Hard Knocks

[MikeO]

Typical Hard Knocks show. Get a lot of neat behind the scenes footage but learn very little of anything important.

Only thing that stood out was man did they make Vontae Davis look like a dog! Out of shape, can't focus, bathroom breaks in the middle of a walk-through. Head coach laughing about that saying he is in his 50's and can control his bladder better.

We now understand why Richard Marshall passed him on the depth chart.

[Brian Fein]

They sure did make Vontae look like chump #1 on the show.

I think they did Chad some justice, I kinda have high hopes. He seems like he's there to work, and not just clown around. Let's hope...

[Dave Gray]

I loved the first episode and agree that Vontae looks the worst.

I really like Matt Moore.  Also, Philbin has a style that I like.

That one dude getting cut before camp started is heartbreaking.

[Brian Fein]

I felt so bad for that guy.  They started out showing how excited he is and happy to be there and determined to work hard, and the next scene, they are sending him packing. 

[Phishfan]

I was happy to see it. I have mixed feeling on Philbin after the episode. I like how he has practice going, but I just look at the guy and keep thinking how much he reminds me of Larry Coker. Hopefully he gets better reactions from the players.

[mecadonzilla]

Am I missing any vital Dolphins knowledge by not watching?

[bsfins]

I loved it,especially being someone not able to go watch practices...I really didn't know much about coach Philbin,and seeing Jeff Ireland interact with the coaches,etc,etc...was very interesting...

Did I learn anything,earth shattering...No but I didn't expect too.It's a lot like watching the Miami Dolphins NFL yearbook about the previous year,I don't learn anything really,but I love it...

Did Ireland have a Tony Sparano signed Dolphins helmet on the top shelf of his office? (The shot like from behind his desk towards the door) When Braylon Edwards walks,I think is when I noticed it..The helmet is in the very Top left of the screen....

If it is,I thought it was sort of an odd thing to see,especially with Tony now with the Jets...

[Brian Fein]

Vital, no.
Interesting, absolutely.

Wanna know why Vontae is 2nd string on the latest depth chart?  The show made it pretty clear.

If nothing else, it gives you some insight into why decisions are being made, and mitigates the fan-base's constant second guessing of everything.

I actually like Philbin a bit more after the show.

[suck for luck]

How many eps are there and when do they air? I assume one ep/week.

And when will I be able to watch for free?

[Dave Gray]

Am I missing any vital Dolphins knowledge by not watching?

No.  The show is kind of like a prequel to the news you see during the week.  As Brian said, you see why things happened...but not THAT they happened.

The most interesting thing, football-wise, that I learned from the show was Philbin's practice philosophy.  It's reps, reps, reps.  He and the other coaches stand at the 50 yard line, with a full A squad and B squad.  Then, he watches A squad make a play, turns around and B squad is ready to go.  It gets them almost double the plays out, making the Fins run more plays in practice than any other team in the NFL.

Vontae was unable to keep up with the pace, thus he dropped on the depth chart.

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

I really enjoyed the episode last night. Was surprised at how out of shape Vonte was and I really enjoyed Chad Johnson on the show last night. The bit with him and Bush playing FIFA was pretty funny and his media interview cracked me up. Chad also looked pretty decent in camp which is a good thing.

I really want to get that Orange Dolphins polo that Ireland was wearing last night.

[Dave Gray]

My favorite part of the episode, by far, was when Johnson walked in the coaches meeting and asked for a chair.  And everyone looked around like "WTF???"

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

^^^
Yeah that was funny as hell!!!!

[MikeO]

Am I missing any vital Dolphins knowledge by not watching?

Not really. Only thing that stood out that "matters" is that Vontae Davis was out of shape, laughing about it on the sideline saying he was "acting" like he was in shape, Vonate getting a talking too/verbal lashing by his position coach saying that it looks like he doesn't even care on the field, and Vonate looking like a total dog of a player.

He isn't going to get cut, but he is in the final year of his contract I believe I heard on Joe Rose this morning and unless he has a major attitude adjustment I don't know if the Fins spend big bucks to keep him past this year. These coaches didn't draft him and Ireleand didn't even have final say on his pick so maybe Parcells called that one so even Ireland might have no ties to him. Vernon, his brother, was the same way in SF a few years back and turned his life/career around, hopefully the same happens for Vontae.  But it better happen quick if he wants to stay in Miami past this year.

Why give Vontae big bucks when you will have WR's Bowe and Wallace on the market and you can use that money on them and fill a need at the same time.

[MikeO]

I thought the best part was when Tannehill came to camp for his 1st day of practice and Philbin gave a genuine raw emotion of shock and amazement at how well he was throwing the ball and playing.  When he turned his back almost like he forgot he was on camera and mic'd and whispered to Sherman his thoughts on Tannehill. Just "WOW"...lol

Philbin is gonna be a star after this show. Comes off very likeable, in charge, fair-but-firm approach. He reminds me of a gentler version of Tom Coughlin. America will fall in love with Joe Philbin. Now that doesn't mean he can or will be a successful head coach, but he comes off as the most likeable down to earth guy and it pops off the TV screen. People will want to root for him. And they didn't even touch on the sad story of his son dying, if they do at all over the next month America (and I am guessing they will with the Andy Reid story now) people are really going to fall in love with him!