Well, we survived without any major injuries. Cam Smith had a slight shoulder pull, but he’ll be fine. Barrios had a cut that needed stitches, so he’ll be back once healed.
Skylar Thompson continues to prove that he is not an NFL quarterback. Apologies to his backers and to so many people out there who wanted him on the team last year, but he’s just not at the NFL level.
That being said, Thompson didn’t look much worse than Mike White, who could not put up a single point against the 6th and 7th-string Falcon defenders.
Matt Ryan is available, cheap, in case Mike McDaniel comes to his senses and realizes the importance of a good backup QB, not an experiment like White or Thompson. At least Ryan has earned his keep in this league, unlike trial-QBs like Jacoby Brissett and Teddy Bridgewater.
Devon Achane looked good in limited duty. I think McDaniel has a plan for him, and he’s not going to give it away during pre-season. Basic runs up the middle, like we saw Achane do in Friday’s game, will not be a core play for him.
Erik Ezukanma looked good, but I think he’ll be on the practice squad. Just too many other talented receivers in the room. Although I feel Robbie Chosen may be the next Will Fuller or Muhammed Sunuu, etc. Just another veteran who we sign in the off-season that doesn’t have the heart to play. I hope Chosen proves me wrong! But sometimes it affects a guy’s confidence when he’s used to be a #1 receiver on another team, then he comes to Miami and has to fight for a number 4 or even 5th WR job.
It’s hard to judge the new Fangio defense because none of the starters played. But Cam Smith did look good. I was on the fence about us drafting yet another DB this year, but he seemed to be all over the field.
Eli Apple got his feet wet. I didn’t notice anything great, but no mistakes either. Announcer Kim Bokamper called out Noah Igbinoghene for being too slow to recognize a route. Oh well, some things never change. We’ll see how Noah competes for a job with Apple, Needham, Kader, Smith and others.
Speaking of Some Things Never Change, we got flagged for another delay of game. McDaniel has not improved. He cost us a playoff win in Buffalo, and he hasn’t learned yet. False starts are fine; they happen. But having a head coach who has 45 seconds to call a play, and he fails? Unacceptable.
I know everyone loves McD and his wit and his dry humor, but I can’t and won’t forget his inept decisionmaking in Buffalo that ended our season.
I forget, was that the Playoff game where McDaniel cost us? I only remember that play in which Skylar did not see a wide open Tyreek for a go ahead TD!
I am excited for the new season and the new possibilities (especially on D), but it is tempered excitement.
I am actually concerned about our quarterback situation. Once Tua gets hurt again, we are back to the same situation as before (average to below average backup quarterback). And Tua will likely get hurt again, another concussion. I hate to say it. It’s a design flaw, so I hope we win a bunch before the unfortunate event happens again.
As always, hoping for the best for our Dolphins. Happy 2023 season!
Yes, if Tua is hurt again, we are doomed. McDaniel’s schemes only seem to work with a great QB at the helm. With average QBS, we run more, and defenses know it. That’s why we have been so horrible in non-Tua games the last two years
Christian Wilkins is now holding out.
He deserves more and we’d love to keep him long term. But he still has a CURRENT contract that he agreed to play for, and he’s spitting in the face of the organization by not honoring that. Let’s hope it works out soon.
He is the blood, sweat, and tears of this defense. They should really pay the man. Just my $0.02.
Yeah, he’s a piece of the puzzle that must remain intact. But it sets a bad precedent if they give him a deal while ignoring the other holdouts, Conner Williams and Zach Sieler.
He is the blood, sweat, and tears of this defense. They should really pay the man. Just my $0.02.
They ARE paying him. They are paying him what both sides willingly agreed to.
Currently set to earn $10 million per year, and he refuses to honor that deal.
They are waiting for him to show up and work for the salary he already agreed to.
Yes he deserves more, but later. AFTER his current deal ends. For now, he needs to be a man of his word
And now Terron Armstead is hurt. It was serious enough for them to bring out the dreaded cart.
Admin, you just said above we have average QB’s-So then why is this team continuously giving average QB’s the “chance” to see what they can do…they should have learned this offense! If not, then they aren’t worthy of backup. White did not flourish with the Jets so Dolphins take the sloppy senconds again!
Pointing the blame should be on Grier! He’s buying the ingredients – as Parcells once referred to when he said something like I can’t make the dinner without the groceries. Well, the Dolphins grocery list is weak for their dinners.
All good points. Firstly, no team can afford to have a high-priced and high-profile backup. So you need a second-tier guy for financial reasons. Now when it comes to finding such a second-tier guy, experience matters. I get it. But what kind of experience? Do you want a guy whose experience consists of filling in for three or four games per year as a substitute? Jacoby Brissett and Mike White are your man! They were sub-par substitute journeymen on their previous teams, and Grier thought he would continue that trend. Brissett lost 6 of the 7 games he subbed for Tua. White hasn’t played a game for us yet, but the way he showed nothing against the 6th-string Falcon defenders in last Friday’s game was laughable. Then there is Teddy Bridgewater. He was a legit starter, but never showed big numbers or big promise. I have no idea why Grier signed him, other than the same old same old “A local kid comes home” feel-good story. I must admit the intense jealousy I feel when I see QBs like Josh Allen and others who NEVER get hurt. Other teams can afford to hire a crappy backup QB, because he won’t see the field. Ours will. (but I hope not)
Regarding QB Allen, it defies logic (and physics) how he is able to go out of his way to take on LB’s, rarely runs out of bounds – like all QB’s should, and never gets hurt enough to miss any plays, in stark contrast to our QB. And for years now, we have been saying that it will catch up to him – but it never does – go figure ….
Bank on it that Allen will get hurt one day its just the odds of it happening with all the running he does. His HC told him to stop it and I think it will make him less effective.
Skyler had a pretty good game today but Houston is crap. Either way it was a good bounce back effort. Tua bounced back as well from a shit throw nice to see. Overall great game today.
All I can say is-Tua’s first pass outside of practice with his own team and he throws an INT…WTF?
Grier should be scanning rosters for a decent back up QB cuz this team will need it. Dolphin scouts have not been impressive. I moved from NJ to SC-I don’t think I would be able to stomach the Jets fans joy with Rogers, as well as the media love fest with him…until they start to turn on him!