Countdown to Miami Dolphins Training Camp 2008: 25 Topics, 25 Days

[YoFuggedaboutit]

I have to agree with Tony that it will be very hard for Jake to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie LT.

If I recall correctly, a young LT out of Texas A&M did it in 1990.  His name was Richmond Webb. 

I do agree that it's very hard, but it's not impossible. 

[YoFuggedaboutit]

T MINUS 9 AND COUNTING

Issue of the day- Linebackers

For the past decade or so, the linebacking corps has been anchored by Zach Thomas.  Unfortunately, that is no longer the case as Thomas was released this past offseason.  With the new regime going to a 3-4 defense, the linebackers are going to play a key role in both run stuffing and pass coverage. 

So far, it looks like the starting linebackers will be Reggie Torbor, Akin Adoyele, Channing Crowder and Joey Porter.  This group does seem adequate, but lacks playmakers.  How will this group fare this season?

Discuss.

[Doc-phin]

I think Porter and Torbor have a history of being playmakers, maybe not hall of fame quality but playmaking ability none-the-less.

Don't forget JT could still be a factor with this group in some sort of a hybrid fashion.

I actually think we are better off this year than we have been in recent past when it comes to our defensive front.  I love Zach, but think the team was wise and justified in letting him seek his goals elsewhere at this point in his career.

The big question is Crowder!  This is a guy in the last year of his contract that plays well but doesn't stand out.  I am thinking that he will make a big push to stand out and show some playmaking ability this year.  I definately think he is capable of being a standout and if the circumstances this year don't motivate him, nothing will.  Adoyele seems solid and comes from a winning team, perhaps he will see the extra playing time as a chance to get some attention and give him a shot at a bigger payday when that time comes.

[StL FinFan]

If Porter can step it up this year, we will not be missing Zach.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Porter seemed to improve during the last half of the season.  I think the Dolphins changed the way they used him.  Whatever they did, they should continue with that.

Hard to give an opinion on the rest of the group until we find out about JT

I've always seen JT as a defensive end and not a LB

[DolFan619]

  Welcome back, to another edition of "25 Topics, 25 Days."  It's Day 17, and Training Camp is ALMOST upon us!  Anyways, yesterday in Dolphins news, we found out that QB Josh McClown...  err, I mean McCown recently suffered an injury via chainsaw to his index finger in his hometown of Jacksonville, Texas while cutting wood with his brother.  Clearly, this guy isn't MENSA material or a Rhoades Scholar.  Needless to say, this isn't what the Dolphins were expecting from McCown when he signed his free agent deal just a few short months ago.  Oddly enough, McClown's "Yakety Sax" moment brings me to today's topic.

  Which free agent do you feel will provide the biggest and most positive impact for the Dolphins in 2008?  Unlike McCown, which free agent just makes you say: "Damn, I'm really glad we signed this guy!" 

[fyo]

None of the FA acquisition really jump out at me. The word "solid" is probably the best description for the best of them... Smiley and Torbor, if I had to name names.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

I'd have to say Justin Smiley.  A strong guy with a nasty disposition on a unit that's in dire need of a guy like him. 

[DolFan619]

  I'm going to say Justin Smiley.  A big, strong, guy that's got the versatility to play either OG spot.

[Rick]

  Justin Smiley is the guy who I would go with as well....he immediately improves Miami's O-Line at whichever guard spot he plays....Smiley is still YOUNG, big and strong.... so pairing him with Jake Long, Samson Satele, Vernon Carey and Shawn Murhpy (who are all very young as well)  could give Miami a great O-line for many,many years to come.  I also love the nasty streak in Justin...gotta love that in an O-Linemen!!!!

  Randy Starks was also a solid free agent signing....he will be a versatile DL in the new 3-4 defense....he will be a good backup for Ferguson at NT....Starks is also very young and has room to step up his game quite a bit.

 

[DolFan619]

Randy Starks was also a solid free agent signing....he will be a versatile DL in the new 3-4 defense....he will be a good backup for Ferguson at NT....Starks is also very young and has room to step up his game quite a bit.

  Great choice!  I almost forgot about Randy Starks.  You're right, he is still VERY young.  He's played four years in the league but he's only 24 years old.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

T MINUS 7 AND COUNTING

ONLY A WEEK TO GO!!!!!!

Issue of the day- Defensive Backs

The Dolphins secondary has been the weak link on this defense over the past two seasons.  Compounding this problem is that almost nothing has been done to address this unit's needs.  A couple of free agents were brought in this past offseason, but not a single defensive back was drafted in 2007 or 2008.  As a result, there will be a lot of familiar faces on opening day, along with the feeling that with the same players, this unit is still not good enough. 

Additionally, the majority of the players that could start are coming off injuries.  Andre Goodman, Yeremiah Bell, Travis Daniels, Renaldo Hill were all beset by injuries last season and enter this season surrounded by question marks.  Another questionable player is safety Jason Allen who was drafted 16th overall in 2006 but has failed to live up to those expecations. 

How will this unit perform in 2008?  Will the defense be giving up a lot of passing yards?  Will they have to rely on the front seven's pass rush? 

Discuss.

[fyo]

I don't think there's much chance of the Dolphins' secondary being much above average. That's one area where I believe we'll be weak this year, but then that's to be expected. There's simply no way you can fix all the problems of a 1-15 team in one year, especially when you purge the roster like Parcells and Co. have done.

I'm not at all comfortable with the Crowder-Torbor side of the secondary, at least if JT doesn't wind up playing after all.

[Doc-phin]

What I expect out of this secondary is a mix of good days and bad days.  I know that may sound a little obvious but I think it will play out that way.  I think it has more to do with who we play and how our defensive front matches up with them as to whether or not our defensive back performs well.

[DolFan619]

  Welcome back, to "25 Topics, 25 Days."  It's Day 19, and we're in the dog days of summer.  It's hot, humid, and soon the pads will be popping in Davie.  For many years, the Miami Dolphins have used the heat and humidity to their advantage in the early games in September, and early October.  However, some people have wondered if that advantage has gone away.  During Nick Saban's reign, he had asked for a practice bubble to be built, so the team wouldn't miss practices due to inclement weather.  Wayne Huizenga obliged, and the "Nick Saban Memorial Practice Bubble" (a name coined by Miami Herald writer, Armando Salguero) was built.  The reasons for this new structure, seemed like a good idea.

  However, when Saban skipped town, Cam Cameron came in, and used the practice bubble a little more than the Nicktator did.  Causing critics to question the conditioning standards and the types of practices that the team was going through.  Sure enough, those critics turned out to be right.  Having said all that, today's topic is this.  Do you still like the fact that the team has a practice bubble, or do you feel that is was a waste of money, and it should be done away with?

  Also, a little bit of trivia for you.  What was the hottest game the Dolphins have ever played in?  Gimmie the year, the opponent, and of course...  the temperature.