Saturday by the sub

I'm just a Neal, yes, I'm only a Neal, and I'm sitting in for A. Salguero...

Armando should be back tomorrow. He'll definitely be back Monday. Whatever, you're stuck with David J. Neal today.

In the afternoon practice, during red zone team drills, Chad Pennington got the first team into the end zone in two plays. A diving Davone Bess collected the TD pass on a seam route. Chad Henne found Brian Hartline on a post ahead of Jason Allen, then hit his next three passes. Pat White went six for 11 in the earlier team drills, but later threw two interceptions to Courtney Bryan and a few near interceptions while running the scout team. White and Henne took most of the reps today in preparation for doing the same Monday.

Both Akin Ayodele and Channing Crowder had sacks in the morning practice. For those obsessed with Ted Ginn Jr., one way or the other, today was another tribute to Ralph Ellison -- he was The Invisible Man.

In both practices, Shawn Murphy and Donald Thomas rotated at right guard with the first team. Both will play Monday as Sparano wants to see the offensive line together and wants to settle the right guard position "yesterday," as he put it Saturday. Thomas said he's behind where he thought he would be right now. Be that as it may, it's clear the coaches love Thomas' strength and superior athleticism (compared to Murphy) and want him in that spot if it's at all a close call.

Earlier, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano's daily press conference was called by rain, a first that I've seen in over 20 years in this business. Sparano does his daily media thing during training camp in a big covered porch-like area north of the practice field. As we started, the rain came down slanted toward the west. Then ,the wind shifted so the rain began shooting over the media's shoulder and into the face of Sparano. Sparano didn't seem to care about facing the media in the wet and the wind. Even as we crowded in around the lectern to yell our questions above the wind, Sparano was trying to listen to the Palm Beach Post's Edgar Thompson holler a Pat White question when The Herald's Jeff Darlington stepped in like Richard Steele to deliver an RSC -- Rain Stops Contest.

Before that, Sparano said he thought Ernest Wilford's improvement the last few days could be credited to getting more opportunities. Not with practice snaps, but with balls thrown to him on those practice snaps. Saturday, Wilford had a nice fingertip catch, a one-hander on ball thrown behind him, a nice high grab. He called his blocking "a work in progress" and "fundamentally, there's some things that certainly he doesn't know as well as some of those other tight ends that he's catching up on."

Wilford got behind rookie safety Chris Clemons on one downfield pattern in the morning practice. That's Clemons, who has some giddyap, with Wilford, The Six Million Dollar Man who moves like the slow motion shots of Steve Austin at bionic speed. Anthony Armstrong got well behind Vontae Davis on another team drills deep pattern, and Will Allen on still another. I asked if both sides were going full speed.

"Why, because the offense looked decent today?" Sparano replied with a bit o' bile. "Every player's being evaluated out there, so I would say, yes, they were going full speed."

If that's so, it's a little disconcerting when third team and practice squad level wide receivers are dusting the Dolphins top defensive backs.

White's been more accurate both in seven-on-seven drills and team drills, but it would be nice if Mark Lewis would give him a shotgun snap that didn't dribble back to White or threaten to missile over his head.

Sparano confirmed that, yes, if Connor Barth outkicks Dan Carpenter -- and he hopes both will kick Monday against Jacksonville -- Carpenter's out of a job. And, like last year's Carpenter-Jay Feely competition, it could be decided early in camp. For a team that doesn't get cheap points, plays close games and has trouble in the red zone, partially because they don't yet have a dependable big receiver, a kicker's dependability takes on greater importance than with most teams.

"Missed a couple of kicks," Sparano said of Carpenter. "He's missed a few, the other guy's made 'em. I've seen the asme thing you guys have seen. So, that's it. Eventually, those have to go through. I told them both, the entire team, time is not on our side right now. This is not one of those deals where you say, "We'll get it tomorrow, we'll get it tomorrow, we'll get it tomorrow." These things have to start happening, soon."

By the way, Barth's demeanor and look resemble Shaggy from Scooby-Doo. Wonder if there's a Scooby Snack bonus in his contract.

Everybody was there in both pads-and-shorts practices. Matt Roth was still in the baseball hat. The morning practice, originally scheduled to be outside and open to the public, was moved inside the Nick Saban Memorial Bubble when lightning was spotted somewhere in the area. Dolphins football czar Bill Parcells spent most of that practice happily talking with Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla. Also in the bubble house was the Dolphins first Hall of Fame quarterback, Bob Griese, and former Dolphins fullback Rob Konrad.

Special teams worked on downing punts inside the 10, especially the speed guys getting downfield to just catch the ball instead of playing the often-capricious bounce.

The Dolphins are off tomorrow, aside from a walk-through. Monday, 7:30, vs. Jacksonville at the largest structure in Miami Gardens.

I'm headed home for caffeine, dinner, Powerball, Lotto and jazz. Good night, folks.

Comments

[Gopats]

Odinbaby

I am getting hyped just hearing you talk

[NJ PHIN FAN]

That's because that's not the Real Finheavens.

[chachi]

Who does Finheaven blow?

[NJ PHIN FAN]

OK. I'm Here to answer the fans questions.

[copernicus]

NJ, please tell us who the real gopats is smart guy

[Gopats]

fake gopats odinseye when he talks to you dierctly....ACE THE DEVIL AT WORK

[copernicus]

You know is real or fake smart gut. Who is gopats?

