The Sunday Dolphins column, well, sort of

There's no doubt Ernest Wilford was the biggest and most expensive mistake by the Dolphins personnel department a year ago. Even as the entire team was turning things around, even as the personnel people were basking in the glow of successfully remaking the roster, Wilford was a disappointing revelation at receiver.

Even on a team with plenty of open jobs at said receiver spot, Wilford was not only unable to crack the lineup, he couldn't get active on nine of 16 game days.

But with the new season comes new hopes that last year was last year and this year will bring new results. So today's Florida Sports Buzz column asks the question, can Wilford make the team in his jack-of-all-trades role as a receiver and H-back?

Today's Dolphins In Depth gives you the answer: Yes, but Wilford is going to need Providential intervention to help that happen.

What does that mean?

It means that all things being equal, all players currently on the roster being healthy, Wilford is going to find himself on the outside looking in when roster decisions are made. With everyone healthy, Wilford won't make the team as a tight end and definitely won't make it as a receiver. And he's not all that good at special teams, so his fate will be sealed.

He'll be offered in trade or simply released if no other team bites.

But, of course, it's not that simple. 

The fact is injuries and other variables do factor. The fact is David Martin's status could affect Wilford. If Martin is unable to return from his sports hernia, then Wilford's chances increase. If rookie John Nalbone continues to drop passes in training camp as he did in offseason camps, then Wilford's chances increase.

If Brian Hartline and Patrick Turner -- Miami's two rookie receiver additions -- fail in training camp, then Wilford's chances increase.

Do you know the odds of those things actually happening? Not great. Martin is expected to recover from his surgery to repair the hernia. That would give the Dolphins three more-experienced players at the tight end position -- Martin, Anthony Fasano and Joey Haynos. Add to that a rookie (Nalbone) the Dolphins have high hopes for at the position and one sees the numbers are against Wilford at TE.

Here's another factor against him making it as a tight end: Miami TEs are expected to be good blockers ... and Wilford has never really been a distinguished blocker at receiver. So now he's going to block linebackers better than he's blocked cornerbacks? Hard to believe.

The use of Wilford as a "jack-of-all-trades" also hurts Wilford at receiver. You see, the guy who seemed slow off the scrimmage line and unable to separate from coverage last year has added 15 pounds to his frame. So with the addition of Turner and Hartline and the expected improvement of the younger veterans, how is a heavier, less explosive Wilford supposed to pass the guys playing exclusively at receiver?

Think about that question. The logical answer seems grim.

The only way it could happen is if Miami suffers a plague of injuries at receiver. The only way, in fact, Wilford makes the team is if guys get hurt and the two rookies are simply not ready to perform.

So the use of Ernest Wilford as an H-back and receiver is interesting. But does it mean he's more likely to make the Dolphins when roster decisions are made?

You tell me.

[Twitter update: Approximately 700 of you have signed up to follow me on twitter. I know some of you are resisting the indefatigable march of technology, but I would tell you following me will serve you once training camp begins and I'm updating you on the latest happenings in real time. So sign up to follow me at twitter.com/armandosalguero]

Comments

[Uncle sam]

Busy .

[cuban menace]

Enough said....

[Juan Huron]

Dear Uncle Sam
How are you?
I am happy to have you like Turner also. I know Turner is not too fast of a guy. If he will run good ruotes then he will make the catch and be really good for us.
Uncle Sam what about this? What about we are at the redzone and I-fromation with flex TE like maybe Joe Heynows and Turner too. Now we got all big guys in and we will mostly score. I bet you.
You think?
Hey Uncle Sam, how many WRs do you think Coch Tony want to have for this year? Ginn, Biss, Camarlo and Turner. You think Hertline too? I think proboly. SO now that mean 5 WR. What if we have 6 WRs? You think that? WHo would it be?
You think Cooch Tony will want 3 TEs? I dont think Wiford has room to be here. Sorry
sincerely,
Juan Huron

[Uncle sam]

Mr Juan Huron. Nice to hear from you again. Your dolphin insight is impeccable. Yes haynos and turner , in the red zone attack , at the same time is scary . I do think miami keeps 6 wr's with armstrong and london battling for the last spot. I also just don't see wilford making the team. God bless You juan huron.

[Uncle sam]

Where are all of the other smart dolphin fans like NJ PHIN FAN , dolphins4life , souljabeats , etc.

[C.M]

sam, pretend you speak to them like the 12 names you are talking to ,

[cuban menace]

When do you think mando will post a new blog??? I think he enjoys twittering , Though i think its kinda gay.(though theres nothing wrong with that)

[C.M]

cuban is the man
damon is the devil

[cuban menace]

Some of you guys seem to have started happy hour early today, please have a designated driver for your way home guys..

