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Three Up and Three Down: Talking storylines

It's Thursday - meaning it's time to once again go "three up and three down."  For this week's installment, I wanted to talk about story lines.  In particular, let's look at which story lines are most interesting heading into training camp and which have been or will be the most annoying.

Check out my list below and then be sure to share your thoughts below.

THREE STORY LINES I'M MOST INTERESTED IN

1. How quickly the rookie cornerbacks rise up the depth chart
Early offseason reports indicated that Sean Smith was really impressing the media - when they got to attend practices, of course.  His combination of size, speed, and athleticism has really translated well on the field during minicamps and OTAs.  But there's also no contact during these practices.  It'll be interesting to see how Smith performs once the hitting goes live.

On the other hand, there haven't been many reports at all (good or bad) about Vontae Davis - the team's first round pick.  But Vontae is a very physical corner, which likely means his chance to shine will come once the pads go on.

Meanwhile, Eric Green - the veteran who is competing for either the starting job or the nickelback spot - has been getting burnt left and right during offseason practices.  So just how long will Green remain towards the top of the depth chart with two talented rookies breathing down his neck?

2. How Jason Taylor is utilized in Paul Pasqualoni's defense
The return of Jason Taylor has excited Dolphin fans across the nation.  He's an icon in South Florida and I'm confident that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank.  But now the question will become how Taylor will be used.  The last time Taylor played in the same defense with Joey Porter, neither really played up to their potential.  They are similar players who play basically the same position.  And Dom Capers never could seem to find a way to get the most out of both Taylor and Porter in 2007.  Taylor will also be 35 years old in September and it's likely that the Dolphins will limit the number of snaps Taylor sees.  Training camp will be the first time we really get to see Paul P's plans for using Porter and Taylor together - as well as newcomer Cameron Wake.

3. Chad Henne's development
We are all pretty sure that - as of now - Chad Henne is this team's future quarterback.  And it's widely believed that Henne will take over by 2010 (though I'm not as sold on that as some).  We know that Tony Sparano made it a point to tell the media he plans on getting Henne as much work as he possibly can during camp and, more importantly, during preseason games.  How Henne performs in those games will be watched very closely - perhaps too closely.  But expectations are high for Henne - and with good reason, until proven otherwise.

Star-divide

THREE STORY LINES I AM OR WILL BECOME TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT

1. Pat White's inconsistency
All offseason long, we've read in the various practice reports that rookie QB Pat White has been erratic throwing the football.  Most often, we've read reports of his throws being too high.  Generally, high passes are a sign of "over-throwing."  Could it be that White has been too pumped up and is pressing to impress his new team?  It's feasible.  But let's not freak out over this.  White completed 64.7% of his passes at West Virginia.  And you don't just lose your accuracy overnight.

2. The "quarterback controversy"
You'll notice that I put this one in quotes.  Why?  Because there is no quarterback controversy.  Chad Pennington is this team's starting quarterback.  Period.  Now there's a small quarterback competition - meaning of Henne completely outplays Pennington in camp, there could be an early hook for Pennington.  But I'm not counting on that.  I know a lot of you are just dying to see Henne start in the regular season.  But let's not create a controversy that doesn't exist.

3. Brett Favre
No - this one isn't exactly related to the Dolphins.  But it's going to be insanely annoying having to hear the "will he or won't he" talk continue until Favre makes up his damn mind.  Even worse, if Favre does come back and go to Minnesota, we'll have to hear play-by-play from the media about every little thing Brett does.  "Brett Favre just put on his Wranglers, took some Prilosec, and applied some Sensodyne so he could drink some milk."  Guess what?  I don't care - and unless you're a Vikings fan, you probably don't care, either!

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You are up late Matty!

And I promise to not start the Vick line again here. lol

That has been one heck of a “mad dog” stream, river, heck ocean! Bunch of pitbulls going at each other!

by PhinsTifosi on Jul 2, 2009 12:37 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Where does the o-line development

and particularly the run Offense with Grove fall out?

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Jul 2, 2009 12:38 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

backed & blacked

where does PTR stand?!

"check that...the 29th of Feb. this year.....why is that the record day for hits? Did Matty have the Kim Kardashian sex tape or something?"
-Treat
"yes he did. and Jersquall recut it to look like Marino was boning her."
-Treasure

by chrislucas on Jul 2, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

No kidding

Brett Favre has been milking the publicity cow for so long now that the udder has fallen off…

The Player's Commenter

by ocelotfox on Jul 2, 2009 3:37 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I like looking at his wife too....

64 "Phinsider Fued" Points..!!
"What's the point of getting in a sword fight with a guy you can run away from?" - Chris Doleman

by Alpha6 on Jul 2, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

ewww

bitch looks like lil wayne

"check that...the 29th of Feb. this year.....why is that the record day for hits? Did Matty have the Kim Kardashian sex tape or something?"
-Treat
"yes he did. and Jersquall recut it to look like Marino was boning her."
-Treasure

by chrislucas on Jul 2, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

LLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!

64 "Phinsider Fued" Points..!!
"What's the point of getting in a sword fight with a guy you can run away from?" - Chris Doleman

by Alpha6 on Jul 2, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

pass it on to brett

fight me favre

"check that...the 29th of Feb. this year.....why is that the record day for hits? Did Matty have the Kim Kardashian sex tape or something?"
-Treat
"yes he did. and Jersquall recut it to look like Marino was boning her."
-Treasure

by chrislucas on Jul 2, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

lol

ownedd

Laces out!

-2008 AFC East Champions-
Suck it Pats, Bills and most of all... the god damn jets.

Supporter of the Bash Brothers- Wilson and Bell.

by BSerious72 on Jul 2, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Certainly the best thing he delivered for the Packers - and, remember...

The best thing Favre delivered for your team was Chad Pennington – on a silver platter (as well as the downgrade in New York).

The glass is more than half-full.

by NorthStarr on Jul 5, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed.

Tracking the Fins from Rio de Janeiro, the "Cidade Maravilhosa"

by FinsFromBrazil on Jul 8, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pat White's Accuracy

I agree that there’s no reason to freak out until we have a look at White in some real action, but his accuracy in college doesn’t really mean much anymore. Alex Smith had a 66.3% completion rate in college. In the NFL? 54.4%. Meanwhile, Michael Vick’s rate sucked both places. So, based on that admittedly small sample, college completion rates may not be a very good predictor of accuracy in the NFL.

by Akilles13 on Jul 2, 2009 1:04 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

The Gloves

I also wonder if the fact that up to the OTA’s he wore gloves and they asked him to try and go without them is taking some getting used to. being a WVU fan for nearly 20 yrs you could call me biased but I noticed a difference in Pat ths past year with the gloves on. So it might just be an adjustment he has to get used to or the coaching staff has to accept him wearing gloves. Either way this year will be interesting.

by dupont85 on Jul 2, 2009 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

How quickly everyone forgets that Chad Henne was quite erratic around this time in 2008.

Not as erratic as Beck, but erratic enough that the FO snapped up a starting QB from FA, even with 3 QBs already on the depth chart.

Driver of the Trade-Ronnie-Brown Bandwagon.

by joel311 on Jul 2, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Also interested to see if Hartline or Turner supplant Camarillo, Bess or Ginn as starter at WR.

"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me."
-Hunter S. Thompson

by Daren on Jul 2, 2009 1:07 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I agree

I’m more interested to know how the WR depth chart is shaping up, than how JT will be used on defense. My guess is he’ll play both DE and OLB. Which I might remind ya, is what he did when he won Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 in Saban’s 3-4/4-3 hybrid defense. It also allows them to pick and choose where he lines up to create better mismatches. As for the QB controversy, there is none this year, but if Pennington has a good year. That’s going to be the hot topic next year.

by luvs2drnk on Jul 2, 2009 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

QB talk: my impression

The more I see this over time, the more it becomes clear… Unless you get a QB on the field, for a reasonoble number of games (6-12), you can’t say anything about him… several examples… Beck shined in 2007 camp. I remember the media talking wonders about his deep ball… We know how that ended up.

Brian Brohm… the media raved about him… struggling to keep the #2 job.

Given the repeated frustration we had at that position, I assume the QB is a bust, unless proven otherwise. I had high hopes for Beck, watched his clips, etc… I gave up. Therefore, to me, “Chad Henne is a joke” unless he steps into the field and delivers…

Thank God for Pennington.

Tracking the Fins from Rio de Janeiro, the "Cidade Maravilhosa"

by FinsFromBrazil on Jul 2, 2009 9:22 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

releasing beck = biggest mistake

I believe in John Beck and that Cbdolphin is the man. I'll make you proud LCFF
Official Leader of the Trade for Kenny Britt Bandwagon
Longest Sig In the History of Phinsider belongs to Me. 53 Lines in Total.
Check it out.Front Paged - Class of 08. and 09.
Finsx-LOL-Chart by KCsince88

by finsxfactor on Jul 2, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

releasing duck= epic win

*beck

"check that...the 29th of Feb. this year.....why is that the record day for hits? Did Matty have the Kim Kardashian sex tape or something?"
-Treat
"yes he did. and Jersquall recut it to look like Marino was boning her."
-Treasure

by chrislucas on Jul 2, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I Agree

He is gonna be a beast on the field

Miami Dolphins Are SuperBowl Bound. Why Not Us?

by EverybodyLovesDolphins on Jul 2, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Same here.

I was very excited when I heard we signed him.

Driver of the Trade-Ronnie-Brown Bandwagon.

by joel311 on Jul 2, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Get Eric Green out of here period

Winner Of The 2009 Phinsider Predict The Pick Contest

by Foy on Jul 2, 2009 10:41 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Why?

He is out of shape from losing a family member, missing workouts, and sitting all of last season. Give him another month on The Phins conditioning program, and he’ll be whipped back into shape. Then, and only then, can we accurately judge Eric Green.

Driver of the Trade-Ronnie-Brown Bandwagon.

by joel311 on Jul 2, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

whos Jayson Taylor?

Laces out!

-2008 AFC East Champions-
Suck it Pats, Bills and most of all... the god damn jets.

Supporter of the Bash Brothers- Wilson and Bell.

by BSerious72 on Jul 2, 2009 10:59 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Nit picker.....

64 "Phinsider Fued" Points..!!
"What's the point of getting in a sword fight with a guy you can run away from?" - Chris Doleman

by Alpha6 on Jul 2, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Grammar error.
  1. (Brett Favre)…everything little thing…every little thing?..just saying.

by Cokes_03 on Jul 2, 2009 12:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

No need for a "just saying",

Matty likes when you point out his mistakes in my experience. Otherwise, he wouldn’t know to fix them :P

Driver of the Trade-Ronnie-Brown Bandwagon.

by joel311 on Jul 2, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good write up Matty,

I’m with you on all accounts.

Driver of the Trade-Ronnie-Brown Bandwagon.

by joel311 on Jul 2, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

the new players im most interested in

is pat white (his utilization)

and

patrick turner, not just because lambo said it, but because he’s huge and if he can be this dominant in pre-season and translate it to the field…golly gee that’ll be fine and dandy

I believe in John Beck and that Cbdolphin is the man. I'll make you proud LCFF
Official Leader of the Trade for Kenny Britt Bandwagon
Longest Sig In the History of Phinsider belongs to Me. 53 Lines in Total.
Check it out.Front Paged - Class of 08. and 09.
Finsx-LOL-Chart by KCsince88

by finsxfactor on Jul 2, 2009 12:38 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

HAWT DAWG THAT TURNER FELLA

is going to be the redzone threat we need, fo shooo

"check that...the 29th of Feb. this year.....why is that the record day for hits? Did Matty have the Kim Kardashian sex tape or something?"
-Treat
"yes he did. and Jersquall recut it to look like Marino was boning her."
-Treasure

by chrislucas on Jul 2, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

then after a 15 td season! We can trade him for BRITT!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I believe in John Beck and that Cbdolphin is the man. I'll make you proud LCFF
Official Leader of the Trade for Kenny Britt Bandwagon
Longest Sig In the History of Phinsider belongs to Me. 53 Lines in Total.
Check it out.Front Paged - Class of 08. and 09.
Finsx-LOL-Chart by KCsince88

by finsxfactor on Jul 2, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i'll be damned if a dirty scarlet knight is on my team

luljk

"check that...the 29th of Feb. this year.....why is that the record day for hits? Did Matty have the Kim Kardashian sex tape or something?"
-Treat
"yes he did. and Jersquall recut it to look like Marino was boning her."
-Treasure

by chrislucas on Jul 2, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

the only city in the world is Miami, all others are jes imitators

born & raised in the county of Dade. 305 take it to da houseee

"check that...the 29th of Feb. this year.....why is that the record day for hits? Did Matty have the Kim Kardashian sex tape or something?"
-Treat
"yes he did. and Jersquall recut it to look like Marino was boning her."
-Treasure

by chrislucas on Jul 2, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i recognize that Miami is the greatest city in the US of A!

smoke dat!

"check that...the 29th of Feb. this year.....why is that the record day for hits? Did Matty have the Kim Kardashian sex tape or something?"
-Treat
"yes he did. and Jersquall recut it to look like Marino was boning her."
-Treasure

by chrislucas on Jul 2, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'll recognize.........

the fact that nathan jones probably gets cut this offseason, lol

Official Leader of the "Bring Back Zach Thomas!!" Foundation

by Dragon27az on Jul 2, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed

Matty, great post. As always, you make the offseason and my lunchtime go by just that much faster. I am definitely interested in the CB competition most of all. Like you, I was raving to everyone pre-draft about how high Sean Smith’s potential ceiling really is. I live in AZ and let me tell you that Eric Green has been getting burned as far back as I can recall, not just last year on account of his kid. I mean really, who likes to blame their shortcomings on a family members death? Correct me if I am wrong, but didnt Tony Dungy’s son die the season before they won the SB?? Just saying. I mean, we could have had Bodden for less than Green was paid….and he is twice the player that Green could even hope to be.

by Dragon27az on Jul 2, 2009 2:44 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Another great post Matty

And, I agree with you about Favre. JUST SHUT UP ABOUT IT!

And, on the QBs, I still don’t know why everyone wants us to play Henne. We have a QB who has shown great ability to lead this team, to win with this team, and to get us to the playoffs. Now, if he doesn’t perform or gets hurt, I’ll be behind Henne, but until proven otherwise, why take out the proven comodity?

What happened when we rushed Beck into the starting lineup too early? Why can’t we let Henne develop and learn?

****Keeper of the Phinsider Goo Cannon****
Phinsider's 2008 Jake Long Rookie Blogger of the Year and Zach Thomas Leadership Award Winner
I have 19 Phinsider Feud Points
"I like to think of myself as a historian" -FinsX

by Mosul_DolFan on Jul 2, 2009 5:37 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Henne and Beck are apples and oranges.

Henne has already had a full season to learn under Pennington. Plus, Henne had first team reps. Henne is prepared, Beck was not.

Driver of the Trade-Ronnie-Brown Bandwagon.

by joel311 on Jul 5, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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