Dolphins should give some youngster a shot

Dolphins players have only professional pride and the future to play for while coaches have, I guess, the same motivation in these coming final two games of the 2010 season.

That future would be brighter for everyone if the Dolphins were to suddenly find the speed and playmaking acumen that anyone with eyes can see they lack. Coach Tony Sparano said Monday he isn't going to go nuts inserting untested players into the final two games simply for the sake of seeing somebody else play.

But he left open the door to some youngsters getting more of a look.

"I do think there could be opportunities for a few guys to play a few more snaps that maybe haven’t played X-amount of snaps," Sparano said. "It ain’t going to be anything different than the people that you’ve seen but I think maybe getting a guy in the ballgame a little bit more in some of these situations so you know a little bit more about him down the road I think would be important."

There really aren't a lot of places for Sparano to search on a 53-man roster for a revelation player that he was totally unaware of. But there are places he could look to find players that haven't gotten long looks until now.

I present to you Lex Hilliard, Roberto Wallace and Marlon Moore.

Hilliard has not carried the football all year long but the truth is the Dolphins will have to replace either Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams or both before the start of 2011. If the idea of replacing Ronnie or Ricky is jarring to you ... get over it. As I asked in my column on Monday, what do either of them do that is special?

This Miami Herald story, by the way, says Brown "hasn't given up hope" he might return for 2011. If he does it would be at a much cheaper price than he obviously hoped.

The Dolphins, which fancy themselves a running team, need to move on in the backfield and the assumption here is they'll do exactly that. But why not give Hilliard a look to see what they have in case the need Miami has actually is for one running back rather than two?

Just sayin'.

At the wide receiver spot, I am frankly baffled why this team might continue to give snaps to veteran Kevin Curtis, signed last week, rather than Wallace or Moore. Stated simply, Curtis is not the future. The Dolphins need to find out if either Wallace or Moore might be.

One error Sparano made at the end of 2009 when the Dolphins were also eliminated from playoff contention was not give Patrick Turner meaningful playing time the last couple of games. That failure led the Dolphins to bring him back early this year and that was a waste of a roster spot that might have been used on someone else.

The coaching staff had to go through another offseason and training camp and preseason to figure out Turner wasn't a player for them -- something they could have figured out if he'd gotten some snaps in anger during 2009.

Now Wallace and Moore sit in basically the same spot as Turner did although both have shown much more promise. Both are smart and fast. Wallace is a 4.46ish guy while Moore is a legit 4.4. Yet, at a time the Dolphins are looking for threats downfield, neither has gotten much of a shot.

Isn't it time to serve them up some shots?

Both players have had their moments. Moore has a couple of drops but he also caught a 57-yard TD versus Oakland, which is precisely the kind of play the Dolphins thirst for. And Wallace, tall and strong, has caught four passes for 46 yards, including a 19-yarder.

So whaddya say, coach?

Let the kids show you what they got ... or what they don't.

It would give you three fewer decisions to make this offseason.

Comments

[Po White Trash]

Something has gotta give.....

[Po White Trash]

Change is a comin..........

[Po White Trash]

And sign Soliai now!

[Po White Trash]

Where is every one?

Slitting their wrists after dealing with all the BS this year?

[Po White Trash]

Don't blame ya...........

Remember, be an organ donor.

[Po White Trash]

Oh yeah,

1st and only!

[odinseye]

While you're at it Armando, tell them t play Reshad at FS and Chris Clemons at SS the rest of the way.

Especially against the Brady Brunch. You never know what you got until you give it a shot.

[PA Phins fan]

The only decision Sparano should be making this off season is what to have for breakfast. Coach Cowher should be making all the decisions regarding the Fish.

[monty1121]

#1 priority Right Now Is Let JL Go Get His Surgery And Recover, We Will Need Him 110% next Year

[DaPhinsMan]

D'oh! You play to win the game! This is the regular season -- not the pre-season

[PA Phins fan]

Agree 100% with monty. Shut Long down and let him get healthy.

[PA Phins fan]

Reply to DaPhinsMan. What will two more wins get us, eh? Other than a worse draft choice. It is Super Bowl or nuthin'. This year is nuthin', let's start planning for the next campaign.

