So this is the last game the Miami Dolphins will be playing that won’t count in the standings. It will count, however, for those players desperately vying to grab a roster spot. The majority of the roster is probably accounted for, but there are probably a handful of bubble decisions that will be determined by performances in this last game. There will be a few positions where the depth will have to be figured out, most importantly DB, where the Dolphins have lost some depth players, and actually may not have their starting CB Byron Jones ready for Game 1 against the New England Patriots. At RB, no one back has looked particularly good in either game yet, so most of the work in practice will have determined the depth chart so far, plus, McD may just want to keep the Patriots guessing as to what our offense will actually be. WR is where a few potential depth guys have looked good, but considering we have the first 4 spots locked up with Hill, Waddle, Wilson and Ezukanma, add in the fact that we may carry 3 QB’s, plus at least one fullback, it’s possible only 5 WR’s make it, and not 6. Does Lynn Bowden Jr. make the cut, or perhaps Braylon Sanders, or River Cracraft, or veteran Mohammed Sanu?
Running back has been a tough one to figure. You would think you can write in Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert and Sony Michel, because McD and Grier just brought them here. Myles Gaskin was here already, but he’s a guy that has produced too. Salvon Ahmed is too much like Gaskin, so I guess it will be either or, if one them makes the roster. Rookie ZaQuandre White hasn’t seen much action, just 2 carries for negative 1 yards. Gaskin leads the Dolphins with 39 yards on 8 carries. QB Skylar Thompson is 2nd with 26. In other words, we really haven’t seen enough to have any expectations. ZaQuandre White does have a 19 yard TD reception, so there’s that.
It has to be tempered because it’s preseason, but I like what I’ve seen of DE Porter Gustin, and I think he has a chance to stick. At LB, both Cameron Goode and 3rd RD draft pick Channing Tindall showed some positive things. Tindall is a lock, but Goode may find himself a spot on the roster as well. At CB, Mackensie Alexander is done, (that was quick!), so guys like Keion Crossen and longshot Kader Kohou have a chance because of the injury situation. Iggy seems to be on the outside looking in. Everything I’ve seen from this kid in this preseason tells me he’s a not an NFL player. We did well taking a shot with Nik Needham, I think one of the aforementioned guys is also going to get a shot.
At TE, there’s been lots of chatter about Mike Gesicki getting traded. I don’t see it happening, but I’m not against it if we get the right return. Gesicki is a one dimensional player at the moment, a talented one, but still one dimensional. He’s a receiver, and hasn’t seemed to have embraced the blocking aspect of the position. Durham Smythe can do both, but he’s not as good as a receiver as Gesicki. Long hasn’t really proved he’s great at anything, and Cethan Carter gives you H-back flexibility and is a strong blocker. I think to myself, Durham Smythe, Hunter Long and Cethan Carter don’t put any fear into any defense, and while Gesicki isn’t a great blocker, he’s a top 8-10 receiving TE. Tough call there, but if they can get a starter where we need it for Gesicki, or a 3rd RD pick in the 2023 draft, go for it.
On the O-line, we’ve been protecting LT Terron Armstead, and Larnel Coleman has been given a lot of playing time. Coleman has been good and bad, as expected. Coleman was a 7th RD pick last year, and he appears to be locked in as Armstead’s backup. The 5 we know will be here are Armstead, Eichenberg, Williams, Hunt and Jackson. The remaining guys are Greg Little, Solomon Kindley, Robert Jones, Michael Deiter, Adam Pankey, Kion Smith, Kellen Diesch and Blaise Andries. Due to the fact that Armstead is oft injured, Coleman seems to be safe. Greg Little was a 2nd RD pick back in ’19 for the Panthers, so he has some pedigree, but we haven’t seen anything from him here in MIA. Lots of decisions. Our special teams is set with K Jason Sanders, P Thomas Morstead, LS Blake Ferguson, and KR/PR Tyreek Hill, Raheem Mostert, Jaylen Waddle and Jevon Holland. Just stay healthy guys, the roster will work itself out!
