Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning talked ot the media for about 14 minutes today and I was fascinated by the discussion about what this group of coaches -- and obviously the personnel dept. -- thinks of the balance between having a group of mediocre receivers or a group that is excellent and might include a so-called diva.
"We like this group of receivers," Henning said. "I've told you that before. They're like Rodney Dangerfield. [Greg] Camarillo and [Davone] Bess weren't even drafted. [Brian] Hartline was drafted but he was drafted after another guy on the same team [Pat Turner] and three or four other guys that went before him. And no one thought he was as good as we thought he was. And Teddy has been chronicled around here as ... he's been villified. And the only guy that has it worse than him right now is Tiger, I guess.
"But they like one another. They work together. They bought in to what we're teaching and so, you know, when you're talking about a coaching situation, everyone would love to have the most talented, biggest, strongest, fastest guy with the best hands. We don't have that and don't get them all the time. But even when you have that, as some people have found with certain individuals in this league, the best thing to have in a coaching situation is these type of guys."
Henning says Camarillo knows all four receiver spots. Bess knows three of the four. Hartline is learning all four. And Ginn knows two.
"We're getting a lot out of them," Henning said. "And we don't have any diva problems. Diva problems can suck the energy out of your football team."
Henning agrees sometimes having a reciever that tilts the field is worth the trouble. But he is very cautious about it.
"Yeah, but he's got to be good," the coach said when asked if he'd take a diva. "He's got to be good."
Why?
"It does take away," Henning said. "You just can't have discord because it's a team operation and when that's being talked about all the time and everybody's afraid to get into a guy's aura and you have to tiptoe around a locker room, it takes away from your team. So the guys' got to be pretty good. He's got to be an Alpha and a definite game-changer."
Look, my personal opinion? There are no perfect players because there are no perfect people. So if you have to pick between a bunch of great guys that stuggle on the field and a couple of great guys and some "divas" that take you to Super Bowls, I pick the latter.
Period.
Mark Clayton and Mark Duper were troubled people. You think Dan Marino isn't thankful he had them?
Santonio Holmes got in all sorts of trouble his first couple of years in Pittsburgh. You think that game-winning catch to win the Super Bowl last year wasn't worth that trouble?
Dolphins defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni talked to the media for almost 10 minutes and in that time he kept shroudded the fact on which player -- Sean Smith or Gibril Wilson -- had the ultimate responsibility on that 63-yard pass last week versus Carolina.
"We're supposed to cover the guy," Pasqualoni said. "I can't get into the details of the coverage. But in any of those coverages that we play, technically, you'd like fo the guy not to run between two guys. Ideally, you'd like to intercept it or knock it down."
The Dolphins have yielded 31 pass plays of 25 yards or more this year. That's an average of more than two per game.
And for the record, on plays where the corner is supposed to have help over the top from the free safety, the free safety is charged with getting over in time to knock down the pass.
I asked Pasqualoni about Jason Taylor's recent sack drought. He hasn't had a full sack since Oct. 25. Part of that is due to the fact he wasn't getting many opportunities, as he was curiously coming off the field on third down. But last game, Taylor got pass-rush chances.
He is locked at 6 sacks so far.
"They come in streaks," Pasqualoni said of sacks. "You get hot and sometimes you cool off. Sometimes it doesn't go your way. A couple of weeks ago when we were playing the Patriots, I don't think we had any sacks. At the end of the day, and I know that sacks [are] a big deal and big statistic in this league, but we just got through talking about team defense. We beat the Patriots and we didn't sack the guy once, but we win the game.
"You tell me? What would you rather do? Have fives sacks and lose to the Patriots? Or have no sacks and beat the Patriots? So to me, it all depends on the way it's going. If they come, they come. That's great. If they don't, it's not the most important statistic on the goal board. that won-loss is the most important one. That's the way I look at it. I would not get all out of shape about out, I really wouldn't."
In other news: Reggie Torbor returned to practice at least on a limited basis today. He is still nursing a hamstring injury which pretty much has assured he'll not start ahead of Akin Ayodele this week despite playing better than Ayodele last week.
This a HELL of a game!
Posted by: Po White Trash | December 17, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Makes me sick but.....
GO JAGS!
