Dolphins vs. Cowboys: 10 Players for Miami Fans to Watch

On Thursday Night the Dallas Cowboys come to Miami to take on the Dolphins in the final preseason game of the season for both teams.

For the starters, expect them to be in the game for about two series, then out, getting ready for their match up against New England on September 12th.

But for those who are on the fence of the team, expect plenty of extended looks.

God can we stop with the ridiculous list articles? Jesus, get out of Bleacher Report's pathetic little model.

Nope, sorry, we need the list to take a good look at the 10 players whom we will see plenty of come Thursday Night.

Of course since the game is going to be on tape delay in South Florida (11:30pm on WFOR CBS4 and 8:00pm Friday Night on WBFS TV33), by the time some Dolphins fans see these guys, many might already be out the door.

So let's take a look at another ridiculous list article. 

1. Reshad Jones/Chris Clemons

Now let me make this clear: none of these guys are in danger of being cut.

But I had to use both of them on the same slide because one has to do with the other, as you'd expect with two guys battling it out for a position on the team.

This will be the last chance for both to show what they're capable of prior to the season. While I still don't think a starter will be named immediately after the game (in fact, I could see Coach Sparano rotating both guys in and out to start the season), both guys should get a decent amount of playing time in order to finally decide who will be the starting strong safety for the Dolphins in 2011.

2. Nolan Carroll

With good depth at cornerback and roster spots on the final 53 needed for other positions, Carroll is going to have to perform at the best he has all preseason in order to make the roster.

Last year as a rookie Carroll showed some flashes; however, between a returning Will Allen, as well as highly regarded rookie Jimmy Wilson, Carroll has at times looked like he was lost in the shuffle this preseason. 

Wilson looks like a sure bet to make the team, and Allen is about 50 percent sure of coming back. But the other 50 percent is whether Carroll steps it up a notch.

3. Roberto Wallace

Currently as it stands, four out of five of the Dolphins wide receivers are Brandon Marshall, Brian Hartline, Davone Bess and Clyde Gates.

So now we have the battle for fifth between Roberto Wallace and Marlon Moore (whom we'll get to.)

Wallace has been solid this preseason; however, not quite enough to distance himself from Moore in any way. He would also help the Dolphins more on special teams than Moore.

Expect him to get a good amount of offensive plays on Thursday night, as he battles for the fifth receiver slot. 

4. Marlon Moore

Marlon Moore has had a very good preseason in his own right.

Thus far he's had five receptions for 80 yards. Better numbers than Roberto Wallace, whom he's competing against. 

Moore will most likely line up along side Wallace at times, with both possibly getting some playing time with Chad Henne still playing quarterback. 

While Wallace has the security of being a good special teams contributor, Moore has to dazzle on offense in order to claim that fifth spot and make the team. 

5. Phillip Merling

It's quite possible that the touchdown pictured, which came against the Jets during the 2008 season finale where the Dolphins clinched the AFC East title, is going to be the highlight of Merling's time in aqua and orange.

The Dolphins, stacked with plenty of depth up front on defense, will likely trade Merling, who still has decent value, instead of cutting him.

If the Dolphins plan on trading him, he's going to have to be showcased. So expect to see a lot of Phillip Merling on Thursday night.

6. Daniel Thomas

Daniel Thomas isn't fighting for a job. He's going to be the Dolphins' third down back while Reggie Bush takes over the every day load.

But he does need reps, and has had some with both the first and second tams. I don't see this changing against Dallas.

7. John Jerry

Now I expect Jerry to be cleaning out his locker in Davie come Friday morning; however, he most likely will get another chance to redeem himself against the Cowboys the night before. 

Jerry's 2011 preseason and training camp have been, well, disappointing. Unless he somehow becomes the right guard Miami expected him to be when they drafted him, he'll mainly be playing for a shot at being picked up somewhere else (insert joke about the Patriots picking him up and turning him into a Pro Bowler here).

But he will get that shot to play on Thursday, quite possibly his last shot with Miami.

8. Pat Devlin

Yes, that's Pat Devlin in college. He played for Penn State before transferring to Delaware. 

Devlin hasn't gotten too much time during the preseason, only playing a couple of series against the Falcons the first week.

But with Henne likely to play only in the first quarter, Devlin, as well as Kevin O'Connell, expect to both get some snaps as the Dolphins decide who their third string quarterback will be.

9. Tyrone Culver

The Dolphins signed former Lions, Panthers and Jaguars safety Gerald Alexander on Sunday.

He'll probably get minimal playing time considering he did just sign and all, but Tyrone Culver is on the list because it will be Culver more likely than not playing for his job. 

10. Larry Johnson

Larry Johnson was signed by Miami last week and had two carries for seven yards on Saturday night, automatically making him the best rusher on the Dolphins average wise (3.5 yards per carry).

On Thursday, Johnson expects to see more time, according to Dick Stockton's call-in interview on The "Armando and Amigo show" Wednesday morning.

I believe it. The Dolphins have to assess what they have at running back as far as depth going forward, and since Lex Hilliard looks to be guaranteed a spot on special teams, Johnson, the new guy in, will see a lot of carries.

I could easily put Nic Grigsby in there too. Consider him an honorable mention.

Thomas Galicia is a Miami Dolphins Featured Columnist. Follow him on twitter @thomasgalicia. For more of his opinions, visit www.thomasgalicia.com, nominated by CBSMiami.com for "Miami's Most Valuable Blogger" in the sports division.