Monday, December 17, 2012

In Bess's absence, Dolphins' Fasano gets extra work

BY NICK ST. DENIS

With Davone Bess missing the first game of his career, a pair of untested receivers in Rishard Matthews and Marlon Moore were moved up the depth chart to fill the void.

Starting tight end Anthony Fasano got the call, too.

Fasano caught a season-high six passes for 56 yards, adding a touchdown and a two-point conversion reception in the Miami Dolphins' 24-3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

We expected the tight end would draw quarterback Ryan Tannehill's attention, and that he did. Fasano was targeted a team-high seven times in the game, working out of the slot all game.  (photo: Bob B. Brown, Flickr)

According to Pro Football Focus, Fasano saw more snaps than any non-lineman (or Tannehill), getting in on 66 plays, six more than receiver Brian Hartline, who led the team in receiving yards with 77.

Fasano has caught a pass in 22 consecutive games. Moore and Matthews combined for five receptions Sunday, with Matthews being targeted five times, one fewer than Hartline.

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