Rookie Skylar Thompson was completely wonderful in coaching camp and preseason. No doubt.
That’s why Miami Dolphins common supervisor Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel each agreed it was a no brainer to maintain Thompson, the seventh-round choose from Kansas State, on the preliminary 53-man roster.
I’ll admit, I used to be fighting this one somewhat bit. I’ll additionally admit I used to be the one one.
But after listening to Grier and McDaniel [and others], I perceive. I get it.
“I haven’t heard of a good football team that their problem was they had too many good quarterbacks,” McDaniel stated Tuesday.
The man was a “preseason All-Pro”. Thompson made wonderful throws, commanded the huddle, confirmed management qualities, and moved the offense. Coaches appreciated him and gamers appreciated him.
Miami wasn’t going to have the ability to sneak him onto the observe squad. That would have meant reducing him, and hoping he’d clear waivers. And there’s no manner that may have occurred in addition to he performed. Some workforce would have claimed him. So mainly the Dolphins needed to both put him on the 53 or kiss him goodbye.
Grier stated groups advised them they’d be “stupid” to launch Thompson.
“We’re not in the business of being stupid,” McDaniel stated.
So, there you go. That’s the explanation Thompson is on the roster — the Dolphins aren’t silly.
I’m good with that reasoning.
My pondering adopted the logic that seventh-round quarterbacks often don’t flip into something.
Yes, quarterback is the one most necessary place on the sphere. That’s understood.
But the Dolphins might use one other cornerback with starter Byron Jones on the physically-unable-to-perform checklist and sidelined for a minimum of the primary 4 weeks of the season. Perhaps they might even get a cornerback who performs particular groups.
The Dolphins preserve they’ve 5 cornerbacks on the roster — Xavien Howard, Nik Needham, Noah Igbinoghene, Kader Kohou and Keion Crossen — and see no must make additions. Grier stated there’s no large concern concerning Jones, and including one other cornerback isn’t “critical” presently.
OK, properly, take a look at the offensive line, the place the Dolphins have eight on the roster, the minimal quantity NFL groups keep on their gameday lively roster. Miami has no wiggle room.
“You need more players than eight,” McDaniel stated. “But feel good about where [offensive tackle Greg Little is] at and we’re excited about that. We’re excited about the way that our tackles are performing.”
And above all, let’s face it, quarterbacks rule.
The Dolphins know firsthand the worth of lightly-regarded quarterbacks. Veteran Matt Moore was undrafted out of Oregon State in 2007, signed with Dallas (2007) after which performed for Carolina (2007-10) earlier than becoming a member of the Dolphins for seven seasons (2011-17) and beginning a playoff recreation. He developed properly.
But take a look at the checklist of quarterbacks drafted within the seventh spherical within the final seven years:
— In 2016, Miami drafted quarterback Brandon Doughty from Western Kentucky [and North Broward Prep];
— In 2017, Denver chosen Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly with the ultimate choose of the draft, No. 253;
— In 2018, New England chosen LSU quarterback Danny Etling with the primary choose of the seventh spherical, No. 219, and Seattle chosen Florida International University quarterback Alex McGough subsequent with choose No. 220. Cincinnati chosen Toledo quarterback Logan Woodside at No. 249;
— In 2020, Tennessee chosen Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald at No. 224, Dallas chosen James Madison quarterback Ben DiNucci at No. 231, New Orleans chosen Mississippi State quarterback Tommy Stevens at No. 240, and Minnesota chosen Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley at No. 244.
DiNucci, who was simply launched by Dallas, performed in two video games and was 23-of-43 passing for 219 yards. Stevens performed in a single recreation with Carolina in 2020 and now performs with Calgary within the Canadian Football League.
Regardless, the Dolphins are loopy about Thompson, and I’m good with that kind of conviction a few participant they drafted. It means one thing.
McDaniel put it this manner when explaining why Thompson is on the 53-man roster: “You can go a variety of draft courses over an extended time period and in the event you’re holding your breath for a participant out of the seventh spherical to play like he did within the preseason you’re going to move out. That’s why.
“It’s just because you don’t just scoff and look the other way when you have a player playing well at that position. If you let those slip through your fingers you’ll end up regretting that forever.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com