Miami Dolphins: Mid-Season Q&A
by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 10, 2010 5:00 AM EST
in 2012 Miami Dolphins News
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As a Miami Dolphins fan, this is a tough column to write this week. Not simply because of the loss last week to the Baltimore Ravens - yes, that was a difficult pill to swallow, eh? But mostly because, as a fan, you want to highlight the positives of your team, however the Miami Dolphins are maddeningly inconsistent!
It's difficult to pick out a single aspect of the team that is consistently good - but the other side of that coin is that - at times - each different aspect of the team can look very good.
So, I thought we could take a look at the three major questions surrounding the team at mid-season, and discuss the status of each situation.
First of all, let's talk about Chad Henne. Let's get this one off the table right away!
The question that is being asked in various formats is: "Is he THE guy?".
I have read most of the arguments on both sides on that debate, but the truth is that, right now, NO ONE KNOWS. Like most Miami fans, I just don't know what to think of him yet, because:
- A) It takes most QBs more than a single season of playing to develop their game and reach their potential, and
- B) Because of the inconsistency of the Dolphins play this season, in general, it is difficult to assess his ability in the games we HAVE seen Henne play.
Henne has had a few interceptions that were clearly not his fault, and I have seen a significant number of mistakes on the part of the wide receivers to know that Chad Henne's numbers could look a lot better with better play from his team mates.
But we have also seen him make some wildly inaccurate throws, and some mistimed throws in which he was just slow getting the ball to the WR. I think we have all seen enough of these types of things to legitimately question whether or not it is a fatal flaw in his game, or is correctable.
And the thing that is probably the most frustrating to watch (the thing that I have no way of knowing whether it is Henne's fault or the play calling) is the lack of using the one asset that makes Henne worth the experiment - his arm! I don't know if Henne is throwing check down passes because of the play call, or because he is coached that way, or if it is because he doesn't make the right reads, or if it's because he is just afraid to take a risk. But I DO know that I agree with those of you who have said that "if they aren't going to use Henne's big arm, they might as well put Chad Pennington back in."
Here's the punch line: If Henne is NOT THE GUY, then who is?
I think most everyone can agree that it isn't Pennington. And there are a bunch of folks (myself included) that think Tyler Thigpen has potential to be good. BUT, Ron Wolf, former GM of the Green Bay Packers (among other things) who used to subscribe to the belief that you draft a QB every year, whether you need one or not. And it doesn't have to be with a high round draft pick. The point is, that you take some guy with potential and work him out to see if you can develop him. This concept is infinitely more important to a team who does not have a firmly entrenched and proven starting QB.
The Dolphins struck out with Pat White, and then did not pick up anyone else in last year's draft. And while keeping Chad Pennington around in a glass case, to be used in case of emergency, might be a good strategy for a team expecting to make the playoffs with their starting QB - it is a terrible strategy for a team that has spent the better part of three seasons rebuilding, and has not yet comfortably settled on the long term answer at the most important position on the team.
I'm not saying Henne is a bust, but I AM saying that if they decide after this season to go another direction, they are a year behind in the development process by keeping Pennington rather than getting another young guy to work with this past offseason.
It is starting to make me wonder if there might have been some truth to that report a couple of months back saying that Parcells was "disappointed with Henne's development".
Second, what's with the play calling on BOTH sides of the ball?
I mean, I don't get it.
I am not going to rehash the arguments about not using Brandon Marshall; or why did they get away from Ronnie Brown when he was so effective last week in the first series.... those topics have already been beat to death this week.
I mean, Albert Einstein said that, by definition, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is INSANE! And yet, I keep seeing the strategy and the same failures, week after week, on both sides of the ball.
On Defense, lack of gap control when they KNOW the other team is running the ball. Lack of pressure on the opposing QB in 3rd and long situations. Come on! I haven't looked up the stats, but the Dolphins have to be near the bottom of the league on allowing opposing offenses to convert on 3rd and 10 or longer! What happened to all of those "exotic blitzes of Mike Nolan" that I kept hearing about in the offseason?
On Offense, can you say vanilla, with vanilla on top? The Fins run when they are expected to run (except when it actually works - sorry, couldn't resist that one). And I understand the argument about Marshall being covered, but when does that become a problem with the play designs, and game planning? After the first 3 games? 4 games? Does anyone think that the Tennessee Titans are going to suddenly forget to cover Brandon Marshall this week?
Hey! I wonder what would happen if the Fins would put Henne in the shotgun, and line up in a spread formation with 4 WRs and 1 RB? Oh, and then how about running it out of a hurry up Offense, just to change the tempo? OH, and HOW ABOUT they actually RUN the ball once or twice out of that formation?
Would it work? Probably, but that's not my point. My point is that if what you are doing IS working, keep doing it til they stop it; and if what you are doing AIN'T working - DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT!
Which brings me to the 3rd, and most important question:
HOW MUCH OF THE FINS TROUBLES ARE SPARANO'S FAULT?
This is an interesting question, because the easy answer is to say "ALL of them, since he's the head coach". And that would be true.
But if you asked this same question during Sparano's first year, pretty much everyone would agree that it was not really his fault, due to the overall lack of talent on the roster that he inherited.
