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.
Moore time??!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | August 27, 2011 at 09:41 PM
"bummer", Henne's play is not our problem.
Posted by: IMAWriter | August 27, 2011 at 09:41 PM
Dan,
unless you have not been watching, covering TE's has been a major problem for the last several years.
It remains a problem until they can show otherwise.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 09:42 PM
Yeh, you're right. Taylor was defensing his bro. I guess he feels he has to prove his loyalty after his treason going to the HATED JETS.
Posted by: Angry Elf | August 27, 2011 at 09:42 PM
ALOCO, thank you for welcoming to that esteemed group of us with IQ's over 10, and drool cups in place!!!
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 09:42 PM
penalties...penalties....PENALTIES....HOW many More!!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | August 27, 2011 at 09:43 PM
IMAWriter,
Some people just have tunnel vision. Haters will hate.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 09:43 PM
Aloco
Please remember to add LOL to the end of your posts when talking to DB.
Thank You.
Posted by: Blog Police | August 27, 2011 at 09:43 PM
Somebody needs to talk to these officials, ridiculous
Posted by: bobbyd12 | August 27, 2011 at 09:43 PM
Oregon is correct here. We had looked better before tonight. I just think, as was said the D is having a bad play-calling day.
If Moore gets us a TD, it shouldn't change the fact that Henne held his own tonight. It's the penalties that have killed us both sides of the ball.
ah ha, another one.
Posted by: IMAWriter | August 27, 2011 at 09:44 PM
I love our ole offensive line
Posted by: jlwesq | August 27, 2011 at 09:44 PM
I dont think JT has to prove anything to anyone.
Probably a 1st ballot hall of fame'r.
He has always played that way.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 09:44 PM
JT did the right thing, in my opinion!
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 09:44 PM
wow, team getting sloppier and sloppier. Perhaps they should just end the game now and head out the door. Either that or they need to get their heads surgically removed from their butts.
Posted by: Dan | August 27, 2011 at 09:44 PM
just get henne out of the game already......GEEZ!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | August 27, 2011 at 09:45 PM
And another...penalty...that is NOT Henne's fault.
It's the Murtha effect.
Posted by: IMAWriter | August 27, 2011 at 09:45 PM
Mando what's up with the O line?
Posted by: 72perfectstill | August 27, 2011 at 09:45 PM
The OL will be better when Long returns, but that right side is a mess.
Posted by: finsfan72 | August 27, 2011 at 09:45 PM
Let Henne be done for the night, lest he lose his confidence. That O line is atrocious.
Posted by: Angry Elf | August 27, 2011 at 09:45 PM
This getting embarassing. The offense can't move against backups
Posted by: BennyV | August 27, 2011 at 09:46 PM
Missing
Miami Dolphins Oline. If anyone has any information regarding its whereabouts, please contact us immediately.
Posted by: Lost and Found | August 27, 2011 at 09:46 PM
Maybe if the Oline puts some hair around the hole Thomas can find it!!!
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 09:46 PM
IMA,
the buffering still every 10 sec for you too?
Dam thats annoying.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 09:46 PM
No blocking when they are not being penalyzed!
Posted by: AzDolphan | August 27, 2011 at 09:46 PM
Get Shaun O'Hara NOW!
Posted by: finsfan72 | August 27, 2011 at 09:46 PM
Mando is like the OL. He is missing in action
Posted by: jlwesq | August 27, 2011 at 09:47 PM
I do not see the need to keep Henne out there. For what? So he can realize exactly how little time the OL is going to give him? To expose him to an injury? To get him hit a couple of times?
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 27, 2011 at 09:47 PM
1st team offense needs to come back out. They need to leave on a high note. Doesn't matter who the Buc's have out there. Miami O-Line looks horrible.
Posted by: BennyV | August 27, 2011 at 09:47 PM
Dan, it's called Cranial Rectal Inversion!!!!
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 09:48 PM
Does anyone know if J Long's injury really is from the pre-season last year?
