Friday’s game, backed by Phins practice reports, will reveal quite a bit of ‘truth’ on the 2019 Phins
The first solid signpost for what this team is made of comes this Friday against the Bucs. Yes, it’s only Week 2 of the preseason. And no this doesn’t mean they won’t grow in the coming weeks and months. But, given the reports of the Bucs / Phins practice and the live-action of their coming game to support it, that’s plenty of data to clear the picture up.
While the Bucs have some outstanding pieces, they are only an above-average squad, but they do have an elite Head Coach. Phins will need to coach up their deficits, so this will be a great opportunity for both the players and staff. While game planning will be all but nonexistent, putting the right players together from the 90 as well as the individual coaching and player responses are the keys to ‘seeing’ this team more clearly.
I’m not ‘NFL caliber’ at anything, but in my humble opinion, they need to put certain players to rest already…
As of last practice, Mills was demoted to 3rd string due to lack of discipline and poor play. Despite his million guaranteed, he’s terrible and reps are being wasted on him. Even the pay per head sites like AcePerHead.com, say it’s time to cut bait… however problematic that is.
As Phinsnews had hoped, Brian Flores has moved up Nat Orchard and Jeremiah Ledbetter to 1st string. The good and bad news is Ledbetter limped off the field and Dewayne Hendrix took his spot. Hopefully, both get their shot Friday. This isn’t an indictment on Tank Carradine, but it might be on Charles Harris. If he can’t produce against 2nd tier players, it might be time for him to go the way of Mills or at least head to the back of the line.
Mounting injuries though may mask a bit of the ‘truth’ he received though.
The list of injuries lengthened after this Phins practice
- Surprise, surprise, DeVante Parker missed practice due to injury
- Kenyan Drake was injured and was walking in an air cast boot. reports say he’ll be out a while.
- Reshad Jones, Walt Aiken, Van Ginkel, Jakeem, Raekwon, Tankersley, Nkemdiche, Kiko, Cordrea Tankersley, and TJ McDonald didn’t practice Wednesday.
- Poling and Allen were out Tuesday but didn’t see a confirm or deny for today.
- Albert Wilson did see action in 7-7s
- The fact that the Dolphins signed LB Nick DeLuca means Flores has concern for some of the injured LBs.
- Phins released Jonathan Woodard who is out for the season
The ever problematic and crucial Offensive Line is at a critical juncture
- Jesse Davis remains at RT and Shaq Calhoun at RG had another dominant run broke from behind them. Davis had some hiccups but was steady. He is a big key on Friday. Calhoun scored a nice PFF rating from Week 1 but had too many play-killing mental errors. Talent is there though.
- Despite his talent, as wrote in his film study, Isaiah Prince is ultra raw. He was exiled from a drill on Tuesday because he did so poorly. He followed it with a terrible day today. We liked how he locked players down in Week 1 when he gets his hands on them, but he has a ton of issues around that strength. Practice squad will likely be his destination.
- Michael Deiter had a few mental errors.
- Bucs very talented and deep front manhandled most of the two practices. Over one stretch, Phins allowed three sacks and a false start in four plays.
- Tackle try out had UDFA G/T Aaron Monteiro and T Jones-Smith getting reps. I liked Monteiro’s tape and surprised it took this long. He might find his home at Right Tackle or Right Guard.
This post felt nice… true or not.
Flores needs some exclamation marks on the O-Line fast.
Depth is more of a concern than the starters. Even with their mistakes, Deiter and Calhoun are equal, if not better, than Bushrod and Larsen. that’s saying very little I know. But, while not optimal (at their current developmental stage) Tunsil, Deiter, Kilgore, Calhoun, and Davis are doable in a down season. The problem right now is there’s nothing behind the starting tackles.
Also, despite his solid PFF rating, Reed bothered me a bit a Center Week 1. I wanted to see more from the vet against 2s and 3s. Right now, Miami needs a ton of answers on the 2nd Tier OL. Friday needs to provide some answers.
Rest of the Offense was solid in the Buc / Phins practice
- Williams is getting a grilling by Flores before he gets 1st string. Reps as gunner and punt return are testing his mettle. I see 1st string coming.
- O’Leary is leading the way at TE. Gesicki blipped in blocking and receiving. Smythe is showing here and there. But Allen hasn’t seen a live rep. How can the Phins keep him going into the season if this continues?
- Stills is consistent. Albert had some live reps. Ford is showing. This unit will be fine.
- QBs are having issues behind a porous O-line facing a fierce front, but it’s in a much better situation than previous years. Rudock is an interesting situation. The kid is poised. Fitz will most likely start the season.
- Ballage keeps looking good with a 70 and 35 yard TD runs. Although his awareness in the passing game is still a work in progress. Mark Walton is fighting off Gaskin for RB #3. Walton has some magic.
The defense has aways to go but it will be the team’s backbone.
- DT Vincent moved up to 2nd string… he’s playing like 1st
- Jomal Wiltz keeps showing something. If he eliminates his mental errors, he’ll make the team
- Jerome Baker the alpha and leader of the Lbs
- LB Tre Watson is making the most of his chances due to LB injuries. Very interested in seeing him Friday.
- Walt Aiken flashed in his expanded role in Week 1, the brace on his right knee is a bummer.
- Xavien Howard keeps generating turnovers
- Eric Rowe continues his inconsistency due to injury and play
- Nik Needham limped off the field
- Charles Harris was manhandled and in frustration created some ‘brew haha’ with the Bucs.
- Brian Flores reinforced a few times to Christian Wilkins if he lowered his pad level he’d be a better player
- LB Nick DeLuca had a pick in 2nd string replacing the injured Van Ginkel
- Dewayne Hendrix and Nate Orchard generated some pressure
- Minkah has been struggling… and this ensued after the Phins practice…
Besides these note, two interesting storylines were generated from comments by Flores:
- ‘Tackling was even worse (Week 1 game ) than thought after watching the film’
- ‘Rosen needs to work on better body language to lead teammates.’
Josh Rosen actually made some changes today and shows he’s teachable. It also shows this staff is building Rosen from the foundation up. In my mind, this hints Rosen is the backup.
The lack of quality tackling on the Phins defense has been an issue over several regimes. The only way Flores has a shot to turn this ‘bend but don’t break’ defense around is with good tackling. An upgrade in tacking and the O-line showing progression is the #1 key we need to see against the Bucs. If this is a quality staff both weaknesses will see positive growth this Friday. Popcorn ready. Go Phins!!!
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