Miami Dolphins Sign WR Ryan Grice-Mullen, OLB Brian Johnston

The Dolphins continued to add to their offseason roster Wednesday, signing wide receiver Ryan Grice-Mullen and defensive end/linebacker Brian Johnston to future contracts.

An undrafted receiver out of Hawaii in 2008, Grice-Mullen had brief offseason stints with the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears, and has played the past two years with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.

A college teammate of current Dolphins receiver Davone Bess, Grice-Mullen is the second BC Lions player to be signed by the Dolphins this offseason, joining fullback Rolly Lumbala .

A seventh-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs out of Gardner-Webb in 2007, Johnston played one season with the Chiefs and was briefly with the Detroit Lions this past offseason before spending the regular season out of football.

Ryan Grice-Mullen

A Rialto, Calif. native, Grice-Mullen (5-11, 180) was a three-year starter for the Hawaii Warriors from 2005 to 2007.

He entered the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman in 2005, leading the Warriors in receiving with 1,228 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Injuries forced Grice-Mullen to miss four games in 2006, although he still appeared in 10 contests (nine starts) and finished fourth on the team with 770 yards and 11 touchdowns.

During his junior season, Grice-Mullen led the Warriors in receiving by catching 106 passes for 1,372 yards and 13 touchdowns (all career highs) in 13 games.

Grice-Mullen decided to forego his senior season at Hawaii and enter the 2008 NFL Draft, but went undrafted and signed with the Houston Texans as a free agent, only to be released in June.

The Chicago Bears signed Grice-Mullen on July 24, 2008, but waived him prior to the regular season on Aug. 24.

Grice-Mullen headed north after his release from the Bears, joining the CFL’s BC Lions. He caught nine passes for 175 yards and a touchdown during his rookie season.

Grice-Mullen caught 20 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown in 2009, while also serving as the Lions’ primary return specialist due to the departure of Stefan Logan (Steelers). He set a CFL playoff record with a 106-yard punt returned for a touchdown.

Brian Johnston

Johnston (6-4, 269) was a four-year starter at Gardner-Webb and finished his collegiate career as one of the most prolific defenders in school history.

At the conclusion of his career, Johnston had totaled 268 tackles (55.5 for losses), 21.0 sacks, ten forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, six passes defensed, and one blocked kick, while also adding three touchdown receptions.

Johnston was a three-time first-team All-Big South selection during his final three seasons at Gardner-Webb, as well as the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year and an All-American his final two years.

Johnston received pre-draft interest from numerous teams in 2008, including the Miami Dolphins. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the seventh round (210th overall) and signed with the team July 16.

After appearing in nine games and recording three tackles for the Chiefs as a rookie, Johnston was waived by the team May 26, 2009. He was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions, but failed his physical and spent the rest of the year out of football.

Analysis

When the Dolphins signed Davone Bess as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Hawaii in 2008, they could have just as easily signed Ryan Grice-Mullen.

Both players came from Hawaii. They are nearly identical in size. Both were highly productive in the Warriors’ air-it-out offense. Both offer reliable hands, have more quickness than straight-line speed and are better suited for a slot role in the NFL. Heck, both even have dreadlocks!

Obviously, Bess has already established himself in the NFL and has displayed excellent hands, while Grice-Mullen failed to catch on with two NFL clubs and really hasn’t done a whole lot on offense during his two years in Canada.

Despite Miami’s lack of elite talent at wide receiver, Grice-Mullen will likely have a tough time earning a roster spot. He doesn’t offer anything in the explosion or playmaking department, and that’s one kind of receiver the Dolphins already have in bulk.

One has to assume that Davone Bess, Greg Camarillo and Brian Hartline are locks. Despite his struggles and the fans’ wishes, Ted Ginn, Jr. will likely return as well (although an acquisition of Joshua Cribbs could change that). That’s four receivers, and the Dolphins prefer to keep only five.

2009 third-rounder Patrick Turner is a candidate to be cut, but the Dolphins surely want to add a big-time No. 1 receiver or a young high draft pick with the potential to be just that.