[odinseye]

?????

Odin is the Norse Viking God of War.
Strength and power were not enough(as any good Warrior knows). Odin had to sacrifice his right eye for knowledge and wisdom, making him the most powerful God of all.
Hence: ODINSEYE!

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Out of respect , won't reveal who gopats really is . do you want initials ?

[Gopats]

lets talk football and ask nj phin a Q ; what you think so far of henne and smith and long.coming monday ,what must to happen to get the on the right track ?

[Gopats]

Odinbaby,

I always knew you were a God, ooooohhhhh God

[odinseye]

NJ

Did see Stafford play today?

If you did, what do you think?

[copernicus]

NJ,

Give me initials. Let see if you are correct

[Ace]

initials will do

[odinseye]

Odinbaby,

I always knew you were a God, ooooohhhhh God

Posted by: Gopats | August 15, 2009 at 11:01 PM

Yeah I know, I hear it ALL THE TIME!

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Odinseye. I think stafford is going to be a good one. Big , strong and a great arm. Also i'm not impressed with atlanta defense which could be ranked in the bottom . Miami wins opening game 24-16.

[Ace]

i love to sleep with dogs next to me

[odinseye]

NJ-Ace

I admire respect. However if it's someone using aliases and impostering others, do they deserve any respect?

I say expose them!

[Ace]

i wish i can find my dads

[NJ PHIN FAN]

GOPATS . Jake Long is jake long Great, all eyes will be on henne. I think he comes through, Smith will be good , he just needs time .so this game may not answer all questions. Question for you , how did you like your boy brady ?

[NJ PHIN FAN]

C. M.

[Brutus the Barber]

Charles Manson???? WTF

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Question for you guys. Who do you think hogs the crackpipe more Justin or Flava flav ?

[Brutus the Barber]

Who are these people you speak of?

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Oh Sh*t ! Charles manson !

[odinseye]

NJ

I thought Stafford looked really good considering it was his first NFL gig.

I agree with you about Atlanta. Their defense will be the first victim we beat some respect out of.

[Gopats]

Oooooh Odin I wish you would beat me instead

[odinseye]

Hey Guys

Keep it on the DL.

I just heard Justin smokes crack with Charles Manson and Flava Flav!!!!

[Gopats]

Odinbaby you bet I will keep you down low

[Gopats]

nj,

this dolphin team has a lot of interest around the country due to having done well last year and all these new young players with V.davis and wake ready to flay ,if they do well the team will flay w/them .as for brady it looks ok but if he fails to take the team to the playoff that will be the end .

ps...the coach always thoght that CASSEL was a one year wonder but now the chiefs will pay the price of 15 mill.

[odinseye]

Oooooh Odin I wish you would beat me instead

Posted by: Gopats | August 15, 2009 at 11:17 PM

You don't want to play that game with me!

I slash my tongue with razor baldes and stick 9 volt batteries to it just to feel GOOD!

[Gopats]

odinseye, you talking to fake gopats, i donet talk like the devil

[Finheavenblows]

nj fan, shut the hell uo tiny oy

odins, dhut the hell up

[odinseye]

GoPats

Do you like to pitch or catch?

[odinseye]

NJ

Are you serious?

CM ????

[Finheavenblows]

nj, would you like to go out with me and have some weight lifting ?

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Gopats . as usual your vast knowledge of all things football , shines through once again. Thanks for the info/inside scoop about cassell.

[Finheavenblows]

who of you guys wants to have some good time with ace in his home ?

[Gopats]

Nj,

Your welcome

[Gopats]

Odin fake gopats at 11:26

[ted]

hands of stone

[Carlito]

Odinseye,

Who is CM ???

[Odiinseye]

NJ PHIN

[Ace]

WHO is nj phin the fake one Carlito ?

[Carlito]

Odinseye,

You mean NJ is CM. Is he ace too?

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Odinseye. C. M. that all i'm going to give you. You've been on herelong enough. Figure it out.

[Carlito]

Who is Odinseye the real one nj phin ?

[Carlito]

NJ does play more than one

[Carlitoblows]

Odinseye,
carlito trying to make you feel for him

[odinseye]

Gopats

I never impersonate people.
It's a negative thing. Negativity goes against my religious beliefs, as well as my principles.
I don't mind joking around and cutting on each other. I'll tell someone how it is when necessary.
Impersonating? Not me. I'm offended Gopats.

[nitsuj]

?

[Carlitoblows]

mr neal.

where are you ?

[odinseye]

NJ PHIN

Posted by: Odiinseye | August 15, 2009 at 11:36 PM

NJ You know I didn't post this don't you.

[nitsuj]

CM is ?????

a) Cuban Mackerel
b) Cuban Mange
c) Cuban Marikon
d) Cuban Menace
e) all of the above

answer: e

[Edison]

NJ does play more than one

Posted by: Carlito
Carlito what other name does NJ use?
Please tell us

[odinseye]

NJ

You gave me enough. I was just suprised. This one got by me. I can usually see through them. Did you notice the reaction(s) when you posted the initials? They prove you right.

[nitsui]

carlito is nj phin

[G]

NJ tu eres muy sucio

[Flava Flav]

Yeeeeeeeaaaaaaah booooooooy ! Did somebody mention me and crack !

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Odinseye . Yup ! Exactly.