Phin Phanatic
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Miami Dolphins Labor Day moves bring more questions

By Brian Miller

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 30: John Wolford #9 of the New York Jets passes the ball while Travis Swanson #64 blocks in the second quarter during the preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on August 30, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Jets 10-9. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 30: John Wolford #9 of the New York Jets passes the ball while Travis Swanson #64 blocks in the second quarter during the preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on August 30, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Jets 10-9. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The Miami Dolphins labored through Labor Day making several moves ahead of the Titans game on Sunday. They only added more questions.

On Monday the Miami Dolphins made some more moves with their roster as they added a player and dropped another but are these moves good for the Dolphins long-term? Perhaps but that hasn’t stopped some from questioning the rational behind them.

Added to the roster is center Travis Swanson a five-year vet who played this off-season with the Jets but previously played with the Lions since 2014. The former 3rd round pick has starting experience having started 42 of 53 games and 37 the last three seasons.

Swanson reportedly has drawn interest from the Dolphins in the past but he signed as a free agent with the Jets this past off-season but was part of the teams final cuts on Saturday. The move makes sense given the placement of Jake Brendel on IR.

While the move for Swanson made sense the other two moves have drawn some questions. Sam Young was released on Sunday but on Monday he was re-signed. Many believed that the Dolphins would wait until after the first week to bring Young back. Veterans who are on teams rosters opening day have their contracts for the season guaranteed. Perhaps Miami realized that they were a little thin along the offensive line. They now have nine offensive lineman.

To make room for the lineman, Miami opted to release talented safety Maurice Smith.  A move that had many fans questioning the move on social media Monday. Smith has a lot of talent but was somewhat buried behind Reshad Jones, T.J. McDonald, and rookie Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Dolphins will carry, for now, three safeties into the season.

Smith must now pass through waivers and if he does will probably be brought back either as part of the 53 man roster or the practice squad. Clearly the Dolphins are not content with the bottom portion of the roster. They added 10 to their practice squad on Sunday, all of whom spent time with the team through training camp and pre-season.

Miami will open the 2018 regular season at home against the Titans on Sunday.

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