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-
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-
