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FALLING

1. Minnesota Vikings' scoring potential: Vikings quarterback Donovan McNabb managed 39 yards passing in a Week 1 that featured 300-plus-yard games from the other three NFC North quarterbacks. Overall, the NFL set a single-week record by combining for 7,482 passing yards, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. We have a passing division within a passing league, but the Vikings appear most equipped to move the ball as a power running team. Let's assume they get more efficient and proficient within that structure. Will they be able to score enough points, and quickly enough, to keep up in division games? The Green Bay Packers scored 35 offensive points last Thursday against the New Orleans Saints. The Detroit Lions' offense scored 27 and the Chicago Bears' offense put up 23. The Vikings' offense? It managed 10 points, the lone touchdown set up by a 46-yard run from tailback Adrian Peterson. Philosophically, the Vikings are swimming upstream.

2. Consternation about the kickoff rule: NFC North teams returned a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns in Week 1, matching their total of the entire 2010 season. Packers rookie Randall Cobb had a 108-yard return Thursday night, and the Vikings' Percy Harvin scored on a 103-yard return Sunday. I'll have more on the blog later Tuesday, but suffice it to say, we have seen no evidence yet that the new kickoff rule will wipe out the potential for an exciting return.

3. Charles Woodson's bank balance: It would be surprising if the NFL doesn't fine the Packers' cornerback for punching Saints tight end Donald Thomas last Thursday. Officials penalized Woodson 15 yards for the play but passed on the option to eject him from the game. I know things get heated during a game, and even the most mild-mannered gentlemen, as Woodson has developed into, can lose their temper. But I'm sure I don't have to remind Woodson that he is the role model for most young players on the Packers' roster. He needs to keep his cool if for no other reason than to ensure the rest of the Packers do as well.

RISING

1. Julius Peppers, Bears defensive end: There has been plenty of talk about the surprising debut of defensive tackle Henry Melton, who had two sacks and seven quarterback hits Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. But let's not forget that Peppers also had two sacks and forced a fumble that linebacker Brian Urlacher returned for a touchdown. Peppers is the top priority of any opposing offense, and that's part of the reason he finished 2010 with a relatively low eight sacks. But Sunday was not only a reminder of what he can do for himself, but also what he can do for other players. Nothing against Melton, but I don't think he finishes with such gaudy numbers if Peppers isn't on the field.

2. The temper of Jim Schwartz, Lions coach: Schwartz appeared to be seething after Sunday's 27-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and I don't think it was just for effect when the television cameras lit up. If you have a copy of Sunday's game, go back and watch Schwartz going berserk on right tackle Gosder Cherilus after his late-game penalty stopped the clock and gave the Buccaneers extra time to mount a potential game-tying drive. I've heard Schwartz chastise players for "stupid" mistakes during training-camp practices on several occasions. He obviously places a big emphasis on players keeping their mental wits about them in pressure situations, and that's part of why he was so upset Sunday. But in the end, Schwartz was handed a coach's dream: A victory with plenty of humbling material to present players afterward.

3. Good citizenry in Green Bay: Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 312 yards in last Thursday's game, but none of his receivers had a 100-yard game. And from what I could tell, no one was close to upset about it. Receiver Greg Jennings led the way with 89 yards on seven catches. Tight end Jermichael Finley, who caught three passes for 53 yards, said: "In this offense, we know that we have to make the most of every opportunity you get with the ball in your hands. When that happens, you better do something with it, because you don't know when you'll get it again." Sounds like a good policy to me.

Check here for a full list of roster moves.

Biggest surprise: The Dolphins' decision to release tight end David Martin isn't surprising on account of his ability, but because of the depth chart. Joey Haynos is out with a foot injury, leaving incumbent starter Anthony Fasano and the unconvincing John Nalbone. The Dolphins also cut guard Donald Thomas, who was good enough to be their opening-day starter as a rookie in 2008 and again last year. Thomas played all 16 games last year and started 12. But the Dolphins have been trying to find the correct combination for the interior offensive line since Bill Parcells arrived at the end of the 2007 season. They signed free agents Richie Incognito and Cory Procter, drafted John Jerry in the third round and just traded for Pat McQuistan from the Dallas Cowboys. Thomas couldn't beat out any of them.

No-brainers: Based on 2008 draft status, it's notable that the Dolphins already have given up on quarterback Pat White (second round) and receiver Patrick Turner (third round). But they didn't belong. Neither of them ever showed they belonged in the NFL. White was drafted to enhance the Wildcat package, but he couldn't throw. Turner was deactivated for all but two games last year and was outplayed by undrafted rookies this summer.

What's next: Miami has no glaring needs, but they could stand to improve at a number of positions. General manager Jeff Ireland will be scavenging for what he call "acorns" that have fallen out of other teams' trees. Areas to look at will be the pass rush and, as always, interior O-line.

ESPN.com NFL Power Ranking (pre-camp): 13

DAVIE, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins might be the best NFL team people don't notice.

They're often overlooked in the AFC East. The New England Patriots have at least tied for the division's best record in nine straight seasons, and the big-talking New York Jets, coming off an appearance in the conference title game, are a fashionable Super Bowl pick.

