Training Camp Primer: 3 positions that could use an upgrade
As June turns into July and we continue to inch closer and closer to training camp, it's time to now take a look at 3 areas of the team where the Dolphins could use an upgrade, whether it's prior to camp or following the rounds of cuts that are to come.
OFFENSIVE LINE
This is clearly the biggest issue facing the Dolphins in terms of potential upgrades. Sure, the Dolphins have already improved the offensive line this offseason with the selection of Jake Long and the signing of Justin Smiley. But as GM Jeff Ireland even recognizes, the Dolphins have an issue at the other guard spot as well as with their depth.
The starting guard spot opposite of Justin Smiley is up for grabs. Competing for the job will be two rookies, Shawn Murphy and Donald Thomas, as well as 2 inexperienced veterans, Ike Ndukwe and Trey Darilek. Also, Steve McKinney, who is still rehabbing his knee, could be a potential option. But as this article points out so well, these options aren't anything to get excited over. All lack experience (except for McKinney) and the rookies are very raw in terms of technique.
So what can the Dolphins do? The only viable free agent option right now is LeCharles Bentley. And while the Dolphins have reportedly taken a look at him, he's coming off serious injury issues and he might be too expensive in terms of what he might want compared to what he would provide the Dolphins on the field.
Depth is also a concern with this team. Consider the fact that if either starting tackle, Jake Long or Vernon Carey, were to get hurt, it would be Julius Wilson stepping into the starting spot as of now. Ugh.
While this team has some promising young players who will be projects (Thomas, Murphy, Daren Heerspink, Dan Gore), definitely expect the Dolphins to pay close attention to other team's cuts as camp wears on in August.
WIDE RECEIVER
This is an interesting aspect of the 2008 Miami Dolphins. I, personally, am actually excited about how the top 3 Dolphin receivers could potentially perform in '08 and beyond. I like Ted Ginn a lot. Ernest Wilford was a terrific acquisition because of hi size and reliable hands. And Derek Hagan seems to be a man on a mission this offseason, with the coaching staff singing his praises often through the OTAs and minicamps. He has a lot to prove this year and he seems to be motivated to prove himself in what could be his "make or break" season.
Beyond those 3, though, is anyone's guess. I've said all along that I do like Davone Bess, the undrafted rookie out of Hawaii. And I do think he'll make the team this year (like I said the moment he was signed). But that other spot really worries me. I do like Greg Camarillo and could live with him or David Kircus as the final wide receiver on the roster, I do think the Dolphins will monitor the waiver wire closely. Camarillo has proven to have reliable hands and seems like a good route runner. But he lacks speed and is quite inexperienced. Kircus is also inexperienced but does possess good speed and strength. However, his off-the-field issues worry me a little. After all, Mike Shanahan wouldn't just give up on a talented player unless he had some concerns about his character.
So where does that leave the Dolphins in terms of players that might become available. Matt Jones, the Jags' former 1st round pick, is one guy who is rumored to be a potential cut. But I just can't get excited over him. He's been a pure bust so far in this league. Terry Glenn is at a crossroads in Dallas right now and he could become available. But his injury history worries me. After all, he wouldn't be much help to this team if he's injured for half the season. Joe Horn is another veteran who might be looking for a new team soon. But he's also a bit too old for my taste and likely would want to play for a contender in '08.
So this will be something to monitor closely over the coming weeks. Will the Dolphins make a move for another WR or will they stand pat with what they got?

CORNERBACK
This position is the one position where I wish the Dolphins would have addressed in the draft that they didn't. Perhaps taking a guy like Patrick Lee out of Auburn or Terrell Thomas out of USC would have been better picks than Chad Henne. But then again, I'm a believer in John Beck, so my bias could be blinding me here (no knock on Henne - I think he'll be a good pro).
The bottom line here is that the Dolphins have some issues at corner. Will Allen, the team's best corner (by far) is in the middle of some potentially ugly legal issues. Michael Lehan is trying to rehab an ankle injury he suffered at mini-camp, and Andre Goodman is always an injury risk. And don't forget the inconsistent Travis Daniels, whose lack of speed has limited his once high ceiling in terms of potential.
Outside of those 4, which aren't all that good to begin with, the team has issues. Undrafted free agent Scorpio Babers and 2007 North Carolina A&T graduate Will Billingsley would make for great stories, but no Dolphin fan can really feel confident in their abilities. And this is why the cornerback spot is the most troublesome defensive position as we approach camp.
Perhaps Renaldo Hill, if he doesn't beat out Jason Allen at safety, could slide over to cornerback in dime situations. But even then, it's hard to feel comfortable. An upgrade would greatly diminish these worries, but where would this upgrade come from? No team is likely to let talented corners walk away, so the guys cut likely won't be much of an improvement.
