The Positives From Miami vs Atlanta

My co-blogger Cody posted a blog giving a general recap of last night’s Dolphins vs. Falcons game. I would like to do a take-two and write another one on all the positives of last night. While the night started off rough and had it's fair share of extremely frustrating moments, there were a bunch of positives to take out of this game.

Here is a list of all the good that came out of Miami’s preseason opener:

1) We came, we played and we left healthy

I am a believer that the single most important thing in the preseason is that you finish it with all your players healthy. Miami did exactly that Friday night.

2) Jimmy Wilson

This kid is a baller! I’m not talking the idiotic 50 cent type baller; I’m talking about a true hard hitting football player.  After leaving an impression all training camp, Wilson came out in his first game in the NFL and laid the smack down Rock style! The rookie came up with 5 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.

When drafted, Wilson was a question mark to make the 53-man roster, but I think he has clearly proven he can play with the big boys and will be a draft day steal.

3) Phillip Livas

Here is a link of Livas TD run : http://t.co/N4qMdsL

 

Everyone came into the preseason opener excited about Clyde Gate’s explosive speed and returning potential, but it was Livas who stole the show with a 75-yard punt return touchdown. This kid has jets. It’s still going to be a challenge for him to make this team because it would mean likely keeping 6 receivers on the roster, but he has certainly made a name for himself.

4) Chad Henne’s leadership

I can’t erase the two early interceptions from my mind, or tell you that they didn’t kill me inside. BUT what did impress me from Chad is that instead letting his poor play take over him, he marched back on the field and threw two big passes (25-yard checkdown to Thomas, 50-yard TD bomb to Hartline) and brushed the haters right off his sleeve.

This is still a growing process for Chad and he is still experiencing his highs and lows. Lets just hope there will be more highs and less lows this coming season.

5) Young Talent + Matt Moore

Watching Clyde Gates make two big grabs including one that counted for 6, and watching Edds run up and down the field chasing players, it was clear that the Dolphins have some young talent that can only get better with more play.

Matt Moore also came out with a strong performance in his first game as a Phin. Moore reminds me a lot of what Pennington brought to Miami.

Side Note: Benny Sapp came up with an interception while Will Allen sat this one out. With Allen’s injuries still being an issue, a gambling man would put his money on Sapp to win the Dolphins' starting nickel position.