Here is a basic 5 guys whose stock is up, and 5 guys whose stock is down report:
Stock Up:
Chad Henne - He wasn't all world, but he was solid. Second game in a row he was showing his new found athleticism in the pocket. Looks more in command, looks more confident. He is going to have to hit that deep ball, and he still falls in love with his arm on occassion . . . but 0 INT's usually mean Chad had a good game.
Reggie Bush - Speed Kills . . . doesn't it? This guy was running with a chip on his shoulder in between the tackles . . . making guys miss. His speed is something we haven't seen, hell maybe never, from a RB on this team. Probably gotta go back to Mercury Morris lol. My MVP of the night . . . 16 yard checkdowns? Incredible.
Daniel Thomas - Still don't know wtf he was doing trying to dive from the 4 yard line and lost the ball . . . but did you see his feet? Dude has some quick feet . . . its no dancing here, its move and go for Thomas . . . and this rookie is already showing promise in his blitz pickup . . . he was stoning guys. I'm sure Henne appreciates it.
Kevin Burnett - You saw last night why he is on this team and Crowder is not. Dude is just light years better in coverage than Channing ever was. And more importantly, it allows Karlos Dansby to do whatever the hell we want him to do. Burnett was all over the place . . . solid tackler, solid coverage . . . solid pickup.
Dedrick Epps - I think it is more than obvious that he has moved in front of Mastrund as the clear #2 TE. Dude had another great catch this week and man he is a pretty darn good blocker too. Honestly, he was a great pickup for Miami last year and I'm surprised he didn't get more burn but he looks ready to go and maybe, just maybe we have a suitable #2 who can help stretch the field at TE for Miami. He has the measurables to be solid and the U is known for churning out some good TE's.
Stock Down:
Nolan Carroll - This guy has went from roster "lock" to behind 7th round pick Jimmy Wilson in the span of 2 games. Not good. He was getting trucked all over last night. He wasn't particulary great in coverage either, though Carolina's QBs didn't have the best night throwing in general. With his value on kickoffs diminished by the addition of Clyde Gates and the new rule . . . he could be hoping Will Allen doesn't make it back to sniff out that #5 CB role.
Marlon Moore - When you get a chance like that Marlon, you gotta convert. Matt Moore laid the pass on your hands, and you dropped it? You were a longshot regardless as you were behind Wallace in special teams performance and behind Livas as a returner . . . but now you are probably all but out of here with that drop. You can't have those. Your speed isn't as big of a factor as it was last year because we have speed now. I don't think he makes it.
Phillip Livas - If this kid wants a spot, he needs consistency. It is clear that it doesn't take much to bring him down . . . he isn't Josh Cribbs in the aspect that he can break tackles . . . we saw last week that he fell off of 3 shoestring tackles and this week he was overwhelmed. I think if you start seeing more Gates and maybe even Carroll back on returns, that could be the end for him as well.
AJ Edds - He was so solid last week, he had to come down some. He just doesn't seem very strong at the POA. Much better as a nickel LB in coverage. He was getting bullied up close on a few occassions. He was still solid in coverage for the most part and he is still a lock to make this team, but we saw last night why he was a 4th round pick instead of a first or 2nd rounder, he doesn't have the top level athleticism. 16 reps at the combine, not great for a LB and for a guy his size. Honestly he may be better as an OLB in the 4-3 when its all said and done. He lost alot of playing time when we signed Burnett. I don't see him or Dansby getting off the field much.
Jason Trusnik - Definitely hasn't looked very spectacular IMO. I have seens Edds flash, and last night, both Francis and Marvin Mitchell put in solid performances. You almost had to believe when we signed Jason, he was a lock to make this roster, and he still might make it . . . but if I'm doing numbers . . . I count 8 guys at LB potentially ahead of him . . . and you have to wonder how many we are going to keep. He is versatile, meaning he can play inside and outside, so he has that going for him.
Postive Honorable Mention - The Starting Offensive Line:
Mike Pouncey - This guy was a BEAST last night, he was dominating inside. The high snaps were disturbing though, he had atleast 5 high snaps. He has gotta get that fixed in time for the regular season. I still think he would be great at LG for us. He is going to be a great player for the Dolphins for many years.
Lydon Murtha - The penalties were terrible . . . but was this guy winning his battles last night or what? Man Murtha is improved . .. glad we didn't give up on this kid, great depth at tackle and the upside is there to get even better. Could be your clear cut starting RT next year ... or maybe even this year.
Vernon Carey - Vernon looks like he is starting to sette in a bit at RG. Started kind of slow again, but the holes were getting bigger as the half went on. Carey has all the tools to be a great guard . . . this could be a sneaky good move if we get some consistency at RT.
Ritchie Incogntio - Still don't care much for his ability when he is asked to move around . . . but he can win battles up front and he did well last night in that regard.
Mark Colombo - I honestly didn't watch much of Mark last night . . . I was focusing more on the interior and Murtha, but Henne had no sacks and that is a start. If I get around to watching the replay I'll look at him more, sure somebody will give a better analysis of his play before the next game.
Negative Honorable Mention
Anthony Fasano - Stop dropping passes . . . you led us in receiving last night, but a big part of that was Henne making a play out of the high snap, moving and finding you. You have a chance to have a real big year but nobody is confident in you right now. Tighten up bro.
Overall
Great job by the Dolphins last night. They dominated TOP and the defense didn't allow them to get near scoring range until like the 4th quarter. No INT's. Real solid performace and a WIN AT HOME.
