Larsen and McDonald have been long awaited, but is it too late?
McDonald and Larsen will help… but is it enough to add “W’s”
A 4-4 record couldn’t feel worse given the tough lineup facing the Miami Dolphins over the next 8 weeks. Most of the bookie software programs out there is saying we should be grateful to be even at this point. Miami could very well be 2-6 instead. Two 4th Quarter comebacks and a lucky missed field goal by San Diego doesn’t breathe a lot of confidence into 4-4.
The ‘good news’ is reinforcements have arrived at two positions of need.
Safety T.J. McDonald is returning from an 8 game suspension and Guard Ted Larsen from an injured bicep. Both will be playing and starting against the Panthers this upcoming Monday night.
Miami and their fans have been waiting half a season to see them in action… but what level of difference will they make towards winning games?
Most fans are thinking very little. But both men have one game to prove them wrong.
Since fellow safety Nate Allen went down with an injury, Miami has been forced to use Michael Thomas and Maurice Smith who have definitely had some rough moments filling in. Of course, Reshad Jones too, despite being a star in the box, has made some critical errors in his deep coverage as well. Will McDonald, who is also at his best in the box, help the Dolphins with their failures in deep coverage? Not sure he will, except to help with disguise and make presnap reads a bit harder… but what happens when QB’s see through the disguise?
Hope is short these days in Miami… Larsen and McDonald at least give a hint of positive
Now that Ja’Wuan James is on I.R, the Dolphins are even more banged up on the Offensive Line since Larsen was injured in camp. Jesse Davis will move to Right Tackle and Larsen will play Left Guard. He isn’t is a Pro Bowl Guard, so you wonder how much will change? Maybe the two men can help dial up the run game a bit and that could have a trickle down effect? Yeah, that might be a bit thin… but not as thin as the OL’s depth is now.
Bottom line, Miami needs all the help they can get, so getting back two starters at this juncture of the season can only help. But will it help Miami in earning a “W”? Honestly, that’s all that matters at this point. With the whole 2017 Season riding on one game, McDonlad and Larsen better be good, or their arrival will be too little too late. Go Fins!!!