A look at position battles heading into preseason

Everyone has been seemingly mesmerized by the much-heralded struggles of Vontae Davis as he tries to fend off Richard Marshall for a starting cornerback job. As the Dolphins' official depth chart below shows, Davis is behind Marshall.

It is up to Davis if he'll stay there or not, although he's had good practices the past couple of days and is clearly the more althletic player. So that will play out in the coming couple of weeks.

But the depth chart begs other questions and speaks to issues elsewhere. Some of those issues:

The deep secondary offers a three-man race for the starting job and really a two-man race because while Chris Clemons and second-year player Jimmy Wilson are jockeying back and forth, Reshad Jones seems to have solidified his spot as a starter.

The fourth safety is interesting. Free agent acquisition Tyrell Johnson has been something of a disappointment given his credentials as a former high draft pick and veteran. He's mired on third team. Anderson Russell has made some plays in practice but is also inconsistent.

Tyrone Culver continues to be the most likely player to win the fourth spot, given his experience and ability to play special teams at a high level.

The linebacker spot is interesting in that I see Austin Spitler and Jason Trusnick as very good special teams players but lacking as actual backups. If starters Koa Misi or Karlos Dansby get hurt, I don't have a great feeling about Miami's depth with Spitler and Trusnick. Thank goodness Gary Guyton can play multiple positions.

Spitler and Trusnick are better on special teams right now than third-team players Cameron Collins and Josh Kaddu. And the irony? Both Collins and Kaddu have the potential to be better linebackers than Spitler and Trusnick.

So one pair is great on special teams but not so much on defense while the other pair isn't as good on special teams but have better potential on defense.

Depth at defensive tackle is a concern. Other than Tony McDaniel behind Paul Soliai and Randy Starks, the Dolphins are relying on untested players such as rookie Kheeston Randall to perform. The problem is we don't know if he will perform and two of the three tackles behind him are also rookies -- the third is veteran Ryan Baker who has experience and grit but is apparently the last guy on third-team.

I'm feeling better about the offensive line than I did a year ago. Everyone, except the Dolphins apparently, knew that Marc Colombo was not the answer at right tackle when they signed him. That issue was never resolved until the draft this year.

And Jonathan Martin has been outstanding so far. He practices well, he takes great notes in meetings and he has the physical capabilities to be a very good right tackle. Yes, games will add another layer to the challenges he is facing.

Ultimately you have to perform in games.

But I believe Martin will be fine, indeed, better than that. I believe he'll be good. Moreover Martin gives the Dolphins something they haven't really had since 2008 when they drafted Jake Long and that is a backup for Long.

I know, I know, you see on the depth chart that Lydon Murtha is the second-string LT. The truth is if Jake Long goes down for an extended period, I believe Martin will move over from right tackle. He played left tackle most of his career at Stanford and I think he could be a good left tackle in the NFL given experience.

So in a situation where Long is out for an extended period, Martin would be the guy moving over. It might be different over a short period where Long is missing one game. But multiple games, Martin is the guy and then Murtha would go to right tackle.

If you look at the depth chart, it is hard to fathom John Jerry making the team. He is overweight. He weighed 360 pounds a week or so ago. He isn't picking up his assignments well on pass protection (particularly on stunts) and he doesn't stay on his feet enough -- this all according to coaches.

He's running third team. It'll be interesting to see how he actually plays because in the past he's been unimpressive in practice but efficient in games. We'll see if that continues or if his tanking has too much momentum to stop.

One more note about the offensive line: Ray Feinga was supposed to make his big move this year. But he's running third team now and is nursing some sort of injury as well. Not good.

A look at tight end shows you that not a whole lot has changed from last year. Anthony Fasano remains the best one in camp. And while I have hopes for big things out of Charles Clay in his second year, I must inform you he hasn't been the monster in practice I hoped to see.

Clay has been good. He's made occasional plays. But he hasn't been dominant and if he's going to have a 50-catch season as I thought he might, logic dictates he would be showing that in this camp. He's not.

By the way, Les Brown, who is a great story and a great athlete and has great speed at 4.4, is not a great tight end. He's not even a good tight end right now. I'd like to tell you he's fifth out of five tight ends because of mitigating circumstances like a lack of experience or strength or technique or toughness at the point of attack.

