Live blog chat at noon Thursday

The Dolphins open their three-day mandatory minicamp on Friday. They will practice twice on Friday and Saturday,  and once on Sunday.

And that, of course, can mean nothing other than a live blog chat today.

So from noon until about 2 p.m., I'll be on here and available for your abuse input. We can discuss all things Dolphins. We can discuss the AFC East. We can discuss the recent blah-blah-blah going on between Channing Crowder and Rex Ryan.

We can discuss how you are going to survive the next several weeks while I'm away on vacation starting Monday.

If you cannot be here Thursday, you can pick one of several options:

No. 1: Leave your questions or comments now and I'll answer them. You can come back at your convenience and see the community's reaction.

No. 2: You can forgot about today's live chat and hang out with me during the minicamp updates on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

And C, as Dave Wannstedt would say in his warped intelligence:: You can forgot about Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning and simply call my radio show Sunday afternoon 4:30-7 p.m. (I'll give you the digits and streaming address over the weekend).

No. 4: You can do none of the above, which makes you, like me, ready for a vacation.

Talk to you guys (universal use, AO) at noon.

Comments

[Idiots rule]

Baseball writers football writers, big freaking difference. It aint rocket science. My 12 year old could cover both.

[Armando Salguero]

Y-not: You are right on Buddy Ryan. The jury remains out on Rex Ryan. He's not an a-hole, though. He's a good guy.

I talked to him last year when he interviewed for the Dolphins coaching job and he was cool.

[cuban menace]

Mando, How do you think my boy Ted(hands Of stone) Ginn will do this upcoming season and do you agree that Devon Bess is a play maker waiting for a play?

[Armando Salguero]

Omar et al.: What is your deal?

[Mr. Bungle]

Hopefully your 12-year-old has a better grasp of punctuation than you if he wants to be a writer.

[Armando Salguero]

h3at23: Yes.

A question for you: What does your sign-in name mean?

[Mr. Bungle]

Maybe "h3at23" is a big fan of the fact that the Heat retired Michael Jordan's No. 23 jersey.

[Armando Salguero]

Vittz: The Dolphins have seen something in Paul Soliai that they like. But this is his camp to show it. They also have seen something from this kid Joe Cohen.

I think Louis Ellis is a developmental guy.

The Dolphins will limit Ferguson to about 30-35 snaps per game to try to keep him healthy. It worked last year and he's in good shape. We'll see.

[Armando Salguero]

Jay D: It depends when he gets back. If he gets back for the start of training camp, like he's saying, yes.

If he gets back later, no. He has to earn his way back to the starting unit.

[Armando Salguero]

LuisFin86: I don't see how Ernest Wilford will make the team. Hope I'm wrong because I like the guy and he's good people.

But he hasn't shown me he belongs. Hope I'm wrong.

[drg]

Mando,

What's the word on Sean Smith's work ethic thus far? The book on him at Utah was that he had freakish talent, but lacked the work ethic in the weight room/film study area. I was happy Miami picked him up where they did, but still worried a bit that he'd slack off behind the scenes.

[Rich A]

Armando,

Is it at all possible to include the question you are answering in your posts? Would make life much easier for us readers.

[Armando Salguero]

Oregon: Vonnie Holliday is still unsigned. I think he'll remain that way until someone somewhere gets injured.

[Jay D]

hey Mando I enjoy when you do these lives chats so thank you very much...

Heres my last question. Who is getting the most time at kickoff and punt returns? Also who would you guess will eventually win the those jobs?

[Brant Houghton]

Armando:

Based on the talent that we have in the OTA's, do you think we have enough talent to hang tough with some good offenses like the Colts, Falcons, Chargers and Pats so early in the season.
Also, do you see any potential problems with Pat White's weight. He will be playing a lot this year in the wildcat, so is he working on his weight, or is the Trifecta fine with his weight as it is?

[Samdolphin]

Armando:
Rookie Mark Lewis an OG from Oregon is 6' 4” 300 lbs. and can squat and lift 580 lbs. In addition he can throw a 16 lb shot put 67 ½ feet. He is a strong individual with a mean right haymaker. The Dolphins needs a strong Guard on the O-Line. If he does not make it as a Guard, is it possible he could make it as a NT?

