Regular Season Week 3: Miami Dolphins (2-0) vs. New York Jets (1-1)
Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens

Kickoff: 8:20 p.m.
Line (Bodog.com): Dolphins -2.5
Weather: 82 degrees, 30 percent chance of thunderstorms
TV: NBC (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth)
Radio: 940-AM, 105.9-FM, 94.3-FM (Palm Beach), 1290-AM (Palm Beach), 92.1-FM (spanish), 101.7-FM (Treasure Coast), 96.1-FM (Ft. Myers-Naples)

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At some point during Sunday’s game, Vikings quarterback Brett Favre noticed that Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis did not allow his receiver to achieve one first down all day.

He of course saw Davis rip a pass away from Percy Harvin at the goal line and secure the interception after it was batted around several times, but Favre also noticed that the Vikings’ 10 points all came with Davis briefly nursing an injury on the sideline. Davis also batted two passes away, stuffed Adrian Peterson on fourth-and-goal from the 1 and absolutely dominated his side of the field.

Vontae Davis keeps his eye on the ball while corralling an interception in the second quarter / Allen Eyestone, Post staff

“Vontae played a heck of a game,” said fellow cornerback Jason Allen, who came down with two interceptions himself.

So when Favre was asked about his second interception of the game – a back-shoulder pass intended for Bernard Berrian at the 2 yard line which was easily picked off by Allen – his answer, naturally, revolved around Davis, whom Favre referred to as “21,” Davis’ jersey number.

“Number 21, I felt like, was one of the best corners in this league, especially that no one knows about,” Favre said after Miami’s 14-10 win. “Number 32 (Allen) is more physical and kind of a safety-type guy. I thought a back-shoulder throw against him with Bernard would be a right play. But just in general, 21 was less apt to challenge.”

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Regular Season Week 2: Miami Dolphins (1-0) at Minnesota Vikings (0-1)
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis

Kickoff: 1 p.m.
Line (Bodog.com): Vikings -6
Weather: Dome
TV: CBS (Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf)
Radio: 940-AM, 105.9-FM, 94.3-FM (Palm Beach), 1290-AM (Palm Beach), 92.1-FM (spanish), 101.7-FM (Treasure Coast), 96.1-FM (Ft. Myers-Naples)

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Regular Season Week 1: Miami Dolphins (0-0) at Buffalo Bills (0-0)
Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, N.Y.

Kickoff: 1 p.m.
Line (Bodog.com): Dolphins -3
Weather: 67 degrees, 40 percent chance of showers, wind 10 mph
TV: CBS (Gus Johnson, Steve Tasker)
Radio: 940-AM, 105.9-FM, 94.3-FM (Palm Beach), 1290-AM (Palm Beach), 92.1-FM (spanish), 101.7-FM (Treasure Coast), 96.1-FM (Ft. Myers-Naples)

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For weeks upon weeks, the inability of coach Tony Sparano to choose a starting center hung over the entire offensive line. Now that that quandary has been settled, perhaps the unit can find its identity. That’s where we start our Friday talking points:

1. Hopefully it’s not too late for this group of offensive linemen to come together.

In choosing Joe Berger over Jake Grove Thursday, and cutting Grove, Sparano left no question as to who is his starting center, putting the final piece of his O-line puzzle together. (more…)

Say this for the Dolphins: They don’t agonize over cutting expensive players.

Hours after the team terminated the contract of center Jake Grove, who walked away with $14 million of owner Stephen Ross’ money after playing in just 12 games, coach Tony Sparano explained the move by saying Joe Berger triggered the move by outplaying Grove in their head-to-head battle for the starting job.

“He got beat out,” Sparano replied when asked what was behind the move. “And then upon further review, just roster flexibility. The line between Jake Grove and Cory Procter was fine, and when you look at game management it just makes more sense.” (more…)

A few Miami Dolphins notes to jump-start your Wednesday:

* Breathe easy, Dolfans — offensive tackle Jake Long (left knee) returned to practice Wednesday after missing sitting out Monday. The media is not allowed to watch the team portions of practice, so it is unknown how fully Long will participate today, but Richie Incognito said on 790-AM radio yesterday that Long will play against Buffalo.

* The Dolphins officially signed former Pro Bowl kickoff returner Clifton Smith, which we first told you about yesterday. Smith, 25, chose the Dolphins over the Packers after being cut by the Bucs over the weekend.

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For four weeks during Organized Team Activities this spring and four weeks this training camp, the buzzwords used in every article about Mike Nolan’s new defense were “blitzing” and “fast-paced” and “attacking” and “offensive mentality.”

One of the few times the Dolphins got any pressure on Matt Ryan / Bill Ingram, Post Staff

The question after three preseason games: When are the Dolphins going to show any of this?

The Dolphins have totaled just three sacks in three games, and only one by a starter – Randy Starks in the first game. They had zero sacks last night in an ugly 16-6 loss to Atlanta, and barely laid a finger on Matt Ryan, whose uniform probably doesn’t need to be washed before his team’s next game.

No question, Nolan has not opened up his playbook this preseason. The Dolphins are not blitzing much, trying to see if their front three (or four) can win their individual battles and get to the quarterback.

But so far, not so good. Josh Freeman: 4 for 4 for 53 yards and a touchdown. David Garrard: 6 for 8 for 79 yards and a touchdown. Ryan: 13 for 26 for 103 yards and a touchdown, and it would have been much, much worse if Ryan could hit the broad side of a barn. The Dolphins have been out-sacked 8-3.

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No question, the Dolphins performed better last night against Jacksonville than they did in their first preseason game against Tampa Bay.

The Dolphins’ starters gained 245 total yards Saturday, compared to just 19 against the Bucs, and out-scored the Jaguars’ starters 24-12. Chad Henne was on fire, completing 11-of-14 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Brandon Marshall was a Beast, as his nickname suggests, catching four passes for 66 yards and throwing two crucial blocks that led directly to touchdowns.

But let’s not crown the Dolphins as Super Bowl champs just yet. There was still plenty of ugliness in Saturday’s 27-26 win, in all three phases of the game, and the Dolphins weren’t satisfied with their performance.

“We have a long ways to go,” head coach Tony Sparano said. “We’re nowhere near where we plan to be, but I do believe we made some progress tonight.”

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The Dolphins are giving Randy Thomas a chance to revive his career / Getty Images

The Dolphins’ depth along the offensive line has taken a hit during training camp, with versatile Nate Garner being lost for eight weeks with a broken foot and rookie John Jerry battling through a swollen knee.

The Dolphins didn’t wait long to find a replacement. Wearing No. 65 at practice today was 10-year veteran guard Randy Thomas, who started all 143 games he played in with the Jets and Redskins from 1999-2009. To make room for Thomas, the Dolphins waived free agent receiver Ryan Grice-Mullen.

Thomas, 34, goes way back with Dolphins football czar Bill Parcells, who drafted Thomas for the Jets in the second round of the ‘99 draft out of Mississippi State.

Thomas, primarily a right guard, started 16 games his rookie year and helped Curtis Martin rush for 1,464 yards.

Thomas’ career hit a roadblock last Sept. 20, when he tore his triceps completely off the bone in a game against the Rams. The injury sidelined him for the rest of the season, and the Redskins cut him on March 4.

Thomas, 6-foot-5 and 308 pounds, will compete at guard with Jerry, Richie Incognito, Donald Thomas and Cory Procter.

The Dolphins also have a tough decision to make with Garner, who started eight games last year and played four offensive line positions in one game. Will they keep Garner, out until October, on the active roster and play the first four games with only 52 players, or will they place him on Injured Reserve, which would free up a roster spot but end his season?