But all of those apply to Brown. At this stage, he strikes me as a practice squad project. He needs to get stronger. He needs more coaching than he'll get in the next four weeks before the regular-season opener to be a viable contributor. He was and remains a project.

By the way, Michael Egnew has been unimpressive in camp. He's just ... just ... there. He doesn't flash with any degree of consistency. He doesn't get open consistently. He needs to seriously step it up in the next month.

At the wide receiver position, the Dolphins have an interesting situation. Their three "starting" receivers are players no one else wanted at some point in their careers. Chad Johnson and Legedu Naanee were cut from their teams in the offseason and they are starting in Miami. Starting slot receiver Davone Bess went undrafted once upon a time.

And yet they are Miami's top receivers right now.

Behind them, it gets interesting.

Brian Hartline is hoping to get back into practices next week -- perhaps as early as Sunday. He did some work in the walk-thru Wednesday so that was encouraging. He's a big factor because the Dolphins don't really have a deep threat to speak of.

Clyde Gates, perhaps Miami's fast receiver, has been inconsistent. He's good one day and a ghost the next. He's inconsistent. Julius Pruitt is interesting because, as you can see on the depth chart below, he has passed both Marlon Moore and Roberto Wallace.

That doesn't mean he'll stay ahead of them because four weeks remain, but Pruitt has very good speed like Moore and (this camp) more consistent hands than Wallace. He doesn't have Wallace size and I have no idea how he'll contribute on special teams, but he's caught the coaching staff's attention.

As you've heard him say on this blog, Wallace knows this is put-up-or-get-out time. He got a chance to stick with the team last year. This year, he has to take the next step. Same with Moore. So far ... well, they have to do better.

By the way, rookies Rishard Matthews and B.J. Cunningham had their best week of practice this week. Perhaps they're starting to make their move. We shall see.

Back to Hartline a second: If he's healthy, he makes this team. No question.

2012 MIAMI DOLPHINS TENTATIVE DEPTH CHART

OFFENSE

WR 19 Legedu Naanee 11 Julius Pruit 83 Jeff Fuller 86 Rishard Mathews

15 Davone Bess 10 Clyde Gates 16 B.J. Cunningham

81 Chris Hogan

LT 77 Jake Long 76 Lydon Murtha 69 Ray Feinga

60 Will Yeatman

LG 68 Richie Incognito 65 Erich Steinbach 63 Chandler Burden

C 51 Mike Pouncey 64 Josh Samuda 62 Ryan Cook

RG 73 Aris Hicks 75 Nate Garner 74 John Jerry

RT 71 Jonathan Marin 67 Andrew McDonald 61 Will Barker

TE 80 Anthony Fasano 42 Charles Clay 88 Jeron Mastrud 84 Michael Egnew

87 Les Brown

WR 85 Chad Johnson 82 Brian Hartline 14 Marlon Moore 18 Roberto Wallace

QB 9 David Garrard 8 Mat Moore 17 Ryan Tannehill 7 Pat Devlin

FB 41 Jorvorskie Lane 6 Ryan Mahaffey 35 Jerome Messam

RB 22 Reggie Bush 33 Daniel Thomas 23 Steve Slaton 44 Lamar Miller

34 Marcus Thigpen

46 Jonas Gray

DEFENSE

LE 98 Jared Odrick 79 Derrick Shelby 70 Jarrell Root

DT 94 Randy Starks 78 Tony McDaniel 66 Chas Alecxih

DT 96 Paul Soliai 97 Kheeston Randall 95 Isaako Aaitui 90 Ryan Baker

RE 91 Cameron Wake 50 Olivier Vernon 52 Jamaal Westerman 72 Jaquies Smith

LB 56 Kevin Burnet 59 Gary Guyton 49 Jonathan Freeny 48 Shelly Lyons

LB 58 Karlos Dansby 53 Ausin Spitler 45 Cameron Collins

LB 55 Koa Misi 93 Jason Trusnik 57 Josh Kaddu

CB 24 Sean Smith 28 Nolan Carroll 25 Jonathan Wade 47 Trenton Hughes

32 Marcus Brown

CB 31 Richard Marshall 21 Vontae Davis 36 Quinten Lawrence 38 Kevyn Scot

43 Vincent Agnew

S 30 Chris Clemons 27 Jimmy Wilson 26 Tyrell Johnson 37 Kelcie McCray

S 20 Reshad Jones 29 Tyrone Culver 40 Anderson Russell

SPECIALISTS

P 2 Brandon Fields

K 5 Dan Carpenter

KO 5 Dan Carpenter

H 2 Brandon Fields

KOR 34 Marcus Thigpen 44 Lamar Miller 23 Steve Slaton 10 Clyde Gates

PR 15 Davone Bess 34 Marcus Thigpen 10 Clyde Gates 86 Rishard Mathews

LS 92 John Denney

2012 Rookies Underlined

Comments

[ericatl]

Yet another wasted #1 on a player that refuses to grow up

[MexDolfan]

Great!

