St. Louis Rams at Miami Dolphins: What to Watch For

Another week is in the books folks. The weeks are flying and pretty soon we'll be hitting the half-way point.

Our Miami Dolphins take on the up and coming, St. Louis Rams. Jeff Fisher, current coach of the Rams, was highly pursued by Stephen Ross. However, I think we made the right choice in Joe Philbin.

I see a Dolphins victory this Sunday. Both teams have similar strengths and weaknesses, but I think our offense is just a tad better than theirs. Our defense should have no problem taking care of the Rams offense.

Here are some things you should watch for during the game:

THE ROOKIES

Ryan Tannehill- Heading into the season, I was not a Tannehill fan. However, I enjoy watching this young man throw the ball. The throws he makes are ones we haven't seen in years. He is developing faster than many expected.

If we are to win Sunday, Tannehill has to protect the ball. Don't fumble and don't throw interceptions. My main problem with Tannehill is he takes way too many hits. Quit trying to make a play and get down. We're going to need you for the next 13 years or so. If he keeps playing well, I can see a Rookie of the Year award going to him.

Jonathan Martin- Martin has the huge task of matching up agaisnt Chris Long. It will be a good test to see where the rookie is at. He has played good football and is limiting his mistakes every week. The whole offensive line will have to play well against a good Rams defensive front.

Olivier Vernon- Olivier Vernon. I'd really like to see him get more playing time. We need another pass rusher. Jared Odrick is hot and cold. Vernon has been showing great awareness. He dropped back into coverage and recorded a deflection and has also been providing pressure. He's young and the sky's the limit for him. Did you see the deflection where he was parallel to the ground? Amazing stuff man, amazing stuff.

Lamar Miller- Miller may see alot of playing time on Sunday. Daniel Thomas has another concussion and is likely to miss the game. Miller has been in the doghouse over his pass protection and not knowing the terminology well. He needs playing time and look for that to happen on Sunday.

Josh Kaddu- just signed off the practice squad, Josh Kaddu, was drafted in the 5th round by the Dolphins. If he plays he'll be on special teams. I think he'll be on the inactive list though.

Rishard Matthews- if you've been reading these post, then you'd know I'm a huge Rishard Matthews fan. With the signing of Jabar Gaffney, Matthews will most likely continue to ride the inactive list.

Kheeston Randall- playing well as a backup. Nothing flashy and not making any mental errors. Late round gem for Ireland.

TIGHT ENDS

You know, I thought our wide recievers were bad. I was wrong. Our tight ends are worse than them.

Anthony Fasano continues to demonstrate why he's a solid, middle of the road, tight end. Makes the catches and makes the blocks. I have nothing bad to say about him.

This is where it gets bad. Jeron Mastrud is only a blocking tight end. So I can't yell at him. It's the other two.

Charles Clay and Michael Egnew.

Clay was supposed to be a playmaker this season. I have not seen it. I about broke my brothers TV when Clay ran out of bounds giving the Bengals a chance to come back. Thankfully we won. Clay also tipped a pass up. That's a no no.

I HAD faith in Egnew. I thought he could get rid of the "Missouri tight ends don't adjust well". This guy has been a huge disappointment.

We saw in Hard Knocks, that both were in the doghouse. They still are. Clay isn't playing well and Egnew is developing like everyone hoped. Clay needs to step up on Sunday and exploit the middle of the field and create mismatches. As soon as Egnew is active, he has to do the same.

SECONDARY

Sean Smith has been playing killer football. He seems to be getting the hang of things finally. He gave up the touchdown to A.J. Green, but that was a perfect throw by Andy Dalton and that shows what Tannehill can do whenever he gets a #1 reciever.

Nolan Carroll, in my opinion, played well in his start for injured Richard Marshall. With Marshall likely out again, Carroll will have to step up again.

Jimmy Wilson also had a nice deflection in the endzone.

I see our corners being able to shutdown the passing game. I see our defensive line shutting down the run game and forcing Sam Bradford to throw the ball.

Onto the safeties.

Reshad Jones was my man crush when we drafted him. He's playing lights out. I have nothing bad to say about him either.

Chris Clemons has always been solid and is playing well.

Kevin Coyle and Lou Anarumo have done a fantasitic job of helping these guys realize their potential. The safeties will have to help in the run game and pass game. I see this whole defense playing great on Sunday.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Yes this is kind of directed at Dan Carpenter. I remember when I wouldn't worry about him missing a field goal. I know they're long field goals, but C'MON MAN, you're DC$!!! Hopefully he gets out of this funk on Sunday and plays at the ProBowl level we expect him to.

Brandon Fields. Solid. ProBowl talent.

As I stated in one of my earlier, What to Watch For post, I wanted to see consistency out of Marcus Thigpen. I haven't seen it. Letting the ball bounce into the 10 yard line. This is why Davone Bess has come back in, for consistency.

More importantly, what are you guys watching for?