Pregame concerns that were answered | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Pregame concerns that were answered

phintim

phintim

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Concerns

1. Offensive line depth. We still need help there. The Jags in the past have dominated our offensive lines. Tonight it was more of an even match but the Jags got some good push and shut down the run more than they should against our starters. IMO Offensive lines take time to gell more than most positions and with a new OL coach have to give them a passing grade. Pass protection was decent but did no run well as I hoped between the tackles
2. Backup nose tackle. Paul S. played and appeared to have held up tonight not dominating but held his ground as I was hoping he would. So I would say good for now.
3. Depth at inside linebackers. I would really have to study this a bit. Our linebackers overall were active. Tobors name came up a bit and it was fairly good and of course Folsom got the pick so overall it was good news.
4. Secondary's inexpereince. Well that certainly showed up between Davis and Green at CB. Our safties all appeared to play well except for the Courtney Bryan call. Smith is carrying the load and then its a pack with what appears that Jason Allen could be in the mix. WOrd from the players at training camp is that Allen has been having a decent camp and he did look better tonight than in the past.

Observations

5. WR- I have always felt good about I just wonder if they were resting Greg C knee. I did not see him play much tonight. Also if I were to pick a guy out who had a lot of balls thrown his way but came up a bit short it was Patrick Turner.
6. QB Pat White played better than I expected based on camp reports. Needs to work on his sliding when running. Chadd Henne looked like he threw off his backfoot on that interception.
7. RB Lex Hillard can contribute just needs one of the 3 to go on IR first. Too bad. We did not run the ball up the middle well liked I hoped when our first string OL was in
8. KR If Chris William gets the same chance next week as a returner and can eliminate his mistakes then London and Armstrong etc have a great chance of getting bumped if they keep 6 wrs. Chris Williams really made our special teams shine tonight with his potential alone something we have not had for a long time. Chris Williams returns were sort of like waiting for a Marino pass in the past knowing that certain guys can change the game.
9. Carpenter might be the "surprised one" to get cut this year.
10. Defensive line. Appeared to get the job done stopping the run as needed. I give them a decent grade tonight. Improvement needed yes but starters and sub played well

Hey did yo guys see Rod Wright in the 4th quarter he finally showed up somewhere after not hearing anything about him all training camp. Yes it was backups against backups but he looked good stopping a play that could have scored.
 
Jason Allen has a real chance to move up the depth chart and be one of our top 3 cornerbacks. From "reports" a stronger training camp and above average play tonight along with his special teams work are all really helping his cause to stay on the team.

Lex Hilliard also was active today on special teams and his hard running is going to make some decisions difficult to make. Perhaps they try him more at fullback and see what he can do.
 
CB locks are Will Allen, Sean Smith and Vontae Davis . . . after that, it could be anybody. Jason Allen is physical and he played well tonight . . . its good to see, because the guy takes alot of heat but regardless has alot of physical talent. I hope he can translate that into helping this Dolphins team . . . because Eric Green doesn't look like the insurance we hoped he would be.
 
1. Really, really big issue. We essentially have no depth. Particularly at the tackles.
2. Jags didn't test him much but he definitely held his own. I never thought I'd see Soliai become a player. Nice surprise.
3. Still an issue though Torbor looked good. Flew around, made some physical hits.
4. Bryan easily redeemed himself with that play in the endzone. Smith was terrific enough that despite Green's play I feel really good about our secondary.
5. Strange not to see Cam at all. Better to take it slow with him. Turner played fine. He had one drop that was honestly an off target throw that was only dropped because it was absolutely pouring rain.
6. White didn't play like an idiot. Which is all i could ask for. I agree, Henne really got into trouble when he didn't step into his throws. I don't know why young QBs insist on throwing off the back foot. It's such an obvious easily fixed mistake.
7. Hope Hilliard doesn't get plucked off the practice squad. Like the way he runs. Hits the hole very fast.
8. Need to see him do this another game. Without needing Sparano to tear his head off first.
 
phintim said:
Concerns


9. Carpenter might be the "surprised one" to get cut this year.
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I know Carpenter slipped in the rain/mud on one kick....I can't recall if it was a PAT or a FG (too many beers :lol:) but my issue with Carpenter is his kickoffs come down around the 15 yarld line......we need someone who can at least get it to the goal line. :rolleyes2:
 
Kdawg954 said:
CB locks are Will Allen, Sean Smith and Vontae Davis . . . after that, it could be anybody. Jason Allen is physical and he played well tonight . . . its good to see, because the guy takes alot of heat but regardless has alot of physical talent. I hope he can translate that into helping this Dolphins team . . . because Eric Green doesn't look like the insurance we hoped he would be.
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Gabril Wilson is also a lock...no way he doesn't make this team.
 