[Eddie]

Other than First Round Offensive Lineman it appears a lot of draft picks are underwhelming and falling far short of expectations.

Hopefully the coaching staff can get some them to live up to their potential.

[oavery]

It is really a shame that John Jerry is completely wasting what should have been a great life opportunity for him by being so utterly undisciplined in his eating and physical conditioning. Hurts the Dolphins and hurts him. Sad, disgusting really.

[BoulderPhinFan]

I guess we're not going to be good this year.

[LongIslandFinFan]

Martin was a second round pick.

[Dashi]

360lbs. Wow, I still had a little hope Jerry will turn it around, but after showing up to camp so fat. See u later fat so

Why do most fin reporters always look at the negative?

What about if so and so get injured? Not just Armando, Dread Boy does the same thing. Ripping players ACL's out before they even play a preseason game. U wouldn't want nobody to say so and so can't report no more because they broke their hand. Talking about jinxing a team.

Also, the hate on the Wr's? Hate, hate, hate

Hartline is the only deep threat? Brian is not even the 3rd best deep threat on this team. Chad had a bad season last year, doesn't discount his other 10 he performed at a high level. Naanee can also be a deep threat because of his size and ability to go up a for the ball.

Mark my word Hartline is Matt Roth 2.0, remember how that ended

[(null)]

It's not all doom and gloom from this year's draft:
We got the future franchise QB we've needed for years in Tannehill,
stole a first round talent to fill the giant hole at RT in Martin,
Got a DE to line up opposite Wake in Vernon,
Got Reggie Bush's replacement in Lamar Miller.

Still questions about Egnew, Kuddu and the late drafted receivers but some more possibilities to stick from UFAs.

We're not a playoff team... Looks like we might actually have some HOPE for a change in the direction.

[Monte]

Ireland's draft picks are pretty useless.

[TRICKY]

you do not have Chad Johnson on the list of wr. do you know something we dont????

[oscar canosa]

See, these People from LV make their living from estimating the probabilities of an Event occurring. When they say 7.5+/-, yes, it's 7.5+/-. You can easily see why so from Armando's list. Lack of quality bench, unproven starters, rookies everywhere and not necessarily lack of good Coaching and yes to an installation of a new offensive System.

[Mark in Toronto]

How can anyone dispute the talent Ireland has got out of his first round picks?

You may question as I have many times why focus premium picks on positions that don't maximize production in today's NFL. However, all the first picks they used can play.

Jake Long, Vontae Davis, Jared Odrick, Mike Pouncey, and Ryan Tannehill have allshown they have the goods.

I know a lot of you will question Vontae Davis as a player but you will not by the end of the year, mark my words. A few years back Sean Smith was kicked off the first team but he got his job back and almost finished the year in the pro bowl. Vontae will do the same. And anyway, whether he's the second or third corner, he will play a lot regardless.

And Mando, the Dolphins don't have any depth concerns at DT. beyond Starks, Soliai, and McDaniel, Odrick can also play there and play there at a high level.

[NHFINSFAN]

FB 41 Jorvorskie Lane ????

Who is this mystery man that is now our starting FB?

A little google research shows his nickname is "Jelly Bean"

Also known as the "fattest man in college football" was Tannehill's team mate at A&M.

Guess he'll be the wreaking ball for Bush & Co. in the backfield this year.

I thought Jerome Messam was going to be the starter and he's listed as 3rd?

[Monte]

Tannehill hasnt shown anything. Hasnt played a down. It has been said numerous times he's having a problem with the speed of the game.

[jim t]

Tricky look at the next side listing for WR CJ is there.

[FIRE IRELAND]

3 picke for D Thomas was moronic!!

[RD]

You misunderstand the role of odds-makers; they do not actually predict events - they predict what odds they have to offer to shift betting pools. Sometimes that maybe the same - most of the time not. They deal in the world of why people make bets - which really does not often have much to do with reality.

