Initial Thoughts From Miami

[godolphins1985]

Originally Posted by Dolfan1000

Agree with many of your observations. I'll add some of mine, after watching the replay on NFL Network

1. The Miami announcing crew is terrible. Love Bob Griese and Nat Moore, but they just sound dumb most of the time. Not in terms of the game itself, but more in terms of personnel (though they do have their share of brain farts). I have watched a lot of the other replays, and most of the announcing crews really seem to know a lot about the roster and the guys who are battling at certain positions. These guys sounded clueless. Then, in the second half, when they switch to the Tampa coverage, I had to listen to Charles Davis go on and on about every Buc backup, which made me want to vomit. It sounded like they were commenting on a practice involving ONLY Buc players. Hardly heard the name of a Dolphin.

2. On to the game itself. Agree 100% about Langford. Kid is a beast. In the backfield consistently. I also thought Merling was pretty impressive, especially when he lined up at tackle in a four-down set in passing situations. Beyond their physical abilities, I really like the swagger they both play with. I saw Kendall running his mouth quite a few times after making some plays, which personally, I like in a lineman. Rookie or not, I think confidence is such an important factor in achieving success in this league, and both guys seem to have plenty of it. CK, about your comment about the ineffectiveness of the four linemen, I think the fact that Vonnie was out played a role. He tends to get pretty good penetration. I wasnt impressed with Quentin Moses in this role last year, and still wasnt. I think he fits best as an OLB.

3. I watched the OLBs closely, and I think its a position we'll look to strengthen on the waiver wire. I liked what I saw from Charlie Anderson, until he went down (with what seems like a minor injury, thankfully), but I was not all that impressed with Ninkovich. Not explosive enough for my tastes. I'm very interested in what the plan is for Matt Roth. You cannot possibly start him ahead of the two rookies at this point. And I think the coaching staff made a pretty big statement STARTING the guy at OLB while giving Langford the nod at end. Its one thing to say you're experimenting with a guy in practice to give you some roster flexibility on gameday, but its another to actually go ahead and give him significant reps at the spot in the game. I may be wrong, but I dont believe he took any snaps at end, and if he did, they were minimal at best. IMO its starting to look like he could play outside on run downs, and be replaced by a combination of Quentin and/or Charlie in obvious passing downs. I thought he looked pretty good against the run, but certainly is not going to show much quickness as a pass rusher. But still, I was pleasantly surprised with how he did.

4. In terms of the OL, I watched Jake very carefully, and he impressed me. Never saw him get beat. Excellent sign. The first team was solid, with Thomas making a couple of rookie mistakes, which is to be expected. If he trots out there with the first team for practice tomorrow morning (and no reason to think he wont), then this competition at RG is over IMO. I loved the plan of getting these guys a bunch of reps together. Its something that, to this day, I think Cameron really goofed on. If you can recall, for some reason, he played Alabi all preseason with the first team. I thought the second team line had their moments, to be honest, because I thought they were going to be awful. Going through the individuals, the only guy that IMO stood out in a negative way was Ndukwe at tackle. Got beat bad. Other than that, I like how Heerspink moves, and I think having McKinney out there with the group is critical. They are VERY young. I was watching Dallas' preseason opener, and I paid close attention to their second team line. Why? Because I am confident one of those guys will be in aqua and orange on September 7th. Maybe McQuistan. Maybe Proctor. Maybe Berger. Maybe even Marten or Free. We still dont have our swing tackle on this roster.

5. People criticizing the starting wideouts need to realize that they hardly got any snaps. Sure, Armstrong and Kircus got the yards (and Bess looked pretty good too), but thats because they got a heck of a lot more reps. Sheesh, its to be expected. I thought Jayson Foster probably played himself out of a job. Looked bad on returns, and didnt make an impact. One play is all it takes to make a team, and similarly, to be cut from one. The other guys all had their moments, including Kircus, who took round one of what should be a good fight with Camarillo. I have heard lots of good things about Greg from the Coach and from practice reporters, so to see him not really make any plays was disappointing. As Coach Sparano has said, you have to flash in practice, but more importantly, you have got to do it in the games. Ginn was not in long enough to make an impact, and I would like to see him back there returning kicks so that the ST units can develop some chemistry. But that should come in the upcoming games, I can only assume. While I thought Wilford probably should have caught that throw from Henne, the defender did make a decent play on it (after closer inspection). Nonetheless, I thought he could have used his big frame to shield off the defender. Looked more like a timing and chemistry issue than anything else. I am still REALLY intrigued by his size. The guy is one of the biggest receivers I have ever seen. I like the red zone possibilities.

