The Miami Dolphins Could Be In Big Trouble!

The Miami Dolphins are going to have a long and difficult season.  I hope I am wrong, but unless drastic improvements occur, I am right.

I am a lifelong Dolphin fan. I have also been a sports talk radio host for 16 years. I am 41 years old. I have always been objective and brutally honest about my Dolphins. I didn’t ever want my listeners to think I was being a homer.

But when the Dolphins lose, it still ruins my day, weekend, week, and potentially season.

It has been horrible the last eight years, but I got used to the pain. Last year was the first time in forever that I felt like they were my Dolphins again.

I was very excited for this season to start, and felt Miami improved in the off season. They are 3-0 in the preseason, but have so many essential problems that, barring improvement, will lead to a painful-to-watch year.

The pass defense is an embarrassment. If Byron Leftwich had any touch or accuracy the Bucs would have demolished Miami. I am sick to my stomach. Three games in a row now, and receivers and tight ends have roamed down the middle of the field, wide open.

Jacksonville, Carolina, and Tampa Bay easily got their starters and scrubs wide open on short and long passes over the middle. It is horrifyingly reminiscent of the Tom Olivadotti era.

The only good thing I have seen from the Dolphins’ pass defense has been their coverage against the bomb and their ability to tighten up in the red zone. Other than that, getting open against Miami is embarrassingly easy.

The Dolphins also are having very serious tackling troubles. There have been big break-away runs in all three exhibition games, and no Dolphin defender seems immune to the problem. Both the veterans and rookies have been posterized on a regular basis. I am having nightmares of Thurman Thomas running all over Miami again and again.

The Dolphins can’t run the ball. Period. Jake Grove is a mind blowing bust as a free agent pick up from the Raiders. He was supposed to be the black-and-blue anchor of the line as the new center. It hasn’t happened.

Donald Thomas recently eased Dolphins’ fans fears with his tough and steady play at right guard. If Grove and Thomas don’t become more dominant in the run blocking game, Miami is in big trouble. Jake Long and Justin Smiley are not moving anybody off the line on the left side, that is for sure. Long is have trouble in pass blocking for crying out loud!

The Dolphins’ punt and kick return games have to be the worst in the league. They are pathetically pedestrian. Miami is so desperate at these positions, that they have now returned Ted Ginn and Davone Bess to the positions.

I don’t want my number one wide receiver returning kicks, and Davone Bess just dances all day long. I love him as a receiver, but he is a joke as a punt returner.

This means the Dolphins’ will face long fields all season, with a dink-and-dunk offense that can’t run the ball. That sounds like fun.

My only hope is a long shot. The prayer that Parcells and Sparano are holding their boys back. Miami has to play all of their preseason opponents again in the regular season. The kid in me says that the Dolphins are fooling their foes to sleep.

But the tape doesn’t lie, and I am not a kid anymore. The first team Miami faces will destroy them if there are not massive improvements. On September 13th Matt Ryan will find Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White wide open all day long on the lightning fast turf of the Georgia Dome.

I don’t even want to think about what Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood will do to Miami. It could be unflatteringly ugly.

I hope that I am wrong.

All Eyes on the Dolphin’s Recievers Tonight

All eyes will be on the Miami wide receivers tonight as they battle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Ted Ginn is clearly the number one guy, and he is a major fantasy sleeper. Remember you read that here frist. He is going to tear it up this year.

The Dolphins have a ton of depth at the wide receiver spot, but nobody knows who the number two and three guys will be.

I say Greg Camarillo is still the main man behind Ginn. Coach Sparano has barely played Camarillo in the first two games against Jacksonville and Carolina. I don’t know if he will play that much tonight. It doesn’t matter. Sparano is hiding him from the rest of the league, hoping they will think his knee is still injured.

But Camarillo was incredibly smooth, quick, and efficient in the offseason, and I say he will be fine. Anyway, Sparano is trying to see what he has in the other guys.

Despite a recent case of the drops, Davone Bess is going to be all over the field this year. He is quick, but not fast. He is one of the hardest receivers in the league to cover, but he isn’t going to break away for a lot of touchdowns. His slants and underneath routes will remain effective.

This game against Tampa is really about a couple of battles. Patrick Turner against Brian Hartline, and Brandon London against Anthony Armstrong.

