As each new season approaches there is a certain amount of analysis of which players will make the next step and have a more positive impact on the team’s performance. The established players such as Jake Long, Reggie Bush, Cameron Wake, and Karlos Dansby, online sports gambling fans expect to have a solid season, and contribute their usual statistics. Obviously the Dolphins need these players to perform to the high level of their abilities to be able to be a winning team, but these players are not enough. The Dolphins need other players to step it up and create big plays when their number is called and the game is on the line. One player in particular, that has a good chance of becoming a big time playmaker, that this team and its fans have dreamt of when they were initially drafted is Charles Clay.
Charles Clay will be entering his second season this year, and is a very unique player, that has the chance to make a bold statement this year. He is a hybrid FB/TE, who has excellent hands, and was able to make 16 receptions for 233 yards and 3 touchdowns in his rookie season. Yes the reception total is very low, but his 14.6 yards per catch ranked 3rd best on the team, and you have to like the fact that 18.75% of his catches resulted in a touchdown. What is even more encouraging is that during his 4 years at Tulsa he racked up 189 receptions and 28 TD’s, which is an average of 47.25 catches and 7 TD’s per season. Now that Coach Philbin will be installing an up tempo west coast style offense, Charles Clay should become a major benefactor of this amped up offense.
For arguments sake, if Clay can be as productive as he was in college, then phins fans will be creaming in their Tommy Bahama swim trunks. (47 rec, 690 yards based on a similar 14.6 yards per catch average and 7 TD’s) These numbers are very attainable, especially with absence of Brandon Marshall. Not only that, but Clay runs a great seam route and if anyone one has listened to Philbin speak about players on the roster, you can tell he gets giddy when he thinks about the potential Clay can have in his new offense. I would qualify Clay has Philbin’s pet project and man crush for 2012, and it will be worth watching to seedling can bear fruit.