The good news? Browns starting RB Peyton Hillis is not playing for the Browns today. Starting RT Tony Pashos is also not playing today so backup tackle Artis Hicks is starting in his place.
So there's that.
The Dolphins have some injuries, as you know, so those players -- Vontae Davis, Roberto Wallace, Tony McDaniel -- are inactive. But there's the healthy scratch that raises eyebrows: Phillip Merling.
Merling, a second-round pick in 2008, will not play today even though he is healthy. So he's obviously not as good, in the coaching staff's eyes, as Igor Olshansky and Ryan Baker who are active ahead of him. Olshansky was signed four days ago.
Call it another instance of a player not playing up to the talent the team believed he would have.
I wrote about that on this blog yesterday. I wrote about it today in my column in The Herald. Bottom line?
I think the Dolphins will beat the Browns today. But I do not believe this win will change a whole lot about what we know of this team. The column explains why.
There is a live blog today. Go to the comments section below for the first quarter festivities.
WOW THAT QAS THE BEST PLAY YET!!
Posted by: dkm | September 25, 2011 at 01:18 PM
Okay, now that we have the lead let's see what Tony and Daboll do with it.
Posted by: Tony Suckrano | September 25, 2011 at 01:18 PM
Brian DABOLL. That's what I'm talking about MANDO! WHAT!!!
Posted by: DC Dolfan | September 25, 2011 at 01:18 PM
Ricky Williams would have slipped and fell down at the 3-yard line.
Posted by: Jay-Mo | September 25, 2011 at 01:18 PM
LOL! DB!!
Posted by: mike d | September 25, 2011 at 01:19 PM
Boy, what a screen pass execution! We do that consistently, Cleveland can forget it.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 01:19 PM
Thomas is the real deal.
Posted by: KBrad | September 25, 2011 at 01:19 PM
Daniel Thomas-what excellent set up + blocking-can we do it again and again?
Posted by: David | September 25, 2011 at 01:19 PM
I picked our D today for fantasy football!
Posted by: DKM | September 25, 2011 at 01:19 PM
How can we evaluate Henne if the line keeps letting everyone in? How,,, ahhh whatever this line sucks! On a good note Daniel Thomas looks explosive in his first two games. Guess he's not the bust people (ignorant fans) were saying he was after the preseason.
Posted by: jeff | September 25, 2011 at 01:19 PM
Jay, and Henne JUST avoided another batted ball. Everything had to be executed flawlessly, and they EXECUTED!!!
Posted by: DC Dolfan | September 25, 2011 at 01:19 PM
That was a great screen. Nice job by Henne letting the play develop and Thomas with the running.
Posted by: dbmfins | September 25, 2011 at 01:20 PM
Rookies looking good great red zone play.
Posted by: dj starface | September 25, 2011 at 01:20 PM
Hmmmm, that wasn't exactly what i had in mind. Don't worry, guys, next time we'll go for the field goal.
Posted by: Tony Fumblano | September 25, 2011 at 01:20 PM
How refreshing.That was very professional looking...innovation and execution. Holy Smokes!
Posted by: TAO | September 25, 2011 at 01:20 PM
Mando, that drive was Henne! Didi you notice the guy all over him on the td throw!
Posted by: mr407 | September 25, 2011 at 01:20 PM
I said it earlier, this game depends on HENNE!
Posted by: DC Dolfan | September 25, 2011 at 01:22 PM
This was one of the fins best draft in many years. Pouncey is a stud, Thomas is a stud, gates has already proved his worth blowing the top off defenses, Jimmy Wilson will be the nickel back soon. Hopefully clay gets to show something today.
I don't think Ireland or sporano should be fired. Give the time time to gell. They lost to two of the best teams in the NFL. Wait till they get used to the new offense.
Posted by: Jaison | September 25, 2011 at 01:23 PM
Did our D just cover a TE for an incompletion?
Posted by: The One | September 25, 2011 at 01:23 PM
Great play call on that TD. Even better is they cashed in off a TURNOVER!
Posted by: mike d | September 25, 2011 at 01:24 PM
Nolan Carroll blown coverage
Posted by: The One | September 25, 2011 at 01:24 PM
McCoy no sirve. El tipo es un dichavao.
Posted by: Hialeah Resident | September 25, 2011 at 01:24 PM
Reshad Jones, OUT OF COVERAGE again. Why's he right near Carrol?
