First Half: Up: Mike Wallace Daniel Thomas Jonathan Martin Down: Josh Samuda Will Davis Brian Hartline
I don't think it's fair to say the OLine struggled. Our LG, Center and RT looked fine as far as I saw. I didn't see any problems at LT but didn't really get much view of it, and maybe Martin was being helped. What I did see multiple times was Samuda doing a terrible job in pass protection and even a couple bad run blocks, one of which led to a tackle for a loss by his man. RG is the hole on the OL. Fill it and we have a serviceable OL, run game, passing game and offense. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
So, not just talking about tonight's game in isolation, but guys whom I think Ireland may categorize as overall up/down arrow guys at this point: UP Tannehill (strong game) Daniel Thomas (I wanted him cut for Gray. if he stays healthy, not only was I wrong about him being cut, but I was wrong to laugh at him for thinking he could win the starting job. He just might.) Jamar Taylor (for seeing the field and making a tackle) Egnew (despite the holding penalty he continued to be feisty in his blocking) Martin (even if he received help, not hearing his name was a good sign) The OLine with the exception of Right Guard Gibson (proving he can be clutch. OJ McDuffie 2.0) Fields (can I put him as up arrow when we already knew he was amazing. What a great punter we have. Couple that with a great defense and a place kicker who can hit from 55+ yards and all we need from this offense is to not turn the ball over and we'll have a chance to beat anyone) Kheeston Randall (stood out tonight on several good plays, penetrating, pursuing. Great work for a second string DT. Goodbye Randy Starks. Odrick-Soliai are the future with Randall rotating as backup next year.) Grimes (stock is Hugh and I'd still buy it. Between he, Will Davis and Rashad Jones there are at least two pick sixes this season) DOWN Josh Samuda (terrible in pass pro, not good in several run blocks either. PFF grade will be interesting) Lamar Miller (did little with a lot of opportunities. TD run was lone nice play. Third down drop marks this kids lack of consistency thus far) Dion Sims (disappointed with his drops tonight, especially since we need him to step up with Keller down) Will Davis (tonight we saw the weaknesses Will Davis has, he bites on short moves and play action then gets burnt deep or gives up separation on cuts) Matt Moore (but it's irrelevant as he is not going anywhere) Thigpen (beginning to wonder if his roster spot is at risk. They keep trying Gillislee and Bumphis back there as if searching for a way to get someone who has a second role to also do returns rather than using a roster spot just for Thiggy. To that end they gave Thigpen a look at RB tonight to see what else he can contribute. Not much came of it and I wonder if he may be a surprise bubble player due to not contributing enough in any other way) Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Up Arrows 1) Chad Bumphis 2) Caleb Sturgis Down Arrows 1) Marvin McNtt 2) Dallas Thomas 3) Jimy Wilson
Up Arrows 1) Kheeston Randall 2) AJ Francis 3) Tracy Robertson Down Arrow 1) Vaughn Martin 2) Matt Moore 3) Josh Samuda
IMO we fill RG (which I expect will happen with Louis or Jerry) and we have a good to very good OL. I would say we have a serviceable OL right now.
I'm not convinced enough in Martin yet to say that, but right now it appears that other than RG there is no major hole left. Still, perception is that the O-line is struggling but it is not. Only the right guard is struggling.
Up Francis D Thomas Odrick Down backup/reserve Oline backup/reserve linebackers Hartline- still allergic to the endzone
I rewatched that first half and Martin rarely had help. I think that's just the rhetoric being put forth by those who want to claim that Ireland or the team screwed up. Reality is that he's playing well. I'm sure he'll need help on occasion, but no more than about 99% of the LTs in the league. I'm also confident that he's the type who will continue to work to get better. Even at RG where Samuda is struggling isn't as bad as some here claim. Almost every team has a less than ideal OL situation. If having one weak link on the OL made you a 5-11 team then just about every team in the league will be 5-11. IMO Samuda will improve, but it won't matter b/c we have two guys who are at least adequate RGs in Louis and Jerry. I would actually say that a healthy Louis is good to very good RG. I know everybody wants everything to be set yesterday, but that's not how it usually works. Look at last year's Ravens. Their OL was a train wreck all season. They snuck into the playoffs and immediately shuffled three OL positions. Despite their disastrous OL,their season turned out okay.
Up Arrow Charles Clay, Dion Sims, Michael Egnew, Kyle Miller (result of Keller injury) Antwan Applewhite Brandon Gibson Brent Grimes Rishard Matthews (that was a catch, IMO) Lance Louis (back on the field) John Jerry (because Samuda is Down Arrow) Josh Kaddu Tracy Robertson Kheeston Randall A.J. Francis R.J. Stanford Ryan Tannehill Marcus Thigpen Mike Wallace Daniel Thomas Down Arrow Dustin Keller Josh Samuda Will Yeatman Dallas Thomas Lee Robinson Jimmy Wilson Emeka Onyenekwu Don Jones Jordan Kovacs Mike Gillislee Olivier Vernon Might have missed some here and there...
