Dolphins Roster: Chopping Block Edition

August 30, 2010

The fresh burst of fireworks and rumbles of football stadiums around the country will soon permeate as the regular season dawns upon us. And while this is arguably one of the most exciting times for sports fans all over, it is a nerve-wrecking time for borderline players on NFL teams. In this case, we look at the Miami Dolphins and their final roster moves, which will be trimmed to 53 players by the end of this week. Here are some notable players that will likely make the team and some that will be axed at week's end:

Making the Cut

• Marlon Moore (WR): His thin stature may worry some, but his speed, agility and catching ability have all impressed the Dolphins coaching staff this preseason. Through the first three games he has tallied five receptions for 75 yards, excluding an end-around run for 12 yards versus the Atlanta Falcons. Preseason may not be the most competitive stage, but it definitely has proven Moore worthy of a roster spot in Miami. 

• Patrick Turner (WR): While he possess the exact opposite physique of Marlon Moore (tall and bulky), his numbers have not been as astonishing as his fellow wide receiver. However, the sheer fact that Greg Camarillo and Ted Ginn Jr. are no longer in town gives Turner an opportunity to prove himself. Couple that with the lackluster performances from other borderline receivers on the active roster, and you've got Turner on the Dolphins 53-man roster. The coaching staff still sees potential from the 6'4 receiver, but are not ready to label him fourth on the depth chart. The fifth spot may be his eventual destination unless he proves otherwise in the final preseason game. (Latest: Turner was waived during the final preseason cuts on September 4th).

• Ikaika Alama-Francis (DE): Here's a guy that was drafted in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, but has only started two games in the last three seasons. And after much development and proven work ethic, Alma-Francis has received first-team snaps during the preseason with the Dolphins. Both at defensive end (his primary position) and linebacker, Alma-Francis has received significant playing time thus far, which assures him a definite nod when Sparano evaluates his status with the team.  

Getting Chopped

• Pat White (QB): The slender quarterback out of West Virginia may be seeing the last of his time in South Florida. Taking into account the reduced role of the Wildcat (now that Miami's passing game has received a boost) and the emergence of Tyler Thigpen as a more viable third stringer, White's value has taken a great hit. Unfortunately, his last taste of playing time may very well be the knockout blow he received in Miami's final 2009 regular season game. 

• Joey Haynos (TE): After suffering a foot injury during one of Miami's preseason games, Haynos may find himself out of luck when the Dolphins begin to make cuts. The team may be reluctant to keep multiple injured players on the active roster, particularly when injured players like Will Allen and Nate Gardner are already favored to stay. Not to mention, David Martin's return may make Haynos expendable, with John Nalbone as the third reserve.

• Montavious Stanley (DT): The Dolphins picked up this journeyman during the offseason - who has been on five teams during his six seasons in the NFL - with the hopes of adding depth to the defensive frontline. Contrary to expectations, his training camp and preseason efforts have not earned him a definitive spot on the team. The arrivals of Marques Douglas and Charles Grant have also diminished Stanley's value to the team. That leads many to believe that his services will not reside with the Dolphins in 2010, instead Lionel Dotson or Ryan Baker will take the final defensive line spot available.

Camarillo Out, Who's In?

August 25, 2010

The lasting memory of Greg Camarillo streaking across the field and catching the winning pass to secure the Miami Dolphins only 2007 victory will forever be remembered by DolFans. Unfortunately, Camarillo will no longer be able to create new memories with Miami now that he has been traded to the Minnesota Vikings.

The trade came as a result of sudden instability within the Vikings wide receiving core and the Dolphins' active search for a more solid secondary. In return, Miami receives six-year veteran defensive back Benny Sapp, a South Florida native.

But now that Camarillo is gone, who will step up in replacement?

Out of the available receivers still on the roster, the team must decide between Patrick Turner, Marlon Moore, Roberto Wallace and Julius Pruitt. As of now, it seems that Turner will likely get the nod entering the regular season.

Patrick Turner in game two of the preseaon.

Based on preseason performances, none of the aforementioned receivers have stood out. Turner and Moore both caught two passes for 44 yards in game one of the preseason, but Turner regressed in game two while Moore put up slightly lower numbers. However, Turner's size and his development from last season may give him the advantage in Miami's final roster decisions. It could be possible that both Turner and Moore make the 53-man roster as Wallace and Pruitt are kept on the practice squad.

Another factor to consider is the possibility of the Dolphins acquiring another receiver in the market. Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel labeled Patrick Crayton and Sam Hurd as potential targets, since they have both been rumored to be on the trading block. Such a move would then leave Turner and Moore to compete for the fifth and final wide receiver spot.

