- Sorry for the lack of updates - the combination of being a hard worker and an attentive family man meant the blog had to suffer the past week. But I've got some updates for you from practice as well as some random thoughts - let's get into it!
- The Sun-Sentinel, led by Omar Kelly's fervor, is still going on about the Rams's free agent FS, OJ Atogwe. Considering today is the deadline (midnight), we will know one way or another if the Dolphins are interested by this time tomorrow - they've not been shy about making the early moves this offseason.
- ROTO NEWS: Appearing on NFL Network's Total Access program recently, former Panthers WR Muhsin Muhammad called Sean Smith and Vontae Davis the best cornerback tandem in all of football. "They bring a lot of swagger," said Muhammad. "They're gonna get stronger and stronger." Moose compared Smith and Davis to the once-vaunted Dolphins corner duo of Pat Surtain and Sam Madison. Smith and Davis' cover skills certainly were impressive last season, but they need to make more plays to be truly elite. They combined for just five turnovers caused in 2009.
- Here's some practice updates from today:
- DEFENSE: 1st team - Charlie Anderson, Koa Misi, Chris Clemons. 2nd team - Cameron Wake, Quentin Moses, Reshad Jones.
- OFFENSE: 1st team - Long, Procter, Berger, Thomas, Carey; Camarillo, Hartline. 2nd team - Gardner, Jerry, Grove, Incognito, Murtha; Davone Bess, Julius Pruitt.
- Chad Pennington is up and throwing passes - reportedly looks normal.
- Philip Merling is still with the ones and has been for every public practice so far.
- Reportedly, Pat White gained 18 lbs of muscle since being drafted. I'm not sure where he's hiding it, but he looked no different to me in December than he did last February. I'm not sure he even has the frame to add that kind of weight, because it's not like he had a lot of 'fat' weight that the muscle weight could've replaced. He also has been listed at the same weight (190) for the last year on the official roster. But then again, they also have Philip Merling listed at 295, yet he weighed in at 305 while being booked last week. They also have Brian Hartline listed at 186 and I've contended for 6 or 7 months that he looks to be at least 200 to me. Despite my skepticism, Pat White doesn't look any bigger than 190 to me.
I'm gonna go out on that limb and say that Miami doesn't sign him, choosing to stick with they have at FS. Don't think they'll throw anymore cash out in FA, but they still have four QBs, so there are still trade possibilities.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to agree with you. I don't think he warrants the type of money he's looking for.
ReplyDelete<span><span>"ROTO NEWS: Appearing on NFL Network's </span>Total Access<span> program recently, former Panthers WR Muhsin Muhammad called Sean Smith and Vontae Davis the best cornerback tandem in all of football."</span></span>
ReplyDeleteWo!!!!! Back up a little bit Mushin. While I believe that Vontae Davis certainly has the potential to become an elite CB, he's not there just yet. And Sean Smith??? He had an okay rookie season but has to prove a few things;
1) Can he force turnovers???
2) And more importantly can he tackle NFL players???
Although the comparisons to Surtain & Madison are inevitable (like every starting QB to Marino), tell "Moose" to put down that Carolina moonshine. I'll take the combo of Cedric Griffin & Antoine Winfield right now.
I have to agree with WHP, while i love Vontae and have high hopes for Sean, they are far from a proven commodity. Vontae needs to work on not getting out of position (especially for the long ball), and Sean needs to prove that he is tough enough put the bigger NFL WRs on their butts. A better Free Safety will hopefully give them more confidence to be more aggressive.
ReplyDeleteThat said, my bigger concern for Vontae and Sean this year is not their physical or mental abilities, and not even the FS position, I am more worried about our pass rush. If we can't get more pressure on the QB, those guys are going to have a tough time regardless. This means that Wake, Misi and/or Anderson are going to have really step up. If we give guys like Brady and Farvre a ton of time, they are going to find an open reciever, i don't care how good Davis and Smith are. A season of mediocre pass rushing could be a huge blow to these upcoming CB's egos and developement.
<span>Yous guys... May I ask a question? When was the last time an NFL team started two rookie corners? I have often thought, aside from the QB position, CB is the most demanding position on the football field. The WRs have all the advantages especially in today's NFL. We talk about draft success and to see two starting CBs come from one draft is a coup. Sure, both of these guys have a lot of room to grow but the progression they will make from year one to year two will put them right where Mohammad projects them.
ReplyDeleteThe tackling thing is way over rated, where Smith needs to grow is at being more physical at the high point of the ball and that doesn't mean making obvious contact with the receiver, it means he has to work on keeping his body between the receiver and the ball. On most of the big receptions against Smith last year, he was close to being in position to make a play but his body was not between the receiver and the ball. He also did not take many chances in contrast to Davis who game up big plays by taking chances, which paid off big on same and got him burned on others. Davis needs to pick his spots better.</span>
kula's right about the secondary being exposed by having to cover too long! We saw that last year, and if the linemen and linebackers don't provide more pressure we'll see the same this year!
