4 excruciating hours after it all began, this one is in the books. The only thing worse than the game was Joe Buck. I won't type up a summary out of self-pity, but here are my notes from the 2nd half:
-Back to our offense to start the second half: Ricky being Ricky, and then Chad fakes out the galaxy on play action before hitting a wide open Hartline for a 55 yard gain! Penalty aside, Hartline has over 100 yards today.
-Pennington's accuracy just hasn't been there today. He couldn't have missed an easier touchdown to Ginn in the corner of the end zone.
-Fasano is wide open in the end zone, and just like that we have the lead. 10-6 Miami after the first drive of the second half, and I think that will do it for Pennington.
-The defense, led by JT, is really starting to get after the quarterback. Credit McCown for hanging in there, but I am pleased to see Miami making his life miserable.
-Henne is in, but his accuracy is not. Maybe this weather is worse than I'm giving it credit for...nobody has been consistently accurate thus far.
-These announcers are wrong. Freeman has no business being on the field to start this season...not on this team. I could see a scenario where he is phased into the lineup late in the year if he is ready, but there is no need to break him right now. Besides, the veteran options give this team a better chance to win right now, and that's what this decision ultimately has to be based off of.
-Camarillo is finally in...with the backups. Maybe I was wrong about the Dolphins' plans for him. Regardless, it baffles me that somebody as productive as him could be this buried. I really hope that he didn't lose a step with his injury.
-Bess has done nothing on punt returns through three quarters.
-Lex Hilliard fumbles...not a good way to convince the coaches to keep a fourth halfback.
-Erik Walden, on the other hand, making the case for a roster spot with a sack! A play after Moses had another nice pressure.
-Camarillo. Makes. Plays. Wes Welker Jr needs to start and be Chad Pennington's possession guy.
-Red zone pick by Henne. I'm still excited for his future, but he does have some learning to do. Pennington needs to stay healthy this year.
-Davis and Smith played well, but far from perfectly tonight.
-I can't complain about the defense tonight. 6 points allowed is excellent, as was the pressure in the second half. Still, I don't have a good taste about much of anything tonight.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Halftime: 6-3 Bucs
-Paul Soliai cleaned up a coverage sack. He is really coming around.
-And Nate Jones got through for another sack on the next play. Let's go!
-That's more like it...Bucs are forced to punt. Can we do something with the ball now before halftime??
-No.
-The only benefit of this weather delay is that we are skipping a lot of commercials now. Among the many negatives: Joe Buck. And more Joe Buck. Never have I been so happy that the Fins are in the AFC.
-Another sack (intentional grounding)! Q Moses!! Now we are starting to hit some people! (Moses, btw, is just about a lock to make the roster).
-Please, do something in the 2 minute drill...great opportunity to get some work and WAKE UP on offense.
-Finally, a positive play by Hartline tonight. Still wondering where is Camarillo??
And after an EXCRUCIATING first half, the Dolphins are down 6-3. In short, the offense has been horrible, and the defense has done its best impression of a well-built bridge: bending, but not breaking. This is not the type of effort you would have liked to see coming into tonight, filled with 3 & outs and missed tackles, but I have a feeling that Miami will fix their attitude as the first team comes back out to start the second half. At least I hope...
-And Nate Jones got through for another sack on the next play. Let's go!
-That's more like it...Bucs are forced to punt. Can we do something with the ball now before halftime??
-No.
-The only benefit of this weather delay is that we are skipping a lot of commercials now. Among the many negatives: Joe Buck. And more Joe Buck. Never have I been so happy that the Fins are in the AFC.
-Another sack (intentional grounding)! Q Moses!! Now we are starting to hit some people! (Moses, btw, is just about a lock to make the roster).
-Please, do something in the 2 minute drill...great opportunity to get some work and WAKE UP on offense.
-Finally, a positive play by Hartline tonight. Still wondering where is Camarillo??
And after an EXCRUCIATING first half, the Dolphins are down 6-3. In short, the offense has been horrible, and the defense has done its best impression of a well-built bridge: bending, but not breaking. This is not the type of effort you would have liked to see coming into tonight, filled with 3 & outs and missed tackles, but I have a feeling that Miami will fix their attitude as the first team comes back out to start the second half. At least I hope...
And we're back...sorta...
-Quick note about the Bucs: they may have low expectations this year, and they will probably have their struggles, but I really like the way they're doing things. They seem to be establishing a good culture a la Miami 2008, and I think they are putting Freeman in a position to succeed down the road.
