As the Miami Dolphins are set to play in their second preseason game on Friday night, they’re still a number of questions the team has to address. After seven plays and zero first downs by the first team offense against the New York Giants last week, the Dolphins offense will look to have better luck against the Dallas Cowboys.
Miami fans have a number of questions about their beloved Dolphins. With that in mind, let’s begin the Twitter mailbox for this week.
@antwanstaley Is the secondary as thin and bad as advertised?
— Paul Nobles (@dolfan_70) August 19, 2016
Miami expected to have second round pick Xavien Howard from Baylor as their No. 2 cornerback in defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s scheme during training camp. However, once Howard suffered a knee injury, the depth of the Dolphins secondary took a major hit.
Second-year player Tony Lippett has shown flashes of becoming an NFL quality cornerback at times, but he has often lacked consistency. Rookie Jordan Lucas has been overmatched throughout practices thus far.
Bobby McCain is a great athlete but is better for the nickel cornerback role. Veteran Michael Thomas being able to play a number of position in the secondary is great, but it isn’t enough.
Miami signed Chris Culliver, but he is still recovering from an ACL tear he suffered last season as a member of the Washington Redskins. The team needs Howard to come back from injury and play like a starting cornerback. If he can’t, then the Dolphins secondary really could be in big trouble as the season moves on.
If Howard and Culliver are healthy, then maybe the Dolphins secondary won’t be as bad as advertised.
@antwanstaley how about something positive for a change, your opinion of who has been the biggest surprise so far on O & D?
— FinFinatic (@FinFinatic) August 19, 2016
The biggest surprise on offense has to be the play of Damien Williams. Everyone knew he had a good skill set, but he was impressive during training camp as he ran the ball well, caught passes out of the backfield and even blocked a few of the Dolphins defenders as a fullback.
On defense, Chris Jones has been better than expected. During practices, he has often been in the Dolphins backfield stopping both running and passing plays. Jones is familiar with playing in a Wide-9 defense and that along with his play is why he will likely make the 53-man roster.
@antwanstaley will DeVante Parker have a breakout season in 2016
— THE FANTASY TYPHOON! (@jesusprotectme) August 19, 2016
Will DeVante Parker have a great year is the million-dollar question. If Parker can remain healthy during the entire 16 game schedule, then there’s no reason he can’t have around 70-80 catches and about 10 touchdowns this season.
Miami has lacked a big red-zone target for years and that is something Parker provides in their offense. While he rarely played in the Dolphins first eight games last season, he began to show his potential in the second half of the season.
If Parker can have games like how he did in the Dolphins 2015 season finale win against the New England Patriots when he caught six balls for 106 yards and a touchdown, then he should be just fine. I would be more worried about his injury history more than his actual production on the field.
@antwanstaley how are the TE'S , Cameron bounce back? He been looking good? offense been using more TE like projected to? Duarte a sleeper?
— ANTHONY NOTARO (@TZNUTZ) August 19, 2016
The tight end spot for the Dolphins is one of their weakest links. Jordan Cameron has been nonexistent during practices after a disappointing 2015 season where he caught only 35 passed for 386 yards and three touchdowns.
Dion Sims hasn’t been any better and not sure he will be anything more than a backup in the league. Thomas Duarte is intriguing, but he is a seven round pick. Not sure how much he will contribute if at all this season. Duarte is likely a practice squad player at this point. So it is hard to expect much from the tight ends this season.
Well that’s it for the Dolphins Twitter mailbag this week. Next week, there will be another one before Miami’s dress rehearsal against the Atlanta Falcons in Orlando.
Twitter: @antwanstaley
