Had a number of enlightening chats with members of this 256-player draft class -- not all 256, mind you, but a number of them. Look for that material to be doled out on this blog throughout the course of July as we work our way up to Aug. 1 and the start of training camp.

In the meantime, Vontae Davis comes to these classes with a unique perspective after his strange week in the wrong kind of spotlight. Also, third-rounder Patrick Turner (pictured), the big WR out of USC, has come to terms on a four-year deal. See what his former QB, Mark Sanchez of the Jets, had to say about him today.

With Turner in the fold and fifth-rounder Chris Clemons, the speedy safety out of Clemson, on the verge of signing -- as reported here last Friday -- the Dolphins are steadily working their way up the draft list. Talked with seventh-rounder J.D. Folsom, the ex-Weber State LB, but he said his agent and the Dolphins are still talking.

Wouldn't be surprised if he signed soon considering all the activity in that round.

I usually only have time to monitor what's being discussed on this web address. And considering I'm suppose to be on vacation I'm REALLY not paying attention to what's being discussed by the diehard Dolphins fans. But when a message board threat that featured me definitely saying Wake, a former CFL standout, wasn't going to make the team was brought to my attention, it was REALLY disturbing.

For one, I didn't say that!

What I DID say is the Dolphins will likely keep eight linebackers, five of them outside linebackers on the 53-man roster. And I DID say Wake will be in a VERY competitive battle with Charlie Anderson, Erik Walden, Tearrius George, and Quentin Moses for one of the final two outside linebacker spots in that unit.

In my follow up chat last week I admitted Wake didn't really flash to me during rookie minicamp, OTAs and the team's minicamp. For the record, it wasn't just me in the media contingent who sparingly noticed Wake, the ex-CFLer, who is trying to make a tremendous leap from the minors to the majors. But keep in mind I also admitted it's nearly impossible to evaluate that position considering it's one that's very dependent on contact, which hadn't taken place thus far.

My point was, and still is: Wake has a tough battle heading into training camp, and needs to be a reliable special teams contributor to get one of those final two spots because Anderson and Walden presently are.

While many of you irresponsibly pointed out the financial commitment made to Wake just about guarantees he makes the 53-man roster, I'll point out to you this regime would prefer to take a financial hit than keep an inferior player on a special teams coverage unit.

And exactly why is it some of you think Anderson's a goner if it comes down to him and Wake, and money is a factor (which it's not)?

This regime invested A LOT MORE money in Anderson compared to Wake. Anderson signed a 3-year deal worth $7.35 million in 2008. He received a $2.5 million signing bonus, and is due $1.7 million this season, and $2.2 million in 2010.

And for the record, Anderson, who contributed 27 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles last season as the pass rushing specialist who entered the game in the nickel and dime package (a role that will likely be Jason Taylor's in 2009), is further than Wake in the two-year transition to becoming a 3-4 outside linebacker.

That was the point I was trying to make about the former CFL standout when projecting my roster numbers, and pointing out some of the tougher decisions the Trifecta must make at the end of training camp. All I did was bring the masses the facts so nobody is blindsided.

Based on everything I've heard, and some things I've seen, Wake supposedly has elite athleticism and strength, a good first step, a tremendously long arms.

All those elements should make him a very good athlete. But it doesn't guarantee he'll be a good football player in the NFL. That was the point I was making, and we won't know that until maybe the exhibition season, when his production (and every other linebacker's production) will have to speak for him.

Remember, despite his CFL numbers and success (that league is viewed by NFL people, including Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland, as football below what's played at major division I football conferences) there is no guarantee Wake will make an immediate impact. That's why Taylor was added, to hedge the Trifecta's bets on a serious team need.

Wake should be viewed as nothing more than a 27-year-old rookie for the Dolphins. And one who wasn't drafted. There's no guarantee he'll be an immediate, or future stud. And as I stated in the initial blog, which got twisted around and around, there is also no guarantee he makes the 53-man roster.

That prized spot is something he'll have to earn by dragging down quarterback, or running down field busting up wedges just like two dozen other players on the back end of the Dolphins' roster.

Throughout the course of the season (and the offseason) I usually say a lot of bold things that I back up with facts, stats, analysis and observations. Plenty of it is easy to find, just like this recent interview with me about the Dolphins. Be my guest and critique me on those things all you'd like. But don't pick me apart about something I didn't say.

