http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/a...Carolina/b09af7a9-2d71-4f66-8455-5cd7414d40a1
We saw progress in the first preseason game. We saw a long, impressive touchdown drive from the first-team offense. We saw a nice three-and-out by the first-team defense. But now we need to see more. Now we need to see this football team take another step forward. We need to see more of the starters and we need to see better play from the reserves.
That’s what Saturday’s second preseason game against the Carolina Panthers is really about. Continue to build confidence. Keep the arrow pointing upward. Play the starters an entire quarter, maybe into the second quarter. Get some continuity going. Answer some line-up questions that remain unresolved.
Next week, at home against Atlanta, is more like a dress rehearsal. That’s when the starters usually play into the third quarter. But the Carolina game Saturday night still carries its share of importance.
Here’s a six-pack of reasons why:
• Offensive guard must get settled: Joe Philbin had said he would like the offensive guard situation clarified by the third preseason game. That means the Carolina game is crucial. Dallas Thomas
and Billy Turner have spent the last couple of weeks in practice getting most of the first team snaps. They started against the Bears and did reasonably well. With a solid performance against Carolina, they could seal the deal. That could be this game’s most important subplot.
• Tannehill needs to continue to grow: We’ve seen significant improvement in Tannehill over the past month or so. We see a much more confidant player. He couldn’t have been more impressive in his one drive against the Bears. Now he gets a chance to build on that. I figure Tannehill will probably play about a quarter against Carolina. Another nice touchdown drive would make it a productive evening.
• Sorting things out at linebacker: The Dolphins have been hit with more injuries at linebacker than any other position. Koa Misi has missed a lot of time and second-year player Jordan Tripp has a troublesome ankle. The Dolphins are looking for some stability in this area. The rock at linebacker is Jelani Jenkins, but they need some answers around him. Is this Chris McCain’s time? How much of an impact will Kelvin Sheppard make in the middle? Which of the four undrafted rookies will make the biggest move? It’s time to start getting some answers.
I am very interested in our guard play, and right behind that seeing who steps up at linebacker. Kicking is another battle we need to see improvement out of. Please click on link for the rest of the article.
We saw progress in the first preseason game. We saw a long, impressive touchdown drive from the first-team offense. We saw a nice three-and-out by the first-team defense. But now we need to see more. Now we need to see this football team take another step forward. We need to see more of the starters and we need to see better play from the reserves.
That’s what Saturday’s second preseason game against the Carolina Panthers is really about. Continue to build confidence. Keep the arrow pointing upward. Play the starters an entire quarter, maybe into the second quarter. Get some continuity going. Answer some line-up questions that remain unresolved.
Next week, at home against Atlanta, is more like a dress rehearsal. That’s when the starters usually play into the third quarter. But the Carolina game Saturday night still carries its share of importance.
Here’s a six-pack of reasons why:
• Offensive guard must get settled: Joe Philbin had said he would like the offensive guard situation clarified by the third preseason game. That means the Carolina game is crucial. Dallas Thomas
and Billy Turner have spent the last couple of weeks in practice getting most of the first team snaps. They started against the Bears and did reasonably well. With a solid performance against Carolina, they could seal the deal. That could be this game’s most important subplot. • Tannehill needs to continue to grow: We’ve seen significant improvement in Tannehill over the past month or so. We see a much more confidant player. He couldn’t have been more impressive in his one drive against the Bears. Now he gets a chance to build on that. I figure Tannehill will probably play about a quarter against Carolina. Another nice touchdown drive would make it a productive evening.
• Sorting things out at linebacker: The Dolphins have been hit with more injuries at linebacker than any other position. Koa Misi
has missed a lot of time and second-year player Jordan Tripp has a troublesome ankle. The Dolphins are looking for some stability in this area. The rock at linebacker is Jelani Jenkins, but they need some answers around him. Is this Chris McCain’s time? How much of an impact will Kelvin Sheppard make in the middle? Which of the four undrafted rookies will make the biggest move? It’s time to start getting some answers. I am very interested in our guard play, and right behind that seeing who steps up at linebacker. Kicking is another battle we need to see improvement out of. Please click on link for the rest of the article.