That means five receivers, and there simply isn’t room for any more slot receivers with low ceilings. I give him a better chance than Julius Pruitt and Taurus Johnson, but only because I give both of them really no chance.

That essentially means Grice-Mullen will be competing for a practice squad spot, if he’d prefer that to playing across the border.

As for Johnston, he currently stands a much better chance at making the roster, but is still no lock by any means.

Johnston may have attended a small school in Gardner-Webb, but his collegiate production is undeniable and it would not be a shock to see him have a productive NFL career.

However, it is a bit concerning that Johnston didn’t play at all this past season, but it’s possible he was injured as he did fail his physical with the Lions in June. Johnston also wasn’t practice-squad eligible based on the number of games he played in 2008.

A defensive end in the Chiefs’ 4-3 scheme, Johnston will stand out and play outside linebacker in the Dolphins’ 3-4. The role still primarily consists of rushing the passer though it does come with more coverage responsibilities than you’d have as a lineman.

As it stands now, Johnston has a solid shot at making the team as a reserve outside linebacker. He is one of only five at the position under contract, joining Charlie Anderson, Joey Porter, Cameron Wake and Erik Walden. It’s worth noting that Porter could end up being released in the offseason.

Jason Taylor is an unrestricted free agent and Quentin Moses is a restricted free agent. Taylor’s return is up in the air although Moses will probably be tendered and re-signed.

Although he has the talent to compete, Johnston has to be considered more likely to be released than make the team. He’ll have to compete with players such as Walden and Moses for a roster spot—players who are probably just as talented and have established themselves on special teams.

 

 

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Miami Dolphins Sign CFL Fullback Rolly Lumbala

For the second year in a row, the Miami Dolphins have kicked off the offseason by signing a player from the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.

Nearly one year after signing linebacker Cameron Wake, the Dolphins have signed Lions fullback Rolly Lumbala to a two-year contract.

Contract details were not disclosed, though Lumbala received no signing bonus and almost certainly has base salaries for the league minimum.

This is not Lumbala’s first encounter with the Dolphins, as he originally tried out for the team as an undrafted rookie out of Idaho in a May 2008 minicamp.

Background

Born in Gabon and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Lumbala attended the University of Idaho, where he was a four-year letterman for the Vandals’ football team.

Lumbala experienced his best collegiate season as a freshman in 2004, rushing for 614 yard and six touchdowns. He added 472 yards and a touchdown on the ground the following season, while setting career highs with 22 receptions for 217 yards and two touchdowns in 2005.

Lumbala began to take on more of a blocking role later in his career, carrying the ball on 22 times over his final two seasons, including only once as a senior in 2007.

Undrafted in the 2008 NFL Draft, Lumbala tried out for the Miami Dolphins as a three-day May minicamp, but was unsigned. He was, however, drafted by the BC Lions in the second round (ninth overall) of 2008 CFL Draft.

Lumbala appeared in 18 games for the Lions as a rookie, carrying the ball 12 times for 28 yards and two touchdowns while recording nine special teams tackles.

This past season, Lumbala served as the Lions’ starting fullback and lead blocker, helping rookie running back Martell Mallett rank fourth in the league with 1,240 yards on the ground.

Lumbala was also productive in his own right, catching five passes for 45 yards while recording 22 tackles on special teams.

With the CFL’s option-year signing period going from Jan. 4 to Feb. 15, Lumbala worked out for the Dolphins prior to Christmas after his agent set up the audition.

Lumbala worked out for the Pittsburgh Steelers and fielded a nearly-identical offer from the team, though he chose the Dolphins because he deemed them a better fit.

Lumbala’s signing gives the Dolphins 59 players on the active roster (excluding impending free agents) and makes him the only fullback after starter Lousaka Polite.

Coincidentally, Lumbala wore Polite’s No. 36 when he tried out for the Dolphins in May 2008.

Analysis

Lumbala has some ability as a lead blocker, but Miami certainly doesn’t need help in that department.

