This is always a challenge, every year. There will be guys added from other teams to the bottom of the roster, so this is a near impossible task. But I'll give it a shot, you are welcome to do the same :wink2: The names in red should keep their stuff in boxes for a few weeks. They are bubble guys, for sure.
Quarterback (2)
Fairly simple here. I reckon we'll add another to the PS, and that guy is not currently on the team.
[TABLE="width: 192"]
[TR]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]Moore, Matt[/TD]
[TD]QB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]17[/TD]
[TD]Tannehill, Ryan[/TD]
[TD]QB[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Running Back (4)
Also, fairly straightforward. Nothing earth shattering.
[TABLE="width: 192"]
[TR]
[TD]33[/TD]
[TD]Ajayi, Jay[/TD]
[TD]RB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]27[/TD]
[TD]James, LaMichael[/TD]
[TD]RB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]26[/TD]
[TD]Miller, Lamar[/TD]
[TD]RB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]34[/TD]
[TD]Williams, Damien[/TD]
[TD]RB[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Tight End (3)
This is where it gets tough. The first two are easy. Could make a case for any of the other guys to be that #3. I've heard that Semisch was working as a backup snapper. And I saw him play on special teams last night (with mixed results). I'm going to pencil him in, but he's a bubble guy.
[TABLE="width: 192"]
[TR]
[TD]84[/TD]
[TD]Cameron, Jordan[/TD]
[TD]TE[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]82[/TD]
[TD]Semisch, Tim[/TD]
[TD]TE[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]80[/TD]
[TD]Sims, Dion[/TD]
[TD]TE[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Wide Receiver (6)
One of the deepest positions on the team. Five guys are well secure. If we keep six, I'm going with Hazel. IMO, there is no way we trade Matthews. Not after the TD catch last night.
[TABLE="width: 221"]
[TR]
[TD]83[/TD]
[TD]Hazel, Matt[/TD]
[TD]WR[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]85[/TD]
[TD]Jennings, Greg[/TD]
[TD]WR[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]14[/TD]
[TD]Landry, Jarvis[/TD]
[TD]WR[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]18[/TD]
[TD]Matthews, Rishard[/TD]
[TD]WR[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11[/TD]
[TD]Parker, DeVante[/TD]
[TD]WR[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]Stills, Kenny[/TD]
[TD]WR[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Offensive Line (8)
This was actually more straightforward than I thought it was going to be. They won't keep less than 8. If they keep more, a guy like Linkenbach or McClendon stand a chance. Although, this is certainly an area where they could go outside to another team for at least one maybe two guys. Keep an eye on Carolina and their Oline. After spending a week of practicing against them, the Dolphins have plenty of tape on those guys. And our system is similar.
[TABLE="width: 192"]
[TR]
[TD]71[/TD]
[TD]Albert, Branden[/TD]
[TD]T[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]74[/TD]
[TD]Fox, Jason[/TD]
[TD]T[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]70[/TD]
[TD]James, Ja'Wuan[/TD]
[TD]T[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]75[/TD]
[TD]Douglas, Jamil[/TD]
[TD]G[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]63[/TD]
[TD]Thomas, Dallas[/TD]
[TD]G[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]77[/TD]
[TD]Turner, Billy[/TD]
[TD]G[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]65[/TD]
[TD]Brenner, Sam[/TD]
[TD]C[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]51[/TD]
[TD]Pouncey, Mike[/TD]
[TD]C[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Defenisve Line (9)
Deep at the tackle spot. Not as deep as we think at DE.
[TABLE="width: 192"]
[TR]
[TD]78[/TD]
[TD]Fede, Terrence[/TD]
[TD]DE[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]79[/TD]
[TD]Shelby, Derrick[/TD]
[TD]DE[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]50[/TD]
[TD]Vernon, Olivier[/TD]
[TD]DE[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]91[/TD]
[TD]Wake, Cameron[/TD]
[TD]DE[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]96[/TD]
[TD]Francis, A.J.[/TD]
[TD]DT[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]76[/TD]
[TD]Johnson, Anthony[/TD]
[TD]DT[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]90[/TD]
[TD]Mitchell, Earl[/TD]
[TD]DT[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]97[/TD]
[TD]Phillips, Jordan[/TD]
[TD]DT[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]93[/TD]
[TD]Suh, Ndamukong[/TD]
[TD]DT[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Linebacker (6)
Could easily keep a 7th guy for depth (Hull or Paysinger). But I reckon these 6 are very safe.
