A source is telling me the Dolphins have just cut running back Larry Johnson. Another source is telling me the Dolphins have also cut cornerback Will Allen.
"Thank you to all phin fans you've been great!!!" Allen tweeted after his release. "It's been a gr8t ride ... much love!"
Neither move is not exactly a huge surprise but its importance does speak to Miami's current running back and defensive back situations and what the Dolphins think of them.
Johnson played well in the final preseason game and there was thinking he might beat out Lex Hilliard for the final RB job based on his experience and history as a solid player.
But that didn't stand, particularly given the fact he was with the team about two weeks.
The move means Hilliard is likely on the team. The move means the Dolphins are confident Reggie Bush can stay healthy and rookie Daniel Thomas can be a good, capable backup. It must be said Bush has been injured during much of his NFL career and Thomas has not been inspiring during this training camp and preseason.
All this, however, comes with a caveat. Other RBs are being cut around the NFL. Other special teams players are being cut around the NFL. The Dolphins will study those moves and may well still make a move involving a RB by Tuesday or even in the coming weeks.
On the Allen cut, He also played well in the preseason finale against Dallas. This seems to be a move made to save the $1.5 million he would cost if he's on the roster the first week of the season. Veterans on the roster the first week of the regular season have their entire salary guaranteed for the season. The Dolphins were obviously not comfortable with the idea Allen, who has been injured the past two years, could stay healthy the entire season given what little work he's gotten this preseason.
There is a small possibility Allen might be brought back later if he's not picked up by another team. The move also suggests Nolan Carroll will be on the team.
The Dolphins have cut other players as well. I'll get those to you as soon as I know. They will trim their roster to 53 by the NFL deadline of 6 p.m.
A Restelli Eski?
Posted by: Nickzi | September 03, 2011 at 05:49 PM
Nickzi lol
Posted by: JaxDolphin | September 03, 2011 at 05:50 PM
lol twice
Posted by: JaxDolphin | September 03, 2011 at 05:50 PM
A billionaire owner who is supposed to be a FAN of his own team should not be limiting salaries. He should be ALL IN on putting together the best roster possible within the salary cap.
Posted by: finsfan72 | September 03, 2011 at 05:51 PM
Jimmy Wilson better make the team ahead of the Lt. Gov's kid, Nolan.
Posted by: JaxDolphin | September 03, 2011 at 05:52 PM
"FIDONIC COPULATION"...wow, like screwing the pooch...cool.
Posted by: finsfan72 | September 03, 2011 at 05:52 PM
Side note: From Wiki
This guy, whose first football job came on the Santa Margarita football sidelines as a 10-year-old waterboy alongside future New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. Restelli and Sanchez played on the same Pop Warner team for three years. They shared footballs on the Santa Margarita practice field for quarterback Carson Palmer, who went on to win the 2002 Heisman Trophy and become the top overall selection in the 2003 NFL draft.
Posted by: odinseye | September 03, 2011 at 05:52 PM
Finsfan72, don't you know that Ross lives in abject poverty on a mere 50 million per year? The man only has 50 Armani suits, fer chrissakes.
Posted by: Nickzi | September 03, 2011 at 05:53 PM
Cutting Will Allen was a bad move.
An obvious cost cutting measure but one that may cost the team.
You can't tell me that Nolan trip me I deserve it because I cost my team the Browns game is a better player.
Will Allen, even as a reserve is good for 2-3 picks and decent coverage and run support.
Somewhere, an angry Sal Alosi is upset that Nolan Caroll made the team.
"Why should he have a job when I don't" ?
Kisses Mando ; )
Posted by: odinseye | September 03, 2011 at 05:54 PM
odinseye - so one of them developed his talent in the NFL and the other is the QB for an obscure New York franchise?
Posted by: Nickzi | September 03, 2011 at 05:54 PM
"FIDONIC COPULATION"...wow, like screwing the pooch...cool.
I must admit Jax you out did yoursef on that one will probably be coined and used from know on! I will refer to it as the Jax rule 101!!
Posted by: fin4life | September 03, 2011 at 05:56 PM
Surprised Allen was cut because Sapp costs just as much and isn't as good. Oh well, I will give the front office the benefit of the doubt here
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | September 03, 2011 at 05:57 PM
Nickzi-
Poor Ross, how dose he survive, huh?
Posted by: finsfan72 | September 03, 2011 at 05:58 PM
If they did this just to save $1.5 M, if they wanted to keep him, and Belichoke picks him up, I'll be mad enough to ____ (add appropriate adjective here).
Posted by: JaxDolphin | September 03, 2011 at 05:59 PM
The Jets, obscure ?
Posted by: odinseye | September 03, 2011 at 05:59 PM
Mad enough to fidonically copulate with Ireland's wife and concubines, JaxDolphin?
Posted by: Nickzi | September 03, 2011 at 05:59 PM
Livas cut. No brainer.
