Les

Brown

Despite a successful high school football career in Utah, Brown chose basketball upon graduating in 2006, attending NAIA Westminster College. He had an undistinguished basketball career, and spent the past two years working for Huntsman Gay Global Capital before deciding to give football a shot. Allowed to participate in the BYU Pro Day (two of his brothers are members of the team), Brown impressed with a 4.44 40, 39-inch vertical, and 10-foot-3 broad jump at 6-foot-4, 238. Brown is an interesting story, but hasn’t played a snap of football since 2005 and faces extremely long odds to make the Dolphins.

A change in offensive philosophy is hardly a surprise after a coaching change and Brandon Marshall trade. That said, Miami already ranked ninth in two-tight end sets in 2011, and new coach Joe Philbin’s Packers ranked 15th. An underwhelming quarterback and receiver situation may explain the plan to lean heavier on tight ends. Anthony Fasano and Charles Clay won’t have trouble finding snaps.

Offensive coordinator Mike Sherman told Clay he “wasn’t doing his job,” and proceeded to lecture rookie TE Michael Egnew in a team meeting. Clay later redeemed himself with a touchdown in the preseason opener. Undrafted TE Les Brown is still struggling with blocking, and likely ticketed for the practice squad.

One of the focuses of Hard Knocks, Brown has an intriguing skill-set, but was simply overmatched as a blocker after spending nearly six years out of football. The Dolphins also waived/released CB Jonathan Wade, DT Chas Alecxih, CB Marcus Brown, SS Tyrell Johnson, CB Trenton Hughes, LB Josh Linam and DE Jacquies Smith. Johnson was the No. 43 pick of the 2008 draft. RB Jonas Gray was placed on the reserve/NFI list.

Brown was one of the stars of Hard Knocks while in training camp with the Dolphins last summer. The guy showed an intriguing skill-set, but found himself lying on his back too much when asked to block.