Preseason Week 1: Miami Dolphins (0-0) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0)
Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Weather: 87 degrees, 30 percent chance of storms
TV: South Florida — CBS. Rest of the Country — NFL Network
Radio: 940-AM, 105.9-FM, 94.3-FM (Palm Beach), 1290-AM (Palm Beach), 92.1-FM (spanish), 101.7-FM (Treasure Coast), 96.1-FM (Ft. Myers-Naples)
Series: This game marks the 17th time in 18 years that the two teams have faced each other in the preseason, and 25th preseason meeting overall. Miami leads the preseason series 15-9, and won last year’s game 10-6, but Tampa Bay has won five of the last eight meetings. Miami leads the all-time regular season series, 5-4.
Coaches
Dolphins: Tony Sparano, third year (18-14, one playoff appearance)
Bucs: Raheem Morris, second year (3-13)
Full Rosters
Dolphins: Click here
Bucs: Click here
Dolphins injury report (unofficial)
Out: LB Tim Dobbins (ankle), QB Chad Pennington (coach’s decision), CB Will Allen (knee).
Questionable: OT Vernon Carey (leg), C Jake Grove (knee), OT Nate Garner (leg).
Bucs injury report (courtesy of St. Pete Times)
Out: DT Brian Price (hamstring), TE Kellen Winslow (knee), CB Aqib Talib (personal), CB Myron Lewis (hamstring), RB Clifton Smith (hamstring), De’von Hall (undisclosed injury).
2009 Team Rankings
Dolphins
Offense: 17th (Rushing: 4th; Passing: 20th; Points: 15th)
Defense: 22nd (Rushing: 18th; Passing: 24th; Points: 25th)
Bucs
Offense: 28th (Rushing: 23rd; Passing: 24th; Points: 30th)
Defense: 27th (Rushing: 32; Passing: 10; Points: 27th)
Five Things To Watch For the Dolphins:
Reserve quarterbacks Tyler Thigpen and Pat White: They both have the opportunity to make a statement about their worth to the team; each is likely to play more than a quarter. Thigpen is by far the more polished quarterback, but he has been throwing a lot of interceptions in practice.
Free safety Chris Clemons: Sparano said late this week that Clemons – the replacement for Gibril Wilson, who was cut in the off-season -had made only one mental mistake in more than 400 plays in practice. At this point last year there already were mounting concerns about Wilson. If Clemons remains solid and doesn’t get beat over the top, it will say a lot about the strong potential for Miami’s young secondary.
Outside linebackers Koa Misi and Cameron Wake: When the front office decided Joey Porter and Jason Taylor were expendable, the pressure shifted to a group of young, unproven outside linebackers. Misi and Wake have emerged from the pack and, while the Bucs won’t game-plan against them, it’s a sure bet their coverage skills will be tested.
Miami’s young starters: From second-year corners Vontae Davis and Sean Smith to rookie guard John Jerry and defensive end Jared Odrick, the Dolphins this season will be seeking veteran-like performances from a long list of players with limited NFL track records.
The fifth receiver: The quartet of Brandon Marshall, Brian Hartline, Davone Bess and Greg Camarillo are set. Patrick Turner has the edge for the fifth wideout job, but look out for Roberto Wallace and Marlon Moore, two receivers that have made a big splash in camp so far.