Miami shouldn't be discounted.

Head coach Tony Sparano, who dropped 55 pounds in the offseason, wants his players to be hungry. The theme of training camp is "Feed the Wolf," a slogan he put on T-shirts in response to the Dolphins sliding from 11-5 and a division championship to a losing record last year.

"I had a meeting with the group and kind of got into them a little bit during practice about 7-9 not being good enough and how this football team shouldn’t be fat," Sparano explained. "They should be starving.

"One of the things that we talk about is feeding the wolf with little successes every day. ... We feed the wolf when we do something good, and that's what our guys understand. Small successes will lead to bigger successes down the way."

So when it comes to the AFC East race, dare we call Miami a sheep in wolf's silk-screened clothing?

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. What will the Chad Henne-to-Brandon Marshall connection mean to the offense? The Dolphins have been all about the ground game since Bill Parcells and Sparano took over in 2008. Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, rugged offensive line, the Wildcat, possession receivers ... Run, run, run.

Last year, the Dolphins ranked fourth in run offense and 20th in pass offense. Henne threw the fewest touchdown passes of any quarterback with at least 400 attempts. Just five of those touchdowns went to wide receivers.

Marshall's arrival can change that dramatically. While the Dolphins will continue to rely on their ground game, Henne now has a go-to target on third-and-critical or in the red zone. Marshall's amazing talents are on display every day at camp. He has sensational hands, outleaps helpless defenders and can snatch any ball remotely in his area.

Don't expect Marshall to extend his streak to four seasons of at least 100 receptions, but his presence gives Henne the kind of target who opens up all sorts of possibilities the Dolphins haven't had in years.

2. Will unproven outside linebackers provide enough of a pass rush with Joey Porter and Jason Taylor out the door? The Dolphins' 44 sacks last season tied for third in the NFL. But four of their top six contributors, totaling 28 sacks, either are no longer on the team (Porter and Taylor), playing a new position (Randy Starks) or out for year (Phillip Merling).

The Dolphins are counting on Cameron Wake and rookie Koa Misi, a pair of tantalizing-but-unverified pass-rushers, to handle most of the workload. Starks has the most sacks of any returning player with seven. But he has been moved to nose tackle, a position where Pro Bowlers record one or two sacks a year.

Wake's 5.5 sacks were next on the list. By the looks of his performances in camp, he'll be a force on passing downs even if he can't stop the run as effectively as the Dolphins would prefer. Misi, a second-round draft choice, has handled first-team reps with aplomb.

3. What will the interior offensive line look like? The Dolphins should have the makings of a nasty offensive line, but the inner three positions aren't solidified.

The Dolphins have had trouble settling on a center. Two years ago, they signed free agent Jake Grove and traded away Samson Satele. Now Grove is alternating first-team reps with Joe Berger for a spot that's up for grabs.

At guard, incumbent Donald Thomas, third-round draft choice John Jerry and free-agent signee Richie Incognito are fighting -- in Incognito's case, literally -- for jobs.

Sparano, an O-line aficionado at his core, wants his center and guards to be more than maulers in the run game. They must be better pass protectors.

"People think the left tackle's the only guy that [pass blocks on an island]," Sparano said. "But that's not true when you're turning the protection away from one of them. So to identify who can really handle those one-on-one battles is going to be important for us. That to me is what has to get better."

BIGGEST SURPRISE

Ikaika Alama-Francis wasn't good enough to stick with the 0-16 Detroit Lions. He was their second-round draft choice in 2007, but they cut the young defensive end after two seasons. He was on the street for two months before the Dolphins signed him in November. Alama-Francis was a healthy scratch for all six games he was on the roster and an afterthought heading into the offseason.

But with three workouts left until the Dolphins broke for the summer, they switched him to outside linebacker. Alama-Francis weighed 290 when he joined the Dolphins in November. He's an explosive 275 now.

"He looks like a linebacker out there, moving around right now," Sparano said. "He's a handful in the rush. He sets the edge of the defense pretty well, strong guy and very, very smart. I like what he's done."

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Quarterback Pat White hasn't shown any obvious signs of development to contradict the general belief Miami wasted a second-round draft pick on him last year. White missed the first day of training camp because of unexplained personal reasons. One report, quoting a family member, suggested White wouldn't play this year. He arrived the next day, but he hasn't shown much.

White has gotten limited reps, buried behind Henne, Chad Pennington and Tyler Thigpen. When given the opportunity, White's passes are scattershot, albeit more accurate than last year.

Merling would have been the easy choice here had he made it to training camp. Before he could get there, he was charged with felony assault of his pregnant girlfriend and suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.

