Commentary: Tonight's battles.

[Silverphin]

Tonight is our last pre-season game before our season opener at the steel city, Pittsburgh. While some players are sure to have a roster spot, barring a horrific performance for the ages. Some players, however, are still going to duke it out during the final pre-season for the last spot. For some players, their last performance can earn them or lose them a roster spot.

Today, hopefully, we'll see more of the "back against the wall" mentality and see a lot of highlights.

Shirdonya Mitchell vs. Michael Lehan (if he plays) vs. Jack Hunt

What's at stake: Ninth defensive back spot

Analysis: Shirdonya Mitchell, obviously rusty, was burned quote a few times during the first pre-season game. But since then, he settled down and looked solid. Tonight, he will be pushed by Michael Lehan, a corner who was solid until he went down with injuries (if he plays tonight), and Jack Hunt, a safety who not only knows the system and playbook from cover to cover, but also made a comeback ending interception against Tampa Bay.

Jeff Zgonina vs. Kevin Vickerson

What's at stake: Fifth defensive tackle spot

Anaysis: Both of these guys have something going for them. Jeff Zgonina can play as a defensive end, defensive tackle, and nose tackle. Kevin Vickerson, last year, showed enough during pre-season to prompt Saban to admit if it wasn't for his injury, he would of kept him on the 53-man roster last year. That and he has a lot of youth, something that the other 4 defensive tackles lack.

Fred Beasley vs. Darian Barnes

What's at stake: Starting/only fullback spot

Analysis: Fred Beasley helped Darian Barnes out during camp. This helped Barnes get into a soon-to-be photo finish race for the starting, and possibly only, fullback spot on the roster. Darian Barnes' special teams play also helps him out as well, as well as the softening of his formerly stone hands. Some people (including yours truly) speculate that we may carry both of them on the roster. But if not, somebody is going to end up temporarily unemployed.

Travis Minor vs. Kay-Jay Harris

What's at stake: Third running back spot

Analysis: Kay-Jay Harris has shown that he could be a pretty good runner and can catch the ball out of the backfield. However, Travis Minor's special teams play could be the deciding factor.

(Please, feel free to add to this)

 

[Pocoloco]

there's gotta be something with the o-line, maybe something do with with berger, mike pearson, wade smith etc. I just don't know enough about it to comment

 

[Bpk]

Okay

Shirdonya Mitchell vs. Michael Lehan (if he plays) vs. Jack Hunt

What's at stake: Ninth defensive back spot

Analysis: Shirdonya Mitchell, obviously rusty, was burned quote a few times during the first pre-season game. But since then, he settled down and looked solid. Tonight, he will be pushed by Michael Lehan, a corner who was solid until he went down with injuries (if he plays tonight), and Jack Hunt, a safety who not only knows the system and playbook from cover to cover, but also made a comeback ending interception against Tampa Bay.

Jeff Zgonina vs. Kevin Vickerson

What's at stake: Fifth defensive tackle spot

Anaysis: Both of these guys have something going for them. Jeff Zgonina can play as a defensive end, defensive tackle, and nose tackle. Kevin Vickerson, last year, showed enough during pre-season to prompt Saban to admit if it wasn't for his injury, he would of kept him on the 53-man roster last year. That and he has a lot of youth, something that the other 4 defensive tackles lack.

Fred Beasley vs. Darian Barnes

What's at stake: Starting/only fullback spot

Analysis: Fred Beasley helped Darian Barnes out during camp. This helped Barnes get into a soon-to-be photo finish race for the starting, and possibly only, fullback spot on the roster. Darian Barnes' special teams play also helps him out as well, as well as the softening of his formerly stone hands. Some people (including yours truly) speculate that we may carry both of them on the roster. But if not, somebody is going to end up temporarily unemployed.

Travis Minor vs. Kay-Jay Harris

What's at stake: Third running back spot

Analysis: Kay-Jay Harris has shown that he could be a pretty good runner and can catch the ball out of the backfield. However, Travis Minor's special teams play could be the deciding factor.

