Phins Make Two Key Strides In 1st Preseason Game
Going into Thursday nights Preseason Game there was one key improvement that I was hoping for: discipline. I especially wanted to see the offensive presnap penalties well under control.
Not only did Miami prove to be more disciplined, but Mike Gesicki had a good showing when it came to blocking… and that was a big surprise.
Yes, Miami needs to become even more disciplined, and two key players are still struggling with the same ole’ issues when it comes to penalties… But 7 penalties for 52 yards is solid at this point, especially with most of those penalties coming in the second half. Also, the only offensive presnap penalty came late in the 2nd half with Connor Hilland’s false start.
Now, Ja’Wuan James still shows a tendency to grab on wide runs, and Davon Godchaux is continuing his trend to jump early. These need fixing, for sure. Both are key players. But the fact that Laremy Tunsil didn’t get flagged is big… and a rarity. If he can just lock this aspect of his game down, then Miami will be in a good position to have an effective O-line.
Preseason is about tryouts, growth, and building consistency
The Offensive Line was solid. And given they are a new group and this is the 1st Preseason Game, their overall play offers hope.
- Laremy Tunsil was disciplined, solid in pass protection, and only blatantly missed one assignment in Run Blocking.
- Josh Sitton was as good as billed.
- Daniel Kilgore was solid, but his power moved interior defenders on two key runs.
- Jesses Davis was solid… nothing spectacular, but that’s light years better than what’s been at RG in the past. There was only one run play that he took a slight loss on. He continues to have zero flags.
- Ja’ Wuan James is still playing less than his talent and was the only starting O-Linemen flagged. But his history shows he struggles on Outside Zone runs… that history is continuing
Preseason has offered up a nice surprise
Now to take a closer look at the big surprise to many fans and pay per head review sites.
Mike Gesicki blocked pretty darn well. It’s only one game and for less than a quarter of play, but the film is very encouraging. Funny, I saw more issues with his routes than his blocking. Go figure.
Gesicki has a good grasp of NFL holding: A handful of jersey inside the numbers is all good. Can he teach that to Ja’Wuan James? While he’s driven back in the second play, that’s because he had two defenders to deal with. In the 3rd play, Gesicki opened the lane and it was Gray’s missed block that kept the run from being a big gain.
These two plays displayed excellent blocking. In the first play, againGesicki takes on one blocker and interferes with a second…just enough to allow the runner time to get beyond the LOS. Armando Salguero was very excited about the draw play on 3rd and 11 that netted a near 1st down. But it was Gesicki that made the key block. That was the biggest ‘hurrah’ for me on that one.
Even in his pass protection, Gesicki showed improvement.
Yup, Tannehill missed an easy throw, the defense was shredded, and Carroo is likely a waste of picks. But the play of Wilson, Fitzpatrick, and Fales was a nice counterbalance. The interior of the D-Line is my only real concern at the moment. The caveat to that is Jordan Phillips wasn’t starting and he’s appearing to finally have turned up the dial. All in all, things went pretty well and the team looks far ahead of where they were in last year’s first Preseason Game. Still, it’s early, but so far so good. Go Phins!!!
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Exactly Admin, well said. I hope all is well for Lemmus, hope to hear from him soon!
Now that it seems the team may be in the CB market (ie: Breeland visit), could Parker become a trade chip for a CB? I too would hate to let him go for a 4th or 5th rounder. I would jump at a 3rd. I would rather Parker stay healthy and complete a decent season (60 rec, 1000 yds, 8 tds), not to much to ask for?
I do like the thought of McCain opposite the X-Man. That would get Fitz on the field. I believe Fitz can play the position, can McCain? McCain surely has developed into a very good nickle (slot) corner, if he can experience the same success on the boundary, look out!
Yes on James as well. The disappointing part is he has played lights out stretches. It seems his consistency is getting worse by the year. He could make a big difference for this offense if can play like the lights out James on a consistent basis.
Basically 2 rookie LBers now starting. I will give McMillan the benefit due to non-game action in practically 2 years (I guess I’m keeping fingers and toes crossed thats the case). Baker speed/speed/speed, can he cover? If it is similar to last year w coverage issues, Gase needs to look at Burke and consider a change there.
Glad to be back, let the season begin.
Go Fins!!!
Baker has surprised me. I’m a big fan of Anthony, but he has only been steady. Baker popped. But Baker needs to play even… can he keep it up? I hope so. McMillian played poorly, but as you said he deserves a little break. He needs to take a nice step forward this week. McCain is outside and this will limit mistakes and bring consistency, but the depth is hit hard with Tanks crap play. Breeland has a good chance to be brought in. For me, I have my eye on the inside with McMillian and the DT’s.. this is a big game as the Panther OL and D will be very good test for the Dolphins… Then there is Parker… man he has bust written all over him..