Lousaka Polite was the best blocking fullback in the NFL this season and was wisely signed to a two-year extension in the last offseason.

The Dolphins also prefer to only keep one fullback, so if Lumbala is to make the roster, he’ll have to make his mark elsewhere.

Lumbala was a standout special teams player for the Lions, finishing second on the team in special teams tackles with 22 in 2009.

The Dolphins’ special teams coverage units have been shaky at best under coordinator John Bonamego, and the team’s leading tackler in that department from 2009—cornerback Nathan Jones—is an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Lumbala will have a battle on his hands to make the roster, and doesn’t have the advantage of being needed or really able to contribute on offense or defense like some of the team’s other top special teams players, such as Jason Allen, Lex Hilliard, Tyrone Culver and Cameron Wake.

He has to be considered a long shot to make the roster at this time, but he’ll certainly be an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on this offseason.

 

 

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Miami Dolphins Re-Sign Six to Future Contracts

With the Miami Dolphins’ season over, practice squad contracts have expired and those players are now free agents.

As expected, the Dolphins have re-signed six of the seven players that finished the season on their practice squad to future contracts for 2010.

Those six players—running back Tristan Davis, guard Ray Feinga, wide receiver Taurus Johnson, tight end John Nalbone, safety Nate Ness, and wide receiver Julius Pruitt—will join the Dolphins’ 80-man offseason roster in hopes of competing for a roster spot in training camp.

Left unsigned was cornerback Will Billingsley—a second-year player who finished the season on the practice squad/injured list. It’s unknown if it was this injury, an October arrest stemming from a domestic incident, or another reason that caused him not to be re-signed.

With the signings, the Dolphins’ 80-man offseason roster now stands at 58 players under contract. This does not include the nine pending free agents I listed yesterday.

Here is a quick look at the six players re-signed today and the challenges they’ll likely face in making the Dolphins’ roster in 2010. All should be considered long-shots and aren’t even locks to make it to training camp, let alone final cuts.

• RB Tristan Davis — Davis (6-1, 191) was an undrafted rookie out of Auburn, playing part of the preseason with the Detroit Lions before spending time on their practice squad. He has almost no chance to make active roster behind Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, Patrick Cobbs, Lex Hilliard and Kory Sheets, though he has experience as a kickoff returner and could try to compete there as well.
• OG Ray Feinga — Feinga (6-4, 336) was an undrafted rookie out of BYU, spending part of the offseason with the St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers. A two-time first-team All-Mountain West selection, Feinga will try to push Andrew Hartline for a reserve guard spot.
• WR Taurus Johnson — Johnson (6-1, 205) was an undrafted rookie out of South Florida, spending the preseason with the Kansas City Chiefs and part of the regular season on the Lions’ practice squad. He had an unimpressive college career and will have a difficult time making the roster with most of the spots already spoken for.
• TE John Nalbone — Nalbone (6-4, 255) was drafted by the Dolphins in the fifth round out of Monmouth in 2009. He spent part of the season on the active roster, but did not appear in a game and finished the season on the practice squad. He’ll compete with Kory Sperry for the No. 3 job, and could have a much better chance of making the team if the Dolphins don’t retain impending restricted free agent Anthony Fasano. However, Nalbone clearly hasn’t developed like the Dolphins had hoped and his draft status won’t get him handed anything.
• FS Nate Ness — Ness (6-1, 190) was an undrafted rookie out of Arizona, spending offseason or practice squad time with the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks. Ness spent Week 11 vs. the Carolina Panthers on the Dolphins’ active roster, but did not play and has otherwise been on the practice squad. He’ll try to compete for a roster spot as a reserve cornerback/free safety/special-teamer and could be helped if Gibril Wilson is released.
• WR Julius Pruitt — Pruitt (6-2, 210) was an undrafted rookie out of Ouachita Baptist, signing to the Dolphins’ practice squad on Sept. 6 after going unsigned in the offseason. Pruitt has good size and 4.4 speed, but he’s very raw coming out of a Division II school and probably isn’t ready to contribute. Like Taurus Johnson, Pruitt has almost no chance of making the final roster out of camp and could be destined for the practice squad yet again.

