New depth chart announced; and other notes

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

The Dolphins, today, released their latest version of the depth chart. And this time, we might actually be able to read into this version. Now, to see the entire thing, head over here.

As far as the QBs go, they are still listed in order of seniority. But other notable changes have been made.

First off, Ricky Williams is now listed as the team's starting running back, with Ronnie Brown now listed as 2nd string. It's likely that this really doesn't matter, as one is really "1a" and the other is "1b." But it's certainly worth noting. Perhaps the reason for the change is simply Ronnie's thumb injury combined with his comeback from the knee injury. Either way, I'm not really too worried about who starts and who comes off the bench once the season begins. Both will get plenty of carries and both will be key factors to the success of the team.

Perhaps the biggest change on the depth chart now is that Matt Roth has been officially listed at strong side linebacker, with Joey Porter moving over to the weak side - Jason Taylor's old position - and Kendall Langford stepping in to replace Roth as the starter at left defensive end. This also means that Charlie Anderson was bumped back to 2nd team and Quentin Moses has been moved to 3rd team.

I'll admit that after being a little worried about the Roth experiment, I'm much more comfortable with him now at OLB than I was this time last week. And I really like the move of Porter over to the weak side, the primary pass-rushing LB spot. But you do have to wonder if this change is only until Charlie Anderson is healthy again. Will Porter move back to the strong side once Anderson can play? Also worth wondering is if Roth can handle the coverage aspect as strong side linebacker. He'll be fine as a run-stopper. But playing the strong side means he's going to be responsible often for covering either a tight end of a back. Perhaps the plan is for Roth to work at SLB only on 1st down (and possibly 2nd depending on the situation). There's no way Roth will stay on the field at LB in clear passing situations.

Perhaps the bigger reason to be excited about this latest depth chart, though, is because of the number of rookies who are now listed as starters. I mentioned above that Kendall Langford, a 3rd round pick, is now listed as the starting left DE. Donald Thomas, a 6th round pick, is the starter at RG. And we all know Jake Long will be starting at LT. When you also consider that Phillip Merling will be heavily involved in the DL rotation and Chad Henne could very well be our backup QB (and QB of the future), you have to already consider this draft a mild success...with the potential for it to be a truly great draft.

OTHER NOTES

-Barry Jackson reports that the Dolphins' front office do like both Vernon Carey and Channing Crowder (both free agents following the season). However they have decided to hold off on contract extensions for both as of right now. In my opinion, though, they should work out a deal with Carey before the season ends. Otherwise, they run the risk of Carey's agent deciding to hold off to see if Vernon can get LT money on the open market - which is a risky proposition for the Dolphins.

-Yes, I know I have to mention what Chris Mortensen said tonight about Ronnie Brown. But the idea that the Dolphins would look to trade Ronnie is completely ridiculous and I will not speak of it after this. Why would the Dolphins do that? Do they really feel like Ricky Williams, who is a bit "flaky" to say the least, is dependable? It's not going to happen, so let's just all move on.

-Good news. Those rumored uniform changes for the Dolphins are just that...rumors. No truth to them. Thank goodness!

Don't forget to get involved with our first round of community projections. We've begun with Channing Crowder and Joey Porter.

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Thank God...

Thank God that Chris Mortensen comment isn’t true. I about spit the taco in my mouth all over the living room when I heard that. You’re right though. Giving Ricky the position as the sole starter, especially with a flaky past, makes no sense at all especially when the NFL is headed toward a “Two Headed Monster” type running trend.

by SDefee on Aug 19, 2008 12:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Best draft in years

i feel that this draft is already more then just a mild success, with several players either starting or playing a big role on the field. After going so many many many years w/ our drafts yielding nothing beneficial for the franchise we are finally getting on the right track and i couldnt be happier.
Anybody disagree that Jake Long will be a mainstay in Hawaii every February?

by DolPhanDave on Aug 19, 2008 12:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Then again...

they are only starting because we lacked any depth from the previous season, not because they are good, just better than the alternatives.

y not if im wrong who will remember

by qbinfin on Apr 27, 2008 3:27 PM PDT

by DolfinPhan on Aug 19, 2008 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

welcome aboard Matty

(matty wrote for the first time evar??) ~Chad Henne could very well be our backup QB (and QB of the future), ~~

must have taken a bit of an effort to get that duck out of your throat to formulate those words eh?

by W NY Fins Fan on Aug 19, 2008 1:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I never once said I dislike Henne....

