Perry, Berlin among players cut

On the way to trimming their roster to the NFL-mandated limit of 65, the Dolphins cut long snapper Ed Perry, QB Brock Berlin, WRs Danny Farmer and Josh Davis, RB Kay-Jay Harris, LB Corey Jenkins, S Billy Parker, DE Chris Solomona, and OT Orrin Thompson.

Perry was a surprise to me, being one of the better long snappers in the league. Reportedly, the move was purely a "business decision" due to salary reasons.

As a Hurricanes fan, it's sad to see Berlin released, especially since he performed well in his preseason games. However, there was little chance of his making the team because the Dolphins already had three QBs ahead of him.

Dolphins win first preseason game

In their second-to-last game of the exhibition season, the Dolphins defeated the Tampa Bay Bucs 17-14 despite more shakiness from the offense. Gus Frerotte started the game and completed only 9 of 25 passes for 103 yards and one interception, a QB rating of 32.6. Feeley relieved him and performed better, completing 8 of 14 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. It will be curious whether Feeley is named the starter in the final preseason game.

On the bright side, the defense played well once again, holding the Bucs to 92 yards in the first half. This game also introduced first round pick Ronnie Brown. Brown rushed for 20 yards on 6 carries but also fumbled once. Ricky Wiliams gained 59 yards on 10 carries.

Dolphins lose third exhibition game in a row

It's a good thing these games don't count. Otherwise, Dolphins fans would be enduring another season of agony like 2004.

The Dolphins lost yet another preseason game, 17-3 to the Steelers. Gus Frerotte had taken the lead in the starting QB race, but Saturday's game played a big part in erasing his lead. Frerotte started the game and completed only 7 of 18 passes for 87 yards. Feeley, playing mostly against second stringers, went 16 of 20 for 94 yards.

Adding to the team's woes were seven lost fumbles. Ricky Williams ran for nine yards on five carries. Ronnie Brown did not play.

Brown signs $34 million deal

Ronnie Brown, the Dolphins first round pick and second player selected in the 2005 draft, signed a five-year $34 million contract, the richest non-QB rookie contract in NFL history. The contract includes incentives and $19.9 million in guaranteed money.

It's about time he signed and reported to camp. As a rookie, he already had a lot to learn, and now as a rookie who missed the first three weeks of training camp, he has a LOT of catching up to do. It's uncertain whether Brown will be ready to play in this weekend's preseason game.

Dolphins drop second preseason game

The Dolphins lost their second preseason game, 27-17, to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ricky Williams ran 6 times for 39 yards, but both Gus Frerotte and A. J. Feeley were unimpressive. Frerotte performed slightly better, completing 6 of 14 passes for 51 yards and leading a drive that resulted in a field goal. Feeley completed 6 of 13 passes for 60 yards, threw an interception, and did not lead any scoring drives.

With first rounder Ronnie Brown not yet signed and Ricky Williams serving a four-game suspension, the offense could be ugly to watch at the beginning of the season.

Dolphins lose first preseason game under Saban

In their first preseason game of the season, the Dolphins lost to the Bears 27-24. Ricky Williams gained 8 yards on 5 carries. Gus Frerotte completed 11 of 17 passes for 143 yards and a TD. Jay Fiedler completed 4 of 7 passes for 35 yards before being knocked out of the game.

On the bright side, the receivers showed some promise in this game. However, the offensive line's subpar performance carried over from last year. If the team hopes to significantly improve its standings this season, the offensive line needs to improve, and fast.

Marino's Hall of Fame acceptance speech

The text of Dan Marino's Hall of Fame acceptance speech can by found on the Miami Herald website.

Here are some excerpts:

Last January, when I was elected to the Hall of Fame, I challenged all the Dolphin fans to overrun Canton, Ohio. And you know what? You took the oath. [Dolphins fans greatly outnumbered all others at the ceremony.]

Pitt taught me how to compete at a high level. To tell you how talented our teams were, most weeks our practices were tougher and more demanding than any game we played on Saturday.

I've always been asked the question ''Did it bother me that 26 teams passed on me in the first round'', and I would always answer ''no.''. Well, I lied. Today I want to thank those 26 teams for passing on me. It gave me the opportunity to play for one of the greatest franchises in the NFL, the Miami Dolphins, and be coached by the greatest coach ever, Don Shula.

I want to thank all the linemen, you guys for protecting me, all the receivers for the tough catches, all the coaches for helping me be the best player I could possible be. I will cherish those Sundays that we lined up together. And to every Dolphin player that I've ever stepped on the field with, thank you for your sacrifice and your dedication. I know in my heart that I would not be here without you. All of you, every player, every coach, I share in my induction into the Hall of Fame, and I share in this bust.

To Claire and the kids, you guys are my true Hall of Famers. You guys are my whole life. You mean everything to me. Win or lose, no matter what the situation, kids and Claire, you're always there with smiles, hugs and kisses. Dano, Michael, Joey, Allie, Nicky, Leah, I love you guys.

But what I cherish more than any record that I hold, any fourth quarter comebacks, any win that I was involved in, what I cherish more are the relationships I've made, the people I work with, the teammates I've lined up beside, the opponents I've competed against, the friends and family.

Dan Marino to be inducted into Hall of Fame

Tomorrow, Dan Marino, arguably the best pure passing quarterback to have ever played, will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Marino holds numerous NFL passing records, including most touchdowns and yards in a career. His best season was his second season as a pro, 1984, when he shattered the record for most touchdowns in a season (48) and most yards in a season (5,084). (His season touchdown record was just eclipsed by Peyton Manning's 49 last year.) That year, the Dolphins went 14-2 and made their only appearance in the Super during Marino's career, losing to the 49ers.

I consider Marino to be the best QB ever. His critics point out that he never won a Super Bowl, but football is more of a team sport than any other sport, and Marino was unlucky in never having the supporting cast to help him win a championship.