Daniel Thomas had some nice runs in open space when he doesn't have to use much in the way of instincts and vision to determine where the crease is going to be. I didn't list him because we already knew he could do that.
Jon Martin had a decent game, not good, decent, his balance is still the main culprit imo, but his punch is getting better, and he is quick off the snap, needs to play to the whistle..
I think his punch and his focus are the culprits actually, not his balance. He continues to punch softly, times them poorly and places them poorly, and he doesn't keep his feet moving while he's punching. He has this tendency to just...STOP. He'll do it after his punch, and sometimes he'll do it during his pass protection, like he just decides the play is over even though it isn't. That's what happened on the play Bryan Braman got a sack on Ryan Tannehill. That was Jonathan Martin's man. But he just STOPPED. He stood around and just watched like a bystander as Braman ran around him and sacked his quarterback. Deej, I've seen you absolutely ROAST players for doing what Martin did on that play, just standing around like a bump on a log as his quarterback gets sacked in the backfield.
I didn't put Olivier Vernon on a Down Arrow because honestly he gave me everything I expect out of him at the position he's playing. But I'm not about to sing his praises, either. I think he gives ABOUT what Jared Odrick gave at the position last year, with perhaps a little less heft in the pants department on run downs, but a lot more mobility and motor (like Koa Misi). But is he going to give you pass rush? I insist he will not, until/unless they start having him rush against Guards more often. The one pass rush he had during the game where I really LIKED what he brought to the table, was one where he cut inside and bull rushed a Guard. That was it. Otherwise, I see everyone bring up the holding penalty he drew on Duane Brown. I guess I have a different take on that than most Dolfans. I'm sure Texans fans share my take on it. As does Duane Brown himself who tweeted me in thanks for telling people what REALLY happened on the play instead of what they think happened. To me, this is a screen play and Olivier Vernon cut inside. Duane let him have the inside because that makes it easy for Duane to seal Olivier away from the football. Did Duane hold him? I kind of thought it was ticky tack. At one point I reviewed five plays and saw three holds exactly like it, none of which were called. But did Vernon really "draw" the hold with his great pass rush skill? I guess I can see both sides, but I saw no not really. I think Duane made an unnecessary (albeit slight) mistake. I also see people for whatever reason trying to say that Olivier Vernon backed Duane Brown into the quarterback on Cameron Wake's sack. This one falls into the category of just flat out untrue. The holding call can be a bit of a half-full/half-empty argument, but this one is just flat untrue. Vernon didn't back Brown even close to the QB and he was well-controlled all the way through the sack. I've got no idea why people even came away with this impression.
I know you don't like Daniel Thomas as a player. Even less than I do, but come on, you gotta give him his due. That game was a major up arrow for him.
Fair enough. I thought I was being fair not putting him Up Arrow because he didn't do anything I didn't already expect when put in that situation, just like I didn't put Olivier Vernon on Down Arrow because he didn't do anything I didn't already expect...but if you insist I'll put them both in.
Maybe you expect more from him than I do after all. That shovel pass play especially was something that surprised me quite a lot. Granted it wasn't defensed all that well.
The shovel pass was not his most impressive play of the day at all. The blocking and execution of that play were PERFECT. You've got to sit down and fully appreciate how fast, how far, and how effectively Mike Pouncey got out in front of Thomas and neutralized the main defensive player that could've stopped the play. That gave Richie Incognito and Josh Samuda time to get way out in front to continue the blocking effort for Daniel Thomas and all Daniel had to do was get behind them and then wait to break out from them. Incognito showed some nice wheels getting out there and he actually made a key block. When you get Daniel Thomas out into the open and give him fewer things to focus on, that's when his physical gifts shine. He's a big tall player that can cut really well. That's how I consider him. That's why that play didn't surprise me at all. The execution of the men up front FOR ME deserved most of the credit, and the remaining credit for Thomas himself, I already knew he could do that. He had I think two other runs during the game that impressed me more on that basis than the shovel pass. And then he had two Daniel Thomas = Daniel Thomas runs. For me it was much the same as his effort against the Jaguars, with the only difference being the shovel pass, which I explained above.
There were times it was bad. But there were more times it was good, and several of the other linebackers out there looked bad and he seemed like the only one that kept looking ALMOST like a pro.
when I said his punch is getting better I thought that would be interpreted how bad his punch was before..imo that part is improving relative to where i thought he was, and when I said he needs to play to the whistle it was because of the play you were describing..I thought accentuating "decent" was the proper word to use when describing his performance.. I'm not sure what you looking for me to say..I'm just trying to fairly tell if he's improving from last year.. If I was to go play by play like the last two weeks I would of roasted him on that particular play, but I haven't, so decent is what came to mind..
