Get Excited! Heading Into Regular Season, Phins Ace Moves

Heading into the Regular Season, Phins are making good moves


Like them or don't, Phins have played their cards like an ace going into the Regular Season

Phins have played their cards like an ace going into the Regular Season

Heading into the 2018 Regular Season I’ve had my foot tentatively on the brakes… once bitten, twice shy and all.

Miami showed promise this Preseason, but there have been a few aspects that caused me to ‘slow my roll’ of optimism.

Can Gase reign in the penalties?

Phinsnews has had this as the prime reason for the Dolphins woes since midway through last season.

Is there an impact, or even a competent, Middle Linebacker, on the team?

McMillan has been rated far less than stellar by the pay per head services up until this point.

Can the depth of the Offensive Line, Cornerback, and Defensive Tackle positions offer answers if injury strikes?

These are all still big and unanswered questions that won’t be solved until the regular season begins.

BUT…

It’s time for Phins fans to give credit where credit is due

Miami has shown they can run the ball by leading the league in YPC in the Preseason. Phinsnews predicted that the ability to run the ball would improve and be a key factor in 2018. If this continues, even a close approximation, into the Regular Season, along with their improvement in discipline, Miami will be successful in 2018.

Also, Tannehill has played well, the Tight End position appears upgraded, the pass rush has been dominant (how good has Quinn looked?), the Offensive Line has been well rounded and effective, the Safety position looks to be a force… and there hasn’t been a devastating injury.

But the icing on the cake has been this last couple of days.

What has really shocked me, and has me nearly ready to jam on the accelerator, is the excellent moves over the last couple of days.

Gase and Co. rolled the dice, played hardball, and it has paid off.

Adam Gase, Chris Grier, and Mike Tannenbaum couldn’t have played their cards any better. The trio has been nothing short of outstanding.

The only move that makes me squirm, and was a shocker, is the release of Sam Young. Since they didn’t need to make this move with Jake Brendel and Mike Hull going to I.R., it would seem they intend to bring Young back on a non-guaranteed contract. I’m nervous about this one, but if they pull it off, it’s a feather in their cap–some pun intended.

Can you remember a practice squad this good?

Remember the questions of Carro or Ford? Well, they cut both and then snagged both for the Practice Squad… AND added 6’6” 230lbs Seahawks/Saints WR Tanney McEvoy.

Wow!

Remember Miami needed a young QB? They picked up Titans rookie Luke Falk on the active roster, getting intel for Week 1 and youth, all in one fell swoop.

Booyah!

They also stashed most of their young players they cut: OG Isaac Asiata, CB Jalen Davis, DE Cameron Malveaux, DE Jonathan Woodard, LB Quentin Poling, and RB Jeremy Langford on the practice squad.

This is the best-looking practice squad Miami has had in my memory. Not saying it’s THE best, but I can’t recall one better or at least one that worked out so well for Miami.

Just about every player on the practice squad offers a legit possibility to eventually get on the active roster.

Yes, the table is set very nice, now Gase must serve a good meal

Now all of this ‘success’ just means that Gase and Co. have done the best with what they received post-draft. They still need to make it happen right out of the gates Week 1 against the Titans. But come on, most Phins fans couldn’t dream the roster would work out this well. I for one have been infused with serious positive mojo. Go Phins!!!

10 comments

  • Steve

    Luke Falk Washington State has what it takes.

    https://youtu.be/URAWVMYsjnE

    • admin

      I liked mike White… but I’ll kill two birds with one stone as I watch the Titans preseason… Thanks for the vids, Steve

  • Steve

    Adding Luke Falk is a move in the right direction, we must invest in the future. The Titans system is build for QB Mar iota skill set. The Best move is invest in Falk This was a steal.

    Based on NFL Total Access:

    QB Tom Brady
    369 Drafted pass yds in final college game
    When Drafted: Bill Belichick was in 1st season as
    Patriots head coach
    1st season as Patriots head coach

    Luke Falk
    Drafted 199th overall
    369 pass yds in final college game
    When draft: Mike Vrabel in 1st season as Titans head coach

    • admin

      I like that we picked up so many of our players in the practice squad and picked up the young spy Falk. It just feels like a win even if he doesn’t pan out. Gotta’ be in it to win it. It’s a numbers game. We are looking at 5 QBs this season… that much better than decades past. Happy good Labor Day, brother.

    • Steve

      I left out that Tom Brady like Luke Falk both were 6th rounders at picked 199th. What are the chances of both throwing for 369 yards their final college game. Consequently this means we have a steal.

      Petty B. Is not what the Dolphins need right now.

      https://youtu.be/m1taWQo-sok

  • Steve

    Admin

    Nice article! Hey I’m not crowning anyone yet!

    a. When did we fixed the run defense?

    • admin

      From what I saw on tape, it was the LB’s, mostly the MLB that allowed the yards. That’s the key position that will make or break the run defense. I feel good about the DL, though. Hope Gase isn’t doing a Cutler hardhead with McMillan…

  • Petty’s stats came against 3s and4s. Tannehill is a much better QB

    • admin

      I like what I saw from Petty, but you are correct, you can’t get crazy of Petty due to the competition, or lack thereof, he faced. It’s easy to look good in garbage time. I do wish Gase had given Petty a chance against stiffer competition, though.