[Armando Salguero]

KS, you're talking about Brennan Marion. I've been told he's as fast as Ginn but in a different way. He's not a long-strider supposedly so that makes him look faster. He reaches top end quicker.

But I must confess I've not looked for him in the open OTA sessions at all.

[Patrick]

Armando, anything new on the CBA? What type of chaos would we expect to see if there is an uncapped season. Are we looking at a lock-out and scabs like in 87?

[NewSmyrna Ron]

Armandooooo. How is Pat White progressing and from what you have seen, will he be a integral part of our offense/wildpat ?

[Armando Salguero]

Ron, I see Pat White competing with Ronnie Brown for the wildcat package situation and being the No. 3 QB. I hope he also will get some reps at WR so he can be active on game day.

[Armando Salguero]

Idiots Rule: Send me your 12-year-old's resume and I'll turn it in to my editor at the Herald.

[D]

MANDO: Hey will u break down the cb's like u did the wr's do u think that jason allen stickes one more year based on his special teams play.

[Armando Salguero]

Cuban: What with the hands of stone? Ted Ginn has good hands. He runs out of bounds a lot. He hasn't blown up his first two years. But hands of stone?

Don't think so.

Davone Bess is a dependable, hard-working guy. But is he a playmaker? I guess he could be a playmaker in the Wes Welker mold in a couple of years.

[Tony]

Armando, here's a Reggie Roby anecdote you may like. My aunt used to staff the Goodwill truck in the parking lot of the Publix in Miami Lakes, off 12th/67th Ave. up there. One day, Reggie Roby showed up and dropped off a bunch of stuff, including some Dolphins gear. My aunt, knowing how big of a fan I was, "saved" something for me: a pair of Roby cleats, gigantic, size 14 or something.

And, yes, needless to say, I made a donation to Goodwill to make up for the "gift."

[Armando Salguero]

Funny retort, Bungle.

[Armando Salguero]

drg: Thanks for the Smith scouting report from Utah. This ain't Utah anymore. The coaches will get up Smith's butt if he decides he can coast in Miami.

And so far he has not coasted at all. All good.

[cuban menace]

Pat, You'll see certain teams(e.g. dallas, wash etc.) payroll swell to yankee porportions... but dont fret, like in M.L.B the biggest payroll doesnt mean " Championship"

[Armando Salguero]

Armando,

Is it at all possible to include the question you are answering in your posts? Would make life much easier for us readers.

YES.

[Armando Salguero]

hey Mando I enjoy when you do these lives chats so thank you very much...

Heres my last question. Who is getting the most time at kickoff and punt returns? Also who would you guess will eventually win the those jobs?

Ginn, Bess, Hartline, others.

Bess or Hartline will likely get the job assuming they are healthy and on gameday roster.

[souljahbeats]

Armando,

Do you think Channing Crowder's Daddy or Uncle would have handled Rex Ryan?

Where is Rexryansux during all of this controversy?

Cuban,

It looks like we have just had a new family enter into the world of the Dolphins... How do you think Ted Ginn Jr. and family will mesh with Channing Crowder and family?

[Antonio Montana]

Armando, how many LB (inside and out) do you see the team keeping? It's going to be crazy when they start cutting players...but I guess that's a sign of progress when you see players that you like not making it...As far as Prisco goes, I live here in Jax and he does his radio show locally...when he starts barking too much, I just turn the radio off...I just hope that when the Dolphins make the Wildcat work, he mans up and takes his medicine...

[Armando Salguero]

Based on the talent that we have in the OTA's, do you think we have enough talent to hang tough with some good offenses like the Colts, Falcons, Chargers and Pats so early in the season.
Also, do you see any potential problems with Pat White's weight. He will be playing a lot this year in the wildcat, so is he working on his weight, or is the Trifecta fine with his weight as it is?

ANSWER:

I think the Dolphins can hang with just about anyone in the NFL. Doesn't mean they'll be 11-5 again, but they aren't going to go through a string of five blowouts, for example.

White does seem kind of skinny to me. He's in the weight program and should be able to add 3-5 pounds of muscle before the start of training camp. But are they WORRIED about it? No.