 

 

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Dolphins to Draft 12th in 2010; Reid Takes UVA Job; Other Team Notes

With the 2009 regular season wrapped up and the Miami Dolphins finishing 7-9, the team now knows where they will pick in next April’s 2010 NFL Draft.

Losing a three-way tiebreaker with the other two 7-9 slotted teams—the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Denver Broncos holding the Chicago Bears’ pick—the Dolphins will hold the 12th overall pick of the next draft.

Here is the entire draft order up to Miami’s pick:
1. St. Louis (1-15)
2. Detroit (2-14)
3. Tampa Bay (3-13)
4. Washington (4-12)
5. Kansas City (4-12)
6. Seattle (5-11)
7. Cleveland (5-11)
8. Oakland (5-11)
9. Buffalo (6-10)
10. Chicago (7-9)
11. Jacksonville (7-9)
12. Miami (7-9)

The Dolphins will have a handful of possibilities at this pick, including quite a few options at need positions like wide receiver, linebacker, and safety.

All or most of receivers Dez Bryant (Oklahoma State), Arrelious Benn (Illinois), and Golden Tate (Notre Dame) should all be available when Miami picks.

Miami could also look for a pass-rushing outside linebacker such as Jason Pierre-Paul (South Florida) and Sergio Kindle (Texas).

My personal choice would be Alabama inside linebacker Rolando McClain, although I fear he might not last to Miami’s pick with Denver sitting two spots ahead.

Assistant Jim Reid leaves for UVA job

The offseason is barely underway for the Dolphins, but they’ve already lost a mention of their coaching staff.

Outside linebackers coach Jim Reid—hired two seasons ago during Bill Parcells’ first year in charge—has informed his players that he will be taking the defensive coordinator position at the University of Virginia under new head coach Mike London.

Coincidentally, London is the father of former Dolphins wide receiver Brandon London.

Hired away from the Virginia Military Institute in 2008, Reid helped guide the Dolphins’ outside linebackers for a switch to the 3-4 brought by Parcells and his assembled staff.

The Dolphins’ linebackers were highly successful under Reid’s tutelage. Joey Porter experienced a career year in 2008 with 17.5 sacks and a Pro Bowl selection, and the Dolphins finished third in the NFL with 44 sacks this season.

2010 opponents set

With the Dolphins’ season over and division standings finalized, the team now knows the final two opponents they’ll face during the 2010 season.

Having finished in third place in the AFC East in 2009, the Dolphins will host the AFC South third-place team in the Tennessee Titans. They’ll also head to Oakland to place the AFC West’s third-place Oakland Raiders.

In all, the Dolphins will have home games against the Bills, Patriots, Jets, Browns, Steelers, Bears, Lions, and Titans.

Additionally, the Dolphins will go on the road to face the Bills, Patriots, Jets, Bengals, Ravens, Packers, Vikings, and Raiders in 2010.

Practice squad contracts expire

All NFL practice squad contracts are for one season only and expire when the team’s season ends, so all seven players that finished the 2009 season on the Dolphins’ practice squad are now free agents.

Those players are:

• CB Will Billingsley
• RB Tristan Davis
• OG Ray Feinga
• WR Taurus Johnson
• TE John Nalbone
• FS Nate Ness
• WR Julius Pruitt

Nalbone and Ness are the only two who spent time on the Dolphins’ active roster this season. Rookie seventh-round pick J. D. Folsom signed a two-year contract upon being promoted to the active roster on Jan. 2, so he will be under contract this offseason.

Most players that finish a season on a team’s practice squad end up being re-signed by their team in the offseason.

Last year, all eight players that ended the 2008 season on the Dolphins’ practice squad, including running back Lex Hilliard, were re-signed the following offseason in January.

 

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Miami Dolphins Alumni Update (Dec. 2009)

I’m back again with my Miami Dolphins Alumni Update for December 2009. Here are all of this past month’s pro football transactions involving ex-Dolphins players. Enjoy!

