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Sports Buzz: Twenty Dolphin nuggets on Labor Day

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### After the Dolphins decided to keep a rookie punter and a rookie kicker, Miami special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi received a couple of amusing text messages from other special teams coaches in the league.

One said: “If I see you on the top of a tall building, I’ll know why,” Rizzi recalled, smiling, Monday.

But the Dolphins are hardly panicked about keeping NFL neophytes at kicker (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Andrew Franks) and punter (University of Tennessee rookie Matt Darr).

“I’m extremely confident in both guys,” Rizzi said. “Neither has a rookie mentality. Both are more mature than that.

“The one thing you worry about a little bit with Franks is the environment. He hasn’t kicked in that environment. Darr has. He played in the SEC, in bigger stadiums than we’re playing in. Not as worried about him. [For Franks], it’s almost, ‘Thank goodness we played in four big stadiums already.’ I would be a little more concerned if this was his first time.

“I’m not as worried about him because he really has a maturity about him. He’s ahead of his years a little bit. Really smart guy academically but street smart, too. He’s a level headed guy. That will help him a lot.”

Rizzi said the decision to keep Franks over Caleb Sturgis was a “close call. It wasn’t a slam dunk. Caleb has a lot of talent. At the end of the day, we felt we’re better off with Andrew.”

### Among the factors that tilted the competition toward Franks: He generated more touchbacks on kickoffs (“we want to be better than what we were the last couple of years,” Rizzi said), and Franks’ ability to hit long field goals.

Besides making a 51-yarder in a preseason game, Franks nailed a 64-yarder in practice and hit a 56-yarder with “10 to 15” yards to spare, Rizzi said.

Franks made only 37 of 56 field goals at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (16 of 25 last season), but Rizzi said that didn’t especially concern him after examining the circumstances. Franks for 3 for 3 on field goals in preseason.

“I kind of erased the first two years [at RPI],” Rizzi said. “Freshman and sophomore year he didn’t know what the heck he was doing. I focused more on the last two years.

“And why did he miss? There were some blocks, some protection stuff. There were some 57 yarders in 30 degree weather. There were some factors. I felt there were fixable things with a guy with that kind of leg. We definitely saw a couple of things technique wise on film that were fixable.

“It’s similar to golfing or major league hitting. Sometimes the littlest change can make the biggest difference. There were some things in his approach. He was trying to drive the ball 30 yards past the goal post every time. We are trying to make him more of a refined kicker. I’ve said to him many times, ‘You’re going to get the ball there. We’re not worried if it’s going to reach. We’ve got to make sure your technique is better.’”

### Rizzi said Franks also benefited considerably by spending time with longtime NFL kickers Phil Dawson and John Carney. Franks visited Dawson for three days in Texas this past offseason, and the Dolphins invited Carney to spend three days with the team during training camp.

“Those two experiences helped [Franks] more than anybody,” Rizzi said. “They saw some technique stuff plus the mental approach, the whole approach to the game. That was big with him. He’s not a peak and valley guy. His reaction is the same.”

### As for Darr beating out Brandon Fields, Rizzi liked Darr’s “overall approach and consistency. When he came here, he started hitting the ball well. We thought at some point, this guy was going to tail off and he hasn’t.”
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More here:

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/
 
It could be a tough year with Franks - he may miss some that we really need - but get a year under his belt and I see the progression to year 2 being significant. It's been documented already [think Rizzi said it somewhere], that he hasn't really been coached - you add specialist coaching and full time access to the best technology, to a full season and also importantly an off season in the weight room while honing his craft - will take a naturally strong leg and add length to his kicks. That is, if he makes enough kicks to get a second year.

Additionally, one of the hidden benefits that I think he may bring, is the experience of kicking in cold weather. Which, if they have made the right decision, and we have the success that many are expecting then we may need a last second FG to win the game when we're at Buffalo and Philly in Nov and at Jets in Dec - and hopefully we'll have more than just one Jan game.

I think we have the right mix of youth and experience and with the likes of Dumb and Dumber [Wallace and Gibson] etc. off the team - there is a strong group of leaders that will look after these two rookie specialists - with Denney being critical in this.
 
well I can see why we have been stressing red zone offense, esp with Williams and Cameron
 
"### The Dolphins had interest in re-signing Mike Gillislee to the practice squad, but he opted to join the Falcons’ practice squad."....

Sounds like Gillislee had hurt feelings. For him to sign with Atlanta's practice squad instead of ours he really must be unhappy with not getting on the 53.

I'm not saying that I am sure that the staff was right on the call but I am happy that they seem to be making calls on who to keep that are based on more than who they drafted or what round they were drafted in.
 
Gillislee had no chance. Shame that he thought he did
 
tazthenomad said:
"### The Dolphins had interest in re-signing Mike Gillislee to the practice squad, but he opted to join the Falcons’ practice squad."....

