Hello Dol-Fans!
As some of you may know, I’m extremely excited with the prospects of our beloved Miami Dolphins this season. There’s a lot to be optimistic about! The hiring of OC Brian Daboll and his implementation of the proven West Coast Offense, drafting quality cornerstone players (i.e. C Mike Pouncey, RB Daniel Thomas, and FB/TE Charles Clay), and the second consecutive year of DC Mike Nolan’s Defense. Seems perfectly reasonable and logical to be optimistic, wouldn’t you say?
Which brings me to my question, with all of this optimism… will the Dolphins’ Offensive season be filled with positive statistics (apostrophes), or repeated catastrophes (a la 2010)? Only time will tell, but as a glass-half-full kinda guy I’ll go with the apostrophe side, and here’s why:
Newly implemented Offensive Systems will experience some lumps in the beginning, but opponents haven’t seen this from Miami before, and will get burned at times (advantage - Dolphins).
With Mike Pouncey at Center, C/G Richie Incognito will be able to move back to his natural position at Guard, solidifying the O-Line, and creating better opportunities for both the running and passing games (advantage – Dolphins).
Replacing aging RB Ricky Williams and injury prone RB Ronnie Brown with a fresh, young RB like Daniel Thomas will also help. The slashing, powerful, hungry runner, baring a chip on his shoulder is never a bad thing (advantage – Dolphins).
Adding another solid piece in rookie hybrid FB/H-Back/TE Charles Clay will present match-up problems for opposing Defenses similar to that of the Colts’ H-Back/TE Dallas Clark (advantage – Dolphins).
Adding a blazer like WR Edmond Gates (4.31 sec./40) will open the underneath, short, and intermediate routes for Brandon Marshall, Davone Bess, and Brian Hartline. Not to mention… all you have to do is hit this kid with a decent pass once on the fly, and he’s likely to go the distance (advantage – Dolphins).
Call me crazy, but these changes could really boost the Offense and push them over the top!
All I can say is, Go ‘Fins Go!
Showing posts with label Edmond Gates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Edmond Gates. Show all posts
A Look At The Miami Dolphins Rookie Class Of 2011
Hello Dol-Fans!
With the possibility of the 2011 NFL season looming at large, we might as well start looking at some rookies that might push our beloved Miami Dolphins over the hump, and back into playoff relevance.
Mike Pouncey (C) - A beast of an O-Lineman with talented genes and natural ability. Has a nasty disposition, coupled with size and strength. Fits all of the general criteria to be a quality O-Lineman, though he did struggle a bit at Center last year. With quality instruction, film study, and hard work, we're looking at our next starting Center for the next decade or so. PROJECTION: Immediate Impact Player.
Daniel Thomas (RB) - Hard runner with a natural nose for finding holes and lanes to blast through. Good combination of size, speed, burst, and "football IQ". If his collegiate stats (1585 yd's, 5.31 yd's/carry avg., and 19TD's) are indicative of his true abilities... this will be the 'Fins' featured back for years to come. PROJECTION: Immediate Impact Player.
Edmond Gates (WR) - An average sized blazer, with average hands and route running ability. Played for Abilene Christian University, so stats may be misleading. Had an above average overall combine, and led his group in the 40 yd. dash time (4.31 sec's); impressive. Expect him to be split-out wide, and sent deep a lot this season, opening up the underneath routes for Brandon Marshall, Davone Bess, and Anthony Fasano. You can expect to see him make more of an impact in 2012. PROJECTION: Marginal Impact Player.
Charles Clay (FB) - Here's your classic short yardage thumper; or is he? Good size (6'2", 245 lbs.) and lower body strength, with the ability to drive defenders backwards, but wait for it... the man can catch the ball! The Dolphins view him as a hybrid TE/H-Back/FB type player. A solid compliment to Daniel Thomas. Expect to see this young man lined-up all over the field attempting to create mismatches for opposing Defenses. PROJECTION: Immediate Impact Player.
