NFL - Sports Rumors

Thu Aug 28, 2008 12:26 pm EDT

WR Wilford has to prove himself in final Miami exhibition

By Joe Zedalis

Ernest Wilford

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Ernest Wilford signed with the Miami Dolphins in February for four years and $6 million guaranteed, giving them a 6-foot-4 veteran receiver who could be the club's No.'1 target and help mentor young receiver Ted Ginn Jr. Yet it is Ginn who has emerged in training camp as the top receiver, with Wilford having much to prove tonight in New Orleans in the Dolphins' final exhibition game.

Wilford has just three catches for 12 yards in three exhibition games. He has lost the starting job - Derek Hagan is the other first-string wideout - despite solid credentials earned during four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Even though Wilford has a significant contract, there is a remote chance he could be waived Saturday when NFL rosters must be reduced to 53 players.

Among Miami's 71 current players, seven are receivers. The Dolphins are likely to keep five or six.

Wilford is the most accomplished Miami receiver. His 518 receiving yards and three touchdowns last year with Jacksonville would have been tops for Miami.

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said financial considerations might be taken into account when determining the final roster. He also said he would consider Wilford's previous production and not judge him solely on his performance in training camp.

Still, Wilford, 29, is feeling some heat.

Source: Palm Beach PostNew Window

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20 Comments

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  1. Johnny Bravo
    1. Posted by Johnny Bravo Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:39 pm EDT

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    Wilford and Ginn would be a good tandem. They need to have good options for Pennington. He can spread it out anywhere but long.
    --------------------1st------------------------
  2. Yankees4Lyfe
    2. Posted by Yankees4Lyfe Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:57 pm EDT

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    They should re-name the team the Miami Cowboys...
  3. OzFraud
    3. Posted by OzFraud Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:43 pm EDT

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    the only blemish on Big Tuna Crew's resume would be signing this loon to a six million dollar contract
  4. Kevin G
    4. Posted by Kevin G Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:54 pm EDT

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    ginn, wilford, fasano....nice options. big and tall.
  5. Wes W
    5. Posted by Wes W Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:58 pm EDT

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    Where's Greg "I saved the team for immortalized embarassment" Camarillo?
    Ernest is going to fall through the depth charts..........he's a Jaguars hulk receiver......all height and no hands
    Ginn, Hagan, Camarillo, and Wilford
    along with Fasano....those are decent recieving options
    don't forget Ricky and Ronnie!
  6. Wes W
    6. Posted by Wes W Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:58 pm EDT

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    The Dolphins have a decent offense..............Ricky and Ronnie could be the focal point of the team along with bruiser Jalen Parmele...........the O-line really paved the way for Ronnie to explode in the 07 season before he went down with the ligament tear........The QB spot is the only problem.........but I have plenty of faith that Chad can manage a game and not take risks.......just snap and hand off to Ricky...........snap and hand off to Ronnie.............snap and hand off to Jalen...............snap and toss to Ginn for 15 yards..............Just Manage The Game Dolphins!
    Defensively............that could be the Dolphins only problem................no more Zach or Jason...........Joey Porter???
  7. LA-D
    7. Posted by LA-D Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:41 pm EDT

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    Yeah man a WR who cant catch...... A RB that cant stop smoking the green stuff.... A qb with arm strength of an 80 year old women......yeah your team looks solid....
  8. Chris
    8. Posted by Chris Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

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    . Posted by Kevin G Thu Aug 28, 2008 1:24 pm EDT
    ginn, wilford, fasano....nice options. big and tall.
    Right you are, Kevin! Big and Tall is the way to go! Just look at my screen name!!!
    Big and Tall Rules!
  9. Vic
    9. Posted by Vic Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:38 pm EDT

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    The Dolphins will have an early first round draft pick again next year. So they can draft a decent Wide Receiver then lol. The problem is they will need a QB a RB a DE Linebackers Safeties lol. They are a joke by far the worst team in football. It's a thankless task to be honest the coach will be fired at the end of the season. Look at the talent he has to work with............Vince Lombardi couldn't get them to win.
  10. wagsz
    10. Posted by wagsz Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:38 pm EDT

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    Vic is a moron. Think of the teams would be underdogs by Vegas if they played Miami (Chicago, SF, Falcons, Chiefs & Raiders for example).
  11. Vic
    11. Posted by Vic Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:38 pm EDT