Sparano is in love with Hartline and he has a shot to not only beat Turner, but to pass Bess or Camarillo if I am wrong about them. Turner must have big numbers tonight. He has all the skills in the world and had a great run at mini-camp. Turner needs to turn that into game day proficiency tonight.

The London-Armstrong battle comes down to who is better on special teams. Pure and simple. So those guys will be going nuts on coverage tonight.

21 Things To Keep an Eye on Tonight for the Miami Dolphins

Will Miami show any big-play ability?

Can Ted Ginn continue his unreal preseason?

Will Donald Thomas continue to heal and nail down the right guard spot?

What’s wrong with center Jake Grove? He was a badass in Oakland but hasn’t done jack in Miami.

Will Vontae Jones improve, or will the fast rising Joey Thomas pass him on the depth Chart?

Can Ronnie Brown please show some explosiveness?

Ricky Williams had a very good game against Jacksonville, even though he dropped an easy touchdown catch.

When will the Miami offensive line open up a freaking running lane?

Did Tony McDaniel and Ernest Wilford just have good games to get revenge on the Jags?

Akin Ayodele and Reggie Torbor had great weeks at inside linebacker work. Now they must live up to coach Sparano’s compliments.

Jason Taylor’s mystery disappearance has been solved, Matt Roth’s has not!

Will Cam Wake or Charlie Anderson take more advantage of Porter and Taylor’s limited playing time?

Will Channing Crowder continue to fly to the ball carrier like a champ; while blitzing like a monster?

Is Chad Pennington’s arm really that weak? He has no margin for error. Ginn can blow past anybody, but Pennington can’t get him the pill.

Will Sparano continue to hold back Greg Camarillo? He had an awesome camp but saw limited time against the Jags.

Why all the Chris Williams hype. The tiny return man gets his chance to win the job tonight.

Dolphins have a short week as they play at Tampa on Fox on Thursday night. Will they show more tonight or Thursday?

Chad Henne had a horrible week of practice. Man, he looks the part; is he a part of the puzzle?

Patrick Turner was a star early in camp. It would be nice to see him go off tonight.

Will Anthony Armstrong’s special teams play continue to rock?

Pat White? What you got kid?

Dolphins Camp: Random Notes

The Fins face their second feline foe when they take on the Carolina Panthers Saturday night.

Miami beat Jacksonville 12-9 in a rather uneventful preseason opener.

The only player to get in the end zone was former Jacksonville wide receiver Ernest Wilford. He is now trying to make the roster as a tight end for the Dolphins. Most insiders don’t think he will make the roster. He was a huge bust as a free agent pick up for the Dolphins last year when he was still a wide receiver.

Is it me, or does it seem like every other team in the league has already played two more games than Miami?

I’ll have to get my crack staff on this, but I wonder how many other teams in NFL history have an exhibition scheduled like the Dolphins do. Every team that Miami plays in the preseason, they also play in the regular season.

That’s bananas yo. And it leads me to believe it will be a pretty vanilla month for the Dolphins, as they won’t want to show too much against their future regular season opponents.

 

Even though Conner Barth was brought in to give Dan Carpenter some competition, there is no way Carpenter loses his job. I am getting sick and tired of people that say his job is in jeopardy.

Eric Green’s job is not in jeopardy, it is nonexistent. He was cut after a pathetic performance against Jacksonville. The former Arizona cornerback was picked up by San Francisco immediately.

Green and all of the backups in the secondary must make Miami fans seriously worry. If one of the starting corners goes down, Miami could be in big trouble.

They will be starting a rookie, Sean Smith as it is at right corner. And as I wrote about earlier this camp, he is freaking awesome. He gave Torry Holt all he wanted, and had an interception.

Vonte Davis was not so lucky. He made three horrible plays against the Jags, but was strongly defended by his head coach in the following days.

The Dolphin’s blitz schemes were very effective against Jacksonville. The Dolphins offensive line did not produce many running holes however.

More notes to come tomorrow in our preview as the Dolphins get ready to battle Carolina.

 

Miami Dolphins Camp Notes: Post Scrimmage

What a perfect time to evaluate the Dolphins: a day off after Saturday’s scrimmage.

Yeah, that scrimmage—the one that drew over 3,000 fans. Many of them were on top of a parking garage across the way from the stadium or peering through the only part of the chain-link fence that isn’t blocked out by Dolphin sun-screen paraphernalia.

