Preseason Week 1 saw some 2nd and 3rd tier players step up.
Preseason Week 1 hinted that maybe the Dolphins depth isn’t as bad as thought.
The Miami Dolphins have their first game in the can with the completion of Preseason’s Week 1.
It looked terrible for the first quarter. But, a lot of gems surfaced as the game progressed, and after scrapping off some crud, there ended up being something pretty good to look at.
First, let’s examine the bottom of the barrel that’s caked in crud.
Amazingly, the poster boy of what’s not working is a fan favorite: Dallas Thomas (this statement is heaped with enough sarcasm, you’ll need to pull your wadding boots up to your armpits).
To use a “Lemmusism”, the living Turn Style Dallas Thomas is wasting reps. He isn’t getting better, and the charade that he might have a chance to start is over. So, I’m here on Adam Gase‘s behalf to announce Laremy Tunsil as the starting Left Guard of the 2016 season.
Yes, it didn’t take the best pay per head site to figure that one.
But, let’s give a hearty round of applause anyway, please.
Tunsil isn’t being given the job…he has earned it. He moved people. He attacks and fires off the ball. He’s mostly in position. He will make the LG spot quantum leaps better than 2015.
Onto further gems: Miami demonstrated that it’s interior and exterior Defensive line is deep. They played without Jason Jones, Suh, Williams and Wake. But, Phillips, Warmsley, Fede, McCain and Laing all made plays. Warmsley and Phillips were the top of the heap, and Miami might very well have such a deep squad that the F.O. could have trade value in their castoffs.
Then there was Jakeem Grant. He really put on a show for his first NFL outing. His injury did mare it a bit. His small stature brings amazing speed and shiftiness, but concerns about his ability to survive the contact will continue. Sunday, his prognosis will be made available. But, beyond that, Grant showed he could make a large impact this season, if he can stay healthy.
Preseason Week 1 had some pleasant surprises.
Two very pleasant surprises cropped up and should now be watched very closely: Brandon Doughty and Isaiah Pead. Most eyes were on Doughty due to his ongoing Cinderella story, but while Pead is having good training camp so far, his performance Friday night was the biggest shocker. He had exceptional ability to accelerate, cut, break tackles and stick his foot in the ground and get up field. I wasn’t very high on him, even with his fine camp. Not any longer. I saw a back who wanted it and had the ability to take it. Pead will be a very interesting story line and even more interesting, if he doesn’t come crashing back down to earth.
One aspect was very troubling – Jay Ajayi. He looked indecisive, tried to be too cute, and increased the questions about his ability to catch. Miami finds itself with five legitimate backs to make the roster: Drake, Foster, Ajayi, Williams and now Pead – who has made this competition very interesting.
Back to Doughty. Yes, it was against 3rd string, but he threw some very nice balls in perfect locations. His performance went a long way to turn a fairy tale into reality. He fumbled the snap on the first play, but battened down the hatches and made plays. There is something there in his play that appears he will be a starter or back up in this league. Either way, for a 7th round pick, it should be a winner for Miami.
Now, for some more of the bad: Sam Young, he is experienced, but so far that experience has been poorly portrayed; Turner at Right Tackle, this was as bad as Thomas playing tackle last year – ’nuff said on that; Jamil Douglas is near a wasted pick; Daniel Thomas at Rb – good bye; and Tackle John Ulrick, forget-about-it.
Some further Kudos go to Carroo who showed grit and skill and may just end up being almost as good as billed, CB McCain, who played inside and out pretty well, showed he might just be a big asset in the secondary.
Overall, in this Preseason Week 1, we saw Ryan Tannehill under perform, but that was almost completely correlative to the terrible line play. Both the starting QB and offensive line will be the biggest aspect of Preseason Week 2. It would seem that if these two parts can get in line with the rest, the 2016 season will at least be a decent one. Go Fins!!!