2008 Miami Dolphins season
Encyclopedia
The 2008
Miami Dolphins
season was the organization's 39th season in the National Football League
and 43rd overall. During the regular season the Dolphins completed the greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history, going from a 1–15 regular season record in 2007 to an 11–5 record in 2008. The previous standard for improvement one year after a 1–15 season belonged to the 1992 Indianapolis Colts, who went 9–7. The 1999 Indianapolis Colts were the only other team to accomplish a 10-game turnaround, winning 13 games after winning 3 in 1998. Additionally, Miami won the AFC East
, becoming the first team in NFL history to win their division after only having one win the previous season.
The 2008 season was the first with Bill Parcells
as Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Jeff Ireland
as General Manager, and Tony Sparano
as head coach
.
With a league-worst 1–15 record in 2007, the Dolphins held the first pick in the 2008 NFL Draft
and selected Michigan
offensive tackle Jake Long
. The offseason also saw the departure of two Pro Bowl
ers and long-time Dolphins with the release of linebacker
Zach Thomas
and trade of defensive end
Jason Taylor
.
hired former NFL head coach and ESPN
analyst Bill Parcells
as Executive Vice President of Football Operations. Parcells signed a four-year deal with the Dolphins less than a day after turning down a similar offer from the Atlanta Falcons
.
Just a few days after Parcells' hiring, three men were dismissed from the Dolphins' front office. The most notable of which was general manager Randy Mueller
, who was hired by the team in 2005. Also dismissed were Assistant Director of Player Personnel Mike Baugh and College Scouting Coordinator Rick Thompson.
Three days after Mueller's dismissal, Parcells hired Jeff Ireland
as the team's new general manager. Ireland had worked for the Dallas Cowboys
the past seven years, including the last three as Vice President of College and Pro Scouting. Ireland had worked with Parcells previously, when the latter was head coach of the Cowboys from 2003 to 2006. Although Ireland was officially given final say on personnel decisions, it was speculated that Parcells was actually in control, and did not hold the title of General Manager so that the team may hire a front office executive from another team.
On January 15, the Dolphins reeled in another former Cowboys executive when they hired Brian Gaine as Assistant Director of Player Personnel. Gaine had previously spent the past three seasons as the Cowboys' Assistant Director of Pro Scouting, working with both Parcells and Ireland during that time.
Following the 2008 NFL Draft
, it was reported on May 1 that the Dolphins had fired scouts Ellis Rainsberger
, Jack Glowik and Roger Pollard. The team's vice president of media relations, Harvey Greene, said Rainsberger had retired and did not comment on the other two reported firings.
as general manager, the Dolphins fired head coach Cam Cameron
after just one season on the job. Cameron led the Dolphins to an NFL worst 1–15 record in 2007, which was also the worst in franchise history. Additionally, all but two members of the coaching staff were dismissed. The only coaches retained were assistant special teams coach Steve Hoffman
and linebackers coach George Edwards
. Both Hoffman and Edwards were coaches for the Dallas Cowboys
during Ireland's tenure with the team.
A search for Cameron's replacement began almost immediately after his firing. Various candidates were rumored, many of which had some connection to Parcells and/or Ireland. Rumored candidates included Cleveland Browns
head coach Romeo Crennel
, Dallas Cowboys
assistant Tony Sparano
, Cowboys secondary coach Todd Bowles
, Arizona Cardinals
running backs coach Maurice Carthon
and Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley
. Additionally, Baltimore Ravens
defensive coordinator Rex Ryan
and Minnesota Vikings
defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier
were contacted. The Washington Post
suggested that Washington Redskins
defensive coordinator Gregg Williams
could be a candidate as well.
The first interview scheduled was Sparano, who met with the Dolphins on Saturday, January 11. Sparano had previously met with the Atlanta Falcons
and Baltimore Ravens
regarding their head coaching vacancies. On January 6, it was reported that Sparano would be offered the Dolphins' head coaching job, and that he would accept. The Dolphins denied the report later that day, saying it was an initial interview only and that the team had interviews with others planned over the next few days. However, the addition of quarterbacks coach David Lee, a former Cowboys assistant, fueled speculation that Sparano was indeed going to the next head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
The team then proceeded to interview Frazier, Ryan and Tennessee Titans
defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz
. After the Dallas Cowboys
lost to the New York Giants
in the divisional round of the 2007 NFL playoffs on January 13, speculation grew that Sparano's hiring was imminent. On January 16, the Dolphins ended their search by naming Sparano the eighth head coach in franchise history. He received a four-year contract believed to be worth between $2.5 and $2.7 million per season.
offensive coordinator David Lee to be quarterback
s coach. Lee, who briefly followed Houston Nutt
to Ole Miss after serving as his offensive coordinator at Arkansas
in 2007, worked with Parcells and Ireland as the Cowboys' quarterbacks coach from 2003 to 2006. The addition fueled speculation that Sparano was indeed going to the next head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
Two days after hiring Sparano as their head coach, the Dolphins made their second assistance coach hiring. On January 18, Mike Maser
was named the team's new offensive line coach. Maser had previously served in the same capacity for the Carolina Panthers
from 2003 to 2006, and worked with Sparano when both were assistants for the Jacksonville Jaguars
in 2002.
Over the next week, the Dolphins filled various positions on Sparano's staff. On January 22, former Kansas City Chiefs
running backs coach James Saxon
was hired in the same capacity for the Dolphins. Also hired that day was former Atlanta Falcons
strength and conditioning coach Evan Marcus, who took the same job with Miami.
On January 23, the Dolphins added four more assistant coaches to their staff when they named Paul Pasqualoni
as their defensive coordinator, Todd Bowles
as assistant head coach/secondary, Kacy Rodgers
as defensive line coach and David Corrao
as defensive quality control coach. Pasqualoni, Bowles and Rodgers all came from the Dallas Cowboys
' staff, while Corrao was most recently linebackers coach at the University of Mississippi
.
A day later, former UCLA
head coach Karl Dorrell
was named the team's new wide receivers coach. Five more coaches were added to the staff on January 28 when the Dolphins named John Bonamego
as their special teams coordinator, George DeLeone
as their tight ends coach, David Puloka as assistant strength and conditioning coach, Jim Reid as outside linebackers coach and Steve Bush as offensive quality control coach.
The Dolphins made their final addition to the staff on February 4, hiring Dan Henning
as offensive coordinator. Henning, who had most recently served as offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers
from 2002 to 2006, had previous worked for the Dolphins under Don Shula
as quarterbacks and wide receivers coach in 1979–1980.
on February 14, only two of the 17 assistant coaches under Sparano (Edwards and Hoffman) were holdovers from the previous season's staff. Three of the new coaches (Bowles, Pasqualoni and Rodgers) had experience with Parcells, Ireland and Sparano in Dallas. The completed staff was as follows:
, ERFA: Exclusive-rights free agent
on April 26. The Dolphins used it to draft Michigan
offensive tackle Jake Long
.
Including Long, the Dolphins selected the following nine players in the 2008 NFL Draft:
Notes
On the first day of the draft, the Dolphins traded second-year running back Lorenzo Booker
to the Philadelphia Eagles
in exchange for a fourth-round pick (115th overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft
.
On the second day of the draft, the Dolphins acquired the Detroit Lions
' third-round pick (66th overall) as well as their sixth-round pick (176th overall) in exchange for the Dolphins' third-round pick (64th overall). The Lions used the pick to select running back Kevin Smith
, while the Dolphins took defensive end Kendall Langford
with the third-round pick and running back Jalen Parmele
with the sixth-rounder.
Later on Day 2, the Dolphins traded the fourth-round pick acquired from the Eagles, along with a seventh-round pick (208th overall), to the Chicago Bears
in exchange for the 110th overall selection. The Dolphins used this pick to select guard Shawn Murphy
. The 115th overall pick was eventually dealt by the Bears the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
, who used it to select defensive tackle Dre Moore
. The Bears used the seventh-round pick to select defensive end Ervin Baldwin
.
In the weeks leading up to the draft, the Dolphins began contract negotiations with Jake Long. On April 14, Peter King
of Sports Illustrated
reported that the Dolphins had given Long a deadline to accept their contract offer (believed to be worth less than 2007
No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell
received from the Oakland Raiders
); otherwise, they would move on to another prospect. On April 22, the Dolphins officially signed Long to a five-year, $57.75 million contract with $30 million guaranteed, assuring they would take him first overall. On May 19, the Dolphins signed sixth-rounders Jalen Parmele
and Lex Hilliard
and seventh-rounder Lionel Dotson
to contacts. On May 23, sixth-round pick Donald Thomas was signed to a multi-year deal. On July 11, the Dolphins signed third-round pick Kendall Langford to a multi-year deal.
, the Dolphins signed 18 undrafted free agents. They were:
Two failed to survive a week with the team, as the Dolphins released Lane and Reece on May 5. Less than a month after being signed, Robertson decided to retire. On June 9, the Dolphins signed wide receiver John Dunlap
(NC State
) after he attended a minicamp on a tryout basis.
, the Dolphins won their final three contests to finish the preseason 3–1.
Quarterback
Chad Pennington
was the Dolphins' most efficient passer of the preseason, leading the team in completion percentage (72.0) and passer rating (104.8). Rookie quarterback Chad Henne
led the team in passing yards (351) but also in interceptions (2) while matching Pennington in passing touchdowns (1).
Running back
s Ricky Williams
and Jalen Parmele
tied for the team lead in rushing yards at 123. Williams, Parmele and Ronnie Brown
were the only Dolphins to rush for a touchdown during the preseason, scoring one each. Lex Hilliard
and Patrick Cobbs
finished fourth and fifth, respectively, on the team in rushing yards.
No Dolphins player surpassed 100 receiving yards during the preseason, though wide receiver
Ted Ginn, Jr.
came closest at 97. He also tied rookie Davone Bess
for the team lead in receptions with eight. Tight end
s Anthony Fasano
and Sean Ryan were the only Dolphins to catch a touchdown pass.
On special teams, rookie placekicker
Dan Carpenter
converted 7-of-8 field-goal attempts and all six extra-point attempts. Punter Brandon Fields
punted 21 times for a 44.1-yard average and two touchbacks. Meanwhile, Davone Bess led the team in punt returns (6) but Ted Ginn, Jr. was the only Dolphins player to return a kick or punt for a touchdown. Patrick Cobbs led the team in kick return yards with 106.
On defense, Linebacker
s Akin Ayodele
and Reggie Torbor
tied for the team lead with 17 tackles, while Ayodele led the team in solo stops with 12. Five others – Yeremiah Bell
, Channing Crowder
, Renaldo Hill
, Nathan Jones, Edmond Miles
– also reached double-digits in tackles.
Four players – Jason Allen, Renaldo Hill, Michael Lehan
, Joey Thomas
– recorded an interception during the preseason. The Dolphins also totaled 14 quarterbacks sacks during the preseason. Linebacker
Rob Ninkovich
and defensive end
Randy Starks
each record a team-high two sacks, while ten other players each recorded a sack apiece. Channing Crowder, Junior Glymph
and Paul Soliai
each forced a fumble during the preseason.
* All games are Eastern Time.
# Games that can be potentially moved to Sunday Night Football
at 8:15 p.m. on NBC-TV
.
and Ronnie Brown
onto the field at the same time. David Lee thus revealed the Wildcat to the NFL. Ronnie Brown
would take direct snaps and keep it himself or hand it of to another back. The Dolphins decimated the Patriots all day with the Wildcat offense for a 38–13 victory.
threw for 415 yards and three touchdowns while Chad Pennington
threw for 345 yards and two scores; both quarterbacks also ran in a touchdown. The Dolphins Wildcat offense was limited to 27 yards as the Patriots broke open a tight game in the fourth quarter, winning 48–28.
title as they intercepted Jets quarterback Brett Favre
three times (Philip Merling ran in a 25-yard touchdown on a Favre pick) while Charlie Anderson
and Patrick Cobbs
blocked a Jets punt. The win put the Dolphins into the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
title in his first year as head coach, Tony Sparano
was selected as the NFL Alumni
's 2008 Coach of the Year. Sparano was also one of six nominees for the 2008 Motorola NFL Coach of the Year Award.
and linebacker Joey Porter
– on the AFC
's Pro Bowl
team. Porter recorded 17.5 sacks during the 2008 season and was named as a starter on the AFC's squad. In his first career Pro Bowl season, Brown led the Dolphins with 214 carries, 916 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. He also ranked fourth on the team with 33 catches and sixth with 254 receiving yards.
Additionally, Porter was nominated for the GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Year Award and was a second-team AP
All-Pro
selection. Quarterback Chad Pennington
, guard Justin Smiley
and cornerback Will Allen also received votes for the All-Pro team but were not selected.
However, Pennington did earn the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award for the second time in his career. Pennington led the NFL with a 67.4 completion percentage and was second in the NFL with a 97.4 passer rating. He threw for a career-high 3,653 yards, 19 touchdowns and just seven interceptions.