Roman529 said:
I know Carpenter slipped in the rain/mud on one kick....I can't recall if it was a PAT or a FG (too many beers :lol:) but my issue with Carpenter is his kickoffs come down around the 15 yarld line......we need someone who can at least get it to the goal line. :rolleyes2:
Click to expand...

the opening kickoff was about 5 yards deep, so it looks like Carpeter worked on that. he had plenty of leg on the FG as well.
 
Of the questions we had going in, I think Oline is the biggest headache. Very few running lanes for our backs. DThomas is far better than SM at RG. That insanity (of Murphy being on the first team) needs to end. I did not feel like Jake Grove did anything special; no noticable difference between him and Satele.

DBs...Smith looked like a first round pick, Davis looked like a rookie FA. Davis has ALOT of work to do to even play in the slot. #33 (I will think of his name in a minute) played way better than Davis. Sparano likes them smart and Vontae was anything but that last night. But overall, I think we have to feel much better about the secondary. J. Allen also improved. Enough to make the team? Dunno. But better for him.

WRs...I counted 3 drops for Patrick Turner and one by Armstrong. RW also dropped a TD pass, but since hes a running back, I will let it go. Turner's drops esp hurt because I dont think he is a STer. The only way he will contribute is in the passing game. I felt much more comfortable with Hartline. IMO, (even though its only the first preseason game) the depth chart should be Ginn, Bess, Cam, Hartline, then Turner. Which could mean hes not active (again, based on the FIRST P/S game). The good news is now there is pressure on young Mr. Turner. We'll see if he can overcome this shaky debut or if he really is Derek Hagan incarnate.

Lex Hillard was as impressive as anyone on the team. He ran hard, broke tackles, feel forward, and protected the ball. I dont think he makes it to the practice squad. I would love to see him line up in Lousaka Polites position next game just to see how he blocks for R&R, picks up blitzes, and runs from the FB position. What a shame if we cut him. And he is huge. Hes listed at 240 and looks every bit of it. He reminds of Corey Dillon when he first came into the league.

The ILBs are much better than they seem on paper. Torbor was outstanding. Folsom was good.

Cameron Wake can play in this league (although he did get PANCAKED!!! on his first play). He came off the edge with speed and wrapped up nicely. And he was on the strong side of the formation...interesting. I don't know how and JT (sans Roth right now) hold up against the run, but there would def be alot of pressure on the QB with those two and JP coming from the other side.
 
I thought our 1st team defense overall was VERY impressive. Stuffed the run, pressured the QB like crazy, held the passing game in check.
 
The line must still gel . . . and that includes Jake and Smiley and grove on that left to middle and eventually thomas back with carey on the right side.

I expect the starting oline to go into the 3rd quarter on saturday . . . and in that 3rd game we may see them into the 4th quarter.
 
GeauxFinns3705 said:
WRs...I counted 3 drops for Patrick Turner and one by Armstrong. RW also dropped a TD pass, but since hes a running back, I will let it go. Turner's drops esp hurt because I dont think he is a STer. The only way he will contribute is in the passing game. I felt much more comfortable with Hartline. IMO, (even though its only the first preseason game) the depth chart should be Ginn, Bess, Cam, Hartline, then Turner. Which could mean hes not active (again, based on the FIRST P/S game). The good news is now there is pressure on young Mr. Turner. We'll see if he can overcome this shaky debut or if he really is Derek Hagan incarnate.
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Why will you let RW dropped TD go? Running backs are as much a part of the passing game as the wide receivers are. RW dropped a big pass against the Jets last season as well. Touchdowns are difficult enough for the Dolphins offense to get and we cannot be excusing players for not taking advantage of every opportunity they get just because we like them.
 
The only item I worry about in pre-season is injuries....other than that they aren't going to show much on offense at least until the third game.
 
fishypete said:
The only item I worry about in pre-season is injuries....other than that they aren't going to show much on offense at least until the third game.
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This is correct, which is why in the first game the big focus IMO is the lines (both offense and defense) and special teams.

They get more involved in game 2 and u can start looking at the skill positions more . . . but game 3 will be the game where we can evaluate the team better, and game 4 is pretty much a battle royal for the final few spots on the roster . . . starters are locked in for the most part and we are just finding the rest of our depth.
 
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