As a result of Camarillo's departure, here is what Miami's WR depth chart looks like: Brandon Marshall as the number one, Brian Hartline as the number two and Davone Bess as the primary slot receiver. The remaining two spots are yet to be determined, but should be set by game four of the preseason.

While Miami has now rid themselves of Ted Ginn Jr. and Camarillo's services, the organization feels that Marshall's presence alone has upgraded their passing game. This cannot be determined at this stage of the season, but will soon be put to the test with the Dolphins' formidable opening schedule, including a Camarillo reunion in Minnesota during week two. DolFans can only hope that their team is not on the receiving end of Camarillo's heroics that day.

Rushing Into the 2010 NFL Season

August 24, 2010

There are many things to consider when looking at NFL player projections, especially when it comes down to who could make an impact on the football spread as the leading rusher of the league. And be the difference maker in your fantasy football league. However, the running game has changed in recent seasons.

This is because many teams now use the running back by committee approach, which means they swap out first, second, (and sometimes) third string running backs more regularly. The New York Giants (Bradshaw/Jacobs), Carolina Panthers (Williams/Stewart) and Dallas Cowboys (Barber/Jones/Choice) are just a few clear examples of this.

The main thing to look for when making your predictions on rushing potential is opportunity. Try to determine which players will get the majority of the carries for his respective team. Beyond that, injury proneness is another factor to consider as skilled running backs are worth nothing when they are sitting on the injured reserve list.

Here are the top three favorites for most rushing yards in 2010:

1. Chris Johnson: Johnson is coming off an incredible year in which he rushed for over 2,000 yards and averaged an extraordinary 5.6 YPC (yards per carry).

CJ (Chris Johnson) has blazing speed and runs behind one of the best offensive lines in football. The only thing holding him back from another spectacular season is history, as all the running backs that have posted 2,000 yard seasons have seen a major decline in their statistics the following season. Most likely we will see a good, but not great, year out of CJ.

2. Adrian Peterson: Now that the big question in Minnesota has been answered and Brett Favre will return for his 50th season, the team can expect another season of stellar passing, which in turn will benefit the running game.

Peterson will likely improve on his rushing totals from 2009 as his stats slightly declined from two seasons ago. First off, he should receive more carries now that Chester Taylor is out of the mix, which will surely result in more yards. Beyond that, Peterson has rushed for 1,300+ yards in each of his first three seasons and has a solid track record of being a top-tier running back.

3. Frank Gore: If there is any one running back who benefited the most from his team’s offseason moves it was Frank Gore. The 49ers added over 650 pounds of force to their offensive line by selecting Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati with their two first round picks in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Add to that the fact that San Francisco Head Coach Mike Singletary has made himself very clear about establishing a physical, power running football team, which could lead to Gore having a career year. If he can stay healthy, he could definitely compete for most rushing yards this season.

An After Thought...

The Miami Dolphins are another team worthy of noting when it comes to the ground game. The Fins ranked fourth in rushing last season behind the tandem of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, accounting for the most rushing touchdowns in the league (tied with the Baltimore Ravens). While injuries have plagued Brown in the past and Williams is no longer in his prime, there is plenty of potential to consider in Miami's running back core.

The acquisition of wide receiver Brandon Marshall has only improved the passing game, forcing opposing defenses to spread the field. As a result, the running game will have a few more openings as teams will no longer be able to "stack the box" and anticipate Miami's run plays. This could lead to a more productive backfield for the Dolphins, which could catapult them to a top-two rushing offense in the NFL.

Update on Miami Heat 2010 Rookies

August 23, 2010

The bulk of the Miami Heat's roster is virtually set in stone, but the final spots are still up for grabs. With a clear preference for veteran presence on the team, Miami opted for more experienced players over most of their rookie draft picks. We weigh in on the current status of each individual draftee.

Dexter Pittman

Dexter Pittman signed a guaranteed contract with the team on July 16, adding more depth and size to the Heat's front court. Outside of him, the Heat surrounded their four and five positions with players like Zydrunas Ilgalskus, Juwan Howard and Jamaal Magloire. It seems that the Heat see great potential in this young big man as they were willing to throw him into a championship caliber roster behind Miami's own big three.

