Live blog of plow horses vs. thoroughbreds here

This time of the NFL season is interesting for teams such as the Dolphins and Lions only in that we can look toward the future.

And in looking at the future of the Dolphins and Lions, today's opponent, we know that both teams have much work to do to become playoff relevant. But their work must come in vastly different areas because the rosters are constructed so, so differently.

The Dolphins, you see, are a team of plow horses. They have a bunch of guys that can play pretty well, play pretty hard, and usually try to give a good performance when they step on the field. The Dolphins don't have a lot of terrible players, which is good.

But the Dolphins also do not have a lot of incredible, superstar players. And that is bad.

That is why after last week's loss to Buffalo at home, Tony Sparano lamented his team making no dynamic plays. What do you expect when you don't have many dynamic players? That is why offensive coordinator Dan Henning during the week echoed those remarks and expanded on them, saying the Dolphins lack dynamic players on offense, defense and special teams.

Hence, no 80-yard bombs or runs on offense, no fumble or interception returns 60 yards for a score on defense, no punt or kickoff TDs.

The Dolphins are a solid, but not a big-play, big-results team. And that is why they are 7-7.

The Lions?

They have a different makeup.

The Lions have a lot of holes in their roster. Their offensive line is leaky. Their running back corps -- traditionally a team strength -- is a weakness. And, quick, name me that young up-and-coming star linebacker on their roster? Ain't got one.

The Lions have myriad holes.

But the Lions have something the Dolphins lack: Dynamic players.

Ndamukong Suh? Dynamic.

Calvin Johnson? Dynamic.

Matthew Stafford? You might not agree, but trust me, he's dynamic.

Louis Delmas? Dynamic.

Brandon Pettigrew? Dynamic.

Stefan Logan? Dynamic on special teams.

The Lions have budding superstars at very important play-making positions and they have a freak in Suh who has turned the defensive tackle spot into a play-making position.

I'm not here to sing the praises of Detroit's dynamic players. You can look up their accomplishments for yourselves. But I know some of you will argue Stafford is not dynamic because, after all, he cannot even finish an NFL season without getting injured.

That's true. But perhaps if he had a solid offensive line in front of him he wouldn't be getting used like a rag doll by opposing defensive players and that might keep him in games.

When he is in games -- not today because he's still injured -- Stafford has shows signs that, frankly, Miami's young QB Chad Henne has not. Stafford has 6 TD passes this year to only 1 INT.

With Stafford in the lineup, the Lions scored TDs in nine of 10 trips into the red zone. Compare that to the FG kicking Dolphins and you see the difference.

He's got much work to do. But if he can stay healthy, he's got the goods. Compare that to Miami where the Dolphins have a QB that is hard to keep out of the lineup due to health concerns, but everyone is asking whether or not he has the goods.

I figured you might have questions about Logan as well. He is the only NFL player ranked in the top four in both kickoff returns and punt return average. His 105-yard KO return TD against St. Louis earlier this year is the longest in the league so far in 2010. He had a kick return of 50 yards or more in three of four games in October. He is, um, dynamic.

So here is the question: Is it easier to fill a roster of good-but-not-great players around your handful of dynamic players? Or is it harder to find a handful of dyanmaic players to lift your roster of good-but-not-great?

Is it harder to find a dozen or so plow horses or a handful of thoroughbreds?

I don't know.

I do know the Lions (4-10) are going to be drafting much higher than the Dolphins (7-7). I don't know it is easier to find plenty of plow horses and even more thoroughbreds higher in each round than it is to find superstars in the middle of the draft.

I know it is not impossible for Miami to find stars -- I mean, serious, honest-to-goodness dynamic stars -- in the middle of rounds, but I cannot remember the last time that happened. And sorry guys, Vontae Davis is a good player. He's solid. But dynamic?

Not so far.

We can discuss this further during the live blog. It will be going on during Miami's sold out meeting with the Lions. It begins in the comments section below just before game time.

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Comments

[Kris]

LOL @ Big

[Bill Parcell's Titz]

Why the heck did I start Dan Carpentar in my fantasy championship game this week?? This team will score zero points. I am a fool.

