The Miami Dolphins have never drafted a tight end in the first round of the NFL draft.
Mad Dog, Jim Mandich came in the second round almost 50 years ago. Since then, Miami has flopped with names like Loaird McCreary, Chuck Bradley or Andre Tillman in the second round. Tillman sounds familiar if one can recollect anything from 1974. Way back to the early 80’s Miami had some luck in the later rounds with Joe Rose, Bruce Hardy and Dan Johnson.
Perhaps the most accomplished tight end in Miami history is Keith Jackson who came as a free agent in 1992. There are a few semi-recent names, Ferrell Edmunds, Randy McMichael and Donald Lee that do not inspire much. Charles Clay 6th round in 2011 and Dion Simms 4th round in 2013 were obviously not worth the price and the Dolphins allowed them to walk as free agents.
From the last four drafts, no TE has started a single game. Miami hasn't had a TE finish in the top 20 in catches at the position since Charles Clay in 2014.
The West Coast offensive revolution may have minimized the position, but for the Dolphins, it was never a priority. Defenses adapted to the West Coast scheme as the game evolved, and the tight end has made a resurgence.
The following stats are defensive and will be used in the future to discuss Miami’s second most urgent need. The fact that the TE has evolved as a weapon should be obvious.
The six teams that allowed the most yards against tight ends (Raiders, Dolphins, Broncos, Redskins, Giants, and Texans) went a combined 31-65 and all missed the playoffs.
The three teams that gave up the fewest yards to tight ends (Saints, Panthers, and Vikings) went a combined 35-13.
The nine teams that allowed the most catches to tight ends, excluding Buffalo, all had losing records.
The Dolphins allowed 94 catches by tight ends, the most in the league.
Only Oakland allowed more tight end receiving yards (1034 to 1038) than Miami.
Tight ends scored 10 touchdowns against the Dolphins, tied with Cleveland for second-most and behind only the Giants (13).
Okay, those are defensive stats I was able to cull from various sources (thank you whomever).
By analyzing the defense we can see where we lack in offense. Julius Thomas caught 4 TD passes for Miami and that’s it. The Eagles? 14… The Patriots, 10. Of the TEs with the most TD receptions, 4 of the top 5 were on playoff teams and 2 are in the Super Bowl. Ertz and Gonkowski both have 8 just behind Jimmy Graham who finished with 10.
Clearly we see the evolution or rebirth of the tight end in the NFL. Using the stats above it’s plain to see how hard it is for teams to match up against these players and yet Miami has ignored the position.
The Dolphins obviously thought DeVante Parker could be the big body mismatch the team is desperately lacking but heading into his 4th season, it’s not happening. His body doesn’t hold up like these bigger tight ends and he doesn’t play well when he’s nicked up.
How hard are these guys to find?
Miami spent a 2015 first round pick on Parker, TEs picked in that draft were, Devin Funchess (2nd), Maxx Williams (2nd), Clive Walford (3rd), Tyler Kroft (3rd), Jeff Heuerman (3rd), and an assortment of other no-names. Miami acquired AJ Derby (6th) who has caught 2 TDs in his career. Only Funchess surpassed that total with 17 TDs from that entire class.
When Belichick sees Gronkowski, Miami sees Parker.
The point is, these guys are hard to find, but they are vital to modern offenses, the Eagles have three TEs, Ertz, Burton & Celek that are better than any TE on the Miami roster. How do the Eagles end up with three, while Miami has Julius Thomas and Anthony Fasano, two players well past their prime?
The reason is simple, Miami has made no priority to upgrade the position in 4 years and very little throughout its entire history. The Dolphins are more concerned solving how to stop them, instead of how to acquire them.
Successful teams in today’s NFL landscape have either ushered in the TE evolution (NE) or have followed close behind. The Dolphins, constantly playing in the shadow of the Patriots, have never been able to create an identity. Miami and all the other AFC East teams have looked at stopping the beast instead of becoming the beast.
Free Agency is not the answer to this TE dilemma, it is obvious with the failure of Julius Thomas and Anthony Fasano. Please say no to Jimmy Graham, while he led the NFL in tight end TDs, there’s a reason the Seahawks will let him walk in FA. Miami would get swindled again trying to fix a problem they should be evaluating and drafting.
A beast at the tight end position would make the Dolphins a different team. DeVante Parker is not that player.
Imagine Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills with Rob Gronkowski?
Let that sink in…
Get a tight end beast and take over the East!
Fins Up!
Showing posts with label Anthony Fasano. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anthony Fasano. Show all posts
Miami's Majestical Dolphins Dispel NY's Jets
Adam Gase' Miami Dolphins are 13 - 4 over the teams last 17 regular season games. Those 13 wins started with a double-digit dousing of the 2016 Steelers. The Dolphins have won 13 consecutive games that Jay Ajayi had 18 or more attempts in while also continuing their franchise record streak of 12 consecutive victories by one score or less.
2017's Dolphins have been cloaked with curses cast upon them over the seasons entirety. (Tannehill, Irma, PPD, Timmons, 16,000 miles traveled by game three, at NY & London debacles, OL Coach Forester), and all of that took place on a weekly basis before game five.
The sky has been falling on Miami since the pre-season.
Not once have they ever cried wolf,
they just Huff & Puff & Blow Down one distraction after another.
Gase flicks the inconveniences from his shoulder as he states. ""We'll move forward, and do our thing"".
What is Miami's thing?
Start slow, and finish fast against all odds?
Week one Dolphin home opener cancelled.
Game one at LA's home opener took 9 unanswered late game Dolphin points for the 19 - 17 W.
A 16 - 10 Victory Versus the Titans came via the games only fourth quarter score, a Dolphin Touchdown.
Miami tapped their counter-spell-less magic wand 20 times over the final 21 minutes to beat the (home team and coming off a bye) Atlanta Falcons 20 - 17.
And today in hosting the New York Jets. While trailing 14 - 28 with 11:21 remaining on the game clock. The Miami Dolphins scored 17 unanswered points for the 31 - 28 VICTORY OF GLORY!
Today's "inconveniences" included a disasterously sloppy field, a few highly productive offensive plays negated by the starting centers handkerchiefs drawn, and a couple brainfarts on what should/would have been early game defining defensive third down stops.
Oh Yea.
While trailing 21 - 14, and with the Dolphins driving on the opening third quarter series. Quarterback Jay Cutler (sternum/ribs), & Left Tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee) were forced from the game on back to back plays.
Adam Gase
Flick the inconvenient crap from your shoulder, move forward, and win against all self destructing odds.
New York opened the game with a 75 yard drive resulting in a (29 yard TD pass) that Miami matched on their opening series. The Cutler to Landry four yard connection was the Dolphins first offensive touchdown in the first half of a game this season, (let-alone in the first quarter of a game). The Jets had another 75 yard drive in the second quarter (result an 18 yard TD pass) that the home team answered after covering 70 yards of their own. Tight-End Anthony Fasano's four yard reception from Cutler tied the game at 14 - 14.
On Miami's next possession from their own three yard line Cutler had a ball batted up and intercepted at the LOS. NY's offense walked it in for the 21 - 14 halftime lead.
To open the third quarter, Cutler drove Miami to it's 45 when on first and 10 he went down upon a vicious hit and incompletion. A defensive holding penalty gave the Dolphins an automatic first down. Adam (Prince Charming) Gase had a backup date for the ball, and the slipper fit Matt Moore. Though he went three & out to finish that particular possession.
On the fifth play of Miam's next offensive series Moore threw an interception at the Dolphins 45 yard line. Seven plays later the jets scored on a 9 yard touchdown pass for a 28 - 14 lead with less than 2 third quarter minutes remaining.
Miami followed with a four & out 6 seconds into the fourth quarter.
Adam Gase had an idea for a motivating Dolphin Tee-Shirt design last year that Cam Wake saw and approved of. Gase broke the T's out this past week of practice, and it says.
""We Are Not Normal""!!
At this point of the game with (14:45) remaining. The Dolphins Defense did the norm, and allowed the Jets just 13 more offensive plays on 5 possessions.
Wake conjured up 2.5 sacks while Suh had the .5 to total 3 sacks, Terrance Fede recovered a fumble, and Bobby McCain pulled a rabbit out of the hat of NYQB McCown.
Meanwhile.
Matt Moore shook off the tightness of hibernation, and drove the Dolphins to 17 unanswered slight of hand points in the final eleven minutes.
After the Dolphin D forced a three & out for minus 6 yards, Miami took control at NY's 42. Four plays later Moore hit Kenny Stills for a 28 yard TOUCHDOWN to pull within 21 - 28.
Another Defensive three & out for minus 10 yards gave Miami the ball at their own 45. Six plays later Matt Moore hit Kenny Stills again. This time they did it twice from three yards out (though the first was nullified via a bogus OPI handkerchief). The second was good for the game tying score of 28 - 28.
Four more Jets along with seven more Dolphins offensive plays resulted in two punts, and gave NY the ball at their own 15 yard line with 47 game seconds left to tick away till overtime.
On first and 10 a mystical unicorn breached from beneath the quagmire of turf and propelled Bobby McCain from nowhere and into his own zone for the game clinching interception. It was just Miami's second pick for the year, but it was also the second consecutive game clinching ""Pick Of Destiny"" as Kicker Cody Parkey nailed the slippery 39 yard, 31 - 28 game winning fairy-tale.
NY passed for 180 yards on 27 attempts, and ran for 92 on 22 totes for 16 total first downs. Their D forced two turnovers, and had three sacks.
Miami quarterbacks completed 25 of 37 for 304 yards. Jay Ajayi (23/51) got his (18-plus game winning carries) while the team produced just 53 rushing yards on 25 attempts as the Dolphins totaled 25 first downs.
