1 of the better summary writeups from a nat'l news firm

[MDFINFAN]

This was a good summary of our off season..

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team/miami-dolphins/teamreport

OFFSEASON STANDOUT: Among the starters, a sculpted 235-pound running back Ronnie Brown has reduced his body fat and added several pounds of muscle. He seems over his 2007 knee surgery which hindered him during his first Pro Bowl season ever last year. He appears faster than ever and on the verge of his best season by far, especially with an improving offensive line. Young wide receiver Anthony Armstrong and third-year Ted Ginn Jr. drew raves during OTAs for their vastly improved route-running skills. The lightning-quick Armstrong, a former AFL star for the Dallas Desperados, torched nearly every defensive back in camp, and has moved up the depth chart into fourth place ahead of Brandon London.

Read for rest of write up.. but I do have to question Armstrong in 4th place, not sure about that.

 

[phinphan4life]

Thanks for the update MD. We're sure hearing a lot more about speed than in years past? Or is it just me?

 

[ckparrothead]

Very thorough and accurate. Surprisingly accurate for a national piece. They almost always get small details wrong, but this guy knew every little detail. I wish I knew who wrote it. It smells like a local...and not Omar Kelly, not Armando Salguero.

The part about Armstrong climbing to 4th on the depth chart might even be accurate. I had thought that Patrick Turner claimed that spot, but it could be that the team keeps the veterans ahead of the rookies for a while before bumping them. I will say that the way Sparano has talked about Armstrong reminds me a lot of the way he talked about Camarillo last year, and this time a year ago it was Camarillo that was coming onto the field with the first unit when they went to 4-WR sets. So, perhaps that's what Armstrong is doing and that is why the author said so.

There were some things in there that smelled especially valuable because they countered things we heard from different sources, and also seem to insinuate that they are based on extensive talks with players inside the locker room.

My best guess is that the masked author is Jeff Darlington. We never hear from the guy and I wish we did because I respect his opinion probably the most of the guys that follow the team. Though I like the new guy Berardino so far.

 

[Bta72dolphins]

Good story, but is a double edge sword as well. Armstrong almost taken every DB is good, but also makes you wonder how are the DB's are improving. i hope everyone is improving including are nonstarters. GO DOLPHINS!! GOD I wish training camp would start. Hope some people stayed and practice or comes early like Chad Henne did. I hope others follow his example.

 

[MDFINFAN]

Very thorough and accurate. Surprisingly accurate for a national piece. They almost always get small details wrong, but this guy knew every little detail. I wish I knew who wrote it. It smells like a local...and not Omar Kelly, not Armando Salguero.

The part about Armstrong climbing to 4th on the depth chart might even be accurate. I had thought that Patrick Turner claimed that spot, but it could be that the team keeps the veterans ahead of the rookies for a while before bumping them. I will say that the way Sparano has talked about Armstrong reminds me a lot of the way he talked about Camarillo last year, and this time a year ago it was Camarillo that was coming onto the field with the first unit when they went to 4-WR sets. So, perhaps that's what Armstrong is doing and that is why the author said so.

There were some things in there that smelled especially valuable because they countered things we heard from different sources, and also seem to insinuate that they are based on extensive talks with players inside the locker room.

My best guess is that the masked author is Jeff Darlington. We never hear from the guy and I wish we did because I respect his opinion probably the most of the guys that follow the team. Though I like the new guy Berardino so far.

I do think you're correct on Armstrong, he does have Sparano's attention..even when reporters aren't there..

Receiver Anthony Armstrong continues to impress. Nearly as fast as Ted Ginn, Armstrong has been wearing out some corners with the 9 route. He caught a long pass on one today over Eric Green. I asked Sparano if my observation was carrying over to practices when the media is not present.

"That has been the case," he said. "It's to the point where cornerbacks are trying to fin him a little bit now. I need to see that in a game. I need to see him take that from the practice field to the game."

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2009/06/saturday-morning-minicamp-practice-review.html

He's even being a redzone threat..

Two players really stood out to me during Friday morning's practice. Anthony Armstrong, who I'd swear is running with the second team, and Paul Soliai, who was productive at the line of scrimmage.

Armstrong caught the only touchdown during the red zone drill when he tip-toed a bullet from Chad Henne in the back of theLooking for Miami Dolphins information? FinHeaven has everything for the fan. We have message boards, up to date Miami Dolphins news, commentary, polls, stats, history, and more. end zone. I'm really starting to wonder if he can make the 53.

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2009/06/dolphins-minicamp-wrap-day-1.html

he's clearly up on the depth chart..

- 2007 practice squad receiver Anthony Armstrong is running with the second team.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-omar-twitter-minicamp2-061209,0,3214929.story

And he's defintely making a statement in OTA's and minicamp, even Sparano isn't ruling him out in terms of London.

Brandon London better watch his back because Anthony Armstrong is hunting down his spot on the 53-man roster. Right now I've got Ted Ginn Jr., Greg Camarillo, Davone Bess, Patrick Turner, Brian Hartline penciled in for five roster spots, and the sixth will likely come down to Armstrong (who is eligible for the practice squad again) and London, a top special teamer.

