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Monday, August 27, 2007

Guys that should be worried as cuts loom

(Before I get started I want to let you guys know my radio show on 790 TheTicket premieres tonight at 7 p.m. You can listen every weeknight at 790-AM in South Florida or online at 790theticket.com. Stop by, call in, and let's talk Dolphins football.)

On to serious business:

This is a difficult time for NFL teams because, for the most part, every player in a camp is talented in some notable fashion. Fine players get cut all the time so there is no disgrace in it.

But there are only 53 jobs open on a roster, not counting the eight practice squad spots. So somebody has gotta go.

But rather than tell you about guys that are likely outta here (you don't care about them anyway) let me first tell you about a few fringe guys that actually have a chance to make it.

Nose tackle Steve Fifita has been dominant at times this preseason. Granted it's against second- and third-team guys but it's not his fault which players line up across from him. I think he makes it. Cameron Worrell has a chance because he's smart and doesn't screw up much, which is understandable because the guy is a four-year vet.

Cornerbacks Derrick Johnson and Shirdonya Mitchell are locked in a battle for a cornerback spot, depending on how coaches constitute the roster. If the spot opens up, Johnson has a slight edge now. If the spot doesn't open up, Mitchell is practice squad eligible while Johnson is not.

Tight end Courtney Anderson struggled early in training camp as he adjusted to Miami's tougher practices and different offensive system. He's still not quite in the kind of shape Miami wants but he's progressing and he's proven to be a threat down the field.

You should understand that practice squads have been expanded by two this year. So I expect virtually all of Miami's draft picks to be around the team even if they get cut.

Joe Toledo (what bad luck, this guy) is headed for the reserve PUP or Injured Reserve lists. Saw him in the locker room the other day and he still walks with a limp, so best case scenario he won't be on the radar screen again until after the sixth game of the year. Or he'll be out for the year. Again.

By the way, if my name is Matt Prater, Ryan Flinn, Chris Vedder, Ray Perkins, Chris Harrell, Stephen Parker, Mike Malone, Jason Rader or Kevin Vickerson, I'd be worried the ax is about to fall. (late afternoon update: The ax fell on all those guys except Parker.)

25 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Vickerson is on the bubble? So we go with Holliday,Solai,R Wright and Fifita?

Was Vickerson on shaky ground to begin with or did Fifita just bump him out? Vickerson wasnt all that but I thought he looked decent enough to make the final 53,especially considering our lack of depth.

2:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Don't make a big deal of who was just cut. They were the fringe players. The roster is 53, not 75 at the end. Twenty two more to go. There is a lot more to be cut loose.

4:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Sun-Sentinel has already posted the cuts, including Vickerson, based on 10 players who were not at practice. Let's go Herald...get with the program.

4:11 PM  
Blogger j dizzle said...

Trent Green needs to be on the practice squad with his THREE INT's this preseason!!!

4:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The sun sentinel? They're guessing all the time. Mando is the man.

4:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That's great about the radio show, Mando. I'll be listening.

5:00 PM  
Blogger JaxDolphin said...

You didn't mention Sutton. I don't know if that's a bad thing or not lol. I've been saying for a while now that we need for him and Anderson both to make the team. Their size(both 6'6"), speed and overall agility are desperately needed going against DBs that average like half a foot or so shorter in stature.
I'm still very concerned about the secondary (we could use some height there, too), and the O line.
They have switched places in priority, imo. We just give up way too many deep balls. Finally, I've also been telling you (and anyone else who'll listen) that the Dolphins are going to surprise a lot of teams this season. Easy to say, but I think Malcolm won't be in the middle after 16 games. More like the top few spots for the playoffs. Maybe even AFC East. That's right. The Miami D has got Brady's number, and they know it. Yep, 2007 is going to be a good season for Dolfans.
I might just call your radio show to tell you about it.

5:50 PM  
Blogger JaxDolphin said...

Just read that Sutton was cut. Here's hoping he clears waivers and makes the taxi squad.

6:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gee, I wonder when people are going to start cheering for me.

I don't belong in the practice squad. What kind of crappy fan thinks that stuff up.

7:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

10:22 PM  
Blogger j dizzle said...

LOL.......... Don't take it personal Trent you have plenty of fans on this blog!!!! I'm not one, just a HUGE fan of the team you play for!! I hope you do well this year and prove me wrong ,cause I think it was a mistake giving anything up for you!!!!

One more thing PLEASE TONE down the INT's!!!!!

8:04 AM  
Blogger j dizzle said...

Armando this one is dead we need a new blog!!!!

1:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Traveres Tillman gets cut. He gets beat more often than Jason Allen.

1:54 PM  
Blogger j dizzle said...

It wouldn't be surprising but I doubt it'll happen. Even though he never makes the big plays , he's one of the best special teams players we have!!! He has a great nose for the ball , just can't seem to make the big plays!!!!

2:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If you want to make a blog lively around here, all you have to do is mention, "you know who." The place usually explodes when his name is brought up. Anyways, nobody is really surpirsed by these cuts. Well maybe, Vickerson and Sutton. However, the biggest coversations will start after the final cuts are made.

2:07 PM  
Blogger JaxDolphin said...

Adam Shefter on nfln just reported that Chris Chambers is on the trading block. WTF? 'Mando what do you know or hear? I'd gladly trade him for a decent O lineman or even a good DB. What do you think?

7:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You could absolutely cut Tillman. Worrell also plays safety and is a good special teams player. He is not the next coming of Adrian Wilson but gets beat less often than Tillman. The surprise would be if Allen gets cut, which seems at least like a slight possibility.
Not sure of the salary cap penalty of cutting him but I can tell Cam has no loyalty to him since he was a Satan pick and has him buried way down on the depth chart.

7:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow good scoop Jax. I hadnt heard that one. Trading Chambers would leave us low on talent and depth at WR. I know that Chambers is overrated but at the present time he is the best we have. The only way I could support this trade is if we get a first round pick, a young pro-bowl level OL, a shutdown corner, or a stud safety like Wilson or Taylor.

7:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I guess no news is good news. That's what happens when nothing bad is happening to the Dolphins. The south Florida media dissapears. I guess it's no fun to write stories about things unless they are negative. This is not meant for you Mando, you have been doing great lately (my opinion) and for the most part keeping your stories and blogs very objective. But soon enough the Dolphins will have to deal with adversity and LeBetard and crew will be overjoyed and writing feverishly to let us all know what a crappy team we are fans of.

7:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You Stunk on your radio show! Misinformed, bad stats, and a total moron to be honest.

First of all, Daunte has played 2 games in the 3rd quarter against the 3rd stringers. He also started 3 series against the 1st string last week against St Louis where he went 4-8. His total completion ratio in all games is 50% with 4 fumbles. If that's impressive, I don't know what is.

Secondly, Quinn played his 1st game in the 3rd quarter of a preseason game as well. That 1st game, even the Cleveland coaches acknowledged that they were all 5 yard passes against the prevent. To sit there and say Quinn looks awesome and quote his 20 for 31 completion ratio is down right
S T U P I D.

But, you are used to that.

You might be a legend in your own mind but to anyone who really knows football and watches what the other QB's are doing via DVR technology... You my friend are a fool!!

That's the Truth!

11:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Personally, I think you are a total hit on your show. Keep it up!!!!!

11:41 PM  
Blogger JaxDolphin said...

I'd take either Wilson or Taylor eds, or I'd love to get a beast on the O line in a trade.

11:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mando, can I listen online? Oh, never mind, I see that I can. I'll be tuning in tomorrow night.

Cheers!

12:38 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Maybe you and your friends should stop posting positive comments about you and let the chips fall where they may. "Great Job" and "I'll be tuning in" is pretty lame for a fix.

You Suuck!!!

1:02 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

3:07 PM  

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