#stangerstrong
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Primis!
Good write up Mike. I think you’re pretty close in your thinking.
Thanks Uwant- We’ll see soon enough!
Steve, Howard and Needham if not Jones as well will play week one. We act like we have no corners. Opening day is 9/11, it’s 8/26.
No, you act like we don’t need 3 adequate CBs, because we have 1 or 2 really good ones
You’re D is only as good as its weakest link, if Iggy is playing at CB often against NE, Belicheat will shred him
There are teams that have nobody close to as good as Howard and Needam and our safeties.
That’s besides the point
Well I think talent makes a difference.
Thank you, Mike E. Can’t wait for the season to start.
YW Krishna – Looking forward to it too, but still not rushing summer away. Since I was a kid, the end of summer and of course the transition to school beginning has always been a depressing time for me. Summer is just fun, fall (and school) are not fun, it’s the death knell to the end of fun, and the beginning of back to business. At 59, I still get the end of summer blues. It’s not the temp or climate, it’s just the longer days, and the freedom that summer gives you.
^
I get that…without kids there has never been an end to summer or a beginning of school for me….
Just transition from heat to cool and shorter days…
August has been an intense time in my life for the last 20 years, for sure
At 59 ?? Shit I forgot you’re 2 years older than me. Damn that makes me old as hell as well. Thanks Mike E, And excellent write up as ugh. 🐬🏈
I’d say Bowden is close to a lock, since he’s been handling returns and looked good week 1 at WR
Sanu seems to be the guy we need to block at WR, not sure there’s room for him though
Sherfield seems like a lock too also, because of STs and he seems to provide a little more at WR, than Sanu
Preston is out
I don’t think Bowden is a lock. It would be cool if he could be KR/PR and 6th WR though.
I still think River Cracraft will get a spot. Good ST. Nice routes as well.
At the expense of who?
I think he’s more explosive than Bowden, he does get open deep better too, and should be a good returner, but if he’s going to be on the roster, why hasn’t he been doing returns?
If Omar was good for anything, he made a good point about bubble players playing STs, if they’re on the 1st unit, they’re likely making the team
Bowden seems to fit that in the return dept and Sherfield as gunner, and Crossen for that matter too
Steve – I think you may be overrating the return game and players impact on it. Seems to me 9 out 0f 10 kickoffs are into the endzone and not returned, and more than half of punts are fair catches. I think the guys that make the difference as receivers will make the team, and I think Sanders and Sherfield have a leg up on Bowden.
PR is the only one that matters. Anyone can return a kick that is a touch back. LOL
Well, if you have a guy that’s dynamic, sometimes he’ll take the ball out of the endzone and make things happen. On PR’s, you need a sure handed guy who has great field awareness and smarts to know the situation when to let the ball go, when to fair catch, and when to gamble. I suppose there will be times when we put Tyreek back there to give us a jolt.
Nice write up Mike! Do you think we keep all 3 QBs on the roster?
It seems we have to try to protect Skylar, but I’m not convinced we don’t end up keeping Skylar and try and trade Teddy B. Realistically, if you lose your starter you’re not going to the Sb and winning. I know it’s happened, and I do think Teddy is a capable QB, but for the future and long term, it’s better to have Skylar than Teddy B. Keeping 3 QB’s will be difficult, especially since we have a FB, and probably at least 3 TE’s and 5-6 WR’s to keep. Unless we only carry 3 RB’s, which seems unlikely considering McD loves to rotate his backs.
It’s really not that hard.
QB 3
RB 4
FB 1
TE 3
OL 8 (is our 9th better than off the street?)
WR 6
25
DL 7
LB 8
DB 10
25
K 1
P 1
LS 1
Tim – I think we’ll carry 9 OL. We’ve seen guys go down before, and I figure the starting 5 plus Deiter, Kindley, Coleman and either Jones or Little.