[NHFINSFAN]

Monte....Tannehill hasn't shown anything?

Every coach, player and scout attending camp have all praised his ability to throw a tight spiral on the run.
He has the best deep ball of all three QB's in camp right now?

Dude, are you just trying to stir the pot? Cause Tannehill is looking pretty darn good for a rookie right now!

[Coakition for the Coalition]

When the 8th pick is 3rd string, Id call that very dissapointing.

[NHFINSFAN]

If Tannehill is 3rd string on opening day I'll be shocked.

[Eddie]

Any NFL GM worth his salary should be able to make solid 1st round picks.

It's what a GM does in the later rounds that determines whether or not he's good enough to field a playoff caliber team.

[Dashi]

Some of u can't possibly believe the ignorance coming out ya mouthes. It better be sarcasm or just straight out hate.

T-Hill being 3rd doesn't show he's a bust. It shows we have Depth. Weeden is a bust, RG3 might be one from what history proves. How many successful Heisman winning qb in the NFL? Usually when u pick qbs 1 and 2 , 1 of the 2 has become a bust. All the way back to bledsoe as far as I can remember.

[FIRE IRELAND]

A blind monkey throwing darts could make good 1sr rd picks. Our WR's are horrendous. When you have a QB contreversy YOU HAVE NO QB! 6-10 is great!

[Darkoak]

Jerry being undiciplined, Davis as well and Gates lack of effort speaks miles about the previous coaching regimes ability to bring out the best from the players. These guys were never threatened with demotions and release before. Loving the reality check Coach Philbin brings.

Egnew was going to need work that's a given. Wallace and Marlon Moore if they haven't grabbed the bull by the horns yet I think they never will. Glad to hear the drafted rookie WR's are coming around.

[Dashi]

Wasn't gholston a 1st rd pick? What about that CB they drafted in the top 10¿

The bills? Need I say more they're the bills

Patriots haven't hit in the 1st the last couple years? They haven't hit in the bottom half of the draft either. They just drafted 3 times more than everybody else. Law of Averages.

Again, the fins had "no talent" 4 years ago. I bet in the next 4 years Ireland will have the fins atop of the AFC talent wise.

Will we be trading picks for a Qb?

The o-line won't need rebuilding? The D-line either

Secondary? Rb's? All players that can be here for the next 4+ years

[Mark in Toronto]

Dashi, NH, don't you guys know that anyone who hasn't made consecutive pro bowls in a sbust in this league? I mean, only about 5% of the league is named to the pro bowl so everyone else just stinks.

What's wrong with you guys??? (SARCASM)

Man, the ignorance that is displayed on this blog and is representing the Miami Dolphins is beyond belief. Some of you should really be embarassed to actually post your thoughts and exhibit your stupidity to the public.

[AndyNJ]

Good morning guys,

No real suprises here to me outside of the one we all saw on Hard Knocks with Vontae Davis. Just my two cents....

QB - It appears if Miami wants to stay on the course that Garrard will start but I'm starting to think Tannehill has a real shot. I know, I know Hard Knocks is made for television but Tannehill has a certain prescense that is hard to ignore. He's super athletic and just seems to have "it". He's also very mature for a rookie. The only reason I don't want him starting is the WR is scary bad IMO. Scary bad only because for a rookie to succeed his supporting cast has to be better then average. Garrard starts, Matt Moore possibly trade bait? Tannehill clip board.

WR - The Wrs are pretty average to bad. Chad Johnson and Nanee aren't keeping D coordinators up at night figuring out how to stop them. Hartline is average to solid even if healthy but not a legit starter. Wallace I thought was going to seperate himself and make some noise my prediction seems to be a failure. Pruitt and Moore? Nope. Bess is a good slot guy and nothing more. Maybe Cunningham, Mathews or Fuller starts to come alive? Let's hope!

TE - I agree with Mando it's pretty disappointing that Clay hasn't had a monster camp but its only camp maybe when the games start the light comes on. No surprise that Egnew is non-existent considering Missouri seems to produce TEs who don't produce (Coffman and ______?). So Fasano it is. He's solid/good starter.

