Sports Buzz

Dolphins bring in Sims-Walker, Stallworth and a quarterback; preseason postscripts

Postscripts and reaction to the Dolphins’ 30-13 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday night:

### THURSDAY MORNING UPDATE: The Dolphins, eager to add one or two receivers in the next few days, intensified their search by booking a Thursday workout with veteran Donte Stallworth, according to a league source. They also are strongly considering Jabar Gaffney, though he will not be part of a group that's working out today. Stallworth and Gaffney both are 31, both played for the Redskins last season and both were cut by the Patriots this week.

Stallworth caught 22 passes for 309 yards for Washington last season. Stallworth has played for six teams and has 320 receptions in nine NFL seasons.

Gaffney caught 68 passes for 947 yards and five touchdowns for the Redskins last season. He opened Patriots camp with the first team but has been sidelined since a right quadriceps injury Aug. 16.

The Dolphins also will consider plucking a receiver or two off waivers in the next two days.

On Thursday - as first reported by Sirius XM Radio's Howard Balzer - Miami also worked out Mike Sims-Walker, who had 63 catches for Jacksonville in 2009 and 43 in 2010 but just 12 in six games for Rams and Jaguars last season. A third-round pick in 2007, Walker spent part of last season on injured reserve with a knee injury. He has not been in an NFL camp this summer.

Receiver Brian Tymes, undrafted out of Florida A&M this year, also auditioned. He had two catches for 18 yards for the 49ers in a preseason game before being released.

Also today, Miami will work out quarterback Matt Blanchard, who was cut by the Bears. He led Wisconsin-Whitewater to three Division III national championships and led the Bears on two scoring drives in preseason. David Garrard, off knee surgery, is awaiting word on whether Miami will release him via an injury settlement. That's a good possibility unless the Dolphins opt to trade Matt Moore.

Garrard tweeted Thursday: "Great day of workouts today... some field work and throwing...."

As for last night's game....

### Joe Philbin was upset afterward: "This is a disappointing loss. I told the team I don't care if this was the fourth preseason game, seventh regular season game or the Super Bowl, that's unacceptable. Poorly coached game. We didn't tackle well. Not a good game. Not a good performance by our team. I'm the head coach. Poor job by me getting us ready.

"Guys didn't play well. We've got a lot of improving to do. We haven't scored enough touchdowns. Am I concerned? Yes. I thought we've been a good team in practice. We haven't transferred it to the game. We're going to get back to work on Friday and we're going to fix it."

Philbin said he wouldn't "necessarily" be surprised if a good number of players are added in the coming days.

### Ryan Tannehill was sharp, completing 5 of 7 passes for 35 yards in two series of work.  And, by the way, the two incompletions weren’t his fault. One was a third-down drop by Legedu Naanee, who continues to underwhelm, and the other was an incomplete fade to Naanee in the end zone which should have been a pass interference call against Dallas.

"Ryan did OK," Philbin said. "The more times Ryan gets to go through this whole process - the warmup, playing the game, we felt it was important to him. He's not really at the stage where you want to rest a guy."

### ESPN's Eric Mangini, the former Browns coach, said of Tannehill: "Tonight, he did a really good job. He completed passes against multiple different defenses. That's what you saw from Andy Dalton last preseason." Merril Hoge praised him but said: "You still have to hide him and protect him."

### Matt Moore (4 for 12, 49 yards) had another poor night, including throwing an interception that was returned 26 yards for a touchdown by Orie Lemon. He was frequently under heavy pressure. Pat Devlin closed 7 for 12 for 63 yards.

### With Davone Bess and Brian Hartline out, Rishard Matthews (3 catches, 47 yards) and Marlon Moore (2 for 19) had the best night of the receivers. Matthews made a nifty catch while falling down, and Joe Rose – on the radio broadcast – predicted the seventh-round rookie “is going to be on this team.”

Moore, who started the game opposite Naanee, ran sharp routes and also forced a Cowboys fumble on special teams. B.J. Cunningham (2 for 23) also looked good.

The other receivers? Roberto Wallace had a false-start penalty and didn’t make a catch for the second consecutive game; despite a strong start to camp, he hasn’t done enough to justify a roster spot. Jeff Fuller (one catch, six yards) had a holding penalty. Clyde Gates had one catch for seven yards. Chris Hogan was targeted a few times but did not make a catch. 

