Live blog of Dolphins versus Bucs

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.

Comments

[FartsyHurene]

OK this is the pre-test - Grade = c-
Dallas will be the mid-term
Patriots will be the final exam

These three games will tell the story of how the Dolphins will do this year.

My prediction, for what it's worth, based on what I have seen so far... 8 and 8 at best. Maybe I am being optimistic.

Oh. and as much as I am not a Henne lover, I think he is doing a heck of a lot better than I thought he would.

[Cooz]

How do you really feel DyingBreed....(..LOL)
.
.

[DyingBreed]

WHAT A BUNCH OF WIMP-A*SS WANNABE FIN FANS. GO BACK TO YOUR JET PUKE UNDERCOVER LAIRS! LOL...

[superPHIN]

Pray for no OVERTIME.....PLEASE!!!!!

[IMAWriter]

I wish I knew how to say why Columbo is with the Fins.

[finsfan72]

DB-

I usually enjoy respectful conversations with you, but you sound like an ASS tonight. Drinking a bit too much?

[IMAWriter]

haha, Robby.

[FB]

John Jerry is not an NFL caliber player. He should be cut immediately.

[DyinBuffoon]

Diabetes must be kicking in DB go take ur insulin alreay

Kay, thanks, Bye

[FartsyHurene]

Isn't Columbo the detective with the crooked eye? u know, the one who croaked

[cosmodo]

Hooray, streaming is back on.

Oh, c'mon...they be bufferin', I be hatin!

[troko]

dying breed comes here looking for followers because in his pinhole brain he thinks he is superior to all. he says he doesn't need respect yet he still needs to be here to feed his ego. he talks down to everybody but yet obviously needs their attention or why else would he be here blowing hot air all day? sad case of a bored lonely man.

[Ed]

On the positive side. The O-line was awful and the Dolphins are winning this game.

[cosmodo]

Guys, I think we crashed their server.

[superPHIN]

Defense actually hasnt been bad at all...just nothing as far as special tho......just physical!!!

[Oregon Dolphin fan]

If history is an indicator this was the last preseason game we will see the starters play significant time, in my understanding.

As the last game is typically used to evaluate bubble players.

[BobbleHead]

Stream is back up now for me.

[superPHIN]

if this was a dress rehearsal for our O-line starters....they might as well do one next week too....Yikes!!!!

[IMAWriter]

'breed, it's COULDN'T care 2 shi*s less.
I have to say, it's a little tiresome you constantly telling us how you call like you see 'em, as if we're all blind.

We love our Fins, but when there's a problem, it's just gonna be discussed.
So, I respectfully say maybe you should leave it.

Or allow us a bit of free speech.

[AzDolphan]

Back up here too

[oscar canosa]

What a boring Game. Who was the Genius that came up with kickoff from the 35 y/l?

[redsky]

Guys, what's up with the hating, c'mon man, enjoy the game, don't attack and let's talk constructive football!

[The real G]

Oscar, what O line would that be? They keep changing!

[Oregon Dolphin fan]

$17.50 buc nose bleed tickets for kids! $45 adult.

Do Dolphins ticket prices compare to that?

[CanesRUS]

Livas is really nothing special. Reggie Bush will likely handle those duties when it counts.

[IMAWriter]

AZ, same here for the last 30 minutes.
I've seen enough, actually.

[finsfan72]

Henne looks ready for the season opener. The OL?? I guess we'll see in a couple weeks.

[redsky]

Thomas is a better TE than RB!

[Angry Elf]

I'd take Marlon Moore over Gates. He gets separation and has good hands.

[DC3GURU]

The fact the o-line is suspect at best after 3-years (except for Long / and likely Pouncey) doesnt say much about the coach, whose area of expertise is supposed to be o-line.

The Phins will be big time players in the waiver wire sweep stakes, that is for sure!

[Oregon Dolphin fan]

I am not so tech savoy. What is buffering and why does it happen?

[FartsyHurene]

Livas is gonna liva in the practice squad,,maybe

[superPHIN]

we dont learn how to run the football by week 1...and henne will be on injured reserve by week 3!!!

[redsky]

Angry, I like them both! Gates might be another Welker, if developed right!!!

[Craig M]

To all the Pats lovers on this site, Albert Haynesworth still hasn't played in a preseason game this year. He's missed TWENTY straight days of practice. Your teams is also losing to the Lions 27-10 on the back of Tom Brady's 12-22, for 145 yards passing for 1 TD and 1 INT.