6. I dont put too much stock into the third down efficiency, because in the first half, I think we blitzed maybe a couple of times, but overall, we were as vanilla as you can get. To get off the field on third down, you have got to get pressure on the QB, and we werent able to do it with just our four down linemen (as CK pointed out). I expect some far more creative packages in a regular season game. I also thought our defensive backs were playing lots of really soft zones, so the Bucs seemed to be able to pick up 7-8 yards like nothing. I'll wait until we start game planning and implementing a full playbook on defense (i.e. during the regular season) before jumping to conclusions about this.

7. Finally, some quick props to some guys I was impressed with: Jalen Parmele (some night tough runs), Reggie Torbor, Jason Allen and Randy Starks.

Yes i agree with ya ..

[jlfin]

Originally Posted by godolphins1985

see im not the only 1 that felt that way about the play. It wasnt the right decision because there were other options period. There are other recievers on field and he had no pressure.

Wrong. Not on a screen play. It's a designed play and the O-line has to release and get downfield. TB's defense read it and stuffed it.
There is no other options at that point except to eat the ball or throw it in the dirt.
If he throws it past the line of scrimmage it's likely one of the O-lineman would have been flagged for ineligible receiver downfield.

[Vertical Limit]

Originally Posted by Geforce

If they do not want Beck, then why did they chose him over Green and Lemon? Why is he still a member of this football team? The minute Pennington was signed they could have released him then.

I'm not sure the answer to that really.

All I know is, this team isn't going to release Henne. That's for damn sure. That's Parcells' quarterback right there. And they probably don't want him to see any playing time this season. Hell, he may not even see playing time next season. Just look how long it took for Romo to be the starter for Dallas.

And I'm pretty sure they don't want a repeat of last season, so they might want to keep the veteran career back up quarterback in McCown just incase Pennington goes down, again.

[Geforce]

Originally Posted by godolphins1985

I cant say that he did or not cause i dont remember honestly, but if he was then it was a good move if carey wasnt then it was bad, its that simple. Some people believe that a linemen will be downfield on all screen passes or that the other WR on the other side or just for decoy and cant catch a pass, which is totally rediculous.

I just watched the play several times before I posted so I got a good look at it. At the snap you can see Carey give a half-hearted assist on the DT and then bypass the DE to go after the OLB on that side (Brooks was covering Ronnie as he went in motion towards the offense). Ronnie faked like he was going to block the DT but released instead. The DT didn't buy what Brown was selling and basically forced Beck to throw the ball away.

[kizzaboo]

Originally Posted by godolphins1985

Yes ive played football and ive also played Left guard and RB when i grew outta my weight back in early teens, ive also coached football back in the day. I do know what i speak of, and i understand managing the game etc taking care of the football has nothing to do when a man doesnt see his primary target (RB on the screen)....The next thing to do if that person isnt open isnt to throw it into the dirt just because hes not open. If it was to throw to the primary reciever only then why do we have other recievers on the field? I understand the importance of a reciever playing decoy to the man whos intended to catch the screen, but dont think for a min that they structure that play for them to just run without a chance for them to make a catch. Its just another option on field if the person catching the screen is caught up on a defender. So if Ginn on the far left has totally beat the defenders and is wideopen and the screen play is totally botched he should just throw the ball into the dirt while there are no defenders giving any kind of pressure..please.

Geforce and others had another good point on that play. Carey was down field and I believe another was too. Another reason why it was a good decision to botch the play.

They are out their as decoys and trying to sell their routes. There is a good chance that they are not looking and they are more than likely getting ready to start their blocking assignments and probably have no idea that the play broke down cause they are faced away from the screen to some degree. Its not worth the risk on a 2nd and 6 on a screen.

Also do you honestly believe that Beck knowingly went against what he was coached and just duffed the ball because he wasn't competent enough to throw the ball out toward the decoys? It was clear that he was told in that situation to throw it away, it looked to deliberate. Its not as uncommon as it seems.

