5 Good’s, 5 Bad’s from Dolphins/Panthers game

Answer opposite Cameron Wake?

The stats don’t tell the whole story on Ryan Tannehill’s performance.

11-23, 100 yards is nothing to write home about considering how badly the OL played in the 1st half. Thank Jonathan Martin and/or Lydon Murtha for that.

As for the rest…

Bad
1) OT Jonathan Martin – Joe Philbin disagreed that Martin’s performance was “God Awful”. After carefully diagnosing every snap, I disagree with Philbin’s assessment. Martin flat out ruined 10 plays in 7 drives. Ten. He allowed 2 sacks, commited 2 penalties (should’ve been 4), allowed 5 pressures, and whiffed badly on Charles Johnson that led to a 3 yard loss for Reggie Bush. Lets not give up hope, though. Martin fell to the 2nd round because he lacked strength and technique, two very correctable problems in the NFL that will take some time.

2) DE Olivier Vernon – Considering how many snaps Vernon has taken in the first two preseason games, it’s shocking that he hasn’t pressured the QB even one time. Derrick Shelby is clearly ahead of him.

3) OT Lydon Murtha – Allowed two sacks after taking over fo LT Jake Long. Can someone explain to me why he is backing up Long at LT instead of competing with Martin at RT?

4) LB Gary Guyton- Looked stiff and soft against both the run and pass. Backups Austin Spitler and Jason Trusnik have looked much better this pre-season.

5) Referees – PLEASE reach a settlement with the real NFL officials and get these children off the field. This was embarrasing. CB Sean Smith’s first-quarter INT should’ve stuck, but was a 41-yard P.I. instead. CB Vontae Davis shouldn’t have been flagged, either, for a clear two-way scuffle with WR Steve Smith. The Panthers wouldn’t have scored 17 points in the 1st Quarter if these plays were called correctly.

Good
1) DE Derrick Shelby – Shelby has not only made the team, but is the favorite to play DE in 3rd Downs opposite Cameron Wake in W1. He cut into the backfield on three plays, one being a strip-sack of Jimmy Clausen. Great short-area power and awareness.

2) OT Jake Long – Tom Condon had to be giggling like a school girl watching this game. Long looked like the flawless, healthy Pro Bowler we saw in his first 3 seasons.

3) WR Rishard Matthews – Made 3 “big boy” catches in the final two drives, including a TD where he dragged Panthers CB Josh Thomas into the endzone. His ability to return kicks helps his chances of making the roster.

4) C Josh Samuda – Locked up a spot on the 53-man roster with another solid outing. Gets into position perfectly after the snap.

5) CB Jonathan Wade – Really helped himself tonight by shuting out Louis Murphy, then speedy rookie Joe Adams. Drew one bogus P.I. penalty.

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Thanks for reading,

Brian Catanzaro

Brian is a 29-year-old Sales/Marketing Manager in St. Louis by day, but an NFL blogger and commentator by night. Follow me on Twitter @BrianCat13.

Brian Catanzaro

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