Preseason football in South Florida: The constant threat of rain -- it's already showed. The humidity. The baseball infield.
Awesome!
Let's hang! There will be a live blog of the Dolphins' 2011 preseason home debut right here starting at 7:30. I'll come back in a little while and tell you which players -- other than Jake Long -- will not play tonight. I'll be interested to see whether/how long Will Allen plays tonight after missing most of the past 21 months with various injuries.
[Update: The Dolphins are announcing Jared Odrick replaces Randy Starks in the starting lineup tonight. Allen will not play. LB Austin Spitler, G Garrett Chisolm, T Ray Willis, OL Joe Berger, T Jake Long and TE Mickey Shuler are also scratched.]
Things to look for tonight -- other than Chad Henne's performance of course?
Dolphins linebackers versus Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey. The Dolphins are going to face very good tight end play in the regular season opener against New England. They have a history of struggling against tight ends in the past. Let's see how Karlos Dansby, Kevin Burnett, and to some degree strong safety Yeremiah Bell fare tonight.
I want to see if Phillip Livas, who opened eyes last week with a 75-yard punt return, can show some consistency or if that was one-time luck. I'm not saying Livas needs to take another one to the house. I am saying he needs to show wiggle, ability to make the first guy miss consistently, and then acceleration past the second tackler. Blocking is supposed to take care of the rest.
I want to see if Matt Moore can show the spark again this week that he showed against Atlanta.
I want to see progress from center Mike Pouncey individually and then some clue that the offensive line is coming together as a group.
I want to see Anthony Fasano catch the ball rather than have the ball boink off his hands.
I want to see the front seven on defense stop the run, something they struggled to do last week at Atlanta.
And, obviously, I want to see a win. There is no substitute for victory.
just imagine what a STUD TE who can stretch the field; would do to team...
Posted by: Snake Pliskin | August 19, 2011 at 08:08 PM
Why do they insist on running four times in a row when we have Marshall and Bess? We seriously can't get Marshall open at the end line on a crossing route? The guy is taller than anyone they have!
Posted by: LouD | August 19, 2011 at 08:08 PM
One thing is for sure Daniel Thomas will run the play to the hole it was designed to go through even if there is nothing there, this Rook aint ready to carry any load, we need to bring in a vet to pair with Bush.
Posted by: fin4life | August 19, 2011 at 08:08 PM
YES!!! NICE TD.
FORGET THE FG'S!!
KEEP PUSHING!!
LETS GO DEF!!!
Posted by: NJ-DolFIN FAN | August 19, 2011 at 08:08 PM
Henne still needs to learn how to complete a pass past the 10 yard line. Newton already has two.
Posted by: bobbyd12 | August 19, 2011 at 08:09 PM
Carolina sucked last year and were able to pick up three tight ends and we couldn't get one?
Posted by: LouD | August 19, 2011 at 08:09 PM
looking alot better tonite. some fans will never be happy
Posted by: g | August 19, 2011 at 08:09 PM
I love BUSH, the player too! Hilliard did well! Murtha, penalties hurt!
Posted by: redsky | August 19, 2011 at 08:09 PM
I'm not a Henne hater, I just don't think he is consistent enough. Why would I be upset? Henne didn't do very much, just more short passes, notice what he did on the only deep pass.
Posted by: Shepherd Book | August 19, 2011 at 08:10 PM
the check down is something else when you Bush is getting the dump. Nobody is complaining about that today!!!
Posted by: gaby | August 19, 2011 at 08:10 PM
Am I mistaken, or are all the completions still checkdowns?
Posted by: Zango | August 19, 2011 at 08:10 PM
Your right snake.
Henne needs more than one short pass dump of go to man...
Posted by: PoWhitetrash | August 19, 2011 at 08:11 PM
Gaby is rite in that the checkdown to Ricky or Ronnie was a plodding 5 yard gain. The checkdown to this guy is a legit weapon.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 19, 2011 at 08:11 PM
Yeah he didn't hit the receiver, it happens.
Posted by: LouD | August 19, 2011 at 08:11 PM
No doubt we need to get Marshall more involved in the enzone plays but I think TS was just trying to be more physical and wants to punish the DL of the panthers!!
Posted by: ray | August 19, 2011 at 08:11 PM
Fin4, Thomas will learn from Bush, and Hilliard!
Posted by: redsky | August 19, 2011 at 08:12 PM
Have fun imposter!!! Henne dont need to do anything if he keeps throwing them slants !! LMAO!!! keep impostering, you look like the hating retard you are! Hahahhahah
Posted by: bobbyd12 | August 19, 2011 at 08:12 PM
Have you guys looked at most of Sanchez's passes? Short plays and good YAC. Stop the complaining.
Posted by: CanesRUS | August 19, 2011 at 08:12 PM
Wow, even on long sustained drives, people still have to complain about Henne. Unbelievable.
Posted by: Magic | August 19, 2011 at 08:12 PM
cam newton looks as good as henne 1 month in the league vs 3 years geez
Posted by: jk | August 19, 2011 at 08:12 PM
To all the Rashad Jones lovers out there he got beat and caught out of position twice by the TE
Posted by: fin4life | August 19, 2011 at 08:13 PM
We are beating the worst team in football in the preseason! I am STOKED!
Posted by: bobbdy12 | August 19, 2011 at 08:13 PM
Other than the horrible overthrow to Hartline, Henne has been solid and has even realized that legs were made for running too. Solid C+ so far....
Posted by: Seminole Sam | August 19, 2011 at 08:13 PM
JT!
Hope he washed the Jet stink off...
