I’m still very happy to have this guy on the team. There is no question that the front office made the right decision because at that time coming off of a 1-15 season, we had nothing. No o/line no d/line, nothing! We were not in a position to take a gamble on a QB like that wtih nothing else around them. The fastest way to build a good team is to start with the O/line then move to defense. I learned that from my coach in pop warner in 1984
Now just because Jake is really good and he’s 6’7" 315 that does not mean that he’s perfect. These veteran DE’s are just as strong as he is. What I expect from Jake Long is to get in there and be a “professional” and work on that technique. He’ll do that I’m sure.

Good to hear you are inching closer to call for CP10’s benching… Because that’s the direction we as a football team HAVE to go at some point. CP10 helped us last year, and is being a great rolemodel and teacher for Henne and White, but the road with him doesn’t lead us anywhere…

Let’s just hope that when Henne steps in, he is what we hope for, because I am really skeptical about Pat White being our franchise QB.

And as for Long… he will get over it. He is a dedicated and a serious player, who should be able to shake it off, and continue to contribute for the team.

… until the Offense adjusts what’s needed, to what looked so promising…

That’s the good news! How much better we will see? I believe they will be good!

a little insight…
Atlanta is a much better team than the dolphins. Better qb, Better rb, Better Wr/te, better oline, better dline, better special teams.
Atlanta has a better foundation. Let’s be honest Michael Vick doesnt go to jail, Atlanta doesnt finish 4-12, dont get matt ryan. Atlanta were an average team when they got Ryan. Miami one of the worst franchises in the nfl. I’d take Jake Long again in a heartbeat, he’s already a top 10 LT
Miami had 4 turnovers, I’m willing to bet my house (prerecession value) that miami will not even get close to that number. Ronnie Brown will run the ball at least 20 times and ricky maybe 20 this week. Mark it.
Our defense looks sick. As the season I expect it to get even better. Of course there will be growing pains, but this team in their first game together shut down a top 5 rb and a top 5 wr.
Chad Pennington is OUR qb. He has finally given us stability at the position since jay fiedler yes jay fiedler.
Davon Bess is a stud already!
Ted Ginn is a bust. I just cant make myself cheer for him especially with that gay facemask he wear.
Just my insight…

http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/news/andycohen.asp?contentID=6643

I was leaning towards McDaniel to take the spot…now I’m having second thoughts.

There was clearly a defender within range of Stokley that could have broken up that play in a heartbeat. Because Stokley was more aware, he made the play.

then any team can, well not any but it can be done. We also learned that the Bills have improved but are the same old Bills when it comes to poor coaching.

Pennington starts as long as we have a chance at the postseason. If this isn’t the case by the 8 or 10 game mark, you have to go to Henne, to help determine whether or not he is the true QB of the future. If he is, great. If not, at least you know what you have to think about in the draft.

THE MIAMI WR CORP SUCKS! Tom Brady made a living against the Bills throwing short passes to OPEN WR’s. Where were the Phins open WR’s? Ginn, again, was a non-factor. Camarillo made a great catch, but he was covered like a blanket on that play. Hartline had to push off, and got caught, to make a catch. The only WR that worked in any space at all was Bess.

Pennington, for all that he lacks as a QB, can be somewhat effective if he can throw with timing. There is no timing on pass plays because the WR’s continue to get knocked off their routes and not creating separation. I will give the WR’s a little break because the field is so compressed because Pennington can’t throw deep, there is less space to work in. But they can also create more separation if they could get off a bump.

Atlanta’s defense sucks. But they did to the Phins what the Ravens did to them last year. The Falcons did to the Phins what the Bucs did to the Phins in preseason. Jam the WR’s, don’t allow a free release, jump the short routes because there is no deep threat, and be physical with Ginn. Until the Phins WR’s can beat a jam, and until there is a deep threat, this passing game will be stuck in neutral and will average a paltry 6 yds / attempt.

IS AN EXERCISE IN FUTILITY!!!

I have a hard time believing “the secret is out” on Jake Long. How does he go from making the Pro Bowl to being able to be beat with one move?? He a terrible game, it happens. How responds is when we will really learn about Long. This week’s test should give us some insight on that.

Merling really impressed me. He was all over the place- in a good way.

Also loved Ricky’s burst. With some blocking, he and Ronnie could go a long way with this year.

