Monday, August 24, 2009

RE-CAP: Carolina vs Miami (with roster moves)

Carolina Panthers v Miami DolphinsPanthers vs. Dolphins
There weren't a huge amount of problems during Saturday's game versus the Panthers. In fact, all kinds of things were improved upon.

First, the organization played the original fight song instead of the ghastly T-pain version. I suspect they are trying to see which version elicits the best response, but despite the older one winning that battle hands-down, I'm sure they'll mix it up by playing BOTH at Miami's next home game. Keep in mind that the T-pain version allows for bathroom and beer breaks.

Next on the list of improvements was the play-calling. To my knowledge, Henning didn't call any 3rd and 7 half-back sweeps and the sprinkling of Wildcat plays, while some fans (including myself) were initially distraught to see shown in the 2nd pre-season game, actually was useful in the essence that the coaches also need to practice their gameplans, to see how plays work up against each other and how they can control the ebb and flow of the game. Plus, let's face it, these plays were both successful and added to the overall excitement and entertainment value of the game.

It can't be skipped over the improvement in the offensive line. With Donald Thomas getting more and more reps, they are starting to gel together and it really shows. And while the commentators sort of over-exaggerated Thomas' blocking during the game (he whiffed on a couple of easy blocks in space), he was able to get out there very quickly and his upper body strength really shows up in the trenches. The running game was much more respectable this weekend and showed glimpses of how the Dolphins would like to move the ball. Keep in mind, the Panthers are not really a run-stuffing team, with the d-line built for pass rushing, and the linebackers being excellent in coverage but hit and miss versus the run. With that said, our quarterbacks were kept relatively clean throughout the game. On the one play where Pat White was 'flushed out of the pocket' according to Craig Bolerjack (the play-by-play announcer) I thought he had plenty of time to look downfield, but it was a designed play that was read perfectly by the outside linebacker, and White immediately took off instead of patiently allowing the play to develop or improvising by looking elsewhere. He still instinctively wants to run and while it's good to keep moving the ball, pre-season is the time to slow the game down and make the mistakes that don't hurt any records or play-off chances, so I would like to see him force himself to stand in the pocket a bit longer.

Speaking of White, did anyone else notice that he doesn't look to be the 6 feet tall he's reported at? I know we have a lot of really tall linemen but I could've sworn he was barely taller than Patrick Cobbs at one point when they were standing together. Maybe he just looks smaller because of his over-sized helmet.

Defensively, the game was a bit of a let down for me because I wanted to see more of Sean Smith and Jason Allen, both of whom didn't play due to illness. Otherwise, once again we were good against the run minus the one DeAngelo Williams pin-ball-esque touchdown run, where to be honest, the Dolphins front 7 all kind of fell over each other because they all got to the point of attack at the same time. The tackling was non-existent, but it still came off as a fluke play to me, and those happen all the time to every team out there. It wasn't because of great blocking by Carolina or bad penetration by Miami, it was purely Williams showing what he can do if you don't wrap him up.

As for our players to watch, both Vontae Davis and Chris Clemons were much improved in game 2, especially Clemons. In fact, I thought he outplayed Tyrone Culver in this game, after looking out of his depths in Game 1. 3rd string center, Mark Lewis, just might move up to 2nd string this week. Joe Berger has been a weak link lately, and Lewis looks like he's progressing. Nose Tackle Joe Cohen was called out by me as the 'next to go' and for once I was right, as he was released today after being both invisible in games and Louis Ellis showing more physicality. Anthony Armstrong got lucky today as Chris Williams was waived injured. I'm not sure what injury Williams could possible have gotten on the muffed punt which was his last play of the game (he certainly didn't look injured - other than his pride - on the sideline after the play when Sparano was yelling at him). Armstrong has not been good in the game, but the fact he's now playing on special teams and getting CLOSE to the returner on coverage as well as returning kicks, hows that the Dolphins want to give him a good shot to make the roster.

The Dolphins announced several roster changes today:

  • Ernest Wilford (contract terminated)
  • Chris Williams (waived injured)
  • Tearrius George (waived)
  • Orion Martin (waived)
  • Joe Cohen (waived)
  • Anthony Kimble (waived)

41 comments:

  1. The Knight who says Ni!August 24, 2009 at 8:35 AM

    With Joe Berger and Shawn Murphy in the mix, Alleman was one too many guards. We'll probably keep two guys who can backup at tackle.

