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

[Marc]

I didn't say not to bench him, but, pull him during the game, don't announce it mid-week

[Armando Salguero]

Vontae did not look back for the ball so it is PI.

[Marc]

VD...COME ON MAN!

[DyingBreed]

Penne is now officially leagues highest paid starter as a qb. He made well over $1 million a play today.

[finatic]

due to Henne playing im changing my prediction to 24-13.fins win.

[superPHIN]

Totally pass interference,,,,,WTF does davis not even turn around!!!!

[d-dense]

i'll agree with mid week was unexpected

[David]

Bell-interception-no

[jamesc]

wtf bell gets hit tryin to catch

[Jeff F., Long Island, NY]

Guys...Who fumbled on Tennessee?

[Marc]

Nice tackle Clemmons

[The Seer]

Henne will still suck, and we still need a qb for future.

I don't take back anything I said all week.....the issue was never being a fan of Penny, but realizing Tuna & co screwed us big time.

[Armando Salguero]

Chris Johnson rush gains 19. Longest gain by Johnson versus Miami last year was 14 yards.

[Jay-Mo]

I hate the NFL pass interference rule (meaning posession at the spot of the foul).

[d-dense]

come on D!!!!

[Los Lobos]

how sick would it be to be beat by Fairy Collins?

[Armando Salguero]

Um, where were Dansby and Crowder on that TD run?

[Marc]

Nice NON tackle Clemmons

[Vandehype]

I would like to go on record as one of the few who dismiss the importance of a declared starting QB. OK, if Payton Manning or Tom Brady get pulled it's news, but we don't have anyone like them. Instead, we have three good QBs, all with distint talents. They should all have been, and should still be, used accordingly. If the play is a 55 yard bomb or a mid range bullet then Henne is our man. If the play is an 8 yard touch pass to a wide open Fasano then substitute Penington. If the play calls for intuition and scramble, then substitute Thigpen. I don't understand what could be the problem with this approach. Predictable, you say? Well, this entire league is predictable. Is anyone really doing anything different? If so I don't see it. The plays are all out there. The ones who perform them win.

[The Seer]

Ryan Clark would have made that tackle.

[el coach]

WTH! Were is the run D? Wish we had moss to take up the FS help!

[jamesc]

tackle low jesus

[Los Lobos]

Mando,

Are you working on WTF happened to Penny?

[FAJ]

I guess we didn't learn crap from Ray Rice and Willis McGahee. Damn, if Henne only would tackle better, not interfere with Moss or catch that batted pass!

[robbyhernz]

Gonna b a long day if we cant stop that dude

[superPHIN]

Just like miami's Defense to respond with a score from the offense with a score for their offense.....Blame that one on henne too!!!!!

[DyingBreed]

Every week Chris Clemons proves he isnt the answer at fs either.

[David]

Johnson-17 yard TD-Moss effect-he should be a Dolphin-why isn't he-because we have nervous Nellie's who pick players

[DC Dolfan]

Who cares about Henne or Penne if you're playing the same inconsistent, sloppy defense?

[Los Lobos]

Henne coming in basically told the D the game was lost.

[dave]

come on D you have to step up

[gdionne]

Dolphins didn't think Moss was worth it but they double team him and Johnson runs in for the score.....way to go front office!

[Marc]

Well, vandehype, as ridiculous as that statement is...

I'll just give you ONE reason why that's silly

Don't you think the other team would know what play you planned on calling based on which QB you inserted?

I could go on and on, but, that sir, was special

[Jay-Mo]

Don't worry, that run was Henne's fault. Pennington will fix it when he returns next season.

[T. Martin (Burbank, CA)]

I assume Clemons does know that the idea is to tackle Chris Johnson not escort him into the end zone..... right?

[The Seer]

I'd rather blame it on Tuna & co. foregoing drafting of NT or FS, and then alienating Ryan Clark just as he was going to sign, then convincing you Tuna FanBoyz that Clemmons was worth a damn ("No mental mistakes in camp"!!)

[jamesc]

man dansby and channing gotta step up in run game

[DyingBreed]

Once CJ reaches the 2nd level of your D you can damn near forget about it.

[fAn]

firstrow is not working anyone else have another linnk?

[Los Lobos]

@gdionne....good point!

[el coach]

penny needs to retire! cant take any sort of hit!

[Marc]

Jeez, Chris Johnson is one ugly thug

[acwalsh8]

this sprint commercial where the cop gets put on desk duty and has to hand in his 10000 weapons is the antithesis of henning......

sporano asks henning to hand in his playbook at the end of the season....Henning hands in a binder with dennys menus and the weekly tv guide with episodes of becker circled!

hes a joke.

[oldenglish]

we lose we better get a new regime.

[dave]

link??????????

[Empty Orange Seat]

Empty Orange Seats say Boooo!!

[The Seer]

@gdion:

great point---if Moss blows, why double him?

[Los Lobos]

Personally, I think Penny tanked himself so his crybaby protege could start.

[superPHIN]

dead head ricky back in the game....sigh!!!!

[ncfinfan]

isnt there a p2p4u.net or something like that.. it always works well but i can never remember the exact link.

[jamesc]

stick with brown

[FAJ]

Can Penne have a quick shoulder surgery and recover before halftime?

[Denny]

So anyone else in here realizing what a mistake it was to bring in Penny? WOW,,,,how did some of us know this was going to happen?hmm 2 years older and a third shoulder surgery! LMAO!!!

[Marc]

RUN, RUN...

[bigt160]

can we protect a damn lead for once???!!!!

[Los Lobos]

This is bull. No way do they start penny if he's not ready. i don't get it.

[Ashevillephinfan]

Wow Ricky on second series what a surprise

[KBrad]

Grrrrrr

[el coach]

WTF! Henne still stinks! cant connect on a short pass for the FD!

[shaggy]

What a joke, pennington is glass, that hit would not have hurt a fruit fly. Sparano is an idiot. i wonder how he even paased a physical.