Posted by: Po White Trash | December 17, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Thanks mando. there MIGHT be only 2 nt's in this years draft ( cody ? , Dan williams -tenn ) worthy of first round status. Same for wr, Dez bryant and goldan tate. There are alot of good de/olb's worthy of first round status.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | December 17, 2009 at 10:22 PM
More Millen morass:
"They're great fans." Um, they just sold out for the first time.
"They came to see a game and a track meet showed up." No, this is how pro football is played in 2009.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 17, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Yeah, I don't see the Dolphins picking WR in first round. Not with the talent available there, not with Parcells running the draft and loving OLBs.
And not with Miami having two 33-plus OLBs on the roster.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 17, 2009 at 10:24 PM
And Teddy has been chronicled around here as ... he's been villified. And the only guy that has it worse than him right now is Tiger, I guess.
THAT IS THE BEST TIGER JOKE I'VE HEARD SO FAR!!! LMAO! VERY WELL PUT DAN...
Posted by: Dcdolfan | December 17, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Mando , YUP !
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | December 17, 2009 at 10:29 PM
Mando something I am always curious about, since your entire job is built around the Dolphins, do you get to hang out casually with the players or do they treat you like the evil media? Seems like lately all of their answers to media is very sarcastic.
Posted by: H8dpats | December 17, 2009 at 10:31 PM
lol Armando - I can't believe you asked if Mark and I knew each other.
Only thing funnier would have been if you asked if we were related, same 'inToronto' last name ;)
I just turned the game on, were the Jags up by a lot and the Colts just caught up?
Posted by: LipsinToronto | December 17, 2009 at 10:34 PM
H8dpats:
I used to hang out with players at times. Would see Mark Duper out in clubs. Went home to East St. Louis with Bryan Cox once -- don't recommend the place.
But I'm not out clubbing anymore. And the culture that Parcells has put in place has made a point of drawing a line between the players and the media. We are the enemy, it seems.
I have a lot more rapport with other folks in the organization now.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 17, 2009 at 10:38 PM
n/m, just looked it up.. interesting back and forth game. No D in this game?
Posted by: LipsinToronto | December 17, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Lips, it's not inconceivable that Dolfans in the same town might gather at the same watering holes on game days.
I guess it came out sounding a lot dumber than when I thought about it. That happens to me sometimes.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 17, 2009 at 10:40 PM
True, it is not inconceivable.. and I was just giving you a hard time.. those questions always sound sillier than they are..
And I bet if there was a place that Dolphins fans decided to meet, that a few would show up.. "If you build it, they will come..."
I am surprised how many Dolphins fans there are up here.. then again, I've know a ton of Italian Dolphins fans that loved them because of Marino.. and didn't know another player lol
Posted by: LipsinToronto | December 17, 2009 at 10:45 PM
Thanks for the honest answer Mando, yeah I noticed the interviews got pretty cold when Parcells got there. But you just try to report fairly and honestly the questions that all of the fans want to know. The coaches would love to have everything reported with a sugar coating on it but it's not always sweet is it? I am jealous you got to go clubbing with Cox man he had some swagger, I miss his craziness and agressiveness on the field.
Posted by: H8dpats | December 17, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Mando,
As much as these folks you are responding to haunt this blog, don’t think you could offend em.
The only thing you could do to offend us is to pull for the Jets!
Posted by: Po White Trash | December 17, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Armando,
I find it hard to believe the Dolphins will use a draft pick on a surefire WR (if there is such a thing). I think that most WRs drafted usually need a few years to blossom.. but on the other hand, I think 1 impact WR that can go up and fight for the ball and get some YAC.. you know, a true #1.. would open up this offense to some wonderful possibilities..
Given all this, do you think the trifecta will pick up a WR in a trade or by way of FA?
Posted by: LipsinToronto | December 17, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Since my satellite is out, I'm checking out NFL.com and these guys keep saying Jaguires instead of Jaguars.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 17, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Mando . i know what your saying about the cuban community and everybody knowinh each other, same with the greek community. Everybody knows wach other. LOL :)
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | December 17, 2009 at 10:49 PM
knowing = knowinh . each= wach.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | December 17, 2009 at 10:51 PM
I get the feeling the San Diego Chargers might be the best team in the AFC right now.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 17, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Looks like the Jags are Gettin the Phins treatment....
