Camp questions I want to see settled

[Ohiophinphan]

This is one of the most cometitive camps I have seen for the Phins in many a year and folks I've seen them all! Here are some of the questions I am waiting to see answered.

QB- Four questions here really, first, is CPep healthy and back to 2004 standards? Second, can Harrington be the QB he was in college or will he always be a tease? Third, is Lemon the real thing or not? Fourth, will the Phins keep a fourth QB at least on the practice squad and is Justin Holland that guy?

RB- How many make the squad and which ones? Can BVrown carry the load and get 300+ carries in a season? Will Kay-Jay Harris and/or Riggs step up and prove the folks who didn't draft them wrong? Can Sammy Morris be the second back we will need?

FB- Which Beasley will show up? Will we carry Barnes as a second FB instead of a fourth RB or fourth TE?

WR- After Chambers and Booker which of the herd of prospects seperates himself from the pack? Will one of them be the KR/PR?

TE- After McMichael who? Is Teyo Johnson the real thing or...............?

Oline- What will the unit be and who gets cut? Eleven realistic prospects and three long shots for 8-9 jobs, who gets them and in what order?

and then there is the defense????????????

Dline- Can our dinosaurs roar one more year? Will Holliday, Traylor, and Carter be able to answer the bell one more time? How much have Manny Wright and Matt Roth improved over last season? Can Rodrigue Wright go at all this season? maybe from PUP? Which one, if any, of the youngsters will step up at NT, Evans, Vickerson, and/or Fafita?

LB- Who wins the SLB spot, Spragen, Hodge, or Newman? Will Eddie Moore finally get healthy? Who will back up Thomas and Crowder? Will any of the UDFA's, Bray, McGrew, or Ishola, be a surprise in camp?

Dbacks- Who starts and where? Can they jell together? Will Jason Allen be the all-pro FS we have needed since Marion retired (and maybe before that as well)? Can Will Poole come back from injury? Will Will Allen be an improvement over Madison?

Specialists- Can Donnie Jones recapture his rookie glory? Can he build on it? Do we get the Olindo back or has he permanantly begun a slide on his FG accuracy? Can we get Olindo locked into a long term deal if we want him?

Coaching- With all the talent on the sidelines can Saban keep it all pointed in the same direction? Can the egos of two former head coaches, now co-ordinators, be kept in check?

These are just some of the questions I want to see answered, got any more?

 

[BIGJ]

great post, I think you covered it all

 

[Thumper54]

two million

This is one of the most cometitive camps I have seen for the Phins in many a year and folks I've seen them all! Here are some of the questions I am waiting to see answered.

QB- Four questions here really, first, is CPep healthy and back to 2004 standards? Second, can Harrington be the QB he was in college or will he always be a tease? Third, is Lemon the real thing or not? Fourth, will the Phins keep a fourth QB at least on the practice squad and is Justin Holland that guy?

RB- How many make the squad and which ones? Can BVrown carry the load and get 300+ carries in a season? Will Kay-Jay Harris and/or Riggs step up and prove the folks who didn't draft them wrong? Can Sammy Morris be the second back we will need?

FB- Which Beasley will show up? Will we carry Barnes as a second FB instead of a fourth RB or fourth TE?

WR- After Chambers and Booker which of the herd of prospects seperates himself from the pack? Will one of them be the KR/PR?

TE- After McMichael who? Is Teyo Johnson the real thing or...............?

Oline- What will the unit be and who gets cut? Eleven realistic prospects and three long shots for 8-9 jobs, who gets them and in what order?

and then there is the defense????????????

Dline- Can our dinosaurs roar one more year? Will Holliday, Traylor, and Carter be able to answer the bell one more time? How much have Manny Wright and Matt Roth improved over last season? Can Rodrigue Wright go at all this season? maybe from PUP? Which one, if any, of the youngsters will step up at NT, Evans, Vickerson, and/or Fafita?

LB- Who wins the SLB spot, Spragen, Hodge, or Newman? Will Eddie Moore finally get healthy? Who will back up Thomas and Crowder? Will any of the UDFA's, Bray, McGrew, or Ishola, be a surprise in camp?

