Updated between 1 and 4 p.m.: We've been breaking lots of Dolphins cuts on Twitter today, and here are the Dolphins' expected cuts:
Additional cuts will be necessary if Miami claims a player on waivers. Here are what we are told will be the cuts at each position:
Quarterback: Josh Freeman; McLeod Bethel Thompson
Running back: Mike Gilislee
Offensive line: Sam Brenner, Michael Leidtke, Donald Hawkins, Aundray Walker
Receiver: Demarr Aultman, Cobi Hamilton, Christion Jones
Tight end: Tim Semisch, Jake Stoneburner
Defensive line: Deandre Coleman, Emmanuel Dieke, Anthony Johnson.
Linebacker: Mike Hull, Jeff Luc, James Davidson, Jordan Tripp.
Safety: Don Jones (told to expect his release), Cedric Thompson.
Kicker: Caleb Sturgis. (Andrew Franks was told that he has won the job.)
So that's 22 cuts. FYI: Will Davis was among bubble players who made the team, as of today.
The Dolphins plan to keep Jay Ajayi on their 53-man roster instead of short-term IR, even though he could miss a few weeks with a rib injury.
[5 p.m. update: The Dolphins have confirmed each of the aforementioned 22 cuts.]
Other familiar names with local ties (ex-Canes or ex-Dolphins) who were cut today: Shane McDermott (Dallas), Erik Swoope (Colts), Arthur Lynch (Jets), Malcolm Bunche (Eagles), Seth Lobato (Tampa Bay), Reggie Wayne (Patriots), Marcus Forston and Brandon McGee (both Rams).
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FRIDAY NIGHT UPDATE
As Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline approaches, the Dolphins are about halfway through the 22 cuts needed to slice the roster from 75 to 53, according to a Dolphins source.
As of early evening, we’ve confirmed eight cuts: offensive linemen Michael Liedtke and Donald Hawkins, defensive lineman Anthony Johnson, linebackers James Davidson and Jeff Luc, receiver Damarr Aultman, defensive lineman DeAndre Coleman and (this one was first reported by Bleacher Report) --- quarterback Josh Freeman.
We’re told a couple others also were cut but there was no immediate confirmation. In fact, the Dolphins announced nothing today.
Among others who likely will be jettisoned: Cobi Hamilton, Christion Jones, Emmanuel Dieke and McLeod Bethel-Thompson.
That would leave 10 more cuts needed beyond those names. Several roster battles weren’t resolved as of 7 p.m. Friday, including the Caleb Sturgis/Andrew Franks competition.
### Other familiar names cut loose today: Former UM quarterback Stephen Morris, by Jacksonville (the Dolphins expressed interest before he signed with the Jaguars); former UM and UCF running back Storm Johnson; quarterback Rex Grossman (by Atlanta); former Dolphins linebacker Philip Wheeler, by San Francisco; and former FSU standout Darnell Dockett, also by the 49ers.
Chicago cut linebacker Mason Foster, who said he chose the Bears over the Dolphins this past off-season. But the Dolphins like middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard and believe they have a promising young middle linebacker in Zach Vigil.
NFL TV COLUMN
Rounding up network plans for the NFL this season:
CBS
### What’s on: Sunday road games of AFC teams; a few crossover NFC games (including Bears-Seahawks in Week 3); Thursday night games during Weeks 2 through 8, plus Packers-Lions on Thursday, Dec. 3 and Panthers-Cowboys on Thanksgiving.
### What’s new: Nothing of significance. All of the announcing teams return intact, with the exception of Jamie Erdahl replacing Jenny Dell as a sideline reporter.
### Announcing teams: Jim Nantz-Phil Simms, Ian Eagle-Dan Fouts, Greg Gumbel-Trent Green, Kevin Harlan-Rich Gannon, Spero Dedes-Solomon Wilcots, Andrew Catalon-Steve Tasker-Steve Beuerlein, Tom McCarthy-Adam Archuleta and Brian Anderson-Chris Simms.
### Extra point: As Dan Marino’s replacement in studio, Tony Gonzalez was polished and likable as a TV rookie last season but never offered anything of great depth, instead speaking mostly in short sound bites and often stating the obvious. Bart Scott, Shannon Sharpe’s replacement last season, isn’t as polished as Gonzalez, but his remarks often were more meaty and substantive. James Brown, Boomer Esiason and Bill Cowher return as the other members of the pre-game cast.
Fox
### What’s on: Sunday road games of NFC teams, a few crossover AFC games and Eagles-Lions on Thanksgiving.
### What’s new: Fox has separated the Moose/Goose announcing team, with Tony Siragusa leaving Daryl Johnston and pairing with Thom Brennaman and Charles Davis, who moves over from college games… Fox Sports Net’s 11 a.m. pregame show is shifting to Fox, as lead-in programming for Fox NFL Sunday at noon.
### Announcing teams: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman; Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch; Kenny Albert, Johnston; Brennaman, Davis; Chris Myers, Ronde Barber; Dick Stockton, David Diehl; Sam Rosen with alternating analysts (Chris Cooley, Matt Millen, Kirk Morrison, Brady Quinn).
### Extra points: Colin Cowherd, who left ESPN for Fox, will have a role on that new 11 a.m. hour of the pre-game show…. Fox intended to use Donovan McNabb as an game analyst this season before his second DUI arrest.
NBC
### What’s on: Sunday night games, the Thursday season opener (Steelers-Patriots Sept. 10) and Bears-Packers at 8:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving.
### What’s new: Nothing significant on the over-the-air side. On the cable side, Rodney Harrison agreed to join Paul Burmeister and Mike Florio on Pro Football Talk at 6 p.m. weeknights on NBCSN.
### Announcing team: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth.
### Extra point: NBC’s schedule is once again the best of the prime-time packages, highlighted by Giants-Cowboys, Seahawks-Packers and Patriots-Broncos. The Giants, Panthers, Saints and Bears are the only teams scheduled to appear that had losing records in 2014, but Carolina made the playoffs and the others still hold some national appeal.
ESPN
### What’s on: Monday night games every week (except Week 17), plus a wild-card playoff game.
### What’s new: NFL Countdown has been shortened by an hour and will run 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Look for a faster-paced format and an increased presence from fantasy football expert Matthew Berry…. Replacing the 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. hour of Countdown: a Sunday edition of NFL Insiders, with Trey Wingo, Adam Schefter, Chris Mortensen and Louis Riddick.
### Announcing teams: Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden for every game except Vikings-49ers, the second game of the Sept. 14 double-header. Chris Berman and Trent Dilfer call that game.
### Extra point: Suzy Kolber becomes the new on-site host and post-game SportsCenter anchor for Monday Night Football. Stuart Scott held that role before his death in January.
NFL Network
### What’s on: Every Thursday night game except Week 1 and Thanksgiving (which NBC gets), plus two Saturday night games: Jets-Cowboys in Week 15, Redskins-Eagles in Week 16.
### What’s new: Warren Sapp was dumped after an alleged assault on a prostitute during Super Bowl weekend. He generally won’t be missed. Maurice Jones-Drew and Ike Taylor were hired as analysts on NFL Total Access.
### Announcing team: Nantz, Simms.
### Extra point: NFL Network’s Sunday 11:30 p.m. GameDay Final highlights show --- with Chris Rose, Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders --- delivers the long-form highlights that ESPN perfected when it aired NFL PrimeTime.
Showtime
### What’s on: Inside The NFL every Wednesday night, with numerous replays.
### What’s new: Ed Reed was dropped after one season because Showtime wanted to reduce the number of analysts. Adam Schein replaces Gumbel as host.
### Studio team: Schein, Esiason, Simms (when schedule permits), Jets receiver Brandon Marshall (when schedule permits). Irvin will fill in several weeks.
### Extra point: Collinsworth was missed last season, but Esiason --- though a bit overexposed --- was a thoughtful, logical replacement. Marshall was reluctant to criticize, which Showtime should have expected considering he’s still an active player.
### Twitter: @flasportsbuzz
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