It’s hard to say everything is smooth sailing for a team featuring Chad Johnson, a three-way quarterback battle, a first-year head coach in Joe Philbin and the HBO reality series ‘Hard Knocks’ filming everything that moves. But Philbin has done a great job managing his Pro Bowl talent with an All-Pro mouth and kept signal callers David Garrard, Matt Moore and Ryan Tannehill all focused and on the same page.
The first episode of ‘Hard Knocks’ also should have convinced anyone who doubted the hiring of Philbin that he was the right man for the job. At the very least, he earned plenty of bonus points in his primetime debut by quoting the famous George Costanza.
Still, there are several things to keep an eye on as the Dolphins open their preseason slate against the Buccaneers on Friday.
Questions to be answered in the preseason:
Can the team keep four tight ends? Jeron Mastrud is making a case not only to make the roster, but also get significant playing time this season. The third-year tight end has just one career catch, but the physical blocker has been using his 6-foot-6, 262-pound frame to earn time with the first team. With a team expected to rely heavily on the run, his blocking is vital to power sets and two-tight formations. But who will Miami cut? Starter Anthony Fasano is the clear No. 1 and had two touchdown catches in last weekend's scrimmage. The team used a third-round draft pick on Michael Egnew and the front office is enamored with the receiving talent of Charles Clay, who caught three touchdowns last season.
Which quarterback will start Week 1? Former Pro Bowler David Garrard sits atop the initial depth chart and Philbin has indicated the 34-year-old is expected get the starting nod against the Buccaneers. But ater that, it’s up for grabs. Garrard, who underwent back surgery and missed all of 2011, is one hit away from being out of the running. Incumbent Matt Moore led the team to a 6-3 record down the stretch last year as he completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 2,497 yards with 16 touchdowns against nine interceptions and has the support of many teammates. And then there is Tannehill, the eighth-overall pick of April’s NFL draft who Garrard dubbed “the people’s choice.” All have shown flashes of brilliance during the first two weeks of training camp and it remains a mystery who will start on Sept. 9 at Houston to open the season.
Will Vontae Davis regain his starting spot? The cornerback has been criticized by coaches for his lack of dedication and fitness. While he has not taken any reps with the second team, he has slipped to No. 2 on the depth chart and has been lining up as the nickelback instead of out wide. Davis, who made four interceptions last season, said he has been dieting and drinking more water and the team can’t afford for one of its top players to sit on the sidelines.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Miami Dolphins from blogger Dave Carey, follow @CBSSportsNFLMIA.