-This team needs to wake up. A play after Luke McCown earned 5 yards with a hard count, Channing Crowder passed on an opportunity to take his head off. Not Miami Dolphins football.
-And it continues. The Bucs are running all over us, and we aren't tackling anybody. This is the most important game of the preseason...right now, it is an embarrassment.
-This team needs to wake up. A play after Luke McCown earned 5 yards with a hard count, Channing Crowder passed on an opportunity to take his head off. Not Miami Dolphins football.
-And it continues. The Bucs are running all over us, and we aren't tackling anybody. This is the most important game of the preseason...right now, it is an embarrassment.
Weather Delay!
-Offense looks terrible. Our starters are being outplayed by the lowly Bucs on both sides of the ball after two possessions each. We need to run this offense through our running backs...get back to what we do best.
-Not that this game was anything really worth watching for us so far, but a weather delay?? Really?!?
-Not that this game was anything really worth watching for us so far, but a weather delay?? Really?!?
End of the 1st Quarter
-Ginn on kickoff returns is something that I'm still in favor of (I'm also in favor of anything involving Patrick Cobbs...); impressive that he didn't run out of bounds!
-Hartline with another start...I'm still betting on Camarillo in Week 1.
-Not gonna complain cause it's the preseason, but I'm also not going to fault Hartline for that OPI call. Looked like the defended initiated the contact. The rookie will learn, and I remain impressed by the 39 yard completion.
-Akin Ayodele really came to play today.
Bucs are set to kick another field goal as we begin the 2nd Quarter...let's get something doing on offense, please.
-Hartline with another start...I'm still betting on Camarillo in Week 1.
-Not gonna complain cause it's the preseason, but I'm also not going to fault Hartline for that OPI call. Looked like the defended initiated the contact. The rookie will learn, and I remain impressed by the 39 yard completion.
-Akin Ayodele really came to play today.
Bucs are set to kick another field goal as we begin the 2nd Quarter...let's get something doing on offense, please.
Live Blog-ish
-Since competition has been introduced, it seems like Carpenter kicks off much further. Let's hope that he keeps it up in the regular season.
-I know it's the preseason and you don't want to show anything, but it's my opinion that our pass rush is much too simple. The offense almost always knows who is coming and where they are coming from. It has been a continuation of that same 40 front that we showed last year on 3rd downs, and I think we need to shake things up a little bit come the regular season.
-Excellent special teams work by who else than #38 with the punt block. Bad break that the Bucs got the ball back, but that's a teachable preseason moment.
-Big run by Cadillac Williams. No surprise: it was in the direction of Joey Porter, and Merling was also in the play, running around a block.
-Kendall Langford!! HUGE sack and forced fumble on 1st and Goal. He is beginning to look like an elite defensive end.
-Gibril Wilson hits HARD!
3-0 Bucs...
-I know it's the preseason and you don't want to show anything, but it's my opinion that our pass rush is much too simple. The offense almost always knows who is coming and where they are coming from. It has been a continuation of that same 40 front that we showed last year on 3rd downs, and I think we need to shake things up a little bit come the regular season.
-Excellent special teams work by who else than #38 with the punt block. Bad break that the Bucs got the ball back, but that's a teachable preseason moment.
-Big run by Cadillac Williams. No surprise: it was in the direction of Joey Porter, and Merling was also in the play, running around a block.
-Kendall Langford!! HUGE sack and forced fumble on 1st and Goal. He is beginning to look like an elite defensive end.
-Gibril Wilson hits HARD!
3-0 Bucs...
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Note on Green, Wilford cuts
The Dolphins ate some of their ill-fated contracts last week in rather interesting fashion. As you know, last year's marquee bust, Ernest Wilford, was let go. He had no chance of making the roster as either a wideout or a tight end: good riddance. Additionally, Eric Green, who was brought in at corner this offseason, was quickly jumped by "Surtain squared" on the depth chart (see last post). So, he found his place on the curb as well.
Clearly, the most interesting aspect of those two moves was not that two under-performing players were released...this much seems logical. What is truly intriguing is that this regime had the fortitude to admit its mistakes, do what was best for the future of the franchise, and move on. There are only a handful of other staffs in the league that would have even considered benching Wilford for all of last year, and even fewer that would have released him AND another free agent bust...before the latter even played in a real game!
I really respect that Parcells, Sparano, and Co (Ireland=Co) would do this, and even though I obviously wish they had never given away the wasted bonus money to begin with, there are few things they could be doing better towards making this franchise the best it could possibly be. That said, with an eye towards the future, here are two more players who I am pulling to see on the final roster cuts:
1) David Martin.
