Miami Dolphins sign a kicker and two players to futures contracts | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Miami Dolphins sign a kicker and two players to futures contracts

fisi

fisi

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With the Miami Dolphins looking towards the future, the team has begun adding players to their 2015 training camp roster. The players added are former Arkansas kicker Zach Hocker, veteran wide receiver Michael Preston, and former Oklahoma State safety Shamiel Gary.

The signing of Hocker will surely be of great interest to several Dolphins fans, as former fifth-round draft pick Caleb Sturgis has had an unfortunate tendency to miss field goals at the worst possible moments, especially on longer distances, as he went 9 for 16 on field goal attempts of 40 yards or more during the 2014 season.

Hocker appeared in 50 career games at Arkansas from 2010-13, and he left the program with the school records for points and points by a kicker with a total of 354, as well as having a field goal percentage of 77.2, making 61 total field goals. He also made 171 PATs out of 173 attempts.

http://www.phinmaniacs.com/news/miami-dolphins-sign-three-players-to-futures-contracts
 
Zach Hocker:

Overview

Led team with 104 points in 2010, connecting on 16 of 19 field-goal attempts with a long of 51 and all 56 extra-point tries. Broke the school record for points by a kicker in 2011 with 118 after making 21 of 27 FGs with a long of 50 and 55 of 57 PATs. Also kicked off 93 times for a 67.8-yard average with 40 touchbacks. In 2012, made 11 of 18 FGs with a long of 46 and all 32 PATs, and kicked off 58 times for a 64.7-yard average with 39 touchbacks. In 2013, hit on 13 of 15 FGs with a career long of 54 and all 28 PATs, and kicked off 50 times for a 63.2-yard average with 34 touchbacks. Also punted seven times for a 45.7-yard average with a long of 77 and one inside the 20-yard line. Led the Razorbacks in scoring each season and holds school records for points by a kicker (354), FG percentage (77.2), PATs made (171), PATs attempted (173) and field goals (61).


Analysis

Strengths Good leg speed. Consistently converted beyond 50 (3-4 as a senior) and has enough velocity to hang the ball on kickoffs. Well-grounded and humble.

Weaknesses Thinly built and undersized. Does not possess a powerful leg. The ball does not explode off his foot (rise). Struggled to handle pressure early in his career.

Draft Projection Undrafted free agent

Bottom Line Soccer-style kicker whose leg strength and accuracy seemed to be weakening heading into his senior season, with diminished accuracy and range. Rebounded to make his senior season his best. Could warrant consideration in a camp.
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77.2 % is pretty much what Sturgis gives us. Doesn't look like much of an upgrade. Maybe he can kick it deeper.
 
Kicker sounds useless. Preston looks interesting. Good size. He was said to have potential, but let's be honest, it hasn't materialized even yet. Maybe he's plateaued. But I like looking at him to see if there is a long shot possibility.

I was optimistic before the season on the receivers and they were a huge disappointment. Gibby fell off from '13. Hartline is not a pressure player. Richard was a massive disappointment and then you have Philbin not being able to handle Wallace. I am curious about Hazel though.

I'd like to see at least 2 6'3 receivers on the 53 next year and one of them at least has to be fast. We lack speed aside from Wallace. No more ankle weights Wallace and those types. Get some good receivers with size. This will help immeasurably in the red zone where we struggled.
 
From the weaknesses part of that description that should basically eliminate his football career because what's the point if its true?
 
Well there ya go, not drafting a biggy WR in round 1. lol

Tyler Lockett. say goodbye Gibson.
 
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