Two Chads to see time in Tampa

The Dolphins' third preseason game is tomorrow night, and as most NFL fans know, this is the game in which the starters get major minutes as they work on their timing. The fourth preseason game is little more than a dress rehearsal for backups and third-stringers, making tomorrow's game the last time you'll see Chad Pennington and Ronnie Brown get major playing time until the season opener in Atlanta.

And that's just how Tony Sparano plans to do it, announcing that Pennington will play the entire first half, with Chad Henne playing the second half.

Second round pick Pat White was not mentioned, but he will probably see some action anyway.

The offensive line will go for three quarters, with Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown running the ball most of the time. That means we won't see much of preseason star Lex Hilliard until the fourth quarter.

Hilliard has been a big surprise, leading the Fins in rushing with 94 yards and a TD through the first two games.

Tomorrow's game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Williams injured
There was speculation that kick returner/receiver Chris Williams had been injured in the Dolphins' last preseason game, and that has been confirmed. Williams apparently broke his left hand in the Carolina game, though it was before he fumbled a punt return late in the first half that turned out to be his last play as a Dolphin. Williams was waived injured Monday.

Turner dies
T.J. Turner, a mainstay of the Dolphins' defensive line from 1986-1992, died after complications of a stroke Tuesday. He was only 46.

I have a fond memory of Turner, as I still own his player card from a set during the 1987 season, the year Joe Robbie (now Land Shark Stadium) opened.

His early death seems to be a recurring theme in pro football, where the life expectancy for ex-NFLers is much lower than the national average, and is even lower than their counterparts in pro baseball, basketball and hockey. Too many collisions between large men causing untold trauma to the body.

We don't know if that had anything to do with what happened to Turner, but it's still sad that another former pro has died too soon.

Dolphins cut Wilford, Williams

The first official bad signing of the Tony Sparano-Bill Parcells era was decided Monday, as the Dolphins announced the release of Ernest Wilford.

Wilford, who was signed last year to a four-year, $13 million deal, struggled with the Fins, catching just three passes for 25 yards in seven games last season.

He was converted to tight end this year, and even caught a 33-yard TD pass in the Jacksonville game, but it wasn't enough.

His release leaves four tight ends on the roster.

And apparently, Chris Williams' fumble against the Panthers Saturday was a costly one, as the receiver/kick returner was also cut, though the official word is that he is injured. Williams had a good showing against the Jaguars, but was benched after fumbling in the second quarter, and he never saw the field again.

Sources say Williams could rejoin the team on the injured/reserve list, though that injury has not been disclosed.

Joining Wilford and Williams on the cut list were inside linebacker Orion Martin, outside linebacker Tearrius George, running back Anthony Kimble and defensvie tackle Joe Cohen.

Also, cornerbacks Sean Smith and Jason Allen returned to practice Monday after sitting out the Carolina game with flu-like symptoms. The team tested them for the swine flu, and apparently the results came back negative.

Smith had the inside track to start at corner alongside veteran Will Allen, but fellow rookie Vontae Davis had a strong game against the Panthers in his absence, playing for 3 1/2 quarters. Allen is projected as a nickelback and backup safety.