Camp Report: Day 5

Clowney

Edds done for year with torn ACL, Micah Johnson added to camp roster
Some discouraging headlines were the talk of Dolphins’ camp this morning. Fourth-round pick A.J. Edds reportedly tore his ACL, presumably in yesterday’s workout where he was seen icing his knee, and will miss the entire 2010 season.

Obviously, with Karlos Dansby and Channing Crowder locked in as the starters at inside linebacker, losing Edds isn’t a huge blow if those guys can stay healthy. But Edds had the opportunity to earn a job in the nickel package in camp, where his superb cover skills could have played a huge role in helping Mike Nolan’s defense get off the field on third downs.

Well, the Dolphins will have to make due without him. Instead, guys like J.D. Folsom and seventh-round pick Austin Spitler will have to step up if Miami is going to have solid depth at the position. You would think one of them, or both of them depending on how many ILB’s the Dolphins keep, would now be guaranteed a roster spot with Edds going down. But it didn’t take long for the front office to squander up some competition. Enter former Kentucky linebacker Micah Johnson, who was thought to be a potential late-round sleeper heading into April’s draft, but settled for an undrafted contract with the Giants, where he was later cut in June.

At 6’1, 258 pounds, Johnson is a capable run-stuffer, but likely lacks the speed to ever be an every-down player at this level. If he has a strong camp and preseason, though, and somehow finds a way to survive the final cuts, he could be serviceable in the goal-line formation.

O-line carousel continues
For the third staight practice Donald Thomas worked with the first-team at right guard and John Jerry at starting left-guard. Meanwhile, Jake Grove got the coveted reps, as the every other practice swap with Joe Berger continues. The change occurred on the second-team, where Richie Incognito moved over to the left side, after spending his entire stay in Miami so far on the right. It’s tough to get a feel for how the interior of the line will eventually shape up, but as of now, the experiment goes on.

Favre retirement would benefit Dolphins
I hate to give Favre anymore attention then he is already getting, especially on a blog dedicated to the Miami Dolphins, but in reality, if Favre hangs it up, and that is a titanic IF, the Dolphins trip up to Minnesota in Week 2 would be considerably less daunting. Yes, the Vikings are a great team with or without No. 4, but being able to stack the box to stop Adrian Peterson would become a possibility without him. I think Tony Sparano said it best, though, when he told the South Florida media, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Sources: Sun-Sentinel, The Daily Dolphin 

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