Training Camp Predictions: The WR battle

by Matty I on Jul 14, 2008 12:57 PM EDT in 2012 Miami Dolphins News

Since we are now less than 2 weeks away from the beginning of training camp, I wanted to begin a series of questions that we could all discuss.

Basically, about every other day or so, I'll post a new "training camp prediction" thread where I will ask you all for your predictions on who will win certain training camp battles.

Today we discuss the wide receivers.

Now, it's safe to say that Ted Ginn, Ernest Wilford, and Derek Hagan (some might disagree about Hagan, but just assume this for the sake of discussion) are going to be 3 of the receivers that make this team. That leaves David Kircus and Greg Camarillo as the only 2 non-rookies battling for a spot. The 5 rookies are Davone Bess, Jayson Foster, Selwyn Lymon, John Dunlap, and Justin Wynn.

So lay your reputation on the line and tell us all who you think will end up making the team. And feel free to even predict somebody not currently on the roster as one of the receivers that make the 53-man squad.

My prediction: I think the Dolphins will keep just 5 receiver on the 53-man roster. And I think that those 2 final spots will go to Davone Bess and David Kircus, though I wouldn't be shocked to see Camarillo beat out Kircus. But I just think that Kircus has more upside, as long as he can stay out of trouble.

Leave your predictions below...

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WR BATTLE

I believe Hagan still has allot to prove. If he has a bad preseason hell be toast i think. Ginn and Wilford are safe, thats a sure bet. Im not sippin Bess koolaid yet. Everyone wants the dreadlocked fast wr cuz hes fun to watch…..but all i see in him is another Jeremy Bloom.

So Ginn, Wilford, and Hagan are my 1st probale 3.

After that i see us signing a veteran WR thats cut. Id guess Joe Horn. ehhh…i know.

The 5th guy is gonna be a utility type guy. Bess needs to play all special teams to make the team. That means we gotta find out if he can tackle. I would rather see us use that 5th wr spot on a bigger tight end type of player that can smash on special teams. Leave Bess on the practice squad.

All this depends on Pre Season and Camp of course. If Bess is nasty and Hagan drops as usual…then things change.

by Rzayo24 on Jul 14, 2008 1:37 PM EDT reply actions

special teams

That’s a great point. If Camarillo can out-play Kircus on special teams, he could certainly win a roster spot.

As far as Bess goes, I really have a good feeling about him. He’s not particularly tall or fast or anything, but he rarely drops a ball and he knows how to get open. It’s rare that you find an undrafted free agent who is a solid route runner with reliable hands. I think it goes to show that all the Combine tests make guys like Troy Williamson 1st round picks while reliable 3rd or 4th receivers like Bess end up going undrafted.

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Jul 14, 2008 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

the combine tests are over rated. A fast 40 time cannot make an elite receiver, the ability to get open using quickness (and yes there is a difference between quickness and speed) is more importants. Did you know Jerry Rice had a 4.6 40?

by PhinFanDan on Jul 14, 2008 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions

yup

Rice is the classic example.

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Jul 14, 2008 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions

It all boils down to ST play.

The 5th guy will have to be a STs ace. and IF a guy can play STs well, he might make the team as a 6th WR/ST specialist.

I’m pretty sure Ginn, Wilford are locks. Hagan is 50/50. He is isn’t exceptionally big or fast, so IMO he is JAG. Personally, I would rather keep Camarillo.
I think you take Hagan, Camarillo, Bess, Kircus, and count the balls that bounce off their hands in preseason. You keep the best 3 clutch guys that make the least critical drops, regardless of which squad they are playing on at the time.
I think Bess ends up making it, and one of the other guys gets cut.
I think Lymon or Wynn end up on the practice squad.

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Jul 14, 2008 2:06 PM EDT reply actions

My Prediction

After Ginn, Wilford, and Hagan I say Bess and Camarillo make the active roster and Foster ends up on the practice squad.

by JMFlyer1454 on Jul 14, 2008 2:07 PM EDT reply actions

What about......

Cris Henry? I know he’s not exactly kept his nose clean and all but there is no denying the guy is pretty talented. Looks like he’ll be reinstated soon as charges were dropped and it’s already under review. Can the tough love approach keep him in line? The other receivers will be as Matty says if there is no veteran addition.

mophins

by mophins on Jul 14, 2008 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

Seems as though...

no one has been in the mindset of Bess maybe being a new Welker…small quick, good hands. Am I way off with this?

by OntheGo on Jul 14, 2008 2:47 PM EDT reply actions

Not At All Off

Though Welker had a little more wiggle.

I think Bess makes it as the fourth and Camarillo the fifth. You just can’t turn your back on a guy with Bess’ hands.

www.thephinisher.com

by The Phinisher on Jul 14, 2008 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

If Ginn...

Emerges as a true #1 threat then he will be pulled from at least one, if not both, of his returning duties.

That would bode well for Jayson Foster. Though really we don’t know jack until the “big boy” pads go on.

www.thephinisher.com

by The Phinisher on Jul 14, 2008 2:54 PM EDT reply actions

yeah...until

they find out who their daddy’s are on the field

by OntheGo on Jul 14, 2008 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

watch Ginn closely

Teddy Ginn will hopefully become the next T.O….....kircus looks jacked like he physically he make some moves…does anybody know his history or where he came from? is he good?

also Ginn is super fast but he needs to stretch his defender on long bombs….if he is the #1 wide out then why would they have him return kicks also….asking for a injury

by SharkFins28 on Jul 14, 2008 3:31 PM EDT reply actions

no next santana moss or steve smith

t.o is a taller and more of a wilford molde

thread comment champion

by finsxfactor on Jul 14, 2008 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions

this is how its gonna go down...

davone bess -> hopefully
kircus -> makes me shit my pants if he makes the teams
camarillo—> cut the skank

thread comment champion

by finsxfactor on Jul 14, 2008 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

I hope it’s Camarillo and Bess.

by jfink24 on Jul 14, 2008 8:02 PM EDT reply actions

RE:Special Teams

Thanks. Smart teams know that no player or position can go wasted. Everyone has to be great at something…anything. DBess would fit into that…im really fast….Hester category. Use him that way though…..Ginn and DBess on kickoffs? Thats exciting.

We have to get sure hands on the field. Chambers might have been up and down but you knew he has better skills than the cornerback every time. Even O.Gadsden (yes i brought up the OG) you just trusted. I would have loved to see us sign Bruce. He went to school in Pompano and still has something left.

PEOPLE…...DONT FORGET…our best reciever is Ronnie Brown. If we are getting anywhere he is catching as many balls as anyone. Dont forget Ricky has some hands as well. Wish we woulda kept Booker…but prob only cuz i just went to FSU. We did work out gangsta on that trade though..how we flipped it to Dallas. Gangster.

Good Question….thanks guys!

by Rzayo24 on Jul 14, 2008 10:23 PM EDT reply actions