Re: Training Camp

by **JMP** Tue Aug 02, 2022 3:42 pm

Meanwhile, Tua racked up another excellent day at camp. If he keeps this up, we're going to see a lot of mediots acting like they were on his bandwagon all long.

by **JMP** Tue Aug 02, 2022 3:47 pm

I keep hearing good things about Ezukanma the past couple of days. Today he caught a bomb from Tua (40+ air yards), and he's been getting praise from McDaniel and the Miami Herald reporters.

And apparently today Tua and Gesicki connected on a few big plays. Gesicki had been quiet before today.

by white1 Tue Aug 02, 2022 3:49 pm

Kinda sounds like another UDFA gem. Im hoping he doesn't have the same trajectory as Preston Williams

Preston definitely earned his shot, and over three seasons.... did very little with the opportunity. Word is he could not learn the playbook well enough to capitalize on the ability, size and potential he has demonstrated.

His recent tweet is puzzling. Looking for an opportunity? He had one. More than one. That tweet tells me he is likely failing to learn the latest playbook also. IF that's really the issue.

As long as the guys we see shining in camp don't have that kind of deficiency, they really could turn into UDFA gems!

by white1 Tue Aug 02, 2022 3:51 pm

And apparently today Tua and Gesicki connected on a few big plays. Gesicki had been quiet before today.

I read somewhere (forget where) he was intentionally placed inside and in-line to work on his blocking. That's the part of his game that needs work, so I understand the approach. He won't "lose" his ability to stretch the field and make plays in the passing game. He will get work there too (as we saw today).

by **JMP** Tue Aug 02, 2022 3:55 pm

white1 wrote:
And apparently today Tua and Gesicki connected on a few big plays. Gesicki had been quiet before today.

I read somewhere (forget where) he was intentionally placed inside and in-line to work on his blocking. That's the part of his game that needs work, so I understand the approach. He won't "lose" his ability to stretch the field and make plays in the passing game. He will get work there too (as we saw today).

I think Gesicki is going to have a MONSTER year as a receiver, working the middle while Hill and Waddle clear it out. He's going to see a lot of one-on-one looks against LBs, and will finally have a chance to get yards after catch. If he can add some level of blocking ability to his game as well, he's going to be in the "elite TE" discussion.

by **JMP** Tue Aug 02, 2022 4:00 pm

white1 wrote:
Kinda sounds like another UDFA gem. Im hoping he doesn't have the same trajectory as Preston Williams

Preston definitely earned his shot, and over three seasons.... did very little with the opportunity. Word is he could not learn the playbook well enough to capitalize on the ability, size and potential he has demonstrated.

His recent tweet is puzzling. Looking for an opportunity? He had one. More than one. That tweet tells me he is likely failing to learn the latest playbook also. IF that's really the issue.

As long as the guys we see shining in camp don't have that kind of deficiency, they really could turn into UDFA gems!

I've always supported Preston, but at this stage we simply don't need him anymore. At one time, we were so thin at receiver that we needed him to find a way to stay healthy and produce (which he never did), but this offseason we loaded up at WR and there simply isn't a spot for him. At best, he's #5 on the depth chart (and possibly more like #7 or 8 right now in reality) and he's not a special teams demon like some of the other guys he'll be competing against (Trent Sherfield, River Cracraft). Preston's days as a Dolphin are numbered.

by white1 Wed Aug 03, 2022 9:06 am

I've always supported Preston, but at this stage we simply don't need him anymore. At one time, we were so thin at receiver that we needed him to find a way to stay healthy and produce (which he never did), but this offseason we loaded up at WR and there simply isn't a spot for him. At best, he's #5 on the depth chart (and possibly more like #7 or 8 right now in reality) and he's not a special teams demon like some of the other guys he'll be competing against (Trent Sherfield, River Cracraft). Preston's days as a Dolphin are numbered.

Totally agree. We've got our top 3 locked in Hill, Waddle and Wilson. Then the two veterans you mentioned who also contribute heavily on special teams. Then not one, but TWO rookies (one of which is a UDFA), who are making impressive plays in camp.

That's 7 guys who are already positioned better than Williams for a number of reasons.

He looked really good at times, but the team has passed him by. Over the past two offseasons, we have totally revamped the WR corps. And it was long past due!

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 10:05 am

Phins release veteran DT Adam Butler after a failed physical. That sucks...was hoping he would be a nice addition to the DL rotation.

