MVN - Most Valuable Network

The Phish Tank is a sign of the Times

We were contacted by John Woods, an editor and Jets blogger with the New York Times.  He was interested in what Dolphins bloggers had to say about Sunday’s game, and we were more than happy to participate.

The Fifth Down blog wanted us to ask one question, and then answer it, and give a prediction.  Here’s what I said.

What does this game mean for both teams? Sunday’s game between the Jets and Dolphins means a lot to both teams, but for entirely different reasons. For Miami, it is the real beginning of a new era. The start of putting 1-15 behind it and forging a new path. It’s a chance to show how far the team has come in just one off-season, an extension of their 3-1 preseason. For the Jets, it’s the beginning of what might be one last shot, a glimpse of what an off-season of bringing in pricey free agents has yielded. It’s our first regular-season look at Brett Favre, minus the Packers. It’s the Jets’ chance to show they are contenders, and the Dolphins chance to show they have improved. Both teams have improved from dismal seasons last year. The game figures to be a close one, so my difference is the September heat in Miami, which the Dolphins have trained in more. Dolphins, 20-17.

To check out the other questions and predictions, check out the Fifth Down at http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/.

Feeling A Second Draft: Dolphins Add 3 to Roster, 5 to Practice Squad

The Dolphins did make some moves today, not quite as many as some expected, including myself.  And the 3 players the Dolphins brought on seem to jive with the idea that this was a second draft of sorts for Miami.  None of the 3 players have any regular season experience and are definitely being brought on for potential and what may have been seen during this preseason.  Thanks to MiamiDolphins.com for the 411 on these guys.

Center Andy Allenman was picked in the 3rd round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints.  He was inactive for 15 games and dressed but didn’t play in the 16th.  He’s a 6-4 310 pounder that played 2 years at Pittsburgh, playing in 24 games.  He then transferred to Akron where he started 24 games at right guard.  He adds depth to the center position.  Offensive lineman Trey Darilek was waived.

Tackle Nate Garner was a 7th round choice in the 2008 draft by the New York Jets, but didn’t make their final roster.  He lettered all 4 years at Arkansas, playing in 37 games and starting 14.  13 of those were in his senior season as the right tackle.  Linebacker Rob Ninkovich was waived.

WR Brandon London was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2007.  He spent the entire season on their practice squad, but caught 7 passes for 86 yards this preseason.  6-4 and 210 pounds, he played his college ball at UMass, grabbing 144 receptions for 1,991 yards and 15 TDs.  WR Anthony Armstrong, a surprise keep on the roster, was waived.

Miami also has 5/8 of their practice squad roster completed.  RB Lex Hilliard safely made it to the practice squad, as did CB Will Billingsley, WR Jayson Foster, OT Daren Heerspink, and TE Matthew Mulligan (guess he got a…oh never mind).

Not sure if Miami isn’t done yet or they just didn’t see much out there to nab.  It will be interesting to see if the 3 guys the Dolphins nabbed are upgrades over what the Fins let go.  Armstrong is eligible to go to the practice squad and likely will if he clears waivers.  Ninkovich and Darilek are not eligible for the practice squad and are thus goners.

A hint at the next possible move for the Dolphins.  Sources are saying the Patriots have released WR Chad Jackson.  The former Gator was a 1st round pick, just dealt with some injuries and then when he got healthy the Pats brought in Randy Moss.  Jackson could add some great talent to a shaky WR core and I really hope Miami signs him.  Jackson entered the league in 2006, so Miami has first dibs.  This is more than “I hope we sign him,” it’s “We BETTER snatch this guy up,”.

Chop Chop! Dolphins Cut 17, Final Roster Set

For many that play this game at its highest level, this is the hardest day of the year.  The league sets a couple of pre-cut days, mandating a few players get sliced off the roster to soften the blow of the big day.  But Cut Day is always rough anyway.

It’s rough on the coaches and executives, who have to choose to let guys go that they saw something in.  It’s obviously rough on the guys who get cut, who just a week from the regular season have to try to squeeze their way on to another roster or find work in other leagues.  It’s also rough on the players that get to stay, as not only do they have to sweat out the day, but see some guys they’ve been in the trenches with leave.

The Dolphins “only” had to cut 17 players, as they had made their roster smaller than necessary with previous cuts and trades.  These 17 players were asked to turn in their playbooks on Saturday.

CB Will Billingsley
LB Titus Brown
S Courtney Bryan
C Mike Byrne
WR Jayson Foster
LB Maurice Fountain
LB Junior Glymph
T Daren Heerspink
RB Lex Hilliard
FB Reagan Mauia
LB Edmond Miles
TE Matthew Mulligan
LB Kelly Poppinga
G/T Pedro Sosa
C Matt Spanos
DT Anthony Toribio
TE Justin Peelle (contract terminated)

The two names that jump out are Junior Glymph and Reagan Mauia.  Glymph made some plays in camp and preseason, just not enough.  Mauia had catching issues that elevated Boomer Grigsby to the starter and only FB kept status.  Miami now has until tomorrow to put together an 8-man Practice Squad.  RB Lex Hilliard is likely a lock to end up there.  Peelle was a close decision, but his $1.3 million salary got him the axe with the contract termination.  But don’t worry about him, as he’ll get snatched up fast by another team.

So, the current 53 man roster is the one that will face the Jets, right?  HAH.  Miami is the one team where even the guys that made the list can’t breathe easy.  Miami now enters a second draft of sorts, since their 1-15 NFL Worst record last year allows them first dibs on any cut player with less than 4 years experience.  It’s been said Miami may sign as many as 10 players, all “number 54s on a roster of 53″ to improve the depth of the roster.  The bottom half of this team might be 64s on most other squads.  Look for the Dolphins to be very busy tomorrow.

Faithful Tankers, what do you think?  Is there a guy on that list that should have made the active roster?  A guy on the list of 53 that should have hit the streets?  What cut players should Miami go after?  Leave a comment, let the world know!

He’s a Traveling Man: Dolphins Get Another Draft Pick, send McCown to Carolina

The time has come to ask the question.  Is the Triforce this good, or just lucky?
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