Tony Sparano spent some time today talking with enigmatic outside linebacker Matt Roth. The coach said he wasn't cutting Roth on the spot, or trading him on the spot, or begging him to come back to practice.
"I like to get a feel for how he's feeling after these conditioners we have and that stuff," Sparano said. "It's just getting feedback. I'm constantly trying to get feedback of where he is and how he feels."
Sparano was asked if the Dolphins are closing in on the moment when they have to make a decision on Roth's roster status -- either trading him, or cutting him, or placing him on either the injured reserve or physically unable to perform list, or just getting him on the field and working.
"We'll see," Sparano said.
That answer should raise red flags. The last time Sparano said, "We'll see," the Dolphins cut Eric Green. The time before that when he said, "We'll see," the team signed Connor Barth to compete with Dan Carpenter.
We'll see translates to something is about to happen.
So what is about to happen?
The Dolphins will not be cutting Roth. No team simply releases a player that has worth and is that young unless the player has other "issues."
Moving him off the roster? It is still early to make a decision that would sideline Roth for a significant time, as Miami is not hurting for a roster spot. So putting him on injured reserve, which sidelines Roth for the season, or placing him on PUP, which sidelines him until after the sixth week of the season at the earliest, is probably not something the team must do now.
A trade? That is possible.
The Dolphins can envision a time that Matt Roth is not in their plans. That time is right now, in fact.
"The truth is, and I don't mean this in a bad way because I care about all my players, but you have to worry about the guys that are out there," Sparano said. "You have to go thinking what if [the situation] doesn't get ... I don't know. We'll see where this thing is. I have to worry about at this time, Jason Taylor, Quentin Moses, and the guys that are out there playing."
Sounds like Roth is gone. But it's hard to believe another NFL team will be giving up what Roth is worth at a time he's injured or hurt or whatever he is. It is also hard to believe the Dolphins would jettison Roth in a bargain sale. So the timing for a trade -- right now, at least -- simply doesn't feel right.
That leaves the possibility of Roth returning to practice in the near future. It would not be surprising to see Roth back on the field in the next week or so. If he fails to make it back by Sept. 5 when the team must finalize its 53-man roster, then all the other options, except for cutting him outright, open up.
But right now? We'll see.
As for the rest of the stuff surrounding the Dolphins, Sparano called it "business as usual."
On cutting Ernest Wilford: "I mentioned this a hundred times if I mentioned it once. When you play this many games in this few a days, you have to eventually get your team ready that you think will be your team."
On trading Andy Alleman and Ikechuku Ndukwe to Kansas City: "You're not trading away guys not feeling comfortable with some of the pieces you have here," Sparano said. "Now there are still some things that have to unfold over the next 10 days in that group. But I'm starting to feel more comfortable with that group and where we are and what I think the final vision might be."
On Greg Camarillo playing only 13 plays vs. Carolina while Patrick Turner got 20 meaning something: "We're planning on trying to get him involved a little more this week ... We have five guys, six guys, seven guys that we've been rolling through there. We're trying to get reps for [Anthony] Armstrong. We're trying to get [James] Robinson in the game. It's not an indictment on anybody right now. the the nice thing is some of these people we do have history with, we do know what they can do. So whether [Camarillo] gets 10 plays or 15 plays, it's not relevant to me. It really isn't. I see him out here getting a ton of plays in practice. He's coming along nicely."
On how Vontae Davis played vs. Carolina: "I was pleased with what Vontae did in the game. I liked his look, I said that after the game. Sometimes you can see a player in pregame and see his focus and I thought the kid was pretty focused. He went over and played on the other side which was a good benefit for us. I thought he was active in the game. He had several situations where he made one-on-one tackles and he closed the deal on most of those. And I thought when you watch the film in some of our man stuff, he was in good position most of the time. Now he did make a couple of mistakes in the course of the game that go unseen to the naked eye that we have to make sure we clean up."
