OK, we're in the big (empty) house known as Dolphin Stadium and all is well.
Quick update: Mike Lehan, out the entire preseason with a high ankle sprain, is going to make his preseason debut tonight. DE Vonnie Holliday will also debut tonight. RB Ronnie Brown and LB Charlie Anderson are not playing.
This is a night to grade this team as much is it is to grade individuals. Sure, it will interesting to see the progression of Chris Crocker as he tries to pass Jason Allen in the battle to win the starting free safety job. My bet is on Crocker who is simply more instinctive. Coaches are not pleased with Allen.
And finally, it will interesting to see if rookie Chad Henne can continue to keep the QB competition interesting.
I have been told that competition is NOT over, by the way. Everyone assumes it will be Chad Pennington's job. But I've been told the coaching staff still has NOT awarded the starting job to Pennington, and Henne could still win it based on what happens tonight and beyond. Of course, if Pennington plays great, that will go a long way toward giving him the job.
But as of right now, it is still an open competition.
Remember that the Chiefs, once a mighty running team, finished dead last rushing the football last season. The Dolphins, meanwhile, were dead last defending the run. We'll see how far those units have come this offseason.
Anyway, meet me in the comments section at 7:30 for the live blog!
Watch ... Comment. Watch.... Comment. Waaaaaaa
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 23, 2008 at 08:01 PM
what a bs spot
Posted by: Pound | August 23, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Langford putting pressure on Croyle. Running faster than Croyle. Pretty impressive.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 23, 2008 at 08:02 PM
secondarys doin a pretty good job so far for the most part.
Posted by: Pound | August 23, 2008 at 08:02 PM
what do you think, pennington first half, henne 2nd?
Posted by: sparbee | August 23, 2008 at 08:03 PM
Coverage sack by Porter.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 23, 2008 at 08:03 PM
Couldn't play a better team to boost our confidence....
Posted by: Dave in Arizona | August 23, 2008 at 08:03 PM
End of first.
I think the jayson Foster experiment is over. Cobbs was running back kickoffs and Ted Ginn is about to field this punt.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 23, 2008 at 08:04 PM
Hey Mando what do you think..but to me they seem to be playing with more attitude and energy than anytime last year...credit to Parcells n new staff
Posted by: chris | August 23, 2008 at 08:05 PM
hey armando what did you mean by looking like 2003? just curious?
Posted by: Glennsta831 | August 23, 2008 at 08:06 PM
Chris: You are right as of this game. But it is the preseason, dude. We'll see when it counts.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 23, 2008 at 08:06 PM
Right here Mando...just watching the game some.
Posted by: Mike in Houston | August 23, 2008 at 08:06 PM
Why are they not running left?
Posted by: Steve | August 23, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Glenn: Ricky left, Ricky right, 2 yards, 3 yards, minus four yards, 12 yards.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 23, 2008 at 08:07 PM
this is what playing with confidence looks like. I know its been a while. something we didnt see at all last year. Cam didnt know what he was doin
Posted by: Pound | August 23, 2008 at 08:07 PM
i might take that 5.5 over the way this looks
Posted by: tom | August 23, 2008 at 08:08 PM
Is Carey a better run blocker than Long?
Posted by: Steve | August 23, 2008 at 08:08 PM
wow this sucks. i live in california so every game during pre season i have to do play by play on nfl.com. at least i found this blog haha
Posted by: glennsta | August 23, 2008 at 08:08 PM
Granted this is only preseason, but our our guys seem to have a swagger this year. Seem to be much more confident then they were last season.
Posted by: MrEncinas | August 23, 2008 at 08:08 PM
GREAT CATCH by Ginn. Low pass on the sideline. Caught it, bobbled it, caught it again.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 23, 2008 at 08:08 PM
Mando-not thinking we're a playoff team and I realize it's only pre-season, but can we be a 8-8 team this year? Better coaching, better conditioning, better QB? Am I nuts??
Posted by: Robert | August 23, 2008 at 08:08 PM
Penny sure makes Ginn look a lot better
Posted by: Dave in Arizona | August 23, 2008 at 08:09 PM
Robert, if EVERYTHING goes right, it is possible.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 23, 2008 at 08:09 PM
glensta-- pull up http://www.justin.tv/triuslater along with this blog
Posted by: Pound | August 23, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Realistic, still a 5-11 or 6-10 team, but man, wouldn't anything better than that be great?
