The 4th Preseason Game is done, and now it’s onto games that count.
The “L” they took in their 4th Preseason game means “doodly-squat” come Week 1.
The Miami Dolphins completed their 4th Preseason game last night with a 21-10 defeat against the Tennessee Titans giving them Preseason record of 2-2 record. Of course, records and scores mean little, it’s the performances individually and as a unit that counts.
First, Laremy Tunsil was a late scratch. It’s understandable, but he could have used the work. Kenyan Drake and Xavien Howard did play and proved they will be able to contribute…if healthy.
Howard, who finally got a chance to get on the field after recovering from a knee operation, played and performed well. He was able to make 3 tackles and gave up one reception, and more importantly, he didn’t appear lost. It would seem with more practices, he should be able to have a solid season at starting Cornerback spot opposite Byron Maxwell. Most pay per head sportsbook fans would agree that this is very encouraging news, because the secondary is in desperate need of someone stepping up and playing opposite Maxwell. Tony Lippett was given a great opportunity to seize the starting role while Howard was recovering, however, he was often picked on by opposing QB’s and failed to prove he is ready to start at this moment. Even though he was able to get an interception last night, he still got beat a few times — can everyone say slant routes.
The running back position has been one of the more interesting position battles, and last night, one of the downsides wasn’t much to separate the group. Jay Ajayi played last night, but he fumbled on the first play from scrimmage and also dropped his one target through the air. Ajayi may still be the starting running back on paper, but as long as Foster stays healthy, I believe Foster will earn more playing time– but this might not be a good thing. Foster should be candles on the cake. If ends up THE cake, injuries might eat him up.
Drake finally made his debut after recovering from a hamstring injury, and it was less then spectacular in the running department. He had 4 carries for 6 yards, which is clearly not something to get excited about. But he was able to show he does have some value with a quality reception for 33 yards, and he was able to muster 45 total yards in the kick return game. Drake appears to have the speed to make plays, but he may have a tough time in the NFL, running between the tackles with his type of finesse running style.
The 4th Preseason Game didn’t do much to clarify Miami’s Running Back situation.
Damien Williams didn’t do anything last night that should make him confident that he’ll make the team — although his special teams contribution may give him leverage, despite the fact that he carried the ball 4 times for 3 yards in a lackluster performance.
Of course, after writing off Daniel Thomas, he goes out and looks the best of the bunch, including Ajayi, with 10 rushes for 31 yards and 1 touchdown. The coaches are going to have a tough decision to make in this group. And with Isaiah Pead now injured and Drake now healthy, Pead will probably be put on the PUP to start the season, which will force him to miss the first six weeks of the regular season, but will not cause him to count against the 53 man roster. This could forestall the tough decision for awhile.
Jermon Busrod played and looked serviceable.
Griff Whalen was heavily targeted and came through for the most part. He might have done enough to warrant a roster spot.
A big question will be does Julius Warmsley get a roster spot? He has been active, but mostly against 2nd and 3rd string players. It could very well be him or Chris Jones, but Jones, despite some limitations, has played against mostly starters and found some success.
Miami’s coaches will have to dig deep and make some tough decisions in order to get to the mandatory 53 man roster limit by Saturday. Then it’s a hop, skip and a jump to taking on the Seattle Seahawks, and that will be a true litmus test for all the Offseason decisions and the many “If’s”. What is the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans thoughts about the last preseason game, and which players helped or hurt their case for making the team?
…we’re heading to Seattle to win? …fooled the hell out of me, it did
…they cut Urbik and kept the turnstile twins? …our LT needs a wheelchair and Tunsil is his backup …and Thomas is his backup at LG? …oi vey!
…our RB situation is looking grim …Ajayi has not stepped up …Foster is a Moreno in waiting …Pead is on PUP …and Williams of all people is looking like he stays …that in itself says all that needs to be said
…a rookie with no training camp time is our starting CB …and his opposite number, Maxwell, was eaten alive in the one game where he was attacked
…our LB unit can’t tackle or run stop …porous as a kitchen strainer
…we’re actually holding our collective breaths praying to find starters on the waiver wire …more than one …more than two …mama mia!
…and we’re going to Seattle to win? …que sera, sera
…did anyone watch what the Cowboy’s 1st team did to our 1st team? …and then watch the Seahawks make that same Cowboy 1st team look like swiss cheese?