That’s what I mean, are we 9 deep? We can’t pick someone up same value? Is the 9th OL better than Bridgewater and Thompson?
Maybe we go 6 DL with 8 LB (Edge) and 10 DB. There are ways to keep 3 QBs.
Tim – I guess that depends on if you believe Skylar is a keeper for the future, or if you think Teddy B is good enough to take this team deep. I’d rather keep Skylar and trade Teddy B if I could.
I’m chiming in if they’re not quite sure yet at QB. I’m not saying we should keep 3.
I’d say Skylar is a lock. Teddy is 50/50 to be traded, if not now then at the trade deadline
8 OL, because as Tim said, we aren’t 8 deep, but we could waiver wire someone
Guys like Little, Larnell Deitsch can be put on the PS, without getting poached, Deutsch maybe gets poaches
Is every team poaching us or do we do that to other teams out of need?
You need a backup LT. If you have Coleman, you plug him in. Otherwise you have to switch Jackson to LT, Eich to RT and I guess Kindley to G
Eichenberg would go to LT and Kindley or Deiter to LG
If we only have two QBs, I’m on #teamskylar
Go Dolphins!!!
👍
Bills going to need a new punter.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-11149189/Bills-punter-Matt-Araiza-told-rape-accuser-17-tested-STDs.html
He’ll go to the Browns and get an 8 YR/$40M contract fully guaranteed!
Anything to get him out of Buffalo
Police have him recorded telling her to get tested, after telling her he had Chlamydia
Sounds like he’s in trouble and may do some time
Hard to believe he punts this year
Kong – Did you ever picture this when reading First Law Trilogy?
LOL, never made the Major West connection. How you liking ‘Before They are Hanged’?
Really enjoying it! Glokta just came back from Dagoska, West was reunited with Marshal Burr. Ferro and Logen went at it, and have major regrets. lol
If they just went at it, then they just escaped the Shanka stronghold under the mountain. The Bloody Nine is the best.
Oh, so Jezal already had his epiphany that he is a pretty good real world fighter too, right? Only to be quickly brought back down to earth, lol. I loved that whole storyline.
(I’m kinda talking around it in case I have the sequence of events is wrong.)
Tim, your #’s match up with mine last night. Trying to put names to the numbers as far as the bottom 7-8 of the roster was a little more difficult. I am with it in keeping 3 QB’s initially. It would be easiest to drop that 7th DL (Stille or Gustin) and put them on the PS and sign a 9th OL.
Someone posted about all the 49er’s OT’s (5 of them) and all are better than our backups. They won’t be able to keep them all and already know the system for the most part.
Will have to see when cuts go down. Think we will see some “no brainers” and IR’s or injury waivers released as soon as Sunday.
WR often serve a gunners on Special Teams so returner is not the only job for the lower WR’s. They all get work.
That was one of Sherfield’s specialties, gunner.
That’s why I pointed it out. Folks were talking like there’s only one position on special teams for a backup wide receiver. I didn’t get to see who it was because I didn’t see it at home and I didn’t have the remote in my hand, but last game one of our gunners locked up with the defender and drove him 20 yards downfield into the end zone. It was magnificent
True — but I at least don’t want Tyreek, Waddle and Holland doing returns on a regular basis. Would scare the S out of me each time.
So I have put down the Malazan series. Actually started rereading Feist. It sucks because I bought the entire series all 10 books. But I am stuck about a quarter weigh into book 5 and just can’t care about Sangor whatever his name is.
I bogged down in the middle of that series too. I really hated the Toblekai which is where I started to drag. I think it was Reaper’s Gale or Toll the Hounds before I really found it lively again.
What is happening in that series is you have all these different characters in different parts of the land, the first 5 or 6 books are getting to know each of those characters, the lands and the people. It can be a little disjointed and hard to get into new characters and peoples each time.
Erikson writes in a ‘build up to convergence’ style in each book. You meet characters, stuff happens, convergence. The entire series is written the same way. It’s one big build up to understanding what is really happening, with a major convergence at the end of the series.
