Dolphins roster moves and what they mean

The Dolphins have announced the roster moves which got them to the mandated 53 man roster:

WAIVED: CB Vincent Agnew, TE Brett Brackett, WR Patrick Carter, G Garrett Chisolm, QB Pat Devlin, TE Dedrick Epps, LB Jonathan Freeny, RB Nic Grigsby, T D.J. Jones, T Matt Kopa, WR Phillip Livas, WR John Matthews, CB Nate Ness, LB David Nixon, QB Kevin O’ Connell, WR Julius Pruitt, S Mark Restelli, LB Robert Rose, TE Mickey Shuler, LB Quinton Spears.

CONTRACTS TERMINATED: S Gerald Alexander, CB Will Allen, NT Ronald Fields, RB Larry Johnson, FB Lousaka Polite,T Ray Willis.

PLACED ON INJURED RESERVE: T Lydon Murtha. A source tells me Murtha suffered a torn ligament in a toe.

WHAT IT MEANS: The Dolphins are at 53 players and some that made it today might not be on the team in a couple of days. The Dolphins are right now searching for a No. 3 QB -- which, by the way, may be a kid added to the practice squad. They have six WRs on the roster so that might be a position where movement yet happens. The club kept six DEs but only three RBs. All this raises questions and makes it clear this team is not complete.

The Dolphins kept Jeron Mastrud over Shuler. Also, John Jerry, a disappointment this camp, makes the team anyway. I suppose the draft pick investment in Jerry from a year ago -- a third rounder -- and the fact he's so young has saved him.

The Dolphins kept 10 linebackers -- five inside linebackers and five outside linebackers.

The Dolphins kept none of their undrafted rookie free agents.

It seems that rookie Frank Kearse beat out the veteran Fields for the backup NT job. That is not quite right, in my opinion. Fields is better than Kearse today. But the Dolphins can always move Randy Starks to NT if starter Paul Soliai is injured for any significant amount of time. So in fact, it seems Fields was not able to beat out Starks for the backup job. Kearse is a project but he's shown flashes and he's a fighter.

By the way, Chester Taylor was cut today by the Chicago Bears. Brandon Meriweather was cut by the New England Patriots. Because both have at least four seasons of experience, they become unrestricted free agents right away. They do not go on the waiver wire to be picked up by whichever team claims them. I hope the Dolphins are on the phone with somebody right now!

The biggest surprise of all this news has to be the cutting of Polite. Tony Sparano gushed about Polite and talked of how you couldn't find legit FBs in today's NFL anymore. He said Polite was one of those valuable guys and said how it would take a lot to convince him Polite had to go.

Well, he got convinced. I do know this, Polite was one of the top 53 on this team. He was a good locker room guy, also. Obviously, the Dolphins found reasons that overcame those assets. He was expensive in that he was going to cost $1.45 million against the cap. The Dolphins save $1.35 million by cutting him. This was the final year of his contract.

I suppose it is possible Polite is signed after the first week of the season at a discount and also without a guarantee for the entire year. But I also think other teams might show some interest in him.

Finally, I cannot stress enough that this does not end the moving and shaking of the Dolphins roster. This is mediocre team by most accounts. It has much work yet to do to be among the NFL's elite. I assume the front office is busy doing some of that work as we speak.

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Comments

[Dunster]

Henne's first night stats: 26-47 for 296 yards with two interceptions and one fumble.

[oscar canosa]

Why fearful, Dunster, as long as we play a good Game?

[Craig M]

LOL....

Whatever floats your boat buddy....how about you come clean and post under your real name instead of being a weasel and hiding behind made up names. If you won't do that I don't see a point in trying to have a conversation.

[Dunster]

Sorry oscar - I'm thinking that we won't as long as FistPump is at the helm.

[Craig M]

Just me who I'm talking to...is it crow, LOL, somebody else.....how many of them are you?

You going to make it seem like an army or just one guy sitting there with multiple computers and multiple sign in names. Just tell us who we're talking to....that would be a great place to start. Thanks.

[LOL]

I'm done with that Craig M. You just look to belittle people and yet when you are wrong you never own up to it. Most bloggers here own up to it, its trivial, but you never do. You ask people all the time if they are going to show up when they are wrong, but you never do, just dodge the issue. I'm done. Everyone has seen it clear as a bell.

[oscar canosa]

As long as we don't make silly mistakes then , if we lose, the other Team was better. That's it.

[FlipperFan]

Don't sweat it Craig - you called the guy out and he knows full well he spewed a load of crap and won't admit it.

[Craig M]

To me the easy add is Chester Taylor. Not sure what happened in Chicago but this guy would be ideal. He can do short yardage, catch out of the backfield, good hands, veteran, been there before. To me he's an upgrade on Lex Hilliard and provides the type of insurance we need for Bush and Thomas. Really a no-brainer.

[Craig M]

LOL,

Thank God your done....we were getting tired of listening to you ramble on and we couldn't keep track of just which name was showing up next. 'Night bud...

[Cornucopia]

Craig I totally agree with you on Taylor - problem is a no-brainer to you and I is a real brain twist for the Three Stooges.