[TABLE="width: 192"]
[TR]
[TD]53[/TD]
[TD]Jenkins, Jelani[/TD]
[TD]LB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]58[/TD]
[TD]McCain, Chris[/TD]
[TD]LB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]55[/TD]
[TD]Misi, Koa[/TD]
[TD]LB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]52[/TD]
[TD]Sheppard, Kelvin[/TD]
[TD]LB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]57[/TD]
[TD]Tripp, Jordan[/TD]
[TD]LB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]49[/TD]
[TD]Vigil, Zach[/TD]
[TD]LB[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Cornerback (6)
Six might sound like a lot. But IMO, you really need to keep this many considering the youth and potential of this group. I almost kept Bowman as well.
[TABLE="width: 192"]
[TR]
[TD]29[/TD]
[TD]Davis, Will[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]21[/TD]
[TD]Grimes, Brent[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]36[/TD]
[TD]Lippett, Tony[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]28[/TD]
[TD]McCain, Bobby[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]24[/TD]
[TD]McCain, Brice[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]22[/TD]
[TD]Taylor, Jamar[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Safety (6)
Losing Delmas actually helped the rest of these guys' chances in making the team. Funny how that is. A guy like Kovacs or Don Jones. Certainly bubble guys. But due to their special team prowess, I'd keep them on the 53. For now.
[TABLE="width: 192"]
[TR]
[TD]35[/TD]
[TD]Aikens, Walt[/TD]
[TD]S[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]38[/TD]
[TD]Jones, Don[/TD]
[TD]S[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]20[/TD]
[TD]Jones, Reshad[/TD]
[TD]S[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]44[/TD]
[TD]Kovacs, Jordan[/TD]
[TD]S[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]31[/TD]
[TD]Thomas, Michael[/TD]
[TD]S[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]41[/TD]
[TD]Thompson, Cedric[/TD]
[TD]S[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Specialists (3)
Here's where it gets really interesting. I'm seeing both kickers from last year as cuts. Brandon Fields has a $2.5m cap # in 2015 and a $4.3m cap # in 2016. By my unofficial count, the Dolphins can shave 2/3's of that cap off the books if they cut him now. Matt Darr is averaging 47.4 (to Brandon's 47) yards per punt in the preseason. If there's one thing that could save Fields, it's his ability to pin the ball inside the 20. He's very good at it. Darr was also holding on Franks' GW field goals yesterday, that shouldn't go unnoticed. Speaking of Franks, I'm keeping him over Sturgis. They are similar in terms of their FG ability. But it's their kickoffs that distinguishes Franks. He has kicked 4 out of 6 into the endzone for touchbacks. Sturgis just 3 out of 7. Small sample size, but we know Sturgis was 19th in total distance on his kicks last year and was 2nd to worst in average beginning field position by the opponent at 23.7. Only Nick Novak in San Diego was worse (at 25 yard line).
[TABLE="width: 192"]
[TR]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]Darr, Matt[/TD]
[TD]P[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]Franks, Andrew[/TD]
[TD]K[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]92[/TD]
[TD]Denney, John[/TD]
[TD]LS[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Summary
Pretty big disparity between offense and defense in terms of #s kept. I've got 23 on offense but 27 on defense. In hindsight, that's quite a gap. But I'm going to keep it that way. It is what it is. You can't go into this thing so rigid that you have to cut good players (on defense) because you don't have enough quality on the offensive side of the ball. The defense has lacked depth the last few years, wearing down at the end of the season. These guys are on play counts and you need your subs to take some of the load off the starters, especially on the defensive line.
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Bpk and Phins_Fan_87 like this.
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I dont see Davis making the team..Grimes..Taylor..Mccain..Mccain..lippett.
