THE 12 WORST MOVES FOR THE MIAMI DOLPHINS

1. Selecting quarterback Pat White with the 44th pick of the 2009 Draft. The quintessential bust, White lasted only one season, failing to complete any of his five passes and rushing for 81 yards on 21 carries. He’s now out of football after being released by the UFL’s Virginia Destroyers in September.

2. Inability to find a quarterback of the future. First, they passed on Matt Ryan to select Jake Long with the first pick of the 2008 draft, a move that was questionable. Then they latched their future to Chad Henne, who was picked 57th that year and hasn’t developed into what the team hoped for. They passed on some available veterans (including Michael Vick in 2010) and in April passed on Andy Dalton, who is playing well for Cincinnati.

3. Wasting millions on interior offensive linemen. The poster child was Jake Grove, who was given a five-year, $29 million deal, played 12 games in 2009, and was cut during 2010 training camp. Justin Smiley (five years, $25 million) played 15 and 12 games in two years, then was released, unable to overcome a shoulder injury that should have been a red flag before Miami signed him. Joe Berger ($10 million) lasted two years of his three-year deal.

4. Parting ways with capable Renaldo Hill after 2008, squandering millions on Gibril Wilson and failing to find an above-average free safety to pair with Yeremiah Bell. Wilson — given a five-year, $27.5 million contract — was dreadful during his only season as a Dolphin (2009) and is now a Bengals backup. Chris Clemons (starter last year, backup now) and current starter Reshad Jones have been mediocre at best.

5. Using the 32nd pick of the 2008 draft on defensive end Phillip Merling, and expecting him to become a starter and quality pass-rusher. But he has only four tackles in eight appearances since an Achilles’ injury in July and 3.5 sacks in 39 NFL games overall. An impending free agent, Merling was on the inactive list for the past two games . Drafted after Merling: Eddie Royal (42), DeSean Jackson (49) and Jermichael Finley (91).

6. Signing Marc Colombo to play right tackle this season. The former Cowboy, clearly not the player he was when he played for this Dolphins regime in Dallas, has allowed the second-most quarterback pressures in the league (21) and two sacks. The Dolphins passed on numerous linemen who have graded out better, including several tackles and Patriots [team stats] guard Brian Waters. Guard Vernon Carey could have stayed at tackle if Waters had been signed.

7. Selecting guard John Jerry 73rd in the 2010 draft. One of the reasons this pick is so regrettable is that the Dolphins passed on a player in their own backyard at a position they focused on — former University of Miami tight end Jimmy Graham, who was selected 95th by the Saints and is second in the NFL in receptions (45 for 674 yards).

8. Drafting receiver Patrick Turner 87th overall in 2009, then keeping him ahead of Anthony Armstrong. Turner played in only two games and didn’t catch a pass in his one season here. To keep Turner, the Dolphins waived Armstrong, who had been on their practice squad the previous year. Armstrong went on to catch 44 passes for 871 yards for Washington last season (5 for 47 this season). Instead of drafting Turner, now a Jets backup, the Dolphins could have picked Ladarius Webb, who has four interceptions in his past 14 games with the Ravens.

9. Signing receiver Ernest Wilford to a four-year, $13 million deal in 2008. He caught only three passes for 25 yards that year, tried to resurrect his career at tight end the following training camp, but was cut.

10. Cutting outside linebackers Matt Roth (2009) and Erik Walden (2010). Walden never started for Miami, and was cut last September after a special-teams gaffe led to a blocked punt. The Packers signed him; he had three sacks in nine games and was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week the final week of the season. This season, he has a sack and 21 tackles in seven starts for the Super Bowl champions. Roth has 10.5 sacks in 28 games (all starts, for Cleveland and Jacksonville) since Miami released him.

11. The Dolphins likely gave up too much for Brandon Marshall (two No. 2 picks), but he has done enough in less than two years (120 receptions) that he should not be on this list. But if the Dolphins had it to do over, they would have been better off keeping the 12th pick in 2010 (which could have been Dez Bryant) — instead of trading it for pick Nos. 28 (Jared Odrick) and 40 (Koa Misi). In that scenario, they could have had either a dynamic receiver tandem in Marshall and Bryant, or kept the two No. 2 picks they traded for Marshall and used them to upgrade other positions.

12. Trading Ted Ginn Jr. to the 49ers for a fifth-round pick in 2010, used on Nolan Carroll. Ginn isn’t badly missed as a receiver but is missed as a returner; he has three returns for touchdowns since the trade.