IMO the first three books are the best books.
I’m currently reading Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive, and I’m having the same issue. I’m bogged down trying to get through The Rhythm of War and all I really want to do is put it down and read The First Law trilogy again, lol.
I enjoyed the storm light, but I didn’t think it was great. Spren and the system of magic just didn’t sit well with me for some reason.
Great write Mike E but had read this one twice to make sure I didn’t miss a double negative or something.
” but if they can get a starter where we need it for Gesicki, or a 3rd RD pick in the 2023 draft, go for it.”
Rock, That is also why I listed Sherfield and Bowden as WR5 and WR6 on my final 53, special teams.
Music time. I always liked this woman’s legs.
Tim Knight says:
August 26, 2022 at 12:55 pm
It’s really not that hard.
QB 3
RB 4
FB 1
TE 3
OL 8 (is our 9th better than off the street?)
WR 6
25
DL 7
LB 8
DB 10
25
K 1
P 1
LS 1
————
I dig this, but I’d sacrifice a #10 DB in favor of a #4 TE or a #8 DL. JMO
If I am not mistaken, Tim’s 7 DL are all big bodies with Ogbah. Phillips is with the LB’s.
My thinking with only 3 TE’s is we have Ingold
Got ya.
THIS IS NOT F*ING SPAM DAMN IT!
I always liked this song. It amuses me, and I like the hook
^
PANIIC
Sorta liked that….. timeless. even if guessing recent.
The start of nerd cool.
lol
Nerd cool for me had to be “The Talking Heads”.
I’d say the Heads are more cool and less nerdy. Some of their lyrics are poetry.
Yeah, I have to agree with that.
Ronnie Radke of Falling in Reverse did a remake of one of his own songs from 11 years ago. Did it 2 years ago but I never heard it until this year. Nothing like the original. His craft is getting much better with age, IMO.
His vocals with the piano are great.
I’ll raise Stanger one from “Whip It” to “Let It Whip”…
Interesting
Well
Well there’s this
On nerd cool, 1981 Sr year in HS, my mom works for an airline in Miami, so we fly on a pass, and get free rooms in Aspen at Snowmass beginning and ending weeks of the season, the hotel is right off of the slope
Anyways, a friend of mine from HS, his dad also works for the airline and he comes with us, group of 12 airline people, mostly female coworkers of my moms
The nightclub across the street had one of these nerd cool, local I assume, bands called Dr Sadistic and the Silver Cry Baby Band, everyone in the band wore diapers, that was our first night in town
Those punkrock bands were whacked, but the music was interesting, in an out there way
Night 2 we’re eating in downtown Aspen, we start hearing whispers from people in the restaurant, that it’s going to host Aspen’s first stripper club, my mom and others leave, but my buddy and I and 2 of my mom’s female coworkers hung our for the night, that’s as much as I’m going to say, except that we didn’t go back to our room that night we slept🤐
I agree. We should keep skyler for sure.
We all know that the question is Teddy
My problem with the outside zone is the OL takes up shop 2 or 3 yards in the backfield, so if your line isn’t very good you get a lot of negative yards on running plays
Let’s hope our OL is decent
One way to cover TA if he misses time is this. I prefer Dieter to be the left guard anyway because I reckon he’s a better OG than Eich. Kindley is also another choice for that spot. I would make Eich the swing OT. If Williams was to go down Dieter to OC and Eich to LT with SK in the LG’s position.
Jones and Deitch to be the other 2 to make 9 OL.
Hell Ya
IT’S GAME DAY BITCHES!!!!
GO DOLPHINS!!