Pittman has a history of progression in his basketball career, both statistically and physically. Not only did the 6'10 center out of Texas average his best numbers during his senior season, he also lost large amounts of weight over the course of his time at the university. Where Pittman was once neared the 400-pound mark, now he flies below the 300-pound realm. Still harnessing bulky size and formidable strength, Pittman will be able to contribute this season if the right opportunity presents itself. For now he will learn under the mentorship of quite a few NBA big men.

Jarvis Varnado

Once the Heat overloaded their roster (exceeding the regular season 15-player maximum), Jarvis Varnado decided to go and play overseas in Italy for at least one year. Whether he was not offered a contract or turned down an unfavorable agreement, Varnado felt it best to gain valuable playing time somewhere else. As noted earlier, Miami has stacked its front court with a bevy of players, leaving no wiggle room for Varnado squeeze into. Thus, the lengthy and athletic power forward will test his skills on a team in need of talents, which should serve as worthy experience for the young man.

Besides, had Miami decided to push for Varnado to stay, his current skill sets would mimic a player already on the roster: Joel Anthony. Varnado is a defensive-minded athlete that has plenty of development to make towards his offensive game. While he may be slightly more athletic than Anthony, what he offers is not worth a roster spot at this moment. Perhaps, the fast-paced, run-and-gun European game will aid his efforts to improve as a scorer. Only then will we find the product of Mississippi State University wearing a Heat uniform.

Da'Sean Butler

Da'Sean Butler has decided to stay in South Florida and is in the process of signing an non-guaranteed contract with the Heat. He will compete for a roster spot against the likes of Kenny Hasbrouck, Shavlik Randolph, and a few other borderline players. Unlike Varnado, Butler felt that his chances to make the team are within reach, despite the fact that he is still recovering from his ACL injury. Barring that injury during last season's NCAA tournament, Butler was one of the most highly touted players in the country. Today he still believes his talent level will return and exceed those he exhibited during his college career.

And while a signing would not guarantee a single minute of playing time for Butler, he will have the advantage of learning behind arguably the most talented small forward in the game today: LeBron James. Beyond that, a secured roster spot would also provide Butler with essential training and development sessions with the Heat training staff. Some analysts predict that if Butler does eventually fully recover from his injury, he could become on of the biggest steals in the 2010 NBA draft. That's exactly what the Heat are hoping for down the road.

News Flashes: August 19, 2010

August 19, 2010

Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Mike Nolan making an impact early on.

• It seems that the Miami Dolphins most influential acquisition may not be Brandon Marshall or Karlos Dansby, but defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. The Fins first preseason game revealed glimpses of a much more aggressive and intense defensive unit in Miami's 10-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

• Here's what Miami Herald writer Chris Perkins had to say: "Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, who came over from San Francisco, has preached an aggressive defensive mind-set since his arrival months ago. He wants players to make plays, not just defend against plays. The mentality is catching. Cornerback Nate Ness, for example, had three passes defended and two passes broken up against the Buccaneers; cornerback Sean Smith had an interception; defensive tackle Paul Soliai had a forced fumble and a recovered fumble; safety Reshad Jones recovered a fumble."

Florida Marlins

Florida Marlins outfielder Mike Stanton making a habit of showing off his power.

• As of lat night's victory/loss versus the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Florida Marlins are 59-60/58-61 and stand a daunting 11/12 games behind the division lead. 

• While playoff hopes may be a fleeting goal at this stage of the season, the Fish have plenty to look forward to as the season draws an end. Their three rookies in the lineup continue to impress with Mike Stanton, Logan Morrison and Gaby Sanchez performing well at both ends of the field.

• In other news, the Florida Marlins signed their 2010 first-round draft pick on Tuesday night, taking Christian Yelich out of Westlake High School in California. Yelich, a 6'4, 190-pound first baseman, signed a letter of intent to join the University of Miami's baseball team as a back-up plan.

Miami Heat

Mugshot of Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem.

• Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem released a statement yesterday regarding his recent felony charges: "First and foremost, I’d like to thank the Arison family, Coach Riley, Coach Spoelstra, the HEAT organization and fans who have shown me their support during this incident. I am confident that once the judicial process runs its course, I will be cleared."

• As for the Heat's new-look team, here's a glimpse into what the team's style of play will be entering the 2010 season: "A Need for Speed?" (Article by Couper Moorhead).

Marlins on the Verge of New Closer?

August 9, 2010

The Florida Marlins are number one, but in a statistic that no team ever is proud to lead in; blown saves. The Fish have blown a total of 21 saves this season, seven of which have come at the hands of Leo Nunez. While the Marlins experienced a stellar month of July, and Nunez benefited from Manager Edwin Rodriguez' pep talk, they find themselves back at square one and 10 games out of the division lead. 

