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.
Took his eyes off! They got some room to punt!
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 08:18 PM
That was pretty interesting in that Fasano lined up in the backfield. Chipped the DE on Colombo's side and then released late.
Actually looked cool.
Just not usually going to net you 15 yards.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 27, 2011 at 08:18 PM
LOL Armando.
Check down to Fasano, Punt coming.
1st and 10 Bucs, flag on the play.
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:18 PM
BTW that was a great video. We need more of that please.
Posted by: grfdolphin | August 27, 2011 at 08:18 PM
correction, there is no flag on the plat.
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:19 PM
They drive should of never been stalled.
Posted by: NJ-DolFIN FAN | August 27, 2011 at 08:19 PM
Talib's Football career is over...isn't it??
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(Some kind of legal issue...)
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Posted by: Cooz | August 27, 2011 at 08:19 PM
So much for that JUGS machine video.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 27, 2011 at 08:17 PM
=========================================
Reggie ain't going out on some stretcher.
Posted by: Los Lobos | August 27, 2011 at 08:19 PM
still on Bush to catch that screen, it wasn't that hard to catch. Anyone notice on that 3rd and long how Fasano got a better block on the edge rusher than Columbo?
Posted by: Dan | August 27, 2011 at 08:20 PM
This is a battle. STOP F U C K I N G CRYING AND FIGHT!!!
Posted by: PriceMaster | August 27, 2011 at 08:20 PM
Penalties are costing us, henne's protection sucks=Columbo!
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 08:20 PM
BMARSH, Sparano has mentioned how much he loves Polite and how hard it is to find a FB that is worth keeping.
My guess, only a guess, is he wants him on the team.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 27, 2011 at 08:20 PM
mando, should we have expected daniel thomas in the game yet? is that much in the dog house?
Posted by: tony from hialeah | August 27, 2011 at 08:20 PM
Big pass play for the Bucs, 52 yds. Once again, Sean Smith misses the tackle.
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:20 PM
BRADY JUST BIT THE TURF AND FUMBLED. LIONS UP 3-0 AND GIVING THE PATS AND BRADY ALL THEY CAN HANDLE THUS FAR.
THE NFL'S SUPER TEAM NOT LOOKING SO SUPER AS OF YET! LOL...
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2011 at 08:20 PM
Well I see we ain't playing Carolina tonight.
Posted by: Typical Henne Fan | August 27, 2011 at 08:20 PM
zone defense do not work this time
Posted by: tony in miami | August 27, 2011 at 08:20 PM
Wow! Sean Smith two mistakes on one play!
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Cut Smith. He simply cannot or WILL NOT TACKLE!!!
Posted by: Angry Elf | August 27, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Good pass from Freeman, gain of 10. End of the Qt.
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:21 PM
DEF needs to step up now!!!!
Posted by: NJ-DolFIN FAN | August 27, 2011 at 08:21 PM
did hennings make that call by remote?
Posted by: ncfinfan70 | August 27, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Is it my imagination or can NOBODY catch Henne's passes?
Posted by: Typical Henne Fan | August 27, 2011 at 08:22 PM
SEAN SMITH S_U_CK_S!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Marc | August 27, 2011 at 08:22 PM
PriceMaster...
Did you stay with the team at the Hyatt last night?
Posted by: Fake Aloco | August 27, 2011 at 08:23 PM
Sean Smith needs to tackle first, try to punch ball out second.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 27, 2011 at 08:23 PM
blount is a baller
Posted by: nick | August 27, 2011 at 08:23 PM
What was Vontae saying about Sean Smith this week? He looked really bad there
Posted by: 72perfectstill | August 27, 2011 at 08:23 PM
Nobody on our offense has good hands. Problem maybe?
Posted by: Typical Henne Fan | August 27, 2011 at 08:23 PM
2nd down Bucs
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:23 PM
Oline solution...cut Columbo, return Carey to RT, and sign O'Hara
Posted by: Dan | August 27, 2011 at 08:24 PM
Vontae better find a different partner if he's going to claim they're the best tandem in the league.
Posted by: LouD | August 27, 2011 at 08:24 PM
pass for 7 yds, 1st and 10 Bucs
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:24 PM
I'd rather see Will (Can't catch an INT) Allen any day over SEAN (Can't tackle OR catch an INT) SMITH!
Posted by: Marc | August 27, 2011 at 08:24 PM
DyingBreed, still out there? You've gone quiet.
Posted by: Mrs. Henne | August 27, 2011 at 08:24 PM
No gain, 2nd and 10 Bucs.
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:25 PM
nice tackle by McDanields
Posted by: tony in miami | August 27, 2011 at 08:25 PM
incompletge pass, good pressure from Wake. 3rd and 10 Bucs.
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:25 PM
Wake and JT pressure!
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 08:26 PM
Mando, can we not switch blogs with every quarter this year during the regular season?
Posted by: grfdolphin | August 27, 2011 at 08:26 PM
pass complete but short of the 1st. 4th and 3 Bucs, Field Goal coming
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:26 PM
I see W Allen is out there, lOL
Posted by: Marc | August 27, 2011 at 08:27 PM
how many ck. down Frieman has made, is no only Henne
Posted by: tony in miami | August 27, 2011 at 08:27 PM
SUCKS WATCHING LINKS. ALWAYS ONE PLAY BEHIND ):
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2011 at 08:27 PM
Better flow this way and less confusing.
Posted by: grfdolphin | August 27, 2011 at 08:27 PM
Kick is good, Maimi 7 - Bucs 3. Kick off coming.
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:27 PM
Why are their people in here rooting against Henne? Seems if you were a fan you would want him to do well? Weird.
Posted by: LouD | August 27, 2011 at 08:27 PM
Well, Dolphins D stiffened. Got better in red zone. Good sign.
TE problem starting to concern.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 27, 2011 at 08:27 PM
Freeman checking down until Miami shows they know how to tackle...
Posted by: Dan | August 27, 2011 at 08:28 PM
Important upcoming series for the Offense...
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L E T'S
G O
O-L I N E !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by: Cooz | August 27, 2011 at 08:28 PM
Fan of the Dolphins that is. Why throw it 5 yards when you need more, stupid play by Bucs and Freeman
Posted by: LouD | August 27, 2011 at 08:29 PM
Good point, Marc. Smith has never really shown us anything.
Posted by: Angry Elf | August 27, 2011 at 08:29 PM
Carey and the O line are getting whupped bad.S.Smith looks sorry on defense.Fins looking shaky overall.Need to settle down.Hopefully the lines will improve their play.Cameron Wake one of a few playing hard though.K Burnett stopped k. Winslow from gaining a first down and keeping Tampa to only 3 points.He shows up every game.Good acquisition it seems.
Posted by: jo jp | August 27, 2011 at 08:29 PM
WAY TO BEND AND NOT BREAK D! REMINDS OF THE NO-NAME D! :)
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2011 at 08:29 PM
Armando, there were a couple of passes that were missed, Bucs had a good chance to score 7, but the D did get better.
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:29 PM
TE + RT r the problems
Posted by: tony in miami | August 27, 2011 at 08:29 PM
Good D outside of the big gain. Go Fins lets see the offense without the flags
Posted by: Mr. Marcus13 | August 27, 2011 at 08:29 PM
O line is concerning, i think that rt is the missing piece
Posted by: nick | August 27, 2011 at 08:29 PM
Lay off sean would ya
Posted by: jeff | August 27, 2011 at 08:30 PM
LIONS 10 PATS 0 7 MNUTES INTO 1ST QTR.! LOL..............................
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2011 at 08:30 PM