ESPN Insider Camp Report

[JJT]

36?

No...34.

 

[Thebignate5]

I have insider, the only reason I pay for it is becuase it comes with ESPN the magazine for free.

 

[ckparrothead]

Not enough has changed? At least two new starters on the O-line, David Boston at receiver, Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown at running back, Hudson Houck, Scott Linehan and Nick Saban........Please.

Oline: You assume two new starters. I assume one, Stockar McDougle, until I hear official word that Carey has beaten McIntosh at LT. Bottom line here on the OL is they kept the entire unit from last year (that was THE worst unit in the league by far, the worst I've ever seen) and made two additions...a mid-level pickup in McDougle, and a 5th round rookie Alabi. Damion Cook would be lucky to make the team. I don't call that very "different"

Boston: Have you seen him dominating mini-camps or training camps? I'm sorry, I must be reading different reports from you. Or perhaps he hasn't dominated because he's no longer dominant. You'd do well under Wannstedt's staff if you would make personnel decisions taking David Boston's presence, or success, for granted. Don't be a Wanny guy.

Ricky Williams & Ronnie Brown: Definitely the biggest change. But, Ronnie is, after all, a rookie. And there have been the Thomas Jones's, Kijana Carters, and Curtis Enis's of the world who got drafted high and weren't worth a lick with the team that drafted them. And Ricky will not be a Dolphin for the first four games. And, if he slips up once with the drug program (which everyone, self included, seems to take for granted that he's fully quit using), then there's no Ricky for the year...or probably ever.

Scott Linehan & Hudson Houck: I will say that on the perimeters, our OL already looks better, which is important. But looks can be deceiving. Many people said that Wade Smith "looked" like a quality left tackle. Bottom line is this gets back to my point. NEW SYSTEM. There was nothing wrong with the playbook they had last year, it was Norv Turner's proven playbook. But the bottom line is, last year AJ was learning a NEW SYSTEM and therefore couldn't beat Fiedler out and also struggled when he played. Now, nothing has changed from that. It's still a new system.

Again, not enough has changed for us to believe AJ is going to be a superstar in these conditions, yet a loser in last year's conditions.

 

[DolphinDevil28]

I have insider, the only reason I pay for it is becuase it comes with ESPN the magazine for free.

Well crap, I subscribe to the magazine, but I don't have insider. :confused:

 

[yankeehillbilly]

Why would it be an upset? Yeah, Gus knows the system but he's old and if he starts then he isn't the long-term solution at QB. Feeley on the other hand, if he can start he could be our QB for years to come if he has what it takes. I see Gus starting against the Broncos, but I really hope it's Feeley.

Feeley is pretty much out of excuses now. If Frerotte, who isnt exactly what you would consider and "elite" QB, gets the nod over Feeley then do we really even want AJ to be our QB for years to come? I want Feeley to succeed too. Ive supported him since we traded for him. But I want him to win the job fair and square because he is better than Frerotte, not because he has more years left in him to possibly improve.

 

[tcdrover]

Oline: You assume two new starters. I assume one, Stockar McDougle, until I hear official word that Carey has beaten McIntosh at LT. Bottom line here on the OL is they kept the entire unit from last year (that was THE worst unit in the league by far, the worst I've ever seen) and made two additions...a mid-level pickup in McDougle, and a 5th round rookie Alabi. Damion Cook would be lucky to make the team. I don't call that very "different"

Boston: Have you seen him dominating mini-camps or training camps? I'm sorry, I must be reading different reports from you. Or perhaps he hasn't dominated because he's no longer dominant. You'd do well under Wannstedt's staff if you would make personnel decisions taking David Boston's presence, or success, for granted. Don't be a Wanny guy.

Ricky Williams & Ronnie Brown: Definitely the biggest change. But, Ronnie is, after all, a rookie. And there have been the Thomas Jones's, Kijana Carters, and Curtis Enis's of the world who got drafted high and weren't worth a lick with the team that drafted them. And Ricky will not be a Dolphin for the first four games. And, if he slips up once with the drug program (which everyone, self included, seems to take for granted that he's fully quit using), then there's no Ricky for the year...or probably ever.