….I always thought he will make a very good pro. And I still think Beck will, too. Just not in Miami.

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Aug 19, 2008 1:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is no chance in hell, that we trade Ronnie

The Beck rumors have some merit but getting rid of Ronnie Brown makes zero sense.

Why so serious?

by Patssuck456 on Aug 19, 2008 1:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Ronnie Brown thing

First off let me say that I don’t believe the team is actively trying to trade ronnie and it is likely that mort was just throwing something against the wall…. but if you think about it, it does make some sense….

the reasons why it does make some sense….

first off Ronnie – you have a back schedule to make 10+ mil (IIRC) over the next two years…. the current vogue of NFL cap management is that you don’t spend bucks for RB’s because of a short career effectiveness and they are some what replaceable on the cheap. 2nd part of this aspect is Ronnie is comming of ACL surgery which generally has a 12-18 month total recovery time…. so if you believe ronnie won’t be 100% effective until october or later then you are forking over 1+ mil for 1 season…..

second – ronnie hasn’t been durable, something BP favors… sees it as a conditioning thing…. so it might mean Ronnie isn’t a BP guy and we all know what that means… and combine that with coming off major surgury and a high Cap number…. and with that in mind is he that much more dependable then rickey? especially if BP believes that Ricky is back.

third – the team is rebuilding and ronnie might have value to someone else… most likely it would be easy to get a 2nd & 4th for him?? (maybe houston?)

Fourth – BP likes and believes in Ricky…. Ricky works cheap… Ricky has been dependable (no injuries, aside from being rushed back last year and hurt on a cheap shot) and the reality is that other then the wanny – retirement ricky has been back… (yes he lost a year to saban – but rumors said had denver not leaked ricky test to the media, he would have never been suspended)

fifth – the like guys 3,4&5 – hey from what we’ve heard cobbs has played himself onto the team with special teams play… parmeele is liked, and i have no idea about hilliard…. but a freed space allows them to carry a guy they would have to cut.

So on some levels it does make sense, predicated on the belief that ricky can carry the load for a couple of years.
i don’t think its likely, but i certainly believe its possible and may even be beneficial to trade ronnie?

by W NY Fins Fan on Aug 19, 2008 1:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rebuttal

1) Cap Space is not an issue, we have about $20 undr the cap

2) Yes the team is rebuilding, but you dont get rid of the young solid players, you cut the fat, as in the older players when you rebuild

3) You would turn the position in whichwe have a lot of depth into another “worry area”

4) Ricky has gained my respect again but the reality remains, he’s one failed piss test away from a ban from the NFL

5)Ricky isnt a BP guy, he never picked him either.

Again this makes no sense

Why so serious?

by Patssuck456 on Aug 19, 2008 1:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good running backs are easy to come by

Every draft there are guys drafted deep that end up rushing for 1000+ yards. If we got some ridiculous offer, he’s outta here.

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Aug 19, 2008 3:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

re-rebuttal

~1) Cap Space is not an issue, we have about $20 undr the cap~
—- last i heard they were about 12 mil under and that was before the pennington signing—-
plus 5 mil a year is a pretty high price for a back up/part time running back and that is obviously money that can be spent elsewhere… If you listen to the team, they say they are going to be active on the WAIVER wire, so one can expect they will assume some big name veteran cuts and that will likely eat into the cap number

~~2) Yes the team is rebuilding, but you dont get rid of the young solid players, you cut the fat, as in the older players when you rebuild

3) You would turn the position in whichwe have a lot of depth into another "worry area"~

——Well, if management believes that Ronnie isn’t a dependable player due to injuries and not living up to potential, and they believe strongly in the young guys behind ricky (parmele) then why keep ronnie. get value for him and move on.

