Depth Chart Bubble Watch

by Matty I on Jul 31, 2008 12:15 AM EDT in News Comment 19 comments

One of the fun parts about training camp is watching and trying to predict how the depth chart will shake out. Sure, it's hard to nail the 53-man roster man for man. But it's entertaining to attempt to do and provides some good food for thought.

With that in mind, I now present the "depth chart bubble watch." Much like how the "experts" of NCAA basketball attempt to predict the 65 teams that will make the NCAA Tournament, this will be a weekly feature in which I attempt to predict our final depth chart - at least, based on what players are currently in camp. Of course, we should also expect our roster to change as this front office attempts to "look under every rock" to find players who could upgrade the overall depth of the team.

So below is my predicted 53-man roster in depth chart form, including a list on the bottom of the final 5 players on the roster and the first 5 players off of the roster - basically those who are barely hanging on and those who are currently just missing out. My hope is to update this next week prior to our first preseason game and then each week following a preseason game.

Due to the size of the full depth chart, you'll have to make the jump.

	1st Team	2nd Team	3rd Team
QB	Josh McCown	John Beck	Chad Henne
HB	Ronnie Brown	Ricky Williams	Jalen Parmele
FB	Reagan Mauia	Boomer Grigsby
WR	Ted Ginn	Greg Camarillo	Davone Bess
WR	Ernest Wilford	Derek Hagan
TE	Anthony Fasano	Justin Peelle	Sean Ryan
LT	Jake Long
LG	Justin Smiley	Shawn Murphy
C	Samson Satele	Steve McKinney
RG	Donald Thomas	Ike Ndukwe
RT	Vernon Carey	Trey Darilek
	1st Team	2nd Team	3rd Team
DE	Vonnie Holliday	Phillip Merling	Kendall Langford
NT	Jason Ferguson	Paul Soliai
DE	Matt Roth	Randy Starks
OLB	Charlie Anderson	Quentin Moses
ILB	Akin Ayodele	Reggie Torbor
ILB	Channing Crowder	Junior Glymph
OLB	Joey Porter	Rob Ninkovich
CB	Will Allen	Nate Jones	Joey Thomas
CB	Andre Goodman	Travis Daniels
FS	Jason Allen	Chris Crocker	Renaldo Hill
SS	Yeremiah Bell	Keith Davis
	1st Team	2nd Team	3rd Team
K	Jay Feely
P	Brandon Fields
LS	John Denney

PUP: Michael Lehan
Last 5 On: Davone Bess, Travis Daniels, Sean Ryan, Junior Glymph, Joey Thomas
First 5 Off: David Kircus, David Martin, Jayson Foster, Patrick Cobbs, Rod Wright
Next 5 Off: Lionel Dotson, Anthony Toribio, Lex Hilliard, Daren Heerspink, Keith Saunders

First of all, I just want to specify that until Lehan practices fully without restrictions, I'm going to just put him on the side as a PUP list candidate. But when he does return (whenever that is), Joey Thomas needs to be concerned, as he is last on my "last 5 on" list.

Moving on, you'll notice plenty of "practice squad eligible" players are listed in the "first 5 off" and "next 5 off" lists. The above depth chart is just for the 53 man roster, and considering how difficult it is to predict who safely makes it to the practice squad, I won't even try to predict that. Remember, any player the Dolphins attempt to stash on the practice squad can be stolen by another team. However, that player has to make the 53 man roster of that team that claims him.

So what are your thoughts on all this? Am I way off right now? Am I fairly accurate? Who would your "last 5 on" and "first 5 off" be?

Thoughts below...

0 recs | Comment 19 comments

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quick guess

no way peelle makes the team (1.4 or 1.5m salary) and martin doesn’t (he’s only 800k). these guys like size….

i don’t see camarillo making the team… WR is the most fluid spot on the roster… it’ll likely be one of the postitions that they grab heavily off the waiver wire. from what i’m hearing/reading there isn’t a wr on the team that’s getting separation, so even if some of the bubble guys make the team, there best shot is practice squad.

don’t see the team taking two FB… more likely they’ll carry an extra tight end.

and on a hunch, i think they’ll go with carpenter.

by W NY Fins Fan on Jul 31, 2008 1:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

totally agree about the FBs.

A good blocking TE can always line up as a FB. I think they keep Boomer.

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Jul 31, 2008 3:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe

that Derek Hagan has started getting separation.

