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Sports Buzz: Several veterans very much at risk

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J.D. Walton, Zack Bowman and Spencer Paysinger combined to start 22 games for the New York Giants last season. Now, all three are fighting simply to make the Dolphins roster, as are punter Brandon Fields and more than a half dozen other fairly prominent veterans.

With 2 ½ weeks before the roster must be sliced to 53, here’s what we’re hearing on Dolphins veterans at risk:

### Of those three Giants signed in free agency, Paysinger has the best chance to make the team at the moment, with the situation obviously fluid based on preseason performance. There’s some strong sentiment to keep him because of his experience (14 starts in four seasons for the Giants), special teams acumen and Miami’s relative inexperience at linebacker.

Bowman, we’re told, is very much on the bubble. Keeping him likely would mean keeping seven corners, because the front office sees considerable upside in Tony Lippett, Bobby McCain and Will Davis. Bowman, who started five games for the Giants last season, helped his chances by grading out well internally against Chicago.

Both Paysinger and Bowman would earn $745,000 if they stick --- palatable numbers for Miami.

Walton, who started every game at center for the Giants last season, trails Sam Brenner in the battle for the backup center job. At $510,000, Brenner is slightly cheaper than Walton ($750,000).

### Most teams prefer to keep four defensive tackles, though Miami hasn’t made a final decision on that. In that four-tackle scenario, C.J. Mosley and Anthony Johnson would be competing for one spot.

Mosley has been working with Jordan Phillips on the second team, having leapfrogged Johnson, who fell to the third team and then committed three neutral zone infractions against Chicago. But if Johnson outplays Mosley over the next three weeks, Johnson could stick. Johnson, at 22, is 10 years younger than Mosley and cheaper ($510,000 to $970,000).

### The Dolphins view Tennessee rookie Matt Darr as an NFL-quality punter and he has a legitimate shot to beat out Brandon Fields, who fell to 11th in average and 25th in net average last season.

Whereas Darr would make $435,000 this season, Fields – even after taking a pay cut a few months ago --- would earn $1.6 million this year and $3.5 million next (with a $4.3 million 2016 cap hit). Darr averaged 44.3 yards on three punts in the Bears game; Fields averaged 37.3, with a shorter field, but unlike Darr placed all three of his punts inside the Bears’ 20. “I expect [to win the job] because I will earn it,” Fields said Monday.

### Kicker Caleb Sturgis remains the front-runner over strong-legged, unpolished rookie Andrew Franks but is expected to have a short leash if he struggles early in the season. And if Sturgis falters the next three weeks, Miami will consider waiver options.

“The last two years haven’t been good enough,” he said. “I need to be a bigger contributor to this team.”

### Elsewhere: Though there is thought to keeping four running backs instead of three, the Dolphins aren’t sure. Damien Williams and Jay Ajayi are essentially automatic behind Lamar Miller. LaMike James must play a lot better than Thursday to make a case to stick and Mike Gillislee is a long shot…

One among veteran receivers LaRon Byrd, Cobi Hamilton, Matt Hazel and Michael Preston could stick initially only if concerns about DeVante Parker’s health compel Miami to start the season with six receivers instead of five. If Miami keeps five, it’s almost impossible to see any of those aforementioned four making it.

Jeff Linkenbach has the edge over Jacques McClendon for what could be the ninth and final offensive line job, but that’s fluid based on preseason performance….. Josh Freeman and McLeod Bethel Thompson assuredly will be cut before Sept. 7… Resourceful Jordan Kovacs, who has played in 17 games for Miami, remains an underdog; he must clearly outplay rookie Cedric Thompson to have a chance to win the fifth safety job if Miami even keeps five.

CHATTER

### Jordan Phillips’ penetration against Chicago was encouraging, and he seems to have corrected his college shortcoming of taking plays off. “There were too many people saying I was lazy, so I said I’ve got to fix it,” he said.

### Two Dolphins players cut in the past three days were claimed by other AFC East teams: tight end Arthur Lynch by the Jets and offensive tackle Chris Martin by the Patriots.

Marcus Thigpen told me that two Patriots assistants coaches asked him for information on the Dolphins last September after Miami cut him and New England claimed him.
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http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/
 
I agree with walton bowman and paysinger...right now they should be cuts...id probably have the toughest time with bowman

Kovacs come on man cut that...seriously

The oniy thing that saves paysinger is the depth lb core is lousy and he gives then specials...
 
hooshoops said:
I agree with walton bowman and paysinger...right now they should be cuts...id probably have the toughest time with bowman

Kovacs come on man cut that...seriously
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rather keep bowman over davis for special teams and experience. davis is a lost cause
 
dlockz said:
rather keep bowman over davis for special teams and experience. davis is a lost cause
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Its probably one spot between those two if they are keeping lippett...which im still not set they are although im sure they want to retain his services for development
 
Linkenbachs versatilty if they keep 9 id agree should get the edge over mcclendon although i did see him snapping the pill late in the opener...if linkenbach was higher than the 4th left tackle option id be surprised but i could see where he would fall in to things if we got hammered up front by injury

My guess is right now hes inactive if alberts a go...i really believe this team might flip james to left if they got an albert injury...nothing i saw in his kick slide or lateral ability in the opener at right tackle deterred me...it was textbook from a balance perspective and technique aspect also and hes got the feet
 
Patriots always pick up former phins to get intel. The Patriot Way!
 
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I want this guy to be our punter. Fields will be gone next year anyways. Cost way too much for a punter
 
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phishxhead said:
Patriots always pick up former phins to get intel. The Patriot Way!
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They are consistently shady.

You'd think that players would have enough ethics/integrity not to "be a snitich"... Giving away your former teams secrets IMO is lower than deflating footballs or recording opponents practices.

p.s. Why, though, do I have the feeling that Belichick hit paydirt w/ Heath Evans and a precedence was established?
 
Fields was arguably our MVP in 2013. I value his experience for a mil more than a rook. This isn't the year to be stingy.
 
dlockz said:
rather keep bowman over davis for special teams and experience. davis is a lost cause
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My thoughts exactly. And size. Bowman is 6' 1" ... but Davis surprised me a bit in the Bears game, I'll give him that
 
Brazzi said:
Kovac over Cedric no doubt
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Absolutely not.

Kovac offers what exactly other than special teams and heart? Thompson is develop-able like we did with Reshad when we picking him in the 5th. No reason to cut the guy we just drafted...
 
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