Miami Dolphins Preseason: 10 Things We Learned Vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Much to their misfortune, the Dolphins were forced to partake in a precipitation-filled football game for the second straight week. Fortunately, they capitalized on the whole point of the preseason: They built on their mishaps.
Last week, Miami failed to present a formidable offense in the midst of a monsoon, but managed to turn the tide against the Jaguars. Despite a very lengthy delay and some minor showers, the Dolphins looked crisp and efficient en route to a 27-26 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night.
As always, preseason games bring an abundance of both mirages and things we can take valid information away from. Separating one from the other is essentially impossible, but it is still worth taking a cautious look at the things the game may have taught us.
Special Teams, Special Teams, Special Teams
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The Dolphins began Saturday's game against Jacksonville by repeating a mistake they made one week ago against Tampa Bay—they allowed a blocked punt.
Yes, Brandon Fields and the punt unit were backed up into the end zone, and it's not something to be overly concerned about. But this stuff does matter. And a blocked punt was only the start of the Dolphins' special teams' struggles.
The Dolphins kick off and punt coverage units looked lethargic. They gave up a 48-yard kickoff return to Deji Karim, a 25-yard punt return to Scotty McGee, and another long kickoff return that was called back due to a Jaguars penalty.
This isn't a new problem, though. Since Sparano's arrival, the team has consistently struggled with special teams coverages. But their current struggles may just be a product of the coaching staff mixing and matching many inexperienced players until they find a solid coverage unit.
Chad Henne Has Made Strides From '09
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Chad Henne's 5-for-11, 19 yard performance a week ago against Tampa Bay catalyzed some concerns over whether or not the quarterback was ready to catapult into stardom like many had predicted, or if he was still a work in progress.
On Saturday, Henne silenced all doubters. For now, anyway.
Henne was literally almost perfect, completing 11-of-14 on his pass attempts. And he would have been 13-for-14 had it not been for two dropped passes. He also tossed two touchdowns on 151 yards passing.
It's only the preseason, but we have huge expectations for Henne, and he showed us that, at the least, he has built on last season.
The Dolphins Are Undisciplined
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Two seasons ago, the Dolphins prided themselves on discipline. En route to their miracle 2008 turnaround, they finished the season as the NFL's least penalized team.
Last night, however, the Dolphins racked up eight penalties for 68 yards. Not good.
The first teams' multiple penalties were especially troubling.
Brandon Marshall was flagged for a totally unnecessary offensive pass interference, Anthony Fasano negated a long Ricky Williams run when he continued holding a Jaguars defender rather than simply take him to the ground downfield, and worst of all, the Dolphins were caught with 12 men on the field during a Jaguars touchdown.
It is not a coincidence that the Dolphins reached the 2008 playoffs because of their discipline, and Tony Sparano will not let his team continue down this path. But as of now, the Dolphins look undisciplined, and that absolutely must change before September.
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Vontae Davis and Sean Smith Still Look Awful
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After last week's poor performance against the Buccaneers, Vontae Davis and Sean Smith were criticized for their inability to lockdown Tampa Bay's 24th ranked passing offense.
This week, Davis and Smith were manhandled by the Jaguars 19th ranked passing offense.
Vontae Davis surrendered a 37-yard pass to Mike Sims-Walker, who then turned around and caught a 27-yard pass on Smith. Later on, Smith was burned by Mike Thomas on a 35 yard pass, and Davis was burned by Troy Williamson, who fortunately dropped the pass.
It's worth reiterating that it is still the preseason, it is impossible to gauge what truly matters, and we definitely do not want to jump to conclusions. But the Dolphins starting corners simply look overwhelmed.
If they can't handle Josh Freeman throwing to rookie wideouts and David Garrard throwing to a very sub-par group of receivers (Sims-Walker is pretty good, but after that, not much for the Jags to brag about), how are they going to stop Tom Brady and Randy Moss or Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings?
There's still time for these two to redeem themselves, but they must do so soon.
