And I'm serious here. They seem like our main competition to emerge as AFCE also-rans, and aside from signing Wallace and being in Florida, I haven't heard much. I have to admit, there were sparks from Tannehill that reminded me of the lowly, hated Mark Sanchez when he was playing in postseason games that the Phins have been dreaming of for a decade and more, but I keep hearing that this team is about to take a step and I'm not seeing why. Any takers?
I've heard Wallace is having a shitty camp. Aside from that Tannehill looks decent and the defensive front 7 looks scary (their secondary still kinda blows).
Im not buying the hype, I remember in 2010 they started 2-0 and were getting so much attention for their defense. Week 3 Sanchez lights them up and we never hear much of them again. Everyone will pick them like the Bills 2 weeks ago but when they are sitting at 3-5 halfway through the season, everyone that picked em wont even mention them.
I live down here in South Florida, and I just heard on the radio while driving home from work that the Dolphins had a turn out of 22,000 fans for their scrimage on Monday night. Last years scrimage was on a Saturday and they only had a turn out of 8,000. There does seem to be some excitement in the air, but I can't figure out why.
Here's my fairly unbiased take: People saw Tannehill have a decent rookie season with mediocre WRs, so they are optimistic about him growing in his 2nd year, aided by a burner in Wallace who can blow the top off the D, plus Hartline now playing the role of solid #2 and Gibson in the slot. The coaches finally think they have 3 guys who can run all the routes of the WCO. Keller at TE is a big receiving upgrade. The big worry on offense is the o-line. Martin got embarrassed at times last year at RT, so it is likely he will struggle at LT, but supposedly he bulked up in the offseason. Clabo at RT and Pouncey at C will be solid. Both guards are probably mediocre. Replacing Fasano with Keller will definitely hurt as far as supporting the o-line when he is in the game. People are optimistic about Miller, as he has the speed like Reggie but is less of a dancer and more of a north-south runner. As far as the D, the D-line was already stout. Wake is going to be Wake. They are looking for either Vernon to step up and add pass rush on the other side or Jordan to have immediate impact on passing downs. Neither is a sure thing though. There is optimism with the solid Dansby and Burnett being replaced with Wheeler and Ellerbe as far as blitzing goes. This area could backfire as it is also up in the air at this point. The secondary is still the biggest question mark of the D. But they are looking for the front 7 to mask that. If Grimes is healthy we have a good #1. They want 2nd rder Jamar Taylor to grab the spot on the other side but there are 2 or 3 JAGs who are competing since Taylor is battling with injuries. It looks like Philbin has mostly put his guys in place, but the bottom line is we sink or swim with Tannehill. If he can play well, we will be in the wild-card race and with some luck compete for the division. If he can't take the next step we will be in the 6-10, 8-8range. I see that as the floor with how good our front 7 is.
I was hoping you'd be the one to respond. The Phins are an intriguing team. I think they match up favorably against a lot of teams on the schedule. Thing is, against the Jets, aside from our obvious question marks at QB and RB; I think we match up scarily equal. Tannehill doesn't seem to have the protection he needs, but he throws on the run well and has the receivers to create plays. The Jets project a scary front 4 rush, but may not have the wheels and skill in their defensive backfield to adjust to it. Keller may be the x-factor passing, but we both know he can't block. On offense, NYJ is coming around at OL, but they will be at a disadvantage against the MIA short set. Morninwheg will try to spread them out if he can, go to Winslow early and then run some draws and screens, depending on the backs. In a couple of weeks, we'll know what the Jets have and how they match up... ... but I think that Miami may end up sweeping the Jets if something very unexpected doesn't happen for our team. I hate that idea. I can't even comment on our special teams yet. It's also a huge worry for me.