On Miami's atrocious special teams play that included allowing a 58-yard punt return and suffering a 15-yard penalty on a kickoff: "We seen some guys get bumped out of their lanes a few times so lane discipline hurt us. [We had] guys not finishing, meaning they're getting to the play but they're not finishing, not tackling, not breaking down properly, a lot of fundamental stuff. It certainly wasn't scheme stuff."
The Dolphins worked on correcting their special teams problems in practice today.
first
Posted by: ciahole | August 24, 2009 at 06:51 PM
Well` see....Good Luck with what ever your trying to do????...Mr.Roth...
Posted by: zonk-39 | August 24, 2009 at 06:56 PM
ciahole gets a prize for being first after it was determined that one looks stupid by posting "first". Moron
Posted by: Roy | August 24, 2009 at 06:59 PM
I think this is Roth's way of throwing a temper tantrum due to the fact that miami resigned JT. I love the dude but after being evaluated by multiple medical staffs and given the all clear, it's the only thing that makes sense. He looks miserable out there.
Posted by: RoLaDolfan | August 24, 2009 at 07:17 PM
You're correct Armando about the "we'll see", it usually means something is about to change. IMO, it means he'll be on the practice field very soon. Tomorrow or the first practice after this 3rd game at the latest.
Posted by: AADolfan | August 24, 2009 at 07:35 PM
Apparently Roth can't handle the competition.
Sorry Matt no room for Prima-Dona wannabes.
This is Camp Sporano. Grind em in, Grind em out!!!!
Posted by: odinseye | August 24, 2009 at 07:39 PM
Hey Armando,
EVERYONE HAS SWINE FLU!!! GAAAAHHH!!! THE FANS! THE PLAYERS! THE STADIUM!!
Really great job reporting that one, you dunce.
Posted by: Dat RoRo Kid | August 24, 2009 at 07:40 PM
Dat RoRo Kid
Dude....I'll defend to the death your right to an opinion!
But that ReRe names got to go....GAAAAHHH!!!
Posted by: odinseye | August 24, 2009 at 07:46 PM
Not everyone can have as cool a name as 'odinseye'. That one was already taken up so I had to make do.
Posted by: Dat RoRo Kid | August 24, 2009 at 07:50 PM
Mmmmh, maybe that conversation went something like this: "Hey Roth, time to put up, either you start playing, or I'll start the 'she talk'"
Posted by: Hugo | August 24, 2009 at 07:53 PM
Matt Roth sounds like a 10 year old playing with his toys and a new kid(taylor)comes in and takes those toys and now lil matty sits in the corner sulking..Along with his make believe buddy drew rosenbastard..
Posted by: cuban menace | August 24, 2009 at 07:54 PM
Dat RoRo Kid
Cool.....making do....I'll buy that!!!!
Posted by: odinseye | August 24, 2009 at 07:54 PM
FINALLY this team has people in charge who are running things the way I would. I LOVE the new culture of accountability--a foreign concept to this society these days. I LOVE how they don't suffer bumblers, busts and bums for any longer than they have to. And exactly what is this "value" Roth has if he's not even practicing, let alone playing? I'm not even sure he's tradeable now. Ah well, he's in the last year of his contract anyway so getting rid of him with all the depth at OLB won't slow this team down a bit.
Posted by: DolFan 316 | August 24, 2009 at 07:56 PM
Cuban
Too Funny!!!!
The sad part is, it sounds like the truth!
Capitol LMFAO
Posted by: odinseye | August 24, 2009 at 07:57 PM
Some body check LiL Matty's pampers, i think some one made a # 2....
Posted by: cuban menace | August 24, 2009 at 07:59 PM
Maybe she's got a yeast infection..
Posted by: cuban menace | August 24, 2009 at 08:02 PM
DolFan 316
You said it! accountability, you got to love it.
It's too bad though. I had Roth pegged as a blue collar tough guy.
Oh well, I'm sure Wake and Moses appreciate Roth's hissy-fits!
Posted by: odinseye | August 24, 2009 at 08:03 PM
Trade Roth and Haymaker, I mean Hilliard for a high draft pick.
