Tripp getting serious look, Damien Williams impressing

[gafin]

During Thursday's practice, Tripp got extensive work with the first unit and also in the nickel package. Though projected more as an outside backer, he is also getting a look in the middle.

"It's a broad spectrum. The more knowledge you can bring to the game the more reliable you're going to be," Tripp said. "My comfort level is only getting better and better. I'm just taking advantage of the reps they give me and focus on making new mistakes, not the same ones again, and learning from those mistakes."

Facing the Dolphins' motion-intensive offense every day is challenging but helpful in the development process.

"When you go through three or four and maybe even five checks a snap, it's a mental gymnastics thing," Tripp said. "It's a physically demanding game, but at the same time it's very mentally taxing if you don't know what you're doing."

Tripp first gained notice in the scrimmage two weeks ago with a strip and 73-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

After the first unit got shredded on a 77-yard touchdown drive last week, the coaches are on the lookout for playmakers.

"We've been looking at a lot of different combinations, especially in our sub packages. That's one thing that we identified this week after the game that we wanted to kind of get a look at different combinations of guys," coach Joe Philbin said.

RB Damien Williams, who was hurt near the end of Friday's game against Atlanta and initially appeared to have suffered a serious injury to his right leg, is not only back at full speed but continuing to impress.

Safety Louis Delmas likes to cheat up lose to the line, and Williams made him pay Thursday by sprinting past on a wheel route and taking a nice touch pass from Ryan Tannehill in stride for a long touchdown-sprint down the left sideline.

"At first I thought it was real serious. It hurt pretty bad," Williams said of leaving the game on a cart. "You know I can't sit out. You've got to fight through pain that you have. You got to get on the field, it's football. You're going to have nicks and bruises, but you've got to get out there and make plays."

The undrafted rookie out of Oklahoma has been one of the top surprises of camp, excelling on special teams and as a runner and receiver. He is making a strong case for a spot on the 53-man roster.

"I don't think I'm a surprise. I'm doing what I've always been doing," Williams said. "Me and [Orleans Darkwa] … he works hard just like I do and we're both undrafted. Somebody is going to get us if we're not here."

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/...notes-0815-20140814,0,2698356.story?track=rss

 

[doughbraz54]

I can't wait until Tripp finally gets the nod and starts for this defense. He seems like a great player. If he was somewhere like Alabama, Florida State or another big school he would be a top pick. Thank god he wasn't though and we got to draft him and to draft him where we did. Way too early but he has the potential to be a steal.

 

[gafin]

Sounds like Williams is really pushing for a roster spot. There is going to be a lot of difficult decisions in the next few weeks about who to keep and who to let go.

 

[rent this space]

Sounds like Williams is really pushing for a roster spot. There is going to be a lot of difficult decisions in the next few weeks about who to keep and who to let go.

it sounds like cutting Thomas for Williams won't be a difficult choice at all

 

[hoops]

it would be nice if they gave these 2 backs williams and darkwa a few carries at least with a better oline so we can get a better feel for them...awfully hard to do when the guys getting engulfed as soon as he gets the rock

 

[xXwarXx]

There's nothing Daniel Thomas can do on the field that Damien can't. He has a little experience over him, but none of it has been positive, so I don't see how Thomas makes this roster over Damien.

If Damien can ever improve his vision, which I doubt he can, he goes from being a a short yardage utility back to being a true #1. He has that kind of ability, just no vision.

As for Tripp, I'm just not remotely sold on the guy. If he wasnt physical in college I don't see how e gains that in the NFL.

 

[NRA]

If he wasnt physical in college I don't see how e gains that in the NFL.

HUH?

what makes you think he wasnt physical in college? thats what the finz liked about him was his physical nature.

and whats with the "if he improves his vision" on damien williams? havnt heard of one coach saying ANYTHING like that.

link?

 

[xXwarXx]

HUH?

what makes you think he wasnt physical in college? thats what the finz liked about him was his physical nature.

and whats with the "if he improves his vision" on damien williams? havnt heard of one coach saying ANYTHING like that.

link?

Did you watch either of them in college or are you just talking w no real reference?

 

[4th And Drunk]

HUH?

what makes you think he wasnt physical in college? thats what the finz liked about him was his physical nature.

and whats with the "if he improves his vision" on damien williams? havnt heard of one coach saying ANYTHING like that.

link?

I wont pretend to know anything about Tripp but I will Cosign the Williams comment. I have seen him play and his vision is questionable.

 

[SuavePhin]

I wont pretend to know anything about Tripp but I will Cosign the Williams comment. I have seen him play and his vision is questionable.

As a Montana guy i know plenty of Tripp, he's got everything you need as a player, and has a knack for being around the ball, almost had an int vs the Falcons in the pre-season game, had the strip fumble touchdown in camp, he's legit.

 

[maralieus]

it sounds like cutting Thomas for Williams won't be a difficult choice at all

Ding ding ding! You sir, are correct!!

 

[finfan54]

He will make it on special teams if it is indeed true that he is doing some good work there.

Daniel Thomas on his way out IMO. Moreno makes him expendable.

 

[Sirspud]

I want to be excited about Williams but what I've been reading about in interesting camp reports didn't really look all that interesting in the game last week. He wouldn't be the first Dolphins back who looked good in practice and bland in games.

I think Gilleslee is as likely to get cut as Thomas, so everyone wanting to push Thomas out the door shouldn't get too excited yet.

 

[123phins]

I want to be excited about Williams but what I've been reading about in interesting camp reports didn't really look all that interesting in the game last week. He wouldn't be the first Dolphins back who looked good in practice and bland in games.

I think Gillislee is as likely to get cut as Thomas, so everyone wanting to push Thomas out the door shouldn't get too excited yet.

I disagree, As Gillislee hasn't been very impressive neither has thomas and Thomas has gotten his role taken away from him by Moreno. You save money where u can and when it comes to a third string RB money could be important when neither is really outplaying the other.

 

[Sirspud]

I disagree, As Gillislee hasn't been very impressive neither has thomas and Thomas has gotten his role taken away from him by Moreno. You save money where u can and when it comes to a third string RB money could be important when neither is really outplaying the other.

I guess I missed where Daniel Thomas is making millions. He is on the last year of a rookie contract that was far from expensive.