Naanee (2 catches, 19 yards) was criticized for one of those two catches, with CBS-4's Nat Moore noting that he too often catches the ball with his body and not his hands.

### Quinten Lawrence seemingly squandered his chance to grab hold of the No. 4 cornerback job, and potentially, a roster spot. He was called for two pass-interference penalties (including a 43-yarder while unsuccessfullly covering Kevin Ogletree) and was beaten on a few other plays. Lawrence’s poor work means the Dolphins likely need to add two cornerbacks, not one.

And remember, Dolphins defensive backs were competing against backup receivers and the Cowboys' third- and fourth-string quarterbacks.

### And what about Nolan Carroll, who was elevated to the No. 3 cornerback job with Vontae Davis’ departure? Carroll started well Wednesday, knocking away a pass in the end zone and making another good play on the ball. But he was beaten by fringe receiver Andre Holmes for a 32-yard catch and was called for 14-yard pass interference penalty against fringe receiver Tim Benford.

### Starting cornerback Richard Marshall, during his cameo, was called for a horse-collar penalty and allowed a completion to Ogletree that was negated by a Cowboys holding penalty.

### The defense, which used backups most of the night, continued to be deficient in offering run support on plays that bounced outside. The Cowboys ran for 238 yards in an embarrassing display of run defense. Jonathan Freeny, Kevyn Scott and Anderson Russell all looked helpless on Lance Dunbar’s 58-yard TD run.

### Ray Feinga, starting at left tackle in Jake Long’s absence, allowed Victor Butler to easily run around him for a sack. Later, left tackle Andrew McDonald also allowed a sack. Jonathan Martin started at right tackle for the fourth straight game but also got some work at left tackle.

John Jerry played most of the night and had some good moments at right guard. Philbin called the play of the offensive line "average" and was troubled by breakdowns in pass protection.

### Running back Marcus Thigpen handled all returns and got a lot of work at receiver, leading to speculation on the broadcast that he has made the team. But his production was marginal; his four kickoff returns averaged 24 yards. He had one rush for three yards and one catch for seven yards.

### Daniel Thomas (5 carries, 31 yards), Lamar Miller (17 for 60) and Steve Slaton (4 for 22) all ran well. "He's making progress, running the ball more physical," Philbin said of Thomas. "He's doing a good job in pass protection." Reggie Bush got the night off. Jorvorskie Lane (one catch, 12 yards) had a good night at fullback.

### Kheeston Randall had a sack and Olivier Vernon and Jamaal Westerman combined on another sack.

### The only other times Miami finished 0-4 in preseason, they finished with regular-season records of 3-11 (1966) and 8-8 (1989).

### On the TV broadcast, Bob Griese encouraged the Dolphins to trade the second-rounder acquired in the Davis trade. “You don’t need draft picks; you need receivers and offensive linemen," Griese said.

   

Vontae trade criticized; Dolphins roster breakdown; Rookie QB tidbits; Canes notes

WEDNESDAY BUZZ COLUMN

Note: Please see our last post for a recap of Tuesday night's episode of Hard Knocks, offering exceptional behind-the-scenes access on the Vontae Davis trade.

# # #

All football today:

### Though former Colts executive Bill Polian insists the Dolphins “did really well” by getting a second-round pick and a conditional sixth-rounder for Vontae Davis, others do not agree – from current Dolphins (“I’m still bummed about it,” one player told us, among several Dolphins players puzzled and irritated by the trade); to an NFC executive (who said this reinforces Steve Ross has the wrong people running his front office) to a very good former Fins cornerback.

Then there’s Jimmy Johnson, who said Miami’s return on the trade isn’t as good as it seems.

“Normally, in trades, you devalue the trade one pick per year,” Johnson said. “Since you don’t have a chance to use the player [Davis] this year, you’re in essence getting a third-round pick back.”

Johnson said he didn’t intend to rip the Dolphins when he tweeted: “Let me think.. Dolphins trade Pro Bowler Brandon Marshall for nothing, release best receiver, trade away a good cornerback.”

Johnson said by phone: “Only they know what’s best for their team. An outsider can’t evaluate it. I was making an observation that for a building team, they have lost some talent. Marshall is talented and they gave up a lot to get him. Davis is talented; you gave up a one to get him.”

