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.
I fuckng hate soprano celebrating field goals
Posted by: jaycan | September 25, 2011 at 02:21 PM
Andeeeeee........
Actually if Nolan's defense starts to play like last year, they CAN compete against Brady
(...and, by the way, Sanchez isn't even in the same conversation LOL)
.
.
Posted by: Robin Williams | September 25, 2011 at 02:21 PM
Miami is the vastly superior Team and still we are only 10-7. Execution has been up and down so it's a matter of being consistent.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 02:22 PM
PAH-THE-TIC
We could've been up by 24 instead.
Posted by: cosmodo | September 25, 2011 at 02:23 PM
Andeeeeee........
Actually if Nolan's defense starts to play like last year, they CAN compete against Brady
(...and, by the way, Sanchez isn't even in the same conversation LOL)
.
.
Posted by: Robin Williams | September 25, 2011 at 02:21 PM
"If", lol, good luck with that. Miami has been the "if" team since 1973.
Posted by: Andy Luck | September 25, 2011 at 02:23 PM
Hey Andee, f*ck yourself!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 02:23 PM
Henne is getting better and better as the Season progresses.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 02:23 PM
Ryan Fitzpatrick! You can have him and Sanchez with their rag arms!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 02:25 PM
So, what you bloggers think, are we going to win. Or not?
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 02:25 PM
Hey Andee, f*ck yourself!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 02:23 PM
LOL! Keep sticking to those field goals, clip board. See how far they take ya against the Pats, Jets, and even the friggin Billies. LMFAO!
Posted by: Andy Luck | September 25, 2011 at 02:26 PM
So, what you bloggers think, are we going to win. Or not?
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 02:25 PM
Not.
Posted by: We.Are.Screwed. | September 25, 2011 at 02:27 PM
Andeeeeee........
Fair enough.
But most of us here are Dolphin FAN's which means (until they
lose their first six games.)
we have
h o p e.
What's YOUR story?
.
.
Posted by: Robin Williams | September 25, 2011 at 02:28 PM
Just as you wish.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 02:28 PM
Henne is getting better and better as the Season progresses.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 02:23 PM
Put that little weasel up against us and see what happens. Oh that's right, you already did, lol.
Posted by: King Bill Belichick | September 25, 2011 at 02:28 PM
We will see! Another non dolphin fan who thinks he knows something! Andrew Luck will another Jake Locker! Came out the wrong year and will be sitting on the bench!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 02:29 PM
Why is Cleveland still in this game! Sheesh!
Posted by: Ironside | September 25, 2011 at 02:31 PM
We can see also that Game planning was also lacking. Therefore, 1/2 time adjustments will not be there. We just might be screwed with that scrappy QB they have.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 02:32 PM
That DB they have covering Marshall is a hell of a player.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 02:34 PM
shud b up by at least 2 td
Posted by: jaycan | September 25, 2011 at 02:35 PM
Gotta give credit to Henne for eating up the clock and keeping defense well rested.
Posted by: cosmodo | September 25, 2011 at 02:35 PM
so much 4 half time adjustments
Posted by: jaycan | September 25, 2011 at 02:37 PM
God awful tackling!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 02:37 PM
Here it comes again!
Posted by: JD | September 25, 2011 at 02:38 PM
guys getting paid millions n can't do their jobs. cant tackle can't cover can't make 51 yard field goal
Posted by: jaycan | September 25, 2011 at 02:39 PM
Miami D slowing, getting down. Thank goodness for YB!
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 02:41 PM
There is absolutely no discipline on this team. Sparano has no business being a head coach in this League!
Posted by: JD | September 25, 2011 at 02:44 PM
Listen, you players don't want to play here? Well accomodate you, quickly!
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 02:45 PM
Can this O-Line block at all!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 02:46 PM
Running Bush up the middle. From inside our 20. Right!
Posted by: JD | September 25, 2011 at 02:46 PM
Looking no good.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 02:47 PM
The right side of the O line is beyond pathetic! The O line is supposed to be Sparano's strength. What a joke this guy is.
Posted by: JD | September 25, 2011 at 02:49 PM
Nice Chad!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 02:53 PM
I just can't believe the dumb penalties!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 02:54 PM
PUNCH IT IN NOW!!!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 02:55 PM
Thx brandon for that!!!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 02:58 PM
The R side of our OL is killing us.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 02:59 PM
D. Thomas is a hell of a load.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 03:00 PM
Yet another wasted opportunity!
Really, this is getting very old.
I'm so sick of Sperano and his celebrating of field goals!
Posted by: JD | September 25, 2011 at 03:01 PM
Thx YB for that one!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 03:06 PM
Maybe.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 03:09 PM
Get Bush off the field! Thomas please!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 03:20 PM
How many penalties can kill drives!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 03:21 PM
Poor Coaching, once again.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 03:26 PM
That idiot number 95 should be cut ASAP!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 03:29 PM
By all means, sign more Cowboys castoffs!
Posted by: JD | September 25, 2011 at 03:29 PM
Long wingspan of S. Smith.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 03:32 PM
THIS TEAM IS NON-COMPETITIVE AT CRITICAL MOMENTS !!!
.
.
Posted by: Robin Williams | September 25, 2011 at 03:33 PM
Please, you, post a + commentary once in a while.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 03:33 PM
noway the blowfish win, not with 100 yards in penalties. This is poor coaching and poor practice, Shula would not have tolerated all these penalties. Morano needs to go!
Posted by: dslong4@mchsi.com | September 25, 2011 at 03:33 PM
Whether they win or loose one thing is crystal clear, Sparano & Ireland have no business in the NFL!
Posted by: JD | September 25, 2011 at 03:34 PM
THANKS BLOWCELLS!!!
Posted by: dslong4@mchsi.com | September 25, 2011 at 03:35 PM
keep pounding the ball!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 03:36 PM
wow, if only we had a chance to pick up darwin sproles instead of bush..... opps that right we did... good move wiff ireland!
Posted by: dslong4@mchsi.com | September 25, 2011 at 03:38 PM
Yes.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 03:39 PM
here we go.... td over nolan
Posted by: dslong4@mchsi.com | September 25, 2011 at 03:41 PM
My stomach is in knots right now!!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 25, 2011 at 03:44 PM
The probablities of winning are on our favor.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 03:44 PM
Concentrate on winning. Well see about the rest of the stuff later.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 03:45 PM
remeber the the blowfish and the pats two minute drill.... not good.... d can't make a play
Posted by: dslong4@mchsi.com | September 25, 2011 at 03:47 PM
THEY SUCK..... D CAN'T MAKE A PLAY.... STICK A FORK IN THE LOSERS.... O-3!!!!
Posted by: dslong4@mchsi.com | September 25, 2011 at 03:48 PM