The man can catch passes. Unfortunately, however, not as well as a wide RECEIVER. Also unfortunate for him is that there is more to his position than catching passes. He is also expected to block somebody from time to time, and he simply does not get it done.
His contract is up after this year anyway (which means cutting him would cost a minimal cap hit...and free up his yearly salary), and you bet that Fasano is the only TE on this team with a big payoff on the horizon. Additionally, the Dolphins have two young tight ends, Haynos and Nalbone, who they seem to really like. If either or those guys is ready to be the #2 TE on this team, cut Martin now! The future is here, and it can block. I don't want to risk losing one of these young guys by trying to stow them on the practice squad.
2) Charlie Anderson
Anderson's situation is a bit more complicated, and a bit less of a no-brainer if you ask me, but I still think the Fins should consider it. Simply put, assuming Matt Roth stays off IR (maybe a big assumption), the Dolphins have 4 OLBs that are easily ahead of Anderson in my eyes (Taylor, Porter, and Wake being the others). My prerogative: cut one more failed free agent and let the young guys hold down the depth. Erik Walden on special teams was way more valuable to the 2008 Dolphins than Anderson as our pass rushing specialist. Unless he is flashing some real upside in his second camp with the Fins, I think it's time to move on (albeit much less confidently than with Martin...).
Clearly, the most interesting aspect of those two moves was not that two under-performing players were released...this much seems logical. What is truly intriguing is that this regime had the fortitude to admit its mistakes, do what was best for the future of the franchise, and move on. There are only a handful of other staffs in the league that would have even considered benching Wilford for all of last year, and even fewer that would have released him AND another free agent bust...before the latter even played in a real game!
I really respect that Parcells, Sparano, and Co (Ireland=Co) would do this, and even though I obviously wish they had never given away the wasted bonus money to begin with, there are few things they could be doing better towards making this franchise the best it could possibly be. That said, with an eye towards the future, here are two more players who I am pulling to see on the final roster cuts:
1) David Martin.
The man can catch passes. Unfortunately, however, not as well as a wide RECEIVER. Also unfortunate for him is that there is more to his position than catching passes. He is also expected to block somebody from time to time, and he simply does not get it done.
His contract is up after this year anyway (which means cutting him would cost a minimal cap hit...and free up his yearly salary), and you bet that Fasano is the only TE on this team with a big payoff on the horizon. Additionally, the Dolphins have two young tight ends, Haynos and Nalbone, who they seem to really like. If either or those guys is ready to be the #2 TE on this team, cut Martin now! The future is here, and it can block. I don't want to risk losing one of these young guys by trying to stow them on the practice squad.
2) Charlie Anderson
Anderson's situation is a bit more complicated, and a bit less of a no-brainer if you ask me, but I still think the Fins should consider it. Simply put, assuming Matt Roth stays off IR (maybe a big assumption), the Dolphins have 4 OLBs that are easily ahead of Anderson in my eyes (Taylor, Porter, and Wake being the others). My prerogative: cut one more failed free agent and let the young guys hold down the depth. Erik Walden on special teams was way more valuable to the 2008 Dolphins than Anderson as our pass rushing specialist. Unless he is flashing some real upside in his second camp with the Fins, I think it's time to move on (albeit much less confidently than with Martin...).
Preseason Game 2: Carolina @ Miami
I finally got a chance to review the film from the Panthers-Dolphins game. A few quick notes:
-Henne played nicely again, but I wouldn't mind seeing some more consistent accuracy. Maybe I'm spoiled by Chad #1.
-Lex Hilliard had a great game, which everybody is talking about, but even more impressive (and important) was the play of the first team offensive line and Ronnie Brown. The rushing attack is really starting to take shape.
-I like the continued progress of Hartline and Turner. Don't sleep on Camarillo though. He was a terrific receiver for us last year until he was injured, and I expect a lot of reps for him in the all-important preseason #3. If he can shake the injury rust, he should and will be our #2 receiver.
-I got a chance to watch a bit up front defensively, and I couldn't be more excited about our first string defensive line. The backups don't look so bad either: Merling can really rush the passer, and Paul Soliai played as well as I've seen from him against the Panthers. That is spectacular news.
-Vontae Davis had the bull's-eye on him, and he went out and played great. He had good coverage for four quarters, and he excelled making tackles in the open field. He and Smith will be compared to Madison and Surtain, but they could more aptly be compared to Surtain and Surtain. Surtain squared, if you will (and I bet you will).
