I have spent the last couple weeks reading various articles from Miami area sports writers, as well as the posts on this web site and others, and I just want to give my opinion on what I percieve as "overreactions" in regards to a few players.
A.J. Feeley - This guy has been in the offense for a few weeks. Quarterback is the most intellectually challenging position in all of sports. Peyton Manning would have looked just as confused and rushed at times as the young signal caller from Philly looked in a new system. Growing pains are always part of the process. The competition should not be close at this point. Jay has been in the offense for four years. He has thrown to everyone except David Boston before these mini-camps. The fact that Fiedler did not dominate in any of the mini-camp goes a long ways towards showing why the Dolphins are in dire need of an upgrade.
Sage Rosenfels - I think it it unfair to blindly say this guy stinks. How would any of us know that? I realize the popular argument is that "If he was any good, the team would not have gotten Feeley", but this is a business, and sometimes teams do things that they feel may be more popular or less risk in order to fill the seats. This may have been what happened here. The guy has the best arm out there, and he knows the offense. Also, he looked pretty sharp in his relief appearance in Tennessee, regardless of the conditions. The kid has the talent to start in this league, but it will apparently take a change of scenery for him to show all of you doubters that. In fact, his skills and demeanor remind me of one Tom Brady. He just needs a chance, something the brass is unwilling to give him here.
Wade Smith - This is the most puzzling situation for me. He is going head to head against arguably the most physically gifted defensive end in the league. He is not allowed to hit J.T. in any manner. All he is allowed to do is mirror him. The fact that J.T. runs straigh upfield and gets to a quarterback who is holding the ball too long should not be surprising. In fact, J.T. should get to the quarterback nearly every play under those conditions. Wade Smith played amazingly well last year for a rookie at the position for his third year. He is special. Its not bad when the only guy who gives a rookie left tackle fits is Dwight Freeney. If you disagree that is your right, but try to put the situation in perspective before you jump to conclusions on Wade Smith.
A few side notes. I want to thank Dude for getting video on some of the Mini-Camp. For a person that has lived his entire life in Erie, Pa and then recently Boston, it is really a treat to get to see clips from practices I am not able to make.
Also, about the Pro Football Talk, the site is a joke. I understand that people argue that it is fun to talk about, but, I think it is a waste of time. Their sources are no more than figments of their imagination. But, if anyone still thinks there is credence in what they say, continue to report it to us and maybe one of the rumors will end up right. I suppose there is no harm in that.
Lastly, I said that there is one concern. Well, that concern is David Boston. His start with the Dolphins is all too familiar to his start with the Chargers. He is an amazing talent, no doubt about it, but one has to worry about the trend. Overall, I was a supporter of this draft. But, I question the descision to refrain from Wide Receiver for three reasons. Number one, nothing in David Boston's history tells you he will make it a whole year, and secondly, Chris will be a free agent, and although I feel him and Ricky have to come back regardless of the cost, there is that outside chance he may not be retained. Lastly, if, god forbid, Jay Fiedler is the quarterback, Chris or David or both will get hung out to dry multiple times this season which will lead to concussions.
But, all and all, after this first mini-camp, I must say I am pleased with the direction the Dolphins are heading.
A.J. Feeley - This guy has been in the offense for a few weeks. Quarterback is the most intellectually challenging position in all of sports. Peyton Manning would have looked just as confused and rushed at times as the young signal caller from Philly looked in a new system. Growing pains are always part of the process. The competition should not be close at this point. Jay has been in the offense for four years. He has thrown to everyone except David Boston before these mini-camps. The fact that Fiedler did not dominate in any of the mini-camp goes a long ways towards showing why the Dolphins are in dire need of an upgrade.
Sage Rosenfels - I think it it unfair to blindly say this guy stinks. How would any of us know that? I realize the popular argument is that "If he was any good, the team would not have gotten Feeley", but this is a business, and sometimes teams do things that they feel may be more popular or less risk in order to fill the seats. This may have been what happened here. The guy has the best arm out there, and he knows the offense. Also, he looked pretty sharp in his relief appearance in Tennessee, regardless of the conditions. The kid has the talent to start in this league, but it will apparently take a change of scenery for him to show all of you doubters that. In fact, his skills and demeanor remind me of one Tom Brady. He just needs a chance, something the brass is unwilling to give him here.
Wade Smith - This is the most puzzling situation for me. He is going head to head against arguably the most physically gifted defensive end in the league. He is not allowed to hit J.T. in any manner. All he is allowed to do is mirror him. The fact that J.T. runs straigh upfield and gets to a quarterback who is holding the ball too long should not be surprising. In fact, J.T. should get to the quarterback nearly every play under those conditions. Wade Smith played amazingly well last year for a rookie at the position for his third year. He is special. Its not bad when the only guy who gives a rookie left tackle fits is Dwight Freeney. If you disagree that is your right, but try to put the situation in perspective before you jump to conclusions on Wade Smith.
A few side notes. I want to thank Dude for getting video on some of the Mini-Camp. For a person that has lived his entire life in Erie, Pa and then recently Boston, it is really a treat to get to see clips from practices I am not able to make.
Also, about the Pro Football Talk, the site is a joke. I understand that people argue that it is fun to talk about, but, I think it is a waste of time. Their sources are no more than figments of their imagination. But, if anyone still thinks there is credence in what they say, continue to report it to us and maybe one of the rumors will end up right. I suppose there is no harm in that.
Lastly, I said that there is one concern. Well, that concern is David Boston. His start with the Dolphins is all too familiar to his start with the Chargers. He is an amazing talent, no doubt about it, but one has to worry about the trend. Overall, I was a supporter of this draft. But, I question the descision to refrain from Wide Receiver for three reasons. Number one, nothing in David Boston's history tells you he will make it a whole year, and secondly, Chris will be a free agent, and although I feel him and Ricky have to come back regardless of the cost, there is that outside chance he may not be retained. Lastly, if, god forbid, Jay Fiedler is the quarterback, Chris or David or both will get hung out to dry multiple times this season which will lead to concussions.
But, all and all, after this first mini-camp, I must say I am pleased with the direction the Dolphins are heading.