That parking garage brings a tear to my eye. It is where I used to park in 2000 when I covered the Dolphins as a sports radio host on WAFN.  Jay Fiedler was the quarterback, which should tell you how long ago that was.

Where are we now?  Definitely too early to tell, but there are some signs—positive and negative.  Matt Roth’s injury has allowed Jason Taylor to become comfortable on the strong side, and he was credited with three sacks in the scrimmage.  CFL cult hero Cameron Wake is getting to the quarterback on a consistent basis. 

So there is Porter, Taylor, and Wake, but who—who—will be the fourth-best pass rusher?

We all know the term running back by committee, but I believe the Dolphins will use corner back by committee. One corner is perhaps the most impressive player to date—Will Allen. His job is locked in the third stone from the sun.

This writer believes the other corner spot will be a case of hot potato—Eric Green, Vontae Davis, and Sean Smith will rotate until one gets a grasp on it.

Ted Ginn looks great, but he doesn’t look like a No. 1 wide receiver.

Greg Camarillo is smooth and tough.

The Patrick Turner and Brandon London grouping will be fun to watch.

The starting safeties are a strong unit.

The Dolphins might have the best place kicker in the NFL.

Will Channing Crowder ever live up to the hype?

Most importantly, can Miami run a basic offense and the Wildcat while establishing rhythm and balance?

What if Chad Pennington’s success last year was a fluke?

What if Chad Henne get thrown to the wolves and eaten?

Can the defensive line form the base that lets all of the other playmakers do their thing?

Anyway, Here is the depth chart for the first preseason game against Jacksonville.

 

OFFENSE

QB: Pennington … Henne … White

FB: Polite …

RB: Brown … Ricky … Cobbs … Hilliard … Kimble

WR: Ginn … Hartline … Armstrong … /Williams … Robinson

WR: Bess … Camarillo … London … Turner …

TE: Fasano … Martin … Haynos … Nalbone … Wilford

LT: Long … Gardner

LG: Smiley … Frye … Lewis

C: Grove … Berger

RG: Murphy … Alleman … Thomas

RT: Carey … Ndukwe … Garner

 

DEFENSE

LE: Langford … Starks/Baker …Wright

NT: Jason Ferguson … Paul Soliai … Ellis … Joe Cohen …

RE: Merling … McDaniel … Dotson

SLB: Taylor … Moses … George … Roth …

ILB: Crowder … Torbor

ILB: Ayodele … Kershaw … Folsom

WLB: Porter … Anderson … Walden … Wake

LCB: Allen … Davis … Allen … Thomas

RCB: Green … Smith … Jones … Billingsley

FS: Wilson … Culver

SS: Bell … Bryan … Clemons

 

SPECIALISTS

P: Fields

K: Carpenter … (Barth wasn’t listed as he signed too late)

KO: Carpenter

H: Fields

KOR: Ginn … Williams

PR: Bess … Williams

LS: Denney

Dolphin’s Camp: Wednesday’s Practice Notes

Patrick Turner, Brandon London and Ted Ginn have been getting most of the early accolades, but Brian Hartline is starting to make some serious noise.

I am rooting for Pat White in a very big way, but every day my sources tell me he struggles more than he did the day before. He isn’t having any problems with zip; his troubles all have to do with a lack of accuracy and getting the ball off on time.

You will never read more of a sad story than the release of Brennan Marion. Do some research on his background and combine that with his recent injury and release, and it will be hard for you to hold back the tears.

You have to love Ronnie Brown laughing with reporters when asked how different or good the Wildcat will be this year. Ronnie looked liked the cat that swallowed the canary.

When the truth comes out about Matt Roth’s injury or illness, I don’t think it is going to be pretty. But it will be pretty interesting.

It is old news now but the bookends are best friends. Offensive tackles Vernon Carey and Jake Long bonded in Vegas and Hawaii, and are now inseparable. Both are Pro-Bowl caliber tackles, as is newly acquired center Jake Grove. Now if the Dolphins could just get those guards up to speed.

Eric Green is not good enough to be a starting corner in the NFL. It won’t be long before Vontae Davis or Sean Smith start. Vontae is more of a true lock-down corner, and if he can do the impossible (stop thinking), he is going to be a star.