Thinking about freeman quite honestly, moore is just playing dumb..
im hoping we can find some oline depth after all the cuts, I think we'll need 9 no?
When is kelvin shepperd gonna make a solo tackle. -
Good list.
The only differences I see is, I'm thinking Stoneburner makes the 53 at TE with Semisch going to the practice squad. Also, I could see the team keeping CJ Mosely over Anthony Johnson at DT. Lastly, I'm not convinced Darr unseats Brandon Fields. It's a good point about Fields' salary, but I don't know if a $2.5 million salary is enough to cut a pro bowl guy, even at punter. Next year, I'd expect them to renegotiate or cut him. This year, I think he's safe. I can definitely see Sturgis getting cut. In fact, I'm sorta expecting it.Tin Indian, Bpk and Paul 13 like this. -
I think we carry more than 8 OL on the final 53.
Branden Albert & Jason Fox are currently out, and may not be ready for week 1. And I think we carry more than 6 active OL going into week 1.
If anything, I think we'll only carry 2 TEs on the final 53, and stash 2-3 TEs on the practice squad. -
If this Franks kid beats out sturgis man will that be a punch in the gut of ireland, former kicker turned gm, drafts a kicker, then hickey comes in revamps everything including finding a kicker from ITT Tech.PhinFan1968 and Larry Little like this.
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QB - Tannehill, Moore
RB - Miller, Williams, L. James, Ajayi
WR - Stills, Landry, Jennings, Parker Matthews, Hazel
TE - Cameron, Sims, Semisch
OL - Albert, D. Thomas, Pouncey, Turner, J. James, Fox, Douglas, Brenner, McClendon
DL - Wake, Suh, Mitchell, Vernon, Shelby, Mosley, Phillips, Fede, Francis
LB - Jenkins, Sheppard, Misi, McCain, Vigil, Paysinger
CB - Grimes, Taylor, Br. McCain, Bo. McCain, Lippett, Bowman
S - R. Jones, Aikens, M. Thomas, Thompson, D. Jones
ST - Franks, Fields, Denney
Those in italics are guys that are on the bubble. I think both Zack Bowman and Don Jones make it due to their prowess on special teams. Bowman in particular has been pretty good in preseason. As has Spencer Paysinger. On the O-line, I see Miami keeping one of the two between Brenner and McClendon and going shopping for a 9th player. Miami historically hasn't kept a 6th receiver and personally, I don't think Matt Hazel is roster-worthy; not with the group Miami has in front of him. I'd rather see his spot go to a 3rd quarterback, particularly Matt Barkley if he shakes free from Philadelphia. That's a better long-term value. I'm also assuming that Jordan Tripp gets put on the short-term IR and will be back at some point.
Pieces Miami ought to look for after next week:
3rd QB, if applicable (i.e. Barkley)
3rd TE - Stoneburner and Semisch aren't that impressive though I could see Semisch as a PS candidate. (Bring back the Gator!)
OL - in particular a swing tackle (Fox, injury/concussion issues)
LB - a veteran with ability to play multiple positions if Paysinger is cut.
DB - if a solid special teamer is available and/or perimeter CB. Hard to see Will Davis sticking even if he's got an ally in Coyle.
K - I'd hope they make the call to go with Franks over Sturgis, but I'd still pound the pavement.PhinFan1968 and Paul 13 like this. -
Biggtyme13 Season Ticket Holder Club Member
As a Phins fan from Upstate New York I take offense to this ITT Tech comment. RPI is one of the top engineering schools in the country and play in the second oldest college football rivalry games. Patriots DC Matt Patricia also started his coaching career there as a grad assistant in 1996. Just thought I would give a little insight on where he was from and based on this I hope he makes the team!:lol:Paul 13 likes this. -
Nice post! My edits would be...
Stoneburner over Semisch
Mosley over Johnson
Add Hull
Subtract Will Davis, add Bowman
Subtract Kovacs
Add +1 pickup from other teams cuts (Hopefully on OL) and one later cut by us
Paul 13 likes this. -
This.