Sports Buzz: Dolphins-Falcons postscripts | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Sports Buzz: Dolphins-Falcons postscripts

G

gafin

Practice Squad
Joined
Apr 25, 2007
Messages
2,135
Reaction score
4
A dozen thoughts and nuggets after Miami's 13-9 victory against Atlanta in the third preseason game:

### All of the unresolved issues about Miami's starting lineup appeared to gain clarity. Kelvin Sheppard appears set as the starting middle linebacker, not because Sheppard has been extraordinary but because Chris McCain continued an underwhelming preseason on Saturday. McCain was on the field late in the game but made little impact.

Billy Turner played competently at right guard on Saturday, and it would be very surprising if he's not the starter to open the season, unless a high-caliber veteran becomes available.

Walt Aikens appears likely to be the starting safety opposite Reshad Jones.

### Fill-in left tackle Dallas Thomas, expected to be the starting left guard once the season starts, had a couple of breakdowns in run blocking but did a good job in pass protection. Jason Fox (out with a concussion) figures to start at left tackle against Washington if Branden Albert isn't ready to go --- which has becomes a distinct possibility if not a probability.

### The Dolphins scored only seven points on Ryan Tannehill's six series, but Tannehill continued putting up solid numbers, finishing 15 for 19 for 145 yards, one touchdown (a 2-yarder to Rishard Matthews) and a 116 rating.

### Even on a week Seattle’s Michael Bennett called him mediocre and overpaid, Tannehill got plenty of love: Pro Football Focus curiously ranking him 10th among all quarterbacks, ahead of Andrew Luck, and NFL Net’s respected Daniel Jeremiah declared that “he’s got Pro Bowl ability.It’s tough to find a guy as athletic as Tannehill and has that poise and can slow things down. He’s able to. Quick release. Ability to extend plays with his legs. He looks sharp. And this is without DeVante Parker.”

### Matt Moore again struggled (5 for 10, 68 yards, 32.5 rating), throwing an interception on a deflected pass. He has a 50.1 passer rating in preseason.

### This Ndamukong Suh-led defensive line should be the Dolphins' best in years. The Falcons had no yards rushing on seven first half carries and finished with 50 on 24 attempts. Earl Mitchell and Cam Wake each had sacks and Mitchell also had two tackles for loss.

What's more, Derrick Shelby was outstanding. A.J. Francis, trying to win the last d-tackle job, had a sack, and second-rounder Jordan Phillips looked good. Anthony Johnson had a sack but committed his fourth neutral zone infraction of the preseason.

### Two players very much on the bubble left with injuries: LaMike James (chest) and Zack Bowman (thigh). James averaged just 6.5 yards on four punt returns but 30 yards on two kickoff returns.

### Three of the four undrafted linebackers made their presence felt. Zach Vigil again had some good moments ("coaches have high hopes for Zach Vigil; I know that," Stephen Ross said on CBS-4); Mike Hull's sack ended a Falcons drive near the Dolphins goal-line; and Neville Hewitt forced a late fumble. Jordan Tripp's ankle injury couldn't have come at a more inauspicous time.

### Jay Ajayi made his preseason debut with 25 yards rushing on 7 carries. Damien Williams ran 6 times for 19 yards and James didn't have a rushing attempt before leaving with an injury. Starter Lamar Miller had 22 yards on six carries and caught five passes for 31 yards.

### The Dolphins' rookie punter and rookie kicker each made strong statements in their bid for jobs. Andrew Franks, who entered in an uphill climb against Caleb Sturgis, nailed a 51-yard field goal late in the game. Punter Matt Darr averaged 56.5 yards on two punts; Brandon Fields averaged 50 yards on three punts, though he placed two inside the 20.

### A few other notable remarks from owner Ross during his appearance on the CBS-4 broadcast: "Our receiver room has never been better since I've been here. They get along.... I haven't liked our second-stringers so far this year... Joe [Philbin] is coming into his own. The players feel good about him."

