2014 NFL Week 5 Bye Week: Miami Dolphins Studs Vs. Duds
By Abraham Gutierrez
With the Miami Dolphins heading into their bye week, this would seem like an opportune time to take a look at the team's "Studs" and "Duds" through the first four weeks of the 2014 NFL season. With a record of 2-2, the Fins will go into their break week tied for first place atop the AFC East with the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots.
On Wednesday, the Dolphins completed their final practice before the bye week, as preparation for the Green Bay Packers (Oct. 12 at Sun Life Stadium) will resume Monday morning for all players and most of the team's personnel.
For Joe Philbin, the bye offers the head coach an opportunity to look back and reassess the team's philosophy, offensive/defensive schemes, and player performances. Coincidentally, Philbin and his coaches will be trying to identify the Dolphins' studs and the duds in an attempt to find some consistency to try and improve on what is now a .500 squad.
"We're going to meet with each side of the ball and the special teams to kind of get a quick synopsis of where we are, what we got to do to get better, what are the issues we're facing, whether it's third down, whether it's first down, we've got to use this guy more, this guy less," Philbin explained. "We've got to play more zone, more man, we've got to throw it deep more; run more screens, all those type of things.
"In the middle of the week, you always look at yourself in the middle of the week. But it's kind of, 'What's that?' And then you're on to the next thing. So this week gives us an opportunity to kind of look at it, see if we can readjust, shift our focus a little bit."
Miami Dolphins 2014 NFL Studs
Quarterback – Ryan Tannehill (93-for-155 for 902 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs): For a second year in a row, the Dolphins quarterback has made CBS Miami's list of offensive studs despite the lack of consistent play from the offensive line. After three shaky starts, the Texas A&M product showed what he could do with the correct gameplan in place, completing 23-of-31 passes for 278 yards, two touchdowns and a pick for a quarterback rating of 109.3.
Running Back – Lamar Miller (49 rushes for 277 yards, 2 TDs): In Knowshon Moreno's absence, the second-year running back out of the University of Miami has done a great job carrying the heavy water for the Dolphins' rushing attack. His best game of the season came in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs defense, when the former fourth-round pick ran for 108 yards on 15 carries for an average of 7.2 yards per rush.
Wide Receiver – Mike Wallace (20 receptions for 246 yards, 3 TDs): While this former Steeler's numbers don't exactly jump out of the screen, the fact that he's the team leader in catches makes him the only stud in the Dolphins receiving corps. Although he didn't have a particularly good game versus the Silver and Black, in his previous three games, Wallace caught 17 passes for 211 yards and a pair of scores.
Tight End – Charles Clay (14 receptions for 111 yards): While Clay's numbers leave a little to be desired, the fact that he hasn't been targeted as much as he was last season could justify the dip in his production. Nevertheless, the former sixth-round pick out of Tulsa has made the best of the 22 times he's been thrown to, however, he does need to make himself more available for Tannehill inside the Red Zone.
Linebacker – Jelani Jenkins (38 tackles, 28 solo, 1.5 sacks): The mere fact that he leads the team in tackles makes the former Florida Gator a stud. The former fourth-round pick is quickly becoming a force in Miami's defensive side of the football, and a player that opposing offensive coordinators will be paying close attention to.
Kicker – Caleb Sturgis (8-for-9 field goal attempts for 89 percent accuracy): After a rather successful rookie campaign, the 25-year-olf from St. Augustine, Florida, has picked up right where he left off. Through four games, the former fifth-draft pick is a perfect 4-for-4 from 20-29 yards, 2-for-2 from 30-39 yards, 1-for-2 between 40-49 yards and 1-for-1 from 50 or longer.
Miami Dolphins 2014 NFL Duds
Wide Receiver – Brian Hartline (16 receptions, 161 yards, TD): After leading the team in catches a year ago, Hartline has pulled a disappearing act through four games this season. And while he comes into the bye week as the second-leading receiver in terms of receptions, this is a unquestionably a slow start by Hartline's standards.
Kick Returner – Jarvis Landry (11 kick returns for 322 yards, 2 fumbles): Although he's a wide receiver in the team's depth chart, this rookie's main responsibility has been returning kicks. A pair of fumbles is enough for him to not only lose his starting job, but many believe LaMichael James' acquisition might mark the end of Landry's special team duties.
Defensive End – Cameron Wake (7 tackles, 6 solo, 2.0 sacks): Coming into the 2014 NFL campaign considered one of the best defensive lineman in the game, Wake's production has not lived up to the hype. And while his two sacks are tied for team-high honors, for a player of his caliber to have seven tackles through four games is simply unacceptable.
For more Dolphins news and updates, visit Dolphins Central.
Abe Gutierrez is a criminal justice admin whose love for sports led him to become a writer and editor. His expertise make him a valued addition to Examiner.com and its partners. His work can be found on Examiner.com. .