~4) Ricky has gained my respect again but the reality remains, he’s one failed piss test away from a ban from the NFL~

__ isn’t everyone in the NFL only 1 play away from being gone? I mean if ronnie loses the ACL again is he done too?? you take your chances where you must——

~5)Ricky isnt a BP guy, he never picked him either.~

—- this is the once place i can say you’re absolutely wrong…. if you’ve followed the off season at all, they you know that BP and ricky have bonded… reports are that BP drops by practice and takes ricky aside every day… BP has been telling ricky about how he won a super bowl with otis anderson at 34 and he can see ricky doing the same…. just because BP didn’t draft you doesn’t mean you can’t be a member of the circle, but ricky the player has all the attributes of a BP player.

So although, I don’t think it’s likely that the team will trade Ronnie, nor do I think they are actively trying to trade him, but I certainly feel that it isn’t unreasonable to for them to do so.

by W NY Fins Fan on Aug 19, 2008 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

nicely said.

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Aug 19, 2008 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

couple other interesting points from the depth chart

TE – fassano (no surprise) – Martin (big surprise that he’s still up here) – Ryan then Peelle….
interesting that we’ve heard all camp how Ryan has been dropping balls and he’s likely gone but right now they have Peelle on the bubble… has to be that 1.4 mil cap number?

wr #2 Hagan – camarillo – bess
with bess playing #3 all week – it’s interesting to see that camarillo is ranked higher then him? maybe bess is still on the bubble…

fb – grigsby is listed as #1 now (can’t say many people would be surprised by this or really care I guess)

by W NY Fins Fan on Aug 19, 2008 1:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rb

its too bad that year in and year out the potential of RB is sky high only to be set back because of injuries. I hope that the latest set back (hand/thumb) is not that bad. He kind of remind me of Brandon Jacobs but I got to admit RB is way above it terms of talent.

by dolphin23 on Aug 19, 2008 1:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i wouldnt give

Chowder or Carey contracts yet either. Let these guys prove they are dedicated to getting better every week. Then at the end of the season if there play warrants it BP will pay them well. If they leave via FA for crazy money wish them well take your picks and move on. We will have a boat load of money in FA next year which will be used on LB and corners, If we have to add a lineman to it so be it. We are in a great situation with the cap both of those guys are replaceable. I dont think Ronnie will be traded but it wouldnt surprise me if he was for a conditional 1 or a 2. This FO loves these new rb and are going to have a tough time cutting two of them. Ricky is a BP guy he is tough, a game changer and had to go through some adversity in his life. This is it for him and Ricky going to leave it on the field over the next 3 years. Ronnie cant stay on the field and as a running back that not a good thing.

by jvw on Aug 19, 2008 10:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

John Beck to the Cowboys?

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/08/cowboys-interested-in-john-beck.html

by mike2744 on Aug 19, 2008 11:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They are making a big mistake with Carey.

He gets on the open market and he’ll be gone. As you may remember, that was my biggest argument against drafting Jake Long #1. Hopefully, I end up being wrong and Carey re-signs longterm with the Dolphins. However, I do believe that since he has shown he can play LT at a high level that some team will throw LT money at him. and he’ll be gone. For me, that will detract significantly from the overall effect of drafting Long.

by dab415217 on Aug 19, 2008 11:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree, I would try to lock Carey up to a nice incentive based contract now

…if possible.

He might not want to take it, preferring to go after the potential guaranteed money after the season, but now is the front office’s best opportunity to get it done.

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Aug 19, 2008 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You don't really think Charlie Anderson...

…is that good, do you? There’s no way he gets the nod over Joey Porter… is there?

In other news, Ronnie Brown is now out because they didn’t draft the guy? Yet another poor, sad decision. The new management crew had better turn this team around real good, or I’m going to be at the head of the lynch mob that knocks on their door in the middle of the night.

by icerob on Aug 19, 2008 11:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ronnie isn't out

And Anderson can probably beat out Roth.

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Aug 19, 2008 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

no no

I mean what if Porter moves back to the strong side once Anderson comes back healthy – like everyone originally thought entering camp. Is Roth then just a backup or does he move back to end?

