Will Young Players Emerge? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Will Young Players Emerge?

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If anything how young players emerge may be the biggest question for Miami. Perhaps for any NFL team. Can their young talent take the next step? The Dolphins have a lot of young player on every unit and a lot of players who could take that next step. If enough emerge this could be a playoff team and silence critics who are predicting three wins or a top five pick for the team. Here's a short list.

Offensive Line
Tunsil
Davis
Asiata

Notes: Davis came from nowhere and showed talent. He was one of the best stories from last season. Tunsil has been a disappointment so far, showing better at guard as a rookie than tackle in his second season. Asiata might be viewed as a long-term center prospect or as depth only.

Running Back
Drake
Ballage

Notes: Drake played very well last season after Ajayi was traded. IMHO I think he has superstar potential. Staying healthy will be a key. Hearing good things in camp about Ballage.

Wide Receiver
Grant
Parker
Wilson
Carroo
Ford

Notes: Grant screams for more playing time with his big-play ability. Parker has yet to put it all together, but we've seen glimpses. He needs to stay healthy. Carroo and Ford seem to be in a battle for the sixth wide receiver spot. Wilson is only 26 and somewhat established. He adds tremendous speed to the position and was essentially hand-picked by Gase. Seems like a good fit for the offense.

Tight End
Gesicki
Smythe
Derby
Gray
Duarte
Escobar

Notes; Seems like the most talent Miami has had at tight end in a long time. Gesicki, in time, has a chance to be a real difference maker. What can he offer as a rookie? Derby was an interesting late season pickup from Denver. Duarte, Escobar and Gray may be battling for one spot.

Defensive Line
Harris
Phillips
Taylor
Godchaux

Notes: Miami really needs Phillips to put it all together on a consistent basis. We've seen some good things in flashes. Godchaux had a nice rookie year. Can Harris take that next step with Wake turning 36?

Linebacker
McMillan
Baker
Allen
Anthony

Notes: Suddenly there's some speed at linebacker. McMillan should at least be a solid contributor and maybe a difference maker.

Secondary
Howard
Tankersley
Lippett
McCain
Fitzpatrick

Notes: Howard's play towards the end of the season was really impressive. His game against New England was one of the better games I've seen a corner play for Miami. Tankersley held his own as a rookie and was better in run support than advertised. Lippett plays the ball in the air really well. McCain came on and got a new contract. Fitzpatrick, in time, may end up as the best player on this team. Just a feeling.

Kicker
Joseph
Sanders

Notes: With the number of close games in the NFL this seems like a gamble for Miami. Will be interested to see if the team ends up bringing in a veteran.

That's a lot of young talent, folks. A couple of guys have already started to emerge like Drake and Howard. Fitzpatrick and McMillan seem likely to add a lot to the team. Tankersley and Lippett may battle for the spot opposite of Howard. Both have shown talent.

Parker, Phillips and Tunsil have thus far been at least somewhat disappointing, but all three are very talented. Tunsil could be helped by a new offensive line coach and playing next to Sitton. Once again we are hearing good things out of camp on Parker. I think the key for him is staying healthy.

Players like Grant just need more opportunities.

Thoughts? Am I being too much of a homer to think if a handful of these players emerge that Miami will be better than middle of the road?
 
I read where CK compared the rise of Jakeem Grant to Cam Wake's. If Gase does not substantially increase his role on the team, I will seriously start to question his football IQ. Grant's production is screaming for more touches.
 
Travis34 said:
If they don't step up we are screwed, if they were to all develop and step up that would be fantastic but probably unrealistic to hope for
Click to expand...
Superself said:
I read where CK compared the rise of Jakeem Grant to Cam Wake's. If Gase does not substantially increase his role on the team, I will seriously start to question his football IQ. Grant's production is screaming for more touches.
Click to expand...
Agree 100 percent. In fact, by all accounts Grant is also a hard worker. Last offseason there were stories about how he worked endlessly on his punt returns. So he has the work ethic and some rare talent. Gase needs to find creative ways to get him the ball in open space where Grant is a huge mismatch. At the very least, I'd say 3-4 touches a game.
 
SF Dolphin Fan said:
If anything how young players emerge may be the biggest question for Miami. Perhaps for any NFL team. Can their young talent take the next step? The Dolphins have a lot of young player on every unit and a lot of players who could take that next step. If enough emerge this could be a playoff team and silence critics who are predicting three wins or a top five pick for the team. Here's a short list.

Offensive Line
Tunsil
Davis
Asiata

Notes: Davis came from nowhere and showed talent. He was one of the best stories from last season. Tunsil has been a disappointment so far, showing better at guard as a rookie than tackle in his second season. Asiata might be viewed as a long-term center prospect or as depth only.

Running Back
Drake
Ballage

Notes: Drake played very well last season after Ajayi was traded. IMHO I think he has superstar potential. Staying healthy will be a key. Hearing good things in camp about Ballage.

