Do Tight Ends Wear Tighty Whiteys?

The tight-end. Possibly the worst named position in American sports, but an essential part of the offense on any football team. They are essentially the one position that is asked to perform more than one role on every drive. They need to be able to block like an offensive lineman, run routes like a wide receiver, as well as line up as a lead blocker for the running backs, occasionally even running the ball themselves. And they have to have really soft hands. Let's look at the 6 tight-ends that are currently on the roster.

Anthony Fasano, # 80.
If he improves upon last year's performance, that trade that brought him and Akin Ayodele to us will continue to look like Parcells' golden touch. He had 34 catches for 454 yards and was second on the team with 7 touchdowns scored. I think a 15% increase in production would be acceptable improvement, but to be considered a top-tier tight end, he will need to increase those numbers by 25 to 30%, that is, approximately 44 catches, 580 yards, 9 TDs.

David Martin, # 88.
Martin is the guy most likely to extend for the ball, making for a bigger pass target. He was not the primary tight-end pass target but did come in on double tight end packages and was able to separate better than Fasano on the 'Tight-End Cross" play. He also got some time out at WR during the season. He ended up with 31 catches for 450 yards and 3 TDs. He's one of my favorite players on the team, and he showed incredible focus on several amazing catches in 2008, but he also has a tendency to drop passes, though he was stable in the games, while Fasano dropped a couple of crucial balls towards the end of the year. A lot of fans have whispered trade/release rumours or wishes for Martin, but we know for a fact that Sparano loves this guy, and it will likely come down to how the bigger wide receivers and Ernest Wilford perform in training camp/pre-season. I don't believe the younger tight-ends are a threat to Martin's job, but Wilford and Patrick Turner could be.

Joey Haynos, # 81.
Babyface Haynos did not get a lot of playing time through the year but once he got into the game on offense, I immediately noticed his crisp route running and it paid off with a touch-down a play or two later. Since he didn't get a lot of playing time, I can't judge how he blocks, though he did play on special teams, so his experience and time with the playbook likely gives him an edge over the two new guys.

Jared Bronson, # 89.
Bronson may not look like much at first glance, but he was pretty beastly at the division II rankings in college. One of our former wild-cat draftees, Bronson performed well at the Combine, but when it came to Central Washington's pro-day, only one NFL scout showed up. It's unknown whether that was a Miami scout or a Pittsburgh scout (they signed QB Mike Reily), or neither. Click on the picture to see video of what Bronson can do.


John Nalbone, #86.
Well, we didn't go after Miles Austin in trade, but we got his former Monmouth teammate, Nalbone in the 5th round of the draft. This is one of a couple of 'reaches' by Parcells and crew, in my opinion. Nalbone was drafted to be a blocking tight-end, so imagine my dismay, when in the first interview of his NFL career he said he considers himself a pass-receiver first, not a blocker. That pretty much raised the red flag as well as the white flag as far as I'm concerned. He did just get a contract signed, but so did Jared Bronson, and we know they're not both going to make the roster. One of them will probably make the practice squad. Nalbone and Bronson are basically in competition to make the PS.

Ernest Wilford, # 18.
You ever go to a fancy expensive dinner, and go overboard? You figure, hey, I'm shelling out the money, I might as well fill up. But then you feel a little sick to your stomach, but you don't really want to let go of that 'full up' feeling because it's the result of your exuberant meal? And then, at some point, you HAVE to let go of it, and as it's released you feel so much lighter and relieved, yet you have another feeling - like you've gone back to the place you were before you had your fancy dinner. You have nothing to show for it except for a dent in your bank account. This is the analogy I've come up with for Ernest Wilford. Sure, we'll have nothing to show for the oreo cookie buffet in the morning, but we'll be able to buckle our belt and move on.

As with the running backs, I feel we'll have the same tight-end squad we had in 2008. As I mentioned above, the only difference I could see is if the 'big' wide receivers turn it on and we end up keeping 6 WRs. I doubt we would go down to 2 TEs though since we run so many 2 TE formations, we'd have to have a reserve.

