Barry Jackson Sports Buzz: Philbin excited about potential of TE Charles Clay

[jim1]

One player that Dolphins coach Joe Philbin gets excited talking about? Charles Clay. “We love his versatility.” He envisions lining him up sometimes “at tight end, the next time next to the tight end, the next time as a receiver.” Philbin loves to create mismatches, and Clay is the ideal chess piece for doing that.

Though Philbin isn’t animated or loud like Rex Ryan or Tony Sparano, he commands players' attention very well, according to those who have been around him. "He can step in a room and he's just got a natural presence about him,” said Seahawks GM John Schneider, who worked with Philbin in Green Bay. "He has that 'it' quality as a leader."

The Dolphins and the agent for Kendall Langford spoke last week, sources said, and talks will continue, with a new deal remaining a realistic possibility but not certain by any means. Dolphins opponents are hoping they lose both Paul Soliai (likely) and Langford.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/#storylink=cpy

 

[LANGER72]

Losing Paul Solai would be a huge loss. The guy is finally playing up to potential. Hopefully both sides will be realistic and compromise.
Clay has already shown great hands and he can score TD's. He should be even better this year.

 

[josekareh]

I like what I saw in Clay

 

[normaniii]

If he envisions him as a TE, maybe Fasano will be cut, freeing up cap space.

FB's are easy to pick up via FA.

 

[jim1]

If he envisions him as a TE, maybe Fasano will be cut, freeing up cap space.

FB's are easy to pick up via FA.

Clay is a complimentary, receiving threat type of TE. Fasano isn't exactly the explosove sort, but I'd definitely keep him as a base TE.

 

[BenchFiedler]

If he envisions him as a TE, maybe Fasano will be cut, freeing up cap space.

FB's are easy to pick up via FA.

Fasano has been great for us.. Why so many people hate him because of a few dropped passes!!!

 

[islandah]

Fasano stays. If Clay turns into our playmaking 2nd TE, that's one less hole we need to fill. Soliai will get overpaid more by a NT-hungry team, so he'll be gone. I'd guess we keep Langford.

 

[NYFINest]

I agree, I just don't see how they can afford to keep Soliai. I don't see him giving Dolphins any type of home-team discount..Too bad, he was a great story of someone who struggled for a while and the team still didn't give up on him. I wish him the best regardless of what team he signs with.

Clay is one of the players that really excites me. I don't see him used as a every down type of player, but look what Patriots did in their twin TE sets..Obviously, he's no Gronkowski but he did made some very nice plays for us down the stretch..I just don't think he's that good of a blocker from what I've seen and you have to have a decent blocking TE for your running game to be successful.
I don't see them getting rid of Fasano this year unless there's a major and obvious upgrade that falls to us. QB, pass rusher and O-line are just much bigger priorities IMO

 

[footsteps_falco]

I agree, I just don't see how they can afford to keep Soliai. I don't see him giving Dolphins any type of home-team discount..Too bad, he was a great story of someone who struggled for a while and the team still didn't give up on him. I wish him the best regardless of what team he signs with.

Clay is one of the players that really excites me. I don't see him used as a every down type of player, but look what Patriots did in their twin TE sets..Obviously, he's no Gronkowski but he did made some very nice plays for us down the stretch..I just don't think he's that good of a blocker from what I've seen and you have to have a decent blocking TE for your running game to be successful.
I don't see them getting rid of Fasano this year unless there's a major and obvious upgrade that falls to us. QB, pass rusher and O-line are just much bigger priorities IMO

clay could be our version of finley... he's no blocker.. i can see him getting in the 500-700 yard range

 

[insomnia411]

If Clay turns into an Aaron Hernandez type then that'd be beautiful. One less hole we would have to fill.

We should let Solai walk and re-sign Langford. Langford is cheaper, more versatile, and a much better penetrating DT for the 4-3 look. Losing both would be pretty big IMO.

 

[sm0kinfins]

Clay is a complimentary, receiving threat type of TE. Fasano isn't exactly the explosove sort, but I'd definitely keep him as a base TE.

Agreed. I'm not so sure I want to see Clay on the line taking on a blitzing LB by himself.

 

[Kdawg954]

I'd keep Soliai over Langford. Solid 3-4 NT's don't grow on trees. If you need to pay a little more than so be it. He is a vital cog in our run stuffing.

 

[Sarnics13]

Fasano has been great for us.. Why so many people hate him because of a few dropped passes!!!

I don't remember too many drop passes by him, but I certainly wouldn't let him go. He is a very good TE with great hands. He caught some incredible passes and the issue with him was that he wasn't used properly. The league has been showcasing the TE's in many plays......except us. It's time we let this guy show what he's made of. He is not just a great blocking TE.

 

[HybridPHIN 23]

Fasano has been great for us.. Why so many people hate him because of a few dropped passes!!!

correction: slew of dropped passes and too many fumbles. I still like him and would prefer he stay in aqua, still. He has to work on his hands and ball control, other than that i think he's a very good TE.

Clay looks like a keeper and I'm glad we've heard a vote of confidence already from philbin. He could be our A.Hernandez perhaps.

 

[Doug385]

i may be in the minority, but i'd rather we keep Langford over soliai anyway... true NT is difficult to replace but imo no way did soliai earn himself a lucrative long term contract...