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- May 12, 2006
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I understand after many mediocre or below average seasons why our fan base has become naturally skeptical or jaded, I get it. Having said that, it's only preseason and considering that players are primarily trying to escape unscathed from injury, and that the coaches aren't exactly game planning or calling the game to win but rather to evaluate their players and show as little as possible to any opponents when the games actually count, it's kind of ridiculous to either get to positive or to negative about what we see out there.
Here are the positives I have observed about the team during the offseason that I am hopeful will carry on into the regular season.
1. Ryan Tannehill is back. He looks good, and the last season he started we won 10 games. I don't see how we can be the 32nd ranked team this year when we have a solid quarterback. I believe he'll be a top 10 QB this year and whenever you have a solid QB with some decent weapons you will win a fair amount of games.
2. The offensive line is average to above average. This is an improvement over the past few years in that it has been a liability and I don't think it will be this year. I have seen them open some solid holes in the running game, and pass protection seems to have been fairly solid with the caveat that it is only the pre-season and practice, but it looks hopeful. We aren't relying on Dallas Thomas or Pouncey's hip for example.
3. The supporting cast at the skill positions are possibly the best that Ryan Tannehill has ever had around him. Amendola, Stills, Wilson, Gesicki, at receiver/tight end are better than any receiving combo he has ever had as a group. He's never had anything at tight end which makes Gesicki so exciting. The combo of Drake and Gore at running back also may be the best backs that have ever played with Tannehill, especially when one factors in their pass catching skills out of the backfield.
4. Robert Quinn paired with Cameron wake should give us the best pass rush we have had in years around here. Charles Harris has also flashed, so that is also reason for optimism regarding our pass rush.
5. The secondary whilst not deep, is more than solid with Reshad Jones, Xavien Howard, Bobby McCain, TJ McDonald, and Minkah Fitzpatrick. There doesn't seem to be much depth behind them, but that secondary is not a weakness, should be solid in run support, and the nickle package vs the pass.
6. Minkah Fitzpatrick looks as advertised, and as such, could really end up being a special player for this team for a long time. Great draft pick!
7. Matt Haack has a thunderous leg which could add real value in field position.
8. Laremy Tunsil by all accounts has taken a step forward and indications are that he is on track to have a solid season as our starting left tackle which is kind of a big deal if it turns out that way.
Now for some of the negatives:
1. Matt Burke and his "Wide 9" Defensive scheme. He hasn't shown me that he has the chops to be a good defensive coordinator. His Wide 9 scheme is not one that I have confidence in.
2. The interior of the defense looks like it might be vulnerable in the running game and that's not a good thing, especially at the defensive tackle position. However, if you wanted to put a positive on this, our run defense between the tackles hasn't been that good in a long time but at least we aren't paying a defensive tackle $19 million per year to still be below average, so there is that?
3. The linebacking corps doesn't look real good. A lot of inexperience back there. Other than finding the correct sideline to stand on, Kiko Alonzo hasn't looked too bad, but Raekwon McMillan hasn't really flashed anything and the SLB position is still up for grabs between Chase Allen and Jerome Baker a rookie. Neither have that much playing time, so expect growing pains here.
4. Devante Parker looks to be on track to have another disappointing season. What a shame, he has the measurables, but he doesn't seem to have the heart or intangible qualities that are required to take advantage of his physical ability. What a shame.
5. Penalties both in practice and during the preseason still have plagued the team a bit more than I would like considering their recent history. To be fair, there were some holding penalties and illegal contact penalties as well as a ridiculous unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on a kick off return that shouldn't have been called, or that should have been called against the ravens (two negating potential sacks, and an illegal contact penalty that should have been called before the Amendola touchdown) but still, I am a little bit concerned that the team doesn't seem to be as disciplined as it should be with regards to false starts and other dumb drive killing penalties.