The Miami Dolphins are currently fairly talented, but not quite as talented as I anticipated at the beginning of the season. Part of that is due to injuries. But most of any questions you might have about the talent level of the team can be laid at the feet of Jeff Ireland. For those of you that wanted to take a chance with Randy Moss, talk to Ireland. Same for Vincent Jackson, or lack of a NT in the draft (yeah yeah, Parcells, decisions, words, blah blah). But I, personally, do not believe the Fins are failing due to the lack of talent on the team, and am pretty content (overall) with how the team has been put together. There are still a few soft spots in the roster, but the biggest question mark is at QB, and that is something we will (hopefully) get answered by the end of the season.
So if the Fins problems are not due to lack of talent, but is primarily execution.... or preparation.... or play calling.... or game planning.... doesn't it all come back to Sparano?
Here's the problem I have: If Mike Nolan is restricted in his play calling because of Sparano's preference to be conservative, then it is hard to blame Nolan for not blitzing more on 3rd and long, or for the Defense not being more aggressive in general. But how much of the problem can be blamed on Sparano when the problem is the lack of player execution? It is still up to Sparano to fix it. Seriously, halfway through the season and you still want to whine about the players not executing? Sparano, yes. But a little more of the responsibility on Nolan?
Same with the Offense, but I didn't want to bring that up first because many of us (myself included) have already blamed Dan Henning for the Offensive doldrums. But what if Sparano is the one scripting the game plan? And even if he isn't, don' you expect Sparano to take over the play calling if Henning can't get it done?
Do we need MORE Sparano, or LESS Sparano?
The BEST head coaches KNOW their team; they look at the strengths and weaknesses of each unit, and each player in each unit. And then they build the game plan around what the team can do well, and find ways to compensate for areas of weakness. Talent-wise, I have no problem blaming Jeff Ireland for disassembling an Offensive line that was solid in run blocking. So maybe now Sparano can't lean on the run game as in previous seasons. But they seem to be pretty good at pass blocking, and so you have to expect Sparano to use that unit's strength more effectively. Right?
And here is one bonus question to think about:
If Sparano isn't calling the offensive or defensive plays, then exactly what is he doing over there on the sidelines?
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If Sparano isn't calling the offensive or defensive plays, then exactly what is he doing over there on the sidelines?
That’s easy, celebrating the shit out of FGs…
by Maguss on Nov 10, 2010 5:08 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
But for a serious reply
I was 100% behind this team up until we lost to the Steelers, in that game it seemed evident that we had some glaring issues that needed to be corrected right away or we weren’t going to beat any good teams for the rest of the year. There is no way we should have lost that game, the offense and defense had plenty of chances to put that game away and failed to do so. Even after the infamous fumble call we still had a chance to come back and win what was rightfully ours and what happens? 4 and out in the most embarrassing way possible.
There is something seriously wrong with this team and the worse part is that it’s hard to tell if it’s the coaching (and which coach) or the players and their poor execution. You can’t say they are poorly coached because we’ve seen how good they can be (especially the Defense) but then again we’ve seen some really stupid coaching decisions that would look stupid regardless of who’s on your team.
I guess my point is that mid way through the season and at 4-4 we have no idea who these dolphins are and they sure as hell don’t either. I don’t expect a playoff berth but I do expect some key firings come January. I just hope it’s the right ones.
every time i turn around & look he is ushering player's off the field like they don't know what there suposed to do!
If i was to look & see, all starter’s r making at least $1million a peice. Not sure if the wonderlic cum’s into play here, but damn do they all need that “type coaching” everytime we add point’s on the score-board?
wopper "the king" computer
by wild zion beaver on Nov 10, 2010 7:22 PM EST up reply actions
Henne might be the guy ....
as long as Dan Henning is the OC we will never know. How can you send 2-3 guys out on routes and expect him to be able to find an open receiver? It is a numbers game and other teams are starting to figure it out. If we only send 2-3 guys out and they bring 4, that means they have 7 guys to cover 2-3 routes … What happens when they are covered? We either have to force the ball somewhere, or throw it away. If you are going to throw a pass, send more than 3 guys. How many people do we need to protect Henne with, he has all day to sit back there and hope that someone gets open ….
Can we please get rid of Vernon Carey after this year? The guy is not elite … he can be good against weaker opponents, but he is sorely outmatched by any good outside pass rusher. He is simply too slow to be effective.
Sparano might or might not need to go also. Again, as long as Dan Henning is the OC we will never know.
Defense. We need a big NT that is a game changer. We do not have that guy yet. I would almost say that we don’t have the talent we need at DE right now, but it is hard to tell since Odrick is out. What I see an awful lot of is our guys getting pushed a few yards back on every single play. That makes things very difficult for LBs who now have to pick a hole and hope the RB chooses the same hole, or else we have a big gain. This worries me against the Titans.. CJ might tear us apart, as a lot of other RBs have this year. Y Bell may be the best SS in the league in run support, but as long as he is in coverage he is a liability.