Posted by: Tony Pasta Al Dente | September 03, 2011 at 06:00 PM
**Impostor Alert**
Cutting Will Allen was a bad move.
An obvious cost cutting measure but one that may cost the team.
You can't tell me that Nolan trip me I deserve it because I cost my team the Browns game is a better player.
Will Allen, even as a reserve is good for 2-3 picks and decent coverage and run support.
Somewhere, an angry Sal Alosi is upset that Nolan Caroll made the team.
"Why should he have a job when I don't" ?
Kisses Mando ; )
Posted by: odinseye | September 03, 2011 at 05:54 PM
Fake Odin, what the heck does this mean? ROTFLMAO, I don't get it?
Posted by: odinseye | September 03, 2011 at 06:00 PM
Aren't we passed the deadline? What gives?
Posted by: Tony Pasta Al Dente | September 03, 2011 at 06:01 PM
Am I the only one who doesn't like Mike Dee ?
Posted by: odinseye | September 03, 2011 at 06:01 PM
WHERE are the idiots that were fired up over the LJ signing??
opinions..... thats all there is here.
and most of em aint worth a shat
and the kool aid drinkers can praise daniel thomas some more
hip hip hooray
what a joke
Posted by: cavemanna | September 03, 2011 at 06:02 PM
Everybody loved ripping Wayne Huzienga but for my money at least all we had to do was biatch up and he always gave us what we wanted regardless the cost! J.J. at a record breaking 25 Million in 96 then Saban who he personally flew to Louisiana to wew our way, Parcells who we hate now but al wanted in 07 ect.. Plus countless players he broke the BANK for, sorry but this moron Ross and his Merry band of sycophants have me nostalgically yearning for the days of Gangsta Wayne and the we can buy anything mentallity he brought!!!
Posted by: fin4life | September 03, 2011 at 06:02 PM
Am I the only one who doesn't like Mike Dee ?
odinseye | September 03, 2011 at 06:01 PM
NO, not even close brudda!! He`s an a ss bag for sure.
Posted by: fin4life | September 03, 2011 at 06:03 PM
The Jets, obscure ?
Posted by: odinseye | September 03, 2011 at 05:59 PM
Whats all this Blog Hit Troll.
U
MAD cause you got you a s s handed to you earlier?
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, how cute, Him all mad ;)
Posted by: odinseye | September 03, 2011 at 06:03 PM
fin4,
LOL Nickzi's term did it one better. Just seemed appropriate for the latest bone-headed FO move. I still like the team, but Ireland leaves me scratching my head, at times.
Posted by: JaxDolphin | September 03, 2011 at 06:04 PM
When I called the Jets "obscure", by obscure I meant ignorant leg-humping frauds with a third-string quarterback and a coach the size of Tulsa. No insult intended.
Posted by: Nickzi | September 03, 2011 at 06:05 PM
Am I the only one who doesn't like Mike Dee ?
Posted by: odinseye | September 03, 2011 at 06:01 PM
Blog Troll aren't you even TRYING to see the cuts?
Wait a minute, what am I saying-ROTFLMAO!!!!
Posted by: odinseye | September 03, 2011 at 06:05 PM
Nick,
I'll bet some of those concubines are real...wait for it...real DOGS.
Posted by: JaxDolphin | September 03, 2011 at 06:06 PM
Nolan Caroll was tripped by Sal Alosi the former Jets strength and conditioning coach.
Nolan Caroll also lost the Browns game a year ago when he dropped a game clinching int with a minute or so to go.
Odin wants to kiss Armando because he and FLPD have a thing for Hispanic dudes.
Posted by: JaxDolphin | September 03, 2011 at 06:07 PM
I know alot of fin fans like Allen, but really happy to see they're not cutting ties w/Carroll. The kid needs some more PT. and if we don't see a big step forward this season from S. Smith, then he should get some IMO.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
P.S. Odin, thanks for all the halarilous and insigthful commentary dude, keep it coming..
Posted by: dolfanSF | September 03, 2011 at 06:07 PM
Strange couple of moves. I would have keep both vets....Allen for veteran depth and I would have kept Johnson over Hilliard. Sorry, I don't really see what they see in Hilliard. I wonder if another move is coming...someone like Chester Taylor.
I don't care what others say, I'd be all over adding Brandon Meriweather. The guys a hitter and Bell isn't getting any younger. You want to start looking for a replacement for Bell, who I think this will be his final year, I'd go and sign Meriweather. Be great to have a guy with that attitude back there and don't think he won't play with a chip on his shoulder when the Pats come to town.
The Pats are over-rated when it comes to evaluating and drafting players. How did Brandon Tate, Maroney, WR Jackson, Kevin O'Connell, Ron Brace, Sebastian Vollmer, David Thomas work out? Bellichik doesn't have ALL the answers when evaluating and drafting talent. Merriweather is a Pro Bowler and still young. Add him to the team....it's more a personal thing with Bellichik and Merriweather.
