Clemons, Misi are making strides for Miami Dolphins

Finatic8480 · Oct 24, 2010

They were two of the biggest preseason questions: Could the Dolphins trust Chris Clemons as a starting safety? And was rookie outside linebacker Koa Misi ready to start? The early results are encouraging, with a tough test (Pittsburgh) looming Sunday.
Although he hasn't forced any turnovers, Clemons is the fastest free safety this team has had in years, a good tackler, hasn't been beaten deep and is an upgrade over Gibril Wilson. ``He might be our most surprising player,'' Vontae Davis said.

Clemons has no interceptions or pass breakups, but that's mostly a result of being thrown at only five times, according to Pro
Football Focus. Only three of those were completed, for 16 yards. No NFL safety with a similar number of snaps has allowed fewer yards; consider St. Louis' O.J. Atogwe has yielded 190 and Pittsburgh's Ryan Clark 106.

Clemons wouldn't even be starting if the Dolphins had been able to sign Clark. ``Had I gotten along better with Jeff Ireland and some of the brass there, I would have left [Pittsburgh],'' Clark said in August. The Dolphins liked Antrel Rolle but didn't want to outbid the Giants and didn't pursue Atogwe.

But Pro Football Focus, which studies every play, said Clemons has outplayed them -- it ranks him 17th of 81 safeties, with Rolle 31st, Atogwe 32nd and Clark 36th.

``He's doing his job very well,'' defensive coordinator Mike Nolan said. ``He's going to become a very good pro because he takes his job very seriously.''

Clemons said he is surprised he hasn't been thrown at more: ``I want some picks, but I've graded out well. I'm good at confusing the quarterback.''

• Misi leads AFC rookies with three sacks -- second on the team behind Cameron Wake's six -- and ranks 12th in Pro Football Focus' rating of 34 outside linebackers in a 3-4 defense. (The Jets' Jason Taylor is 17th.)

Coaches like Misi's improvement in setting the edge on runs -- a problem in preseason. ``Koa was relentless in his rush'' last Sunday, Tony Sparano said. He had modest sack numbers at Utah -- three in 2008, five in 2009 -- and he has ``still got to work on rush moves,'' Sparano said. ``But he's getting better.''

Misi said he has three pass-rush moves he's comfortable with and must ``perfect them.''

Besides his high motor, the Dolphins like his diligence. One example: During the offseason, he asked the team to make a DVD of Taylor's pass-rush moves so he could study them. He soon will do the same for Denver's Elvis Dumervil, at Brandon Marshall's suggestion. ``I've come a long way,'' he said.

• Even with a reduced role, Bill Parcells still has been giving input, including strongly advocating the firing of ousted special teams coach John Bonamego earlier this month.

• No player will miss Parcells being around more than Davis. ``He would tell me things like, `Don't be scared this week.' Or ask, `You nervous?' '' Davis said. Davis allowed more receiving yards on one play last Sunday (86 to Greg Jennings) than his first four games combined (67, which ranked in the top five for starting NFL cornerbacks). But he will not let that game affect his psyche: ``If I was going to be perfect, I should just retire and get a Hall of Fame jacket.''

• Players are surprised by one aspect of Nolan's defense. ``I thought we would do more blitzing,'' Tony McDaniel said. ``But I think you'll see more later in the season.'' Nolan is cautious not to expose Miami's defensive backs.
Click to expand...

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/10/23/1888355/clemons-misi-are-making-strides.html#ixzz13FhBTBHD

Bpk · Oct 24, 2010

1) Ireland needs to go to charm school. Losing free agents because of money is one thing, but because you are crappy with people and they don;t want to work with you, that's just bad.

2) Nolan is probably being told by Sparano not to blitz too much.

Finatic8480 · Oct 24, 2010

Bpk said:

1) Ireland needs to go to charm school. Losing free agents because of money is one thing, but because you are crappy with people and they don;t want to work with you, that's just bad.

2) Nolan is probably being told by Sparano not to blitz too much.
Click to expand...

Ireland got along just fine with Dansby, Clark is a two timing SOB. Plus Ireland is doing a heck of job, thanks to him Bess is locked up & wait to you hear about who he wanted to trade for. Which I am sure Miami will target in the offseason.

VanDolPhan · Oct 24, 2010

Bpk said:

1) Ireland needs to go to charm school. Losing free agents because of money is one thing, but because you are crappy with people and they don;t want to work with you, that's just bad.

2) Nolan is probably being told by Sparano not to blitz too much.
Click to expand...

Clark's full or horse manure. He just used the Dolphins to get the offer he wanted out of Pittsburgh.

Anonymous · Oct 24, 2010

Very informative piece. What stood out to me the most was Brandon Marshall telling Misi to make a DVD of Dumerville and studying his move.

Pariah · Oct 24, 2010

Ashraf said:

Very informative piece. What stood out to me the most was Brandon Marshall telling Misi to make a DVD of Dumerville and studying his move.
Click to expand...

Nice Avy!!!

frags · Oct 24, 2010

Finatic8480 said:

Ireland got along just fine with Dansby, Clark is a two timing SOB. Plus Ireland is doing a heck of job, thanks to him Bess is locked up & wait to you hear about who he wanted to trade for. Which I am sure Miami will target in the offseason.
Click to expand...

Who might that be? Champ Bailey lol? Lets hear it Fin

Edit: Logan Mankins?

Log in / Register

Forums

Clemons, Misi are making strides for Miami Dolphins

Finatic8480 New Member

Bpk Premium Member Luxury Box

Finatic8480 New Member

VanDolPhan Club member Club Member

Anonymous Season Ticket Holder Club Member

Pariah Revolutionary

frags New Member

Share This Page

Log in / Register

Useful Searches

Clemons, Misi are making strides for Miami Dolphins

Finatic8480 New Member

Bpk Premium Member Luxury Box

Finatic8480 New Member

VanDolPhan Club member Club Member

Anonymous Season Ticket Holder Club Member

Pariah Revolutionary

frags New Member

Share This Page