Key ingredient backup players need to make the roster

[John813]

You only throw to 2 receivers ?

No, but both were the focal point of the passing offense.
194 of Tua's 259 completions were to those two in 2022.

What made McDaniel's offense hard to stop at first was the Dolphins using pre snap forward motion to gain more separation. Both Hill and Waddle were extremely fast. Giving either a head start wasn't fair, and the NFL banned forward pre-snap motion in 23 or 24-can't recall. But the offense relied around 1-2 reads and the pre-snap motion for their main target.

Trent Sherfield was also signed, and was with McDaniel in San Fran.

Mostert took off and stayed healthy as well, so Wilson went from the potential #2 WR, to being 5th or 6th on the pecking order.

It was like Miami had one gameplan, and then tossed it in the trash the moment they got Hill.
Grier was a bad GM, and while it wasn't a bad signing when top receivers got 30mil AAV, just one that didn't make sense.

 

[DuncanIso]

The best play Mingo has ever made was on STs.

He can dominate on the slant. Made two big catches.

Dallas has to be happy.

 

[Verdict]

Two guys that need to show some major upgrades in versatility and ST abilities are Phil Mafah and Jaydon Blue. Their ability to make this team may depend on it. Malik Davis is already an excellent STs player.

Mafah so far in his short time here in Big D has not shown much contribution on STs. He’s not not fast enough as a gunner and has struggled at times as a tackler on punt or kickoff coverages.

Camp reports have said Blue has made a strong effort this summer on STs. Schotty has said Blue has worked on his ability to be a gunner on STs, utilizing his speed to get get downfield and tackle. But he still isn’t as good as Malik Davis.

If Mafah and Blue can’t be ST contributors, they are in danger of being cut.

I could see both Mafah and Blue being squarely on the bubble. Slight chance neither make the 53 man roster.

 

[Coogiguy03]

It may be that Sam W and Marist Liafau have both stayed on the team because of their ST play.

If memory serves me didn’t Sam Williams block a punt last year that led to a TD? I know Liafau is an outstanding gunner and kick coverage tackler. That has probably kept both around.

Really underscores the importance for young guys trying to make the team to be able to make plays on STs.

Totally agree haze they both play their roles in that manner, it's going to be tough. Sam makes a play every year it seems on special teams