[Patrick]

Menace, with the SB in Dallas you can bet Jerry Jones will do all he can to buy his way in. But I have the feeling the other owners will opt for a lock-out because the league depends on revenue sharing for the smaller markets to survive.

[cuban menace]

Mando, I saw hin drop a few over the middle this past season...

[Armando Salguero]

Armando, anything new on the CBA? What type of chaos would we expect to see if there is an uncapped season. Are we looking at a lock-out and scabs like in 87?

Patrick, the Dolphins have told me they are operating under the assumption there will be a settlement and there will be no uncapped year. I can tell you if there's no cap in 2010, it will be highly disruptive because the players won't ever want a cap again and because some owners (Snyder, for example) might see it as an opportunity to go crazy.

The owners have discussed possibilities for 2011 that includes a lock-out. And although there is no plan in place, I assume they would try to lessen their losses by fielding some sort of games with lesser players.

[drg]

Mando,

One more thing. Have the coaches given much indication as to how they plan on generating a more consistent pass rush this year? Line JT and Porter up together? Blitz the safeties more frequently? Hope Roth improves his pressure from the right side? It seems Wake has run mostly with the 2nd and 3rd teams. Is that due more to learning the system or has he failed to impress thus far?

[Armando Salguero]

Armando:
Rookie Mark Lewis an OG from Oregon is 6' 4” 300 lbs. and can squat and lift 580 lbs. In addition he can throw a 16 lb shot put 67 ½ feet. He is a strong individual with a mean right haymaker. The Dolphins needs a strong Guard on the O-Line. If he does not make it as a Guard, is it possible he could make it as a NT?

Sam: He's listed at 6-3 and 305. He's working at both guard and center but not NT. And how do you know he's got a mean haymaker?

[Butch Fragrance]

Armando,

1. Have they been running any tricky plays, and if so how does White look?

2. Can you give us one suprize player that is standing out to you?

Thanks

[Johnny Gato]

Armando,

Obviously depending how the season goes, do you think the Trifecta will get any big name receivers next year out of free agency?

[Armando Salguero]

Armandooooo. How is Pat White progressing and from what you have seen, will he be a integral part of our offense/wildpat ?

Well NeeeewSmnyyyrnaaaa: White is still learning the offense as a QB. That is first and foremost so he can be a backup if it comes to that.

I have yet to see an open practice in which the Dolphins have worked in the wildcat package. It has not happened. I suspect they work on that when the media is not around. I suspect we won't see it until training camp and probably not much in the preseason.

Bottom line: I cannot honestly tell you what they're doing with White in the wildcat because they're keeping that close to the proverbial vest.

[tjh]

Hi Armando,

What do you think of the Sanchez deal? Is he really somebody to be worried about, or just the Jets overpaying again?

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. Salguero

"Then I'll come back before training camp opens and start the season of blogging."

Let me get this straight, your saying I have to go outside and play till training camp ?(Now my Mom wishes you were always on vacation)

Soiled :)

[RexRyanSucks]

Armando:

In re Soulja's question as to where I have been during all of this Rex Ryan - Channing Crowder controversy, I'm sorry but a I have actually been working.

My question for you however is, wouldn't it be more appropriate for Coach Rectum Ryan to wear a large plastic red nose and an orange wig for his press conferences? He is seriously the biggest clown I have seen since, well his dork father, Pud Ryan. Also, does he jump from a 2 story building to get into his enormous trowsers or are they simply spray painted onto his grotesque girth?

Thank you for your insight, and I await your responses. Be well.

[NewSmyrna Ron]

Mando, Who out of the rookie and free agent pickups has suprised you the most during OTA and will the so called success transfer once they strap on the pads?

Thanks for the inside scoop btw!

[Armando Salguero]

MANDO: Hey will u break down the cb's like u did the wr's do u think that jason allen stickes one more year based on his special teams play.

D: Here is my list of CBs that make the team. Understand this is based on OTAs and will change when the HITTING begins.

Will Allen
Sean Smith
Vontae Davis
Eric Green
Nate Jones
Jason Allen

[Brant Houghton]

Mando,

Who is your pick to be the rookie, or undrafted free agent that will have the biggest impact on the team in the season based on what you have seen so far?
Also, do you think the Trifecta will add Ernest Wilford to the wildcat as yet another wrinkle, or will they just use Wilford as the TE/H-back in the regular system? Do you think he will even be on the team come regular season, since Pat Turner has been turning heads so far this off-season?