Cutler went 12 of 16, 138 yards, 2 TD, 1 Int for a 114.1 QBR
Moore was 13 - 21, 188, 2 TD, 1 Int for a 102.9 QBR
Landry had 7 receptions for 93 with a TD.
Stills converted 6 for 85 with two TD's.
Fasano caught 3 for 25 with a TD.
Miami had 76 penalty yards which was 48 fewer than NY's, and the Dolphins won the Time Of Possession battle by nearly four minutes.
At 3 - 2 Miami's average output was 12.?? points per game. With today's 31 the average has been up'd to 15.?? per.
2017's Dolphins have won three in a row and are 4 - 2 after six games played.
""We Are Not Normal""
Four Days Till Miami Visits Baltimore on Thursday Night Football..
GOFINS!!!
2017's Dolphins have been cloaked with curses cast upon them over the seasons entirety. (Tannehill, Irma, PPD, Timmons, 16,000 miles traveled by game three, at NY & London debacles, OL Coach Forester), and all of that took place on a weekly basis before game five.
The sky has been falling on Miami since the pre-season.
Not once have they ever cried wolf,
they just Huff & Puff & Blow Down one distraction after another.
Gase flicks the inconveniences from his shoulder as he states. ""We'll move forward, and do our thing"".
What is Miami's thing?
Start slow, and finish fast against all odds?
Week one Dolphin home opener cancelled.
Game one at LA's home opener took 9 unanswered late game Dolphin points for the 19 - 17 W.
A 16 - 10 Victory Versus the Titans came via the games only fourth quarter score, a Dolphin Touchdown.
Miami tapped their counter-spell-less magic wand 20 times over the final 21 minutes to beat the (home team and coming off a bye) Atlanta Falcons 20 - 17.
And today in hosting the New York Jets. While trailing 14 - 28 with 11:21 remaining on the game clock. The Miami Dolphins scored 17 unanswered points for the 31 - 28 VICTORY OF GLORY!
Today's "inconveniences" included a disasterously sloppy field, a few highly productive offensive plays negated by the starting centers handkerchiefs drawn, and a couple brainfarts on what should/would have been early game defining defensive third down stops.
Oh Yea.
While trailing 21 - 14, and with the Dolphins driving on the opening third quarter series. Quarterback Jay Cutler (sternum/ribs), & Left Tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee) were forced from the game on back to back plays.
Adam Gase
Flick the inconvenient crap from your shoulder, move forward, and win against all self destructing odds.
New York opened the game with a 75 yard drive resulting in a (29 yard TD pass) that Miami matched on their opening series. The Cutler to Landry four yard connection was the Dolphins first offensive touchdown in the first half of a game this season, (let-alone in the first quarter of a game). The Jets had another 75 yard drive in the second quarter (result an 18 yard TD pass) that the home team answered after covering 70 yards of their own. Tight-End Anthony Fasano's four yard reception from Cutler tied the game at 14 - 14.
On Miami's next possession from their own three yard line Cutler had a ball batted up and intercepted at the LOS. NY's offense walked it in for the 21 - 14 halftime lead.
To open the third quarter, Cutler drove Miami to it's 45 when on first and 10 he went down upon a vicious hit and incompletion. A defensive holding penalty gave the Dolphins an automatic first down. Adam (Prince Charming) Gase had a backup date for the ball, and the slipper fit Matt Moore. Though he went three & out to finish that particular possession.
On the fifth play of Miam's next offensive series Moore threw an interception at the Dolphins 45 yard line. Seven plays later the jets scored on a 9 yard touchdown pass for a 28 - 14 lead with less than 2 third quarter minutes remaining.
Miami followed with a four & out 6 seconds into the fourth quarter.
Adam Gase had an idea for a motivating Dolphin Tee-Shirt design last year that Cam Wake saw and approved of. Gase broke the T's out this past week of practice, and it says.
""We Are Not Normal""!!
At this point of the game with (14:45) remaining. The Dolphins Defense did the norm, and allowed the Jets just 13 more offensive plays on 5 possessions.
Wake conjured up 2.5 sacks while Suh had the .5 to total 3 sacks, Terrance Fede recovered a fumble, and Bobby McCain pulled a rabbit out of the hat of NYQB McCown.
Meanwhile.
Matt Moore shook off the tightness of hibernation, and drove the Dolphins to 17 unanswered slight of hand points in the final eleven minutes.
After the Dolphin D forced a three & out for minus 6 yards, Miami took control at NY's 42. Four plays later Moore hit Kenny Stills for a 28 yard TOUCHDOWN to pull within 21 - 28.
Another Defensive three & out for minus 10 yards gave Miami the ball at their own 45. Six plays later Matt Moore hit Kenny Stills again. This time they did it twice from three yards out (though the first was nullified via a bogus OPI handkerchief). The second was good for the game tying score of 28 - 28.
Four more Jets along with seven more Dolphins offensive plays resulted in two punts, and gave NY the ball at their own 15 yard line with 47 game seconds left to tick away till overtime.
On first and 10 a mystical unicorn breached from beneath the quagmire of turf and propelled Bobby McCain from nowhere and into his own zone for the game clinching interception. It was just Miami's second pick for the year, but it was also the second consecutive game clinching ""Pick Of Destiny"" as Kicker Cody Parkey nailed the slippery 39 yard, 31 - 28 game winning fairy-tale.
NY passed for 180 yards on 27 attempts, and ran for 92 on 22 totes for 16 total first downs. Their D forced two turnovers, and had three sacks.
Miami quarterbacks completed 25 of 37 for 304 yards. Jay Ajayi (23/51) got his (18-plus game winning carries) while the team produced just 53 rushing yards on 25 attempts as the Dolphins totaled 25 first downs.
Cutler went 12 of 16, 138 yards, 2 TD, 1 Int for a 114.1 QBR
Moore was 13 - 21, 188, 2 TD, 1 Int for a 102.9 QBR
Landry had 7 receptions for 93 with a TD.
Stills converted 6 for 85 with two TD's.
Fasano caught 3 for 25 with a TD.
Miami had 76 penalty yards which was 48 fewer than NY's, and the Dolphins won the Time Of Possession battle by nearly four minutes.
At 3 - 2 Miami's average output was 12.?? points per game. With today's 31 the average has been up'd to 15.?? per.
2017's Dolphins have won three in a row and are 4 - 2 after six games played.
""We Are Not Normal""
Four Days Till Miami Visits Baltimore on Thursday Night Football..
GOFINS!!!
Dolphin Contract Players Doing Themselves no Favors
Now shout fans understand why I wouldn’t come off the five win prediction I
made prior to the season. Now they understand what was tugging in the back of my
mind forcing me to avoid following my heart. Been there, done that, no way was I
setting myself up for the inevitable disappointment. I wasn’t surprised
when I turned the television off at the beginning of the third quarter of the Tennessee debacle, I expected it.
After the 30-9 destruction of the Jets, the Dolphins should have
been poised to play hardnosed competitive football for the rest of the season,
but they packed it in. They beat their nemesis, proved they could rise above
500, and started beating their chests forgetting there was still half a season
to play. Many of the dismal stats that fans refused to believe were important, showed up when emotion could no longer carry the day.
“That team I watched for 30 minutes was not the team I
coached for eight games,” said Joe Philbin. Welcome to our world Joe. We’ve
come to understand, talent outside the QB position is not much different from
team to team. We understand the game is about intensity, discipline and
overcoming adversity. We learned this through watching other teams rise from the
abyss, like Colts have done with a rookie QB. We’ve learned good teams show up
for games every week because any team can win in the NFL.
The Dolphins have yet to figure it out. The QB or coach
doesn’t seem to matter, it’s the new Dolphin legacy, South Beach millionaires
cannot be expected to show up for mere football games, they may get dirt under
their manicured finger nails. The stands were noticeably sparse, perhaps the
faithful decided they would not get fooled again by a team that teases and then
kicks them in the face. One of the Dolphinshout brethren drove all the way from
South Carolina to feel that donkey punch. He will certainly think twice before
undertaking that endeavor again.
All the clichés dictating how to lose were on display, not
taking care of the ball and getting baited into bonehead penalties, not
tackling and being in the wrong coverage or no coverage at all, being
completely dominated on both sides of the line of scrimmage, it was all there
Sunday. Losing is inevitable when the team plays like losers. It’s okay Dolphin
fans you can say it, the Dolphins are losers.
Mr. Ross, it’s not about celebrity and extravagance, in fact
it’s the opposite. The real Miami fans are dwindling because the team appears
to care more about celebrity and extravagance than football. The supposedly
sold-out stadium was half empty because the tickets are bought by people that
can afford extravagance but could care less about football. The real fans are
priced out and people that can afford the tickets don’t show up. It’s the same
product on the field, players making too much money go partying on South Beach then
don’t show up for the game.
Sadly, Joe Philbin is only now beginning to realize what he
got himself into when he accepted this job. It must be puzzling to look up at a
sold-out stadium with a sea of empty seats. It must be puzzling to see a
talented football team decide to not show up for a game. The Dolphin roster
is full of players in a contract year and the impact on their future value
should be an incentive to play at high level week in and week out, but it
appears to be of no significance. It makes sense, once there's a few million in the bank football doesn't really matter anymore.
Logic would say one of two things, either these players do
not want to play in Miami or they are just not very good. Not
wanting to play in Miami would be inconsequential when a free agent can select his next
destination. Playing well in Miami would only raise his value no matter where
he lands, so that only leaves one option, these players do not care. They expect
the fans to show up in the stands but they don’t show up on the field.