In January 2009, three Dolphins rookies were selected to the Pro Football Writers Association
's All-Rookie Team. Earning selections were offensive tackle Jake Long
, defensive end Kendall Langford
and placekicker Dan Carpenter
.
The first overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft
, Long started all 16 games for the Dolphins at left tackle. A third-round pick out of Hampton
, Langford started 14 of the 16 games in which he played as a rookie and recorded 31 tackles and two sacks. Undrafted out of Montana
, Carpenter went 21-for-25 (84 percent) on field goals and made all 40 extra-point attempts.
. Miami would deliver the game's first points with rookie kicker Dan Carpenter
's 19-yard field goal. The Ravens would later respond with a 23-yard field goal from kicker Matt Stover
. Baltimore would take the lead with safety Ed Reed
returning a Chad Pennington
interception 64 yards for a touchdown. The Ravens would then close out the half with Stover's 31-yard field goal.
Baltimore would increase their lead in the third quarter with running back Le'Ron McClain
's 8-yard touchdown run. The Dolphins tried to come back in the fourth quarter as Pennington completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to running back Ronnie Brown
(with a failed PAT), but the Ravens would pull away as quarterback Joe Flacco
got a 5-yard touchdown run.
With the loss, Miami's impressive turnaround season ended with an overall record of 11–6.
Despite having only 16 turnovers throughout the entire regular season, the Dolphins committed 5 turnovers (4 interceptions and a lost fumble).
2008 NFL season
The 2008 NFL season was the 89th regular season of the National Football League, themed with the slogan "Believe in Now."Super Bowl XLIII, the league's championship game, was at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2009, with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming out victorious over the...
Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
season was the organization's 39th season in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
and 43rd overall. During the regular season the Dolphins completed the greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history, going from a 1–15 regular season record in 2007 to an 11–5 record in 2008. The previous standard for improvement one year after a 1–15 season belonged to the 1992 Indianapolis Colts, who went 9–7. The 1999 Indianapolis Colts were the only other team to accomplish a 10-game turnaround, winning 13 games after winning 3 in 1998. Additionally, Miami won the AFC East
AFC East
The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. There are four members: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots , and New York Jets...
, becoming the first team in NFL history to win their division after only having one win the previous season.
The 2008 season was the first with Bill Parcells
Bill Parcells
Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football head coach, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006...
as Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Jeff Ireland
Jeff Ireland
Jeff Ireland is the General Manager for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He has previously served as an executive for the Dallas Cowboys, a scout for the Kansas City Chiefs and an assistant coach for the North Texas Mean Green. He played college football for the Baylor Bears...
as General Manager, and Tony Sparano
Tony Sparano
Anthony "Tony" Sparano III is an American Football head coach of the Miami Dolphins. At age 17, Sparano had an incident which burnt his eyes, which is why he always wears his signature sunglasses even at night...
as head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
.
With a league-worst 1–15 record in 2007, the Dolphins held the first pick in the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
and selected Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
offensive tackle Jake Long
Jake Long
Jake Edward Long is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Dolphins first overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan...
. The offseason also saw the departure of two Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
ers and long-time Dolphins with the release of linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Zach Thomas
Zach Thomas
Zachary Michael Thomas is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Tech....
and trade of defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Jason Taylor
Jason Taylor (American football)
Jason Paul Taylor is an American football linebacker who currently plays for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft...
.
Front office
On December 27, 2007, Dolphins owner Wayne HuizengaWayne Huizenga
Harry Wayne Huizenga is an American businessman who grew Blockbuster Video, Waste Management, Inc., and AutoNation into successful companies. He is the former owner of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins, the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers and the Major League Baseball's Miami...
hired former NFL head coach and ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
analyst Bill Parcells
Bill Parcells
Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football head coach, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006...
as Executive Vice President of Football Operations. Parcells signed a four-year deal with the Dolphins less than a day after turning down a similar offer from the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Just a few days after Parcells' hiring, three men were dismissed from the Dolphins' front office. The most notable of which was general manager Randy Mueller
Randy Mueller
Randy Mueller is an executive in the National Football League, most recently as general manager for the Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints. He has over two decades of NFL front office experience.-College career:...
, who was hired by the team in 2005. Also dismissed were Assistant Director of Player Personnel Mike Baugh and College Scouting Coordinator Rick Thompson.
Three days after Mueller's dismissal, Parcells hired Jeff Ireland
Jeff Ireland
Jeff Ireland is the General Manager for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He has previously served as an executive for the Dallas Cowboys, a scout for the Kansas City Chiefs and an assistant coach for the North Texas Mean Green. He played college football for the Baylor Bears...
as the team's new general manager. Ireland had worked for the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
the past seven years, including the last three as Vice President of College and Pro Scouting. Ireland had worked with Parcells previously, when the latter was head coach of the Cowboys from 2003 to 2006. Although Ireland was officially given final say on personnel decisions, it was speculated that Parcells was actually in control, and did not hold the title of General Manager so that the team may hire a front office executive from another team.
On January 15, the Dolphins reeled in another former Cowboys executive when they hired Brian Gaine as Assistant Director of Player Personnel. Gaine had previously spent the past three seasons as the Cowboys' Assistant Director of Pro Scouting, working with both Parcells and Ireland during that time.
Following the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
, it was reported on May 1 that the Dolphins had fired scouts Ellis Rainsberger
Ellis Rainsberger
-External links:...
, Jack Glowik and Roger Pollard. The team's vice president of media relations, Harvey Greene, said Rainsberger had retired and did not comment on the other two reported firings.
Head coach
Just one day after hiring of Jeff IrelandJeff Ireland
Jeff Ireland is the General Manager for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He has previously served as an executive for the Dallas Cowboys, a scout for the Kansas City Chiefs and an assistant coach for the North Texas Mean Green. He played college football for the Baylor Bears...
as general manager, the Dolphins fired head coach Cam Cameron
Cam Cameron
-External links:...
after just one season on the job. Cameron led the Dolphins to an NFL worst 1–15 record in 2007, which was also the worst in franchise history. Additionally, all but two members of the coaching staff were dismissed. The only coaches retained were assistant special teams coach Steve Hoffman
Steve Hoffman (American football)
Steve Hoffman is an American football special teams coach for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
and linebackers coach George Edwards
George Edwards (American football)
George Edwards is an American football coach, the latest hiring by the Buffalo Bills, now serving as their defensive coordinator...
. Both Hoffman and Edwards were coaches for the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
during Ireland's tenure with the team.
A search for Cameron's replacement began almost immediately after his firing. Various candidates were rumored, many of which had some connection to Parcells and/or Ireland. Rumored candidates included Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
head coach Romeo Crennel
Romeo Crennel
Romeo Crennel is the former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and current defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. Before becoming the head coach of the Browns, Crennel won three Super Bowls in four seasons as the defensive coordinator of the New England...
, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
assistant Tony Sparano
Tony Sparano
Anthony "Tony" Sparano III is an American Football head coach of the Miami Dolphins. At age 17, Sparano had an incident which burnt his eyes, which is why he always wears his signature sunglasses even at night...
, Cowboys secondary coach Todd Bowles
Todd Bowles
Todd Robert Bowles is a retired American football safety who played eight seasons in the National Football League, mainly for the Washington Redskins. He started in Super Bowl XXII....
, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
running backs coach Maurice Carthon
Maurice Carthon
Maurice Carthon is a National Football League coach as well as a former professional football running back.Carthon is currently an assistant head coach for the Kansas City Chiefs...
and Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley
Todd Haley
Todd Haley is the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League . Prior to joining the Chiefs, Haley served as the Arizona Cardinals' offensive coordinator from 2007 to 2008, and was the wide receivers coach for the New York Jets, Chicago Bears, and Dallas Cowboys.-Early...
. Additionally, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
defensive coordinator Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan is an American football head coach for the New York Jets of the National Football League . After serving as an assistant coach for twenty-two years, Ryan attained his first head coaching job in the NFL with the Jets in 2009...
and Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier
Leslie Frazier
Leslie Antonio Frazier is a former cornerback/safety in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears and is currently the head coach for the Minnesota Vikings.-College career:...
were contacted. The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
suggested that Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
defensive coordinator Gregg Williams
Gregg Williams
Gregg Williams is the defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints and the former head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Considered one of the most respected defensive minds in the game, Williams is known for running aggressive, attacking 4-3 schemes that put heavy pressure on opposing...
could be a candidate as well.
The first interview scheduled was Sparano, who met with the Dolphins on Saturday, January 11. Sparano had previously met with the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
regarding their head coaching vacancies. On January 6, it was reported that Sparano would be offered the Dolphins' head coaching job, and that he would accept. The Dolphins denied the report later that day, saying it was an initial interview only and that the team had interviews with others planned over the next few days. However, the addition of quarterbacks coach David Lee, a former Cowboys assistant, fueled speculation that Sparano was indeed going to the next head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
The team then proceeded to interview Frazier, Ryan and Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz
Jim Schwartz
Jim Schwartz is an American football head coach for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League.-Early life:Born just outside Baltimore, Maryland, Schwartz attended Mount Saint Joseph High School, an all male Catholic school, where he played football.Schwartz was a four-year letterman at...
. After the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
lost to the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the divisional round of the 2007 NFL playoffs on January 13, speculation grew that Sparano's hiring was imminent. On January 16, the Dolphins ended their search by naming Sparano the eighth head coach in franchise history. He received a four-year contract believed to be worth between $2.5 and $2.7 million per season.
Assistants
Parcells and Ireland made their first coaching staff addition on January 7, luring Ole MissOle Miss Rebels football
The football history of the University of Mississippi , includes the formation of the first football team in the state and is 26th on the list of college football's all-time winning programs...
offensive coordinator David Lee to be quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
s coach. Lee, who briefly followed Houston Nutt
Houston Nutt
Houston Dale Nutt, Jr. is an American football coach and former player. Most recently he was the head football coach at the University of Mississippi from 2008 to 2011. Previously, he served as the head coach at Murray State University , Boise State University , and the University of Arkansas...
to Ole Miss after serving as his offensive coordinator at Arkansas
Arkansas Razorbacks football
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
in 2007, worked with Parcells and Ireland as the Cowboys' quarterbacks coach from 2003 to 2006. The addition fueled speculation that Sparano was indeed going to the next head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
Two days after hiring Sparano as their head coach, the Dolphins made their second assistance coach hiring. On January 18, Mike Maser
Mike Maser
Mike Maser is an American football offensive line coach, most recently for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League in 2008. He previously served in the same capacity for the Carolina Panthers from 2003 to 2006. He has over three decades of college and pro coaching experience....
was named the team's new offensive line coach. Maser had previously served in the same capacity for the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
from 2003 to 2006, and worked with Sparano when both were assistants for the Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 2002.
Over the next week, the Dolphins filled various positions on Sparano's staff. On January 22, former Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
running backs coach James Saxon
James Saxon (American football)
James Saxon is a former American football running back who played eight seasons in the National Football League. He played college football for San Jose State University...
was hired in the same capacity for the Dolphins. Also hired that day was former Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
strength and conditioning coach Evan Marcus, who took the same job with Miami.
On January 23, the Dolphins added four more assistant coaches to their staff when they named Paul Pasqualoni
Paul Pasqualoni
Paul Pasqualoni is the current head coach of the University of Connecticut football team. On January 13, 2011, Pasqualoni was named to lead the Huskies, two weeks after former coach Randy Edsall left for the University of Maryland....
as their defensive coordinator, Todd Bowles
Todd Bowles
Todd Robert Bowles is a retired American football safety who played eight seasons in the National Football League, mainly for the Washington Redskins. He started in Super Bowl XXII....
as assistant head coach/secondary, Kacy Rodgers
Kacy Rodgers
Kacy Rodgers is an American football defensive line coach for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He had a brief playing career from 1992 to 1994 and has since served as an assistant coach at the college and professional levels...
as defensive line coach and David Corrao
David Corrao
David Corrao is the Assistant Linebackers Coach for the Miami Dolphins. He played one season of college football at The University of San Diego.-External links:*...
as defensive quality control coach. Pasqualoni, Bowles and Rodgers all came from the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
' staff, while Corrao was most recently linebackers coach at the University of Mississippi
Ole Miss Rebels
University of Mississippi sports teams, originally known as the "Mississippi Flood" , were re-named the Rebels in 1936 and compete in the twelve-member Southeastern Conference of the NCAA's Division I. The school's colors are cardinal red and navy blue , purposely chosen to mirror the school...
.
