The reason Patrick Turner hasn't played

Many of you have asked me over and over why Patrick Turner isn't active on Sundays because you continue to be frustrated by other Miami receivers that don't necessarily light up scoreboards or stat sheets with explosive plays.

Well, today I asked coach Tony Sparano his reasoning for not having Turner active and that resulted in some interesting stuff.

First, Sparano promises Turner's day is coming. He doesn't want this season to end without having a grasp of whether Turner is a possible contributor long term or not.

But, secondly, Sparano really likes what his current crop of receivers bring to the table -- yes, it's hard to believe, but stay with me on this.

"Pat is getting better, but it also has a lot to do with the other players and the jobs they do and how they're doing in the game," Sparano said Wednesday. "I mean Davone Bess is second in the NFL to the guy in New York [Steve Smith] in third-down receptions. OK? Well, [Greg] Camarillo is 10 of 10 [on third down] right now. He's had 10 balls thrown at him right now and he's converted 10 of them. So he's eighth on that list.

"We think they don't make plays but those guys are making plays. It's one of the reasons we're second in the league on third down conversion. Teddy [Ginn] is a return guy for us that's been getting better and better at it. Ginn, I thought had a good game the other day returning the football and is also a receiver that can make a big play for us.

"And [Brian] Hartline has been productive out there in a lot of phases. What you don't see is Hartline is in there about 8 to 10 plays on special teams and has been productive there, too."

So it becomes hard, in Sparano's mind, to bench one of the four guys already playing ahead of Turner. And playing five is pretty much out of the question at the moment.

"We're not going to take five to the game at this second," the coach said. "I don't feel like that's a good deal right at this time. You never know. That can change. But somebody's got to stay back. At this point it's been Pat. But I do want to get Patrick Turner involved."

Let's hope so because regardless of how much the other guys are bringing to the game, it simply has not been good enough. The Dolphins are 29th in the NFL passing the football. That is, well, terrible.

Miami wide receivers have combined for two touchdowns this year. I count 26 individual receivers among the NFL's top 60 scorers that have at least four TDs. There are 37 individual receivers with at least three touchdowns. Like, by themselves. 

My opinion?

The Dolphins love special teams contribution but the contribution they're talking about with Hartline is not game-changing. He's not going to take a punt to the house. He hasn't made a TD-saving tackle. He has not blocked a kick. So would the Miami special teams collapse if Hartline isn't playing Sunday? I don't think so.

Turner, on the other hand, might be a solid red zone threat and a tough matchup against almost any cornerback. I have no clue how well he's improved his blocking (which needed improvement) but the idea of a 6-5, 220-pound perimeter blocker doing work downfield is enticing to me.

Anyway, at some point, Sparano promises Turner will get a looksee. 

"I want to get him involved," he said. "He's got to keep working in practice like he is and at some point his number is going to get called."

By the way, Sparano disagrees with anyone who believes Miami's passing game problems are mostly found in the WR corps. Aside from being 29th in passing, the club is also 29th in passing net yards per play, suggesting no one is picking up YAC (yards after catch).

The fact is the Dolphins are the only team in the NFL whose passing game could be described as "Three Yards and a Cloud of Dust."

But the coach says the receivers aren't exceedingly responsible for the passing game problems.

"I wouldn't say too much," Sparano said. "I would say part of it is we're fourth in the league or third in the league in rushing so we've run it a bunch. We've had a lot rushing opportunities. I think there's a lot of people responsible for why you don't throw it. Right now we have 23 sacks -- that's responsible for why you don't do well throwing it.

"There's a lot of elements involved. The quarterback's involved. The receivers are involved, no doubt about it. We've had some dropped balls, some unexecuted route depths, those type of things are things from the receiver position that can be different."

Gotta be different, actually.

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Injury update: Paul Soliai (ankle), Joey Porter (knee), Justin Smiely (shoulder) and Erik Walden (hamstring) did not practice Tuesday. Anthony Fasano (hip) was limited. Channing Crowder and Jason Ferguson are back to full practice.

Comments

[chris]

DYNASTY IN THE MAKING PEOPLE DYNASTY IN THE MAKING ,JUST SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE DEVELOPMENT. ITS COMMING JUST BE PATIENT ITS BEEN 26 YRS SINCE OUR LAST TRIP TO THE SHOW AND WE LOST. I'LL SACRIFICE A FEW MORE SEASONS TO WIN IT,AND NOT JUST ONCE BUT A FEW TIMES.

GET OFF TONY'S BACK THE TRIFECTA KNOWS WHAT THEIR DOING. JUST GET BEHIND THEM AND SUPPORT THEM FOR PETE SAKE!!!

