Training Camp: Top Five Position Battles (#3)

Right Outside Linebacker

(miamiherald.com)

Originally, this wasn't a battle at all, it was Jason Taylor's spot. With him on the roster the defense was actually looking pretty solid, in particular the linebacking corps. Now though, that spot is huge hole to fill. Charlie Anderson and Quentin Moses (shown above) are the guys who were expected to learn from JT and be fill-in players. Instead they will battle it out for the starting job while the other guy will still probably get significant time. Let's get some background information.

Charlie Anderson is in his fifth year out of Mississippi and has played all four of his NFL years with the Houston Texans. He has never been a starter but has always been a solid backup and special teams contributor. He was signed as a free agent this spring.

Quentin Moses was a standout defensive end for the University of Georgia and posted an 11.5 sack season in his junior year (2005). He was drafted in the third round of the 2007 draft, but didn't stick with the Raiders or the Cardinals. The Dolphins signed him off waivers in October of last year.

Charlie Anderson says he is more comfortable dropping into to coverage and is working on improving his rush abilities. He has beaten Jake Long with speed rushes a few times so far in camp. He probably has the best chance to start because he is the more complete player. If he can prove to be a good as a rusher as Quentin Moses, then the sot should surely be his. Moses though, is a pass rusher by trade, and should be better at that than Anderson. He just needs to learn to play standing up and perhaps drop into coverage every now and then. During the season we could see these guys rotate depending on the down and distance, but my money would be on Anderson right now.

Training Camp: Top Five Position Battles (#4)

The Backfield

I talked a little bit about Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown in my first training camp post. They are the roster locks and figure to be the best unit of the team. The other three guys competing for probably one spot are 6th round picks Jalen Parmele and Lex Hilliard along with roster holdover Patrick Cobbs.

Usually being a roster holdover is a good thing but this regime has already shown they will buck that trend. In fact, I'd now say that if you were handpicked by Parcells and Ireland, via free agency or the draft, you stand a better chance of sticking around. Cobbs is a special teams ace which is usually what is desired most for a third string running back, but it is a time of keeping the best all-around players, not niche guys. He will have to start showing some running ability and also hope the new guys don't develop the special teams abilities too quickly if he wants to hold them off for this spot.

As for the other two guys, it looks like Parmele has been given the most carries in practice thus far and has shown a flash or two. He is probably the best pure runner out of the three and may project as one of those late round steals at running back we have seen in the NFL lately. My money would be on him, but he does need to be able to play on special teams which we probably won't see or hear much about until the preseason games.

Lex Hilliard is the afterthought in this race but he does seem to have a niche that could earn him a spot. In college he was a phenomenal goal to go runner and racked up a large amount of touchdowns (50). He could project as a hybrid tailback/fullback that could be used in short yardage or third down situations. Like Parmele though, he needs to try to become the special teams ace that Cobbs is.

The fullback situation should be rather interesting as well. Reagan "I'm the Juggernaut, Bitch" Mauia did an okay job in his rookie year but was nothing special. Two things he has working against him are that he is a roster holdover and did have an arrest in the offseason. Boomer Grigsby was signed as a free agent to make this a competition and I'm half hoping he wins just because he would win "Best Name on the Team" honors hands down. He was a big special teams star in Kansas City but supposedly wanted a better look at fullback. We are giving that to him and if he can prove to be at least as good as Maiua, he will probably get the spot.

Prediction

I think Cobbs will be released and Parmele will win the third running back spot. I'll take Boomer Grigsby for the fullback spot. As for Lex Hilliard, I think it's a toss up whether he stays on as another back. I'd bet on him making it.

Training Camp: Weekend Recap

(miamiherald.com)

This weekend Miami had their first three training camp practices, starting with morning and evening sessions on Saturday, and wrapping up with an afternoon session today. I did not go to any of the practices but have been a total junkie, reading recaps from any writer who did attend, and watching all of the interviews and highlights on the Dolphins' official website. What follows are my best interpretations of the practices, based on all the content I have taken in.

