Live blog: The recovery from 4-4 possible

Welcome to the second half of the 2010 NFL season.

As you know, despite their 4-4 record, the Dolphins have been guaranteed a playoff spot courtesy wide receiver Brandon Marshall. But as I write in my Sunday column, a lot of things have to change beyond the starting quarterback for that guarantee to be fulfilled.

Check the list I outline in the column and tell me if you agree with it and can think of any more areas Miami needs immediate improvement in to make that playoff reach.

(One need I missed is that Miami must learn to overcome the home field advantage of their opponents at Sun Lifeless Stadium.)

Miami's assignment of recovering from a 4-4 record to make the playoffs will be difficult. But not impossible. According to the NFL, since the 2000 season, 27 teams have finished the first half of the season with a .500 or worse record and still made the playoffs -- with at least one such team making it happen in every season.

In each of the past four seasons, at least three teams started 4-4 or worse and rebounded to make the playoffs. Last year, three teams worked that trick -- Baltimore, Green Bay, and the New York Jets.

I remind you one, you will see one of the previously mentioned 27 teams play today. I remind you in 2008, the Dolphins were 4-4 and then, voila, they went 7-1 in the season's final eight weeks and not only made the playoffs, but won the division.

Have I mentioned there is a live blog today?

There is a live blog today.

It starts in the comments section below and then moves to the new posts I file at the start of every quarter. So be there. And come back here 90 minutes before the game to get the inactives and starters (want to see who starts at QB for Tennessee) for the teams.

[UPDATE: The inactives for Miami are Roberto Wallace, Nate Ness, Matt Kopa, Clifton Geathers, Lydon Murtha, Mikey Shuler and Tyler Thigpen is the thrid QB. For the Titans, Kerry Collins will start at QB, not Vince Young.]

Comments

[Armando Salguero]

The 400 section looks like it has 10,000 empty seats.

[The Seer]

Empty--

the guys at the firm I work at, who usually ignore all hints about others wanting the firm's good seats, were making desperate calls starting at 830am to unload their tickets

The Rats, like Tuna, are jumping ship in record numbers.

[Marc]

a touchback?

[DyingBreed]

stretching the defense the Titans plan to run today

[Marc]

Nice Dansby+Crowder

[acwalsh8]

Nothing to do with this game yet....but is anyone else impressed with the play of Solai this year?

I know I am.

[jamesc]

ya hes been good

[acwalsh8]

fumble!!!!

[KBrad]

That's what I'm talking about!

[DyingBreed]

Fans staying home maybe thats the spark we need. The team thinks thier on the road!

[Armando Salguero]

Fisher is asking for a replay

[jamesc]

lol nive start

[DC Dolfan]

GO FOR THE ENDZONE! STRIKE WHILE THE DAGGER IS HOT!

[The Seer]

that one will be reversed.....Fischer's a competition committee bigwig, and League hates Ross.

[jamesc]

will it be 4th or 1st down if changed

[DyingBreed]

Looks like we immediately get to see if Penne will add a spark in the redzone. EARLY LOOK DOLPHANS!!!

[fin fan buck]

link!!!

[Marc]

Even if it's not a fumble they were short

[popncaps551]

what an empty stadium

[acwalsh8]

the refs will rule the player fumbled but they were unable to determine whether any fins had possession of the ball.

[DC Dolfan]

chris clemons in the right position, that's a nice start to the game whatever the outcome is.

[REDSHIRT COMMIE]

I HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF FINDING JESUS THAN THIS TEAM HAS OF GETTING IN THE END ZONE.

FIELD GOAL BARRAGE SET TO BEGIN.

[redsky]

ball came out before knee hit ground

[KBrad]

Funny AC

[The Seer]

refs show gutz....they'll turn on us later.

GO FOR TD FFS!!!

[Marc]

That was a good look

[acwalsh8]

0-1

[socalfan]

Looks like a rookie

[DyingBreed]

Lets see a fade to Marshall.

[Marc]

Look at that white boy go!

[acwalsh8]

nice positioning on that pass.

[jamesc]

wish carey was better

[Jeff F., Long Island, NY]

Anyone have a LINK?

[DyingBreed]

OMG timeout already?

[The Seer]

Haven't seen the cameras pan the Stadium yet (too busy typing to you mugs)............

does it look like a Marlin Game broke out?

[acwalsh8]

I think it was a TO by TN

[David]

A completed pass in the red zone after our o line forgets to protect our 34 year old quarterback. Randy Shannon calls a time out-SECURITY!

[Armando Salguero]

Chad Henne has replaced an injured Chad Pennington

[fin fan buck]

link?

[Jeff F., Long Island, NY]

Guys,

Anyone with a LINK?

[Marc]

LOL...Wildcat

[popncaps551]

ill take that all day

[Dman]

link

[Marc]

Penny injured after 2 passes

[acwalsh8]

OMG Armando....I was on a commercial when you said that and couldnt believe it.

Now.....holy shiit.

[KBrad]

Henne time

[popncaps551]

henne knocks the receiver down on that throw

[jamesc]

jeez

[The Seer]

Ah well................the Short Happy Career of Chad P.

And they have so much faith in Henne they run the Wildcat!!

IRELAND MUST GO NOW!

[DC Dolfan]

Well, did Penne cause a spark?

[REDSHIRT COMMIE]

JK

HUGE WIN FOR THE FINS TODAY.

PENNINGTON LEADS THE WAY.

DEFENSE....WELL WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY WILL DO

[David]

Long takes out our quarterback-what a team player

[finatic]

Put ThigPen in!!!!!!!

[acwalsh8]

now we need henne to grab his balls and play like a man and TAKE HIS JOB BACK.

[Jeff F., Long Island, NY]

I'm in the dark here...what's going on?

[ncfinfan]

Penningtons done.. lets not throw in the end zone now Hennes in... nice play calling trying to run each posession

[jamesc]

omg

[robbyhernz]

Go Henne!!! coaches trust u bud so play with confidence!!

[superPHIN]

PISS POOR MANAGEMENT*LMAO*, WHAT ELSE IS NEW!!!!

[David]

Henne calls a timeout-security