James doing better then we think?

I don't think anyone was saying he wasn't doing fine, but this is certainly exciting and encouraging.

"NJFINSFAN1 wrote:

http://www.si.com/nfl/2014/08/27/all-22-rookie-class

Thoughts?

That article's clearly bullsh*t...he's a reach, remember?

He's doing a fantastic job in pass protection. I'd say he's already confirming that he'll be fine in pass pro this season which is a big boon for Miami because you absolutely cannot just assume that is the case based on drafting a guy #19 overall. Teams drafted OTs last year #1 and #2 overall and got poor results. This year the Falcons draft Jake Matthews high then all the sudden he's being tossed around like a rag doll by a 7th round rookie from Marist College. It happens...a LOT. So for JaWuan James to already look game-ready in pass pro is a very nice development.

Been pretty bad in run blocking, though.

SI.com - The All-22 Rookies (Ju'Waun James)

Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey, however, said James was the best player the team had left on the board at 19, not just the best offensive lineman, and the pick was easy to make.
____________________

Through three preseason games, James has validated Hickey's faith by playing at an extremely high level -- better than I saw from his college tape, especially when playing with power and authority -- and pass-protecting as well as can possibly be expected. According to Pro Football Focus' metrics, James has allowed no pressures -- no sacks, no hits and no hurries -- in 71 pass-blocking snaps. That doesn't represent times when he appears to get outmatched to either side by speed-rushers (especially speed-rushers with really good foot-fakes), but after watching his NFL tape, I'd say that even at 19, the Dolphins may have a bit of a steal here.
____________________

Understanding complex defenses

You see a lot of rookie offensive linemen miss blocking assignments when they're tasked to protect against a base defender, and then veer off into a blitz protection. James had an understanding of this from his time at Tennessee, and it's already showed up in his first NFL preseason. When the Dolphins beat the Cowboys 25-20 last Saturday, James showed that he gets this concept right away, with 12;20 left in the first quarter. He's originally assigned to Dallas end George Selvie, but peels off to deal with cornerback Sterling Moore when it's clear that Moore is blitzing from the slot to inside. It seems like a simple thing, but understanding the spacing, passing the edge rusher off to the right guard and taking the blitz from outside keeps quarterbacks clean, and that's a major improvement in Miami.

Link: HERE

Nice read with snapshot photos highlighting examples of his blocking.


**SORRY MODS. PLEASE MERGE.**

"ckparrothead wrote:

He's doing a fantastic job in pass protection. I'd say he's already confirming that he'll be fine in pass pro this season which is a big boon for Miami because you absolutely cannot just assume that is the case based on drafting a guy #19 overall. Teams drafted OTs last year #1 and #2 overall and got poor results. This year the Falcons draft Jake Matthews high then all the sudden he's being tossed around like a rag doll by a 7th round rookie from Marist College. It happens...a LOT. So for JaWuan James to already look game-ready in pass pro is a very nice development.

Been pretty bad in run blocking, though.

he's no Jonathan Martin, that's for damn sure. but I'm still mad we didn't draft Seantrel, I mean seriously we couldn't take a flyer on him in the 7th? he's about to start for Buffalo...and the job wasn't handed to him like with Juwuan James.

"ckparrothead wrote:

He's doing a fantastic job in pass protection. I'd say he's already confirming that he'll be fine in pass pro this season which is a big boon for Miami because you absolutely cannot just assume that is the case based on drafting a guy #19 overall. Teams drafted OTs last year #1 and #2 overall and got poor results. This year the Falcons draft Jake Matthews high then all the sudden he's being tossed around like a rag doll by a 7th round rookie from Marist College. It happens...a LOT. So for JaWuan James to already look game-ready in pass pro is a very nice development.

Been pretty bad in run blocking, though.

He has an issue with "finding" his man in space. His issue in run blocking is not with his initial engage. It is when he is asked to reach defenders. He can block you just fine if you are lined up directly in front of him, and don't have any lateral quickness.

I don;t understand how he has this issue with how well he has pass blocked.

Any analysis on how James looked at LT? I generally find it hard to truly focus on the offensive line as a play develops without rewinding for that specific person. He obviously didn't give up a hurry or sack which has to be good.

"LBsFinest wrote:

he's no Jonathan Martin, that's for damn sure. but I'm still mad we didn't draft Seantrel, I mean seriously we couldn't take a flyer on him in the 7th? he's about to start for Buffalo...and the job wasn't handed to him like with Juwuan James.

6th would have been better. What is the point of Hazel?

"Dol-Fan Dupree wrote:

6th would have been better. What is the point of Hazel?

