FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- It is cold. There is fallen snow on the ground. And playoff football is in the air. As in years past, The Miami Herald will be at the NFL playoffs watching other teams play while the Dolphins ...
... Well, they're watching just like you and me. Actually, I'm closer to being in the playoffs than the Dolphins. At least I'm in the stadium.
I'm covering the Jets at New England today.
You remember the Jets and New England, right? They're the two teams that finished ahead of the Dolphins in the division. They're the teams the Dolphins must pass in 2011 to get to the playoffs.
So we should watch and see what the task might be like. There will be a live blog here starting at 4:30 this afternoon.
In the meantime, I would ask you to check out my Sunday column. It makes the point that Miami faces a tougher job in getting past the 2010 season than it did in the 2007 season. Yes, I know the Dolphins were 1-15 in 2007 and were 7-9 in 2010. And I repeat, the assignment is tougher now.
I explain why in the column, but suffice to say one of the reasons is the folks trying to turn things around don't have the luxury of working with the benefit of a honeymoon now.
Some extra things I did not have room to mention in the column that makes overcoming 2010 might be harder than overcoming 2007:
After four years of tooling and retooling and retooling again along the offensive line, the Dolphins have to, you guessed it, address the offensive line once more. They need a center and maybe a right tackle.
And they need to dump that idea of picking players who mostly offer position flexibility but no position consistency. Here’s a crazy idea: Rather than find a mediocre player that can play guard and center, how about finding a really good starting center and leaving him there until he retires?
The Dolphins need to upgrade the tight end position. Last year they loved Tony Moeaki and Dennis Pitta in the draft but couldn’t land either. They really must upgrade the spot this year or once again the red zone troubles that plagued in 2010 will haunt another year.
As I touch upon in the column, coach Tony Sparano, already fixing his rift with general manager Jeff Ireland, must broker a fix between receiver Brandon Marshall and quarterback Chad Henne.
Yes, Henne is very likely going to return in 2011. The Dolphins would be unwise to anoint him their starter and probably will not, but I doubt they will simply dump him. And unless an experienced, talented veteran can be added, it is unlikely any rookie Miami finds will be immediately ready to supplant Henne.
So you might find yourself with Henne under center in 2011. Again. Marshall might find himself with Henne under center. Again.
That’s not a comfortable spot. The receiver openly criticized his quarterback the last few weeks and in some cases he was right to do so. But Marshall never admitted that sometimes he blows his assignments and runs the wrong routes and causes problems that sometimes get blamed on Henne.
Both players need help. Both need improvement. And in 2011, both may be surprised to learn they need each other again.
Crazy right?
See you at the live playoffs blog.
Plan to be there
Posted by: Finfanfred | January 16, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Please Patriots...do us all a favor and shut them up.
Posted by: Mike in Houston | January 16, 2011 at 10:52 AM
COME ON ARMANDO,
THE SUN IS OUT ,IT'S A NICE DAY AT 35 IN BOSTON
Posted by: ALoco | January 16, 2011 at 10:54 AM
Totally agree with you re: the center position.
We need a true stud center more than anything. A fullback that picks up the block is a must have also.We will find out if the Fins college scouts are any good this coming draft.
Posted by: Shakti96 | January 16, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Armando... Do you stay at the Copley Plaza when in Boston? Nice place, great bar..The Oak Room.
I wouldn't be shocked if we choose a center in the first round. @ 15 it would be decent value. It is a position that might have bigger impact RIGHT away then say a quarterback, or as some have suggested a reciever??? It won't be sexy, or get anyone excited(Yeah a center woooooo. Lets go get season tickets) But knowing the history of the two guys putting this team together. Would it be a schocker?
Posted by: Darryl Dunphy | January 16, 2011 at 10:56 AM
ARMANDO, DID YOU SEE HOW MUCH SNOW WE HAD ,2 FEET OF SNOW .
Posted by: ALoco | January 16, 2011 at 10:57 AM
DARRY........ IF ARMANDO STAYS IN COPLY PLAZA ,THE HERALD WILL BE OUT OF BUSINESS ,HE MUST BE STAYING IN FOXBORO,IT'S VERY CHEAP THERE ,FOR THE COMMON PEOPLE .lol
Posted by: ALoco | January 16, 2011 at 10:59 AM
Any bets?
Posted by: oscar canosa | January 16, 2011 at 11:01 AM
REX RAYN BROTHE ROB RAYAN IS THE NEW COWBOYS DC .
Posted by: ALoco | January 16, 2011 at 11:01 AM
ALoco..You know the Copley Plaza?? That hotel is sweet. I've stayed there a few times...
Posted by: Darryl Dunphy | January 16, 2011 at 11:04 AM
the steelers got a STUD center. pouncey is a guy i wish we had. i think iif we get a stud center and a right tackle our line would be great!! carey can compete at guard with jerry,incogneto and all the rest. i would go so far as to say pouncey is already a top 3 center and is better than the over rated mangold. we need a RB!! one that scares defenses because he can do it all!! a marshall faulk type! there is a jets who will be a FS i'd like to grab. i can't even believe i'm saying this because i hate eery jet, but this one doesn't talk. we should grab brad smith!! that gives us a kick returner and a gut who can do in the wildcat what we wished pat white could have done!!
