Live blog here to celebrate season ticket milestone

The Dolphins tonight celebrate their most important preseason game of 2010 and already they have good news on the horizon: The team will soon announce that it has surpassed the 50,000 season-ticket mark for the first time in the Bill Parcells era and the first time since 2007.

Although the club has not yet made it official, I'm told by several sources there is a sense of pride at the fact the local fans have seen fit to invest in season-tickets at a rate not seen in several years despite the tough economic times that plagues the nation and South Florida.

There is much work to do, however, for the Dolphins business side. While there has been a steady increase in the sale of tickets since they fell off the table following Nick Saban's departure, 50,000 to ,51,000 is not the goal. The club would like to be closer to 2006 levels and be in the 60,000s season tickets sold.

One supposes the success the team will have this year will go far toward determining that.

To that end, I present to you tonight's game.

Things to look for:

The secondary: Um, they've been pretty bad this preseason and now they're facing the best quarterback (Matt Ryan) they've seen so far and for a much longer period of time. The expectation is the Ryan will go at least one half tonight as will Miami's starting DBs.

[Update: Jason Allen is slated to start ahead of Sean Smith at RCB. Smith has been on notice all preseason that his job is at stake. Count this another strongly worded message that he needs to pull up and play better or he'll find himself coming off the bench when the season begins.]

To blitz or not to blitz: I've shared with you what the Dolphins' defense is going to be this year in previous posts. Attacking is the operative word. But this preseason the Dolphins have shown no blitzes with their first-team defense. Do they unwrap some of that package tonight? I do not know. But I'll be watching with interest to see how effetive Koa Misi and Jared Odrick can be when three or four of their teammates are also trying to bust down the offensive line wall along with them.

No injuries, please: That is a key goal. The coaching staff hasn't babied this team, but it has been cautious to avoid the physical, emotional, and psychological distress that a season-ending or other signifcant injury can have upon a team. Today the St. Louis Rams are sick at the loss of receiver Donnie Avery for the season. Teams that come out the third preseason game relatively healthy usually go into the regular season that way because the final preseason game is usually a passing excersize on the field. If Miami can escape this contest unscathed, that will bode wll for the opener.

Last minute news: Will Allen and Nate Garner are the only scratches for the Dolphins. That is interesting because it suggests Channing Crowder is dressed ... but he will not start. Tim Dobbins is starting for Crowder tonight. Jake Grove is starting at center.

So meet me at kickoff in the comments section for the live blog. It should be a hoot. 

Comments

[Mark]

The secondary is'nt my main concern,it's the Offensive line.

Cant believe after all the messing about signing free agent linemen,we still have'nt got any stability.

[dr. Lecter]

oh I'm sorry he already in his 3rd year.......my SARCASTIC.....

this guy needs to go FIRE TONY

[Zach]

the jets dont look good either, dont panic guys

[SoiledBottom]

Vintage Olivadotti D

[LipsinToronto]

nice hit by Vontae

[cocoajoe]

Parcells should have gotten rid of Henning and Bonnemego last year along with Pass the balonie

[Zach]

the falcons always seem to have our number

[LipsinToronto]

"Pass the balonie"

lol

[Dexter]

Imagine what a TE can do for a lineup.

[Po White Trash]

D = WET PAPER BAG.

[owl1958]

What Is Wrong Dolphins? Is It Me Or Are We Getting Conservative Play Calling?

[texasphinatic]

Tony and company are definetly mixing up the line ups on defense they must not be concerned Vontae looks great though

[Jim]

The front seven can't create pressure...might be a long year.

[come on mando!!!]

vonte is an animal!! damn him put on a hitting clinic from the CB position

[TommyA]

Mando,

Can you check Vontae's stats at half? That kid is ballin tonight!

[Jay-Mo]

This is aggravating

[Po White Trash]

Thank God its preseason.

[dr. Lecter]

WOW this DEFENSE is MEDIOCRE AT BEST they ain't STOPPING NO ONE

[Yazzi]

Amen.

[superPHIN]

Well, i think we will be seeing the first team in the second half of this one. Very dissappointed with the penalties, way too damn many for even preseason. Falcons have really made fish look bad tonight. All except V. Davis!!!