Posted by: DC Dolfan | September 25, 2011 at 01:24 PM
Right away, you can see the superiority of Miami's personnel.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 01:24 PM
LOL, Cribb was WIDE open...do Nolan Carrol and our safeties speak the same language?
Posted by: Big I | September 25, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Carroll can't stay with anyone.
Posted by: KBrad | September 25, 2011 at 01:25 PM
WHY IS CRIBBS THAT WIDE OPEN! Brady would have just scored on us!
Posted by: dbmfins | September 25, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Wait Reggie Bush returning a punt... did this staff finally learn how to use him?
Posted by: The One | September 25, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Brady would of torch us on that play!!
Posted by: DKM | September 25, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Nolan Carroll is playing in this team because his mom is vice gob. in the state
Posted by: tony in miami | September 25, 2011 at 01:25 PM
let's go Offense!! No stopping now!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 01:25 PM
What was jones doing? Better get Clemons healthy soon. He and carrol are going to kill us!
Posted by: Jaison | September 25, 2011 at 01:25 PM
3 and out coming up, guys.
Posted by: Tony Fumblano | September 25, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Maybe when David talked about Miami having the best DB tandem in the league he was talking about Smith and Wilson....LOL.
Posted by: Craig M | September 25, 2011 at 01:26 PM
Yeah they will continue to look towards Carroll after he and Jones got beat by Cribbs.
Posted by: mike d | September 25, 2011 at 01:26 PM
DAVIS rather...
Posted by: Craig M | September 25, 2011 at 01:26 PM
Yeah I know she is the Lt. Gov. I am not proud to say I know the family...
Posted by: The One | September 25, 2011 at 01:27 PM
@The One-that was more jones than carrol. Jone had deep coverage but came forward.
Posted by: Jaison | September 25, 2011 at 01:27 PM
marshall coming wide open on the sideline there
Posted by: Big I | September 25, 2011 at 01:28 PM
Yep, that's our offense.
Posted by: Tony Fumblano | September 25, 2011 at 01:28 PM
Pouncy down fiel blocking for Bush. This guy is the real deal at center.
Posted by: dbmfins | September 25, 2011 at 01:29 PM
marshall is running open....
Posted by: mr407 | September 25, 2011 at 01:29 PM
I had thought Jones was out of position but he seemed pretty upset and went straight over to carroll heated about it so I figured it was probably more on Carroll... yeah your right jones should have been over the top
Posted by: The One | September 25, 2011 at 01:29 PM
Can we stop with the dumb penalties!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 01:30 PM
Link 1 (in HD) seems to be stuttering and seriously delayed compared to live action.
Posted by: Matt L | September 25, 2011 at 01:30 PM
Great now Carey is injured
Posted by: The One | September 25, 2011 at 01:30 PM
Thomas>Bush.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 01:31 PM
Carey doesn't want to play.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 01:32 PM
Matt L,
Switch to link 2 on front row. Its not stuttering like link 1. I switched to link 2 and its perfect!
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 01:32 PM
The season is over. Thanks for watching, guys.
Posted by: Tony Fumblano | September 25, 2011 at 01:32 PM
Anyone have a better link the the http://www.firstrowsports.tv one?
Posted by: Jeff F., Long Island, NY | September 25, 2011 at 01:32 PM
Jones is straight sorry. He has no idea what's going on. I cant believe he was really in competition with Clemons
Posted by: Ezdolfan | September 25, 2011 at 01:32 PM
Go for it
Posted by: 72perfectstill | September 25, 2011 at 01:33 PM
go for it!
Posted by: Big I | September 25, 2011 at 01:33 PM
link 2 doesnt have sound.
Posted by: Jeff F., Long Island, NY | September 25, 2011 at 01:34 PM
Don't worry guys, next time we'll punt.
Posted by: Eye-talian Tony | September 25, 2011 at 01:34 PM
Maybe clemons will start when he gets healthy... I am really liking what I am seeing from Daniel Thomas
Posted by: The One | September 25, 2011 at 01:34 PM
Lovely pitch and catch!
Posted by: DC Dolfan | September 25, 2011 at 01:34 PM
SWITCH TO LINK 2 ON FIRST ROW. ITS PERFECT!
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 01:34 PM
That's it Tony!!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 01:34 PM