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.