Dolphins vs. Jaguars Preseason Recap: Chad Henne Shines

Danny DolphinAug 22, 2010

Final: Miami 27, Jacksonville 26

TOP NEWS

The Henne to Fasano 55-yard TD can be seen at the 5:05 mark below...

The quarterback play – Henne played a perfect game. Two of his three incompletions were drops. The second touchdown to Fasano, where he threw a touch pass in between two defenders with the pass rush in his face, was sensational. He was poised, in command of the offense, and got the ball out quickly. Pennington looked sharp as well in his short stint, with a little help from the wideouts. He still has a noodle arm and it showed when he badly under-threw Marshall on a jump ball that he miraculously caught. Thigpen played solid, manning the offense for the entire second half. No Pat White.
Randy Starks is a terror inside - His athleticism and explosion from the nose is going to cause problems for interior lineman. They aren’t used to a man of his quickness and he displayed that last night when he burst through the line for a sack.
Brandon Marshall – Despite a drop, Marshall showed why he is considered one of the league’s best. He always makes the first guy miss, something Miami hasn’t had since Wes Welker. His blocking is also huge. On Fasano’s 55-yard touchdown he took out two guys with one block.

Secondary play – Vontae Davis was beat twice by Sims-Walker, first on a post when he slipped and then on a crossing pattern over the middle, before leaving the game with a chest injury. Garrard was 6 for 8 with a touchdown before leaving the game with an injury.
Running game – 28 rushes for 79 yards isn’t going to get it done.
Special teams – Chris Clemons missed a block in the first quarter on punt protection, leading to a safety. The kick coverage was awful at times.
Penalties – The great teams don’t penalize themselves.

Rookie corner Nolan Carroll might have locked up the kick returner job. He displayed nice vision and great straight-away speed.
Interior linebacker Tim Dobbins started for Channing Crowder to see how he would do with the first team defense. He looked good and instinctive. He might not flash an amazing array of skills but he’s smart and really knows where to be.
The offense looks like it’s going to take a huge step forward this year, while the defense is still an unknown because we haven’t seen any of the exotic schemes that coordinator Mike Nolan will employ.
Marlon Moore against Patrick Turner is shaping up into a heated competition for the number five receiver spot. Turner has the size and hands while Moore has great quickness and agility.
Punter Brandon Fields continued to kill it with three punts averaging 50 yards a clip.
The conditions were wet again with a lot of rain. No infield sludge this time though.
I laughed when they cut to footage of the Jag’s cheerleaders in clear ponchos. Dolphin cheerleaders would have went about their business with out the rain gear.

Offense : The first team offense looked great through the air with something left to be desired in the running game. Grade: B +
Defense: The opposite can be said for the defense who struggled against the pass but shut down the run. Grade: B -
Special Teams: Need to improve here. Kicking and punting was great again. Grade: C -