The Good

Ryan Fitzpatrick looked a lot better this week against a very good Bills defense. 65% completion, 328 yards and 2 TDs each week would typically mean a win if the rest of your team does its job. But they didn't so....

The running game was more productive, with Myles Gaskin continuing to lead the way. The Dolphins averaged 4.5 ypc. However, the Dolphins chose to throw 47 passes versus 22 runs in what was a close game all day. In a game like this, why not run the ball a bit more, take more time off the clock, give your defense more of a rest and keep the opposing offense off the field? Back to Gaskin, he also caught 6 passes for 36 yards.

Mike Gesicki having the breakout game! Good to see. 130 yards and a TD.

The Bad

This defense was designed to stop the run first. But it allowed 111 yards and 4.8 ypc. On top of that, Josh Allen had a career game with 417 yards and 4 TDs. The defense has more of a "read and react" feel, which I think is a terrible way to run a defense. I prefer "seek and destroy". The Dolphins, specifically their coaches, need to make some adjustments and soon on this side of the ball.

The Ugly

Despite good production on offense, the Dolphins lost. They start the season 0-2 and it is in large part because their defense still cannot stop the run. For a QB like Josh Allen, the running game sets the table. The Dolphins have to start shutting down the run, or this will be a long season.

Overall

Not an unexpected start against two tough AFCE opponents. I believe most reasonable people would have had us at 0-2 at this point. But the concern is how badly the defense has played thus far, with spending big bucks on a shutdown corner and adding a bunch of players that specialize in stopping the run first, so far the blueprint is a failure. Let's see if some of the issues can be addressed against the Jaguars.

The Good

About the only positive in this game was the play of Jerome Baker, who was all over the field with 16 tackles, 1 sack and forced fumble that prevented a New England score.

I guess we can thrown in that the pass protection did not look atrocious as it has so often over the past decade. Something to keep an eye on with another revamped offensive line.

The Bad

This list will run long and deep.

Fitztragic was on full display with 3 interceptions and leading an anemic offense that only produced 11 points.

The running game struggled, although Gaskin and Breida did show some bright spots. But Jordan Howard was invisible.

Devante Parker injured again.

While the Dolphins were incapable of stopping what is essentially a college offense, the Dolphins wide outs aside from Parker were incapable of creating separation.

It is not even an exaggeration that the Patriots were running a college offense. They literally were. Most decent NFL defenses would know to penetrate and disrupt. The Dolphins defense hung back, misread plays and let Cam Newton do whatever he wanted.

The Ugly

I guess the quality of play was a symptom of the times. Shortened training camps and no preseason games due to the pandemic. The Dolphins are a young team that benefit more from that type of activity. Now they have to learn on the fly. And it may be this ugly for a couple more weeks before some players get their legs under them.

Overall

Great to have football and a little bit of normalcy back in our lives. The Dolphins are a very young team that may struggle early. Up next are the Bills, who will present another tough opponent. The Dolphins need to get their run game and run stop game going to be able to compete against these teams. If they are not able to improve in these areas, it will be another long season. The other question is, how much Fitzmagic vs Fitztragic will we get? If we keep seeing more of the latter, how quickly can we expect Tua to see the field? And how will he perform given the abridged training camp? In my opinion, it is only a matter of time before a quarterback controversy materializes.

CONTENT

Post Draft Analysis
Youtube Highlights
NFL.COM Draft Analysis
NFL Draft Bible Analysis (paid subscription)
Pro Football Network (Tony Pauline) Analysis

POST DRAFT ANALYSIS

Pro Football Network (Tony Pauline) *
Navy quarterback Malcolm Perry gets selected in the final picks of the draft. The Dolphins list him at wide receiver, a position he handled well during Shrine Game practices. Perry is smart, incredibly quick, and versatile. I expect the Dolphins to give him a try in the slot, line him up in the backfield as a running back and let him return punts.

Pro Football Network (Andrew DiCecco) *
The Dolphins make an interesting selection in the waning stages of the seventh round, selecting former Navy quarterback Malcolm Perry. Perry played wide receiver and running back during Shrine week and looked fairly comfortable doing so. He showcased his elusiveness, vision, and burst in the open field. His route running looked further along than some of his counterparts, so I wouldn’t be shocked if he found a spot as a depth/gadget player.

Player Bio

Perry's parents both served in the Army, but he decided to attend the Naval Prep Academy for one year after leaving Kenwood High School in Tennessee as a two-time all-state player. He played in three games as a reserve in 2016 (9-73-8.1, one TD rushing) and then came on to lead the Midshipmen in rushing the following year (138-1,182-8.6, 11 TDs) splitting time between quarterback (three games) and slot back (nine games). Perry started the first five games of the 2018 season at quarterback before moving to slot back for the rest of the year (172-1,087-6.3, seven TDs rushing; 9 of 25, 222 yards, two TDs passing in 13 starts). He was one of the top playmakers in the country as a senior, receiving the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year award. Perry finished second in the country with 2,017 rushing yards and tied for third nationally with 21 rushing scores on 295 carries (6.8 per) in 13 starts at quarterback for the 11-2 Navy squad. He also completed 48-of-86 pass attempts (55.8 percent) for 1,084 yards and seven scores with three interceptions.