“He’s [Henne] also showing off his strong arm. He flings one to Derek Hagan about 55 yards. Hagan burns Will Allen and does a nice job catching up to the ball. Touchdown.” http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/miamidolphins/entries/2008/07/index.html

From everything I read, I see Hagan being our #1 WR this year.

by joel311 on Jul 31, 2008 4:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

From the Herald:

“Derek Hagan had a couple of fine plays in which he not only caught the ball, but had considerable separation from the defender on deep sideline patterns. Jayson Foster also did some good work in the middle of the field.”

by joel311 on Jul 31, 2008 4:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Even though..

i agree with you, joel311, i just read that Glenn have been signed, so we are going to see were Hagan will stand now. Wilford, Hagan, Ginn & Glenn. This signing SUCKS!!!

I will see the Dolphins win a SUPER BOWL before i die(21 years and counting)

by Aleta on Jul 31, 2008 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Keep in mind

our DBs are no big shit.

Why so serious?

by Patssuck456 on Jul 31, 2008 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Love this feature

I think you’ve got it pretty much bang-on there, Matty. Interesting that you have McCown over Beck already! It’s early yet, but if Beck’s most stalwart guardian is doubting him then he IS in trouble!

As for my own predictions / analysis, all I can say is that I actaully quite like the look of the offence as it stands. It’s not special, but it looks like a huge improvement over years gone by – many of those young players have serious potential. With J. Long, Ronnie, Ricky, Satele etc. I really like our running options, especially to the left. I guess I’m exposing my ignorance here, but does a 53 man squad really need 8 linebackers? Junior Glymph is probably the guy I’d drop, and I’d bring in Kirkus. The WRs are so inexperienced I think you want to give as many of them a chance as possible for the future, if that makes any sense. Also, 2 FBs? Not sure about that, when neither is a stand out performer.

I have to say that I have no faith in Matt Roth, or this team’s ability to pressure the QB now that JT is gone. I always link Roth and Crowder in my mind due to the draft, and while I have great hope for Crowder who seems like a leader and Zach’s natural replacement, seeing Roth top of the depth chart isn’t ideal. I wouldn’t change it now, but I’d hope Merling takes his place as soon as possible once the season begins.

Lastly, does anyone wonder just a little bit how much better this chart would look with Zach, JT, Chambers and LoBo on it? I know, I know, we had to rebuild. But still…

by Agumen on Jul 31, 2008 1:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

For the most part, I agree.

I’m still a firm believer in Ricky Williams being the Week 1 starter due to the way he is playing and Ronnie’s health. I agree completely with the rest of it. One thing I don’t understand is why we gave Randy Starks so much money. I agree with you that he’s looking to be a backup this year, so why did we give him so much?

by mikey2380 on Jul 31, 2008 2:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Matty...

I can’t believe after all the love for Beck, you got him behind McCown. What’s up with that?

Now is the time- the time to rise up from the depths of Hell and stake our claim back on top of the AFC East...Look out Gaytriots here comes Jake Long and the Phins

by FinzD54 on Jul 31, 2008 9:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No matter how much

Matty loves or hates Beck, I think he knows the QB decision is going to be made by BP &co. Hopefully Matty is just trying to be objective.

Right now, if the final roster were set, I think and Matty would likely agree – that they probably would go with McCown as the #1 guy.

The preseason games are probably where the QB’s will have their chance to move up….....or down.

by Natalya on Jul 31, 2008 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

exactly

I still think Beck will win the starting job. But up to this point, McCown has probably played a little better.

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Jul 31, 2008 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Matty knows at this point

Beck will be lucky to make the team with how he’s playing…
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/dolphins/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/miamidolphins/

“John Beck is the only quarterback to participate before the thunder rolls through, and it isn’t pretty.

I counted eight snaps, and five of them ended in a sack.

and then

More 11-on-11 drills. They’re doing specific down-and-distance situations, but it’s hard to tell what they are from where we’re standing.

Beck goes first. Again, it isn’t pretty. He isn’t throwing a tight spiral. Maybe it’s his mechanics. The coaching staff has been working on moving his arm slot from 3/4 to over-the-top. He just isn’t throwing the pretty spirals that he was throwing last year during camp.

Of four throws, three of them come out of Beck’s hands after the "coverage sack" buzzer has gone off.

He throws a wobbler to Camarillo that is dropped, throws one away, throws another wobbler incomplete to Jayson Foster and then bounces one to Wilford. 0 for 4. “

It’s looking more and more like beck was just another in the long line of QB errors the franchise has made, and since the tirad choose Henne to be the future, it’s time to dump beck and let Henne get the snaps.

by W NY Fins Fan on Jul 31, 2008 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My Three Cents

Great segment Matty. For what its worth, my initial critique of your roster is as follows:

1. Its already been mentioned but I will repeat. I don’t think two fullbacks will make the team. IMO, Boomer makes the cut and Reagan doesn’t.

