Dolphins production chart opens eyes

Tony Sparano likes to get inside of the numbers for his football team because, I assume, the digits sometimes can confirm what he sees on tape or perhaps on rare occasion present a different revelation that isn't necessarily shining through on tape.

So in the last couple of days while his players were off, the Dolphins coach was crunching numbers on a player productivity chart.

"One of the things I did with the football team the last couple of days is I put together a production chart of the last three games at every position including special teams and then we ranked them all via their production," Sparano said Monday.

"My figuring with the three games is we've kind of been on a roller coaster the last three games. So going back seven, eight games you'd be looking at some players that aren't even on the football team right now. The last three games we are 1-2 starting with the Baltimore game which was a staple game for us at that place, and then we really needed to win the game against Tennesee and we really needed to win the last game.

"When you're back's against the wall as it is right now -- we know our margin for error is a lot slimmer than it is for the Jets or New England -- so going back three games I figured this is crunch time and our backs are against the wall, so let's look at the producers. Let's look at some of those things and throw it out there and see what we come up with."

Sparano is not throwing the production chart results out there that I know of. (Memo to the coach: If you'd like to e-mail it to me, I won't say nothing just send it to asalguero@miamiherald.com :-))

But this being a blog and all, and me being paid to give my opinion and all, I'd like to share with you the top three or four producers I see off the last three games the Dolphins have played. There is a serious surprise in the bunch.

I would say Miami's top producer the last three weeks has been Karlos Dansby. If you don't agree, you go argue with the man. He'll be taking you to the streets like LeRon McCLain. Dansby recorded 8 tackles, 10 tackles, and 10 tackles in the last three games. He has a sack, he has a pass defensed, and he's forced a fumble. It is rare when Dansby takes a bad angle to ball carrier -- something his running mate Channing Crowder could learn to improve -- and at least two of those tackles I just told you about stopped potential first-down gains.

The second most productive player was tougher to pick because both Yeremiah Bell and Cameron Wake are doing work in that three-game span. Wake's tackle total was eight against Baltimore, six against Chicago, but only one against Tennessee. He had three sacks in the three games, with two coming against the Ravens. He had one forced fumble in the three games. Obviously, the Titans game makes Wake seem more ... human. He was hurt during the game. He was handled by Tennessee's tackle combo. But does that erase the other two outings?

Yeremiah Bell is on pace to just about equal his numbers of a year ago when he went to the Pro Bowl but something has been missing. Oh, I know, he hasn't had to chase down from behind three or four ball carriers that plowed over Akin Ayodele or Gibril Wilson like he did last year. Bell collected five tackles at Baltimore, eight verus the Titans and five more against Chicago. He has a forced fumble. He has a pass defensed, he has a sack -- all in the last three games. That's productive.

And now I'm going to stun you.

Brian Hartline is one of Miami's most productive players the past three games. He caught four passes for 85 yards against Baltimore for a 21.3 yards per catch average. He caught five passes for 98 yards and a 19.6 yards per catch average against Tennessee. He had five receptions for 70 yards for a 14.0 yards per catch average versus Chicago.

Hartline has been Miami's most productive and most reliable receiver the last three games. Not only is he producing but he has (for whatever reason, including a bad throw from the QB) missed only one targetted throw in each game. In other words, if Miami QBs are throwing to Hartline the last three games, they are getting results for the effort rather than drops or incompletions of another sort.

No, Hartline does not have a TD in the last three games. Guess what? Neither does any other Miami wide receiver.

This is just my list while I await Sparano to e-mail me his. (asalguero@miamiherald.com).

But it should tell you something about Miami's issues when neither running back Ronnie Brown nor Ricky Williams could be considered as having been highly productive recently. It says something that no Miami QB is highly productive in that time, and in fact, Chad Henne got benched during that time. It should say something that alpha receiver Brandon Marshall has not been exceedingly productive in that time, particularly when you balance receptions with drops and penalties.

So who am I leaving out? Who else has been productive? And who hasn't been?

Comments

[Joe Schmoe]

People who eat bunnies are mean and should be put in jail.

[bobbyd12]

condoms have a strange after taste.

[Martin]

I love how some of you played 3rd string Punter at a JC and know more than everyone else?

If you are so F+cking smart then why aren't you on the sideline somewhere, writing a column or working as an analyst? Instead you are on a blog all fn day being smarter than the rest of us and also being the resident Spell Check!

You remind me of an Art snob that has to point out to the rest of us that that green and brown glob of S*it that the Artist threw on the canvas is shows so much frailty and angst from the painter. When we can all see that it looks like S*it and we are not paying a million bucks for it.

Keep schooling us MENSA!

