTIVE ROAD GAMES IN A ROW WON BY THE PANTHERS!
Almost had a clean sweep, with my primary teams playing my 2nd favorites in the NBA/NHL finals, but LeBron aged or flopped his way out
Tim Knight says:
May 29, 2023 at 4:11 pm
Dolphins third round RB Devon Achane has one trump card already before he plays an NFL snap: speed. Achane ran a 4.32 second 40 yard dash at the Combine this year which was the fourth fastest ever for a running back. it hasn’t taken his teammates long to notice at OTAs.
Everyone talks about his speed, but combine that with his quickness and lack of height, he’s a nightmare in space
Agreed, I think shorter RBs have an advantage because they run lower to the ground. Then add elite speed and quickness like you said and it’s a nightmare.
Had a friend in 4th grade, was really an interesting story, he was an orphan, short guy quick and fast.
The next year I got into the private school, then in 6th grade he got adopted and got into the private school, and lived next door to my sisters friend, that was in our carpool
Since he moved to the neighborhood, we played backyard football with him, 2 on 1 and we still couldn’t catch him
That’s when I realized short, quick and fast is really hard to tackle. Take it to the extreme and it’s like chasing a mouse