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Postgame Buzz:

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Postscripts from the Dolphins’ 14-13 win against St. Louis in a typically forgettable preseason finale:

### None of the most prominent “bubble boy” veterans had great nights, though Daniel Thomas and Marcus Thigpen redeemed themselves a bit in the second half.

Thigpen fumbled and subsequently kicked a punt, losing 20 yards in the process; made a poor effort on a Seth Lobato pass; and then was scolded by special teams coach Darren Rizzi for not entering the game on a punt return, leaving the Dolphins with – well – nobody to return the punt.

But Thigpen made a case to stay with a 32-yard punt return in the fourth quarter.

Thomas? Typically mediocre work -- 38 yards on 13 carries (2.9 yards per carry against a bunch of backups). His blockers doing him no favors but Thomas doing nothing remotely special on his own.

After an eight-carry, 17 yard first half, Thomas was somewhat better in the second: 5 for 19, including a touchdown. After three-plus years, we’ve probably seen enough.

Elsewhere, David Arkin – who started at left guard --- allowed a sack and was mediocre in the run game, then limped off in the final seconds.

Jonathan Freeney, trying to win the final linebacker job, committed a holding penalty that resulted in a first down and had just one tackle.
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Jelani Jenkins allowed at least two receptions but had six tackles, a sack on a blitz, a QB hit, and another tackle for loss. He seemingly did enough to win a roster spot – unless (and it’s a big unless) the Dolphins find somebody better on waivers.

Damian Williams, the ex-Titans receiver, didn’t have a catch.

And safety Michael Thomas, who seemed likely to make the team entering the game, had a horrendous night. He had a holding penalty, was out of position on Austin Pettis’ TD catch and allowed at least two other catches.

### Bubble players who made a case to stay, besides Jenkins: Jordan Kovacs, who had two outstanding plays on special teams; defensive tackle Garrison Smith, who had a sack and tackle for job; and Chris McCain (who seemed likely to make the roster coming into the game) with two sacks and a quarterback pressure on consecutive plays.

If McCain was on the bubble, he shouldn’t be now; it would be shocking if he doesn’t make the team.

### Nothing was clarified with the No. 3 running back job. Damien Williams had 14 yards on three carries and Orleans Darkwa 22 yards on 11 carries. Keeping Williams seems like the sensible move, but if there are better options on waivers, GM Dennis Hickey presumably will consider them.
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###Hickey also will be looking for a No. 3 tight end who’s better than Harold Hoskins or Kyle Miller. Hoskins had one catch for five yards (you would have liked to have seen him targeted more) but had a good block on Matt Hazel’s 22-yard reception for a touchdown that put the Dolphins ahead with 6:15 left.

He also must decide whether any defensive tackles released are superior to rookies Smith, Anthony Johnson, Kemal Johnson and veteran Isaako Aaitui. With AJ Francis on injured reserve, the Dolphins need a No. 4 d-tackle. All four of the candidates had some good moments.

Anthony and Kemal Johnson started and shared a sack tonight, but the Rams had a handful of successful plays running the ball against the interior of the Dolphins’ line when they were in the game. Overall, though, the Rams averaged just 3.6 per carry.
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### Among the night’s biggest disappointments: promising rookie linebacker Jordan Tripp leaving early with a chest injury.

### Undrafted Northern Colorado rookie Seth Lobato (12-25-147-1 TD-1 pick) made a half dozen very good throws (including four good ones to Matt Hazel) but several head-scratching ones, too. Lobato, whose TD pass to Hazel provided the final margin, figures to land on the practice squad. The Dolphins like his arm.

Hazel (4 catches, 79 yards) also seems headed to the practice squad. So, potentially, are at least one of the three undrafted rookie tackles that do not make the final 53. Hoskins has earned a spot on the practice squad if he doesn’t make the 53.