Pissed Fump! Oh yeah, I spelled that wrong on my 1 inch by one inch Droid...A hole!

[odinseye]

I think all assessments of Henne to date have to be thrown out the window.

Comparisons to Sanchezebags? Are you kidding me? What are you guys talking about?!?!

Sanchez is developing into a lot better NFL quarterback than I ever thought he would. He's made some boneheaded plays along the way. Shook it off and went on. As of late, he's turning into Johnny Clutch. KUDOS!!!!

With that being said, comparisons to Henne?

OK, lets have Sanchez tell all the defensive backs what routes his receivers are running and THEN make some comparisons!

I don't know what planet people come from, but the cold hard fact is, Henning has actually made this retarded mitigating circumstance necessary for any serious/accurate comparison!

[ALoco]

the rabbit meat is the most flavored meat .it's very lean also .

[clancy1212]

Bruce, what makes you think that he hates playing out of the shotgun?? I've rarely seen it and/or read that indeed he doesn't...

[Joe Schmoe]

DC, who cares when Tuna took over. This defense is 1 year old. That's the fact. Most of it's players are less than 2 years in. Comparing how this unit plays for Sparano to who the Jets play for Ryan is nonsensical.

Where the Jets have proven players, we have young unknowns. How can you ever compare a D backfield of Revis, Cromartie Leonhard & Pool to S. Smith, Clemmons, Bell & Davis? The experience level is not up for comparison.

Look at their LB'ers: Pace, Taylor, Harris, Scott. These are all stars who have experience. Compare that to Wake, Misi, Crowder & Dansby. The only one worth a damn is Dansby. 4 Pro bowlers to none.

Considering both Defenses are playing about equal, and Miami is average at best, I can't see how you think Ryan's Defense is playing for him. They should be, based on their talent, allot better than they are. To me that means he is not doing a great job.

As far as Sparano goes, I have been calling for his firing since the beginning of the season. Whether he's as good as Ryan or not is irrelevant to me. I want the next coach of this team to be a coach. Not a blabbermouth like Ryan who thinks his sh*t don't stink.

Cause I can assure you, it does.

[Utdolfan]

You guys get down on Henning, impeding Henne's progress but Henne is the one throwing interceptions and can't read the field!

Posted by: Chet

Chet,

Here is a quote from Sparano after the Chicago game -

"On the fifth series of the game we called four run/pass (options) in a row. On one of those four they baited Tyler a little bit and he threw the ball down the sideline and got it to Brian Hartline for 25 yards. In those situations we’ve got to have more handoffs and less worrying about the chunk play just because the coverage dictates the chunk play."

Pay attention to the end of the quote, referring to a successfull read and 25 yard play.

Does this sound like a staff that is allowing a qb to read a field and make plays?

[2 watt]

aloco,french fries,henne wants french fries.lol

[Martin]

Odin,

Not a big Sanchez fan but here in Cali he was pegged from birth as a can't miss NFL QB. I didn't see it a USC. He was ok but hard to live up to the hype. One thing about him is the dude lives Football, a lot like P. Manning in that regard.

Pissed Fump!

[The Seer]

Sparano:

"If you throw out our five losses, we're playing quite well."

[Joe Schmoe]

To clarify I didn't mean Wake isn't worth a damn. I wasn't very clear. I meant it in terms of experience compared to the team in Green. Regarding Crowder, expericne or not, he isn't worth a damn LOL

[Martin]

UTdolfan,

Great Point!

Pissed Fump!

[odinseye]

Aloco,

Rabbit meat is a tough Doo.

I always miss them with my rifle and my shotgun leaves pellets.

Aloco, you don't want to eat rabbit pellets!

[The Seer]

Henne does ads for Beverley's Jewelers w/ his fiance & their ring, and some 3rd rate a/c company no one has ever heard of.

Biscayne Boulevard Chad.............lighting the football world on fire! Instant Excitement.

[Martin]

A lot of knocks on Henne but one thing for sure. You go out and suit up for practice and take reps with a supposed year ending knee injury, that is leadership?

Pissed Fump!

[Home]

My son takes it up the ass for $5.00

[Joe Schmoe]

UT, makes a great point allot of us have tried to make. This coaching staff is oblivious. Henne ain't the problem, but he might not be the solution either. Until we get a real coaching staff & OC, we'll never know. The reign of mediocrity will continue!

[Claude Manchester]

Sir ALoco,

Do you also eat the nose and ears of the dear bunny?

-CM

[Martin]

Wabbit season! Duck season! Wabbit season! Duck season! Wabbit season! Duck season!......

Pissed Fump!

