2008 Dolphins

Don Wassall

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The new regime in Miami is busy overhauling much of the roster, and for good reason: The Dolphins have been a mess for a while now, with no shortage of the blame going to Nick "The Prick" Saban, a Caste disciple whose main priority appeared to be constructing an all-black roster. The 2006 Dolphins had but 10 white players and just 1 white starter. The 2008 Dolphins began the season with 7 white starters and 17 overall on the roster.


If he can stay healthy, Chad Pennington is an under-rated quarterback. His lack of arm strength is always mocked, but Pennington has everything else going for him -- he's smart as a whip and has nice touch and accuracy on his passes. He understands offensive schemes and defensive schemes and how to move an offense. He's a great fit for a young, rebuilding team.


Backing up Pennington are two high draft picks, rookie Chad Henne from Michigan and second year man John Beck out of BYU.


After a couple of years as a bottom feeding WR in San Diego and Miami, the Dolphins decided to actually start throwing the ball to Greg Camarillo at the end of the '07 season, and Camarillo, who is of European and Mexican ancestry, responded by making a 64 yard catch and run that clinched the Dolphins only win of the season. Right before the start of the '08 season Camarillo was promoted to be one of the team's starting WRs.


Anthony Fasano was a blocking TE in Dallas, where Jason Witten is an all-world blocker and receiver, but he will be a receiving threat in Miami as the starting tight end.


Sean Ryan is the third string TE.


Starting left tackle Jake Long of Michigan was the first overall pick of the 2008 draft and from all indications is the real deal. He's joined on the line by Justin Smiley at left guard.


Andy Alleman, Evan Mathis, Nate Garner, and Shawn Murphy are backup linemen, giving Miami six white linemen altogether, a big change from two years ago when there was but one white backup. Evans and Alleman are among those battling for the starting RG spot left open when black starter Donald Thomas was placed on IR after the season opener, so the Dolphins may have an additional white starter on the line.


Recently acquired Casey Cramer is the starting blocking fullback.


On defense the picture is bleak. After three seasons as an end, Matt Roth has switched to outside linebacker, his original position at Iowa. He now starts there, but is the only white defensive player on the roster.


NUMBER OF WHITE STARTERS: 7 (8 depending on who starts at RG)


APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF WHITE PLAYERS ON 53 MAN ROSTER: 17


GRADE: D-
 

referendum

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The starter at RG for the game against Arizona was the sole black in competition for the job, but he was pulled in the fourth quarter and replaced by Mathis, who did well and may start the next game.
 

Rhodes1980

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Not a fan of Miami, but I must say I was quite happy to see them kick th s**t out of NE 2 weeks ago. I wonder what Pennington is going to do for them. He didn't take the Jets very far, except for the fact that he got them into the playoffs back in what was it, 2006?

Maybe a change of location might help Pennington help the Dolphins. They've slumped down to the bottom of the totum pole, they need to get themselves back up.

Sweeping NE was a good thing for them; possibly a foreshadow to the rest of the season. Guess it goes to show that team is nothing without Brady.
 

Don Wassall

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Pennington's always been a very good quarterback when he's healthy. Injuries have been his bugaboo.


It may be a little premature to render a judgment on the Brady-less Patriots.
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Though now that Brady has been proven to be human the Patriotsshouldkeep a proven veteran as his backup rather than two guys with no experience.
 

Freethinker

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Considering how far lost the Dolphins were under Sabin, I've actually found some joy in following this team so far. Pennington has restored credibility to the QB position. TE Fasano or WR Camarillo are the leading receivers every week. DE/OLB Roth has been impressive rushing the passer as well. 1st pick Jake Long seems to be a future star for the O line for years to come. Here's to Miami continuing to go in the right direction!
 

Thrashen

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Nice post, I've noticed this change in the Dolphins as well.

Who here would have expected that the Dolphins (and the Vikings) would be starting more white players than the Colts?! I guess that's why the Colts play either inconsistent or flat out suck this season.

I also enjoy the fact that the media's little whipping boy, Chad Pennington, has finally landed on a team that wants him. I guess his "lack of armstrength" didnt slow him down against the Pats and Chargers.
 

Don Wassall

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Pennington has been beat up onover and overbecause of his alleged weak arm. "Noodle-armed" is what I've read many times.


Eric Crouch wasn't allowed to play in the NFL because he had a weak arm, whereas Michael Vick was the first pick because he was "cannon-armed." We'll never know but Crouch couldn't have been worse than Vick, especially if he was given year after year to try to improve, and likely would have been very successful as a very mobile"game manager."


I've always liked Pennington. He's a lot like Drew Brees,but has been hamperedwith injury problems.
 

backrow

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Dolphins signed S Brannon Condren.

Condren was a late-round draft pick of the Colts in 2007. He replaces the recently released Tyrone Culver.

we'll see if he plays a bit!
 

Thrashen

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Wow, the Dolphins are slowly becoming more reputable in my eyes. I guess Parcells saw how godaweful this team was with a nearly all-black lineup (and team in general).

Make no mistake, Parcells has always run "racially correct" franchises. He likes white QBs, TEs, and OL....that's normally about it.

Either way, it's nice to see that Condren is in high demand. The lowly Rams were lucky to have signed him. Then again, the Colts were lucky to have drafted him....now their defense looks pathetic.
 

backrow

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after preseason he had, it is insane he didn't get any playing time... let's hope he will shine on terrible Dolphins
 

Don Wassall

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Greg Camarillo's non-stop motor and overachieving ways have earned him a three year contract:


WR Greg Camarillo (MIA) has signed a three-year deal worth around $6 million. "He goes a million miles an hour," HC Tony Sparano said. "He practices every day like he's one step away from losing his job, which gives him a little bit of an edge."
 

Colonel_Reb

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Don Wassall said:
"He practices every day like he's one step away from losing his job, which gives him a little bit of an edge."


Finally someone being honest about the life of a white WR. (Sarcasm intended) Do you think Greg might know that he's one step away from losing it. He doesn't even have to screw up to lose it. Just being a white WR is enough.
 

referendum

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In another chapter in the mini-resuregence of the white defender, Dolphins sign Derek Smith for season finale. Hopefully he can leverage this for next year.
 

Colonel_Reb

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Congrats to Chad!
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Way to keep theaffletes of the future out of the picture.
 

White Shogun

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Can't tell if Don is being sarcastic and think this is a good thing or if he thinks someone else is more deserving.
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Looking at that article, the only other candidates I'd have considered were Kerry Collins and Kurt Warner. But Collins relied on a strong running game, and admittedly, Warner's receivers are a lot better than Pennington's. I think Pennington is a good choice for this award.
 
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