Now I agree with most of your points Lemmus…but, we did keep Urbik 🙂 The line does trouble me, as does the TE and LB cores. I think if we had a decent plus RB line these HB’s would do -but so far they are sub par at that…so, I am concerned about the run game itself more than the RB core. The one difference against Seattle is their O line isn’t good (at least as of last year) where as Dallas has a top 5 OL. Now, Seattle DL and defense in general is very good where Cowboy isn’t…so, I don’t agree on the comparison, but I do agree on the results. Also, Howard wasn’t eaten alive, he gave up one pass completion — but, I do worry about him Week 1 as he will likely get picked on underneath by Wilson. Although, Seattle’s offense has looked erratic and not sharp in preseason…this though could make it a closer game than it should be, but I HIGHLY doubt a W for Miami Week 1…
…and last, yeah Moreno / Foster comparison is spot on…very worried about that.
We need to have a monster running out of the Dolphins Back field. When a team has that. The passing pieces will work out. Ask the Dolphins defense would they prefer Tennessee Titans Henry or deal with Tennessee passing Game?
We can enter this season with a patch up nursing injuries back field. It will not work in the NFL.
Henry is a monster coming out of the back field. We can be assured Marriota will have a solid season with those beast in his back field. We do not have a solid R/B every down back.
Tony Lippett was given a great opportunity to seize the starting role as corner back for the Miami Dolphins but its not swaying his way. He did play both Corner back and wide receiver for Michigan with honors.
Recognizing play makers is my trade mark and the Dolphins may have the best wide receiver in their presents? When Parker is nursing his injuries Tony will be tough and ready to make a play on every down.
I agree, I think Lippett will develop, but he needs to get his technique more on point. He is a step behind on slants and double moves…that’s training your instincts to submit to technique…he is an asset — just not as a starting CB at this point.
I keep saying the Dolphins have the pieces they must learn how to Win! R/B 1.long as Foster stays healthy 2.Kenyan Drake will be able to contribute…if healthy. 3.Jay Ajayi (Must improve his route running) 4.Isaiah Pead now injured 5.Drake now healthy 6.Damien Williams Off and on performance. 7.Daniel Thomas, he goes out and looks the best of the bunch!(Who is he during regular season)?
Tennessee Bishop Sankey is available? a. Rush for over 3000 yards as a Huskie b. Drafted number 54th in 2014 c. Played all 16 games rookie season d. Durability and every down R/B we lacked?
Henry would carry us threw the season while we nurse the injured?
You nailed it with him…he was even being mentioned by a sports writer…I wasn’t impressed with Drake…he has the speed, but he is still in development and in the scat back mold. Really looking forward to Week 1…no, duh — aren’t we all. Ajayi might just be a2 down back that can be babied on 3rd downs. Really looking forward to seeing Pead, although I worry about his ability to deal with attacks behind the LOS. Only Foster is patient enough to deal with that. We need much better blocking…hopefully Gase can coach them up…still like Urbik in the mix and glad he is still around.
Is talented but I’m feeling not healthy yet? Bishop Sankey durability and every down back ability would put the If’s on our R/B issue.
Remember Foster was once cut also and evolved. Sankey will not cost us any thing. If he can come in and take a starting job then we all win this season.
New England was talking to him earlier months. I really hate to see him go to the PAT’s.
…Bills cut their starting outside LB, Manny Lawson …he could almost certainly start for us …he has a recent injury history and is being investigated by the league for an apparently minor domestic violence incident …but we need a run stopping LB badly
…someone will grab him …if Philbin were still here he wouldn’t even be looked at …but Gase isn’t Philbin and Lawson would fill a very evident need …if Miami at least files for him it could indicate we’re past the “Incognito” problem
We could def. use a SLB…I hope the Dolphins pick a good new piece or two as rented pieces. At this point still concerned about TE, LB and G’s – heck even center. I actually hope Pouncey goes on IR. Other than that I feel good. Philbin was terrified of his own shadow…it’s a nice change of pace with Gase. Hey, you see RB Sankley is a FA now like Steve predicted…Glad you didn’t get blasted by the ‘cane. I’ve been through a couple and they are a pain…mostly in the clean-ups.
…we’re heading to Seattle to win? …fooled the hell out of me, it did
…they cut Urbik and kept the turnstile twins? …our LT needs a wheelchair and Tunsil is his backup …and Thomas is his backup at LG? …oi vey!
…our RB situation is looking grim …Ajayi has not stepped up …Foster is a Moreno in waiting …Pead is on PUP …and Williams of all people is looking like he stays …that in itself says all that needs to be said
…a rookie with no training camp time is our starting CB …and his opposite number, Maxwell, was eaten alive in the one game where he was attacked
…our LB unit can’t tackle or run stop …porous as a kitchen strainer
…we’re actually holding our collective breaths praying to find starters on the waiver wire …more than one …more than two …mama mia!
…and we’re going to Seattle to win? …que sera, sera
…did anyone watch what the Cowboy’s 1st team did to our 1st team? …and then watch the Seahawks make that same Cowboy 1st team look like swiss cheese?
