1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Sooo how you feeling about your 2023 Miami Dolphins now??

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by Dorfdad, Apr 30, 2023.

  1. Tin Indian

    Tin Indian Rockin' The Bottom End Club Member

    7,929
    4,404
    113
    Feb 10, 2010
    Palm Bay Florida
    Offensive line still scares the crap out of me.
     
    Unlucky 13 and dolphin25 like this.
  2. dolphin25

    dolphin25 Well-Known Member

    6,338
    2,400
    113
    Nov 22, 2014
    They are free to do that, however, it doesn't make it right.
     
  3. OwesOwn614

    OwesOwn614 Well-Known Member

    3,757
    3,787
    113
    Jul 8, 2020
    From an article about each team's best draft in cbssports.com this morning:

    Cam Smith (Round 2, No. 51 overall)
    Honorable mention: Devon Achane, RB

    Smith was my CB1 in this class, so this was a half-speed bucket in the layup line before a scrimmage. For some reason -- maybe the increase in penalties? -- Smith was clearly vastly overlooked at the cornerback position in this class. He was a multiyear high-caliber producer on the outside in the SEC and tested like an elite athlete. I did not see him as any less sticky in coverage than many of the corners who went in the first round.

    https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...ush-it-several-playoff-teams-raise-questions/
     
  4. dolphin25

    dolphin25 Well-Known Member

    6,338
    2,400
    113
    Nov 22, 2014
    Does seem like a whole lot of grabbing\holding penalties.
     
  5. OwesOwn614

    OwesOwn614 Well-Known Member

    3,757
    3,787
    113
    Jul 8, 2020
    He's going to have good tutors to teach him better technique. But he is an interesting pick, though.

    DRAFT PROFILE: BIO
    Cam Smith attended Westwood High School and was rated a 4-star prospect by 247 Sports with a scout's rating of 0.940. Following high school, Smith opted to join South Carolina after being heavily recruited.

    In 2019 as a freshman Smith saw action in just 2 games and played a total of 40 snaps at cornerback for the Gamecocks. He recorded just 4 tackles, 2 assists, while adding no stops. In coverage, Smith notched up no pass breakups, no interceptions, and a disappointing QB rating when targetted of 158.3.

    As a sophomore in 2020, he played in 8 games and logged 253 snaps for the Gamecocks. He made 12 tackles, one assist, and had 3 stops. In coverage, he totaled one pass breakup, 2 interceptions, and a QB rating when targetted of 101.5.

    In 2021 as a junior Smith played in 11 games and contributed on 473 snaps. He chalked up 35 tackles, 4 assists, and added 13 stops. In the secondary Smith forced 9 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, and gave up an outstanding QB rating when targetted of 36.5.

    In 2022 as a senior Smith saw action in 11 games while playing 591 snaps. He logged 20 tackles, 4 assists, and made 4 stops. In coverage, Smith had 6 pass breakups, an interception, and surrendered a very good (but less impressive than 2021) QB rating when targetted of 71.3.


    HONORS & AWARDS
    • 28th Chuck Bednarik Award 2022 Watch List
    • 2021 Second Team All-SEC (Associated Press)
    • 2021 Second Team All-SEC (ProFootballFocus)
    • 2021 Fourth Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
    • 2021 Honorable Mention All-America (ProFootballFocus)


    SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS
    • Stays low in his backpedal and shows the click-and-close ability to break up plays in front of him. Smith can move well laterally and shows excellent instincts when looking into the backfield in zone coverage.
    • Very good instincts in coverage who is smart and never panics. High football IQ who shows the ability to read the QBs eyes enabling him to jump short routes
    • Outstanding overall athleticism - stands 6-0 and runs in the 4.4's with elite twitchiness. Able to sink his hips and displays cat-like quickness
    • Managed to run with fastest wideouts in the nation - limited Tennessee's Jalin Hyatt to just 65 yds on the day
    • Shows good instincts when facing the action in zone coverage, and Smith has solid ball skills and has managed to break up a class-leading 15 passes
    • Has the length and speed to emerge as a starter two or three years down the line.
    • Versitile player who's equally adept in the slot or split outside
    • Very smooth out of his backpedal and has exceptional closing speed, showing excellent timing and the ball skills to come up with the interception.
    • Has the quick feet to mirror receivers underneath. He also has the fluid hips and top-end speed to turn and run downfield. Smith shows good awareness when dropping into zone coverage, with good route recognition and the ability to break quickly and cover a lot of ground.