Dbacks- Who starts and where? Can they jell together? Will Jason Allen be the all-pro FS we have needed since Marion retired (and maybe before that as well)? Can Will Poole come back from injury? Will Will Allen be an improvement over Madison?

Specialists- Can Donnie Jones recapture his rookie glory? Can he build on it? Do we get the Olindo back or has he permanantly begun a slide on his FG accuracy? Can we get Olindo locked into a long term deal if we want him?

Coaching- With all the talent on the sidelines can Saban keep it all pointed in the same direction? Can the egos of two former head coaches, now co-ordinators, be kept in check?

These are just some of the questions I want to see answered, got any more?

Only one head coach needs to keep his ego in check as a coordinator. Not giving Capers that title saves the Fins 2million samolians. Nice move by the Dolphins I must say.

 

[FinFan57]

I will echo those sentiments, great post. Really...about the only thing worth discussing right now.

In addition to your excellent questions, I will add a few.

1) Do we actually have 4 NFL quarterbacks now? Is it possible we may trade one, because if Holland is as good as billed, he may not last on the practice squad.

2) It appears there is a big battle at the tackle position with Alabi, Carey, McIntosh, and Pearson. I'm guessing at least one from this group will not make the team...which one?

3) Aromashodu seems to be on the bubble. Much like Holland, he may be too talented to survive on the practice squad, but with Campbell, Welker, and Hagen probably making the team, where does that leave Devin?

4) Is Traylor good for one more year or do we call Big Daddy? With Zgonina moving to DE, Roth expected to play better, and more 3-4 alignments this year under Dom Capers, I believe we're fine at DE. It's DT that's a bit questionable.

5) Finally, for the first time in a long time we are loaded with talented at the DB positions. Can Saban find the best guys and bring them together quickly? Probably so, but time will tell.

 

[popularwar]

This will be Donnie Jones' 3rd year, not second. He had a sub-par rookie season with Seattle followed up with a great (I felt pro bowl) season with us last year.
Good post, you touched on just about everything.

 

[ckparrothead]

Damn that's a lot of questions, lol.

At QB, I don't really have a lot of questions. I mildly wonder if Cleo Lemon will beat Joey Harrington for the backup job but I still think it's much more likely Harrington maintains the spot due to his game experience. Otherwise seems pretty clear to me CPep plays Game 1, he's a high completion guy with always good YPA, will hit some deep balls will also throw some interceptions, probably fumble a good number of times. He'll miss games with knee setbacks. Joey will play and look very Gus/Sage. We'll probably have a Cleveland-like outing one time he's in there, then again he'll probably lead us on a 4th quarter comeback like Sage did in Buffalo. IMO, no question Holland goes on the PS and Berlin is outtie.

At RB, behind Ronnie we're bare as bare can be. I guess my only question would be do we grab another runner in case Ronnie gets hurt, because if Ronnie gets hurt IMO our best bet is RBBC, not having Sammy Morris be a featured tailback. I have a nagging feeling that neither Kay-Jay nor Riggs will be factors at all, except on STs for Kay-Jay. Beasley's a good lead blocker but those aren't hard to find.

Pretty straight at TE too...possible surprise factor if Teyo Johnson wins a spot and looks good. Otherwise Randy's a known, and Peelle's a blocker.

I guess all eyes will be on Hagan at WR but personally I think we'd be much better to rely on Welker again to move the chains, especially with Daunte throwing. I expect all this hubbub about Kelly Campbell to cool down dramatically once the pads go on.

Biggest question on OL to me will be can Joe Toledo earn starts? I'm pretty sure Bennie's gonna look like a slow tub of goo and Seth just isn't gonna be able to move anybody. If Toledo is something more than a Taylor Whitley, he could earn time.

I wanna see this new and improved bulked up Matt Roth for myself...could be interesting to watch. I don't have high expectations though. I'm pretty sure I know what kind of Manatee Wright will show up. He'll do well as long we keep his snaps down.

I expect to see a totally different Channing Crowder out there. He's my "light clicked on" player pick...I think especially in pass protection, he's gonna look like another Will Witherspoon out there.