• 12/1 — The Atlanta Falcons signed placekicker Matt Bryant to their active roster. Bryant went 3-for-3 on field-goal attempts and seven-for-seven on extra-point attempts in three games with the Dolphins during the 2004 season.
• 12/1 — The Cleveland Browns released wide receiver James Robinson from their practice squad. Robinson spent part of the 2009 preseason with the Dolphins and was on the team’s practice squad until his release on Nov. 4.
• 12/1 — The San Diego Chargers signed defensive end Derrick Jones to their practice squad. Jones spent part of October 2009 on the Dolphins’ practice squad.
• 12/1 — The Carolina Panthers placed linebacker Kelvin Smith on injured reserve with a knee injury. The Dolphins’ seventh-round pick in 2007, Smith played in four games for the Dolphins as a rookie and spent the entire 2008 season with the team on injured reserve with a knee injury.
• 12/2 — The New York Jets promoted tight end Matthew Mulligan to their active roster from the practice squad. Mulligan signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent out of Maine in 2008. He failed to make the active roster following the preseason and was on the team’s practice squad until being released Nov. 5 of that year.
• 12/2 — The Philadelphia Eagles signed cornerback Chris Roberson to their practice squad. Roberson spent part of the 2008 preseason with the Dolphins.
• 12/7 — The Cleveland Browns signed defensive end Derreck Robinson to their active roster. Robinson played in seven games and recorded five tackles as a reserve defensive end for the Dolphins in 2007.
• 12/8 — The Atlanta Falcons signed tight end Jason Rader to their active roster. Rader spent the 2005 and 2006 seasons between the Dolphins’ practice squad and active roster, appearing in five games and starting one in 2006.
• 12/8 — The Cincinnati Bengals released safety Brannon Condren from their practice squad. Condren spent nearly a month with the Dolphins between October and November 2008, appearing in four games and recording three special teams tackles before his release.
• 12/8 — The New Orleans Saints waived fullback Kyle Eckel. Eckel was under contract with the Dolphins from Sept. 2005 to Sept. 2007, but did not see game action as he was on the Reserve/Military list for the majority of that time.
• 12/8 — The Washington Redskins signed wide receiver James Robinson to their practice squad.
• 12/11 — The Arizona Cardinals signed linebacker Mark Washington to their practice squad. Washington played in three games and recorded one tackle for the Dolphins during the 2007 season.
• 12/14 — The Carolina Panthers waived linebacker Kelvin Smith from injured reserve.
• 12/14 — The Detroit Lions released linebacker Danny Lansanah from their practice squad. Lansanah spent most of September on the Dolphins’ practice squad.
• 12/22 — The Buffalo Bills signed quarterback Gibran Hamdan to their active roster. Hamdan spent the 2007 offseason and preseason with the Dolphins before his released on Sept. 1.
• 12/23 — The Kansas City Chiefs signed wide receiver Chandler Williams to their practice squad. Williams spent the entire 2007 season on the Dolphins’ practice squad and was re-signed in the 2008 offseason before being waived that April.
• 12/24 — The New York Jets signed safety Brannon Condren to their practice squad.
• 12/25 — The Oakland Raiders promoted fullback Marcel Reece from their practice squad to the active roster. A college wide receiver, Reece signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in April 2008, but was waived less than week later on May 5.
• 12/26 — The Chicago Bears placed defensive end Adewale Ogunleye on injured reserve. Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dolphins in 2000, Ogunleye played three seasons and led the AFC with 15 sacks on his way to a Pro Bowl selection in 2003. He was traded to the Bears in August 2004 for wide receiver Marty Booker.
• 12/26 — The Cleveland Browns promoted linebacker Titus Brown from their practice squad to the active roster. Brown signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State in 2008, but failed to make the team.
• 12/30 — The Green Bay Packers promoted defensive tackle Anthony Toribio from their practice squad to the active roster. Toribio was signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and spent part of that regular season on the team’s practice squad.
• 12/30 — The St. Louis Rams signed guard Mark Lewis to the practice squad. Lewis was signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and spent part of the season on the team’s practice squad.

