Dolphins camp chatter:
• The quarterback battle will not gain true clarity until the preseason games, but several veteran defensive players have expressed surprise with how much
Chad Henne has injected himself into the race, outshining
John Beck and challenging front-runner
Josh McCown, who threw three interceptions Tuesday.
Defensive end
Vonnie Holliday said Tuesday that before camp started, he would have been surprised if Henne ended up starting on opening day. And now? ''I wouldn't be that surprised,'' he said. ``I like the way the guy carries himself. He's not intimidated.''
Henne has worked extensively with the first team for three consecutive practices and has exceeded expectations, safety
Yeremiah Bell said. ''He has a chance to win this job,'' Bell added. ``You can't overlook that he's very impressive.''
• Although Miami could sign former Cowboys receiver
Terry Glenn at any point this preseason, a decision has been put on hold in recent days while both sides consider their options. The delay is giving Glenn more time to get into better condition, and it's giving the Dolphins more time to evaluate their current group of receivers.
The Dolphins have not brought Glenn in for a workout and do not have one scheduled. If Miami decides to offer a contract, his knee -- which limited him to one game with the Cowboys last season -- would have to be strong enough so he could pass a physical.
In the meantime,
Derek Hagan and
Ted Ginn Jr. continue to impress coaches, and
Greg Camarillo also has had some good moments in camp.
Ernest Wilford, whose dropped pass Tuesday continued a lackluster camp, is being pushed hard by Hagan for a starting job.
Ginn has matured in two areas, which coach
Tony Sparano noted Tuesday: 1) His route-running ''has improved tremendously,'' Sparano said. ''He's got more of a plan at the line of scrimmage.'' 2) Ginn got ''a lot stronger'' in the offseason conditioning program, allowing him to win more ''battles at the line of scrimmage,'' Sparano noted. And Sparano said he has ''developed a little bit of a wiggle at the top of his route that has proven to be a good separator'' from defensive backs.
• With
Matt Roth getting work at outside linebacker a second day in a row,
Kendall Langford remained with the first team at defensive end Tuesday, had another sack and ''keeps impressing me,'' Holliday said. Behind Langford is free agent pickup
Randy Starks, whom Sparano said Tuesday has picked up his game the past four days ''and might be the strongest guy'' on the team.
• Most improved Dolphin? Bell pointed to
Jason Allen and Hagan . . .
Donald Thomas has now gone a week with the starting unit at right guard, and teammates think he might stick. ''He punches people and they go flying,''
Justin Smiley said of Thomas' blocking . . . In a sign of respect,
Bill Parcells called
Don Shula last week for the first time since Parcells' hiring.
CHATTER• One UM player drawing buzz from other players is improved former nickelback
Chavez Grant -- UM people won't be surprised if he beats out
DeMarcus Van Dyke for a starting cornerback job opposite expected starter
Bruce Johnson.
Jacory Harris called Grant the secondary's ''major threat'' in spring ball. Freshman
Brandon Harris, working a lot at nickel back, wants to inject himself in the starting cornerback race but conceded, ``It will be very tough to beat those guys out. I need to get a tad more aggressive in tackling.''
• UM's
Xavier Shannon, expected to start at center, avoids awkwardness playing for
Randy Shannon by following two rules: 1) calling him ''Coach Shannon'' on campus ''even though players say I should call him Dad;'' 2) never discussing football with him away from campus . . . UM filled its 2009 and 2010 schedule openings by booking two home games against Florida A&M. Other nonconference games in 2009: Oklahoma, at UCF, at USF. Also in 2010: USF, at Ohio State, at Pittsburgh.
• As great as Marlins shortstop
Hanley Ramirez is, several things -- beyond the defensive lapses that frustrate scouts -- mystify: his .188 average with men in scoring position (by far the worst among Marlins regulars and down from .307 last year), his .236 average vs. left-handers (compared with .399 last year) and 99 strikeouts (95 all of last season). ''I see a lot of room for improvement in all kinds of areas,'' manager
Fredi Gonzalez said. Ramirez entered Tuesday batting 40 points lower than last year's .332. ''There are times Fredi challenges Hanley, and he needs that -- we all need that,''
Luis Gonzalez said. Ramirez, who committed 24 errors last year, is on pace for 27 this season.
• With the free agent point guard list dwindling, the Heat spoke to agents for
Shaun Livingston and
Jannero Pargo (but did not make offers) while maintaining contact with
Jason Williams, who remains a fallback option at best. Agent
Mark Bartelstein said it's uncertain if restricted free agent
Chris Quinn will return. The Heat, which has several trade options (including Oklahoma City's
Luke Ridnour), would at least be expected to explore signing
Stephon Marbury if the Knicks eventually cut him.
• Pembroke Pines Flanagan shortstop
Rolando Gomez, who was drafted in the 11th round, signed with the Los Angeles Angels on Friday for $450,000 instead of going to UM, but Miami Braddock shortstop
Harold Martinez, drafted by Texas in the 19th round, will go to UM if the Rangers don't give him first-round money by the Aug. 15 deadline, his father said.