[oscar canosa]

But, we also have the potential to beat ANY Team on our schedule depending on the circumstances. There are intangibles, you know. There's always been.

[FlipperFan]

Oscar, I love your enthusiasm for the Fins and wish that I still had it as well. Problem is I've been doing this for too long and it feels like the same old stench is about to surface. Sorry for my negativity but it comes with the territory.

[oscar canosa]

Yeah, Dunster I agree TS is the same Coach that went 7-9 last year, why not 9-7 with better personnel. That's how I figure it.

[Craig M]

Just looked at the Jets roster and they have 10 guys for their secondary, five corners and five safeties. They just traded Lowery today to get to that number. The Jets showed us and everyone else in the playoffs that to beat Brady you've got to mix things up and give him different looks. I think occasionally they had as many as six DBs on the field in that game. What do we have set up for week 1? Davis, Smith, Bell, Clemons and a collection of nobodies that wouldn't scare the worst of teams in the NFL. I hope Nolan can disguise his blitzes and get to Bradt frequently or he's going to eat our secondary up.

[oscar canosa]

But we did make Brady jump around in the pocket last year, Craig.

[Cornucopia]

Exactly Craig and that is why we will have our hands full on opening night. Our top four DBs are alright but after that the dropoff is huge. When NE goes spread offense with 3 WRs and 2 TEs we are screwed.

[Craig M]

Cornucopia,

Totally agree. Our only wildcard it Nolan. We have good personnel in our front seven and if we can get in Brady's face all night the secondary should be fine. If Brady has time he'll pick us apart. I'm not worried about their running game but it's weak. It's pretty much our front seven against their OL that will have a big deciding factor in this game.

[oscar canosa]

C'mon Amigos, we know negativity creates controversy and this in turn greater # of hits. But how about some positivity for a change? Don't be so greedy.

[Cornucopia]

Craig if you have followed New England over the years as I'm sure that you have, Bellicheck could give two sheets about "establishing the running game." They're going to come at us fast and furious with empty backfield, Brady in the gun, slinging it at will. Can we keep up?

[Craig M]

Cornucopia,

You're right again. I remember a couple of the rookie linemen in Tampa saying 'Oh my God. Welcome to the NFL. These Pats play SO much quicker than anything I've ever seen before'. That's what we have in store a week on Monday.

[FlipperFan]

OK Oscar - here's some positivity for you - Dolphins will win the Super Bowl this year, Chad Henne will be MVP and Tony Sparano Coach of the Year. How does that sound?

[JaxDolphin]

I think I'm starting to figure out why some breeds are dying.

[Tony Saprano Jr.]

I couldn't help but notice that many of you guys are cracking on my dad. That makes me sad. So very sad. My dad is the best HC in the business, he told me so. He has been working on his fist pumps the whole off season and trying to deliver the most crisp and accurate fist pumps for the upcomeing season. He has been seeing a fist pump trainer who is well known around the league. He worked his way all the way up to a black sock fist pumper(the highest degree fist pumper in the whole world). He will prove all you naysayers wrong.

[JaxDolphin]

Wow sure are a lot of new names here tonight

[jaxywaxy]

Wow sure are a lot of new names here tonight

Posted by: JaxDolphin | September 03, 2011 at 11:31 PM

And how many of them were you? He who smelt it dealt it....

[Cornucopia]

Craig,

Bellicheck is a very smart man - when you've got one of the best gunslingers of all time back there what do you do - you let him sling it as much as possible. I remember a Monday night game a few years back - Pats were on the road against a very good defensive team (don't remember who exactly - maybe the Vikings) - NE probably ran less than five times the entire first half and absolutely dominated the game. Brady can be that good.

[JaxDolphin]

Dealt it lol

[JaxDolphin]

Are you the legendary 'blog hit troll'?

[Hypnotoad]

Yes Colombo made the 53. We're screwed...God help us.

[DyingBreed]

If Chester Taylor's so great then ask yourselves why does he seem to bouncing around the league?

Isnt this the same Chester Taylor that once upon a time played for the Ravens too? Obviously people more knowledgeble than us are seeing him as yeasterday's news.

This is one of the worst times of the year. ALL of you beer belly and biscuit belly couch potatoes see it as a time to play know it all gm/coaches. Please dont quit your day jobs! LOL...

[Tony Saprano Jr.]

My dad has been working on this new move where he curls his toes in his foot and does two consecutive kicks(while doing a single fist pump of course). He calls it the the "Single Foot Lundy". I think he said he was saving it for two point conversions. Sure hope the Dolphins have a lot of them so you guys can all see it.

[yawn]

are we going to go through a full season of more fistpump jokes and bush jokes?

how boring.

[FlipperFan]

Tony Jr., I'm so sorry I cracked on your Dad. How's that Quality Control job for the Dolphins working out this year after leaving the Hartford Colonials of the UFL as assistant defensive line coach. Any plans to become a Head Coach soon?