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 10:06 am

Here in New York, the word from multiple sources is that Joe Flacco has clearly outplayed Zach Wilson so far in OTAs and training camp. Very Happy

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 10:54 am

Jacob Meshel
@fins_dynasty

According to Wes Welker, Tagovailoa has been coming into the WR room frequently which Welker believes shows a sign of growth and leadership.
10:18 AM · Aug 3, 2022

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 10:55 am

This is cool:

Travis Wingfield
@WingfieldNFL

I asked Wes Welker about Erik Ezukanma drawing each play in the practice script each night before bed. He says that’s mandatory for all rookies.

“That’s what I did as a rookie so that’s what they’re going to do.”

Welker’s WR room has had a tremendous camp.
10:37 AM · Aug 3, 2022

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 11:31 am

Interesting comment from Omar:

Omar Kelly
@OmarKelly

I want to say something and not see it get dissected to death.

Tua Tagovailoa practices better than Ryan Tannehill.

What does that mean? Nothing. But he delivers more big boy passes in practice and takes far less sacks.

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 11:37 am

Rookies Braylon Sanders and Erik "EZ" Ezukanma continue to shine:

Travis Wingfield
@WingfieldNFL

1 on 1's

Braylon Sanders caught a perfectly dropped ball into the bucket from Tua. The concentration and body control of the rook continues to stand out.

Speaking of rookies Erik Ezukanma made a 50/50 ball from Tua look like a 90/10. He’s strong as hell at the catch point.
11:16 AM · Aug 3, 2022

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 11:43 am

Sounds like the defense is absolutely dominating today. Wilkins, Davis and Howard in particular seem to be kicking ass.

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 11:57 am

Hunter Long with another drop, this one from Tua on a 30 yard bomb.

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 11:57 am

Two perspectives on the same play:

Omar Kelly
@OmarKelly

Tua with a blitz beater to River Cracraft for a touchdown of 50 yards. Noah and Rowe closes defenders on what was clearly a miscommunication.
11:44 AM · Aug 3, 2022

Travis Wingfield
@WingfieldNFL

Tua just had one of my favorite plays he’s made of camp – takes a snap against a pressure look and immediately lobs it up top to space. Washington State legend River Cracraft runs under it for a 52-yard TD. QB1 seeing and attacking the vulnerability of the defensive look
11:45 AM · Aug 3, 2022

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:00 pm

WOW!

Travis Wingfield
@WingfieldNFL

Channing Tindall just carried a route 40 yards downfield staying stride for stride with Cedrick Wilson. Thompson threw it about as good as he could have, but the rookie breaks it up. Unreal speed.
11:48 AM · Aug 3, 2022

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:01 pm

Rookie QB Skylar Thompson apparently having a very good day.

Running game not looking good, but Doaks has had a couple of nice runs.

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:03 pm

Phillips, Ogbah and Wilkins consistently getting in the backfield. Ingram getting pressures too and also stuffing the run with Raekwon.

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:04 pm

BTW...in case you are wondering, I'm just reading tweets. I'm not actually at practice! Wink

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:05 pm

Daniel Oyefusi
@DanielOyefusi

Jevon Holland has CRAZY range. Just flew from the middle of the field to break up a deep pass from Tua to Bowden on the sideline
12:03 PM · Aug 3, 2022

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:17 pm

Blizzy
@BlizzyFins

Defense is playing fantastic today it seems and Tua is still responding really well to all the pressure/blitzing. You love to see it. Always perfect when both sides are looking good. Not gonna lie the OL does worry me a little but the best player (TStead) isn’t out there and our D is nasty
12:07 PM · Aug 3, 2022

by Umix10 Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:22 pm

white1 wrote:
And apparently today Tua and Gesicki connected on a few big plays. Gesicki had been quiet before today.

I read somewhere (forget where) he was intentionally placed inside and in-line to work on his blocking. That's the part of his game that needs work, so I understand the approach. He won't "lose" his ability to stretch the field and make plays in the passing game. He will get work there too (as we saw today).

Dont think this is by accident. If you look at the SF offense. Kittle was a very important part of the offense, vertically. i think with the addition of Hill and Wilson to Waddle, Gesicki is gonna cash in this year on the franchise tag. They are going to feature him at some point. I think he's the pivotal piece in the passing game. hill and waddle will open the middle for Gesicki and vice versa. Wondering if this is a ploy to keep Gesicki under wraps.

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:23 pm

Bridgewater to EZ for a TD! EZ is killing it!! Forget #4 receiver - this dude is going to battle for #3!

by Umix10 Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:25 pm

JMP wrote:This is cool:

Travis Wingfield
@WingfieldNFL

I asked Wes Welker about Erik Ezukanma drawing each play in the practice script each night before bed. He says that’s mandatory for all rookies.

“That’s what I did as a rookie so that’s what they’re going to do.”

Welker’s WR room has had a tremendous camp.
10:37 AM · Aug 3, 2022

this is the kind of disciplined coaching we needed

by Sponsored content