Miami
Dolphins

OFFSEASON STANDOUT: Among the starters, a sculpted 235-pound running back Ronnie Brown has reduced his body fat and added several pounds of muscle. He seems over his 2007 knee surgery which hindered him during his first Pro Bowl season ever last year. He appears faster than ever and on the verge of his best season by far, especially with an improving offensive line. Young wide receiver Anthony Armstrong and third-year Ted Ginn Jr. drew raves during OTAs for their vastly improved route-running skills. The lightning-quick Armstrong, a former AFL star for the Dallas Desperados, torched nearly every defensive back in camp, and has moved up the depth chart into fourth place ahead of Brandon London.

LINEUP WATCH: The musical chairs at right guard took center stage during OTAs as promising young guard Donald Thomas sustained his second major injury in as many seasons in the league. When Thomas went down with a torn pectoral muscle, the Dolphins tried Brandon Frye, Shawn Murphy, Ike Ndukwe and Joe Berger with the first-team offensive line during OTAs. Thomas is expected back in training camp. However, regaining one's strength after a chest injury often takes several months.

ROOKIE IMPRESSIONS: Rookie corners Vontae Davis and Sean Smith are far ahead of the learning curve, especially the 6-foot-3 athletic Smith, who receivers said was very difficult to deal with. Safety Chris Clemons also received rave reviews, mostly for his blazing speed. Of the rookie receivers, 6-5 Patrick Turner stuck out more than Brian Hartline, mostly for his deftness in the red zone where his height was a bonus. Quarterback Pat White was praised for his presence in the huddle and speed during Wildcat drills, but his errant throws indicated that he is far behind Chad Henne for the backup role to Chad Pennington. Tackle Andrew Gardner looked good at both backup tackle spots. However, it's virtually impossible to gauge offensive linemen in shorts and t-shirts. Tulsa's playmaking wide receiver Brannon Marion is still recovering from offseason knee surgery while wide receiver Chris Williams flashed a ton of speed while running long patterns.

INJURY WATCH: guard/center Andy Alleman has missed almost all of the offseason activity with a sore back. His return is unknown. Guard Donald Thomas missed OTAs with a torn chest muscle but is expected back for training camp. Tight end David Martin is still recovering from a sports hernia. Wide receiver Greg Camarillo (knee) and left guard Justin Smiley (ankle, leg, shoulder) are far ahead of schedule and have already been participating in team drills, albeit non-contact. They both should be ready to go by the start of the season.

CONTRACT TO WATCH: As usual, the signing of the first-round pick tends to drag until right about the time the players must report for training camp, so the agents can compare what the picks who were drafted around their client sign for. Davis, the 25th overall pick, seems eager to learn so it's highly unlikely a deal won't be finalized before Aug. 1, the start of camp.

--S Tyrone Culver was signed to a two-year contract extension in which the Dolphins will pay him $3.225 million in base salary for the next three seasons. That breaks down to $875,000 in 2009, $1.1 million in 2010 and $1.25 million in 2011. Culver had 10 special teams tackles last season and six tackles in the base defense of the final three games of the season.

-- Rookie CB Vontae Davis, the Dolphins and a Champaign, Ill., police spokesperson all refuted a report in The Daily Illinois that he was arrested near the University of Illinois where he starred on June 9 for unnecessary vehicular noise and driving without a valid license. The Dolphins and Davis said it was a case of mistaken identity because Davis was in Davie, Fla., at the time of the arrest and his wallet was stolen while still attending college before the draft. Champaign police spokesperson Rene Dunn said: "I don't even watch football. They made that leap," she said, referring to The Daily Illinois.

--WR Brandon London said his blossoming modeling career takes a back seat toward his evolving football career. London is a regular on the runway at BET's Rip the Runway modeling show and will reprise his strutting during Miami Fashion Week from July 16-22. "As soon as the football came back, I put an end to all that," London said. "I'm more focused on what I've got going on down here. All in all, it's a good experience but I'm going to stick to football." London is competing for the fourth and fifth receiver spot behind Ted Ginn Jr., Greg Camarillo and Davone Bess.

QUOTE OF NOTE: "To me, it doesn't matter who the starting quarterback is. The starting quarterback cannot play and play well if he feels like the guy behind him is trying to undermine him on what he is doing. It just doesn't work. I am in an unbelievable situation. Both Chad (Henne) and Pat (White) have done a great job of supporting me and I am going to do my best to support them." - QB Chad Pennington on keeping Henne and White at bay for the starting job.

The lightning-quick Hartline could stick on special teams.

The selection of West Virginia quarterback Pat White in the second round was surprising, but clearly indicates that the Dolphins have just scratched the surface of their Wildcat playbook.

The Dolphins overlooking potential 3-4 pass-rushing outside linebackers in the draft such as Clay Matthews makes a lot more sense after the re-signing of six-time Pro Bowl linebacker Jason Taylor.

Taylor is an instant upgrade to a pass rush that relied predominately on Joey Porter's 17.5 sacks last season. Taylor's presence allows them to further develop young pass rushers such as Kendall Langford, Phillip Merling, Lionel Dotson, Cameron Wake, Charlie Anderson, Tearrius George and Erik Walden, while keeping Porter fresher.

The Dolphins didn't do much to provide insurance at nose tackle other than add college free agent Louis Ellis. They're still banking on third-year NT Paul Soliai, who despite maturity issues, was difficult to budge off the blocks last season when spelling 34-year-old Jason Ferguson.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered)

--TE Aaron Halterman (not tendered as ERFA).

--WR Tab Perry (not tendered as UFA June 1).

--LB Derek Smith (not tendered as UFA June 1).

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.

DRAFT CHOICES SIGNED

--WR Patrick Turner (3/87): $2.45M/4 yrs, $700,000; 2009: $485,000.

--TE John Nalbone (5/161): $1.923M/4 yrs, $173,000 SB; 2009 cap: $353,250.

--OT Andrew Gardner (6/181): $1.825M/4 yrs, $75,000 SB; 2009 cap: $328,750.

--LB J.D. Folsom (7/214): Terms unknown.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

--S Yeremiah Bell: Potential UFA; $20M/4 yrs, $10M guaranteed.

--OT Vernon Carey: Potential UFA; $42M/6 yrs, $12M SB/$2M RB; 2009 cap: $5.2M.

--LB Channing Crowder: Potential UFA; $6.1M/3 yrs, guarantees unknown.

--LB Quentin Moses: ERFA; $460,000/1 yr.

--OG Ike Ndukwe: ERFA; terms unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

--OG Joe Berger: UFA Cowboys; $2.175M/3 yrs, guarantees unknown.

--CB Eric Green: UFA Cardinals; $6M/3 yrs, $3M guaranteed.

--C Jake Grove: UFA Raiders; $29M/5 yrs, $14.5M guaranteed.

--DT Tony McDaniel (trade Jaguars).

--LB Jason Taylor: FA Redskins; $1.1M/1 yr, $400,000 SB.

--LB Cameron Wake: FA CFL; $4.9M/4 yrs, $1M SB.

--S Gibril Wilson: FA Raiders; $27,5M/5 yrs, $8M guaranteed.

PLAYERS LOST

--QB John Beck (released).

--CB Andre' Goodman: UFA Broncos; $25M/5 yrs, $10M guaranteed.

--S Renaldo Hill: UFA Broncos; $10M/4 yrs, $3M guaranteed.

--DE Vonnie Holliday (released).

--C Al Johnson: UFA Patriots; $950,000/1 yr.

--G Matt McChesney (released).

--C Samson Satele (traded Raiders).

--LB Kelvin Smith (released/failed physical).