Finsmob Unleashed

Game 1 of the 2022 preseason was different than I expected. I definitely didn’t expect to see Skylar Thompson the entire game and I also didn’t expect that the majority of starters for both teams would held out, but that was the arrangement the 2 teams made, or at least I believe that’s the case. Being that there are only THREE preseason games as opposed to FOUR (due to the new CBA), this will probably be the dress rehearsal game, as preseason game 3 used to be. We did get to see some starters on the O-line last week and I thought the guys looked pretty good overall. Yes, they were going against Tampa’s second string and sometimes 3rd string, but in preseason, those guys are busting their ass to make a name for themselves and trying to earn a roster spot, so the fact that none of our O-line guys struggled is a good thing. Skylar Thompson did everything he could to try and make the roster, and I think it may end up being a tough decision in the end. Tua hasn’t proved he can play an entire season and stay healthy, and Teddy Bridgewater is obviously more accomplished, but Teddy B is on a 1YR contract and putting Skylar Thompson on the PS leaves his open to be snatched by another NFL team. Hard to say the Dolphins are going to the Superbowl with Tua, can they get there with Teddy Bridgewater?

We had some guys show up nice in game 1 on defense, namely LB Cameron Goode, LB Duke Riley, and LB Sam Eguavoen who had an INT. The secondary was pretty ineffective, as both Gabbert and Trask shredded the Dolphins defensive backs. Noah Igbinoghene did not have a good outing and it’s getting less likely each week that Iggy finds his way onto the roster. The Dolphins did sign veteran CB Mackensie Alexander, former 2nd RD pick in 2016 by the Minnesota Vikings. If Byron Jones is fully healthy, Alexander will be competing for the 3rd CB spot with one of my favorites, Nik Needham. At worst he’s a fine depth guy who despite not starting a ton of games (25 in 4 seasons), he’s done it and has enough game experience. I’m holding out hope that Byron Jones can be healthy and start the season playing, rather than on the PUP.

We’ll get to see Tyreek Hill and Waddle on the field together in a game for the first time. That’s exciting! I would like to see the O-line keep up the good work they started last week. No other unit on this team concerns me more. Getting reps together and playing well will give these guys confidence going into the regular season so I’d love to see them succeed. I still think we have a lot of talent on the O-line, namely Austin Jackson and Liam Eichenberg. Terron Armstead, Connor Williams and Robert Hunt have already established themselves. One shout out, OG Solomon Kindley had a very strong game against the Bucs. That’s great news because he’s a real mauler, and the fact he played well in this blocking scheme is great for us because he’ll give us some nice depth. Anyone who’s seen this kid in the run game remembers how nasty he is.

On the defensive side, the secondary is the unit to watch. To be honest, it’s the D-line and LB’s that I want to watch, but we’ll see if Mackensie Alexander gets some reps and how he fares in our defensive scheme. I have a lot of confidence in our defense, but the Raiders did some shopping in the offseason too, and now they Davante Adams and our own pal Mack Hollins, along with one of the peskiest slot receivers in the game, Hunter Renfrow. Not sure how much those guys play, but Adams and Renfrow are a handful! Oh, and they happen to have one of the best receiving TE’s in the game in Darrren Waller. The Raiders defense is no joke either, they have the talented DE Maxx Crosby along with newly added Chandler Jones. Our O-line has a tough task against these, and will provide a stout test. Not sure how much Josh Jacobs plays but he’s a load, and rookie Zamir White is a tough runner as well, I know some of us were hoping he’d land here. The score of the game and who wins is unimportant, but how we get there tells the story. Hoping we play strong and remain healthy!

#stangerstrong

GO DOLPHINS!!!!