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.
Run by Bush, lose of 1. 3rd and 3 Phins.
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:39 PM
Good Catch Gates !!!!
.
.
Posted by: Cooz | August 27, 2011 at 08:40 PM
Gates with a good catch, 1st and 10 Phins,
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:40 PM
The Dolphins have run the ball four times tonight. All by Reggie Bush.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 27, 2011 at 08:40 PM
Anybody seen our running game?
Posted by: Zonka | August 27, 2011 at 08:40 PM
GATES!!!! HENNE!!
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 08:40 PM
Look on Bradys face was priceless on the last hit he took. He's pissed! Got the baby face going, you know that face he makes when things aren't going his way. That pathetic little boy frown that makes it look like he's going to cry. Love it.
Posted by: LouD | August 27, 2011 at 08:40 PM
Checck down to Bush for 11. 1st and 10 Phins
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:40 PM
Carey manhandled inside
Posted by: LouD | August 27, 2011 at 08:41 PM
False Start Miami on Carey. 1st and 15
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:41 PM
If you're gonna do
check-downs
why not do them with Reggie Bush!
.
.
Posted by: Cooz | August 27, 2011 at 08:41 PM
HENNE LOOKED ONE WAY THEN LOOKED A DIFFERENT WAY!!
Posted by: Jim in NYC | August 27, 2011 at 08:41 PM
Thomas runs for 1, 2nd and 14
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:42 PM
C'mon Thomas! Dang!
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 08:42 PM
Gates needs to hit the weight room.
Posted by: LouD | August 27, 2011 at 08:42 PM
ARMANDO.............
(( BUFFET OF KNOWLEDGE ))
Posted by: ALoco | August 27, 2011 at 08:42 PM
Announcer says 'good job going through the progression for Henne'.
Where are all the haters?
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 08:42 PM
Henne has looked steady but if they can`t get the run game going whch looks IFFY with Long not anywere close to playing shape and the miscommunications in block asignments and loads of question marks at RB it will be more of the same when the Reg. Season rolls around. Last year our ineffective run game took it`s toll and I`m less sold on this years group, barring Bush can play between the Tackles for a hole season.
Posted by: fin4life | August 27, 2011 at 08:42 PM
quick pass to Bess for 10, 3rd and 4 Phins
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:43 PM
Marshall mugged!!
Posted by: bobbyd12 | August 27, 2011 at 08:43 PM
O-line is having a tough time with Tampa's Line-Slants...
.
.
Posted by: Cooz | August 27, 2011 at 08:43 PM
Ugh... WHY is Vernon Carey STILL on this team? I sincerely wish they would have replaced him! Oh, where's Larry Johnson? Will he be on with the second team?
Posted by: Crazy Mando | August 27, 2011 at 08:43 PM
Pass Int Bucs, 1st and goal Phins
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:43 PM
Marshall picks up a PI on Myron Lewis.
Yes, Myron Lewis is a reserve cornerback.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 27, 2011 at 08:43 PM
Think longs stand in would make a better right tackle? That way Colombo can back them up...
Posted by: image1978 | August 27, 2011 at 08:44 PM
Long has started all 48 games in his 3 years here. Also a Pro Bowl player. Long will be ready to start the season
Posted by: bobbyd12 | August 27, 2011 at 08:44 PM
Thomas for 1, 2nd and goal.
Bush runs for a lose of 2
3rd and goal Phins
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:45 PM
Where was our Oline?
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 08:45 PM
O-line is REALLY having a tough time with Tampa's Line-slants..
.
.
Posted by: Cooz | August 27, 2011 at 08:45 PM
Mando, I did the numbers for you...phins have given up 14 catches for 82 yards to TE's so far this preseason...total passing yds = 462yds. TE's have not been a major prob so far. But still something to definitely watch for sure.
Posted by: Dan | August 27, 2011 at 08:45 PM
Jake Long will solidify left side of the line. But what about the right side?
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 27, 2011 at 08:46 PM
Isn't this why we have Polite and signed Jonson?
Posted by: bobbyd12 | August 27, 2011 at 08:46 PM
Cut Will Allen and use his money to sign O'Hara...