(Please, feel free to add to this)

I agree, but would add a few thoughts.

Jack Hunt may have a shown too little, too late, I think. Shirdonya needs a STELLAR game to make up for earlier mistakes. Since the DB's include (in no particular order): 1) Travis Daniels 2) Will Allen 3) Renaldo Hill 4) Andre Goodman 5) Travares Tillman 6) Yeremiah Bell 7) Deke Cooper 8) Jason Allen 9) Eddie Jackson plus the three you named... I would actually think Eddie Jackson will beat out Hunt, Mitchell and Lehan for a spot if we are keeping 9 DB's. unless Deke Cooper is cut (and he might be if he plays poorly again tonight).

I think Zgonina vs Vickerson will be great to watch. One of the two will have to go (Zgnonina by trade, Vickerson by trade or to Practice squad if we sneak him through waivers, which is unlikely). Both are trying out for the Dolphins AND other teams tonight.

I agree that Kay-Jay may offer more as a RB for us, but again, how will our ST fare without Travis? We've already had some abysmal ST play without the usual ST starters in there, so can we rely on going with KayJay and losing one of our top ST tacklers (and a backup kick returner)?

I would go with Bar4nes at this oint, as the gap has narrowed now with his hands imporving. he is also less injury prone at his age. While Beasley is good, if we carry him, we will have to drop someone else who is probably more skilled and younger at another position.

Don't forget Fred Gibson and Marcus Vick (with dark horses Frank Murphy, Cliff Russell, and Aromashodu) all vying for the last WR spots on the team. THAT'LL be a battle. I figure Vick will make the team, and one more out of that group. It'll probably be whichever of those guys also contributes on ST, so I'll be watching to see how many of those on-the-bubble WR's are making ST tackles or returning kickoffs etc. tonight.

At TE, will Peelle hold off Rader? Or will Rader or Hentrich play well enough to justify a third TE spot? As it is now, I only see two TE's: RMac and Peelle.

Also, Labinjo is trying to prove he can be Zach's backup at MLB. A good performance tonight keeps him on the team (especially with our deartjh of LB's, and playing a 3-4 at times). A bad one means he goes to the PS. I am also curious to see if Keith Newman plays like he hasw a clue tonight. So far, he has had two clueless plays for every good play he has made and I wouldn't cry if Hodge got a spot and Newman did not.

You better beleive I'll be watching Bennie Anderson tonight, to see if he play's the matador again: Ole!!!! as the Dlinemen rush past him. His jobs not in jeopardy, though. Though once Toledo's back, Bennie's days are numbered. Toledo starts at RG by year's end imo.

I also want to see if Matt Roth and Fred Evans can keep up their great performances from last game.

So much to look for!!!

Lots of 3rd stringers trying out for other teams. Heck, a week from now we might even have signed someone we play against tonight!

lol.

I love finial cutdowns and final preseason games. As you said, back-against-the-wall, desperation, and playing all out.

:tongue: :dolphins:

 

[Bpk]

O-line

there's gotta be something with the o-line, maybe something do with with berger, mike pearson, wade smith etc. I just don't know enough about it to comment

Pearson's a goner.

But you're right, Berger IS challenging Wade Smith for 2nd string spot right now.

B.

 

[CpuFan]

Frank Murphy was already cut on Monday or Tuesday...

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/...ug30,0,2336707.story?coll=sfla-dolphins-front

 

[Bpk]

My Bad

Frank Murphy was already cut on Monday or Tuesday...

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-dolspec30aug30,0,2336707.story?coll=sfla-dolphins-front

I just looked through that list to double check before posting (the one on the front page of Finsheaven and didn't see his name there! Either I'm losing my mind, or the omitted his name from that article). Damn.

Oops. Yeah he's on the list. I'm officially blind. Maybe I could ref tonight's game.

My bad.

Bye Frankie. Nice knowin' ya.

:)

B.