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.
Henne looked really GOOD tonight- two weeks in a row, now...WOW!
Posted by: finsfan72 | August 27, 2011 at 09:55 PM
Wow Manning looks about 60 years old on that Wheaties box
Posted by: BennyV | August 27, 2011 at 09:55 PM
ALOCO, Mando can sit at the head of the table! Underachieving game, I'm glad Henne didn't seem to be the problem! Wow, he had a free pass to sack Moore!
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 09:55 PM
The devastation that Tuna left behind is irene like porportions.. Thanks Parcells...
Posted by: perro | August 27, 2011 at 09:55 PM
He was good. It is the toughest position in all of sport.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 09:55 PM
ONE STARTER(INCOGNITO) FROM 2010 STARTING HIS ORIGINAL POSITION ON THE OLINE AND YOU GIRLS LOSING THE COMFORT FIT OF YOUR TAMPONS ALREADY! LOL...
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2011 at 09:56 PM
another sack.....do we need to just play moore at the punter position so we can have a chance at getting a pass off....
Posted by: superPHIN | August 27, 2011 at 09:56 PM
c'mon LJ be like your '06 self
Posted by: Jim in NYC | August 27, 2011 at 09:56 PM
I'm glad Jimmy Wilson's outta of the pokie!! The kid's a baller!!!!
Posted by: robbyhernz | August 27, 2011 at 09:57 PM
What the offensive line needs is for Ireland to have used the Odrich and thoamas picks on offensive linemen.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 09:57 PM
to many penalties in this game, looks like a dog fight.....Ups.... sorry Mr. Vick.
Posted by: tony in Miami | August 27, 2011 at 09:58 PM
Tony in MIA-
Not sure GOD could help them tonight...
Posted by: finsfan72 | August 27, 2011 at 09:59 PM
where can i find the game online for free
Posted by: Ryan | August 27, 2011 at 09:59 PM
Duuuhhhhhhhhhh I think I'm an idiot' I am an IDIOT....... well maybe I just another year to get this OLINE fixed. I WONDER WHO WILL BE A FREE AGENT NEXT FOR DALLAS
Posted by: Tony Sparano | August 27, 2011 at 09:59 PM
Dyingbreed, there are HUGE warning signs on the OL.
Carey hasn't played guard in years and there are many concerns as to whether he has the speed to do it. Tonight he's been a step slow on more than one occasion. He doesn't look like he's transitioning well, and there isn't much more time to fix it.
Columbo was ranked as one of the worst RTs in the NFL in pass protection last year. He has been exactly that this pre-season. He's done NOTHING to inspire any confidence. COLUMBO IS NOT A STARTING TACKLE ANYMORE.
Miami has to hope that Murtha can slide into RT when Long returns or that Carey can move back to his old position and O'Hara is an upgrade at RG.
Posted by: Dan | August 27, 2011 at 09:59 PM
This won't reach the headlines. But Fields is having a great evening. 5 punts with 55 yds avg
Posted by: Uri Blumenfeld | August 27, 2011 at 09:59 PM
firstrowsports but the buffering is very bad.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 09:59 PM
Amen Oregon! But we will pick a Linebacker or DB in the draft....
Posted by: AzDolphan | August 27, 2011 at 10:00 PM
This is easily the ugliest, most boring game I have seen us play. Preseason or not...
Posted by: FB | August 27, 2011 at 10:00 PM
Very good way to sell tickets, Denver is coming to town, Gator Fans!. Also, a suite for Kids, they screamed after the first drive, let's see, what else is new?
Posted by: oscar canosa | August 27, 2011 at 10:00 PM
BELIEVE IT OR NOT GIRLS:
WITH ONLY ONE OLINEMAN PLAYING HIS ORIGINAL 2010 POSITION GOOD D-LINES WILL MAKE THEM LOOK SUSPECT.
ONCE LONG RETURNS AND THE STARTING UNIT HAS TIME TO BUILD COHESION THINGS WILL GET BETTER. SO GET YOUR PINK PANTIES OUT OF A BUNCH. YOUR DARK EYELINER'S FORMING A 2ND MUSTACHE FROM YOUR B!TCHY B!TCHA8SS CRYING! LOL...
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2011 at 10:01 PM
henne has the curse.he doesn't even look smooth dumping off to Bush. of course this is their main play.
Posted by: the | August 27, 2011 at 10:01 PM
DB-
How can you NOT be concerned about the OL the way they played tonight?
Posted by: finsfan72 | August 27, 2011 at 10:01 PM
FB,
you mean not counting every game over the last two years? At least the Dolphins had a long TD pass. Most of the games over the last two years did not include that.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 10:02 PM
Ahhh...someone's been listing to Mike Dee on the Radio cast....!
.
.
Posted by: Cooz | August 27, 2011 at 10:02 PM
wow my link is dead other than adverts and a "This is no Joke, You are the 100,000th visitor."
Yeah, and pigs will fly.
Posted by: IMAWriter | August 27, 2011 at 10:02 PM
did streaming stop for everyone else too?
