Thomas Show Ability To Get Open In OTA’s, But Not In Sync With Tannehill
Thomas Show Ability To Get Open In OTA’s, But Not In Sync With Tannehill
Thomas was presenting match-up problems for the defense in OTA’s
Thomas, if healthy, could work the seams of opposing defenses in 2017
The NFL is a passing league. Gone are the days where teams just ground and pound the ball with only a couple of passes per game all the way to the championship.
The league has made it tougher for players in the secondary to cover pass catchers with stricter enforcement of pass interference and strong protection of the QB position through rule changes.
A result of this passing emphasis, the last decade has witnessed the expansion of the Tight End into a game-breaking position.
Instead of Tight Ends being forced to stay on the line and block with their production mostly over-the-middle catches, now Tight Ends are a big-play part of a team’s passing game–just as much as the split out Wide Receivers.
Players such as Gronkowski, Graham, Gates, and Olsen have been deadly, creating mismatches all over the field, and scoring touchdowns at record-setting paces. However, it doesn’t take an expert in NFL Odds, the best pay per head review sites, to realize that Miami hasn’t taken advantage of the shift.
But, now in Adam Gases’ second year in Miami, he made sure to at least address the Dolphins weakness at the Tight End position by acquiring two TE’s: Julius Thomas and Anthony Fasano. The Dolphins parted ways with Dion Sims, who always showed potential, but never really developed into a top passing catching TE. Thomas on the other hand has had a 2-year stint with Coach Gase in Denver where he scored 24 touchdowns.
While it’s been two years since then, Gase and Thomas are hoping they can reclaim that magic.
Thomas is the lightening to Fasano’s thunder of the T.E. position
Gase has proven in both Denver and Chicago that he’s a creative offensive coordinator that can call up tremendous success using his TE’s. The move to get both Thomas and Fasano is the setup to the Dolphins moving the TE position into a more prominent position in Miami’s passing game.
Let’s also not forget that Fasano is no slouch, even this late in his career. Although his blocking– as the best blocking TE in the NFL in 2016– will be his focus, he has still racked up 35 touchdowns in his career. You can count on him to make a couple of clutch grabs this season.
There’s no question that on paper these two players are an upgrade over last year’s TE’s. However, the biggest obstacle to get over is chemistry. Pass catchers and QB’s need to be on the same page, and when Jordan Cameron came to Miami in 2015, only two years removed from an 80 catch, 917 yards and 7 TD season, it was thought that he would be able to replicate those statistics in Miami. However, Cameron and Tannehill never got in sync, so, unfortunately, there are no guarantees that Tannehill and Thomas can develop deadly chemistry together… at least Fasano has a history with Miami’s QB.
During the first week of OTA’s, there was a lot of good stuff going on. One thing that was particularly evident was that Tannehill and Thomas were not on the same page. Yes, Thomas was getting open, but rarely did they have success connecting.
It’s only the first week, so there’s no reason why they shouldn’t get better and more in sync. Thomas certainly has what it takes, now it will be about timing for Tannehill. Then of course there’s the buzz word for many of this team’s players: health. Can he stay healthy long enough to get on the same page with Tannehill? What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans’ thoughts about whether or not Miami can finally have a deadly weapon at the TE position this year?
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Yes there will some cast away players that will help our O-Line (not along the way though). The interesting thing about the cast aways this year is that no one gets cut along the way, meaning; there are not several cut down days any more. ALL AT ONCE. Teams will be required to get rosters down to 53 no later than 4 p.m. ET on Sept. 3. So 32 teams will go from 90 man rosters to 53 man rosters in 1 day, the GMs/scouts will really be working OT during that few days.
I know, imagine the GM/Scouts,,,, there will be 32 (teams) x 37 (players cut, 90-53=37) = 1184 players to review all at once! Fun for us fans, not so much for them.
Not sure exactly why. I would think this puts a lot of pressure on all team’s GMs/Scouts. I also think this could hamper players ability to get picked up by another team. If players were released in phase 1 and/or phase 2 such as last year, there were not as many players for other teams to research, thus elevating their chances. Will be tough road for all this year.
Everything I read and heard suggests that coaches wanted the extra pre-season game to get more tape on players as well as their concern about injuries. They wanted the ability to rest/sit as many players/starters as possible. Now they will be able to do both, rest and extra film.