A day later, former UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
head coach Karl Dorrell
Karl Dorrell
Karl Dorrell is a football coach, currently an assistant coach with the Miami Dolphins of the NFL. He was previously the head coach of the UCLA Bruins, the first African American head football coach in the school's history...
was named the team's new wide receivers coach. Five more coaches were added to the staff on January 28 when the Dolphins named John Bonamego
John Bonamego
John Bonamego is a former American football special teams coordinator for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He has two decades of college and pro coaching experience. He played college football at Central Michigan.Bonamego has also coached for Maine, Lehigh and Army at the...
as their special teams coordinator, George DeLeone
George DeLeone
George DeLeone is an American football Offensive Coordinator for the University of Connecticut. He has 40 seasons of coaching experience, nearly all in college football. He also spent 4 years in the NFL with he San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins...
as their tight ends coach, David Puloka as assistant strength and conditioning coach, Jim Reid as outside linebackers coach and Steve Bush as offensive quality control coach.
The Dolphins made their final addition to the staff on February 4, hiring Dan Henning
Dan Henning
-External links:...
as offensive coordinator. Henning, who had most recently served as offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
from 2002 to 2006, had previous worked for the Dolphins under Don Shula
Don Shula
Donald Francis "Don" Shula is a former American football cornerback and coach.He is best known as coach of the Miami Dolphins, the team he led to two Super Bowl victories, and to the National Football League's only perfect season. Shula was named 1993 Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated....
as quarterbacks and wide receivers coach in 1979–1980.
Final staff
When the Dolphins' coaching staff was completed with the hiring of offensive coordinator Dan HenningDan Henning
-External links:...
on February 14, only two of the 17 assistant coaches under Sparano (Edwards and Hoffman) were holdovers from the previous season's staff. Three of the new coaches (Bowles, Pasqualoni and Rodgers) had experience with Parcells, Ireland and Sparano in Dallas. The completed staff was as follows:
| 2008 Miami Dolphins staff | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
|
Defensive Coaches
Special Teams Coaches
Strength and Conditioning
|
|||||
Departures
- February 11 – Terminated the contracts of quarterback Trent GreenTrent GreenTrent Jason Green is a retired professional American football quarterback. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Indiana University....
, wide receiver Marty BookerMarty BookerMarty Montez Booker is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft...
, offensive tackle L. J. Shelton and defensive tackle Keith TraylorKeith TraylorByron Keith Traylor is an American football nose tackle who is currently retired. He was originally drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1991 NFL Draft...
. - February 11 – Waived offensive tackle Anthony AlabiAnthony AlabiAnthony Abayomi Alabi is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
, offensive tackle Marion Dukes, guard Marquay LoveMarquay LoveMarquay Lewis Love is an American football Defensive Tackle who currently a member of the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League. He is also playing for the Swarco Raiders Tirol. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
, offensive lineman Joe ToledoJoe ToledoJoseph Christopher Toledo is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
and defensive tackle Anthony Bryant. - February 14 – Released linebacker Zach ThomasZach ThomasZachary Michael Thomas is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Tech....
. - April 24 – Released the following seven players: quarterback Casey BramletCasey BramletCasey Bramlet was a professional gridiron football quarterback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
, linebacker Marcello Church, safety Tuff HarrisTuff HarrisChester David "Tuff" Harris is an American football safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
, cornerback Jereme PerryJereme PerryJereme Jovon Perry is an American football defensive back who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
, wide receiver Kerry ReedKerry ReedKerry Reed is a American football wide receiver who is currently a member of the Arizona Rattlers. He most recently played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
, linebacker Mark WashingtonMark Washington (linebacker)Mark Washington is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Texas State....
and wide receiver Chandler WilliamsChandler WilliamsChandler Williams, III is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
. The team also waived safety Cameron WorrellCameron WorrellCameron Worrell is an American football safety in the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2003...
, who tore his ACLAnterior cruciate ligamentThe anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
in 2007, after he failed a physical. - April 29 – Released quarterback Matt BakerMatt Baker (American football)Matthew David Baker is an American football quarterback who is a currently a free agent. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
and defensive tackle Steve FifitaSteve FifitaSteve Fifita is a free agent American football defensive tackle. He was originally signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
. - May 5 – Waived wide receiver Marcel ReeceMarcel ReeceMarcel Reece is the starting American football fullback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He played college football at Washington. He played his first game for the Raiders during week 16 of the 2009 season against the Cleveland Browns in which he caught one pass for 9 yards...
, defensive end Derreck RobinsonDerreck RobinsonDerreck Robinson is an American football defensive end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Iowa.Robinson has also been a member of the Miami Dolphins and Dallas...
, linebacker Abraham WrightAbraham WrightAbraham Winston Wright is a Canadian football defensive end who plays for BC Lions for the Canadian Football League. He was originally drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
and cornerback Aaron Lane. Reece and Lane were signed as undrafted free agents the previous week, while Robinson and Wright were with the Dolphins in 2007. - May 16 – Waived offensive lineman Drew Mormino after he failed a physical. Mormino spent the 2007 season on injured reserveInjured reserveThe injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
with a shoulder injury. - June 6 – Released placekicker Dave RaynerDave RaynerDavid Michael "Dave" Rayner is an American football placekicker who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
.
Re-signings
- January 7 – Re-signed wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
s Kerry ReedKerry ReedKerry Reed is a American football wide receiver who is currently a member of the Arizona Rattlers. He most recently played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
and Chandler WilliamsChandler WilliamsChandler Williams, III is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
, guard Marquay LoveMarquay LoveMarquay Lewis Love is an American football Defensive Tackle who currently a member of the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League. He is also playing for the Swarco Raiders Tirol. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
and linebacker Marcello Church. All finished the 2007 season on the Dolphins' practice squad. - March 3 – Re-signed safety Yeremiah BellYeremiah BellYeremiah Neavius Bell is an American football safety for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
to a one-year, $1.4 million contract. - March 5 – Re-signed cornerbackCornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Michael LehanMichael LehanMichael Lehan is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
to a three-year, $4.95 million contract.
Signings
- January 30 – Signed quarterback Matt BakerMatt Baker (American football)Matthew David Baker is an American football quarterback who is a currently a free agent. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
, offensive lineman Trey DarilekTrey DarilekTrey Keith Darilek is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
and linebacker Junior GlymphJunior GlymphClarence Glymph, Jr. is an American football linebacker and defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent. He played college football at Carson-Newman....
. Baker was with the Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
in 2006, while Darilek and Glymph were both in training camp with Dallas in 2007. - February 8 – Signed cornerback Joey ThomasJoey ThomasJoseph Elleweyn "Joey" Thomas is an American football cornerback of the National Football League who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
. He was originally drafted by the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft2004 NFL DraftThe 2004 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 24-25, 2004 at the theater at Madison Square Garden...
and had most recently spent training camp with the Cowboys in 2007. - February 28 – Signed wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
David KircusDavid KircusDavid Kircus is a gridiron football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft after playing college football at Grand Valley State University....
, formerly of the Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
. - February 29 – Signed tight endTight endThe tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
Sean Ryan (JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) to a one-year deal. - February 29 – Signed wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Ernest WilfordErnest WilfordErnest Lee Wilford, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
(JaguarsJacksonville JaguarsThe Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) to a four-year, $13 million contract with $6 million guaranteed. - March 1 – Signed linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Charlie AndersonCharlie AndersonCharlie Alexander Anderson is an American football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
(TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) to a three-year contract. - March 1 – Signed quarterbackQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Josh McCownJosh McCownJoshua Treadwell McCown is an American football quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Sam Houston State.McCown has played for the Detroit Lions, Oakland...
(RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) to a two-year, $6.25 million contract. - March 1 – Signed guardGuard (American football)In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....
Justin SmileyJustin SmileyJustin Smiley is a former American football guard. He was originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
(49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
) to a five-year, $25 million contract with $9 million guaranteed. - March 1 – Signed defensive endDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Randy StarksRandy StarksRandolph "Randy" Starks, Jr. is an American football defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
(TitansTennessee TitansThe Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
) to a five-year, $21 million contract with $7 million guaranteed. - March 1 – Signed linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Reggie TorborReggie TorborReggie Jermaine Torbor is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Auburn.Torbor has also played for the Miami Dolphins...
(GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
) to a four-contract. - March 5 – Signed fullbackFullback (American football)A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
Boomer GrigsbyBoomer GrigsbyAppearing in 15 games in 2006, Grigsby again ranked third on the Chiefs in special teams tackles with 18. He missed one game that season with foot injury.Prior to the 2007 regular season, Grigsby was converted from linebacker to fullback...
(ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
) to a one-year contract. - March 11 – Signed safety Keith DavisKeith DavisKeith Lamont Davis is an American football safety for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
(CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
) to a two-year contract. - March 12 – Signed placekickerPlacekickerPlacekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
Dave RaynerDave RaynerDavid Michael "Dave" Rayner is an American football placekicker who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
(ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) to a one-year contract. - March 14 – Signed cornerbackCornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Nathan Jones (CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
) to a two-year contract. - March 16 – Signed wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Tab PerryTab PerryTab Wilson Perry is an American football wide receiver for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
(BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
) to a one-year contract. - March 28 – Signed safety Chris Crocker (FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
) to a one-year, $1.15 million contract with a $300,000 signing bonus. - April 14 – Signed safety Will BillingsleyWill BillingsleyWilfred Billingsley is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as a street free agent in 2008...
(North Carolina A&T) as a street free agent. Billingsley was eligible for the 2007 NFL Draft2007 NFL DraftThe 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
but was not drafted and remained unsigned throughout the year. - May 19 – Signed offensive lineman Steve McKinneySteve McKinneyStephen Michael McKinney is a former offensive guard in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
(TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) to a one-year contract.
Trades
- February 29 – Acquired defensive tackle Jason FergusonJason FergusonJason O. Ferguson is a former American football defensive tackle who played thirteen seasons in the National Football League, for the New York Jets—who originally selected in the seventh round of the 1997 NFL Draft—, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins...
from the Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
for a sixth-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft2009 NFL DraftThe 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
. The teams also swapped sixth-round picks in the 2008 NFL Draft2008 NFL DraftThe 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
. - April 26 – Acquired linebacker Akin AyodeleAkin AyodeleAkinola James "Akin" Ayodele is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
and tight end Anthony FasanoAnthony FasanoAnthony Joseph Fasano is an American football tight end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame...
from the Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
in exchange for the team's fourth-round pick (100th overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft2008 NFL DraftThe 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
. The pick was later traded to the Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and used to select cornerback Tyvon BranchTyvon BranchTyvon A. Branch is an American football safety for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Connecticut.-Oakland Raiders:Branch was selected by the Raiders in the 4th round...
. - July 21 – Traded defensive endDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Jason TaylorJason Taylor (American football)Jason Paul Taylor is an American football linebacker who currently plays for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft...
to the Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
in exchange for a second-round pick in 20092009 NFL DraftThe 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
and a sixth-round pick in 20102010 NFL DraftThe 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
.
Free agency
The Dolphins entered free agency $44 million under that year's $116 million salary cap – the highest in the league at the time. The team cleared between $13–15 million by cutting players leading up to free agency.Free agents
UFA: Unrestricted free agent, RFA: Restricted free agentRestricted free agent
A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :...
, ERFA: Exclusive-rights free agent
| Position | Player | Free agency status |
Date signed | 2008 team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS | Yeremiah Bell Yeremiah Bell Yeremiah Neavius Bell is an American football safety for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft... |
UFA | March 3 | Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| WR | Greg Camarillo Greg Camarillo Greg Camarillo is an American football wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.He played college football at Stanford. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2005.... |
ERFA | March 19 | Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| RB | Jesse Chatman Jesse Chatman Jesse Percee Chatman is an American football running back for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2002... |
UFA | March 9 | New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| RB | Patrick Cobbs Patrick Cobbs Patrick Cobbs is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He most recently was a member of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2006... |
ERFA | March 19 | Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| RB | Samkon Gado Samkon Gado Samkon Kaltho Gado is an Nigerian-American running back of American football who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Liberty.... |
RFA (not tendered) | November 4 | St. Louis Rams St. Louis Rams The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,... |
| OG | Rex Hadnot Rex Hadnot Jonathan Rex Hadnot, Jr. is an American football guard for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL Draft... |
UFA | March 10 | Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| CB | Michael Lehan Michael Lehan Michael Lehan is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft... |
UFA | March 5 | Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| OL | Cory Lekkerkerker Cory Lekkerkerker Cory Lekkerkerker is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2005... |
RFA (not tendered) | May 14 | Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... |
| QB | Cleo Lemon Cleo Lemon Cleo "Cleonardo" Lemon, Jr. is a Canadian football quarterback in the Canadian Football League who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Toronto Argonauts. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2002... |
UFA | February 29 | Jacksonville Jaguars Jacksonville Jaguars The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| OG | Gene Mruczkowski Gene Mruczkowski Gene Vincent Mruczkowski is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Purdue.... |
UFA | June 6 | New England Patriots New England Patriots The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... |
| OG | Ike Ndukwe Ike Ndukwe Ikechukwu Nelson "Ike" Ndukwe is an American football offensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2005... |
ERFA | March 19 | Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| DL | Chase Page Chase Page Chase Frederick Page is an American football defensive tackle who most recently played for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft... |
ERFA (not tendered) | ||
| LB | Derrick Pope Derrick Pope Derrick Trayon Pope is a professional American and Canadian football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft... |
UFA | March 14 | Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... |
| OT | Mike Rosenthal Mike Rosenthal Mike Rosenthal is an American football offensive tackle who is currently retired.He was originally drafted by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame. Rosenthal is now a high school football coach at Austin High School in Austin, Texas... |
UFA | ||
| FS | Lance Schulters Lance Schulters Lance A. Schulters is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft... |
UFA | August 18 | New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... |
| LB | Donnie Spragan Donnie Spragan Donald Spragan, Jr. is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 1999. Spragan has also been a member of the Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills... |
UFA | August 2 | Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| = Retained by Dolphins |
2008 NFL Draft
Due to their league-worst 1–15 record in 2007, the Dolphins secured the first overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
on April 26. The Dolphins used it to draft Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
offensive tackle Jake Long
Jake Long
Jake Edward Long is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Dolphins first overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan...