Posted by: Dan | August 27, 2011 at 08:46 PM
re-post from last blog
The thing that has me concerned is Columbo. Columbo at RT could be the undoing of the team this year and serve as the final nail in the coffin of Sparano.
Columbo is widely viewed as one of the worst RT's in the league and would not be starting for the majority of the teams.
If I recall correctly it was Columbo who wiffed on his blocking assignment that caused Romo to be injured and out the rest of the season, plus he is not a good run blocker either.
If Columbo does not play well and the Dolphins offensive line breaks down at his spot then I dont see how Sparano survives.
QB's, RB's and WR's without an offensive line able to block and protect are useless.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 08:46 PM
henne had a defender in his face on that PI play, nice placement under pressure.
Posted by: ncfinfan70 | August 27, 2011 at 08:46 PM
BRADY'S LOOKING FOR HIS OLINE TOO. RIGHT NOW HE FULLY UNDERSTANDS WHAT "GREEN SIDE UP" MEANS! LOL...
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2011 at 08:46 PM
Reggie Bush is a goal line runner? LOL! WHO are you kidding? WHO? WHO?
Posted by: Crazy Mando | August 27, 2011 at 08:46 PM
Henne audibles to pass and gets tackled. 4th and goal Phins
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:46 PM
the Offense is very Dynamic but something is missing with the Off. Line.
Posted by: tony in miami | August 27, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Love how they are just chucking the ball up to Marshall - catches & PI will happen often.
Posted by: BennyV | August 27, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Armandos right, just reporting the facts. Another fact is that every team deals with injuries and there's no excuses when you have to come in the game. You're on the team to make plays, make em.
Posted by: LouD | August 27, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Yeah, what about the right side?
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Field Goal coming.
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Bush isn`t going to make it to mid-season if they plan on giving him the ball at the goal line to pound!!!
Posted by: fin4life | August 27, 2011 at 08:48 PM
Bess was open. O well.
Posted by: Angry Elf | August 27, 2011 at 08:48 PM
Looks like big boy is shoving Pouncey around!
Posted by: Marc | August 27, 2011 at 08:48 PM
Not to worry Miami can spend another first round pick on the OLine
Posted by: image1978 | August 27, 2011 at 08:48 PM
Can't they be a little bit more creative than just trying to run the ball over the goal line?
A play fake would probably help....
Posted by: Boardwalk | August 27, 2011 at 08:48 PM
See, that 2nd down call had to be a keep and around the penetration up the middle by the QB.
Posted by: oscar canosa | August 27, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Henne has made some good passes this game.
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Hartline was 'Wide Open' in the corner of the end Zone....
But there was no time for Henne to make the throw...
.
.
Posted by: Cooz | August 27, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Bess wide open! But Oline collapsed, no time for Henne. He's played better than I've ever seen him under pressure!
Posted by: redsky | August 27, 2011 at 08:49 PM
3 points is better than forcing something that gets picked and kills the drive
Posted by: BennyV | August 27, 2011 at 08:49 PM
GIVE IT REST ALREADY. THE BUCS ARE ONE OF THE BETTER DEFENSES IN THE LEAGUE.
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Passing game is clicking. Glaring stat: -2 yds. rushing.
Brady's a wuss.....
Posted by: The real G | August 27, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Did not know that the Bucs D line was supposed to be so good.
Or is that the offensive line is that bad?
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Henne with his head down again. TD if he looks up and left corner.
Posted by: grfdolphin | August 27, 2011 at 08:49 PM
O-line what will make or break this year. Henne has plenty of weapons this year...can't really see how good our RBs are without an O-line. Left side will be strong. Right side is major question. Carey used to be dominant. What happened to him? Mando, do you believe Carey could be solid if moved back to RT? He seems a good step to step and a half slow at RG.
Posted by: Dan | August 27, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Hartline came open just after the pocket collapsed.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 27, 2011 at 08:50 PM
1st and 10 Bucs.
pass to Stocker for 9. 2nd and 1 Bucs
Posted by: Dark Matter Bomb | August 27, 2011 at 08:50 PM