 

 

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Chris J. Nelson’s Week 17 NFL Game Predictions

I went a solid 11-5 on picks last week, giving me exactly two-thirds of the game this season correct. This week looks to be much harder, however, as some teams will be resting starters and not all the best teams are going to win.

Last week’s record: 11-5
Season record: 160-80 (66.7 percent)

Bills over Colts—I think the only thing that would upset Colts fans more than pulling starters at 14-0 would be not pulling starters at 14-1. I don’t see the Colts’ stars playing much, so I like the Bills in frigid Buffalo.

Jaguars over Browns—In what looks to be the last hurrah for Eric Mangini, I don’t see the Browns playing spoiler.

Bears over Lions—Chicago has been a major disappointment this season, but I see Jay Cutler capping the season off with a big performance against the lowly Lions.

49ers over Rams—The Niners’ young playmakers in Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree are emerging, and they’re going to put up too many points for whatever quarterback St. Louis runs out there to match.

Steelers over Dolphins—Both teams have something to play for, but the Dolphins are a long shot to make the playoffs and I think they’ll fall short this year. Pittsburgh is the better team and I expect Ben Roethlisberger to lead the Steelers to victory.

Vikings over Giants—New York fell flat on its face with a blowout loss to the Panthers in Week 16, so I expect them to be deflated against a better Vikings team.

Falcons over Buccaneers—Raheem Morris might be on his way out, and I see Tampa Bay losing this week despite an upset win over the Saints last week.

Panthers over Saints—Drew Brees will serve a the emergency third-string quarterback for New Orleans today, so I like the Panthers in a game gift-wrapped by a New Orleans team playing it safe.

Texans over Patriots—This has the potential for a very good game, but New England has wrapped up the division and I might pick Houston anyway given their recent offensive play.

Cowboys over Eagles—Dallas is finally finding its stride, and I’m taking them at home in this great division rivalry.

Broncos over Chiefs—The Broncos will be without some of their offensive weapons in a crucial game after benching Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler, but I still like their chances against Kansas City.

Ravens over Raiders—Oakland’s quarterback situation is a mess right now, and I expect Baltimore to win this one no matter who they do or do not play.

Packers over Cardinals—Both teams have a playoff spot locked up, so I’m going with the home team in Arizona.

Chargers over Redskins—Jim Zorn is a sitting duck, and I don’t like his chances for one final win as Washington’s head coach.

Titans over Seahawks—Is there any reason to ever pick Seattle? I don’t think so.

Jets over Bengals—New York desperately needs a win, and I say they get it against a Bengals team that doesn’t have as much at stake this week.

 

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The 10 Biggest Snubs of the 2010 Pro Bowl

It’s no secret that the 2010 Pro Bowl voting is somewhat a popularity contest, especially among the fans. Not every player that is deserving gets selected, and many overrated and over-hyped players do.

The 2010 Pro Bowl rosters are now out , and although the fans, coaches and players got many of the selections right, there is still a decent number of snubs.

These are the 10 most-glaring snubs in my book.

Begin Slideshow

Channing Crowder Placed On IR, Lousaka Polite a Pro Bowl Alternate

According to Tony Sparano via Omar Kelly, linebacker Channing Crowder has officially been placed on injured reserve, as expected.

Crowder injured his foot in last Sunday’s loss to the Houston Texans, although speculation has outweighed specific details regarding the injury to-date.

In other Dolphins news via Twitter, Armando Salguero reports Dolphins fullback Lousaka Polite has been named an alternate for AFC squad in the 2010 Pro Bowl.

It is unclear if Polite is a first alternate or perhaps a second or third alternate, which would impact his chances of getting into the team’s roster.

If Polite is a first alternate, he could take AFC starter Le’Ron McClain’s place on the roster if McClain dropped out or if the Baltimore Ravens advance to the Super Bowl.

