You (any Dolphin fan) has to feel good about all of the youth on the roster. If this draft is succesfull it will be one of the best two successive drafts the Dolphin's have ever had.

 

Here's a tentative depth chart if you want a look.

http://www.thephins.com/index.php/team/depth-chart/2009

 

Basically, the difference is...by and large....you'd slot rookies ahead of veterans.

We don't do that until they actually get to camp and we see them perform, where/what teams they're practicing with, etc. Or it's a Jake Long situation where an elite talent is stepping into a gaping hole. Until then, they're at or near the bottom of the barrel. Just like in the locker room. ;)

Turner is assured a roster spot, but that doesn't mean he'll start. Or even suit up on gameday. A year ago we all slotted Ernest Wilford as the starter. The point being, you're not going to play for this regime if you haven't earned the right.

Bess isn't going anywhere. He's too good and he can return kicks. Right now, today, he's probably (still) your starter. Camarillo's knee could land him on the PUP, and possibly get him cut thereafter if it's bad, which makes the Hartline pick interesting. But that could be more of an issue for Brandon London than Camarillo. Hartline is a very good special teamer. And he's pretty tall at 6-2.

I can't see Camarillo off this team unless his knee is really busted. He does a lot of things well and offers some semblance of veteran presence, which is sorely needed at the position.

6-8 Haynos played in seven games and caught a TD pass last year. How many have either of these guys caught? We even called an iso play for Haynos on 4th down (remember that fade route in the endzone?).

Martin is interesting. He really stepped up last year and played well. Played tough. I'd be surprised if he was let go. I think both of the rookies are longshots. One could end up on the practice squad, with an eye on 2010.

Which guys played last year? Our guard situation became awful and Shawn Murphy couldn't even dress. They were signing guys off the street midseason and they were getting on the field before him. He was what, the 8th guard on the roster? Those two could certainly get cut. But they actually played. Alleman started. Murphy and Gardner have a lot to prove.

Starks is entering his sixth year and was our best player against the run, according to KC Joyner's metrics. Actually, Starks was one of the best in the entire league, according to Joyner. And he did a really good job against Jason Brown when Ferguson and Soliai were out against Baltimore.

Starks is probably the best pass rusher among the defensive lineman too. But I agree that Merling should play a lot. He and Starks will probably be your interior guys on third down (again). Ideally we'll have a nice 2-down rotation at DE, possibly inclding Lionel Dotson, who they like.

Ok, I have to strongly disagree here. At least partially. :D

IMO, Jason Taylor is here.....today....as a situational pass rusher. He is not a starter at this moment. Now, I think he's probably still better against the run than Joey Porter. And he might still be a better overall player than Porter. We can't really gauge Taylor from last season. To me, Taylor is the more dynamic player. And I'd prefer him over Porter.

However, I would also question Porter's ability to handle not being a starter, especially considering his status as the team's mouthpiece and defensive leader, and the fact that his stat sheet says "17.5 sacks".

You also have to consider situational football. Which guy is better equipt to come off the bench on third downs? Taylor.

All that aside, I think Taylor is going to have to earn everything he's going to get this year. Including a starter spot on our depth chart! :lol:

This is probably the most interesting and unknown aspect of the team. I honestly don't know how they're going to handle this or what they've got in mind. But I can't wait to find out!

One thing I do feel strongly about is, there's no way in hell your starting linebackers are Jason Taylor and Joey Porter. You lose too much on first and second down. Taylor is not a strong side linebacker. And Joey is not very good against the run even on the weakside. We already tried this setup a bit in 2007 and it didn't work out so well.

IMO, between Porter, Taylor and Roth.....Roth has the firmest grasp on a starting job. According to Joyner, Roth was just behind Starks as a run defender. After that, there was a pretty good dropoff.

And OC's do gameplan for Roth. Specifically, they gameplan away from him. That's why you saw TE's motioning over to Porter's side pre-snap; so they could run at him rather than Roth.