Wide Receiver
Grant
Parker
Wilson
Carroo
Ford

Notes: Grant screams for more playing time with his big-play ability. Parker has yet to put it all together, but we've seen glimpses. He needs to stay healthy. Carroo and Ford seem to be in a battle for the sixth wide receiver spot. Wilson is only 26 and somewhat established. He adds tremendous speed to the position and was essentially hand-picked by Gase. Seems like a good fit for the offense.

Tight End
Gesicki
Smythe
Derby
Gray
Duarte
Escobar

Notes; Seems like the most talent Miami has had at tight end in a long time. Gesicki, in time, has a chance to be a real difference maker. What can he offer as a rookie? Derby was an interesting late season pickup from Denver. Duarte, Escobar and Gray may be battling for one spot.

Defensive Line
Harris
Phillips
Taylor
Godchaux

Notes: Miami really needs Phillips to put it all together on a consistent basis. We've seen some good things in flashes. Godchaux had a nice rookie year. Can Harris take that next step with Wake turning 36?

Linebacker
McMillan
Baker
Allen
Anthony

Notes: Suddenly there's some speed at linebacker. McMillan should at least be a solid contributor and maybe a difference maker.

Secondary
Howard
Tankersley
Lippett
McCain
Fitzpatrick

Notes: Howard's play towards the end of the season was really impressive. His game against New England was one of the better games I've seen a corner play for Miami. Tankersley held his own as a rookie and was better in run support than advertised. Lippett plays the ball in the air really well. McCain came on and got a new contract. Fitzpatrick, in time, may end up as the best player on this team. Just a feeling.

Kicker
Joseph
Sanders

Notes: With the number of close games in the NFL this seems like a gamble for Miami. Will be interested to see if the team ends up bringing in a veteran.

That's a lot of young talent, folks. A couple of guys have already started to emerge like Drake and Howard. Fitzpatrick and McMillan seem likely to add a lot to the team. Tankersley and Lippett may battle for the spot opposite of Howard. Both have shown talent.

Parker, Phillips and Tunsil have thus far been at least somewhat disappointing, but all three are very talented. Tunsil could be helped by a new offensive line coach and playing next to Sitton. Once again we are hearing good things out of camp on Parker. I think the key for him is staying healthy.

Players like Grant just need more opportunities.

Thoughts? Am I being too much of a homer to think if a handful of these players emerge that Miami will be better than middle of the road?
Click to expand...
I think if

Drake has a solid yr, top 10 RB

Gesicki has maturity beyond his years

Harris becomes a serious sack threat

We have a good year.

Interior D line is a concern, as is linebacker, but we get a bonus with McMillan coming back. We will be playing with two much of the time.
 
I’d argue that the most critical guy is Laremy Tunsil. He needs to play well lest we have another Luke Joeckel in our midst. I think if Tunsil plays really well that we will have a good offense as long as injuries don’t get to a whacky level.
 
Austin Tatious said:
I’d argue that the most critical guy is Laremy Tunsil. He needs to play well lest we have another Luke Joeckel in our midst. I think if Tunsil plays really well that we will have a good offense as long as injuries don’t get to a whacky level.
Click to expand...
Even if he's solid rather than a pro-bowl type talent that would be huge for the team.

I think Parker and Phillips will likely always be the type of players who flash here and there. Not busts, but not quite the players fans thought they would be when they were drafted. Obviously, I hope I'm wrong on both of them and they can consistently hit their "flash" ability.

To me, Drake and Howard have already began to emerge. I think the next ones we'll see are Fitzpatrick, McMillan and Grant. Maybe Gesicki as well.
 
If the important positions develop then Miami will be a good team.

CB
FS
LB
DE
LT

Everything else from that list can stay as is and Miami will be successful as a team next year.
 
Superself said:
I read where CK compared the rise of Jakeem Grant to Cam Wake's. If Gase does not substantially increase his role on the team, I will seriously start to question his football IQ. Grant's production is screaming for more touches.
Click to expand...
I'd like to see Grant get more chances but who would you take snaps away from to give them to him? We have 5 WR's that can play so it's not going to be easy for everyone to get lots of chances, specially if we don't sustain drives. We have Parker, Wilson, Grant,Stills and Amendola plus Gesicki and Drake and Gore. We'll see how they use everyone but it won't be easy to keep everyone happy.
 
Danny said:
I'd like to see Grant get more chances but who would you take snaps away from to give them to him? We have 5 WR's that can play so it's not going to be easy for everyone to get lots of chances, specially if we don't sustain drives. We have Parker, Wilson, Grant,Stills and Amendola plus Gesicki and Drake and Gore. We'll see how they use everyone but it won't be easy to keep everyone happy.
Click to expand...
Kind of a pleasant dilemma. A lot really depends on Parker IMO. If he steps up and plays consistently it will limit the opportunities for players like Grant. If Parker doesn't put it together, those touches could be distributed a bit with Grant definitely in the mix. To some extent Amendola factors in as well. He's had trouble staying injury free.
 