-Is it just me, or has Yeremiah been picked on in coverage a bit? I'm not worried about him in the least, but I'll have an eye on him tomorrow.
-Finally, on both offense and defense, the Dolphins are as strong and physical as I have ever seen them. This team is going to beat the snot out of everybody they face all year long, and that bodes well in a league where you have to play 60 minutes, 16 times. Watch: there will be teams that cower.
-Henne played nicely again, but I wouldn't mind seeing some more consistent accuracy. Maybe I'm spoiled by Chad #1.
-Lex Hilliard had a great game, which everybody is talking about, but even more impressive (and important) was the play of the first team offensive line and Ronnie Brown. The rushing attack is really starting to take shape.
-I like the continued progress of Hartline and Turner. Don't sleep on Camarillo though. He was a terrific receiver for us last year until he was injured, and I expect a lot of reps for him in the all-important preseason #3. If he can shake the injury rust, he should and will be our #2 receiver.
-I got a chance to watch a bit up front defensively, and I couldn't be more excited about our first string defensive line. The backups don't look so bad either: Merling can really rush the passer, and Paul Soliai played as well as I've seen from him against the Panthers. That is spectacular news.
-Vontae Davis had the bull's-eye on him, and he went out and played great. He had good coverage for four quarters, and he excelled making tackles in the open field. He and Smith will be compared to Madison and Surtain, but they could more aptly be compared to Surtain and Surtain. Surtain squared, if you will (and I bet you will).
-Is it just me, or has Yeremiah been picked on in coverage a bit? I'm not worried about him in the least, but I'll have an eye on him tomorrow.
-Finally, on both offense and defense, the Dolphins are as strong and physical as I have ever seen them. This team is going to beat the snot out of everybody they face all year long, and that bodes well in a league where you have to play 60 minutes, 16 times. Watch: there will be teams that cower.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Preseason Game 1: Jags @ Fins
I have no idea where I'm going with the blog this year, except that I can pretty much guarantee that it won't be the analytical epic that I wrote last year. Especially since I'm interning with the Saints for the preseason, the blog will be a great deal lighter for the time being. Regardless, I managed to find a rough feed of the Fins game online, so here are a few of my thoughts:
-The first team defense was great. They absolutely shut the Jaguars down in the first quarter. Joey Porter and Jason Taylor were terrific together, a complete 180 from what we saw under Cam Cam. Taylor looked like his old self, and the two promise to only feed off of each other and the reduced attention which they will bring one another.
-Ted Ginn, likewise, showed some great signs early. He was heavily involved, and he looked good. A big factor in taking this offense to the next level will be whether or not he can emerge as a true #1 this year.
-I really like how the offense seems to have picked up right where they left off last year in terms of development. As I wrote about extensively (understatement) last season, I really thought the Dolphins were onto something in the progression of last year's offense. It's nice to see that they are continuing with a lot of the same multiple back concepts, as the offense seems poised to take off in terms of creativity.
-Chris Williams made a couple of early mistakes returning the football, but that's what they play the preseason for. I'll take it, especially if it comes coupled with the potential brilliance that he exhibited on some other runbacks. It will be very interesting to see if he can earn himself a spot on this team.
-Speaking of mistakes, Vontae Davis made his share. He had a couple of bad penalties, and was surely humbled by his first NFL experience.
-Along with David, Eric Green also didn't look great. I'll hold my judgment on these two corners for the time being.
-I won't hold my judgment on Sean Smith; he was terrific! He deserved his interception, and looks like he could be an all-rookie corner.
-Even though they didn't allow too many points, there was a huge drop off in general from the first D to the backups. Still, a lot of young players got some good experience, and a few new faces stood out. Tony McDaniel was stout as advertised against the run, and Cameron Wake had a nice pressure.
-Ricky Williams was a force to be reckoned with. He doesn't seem to be slowing down, possibly thanks to his premature retirement. Lex Hilliard also ran extremely well.
-The coaches seemed to ease Chad Henne into the offense with a lot of first down runs early. Once, he got into a rhythm, he looked pretty good, completing passes to rookies Hartline and Turner. Ricky dropped a touchdown, but overall I was happy with Henne early.
-Unfortunately, it wasn't all good for Henne. The backup o-line allowed some pressure, and when the pressure came there was some bad mixed in with the good. He threw an interception when he should've eaten it, but it was a teachable moment.
