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Gibson Looks Solid For Miami

Sunday, 25 August, 2013

Follow@cimini

The season-ending injury to tight end Dustin Keller is already rearing its ugly head. Clearly, Miami needs to identify a target at receiver to fill in even more as a possession receiver. Saturday the Dolphins settled for three field goals in which they dominated the Buccaneers in yardage by almost 2 to 1. Yet, they lost not all just because of their red zone inefficiency (three costly turnovers) but it’s something that cannot be overlooked.

Charles Clay who is supposed to be the tight end to replace Keller had another putrid outing with just one catch against the Buccaneers. Tight end is vital for any young quarterback. This is a sticky situation for Miami entering the season, and will put added pressure on the perimeter for Miami’s receivers. It also will allow the linebackers to cheat up more in the box to stop the run, as Clay has not shown to be a quick outlet safety valve in preseason action.

One positive Saturday was the play of Brandon Gibson. A free agent bolstered addition to the Miami receivers along with Mike Wallace seems to be emerging quickly. Tannehill looked for Gibson quite often Saturday. The pair should have had two touchdown connections. One was dropped by Gibson in the back of the end zone. It was in an awkward spot where Gibson looked to have lost his concentration because he was trying to land his two feet without being crunched by defenders and also avoid the bottom of the field goal post. The ball went in his hands and as his shifted his body to land his feet the football slipped out.

At least a few drives later Gibson redeemed himself with a short four yard touchdown catch right before halftime.

He finished the evening with a Dolphin high five catches for 43 yards. Do not be too alarmed by the yards per catch. In the regular season Mike Wallace has proven throughout his young career that he is one of the best deep threat receivers in the NFL. That won’t change and that is going to allow Gibson to develop even more with a high amount of under route catches. He will be Miami’s new Davone Bess and critical to the Tannehill having a reliable possession receiver.
Gibson should have fantasy owners thrilled in PPR leagues. His projected 50 or so catches should jump by at least an extra fifteen, and maybe five to six touchdowns. Not a fantasy starting wide receiver, but a receiver you can insert against a team like the Patriots, or for a bye week fill in. His catches each week make him a borderline fourth receiver in deep leagues.