I am going to give Chris Clemons a pass this year because he is still a rookie, but CAN SOMEONE PUT THIS KID ON THE JUGS… For 2 weeks now I have seen him bobble a ball that hit him right in the hands, both times winding up in the WRs hands. If nothing else tell him he can’t catch and make him just knock the ball down. Luckily this week the WR came down with the ball out of bounds … but .. still.
Yes, I admit I have CLS... which might actually be a good thing, I was positive we were going to win it all with Saban, then with Cam ... and even last season... I wasn't expecting much in 2008 though ... Hopefully its unfounded ... we will see....
A week of down in the dumps...
First off I think this week sucks and many fans are getting it all out there which is good – vent it out boys.
Now for my thoughts; I commented on yesterdays post, but my response was exactly about this topic in discussion. As J Scott said above I don’t think we can post any blame on Henne until we have a new OC. Bottom line is the Henning debate went on last year and is going on again this year. Look guys the guy is an old school guy and I am not trying to call anyone old here, but reality is the NFL has evolved and is more pass oriented. We have a QB that is capable of passing but if you have an offensive coordinator that doesn’t really know how to run a new style offense that how can we give our offense shit if they can’t move the ball.
I think running has its place on our team bc the fact is we are capable of running the football (eehh emmm first series on sunday), but if defenses know that all of our plays look the same it aint hard to shut us down. I think we have a really good offense and the talent is there, but I think that it is not being used to its full potential. Everyone keeps saying release Henne, but no matter what we don’t have a system that is going to be successful until we get rid of Henning. If anyone feels different than you should go back to last years posts when people were saying Henning needs to be replaced by Lee, or fired by the end of the season, blah blah blah. How long is it going to take???
So is that the right question how long is it going to take to fire Henning? I personally don’t think we will let him go mid season bc personally I don’t see our organization the ones to take such action. I do however think Henning will surely be replaced this offseason. Would I like to see him replaced now, ABSOF**ngLUTELY, but I don’t think its going to happen. We will play conservative football and wither win by a little or get blown out bc we can’t put up big numbers for the rest of the season.
Defensively now I think we definitely have the right personnel, Mike Nolan included. However, as I posted yesterday I believe the defense again is limited in action by our offense. If you are comfortable that your offense can win any game at any moment you are more likely to play loose. So just maybe the reason we don’t blitz on 3rd and long is bc they are scared of losing. Also maybe they are tired of keeping us in games so the energy is not there sometimes. I think if we started beating teams by a couple touchdowns they would be destroying other teams. I think this for two reasons, 1. other teams would become one dimensional and 2. the ENERGY is there.
So my bottom line is bring a new young fresh minded OC and lets do the damn thing!!!
mostly agree here
however, I certainly think you can hold Henne responsible for his poor play, which we have all seen at times.
Not saying that the offensive play calling isn’t responsible for many of the stalled drives. And i already noted that the WRs are also responsible for their bobbles and drops.
But i agree that it is difficult to separate out the poor decision making – is it Henne making the wrong read, or Henning calling the wrong play?
Regardless, the reason I wrote these three issues in the order i did, is because, as a military person, you know that sh!t rolls uphill as well as down:
- Henne has not been particularly effective, and it is impossible to make a decision on his long term fit because
- the play calling is suspect, on both sides of the ball. And if the play calling has been suspect for half the season
- Isn’t it up to the head coach to take the situation in hand and fix it? I mean, he doesn’t even have to fire anyone. He just need to be accountable for sitting down with each Co-ord and saying, “Let’s change things up next week”.
Right? Ultimately, all of this for the remainder of the season is on Sparano’s shoulders.
I also seriously think that the “approved” play set that Nolan can use in a given situation (e.g. 3rd and a million) is limited by Sparano. Nolan might not run ever play by him before it’s called on the field, but from the “philosophical discussions” they had in the offseason, I would strongly suspect that Sparano has only approved a sub-set of Nolan’s entire playbook for use.
So, the short term fix would be to put a leash on Henning and take more control over the offensive game plan, and take the leash OFF Nolan, and let him do what he does so well with Defenses.
get my drift :)
-LCFF
DotJPBW
(under protest)
by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 10, 2010 11:07 AM EST up reply actions
Since we are maddeningly inconsistent
which I agree with, then we could come out against the Titans and cram the ball down their throats! I want this OL to just impose their will on somebody for a change.
I’ve thought long and hard this week, and this is our biggest problem this year! If we can control the line of scrimmage on offense and run the ball, then the passing game becomes that much easier to execute. Problem is, we ran the ball well againts the Ravens on the opening drive, and then when we did run it after that, we were pretty much contained. Look at the other young QB’s who are comparable to Henne - Matt Ryan’s Falcons are a run first team. Flacco’s Ravens are a run first team with a heavy dose of Rice catching short passes out of the backfield. Sanchez’s Jets are a run first team.
Teams with elite QB’s (Manning, Rivers, Brees, Brady) don’t have to be a run first team, and they’re not. Well, here’s news folks — we have to be a run first team or we will fail because we don’t have an elite QB. Minnesota should be a run first team but they have that guy at QB who still thinks he’s 30 years old and in his prime.