Is it possible that the Dolphins went three-for-three with their defensive back draft picks? It sure looks like it, as Sean Smith, Chris Clemons, and Vontae Davis all have big time play making ability.

Look at Joe Berger playing first-team right guard today. Can you say all year long revolving door? If the Phins suffer a season ending injury at guard, they are in huge trouble.

Pennington had his worst day yet, as he finished with three picks and a fumble.

It was a good day for Anthony Armstrong, as he finally threw a couple of long touchdown bombs.

Ernest Wilford is not going to make this team.

Look at my boy Cam Wake getting to the quarterback on a regular basis.

 

Monday Afternoon Practice Notes from Inside the Dolphin’s Bubble

The Dolphins practiced inside their bubble for the first time Monday afternoon. The session was closed to the public, but here are some observations.

Will Allen continues to dominate while Jason Allen continues to struggle. What’s new?

You might want to draft Davone Bess in your fantasy league; he looks like he is going to take it to the next level

Ted Ginn finally blew past some people on long pass plays, mostly Will Billingsley.

Matt Roth–Gate continues. Rumors are that the coaches think that he lied to them twice about his mystery illness. Meanwhile, Coach Sparano is telling anybody that will listen that Jason Taylor is looking great at Roth’s old spot on the strong side.

Taylor has looked very physical against the run.

Yeremiah Bell picked off Chad Henne’s pass intended for Greg Camarillo.

It is no secret that Miami struggled on special teams last year, and they are spending much more time on it this summer.

Two newcomers, Brian Hartline and Cam Wake, are starting to look more comfortable.

Pat White and Nate Jones had terrible days inside the practice bubble.

New Jersey Nets coach Lawrence Frank has been at every practice, and now Phillip Fulmer has joined him on the guest list. Fulmer has five former Tennessee players on the Dolphin’s roster, and Chad Pennington is from Knoxville.

Not much from the running backs in the afternoon session, but Ronnie Brown did stiff arm Vontae Davis to the ground. Davis was not that impressive in the late evening practice.

Sean Smith made his first big play of camp; knocking down a pass intended for Ted Ginn.

Some scouts say Anthony Armstong is looking good, while others say he is invisible.

Miami will be back at it Tuesday at 9:00 AM outside and at 5:00 PM in the bubble.

Dolphin’s Camp:Morning Session News and Notes

The Dolphin’s offense was rusty this morning. Chad Pennington was picked off for the first time this summer by Will Allen. Pennington and Chad Henne also fumbled.

No significant down the field completions took place in the first practice of the day; the running game didn’t do anything special either. The backs did catch a ton of balls, as they were wide open in the flats.

Vontae Davis was very impressive as he ran step for step with Ted Ginn on a long fly pattern that fell incomplete.

Ginn hasn’t showed it yet, but the coaches can’t stop raving about him. They say that he is much more decisive and explosive after the catch.

Davone Bess looks bigger, but not any slower. Speaking of big, the Dolphins are running Brandon London and Patrick Turner together. It is very safe to say that, that is the tallest wide receiver combination in Dolphin history.

Turner caught every ball thrown his way yesterday.

Dan Carpenter continues to be one of the greatest steals in Miami history; the undrafted place kicker just doesn’t miss field goals. He put on a show yesterday going 10-10 from 20-40 yards out. He was a vital cog in the Dolphin’s success last year, and will be vital to a playoff run this year.

The Dolphins put on pads for the first time this morning, and it seemed to wake up linebacker Cam Wake. He was nearly in on two sacks, but he has still not lived up to his stellar pass rushing reputation.

Wake was easily handled most of the day by rookie right tackle Andrew Gardner. Rod Wright had a very good morning rushing the passer.

Davone Bess, Ted Ginn, Brian Hartline and Chris Williams have been the main Punt returners; it is very interesting the Anthony Armstrong is not in that group.

The coaches say that the right guard job is Shawn Murphy’s to lose. Here is an interesting note on Murphy. He is the son of one of my all-time favorite baseball players, former Atlanta Brave, Dale Murphy.

Justin Smiley missed the Morning session as his wife is giving birth. Andy Alleman got his reps.

Still no sign of Matt Roth as he is out with a strained groin. While this is bad news for Roth, it allows Taylor and Porter to play together more. All of the outside linebackers trying to make the team are getting more reps as well

Miami Dolphins Camp: Notes and Nuggets. 8-2-09

The Dolphins were a huge hit at their first training camp practice, at least with the fans.

