Howdy y\u2019all. I\u2019m a little behind this week, so I didn\u2019t get to watch and write all the stuff I wanted to for here or AOR. I\u2019m trying to develop a few regular posts for this site each week to keep all y\u2019all as engaged as possible. You know, given what this season is and all. Y\u2019all saw the Tuesday Thoughts post, and I\u2019m gonna make that one a regular. If y\u2019all have any ideas for additional posts, let me know.<\/p>\n
Anyway\u2026 I figured I would start a post with 3 things to watch for in each game that promote optimism and 3 things that should make us worried. Aside from the usual stuff. So welcome to The Earl\u2019s Three For Three!<\/p>\n
1. Experience Has Been Gained<\/p>\n
Last week, the Dolphins\u2019 rookies played 27.2% of the possible snaps<\/a>. That was league-leading and nearly 10% more than the next closest team (Browns at 16.7%). Over a quarter of the snaps were played by someone who had never taken an NFL snap. Chris Johnson, Jacob Rodriguez, and Kadyn Proctor played every snap. Caleb Douglas, Michael Taaffe, and Chris Bell played 91%, 75%, and 52%, respectively. Not all of this was pretty. Johnson was picked on early and often, and Taaffe missed a few assignments. But this week, they know what it\u2019s like. They know the feeling of stepping onto an NFL field for the first time<\/a>. Once upon a time, I had the opportunity to interview Cameron Wake over the phone for The Phinsider. I asked him about his first experience in the NFL, and he talked about that feeling when you first step out there and think, \u201cI made it.\u201d I imagine it was overwhelming for these young players, even ones like Proctor who played for one of the biggest college programs out there. But not only is the first-time feeling gone, but they also have a good idea of what the play is like at the NFL level. I recall a comment from Hall of Fame LB Patrick Willis about getting hit by Edgerrin James in his first game and realizing what \u201cgrown man\u201d strength was and how the NFL is on a different level. That\u2019s gone now. These rookies have seen the real game now. They have felt the real game now. They still don\u2019t know enough yet, but they won\u2019t be as surprised now. That\u2019ll lead to smarter and quicker decisions, better communication, and higher confidence.<\/p>\n 2. There Is Hope Up Front<\/p>\n The Rams are a true Super Bowl contender, and the 49ers shut them down. That should be scary, right? Not necessarily. Despite the outcome, the Rams still put up 290 yards of offense, with 122coming on the ground. The 49ers allowed the Rams a 4.2 YPC average. There was also not a single sack in this game. The 49ers generated 8 pressures on 29 dropbacks, but recorded no sacks. Miami\u2019s offensive line isn\u2019t as accomplished as LA\u2019s, but they should have extra motivation this week after how they performed against Vegas. The 49ers can\u2019t just pin their ears back and rush the passer either. Matthew Stafford is great at maneuvering the pocket, but he does not have the ability to threaten defenses on the ground like Malik Willis. They may play more \u201ccontain\u201d rather than straight rush. All it takes is for him or Achane to hit a big play to force the defense to play honest. This is a chance for the offensive line to make a statement against a front that is not quite as formidable.<\/p>\n 3. Caleb Douglas Is A Weapon<\/p>\n The most important thing Douglas has brought to the Dolphins is his ability to get open<\/a>. Much has been made about his size and speed since the draft. His stat line stood out and set franchise records. But what really stood out in week one was his ability to create separation. Douglas generated 5.3 yards of separation at the catch<\/a>, despite having less cushion than other receivers. The Raiders tried to press him, and he still won. Of course, the Raiders secondary isn\u2019t exactly loaded with premier talent. But for a rookie in his first game, and on the road, he stood out in a big way. He\u2019ll have a much tougher test this week. The 49ers\u2019 defensive back group, led by emerging star Renardo Green, is more talented than Las Vegas\u2019s. Now that word is out on Douglas, he will get far more attention. But nothing suggests Douglas will fail to succeed this week. He is quickly becoming a go-to weapon and potentially a star.<\/p>\n 1. The 49ers Are Also Strong Up Front<\/p>\n The Rams gained 122 yards on the ground, which is nice. But the 49ers gained 174 yards on the ground. And did so with only 1 more attempt than the Rams. They leaned heavily on both CMC and rookie Kaelon Black, with CMC going 10-68 and Black going 14-65. Deebo Samuel got in on the act with a 12-yard carry. The Niners did not record a single negative run play<\/a>. This is a frightening idea, as the Dolphins were just pantsed by Ashton Jeanty and the Raiders, who, while talented, only had a 3.7 YPC average last season and an offensive line as maligned as the Dolphins\u2019. The Dolphins will need to tighten up SIGNIFICANTLY if they want to have any hope of containing the 49ers rushing attack. The Niners\u2019 passing game wasn\u2019t necessarily special. Purdy went 25-for-34 for 205 yards. That\u2019s a YPA of 6.1, which is meh. But he also threw 3 TDs. He was also not under any pressure whatsoever, despite the Rams having added the reigning defensive player of the year in Myles Garrett. Garrett is now on IR, but he played 40 snaps and generated 1 pressure. As a team, the Rams generated three total pressures. Miami generated 4 pressures last week. Granted, the Dolphins didn\u2019t earn the right to rush the passer, and Cousins got the ball out quickly. Purdy also had time to throw quickly. Regardless, the Dolphins failed the test against a Raider front and now face a much better offensive line.<\/p>\n 2. Kyle Shanahan Is A Madman<\/p>\n