Bill Parcell’s and the Miami Dolphins are not keeping 6 Wide Receivers on the 53-man roster. They haven’t come out and said that yet but they don’t have to, I’ll do it for them. They only carried 4 for the majority of last year if that’s any indication. Assuming that is the case then who will our 5 receivers be this year?
Let me break it down the best we can at this point considering injuries, camps, off the field incidents, drug suspensions, and obviously preseason performance. As it stands right now I think it’s safe to say that Teddy Ginn and Patrick Turner are locks to make the team. I also think it’s safe to say that Ernest “Disaster” Wilford is a lock to be released. That leaves 4 receivers, Davone Bess, Greg Camarillo, Brian Hartline and Brandon London fighting for three spots. Very tough to call when you consider all 4 guys bring dynamically different things to the table despite the fact they may seem similar on the surface.
- Davone Bess (5’9” 195 4.69): Football player before athlete, great route runner, deceptively quick despite lack of break away speed, scrappy player, tough, physical despite small stature. Excellent hands and always seems to find the opening underneath. Primarily plays in the slot, chain moving machine and red zone threat. Also contributes on special teams most notably as punt returner.
- Greg Camarillo (6’1” 190): Most experienced and consistent Dolphins receiver. Brings speed, toughness, grit, work-ethic, knowledge of the playbook, good route running and good hands. An excellent locker room guy and mentor to the younger receivers. Bad news is Camarillo is coming off an ACL injury.
- Brian Hartline (6′2″ 186 4.49): Talented but didn’t get much of a chance at tOSU to show it due to the number WR’s ahead of him. Good hands, moves the chains, quicker than he is fast making him great in red zone and in zone coverage playing underneath and athletic enough to win the jump ball battles against average size corners. Willing and able run blocker. Special teams asset with toughness and collegiate experience returning punts.
- Brandon London (6′4″ 210): Athletically gifted, huge body, long wingspan, will win most jump balls, great body control, ability to make acrobatic catches, special teams contributor and weapon, unlimited potential. Serious threat to be special but must improve route running, consistency, run blocking and just needs to get on the field. Preseason could take him from fighting for roster spot to starter. It’s all on him.
Obviously based on not being on the roster last season puts Hartline behind the others but conversely he may have an advantage in terms of mystery. We aren’t sure what we have with him yet compiled with his being a bit younger, and simply the fact he was drafted in the 3rd Round and nobody wants a player they just drafted to not even make the team, especially Parcells.
It’s also very likely that Camarillo could start the season on the Players Unable to Perform (PUP) list allowing Miami to keep all 6 guys at least for a few extra months allowing the development to come further along and ultimately allowing the top 5 to become obvious choices through performance, need and character. Regardless of the health of Camarillo’s knee I do believe Tuna will do whatever he can to buy his coaching staff time to evaluate these players thus enabling Miami to carry 6 until they are comfortable with 5 and also allowing Camarillo every opportunity to make the team at 100%.
My guess is that Greg Camarillo ultimately becomes the odd man out due more to the possibility of what the others bring to the table more than his own shortcomings. That combined with being a 27-year-old WR coming off an ACL injury may be too much to overcome. It’s a tough call with Camarillo being a fan favorite. Who could forget his game winning overtime TD against Baltimore giving us our one win in 2007? The most famous or maybe I should infamous TD in Dolphins history was that intimidating duo of Cleo Lemon to Rich Camarillo. Marino to Clayton who? The image of Camarillo breaking away will forever be burnt into my memory bank of great football moments.
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