[Armando Salguero]

Tony, you were absolutely correct. I liked your anecdote a lot.

Told you he was a good man. And so, apparently, are you.

[Joey]

From what you have seen so far....Do you think the Former CFL players DE/OLB will have an impact this year?
PS--I have seen my share of CFL games, and I can say that OL players in the CFL are like barrels compared to NFL standards, so I will not be surprised to hear negative comments about their impact.

[Johnny Gato]

Anyone else notice that Jets QB Mark Sanchez looks just like "Joseph" from "King of the Hill"?

[Armando Salguero]

Souljabeats: It's interesting how Channing Crowder brought up his father but doesn't otherwise like to talk about his father because they are estranged.

And I do believe rexryansucks is indeed in the house.

[Armando Salguero]

Menace, I think Ginn's issue sometimes is, shall we say, intestinal fortitude more than hands. Just sayin' ...

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. Johnny Gato

Are you saying Mark Sanchez's real last name is RedCorn ?

Soiled :)

[Mr. Bungle]

Did you fish any of his watches out of the donation pile?

[Patrick]

I remember that Bungle! The watch used to drive me nuts. What was he doing, checking his hang time?

[Armando Salguero]

Armando, how many LB (inside and out) do you see the team keeping? It's going to be crazy when they start cutting players...but I guess that's a sign of progress when you see players that you like not making it...As far as Prisco goes, I live here in Jax and he does his radio show locally...when he starts barking too much, I just turn the radio off...I just hope that when the Dolphins make the Wildcat work, he mans up and takes his medicine...

Antonio: The most sure sign of a good team is when it has to release good players. If the team is cutting players that make you cringe, then you know some good stuff is about to happen.

the LBs?

Akin Ayodele, Channing Crowder, Joey Porter, Matt Roth, Jason Taylor, Reggie Torbor, Will Kershaw, Charlie Anderson and Cameron Wake.

Please, please, please understand this will change in training camp ONCE THE HITTING BEGINS.

[Armando Salguero]

Mando,

One more thing. Have the coaches given much indication as to how they plan on generating a more consistent pass rush this year? Line JT and Porter up together? Blitz the safeties more frequently? Hope Roth improves his pressure from the right side? It seems Wake has run mostly with the 2nd and 3rd teams. Is that due more to learning the system or has he failed to impress thus far?

DRG: The indication is they signed Jason Taylor and Wake. One or both of those guys MUST, MUST, MUST come through. And one of those guys will be on the field with Porter in pass-rushing situations, no doubt.

[Tony]

Hey Mondo

I hear that Ted Ginn Jr. has improved, but how different is he from last year?
( I remember another guy who had sub 4.3 speed--WR. Charles Gordan/Jordan who "dominated" OTA/camp and I dont think he in the league anymore.)
Based on the OTAs--do you think Ted Ginn Jr. has the tools to be truly successful?

[Johnny Gato]

Soiled,

Wasn't Joseph the starting QB at Tom Landry Junior High while Bobby was the towel boy? Maybe we oughta rename Sanchez "Mark Red Corn"! If Ryan's gut was any bigger and he was bald we call him "Coach Dauterive".

[Armando Salguero]

Armando,

1. Have they been running any tricky plays, and if so how does White look?

2. Can you give us one suprize player that is standing out to you?

Butch, they have opened every practice I've attended with at least one trick play. I cannot tell you the play because I think that would violate the trust the team has in opening the drills to the media.

A surprise player? Tyrone Culver on defense and Joey Haynos on offense.

[Finsupremo]

"Akin Ayodele, Channing Crowder, Joey Porter, Matt Roth, Jason Taylor, Reggie Torbor, Will Kershaw, Charlie Anderson and Cameron Wake."
Posted by: Armando Salguero | June 11, 2009 at 01:15 PM

I think Orion Martin and Erik Walden make it with Anderson and Kershaw not making it... could you share why you came up with these guys... Akin, Channing, Joey, Matt, JT, Wake and Torbor I get.

Thanks.