This Miami Dolphins season of "Hard Knocks" is one of the three best in the show's history. It will be hard to ever top the original Baltimore Ravens season because the personalities were so big and the concept of the show was so fresh.
Dan Hanzus did his usual great job recapping the show late last night, and we recommend checking it out. My biggest takeaway from Tuesday night was the thought that this could be the worst team in football.
Debate: Good, but not good enough
Who will be the best team to miss the playoffs in 2012? Some of our experts think Michael Vick's Eagles are at risk. **More ...**
They messed with their one strength by changing defensive schemes to a first-team coordinator. They also have a rookie quarterback with one of the worst collections of skill position talent in the NFL. Joe Philbin was a good hire and will get things turned around, but I fear this "Hard Knocks" season to be a document to what a 3-13 looks like before the misery starts.
Not a Good Day for ...
- Daniel Thomas is in Philbin's doghouse. We saw in "Hard Knocks" that Thomas' professionalism is lacking. Last year's second-round pick has not looked great on the field as a pro. The Miami Herald says he's simply been disappointing from Day 1.
- San Diego Chargers free agent left tackle Jared Gaither's status remains a total mystery. He is looking shaky to play in Week 1 because of his back injury. The Chargers will likely have to start an undrafted rookie that has not looked good in the preseason. It feels late in the season early for San Diego.
- No one has seemed to notice that Marshawn Lynch hasn't practiced for a week because of a back injury or that Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin has essentially missed all of training camp. So we wanted to point that out.
- Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy is getting increasingly frustrated with running back James Starks' lack of progress in his return from turf toe. We still think he'll make the team, but it makes you wonder.
Position Battling
Instant Debate: Game of the Year?
What is the most highly anticipated game of 2012? Our analysts mention multiple contests featuring
Peyton
Manning.
**More ...**
- The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel believes Donald Driver has clinched his spot on the Packers with a strong couple of weeks. We thought his contract essentially guaranteed his spot anyhow.
- St. Louis Rams seventh-round pick Daryl Richardson has quietly impressed at running back. He could wind up splitting backup duties with highly-touted Isaiah Pead.
- The Atlanta Falcons made a rare move by replacing their backup quarterback this close to the season. Chris Redman is out. Luke McCown is in. McCown knows offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter's system from their days together in Jacksonville. Falcons fans hope this move doesn't really matter.
- Cedric Benson is on track to start the season opener for the Packers, but second-year pro Alex Green indicated that he's likely to split carries.
A Good Day For ...
- Kenny Britt is off the PUP list, which shows the Titans are hopeful he can help them early in the season. It remains uncertain whether he'll be suspended. We would guess the NFL will rule on that this week.
- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison is on track to help in the opener after coming off the PUP list.
- Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb survived another day without officially getting demoted. This may never end.
On the Agenda
We've got a couple of features coming up Wednesday, including quarterback power rankings and teams that can't win the Super Bowl. There are three preseason games Wednesday night, which is a change from previous years because of the early start to the season. Happy Wednesday and thanks for making Camp Buzz the No. 1 daily training camp rundown on the planet. (Note: We have no facts to back up that statement.)
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