So you all tell me: what position do you think is most in need of an upgrade? Is it one I mention above or did I miss a more pressing need?
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CB is the biggest concern
in my mind. OL has a lot of youth and inexperience, but we also have very good OL coaching, and what should be a pretty simple offensive system for them to learn. I agree that depth is a problem, but just about every team in the league is in trouble if a starter goes down on the OL, so maybe just getting the backups prepared will be enough for this season.
WR is set if guys perform like they are capable. The 1 and 2 spots are set with Wilford (who I think will have a breakout year and become our QB’s favorite target) and Ginn. The two slots/backups are gonna be Hagan and Bess, and the way Hagan has been talked about, he may be on track to finally deliver on his potential. Bess is a wild-card in the fact that he’s an UDFA, but he probably shouldn’t have made it to that. The guy was a draftable talent in college, and he has a lot of Wes Welker and Dante Hall in his game. Yes, he’s small, and yes, he put up a slow 40, but the guy has hands of glue and is athletic as all get out. He’s a prototype slot receiver if there ever was one.
At CB, the guys we have are probably good enough, but the problems these guys are facing before the season even starts are concering. If the top 3 (Allen, Lehan, Goodman) miss any time during the season, we are suddenly very weak at corner. I don’t expect much outta the UDFA guys, but I think they may be able to contribute down the road. They are both big and fast, and if they can get the mental side down, they can play NFL ball. But adding some depth in case of injury/suspension is an excellent idea, just not sure where it comes from.
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by Little Nicky 21 on
Jul 1, 2008 12:40 AM EDT
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wide receiver
Adarius Bowman, as an undrafted free agent, may come back to haunt Tuna & Co. Could have taken a flyer on him….then again, hindsight is always 20/20.
by coloradokevin on
Jul 1, 2008 12:42 AM EDT
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Keyshawn!
What ever happened to those Keyshawn rumors? I heard the other day that he was still mulling coming back to the league. I really would love him here, he really is a great 3rd down WR and seems to be exactly what we need since Ginn and Wilford are more built for down the field.
Let this season BE GINN!
by JPenedo on
Jul 1, 2008 8:16 AM EDT
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Me-shawn
Sorry to disagree here, but there couldn’t be a worse cancer than Me-shawn for this team (as in Tampa Bay). Besides, I doubt there’s anything left in him
We're talkin' about PRACTICE....practice!
by hotrod43 on
Jul 1, 2008 8:51 AM EDT
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Not picking sides here...
but do you really think he’d come in and risk breaking up his close relationship with Parcells by being a cancer on Bill’s Big Rebuilding Project?
by OntheGo on
Jul 1, 2008 11:23 AM EDT
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I'm ok with...
...just give me the @#$% ball!...as long as it’s for emergency purposes only :) I think he could help the young guys out…Wilford is our veteran WR and hes only been in the league for 4 years.
by hwyatt3 on
Jul 1, 2008 5:24 PM EDT
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Wouldn't mind Key
coming in to give some veteran exp to the WRs. If anyone has shown he can handle Keyshawn it’s Parcells. Besides he was still productive in Carolina.
Are you picking up what I'm putting down?
by Neo on
Jul 1, 2008 10:14 AM EDT
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Out of the three!
The biggest focus will be on the O-Line in training camp. These coaches will focus hard to find the 5 guys who will make the heart and soul of the team.
The other two, I feel these guys will, will want to build through draft and free agency long term, so they will pick up whoever and whenever this year.
I know Matty thought it was far fetched yesterday, but i can see having two 1000 yard backs this year. One, since Ricky will start getting the bulk early in the season and then Ronnie late. And two, because this regime believes inbuilding the organization around run blocking (and run stopping).
The OLine competition is going to be exciting!
by JGray on
Jul 1, 2008 8:24 AM EDT
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Matt Jones....
So what if hes slow, the guy is like ten feet tall (not really i think he’s like 6’7). I don’t think he has been a pure bust, and anyone drafted in the 1st round has talent. Whats the harm in picking him up and dropping kircus.
by KCarr9 on
Jul 1, 2008 10:39 AM EDT
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Because he’d be a waste of a roster spot.
by Patssuck456 on
Jul 1, 2008 10:47 AM EDT
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he's not slow...
Combine scores “scores included being timed between 4.37 and 4.40 in the 40 yard dash, a 39.5 inch vertical jump, and a 10 foot 9 inch broad jump.”
Out of the WR discussion, Jones if the only guy I would be interested in. The guy is an athletic wonder. His nickname in college was “the Freak” because of his size and speed.
But, remember, the guy played QB. He was drafted by JVille as a WR and converted. The biggest knocks against him is his sometimes lack of enthusiasm and his apparent dislike for contact.
