Sanu is an excellent ‘in case of emergency’ pick up
When the Miami Dolphins added receiver Mohammed Sanu, my eyes wrinkled in a bit of confusion. We’ve added so many pass catching assets to what was already in place, the addition of Sanu seemed over kill–at first. I wish Chris Grier would have had the same zest for the offensive line, but the move bring in Sanu is a sound one that brings plenty of positives to the 2022 Phins squad. It also makes a fierce camp battle at receiver even more fierce–and I like that a lot!
Receivers tend to drop like flies in camp
First, I don’t see Sanu making the Week 1 roster, unless there are injuries or some receivers have a world-class awful camp. Still, this doesn’t make Sanu a waste if he doesn’t make the roster.
Miami will keep five or six receivers going into Week 1. Given how they’ve stocked this unit with twelve wideouts, I’m thinking it will be six. Waddle, Hill, and Wilson are obvious sure locks for the 53, if healthy and not put on I.R. If Lynn Bowden Jr. is healthy and close to his 2020 form, then he is sure bet with the best pay per head to make the roster. Man, he has some growth that season and a few scintillating moments. Deadman, Sanders, and Cracraft are even long shots aside from the Phins receiver group ends up a M.A.S.H unit. That leaves rookie Erik Ezukanma, Preston Williams, Trent Sherfield, and Sanu battling it out for one or two spots.
Sherfield!?
After listening to a few smart football minds, one of them being 3 Yards Per Carry, I’m of a mind that HC Mike McDaniel really, really likes Sherfield… and he has and a leg up despite his limited resume’.
Final group to make it to Week 1 has a ton to do with health
If we get very lucky–unlike last preseason– then it should be McDaniel choosing the best available and not the best available that’s not injured. I still think Williams beats out Sherfield and Ezukanma beats out Sanu. McDaniel wanted to draft Ezukanma and I don’t see them flushing a 4th down the drain that quickly. And despite his injury history, Williams is one heck of a run blocker and a physical freak. Rolling the dice with him has the 6th wideout seems the smart move instead of Sanu, who hasn’t had a good season since 2018 or Sherfield, who is a journeyman level talent.
So, Hill, Waddle, Wilson, Bowden Jr., Ezukanma, and Williams seems the clear choices barring injury.
Why Sanu is a a good addition if injuries force Miami to go to him
Whether Miami goes to Sanu due to injuries or not there are some strong positives. First, Sanu is a long toothed vet and along with Wilson and Hill, they can help the staff shape up the young guys, especially Ezukanma. Sanu will be a leader throughout camp and boost the group with his presence. And, if they need his services for a portion of the season because of a lack of bodies, then he’ll be a good addition as well, especially Week 1 against the Patriots.
I won’t write off the Patsies until they are dead and cold. This Week 1 matchup up is critical for the outcome of the 2022 Season for many reasons. Sanu is big and can run block on a few key plays. He can come in and be a savvy vet for a few snaps in a game where every mistake will be a dagger. However it plays out, I think it will be a close game Week 1 and I’d feel a lot better with Sanu in there than a greener wideout.
We need a Week 1 win big time, Phins fans!
The 2022 Season is right around the corner and we will get a hard and fast look at what is what with this new regime. Let it be a winner! Please let this regime be a winner!! Go Phins!!!