I believe the only way this team gets it turned around this year is if we can run the ball 30 times a game and control the clock, and pass around 25 times a game. If we can’t do that, then I’m afraid we are gonna be facing 7-9 to 9-7, which just won’t be good enough.
Nobody hurt a tackler like Zonk did.
by rintintinsoldier on Nov 10, 2010 8:01 AM EST reply actions
i don't disagree
i LOVED the fins of a year and two ago. I love seeing power running, smashmouth ball. and that is what I was expecting when Bill P got here. But (as many here have argued over the years) in today’s league, you have to be able to win in the passing game as well. Otherwise, you end up with last year’s colts game – control the clock for 45 minutes, and still lose the game.
that being said, when i saw the Fins’ opening drive with Ronnie running the ball up the middle, i was ecstatic, because I agree that we have to be a run first team in order to allow Henne to be successful. If we can force a team to use an extra guy to stop our run game (like they have done the past two seasons) it will create more opportunities for our WRs.
Now here’s my concern: Since we got rid of Grove, Smiley, and lost Garner, I am not convinced this line can open holes in the ground game against a 7 man front. i am afraid our 5 man line has become good at pass blocking, but not as good at run blocking. if this is true, it is even MORE important for Sparano to understand his team’s abilities and game plan accordingly, and not just leave it all up to Henning.
-LCFF
DotJPBW
(under protest)
by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 10, 2010 11:21 AM EST up reply actions
I got one word
David Lee
I’m on the side of true love…and a good running game.
Nobody can get the truth out of me because even I don't know what it is. I keep myself in a constant state of utter confusion. -- Col. Flagg
He's screwed up Henne
I’d rather see the WR coach. He has some pedigree behind him.
Karl Dorrel needs to be promoted as OC.
Driver of the unofficial "Draft LaMichael James" Bandwagon.
THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"Real gangsta-a$$ ni**as don't flex nuts cause real gangsta-a$$ ni**as know they got'em"-Geto Boyz-
"I'm way too baked to drive to the devil's house."-Dante-
The official KS-22 clan leader!!! LaRon Byrd the next Phenom from the U!!!
FIRE DAN HENNING NOW!!!
I think Sparano is doing a good job
After last season he fired Pasqauloni( I know I spelled it wrong) but to fire Henning too would have been too much. Instead he gave Henning Marshall which we all thought and still think was the missing piece and has given him every opportunity to succeed.
On the defensive side we have done pretty good but at times slipped up. Well that happens on any team and that’s where the other parts of the team have to pick up their game. Unfortunately the only consistently good part of this team is DC$.
If we scored more points against Baltimore. If we ran the ball against Baltimore. If we controlled the tempo of the game against Baltimore. The Defense does not give up 26 points. Maybe they give up 17 or 20.
When was the last time you saw a two minute drill at the end of the game where we actually scored? I bet you every 6-2 team has had to win a game this season in the last 5 minutes of the game.
But did you realize
that the Ravens offense didn’t punt the ball the entire game? I think our defense was horrible against the Ravens — granted, the offense didn’t help them by having no sustained drives after the 1st drive of the game, but still, to not have any punts?? That game was as almost as much on the D as it was on the O.
I agree 100% about your last comment. We haven’t done it all year and it’s one of the reasons we are 4-4.
Nobody hurt a tackler like Zonk did.
by rintintinsoldier on Nov 10, 2010 8:43 AM EST up reply actions
They had a bad game
But they held the Ravens to 13 point by half time after being put in some seriously bad spots.
our Defense is more talented than last year's
so when you start to get similar results this year, with better players, you have to wonder if Paul P’s failure was in part due to Sparano limiting his ability to blitz or create pressure.
and before you get all wrapped up in the “similar results” phrase, I mean that in a generic sense that we can’t seem to get off the field on 3rd and long, or stop them in critical situations consistently. I know this D is better overall than last season, but it is the situational failures that are killing us.
And for the record, Sparano did not give Henning Marshall. i doubt he had very much to do with that at all, besides saying “sure, I’ll take the guy”. i agree that firing Henning might not solve anything, but even with Henning calling the plays, Tony Sparano has the ability – and responsibility – as head coach to change up the game plan, play calling, offensive philosophy…
So imagine a conversation something like this. He could sit down with Henning and the play book and say,
“Dan, see this play right here? Throw it out. I don’t want to waste time in practice on it, or ever see it again in a game. Now, see this one right here? Let’s take this play and use it out of three different alignments, and set it up to allow Henne to audible to this play right here… And Dan, let’s quit using the platoon system at RB every series, but let’s focus on opening up the ground game early. How about we start with Ronnie at HB, and line Ricky up at FB, with a couple of WRs and a TE. The we can see how the D looks to defend and either use a strongside off tackle run with Marshall blocking, or get one on one coverage on the outside. And out of the base formation, we can use, Fasano, Ronnie, or Ricky in the passing game, run inside or outside, with Ronnie OR Ricky, and still have an effective play action passing game. Then, once we get them to commit to stopping the run, we send Ricky out, bring in a 3rd WR, drop Henne into the shotgun and spread them out. If they bring in an extra DB, and commit another to double Marshall, we should still be able to run Ronnie right up the middle, and otherwise, we make them stop the pass.”
