Roster and Ratings Discussion: Miami Dolphins

Hey guys, we are going to use this thread as the catch all Miami Dolphins roster and ratings discussion. Got a problem with a guy being rated too high or too low, this is the place to speak your mind, but please keep it clean. If there is a guy on your team that’s not in the game, feel free to post that in here as well.

When you bring your argument, make sure you bring stats and provide as much reasoning as possible. Rating s Czar Donny Moore will be stopping by this thread from time to time, so your voice will actually be heard by the guy in charge of making all of the roster and ratings decisions for Madden NFL 10. Make it worthwhile.

If you have any questions, feel free to send me a PM.

Add: John Nalbone 3rd string TE
Donald Thomas 1st String RG
Lex Hilliard 3rd String RB (Either to team or as a free agent)

Remove: A. Alleman (Traded to Chiefs)
E. Wilford (Released)

John Nalbone: While he doesnt have to be rated highly, is our third string TE and is getting rave reviews from Bill Parcells and Co.

Brian Hartline: This guy is most likely going to start opposite Ted Ginn, so he should DEFINATELY be bumped in abilities. While Patrick Turner may have size, he is more of a Prospect than anything right now.

From Yahoo Sports:
Player Of The Week: WR Brian Hartline watched early in training camp as another rookie receiver, third-round pick Patrick Turner, caught a lot of attention with his play. But while Turner has faded in the last couple of weeks, Hartline has come on strong and he was in the starting lineup at Tampa Bay. The fourth-round pick out of Ohio State had three receptions for 79 yards, including a 54-yarder early in the third quarter that set up the only touchdown of the game. “It feels good,” Hartline said. “It got me going again. I am kind of still learning. There are a lot of things that I know I am going to learn in this film going against guys like Ronde (Barber) and other guys. So it was pretty valuable.”

Donald Thomas: This guy is our STARTING right guard...and WAY better than backup Shawn Murphy
Thomas was a four-year letterman at Connecticut (2003, 2005-07) ... Started 13 games at right guard as a senior in 2007 ... Named as a first-team All-Big East Conference selection ... Finished with 77 knockdowns, including eight touchdown-resulting blocks ... Played in 10 games with two starts as a junior in 2006 ... Began the season playing on special teams and at tight end before move to offensive guard ... Started the team’s final two games at left guard ... Played in 11 games as a sophomore in 2005, seeing action mostly as a wedge-buster on special teams ... Redshirted in 2004 as he adjusted to the offense ... Joined the team as a walk-on, playing defensive tackle and end for the scout team in 2003 ... Earned degree in political science.

From Yahoo Sports: Based on what happened against Tampa Bay, it appears the issue of the starting RG spot has been settled. Second-year player Shawn Murphy(notes) and 2008 opening-day starter Donald Thomas(notes) rotated with the rest of the starters in the first two preseason games, but it was Thomas all the way against the Bucs. This really isn’t surprising considering how impressive Thomas was in camp last year

Sean Smith: Smith has been named the starting corner OVER 1st round pick Vontae Davis and has beaten out #1 cornber Will Allen on countless occasions in training camp.

Three-year letterman and two-year starter at Utah ... Originally enrolled in school as a running back before moving to wide receiver and cornerback as a redshirt freshman ... Played in 39 games with 22 starts, posting 80 tackles (43 solo), nine interceptions, 16 passes defensed and three tackles for loss during collegiate career ... Also added seven rushes for 63 yards and one catch for 12 yards ... Started 12 of the 13 games in which he played as a junior in 2008 ... Key performer as Utes finished season 13-0 and ranked second in the country as nation’s only undefeated team ... Named as All-American third-team selection ... Recorded 46 tackles (23 solo), a sack, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble ... Added five interceptions for 151 yards with a touchdown and nine passes defensed ... Had two interceptions for 56 yards and a score at Wyoming ... Posted season-high six tackles and added a sack in Sugar Bowl over Alabama ... Started ten of the 13 games in which he played as a sophomore in 2007 ... Recorded 32 tackles (20 solo) ... . Led the team and ranked third in the Mountain West Conference with four interceptions and added seven passes defensed ... Opened season with two interceptions and added three tackles at Oregon State ... Tied school single-game record with four passes defensed against New Mexico ... Appeared in 13 games as a redshirt freshman in 2006 ... Was utilized as a slot receiver in the first 11 contests before shifting to defense and appearing as a nickel back in the final two games ... Gained 63 yards on seven carries (9.0 avg.) and had a 12-yard reception on offense and recorded two assisted tackles on defense ... Redshirted in 2005 ... Majored in mass communications.

Overrated: Patrick Turner, Gibril Wilson, Shawn Murphy
Underrated: Chad Henne, Brian Hartline, Sean Smith, Davone Bess, Kendall Langford

Thats just my opinion, Im trying hard not to be a Phin-Atci, and be rational....at least make the D. Thomas, B. Hartline, and DEFINATELY the Sean Smith change.