OBSERVATION DECK

• You can't comprehend the size of some players until you see them in person. Marshall and Karlos Dansby are two of those guys. We can lose perspective when we're inundated with athlete heights and weights that are often fudged, but Marshall (6-4, 230) and Dansby (6-4, 250) are monstrous for their positions.
• Starks' transition from defensive end to nose tackle has been interesting. He's small for the job at 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, but his speed and athleticism have created problems for the Dolphins' O-line.
• Second-year receiver Patrick Turner is having an erratic summer. When I first laid eyes on him at rookie camp in 2009, I immediately was struck with how great his hands were. Turner made catching a football seem so effortless. He has been plagued by drops throughout this training camp, and when he does make a catch his teammates sound overly encouraging -- "Way to go, Pat!" -- to keep his confidence up. Turner was inactive for 14 games last year because he has no special-teams value. If the Dolphins can't trust him as a receiver, he'll have a hard time getting on the field.
• Free safety Chris Clemons, a fifth-round draft choice last year, has looked like he belongs. The position was viewed as a question mark when the Dolphins axed Gibril Wilson, but Clemons has had some bright moments.
• I'd be shocked if any star has signed more autographs in training camp than Marshall. After every open session, he slowly walks along the fence and puts his signature on every piece of memorabilia or scrap of paper thrust in front of him. Maybe he's doing his penance for past misdeeds, but Dolfans have no reason but to love him so far.
• Tough break for running back Kory Sheets, who suffered a season-ending right Achilles injury while returning a kickoff Wednesday. He had a nice shot to make the roster and made one of the most eye-popping plays I saw during my stay. On Monday night, he exploded through the offensive line and got into the second level with such speed, his teammates reflexively screamed "Whooooo!"
• Veteran cornerback Will Allen, rebounding from a knee injury, has been the team's nickelback. The Dolphins want sophomores Vontae Davis and Sean Smith to stay on the field. Although Allen would be a quality contributor, his contract could put him on the bubble. He has two years left on his contract with base salaries that total $10.7 million.
• Two years ago, Greg Camarillo was the Dolphins' best receiver. Now he looks like the fourth receiver behind Marshall, Brian Hartline and Davone Bess. That's a nice problem for Miami to have.
• Like the Buffalo Bills, the Dolphins aren't fooling around with extra legs in camp. They know Dan Carpenter will be their kicker and Brandon Fields will be their punter and aren't bothering to push them.
• Just talking out loud here because I realize frustrating receiver Ted Ginn had to go, but what if the Dolphins still had his speed to stretch the field with Marshall? That would have been a challenge for opposing defenses.

Can the AFC East send three clubs to the playoffs?

Sure seems possible to me. The past two years have produced different division champs and a third team that reached the AFC Championship Game last season.

The journey will start in a matter of days. The Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots blow the air horn on Thursday. The Miami Dolphins start Friday afternoon. The New York Jets open their "Hard Knocks" camp Monday morning.

All four teams have loose ends to tie up before camp. None has signed its first-round draft choice. Patriots left guard Logan Mankins remains unsigned and unhappy.

FOUR BIG QUESTIONS

Buffalo Bills: Who will be the quarterback?

New head coach Chan Gailey has stressed there will be an open quarterback competition, but the first depth chart will be known when the Bills begin camp. The campaign would get off to a fascinating start if anybody other than Trent Edwards takes the initial first-team reps. Ryan Fitzpatrick finished last year as the starter, but offers the least amount of upside. He's a sixth-year journeyman backup. Brian Brohm, a 2008 Green Bay Packers second-round pick, provides the most intrigue, titillating Bills fans because he's the unknown quantity. The battle should be a slowly progressing storyline unlikely to be decided until preseason games have been played -- and maybe not until the week before the season opener.

Miami Dolphins: How quickly will receiver Brandon Marshall integrate into the offense?

The Dolphins' prized offseason acquisition missed voluntary workouts and minicamp because of hip surgery the Dolphins didn't anticipate when they traded for him in April. His absence delayed the Dolphins' ability to see how he could transform the offense, forcing any ideas to remain X's and O's on the dry-erase board until training camp. The injury also prevented quarterback Chad Henne from getting fully acquainted with Marshall, a player who can help expedite Henne's development. Henne must get used to Marshall's speed and route angles. How quickly they find their timing on intermediate and longer patterns such as deep outs and posts against a defense will be important to making sure they're totally on the same page when the season starts.

New England Patriots: Will the Patriots show noticeable improvement on defense?

The old baseball adage claims championship teams are strong up the middle. The Patriots can say they're formidable in that regard. They have star nose tackle Vince Wilfork, inside linebacker Jerod Mayo and a solid group of safeties. But this ain't baseball. In football, especially with a 3-4 defense, teams need an outside presence. The Patriots are eager to see if they can improve their pass rush and be more consistent at cornerback. Those two areas depend on each other and contributed to the Patriots ranking 22nd in sacks per pass play last year. They'll have to sort through returning outside linebackers Tully Banta-Cain, Derrick Burgess, Rob Ninkovich and Shawn Crable and 53rd overall draft pick Jermaine Cunningham. At the all-important left cornerback spot, unproven sophomore Darius Butler will compete with first-round pick Devin McCourty.

New York Jets: Will quarterback Mark Sanchez take command in his second camp?