At the brink of a season meltdown, Rodriguez had this to say about Nunez:

"We're trying to get him to use his fastball more," Rodriguez said. "We've been using the bullpen way too much, and that may be the reason he doesn't want to go with the fastball. For now, he's our closer, but if he doesn't make an adjustment, we may have to explore other options -- maybe do a closer by committee."

(Link to original article.)

With that said, our earlier suggestion that Nunez was unfit for the closer role seems to have substance now.

Unfortunately, the Marlins have not had a single reliable arm in the bullpen this season to depend on for a significant period of time; essentially destroying the concept of relief for the Fish in 2010. However, this idea of a "closer by committee" can stir up some competition in the pen and make players earn a spot as the team's go-to guy in the ninth inning.

To be in search of a closer at this stage of the season is no situation to take pride in, but changing course in the face of a failed rotation is absolutely necessary. Whether the eventual closer is an existing reliever or one brought up from the minors, the goal is to get the best out of what's available for the Marlins.

At day's end, the Marlins now officially have an undisputed number one priority entering this offseason: to revamp the bullpen from ceiling to floor.

It is time for Larry Beinfest to work some of his player personnel magic and for Jeffrey Loria to dish out a bit more dough to bolster his team's shot at contending. That is if the front office truly has an interest in placing a winning product on the field.

Marlins Falter in Early August Sweep

August 6, 2010

The Florida Marlins made July count with a 16-10 record for the month, but began August on a sour note after a series sweep to the hands of the Philadelphia Phillies. Whereas the Fish once stood at six games back of the division lead, that number now stands at a daunting nine games behind the N.L. East-leading Atlanta Braves. This is not the kind of start the Marlins were looking for entering the last 60-sum days of the season.

And it doesn't get easier for the Fish with the St. Louis Cardinals coming into town starting Friday night. Now two games under .500, the club's attention must return to breaking even before considering any sort of playoff push.

There is some upside looking forward for the Marlins. First of all, Hanley Ramirez is batting .192 after the all-star break (click here for his stats), which is bound to elevate once he shakes off his slump. Batting first in the lineup may not help him drive in runs, but it will refocus his attention toward making contact and reaching base both early and often. As for the team's pitching woes, Ricky Nolasco and Josh Johnson will both face the Cardinals and look to turn the tides with solid outings, respectively. The bullpen has continued to struggle, but has improved overall after the all-star break.

Furthermore, beyond the series against the Cardinals the Marlins will face teams under .500 in three of their next four series. However, the pressure picks up toward the latter end of the month as the Fish hit the road to face the New York Mets and Braves.  

The outlook for the remainder of August looks as such:

• 8/6-8/9 vs St. Louis Cardinals
• 8/10-8/12 @ Washington Nationals  
• 8/13-8/15 @ Cincinnati Reds
• 8/16-8/19 @ Pittsburgh Pirates
• 8/20-8/22 vs Houston Astros
• 8/24-8/26 @ New York Mets
• 8/27-8/29 @ Atlanta Braves
• 8/30-9/1 vs Washington Nationals

Final Word

Time is running thin for the Marlins, but hope is not lost in a division that has fluctuated varies times throughout the season. All it takes is a streak of success and a few missteps by division rivals in order to be back in the thick of things. With little expectations from critics around the league, the Marlins are in prime position to surprise their doubters as the season continues.

Heat Hate Versus Heat Support

August 2, 2010

Ever since LeBron James' "decision" on national television, a firestorm of negativity has surrounded the Miami Heat - much more than has ever been present in the team's brief history. Much of this criticism has been directed to James himself, but some has been aimed at Chris Bosh and the trio as a whole. Most notably the public denouncement of James by Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert spearheaded this crusade against James and the Heat. The comments by Bryan Colangelo, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird have only furthered this collective disapproval of the Heat and its players.

However there is some light amidst this barrel of darkness. Recent statements by New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov and Phoenix Suns forward Hedo Turkoglu have been supportive of James, Bosh and the Heat. Prokhorov's letter to the editor in USA Today sided with LeBron's decision to join Miami and build a "new, dynamic team," while pointing out that "any club owner dreams of having those players." On the other hand, Turkoglu defended Bosh during an on-air interview with an Arizona radio station. In that conversation, Turkoglu challenged Colangelo's statements on Bosh and cited that "there is something wrong with that organization," which is why "nobody wants to go there anymore."

