Dolphins waive two, add AFL receiver

A day into training camp, the Dolphins signed one of their two unsigned draft picks, added an Arena league receiver and waived two players. Second-round defensive end Phillip Merling signed a four-year contract with the team today while Dallas Desperados receiver Anthony Armstrong was inked as well. To make room for the two, wideout Justin Wynn and offensive tackle Dan Gore (both undrafted rookies) were waived.

The 25-year-old Armstrong (5-11, 175) played college football at West Texas A&M. He went undrafted in 2005 and played for the Odessa Roughnecks of the Intense Football League (an indoor league) in 2006. He spent the past two seasons with the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League.

At West Texas A&M, Armstrong earned All-Lone Star Conference his junior and senior seasons and finished his collegiate career with 45 receptions for 1,768 yards. He had a pre-draft workout with the Dallas Cowboys in 2005 (most obscure connection ever?) but went undrafted and unsigned.

In 2006, Armstrong joined the Odessa Roughnecks of the Texas-based Intense Football League. That season, he caught 55 passes for 760 yards and 18 touchdowns, rushed four times for 39 yards and three touchdowns, and returned seven kickoffs for 166 yards and a touchdown.

The following year, Armstrong began the Arena league season on the practice squad of the Dallas Desperados before being promoted to the active roster. He finished the year with 10 catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns while adding another touchdown on his only kick return of the season. He experienced a breakout season with the Desperados in 2008, catching 85 passes for 1,162 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Analysis

The Dolphins really just swapped one long-shot receiver for another. Armstrong wasn't a stud in college and clearly hasn't been thought of as much of an NFL prospect. He faces competition from a handful of other players, including Davone Bess, Jayson Foster, Selwyn Lymon and John Dunlap. He isn't a good bet to make the team.

As for the other release, the departure of Dan Gore gives the Dolphins only five tackles on the roster. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Dolphins make an addition in this area soon, as they recently worked out undrafted free agent Pedro Sosa - a potential second- or third-rounder from Rutgers who went undrafted due to a knee injury his senior season.

Most Intriguing Training Camp Battles, No. 10: Backup OTs

He are a few facts about one of the Miami Dolphins' players:

• He did not play in the NFL last season
• He has not appeared in a regular season game since 2005
• He has played in 18 total regular season games
• He has never started a regular season NFL game

Who am I describing? That would be Miami offensive lineman Trey Darilek. The somewhat scary reality is that, despite all those facts I just presented, Darilek is Miami's most experienced backup offensive tackle. That could be a problem.

Let's forget the backups for a moment. Even the starting offensive tackles are causes for some concern. Jake Long appears destined to start at quite possibly the second-hardest position in the whole game, and first overall pick or no he's still a rookie. Meanwhile, Vernon Carey is coming off a very poor season at left tackle and moving back to the right side.

Then you have the backups, if they are even worthy of being called that. After Darilek, you have a second-year undrafted player in Julius Wilson (UAB) and two undrafted rookies in Dan Gore (Boise State) and Daren Heerspink (Portland State).

And that's it.

Miami is clearly lacking experience at the backup tackle position and it will be interesting to see which, if any, of these players emerge as worthy of a roster spot. Excluding Darilek, it's entirely possible that none are worthy of such a spot right now. That is why some outside help could be brought in.

Miami could and should bring in some veteran help at some point during camp or the preseason. To be honest, I was very surprised to see the Dolphins not go after former Cowboy and Jet Jason Fabini, who re-signed with the Redskins. A few of the players still on the market I would consider are: Anthony Clement, Nat Dorsey, Wayne Gandy, Stockar McDougle (again), Fred Miller, Stephen Peterman and Kevin Sampson.

While most of these players are not quality starters, some (Gandy, Miller) have quite a bit of experience and could easily jump into the lineup because of injuries. Meanwhile, Peterman was drafted by the Cowboys under Parcells in 2004. While not the sexiest of names, all have at least some experience and have proved they are at least capable of playing in the NFL. This is more than can currently be said for current Miami's backup tackle options, which is why the Dolphins need to add someone to the mix.

The position(s): Backup offensive tackle
Number of spots: Possible one, likely two
The contenders: Trey Darilek, Julius Wilson, Dan Gore, Daren Heerspink
Predicted winner(s): Darilek and a veteran yet to be added
Reason: Darilek seems like a keeper given the lack of competition, his experience, his versatility across the line and his history with the Cowboys ('07 training camp). As for the other spot, I simply don't trust the undrafted guys to be ready to back up Long and Carey at the moment and unless one really came out of nowhere it'd be wise to add more experience, so that is what I think Miami will do.

2008 Draft Analysis: Undrafted Free Agents

This is my final video out of the six that I did to catch back up, and it's on the 17 undrafted free agents the Dolphins have added since the conclusion of the 2008 NFL Draft. 15 are still on the roster so it will be interesting to see who makes the final cut in 2008.