My apologies for the lack of, well, any updates from the Dolphins 20-14 win last night. I was over on Dolphins.com covering the game for them. When the big boys call you go running, right?
I thought there was A LOT to take away from that game last night. Both good and bad. However, as is the case most of the time in preseason games, I left with far more questions rather than answers.
For instance:
- My biggest concern coming out of last night was RG Dallas Thomas. He looked like a new player last week against Atlanta, but after getting owned by All-pro Gerald McCoy ALL NIGHT LONG that seems like a distant, distant memory. The Dolphins have a big problem at right guard, folks, and they need to figure it out quickly. Two names to keep an eye on here are rookie Billy Turner, and Shelly Smith. If EVER they were going to unseat Thomas at that position, it's going to be this week.
- The rest of the offensive line fared relatively well last night. Branden Albert has been absolutely money so far on the left side. C Samson Satele survived an injury scare early in the game and looks solid filling in for Mike Pouncey. Rookie Ja'Wuan James once again played more than anyone else, and held up well. If someone can take command of the RG position this line will be okay.
- This offense is made for quarterbacks, that much is apparent through the first two preseason games. Ryan Tannehill had another solid outing last night, going 9-14 for 114 yards, and Matt Moore (13-19, 158 yards, 1 TD) looked in midseason form in his first action of the year. Bill Lazor has so far shown that what he did with Nick Foles in 2013 was no fluke. The man may very well be a QB whisperer.
- More on Tannehill. His accuracy was on the money again last night, as was his decision making. His lone deep ball of the night fell incomplete to Mike Wallace, but replays showed, as Wallace later confirmed, that he was held on the play. Wallace gave the pass rave reviews after the game, saying it was right where it was supposed to be. Tannehill continues to show, as I've said all summer long, that he's made significant strides this season.
- The running game. Gulp. It was horrendous, awful, non-existent, a drive killer, etc.. This is a HUGE concern right now, folks, and we better pray that Knowshon Moreno is the answer. You simply cannot win in this league without a running game, and if this offense is to live up to it's true potential this year they MUST find one.
- Rishard Matthews has arrived, and there is absolutely no question about that. He showed signs last year, but lacked consistency. Well, between camp and the first two preseason games, he appears to have figured it out. Between himself, Brandon Gibson, and Jarvis Landry, the Dolphins may very well have the best slot receivers in the NFL.
- The defensive line showed up last night, and looked much more like the group I expect to see this season. In all they recorded 5 sacks, and the pressure on QB Josh McCown was there all night. Cameron Wake, Randy Starks, Olivier Vernon, and Jared Odrick were especially active.
- One more active member of that D-line was Terrence Fede. At this point, how do you not keep him on the 53 man roster? The kid just makes plays.
- Koa Misi was, once again, the only solid LB last night. Dannell Ellerbe was alright, and Philip Wheeler was non-existent. The coaching staff is clearly trying to mix things up, as rookie Jordan Tripp saw playing time with one's and two's, and Chris McCain got a heavy dose of action as well. There are spots still up for grabs here, but so far, nobody has bitten.
- The tackling was better, but it still wasn't great. Jimmy Wilson nearly cost the Dolphins a touchdown when he bounced off rookie Mike Evans on a would be tackle, allowing Evans to race down the sidelines for a touchdown, only to be stopped when Brent Grimes raced over and jarred the ball out of Evans' hands and out of the back of the end zone for a touchback. A textbook veteran play by Grimes, who redeemed himself after a rare off night.
- Cortland Finnegan had a solid evening, and bounced back nicely following a subpar first game.
- Will Davis ONCE AGAIN was all over the place, and continued to make plays. He appears to have unseated Jamar Taylor in that nickel CB spot, and saw a lot of action with the first team. Davis has been a standout all camp long.
- Free agent kicker John Potter made two long FG's, one from 51 yards. I'm talking to you, Caleb Sturgis.
- Michael Thomas, the hero from last December, had another great night on special teams. He's going to make this team, and with Reshad Jones out early on, expect him to see some significant playing time.
The team is back at it Monday afternoon. I'll be there for all of it.
Until then..
21 days.
(THREE SUNDAYS)
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