My only questions in the secondary are...is Will Allen going to be our bust? I've got a semi-bad feeling on him. Not saying he WILL be another Reggie Howard but he could be. I guess I'd like to see what kind of player Jason Allen is gonna be. Otherwise my question is like everyone else's...when will the next secondary unit (featuring from right to left Will Allen, Jason Allen, Renaldo Hill, and Travis Daniels) jell together as a unit. Is having Travis and Renaldo on the same side tempting fate with the deep ball, or does Jason Allen just have THAT much range?

 

[LarryFinFan]

If you look at the list of "things we want to see in camp", Ohio, you've just about covered it all. The ironic thing about this years' camp is that while there are more than the usual number of position battles going on, we are still looked upon by most as a "team on the rise". When you have this many positions up for grabs, it usually means a team is in the 'rebuild' mode but for us, it appears likely that we'll take the next step and possibly even more than that this coming year, despite the number of camp battles going on...I'm always excited this time of year, but I'm really busting at the gut to see how things are going to shake out. I'll miss TC again as I no longer live in SF, but I have my tix for the Panthers preseason game, which happens to be the 3rd preseason game, so I can hardly contain myself...the final shots of those battles will be decided probably by how that game is played....going to be very, very exciting...I hope you locals can (as you always do) and will keep us updated thru TC.....Man, I got goosebumps....

 

[ckparrothead]

Here's an NFL.com preseason primer I really liked.

SEASON OUTLOOK

The Dolphins' first campaign under head coach Nick Saban was highlighted by a six-game win streak to end the season. But can they continue that momentum into 2006 to finally wrestle the AFC East away from the New England Patriots?

Miami did not rest on its surprising 2005 success, pulling the trigger on separate trades that brought quarterbacks Daunte Culpepper and Joey Harrington to town. Culpepper is coming off a disastrous year in Minnesota, but if he can bounce back from major knee surgery and regain his record-setting form of 2004 (4,717 and 39 touchdowns), the Dolphins' passing game -- featuring Pro Bowl receiver Chris Chambers and tight end Randy McMichael -- will be significantly upgraded.

The offense does face another year without Ricky Williams, who was suspended for the season after abusing the NFL's substance abuse policy, so Ronnie Brown will have to carry the running game. Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor are both back again to lead the defense, but age may become a factor for the two Pro Bowlers. Thomas will be 33 years old on opening day and Taylor will be 32.

CAMP QUANDARIES

Can Ronnie Brown handle the load?
Ronnie Brown was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 draft, but he hasn't been a team's featured running back since high school. After splitting carries with Cadillac Williams at Auburn and with Ricky Williams last season, Brown gets his chance to shine this year due to Ricky Williams' suspension. He will have to prove that he can endure the poundings of a full NFL season.

How quickly can the secondary jell?
The Dolphins secondary has been retooled with departures of cornerbacks Sam Madison and Reggie Howard, and safeties Lance Schulters and Tebucky Jones. Free-agent signee Will Allen will likely take Madison's starting corner spot while Travis Daniels, a starter as a rookie last season, will face competition from Will Poole at the other corner. Both safety spots are also wide open with first-round pick Jason Allen in the mix with free-agent signees Renaldo Hill and Deke Cooper, and returners Travares Tillman and Yeremiah Bell. It's possible the Dolphins will have four new starters in their secondary and the unit will have to meld together quickly.

What new wrinkles will come from the coaching staff?
Miami ranked 14th in the NFL in offense last season, a major jump from 29th in 2004. Much of the credit for the improvement was given to coordinator Scott Linehan, who was rewarded with a head-coaching position in St. Louis. Enter Mike Mularkey, who resigned after two seasons as head coach of the Bills but earned respect for his three years as the Steelers' coordinator. Another former head coach, Dom Capers, joined the defensive staff after being fired by the Texans.

Those are three great, legit questions heading into camp. CAN Ronnie handle a full season's worth of work? When will our secondary jell together? What kinds of new wrinkles will we see from Capers & Mularkey? Will those wrinkles be positives?

