Seems to be a nice topic for debate, after 3 practices an educated guess is the nest anyone can offer. If we keep 5? C. Johnson B. Hartline D.Bess R.Wallace J.Fuller 6? I think Nanee could make the roster. That would be my best guess at the moment, although alot of things could change.
I honestly think it's wide open as can be. I couldn't even tell you who will be the fifth guy. Nor if CJ will make the final roster. I'm confident Hartline-Bess-Gates will be there. The other two spots will be won by who performs.
I had high hopes for Hartline this season but I have to say seeing a few recent pics of him and reading Dj's camp notes I'm kinda worried he might need replaced.
I think Chad makes it, we need some sort of talent at the position. Assuming he doesn't butcher the play book ofcourse.
I think Nanee doesn't make it thanks to the rise of Fuller. Scratch that.. With Hartline hurt The Nanny makes the squad. For now.
I like Chad and want him to make it for sure. I just need to see it on actually happen on the field. I mean NE is where players go and look better than they are, and he disappeared. I hope it was his head and not his talent that failed him. Especially if what Philbin said about playing in this offense is true "If you can count to three you can play in this offense." I mean we know Chad can count to at least eight in Spanish. Id assume he can do three in English right?
The bottom WR's will need to contribute on special teams so if we keep 6 , WR 5 and WR 6 would be players that offer that. The same reason ( for right now ) that Braylon Edwards isn't signed , he would have to be in the top tier of wideouts as he would not be a special teamer. Wallace can do this and Pruitt too, lots to unfold with this group imo and very possible one or two WR's that will be Fins this season are not as of yet.
Heard/read nothing but good things about the rookie Fuller. Good size too. Hoping him and Wallace make the team.
http://www.miamidolphins.com/media/...annehill/cdaeb301-245c-4ded-bd86-e5f8fc9d9409 If someone could imbed this video, or be able to watch it, you will see a lot of camp highlights while the interview is going on, there are some impressive catches in there from fuller and chad. Chad is a lock imo. Fuller is a steal.. Bess is quicker, he's dropped some weight to get quicker..I think earlier he thought that he needed to be heavier because of his size, now I think he understands what he's doing and he needs more quickness in his game. I'm gonna wait for games before I go there on who I think will makeup the unit...there is close competition.. You hear in that interview Alger and Tannehill talk about Fuller, rarely does Jesse point out a player that has flashed to him, ( he may of heard some things) and RT talked about how not only was he impressive at his two practices but he heard that he was for the other two. I know as an undrafted free agent he was a long shot but from what I saw, he belongs. There is one catch in there by fuller that is really nice, check it out if you can.
The course of Hartline's injury will have a lot to do with it. However long it takes for him to see the field again is a big factor. Fuller sounds pretty promising, and Pruitt's special teams prowess gives him a bit of an edge. Bess, Johnson, Pruitt, and Fuller, with Hartline, Wallace, and Nanee battling for the last spot or two.
I think Pruitt makes it too if only because of his ST prowess.Fuller will probably go to the practice squad along with one of the draftees . That would leave C. Johnson B. Hartline D.Bess R.Wallace Pruitt Nannee
It is anyone's guess, at this point...and it flip flops almost every day. 1. Brian Hartline 2. Davone Bess 3. Chad Johnson 4. Julius Pruitt 5. Jeff Fuller PS: Rishard Matthews There was a note recently that Julius Pruitt was being used in multiple special teams assignments, and if he's becoming a core special teams guy playing on both the coverage and return units...that really could solidify his spot. I think kickoff returns would be handled by Lamar Miller. Not sure who handles punt returns but probably a combination of Davone Bess and Reggie Bush.
Yeah that was good. I notice he said he'd gotten some time around Davone, Cha and "L.A.". Is LA Bush, by chance? Maybe a nickname? If so that matches the three guys you saw with him on the field after practice. I think there is not only some serious chemistry and commitment here, but the vets have adopted Tanny.