The Jaguars traded a 2018 seventh-round pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Albert in March, but since that time, Albert hasn’t participated in any team activities as he seeks a reworked contract.
Why not just give the Jags back their 7th round pick and bring Albert back to Camp?
And not worth it. He had a terrible training camp last year and his season fell apart… to expensive and not worth it if we could afford him. Don’t like the way is going about thing in Jacksonville… seems crappy to me.
Health is definitely key. If Pouncey goes down again and the guards are mediocre as most expect then it will be a short passing game… Again. Could take Stills and Parker out of the big plays. So we would need Thomas to step up and Landry to keep doing his thing with some Fasano sprinkled in. To me everything will keep coming back to the O-line. If they’re better than we expect then the entire offense should thrive. If Pouncey goes down and the guards are back to turnstiles then we’re in trouble
…we’re in trouble …3/5 of our supposed starting OL are already MIA …and at least 2/5 of the “starting” OL couldn’t start on any other team …but that’s ok ’cause in Tannenbum’s world, guards don’t really matter
…not to mention that Thomas “getting open” often enough to brighten Jimmy’s day, means that our defensive coverage isn’t getting it’s job done …if they can’t cover Thomas, how are they going to cover Gronk?
Samson. I totally agree! The team needs to start to develop a game plan to replace Pouncey. I believe that more depth on the OL and at LB should be pursued. During the pre-season there will certainly be some cast-away players at both these positions. I hope we can grab 1 or 2 at each to help add that still needed depth. I am not hopeful that Pouncey will make it thru 16 games, no matter how much the team “babies” him now with limited practice. I hope he does, but we still need to have a strong back-up center that will be our future.
Stephen I think Pouncey’s short term replacemets are Uribik, Steen and Larsen. I think they view Larsen as #1, Urbik #2, and Steen as a long shot. Will Pouncey stay healthy? Maybe the stem cell procedure is legit, maybe we get super lucky… other than that he will go down. Likely his last year on the Fins.
Well on the plus side of things, unlike last year we aren’t searching for a running back. We have a ground game, we have made upgrades at TE,and we need to utilize the other WR in some package formations. Grant is the fastest player on the team and no I didn’t see him go deep once if Stills can get behind the D then just imagine Grant flying by. Our D got some help in the draft I mean Miami picked up some tacklers and pass rushers. We should see more sacks,turnovers, and more opportunities on offense this season and the opposing teams should be limited to less yards and points. At free safety though that might be a week spot until Mcdonald comes back in week 8. Tan has no reason not to be great this year but then again is the lingering questions about the OL.
Good point! There are fewer questions heading into this season opposed to this time last year. Not to mention the familiarity of the Head Coach, the staff, and the scheme/X’s & O’s.
Malik, I agree. This isn’t likely a Superbowl run in 2017, and the team is still being formed. Years three and four will be the tellers. I do think we have become far better than the 2016 edition. In some ways there’s too much expectation. But that’s a good thing too, as fans are starting to see hope. 2016 offered Miami A LOT in the way of player. It will be interesting to see who step up this year. And McDonald will be addition and is slightly going unnoticed. A shame we have to wait till week 8.
You nailed it… O-Line. To me, there’s no more crucial squad to success on the NFL level than the OLine. I think with health and the ability to gel, this squad, despite not being All PRo up and down the line, can be good enough to make for a nice offense this year. But health is far, far from a given. Pouncey and Tunsil must be healthy. Pouncey’s health offers heights. A Tunsil injury would make for serious depths. Asiata taking the reigns would be amazing. Larsen being solid would bring steadiness. But it does all come down to the line.
Yes there will some cast away players that will help our O-Line (not along the way though). The interesting thing about the cast aways this year is that no one gets cut along the way, meaning; there are not several cut down days any more. ALL AT ONCE. Teams will be required to get rosters down to 53 no later than 4 p.m. ET on Sept. 3. So 32 teams will go from 90 man rosters to 53 man rosters in 1 day, the GMs/scouts will really be working OT during that few days.
didn’t know that. Good info thanks brother.
I know, imagine the GM/Scouts,,,, there will be 32 (teams) x 37 (players cut, 90-53=37) = 1184 players to review all at once! Fun for us fans, not so much for them.
Do you know the reason for the change?
Not sure exactly why. I would think this puts a lot of pressure on all team’s GMs/Scouts. I also think this could hamper players ability to get picked up by another team. If players were released in phase 1 and/or phase 2 such as last year, there were not as many players for other teams to research, thus elevating their chances. Will be tough road for all this year.
