I do not know what I would do without the reports that I get from the Florida media. They report information to us on a daily basis based on their ability to get close to the team even though practices are closed. Then you have good writers putting their thoughts to the reports. To me, I find it easier to report the news rather than add my thoughts to it, so, I applaud those writers.

Currently we are hearing that there is a battle brewing over the left cornerback position between free agent/former Cardinals starter ERIC GREEN, first round draft pick VONTAE DAVIS, and second round pick SEAN SMITH.  We saw the trifecta pass on most of the free agent cornerbacks on the free agent market before settling for Green who had lost his starting position with the Cardinals late last season. After he was signed, he proclaimed himself as the player to beat at the position.

Surprisingly we heard late this week that Sean Smith was playing the most consistent at the position and Coach Sparano was very intrigued with his 6'3" height for the position. I really liked this signing myself as I feel this is the kid to put on Randy Moss in the red zone. Randy will burn any cornerback in the league, but I would like to see him try to outleap Smith for the ball.

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Don't get overly persumptious about what you are hearing about anything right now. The pads have not come on yet and part of a player's skill set is the physical aspect of their jobs. I would say that Vontae Davis has the edge there. Experience would point to Eric Green.

Do not make a final decision on who the starter is or what you hear until the second to last game of the preseason.Things could change a lot between now and then.

 

Is Jason Allen on the bubble?

It would appear that way. Will Allen and Vontae Davis are locks to make the team. Sean Hill should be, too, as he was our 2nd round pick this year. Some would say that Eric Green is a lock, too, as we signed him to a fre agent contract. While it would not be wise to sign someone and then cut them in camp, but it has happened before. QB Josh McCown was signed by the Trifecta last year and given the title as the starter, but he did not pan out and was cut in camp.

If those 4 are kept on the team, that would leave room for one more cornerback on the roster. That would be between JASON ALLEN and veteran NATHAN JONES to battle it out for the 5th and final position. Allen lost out to Jones last year for the nickel back, so, it would appear by mathematics that Jason Allen could be out of here. I doubt it myself. Allen has the potential to make plays and has the size/speed that the Dolphins like in a cornerback. He needs to play more consistently and play better in practice.

I really don't get it. He seemed to play well in games to me, but 3 coaching staffs have not been too thrilled with him.

 

Which draft pick made QB Chad Henne excited about?

QB CHAD HENNE threw a lot of passes before the draft as the Dolphins worked out a number of rookie receivers. When the Dolphins drafted Ohio State WR BRIAN HARTLINE in the fourth round, he was excited about it as he remember Hartline having "trememdous hands". 

In fact, a number of the "experts" liked this pick, too, for the Dolphins.

 

ESPN Scouts Inc "Hartline plays with the competitive edge and displays the toughness to go over the middle. He also shows good body control when catching the ball. However, we have some concerns with his fluidity changing directions and overall consistency with hands because he has a history of dropping balls he should catch." TSN War Room "It's kind of a surprise that Hartline, an early-entry junior, was picked this early. Sure, he's a sneaky fast and fluid receiver, but he doesn't have the special speed of fellow former Buckeye Ted Ginn. Still, he's the kind of reserve receiver and special teamer Bill Parcells likes." NFL.COM pick analysis "Hartline tested unbelievably well. He's got more quickness than speed. He may have been better served staying in school. He's got good size for a receiver and has a great mental makeup, which is a key element to what Bill Parcells looks for in building his team." Pro Football Weekly's Nawrocki "Ohio State WR Brian Hartline had to appeal more to the Dolphins for his special-teams coverage ability than his receiving skills, but his toughness in both phases should allow him to develop and will endear him to Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano. " SI's Peter King "One guy I'd watch closely in camp is Brian Hartline, the Round 4 receiver, because he played special-teams for three years at Ohio State, played slot receiver and split receiver. He's a fascinating prospect. I don't like Brian Hartline to the Dolphins in the fourth round. I love it." RotoWorld "Hartline was productive early in his college career, but his numbers fell with the rest of OSU's pass offense when true freshman Terrelle Pryor took over at quarterback in 2008. Hartline offers a nice size-speed combo and could pose a threat to Greg Camarillo, who's recovering from major knee surgery."

 

Drew Brees? Fire anyone on that medical staff.

Peter King put together a table showing us what Nick Saban missed in picking DAUNTE CULPEPPER over DREW BREES. Saban actually wanted Brees, but Brees was asking for a lot of money after a shoulder injury to his throwing shoulder. Dolphins doctors analyzed both Brees and Culpepper and said they were worried about Brees' shoulder and were confident that Culpepper would be fine. Two years later, Culpepper still lacks horizontal mobility, but Brees is having a Marino-esque career. 

 

 

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