Sound off: Dolphins vs. Chiefs

[DolFan619]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2008/08/sound-off-dolph.html

Sound off: Dolphins vs. Chiefs

How will the first team offense and defense expecting to receive the bulk of playing time perform. And will the defense be without Vonnie Holliday and Joey Porter.

If any of those injured starting defenders play, how effective will they be?

Will newly acquired quarterback Chad Pennington, who has been in the Dolphins offense for two weeks, continue to get the team in scoring territory. Pennington was 2-for-3 in his first stint as the Dolphins starting quarterback.

And once the Dolphins have seen enough of Pennington's backup, rookie Chad Henne, will they put Josh McCown and John Beck into the game. Or will they bench them fearing they'll not perform favorably with the screw unit, and hurt their trade value.

Will rookie receivers Davone Bess and Arena Football alumnus Anthony Armstrong continue to make plays, convincing management that they don’t need to scour the waiver wire for better talent. I suspect the Dolphins will carry seven receiver on the 53-man roster and the practice squad. Right now they have Derek Hagan, Ted Ginn Jr., Ernest Wilford and Davone Bess as locks.

So, does Greg Camarillo win a spot on the 53-man roster because of his special teams play, and will Anthony Armstrong get stashed on the practice. Those two are battling it out for the one vacancy on the 53-man roster, and Armstrong will need to outperform what hits the market that's practice squad worthy.

With Ronnie Brown sidelined by his thumb injury, will Patrick Cobbs and rookies Jalen Parmele and Lex Hillard be able to carry the load as Ricky Williams relief. Cobbs has done enough as a special teams contributor to earn a pass, but he needs to improve as a runner. But will Parmele shake his inconsistencies and lock up a spot on the 53-man roster?

The secondary merits watching. Injured CB Michael Lehan will likely participate, but don't expect him to perform at a high level because he's still a week or two away. S Chris Crocker will receive a tryout with the starting unit, and Jason Allen will be moved around to test this team's flexibility. If you see him playing the cornerback spot in the nickel package don't spaz out because it's mainly to promote roster flexibility. I suspect the Dolphins will keep five safeties, but Renaldo Hill will have to prove he's worthy of a reprieve.

Which tight end will show up, if any? Anthony Fasano has done little since join this team. David Martin's likely safe, but will Justin Peelle survive Sean Ryan?

Can cool customer Dan Carpenter continue his streak of perfection. The rookie kicker is presently 6-for-6 in the exhibition season. It'll also be interesting to see if any of his kickoffs make it into the endzone.

Will Boomer Grigsby do enough to hold onto the spot on the 53-man roster he's wrestled from Reagan Mauia because of his versatility. Fullback is clearly a position the Dolphins need an upgrade in, and don't be surprised if the Dolphins add one that's available on the waiver wire.

So, what will you be looking for against the Chiefs, who in my opinion had the best 2008 draft.

Deuces.

> Posted by Omar Kelly at 5:16:01 PM

[DolFan619]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/miamidolphins/entries/2008/08/23/pregame_notes_observations_fro.html

Pre-game notes, observations from Dolphins-Chiefs

By Ben Volin | Saturday, August 23, 2008, 06:44 PM

Goooood evening Dolfans, and welcome to Dolphin Stadium for the pivotal exhibition game between the Chiefs and Dolphins.

Nothing too major to report with the Dolphins’ lineup.

Chris Crocker will be starting for Jason Allen at safety, as expected, and Ronnie Brown (sprained thumb) and Charlie Anderson (strained hamstring) won’t be playing tonight.

A few quick observations from the pressbox during warm-ups:

About two hours before he game, Chad Pennington is getting advice from John Beck about footwork and playing on the baseball dirt. Pennington has played four games at Dolphin Stadium in his career, but this is his first game as the home quarterback.

Ronnie may not be playing, but he is warming up anyway. He’s not wearing that soft cast on his right hand, and is catching passes from Ricky Williams.

In case Pennington, Chad Henne, Josh McCown and John Beck all get hurt, maybe Ernest Wilford can play quarterback. He’s chucking the ball 60 yards in the air with a coach, with a nice spiral.

Jeff Ireland is hanging out on the sidelines with Bob Griese and Nat Moore.

And Boomer Grigsby is saying hi to all his former teammates. Boomer played three years in KC before coming to Miami this offseason.

For the Chiefs, Larry Johnson is here, and so are Dwayne Bowe, first-round pick Glenn Dorsey and Palm Beach County natives Brandon Flowers and DaJuan Morgan.

But among those who didn’t make the trip: RB Jamaal Charles, LB Nap Harris, LB Donnie Edwards, and first-round pick Branden Albert.

Flowers, the Delray Beach-Atlantic High product who was drafted in the third round out of Virginia Tech, is listed as the starting right cornerback, playing opposite former Dolphin Patrick Surtain. Morgan, out of Riviera Beach-Suncoast, is the backup strong safety.

That’s it for now. If any news happens during the game — like when Ronnie Brown injured his thumb last week against Jacksonville — I will blog about it during the game.

Otherwise, check in after the final gun for some Instant Analysis and observations from the press box.

Dolphins have a chance tonight to accomplish something they haven’t done since Nov. 23, 2006 — win consecutive games.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

First drive of the game they punch it all the way down to the 1 and only come away with a field goal.  It's been that way all preseason.  The offense can move the ball but can't score.  Fukkin putzes.  PUT IT IN THE END ZONE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!

[YoFuggedaboutit]

And they've already racked up 3 penalties.  These guys need to get their act together or risk getting destroyed by the Jets on Sept 7

[TonyB0D]

WOW he's FAST!!!

[fyo]

Nice pressure there. Fumble forced by Crowder, I think.

[TonyB0D]

i thought penny threw a TD to pelle, what happened?  now he just threw one to Fasano, who made a nice move to get in the endzone

[StL FinFan]

Here is another link to watch the game, you do not need to download any software.
http://www.justin.tv/medieval954

Cool, thanks.  The game will be on NFL network tomorrow morning also.

[SCFinfan]

Here is another link to watch the game, you do not need to download any software.
http://www.justin.tv/medieval954

You are the best!

[simeon]

Miami stops KC on the 1 yrd line on 4th down, nice stuff by Merlin.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

You da man Simeon.  It's great to see our DB's get some picks. 

[StL FinFan]

What's this?  Henne threw a pick?  Is everyone going to scream for him to be cut now?

[DolFan619]

What's this?  Henne threw a pick?  Is everyone going to scream for him to be cut now?

  No, only Tommy.

[TonyB0D]

WOW camarillo just ROCKED their punt returner.  JACKED UP!!

[YoFuggedaboutit]

What's this?  Henne threw a pick?  Is everyone going to scream for him to be cut now?

  No, only Tommy.

Wrong.  Shitty play getting picked in the endzone, but Justin Peele was being covered by a guy who's a midget and would draw interest from Sunstroke.  He should've gotten that ball.