OL - Long, Pouncey, Incognito were all expected to start. Long by all accounts is healthy and when healthy is the best in football. Pouncey needs to get those shotgun woes together if not he will be moving to guard but all in all even if he moves to G he still will be a very good player. Incognito, nasty, physical is his MO and seems like a good/solid player. Martin is a pick I liked and hopefully a steal as a 2nd rounder and a keeper, I think so. The RG spot by default goes to Hicks, solid/average.

RB - Reggie Bush showed "IF" he can stay healthy he is a dual threat and be a difference maker in games. He did his part in several win and even losses he played very good. Daniel Thomas played well early and then went soft. Reminds me of Ronnie Brown way too much from his running style to his run hard, get hurt, run soft. Let's see what year 2 brings. Lamar Miller has what can't be taught, speed and I hope the coaches find a way to use him and think they will. The group has question marks but vast potential as well.

DL - I wonder if Odrick can be a pass rush guy in the Will Smith (New Orleans) mold. Starks is legit and a player. Soliai is very good against the run and should continue to be. Wake an effort guy who seemed to get better even if his sack numbers were down last year moves to what is considered his more natural position DE. I think it works because he won't expend all his energy running around in coverage. Sure he will get beat at times but so does Freeny, Osi, Trent Cole and others in that fast/pass rusher mold. Depth a real concern. McDaniel is a good rotation guy, Olivier unproven rookie, Westerman (Spec T) occasional pass rush and a list of no names.

LB - Dansby is a good but not elite player, Burnett played very good later in the season once he got in football shape, Misi? The group is good but nothing special. Dansby should be better in a sideline to sideline 4-3 as opposed to plugger in a 3-4. Burnett I guess should be ok as OLB but Misi is a huge question mark. Maybe he finds his true spot as a 4-3 OLB but I don't see it. Depth wow. I guess Guyton is serviceable but after that they better hope Josh Kaddu can get stronger because he has great athleticism.

Secondary - Grow up Vontae! You are more physically gifted then most CBs in the league let alone on an average secondary. His play is vital to how good this unit is IMO. Kudos to Sean Smith so far for the coaches saying he is getting it with the intangibles and so forth. I only knock his play maybe the light comes on in a contract year (shocker!). Richard Marshall playing well enough to bump Vontae is a plus with so many teams spreading it out offensively. Reshad Jones wanted none of what Vontae was saying on Hard Knocks and good for him, play wise I think he will be good this year. He had moments last year. The other safety spot will be addressed in the offseason IMO not a fan of Clemons and like Jimmy Wilson but more of a depth special teamer to me.

[Mark in Toronto]

And don't you guys also know that every player selected in the first round turns out to be a great NFLer to actually do it every year is no big feat??

Come on Eddie, really??? There are at least 5-8 complete first round busts picked every year. To pick very good players in the first round is nothing to be sneezed at.

I will be the first to say that he hasn't done enough with his picks after round two though. That may change this year though with Veernon and Miller. here's to hope!

[Clue]

Andy, nice assessment, I couldnt agree with you more.

[AndyNJ]

Thanks Clue

[Craig M]

Guys were clamouring for and blasting Ireland for not picking Kenny Britt and Dez Bryant when they had the chance. Ireland did his due dilligence on these guys and it loks like he got it right. Of course the same guys who wanted these guys would be blaming him with all the sh*t going on with both of these two. I'm hearing a lot of talk that the Titans are near the end of their rope with Britt. Too much of a headache and not enough of a return. Be interesting to see if he can redeem himself.

[Zonk]

How does Ireland still have a job?

[Dashi]

Agreed with Andy and tony.

Ireland's worst rd The 2nd. More miss than hit. Henne will beat out gabbert in the pre season though. I know it's not a competition but it'll be a controversy by week 3 of the pre season. Ireland's bust round

[Craig M]

Mark,

Bummer about not getting Hard Knocks up here. I talked to HBO about it and came down to some legal mumbo jumbo. Total BS! How are you making out without it? Have you managed to find it anywhere?

[Coalition for the Coalition]

So in Ireland's 4th year they're 6-10 but its everyone else's fault but Ireland's?? TOO FUNNY!

[AndyNJ]

Craig M,

Wait a minute just read your post. Canada doesnt get HBO?

[Craig M]

Andy,

We have HBOCanada. All the great shows you guys get but for some dumb reason we're not getting Hard Knocks. Legal BS.....just dumb! They probably figured there wasn't a market for it but I know non-football fans who would love this stuff. Great show. Envious that you guys get to watch it.