The coaches can prepare a team to play, they can go through
all the scenarios expected on game day, but they cannot take the field. It is
up to the players to show up on game day and the Dolphins did not. The only
clear message after so many years of below average performances is to jettison
the players that are not showing up. Let pending free agents go. The team should be very careful which players on this free agent list deserve a premium contract.
Jake Long
|
Matt Moore
|
R.J. Stanford
|
Randy Starks
|
Tony McDaniel
|
Jonathon Amaya
|
Reggie Bush
|
Austin Spitler
|
Ray Feinga
|
Anthony Fasano
|
Nate Garner
|
Jonathan Freeny
|
Chris Clemons
|
Jason Trusnik
|
Pat Devlin
|
Sean Smith
|
Jabar Gaffney
|
Marcus Thigpen
|
Brian Hartline
|
Jeron Mastrud
|
Anderson Russell
|
Will Barker
|
The Dolphin management needs to call these players out.
Some will demand a salary comparable to the best players in the league at their
positions. The question is, are they playing at that level? Of the starters listed on the
left, only Randy Starks, Anthony Fasano and Brian Hartline
are playing a level worthy of consideration and only Starks is in the upper
echelon at his position. Long, Bush, Clemons and Smith are not worthy of anything more than a
mediocre deal equitable with their mediocre play. Of the non-starters, only
Matt Moore is worth the $2.5 million he is paid as a backup.
Two weeks in a row and the names Long, Smith and Bush
rise to the top of the ire in Dolphin fandom. For the second week in a row
Dolphin fans are asking these players to step up and be a veteran presence. It
is time for Joe Philbin to make some critical decisions, it’s obvious by sitting of
Bush and Incognito he is very unhappy with players making stupid mistakes.
These are also the players others look to for leadership and it is not
happening.
It may be a knee jerk reaction to call for heads to roll,
but the tabulator is making the calculations. If the Dolphins wish to change
the culture of the team, players that are not showing up on Sunday should be
looking over their shoulder. Joe Philbin has one chance to make it as an NFL
head coach. He has to decide whether a player is in or out every Sunday
and the players not showing up will need to be gone if he hopes to succeed.
Dolphin fans are over it, they have watched season after season of being out of contention by the beginning of November and they are not going to continue being disappointed. There will be more and more empty seats and it should be no surprise to Stephen Ross, Joe Philbin, Jeff Ireland or any player on this team...
The Dolphins need a wakeup call because if they spend another game sleep waking, the season will be over and another hunk of the once proud Dolphin fan base will walk away. There is a lot better things to do than watch the most disappointing team in the NFL. It's not worth expending the time, emotion or money on a team that can't bother showing up on Sunday.
If the Dolphins can't show up, I'm certainly not...
The Dolphins need a wakeup call because if they spend another game sleep waking, the season will be over and another hunk of the once proud Dolphin fan base will walk away. There is a lot better things to do than watch the most disappointing team in the NFL. It's not worth expending the time, emotion or money on a team that can't bother showing up on Sunday.
If the Dolphins can't show up, I'm certainly not...
Miami Dolphin Veterans Need to Step Up
The
rookie quarterbacks put on the show Sunday, but it was the veteran leaders on the
Dolphins that proved Miami's undoing. The closest thing to veteran
leadership in Miami comes from Reggie Bush, Jake Long and Anthony Fasano on offense and Cameron Wake, Karlos Dansby and Sean Smith on defense.
Reggie Bush and Cameron Wake exonerated themselves from criticism by making plays, but their veteran teammates must be held accountable. Joe Philbin needs to send the right message to the youngsters by calling out the pathetic play of the leaders during film study.
Jake Long had perhaps his worst day as a professional and his final trip to Hawaii may have come and gone. Dwight Freeney’s early spin move resulted in a sack of Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill fumbled and Long somehow managed to catch the ball and make a positive play, but Freeney had his number the entire game.
Freeney’s bull-rushes made Long look feeble, slow and flatfooted. The first half ended with a speed rush that confused both Long and running back Daniel Thomas resulting in another big hit on Tannehill. The veteran Long missed the assignment. The tackle should always take the defensive end and leave the linebacker to the halfback. Even if it gone for a first down, the final offensive play of the game for the Dolphins would not have counted as the Colts declined Long’s holding penalty.
Jake Long is destined for free agency after the season. After four straight pro-bowls, his reign as a dominant left tackle could be in jeopardy. Long will have to take a significant pay cut to remain in Miami and that could even include a switch to right tackle. If Long demands more than his mediocre performance is worth, this may be his last year as a Dolphin. Jake Long needs to step up if Miami has any true playoff hopes, his position is critical to protecting Miami’s prized rookie QB. Should long's immobility cause an injury to Tannehill, it will not be forgotten in the off-season.
Anthony Fasano was unable to find an opening in the Colts secondary and only caught one pass. Because of the problem Long and his fellow line-mates were having slowing down Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, Fasano was used mainly as a blocker. Averaging 4.7 yards per carry, the Dolphins inexplicably only rushed the ball 18 times in the entire game. Fasano’s holding call midway through the third quarter eventually forced a Dolphin punt. Fasano did not play a terrible game, but it was not good enough to win.
On defense, Karlos Dansby had 9 tackles but there were receivers running open through the middle of the Dolphin defense the entire game. Dansby will not be highlighted as a prime suspect in the losing effort, but he was nearly invisible. When the Dolphins needed a veteran to step up and make a play, Karlos was chasing receivers and making many of his tackles ten or more yards down the field allowing long third down conversions.
Many of the thirteen out of nineteen times Luck and the Colts converted on third down came on passes in the center of the field with Dansby unable to make a play. Seven of those passes went for nine yards or longer and are the kind of plays that left the defense shaking their heads and gasping for air. Dansby needed to provide a veteran spark, but instead allowed a rookie QB to steal the show.
Sean Smith reverted to the inconsistent player that has infuriated Dolphin fans since he was drafted four years ago. Smith is a gifted athlete, but his mistakes from the cornerback position are glaring. Smith was in coverage on both Luck’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne and his 36-yard touchdown pass to TY Hilton.
On the long pass to Hilton, Smith said, “I lost it in the light, went blind.” The wobbling desperation pass was easy pickings for Smith, but he turned awkwardly with his back to the receiver and knocked Miami safety Chris Clemons off the coverage. Smith simply needed to follow the receiver and he would have been able to locate the ball, but he reacted as if the stadium lights were rays of kryptonite.
With 2:59 left and the game still in the balance Smith had another opportunity to redeem himself. Andrew Luck found him again for an easy interception that would have given the Dolphins the ball at the Colts’ 30, already in range for a game tying field goal. Instead, after pulling in the pass he somehow managed to let it slip through his hands and fall harmlessly to the ground. The Colts punted and their defense held the Dolphins to end the game.
It seems our entire society has grown insistent on the blame game, the word accident may as well be struck from the dictionary, unfortunately it was no accident or coincidence this article is focused on Jake Long and Sean Smith. The Colts saw something other teams had missed, the Colts saw two veterans living off their reputation and not playing at an elite level. Long’s quick feet have turned to stone and Smith's unusual height and athleticism have caused him to ignore technique.
These two players needed to make strides this season as leaders on the field and if this game is an indication, it has not happened.
The Dolphins cannot afford to spend more draft picks on offensive linemen. Long and Pouncey are first round picks, Martin is a second, Jerry is a third along with Richey Incognito (Rams 2005). Samson Satele who started for the Colts was a second round pick for Miami who was let go for Jake Grove who the Dolphins paid $14 million dollars to before drafting Pouncey.
Sean Smith was drafted in the second round in 2009 along with first round pick Vontae Davis. Davis is already gone, making Smith the leader in the secondary and with a performance like this, coaches must be wondering if he can be entrusted with the future. Miami will be forced to add players to the secondary in 2013, but with the hope Smith would be a veteran leader. Unfortunately, Sean Smith has not shown the maturity and consistency to be a leader and the Dolphins may have to revert to free agency.
The failure of these two players has a ripple effect now and in the future for the Dolphins. In the present, both have been exposed and both will be challenged relentlessly in the coming weeks. There will be no reputation to live off any longer. The Dolphins will know by season’s end whether these two players will need replacements.
The drafting of Jonathan Martin is already an indication Miami may know more about Jake Long’s long-term viability in the NFL than they are letting on. Long is not the same player that was picked with first selection of the 2008 draft. After four seasons, a consistent light is not burning in the heart of Sean Smith. These are huge gaps for the Dolphins to fill whether through the draft or in free agency.
Fans that were disappointed a wide receiver was not selected high in the 2012 draft will be livid when a tackle or corner must be selected because these two players have not lived up to the billing. The spotlight is no longer on Ryan Tannehill, the light will be burning bright on Jake Long and Sean Smith after Miami’s future opponents spend time breaking down the Colts film.
The rookie is doing just fine, it’s time for Jake Long and Sean Smith to step up or their days are numbered in Miami...
Reggie Bush and Cameron Wake exonerated themselves from criticism by making plays, but their veteran teammates must be held accountable. Joe Philbin needs to send the right message to the youngsters by calling out the pathetic play of the leaders during film study.
Jake Long had perhaps his worst day as a professional and his final trip to Hawaii may have come and gone. Dwight Freeney’s early spin move resulted in a sack of Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill fumbled and Long somehow managed to catch the ball and make a positive play, but Freeney had his number the entire game.
Freeney’s bull-rushes made Long look feeble, slow and flatfooted. The first half ended with a speed rush that confused both Long and running back Daniel Thomas resulting in another big hit on Tannehill. The veteran Long missed the assignment. The tackle should always take the defensive end and leave the linebacker to the halfback. Even if it gone for a first down, the final offensive play of the game for the Dolphins would not have counted as the Colts declined Long’s holding penalty.