[cowkilla]

I Never See My Posts And Responses Because The Refresh Button Does Nothing For 20 Minutes

[elstro17]

Our Defense Looks Horrible! I Know Its Not What We Are Going To Do On Opening Day, Just Hate Seeing Them Get Burnt! Vonte Looks Good? Why Didnt Sean Smith Start???

[Matt in NC]

I hope that most of you idiots pitching a fit tonight come back and read your comments when we win the division at the end of the year.

Pathetic, whining dogs.

All of you.

[Po White Trash]

Hold em!

[Armando Salguero]

Somebody needs to make a play.

[tony]

u guys are TARDS!!! we have given up 7 points.... get a grip!!!

[Po White Trash]

Hope you are right Matt.

[DyingBreed]

Dfense isnt that awful, only given up 7pts to an above average nfl offense. But they do need to play better. Offense stinking it up worse.

[Zach]

sean smith could have picked that if he was lookin, he never looks at the ball

[superPHIN]

u guys are TARDS!!! we have given up 7 points.... get a grip!!!

Posted by: tony | August 27, 2010 at 08:20 PM

Luckily!!!!

[Dexter]

Joe Rose is crapping all over the Fins. Yes, they have stunk this half, but they are down 7 stinking points. He is so HIGH AND LOW with whatever happens.

[Po White Trash]

True, Breed and Tony.

[dr. Lecter]

hey COMPUTER GEEKS what is the REFRESH BUTTON??? F1 F2 F3 or something else

6 pack of beer for the answer

[test]

you guys see Sean smith shaking his head?
I read his lips. Yes i'm awesome enough to do that from a stadium cam view, what he said was "yeah boi, ain't catching on me.. least.. so long as you keep droppin' em, cause you KNOW i ain't coverin' nuthin'"

Sincerely,
Eagle-Eyes Test-i-less

[Finwatcher]

I got to hand it to Home, sean smith sucks!!!!

[Dman]

f5 guy

[tony]

we are doing pretty good against the no huddle... we have been in a straight 4-3 ....not much pressure on the qb...great back to back plays by Smith and Carrol...and zero big plays against a really good offense... think our secondary has had a great half so far!!!

[Dman]

where my beer?

[DyingBreed]

Chad's playing like a 2nd year starter, patient or not thats a fact. Its neither good nor bad.

[Jon]

What the #### people it's pre season calm the hell down. They're not showing anything play call wise in these. Mike nolan has already said that they're gnna blitz the s%$& out of teams but won't display those plays in preseason. Just relax and see how the fringe players perform. The colts are 0-3, think they're gonna suck too?

[tony]

lets see how Henne does in this 2 min drill !!

[itsallabouttheu]

Miami Looks Like $hit...

[jj]

smith does suck.. i havent seen anything great from him.. now vontae, hes amazing

[superPHIN]

Carrol got jacked on that play!!

[Eric]

Henne is stinking it up.

[LipsinToronto]

I just puked.

Literally.

brb

[DyingBreed]

Dont know about u guys but I think Chad's having a case of happy feet tonight.

[jj]

henne isnt doing good tonight either.. worries me a bit

[Po White Trash]

Lips, stop wasting beer.

[Armando Salguero]

So much for the offense impressing in the two minute drill ... YUK.

[superPHIN]

Henne looks very rookie like tonight--no confidence

[bobbyd12]

Not a good 2 minute drill

[Bigalfy]

Hi guys...I cant see the game...whats the score???...Oh and I did say last year that Sean Smith would prove mediocre at best....

[Finwatcher]

Home might be out there, but man he was spot on Sean Smith. Sean Smith SUCKS BAD!!!!!

[Zach]

why do you runa route short of the sticks?

[come on mando!!!]

nice play by bell

[LipsinToronto]

Po, I think I need to start drinking to settle my stomach. Maybe if drunk enough, I won't recognize bad offense. Seriously, this reminds me of those 2007 games when we did nothing.

[Po White Trash]

Breed, don't think he trusts the O line.

Yes Bell!

[Friend]

I know its going to sound crazy, but i think Pennington will play better than henny.................wait PICK!!!!

[Armando Salguero]

Old faithful Yeremiah bell.