J. Taylor and Chris Chambers observations from practice

[Daytona Fin]

After working as Dolphins volunteer assistant coaches for parts of the spring and summer, Jason Taylor and Chris Chambers are back to their permanent gigs --- Taylor opining as a new studio analyst on NBC Sports Network, Chambers running his fitness training and therapy facility and appearing weekly on WINZ’s Finsiders.

We asked both former Dolphins standouts for observations made and conclusions drawn from their time spent on-field with the team in recent months. Here's what they had to say:

### Taylor predicts “Koa Misi is going to be good inside” as the new middle linebacker. “He’s built for that. A big, physical, strong guy. He’s got the height and speed to play there and he loves to hit. It’s a better fit for him to be there than maybe on the edge.”

### Taylor said he spoke to defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers about working with Dion Jordan during his four-game suspension, but nothing had materialized as of earlier this week. (My view: Jordan should have asked Taylor about this a few weeks ago.)

Taylor said Jordan is “receptive to learning” but must do something useful in the next month: “It’s a big time for him to develop and hit the ground running in Week 5…. He’s learning the intricacies of playing in the NFL."

### Taylor, who worked with the team primarily in offseason practices, is highly intrigued by rookie defensive end Terrence Fede, who is out Sunday with a knee injury: “He was a playmaker when they were practicing in pajamas [OTAs]. He played physical and fast. Once he learns the technique more and learns to play with his hands, the sky is the limit for him.”

### Taylor said watching impressive undrafted rookie linebacker/end Chris McCain –-- who is expected to play Sunday --- is “a little reminiscent of looking in the mirror. I saw McCain when I first got there during minicamp and I asked Kacy Rodgers, ‘Who is that?’

“Tall, lanky kid. He really flashed. Plays his butt off. I saw a couple games where he made a mistake. Some young kids would go in the shell after making mistakes and he did not do that. He bounced right back and continued to play fast.”

### Olivier Vernon said Taylor taught him to use his hands more effectively on pass-rush moves, and Taylor said: “I love Olivier Vernon. Being around him for the first time, [seeing] how much of a sponge he is. It’s tough when you have been removed for a couple years, had a guy who had a bunch of sacks the previous year and you see little things that may or may not help him, you want to speak up. He was very receptive with all those things. I can’t say enough good things about him.”

### Chambers, who worked 10 days with the receivers this summer, said he expects new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor will get Mike Wallace the ball early in games, so he feels engaged.

Chambers said Lazor will put Wallace in routes where he will be successful: “Deep stop routes or comebacks, which aren’t hard. A lot of speed routes and screens. You’ll see reverses to get him the ball early. I would like to see consistency [from him], be more of a leader. He’s saying all the right things.”

### Chambers said the read option "will be a staple of the offense. This offense is geared toward Ryan [Tannehill’s] skill set. The deep ball is a little bit of a concern, but I’ve seen Ryan grow. He hasn’t taken a step back. This year will be telltale.”

### Though Jarvis Landry ran a slow 4.7 at the NFL Combine, “he can turn it up a notch,” Chambers said. “He’s fast enough for people not to catch him from behind.”

### He said this offense is great for receivers, like Landry, who are “quicker guys who get in and out of routes.” Brandon Gibson, he said, “is very underrated.”

### Chambers loves how Lazor “is very creative and open to suggestions.” He said Lazor asked him to return “once in a while” this season.

### Both are encouraged about the team’s chances. Taylor’s take: “This is a team that definitely can get to the playoffs. They are a talented team. In certain areas, they are very talented. In other areas, they needed to improve and they took some steps in doing that.

“Very good defense. They need to play better with more efficiency on offense. They have a good quarterback. He’s really going to blossom in year three, hopefully. Bill Lazor will be a big addition for him.”

Could full-time coaching be in their futures? Chambers has “a coaching itch.” and Taylor --- though non-committal --- said: “I love being around the game, being around the team in any capacity. Coaching is fun, teaching technique. The whole football thing intrigues me, top to bottom.”

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...-volunteer-coaching-stints.html#storylink=cpy

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

I hope the Dolphins organization finds room for Jason Taylor in some meaningful capacity.

 

[Rhoadsy13]

Love that Philbin is involving the former players & building unity with the organization.

 

[Ruckus45]

I like that they're bringing these guys in. It's like your older brother telling you the same thing your dad does- just impacts you differently.

 

[roy_miami]

Interesting that Taylor said looking at McCain was a bit like looking in the mirror, and I think it was Faulk that was saying the same thing during the final preseason game, that McCain reminded him of a young Jason Taylor.

 

[nick1]

Interesting that Taylor said looking at McCain was a bit like looking in the mirror, and I think it was Faulk that was saying the same thing during the final preseason game, that McCain reminded him of a young Jason Taylor.

I wish Dion Jordan would be like JT. But if McCain can be that good I would be happy

 

[Built2Win]

Interesting that Taylor said looking at McCain was a bit like looking in the mirror, and I think it was Faulk that was saying the same thing during the final preseason game, that McCain reminded him of a young Jason Taylor.

Brady would target him though i think he can get to brady and be around the ball enough.
More of a sure tackler than wheeler.

 

[ANUFan]

I wish Dion Jordan would be like JT. But if McCain can be that good I would be happy

### Taylor said he spoke to defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers about working with Dion Jordan during his four-game suspension, but nothing had materialized as of earlier this week. (My view: Jordan should have asked Taylor about this a few weeks ago.)

Taylor said Jordan is “receptive to learning” but must do something useful in the next month: “It’s a big time for him to develop and hit the ground running in Week 5…. He’s learning the intricacies of playing in the NFL."
Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...-volunteer-coaching-stints.html#storylink=cpy

Such a shame!

 

[NBP81]

Don't know why but I get the feeling Jordan is satisfied having made the NFL as a 3rd pick overall. Like his ultimate goal has been reached, and now whatever...

 

[FSU Truth]

Don't know why but I get the feeling Jordan is satisfied having made the NFL as a 3rd pick overall. Like his ultimate goal has been reached, and now whatever...

There doesn't seem to be "that dog" in him that we see in many players who go on to be successful in the NFL. It is especially concerning considering he plays defense....McCain has that dog in him, Landry, James have that dog in them....Jordan...seems like his heart isn't in it.

 

[dolpns13]

Don't know why but I get the feeling Jordan is satisfied having made the NFL as a 3rd pick overall. Like his ultimate goal has been reached, and now whatever...

Agreed. It's no falsity that he's acting like a bum. If the dude wants anything beyond his contract he better shape up

 

[FSU Truth]

Chambers said Lazor will put Wallace in routes where he will be successful: “Deep stop routes or comebacks, which aren’t hard. A lot of speed routes and screens. You’ll see reverses to get him the ball early. I would like to see consistency [from him], be more of a leader. He’s saying all the right things.”

 

[TheWalrus]

It's startling how different Taylor's language is when talking about Jordan than when talking about the other young guys. He's clearly not trying to be negative -- which would draw attention to his comments -- but he's also not going to heap praise on someone who doesn't deserve it.

 

[Hayden Fox]

I love JT. Favorite Fin of all time. I agree he would make for a possible FO addition.

 

[roy_miami]

I'm trying really hard to give Jordan a chance and not jump on the hate brigade but wouldn't that be the pièce de résistance for the Jeff Ireland era. "I've got picks and money." I don't think he could have done much worse if he tried.