And it’s not like he has been in the league for 6-7 years and has peaked. Maybe he won’t ever pan out, but if someone could get him to embrace playing WR running guys over, he would be a beast. So if I were gonna take a flyer on a guy, it would be him.
IMO
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on
Jul 1, 2008 11:41 AM EDT
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As for my concern about the positions...
I’m not concerned. Keeping things in perspective, I think we all realize it is gonna take another offseason and draft to fill in the missing pieces. I am slowing beginning to understand the Tuna method. He didn’t address corner because he had two goals for this year… Oline and Dline. So instead of taking one guy at every position of need, and possibly having that guy not work out and have the position still a “need” next year, he is loading up Oline and Dline in hopes of having those areas “done” and then moving on next year to DB, WR, or whatever shows up as a need after this year.
Year three is fill in the depth.
Soooooo…... in order to get through this year, the backup for LT is RT. The backup for RT is possibly Darelik, Murphy, Wilson or unnamed pickup. We have pretty good depth at guard, even if it has to be filled by a young guy. Easier spot to play, remember, the goal is to get the guys developed. C backup is McKinney. I would still sign Bentley.
WR is okay for the year, we will be primarily a running team anyway, and unless we lose Ginn, Wilford, AND Hagen at the same time, Camarillo, Kircus, or Bess can probably fill in fine. I would NOT be interested in Key or Glenn, since playing one of the younger guys would help us evaluate talent for next offseason.
DB, well, what can I say… I had also hoped to grab a CB early in the draft, or in FA. BUT, as long as we have players with potential, and we are still trying to figure out who is worth keeping, I am okay with throw a couple of rookies in the mix and going with the best six as dime starters. I think Allen could surprise this year, in this system, and I am hoping that the Parcells conditioning and system can keep them healthy. Remmeber what Bill said when he got hired… paraphrasing, he said something about the first thing he was gonna do was look at the injury history of team. He said that when you have that many injuries to starters (an unusually high number), you are not doing something right (offseason conditioning, TC, bad system, something). HE said his first goal was to reduce the number of injuries.
So I am hopeful that we are not going to see another disaster like we had at DB last year with injuries, and that with Goodman and Lehan healthy, and Will Allen out of jail, we have 3 solid CBs. Remember how good Goodman was two years ago? Most people thought he was our best corner under Saban.
Now, Ireland will continue to churn the bottom half of the roster as we see TC cuts, and we will probably end up with “reasonable” depth at all positions before the season starts, but I wouldn’t expect any major roster moves until Tuna Part 2 next offseason.
IMO
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on
Jul 1, 2008 12:05 PM EDT
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I fell right now we need to think about the line
We can get great wide recievers on this team,But with out a solid o-line to help the qb throw the receveier cant make nuthean happen.So lets be smart guys What would happen next year if 2 of are starters on the o-line gets injured.Then we have a repeat of last year on the offense,And do we want that.So lets just be smart and try to build a solid and healty o-line so that we can play with.Lets take it one step at a time and luckly by next year ginn becomes a top 10 recevier like we thought he would,And john beck has time to look around and throw the ball,And ronnie n rickey becomes are non stop combo they used to be…..................................
by lionel on
Jul 1, 2008 12:37 PM EDT
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Are you a republican?
Hi Matty, I love your site! It’s the best source for continuous Dolphins news. Can’t wait for the season. I agree that John Beck will get the starting nod come September and think he has the tools to get it done. If our O-Line gels nicely, I think we have a great shot at maybe .500. Wanted to ask if you’re republican, because I keep seeing your ads on the homepage and they seem to favor McCain over Obama. Is this advertising that McCain’s team is paying for on the site. I am a huge Obama supporter and I’m shocked at the volume of people that could even think about voting for McCain after all the SH*$ that we’ve been through under republican leadership over the last 8 years. Kind of off subject, but it’s something that jumps out at me everytime I visit the site.
by phishbowl2003 on
Jul 1, 2008 4:21 PM EDT
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those are paid ads
I, personally, have no political affiliation. I never really got into the whole “politics” thing because, in reality, all the options seem about the same to me.
So those ads you see are paid and, just to clarify, I don’t see a dime of it. It all goes to SB Nation who uses that money for the various expenses that pile up when running a network of blogs like this one.
by Matty I on
Jul 1, 2008 4:26 PM EDT
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Waiver Wire
I think we’ll be able to add o-line depth from the waiver wire when teams have to get down to a 53 man roster. Too bad we didn’t re-sign Rex Hadnot.
WR – not worried. One extra vet would be good though
CB – next year’s draft. I think safety was our biggest weakness in the defending the pass last year.
by gophish on
Jul 2, 2008 8:48 PM EDT
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