We are now almost a week into training camp and even though it's still far too early to read into any developments just yet, it's always fun to speculate. So I figured it's time to bust out the second edition of the "depth chart bubble watch."
The idea behind it is simple - to put together a projected 53-man roster and to highlight which players I feel are on pace to just barely make the team and which just miss the cut. And it's important to note that this is not how I predict the roster will look once the preseason comes to a close. Instead, it's simply a snapshot that examines how Miami's 53-man roster might look if the cuts were to be done at this very moment.
The depth chart and some notes can be found below right after the jump...
1st Team | 2nd Team | 3rd Team | |
QB | Chad Pennington | Chad Henne | Pat White |
RB | Ronnie Brown | Ricky Williams | Patrick Cobbs |
FB | Lousaka Polite | ||
WR | Ted Ginn | Patrick Turner | Brandon London |
WR | Greg Camarillo | Davone Bess | Brian Hartline |
TE | Anthony Fasano | David Martin | Joey Haynos |
LT | Jake Long | Andrew Gardner | |
LG | Justin Smiley | Andy Alleman |
|
C | Jake Grove | Joe Berger | |
RG | Shawm Murphy |
Ike Ndukwe | Donald Thomas |
RT | Vernon Carey | ||
1st Team | 2nd Team | 3rd Team | |
DE | Kendall Langford | Randy Starks |
|
NT | Jason Ferguson | Paul Soliai | |
DE | Phillip Merling | Tony McDaniel | Lionel Dotson |
SOLB | Jason Taylor |
Matt Roth | Erik Walden |
ILB | Channing Crowder | ||
ILB | Akin Ayodele | Reggie Torbor | |
WOLB | Joey Porter | Cameron Wake |
|
CB | Will Allen | Vontae Davis | Jason Allen |
CB | Eric Green | Sean Smith | |
S | Yeremiah Bell | Chris Clemons | |
S | Gibril Wilson | Tyrone Culver | |
1st Team | 2nd Team | 3rd Team | |
K | Dan Carpenter | ||
P | Brandon Fields | ||
LS | John Denney |
Last 5 On: Jason Allen, Erik Walden, Joey Haynos, Brandon London, Andy Alleman
First 5 Off: Charlie Anderson, Nate Jones, Anthony Armstrong, Brandon Frye, Nate Garner
Next 5 Off: Ernest Wilford, William Kershaw, Tearrius George, John Nalbone, Rod Wright
Some notes on this, keeping in mind that this is very preliminary until at least some preseason takes place andwe get to see these "bubble" guys perform in a real game:
- I still don't think the Dolphins will keep 10 offensive linemen. But until we see Donald Thomas healthy and on the field fully participating, it's difficult to replace one of the guys I have on the team. Conceivably, Ike Ndukwe or Andy Alleman are on notice if Thomas gets back to where he was last year during camp. And if that's the case, look for the Dolphins to add another defensive linemen or linebacker to the roster.
- The linebacker race is a difficult one to handicap. But with Cameron Wake beginning to turn it on in practice, there's a good chance that Charlie Anderson and Erik Walden might be competing for one roster spot. If that's the case, special teams contributions will play a big role. Both are good special teamers - but Walden is the better one of the two.
- If Andy Alleman can remain healthy, I think he makes this team. The coaches seem to be high on him and he can play either guard spot if necessary. But his back has been an issue in the past.
- Jason Allen and Nate Jones - here's the deal. Only one is making the team. I don't think they'll carry six corners - especially with how much they like safety Tyrone Culver and his coverage ability. Allen was the better special teams player last year, so he gets the nod...for now. But that could easily change if Allen doesn't buckle down and perform better. Luckily for him, he seemed to have a good day on Wednesday while Jones is yet to stand out.
- We may not have a "true #1 receiver" - but that's a very good group of six right there.