Can't think of a better way to spend my day off then to get up at 5:30 and drive down to Miami to catch a glimpse of the 2012 Miami Dolphins. Joe Philbin and company held their first scrimmage of the year this morning at Sun Life Stadium in-front of 8,000 plus fans, including myself, and I've got to say it was very impressive. No, that's not just the homer in me. Being a fan for nearly 10 years now, and living through the Wannstedt-Saban-Cameron-Sparano years, it was a welcomed breathe of fresh air to see the beginning of the Joe Philbin era earlier this morning.
No, it wasn't perfect by any means. As tight end Anthony Fasano said, this was "a glorified practice." But, that being said, this team is beaming with potential, both young and old, and if today was any indicator of things to come, then Fins' fans have a lot to look forward to in the coming months/years.
Now, to the highlights.
The Quarterbacks:
- David Garrard has something to prove, and it's evident. The one time Pro Bowler was the first QB out of the gate with the first team offense, whom he spent most of the day with, and after watching just a few series with him at the helm it's clear the job is his to lose. On the first series, starting from the 30, Garrard led the offense down the field in crisp, quick fashion against the second team defense, and if not for a third down drop inside the ten yard line by WR Chad Johnson, he would have gotten the Fins' into the endzone. Garrard finished the day 9-17, for 57 yards and a TD. He looked comfortable, under control, and in command of Philbin's west coast offense.
- Matt Moore did not look good, folks. In-fact, he may have quite possibly been the fourth best QB of the day, and that's including practice squad QB Pat Devlin. Moore finished the day 10-20, for 57 yards and a TD, but the numbers don't dictate what you saw. He seemed beyond uncomfortable from the very first snap, and couldn't even move the ball past midfield in his first three series-something Garrard did in his first four plays. The former starter looked very tentative all day as the majority of his ten completions were simple check-downs. Now, granted, Moore was working with the second team offense and going against the first team defense for the majority of the scrimmage, but second string players in the NFL still see a lot of the field on Sunday's, and the incumbent QB's play was concerning.
- Now to the star of the day, rookie Ryan Tannehill. The eighth overall pick was tremendous during his time behind center, going 10-13, for 114 yards and a beautiful roll-out 26 yard TD pass to TE Anthony Fasano. Greeted with a robust cheer from the crowd at Sun Life Stadium every time he took the field, Tannehill certainly looked the part of the future franchise QB. His throws were accurate, on time, and sharp. In-fact, on his first play from scrimmage, he nearly hit WR Legedu Naanee down the seam for a long TD strike, but the pass was just slightly, sllliiiggghhhtttllyy overthrown. Tannehill was in control of the offense from the very first snap, as he should be with his college experience at A&M, and seemed to have great chemistry with WR Chad Johnson. The rookie worked with both first and second team offenses, and avoided the big mistake throughout the day.
The Receivers/Running backs/Tight Ends:
- Chad Johnson continues to impress. His cuts out matched everybody today, as did his quick route running. the Pro Bowl wide receiver led the team with 5 catches for 42 yards, and was the clear go-to receiver for all three QB's. IF he continues this play into the season then he'll truly be a steal for the Dolphins.
- Legedu Naanee had a solid performance today, and continues to solidify the #2 spot on the receiver depth chart. He was fast, caught the ball well, and was another go to guy for all three QB's.
- Davone Bess, as always, was great. Enough said.
- Lamar Miller is fast. Really fast. He found and hit the holes well today, and he did it with a noticeable quickness. He also returned a kickoff for a would be touchdown. You'll be hearing a lot of Miller's name this year.
- Reggie Bush had a quiet practice, but as he proved last year, he's not somebody we should worry about.
- Daniel Thomas continues to look like the workhorse of the Dolphins running back tandem. He's big, quick, and will get those tough yards for you.
- Anthony Fasano has a chance to shine in Philbin's offense this year. While he had only three catches all day, two of them were in the endzone. For you fantasy football buffs, he could be a steal.
The Defense:
- This unit could be special. The front line looks like it could be in the top 5 this season. Cameron Wake and Jarod Odrick both had sacks, while Paul Soliai was a brick wall in between them. Like last year, this defense will be one of hardest to run against as they stuffed a majority of the attempts today. Linebacker Karlos Dansby came into camp this year in the best shape he's ever been in, and it continued to pay off today as he was all over the place. Dansby, along with Kevin Burnett seem ready for a big season. The one big question that surrounds this unit is with the secondary. CB's Vontae Davis and Sean Smith need to make that leap forward this year to really solidify an already solid defense. Along with those two are safeties Chris Clemons and Rashad Jones, who need to turn pass breakups into interceptions, and there were none of those today, which for one side of the ball is good, but for this side it needs to be improved upon.
