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Miami Dolphins

6-10, 3-3 AFC East (3rd)
Team RankingOverallRushingPassing
Offense22nd124.2 (11th)193.2 (23rd)
Defense15th95.6 (3rd)249.5 (25th)
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Dolphins report: Strategy and personnel

 
Strategy and personnel · Inside slant · Notes, quotes
 

OG Randy Thomas had his contract terminated by the Dolphins, who signed the veteran on Aug. 18. Thomas, 34, finished 2005 on injured reserve with a broken leg and missed most of 2007 with a torn left triceps, then tore the right one in Week 2 of last season. He missed the rest of the year.

PLAYER NOTES

--Versatile OL Nate Garner, who had worked his way to the starting left guard spot, underwent a second surgery on his left foot on approximately Aug. 12, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said, and could be out up to eight weeks. If there are any additional setbacks within that time frame, it's possible the Dolphins would choose to place him on injured reserve when the season starts Sept. 12.

--OG Randy Thomas, an 11-year veteran who has blocked for nine 1,000-yard rushing seasons, was signed to add depth along the unsettled offensive line. Thomas is coming off surgery to repair a torn left triceps that cost him all but two games in 2009.

--LB Ikaika Alama-Francis, converted from defensive end to outside linebacker this offseason, was signed to a one-year, $640,000 extension through 2011. Alama-Francis, a former second-round pick who was released by the Lions in September 2009, has impressed Dolphins coaches with his ability to set the edge.

--To make room on the roster for Randy Thomas, WR Ryan Grice-Mullen was released. Signed after two productive seasons in the Canadian Football League, Grice-Mullen -- a former college teammate of Davone Bess at Hawaii -- was expected to compete for a kickoff or punt return job. Instead, he was slowed by a calf injury early in training camp and never caught up with younger candidates such as Marlon Moore and Roberto Wallace.

--Former second-round draft pick Pat White didn't take a single snap in Saturday's 27-26 preseason win over Jacksonville. This came on the heels of White taking just three snaps -- one handoff and two kneeldowns -- in the preseason opener against Tampa Bay. Sparano said there are no plans to try White at other positions such as wide receiver or kick/punt returner. At this rate, White could be cut if Thigpen or Pennington isn't traded.

BATTLE OF THE WEEK
With Channing Crowder and Karlos Dansby entrenched as the starters, young inside linebackers J.D. Folsom, Austin Spitler and Micah Johnson are battling against veteran Tim Dobbins for the third and likely final roster spot at the position. Folsom, a seventh-rounder in 2009 from Weber State, seemed to help himself at Jacksonville with three tackles plus two more on special teams. Dobbins started at Jacksonville and made two tackles for loss despite the lingering effects of an ankle sprain that caused him to miss the preseason opener against Tampa Bay.

OTHER BATTLE FRONTS
Centers Jake Grove and Joe Berger continue to slug it out for the starting spot. Berger started for the second straight game at Jacksonville, but both veterans played four series apiece before giving way to backup Andrew Hartline for the game's final three series. ... Second-year FS Chris Clemons may have sewed up the starting job over rookie fifth-rounder Reshad Jones, but Clemons' mental error on special teams led to a safety and the second blocked punt in as many weeks for Brandon Fields. ... Backup tight ends Joey Haynos, David Martin and Kory Sperry were held without a catch at Jacksonville but John Nalbone, a 2009 fifth-rounder from Monmouth, had one catch for 12 yards and earned a postgame mention from Sparano.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Starting quarterback Chad Henne was sharp in practice and carried that into Saturday's 27-26 win over the Jaguars. Henne went 11 for 14 passing for 151 yards and two touchdowns, including a 55-yard strike to tight end Anthony Fasano. Henne has earned steady praise from Sparano for his work ethic, preparation and leadership as he enters his first full season as the starter.

ROOKIE REPORT
First-round pick Jared Odrick continues to hold down the starting role at right defensive end. He failed to produce any tackles at Jacksonville but was active in the pass rush. ... Second-rounder Koa Misi had one tackle and continues to start at strong-side outside linebacker. ... Third-rounder John Jerry (Ole Miss) started his second straight preseason game at right guard, shaking off a right knee issue that bothered him early in the practice week. ... Fifth-rounder Nolan Carroll struggled in pass coverage, moreso on the boundary than at nickel corner, but he remains the leading option to replace veteran Will Allen in the nickel package if Allen's return from arthroscopic knee surgery is delayed. Carroll also returned four kickoffs for an average of 25 yards, with a long of 36 yards, against the Jaguars. ... Fifth-round FS Reshad Jones had three tackles at Jacksonville and added two tackles on special teams. ... Seventh-rounder Austin Spitler, an ILB from Ohio State, had one tackle at Jacksonville. ... Chris McCoy, a seventh-round OLB, played at Jacksonville but had no tackles.

INJURY REPORT
ILB Channing Crowder, coming off foot surgery, missed practice time late in the week and did not play at Jacksonville. ... Versatile OL Nate Garner, who had worked his way to the starting left guard spot, underwent a second surgery on his left foot on Aug. 12 and could be out up to eight weeks. ... WR Greg Camarillo sat out multiple practice sessions with a groin issue that he appeared to aggravate in the mud against Tampa Bay. He did not play at Jacksonville. ... Rookie FS Reshad Jones turned his left ankle during Tuesday's practice and sat out Thursday's practice. ... ILB Tim Dobbins continues to work through a right ankle sprain that has bothered him for the past two weeks. Dobbins started at Jacksonville and made two tackles for loss.

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