My concern is that these conversations are not happening, or not happening the right way.
-LCFF
DotJPBW
(under protest)
by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 10, 2010 11:56 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Ha ha ha "LMMFAO" REC'D!!!!!!!
wopper "the king" computer
by wild zion beaver on Nov 10, 2010 7:25 PM EST up reply actions
YO Lefty...
You got my vote for new OC!!! I am firmly on the “Henning needs to go” bandwagon. But as other posts state, isn’t it Sparanos job to run this team? I really like the guy as a coach, but where is the SPARK? Last time we made the playoffs, this team had spark. We haven’t seen it since. I recall reading alot about “team chemistry” this past offseason… well, WHERE IS IT? Let’s go Tony! Get these guys motivated, tell Henning to STFU… AND TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR F’ing TEAM!
4-4 at the halfway point… time to put up or shut up.
Just my 2 cents.
by boca_phin_fan on Nov 10, 2010 8:25 PM EST up reply actions
Switch the a and the u and you'd have spelled it right
Karl Dorrel needs to be promoted as OC.
Driver of the unofficial "Draft LaMichael James" Bandwagon.
I will attempt to answer some of the questions you raised Lefty.
Not the big bold ones but some of the smaller ones.
Why don’t the Dolphins blitz more when opposing offenses are in 3rd and Long? That one is pretty easy. The Dolphins DB’s, especially Davis and Bell, can’t cover man for man. We have seen that a couple of different times throughout the year. Davis let’s Jennings run right by him in the GB game in man coverage for a long TD. Bell let’s Keller get a long TD in the Jets game in man coverage. Allen gives up a long TD against Owens in the Bengals game. If you can’t cover man for man, you can’t blitz.
Why is the offense so conservative? This one is going to get me in trouble. I don’t think it as conservative as we think. I was watching a show on the NFL Network called AFC Playbook real early Sunday Morning. It was breaking down the Dolphins vs. Bengals game and talked about the Phins settling for FG’s in the red zone. On two possessions they highlighted how Henne completely misread the coverage and threw the ball to the wrong receiver. He threw into coverage instead of isolating the single coverag and missed wide open receivers that would have scored TD’s. Even the analysts said that those plays should have been TD’s. How many of those plays have been missed as the result of execution on not play calling?
"It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." MACBETH
"Walter, I love you, but sooner or later, you're going to have to face the fact you're a goddamn moron." THE DUDE (The Big Lebowski)
That's why they say the best time to draft a quarterback is when you have one
It takes time for quarterbacks to make the transition to the NFL. Some never do but are forced to learn on the job.
Like I’ve said in the past those 2 receivers patterns might be called because that’s all Henne can handle right now. I hope not.
I agree CT
I commented below before I read your comment. It was almost identical. We don’t have the personnel to blitz consistently.
by PhinnyFromItaly on Nov 10, 2010 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
Umm, just to point out that on the first of those playbook plays, Hartline was open on the right side but Henne was flushed to the left because of pressure against Vernon Carey.
After the weak game Carey had against Pittsburgh, can you really be surprised Henne went left with his feet, eyes and the ball? Henne did miss the other one but I disagree that it would have gone for a TD. It would have netted a 3rd down conversion so maybe a TD comes of it but it would not directly have led to the TD.
NY Jets = NFL's Chicago Cubs
There's a fine line between hopeful and desperate. Just look @ Jets fans.
by TheFinReaper on Nov 10, 2010 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
i don't exactly agree CT
Starks and Langford bring good pressure from their DE spots and Soliai seems to be doing okay at NT.
Clemons is doing pretty well when used correctly as the deep safety.
I’m not talking about a jail break blitz. On 3rd and 10, you just have to get to the QB fast to force him to get rid of the ball. that is a MAJOR part of the one on one coverage. Very few CBs in the league can effectively hold man to man coverage for more than 4-5 seconds. If the QB has time, and the WR can make adjustments, man to man usually will break down.
If Bell can’t cover, use him in the blitz. We did it several times successfully last season. Let Dansby cover the TE. Bring a pass rusher off the edge. The Fins should be able to create pressure with 5 guys.
The only two things that have to happen for success are – you have to force the QB to throw the ball within about 3 secs, and the DBs have to know where the first down marker is and keep the WRs in front of them.
I will agree that we are short on talented DBs, but i would rather see pressure on the QB than have to have our DB try to maintain coverage for 6 seconds.
I also will not disagree with you about the offense/Henne. I know your point is at least partly right, as i said above. I just can’t tell exactly how much is poor decision making by Henne and how much is poor play calling.
-LCFF
DotJPBW
(under protest)
by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 10, 2010 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
oh no
“How many of those plays have been missed as the result of execution on not play calling?”
Oh no..Henne fans don’t want to hear truth. its The OC’s fault, and no other. The OC is the one the misses seeing the open receivers he is the one that throws ugly over thrown wobbly passes at our wide open TE or tosses a ball in such a way our reciever can’t do anything with it after the catch. IT is Our OC that holds the ball too long or does little to move around and make a play. Henne is merely a robot that has no mind of his own, the OC controls him by remote that is why Henne appears to play so poorly. ITs the OC fault…..never suggest Henne the anointed franchise QB could possibly be at fault for his play on the field.
