With optimistic reports continuing to pour in on the labor front this week, it seems as though only the Hall of Fame game remains in jeopardy as the owners and players appear on the verge of striking up a deal in the next week or so.

We probably shouldn’t count our chickens before they hatch, but it’s at least time to start prepping for the beginning of the 2011 season.

If a new CBA is indeed in place by July 21, reports are that the Dolphins will be able to open camp as scheduled. That means Dolphins’ training camp is quite possibly only two weeks from today.

Previewing camp is no easy task this season. The roster is far from set with potential starters projected to be signed in free agency and several roster fringe undrafted rookies expected to be added once we’re back in business.

According to the tentative schedule, free agency is slighted to kick off July 28th if a new CBA is in place July 21st. That means the Dolphins would kick off camp a day before free agency.

So we’ll start previewing for Dolphins’ training camp 2011 by examining the positions that are virtually already set. Positions that won’t require nearly as much work for Jeff Ireland. So without further ado, here is the first installment of our training camp preview- a sign that football is (hopefully) right around the corner.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN FREE AGENCY

Fans love to throw out names like Plaxico Burress, Mike Sims-Walker, and now Donte Stallworth, but the truth is the Dolphins will have a complete receiving core if rookie Edmond Gates can emerge as the deep threat.

He has a lot to prove as a small-school rookie, but the Dolphins are going to give him every opportunity to develop into an asset for the offense in his first season. They’re not going to bring in a veteran that’s going to steal his reps. So don’t expect the Dolphins to sign a starting caliber receiver.

They may bring in a kick return specialist, but I see them letting Gates give it a shot. The Dolphins entered camp with 10 receivers a year ago, though, and with only 9 currently on the roster, they may look to add an undrafted rookie.

SAFE

Brandon Marshall: I don’t feel that Marshall is under the threat of a possible suspension like some have speculated. With the facts at hand, he was nothing more than the victim when his wife plunged a kitchen knife into his abdomen. There’s nothing to see here and it’s time to put that one in the review mirror.

But there are also those that have speculated that the Dolphins could be pondering whether or not to cut Marshall. He may have done nothing wrong in the incident with his wife, but trouble does seem to follow him wherever he goes.

The Dolphins could save themselves $25 million over the next three seasons if they chose to rid themselves of Marshall and the baggage that comes with him within a 30-day window after the new league year begins. But there’s a reason they invested so much cash and two second-round picks in him a year ago. He’s a top five talent and he’s worth every penny.

There are no words to describe how much everyone misses football but another game that countless people around North America miss is fantasy football.  While some football purest don’t believe in fantasy football, believing that it takes away from the game, there are millions that find fantasy football the most entertaining thing since watching the July 4th hot dog eating competition.  That being said, amongst the boredom that is the NFL lockout, I decided to have some fun and find the greatest fantasy football performances in Miami Dolphins' history.

Best Fantasy Football Seasons – Miami Dolphins Style

QB - 1984- Dan Marino: 5,084 yds – 48 TD’S

In 1984 Marino put up one of the greatest fantasy football seasons of all-time. For many years Marino’s statistics were the greatest of any fantasy football season. Marino still in fact holds the record for passing yards in a season. During his historic season, he had 4 straight 4 TD games. Unfortunately, he who must not be named (Voldamoore aka Tom Brady), broke Marino’s touchdown record in the second greatest season by a QB ever. Marino would probably be considered the greatest fantasy football QB of all-time. Most Dolphins fans will tell you he is the greatest player of all-time as well, but that’s no surprise. ;)

As day 119 of the NFL lockout looms over us, it certainly hasn’t been easy for NFL bloggers to come up with entertaining and insightful material. This summer has been filled with dry news along with quite honesty lame rumors. We have had many spurts of excitement in hopes that this dreadful lockout would end but in reality, each glimmer of hope would turn out to be mere disappointment.

So on this 118th day we continue to pray that the powers that be END THIS LOCKOUT. The buzz around the NFL world is that we are suffering the final days before the lockout will in fact end within the next week or so. That being said, let’s take a look at a couple of things that NFL and Dolphins' fans should think about this upcoming week.

1) Lockout News: July 15th?? New important dates of the NFL lockout.
 

Originally the all important date in terms of the lockout was July 15th. July 15th was suppose to be the final day in which the NFL could salvage the pre-season, therefore not having to reduce the revenue pool between the NFLPA and NFL.

The July 15^th date most likely will not be hit. Now, don’t be too pessimistic and hear me out. Recent breaking news from Chris "Mort" Mortensen and Adam Schefter indicated that the there SHOULD be an agreement within 7 to 10 days to end the lockout. It might be hard to take that news with an open mind, however, it does seem like it is an overall consensus in the NFL world.

All that being said, these are a couple of important potential dates to look forward to:

• July 1 (July 21): Educate the clubs on the news league rules and allow voluntary training for teams and agents.

• July 5 (July 25): Sign undrafted rookies, as well as give free agents a chance to re-sign with their teams.

• July 8 (July 28): League year starts and free agency begins.

• July 13 (Aug. 2): Rosters must be set at 90 players.

• July 14 (Aug. 3): Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.

• July 18 (Aug. 7): A four-day match period for teams to match restricted free-agent offer sheets.

Now don’t get TOO excited because we have been let down before, BUT this is certainly encouraging news.

Another losing season in 2010 was disappointing to say the least considering expectations were so high heading into the year. It was a season to forget, but there was still one thing fans could hang their hats on. The defense’s emergence as nearly a top five unit under Mike Nolan and the optimism surrounding that side of the ball heading into 2011 and beyond has kept morale stable for this franchise and its fan base.

Two key offseason acquisitions- Mike Nolan at defensive coordinator and Karlos Dansby at inside linebacker- were huge factors in the drastic turnaround. But it was the breakout performances of Cameron Wake and Paul Soliai that really put the Dolphins’ defense over the top.

Miami could surely use another breakout performer or two this season if they want to make the jump from mediocre to the playoffs in 2011. Here are five players that could be primed to do just that.

Koa Misi: Misi proved to be a worthy second-round investment last season, setting the edge decently as a rookie on the strong side opposite Cameron Wake. But one of the biggest things the Dolphins were missing on defense last season was another consistent pass rusher. Protections really only had to worry about Wake and could get away with sending double and triple teams his way.

That means the Dolphins will look to free agency for some help. While the market will offer a few capable options, it’s going to lack any sure fire solution. Koa Misi emerging as a legitimate threat is what the Dolphins really need. Many will argue that Misi doesn’t have much upside as a pass rusher, but with a non-stop motor like his, he could be dangerous with some refined technique. no comments

To all the Phins Phocus fans out there in the Twitterverse, don’t forget that you can follow both Cody and Daniel on Twitter.

Cody - @phinsphocus   - All of our blogs will be posted on the phinsphocus account as well as some of Cody’s personal thoughts on the Dolphins and NFL News

Daniel- @PhinsDaniel – Daniel tweets daily and can help you follow and be up to date with all of your NFL and Dolphins needs.

 
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