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Miami Dolphins sign kicker to challenge incumbent Carpenter

Asked Monday morning if the Miami Dolphins had considered bringing in a kicker to challenge Dan Carpenter, coach Tony Sparano said, ``We'll see.''

That's accurate if ``see'' meant ``see this afternoon.'' The Dolphins signed kicker Conner Barth, who spent last season in Kansas City, to a two-year deal.

Carpenter missed a few kicks during the first week of training camp, possibly more in that week than he did the entire 2008 preseason when he beat out incumbent Jay Feely. Carpenter went 21 of 25 on field goals, with all the misses coming from 40 to 49 yards, and 40 of 40 on extra points last season.

Kicker Connor Barth an insurance policy for Miami Dolphins

Every time Connor Barth gets ready to sell insurance, an NFL team treats him like a kicking insurance policy. And if Dan Carpenter doesn't straighten out his kicks, the Dolphins might be filing a claim on Barth.

Thursday afternoon, in team drill kicking, Carpenter missed all three kicks, going well wide right from 42 and 46 yards and just wide left from 61.

Meanwhile, Barth nailed his 42-yarder and 45-yarder and wasn't given the chance from 61.

Miami Dolphins coach wants to see production in games, not practice

``But I want to see it in a game.''

No one has hung up Dolphins coach Tony Sparano's favorite training camp phrase in the Dolphins' game or practice locker room. Yet, going into Monday's exhibition opener against Jacksonville, the phrase hangs over several players established only as practice stars after two weeks of training camp.

Take rookie cornerback Sean Smith, playing with the first team for much of last week. As promising as Smith has looked, his near future potential will be reassessed if he gets outplayed by veteran Eric Green or Vontae Davis, drafted a round ahead of Smith but not as impressive in practices so far.

Miami Dolphins' depth chart not yet meaningful

It shouldn't be that much of a surprise that the Dolphins' initial depth chart only sort of resembles the way they have been lining up in practice.

For practices, coach Tony Sparano knows how many snaps he wants not just for entire units, but for each player, with all the echelons within each unit. He isn't just a bear for details, he's a grizzly. The depth chart on the other hand . . .

``When you ask me to put together a depth chart after 12 practices, it really is something that's going to take place in another 10 practices,'' Sparano said. ``It's kind of hard for me to do that right now with a clear conscience. So, I put the depth chart out with no real rhyme or reason.''

Miami Dolphins not kicking themselves despite Barth's performance

When the Dolphins decided to retain kicker Dan Carpenter instead of Connor Barth toward the end of training camp, it was not without a closely contested competition that lasted for weeks. On Sunday, the kickers went back at it.

Carpenter and Barth (who now kicks for the Buccaneers) were both solid, even if Barth initially left some wondering whether Miami passed on the better boot after he tied an NFL record in the third quarter with his third field goal of 50 yards or more.

On the day, Barth made kicks from 50, 51 and 54 yards.