### Final receiving numbers, besides the aforementioned Hazel and Hoskins: Landry 3 for 28; Miller 2 for 22; Thigpen 2 for 17; the running back Williams 2-14; Darkwa 1 for 8; Matthews 1 for 8; and Kevin Cone 1 for 4.
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More here:

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/
 
i dont even need to see the game if they cut michael thomas they are crazy...special teams alone he should be a lock...scour waivers or trade for a 3rd tight end hickey i need to see dallas thomas but i'd seriously consider cutting that cause if hes in great shape and still plays terrible how much meat is there on the bone???

arkin and freeny should be easy cuts...i see thigpen treated the ball like a hot damn potato...

mccain i bet his rush pressures came on the edge against scrub ots...it's a redeeming quality but it's better suited in packages where we can blitz him thru gaps and overloads...sub package type stuff...

it's either anthony johnson or none of those dts...but i guess it could be a numbers game and someone steals a spot...nothings worth it outside of his potential though
 
hooshoops said:
mccain i bet his rush pressures came on the edge against scrub ots...it's a redeeming quality but it's better suited in packages where we can blitz him thru gaps and overloads...sub package type stuff...
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He had one pressure come from up the middle, but yeah, it was mostly lined up against the Rams' last string right tackle. To be fair though, McCain completely destroyed the guy like six or seven plays in a row. Just utterly dominant at the end of the game. Beating the guy around the edge, spinning back inside, and really showed a good ability to find the QB while he was on the move, too.
 
J. David Wannyheimer said:
He had one pressure come from up the middle, but yeah, it was mostly lined up against the Rams' last string right tackle. To be fair though, McCain completely destroyed the guy like six or seven plays in a row. Just utterly dominant at the end of the game. Beating the guy around the edge, spinning back inside, and really showed a good ability to find the QB while he was on the move, too.
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a play at the los guy...you can work with that in packages...but you'd be up **** creekl without a paddle if you played it every down...right now
 
The story of Thigpen's career. Several boneheaded moves followed by one brilliant one...it's not enough for me.
 
I thought Garrison Smith looked good and has the most upside of the DT's. He can move for a big man.

Damien Williams had the 3rd rb spot locked up IMO. Thats why he didn't run much. If they keep Thomas they will keep 4 rbs. Darkwa is a practice squad candidate.

Damian Williams may not have played much either if he already had a spot on lockdown.

I don't think Michael Thomas is in any danger.

Thigpen is as close to the bubble as it gets. Id feel a lot better about cutting him if I saw someone else do anything halfway decent on returns.
 
if the eagles cut matt barkley jump on it...i take it dion jordan did not a damn thing....so much for sub package difference maker and run d offset
 
hooshoops said:
if the eagles cut matt barkley jump on it...i take it dion jordan did not a damn thing....so much for sub package difference maker and run d offset
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I like the idea of Barkley as 3rd qb. If he is cut though Im not sure he makes it to us.
 
Billk78 said:
I like the idea of Barkley as 3rd qb. If he is cut though Im not sure he makes it to us.
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i will be in the minority and that doesnt bother me but if barkley shook free i'd let matt moore go and make him my backup...
 
hooshoops said:
i dont even need to see the game if they cut michael thomas they are crazy...special teams alone he should be a lock...scour waivers or trade for a 3rd tight end hickey i need to see dallas thomas but i'd seriously consider cutting that cause if hes in great shape and still plays terrible how much meat is there on the bone???

arkin and freeny should be easy cuts...i see thigpen treated the ball like a hot damn potato...

mccain i bet his rush pressures came on the edge against scrub ots...it's a redeeming quality but it's better suited in packages where we can blitz him thru gaps and overloads...sub package type stuff...

it's either anthony johnson or none of those dts...but i guess it could be a numbers game and someone steals a spot...nothings worth it outside of his potential though
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You would lose.

Kid was getting pressure wherever he lined up. Even if he wasn't on the QB, he was pressuring. I was thoroughly impressed.
 
The Goat said:
You would lose.

Kid was getting pressure wherever he lined up. Even if he wasn't on the QB, he was pressuring. I was thoroughly impressed.
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well then i will have to see it...thanks for giving me something to key
 
hooshoops said:
a play at the los guy...you can work with that in packages...but you'd be up **** creekl without a paddle if you played it every down...right now
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Watch.

Then tell us.

Seriously. He was impressive. It's difficult to find fault for him being dominant when he mostly lined up on the outside. He shot the gap TWICE when he lined up on the inside.

---------- Post added at 10:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:56 PM ----------
hooshoops said:
well then i will have to see it...thanks for giving me something to key
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:brewskis:
 
hooshoops said:
a play at the los guy...you can work with that in packages...but you'd be up **** creekl without a paddle if you played it every down...right now
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You keep saying that, but I don't think so. He would do better than Wheeler, and really, that's all he needs to do. I know they have been playing him in a position to get up the field more, but I still think he would be better than Wheeler. I just hope they don't try to turn him into a DE and slow him down...like Jordan (though so far, I think he looks like a better prospect than Jordan...who has shown nothing.)
 
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