Armstrong, who everyone says is the second fastest player on the team, behind Ginn, is closing the gap. All he needs is a special teams role. As for London, Sparano warned he better know his lane.

"[That's] a position right now where I know there will be some hard decisions to be made. Reps and opportunities are really the biggest challenge. The opportunities that you have to make plays you need to make these plays," Sparano said.

For the record, London dropped a couple of passes that came his way this weekend. And believe me, very few passes came his way. Armstrong probably was second to Camarillo in terms of balls thrown per rep.

If Armstrong is making QB's feel that comfortable, man London. I don't know, now can Armstrong be an effective kick returner with that speed. Speaking of playing that position, he was in the mix.

Ted Ginn Jr., Anthony Armstrong, Davone Bess (who looks bigger in the upper body), Brennan Marion and Williams are presently working as the kickoff and punt return options. Nothing too sexy there. Exactly why didn't Brandon London get into this group?

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2009/05/summary-of-dolphins-ota-session.html

Now can Armstrong turn the OTA's and mini camps into a regular thing in TC, but OTA after OTA I've read..

One receiver that did flash a couple of times was Anthony Armstrong who caught a couple of medium range throws down the sideline. [Update 2: "We've seen some pleasant things from Anthony Armstrong the last several practices," Sparano said.] The guy's speed shows up in these camps. The challenge is to have that speed translate when the pads go on.

 

[X-Pacolypse]

A surprisingly good read from a national outlet.

 

[Jimi]

Ted Ginn Jr., Anthony Armstrong, Davone Bess (who looks bigger in the upper body), Brennan Marion and Williams are presently working as the kickoff and punt return options. Nothing too sexy there. Exactly why didn't Brandon London get into this group?

Are you asking why Brandon London is not getting returner reps...?

 

[MDFINFAN]

Are you asking why Brandon London is not getting returner reps...?

No, that was part of the article.. I'm not sure why the author felt London was a kick and punt returner.. not all our reporters are exactly acorns, if you get my meaning?? that's why I was pleasantly surprised that a National news org got most of everything we've followed this offseason correct.. That's not the norm..

 

[Zounds]

This was a good summary of our off season..

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team/miami-dolphins/teamreport

Nothing we didn't already know, but its really nice to see that a reporter is actually paying attention.

 

[FinHopeful]

I think Brandon London is a longshot to make the team. Hartline's speed and stellar special teams record in college hint that he could edge out London on special teams. Sparano mentioned that Hartline quickly learns new things. That is so important in the NFL. If he can perform well in pads, then I can see him beating out London. Armstrong is very fast, and he has the potential to outperform London on special teams because of his speed. That would spell the end of London's tenure with the Dolphins.

 

[MDFINFAN]

Nothing we didn't already know, but its really nice to see that a reporter is actually paying attention.

That was my point, a summary from a national new site that was pretty accurate..that's not the norm.. Here's the norm, read this guy's article and you're see what I'm talking about ...

Team_Previews_Miami_Dolphins

 

[jwong]

This is the first i've seen any info on Channing's contract #'s ($6.1M/3 yrs)...is this correct?

 

[MDFINFAN]

This is the first i've seen any info on Channing's contract #'s ($6.1M/3 yrs)...is this correct?

Actuallly it was 8m/3 yrs.. with a 3.75 m SB..

 

[ckparrothead]

I think Brandon London is a longshot to make the team. Hartline's speed and stellar special teams record in college hint that he could edge out London on special teams. Sparano mentioned that Hartline quickly learns new things. That is so important in the NFL. If he can perform well in pads, then I can see him beating out London. Armstrong is very fast, and he has the potential to outperform London on special teams because of his speed. That would spell the end of London's tenure with the Dolphins.

First off, Hartline's record on special teams in college was not "stellar" and I think this is a perfect example of exaggeration getting away from us. He was decent on STs, but I personally think his most valuable work was as a return man.

Secondly, Brandon London was a good special teams player last year. In the NFL. Let me re-state that. IN THE NFL.

Too often it seems to me that people (self included) don't apply normal draft rules to special teams. I mean, everyone takes it for granted that just because you were a good receiver in college, doesn't mean you'll be a good receiver in the NFL. In fact, most people understand that MOST good receivers in college won't even sniff success in the NFL. But it's like, if you were a "good" special teams player in college, first that designation gets exaggerated into "stellar" and then people just assume you WILL be a good special teams player in the pros as well.

Well, the same rules apply, really. Look at Ted Ginn. He was one of the best return guys I've ever seen in college but in the pros he's as likely to lose 10 yards or muff the ball as he is to take it to the house, and when he's not doing one of those things he's getting 6 yards and then falling on first contact. We just had this most natural assumption that the LEAST he would have been in the NFL would be a top flight return man. Whoops.

Here we're talking about a Brandon London who proved in the NFL that he could play special teams last year, and a Brian Hartline who was decent at special teams at Ohio State...and we're just to assume that Hartline is a better special teams player? I'm not buying it.

 

[72champagne]

If Armstrong & Ginn run great routes (at their spead) with Turner & Bess on the field in 4-wides... Pennington's accuracy could make the offense as prolific a threat as any in the NFL.

Hartline will be great... on the practice squad.