Deuces.

Players report on Aug 1st, but that's the day they get their weigh in, and conduct their conditioning test, which features a 300- yard timed shuttle. Fail that test, which has a different time designation for each position, and there's usually a price to pay.

Last year offensive tackle Julius Wilson failed it and got cut before sunset. It'll be interesting to see if the Trifecta is willing to make a similar bold statement in year two.

“The offseason is the same thing every year. You get scared. I’m scared of the weigh in and the run test," said Jason Ferguson, who is entering his 13th NFL training camp. "After that, everything’s good because it’s football. Once I get through with the run test and the weigh in, which is what all big guys are scared of, it’s all good. Then when you put the pads on, that’s when you know where we’re at. Who can play, and who can't."

After day one, the action is fast and furious as the team begins with a two-a-day session, practicing at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2nd.

Here's the rest of the schedule for the open practices.

Aug.    3   (Mon.)      2 p.m.

Aug.    4   (Tues.)     9 a.m.                                

Aug.    5  (Wed. )      2 p.m.                                            

Aug.    6   (Thurs.)    9 a.m.  &    5 p.m.       (TWO-A-DAY)

Aug.    7   (Fri.)         2 p.m.                                

Aug.    8   (Sat .)       2 p.m.              

Aug.    9  (Sun.)       PLAYERS OFF    

Aug. 10 (Mon.)    9 a.m.    &     5 p.m.    (TWO-A-DAY)

Aug. 11   (Tues.)     2 p.m.

Aug. 12   (Wed.)     9 a.m.                                                                    

Aug. 13   (Thurs.)    2  p.m.        

Aug.  14   (Fri.)       9 a.m.   &      5 p.m.        (TWO-A-DAY)                       

Aug. 15   (Sat.)        10: 15 a.m.

Aug. 17 (Mon.)   DOLPHINS VS. JAGUARS AT LAND SHARK STADIUM, 7:30 P.M. (EDT), WFOR-TV     

Aug. 18 (Tues.)        PLAYERS OFF

Aug. 19   (Wed.)        9 a.m.   &   5 p.m.  (TWO-A-DAY)  

Aug. 20   Thurs.        9 a.m.  &  5 p.m.    (TWO-A-DAY) 

Here's my advise to those who want to attend.

The first practice is usually the worst because the team's generally not in pads. It's also going to be crowded, which means the chances of you getting something signed by someone good (Joey Porter, Ronnie Brown, Chad Pennington) it's slim. If you can, attend the practices in the week day because there are fewer fans.

A lot of the time the weather throws the team a curve ball, and that curve ball usually beans the fans because the team takes their practices inside, and that means you won't be able to see the action.

That's why it's important to call the practice hot line (954-452-7004) before coming. Sometimes the team will even push up, or back practice time to avoid a rain shower. Put this number in your phone because even I have to check it daily because of how frequently things change.

It's also better to come to the morning sessions (the afternoon sessions usually feature rain.)

Practices before a game are horrible because the team's usually doing run throws, which is boring. But they do provide some indication of the depth chart.

Also, there's one practice that's usually lighter than the other during two-a-days. So if you can, do the morning session because there will likely be more action, and the players will likely dedicate more time to signing stuff when practice is over.

All practices are FREE, and will be held at the team’s Nova Southeastern University training facility in Davie, Fla. Parking is available at the Nova Southeastern University Medical School garage, located near the intersection of University Drive and S.W. 30^th Street, between Griffin Road and I-595.  Access to this garage is off University Drive and S.W. 30^th Street.

Look forward to seeing those who can make it, and if you see me please do speak. At least throw me a Deuces. If you can't make it, don't worry because we'll be blogging and twittering the action every day.

Deuces.

In the meantime, something else in the latest ESPN magazine jumped out at me as well, although it didn't make me bust out laughing the way the Leon Washington quote did.

There's also a story about players' jersey numbers and a ranking from 00 to 99 of the 100 players who "did the most justice to their digits."

Amazingly, the only player listed with ties to any South Florida pro team is Hall of Fame center Jim Langer, No. 62.

So at least the '72 Dolphins are represented somewhere on the list, but I still have to pass along a number of other oversights.