Jake Long is destined for free agency after the season. After four straight pro-bowls, his reign as a dominant left tackle could be in jeopardy. Long will have to take a significant pay cut to remain in Miami and that could even include a switch to right tackle. If Long demands more than his mediocre performance is worth, this may be his last year as a Dolphin. Jake Long needs to step up if Miami has any true playoff hopes, his position is critical to protecting Miami’s prized rookie QB. Should long's immobility cause an injury to Tannehill, it will not be forgotten in the off-season.
Anthony Fasano was unable to find an opening in the Colts secondary and only caught one pass. Because of the problem Long and his fellow line-mates were having slowing down Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, Fasano was used mainly as a blocker. Averaging 4.7 yards per carry, the Dolphins inexplicably only rushed the ball 18 times in the entire game. Fasano’s holding call midway through the third quarter eventually forced a Dolphin punt. Fasano did not play a terrible game, but it was not good enough to win.
On defense, Karlos Dansby had 9 tackles but there were receivers running open through the middle of the Dolphin defense the entire game. Dansby will not be highlighted as a prime suspect in the losing effort, but he was nearly invisible. When the Dolphins needed a veteran to step up and make a play, Karlos was chasing receivers and making many of his tackles ten or more yards down the field allowing long third down conversions.
Many of the thirteen out of nineteen times Luck and the Colts converted on third down came on passes in the center of the field with Dansby unable to make a play. Seven of those passes went for nine yards or longer and are the kind of plays that left the defense shaking their heads and gasping for air. Dansby needed to provide a veteran spark, but instead allowed a rookie QB to steal the show.
Sean Smith reverted to the inconsistent player that has infuriated Dolphin fans since he was drafted four years ago. Smith is a gifted athlete, but his mistakes from the cornerback position are glaring. Smith was in coverage on both Luck’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne and his 36-yard touchdown pass to TY Hilton.
On the long pass to Hilton, Smith said, “I lost it in the light, went blind.” The wobbling desperation pass was easy pickings for Smith, but he turned awkwardly with his back to the receiver and knocked Miami safety Chris Clemons off the coverage. Smith simply needed to follow the receiver and he would have been able to locate the ball, but he reacted as if the stadium lights were rays of kryptonite.
With 2:59 left and the game still in the balance Smith had another opportunity to redeem himself. Andrew Luck found him again for an easy interception that would have given the Dolphins the ball at the Colts’ 30, already in range for a game tying field goal. Instead, after pulling in the pass he somehow managed to let it slip through his hands and fall harmlessly to the ground. The Colts punted and their defense held the Dolphins to end the game.
It seems our entire society has grown insistent on the blame game, the word accident may as well be struck from the dictionary, unfortunately it was no accident or coincidence this article is focused on Jake Long and Sean Smith. The Colts saw something other teams had missed, the Colts saw two veterans living off their reputation and not playing at an elite level. Long’s quick feet have turned to stone and Smith's unusual height and athleticism have caused him to ignore technique.
These two players needed to make strides this season as leaders on the field and if this game is an indication, it has not happened.
The Dolphins cannot afford to spend more draft picks on offensive linemen. Long and Pouncey are first round picks, Martin is a second, Jerry is a third along with Richey Incognito (Rams 2005). Samson Satele who started for the Colts was a second round pick for Miami who was let go for Jake Grove who the Dolphins paid $14 million dollars to before drafting Pouncey.
Sean Smith was drafted in the second round in 2009 along with first round pick Vontae Davis. Davis is already gone, making Smith the leader in the secondary and with a performance like this, coaches must be wondering if he can be entrusted with the future. Miami will be forced to add players to the secondary in 2013, but with the hope Smith would be a veteran leader. Unfortunately, Sean Smith has not shown the maturity and consistency to be a leader and the Dolphins may have to revert to free agency.
The failure of these two players has a ripple effect now and in the future for the Dolphins. In the present, both have been exposed and both will be challenged relentlessly in the coming weeks. There will be no reputation to live off any longer. The Dolphins will know by season’s end whether these two players will need replacements.
The drafting of Jonathan Martin is already an indication Miami may know more about Jake Long’s long-term viability in the NFL than they are letting on. Long is not the same player that was picked with first selection of the 2008 draft. After four seasons, a consistent light is not burning in the heart of Sean Smith. These are huge gaps for the Dolphins to fill whether through the draft or in free agency.
Fans that were disappointed a wide receiver was not selected high in the 2012 draft will be livid when a tackle or corner must be selected because these two players have not lived up to the billing. The spotlight is no longer on Ryan Tannehill, the light will be burning bright on Jake Long and Sean Smith after Miami’s future opponents spend time breaking down the Colts film.
The rookie is doing just fine, it’s time for Jake Long and Sean Smith to step up or their days are numbered in Miami...
Just How Good is Anthony Fasano?
Other than Chad Henne, I don't know if there is another player on the Miami Dolphins that people have such mixed opinions about like they do with Anthony Fasano. Some people want him replaced, and others want him to stay as the main guy.
Which side do you fall on?
Do you want Fasano as the starting tight end or do you want Miami to make an effort to find someone to replace him?
Tight end is becoming an increasingly important position. A lot of the top teams have great tight ends, and you don't have to look farther than the Dolphins own division to see their importance. The Patriots just might use their tight ends better than any team ever has ever, and Jets TE Dustin Keller is a very important part of the New York's offense. Now that the NFL has moved to a much more pass-happy league, we will continue to see tight ends grow in importance.
What we need to know is, is Anthony Fasano good enough to be a starting NFL tight end?
I sure think he is. Fasano is a great tight end that can make great catches. I don't say it much on this blog, but I am a huge supporter of his. When he has a good quarterback that uses him correctly, he can be one of the best producing tight ends in the league. He is great in the red zone, and Chad Henne never seemed to understand that. Chad Pennington knew that, and Matt Moore obviously knows that now. In the Kansas City game he had two receptions for two touchdown passes. Moore understood what kind of a weapon Fasano is, and he capitalized by feeding him twice for scores.
I really do think that Anthony Fasano is a top 10 tight end. He just needs the opportunity. (Side note) While I am the furthest thing from being sold on Matt Moore as Miami's starting quarterback of the future, I do acknowledge that he knows how to use his weapons, Fasano included.
We'll see what Fasano can do to end out the season. Don't be surprised if he scores more touchdowns than any other tight end from this week until the rest of the season.
I would like to add that I wouldn't mind if Miami added another tight end to compliment Fasano. It works for the Patriots, so why not try it here? Tight ends can be great for a young quarterback, so why not have two?
Thanks for stopping by, and let me know what you think. Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow me on twitter @PaulDSmythe.
Which side do you fall on?
Do you want Fasano as the starting tight end or do you want Miami to make an effort to find someone to replace him?
Tight end is becoming an increasingly important position. A lot of the top teams have great tight ends, and you don't have to look farther than the Dolphins own division to see their importance. The Patriots just might use their tight ends better than any team ever has ever, and Jets TE Dustin Keller is a very important part of the New York's offense. Now that the NFL has moved to a much more pass-happy league, we will continue to see tight ends grow in importance.
What we need to know is, is Anthony Fasano good enough to be a starting NFL tight end?
I sure think he is. Fasano is a great tight end that can make great catches. I don't say it much on this blog, but I am a huge supporter of his. When he has a good quarterback that uses him correctly, he can be one of the best producing tight ends in the league. He is great in the red zone, and Chad Henne never seemed to understand that. Chad Pennington knew that, and Matt Moore obviously knows that now. In the Kansas City game he had two receptions for two touchdown passes. Moore understood what kind of a weapon Fasano is, and he capitalized by feeding him twice for scores.
I really do think that Anthony Fasano is a top 10 tight end. He just needs the opportunity. (Side note) While I am the furthest thing from being sold on Matt Moore as Miami's starting quarterback of the future, I do acknowledge that he knows how to use his weapons, Fasano included.
We'll see what Fasano can do to end out the season. Don't be surprised if he scores more touchdowns than any other tight end from this week until the rest of the season.
I would like to add that I wouldn't mind if Miami added another tight end to compliment Fasano. It works for the Patriots, so why not try it here? Tight ends can be great for a young quarterback, so why not have two?
Thanks for stopping by, and let me know what you think. Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow me on twitter @PaulDSmythe.
Shout Out To Miami Dolphins TE Anthony Fasano
Today I wanted to dedicate a post to a Miami Dolphins player who doesn't normally get a lot of attention despite how much he contributes to the team, and that player is Anthony Fasano.
Fasano might be the most underrated Tight End in the NFL.
Because of his past two seasons with Chad Henne not throwing him the ball nearly or accurately enough his numbers are not as close to as high as they can be, but you can't just look at the numbers. Most people who don't like Fasano are strictly looking at his numbers and assuming that he isn't good enough when he actually is.
Just looking at numbers when judging a tight end or a receiver is usually a mistake. The biggest reason for Fasano's lack of production was his connection with Henne. Thankfully, the chemistry between the two is becoming less of a problem. When I was watching film I noticed a nice connection developing between Fasano and Henne as the season went on. It was very encouraging to see them working so well together, and hopefully they will continue to work and develop together and Fasano will get the kind of numbers that he is capable of.
One other thing that I like a lot about Fasano is the passion and intensity that he plays with. When Henne would make a bad throw Fasano wouldn't be afraid to tell him. I noticed a couple of times where Fasano was yelling at Henne after a bad pass or a bad decision on a pass and Henne would argue back. I am encouraged by that. Partly because Henne is showing emotion, but also because It shows me that they both care about what they are doing and aren't afraid to make sure that the other is doing what it takes to win. I know it sounds weird to like when a receiver is arguing with his quarterback, but that is a lot better than the receiver not even bothering to communicate with his quarterback because he's given up on him.
