Channing Tindall | Page 3 | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Channing Tindall

Channing Tindall's issue is not talent, Intensity, or heart, it's instincts.

Instincts can't exactly totally be taught, but with experience, a player can still play more knowledgeable in what to expect, and might be happening in certain situations, but it takes time.

What makes Tindall special is that though his instincts may not be top level to know where to go, or what to do in certain situations to get that one step earlier to stop the play, Tindall may take the slight micro second more to figure it out, but with his speed can and will put him in position to make plays as long as he stays in control, and starts allowing the experience to start making it 2nd nature to him.

It may take him a little longer to get on the field then others, but once he does...LOL, it's going to be as fun to watch our Defense, as our Offense.
 
MrChadRico said:
Tindall is athletic but raw... very raw. He didn't even start his last year at Georgia, he was a rotational interior lb.

Hes a project right now and might turn into something special but it may take a year or two. Hopefully we see him more towards the end of the year.
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The thing that intrigues me about Tindall is he has shown the ability to be a big hitter, he is fast enough for sideline to sideline, and he appears to be good in coverage. Those skills means he can eventually take over for both Roberts and Riley. He is raw like you mention, so I expect it will be late in the year or next year before he makes an impact. That is ok with me.
 
killafinz said:
Its crazy the mentality now that rookies have to be all pros there first season or there a bust. We run a very complicated defense look at the amount of communication there doing before each snap, that takes time to master for some people.
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I agree that it is hard for a rookie to come in and play immediately. Yet right now they have 2 undrafted free agent rookies playing in the secondary and while McKinley is no Brandon Jones at this time. Kotou has filled in fairly well for Byron Jones and Needham so far.
 
1972forever said:
Slow learning the playbook and lacks instincts? Not a good combination for a player in the NFL. Given time he should be able to get a better grasp of the playbook but instincts at the LB position are something a player either has or doesn’t have.

I have never really seen a top tier LB in college or in the pros that doesn’t have good instincts on the field. Usually when a player doesn’t have good instincts, he ends up thinking too much instead of instantly reacting to what is happening on the field. If instincts are really an issue for Tindall, I doubt he will ever be an effective starting LB in the NFL.
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I think in college he made up for the lack of instincts with his athleticism, he was quick to the ball. Can't really get away with that in the NFL, everyone is much quicker. Hopefully, they work with him and he gets it at some point. It would be a shame otherwise, he's a good linebacker physically. I had higher hopes for him...
 
SF Dolphin Fan said:
It seems similar to how Kyle Shanahan and SF bring players along. Granted, the 49ers are a veteran team with most positions filled. But, they usually don't rush draft picks.

Banks, the OG from Notre Dame, is a recent example. He sat the entire 2021 season, but is now a starter.

No idea if Tindall is advancing or not. But linebacker would appear to be a need with that 2nd or one of the two 3rd rounders in upcoming draft.
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Agree. It'd be nice if Tindall got some experience say spying Z Wilson later this season.
 
13marino13 said:
I think in college he made up for the lack of instincts with his athleticism, he was quick to the ball. Can't really get away with that in the NFL, everyone is much quicker. Hopefully, they work with him and he gets it at some point. It would be a shame otherwise, he's a good linebacker physically. I had higher hopes for him...
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I wouldn't give up my hopes. It isn't like the guy was a rd2 selection. When you draft guys in the later rounds, you have to resolve yourself to the fact that he most likely isn't going to be a high impact player immediately. Perhaps not ever. It does happen, but not all that often.
 
Mach2 said:
I wouldn't give up my hopes. It isn't like the guy was a rd2 selection. When you draft guys in the later rounds, you have to resolve yourself to the fact that he most likely isn't going to be a high impact player immediately. Perhaps not ever. It does happen, but not all that often.
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I haven't given up hope on him at all. I realize there's a learning curve. What is concerning is he was great in coverage in college but the responsibilities are much more complex in the NFL, you have to know where you're supposed to be at all times and play with instinct. I think it's his pass coverage responsibilities that are currently keeping him off the field right now. If he can learn and play confidently in that position, bye bye Baker. I expect to see him on the field next year. He's our most physically gifted LB currently (I see Chubb as more of an edge, not a true LB)...
 
13marino13 said:
I haven't given up hope on him at all. I realize there's a learning curve. What is concerning is he was great in coverage in college but the responsibilities are much more complex in the NFL, you have to know where you're supposed to be at all times and play with instinct. I think it's his pass coverage responsibilities that are currently keeping him off the field right now. If he can learn and play confidently in that position, bye bye Baker. I expect to see him on the field next year. He's our most physically gifted LB currently (I see Chubb as more of an edge, not a true LB)...
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Yeah, and it isn't just a matter of knowing one assignment in this defense. His assignment can be different depending on the offensive alignment, routes, leverages, etc. To be good, he has to know not only what he is supposed to do, but also what others are going to do in whatever situation.
 
I'm not particularly surprised with Tindall's contributions thus far. He was always a great athlete who lacked instincts. Those types of players can be taught and fit into roles relatively early on but will take a while to be integrated fully. He does have decent instincts moving forward, but not so much when he has to cover or move laterally. I was hopeful he might be used in some spy packages by this point, but that hasn't happened. I can only recall him in on one defensive package where he made a tackle.

It probably shouldn't have been that surprising as this coaching staff seems to prefer vets rather than rookies. I think that's what we're seeing with EE as well. EE clearly showed some impressive athleticism in preseason, but doesn't seem to be where the coaches want him to be in terms of the playbook.

I also think that LB isn't a big part of this defense. Most of our defensive packages have 2 LBs on the field. And despite some criticisms on the board, both Riley and Baker have been above average players this season. The third LB, Roberts, is used more situationally. My hope was that Tindall would come along enough to eat into his snaps over the second half of the season, but it may not happen until next year.
 
13marino13 said:
I think in college he made up for the lack of instincts with his athleticism, he was quick to the ball. Can't really get away with that in the NFL, everyone is much quicker. Hopefully, they work with him and he gets it at some point. It would be a shame otherwise, he's a good linebacker physically. I had higher hopes for him...
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Rumor has it they have him training with a beagle to help "sniff out" the play and "develop a nose" for the ball.

That and of course aroma therapy (essence of pig skin) is being used.
 
Tindall has the physical ability. They just have to get him coached up. I don’t see it happening this year, but I think he will improve the longer he is here.
 
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