For instance, instead of Larry Csonka at No. 39, we get Roy Campanella, the old Dodgers catcher. Campanella was a three-time MVP, but Zonk was mighty important as well. Can't really complain in this clash of Hall of Famers.

But how about Jack Youngblood over Nick Buoniconti for No. 85? Again, two HOF'ers, and Youngblood made seven Pro Bowls to Nick's combined three (AFL and NFL). But was Youngblood the defensive anchor of a 17-0 team?

Didn't expect the unselfish Bob Griese to get the call at No. 12, but Tom Brady over Terry Bradshaw and Roger Staubach? Isn't that a bit too contemporary a choice? (On second thought, looking at the numbers -- especially that record 50 TD season two years ago -- it's tough to ignore Brady.)

Mario Lemieux beat out Larry Little for No. 66. Guess we can't quarrel with that one, great as Little was.

Johan Santana and his two Cy Youngs over Dwight Stephenson for No. 57? Yeah, I know, Stephenson only played those eight seasons before his knees gave out, but the guy is widely considered the greatest center in NFL history. And he was never given away by the Marlins in the Rule 5 draft.

Jackie Robinson over Paul Warfield for No. 42. That's perfectly fair.

Wayne Gretzky over Jason Taylor for No. 99. I get it.

But why not Keith Sims (right) over Mark Schlereth for No. 69? Schlereth went to two Pro Bowls in his 12 seasons, while Sims made three PBs in his 11. OK, there was also this:  Schlereth started 15 playoff games and won three Super Bowl rings (one with the Redskins, two with the Elway Broncos). Sims never made the big bowl.

And finally, the ESPN editors went with Wilt Chamberlain over Dan Marino for all-time best No. 13. Ouch. Interesting battle between prolific, title-challenged producers, but Wilt did get a couple of NBA titles and he did also have that 100-point night nobody is going to beat. Still, this one hurts a bit, doesn't it? 

This strange story could bode well for Davis in one way in that it links him to Jim Kiick. How? Well, in re-reading cohort Dave Hyde's excellent book on the '72 Dolphins, "Still Perfect," I came across the chapter about one Ronald Eugene Davis, a petty criminal who impersonated Kiick for a while until he was arrested in the fall of '72 and wound up spending three years in federal prison for the stunt.

At one point Ronald Davis, passing himself off as the Dolphins' star running back, managed to lease a fully furnished 4,500-square-foot home on Biscayne Bay. Not bad for a house painter from Opa-Locka.

Hyde found the officer who arrested Davis up in Jackson, Mich., and the officer recalled Ronald Davis' explanation when he finally got caught: "He told me the only way to get somewhere is to be somebody important," officer Stan Godlewski said. "He said nobody takes a second look at you if you're nobody."

Or, as is perhaps the case in Champaign, Ill., nobody takes a second look at your driver's license if it says you're supposed to be somebody.

Also, Sun Sentinel Sports Online Czar Keven Lerner finally set me up with the tools I needed to take over the daily grind of Dolphins Q&A duties from Harvey. My first batch of answers is here. Don't be alarmed by the URL code. Keven just wanted to make sure all those bookmarks don't go to waste.  

Wrote a front-page piece in today's Sun Sentinel about Dolphins receiver Brandon London and his potential as a model. Don't laugh. His New York agent is very high on him as a model and says he is in high demand.

Didn't have room for this quote from Akin Ayodele, who did some magazine modeling early in his career with the Cowboys. As usual, Akin was insightful on the topic:

"It’s tough, but the one thing Brandon is able to deal with is the fact he’ll get ridiculed by his teammates. They’ll make fun of him. You just understand that. If he’s really passionate about it, he’s got to stay and believe in what he’s doing. I’m pretty sure he’s not just doing it because he feels like he’s a pretty face but the fact he’s trying to make money off of it."

And the difficulty of balancing your football responsibilities with these outside opportunities that are constantly coming along in the modeling world?

"I’m pretty sure it’s a whole lot easier than what we do now," Ayodele said. "I haven’t counseled him. He told me some of the stuff he’s doing. You have to know where your priorities are. [Football] is your priority. This is what pays the bills. This is what puts food on the table. I don’t think it’s something he’s going to be doing while the season is going on. It’s just something he’ll do during his offseason and when he's got some down time. He’s a smart enough young man to know that. It’s all about trying to maximize your opportunities financially."

