NEW ORLEANS -- The gumbo is good here but the folks are concerned about Hurricane Gustav that could be threatening this city over the weekend. The Dolphins will be done with business by then.
That business is tonight's preseason finale at the Superdome between the Dolphins and Saints. It should be an interesting exhibition at least for one quarter because both teams plan to use their starters at least that long.
Chad Pennington will start for the Dolphins and Chad Henne is expected relieve him. I assume Josh McCown and John Beck could get a call in the second half.
Ricky Williams will start for the Dolphins but coach Tony Sparano said he would also like to get Ronnie Brown some work despite the fact the running back is still recovering from a sprained finger. Brown missed last week's game against Kansas City and got only a couple of carries the week before against Jacksonville before the finger injury happened.
The competition between Chris Crocker and Jason Allen to see which wins the starting free safety job goes to its final stages tonight so watch those two.
Tonight will also be a test for Matt Roth, who apparently has won the starting strong side linebacker job. He will be tested for the second week in a row by an outstanding tight end. Last week it was Tony Gonzalez. Tonight, Jeremy Shockey is scheduled to start for the Saints. This is a matchup that concerns me going into the season because I don't think teams are game-planning against Roth in the preseason, but you can bet they will do that once the games count.
Joey Porter (back) will not play tonight. Charlie Anderson starts at weakside outside linebacker.
I will be here with you LIVE starting at kickoff, which is scheduled for 8 p.m. (east coast time). I will be updating this post before the game should any news or lineup changes occur. So join me in the comments section for the live blog.
Robert: WR, OL depth, LBs.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 28, 2008 at 08:44 PM
Thanks Armando. By the way, I appreciate the live blog.
Posted by: Brent | August 28, 2008 at 08:45 PM
TB just return a Matt Turk punt for a TD!! Go TB Defense (my DST in Fantasy...)
Posted by: Bruno | August 28, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Is Jason Allen playing tonight?
Posted by: Brent | August 28, 2008 at 08:46 PM
armando should i be discouraged by what im reading, it doesnt sound like the dolphins you are watching right now, are the same dolphins i watched in the last 2 preseason games, do you suppose because they are looking at alot of bubble players, or is N.O. just that good!!?
Posted by: jorge gonzalez | August 28, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Funny Bruno.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 28, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Sounds like Henne has regressed the last 2 weeks in his progress. The end zone INT last week & now the fumble tonight. Guess his ears will be bleeding on the sidelines from Sparano. Agree w/Lo- I rather have a versatile Peele than a one dimensional Martin.
Posted by: Dee | August 28, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Lance Moore beats Michael Lehan for a TD.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 28, 2008 at 08:47 PM
The dream's over, fellas. Henne's gone backwards (he's no different than Beck) & the defense is soft. back to the drawing board. That'll teach us not to get jacked up by the preseason. 3-13 at best.
Posted by: Al Knowing | August 28, 2008 at 08:49 PM
do you think we can rally, or does it look like N.O. has our number?
Posted by: jorge gonzalez | August 28, 2008 at 08:49 PM
The LG got beat not Long
Posted by: Lo | August 28, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Fans need to freakin' chill. Preseason is preseason but this team is much much better than last year no matter WHAT CERTAIN WRITERS lead you to believe.
You need to be more reasonable and sensible about the progress of this team. We will be competitive.
Posted by: Dat Roro Kid | August 28, 2008 at 08:50 PM
Henne got "beat" held ball 2 long, no pocket awareness
Posted by: Al Knowing | August 28, 2008 at 08:50 PM
Ok... back to last year's predictions... I say pick in the 2nd throw of the series
Posted by: Bruno | August 28, 2008 at 08:51 PM
Anyone out there want to come over tonight and nail me in the ass?
Posted by: Dat Roro Kid | August 28, 2008 at 08:51 PM
It definitely sucks to have a 2nd team offense beat our 1st team defense, but they only had to go 19 yards...would the best 1st team defense in the league be guaranteed to stop them with that field position?
Posted by: Will | August 28, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Hagan just got the hat trick, 2 drops and now an illegal procedure.
Posted by: Robert | August 28, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Dat Roro Kid,
Fascinating question
Posted by: Will | August 28, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Mitchell comes up the middle for a sack. Cobbs misses a block on that one.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 28, 2008 at 08:53 PM
armando,
dont be swayed by all this banter, i beleive we are all here, cuz we beileive, Im sure we are all hoping against hope here, but as for me, i will be happy if we can show up to every game and still be in it in the 4th qtr. You cannot turn a team around in one year, you cant, too many variables, i whole heartedly believe that this years team, will be successful if only they can minimize their mistakes, and take advantage of others.... but it can be done, stranger things have happened in the nfl.
Posted by: jorge gonzalez | August 28, 2008 at 08:53 PM
That's just Armando pretending to be me. That's your Miami Dolphins beat writer, Herald.
Posted by: Dat Roro Kid | August 28, 2008 at 08:54 PM
This is a good test, to see if they can come from behind and win
Posted by: | August 28, 2008 at 08:54 PM
Does not look good thus farm at least Ronnie Looks ok....horrid attempt by Cobbs....he might be cut on that note....get him out of here!
