The regular season is finally here. Time to throw down your predictions for '16-'17.
Offense: One thing is for certain is that Gase is a very creative offensive mind and it should be exciting watching him at work and calling plays. Though that may be where the fun ends.
Quarterback - Ryan Tannehill will finally have full control over the offense as he is a top tier QB in pre-snap along with very good accuracy. Unfortunately those who favor the signal caller will have to endure another year of ill-informed fans questioning his competence as his success will be hampered by a one dimensional offense and having to scrap the gameplan due to playing behind the scoreboard. Gase may not give up on the running game like the coaches of past, but that is of little relevance if the ball can't be moved on the ground. Get the ice packs ready for that throwing arm, Ryan.
Offensive line - Looks as if the opening day starting lineup will feature four tackles and a bum at center. In theory, the pass protection should improve but the incompetence of run blocking will soon nullify that strength as opposing defenses are able to tee off with no fear of the running game. The one area where Gase made a mistake was promising the aging/injury prone Albert the LT spot. Nothing says Miami Dolphins like drafting a high profile player in the first round only to change his position. Much like Bushrod, another aging/injury prone player LT who has been moved to G, Albert should be moved inside as well to hide his declining agility. Albert, as a team leader, should be more inclined to do what is best for the team as opposed to doing what suits his personal preference. This current situation only delays the inevitable and development of Tunsil at LT. And then there's Pouncey. Another member summarized it best - maybe there's a chance Mike could get hooked up with a Rob Konrad fishing charter. (credit to FlynRyan15)
Running Back - The depth at RB is embarrassing and no one besides Foster has shown any promise to tote the rock. Though Foster hasn't played a full 16 games in three years so there is a need for someone else to step up. Problem is, there isn't anyone qualified to maintain those duties. Ajayi is not the talent that Miami thought he was and then there is the very real absurdity that Daniel Thomas has a chance of making the roster. Isiah Pead has proven nothing as of yet and needs to stay out of the trainer's room. Rookie Kenyan Drake may see some time as a 3rd down option but he is nothing more. Last but not least, **** you Tannenbum with a 357 foot spire for bumbling the resigning of Lamar Miller.
Wide Receiver - A unit with a lot of promise, but a lot to prove. Jarvis Landry will be Jarvis Landry and that's both a good and bad thing. Landry is a tough and crafty slot receiver but should one of the perimeter receivers succumb to injury Landry limitations do not fair well on the outside for full time work. DaVante Parker not only needs to keep better care of himself but he also needs to mature as his lack of motivation is a glaring weakness, especially with his route running. Kenny Stills has emerged in the preseason, but that obviously needs to carry into and throughout the regular season. Then there are rookies Caroo, waste of a trade up in the draft, and Jakeem Grant, the midget gadget player.
Tight End - Catch the damn ball Cameron. That's all; catch the damn ball. Sims is a decent run locker but a pedestrian pass catcher. Overall, a very average unit.
Defense: Stop me if you've heard this before. Former defensive back coach from Cincinnati to make his debut at defensive coordinator. Vance Joseph has the most difficult job on the team in having to remake a defense with very underwhelming talent. Also this 30+ year old "wide 9" craze being talked about in Miami will hopefully be used on a limited basis for passing situations only, otherwise it's curtains for them. Having the DE's kicked out so far on first and second downs leaves the LB's very vulnerable and they are already a very weak group.
Defensive Line - Well, there's Ndamuking Suh . . . Wake has made great progress in returning from his achilles injury but will be reduced to a passing specialist granted the Dolphins can force opposing offenses into third and long situations and they are not running a HUNH to negate substitutions. Mario Williams has a lot to prove as questions linger not only about his production but also his attitude. Jordan Phillips needs to make some major steps in his second year as he was granted some leniency as a rookie in a very difficult position for young players to learn at DT, but that learning curve is now over. Earl Mitchel is a body at this point with little to no impact. There are others who have glimmered during the preseason but I'll bother to them mention at a later time if they can carry it over into the real deal.
Line Backers & Secondary - Well, there's Rashad Jones . . . I combined this unit because there is not a whole lot to highlight. The back seven will be a major reason for the team's poor record and will be a bottom 10 unit. Kiko Alonso when healthy is a good volume tackler, but he needs to remain clean and will be limited if asked to so behind a defensive line that purposefully leaves gaping holes for LB's to be responsible for on early downs if Joseph decides to overuse the kicked out pass rush techniques. With the NFL's base defense now being the nickel, talent at CB and defensive back depth is crucial, neither of which the Dolphins currently possess. Byron Maxwell is average talent and will man the RCB spot, while _____ lines up at LCB and _____ will be the slot CB. And yes, it is that definitive with week one just days away. Isa Abdul Quddus was an interesting pick up. Though while it has been said he could be interchangeable with Jones at the safety spots, Qudduss has never started at FS and Rashad does not play as well in space as he does in the box. An odd mix that will have to play out before assessments can be made.