.
Including Long, the Dolphins selected the following nine players in the 2008 NFL Draft:
| Draft | | Player name | | Position | | College | | Height | | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rnd | Pick | |||||
| 1 | 1 | Jake Long Jake Long Jake Edward Long is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Dolphins first overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan... |
Offensive tackle | Michigan Michigan Wolverines football The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history... |
6' 7" | 315 lbs |
| 2 | 32 | Phillip Merling Phillip Merling Phillip Blaine Merling is an American football defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Clemson.-Early years:Played tight end and defensive end at Fork Union... |
Defensive end Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
Clemson Clemson Tigers football The Clemson Tigers football team is an American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference... |
6' 4" | 275 lbs |
| 57 | Chad Henne Chad Henne Chad Steven Henne is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He graduated from Wilson Senior High School and attended the University of Michigan... |
Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... |
Michigan Michigan Wolverines football The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history... |
6' 3" | 228 lbs | |
| 3 | 66 | Kendall Langford Kendall Langford Kendall Arkel Langford is an American football defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hampton.-Early years:Langford attended and played high school football at... |
Defensive end Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
Hampton | 6' 6" | 287 lbs |
| 4 | 110 | Shawn Murphy Shawn Murphy (American football) Shawn Murphy is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.... |
Guard Guard (American football) In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team.... |
Utah State | 6' 4" | 314 lbs |
| 6 | 176 | Jalen Parmele Jalen Parmele Justin Alexander "Jalen" Parmele is an American football running back of the of the National Football League who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Baltimore Ravens... |
Running back Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
Toledo | 5' 11" | 225 lbs |
| 195 | Donald Thomas | Guard Guard (American football) In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team.... |
Connecticut | 6' 4" | 305 lbs | |
| 204 | Lex Hilliard Lex Hilliard Hilliard returned to the field as a fifth-year senior in 2007, appearing in 11 games for the Grizzlies. He rushed for 1,132 yards and 16 touchdowns on his way to second-team All-Big Sky honors. He topped the 100-yard rushing plateau seven times during the season.... |
Running back Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
Montana Montana Grizzlies football The Montana Grizzlies football program represents the University of Montana in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision of college football. The Grizzlies have competed in the Big Sky Conference, where it is a founding member, since 1963... |
5' 11" | 234 lbs | |
| 7 | 245 | Lionel Dotson Lionel Dotson Lionel Eugene Dotson, Jr. is an American football defensive end for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft... |
Defensive end Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
Arizona Arizona Wildcats football The Arizona Wildcats football team is the football team of the University of Arizona, located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The team competes in the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level.-Early years:... |
6' 4" | 295 lbs |
Notes
- The Dolphins own second-round pick, the first of the round, was the 32nd overall in the draft rather than the 33rd because the New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
forfeited their first-round pick (31st overall) after the Spygate incident. - The Dolphins acquired a second-round pick from the San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in a trade that sent wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Chris ChambersChris ChambersChristopher J. "Chris" Chambers is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
to San Diego on October 16, 2007. - The Dolphins sent their fifth-round pick to the Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
in exchange for quarterbackQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Trent GreenTrent GreenTrent Jason Green is a retired professional American football quarterback. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Indiana University....
on June 5, 2007. - The Dolphins and Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
swapped sixth-round draft picks in trade that brought defensive tackle Jason FergusonJason FergusonJason O. Ferguson is a former American football defensive tackle who played thirteen seasons in the National Football League, for the New York Jets—who originally selected in the seventh round of the 1997 NFL Draft—, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins...
to Miami. - The last of the Dolphins' picks in the sixth and seventh rounds were awarded by NFL due to free agents lost the previous offseason.
Draft day trades
On the first day of the draft, the Dolphins traded second-year running back Lorenzo Booker
Lorenzo Booker
Lorenzo Booker is an American football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State....
to the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in exchange for a fourth-round pick (115th overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
.
On the second day of the draft, the Dolphins acquired the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
' third-round pick (66th overall) as well as their sixth-round pick (176th overall) in exchange for the Dolphins' third-round pick (64th overall). The Lions used the pick to select running back Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith (running back)
Kevin Smith is an American football running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Central Florida.-Early years:Smith attended Southridge High School...
, while the Dolphins took defensive end Kendall Langford
Kendall Langford
Kendall Arkel Langford is an American football defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hampton.-Early years:Langford attended and played high school football at...
with the third-round pick and running back Jalen Parmele
Jalen Parmele
Justin Alexander "Jalen" Parmele is an American football running back of the of the National Football League who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Baltimore Ravens...
with the sixth-rounder.
Later on Day 2, the Dolphins traded the fourth-round pick acquired from the Eagles, along with a seventh-round pick (208th overall), to the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in exchange for the 110th overall selection. The Dolphins used this pick to select guard Shawn Murphy
Shawn Murphy (American football)
Shawn Murphy is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft....
. The 115th overall pick was eventually dealt by the Bears the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, who used it to select defensive tackle Dre Moore
Dre Moore
Marchondray James "Dre" Moore is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
. The Bears used the seventh-round pick to select defensive end Ervin Baldwin
Ervin Baldwin
Ervin Baldwin is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He has played for the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bears in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
.
Draft pick signings
In the weeks leading up to the draft, the Dolphins began contract negotiations with Jake Long. On April 14, Peter King
Peter King (sportswriter)
Peter King is an American sportswriter. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated and its Web site, including the weekly multiple-page column Monday Morning Quarterback. He is the author of five books, most notably Inside the Helmet, as well as a TV analyst and reporter...
of Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
reported that the Dolphins had given Long a deadline to accept their contract offer (believed to be worth less than 2007
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell
JaMarcus Russell
JaMarcus Trenell Russell is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. Russell played college football for the LSU Tigers where he finished 21–4 as a starter and was named MVP of the 2007 Sugar Bowl. The Oakland Raiders selected Russell with the first overall pick of the 2007...
received from the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
); otherwise, they would move on to another prospect. On April 22, the Dolphins officially signed Long to a five-year, $57.75 million contract with $30 million guaranteed, assuring they would take him first overall. On May 19, the Dolphins signed sixth-rounders Jalen Parmele
Jalen Parmele
Justin Alexander "Jalen" Parmele is an American football running back of the of the National Football League who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Baltimore Ravens...
and Lex Hilliard
Lex Hilliard
Hilliard returned to the field as a fifth-year senior in 2007, appearing in 11 games for the Grizzlies. He rushed for 1,132 yards and 16 touchdowns on his way to second-team All-Big Sky honors. He topped the 100-yard rushing plateau seven times during the season....
and seventh-rounder Lionel Dotson
Lionel Dotson
Lionel Eugene Dotson, Jr. is an American football defensive end for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
to contacts. On May 23, sixth-round pick Donald Thomas was signed to a multi-year deal. On July 11, the Dolphins signed third-round pick Kendall Langford to a multi-year deal.
Undrafted free agents
Following the 2008 NFL Draft2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
, the Dolphins signed 18 undrafted free agents. They were:
|
Selwyn Lymon Selwyn Jalil Lymon is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Purdue.-Personal:... (Purdue Purdue Boilermakers football The Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football program of the Purdue University Boilermakers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of... ) Matthew Mulligan Matthew Ben Mulligan is an American football tight end for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008... (Maine) Kelly Poppinga Kelly Scott Poppinga is an American football linebackers coach for the Brigham Young University. Poppinga was an American football linebacker. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Brigham Young.Poppinga has also been a member of the... (BYU Brigham Young University Cougars football The Brigham Young Cougars football team is a college football program representing Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. The Cougars won the national championship in 1984 and have a Heisman Trophy winner in Ty Detmer. Since 1965, BYU has claimed 23 conference championships and played in 29 bowl... ) Marcel Reece Marcel Reece is the starting American football fullback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He played college football at Washington. He played his first game for the Raiders during week 16 of the 2009 season against the Cleveland Browns in which he caught one pass for 9 yards... (Washington Washington Huskies football College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by... ) Virginia Tech Hokies football The Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium which seats over... ) Keith Saunders Keith Saunders is an American and Canadian football linebacker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008... (Alabama Alabama Crimson Tide football |TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team... ) Matt Spanos Matt Spanos is an Canadian and American football guard for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League... (Southern California) Anthony Toribio Anthony Terrell Toribio is an American football defensive tackle currently signed to the practice squad for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and also spent time on the practice team for the Green Bay Packers. He played college football... (Carson-Newman) |
Two failed to survive a week with the team, as the Dolphins released Lane and Reece on May 5. Less than a month after being signed, Robertson decided to retire. On June 9, the Dolphins signed wide receiver John Dunlap
John Dunlap (American football)
John Dunlap is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at North Carolina State....
(NC State
NC State Wolfpack football
The NC State Wolfpack football team represents North Carolina State University in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Wolfpack currently compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference....
) after he attended a minicamp on a tryout basis.
Reserve lists
- May 27 – Placed defensive tackle Kory Robertson on the reserve/retired list.
- May 29 – Placed wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Tab PerryTab PerryTab Wilson Perry is an American football wide receiver for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
on injured reserveInjured reserveThe injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
with a torn Achilles tendonAchilles tendonThe Achilles tendon , also known as the calcaneal tendon or the tendo calcaneus, is a tendon of the posterior leg. It serves to attach the plantaris, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the calcaneus bone.- Anatomy :The Achilles is the tendonous extension of 3 muscles in the lower leg:...
.