Jeff Ireland said “it’s unprecedented to get such a high pick at this time of the year.”

But Johnson countered: “At this time of year, talent is valuable because you’re about to play in two weeks!... Good corners are hard to find.”

Davis and Sean Smith hoped they would become a reincarnation of Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain.

"I don’t agree with the trade,” Surtain said at the Dolphins’ kickoff luncheon at Jungle Island Tuesday. “In this league, with so many passing offenses, you need more than two good corners. Vontae was on the verge of the next step and that would have been a formidable trio with Vontae, Sean Smith and Richard Marshall. And who knows if the draft pick they got will pan out? They traded a second-rounder for me and got Matt Roth!”

### A sobering stat: The last time Marshall was a full-time starter (2010 in Carolina), he gave up more completions (73, in 97 throws in which he was targeted) than all but two cornerbacks in the league.... Nolan Carroll, who will play more than 60 percent of the time now, allowed 19 of 38 passes to be completed against him in his first two years (above average) for 14.1 yards per catch (below average, and equal to the average reception against Marshall last year in Arizona).

FINS ROSTER PROJECTIONS

NFL roster projections are hardly scientific, especially with this Dolphins team, considering three to six new players could be added this weekend. And there are always surprises. With that said, some points to chew on:

### Offense --- There are at least 17 spots seemingly well secured: Ryan Tannehill, Matt Moore, Reggie Bush, Lamar Miller, Daniel Thomas, Davone Bess, Anthony Fasano, Charles Clay, Michael Egnew, Jake Long, Richie Incognito, Jonathan Martin, Mike Pouncey, Artis Hicks, Brian Hartline, John Jerry and Legedu Naanee (barring a flurry of veterans available that the Dolphins deem better than Naanee). And it would be surprising, at this point, if fullback Jorvorskie Lane and centerJosh Samuda don't stick.

That's 19. Add three receivers from the current group of Marlon Moore (who has received the most recent first-team reps of the bubble guys but can exasperate, such as an easy drop in Monday's practice), Roberto Wallace (has lost some momentum), Clyde Gates (making a late push), Jeff Fuller (intoxicating skills but prone to drops), Chris Hogan (couldn't even get receiver snaps until the fourth quarter against Atlanta),  Rishard Matthews and B.J. Cunningham. So that's 22.

If Miami keeps 26 on offense and 24 on defense (which would make some sense), that leaves four spots: two to backup offensive linemen (injured and not-especially-cheap Nate Garner and Lydon Murtha - once front-runners - are now at serious risk); perhaps either a third quarterback or a fourth tight end; and another running back (Steve Slaton or Marcus Thigpen, who said he was used in Monday’s practice at receiver because the Dolphins want to make him multi-positional).

Pat Devlin has a chance Wednesday night in Dallas to validate that he's worthy of being a third quarterback here or elsewhere. It's difficult to see the Dolphins justify keeping David Garrard and his $2.75 million salary (barring a trade of Matt Moore), but this organization routinely goes against conventional wisdom. If Miami keeps two quarterbacks and four tight ends, it could look elsewhere to upgrade over blocking tight end Jeron Mastrud.  Miami also could keep five receivers, four tight ends and three quarterbacks.  

### Defense --- Firmly in place are Cameron Wake, Jared Odrick, Paul Soliai, Randy Starks, Olivier Vernon, Karlos Dansby, Kevin Burnett, Koa Misi, Reshad Jones, Chris Clemons, Jimmy Wilson, Sean Smith, Richard Marshall, Nolan Carroll and Tony McDaniel.

Tyrone Culver could be added to that group, at $800,000, unless Miami finds someone better. Jason Trusnik (among Miami's best special teams players) seems in good shape to be one of three backup linebackers. That’s 17. And the other primary backup linebackers, Gary Guyton and Austin Spitler, have done good enough work to give them a good chance to stick, though Josh Kaddu and Cameron Collins remain in the mix and outside options will be considered.

So that's 19. Add a No. 4 and No. 5 cornerback and that brings the number to 21; one or two jobs will go to cornerbacks currently not on the roster, based on whether Quinten Lawrence is kept. Wednesday night is huge for Lawrence.

