Saban picks endangered Dolphins

[DolFan619]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2008/08/saban-picks-end.html

Saban picks endangered Dolphins

Nick Saban draft picks are becoming endangered species in South Florida.

For a guy who came directly from the college ranks, it sure seems like Saban wasn't anymore successful with the draft than Rick Spelman or Dave Wannstedt.

On Wednesday, cornerback Travis Daniels was traded to Cleveland, which leaves the Dolphins with only six of the 13 players Alabama's arrogant head coach hand-picked for this franchise.

All that's left is Ronnie Brown, who is challenged to come back from an ACL injury. Matt Roth, who has been switched from defensive end to outside linebacker. Channing Crowder, who is being put in a sink-or-swim situation as the starting inside linebacker and defensive leader, controversial safety Jason Allen, perennial bubble player Rodrique Wright, and the consistently inconsistent Derek Hagan, who for now is holding onto a starting receiver spot.

"I hope I stay around for a little while, but my name is in paper on my locker. They can get rid of that thing real fast," Crowder said. "Me, Ronnie and Roth are sticking around. We'll see what happens.

"I love Miami, but it's part of the game," said Crowder, who is playing out the last year of his rookie deal. "I'm not worried about that right now."

Even though Daniels was a South Florida guy, he's probably thrilled about the trade to the Browns because it'll provide him an opportunity to immediate push for playing time in the nickel spot. Cleveland's secondary is pretty week, and the Browns are going for broke this season.

Here in South Florida that job belonged to Nathan Jones, and Joey Thomas was beginning to push Daniels for playing time, and his roster spot.

When asked about the roster move improving his chances of making the 53-man roster, Thomas, who was Daniel's training camp roommate, said "I feel no different today than I felt yesterday."

That's about right. He better stay hungry and play like it. That's the type of tone the Trifecta has worked hard to create.

I never felt the Dolphins would cut Daniels because the fourth-round pick from LSU and South Broward High still had value. Well, it appears the Dolphins cashed in on that value earlier than expected.

For those who still think John Beck will, or should be cut, think about this: The Trifecta traded away Daniels because he had value to another NFL team. Now, do you still think they won't sit on Beck till someone offers up something respectable for him?

But what message does that type of move send to the rest of the team, which already lives on the hot-seat, and has shied away from stepping foot in the training room because the frail players have a habit of getting cut around here.

"You know these guys are always working," defensive end Vonnie Holliday said. "They kind of warned us about that...You always have to keep on your toes."

Speaking of Holliday, he has been practicing this week with the second and third unit and said he expects to play on Saturday. But that'll likely depend on whether he's medically cleared.

"I see no reason why not," Holliday said of whether his ailing hamstring would allow him to participate in the third exhibition game.

Brown is likely shelved for Saturday's game against Kansas City. He's been doing rehab work for his knee on the side this week.

"Each week it feels better. Last week it felt real good before I got hurt," Brown said.

One interesting tidbit I just got reminded of is that Brown's a lefty, and he injured his right thumb. Running backs usually use both hands to carry the ball, so it's not like this will allow him to come on the field faster, but at least he doesn't have problems taking down notes.

As for the rest of the practice session, I couldn't help but notice Chad Pennington and John Beck were running wind sprints together after practice, and Hagan was working on catching the ball.

The way coach Tony Sparano has been talking up Chad Henne all this this week I have a sneaking suspicion that the coaches are considering starting the rookie against Kansas City. That type of experiment would probably be better suited for the Aug. 28 game against New Orleans, which will be the final showcase for the fringe players, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit if Henne was working against the Chiefs first-team defense from the game's start.

Speaking of Saturday's exhibition, which has been declared a sellout and will be aired on CBS4 and channel 34 in Palm Beach, Joey Porter's participation was limited on Wednesday, but he intends to play against Kansas City...IF the coaches and trainers allow him.

Matt Roth talked after practice today and he said he's beginning to settle into his new position as an outside linebacker.

Roth said every thing is a challenge playing that spot because "it's all new to me," but he admitted it's easier to play, and there's less wear and tear to his body.

"I don't have to wrestle 600-pounders every down," Roth said. "The tight ends are hard blockers but it's nothing like tackling a guard coming down on you.

"My body feels great so that's a plus."

If Roth is effective enough as the Dolphins strong side linebacker that would allow Porter to fill in as the weakside pass rusher, replacing Jason Taylor, and that would certainly be a plus for this team.

Deuces.

> Posted by Omar Kelly at 4:37:22 PM