Opening camp roster
| Miami Dolphins 2008 opening training camp roster | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Mike Byrne (American football) Michael Timothy Byrne is an American football offensive lineman who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008... C/G Vernon Carey Vernon A. Carey is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins 19th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami.-Early years:Carey lettered in football and basketball at Miami... T Trey Darilek Trey Keith Darilek is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft... OL Daren Heerspink Daren John Heerspink is a professional American and Canadian football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008... T Jake Long Jake Edward Long is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Dolphins first overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan... T Steve McKinney Stephen Michael McKinney is a former offensive guard in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft... G/C Shawn Murphy (American football) Shawn Murphy is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.... G Ike Ndukwe Ikechukwu Nelson "Ike" Ndukwe is an American football offensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2005... G Rueben Riley Rueben Joseph Riley, Jr. is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2007... G Samson Satele Samson H. Satele is an American football center for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii.... C Justin Smiley Justin Smiley is a former American football guard. He was originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft... G Matt Spanos Matt Spanos is an Canadian and American football guard for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League... C Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
Charlie Anderson Charlie Alexander Anderson is an American football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL Draft... OLB Akin Ayodele Akinola James "Akin" Ayodele is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft... ILB Titus Brown (American football) Titus Markeith Brown is an American football linebacker who currently plays for the Cleveland Browns. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Mississippi State.-External links:**... OLB Channing Crowder Randolph Channing Crowder, Jr. is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League . He played college football for the University of Florida, and was recognized as an All-American... ILB Junior Glymph Clarence Glymph, Jr. is an American football linebacker and defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent. He played college football at Carson-Newman.... OLB Edmond Miles Edmond Miles is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Iowa.... ILB Quentin Moses Quentin Moses is an American football linebacker for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League.-Early years:Moses attended Cedar Shoals High School... OLB Rob Ninkovich Robert Michael Ninkovich is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.Ninkovich has also played for the Miami Dolphins.-Early... OLB Kelly Poppinga Kelly Scott Poppinga is an American football linebackers coach for the Brigham Young University. Poppinga was an American football linebacker. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Brigham Young.Poppinga has also been a member of the... ILB Keith Saunders Keith Saunders is an American and Canadian football linebacker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008... OLB Kelvin Smith Kelvin Vincent Smith is an American football linebacker of the National Football League for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft... ILB Reggie Torbor Reggie Jermaine Torbor is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Auburn.Torbor has also played for the Miami Dolphins... ILB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
|
Reserve Lists
Michael Lehan Michael Lehan is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft... CB (Active/PUP)  Tab Perry Tab Wilson Perry is an American football wide receiver for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft... WR (IR) Joey Porter Joseph "Joey" Eugene Porter is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Colorado State.A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Porter earned a... OLB (Active/PUP) Rookies in italics |
|||||
Final preseason roster
| Miami Dolphins 2008 final preseason roster | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Mike Byrne (American football) Michael Timothy Byrne is an American football offensive lineman who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008... C/G Vernon Carey Vernon A. Carey is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins 19th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami.-Early years:Carey lettered in football and basketball at Miami... T Trey Darilek Trey Keith Darilek is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft... OL Daren Heerspink Daren John Heerspink is a professional American and Canadian football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008... T Jake Long Jake Edward Long is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Dolphins first overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan... T Shawn Murphy (American football) Shawn Murphy is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.... G Ike Ndukwe Ikechukwu Nelson "Ike" Ndukwe is an American football offensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2005... T/G Samson Satele Samson H. Satele is an American football center for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii.... C Justin Smiley Justin Smiley is a former American football guard. He was originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft... G Pedro Sosa Pedro Sosa is an American football offensive tackle for the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008... G/T Matt Spanos Matt Spanos is an Canadian and American football guard for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League... G/C Defensive Linemen
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Linebackers
Charlie Anderson Charlie Alexander Anderson is an American football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL Draft... OLB Akin Ayodele Akinola James "Akin" Ayodele is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft... ILB Titus Brown (American football) Titus Markeith Brown is an American football linebacker who currently plays for the Cleveland Browns. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Mississippi State.-External links:**... OLB Channing Crowder Randolph Channing Crowder, Jr. is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League . He played college football for the University of Florida, and was recognized as an All-American... ILB Maurice Fountain Gregory Maurice Fountain is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a practice squad member of the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . Fountain was first signed by the Manchester Wolves of AF2 as a free agent in 2007... OLB Junior Glymph Clarence Glymph, Jr. is an American football linebacker and defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent. He played college football at Carson-Newman.... OLB Edmond Miles Edmond Miles is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Iowa.... ILB Quentin Moses Quentin Moses is an American football linebacker for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League.-Early years:Moses attended Cedar Shoals High School... OLB Rob Ninkovich Robert Michael Ninkovich is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.Ninkovich has also played for the Miami Dolphins.-Early... OLB Kelly Poppinga Kelly Scott Poppinga is an American football linebackers coach for the Brigham Young University. Poppinga was an American football linebacker. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Brigham Young.Poppinga has also been a member of the... ILB Joey Porter Joseph "Joey" Eugene Porter is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Colorado State.A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Porter earned a... OLB Matt Roth Matthew M. Roth is an American football defensive end and outside linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft... OLB/DE Reggie Torbor Reggie Jermaine Torbor is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Auburn.Torbor has also played for the Miami Dolphins... ILB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
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Reserve Lists
Aaron Halterman Aaron Halterman is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Indiana.... TE (IR) Tab Perry Tab Wilson Perry is an American football wide receiver for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft... WR (IR) Kelvin Smith Kelvin Vincent Smith is an American football linebacker of the National Football League for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft... ILB (IR) Rookies in italics |
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July
- 25 – Signed second-round pick defensive end Phillip MerlingPhillip MerlingPhillip Blaine Merling is an American football defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Clemson.-Early years:Played tight end and defensive end at Fork Union...
. - 25 – Waived wide receiver Justin Wynn.
- 25 – Signed wide receiver Anthony Armstrong (DesperadosDallas DesperadosThe Dallas Desperados were a professional Arena Football team. The Desperados played in the Southern Division of the now-defunct Arena Football League from 2002 to 2008....
). - 26 – Placed linebacker Joey PorterJoey PorterJoseph "Joey" Eugene Porter is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Colorado State.A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Porter earned a...
on the Active/non-football injury list and cornerback Michael LehanMichael LehanMichael Lehan is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
on the Active/PUP list. - 26 – Waived offensive tackles Dan Gore and Julius WilsonJulius WilsonJulius Wilson is an American football offensive tackle for the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at UAB.Wilson has also been a member of the St...
. - 28 – Activated linebacker Joey PorterJoey PorterJoseph "Joey" Eugene Porter is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Colorado State.A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Porter earned a...
(NFI). - 28 – Signed second-round pick quarterback Chad HenneChad HenneChad Steven Henne is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He graduated from Wilson Senior High School and attended the University of Michigan...
. - 28 – Signed guard Rueben RileyRueben RileyRueben Joseph Riley, Jr. is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
(PanthersCarolina PanthersThe Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
). - 30 – Waived cornerback Scorpio BabersScorpio BabersScorpio Babers is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an street free agent in 2008...
. - 30 – Signed cornerback Chris RobersonChris Roberson (American football)Chris Roberson is an American football cornerback for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
(JaguarsJacksonville JaguarsThe Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
).
August
- 2 – Waived/injured tight end Aaron HaltermanAaron HaltermanAaron Halterman is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Indiana....
and waived guard Rueben RileyRueben RileyRueben Joseph Riley, Jr. is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
. - 4 – Placed tight end Aaron HaltermanAaron HaltermanAaron Halterman is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Indiana....
on injured reserveInjured reserveThe injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
. - 11 – Waived/injured linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Kelvin SmithKelvin SmithKelvin Vincent Smith is an American football linebacker of the National Football League for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
. - 11 – Signed quarterback Chad PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
(JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) and linebacker Maurice FountainMaurice FountainGregory Maurice Fountain is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a practice squad member of the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . Fountain was first signed by the Manchester Wolves of AF2 as a free agent in 2007...
(BlazeUtah BlazeThe Utah Blaze is a professional arena football team based in Salt Lake City, Utah and competes in the West division of the Arena Football League. Home games are played at the EnergySolutions Arena.-The original Utah Blaze :...
) - August 12 – Released placekicker Jay FeelyJay FeelyThomas James "Jay" Feely is an American football placekicker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. Jay played for the Temple Terrace Spirit Soccer team that won the National Championships when he was 16....
. - August 12 – Placed linebacker Kelvin SmithKelvin SmithKelvin Vincent Smith is an American football linebacker of the National Football League for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
on injured reserveInjured reserveThe injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
. - August 15 – Waived linebacker Keith SaundersKeith SaundersKeith Saunders is an American and Canadian football linebacker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
and wide receivers John DunlapJohn Dunlap (American football)John Dunlap is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at North Carolina State....
and Selwyn LymonSelwyn LymonSelwyn Jalil Lymon is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Purdue.-Personal:...
. - August 18 – Released offensive lineman Steve McKinneySteve McKinneyStephen Michael McKinney is a former offensive guard in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
. - August 18 – Activated cornerback Michael LehanMichael LehanMichael Lehan is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
(PUP). - August 20 – Traded cornerback Travis DanielsTravis DanielsTravis Antwon Daniels is an American football cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
to the Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick in the 2009 NFL Draft2009 NFL DraftThe 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
. - August 22 – Waived wide receiver David KircusDavid KircusDavid Kircus is a gridiron football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft after playing college football at Grand Valley State University....
and cornerback Chris RobersonChris Roberson (American football)Chris Roberson is an American football cornerback for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
. - August 25 – Signed undrafted free agent offensive tackle Pedro SosaPedro SosaPedro Sosa is an American football offensive tackle for the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
(RutgersRutgers Scarlet Knights footballThe Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team represents Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision play...
). - August 27 – Released safety Keith DavisKeith DavisKeith Lamont Davis is an American football safety for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
. - August 30 – Traded quarterback Josh McCownJosh McCownJoshua Treadwell McCown is an American football quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Sam Houston State.McCown has played for the Detroit Lions, Oakland...
to the Carolina PanthersCarolina PanthersThe Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft2009 NFL DraftThe 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
.
Final cuts
On August 30, the Dolphins made 17 roster moves to reach the NFL's 53-player limit. The players released were:
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Edmond Miles Edmond Miles is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Iowa.... Matthew Mulligan Matthew Ben Mulligan is an American football tight end for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008... Justin Peelle Justin Morris Peelle is an American football tight end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft... Kelly Poppinga Kelly Scott Poppinga is an American football linebackers coach for the Brigham Young University. Poppinga was an American football linebacker. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Brigham Young.Poppinga has also been a member of the... Pedro Sosa Pedro Sosa is an American football offensive tackle for the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008... Matt Spanos Matt Spanos is an Canadian and American football guard for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League... Anthony Toribio Anthony Terrell Toribio is an American football defensive tackle currently signed to the practice squad for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and also spent time on the practice team for the Green Bay Packers. He played college football... |
Preseason schedule
The Dolphins' 2008 preseason schedule was announced on April 3.| Week | Time* | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | TV | NFL.com Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7:30 PM EDT North American Eastern Time Zone The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time... |
August 9 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season The 2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the 33rd season for the club in the National Football League. Though the team finished with a winning record , they failed to defend their 2007 NFC South championship and did not qualify for the playoffs after finishing the year on a four game losing streak... |
L 17–6 | 0–1 | Dolphin Stadium Dolphin Stadium Sun Life Stadium is an American football stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, a suburb of Miami. It is the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins National Football League team, and the University of Miami Hurricanes football team. It also hosts the Orange Bowl, an annual college football bowl game. It... |
WFOR WFOR-TV WFOR-TV, virtual channel 4.1 , is the CBS owned-and-operated station in Miami, Florida. WFOR shares its TV studio facilities with sister station WBFS-TV in Doral, near Miami International Airport, and its transmitter is located in Miramar.WFOR-TV also previously had two translator stations in the... |
Recap |
| 2 | 7:38 PM EDT | August 16 | at Jacksonville Jaguars 2008 Jacksonville Jaguars season The 2008 Jacksonville Jaguars season was the 14th season for the team in the National Football League. The Jaguars failed to improve upon their 11–5 record from 2007 and did not make the playoffs, contrary to many preseason predictions.-2008 NFL Draft picks:... |
W 19–14 | 1–1 | Jacksonville Municipal Stadium | WFOR WFOR-TV WFOR-TV, virtual channel 4.1 , is the CBS owned-and-operated station in Miami, Florida. WFOR shares its TV studio facilities with sister station WBFS-TV in Doral, near Miami International Airport, and its transmitter is located in Miramar.WFOR-TV also previously had two translator stations in the... |
Recap |
| 3 | 7:30 PM EDT | August 23 | Kansas City Chiefs 2008 Kansas City Chiefs season The 2008 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's 49th season, and third with head coach Herman Edwards at the helm. The Chiefs failed to improve on their 4-12 record from 2007 with the youngest team in the NFL as part of their "youth movement." The season turned out to be the worst in the... |
W 24–0 | 2–1 | Dolphin Stadium Dolphin Stadium Sun Life Stadium is an American football stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, a suburb of Miami. It is the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins National Football League team, and the University of Miami Hurricanes football team. It also hosts the Orange Bowl, an annual college football bowl game. It... |
WFOR WFOR-TV WFOR-TV, virtual channel 4.1 , is the CBS owned-and-operated station in Miami, Florida. WFOR shares its TV studio facilities with sister station WBFS-TV in Doral, near Miami International Airport, and its transmitter is located in Miramar.WFOR-TV also previously had two translator stations in the... |
Recap |
| 4 | 8:00 PM EDT | August 28 | at New Orleans Saints 2008 New Orleans Saints season The 2008 New Orleans Saints season is the 42nd season for the team in the National Football League . The Saints entered the season in an attempt improve their 7-9 record from the 2007 season.-Pre-season:-Regular season:... |
W 14–10 | 3–1 | Louisiana Superdome Louisiana Superdome The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, previously known as the Louisiana Superdome and colloquially known as the Superdome, is a sports and exhibition arena located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA... |
WFOR WFOR-TV WFOR-TV, virtual channel 4.1 , is the CBS owned-and-operated station in Miami, Florida. WFOR shares its TV studio facilities with sister station WBFS-TV in Doral, near Miami International Airport, and its transmitter is located in Miramar.WFOR-TV also previously had two translator stations in the... |
Recap |
Preseason recap
After losing their preseason opener to the Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, the Dolphins won their final three contests to finish the preseason 3–1.
Quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
was the Dolphins' most efficient passer of the preseason, leading the team in completion percentage (72.0) and passer rating (104.8). Rookie quarterback Chad Henne
Chad Henne
Chad Steven Henne is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He graduated from Wilson Senior High School and attended the University of Michigan...
led the team in passing yards (351) but also in interceptions (2) while matching Pennington in passing touchdowns (1).