As for Moses and George, broken record....but one guy has two NFL seasons and 19 games under his belt.

Again, Kershaw played last year. Folson is a 7th round rookie, which is essentially a free agent. Walden is a converted defensive end now playing the weakside. I'd honestly be shocked if he doesn't make the team. He's more of a lock than Charlie Anderson IMO.

I think you put too much faith into guys that have yet to put on a jock strap at the pro level. Looking back to 2006, would it have been wise to pencil in Jason Allen at safety? ;)

I think today, Eric Green is your starter opposite Will Allen. He's the experienced, physical veteran. Certainly the best player will start, rookie or otherwise. But cornerback is one of the toughest positions for a rookie to step into. Look at how good Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is in Arizona. And even he didn't beat out Green right away. And he didn't actually start until Green got hurt. My point is, no matter how great or talented the player, more often than not he doesn't start as a rookie cornerback. Not Sam Madison. Not Patrick Surtain.

I think Nathan Jones and Jason Allen are probably battling for one roster spot. And it probably will come down to special teams play.

Again, one guy has played for Tony Sparano. The other for Tommy Bowden. ;)

So I guess to be completely redundant, rookies have to earn it. :D

 

Ernest Wilford can come back to Jacksonville

 

No way in HELL is Devone Bess fighting for a roster spot.

 

lol..If you guys will take the salary I am sure he would be on the way shortly.

 

lol well if he is that low on your Depth Chart I see him getting cut pretty soon...so you guys can pay him and we'll sign him to something low :up:

Did you guys just draft Jason Allen with a 1st round pick like a year or two ago and now he is fighting for a Roster spot?

 

im pretty sure Cammy has alot more to worry about than Bess.

Hartline and Cammy are very similar and Greg is coming off a major knee injury.

 

If we could cut him NOW we would but that would count a hefty amount on our salary cap....trust me he is not here because he should be. He is a lazy POS.

 

I really hope when Camp starts we have like 5 WR's just really stand-out and make it an easy decision for the coaches. I would hate for them to all be able the same and make the coaches do a toss up decision.

 

Do you know where I could see some of his statistical breakdowns for free? I seached his name on-line and I think you have to pay for it. I am a statistical junkie and love read and analyze stuff like that.

Thanks in advance!

 

When he's best healthy Camarillo is our best receiver. Ginn had better numbers for the season but only because Camarillo was out. However we're so glutted with wide receivers that I could see us trading him. Ginn is coming into his 3rd year. Bess played really well for us last year and we have a ton of prospects. If enough of them look good in camp Camarillo becomes expendable and might be more valuable as trade bait.

 

I don't see Bess being on any kind of bubble. As of right now he's the starter and he even outperformed Cam once he got in. And while a third rounder is generally (not always) assured a roster spot, there's no way he's more secure than a 2nd year WR who averaged 5-6 receptions per game (once he started), plays STs, has had no injuries and is on a cheap UDFA contract.

 

Wow, you really think Gardner is a lock to make the roster ?? I'd say he's in the battle with every other OT to make this squad save for Long and Carey...

I also don't think JT will be the starting OLB....they will want to use him on about 40% of the plays so that he can be reserved for later in the year...I even see Porter getting some pine time earlier in the year as well....

Turner is a lock to make the squad, but proven players like Bess and Cammy aren't ??

With both Ricky and Ronnie set to be FAs next year, you really think Cobb is fighting for a spot ?? 3 running backs are customary with this regime...Hilliard and Kimble haven't done a thing to impress anyone to this point, I don't get that logic...

I also see Torbor on the proverbial bubble as well. Given his salary, age and performance so far here, Walden has just as good a shot imo...he only lacks experience to Torbor...

Tell me Red, is this your opinion or someone else's that you found?? It's not a big deal, I was just wondering your source...if it is your opinion, it's not bad, but there are a few (above) I might argue with...

 

i dont agree with your projection of bess as it pertains to his roster spot.

