It's Ba-ack! Dolphins Kick Off Pre-Season At Home Vs. Bucs

It's just the Bucs, but it's still football!

Pre-season football: it doesn't mean much. But what it does mean is that Actual Real Football is even closer, and that's something we can all get tipsy and sunburned behind.

In other words, it matters, especially to those players anxious to make the roster or learn schemes before they're tossed into the fire as rookie cogs in a hole-filled defense (hello, Koa Misi!). Since the Dolphins are hosting the Bucs tonight, there's actually little else to watch for except progress from the youngsters. It's not like Tampa Bay is expected to put on a display of offensive fireworks tonight or ever.

It would, on the other hand, be nice to see one from Brandon Marshall, if only because we're greedy. And since it's his first game in front of the home crowd, chances are we'll get one. Wheee!

Here's what to expect when you're spectating at 7 p.m.:

They've got the black lung, Pop: the Bucs will be without tight end Kellen Winslow, cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Myron Lewis, running back Clifton Smith, defensive tackle Brian Price, and safety De'von Hall. They list various aiments and excuses; we suspect scurvy, and might shortly contract it ourselves if only because scurvy will be more interesting than watching a Winslow-less Bucs.

What that means: eyeing Misi, especially, now requires judgement. He's got the reins to an outside linebacker spot, so Dolphins fans will be watching closely to see if the game-time product matches the practice reports. But even if Misi looks good, Miami fans should sit tight: without Winslow, and with so little offensive talent suiting up for Tampa Bay, even a great game from Misi won't mean much when it comes to AFC East-level foes.

If he doesn't wreck shop, in other words, be very concerned.

Henne puns activate: It'll be either Henne time, or time to blame it on the Henne. This is now Chad the younger's team, and while the kid did well taking over for Chad Pennington last season, this is Henne steering his team from the start for the first time ever. It's easy to forget that, but he just might remind us. Do not panic, unless he is poked in the eye at the same time Pat White remains conscious.

Speaking of Pat White, we'll probably see more of him than Henne as the Dolphins determine whether to cut and run or see this apparently cockamamie investment through. Remember when we said "tipsy" in the first paragraph? Sun Life sells beer because of Pat White. Bless his heart. 

When Cameron was in Jason's shoes: Jason Taylor is dead, at least as long as he's a Jet, and the Dolphins are offering Cameron Wake along with Misi in his place. Wake has been spotty: he can kill QBs dead, but his other skills have yet to say hello. And if there aren't any -- can he drop back in passing situations? can he cover the run? -- it's going to be a very long season indeed.

Tune in, turn on, freak out: If you can't make it to Sun Life, the game is on NFL Network and local CBS.

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