Any thoughts?

Running Into Training Camp

To continue the training camp preview on the offensive side of the ball, I am heading into the running back territory today. There isn't a lot of competition at this point at this spot (thought there should be quite a bit in 2010).

Ronnie Brown, #23.
Ronnie Brown is no doubt the closest thing we have to a star offensive player. He is definitely the highest drafted skill player on the team, and his production as well as his skill set make him a lock as a starting running back on 90% of the teams in the NFL. One thing we didn't get to see much of in 2008 is how Ronnie can downright run over defenders. That looks to change in 2009.


Ricky Williams, #34.
Ricky's speed in getting to the edge has always been his strength and it can be a great thing to combine with Ronnie Brown's power running. It's one of the main reasons the Wild-Cat was so effective. Ricky says he wants to play two more years, but in 2009 I expect his role to decrease, and if they bring him back for 2010, he will likely be the third running back. His days are numbered but we can still expect big plays from him, if not big carries.


Patrick Cobbs, # 38.
Cobbs is a guy who may not get the carries, but his use as a utility guy buys him a spot on the roster. He can return kicks and punts, cover on special teams, block on running plays, and find space on passing plays. His 5'8" stature make him the shortest guy on the team in 2007. As long as Chris Williams doesn't suddenly become a great tackler and blocker, I don't think Cobbs has anything to worry about. He's one of the few 'leftovers' that the Trifecta loves. His NFL story is fantastic if you're a Dolfan - signed as an undrafted free agent in 2006 by the Patriots, he performed so well in the pre-season that New England was able to trade him to Pittsburgh for a draft pick. He was inactive for week 1 because he didn't know the Steelers playbook yet. The day after the game they waived him and tried to sign him to the practice squad. He refused to sign with them, and signed onto Miami's practice squad instead after he cleared waivers. He then worked his way up to the active roster and was a big part of the offense in 2008. He will probably play his entire career in Miami.

Lousaka Polite, #36.
I call this guy Mr. Automatic after he miraculously converted short yardage on 3rd and 4th downs again and again in 2008. He runs downhill like a bowling ball and defenses need to wrap up his legs to stop him - a near impossible feat at the line of scrimmage. His blocking has been questioned by some though, and I'm not sure the Dolphins want to weigh one strength against one weakness. If his blocking is improved, he should be a lock. They did just give him a new contract, so maybe they already know the answer.


Lex Hilliard, # 26.
Lex spent all of 2008 on the practice squad, and of the two running backs we drafted last year, I had highest hopes for Jalen Parmele who got poached by Baltimore and apparently is the #2 guy there at the moment. Not much to say about Hilliard other than he had an entire year with the Dolphins already and has apprently mastered the playbook. You'd have to expect him to be practice squad again unless someone gets injured then he would be the first to be called up.



Anthony Kimble, #45.
Kimble has yet to impress at the media-attended practices, but his combination of fresh legs and athleticism and work-horse mentality may pay-off in a practice-squad bid. He also is a converted wide-receiver and could be considered a dangerous pass-target coming out of the backfield.



Chris Brown, # 20.
The 'other' fullback, competing with Polite. He's more of an H-back type, presenting a good pass target out of the backfield, but is not known for running over people or for putting people on their backs in the blocking game. He played tight-end in college. Honestly, for him to make the roster, he's going to have to blow some people up on blocks.

Do you think there will be any surprises here or will we stick with the same four running backs from 2008?

How Do You Build A Trench, Exactly?

The Trifecta came into South Florida in early 2008 and said, you know what, we've gotta turn this team around, and we've got to start in the middle and work our way outward. They sacked a lot of has-beens, no-beens, and never-willl-beens, and replaced them with a high-priced Guard, a number one draft pick Tackle, and a darkhorse with the strength of a horse.

In 2009, they have so far continued the alterations by switching Centers with the Raiders, and hanging on to the lone bright spot from the previous regime, in their starting Right Tackle.