Posted by: Craig M | September 03, 2011 at 06:07 PM
WHERE are the idiots that were fired up over the LJ signing??
opinions..... thats all there is here.
and most of em aint worth a shat
and the kool aid drinkers can praise daniel thomas some more
hip hip hooray
what a joke
cavemanna | September 03, 2011 at 06:02 PM
Conventional wisdom had this move sticking everybody from here to the airwaves and all over the sports world are scratching there collective heads. We will start the year with an unconventonal RB starting and a rookie as his back up with only a journeyman ST player as insurance behind them, so tell us were the flaw in the thinking went regarding LJ aside from the fact these are the Ireland/Sparano led Fins
Posted by: fin4life | September 03, 2011 at 06:08 PM
JaxDolphin - semper Fido - as the Ireland family crest has it.
Posted by: Nickzi | September 03, 2011 at 06:09 PM
Wayne Huizenga was NO CHEAPSKATE, that's for sure.
Posted by: finsfan72 | September 03, 2011 at 06:09 PM
ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES!
Jax is a blue user.
If you see any other color, like black, say. It ain't me.
Posted by: JaxDolphin | September 03, 2011 at 06:09 PM
Blue is easily hacked.
Posted by: Tela | September 03, 2011 at 06:11 PM
odin,
I think the blog troll hit me, too.
Oh what shall I do?
I guess I'll be flattered.
Posted by: JaxDolphin | September 03, 2011 at 06:12 PM
Tela,
if it's so easy, why didn't the fake show as blue, hmm?
Posted by: JaxDolphin | September 03, 2011 at 06:14 PM
great. now we have to watch Will Allen play for the Jets and Larry Johnson on New England. Jeff Ireland is such an incredible ass.
Posted by: Dolphan | September 03, 2011 at 06:15 PM
Jax, you want me to I will...I just want your permission so Armando doesn't punish me
Posted by: Tela | September 03, 2011 at 06:16 PM
The troll is probably a support of the gangrene franchise and has an IQ somewhere south of freezing.
Pat the lonely critter on the head, wash your hands and let's talk about a real team.
Posted by: Nickzi | September 03, 2011 at 06:16 PM
Larry Johnson just signed by the Jets, vows revenge.
Claims Sparano was never really fat.
He just wore a fat suit to intimidate the team.
Posted by: odinseye | September 03, 2011 at 06:17 PM
Lets go Fins
Posted by: fsdabus | September 03, 2011 at 06:17 PM
Larry Johnson just signed by the Jets, vows revenge.
Claims Sparano was never really fat.
He just wore a fat suit to intimidate the team.
Posted by: odinseye | September 03, 2011 at 06:17 PM
Funny Blog Hit Troll, but try to keep up, I've already been posting on the new blog-Dooh ;)
Posted by: odinseye | September 03, 2011 at 06:21 PM
WHY?!?!?! Bring Larry Johnson in then??
He plays well in the game and gets cut. What else were they looking for?
Will Allen has a huge game and they cut him.
This front office and ownership need to go
Posted by: 72perfectstill | September 03, 2011 at 06:22 PM
Tela,
No, I don't want you to hack into my account, but
thanks for letting us know who is doing it. Do you do bank jobs too?
Posted by: JaxDolphin | September 03, 2011 at 06:23 PM
Jax
Banks are trickier. Just know blue here can be hacked in about a minute or two.
Posted by: Tela | September 03, 2011 at 06:27 PM
Casey Anthony is set to box Tonya Harding in a celebrity boxing match.
Says she'll donate her money to Christine O'Donnell's campaign to stop scientist's efforts to create mice with fully functioning human brains.
...and because of Billy Baldwin she's found "God".
Posted by: odinseye | September 03, 2011 at 06:28 PM
List of all the cuts here:
http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-trim-roster-53-players
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
Terminated Contracts
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
Posted by: Nickzi | September 03, 2011 at 06:29 PM
Tela,
You remind me of Mickey Rourke in the film "Body Heat". His first big role. True, he was portraying an arsonist (and not a very good one since he had Bill Hurt for a lawyer, but I digress), but you get my drift.
PS
Already changed my PW lol
Posted by: JaxDolphin | September 03, 2011 at 06:31 PM
Thx for the info Nick. Glad to see Wilson, Spitler, Moore and Wallace aren't on that list...yet.
Posted by: JaxDolphin | September 03, 2011 at 06:42 PM
odin,
My money's on Anthony. Harding lacks her killer instinct.
Posted by: JaxDolphin | September 03, 2011 at 06:44 PM
Yes, I went there. To boldly go where no blogger blah blah blah
Posted by: JaxDolphin | September 03, 2011 at 06:58 PM
So, only two TE's and 1 FB left, and Clay isn't either, really. Just going by what I've (not) see from him so far.
Only two QB's? Hmmm.
I think we're going to do some cherry-picking (some might say dumpster-diving) of the waiver wire, for sure.
Posted by: JaxDolphin | September 03, 2011 at 07:38 PM