Posted by: Robert | August 23, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Pat Surtain on the pass break up.
QUESTION: Knowing what you already know about that trade which ultimately sent surtain to KC for a draft pick that turned out to be Matt Roth, WOULD YOU GUYS MAKE THAT TRADE AGAIN?
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 23, 2008 at 08:10 PM
are they plugging the running lanes on us that well or whats up guys? haha i wish i was watching.
Posted by: glenn | August 23, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Where can i listen the fins game on the web?
Posted by: Andy | August 23, 2008 at 08:11 PM
Pennington to Fasano for nine yards.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 23, 2008 at 08:11 PM
lol..i kno its only preseason..but its somthin different bout us this year..not saying we are going to win the superbowl..but i think were headed in the right direction
Posted by: chris | August 23, 2008 at 08:12 PM
No, amongst the many mistakes of the Nicktator was dumping Surtain and Madison. Still quality corners, while T. Daniels, Jason Allen, etc have been crap
Posted by: Robert | August 23, 2008 at 08:13 PM
Chiefs playing the run tight Glenn. Expect to see that a lot this year.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 23, 2008 at 08:13 PM
thanks pound. do they stream the game live everyweek at this website?
Posted by: glenn | August 23, 2008 at 08:13 PM
WQAM radio is blocked out for the game
Posted by: Steve | August 23, 2008 at 08:13 PM
dont know. its a kc chiefs site. someone else was gracious enough to let me know about it.
Posted by: Pound | August 23, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Mando, another question for you: think the Pats are sandbagging the pre-season or are they getting old before out eyes?
Posted by: Robert | August 23, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Where can i listen the fins game on the web?
Posted by: Me | August 23, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Ginn is really starting to make me believe he wasnt a waste of a #9 pick..and Im really liking Langford right about now
Posted by: chris | August 23, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Illegal procedure on KC. False start. 1 and 15
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 23, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Brodie Croyle is NOT a good QB.
Posted by: willi chirino | August 23, 2008 at 08:16 PM
Starks getting a lot of snaps with the starters now.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 23, 2008 at 08:16 PM
Ginn found the sideline and hauled!!!!!!
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 23, 2008 at 08:18 PM
yesssssssss!
Ginn!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: chris | August 23, 2008 at 08:18 PM
praise95.net click on the radio tower
Posted by: Dave in Arizona | August 23, 2008 at 08:18 PM
That 59 yard punt return is what Randy Mueller saw so much at OSU that he LOVED.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 23, 2008 at 08:18 PM
did i not just say that or what!!!!
Posted by: CHris | August 23, 2008 at 08:18 PM
GINN AND THE WHOLE FAMILY JUST SCORED!!!!
Posted by: arg | August 23, 2008 at 08:19 PM
good for him. maybe people will finally leave his family alone. lol
Posted by: Pound | August 23, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Friggn sweet! Get some Ginn!
Posted by: | August 23, 2008 at 08:19 PM
starting to validate that PICH!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: ehm pizle | August 23, 2008 at 08:19 PM
....should we play "We Are Family" when he does that....sorry!
Posted by: Dave in Arizona | August 23, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Okay, I am believer now = 9-7!
Posted by: Robert | August 23, 2008 at 08:20 PM
It looked bad at the beginning as Ginn was losing ground but I have seriously never seen anyone run down a sideline that fast one he got to the sideline
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 23, 2008 at 08:20 PM
FLASHES,,,,,,,,,,its GINN time everyone
Posted by: ehm pizle | August 23, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Bye bye Jayson Foster.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 23, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Mando, are there any plans to play Beck tonight, or will it just be the Chad brothers again?
Posted by: Julian | August 23, 2008 at 08:21 PM
wow im sooo excited for this year. i already got the nfl ticket haha. i guess the good thing about going 1-15 is that anything is an improvement. even if we win only 6-7 games, i would say that it will end up being one of the more exciting seasons the fins have had in a while.
Posted by: glenn | August 23, 2008 at 08:23 PM
Improved special team play = check; improved QB play = check; better OL play = check
Posted by: Robert | August 23, 2008 at 08:23 PM
Mando, was the return for a TD a result of Parcells bringing in all those special team players?
Posted by: Steve | August 23, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Blitz by Crowder causes a fumble by Croyle. Rother recovers.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 23, 2008 at 08:25 PM