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

[DyingBreed]

Yup,

Picking up Moss would have definitely gave us a better chance to at least win this game. Thier leading wr Kenny Britt is out for the year. Way to go clueless regime.

[acwalsh8]

WOW

[Marc]

A fake punt at our own 30~?!

[Armando Salguero]

Wow, now that is desperation!

[jamesc]

why?

[David]

If the Dolphins are so worried about Moss-why didn't they pick him for the price of a discarded lineman + not worry.

Time to punt-no touch on the pass-that was quick

[Jay-Mo]

This looks like the Florida Gators spread offense

[superPHIN]

does anybody notice that when ricky runs the ball now he just ends up trying to run to the ground more than trying to keep his feet, AND WTF KIND OF BS IS THAT CALL!!!!

[nyfinfan]

sign of a desperate teammmmmm!!!

[Los Lobos]

Of course Henne misses another wide open receiver

[FAJ]

A fake punt? Freakin' really! Why Did Henne call that?

[Seriously?]

FAKE PUNT ARE YOU KIDDING ME

[The Seer]

Nice job buidling a special teams unit, Tuna!

Three years in, and we cannot do squat on st.

[popncaps551]

how did i know first play run right

[KBrad]

That's like a turnover!! WTH? I don't mind a fake, but not at that postion on the field.

[FishFan13]

WTF was that........

[ivan]

What A Suck Play , This Team Sucks Big Time

[Los Lobos]

can we fire EVERYONE now Mando?

[Armando Salguero]

Bo Scaife is single-handidly keeping the Dolphins in the game.

[popncaps551]

wildcat

[el coach]

I tought the fins fired the idiot ST's coach? WTH was that B/S?

[acwalsh8]

Henne is definitely better than Carson Palmer. That is for certain.

[superPHIN]

we just handed the titans the lead, good call coaches!!!!

[koamisi]

TIME FOR A COACHING CHANGE!!

[Los Lobos]

please God....please fire everyone

[The New Kid]

Yep, Armando.

It looks like the Dolphin coaching staff sees this season circling the drain. Bench your starting QB, try a fake punt in your own territory - that's pulling out all the stops.

Sparano's seat must be feeling pretty warm right now.

[DMAN]

WTF!?!?!?!?!?! This whole coaching staff needs to be fired....I am sick and tired of these retarded decisions.

[popncaps551]

henne burns receiver again

[stonecld33]

i am so sick of this

[Denny]

Los Lobos what's your normal posting name? It's obvious you're crying over being wrong about Penny being the answer. What's your real name, you know the one you used in here all week when you were praising Pennys "rebuilt" arm?

[daganj]

yup after that play and the rest of the moves it sounds like Sparano and Ireland got a win at home or else msg from Ross...

[David]

Al Harris!

[acwalsh8]

Al Harris....Ok. nice play

[SoiledBottom]

I hate to say this but... Chad Henne my be holding Dan Henning back

Dan Henning..4 more years

[who]

Henne sucks, period. Penne would have hit that pass hands down. A shame Penne went down. Henne is nothing but a Culpepper with no legs.

[devildogfin]

holy sh

[bigt160]

titans say thank you for the 3 points

[dave]

anybody with a link. im desperate!

[KBrad]

Harris makes a play Allen would've missed.

[koamisi]

sparano is not the guy and either is henne! i am not in denial anymore!!

[bond 9]

goodbye bifecta!

[DyingBreed]

WOW, our best db tackler's going to be a 37yr old? PATHETIC!!!

[ncfinfan]

I had a shoulder injury in college football and if you land on it wrong even after surgery and physical therapy.. it can get torn easily... really sucked

[stonecld33]

i just dont understand we play like a peewee team

[FishFan13]

dodged a cannonball

[Marc]

Dave, they've posted the link multiple time...Check back a few pages...

[The Seer]

Mando-

Was it Irsay or Carroll Rosenbloom who fired Schnellenberger over the phone from the press box during game???

[TorturedDolphan]

You guys are such a joke. Quickly becoming the Aints of the AFC. Your special needs qb is back in and big surprise the team has quit. Another pathetic fish collapse at home. Fish 0-4 at home. Love it. you guys aren't going to have a home win until December. Truly pathetic. Burn your dolphins jerseys they are a disgrace to the game of football.

[Los Lobos]

@Denny

There is no way they start penny if he's not ready. i think it was more Dan henning BS. Make the titans think penny is starting so they focus on him.

[fAn]

so does anyone have a stream link other than firstrow which is apparently not working for half of us

[el coach]

idiotic play calling cost us 3 points! bring in rob ryan already! get rid of these clowns!!!

[FishFan13]

Henne blows......give it to Tyler

[dave]

ok offense lets go. how long do they run with henne if hes not doing anything before they bring thigpen in? i dont want them to but they seem so desperate

[FAJ]

Sparano isn't a super bowl coach - he is a toilet bowl coach and that is where our season is going - down the drain...

[superPHIN]

WOW, and ppl say fans cant do any better, i have to wonder if fans are running this team now with whos here cuz thats about as F'd up as they come!!!!

[David]

Henne is holding everyone back-even after this week-where he could reclaim his job and he's robotic, stiff, scarred, and inaccurate

[dave]

good job fake punt just gave them 3 points...
dumb butts

[bigt160]

first play will be run right

[Armando Salguero]

Irsay acctually went down to the sideline to fire Schnells.

[shaggy]

I think tony wants to be fired. He want to go back and coach dallas next year.