Dolphins' cuts

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/sfl-dolphins-cut-11-players-including-wr-laron-byrd-exum-standout-20150830-story.html

WR LaRon Byrd
TE Gerell Robinson
C/G J.D. Walton
DT Calvin Barnett
G Bryant Browning
WR Kevin Cone
DE Ray Drew
WR Tyler McDonald
DE Kendall Montgomery
CB Sammy Seamster
S Phillip Thomas

I knew it wouldn't happen, but I was hoping Byrd would make it.  I love his size and athleticism, plus he's a Cane.  I think he's got way more upside than Hazel, who looks to me like a dime-a-dozen type receiver.

Robinson was a bit of a surprise because he showed some playmaking ability as a receiver.  I guess the coaches feel like they need the #3 TE to be a blocker since Cameron is a horrible blocker and Sims is a mediocre blocker.

More cuts:

OL Donald Hawkins
OL Mike Liedtke
DT Anthony Johnson

I figured all along that Johnson would get cut...I don't see him as an NFL talent. I think Francis makes the team and Mosley gets cut...and possibly re-signed after week 1 so his salary isn't guaranteed.

Aultman may have some value as a returner...maybe practice squad? Or maybe that spot will go to Christion Jones?

Barry Jackson is reporting that undrafted rookie LB Jeff Luc has been cut. No surprise.

Two more: QB Josh Freeman and DT Deandre Coleman.

Tripp sucks and is always hurt...so glad he's gone. Thompson was a wasted draft pick, as I said when he was drafted...he can't tackle and is lost in coverage - not exactly good traits for a safety! Glad Gillislee is gone too - I have no idea how he lasted as long as he did. Sturgis had to go...my concern is that I don't think Franks is any better.

Some surprise cuts for me:
--Don Jones can't play defense at all, but he's a helluva special teams player...thought that would save him, but I guess not. I guess the team didn't want to have two special teams-only DBs, so they kept Davis instead.
--Sam Brenner was the second-team center this offseason and looked decent to my eyes.
--I thought TE Jake Stoneburner had a legit shot.
--Hewitt over Hull seems strange from what I saw of the two in preseason, but I did read several times that the coaches love Hewitt for some reason.
--I was hoping Christion Jones would make it because he looks like he could be a much better returner than the underwhelming LaMike James, but I guess Jones' minor injury gave the team an excuse to cut him.

Things I'd be looking for on the waiver wire: OL and LB depth, a veteran Safety, a blocking TE, a legitimate kick/punt returner and a developmental QB for the practice squad.

Here's the full list of cuts from http://www.thephinsider.com/2015/9/5/9266623/dolphins-roster-cuts-all-53-man-roster-cuts-confirmed-by-miami:

WAIVED:
WR Damarr Aultman
QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson
C Sam Brenner
DT Deandre Coleman
LB James Davidson
DE Emmanuel Dieke
RB Mike Gillislee
WR Cobi Hamilton
T Donald Hawkins
LB Mike Hull
DT Anthony Johnson
S Don Jones
G/T Michael Liedtke
LB Jeff Luc
TE Tim Semisch
TE Jake Stoneburner
K Caleb Sturgis
S Cedric Thompson
LB Jordan Tripp
T Aundrey Walker

WAIVED/INJURED:
WR Christion Jones

TERMINATED CONTRACT:
QB Josh Freeman

The thing with the 4 undrafted LBs is that they have all looked good at times - but overall, from what I've seen all are far too raw to see real playing time anytime soon. Even Vigil, who was clearly the best of the bunch. This preseason I saw struggles to get off blocks, and too many missed tackles and bad angles from all of them. But, I definitely would have kept Hull over Hewitt. The Phins like Hewitt because he's an athlete; I like Hull because he's a football player.

I am interested to see how Vigil develops. He really looks like he could be a keeper long-term if he gets stronger and cleans up his game.

I hope the signing of Logan Thomas means that Bethel-Thompson will be gone soon. MBT seems like a waste of time to me...I see nothing in him at all.

finfanatic wrote:What happened to Luc?

Hewitt must have been a special teams keeper is all I can figure.

Yeah, that's a strange one to me. I thought Hull and Luc both looked better than Hewitt. The only thing I can think is that the Phins regime is currently obsessed with athleticism and metrics, and Hewitt rates higher than the others in that regard. Of course, I prefer football players over athletes, but that's just me! LOL