[DyingBreed]

Chicago BearsTaylor was signed by the Chicago Bears to a four-year, $12.5 million contract on March 5, 2010.[3] In 2010, Taylor shared carries with running back Matt Forte. His stats fell compared to his times with the Ravens and Vikings and rushed for only 267 yards on 112 carries for a 2.4 yard average.[4]

Chester Taylor was released by Chicago during final cuts on September 3, 2011.

Yeah lets sign the 10yr vet Taylor who grossly under produced for the Bears last season. We may as well have kept Larry Johnson. He was far cheaper and would have given about the same performance as Taylor did for the Bears last season.

You guys run your mouth and do no research. Youre ready to bring the first reject let go by name recognition only. You would be garbage nfl gm's. LOL........

[JaxDolphin]

Ok "Single Foot Lundy" was effin' funny!

[oscar canosa]

It is well known that most People feed on negativity from the Media and up to now those few of us that prefer a balanced outlook on things had no choice but to turn off. No more. In this Medium(Internet), those of us that are educated(and like things balanced) can influence the Opinion eventually to our favor(which makes sense). Yes, Jax, some breeds are dying.

[DyingBreed]

Sign Chester Taylor right away. We could use those 112 carries for a 2.4 ypc average. Rotflmao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tony Sparano Jr.]

My dad also has a new secondary move where he squeezes his butt cheeks together while double fist pumping and screaming "Four More Years." This only comes out though on field goals lomger than 50 yards.

[Tony Saprano Jr.]

I would love to be a HC someday. However, I have been diagnosed with tendonitis from to much self gratification, so my fist pump abilities have suffered greatly over the years. I would never want to be a HC who can't fist pump. Thats like telling Michael Jordan to play basketball but he's not allowed to dribble.

[JaxDolphin]

Just not soon enough huh, oscar?

[DyingBreed]

Hope this ends the sign Chester Taylor BS:

Chicago BearsTaylor was signed by the Chicago Bears to a four-year, $12.5 million contract on March 5, 2010.[3] In 2010, Taylor shared carries with running back Matt Forte. His stats fell compared to his times with the Ravens and Vikings and rushed for only 267 yards on 112 carries for a 2.4 yard average.[4]

Chester Taylor was released by Chicago during final cuts on September 3, 2011.

LOL..........................................

[oscar canosa]

I don't know that, Jax, but we are definitely working on it.

[DyingBreed]

Hell, we're better off with Hilliard than signing Chester Taylor. At least Hilliard has youth on his side.

Taylor's simply a washed up old 10yr vet who would love to get a "free paycheck"! LOL...

[JaxDolphin]

Tony Jr.,

Ewwwwww

[Holden]

@11:49

Research is a dirty word for most these days. Reading a lot today means you checked out two web pages. I see most here saying the very same thing said only one page ago, which is because they are too lazy to read the whole blog. I see every week these pinholes come by asking for links, doesn't ever occur to them to save the link.

Some don't realize the coaches working with the players directly and having access to all the film have far more insight than those that get their info from reading Armandos tweets. I won't question the moves since they know way more than I do about the players.

[DyingBreed]

Plus, being a 10yr vet, do you really think Chester Taylor risks taking a half a day to climb out of bed in his retirement knowing he's working on his final nfl contract?

I think not!!!!!!!!!! LOL...

[Columbo]

YE HA!!!! Just got a part time job on the Justin Bieber Tour as a a portable turnstile at all his concerts!

[oscar canosa]

We said this before: either People raise their level of Education or they will perish(in Internet). It's their Choice.

[Columbo]

Oops...thought I was tweeting that last comment for all my fam to see.

[JaxDolphin]

I think its cool that you say what you think of the issues in a level-headed manner oscar, very few here do.

[DyingBreed]

Holden,

@ 11:58 you can easily be hated here for actually having "common sense". This blog is vivid proof common sense is no longer such a common thing.

IT SHOULD NOW BE CALLED: "UNCOMMON SENSE"! LOL...

[oscar canosa]

They should, Jax, they should.

[Tony Sparano Jr.]

The last move my Dad has been practicing is called the "Wing Splitter". He dons a pair of orange angel wings (kept on the sideline in a duffle bag by me). Then he jumps up and down three times, all the while fist pumping, culminating in a full on split, simultaneously wetting his pants. You guys will see it if we score a touchdown against the Patriots.

[DyingBreed]

Idiocrasy is the newly chosen vehicle by this illiterary mob that rules this blog! LOL...

[oscar canosa]

Of course, I am the Dream Poster for all the greedy Blog owners. I can write 20 comments while others finish only 1.

[JaxDolphin]

I'm a little concerned about RB now that LJ got waived. I'll presume we're scouring those wires looking for an acorn.

Do you guys think Allen will clear waivers and come back at a lower, no-guaranteed salary? Me either. But we can hope. Jeff and Tony, I know you're reading, get Merriweather on the phone NOW.

[Big Murtha]

My freakin little toe hurts so bad I sometimes cry myself to sleep in my pillow. OH THE AGONY!!!!

[O.J. McDuffie]

My toe hurts too. Can I please go on IR.

[JaxDolphin]

Did you mean illiterate? Maybe you just fell off your high horse, there pard.