Posted by: hammer | August 28, 2008 at 08:55 PM
Dat Roro, you are a fine one to be accusing other of impersonating someone you loser.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 28, 2008 at 08:55 PM
Not lookin' so hot tonight...I figured I was way too optismistic after the last few games...
Posted by: Marc | August 28, 2008 at 08:55 PM
I like boys.
Posted by: Dat Roro Kid | August 28, 2008 at 08:56 PM
How about Brandon Fields!!! Now that is a punter BABY!!!!
WHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAA
YYYYYYEAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!
Posted by: Finman | August 28, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Tyler Palko sacks himself. Awful. Andreson credited with the sack.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 28, 2008 at 08:57 PM
I'm off to watch and listen to Obama. A fin for 25 years, I've mentioned on Darlingtons Blog 10-6, playoffs and a chance of a bowl place but what am I talking about....
I'm arguing about the Breeze putting Pennington off one minute and success another.
Jake Long is simply too slow naturally with his feet. I can only hope our LG is a man with a lot of patience and hand speed.
Dicipline is a major problem for our club now and the players are not all rookies. Maybe the Ego of our two new men will effect how we progress after the next 3 years. This team may need a Clinton talk to at half time because confidence is easily knocked. The question is not Crocker V Allen by the way it's Madison V Allen. Giants fans delighted....
Posted by: James/Ireland | August 28, 2008 at 08:57 PM
Guys, the Saints are a legit SB contender. I think they're a darkhorse in that regard.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 28, 2008 at 08:58 PM
Anderson with a sack....not to excited since it is the saints third team already
Posted by: hammer | August 28, 2008 at 08:58 PM
Will someone please find me a new job? I'll send you my resume.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 28, 2008 at 08:58 PM
give beck a shot
Posted by: bobo | August 28, 2008 at 08:59 PM
I think the choice of the 3rd QB is ostensibly the braintrust's assessment of the collective talent level and the team's chances. If they keep McNown, then they obviously believe that the team has enough to make a run for the playoffs. Otherwise, keeping Beck is an admission that the franchise is still at least a year away.
Posted by: tony | August 28, 2008 at 08:59 PM
Dat Roro Kid is a prime example of why rats eat their young.
PS I just think he needs a hug
Posted by: Finman | August 28, 2008 at 08:59 PM
You can't hit in the major leagues when you're a single A player, Dat Roro Kid. You got some growing up to do.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 28, 2008 at 08:59 PM
Can we re-sign Yatil Green and Lamar Thomas?
Posted by: Cam Cameron | August 28, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Make that hug from behind, please...
Posted by: Bruno | August 28, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Keep thinking that way, dinosaur.
Go Dolphins!
Posted by: Dat Roro Kid | August 28, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Bess making a statement with a 20 yard gain.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 28, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Bye bye Hagan, I suspect you will be cut before midnite!
Posted by: red | August 28, 2008 at 09:01 PM
go bess
Posted by: bobo | August 28, 2008 at 09:02 PM
Whoa, an Ernest Wilford sighting. Does he make the 53 or does he get the ax?
Posted by: Robert | August 28, 2008 at 09:02 PM
Hey, an Ernest Wilford sighting!!!!
That 26 yard catch is by far his longest catch of the year.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 28, 2008 at 09:02 PM
Hagan is staying, red.
Posted by: Dat Roro Kid | August 28, 2008 at 09:02 PM
Ernest Wilford makes this team. He has been practicing very well the past week or so, I am told. Practices are closed to the media.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 28, 2008 at 09:02 PM
Reagan Mauia, meanwhile, is a serious danger of getting cut.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 28, 2008 at 09:03 PM
Colts have had a poor preseason record over the past few years, so it's hard to see how the regular season will go.
Posted by: offerdahl56 | August 28, 2008 at 09:03 PM
Mauia is CUT
Posted by: Lo | August 28, 2008 at 09:03 PM
How about that punt? While I agree we have questions at many positions, at least we know we are set at the punter position.
Posted by: Finman | August 28, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Mauia is gone.
Posted by: Dave the Wave | August 28, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Reagen "hands of stone" Mauia
Posted by: cappy | August 28, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Mauia sort of redeems himself with a fine block on a DB.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 28, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Moving the ball against the third team
Posted by: hammer | August 28, 2008 at 09:05 PM
ronnie ... is playing with fear
Posted by: bobo | August 28, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Wilford again. yeah, the only way he's not on this team is if someone (Jacksonville) offers like a second or third round pick for him.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 28, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Nice curl by Wilford. Nice throw by Henne.
Posted by: tony | August 28, 2008 at 09:05 PM
We need Reagan. What if there are some little kids making fun of the team in the parking lot after a loss? Who else will beat them up?
Posted by: Cam Cameron | August 28, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Wilford playing like Oronde
Posted by: cappy | August 28, 2008 at 09:06 PM
good drive by henne.
Posted by: EMC | August 28, 2008 at 09:06 PM