The Dolphins have waived linebacker Mike Rivera injured.
With that blockbuster out of the way let's discuss today's game between the Bucs and Dolphins.
Let's start with the defensive backs situation. Basically, the situation is down to three names -- Nolan Carroll, Will Allen and Tyrone Culver. And it looks like only two will make the team. Today will go a long way in determining which will stay and which will go.
The way I see it, Allen looks like an odd man out right now. Even if he plays well tonight, his $1.5 million salary and the fact he hasn't really played the last 18 months puts him behind the eight ball. Because of his age and salary, the Dolphins can cut Allen and risk losing him to another team.
Because he doesn't play special teams, the chances of him getting picked up are a lot more slim than, say, either Carroll or Culver. And you can always bring him back for the veteran minimum without having to guarantee the salary for the year and also saving around $500,000 in the process.
Obviously, everything changes if Allen plays out of his mind tonight. But otherwise, he's definitely not favored to make the team.
If Allen plays great, obviously Miami can look at Carroll or even Culver. I think the more likely cut would be Carroll because Culver can play both safety, in the nickel package, and on special teams. Carroll doesn't play safety.
On to other matters:
Running back Larry Johnson is expected to play tonight. He might get between 8-12 carries. I'm curious to see if the veteran still has it. I hope he does. I like a comeback story.
But the real issue at running back is not with Johnson or even starter Reggie Bush. The issue involves rookie Daniel Thomas. I've not been impressed with Thomas so far this preseason. Don't get me wrong, I believe he's been fine. But he hasn't done anything special.
More importantly, he has taken anyone's breath away within the Dolphins coaching ranks. They are asking more of him. They welcomed the addition of Larry Johnson.
The fact is if Thomas is going to respond to a challenge, this is the time. He's on notice he must run harder. He just looked up and the team brought in an accomplished player behind him. Hello?
Time to giddyup, rookie.
Obviously, we're looking for consistency from Chad Henne after a good performance last week against Carolina.
We're looking for signs of consistency from the offensive line.
We'll monitor the final WR spot battle between Roberto Wallace, Marlon Moore and the others. Wallace, because of his special teams work, has the advantage.
[Update: Reshad Jones will start ahead Chris Clemons at free safety. Jake Long will not play. Neither will Charles Clay, nor Lex Hilliard, nor Patrick Carter.]
It all gets underway at 7:30. The live blog is in the comments section. See you there.
Did he really just call him fat?
Posted by: heatfan53 | August 27, 2011 at 09:25 PM
I do not like the bubble screen.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 09:25 PM
this running game of ours does look scary however......SCARY BAD!!!!:(
Posted by: superPHIN | August 27, 2011 at 09:26 PM
No I here ya but I'm not beating any drums. Don't understand why you would begrudge me my joy over seeing Brady get hit though. You a Pats fan or something? What Dolphins fan doesn't want to see and get happy over Tom freaking Brady getting the snot beat out of him preseason or not? :)
Posted by: LouD | August 27, 2011 at 09:26 PM
Crap, even Polite can't get a yard
Posted by: IMAWriter | August 27, 2011 at 09:26 PM
so a hold penalty on Polite and failing to gain the 1st down on a 3rd and 1...is there a reason why we should carry 2 FB's this year?
Posted by: Dan | August 27, 2011 at 09:26 PM
Heatfan we have the worst announcers they r all senior citizens
Posted by: jlwesq | August 27, 2011 at 09:26 PM
Stuffed. Dolphin starters on Buc starters. Pathetic.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 09:26 PM
ever seen Polite not get a yard before?
Posted by: ncfinfan70 | August 27, 2011 at 09:26 PM
AAAALLLLL right special teams!
Posted by: IMAWriter | August 27, 2011 at 09:27 PM
Not polites fault.... watch the line play!
Posted by: AzDolphan | August 27, 2011 at 09:28 PM
Bush + Thomas = 0.
Posted by: bummer | August 27, 2011 at 09:28 PM
Polite, thanks for the memories but hit the FA market buddy.
Posted by: 13Marino | August 27, 2011 at 09:28 PM
twice last yr
Posted by: jaybo1354 | August 27, 2011 at 09:28 PM
NO LouD...not a pats fan at all...enjoy ur bashing all u want, I, however will just be more happy if we beat the patsies week 1....THATS WHAT COUNTS!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | August 27, 2011 at 09:29 PM
Az, yeah line play is what I meant...or lack of it.
Posted by: IMAWriter | August 27, 2011 at 09:29 PM
Senior citizen is a compliment for our play-by-play commentator.
Posted by: heatfan53 | August 27, 2011 at 09:29 PM
No worries IMA
Posted by: Juggernutz | August 27, 2011 at 09:29 PM
They should have kept either Ricky or Ronnie and drafted an Olineman instead of Thomas. But they didn't. They shold have signed Mckinnie. But they didn't. Now they are going to have to watch the waiver wire and hope to find an answer in a guy that gets cut by somebody else.
Posted by: Ed | August 27, 2011 at 09:30 PM
Very true and we hired bob for radio
Posted by: jlwesq | August 27, 2011 at 09:30 PM
Will Allen 4th. of July come back!!!!!!!