Well fellas/ladies what did you think,,,,
First off, I would like to say football is back, hello to all fellow Fin Fans, or not!
Nice to see Tanny on the field, we need him to stay healthy to have a chance at playoffs/division title, etc. He looked like the Tanny of old. Which is good and bad; good that he has his mobility, bad that he could not finish the only drive he played. The same Tanny I remember? This is the year he MUST finish such drives. Take it this week, not so much down the road. Fales looks like a total different player than he was 1 year ago at this time. Not sure if the true back-up QB is on the roster just yet? Same can be said about the Kicker position.
RBs look good, without seeing Gore. Ballage looked and played the part, rookie turnover from extra effort. Perry gets his yards regardless of situation(s). The other rookie, Howell, looked good, has plenty of wiggle along with acceleration. Nice group, tough call for the fourth RB spot. Hopefully no one pouches the odd man out within 24 hours after cut day so we can retain him on the practice squad.
How about that O-Line??? Am I hearing you Lemmus in the distance? This line could very well be the strongest group we’ve had in for ever (seems like). There also seems to be depth as well. We do need for James to step up his consistency. Tunsil should have a solid year at LT. Sitton is that guard we’ve missed since Incognito.
I think we have a special rookie in TE Gesicki. If Tanny can gets the ball anywhere near him the in the red zone,,, look out,,, he has “it”. Blocking will come, but he is SICK with the ball in the air. Again, there seems to be depth at the TE position as well (reoccurring theme).
WR could very well be the deepest group on this team. Given = Wilson, Stills, Amendola, Parker; I think Grant is safe, but he dropped another pass that was in his hands, tough catch to make, but it was in his hands. I think they will keep 6 WRs. Ford is ahead of Grant in my mind, and don’t sleep on Owusu. Could Parker be trade material with the emergence of Ford and Owusu. Wilson can play the “X”.
The defense is starting to worry me a little bit. Or should I say Burke is starting to worry me? Seems like there was little pressure off the edge. Hope to see something from Harris some time soon??? No Wake, very little Quinn, little worry now. D line held its own, needs more consistency.
LBers can move, first and second teamers. To many out of position players (such as last season) due to miss reads. But, they are pretty athletic group with speed. If this team can ever get a decent lead, it could play right into Miami’s hand. Curious to see who the starting 3rd LBer is going to be. Anthony? Allen? Baker?
I also believe we have a special rookie on the defensive side of the ball in Fitz. His range, instincts, ball awareness are not teachable. Another rookie that has “it”. Seems Howard is ready for a solid year. Will someone please step up and grab the CB2 spot? Hope and believe McCain continues his progress, especially after getting paid. Safeties are loaded with the 3 headed monster.
I don’t believe our kicker is on the roster yet (don’t care, lol!). John Deny keeps chugging along.
Will Miami move someone, surplus at WR, RB, Safety. Do they even entertain a Bridgewater trade?
Season is coming soon.
I am thinking something similar to Parker… hate to see him go for nothing. If he bombs this season, they must either overpay for a 5th year option or let him go. He hurt his finger and missed practice now. He could turn it on I guess, but history current and past says no. Maybe we could get a 4-5 for him. I’d rather that than nothing. But maybe they are so focused on a successful season this year that they’d rather have him in hopes he makes a few big plays. Terrible though. He is looking like a big waste. Grant will def. stay. Ford looks pretty good, but he is a big of an issue with his injury history. Owusu is a unique player… not wiggle, but on certain stretch routes, he is a fast and big boy.
I like the Ol, James commited a FS at practice today and was running laps… he’s another screw up in my mind. Hope the light comes on soon.
McCain is getting a shot outside now, Baker in place of Anthony… but McMillian played terribly in his first start… terrible.
This week will be a big one as things should be coming to focus this week. Friday will be an illumunating game.
Overall though, I like what I saw: Geicki block far better than I expected. Penalties down and OL and Tanny good. 5.3 yards per carry as well. MAybe they go 4 TE and 5 wides and dump Parker?
Glad to hear from you… been quite here lately. Lemmus must still be recovering. Really got to know him when he was writing for us. Such a great guy. Hope he gets better… but I’ve emailed him a ton now and nothing. My fingers are crossed.
And to end on a football note, yeah… the kickers are on ridng the fence