Fasano is just a lot better than he is given credit for. He will be a very dangerous threat to defenses once he and Henne are on the same page and really start to work well together.
Thanks for reading, thank you to Adam for giving me this great idea for a post, and please leave your comments about Fasano, because I know some of you don't really like him and some of you do.
Fasano might be the most underrated Tight End in the NFL.
Because of his past two seasons with Chad Henne not throwing him the ball nearly or accurately enough his numbers are not as close to as high as they can be, but you can't just look at the numbers. Most people who don't like Fasano are strictly looking at his numbers and assuming that he isn't good enough when he actually is.
Just looking at numbers when judging a tight end or a receiver is usually a mistake. The biggest reason for Fasano's lack of production was his connection with Henne. Thankfully, the chemistry between the two is becoming less of a problem. When I was watching film I noticed a nice connection developing between Fasano and Henne as the season went on. It was very encouraging to see them working so well together, and hopefully they will continue to work and develop together and Fasano will get the kind of numbers that he is capable of.
One other thing that I like a lot about Fasano is the passion and intensity that he plays with. When Henne would make a bad throw Fasano wouldn't be afraid to tell him. I noticed a couple of times where Fasano was yelling at Henne after a bad pass or a bad decision on a pass and Henne would argue back. I am encouraged by that. Partly because Henne is showing emotion, but also because It shows me that they both care about what they are doing and aren't afraid to make sure that the other is doing what it takes to win. I know it sounds weird to like when a receiver is arguing with his quarterback, but that is a lot better than the receiver not even bothering to communicate with his quarterback because he's given up on him.
Fasano is just a lot better than he is given credit for. He will be a very dangerous threat to defenses once he and Henne are on the same page and really start to work well together.
Thanks for reading, thank you to Adam for giving me this great idea for a post, and please leave your comments about Fasano, because I know some of you don't really like him and some of you do.
Why Do The Miami Dolphins Not Give Tyler Thigpen More Of A Chance?
I am constantly getting the impression that the Miami Dolphins are not giving Tyler Thigpen a fair opportunity for the starting spot.
That really disappoints me because I believe that Thigpen could be a great quarterback for Miami, and I am very confident that he can be much better than Chad Henne.
Why? You ask. Well, he does not get scared and he is confident in his abilities. Two things that Chad Henne cannot say about himself. Thigpen is ten times the playmaker that Chad Henne is. Thigpen could actually bring some life to the Dolphins football team.
Do any of you remember the Week 10 game against Tennessee? Thigpen played great. He made things happen with his feet, and he ended up with a 141.7 passer rating. Thigpen was awesome that game, but he didn't seem to get enough credit for it. What people remember is the following game against Chicago where the Thigpen-lead Dolphins were unable to score a single point and were shut out.
The game against the Bears was not even close to Tyler Thigpen's fault. It was the fault of the Miami Dolphins injury-plagued offensive line. Thigpen didn't even have an opportunity to make a play because they were constantly being blitzed and he had no time to do anything. Chad Henne would have been even worse because he has no legs at all. I want you guys to try and imagine how he would have been. Not good, right?
If Michael Vick were starting for Miami against the Bears he wouldn't have been able to do anything with that line either, and that's saying something because he plays behind a below average line already.
Want more proof that Thigpen deserves a fair opportunity for the starting spot? Here is a quote from him recently on Omar Kelly's radio show that I just love to hear:
One last thing that I like about Thigpen is that he realizes how good of a receiver Anthony Fasano is. Fasano was a top scoring TE when Chad Pennington was his quarterback. His numbers only dropped when Chad Henne became the starter. Thigpen realizes the weapon that he has even more than the Dolphins coaches do, and I know he would be ready to use Fasano successfully instead of sparsely like Henne.
That's all I've got. Let me hear what you guys think about Tyler Thigpen and if you think he deserves and/or is getting a fair shot.
Thanks for reading.
That really disappoints me because I believe that Thigpen could be a great quarterback for Miami, and I am very confident that he can be much better than Chad Henne.
Why? You ask. Well, he does not get scared and he is confident in his abilities. Two things that Chad Henne cannot say about himself. Thigpen is ten times the playmaker that Chad Henne is. Thigpen could actually bring some life to the Dolphins football team.
Do any of you remember the Week 10 game against Tennessee? Thigpen played great. He made things happen with his feet, and he ended up with a 141.7 passer rating. Thigpen was awesome that game, but he didn't seem to get enough credit for it. What people remember is the following game against Chicago where the Thigpen-lead Dolphins were unable to score a single point and were shut out.
The game against the Bears was not even close to Tyler Thigpen's fault. It was the fault of the Miami Dolphins injury-plagued offensive line. Thigpen didn't even have an opportunity to make a play because they were constantly being blitzed and he had no time to do anything. Chad Henne would have been even worse because he has no legs at all. I want you guys to try and imagine how he would have been. Not good, right?
If Michael Vick were starting for Miami against the Bears he wouldn't have been able to do anything with that line either, and that's saying something because he plays behind a below average line already.
Want more proof that Thigpen deserves a fair opportunity for the starting spot? Here is a quote from him recently on Omar Kelly's radio show that I just love to hear:
"If I was given opportunity to be starter, I could help (Brandon Marshall) get back to being an All-Pro again"That is something that Chad Henne would never say in a million years, because I don't think he would be able to do it. Thigpen can, and he has the confidence to do it as well, another thing Henne doesn't have.
One last thing that I like about Thigpen is that he realizes how good of a receiver Anthony Fasano is. Fasano was a top scoring TE when Chad Pennington was his quarterback. His numbers only dropped when Chad Henne became the starter. Thigpen realizes the weapon that he has even more than the Dolphins coaches do, and I know he would be ready to use Fasano successfully instead of sparsely like Henne.
That's all I've got. Let me hear what you guys think about Tyler Thigpen and if you think he deserves and/or is getting a fair shot.
Thanks for reading.
Jeremy Shockey Seems Less And Less Likely To Join The Miami Dolphins As Each Day Passes
Last Thursday I told you about Jeremy Shockey potentially joining the Miami Dolphins, and I was almost certain that Miami would be signing him within 24 hours of the post.
Well, that obviously didn't happen, and I don't know if they will be signing him at all anymore.
Miami has been silent about Shockey after it was reported that he passed a physical given by them. I assumed that they were just being silent while they figured out the details of a contract with Shockey, but I was wrong.
What really makes me think that the Dolphins won't be signing him are multiple reports saying that he will be visiting the Carolina Panthers for a physical. On the surface this just looks like a player exploring all of his options, but in reality I believe it is him looking for another team after he and the Dolphins failed to come to an agreement.
This is disappointing news for me because I would have liked for him to come and be a compliment to Anthony Fasano. Fasano is a more "conservative" tight end, while Shockey is much more "aggressive" and attacks downfield.
That is all I have time for today. I apologize for a shorter post, but I am in a hurry.
Thanks for reading, and let me know your reactions.
Well, that obviously didn't happen, and I don't know if they will be signing him at all anymore.
Miami has been silent about Shockey after it was reported that he passed a physical given by them. I assumed that they were just being silent while they figured out the details of a contract with Shockey, but I was wrong.
What really makes me think that the Dolphins won't be signing him are multiple reports saying that he will be visiting the Carolina Panthers for a physical. On the surface this just looks like a player exploring all of his options, but in reality I believe it is him looking for another team after he and the Dolphins failed to come to an agreement.
This is disappointing news for me because I would have liked for him to come and be a compliment to Anthony Fasano. Fasano is a more "conservative" tight end, while Shockey is much more "aggressive" and attacks downfield.
That is all I have time for today. I apologize for a shorter post, but I am in a hurry.
Thanks for reading, and let me know your reactions.
You Tell Me: Anthony Fasano Or Jeremy Shockey For The Miami Dolphins
Ok, since all signs are pointing to Jeremy Shockey signing with the Miami Dolphins, let us just assume for this "You Tell Me" that he has already signed with the Dolphins.
So now, Miami will have to decide between Shockey and current TE Anthony Fasano as their starter. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses, but I want to know who you guys would rather have as the official starter on the depth chart.
If I were to explain both players in a nutshell, I would say that Fasano is a short to mid-range receiver and a very good blocker and Shockey is more of a big-time receiver who can make great catches, but is only an average-at-best blocker.
I know that both players will be on the field a lot, but I want to know who you guys would rather be the "premiere" tight end of the team. Do you want the explosive Shockey who doesn't always block well, or do you want the "safe" Fasano that is very good at blocking.
Let me know who you would like with your comments and thanks for reading.
Also, you guys may have noticed the new tab up top, but if you didn't I made a new page on the blog called "Chad Henne Debate." I know you guys were getting tired of the constant Chad Henne talks, so I have moved it to a different page where you can go if you want to talk about Henne, but you don't have to go if you don't want to talk about him. So, if you are so inclined, please check the page out and help start up the debates.
So now, Miami will have to decide between Shockey and current TE Anthony Fasano as their starter. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses, but I want to know who you guys would rather have as the official starter on the depth chart.
If I were to explain both players in a nutshell, I would say that Fasano is a short to mid-range receiver and a very good blocker and Shockey is more of a big-time receiver who can make great catches, but is only an average-at-best blocker.
I know that both players will be on the field a lot, but I want to know who you guys would rather be the "premiere" tight end of the team. Do you want the explosive Shockey who doesn't always block well, or do you want the "safe" Fasano that is very good at blocking.
Let me know who you would like with your comments and thanks for reading.