One thing I love about this FO is the aggressiveness. We went 9-7 in 2005, finished 6-0 in the final 6 games. How many teams would have approached the offseason thinking ok we've got to be smart here and not try and fix what ain't broken...we had a lot of success once everything jelled so lets keep that momentum in tact. Dave Wannstedt would have approached it exactly like that.

Nick Saban? Blows up the secondary, gets rid of all 4 game one starters...replaces them with a mish mash of veterans and youngsters.

There was also never any doubt that we would be acquiring EITHER Brees or Culpepper, really...just a matter of which one. I have a good feeling DW would have stuck with Gus.

McIntosh looked good in 2005, and the OL was surprisingly adequate. Doesn't stop Nick from cutting Damion, signing Shelton, then bringing Damion back on a one year trial basis. Also moves Hadnot to center, signs Bennie Anderson to start, etc. Others might ask, why mess with success? Yet prior to the 2005 season, many (myself included asked) why keep such a terrible unit in tact?

Saban tried his damnedest to grab a huge playmaker in Arrington for the LB group.

I love that Nick shows an understanding that in this league, if you're not sticking to your absolute evals and focusing on getting better at every position, you're going backwards. You think you're staying the same, you're building on what has already been established, but in reality you're going backwards because the dam is always going to spring a new leak and there'll never be enough thumbs for them all.

 

[Finole]

This is one of the most cometitive camps I have seen for the Phins in many a year and folks I've seen them all! Here are some of the questions I am waiting to see answered.....

Great post.

We should re-visit this thread throughout Pre-Season.

 

[ckparrothead]

This is one of the most cometitive camps I have seen for the Phins in many a year and folks I've seen them all! Here are some of the questions I am waiting to see answered.

Huh...you really think it's all that competitive? I thought 2005 was pretty competitive.

I guess both safety spots are open...but every other starter position on D is pretty airtight IMO. I guess the 3rd CB spot is an open battle between Goodman and Poole.

There will be an interesting fight at RG on offense, but otherwise every starter position is sealed there as well IMO. I guess the 3rd WR fight is wide open...

Three starter positions, plus 3rd WR and 3rd CB...I'm not sure that ranks high with like last year when there was all that turnover (over half the roster) and uncertainty as to how it'd all fit together.

 

[Mile High Fin]

Huh...you really think it's all that competitive? I thought 2005 was pretty competitive.

I guess both safety spots are open...but every other starter position on D is pretty airtight IMO. I guess the 3rd CB spot is an open battle between Goodman and Poole.

There will be an interesting fight at RG on offense, but otherwise every starter position is sealed there as well IMO. I guess the 3rd WR fight is wide open...

Three starter positions, plus 3rd WR and 3rd CB...I'm not sure that ranks high with like last year when there was all that turnover (over half the roster) and uncertainty as to how it'd all fit together.

I agree 2005 was probably more competitive.
But, 2006 is very interesting as well, as you point out:
-RG starter open
-Safeties both open
-Nickel CB open
-#3WR open

But also:
-SLB could be open. I wouldn't say "airtight". Sure, it's Spragan's job to lose, but Newman will battle him. Hodge is in the mix also, but it's a long-shot for him. I just wouldn't consider it "airtight" for Spragan, at this time.

-How will things shake out between Hagan/Campbell/Welker/Aromashodu. Not only #3WR, but who gets #4? Who gets cut???

 

[tay0365]

Huh...you really think it's all that competitive? I thought 2005 was pretty competitive.

I guess both safety spots are open...but every other starter position on D is pretty airtight IMO. I guess the 3rd CB spot is an open battle between Goodman and Poole.

There will be an interesting fight at RG on offense, but otherwise every starter position is sealed there as well IMO. I guess the 3rd WR fight is wide open...

Three starter positions, plus 3rd WR and 3rd CB...I'm not sure that ranks high with like last year when there was all that turnover (over half the roster) and uncertainty as to how it'd all fit together.

Got to go with Ohio here CK, this year will be as or more competitive then last year.

QB---Even though the starting QB is known (IF Duante is ready), the 2nd and 3rd string Position will be very competitive

WR---There will be competition at 3rd WR and down, and don't be too surprised if even Marty Booker does not have to start looking over his shoulder if Hagan starts to look good, and Marty has a slow start.