Frank Kearse (DT) - A bit of an unknown, from a mediocre football program (Alabama A&M). Good size for the position (6'4", 311 lbs.), though he may struggle to get his pad level low enough to counter shorter O-Linemen. Expect him to be more of a developmental type player this year, with the possibility of an increased role in 2012. PROJECTION: Impact Player.
Jimmy Wilson (CB) - Another unknown from a relatively small football program (Montana). With limited information, it's difficult to determine what impact he may or may not have. Most likely drafted for Special Teams, positional depth, and development. PROJECTION: Impact Player.
With likely departures of both Ronnie and Ricky, we can also expect to see a free-agent splash for a veteran QB and RB as well.
Stay tuned Dol-Fans, it's gonna' be a ferocious and crazy ride here shortly!
With the possibility of the 2011 NFL season looming at large, we might as well start looking at some rookies that might push our beloved Miami Dolphins over the hump, and back into playoff relevance.
Mike Pouncey (C) - A beast of an O-Lineman with talented genes and natural ability. Has a nasty disposition, coupled with size and strength. Fits all of the general criteria to be a quality O-Lineman, though he did struggle a bit at Center last year. With quality instruction, film study, and hard work, we're looking at our next starting Center for the next decade or so. PROJECTION: Immediate Impact Player.
Daniel Thomas (RB) - Hard runner with a natural nose for finding holes and lanes to blast through. Good combination of size, speed, burst, and "football IQ". If his collegiate stats (1585 yd's, 5.31 yd's/carry avg., and 19TD's) are indicative of his true abilities... this will be the 'Fins' featured back for years to come. PROJECTION: Immediate Impact Player.
Edmond Gates (WR) - An average sized blazer, with average hands and route running ability. Played for Abilene Christian University, so stats may be misleading. Had an above average overall combine, and led his group in the 40 yd. dash time (4.31 sec's); impressive. Expect him to be split-out wide, and sent deep a lot this season, opening up the underneath routes for Brandon Marshall, Davone Bess, and Anthony Fasano. You can expect to see him make more of an impact in 2012. PROJECTION: Marginal Impact Player.
Charles Clay (FB) - Here's your classic short yardage thumper; or is he? Good size (6'2", 245 lbs.) and lower body strength, with the ability to drive defenders backwards, but wait for it... the man can catch the ball! The Dolphins view him as a hybrid TE/H-Back/FB type player. A solid compliment to Daniel Thomas. Expect to see this young man lined-up all over the field attempting to create mismatches for opposing Defenses. PROJECTION: Immediate Impact Player.
Frank Kearse (DT) - A bit of an unknown, from a mediocre football program (Alabama A&M). Good size for the position (6'4", 311 lbs.), though he may struggle to get his pad level low enough to counter shorter O-Linemen. Expect him to be more of a developmental type player this year, with the possibility of an increased role in 2012. PROJECTION: Impact Player.
Jimmy Wilson (CB) - Another unknown from a relatively small football program (Montana). With limited information, it's difficult to determine what impact he may or may not have. Most likely drafted for Special Teams, positional depth, and development. PROJECTION: Impact Player.
With likely departures of both Ronnie and Ricky, we can also expect to see a free-agent splash for a veteran QB and RB as well.
Stay tuned Dol-Fans, it's gonna' be a ferocious and crazy ride here shortly!
Miami Dolphins Select Speedy WR Edmond Gates
Gates is a very fast receiver who runs a 4.35 40-yard dash. He is the receiver that Miami needs to be able to stretch the field and open things up for the Dolphins other receivers.
This is the perfect pick for Miami at this position, and I am pleased at the decision. Gates has a very impressive 40" vertical, so he should be able to go up and catch almost any ball thrown near him.
This is a very good value pick.
Also, I have calmed down after last night and have been thinking long and hard about the Dolphins and what they have done so far in the draft. I am not as disappointed by them not taking Mallett anymore. It isn't the end of the world like I made it seem, and I will elaborate more on that tomorrow, so stay tuned.
Thanks for reading, and let me know what you think about the Gates pick.
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