Depth Chart Bubble Watch: Vol. 2
You'll remember that last week I began a new weekly segment that would look at the Dolphins' depth chart in the same way analysts examined the NCAA Tournament leading up to the announcement of the field of 65. It's kind of a fun way to look at the roster and guess who might make the final 53-man roster based on whose stock might be rising/falling in camp, as well as a great conversation/debate starter.
You can see the first edition of this segment by clicking here.
The latest version of it is below after the jump, as well as some explanations regarding why I chose who I chose.

| 1st Team | 2nd Team | 3rd Team | |
| QB | Josh McCown | John Beck | Chad Henne |
| RB | Ronnie Brown | Ricky Williams | Jalen Parmele/Patrick Cobbs |
| FB | Boomer Grigsby | ||
| WR | Ted Ginn | Greg Camarillo | Davone Bess |
| WR | Ernest Wilford | Derek Hagan | |
| TE | Anthony Fasano | David Martin | Sean Ryan |
| LT | Jake Long | Ike Ndukwe | |
| LG | Justin Smiley | Shawn Murphy | |
| C | Samson Satele | Steve McKinney | |
| RG | Donald Thomas | Trey Darilek | |
| RT | Vernon Carey | ||
| 1st Team | 2nd Team | 3rd Team | |
| DE | Vonnie Holliday | Phillip Merling | |
| NT | Jason Ferguson | Paul Soliai | |
| DE | Matt Roth | Kendall Langford | Randy Starks |
| OLB | Charlie Anderson | Quentin Moses | |
| ILB | Channing Crowder | Edmond Miles | |
| ILB | Akin Ayodele | Reggie Torbor | |
| OLB | Joey Porter | Junior Glymph | |
| CB | Will Allen | Travis Daniels | Joey Thomas |
| CB | Andre Goodman | Nate Jones | |
| 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: Renaldo Hill, Patrick Cobbs, Edmond Miles, Joey Thomas, Junior Glymph
First 5 Off: Jayson Foster, Justin Peelle, Rob Ninkovich, Dan Carpenter, Reagan Mauia
Next 5 Off: Lex Hilliard, Lionel Dotson, Daren Heerspink, Rod Wright, David Kircus
First thing to note is that for the 2nd week in a row, I have Lehan listed on the PUP list. Until he shows that he can practice and play, that's where I'll keep him. Once he does return, the two that should be worried are Renaldo Hill and Joey Thomas, as it's likely that one of them will lose their roster spot to Lehan. Special teams could be the deciding factor there.
Also, you'll notice I have both Parmele and Cobbs making the team. I just listed them both as 3rd teamers because I didn't want to make a column for just one player listed as a 4th teamer. In reality, I think Parmele will be the actual #3 RB while Cobbs makes the team because of his effort and special teams play.
Next, I'm sure many will disagree with me leaving Jayson Foster off of the roster and keeping Davone Bess on it. But the bottom line is that Bess is a better overall receiver than Foster is. And if the Dolphins leave Bess unprotected and attempt to place him on the practice squad, a WR-hungry team like Kansas City, Chicago, or Minnesota could snatch him up onto their 53-man roster. Foster is probably a little less likely to be placed on an active roster.
But if you insist on Foster making the team, I think the Dolphins could create a roster spot to keep both he and Bess. Keeping 6 receivers is rare, but it could potentially happen if this staff is that enamored with Foster's speed and quickness. Potential positions to create an extra roster spot would be cutting a safety and only keeping 4 (likely Renaldo Hill right now). Another option, if this staff likes what they see out of the Vonnie Holliday/Matt Roth outside linebacker experiment, would be to take away an OLB roster spot (Junior Glymph: beware).
One other thing to keep an eye on is the kicker battle. Feely's roster spot is not as safe as I originally thought. I have Carpenter listed as one of the final cuts, but if he impresses in the preseason, he could unseat Feely as Miami's kicker. The only thing I'd worry about is how risky it is to have a rookie as your kicker in this league, especially playing in cities like Foxboro, East Rutherford, and Buffalo each year.
So that's all for now. Thoughts?
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One thing I forgot
As far as the QBs go, until I see them play with my own eyes in the preseason, I’m leaving them listed in order of seniority.
by Matty I on Aug 7, 2008 12:18 AM EDT 0 recs
starting to look better
I guess as camp shakes out we are getting a better feel as to which players will make the roster…
I agree with you, I think cobbs is a lock, but I think they might try to stash parmelee on the practice squad.
letting them go with 4 TE’s, which they may want if they stick with the plan to run a lot of 2 TE sets?
I like carpenter making the team. BP hates kickers and one who likes to talk, well…., let alone one who was dumped by one of BP’s boys.
i’ve swtiched, I think mauia is going to make the team for his blocking because a couple of guys have become good special teams players which diminishes grigsby’s benifits?
and OL is where we will see 2 or 3 roster cuts brought in. I see Nudkwe going in that wave…
by W NY Fins Fan on Aug 7, 2008 12:43 AM EDT 0 recs
Second Week Bubble Watch
I like your second week chart much better. I would suggest that Matt Roth and Quentin Moses switch positions and that you do add Jayson Foster for KO and P returns.
by Samdolphin on Aug 7, 2008 12:46 AM EDT 0 recs
oops
I forgot that… I think foster’s a likely an ‘on’ guy… but who do you take out? bess? (my pick-since I don’t think he does special teams? – which is required of the bottom of the roster)
by W NY Fins Fan on
Aug 7, 2008 12:56 AM EDT
up
0 recs
Flip Hagan and Wilford
Hilliard stays. His size, speed and hard nose make him a much better special teams player. Plus he’s had a pretty good camp from most accounts.
David Martin is a goner and I will toast his demise. So will John Beck. Martin nearly got him killed last year.
Also Langford won’t be moved by Roth if #98 ends up back on the line. Langford is going to be the big story of this draft. (In the spirit of the times I figured I’d go out on a limb).
www.thephinisher.com
by The Phinisher on Aug 7, 2008 11:53 AM EDT 0 recs
Good Work Matty!
As you know, I’m a Jayson Foster fan, so I would put him on the roster and gamble that Davone Bess makes it to the practice squad (after all he went undrafted and he is only 5-10 190).
I’d keep six RB/FB since Lex Hilliard is a hybrid RB/FB and Ronnie Brown could play some fullback as well (Ricky and Ronnie backfield anyone?) Patrick Cobbs has made the team and is probably a wise choice to keep around in case Ricky gets pulled back to the dark (weed) side. In fact, I’d rather cut McCown and keep Patrick Cobbs. Jayson Foster could always be your emergency QB.
I big difference I would make is dropping Travis Daniels (has he shown anything besides dropping interceptions right at him and he is SLOW). I’d take Chris Roberson (4.36 speed and playmaking ability) or Wil Billingsley instead.
Cut Renaldo HIll and Travis Daniels and put Roberson and Billingsley on (Billingsley has experience as a safety and is also FAST).
by DolphDallas on Aug 7, 2008 4:03 PM EDT 0 recs
how things change
Matty
I guess even you, will now have to put Beck on the bubble with McCown… sheesh 11.5 million for 2 years for a guy a team benched last year, and just cut!!!
how things change and yet they stay the same.
by W NY Fins Fan on Aug 8, 2008 10:49 PM EDT 0 recs











