NFL should count the storm "bye" week as a suspended game as a good faith response to us keeping our London commitment. I realize this would open up a can of worms, but so did us losing our first home game.
He's the definition of a SS ... whether he starts or not makes zero difference but he'll get a bunch of snaps regardless ... should be interesting to see how they plug him in the base, if they decide to.
McDonald is a big, aggressive safety who is best when coming downhill. Very similar to Jones. Allen has left a lot to be desired but at least he has the skillset for the position. I like the nickel possibilities when TJ returns but I don't think the center fielder we're looking for is currently on the roster. Making him cover deep is not what he does best and is in no one's best interest.
The thing is, McDonald isn't ideal if you like to run a lot of cover 3 and he is the high safety. But in theory if your team prefers cover 2 / 2 man under schemes, having 2 "strong safety's" could work out quite well. Because in cover 2 / 2 man under you are cutting the field in half for a safety, instead of asking them to cover the whole middle of the field. I am confident our FO and coaching staff know what they are doing. People were freaking out about the Charles Harris pick (myself included), but then when the live bullets started flying, people started to understand his value. I have a feeling it will be the same with T.J, this team is going places with this coaching staff and FO, I'm very bullish on both.
Adam Gase said:The contract indicates how much the Dolphins like the hulking McDonald, who is listed a 6-foot-2, 223 pounds.
Coach Adam Gase seemed excited about McDonald after one of the practices against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“That’s a big man roaming around at free safety,” he said. “When you’re 6’3 and 220 -- I might be being nice there -- but he’ll come downhill and reacts fast and he has no regard for his body. He has got good ball skills. He knows what to do. [He’s a] smart football player.
“With him back there, guys know that he’s roaming around. It’s a little different for him, because last year...he was almost playing linebacker last year. To see him back there and the way he moves around is really impressive for a guy his size.”
For now, safety Nate Allen will be the starter in the back end of the secondary alongside fellow safety Reshad Jones. But it’s assumed McDonald will be the starter once his suspension is lifted before the Nov. 5 Oakland game.
McDonald, a third-round pick of the Rams in the 2013 draft, started 43 games for the Rams from 2014-16. For his career he has 285 tackles, four interceptions and five sacks.
The thing is, McDonald isn't ideal if you like to run a lot of cover 3 and he is the high safety. But in theory if your team prefers cover 2 / 2 man under schemes, having 2 "strong safety's" could work out quite well. Because in cover 2 / 2 man under you are cutting the field in half for a safety, instead of asking them to cover the whole middle of the field. I am confident our FO and coaching staff know what they are doing. People were freaking out about the Charles Harris pick (myself included), but then when the live bullets started flying, people started to understand his value. I have a feeling it will be the same with T.J, this team is going places with this coaching staff and FO, I'm very bullish on both.
He for sure will be the starter opposite Jones. They didn't ink him through 2021 to sit. This kid is a play maker and a thumper. This defense could actually be very very scary.You don't think McDonald will start when he is eligible to play?