Very few questions remain among the starting line. I think most fans are anxious to see these guys gel and get nasty 'int the trenches'.

But there are a few other guys who want a chance at proving themselves as well. And some of them might make it. Let's take a look at who's in the competition.

Joe Berger, # 67.
Berger has the strange honor of being both a Saban guy and a Trifecta guy all rolled into one. Saban brought him in in 2005, where he played in 3 games but was injured in camp the following year and waived. The Trifecta then picked him off of waivers in Dallas. Once he became an unrestricted free agent, the Trifecta signed him for his second stint with the Dolphins. He has played all positions but right now seems penciled in as the back-up Center.


Jake Long, # 77.
I heard he's the favorite to start at Left Tackle. My source is good, so let's stick with that.

Andrew Gardner, #63.
He just signed a 4 year, $1.65 Million contract with a $75,000 bonus.
Some people are saying he's the 2nd string LT right now. Others are saying Nate Garner is. I think based on physicality, Garner beats out Gardner, and that is likely what we'll see in training camp.


Brandon Frye, #76.
Frye got work with the first teamers after Donald Thomas hurt his man-boob. Frye definitely has size and seems to be athletic, but does he have what it takes skills-wise?


Andy Alleman, # 57.
Alleman was impressive last year to me because he sort of got thrown to the wolves and he didn't embarass himself. He played FOUR positions in 2008, I mean actual game reps. If he could take that experience and couple it with a mighty off-season training regimen, he would be right there with that 6th man lapel sticker. But alas, he has a back injury. If he doesn't get on the field on August 1st, he's done.


Ike Ndukwe, # 68.
Ike took over for the downed Donald Thomas in 2008 and has the most experience of any of the backups. It was funny when a reporter asked him about being a rookie, and Ndukwe, got angry and blasted back, I'm not a rookie, it's my third year! The man gets no respect at all. At this point he should be able to blow the competition away and it looks like he isn't so far. Waiting for the pads though.


Donald Thomas, # 66.
I'll admit, the only thing I know about this guy as far as the NFL goes is what I've heard about him. I saw him play in College and he was very good on that level. As far as the NFL goes, I only know that he's an 82 on Madden '08. an 82 rating for a rookie means he's pro-bowl caliber. At least thats what EA sports thinks! He seems on pace to be ready fro training camp. Bottom line is, despite his injury issues, Sparano still considers him the incumbent starter. That's saying a lot.


Sir Vincent Rogers and m'lord Mark Lewis. These guys are camp fodder. They will not make it past the first cuts.


Vernon Carey, #72.
He really needs that RG position to be locked up, because he needs to be able to focus on what he needs to do. I have to say I was extremely disappointed in Carey for 75% of the 2008 season. But with that experience under his belt, his cash in the bank, and an overal improved O-line, things are looking up for this gentle giant.

Jake Grove, # 64.
It's going to take some time to get used to seeing #64 at Center for the Dolphins....ok, maybe not, but it will take some time to get used to a 6'4", 300lb....oh nevermind. Truth is, you're not going to notice any difference on the field at center between 2008 and 2009, until Ronnie Brown gets his hands on the ball and runs it up the middle. Then you will see the difference. Remember Justin Fargas running all over us? Remember all thos other Raider backs easily running over us up the middle? That all started with Grove getting his blocks to the second level immediately. He flattens guys. Anyway, with the money he's getting, he's the starter.

Shawn Murphy, # 61.
A lot has been made of Murphy's rise to first-team reps from the disappointment of the previous year. But I've read that Murphy didn't do well when he had those reps. The Dolphins simply won't have the luxury of keeping a project o-lineman this year. If he doesn't show up in TC, he will be stashed on the PS, where he may be poached.



Nate Garner, #75.
If there's one guy who's appeared to take a step to the next level, it's Garner. He has definitely put in the work during the offseason, and has impressed coaches with his improved athleticism. I want to see him get some reps with that first team in pads to see if he's really ready to be trusted should Long or Carey go down during the season.