[stadium13]

I think Kevin Curtis could be the future if he stays healthy... He's an excellent receiver....

[ALoco]

SHUT;;;;;;;;;;;
LONG
HENNE
MARSHALL
WAKE
DANSBY
DAVIS
SOILI
HOW COMMENT IS IT FOR THE CREEPY COHWER TO SHOW INTERST IN COACHING OTHER TEAMS WHILE THESE TEAMS ARE STILL PLAYING AND THERE'S ANY REGARD FOR HIS FELLOW COACHES ?

[ALoco]

HOW COMMON

[ALoco]

HOW COMMON

[gharpe]

who care what they do until we get a new coach... same old BS... We need a new look... period on the offense side of the ball... I will be playing golf not watching this circus...

[oscar canosa]

In the Evening.....in theEEeveeeaninnng... baby when the Sun goes downoouwnnn

[Ironside]

stadium13, sorry but no 32 year old reciever is the future.

[oscar canosa]

People should really hear that song by Ray Charles...

[oscar canosa]

This last month has really been the pits...and now I'm happy again.

[oscar canosa]

Highly gifted and MR people do not stay depressed for very long.

[oscar canosa]

It is an axiom that Life has it's up and downs, unless you are looking for trouble.

[oscar canosa]

It is true that Chad Henne never looks depressed.

[jayhall222]

If the Dolphins hire Cowher they will have the nastiest, baddest ass linebacker core in the league within 2 years. He won't stand for anything less. We need a coaching change - bad!

[Wang Chung]

The Dolphins Motto is 2-3 yard plays,the passing game and the running game is balance as far as yardage per plays goes.I'm sure Ireland is scouring through the waiver wire to find more players for Sparano so he can do his musical chairs game. He is the best head coach in my book as far as bringing in new players and not being able to develop them. Maybe Curtis needed some Xmas shopping money is the only reason why he was signed...

[Space Man Spiff]

Damm he is such a idiot..Lets all say it toghter, BIll Cowher..

[Space Man Spiff]

I think we as fans need to stand up and tell Mr.Ross that we are tired of this B>S and we want change,I think we should all stay home this week for the game and show him who really supports the team.This pain has to stop.I was 8 yrs old when we last won the superbowl..ANd i have had season tickets for over 30 yrs,,This is just another sad yr, Same old story. Wasit till next yr.. Well im tired of saying it..

[Kris]

I really liked Sporano and I tried like hell to defend him, but his logic is beyond me....Sporano...touches go to the hot hand...some some play count in your head.....

I see Herm Edwards in the new year....and I look forward to it!

[jim]

Armondo you are right spot on.....sporano gives no youngsters much of a chance..look at the steelers or pats new guys every year stepping in and stepping upwith a chance...this group needs to gooooooooooooo

[ALoco]

PEOPLE, SPARANO CARES ABOUT HIS OWN RECORD AS HEAD COACH,HE'S NOT GOING DOWN W/YOUNG PLAYERS .IF HE ENDS HIS YEARS HERE W/ WINNING RECORD HE WILL HAVE 5 TEAM COMING TO KNOCK ON HIS DOOR TO COACH .IT'S A TRUE FACT SPARANO IS A BETTER HEAD COAC THAN MOST .PLUS HE HAS TO SAY ALL THE RIGHT THINGS TO GET HIS MONEY ANS SHOW OTHER TEAMS OWNERS HE CAN TAKE THE PRESSURE .

[Adrian Solorza]

Or Mixing, how about Wallace and Marshall at the same side having an obvious runnig situation, play action fake, and the pass going to Wallace, and things like that, I also love the idea Reshad at FS and Clemmons at SS

[ALoco]

JIM, ARMANDO IS JUST PRACTICE QB MONDAY ,THE BEST PLAYERS PLAYED,TOUGH LUCK .

[ALoco]

THE UNEMPLOYED COACHES AE OUT NOW IN FORCE LIKE SOLORZA.

[DyingBreed]

Being eliminated what this staff needs to do is shut down our upper echelon players. We dont need them to get serious injury in meaningless games. Then miss the entire training camp and still not be available for the first 4-8 games in 2011.

