Training Camp Preview: Special Teams
By Brian Miller
We finish our look with a rather quick peak at the Special Teams unit.
I will not be going into much detail here as it is always hard to try and dissect which back-up somewhere else will make an impact on STs. We know that Ginn will be the fire breather with his speed, if he ever gets to camp, and we also know that Jay Feely will battle with youngster Matt Prater for the kicking spot….nod of course to Feely. We also know that Olindo Mare is not on the roster.
The Roster:
Jay Feeley/Matt Prater – Kickers
Brandon Fields/Ryan Flinn – Punters
Ted Ginn – PR
John Denney – LS (long snapper)
Ted Ginn – Ginn has the speed to open up the punt return game. He has the moves to make special teams players miss. Whether or not he becomes the next Devon Hester remains to be seen. What do know is you can expect Cam Cameron to make sure that he is not mugged in the endzone should he run one back.
Ginn is fast, as in blazing. Yet, he was drafted in the 9th overall slot of this years draft, and it is very unlikely that as a PR specialist, that he will make enough impact to warrant that high of selection.
Everyone will be watching Ginn whether he is lined up deep to return or wide out in the passing game. Depending on what you expect, your expectations may be too high. He very well may look good running the ball back, but if he isn’t sitting on top of the league in return yards, some fans and media will be calling this pick out. Deserved or not.
Brandon Fields/Ryan Flinn – It is important that Fields can become exceptionally consistent as he will likely be the Punter for the Dolphins. Flinn is entering his 2nd season and this competition is pretty much one on paper only. Already Fields is being compared to Dolphins legend Reggie Roby in terms of the booming high punts that he is able to drill. If his hang-time can stay consistent, the Dolphins will have a nice opportunity to see a lot of opposition fair catches. Flinn is the man to add the competition. To keep it honest and healthy.
Jay Feely/Matt Prater – This is Feelys’ job to lose and it will be interesting to see if he can perform on the infield dirt after leaving the swirling winds of NY. After watching Olindo Mare decline with the Fins over the last few years, it will be a little more difficult to watch someone else. But that is what we will do.
Prater is the guy that the Fins will turn to if Feely starts out horribly, regular season or not. The Dolphins will not likely waste too much time if Feely can’t deliver. Whether or not Prater is remotely the answer is not even a question, but he could see plenty of practice and in the event that Feely struggles this season, well, you never know. But it’s doubtful that even then Feely would be cut and Prater brought in. Prater will be trying to showcase himself to 31 other teams.
John Denney – is there better job security? Denney is the Dolphins Long Snapper and that is exactly what he will likely remain here to do. The question here is will someone younger step in who has worth somewhere else? That is a question that will be answered in camp.
Outlook/Predictions: It’s the special teams, and even thought of late they have been less than special, they are still STs. Feeley and Fields should have no problem holding on to their jobs an the bigger question becomes what can Ginn do. Ginn will be the guy that everyone will be focused on….right after they are done watching Trent Green.