Final Record: 6-10
But hey, what do I know, I'm just full of ****. You're up. :up:
Offense: One thing is for certain is that Gase is a very creative offensive mind and it should be exciting watching him at work and calling plays. Though that may be where the fun ends.
Quarterback - Ryan Tannehill will finally have full control over the offense as he is a top tier QB in pre-snap along with very good accuracy. Unfortunately those who favor the signal caller will have to endure another year of ill-informed fans questioning his competence as his success will be hampered by a one dimensional offense and having to scrap the gameplan due to playing behind the scoreboard. Gase may not give up on the running game like the coaches of past, but that is of little relevance if the ball can't be moved on the ground. Get the ice packs ready for that throwing arm, Ryan.
Offensive line - Looks as if the opening day starting lineup will feature four tackles and a bum at center. In theory, the pass protection should improve but the incompetence of run blocking will soon nullify that strength as opposing defenses are able to tee off with no fear of the running game. The one area where Gase made a mistake was promising the aging/injury prone Albert the LT spot. Nothing says Miami Dolphins like drafting a high profile player in the first round only to change his position. Much like Bushrod, another aging/injury prone player LT who has been moved to G, Albert should be moved inside as well to hide his declining agility. Albert, as a team leader, should be more inclined to do what is best for the team as opposed to doing what suits his personal preference. This current situation only delays the inevitable and development of Tunsil at LT. And then there's Pouncey. Another member summarized it best - maybe there's a chance Mike could get hooked up with a Rob Konrad fishing charter. (credit to FlynRyan15)
Running Back - The depth at RB is embarrassing and no one besides Foster has shown any promise to tote the rock. Though Foster hasn't played a full 16 games in three years so there is a need for someone else to step up. Problem is, there isn't anyone qualified to maintain those duties. Ajayi is not the talent that Miami thought he was and then there is the very real absurdity that Daniel Thomas has a chance of making the roster. Isiah Pead has proven nothing as of yet and needs to stay out of the trainer's room. Rookie Kenyan Drake may see some time as a 3rd down option but he is nothing more. Last but not least, **** you Tannenbum with a 357 foot spire for bumbling the resigning of Lamar Miller.
Wide Receiver - A unit with a lot of promise, but a lot to prove. Jarvis Landry will be Jarvis Landry and that's both a good and bad thing. Landry is a tough and crafty slot receiver but should one of the perimeter receivers succumb to injury Landry limitations do not fair well on the outside for full time work. DaVante Parker not only needs to keep better care of himself but he also needs to mature as his lack of motivation is a glaring weakness, especially with his route running. Kenny Stills has emerged in the preseason, but that obviously needs to carry into and throughout the regular season. Then there are rookies Caroo, waste of a trade up in the draft, and Jakeem Grant, the midget gadget player.
Tight End - Catch the damn ball Cameron. That's all; catch the damn ball. Sims is a decent run locker but a pedestrian pass catcher. Overall, a very average unit.
Defense: Stop me if you've heard this before. Former defensive back coach from Cincinnati to make his debut at defensive coordinator. Vance Joseph has the most difficult job on the team in having to remake a defense with very underwhelming talent. Also this 30+ year old "wide 9" craze being talked about in Miami will hopefully be used on a limited basis for passing situations only, otherwise it's curtains for them. Having the DE's kicked out so far on first and second downs leaves the LB's very vulnerable and they are already a very weak group.
Defensive Line - Well, there's Ndamuking Suh . . . Wake has made great progress in returning from his achilles injury but will be reduced to a passing specialist granted the Dolphins can force opposing offenses into third and long situations and they are not running a HUNH to negate substitutions. Mario Williams has a lot to prove as questions linger not only about his production but also his attitude. Jordan Phillips needs to make some major steps in his second year as he was granted some leniency as a rookie in a very difficult position for young players to learn at DT, but that learning curve is now over. Earl Mitchel is a body at this point with little to no impact. There are others who have glimmered during the preseason but I'll bother to them mention at a later time if they can carry it over into the real deal.
Line Backers & Secondary - Well, there's Rashad Jones . . . I combined this unit because there is not a whole lot to highlight. The back seven will be a major reason for the team's poor record and will be a bottom 10 unit. Kiko Alonso when healthy is a good volume tackler, but he needs to remain clean and will be limited if asked to so behind a defensive line that purposefully leaves gaping holes for LB's to be responsible for on early downs if Joseph decides to overuse the kicked out pass rush techniques. With the NFL's base defense now being the nickel, talent at CB and defensive back depth is crucial, neither of which the Dolphins currently possess. Byron Maxwell is average talent and will man the RCB spot, while _____ lines up at LCB and _____ will be the slot CB. And yes, it is that definitive with week one just days away. Isa Abdul Quddus was an interesting pick up. Though while it has been said he could be interchangeable with Jones at the safety spots, Qudduss has never started at FS and Rashad does not play as well in space as he does in the box. An odd mix that will have to play out before assessments can be made.
Final Record: 6-10
But hey, what do I know, I'm just full of ****. You're up. :up:
