Could Dolphins Rookie Egnew See His First Game?
By Brian Miller
August 10, 2012; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Michael Egnew (84) can not make the catch in the endzone as Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Jacob Cutrera (51) and defensive back Larry Asante (36) break up the play during the second half of the game at Sun Life Stadium. Tampa Bay won the game 20-7. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-US PRESSWIRE
The Miami Dolphins may be short one tight-end this weekend. The Dolphins have moved Anthony Fasano from “probable” to “questionable”. If Fasano and his hip injury can’t go on Sunday, the Dolphins will be down to Charles Clay, Jeron Mastrud, and, and, and who’s that Miller kid they just picked up?
Sitting on the bench all season is rookie TE Michael Egnew. The Dolphins will tell you publicly that Egnew is starting to come along but honestly, how “far along” can one guy be if he can’t even get his foot on the field? What we say in training camp on Hard Knocks has fans chalking Egnew up as a busted draft pick for Jeff Ireland and no one would be more thrilled to see Egnew show production on Sunday’s than Ireland.
The TE position is an enigma for the Dolphins. They consistently can’t stop opposing TE’s on defense and can’t seem to find one in free agency or the draft. Anthony Fasano is one of my favorite players but even I realize that he is no more a long term solution than a short term answer. Not anymore.
Now, with Fasano questionable, Egnew has a chance to prove that he isn’t the scared little kid shown on cable TV prior to the start of the season. Lost and exposed, the “sure-handed” prospect has been anything but. Lost in his first training camp, Egnew has not come close to being activated this year. If he is on Sunday, he better be ready to make a contribution and a positive impact because if he doesn’t the youngster will be inactive the rest of the year. At some point, he may be looking for a new job.
The Dolphins are going to need some major production this weekend as they face a formidable defense from the Seattle Seahawks. The ‘Hawks’ are a hard tackling technically sound defense who will give Ryan Tannehill and company new looks often. Michael Egnew may have his work cut out for him but may also find himself a HUGE opportunity to change perception.
If Fasano doesn’t suit up on Sunday and the Dolphins opt for recently signed Kyle Miller and the combo-pack of Mastrud and Clay, it’s a major indication that the team has zero faith in Egnew. At that point, it might be time to question whether the 4th round pick even deserves a practice squad spot.