Forgive me for being a little late in welcoming in the 2023 Training Camp. I had my post all set up and ready to dive into 2023, but then the Jalen Ramsey injury happened, and it threw me off course.
While I’m glad it’s not an ACL, still the news was not good. A repaired MCL has Ramsey out until December, they say. So he will more than likely miss 15 of our 17 regular-season games. Might as well say “out for the year.”
He seems determined to beat the timeline, and I hope for that. Perhaps he’s good to go in late November, so that means he’d only miss 12 games. Still, that is a brutal blow for the Dolphins to suffer, but better than the ACL.
This injury also got me thinking about Byron Jones. We’re all assuming (myself included) that Ramsey will be a difference maker, and that is why he’ll be missed. But let’s be fair…he’s never played a down for Miami. He might end up being average at best, just like Byron Jones was after signing his gigantic contract. I can’t be too worried about a guy who we’ve never seen play.
Imagine the Jet fans if Aaron Rodgers blew his MCL in camp. They’d be jumping off buildings right now. We have the luxury of a good defense, and one injury won’t ruin the whole season.
If you missed it, rookie DB Cam Smith said that Ramsey’s injury was a “blessing” for him, so he has a chance to get more playing time. He corrected himself and said it was an “opportunity” not a blessing. But his original choice of words was interesting! I like that actually. The kid has some swagger and wants to get out there. Will he live up to the hype? Or will he be another Noah Igbinoghene or Neon Dion Jordan?
I like the signing of Eli Apple. He’s never lived up to be the #10 overall draft pick, but the Dolphins can’t be picky. We needed a veteran CB to fill in for Ramsey, and Apple could do well here. Nik Needham and Kader Kohou have been steady, but relying on a couple of undrafted free agents to keep stepping up into more important roles is asking a lot. That’s where Apple’s experience can be a positive factor.
On the offensive side of the ball–and this is not big news–the O-line seems to be getting manhandled every practice. They are not doing the job according to all reports and all the videos I’ve seen. It’s still early. One thing I hope for is to avoid injuries so that 5 men can play at their designated positions. If you’re a right guard, you will play right guard. The revolving door of a guard moving to tackle n the other side of the ball…it just doesn’t work for the Dolphins. All teams have injuries, and we need versatile players. But if we have some luck in the injury department, we won’t need guys to shift positions as often as last year.
Thoughts?
Hey Admin its been a long time! Getting pumped right about now first game Friday. I wouldn’t write off some of those young guys. Iggy has apparently been good remember he’s still very young takes time to figure things out. It would be a blessing to see him improve as well as Darth Kader. Still believe I was the first to give him the nickname he apparently said whatever the fans like he likes hahah!
Oline same thing AJ has been looking pretty good. Eich holding his own as well so far but it’s early. Its best for the team if they hold on but let the best man win.
Saw the depth chart and MM has put the rookies at the bottom make them earn their spots. I think a few will be on the 53. Look out for Pili as the backup NT behind Davis.
Well I hope for the best with all of those guys you named. Aside from Darth, none of the others have been productive at all. I hope they shut me up this year, and I’ll remain positive while giving them the benefit of the doubt in Year 2 of McDaniel’s reign. I just got my subscription to YouTube’s Sunday Ticket sorted out. I still can’t believe Goodell did that to us. Watching via streaming just isn’t the same. All those Thursday night games on Amazon last year, and I could never pause or rewind at all. We’ll see. As for Friday, that game airs on replay on the NFL network Friday night late, so i can’t wait to watch it Saturday morn!
Yes totally pissed about this youtube thing. I decided to get an IPTV android box hopefully it works well. Supposed to give me Sunday ticket but also local Miami channels so should get pregame and stuff. Just hoping its not a massive delay otherwise won’t be able to chat with you guys on game days although we’re probably all going to have internet issues. I’ll report back how Fridays game goes.
Yeah, I watched Amazon Thursday games last season via my PlayStation, and the delay was around 90 seconds. I remember a few of you guys in the chatroom telling me that Tua was out cold and not moving at all in the Cincy game, while on my screen they hadn’t even run the play BEFORE!
Hey FFF. let me know if that box works out. I would love to watch the pre-season game live on Friday, but I don’t want to rejoin the NFL’s service (Which lets you stream preseason games) and then have to cancel it.
