The Miami Dolphins go into their second pre-season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars looking for redemption.
You see, during their first exhibition game, they did not perform too well. The first team offense suffered terribly because of the weather conditions, and did not look in tune at all, and the first team offense gave up a long touchdown drive to the young Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense.
So you see where this is room for improvement this time around.
Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano has declared that he would like his starting quarterback, Chad Henne, to play going into the half, and then have backup Tyler Thigpen get most of the reps in the second half.
This leaves fellow backup Pat White behind in the dust. White did not get a chance to prove himself during last weeks pre-season, and the games the rest of the way leading up to cuts are huge for him to prove himself. Sparano not willing to allow White to get the majority of the snaps in the second half goes a long way in showing how much hopes White should have in making the final roster as of now.
Another battle to watch for is for the starting center job. According to Armando Salguero and his sources, Berger has already won the job, but I don't buy into that.
Grove is one of the best run blocking centers in the game, and proved that last year against the big nose tackles in the AFC East. If he can perform well this weekend and show his stuff, he will thrust himself right back into the starting conversation.
With Chad Henne and the interior line looking to prove themselves this Saturday night, and Brandon Marshall looking to put this weeks miserable practices, and his case of the dropsies, behind him, the Dolphins first team offense should be putting up at least two touchdowns on the board before they leave the gridiron for the night.
The defense as well should perform well. I'm looking for Vontae Davis to step up in coverage and Chris Clemons to prove himself as a sure tackler, after missing two last week. Davis got burnt on a 30 yard completion to rookie wideout Mike Williams.
As far as backups, and "fringe" players go, the guys I will be watching for are as follows:
- Marlon Moore: After impressing the coaching staff and the fans last week with a solid performance, the coaches want to see more of this kid. Sparano promoted him to second string this week, and Moore will try and lock up his spot this week, sooner, rather than later.
- Nate Ness: Ness plain and simple put on a show last weekend, and single-handidly shut down the Bucs on numerous occasions, finishing the game with three pass deflections. Ness could make a strong case for a roster spot with another well-played game. Ness is also a strong special teams player, but consistency is the key to making the roster for Ness.
- Donald Thomas: Thomas has had a disappointing off-season, and only two years removed from his promising rookie camp, Thomas is now considered in my book to be a "fringe" player, with the selection of rookie guard John Jerry in this years draft. Thomas has to show that he is worth keeping around, and he can do this by becoming a better run blocker. Last year the coaches subbed him out numerous times on run plays. Thomas was playing against inferior competition last week, against the scrubs. That was likely used as a motivation tool. Maybe it worked, and it lit the necessary fire under Thomas to finally make the light click, and he becomes the dominant guard he has the potential to be. I'm looking for Thomas to man-handle the opposing defensive line on Saturday.
- Nolan Carroll: I do not consider Carroll a fringe player what so ever, but he will be playing as the first team nickel cornerback, which means he will be playing most of the game, as I can imagine Sparano wants to see this kid as much as possible. Plus, Carroll is looking to lock up the kick returning duties as well, and he could showcase his speed and overall athleticism this weekend.
- Charlie Anderson: Anderson came into camp looking to compete for the starting weakside linebacker job. He was thought to be pushing Cameron Wake for the job, but now has all but disappeared from the conversation as of now. A string of strong performances in game situations could catapult him right back into the loop of things. Anderson may not be cut this year, but he is a non-factor in challenging anyone for a starting spot this year so far. He has the potential to be something special, and get to the quarterback, but we have yet to see, or hear that this summer.
The Dolphins will be able to finally put all of the doubters and negative attention surround their disappointing start to the exhibition season to rest this Saturday if they put on a strong performance. With the starting offense being in most of the first half, I would expect them to get off to a fast start, and put all of the headlines from last week behind them. Go Fins!
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