The Miami Dolphins will make the first of two NFL-mandated roster cuts Tuesday, though it is unlikely to be a major event. Teams must trim their rosters to 80 players, and Miami currently carries 82 players.
But by Friday, the Dolphins will have to reduce their roster to 53, so plenty of players on the bubble will have a lot riding on Thursday night's preseason finale against the Dallas Cowboys.
Let's examine the key position battles as the Dolphins start the last week of training camp.
Safety: On Sunday the Dolphins signed veteran safety Gerald Alexander (formerly with Carolina), which might not bode well for Reshad Jones. Yeremiah Bell will start at strong safety, with Chris Clemons and Reshad Jones still battling for the starting free safety slot. Alexander's signing could spell trouble for Tyrone Culver, who had been leading the race for the fourth slot on the roster.
Cornerback: Veteran Will Allen could be jobless soon. Sean Smith has regained his starting job (which Allen held at the beginning of 2010), while Benny Sapp, Jimmy Wilson and Nate Ness seem likely to win reserve jobs. Allen's injury troubles this preseason have kept him on the shelf, giving him little chance to show what he can do.
Quarterback: Pat Devlin and Kevin O'Connell are still fighting for the emergency third-string spot behind Chad Henne and Matt Moore. Devlin might be the better long-term prospect, meaning O'Connell will probably get the ax unless he plays lights out on Thursday.
Fullback: Lousaka Polite is the incumbent, but Charles Clay could supplant him as Miami expects to use the fullback less under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Clay's versatility (he can play tight end as well as fullback) gives him an edge over Polite, whose blocking slipped in 2010. The Dolphins might carry two fullbacks, but if they opt to only carry one Polite could get cut.
Wide receiver: Brandon Marshall, Davone Bess, Brian Hartline and Clyde Gates are all locks, leaving one final spot to give to either Marlon Moore, Philip Livas, Julius Pruitt, Patrick Carter, Roberto Wallace and John Matthews. Expect Moore to win the job, as his deep-play ability gives him the edge.
Tight End: Returning starter Anthony Fasano and Clay are in, with Dedrick Epps, Mickey Shuler, Brett Bracket and Jeron Mastrud fighting for the last slot. Epps will probably return to the practice squad, with Shuler keeping his backup job.
Offensive Line: Jake Long, Richie Incognito, Mike Pouncey, Vernon Carey and Marc Colombo will start, leaving four backup spots available. Tackle Lydon Murtha has played well enough in Long's absence to secure a job, and returnees Joe Berger (center) and Nate Garner (tackle) are expected to survive both rounds of cuts. That leaves one guard slot for John Jerry, Ray Feinga and Matt Kopa. Jerry disappointed in 2010, losing his starting job, but the Dolphins are probably not ready to give up on him just yet.
