Live blog from Dolphins versus Chiefs this eve

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!

Comments

[Robert]

The pocket-presence of Pennington is something we haven't seen since #13. Doesn't have a great fastball, but his accuracy makes up for it

[donjpaper]

how's the o-line looking?

[Armando Salguero]

Sweep for Williams. Williams once told me he loves running the ball on a sweep or counter type play. That is his favorite run.

[edswood]

Look at Ricky. He looks miserable knowing the fins are going to run him into the ground again this year.

[donjpaper]

chad and good play calling we are looking good as along as our defence get stop somebody on 3rd downs,

[Steve]

Seriously Edswood? on Ricky?

[Armando Salguero]

Someone just told me Jason Taylor suffered a knee injury tonight.

[edswood]

Sparano just has to grow a better stache and Ricky will start having Wanny flashbacks.

[donjpaper]

ricky runs therfore he is

[AADolfan]

Armando,

How is Jake playing?

[donjpaper]

j.t got on hurt on the landing performing a triple sowcow.

[edswood]

Why do you think Ricky quit the first time Steve. Wanny ran that horse to near death.

[donjpaper]

how's the game going?

[Armando Salguero]

I will say this for KC: They have a decent looking front with Hali and now Dorsey up in there. Jake is playing fine.

[edswood]

lol don

[Jaison Biagini]

as a fins fan in pittsburgh thank god for sirius.
what a difference a solid QB can make.
i hope penny stays healthy all season. the jets will be regretting their move after week 1!!!
we actually have TE's.

[Robert]

Another major injury note. Merriman confirmed tonight he has 2 ligaments torn, both his PCL and LCL. Looking at season ending surgery.

[Armando Salguero]

The Dolphins aren't really giving Long any help blocking on passing plays. He's on the island so to speak, so they must have confidence in him.

[Pat]

Osi Uminyora busted his knee and was carted off the field.

[donjpaper]

there is a game going on... right?

[edswood]

That was funny, but I seriously hope JT is OK. He is a class act.

[Robert]

And another injury: EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora hurt his left knee and was carted off the field in the second quarter of the New York Giants' annual preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday night.

[steve g]

Glenn Dorsey stopping Ricky for -1, Dorsey is a stud...

[Matt]

Armando,
How is Jake Long playing. Any comments.

Thanks

[donjpaper]

canada is great....healthcare and stuff but can't get even a sniff

[edswood]

I am hearing Merriman's injury might be career ending.

[donjpaper]

jt can't wait to steal his dance routine.

[Armando Salguero]

Matt answered that question.

[edswood]

Lot of major injuries this preason.

[Matt]

thanks Armando (just saw that post right after I sent the question), I appreciate the updates

[edswood]

Nice gun on Croyle, but no accuracy.

[edswood]

Hey Renaldo Hill might just have made the team. Which is good, because I always liked him.

[Armando Salguero]

Renaldo Hill just picks off a pass. He is doing everything he can to make this team. He's the second best free safety on this team.

[arg]

ARMANDO!!!...before you run to go get things in before deadline....lets here you piece on what you think of first half action. :p

[edswood]

Nice first half by the fins. To bad we dont play in the AFC West. We would have a better chance of not being in the basement

[Finfanin Ga]

Not bad execution... how's O-line looking tonight???

[Robert]

This from the Wash Times Skins blog: "Jason Taylor, who played in 130 consecutive games for the Miami Dolphins, might not be playing the first one for the Washington Redskins this year. Taylor was helped from the field with a sprained right knee. More details to come."

[edswood]

Well, a sprain is better than a acl, mcl, etc.

[Account Deleted]

edswood, Ricky is playing for a contract IMO. The more he gets the ball the happier he will be. His relationship with these guys is night and day compared to he and Wannys.

[AJ IN ATL]

Dolphin Brethern,

Why must me be so negative! This is the best half of football that we've seen in a LONG time! I know it's preseason and I also know its the Chiefs but we NEED to be positive. I mean we're running the ball, we're playing good special teams, we're not turning the ball over, we're pitching 3 and outs! Come on PHINS lets just get HYPED and try to trust this team. We're gonna take some lumps but at least for one night lets just be excited!

Phins for life!

[Account Deleted]

AJ, lets call it skeptical optimism on our part. Last year we thought we might go 9-7 or 10-6 and the year before that everyone was saying superbowl contenders. We won't get fooled again, lets wait and see.

[Jay-Mo]

Are the online stream broadcast, like Justin.tv, available during the regular season? I live in Pennsylvania and am stuck with the Steelers and Eagles. I rent, so I can't get a satellite.

[Finfanin Ga]

I with ya AJ

[Account Deleted]

But this team is DEFINITELY better coached than it has been in a LONG time.

[edswood]

Nice thing about preaseason. Three primetime games to flip through, plus Mando's blog. Multitasking at its finest.

[edswood]

Jax looking much better this week against TB, than they did against us.

[Pound]

Preach on brotha AJ. Im with you too.

[Armando Salguero]

OK guys, going to head over to my column writing duties. I'll check in every once in a while. Thankfully during the season, we'll be on the blog the entire game and the game will actually be on TV most of the time.

[Bryan Cox]

Looks like Jason Taylor hurt his knee in Washington. We will give them Randy Starks for a 3rd round pick.

[edswood]

I agree with Scott %100. Guarded optimism is the key word.

[AJ in ATL]

Scott, I hear ya. As a phins fan I get killed by all the other nfl fans on an everyday basis. Luckily I live in ATL and and the Falcons suck so I get to give them a hard time too. But it feels good to see 17-0 at the half.

[Armando Salguero]

AJ: GREAT post. AMEN.

[Brian]

any action from bess? i would love to see that kid make the team.

[edswood]

JA just got debacled by Kolby Smith. Jacked up.

[Robert]

Don't duck Jason! Reminds me of when Ronnie steamrolled him back in the SEC days

Play Henne now. We need to see what he's got.

[edswood]

Renaldo Hill much better safety than Crocker IMHO.

[edswood]

Shocked to see Ferguson still in the game

[DolphanforLife]

Defense is bending badly

[steve g]

What happened Armando. Do we now have a bunch of seconds in there?