per PFT's twitter account. It's not on the PFT website yet or I'd give a link. Per the tweet, they chose Pruitt over Austin Collie.
Wonder if they only picked him because of STs ability and familiarity with the system? I mean, if he didn't make the team last year, I'm not sure how he could this year as it stands right now.
Or because Austin Collie and Laurent Robinson needed bibs for all the drool coming out the sides of their mouths?
Good point. Was he on a roster anywhere last year after we cut him? Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Very good gunner. Didn't seem to have consistent hands when he got the chance at WR in the past preseasons. He's been out of football since we cut him last summer. Kind of a ho hum signing to me. Was hoping for some new blood. He should know the system at least though.
I hope they still give Robinson a shot. In his case it very well could have been asking price. Hes coming off a sizeable contract and its possible Ireland didnt want to shell out more then a minimum deal for a WR4 which I wouldnt blame him for except for the fact Im still not sold that Brandon Gibson will be the answer as a WR3.
Reading the writing on the wall...we're maybe a few days or a week away from an announcement by Laurent Robinson that he's retiring.
Link is up now... http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/07/30/dolphins-pick-julius-pruitt-out-of-workout/
I think they sat Brian Hartline and Mike Wallace last night to make a decision on guys further down the roster, and liked what they saw enough to add a guy to the bottom of the roster(Priutt) and let someone in Bumphis/Tyms/McNutt/etc. get a final roster spot than add a dubious veteran.
Just my opinion, but based off practices I wouldn't be too concerned with Gibson being able to be the #3 WR. Besides that drop yesterday... he's looked good from what I've seen.
I think you're on to something about Wallace. However, IMO Hartline looked like he was gunna go until he pulled up tweaking something in his leg.
After they signed their UDFAs and finished the draft, my top outsider looking in at WR was Chad Bumphis. When they picked up Marvin McNutt the two of them became my top outsiders looking in. They've both got a shot now with Armon Binns hurt. But Julius Pruitt has a legit shot now too. SOMEONE on the team adores this guy. They're banging the drum for him non-stop. During his two year stay with the team we kept hearing inside anonymous type sources talking him up all the time. Sometimes named sources, too. With Armon Binns hurt that 5th WR spot is open for bid, and with Rishard Matthews hurt as well (and possibly Brian Hartline?) there will be plenty of reps for the most deserving candidates to step forward.
Maybe not, we have a surplus of Cb's (2 draftees, 5 vets), if we waive Carrol we can plug Pruitt into ST and see no real drop off in ST performance. Smart signing imo.
Speaking of Chad Bumphis, I didn't say anything last night about him but I find it awfully interesting that the dude was quiet as a mouse during the practice week then came out of nowhere to lead the WR unit in receiving yards during the scrimmage last night. Conspicuous because it was exactly what he did during Shrine week. During Shrine week I found that he was polished, could move, got open mostly with ease...but had some issues finishing catches. Partly hands, partly size, he wasn't finishing. Then during the game, he caught everything the QBs threw at him including a very difficult tipped high ball that he ended up catching (hilariously) between the backs of his two thumbs. He secured that tipped ball, landed and ran for the long score for probably the biggest play of the game. Now in scrimmage he had the longest play of the game (I believe) and ended up with 41 yards. Closest after him was McNutt with 23 yards. Could be a coincidence.
I think youd be less certain if Matthews wasnt hurt. I still think by years end he takes that spot from Gibson and hopefully we're better for it
Wallace..Hartline..Gibson..Matthews..Mccnutt/Bumphis ..if we keep 6 he's competing with those two, Bumphis/mcnutt can catch the football...don't see it pods
That is my thought, your #4 has to play ST, we will lose some ST Db's as there is just not room for them (barring injuries), which also means JP/McNutt/Bumphis really should be watched as much for how well they play ST as how well they catch the ball etc.
That's a good point, I do remember Rizzi saying Pruitt was one of the best gunners he's ever seen or something outlandish like that, but I was speaking about him as a receiver because we kept hearing about his potential as a receiver a lot, if I remember correctly. But yeah there's a good chance Rizzi weighed in on the decision after his punt coverage unit had a shaky outing last night. Good call.
#4 Wr and #5 have to be good at ST duties Deej, McNutt et al were primary Wr's in college how they play ST's is anyone guess. Philbin to his credit values ST more than Sparano ever did imo.
Big fan of Matthews, so I wouldn't argue that. But it would be more about Matthews IMO if he took the #3 WR spot than Gibson's inability to handle it.
Ya, happened during individual drills before everything ramped up. Think you're probably dead on regarding Wallace though. Was pretty disappointing for him not to be out there, but you're point about the benefit of seeing other WRs (plus not risking injury to him), was a good one.
If you're referring to Hard Knocks, I believe Rizzi was speaking of Marlon Moore in that light, though I believe he was still the one that vouched for this signing.I think Rishard Matthews, despite the injury, will make the 53 as the 4th or 5th option. It's that last spot that is so intriguing. There is still the possibility they carry 6 into the season.
Has to be about special teams and nothing more. They want the new blood to see how a guy sells out to make the team on ST's. But I thought Nolan Carroll was looking great at as a gunner. Guess they need two.
This move only makes sense if Pruitt is for special teams. Last year finding receivers who could catch apparently was more important than the special teams role. This year with Gibson, Hartline, and Wallace, Miami could afford finding a special teams ace over an actual receiver?
Yeah, might even mean that the rash of receiver injuries are not as serious as we may have thought...
I think he was chosen because there is some familiarity with the system and because he is good at STs,
marlon Moore was an excellent special teamer, and we cut him..Pruitt didn't take reps from Marlon Moore last year.
Yes, the #4 needs to play STs, but it would be better if the #4 isn't completely useless as a WR. They may want to sacrifice a little at STs to have a #4 WR who could contribute in the offense sometimes. JP is barely better than Legedu Naanee when it comes to playing WR.
Enter Dustin Keller for the #4 Wr duties. Suspect the way they see it they have 3 #1 Wr's over spending for a 4th who is not a ST ace and may see 20 passes all season is a sacrifice they may wish to make.
Something to watch in preseason will be Pruitt's RAC. He didn't get many game opportunities to show anything but I do recall him running with RB esque power a few times.
I prefer to call Pruitt special teams insurance. If the guys on the roster struggle in that area, Pruitt has game experience and is very good as a gunner. But I ultimately think Philbin will keep guys who can do more than just play special teams. No, I don't think he is a lock.
