Miami Dolphins: 6 Players Who Are on the Roster Bubble

The Miami Dolphins kick off their second preseason game tomorrow night against the Carolina Panthers.

While most of our eyes will be set on the likes of Chad Henne and Reggie Bush, there are a small group of players with far more to prove.

They are the underachievers of this year's camp—the players whose dreams might soon be shattered into bits and pieces. 

Currently, there are six notable names tinkering on the roster bubble. Unless they shine over the next three weeks, their bubbles are bound to be burst. 

Will Allen

Before Vontae Davis and Sean Smith arrived, Will Allen was Miami's de facto No. 1 cornerback. He locked-down opponents' top receivers for three seasons, including the Dolphins' 2008 playoff run. 

However, injuries have derailed Allen's career and have kept him sidelined for most of the past two seasons. Allen was supposed to return with a clean bill of health this summer and factor into the team's top three cornerback rotation, but he has been a ghost at training camp and did not appear in the Dolphins' first preseason game. 

Not only is Allen's health a glaring concern, but Benny Sapp has emerged as a viable nickelback option.

Unless he shines over the next few weeks, there is no reason for the Dolphins to keep Allen on the payroll.  

Lousaka Polite

One year after famously converting all of his third and fourth down short-yardage attempts, Lousaka Polite's play declined steeply. His yards per carry average dropped from 3.3 to 2.4 and he failed to provide the bulldozing blocker presence that helped make Miami's rushing attack so potent.

The Dolphins coaching staff has taken note, and rookie Charles Clay has chipped away at Polite's training camp workload. At this rate, it would be no surprise if the team decided to cut Polite in favor of Clay. 

Fullbacks are a dime a dozen in the NFL, and even though Polite has been a fixture in the 'Fins offense, there is a good chance he won't return for the 2011 season. 

John Jerry

During the 2010 NFL draft, the Dolphins spent a third-round pick on Ole Miss guard John Jerry.

At 6'5" and 328 pounds, he was coined a "humongous addition" by the Palm Beach Post and figured to step in right away on an aging Dolphins line.

However, Jerry was a huge liability in the rushing game and was replaced by Week 8.

Despite hopes that he would realize his potential after a year of experience, Jerry has shown no signs of progression.

The Dolphins moved Vernon Carey to right guard, which essentially destroys any chance that Jerry will see the field this season. If Nate Garner outplays Jerry in camp, then there is no reason for Miami to hold on to yet another failed draft pick. 

Kory Sheets

Kory Sheets has evolved into a mystery man.

Heralded as a running back with heaps of untapped potential, Sheets is still yet to convert any of the hype into on-field success. 

Hopes that he might breakout into a viable offensive threat were deflated after an underwhelming performance against the Falcons in Miami's preseason debut.

Unless Sheets starts making noise at camp and shows glimpses of NFL talent in these remaining exhibition games, the Dolphins might have no choice but to cut him. 

Frank Kearse

It's difficult to envision the Dolphins cutting a draft pick, but when a beat reporter says that he "couldn't even tell you what he looks like, or his number," it becomes a bit more plausible. 

While this regime has made more than their fair share of draft mistakes, they are quick to recognize their mishaps and promptly cut those failed projects (See: Pat White).

If Kearse continues to be a ghost at training camp, Miami will have little incentive to keep him onboard. 

Dan Carpenter

For most of his three-year career with the Miami Dolphins, kicker Dan Carpenter has been Mr. Automatic. He has recorded a career field goal percentage rate of 80.9 and even earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2009. 

However, Carpenter started to struggle towards the end of the 2010 season, spawning some mild concern that has seeped into the 2011 preseason.

In Miami's final five games, Carpenter missed six field goals, including four in a Week 15 loss to the Bills. His struggles continued against the Falcons last Friday when he missed his only field goal attempt, a 50-yard try. Granted, that is no chip shot, but Atlanta does play in a dome. 

This is the first year that the Dolphins didn't bring in competition for Carpenter, and the side affects were on display last weekend. If Carpenter's woes continue, he will be promptly replaced. 

Joe Berger

Last season, Tony Sparano embarked on his now-infamous offensive-line purge, replacing three synchronized and proven veterans with a trio of cast-offs. One of those cast-offs was center Joe Berger.

Berger played under Tony Sparano in Dallas, but the 'Fins coach clearly overestimated his lineman's abilities. Throughout the course of the 2010 season, Berger proved to be a serious downgrade, and his play prompted Miami to draft Mike Pouncey.

Berger is projected to make $1.5 million this season, and you have to wonder if there are cheaper backups with brighter upside on the free agent market.