Posted by: Po White Trash | December 17, 2009 at 10:53 PM
The Chargers do look pretty good this year
Posted by: H8dpats | December 17, 2009 at 10:53 PM
I agree . I have San diego vs minnesota in the super bowl. sorry dolphin fans.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | December 17, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Wow, he didn't even try to tackle him.. just tried to force the fumble...
Posted by: LipsinToronto | December 17, 2009 at 10:54 PM
Reggie Wayne td
Posted by: H8dpats | December 17, 2009 at 10:54 PM
Road is going thru Indianapolis.
Posted by: Po White Trash | December 17, 2009 at 10:54 PM
You guys seen the S.D. WR corps?
All of the 6-2 or taller and they all run like deer. Makes me only wish.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 17, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Saints got something for The Vikes.
Posted by: Po White Trash | December 17, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Ya, I'd like one of their top 3 guys on our team.
Posted by: LipsinToronto | December 17, 2009 at 10:56 PM
This game feels life Colts Phins.
Posted by: Po White Trash | December 17, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Colts use their Time outs, Get the ball back and....
Well we and the Pats know the rest.
Posted by: Po White Trash | December 17, 2009 at 10:59 PM
The Thursday night NFL network crew really know how to suck the life out of a football game.
Posted by: LipsinToronto | December 17, 2009 at 10:59 PM
One thing this game does is make you appreciate what the Miami defense did on sunday a lot more.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 17, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Sack and Done.
Posted by: Po White Trash | December 17, 2009 at 11:00 PM
i hope the jags pull it off. i want mii to be the only undefeated team
Posted by: smirish | December 17, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Millen: "If you're the Jacksonville jaguars, you got to force a punt right here."
Thank you Mr. Obvious.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 17, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Why are they running it, Jags have TOs.
Posted by: Po White Trash | December 17, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Now they pass...
Day late dollar short.
Posted by: Po White Trash | December 17, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Smell an upset?
Posted by: Po White Trash | December 17, 2009 at 11:06 PM
who is rooting for JAX to end the colts undefeated run?
Posted by: LipsinToronto | December 17, 2009 at 11:07 PM
I smell a different jags team than we played last Sunday.
Posted by: H8dpats | December 17, 2009 at 11:08 PM
I am.
Posted by: Po White Trash | December 17, 2009 at 11:08 PM
which of miami's 3 remaining games worries you the most? red hot tennesee on the road? houston, who we've never beaten?or defending SB champs?
Posted by: smirish | December 17, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Millen: Dont want to score to fast! LMAO!
Posted by: Po White Trash | December 17, 2009 at 11:09 PM
I do respect the fact Freeney and Mathis -- both nursing injuries -- are in the game now.
the Colts are not laying down.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 17, 2009 at 11:09 PM
I love my 72 team but I am about the here and now.
Posted by: H8dpats | December 17, 2009 at 11:10 PM
smirish, one game at a time. One game at a time.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 17, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Ballgame!
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 17, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Everyone of them worries me!
Posted by: H8dpats | December 17, 2009 at 11:11 PM
They are who we though they Were!
We let em off the hook!
Posted by: Po White Trash | December 17, 2009 at 11:11 PM
I am worried about Tennessee. Without this win, our chances go down considerably..
We NEED this victory.
Posted by: LipsinToronto | December 17, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Jags lose!!!!
Posted by: BlazzinAce | December 17, 2009 at 11:12 PM
garrard stinks. backup at best. not a franchise qb.
Posted by: smirish | December 17, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Well that's game boys! Beat by four points again!
Posted by: H8dpats | December 17, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Tebow Alert!
Posted by: Po White Trash | December 17, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Night folks. As always, I thank you for coming here as much as you do.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 17, 2009 at 11:13 PM
well. at least they didnt score too fast!
Posted by: smirish | December 17, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Thanks Mando.
Posted by: Po White Trash | December 17, 2009 at 11:14 PM
smirish,
Funny...
Posted by: Po White Trash | December 17, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Armando, I've always wondered this about the media covering sports..
You seem to be a Dolphins fan. I mean, I've seen you blog about a good or bad play as a fan.. obviously quite objective.. yet you try to remain objective in writing about the Dolphins..
Were you a Dolphins fans when you started covering them, or did you grow into that?
I've always wondered how many sports writers were actually fans of teams other than the ones they cover..
Posted by: LipsinToronto | December 17, 2009 at 11:15 PM