[Ace]

Ok who fake posted at 9:40pm? Someone also posted the same for carlito.

Anyway, LMAO @dying breed with the "a smile for miles and miles and miles" comment. I actually got a visual when I read it. How are you dying breed?

[NJ PHLIM Flam]

i suck dying breads white toast with brown mustard

[Richard Head]

All the mutants here tonight together

[aquaandorange]

Time to call Sparano out on his on the field decisions. Is it me or is his on the field clock mngt poor? Why not play Wake more? Can't he nix some of Hennings frenetic and then sometimes very ordinary play calling. The wildpat did not seem greased in the new England rollout. Why did jason t not blitz more against new england? Where is parcells accountability?? Why do you throw to Bess vs Camarillo on that late scoring drive against New England?? I am tired of hearing how players practiced. What the heck happened in training camp that for the second year in a row the fins were not ready???? WHY don't the fins throw to Ronnie or Ricky more out of the slot?? Go to the hot player Sparano and stop with getting everyone involved. Grrrrr

David in san Fran

[Richard Head]

dying breed is a donkey

[Dick Butkis]

I don't get it. What wrong with you Mr. Impersonator?
I have no background in pyschology, but I'm sure you'd be a facinating case file.
Did you do a lot of LSD? X-tasy? Is this what Crank does to people?
Did you have a happy/unhappy childhood?
A wierd Uncle with a funny look in his eye?

I just don't get it! When I play with myself, it's not a keyboard that I have in my hands!!!!

[NJ PHLIM Flam]

i wouldnt call out sporano ifin i werente you there jim bobby david. he once ripped a catfish from his boxer drawer and ate him a whole alive while a jet fan watched.

[NJ PHLIM Flam]

richhead? you boy or girl son? ifin yous a girl ives got sunthin' very inportant like to ask you about richhead

[Richard Head]

Who is impersonating? This is my name. I'm sure no one else uses this name?

I like the Miami Dolphins and Greg Camarillo is my favorite player.

[Richard Head]

How many girls you know named richard?

[chimmichanga]

Only a couple difference NJ,I live in a 2 bedroom town house in Brooklyn, have no kids(thank god)and make about 52 thousand a year, keep your plumbing job dealing with doo-doo bro, but quit hating.... your better then that bro...

Posted by: cuban menace | November 10, 2009 at 11:33 AM

Any comments on this?????

[ALoco]

why i feel that all posters tonight are truckers ,

[santo]

Richard's middle name is GIVES

[NJ PHLIM Flam]

chimmichanga? that what my first cousin said she caught right after i nailed her.

Told her it couldna been me cuss my baby brother nailed her first.

[plomero]

all posters tonight are truckers, np wait farmers plus one retard named ALoco

[plomero]

no

[Short Dick Butkis]

Richard Head

I'll forever lov....eh.....appreciate Camirillo for whut he done.
HOWEVER, he's toast, the boy couldn't catch a cold on the North Pole.

This off season we're only keeping one out of the whole lot and it ain't gonna be Camirillo!!!!

[chimmichanga]

NJ please explain to all of us what cuban menace was talking about

[NJ PHLIM Flam]

no no no sir ri bobby plomero. im not a trucker nors a farmers, it just plain ole me. im the coward of the county and you remembers that now ya hare!

[Short Dick Butkis]

Aloco,

Do you feel like your talking to yourself????

[NJ PHLIM Flam]

who dat out yonder tryin da cipher like mees?

[Living Breed]

Dying Breed puts NJ in his place. Anyone agree??

[the boz]

Bench Bess. he is a catch and fall down guy now. Wes Welker he will never be. The drops and the terrible ave per catch is enough for me. turner has to get his chances now. Ginn would be benched instead of Bess as he is an obvious disaster at WR, however he seems to be picking up his game in returns. sparano always comes up with these crappy stats to protect his WR's. Go out there and get the big-time WR in free agency. Will never win with what we have.

[Richard Head]

what a bunch of ritards you all are

[Richard Head]

dying breed is king donkey of ritardville

[Sensei]

what a bunch of ritards you all are

Posted by: Richard Head
Look how you spell retard? You are a retard my friend. Idiot

[aquaandorange]

I really like Camarillo. He may not be the fastest wr but in my humble opinion he is the heart of the team along with Merling Langford and JT.

[Richard Head]

sensei,

maybe you should ask rainman because he was a ritard and he practically brainwashed the casino.

