Re: Training Camp

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:30 pm

Even with the D dominating, it sounds like the Phins' O has scored a bunch of TDs today. We're early in camp, but I am confident in saying that the offense has likely scored more TDs in a few days this year than they did in all of last year's camp! LOL That may be an exaggeration (or maybe not), but seriously, I don't recall ever hearing about this many TDs in a Dolphins camp!

McDaniel is a miracle worker!!

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:31 pm

Travis Wingfield
@WingfieldNFL

Tua to Waddle for a RZ TD – akin to the ball we saw against the Panthers last year where he had to be absolutely precise with the timing and location with defenders converging. He was. Six points.
12:22 PM · Aug 3, 2022

by Umix10 Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:32 pm

Nice to hear that Tua had the orange jersey today

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:33 pm

RBs getting in on the action: Sony Michel and ZaQuandre White both had rushing TDs in red zone work.

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:38 pm

Umix10 wrote:Nice to hear that Tua had the orange jersey today

Yes indeed! Everyone is saying that he looks like a completely different player this year. Big things are coming!!!

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:46 pm

Practice is over today. Interesting that Tua had a bit of an off-day, with some early underthrows, but finished strong and made some big time throws.

On WRs: Hill got the day off today. Waddle, EZ, Cracraft and Sherfield all made plays.

On RBs: Gaskin saw a lot of action but didn't do much. Doaks impressed. White seemed to have a good day too, but did have a fumble. Mostert dropped a deep pass on a wheel route.

by CarsonChris Wed Aug 03, 2022 1:05 pm

Would love to see Doakes be a success. I like the big backs that punish the defense!

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 2:15 pm

CarsonChris wrote:Would love to see Doakes be a success. I like the big backs that punish the defense!

Yep. We really don't have that now, so it would be great to see him step up.

RB will have some interesting battles for the #4 RB, if they even keep 4. It sounds like Salvon Ahmed has been impressive...he may be in the lead right now.

by CarsonChris Wed Aug 03, 2022 2:49 pm

Any word on Tanner Connor. They moved him to TE. I would like to see that 6-5 4.37 TE catching passes!

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 2:59 pm

CarsonChris wrote:Any word on Tanner Connor. They moved him to TE. I would like to see that 6-5 4.37 TE catching passes!

Connor made a couple of catches today. Here's what Omar said:

Omar Kelly
@OmarKelly

Tanner Conner with yet another deep TD catch from Tua. Blitz beater again.

Welcome to practice rookie.
12:06 PM · Aug 3, 2022·Twitter for iPhone

Hunter Long seems like a blocker-only at this stage...and he is a good blocker, but he has had hands of stone going back to last season. It appears that Connor is already a better receiver - if he shows any blocking ability at all, he may very well take Long's job as the # 4 TE. Hell, he could even pass Shaheen if he keeps showing up in camp!

Great to see the rookies showing up on offense: EZ, Sanders and Connor at WR, and White at RB. Also hearing some good things about OL Blaise Andries.

by HalCHorn Wed Aug 03, 2022 4:40 pm

Long looked like a good prospect coming out, but at this stage I'd be surprised if he makes the team.

The play calling on offense was just ridiculously bad last season. Even mediocre would be a huge improvement, but McDaniel really looks like he'll be much better than average at it.

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 5:32 pm

HalCHorn wrote:Long looked like a good prospect coming out, but at this stage I'd be surprised if he makes the team.

The play calling on offense was just ridiculously bad last season. Even mediocre would be a huge improvement, but McDaniel really looks like he'll be much better than average at it.

Agreed on both points, Hal.

If McDaniel can design a scheme and playcalling that gets receivers open, that will give us a high-powered offense even if the OL isn't perfect. With Tua's quick release and ability to avoid pressure, he can find those open receivers for chunk plays all day!

by DolFan 316 Wed Aug 03, 2022 6:08 pm

JMP wrote:Hunter Long seems like a blocker-only at this stage...and he is a good blocker, but he has had hands of stone going back to last season. It appears that Connor is already a better receiver - if he shows any blocking ability at all, he may very well take Long's job as the # 4 TE. Hell, he could even pass Shaheen if he keeps showing up in camp!

OH how I would LOVE for Connor to run Long right off the team!!! And no, not just to prove me right about what a horrible pick he was, or right about Grier, or the fact that Long looks 12 in his PFR picture. I'm not that petty and childish.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LongHu00.htm

Okay, so maybe I am. Sometimes. But if Connor's the better player he absolutely should make the roster over Long regardless. It's utterly ludicrous to keep a TE around in 2022 purely for run blocking, but I have a bad feeling McDaniel just might be the one coach who would do it.

by **JMP** Wed Aug 03, 2022 8:22 pm

DolFan 316 wrote:
JMP wrote:Hunter Long seems like a blocker-only at this stage...and he is a good blocker, but he has had hands of stone going back to last season. It appears that Connor is already a better receiver - if he shows any blocking ability at all, he may very well take Long's job as the # 4 TE. Hell, he could even pass Shaheen if he keeps showing up in camp!

OH how I would LOVE for Connor to run Long right off the team!!! And no, not just to prove me right about what a horrible pick he was, or right about Grier, or the fact that Long looks 12 in his PFR picture. I'm not that petty and childish.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LongHu00.htm

Okay, so maybe I am. Sometimes. But if Connor's the better player he absolutely should make the roster over Long regardless. It's utterly ludicrous to keep a TE around in 2022 purely for run blocking, but I have a bad feeling McDaniel just might be the one coach who would do it.