As a reckless rookie, Sanchez seemed hell-bent on squandering a team loaded in several key categories: No. 1 defense, No. 1 rushing attack, three Pro Bowlers on the offensive line. But late last season, Sanchez finally bought into what offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer had been preaching and closed the season with a deep playoff run. Knee surgery limited Sanchez's first full NFL offseason, but he participated in minicamp. He'll have two talented receivers, Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes, who weren't around at this time last year. How their chemistry develops over the next two months will be crucial.

HOTTEST SEATS

Bills: Demetrius Bell. It's odd to imagine a player drafted in the seventh round as a long-term project being on the hot seat going into just his third season. But Bell plays left tackle, and the Bills can't afford to fool around at such an important position. Bell didn't play a snap in 2008, yet emerged as last year's opening-night starter. He struggled before a knee injury ended his season prematurely. Bell was one of the NFL's most penalized players, and Gailey abhors pre-snap penalties. In eight games, Bell committed six false starts and allowed five sacks.

Dolphins: Will Allen. The 10-year veteran started last season as the club's top cornerback, but suffered a season-ending knee injury in the sixth game. The Dolphins played out the year with a pair of rookies, Sean Smith and Vontae Davis, at cornerback. While they were frequently broiled by opposing receivers, they are the future and there's something to be said for trial by fire. Allen's contract might doom him. He's scheduled to make base salaries of $5.2 million this year and $5.5 million next year.

Patriots: Laurence Maroney. He has been a polarizing player since the Patriots drafted him 21st overall in 2006. He has looked like a stud running back at times, but not nearly often enough. Maroney's entering his fifth season but has started only 14 games, hasn't cracked 900 rushing yards in a season and fumbles too much.

Jets: Nick Folk. Coaches don't have much patience for an erratic kicker. The Jets parted ways with a good one, letting Jay Feely leave via free agency. They signed Folk, a former Pro Bowler who was a disaster with the Dallas Cowboys last year. He was inconsistent in Jets voluntary workouts and minicamp, already drawing playful ridicule from coach Rex Ryan. If Folk continues to miss kicks, the Jets won't be laughing.

SECRET WEAPON

Patriots receiver Brandon Tate. When considering New England's top targets, the names Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Torry Holt and maybe Julian Edelman come to mind. Keep an eye out for Tate, a second-year pro with one reception. Tate still was recovering from knee surgery when the Patriots drafted him in the third round out of North Carolina. He made his debut in Week 7 and suffered another knee injury in Week 9. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has spoken highly of Tate during the offseason.

CHANGING OF THE GUARDS

The Bills boast one example of stability over the rest of the AFC East -- on the offensive line, no less.

The Bills enter training camp with the lone left guard in place. Second-year pro Andy Levitre returns as the starter, while each of the other three clubs have uncertainties to address. The Jets and Dolphins are letting players compete for their left guard openings, while the Patriots have a two-time Pro Bowler who has demanded a trade.

In Jets camp, second-round pick Vladimir Ducasse and sophomore Matt Slauson are battling for the vacancy created by the controversial release of nine-time Pro Bowler Alan Faneca.

The Dolphins traded Justin Smiley, their left guard the past two seasons. Nate Garner started eight games, including four on the left side while Smiley was hurt last season. Donald Thomas started 12 games at right guard. Richie Incognito started at right guard for the St. Louis Rams and Bills. The Dolphins drafted guard John Jerry in the third round.

Mankins isn't expected to be at Patriots camp when it begins. He's an unsigned restricted free agent and last month went public with his desire to be traded. Right tackle Nick Kaczur has been working in Mankins' spot.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Falling

Justin Smiley, Dolphins left guard: In this space last week, I selected Dolphins right guard Donald Thomas, who lost his starting job late last season and seemed even more on the spot with the signing of free agent Richie Incognito. But it now appears the Dolphins have identified Smiley as the player they can live without. The Dolphins signed him to a five-year, $25 million contract one minute into the 2008 free-agency period. Over the weekend, the Dolphins told Smiley not to show up for the offseason conditioning program because they were trying to trade him.

Rising

Rex Ryan, Jets head coach: He's getting ready for his closeup. Less than two weeks after undergoing lap-band surgery to control his obesity, Ryan said he already had shed 30 pounds, a difference that was obvious at this week's NFL owners meetings. But be prepared to see more of a lesser Ryan. He'll almost certainly be the leading man on "Hard Knocks" this year. HBO has selected the Jets to be the next subject for its behind-the-scenes training camp series, and I have a feeling Ryan will dominate the scenes.

In March 2008, the new Miami Dolphins administration made Justin Smiley their first big free-agent acquisition, waiting one whole minute after the market opened at midnight to sign the San Francisco 49ers guard to a five-year, $25 million contract.

Two years later, Smiley reportedly is no longer welcome.

Edgar Thompson of the Palm Beach Post, citing an unnamed source close to the team, reports the Dolphins told Smiley on Saturday he wasn't welcome at the training facility for offseason workouts because they're trying to trade him.

The Dolphins signed free-agent guard Richie Incognito last week. The belief at the time was that Incognito would compete for the right guard opening with Donald Thomas, who lost his job in Week 14 to Nate Garner.