Danny said:
I'd like to see Grant get more chances but who would you take snaps away from to give them to him? We have 5 WR's that can play so it's not going to be easy for everyone to get lots of chances, specially if we don't sustain drives. We have Parker, Wilson, Grant,Stills and Amendola plus Gesicki and Drake and Gore. We'll see how they use everyone but it won't be easy to keep everyone happy.
Click to expand...

I would take targets from every other WR if I have to. Grant has the chance to be the most explosive WR we have based on his past production. How often do you want to put a guy on the field that will make the defense crap their pants? They cannot cover him without over committing resources.
 
SF Dolphin Fan said:
If anything how young players emerge may be the biggest question for Miami. Perhaps for any NFL team. Can their young talent take the next step? The Dolphins have a lot of young player on every unit and a lot of players who could take that next step. If enough emerge this could be a playoff team and silence critics who are predicting three wins or a top five pick for the team. Here's a short list.

Offensive Line
Tunsil
Davis
Asiata

Notes: Davis came from nowhere and showed talent. He was one of the best stories from last season. Tunsil has been a disappointment so far, showing better at guard as a rookie than tackle in his second season. Asiata might be viewed as a long-term center prospect or as depth only.

Running Back
Drake
Ballage

Notes: Drake played very well last season after Ajayi was traded. IMHO I think he has superstar potential. Staying healthy will be a key. Hearing good things in camp about Ballage.

Wide Receiver
Grant
Parker
Wilson
Carroo
Ford

Notes: Grant screams for more playing time with his big-play ability. Parker has yet to put it all together, but we've seen glimpses. He needs to stay healthy. Carroo and Ford seem to be in a battle for the sixth wide receiver spot. Wilson is only 26 and somewhat established. He adds tremendous speed to the position and was essentially hand-picked by Gase. Seems like a good fit for the offense.

Tight End
Gesicki
Smythe
Derby
Gray
Duarte
Escobar

Notes; Seems like the most talent Miami has had at tight end in a long time. Gesicki, in time, has a chance to be a real difference maker. What can he offer as a rookie? Derby was an interesting late season pickup from Denver. Duarte, Escobar and Gray may be battling for one spot.

Defensive Line
Harris
Phillips
Taylor
Godchaux

Notes: Miami really needs Phillips to put it all together on a consistent basis. We've seen some good things in flashes. Godchaux had a nice rookie year. Can Harris take that next step with Wake turning 36?

Linebacker
McMillan
Baker
Allen
Anthony

Notes: Suddenly there's some speed at linebacker. McMillan should at least be a solid contributor and maybe a difference maker.

Secondary
Howard
Tankersley
Lippett
McCain
Fitzpatrick

Notes: Howard's play towards the end of the season was really impressive. His game against New England was one of the better games I've seen a corner play for Miami. Tankersley held his own as a rookie and was better in run support than advertised. Lippett plays the ball in the air really well. McCain came on and got a new contract. Fitzpatrick, in time, may end up as the best player on this team. Just a feeling.

Kicker
Joseph
Sanders

Notes: With the number of close games in the NFL this seems like a gamble for Miami. Will be interested to see if the team ends up bringing in a veteran.

That's a lot of young talent, folks. A couple of guys have already started to emerge like Drake and Howard. Fitzpatrick and McMillan seem likely to add a lot to the team. Tankersley and Lippett may battle for the spot opposite of Howard. Both have shown talent.

Parker, Phillips and Tunsil have thus far been at least somewhat disappointing, but all three are very talented. Tunsil could be helped by a new offensive line coach and playing next to Sitton. Once again we are hearing good things out of camp on Parker. I think the key for him is staying healthy.

Players like Grant just need more opportunities.

Thoughts? Am I being too much of a homer to think if a handful of these players emerge that Miami will be better than middle of the road?
Click to expand...

If just a third of those guys turn in to solid starters, Miami will be much better
 
Danny said:
I'd like to see Grant get more chances but who would you take snaps away from to give them to him? We have 5 WR's that can play so it's not going to be easy for everyone to get lots of chances, specially if we don't sustain drives. We have Parker, Wilson, Grant,Stills and Amendola plus Gesicki and Drake and Gore. We'll see how they use everyone but it won't be easy to keep everyone happy.
Click to expand...
Frankly, if they are unhappy then ship them out. One hidden benefit with all these options comes in the form of team leverage to dictate team cohesion and compliance with the team strategy. If someone gets their panties in a bunch, "bye".

I'm so tired of our team dealing with distractions and 'me' players. If you need tweet, not practice with the team or not perform your assignments, so long, farewell and find someone else to pay for your diapers.

We all admire players like Wake, but never ask the question why can't we get more players like him?

Hello Adam Gase. Build your team and ship out the problemsto someone else.

Do it your way. Get rid of the Nancies.

We know have talent and options.

You throw to the open guy. You start the guy playing the best. If they don't like it, there is always the street.
 
The DT screams scary, there is some talent there but is very green imo will be tested early and often. Phillips was known to be freakish talent but a problematic back coming out of college looks like those traits are still on still on display, Taylor and Godchaux were impressive pickups in last year drafts imo but to throw them in as full time starters could be a long shot.
 
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