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  2. The Knight who says Ni!August 24, 2009 at 8:37 AM

    I agree Cohen hasn't jumped out at me. Do you know why Williams was waived injured? I didn't know he was hurt, unless he had a broken nose from trying to catch the ball with his face. LOL

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  3. No, like I said, I didn't see any indication whatsoever of an injury, unless
    he somehow got on the field after that blunder and then something happened.

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  4. The Knight who says Ni!August 24, 2009 at 8:45 AM

    Yeah I missed any injury with Williams.

    There were a lot of impressive things in the Carolina game. The roster is taking shape.

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  5. If memory serves Williams fielded one more punt after the fasemask rebound attempted catch, he bobbled it and then got swarmed after a few yard gain.

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  6. hmm...i think your memory is off there. Anthony Armstrong fielded one right
    after that. Actually, I can't really say - I had a rough time watching the
    game because my son was being an attention hog most of the time so I might
    have missed a play or two.....or five.

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  7. The Knight who says Ni!August 24, 2009 at 9:19 AM

    Williams bobbled almost every kick and punt. That's what got him cut.

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  8. cut and paste: "Williams was waived injured as he actually injured his wrist and hand during that fateful punt that hit him in the facemask and he fumbled Saturday night."

    Tinshaker - thanks for streaming the game - I finally saw PT in a Dolphins uniform thanks to you!

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  9. I dont have the replay, Going strictly from taxed brain cells from the original broadcast. if you happen to watch the replay again check it for me please. No mention of A.A. trade on fins website, he's also still listed on the roster.

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  10. The Knight who says Ni!August 24, 2009 at 9:28 AM

    The trade hasn't officially happened yet.

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  11. So did Ted Ginn....

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  12. Well...it HAS happened, it just hasn't been ANNOUNCED.

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  13. Considering how the trade was between Pioli and Parcells, I think we might
    have gotten a 2nd round pick....

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  14. The Knight who says Ni!August 24, 2009 at 9:42 AM

    Huh?

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  15. The Knight who says Ni!August 24, 2009 at 9:43 AM

    I heard they're working out the details so technically it's not a done deal and Alleman will have to pass a physical.  :-P

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  16. C. williams handled the next kickoff after his fumbled punt, that was the play i remembered.


    4-11-CAR 32 (2:37) J.Baker punts 43 yards to MIA 25, Center-J.Jansen. C.Williams MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by CARN.
    Diggs at MIA 29.
    Penalty on MIA, Illegal Block Above the Waist, declined.
    Carolina Panthers at 2:26
    1-10-MIA 29 (2:26) M.Goodson right tackle to MIA 27 for 2 yards (E.Walden).
    Two-Minute Warning
    2-8-MIA 27 (2:00) M.Goodson left end to MIA 16 for 11 yards (Q.Moses). R7
    1-10-MIA 16 (1:53) M.Goodson right guard to MIA 10 for 6 yards (T.Culver, C.Clemons).
    2-4-MIA 10 (1:18) M.Goodson left guard to MIA 2 for 8 yards (T.Culver, C.Clemons). R8
    1-2-MIA 2 (:38) M.Goodson right guard to MIA 2 for no gain (R.Baker).
    Timeout #1 by CAR at 00:32.
    2-2-MIA 2 (:32) D.Birmingham right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. R9
    J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Jansen, Holder-J.Baker.
    CAR 14 MIA 10, 6 plays, 29 yards, 2:00 drive, 14:34 elapsed
    R.Lloyd kicks 62 yards from CAR 30 to MIA 8. C.Williams to MIA 30 for 22 yards (J.Fields).

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  17. The Knight who says Ni!August 24, 2009 at 9:43 AM

    Awesome! =-O

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  18. The Knight who says Ni!August 24, 2009 at 9:50 AM

    Rumor has it Ndukewe is also in the deal with Alleman.

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  19. Knight, the trade was for Alleman and Ndukwe and the trade has been made,
    but they don't change the rosters until the passing of the physical, signing
    the dotted line, etc. But the players involved wouldn't have posted the
    news on their facebook hours ago if they weren't already told to pack their
    bags.
    BTW, Miami to Kansas City is a major temperature shift....good luck boys.
    At least the Ndukwe bros will be within driving distance of each other.

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  20. Yeah he ttok the next kickoff after the punt. The injured waived smells to me of we want to keep this guy on IR so we can try him out again next year

    I can finally take Wilford off of my players to cut list

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  21. ok, missed that, but the next punt was def. armstrong.

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  22. The Knight who says Ni!August 24, 2009 at 9:58 AM

    Boobs, I mean Booze where did you read about the trade?