Both guard spots apparently are up for grabs. Smiley was the Dolphins' best guard when healthy, but he missed four games in 2008 and one game (plus four starts) last year because of leg and shoulder injuries.

There's no questioning the Miami Dolphins have added some nastiness to their offensive line with Wednesday's signing of guard Richie Incognito.

They've also injected a healthy dose of confusion into the locker room.

Three Dolphins players I've spoken with since the team signed Incognito to a one-year contract expressed intrigue over the move. In general, they like his ability and versatility. But the players claim Incognito's arrival undercuts what football operations boss Bill Parcells and head coach Tony Sparano have preached about character since they took over the team.

"I think he'll make our line better," one Dolphins player said. "But I don't get it. What he represents goes against everything they've been telling us."

Not acting like a buffoon long has been a hallmark of a Parcells organization. Sparano doesn't put up with on-the-field shenanigans either. Players who can't control themselves are asked to turn in their playbooks.

Yet the Dolphins are introducing a player onto their roster whose career is infamously based on personal fouls, blowups and fines.

Incognito committed 11 personal fouls in less than four seasons with the St. Louis Rams. They waived him in December after a game in which he committed two personal fouls and got into a sideline confrontation with head coach Steve Spagnuolo.

The NFL fined Incognito $50,000 for his actions in that game. League disciplinarian Ray Anderson sent a letter to Incognito to inform him the next transgression could lead to a suspension.

Remember how Buffalo Bills linebacker Kawika Mitchell reacted via Twitter when they claimed Incognito off waivers in December?

"BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT THIS YR. THE GUYS A BUM. DIRTY AND ALWAYS WILL BE. REALLY WISH I WAS PLAYIN RITE NOW. SERIOUSLY... I KNO WE'RE N NEED OF OLINE BUT THIS GUY ..."

The reaction of Dolphins players I spoke with wasn't nearly that strong, but it was in the zip code.

The Dolphins have prided themselves on being a clean team. The Dolphins committed 68 accepted penalties for 640 yards last year. Only three teams had fewer accepted penalties and were assessed fewer penalty yards.

Incognito was whistled for 10 accepted penalties for 115 yards. His accumulated transgressions would be 18 percent of the Dolphins' entire team.

The Dolphins need help on their interior line. They've been on the lookout for depth at guard for two years.

Left guard Justin Smiley is a clear-cut starter when healthy, but he has missed 13 games over the past three seasons with leg and shoulder injuries. Right guard Donald Thomas has immense potential but lost his starting job to Nate Garner with the season on the line in Week 14, days before the Dolphins put in the waiver claim for Incognito but lost him to the Bills.

Incognito didn't ingratiate himself to the Bills in his short time with them. Their new front office declined to tender a qualifying offer, forfeiting their restricted free agency rights to him.

The Dolphins must believe they can keep Incognito in check.

Personnel men and coaches routinely are convinced, even though others failed previously, that they can fix a problem player. Parcells and Sparano have a better shot than most. Parcells has a track record, and Sparano's roots are as an O-line coach.

Incognito has been apologetic about his past misdeeds and has professed a desire to keep his emotions under control.

In the locker room, however, players are skeptical about the decision and wonder about the mixed message.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Falling

Donald Thomas, Dolphins right guard: He lost his starting job to Nate Garner in Week 14. A few days later, the Dolphins put in a waiver claim for right guard Richie Incognito but were trumped by the Buffalo Bills. On Wednesday, the Dolphins signed Incognito to a one-year deal. Incognito is versatile enough to play other spots, but his presence doesn't seem to bode well for Thomas.

Rising

LaDainian Tomlinson, Jets running back: The former face of the San Diego Chargers went from unemployed and coming off his worst season to landing in the backfield of the NFL's top rushing team. Tomlinson will line up behind an exceptional offensive line that has started the same quintet 37 games in a row and features Pro Bowlers at center, left guard and left tackle. It's a glorious opportunity for Tomlinson to show he still can be a force.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

The Miami Dolphins have designated Chad Henne as their No. 3 quarterback for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons, even though he's really their primary backup to Chad Pennington.

Confused?

Rookie quarterback Pat White actually is third on the depth chart, but if the Dolphins wanted to use him in any Wildcat schemes, they wouldn't have been able to put him on the field had they not declared Henne the No. 3.

I addressed this scenario in May, a few days after the Dolphins used a second-round draft pick to select White out of West Virginia. The Dolphins announced their intentions right away to keep the scrambler at quarterback and not convert him to receiver, as other teams were considering.

Here's what I wrote then:

In 1991, the NFL instituted a third-quarterback rule that allows teams to have an emergency quarterback in case the first two get hurt. This was done because teams had been trying to maximize their 45-man rosters by riskily carrying only two quarterbacks and keeping an extra player who could contribute on special teams.

The third quarterback doesn't count toward the 45-man roster, but if he is inserted into the game before the fourth quarter, then the first two quarterbacks are not allowed to go back in at any position.

That means the Dolphins would have to designate Henne their third quarterback so White could get on the field in the Wildcat.