I just can't get behind the Dolphins. They added a lot in the offseason, but I see too many important weaknesses and/or unproven starters. First is the QB. I'm not a Tannehill guy, he doesn't impress me. Like the Bills and Jets, Fins sink or swim on their young QB. RB is unproven. I've read the reports. People just "assume" Miller is the real deal without ever really seeing him play. I'll wait and see. OL is bad. Clabo is a shell of his former self. The guards are below average to average. And the LT is just garbage. Even if Tannehill turns out to be pretty good, he won't have time to throw the ball and Wallace wont have time to get deep. The Bills and Jets defense is filled with pass rushers and exotic blitz packages, and I expect them to take advantage of this oline. Vernon or Jordan will have to step up, because right now Wake is the only proven pass rusher on the dline. I actually think the LBers got worse, losing Dansby and Burnett and replacing them with Wheeler and Ellerbe. And the secondary is bad. I still dont see where this is a playoff team. And I dont think any of the three are close (Phins, Bills, or Jets).
Yeah I think the two teams match up well too. Both newly switched to WCO and dominant defensive lines. I think a key difference in the defenses at least is that the Jets strength in the secondary is on the outside, with a weakness in the middle, and it is the opposite for the Phins. While obviously neither of our safeties are as proven of a strength in the middle as Cromartie is on the outside, Reshad Jones did have a pro-bowl caliber year last year. And Clemons isn't anything special but he is a hard hitter that rarely gives up the big play. But he doesn't make them either. From what I have read, DC Kevin Coyle tried to funnel plays toward Jones last year to let him have an impact with his physical talent. This year they are going to see what he can bring on the mental side and let him have more of a role in decision making and reading the offense. You are right about Winslow. If he can harness some of that talent and thrive under Marty, he could really help to open up your guys on the outside. From what I understand we will be running more of a zone coverage scheme. Not a big fan of that but with our lack of talent at corner it is probably necessary. On the opposite side, I see Cromartie holding his own against Wallace. Wallace got the better of him once last year but that was more of a blown play/Cro being an idiot than it was Wallace physically outmatching him. Hartline against Milliner/Wilson? Who knows. Hartline is a disciplined route runner but lacks that extra gear...coughwhitewidereceivercough. Gibson is a wild card. I wasn't exactly shaking the pom poms for trading Bess away to get Gibson. But supposedly he brings versatility that the coaches desire over Bess' sure hands and quickness. I'm excited to watch this matchup, as always. You're right about Miller. A lot of people are proclaiming him great already. But that's most Phins fans for you. Most of the ones I meet still think Chad Pennington is the QB. Idk about Clabo being a shell of his self. Is that something you are just saying, or did you watch him play last year? Because all reports I have read said that it was a monetary decision to let him go. The LBers may have gotten worse all around, but the coaches wanted cheaper LBs who were better at Blitzing and a little faster. I saw Burnett get beat to the outside/take poor angles last year a lot. One of them was actually on a swing pass to Goodson that got taken to the house. So in a division against Goodson and especially Spiller, I'd like LBs who can seal that edge. Saying the secondary is bad is shabby analysis. And not trying to take a shot, just putting it out there, I think the Jets and Phins are closer to the Pats than the Bills are to the Jets and Phins. But I very well could be wrong.
I think it's all on Tannehill at this point. If he's a very good QB then the Fins are very good. If he's an average QB then the Fins are average. If he's mediocre or bad then the Fins will be drafting another QB in 3 years and starting over again.
Everything I've read said he looks great and everybody has been praising his athleticism. Not getting my hopes up tho...those achilles injuries are nasty.
Wallace is a great talent but let's see how he does when he doesn't have anyone else to take the pressure off him.
I hear Tannehill is doing very well. The Dolphins could be a major threat if their horrible offensive line doesn't get their QB killed.
Usually the guy with elite speed is the one taking pressure off the rest of the receivers. Plus I'd say in 2010, probably his best year, was when he had the least amount of talent around him.
If you have a point to dispute then do so. Otherwise you are worth less to me than the gum clinging to my heel as I leave a parking lot.
I did. Wallace, no other talent, in 2010? mendenhall1300 yards on the ground, Heath Miller and Hines Ward? No talent?
