Training Camp Update & Preseason Game Preview

Training Camp

To know what exactly is going on in training camp I recommend checking out the Palm Beach Posts' Inside The Dolphins blog. They have two reporters at every practice who run back and forth writing updates about what is going on.

News

Believe what you want to believe about Chad Pennington. One place I read says the Dolphins are the only team pursuing him. Another place says that six teams have contacted his agent. I gave my thoughts on the situation yesterday and haven't changed. He is not a huge upgrade over McCown (who we'd likely cut) and not worth the money to sign him and eat McCown's contract.

Ronnie Brown will be a game-time decision for the game tomorrow night. If it were me, I wouldn't play him. I know running backs need to see some live action to get back in the flow of a game, but he is coming of an ACL injury and there is no reason to risk one of our biggest strengths. Play him for a bit in the third or fourth preseason game and then ease him into the regular season.

We have a kicking competition. Sparano said the battle is "very even." Jay Feely's injury has allowed rookie Dan Carpenter to shine while Jay rides the bike. If Carpenter can prove he is accurate (4-4 yesterday, all from 40+ yards), then his ability to make longer kicks and have better kickoffs may win him the job. That's still unlikely, but we'll see.

Preseason Game One: Here are the things I'll be watching.

1. Quarterbacks: Obviously, that's what everyone will focus on. Coach Sparano has informed them what the playing time will be but it's still a secret to everyone else. Whoever faces the Bucs first team defense can make a real big impression if he can move the ball and score points. The players that get the 2nd and 3rd teams will have some at stake but not as much.
   
2. Receivers: They have been criticized by the coach for dropping too many balls in practice. Dropping passes in a preseason game is the easiest way to ensure you'll be cut or moved down the depth chart. Ernest Wilford has been struggling but can he turn it around in a game? The opposite goes for Derek Hagan. We always hear about his great practices but never see those come to life in a game. Finally, is Ted Ginn taking the next step to be a legit #1 wide receiver or is he still just a speedster out of his element?
3. Kendall Langford: He may start at LDE, having unseated Matt Roth at that spot. Langford was an intriguing small schoool (Hampton) prospect who played in a 3-4 and seems to be a good fit. Word is he has done well in practice and now we can see if it translates against a different offense.
4. Special Teams: This area was atrocious last year. There are lots of new guys on the coverage teams and lets hope they are better. As I mentioned above Jay Feely is hurt so we should see plenty of Dan Carpenter handling all of the kicking duties. Also, Brandon Fields has been booming punts in camp, but he can he launch some 60-yarders in a game with a rush coming at him?

One Final Thought

To all those people who believe it'll be nice to win and that it is important, because we were 1-15 and just want to get some confidence by winning a game, even if it's preseason, that's a load of shit. Yes, winning would be nice, but it wouldn't mean anything. We just want to learn about all of our players and get a clearer picture of who will contribute and who should be packing their bags. Scoring and winning is great and will be fun if it happens but it is still just an exhibition game.