Miami Dolphins reveal Depth Chart #2
Depth chart number two was released by head coach Joe Philbin for the 2012 Miami Dolphins. As with his initial depth chart there were some surprises, and as usual Philbin stressed that the depth chart is a fluid scenario.
One sure winner was QB Matt Moore. He is now listed as the #1 guy thanks to the David Garrard injury. Rookie Ryan Tannehill has come on strong and has earned the #2 spot (and climbing?). Moore had poor numbers vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but I thought he was accurate and deserved a better fate (some dropped passes, + decent-at-best offensive line play). Moore is the returning starter from the end of 2011, but Tannehill is getting better and better.
As expected, the WR depth chart saw major changes. Gone is Chad Johnson, while the injured Brian Hartline has all but disappeared from the list (for now anyway. He is sure to get an opportunity for playing time once healthy). Legedu Naanee and Davone Bess are listed as the top guys, with Julius Pruitt and Marlon Moore listed as backups. Further down the list we see Jeff Fuller and Roberto Wallace listed ahead of Clyde Gates and Rishard Matthews (BUT we see Matthews climbing the depth chart as a kick/punt returner). One reason NFL peeps are down on the Dolphins WR group is Pruitt, Moore, Fuller, and Wallace were all undrafted. Even Matthews was barely drafted (7th round, pick #227).
The running back depth chart remains unchanged. Reggie Bush, Daniel Thomas, Steve Slaton, then Lamar Miller. This is one group where I think changes will come. Bush is the clear #1 guy, but I would like to see him get some time as a slot WR. The Buccs game was a nightmare for the debut of the 2012 running game. A measly 13 carries for this group (compared to a whopping 50 passes). Only Bush was impressive. Miller is the home run threat of this group, and I think he will climb this depth chart. As for the fullback position, undrafted rookie Jorvorskie Lane remains the top guy. I get the feeling offensive coordinator Mike Sherman could run this offense without a fullback, but in the red-zone they likely want one.
The offensive line was decent-at-best vs the Buccs, but the depth chart starters remain the same. Undrafted rookie Josh Samuda continues to impress the coaches (could be backup for C Mike Pouncey)
On defense we see the starting cornerbacks remain listed as Sean Smith and Richard Marshall. The top backup (#1 nickelback) is still Vontae Davis. We see Nolan Carroll getting more and more playing time too.
The front-7 remain the same. On the defensive line 7th round rookie Kheeston Randall continues to impress and climb the depth chart. Fellow rookies Olivier Martin and Derrick Shelby are listed as the top subs for the defensive end positions.
The starting safeties also remain the same, but this is a group that has strong internal competition. Chris Clemons and Reshad Jones are the starters, but Jimmy Wilson and Tyrone Culver are capable of earning playing time too.
There is some interest here with the second depth chart, but the next one will lead us into preseason game #3 and that is where things start to get cemented.
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