Tonight’s Game

I would expect the offensive starters to go until they produce points. The defense might go longer. Tony Sparano has kept the window open on how long because he’s looking for that sharpness that needs to happen with the first team units.

Individual battles to keep an eye on: None are better than the Marlon Moore – Roberto Wallace. My feeling is Moore is the more complete package and seems real intuitive when running his routes. Wallace is more like Patrick Turner in that he has good size. I’d throw Turner into this mix as well because if Wallace has a good outing, it could be at Turner’s expense. I think its clear Pruit is heading for the practice squad.

While I think Sparano has settled his decision here I still think it bears watching. The battle is between Micah Johnson and Tim Dobbins for the starting job (at least until Crowder’s mystery leg condition is diagnosed). Dobbins got the start last week but Johnson was real impressive when he came on the field. After reviewing the tape, my thoughts were that Johnson out-played Dobbins but then again, I’m not the coach. Sparano has liked what he’s seen in Dobbins and he is the likely defacto starter on week 1.

Grove’s injured shoulder which appeared to be not serious, still has to be a concern. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Joe Berger win this job with a solid performance tonight.

Pennington appears to have solidified the backup role as QB but I think this is more to defer to his veteran leadership status than anything else because Thigpen has done nothing to hurt the team when he’s in there. I don’t expect the depth chart to change here and I really don’t expect to see much of Pennington tonight.

Koa Misi is back to the first team defense after a brief stint playing behind Francis. Its my opinion that he’ll end up the starter here but has to do better at run containment. Keep an eye on it tonight.

Free Safety appears settled but if Clemons doesn’t step it up I’d look for a veteran FA to be signed after the cut-downs next week.

Nickle position - So far Miami has tried both Allen, Carroll and Nate Ness in this role with mixed results. Benny Sapp just acquired from the Vikings will be given extensive playing time in that position this evening. I wouldn't look for a knockout performance as the guy has had just 1 week to study the playbook; however, I would look for promise out of the 5 year veteran.

Overall – The Cowboys have a decent offense so tonights first quarter matchup will be a good test of the defense. While we’d like to see the Miami Offense clicking, I’d settle for no injuries on the turf this evening.

Wish list - I'd like to see Langford - Starks - Grant together on the field rushing the passer.

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I was not able to watch the first quarter due to family obligations. Here are some game thoughts from our South Florida media. I would recommend that your read it from the bottom of the article up to get their comments.

Omar Kelly - Backup NT Paul Soliai made 5 tackles, as did backup SLBer Ike Alama Francis. Koa Misi made three tackles vs. the Falcons. 08-28

Omar Kelly - Dolphins CB Vontae Davis was balling against the Falcons, making 7 tackles, breaking up three passes and forcing a fumble. 08-28

Omar Kelly - Reason to hold your nose: The Dolphins were 2-for-12 in converting third downs against the Falcons, and 0-for-1 on 4th downs. 08-28

Omar Kelly - The ground game isn't going, but Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown caught six passes for 62 yards against the Falcons. 08-28

Omar Kelly - On the drops, Henne said his targets need to concentrate & focus, & he needs to work on his ball placement. "I have 100% confidence in them" 08-28

Omar Kelly - "We don't want to practice losing, and we're obviously going up and down on a rollercoaster ride. We want to be more consistent." Henne said 08-28

Omar Kelly - "We're not being efficient. Missing some throws, missing some catches, sacks, penalties. Overall as a team we didn't execute," Chad Henne. 08-28

Omar Kelly - "We weren't effective on 1st and 2nd down and that kept us in 3rd and long situations...Then they dialed it up," Chad Henne said. 08-28

Omar Kelly - "Overall it was just sloppy. I though the defense did a good job of getting us the ball in the 1st half. We just didn't execute," Chad Henne 08-28

Omar Kelly - This wasn't the dress rehearsal the Dolphins envisioned. It's the first time Tony Sparano's lost a 3rd exhibition game http://bit.ly/9yhXV8 08-28

Omar Kelly - Sun-Sentinel columnist Ethan Skolnick explains why cleaning up the Dolphins' mess rehearsal is critical. http://t.co/CkUv2Cs 08-28

Omar Kelly - The Dolphins ground game has been running on fumes all exhibitions season. What's the issue with the running game? http://bit.ly/b8fCVw 08-28

