90-in-90 Miami Dolphins roster breakdown: Davon Godchaux The Phinsider’s annual 90-in-90 series is back today with another in-depth look at the players who are currently vying to make the Miami Dolphins’ 53-man roster. This series of articles takes a look at each individual on the roster
Daniel Kilgore Jersey , breaking down how they performed in 2017, why they could progress or regress in 2018, and the odds that the player makes the team when the regular season arrives.This year, we have already finished the reviews for wide receiver Leonte Carroo, punter Matt Haack, safety T.J. McDonald, running back Buddy Howell, wide receiver DeVante Parker, defensive end William Hayes, wide receiver Isaiah Ford, safety/cornerback Walt Aikens, defensive end Claudy Mathieu, linebacker Kiko Alonso, cornerback Xavien Howard, long snapper Lucas Gravelle, wide receiver Danny Amendola, tight end A.J. Derby, running back Frank Gore, defensive tackle Gabe Wright, wide receiver Kenny Stills, cornerback Tony Lippett, kicker Jason Sanders, kicker Greg Joseph, left tackle Laremy Tunsil, tight end Mike Gesicki, linebacker Raekwon McMillan, running back Kalen Ballage, wide receiver Jakeem Grant, tight end Durham Smythe, quarterback David Fales
Albert Wilson Jersey , wide receiver Albert Wilson, defensive tackle Akeem Spence, linebacker Chase Allen, defensive end Cameron Wake, running back Senorise Perry, and tight end MarQueis Gray, offensive lineman Ted Larsen, defensive end Andre Branch, running back Kenyan Drake, defensive end Quincy Redmon, quarterback Bryce Petty, wide receiver Francis Owusu, defensive end Jonathan Woodard, defensive end Charles Harris, center Connor Hilland, guard Jesse Davis, safety Reshad Jones, defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, guard Isaac Asiata, defensive end Robert Quinn, wide receiver Drew Morgan, cornerback Cordrea Tankersley, and linebacker Mike Hull, and tight end Gavin Escobar, and wide receiver Rashawn Scott. Today, we add defensive tackle Davon Godchaux.2017 ReviewAfter being selected in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Godchaux went on to make an immediate impact for the Dolphins. He played in 15 games last season, starting five, and recorded 26 tackles, one pass defense
Robert Quinn Jersey , and one forced fumble. During the year, he regularly rotated with Jordan Phillips as Ndamukong Suh maintained a steady presence at one of the DT positions. He displayed a ferocious play style and routinely penetrated the offensive line.Why he could progressWith Suh now in Los Angeles, Godchaux has a unique opportunity to hold down a starting position on his own. The Dolphins have three potential starters as defensive tackle in Godchaux, Phillips, and veteran Akeem Spence. Spence seems to be in line to secure a starting spot, leaving Godchaux to battle it out with Phillips. Through two preseason games this year, Godchaux has earned both starts playing next to Spence, showing that he is in the lead to start when the regular season arrives.Being atop the depth chart should help Godchaux’s progression as a player, given that he’ll see more playing time, and it’s a well known fact that second-year players never get better by sitting on the bench. No longer a rookie, Godchaux should now be used to the speed of the NFL level, Miami’s defensive scheme, and his responsibilities on the team, leaving him free to simply go out and play ball.Why he could regressSuh’s absence could potentially be a detriment to Godchaux’s progression as well. Without the hulking force of Suh by his side, Godchaux could struggle to become “the guy” in the trenches. Miami badly needs someone to step up on the interior, and Suh’s shoes are big ones to fill. I mean, the man probably wears size 15 cleats, but I digress. If Godchaux fails to take on that role, he could cede his spot to Phillips or fellow sophomore tackle Vincent Taylor.Chances of making the 53-man rosterAs Godchaux is in line for a starting position, his odds of making the team aren’t in question. He’s is locked in to make the roster barring any unforeseen anomalies. For any New England Patriots wanting to say hello Sunday to former teammate Danny Amendola, they most likely can find him running over the middle.But they already knew that. That’s where Amendola made his living for five seasons with the Patriots, and that’s where he has made an impact so far with his new team, the Miami Dolphins.The veteran receiver faces his former team this week and said he’s excited to return to Foxborough, although he’s not sure what form the reunion will take.“They have a lot of great people there,“ Amendola said. „I can’t sit down and talk to all of them. I’m going to just focus on the game, and whoever I get to hit or handshake, that’s fine with me.“He’ll likely be hit, too. Amendola’s hallmark is pass patterns over the middle, where he willingly exposes his 5-foot-11, 190-pound frame to jarring blows.He has been effective that way for the surprising Dolphins
Vincent Taylor Jersey , leading them with 11 receptions. While he has totaled only 100 yards, he has drawn attention and opened up the flanks to speedier receivers Kenny Stills, Albert Wilson and Jakeem Grant.As a result, Ryan Tannehill ranks third in the NFL in yards per attempt, and the Dolphins this week have a chance at their first 4-0 start since 1995.Tannehill loves Amendola’s contribution to the offense, and his willingness to work between the hash marks.“It’s huge,“ Tannehill said. „To have the confidence and the bravery 鈥?I don’t know the politically correct word to use here 鈥?to stand in there and make those catches in tight windows, knowing that you’re going to take some punishment afterward, is huge. Some guys can’t do it, but if you look at Danny, he’s a guy who has done it for his whole career and continues to do it. So, yes, it’s awesome to have. It definitely keeps the chains moving for us.“Miami coach Adam Gase wanted to improve the culture of his team after going 6-10 last year. So the Dolphins parted with high-maintenance receiver Jarvis Landry and signed Amendola to a $12 million, two-year deal.With 13 postseason games and two Super Bowl rings on his resume, Amendola has brought to Miami the anticipated intangibles, Gase said.“Just seeing him every day in meetings doing things the way that he does them, and the intensity that he brings, and everything he does has been great for our guys to witness,“ Gase said. „He has been a positive influence.“Stills agreed.“It takes a lot of heart and courage to go across the middle and take some of the hits he has taken throughout his career,“ Stills said. „That energizes a group. It makes our group stronger. That’s a high bar he sets for the rest of us.“If it annoys Amendola that the Patriots didn’t re-sign him, he’s won’t say so. Instead, he said his years with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick provided a lasting education.“Some of the things I learned there I’ll carry with me forever,“ Amendola said. „What I’ve learned most is how to prepare for a game, what goes into the weekly routine leading into a game. I’m just using my preparation skills against them now.“When asked if Dolphins coaches picked his brain this week about the Patriots‘ system, Amendola said: „They’re smart.“Amendola’s smart, too, and knows better than to gloat about the struggling Patriots (1-2) trailing his new team in the AFC East standings.“It’s early in the season,“ he said. „Everybody in the whole league is trying to figure some things out and trying to get moving, including us.“The Dolphins have already figured out they can get moving by throwing over the middle to Amendola.