And the whole- CP10 vs Chad H debate… there shouldn’t be one. I know Henne has some sick physical tools, but when has he shown his ability to use those tools in regular season NFL game? He hasn’t. How quickly people forget that Chad P led this team to the playoffs last year. He’s not the future of this team, no, but he is the present. He gives the Fins the best chance to win right now.

for all you bandwagoners its time to GTFO.

anyway we learned that the OL must step up and earn that collective $150million

we learned that Merling shows up in a real game (practice? we talkin’ about practice?)

we learned that Greg Camarillo can sprout a 3rd hand out of his ass if need be,

we learned that you cant count on Buffalo worth a shit.

we learned that the Raiders are either good or the Norv Turner effect is really screwng up Sandiego/

D r gano play us like that all year round!!
Atlanta play a ravens type D againt us, because of CP10 deep ball question mark. But IF not 4 the TO’s we would have won that game.
We r gona be on our backs all year round and need to play with zero TO. The O line is gona be tested REALLY hard all year round. We better prepared 4 all type of blitz.
If the presure gets worse i said, put PW in there, if he doesnt C anything he could run 4 atleast 10 yards ; )

Well I agree with Matty on Fasano, I said this before the season got started, he never impressed me in the preseason, he needs to step it up, so important he was last year, he needs to secure the ball better and be a better play-maker, out receivers couldn’t do jack spit except for Bess, pathetic really. We can’t win on running game alone and it doesn’t help us any with line protection so poorly. No is only the first game, yes i’m sure the staff will make adjustments, but let’s remember that this season will proof to be alot tougher for us, strength of schedule alone. go Fins!!!

as Matty suggested, there are some things to take away from this game.

The turnovers for one, are not indicative of a lack of talent. We can, much as last year, be a team that doesn’t give away the football. Whatever the reason, in this game we just didn’t hold on to the ball and it made a big difference.

The offensive line play though is more worrisome in my mind. The sophomore slump was out in full effect sunday and it sure wasn’t hampering Matt Ryan. Jake Long really does need to step up and get his game where it needs to be. Though let’s be fair, the rest of the line was hardly spectacular either.

Nobody likes to see a receiver have a big day against us but I’m not quite as worried about Gonzo’s outing as c’mon, he’s only the best tight end….ever..

All in all though – a few plays go differently and we actually have a shot. Pat White connects with Ginn on the deep pass, Fasano doesn’t lose the ball at the Falcon’s 10 yard line.

1. Perhaps because of the 4-0 preseason, the OL and some others got comfortable. It happens. Period.
2. Some teams take longer to get going, and over the last many years. Miami is one of those teams.
3. It ain’t how you start, but how you finish.
4. Panic? Two years ago, they went 1-15, so Dolphins fans are supposed to panic because the team is 0-1 after going 11-5? Puh-leeeeaaze!
5. Guys! (and gals)…there are folks out there in the US including in South Florida who have been foreclosed on, have lost their jobs, must work part time to put food on table, are going on food stamps, have lost sons in Iraq and elsewhere, have children hit by drunk drivers (as a friend of ours did last week), and are afraid they will lose their health insurance and are trying to climb out of huge debt….and some of you here are whining about ONE STINKIN’ FOOTBALL GAME??? Who actually has a life here besides me?
6. Nor only did the Fins lose, so did the Titans, the Cardinals, the Bears, the Panthers, and other teams that for some weird reason have been rated higher than Miami this year. Like the Texans. I bet the “experts” are wondering now how they could get this so wrong. A little perspective is in order. Now we all expect Fins to do well this year, and I think they will even though Jake Long sucked and so did Fasano. But besides us, how many expect Miami to do well, more than 9-7? Very very few. Like I said. Miami lost a close one….Texans fans are probably going bonkers by now, getting clobbered by a rookie.
7. Matty had a really good write up. Thanks Matty.
8. The Trifecta, like BB and every other “football genius” out there, has made a mistake or two and will likely make a coupe more. Biggest mistake so far: putting Martin on IR. They will regret it, even if Fasano plays like we expect from now on.
9. Penne was fine…however, one of the “haters” made a good point: offenses are faster now and a QB must have a strong arm. Still, while Henne has a strong arm, he has looked slow in the pocket. I have a funny feeling if Henne was put in there at thsi point, Miami would have other problems they don’t have now with Penne’s “noodle arm”.
10. Simply, the Fins were NOT adequately “up” for the game despite what players might say. How do I know this? turnovers. Teams “ready to play” don’t turn it over, or only once. Four times for this team is ridiculous!
11. For the rest of the year, Sparano’s gonna have to live with Bono’s inability to get the special teams where they need to be. How much you wanna bet Bonomego is fired after this season?
12. There were too many positives (run D, Merling, Sean Smith, Chad’s play under lousy blocking and other hurried conditions, and the fact that the Fins were pretty much in the game until the end, and pass D other than the mighty Gonzo) for m eto think this seaosn is already a washout.
13. Just as he did last year before the game at NE, Sparano is going to light a fire under these guys this week if he hasn’t already, and they WILL beat the Colts. Jake Long has too much talent and smarts to let one game against an outstanding pass rusher with a lot more experience (Abraham) psych him out…I expect him to bounce back.
14. Do you really think Ronnie and few others with expiring contracts are gonna lay down again when they know they need to step it up for the gravy?
15. Do you really think the players love the idea of Sparano chewing them out like he is probably doing now, so much they’ll blow it against Manning and Company this coming Monday night?
16. They simply weren’t prepared. They will be for the Colts.
17. Don’t forget, this team is still rebuilding. We all know they ain’t there yet.