Posted by: tony in miami | August 27, 2011 at 09:31 PM
well, well, well, Will Allen, we need to see more of that!
Posted by: Dan | August 27, 2011 at 09:31 PM
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Posted by: PriceMaster | August 27, 2011 at 09:31 PM
Link to game freezing...crap.
Posted by: IMAWriter | August 27, 2011 at 09:31 PM
Def super, (psssst, I'm just hoping the Lions beat him up enough that he plays like a normal person and doesn't kill us;)
Posted by: LouD | August 27, 2011 at 09:31 PM
Coverage sack
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 09:32 PM
Our 1s against their 2s
Posted by: jlwesq | August 27, 2011 at 09:32 PM
wow, that hurt Taylor...and unnecessary
Posted by: Dan | August 27, 2011 at 09:32 PM
thank you ed! I was pissed when they drafted the RB... made no sense!
Posted by: AzDolphan | August 27, 2011 at 09:32 PM
Now we gotta pray for an INT or FMBL!
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 09:32 PM
way to screw up a safety.
Posted by: IMAWriter | August 27, 2011 at 09:32 PM
again the TE killing us
Posted by: tony in miami | August 27, 2011 at 09:33 PM
BRADY PICKED! LOL...
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2011 at 09:33 PM
All team offensive success begins with the quality of play on the offensive line.
Clamoring for a new QB or a new RB or WR is just folly unitl the offensive line is up to snuff.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 09:34 PM
why was Cameron Wake having to cover him?
Posted by: Dan | August 27, 2011 at 09:34 PM
Let's see! Our 1st team D is losing to their 2nd team O! Hmmm
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 09:34 PM
TE will kill us when wake is covering them
Posted by: jlwesq | August 27, 2011 at 09:34 PM
2nd team offense schooling fins 1st team defense
Posted by: 72perfectstill | August 27, 2011 at 09:34 PM
Our #1 D does not look good!
Posted by: CanesRUS | August 27, 2011 at 09:35 PM
tonyinmiami...the TE play here was because we didn't have either one of our 2 ILB's on the TE...that's poor scheming.
Posted by: Dan | August 27, 2011 at 09:35 PM
DB,
BRADY IS YOUR DADDY ......
Posted by: ALoco | August 27, 2011 at 09:35 PM
1st team D getting ripped. Not a good sign.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 09:35 PM
Mando, stop working on your column and say something!
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 09:36 PM
Our secondary is really bad.. We are I'm trouble the first four games!!! Well it's just frustrating we are not very good in our secondary!!! I'm sorry but it's true!
Posted by: ray | August 27, 2011 at 09:36 PM
big, big problem with TE coverage...
...
...AJ EDDS?
Posted by: Jim in NYC | August 27, 2011 at 09:36 PM
REDSKY.............BUFFET OF KNOWLEDGE ..........
Posted by: ALoco | August 27, 2011 at 09:36 PM
Detroit has a real QB.
Posted by: bummer | August 27, 2011 at 09:37 PM
Our guys with hands on hips...not good
Posted by: IMAWriter | August 27, 2011 at 09:37 PM
Tony McDaniel getting good pressure and looking good.
Posted by: Dan | August 27, 2011 at 09:37 PM
Lost contain on the QB. Announcer says, 'being able to make a play with your lags at QB is just critical'.
Yeah, true that.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 09:38 PM
So Taylor goes to the Jets and comes back a punk. You lie down with dogs . . . .
Posted by: Angry Elf | August 27, 2011 at 09:38 PM
SHAWN HILL IS BETER THAN STAFFORD ......... HE'S A HELL OF QB .
Posted by: ALoco | August 27, 2011 at 09:38 PM
LIONS 27 PATS 10! LOL...
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2011 at 09:38 PM
TB color man says "unless someone DRAWED Taylor offsides."
Posted by: IMAWriter | August 27, 2011 at 09:39 PM
There are more flags here than at the United Nations!
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 09:39 PM
that wasnt taylors fualt...the buc was on him(no pun)
Posted by: superPHIN | August 27, 2011 at 09:39 PM
Elf,
Taylor is a punk for coming to the defense of his teammate?
I dont think so.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 09:39 PM
Jim in NYC and everyone else...ENOUGH WITH THE TE COVERAGE BASHING...PROBLEM WITH LAST PLAY WAS SCHEMING. WE HAVE 2 ILB'S WHO CAN COVER TE'S. IT HAS NOT BEEN A PROBLEM THIS PRE-SEASON. STILL SOMETHING TO WATCH WHEN REGULAR SEASON BEGINS, BUT TO SAY THERE IS A PROBLEM RIGHT NOW IS SEEING SOMETHING THAT ISN'T THERE!
Posted by: Dan | August 27, 2011 at 09:39 PM
Tony, if there is anything I can do please call me. I'll give you a special rate.
Posted by: Dr. Oline | August 27, 2011 at 09:40 PM
DB,
THE PATS NEVER SHOW THEIR HANDS IN THESE CRAPPY PRESEASON GAMES .......
Posted by: ALoco | August 27, 2011 at 09:40 PM