Miami Dolphins reach roster limit but more moves likely

Three quarterbacks. Four receivers. And five running backs.

Nine on the offensive line. Eight on the defensive side.

Seven linebackers. Three tight ends. And, of course, three specialists.

None of that was a major surprise for the Miami Dolphins, as they released their 53-man roster late Saturday.

Here’s something that was: They’re carrying, at least as of now, 11 defensive backs.

Add it all together, and that’s how the Dolphins assembled their team ahead of Saturday’s 6 p.m. cutdown deadline – but write that roster in pencil, not in ink.

It’s surely going to change in the coming days, as the front office sifts through the available pool of talent after some 700 players have been cut loose.

The Dolphins trimmed 22 players off their roster to get to their prescribed limit, and – at least for now – have gone heavy in the secondary.

Offensive players cut Saturday: T Jeff Adams, G Chris Barker, C Sam Brenner, WR Chad Bumphis, QB Aaron Corp, WR Keenan Davis, RB Jonas Gray, T Andrew McDonald, WR Marvin McNutt, TE Kyle Miller and WR Brian Tyms.

And of defense, the Dolphins released: LB Antwan Applewhite, DT A.J. Francis, S Keelan Johnson, S Jordan Kovacs, DE Tristan Okpalaugo, CB Julian Posey, CB De’Andre Presley, DT Kheeston Randall, DT Tracy Robertson, LB Lee Robinson and LB Austin Spitler.

The cuts, while again not a final product, reflect what the Dolphins want to look like when they open the season in Cleveland on Sept. 8.

Still, the biggest surprises came in the secondary and at receiver.

By releasing McNutt, Bumphis and Tyms, the Dolphins indicated they were comfortable going with just with Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, Brandon Gibson and Rishard Matthews – at least for now.

Matthews missed much of the preseason with a knee injury. The Miami Herald has learned he had a minor procedure on the knee during training camp but has made a strong recovery.

Then there’s the defensive backfield. The two biggest surprises to make the team: safety Don Jones and corner R.J. Stanford.

Often times, such decisions are made based on special teams value and injury. With Will Davis ailing and Richard Marshall cut last week, the Dolphins thought it prudent to keep Stanford, their sixth corner.

This story was originally published September 1, 2013 at 12:10 AM with the headline "Miami Dolphins reach roster limit but more moves likely."