Scott Linehan & Hudson Houck: I will say that on the perimeters, our OL already looks better, which is important. But looks can be deceiving. Many people said that Wade Smith "looked" like a quality left tackle. Bottom line is this gets back to my point. NEW SYSTEM. There was nothing wrong with the playbook they had last year, it was Norv Turner's proven playbook. But the bottom line is, last year AJ was learning a NEW SYSTEM and therefore couldn't beat Fiedler out and also struggled when he played. Now, nothing has changed from that. It's still a new system.

Again, not enough has changed for us to believe AJ is going to be a superstar in these conditions, yet a loser in last year's conditions.

The Dolphins had the highest turnover of any NFL team this year.

I highly doubt Feeley will be a superstar also. He will have a first rate running back and a much better running game which he didn't have last year though.

 

[DolphinDevil28]

Feeley is pretty much out of excuses now. If Frerotte, who isnt exactly what you would consider and "elite" QB, gets the nod over Feeley then do we really even want AJ to be our QB for years to come? I want Feeley to succeed too. Ive supported him since we traded for him. But I want him to win the job fair and square because he is better than Frerotte, not because he has more years left in him to possibly improve.

If Frerotte starts this whole year, it's time to forget AJ.

We need to draft a QB next April.

 

[jlfin]

I'm very happy to see them say this, as I've been saying it for quite some time now. The coaches brought Frerotte in to put Feeley back on the bench, where he can sit back and learn the system in a pressure-free environment. He was successful in Philly under those conditions. In Miami he had a bunch of pressure and had to learn a new offense and didn't have a very good cast around him and he FAILED MISERABLY. There's a lot of apologetic feeling around dolfanmania about his failing miserably, which is understandable because he had a bunch of pressure, was learning a new offense, and didn't have a very good cast around him.

But, not enough has changed around here to say, ok, maybe he'll succeed in THESE conditions. He still has a lot of pressure, still has a new offense (his 3rd in 3 years), and the OL still isn't great, and the RB's look like they could be great but are still basically a question mark until we see what Ronnie can really do.

Frerotte's 34, he can't play forever. Feeley can sit the bench a year or two no sweat, learn Linehan's system and learn to appreciate it...then come out guns ablazing and run the system until we find ourselves that "special" guy.

If that is accurate, then Saban is a lousy coach. We haven't even seen these guys in a real game situation. What if the light goes on in Feeley's head and the O-line gives him time to throw. If he plays well in the preseason it will be hard not to give him the job.
I disagree with the comments regarding the O-line. They are a young and talented group with limited experience (more raw talent than San Diego's). I think they could surprise this year.

 

[byroan]

But I want him to win the job fair and square because he is better than Frerotte, not because he has more years left in him to possibly improve.

That's why I want him to start. With Saban I know the guy who starts is going to earned it. That's why I said I want Feeley to start but I think it will be Frerotte.

 

[jlfin]

Oline: You assume two new starters. I assume one, Stockar McDougle, until I hear official word that Carey has beaten McIntosh at LT. Bottom line here on the OL is they kept the entire unit from last year (that was THE worst unit in the league by far, the worst I've ever seen) and made two additions...a mid-level pickup in McDougle, and a 5th round rookie Alabi. Damion Cook would be lucky to make the team. I don't call that very "different"

I guess you don't believe in player development. If they aren't superstars after 1-2 yrs in the league, they should be dumped and move on. The Bronco O-line that started in their 2 SB wins were all in their late 20's- early 30's. They developed after 5-8 yrs in the league.
Carey, Hadnot, Alabi, Pape are all young and have upside. James, McIntosh and McDougle have shown they can play at a high level in this league. McIntosh was limited by an ankle injury the last 2 seasons.
I agree that McKinney needs to be replaced.