Quick Stat Lookups:
Let’s say we look at Henne, Flacco, Ryan, Sanchez, Bradford.
Yards:
Henne – 1900
Flacco – 1917
Ryan – 1949
Sanchez – 1692
Bradford – 1674
Completion Percent:
Henne – 63.5
Flacco – 60.8
Ryan – 62.5
Sanchez – 53.5
Bradford – 52.8
Completions of 20+ Yards:
Henne – 21
Flacco – 22
Ryan – 21
Sanchez – 23
Bradford – 17
Touchdowns:
Henne – 8
Flacco – 12
Ryan – 13
Sanchez – 10
Bradford – 11
INTs:
Henne – 10
Flacco – 6
Ryan – 5
Sanchez – 5
Bradford – 8
Starts:
Henne – 21
Flacco – 40
Ryan – 38
Sanchez – 23
Bradford – 8
Are any of these other teams talking about benching their QBs?
Dolphins and Gators baby!
who is talking about benching Henne?
not anything I wrote. =)
-LCFF
DotJPBW
(under protest)
by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 10, 2010 12:00 PM EST up reply actions
I guess the Head Coach talk to someone about it
Because they did it. CP to start against the Titans.
by LordBishop34 on Nov 10, 2010 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
Well couple things here.
First you have to watch the games and see the difference in how these QBs play, its not stats alone that tell the story if anything the much maligned OC is probably to thank for the decent completion % given how the offense is run. But even with a careful offense run around him he still leads all those QBs in INTs.
2nd none of those guys have a starting caliber QB backing them up. IF CP had been on the rams, Bradford would probably not come out of preseason as the starter. The same could probably be said for Sanchez last year, Rex probably would have gone with best chance to win. Ryan has been solid from day one he has done things in games from his first season that validate faith in him if he struggles. Flacco has had some shaky days but he has made passes that I see henne mess up all the time.
So again it pays to watch people play rather then go by stats or just accept without question Henne is the future of the Dolphins. He has the potential, if he corrects alot of things. Problem is he doesn’t seem to be significantly improving given the amount of time he has already had.
I want to make this clear, I don’t hate Henne. I actually have not given up on him being a poss future QB for us. But I believe in doing your best to compete every season.
by LordBishop34 on Nov 10, 2010 1:26 PM EST up reply actions
I'd like to see the TD:INT ratio go up, above 2. But you have to
remember that Henne is a young Qb that has had to put the offense on his back, unlike any other QB in this list, as every other QB has a very good running game.
-Pulse of the Maggots P.o.t.M. The "Font" Nazi - Alpha6
The "pm striker king"- WZB The "reply" Nazi -Aplha6
Leader of Sparano for RedZone Play Caller and Fire Dave DeGuglielmo Bandwagon
"Give me a minute and I'll change your mind. Give me a bullet and I'll change your life" -Gematria - Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone
This happens every week after a loss
All young QB’s go through struggles, Tom Brady looked pretty poor against the Browns! And remember when Flacco threw 4 INT’s against the Bengals?
Granted he has been inconsistent and thats the key thing for a QB. Maybe they draft a young QB in this year, but calling for the benching of Henne would not be good. I don’t think Pennington will leave the Fins worse off this season, but I recall Pennington not doing well against the Ravens either in 2007…. so what ever happens happens but Henne needs to progress, but I don’t think its all bad.
The Patriots Suck
didn't read it huh?
;^)
-LCFF
DotJPBW
(under protest)
by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 10, 2010 12:02 PM EST up reply actions
We can't dial in the exotic blitzes because...
we don’t have the personnel to do so. Aside from Wake we have no good rushers. Did you all see what happened when Nolan dialed up that all out blitz against the Ravens? I believe it was a huge gain by Rice and not great penetration for an all out blitz. WE HAVE TO BE CONSERVATIVE BECAUSE OF OUR PLAYERS!!! I think all of us have been in denial but this team is the definition of AVERAGE. I love the Dolphins and will remain optimistic but I’m also a realist.
by PhinnyFromItaly on Nov 10, 2010 10:18 AM EST reply actions
I'm just throwing this out there......
Dolphins+Tim Tebow= Thundercat Formation. Get it?
Haha that would be funny.
Seriously though, I think Its time we bring in someone who is a veteran head coach. If we finish the season poorly, I’m thinking we make a run at Bill Cowher.
Anyone, anyone?
I love the post Lefty.
Excellent QandA. I have just said after 38 yrs! Right now! I am done analyzing. I am actually going to watch my first game this Sunday and let the game play out! No anticipations what so ever. I think the game will be more enjoyable for me and my family I think this team knows what they need to do. WIN.
that's what i have been *trying* to do
;^)
-LCFF
DotJPBW
(under protest)
by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 10, 2010 12:03 PM EST up reply actions
You are right Thigpen has potential and we are not the only one that think that...
