SMITH TO BE DOLPHINS KICK RETURNER

With Ted Ginn Jr. being traded to the San Francisco 49ers back in April, the Dolphins have been searching for a new kick returner. Despite using rookie Nolan Carroll as the kick returner and Davone Bess as the punt returner during the preseason, apparently the team was not committed to either one as the returners. The team on Wednesday signed third year veteran Clifton Smith to become the team's new kick returner. He will likely also assume the punt returner job from Bess. He will also be listed as the team's 5th string running back.

Smith, who played college football for Fresno State, was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2008 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his rookie season he averaged 27.6 yards per return on kickoffs and 14.1 yards per return on punts. He also had a 70 yard punt return for a touchdown and a 97 yard kick return for a touchdown in the 2008 season, and his success earned him a spot on the NFC Pro Bowl roster. In 2009, Smith improved on his kick return average as it climbed to 29.1 yards per return.

Smith does have some red flags, as he has been known to fumble the ball on returns and suffered two concussions last season that caused his season to be cut short. With Tampa Bay having a lot of players that can return kicks and can play other positions, they deemed Smith unnecessary for this season. The Dolphins won't require Smith to do anything other than return kicks, so to acquire a Pro Bowl returner one week before the start of the season, may turn out to be a major steal for the Dolphins.

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 QBs (3): Chad Henne, Chad Pennington, Tyler Thigpen

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The Dolphins open the season with the most depth of any team at their quarterback position. All three starters have seen significant time in the NFL. There is no way Pat White was making this team with Henne, Pennington and Thigpen at quarterback.

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RBs (5): Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, Patrick Cobbs, Lex Hilliard, Lousaka Polite

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Miami has one of the best running back tandems in the NFL. Cobbs is the change of pace running back and Sparano’s favorite player. Polite is the powerful lead blocker and first down machine, while Hilliard is a nice insurance running back and core special teams player. This is by far my favorite position for this team.

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WRs (5): Brandon Marshall, Brian Hartline, Davone Bess, Marlon Moore, Roberto Wallace

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The top three at this position have remained the same throughout training camp and preseason. It was the bottom half that became wide open when Greg Camarillo was traded to the Minnesota Vikings. The trade opened the doors for both Marlon Moore and Roberto Wallace who have taken the opportunity and ran with it. Both players have outplayed Patrick Turner and have earned a spot on this team.

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Tight End (2): Anthony Fasano, David Martin

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I have a hard time believing Miami will stay with only two tight ends on the roster, but for right now, I think it is the best decision. Fasano and Martin are a real nice tandem at tight end and I expect a season similar to the one they had in ’08. Miami will more than likely place Nalbone on the practice squad and look for a backup tight end else where.

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Offensive Line (8): Jake Long, Vernon Carey, Richie Incognito, Joe Berger, John Jerry, Lyndon Murtha, Donald Thomas, Corey Proctor

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I had a real hard time deciding who would make the team along the offensive line, but in the end, I had to go with what I have said all along. I believe Miami will cut Jake Grove, who is injury prone and too costly to have in an uncapped year. This is the year to let go of a big contract without ramifications.

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With that said, Berger automatically becomes the starter at center, Procter makes the team and serves as a swing lineman, and Thomas becomes your back up guard. You have your bookend tackles in Long and Carey, who are the stars of the offensive line, and Murtha stays for now as insurance.

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I believe Miami will be in the market for an experienced backup offensive tackle, so Murtha’s time with the team may not be long.

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Defensive Line (8): Randy Starks, Paul Soliai, Kendall Langford, Jared Odrick, Marques Douglas, Charles Grant, Tony McDaniel, Ryan Baker

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Randy Starks, Paul Soliai, Kendall Langford, Jared Odrick are all locked to make the team. The additions of Marques Douglas and Charles Grant have solidified this unit and have proven to be blessings in disguise. McDaniel and Baker have improved and are quality backups that deserve a spot on this roster.

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Outside Linebacker (5): Cameron Wake, Koa Misi, Charlie Anderson, Ikaika Alama-Francis, Quentin Moses

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The Dolphins have Canadian sensation Cameron Wake and rookie Koa Misi manning the two outside linebacker spots. Charlie Anderson, a more than capable backup and special teams player, has proven he is a quality backup and remains with the team. Converted defensive lineman Ikaika Alama-Francis has been a pleasant surprise and has been Misi’s backup all through training camp and preseason. IAF has even seen time with the starters as a run stop specialist. Moses is my surprise here, I know he was injured, but I am impressed with what I have seen from him this pre season and I am seeing him apply solid pressure.

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Inside Linebacker (4): Karlos Dansby, Channing Crowder, Tim Dobbins, Micah Johnson

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The biggest surprise to the inside linebacker unit has to be overachiever Micah Johnson, who was signed as UDFA after being cut by the Giants when Miami lost linebacker A.J. Edds to a season ending injury. No one expected Johnson to make any contributions to the team, but the injury to Crowder opened the door and I believe Johnson has demonstrated, with his play, the ability to make the final squad.

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Cornerback (6): Vontae Davis, Sean Smith, Will Allen, Benny Sapp, Nate Ness, Nolan Carroll

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The Trifecta has kept five corners on the roster these last two year’s, but after Will Allen suffered a set back to his injured knee, Miami was forced to keep six corner backs. I had to go with Nate Ness instead of Jason Allen, Ness has really come on strong and is a very good special teamer. Ness is sure tackler, with real good recovery speed and an ability to knock the ball away. He is also a lot cheaper than Jason Allen and in his young career has shown more. Remember Ness is a converted safety/cornerback so he also adds depth. I don’t know if the Dolphins will keep six corners the whole year, but for now Nate Ness has made the Miami Dolphins 53 man roster.

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Safety (4): Yeremiah Bell, Chris Clemons, Tyrone Culver, Reshad Jones

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An encouraging sign for the Dolphins is how consistent they have remained at the safety position since day one, especially after last year’s debacle. They have entrusted Clemons with the free safety position and Pro Bowl safety Yeremiah Bell is expected be used as a key weapon on the defense. Culver is a key contributor and quality special team player for the Dolphins and rookie Reshad Jones has enough potential to remain with the squad and also be a key special teamer.

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Specialists (3): Dan Carpenter, Brandon Fields, John Denney

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The Three Amigos, as I like to call them, have turned into one of the most consistent units on this team. Their play earned them all contract extensions during the offseason and there was no way this unit was being separated.

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