[Richard Head]

bankrupt

[Richard Head]

Guys I am sorry to behave this way. You guys just get me soooo mad. I lost it. again I am sorry for being an @ss

[Richard Head]

lol brainwash?

[NJ PHLIM Flam]

bench bess? I'ld dune dat before. Always enjoy sittin on my wurk bench drinkin my milwalkie bess.

[Short Dick Butkis]

Summin toad me it's wrong ta slept whiff my 1st cuzzin.
Din nay toad me it's wrong ta slept whiff my 2nd cuzzin.
So I ask em iffin it's alright ta slept whiff my 1st cuzzin twiced?

Affer dat, I just quit countin!

[chimichurri]

wow 3 posts in one minute. you and all your personality going for a record eh holmes?

[Sensei]

Richard the dude had autism you jack@zz

[tomate]

chimichurri is also NJ. Hi NJ how are you tonight?

[Jimmy Jam]

Sparano may not be a great coach, but he is a fantastic comedian!

"Sparano really likes what his current crop of receivers bring to the table" Now that's funny!

The only reliable WR they have is Camarillo. Hartline is decent, Bess was until his case of the dropsies started. Hopefully he will get over that. Ted Ginn continues to be the second coming of Clifford Franklin.

[Short Dick Butkis]

wow 3 posts in one minute. you and all your personality going for a record eh holmes?

Posted by: chimichurri | November 11, 2009 at 10:44 PM

He aint me! I'as jusy playin whiff the psycho Ba$tard.
I'm me!!!!

[Richard Moorehead]

Only a couple difference NJ,I live in a 2 bedroom town house in Brooklyn, have no kids(thank god)and make about 52 thousand a year, keep your plumbing job dealing with doo-doo bro, but quit hating.... your better then that bro...

Posted by: cuban menace | November 10, 2009 at 11:33 AM

Any comments on this?????

Posted by: chimmichanga | November 11, 2009 at 10:27 PM

Hey Chimmi why did you post this?

[NJ PHLIM Flam]

shortdickbuttkiss are you show you aint my lil bubba. you promised me ya wouldnt sleep witin ours first cuzin after i married her. you backstabbin lil mule stomper.

[chimichurri]

who's who now? wow I am so confused.

Who finishes the year with more yards ricky or ronnie?????

[chimichurri]

I did not post that

[KillerDolphin]

So sad one loser from NJ and one from NY on MIAMI BLOG?

[Short Dick Butkis]

Jimmy Jam

Hartline and Turner will be the only two we keep this off season.

Ginn might make it as a return specialist and no. 4 wideout.

We'll sign two in F.A. and draft two. One probably with a 2nd rounder.

[monkey]

killer has a great point

[Translation dept]

All I know is the cuban menace makes 52k a year. Translated -well paid security guard, liar makes salry in the 40s. No kids -translated - no wife, he is an ugly toad or sterile, thanks god. God know better to bless a fat toad with any kids. Menace spends all his wrok time on the internet. - Loser

[NJ PHLIM Flam]

tony sporano likes the current crop of recievers he brings to the table? sounds like all of mine ex cuzzins, sorry folks mint wives. for they recieved everythang i had too while sittin at the table.

Dey did let me keep my dog named sue tho'. or was that boy? get so confused when drankin my top shelf shine.

[Short Dick Butkis]

shortdickbuttkiss are you show you aint my lil bubba. you promised me ya wouldnt sleep witin ours first cuzin after i married her. you backstabbin lil mule stomper.

Posted by: NJ PHLIM Flam | November 11, 2009 at 10:49 PM

Shoot, I ain't no back stabber. We tried ta get Y'all ta come whiff us on that free vacation to the Jerry Springer show.

[KillerDolphin]

NJ and CM give each other Blumkins all night!

[NJ PHLIM Flam]

shoot shortdickbuttkisser i was drunk. didnt here yall out dere yodelin.

[TCA]

Vontae has what it takes to be excellent

[chimichurri]

killer,

please dont make this blog a dirty place

tca,

I agree, so does sean smith

[NJ PHLIM Flam]

shortdickbuttkisser yous also knows i make a brand new fresh batch of high powered shine every early friday mournin. ya lil buttkisser who tried impregnate the rabbit.

[KillerDolphin]

You just being here makes it dirty you northern filth

[NJ PHLIM Flam]

whut da hell is a Vontae? Can you eat one of dem dere too?

[KillerDolphin]

You losers have ruined this blog like you ruined everything you touch in your lives!

[KillerDolphin]

You two are the cancer's of this blog

[chanco]

who win in a fight dying breed or NJ???

[NJ PHLIM Flam]

does that mean we're at intermission?