Rocky Landing

It's remarkable to me that you leave out Ty Johnson, whose receiving abilities, along with his pass pro, make him what Josh Allen refers to as "the best third-down back in the league." He will likely be relied upon every game in third down situations. Those receptions aren't "leftovers." In 2024, Allen averaged 8-9 receiving targets per game, and only two players saw more than 60 targets in the regular season (Shakir, and Kincaid). But it's way too early to say who's going to get the bulk of targets for the season, anyway. I don't imagine anybody was predicting last September that Mack Hollins would get over 50 targets on offense-- fourth most on the team. I don't think there were too many people who predicted Shakir was going to explode into the team's leading receiver at 100 reg-season targets. (Shoutout to @Alphadawg7, who did make that prediction). Samuel, Shavers, Moore, and the rest will get their opportunities on offense, and if one of them shows up more than the others, they will get more targets. For all we know, Josh Palmer could be this year's MVS. Be that as it may, my point stands. It'll be fun to see how many different receivers Josh hits in a game.

He was up and down in preseason. but, as a PS TE, I imagine they'd prioritize blocking, and Latu looked really good in that regard in the preseason games.

I agree. I think the problem for a lot of fans have is that they'd rather have a good CB (or other skill position) who was also a returner, rather than a good returner who was also a CB. The same fans bemoaned the roster spots held by players like Taewan Jones, Siran Neal, Cam Lewis, and others who've been primarily ST players, and only play their listed position in an absolute pinch. Codrington is a first rate P/KR-- as good as Hines, or Andre Roberts IMO, and the numbers back that up. It makes absolute sense to me to have a dedicated P/KR, and depth players who have aptitudes as gunners, jammers, and blockers often make the 53 over players who are better at their listed positions because field position matters.

The only thing that's a slight surprise to me is that having gone with Codrington over Shenault, they still kept six WRs. This offense is loaded with legit receivers, even if it may lack an elite WR. But, given Samuel's dead cap hit of $12+ (according to Spotrac), and Shaver's ascendence, six it is. It's going to be a lot of fun watching how many targets are slung in a game. And hopefully this is the season we get a little value out of Samuel.

I wonder whose decision it's been to not allow a camera anywhere near Keon?

He probably just found himself wearing his blue, white, and red boxer shorts.

It's an interesting group. The way I see it, the WRs that make it onto the 53 will all have to occupy different roles. For the bottom of the roster guys, that means avoiding redundancy, and having a significant role on special teams. If Samuel makes the roster, it will be for purely financial reasons, IMO. If he doesn't, I think Moore is a likely replacement for Samuel's role. His hands are reliable, and I did actually see him make a couple decent downfield blocks in the Bucs game-- not spectacular, but not bad for a guy his size. KJ would be the other player for that role, but while he is a fan/locker-room favorite, I think Moore is just more reliable. Wilkerson, and Shavers both had really good games this last week. Shaver's spectacular catch notwithstanding, Wilkerson looked to be the more consistent player to my eyes. And I think Shenault is getting serious consideration for the K/PR role. That might inspire McD/Beane to carry six WRs this season. It might also make the path for Shavers or Wilkerson to make the roster significantly steeper.

Certainly, his numbers benefitted from Josh Allen's arm, and talent, and absolutely from the relationship, and chemistry they had developed in the first few years he was in Buffalo. But regardless, Diggs was elite, inarguably. Route running, separation, hands, footwork, YAC, extending plays, a legendary clutch mindset-- he had it all. But the bigger question is: would you let him date your sister?

This seems like the year we might carry six WRs on the strength of Shavers, and Shenault's ST abilities.

If I ate a Snickers in bed, my wife would turn into Ndamukong Suh, and stomp my head into the pillow.

I suspect that Chris Tabor is going to have a fair amount of influence on the bottom end of this roster. And with the new kickoff rules, that might include getting to choose who he wants as P/KR. Judging by today's performances only, Shanault really looked like the best option, so far. Regarding the #3 TE competition, it really didn't look like either Davidson, or Hawes had a particularly good showing as tight ends. But Davidson did have at least one good play on special teams. I wouldn't put Hawes ahead of him just yet. I would also put Hancock down for having a decent rookie showing for his first game.

He became an underdog.

Nostradamus over here...

I wish I could agree with this sentiment, but I don't. Beyond Rapp, I don't know how someone wouldn't classify this unit as thin. Taylor Rapp-- solid to very good starter Damar Hamlin-- average (at best) starter Cole Bishop-- fingers crossed Darrick Forrest-- below average starter with a long injury history Cam Lewis-- solid backup with versatility Jordan Hancock-- fifth-round rookie Te'Cory Couch-- practice squad hopeful Wande Evans-- practice squad hopeful

It may also illustrate how poor their practice habits are, as was reported last season.

Miami has a culture problem.

Chernobyl is exceptional. It's not 100% accurate-- there are characters that are a conglomeration of several real-life individuals, and some of the events have been altered editorially to make the story coherent. But the basics are accurate, and it's grim. Very, very grim. But very good series, and worth the time investment.

Can't believe you don't have GoT in there...

In fairness to Cook, I believe he is capable of being a three down back, and I believe his blocking deficiencies are overstated. Truth is, I don't think we really know how well Cook can block or how well he'd perform as a three down back. Because we have Ty Johnson who is a better third down running back.

No, I mean this as a compliment toward McDaniel. It's especially impressive considering how much Grier has ignored their O-line. Grier, and McDaniel-- at least from the outside-- often don't seem to be on the same page.

I suppose you guys are referring to me. But, I'll just reiterate what I said earlier. He has things he does well, and I'll add that McDaniel put together an offensive scheme that plays well to his strengths-- quick release, accuracy, and timing especially. But, he also has some glaring deficiencies. If he gets flushed from the pocket, and has to scramble, he has a hard time keeping his eyes downfield. He has trouble extending a broken play. And yes, he has trouble staying on the field. These things are important. I'm not alone here. A quick search has him ranked in the bottom half of starting QBs. That's not a hot take.

I do actually watch a fair amount of their games. Jets, and Patriots* too. We do have a difference of opinion here, but I don't actually think we're that far apart. The team being lost without Tua, and Miami having a culture problem aren't mutually exclusive. In fact, one could make the argument that the former is a symptom of the latter.

He's walking around in street clothes watching all his teammates play football. What would you expect his body language to look like???