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

[DolFan619]

For the "needs to step it up" questions, I choose Crowder.  He's been decent, and even good, but needs to bring his game to the next level to make up for the loss of Thomas.  He needs to step up in a leadership role as well.

  That's a good point.  Usually, the MLB is the "quarterback of the defense."  Now, that the NFL ruled that one defensive player is allowed to have an earpiece in their helmet much like the quarterbacks on the offensive side of the ball.  That is going to require Channing to take even more active role in the defense.  No more relying on Zach Thomas to make the calls.  Channing has stated that he loves the new defense being put in by Coach Pasqualoni, and calls it "very simple and player friendly."  I can only hope that yields the kind of results a lot of us expect from Channing.  With the exodus of Zach Thomas and the immenent departure of Jason Taylor, the defense needs new leaders.  Channing should embrace that role, and start taking some ownership in the locker room.

[DolFan619]

  Welcome, to Day 10 of "25 Topics, 25 Days."  We're already ten days into this thing!  Time is flying by, and the 25th will be here before you know it!  Anyways, I originally had just one topic lined up for today.  However, another really good question came into my mind earlier today so we'll be doing a double-dip, and it'll be a Two Question Thursday Edition of "25 Topics, 25 Days."

  NFL Training Camps are a time where jobs in the NFL can be won or lost.  It seems that every year, on every team, there is always plenty of players on the hot seat.  So, with that in mind.  Which Miami Dolphin do you feel is in the most danger of losing their job in training camp?

  Now, onto the second topic.  The NFL started recognizing the team captains with a "C" patch on their uniforms.  In 2007, our team captains were: LB Zach Thomas, DE Jason Taylor, QB Trent Green, and K Jay Feely.  Two of those players are gone in Zach Thomas and Trent Green.  It's only a matter of time before Jason Taylor leaves, and Jay Feely could be pushed out the door with a strong performance from Montana rookie, Dan Carpenter.  So essentially we could be looking at four totally new team captains in 2008.  What I want from you guys, is to predict who will be the four men that will be wearing the "C" patch for the Miami Dolphins this season.  For your first three picks, just make sure you pick a player from each phase of the game: Offense, Defense, and Special Teams.  Enjoy!

[Guru-In-Vegas]

Ronnie Brown on offense.

Jason Taylor just because.

Joey Porter (because of his experience) on D.

Whoever our kicker is.

[DolFan619]

  For the Miami Dolphin that's in the most danger of losing his job in Training Camp, I'll have to go with TE David Martin.  He hardly made any kind of contribution to the team, and dropped a lot of passes.  It all started with that crucial third down pass he dropped in Washington, that stalled a good drive.  Fasano was brought in to be the main guy, and Justin Peelle, as well as Sean Ryan are more effective blockers than Martin.

  As for the 2008 Team Captains, here is how my lineup reads.

Offense: RB Ronnie Brown
Defense: S Yeremiah Bell, LB Channing Crowder
Special Teams: S Keith Davis

  Oh, just to throw in a wild card for Team Captain....  RB Ricky Williams.  Wouldn't that be something?

[YoFuggedaboutit]

T MINUS 15 AND COUNTING

Issue of the day- Running Backs

The R&R Express is back!!!!!  The R&R Express is back!!!!!  THE R&R EXPRESS IS BACK!!!!!!   

Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams provided a lethal 1-2 punch out of the backfield in 2005, combining for over 1600 yards.  Both backs are together again, but come in with question marks.  Ronnie was having a breakout year in 2007 before suffering an ACL tear in his knee.  Like most RBs coming off this injury, he's expected to be only a shadow of what he was in 2007 for the first few games.  Ricky has failed multiple drug tests in the past and that cost him the 2006 and most of the 2007 season.   He claims he has a new dedication to the game, and so far has stayed clean.

The new regime brought a change to the style of running.  Speedy scatback Lorenzo Booker was traded, and Jalen Parmele and Lex Hilliard, two bullish power runners were drafted.  How those two will pan out remains to be seen.

So far, it looks like the Dolphins running game will be a strong point on this team.  Any thoughts?

[YoFuggedaboutit]

For the Miami Dolphin that's in the most danger of losing his job, I'd have to say it's Regan Mauia. 

Boomer Grigsby has been brought in at fullback, and in this type of offense, the fullback doesn't do much more than block.  There is a very strong chance that the Dolphins will only keep one fullback on the roster.  Grigsby plays on special teams and Mauia doesn't.  Oh, I forgot to mention that there was that little altercation at a local Ale House a few months ago that got Mauia thrown in jail.  The Tuna doesn't like players who get in trouble with the law.