Here is a compilation of preseason stats to support my argument:

Vs. Jax W 12 - 9

Comp Att Yds Pct Y/A Sack YdsL TD Int Rating
C. Henne 7 11 94 63.6 8.5 1 7 1 1 83.1
C. Pennington 4 7 38 57.1 5.4 0 0 0 0 72.3

Rec Yds Avg Lng TD FumL
P. Turner 3 33 11.0 17 0 0
B. Hartline 1 20 20.0 20 0 0

Sean Smith also only played for a quarter against 1st teamers and had a tackle and an interception

VS. Carolina W 27 - 10
Comp Att Yds Pct Y/A Sack YdsL TD Int Rating
C. Pennington 8 11 105 72.7 9.5 0 0 1 0 132.8
C. Henne 10 16 75 62.5 4.7 1 4 1 0 94.5

Rec Yds Avg Lng TD FumL
P. Turner 3 25 8.3 14 0 0
B. Hartline 1 8 8.0 8 0 0

Sean Smith didnt play because of Swine Flu

VS. TB W
Comp Att Yds Pct Y/A Sack YdsL TD Int Rating
C. Pennington 9 16 128 56.3 8.0 1 0 1 0 103.1
C. Henne 2 8 55 25.0 6.9 4 10 0 1 16.1

Rec Yds Avg Lng TD FumL
B. Hartline 3 79 26.3 54 0 0

Sean Smith also had a PD in this game and looked UBER solid in coverage.

* It's important to note that B. Hartline has made a majority of his receptions against first teamers, and Sean Smith has been playing against 1st string recievers. He may not have a lot of tackles, but he has dominated most of his recievers and has allowed very few receptions.

* Also apart from the TB game C. Henne has shown himself to be an above average QB and is expected to take over a la Aaron Rodgers by late in ther season or early next year.

Chad Pennington could use a boost to his accuracy and overall intelligence as he has shown once again how efficient he is

Overrated: Patrick Turner, Gibril Wilson, Shawn Murphy
Underrated: Chad Henne, Brian Hartline, Sean Smith, Davone Bess, Kendall Langford

no one said patrick turner was good so i would not say he is overrated. he does has size and potential.

but in the most part i agree with you

This is for the CG (PS2) update...thanks

The roster accuracy is based on the Fins official depth chart as of 9/01/09

Henne is the back up QB, not Pat White. He needs a bump up ahead of White.

Patrick Cobbs is the 3rd string RB, not Hilliard so he can go in the FA pool as the Fins
plan on keeping 4 RB's.

Brian Hartline has been running w/ the 1st team for 2 weeks and should get a bump up past
Camarillo and Bess or at least even w/ them

TE Joey Haynos is 3rd string, not Nalbone. He was in the rosters last year. Nalbone is said
to be headed for the practice squad so maybe he can go into the FA pool.

The backup LT is Andrew Gardner who was in the game roster last year. Currently the game has
the backup as a 17 (!!!) overall and the pic belongs to Lionel Dotson a reserve DE and the
attributes are Dotson's.

The backup LG is Brandon Frye who's currently posted as the starting RG.

The backup center is Joe Berger #67 (not C#60)

The starting RG is Donald Thomas, not Shawn Murphy.

The backup RT is correct (Nate Garner) but definitely is better than a 44 overall.

The defense seems ok except for a few OLB changes as to which side they play on
but can be changed by the user.

I suppose as of NOW Joey Haynos is on the team, but most experts think he will be released in the next roster cut. Also, Nate Garner is not the starting Right Tackle. Vernon Carey is.

I also agree that maybe Patrick Turner isnt overated, but Hartline is definately underated. I'm pretty sure by the beginning of the season the depth chart will look like as follows:

QB Chad Pennington Chad Henne Pat White
WR1 Ted Ginn Jr. Brian Hartline Patrick Turner
WR2 Davone Bess Greg Camarillo Patrick Turner
RB Ronnie Brown Ricky Williams Patrick Cobbs Lex Hilliard
FB Lousaka Polite
TE Anthony Fasano David Martin John Nalbone
LT Jake Long Andrew Garner
LG Justin Smiley Brandon Frye
C Jake Grove Joe Berger
RG Donald Thomas Shawn Murphy
RT Vernon Carey Andrew Garner

DLE Kendall Langford Phillip Merling
NT Jason Ferguson Paul Soliai
DRE Randy Starks Tony McDaniel Lionel Dotson
LOLB Jason Taylor Cameron Wake Quentin Moses
LILB Channing Crowder Reggie Torbor Eric Walden
RILB Joey Porter Charlie Anderson Eric Walden
ROLB Akin Ayodele Cameron Wake Matt Roth (PUP/IR)
LCB Will Allen Vontae Davis Jason Allen
RCB Sean Smith Nathan Jones
SS Yeremiah Bell Chris Clemons
FS Gibril Wilson Tyrone Culver

K Dan Carpenter
P Brandon Fields

brian hartline needs a frickin boost he may start

2 ppl need a major obvious boost...one is Langford and Sparks....langford is at least a 78 not a 73 and sparks is not a 60's guy no way no how. he is at least a 77-78 as well if not more b/c he is more of a playmaker then langford langford is good against stuffing teh run.

akin needs a major boost as well he is dominating the entire offseason and presseason so far making play after play hit after hit and fergie is a 80 at least cmon 76? really? hes one of the top 5 NT in teh game (not DT but NT diff for a 3-4).

also, Sean Smith is not a 75, should be higher possibly 78.