David Neal - #Dolphins Joey Haynos on crutches and in a boot. Said foot wasn't broken but last time I saw that boot in here, Thomas was out for season. 08-28

Omar Kelly - ILB Karlos Dansby went into the extra room. I was just told he played on specials teams and walked of the field woozy. 08-28

Omar Kelly - C Jake Grove just came out the extra room carrying his pads. Looks fine to me. A little angry. 08-28

Omar Kelly - RT @MikeBerardino: Postgame blog on Falcons 16, Dolphins 6: Sun-Sentinel http://t.co/4C5NlMV 08-28

Edgar Thompson - Looks like I picked the right Dolphins game to blow off. Brutal. And don't tell me it's only pre-season, u see GB-Indy last night. 08-28

Omar Kelly - We have a Pat White appearance in tonight's game. He's finishing it out. 08-28

David Neal - #Dolphins TE Joey Haynos helped off the field, unable to put weight on the right leg. 08-28

Omar Kelly - TE Joey Haynos as suffered a right leg injury. He was hobbling before that play but didn't leave the field. 08-28

Omar Kelly - CB Kevin Hobbs just allowed WR Brian Finnerman to get inside him for a 5-yard slant that was good for as touchdown. Falcons lead 16-6. 08-28

Omar Kelly - Harry Douglas just got behind Jonathan Amaya (who was in a zone) to catch a 26-yard pass, setting up a first-and-goal. 08-28

Omar Kelly - Benny Sapp is in there as the nickel cornerback, working with the second-team unit. 08-28

Omar Kelly - Yeah. Marlon Moore, who just had a 12-yard reverse, looks like a keeper. 08-28

Omar Kelly - Jake Grove just got hurt pass blocking. 08-28

Omar Kelly - Chad Pennington has replaced Chad Henne, who completed 10-of-22 passes for 123 yards. 08-28

David Neal - Henne telegraphs pass, just as he did last wk. in Jax inside 10. This time, pass is picked. 10-3 at half. #Dolphins 08-28

Omar Kelly - Pass intended for TE Anthony Fasano is intercepted by Eric Coleman after Mike Peterson tipped it at the line of scrimmage. 08-28

David Neal - 20-yarder to Marshall was kind of play to kind of receiver Dolphins didn't have last year. 08-28

Omar Kelly - Brandon Marshall's 20-yard catch just allowed the Dolphins to complete their first third-down. 0-for-7 before that catch. 11 secs left. 08-28

David Neal - Again, hard to tell what's worse: Dolphins last poss. or Ryan's throw for White...and as for the Brown runs on this poss.: brotha, please 08-28

Omar Kelly - Brandon Marshall just connected with Chad Henne for a 26-yard catch on the sidelines. Good touch on it. 08-28

Omar Kelly - Yeremiah Bell picked off a off target pass from Matt Ryan on a pass intended for Roddy White. He just stepped right in front of it. 08-28

Omar Kelly - Why are the Dolphins throwing a pass to the sidelines that short of the third-down marker. 08-28

Omar Kelly - Pass intended for Brandon Marshall was deflected. 08-28

David Neal - On the TD, White was coming from the left, slanting inside. #Dolphins #Falcons 08-28

Omar Kelly - Just doing my job. I watch everyone who leaves the field angry. 08-28

David Neal - #Dolphins #Falcons Ryan's wife must sleep on his right because, based on tonight, he really can't make a pass to the left. 08-28

David Neal - A #Falcons TD would be properly tailor the score to fit the 1st half play #Dolphins.... 08-28

Omar Kelly - Brandon Marshall has just joined his receivers on the sidelines watching the game. 08-28

David Neal - Why top WRs today don't avg. 20 yds. per catch like Warfield: 3rd & 2, Ryan hits White for 3. 08-28

Omar Kelly - I find it interesting that Brandon Marshall is sitting off to himself on the Gatorade table. 08-28

Omar Kelly - Quentin Moses isn't dressed. His right leg is in a compression sleeve. Hard to see him making the 53, but I've said that for three years. 08-28

Omar Kelly - Watching a frustrated Brandon Marshall on the sidelines. Words were said to QB coach David Lee. Don't want to make too much out of it. 08-28

Omar Kelly - RT @MikeBerardino: Grove back in at center, that gives him 4 series to berger's 1. there were no running plays on berger's series tho 08-28