Posted by: PoWhitetrash | August 19, 2011 at 08:14 PM
Marshall and Bush look good...That's positive
Posted by: Marc | August 19, 2011 at 08:14 PM
Have the Panthers sniffed the end zone yet? Newton hasn't done a thing yet except throw to much better TEs than what we got. Wish we had Olsen.
Posted by: CanesRUS | August 19, 2011 at 08:14 PM
ALL YOU IDIOT HENNE HATERS, JUST SHUT-UP PLEASE!!
THEY HAVE A NICE DRIVE, AND ALL YOU CAN DO IS KNIT PICK!!
Posted by: NJ-DolFIN FAN | August 19, 2011 at 08:14 PM
Asked twitter followers what celebration should Sparano use to replace the fist pump.
Best suggestion so far: the sprinkler.
Also good: Ace Ventura talking butt cheeks.
Any more?
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 19, 2011 at 08:14 PM
Why are some of you using "checkdown" as a bad word? That's what a qb is supposed to do when the WRs are covered.I'm on the fence about Henne but you haters AND lovers crack me up. If he looks down the field the haters say he's locked on to one guy but when he goes through his progressions you complain that he checked down. Too funny.
Posted by: LouD | August 19, 2011 at 08:14 PM
LOL @ B12!
Posted by: PoWhitetrash | August 19, 2011 at 08:15 PM
I liked the fact that Henne ran the ball when needed. I prefer mobile QBs, but I think better of QBs who do whatever it takes to keep the drive going and Henne did that.
Posted by: Shepherd Book | August 19, 2011 at 08:15 PM
C+
Posted by: Seminole Sam | August 19, 2011 at 08:16 PM
It's one thing to impersonate someone but when you start talking about oral sex it's a little over the line. Get a life
Posted by: LouD | August 19, 2011 at 08:16 PM
More more more vertical game and accuracy from Henne with the long ball!! This league is a long ball pass league
Posted by: ray | August 19, 2011 at 08:17 PM
Wonder how many more touches Bush will get in this preseason game???
Posted by: robbyhernz | August 19, 2011 at 08:17 PM
Of course Reggie Bush is having a huge game, Kim Kardashian is getting married this weekend. Just sayin'
Posted by: Jon | August 19, 2011 at 08:17 PM
LouD
The thing is, we need to see Henne make some passes beyond the 10 yard line. Checkdowns are find when you've proven you can go down field. Henne has not proven that yet.
Posted by: Zango | August 19, 2011 at 08:17 PM
Coach Sparano should shotgun a beer instead of doing the fistpump
Posted by: SoiledBottom | August 19, 2011 at 08:18 PM
Marshall, Marshall, Marshall-Bush-Bess
Posted by: David | August 19, 2011 at 08:18 PM
Again I say we need a true TE who can catch the ball 10-15 downfield.
Looking better but this is Carolina.
Murtha is no way a Long replacement.
Posted by: Moneyman13 | August 19, 2011 at 08:18 PM
Penalties suck!
Posted by: redsky | August 19, 2011 at 08:18 PM
Zango,
A good QB takes what the D gives him. Do you want him to force it downfield into coverage?
Posted by: CanesRUS | August 19, 2011 at 08:18 PM
wow, Do we really want to see Bush in the Pre Season planting in that infield dirt!!!!
Posted by: fin4life | August 19, 2011 at 08:18 PM
Get bush off the field!
We get it he is the man...
Posted by: PoWhitetrash | August 19, 2011 at 08:18 PM
LouD
Mando said the Miami fans arn't stupid so they must know what they are talking about.
Posted by: SullysPhins | August 19, 2011 at 08:19 PM
Right Fin4..
Get him out..
Seen enough..
Posted by: PoWhitetrash | August 19, 2011 at 08:20 PM
Bush is saving henna's job
Posted by: Frankie White | August 19, 2011 at 08:20 PM
Bush is playing well, penalties suck! Nice play Thomas!
Posted by: redsky | August 19, 2011 at 08:20 PM
Whatever, I'm no Henne backer and certainly no hater but I know when a QB is having a good game and Henne is playing well so far. Hope he can keep it up consistently
Posted by: LouD | August 19, 2011 at 08:20 PM
Brian Deboll nice calling, I like what he bring to the table so far
Posted by: tony in Miami | August 19, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Nice checkdown to hartline
Posted by: ltcdolphin | August 19, 2011 at 08:21 PM
CanesRUS
I want him to prove he can throw the long ball accurately. He is going against the Panthers. If he does this against the Pats they will crush us. You need to prove you have a deep threat or the D is going to figure out this short game.
Posted by: Zango | August 19, 2011 at 08:21 PM
O-Cord....
Not bad!
Posted by: PoWhitetrash | August 19, 2011 at 08:21 PM
for every TD the Dolphins score ...coach Sparano should shotgun a beer....he would still be able to drive home after the game and not get ulled over by the cops
Posted by: SoiledBottom | August 19, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Henne's short game has been solid (i.e., Bush and Marshall have been beasting). Let's see what he has deep.
Posted by: Seminole Sam | August 19, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Love the play calling right now.
Pouncy looks solid right now.
Posted by: NJ-DolFIN FAN | August 19, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Incognito playing big tonite
Posted by: bobbyd12 | August 19, 2011 at 08:21 PM
True test of Henne here!
Posted by: redsky | August 19, 2011 at 08:22 PM
Chad Pennington took us to the playoffs with nothing but short passes and it was ok then but now not so much. Or maybe blind hate.
Posted by: SullysPhins | August 19, 2011 at 08:22 PM
F**king end-around!!! GRRR Get rid of that crap!
Posted by: Ithaca Phin Fan | August 19, 2011 at 08:22 PM