Posted by: mojomark | August 24, 2009 at 08:14 PM
Wake and Moses would B!tch slap LiL matty...And by the way SOMEBODY CHECK HIS DIAPERS......also id like to see lil matty traded maybe somewhere where he'd say in a year or two "man i was on a super bowl contender and what do i do?? i listen to my life-mate drew and now here i sulk way up here in michagan, thats detriot michagan..." This too makes me chuckle out loud...
Posted by: cuban menace | August 24, 2009 at 08:15 PM
I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THE CUTTING OF WILFORD HE AINT STEAL NO MONEY YALL PEOPLE NEED 2 SHUT UP WITH THAT FOOLISHNESS HE DIDNT CAUSE NO DRAMA HE WAZ LAZY WEN HE GOT HERE CAUSE HE THOUGHT HE HAD THE STARTING JOB RIGHT AWAY AND HE DID BUT GOT LAZY BUT HE DID WAKE UP HE GOT STRONGER BIGGER FASTER MIAMI JUST GAVE UP ON HIM AND THEY ARE SET ON TRYNA DEVELOP GINN THATS ALL TO BE HONEST I THINK HE IS A GREAT RECEIVER HE JUS NEEDED TIME HE SHUD BE THE NUMBER 1 RECEIVER HE HAS WORKED VERY HARD MAN I BELEIVE THEY SHUD GET HIM BACK IF NOT THEN WE SHUD PICK UP MATT JONES ITS RIDICULOUS THAT HE HASENT BEEN PICKIN UP CUZ I BELIEVE HE CAN BE A NUMBER 1 DUDE IS 6'FREAKIN 6 HE IS A BEAST HE ALSO CAN THROW IF PEOPLE FORGOT HE WAZ A QB IN COLLEGE ALSO HE RUNS A 4.3 HE IS PERFECT FOR THE WILDCAT AND IS JUST A GREAT RECIEVER YES HE MADE MISTAKES EVERY1 ONE DOES I REALLY HOPE SOMEBODY TAKES A LOOK AT THIS AND TAKE IT INTO CONSIDERATION IF WE DON'T GET HIM THEY SHOULD PICK UP Reggie Williams OR MAK A TRADE FOR THE CHARGERS VINCENT JACKSON OR SUMTHIN COME ON MIAMI DO SOMTHING
Posted by: red dread | August 24, 2009 at 08:50 PM
the funny thing is that most bloggers here have no jobs ,losers by trade and they r talking accountability right now when their names are menace and odinseye .
Posted by: FinFan13 | August 24, 2009 at 08:52 PM
Cuban
Don't laugh! I'm positive Roth would be a star in Detroit(lmao)!
Posted by: odinseye | August 24, 2009 at 08:52 PM
red dread
I appreciate the enthusiasm...ah...I think.
However, the question comes to mind: Have you been living in a cave?
The Dolphins are doing something. Trimming the fat and constantly upgrading!
PS: I hope Roth gives Wilford a call for some comforting and pampering.
Posted by: odinseye | August 24, 2009 at 08:54 PM
the funny thing is that most bloggers here have no jobs ,losers by trade and they r talking accountability right now when their names are menace and odinseye .
Posted by: FinFan13 | August 24, 2009 at 08:52 PM
Oooooo!!!! Flimsy Flam 13 you told us. NOT!!!!
What the heck was that? Are you a ten year old trying to play grown up on Mom's computer?
Posted by: odinseye | August 24, 2009 at 08:58 PM
Red Dread = Ernest Wilford ???
Enough with the caps and maybe throw in a couple periods, during that jumbled mess of nonsense.
Posted by: chris s. | August 24, 2009 at 09:04 PM
handy man odiseye, how long are your fingers ?
Posted by: FinFan13 | August 24, 2009 at 09:06 PM
We really need to do something about or special teams unit, I hear they are trying to find room for lex hilliard, I wonder how well he might do as a kick returner
Posted by: Akarojo | August 24, 2009 at 09:12 PM
I think Roth gets packaged with a pick somewhere for about a third rounder or so.