🐬💥✌️🐧🐆🏃🏿♂️🐛❌⛄️
A little national recognition
Nice play
https://mobile.twitter.com/swilliams3205/status/1561454238361948160/mediaviewer
This is the kind of play that Romo would run with Witten, would like to see Gesicki running it more, but don’t wait until he’s out wide to throw it, just throw it as he’s leaving his blocker, giving him time to run
If we can’t run the ball I’d like to see this play on 2nd and short
Can’t see it
Brian Miller
Linebacker
The Dolphins are deep at linebacker but some of that talent will not be on the roster come Tuesday. While they have decent depth, there are questions about consistency. While some are locks, Baker, Phillips, Ingram, and the two rookies, some veterans are not.
I think Goode makes it, but first I’m hearing somebody say he’s a lock
First I have seen as well. I’m hoping we keep Goode, but far fram a sure thing. He might be able to pass waivers if doesn’t make the 53 though. Not that much tape of the 7th rounder out there.
I hope we don’t have to watch Teddy again tonight act like he’s putting on an NFL uni for the first time
He’s boring as hell
^
He’s playing like he doesn’t want other teams to want to trade for him. Doesn’t want to go to a loser team who needs a QB (Browns).
Seattle may be a future trade possibility as Drew Lock is sucking in PS and, well, Geno is their starter.
Wes Welker
Sounds like BS by the NFL
This may help some of you
Oh it’s Eagles beat-down day!
Nice!
“Kader Kohou again plays well on Saturday or a good corner becomes available on waivers in the next 10 days. If Igbinoghene struggles this week and if Kohou — the promising Texas A&M Commerce rookie — follows up the Las Vegas preseason game (when he made two good plays on the ball) with more impressive work against the Eagles on Saturday, then an interesting decision awaits, and a strong case could be made to keep Kohou, who should be on the practice squad at the very least, if he’s not on the 53.
Kohou’s ball skills portend well for his future; he has a chance to become a rotational NFL corner.”
— Barry Jackson on how Iggy could not get the #5 CB position.
I agree with this
Gotta love a “cashless” world!
St Thomas Aquinas is on TV now, their QB has a cannon, compared to Teddy😝
Former Dolphins WR Kirk Merritt had a nice showing for the Saints last night. He could make their 53 joining Jarvis Landry, Marquez Calloway and rookie Chis Olave.
KC released LT Roderick Johnson who was #1 on their depth chart while LT Orlando Brown was holding out. After Brown ended his holdout Johnson slid down their depth chart. His release was not injury related.
He will get picked up by some team needing depth.
Only see about 6 cuts so far (5 from Chiefs). Was expecting to see a few more than that, mainly waived/injured.
Roderick Johnson was on our practice squad last year.
Only 6 NFL starts in 5 years so maybe he is just not that good.
The once brightest Star, burns out in a flash! 😉
DE Clelin Ferrell still being talked up as a likely cut by the Raiders.
Man Mmy Cowboys got destroyed by this transfer crap!
Roster got depleted, huh?
2 QB, 2 CB, 1 DE
It’s shit show! I guess I wasn’t paying attention?
I am not going to overlook the Pats because of a shaky PS. They have a serious 3 headed monster rushing attack (Damien Harris, Kevin Harris and Stevenson). This is by design because they know they can’t rely on Mac Jones’ arm alone.
RB Kevin Harris was the RB I wanted from South Carolina. We took the South Carolina change of pace RB instead (White). Harris has had a good PS.
Man Mike Mayock really fucked his credibility by taking a real GM job, he was great on TV as a pretend GM but when it was real he pretty much sucked. What’s he going to now? Go back on TV and pretend all of his First rounders neither sucked or committed felonies.
Fennel would have been a nice second rounder to put with Wilkins but he was far from the fourth best player in that years draft.
I’m guessing we’ll see very few of the core players if any play tonight. I’m sure both teams just want to get through this game with no serious injuries.
This is the make the team or make tape game.
Yep!
Around here it’s Picana not Tri-tip, just made one on the Traeger it came out nice.
Bueno 😁
Which kind of Traeger?