Over 3,000 Dolphin fanatics comprised the overflow, sell out crod. It will be interesting to find out if there were more people in Davie ,Florida today than there were at Jimmy Johnson’s first practice.

First off, no injuries to report, which is the most important thing each and every day.

Matt Roth was under the weather and Donald Thomas was held out of contact drills as he recovers from a pectoral injury.

Chad Pennington looks bigger, and his arm seems stronger.

Paul Soali looks thinner, he couldn’t get much bigger.

Brandon London also lost about 12 pounds and he feels that, that will make a huge difference. It helped him make the play of the day according to many. He out leaped Nate Jones for a 33-yard reception thrown by Chad Henne.

Will the last wide receiver spot come down to a battle between Brandon London and Anthony Armstrong.?Dolphin’s coaches have already said wide receiver is going to be the hardest decision making position process.

Armstrong has the speed, and London has the size. London is also a key specia; teams player. However Patrick Turner has the size too and that could neutralize London.

Turner also made one of the plays of the days. The tall, lanky wide receiver showed his versatility in utilizing a cat quick shake and break move on a disgusted Eric Green.

Green was the starter opposite Will Allen all practice long. Watching Vontae Davis and Sean Smith trying to move up the depth chart is going to be fascinating.

The Dolphins only ran one Wildcat play all day long.

Cameron Wake continues to be invisible in pass rushing situations. The former Cnadian League linebacker, came in with a cult hero like status, but has yet to make a dent.

Jason Taylor admits he is lost in the 3-4 defense.

Greg Camarillo ran and caught with the first team all day.

Pat White’s release is quicker than it was in the spring

Three Defensive Line Positions Up For Grabs in Miami Dolphins Camp

Defensive Line—how will many make the team? 8…

Locks – 4: Kendall Langford, Jason Ferguson, Randy Starks, Phillip Merling

Probable – 1: Paul Soliai

Fighting for last 3 spots: Lionel Dotson, Rod Wright, Tony McDaniel, Ryan Baker, Joe Cohen, Louis Ellis

 

This is the weakest unit on the defense. That is due to the youth of the starting defensive ends, Kendall Langford and Phillip Merling.

Of course the Dolphins have a lot of interchangeable parts in their 3-4 defense. Jason Taylor and Matt Roth will move from their linebacker spots and get plenty of playing time at defensive end.

This is the first in many looks at Miami’s defensive line. We focus on the battle at nose tackle in this sneak peek.

Soliai has the lead as the backup nose tackle to Jason Ferguson. Many scouts think Ferguson doesn’t have much left in the tank, so his back up position is vital. It is extremely vital since the Dolphins play a base 3-4 defense.

The main issue with Solai is weight and conditioning. Insiders say he has these under control and has improved his technique as well.Randy Starks can move over and play the nose tackle too. That is why Starks is a lock to make the team despite his legal troubles.

Ferguson must have a great season. He is surrounded by very young players all along the defensive line. The 13-year man out of Georgia, is not as thick or bulky as most traditional nose tackles. This, along with his age can cause him to wear down late in games, and in the season,

He is a fantastic bull rusher, who can handle double teams and always plays hard. He isn’t going to blow anybody away with athleticism or pass rushing ability, but he is a must as a player who knows the system, and stops the run at the point of attack.

It will be fascinating to see what happens with Lionel Dotson and Tony McDaniel. Both of these guys fit in the sleeper, diamond in the rough, boom or bust category.

Some Jacksonville players were stunned that the Dolphins were able to acquire McDaniel for only a seventh round pick. The word is that if he dedicates himself, the sky is the limit for this versatile defensive lineman.

Many Dolphin’s players love how Lionel Dotson played in the off season; he brings a real mean streak his approach. Dotson has great hands, pursues ball carriers relentlessly, and plays with a violent emotion.

The McDaniel-Dotson watch will be one of my favorite during training camp. McDaniel needs to learn the Dolphin’s system and Dotson needs to take his practice prowess to Sunday afternoons.

Just a brief look at part of the Dolphin’s defensive line, which I think is the key to a serious playoff run. And don’t forget Vonnie Holiday. Miami has their eyes on the unsigned vet in case their youth movement at defensive end is a year to early

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