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THE 12 BEST MOVES FOR THE MIAMI DOLPHINS

1. Signing Chad Pennington. Sure, he fell in the Dolphins’ laps in August 2008 after the Jets released him when they signed Brett Favre. But he was terrific that season (tied for second in league MVP voting) and led the Dolphins to an AFC East title before injuries derailed his career in 2009 and 2010.

Three key members of the Miami Dolphins defense sat out Wednesday’s practice, which is the first session to prepare for Sunday’s home game against the Houston Texans.

Tony McDaniel might be sidelined by a hand injury he suffered against the Patriots.

Dolphins defensive end Tony McDaniel, who suffered a hand injury in Monday night’s 38-24 loss to the Patriots, did not attend practice.

It’s probably that McDaniel, a six-year veteran the team’ re-signed this offseason, had his hand put in a cast. If that’s the case he could play with the cast, but might miss this Sunday’s game against the Texans.

The Dolphins have plenty of depth at defensive line so McDaniel’s absence won’t be very noticeable. Ironically, McDaniel, Jared Odrick and Phillip Merling started Monday night’s game instead of Paul Soliai, Kendall Langford and Randy Starks.

But all six defensive linemen played against New England.

Safety Chris Clemons, who has been battling an undisclosed leg injury since the exhibition-season finale against Dallas, sat out Wednesday’s practice. Clemons, who started all but one game last season, practiced all of last week but apparently regressed.

Free safety Reshad Jones, who started Monday night’s game against New England, continues to fill the starters role. Jones contributed a team-high 12 tackles against the Patriots, but responsible for two of New England’s big plays, which accounted for 145 yards and one touchdown.

Also sidelined was pass rusher Jason Taylor, who suffered a leg injury against the Patriots. Taylor finished the game. On Wednesday he did a rehab assignment.

Roberto Wallace, who suffered a leg injury during special teams coverage,  didn’t practice on Wednesday. He was participating in a rehab assignment.

On the positive side….

Rookie backs Daniel Thomas and Charles Clay participated in Wednesday’s session. Not sure if their work was limited. Both are nursing hamstring injuries, which are tricky for players at their position.

Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall, who got nicked up in the closing minutes of Monday night’s game, worked without limitations.

In other news, former Purdue cornerback Brandon King (5-10, 194) has replaced Vincent Agnew on the practice squad.

King is the third new player on the practice squad. Safety Anderson Russell and offensive guard Ray Feinga joined the unit last week.

The Miami Dolphins have produced the first version of their 2011 team, and there’s talent here.

Good talent, but not great. But it’s enough to win with good coaching. However, there are plenty of holes on the roster, which is why this is the first of many depth charts we’ll be producing because of General Manager Jeff Ireland’s addiction habit of churning the bottom of the roster.

Don’t be surprised if the Dolphins cut a few more players today to make room for players the team has claimed off the waiver wire. That’s part of the reason I’m trying not to have a knee jerk reaction to some of the decisions made on Saturday.

There are claims to be made (noon today), which could lead to a few more cuts. Plus, some of the decisions (Will Allen and Larry Johnson) have the business side written all over them considering most NFL teams hope to avoid guaranteeing contracts to vested veterans.

But here is what the Dolphins look like heading into today’s practice, the the first of the 2011 regular season.

QUARTERBACK (2)

Chad Henne and Matt Moore. Expect someone (maybe Pat Devlin) will be added to the practice squad soon.

RUNNING BACKS (4)

Tailbacks: Reggie Bush (scatbacks), Daniel Thomas (R) and Lex Hilliard (one-cut power back)

Fullbacks: Charles Clay (R- H-back) and Lex Hilliard

RECEIVERS (6)

Split ends: Brandon Marshall (alpha receiver), Brian Hartline (starter) and Roberto Wallace

Flankers: Davone Bess (No. 2 target and slot receiver), Clyde Gates (R- deep threat) and Marlon Moore

TIGHT END (2)

Anthony Fasano, Charles Clay(R) and Jeron Mastrud

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)

Starters (from left to right): Jake Long, Richie Incognito, Mike Pouncey (R), Vernon Carey and Marc Colombo

Backups: Ray Feinga (OT and OG), Joe Berger (C and OG), Nate Garner (OT, OG and C) and John Jerry (OG)

DEFENSIVE LINE (8)

Starters: Kendall Langford (LDE), Paul Soliai (NT) and Randy Starks (LDE and backup NT)

Backups: Jared Odrick (best pass rusher), Tony McDaniel (the deflection king, plays on passing downs), Phillip Merling (trade bait), Ryan Baker (the amoeba) and Frank Kearse (R – developmental nose tackle)

LINEBACKERS (6)

Starters: Cameron Wake (SLB- primary pass rusher), Karlos Dansby (MIKE ILB – coverage specialist and blitzer), Kevin Burnett (MOE ILB – coverage specialist and blitzer) and Koa Misi (WLB – coverage specialist).