I'm done with Long. He's worthless at this point.

I doubt McDaniel would keep a blocker-only TE, unless it is a guy like Cethan Carter that excels on special teams. McDaniel seems to be all about position flexibility and players that fit multiple roles. I don't think there's a place for one-trick ponies in this offense!

Durham Smythe could turn out to be the George Kittle in this scheme...not that he's as good as Kittle of course, but he can block AND catch - so maybe he plays that in-line role while Gesicki primarily lines up in the slot?

by CarsonChris Wed Aug 03, 2022 10:00 pm

Tanner Connor at 6-5 is probably top five fastest player in Miami. 4.37 forty time. Talk about a mismatch against linebackers. This offense might be the fastest in the NFL.

by DolFan 316 Wed Aug 03, 2022 10:03 pm

CarsonChris wrote:Tanner Connor at 6-5 is probably top five fastest player in Miami. 4.37 forty time. Talk about a mismatch against linebackers. This offense might be the fastest in the NFL.

I had such a good feeling about him when I heard he'd been signed that I actually commented somewhere on Youtube that he'd be a better player than Ezukanwa. It's the complete opposite of how I felt about the Long pick. This guy HAS to be used. He'd have to be one of the worst players of all time not to make the roster IMO. If there's no room for a guy like that you MAKE room.

by **JMP** Thu Aug 04, 2022 12:42 pm

DolFan 316 wrote:
CarsonChris wrote:Tanner Connor at 6-5 is probably top five fastest player in Miami. 4.37 forty time. Talk about a mismatch against linebackers. This offense might be the fastest in the NFL.

I had such a good feeling about him when I heard he'd been signed that I actually commented somewhere on Youtube that he'd be a better player than Ezukanwa. It's the complete opposite of how I felt about the Long pick. This guy HAS to be used. He'd have to be one of the worst players of all time not to make the roster IMO. If there's no room for a guy like that you MAKE room.

Yeah, when a guy has freakish size/athleticism at a position, and actually produces in practice, you find a way to keep him on the roster and develop him. I'd say Connor would be an ideal 4th TE, because while he is raw, he can do things to help the team right now and also has high upside to be so much more in the future.

by DolFan 316 Thu Aug 04, 2022 2:49 pm

JMP wrote:Yeah, when a guy has freakish size/athleticism at a position, and actually produces in practice, you find a way to keep him on the roster and develop him. I'd say Connor would be an ideal 4th TE, because while he is raw, he can do things to help the team right now and also has high upside to be so much more in the future.

4th TE?!?! HA!!! I say Connor should be next year's starter! They want to replace Gesicki so much, they've got the guy to do it right here!!! cheers

#connoroverlong

by **JMP** Thu Aug 04, 2022 3:03 pm

DolFan 316 wrote:
JMP wrote:Yeah, when a guy has freakish size/athleticism at a position, and actually produces in practice, you find a way to keep him on the roster and develop him. I'd say Connor would be an ideal 4th TE, because while he is raw, he can do things to help the team right now and also has high upside to be so much more in the future.

4th TE?!?! HA!!! I say Connor should be next year's starter! They want to replace Gesicki so much, they've got the guy to do it right here!!! #connoroverlong

I don't know about all that, but I support #connoroverlong!

by **JMP** Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:59 am

Defense has been relentless today. Lots of sacks. But offense has still managed a few TDs.

Defense showing lots of blitz packages and different looks. OL really being thrown into the fire against this D. Hopefully that pays off in the long run.

by **JMP** Fri Aug 05, 2022 3:49 pm

Barry Jackson
@flasportsbuzz
·
Follow
Skylar Thompson has no INTs through 8 practices. Missed 2 throws today but has several throws for long gains in camp. A solid seventh round pick
12:24 PM · Aug 5, 2022

We may have something with this kid. ZERO INTs in 8 practices is unheard of for a 7th round rookie QB. That is impressive!

by **JMP** Sun Aug 07, 2022 12:47 pm

Some notes from today:

Sounds like Tua shredded the defense in today's practice, with 40+ yard TDs to Hill, Waddle, Sherfield and Sanu!

McKinley with an INT (off of Skyler Thompson) and a fumble recovery.

Preston Williams finally with a couple of catches.

Wilkins, Sieler, Ogbah and Phillips continue to dominate.

Still not much from the run game, but I think that's a combo of a stifling defense and vanilla offense. Still, Edmonds continues to look good.

by **JMP** Wed Aug 10, 2022 9:23 am

Joint practices with the Bucs this week. Great opportunity to get some work in!

by **JMP** Wed Aug 10, 2022 9:45 am

Set your DVR: the Phins first preseason game will be on NFLN on Sunday at 7AM Eastern.

by **JMP** Wed Aug 10, 2022 11:55 am

First practice with Bucs is over.

Sounds like both teams dominated on defense, especially against the run. For the Phins' D, the DL completely shut down the run - led by Wilkins, who seemingly made a bunch of plays. Sieler had a batted pass and at least one sack. Iggy apparently got toasted a couple of times.

Both offenses threw a lot of short stuff, but also completed some chunk plays. Tua had a nice pass to EZ for 30, and of course Hill and Waddle made some plays. Bridgewater had a rough day, with two INTs and a fumble.

Overall, from what I read it sounded like two evenly matched teams with great defense, with neither one able to do much of anything on offense.

The good news for Miami: no injuries. Not so good for the Bucs: their new starting center Robert Hainsey (replacing Ryan Jensen, who is already out for the year) was carted off the field.

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