Have No Fear, Brandon Marshall Is Here
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Despite his transparent, two-drop performance against Tampa Bay last week, Brandon Marshall finally began to show glimpses of dominance.
Marshall dropped another wide open pass from Chad Henne, but redeemed himself early and often.
He finished the night with four catches for 65 yards, including a circus catch from a pass thrown by Chad Pennington.
Most importantly, Marshall showed us why he earned the nickname "The Beast."
The man simply does not go down. On at least three, if not all four of his catches on Saturday, Marshall avoided or broke the first tackler in sight, therefore extending the play.
Marshall's most outstanding play of the night came on Anthony Fasano's 55-yard touchdown reception. He threw a key block that allowed Fasano to get to the sideline and find the end zone.
Run Defense Looks Like a Top Notch Unit
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Last week, the Dolphins surrendered 139 yards rushing to the Tampa Bay Bucs. This week, however, the Fins front seven allowed only 54 yards rushing to Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jacksonville Jaguars backs.
Pro Bowl running back Maurice Jones-Drew ran for -2 yards on four carries, and had it not been for a 19 yard rush by Rashad Jennings the Jags would have rushed for only 35 yards on 18 carries.
Tim Dobbins started in place of Channing Crowder and made his presence felt with two solo tackles for losses. Meanwhile, J.D. Folsom racked up five tackles, and Micah Johnson had three.
Offensive Line Can Be a Dominant Unit
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Returning only Jake Long and Vernon Carey to its starting lineup, the Dolphins offensive line has been struggling to find the right combination of guards and a center.
Against the Jaguars, the team plugged Richie Incognito, John Jerry, and Joe Berger in, and appear to have created a successful combination.
Chad Henne looked like he could've enjoyed a nice sit-down meal with the amount of time he had to throw on a few occasions, and the line opened up some truck-sized holes for Ricky Williams to run through.
Needless to say, the success of this line is integral to the success of this offense and this team as a whole, so watching them have their way with Jacksonville's defense is a great sign.
Despite The Hype, Nolan Carroll Has Much To Learn
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After almost a month of glowing reviews from training camp, and a solid performance in his preseason debut, Nolan Carroll endured some growing pains at the hands of David Garrard and the Jaguars.
The rookie was brought in at nickel-back with the first team defense where he was taken to school by Mike Thomas and the Jags receivers. Carroll gave up a touchdown to Thomas, and was burned a handful of other times.
Carroll deserves his share of slack considering he is a fifth round pick and is still filling in for an injured Will Allen. But the hype machine has been working hard for him, and seeing Carroll digress now would be a huge disappointment.
On a positive note, Carroll looked explosive on a few of his kick returns, and if Saturday's return reps are any indication he appears to be the favorite to win the kickoff return job.
The Dolphins Simply Have No Plans For Pat White
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Two weeks into the preseason, Pat White has seemingly become nothing more than an afterthought for the Dolphins coaching staff.
The only action the 2009 second round pick has seen thus far was a quick kneel down against Tampa Bay.
After the team gave Tyler Thigpen three quarters to play against the Bucs, it initially appeared as though White would get an equivalent opportunity against the Jags. However, White never saw the field, and was reportedly informed that he would not prior to the game.
It appears as though the Dolphins simply do not have plans for him, and White's brief career in Miami may be over before the start of the regular season.
Fifth Receiver Competition Is Still Wide Open
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With every preseason game comes hope that a player involved in a position battle will standout above his competitors.
That is yet to happen for any of the players partaking in the battle over the fifth wide receiver roster spot.
Patrick Turner is the presumed favorite due to his favorable size and occasional flashes of potential, but Roberto Wallace, Julius Pruitt, and Marlon Moore have all proven themselves as worthy adversaries.
Moore shined the brightest against the Jaguars, amassing a modest two receptions for 32 yards. Meanwhile, Pruitt, Turner, and Wallace caught one pass each for eight, seven, and six yards, respectively.
With two preseason games left to play, coupled with plenty of practice reps, one of these four receivers is bound to standout above the rest.
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