Also, you guys may have noticed the new tab up top, but if you didn't I made a new page on the blog called "Chad Henne Debate." I know you guys were getting tired of the constant Chad Henne talks, so I have moved it to a different page where you can go if you want to talk about Henne, but you don't have to go if you don't want to talk about him. So, if you are so inclined, please check the page out and help start up the debates.
Is Anthony Fasano A Good Enough Tight End For The Miami Dolphins?
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| Fasano's Famous Fake-out |
At the time, most Dolphins fans supported the move because of Fasano's game against Tennessee. Now that we can look at his whole body of work from the year, the extension doesn't look as good. Fasano had 528 yards and four touchdowns, and while those may not be terrible numbers they don't really merit such a rich extension.
But, I still believe he deserves the extension. He is a very good blocker on top of being a consistent receiver, and his numbers don't look very good because of Chad Henne's inaccuracy more than his own fault.
So, to the main question, is Anthony Fasano a good enough TE for the Miami Dolphins?
Yes, I believe he is.
Despite low receiving yardage last season, he still has very high yards-per-catch at 13.5. If he had a better quarterback, he would be able to get more receptions, and, in turn, more yards.
When he had Chad Pennington throwing to him, he had a great season and was among the best in the league numbers-wise. In the last two seasons with Henne throwing to him, he has had much worse numbers and his combined touchdowns from both years aren't even equivalent to his one year with Pennington.
If we can get a new quarterback, Fasano should be able to return to his numbers of three years ago. It's as simple as that, and I hope the Dolphins staff realizes that Henne isn't the one anymore.
Thanks for reading, and let me know what you think about Fasano with a comment.
I apologize for talking about such a random topic, but the Miami Dolphins news has been extremely slow this week, and I didn't have anything to write about.
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Miami Dolphins Keys To The Game: Tyler Thigpen Must Create Plays
In order for the Miami Dolphins to be successful Thursday night against the Chicago Bears, Tyler Thigpen must perform similar to the way he did last Sunday against the Titans and create big plays.
This game is entirely upon Thigpen's shoulders, and if he can play well the Miami Dolphins should be able to win this game. People think the Dolphins are down and out because they are now down to their third-string quarterback. What they don't realize is that Thigpen is a better playmaker than his two predecessors.
Thigpen's is noticeably faster than Henne and Pennington ever were, and he is able to throw the ball well on the run. He is very similar to Michael Vick, and he will need to play similar to Vick against the Bears.
Chicago has an exceptional defense. Their only "weakness" is their 15th ranked passing yards allowed. They have allowed the second lowest amount of points this year, and the Dolphins have struggled to score points this year.
That was before they had Thigpen playing, though.
If we had Chad Henne or Chad Pennington playing in this game, then we would have had to be pretty concerned about the Miami Dolphins ability to make plays on offense. Thigpen changes the entire dynamic of the offense because he can use all of the weapons provided to him. Chad Henne seemed to struggle with using all of his weapons.
Tyler Thigpen will not.
Thigpen showed us he could use TE Anthony Fasano as well as star-receiver Brandon Marshall. He also gained a crucial first down near the end of the game last week to seal it and help Miami improve to above .500 for the year.
This game will be a huge step to catching up to the rest of the AFC, and Tyler Thigpen is going to need to show up in order to make that step. Brandon Marshall guaranteed the Miami Dolphins would make the playoffs, but he can't do it on his own. He needs a good quarterback throwing him the ball, and I think we have found that quarterback in Tyler Thigpen.
So, Dolphins fans, I hope you are ready for the game. Please feel free to leave your comments on your predictions for the game.
I am thinking 35-24, Miami wins. I am very confident in Thigpen, and I think he will have a huge performance against the Bears tough defense.
Thanks for reading everybody!
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This game is entirely upon Thigpen's shoulders, and if he can play well the Miami Dolphins should be able to win this game. People think the Dolphins are down and out because they are now down to their third-string quarterback. What they don't realize is that Thigpen is a better playmaker than his two predecessors.
Thigpen's is noticeably faster than Henne and Pennington ever were, and he is able to throw the ball well on the run. He is very similar to Michael Vick, and he will need to play similar to Vick against the Bears.
Chicago has an exceptional defense. Their only "weakness" is their 15th ranked passing yards allowed. They have allowed the second lowest amount of points this year, and the Dolphins have struggled to score points this year.
That was before they had Thigpen playing, though.
If we had Chad Henne or Chad Pennington playing in this game, then we would have had to be pretty concerned about the Miami Dolphins ability to make plays on offense. Thigpen changes the entire dynamic of the offense because he can use all of the weapons provided to him. Chad Henne seemed to struggle with using all of his weapons.
Tyler Thigpen will not.
Thigpen showed us he could use TE Anthony Fasano as well as star-receiver Brandon Marshall. He also gained a crucial first down near the end of the game last week to seal it and help Miami improve to above .500 for the year.
This game will be a huge step to catching up to the rest of the AFC, and Tyler Thigpen is going to need to show up in order to make that step. Brandon Marshall guaranteed the Miami Dolphins would make the playoffs, but he can't do it on his own. He needs a good quarterback throwing him the ball, and I think we have found that quarterback in Tyler Thigpen.
So, Dolphins fans, I hope you are ready for the game. Please feel free to leave your comments on your predictions for the game.
I am thinking 35-24, Miami wins. I am very confident in Thigpen, and I think he will have a huge performance against the Bears tough defense.
Thanks for reading everybody!
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Anthony Fasano Gets Well Deserved Contract Extension When The Miami Dolphins Need Him Most
Fasano had 5 receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown, and he was a big reason Tyler Thigpen did so well late in the game. When Thigpen was in trouble and scrambling to the side, it was Fasano who had the presence of mind to get open for a big reception down the field from Thigpen.
Fasano's real impact, though, had been his unselfishness and his ability to block. Coach Sparano had this to say about Fasano when answering questions after it was announced he received the extension:
"He's blocking well. ... He's been really productive for us that way and really good for the young guys. He's tremendous for the young players and hasn't been really selfish at all. He's the kind of guy we really want to have around"The Miami Dolphins are going to need Fasano more than ever now that we have Tyler Thigpen in. He may need extra protection help because of the injury to Jake Long, and Fasano's receiving skills will be crucial for when Thigpen scrambles looking for a receiver like he did against Tennessee when he and Fasano connected.
The actual extension will keep Fasano on the Miami Dolphins for two more years, and is worth as much as $7.75 million dollars. The contract includes two $75,000 workout bonuses(one for each year), and a $2.1 million signing bonus according to NFL.com.
I am very pleased that they made this move, and it is good that they recognize the need to keep as much talent for the future as possible. I have a good feeling about the Thigpen-Fasano connection for the Miami Dolphins. They were great together in the 4th quarter. I can't wait to see them work together for a whole game.
Stay tuned, and please leave a comment. I want to hear from you about anything involving the Miami Dolphins.
He may need an online accounting degree
just to count that money.
Miami Dolphins Win Incredibly Important Game Against Tennessee Titans In A Crazy Way
I don't even know where to start with this one.
Let me begin by saying that the short time period between now and Thursday is going to be an incredibly eventful and interesting one.
In that time we will find out who will be starting at QB, and I honestly don't know who they will pick. I can only say what I think
Chad Pennington gives the Dolphins a lot of experience, but he would be my last preference at starter. Chad Henne gives them a strong arm and is the youngest option, but he isn't even my first preference. No, my first preference would by Tyler Thigpen.
I know that Henne is supposed to be the future of the Miami Dolphins, and he may still be. The Dolphins may still choose to run with him and keep him as the starter, but I couldn't help but feel the added energy on offense when Thigpen was playing.
Thigpen was able to elude defenders that Henne and Pennington would have never been able to elude, and his elusiveness was very evident with his big scrambling pass to Anthony Fasano late in the game.
I don't know if you guys noticed it, but when Thigpen threw his only completion to Brandon Marshall he threw the ball with incredible accuracy. The ball was placed just above the Titans defender's hands, but not too far above to where it sailed past Marshall's, too.
I really think Thigpen would be a great player to jump in as the starter, and why not? He is only one year older than Henne at 26. He could be the franchise quarterback we have been looking for.
I would really hate it for Henne if he lost the job to Thigpen because I think he has been coming along pretty well, but Thigpen is just the more explosive quarterback with the ability to make things happen.
We will have to see how it plays out, so stay tuned, but now to other aspects of the game:
Brian Hartline had a game that we all knew he was capable of and RB Patrick Cobbs had a surprisingly good receiving game, but the best receiving performance came from TE Anthony Fasano. Fasano had 107 yards and a touchdown, and he showed us that he might have finally returned to producing the same numbers that he was able to put up two years ago.
Fasano is another reason that I want Thigpen in. Henne never really used Fasano to his full ability, but it appears to me that Thigpen will be able to.
Rookie FS Reshad Jones also did really well late in the game. He was filling in for the injured Chris Clemons, and he did really well with 1 sack, 1 interception, and 3 tackles. I remember at the beginning of the season we were worried about the free safety position, but it appears now that we are set at FS with two talented players competing for the same spot.
Now, to a touchy situation: Brandon Marshall. He was visibly frustrated multiple times during the game, and I have a feeling the combination of a few poorly thrown passes by Henne with the extra coverage he was receiving caused him to be so mad. He is used to putting up big numbers, and 3 receptions for only 34 yards is not what he wants to put up. If he wants to reach 100 receptions for this year he will need 6.4 receptions a game, so hopefully the resurgence of a bunch of other receivers on the Dolphins will help take away some of the coverage on Brandon.
That is all of my analysis for today. Thank you for reading, and enjoy the short week we have before Thursday's game. I haven't felt this great after a Dolphins game in a while.