All in all, I think there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about this new season and of course there are things you can point to as a concern. But, not enough to say that this team is nearly as bad as the national media seems to think it is, or that some of our fan base is already freaking out about. So far, this team looks to me to be one of the better ones that we are fielding to start the season in recent memory, and I for one can't wait to see how this team does when the games actually mean something, I have missed football...
Here are the positives I have observed about the team during the offseason that I am hopeful will carry on into the regular season.
1. Ryan Tannehill is back. He looks good, and the last season he started we won 10 games. I don't see how we can be the 32nd ranked team this year when we have a solid quarterback. I believe he'll be a top 10 QB this year and whenever you have a solid QB with some decent weapons you will win a fair amount of games.
2. The offensive line is average to above average. This is an improvement over the past few years in that it has been a liability and I don't think it will be this year. I have seen them open some solid holes in the running game, and pass protection seems to have been fairly solid with the caveat that it is only the pre-season and practice, but it looks hopeful. We aren't relying on Dallas Thomas or Pouncey's hip for example.
3. The supporting cast at the skill positions are possibly the best that Ryan Tannehill has ever had around him. Amendola, Stills, Wilson, Gesicki, at receiver/tight end are better than any receiving combo he has ever had as a group. He's never had anything at tight end which makes Gesicki so exciting. The combo of Drake and Gore at running back also may be the best backs that have ever played with Tannehill, especially when one factors in their pass catching skills out of the backfield.
4. Robert Quinn paired with Cameron wake should give us the best pass rush we have had in years around here. Charles Harris has also flashed, so that is also reason for optimism regarding our pass rush.
5. The secondary whilst not deep, is more than solid with Reshad Jones, Xavien Howard, Bobby McCain, TJ McDonald, and Minkah Fitzpatrick. There doesn't seem to be much depth behind them, but that secondary is not a weakness, should be solid in run support, and the nickle package vs the pass.
6. Minkah Fitzpatrick looks as advertised, and as such, could really end up being a special player for this team for a long time. Great draft pick!
7. Matt Haack has a thunderous leg which could add real value in field position.
8. Laremy Tunsil by all accounts has taken a step forward and indications are that he is on track to have a solid season as our starting left tackle which is kind of a big deal if it turns out that way.
Now for some of the negatives:
1. Matt Burke and his "Wide 9" Defensive scheme. He hasn't shown me that he has the chops to be a good defensive coordinator. His Wide 9 scheme is not one that I have confidence in.
2. The interior of the defense looks like it might be vulnerable in the running game and that's not a good thing, especially at the defensive tackle position. However, if you wanted to put a positive on this, our run defense between the tackles hasn't been that good in a long time but at least we aren't paying a defensive tackle $19 million per year to still be below average, so there is that?
3. The linebacking corps doesn't look real good. A lot of inexperience back there. Other than finding the correct sideline to stand on, Kiko Alonzo hasn't looked too bad, but Raekwon McMillan hasn't really flashed anything and the SLB position is still up for grabs between Chase Allen and Jerome Baker a rookie. Neither have that much playing time, so expect growing pains here.
4. Devante Parker looks to be on track to have another disappointing season. What a shame, he has the measurables, but he doesn't seem to have the heart or intangible qualities that are required to take advantage of his physical ability. What a shame.
5. Penalties both in practice and during the preseason still have plagued the team a bit more than I would like considering their recent history. To be fair, there were some holding penalties and illegal contact penalties as well as a ridiculous unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on a kick off return that shouldn't have been called, or that should have been called against the ravens (two negating potential sacks, and an illegal contact penalty that should have been called before the Amendola touchdown) but still, I am a little bit concerned that the team doesn't seem to be as disciplined as it should be with regards to false starts and other dumb drive killing penalties.
All in all, I think there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about this new season and of course there are things you can point to as a concern. But, not enough to say that this team is nearly as bad as the national media seems to think it is, or that some of our fan base is already freaking out about. So far, this team looks to me to be one of the better ones that we are fielding to start the season in recent memory, and I for one can't wait to see how this team does when the games actually mean something, I have missed football...