 

[DolfanCole]

the jags said they were willing to give a 2nd for henry. i'm assuming that might translate into a 3rd or conditional 4th for gordon...

If they are willing to give up a 3rd or 4th, I'd send Gordon on his way. I like Gordon, but we have some depth there and we can use the draft pick.

 

[NLude33]

If Frerotte starts this whole year, it's time to forget AJ.

We need to draft a QB next April.

I think we need to draft a QB anyway next year. Feeley isn't exactly young, and doesn't have superstar pro bowl potential I don't think.

 

[BlueFin]

Oline: You assume two new starters. I assume one, Stockar McDougle, until I hear official word that Carey has beaten McIntosh at LT. Bottom line here on the OL is they kept the entire unit from last year (that was THE worst unit in the league by far, the worst I've ever seen) and made two additions...a mid-level pickup in McDougle, and a 5th round rookie Alabi. Damion Cook would be lucky to make the team. I don't call that very "different"

Boston: Have you seen him dominating mini-camps or training camps? I'm sorry, I must be reading different reports from you. Or perhaps he hasn't dominated because he's no longer dominant. You'd do well under Wannstedt's staff if you would make personnel decisions taking David Boston's presence, or success, for granted. Don't be a Wanny guy.

Ricky Williams & Ronnie Brown: Definitely the biggest change. But, Ronnie is, after all, a rookie. And there have been the Thomas Jones's, Kijana Carters, and Curtis Enis's of the world who got drafted high and weren't worth a lick with the team that drafted them. And Ricky will not be a Dolphin for the first four games. And, if he slips up once with the drug program (which everyone, self included, seems to take for granted that he's fully quit using), then there's no Ricky for the year...or probably ever.

Scott Linehan & Hudson Houck: I will say that on the perimeters, our OL already looks better, which is important. But looks can be deceiving. Many people said that Wade Smith "looked" like a quality left tackle. Bottom line is this gets back to my point. NEW SYSTEM. There was nothing wrong with the playbook they had last year, it was Norv Turner's proven playbook. But the bottom line is, last year AJ was learning a NEW SYSTEM and therefore couldn't beat Fiedler out and also struggled when he played. Now, nothing has changed from that. It's still a new system.

Again, not enough has changed for us to believe AJ is going to be a superstar in these conditions, yet a loser in last year's conditions.

Well, nothing for sure makes me think AJ will be a superstar, thats a fact.

I do see big changes in this football team though.

 

[ckparrothead]

Changes in the football team is not changes in the offense from the point of view of AJ Feeley. He's still got the same OL personnel basically, with the exception of McDougle, he's still got the same TEs, he's basically got the same WRs (with the exception of the mercurial David Boston, who may decide tomorrow is a good time to break his knee, punch a Macy's security guard, and get caught sniffing coke), and the only MAJOR difference from a personnel standpoint, is we've got Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown.

Is that and some coach swapping enough to turn an offense from below zero to hero in one offseason? I think some people need to take their aqua colored glasses off.

A change at quarterback would be a dramatic change that COULD be the catalyst for a shift in our offense's capabilities. I didn't say it would, just that if you're playing the percentages, not enough of AJ Feeley's situation has changed to say that he will do way better this year than last year.

 

[VanDolPhan]

Oline: You assume two new starters. I assume one, Stockar McDougle, until I hear official word that Carey has beaten McIntosh at LT.

McIntosh hasn't even gotten 1st team snaps at LT so far not to mention the opening line last year had Smith there. Hadnot only started the last 7 games last year. Technically this is his first full year. Despite Saban saying differently he has barely rotated the OL. Houck is looking for a consistent group of guys to get lots of snaps it looks like.

The line by the start of the season will be that much different from the line of last year. Carey/James/McKinney/Hadnot/McDougle is how it looks so far as opposed to last years opening of Smith/James/McKinney/Whitley/St. Clair.

That's a pretty different line to me.

Not to mention there is no guarentee Donald Lee remains as the #2 TE and when we do use FB's both guys we have now are known for their blocking as opposed to Konrad.