Davone Bess looks to be the key again to the Dolphins passing game consistency
News: Fifth round pick Josh Kaddu has been brought up from the practice squad to the active roster this week rounding out Miami’s 53 man roster. Kaddu has been on the practice squad since the end of preseason and figures to get time on special teams to start off with. Josh has similar measurables to that of Koa Misi and may eventually replace Misi outside when he is switched to inside linebacker as early as next season possibly.
MDD Staff Writer: Chad Pullen
Also happening this week is Jabar Gaffney learns the offense by the minute, and may be able to be active this week and add a much needed boost to the Dolphin receiving core. Miami wide receivers outside of Brian Hartline and Davone Bess have totaled a meager four receptions in the first five games. If Gaffney can add even a slight uptick to that, if may open up a little more space all around for the Dolphin offense.
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Fantasy Tips:
Davone Bess WR
Corteland Finnegan is likely to shadow Brian Hartline most of the afternoon and that should leave Bess against the Rams #2 corner, rookie Janoris Jenkins, still a very talented corner and solid player early in his career, but Bess may be able to make some quick catches and gain ground after the catch. Bess could also see the majority of the looks this week as well if Finnegan does indeed shadow Hartline. QB Ryan Tannehill is looking more and more comfortable each week and with St Louis having a very solid defensive line that gets a lot of pressure, he may be forced to throw a lot of quick routes, a specialty of Bess as he gets off the line very quickly. Could see a 7-8 catch type game from Bess and with any luck approach 100 or so yards.
Reggie Bush RB
The tempratures are expected to be in the low 90’s this weekend, and the Rams will be in their dark colored jerseys. This usually bodes well for running the ball well late in games as defenders begin to wear down and become a step slower. If Bush can keep his legs fresh enough and is far enough away from some of the nagging bruises he’s had the past month, he could have a game similar to the Oakland game where he exploded in the second half for well over 100 yards and two touchdowns. Last week in Cincinnati also showed a glimpse of Reggie being used as a receiver out of the backfield and if that increases any and Bush catches anything out in space, big plays could be had.
Dolphin Defense
Miami’s defense has already proven to be one of the toughest defenses in the NFL to run against, and now they will get a look at a passing game that will be missing its best WR in Danny Amendola. So Miami could potentially hold the Rams offense in check as it figures to be a low scoring game all the way around. Quietly, Miami has also began to show signs of life forcing turnovers with multiple interceptions each of the last three weeks. Add to that Cam Wake breaking out with six sacks in the last two weeks, and the Dolphin defense is starting to adjust to Kevin Coyle’s defensive scheme quite nicely.
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Injuries:
RB Daniel Thomas suffered his second concussion of the season, and with a bye week next week, it might be wise for the Dolphins to simply hold him out and give him a solid three weeks before his next game.
RB Reggie Bush still has the nagging knee and hip injuries to deal with, and so far has been practicing sparingly trying to work through the pain. With Thomas likely out, no way Bush will sit this one out, the Phins will likely just manage his practices and try to keep him as fresh as possible for Sunday.
CB Richard Marshall missed last week’s game with a bad back and so far has not yet practiced this week. With the Rams not being much of a passing threat in terms of sheer force, the Dolphins could sit Marshall in the same manner as Thomas giving him an extra week in front of the bye week to sit him almost a month before the Dolphins next game.
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Draft:
Owner Stephen Ross mentioned this week that the Dolphins number one priority this offseason would be getting Tannehill a top shelf weapon to play with at the wide receiver position. That does not necessarily indicate that the Dolphins will draft one very early as they could address the position through free agency or trade, but Miami will be expected to add a receiver somewhere within the first three rounds, especially with extra picks at their disposal. With Miami looking to have five of the top 80-85 picks in next April’s draft, the needs that look to be addressed early still appear to be a pass rusher, corner, receiver, safety, and possibly linebacker if they feel that Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett are getting a little too up there in age. If Miami came out of the third round having already addressed those positions and still having rounds 4-7 to go, Miami should feel awfully good about their young core going forward.