Everything I read and heard suggests that coaches wanted the extra pre-season game to get more tape on players as well as their concern about injuries. They wanted the ability to rest/sit as many players/starters as possible. Now they will be able to do both, rest and extra film.
The Jaguars traded a 2018 seventh-round pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Albert in March, but since that time, Albert hasn’t participated in any team activities as he seeks a reworked contract.
Why not just give the Jags back their 7th round pick and bring Albert back to Camp?
…we don’t have the cap to bring back Albert even if we could …his cap hit was why we gave him away in the first place
And not worth it. He had a terrible training camp last year and his season fell apart… to expensive and not worth it if we could afford him. Don’t like the way is going about thing in Jacksonville… seems crappy to me.
Health is definitely key. If Pouncey goes down again and the guards are mediocre as most expect then it will be a short passing game… Again. Could take Stills and Parker out of the big plays. So we would need Thomas to step up and Landry to keep doing his thing with some Fasano sprinkled in. To me everything will keep coming back to the O-line. If they’re better than we expect then the entire offense should thrive. If Pouncey goes down and the guards are back to turnstiles then we’re in trouble
…we’re in trouble …3/5 of our supposed starting OL are already MIA …and at least 2/5 of the “starting” OL couldn’t start on any other team …but that’s ok ’cause in Tannenbum’s world, guards don’t really matter
…not to mention that Thomas “getting open” often enough to brighten Jimmy’s day, means that our defensive coverage isn’t getting it’s job done …if they can’t cover Thomas, how are they going to cover Gronk?
Game plan!!! They didn’t game plan for Thomas. Base defense all day every day for now.
Cranky, cantankerous old man 🙂 .
…you shouldn’t talk about Dun that way …he can’t help it 🙂
LOL!!! Your right, I just can’t help it 🙂 🙂
Samson. I totally agree! The team needs to start to develop a game plan to replace Pouncey. I believe that more depth on the OL and at LB should be pursued. During the pre-season there will certainly be some cast-away players at both these positions. I hope we can grab 1 or 2 at each to help add that still needed depth. I am not hopeful that Pouncey will make it thru 16 games, no matter how much the team “babies” him now with limited practice. I hope he does, but we still need to have a strong back-up center that will be our future.
Stephen I think Pouncey’s short term replacemets are Uribik, Steen and Larsen. I think they view Larsen as #1, Urbik #2, and Steen as a long shot. Will Pouncey stay healthy? Maybe the stem cell procedure is legit, maybe we get super lucky… other than that he will go down. Likely his last year on the Fins.
Well on the plus side of things, unlike last year we aren’t searching for a running back. We have a ground game, we have made upgrades at TE,and we need to utilize the other WR in some package formations. Grant is the fastest player on the team and no I didn’t see him go deep once if Stills can get behind the D then just imagine Grant flying by. Our D got some help in the draft I mean Miami picked up some tacklers and pass rushers. We should see more sacks,turnovers, and more opportunities on offense this season and the opposing teams should be limited to less yards and points. At free safety though that might be a week spot until Mcdonald comes back in week 8. Tan has no reason not to be great this year but then again is the lingering questions about the OL.
Good point! There are fewer questions heading into this season opposed to this time last year. Not to mention the familiarity of the Head Coach, the staff, and the scheme/X’s & O’s.
Malik, I agree. This isn’t likely a Superbowl run in 2017, and the team is still being formed. Years three and four will be the tellers. I do think we have become far better than the 2016 edition. In some ways there’s too much expectation. But that’s a good thing too, as fans are starting to see hope. 2016 offered Miami A LOT in the way of player. It will be interesting to see who step up this year. And McDonald will be addition and is slightly going unnoticed. A shame we have to wait till week 8.
The names being mentioned thus far in today’s (May 31) OTA are McDonald and that rookie WR Morgan. What a loaded WR group. Someone gets traded
You nailed it… O-Line. To me, there’s no more crucial squad to success on the NFL level than the OLine. I think with health and the ability to gel, this squad, despite not being All PRo up and down the line, can be good enough to make for a nice offense this year. But health is far, far from a given. Pouncey and Tunsil must be healthy. Pouncey’s health offers heights. A Tunsil injury would make for serious depths. Asiata taking the reigns would be amazing. Larsen being solid would bring steadiness. But it does all come down to the line.