Don't look now, but the regular season is just around the corner.  Tonight, the Dolphins play their final "meaningless" game of the 2008 preseason.  Of course, the term "meaningless" is a relative term - and in fact, this game isn't meaningless at all.  There are still roster spots to be won and progress to be made on both sides of the ball.  So below are some of the things to consider when watching tonight's preseason finale:

STARTERS TO PLAY
While most teams usually sit their starters in their final preseason game, the Dolphins are taking the opposite approach.  In fact, Tony Sparano is expected to play everyone who is available to play.  Says Sparano:

"Oh we're gonna play people. I'm not of the opinion that you should sit players right now, I think you start coaching scared a little bit and that can get you in trouble."

"Our players need to play and they'll play in this game."

This is an interesting move by Sparano, especially in light of all the recent injuries to big-name players over the past week or so.  Many, like myself, like the idea that this coaching staff isn't "coaching scared."  But would that change if one of Miami's key players suffer an injury?

It's a risk, no doubt.  But I think it's a calculated risk that does need to be taken.  So while I'll surely be angry and upset if a player does suffer some kind of injury, I won't go back and blame the coaching staff.  Like Sparano says, this team work and the starters need to play.

"SAFE PLAYERS" TO WATCH
With that said, let's talk a little bit about which players who are not on the roster bubble we should pay extra attention to during tonight's game:

Chad Pennington - This will be Chad's 3rd game working in this offense with these players.  How is he progressing?  Does he continue to look improved and more comfortable?  And how is his timing with the receivers?

Ronnie Brown - Ronnie will be playing for the first time since suffering a sprained thumb in Jacksonville.  To this point, Brown has carried the ball just 5 times for 6 yards.  And even Tony Sparano knows he needs to see more of Ronnie out there:

"I need to see more of Ronnie before I make that decision. If I don't see a whole lot more Ronnie, then Ricky will start."

We'll all get to see more of Ronnie later tonight.  How will he look?  How's the knee holding up?  Is he still explosive through the hole?  Can he cut back when he needs to?  This is Brown's final chance to at least earn a 50/50 workload split with Ricky Williams entering the regular season.  But if Ronnie was to explode tonight, could he still win the starting job?  Sparano seems to think so - which is probably why he hasn't named Ricky the starter just yet.

Charlie Anderson - With Joey Porter out until at least the start of the regular season, Anderson is expected to fill in as the weak side outside linebacker.  Charlie has been slowed by a hamstring injury since August 9, and Sparano admits he needs to see more from Charlie.  So tonight, Sparano plans to play Anderson until "his tongue is dragging."  Anderson, you'll remember, was praised during OTAs and very early on in training camp.  But now it's time to prove he can rush the passer in an actual game.  Now Charlie does admit that his hamstring still isn't 100%, but he knows he needs to show what he can do.  A big night from Charlie could cement him as Porter's weak side replacement should Joey miss time for an extended period of time.

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[Editor's Note by Matty I] This is a very surprising move simply because, like you guys have pointed out, Davis was thought to be a "Parcells guy."  But I guess those bonds aren't as strong as we might think.  And with Renaldo Hill looking healthy, Davis became expendable.  I just wonder who would step in if, for some reason, Yeremiah Bell had to miss any time.  Who replaces him at strong safety? [end note]

Per Sun-Sentinel:

The Dolphins surprisingly released safety Keith Davis on Wednesday, clearing way for the team to fit four safeties on the 53-man roster.

Davis, who spent his first five years in the NFL playing for the Cowboys, signed to a two-year deal in the offseason. He was expected to compete with Yeremiah Bell for the starting strong safety spot, and contribute primarily on special teams.

But the emergence of Chris Crocker, who is presently starting over Jason Allen at free safety, and last year's starter, Renaldo Hill, who is recovering from an ACL injury he suffered last October, made Davis expendable.

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Alright.  It's time to continue on with our community projections.