ReplyDeleteKula,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more!!!
Patrick,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the CB position. However, I'm not sure how you can say the tackling thing is overrated. With all of the rules favoring the offense, obviously WR's are going to make their share of plays BUT you need to limit the damage by having CB's & Safeties that can tackle. If not then you have the secondary we had last year. Remember??? Unfortunately I do.
I think saying 'tackling is over-rated' when discussing football is a bit
ReplyDeletelike saying 'heat is not necessary' when cooking a steak. Sure, I suppose
it is possible to cook a steak without heat in the traditional sense of the
word, but considering you have a stove, grill, fire, etc, why would you even
try?
That said I don't think Smith and Davis were liabilities in tackling last
year (Wilson and Jones were the biggest culprits and they're both gone) -
when Smith got burned he got burned, and it was usually because he was
overthinking and not just 'feeling' the receiver. When this happened he
wasn't in position to defend the ball or tackle anyone. When he was in
position he looked pretty good and used his length to good (but not great)
degree.
Davis only got burned a couple of times all season - he also led the team in
INTs despite having hands made of stone (he dropped more passes in training
camp than Ted Ginn Jr did during the season). He got better as the year
went on and he played hurt (thought there was some drop off when he was
hurt). He had a good solid rookie season for a cornerback. Smith started
16 games as a rookie - this is more valuable than can be put into words.
Are they the best corner tandem in the league - only a tunnel-vision dolphin
fan would think so, but are they the most experienced sophomore CBs in the
league - yes.
I'm not sure how Pat White weighed in at 197 at the combine, added 18 lbs. since he was drafted and was listed at 190 and looked it all year long. I'm not a mathematician but that makes no sense. :-E
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he's taking their upside into consideration. :)
ReplyDeleteTin,
ReplyDeleteVery surprised to hear you say that Smith wasn't a liability in tackling last season. That's just crazy.
I agree that it is extremely valuable that rookies get to start in their rookie seasons BUT only if they can improve upon their mistakes & make the adjustments in their 2nd season. Not every player improves in their 2nd season. That's not an opinion it's just a fact. With that said you can visually see the improvement that Davis made as the season went on which indicates to me that the best is yet to come from Vontae where I'm not so sure the same can be said about Smith. The proof will be in the pudding.
Tin, I like steak tartar!!! I'm not saying he doesn't have to get the guy on the ground, of course he has to make tackles but he doesn't have to blow guys up to do it. I think Smith had more opportunities lost by not maintaining his outside shoulder position and allowing the receiver to get better position on the ball. There were several instances where both of the kids were out of position entirely but that is to be expected with rookie corners.
ReplyDeleteI think these two have the potential to be special and I don't think that is a vision through aqua colored lenses.
how many corners are known for 'blowing guys up'. i think a lb or a safety tackling is a must, but a corner just needs to get the guy to the ground.
ReplyDeleteMAYYBEE @ the combine he's weighed in his boxers,and the FINS weigh him in his complete uniform??
ReplyDeleteHe'd probably gain another 2 lbs iff they'd add a one or eight b/4 his # 6, (iff 16 or 86 were available) jk!!!
I think we're gonna keep 4 QBs, until wk 8 (CP IR ??),or until someone offers a mid rndr for PWs services...
I like Thigpen,and he's more experienced than PW will be by the time PW is TT's age 26 in two yrs, IMHO!!
GOTTA think the regime love's TT seeing that he remind's them of TRomo!!! GOFINS ONE & ALL!!!
Atogwe's an unrestricted free agent now. So is he healthy and do the Dolphins value him enough to offer him an Antrel Rolle-size contract? I suspect not.
ReplyDeleteam i the only one who after reading 13kvFINS post that feels like i just got done reading the periodic tables in greek.
ReplyDeleteYou can read 13's posts. Wow. Take a bow!
ReplyDeleteTin,
ReplyDeleteI asked Curt if he would include you in his Newswire and guess what?
http://www.phins.com/phins-news.php?page=1
Hopefully it gets a bit more good traffic and fans on your blog - you deserve it!
Duh....Its that 20 lb helmet he wears...I'm surprised he can hold his head up, and now that I think of it, maybe that's why he can't throw, his center of gravity is a f'ed up. :)
ReplyDeleteToo much of that wacky tabacky me thinks...