There were some other notable decisions among the Dolphins' inactives. They scratched outside linebacker Cameron Wake, receiver Patrick Turner and guard Shawn Murphy.

Wake is the much-discussed Canadian Football League import who registered 39 sacks over the past two seasons with the BC Lions. He apparently hasn't adjusted to the NFL fast enough.

Turner, a third-round pick out of Southern California, was Mark Sanchez's top target last year.

Murphy, a fourth-round draft pick last year, still hasn't dressed for a game. The son of former baseball star Dale Murphy was given a shot to be the starting right guard in training camp, but Donald Thomas took it back.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

Some observations from the Miami Dolphins' entertaining 27-17 home victory over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday night:

The Wildcat was called, but the plays were reruns. The Dolphins ran five Wildcat plays, but none revealed anything new. They were the same plays we watched last year, including a long flea-flicker pass from Chad Pennington to Patrick Cobbs. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano probably won't show off any new wrinkles. We didn't see rookie quarterback Pat White try it out.

Rookie cornerback Vontae Davis rebounded. With last week's right-side starter Sean Smith sidelined by illness, Davis got the start and played essentially the entire game.

Davis was called for three penalties in the preseason opener, but was effectively aggressive Saturday. He snuffed running back Mike Goodson for a 4-yard loss on a dump pass at the end of the first quarter and was all over receiver Jason Carter for a 2-yard loss in the third quarter.

"It just was a blessing to bounce back from penalties and stuff like that," Davis said. "I just feel great about my play today."

Ronnie Brown looked terrific. On Miami's six-play opening drive, Brown ran for 3, 10 and 12 yards and finished it off with a 28-yard catch and run for a touchdown. He caught the ball around the 15-yard line and made a sweet move that made safety Chris Harris look foolish. Brown didn't do much while handling all five Wildcat plays, but all in all he was in mid-season form.

After a sensational game last week, Miami's most talented receiver was Ginnvisible. In the preseason opener, the Dolphins made sure Ted Ginn was involved heavily. Pennington threw at Ginn five times in the first quarter. Ginn was responsible for four first downs, including one on a 14-yard reverse.

On Saturday, Pennington threw to Ginn once for an incompletion. That was all. Ginn didn't have a catch or a yard all night.

Dan Carpenter got the juicier opportunity in the kicking battle. Carpenter, the second-year incumbent, made a 41-yard attempt. Free-agent contender Connor Barth made a 21-yard attempt but was used on two extra points.

Donald Thomas probably has sewn up the right guard job. Thomas appears to have regained his position after the Dolphins gave Shawn Murphy a shot at it. Thomas, fully recovered from a torn pectoral muscle, started against the Panthers and played well.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

Miami Dolphins

• Palm Beach Post columnist Dave George likes the idea of Chad Henne taking over for Chad Pennington this year, not next.
• South Florida Sun-Sentinel columnist Dave Hyde wonders if Ted Ginn will break out in his third season.
• Ronnie Brown proclaims himself an elite NFL running back, Miami Herald columnist Armando Salguero writes.
• Brandon Frye has been the benefactor of right guard Donald Thomas' injury, Nick Schmit writes for the Sun-Sentinel.

Buffalo Bills

• Niagara Gazette sports editor Tim Schmitt notes nobody's talking about how cornerback Leodis McKelvin hurt his finger. It wasn't football-related.
• Buffalo News reporter Mark Gaughan catches up with defensive tackle Marcus Stroud about building off a fine first impression.
• Brian Galliford of BuffaloRumblings.com takes a look back on how the Bills managed to go winless in the AFC East last year.

New England Patriots

• Dan Duggan of the Boston Herald chats with cornerback Shawn Springs about going from new guy to leader.
• Quincy Patriot Ledger reporter Glen Farley writes outside linebacker Shawn Crable was reduced to mental reps as a rookie.

New York Jets

• New York Post reporter Mark Cannizzaro looks at the longest shot to make the roster: long-snapper Anthony Harris.
• Gary Myers of the New York Daily News writes the Jets are among the growing list of teams to hit the lottery.
  

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

Some doings transpired on the Miami Dolphins beat Tuesday while I was flying back from ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn., to the home office in Coral Springs, Fla.

Monday's blog summit was educational and enjoyable. AFC South authority Paul Kuharsky and I stayed over for a day to spend some extra time on the ESPN campus.

We ran into Herm Edwards, Skip Bayless, Michael Kim and Sage Steele and had lunch with "First Take" anchor Dana Jacobson in ESPN's famous commissary. Sadly, we didn't witness any mascot fights, and Cherokee Parks didn't try to sell us a watch.

But I digress.

I've cobbled together some highlights from the Dolphins' practice, which was open to the media. It was the first time Jason Taylor has spoken since the Dolphins brought him back and the first we've heard from Joey Porter in a long while. Too long if you ask me.