Here's a snippet of what each of them had to say:

Mikhail Prokhorov:

The players are signed, the "Decision" is made, but the passions around this year's extraordinary class of NBA free agents refuses to die down. What surprises me is the amount of negative commentary directed at the three top free agents (especially LeBron James) who decided to play on the same team and to create a great franchise together. Of course, any club owner dreams of having those players, including me, but all questions of how the announcements were made aside, I respect their choice, and no one has the right to judge them.

I want to say that I support LeBron, the best athlete in the NBA. He had a truly difficult choice to make. Any move he made was sure to be viewed as wrong, and to leave many unhappy fans. Basing his decision on achieving results on the basketball court shows that the sportsman won the day, not the showman or the businessman. What is wrong with that?

Hedo Turkoglu:

"It's funny that people will talk behind your back. If he was feeling this way, why not have the guts to say it during the season? Why not say it to Chris? Now that Chris has left, it's not nice to say those things. Chris has been a franchise player and he did a lot of good things for the Raptors. I don't think Chris is the type of player to quit on his teammates."

It seems that some perspective has finally been placed on the one-sided statements pertaining against the Heat. Whether it's owners who are disappointed with their franchise players leaving, or former NBA stars blasting the creation of "Miami Thrice," the biases clearly lead to flawed arguments.

Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert

For starters, Gilbert acted in a purely reactionary fashion, resorting to name-calling and other unprofessional diction, in his open-letter to the public on James. Fans in Cleveland may glorify such actions as he represents their home team, but outside of their city the rest of the world can find flaw and immaturity in his statements. As for Colangelo, he was quick to challenge Bosh's effort towards the latter end of the season after Bosh was gone, but had no fortitude to raise the question during the course of the season. It's easy to talk behind others' backs, as Turkoglu pointed out, but karma typically responds with a full frontal rebuttal challenging your reputation.

Furthermore, the statements coming from three of the NBA's most decorated have been refuted by Jordan, Magic and Bird's infusion of self-pride in their words. While reporters may have instigated their opinions on "What Would JMB Do?" (JMB referring to Jordan/Magic/Bird), their opinions should not have served as an example of how things ought to be in the NBA. The high road would have been to state that their era cannot be compared to the modern era. Instead, they hypothetically placed themselves in the shoes of James, Bosh and Dwyane Wade as if their positions were the models to be followed.

Keep this in mind: Pride may have a role in these three individuals' perspectives, but so does economic interest. The prospect of Heat dominance in The Association for years to come threatens many NBA teams. And while the aforementioned greats may be commonly labeled as legendary players, they are still NBA executives.

Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan, Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird, and Los Angeles Lakers vice president and part owner Magic Johnson all have a vested interest in their team's success as opposed to that of the Miami Heat. Don't be surprised if money is the motive behind part of their sentiments.

Marlins Make July Count

August 1, 2010

A grim picture faced the Florida Marlins entering the month of July with the season's midway point just around the corner.  In the games leading up to the All-Star break, Florida broke even with a 5-5 record in July, leaving them 10 games out of the division lead. At the month's end the Marlins are now 6.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves and are playing some of their strongest baseball all season long. In sum, the Marlins went 16-10 in the month of July and are 11-5 in their last 16 games.  

While Jorge Cantu is no longer part of the Marlins organization (traded to the Texas Rangers), the Fish acquired more help for their bullpen in the form of two minor league pitchers and a veteran arm from the Baltimore Orioles, Will Ohman. That still leaves the Marlins with a solid batting lineup and a potentially improved pitching staff down the stretch.


The team's performance in July may have put them back in the playoff conversation, but August will prove whether they can stay a part of that discussion. Facing all four division rivals this month, starting with the Philadelphia Phillies on August 3rd, the Marlins will need to extend their success in order to survive and advance in the standings.

Rapid-fire Recap of July Highlights

• Dan Uggla gets hot after the All-Star break, hitting seven home runs in the last 16 games. Uggla's batting average for the month stood at .316 with a .396 on-base percentage and .611 slugging percentage.

• Pitching improved in July with a team ERA of 3.76 (second lowest month of the season) and 208 strikeouts (most of any month this season). Marlins closer, Leo Nunez, touted a 2.31 ERA in July and had 10 saves in 11 save opportunities (only 16 saves in the previous three months combined).

• The Fish pulled off a total of four walk-off victories in the month of July, all in the span of seven days during their late-month home stand. Donnie Murphy delivered two of those walk-offs, while Emilio Bonifacio had a significant impact in those games as well. 

• The Marlins were 37-41 (four games under .500) prior to entering July and leave the month at two games over .500 (53-51).