O-Line---I really don't think any of the O-line positions are set in stone.....Well, big maybe to L-guard.

RB--- I expect big things out of Ronnie, but there will be big competition for his backup.

DT(NG)--- Fot the Noseguard Defensive tackle positions, there will be alot of eyes on many players, as Traylors position will not be as guaranteed.

Edit: DE--- I forgot about the DE position opposite Carter in a 3-4 defense, hopefully Roth will be ready this year.

SLB--- Another position that has plenty of ??? and different answer to who will start depending on who you ask....as for me, I expect Spragen to start, but hope that Newman is as good as advertised, and shows it by outplaying Spragen.

DB--- I could write Corner and then Safety but all in all, none of the 4 starting positions are 100% sure, even though I am sure Saban and hope Will Allen wins one of the Corner positions, if Travis Daniels and Jason Allen don't start, it because they were beaten out by players that looked great, not because either one looked bad.

 

[SCall13]

Huh...you really think it's all that competitive? I thought 2005 was pretty competitive.

I guess both safety spots are open...but every other starter position on D is pretty airtight IMO. I guess the 3rd CB spot is an open battle between Goodman and Poole.

There will be an interesting fight at RG on offense, but otherwise every starter position is sealed there as well IMO. I guess the 3rd WR fight is wide open...

Three starter positions, plus 3rd WR and 3rd CB...I'm not sure that ranks high with like last year when there was all that turnover (over half the roster) and uncertainty as to how it'd all fit together.

I think '05 was more competitve as well. Now that Saban has more of his players in here, I think it's a lot more clear this year than last year. The biggest questions ARE definetly at the safety spots. From there, the biggest "mysteries" are who will lead the depth races.

 

[Ohiophinphan]

Huh...you really think it's all that competitive? I thought 2005 was pretty competitive.

I honestly do think it is that competitive. Not just from the point of view of starters but in terms of the depth up and down the roster.

Battles I see open

Where do the QB's behind Culpepper sort themselves out.
Ditto with the RB's behind Brown.
Ditto with the WR's behind Chambers and Booker.
Ditto with the TE's behind McMichael

Those five will undoubtedly start but there are a total of 14-18 total roster spots between those positions and after the starters I think a case could be made for nearly everyone else. That means there are 9-13 roster spots open and that says competitive to me.

On the Oline, while I agree the likliest lineup is Shelton, James, Hadnot, Anderson, and Carey, a case could be made for Pearson or McIntosh beating out either tackle, Toledo winning a guard job, and McKinney reasserting himself. Will Anderson be that tub of goo you so often mention? If so, he not only doesn't start, I don't think he makes the team. And then there is Alabi and does he improve or drop off the face of the earth?

I disagree with you CK that the CB spots are locked up. I think all three are open as well as the safeties.

The SLB is wide open, imo, between Spragen, Hodge, and Newman. Also the Dline spots have favorites but given their age I would hardly call them locks. The only three locks on the defense imo are Taylor, Thomas, and Crowder. Others are likely but not to my way of thinking locks.

We may simply have a differant definition of open and/or competitive. I also agree with Larryfinfan that it is remarkable that we are that competitive without being seen as rebuilding. That may be as much a factor of the salary cap era though as much as the new coaching staff.

 

[tay0365]

I think '05 was more competitve as well. Now that Saban has more of his players in here, I think it's a lot more clear this year than last year. The biggest questions ARE definetly at the safety spots. From there, the biggest "mysteries" are who will lead the depth races.

Actually in 05 we knew who the starting RB was going to be, we knew who all the WRs were going to be, at O-line, there was competition, but not as much as i think we will see this year, same goes the D-line, even though there was competition in 05 on the D-line, there will be way more this year as Traylor is not guaranteed to be the starter again, and LB there was very little compitition, as far as DBs (There was no way Madison, Jones and Schulters were not going to start), while I see only Will Allen to get that Guarantee this year.

In 05 there was more compitition at Starting QB though, but that is the only position I see as there being more compitition as there will be this year.