Quarterbacks

The quarterbacks can best be described as consistently inconsistent. Each guy will make some good throws and follow it up with some not so good ones. I would have to believe everything is still even, but if that's the case then McCown would be the favorite based on his superior experience. Henne missed the first practice due to a contract holdout, but that was taken care of and he hasn't missed any of his scheduled reps (The QB's do a rotation where one sits for each practice. Henne's scheduled sit date was Saturday's morning practice, the one he missed). I believe the battle for the starting spot in week one will ultimately be won by who best performs in the preseason games. At this point, anyone's guess is as good as mine.

The Backfield

Ronnie Brown is supposedly being sprinkled back into contact drills to be very careful with his knee but it sounds like is doing well. His speed is good but the ultimate test for knee injuries is how comfortable you are planting and cutting on that leg. Brown said he is still a little cautious and doesn't trust his knee 100%. Ricky Williams is proving he's our best player and supposedly looks awesome. Yes, I worry about his durability and how he will do in live games but it's clear he is 100% and ready to dominate. I read a blurb about Jalen Parmele that he hits the hole hard and is in the secondary in no time. Miami may need him in some capacity if Brown or Williams gets hurt. I haven't heard anything really about the fullback situation.

Wide Receivers

Ernest Wilford is big and he also doesn't care that the Patriots were 15 games better than the 'Phins last year, he says he wants to win the division. I haven't heard much from Ted Ginn. Davone Bess catches literally anything that is thrown near him. Jayson Foster has impressed with his speed and playmaking ability, but I think h's still a longshot to make the roster. I hope Terry Glenn is brought in. It makes too much sense not too happen. Miami needs the receiver help and has the cap space after the Taylor trade that they must spend. Glenn would probably sign for a small deal with incentives and an injury clause. Get on the phone Bill.

Tight Ends

I've only really heard Anthony Fasano and David Martin's names mentioned as they have caught some balls. I think Fasano will have the leg up and unless he falters he will be the guy.

Offensive Line

Four spots are set (Jake Long, Justin Smiley, Samson Satele, Vernon Carey) and the right guard spot is basically an open tryout. Trey Darilek has gotten most of the first team work with Shawn Murhpy and Steve McKinney due to get some of their own. McKinney has been held out of drills, still coming back from an knee injury. Justin Smiley said he thinks Long could end up being better than Joe Thomas. I'll settle for being a franchise left tackle and pro-bowler.

Defensive Line

Overall I haven't heard to much about the defense except for when they intercept passes. 2nd round pick Philip Merling looked in amazing shape but has been average in practices. Nose tackle Jason Ferguson has been good but the South Florida heat can slow him down. Vonnie Holiday worked with new defensive coach Paul Pasqualoni on playing standing up, perhaps in a Jason Taylor role. It's a 3-4 defense, by the way, if that was any doubt. Surprisingly Matt Roth is playing at defensive end. That will be interesting to watch and see if he can hold off Merling for the starting spot.

Linebackers

Charlie Anderson has been getting most of the reps at Jason Taylor's spot and will probably end up starting there but I'd still look out for Quentin Moses. The three way battle for the two inside spots should go all the way until week one. Joey Porter has been absent and placed on the PUP list due to an ankle injury suffered when he was running on his own a couple weeks ago. Great, that sounds very 2007-like, our best defensive player injured not on a football field. He should be back soon though.

Secondary

Nathan Jones is the name I've been hearing most. He has intercepted passes and been the beneficiary of some bad John Beck decisions. Will Allen should be the only lock to start in the secondary, so Jones can certainly nab the other cornerback spot if he keeps it up. I still think Jason Allen and Yeremiah Bell will be the starting safeties. Right now the defense is way ahead of the offense, but that's usually how things are.

Punting

Brandon Fields has been launching punts into orbit with several 60+ yarders. That's great when there is no rush, now try to get those off during the games. If he does, he could probably be our team MVP this year.

Kicking

Jay Feely missed a few kicks and Dan Carpenter does have a strong leg.


Here's a list of places I visited that contributed information for this report.

Palm Beach Post Dolphins Blog: By far the best newspaper coverage of the team. The team doesn't allow live-blogging, but the Post has reporters running from the practice field to the media room to post updates every 30-40 minutes. They have had the most amount of content.

FinHeaven Message Boards: A fan-site filled with rabid supporters, some of which go to the practices and post first hand recaps of their own.

Miami Dolphins Official Site: Their video content is much improved with more content and slightly easier to use. Open the Aquavision player and watch many interviews and full Sparano press conferences.