He did force the fumble by Dennis Johnson that those poor Texas announcers kept whining was a bad call. He isn't in on as many plays though as Lee Robinson, and if Kaddu or Jenkins make the team over Robinson, there is no justice in this world. On STs, Kaddu does better though, and is often the 1st or 2nd tackler to the return man. IMO, they'll give Jenkins a "redshirt" year, and he and the rest of the draft picks other than Jones will make the team. I think there really is no way they cannot give Robinson his due, and he makes it too, not Kaddu. They do seem to like Trusnik and Spitler more than any of us do, so they'll comprise the 4 backup LBs IMO, and we'll keep 7 total at the position. With Jordan being able to play OLB too, he makes kind of swing player between DL and LB, and personally, I'd rather see him standing up and moving around from play to play than locked into hand on the ground RDE all the time. I expect 9 DBs, and 8 DL, for a total of 24 defensive players.
Hmm, have to wonder about Robinson now, Mr C was a big Kaddu fan iirc, if Robinson is legitimately out playing most of the other depth guys have to wonder if he sticks. Lamar Miller is really disappointing me, it's his job to win and he is not winning it. Noticed Thigpen got some play as a Rb. Right now, have to give THill and Moore down arrows, to me they are just holding the ball to long and not even bothering with a checkdown, add in saw a couple "WTH" 2 yd routes vs the Texans
We need some backs man.. Thomas has been the only real bright spot in the whole unit.. Moore strait up pisses me off with that half *** effort..might have to make a critical move there if he's got a problem, cause imo, sh&$ is gonna show up on tape, and they're gonna be like wtf dude..would you make the move to Devlin or keep as is for another year?
Let me tell ya Pod, this defense needs the complete weaponry that Dion Jordan brings to the table, there's a few of us who have wanted him to not be pigeon holed at d end, and after seeing our defense that conviction only gets stronger, just let him play everywhere man and let the rest do their jobs..the freestyler baby.. And Jamar Taylor, when he finds his confidence and strength, thats two additions of great talent...our defense can be special this year, we just have no depth anywhere.. I could barely watch the 2nd half of that game again, sooooo many mistakes on both sides..angry
I am still a Kaddu fan, Pads. If it were me I'd keep him over Trusnik. Not over Robinson though. I just think our coaches seem to like Trusnik and Spitler better than any of us do. Kaddu is playing well covering punts and kicks though. If he impresses Rizzi more than Spitler does, he may make it.
Matt's head wasn't in the game for some reason. His wife is expecting soon I think. Maybe that has something to do with it? His pass pro sucked big time overall. We cannot really see the receivers in their patterns without the all 22 view. We did see him badly overthrow Tyms. His play action wasn't fooling anyone and when he tried to roll out naked, they were all over him. You seen him in 2011 though, and the game last year when RT got hurt. That...is the Matt Moore I know, and expect when the real bullets start flying.
True, I'm not a huge fan of either one tbh, Spitler and Trusnik just are limited athletes, if they have to fill in for Ellerbe, I think they are liabilities so go with backups who have more physical upside.
-I'd keep Matt Moore -I thought our guys look flat tbh, they are not playing with much urgency on the whole. -I'd like to see Thigpen get a Qtr at Rb/Slot wr to see what he can do
I think "Prospects for 2013" are a down arrow. I have seen nothing on the field that makes me believe this team wins more than we lose. Cleveland, thought to be our easiest game on the early schedule to me looks very good in camp. Weeden is playing well, they can run the ball with TR, and they can absolutely get after the passer. Basing soley on what I see so far, I dont see us going up there and winning. And then its Indy and ATL and Baltimore and NO and NE. I would say NO gives us a chance, but its a night game in NO. Thats a tough order. The schedule relaxes a bit in the middle, but by that time, we may be so far out of it, "Suck for Clowney" slogans may be going around. Obviously, no first game of the season is a "must win"; I get that. However, I dont think a first game has ever been more important to a team looking to reverse recent fortunes. We lose that game, and its even money that we are 0-6 by third week in Oct. That would be devastating on so many levels. I hope I am wrong. I hope the OLine gets it figured out. I hope RT and MW continue to build chemistry. I hope our running game finds its way. I hope the DBs solidify into a great unit....but right now, I am rightly concerned. If we are out of the playoffs with three games to go (again), that kills any chance at any public funding of facilities, and one has to wonder, with a man of Mr. Ross's acuity, when he will begin to look for other options.
I've watched about a dozen different preseason games so far and I can only assume that anybody who thinks Miami will have a losing record hasn't watched anything but highlights of the rest of the league. Our starting D may be the best in the league. I can't think of one that has looked better. Our starting O looked like it was coming together against a top 5 level D in Houston. You can nit pick of course, but you can do that about every team in the league.
I hope like hell you are right. I am concerned that our OLine will not be able to hold up against sophisticated blitz packages and that RT will not be able to execute under durress. I would love to think I am wrong and we can win 2-3 (or all) of the first five games. But I'm worried.
