FanPost

The 2012 Miami Dolphins Off-season Roster Tracker: Week 2/4

Welcome to another edition of Miami Dolphins Roster Tracker!

The preseason is officially halfway underway and while some positions are starting to take their final resting place, others are only getting more heated. Overall, there wasn't too many bright spots to take from the Panthers game. Perhaps, Carolina was looking for revenge from last year's preseason beatdown. Although Tannehill's 11/23 line brought him a bit down to earth, I think fans were more worried from play from our linebackers, offensive line and (lack thereof) running game. Yet, no major injuries occured, which is ALWAYS a positive. Let's see how it effects some players in this week's Roster Tracker below... for a breakdown of how this post is organized read up here.

The players will be separated in the following categories after the jump:

  • BLUE CHIP- The cream of the crop; these guys are within the best 10 players at their position in the entire NFL. Pro-bowl caliber players who would be elite performers on any NFL roster.
  • RED CHIP- These are your studs. Typically the play-makers on your team who are in the TOP 15 players at their position in the entire NFL. These guys can easily make the pro-bowl with a good season, and would be starters on almost EVERY team in the league.
  • UPPER ECHELON- this group is made up of solid players who are made of consistent veterans or young guys who can easily be the future and turn into a RED or BLUE CHIP player in the following years. These players are major assets to your team and their leadership as starters is crucial for your team's overall success.
  • Starters- These guys will start at their position. However, their play dictates if they can move up into any of the (3) top categories, or ultimately move down to a reserve role, or worse. Ultimately, solid, unspectacular play will keep them in this category unless they play poorly.
  • Reserves- These guys are poised to make the team. These players may have a certain skill set that allows them to be solid depth to the starters. However, just like the starters, good play could warrant them increased playing time, while poor play may have them packing their bags.
  • On The Cusp- Players who are grinding for a chance to be a Miami Dolphin. Most likely will not be looking for a starting position, but will have to bust their ass in order to become a reserve. A few big plays in practice or a preseason game could be the difference.
  • Happy Trails- Training Camp Fillers. Players in this spot are doubtful to make the roster. These players will have to work effortlessly just to move into the position to be considered for a final roster spot. May end up on the practice squad. PLAYERS ALREADY RELEASED WILL BE CROSSED OUT.


PLAYER POOL-

Players below are placed on how they stand at this very instant. Players marked with a stock arrow, either up ( ^ ) or down ( v ), dictates where they stand after their recent performances or 'lack' of play. (+) indicates a recent injury concern; these players may not have played in the last preseason game or have sat out multiple sessions of training camp.

-BLUE CHIP-


Jake Long

Cameron Wake (+)

Brandon Fields

-RED CHIP-


Mike Pouncey

Karlos Dansby (+)

Paul Soliai

Reggie Bush

Dan Carpenter

-UPPER ECHELON-


Davone Bess

Kevin Burnett (+)

Vontae Davis ( v )

Richie Incognito

Jared Odrick

Randy Starks

Sean Smith ( ^ )

-Starters-


Charles Clay ( ^ )

Koa Misi

Chris Clemons

John Denney

Anthony Fasano ( ^ )

Reshad Jones

Jorvorskie Lane ( ^ )

Richard Marshall (FA)

Jonathan Martin (R) ( v )

Legedu Naanee (FA)

Ryan Tannehill (R) ( ^ )

-Reserves-


Tyrone Culver

Pat Devlin ( ^ )

Michael Egnew (R) ( v )

Nate Garner

Brian Hartline ( v ) (+)

Artis Hicks (FA)

Tony McDaniel (+)

Lamar Miller (R)

Matt Moore ( v )

Lyndon Murtha

Julius Pruitt

Kheeston Randall (R)

Derrick Shelby ( ^ )

Steve Slaton

Eric Steinbach (FA)

Daniel Thomas

Jason Trusnik

Olivier Vernon (R)

Roberto Wallace

Jimmy Wilson

-On The Cusp-


Ryan Baker

Les Brown (R) ( v )

