Daniel Thomas Reflects on “very disappointing” season
As training camp for the Dolphins starts today, a lot will change in terms of players value to the team. Training camp is as much about teams deciding who makes the final 53 man roster as it is for development for young talent.
For the Dolphins, they’ll need to do a bit of both, with running back, receiver, offensive line, defensive line, and linebacker all positions that have youth and guys fighting to make the 53 man roster.
Quarterbacks
1. Matt Moore
2. David Garrard
3. Ryan Tannehill
Matt Moore and David Garrard will be battling for the job all camp. Despite reports (from Dolphins center Mike Pouncey as well) that David Garrard looks quite good in workouts and may be the favorite coming in, I think the Dolphins will realize that, based on his chemistry with the receivers from last year’s solid late season run, Matt Moore deserves the job. Ryan Tannehill gets a full year to develop behind two proven starters, and will be the 2013 starter thanks to Moore and Garrard on one year deals.
Running Backs
1. Reggie Bush
2. Daniel Thomas
3. Lamar Miller
4. Steve Slaton
5/FB2. Jerome Messam
Reggie Bush is not only the starter, but could be asked to be the in-between tackles runner, outside runner, develop more 3rd ability as a runner, and help as a situational inside receiver. Bush could be pushing 300-350 touches this year if he can stay healthy and build off last year. The number two running back job will be much more interesting to watch, as Lamar Miller has reportedly bulked up while Daniel Thomas has a lot to prove. Steve Slaton has been a team favorite, and it’d be surprising if he didn’t make it based on how coaches have talked about him. And finally, Canadian import Jerome Messam has the size of John Kuhn and the versatility to be utilized by Joe Philbin.
Wide Receivers
1. Davone Bess
2. Brian Hartline
3. Legadu Naanee
4. Chad Johnson
5. Rishard Matthews
6. Marlon Moore
Just Missed: Clyde Gates, Roberto Wallace, Julius Pruitt, BJ Cunningham
By far the hardest position to project for the Dolphins right now, the receiver spot is wide open after the top four. Davone Bess will likely lead the team in receptions as mostly a slot receiver/maybe some Greg Jennings roles for Philbin’s offense. Brian Hartline has under-rated athleticism and is a capable target outside. Legadu Naanee has impressed as a big bodied target in the off-season. And anything they get out of Chad Johnson is enough for him to be the 4th best receiver, and he could be much more.
Recent 7th round pick Rishard Matthews (a favorite of mine pre-draft) and last year’s 6th receiver Marlon Moore are the favorites right now to me because of their experience with some West Coast offense principles they’ve ran before. Clyde Gates and BJ Cunningham may be hard to give up on as recent draft picks, Roberto Wallace made the roster last year, and Julius Pruitt has impressed his teammates. All four have a legit case to make the team as well.
Tight Ends
1. Anthony Fasano
2/FB1. Charles Clay
3. Michael Egnew
Just Missed: Will Yeatman
It’ll be interesting to see how Joe Philbin uses his tight ends as opposed to last year when he was at Green Bay, because he doesn’t quite have the talent. Anthony Fasano is the leader to be the top tight end, but he doesn’t have the natural talent of Charles Clay, who will also be playing fullback this year, and rookie Michael Egnew. It’ll be interesting to see how Mike Sherman/Philbin utilize the varying skill sets of the tight ends on the roster.
Offensive Line
LT. Jake Long
RT. Jonathan Martin
LG. Richie Incognito
RG. Eric Steinbach
OC. Mike Pouncey
6. Lydon Murtha
7. Artis Hicks
8. Ryan Cook
Just Missed: John Jerry, Nate Garner
With the signing of Eric Steinbach (permitting he’s healthy), the starting five on the offensive line is set. Long and Martin are both solid tackles, Incognito is more than a solid starter, and I’m excited for the further development and leadership of Mike Pouncey. Lydon Murtha seems like a lock to make the team after the front office gave him a vote of confidence. Artis Hicks has experience in Joe Philbin’s type system. And Ryan Cook is the only player with center experience after Eric Steinbach.
After that, it could be yet another 2011 draft pick (along with Clyde Gates) to be off the roster in just one year. John Jerry has yet to solidify the right guard spot and may not have the upside they thought.
Defensive End
1. Cameron Wake
2. Jared Odrick
3. Oliver Vernon
4. Jamaal Westerman
Just Missed: Derrick Shelby
Cameron Wake isn’t an ideal 4-3 defensive end, but it’ll be interesting to see how they use him in space as much as possible to maximize his natural pass rush ability. Jared Odrick will anchor the other side, as he’s more of a tackle-end ‘tweener. Rookie Oliver Vernon could do a little bit of both for their defensive end rotation. Jamaal Westerman can help on the strong side if Vernon can’t fill that role as well. Shelby has an outside shot at making the team, but it likely depends on if they’ll be using more 4-3 under or 3-4 type plays in pass rushing situations.
Defensive Tackle
1. Paul Soliai
2. Randy Starks
3. Tony McDaniel
4. Ryan Baker
5. Kheeston Randall
Similar to defensive end, the tackles on the roster are mostly better suited for the previously used 3-4 defense. Soliai will got from a two gap to a one gap play, something that should make his job a little easier thanks to his ability to attack and split double teams in pass rush situations. Starks and McDaniel likely will have a 65-35 role at the 3-technique in the defense. Ryan Baker has always been a guy I’ve been impressed with, but it may be tough for both he and rookie Kheeston Randall to last as 3-techniques and fringe nose tackles. As of now, however, they could use the versatility.
Linebackers
ILB. Karlos Dansby
WLB. Kevin Burnett
SLB. Koa Misi
4. Gary Guyton
5. Josh Kaddu
6. Jason Trusnik
Just Missed: Austin Spitler
While Dansby and Burnett form a solid 1-2 punch in the middle/weakside, Koa Misi is quickly approaching bust level if he doesn’t impress. If he struggles in training camp, look for Gary Guyton to assume that role and force the team to keep inside linebacker Austin Spitler. If Misi plays well enough as a starter, they’ll like keep special teams ace Jason Trusnik and rookie Josh Kaddu at linebacker.
Cornerback
1. Vontae Davis
2. Richard Marshall
3. Sean Smith
4. Jonathan Wade
5. Nolan Carroll
Vontae Davis could emerge as one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks this year, as he has the talent to do. I like Sean Smith more coming out of college, and I still hold out that he’ll be the second best cornerback when Training Camp ends and starting opposite Davis. Still, free agent signing Richard Marshall is a capable and proven CB2, and at worst is a more than adequate nickel cornerback. Jonathan Wade is a solid special teamer, and Nolan Carroll may battle for dime cornerback roles this year along with special teams.
Safeties
FS. Reshad Jones
SS. Chris Clemons
3. Jimmy Wilson
4. Tyrell Johnson
5. Tyron Culver
Jones and Clemons seem ingrained at safety, and based on the moves this off-season in letting Yeremiah Bell walk and not signing any major, starter challenge safeties, they seem confident in those two. Fantastic story Jimmy Wilson will be both the 3rd safety (likely backup free safety mostly) along with a possible nickel/dime cornerback as well. Tyrell Johnson should end up as the backup strong safety, especially useful in obvious run situations, and Tyron Culver can fill the safety spot at both positions as well as add special teams value.
Specialists
K. Dan Carpenter
P. Brandon Fields
LS. John Denney
