Tin Bits - Where are they now? UPDATED 8.27.09

• After a trade of huge proportions (yes that is an Ike Ndukwe joke), the Kansas City Chiefs are trying to find a place for the former Miami Dolphins', Andy Alleman and Ndukwe. Alleman lined up during practice today at Left Guard for the second team. Ndukwe lined up as the second team Right Tackle. Meanwhile, further evidence that we're lucky to be Miami fans this year, here is an in-depth analysis of both players by an academic, if not accurate, Chiefs fan/blogger.

• Samson Satele was traded to the Oakland Raiders in late spring after having surgery to repair a torn labrum. I still wonder if his rough year in 2008 was a result of playing with that injury. While it wouldn't completely debilitate a blocker, it would make it hard to really drive an opponent back. Just an opinion - I'm no doctor. Still, now that he's returned from that injury, he's making mental mistakes. Raiders beatwriter, David White, writes, "RT Cornell Green and C Samson Satele with consecutive penalties in the red zone. And everyone thought getting rid of Kwame Harris would solve it. Cable's right: cutting penalties in half to 7 was better, but oh those 7 hurt." Wow, only seven in the half? that's like, less than 20 a game!

• With all the Lex Hilliard talk lately, it's easy to forget about the OTHER Dolphins draft pick spent on a running back in 2008. Jalen Parmele looks to be edging out Ravens 6th round draftee, Cedric Peerman, for the final roster spot. Still, with names like McClain, McGahee, and Rice on the team, Parmele will have to play ALOT of special teams to get on the field..
  

• In what I consider a slightly strange move, the Raiders signed newly waived DT, Joe Cohen. They must really dislike their defensive line, they've been turning it over like crazy this off-season. If they suddenly trade Tommy Kelly, then we'll know something's up.

• Jacksonville ditched Matt Jones but welcomed back former below average wide receiver, Ernest Wilford. Just keep in mind that Wilford's best year was his 4th, when he had 45 catches for 518 yards and 3 touchdowns. Davone Bess had better production in his rookie year. Wilford's production isn't about to go up, either as he is in fact listed as a tight-end for Jacksonville. He is one of SIX tight-ends currently on their roster so he's actually no better off now than he was in Miami.

• John Beck seemed to be SOL after a report that he broke his collarbone during a pre-season game. That report turned out to be a gross exaggeration, and Beck returned to practice with a 'shoulder strain'. Of course, in the meantime, Cam Cameron panicked and they signed Cleo Lemon and Drew Willy (giggle) on the same day. So now the Ravens have 5 QBs. Still, Beck is expected to win the coveted 3rd quarterback spot behind Joe Flacco and Troy Smith, and no, the Ravens will not be using Beck as a wild-cat QB.

• In shocking NON-news, former Dolphin DE, Vonnie Holliday is still unsigned. Expect this to change if any of either New England or Green Bay's current line-up suffers an injury.
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• Former Dolphin full-back, and current Brokeback Mountain afficionado, Boomer Grigsby, has been released by the Houston Texans. He did an NFL Network segment along with several other players, all of whom have been cut. It's the NFL network curse.

• Andre Goodman and Renaldo Hill both got pay raises to go gasp for air in Denver and are both healthy and both starting. I'm happy for Hill - maybe the thin air will help clear his head and improve his reaction time. Goodman, however, got an insane contract and will need to play at a 'mile-high' level for several years or else the fans will throw beaver pelts at him. There is good news though, as playing defense in Denver has been known to increase a player's career-length due to the lack of contact.....

• The Titans waived Casey Cramer a year ago, allowing Miami to pick him up and make him their starting fullback in 2008. In 2009, they re-signed him and he is currently 2nd string. The good news is that Tennessee usually keeps two fullbacks.

• Rob Ninkovich was cut by Miami, picked up and cut by New Orleans, and now resides at the bottom of the New England Patriots depth chart. The Derrick Burgess trade just about killed any chances he had of making the roster.

• Chris Crocker has a secure foothold on the starting free-safety position for the Cincinnati Bengals, although the new episode of Hard Knocks is tonight and anything could happen for the sake of ratings.

• UPDATE: The Jets just signed RB Anthony Kimble to replace injured rookie Shonn Greene. Kimble was waived by Miami three days ago.
  

I think it's a strange phenomenon that more times than not, the Miami Dolphins rejects (for lack of a better term) end up being held in much higher regard by other teams. Do you think this means we're better than them and these players are better than they're players? Or are we just not as good at recognizing talent as we think we are and that's why so many of our turned over players end up being successful for other teams?