Taylor on his decision to sign with Miami for a $1.1 million base salary: "It's where I wanted to be. This is home. My heart was always here. I know people talk about because you're 11-5 he wants to come back now and all that. It doesn't mean anything. There are no guarantees in this league. If you want to take the chances you can, there's no guarantees you're going to win it. At the end of the day you need to be where you're going to be happy. Where feel you fit is the best opportunity to be successful. I never thought I had that opportunity in D.C. and for all the things they did well for me and [Redskins owner Dan] Snyder was great to work with. They tried their hardest and I tried very hard for them. But it wasn't a good fit."

Taylor on his relationship with Bill Parcells: "I have no problem with him at all. I talked to him the last couple of days, and after OTAs we may hit the golf balls or something. There's no problem with me and Bill Parcells. Everyone wants to make this an issue. That's why I try to stay away from the TV and the radio and for some reason I'm a sucker for punishment and I turn it on. It's amazing some of things that are said and the perception out there that I and Bill were going to go to blows one day. It couldn't be further from the truth."

Porter on playing with Taylor again after the 2007 debacle: "The first year I came we never really got the chance to get to the type of defense that we thought we both were going to be used. I didn't feel like I was used to help our team get after the quarterback and do what I do best, whereas last year we actually ran a 3-4 defense and I was able to go out there and have a productive season. Now with having Jason back I'm sure the coaches will find ways to put us out there to where we can make plays together."

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

Carey

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Miami Dolphins can scratch one big free agent off their to-do list.

The Dolphins made sure right tackle Vernon Carey didn't hit the open market by signing him Friday to a six-year deal.

With the Carolina Panthers re-signing Jordan Gross, Carey was one of the more attractive options out there for teams in need of a tackle.

Locking up Carey means the Dolphins will have impressive bookends on their offensive line for the next several seasons. Last year's No. 1 draft choice, Jake Long, went to the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

Now the Dolphins need to worry about their interior line.

The front office has made finding a replacement for center Samson Satele an offseason priority. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said on Thursday he expects injured guards Justin Smiley and Donald Thomas to be ready for the start of training camp. Still, there are no guarantees.

Next up in free agency should be safety Yeremiah Bell, their leading tackler. The other three Dolphins with expiring contracts are linebacker Channing Crowder, cornerback Andre Goodman and safety Renaldo Hill.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

The top issues facing each team in the division:

Buffalo Bills

Primary issue: The Bills had the weakest pass rush for an NFL team that wasn't an out-and-out doormat. They recorded 24 sacks all season. Only the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs had fewer.

	Brendan Maloney/US Presswire
	If available, Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo would fit in nicely with the Bills.

A significant problem was the loss of Pro Bowl defensive end Aaron Schobel for all but the first five games because of a foot injury. But he managed only one sack when he was available. The Bills haven't gotten anything out of John McCargo, a defensive tackle they traded up to draft 26th overall three years ago. He has started zero times and has notched 2.5 sacks.

The Bills lost defensive line coach Bill Kollar, who accepted a promotion to be Houston Texans' assistant head coach. Fired Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Bob Sanders has replaced him.

Solution: If Schobel recovers and Sanders can figure out a way to unlock the lackadaisical McCargo, then the Bills' defensive line might spring back nicely. The Bills hold the 11th overall draft choice, and top-rated pass rushers Brian Orakpo of Texas and Everette Brown of Florida State could be available.

Hot Button Archive • Kuharsky: AFC South • Yasinskas: NFC South • Seifert: NFC North • Walker: AFC North • Sando: NFC West • Williamson: AFC West • Graham: AFC East • Mosley: NFC East

Secondary concern: The Bills need to build some goodwill between themselves and their fans. Given the dreadful economy and the team's recent past, even the most ardent Bills supporter has plenty of reasons not to buy tickets. The Bills haven't made the playoffs in nine years. Fans are down on management's decision to stick with head coach Dick Jauron.

Solution: As much as Bills fans despised former general manager Tom Donahoe, they have to admit he knew how to get them excited with high-profile offseason moves such as the Drew Bledsoe acquisition and the first-round Willis McGahee gamble. Would it kill the Bills to provide a little excitement this spring?

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Miami Dolphins

	Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
	California center Alex Mack could help solidify the Dolphins' offensive line.

Primary issue: Miami's interior offensive line was a major source of frustration throughout the season.

At first, the Dolphins weren't happy with the depth, routinely circulating street free agents through the roster. Rookie Donald Thomas won the starting right guard job but suffered a season-ending foot injury on opening day. Left guard Justin Smiley, their top offseason free-agent acquisition, played well but went down with a gruesome leg injury in Week 13. The front office has decided center Samson Satele isn't sturdy enough to handle 3-4 nose tackles.

The Dolphins went into 2008 excited about their running-back tandem of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, but their inability to run inside limited offensive options and forced the Dolphins to try the exotic Wildcat offense, which put two tackles on the same side of the line.

Right tackle Vernon Carey is a free agent. If the Dolphins re-sign him, there's talk of switching him to guard.

Solution: The Dolphins are searching for a center to anchor their offensive line. Free agency is an option, but drafting a center such as Alex Mack of California or Max Unger of Oregon creates a tantalizing proposition of a formidable line that can stay together for years. Satele could shift to guard and provide depth. Thomas will be back. No. 1 draft pick Jake Long went to the Pro Bowl.