Running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
s Ricky Williams
Ricky Williams
Errick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
and Jalen Parmele
Jalen Parmele
Justin Alexander "Jalen" Parmele is an American football running back of the of the National Football League who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Baltimore Ravens...
tied for the team lead in rushing yards at 123. Williams, Parmele and Ronnie Brown
Ronnie Brown
Ronnie G. Brown, Jr. is an American football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . After graduating from Cartersville High School in Georgia, Brown attended Auburn University to play college football for the Auburn Tigers...
were the only Dolphins to rush for a touchdown during the preseason, scoring one each. Lex Hilliard
Lex Hilliard
Hilliard returned to the field as a fifth-year senior in 2007, appearing in 11 games for the Grizzlies. He rushed for 1,132 yards and 16 touchdowns on his way to second-team All-Big Sky honors. He topped the 100-yard rushing plateau seven times during the season....
and Patrick Cobbs
Patrick Cobbs
Patrick Cobbs is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He most recently was a member of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
finished fourth and fifth, respectively, on the team in rushing yards.
No Dolphins player surpassed 100 receiving yards during the preseason, though wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Ted Ginn, Jr.
Ted Ginn, Jr.
-College career:OSU track coach Russ Rogers recruited Ginn to run track, believing that he could qualify for the 2008 Olympics. However, his track career was put on hold in order to focus on football. Ginn was recruited as a defensive back by Ohio State....
came closest at 97. He also tied rookie Davone Bess
Davone Bess
Davone Atrayo Bess is an American football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
for the team lead in receptions with eight. Tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
s Anthony Fasano
Anthony Fasano
Anthony Joseph Fasano is an American football tight end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame...
and Sean Ryan were the only Dolphins to catch a touchdown pass.
On special teams, rookie placekicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
Dan Carpenter
Dan Carpenter
Daniel Roy Carpenter is an American football placekicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
converted 7-of-8 field-goal attempts and all six extra-point attempts. Punter Brandon Fields
Brandon Fields
Brandon David Fields is an American football punter for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the seventh round in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan State.-Early years:Fields attended St. John's Jesuit High School in Toledo,...
punted 21 times for a 44.1-yard average and two touchbacks. Meanwhile, Davone Bess led the team in punt returns (6) but Ted Ginn, Jr. was the only Dolphins player to return a kick or punt for a touchdown. Patrick Cobbs led the team in kick return yards with 106.
On defense, Linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
s Akin Ayodele
Akin Ayodele
Akinola James "Akin" Ayodele is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
and Reggie Torbor
Reggie Torbor
Reggie Jermaine Torbor is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Auburn.Torbor has also played for the Miami Dolphins...
tied for the team lead with 17 tackles, while Ayodele led the team in solo stops with 12. Five others – Yeremiah Bell
Yeremiah Bell
Yeremiah Neavius Bell is an American football safety for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, Channing Crowder
Channing Crowder
Randolph Channing Crowder, Jr. is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League . He played college football for the University of Florida, and was recognized as an All-American...
, Renaldo Hill
Renaldo Hill
Renaldo Hill is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan State....
, Nathan Jones, Edmond Miles
Edmond Miles
Edmond Miles is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Iowa....
– also reached double-digits in tackles.
Four players – Jason Allen, Renaldo Hill, Michael Lehan
Michael Lehan
Michael Lehan is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, Joey Thomas
Joey Thomas
Joseph Elleweyn "Joey" Thomas is an American football cornerback of the National Football League who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
– recorded an interception during the preseason. The Dolphins also totaled 14 quarterbacks sacks during the preseason. Linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Rob Ninkovich
Rob Ninkovich
Robert Michael Ninkovich is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.Ninkovich has also played for the Miami Dolphins.-Early...
and defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Randy Starks
Randy Starks
Randolph "Randy" Starks, Jr. is an American football defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
each record a team-high two sacks, while ten other players each recorded a sack apiece. Channing Crowder, Junior Glymph
Junior Glymph
Clarence Glymph, Jr. is an American football linebacker and defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent. He played college football at Carson-Newman....
and Paul Soliai
Paul Soliai
Soliai was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft, signing a four-year contract on June 7.Before the NFL lockout, Soliai was franchise tagged by the Dolphins...
each forced a fumble during the preseason.
Schedule
The Dolphins' 2008 regular season schedule was released on April 15, 2008.| Week | Time* | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | TV | NFL.com Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1:00 PM | September 7, 2008 | New York Jets 2008 New York Jets season The 2008 New York Jets season was the 49th season for the club and the 39th season in the National Football League. The team succeeded in improving upon their 4–12 record from 2007, but did not make the playoffs.-Signings:... |
L 14 – 20 | 0–1 | Dolphin Stadium Dolphin Stadium Sun Life Stadium is an American football stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, a suburb of Miami. It is the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins National Football League team, and the University of Miami Hurricanes football team. It also hosts the Orange Bowl, an annual college football bowl game. It... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
| 2 | 4:15 PM | September 14, 2008 | at Arizona Cardinals 2008 Arizona Cardinals season The 2008 Arizona Cardinals season was the 89th season for the team in the National Football League and their 21st season in Arizona. The season marked the Cardinals' first-ever Super Bowl appearance, coming as a result of their victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship.The... |
L 10 – 31 | 0–2 | University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
| 3 | 1:00 PM | September 21, 2008 | at New England Patriots 2008 New England Patriots season The 2008 New England Patriots season was the 39th season for the team in the National Football League and 49th season overall. Despite finishing the regular season with an 11–5 record, the Patriots did not qualify for the playoffs—becoming the first 11-win team since the expansion to a 12-team... |
W 38 – 13 | 1–2 | Gillette Stadium Gillette Stadium Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
| 4 | Bye Bye (sports) A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing... |
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| 5 | 1:00 PM | October 5, 2008 | San Diego Chargers 2008 San Diego Chargers season The 2008 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's 49th overall season and their 39th in the NFL. While they completed the regular season with only an 8–8 record, they nonetheless captured their third consecutive AFC West championship... |
W 17 – 10 | 2–2 | Dolphin Stadium Dolphin Stadium Sun Life Stadium is an American football stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, a suburb of Miami. It is the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins National Football League team, and the University of Miami Hurricanes football team. It also hosts the Orange Bowl, an annual college football bowl game. It... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
| 6 | 1:00 PM | October 12, 2008 | at Houston Texans 2008 Houston Texans season The 2008 Houston Texans season was the 7th season for the team in the National Football League. Though the Texans lost their first four games of the season, they rallied and won five of their last six games, to finish with an 8–8 record for the second consecutive year.The 2008 season also marked... |
L 28 – 29 | 2–3 | Reliant Stadium Reliant Stadium Reliant Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Houston, Texas, USA. Reliant Stadium has a seating capacity of 71,500, a total square footage of with of natural grass playing surface.... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
| 7 | 1:00 PM | October 19, 2008 | Baltimore Ravens 2008 Baltimore Ravens season The 2008 Baltimore Ravens season was the 13th season for the team in the NFL. Despite having one of the toughest schedules in the NFL, the Ravens completed a major turnaround from the 2007 season, finishing the season with an 11–5 record and a playoff berth... |
L 13 – 27 | 2–4 | Dolphin Stadium Dolphin Stadium Sun Life Stadium is an American football stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, a suburb of Miami. It is the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins National Football League team, and the University of Miami Hurricanes football team. It also hosts the Orange Bowl, an annual college football bowl game. It... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
| 8 | 1:00 PM | October 26, 2008 | Buffalo Bills 2008 Buffalo Bills season The 2008 Buffalo Bills season was the 39th season for the team in the National Football League and their 49th season overall. They finished with a record of 7–9 for the third consecutive year... |
W 25 – 16 | 3–4 | Dolphin Stadium Dolphin Stadium Sun Life Stadium is an American football stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, a suburb of Miami. It is the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins National Football League team, and the University of Miami Hurricanes football team. It also hosts the Orange Bowl, an annual college football bowl game. It... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
| 9 | 4:05 PM | November 2, 2008 | at Denver Broncos 2008 Denver Broncos season The 2008 Denver Broncos season was the franchise's 49th season for the team . They improved from their 7–9 record from 2007 but failed to make the playoffs with an 8–8 record... |
W 26 – 17 | 4–4 | INVESCO Field at Mile High INVESCO Field at Mile High Sports Authority Field at Mile High, previously known as Invesco Field at Mile High, and commonly known as Mile High, is a multi-purpose stadium, in Denver, Colorado. It replaced the identically sized, but commercially obsolete Mile High Stadium in 2001... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
| 10 | 1:00 PM | November 9, 2008 | Seattle Seahawks 2008 Seattle Seahawks season The 2008 Seattle Seahawks season was the 33rd season for the team in the National Football League. The Seahawks' streak of four consecutive NFC West divisional championships was broken, as they fell to a 4-12 record... |
W 21 – 19 | 5–4 | Dolphin Stadium Dolphin Stadium Sun Life Stadium is an American football stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, a suburb of Miami. It is the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins National Football League team, and the University of Miami Hurricanes football team. It also hosts the Orange Bowl, an annual college football bowl game. It... |
Fox NFL on FOX NFL on Fox is the brand name of the Fox Broadcasting Company's coverage of the National Football League's National Football Conference games, produced by Fox Sports... |
Recap |
| 11 | 1:00 PM # | November 16, 2008 | Oakland Raiders 2008 Oakland Raiders season The 2008 Oakland Raiders season was the team's forty-ninth season. The Raiders improved upon their 4–12 record from 2007. This was also the first time in four seasons that the team did not play both contestants from the previous Super Bowl, playing the New England Patriots, but not the New York... |
W 17 – 15 | 6–4 | Dolphin Stadium Dolphin Stadium Sun Life Stadium is an American football stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, a suburb of Miami. It is the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins National Football League team, and the University of Miami Hurricanes football team. It also hosts the Orange Bowl, an annual college football bowl game. It... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
| 12 | 1:00 PM # | November 23, 2008 | New England Patriots 2008 New England Patriots season The 2008 New England Patriots season was the 39th season for the team in the National Football League and 49th season overall. Despite finishing the regular season with an 11–5 record, the Patriots did not qualify for the playoffs—becoming the first 11-win team since the expansion to a 12-team... |
L 28 – 48 | 6–5 | Dolphin Stadium Dolphin Stadium Sun Life Stadium is an American football stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, a suburb of Miami. It is the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins National Football League team, and the University of Miami Hurricanes football team. It also hosts the Orange Bowl, an annual college football bowl game. It... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
| 13 | 1:00 PM # | November 30, 2008 | at St. Louis Rams 2008 St. Louis Rams season The 2008 St. Louis Rams season was the 71st season for the team in the National Football League and their 14th in St. Louis, Missouri. They hoped to improve upon their 3-13 record from last season but the season was a complete disaster, and their worst season ever. Not only did they fail to... |
W 16 – 12 | 7–5 | Edward Jones Dome Edward Jones Dome The Edward Jones Dome The Edward Jones Dome The Edward Jones Dome (more formally known as the Edward Jones Dome at America's Center, and previously known as The Trans World Dome (from 1995–2001) is a multi-purpose stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, and home of the St. Louis Rams of the NFL. It was... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
| 14 | 4:05 PM # | December 7, 2008 | at Buffalo Bills 2008 Buffalo Bills season The 2008 Buffalo Bills season was the 39th season for the team in the National Football League and their 49th season overall. They finished with a record of 7–9 for the third consecutive year... (Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... ) |
W 16 – 3 | 8–5 | Rogers Centre Rogers Centre Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
| 15 | 1:00 PM # | December 14, 2008 | San Francisco 49ers 2008 San Francisco 49ers season The 2008 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 63rd season. Although they failed to reach the playoffs for the straight 6th year, the team improved on their disappointing 5-11 record from the 2007 season, and ended the season on a high note... |
W 14 – 9 | 9–5 | Dolphin Stadium Dolphin Stadium Sun Life Stadium is an American football stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, a suburb of Miami. It is the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins National Football League team, and the University of Miami Hurricanes football team. It also hosts the Orange Bowl, an annual college football bowl game. It... |
Fox NFL on FOX NFL on Fox is the brand name of the Fox Broadcasting Company's coverage of the National Football League's National Football Conference games, produced by Fox Sports... |
Recap |
| 16 | 1:00 PM # | December 21, 2008 | at Kansas City Chiefs 2008 Kansas City Chiefs season The 2008 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's 49th season, and third with head coach Herman Edwards at the helm. The Chiefs failed to improve on their 4-12 record from 2007 with the youngest team in the NFL as part of their "youth movement." The season turned out to be the worst in the... |
W 38 – 31 | 10–5 | Arrowhead Stadium Arrowhead Stadium Arrowhead Stadium is a stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri and home to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
| 17 | 4:15 PM # | December 28, 2008 | at New York Jets 2008 New York Jets season The 2008 New York Jets season was the 49th season for the club and the 39th season in the National Football League. The team succeeded in improving upon their 4–12 record from 2007, but did not make the playoffs.-Signings:... |
W 24 – 17 | 11–5 | The Meadowlands Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
NBC Sunday Night Football
NBC Sunday Night Football is a weekly television broadcast of Sunday evening National Football League games on NBC that began airing on Sunday, August 6, 2006 with the pre-season opening Hall of Fame Game. Al Michaels serves as the play-by-play announcer, with Cris Collinsworth as the color...
at 8:15 p.m. on NBC-TV
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
.
