We can't do better than Gaskin?

"MrPhinn wrote:

Dude does nothing to impress. He almost falls at any initial contact. Can't break a tackle to save his life. Surely there's someone out there better.

That 2nd half performance was bad, and we sure can't rely on the defense to win games every week. A upgrade is desperately needed.

He is actually doing pretty good this year with breaking tackles.

He had a terrible game yesterday, but he has done things to impress. Just a very upgradable player.

"MrPhinn wrote:

Dude does nothing to impress. He almost falls at any initial contact. Can't break a tackle to save his life. Surely there's someone out there better.

That 2nd half performance was bad, and we sure can't rely on the defense to win games every week. A upgrade is desperately needed.

I would like to see an upgrade but I have to disagree about him not breaking tackles and falling at initial contact. One of the things that has struck me the most about him is how often he goes beyond initial contact. He is more of a finesse runner though. We could use a solid power runner.

I think our run game issues maybe more than just a talent issue at RB though. Our OL might be struggling to provide sufficient support.

WTF was with those Wildcat plays?

"MrPhinn wrote:

Dude does nothing to impress. He almost falls at any initial contact. Can't break a tackle to save his life. Surely there's someone out there better.

That 2nd half performance was bad, and we sure can't rely on the defense to win games every week. A upgrade is desperately needed.

We played a pretty elite run-D yesterday so I wasn't shocked that we struggled. Gaskin was not impressive in that game but he's had some really solid performances this year as well. I hope we keep him in the rotation even after upgrading.

Looking forward, I have a feeling that we draft Travis Etienne out of Clemson next year- the kid is a freaking all-around stud and does everything well. He'd be a perfect fit for what we do and he's crazy dangerous in space...he puts me in the mindset of a Bo Jackson style of runner (like having Jakeem Grant at RB).

He's fine but definitely upgradeable. They need WR's that can catch the ball. Golden Tate is available.

"KeyFin wrote:

Looking forward, I have a feeling that we draft Travis Etienne out of Clemson next year- the kid is a freaking all-around stud and does everything well. He'd be a perfect fit for what we do and he's crazy dangerous in space...really hoping he's on our team next year!

Personally, I hope we use our 1st rounders on a WR and a LB. Tua needs a true #1 receiver, and upgrading LB on defense is IMO the most impactful — we have good DB's but I think a better LB corps would do wonders for stopping the run, which is the one weak spot for this defense as we're giving up 4.9 Y/C = 4th worst.

But of the two, I think WR is the more important one. Have to build a really good offense.

Even the best running back in the league wouldn't provide much of a difference for the team. Such is the nature of running the ball in the present-day NFL.

"cbrad wrote:

Personally, I hope we use our 1st rounders on a WR and a LB. Tua needs a true #1 receiver, and upgrading LB on defense is IMO the most impactful — we have good DB's but I think a better LB corps would do wonders for stopping the run, which is the one weak spot for this defense as we're giving up 4.9 Y/C = 4th worst.

But of the two, I think WR is the more important one. Have to build a really good offense.

I'm with you there but I would replace WR with TE. He needs the reliable big target over the middle. In fact I might go TE and WR in round 1. On defense I would target an edge rusher and a ball-hawking safety long before a LB.

"The Guy wrote:

I'm with you there but I would replace WR with TE. He needs the reliable big target over the middle. In fact I might go TE and WR in round 1. On defense I would target an edge rusher and a ball-hawking safety long before a LB.

We have Gesicki, who has disappeared the last 2 games but is a pretty good TE and fills that role over the middle. What we don't have is someone defenses are afraid of at mid/long ranges, so for me WR > TE. And while in theory a DE would be really valuable, Flores seems to know how to play chess at the DL position. That is, he can create mismatches without having the best talent there. But at LB it doesn't seem to be working as well, at least for run defense.

That's why for me it's WR + LB that are most important to upgrade in the offseason (draft or FA).

"cbrad wrote:

Personally, I hope we use our 1st rounders on a WR and a LB. Tua needs a true #1 receiver, and upgrading LB on defense is IMO the most impactful — we have good DB's but I think a better LB corps would do wonders for stopping the run, which is the one weak spot for this defense as we're giving up 4.9 Y/C = 4th worst.

But of the two, I think WR is the more important one. Have to build a really good offense.

To me, it really depends on Preston Williams and his growth this season. I love Grant, love Parker and love Gisecki (who's really a WR as well). Williams is the wild-card of the bunch...he has elite talent, but can he deliver it consistently? We need to know that answer this season.

I'd part ways with Albert Wilson since I think he's too similar to Grant in skill-sets. I'd keep Ford as a #5-type player, or maybe that's Williams role in the future. Parker is not a true #1 in my eyes...I'd say Gisecki is closer to that than Parker. So yeah, I agree that WR could be a huge priority....it's a shame it wasn't this season since the draft was so deep with elite talent.

But I'd also agree that if there's a truly elite LB sitting there when we pick #5, he's the guy I want over anyone else. I'd leave the secondary alone for a year and I'd grab a late 1st/early 2nd round RB, plus another lineman since we should always invest there. The rest of the draft could literally be WR and d-line. Oh, I forgot QB....we'll need one of those to backup Tua as well (unless we bring in another aging veteran, which is also fine). I am big on continually developing linemen and QB's though.