was responsible for the Fasano fumble because he “locked on” need to recheck their facts. Fasano had the ball for several steps before getting hit.

After watching the game twice, you really can’t blame Penne on this game save for the 1 pick. I would like to see any QB stretch the field w/ a 3 step drop and someone in their face. This O-Line (which I’ve been so proud about having) needs to go to the local bar and get in a fight, beat the tar out of someone because they looked like pussies on Sunday. We let a line that averages 290 lbs. push us around. The need to get tough, and maybe Sparano is a little to blame here with his “no full” contact practices, but I guess I’m okay with it because we had no injuries.

I also learned that this Defense is flat out solid. Our first string is stout, and the reserves definitely have a bend but don’t break mentality that most other teams can’t rely on.

I learned that our special teams needs to learn how to block. It’s easy, you put your legs shoulder-width apart, hands in front of you, and then get your hands on their numbers…. (sorry, little angry there)

That’s all for now, but the biggest thing I’m looking forward to on Monday night is how much better we are going to look. Go Phins!

I say make practice live. That’ll separate those ready to play and those not.

I haven’t heard so much that people are calling for Pennington’s benching as much as they would have liked to see Henne come in at that 7 minute mark.

The Pat White thing is what is bothering me the most. I’ll say it and happily eat crow if I’m wrong: Pat White was a bad pick. He is so freaking tiny it’s ridiculous. I’d rather have Troy Smith.

I also learned that every other team in the AFC East has a lot more fight than what the Dolphins showed on Sunday.

On a bright note, the game looked exactly like the Arizona game. Remember how we all settled in for a long one after that game? Let’s see what they do now.

That will beef him up for the NFL!

and long will only get better playin against these top guys throughout the year.
ricky looked alot better than ronnie
pat white had e at the edge of my seat on that throw to ginn
this team is exciting, and when all four wheels start rolling, this is one of the best teams in the NFL.

I reviewed a few of the Stats post game. One other fan picked up on it as well. CP10’s completion rate was 72% !! That is amazing considering the pounding he took: 4 sacks, god knows how many hurries you name it – our yards per carry were 4.5 as well. I think our OLine showed up with no respect for the Atlanta Defense. What the Falcons lacked in the Secondary was made up by the DL and LBs – CH07 couldn’t have hit the WRs deep with that protection !!

If Tony S fixes the OL then our problems are solved. The Coaching Staff needs to be held accountable for that lack of respect shown the Atlanta D, and I was not happy with the game plan – why throw in the Pat White Experiment – Dudes we were fighting for our lives out there !! If Fasano doesn’t fumble on the Falcons’ 10 yard line it would have been a totally different game !!

We are going to play every game close with the competition we face on a weekly basis so the OL better learn to Run Block quickly because that adds up to success in the NFL !!

GO DOLPHINS !!! RUN RICKY RUN !!! and, KICK THE DOLTS IN THE NADS !!!

i’m not sure i’m going to let you on the Henne bandwagon…. :)

but

What happens if Henne comes in to start the final eight games of 2009 and he just stinks it up each and every game? Just something to think about, that’s all.

what happens if he starts the first 8 games of 2010 and stinks it up each and every game (i believe that’s calling becking it up, but i could be wrong) then where are you? wouldn’t you rather have some idea now if he can be an NFL QB while the team is still rebuilding… why goof up 2 seasons…

and why ruin a season having your QB take his lumps when the rest of the team is ready.