For the questiont "If Henne is NOT THE GUY, then who is? "
OMAR KELLY JOURNALIST SUN SENTINEL “I’m told the team’s meetings this week – from the front office officials to the coaches – centered around doing WHATEVER is necessary to make sure this team finishes the second half of the season strong, unlike last year.” (Unlike last year who was QB then?… oh yea Henne) “If the Dolphins do get to the point where they determine that Henne’s not "the guy" they might opt to invest in Thigpen, who has a few intangibles that would provide this team some big play ability.”
BIG PLAY ABILITY that’s what this football team needs right now to make a turnaround! IMAO
by Alejandro Parrao on Nov 10, 2010 12:11 PM EST reply actions
Hate to say it, but I blame Sparano right now just as much as I blame Dan Henning
I like TS a lot, but he seems content to sit around and say “heckuva” every few minutes.
As for Henne, I don’t know if he’s the guy. I do know this, though: I thought he sucked at Michigan, and I wasn’t exactly doing backflips when we drafted him. He’s obviously got the physical tools, but I just can’t bear to watch him throw another interception and then stand on the sideline with that stupid look on his face. Yecch.
I think we have a great young linebacking corps. And our defensive line has a ton of talent (though I hope Odrick comes back next season and proves he isn’t made of paper). I suspect coaching is the problem with Smith, but if continues to struggle with technique, then we might be looking at taking yet another corner in this draft, which is both upsetting and somewhat sobering. That said, this is the best corner class ever, so if we’re going to find a lockdown cb opposite VD, it’ll be in April. There are just no running backs or safeties really worth a first-round pick this year, so I think it’ll be wise to go BPA and upgrade the weakest level of our defense. We need a center as well, because Joe Berger is a complete disgrace.
Also, I am throwing a party when Henning is fired. That is all.
Jerrell Powe, Ras-I Dowling or Brandon Harris in 2011!
i wish we had kept Grove, and Berger for a backup
-LCFF
DotJPBW
(under protest)
by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 10, 2010 12:46 PM EST up reply actions
doesn't it all come back to Sparano?
yes it does.
If Sparano isn’t calling the offensive or defensive plays, then exactly what is he doing over there on the sidelines?
Giving fist pumps for field goals.
Phinsider HOF C/O 2010
"Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak." Thomas Carlyle
A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion. ~Chinese Proverb
Thank you Jesus!
then he needs a cheerleader outfit
-LCFF
DotJPBW
(under protest)
by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 10, 2010 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
Whoo, let's hope they don't have an outfit in his size
And yeah, Sparano’s basically doing nothing. He keeps preaching the usual bullshit and juggling around starting offensive linemen like his life depends on it, but that’s about it. Too much arrogance within this coaching staff. You know what happens when you have an overly arrogant-yet-ineffective coaching staff? The 2010 Dallas Cowboys. Sickening.
Nicky and I are on the Leslie Frazier-for-head coach bandwagon. Feel free to join the cause.
Jerrell Powe, Ras-I Dowling or Brandon Harris in 2011!
The spark we need ???
I sure hope it is. I still believe we can make the playoffs. Maybe BM was onto something during the radio show :-)
WOW, what a GREAT article!!
You hit the nail on the head… many times in the same article. My hat is off to you!!
Henne, I don’t like him, I don’t think he is ever going to be a great QB. Remember this summer when we were being told, “Henne will be better than Marino!” BULL. My opinion is, it’s his reads, it’s his nerve, and it’s his accuracy, and these are things I don’t think he can change. I was sorely disappointed we didn’t draft McCoy or Tebow when they were going much cheaper in the draft. I think it was a real loss of opportunity. And the “draft one every year” I think is right on the money. We haven’t had a GREAT QB since Marino left and that was a LONG time ago.
I’d love to see Henne turn into a great qb, but I don’t think it will ever happen. Sparano is suspect, because he should bench Henning, worst play calling I have ever seen, and missed great opportunities in last years draft.
thanks man! glad you liked it!
-LCFF
DotJPBW
(under protest)
by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 10, 2010 2:38 PM EST up reply actions
Here's what we know: We have bona fide superstars on this team
Jake Long? Probably the best left tackle in the game. Brandon Marshall? One of the three or four-best receivers in the game. Dansby and Wake? An asset to ANY linebacker corps. Vontae Davis? Already a top-five cornerback (he’s just below Revis and Asomugha, in my opinion). So it’s not like this team doesn’t have much to work with. A new head coach and oc will be the first step in getting back on the fast track in the AFC.
Jerrell Powe, Ras-I Dowling or Brandon Harris in 2011!
The only problem with making Sparano call the offensive play would be that he is a great OC and HC, but not
all HCs that used to be great OCs can do both at the same time. I would think this would be the case, otherwise Sparano would have already have started calling the plays. I hope Henning gets fired as soon as we have no more games left to play this season. It isn’t that he isn’t a good OC before the games, he just stops doing what is working and never comes back to it. I don’t understand that at all. I think senility is setting in for Henning.
