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.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Posted by: Tom Brady | September 25, 2011 at 01:36 PM
Freaking Fumble by Bush on a good drive
Posted by: The One | September 25, 2011 at 01:36 PM
Yep, we suck.
Posted by: Tony Fumblano | September 25, 2011 at 01:36 PM
Thanks Reggie!!!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 01:36 PM
GEEEZ...
Posted by: Big I | September 25, 2011 at 01:36 PM
horrible, why have bush do that play?
Posted by: DC Dolfan | September 25, 2011 at 01:37 PM
Again a turnover in the redzone
Posted by: The One | September 25, 2011 at 01:37 PM
They need to keep Thomas in the game!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 01:37 PM
Sparano is king of statistics, so why can't he figure out that every time Bush runs inside its not a great play?
Posted by: dbmfins | September 25, 2011 at 01:38 PM
Stop running Reggie in the middle. He's not a inside runner
Posted by: DKM | September 25, 2011 at 01:39 PM
As typical as that was, Iam glad that wasn't DT.
Poor Reggie.Almost 3 games and it looks like he don't have it no mo.
Posted by: TAO | September 25, 2011 at 01:39 PM
Miss me yet?
Posted by: Ricky Williams | September 25, 2011 at 01:39 PM
yep thats our inside rusher.... good trade
Posted by: dslong4@mchsi.com | September 25, 2011 at 01:40 PM
LOOKING AT THE BRIGHT SIDE:
HENNE'S LOOKING FAR BETTER THAN COLT McCOY RIGHT NOW1
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 01:40 PM
LOOKING AT THE BRIGHT SIDE:
HENNE'S LOOKING FAR BETTER THAN COLT McCOY RIGHT NOW1
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 01:40 PM
That's not saying much.
Posted by: Tom Brady | September 25, 2011 at 01:41 PM
Is this Henne's first time ever making it through the 1st Quarter without calling a timeout?
TFK
Posted by: TFK | September 25, 2011 at 01:42 PM
Henne...throw the ball up to BM, he's been wide slap open many a time...Hayden can't cover him... Go deep punk!
Posted by: C63-AMG | September 25, 2011 at 01:42 PM
Reggie Bush is like a crappy toy that looks good so you keep playing with it. He should be in the slot and nothing else. It's inexcusable to keep running him between the tackles. At least the next coaching staff will have Daniel Thomas to use properly.
Posted by: Sideshow Bill | September 25, 2011 at 01:42 PM
not ggod enuff to over come fumbles... keep bush on the outside
Posted by: dslong4@mchsi.com | September 25, 2011 at 01:42 PM
This is no contest in favor of Miami.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 01:42 PM
Finally, an offense clearly inferior to our own! LOL.................................
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 01:42 PM
Ricky Williams....no not missing you per say...just your herbal bags of good-ness
Posted by: C63-AMG | September 25, 2011 at 01:43 PM
Browns offense so pathetic, guys 7pts may be enough to win this game! LOL...
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 01:43 PM
Thanks
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
Posted by: perro | September 25, 2011 at 01:44 PM
Longest Henne's had to throw all season on that play!
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 01:44 PM
Thomas IS A BEAST!!!
Posted by: blazzin ace | September 25, 2011 at 01:45 PM
One thing for sure, we don't need a new QB. This offense is perfect for him. That shows how bad henning's offense was!!
Posted by: Jaison | September 25, 2011 at 01:45 PM
Epic fail, dude.
Posted by: Tom Brady | September 25, 2011 at 01:46 PM
One thing for sure, we don't need a new QB. This offense is perfect for him. That shows how bad henning's offense was!!
Posted by: Jaison | September 25, 2011 at 01:45 PM
Or maybe, just maybe, this means the Brownies defense is realllllyyyyy bad.
Posted by: Tony Fumblano | September 25, 2011 at 01:47 PM
D Thomas wiffed on the blitzing lb.
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 01:47 PM
Jaison I agree Henne is not the problem we just need an offensive line to give him sometime... and a new field goal kicker... and new corners and some tightends
Posted by: The One | September 25, 2011 at 01:48 PM
Come on Carpenter
Posted by: d-dense | September 25, 2011 at 01:48 PM
punt the dmn ball...