That is my one huge gripe with our draft. Not enough for me to be bitter or disappointed, but I had Henderson pegged as a first round talent who would fall to the mid rounds. He lasted until the late rounds and I was really disappointed it wasnt us he fell to in the end.

I've been pleased with his play, do consider the makeup of our offensive line though:

RT=#1 pick 2014
RG=Shelly Smith, mid/lower level FA
C=Pouncey #1 pick/Satele lower level FA pretty much picked up off the scrap heap, tho he has done a damn good job
LG=Ryan Colledge mid level FA
LT=Top tier FA signing

What I'm not seeing is rd 3-5 guys who play cheaply and were developed in house. Long term that model means..heavily invested in the offensive line in terms of resources like #1 picks and cap space and losing compensatory draft choices.

I'm happy withe offensive lines performance save for McCoy mauling Thomas in Tampa, long term this is not a viable approach.

you got his first name completely wrong....Ja'Wuan

Jeese, even with this article, there are ten posts in this thread and five of them are negative. SMH

"keithjackson wrote:

Jeese, even with this article, there are ten posts in this thread and five of them are negative. SMH

Odd take, to me the OL is clearly improved w/players with track records aside from James and he has stepped right in and played at a high level there is -0- reason to be negative about this upcoming season concerning the OL

I'm glad they appear to be going with Veterans and James, now the OC and OL coach have something to work with unlike 2013.

paddy has a point. If Jake Long signed with us, we'd have 3 1st rounders invested in the OL, since 2008. That's 3 out of 7 1st round picks. That's a bit much ...

I think having a good enough offensive line is ... good enough to win a Super Bowl. Some questionable olines have won recently. Spending 3 first round picks you'd want an elite line which is possible but ... probably unlikely.

The Eagles had a great offensive line. Peters - UDFA. Evan Mathis 3rd rounder (hey former Dolphin). Kelce 6th rounder. Herremans 4th rounder. Lane Johnson a 4th overall pick.

49ers have Staley (1st rounder), Iupati 1st rounder, 5th rounder, Boone UDFA, 1st rounder. So the 9ners have spent 3 first rounders on the line, but they're elite. Are we going to be? That's the question.

"PhinFan1968 wrote:

That article's clearly bullsh*t...he's a reach, remember?

blah blah blah hindsight blah blah pointless comment. I'd love for you to direct me to a post of yours that suggested Miami take James at 19, you know- to rationalize your snide attitude.

If a team "reaches" for a player, it doesn't mean he can't turn out to be good, genius. Miami could've drafted Jason Taylor in the 2nd round of 1997. JT becoming a future HOF'er doesn't change the fact that it would've been a reach at the time as we were able to grab him in round 3 and pick up Sam Madison in the 2nd in the process. Many of us who thought JaWuan was a reach were actually big fans of his entering the draft. We were also big fans of Brandin Cooks, you know- the guy lighting it up in New Orleans. Just like the Madison/JT example, we wanted both players, Cooks first and then a trade up for James. Iknowright, how silly we look in hindsight for thinking that way. *rolleyes*. The ironic thing is, had Hickey done that, you'd still be jumping for joy over the victory.

Some of you act as though Miami would've been left wit nothing in round 1 had we minimally gambled by passing on James and then failed to land him with our 2nd rounder. We would've been left with the game-changer Cooks who already looks the part of a future star. That possibility alone is enough to say, "Let's perform a draft coup by snagging Cooks here and then trading up our 2nd for James." Heck, even if we had to use next year's 2nd rounder to trade up our #50 pick, that's still a better opportunity cost than the #19 pick.

What's hilarious about this all is- after Miami drafted James, GMJohnson & Co had the gall to mock and criticize others who thought Miami reached for James at 19 ] as if they were the ones who wanted James all along and it was us who were against him. This couldn't have been further from the truth as GM, KB & Co wanted NOTHING to do with the tackle Miami drafted. They were so against my and others' notion of drafting James that they basically suggested it'd be setting up Tannehill and the ground game for failure. If they had it their way, Miami would've either drafted Kouandjio or Moses at #19 or traded up for Zack Martin, Taylor Lewan, or Jake Matthews. I only mention GM here b/c I noticed he fistbumped your post.

"phinsational wrote:

blah blah blah hindsight blah blah pointless comment. I'd love for you to direct me to a post of yours that suggested Miami take James at 19, you know- to rationalize your snide attitude.

