Play Makers- Are We There Yet?

[So Be]

Play makers are subject to definition and opinion. I don't see anyone who would argue that we have had more than few in many a year. These are the guys who make up for the question marks on every team's roster, and the difference makers to get in and win a playoff game.

For the first time in a long time, I believe we have enough play makers to win this year. I'm not going by last year, stats, PFF, or anything other than opinion and expectations.

For me, we have play makers this year in Tannehill. Miller, Cameron. Landry, Parker, Jennings, and Stills on O, and Wake, Suh, OV, Jones, and Grimes on D. That's half the team, and a few others may chime in.

For me, if healthy, we are a playoff team, and will win at least one game.

So Be It.

 

[Phinsfan93]

Funny, I was thinking about this earlier. When I think of play makers I think of players who are top 10-20 at their position(s).

Going to hold off on calling any rookies play-makers until I actually see it but here's my list using your players:
1. Tannehill
2. Wake
3. Grimes
4. Suh
5. Cameron
6. Jones

Its really just 6 really good players who can change a game when you look at the team. Miller isn't a play-maker, Landry while good isn't a top 20 WR imo and neither is Jennings/Kenny Stills. OV is an above-average pass rusher who plays good run defense not a play-maker.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

On paper, I'd say yes. On offense, this group of receivers could easily be top 10 and, in time, maybe among the best in the NFL. Lamar Miller isn't an elite back, but I like the way he's developed and his production behind a questionable offensive line. Jordan Cameron, if healthy, is definitely a playmaker. If he can improve his deep game, Ryan Tannehill can become an elite quarterback in this league. He is right there with the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL.

Cam Wake, N. Suh and Brent Grimes are playmakers on defense. Olivier Vernon is knocking on the door.

The bigger question, might be if Miami has enough depth to survive injuries. That killed the team last year in the secondary and on the offensive line.

 

[So Be]

Funny, I was thinking about this earlier. When I think of play makers I think of players who are top 10-20 at their position(s).

Going to hold off on calling any rookies play-makers until I actually see it but here's my list using your players:
1. Tannehill
2. Wake
3. Grimes
4. Suh
5. Cameron
6. Jones

Its really just 6 really good players who can change a game when you look at the team. Miller isn't a play-maker, Landry while good isn't a top 20 WR imo and neither is Jennings/Kenny Stills. OV is an above-average pass rusher who plays good run defense not a play-maker.

I mostly agree on your list, as I would give the same based on past production, which is the smart thing to do. Have to disagree on Miller, who was top ten but, not going to beat that dead horse anymore. His production spoke for itself.

I'm going with my gut expectations, which may be off but, the more i think about it, the more I believe them.

I include Landry as I believe he will be much improved as a receiver, and I also include his returns where he did make some plays last year.

I include Parker because I have been calling him the play making WR Miami must have since Jan. Not about to change.

I include OV because of Suh, in addition to Wake, making things much easier this year to make plays.

I include Stills because I believe that with Lazor's O and the WR talent, he is going to be oprn deep and will catch those deep throws.

I include Jennings after glowing reports of his connecting with Tannehill.

After many posts on assessing players based on history, stats, rankings, etc, etc, in this case I'm just going with what I feel will happen this year.

If I'm right, there will be MANY Phans come Jan.

 

[So Be]

On paper, I'd say yes. On offense, this group of receivers could easily be top 10 and, in time, maybe among the best in the NFL. Lamar Miller isn't an elite back, but I like the way he's developed and his production behind a questionable offensive line. Jordan Cameron, if healthy, is definitely a playmaker. If he can improve his deep game, Ryan Tannehill can become an elite quarterback in this league. He is right there with the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL.

Cam Wake, N. Suh and Brent Grimes are playmakers on defense. Olivier Vernon is knocking on the door.

The bigger question, might be if Miami has enough depth to survive injuries. That killed the team last year in the secondary and on the offensive line.

We do not have the depth to survive major injuries. Very few teams do. However, I do believe we are in much better shape, with young guys developing, than in year's past. There is a long list of these guys, and I believe some can deliver.

 

[BlueFin]

I think if the injury gods smile upon us.....this is a playoff team

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

Jarvis Landry will surprise people if they actually let him do more than run three yard crossers from the slot.

 

[Digital]

I would say tentatively, yes.

But, Stills and Jennings are WR's coming from different teams and systems ... historically that is risky. Parker is an injured rookie. ... again, quite a projection. Miller had one good year and never carries the ball much, and Ajayi is another injury risk rookie. Cameron should be plug and play as TE's typically adjust well to new teams, but he has a major injury risk also.

While I'm very optimistic, there are a lot of questions to be answered. How will Stills adjust? Will Parker miss the preseason time or pull Beckham? Can Cameron stay Healthy? Will Miller succeed without Wallace to draw safeties? Until we know some of these answers, it may be too early to tell.

And obviously, if our OL doesn't hold up, our offense will be AWOL. Playmaker can only make plays if given an opportunity.

 

[Travis34]

I would say tentatively, yes.

But, Stills and Jennings are WR's coming from different teams and systems ... historically that is risky. Parker is an injured rookie. ... again, quite a projection. Miller had one good year and never carries the ball much, and Ajayi is another injury risk rookie. Cameron should be plug and play as TE's typically adjust well to new teams, but he has a major injury risk also.

While I'm very optimistic, there are a lot of questions to be answered. How will Stills adjust? Will Parker miss the preseason time or pull Beckham? Can Cameron stay Healthy? Will Miller succeed without Wallace to draw safeties? Until we know some of these answers, it may be too early to tell.