Something strange is afoot at the Circle K
Posted by: Willie G | August 24, 2009 at 09:26 PM
Reddread oh I mean justin, what is with all the caps.
Posted by: FinheavenBlows! | August 24, 2009 at 09:27 PM
I would like to submit a song that I wrote for the new Dolphin Nation Fight Song.
A lot of you guys, excluding fair weather fans, already know that I play guitar and that I play Blues Festivals regularly.
However, recently a heavy metal fight song was bestowed upon me by the music Gods. While heavy metal is not really my style, who am I to deny the music Gods?
During the recent dilemma concerning our fight song, it occured to me that this might be my chance. To rally support I have posted my literary contribution on numerous websites, most notably: You tube!
Check it out at: youtube/Bang that Monkey like a retarded pornstar/unhuh.com
Posted by: odinseye | August 24, 2009 at 09:28 PM
Flimsy Fan 13
My fingers are long enough to make your Mom squeal like a pig. WHY?
Posted by: odinseye | August 24, 2009 at 09:31 PM
odinseye, why every night you pick a fight with a better man than you farmer ?
Posted by: FinFan13 | August 24, 2009 at 09:34 PM
odinseye I am going to rearrange your face monkey spanker!
Posted by: FinFan13 | August 24, 2009 at 09:38 PM
Reddread is that idiot we all know as JUSTIN or AFC EAST CHAMPS. Idiot you cannot pretend to be someone else until you learn how to write differently.
Posted by: carlito mancito | August 24, 2009 at 09:42 PM
Would anyone like to donate to the United Negro College Fund.
Because the mind (RedDread/Justin) is a terrible thing waste
Posted by: Louis Farrakhan | August 24, 2009 at 09:46 PM
FinFan13,
True statement about Ody being a farmer. Not all Vikings were fighters, many were farmers like Ody. Ody will tell you
Posted by: Leif the lucky | August 24, 2009 at 09:48 PM
Justin Reddread fool posted his lenghty ramble krap in the last 3 blogs. Sick dude
Posted by: Jam Master Jay | August 24, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Leif the lucky
Take back that blasphemy! Farming is what ruined the great Norse Warrior Nation!
Loot and Pillage! Attack and Conquer!
The Wets and Patsies are the farmers of the AFC East.
PS: I'd absolutely LOVE for you to have the chance to rearrange my face, you Spunkey Maker!!!!
Posted by: odinseye | August 24, 2009 at 10:05 PM
the most people who raped women are the dirty vikings who killed women and children then declare victory to rape men and women
Posted by: FinFan13 | August 24, 2009 at 10:09 PM
FinFan13........ all the love in the world my Dolphins fan friend... but there are a whole bunch of people who are out of work right now. And it is not many of their fault. Be careful of those you judge, because "But for the Grace of God... there go I"... not trying to pick a fight (will not run from one either) but I will stand up for those who want something better then what is going on in this Country right now. Blogger, or burger flippers..... none of them are below what ever you are... But, if you believe they are.... you are a part of the problem we suffer from.
Posted by: Derek in West Palm Beach | August 24, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Personally I am very glad to see Wilford down the bricks. He was given every opportunity in the world and just did not bring his game up to the level needed. It is easy now to wish for guys to not be cut... until we start dropping games because a receiver did not complete his rout or dropped the friggin ball. Like the kid out there getting hit in the face mask with the ball... its all sad and lonely that he is cut... until he does that shiznit in a New England game with 2:10 left in the game... your up by 4 points and all the kid has to do is catch the damn ball and you win... instead he bounces it off his face into the hands of a cover guy... 3 plays later Brady is celebrating his 3rd TD pass of the day and Miami gets the ball back with 33 seconds left on their own 12 yard line.... then you know why the Kid is now gone.... same with Wilford, Roth... or anyone else that needs to go. This coaching staff is trying something it has been a long time since we have seen... placing a damn good team that competes every week without us having to bite off every fingernail we have to watch the game.
