Dolphins check list for Jacksonville

[DolFan619]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2008/08/after-a-tough-w.html

Dolphins check list for Jacksonville

Coach Tony Sparano has a saying he uses often for singling out a player who is catching his eye. Whenever someone like receiver Davone Bess is making plays in the passing game, offensive guard Donald Thomas is plowing open holes, or linebacker Titus Brown makes a blip on the radar the Dolphins head coach says he's starting to "feel him."

Sometimes he "feels him a little." Sometimes he's "feeling him" a lot. But the important thing is he's feeling something about somebody.

Outside of Chad Henne's strong first showing, David Kircus' clutch catches, Jason Ferguson's one sack, Ricky Williams' powerful runs, Jason Allen's stead coverage, and rookie defensive ends Kendall Langford and Phillip Merling's forceful presence on the defensive line there wasn't much to "feel" from last Saturday night's 17-6 exhibition loss to Tampa Bay.

Tonight the Dolphins will have another opportunity to make a lasting impression on Sparano, his staff, the team's fan base, and the NFL, as they take on one of last season's playoff powers.

Here are some of the things I'll be looking for from this team....

Will receiver Ernest Wilford, who has had a slow start as a Dolphin, turn the page and begin to make players inside his old stadium, against his former team?

After a tough week of practice it'll be interesting to see how rookie guard Shawn Murphy responds to Jacksonville's tough interior play. He'll need to hold his ground or it's going to be scary for whichever quarterback is standing behind that second unit offensive line.

Jake Long will receive his second test at left tackle. Mr. No. 1 pick will likely be taking on former Auburn standout Quentin Groves, who the Dolphins were very high on, and probably would have selected if Merling hadn't dropped to the second round. Groves has that scary speed off the edge that serves as Long's Achilles heel.

Speaking of Merling, he and fellow rookie Langford were very active in their first exhibition game. Will these two rookie starters continue to take their game to the next level, continuing to push for playing time and starting spots? And will fellow defensive end Rodrique Wright follow up a strong week of practice with a strong showing in the game.

Can Greg Camarillo, last seasons superhero, challenge Bess for that final roster spot reserved for the fifth receiver. Bess will likely be working with the starting unit as the slot receiver. In that role he could do some serious damage finding open zones if Jacksonville shows the Dolphins that type of coverage. If the Jaguars man-up it will be interesting to see how Bess and his size limitations handles press coverage. Camarillo is steady. But does he possess anything that's special?

It's clear that Chad Pennington will receive the bulk of the work at quarterback, and that Henne will be given enough snaps to continue his development. But what role will the rest of Miami's quarterbacks serve in the game. Will John Beck or Josh McCown even get off the bench? And if they do, will they get the Dolphins into scoring territory.

How effective will outside linebacker Joey Porter, the Dolphins lone proven pass rushing threat, be if he's cleared to play. Last season proved that the wear and tear of nine NFL seasons is starting to catch up to Porter. This training camp he has been battling ankle and back problems. It will be interesting to see how much this former Pro Bowler has left in the tank when he finally does take the field. And how much will he open things up for the other linebackers and ends.

So, what will you be looking for on Saturday night? Who do you hope to start feeling?

Deuces.

> Posted by Omar Kelly at 12:20:46 PM