Hate for Hartline

[Doc-phin]

Caught this article with the Sun Sentinel that claims that the primary reason for negative feedback from fans on Brian Hartline was his skin color.  While I actually agree there is some of that going on, the article convinced me otherwise when I watched the youtube video that was posted to back up the claim.

Go to...

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2012/05/miami-dolphins-why-the-hate-for-brian-hartline.html

Watch the imbedded youtube video and see if you pick up on what I picked up on.  Brian Hartline goes to the ground after every catch.  Many times he needs to go to the ground, but I think he has gotten so used to it that he does it even when he doesn't have to.  How can a guy who runs agressively on reverses be so shitty after the catch?

I hope Hartline is aware of this, because it scares the crap out of me that our #1 receiver does absolutely nothing but catch the ball and fall down.  This has nothing to do with skin color.

[Brian Fein]

Can you also get a youtube video of all the amazing sideline and fingertip grabs this guy has made over the years?  He's probably got the best hands on the team.

[Doc-phin]

Can you also get a youtube video of all the amazing sideline and fingertip grabs this guy has made over the years?  He's probably got the best hands on the team.

It is on the video.  Take a couple of minutes and watch it.

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

I have never been a fan of his really but I can honestly say it has nothing to do with his skin color.....that is bogus!!!!!

[tubba marxxx]

I have never been a fan of his really but I can honestly say it has nothing to do with his skin color.....that is bogus!!!!!

+1..I'm so fucking sick of the race card

[CF DolFan]

I actually think the opposite is true. It would take a white guy less success to become a fan favorite in a receiver position because it is rare.  I think it's funny someone would even think it is a hinderence being a white guy in football.

[Phishfan]

This is a perfect example of people watching the same thing but seeing it differently. I encourage everyone to watch the video and weigh in. It is obvious Doc was exaggerating aout going to the ground after every catch (unless you account for the fact a receiver does get tackled nearly every time they touch the ball) but I do not see any issue with him going to the ground unnecessarily. If anything, I think you should look at the ball placement on the throw more closely. There were several instances on that video of Hartline being wide open and the ball thrown catchable but nowhere near where it should be for him to be able to keep control of his body.

[Diehard_Dolfan]

This is a perfect example of people watching the same thing but seeing it differently. I encourage everyone to watch the video and weigh in. It is obvious Doc was exaggerating aout going to the ground after every catch (unless you account for the fact a receiver does get tackled nearly every time they touch the ball) but I do not see any issue with him going to the ground unnecessarily. If anything, I think you should look at the ball placement on the throw more closely. There were several instances on that video of Hartline being wide open and the ball thrown catchable but nowhere near where it should be for him to be able to keep control of his body.

I agree!

Many of those throws were thrown in an area that they could be caught but, most never gave Hartline a chance at YAC yards!   If he puts those throws ahead of Hartline and at least waist level many of those could have gone to the house or produced some impressive YAC yards!

Also, In defense of Hartline (not that he needs it) most of his catches came when Marshall was off the field or doubled!  Moore's first read was always Marshall... there were many instances where Hartline and Bess were open but Moore didn't look for them!

[Doc-phin]

This is a perfect example of people watching the same thing but seeing it differently. I encourage everyone to watch the video and weigh in. It is obvious Doc was exaggerating aout going to the ground after every catch (unless you account for the fact a receiver does get tackled nearly every time they touch the ball) but I do not see any issue with him going to the ground unnecessarily. If anything, I think you should look at the ball placement on the throw more closely. There were several instances on that video of Hartline being wide open and the ball thrown catchable but nowhere near where it should be for him to be able to keep control of his body.

I also would like multiple perspectives.  That is what boards like this are good for.

But I don't see how I was exaggerating.  There are a lot of receptions in that video and there is very very little YAC.  There are not a ton of plays where he was lead into the open field, but there were definately a few plays that he could have turned a moderate gain into a large gain.

While you watch the video...  Ask yourself the questions - Does he need to jump or go to the ground there?  What would have happened if he had made a better attempt to stay on his feet?  Does the amount of effort it takes to get him to the ground match up with the effort it takes to get other #1 or #2 receivers to the ground?  