By way of Omar Kelly, Legandu Nanne has been the best WR out there. All reports I read have Nanne with the #1s as well. Maybe we are underestimating the guy. Omar did mention as well that he beat VD deep on streak, along with playing strong underneath, etc. It is Omar, but it kind of coincides with the reports I've read as well. Funny none of you guys have him in the top 4. Is it perhaps a healthy Hartline comes in and takes his role?
I want to see Wallace featured , his size / speed ratio paired with his special team play gives him a long look imo , if he can make some catches , get some yac in pre season , he will difficult to cut I believe.
I'm pulling for Fuller to make the team. You can't teach that size. And if he worked out his drop issues, I think he can be dangerous down the road.
Naanee has been starting in three wide receiver sets primarily because Brian Hartline has been injured. It would (IMO) be absolutely foolish to assume Naanee has claimed a spot on the depth chart above a HEALTHY Brian Hartline, and meanwhile it's been the perception, description and assumption that both Davone Bess and Chad Johnson are ahead of Naanee. That puts Naanee fourth on the depth chart in my book, with Davone Bess the only one in the top three that plays special teams, and that purely as a punt returner. Not all that good a punt returner at that, so they may be trying to replace him. To me if you're fourth down the depth chart at that position, you need to be a special teams player. If you're fourth down the depth chart and you aren't even a young and developing player then you REALLY better be good on special teams. To my knowledge, the last time Naanee played a significant amount of special teams was in 2008. He played some in 2009 but was phased out. For whatever its worth, PFF did not give him good grades in either year. I don't care what Omar says about one play he made over top of Vontae Davis, nobody that has watched Legedu Naanee play football considers him a vertical threat, and that includes Joe Philbin who outlined Legedu as more a guy that you like on in-breaking routes. I think the reality is that Legedu Naanee is competing directly with Chad Johnson as a third veteran presence aside from Bess and Hartline. After the three veterans they will want a core special teams player, and a developmental player. The leader amongst the developmental players seems to be Jeff Fuller at the moment. I think the competitions look like this: Davone Bess vs. no one Brian Hartline vs. no one Chad Johnson vs. Legedu Naanee Roberto Wallace vs. Julius Pruitt Jeff Fuller vs. Clyde Gates vs. Rishard Matthews vs. B.J. Cunningham
It makes sense. Will be interesting to see what happens when Hartline comes back. It may very well be Hartline/Nanne with the ones with CJ the odd man out. Time will tell. Personally I would love for Fuller to make an impact. He has great measurables. If he can remain consistent, he gets a roster spot imo. Can't wait for preseason game 1.
Based on what you've seen, hypothetically, who would you rather have opposite a healthy Harltline; Johnson or Nanne?
Naanee isn't going to run worth the ones all of camp and get cut. Chad Johnson is the only one with experience to speak of. Also sounds like his routes have been really crisp. Hartline and Bess make it because they are the next best options. Fuller will make it because he would get poached from our practice squad. Wallace and Pruitt seen to always shine during practice and disappear in preseason games. Wallace makes it because of his size. I still think that Gates makes the team, purely because you can't teach speed. He has huge play potential, he can beat you deep and can take a quick slant the distance. Those are my 6. Johnson Hartline Bess Naanee Gates Wallace In that order.
That's another thing. Supposedly one of the good things about Naanee as brought up by Omar is his size. Well if Jeff Fuller earns a roster spot, he's both taller and I believe heavier than Naanee. If Roberto Wallace earns a roster spot, he's both taller and heavier than Naanee. Brian Hartline and Julius Pruitt are only a fraction of an inch shorter than Naanee, though a little lighter (yet not any worse at breaking tackles, on film). I mean it's not like Miami's got a size issue in their receivers unit if you have guys like Brian Hartline (6015), Julius Pruitt (6014), Roberto Wallace (6037) and Jeff Fuller (6034) making the team. And hell, Chad Johnson is 6010 so it's not like he's tiny, either. With all those guys I don't see Legedu's 6022 being such a great asset that it moves the needle.