…smack my head 🙁
Now I agree with most of your points Lemmus…but, we did keep Urbik 🙂 The line does trouble me, as does the TE and LB cores. I think if we had a decent plus RB line these HB’s would do -but so far they are sub par at that…so, I am concerned about the run game itself more than the RB core. The one difference against Seattle is their O line isn’t good (at least as of last year) where as Dallas has a top 5 OL. Now, Seattle DL and defense in general is very good where Cowboy isn’t…so, I don’t agree on the comparison, but I do agree on the results. Also, Howard wasn’t eaten alive, he gave up one pass completion — but, I do worry about him Week 1 as he will likely get picked on underneath by Wilson. Although, Seattle’s offense has looked erratic and not sharp in preseason…this though could make it a closer game than it should be, but I HIGHLY doubt a W for Miami Week 1…
…and last, yeah Moreno / Foster comparison is spot on…very worried about that.
BTW, hey Dunner, where’d you go?
No Sugar Coating! We are going to Seattle to Win!
We need to have a monster running out of the Dolphins Back field. When a team has that. The passing pieces will work out. Ask the Dolphins defense would they prefer Tennessee Titans Henry or deal with Tennessee passing Game?
We can enter this season with a patch up nursing injuries back field. It will not work in the NFL.
Henry is a monster coming out of the back field. We can be assured Marriota will have a solid season with those beast in his back field. We do not have a solid R/B every down back.
Can we give Lippett some receiver play time?
Hello Fin Fans
Tony Lippett was given a great opportunity to seize the starting role as corner back for the Miami Dolphins but its not swaying his way. He did play both Corner back and wide receiver for Michigan with honors.
Recognizing play makers is my trade mark and the Dolphins may have the best wide receiver in their presents? When Parker is nursing his injuries Tony will be tough and ready to make a play on every down.
I believed in developing player for the future of the team.
https://youtu.be/fI7N3YXpi74?t=289
https://youtu.be/lMyasvk0F7U?t=116
I keep saying the Dolphins have the players they are Pro’s who have to learn how to Win consistently!
I agree, I think Lippett will develop, but he needs to get his technique more on point. He is a step behind on slants and double moves…that’s training your instincts to submit to technique…he is an asset — just not as a starting CB at this point.
Hello Admin,Jimmy and Fin Fans!
I keep saying the Dolphins have the pieces they must learn how to Win!
R/B
1.long as Foster stays healthy
2.Kenyan Drake will be able to contribute…if healthy.
3.Jay Ajayi (Must improve his route running)
4.Isaiah Pead now injured
5.Drake now healthy
6.Damien Williams Off and on performance.
7.Daniel Thomas, he goes out and looks the best of the bunch!(Who is he during regular season)?
Tennessee Bishop Sankey is available?
a. Rush for over 3000 yards as a Huskie
b. Drafted number 54th in 2014
c. Played all 16 games rookie season
d. Durability and every down R/B we lacked?
Henry would carry us threw the season while we nurse the injured?
Bishop Sankey would carry us threw the Season without a doubt. Sorry I had Henry in Error.
You nailed it with him…he was even being mentioned by a sports writer…I wasn’t impressed with Drake…he has the speed, but he is still in development and in the scat back mold. Really looking forward to Week 1…no, duh — aren’t we all. Ajayi might just be a2 down back that can be babied on 3rd downs. Really looking forward to seeing Pead, although I worry about his ability to deal with attacks behind the LOS. Only Foster is patient enough to deal with that. We need much better blocking…hopefully Gase can coach them up…still like Urbik in the mix and glad he is still around.
Drake
Is talented but I’m feeling not healthy yet?
Bishop Sankey durability and every down back ability would put the If’s on our R/B issue.
Remember Foster was once cut also and evolved. Sankey will not cost us any thing. If he can come in and take a starting job then we all win this season.
New England was talking to him earlier months. I really hate to see him go to the PAT’s.
…Bills cut their starting outside LB, Manny Lawson …he could almost certainly start for us …he has a recent injury history and is being investigated by the league for an apparently minor domestic violence incident …but we need a run stopping LB badly
…someone will grab him …if Philbin were still here he wouldn’t even be looked at …but Gase isn’t Philbin and Lawson would fill a very evident need …if Miami at least files for him it could indicate we’re past the “Incognito” problem
We could def. use a SLB…I hope the Dolphins pick a good new piece or two as rented pieces. At this point still concerned about TE, LB and G’s – heck even center. I actually hope Pouncey goes on IR. Other than that I feel good. Philbin was terrified of his own shadow…it’s a nice change of pace with Gase. Hey, you see RB Sankley is a FA now like Steve predicted…Glad you didn’t get blasted by the ‘cane. I’ve been through a couple and they are a pain…mostly in the clean-ups.