[odinseye]

Henne took more snaps out of the shotgun than any Michigan Quarterback ever, including Brady and Robinson(though Robinson will surpass him soon).

Henne rewrote the record books there.

Dan Henning spin. This guy will stop at nothing to defend his "legend in my own mind" status.

[gun slinger.]

Put henne in shotgun with a 4 WR set and let him rip it. I dont care if he likes to drop back from center, just tell him to get used to it. Marino endorses this kid so good enough for me.

Let's play some new school football for F'sake and atttack the defense. At least go down swinging instead of being scared to lose... attack....boom.

[ALoco]

odin,

IT'S NOT ODIN, IF YOU KNOW HOW TO COOK THE RABBIT ,IT'S WONDERFUL .

[Claude Manchester]

Who is this Home fellow with his filthy mouth?

That was quite disgusting. You should be ashamed of yourself.

[clancy1212]

that's right, martin. henne will take control of this team and has built respect. Emotions are showing on the field (from a few) and this is good... time to push each other!

[ALoco]

FAKE HOME, HAVE SOME DECENCY AND LEAVE HOME'S SON ALONE .

[Martin]

Lord knows I make idiotic and stupid jokes on here. Some are even of the sexual variety. I try to keep it light and more of the tongue in cheek vibe. For Heavens sake people? Rape and child sex innuendo? That is just wrong on every level!

Pissed Fimp!

[clancy1212]

odin/ gun, exactly!! there's been no attempt at establishing a shotgun presence. i hate to compare henne right now, but i think it's an obvious comparison with his skill set. mind you, we have to completely erase our current scheming. henne's mind and physicality are equipped to be this kind of qb!!

[Denny]

Here's the bottom line when it comes to this team. And this says everything that needs to be said.

When Parcells and crew came here they told EVERYONE that they were building from the lines out. That meant they were going to build the offensive line and defensive line first.

Three years later and our biggest holes and team needs are on both lines.

Does anything else need to be said? Who is responsible for this now that Tuna is gone. Is Ireland the skapegoat? How is it possible that with an offensive line coach and former offensive linemen himself (Sparano) and after three years of "rebuilding" with Parcells/Ireland at the helm our offensive line has regressed! How is that possible?! And are we supposed to be happy that the d-line is no better? I'm giving them the benefit of doubt because of key injuries to Merling and Odrick but come on already.

[odinsRightHand]

Home, is your son available to night? My hand is getting tired!

[Martin]

clancy1212, I'm not ready to make that call yet. I can't gauge him due to the type of system he is playing in. He has been inconsistent and too often inaccurate. I believe it comes from being afraid to make a mistake, playing tight, no support from the running game and most of all coaching? I don't really like his pocket presence and stiffness/immobility though.

Pissed Fump!

[Pissed Fump!]

I like pleasure spiked with Pain and music is my aeroplane.

[Denny]

I hate saying this again but,,,,,,,, WHEN Dan Henning leaves this team Chad Henne will become the qb we all want and the team desperately needs. He may never be elite but he will be very strong and lead this team to some big time wins.

He played great under pressure in Michigan and turned it on when the team was down. He made all the throws he needed to make and was very accurate. He has a rocket arm and unlimited work ethic. He's smart as hell. He has EVERY intangible that you look for in a qb coming out of college and under any other coaching staff this kid would be loved by everyone.

Henning and to a lesser extent Sparano are coaching him to be afraid. There is no other explanation. Tons of scouts, football analysts and former players to coaches have said that Henne has what it takes to be very good in this league. But much like the people coaching him he's been very mediocre. Time for a change before they ruin him permanently and we have to start over again. Gruden loves Henne and knows how to use his personnel properly.

JOHN GRUDEN IN 2011!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Martin]

he he he

Pissed Fump!

[odinseye]

Dan Henning DESERVES more.

I think an immediate Political appointment is in order.

A consultant maybe? No, an ADVISOR sounds nice! No, No, wait, I think I've got it! An Ambassadorship!

Eureka! That's it! Mr. Barrack should appoint him Ambassador to some nice little country like say............Afghanistan? Maybe Haiti?

[clancy1212]

I'm on board with both of martin and denny's comments, and therefore think henne's gotta get back in the lineup to preserve his development. Conservatism has been miami's dilemma forever... we scare nobody via game planning, so why not throw the "book" at everyone! We are banged up and excuses are abound, but either they want it or they don't... time to go for it, either way!

[odinseye]

Lord knows I make idiotic and stupid jokes on here. Some are even of the sexual variety. I try to keep it light and more of the tongue in cheek vibe. For Heavens sake people? Rape and child sex innuendo? That is just wrong on every level!

Pissed Fimp!