So how do you view London now? Still see him as a solid special teams contributor and budding receiving threat? Or are you concerned he'll inevitably be pulled in another direction and toward a career that (in theory, at least) shouldn't leave you crippled by your 40s?

I think the fact the Dolphins play every exhibition opponent in the regular season is a good thing because it will benefit the Dolphins' coaching staff, which collectively has more knowledge and coaching experience than most staffs.

I'm dying to see what offensive coordinator Dan Henning, who worked like a magician last season, does in year two with more talent.

I believe the Dolphins will get the most out of tailback Ronnie Brown by making him play out his expiring contract, which is usually when teams get the best performance from their athletes.

I know this roster is drastically improved, which is why I say there will be some tough cuts made this summer, and back it up with my roster projections.

I suspect Brandon London, who is a part-time model, will be pushed by Anthony Armstrong for his roster spot. Didn't say he'll get it, but the challenge should be beneficial to both.

I told you the Dolphins don't have a need for a demanding No. 1 receiver because Chad Pennington is a spread it around quarterback who will always throw to the open target, no matter who, or what (tight ends were high on his list last season) he is. And Pennington would prefer his targets limit their egos, and minimize their agendas to winning.

I've confessed that I think the only unit which took a step backwards this offseason was the defensive line. Unless the NFL's active sacks leader, Jason Taylor, doubles as an end, that unit is lacking experience and pass rushing prowess. And they were already lacking in 2008. But maybe Kendall Langford and Phillip Merling take huge steps forward.

I've predicted rookie cornerback Sean Smith will likely find a playing role before first-round pick Vontae Davis, the real Vontae Davis, because his learning curve is smaller.

Want more bold predictions?

Today I'll be answering questions from Dolphins nation regarding their favorite team, so hit me with your best stuff, and I'll do my best to provide the answers or insight I have.

I'll be in and out all day (since I'm really on vacation), but if you ask it before 1 p.m. (and I haven't already beaten the topic to death) I'll address it. Hit F5 to refresh the posts to keep up with the discussions.

Let's have some fun like we usually do.

Just spoke with Davis, and the former University of Illinois star said to the best of his knowledge he hasn't even been in Champaign since February. Plus, he was in Davie at the Dolphins complex until 3:30 on June 9 and back at 7 a.m. the next morning on June 10.

He did recall having his wallet stolen -- including his old driver's license -- before he left school and figures some joker was driving around town pretending to be him. However, the fact Davis says he reported the theft at the time and later took out a new driver's license does not reflect well on the authorities in Champaign.

Here's the e-mail response I just received from Todd France, Davis' agent:

"It is my understanding that not only was Vontae Davis in South Florida all day on June 9, but also the team confirmed he was at OTA's that day and was there at 7 am the next morning for workouts.  The team also confirmed that he attended a rookie life-skill session that ended at 3:30 p.m. on June 9 making it unfeasible for him to be in Illinois at the alleged 6:47 arrest time. This is not just 'Vontae's claim' but a fact and supported by the Miami Dolphins. It’s a shame to try and tarnish a person's name no matter how small or big the accusation is. Bottom line, we are looking further into it and will consider our legal options as far as the false report."

Still waiting for the police spokesperson in Champaign to return my messages and explain how exactly something like this can happen.

UPDATE 8:25 p.m.: I spoke earlier this evening with Rene Dunn, the spokesperson for the Champaign police department. She said she never told ITAL The Daily Illini END it was the football star who had been arrested.

“I don’t even watch football,” she said. “They made that leap."

She also said it was her understanding the campus newspaper was making a retraction.

I, too, had a version of this story online for a while Tuesday afternoon, although everything was attributed either to The Daily Illini (first version) or the Champaign arrest summary that is available online.

When I called the Champaign PD, Dunn was out at a crime scene. I spoke with another woman in the records department who found the same arrest summary I did online and downplayed the seriousness of the offense, which I passed along in the earlier version as well.

The bigger issues now include 1) Who is driving around with Vontae Davis' stolen driver's license? 2) How could the arresting officer not recognize this person was an imposter or at least have a record of the DL being stolen when he called it in? 3) What legal action, if any, will the Davis camp bring?