### With $13 million in cap space and question marks at guard, why didn’t Miami make a big offer for Denver-bound Evan Mathis? Among the reasons: Not only has Dallas Thomas impressed the Dolphins in camp, but they weren’t convinced that Mathis, at 33, would be better than Thomas and Billy Turner by the end of the season.
Click to expand...


http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/
 
Chris McCain looks awful out there. Slow, lethargic, and lost all the violent tendencies he had with his game. He looks like a bum. I don't know whats going on but he doesn't even deserve a roster spot with the way he has been playing this preseason.
 
RobertHorry said:
Chris McCain looks awful out there. Slow, lethargic, and lost all the violent tendencies he had with his game. He looks like a bum. I don't know whats going on but he doesn't even deserve a roster spot with the way he has been playing this preseason.
Click to expand...

It's becoming a sad story . . . looks like they asked him to put on weight and he hasn't handled it well at all. He was under 235 in the offseason and he's over 250 now. Looking like a Dion Jordan situation on the field with position uncertainty.
 
We have a controversy: Fox or Thomas at LT?
 
RobertHorry said:
Chris McCain looks awful out there. Slow, lethargic, and lost all the violent tendencies he had with his game. He looks like a bum. I don't know whats going on but he doesn't even deserve a roster spot with the way he has been playing this preseason.
Click to expand...

hate to say it he was one of my favorite players last year....i have no idea what he's doing...the rookies look like they deserve his spot
 
Kdawg954 said:
It's becoming a sad story . . . looks like they asked him to put on weight and he hasn't handled it well at all. He was under 235 in the offseason and he's over 250 now. Looking like a Dion Jordan situation on the field with position uncertainty.
Click to expand...


Well its now they want him to set the edge and stay home and not act like a beaming missile.

But man, some of the stuff in the 4th quarter. He had a couple of tackles he attempted where he just fell before even making the tackle. On his pass rushes it was so bad he looked like he was jogging upfield to the QB.
 
He looked like he was confused and always a step behind. When he was in position to make a play, he couldnt.
Vigil and Hull really shined tonight. Frankly with Tripp's injuries, I think Vigil and Hull make the 53.
 
Brazzi said:
We have a controversy: Fox or Thomas at LT?
Click to expand...

Thank you gafin for posting.

If anything, well hear a little less moaning in the unlikely event Thomas is forced to play left tackle in a real game. Hopefully it never comes to that.
 
Decent read for someone who didn't see the game... I was following along play by play from nfl.com, but it's hard to get a good feel of the game when youre just reading whats happening.

How did Aikens play? It seemed like he gave up some catches? Thompson, how the tackling/coverage looking? Other guys??

Sucks McCain is just sluggish now... maybe he should drop a little weight to get closer to what he was.

Vigil, did he get passed all over? How was his awareness looking?

We would be fools, and handcuffing the team, to not go with Franks over Sturgis

How did everyone on the OL look?
 
LANGER72 said:
He looked like he was confused and always a step behind. When he was in position to make a play, he couldnt.
Vigil and Hull really shined tonight. Frankly with Tripp's injuries, I think Vigil and Hull make the 53.
Click to expand...

Vigil and Hull should make this team, mccain or not! Both of those guys, when given any lengthy time have looked good, always some eye opening play. A few rookie goof's but that is expected. They are tough as nails and are blue collar, love the game types.

Keeping these two plus Tripp gives us the best lb depth we have had in many years. I dont know why Vigil wasnt drafted, he sure deseved it but Hull would have been a high draft pick had he not been injured. Hes another guy like Ajayi that if he isnt an injury case and stays on the field he has a pro bowl skills. See how there cover skills develope. Right now, thats a BIG issue with this lb crew. Could end up being the achillies heal of the season. In fact, our pass defense all the way around is iffy to me as i am not thrilled with our corners at all. Even though somehow Grimes made the pro bowl, i saw a decline.

But Hull and Vigil are real bright spots for me. Dennis Hickey, the ANTI Jeff Ireland!!


3921048132_56c733d51e_z.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom