Final Roster Set

I've been hesitant to make this post because the organization has showed it will be continually making moves to improve the roster even though most teams would just settle on a 53-man squad and be done with it. But I can't wait forever, I'll discuss all of the moves now.

First, the team traded Josh McCown to the Carolina Panthers on Friday for an undisclosed draft pick (believed to be a 2009 7th-rounder). This move proves two points in my opinion. First, the team must feel that Chad Henne is an able backup and can be a solid quarterback, if needed to play in relief of Chad Pennington. Also, I believe the team just can't give up on John Beck. At this point he does look like a longshot to ever become a dependable player, but there is still some upside. McCown on the other hand, did not have much growing potential. I like this move and it is what I would have done. The fact that we got a draft pick, even though it's a minuscule asset, is a plus.

On Saturday the team cut 17 players to get down to the 53-player roster limit. You can get the full list here. None of these moves came as a real surprise. Most of the players released were ones who never had a great shot to make the team.

The team watched the waiver wire and on Sunday were awarded with three new players they made claims on. Andy Alleman (Center) was a third round pick in this years draft for the Saints but for whatever reason did not make their team. I like this pickup because our offensive line has very questionable depth and it needs all the talent it can get. PFT is saying that he was a popular guy and that six other teams made a claim for him. Nate Garner (Tackle) was a seventh round pick of the Jets this year but did not make the team. He is now a Dolphin. Again, we need help on the line. I approve. The last player claimed was Brandon London, a wide receiver formerly of the Giants. He was an undrafted free agent who made their practice squad last year but not this year. He takes the place of Anthony Armstrong as the 6th receiver (more on that later) on the team.

Now let's take a look at the 53-man roster and depth chart (according to the team's website)

OFFENSE
QB: Chad Pennigton, Chad Henne, John Beck
RB: Ricky Williams, Ronnie Brown, Patrick Cobbs, Jalen Parmele
FB: Boomer Grigsby
TE: Anthony Fasano, David Martin, Sean Ryan
WR1: Ted Ginn, Ernest Wilford, Brandon London
WR2: Derek Hagan, Greg Camarillo, Davone Bess
LT: Jake Long, Ikechuku Ndukwe
LG: Justin Smiley, Shawn Murphy
C: Samson Satele, Andy Alleman
RG: Donald Thomas
RT: Vernon Carey, Nate Garner

DEFENSE
LE: Kendall Langford, Randy Starks, Rodrique Wright
NT: Jason Ferguson, Paul Soliai
RE: Vonnie Holliday, Phillip Merling, Lionel Dotson
OLB: Matt Roth, Quentin Moses
ILB: Channing Crowder
ILB: Akin Ayodele, Reggie Torbor
OLB: Joey Porter, Charlie Anderson
LCB: Will Allen, Michael Lehan, Joey Thomas
RCB: Andre Goodman, Nathan Jones
SS: Yeremiah Bell, Renaldo Hill
FS: Chris Crocker, Jason Allen

SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Dan Carpenter
P: Brandon Fields
LS: John Denney

Notes:

• The six receivers surprise me. For a team that should depend on the running game, I thought they would go with the normal count of five. I don't imagine we will finish the season will all six of those guys active.
• I thought the team would have eight, maybe even nine linebackers. Usually the backups play special teams, but they must be relying on other players for that. I also think it's a big risk considering the questionable health of Joey Porter and the inexperience of Matt Roth.
  
• Of these 53 players, only 27 were with the team at all last year (some of them, just barely). Basically half of the team are guys that were never a Dolphin before this year. That's an impressive roster overhaul.
• 8 of the 9 draft picks from this year made the team, with Lex Hilliard being the lone exception. He is on the practice squad, however.