And obviously, if our OL doesn't hold up, our offense will be AWOL. Playmaker can only make plays if given an opportunity.

Spot on

 

[So Be]

I would say tentatively, yes.

But, Stills and Jennings are WR's coming from different teams and systems ... historically that is risky. Parker is an injured rookie. ... again, quite a projection. Miller had one good year and never carries the ball much, and Ajayi is another injury risk rookie. Cameron should be plug and play as TE's typically adjust well to new teams, but he has a major injury risk also.

While I'm very optimistic, there are a lot of questions to be answered. How will Stills adjust? Will Parker miss the preseason time or pull Beckham? Can Cameron stay Healthy? Will Miller succeed without Wallace to draw safeties? Until we know some of these answers, it may be too early to tell.

And obviously, if our OL doesn't hold up, our offense will be AWOL. Playmaker can only make plays if given an opportunity.

Alll good points Dig, and cannot be disputed based on current facts.

I think we all agree on the play makers on D, with maybe a chance for Taylor, Jenkins or McCain to chime in.

On O, I may have gone a bit overboard but, see my expectation as a distinct possibility. I'm not saying that every skill position player will be play makers on opening day when we score 50 and do not look back. :) I am saying that at different points in our season they will be play makers. For example, Tannehill, Miller, Landry, maybe Jennings, and Cameron on day 1, Stills hopefully by the bye, and Parker maybe the same.

One HUGE factor in my expectations is Lazor. I cannot recall the last OC I was happy with but, I am with him. He did one hell of a job in his first year with RT, Miller, and not much to work with at receiver other than Wallace and Clay. I am sure the guys we now have are his guys, and that he has a plan for each of them. Remember that he got us into the Red Zone more than any other team in the NFL, and now has the weapons to do much more than just getting there.

On the OL. I was overly impressed with what Benton did at the start of last year. Anyone who was not, considering 5 new guys and their talent, does not watch OL play. He will do better this year, and I do not have the same concerns as many.

We are a legit playoff team.

 

[Fins1971]

One HUGE factor in my expectations is Lazor. I cannot recall the last OC I was happy with but, I am with him. Remember that he got us into the Red Zone more than any other team in the NFL.

The Patriots had the most Red zone appearances last year with 69 and I do NOT recall Lazor ever being on the football field last year. The Dolphin team had 67 red zone appearances. 13 of those 67 possession started in the opponents red zone before Lazor's offense even took the field. Add in another 16 possession where we started in the opponents territory and only needed a few yards to get to the red zone and you can see us being 2nd was a team thing and not just Lazor.

For us to be a playoff team Lazor needs to step it up in the Red Zone. He made some poor calls and squandered the most opportunities any team had by settled for too many FG's. That has to change for us to be a playoff team.

 

[NBP81]

The Patriots had the most Red zone appearances last year with 69 and I do NOT recall Lazor ever being on the football field last year. The Dolphin team had 67 red zone appearances. 13 of those 67 possession started in the opponents red zone before Lazor's offense even took the field. Add in another 16 possession where we started in the opponents territory and only needed a few yards to get to the red zone and you can see us being 2nd was a team thing and not just Lazor.

For us to be a playoff team Lazor needs to step it up in the Red Zone. He made some poor calls and squandered the most opportunities any team had by settled for too many FG's. That has to change for us to be a playoff team.

Did you compare that with the other teams in the top-10? Just curious because I would think thats got to be a big reason why top 10 teams get in the top 10 in the first place IMO...

 

[Fins1971]

Did you compare that with the other teams in the top-10? Just curious because I would think thats got to be a big reason why top 10 teams get in the top 10 in the first place IMO...

As you can see below the top ten teams in red zone appearances averaged about 4 drives starting inside the opponents 20, while Miami had 13 of those. 9 more than the average and 7 more than the next highest. So if you take away the gimme's we would be in the top ten but NOT #2. Like I said not all Lazor. Give the D and special teams some credit.

Team - Red Zone Appearances - Drives started inside opponents 20

NE - 69 - 4
Mia - 67 -13
NO - 66 - 3
Balt - 62 - 4
GB - 62 -4
NY G- 61 -4
Den - 59 -5
Phil - 59 -6
Sea - 59 -5
Ind - 58 -1

Last year was an anomaly for Miami. Those 13 drives starting inside the opponents 20 was the most by any team in a season over the last 25 years.

 

[NBP81]

As you can see below the top ten teams in red zone appearances averaged about 4 drives starting inside the opponents 20, while Miami had 13 of those. 9 more than the average and 7 more than the next highest. So if you take away the gimme's we would be in the top ten but NOT #2. Like I said not all Lazor. Give the D and special teams some credit.

Team - Red Zone Appearances - Drives started inside opponents 20

NE - 69 - 4
Mia - 67 -13
NO - 66 - 3
Balt - 62 - 4
GB - 62 -4
NY G- 61 -4
Den - 59 -5
Phil - 59 -6
Sea - 59 -5
Ind - 58 -1

Last year was an anomaly for Miami. Those 13 drives starting inside the opponents 20 was the most by any team in a season over the last 25 years.

Damn thats a huge difference. Thanks for the research!

 

[WinterIsComing]

We have enough guys on this offense to make plays. What we need is the execution. The OL must block well and the QB and WRs must be on the same page. If all of that happens we will have plenty of production on offense.