But first, a look at what the results were for our Chad Pennington projection:

14 games, 212/328, 64.6%, 2510 yards, 17 TDs, 10 Ints, 7.65 YPA, 92.4 rating

That seems fair, with per game averages of 15/23 for 179 yards.

Now moving along, let's talk about our young, 2nd year receiver: Ted Ginn.  You can see his rookie year stats right here as well as how some of the game's top receivers fared in year #2 of their careers right here.

Also, please note the format I've requested for the stat projections, as it makes it easier for me to total them up this way.  The format is:

games, receptions, yards, touchdowns, receptions of 40+ yards, total return TDs

So get at it below...

I recently had the chance to exchange some questions with Saintsational of Canal Street Chronicles, SBN's Saints blog.  Below are his responses to my 5 questions.  You can head over to his site (tomorrow I believe) to see my responses to his Dolphin questions.

Matty I:  Jeremy Shockey didn't play at all last week, meaning he will make his awaited debut against the Dolphins on Thursday.  I know he has experience with Sean Payton, which will help his transition to this new offense.  How do you expect Shockey to be used in this offensive system?

Saintsational:  Oh, the Shockey question. Still haven't seen him yet and thats okay. I'd rather take this one nice and slow, especially given Shockey's penchant for injury. I expect him to be used a fair amount in our offense. I don't think Payton would have been so aggressive in acquiring him if he intended to have him just run around on the field not doing anything. Having a tight end of Shockey's caliber is very important in a West Coast system like the one the Saints run and with a great QB like Brees. He's especially vital in the redzone where I think he will make a big difference. On top of that, he's a great blocker and that could certainly help guys like Deuce and particularly Reggie in their run game. I will be at the game, so I will be very excited to see him for the first time with my own eyes along with everyone else. I can't wait to hear how loud they get for him!

Matty I:  Talk about the running back situation in New Orleans.  How is Deuce McAllister coming along in his recovery?  And what can we expect from Reggie Bush this year?  And speaking of Bush, how would you categorize his NFL career thus far?

Saint:  This is a hot topic at CSC right now because of the depth we have at the position. Deuce appears to be doing pretty well. Though he hasn't busted any big runs yet this pre-season, he seems to be moving well and making the necessary cuts. Only a little more time will tell exactly what we can expect from his this season. As far as Reggie is concerned, I think this is the year. I know I may regret saying that, but I like what I have seen from him. He definitely seems more focused, stronger and ready to play. I haven't seen much of that dancing and hesitation that he was known for.Did you see him make that hurdling touchdown against Houston? I would like for the Saints to use him in a non-traditional manner, meaning the opposite of Deuce or a back of that nature. Pitches, quick outs, screens, that sort of stuff. He is best when he is in open space and those types of plays allow him that chance. If I had to categorize his NFL career, I would have to say mediocre. I'm sure you were expecting me to say disappointing, and in a way I suppose it has been, but it's not like he has put up just awful numbers. If he continues to to play at a mediocre level this season, then I would say I might be more inclined to use the word dissapointing, but I certainly don't think you could call it a bust.

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Well here we are just days away from the final cut-down date.  And the players on the "bubble" will have one final chance to impress the coaching staff on Thursday night in New Orleans.  We'll talk more about that game over the next 2 days.  But for now, I present my final 53-man roster in the same form that I have been all month long.  Check it out below and then tell us all your thoughts.

**And be sure to get involved with our community projection for Chad Pennington, which will end later today.**

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Good news for all Dolphin fans:  Ronnie Brown isn't wearing his cast anymore.  In fact, Ronnie has been practicing without the cast since Monday.  And Tony Sparano is saying that Brown will indeed play on Thursday night in the preseason finale against the Saints.  Says Sparano:

"We're just going to take him out there, go through pre-game warm-ups, do those kinds of things, and then I'd like to try to play him. And we'll see whether or not we can get some carries."

Now Brown claimed immediately after the game in Jacksonville that he would have been able to remain in the game if it was the regular season.  In fact, when asked after that game if he could have stayed in, he replied emphatically by saying, "Ain't no question."