Posted by: Martin | November 23, 2010 at 04:41 PM

Martin,

In one short paragraph you were able to say what I meant to, Ah......

I mean, what I've been trying to relay the felling that...........

Um, I been trying to, you know, ah relate the...........

UgggggH! What Martin said MAN!!!!

PISSED FUMP!!!!

[Martin]

fake Martin @4:53pm

[oscar]

NJ PHIN FAN in the house

[Martin]

Odin,

You know the deal? Bunch a guys goofin and shootin the S*it, cappin on each other. Then along comes one freak to create an ackward moment that produces silence. The whole group kinda looks away blankly and thinks. WTF!???

Pissed Fump!

[Martin]

Since I'm in a bad mood today...

You guys wonder why Armondo doesn't have anything for us as to the extent of Henne's injury?

Long's long term prognosis?

Will Marshall play? How does he look? What's the vibe in the locker room about him?

Whats the teams vibe on Thig?

Pissed Fump!

[Empress of Pineapples]

To all my Minions,People,The empress will be celebrating her 27th year on this planet, please bring gifts when you try to attend the gala that my staff has planned, though you wont be able to attend I'll gladly accept them. The Empress has spoken.

[clancy1212]

this philosophy is something i cannot really get behind. I believe in strategy, but silencing an organization shows doubt, a lack of integrity and most of all a lack of confidence. Miami needs to get off this philosophy of secrecy and show the rest of the nfl a "there's nothing to hide, b/c we're coming at you" attitude.

[superPHIN]

Becuase Martin that would be worth-knowing news and we cant have that here, Only a misguided attempt at showing a production chart layout of equally unproductive players and nonsense!!!

Piss Thump!!!!

[Martin]

Armando gets a ton of Blog hits but where is the inside and insight? These are generic headlines anyone could post? Get in there and dig man! How is Incognito handling the Center? Ricky and Ronnie un-plugged, what are they really thinking? I'm on this blog at this point for all of your feedback, weather I agree disagree. Dig Armando DIG!

Pissed Fump!

[Martin]

Seymour went all "Fist Pimp" on Big Ben! or "Pimp Fist"

Pissed Fump!

[ALoco]

THE IDEA OF TWEET IS FOR YOU TO FOLLOW SOME ONE LIKE ARMANDO BUT ARMANDO TWEETS ABOUT ONCE EVERY 2 DAYS AND THE BLOG IS JUST THAT ...WE AREDY TO REPEAL .

[Phinsider]

So on the Armando discussion. I follow a hockey team and they have a reporter who does a blog exactly like this one. He updates about two stories a day on average. He does interviews with former players and always keeps the topics fresh and up to date. Best blogger on the net. It just seems like Mando isn't very into this anymore because of his radio show. I don't blame him and I just hope the next guy that does this feeds us a little more Dolphins news and stories. Nothing going on? Then tell us a funny story about Wanny or Johnson! Cripes you've been covering this team for decades.

[clancy1212]

martin, he's not going to get the info you or I want... the phins have successfully created their management style that may or may not prove right. the players believe in this and therefore proves a "team-first" mantra... great by me... but, i think it inhibits their swagger.

[Photosolo]

That's great but too bad Hartline seems like he's totally out of control every time he catches the ball. Either bubbling the ball or falling down or tripping over himself or the field.

He's ok.

[Marc]

Martin, you should upgrade. My Droid has a 4+" screen...So does my Windows Phone 7 :)

[Empress of Pineapples]

Well you Peons quit complaining about this team,It's time to go out and purchase your empress jewelry and gold.

[ALoco]

EMPRESS OF the world, you made laugh ,all these posts are giving me a head pain .

[clancy1212]

Well, i gotta admit, as a first time blogger i'm unimpressed. Apparently those that know don't show and those that care don't recognize.

[BlindFaith]

Armandos blog has been so lame lately because there is nothing more to write until the draft. The chances of them running the table are none, and 10-6 in the afc won't cut it.

[Marc]

There's plenty to write about. He could interview the cheerleaders. Find out which one's are coke fiends. Which one's will do some escorting on the side. I'd like to know that.

[Empress of Pineapples]

Thank you Aloco, when your day of reckoning arrives and you ask for mercy your death will be quick and painless.The Empress has spoken.

[Marc]

The absolute worst part about this season is that my Madden team is a disaster. Ratings are horrible...

[ALoco]

Empress of the world,

do you know how to read my coffee cup ? to see what the future holds for me .

[BlindFaith]

The best part now will be seeing if the team holds up and plays hard once they are mathematically eliminated. And...how many more childish penalties Marshall will make. And....how big the QB controversy becomes. And...hear TS tell us about every stat but the W/L stat.