Miami Dolphins Pre-Season Week 3 Game Thread

Some news/rumors to keep an eye on as we get closer to the end of pre-season and closer to roster deadline day - The Dolphins have put two players on the trade block looking to see if they can get a player in return, if not draft picks.


Raekwon McMillian and Kiko Alonso are the two names on the block for the Fins.


This is due to the emergence of some other LBs in camp/pre-season along with the fact that the Fins are looking for players at the position that are younger, faster and healthier.

Now, I don't mind if the Fins get rid of Kiko Alonso - he is washed-up, overrated and a dirty player. His departure from the team wouldn't hurt in any way.

As for McMillian, despite his injury issues and not having lived up to expectation(yet), he obviously still has talent and upside. It would be a complete mistake for the Fins to give up on him unless the team is given an offer that blows them away. In my opinion, if the Fins aren't getting a young talent at his position, or several first and/or second round picks in return.

Lets see what happens in the days and weeks ahead.

Per local beat writers, the Dolphins are working to finalize a 4-year extension with Jakeem Grant. Word is they are just working to resolve a few details and the deal should be official very soon.

Something to watch for tonight:

Pre-season week 3 is known as the "dress rehearsal" for teams in preparation for the season. This is the game where a teams starters play a significant amount. Obviously, the Fins have several battles to settle before the season - Of note, obviously -- the QB position -- Which brings me to this:No official word yet as to who will start the game. Last week the starter was not revealed until about 5 minutes before kickoff -- the same may be the case again tonight.

With that being said - a word of caution from several Fins beat writers has been not to make much of who starts the game - the thing to look for is which QB is the one to play the most - this is said to be the biggest indicator of who the team is leaning towards, at least for the time being.

If there is SIGNIFICANT separation between one or the other, an official starter for the season will be named after the game - at some point.

BUT -- with THAT said -- given Flores comments in recent days about some times the youngs not being ready yet -- it could be a sign that the team is leaning towards Fitzpatrick no matter how either performs tonight - unless he completely blows it.

This game is worth watching -- it is of SOME importance to say the least.

Kenyan Drake out of his walking-boot - so that is some encouraging news for him with regards to his potential availability for week 1 of the season.

Save yourselves!!!!!!!! Tonights game is on FOX and the disaster that is Joe Buck is calling the game - this guy is absolute garbage when it comes to play-by-play/broadcasting.

Fitzpatrick starts the game - first play is a pass attempt that he over-throws

3-and-out goes the first drive for the Fins with Fitzpatrick at QB

Fins defense shows up on their first drive to force a 3-and-out of their own.

For some reason - the Fins still have Preston Williams at PR/KR - IMO, this played a role in his struggles at WR last week - I think its a continued risk to keep playing him there. If he hasn't earned his spot on the team already - let him continue to earn his way at WR - don't expose a guy thats been doing well for you all off-season long by overplaying him.

Fins with a smarter approach early on in this second drive and working the running game rather than getting pass-happy. The drive still ends in a punting situation - but at least they had a better approach.

It hasn't been an encouraging first two drives for Fitzpatrick - but it hasn't been a good pre-season statistically for him at all, anyway.

Lets see how long the Fins stay with him tonight

Early on, its encouraging to see the first-team defense executing.

They are brining the pressure and executing with it. This is certainly no Matt Burke defense - or Kevin Coyle defense for that matter.

Defensive penalties allow the Jaguars to move down field for the first TD in the game. Lets see who the Fins come out with at QB their next drive

Another empty, fairly underwhelming drive for the Fins offense under Fitzpatrick

Eric Rowe with a big pick for the Fins D

Fitzpatrick still out there - lets see if he can actually do something now that he has a short field to work with

Fins instead have to settle for 3 due to a penalty

Chris Lammons, who has been a star on special teams this entire camp/pre-season comes up with a big hit to force a fumble on KO return - Mark Walton takes it in for a TD

Well, upon review - the fumble is reversed - but still a great effort

It looks like the first half of this game is going to belong to Fitzpatrick no matter what.

Great block by Chanlder Cox at FB to open up that run. Great to see the FB being apart of the Dolphins offense again. This is certainly NOT an Adam Gase offense