Yeah I know, tell us again how the Pats and Jets just keep on getting better while our front office sits on their hands. I also noticed that a lot of people's favourite QB, Ryan Mallett continues to work as the third-stringer. Yeah I know, 'how could the FO pass on this sure-fire guy'.....tell us more Pats lovers on this blog.

[Angry Elf]

Eleanor Grisby's gain negated by a penalty!

[moneyman13]

Az,
Watched the entire 1st half but the feed disappeared in the 2nd half completely except for commercials. Wonderful being a fin fan residing in Tampa.

[AzDolphan]

amen DC3... but In my opinion, we will not get any QUALITY unless we trade for someone. I say offer a DLineman!

[Oregon Dolphin fan]

I was hoping the Lions would break Brady tonight.

Oh well, leaves him for the Dolphins to do it.

[redsky]

Mando, what, we have 22 or so yds rushing?

[Angry Elf]

Patriots suck.

Jets suck.

As do all who have ever worn their insufferable colors.

Yeh, I'm a homer. Deal with it.

[Ed]

They had 2 quality RB's who struggled behind a bad o-line last year. So they let the two Rb's leave.

[superPHIN]

who gives a @hit about the wets or Patsies getting better or worse...this team isnt exactly getting that much better either so what does that say.....we're stuck in third place yet AGAIN!!!

[72perfectstill]

Mando
How is the fins brain trust going to address the O line issues

[DyingBreed]

IMNOTAWRITER,

TAKE YOUR B1TCHA*SS ON DOWN THE SORRY A*SS ROAD WHERE YOU LIVE. DO WHAT YOU DO BEST. BITE ANOTHER SELF DELIVERED HICKEY ON YOUR LITTLEST SMALLEST DICKEY! LOL...

[cosmodo]

I swore I heard a brick dropping out of Sparano's pants when he looked at the OLine.

[DC3GURU]

Lets see, the worst record in the NFL = A. Luck and likely a new head coach! It could be worse!!

[Realistically speaking]

Not many QB's taken in the second round are going to make to to 2nd string on the Pats after only 4 weeks. Maybe not any.

Haynesworth may never play a down, they took a chance without selling the farm. They have guts to take chances we don't. We could have had Santonio Holmes for a #6 pick, that is FREE, but they chickened out. Very poor. 2 weeks before the opener now and we still don't know who our #2 wr is.

Let the season begin, only then will we know who got better and who didn't. Our team does not look so great tonight.

[Oregon Dolphin fan]

Left foot out.

[Angry Elf]

Refs . . . wrong again.

[FartsyHurene]

maybe it was his stones

[finsfan72]

DB-

Dude, if this was a bar, the bouncers would be escorting you to the door.

[Tony Sparano]

guys don't worry next we have 5-7th round draft picks and were gonna use them all on OLINEMEN

[Oregon Dolphin fan]

DB-

Dude, if this was a bar, the bouncers would be escorting you to the door.

Posted by: finsfan72

LOL

[DyingBreed]

IMAWRITER,

I SERIOUSLY DOUBT YOU'RE A WRITER. I THINK YOU JUST ENJOY SHOVING CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS UP YOUR A*SS! LOL............

[IMAWriter]

'breed, you'll probably get on Mando's blog tomorrow swearing that someone was posting as YOU tonight.
Truthfully, no one would waste their time.

Homophobic insults are the droopy sword of a has been...or in your case a never was.
I'm really sorry to type stuff like this, but you have sunk lower than whale crap tonight.

Apologies to all for the OFF TOPIC.

[redsky]

What the EFF!!!

[DyingArrogance]

DyingBreed

Would you like to dance with Oregon? Maybe a walz? I think a little music and cheer and you will 'soften' up to him after you 'harden' up to him.

[Oregon Dolphin fan]

At least Tony lost all the weight. These guys put in 100 hour weeks and get paid very well for it

[Cooz]

Preseason means nothing...ITS A SCRIMMAGE WITH REFS!!!

Having said that...They looked 'sort of' ok tonight...but
HALF of the snaps were sloppy.

Maybe its because there was no off-season work
and a relative few practices.

I really can't tell whether they're actually better or not!!!!

Chad played ok tonight...but
We won't know ANYTHING until after the first three Regular season games
.
.