Davis is one of the best tackling and hittings CBs/DB already in teh NFL. in teh game he gets run over easily but in real life he dominates the sidelines, just ask Freeman at the end of the bucs game.

also him and smith are good at jamming and covering those need boosts for the team and the teams O LINE needs a boost. Donald Thomas is a monster and destroys D linemen, he is at least a 80 for sure with a strenght in the 90's not hte 81 or 77 u guys have him at.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 09/02/2009 00:32:28

Did I not say Garner was the BACKUP RT?

Gonna need a 3rd DT as that what EA has for their roster requirement for DT's.

Ricky Williams re-signed thru 2010.

I think Ronnie Brown could use a very small boost in speed(+1 point or so)

Here's what Miami's roster in the next roster update should be as it will probably be about 95% accurate.

QB - Chad Pennington, Chad Henne, Pat White
HB - Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, Patrick Cobbs, Lex Hilliard
FB - Lousaka Polite
WR - Ted Ginn, Brian Hartline, Davone Bess, Greg Camarillo, Patrick Turner, Brandon London
TE - Anthony Fasano, David Martin, John Nalbone
LT - Jake Long, Andrew Gardner
LG - Justin Smiley, Brandon Frye
C - Jake Grove, Joe Berger
RG - Donald Thomas, Shawn Murphy
RT - Vernon Carey, Nate Garner

LE - Phillip Merling, Lionel Dotson
DT - Jason Ferguson, Paul Soliai, Randy Starks (plays both NT and DE)
RE - Kendall Langford, Tony McDaniel
LOLB - Joey Porter, Charlie Anderson
MLB - Akin Ayodele, Channing Crowder, Reggie Torbor
ROLB - Jason Taylor, Matt Roth, Cameron Wake
CB - Will Allen, Sean Smith, Vontae Davis, Jason Allen, Nathan Jones
FS - Gibril Wilson, Tyrone Culver
SS - Yeremiah Bell, Chris Clemons

K - Dan Carpenter
P - Brandon Fields

It'd just be smarter for the head roster guy to wait till 4 PM Saturday to put it out cause thats the deadline to when teams have to finalize their opening day roster.

CSO_SUB.turkaloins 2 wrote:Did I not say Garner was the BACKUP RT?

Gonna need a 3rd DT as that what EA has for their roster requirement for DT's.

Ricky Williams re-signed thru 2010.

Garner or Frye probably won't make the team (they're gonna keep nine, not ten). And they're only keeping two NTs, which is why EA's minimum roster requirements screw everything up. EA needs to do away with these completely because lots of teams don't adhere to them in real life.

They may have to be left on the team even though they may be practice squad players in reality. The roster requirements are dumb for the game and doing away w/ them was asked numerous times thru-out the forums last year, but they never addressed the position requirements

CSO_SUB.turkaloins 2 wrote:They may have to be left on the team even though they may be practice squad players in reality. The roster requirements are dumb for the game and doing away w/ them was asked numerous times thru-out the forums last year, but they never addressed the position requirements

Yeah why is there roster requirements for Offensive and Defensive Lineman, if a team gets a good starting line and a decent/flexible back-up, then they're gunna drop the number of players they carry at that position to maximize another position like RB, WR, or even TE. Miami last year only carried 7 O-Lineman when Smiley and Thomas went down cause Alleman and Garner could play all 5 slots on the Line. At one point I think Garner was 2nd string at 4 of the positions. It wouldnt be that hard to put the Offensive and Defensive lineman all in one roster category on the player management screen cause they could just create another category (like age, salary, etc.) and have what position they play on the Offensive or Defensive Line.. it'd be a little ugly but that'd be a good foundation. Idk my solution to the whole thing is when the roster update comes out cut whoever the 3rd string NT is (more than likely Louis Ellis) and edit Randy Starks over to NT but keep him at backup DE on the depth chart. They could also ship the roster update with below requirements and let us pick up back-ups, cause then we'd get 100% accurate roster and our own hand-chosen back-ups. Idk, Im starting to get a headache trying to figure this out, I give props to Moore for doing this all by himself.

xbox.ChrisJNelson wrote:

CSO_SUB.turkaloins 2 wrote:Did I not say Garner was the BACKUP RT?

Gonna need a 3rd DT as that what EA has for their roster requirement for DT's.

Ricky Williams re-signed thru 2010.

Garner or Frye probably won't make the team (they're gonna keep nine, not ten). And they're only keeping two NTs, which is why EA's minimum roster requirements screw everything up. EA needs to do away with these completely because lots of teams don't adhere to them in real life.

1 if not both of them will make it. The last roster projection I seen had Frye making it and LT Andrew Gardner beating out Nate Garner for the final O-Line spot. Im not sure about that though cause Garner brings better flexibility on the Oline in case someone were to go down, while Gardner can only play both T positions. Then again Frye can play both G positions and Berger is the backup C so we may not need Garner.

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