I would put Davone Bess vs. (Jeff Fuller vs. Clyde Gates vs. Rishard Matthews vs. B.J. Cunningham) + (Roberto Wallace vs. Julius Pruitt) To make it more complicated than it needs to be. I agree with you that Miami would love to replace Davone Bess due to his lack of big play ability. He will get you important first downs, however will never take a short pass to the house. However, he is a much better receiver than any of the young guys as of now. Camp is still early, and there is time for people to improve.
IMO Bess and Hartline are the only locks at this point, which is both very exciting and quite sad. The rest of the group consists of 6th/7th rounders & undrafted (trash heap) FAs, journeymen and has beens. So yeah, there's no telling who will be the 5-6 chosen for the 53 come September, but whoever they are, they won't be very good. I watched them all for the past 3 days and Bess is the only guy who was impressive. Chad looks old and slow, I wouldn't call him a lock to make the team and CK had a very good point about how he and Naanee occupy the same role/roster spot. Gates, a guy I had big hopes for, practices with the urgency of a drunk turtle. He seems to think his job is safe and b/c of his speed he may be right, but he's been a disappointment so far. Moore/Wallace/Pruitt? Marginal players at best. Solid ST guys but as WRs I don't see it. Matthews/Cunningham/Fuller? Fuller looks to be the best of the bunch so far, because he knows more of the playbook maybe? It'd be a small miracle if he made the team, the other two should count their blessings if they even make the practice squad. My best guess is 1. Hartline 2. Bess 3. Naanee 4. Gates 5. Wallace I've got to think they'll want to keep an extra LB/DB/TE/OL etc instead of rostering a 6th WR, but if not I think Pruitt has the inside track there.
Long term, I think they'll look at replacing Bess. Short term, not happening...because this offense loves slot players that run option routes (see: Swope, Ryan), and Davone Bess is the best option route player in the skill units. Charles Clay is the only other guy that will run those option routes in the red zone from the slot along with Davone Bess.
I tend to doubt it. I think they wanted to experiment with Hartline in the slot on some of those option routes but they'be been handcuffed because of his injuries, and that has in turn made Bess all that much more entrenched. That, and from all account Bess continues to actually look good. Davone Bess is the Channing Crowder of the offense. We keep thinking it's a great idea to replace him and then somehow he's one of the key cogs to the entire unit.
When I was at camp yesterday, I honestly thought Naanee won the day for Wideouts. He got great seperation in the redzone, and beat his man over and over in 1 on 1s.
I also believe that flexing RBs and HBs from the backfield to the slot will decrease the dependency of a true slot receiver anyway. For anyone with familiarity with Sherman's offense, how ofter is a player flexed out from the backfield in 3 WR sets making the RB the 4th? Essentially how often will a true 'slot' WR be present when we flex out a RB?
It's too early to sever ties with Gates. You're gonna give up on him after 1 season, really? When he brings something to the table that NONE of the other receivers can offer? No, keep him, Philbin and Sherman are bright offensive minds who will find ways to utilize Gates speed, slant passes, WR screens, reverses, he can also contribute on special teams. i also feel like either Chad OR Naanee should make the team, not both. i think Ocho should make the team because at least he has a chance to recapture part of his old form and be above average. Naanee is what he is, just average.
I was as high on the Gates pick as anyone but he showed zilch in 2011 and the impression I'm getting (which could be wrong) is he's shown zilch in this off season thus far. It won't take much for me to keep him on roster. Just give me something. Anything. Catch a ball or three. Return a kick for a touchdown. Do something. He'll have the preseason to do that but if he doesn't...why keep a man for two full years that's shown you next to nothing? There are guys just as athletically impressive out there...you have to have more than that.
At this point were all just throwin out some guesswork, so I don't think anyone cutting Gates is said with conviction, games have to be played so we can make some educated decisions..
If Hartline's health is a question throughout August it will start to make sense to PUP him and let the other WRs vie for the bottom spot over the ensuing months.