Sounds like Gillislee had hurt feelings. For him to sign with Atlanta's practice squad instead of ours he really must be unhappy with not getting on the 53.

I'm not saying that I am sure that the staff was right on the call but I am happy that they seem to be making calls on who to keep that are based on more than who they drafted or what round they were drafted in.
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I'm sure he's not happy with being cut, but Atlanta is one of the more undefined RB situations out there. Though Tevin Coleman will probably rise up and take the starter job for a long time to come, he might have seen it as a less competitive competition level to make the 53.
 
tazthenomad said:
"### The Dolphins had interest in re-signing Mike Gillislee to the practice squad, but he opted to join the Falcons’ practice squad."....

Sounds like Gillislee had hurt feelings. For him to sign with Atlanta's practice squad instead of ours he really must be unhappy with not getting on the 53.

I'm not saying that I am sure that the staff was right on the call but I am happy that they seem to be making calls on who to keep that are based on more than who they drafted or what round they were drafted in.
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Or maybe he just felt he'd have a better opportunity there. I don't know about Atlanta's RBs, but if we resign Miller he has practically no chance of ever playing meaningful downs for us.
 
The more likely reason for Gillislee signing with Atlanta is because he will have a faster chance on getting on the 53 with them than he does with the Phins. He already knows he won't beat out Ajayji or Williams so if he stood he would have to wait out multiple injuries and not moving his career forward. It has nothing to do with butthurt


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Pat-London said:
It could be a tough year with Franks - he may miss some that we really need - but get a year under his belt and I see the progression to year 2 being significant. It's been documented already [think Rizzi said it somewhere], that he hasn't really been coached - you add specialist coaching and full time access to the best technology, to a full season and also importantly an off season in the weight room while honing his craft - will take a naturally strong leg and add length to his kicks. That is, if he makes enough kicks to get a second year.

Additionally, one of the hidden benefits that I think he may bring, is the experience of kicking in cold weather. Which, if they have made the right decision, and we have the success that many are expecting then we may need a last second FG to win the game when we're at Buffalo and Philly in Nov and at Jets in Dec - and hopefully we'll have more than just one Jan game.

I think we have the right mix of youth and experience and with the likes of Dumb and Dumber [Wallace and Gibson] etc. off the team - there is a strong group of leaders that will look after these two rookie specialists - with Denney being critical in this.
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Hi Pat,

Curious to get your thoughts on the O-line coming in this season. Especially, touching on things like D.Thomas have a real shot of starting in Washington at the LT position.
 
Smart of gillislee to opt for atl...gives him a fresh start...isnt gonna happen here
 
Pat-London said:
It could be a tough year with Franks - he may miss some that we really need - but get a year under his belt and I see the progression to year 2 being significant. It's been documented already [think Rizzi said it somewhere], that he hasn't really been coached - you add specialist coaching and full time access to the best technology, to a full season and also importantly an off season in the weight room while honing his craft - will take a naturally strong leg and add length to his kicks. That is, if he makes enough kicks to get a second year.

Additionally, one of the hidden benefits that I think he may bring, is the experience of kicking in cold weather. Which, if they have made the right decision, and we have the success that many are expecting then we may need a last second FG to win the game when we're at Buffalo and Philly in Nov and at Jets in Dec - and hopefully we'll have more than just one Jan game.

I think we have the right mix of youth and experience and with the likes of Dumb and Dumber [Wallace and Gibson] etc. off the team - there is a strong group of leaders that will look after these two rookie specialists - with Denney being critical in this.
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Pat - He looks really good. Very high level of confidence that we have significantly upgraded the position.
 
Wasn't all that impressed with Gillislee even though he ran pretty hard in the final preseason game. However I am not impressed with LaMike James either , he did next to nothing in the preseason. The Dolphins seriously need a solid backup for Lamar since Ajayi is going to be out for half the season. Damien Williams is solid as a 3rd down back but the Dolphins need a power back and LaMike is not the answer.
 
tazthenomad said:
"### The Dolphins had interest in re-signing Mike Gillislee to the practice squad, but he opted to join the Falcons’ practice squad."....

Sounds like Gillislee had hurt feelings. For him to sign with Atlanta's practice squad instead of ours he really must be unhappy with not getting on the 53.

I'm not saying that I am sure that the staff was right on the call but I am happy that they seem to be making calls on who to keep that are based on more than who they drafted or what round they were drafted in.
Click to expand...

May have just been that he felt he has a better chance of making the Falcons 53 man roster than making Miami's. I wouldn't read to much into the choice.
 
Atlanta is a good choice for Gillislee, neither Freeman or Coleman have show they can pass block, and that's suppose to be something Gillislee can do.

We can always snatch him up of we need him anyway.
 
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