Update: I have just found out that Chad Pennington is likely out for the season, so it looks like the battle will be between just Henne and Thigpen. Let us hope Pennington's shoulder is able to fully heal.
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Let me begin by saying that the short time period between now and Thursday is going to be an incredibly eventful and interesting one.
In that time we will find out who will be starting at QB, and I honestly don't know who they will pick. I can only say what I think
Chad Pennington gives the Dolphins a lot of experience, but he would be my last preference at starter. Chad Henne gives them a strong arm and is the youngest option, but he isn't even my first preference. No, my first preference would by Tyler Thigpen.
I know that Henne is supposed to be the future of the Miami Dolphins, and he may still be. The Dolphins may still choose to run with him and keep him as the starter, but I couldn't help but feel the added energy on offense when Thigpen was playing.
Thigpen was able to elude defenders that Henne and Pennington would have never been able to elude, and his elusiveness was very evident with his big scrambling pass to Anthony Fasano late in the game.
I don't know if you guys noticed it, but when Thigpen threw his only completion to Brandon Marshall he threw the ball with incredible accuracy. The ball was placed just above the Titans defender's hands, but not too far above to where it sailed past Marshall's, too.
I really think Thigpen would be a great player to jump in as the starter, and why not? He is only one year older than Henne at 26. He could be the franchise quarterback we have been looking for.
I would really hate it for Henne if he lost the job to Thigpen because I think he has been coming along pretty well, but Thigpen is just the more explosive quarterback with the ability to make things happen.
We will have to see how it plays out, so stay tuned, but now to other aspects of the game:
Brian Hartline had a game that we all knew he was capable of and RB Patrick Cobbs had a surprisingly good receiving game, but the best receiving performance came from TE Anthony Fasano. Fasano had 107 yards and a touchdown, and he showed us that he might have finally returned to producing the same numbers that he was able to put up two years ago.
Fasano is another reason that I want Thigpen in. Henne never really used Fasano to his full ability, but it appears to me that Thigpen will be able to.
Rookie FS Reshad Jones also did really well late in the game. He was filling in for the injured Chris Clemons, and he did really well with 1 sack, 1 interception, and 3 tackles. I remember at the beginning of the season we were worried about the free safety position, but it appears now that we are set at FS with two talented players competing for the same spot.
Now, to a touchy situation: Brandon Marshall. He was visibly frustrated multiple times during the game, and I have a feeling the combination of a few poorly thrown passes by Henne with the extra coverage he was receiving caused him to be so mad. He is used to putting up big numbers, and 3 receptions for only 34 yards is not what he wants to put up. If he wants to reach 100 receptions for this year he will need 6.4 receptions a game, so hopefully the resurgence of a bunch of other receivers on the Dolphins will help take away some of the coverage on Brandon.
That is all of my analysis for today. Thank you for reading, and enjoy the short week we have before Thursday's game. I haven't felt this great after a Dolphins game in a while.
Update: I have just found out that Chad Pennington is likely out for the season, so it looks like the battle will be between just Henne and Thigpen. Let us hope Pennington's shoulder is able to fully heal.
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The Miami Dolphins Seem To Do All Of The Wrong Things With Tight Ends
| Dustin Keller Beat Miami For A Touchdown Twice During Week 3 |
The Miami Dolphins don’t really seem to specialize in handling tight ends on either side of the ball.
One player who has not been producing well for the Dolphins is tight end Anthony Fasano.
If you ignore the touchdown pass to off of a fake to Dolphins tight end Anthony Fasano against the Packers, then you can see how little Fasano has been doing this season.
Even with the touchdown, though, his numbers aren’t very good. So far Fasano has only gained 149 yards with two touchdowns, but his low production is not his own fault. It is actually the fault of the Miami Dolphins and their offensive playcalling.
Anthony Fasano is capable of a lot more than just 149 yards and two TDs, but he doesn’t have the opportunity to do any more.
Two years ago he was great, and it is remarkable to me that the Dolphins don’t use him quite as often as a receiver like they did in 2008-2009. He was one of the best producing tight ends, and I think he can still be one if Miami uses him enough.
I have always believed tight ends are a great safety blanket who can produce great numbers when all of the other receivers are covered. Chad Henne sometimes tries to fit in ill-advised passes with hardly any chance of being caught by a Dolphins receiver, and those passes would be a perfect time for him to try and throw it to Fasano instead.
But even with the Dolphins lack of offensive production on offense by Fasano, their real weakness is against opposing tight ends.
I honestly don’t understand why they have such a problem, but it just always seems like opposing tight ends are able to run all over the Dolphins more than most teams.
After the first five games the Dolphins have allowed 269 yards and two touchdowns to tight ends. The real devastating statistic, though, is that they have allowed receiving gains of 31, 33 (twice), and 23 yards. That is four plays of 20+ yards in the first 5 games by just tight ends. Each one of those plays can be devastating to a defense, and Miami needs to find a way to stop them.
I have noticed that a lot of times tight ends beat Miami’s coverage when they have a linebacker covering them. So, maybe the Dolphins should move a corner to cover the tight end instead.
Whatever they do, though, they need to figure out something in a hurry because getting beat consistently at the same weakness gets pretty frustrating.
Let me know what you think with your comments, and thanks for reading.
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Miami Dolphins TE Joey Haynos Gone Leaves Anthony Fasano In An Even Better Position
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| Joey Haynos |
While Haynos' injury isn't great for the Dolphins, it is a good thing for Anthony Fasano. Haynos gone means that Fasano will get even more targets than usual. This further supports my belief that Fasano will have a great year this season.
Before the Dolphins would use multiple Tight Ends and switch them in and out. They still do that with David Martin and John Nalbone, but not nearly as much as they would have with Haynos.
In one of my bold predictions for Fasano I said that I thought he would get 50+ receptions. Now that he won't be sharing as many receptions with other TEs he should be able to get the 50+ receptions.
I still think that he could have gotten the 50 reception mark with Haynos in, but I am even more confident now that he won't share as much.
Please let me know what you guys think. I am open to your opinions.
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Bold Predictions For The Miami Dolphins - How Anthony Fasano Will Do This Year
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| Anthony Fasano |
I recently wrote about Fasano, who did great two seasons ago but didn't do great at all last season. I think he is going to do very well next year, and here is what I think he will be able to achieve:
1. Eight or Nine Touchdowns
Fasano had seven touchdowns two years ago, and that was when the Dolphins ran the ball a lot. Now, I believe Miami will throw a lot more than they have the past two seasons. That means that Fasano will get a lot more opportunities to score.
He had two touchdowns in one preseason game this year, so he should be able to get at least one touchdown for every two regular season games. Chad Henne will need somebody to dump the ball off to whenever he is in trouble, and that is where Fasano will be most helpful.
He is primed for another break-out year, and most teams won't be expecting it. That is going to be what really helps him. Defenses will be so focused on Brandon Marshall, Ronnie Brown, and Ricky Williams that other players like Fasano will get more opportunities.
2. 50 Receptions
He had 34 two seasons ago, and I think he will get the ball a lot. All of the same reasons as above for this one. It just seems to me like Henne will dump it off to Fasano a lot this year, padding his catches.
I don't think that he will only get the dump-off passes, but they will be pretty frequent in my opinion.
3. Top 10 Tight End
Fasano did it two years ago, so I think he will be able to do it again. I don't know how you will classify the Top 10 Tight Ends, but however you do it he will be on that list.
That's all for now. Let me know how you think Fasano will do this season.
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Will Anthony Fasano Perform Like He Did Two Seasons Ago For The Miami Dolphins?
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| Anthony Fasano |
Two seasons ago he did extremely well and was an instrumental part of the Miami Dolphins successful turnaround. He was also one of the top performing tight ends in the league. But, last season wasn't nearly as good of a season for Fasano. He didn't perform nearly as well and was not among the top tight ends in the league.
One reason for Fasano's dip in performance could be because Chad Henne became the QB and didn't use him as much, or as well, as Chad Pennington did. Henne is still young, and the Dolphins were forced to run the ball even more than they would normally to take some of the load off of Henne.
Now, that isn't so much of a problem. Henne has more experience, and he also has better weapons. The addition of Brandon Marshall helps Fasano more than it hurts him.
Yes, Marshall will take away some receptions from Fasano, but he will also require double coverage a lot. That extra man will have to come from somewhere, and he may be the person that normally covers Fasano. I know it normally isn't that simple, but double coverage will help Fasano at least a little bit.
My reason for talking about Fasano is because of how well he performed in the most recent preseason game against the Jaguars. He had two touchdowns and 66 receiving yards. While that doesn't indicate exactly how he will do this year, it does give me a little bit of hope.
Those are some of the reasons why I do believe Fasano will return to his form from two years ago. He has all of the help he needs, and now he just needs to use it to his advantage. I really believe he has the potential to do very, very well this year.
Fasano is a very talented TE, and we need him to do well this year. Tight Ends are becoming increasingly important in the pass-first offenses of today. The Miami Dolphins should be no exception. And, I think he will be a Top 10 TE this year.
He was two years ago, so why wouldn't he be again?
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The Miami Dolphins Preseason Week 2 Offensive Performance Is Very Encouraging
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| Anthony Fasano TD courtesy of Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP |
Imagine if our passing offense can be just like that this season.
Brandon Marshall had a few great catches and two great blocks, but we already expect that from him. He was not too much of a surprise.
No, the biggest surprise was Tight End Anthony Fasano. Fasano had two receiving touchdowns. One was a relatively short reception with a long run following. The other was a great grab in the air inside the endzone.
It was also good to see Chad Henne do so well. He was 11 for 14 with 151 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, and a 151.2 passer rating. It seemed like everything he threw was right on target and he was comfortable with the offense.