Some play-by-play, courtesy of the Miami Herald:
First-team O versus second-team D:
1-10-30 - David Garrard pass to Davone Bess for 7 yards.
2-3-37 - Reggie Bush gains 4 yards.
1-10-41 - Garrard incomplete (ball batted by Tony McDaniel).
2-10-41 - False start.
2-15-36 - (Bad shotgun snap) Garrard to Bush for 6 yards.
3-9-42 - Garrard to Legedu Naanee 19 yards (Nolan Carroll beaten).
1-10-39 - Bush gains 2 yards.
2-8-37 - Daniel Thomas gains 7 yards.
3-1-30 - Thomas gains 8 yards.
1-10-22 - Steve Slaton gains 2 yards.
2-8-24 - Missed the play.
3-4-17 -- Garrard incomplete (Chad Johnson dropped pass inside the 5 yard line).
Second team O vs. First-team D
1-10-30 - Lamar Miller gains 4.
2-6-34 - Matt Moore incomplete.
3-6-34 -- Moore incomplete.
Fourth down -- Punt.
Reset
1-10-30 - Moore incomplete.
2-10-30 - Moore complete to Michael Egnew for 9 yards.
3-1-31 - Moore to Jeron Mastrud for 2 yards.
1-10-41 - Jerome Messam gains 2 yards.
2-8-43 - Koa Misi sack on blitz (unblocked).
3-8-43 -- Moore complete to Messam gains 4 yards.
Punt
Reset
1-10-30 - Moore incomplete.
2-10-30 - Moore screen pass complete to Lamar Marcus Thigpen gains 6.
3-4-36 - Moore incomplete.
Punt
Third team O vs. Second team D
1-10-30 - Ryan Tannehill incomplete (overthrew open Naanee on post).
2-10-30 - Tannehill incomplete.
3-10-30 - Offside defense.
3-5-35 - Tannehill to Davone Bess for 1 yard.
Punt
Reset
1-10-30 - Tannehill complete to Chad Johnson for 9 yards.
2-1-39 - Tannehill to Charles Clay for 8 yards.
1-10-47 - Tannehill to Davone Bess for 6 yards.
2-4-46 - Tannehill to Bess for 18 yards.
1-10-28 - Tannehill to Anthony Fasano for TD.
Two minute drill ...
First team O vs. first-team D
1-10-30 - Moore to Naanee for 6 yards.
2-4-36 -Moore to Fasano for 6 yards.
1-10-42 - Moore to Naanee for 8 yards.
2-2-45 - Moore incomplete.
3-2-45 -- Moore incomplete.
4-2-45 - Moore complete to Chad Johnson gains 16.
1-10-34 - Spike.
2-10-34 - Moore incomplete.
3-10-34 -Cameron Wake sack.
4-18-43 -- Moore spikes the ball. (Can't believe he did that on fourth down.)
Second team O vs. Second team D
1-10-30 - Garrard incomplete.
2-10-30 - Ryan Baker sack.
3-15-25 - Garrard to Les Brown for no gain.
4-15-25 - Garrard incomplete when Rishard Matthews bobbles first-down catch along the sideline and goes out of bounds.
Third team O vs. Third team D
1-10-20 - Tannehill incomplete
2-10-20 - Cameron Collins with a sack.
3-16-14 - Tannehill to Messam for 12 yards.
4-4-26 -- Tannehill to B.J. Cunningham for 24 yards.
1-10-50 - Time runs out.
So how do I summarize my first impressions of the 2012 Miami Dolphins? They will almost certainly be led by David Garrard under center. Unless Ryan Tannehill has an out-of-this-world preseason, and if he plays like he did today thats not out of the realm of possibility, Garrard will be your starter in week one. Reggie Bush and Lamar Miller will be playmakers, both running, catching, and returning the football. Chad Johnson is back, both on and off the field, and could very well take the league by surprise. Legedu Naanee and Davone Bess will catch a lot of balls, along with Anthony Fasano. The offensive line, which I didn't hit on today, has improved but still has a ways to go. And the defense will be in the top 10, no doubt about it.
Yes, it was only a small, small sample size, but from what I saw this morning you should get excited for Dolphins football this season, because good things are coming.
Now, it's nap time.