Posted by: Derek in West Palm Beach | August 24, 2009 at 10:24 PM
lief the lucky,
what odinseye the farmer planted this year so far ? any banana
Posted by: FinFan13 | August 24, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Ody..the chance to rearrange your face? I want to sooo bad I can taste the blood of a Viking clown. In a previous life you were a viking farmer in New Foundland...bazztard
Posted by: FinFan13 | August 24, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Odinseye did nto plant anything, he was not even a good farmer. That is why many of them died, damn them
Posted by: Leif the lucky | August 24, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Derek the prophet,
You tell good story bout 2 minutes left. Me likey, more more. Please tell us another story with Wilford in it. You good story teller.
Posted by: aloco | August 24, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Roth has been a good player. It does not make sense that he suddenly became a weenie. I think it more likely that he has an injury and wants it to heal rather than reinjuring it for a preseason game then then getting the boot while injured. Dolphins should do what they are doing - focus on the guys on the field. If Roth heals up and can compete, as I expect will happen, then he has to re-earn his way to starting. If not, no problemo. Dolphins should handle this with facts and logic not emotional reactions or thinking they have ESP to read his mind and I expect they will be logical.
Posted by: student1776 | August 24, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Dude you mean no problema, not problemo. You in Ameica now...so speak Spanish.
Posted by: Paul Rodriguez | August 24, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Ameica = America
Posted by: Paul Rodriguez | August 24, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Flim Flam 13
You wouldn't last a full minute Punk!
We do not commit sins against the children! Your soul will pay for the groundless accusation.
The Viking nation was one of circumstance. The Roman legions could not keep us down. Nor could King Arthur, or the Celts.
We did what we had to do! Of course the WOMEN were another story!!!!
As Quagmire would say: Awwwright!!!!
Posted by: odinseye | August 24, 2009 at 10:45 PM
odinseye, the cat get your tongue. Finally shut you up clown
Posted by: FinFan13 | August 24, 2009 at 10:46 PM
I would start by smashing those long fingers of yours you love so much. Then when you cannot make a fist or grab me, I would land several kicks to your face...there you have it.
Posted by: FinFan13 | August 24, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Flim Flam 13
You couldn't shut me up punk!
Your Mom and Sister did though. They left me speechless! GAAAHHH!!!
Posted by: odinseye | August 24, 2009 at 10:50 PM
what a child odinseye. it is childish when they revert to saying "i did your mom or girl" oooooh you sooo bad. What state you live in ? I want to know if i am so lucky, chicken sh't
Posted by: FinFan13 | August 24, 2009 at 10:53 PM
odisneye, admit your were wrong and I wont do anything to you
Posted by: FinFan13 | August 24, 2009 at 10:55 PM
No fingers? No fists? No problem!
I'm a true WARRIOR! I smash your face with my forehead.
You can't even THINK fast enough to whip my AZZZZ!!!
Duh..ah duh...dippy dip te do!!!!
Posted by: odinseye | August 24, 2009 at 10:55 PM
I have no effing life and no idea about anything so I come on this blog and moan about the author.
Posted by: Dat DoDo Punk | August 24, 2009 at 10:57 PM
odinseye talks only about women , so how come in that country of the vikings they can't find men any more to make babes .in old days you see a big vicking pig killing little man w/ a sword bigger than a house
Posted by: FinFan13 | August 24, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Odinseye lives in a make believe world. A world in which he plays the part of a Viking Warrior. Poor odinseye, no job but a big imagination, weed smoker you know you are. Gods knows you bazzztard
Posted by: FinFan13 | August 24, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Flim Flam 13
Seriously, I'm never wrong, because might is right!!!!
PS: You sound like a sissy boy. You probably kick like a girl. I know how to throw kicks for real.
Posted by: odinseye | August 24, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Odinseye. do you know who finfan13 is ?
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | August 24, 2009 at 10:59 PM