I love a blocking receiver
[picappgallerysingle id="9580752"]Playing football growing up I was never the fastest, or strongest, but I had two things going for me.
I could catch and I could block. These skills worked for me best in high school when I had to play receiver in a wing-t offense. A couple passes a game and tons of blocking, but I relished my role.
So when I see a receiver just killing a corner downfield as a runningback blows by it get’s me all kind of giddie. Thank you Brandon Marshall.
If you haven’t seen the blocks yet, check them out. If you happen to coach youth football or have a son playing, show him the clips over and over again.
Marshall owned the smaller and weaker corners tasked with the job of keeping the ball out of his hands. I don’t think they saw it coming, which makes it so much better.
During those moments of ownership in blocking is when I would be in the corner’s ear the most. If you punish them enough they eventually stop playing so tight and want nothing to do with you.
That’s how I coach receivers, blocking is just as important as anything else. It’s how you assert your dominance.
So while Marshall, who had another drop, still continues to try and win over Miami fans and show the punt isn’t going to be a constant, his unselfish play on at least two plays against the Jags was picture perfect.
Now somebody get him some stick’em!
Finally for Anthony Fasano
[picappgallerysingle id="9580769"]Last season the addition of Anthony Fasano was supposed to provide a much needed offensive boost to the Dolphins.
I picked him up in two different fantasy leagues and after two weeks realized my mistakes.
Miami, having not much faith in the tight end, brought back David Martin to yet again provide a safety net for Chad Henne. Then came Saturday night.
Fasano had not one, but two touchdown grabs for a combined 66 yards. Granted Brandon Marshall should be just as credited as Fasano for the first one, but still.
The more weapons the merrier for Miami and if Fasano continues to play at a high level it would really give Marshall an opportunity to excell.
The Dolphins don’t need Fasano to score 50+ yard touchdowns every week – that’s what Marshall is for – they just need him to make a catch or two and take a linebacker or safety with him when he goes out on a route.
If he can get a safety to dedicate, even better. Just ask the Detroit Lions’ Matthew Stafford how much fun it is to have his No.1 receiver always covered by a corner and safety.
If Fasano can continue to play at a good, not great, level then Henne will have his best target in single coverage often enough to make opposing defenses pay. If they still double-cover, then Fasano, Brian Hartline, Devon Bess and every other pass-catcher will benefit greatly from being wide open .
Two more weeks until the season starts so there is plenty of time to have feelings turn around again, but there was flashes of an offense that will make teams pay for their coverages as long as everyone continues to fulfill their role.
Uh oh, Marshall is showing flashes of old
[picappgallerysingle id="9549382"]The punt heard round South Florida happened on Monday when new Miami Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall kicked a ball – which he had just dropped in the endzone – into the stands.
The media went nuts and fans began to worry. Then on Tuesday – he DOES IT AGAIN!
This time it was after he caught a touchdown. Wait, it gets better.
Head coach Tony Sparano was aksed about it on Wednesday, and said he didn’t see it. What?!
Then he seemed to side with Marshall’s new found love for sending ball boys on a ball-finding mission on a daily basis.
As a long time fan I can proudly say that for the most part, Miami has steered away from the egotistical maniacs that seem to rule the NFL. Yes, there has been the likes of Bryan Cox, Joey Porter and even Channing Crowder likes to say crazy things every now and then.
But Dolphins fans don’t tolerate this kind of action for long and the new #19 should ask the old #19 how his days in Miami were with constant dropped passes and whining on the field.
The running women, screaming baby panic mode doesn’t need to start just yet, but be afraid, be very afraid.
This is my second straight Marshall post and he will be a hot topic throughout the year. A lot of ‘Fins fans have high hopes for the new guy. But his actions will always speak lowder than his words.
Through the early part of the camps Marshall was a show stopper with both. Now he still is, but for the wrong reasons.
Special Dolphins Birthday Post!
[picappgallerysingle id="9549757"]So, I’ve been reminded constantly today that I am inching closer and closer to old….I believe I’ll stay this age for a while.
Now, on to the Dolphins.
10-7 win! Miami is one step closer to an undefeated season.
After a close shave of a win over Tampa Bay the ‘Fins are 8-0 in the in their last eight preseason games.
Remind anyone of that other record the Dolphins hold? Me neither.
But here’s what fans learned if they watched, or more likely read about, last Saturday’s game:
Brandon Marshall can get open – and hates the rain. Hopefully somebody gets Marshall a sprinkler and a ball machine because he’ll have to get used to playing in the absolutely poor conditions that absorbed Sun Life Stadium on Saturday.
Quick note: That was the first time I’ve had to write Miami’s new stadium name in this blog. Kinda weird. Let’s see; Joe Robbie, Pro Player, Dolphins Stadium, Land Shark…wonder what 2011 will bring.
Anyways, Marshall (nearly) made some great plays on Saturday against a very poor Bucs secondary. The bright spot was that Henne trusted and looked for him multiple times, which means they are getting on the same page.
Secondly, Ronnie Brown’s carries looked good. Yes, the offense didn’t do much of anything in the first half, but small flashes bring huge hopes in the preseason.
Onto the downside. Did anyone see the highlights replayed time and time again on ESPN?
Notice a theme? Josh Freeman connecting with multiple receivers and looking like the best up-and-coming quarterback out there.
Really? I get that Miami isn’t deep at the position, but really?
New defensive coordinator Mike Nolan better get the unit doing some up-downs this week because if the Dolphins are going to make Freeman look good, well I’m going to have to become a hockey fan.
This week the ‘Fins take on the Jaguars in a game I really wish I could be at. Always a fun game. Kudos to the NFL for scheduling in-state rivalries during the preseason.
Speaking of the preseason, check out my new column at http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2010/08/13/dear-commisioner-please-keep-the-preseason/
9-0 here we come.
Let’s get behind Revis on this one
[picappgallerysingle id="9361674"]As a Dolphins fan reading this, you should know where this is going.
I say we start a petition, make t-shirts, send letters, do anything it takes to show our support for the New York Jets’ Darrelle Revis.
Of course he should sit out, he needs to get paid. Teach Woody Johnson a lesson, hold him to his prediction, don’t play until 2011.
(Brandon Marshall has to agree with all of this too.)
Revis should be the highest paid players in the league. He should show his team what it’s like without him.
(I believe Chad Henne is nodding his head.)
Revis tormented every receiver he faced in 2009. He shut down Chad OchoCinco, T.O., every major threat he faced. He could also get a lot done with six more months off.
(Greg Camarillo, Devon Bess and Brian Hartline are 80′s high-fiving.)
Sit out Revis, you deserve it. Rex Ryan has already guaranteed a trip to the play-offs for your team. Obviously you don’t need to be there anyways, so get an inflatable chair, a 12-pack and join us on Sunday’s in front of the tube.
(Offensive coordinator Dan Henning is Facebook liking this.)
The fans are behind you Revis, we get it. you deserve more and should wait to get it. Heck, why not just go play in the CFL for a couple years. Own it, show the Canucks you mean business and you could be the David Beckham of Canada.
(Every receiver in the NFL just started a sappy movie Slow-Clap)
Let’s get together on this chant; “Revis, Revis, Revis.”
(Every Dolphins fan obliging while smirking and secretly hoping, including me.)