Opening day roster
| Miami Dolphins 2008 opening day roster | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Andy Alleman Andrew "Andy" Alleman is an American football guard. Alleman last played for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League in 2010. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft... C/G Vernon Carey Vernon A. Carey is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins 19th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami.-Early years:Carey lettered in football and basketball at Miami... T Nate Garner Nate Garner is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arkansas.-External links:**... T Jake Long Jake Edward Long is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Dolphins first overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan... T Shawn Murphy (American football) Shawn Murphy is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.... G Ike Ndukwe Ikechukwu Nelson "Ike" Ndukwe is an American football offensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2005... T/G Samson Satele Samson H. Satele is an American football center for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii.... C Justin Smiley Justin Smiley is a former American football guard. He was originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft... G Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
Charlie Anderson Charlie Alexander Anderson is an American football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL Draft... OLB/DE Akin Ayodele Akinola James "Akin" Ayodele is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft... ILB Channing Crowder Randolph Channing Crowder, Jr. is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League . He played college football for the University of Florida, and was recognized as an All-American... ILB Quentin Moses Quentin Moses is an American football linebacker for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League.-Early years:Moses attended Cedar Shoals High School... OLB/DE Joey Porter Joseph "Joey" Eugene Porter is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Colorado State.A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Porter earned a... OLB/DE Matt Roth Matthew M. Roth is an American football defensive end and outside linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft... OLB Reggie Torbor Reggie Jermaine Torbor is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Auburn.Torbor has also played for the Miami Dolphins... ILB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
|
Reserve Lists
Aaron Halterman Aaron Halterman is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Indiana.... TE (IR)  Tab Perry Tab Wilson Perry is an American football wide receiver for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft... WR (IR) Kelvin Smith Kelvin Vincent Smith is an American football linebacker of the National Football League for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft... ILB (IR) Practice Squad
Rookies in italics |
|||||
Final roster
| Miami Dolphins 2008 final roster | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Andy Alleman Andrew "Andy" Alleman is an American football guard. Alleman last played for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League in 2010. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft... G/C Vernon Carey Vernon A. Carey is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins 19th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami.-Early years:Carey lettered in football and basketball at Miami... T Brandon Frye Brandon Lee Frye is a former American football offensive tackle. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia Tech.... G/T Nate Garner Nate Garner is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arkansas.-External links:**... T Jake Long Jake Edward Long is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Dolphins first overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan... T Shawn Murphy (American football) Shawn Murphy is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.... G Ike Ndukwe Ikechukwu Nelson "Ike" Ndukwe is an American football offensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2005... G Samson Satele Samson H. Satele is an American football center for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii.... C/G Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
Charlie Anderson Charlie Alexander Anderson is an American football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL Draft... OLB/DE Akin Ayodele Akinola James "Akin" Ayodele is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft... ILB Channing Crowder Randolph Channing Crowder, Jr. is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League . He played college football for the University of Florida, and was recognized as an All-American... ILB William Kershaw William Howard Kershaw, Jr. is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2006... ILB Quentin Moses Quentin Moses is an American football linebacker for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League.-Early years:Moses attended Cedar Shoals High School... OLB/DE Joey Porter Joseph "Joey" Eugene Porter is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Colorado State.A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Porter earned a... OLB/DE Matt Roth Matthew M. Roth is an American football defensive end and outside linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft... OLB/DE Derek Smith (linebacker) Derek Mecham Smith is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft... ILB Reggie Torbor Reggie Jermaine Torbor is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Auburn.Torbor has also played for the Miami Dolphins... ILB Erik Walden Erik Lashawn Walden is an American football linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft... OLB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
|
Reserve Lists
Greg Camarillo Greg Camarillo is an American football wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.He played college football at Stanford. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2005.... WR (IR) Aaron Halterman Aaron Halterman is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Indiana.... TE (IR) Matt McChesney Matthew McChesney is a former American football guard in the National Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Colorado.... G (IR) Tab Perry Tab Wilson Perry is an American football wide receiver for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft... WR (IR) Justin Smiley Justin Smiley is a former American football guard. He was originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft... G (IR) Kelvin Smith Kelvin Vincent Smith is an American football linebacker of the National Football League for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft... ILB (IR) Practice Squad
Rookies in italics 53 Active, 7 Inactive, 8 PS |
|||||
Week 1: vs. New York Jets
Week 2: at Arizona Cardinals
Week 3: at New England Patriots
The Dolphins headed to Foxboro to face the Division rival New England Patriots. Little did New England know that they would be a test for an offensive formation concocted as the Dolphins coaching staff wanted to put running backs Ricky WilliamsRicky Williams
Errick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
and Ronnie Brown
Ronnie Brown
Ronnie G. Brown, Jr. is an American football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . After graduating from Cartersville High School in Georgia, Brown attended Auburn University to play college football for the Auburn Tigers...
onto the field at the same time. David Lee thus revealed the Wildcat to the NFL. Ronnie Brown
Ronnie Brown
Ronnie G. Brown, Jr. is an American football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . After graduating from Cartersville High School in Georgia, Brown attended Auburn University to play college football for the Auburn Tigers...
would take direct snaps and keep it himself or hand it of to another back. The Dolphins decimated the Patriots all day with the Wildcat offense for a 38–13 victory.
Week 5: vs. San Diego Chargers
Week 6: at Houston Texans
Week 7: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Week 8: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 9: at Denver Broncos
Week 10: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 11: vs. Oakland Raiders
Week 12: vs. New England Patriots
A week after a 400-yard passing game against the Jets Matt CasselMatt Cassel
Matthew Brennan "Matt" Cassel is a quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
threw for 415 yards and three touchdowns while Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
threw for 345 yards and two scores; both quarterbacks also ran in a touchdown. The Dolphins Wildcat offense was limited to 27 yards as the Patriots broke open a tight game in the fourth quarter, winning 48–28.
Week 13: at St. Louis Rams
Week 14: at Buffalo Bills
Week 15: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 16: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 17: at New York Jets
The Dolphins clinched the AFC EastAFC East
The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. There are four members: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots , and New York Jets...
title as they intercepted Jets quarterback Brett Favre
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons , Green Bay Packers , New York Jets and Minnesota...
three times (Philip Merling ran in a 25-yard touchdown on a Favre pick) while Charlie Anderson
Charlie Anderson
Charlie Alexander Anderson is an American football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
and Patrick Cobbs
Patrick Cobbs
Patrick Cobbs is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He most recently was a member of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
blocked a Jets punt. The win put the Dolphins into the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
August
- 31 – Signed running back Ricky WilliamsRicky WilliamsErrick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
to a one-year contract extension through the 2009 season2009 NFL seasonThe 2009 NFL season was the 90th regular season of the National Football League.The preseason started with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2009, and the regular season began September 10. The season ended with Super Bowl XLIV, the league's championship game, on February 7, 2010 at...
. - 31 – Waived wide receiver Anthony Armstrong, offensive lineman Trey DarilekTrey DarilekTrey Keith Darilek is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
and linebacker Rob NinkovichRob NinkovichRobert Michael Ninkovich is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.Ninkovich has also played for the Miami Dolphins.-Early...
. - 31 – Claimed offensive lineman Andy AllemanAndy AllemanAndrew "Andy" Alleman is an American football guard. Alleman last played for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League in 2010. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
(SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
), offensive tackle Nate GarnerNate GarnerNate Garner is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arkansas.-External links:**...
(JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) and wide receiver Brandon LondonBrandon LondonBrandon Jaime London is an American football wide receiver who is currently playing with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Massachusetts.London has also played for the Miami...
(GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
) off waivers.
September
- 1 – Signed cornerback Will BillingsleyWill BillingsleyWilfred Billingsley is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as a street free agent in 2008...
, wide receiver Jayson FosterJayson FosterJayson D. Foster is an American football wide receiver for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
, offensive tackle Daren HeerspinkDaren HeerspinkDaren John Heerspink is a professional American and Canadian football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
, running back Lex HilliardLex HilliardHilliard returned to the field as a fifth-year senior in 2007, appearing in 11 games for the Grizzlies. He rushed for 1,132 yards and 16 touchdowns on his way to second-team All-Big Sky honors. He topped the 100-yard rushing plateau seven times during the season....
, tight end Matthew MulliganMatthew MulliganMatthew Ben Mulligan is an American football tight end for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
and linebacker Tyson Smith (CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
) to the practice squad. - 2 – Released cornerback Joey ThomasJoey ThomasJoseph Elleweyn "Joey" Thomas is an American football cornerback of the National Football League who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
. - 2 – Signed safety Tyrone CulverTyrone CulverTyrone Culver is an American football safety for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
(PackerGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
). - 2 – Released wide receiver Jayson FosterJayson FosterJayson D. Foster is an American football wide receiver for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
from the practice squad. - 2 – Re-signed wide receiver Anthony Armstrong, linebacker Rob NinkovichRob NinkovichRobert Michael Ninkovich is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.Ninkovich has also played for the Miami Dolphins.-Early...
and defensive tackle Anthony ToribioAnthony ToribioAnthony Terrell Toribio is an American football defensive tackle currently signed to the practice squad for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and also spent time on the practice team for the Green Bay Packers. He played college football...
to the practice squad. - 9 – Released fullback Boomer GrigsbyBoomer GrigsbyAppearing in 15 games in 2006, Grigsby again ranked third on the Chiefs in special teams tackles with 18. He missed one game that season with foot injury.Prior to the 2007 regular season, Grigsby was converted from linebacker to fullback...
. - 9 – Signed fullback Casey CramerCasey CramerCasey Ross Cramer is a former American football fullback. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
(TitansTennessee TitansThe Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
). - 9 – Placed guard Donald Thomas on injured reserveInjured reserveThe injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
. - 9 – Signed guard Evan MathisEvan MathisEvan Bradley Mathis is an American football guard for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
(PantherCarolina PanthersThe Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
). - 11 – Released tight end Sean Ryan.
- 11 – Claimed offensive tackle Kirk BartonKirk BartonKirk Barton is a free agent American football offensive tackle. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft of the National Football League. He played college football at Ohio State....
(BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
) off waivers. - 12 – Released offensive tackle Daren HeerspinkDaren HeerspinkDaren John Heerspink is a professional American and Canadian football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
from the practice squad. - 12 – Signed tight end Drew AtchisonDrew AtchisonAndrew Peter Atchison is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at William & Mary....
(CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
) to the practice squad. - 23 – Waived running back Jalen ParmeleJalen ParmeleJustin Alexander "Jalen" Parmele is an American football running back of the of the National Football League who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Baltimore Ravens...
. - 23 – Released tight end Drew AtchisonDrew AtchisonAndrew Peter Atchison is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at William & Mary....
from the practice squad. - 23 – Signed guard Matt McChesneyMatt McChesneyMatthew McChesney is a former American football guard in the National Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Colorado....
(JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) to the practice squad. - 24 – Signed tight end Joey HaynosJoey HaynosJoey Haynos is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
off the practice squad of the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
. - 25 – Released cornerback Will BillingsleyWill BillingsleyWilfred Billingsley is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as a street free agent in 2008...
from the practice squad. - 25 – Re-signed running back Jalen ParmeleJalen ParmeleJustin Alexander "Jalen" Parmele is an American football running back of the of the National Football League who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Baltimore Ravens...
to the practice squad.
October
- 4 – Released defensive tackle Anthony ToribioAnthony ToribioAnthony Terrell Toribio is an American football defensive tackle currently signed to the practice squad for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and also spent time on the practice team for the Green Bay Packers. He played college football...
from the practice squad. - 4 – Re-signed cornerback Will BillingsleyWill BillingsleyWilfred Billingsley is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as a street free agent in 2008...
to the practice squad. - 6 – Released linebacker Tyson Smith from the practice squad.
- 6 – Signed linebacker Marc MagroMarc MagroMarc Anthony Magro is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
(RamsSt. Louis RamsThe St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
) to the practice squad. - 8 – Released cornerback Will BillingsleyWill BillingsleyWilfred Billingsley is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as a street free agent in 2008...
from the practice squad. - 8 – Re-signed defensive tackle Anthony ToribioAnthony ToribioAnthony Terrell Toribio is an American football defensive tackle currently signed to the practice squad for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and also spent time on the practice team for the Green Bay Packers. He played college football...
to the practice squad. - 11 – Released defensive tackle Anthony ToribioAnthony ToribioAnthony Terrell Toribio is an American football defensive tackle currently signed to the practice squad for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and also spent time on the practice team for the Green Bay Packers. He played college football...
from the practice squad. - 11 – Re-signed cornerback Will BillingsleyWill BillingsleyWilfred Billingsley is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as a street free agent in 2008...
to the practice squad. - 14 – Released safety Tyrone CulverTyrone CulverTyrone Culver is an American football safety for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
. - 14 – Released linebacker Marc MagroMarc MagroMarc Anthony Magro is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
from the practice squad. - 14 – Signed linebacker William KershawWilliam KershawWilliam Howard Kershaw, Jr. is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
(SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
) to the practice squad. - 15 – Waived offensive tackle Kirk BartonKirk BartonKirk Barton is a free agent American football offensive tackle. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft of the National Football League. He played college football at Ohio State....