"KeyFin wrote:

To me, it really depends on Preston Williams and his growth this season. I love Grant, love Parker and love Gisecki (who's really a WR as well). Williams is the wild-card of the bunch...he has elite talent, but can he deliver it consistently? We need to know that answer this season.

Williams drops too many passes. It's too consistent with him. Also, he really hasn't had many good games. The guy isn't the answer. I guarantee you no defense is afraid of him.

I think with the drop in salary cap next year, there may be a few more players available then unusual. It might be a chance to pick up another good WR when someone has to let one of them go. Our salary cap situation should benifit us in that regard.

The Preston Williams can be elite rhetoric needs to stop.

"cbrad wrote:

Williams drops too many passes. It's too consistent with him. Also, he really hasn't had many good games. The guy isn't the answer. I guarantee you no defense is afraid of him.

Which is why he's a perfect #3/#4 receiver IF HE CAN STOP DROPPING THE FOOTBALL. I put that last part in caps so people won't confuse this with the elite talk others have mentioned.

I do think he has a ton of promise as a situational receiver if he can clean up those hands and become consistent- all our QB's (Rosen, Tua, Fitz) have gone to him a lot over the past few seasons and he's disappointed all of them, so I get the impression that he's one of those "practice field Pro-Bowler's" that just doesn't perform in live action. Why else would he be a primary read so frequently on 3rd down? The coaches must see something that we don't....he's only about a dozen games into his career though. So there's hope anyway.

Gaskin is not too bad, but I do want the Dolphins to take a look at drafting a RB in the next draft. It's a shame JK Dobbins got taken one pick ahead by the Ravens in the 2nd round. Really wanted him.

I didnt see any sort of actual gameplan used yesterday offensively.. i didnt know if they wanted to establish the run or if they wanted to pass. The offensive line was getting mauled all game and you saw Tua throw some quick checkdowns to avoid the sack, or throw it to some little slant on the move.

so i dont really know what to make of the game we played other than it was awful.

mind you we played a top 5 defense.. our defense made more plays and we won.. but our offense needs to play much better if we want any legitimate shot at the division.

Really?

Gaskin isnt an elite runner but hes a starting caliber back if you look at what most teams have. He almost always falls forward and rarely loses any significant yardage on broken run plays.

He has solid hands and takes good angles after the catch. He lacks elite burst, elite shiftyness and elite power, but hes very good in all areas.

I'd rather find another back who can compliment him rather than replace him.

I think we can definitely upgrade at RB, WR and our OL is young and will get better.

The main thing with Gaskin is that he keeps getting back up on his feet. Very durable so far in the early part of his career. The guy is a hard worker and that has been his secret recipe. You have insanely talented backs that can't stay healthy and you have scrappy durable runners like Gaskin who are tougher than a two dollar steak. I'll take the back that's going to stay on the field. Gaskin certainly isn't the prettiest at his position, but he's a seventh round pick that is overachieving. He has nice hands, dependable runner, can catch the ball out of the back field. If he gets into open space he can take one to the house. Problem is, in the modern day NFL, it seems a lot more difficult to run the ball for some reason. You may not always get the talent you want at a position, but as of right now, Gaskin shows up and takes care of business and does it quite well. I'm pleasantly surprised by him this year and I hope we can eventually pair him with a dependable power back at some point.

"ExplosionsInDaSky wrote:

The main thing with Gaskin is that he keeps getting back up on his feet. Very durable so far in the early part of his career. The guy is a hard worker and that has been his secret recipe. You have insanely talented backs that can't stay healthy and you have scrappy durable runners like Gaskin who are tougher than a two dollar steak. I'll take the back that's going to stay on the field. Gaskin certainly isn't the prettiest at his position, but he's a seventh round pick that is overachieving. He has nice hands, dependable runner, can catch the ball out of the back field. If he gets into open space he can take one to the house. Problem is, in the modern day NFL, it seems a lot more difficult to run the ball for some reason. You may not always get the talent you want at a position, but as of right now, Gaskin shows up and takes care of business and does it quite well. I'm pleasantly surprised by him this year and I hope we can eventually pair him with a dependable power back at some point.

This. Plus like I said, look around the league and you realize he isnt bad to have. Other than Henry and possibly including him, I cant think of a single back in the league that is on the level of a Tomlinson or Adrian Peterson (in his prime, not now) and can impact a game like they could.

If you dont have a star HB it's really nice to have a guy like Gaskin who provides great value for his contract and can do a little of everything.

I wouldnt mind drafting a back this year, but not to replace him. Just to give us a 1-2 punch.

Gaskin needs to break one and I bet after that his play will get better, sometimes a back needs that one long run to get them going.

Pretty sure RB and WR/TE are next year plans after you have your QB of the future and build around him. As for Gaskin he has been the best performer so far.

JaMarr Chase and Travis Etienne in round 1 baby. :2guns:

We could swing a trade for a running back.