[1966finfan]

It appears to me that in Les Browns case they are trying to make a tight end out of someone who would be more at home as a wide receiver.

[BPA]

welcome folks, to the world of unrealistic knuckleheads......gents, many of these dudes are ROOKIES.....somehow we all got the idea that rookies are supposed to be immediate contributors (some are across the league, true, but the vast majority aren't), and if they aren't, it was a "disappointing draft"--Tannehill is learning and apparently impressing, Martin is on track right now and clearly guys like Vernon, Miller and even Egnew will get better as they get more NFL reps--late round picks are a crap shoot but the WRs sound like they're getting it....give 'em a little time, please?

[jaison]

mark and craig, i didn't even see it on iTunes. you maybe can look into hulu or netflix? or illegaling download it from torrents.

[Yesterday's Gone]

Loving the improved pass rush potential of this year's front. Odrick's listed as starting left end, but I can easily see him sliding inside next to Starks on pass downs. Wake and Olivier on the outsides.

I still think Gates can be a dominant pro wr. Came from a tiny school where superior talent was good alone. Basically he has to learn to be a pro wr beginning at square one. Hope this organization and coaching staff can continue to be patient with Gates.

I believe we'll see true signs of Gates becoming a monster in year 3 to 4. Remember, at his tiny college school, he never saw defenses or db's even close to the calibre of nfl level. If we give up him now, I believe it'll be a decision we'll come to regret.

He has all of the athletic tools, just that coming from a very small school with inferior talent, he comes to the league with a HUGE learning curve. Many of errantly expected him to be great right away.

[AndyNJ]

Craig M,

you would think with the NFL wanting to globally market they would put it in every country. I know it's HBO buts it's licensed by the NFL obviously you would think they have some control over that.

Yeah sucks for you guys. I like Hard Knocks and naturally more so with the Dolphins being on

[Mark in Toronto]

Craig, Andy, jaison,

I even tried downloading it with torrents and can't find it. I can find every other bloody show on US cable but not that one. Too bad, shame really.

On another note, the latest Season of Breaking Bad is unreal ...

[Dashi]

On the D-line we have OK depth(5-6 dudes for the 1st year in 4-3 not bad), but it wouldn't hurt if JT can play 1 More season? Even if it's for selfish reasons. He can be Top 5 alltime with a couple sacks

Who better to teach the 4-3 end to these guys than Taylor. He could be like trace Armstrong back in the day. Trace had like 16 sacks at 38 cause a young JT was on the other side with the 2 big boys in the middle.

Only problem was the fins had the winningest qb in history back then. U know the qb with 2 bad shoulders yet wannstedt will put him out on the field. The reason spielmen picked Fletcher over Brees.

Good thing Ireland doesn't think the team MVP will cut it for the long run and drafted T-Hill instead of Gilmore or even Luke kuechly.

Everyone saw that scene where Philbin turns around to T-Hill's daddy and tells him did u see that throw T-$izzle made today. Sherman tells him yeah so nonchalantly like he's seen it a 100 times.

Believe me they broke his foot so he can go 8th. Just off size and athleticism alone, the plus is he comes from a pro system. Rg3 and Paul Blake come from a spread system.

[AndyNJ]

Dashi,

Marino was gone when Brees was selected.

[Dol fan]

http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/article-1/J-Train-Looks-To-Keep-Chugging-In-Miami/5f3fd024-ccfa-484d-9360-6ae9f9f353a2

[jaison]

in 2 seasons of being the guy, ireland has brought in a lot of great pieces. be objective and look. bush, moore, garrard, r marshall, hicks, seinbach, c johnson, naanee, burnett and that's off the top of my head. his 2 drafts still need a season or 2 to pan out. but from last draft pouney, wilson and clay all were players. thomas was hurt all season but showed he is a sledge hammer. gate was a project that is looking like he isn't getting any better. but this draft looks to be the best in a decade!!! look at the guys who are already proving their worth in camp!! martin, vernon, miller and kaddu. tannehill may have to sit for a little while but he will be our QB before the season is over. k randall is already penciled in as the 3rd DT. there are a couple other undrafted rookies that have a shot. get real guys. plus ireland got the coach he wanted!!!

[dln265]

On the eve of the first dress rehearsal of 2012 and all people are doing is sniveling over Ireland and complaining about ancient draft history.