David Neal - #Dolphins 3 first downs, 52 yards of offense so far...to quote Eric Cartman, "Super weak." 08-28

Omar Kelly - Karlos Dansby has recovered a fumble that was forced by Vontae Davis. The ball just finds him. 08-28

Omar Kelly - Find it interesting that the Dolphins are using a line that features Marques Douglas, Paul Soliai and Charles Grant on this defensive stand. 08-28

Omar Kelly - Matt Ryan has already thrown 14 passes, and Michael Turner has had 10 runs and therte's still plenty of time left in the 2nd quarter. 08-28

Omar Kelly - Davone Bess just dropped a pass that would have converted a third-and-8. Dolphins forced to punt. Are hands becoming an issue? 08-27

Omar Kelly - Joe Berger is in there with the first-team O-line taking the third series. He replaces Jake Grove. Center's still battling despite reports 08-27

David Neal - BTW, same thing happened last year in season opener to Smith. First possession, I think. #Dolphins 08-27

David Neal - #Dolphins Not sure what's worse -- Smith lost like car keys on double move, Ryan's overthrow, White's drop #Falcons. 08-27

Omar Kelly - Vontae Davis just broke up a pass to Roddy White to forced a punt. Good work. 08-27

Omar Kelly - Sean Smith just got smoked by Roddy White on a double move that included a pump fake, but Matt Ryan missed his target for a sure TD. 08-27

David Neal - After 1st qt, Ryan having a Coke and a smile in the pocket, leaving #Dolphins D more vulnerable via the air than Dresden. 08-27

Omar Kelly - Sean Smith is finally out there on this defensive stand. He's lined up against Roddy White. 08-27

Omar Kelly - Marlon Moore has broken into the Dolphins four WR package. 08-27

David Neal - #Dolphins get off the field because Wake's rush kept Ryan from stepping into throw. 08-27

Omar Kelly - Vontae Davis just had a nice breakup on a pass intended for Roddy White. 08-27

Omar Kelly - Chad Henne just got sacked by Kroy Biermann, who got to him twice on sacks during last year's season opener. 08-27

David Neal - BTW, did somebody send the #Dolphins pass rush on a 3-hour tour this month? Because I've seen it about as often as The Professor or Mary Ann 08-27

Omar Kelly - Roberto Wallace is being used on the kickoff coverage and kickoff return unit. They are either testing him or he's making the practice squad 08-27

Omar Kelly - Nolan Carroll's first kickoff of the game was good for 24-yards and set the Dolphins up at the 32-yard line. 08-27

David Neal - #Dolphins White left Allen in his past with a good inside move. Very good first round pick vs. 1st rd. special teams player. 08-27

Omar Kelly - CB Jason Allen just allowed a 18-yard TD pass to Rodney White. Guess he's not the answer after all. But he was solid before that play. 08-27

Omar Kelly - Koa Misi almost had a sack on the pass to Harry Douglas. He needed to shed the block half a second sooner. 08-27

Omar Kelly - Great hit by Dolphins DE Kendall Langford for the 1-yard loss on a Falcons run. Koa Misi in on the assist. 08-27

David Neal - #Dolphins Jason Allen actually had good coverage on rowdy Roddy when Ryan's arm channeled Chad Pennington. 08-27

Omar Kelly - CB Jason Allen just had great coverage on Rodney White on a 9-route that was incompleted. Good job! 08-27

Omar Kelly - Eric Weems just had a 36-yard kickoff returned stopped by Dan Carpenter, the last line of defense. Not a good look. 08-27

Omar Kelly - Dan Carpenter just kicked a 53-yard field goal to give Miami a 3-0 lead, capping a 5-play, 18 yard drive. 08-27

Omar Kelly - The team will vote on captains for the season this week. My vote goes to Karlos Dansby, Jake Long, Chad Henne and Yeremiah Bell. 08-27

Omar Kelly - Wildcat run for 6-yards on the second play of the game. Do you still think it's going anywhere? 08-27

Omar Kelly - Nolan Carroll is still working as the nickel, which makes sense considering Benny Sapp has only been a Dolphins for two days. 08-27

Omar Kelly - Chad Henne, Kendall Langford and Patrick Cobbs are the team captains for this game. 08-27

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