With the Miami Dolphin's 10-7 win over the New Orleans Saints , the preseason has come to a close. Part of the game was used to evaluate the "bubble" players and part of it was used to prepare the first team for the regular season. While the game was better than last week's, it did not show a team 100% ready for the regular season.

The highlight of the game and maybe the preseason was a first quarter one-handed interception in the end zone. From the 31 yard line, New Orleans QB Burnell threw a long pass for the end zone to receiver Courtney Roby. Perhaps the veteran Burnell, entering his 17th season in the NFL, though he could take advantage of the young rookie cornerback, Sean Smith, that was covering Roby. If so, Brunell was mistaken.

Smith reached up and behind him, grabbed the tip of the ball with his fingertips stopping it in midair. He pulled the ball in with one hand and tap-danced next to the chalk in the end zone before stepping out. Smith then spread his arms wide as if to take a bow for the incredible catch. He deserved a standing ovation from Dolfans for the int, his second of the preseason. Mr. Smith, welcome to the starting lineup, you've earned it.

But that was preseason, soon to be forgotten. Specifically, it will be completely forgotten in 10 days. Until then we can worry about what we saw or didn't see in the preseason. Small things will be turned into "terribly important tendencies". Big things will be glossed over because they are obvious. What exactly are the little things versus the big things will be good topics for arguments. Lots and lots of hand wringing and band-wagon jumping to do in the next 10 days.

Before I delete these games from my memory to make room for the regular season, here are some of my thoughts, big and little, about this preseason:

** The most important thing is there were no significant injuries to the Dolphins this preseason. Vontae Davis did leave the game during the first half with ice on his knee. The injury did not look serious but Davis will have an MRI tomorrow. Hopefully it is nothing as Vontae and his knee will be needed as others are reporting he will be used extensively in the nickel package.

** If your team is weak in a position and you want to fill it through the draft, then draft 2 guys for the same position. And pick up a free agent or two. Seems to work for the Trifecta. The new guys will all push each other and compete against each other and probably learn the system faster than if only one person was brought in to bolster the position. Hopefully one of the guys will prove himself. Murphy and Thomas, Hartline and Turner, Taylor and Wake, Davis and Smith and Green, Henne and McCown, etc.

** Parcells and company are good at finding unexpected gems in the draft, a key ingredient in building a team that wins year after year.

** Kick returner anyone? Anyone? Also, the special teams unit worries me. They gave up too much "chunky" return yardage this preseason, including a 55 yard punt return for a TD. I'll be doing a lot of hand wringing and gnashing of teeth over the quality of the special teams unit until they prove otherwise. I heard on the radio that once the final roster is set the special teams will start to gel. Gel quickly, guys.

** Will Camarillo, Bess or Hartline start opposite of Ginn? I'm guessing Camarillo. He has made a couple of nice sideline catches, looks fine with the repaired knee and Pennington is comfortable with him. Hartline looked real good for a rookie but he's still a rookie. Bess may be used as a slot receiver, quietly catching a lot of 3rd down and short yardage balls while opposing defenses focus on Ginn, Camarillo and Hartline. Whoever is the starter will probably be immaterial as all three will get significant opportunities this season.

** Where were the tight ends? I kept expecting them to be taken out for a test drive in one of the games this preseason but they never were. Their lack of receiving could be for a number of reasons including: the Dolphins are comfortable with what they have in Fasano and Martin so the Haynos vs Nabone battle is decided but somewhat immaterial in the big picture; 2] The tight ends will be used more for blocking this season than receiving, so have them block in preseason; 3] The tight ends will be featured targets for Pennington just like last year only Sparano wants other teams to not think/game plan for them too much; and the most likely reason 4] The decisions at receiver were tougher than at tight end so the receivers needed to be the focus of more plays this preseason.

** The offensive line didn't get much of a push and often didn't play well together. They better get their act together because keeping the offense on the field and all of those high-powered opposing QBs and receivers off the field will be one of the keys to a successful season. The fewer drives our opponents have, the more time we can take of the clock with a solid running game, the better and better our chances of making the playoffs.

** The defense gave up some yardage here and there, some of it "chunky" but not many points - only 9.8 per game - and allowed only 2 rushing touchdowns and no passing touchdowns this preseason. I think they will be solid. The pass rushing looked great. Having Jason and Joey in the game gives the Dolphins more options. I expect a lot of blitzes this year. The run defense was good but I wish Matt Roth woke up tomorrow with a pain-free groin because I think the Dolphins will need him. But he'll probably be PUP'd by the time I get around to posting this.

** The Dolphins defense tied for 4th in the league for points/game and ranked 3rd in yards/game (261.8), yards/play (4.3), and 3rd down % (29%). The stats were good for preseason but unrealistic to expect during the regular season. But they do show some depth in the defense in that the seconds and thirds were better than the other teams seconds and thirds. I also believe our firsts play longer in games than other teams firsts, which would help the stats. If they can perform as well in the regular season - being in the top 5 in those categories - the Dolphins will go far. The defense will dominate and keep the offense in the game, much like last year’s SuperBowl winner.

** Pennington is throwing the ball with more zip. This off-season it looks like he bought into the "bigger, faster, stronger" phrase I've heard other players use during post-game interviews. I expect him to improve on his fine performance of last year by getting "bigger chunks", as Sparano puts it, and to maintain his accuracy, his ability to manage the game and lead the offense, and to not commit turnovers.

** On a related note, if at any time during the years between when Marino retired and last year the Dolphins had been offered a QB that would lead the league passing %, be second in QB rating, throw only 7 ints in a year, be a great leader and mentor, did not have a particularly strong arm but still would throw more 20 and 40 yard passes than the QB that won the SuperBowl, would you have taken him? Yes, in a heartbeat, or more aptly, a New York minute. The Dolphins were offered and they did accept. The result was the first time they won the division since 2000. So don't start in on the Pennington-bashing until proven otherwise and thank Brett every Sunday for un-retiring last year. But I digress.

** For Pat White to be effective in the Wildcat, he needs to be seen as a passing threat by the opposing defenses this season. I haven't seen that this preseason. I'm guessing the Dolphins brain trust are designing packages to get him out of the pocket where he can be effective either by running or by throwing short passes while on the move. If they can do that they will get opposing defensive coordinators to take away valuable game-planning time to account for him and any other wrinkles the Dolphins decide to surprise us with.

** I wish Henne shined more in the preseason. I would have liked to have seen him come into a game for a quarter now and then during the regular season. Not because Pennington was doing poorly but because things were going well and it would be good to give him some regular season experience. And also to screw with opposing defensive coordinators who would now have to game plan for 3 quarterbacks and 1 running back when they played the Dolphins.

** With the extension of Ricky Williams' contract and Cobbs signed through the 2010 season, the Dolphins are preparing for the possibility of parting ways with Ronnie Brown next year.

Now for a couple of silly thoughts:

** Wouldn't it be fun if the Dolphins were secretly working on a spread wildcat offense under the bubble this training camp? I'd like to see 4 or 5 of the following on the field at the same time: Camarillo, Bess, Hartline, White, Ginn and Brown. And sometimes Pennington. Or Henne. Imagine the possibilities. Could be fun to watch or a complete train wreck.

** And finally the silliest thought of all. I'm NOT for this trade but it makes good fodder for discussion: A straight up trade of Ronnie Brown and Patrick Turner/Greg Camarillo for WR Brandon Marshall and RB Knowshon Moreno [the 12th pick this year's draft] of the Denver Broncos.

Goodbye preseason. It's almost been real.