The final Preseason game might be the final game for many players.
Miami’s final preseason game isn’t devoid of important moments.
The Miami Dolphins will play their final preseason game tonight against the Tennessee Titans in Miami’s new stadium. Most of the starters will not be playing tonight, however those that do will have a short leash, because no one wants and injury at this point of preseason
This game is mainly all about the second string and depth players getting a final chance to showcase their skills. Many players will also be playing to make one last statement to the coaches in regards to making the 53 man roster. Most pay per head sportsbook fans also understand that this game gives these “bubble players” one more opportunity to build some game tape, so if they are cut, another team might bring them in due to what they see on film.
Although, Xavaien Howard, Anthony Steen, and Laremy Tunsil, who are starters, will be getting extra reps to get themselves ready for Week 1 of the Regular Season. They should be the primary keys for the Miami staff and Fin Fans to keep their eyes locked on. We should all hope they make strides and do well.
But, again this is mostly about players like Mike Hull, Jordan Lucas, Brandon Doughty, Zac Dysert, Damien Williams, Grif Whalen, Thomas Duarte, Kraig Urbik, Jamil Douglas, Julius Warmsley, James-Michael Johnson, Spencer Paysinger, Chimdi Chekwa, and A.J. Handy getting a significant amount of playing time to either cement their position on the roster or cement their departure.
Of this list, I believe Julius Warmsley, Grif Whalen and Mike Hull need to show something to have a good chance to make the team — they need to have a solid performance tonight. The two QB’s of Doughty and Dysert are going to be long shots to make the team, because most teams only keep 2 QB’s on the active roster, and Tannehill and Moore are definitely those two guys. If for some odd chance Miami keeps a third QB, which I highly doubt, I believe that Dysert has had the more consistent camp and preseason of the two.
Of the lineman, John, Douglas and Urbik both are in danger of not making the team. This actually shows that our depth on the offensive line has greatly improved, because Douglas started a few games last season for us, and Urbik was a starter in the Bills offensive not so long ago. So, it’s encouraging that on a talent perspective that they might not even make our roster. Lastly, the secondary has not played that well so far, but that is definitely more of an experience issue. Chekwa may actually get the last roster spot in terms of the secondary unit, but in terms of this unit, the team may want to bolster it on the waiver wire from another team’s cast away.
Well, this is the last free-be that Miami gets…it should be fun. What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins news fans thoughts about who will make a statement tonight to earn themselves a spot on the roster? Go Fins!!!
…Ulrik and Douglas gone …Thomas and Turner make the 53 …like you said, Thomas must have something else going for him …but there you are …our OL depth could play for the NYC subways
…Dysert gone, Doughty makes the 53 …so we are keeping 3 QBs for the first time in years …Moore is on a very short chain with some links missing …can’t believe Marino has enough pull to keep Doughty on 53 unless Gase agrees with him that there is something there worth developing
…praying this isn’t the final roster …there were some all-pro starting guards cut from other rosters today …they could not possibly be worse than Thomas or Turner …Packers trying to trade their all-pro starting LG or release him if trade can’t be found …he would be quality depth at the very worst
…Pead and Williams safe at RB for now, Thomas gone as expected …Pead on PUP for 6 weeks …he’s an insurance policy if Foster gets hurt
…the idea that Thomas remains and Urbik goes does NOT speak well for the OL depth …indeed, it says loudly and clearly that this is a unit one injury away from returning to last season’s turnstile form ?
…I am cautiously hopeful that our CB unit will play better than it has so far, with or without the rookie …our 2nd year CBS have talent and the physical ability to play well, they lack the game experience they desperately need to develop into a sound unit
…my other concern is the LBs …so far the unit has not been a plus factor in the defense, especially in run stopping …if we go to the waiver wire, it would be here imnsho
…I also think that we may well keep 3 QBs this year …Moore is past his prime and paid highly as a backup …if either rookie looks good tonight, placing him on the practice squad would be tempting fate in the current depth of decent QBs league wise …especially if it’s Marino’s fair haired boy
…that said, I look forward to seeing the game on replay …my Sat reception is being screwed blue by the hurricane ?
don’t worry your not missing a ton… Howard is doing well as is Griff… so far nothing else is shinning. I’ll give you a better reply later…is the hurricane a bad one?
