Sun-Sentinel Offense Breakdown
There was a good post by Omar Kelly over at the Sun-Sentinel. And He broke down the whole offense. Its a pretty good idea and wish I jumped on it during my mini vacation this weekend.
It’s never too early, or too often to take a look at a breakdown of the Dolphins roster.
Breaking down the roster allows me and you to continuously get a glimpse of how many players - at what position - make the 53-man roster in an ideal world (which means everyone stays healthy, which is a dream scenario). And it also allows you an opportunity to identify holes on the roster, and separate the sure shots (draft investments, possible starters, special teams demons) from long-shots (mostly the leftovers).
Here is my latest depth chart, which includes a breakdown at each position heading into the start of training camp later this month.
QUARTERBACKS - Proposed spots on the 53-man roster: 3
Sure shots: Josh McCown, John Beck, Chad Henne
Breakdown: According to the Dolphins coaches, all three quarterbacks will have a fair shot at winning the starting job during training camp, and the exhibition season. More than likely, unless the initial winner of this QB battle is winning games (another dream scenario), each quarterback will likely get a shot to unseat the starter. One of these three will have to run the scout team unless a practice squad spot is used on another quarterback.
RUNNING BACKS - Spots: 4
Sure shots: Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams
Even money: Lex Hilliard, Jalen Parmele
Uphill battle: Patrick Cobbs
Breakdown: Brown and Williams will likely share the workload early, and they both are perfect fits for the power running game the Dolphins will likely feature. Cobbs is considered a small back by Trifecta standards, but if he’s productive as a change of pace back, and special teams contributor, Cobbs could earn one of the two vacant roster spots. Both Hilliard and Parmele can be stashed on the practice squad if they don’t churn out yards in the exhibition season because it’s unlikely that another team will snatch up either player. Both must become head knockers on special teams to earn a 53-man roster spot. If a quality back becomes available after the first and second round of roster cuts don’t be surprised if the Dolphins front office pounce.
FULLBACK - Spots: 1
Even money: Boomer Grigsby, Reagan Mauia
Breakdown: There likely won’t be much use for a fullback in this offense because it’ll likely feature a lot of two tight ends, and three receiver sets. The fullback will primarily be used for short yardage situations. That means whoever finds a home on the 53-man roster needs to be a special teams demon, which makes Grigsby the front-runner unless Mauia turns into a bulldozer during the exhibition season. Both tight ends are very one dimensional.
TIGHT END - Spots: 3
Sure shots: Anthony Fasano
Even money: David Martin, Justin Peelle, Sean Ryan
Uphill battle: Aaron Halterman, Matthew Mulligan
Breakdown: Fasano likely makes the 53-man roster because the Trifecta has a high opinion of him based on the second-round pick they used to take him back in their Dallas days, and the fourth rounder they used to acquire him and linebacker Akin Ayodele the night before the 2008 draft. It’s anyone’s guess which other two tight ends survive the cut downs. Each has strengths and weaknesses, but all will need to produce, and provide efficient contributions in the running game, passing game, and on special teams to stick around. Peelle’s salary, the highest of all the tight ends, is a bit bloated, which likely puts him at a slight disadvantage. This position can handle a cut back to make space for the three unsigned rookies.
RECEIVER - Spots: 5
Sure shots: Ernest Wilford, Ted Ginn Jr.
Even money: Derek Hagan, David Kircus
Uphill battle: Greg Camarillo, Davone Bess, Selwyn Lymon, Justin Wynn, Jayson Foster, John Dunlap
Breakdown: Wilford is the only Dolphins receiver who can’t have the YOUNG and UNPROVEN label stamped on him. And Wilford just barely graduated out of that label. Ginn will likely serve as a stretch the field receiver, but the Dolphins need to identify another deep threat. They also must find a slot receiver. Hagan seems to be the front runner, but he must become more consistent to maintain trust from the coaching staff and quarterbacks. This position will also likely receive an injection of talent once the first round of cuts arrives. It’s likely that two unproven receivers will have a spot reserved for them on the practice squad. That’s what Bess, Lymon, Wynn, Foster and Dunlap are likely battling for unless someone starts tearing it up in the exhibition season. One (Bess or Foster) could earn a spot on the 53-man roster if he’s an elite kickoff and punt returner.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE - Spots: 4
Sure shots: Jake Long, Vernon Carey
Uphill battle: Julius Wilson, Dan Gore, Daren Heerspink
Breakdown: There is a shortage of depth at the tackle spot, which will likely be addressed after the first few waves of roster cuts. While Wilson possesses promise and the size to succeed, it’s hard to predict this second-year undrafted player is ready to become the utility guy that gets called on when/if Long or Carey go down. Gore and Heerspink, who are both rookie free agents, are long shots to make the 53-man roster, but they could be developed on the practice squad (along with Wilson, who spent most of last season there) if they prove to be dependable.
OFFENSIVE GUARD - Spots: 4
Sure shots: Justin Smiley, Shawn Murphy
Even money: Donald Thomas, Trey Darilek, Ikechuku Ndukwe
CENTER - Spots: 2
Sure shot: Samson Satele
Even money: Steve McKinney
Uphill battle: Mike Byrne, Matt Spanos
Breakdown: Whoever steps up and becomes the starter opposite Smiley immediate gets upgraded to the “sure shot” category. Players like Darilek, McKinney and Ndukwe, who have the versatility to play guard and center, have an upper leg on the rest of the competition because they provide roster flexibility. I suspect versatility will be the key to determining which interior linemen get kept. If Thomas doesn’t prove he’s ready to handle the caliber of NFL players he could be stashed on the practice squad initially, which would allow the former Connecticut walk-on to receive some much needed grooming.
Comments
Leave a Reply