Posted by: AzDolphan | August 27, 2011 at 10:02 PM
finally henne plays well and the rest of the team lays a stink bomb. we will be starting over next year, new fo, another two years of rebuild. jake long will be 48 before we have an offense another dc needs to prepare for.
Posted by: dream on | August 27, 2011 at 10:02 PM
what's happening...sorry to bother...
Posted by: IMAWriter | August 27, 2011 at 10:03 PM
just need to clone Long.....thats the solution!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | August 27, 2011 at 10:03 PM
Columbo is not good. Forget cohesion
Posted by: Ed | August 27, 2011 at 10:03 PM
We will go nowhere with the OL playing like this.
Posted by: fsdabus | August 27, 2011 at 10:03 PM
We are better with Clemmons back there than with Jones.
Posted by: oscar canosa | August 27, 2011 at 10:04 PM
Dyingbreed,
what makes you think that time will magically make Columbo NOT suck? And to think that Carey can just slide inside and succeed isn't a lock. Remember, this is the same guy who was almost cut and looked horrible at RT last year.
Nothing to do with pre-season. ALL TO DO WITH TALENT. And Miami's right side of the line DOESN'T HAVE IT.
Posted by: Dan | August 27, 2011 at 10:04 PM
DB,
in what world do you imagine that anyone will respect or give a sh*t about what you have to say when you post like that?
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 10:05 PM
thank you Bill without you I wouldn't be were I am today. I can't believe it, I must be dreaming...............
Posted by: Tony Sparano | August 27, 2011 at 10:05 PM
DOLFANS HAVE HISTORY OF BLOWING THINGS FAR OUT OF PROPORTION. WHAT DO WE HAVE LEFT WHEN NOTHING TO B!TCH ABOUT?
WHEN THE PENCIL HITS YOUR TOE YOU SCREAM MANHOLE COVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL...
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2011 at 10:05 PM
Writer, u missed a 3rd qtr about as exciting as seeing Hillary Clinton run naked through a corn field..
Posted by: robbyhernz | August 27, 2011 at 10:05 PM
hopefully we can get one first down on this one....
Posted by: superPHIN | August 27, 2011 at 10:05 PM
this has been one seriously boring game. i'm going to watch my laundry dry now.
Posted by: dream on | August 27, 2011 at 10:05 PM
Yeah, the feed is done apparently.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 10:06 PM
finsfan72:
don't worry about tonight, worry when season begin...because if the Oline is no fixed by that time, which I doubt it, is going to be a long journey for us the fans.
Posted by: tony in Miami | August 27, 2011 at 10:06 PM
Long has been practicing with the starters all week. I do hope they come together, but Columbo has looked horrible since he got here, and now Carey's seems to be faltering, too.
THE SKY IS FALLING! LOL
Posted by: finsfan72 | August 27, 2011 at 10:07 PM
Columbo stopped Moore on sideline and it was the first person he stopped all night
Posted by: jlwesq | August 27, 2011 at 10:08 PM
Moore or Walace? What a predicament...
Posted by: robbyhernz | August 27, 2011 at 10:08 PM
Moore to Moore AGAIN!
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 10:08 PM
DB, you've yet to give any evidence as to why the right side of the O-line is just fine? Still waiting...
Posted by: Dan | August 27, 2011 at 10:08 PM
ODF,
IM NOT HERE FOR RESPECT. I TELL IT LIKE IT IS. NO ONE HERE HAS TO LIKE, I REALLY DONT CARE. MANY HERE B!TCH FOR THE SAKE OF B!TCHING. wHO CARE WHAT DUMBASS FANS THINK.
I POST IT AS I SEE IT. SO LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT. I COULD CARE 2 SH!TS LESS.
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2011 at 10:09 PM
5 sacks.......HMMMMMMM:(
Posted by: superPHIN | August 27, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Bye bye John jerry
Posted by: jlwesq | August 27, 2011 at 10:10 PM
DB -Go finish blowing your boyfriend cuz we there are knowledgable Finfans here talking like big boys. Go back to the kids table...
Posted by: AzDolphan | August 27, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Marlon is going to be hard to cut.
Posted by: oscar canosa | August 27, 2011 at 10:10 PM
DB,
my choice to to leave it. Back to ignoring your comments.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 10:10 PM
FIST PUMPER!!!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | August 27, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Jerry, what's with that! Carpenter please win the game for us!
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 10:11 PM
DAN,
YOU'RE SMART, FIGURE IT OUT WHENEVER YOU FIND TIME TO STOP THE B!TCHA*SS CRYIN!
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2011 at 10:11 PM
No sacks by our vaunted D line. Should we be concerned?
Posted by: Angry Elf | August 27, 2011 at 10:11 PM
It usually takes 2 years for an O-line to gel.
Posted by: oscar canosa | August 27, 2011 at 10:11 PM
Can anyone see the game online? It only shows commercials for me...
Posted by: AzDolphan | August 27, 2011 at 10:11 PM
Dont worry
He'll change his tune by week 1.
Posted by: DyingBufoon | August 27, 2011 at 10:12 PM