That's a story for you Armando, If you can break it.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 09:48 PM
yeah, but it's better than nothing. Shouldn't complain.
Posted by: IMAWriter | August 27, 2011 at 09:48 PM
Backup D are in
Posted by: jlwesq | August 27, 2011 at 09:48 PM
ARMANDO .... BUFFET OF KNOWLEDGE ................
Posted by: ALoco | August 27, 2011 at 09:48 PM
Is this o-line coach we have worth a damn? O-line has gotten worse and worse with this clown!
Posted by: CanesRUS | August 27, 2011 at 09:48 PM
Oregon- my buffering is lousy too.
Posted by: AzDolphan | August 27, 2011 at 09:48 PM
NEWS FLASH:
BUCS HAVE A GOOD DEFENSE. THINK SOME OF YOU TAKING THE FLUKE DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE AGAINST NEW ENGLAND AS HIGHLY EXAGGERATED NEWS OF THIER DEMISE.
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2011 at 09:48 PM
We are averaging 0.7 yard per rush.
Posted by: Lost and Found | August 27, 2011 at 09:48 PM
put in Larry Johnson.....oops penalty
Posted by: jeff | August 27, 2011 at 09:49 PM
Hats off to Henne tonight. He played well considering the lack of support.
Posted by: Angry Elf | August 27, 2011 at 09:49 PM
we are averaging 5.5 yards in penalties per play!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | August 27, 2011 at 09:49 PM
Armando-
What do you think the OL needs, besides Long back in the lineup?
Posted by: finsfan72 | August 27, 2011 at 09:49 PM
mando usually writes his column about now.
Posted by: IMAWriter | August 27, 2011 at 09:50 PM
O-line blows!!! Sign O'hara for guard and move Carey back to tackle. What exactly did Sparano mean when he said they knew what they were getting in Colombo?!?!
Posted by: fins4ever | August 27, 2011 at 09:50 PM
Should be an easy article to write OL sucks
Posted by: jlwesq | August 27, 2011 at 09:51 PM
Officials must be getting OVERTIME pay tonight!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | August 27, 2011 at 09:51 PM
Hats off to Henne tonight. He played well considering the lack of support.
Posted by: Angry Elf
IMO that has been the story of his whole career.
Played well not saying great, obviously.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 09:51 PM
That's called MULTI-TASKING...
Posted by: finsfan72 | August 27, 2011 at 09:51 PM
U do understand Ohara has been available for weeks and he is still unemployed
Posted by: jlwesq | August 27, 2011 at 09:52 PM
The bell tolls for Livas.
Posted by: Angry Elf | August 27, 2011 at 09:52 PM
I agree. We know what we have with Henne. Play Moore.
Posted by: grfdolphin | August 27, 2011 at 09:53 PM
wow....QB issues???...are we gonna have any qbs left after tonight???
Posted by: superPHIN | August 27, 2011 at 09:53 PM
buffering every second now.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 09:53 PM
ALoco-
The Buffet of Knowledge leaves me still hungry!
Posted by: finsfan72 | August 27, 2011 at 09:53 PM
Not worried about the penalties. More about how Tampa's defence manhandled our O-line.
Posted by: oscar canosa | August 27, 2011 at 09:54 PM
Oregon, Henne did play great tonight, didn't he?
Posted by: Dan | August 27, 2011 at 09:54 PM
finsfan72:
What do you think the OL needs, besides Long back in the lineup?
Very Simple----GOD----
Posted by: tony in Miami | August 27, 2011 at 09:54 PM
Oh, you mean Sparano the OL GURU!?
Posted by: AzDolphan | August 27, 2011 at 09:54 PM
14 rushes for 10 yards.
Posted by: UnWow | August 27, 2011 at 09:54 PM
Thought Gates had a groin injury... If not him, then who are Dolphins hoping will be ready for opener?
Posted by: robbyhernz | August 27, 2011 at 09:54 PM
Mastrud will be unemployed come monday
Posted by: jlwesq | August 27, 2011 at 09:54 PM