2. David Martin in the first round of cuts? That is questionable. I think he will make the team.

3. I think Philip Merling will overtake Matt Roth and become the starting end opposite of Vonnie Holiday.

That’s all. It will be interesting to see how accurate you are come week 1.

by 13FinsFan on Jul 31, 2008 9:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

CLARIFICATION:

The “first 5 off” means those are the players who “just missed” making the team – not those who are cut first. Kind of like in the NCAA Tourney, the “first 5 out” are the best 5 teams NOT to make the field of 65.

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Jul 31, 2008 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm a little iffy...

I do think that they keep two fullbacks. Although Reagan will play fullback more, Boomer’s special teams play is why he is on this team. I like the Offensive predictions. Although I want to see Jayson Foster return kicks this year so Ginn can focus on recieving.

The Defense is where I have problems. I like Quentin Moses over Charlie Anderson. And Phillip Merling over Matt Roth. And whatever happened to Renaldo Hill? A starter last year an now he’s third string?

by DolPhan2010 on Jul 31, 2008 2:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

changes

I think Martin makes the team as well, considering he’s still lining up as a starter right now. But I agree Fasano wins out.

my darkhorse move is actually benching Vonnie… 3 reasons

1. I dont think he’s a good fit at 3-4 End and he’s not a NT. He’s an ideal 4-3 DT.
2. Sparano when asked about the starting front 7 in minicamps failed to mention Vonnie, and when prompted said he made a mistake, but I dont think he did.
3. Vonnie has publically criticized management for the JT and Zach moves. I dont think they will take well to that.

by YatilGinnJr on Jul 31, 2008 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

just some comments on depth chart

1. I doubt that the Dolphins will carry two fullbacks on their roster, especially since they will be using two tight end sets a lot. Expect Boomer Grigsby to win that spot over Reagan Mauia. Grigsby simply has too much upside, especially on special teams.

2. Don’t be surprised to see Henne take the 2nd team position on the roster, especially if he plays well in the exhibition season. This wil only confirm that Henne is the future at QB, and that isn’t exactly a bad thing. We finally have a young QB on the roster with plenty of upside!

3. Don’t see Davone Bess making the roster. Possibly the practice squad though. Of all the free agent rookie signings, the one which intregues me the most is that of Jayson Foster, whose speed can be used on ST as a kick returner. He also plays very tough for such a small guy. I expect him to make the practice squad, where they’ll develop him as a WR.. Bess has good hands, but he’s one of those players that excel in camp but then get cut prior to preseason. We see this every year. Bess really has to pick up his game if he wants to make the roster. I actually see Hagan as the #1 WR with Ginn starting opposite him. The rest of the WR corps will be rounded out by Wilford, another free agent signing (possibly Terry Glenn) and either Camarillo or Kircus. That last WR spot will go to the best ST player.

4. Depth looks very weak along the offensive line. I expect them to start adding players to the roster as teams make preseason cuts.

5. They look stacked at DE. This will be team that’s stout against the run, and that’s a big positive. Last year, the Dolphins were really weak against the run. I really hope that Rod Wright makes the roster though. He has tons of upside, fits into this system, and plays hard. In a surprise move, I don’t expect to see Matt Roth on the roster. He works better as a 4-3 end, so expect a trade very soon. Why play a guy who isn’t compatible with your scheme after all when you have so many players on your roster that work well within the 3-4.

6. Jason Ferguson is probably the most important player on this defense. We saw what happened last year when we didn’t have a quality NT on the line. Again, we’ll be more effective against the run.

More later…

by liberty513 on Jul 31, 2008 9:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed

except for the matt roth point…. Roth works cheap…. 700-880k range and has experience with some upside. don’t see the team giving up on him without giving him a season. plus the fact that he’s working with the first team… now if he doesn’t have a great season, then there is enough youth where they will let him walk, but if he produces, i’d expect them to re-up him or even tag him at a lower level.

by W NY Fins Fan on Jul 31, 2008 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Depth Chart Bubble Watch

Matty: I agree with most of your chart but, if we are going to go young, fast and smart then I believe both Devone Bass and Jayson Foster should make the team. Good hands and a lot of speed. We should have at least 3 guys that can streatch the field and help the running game. I agree that only one FB will be retained and it will probably be Boomer for his blocking and ST play. The Dolphins will play a two TE set and play a two RB set a lot this year. The passing game will be a plus if a QB develops. I’m pulling for Henne to develope soon. His arm will help streach the defense. Last year I was impresed with Beck on clock management and when had enough time in the pocklet he would make the pass or throw it away. With his new over the top throwing this year he does not seem as effective as his last year 3/4 quarter throw when it didn’t get blocked. Let the pre-season games tell the story on the QBs. Tony said he will make the season starter known before the last 2 pre-season games. They will know by the Bye week if they should throw Henne into the game and let him learn all he can thlis year.

by Samdolphin on Aug 1, 2008 7:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs