Tony Sparano no longer a ghost

by Matty I on Apr 2, 2008 12:03 AM EDT in 2012 Miami Dolphins News

As we all know by now, this new regime in Miami is very tight-lipped. And new head coach Tony Sparano isn't an easy guy to get a hold of. So it's big news when he is made available, which he was on Tuesday morning at the Owners Meetings during the "AFC Coaches Breakfast." Though we weren't told what exactly Tony was eating, (I wouldn't be surprised if he was enjoying some rusty nails for breakfast...the dude is tough), he did supply us with some opinions. Below are some of the highlights:

ANTI-CAM
Let's start out with this nugget, courtesy of Ethan Skolnick. Skolnick says of Sparano:

...Straight talker, tough talker. No talking in circles. No surprises there. He's the anti-Cameron.

...Best line? When asked if he had soft spots for small college players, because of his history at New Haven, he said: "I have very few soft spots."

...He said he planned to be involved in every phase, even if it requires staying at the office past 1 a.m.

...On the roster composition: "It may not be the best 53. It will be the right 53."

...Again, he's harping on competition at every spot. "At some point, every player on our team, no matter who they are, will have to show me."

So, basically, Sparano is a big fan of Herb Brooks, who said when assembling the 1980 U.S. hockey team, "I'm not looking for the best players. I'm looking for the right ones." Personally, I love that attitude.

But more importantly, what jumps out is the huge difference between Sparano and Cam Cam. Sparano is a no-nonsense guy who is going to work hard. I think back to his introductory press conference, when Tony said he looks forward to challenges. He's here, and he's in it for the long haul. I'm excited more and more every time I hear the man speak. And I think having Sparano leading the practices will make even the mini-camps much more interesting.

Clearly, Tony Sparano has the right mindset and right work ethic to turn this franchise around. But we all still need to withhold our enthusiasm until we get to see how he handles himself on gamedays. Keep in mind that he's a first time head coach, and with that comes the potential for game management mistakes. I just hope the fans give him the time he'll need to really thrive.

PLAYER TIDBITS
Below are some of what Sparano had to say in regards to the players currently on the roster, taken from Armando Salguero's blog:

Ronnie Brown, recovering from a torn ACL, is expected back by training camp. On if Ronnie will be ready for training camp:

"We'll see how the thing goes right now but I think in our minds Ronnie should be ready for training camp," Sparano said.

Good news for now. But we've been burned before my knee injuries, so I'll believe it when I see it. and just having Ronnie back on the field by camp doesn't mean he'll be as great as he was last year before the injury. So I'm holding off on my excitement until I get to see him run with my own two eyes.

Sparano admitted the team has no starting RT right now. He said the team has Vernon Carey penciled in at LT and Drew Mormino at LG. Yikes!

Yikes? I'm not at all against Drew Mormino coming in here and competing for the starting left guard job. He's had just about the past year to bulk up a bit and get stronger, something he needed to do to play at this level. Sparano is a former offensive line coach and I'm confident that if Mormino has to be the starter at LG, he'll be able to play effectively. As for right tackle, I'd be betting on a rookie (probably taken in round 2) to be the guy who starts come opening day.

He said Lorenzo Booker "jumps off the film," when he studies the player. He said Ted Ginn and Derek Hagan are having a great offseason and added that Ginn "has great ability," and is improving his route-running.

That's one thing I've been wondering about, so it's good to hear that Sparano seems to have a plan for Lorenzo Booker, or LoBo (as he's become affectionately known as). He's got "game-breaker" potential and I'm very interested in seeing how he is used by this regime. I think training camp will give us our first clue at his potential role for the 2008 season.

As for Ginn, I'll admit that I was one of those who questioned his pick on draft day (one of the many, I might add). But since seeing him play, I'm a big fan of his. I think he has the ability to become a legit #1 receiver, something this team hasn't had in years. And don't tell me Chris Chambers was. He had the talent to be, but he disappeared too often and dropped too many passes on critical downs to be a true #1 receiver. Teddy, on the other hand, seems to have terrific hands. If he has improved his route running, as Tony leads us to believe, then he'll be a very key player for this offense for years to come.

That's all for now. I suggest heading over to Armando's post to read the other tidbits from Sparano. There's a lot of good info in there.

Thoughts below...

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Comments

I've got to say...

I like this Matty better than the Matt Ryan praising Matty ;) I'm not so much worried about the G position as I am about the other OT spot--whichever one Carey isn't at, since serviceable OGs can usually been had. But I am right there with you on Ginn. I hated the pick, but I've definitely come to warm up to him (sans the family)

by bassman on Apr 2, 2008 12:18 AM EDT reply actions

lol

well don't worry because the "Matt Ryan loving Matty" won't be coming around here very often...if at all.

I agree that guards are much easier to find. As for the tackle spot, I think it's safe to assume that a first day draft pick will be the starting tackle opposite of Carey.

by Matty I on Apr 2, 2008 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I think you're right about a lot of things, but...

Ted Ginn will not be a #1 WR talent.

If you watched him in his OSU games - and I mean whole games, not just his highlights - you'd see that he's just like Chris Chambers. Sure, he has the talent, but he, as you said, "disappeared too often and dropped too many passes on critical downs to be a true #1 receiver."

Now, hearing that his route running has improved does give me more confidence in him, because it was terrible before, but I'm really waiting to hear if his hands have improved.

by ratenxs on Apr 2, 2008 12:28 AM EDT reply actions

Hands

About Teddy's hands, sure he had some drops at Ohio State. But, off hand, I only remember Teddy dropping 1 ball last year. And he made some tough catches along the way.

by Matty I on Apr 2, 2008 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions

One other thing...

I'm not seeing any mention of Justin Smiley for the O-line... is it safe to assume he'll be the RG?

by ratenxs on Apr 2, 2008 12:32 AM EDT reply actions

yes

I'd say it is, barring any major surprise.

by Matty I on Apr 2, 2008 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

He'll probably anchor the right guard slot.

by Patssuck456 on Apr 2, 2008 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Last Year's "He gives us the best chance...

to win"...is this year's "I'm not looking for the best players. I'm looking for the right ones."

Ok, I couldn't resist.

Sounds all well and good, but I'll reserve my judgment until I see the product on the field. Been thru too many rebuildings in the last few years to believe any of them until they're near finished.

by dab415217 on Apr 2, 2008 12:42 AM EDT reply actions

Fair enough... but this off season already looks

better than last year. I remember waiting for free agency last year, and then being completely floored that the only moves were Porter and Green (neither of which I was big on).

by LeftCoastFinFan on Apr 2, 2008 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Also....

Given the starting lineups of:

___-Smiley-Satele-Mormino-Carey
---RT------RG-----C------LT-----LG--
******LOS******
--------LE--------NT---------RE-----
-------Roth----Ferguson----Holliday-
LOLB------LMLB-----RMLB------ROLB---
Porter---Crowder---Torbor---Taylor--

Notice the BLANK.

Wouldn't it make a TON more sense to go with Jake Long instead of Chris Long? How much DE depth do we really need when we don't even have enough "depth" at O-line to put 5 starters on the field.

Like someone said somewhere (don't remember if it's here or one of the other blogs) I honestly think that if we pick up Jake Long, Beck is going to have a Derek Anderson type season.

Put it this way, if we draft Jake Long, I _will be drafting John Beck in my fantasy league.

by ratenxs on Apr 2, 2008 12:58 AM EDT reply actions

Bah

And that post is the poster child of why you should always preview before you post -.-;;

by ratenxs on Apr 2, 2008 12:59 AM EDT reply actions

agree ratenxs

def better fit, if we dont trade for Barry Sims like is being rumored. Or, keep in mind... I hear the draft is deep at OT, so we can get a guy almost as good as Long at hte bottom of the 1st.

Another thing.... anyone troubled by the fact that Sparano just "forgot" about Vonnie Holiday? shouldnt he know these things like the back of his hand by now?

by YatilGinnJr on Apr 2, 2008 1:14 AM EDT reply actions

lol

it was early in the morning. and for all we know, he could have been up to 1 am the previous night.

so i'll cut him some slack for now.

by Matty I on Apr 2, 2008 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed with Matty

Heck, I can't even begin to imagine the number of things a head coach has to deal with every day anyways.

I can barely remember all of my coworkers names, either, and I only have to work with about 50. How many you figure there are in a total NFL franchise?

by ratenxs on Apr 2, 2008 1:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Two things

yes, i am getting the feeling that they are thinking about leaving Carey at LT and drafting a RT later in the draft (Sparano said something about how the draft was deep at the position).

Second, I am thinking that the Holliday oversight should make people wonder about Matt Roth. So I know Sparano implied that Holliday would be in in place of Starks, but I would rather see Holliday, Ferguson, and Starks playing in a 3-4 lineup. Anyway, Holliday will probably be part of the rotation at DT in a 4-3 lineup and Starks will probably be in the NT rotation, so I am sure they will both play.

by LeftCoastFinFan on Apr 2, 2008 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Biggest difference between Cam-Cam and Tony S.

I think the front office and coaching staff will go a long way in determining how much more successful Sparano will be than Cam. Cameron had the incomparable Randy Mueller putting his team together, and the talent across the board on last year's team was nowhere near good. He also kept alot of coaches that were here under Saban and he may not have been as comfortable working with them as he would've been with his own hand-picked guys.

Sparano has the Godfather of Rebuilds, Bill Parcells, putting his team together, and so far I haven't seen a bad move by BP or his partner Jeff Ireland. They also cut loose just about the entire previous staff, and picked up guys that Sparano has worked with in the past and has a good report with. I think the reason this new regime will take this team to the top is because everybody involved is on the same page.

http://canemutiny.blogspot.com A fans view of Miami Hurricanes Football and Basketball

by Little Nicky 21 on Apr 2, 2008 1:41 AM EDT reply actions

add-on

also, Sparano is not a coordinator, and will not attempt to be a coordinator. He has an OC and a DC that he trusts and they will be able to work together putting O/D systems in and gameplanning. I always felt that last years coaching staff was never fully prepared or working in sync with each other. That won't be a problem this season

http://canemutiny.blogspot.com A fans view of Miami Hurricanes Football and Basketball

by Little Nicky 21 on Apr 2, 2008 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed on all points.

I'm convinced that Mueller was more at fault then Cam for last season. Cam just happens to be the scapegoat.

by ratenxs on Apr 2, 2008 1:46 AM EDT reply actions

There was enough fault to go around

They were both pretty much scapegoats because they both got axed. Well deserved axes however. Losing 6 games by 3 points or less pretty much comes down to coaching more or less, so Cam should still receive his share of the blame

http://canemutiny.blogspot.com A fans view of Miami Hurricanes Football and Basketball

by Little Nicky 21 on Apr 2, 2008 1:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Biggest mistake by Cammy...

was thinking that he could be both HC and OC. That's a challenge even for an experienced HC.

by New York Fins Fan on Apr 2, 2008 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions

He's totally different than Cam?

Yeah, they are different people but Cameron talked the same talk of having the right people... Cam and Sparano are different personalities but saying he " wants the right 53", is the same type of stuff the Cam was saying a year ago.

by marcu01 on Apr 2, 2008 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

I tend to agree that

a coaches' rhetoric alone, which is so common and really ubiquitous, is hardly a measure of the man.

cam cam as you recall was getting high praise from many on this blog for also, 'saying the right things' initially.

Yet having 'said the right things' - cam ran the team like a 3rd grade teacher, called bad games, was way over his head in terms of responsibility, botched clock management many times, and most fundamental of all, could not even get the players to respect him.

So I'll just pass on making any proclamations of Sprano's coaching ability until we play some actual games and see how the team responds.

by Natalya on Apr 2, 2008 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

tho i agree in principle,

cam never really had my respect, even saying all the right things, i was in 'wait and see, give it a chance' mode personally....in contrast tony has already earned my respect somewhat w/ his 'no bs' approach to things. i sincerely doubt we will be discussing any similarites between the two that are noteworthy a year from now. i know thats just a character assessment based, assumption kinda viewpoint, but tony makes me wanna suit up and get on a practice field [which is utterly ridiculous i'd get killed lol] point being, he seems very inspirational, and, most importantly, i dont 'sense fear' in him, thus i feel he's the kinda person that ppl will rally behind. i feel this is imperative to success, to inspire 'the troops', so to speak. [anyone seen the movie 300 lately? lol] tho only time will tell for certain, i can say personally that i NEVER got that kinda feeling offa cam... this year i FEEL good about things, and tho this is a real 'intangible' i believe it could make all the difference, just my 2 cents.

by Krab on Apr 2, 2008 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

imagine...

it being tony on the plane when the "argument" happened. instead of standing in the back like a lil biatch like cammy i can see tony standing up and laying the preverbial law down!! just a funny thought i came up with.

There will be changes here, there's no doubt about that ~BP~

by jwillis9 on Apr 2, 2008 2:55 PM EDT reply actions

Sparano's Q & A

Here is the link to watch and listen to the whole Q & A. Be prepared because it's quite long; over 30 minutes. He says alot also. One thing I might add is that he said several times how much he values someone who can play several positions and Vernon Carey's name came up in that context more than once. He mentioned moving Carey around to get the best out of him (Chemistry?!). So I wouldn't give up just yet on Jake being or not being the pick. At least thats what I took from his talk. If we draft a QB I don't think it will be in the early rounds going by what he said. Of course it maybe just more smoke and mirrors.

http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/flash_content.asp

by gafinfan on Apr 2, 2008 5:49 PM EDT reply actions