Doesn't anyone enjoy watching football anymore and anticipating the upcoming season? Lots of malcontents and Jets fans on this board.

[Zach]

Vontae will grow up now because he was totally publically humiliated that he might have no choice. Personally i think he will regain the starting spot at CB before the first regular season game. I had high hopes for two very underrated players: Michael Egnew and Roberto Wallace. I thought they would both perform better. Michael from what i heard from is getting open and when he does he shreds it up but needs to get consistent (ONLY A ROOKIE). Roberto is doing pretty well but I think he is going to take the next step up during the pre-season to make the team and contribute to the team.

PHINS UP!!!

[Yesterday's Gone]

2nd rd Ireland's worst? Jury's still out on that. Ireland's only had two drafts in total control. Even if you wanted to call it 3(Misi), Misi's reported to be having a really nice camp thus far, he's listed 1st team lb right now isnt he? A 2nd rd'er nailing down a starter position is far from bust.

Last year Ireland traded back into the 2nd rd(Thomas). He's currently listed 2nd on the depth chart to a former top 5 overall pick(Bush). In my book that's not to shabby. If Thomas was currently ahead of Bush, I would be far more concerned about what's going on with Reggie Bush.

This year's 2nd rd pick, Jonathan Martin. Having a great camp! Those saying Ireland sucks at 2nd rd picks probably need to get those wooden cox out of your on mouth. Even Sean Smith is currently listed as a starter. The greatest 2nd rd bust was Pat White. That was Parcells pick.

[jaison]

added bonus, when ireland fired tony s the jets made him the guy to run their offense!! Bahahahaha!!!!!

only 2 people were sad to see tony go. fields and carpenter!!!

[ALoco]

DIN265,9 SEASONS OF ONLY GOING TO PLAY-OFF MAKE PEOPLE WARY OF EVERYTHING
DASHBOARD, JASIN TAYLER IS ARMANDO's ONLY SOURCE IN DOLPIN CAMP,SINCE HE RETIRED ARMANDO ONLY SEES JASON ON SUNDAY DINNER,ARMANDO NOW HAS NO INSIDE GUY NOW.
HE WOULD LOVE TAYLER TO BE BACK IN CAMP.

(BUFFET OF KNOWLEDGE)

[Craig M]

Andy,

My guess is that HBO wanted too much money to put it on HBO Canada and felt there wouldn't be abig enough audience. You guys are 10 times the size of us, therefore much larger audience. Real shame because there are LOTS of Candians that eat and breath the NFL, not just Mark and I.

Mark, if you have any success let me know. I'll do the same. I'm a big Breaking Bad fan. Not loving this year so far, but it's early. I was late to the table on this show and loved watching all the episodes, back to back. My PVR got a workout. Not loving the idea of watching an episode and then having a week off.

[Craig M]

Mark,

I just read that the first episode is FREE on HBO.com. It's a start. I'll check it out tonight. Let me know if it works.

[Yesterday's Gone]

The guy that wasted a lot of Dolphin draft picks was Parcellls. Have you guys noticed the "DOUBLE DOWN" drafting "BS" stopped when Ireland was handed over "FULL CONTROL"?

[jaison]

mak, if anyone deserves an emmy for this season so far it's mike!!!! he's an old man and he scares me sometimes. breaking bad is one of the best written show of all time. i hope vince gilligan is starting a new show some where!!!

[Craig M]

jaison,

Mike is a great character! But I also like what the kid brings to the table (Walt's partner....sorry blanking). Very talented actor and I think you'll see a lot from this kid.

[Yesterday's Gone]

Jaison @ 11:21AM,

I beg to differ. Carpenter and Fields are the 2 happiest fins to see Sparano go. Both thier legs were in dire jeapardy of falling off had Sparano stayed even one more season. LOL

[Coalition for the Coalition]

Which was Irelan's worst blunder?

A) Drafting Chad Henne

B) Drafting Pat White

C) 3 picks for D Thomas

D) The Dez Bryant debacle

E) Hiring another rookie HC

[BPA]

Misi has only played 2 years and has been a starter most of the time.....sounds like this camp has been his best....no, doesn't sound like he's headed to Canton and hasn't been as strong a pass rusher as expected, but he's still young and apparently improving--again, he's started most games and is pretty good, so why does he continue to be viewed as a disappointment?--I don't get it......