Miami Dolphins set to kickoff 2013 preseason: What to expect and what to watch for

We are now 24 hours away from the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio.

Wait, didn't training camp just start?

My, how time flies when you're having fun, huh?

So, with the Fins and Cowboys set to kick things off tomorrow night around 8, here is EVERYTHING you need to know, and EVERYTHING you should be watching for, as your Miami Dolphins get ready to take the field for the first time this season.


What you need to know:

- According to Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, expect Ryan Tannehill and the starting offense to play two or three series.  The same goes for the starting defense. After that you'll see the second team offense and defense and on down for the remainder of the game.

- Jared Odrick, Randy Starks and Olivier Vernon are not expected to play.  Odrick and Starks have been battling minor injuries all week, but nothing is expected to linger to long.  This COULD mean that rookie Dion Jordan will get the start.

- WR's Brian Hartline and Mike Wallace are questionable for tomorrow night.  Both are battling leg injuries, with Hartline struggling with his calf, and Wallace with his groin. Both have expressed a desire to play, but I HIGHLY doubt you'll see them.  There's just no point in risking further injury.  Both, however, are expected to be just fine, and could play if this were a regular season game.


What to watch for:

- Look for some big time minutes for WR's Marvin McNutt and Brian Tyms.  Both have had good weeks of practice, and both are fighting for extended roles on this team going forward.

- Pay close attention to the Fins offensive line.  The unit has struggled in camp thus far, so how they do tomorrow night will be telling.

- Watch all three RB's closely, especially Daniel Thomas, who has been solid in camp and believes he can still be the starter ahead of Lamer Miller.

- How will Ryan Tannehill look in his first game as a sophomore?  Remember, he likely won't have his two top receivers, but can he still orchestrate a couple drives in his limited playing time?

- The kicking battle will something to keep your eye on.  So far Dan Carpenter has had the upper hand through camp, but Caleb Sturgis has started to come on strong.  No doubt that both of these guys will get there fair shots tomorrow night.

- TURNOVER BATTLE.  The Dolphins have made this their top priority over the first two weeks of camp.  Can they win it?

- Pay attention to rookie CB Will Davis.  He's had a strong last couple of practices, but can he shine in games?

- And, of course, can Dion Jordan make an impact?  This is what he was brought here to do, now lets see if he can.


Coverage starts tomorrow night, and, of course, I'll have a quarter by quarter blog for you guys.

Come back then, and lets start this season off right.

GO FINS!