Ginn and bess are locks, cammy's staus is more uncertain then bess cause of his knee. after ginn and bess the rest is pure competition.

Ginn, Bess, Cammy, Turner, London, and hartline because his versatility, i think we go with those guys and try to hide hartline on the roster.

 

that stats Muck mentioned most likely came from this:
http://forums.thephins.com/showthread.php?t=31395&highlight=joyner

this was a radio show that Joyner did and talked specifically about a lot of fins metrics. check it out i think you'll like it

 

Did you guys have a OLB named Brent Hawkins on your roster last Training Camp?

 

As to Torbor, my thinking is that because of his performance here so far, which, at best, has been spotty, he'd be on the bubble...I was just asking if you had seen this in another article somewhere, like one of the blogs or whatever...I think you make some good points... It will be interesting to see who is going to be this years' Davon Bess or Donald Thomas...the guy that comes from nowhere and has an impact...

 

I agree on Gardner, in fact - i will go so far as to say that he 'could' push Carey at RT, based off of Carey's performance last year. Not saying he will win, but i see him as our #1 back-up T.

I really like Camarillo, but believe Bess really showed potential last year ... if it comes down to those 2 for a spot --- today, i would go with Bess. Turner only has out perform London and Wilford. Hartline has a more difficult challenge. Marion will probably be put on IR and get ready for next year.

barring some great performances at TC, i would say that at LB: JP, JT, and CC were guaranteed roster spots. Roth could help himself considerably, depending on his weight ... Ayodele is on thin ice ... but its thicker than Torbor's. The young guys will be given a great opportunity.

our depth at OL should be better this year .... and on the DL we are already decent.

i don't see Cobbs going anywhere - unless, White is viewed as an alternative (not as a RB mind you) ... but in the WP and 'change of pace' ... so, Hilliard or Kimble would definately be the 'heir' to the #2 RB for next year.

it would be disappointing if neither Smith or Davis wins the CB job opposite Allen, as i see both starting in '10. i think Green will do well in the nickel.

Martin did play better than expected last year ... but he is not safe ... we'll see what progress Haynos made, and whether Nalbone is ready this year to contribute. If Haynos is ready -- then Martin could very well be trade bait.

Camp trade bait (veterans):

Carey (not likely -- but possible, as well as in '10)
Camarillo, London, Wilford, and depending on Marion and some others (Ginn in '10)
Martin
Cobbs
Soliai, Wright
Roth, Ayodele, Torbor, Anderson, Moses
J. Allen,

These are merely players with experience, who might present some value to other teams due to injury, etc ... but also who might be out of a job post TC, dependant upon players growth or rookies potential.

 

I do think Gardner has real potential ... and i don't think the FO was especially pleased with Carey's performance last year ... it would be a very long shot -- and not likely, this year ... but i do see him as a strong candidate next year, depending upon his progress and Carey's performance this year.

Marion coming off the injury, somehow 'might' be able to go on IR, if he can't play this year -- this kid 'could' prove a threat to Ginn once he is fully recovered and healthy, but i don't see this until next year.

I don't view Wake as a 'lock' ... but do view him as the wildcard, as his progress will determine several other players futures during TC.

ILB was the most disappointing position coming off the draft and FA, since we did not invest much into it ... we added options at OLB, a la JT and Wake ... but did not improve on the inside. Knowing that Crowder is only average, and Ayodele is less -- well, not much to say, except - i guess you have to have a weakness somewhere ....

'trade bait' was probably the wrong term ... but i do view these as potential expendable pieces, that 'could' bring some picks next year -- especially, if another teams injuries make some moves a necessity.

i don't think we are looking to jettison anyone not named Wilford, as the FO views this as a talented group that 'can' go further than just make the playoffs - if all goes well.

 

agreed, we are woefully thin at all 3 positions: C (most thin), ILB (more thin), NT (Thin) as we do have some bodies that we could throw at NT ... but there would be huge drop-offs at C & ILB ...