Rookie QB Tannehill to start tonight for Dolphins

According to multiple reports, including Dolphins' broadcaster Dick Stockton, rookie QB Ryan Tannehill will start tonight against the Carolina Panthers. According to the Palm Beach Post's Ben Volin, Tannehill will get 25-30 snaps, which should bring him into halftime with Matt Moore taking over in the 3rd quarter. 

A good game from Tannehill, meaning he moves the chains consistently, puts points (not FG's) on the board, and doesn't turn the ball over, could put an end to this South Florida QB competition.

Let's hope that's the case as Tannehill starting is clearly the best thing for the Miami Dolphins.

One other note: I will not be able to do a live blog during the game tonight as I am traveling, but of course will be following.

Let's go Fins!

Miami Dolphins release Chad Johnson in wake of recent arrest

The Miami Dolphins have released WR Chad Johnson, according to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer.  His locker has been cleared out.

This is coming in the wake of last nights arrest for an alleged "domestic dispute" between Johnson and his wife, leaving a laceration on her forehead.

What this means? Joe Philbin doesn't mess around. 

Nor should he.

More to come.

Dolphins receiver Chad Johnson arrested Saturday night

Not good.  Colorful receiver Chad Johnson, who had never been arrested in his eleven year NFL career, broke that streak Saturday night when he was taken into custody for an alleged "domestic dispute" with his wife Lozada, who claims the star receiver head butted her, leaving a laceration on her forehead.

The dispute was reportedly over a receipt found by Johnson's wife for a box of condoms.

The Dolphins are fully aware of the situation and are "gathering all the relevant information," a team spokesperson said.

Johnson is expected to post bail Sunday morning.

Yikes.

More to come as the story, and repercussions, unfold.

Dolphins lose to Bucs 20-7 in preseason opener

There were some good things, there were some bad things, and then there was the as always brutal televising of the CW West Palm.  And everything in between.

Matt Moore finished 7-12 for 79 yards and an interception, while Ryan Tannehill went 14-21 with 167 yards and an eleven yard touchdown pass to Charles Clay.  The running game was absent, the offensive line had its issues, Dan Carpenter missed two field goals (50,51), and Chad Johnson stalled a drive with a dropped third down pass early on.  Tannehill looked good, Moore looked indifferent, and the Dolphin starting defense was suprisingly disappointing.

Luckily this is only the first of twenty games for this 2012 Fins team, and there was plenty to build on, both good and bad.  In a game filled with inconsistency, there were, however, two constants:

The referees were bad.

The Dolphins announcing crew was worse.

Analysis to come tomorrow, until then I bid you farewell and thanks for following!

Tannehill shines in third Quarter as Fins trail 17-7

Ryan Tannehill found his groove in the third quarter of this one as the rookie led an impressive TD drive ending in a strike to tight end Charles Clay over the middle of the field and leading him right into the endzone.  Tannehill and WR Roberto Wallace led the way on multiple drives as the two showed good chemistry, along with WR Julius Pruitt.  It seems that those two receivers will be penciled in to make the final 53 man roster as both have impressed tonight.

The Fins defense has also stiffened up, holding the Bucs to only a field goal in the third quarter.

Fourth and final quarter on the way.

Sloppy Fins trail 14-0 at halftime

Not a great first first half of the season for the Miami Dolphins.  Matt Moore and the offense struggled to move the ball after the first drive, while the Dolphin defense struggled to put any pressure on QB Josh Freeman.  The secondary looked sluggish and sloppy in both coverage and tackling as Bucs receivers racked up the YAC.

QB Ryan Tannehill took over late in the second quarter as rain fell over Sun Life Stadium, and after a three and out deep inside Dolphins territory, Tannehill got a second chance after a fumbled punt return recovered by Miami.  The rookie looked much better this time around, hitting both Roberto Wallace and Julius Pruitt for big gains.  Tannehill had his first NFL touchdown reversed, a beautiful low pass in the middle of the endzone to Wallace, after the (replacement) refs ruled the ball hit the turf.

After that the Fins failed to put the ball in the endzone and turned it over on downs.

Yikes.

Onto the third we go.

Bucs lead Dolphins 7-0 after 1st Quarter

The Dolphins, led by Matt Moore, had a good looking opening drive stalled by a Chad Johnson drop on third down inside the Bucs thirty yard line.  Moore looked accurate, crisp, and in control on the drive, which also featured a couple strong runs by Reggie Bush.

The Dolphin defense held tough after a Dan Carpenter missed 51 yard field goal, but ended up conceding a one yard TD run on fourth and goal after a long Bucs drive.

On to the 2nd quarter we go.