Dolphins’ extend Ikaika Alama-Francis’ contract
It’s been a good last few days for Ike. The former second-round pick spilt first-team reps with Koa Misi against Tampa Bay, even though Misi’s strong performance likely gives him the current edge in that competition, and today he was rewarded with a contract extension, keeping him in Miami through the 2011 season.
Ike will reportedly be paid $640,000 next season in addition to the $545,000 he’s scheduled to make this year. This just about guarantee’s his place on the roster, and it will be interesting to see if he can turn up his productivity in the remaining three preseason games and challenge Misi for the starting job.
Finally, the Dolphins get some work done in the rain
Initial reports said the Dolphins were scheduled for more bubble work today. A disappointment considering how unprepared they obviously were for the heavy rain on Saturday night. However, in light of all the dropped passes, though, the Dolphins got out of the bubble and into a reported downpour for today’s workout.
More drops for Marshall
It is apparent now, if it wasn’t already, that Marshall is suffering some confidence issues. After two embarrassing drops in his Miami debut, he reportedly dropped another three balls today. Marshall was so frustrated that he was seen punting one of the balls he dropped, and didn’t stay after to get any extra work done on the Jugs machine like a few of the other receivers.
Is it time to get worried, yet? Eh, I still say no. A big play in Jacksonville this weekend should do wonders for his confidence, but then again, another drop or two, and the downward spiral could continue. Let’s just hope we don’t have another Braylon Edwards on our hands.
Free safety job still up for grabs
Sparano mentioned last week that Chris Clemons was close to cementing himself as the starter at free safety. A solid performance in the preseason opener would have probably sealed the deal, but Clemons was average at best, and Sparano said nothing is settled yet in today’s press conference. And while Clemons appeared to stay mentally sharp and in good position in coverage for the most part, he didn’t wrap up on a couple tackles and let the ball carrier escape his grasp.
Obviously, that can’t happen when you are the last line of defense, but I expect Clemons, and everyone else on the defense for that matter, to drastically improve their tackling by the regular season. Sparano doesn’t believe in tackling to the ground in practice, choosing health over defensive fundamentals, so these preseason contest will be instrumental in getting the defense ready for the season.
Reshad Jones, meanwhile, who is battling Clemons for that starting role, had a notable fumble recover in which he returned eleven yards. Choosing to take the ball out of the end-zone instead of kneeling for the touchback was probably a rookie mistake, but I guess that’s what you get when the new mindset for this defense is to produce more scores this year.
Sources: Sun-Sentinel
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