My choice for 2008 team captains are:

Offense: Vernon Carey
Defense: JT if he sticks around.  Otherwise Yeremiah Bell
Special Teams: Boomer Grigsby

[DolFan619]

  A couple of people have put Jason Taylor as a team captain for 2008.  With that said, I'll throw this question out there.  With all of the issues that have surrounded Jason Taylor this offseason: Feud with Parcells, Ireland, and Sparano, missing offseason workouts, Dancing With The Stars, trade requests/denials, etc.  In spite of all of that, should he still be looked at as a team captain for 2008?

[Guru-In-Vegas]

^ Absolutely.  He's been a leader on the defense, better yet, for the whole team for a long time.  His play has always been good and I don't see it diminishing all that much this coming season.  Regardless of what happened in the offseason, this guy is just a leader with superb play-making abilities.

[Rick]

  I agree with Dolfan619, that Tight End David Martin is the Miami Dolphin who is most in danger of losing his job during training camp.....Fasano will be the opening day starter, backed up by Peelle and Sean Ryan.  Martin will have a rough time even making the roster...which is good considering his play last season.

  As far as team captains........
  
   offense.....Jake Long, LT
   Defense .... Jason Ferguson
   Sp. Team... Keith Davis
   Team Capt... Joey Porter

 My answer to Jason Taylor being a team captain question....NO...if JT does not want to be in Miami, he should not have the priviledge of being a team captain.  

[Guru-In-Vegas]

^ Damn, you'd make a rookie a captain?

[Doc-phin]

I also have to throw out Regan Mauia as my most likely to be sent packing pick.  He wasn't very good last year, he doesn't seem very bright or versatile, and he has some character questions.

For the captains:

Holiday and Porter on defense.
Feely on special teams.
And I can't believe it but I think Ricky is going to get it on offense.

[Philly Fin Fan]

I think its David Martin. Although I think its already a given for him, and it won't take training camp to decide. I think he's still around because he's a healthy body,  but unless Fasano, Peelle or Ryan get hurt, Martin will be sent packing.
The other player I would say may lose his job is Feely. I remember reading that Parcells and Ireland were both very high on Carpenter.

As for captains-
Offense- if there is a clear cut, far and away winner at QB, he will be the guy. Meaning if McCown, Beck or Henne blows away the competition, as opposed to it being a tight race all thru pre-season. If its the tight race scenarion, I'd have to go with Carey or Ronnie, since they will be the senior guys on offense.

Defense- I think it'll end up being JT if he stays. It'll be Parcells' and Ireland's way of playing the PR game, as if to say "see, all is fine with us". If JT is not around, it'll be Bell or possibly Will Allen- two guys who have been around. One of those guys will probably be the 4th Captain too.

Special Teams- Like I said, Feely may be in jeopardy of losing his job, but I think it'll be whoever the kicker is.

[DolFan619]

For the Miami Dolphin that's in the most danger of losing his job, I'd have to say it's Regan Mauia. 

Boomer Grigsby has been brought in at fullback, and in this type of offense, the fullback doesn't do much more than block.  There is a very strong chance that the Dolphins will only keep one fullback on the roster.  Grigsby plays on special teams and Mauia doesn't.  Oh, I forgot to mention that there was that little altercation at a local Ale House a few months ago that got Mauia thrown in jail.  The Tuna doesn't like players who get in trouble with the law.

  To be fair, both Grigsby and Mauia are one trick pony's in their own right.  Grigsby is a proven commodity on Special Teams, but very raw as an actual FB.  Whereas Mauia is a better FB, and an unknown commodity on Special Teams.  I could see the team finding a way to keep both guys.  Bill Parcells may not like players who get in trouble with law, but let's not paint Reagan in the same light as Chris Henry.  It seems that this regime is giving Reagan the same second chance that they're also giving Matt Roth, and Channing Crowder two other players who ran afoul of the law this past season.

[Rick]

^ Damn, you'd make a rookie a captain?

 I think Jake Long would make a fine captain.  It is a young team.....why not pick a young guy ( who has shown maturity) to be a captain.....He is going to be the anchor of the o-line for the next 10+ years......Jake is tough as nails and a no nonsense guy.  So even as a rookie, I think Jake would do well as a captain, Guru!!!  

[YoFuggedaboutit]

 I think Jake Long would make a fine captain.  It is a young team.....why not pick a young guy ( who has shown maturity) to be a captain.....He is going to be the anchor of the o-line for the next 10+ years......Jake is tough as nails and a no nonsense guy.  So even as a rookie, I think Jake would do well as a captain, Guru!!!  

Good points there Rick.  I have to agree that he's showing maturity..... and showing that he knows his place for a rookie. 

He just wants to come in here and get down to some hard work.  He said it himself.