Posted by: mntnmanfinfan | September 25, 2011 at 01:48 PM
Bring back Olindo Mare.
Posted by: We.Are.Screwed. | September 25, 2011 at 01:49 PM
hard being a finfan, even after 40 years of it...perhaps the Texans need more fans...
Posted by: mntnmanfinfan | September 25, 2011 at 01:49 PM
We just can't miss FG's. We have to put this team away and not keep them in the game!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 01:49 PM
punt the dmn ball...
Posted by: mntnmanfinfan | September 25, 2011 at 01:48 PM
Why? So the Browns can take it at the 20? Gee, what a difference.
Posted by: Stinky fish | September 25, 2011 at 01:49 PM
That L side of the OL are panckaking the Browns.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 01:49 PM
That sack was on the right side again.
Posted by: cosmodo | September 25, 2011 at 01:50 PM
Carpenter not kicking like last year. Can't rely on FGs. Need to think of going for it
Posted by: 72perfectstill | September 25, 2011 at 01:50 PM
Need for Carpenter to regain his confidence.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 01:50 PM
Of oourse... We can't score touchdowns AND field goals. That would be unfair.
Posted by: TAO | September 25, 2011 at 01:50 PM
Carpenter is a streaky damn kicker. Can't be streaky as a kicker. But when he's on he's as good as anybody. sadly he ain't on lately.
Posted by: Sideshow Bill | September 25, 2011 at 01:50 PM
Brady has thrown for 12,000 yards already today...simple routes, easy passes, routine...
Posted by: mntnmanfinfan | September 25, 2011 at 01:50 PM
Estos Dolfins no sirven, brode.
Posted by: Hialeah Resident. | September 25, 2011 at 01:51 PM
A game miami is really dominating and yet they only have 7 pts on the board.......what else can go wrong for this team when things look to be going well???*lol*
Posted by: superPHIN | September 25, 2011 at 01:51 PM
Carpenter just isn't reliable anymore. He doesn't make long kicks. He doesn't make short kicks.
And now Miami has given Cleveland reasonably good field position. They've dominated the game so far, but they keep leaving points on the field. They're going to wind up in a dogfight against a team that they are dominating statistically.
They shouldn't try any more long field goals. Just go for it. They're chances of converting are as good as Carpenter actually making a kick.
Posted by: The New Kid | September 25, 2011 at 01:51 PM
We should be up by 17-0, but of course, that would be asking too much from this team.
Posted by: We.Are.Screwed. | September 25, 2011 at 01:52 PM
Henne is not the problem he has played well overall so far ... our defense needs to step up
Posted by: The One | September 25, 2011 at 01:52 PM
Carpenter become unreliable could be the best thing for this offense.
Posted by: tommy | September 25, 2011 at 01:53 PM
What else can go wrong?? Chargers, Jets, Broncos and Giants...that is what else can go wrong...have we become the Lions of the past??
Posted by: mntnmanfinfan | September 25, 2011 at 01:53 PM
Nice defense.
Posted by: We.Are.Screwed. | September 25, 2011 at 01:54 PM
JESUS CRIBBS!
Posted by: We.Are.Screwed. | September 25, 2011 at 01:54 PM
lol, Miami.
Posted by: Tom Brady | September 25, 2011 at 01:55 PM
WTF was sean smith doing? He has size on cribbs
Posted by: The One | September 25, 2011 at 01:55 PM
Toast- our corners are terrible!!
Posted by: flyrodderbob | September 25, 2011 at 01:55 PM
Is there a worse secondary in the NFL.
Posted by: JD | September 25, 2011 at 01:55 PM
Yep, everything is going as planned. We suck.
Posted by: Tony Fumblano | September 25, 2011 at 01:56 PM
Sean Smith sucks...always has. Way to use the height advantage.
I guess McCoy now has a 20+ yard reception.
Posted by: Jeff F., Long Island, NY | September 25, 2011 at 01:56 PM
Cribbs outplayed Smith. There's a surprise.
Posted by: TAO | September 25, 2011 at 01:56 PM