. - 15 – Signed safety Brannon CondrenBrannon CondrenBrannon Condren is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football for Troy....
(RamsSt. Louis RamsThe St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
). - 15 – Signed fullback Lousaka PoliteLousaka PoliteLousaka Romon Polite is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Pittsburgh.Polite has also played for the Chicago Bears...
(BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
). - 18 – Suspended defensive tackle Paul SoliaiPaul SoliaiSoliai was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft, signing a four-year contract on June 7.Before the NFL lockout, Soliai was franchise tagged by the Dolphins...
for one game. - 18 – Released cornerback Will BillingsleyWill BillingsleyWilfred Billingsley is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as a street free agent in 2008...
from the practice squad. - 18 – Re-signed defensive tackle Anthony ToribioAnthony ToribioAnthony Terrell Toribio is an American football defensive tackle currently signed to the practice squad for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and also spent time on the practice team for the Green Bay Packers. He played college football...
to the practice squad. - 20 – Lifted suspension of defensive tackle Paul SoliaiPaul SoliaiSoliai was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft, signing a four-year contract on June 7.Before the NFL lockout, Soliai was franchise tagged by the Dolphins...
. - 21 – Released safety Chris Crocker.
- 21 – Re-signed safety Tyrone CulverTyrone CulverTyrone Culver is an American football safety for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
. - 24 – Placed cornerback Michael LehanMichael LehanMichael Lehan is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
on injured reserveInjured reserveThe injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
. - 24 – Re-signed cornerback Joey ThomasJoey ThomasJoseph Elleweyn "Joey" Thomas is an American football cornerback of the National Football League who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
.
November
- 4 – Waived wide receiver Derek HaganDerek HaganDerek Steven Hagan, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. Hagan most recently played for the Oakland Raiders of National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2006...
. - 4 – Released tight end Matthew MulliganMatthew MulliganMatthew Ben Mulligan is an American football tight end for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
from the practice squad. - 4 – Re-signed cornerback Will BillingsleyWill BillingsleyWilfred Billingsley is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as a street free agent in 2008...
to the practice squad. - 5 – Signed offensive tackle Brandon FryeBrandon FryeBrandon Lee Frye is a former American football offensive tackle. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia Tech....
off the practice squad of the Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - 7 – Waived guard Evan MathisEvan MathisEvan Bradley Mathis is an American football guard for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
. - 7 – Signed guard Matt McChesneyMatt McChesneyMatthew McChesney is a former American football guard in the National Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Colorado....
from the practice squad to the active roster. - 10 – Waived safety Brannon CondrenBrannon CondrenBrannon Condren is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football for Troy....
. - 10 – Re-signed safety Courtney BryanCourtney BryanCourtney Bryan is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
. - 10 – Signed wide receiver Todd LowberTodd LowberTodd Lowber is a professional American and Canadian football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League...
(CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
) to the practice squad. - 11 – Released defensive tackle Anthony ToribioAnthony ToribioAnthony Terrell Toribio is an American football defensive tackle currently signed to the practice squad for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and also spent time on the practice team for the Green Bay Packers. He played college football...
from the practice squad. - 11 – Signed offensive tackle Kirk BartonKirk BartonKirk Barton is a free agent American football offensive tackle. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft of the National Football League. He played college football at Ohio State....
(49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
) to the practice squad. - 15 – Placed guard Matt McChesneyMatt McChesneyMatthew McChesney is a former American football guard in the National Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Colorado....
on injured reserveInjured reserveThe injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
. - 15 – Signed linebacker Rob NinkovichRob NinkovichRobert Michael Ninkovich is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.Ninkovich has also played for the Miami Dolphins.-Early...
from the practice squad to the active roster. - 18 – Signed defensive tackle Joe CohenJoe CohenJoe Cohen is a former American college and professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League . Cohen played college football for the University of Florida, and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
(49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
) to the practice squad. - 19 – Waived linebacker Rob NinkovichRob NinkovichRobert Michael Ninkovich is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.Ninkovich has also played for the Miami Dolphins.-Early...
. - 19 – Claimed linebacker Erik WaldenErik WaldenErik Lashawn Walden is an American football linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
(ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
) off waivers. - 21 – Released cornerback Will BillingsleyWill BillingsleyWilfred Billingsley is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as a street free agent in 2008...
from the practice squad. - 21 – Re-signed linebacker Rob NinkovichRob NinkovichRobert Michael Ninkovich is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.Ninkovich has also played for the Miami Dolphins.-Early...
to the practice squad. - 24 – Placed wide receiver Greg CamarilloGreg CamarilloGreg Camarillo is an American football wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.He played college football at Stanford. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2005....
on injured reserveInjured reserveThe injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
. - 28 – Practice squad offensive tackle Kirk BartonKirk BartonKirk Barton is a free agent American football offensive tackle. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft of the National Football League. He played college football at Ohio State....
signed by the Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
. - 29 – Signed center Al Johnson (CardinalsArizona CardinalsThe Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
). - 29 – Re-signed cornerback Will BillingsleyWill BillingsleyWilfred Billingsley is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as a street free agent in 2008...
to the practice squad.
December
- 2 – Placed guard Justin SmileyJustin SmileyJustin Smiley is a former American football guard. He was originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
on injured reserveInjured reserveThe injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
. - 3 – Claimed wide receiver Chris HannonChris HannonChristopher Lee Hannon is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
off waivers from the San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. - 3 – Practice squad linebacker Rob NinkovichRob NinkovichRobert Michael Ninkovich is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.Ninkovich has also played for the Miami Dolphins.-Early...
signed by the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
. - 9 – Re-signed offensive tackle Daren HeerspinkDaren HeerspinkDaren John Heerspink is a professional American and Canadian football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
to the practice squad. - 10 – Practice Squad running back Jalen ParmeleJalen ParmeleJustin Alexander "Jalen" Parmele is an American football running back of the of the National Football League who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Baltimore Ravens...
signed by the Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
. - 10 – Signed fullback Chris BrownChris Brown (fullback)Christopher Michael Brown is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Tennessee....
to the practice squad. - 10 – Waived cornerback Michael LehanMichael LehanMichael Lehan is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
from injured reserve. - 20 – Waived fullback Casey CramerCasey CramerCasey Ross Cramer is a former American football fullback. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
. - 20 – Signed linebacker William KershawWilliam KershawWilliam Howard Kershaw, Jr. is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
from the practice squad to the active roster. - 22 – Waived wide receiver Chris HannonChris HannonChristopher Lee Hannon is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
. - 22 – Signed linebacker Derek SmithDerek Smith (linebacker)Derek Mecham Smith is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft...
(ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
). - 24 – Re-signed cornerback Scorpio BabersScorpio BabersScorpio Babers is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an street free agent in 2008...
to the practice squad.
Coaches
After leading the Dolphins to an 11–5 record and an AFC EastAFC East
The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. There are four members: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots , and New York Jets...
title in his first year as head coach, Tony Sparano
Tony Sparano
Anthony "Tony" Sparano III is an American Football head coach of the Miami Dolphins. At age 17, Sparano had an incident which burnt his eyes, which is why he always wears his signature sunglasses even at night...
was selected as the NFL Alumni
National Football League Alumni
The NFL Alumni is a 501 charity that is composed of former NFL players and associate members who work voluntarily to raise funds for youth-oriented causes and engage in hands-on service to foster the development of "youth through sports and sports through youth." The NFL Alumni advances its motto...
's 2008 Coach of the Year. Sparano was also one of six nominees for the 2008 Motorola NFL Coach of the Year Award.
Players
The Dolphins landed two players – running back Ronnie BrownRonnie Brown
Ronnie G. Brown, Jr. is an American football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . After graduating from Cartersville High School in Georgia, Brown attended Auburn University to play college football for the Auburn Tigers...
and linebacker Joey Porter
Joey Porter
Joseph "Joey" Eugene Porter is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Colorado State.A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Porter earned a...
– on the AFC
American Football Conference
The American Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the National Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL....
's Pro Bowl
2009 Pro Bowl
The 2009 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was the NFL's all-star game for the 2008 season. It was played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii on February 8, 2009. This was the last time that a Pro Bowl game was held after the NFL Super Bowl game...
team. Porter recorded 17.5 sacks during the 2008 season and was named as a starter on the AFC's squad. In his first career Pro Bowl season, Brown led the Dolphins with 214 carries, 916 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. He also ranked fourth on the team with 33 catches and sixth with 254 receiving yards.
Additionally, Porter was nominated for the GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Year Award and was a second-team AP
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
All-Pro
All-Pro
All-Pro is a term mostly used in the NFL for the best players of each position during that season. It began as polls of sportswriters in the early 1920s...
selection. Quarterback Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
, guard Justin Smiley
Justin Smiley
Justin Smiley is a former American football guard. He was originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
and cornerback Will Allen also received votes for the All-Pro team but were not selected.
However, Pennington did earn the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award for the second time in his career. Pennington led the NFL with a 67.4 completion percentage and was second in the NFL with a 97.4 passer rating. He threw for a career-high 3,653 yards, 19 touchdowns and just seven interceptions.
In January 2009, three Dolphins rookies were selected to the Pro Football Writers Association
Pro Football Writers Association
Technically known as the Pro Football Writers of America, this organization purports to be "The official voice of pro football writers, promoting and fighting for access to NFL personnel to best serve the public." Goals of the organization include improving access to practices and locker rooms,...
's All-Rookie Team. Earning selections were offensive tackle Jake Long
Jake Long
Jake Edward Long is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Dolphins first overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan...
, defensive end Kendall Langford
Kendall Langford
Kendall Arkel Langford is an American football defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hampton.-Early years:Langford attended and played high school football at...
and placekicker Dan Carpenter
Dan Carpenter
Daniel Roy Carpenter is an American football placekicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
.
The first overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
, Long started all 16 games for the Dolphins at left tackle. A third-round pick out of Hampton
Hampton Pirates football
The Hampton Pirates are the college football team representing the Hampton University. The Pirates play in NCAA Division I Football Championship as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.-National championships:*1922*1994*2004*2005*2006...
, Langford started 14 of the 16 games in which he played as a rookie and recorded 31 tackles and two sacks. Undrafted out of Montana
Montana Grizzlies football
The Montana Grizzlies football program represents the University of Montana in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision of college football. The Grizzlies have competed in the Big Sky Conference, where it is a founding member, since 1963...
, Carpenter went 21-for-25 (84 percent) on field goals and made all 40 extra-point attempts.
AFC Wild Card: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Entering the postseason as the AFC's #3 seed, the Dolphins began their playoff run at home in the AFC Wild Card Round, with a Week 7 rematch against the #6 Baltimore RavensBaltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
. Miami would deliver the game's first points with rookie kicker Dan Carpenter
Dan Carpenter
Daniel Roy Carpenter is an American football placekicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
's 19-yard field goal. The Ravens would later respond with a 23-yard field goal from kicker Matt Stover
Matt Stover
John Matthew "Matt" Stover is a former American Football placekicker. As of the start of the 2009 NFL season, he was the third most accurate kicker in the history of the National Football League. He is of Greek origin. He has played for the New York Giants, the Cleveland Browns, and the Baltimore...
. Baltimore would take the lead with safety Ed Reed
Ed Reed
Edward Earl Reed Jr. is an American football free safety for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Ravens 24th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
returning a Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
interception 64 yards for a touchdown. The Ravens would then close out the half with Stover's 31-yard field goal.
Baltimore would increase their lead in the third quarter with running back Le'Ron McClain
Le'Ron McClain
- Baltimore Ravens :McClain signed with the Ravens on July 27, 2007. He scored his first career touchdown on a Kyle Boller pass against the San Diego Chargers on November 25, 2007...
's 8-yard touchdown run. The Dolphins tried to come back in the fourth quarter as Pennington completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to running back Ronnie Brown
Ronnie Brown
Ronnie G. Brown, Jr. is an American football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . After graduating from Cartersville High School in Georgia, Brown attended Auburn University to play college football for the Auburn Tigers...
(with a failed PAT), but the Ravens would pull away as quarterback Joe Flacco
Joe Flacco
Flacco was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens 18th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft, becoming the highest drafted player ever from the University of Delaware...
got a 5-yard touchdown run.
With the loss, Miami's impressive turnaround season ended with an overall record of 11–6.
Despite having only 16 turnovers throughout the entire regular season, the Dolphins committed 5 turnovers (4 interceptions and a lost fumble).