ReplyDeleteAnd now I've tried to drive traffic onto your site, I'll drive a bit off (only temporarily hopefully) by saying I'm getting a bit tired of the big-mouthed Jets (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/06/01/dolphins-jets-rivalry-ramps-up-some-more/?related=1) and I'm sure others here are too, so enjoy the video on the link below - I did!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thephinsider.com/2010/5/31/1494510/video-time-week-8-vs-jets
uk, do you prefer the name 'guest'? LOL
ReplyDeleteHe's wearing an even bigger helmet now. LOL
ReplyDeleteTackling is overrated for corners until they miss one and a guy goes 80 yards for a TD.
ReplyDeleteRob,
ReplyDeleteExactly!!! CB's just have to bring the receiver down to the ground. However you'd be amazed at how many CB's can't do that. Yeah I remember the good ole days (& the bad ones) with Sam Madison.
'Blowing guys up???' Where would a CB even get an opportunity to do that playing one on one or getting Safety help over the middle??? I can see a nickel CB getting a chance but that's not what we're talking about here.
If he can't complete passes then the whole weight thing is pretty irrelevant anyway.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt. Tough to read those capitlaized posts. I'm thinking the Ritulin he takes is pretty strong.
ReplyDeleteGuest/UK,
ReplyDeleteRex Ryan can talk all he wants about how great his defense is & how much he likes Sanchez but at the end of the day it's going to be his players who need to execute--not him. Even if they're a good team I don't like the way he goes about talking about them like they're the '86 Bears. It's disrepectful to other teams & I guarantee it will come back to haunt him not only this season but beyond.
Uk/Guest,
ReplyDeleteHowever, according to that PFT report I agree that Smith's memory of Edwards certainly has some gaps. I recall Edwards (in his first games as a Jet) trashing our secondary. If Smith thinks he won that battle imagine what would happen if he lost??? I would prefer if Smith would just shut up & let his hopefully improved playing do all the talking.
Oh it's going to happen. It happened last year until the Colts and Bengals handed them free passes to the playoffs. Teams are gonna want to shut them up every week and the Jets are not good enough to back it up all year long.
ReplyDeleteIt's gonna be fun! LOL
Hey leave 13 alone !! I can read his stuff.. ( HjltSutS ) " He just likes to shorten up the sentences " I would stay away from TT though, that sounds like some our Daughter did when she was in diapers.
ReplyDeleteWasn't that Will Allen that Edwards did all his damage against?
ReplyDeleteI got "guested" cos I posted a reply then left a comment without refreshing (I think). It's this steam-powered blogsite Tin has!
ReplyDeleteI've always thought it's best to do your talking on the field. In fact some Miami players have been guilty of talking too much and not doing enough on gameday. You know who you are Peezy!
ReplyDeleteWHP
ReplyDeleteDidn't read your comment about talking/playing until I'd posted mine - great minds think alike! I also think Jabba the Gut and his gastric band of merry men will get his comeuppance this year too!
LOL
ReplyDeletepat whites helmet
ReplyDeletehttp://www.starpulse.com/Movies/Spaceballs/gallery/Spaceballs-BH-07/
Sun,
ReplyDeleteSmith was the one saying that he won the battle against Edwards so I say, "Hey Sean!!! You guys got torched by Edwards in that game so shut the hell up!!! And another thing how about grabbing an INT this season???"
Uk,
ReplyDeleteI don't like when players &/or coaches disrepect their opponents. Rex Ryan's dad was the same way--classless. It also adds fuel to the other team's fire. The believe the Jets have the biggest target on their backs which is actually pathetic for them since the Saints are the SB champions.
BTW--I love that Sparano is not a blowhard. He doesn't take any teams for granted & I hope that pays off this season.
"...I believe the Jets..."
ReplyDeleteLike I was saying b/4 being so rudely interupted,LOL!!
ReplyDelete(Too me, QB doesn't look right when qb is posted, same goes for initial's), and WORD'S I feel strongly about!!
Beside's, IFF NOT for my style of posting, I might not get any luv,
even if I posted the cure for cancer or the FINS, and I'm starved for attention,
so just read the sentences and pay no mind to upper/lower cased letter's unless you crave an adrenaline rush!!
ADRENALINE is what ail's me when speaking of the FINS!!
I believe we're gonna keep 4 QB's!!
HENNE's our starter!!
CP's his side-line mentor, and eventual #2 for this o10 season!!
(I believe CP will start the season on IR),giving him extra time to be completly healthy for crunch time,
and so that we can carry 4 QBs without cutting a prospect @ another position,
while also allowing PW @least another half-season to prove his worth!!
TThigpen is a young reliable proven #2 w'starter potential in case of emergency,(who I'd not dare trade)!!
PW INSPITE of his ineffectiveness thusfar, has to be in the top 10 #3s,(IFFF ONLY FOR HIS POTENTIAL UPSIDE)!!