[C.M]

Sorry someone is copying me. I really meant to say.

Cuban is ok
Damon is the truth

[cuban menace]

Is Michael jackson still dead???

[C.M]

Hi Armando I know you are there.

[C.M]

damon has no family of humans, he talks to himself for days now.god bless his azzzz

[C.M]

i have to go guys ,talk to you later.
have good time.

[C.M]

I wish AFC was part of my family

[Me]

Bye Bye Armando (C.M)

[B]

yeeeeees, me in the house

[B]

YEEEEEEES, uncle in da house

[Roy]

I smell that Mr. Bunglito around here. What a joke of a man. Remember me?

[aloco]

Uncle sam what is a mush mouth? Please explain

[cuban menace]

Is that "Getter done" Roy ???

[C.M]

DR.M IS THE SAME DONKEY WE MET EARLIER.

[DR.az]

hey ,i have to go ,have fun

[C.M]

ok kids, any one have a question for me the beautiful cuban ?

[jaskin]

What is a mushmouth? Is it someone who keeps quiet.

[baerphin]

C.M if you are cuban, tell me something in Spanish?

[Uncle sam]

LOL @ Dr Moreau. Good one . Afc east chump / Mushmouth being half monkey and half haitian man is to kind . Man ? LMAO ! He's half monkey and half sewege.

[survey]

List of following true fin fans and good guys:

Uncle Sam
Sammo
nafd
jaksin
ace
fpld
sammy
Dr.Moreau
jod
Carlito
and others we forgot to mention

[Juan Huron]

Dear Mr Survey,
Will you please have my name to your list for true fin fans? I would like that? I am true Dolphin fan too. I promise you tha I am.
Thank you.
sincerely,
Juan Huron

[SoiledBottom]

Dear mr. Surey

"List of following true fin fans and good guys:"

Although I am a true Fin Fan I am Not a good guy.

Do I make the list ?

Soiled :)

[Uncle sam]

Mr. Loco cubano. 2 of my ex-girlfriends were cuban. Some of my good friends in high school and college who i played Football with and still hang out with are african american and spanish. . Where i'm from there are alot of minority people. real good , hard working people who don't cry about the white man. I'm not a racist. i just can't stand stupid , Naive fools like MUSHMOUTH/afc east chump who run their big mouth.

[survey]

Amended List to include Juan Huron and Soiled Bottom. Any others?
List of following true fin fans and good guys:

Uncle Sam
Sammo
nafd
jaksin
ace
fpld
sammy
Dr.Moreau
jod
Carlito
Juan Huron
Soiled Bottom
and others we forgot to mention

[deerphin]

Anybody answer this.

Which character would AFC EAST be from the Sanford and Son show. Fred Sanford or Grady.
I say Grady.

[nafd]

Uncle sam where are you from? cuban girls are nice.

[steve]

Cabbage patch kids ? LOL. how old are you ?what a fool.

[steve]

Yes , i know where you live.

[nafd]

Uncle Sam are you from Jersey?

[Joe man]

This is one rare occasion when I think you are correct. Good artical I will keep it in mind next time I start to tell you how you are never right. You have been right at least this one time. Is this the start of a new trend???

[Big Blackie]

Uncle Sam, The brothers must have had a good time kicking you arse and takeing your lunch money when you went to school!! Did you pay a big brother for protection!!!

[Aqua1]

What is up with Pat Whites voice??!! Check it out on Miami Dolphins.com. I mean he whispers like the late Michael Jackson for Pete's sake! Heeeee-heeeee!!
Memo to Pat...if your gonna play in the big leagues you gotta grow a pair and talk like a man. Maybe try a little testosterone or something but pleeease...lose the voice! Because if thats the way your gonna call signals behind center we're in a world of trouble dude!!

[Aqua1]

PS:

Pat White's 3 word responses in the aformentioned sites interview with him doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the intelligence department!

[SureShockPhins]

armandito

estas slacking on the bloggy blogz!! jk

this is my coffee in the morning ... this is what gets me goin

[justin]

super bowl bound .

[D for life]

where is home super hot dog 2010 ? LMAO

[Home super hot dog 2010]

bam !

[love]

bam,bam ,i am chef emeril who loves super hot dogs

[Home super hot dog 2010]

Hola ! que tal.

[sammo]

MR. HURON you are a true phins fan you are on the list. Pookie was great!

[Miriam]

Dolphins rock