…the ‘cane was well north of us …but we’re on the south side and got heavy rain from its outer bands …even light rain kills the satellite signal …and the nearest bar is 20 miles and they all hate Miami anyway …living in the boonies has its pros and cons 🙁
…they should have drafted another guard …Tunsil will replace Albert sooner than later and we’re back to square one at guard …the run game lives or dies on guard play …it would not surprise me if we pick up a guard off the waiver wire …but even if we found a gem (and we won’t), the OL is a team unit …it takes time for a new guy to gel and time has run out
…Ajayi put the ball on the ground …not to early to be thinking another draft fail/2nd stringer in the making
…obviously, our run defense sucked …that’s 3 of 4 pre-season games where it’s been subpar at best …same as last year …look for them to find a LB off the waiver wire as well as a guard
…so far, the “ifs” have not gone in our favor …other than RB, every hole we had looks like it’s still with us …our previous draftees that should be stepping up as starters this year just aren’t …and no new coach is going to fix that overnight
…I like most of what Gase is doing, especially in the run game …but now he has to be a head coach during the game, not the OC …and in the next two games he’s going up against the very best HCs in the league …I think he’s going to get schooled …here’s hoping he’s a fast learner
Run game will only be there if Suh and Williams are in – Suh especially. The DL IS the defense. Without it forget about it. If they stay healthy then we have something. Yeah, come game time it will be interesting. But, I see him doing some very smart delegation: like giving Rizzi full control of the red flag. He has some very experienced coaches and I think Gase will have a certain amount of gametime responsibilities that he can handle…it will be a team effort if you will – now is the staff team capable? Hmmm…it will be interesting.
Okay, after a bit of a nap a second run through of the game:
YES! Dallas Thomas was moved over to the easier position of RG, and did better – but still sucks and should be cut. It is an obvious statement, but now certain. I guess if nothing better is cut (hard to believe) then they will keep him, but he should be done. Turner at LG isn’t good enough either. Might be s serviceable RG back-up, but that wouldn’t be swell. Left side depth is a BIG problem. Albert is an issue…not sure if it’s recovering from the injury and rust or a permanent downgrade. Putting together a video on him and will show serious technique issues and mental lapses. He is still above average and Tunsil does mask it with excellent pass protect and the fact that he can “block alone” …but the two side-by-side in RB is an issue and if you add Pouncey then it is untenable – Steen makes it okay and that is a big upgrade. Right side Bushrod does okay at RB and above average at pass protect…this actually is a strength because unlike most RG’s he CAN block alone. James is the best linemen on the squad and is playing at above average to pretty good. In the end this line should venture into very low 20’s, high teens as far as grades go. This will be a big upgrade and when combined with better QB play, high-tempo, and quality play calls… they should do fairly well given the pretty good WR core. Backed by a good defense ( Howard looked above average and big upgrade over Lippett who can’t cover slants) they should lurk in the 7-9 range, BUT they will perform much better then compared to last year and if they can stay healthy and get some over the head play by a player or two then they could bump up to 8-10.. To me if they present quality play for 4 qters and fall into 7 plus win range and don’t nose dive, but rather rise as the season progresses this will be a very good season given all things.
…and Urbik will stay. Watched the second half again and focused on Urbik at LG…Best LG back-up we have and can play center. Surprised he never got a shot to start…then again, maybe he did and failed. But, watching Dallas it doesn’t make sense…maybe Dallas has some super dirt on all his coaches and that’s why he isn’t cut?!
…Ulrik and Douglas gone …Thomas and Turner make the 53 …like you said, Thomas must have something else going for him …but there you are …our OL depth could play for the NYC subways
…Dysert gone, Doughty makes the 53 …so we are keeping 3 QBs for the first time in years …Moore is on a very short chain with some links missing …can’t believe Marino has enough pull to keep Doughty on 53 unless Gase agrees with him that there is something there worth developing
…praying this isn’t the final roster …there were some all-pro starting guards cut from other rosters today …they could not possibly be worse than Thomas or Turner …Packers trying to trade their all-pro starting LG or release him if trade can’t be found …he would be quality depth at the very worst
…Pead and Williams safe at RB for now, Thomas gone as expected …Pead on PUP for 6 weeks …he’s an insurance policy if Foster gets hurt
…the idea that Thomas remains and Urbik goes does NOT speak well for the OL depth …indeed, it says loudly and clearly that this is a unit one injury away from returning to last season’s turnstile form ?