I see it as impossible that he won't get better as the game slow's down for him,
suggesting that @ the very least he'll remain in the upper echelon of #3 QB's!!
IFF/WHEN the game come's to him, that's a nasty weapon as a number 3 QB,(that no other team has)!!
CP's likely done after o10, and I believe an o11 trio of HENNE, THIGPEN,and a more developed/experienced PW will make us the most impressive/explosive team @ the QB position (as a unit) for many yrs down the road!!
I believe RIGHT NOWW, we have the best QB trio in the league w'HENNE, PENNE, and THIGPEN!!
I think we'd like to keep that as a possibility going into o11
w'a matured PW bringing something different than what CP will offer in o10!!
We might not (YET) have a Peyton Manning or any of the other superstar QB's out there,
but IFF Henne were to go down and we were to play a team w'out there superstar #1,
or any team w'out their #1 for that matter, we'd be the better team @ QB!!
In most cases we'll be the better team @ QB w'HENNE,(in case the above was improperly interperated)!!
Some day soon we'll have the better QB on game day
even iff PManning or the likes of are the opposing teams starter,
he's on the down-side of his career, and our young QB's have no ceiling!!
How could we possibly hope for a #3 that could bring what PW might eventually bring??
There's not a 3 in the world w'the potential of our 3, most 3's have zero upside!!
Do we really want a Joe Blow as our #3 QB ??
Mannn for yrs we couldn't find ONE QB,
now we're trying to find one to get rid of w'out giving him a reasonable opportunity!!
Same w'all the position's, HOW QUICKLY WE FORGET!!
I LOVE OUR o10 dilema's, GOOOODSTUFFFFF!!! GOFINS!!!
<span>"""am i the only one who after reading 13kvFINS post that feels like i just got done reading the periodic tables in greek."""</span>
ReplyDelete<span></span>
<span>No need to Thank me, that can only make one smarter :-P !!! GIGGITTY, GIGGITTY !!!</span>
Ritulan, LOL !!!
ReplyDeleteYou used to say you like it (my post) cuz it pumped-u-up!!
MAYBE I need Ritulan cuz the sticky's apparently not working??
FUNNY, I'm extremly soft spoken in the rare instances of sobriety, GO FIGURE!!
""" HjltSutS """
ReplyDeleteLMAO, HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD :-$ !!! GOOOOOOODSTUFFFFF :-P !!!
That ''"steam powered"" was VERYYYY FUNNNYYY!!!
ReplyDeleteRRyan great player's coach,
ReplyDeletebut CLUELESSLY told the world his team was done w'4 games to go, DERRRRRRRR !!!
Hey WHP, what's w'all the capitol letter's in the middle of your sentences?? JUSKDN ;) !!
ReplyDeleteDidn't throw me off one bit, LOL!!
I had no problem w'Patrick's mistake laden 7:51 either,
(gettin the jest of thing's is quite simple for me),no matter how it's arranged or spelt!!
So I never bother critiquing, but seeing that you gyz were picking on my style,
I figured I poke you in the side,(ALL IN FUNNN)!! Be aware FFR, LOL!!!
DUNNO why you gyz have such a hard time w'my thought's??
Think you all pay too much attention to properly constructed literature,
and not the point's that are trying to be made...
AND NOOOO, i don't consider my stuff "literature"", but it's the only word I could think of *DONT_KNOW* , LOL!!
""I think these two have the potential to be special and I don't think that is a vision through aqua colored lenses""
ReplyDeleteI AGREE!!!
In one of many instances, that should have been an SS takeaway/touchback, and not a BEdwards TD!!
Hope the ref's don't have $$ against the FINS in o10!!
He's coming...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bostonherald.com/sports/football/other_nfl/view.bg?articleid=1259071&srvc=rss
UK, "Jabba the Gut and his gastric band of merry men." Gave me a good laugh this morning...
ReplyDeleteThanks!
<span>I can't come to a firm conclusion on whether OJ Atogwe would be worth the cash it would take to bring him here. Part of it is, before the possibility of him becoming a FA, I never even heard of him. But that thought is tempered by him playing for the Rams and why the hell, given a choice, would anyone watch the Rams? Secondly, I would love to see one of our draft picks step in and do the job.</span>
ReplyDelete<span></span>
<span></span><span>I have to think how the Dolphins pursue Atogwe will tell the tale. They went after Rolle but they were thinking he could be had a little cheaper because he wanted to return to Miami. He went for the money which means he is likely to bust. If we see the Dolphins get into a bidding war for Atogwe we’ll know there are some serious concerns about the FSs presently on the roster. If they don’t really try too hard to get him then I will be a little more comfortable with the guys we have.</span>
LOL@13k!!! Don't ever take me seriously.
ReplyDelete