If a team "reaches" for a player, it doesn't mean he can't turn out to be good, genius. Miami could've drafted Jason Taylor in the 2nd round of 1997. JT becoming a future HOF'er doesn't change the fact that it would've been a reach at the time as we were able to grab him in round 3 and pick up Sam Madison in the 2nd in the process. Many of us who thought JaWuan was a reach were actually big fans of his entering the draft. We were also big fans of Brandin Cooks, you know- the guy lighting it up in New Orleans. Just like the Madison/JT example, we wanted both players, Cooks first and then a trade up for James. Iknowright, how silly we look in hindsight for thinking that way. *rolleyes*. The ironic thing is, had Hickey done that, you'd still be jumping for joy over the victory.

Some of you act as though Miami would've been left wit nothing in round 1 had we minimally gambled by passing on James and then failed to land him with our 2nd rounder. We would've been left with the game-changer Cooks who already looks the part of a future star. That possibility alone is enough to say, "Let's perform a draft coup by snagging Cooks here and then trading up our 2nd for James." Heck, even if we had to use next year's 2nd rounder to trade up our #50 pick, that's still a better opportunity cost than the #19 pick.

What's hilarious about this all is- after Miami drafted James, GMJohnson & Co had the gall to mock and criticize others who thought Miami reached for James at 19 ] as if they were the ones who wanted James all along and it was us who were against him. This couldn't have been further from the truth as GM, KB & Co wanted NOTHING to do with the tackle Miami drafted. They were so against my and others' notion of drafting James that they basically suggested it'd be setting up Tannehill and the ground game for failure. If they had it their way, Miami would've either drafted Kouandjio or Moses at #19 or traded up for Zack Martin, Taylor Lewan, or Jake Matthews. I only mention GM here b/c I noticed he fistbumped your post.

The problem I have with this theory is that there would have been no guarantee James would have lasted until the second round or even to a spot we would have wanted to trade up to. I believe there were reports post draft that there were teams picking right after us that wanted James as well, so it was smart for Hickey to get his man before it was too late.

Also, Cooks may turn out to be a monster of a player, but WR is a position we have good depth at and OL was a disaster at the time as you know.

Well honesty, the reach thing is always a guess, we don't know exactly how high James was rated or if other teams would have picked him before us. We can guess, but I don't think we can know for sure. But I agree with phinsatonal that we cant just declare James a great pick in a vacuum, because you have to evaluate the talent available when we picked and all the possible options Anyway, good thing heis playing solid to good football, we'll need it, our schedule is full of good pass rushers Sorry for my English

"jdang307 wrote:

paddy has a point. If Jake Long signed with us, we'd have 3 1st rounders invested in the OL, since 2008. That's 3 out of 7 1st round picks. That's a bit much ...

I think having a good enough offensive line is ... good enough to win a Super Bowl. Some questionable olines have won recently. Spending 3 first round picks you'd want an elite line which is possible but ... probably unlikely.

The Eagles had a great offensive line. Peters - UDFA. Evan Mathis 3rd rounder (hey former Dolphin). Kelce 6th rounder. Herremans 4th rounder. Lane Johnson a 4th overall pick.

49ers have Staley (1st rounder), Iupati 1st rounder, 5th rounder, Boone UDFA, 1st rounder. So the 9ners have spent 3 first rounders on the line, but they're elite. Are we going to be? That's the question.

The Eagles did trade a 1st, 4th and 6th round pick for him so you've got to add that to the equation in my opinion. That's a lot of investment in the OL.

I've been very pleased with James. I've watched him closely during these games and he's been very very good for a rook. Pass and run blocking.

"Rocky Raccoon wrote:

The problem I have with this theory is that there would have been no guarantee James would have lasted until the second round or even to a spot we would have wanted to trade up to. I believe there were reports post draft that there were teams picking right after us that wanted James as well, so it was smart for Hickey to get his man before it was too late.

Also, Cooks may turn out to be a monster of a player, but WR is a position we have good depth at and OL was a disaster at the time as you know.

yes but we still could've traded back with New Orleans and gathered another 3rd rounder. Zona picked after us and had Deone Bucannon targeted due to a vacancy at strong safety. They gladly traded back b/c he was a bit of a reach at 20. Green Bay had a glaring need at free safety, hence Clinton-Dix. Cleveland wanted Manziel. KC prioritized a pass rusher because of how drastically their defense dropped off when Justin Houston or Hali weren't on the field, plus Hali will be 31 soon and they know the team revolves around their ability to play defense. Cincy has Andre Smith. SD has Fluker. Philly has Lane Johnson. Next up is New Orleans' 27th spot.

From there, I have a hard time believing Carolina would pass on Benjamin and leave the 32 year old Cotchery and the 31 year old Avant as Cam's starting receivers, with nothing behind them no less. Then you got NE, San Fran, and Denver, none of whom need a 1st round RT. Minnesota at 32 isn't passing on Bridgewater for a RT. That puts us in the second round and a pretty feasible trade up scenario. Or we could've taken Seantrel Henderson at pick 234, LOL.