[Chris in the 623]

At least we don't have that announcer who screams on boring plays. Gus Johnson I think.

[Kris]

They just said it would be a "chess match"...that announcer speak for "snooze fest"

[Armando Salguero]

Penalty is on Miami.

[jared]

The D is lights out again, offense, not so much.

[Mike B]

The offense goes on 4th, while in field goal range. Blows a snap later, and have to punt. This offense is just terrible.

[Kris]

B-team camera crew....D team officials.......great

[Merry Fins (ish)]

How many are in the stands? The Publix deli counter has more action.

[Sparano's good eye]

BREAKING NEWS: Miami just signed Ricky Proehl. Anyone know anything about this guy? Does he have what it takes to make Miami elite? With a new up and comer like Proehl and this young spry play maker like Kevin Curtis Miami will be exploisive.

[nate]

http://www.scorezone.info/p/channel-iv_12.html

It isnt great but the best Ive found so far, anyone find anything better??

[phoenixphinfan]

Can find any woking links to the game...can anyone hook me up with a live feed? PLEASE.

[DyingBreed]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....................

[Chris in the 623]

Don't worry nate, you haven't missed anything so far.

[Kris]

Our running game is like slow motion

[dave]

nice throw

[DyingBreed]

Here's my 5th try at poasting this link. For some reason it hasnt been going thru:

http://www.firstrow.net/watch/42967/1/watch-miami-dolphins-vs-detroit-lions.html

[dave]

if we could get henne to go through his progressions each time he could be good. no staring

[Kris]

Cobbs getting some burn

[Merry Fins (ish)]

This offense looks worse every week..... WTG Dan Carpenter!

[Kris]

FIST PUUUUUMMMMMMMMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[phoenixphinfan]

thanks, nate!

[Armando Salguero]

FG ties the game!!!!!!!!

I am so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chris in the 623]

We didn't take advantage of the wind in the 1st quarter. Equal number of running and passing plays. We'll see how Detroit plays it in the 2nd.

[dave]

they shoukld have just said we are nnot gonna attempt any field goals the last 2 games. we will always go for it. and make henning play call for that.

[Mike B]

wow!!!! A GAME TYING FIELD GOAL. Are we supposed to get very excited? PLEASE, I don't want our kicker to be our offensive hero. Can't it be someone else? All I want for Christmas is a competent QB!

[DyingBreed]

Henne looks done as qb in Miami. He's showing a huge lack of confidence now it seems.

[nate]

Thanks DyingBreed that was much better than my link

[0x80]

Watching Miami is like the Pit and the Pendulum. Every series brings Sparano one notch closer to death.

[DyingBreed]

YW Nate, anything for a fellow fan!

[jamesc]

We need a new oc and a qb to compete for starter

[dolphin 77]

houston is not going to fire cubiak, so if ross blows his chance to get a real coach he's an ass, just like the rest of these guys he alredy has coaching. miami is the front runner for cowher.

[DyingBreed]

We need Bill Cowher, I trust him to bring in the right OC and qb this offseason.

[Armando Salguero]

THE LIVE BLOG CONTINUES IN THE SECOND QUARTER POSTS.

[CanesRUs]

Jahvid Best..... speeed!!!!!

[qbclub13]

Maybe a new OC can fix Henne

[Armando Salguero]

THE LIVE BLOG CONTINUES IN THE SECOND QUARTER POST.

[dolphin 77]

nothing can fix henne. he's a backup and that's it. he's good enough to lead his team to a field goal.

[jamesc]

Lol we cannot cover te

[dolphin 77]

touchdown lions. don't worry the d will give up and stop playing soon.

[dolphin 77]

cutler sucks!

[jweamer]

Again this app blows

[0x80]

Mando - when you post there is a new blog up, it often doesn't show up for another 15 minutes or so...for many of us..

[Merry Fins (ish)]

Why doesn't FOX put the Jets game on?.. At least they can score a TD and make the game interesting.

[dolphin 77]

year their d can catch too!

[dolphin 77]

i meant yeah, their d .

[dolphin 77]

wow, unbelievable.

[MAFishFan]

nice drop marshall

[MAFishFan]

nice challenge...this is sad