Miami Dolphins 2010 Training Camp: Final Report

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The Miami Dolphins finished their last workout of training camp on Thursday and there was a major scare in the morning as Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post reported that Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long had left the team's morning practice with an apparent right leg injury.  

Thankfully, Volin and Omar Kelly of the Florida Sun-Sentinel followed up with coach Tony Sparano and Long was only suffering from cramps. 

Miami can not afford a serious injury to Long, especially given the already weakened state of its offensive line (Nate Garner is out at least eight weeks due to a foot injury and rookie John Jerry is battling a sore knee).

If you read my postgame coverage of the Dolphins first preseason game,you could guess that the writing was on the wall for Ryan Grice-Mullen, who was released this week (See the following link (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/436116-miami-dolphins-preseason-game-1-coachs-review-of-the-game)

The following slides will briefly describe some other recent developments:

 

Randy Thomas

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Due to the aforementioned injuries to Garner and Jerry, Miami brought in a familiar face to bring depth back to the offensive line.  Former New York Jet and Washington Redskin guard Randy Thomas was signed to a one-year contract by the Dolphins.

Considering Bill Parcells originally drafted Thomas in the second round of the 1999 draft, its not surprising the grizzled vet was brought on board.

Thomas suffered a major triceps injury last September ending his season. Whether he can come back to have an impact for Miami is highly questionable, but he has started all 143 games that he has played in his 11-year career. 

Thomas went right in with the Dolphins second team upon his arrival, so his presence can not be dismissed as simply another desperation pickup.

Update: According to reports, Thomas won't play much this Saturday because he is predictably behind having just joined the team.

Pat White

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The end appears to be near on the Pat White experiment.  The most recent clues that the former Mountaineer is no longer in Miami's plans has been his lack of preseason game time. 

Against Tampa Bay, White went in to kneel on the football at the end of the game despite an original plan for him to see at least a quarter of action.

On Thursday, he wasn't even mentioned in the quarterback plans for this Saturday's second preseason game against Jacksonville. Chad Henne is scheduled to play up to a half and Tyler Thigpen will finish the game.

Considering Chad Pennington is considered to be serving as a mentor/"coach" and is being held out of the preseason to preserve his health, there would appear be no logical reason not to play White in the preseason-unless the Dolphins have lost complete faith in him.

At this point, its hard to imagine White surviving the upcoming first round of cuts.

The Young Bucks

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Don't make any mistake about it.  Miami is committed to the youth movement.  Despite the signing of Randy Thomas, the Dolphins are spending the majority of time determining whether they can count on youth in place of experience.

With Will Allen out the rest of the preseason due to arthroscopic knee injury, the Dolphins are taking a long look at rookie Nolan Carroll and second year player Nate Ness (pictured).  Carroll's development is well known to many Dolphin fans at this point, but Ness made several plays at the end of the Dolphins' preseason game to warrant a further look.

Ness' versatility to play safety if needed could earn him a spot on the 53 man roster if he can continue his progress against the Jaguars.

Considering I had Ness marked down as a definite roster cut along with wide receivers Marlon Moore and Roberto Wallace before training camp started, I am secretly (well not so secretly now) pulling for a couple of these underdogs to make the opening day roster.

Ricky Williams and The Sticky Note

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Keep the jokes to yourself.  Ever since Bill Parcells reportedly secured the services of Ricky Williams for 2010 by sending a "sticky note" to the veteran running back before practice last season, observers have wondered how Williams, now represented by Drew Rosenhaus, would go about a future contract.

Considering, Williams just declared that he wants a one-year extension to play in 2011, Post-it® , a registered trademark of 3M has a huge marketing idea to capitalize on.

Williams rushed for 1,121 yards last season on 241 carries (4.7 yards per carry) and 11 touchdowns last season.

It will be interesting to see whether the Dolphins sign Williams to an extension, and if so, for how much money.

Tilt Vs. Jaguars Will Be Key For The Fringe

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Obviously, Dolphins coaches and fans want to see a much better effort by the first team in Saturday's preseason game against Jacksonville, but remember the third preseason game is the starters final dress-rehearsal for the regular season.

This game against the Jags should be more about the fringe players on the roster trying to make a last impression while they're still given the playing time to do so.

This is a night for Patrick Turner, Marlon Moore, and Roberto Wallace to determine that fifth wide receiver spot.

It might be the final game in the career of back-up middle linebackers Austin Spitler (pictured), J.D. Folsom, or Micah Johnson.

Lionel Dotson and Quentin Moses played well last week, but they might be down to their last plays in the teal and orange.

Tightend Kory Sperry would appear to be as good as gone, but will either Joey Haynos or John Nalbone do enough Saturday to convince the team to carry three tightends?

That's all from training camp folks.  More to come soon as the rest of the preseason progresses.