"I wasn’t the officer on the stop," Dunn said. "I don’t know what the person looks like, but I will definitely speak with the officer that made the stop and look into it and see if we have more information on this individual. The officer takes the information that's given to him.”

Dunn planned to speak with the Dolphins and/or Davis’ representatives at some point.

“I don’t want them to think we’re the ones badmouthing Vontae,” she said.

The extension, first reported by the Palm Beach Post, will pay Culver $3.225 million in base salary over the life of the deal. That breaks down as $875,000 in 2009, $1.1 million in 2010 and $1.25 million in 2011.

Culver had been due to earn $460,000 this season under his previous deal.

Not a bad progression for a guy picked up off waivers on Sept. 2 after the Packers released him out of training camp.

A former sixth-round pick out of Fresno State in 2006, Culver was in the top five on the Dolphins last season in special teams tackles with 10.

Culver, who turns 26 on July 6, worked consistently as a second-team strong safety during offseason practices that were open to the media.

Now that this deal is done, who should the Dolphins wrap up next?

Through the draft and free agency the Dolphins have clearly filled out the roster in a number of areas (O-line, CB, WR, OLB). That's the norm in the second-year of a Bill Parcells reclamation project.

How am I certain this team is deeper as a result? Because projecting the 53-man roster is five times harder to do now than it was at this point last year. So difficult that I'm predicting a player who started 16 games last season (offensive lineman Ike Ndukwe) might be on the churn list if he doesn't start dominating during training camp, especially if everyone in his unit begins the season healthy.

And that wasn't the only tough projection to make when breaking down the training camp roster, guessing on which players make the 53-man squad, and which eight players might find a home on the practice squad (without factoring in the Trifecta's waiver wire pickups made after the second wave of cuts).

For instance, the addition of Jason Taylor puts Cameron Wake in the cut zone if he can't outperform Erik Walden as a core position player. Late last season Walden established himself as one of the Dolphins' top special teams contributors. I project the Dolphins keep eight linebackers on the 53 (three inside, and five outside), which means Wake, Walden and Charlie Anderson are realistically slugging it out for that final spot.

Last year the Dolphins kept eight defensive linemen on the 53-man roster, but I thinned out that unit by one to keep an extra cornerback because they are more valuable on special teams. Plus, Roth and Taylor can play on the defensive line in a pinch. That's what this regime calls roster flexibility, and there's plenty of it this year.

Here's a look at my projected roster breakdown before we enter training camp, where each player's performance will either move them up or down the list (I didn't project Greg Camarillo on the squad at this point last season, so you never know).

The players highlighted in orange represent those who are practice squad options. Some rookies were not highlighted because cutting them to stash them on the practice squad isn't an option considering they'd likely be poached by another NFL team.

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks (three on the 53-man roster)

Chad Pennington, Chad Henne, Pat White (R)

Running back (three, one on practice squad)

Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, Patrick Cobbs, Lex Hilliard, Anthony Kimble (R)

Fullback (one)

Lousaka Polite, Chris Brown

Receiver (six, one on practice squad)

Ted Ginn Jr., Anthony Armstrong, Patrick Turner (R), Brandon London

Greg Camarillo (Inj.), Davone Bess, Brian Hartline (R), Chris Williams(R), Brennan Marion(R - Inj.)

Tight end (three, one on practice squad)

Anthony Fasano, David Martin (Inj.), Ernest Wilford, Joey Haynos, John Nalbone(R), Jared Bronson (R)

Offensive line (nine, one on practice squad)

LT - Jake Long, Andrew Gardner (R), SirVincent Rodgers (R)

RT - Vernon Carey, Nate Garner

DEFENSE

Defensive line (seven, two on practice squad)

LE - Kendall Langford, Tony McDaniel, Rodrique Wright, Ryan Baker (R)

NT - Jason Ferguson, Paul Soliai, Joe Cohen, Louis Ellis (R)

RE - Phillip Merling, Randy Starks, Lionel Dotson

Linebackers (eight, one on practice squad)

SLB - Matt Roth, Jason Taylor, Erik Walden, Tearrius George

WLB - Joey Porter, Charlie Anderson, Cameron Wake (R), Quentin Moses

ILB - Channing Crowder, Reggie Torbor, Orion Martin (R)

ILB - Akin Ayodele, William Kershaw, J.D. Folsom (R)