Last week, while sitting out of practice to protect the thumb, Brown was able to get in some more rehab on his knee - continuing to strengthen it up. 

Now we'll hopefully get to see Ronnie get some more game action on Thursday in New Orleans.

Think back to where we were a few months ago.  The Dolphins were coming off of a 1-15 season.  We hired a legend in Bill Parcells, in hopes of turning this thing around.  And it seemed like nobody's job was safe - as Cam Cameron and Randy Mueller would come to find out.

At quarterback, nobody knew what might happen.  John Beck was coming off a tough rookie season, though he looked much better when he stepped in to replace Cleo Lemon in the regular season finale against the Bengals.  And Trent Green was coming off a concussion and his future was in doubt.

As the offseason unfolded, we learned that both Lemon and Green were in the past, decisions by an old regime that this new regime would not live with.  Both left Miami, never to return.  Who did return was John Beck - also picked by he previous regime.  The thing that was interesting here was that nobody really knew what Parcells, Jeff Ireland, and Tony Sparano thought of him. 

Then, on March 2, the Dolphins added a veteran QB to their roster by signing Josh McCown.  Many figured this meant a QB competition was to begin between McCown and Beck.  However, as the draft approached, rumors swirled about Miami having interest in Michigan QB Chad Henne.  But if the Dolphins selected Henne, would that mean Beck's days were numbered?

As the draft unfolded, we saw the Dolphins pass on Henne to select Phillip Merling with the 32nd pick.  Many, including myself, thought that this was a sign that the new regime liked Beck enough to pass on Henne - who most probably assumed would be gone by pick #57.

He wasn't.

And the Dolphins made Henne the 57th overall selection.  The QB situation in Miami was as cloudy as ever.

Tony Sparano made it clear right from the beginning that all 3 QBs would have a chance to win  the starting job.  And so the battle was on.  Unfortunately, the promise that Beck showed during OTAs and off-season workouts - and there was promise, from what I've heard - quickly dissipated once training camp began.  At times, it seemed like all 3 had their struggles.

Then Brett Favre decided to return and was traded to the New York Jets.  It's funny, though, how Favre deciding to return to football - and the Packers deciding they didn't want him back - changed everything for a team that was totally uninvolved in that circus.

Regardless, the Jets acquired Favre and they quickly moved on releasing their former starting QB, Chad Pennington - tossing him to the side like he was yesterday's leftovers.  Well, one man's leftovers are a starving man's feast - or something like that.  And the Dolphins, by this time, were seemingly starving for a QB.

The Dolphins wasted no time, quickly reaching out to Pennington.  In a matter of days, Pennington was in Miami and was quickly establishing himself as the best QB this team has right now - and possibly the best the franchise has had since #13 retired.

And now here we sit, less than 2 weeks away from the season opener, and we can say that we have a starting QB.  And not just any starting QB, but a very capable one - one that is statistically the most accurate QB to ever play the game.  And one that, by all accounts, is smart and is a leader for an offense - which is exactly what this offense has needed for some time. 

The players all seem to love him already.  And most of all, like most of us Dolphin fans, Pennington probably now has the same hatred for the Jets that we do.  It's that hatred and that fire in Chad's belly that will drive him to be the very best he can be and play as sharp as he can play when his former employers roll into town to start the season.  And that game isn't just a game anymore.  It's now CBS #1 game of the week, meaning countless cities across the country will be watching.  The national media will be, too, because we all know how much they love Brett Favre.

But what about Chad?  Call me crazy, but is it so far-fetched to believe that Pennington, who I'm sure is chomping at the bit to go against his former team, can lead this Dolphins' team to a huge victory to start the season?  Maybe it is.  But this feeling of hope is what you, as a fan, get when you finally have a legitimate, experienced leader under center for your football team.

I never once thought I'd ever say this:

Welcome to Miami, Mr. Pennington.

Be sure to get involved with our community projections.  Currently, we're projecting Pennington's stats and you can click here to go directly to that thread to post your projections.