Miami Dolphins day 6 risers and fallers

It’s day six of Miami Dolphins training camp and while some players are starting to rise to the challenge, others are falling quickly to the wayside. Some have yet to rise at all and eventually that is going to cost them a job in the NFL. The good news is it’s still early and the players are still learning but at some point learning needs to go out the window and instinct needs to take over.

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For now we can only talk a little about the players that are on the rise and making an impression and the ones who are making the wrong kind of impression. So here is a look at a few on both sides of that fence.

Upswing

Jason Fox

After some pretty average to below average practices, Fox had a pretty good day on day six this morning. He was able to keep Olivier Vernon in check which is a good sign because previously it was the other way around. Not great but moving up.

Ryan Tannehill’s deep ball

Yesterday Tannehill dropped a perfect bomb into the waiting hands of tight-end Jordan Cameron who dropped it. Today he hit a 30 yard strike to Greg Jennings and a 60 yard in stride pass to Jarvis Landry. This is very good news.

Miami’s run blocking

Thus far a lot has been made about the Dolphins inability to pass block, o.k. that’s true but they haven’t been that bad in run blocking. Today in more red-zone work they were able to spring a couple of touchdown runs from the backs.  Gotta give them something!

Rishard Matthews

From the doghouse to the starting outside receiver spot? Not exactly. With Kenny Stills nursing a calf injury Matthews has stepped into the outside role and has looked good in it. He is making a strong case for a roster spot this year and appears to be competing solely with Michael Preston for the 5th maybe 6th spot at the position.

Kelvin Sheppard

The more I see of him the more I like. Today Sheppard stepped into the starting interior linebacker role as Koa Misi sat most of the practice session out. No word as to why but it didn’t seem like anything major. Sheppard could force the Dolphins to move Misi back to his natural outside position.  Keep a watch on this moving forward.

Jordan Tripp

A lot of people expected to see Tripp maybe on the roster bubble but thus far he is making the most of his opportunities and is looking as though he is heading in the right direction. So long as he doesn’t “trip” along the way. Get it? I know bad pun.

Terence Fede

Olivier Vernon will be a free agent next year and will be asking for a lot of money, Fede could replace him. Three sacks today. This guy is impressive.

Downswing

Matt Hazel

I really through Hazel would be the guy this year to take that giant step forward and challenge for one of the final receiver spots. He hasn’t been anything special thus far and likely won’t make the roster given the play of Matthews and Preston.

Arthur Lynch

Couldn’t tell you where he is right now because no one is really talking about him. He just isn’t making much of an impact.

Billy Turner

Inconsistent, inconsistent, inconsistent. I would put him on the upswing list but he would end up here the next day. Yes that is how inconsistent he is at the guard position so far. To be fair however, Dallas Thomas isn’t doing anything either. To be unfair I’m comparing him to Dallas Thomas which really isn’t fair for anyone. Except maybe Jonathan Martin.

Dallas Thomas

O.k. he lives on this side of the fence but we still have to mention him now and then, until we don’t.

Undrafted linebackers

Where are Jeff Luc, Zach Vigil, and Mike Hull? Hull started off very good but has since been quiet. So much for OTA anticipation.