    SCOUTING REPORT: WEAKNESSES
    • Isn’t great in route recognition when he’s facing the action, is hesitant and susceptible to double moves, and too often gets unnecessarily handsy when playing trail position
    • Inconsistent getting off of blocks. Can be a step slow to react when a quarterback comes back to his side of the field late in progression. Can be too grabby leading to PI penalties
    • Fails to maintain inside technique in man coverage. Not a typical press corner who will find it difficult in contested catch situations vs stronger receivers
    • Holds the ball loosely after making the interception. Inconsistent in run support. Just an average tackler
    • Very slight frame and struggles to make an impact as a run defender. May result in him holding up in a full 17-game NFL season
    • Struggled with injuries - has had issues with concussions
    SCOUTING REPORT: SUMMARY
    Cam Smith is an excellent pro prospect who has played at an elite level over the past two years - allowing a class-leading QB rating when targetted of just 36.5 in 2021 while playing in the toughest conference in football. He's got good length (at 6-0) excellent speed and shows great instincts in coverage, especially on deep routes. Smith's only real negative is his lack of physicality and could do with filling out his frail-looking frame.

    Cam Smith has first-round skills and in all likelihood will be a first-day selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.

    https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Cam-Smith-DB-SouthCarolina
     
  6. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,931
    63,009
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    I think its both the penalties and the size. He's under 190 lbs, when most of the best players at his position are 10-20 lbs heavier. He seems to give good effort and play smart, but I think that tackling will always be an issue for him, the same way it was for guys like Sam Madison or Terrell Buckley for us in years past. If he can cover as well as they did, then no one will worry about it. If he's only average though, it will be a burden.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  7. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

    40,533
    33,035
    113
    Dec 11, 2007
    Average/Above Average for CB3/CB4 is generally a plus. If he has to be a CB2/CB1 I do agree
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  8. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    I agree on both accounts, although I'm not ready to give up on Eichenberg just yet. Maybe he adjusts to NFL speed, maybe not. He does have great fundamentals though and plays hard on every down. I am rooting for him and really hope that he can turn the corner on his NFL career- we'll see over the next season or two. I'm pretty confident that he makes the roster this year anyway.
     
    dolphin25 and VManis like this.
  9. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    Agreed. I've never cared for him anyway, he thinks of himself a little too much...even though he's a freelance journalist/blogger. Why would he spend the past two years as a stern Tua and Flores defender, only to say he only cares about the Cowboys?!?

    That's some tinfoil hat kind of stuff, LOL.
     
    VManis likes this.
  10. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,931
    63,009
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    Well, I think the plan/hope is that he'll be at least a CB2 in a couple of years, right?
     
  11. dolphin25

    dolphin25 Well-Known Member

    6,338
    2,400
    113
    Nov 22, 2014
    Only 20 tackles in 591 snaps? that seems odd.
     
  12. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

    40,533
    33,035
    113
    Dec 11, 2007
    I am not worried about a couple of years from now with him right now. Hopefully, he will come on his own when they need him to be.
     
  13. TheHighExhaulted

    TheHighExhaulted Well-Known Member

    5,820
    4,665
    113
    Jan 15, 2008
    That's not an odd stat. Cornerbacks generally don't have high tackles numbers.

    As an example, Pat Surtain Jr had 46 tackles last year in 1106 snaps.
     
  14. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,931
    63,009
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    I'm always half worried about today and half worried about the future. :confused2:
     
  15. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,652
    67,546
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    It’s called going away from him
     
  16. Springveldt

    Springveldt Season Ticket Holder

    He just needs to give himself a catchy nickname then he will get away with all the holds.
     
  17. JJ_79

    JJ_79 Well-Known Member

    4,587
    1,707
    113
    Nov 25, 2012
    Germany
    Worked for the Jetst...
     
    dolphin25 and Unlucky 13 like this.
  18. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,931
    63,009
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    I have never in my life seen a rookie get the Jordan treatment the way Gardener did last year. Anything he wanted to do, no flag.
     
    dolphin25 likes this.
  19. mlb1399

    mlb1399 Well-Known Member

    3,893
    3,087
    113
    Mar 6, 2010
    My hope is Fangio is the answer and our defense can be a compliment vs a detriment to our team. I still have concerns about our OL especially Armstead staying healthy. And the elephant in the room is always how many games will Tua be able to play. We’re a different team without him. Assuming he misses 3 games, I’d project 11 wins barring no major injuries to key players.
     
    dolphin25 likes this.
  20. VManis

    VManis Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    5,753
    9,844
    113
    Nov 10, 2010
    The other day Kyle Crabbs was speculating on his podcast that Noah could be traded for a conditional 7th round pick. This would allow the Dolphins to clear cap space. He gave a bunch of examples of this being done in the past as well as some teams it could make sense for.
     
    dolphin25 likes this.

Share This Page