Sports Page

If you’ve watched Hard Knocks you know that even the Dolphins know that they don’t have wide receivers. After trading for Anthony Armstrong, the top three receivers are Legadu Naanee, Davone Bess, and Anthony Armstrong. They also have Brian Hartline, Rishard Matthews, and Marlon Moore.

Moore is 25, and has 6 career receptions, all in 2010. Matthews had decent numbers in college but didn’t get picked until pick 227 in the draft this year. In 2010 Brian Hartline had a career high 43 rec. Devon Bess had only 51 rec last season but had 79 and 76 in 2010 and 2009. In 2010, Anthony Armstrong had big play potential, he had 44 receptions for 871 yards, a 19.8 average however last season he had only 103 receiving yards. Naanee had a career high 44 rec last year. In 5 seasons, he had 4 total TDs.

I assume that the Dolphins will start with Bess and Armstrong as the starting WRs and when they go 3 wide, Bess would move to the slot with Naanee playing the outside.

During the cuts, the Dolphins did the unthinkable. They cut 7-11. Chris Hogan, the man who is always open. So who is out there to help this receiving staff? With the Dolphins deciding to start rookie Ryan Tannehill, the Dolphins might need some better option to not stifle Tannehill’s development.

Will Chris Hogan be this Hard Knocks’ Danny Woodhead?

More after the cut.

I haven’t followed the news on the Fins but I do know that they brought some of these guys in to work out.

I’ll break it down into categories.

WRs who I think are safe players. You know what you’ll get and they can start for the fins.

• Jabar Gaffney. I’ve heard rumors that he is going back to the Patriots but the Pats just traded for Salas, so they have receivers. Gaffney had 65 receptions (and beat out Anthony Armstrong) each of the last two years, he runs good routes and has solid hands. He’s not flashy but he’s dependable. UPDATE: He’s working out for them today.
• Deion Branch. Branch is clearly near the end of his career but he’s had 45 catches the last three years. That isn’t a ton but consider he was in New England where Brady had a zillion weapons. He had 11 touchdowns in the last two seasons.
• Mike Sims-Walker. What happened to Mike Sims-Walker? In 2009 he had 63 rec, in 2010 he had 43 rec, with 7 TDs each year. Last season he only had 12 in 6 games. What happened? He’s 6’2” and for a two year span, he could get open whenever he needed despite having Jacksonville Qbs throwing to him.
• Plaxico Burress. The Fins worked out Plax and didn’t want him. Has he really dropped off that much? Last season he had 8 TDs. He’s be the best red-zone threat in Miami.

The next categories are guys that might not be able to start but I’d give them a shot and see what they’ve got.

• Donte Stallworth. He hasn’t had more than 22 rec since 2007 (he missed 09) but he can still run. He might have redundant skills as a younger Anthony Armstrong, so it might not be a fit, but at worst, he’s be your 4th best WR.
• Marvin McNutt. 6th round pick cut by the Eagles (since added to the practice squad). This report seemed like he was destined to make the Eagles. I’d rather have him than Hartline.

Veterans that no one wants but the Dolphins should check them out.

T.O, Jesse Holley, Greg Camarillo, Mike Williams, Patrick Crayton, Mark Clayton, Roy Williams, T.J. Houshmandzadeh. I’m not sure if any of these guys can play anymore and some make more sense than others. Like, would the Fins bring in T.O. after the Chad Johnson non-sense, no, but I’m just saying he would be an upgrade.

Players who are interesting but I don’t know if they will play this year.

• Anthony Gonzalez. Gonzalez had a lot of potential but has missed half of his career games. It’s been a long time since his 57 rec in 2008.
• Deon Butler. He never really developed, maybe a change of scenery would help.
• Tiquan Underwood. I just want him back in the NG+FL because of his hair.
• Chansi Stuckey. Remember that year that Jets fans though that Stuckey was good? 

Another route the Dolphins should look into is sets with more TEs. They have Fasano but there are some veteran TEs that can easily make this team.

• Kellen Winslow. 89, 82, 43, 77, 66, 75, This are Winslow’s receptions since 2006. He would be the Dolphins second best receiver behind Reggie Bush.
• Jeremy Shockey. Shiockey has always put up numbers too. Not at Winslow’s level but close. His best season was his rookie year but he’s still got some gas in his tank.

These TEs are also available but not really receiving options.

Dan Gronkowski (can they trick everyone to think he’s Rob?) and Daniel Graham.

One last cut player that they could bring in is Tim Hightower. 

• Hightower is a pretty good blocker and he’s got good hands out of the backfield. If they were creative they could have plays where Bush and or Hightower lineup as a wide receiver.

I don’t know. Maybe the Dolphins know what they’re doing but I’d be fearful starting a rookie quarterback with such a lackluster receiving corps. Even on the show they admit that their team is weak there. I’d even consider trading draft picks if they can find someone young to grow with Tannehill.