The best part about it was that Miami didn't really even have to rely on the running game. It is good to see that we will not have to worry as much about the passing game this year. The running game will no longer be the crutch that we lean on. Just another weapon we can use at any time.
Another fun thing to watch was how well Pennington did. If, knock on wood, Henne is injured and unable to play we will have Pennington ready to step in.
I know I have said before that we do not really need Pennington, and I honestly still do not think he is an absolute necessity. But, he sure can run the offense. The Dolphins offense won't lose much if he does have to step in.
So, be thankful that things are going well in the preseason so far. Now let's hope it translates into the regular season.
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5 Miami Dolphins Offensive Players Primed For A Breakout In 2010
All Dolphins fans are hoping for a breakout season this year. They want a team that can win this season.
Some fans are impatient and want to see Miami go far next season, while other fans are more patient and are willing to wait for Miami to be a strong post-season contender.
Whether you are a patient or impatient fan, you still want success, and if they want to be successful they will need certain players to have a breakout year this season. Here is a list of five offensive players on the Dolphins that are primed for a breakout this year.
1. Chad Henne, QB
Henne is probably the most talked about Dolphin when it comes to a breakout season. Chad Henne has extremely high expectations from his fans, and for good reason. Henne now has a star receiver named Brandon Marshall who will help him a lot more than what Henne had last year.
He is also more experienced and will be able to work with his team this offseason during training camp. He wasn't able to during training camp last year because he wasn't the starting quarterback, but he will be able to next year and, in doing so, become more of a leader.
Henne will be great this year, and the biggest reason is Marshall, but his success will also be thanks to his experience, chemistry with the team, and his leadership.
2. Brian Hartline, WR
The addition of WR Brandon Marshall helps a lot of the offense, and Hartline is evidence of that.
Brandon Marshall is a huge playmaker, and will require double teams a lot this season. When Marshall is being double covered, Hartline will be open to catch the ball himself. That is the case for all of Miami's receivers, but Hartline is a receiver who will be able to make a big play.
Last year Hartline lead the Dolphins with more 20+ and 40+ yard receptions than any other receiver. The big thing is that he got less receptions than any other receiver who received considerable minutes last year. Hartline has big play potential, and Marshall will help bring the potential out in him.
3. Kory Sheets, RB
Kory Sheets has a chance to do well this year. He is a very fast runner, and he may be the third string back for Miami. His speed would be great for the Dolphins running game. He is also very good at scoring when the offense is near the goal line, according to his combine scouting profile. His ability to score might be what will help him break out next year. If Miami needs somebody to score when they are near the goal line, Sheets might be the back they hand it to.
Ricky Williams is getting old, and Ronnie Brown isn't always reliable because of injuries, so the Dolphins will probably look for another running back. That is where Sheets may come in.
He is also supposed to be a pretty good kick returner, as well. So, he has an even better chance of breaking out this season.
4. Anthony Fasano, TE
Fasano had a pretty bad year last season. Credit his bad performance to what you want, but he still didn't do very well.
I believe Fasano is in position to break out this year. He has receivers and running backs around him that will take the focus of the defense away from him. Top that with the fact that defenses may not take him seriously this season, and you could be looking at a very good season for him.
I am not saying whether he will have it or not, but he is definitely primed for one. Hopefully, he will be an important part of Miami's offense next year and will have a breakout.
5. Davone Bess, WR
I didn't want to include another receiver, but Bess is an important player. He will definitely have a breakout season. He is a great receiver who can catch practically anything thrown at him. As defenses focus on Brandon Marshall, and then hopefully Brian Hartline, Bess will be more open than ever.
Bess is primed for a breakout. Last season he had 76 receptions for 758 yards, and that was with the Dolphins not even throwing the ball a lot. This year they will throw a lot more, and Bess could possibly have 100 receptions and 1000 receiving yards.
Statistics like that are reasons why Bess will have such a good year.
What do you guys think? Let me know with your comments.
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Some fans are impatient and want to see Miami go far next season, while other fans are more patient and are willing to wait for Miami to be a strong post-season contender.
Whether you are a patient or impatient fan, you still want success, and if they want to be successful they will need certain players to have a breakout year this season. Here is a list of five offensive players on the Dolphins that are primed for a breakout this year.
1. Chad Henne, QB
Henne is probably the most talked about Dolphin when it comes to a breakout season. Chad Henne has extremely high expectations from his fans, and for good reason. Henne now has a star receiver named Brandon Marshall who will help him a lot more than what Henne had last year.
He is also more experienced and will be able to work with his team this offseason during training camp. He wasn't able to during training camp last year because he wasn't the starting quarterback, but he will be able to next year and, in doing so, become more of a leader.
Henne will be great this year, and the biggest reason is Marshall, but his success will also be thanks to his experience, chemistry with the team, and his leadership.
2. Brian Hartline, WR
The addition of WR Brandon Marshall helps a lot of the offense, and Hartline is evidence of that.
Brandon Marshall is a huge playmaker, and will require double teams a lot this season. When Marshall is being double covered, Hartline will be open to catch the ball himself. That is the case for all of Miami's receivers, but Hartline is a receiver who will be able to make a big play.
Last year Hartline lead the Dolphins with more 20+ and 40+ yard receptions than any other receiver. The big thing is that he got less receptions than any other receiver who received considerable minutes last year. Hartline has big play potential, and Marshall will help bring the potential out in him.
3. Kory Sheets, RB
Kory Sheets has a chance to do well this year. He is a very fast runner, and he may be the third string back for Miami. His speed would be great for the Dolphins running game. He is also very good at scoring when the offense is near the goal line, according to his combine scouting profile. His ability to score might be what will help him break out next year. If Miami needs somebody to score when they are near the goal line, Sheets might be the back they hand it to.
Ricky Williams is getting old, and Ronnie Brown isn't always reliable because of injuries, so the Dolphins will probably look for another running back. That is where Sheets may come in.
He is also supposed to be a pretty good kick returner, as well. So, he has an even better chance of breaking out this season.
4. Anthony Fasano, TE
Fasano had a pretty bad year last season. Credit his bad performance to what you want, but he still didn't do very well.
I believe Fasano is in position to break out this year. He has receivers and running backs around him that will take the focus of the defense away from him. Top that with the fact that defenses may not take him seriously this season, and you could be looking at a very good season for him.
I am not saying whether he will have it or not, but he is definitely primed for one. Hopefully, he will be an important part of Miami's offense next year and will have a breakout.
5. Davone Bess, WR
I didn't want to include another receiver, but Bess is an important player. He will definitely have a breakout season. He is a great receiver who can catch practically anything thrown at him. As defenses focus on Brandon Marshall, and then hopefully Brian Hartline, Bess will be more open than ever.
Bess is primed for a breakout. Last season he had 76 receptions for 758 yards, and that was with the Dolphins not even throwing the ball a lot. This year they will throw a lot more, and Bess could possibly have 100 receptions and 1000 receiving yards.
Statistics like that are reasons why Bess will have such a good year.
What do you guys think? Let me know with your comments.
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Fasano Report: The Status of Miami Dolphins TE Anthony Fasano
Please check out my Dolphin Shout blog. I have a bonus comparison on Anthony Fasano last year and two years ago on the blog, so it will be worth checking out here: Dolphins Blog
I don't know if anyone remembers how well Anthony Fasano did two seasons ago during the Dolphins miraculous turn-around season, but I sure do. Fasano was a big part of the Dolphins success and they could always count on Fasano to catch. But, as for last season, not so much.
Fasano was not very good at all last year. He caught almost the same amount of receptions, but he didn't have near as many yards and he had two costly fumbles in Week 1 of the season. His touchdowns were the worst part of all, though. He did not have near as many as two seasons ago.
What I'm wondering is: will Fasano still be the starter next year?
In today's NFL the tight end position is becoming a more important position. Quarterbacks want to be able to rely on their tight end to be a consistent catcher and also scorer. The NFL is a pass first league, and because of that the tight end position is becoming more and more important.
So, if the Dolphins want to develop into more of a passing offense, which they obviously do because they got Brandon Marshall, they need to get a consistent tight end. I'm not sure if Fasano is a consistent tight end anymore.
Miami Head Coach Tony Sparano has shown confidence in the tight ends that the Dolphins have now, and Miami might actually have a great performing TE next year, but don't be surprised if that TE isn't Anthony Fasano. You heard it here first.
Please check out my Dolphin Shout Blog. I write on it first and then add articles to B/R a few hours later.: Dolphins Blog
I don't know if anyone remembers how well Anthony Fasano did two seasons ago during the Dolphins miraculous turn-around season, but I sure do. Fasano was a big part of the Dolphins success and they could always count on Fasano to catch. But, as for last season, not so much.
Fasano was not very good at all last year. He caught almost the same amount of receptions, but he didn't have near as many yards and he had two costly fumbles in Week 1 of the season. His touchdowns were the worst part of all, though. He did not have near as many as two seasons ago.
What I'm wondering is: will Fasano still be the starter next year?
In today's NFL the tight end position is becoming a more important position. Quarterbacks want to be able to rely on their tight end to be a consistent catcher and also scorer. The NFL is a pass first league, and because of that the tight end position is becoming more and more important.
So, if the Dolphins want to develop into more of a passing offense, which they obviously do because they got Brandon Marshall, they need to get a consistent tight end. I'm not sure if Fasano is a consistent tight end anymore.
Miami Head Coach Tony Sparano has shown confidence in the tight ends that the Dolphins have now, and Miami might actually have a great performing TE next year, but don't be surprised if that TE isn't Anthony Fasano. You heard it here first.
Please check out my Dolphin Shout Blog. I write on it first and then add articles to B/R a few hours later.: Dolphins Blog
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