…I am cautiously hopeful that our CB unit will play better than it has so far, with or without the rookie …our 2nd year CBS have talent and the physical ability to play well, they lack the game experience they desperately need to develop into a sound unit
…my other concern is the LBs …so far the unit has not been a plus factor in the defense, especially in run stopping …if we go to the waiver wire, it would be here imnsho
…I also think that we may well keep 3 QBs this year …Moore is past his prime and paid highly as a backup …if either rookie looks good tonight, placing him on the practice squad would be tempting fate in the current depth of decent QBs league wise …especially if it’s Marino’s fair haired boy
…that said, I look forward to seeing the game on replay …my Sat reception is being screwed blue by the hurricane ?
don’t worry your not missing a ton… Howard is doing well as is Griff… so far nothing else is shinning. I’ll give you a better reply later…is the hurricane a bad one?
…the ‘cane was well north of us …but we’re on the south side and got heavy rain from its outer bands …even light rain kills the satellite signal …and the nearest bar is 20 miles and they all hate Miami anyway …living in the boonies has its pros and cons 🙁
…they should have drafted another guard …Tunsil will replace Albert sooner than later and we’re back to square one at guard …the run game lives or dies on guard play …it would not surprise me if we pick up a guard off the waiver wire …but even if we found a gem (and we won’t), the OL is a team unit …it takes time for a new guy to gel and time has run out
…Ajayi put the ball on the ground …not to early to be thinking another draft fail/2nd stringer in the making
…obviously, our run defense sucked …that’s 3 of 4 pre-season games where it’s been subpar at best …same as last year …look for them to find a LB off the waiver wire as well as a guard
…so far, the “ifs” have not gone in our favor …other than RB, every hole we had looks like it’s still with us …our previous draftees that should be stepping up as starters this year just aren’t …and no new coach is going to fix that overnight
…I like most of what Gase is doing, especially in the run game …but now he has to be a head coach during the game, not the OC …and in the next two games he’s going up against the very best HCs in the league …I think he’s going to get schooled …here’s hoping he’s a fast learner
Run game will only be there if Suh and Williams are in – Suh especially. The DL IS the defense. Without it forget about it. If they stay healthy then we have something. Yeah, come game time it will be interesting. But, I see him doing some very smart delegation: like giving Rizzi full control of the red flag. He has some very experienced coaches and I think Gase will have a certain amount of gametime responsibilities that he can handle…it will be a team effort if you will – now is the staff team capable? Hmmm…it will be interesting.
Okay, after a bit of a nap a second run through of the game:
YES! Dallas Thomas was moved over to the easier position of RG, and did better – but still sucks and should be cut. It is an obvious statement, but now certain. I guess if nothing better is cut (hard to believe) then they will keep him, but he should be done. Turner at LG isn’t good enough either. Might be s serviceable RG back-up, but that wouldn’t be swell. Left side depth is a BIG problem. Albert is an issue…not sure if it’s recovering from the injury and rust or a permanent downgrade. Putting together a video on him and will show serious technique issues and mental lapses. He is still above average and Tunsil does mask it with excellent pass protect and the fact that he can “block alone” …but the two side-by-side in RB is an issue and if you add Pouncey then it is untenable – Steen makes it okay and that is a big upgrade. Right side Bushrod does okay at RB and above average at pass protect…this actually is a strength because unlike most RG’s he CAN block alone. James is the best linemen on the squad and is playing at above average to pretty good. In the end this line should venture into very low 20’s, high teens as far as grades go. This will be a big upgrade and when combined with better QB play, high-tempo, and quality play calls… they should do fairly well given the pretty good WR core. Backed by a good defense ( Howard looked above average and big upgrade over Lippett who can’t cover slants) they should lurk in the 7-9 range, BUT they will perform much better then compared to last year and if they can stay healthy and get some over the head play by a player or two then they could bump up to 8-10.. To me if they present quality play for 4 qters and fall into 7 plus win range and don’t nose dive, but rather rise as the season progresses this will be a very good season given all things.
…and Urbik will stay. Watched the second half again and focused on Urbik at LG…Best LG back-up we have and can play center. Surprised he never got a shot to start…then again, maybe he did and failed. But, watching Dallas it doesn’t make sense…maybe Dallas has some super dirt on all his coaches and that’s why he isn’t cut?!