 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
News
|
|
 |
Dolphins 2009 Training Camp: Day 4 - Wed, Aug 5th |  | ||||||||
 |
| Home | News Wire | Roster | Depth Chart | Schedule | Links | |  |
||||||||
|
Share This Article:
Injury Reports | Future Schedule | My Comments | Related Links TODAY'S SUMMARY: The Dolphins held one practice on Wednesday at 2 o'clock in the afternoon in full pads. On offense, multi-purpose offensive lineman Joe Berger got to start with the first team at right guard in place of Shawn Murphy. While Berger is technically the backup center, it looks like the battle for starting right guard is far from over, despite Coach Sparano saying that the position was Shawn Murhpy's "to lose". Also, guard Donald Thomas finally participated in some team drills on Wednesday for the first time since he has returned to practice. Reports say he only got a few snaps and was manhandled on those, but at least he is getting back to doing some real work. On defense, Tony McDaniel - who was originally thought to be nose-tackle material - lined up with the first team defense at right defensive end in front of Phillip Merling for the second in a row. Just now, it still seems as though this is only temporary, but it is an interesting development. Backup safety Tyrone Culver also got a few reps in the starting secondary ahead of Yeremiah Bell, but that was not on every play and looks to just be verifying that he can take over if Bell goes down for some reason. On the field, Chad Pennington had a rough day, fumbling a snap, throwing two interceptions (to Eric Green and Vontae Davis) and getting "sacked" several times. Of course, defensive players are not allowed to actually knock the quarterbacks down, but Pennington would have been in real trouble if this had been an actual game. Matt Roth returned to working out on Wednesday, but is still not on the field and is not in pads. They're bringing him back slowly. The reports on the players are mixed, as always. I will not cover everything that was reported, but I will point out a few things, especially about the rookies and other new players. Pat Turner, Brian Hartline and Ted Ginn were mentioned in various reports as making some terrific catches. Turner had a 40 yard reception over Vontae Davis and Ted Ginn had a couple of good catches. Coach Tony Sparano praised both Turner and Hartline, saying that they were doing very well, but that they both have some learning to do and that they're not playing at full speed yet. QB Pat White struggled again. He doesn't seem to be making much progress in learning to run the offense and his throws are having trouble finding their targets. Vontae Davis had it a little rougher on Wednesday than he had previously. He let Pat Turner smoke him for a long reception and had a penalty called on him for grabbing a receiver's jersey and not letting go. Apparently Coach Sparano had a few words of "instruction" for Davis after that incident. While Coach Sparano also praised Brandon London for his work, there are no reports of any big plays by him on Wednesday. There was also no mention of Sean Smith. Cameron Wake is getting mixed reviews, considering who you read. Of course, without the freedom to actually hit the quarterback, it's hard to get a good feel for how he's doing, but the general consensus is that he is improving and starting to show some of the talent that made him such a force in the CFL. Jason Allen recovered a little on Wednesday, having a couple of pass breakups. But he's still not even the nickel back, with Nathan Jones taking that role.
Eric Green did record an interception on Wednesday and seemed to have a better day overall than he has been having. With Vontae Davis having a few problems and Sean Smith being quiet, Green may have risen a few points in the standings. Anthony Armstrong apparently had a nice 40 yard reception from Chad Pennington on one play and Brandon London was quiet. Assuming for the moment that Hartline is going to make the roster, Armstrong and London are fighting it out for the 6th receiver spot - which may not even exist, depending on the needs of the team. The move at right guard is probably not a big deal, but that position is probably the most uncertain on on the starting offense right now.
As previous reported, WR Brennon Marion was waived injured.
The only player still having issues is Matt Roth, who will begin conditioning.
There two practices scheduled for Thursday, one on Friday afternoon and the first scrimmage is scheduled for Saturday. The scrimmage is going to be very controlled, but will get as close to a game situation as they are willing to get right now.
I think it's important for folks to remember that just because a player lines up with the first team, that does not mean that he has won the starting job. Of course, the coaching staff wants the best players on the field, but they can't tell for sure if a player can start until he actually starts. And while lining up with the first team in training camp is not the same as starting a game, it is the next best thing. What this means for the team is that the coaching staff is committed, in a way that we haven't really seen in a long time, to giving new players a real shot at cracking the starting lineup. They are not just giving lip service to the idea - they are actually practicing it. One other thing worth emphasizing about these reports is that Coach Sparano will never slam a player in public, so you have to read between the lines of his comments to figure out who is doing well in his eyes and who is not. So just because Coach Sparano says nice things about a player does not mean that player is doing a great job or will be on the team in September. A case in point is Ernest Wilford. When asked about Wilford, Coach Sparano has always been very positive about him. But it would astonish me for Wilford to still be on the roster in September.
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
