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Two of the more interesting position battles remaining

Well we talked earlier about how some of the battles for starting jobs have been decided already.  But that doesn't mean there aren't any good battles remaining with 2 preseason games remaining.  So let's quickly talk about 2 of the more interesting ones.

SAFETY
Right now, the Dolphins currently have 6 safeties in camp: Yeremiah Bell, Jason Allen, Keith Davis, Chris Crocker, Renaldo Hill, and Courtney Bryan.  Bell is squarely locked in as the team's starting strong safety.  And Davis is very much locked in as Bell's backup - as well as being a key cog on special teams.

But over at free safety, things aren't quite as clear cut.  We all thought that Jason Allen would finally take that step this season and become at least a reliable free safety in this new defense that Paul Pasqualoni is installing.  However, over the past few days, Chris Crocker has actually been working with the 1st team defense in place of Allen.  What might this mean?  Possibly nothing.  But Tony Sparano does offer up this compliment of Crocker:

"I think Crocker probably has some of the best cover skills that we have back there at the safety position, which helps us from a flexibility standpoint."

Perhaps Crocker could come in on clear passing downs in place of Allen?  Maybe it's just a vote of confidence for Crocker in case he ever has to play in place of Allen due to injury?  Either way, this might be more of a positional battle than we originally thought.

And I haven't even brought up the two 3rd teamers (right now): Renaldo Hill and Courtney Bryan.  Bryan is likely a goner prior to September.  But Hill might not be.  The question here is if the Dolphins will want to keep 5 safeties on the roster.  And in the end, it could simply come down to the numbers game.

WIDE RECEIVER
It's likely that both Ted Ginn and Derek Hagan will end up as the team's starters come week one.  But outside of those 2 spots, it's anyone guess as to who makes the team and who doesn't - and in what pecking order.

Davone Bess worked out of the slot with the 1st team offense last week, but failed to really cement his spot.  Ernest Wilford, however, has been possibly the biggest disappointment in all of camp.  And Greg Camarillo has had his moments, but really hasn't done much to really make a case for himself.

So where does that leave us?  It leaves us with at least 3 roster spots that have to be filled - and possibly 4 depending on how the numbers break down.  And other than those 3 above, David Kircus is also in the mix for a spot on the 53-man roster.  He was the standout WR of the first preseason game, but was non-existent last week.  So that means at least 4 players are battling for 3 roster spots.  And we haven't even taken into consideration undrafted free agent Jayson Foster and former AFL receiver Anthony Armstrong.  Though it's probably likely that one of those two - Foster and Armstrong - are battling for a practice squad spot.

So who you got?  Right now, I'll say it's Wilford, Bess, and Kircus - in some order.

0 recs  |  Comment 16 comments

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I Think

Armstrong has shown something in the preseason.

I’m wondering if Wilford doesn’t get himself cut… It’s almost possible.

Foster stays on the practice squad. Bill Parcells likes the guy and recruited him on his own.

Kircus has shown more than the others in the game. Bess is clearly a clutch player in short yardage plays.

This is tough, Matty.

I want to see one more game before making this decision.

As of now I’d say it was Bess, Kircus and Wilford as well.

One more no-show from Wilfrod and he may find himself a goner.

www.thephinisher.com

by The Phinisher on Aug 20, 2008 12:39 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Easy decision

Wilford was brought in for his possession and red-zone threat(size) but when youre a receiver who catches with your body then that kinda takes away the height advantage you look for in the red zone and catching with your body simply isnt what “possession” type recievers do..“possession” type receivers go and get the ball wherever it may be and Wilford doesnt do that IMO so he gets the axe.

Armstrong is a burner and seems to catch whatever is thrown at him so I think hes a definite keeper.

When Camarillo isnt catching the ball hes knocking the piss out of a defender and blocking for his teamates so I dont know how you let him go becausehe plays hard until the whistle blows.

I think Bess wil be a great slot receiver because hes very quick and has great hands.

I like Kircus as the wildcard in all this because he leaves it all on the field but when I look at him I see stretchers and people kneeling down and saying a prayer…he plays with reckless abandonment and I love that.

That’s my picks but we will see.

by buttonmashersrhilarious on Aug 20, 2008 2:11 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

i agree with your picks

but i don’t think they will let Wilford go.

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Aug 20, 2008 2:14 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Probably not

but one of the many advantages of having a lot of Cap room and signing most players to smaller types of contracts is that if youre wrong you can simply say “oops,I was wrong”,cut your loses and move on.

I wouldnt like this to be a trend of course but concerning McCown and Wilford..I say you cut them and take your loses because anything short of a miracle turn around these two players are taking up valuable spots and this is no time for letting ego picks cloud sound judgement.

by buttonmashersrhilarious on Aug 20, 2008 3:22 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm with you...

Funny how Wilford was “supposed” to be clutch and he has a decent contract so we feel like no way he gets cut, but fact is he is sucking donkey dicks. If he is on the bottom of the depth chart according to how he plays, then he’s outta here in my book.
On the other hand, what’s up with Hagan being great in practice but sucking big manatee dicks in games? I’m guessing some other WRs will be brought in before the season starts.

by phranchise on Aug 20, 2008 4:47 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

If he is sucking donkey dicks, then i want him outta here PRONTO!!

Can imagine how much people would make fun of the Dolphins if this got out?
;)

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Aug 20, 2008 8:04 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

LMAO

Yeah..I mean to each his own and all that and if so chooses to adhere to the “gay lifestyle” then thats his business,regardless of my stance on that, but members of our Organization getting freaky with animals is simply taking it TOO far…ALL we need is P.E.T.A on our asses. :)

by buttonmashersrhilarious on Aug 20, 2008 9:01 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm going to have to agree

that we need to cut Wilford. I don’t think PIS really care about guaranteed money. They care more about results, so Wilford better step it up or pack it up.

I’d like to see Foster get another chance on returns. I also like Camarillo and Bess.

My picks:
Camirillo, Bess

Foster conditional if he shows us something on a gametime return. If not, Kircus makes the team and Foster makes PS.

Wilford = CUT

by joel311 on Aug 20, 2008 9:33 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Ronnie Brown Typically Starts Very Slow

Last year he looked bad in the preseason and mediocre in the first two games.

Maybe Wilfrod is a guy that starts slow too. We don’t know. Though he does seem to never do anything right. Unless your a donkey.

www.thephinisher.com

by The Phinisher on Aug 20, 2008 12:48 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Here's my picks

Starters – Hagan and Ginn, Bess in the slot.

Outta the remaining (Wilford, Camarillo, Kircus, Armstrong, Foster) I would say we probably keep Wilford and Kircus, with Foster a definite for practice squad (he plays multiple positions and has speed.) Wilford I think will get his shot this season, Parcells loves size on O, and that’s one think Ernest definitely has. I still think we could make a splash in FA next season with a receiver, if one is needed. Especially if ’09 is slated as Year 1 of the Henne Era, giving him a top-tier WR would only increase his chances.

http://miamiheattimes.blogspot.com/ A blog dedicated to the 2006 NBA Champs, The Miami Heat

by Little Nicky 21 on Aug 20, 2008 12:53 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Henne WILL have a # 1 top tier wr

his name is Ted Ginn ; )

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

by Aleta on Aug 20, 2008 4:03 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Starters: Ginn and Kircus

Backups: Armstrong, Bess, Foster
The key will be who can get open, and once getting open, who will catch the ball.
I see a lot of short accurate Pennington passes taken to the house by big time RAC.
Then when the defenses crowd the line to take away the slants and screens, Pennington hits the big play deep.

by DolphDallas on Aug 20, 2008 4:20 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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