Under the 24-player-on-defense scenario, that leaves three spots more for the defensive line – another tackle (Kheeston Randall; skilled, under-the-radar Isaako Aaitui; and perennial survivor Ryan Baker) and two ends (Jamaal Westerman and Derrick Shelby are front-runners).

ROOKIE QB TALK

### Though it seems unlikely, the Dolphins are hoping Tannehill does what Andy Dalton did for Cincinnati last season: take a sub-.500 team and help transform it into a playoff squad. (The Bengals went from 4-12 to 9-7 but had a better receiver corps and defense than Miami’s.)  

So just how unusual is it for rookie quarterbacks to post winning records? Consider: Since 1960, 68 rookie quarterbacks started at least half their team’s games. Of those, only 15 had winning records as starters (22 percent) – including one of 22 between 1960 and 1979 (Phil Simms) and one of 18 between 1989 and 2002 (Kerry Collins).

Two Dolphins are among those 15: Dan Marino (7-2) and David Woodley (6-5).

The good news: Nine of the past 21 of those rookie quarterbacks who started at least half the time (42.8 percent) posted winning records. The best of those 11: Ben Roethlisberger (13-0 as a rookie) and Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco (each 11-5).

Problem is, “you named a bunch of guys that joined pretty good teams,” CBS’ Dan Dierdorf said. “Roethlisberger, Flacco joined really good teams. Matt Ryan joined an up-and-coming team. And look at how teams protected them. Tannehill won’t be in that position. He will have to have growing pains.”

### Though most everyone expects the Dolphins to have a losing record, remember Vince Young, Trent Edwards, Ryan, Flacco and Dalton all had winning records, as rookies, on teams that finished below .500 the previous season, though most or all had better material around them than Miami. The Titans were 4-12 before going 8-5 with Young. The Falcons were 4-12 before Ryan led them to 11-5, albeit with clearly better talent than Miami’s.

### Couple other rookie QB factoids, while we're on the topic: Keep in mind that of the 15 quarterbacks who posted winning records as rookies, several either have been merely adequate as pros (Mark Sanchez, Chris Chandler, Kyle Orton) or turned into journeymen: Kyle Boller, Woodley Young and Edwards.

 ### Several recent first- and second-round quarterbacks joined bad or mediocre teams and continued to lose as rookies, which is what many pundits expect with Tannehill because of a weak supporting cast: Christian Ponder (2-8 as a rookie), Blaine Gabbert (4-10), Jimmy Clausen (1-9), Sam Bradford (7-9) and Matt Stafford (2-8). Carolina improved from 2-14 to 6-10 in Cam Newton’s first season.

### Overall, rookie quarterbacks are 83-106 since 2006. But they’re often a good bet for gamblers: In those 189 games, they’re 102-82-5 against the spread, according to beyondthebets.com.

### The odds of a rookie quarterback not only leading his team to the playoffs, but winning a postseason game? Very low. Only Sanchez, Flacco, Roethlisberger and Shaun King have done it since 1970, according to nfl.com.

CANES TIDBITS

Mike James and Rashawn Scott pointed to receiver Kendal Thompkins as the biggest surprise of fall camp. UM people say he has a knack for getting open, but we’ve heard the Thompkins hype every year and we’re still waiting. Our vote for most surprising: Linebacker Thurston Armbrister, who keeps making plays in practice and is in a tight battle with Eddie Johnson to start. Armbrister is long and active and looking much better than a typical two-star recruit. We'll see if it translates to games.... Brandon McGee has distanced himself from UM's other cornerbacks, Al Golden says, adding that Thomas Finnie also has emerged in the past week. Golden wants prized freshman Tracy Howard to be more careful with his hands so he doesn't leave himself open to penalties....

Expect UM to run more 8-to-10 yard hitch routes now because Stephen Morris will get the ball to the receivers must faster than Jacory Harris did, and UM believes the receivers will excel in yards-after-catch…. Though Luther Robinson keeps winning one-on-one drills in practice and Olsen Pierre has improved, defensive tackle is UM’s biggest worry, and with good reason… UM says it hopes impressive freshman linebacker Raphael Kirby (knee) can return by October. 

Two veterans UM wants more from: tight end Clive Walford (needs to play with same motor every play) and safety Vaughn Telemaque (must make more plays).