Secondary concern: As ownership switched from Wayne Huizenga to Stephen Ross, football operations chief Bill Parcells renegotiated his four-year contract to include a permanent walkout clause with full pay. Parcells can leave whenever he desires for any reason he wants.

Solution: Leave him alone, Steve.

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New England Patriots

Primary issue: The three biggest concerns for the Patriots this offseason are Tom Brady's ACL, Tom Brady's MCL and Tom Brady's knee infections.

	Greg M. Cooper/US PRESSWIRE
	The Patriots have $29 million in salary-cap dollars tied up between Tom Brady and Matt Cassel.

Much of the Patriots' offseason -- and beyond -- hinges on Mr. Everything's status for 2009 because roughly $29 million in salary-cap dollars are tied up between him and his insurance policy, Matt Cassel.

That massive allocation will affect how flexible the Patriots can be when it comes to signing free agents or hammering out extensions to players they want to keep around.

Solution: The Patriots must clear Cassel's one-year, $14.65 million guaranteed contract off the books by trading him, but they might not be able to do so. They need to make sure Brady is healthy enough first, and they might not know for months.

Secondary concern: Brain drain hasn't been a problem for the Patriots yet, but recurring defections could catch up to them eventually. Vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli is the Kansas City Chiefs' general manager. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is the Denver Broncos' head coach. Other respected assistants have shuffled about.

Solution: Head coach Bill Belichick has to maintain his remarkable knack for finding and nurturing football minds who always seem to thrive in the Patriots' already-established culture.

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New York Jets

	Rich Kane/US PRESSWIRE
	Kellen Clemens, right, will be one candidate to replace Brett Favre as the Jets' quarterback.

Primary issue: The chief concern evolved a little on Wednesday, shifting from "How long will the Jets have to wait on Brett Favre?" to "How will the Jets replace Brett Favre?"

Management insists it's focusing on the three candidates already on the Jets' roster. But Kellen Clemens has made only eight starts, most of them frightful. Brett Ratliff and Erik Ainge have combined for zero NFL game snaps.

The Jets are downplaying their interest in locating another candidate through free agency or the draft, but banging those drums so soon would be demoralizing to the three hopefuls and possibly short-circuit a budding competition.

Solution: Rookie head coach Rex Ryan is a defensive mastermind, which means this mostly will be Brian Schottenheimer's problem to solve. Ryan said he wants to run an all-weather offense, which emphasizes the run. That should help alleviate pressure on a young quarterback.

Secondary concern: Despite star cornerback Darrelle Revis and impressive safety Kerry Rhodes, the Jets were miserable in defending the pass last season. They ranked 29th in pass defense, allowing 234.5 yards a game. Opponents completed 64.3 percent of their passes and threw for 23 touchdowns.

Solution: The Jets desperately need an effective cornerback to start opposite Revis. Getting sixth-overall draft pick Vernon Gholston playing like the pass rusher they thought he was at Ohio State wouldn't hurt either.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

Miami Dolphins

• Palm Beach Post columnist Greg Stoda says the Dolphins finally have found somebody worthy of Don Shula's old job.
• South Florida Sun-Sentinel columnist Ethan J. Skolnick tells us how injured Dolphins Greg Camarillo, Justin Smiley and Donald Thomas will watch Sunday's game.
• Palm Beach Post reporter Brian Biggane writes the Detroit Lions are interested in Dolphins secondary coach Todd Bowles, among other notes.
• Edgar Thompson of the Palm Beach Post visits with career loser Andre Goodman, who's finally on his way to the playoffs. 
• Miami Herald reporter Jeff Darlington takes a look at the Dolphins' surging secondary.
• Tony Sparano insists sacks aren't necessary for Joey Porter to be effective, writes Miami Herald reporter Barry Jackson.
• Andy Kent of MiamiDolphins.com describes the locker-room scene when Sparano underscored how special Sunday will be.

New York Jets

• Rich Cimini of the New York Daily News writes about the Jets' interest in Mike Shanahan to be their next head coach.
• New York Post reporter Brian Costello looks at the latest on Steve Spagnuolo's candidacy.
• First up in the interview process are Jets assistants Brian Schottenheimer and Bill Callahan, writes Newsday reporter Erik Boland.
• Boland weighs in on what it will take to get the Jets over the hump.
• New York Daily News columnist Filip Bondy writes the Jets and Favre might be stuck with each other.
  

Buffalo Bills

• Rochester Democrat & Chronicle reporter Sal Maiorana takes a year-end look at the Bills' improved defense.
• Allen Wilson of the Buffalo News checks in with former Bills safety Coy Wire, who's headed to the playoffs with the Falcons.
  

New England Patriots

• Boston Globe reporter Mike Reiss shares the latest on Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and his head coaching prospects
• Ron Borges and Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald give an update on Cleveland's courtship with Patriots player personnel veep Scott Pioli.
• Providence Journal reporter Shalise Manza Young predicts the Patriots will look different from top to bottom in 2009.
• Hector Longo of the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune writes it's time for the Patriots to renovate their organization.