The first of the 2011 season doesn’t strictly center on last Sunday’s gut check loss to the Browns. It encompasses the team’s 0-3 starts.
[h=1]
Stock Up[/h] RB
Daniel Thomas – I’m cautiously optimistic about the Dolphins second-round pick. He jumped on the scheme two weeks ago and made his disappointing training camp and exhibition season performances disagree with a strong 107 rushing effort against Houston. I gave
Mike Pouncey plenty credit for that showing. But he followed it up with a 95 yard rushing total against the Browns. He also caught three passes for 27 yards, one of which produced the Dolphins’ only touchdown of the game. However, Thomas did whiff on a block that got
Chad Henne sacked.
WR
Brian Hartline – He’s consistently made tough catches this season, and the 38-yard sideline grab he caught against the Browns was probably the best of this young season. Hartline’s extremely efficient as the team’s third receiver. He’s a good run blocker. Gets open deep enough, and makes though catches. He came 13 yards shy of producing his first 100 yard game, but I get the feeling he’ll break the century mark this season.
DE Randy Starks – He’s the most consistent performer on the team’s deepest unit, which hasn’t been playing up to their talent level. But Starks has been delivering his share of forceful stops, and edge setting. It’d be idea if the Dolphins put him in the nickel and dime sets again, allowing him to pass rush more often. Starks, who made the Pro Bowl last season as an alternate, does need to improve on his pass rushing. He can, and should be doing more. But there’s a loooooooong list of players on defense who fit into that category.
[h=1]
Stock Down[/h] RT
Marc Colombo – When
Nate Garner has to play 20 snaps a game as part of an overloaded line, and only lines up on the right side, it’s clear the Dolphins understand there’s a problem at right tackle. When
Anthony Fasano has to spent more than half the game max protectioning on the right side, how can the coaches conclude there aren’t issues? However, the fact nothing has been done to explore replacing Colombo, who has allowed a sack a game, is troubling. At this point
Vernon Carey’s right shoulder injury could be a hinderance, but something must be done.
ILB
Kevin Burnett – He hasn’t done a single thing worth mentioning in the first three games of 2011, and this defense has gone from good to bad very quickly. With
Karlos Dansby’s participation limited by his groin injury Burnett became the primary coverage linebacker who was responsble for defending tailbacks and tight ends. Those two positions caught 11 of the 19 passes Colt McCoy completed. What’s more troubling is the fact he struggles to shed blocks. Burnett is clearly falling short of this playmaker reputation he came to Miami with.
SS
Yeremiah Bell – The Dolphins’ leading tackler the past three seasons has failed to make an impact in three games. While he hasn’t exactly been a liability like
Reshad Jones in the first two games, Bell has been about a step slow on nearly every play. He’s not a factor on blitzes, is getting abused by tight ends (like everyone else), and can’t cover much ground in zone coverage. While Jimmy Wilson took the bullet for the game-winning touchdown Mohammed Massaquoi scored in the closing minutes of Sunday’s loss ot the Browns, Bell was supposed to be in that area helping.