I like the guy and think he is a good player, but if our best receiver does this we are in trouble.  It shouldn't take away from the fact that he is excellent at keeping control and his feet in bounds on sidline plays.  I am not attacking his game in total.  But in the pros, this has to get better.  We also shouldn't lose perspective that he is not going against the other teams top corner.

[Pappy13]

I saw a guy who's first concern was catching the ball and THEN worried about running with it. I LIKE that. Catch the damn ball, then if you can get more after the catch great, but catch the damn ball FIRST. I also saw a guy that got as much yardage as he could straight up the field. Look at that reverse he ran. He nearly scored because he ran straight up the gut with it. 99% of receivers would have tried to take that to the corner and would have gotten run out of bounds at the 10.

[Doc-phin]

I saw a guy who's first concern was catching the ball and THEN worried about running with it. I LIKE that. Catch the damn ball, then if you can get more after the catch great, but catch the damn ball FIRST. I also saw a guy that got as much yardage as he could straight up the field. Look at that reverse he ran. He nearly scored because he ran straight up the gut with it. 99% of receivers would have tried to take that to the corner and would have gotten run out of bounds at the 10.

This is why we kick field goals and don't score touchdowns.  These guys are pros, catching the ball doesn't deserve a cookie.  Our receivers (including Hartline) seem adequate for keeping the chains moving, sort of.  But guys, we are talking about the NFL here.  There is a higher standard out of necessity.

[Pappy13]

While you watch the video...  Ask yourself the questions - Does he need to jump or go to the ground there?  What would have happened if he had made a better attempt to stay on his feet?  Does the amount of effort it takes to get him to the ground match up with the effort it takes to get other #1 or #2 receivers to the ground?  

Now ask yourself Doc if he DOESN'T jump or go to the ground, is he ASSURED of making the catch?  I say no in EVERY case. There was one in particular that I think the average fan would say that he should have kept his feet, but I disagree. He had beaten the DB, but the ball was thrown behind him and to the inside, so he dips inside the DB and then he does something that you can't teach, he actually goes UP for the ball and catches it at it's height rather than waiting for it to come to him. He loses his balance a bit when he does this and get's tackled but going UP for the ball absolutely guaranteed that the DB couldn't recover and make a play on the ball.

[masterfins]

In spite of Omar's superior knowledge to myself, regarding racial profiling, it has nothing to do with race.  I've never been a fan of Hartline, don't hate the guy either.  I just think he is an average 3rd string receiver.  There was a 9 minute highlight reel that I think had only two TD catches, heck it had more highlights of him being interferred with.  Then Omar wants to say he performed when his number was called, how the heck does Omar know how many times that Hartline was the primary target and he didn't get open???

[Diehard_Dolfan]

Now ask yourself Doc if he DOESN'T jump or go to the ground, is he ASSURED of making the catch?  I say no in EVERY case. There was one in particular that I think the average fan would say that he should have kept his feet, but I disagree. He had beaten the DB, but the ball was thrown behind him and to the inside, so he dips inside the DB and then he does something that you can't teach, he actually goes UP for the ball and catches it at it's height rather than waiting for it to come to him. He loses his balance a bit when he does this and get's tackled but going UP for the ball absolutely guaranteed that the DB couldn't recover and make a play on the ball.

+1 on this!

If Marshall's concern was to catch the ball first just imagine the numbers he could have put up... he would have had more TD's for sure!!!

[Pappy13]

This is why we kick field goals and don't score touchdowns.  These guys are pros, catching the ball doesn't deserve a cookie.  Our receivers (including Hartline) seem adequate for keeping the chains moving, sort of.  But guys, we are talking about the NFL here.  There is a higher standard out of necessity.

I completely disagree. You can't run with it if you don't catch it. You can't score with it if you don't catch it. You can't get a first down if you don't catch it. Brandon Marshall would have had about 4 more TD's if he would have just caught the damn ball when he had the chance. Hell BM ran out bounds once for no apparent reason and you're on Brian Hartline for making sure he catches it first? You're looking for a reason to criticize that's just not there.