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  23. Armando, Omar, Jeff Darlington, etc all reporting Ndukwe and Alleman traded together

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  24. The Knight who says Ni!August 24, 2009 at 10:05 AM

    Williams hurt his hand and wrist on the punt that hit him in the face. That's why he didn't come back after that.

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  25. Ginn bobbles and fumbles punts too...not that he's been cut.

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  26. Is it six on the practice squad? If so, that leaves 12 waivers/trades to go to get down to the opening day roster of 53. Even more, if they plan to pick up waivers from other teams. Is that correct?

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  27. WOWWW,I had one of the two making"OUR"team,guess Garner and MY boy's FRYE/Gardner are locks now...
    Pre FA/Waivers!!

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  28. It's up to 8.  They don't have to carry 8, but that is the maximum.  They don't get to assign players from their roster to the practice squad.  they have to clear waivers first.  So technically they have to release 17 more players since we're now at 70 total.

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  29. I saw RWilliams hurt his hand,but NOT CWilliams...(Hope it's not a typo)!! 
    RW stayed in after his ouchy @least for one play,I was focusing on the NON-LOCKS,(for the most-part)!!

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  30. Thanks, Tin! 17 players to waive! I can see 7-8 possibilities, but it's all a guess as to who will ultimately get waived. Better talent this time around... maybe they'll chum the waiver wire with them to catch better fish from other teams!

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  31. One more ???

    Who gets first crack at waivers, is it worst records first?

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  32. Please fill me in on trade
    sounds like your saying KC GM trading with BP for 2nd pick

    C`mon C`mon Tell me!

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  33. So Willford is gone.  I'll miss my blocking dummie guy at parctices, every year there is one guy that holds the pads for the TE drills.  Last year it was Mulligan and this year it was Willford and Nailbone.  Both Mulligan and Willford are gone.  I look for Nailbone to be either gone or clear waivers and put on the practice squad.  So if you're the first  player that holds the pads during drills, things are not looking good for you.

    With all the good things the trifecta have done for the team for the life of me I could not understand why they brought Willford down here.  Sometimes they seem to get caught up in a stereo type player ( such as a tall physical WR ) they bring in a guy that isn't very good to fill the need.  The good thing is they see their mistakes cut their losses and move on.  It's all about production with this franchise now.  If a player doesn't produce they will be playing for someone else.  This is what makes me worry about Roth, how long are they going to put up him wearing a baseball cap ?

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  34. FUNNY, when BGreise and NMoore were discussing what might take place in the next few wks(roster-wise),
    BG said ""so Natt the roster currently has 80 correct"",NMoore instantly agreed""Yea 80""..

    I thought to myself(the places I visit suggest)we only have near the mid 70's currently rosterized..

    We sifted 8 and now have 70,so I guess that's another blunder/fly by the seat of their pants
    opinion of the color-cast...

    Thank heavens BG goes to college football next wk...
    One time HERO/SMART GUY can't even put a sentence together these day's,and he didn't take alot of hits..
    Though I remember the day/game he broke his leg in(game 6 IF I remember correctly),as I watched(I thought"OUR"seasons over),but as CSONKA constantly say's""that OLDDOG EMorral was a tough SOB""... (UNDEAFEATED SEASON)!!!  
    STILL LUVYA BOB,hope your more thorough via the NCAA,(but don't understand))
    how you can possibly be more informed about a different college team every wk,than you are about those that made you.. 

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  35. I think it goes by the draft order, so Detroit gets the first crack and so on.

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  36. The Knight who says Ni!August 24, 2009 at 11:25 AM

    Not every time though. Williams has done it every time but once I think.

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  37. Deerdork is the one that'll make me turn off the sound! :(

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  38. I was thinking we might offer SEATTLE an OLineman or TWO..
    They've lost their starting LT,and C,(they moved their RT to LT),and he led the team in penalties this past wkend.

    It ain't WHAT you know,it's WHO you know!!! Tooo BADDDD seahawks!!
    KC/SEAT will likely hold simular draft positions,so it's ALL GOOD!! 
    2 OLineman has to bring @least a 3rd or 4th rndr,WOOOOHOOO!!   GOFINS!!

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  39. I saw him bobble EVERY attempt!!

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  40. I understand the reasoning behind cutting Williams...just is kind of a bummer, because we have not had speed or someone that can spot holes like he did, for quite awhile. The last guy I remember getting excited about on returns is Welker. Does anyone know if Williams was a returner in college? Did he fumble like that there? Oh well....mute point, he is gone. Hope we find someone decent back there soon!!!

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  41. BrianL - is this your wife or are you doing a bit of cross-dressing? =-O

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