22 Series
Big bastard
No WiFi but it has temp probes I just press a button for
I like it it cooks a lot like my old Holland grill would cook but with this I can smoke before cranking up the temp. Traegers first brisket was last Saturday and it was probably the best one we’ve done.
Holy shit we’re actually on TV local. On 9 for anyone in the Orlando viewing area.
Capt Stubbs
wonder if McDaniel looked at that great #1 joint practice we had with Philly and said
to himself, “well we really won that practice, so that’s a good place to stop. Let’s leave Tua and all the first team in a good positive mental place and avoid Philly going back to their hotel and getting all hyped up to come out for Joint Practice #2 and take out frustrations, maybe start some fights, maybe get one of our guys hurt like Hill or even just have a great revenge practice so that the Fins end TC on a down note instead.”
… …
So he seized on the flu bug as a valid way to opt out of the second day of joint practice, letting the Eags practice against each other and get all drained in the heat and risk injuries, while our guys have a nice couple days off before the last preseason game.
… …
When pressed on how bad the outbreak was, McDaniel said “it was more than a couple guys sick, but no where near half the team.” hmmmm
… …
The NFL does not regulate those joint practices.
For example, the Aaron Donald helmet thing.
Probably something we’ll never know.
That’s quite a conspiracy, join the party
Son, I was just wondering. I love my Masterbuilt that Phelon turned me on to. I am going to get a Treager portable grill for camping.
The portable looks cool, bet you’ll love it if you get one
Here we go
Sounds like some starters are playing.
Tyrek, Mossert, etc
We are playing starters tonight including Tua, Hill and Mostert. Probably not for long though.
First drive. If they score then two.
1st play same as practice, LOL
Who wants to play us mother fucker
How ya doin
Bad throw but damn! Really, how many QB’s can hit someone that fast in stride.
Tua to Reek!!!
Easy
Cracraft! Uh oh Bowden…
And we’ve got a 3 yard rushing average
Well that was awesome!!!
Explosive much
I love all the under center plays.
Without Waddle 🤷♂️
I think all this passing in PS, the genius McDaniel wants teams to fear our passing game so we can run the ball.
Needham getting picked on
There he is
9
Whatttt, Iggy made a play. Great coverage actually
Seiler the sealer
He’s short
Held 💪
Boom Mostert
As long as you put a long pass where only the receiver can catch it for a big gain, it’s not a bad throw. I think we’re becoming too nitpicky.
You know if it were incomplete you would be hearing it
But it wasn’t. Mahomes threw passes like that to Hill all the time and he was praised. With Tua it’s well couldn’t it have been better? LOL
Gaskin showcase?
Mostert!!!
That was a coverage sack. Not on Jackson
Sanders is money. Good shot 💥
Should have dumped that one to the flat. Someone was uncovered it looked like
I don’t think you attempt that fg in regular season, but what do I know
That first drive was a thing of beauty.
And the second one ended in one
CAN’T GET Dolphins game here in Tampa.
SO I’m watching Charlotte at FAU on the CBS Sports Channel instead.
Charlotte scored on the 5th play on a long bomb TD pass.
FAU Scored 3 plays later on a run of over 50 yards!!
7-7 after a little over 3 minutes of play!!
First team to 50 points wins.
MAYBE!!
Fuck, I have to drive to the next county to do a bond in an hour. Going to miss Skylar time.
Baked looks flat footed tonight
Baker
Probably just going thru the motions, nothing to prove
Good thing Phillips got there. There was broken coverage on the WR the pass went to. Think miss communication on Iggy’s part as him and Jones were talking about it.
Think Iggy was giving way tch cushion again as it didn’t look like they were in man on that play.
Gaskin!
You could see that open up before the handoff
💥💪🐬❤️
Fuck, my stream froze. what happened?
Michel 1 yard TD run.
71 rushing
121 passing
That’ll getter done
In 14 minutes of 1st quarter
Impressive
It’s been a good example of how this offense will look. Lot’s of under center play-action and bootlegs.
That they can’t cover
Sinnett in