Analysis

• Draft Projection - Priority free agent

Overview

When a prospect starts off with traits like tough, smart and highly competitive, they are off to a very good start with important intangibles. While Perry checks those boxes, he's undersized, moving to a new position, and lacks explosive twitch as a route-runner to uncover in short spaces. With play-callers becoming more creative, Perry's production in option packages could open a lane for him as offenses love to create additional game-planning duties for defensive coordinators.

Strengths

• Elected by teammates to highly regarded team captain spot
• Instant gadget option who is very smart and tough
• Undersized but tough runner for short-yardage option package
• Has some slot receiver experience
• Low center of gravity enhances change of direction
• Hands catcher, reaching out to meet the ball
• Makes an effort to find positional blocking duties
• Stick-and-go wiggle to make first tackler miss
• Twenty career kick returns averaging 24.6 yards per return

Weaknesses

• Sawed-off body type with tight hips, short limbs and small hands
• Built like a running back playing receiver
• Limited exposure to receiver snaps
• Will need time acclimating to NFL route tree
• Below average short-area suddenness as a slot
• Routes are leggy and show him through transitions
• May not have speed or separation quickness to uncover
• Not a natural 50/50 winner when the ball goes up

Sources Tell Us

• "I'll put five on it right now that he's in the Patriots camp. Watch." -- Area scout for AFC team

MALCOLM PERRY | Navy | RB/WR | #10 | SR | 5094 | 186 |0848 | 2958 |
7148 | 4.63 | Clarksville, TN | Kenwood HS | EWSB | NIC | 6.6/7.9 | 6.5/8.2 | UDFA

Overview:
Playing quarterback for the Navy Midshipmen in 2019, senior Malcolm Perry put together one of the most prolific seasons under center in school history. That full time move occurred after fluctuating between quarterback and slot back the majority of his previous three seasons. No matter what position Perry lines up at, his athletic profile is on full display. His short area quickness is at an elite level, routinely changing directions at a blink of an eye. His acceleration is fantastic once he hits a crease, presenting an incredibly frustrating player to corral in the open field. Perry is lightning in a bottle, hitting his top speed in a flash. With some serious juice breaking into the second and third levels, his game compares favorably to San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida. A position change is clearly in Perry’s future once again as he makes his transition to the professional level. That potential switch from option quarterback to running back or wide receiver would normally be quite a task for the average athlete. Luckily for Perry, his experience at slot back gives him a strong familiarity from a technical aspect as a runner and receiver. Still, the transition is not for the faint of heart. Perry will be tested often during the process to figure out his best fit. Currently sitting as a slender built option quarterback, his best position is debatable. It’s easy to bet on an athlete of this caliber, however. Perry was outstanding at the East-West Shrine Bowl, he looked like he had been playing receiver for years despite being an option quarterback. He flashed his super speed in his routes but also showed off some sweet feet in the comeback drills. His athleticism and top end speed are clear but he’s a dangerous player because of how well he is capable of changing directions, he showed that off in drills and his interior routes. Perry has a chance to develop into a slot receiver thanks to the fluid mover he is in space. Don’t expect to hear Perry’s name called until the ladder parts of Day Three of the 2020 NFL Draft but do expect whatever team selects him to get a developmental playmaker who could pay huge dividends down the road.

Navy Midshipmen
2020 NFL Draft Prospects
Malcolm Perry, RB

Career Snapshot:
Three-year starter who was named AAC Offensive Player of the Year and rushed 295 times for 2,017 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior in 2019. Completed 48 of 86 passes for 1,084 yards, seven TDs and three interceptions. Split time between quarterback and slot back during his first two seasons at Navy before he took over under center full-time.

Positives:
Much-celebrated collegiate quarterback who will move to either receiver or running back at the next level. Smart, incredibly quick and creative. Very competitive and displays outstanding field awareness and quickness. Possesses the agility and speed necessary to turn the corner and has a burst through the hole.

Sets up defenders and makes them miss. Dangerous open-field ball carrier. Ran terrific routes during the Shrine Bowl, displayed the ability to separate from defenders, and looked natural at receiver. Perry commanded the offense extremely well.

Negatives:
Sprays passes at quarterback and displays marginal accuracy. Small and easily brought down by a single defender.

Analysis:
Perry was incredibly productive for the Naval Academy as he led the offense as their starting quarterback. He has size limitations, but a creative offensive coordinator will find ways to use his talents as both a receiver and ball carrier.