In Training Camp, Early Bird Often Gets The Worm

Training Camp has just begun, but the early bird often gets a roster spot

Training Camp is a process, but every rep counts.

The outcome of an NFL team’s season is the culmination of a ‘million steps’.

From the very first day that the Head Coach gets back to work, after his handful of days off post the prior season’s completion, everything he does has a ripple effect. Every minute wasted is a minute that can’t be reclaimed. Each decision, conversation, and action has an effect, good and ill, on the eventual outcome of the season. Most effects go unseen until all is said and done. But the effects are there even if they lurk below the surface. Success accentuates the good and submerges the bad. Failure does the opposite.

A popular catchphrase by coaches is that ‘it’s a process’. Yet, the contradictory side of it is that the ‘process’ always boils down to one play or one decision. This conundrum of ‘everything combined and yet it boils down to a single thing’ applies to Training Camp as well.

Most would say it’s ‘ too early to judge’…

…they are right to say don’t be too hasty with predictions, estimations, and evaluations. And yet, in a sense, they are also wrong.

Even after the very first practice, the coaches began hashing out the most minute details of the day and putting every player under the microscope. Due diligence demands even the stars get ‘critique time’ — even if it’s all of 5 seconds. From the coaches standpoint, every single rep puts a grain of sand on the scales of most players status as a Dolphin. At some point, a single action will tip the scales one way or the other, and Adam Gase will pull the trigger on their career as a Dolphin.

Now, it does take more or less to tip the scales of certain players due to salary, talent, production, or pedigree… or lack thereof. And even the best beat reporter with ‘premo sources’ is only guessing on how the scales will tip. But don’t be fooled, even if the effect is below the surface of our outsider’s observation… every single action generates an effect.

We fans are just spitballing and waiting on the results, of course. That’s half the fun of it… especially for the armchair coaches, isn’t it?!

Grains of sand to keep track of through 2 Days of camp… least as Phinsnews sees it:

Albert Wilson is shinning. His speed inside and wide could be a major factor… All signs, so far, say it will.
Tunsil called for holding Day 1 and a False Start Day 2. Sloppiness needs to turn to discipline… SOON!
Hayes is destroying Blockers. He will be a major factor as a DT and DE… We are lucky to have him.
CB McTyer out sped Grant for a pick and is appearing consistent. He could be a nice story for the Dolphins.
Isaiah Ford hurt again but ran off the field. He can’t afford any lost time. Carroo gets an opening.
Screens seem more on the menu and more effective. This added facet is brought to you by better OL play. This could be a big deal if it continues. Phins have been atrocious at the Screen Play for a long time.
Brendel was in a sleeve and didn’t practice. Larsen may steal his spot if Asiata plays more like today compared to Day 1, where he was demolished for a sack. Asiata will have a big effect on the bottom of the OL squad.
Jakeem Grant bobbled a good pass that turned into a pick yesterday and was quiet today. One play can determine a season. As been the case for 2 seasons, Grant’s hands need to be more reliable, if he wants to step to the front of the line.
Osweiler has 3 picks in 2 days, but he offset his poor play with some big plays in Day 2. So basically, he’s the same as he ever was?!
Tony Lippett isn’t ready to concede the starting spot to Tankersley… that’s very good for the health of the secondary.
Kicker Greg Joseph missed a 37 yarder and was 3 for 6. Jason Sander was 6 for 6 with a 52 yarder. The fork in the road is getting wider fast.

Some other news of note:

It’s good info, but Phinsnews expected this and talked about this outcome a month ago.

FYI: Sun Sentinel reporters do a tremendous job of giving you a detailed report on Training Camp.

If you look at the stats by Football Outsiders you’ll see Miami had it’s best 2017 YPC off the Right End with 3.81. Davis and James will be a better combo than Davis and Young. Expect that YPC off the right side to head north.

Great observation from Training Camp. I’m not concerned though… unless this continues past Week 3 because stunts take advantage of lack of chemistry. With 2 brand new pieces on the OL and the heavy rotation, it’s to be expected.

Finally, we fans should be grateful to the beat writers, even those who we don’t always agree with. Me, I read them all, from Schad to Perkins on the ‘daily’. They write them, I read them. I remember as a kid living in New York and having to scour the newspapers for info and game results. It was always meager scraps at best. Then the good days came a decade or so later when I started receiving the Dolphins Digest. Man, now we get the ‘Dolphins Digest’ daily! It doesn’t take a great pay per head reviews to know this is truly the Golden Era of football News. Go Phins!!!