[LemonPepper]

Beck was Cam's pick and he didn't have this pressure last year; the shoe was on the other foot. He was the fan and media favorite and waiting in the wings

[kingjust30]

our linebackers were our weakest link . if where bad this year than we are almost lucky because this might be the best linebacker draft ever. 3 out of the top 7 picks in this upcoming draft are lbs. u gut this kid brian cushing from usc who might go number 1 or 2than u got laurinatus from usc who might go number 2 or 3 than u gut the kid from usc maualuga or somthing like that who is a beast. he is a top 5 or 10 pick. and suggs is a free agent so if we can draft 1 of those stud lbs and sign suggs that will turn our weakest position into our strongest within 1 year.

[kingjust30]

im sorry i made a mistake laurinitis is from ohio st and not usc. the other 2 kids kushing and maualuga are both from usc

[LAMiamifan]

Originally Posted by fatkirstyalley

I agree with most of your assesment CK, we have a problem with penalties.....but that is going to happen when you turnover half the roster. I was happy with what I saw, I see glimers of hope.

On a completely off topic issue....

Whats your deal with Kristey Alley?? PA on the show? Are you a fat actress? Ya just like fat chicks? Or you are a fat chick right? It just doesnt make any sense. I see it all the time and yet you'll put up a new pic or quote or something? It just doesnt make any sense.

On topic... agree with 90% of the rundown ck.. and always appreciate, thx. I actually just caught the game off tevo and was pleasantly surprised. Look we know our offense is a disaster but we showed signs in the short game which will only be eccentuated by CP right? Merling and Langford fired me up..... and Fergie was on a mission. Jason Allen may actually pan out to be worth a pint of something. We have like 15 safties so we should be fine there right? Ricky... two first rounders and 5 years later he actually has be almost back on the bandwagon... GRANTED, ive been here too many times in one lifetime and the guy just keeps breakin my heart. But ill be a sucker.. JUST ONE MORE TIME!!! WR's are in trouble, and Hagan just pisses me off b/c i kinda started thinking he'd be the asu baller i remember. Wilford.. UGH! Kircus... its funny but he went up like a star and he knows how to run the short route. I feel like we need to keep a couple FB's, throw in some more 2 TE sets, run like hell and throw underneath a lot! Oh and yes im bitter and yes Im a die hard dolphin fan, but i didnt miss JT out there at all.... look, he's a beast but he did a number on us and i just cant forgive or forget it. I actually will remember his legacy better now with him gone. Over his games, not wanting to be here and as much as i get his whole hollywood angle, I want a leader who wants to get us back to contention year in and out and the fact of the matter is that he couldnt have cared less about the future of our franchise.

Thats all ive got.....

Oh and i do miss Zach. Hope he gets his... but i did like Crowder showing some fire a couple of times. Its about time. Hopefully, we'll keep seeing it... esp if we give him the big contract b/c he smells like a guy playing for it right now with the heart on his sleeve. I hope im wrong though.

[tfh_rules]

Originally Posted by godolphins1985

see im not the only 1 that felt that way about the play. It wasnt the right decision because there were other options period. There are other recievers on field and he had no pressure.

Actually, there AREN'T other receivers down the field... WRs are BLOCKING on a screen pass.

[QrtBck13]

no need to take the Lords name in vain.
Great Post man!
Keep it up!

[BlueFin]

In looking at this game it should be remembered that Tampa won their division last year, was a playoff team, and had the 2nd ranked defense in the league.

[fishypete]

Originally Posted by MrClean

Why on earth does anyone think they won't release McCown? He is the one on thin ice, not Beck. The Dolphins braintrust is too smart to make the 1st preseason game of his 2nd season the last chance for a QB to impress. That's what common sense would tell me. Not that the Dolphins would hang on to a mediocre pure journeyman like McCown and cut a still developing 2nd year QB.

Lets see...McCown has more NFL starts than Beck...Beck isn't a selection of the present staff...Beck hasn't shown in any of his chances so far that he can be the guy...and last but least...Henne has out played him, with less time needed. At Beck's age...he doesn't have the time to "still develop"...it's clear that Henne has the time to become the future...and Beck does not.

[fishypete]

Originally Posted by BlueFin

In looking at this game it should be remembered that Tampa won their division last year, was a playoff team, and had the 2nd ranked defense in the league.

Very true Blue...and a 1-15 team played them very well.

[FORMER FIN1]

Nice post CK I see it almost exactly the same way.

In a nutshell:

The defense
-Good against the run
-No pass rush
-gave up everything underneath
The offense
-Henne looks good
-Ricky looks good
-Beck not so good
-Brown not so good
McCown out the door.