About Nolan and the want to blitz on 3rd and a mile: There are many implications of blitz in that situation, as it is a high risk high reward situation. If you can get to the QB quick, it is usually a sack, but even with quick pressure it can lead to a big play for the O. Also, if you don’t keep a S deep, any mistake in coverage could mean TD. And if you do keep a S deep and rush 6, you leave a guy open that could hit you for a gigantic gain. If you rush 6 and put a cover 2 behind it (called a zone blitz) the TE could run the seem for the 1st. It is very hard to blitz in that situation safely if you want to do it exotically. The best bet is to rush 3 or 4 and run a cover 3. This should take away anything past the sticks and if they throw it short, you have a guy that could make the open field tackle before the sticks. The problem we are having is that the tackler is letting him get to the second level. This is a fundamental flaw with our team at the moment. I would like us to draft a ILB late in the draft and hope that Micah/ Spitler / Draft pick can beat out Crowder. Also, I hope that both our Corners practice how to tackle over the off seaon and come back better, as their tackling is awful.
On a side note: You could just rush 5 and put a cover 3 behind it, but it really stretches those zones and makes the tackler’s job harder.
-Pulse of the Maggots P.o.t.M. The "Font" Nazi - Alpha6
The "pm striker king"- WZB The "reply" Nazi -Aplha6
Leader of Sparano for RedZone Play Caller and Fire Dave DeGuglielmo Bandwagon
"Give me a minute and I'll change your mind. Give me a bullet and I'll change your life" -Gematria - Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone
I also wouldn't mind getting John Shoop from UNC to be our OC. he loves 2 TE and big sets and running the ball.
This wouldn’t be that big of a transition for our offense.
-Pulse of the Maggots P.o.t.M. The "Font" Nazi - Alpha6
The "pm striker king"- WZB The "reply" Nazi -Aplha6
Leader of Sparano for RedZone Play Caller and Fire Dave DeGuglielmo Bandwagon
"Give me a minute and I'll change your mind. Give me a bullet and I'll change your life" -Gematria - Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone
He also knows how to use his WRs, hence why Hicks and Tate came out of the same draft
from UNC and were booth taken with high draft picks.
-Pulse of the Maggots P.o.t.M. The "Font" Nazi - Alpha6
The "pm striker king"- WZB The "reply" Nazi -Aplha6
Leader of Sparano for RedZone Play Caller and Fire Dave DeGuglielmo Bandwagon
"Give me a minute and I'll change your mind. Give me a bullet and I'll change your life" -Gematria - Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone
Why is that name so familiar?
-Pulse of the Maggots P.o.t.M. The "Font" Nazi - Alpha6
The "pm striker king"- WZB The "reply" Nazi -Aplha6
Leader of Sparano for RedZone Play Caller and Fire Dave DeGuglielmo Bandwagon
"Give me a minute and I'll change your mind. Give me a bullet and I'll change your life" -Gematria - Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone
Was he an NFL coach at one point in his career?
-Pulse of the Maggots P.o.t.M. The "Font" Nazi - Alpha6
The "pm striker king"- WZB The "reply" Nazi -Aplha6
Leader of Sparano for RedZone Play Caller and Fire Dave DeGuglielmo Bandwagon
"Give me a minute and I'll change your mind. Give me a bullet and I'll change your life" -Gematria - Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone
I'm still laughing at the quote
“If you’re not going to use Henne’s arm, why not put Chad Pennington back in”
I think Henne will be back pretty soon.....
Probably as soon as CP has a bad game…. (It happens to every QB) I just hope
the entire team can turn it around. We got beat by the Ravens on all possible aspects
of the game, coaching, offense, defense and special teams…. It will really take a better
effort by all of these to start winning again. Right now we are sitting squarely in the middle
of mediocrity !!!
Jimbo
Henne
One of my big frustrations with Henne is his pedigree compared to some of the other young QBs in the discussion. He was a 4 year starter at a huge Michigan program with a passing pro style offense. He played in front of 105,000 people every game. He was well coached. After three years in the NFL he should be further along than he is, especially compared to guys like Sanchez and Flacco, neither of whom played nearly as much ball in college as Henne. Sanchez in particualr, was only a one year starter at USC and left after his Junior year. Henne has seen hundreds if not thousands of more snaps than him in game action and yet it’s Sanchez who seems to have more moxy and game awareness. That’s the rub with Henne, you just don’t see the improvement, after three years as a pro, an equal amount of time being mentored by Pennington, and 21 starts we all expected a more polished QB. Today’s announcement only confirmed what many of us have suspected, that he’s not the answer we originally thought he was. This means we have to go fishing for yet another QB in this years draft, what a shame, while NE and the Jet’s continue to separate themselves from us , we have to go shopping for and developing ANOTHER QB. This development has easily put the franchise back 2-3 years and negated many of the gains we’ve made. It’s all about the QB in today’s game and now it looks like we’re back to square one. How in the world did the “Trifecta” ever let this happen?
by Biggest Dolphin Fan on Nov 11, 2010 4:24 AM EST reply actions
Rec'd...
Adjutant General, Matty Fan Club
64 "Phinsider Fued" Points..!!
"Koa Misi -- the A.J. Duhe of this decade!"
"Let's kick their ass and get the hell out of here!" -- General George Armstrong Custer
happy veterans day bro!
-LCFF
DotJPBW
(under protest)
by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 11, 2010 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
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