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Aug 19, 2008 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe Charlie moves inside?

Bumps Ayoldele to backup?

Remember what Sparano always says… he will find a way to get the best players on the field…, or something like that. :)

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Aug 19, 2008 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But...

…Porter’s best position is the weak side, isn’t it? I thought that’s where he always played in Pitt and that he moved to the strong side because of JT. I don’t see Charlie Anderson having any impact in that decision. The kid’s had flashes, no more.

by icerob on Aug 19, 2008 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

IF RICKY DIDNT FLAKE ON US ..................

WE WOULD HAVE HIM AND BRAYLON EDWARDS.

……THEN WE WOULDNT HAVE NEEDED GINN SO WE WOULD HAVE DRAFTED BRADY QUINN…

UGHHHHHHHHHHH

OH WELL…IF GRANDMA HAD BALLS SHED BE GRANDPA HUH?

Its Sunday afternoon.....do you know where your beer is?

by Rzayo24 on Aug 19, 2008 11:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

well let me not a lil bit

Well i like the idea of rickey being named the starter,Cuz at this point right now i would say that he is the better player….Matt roth moving to linebacker i realy liked him last week seeing the guy play,I fell like he can realy move around,N he would be a good rotaion shift at linebacker for ous……..Another thing i like but i see it might be a problem at first is starting the two rookies,It does realt sound good and they do know how to apply that pressure…But i noticed that at the end of games they kinda do get tird a bit and they start slowen down….Thats when the big passes happen and the qb has alot of time in the pocket,So were gonna need to rotate on the line with starks,To keep everyone fresh……To tell you the truth i do fell that we should sign carey and crowder a.s.a.p……Cuz it sounds good maken them earn it but if you wait to the end of the season you have a chance of loosing them and that would be a major set back for our team that we dont want…….carey is a pro bowler at the right side and once he makes it to the pro bowl this year that i know he is,Hes gonna wanna hit the open market and make big money know and we cant have that…..Sme with crowder…….With the ronnie thing to tell you the truth if he doesnt make it big this year with all the big weapons were gonna have to trade the guy at the end of the season…..He had enogh chances to be a big player but he just doesnt accomplish it for sme reason……So if he does have a bad season this year i ratha trade him for a first rounder and get a big name fuard with that….So we can make are o-line that much better,So it dont matter what running back hitten the hole its always gonna be open for ous……

by lionel on Aug 19, 2008 12:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i understand

what you mean about ronnie needing to produce- but he was having a great year last year before going down. and it was a freak injury, not anything due to conditioning or work ethic…

and if you really want to trade him, i think you would be saying he’d better go now while he still has some value. if he does have a crap season, they won’t be able to give him away.

that said, the fins need ronnie- if only becuase there is no else out there who could possibly match what he’s capable of… and rickey looks good, but he’s far from a sure bet, and the two-headed back will be necessary if the fins really want to show a commitment to the running game.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Aug 19, 2008 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you listen to Sparano's press conferences last week

He wanted to figure out who would be “needed to start the game to be effective” and who could “provide energy off the bench” I think Ricky outperformed Ronnie in both roles thus far, but Sparano mentioned that in Game 1 Ricky seemed very antsy to get in the game… so I think he just decided that Ricky can start off as the workhorse and Ronnie an be worked in slowly especially because there is no need to rush a guy back w/ an ACL injury.

There’s been a study that shows that RBs following an ACL injury are 75% as effective interms of YPC the following year.. so I wouldnt even be opposed to shelving Ronnie till next year.

by YatilGinnJr on Aug 19, 2008 12:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think RB stays

until the latter part of the season when hes had time to show flashes of last year and some team who feels theyre a great back away from a ring decides to offer something too good to turn down.

I would be ok with an RB for AB trade with AZ on its surface but I have a feeling that DH and TG are going to serve some serious STFU juice this season.

I dont know that RB will always have season shortened injuries so keeping him and RW would be one hell of a combo in our backfield but I think it all comes down to who offers what but I think it better to wait until hes shown full recovery latter in the year.

by buttonmashersrhilarious on Aug 19, 2008 7:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs