It’s preseason football, so it’s important to keep perspective about performance. Well, most of us fell in love with Skylar Thompson in the preseason because he played so well. I feel like I saw the real Skylar Thompson in this game. He’s just so slow to see the rush, he looks like he’s in quicksand and can’t move his legs. I’d say this is more evident when he gets caught looking down the field, it’s like he can’t see both at the same time. This is the good news at QB. Mike White was more like Mike Shite. 4 times in the red zone and Mike sucked it up each and every time. Bad decisions, bad throws equally responsible for ending drives without putting points on the board. I know some if you didn’t like the White signing, but I did. He let me down with a very poor showing but he has plenty of time to do better.
Our 2 rookies looked good. I love De’Von Achane, he’s exciting to watch. He’s just smooth, and he definitely looks like he plays fast. Some guys have speed and don’t play fast. Achane does. He looked great running the ball and just as good receiving. Cam Smith made a couple of plays and looks like he’s the real deal. WR Erik Ezukanma looked very impressive on a couple of runs on end arounds and also made a nice reception. He was very physical running and I would hope he will have some nice run after the catch ability. We’ll see if it translates.
It looked like may have found some depth on the D-line. DT/NT Brandon Pili had a nice game, he was very active. Did I mention our backup QB’s looked like shit? These guys better play a lot better, although I think Skylar Thompson is what he is. He actually had a chance to hit rookie TE Elijah Higgins deep but he stepped up and heaved and it was a wobbly duck that was way short and was intercepted. I don’t see a big arm that some have mentioned. Mike White played well between the 20’s, but really fell apart in the red zone. Not a good sign when virtually no one expects your QB1 to play every game in a season.
GO DOLPHINS!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
It seems like with the jest and patsies’ improvements and the buffalo bullshit’s usual well rounded excellence that we’ll be lucky to finish as high as 9-8.
I think we’ll be very competitive. As far as final record all we can do is watch, root and hope for the best. That’s our life as sports fans.🙂
Preseason is not just about the team preparing for the regular season
It’s about the fans preparing their blood pressure for it as well…lol
on that note, there’s a new tequila bar opening up near my house,
so I think it needs a reconnaissance visit
tonight.
From behind the paywall at Palm Beach Post:
“Jaelan Phillips Cannot Be Blocked”
HOUSTON — The New York Post featured Jaelan Phillips on the back page of the newspaper, otherwise known as the front page of the sports section, on Thursday.
There was Jaelan, edge-rushing through a subway turnstile, which was to represent the porous and alarmingly-concerning Jets offensive line.
They’re worried, fearful, and scared, New Yawkas are.
And for good reason.
“Blocking him,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel quipped Thursday, when asked what would be most challenging if Jaelan were for some reason not donning aqua and orange.
Phillips is going to have a breakout season in 2023.
He’s been virtually unblockable in joint practices with the Falcons and Texans and he’s going to pile up tackles for loss and he’s going to pile up sacks.
Phillips is on the verge of NFL stardom, or perhaps even superstardom, and anybody and everybody can see it.
Jaelan Phillips is about to become a household name in this country.
“That’s not the goal,” Phillips said after practice. “I’m not chasing stardom and fandom and stuff like that. I have a long, long way to go to be on that level of consistency and greatness. But I think I’m trying to do it.”
The players mentioned to Phillips as household pass-rusher names were J.J. Watt, DeMarcus Ware and Terrell Suggs.
“I mean, to me, it doesn’t even sound real to think of myself being in a position like that,” he said. “I’m just Jaelan Phillips.”
Add humble to the list of admirable Phillips traits.
He’s an athletic specimen capable of speed and power and power and speed who somehow also brings relentlessness and tenaciousness from the first through the fourth quarters.
And in practice. And in preseason games. And in joint practices.
“He’s always been an impactful player and he has a special between whistle-to-whistle motor, that with his athleticism, he’s been able to make some plays on NFL game days and really be a big part of this team,’ McDaniel said. “I think he has taken a step this year in being what he wants to be.”
Phillips has improved against the run on an almost week-to-week basis.
Phillips can even cover, when needed.
But what will make Phillips a Pro Bowler, and a known star in this country, will be the sacks.
There was 8 sacks in year one and 7.5 in year two and 12 or more is not unreasonable for this season.
Phillips says he does not have a specific sack goal and there is no such piece of paper folded and tucked away in a drawer with any such number.
“Success isn’t determined just based on numbers, especially not just based on sack numbers,” said Phillips, who, nonetheless, is poised to put up huge sack numbers.
It wasn’t until Year 4 that Dolphins’ Hall of Fame pass rusher Jason Taylor exploded with 14.5 sacks.
Taylor would go on to eclipse 10 sacks in 8 of the next 10 seasons.
Phillips, who is 6-foot-5, 266 pounds, and 24 years old, seems on a collision-course with greatness.
And he’s loving the “freedom” of the Vic Fangio defensive scheme.
Former NFL general manager Louis Riddick, now an ESPN analyst, believes Phillips will be a breakout star in the NFL this season.
“He has one of the highest pass-rush win rates in the NFL and is a first-rounder,” Riddick said. “He is one of the best athletes in the NFL. He is the perfect, perfect prototype 3-4 outside backer. This has to be the year he bursts onto the scene and become a superstar. Because there is no reason for him not to. None.”
sked about McDaniel’s remark that he’s taken a step forward this year, Phillips cited his practice competition with a Texans’ lineman. Coincidentally, George Fant was a New York Jet when Phillips was a rookie.
“My rookie year I had no answers for him at all,” Phillips recalled. “That boy was (frustrating) me all game. This week I felt a lot more competitive against him.”