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    Wagsz if that's true then how come they posted almost the worst record ever in footbal last year ? The fact they play such easy opposition and STILL almost lost every game actually proves my point for me. The fact you tried to use that to call me a moron shows that your I.Q is about the same as Ronnie Brown's shirt number ! actually that's cruel maybe tedd ginn jr's haha the Dolphins will suck it will take a long time for them to recover basically until they find another great QB.
  12. Jeremy H
    12. Posted by Jeremy H Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:33 pm EDT

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    I'd keep based solely on his size, there aren't any big-target options. Even if it's 3rd or goal line downs, he'd be useful even for just matching-up sake
  13. kazlin143
    13. Posted by kazlin143 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:48 pm EDT

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    um worst in dolphins history not in the NFL Vic. i have been a Phins fan since the early 80's. yes we have some issues on the team like a QB who cant air it out to two of the fastest and best hands in football today with Ginn and Hagan who is a clone of cris chambers but faster. then you have Ronnie brown and ricky williams who are both very explosive. If they would take my sugestion and actually start Beck they can finish the season with a 9-7 record . he is by far there best QB henne would be a close second Wilford will be cut because he drops the ball to much. i bet in 2 years miami is back at the top of the east above the pats and in the playoffs every year they have some great talent on both O and D but saying there the worse team in the nfl i dont think so .
  14. Phil M
    14. Posted by Phil M Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:48 pm EDT

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    First off, Ginn is all of what 5'11 185? Ginn is not Big, he is fast and smooth...he's not tiny, but he is not big.
    why would you sign a guy to 4 yr-6mill deal and then cut him? Its almost like Parcells signs these guys just so he can cut them and say "dont think yoru contract will keep you here..."
    Way to go man-boob-magee... I am a 49'er fan who lives in dallas... Dallas is what they are almost in spite of him. Do you own research instead of listening to the "he gives good press confrences" media hype.
    Jiggle-jiggle-man-boob-parcells.
  15. Phil M
    15. Posted by Phil M Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:48 pm EDT

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    kazlin, in the 2007-2008 season, the Dolphins were the worst team in recent history. I can only think of the Bucs during their first couple of years as worse.
    Yes, they were worse than the first Texans teams too.
  16. Oscar
    16. Posted by Oscar Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:47 pm EDT

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    Most of the comments I've read so far make me wonder if anybody who post a comment here has been watching the Fins during the preaseason? Go'head lol that it's ONLY preaseason! The intensity and focus that Miami has exerted during their games has been VERY positive.I've watched them all.We Dolfans are in for a treat with our ballclub this year.A season of redemtion and tempered jubilence.If you don't know then get an NFL Package.Haters are to be seen NOT HEARD!!Cockroaches!
  17. stuntfactory123
    17. Posted by stuntfactory123 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:46 pm EDT

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    dont cut him trade him for some picks some body will pick him up...
  18. southwest 13
    18. Posted by southwest 13 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:30 pm EDT

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    trust me you dont want him, i am a huge jags fan and i was so glad we got rid of him his past off season. the guy can not run routes nor catch, yes he is big and fast but if i remember right the job of the wr is to get open and catch the balls that are thrown to him. he does neither, good riddance and good luck. if you cut him now you will save yourself a lot of heartache.
  19. Chris B
    19. Posted by Chris B Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:21 pm EDT

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    i really want to see devone bess establish the #4. "wes welker like potential" said a few of miami's staff members. this guy is sick, he was the favorite target for hawaii qb colt brennen. he is a bit small but he reminds me of ricky williams except in a steve smith body. he catches everything that comes his way. hes tough and a good possession reciever.
  20. tRaCy
    20. Posted by tRaCy Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:25 pm EDT

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    Is all that bullsh*t coming from a dolphins fan? Really? Win a couple games before you start running your mouth. Since the Jags entered the league in 95, they have always been better than the fins. Speaking of "choking". When was the last time the dolphins were even in the playoffs? 1999 right? Remember how that turned out? I do.. 62-7 Jags. 2nd most lopsided game in NFL history. Pretty sad that Dan Marino had to go out like that. The whole systems garbage? Wow. One preseason with Parcells and you get a little hair on your chest huh? How many QBs have you had since Marino? Getting rid of your best players? Thats a great "system"

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