Justin Smiley, #65.
Smiley is back. At last count he had 3 surgeries during the off-season, dating back to December. His shoulder injury should be behind him now, and the only question is will his legs be balanced and strong enough for the season.


JD Quinn, #69.
Definitely got the best jersey number in camp, but does this party-boy have what it takes to play in the NFL? My guess is no, and the fact no ones heard a peep about this kid since OTAs started does not bode well. Still, with others like Lewis, Rogers, and Ndukwe failing to impress, he might still have practice squad in his future.



So there you have it, fifteen guys. 5 are safe. 10 of them are fighting for likely 3 more roster spots.

Who do you think has shown enough to be a favorite? Who do you think makes it and who goes back to school?

Mise En Plus

Welcome to the dog days of summer. The times when normally football fans either go on vacation, go into hibernation, or go into withdrawal equivalent to a former heroin addict. The fact is that nothing of interest happens between now and training camp unless you're interested in rookie contracts. Most fans aren't. I'm interested in veteran's contracts because the salary cap and age have a lot to do with how a football team shape up, but for the rookies, their contracts mean nothing to me from a fan standpoint, and since I'm not paying their salaries, they really don't have any impact. So the next six weeks could be a hell of a time.

Well, there's good news. No, I'm not going to be hand-drawing the entire Dolphins playbook! I've already been accused of selling secrets to the enemy! We do however, have some things in place to talk about. It may not seem that important right now, but the depth chart and roster in general starts mutating day by day. It is a gradual process, not a slice and dice operation that it may seem as teams usually wait until deadline days to execute their waivers.

Yet with six weeks to go, the Dolphins cut a punter and a cornerback. They now have until August 1st to cut two more players but will they wait that long? What made Jy Bond and Scorpio Babers such wastes of time that they didn't make it to the end of OTAs? Are there any other wastes of space and time on the roster? That would make the next two easy pickings. I doubt there are.

So, over the next week or so, I will focus on one positional group and we'll get into how each player can make the roster, and how they will work themselves out of the Trifecta's good standing.

Don't worry, I won't make you wait for the good stuff. First up, the Wide Receivers!

Sparano Says It All

Coach Sparano's Friday press conference, courtesy of Aquavision/miamidolphins.com:

I love me some Coach Sparano. He's everything I like about a coach - tough, decisive, and doesn't discuss things that don't need to be discussed.

On the flipside, Rex Ryan (I'm taking suggestions for a nick-name) said that besides every player on the Jets being "AMAZING! WOW! UNBELIEVABLE!! AS GOOD AS ED REED!!" he only had one regret about recently finished mini-camp, and that was 'maybe' talking trash about Crowder a little too much. He didn't regret STARTING the trash-talking, just the last 6 to 8 words of the total trash-talk conversation.

Sparano wouldn't trash-talk anyone. He doesn't believe in the mantra it's us against the other guy and we have to bully our way to the top. His mentality is that we have the bodies, we have the talent, if we prepare for the season and execute in the games, we will be successful. That means no turnovers, or costly penalties. it means running the right routes and running them crisply. It means keeping your body conditioned to avoid injury. It means preparing yourself as if you were the starter, because if there IS an injury, you must be ready.

It's not a mantra of let's go crack some heads. His is a mantra of 'we have a job to do, let's do that job effectively, efficiently, and consistently." He's not looking for flash and razzle-dazzle. He's looking for football players.

Friday Morning Mini-Camp Highlights

While I was watching the video above I saw a wide receiver doing drills, lined up in front of Brandon London. I actually thought to myself, "Whoa, who's that? Who's number 19?"

It only took a good 3-mississippi count before I went "Duh!" and then another 3-mississippi count before I thought, "whoa!"

Ted Ginn looks like he's changed his body-frame overnight. Or is it just me? I'm not saying he's huge but he looks thicker, especially in the legs. He just looks stronger.

Some of the inside linebackers look like they need a kick in the pants. Orion Martin was the only back-up who seemed to have any energy. Torbor, Folsom, etc look defeated.