Backups: Jason Taylor (OLB, pass rushing specialist), A.J. Edds (ILB, coverage specialist), Ikaika Alama-Francis (OLB, run stuffing specialist), Jason Trusnik (OLB, core special teamer), Marvin Mitchell (ILB) and Austin Spitler (ILB).

SECONDARY (9)

Cornerbacks: Vontae Davis (starter), Sean Smith (starter and backup safety), Benny Sapp (starting nickel), Nolan Carroll (backup boundary) and Jimmy Wilson (R – backup nickel).

Safety: Yeremiah Bell (starting SS), Chris Clemons (last year’s starting FS), Reshad Jones (FS & SS), Tyrone Culver (backup SS).

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)

Kicking crew: Punter Brandon Fields, kicker Dan Carpenter and long snapper John Denney

Returners: Clyde Gates, Davone Bess, Nolan Carroll and Reggie Bush

So, what are your impressions of the Dolphins’ first depth chart?

The end zone is the cloud nine for most football player, but the churn zone is purgatory on an NFL roster.

There’s no place worse for a player to be than the churn zone exiting training camp because it means his future’s in jeopardy.

Those in the churn zone are on the fringe of making the 53-man roster. That means one bad play in tonight’s preseason finale against the Dallas Cowboys could swing their fate one way or another.

Here’s a look at 20 players in the churn zone and what they need to do to extend their South Florida stay past Saturday, when teams must trim rosters to 53 players.

Secondary

SS Gerald Alexander: He’s been on the roster for less than a week, but the Dolphins do need to keep four safeties on the 53?

CB Will Allen: He’s started all but one game he’s played in the NFL, but this is the next stage of his career. Is this 11-year vet healthy enough to serve an a backup?

CB Nolan Carroll: Last year he was a promising rookie. This year he’s an underachiever who hasn’t taken the next step. But there’s still some upside.

SS Tyrone Culver: He brings more value as a special teamer than safety, but will his $1.25 million contract motivate a salary purge?

CB Nate Ness: He’s a solid cornerback who has worked his way up from the practice squad. He’s a strong special teams contributor, but is there really an upside?

Offensive line

C Joe Berger: He lost his starting spot to Mike Pouncey, and his $1.5 million salary might cost him his job if the Dolphins can find someone younger and cheaper.

OG Ray Feinga: This former practice squad member is one of the team’s better pulling guards. But his development might continue on the practice squad.

OG John Jerry: He’s gone from a disappointing rookie starter to the worst player on the second-team line. No other way to describe him but as a third-round bust.

OT Ray Willis: He’s sparingly played and practiced because of his father’s death, but hard to overlook six years of NFL experience (26 starts).

Offensive weapons

RB Larry Johnson: He’s old (31), comes with baggage, but does know how to effectively run some of Sparano’s favorite power running plays. Will this former Pro Bowler be given time to work the rust off?

WR Marlon Moore: Robert Wallace brings more to the table as a special teams player, but Moore’s caught five passes for 80 yards. Is that enough? Can the Dolphins keep six receivers?

TEs Mickey Shuler, Jeron Mastrud, Dedrick Epps: There’s nothing special about any of these three tight ends, but the Dolphins have to keep someone to backup Anthony Fasano.

FB Lousaka Polite: He’s a one dimensional fullback who has lost his starting spot to rookie Charles Clay. Can the Dolphins afford to keep a backup at an outdated position?

Linebackers

ILB Marvin Mitchell: The Dolphins need four interior lineman, and Mitchell is a decent backup, and solid core special teamer.

ILB Austin Spitler: Spitler, a 2010 seventh-round pick, survived last season because A.J. Edds was injured, and he was a solid special teamer. Is there more?

Defensive line

DE Ryan Baker: He’s stuck on the roster the past two season because of the versatility he brings. But Dolphins might be tempted to poach and test out other waived players.

NT Ronald Fields: The Dolphins don’t really need a backup nose tackle because of Randy Starks. It’s not like Fields has been impressive.

DE Phillip Merling: He’s a solid 3-4 defensive end, and those are hard to find. The Dolphins will likely keep eight defensive linemen on the 53, and he should make the cut if he’s not traded.

okelly@tribune.com Follow him at twitter.com/omarkelly.