That's what this blog should be about, shutting down our studs.

[oscar canosa]

I am sure Mr. Ross cleans his...visor with most of the comments made here.

[ALoco]

DB, DID YOU GET YOU GIFTS FOR EVERY ONE YET OR YOU R BUYING EVERY THING FROM HSN ?

[DyingBreed]

If Jake Long get a career ending injury in any of these last two games we wont have to guess if whether or not Sparano will be our HC in 2011.

[kingsmith]

First?

[ALoco]

HENNE SHOULD NOT RISK INJURY TO HIS KNEE AND MAJ=KE WOTH ,I TRHINK IRELAND SHOULD TELL SPARANO TI MAKE SURE THE 7-8 CORE PLAYERS SIT IT OUT UNLESS THEY KNOW THEY GOING TO RELEASE SOME OF THEM

[DyingBreed]

ALoco,

I decided to save a little money and shop the Home Boy Shopping Network channel this Christmas.

[oscar canosa]

Lots of Coaches and General Managers here.

[ALoco]

SPARANO IS VERY YOUNG COACH AND HE SHOULD BE PROULD OF HIMSELF AND NOT LISTEN TO ALL THESE UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE,HE DIDN'T HAVE THE POWER TO PICK PLAYERS IN THE FIRST 2 YEARS, I PREDICT HE WILL BE BACK .

[dolphin 77]

aloco you said that about henne too. that teams would not sign him real quick, not so fast my friend. "lee corso", no team in their right mind would ever consider those two losers. i bet this is what will happen, ross has no balls, so he keeps sparano around, in turn sparano keeps suck boy henne around and it will be the same old SH$T next season. let's hope ross is smarter than that!

[Hayden Fox]

Moore and Wallace run crap routes and cannot get open. No thanks. Terrible assessment.

Hilliard? RIght on. Good assessment.

[dolphin 77]

i meant would sign him.

[ALoco]

D77.....WE COULD GET A NEW OC ,A REAL CON COACH AND THEN EVERY THING CAN CLICK SO FAST AS IT DID W/NOLAN .TO SWITICH COACHES NOW IS VERY TRICKY ,IT CAN SET THIS TEAM 8-10 YEARS BACK .YOU HAVE GREAT PLAYERS ALREADY .A NEW COACH WILL END UP COOKING MEATBALLS OUT OF THESE GUYS TO JUSTFY HIS PRESENCE .

[dolphin 77]

i dont know aloco, they just need to start fresh again.

[danny rodriguez]

Has any body gave it any thought that our biggest problem is CHAD HENNE! Let's go back three year and find out!

Pennington was The QB we went 11-5 now does that tell you anything on whether we need a QB or not I will say so, but if we get rid of our OC than we have to replace our QB also or we will be back to the same thing same result! Soo let's figure out whats the best logical solution! And that's is????

[ALoco]

HENNE AND SPARANO ARE BOTH ABOVE 500 RECORD.ABOUT 6 TEAMS WILL FIRE THEIR HEAD COACH THIS YEAR AND SPARANO WILL BE ON THE TOP .AS FOR HENNE ,ABOUT 8 TEAMS LOOKING FOR A QB ,ENOUGH SAID .

[danny rodriguez]

Did you hear????? The Big Tuna taking his talents to Minnesota Vikings! Yes that is what exactly what he needs to go! What a idiot you leave tropical environment for cold ugly weather even in the summer is cold!

[Darryl Dunphy]

In the Evening by Ray Charles...Great piano intro.

Lex Hilliard should be in the backfield on every third down the next 2 games. He could be a very valuable player. Sort of like Kevin Faulk, or Sammy Morris got used by the Patriots. These guys were like security blankets for Tom Brady. I wish that we used our backs the same way. Someone said that Hilliard is a poor blocker here the other day. That is from one missed block that could have been a communication error. Trust me, I watch Lex real close(anyone that posts here regularly knows this)probably to close. The guy is our best backfield blocker hands down. It isn't close. Good luck to you Lex.

[odinseye]

I would've shut Long down the second the game ended last week.