Chandler Burden (R)

Nolan Carroll

BJ Cunningham (R)

Jeff Fuller (R) ( ^ )

David Garrard (FA) ( v ) (+)

Chris Hogan (R) ( ^ )

Josh Kaddu (R)

Josh Linam

Jeron Mastrud

Rishard Mathews (R) ( ^ )

Marlon Moore

Austin Spitler

Marcus Thigpen ( ^ )

Jamaal Westerman (FA)

-Happy Trails (Released or Practice Squad)-


Ray Feinga

Clyde Gates

Jonas Gray (+)

John Jerry ( v )

Chad Johnson

Tyrell Johnson

Ryan Mahaffey

Kelcie McCray (+)

Jerome Messam

Will Yeatman

ANALYSIS:


Has Miami ever had a wilder week at the QB position then in the last two weeks? The position has shuffled from 3 starters, finally ending today. Ryan Tannehill has been granted the position of Week 1 starter by head coach Joe Philbin. Matt Moore looks to be poised to the backup role, though David Garrard's status is uncertain as well. Pat Devlin looks to be the logical choice for #3 QB behind either Moore or Garrard, unless he is stashed on the practice squad.

As the QB position simplifies, the WR position only spirals deeper into confusion. Players continue to grind to make a name for themselves and us fans can only speculate on who seems to be the ones to stay or go by training camp progress, preseason game performances, AND (a bonus) on what commentary is provided on them during episodes of Hard Knocks. For example, before last week, Roberto Wallace seemed to have a solid grasp at a roster spot; however that was before the depth chart was released (Wallace was 4th), AND the branding of the nickname, "Ankle-weights" Wallace, appeared on HBO. Last Monday, Chris Hogan was a no-name camp body, who besides a few solid training camp sessions, looked as good as gone when the final 53 were to be named. However, Mr. "7-11" himself turned more than a few heads during Hard Knocks and became a local celebrity. Against Carolina, Wallace finished 1-11 and Hogan finished 3-30. In all, nobody besides for Davone Bess can truly say that that their job is 100% safe. After the departure of Johnson, there are a handful of guys trying to stay aboard.

STOCK UP:

Ryan Tannehill has officially been named the starting QB for Week 1. Anthony Fasano is the only TE who hasn't been put on blast on Hard Knocks. Jorvorskie Lane seems to have the starting FB position in sight after the team waived Ryan Mahaffey. Derrick Shelby is an undrafted rookie looking like a diamond in the rough. Chris Hogan and Sean Smith look great on TV, while Marcus Thigpen and Rishard Mathews had a solid game against Carolina.

STOCK DOWN:

I thought about it, but ultimately stoppedt myself from placing the ENTIRE Miami defense on this list after a below average performance against the Panthers. Many key injuries (especially at the LB position) really took a toll on how we looked defensively. Brian Hartline desperately needs to get healthy. Vontae Davis continues to slide as his ability to be a big play corner has not shown up thus far. Matt Moore has lost the starting job to Ryan Tannehill. Michael Egnew and Les Brown need to block better or they could both be gone. Jonathan Martin played like a rookie against an ELITE DE in Charles Johnson.

Since last week we have seen two players cut: FB Ryan Mahaffey and WR Chad Johnson.

In TOTAL, there are 46 guys above who fit in the top 5 categories and are best poised to make the team. That leaves the remaining guys in the remaining 2 categories, a total of 7 spots to fight over. Please vote in the poll, let me know your opinions below, or tell me how crazy I am if you disagree with me with any of this. Things are starting to shape up but still alot of turmoil awaits. This Friday's game vs. Atlanta will be the first where there is no battle for the starting QB position. Hopefully Tannehill gets into a rhythm against a solid defense and the rest of our team follows. I'm sure we'll have plenty more to talk about as well after tomorrow's episode of Hard Knocks!

-B

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Phinsider's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of The Phinsider writers or editors.