FanHouse DrewMormino

The Miami Dolphins waived offensive lineman Drew Mormino after he failed a physical. Mormino, a sixth round pick last year, spent all of the 2007 season on Injured Reserve with a torn labrum.

One thing it means ... according to The Phinsider ... that #1 overall pick Jake Long will be able to wear jersey #77. Long wore that number at Michigan; Mormino was assigned that number with the Dolphins.

It also means that the Dolphins will have a very, very, very young offensive line. Long, a rookie, will be planted in as the left tackle. Fourth round pick Shawn Murphy could be the starting right guard. Next to him is center Samson Satele -- a second year player. Sixth round pick Donald Thomas could fight Murphy for a starting gig or, at least, figure in as a backup on the interior of the line. Second year player Ikechuku Ndukwe could factor in as well.

Expect Miami to take a gander at a veteran free agent before camp starts in July.

Training camp is finally here and FanHouse breaks down the most important position battles heading into the season, team by team.

The Dolphins are retooling their entire offensive line, pretty much cutting and pasting together something and hoping it works. That's key when your quarterback is coming off a lost season due to a concussion and your featured running back with be very featured this season.

So the left guard spot will be one to watch. Right now, it seems to be a battle between veteran Chris Liwienski and rookie Drew Mormino. Liwienski [who was signed as a free agent after one year in Arizona] was a steady starter in Minnesota where he blocked for the likes of .... Daunte Culpepper. That ain't the only coincidence. Phins' head coach, Cam Cameron, was Liwienski's college head coach at Indiana. So there are two good vibes toward him getting the starting gig.

However, Liwienski is just a stop gap. He signed for just one season, and Mormino [who signed for four years] could have a productive future ahead. Mormino can play center or guard and was part of a very good offensive line at Central Michigan ... which gives him value. So it is a matter of now vs the future.

I'd lean toward Liwienski getting the starting gig. He's experienced, bigger and seemingly more reliable right now. Putting Mormino on the line could mean the Dolphins would start two rooks there [fellow rookie Samson Satele could be the starting right guard]. But with a fragle Trent Green behind them, Cameron will use whomever can get the job donw.

Training camp battles: See them all