Phins Minicamp: Good Signs… But Some Issues Close To A Trend

Minicamp is revealing that Tunsil still struggles with 2017 issues

Minicamp is offerings good signs, but some issues are becoming bad trends

While Day 2 of the Miami Dolphins minicamp presented some very good signs, everything wasn’t ‘peachy-keen’.

I’m not saying these bad signs won’t be resolved by tomorrow or come Training Camp… but I am saying some issues are quickly approaching a trend. And the scary part is, trends live right next door to truth.

First, let’s deal with the good:

Jakeem Grant looks like he’s taken a big step forward. Tankersley said, ‘He’s the toughest on the team to cover downfield.’ It will be interesting to see how far Grant can push this. How awesome would it be to see Grant somehow perform a miracle and shift the trend of pass-catching prototypes and start a return of ‘Smurf Receivers’? His low center of gravity, flash like speed, and excellent strength brings a unique and potent skillset. IF he can perfect his routes, expand his route tree, and become a more consistent receiver sky is the limit. Time will tell if this improvement is legit… but so far so good.

Can Grant even have flashes of Miami’s other Smurf Receivers: Clayton and Duper?

Danny Amendola and Albert Wilson are both proving themselves inside. Wilson has been good outside as well. If these two can keep it up and stay healthy, Miami will have depth and talent at Slot Receiver. Maybe the drop off from Jarvis Landry’s exit won’t be as brutal as initially thought by some.

The only trend with Wilson that’s troubling is the inconsistent catching skills he was known for in Kansas City. Today he had some drops. No biggie… if it wasn’t for the history.

More on the good news front: T.J.McDonald may just live up to the new contract that Miami gave him… and then some. He has been all over the field and performing the monster he was expected to be.

And in other blips of good news on the radar:

1. Jalen Davis is making Phinsnews look smart, Burke said he’s ‘been doing some good things’.
2. Vincent Taylor has been making plays inside… and that’s very good news for the Phins.
3. Davis Fales is steadily proving to be an asset, even if it’s just a solid back up.
4. Stephone Anthony has been gaining the trust of Burke and working with the starters McMillian and Alonso. Phinsnews said back in February that Anthony would be a factor… still plenty of time for us to be wrong, of course.
5. Parker received a ‘big dose of doubt’ from us, but so far, he has been saying and doing all the right things. To be fair, his demeanor does seem a bit more serious this year. He’s a good kid… and Phinsnews is pulling for him.
6. Kalen Ballage is making believers of onlookers with his speed and receiving skills.

Robert Quinn and the pass rush has been excellent. ‘Oooos and ahhhhs’ have been thrown around about his bend and pass rush. Laremy Tunsil must be one of them…

… and this is where we start with the concern.

Left Tackle Laremy Tunsil was considered a steal with the 13 Rd Pick in the 2016 Draft. The whole gasmask incident ‘seemed’ like a godsend to the Dolphins. It ‘seemed’ that way until an unexplained personal absence from Training Camp last season followed by an undisciplined and underperforming 2017 Season. This underperformance over a long stretch has changed the narrative.  

Tunsil has been ‘off’ since his absence from last year’s training camp. Getting beat isn’t the most concerning problem. I could dismiss it since it’s a vet beating him, and they aren’t in pads yet. BUT, last season Tunsil was a penalty machine. Some terrible traits are whispering it could be the ‘same as it ever was’.

Also, wasn’t it last season and in 2016 that the D-Line was killing it… and supposed to be a monster pass rush ‘come the Regular Season’? But the reality was that the O-Line was terrible and they were beating a dead horse.

I don’t believe this O-Line is a dead horse…

…The interior has held up well, and while James has had some loses, some losses are to be expected. The concern for Tunsil is fair. Tunsil is the anchor of the OL and the OL anchor’s the whole team. On one series Tunsil had a holding penalty and two false starts.

This is much of the same as in 2017, where Tunsil led the team in penalties last season. You can’t have an anchor this undisciplined. That kind of anchor will drag everything to the bottom of the sea.

It’s still so early, but the level of success in 2018 will be determined by the team’s discipline. Miami was 28th in turn over differential in 2017 and 31st in most penalties committed. They must at least reach the middle of the pack in both these stats this season to have success… and Tunsil can make or break this goal. Hopefully, his play turns around fast because the rest of the team has a good look to it. Go Phins!!