Admin I was able to get a decent CBS feed from West Palm Beach it was a little better than the Miami feed. Live feeds can spin a little but it was actually quite good. I think the Houston game is on NFL network I’ll probably try it again out of Miami if I get home on time.
Waddle was injured at practice today. Oh man. Losing Waddle AND Jalen Ramsey would really put a damper on the intrigue and excitement of 2023…
I saw the report on this and it said he “was on the ground for about 4 min” and that “he got off the field under his own power” and that “he had some discomfort on his right side by his waist” Just a guess but it sounds like he landed funny and got the wind knocked out of himself. Whatever is going on around his waist could just be he tweaked himself landing funny. IDK but its better than he was carted off the field holding his knees wrenching in pain! For us I’ll say this report is good luck!
He’ll be fine you are right we don’t want leg injuries those seem to be the worst!
Yeah, I saw it was a “shot to his midsection injury” so not a leg. Sounds like an old WWF phrase when a wrestler goy kicked in the nuts by a bad guy.
Admin it’s great to see the you back in action here! Can’t wait for the season to start!
Yeah, thank you all. Good to be back. I never really went away, but there was so little to write about!
Glad you are back also, Admin.
Hope everyone got to see Zach Thomas get inducted into the HOF this past weekend. His acceptance speech was excellent, and had the most enthusiasm (just like his career) among all the other inductees. Well deserved #54 (I have his jersey) Congrats !
He did indeed have a great speech, and he thanked a lot of Dolphin teammates. It was a trip down memory lane!
Hark! He posteth something!!
Wise guy Sean !!
I thought Achane looked good and EZ E looked fast as well i was impressed. QB play wasn’t great but first game preseason no reason to get all concerned. Main thing is to not have any major injuries and barely any starters played although I’ve seen many teams have their starters in for a while it’s crazy.
Agreed. Although I’m not sure if EE will make the team. Say Hill, Waddle and Berrios are a sure thing. They seem to like Robbie Chosen (although personally I think he’s a guy who just came here for the money like Will Fuller). I think Cracraft has earned a spot. I can’t think of a single drop Cracraft had last year. Then there are Cedrik Wilson and Braylon Sanders, PLUS, a few other undrafted freebies we got. EE will be inexpensive to keep, but the concern is if he is needed
I think Easy E gets in as he looked great with lots of upside. Sanders hasn’t show me anything but I do like Cracraft he’s one of those guys that just gets it done not fast or anything but gets it done. Chosen we’ll see because I haven’t heard much of him yet if anything someone could get traded which isn’t a bad thing.
Welcome back Dolphin Fans!
I am so pumped up for this season like no other.
I haven’t been this pumped up since 2022 !
Hey Admin, long time silent! Glad you are back, missed your commentary.
I was able to watch the Dolphins-Falcons game. There was NOTHING impressive! I know its players looking to get on the roster and make a name for themselves but this team has literally NO BACKUP QB’S! Tua’s durability is always going to be questionable, so what did Grier do to improve that position? Nada! Zero! Keeping both backups from last season who weren’t good for another year? What?? When you have a Tua who is one hit away from another concussion? Just bec. he is taking Judo and has bulked up (looks overfed and thick) , doesn’t mean that will prevent injury-may fall better but that’s not always going to be the case. Hope the extra lbs. will not hinder is ability to move or pass. Strength is one thing extra lbs. that are not muscle are another. As I said before, I like him and want him to succeed but I don’t see the experiment able to leave the lab.
Sorry, it’s jiu jitsu Tua has been getting trained with…
Admin, I’ll take Matt Ryan! Just get a QB with experience that can be put behind the center and not have to think too hard. Matty “Ice” is very capable.
Of course, the Jets today just signed Dalvin Cook! Well, AFC teams keep improving… except one!
Your thoughts…cuz you know mine.
They did add Mike White and he deserves some time in the system before trashing him. Same with Skyler he was progressing and this was his first game with backups. I’m not worried they can call a vet if needed at midseason.
Also Achane looked great he needs playing time. Sure cook would have been nice but not at 9 M. He also has legal issues and could be suspended. Just watch this blow up in the jets face they have a tough early schedule as well and no oline.