-Patrick Turner and Brian Hartline look like big, athletic targets out there. Signs from their first experience were encouraging.
-Ernest Wilford, who doesn't look a bit like a tight end, made a nice play to score a touchdown. If he can do more of that in the preseason, he could make this team. For now, I still think he's on the outside looking in.
-As Pat White came in with the 3's, he looked like a gamer. He really didn't make many bad throws; in fact, his accuracy surprised me. Don't be fooled by his stat line: his interception and many of his incompletions were on drops. I'm excited for his future. And oh yeah...he is FAST.
-It was hard for me to get a good look up front, but I would be surprised if Donald Thomas wasn't starting next week.
-Put Jason Allen in the Wilford category. He is fighting an uphill battle, but made some nice plays and has some value as a special teamer.
-Carpenter kicked off nicely, but had an extra point blocked in the mud. Whatever...
Those are just some quick thoughts. Don't read too much into anything, including the score, but those last two breakups by JAllen and Bryan plus the WILDPAT were a nice way to seal it! Let's tune it up some more next week, and I can't wait to see the Fins on a real TV for the 8/29 dress rehearsal, and in person to close out the preseason in the Superdome.
-The first team defense was great. They absolutely shut the Jaguars down in the first quarter. Joey Porter and Jason Taylor were terrific together, a complete 180 from what we saw under Cam Cam. Taylor looked like his old self, and the two promise to only feed off of each other and the reduced attention which they will bring one another.
-Ted Ginn, likewise, showed some great signs early. He was heavily involved, and he looked good. A big factor in taking this offense to the next level will be whether or not he can emerge as a true #1 this year.
-I really like how the offense seems to have picked up right where they left off last year in terms of development. As I wrote about extensively (understatement) last season, I really thought the Dolphins were onto something in the progression of last year's offense. It's nice to see that they are continuing with a lot of the same multiple back concepts, as the offense seems poised to take off in terms of creativity.
-Chris Williams made a couple of early mistakes returning the football, but that's what they play the preseason for. I'll take it, especially if it comes coupled with the potential brilliance that he exhibited on some other runbacks. It will be very interesting to see if he can earn himself a spot on this team.
-Speaking of mistakes, Vontae Davis made his share. He had a couple of bad penalties, and was surely humbled by his first NFL experience.
-Along with David, Eric Green also didn't look great. I'll hold my judgment on these two corners for the time being.
-I won't hold my judgment on Sean Smith; he was terrific! He deserved his interception, and looks like he could be an all-rookie corner.
-Even though they didn't allow too many points, there was a huge drop off in general from the first D to the backups. Still, a lot of young players got some good experience, and a few new faces stood out. Tony McDaniel was stout as advertised against the run, and Cameron Wake had a nice pressure.
-Ricky Williams was a force to be reckoned with. He doesn't seem to be slowing down, possibly thanks to his premature retirement. Lex Hilliard also ran extremely well.
-The coaches seemed to ease Chad Henne into the offense with a lot of first down runs early. Once, he got into a rhythm, he looked pretty good, completing passes to rookies Hartline and Turner. Ricky dropped a touchdown, but overall I was happy with Henne early.
-Unfortunately, it wasn't all good for Henne. The backup o-line allowed some pressure, and when the pressure came there was some bad mixed in with the good. He threw an interception when he should've eaten it, but it was a teachable moment.
-Patrick Turner and Brian Hartline look like big, athletic targets out there. Signs from their first experience were encouraging.
-Ernest Wilford, who doesn't look a bit like a tight end, made a nice play to score a touchdown. If he can do more of that in the preseason, he could make this team. For now, I still think he's on the outside looking in.
-As Pat White came in with the 3's, he looked like a gamer. He really didn't make many bad throws; in fact, his accuracy surprised me. Don't be fooled by his stat line: his interception and many of his incompletions were on drops. I'm excited for his future. And oh yeah...he is FAST.
-It was hard for me to get a good look up front, but I would be surprised if Donald Thomas wasn't starting next week.
-Put Jason Allen in the Wilford category. He is fighting an uphill battle, but made some nice plays and has some value as a special teamer.
-Carpenter kicked off nicely, but had an extra point blocked in the mud. Whatever...
Those are just some quick thoughts. Don't read too much into anything, including the score, but those last two breakups by JAllen and Bryan plus the WILDPAT were a nice way to seal it! Let's tune it up some more next week, and I can't wait to see the Fins on a real TV for the 8/29 dress rehearsal, and in person to close out the preseason in the Superdome.
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