Some people complained that anything less than a 1st rounder on a RT would be setting the Oline up for failure. Well, there's the aforementioned Henderson suggesting otherwise. Seattle patiently waited until the end of the 2nd round for their starting RT, Justin Britt, who has looked great and held off Eric Winston. The Saints offensive line is comprised of 3rd round Terron Armstead at LT, 7th round Zach Strief at RT, and that horrendous 4th round All Pro guard, Jahri Evans. Wait a minute, something doesn't seem right here; that's the same Saints team that traded up for Brandin Cooks. Surely they should be more concerned about protecting Brees, well unless they think they can accomplish it without spending 1st rounders at every O-line position. The Saints haven't spent a 1st rounder on a tackle in the 9 years that Brees has been there. According to GMJohnson and others, Drew should be suffering mightily because of it, not average 5272 yards and 43 TDs the past 3 years.

"jdang307 wrote:

paddy has a point. If Jake Long signed with us, we'd have 3 1st rounders invested in the OL, since 2008. That's 3 out of 7 1st round picks. That's a bit much ...

I think having a good enough offensive line is ... good enough to win a Super Bowl. Some questionable olines have won recently. Spending 3 first round picks you'd want an elite line which is possible but ... probably unlikely.

The Eagles had a great offensive line. Peters - UDFA. Evan Mathis 3rd rounder (hey former Dolphin). Kelce 6th rounder. Herremans 4th rounder. Lane Johnson a 4th overall pick.

49ers have Staley (1st rounder), Iupati 1st rounder, 5th rounder, Boone UDFA, 1st rounder. So the 9ners have spent 3 first rounders on the line, but they're elite. Are we going to be? That's the question.

Didn't the Eagles trade a 1st rounder and a 4th rounder to get Jason Peters from the Bills? Ya... he was an UDFA of the Bills... but the Eagles had to pay to acquire him.

And we caught a tough break with Jake Long's body breaking down... but he was the epitome of elite. If he didnt break down (which is something you can't predict), a healthy Jake, Pouncey, and potentially James... that would be the makings of an elite line. We've done well identifying the talent... just have had bad luck with injuries.

Pundits were saying that James was a reach because his talent did not warrant a mid 1st round pick. Obviously Hickey disagreed. Based on the limited sample size preseason offers it appears Hickey was right and the pundits were wrong. Its really just that simple. You can play this we shoulda or coulda game with just about any pick but its all just pure speculation.

"jdang307 wrote:

paddy has a point. If Jake Long signed with us, we'd have 3 1st rounders invested in the OL, since 2008. That's 3 out of 7 1st round picks. That's a bit much ...

I think having a good enough offensive line is ... good enough to win a Super Bowl. Some questionable olines have won recently. Spending 3 first round picks you'd want an elite line which is possible but ... probably unlikely.

The Eagles had a great offensive line. Peters - UDFA. Evan Mathis 3rd rounder (hey former Dolphin). Kelce 6th rounder. Herremans 4th rounder. Lane Johnson a 4th overall pick.

49ers have Staley (1st rounder), Iupati 1st rounder, 5th rounder, Boone UDFA, 1st rounder. So the 9ners have spent 3 first rounders on the line, but they're elite. Are we going to be? That's the question.

Except that if Long signed with us, there's no guarantee we'd have drafted James.

Outside of that.....what I found interesting was this part:

Though Jackson wasn't the kind of receiver Kelly preferred, his ability to shoot past defensive backs and own one-on-one matchups is rare. So, it wasn't a surprise when the Eagles selected Vanderbilt receiver Jordan Matthews in the second round of the 2014 draft. Matthews brought in 201 passes in his final two collegiate seasons, and ended his time as the SEC's career leader in receptions (262) and receiving yards (3,759). Matthews has the one thing Kelly wants in his receivers above all -- the ability to deal with man-to-man coverage. As the coach said at this year's owners meetings, it's on his mind a lot.

"Having guys who can get open versus man coverage is a key deal," Kelly said.

Who among our WR's seems to be best at defeating Man v Man coverage?

I see Landry definitely fitting this bill...as well as Reshard Mathews. I think this is one of the reasons why Hartline does so well....he can get off man v man..and is very good at running some very key routes.

Wallace will beat Man v Man purely based on his speed...but what concerns me is what happens when you have a CB that can run with him? Now, not many can...but...hes not a great route runner...and I dont see him fighting to create separation as much as he just runs away from it.

But...in looking at what they said about what Kelly likes in a WR...Im not seeing blazing speed as being integral.

Of all of our RB's...who do you think does this best when spread out....?