Phillips said his confidence as a pass-rusher has improved.
We see it. He’s been utterly dominant.
And there is no reason to believe it’s going to stop.
TYVM for this post.
It would be nice to have a bona fide star on our team.
I really hope the salary cap skyrockets in the next few years! We have a lot of young guys who want to get paid (and will deserve it!)
Following Dolphins News on Twitter like
I didn’t realize it was an ad too
https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/dcs.jpg?quality=80&strip=all&w=576
Behind enemy lines reports
https://nypost.com/2023/08/16/aaron-rodgers-not-stressed-about-jets-shaky-offensive-line-play/
https://lombardiave.com/posts/jets-begging-packers-another-blockbuster-trade-aaron-rodgers-01h7zhw9v904
It’s a work in progress
https://www.nfl.com/news/aaron-rodgers-calls-for-continuity-on-jets-offensive-line-it-s-a-work-in-progres
1-5 start for the jests, remember where it was oinked first
I wish McDaniel would not say um every other word. I’m listening to “Drive time” podcast and man it is painful waiting for him to spit it the F out.
and I don’t mean switching up with uh
He’s a very quirky guy but he’s a good coach.
I stopped I just read the transcripts anymore.
I wanna smack him and and tell him to answer the fucking question in ten seconds or less.
Are you happy with the RB room? Doesn’t need a five minute answer with two and a half of that being umm. Fuck.
Fwiw, I can’t answer a question in 10 seconds or less. 😂
I think he sounds like he’s perpetually stoned. 😎
Loves the gummy’s I bet
The guys love him and things are going well it seems so rock on boys. Pay Christian and go win some games.
That um stuff relates to those delay of game penalties. It’s like he’s um trying to you know fund the uhhh perfect …the right um word…
Week 1 Bills at jets Monday Night, go Bills
urp, that tasted nasty, but yeah, go bi go bi bills
Here I have one of these for each of them
🖕🖕
Bryan Cox style 👍
GO TIE! GO INJURY PLAGUED TIE!
THE TRACKER ON ESPN just said that Terron Armstead was carted off the practice field with an injury. ANYONE have an update on this???
——–
IF ARMSTEAD IS Out for an extended period of time, we can forget any thoughts of winning the AFC EAST this season.
——–
ROSS’S front office has done an awful job of building a solid top 10 offensive line. This could be the crushing blow that finishes Miami’s dreams of a successful season BEFORE IT EVEN GETS STARTED!!!
——-
HOPING this is just a minor injury and will not keep Armstead from starting on opening day.
Tyreek said Terron told him no big deal he’s just old.
🍺
Tequila goes in at the Fest
Armstead has indicated through social media relayed by at least Tyreek that I’ve seen that he is quote – good – to best of my recollection.
Herd, he can answer within so many seconds and then the rest is elaboration which is fine if he could just say it with words that follow other words without an elongated umm between each one.
Transcript for me and I’m good
You know what’s messed up though – I add the umms as I read it. Torture. Just win.
Brandon Jones recently compared Achane to the former Titans RB Chris Johnson , I’d forgotten about him but that’s a really good potential comparison. Hope.
GLAD TO READ that Armstead is going to be OK. -Thanks for the update, guys!!
NOW, regarding, um, our head football coach and, um, his manner of speaking to the press. – – – I’d strongly recommend a speech and debate coach to help our fine young leader It could work wonders on this man.
Those of you who have talked in person to me won’t be surprised to know that I was the captain of FAU’s debate team during my college days. And I thank our professor, Dr. Voncile Smith, for her expert help to all of us. We all became far more accomplished in the art of effective communication to audiences large and small.
And speaking of communicating with your audience, few were more effective than the DON OF MIAMI, who absolutely dominated Dolphin post game festivities with blunt talk and precise statements. Nary a single “um” can I ever remember!!
THANKS for the update, Wyoming.
I’ll sleep better, tonight.
OD – Funny thing, Coach speak is. As it turns out, HC’s that resemble anything similar to Don Shula, or Bill Parcells for that matter, disciplinarians who spoke sternly or screamed at their players are nearly non existent. The world has changed, and even a tough sport like football has too. Seems coaches who relate to the players do better these days, that immediate respect for authority is just about gone my friend. You yell at these players and they shut you out like they’re wearing headphones and can’t hear.
good point
I think part of the problem with HC’s getting into a predesigned mode when answering press conference questions is self defense and keeping secrets
The reporters all seem to be either entrapping the coaches in mistakes or into revealing info that should not be known by opponent coaches.
So you get the scowl and growl mode such as Flores used or the mumbled meaningless responses that bellicheat uses.
Or whatever each coach decides works for him.
I thought McDaniel was astonishingly open and honest with his remarks when he first started, but now I think he is trying to reveal less about his team and also defend himself against the snarky cross examiner style of most of the reporters.
For example, they’re trying to get both McDaniel and Wilkins to engage in some sort of combat over the new deal for Christian, so both are having to edit their responses.
So Coach uses the um too much while his mind prechecks what he is about to say to make sure it meets the safety criteria.
Only 3 more weekends without football folks
https://brobible.com/sports/article/dolphins-xavien-howard-secret-videos/
Good lord, what next?
Lol
From ESPN article about Madden 24:
The Dolphins’ speed runs deep, as five Miami players have 95 or better — Hill, Waddle, running backs De’Von Achane (95) and Raheem Mostert (95), and receiver Robbie Chosen (95). Good luck defending that.
😏
NEW BLOG UP!!!
I’m case it wasn’t posted
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/secondary-help-coming-for-dolphins/ar-AA1fpT8X?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=acb09bb40bdc45a6b5830d4edfcb9a41&ei=10