As I said yesterday, statistics show that Polite was the most productive fullback in the NFL this season, and certainly deserving of a Pro Bowl selection.

While this isn’t quite as much as he deserved, it’s certainly nice to see him get at least some recognition, and maybe he’ll end up being added to the Pro Bowl roster between now and then.

 

 

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Denver Broncos Sign Miami Dolphins Practice Squad Punter Britton Colquitt

Unhappy with current punter Mitch Berger, the Denver Broncos have re-signed rookie Britton Colquitt off the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad to their active roster.

Colquitt re-joins the Broncos having spent the offseason and preseason with the team after signing as an undrafted free agent following the 2009 NFL Draft.

Colquitt, who originally lost the punting competition in Denver to Brett Kern and was waived on Sept. 1, was a free agent during the regular season until joining the Dolphins’ practice squad on Dec. 22.

Because Colquitt was signed directly off the practice squad of another team, the Broncos must keep him on the roster for three weeks (if their season lasts that long).

Interestingly, Colquitt’s first NFL appearance could come this upcoming weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs, where his brother Dustin punts.

With seven players on the practice squad plus cornerback Will Billingsley on the practice squad injured list, the Dolphins now have one open spot to fill if they so choose.

Guard Mark Lewis, whom Colquitt replaced last week, could be re-signed, or the Dolphins could bring in an entirely new face.

Any player signed to the practice squad will likely be with the team less than a week, as all practice squad contracts expire once a team’s season ends and the Dolphins are a long shot for the postseason.

 

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Miami Dolphins’ Jake Long Selected to Second Straight Pro Bowl

The AFC and NFC Pro Bowl rosters were announced tonight, and the Miami Dolphins were barely represented.

In fact, just one player from the Dolphins made it on the team, as second-year offensive tackle Jake Long was voted to his second consecutive Pro Bowl.

Although Long has allowed 4.5 sacks through 16 games this season compared to just 2.5 as a rookie in 2008, he is certainly deserving based on his 2009 performance.

According to the NFL film analysis experts at ProFootballFocus.com, Long ranks as the 13th run-blocking offensive tackle in the NFL, second-best pass-blocking tackle and second overall tackle behind only Cleveland’s Joe Thomas.

Two glaring snubs

The 2009 Miami Dolphins have a player on each side of the ball that was clearly deserving of a Pro Bowl selection this season, and both were blatantly snubbed.

On offense, fullback Lousaka Polite has been a monster run-blocker since joining the team in 2008. He’s the main reason Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams have combined for over 1,700 yards on the ground this season, despite Brown only playing in nine games due to injury.

According to PFF, Polite ranks as the second-best run-blocking fullback of 2009 behind only Atlanta’s Ovie Mughelli, and actually ranks first overall due to his positive plays in the running game.

Meanwhile, Dolphins defensive end Randy Starks was also a glaring omission from the AFC Pro Bowl roster.

A 4-3 defensive tackle from the Titans who joined the Dolphins on a five-year, $21-million contract prior to the 2008 season, Starks initially struggled with the scheme transition last season but really came on later in the year.

Starks’ transition seems to be complete based on his 2009 performance, as he has been a disruptive force against both the pass and the run.

PFF has Starks as the No. 1 run-stopping 3-4 end in the NFL this season, and second overall at the position behind the 49ers’ Justin Smith.

It’s worth noting that former Dolphins defensive end Vonnie Holliday, who struggled to find a job during the preseason before signing a one-year, $845,000 contract with the Denver Broncos on Sept. 4, ranks third among 3-4 ends this season.

Linebacker Jason Taylor, while probably not worthy of a Pro Bowl selection, was the Dolphins’ next closest thing to a snub, ranking as the fifth 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL and third against the run.

In addition to Miami’s snubs, there were a plethora of players snubbed across the league in the popularity contest known as Pro Bowl fan voting. (On the bright side, it’s given me a reason to use the word ‘plethora.’)

That’s why I’ll have my top 10 snubs from the 2010 Pro Bowl up tomorrow, so check back for that!

 

 

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