The Dolphins have reached game three of the pre-season, which means more starters, more of the time -- and more judging, because at this point there are certain things we should see as the Fins face Atlanta, and certain things we'd certainly rather not.

"This is a team I consider a playoff team from the NFC, and from our end we consider ourselves to be one," said Tony Sparano. "So this will be a good challenge. I'd like to play well when you bring your first groups out there for a little more time."

With most of the position battles set on the first team, what will be key for Chad Henne and company is consistency. The offense was sluggish in a rain-soaked opener, but bloomed last week against the Jags. Can they do the same against a strong NFC squad? Are we really going to have to worry about dropped balls? How does the line look? Will Davone Bess get lost in Chad Henne's chin cleft? We hear three people have died there already.

What's more worrying is the secondary, who've already displayed an alarming inability to defend long passes. What Atlanta brings to town is an aerial attack that will challenge the Dolphins' sophomore corners as much as anyone will: Vontae Davis and Sean Smith need to step up their one-on-one skills against Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez.

"This is a huge test for us," said strong safety Yeremiah Bell. "This game will give us a sense of how much we've grown up."

That chance is also available to Patrick Turner, Marlon Moore, and Roberto Wallace, who need to make a special impression now that dependable honorary Mexican Greg Camarillo is off to the Vikings to continue not speaking Spanish. While no one expects the trio to catch with their butt cheeks or single-handedly and retroactively save the 2007 season, there's a likely roster spot for at least one of them -- and so far, it's been Moore standing out while Turner hovers just inside the bubble.

There's also a big fat mini-battle raging at center, one eye trained on unreasonably depended-upon rookie linebacker Koa Misi, and some special teams issues that need ironing out. But in game three, which the big boys play more than sit, it'll be the large, glaring issues getting the most attention. And for once, we don't mean Rex Ryan.