We can play to win and evaluate some of the young guys at the same time. It's not mutually exclusive.

Some of the proven vets I would like to see play. Cam Wake still has a shot at the Dolphins single season sack record. Plus I think it would suck if we sat him down and Clay Matthews ends up as the 2010 NFL sack leader.

A lot of vets, Wake included, are playing for incentive bonuses as well.

Other guys like Dansby and Crowder, I would leave it up to them if they play or not. We know what we have and don't have with these two. Nothing will change regardless of how they play.

Wallace, Moore, Jones and Carroll would see a lot of time if it were up to me. I would also go all out with Hilliard and Chris Clemons at SS. Marshall? I would just let him do whatever he feels like doing. If he has the least concern with the hammy or ankle though, he's on the bench.

Time to have a little fun, make some evaluations and let all the kiddies "play to win the game".

PS: Don't listen to Dolphin77 you guys, he's been in a mood since hearing that Henning will positively retire.

[Darryl Dunphy]

Wah Wah Wah What????? Did Henning retire today?

[shaggy]

Sounds Good to me, Unless ronnie can learn how to block and play fullback for the league min, I say cut him next year, he is awful, ricky is about done.

We need to see what we have on the line as far as reserves, that is our biggest failure this year. Sit Jake and plug a kid in there.

[BLACKCEROTE]

Lex Hilliard, needs to get the ball more ..he hits the hole hard all the time ..remember his 45 yardtd run vs.carolina 2 preseasons ago.. ronnie is the most boring back i have ever seen .no speed burst vision..has stop breaking tackles to keep from getting hurt in last year of contract..ricky seems done ..he always puts his head down now..some plays it looks like he can get a good run but with his head down he can't see and he goes down to easy now..as for moore ..he shows good agility..but now i'am starting to know why he wasn't drafted ..hands..he seems to not be reliable..and in nfl ..thats not good for a wr..as for wallace he has great size good hands but he looks like a stiff..as for the tightends ..they all stink!reshad jones looks like a real player ..he's always around the ball and seems very tough ..

[Darryl Dunphy]

Moore, and Wallace need to learn how to beat jans at tyhe line of scrimmage. It is eay to see why Moore was left on the inactive list for most of the season.

Now we have seen how tough running yards have come this year. What would be an average ypc for Hilliard that might suggest he could be a piece in next years puzzle? Or is it more important just to see how he runs? It will be hard to really grade any running back behind this line. That said, Lex is a stuck at the bottom of the depth chart back. He may not get the benifit of the doubt. He will have to show something, even with our makeshift line.

[odinseye]

Danny,

Please don't go back three years. Pennington and his rubber band started out 0-3. He was so terrible we had to bring back the 1930's Single Wing.

In all actuality, Pennington was pretty much a non factor. He rode Ricky and Ronnie in the wildfluke. Our defense led the league in take aways and we played the easiest schedule ever known to an NFL team.

Please don't go back 3 years with Pennington, because all I can remember is how God Awful he was against Baltimore in the playoffs. Henne has never played that horrible of a game. What did Penninton throw? 4 picks and 3 of them were on 5 yard routes.

Realistically you're trying to base what we should do in the future by pointing out how God Awful Pennington and Henning were 3 years ago. Not real solid reasoning, but relax, We're FINALLY getting rid of both those progress stoppers.

[danny rodriguez]

Ok odinseye did Pennington have the receivers we have NOW! I don't think soo and did we have a defense at the time I don't think so! So let's put everything in prospective first before you say that's all OC or Pennington for that one game in the playoffs, that's why sparano wanted Penn. Back because Henne is not Good! at least we won with Penn. And went to the playoffs Henne has had two trys no playoffs!

[odinseye]

Darryl,

I tood up for Hilliard when that guy was cutting on his blocking skills the other day.

I have to question whether he is the best blocking back that we have. Polite is pretty solid when it comes to blocking. I'd definitely say that Hilliard is the second best blocker that we have in the backfield.

What I like best about Hilliard is how his vision and instincts correlate. It's that Thurman Thomas type of factor. It can't be taught or coached into you, you either have it or you don't. Hilliard has it and should be given a shot.