Stock Up:
Chad Henne - He wasn't all world, but he was solid. Second game in a row he was showing his new found athleticism in the pocket. Looks more in command, looks more confident. He is going to have to hit that deep ball, and he still falls in love with his arm on occassion . . . but 0 INT's usually mean Chad had a good game.
Reggie Bush - Speed Kills . . . doesn't it? This guy was running with a chip on his shoulder in between the tackles . . . making guys miss. His speed is something we haven't seen, hell maybe never, from a RB on this team. Probably gotta go back to Mercury Morris lol. My MVP of the night . . . 16 yard checkdowns? Incredible.
Daniel Thomas - Still don't know wtf he was doing trying to dive from the 4 yard line and lost the ball . . . but did you see his feet? Dude has some quick feet . . . its no dancing here, its move and go for Thomas . . . and this rookie is already showing promise in his blitz pickup . . . he was stoning guys. I'm sure Henne appreciates it.
Kevin Burnett - You saw last night why he is on this team and Crowder is not. Dude is just light years better in coverage than Channing ever was. And more importantly, it allows Karlos Dansby to do whatever the hell we want him to do. Burnett was all over the place . . . solid tackler, solid coverage . . . solid pickup.
Dedrick Epps - I think it is more than obvious that he has moved in front of Mastrund as the clear #2 TE. Dude had another great catch this week and man he is a pretty darn good blocker too. Honestly, he was a great pickup for Miami last year and I'm surprised he didn't get more burn but he looks ready to go and maybe, just maybe we have a suitable #2 who can help stretch the field at TE for Miami. He has the measurables to be solid and the U is known for churning out some good TE's.
Stock Down:
Nolan Carroll - This guy has went from roster "lock" to behind 7th round pick Jimmy Wilson in the span of 2 games. Not good. He was getting trucked all over last night. He wasn't particulary great in coverage either, though Carolina's QBs didn't have the best night throwing in general. With his value on kickoffs diminished by the addition of Clyde Gates and the new rule . . . he could be hoping Will Allen doesn't make it back to sniff out that #5 CB role.
Marlon Moore - When you get a chance like that Marlon, you gotta convert. Matt Moore laid the pass on your hands, and you dropped it? You were a longshot regardless as you were behind Wallace in special teams performance and behind Livas as a returner . . . but now you are probably all but out of here with that drop. You can't have those. Your speed isn't as big of a factor as it was last year because we have speed now. I don't think he makes it.
Phillip Livas - If this kid wants a spot, he needs consistency. It is clear that it doesn't take much to bring him down . . . he isn't Josh Cribbs in the aspect that he can break tackles . . . we saw last week that he fell off of 3 shoestring tackles and this week he was overwhelmed. I think if you start seeing more Gates and maybe even Carroll back on returns, that could be the end for him as well.
AJ Edds - He was so solid last week, he had to come down some. He just doesn't seem very strong at the POA. Much better as a nickel LB in coverage. He was getting bullied up close on a few occassions. He was still solid in coverage for the most part and he is still a lock to make this team, but we saw last night why he was a 4th round pick instead of a first or 2nd rounder, he doesn't have the top level athleticism. 16 reps at the combine, not great for a LB and for a guy his size. Honestly he may be better as an OLB in the 4-3 when its all said and done. He lost alot of playing time when we signed Burnett. I don't see him or Dansby getting off the field much.
Jason Trusnik - Definitely hasn't looked very spectacular IMO. I have seens Edds flash, and last night, both Francis and Marvin Mitchell put in solid performances. You almost had to believe when we signed Jason, he was a lock to make this roster, and he still might make it . . . but if I'm doing numbers . . . I count 8 guys at LB potentially ahead of him . . . and you have to wonder how many we are going to keep. He is versatile, meaning he can play inside and outside, so he has that going for him.
Postive Honorable Mention - The Starting Offensive Line:
Mike Pouncey - This guy was a BEAST last night, he was dominating inside. The high snaps were disturbing though, he had atleast 5 high snaps. He has gotta get that fixed in time for the regular season. I still think he would be great at LG for us. He is going to be a great player for the Dolphins for many years.
Lydon Murtha - The penalties were terrible . . . but was this guy winning his battles last night or what? Man Murtha is improved . .. glad we didn't give up on this kid, great depth at tackle and the upside is there to get even better. Could be your clear cut starting RT next year ... or maybe even this year.
Vernon Carey - Vernon looks like he is starting to sette in a bit at RG. Started kind of slow again, but the holes were getting bigger as the half went on. Carey has all the tools to be a great guard . . . this could be a sneaky good move if we get some consistency at RT.
Ritchie Incogntio - Still don't care much for his ability when he is asked to move around . . . but he can win battles up front and he did well last night in that regard.
Mark Colombo - I honestly didn't watch much of Mark last night . . . I was focusing more on the interior and Murtha, but Henne had no sacks and that is a start. If I get around to watching the replay I'll look at him more, sure somebody will give a better analysis of his play before the next game.
Negative Honorable Mention
Anthony Fasano - Stop dropping passes . . . you led us in receiving last night, but a big part of that was Henne making a play out of the high snap, moving and finding you. You have a chance to have a real big year but nobody is confident in you right now. Tighten up bro.
Overall
Great job by the Dolphins last night. They dominated TOP and the defense didn't allow them to get near scoring range until like the 4th quarter. No INT's. Real solid performace and a WIN AT HOME.