Posted by: jaison biagini | January 16, 2011 at 11:05 AM
DARRYL ,
IN THE HERAT OF BOSTON , IT'S GUST FOR THE RICH AND FAMOUS .
NICE BREAKFAST AND I GO FOR BRUNCH SOME TIMES ON SUNDAYS .
Posted by: ALoco | January 16, 2011 at 11:06 AM
JUST
Posted by: ALoco | January 16, 2011 at 11:06 AM
jaison biagini I agree with you we need a stud running back... but I dont ever want to see the wild cat again.. it worked the first year the brought it out.. everyone knows how to defend it now.. and it throws the offense's rhythm off.. but we do need a rb.. I think our Offensive line is pretty good if they stay healthy even tho we could use a center... I just hope we dont draft a running back in the first round.. i doubt anyone that great will be available... Hopefully they will get the cba figured out so that maybe we can get someone from FA but I would rather not have Vince young Or mcnabb.. i would rather stick with henne.. Actually I think maybe they should try to trade for orton or maybe pick up Alex smith in free agency.. smith is still you and I think the niners screwed up will all the coaching changes and messed up his career there.
Posted by: A.J | January 16, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Look for Master Belicheat to convince Mark "Justin Bieber Lover" Sanchez to throw two picks today.
Posted by: ***OO[{(|||)}]OO*** | January 16, 2011 at 11:23 AM
What pisses me off the most this offseason is that the Patriots are going to get much better. If as the Players think and the Owners lock them out,there will be no trades. No free agency. No signing cut playere like say Vince Young.
There will be however a draft. One with no trading of picks. One where the Dolphins have a middle first and third round pick.New England have six in the first three rounds.In a year where it seems to be the only way to get better is the draft, the probable champs get to improve the most. Scary!!!
Posted by: Jeremy in the Canadian Cowtown | January 16, 2011 at 11:26 AM
IN GB , THEY CALL RON ROGERS PERFORMANCE , ONE OF THE GREATEST BY A QB IN TEAM'S HISTORY .
THAT WAS HIS FOURTH YEAR AS A QB ,COULD HENNE BE NEXT ? HE'S ONLY IN HIS THIRD YEAR .
Posted by: ALoco | January 16, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Henne..?? Please...He has no pocket presence he stares down receivers and gets the most passes batted down than I have ever seen.
Posted by: Shakti96 | January 16, 2011 at 11:36 AM
You're darn tootin' I'm at the Copley!
Been staying here since 1999.
If Pats win this week, will be back here next week!
Leaving for the game now. Talk to you guys when I arrive in Foxborough.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 16, 2011 at 11:49 AM
I GOT YOU TO RESPOND ARMANDO,GOOD ...COPLY HAS ROOMS FOR 90 DOLLARS A NIGHT ,BIG AS A CLOSET .lol
Posted by: ALoco | January 16, 2011 at 11:51 AM
Atlanta lost because they though about bringing in Bill Parcells.
The very thought of Bill Parcells doomed them.
Stay away from Bill Parcells.
Bill Parcells needs to come with a warning label:
"NFL Organization Destroyer."
Posted by: ***OO[{(|||)}]OO*** | January 16, 2011 at 11:53 AM
No Worries
Home has us drafting QB Cam Newton
Marshall is/will be lobbying hard against Henne
Go Patriots!
Posted by: Home | January 16, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Imagine if the Jets actually win LMAO!
Would be the biggest upset ever!
Posted by: Home | January 16, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Recovering from severe Ionospheric heaters creating sever weather flooding in northeastern Australia will be a "reconstruction task of post-war proportions," a top official in Queensland state said Sunday.
"We have massive infrastructure damage that will take months and in some cases years to fully repair," Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told reporters. "We have homes and lives torn apart, in some cases ... by an event of the most traumatic proportions. So we cannot underestimate what is happening."
Home, please Tell them, What the Hell is going on!
Posted by: Julian Assange | January 16, 2011 at 12:01 PM
DONT EVEN GO THERE COMPARING RODGERS TO HENNE.
RODGERS HAS A BRAIN. HENNE IS MENTALLY CHALLENGED.
Posted by: Perennial Losers | January 16, 2011 at 12:13 PM
I WONDER WHAT SECOND RATE SCRUBS THIS TEAM WILL FIND IN THIS YEARS DRAFT. ALA AJ EDDS, JARED ODRICK PHILLIP MERLING PAT WHITE PAT TURNER ETC ETC ETC
THIS FRONT OFFICE CAN GO FU
Posted by: Perennial Losers | January 16, 2011 at 12:15 PM
CK THEMSELVES
Posted by: Perennial Losers | January 16, 2011 at 12:16 PM
Listen, Home, everybody knows that somebody is manipulating the climate in some fashion. What can you do about it? Nothing. Just watch.
Posted by: oscar canosa | January 16, 2011 at 12:17 PM
How did everyone's 'franchise' QB, Matty Ice, do last night guys? Looks like he can't win the big game. He'll never get a better chance to win, with a week off and playing at home against a team that had to play hard to beat Philly last week. Pretty impressive night....186 yards passing and TWO picks....just not good enough!
Joe Flacco....16-30, 125 yards passing, 1 TD and 1 pick.....not good!!
THESE are the 'franchise' QBs EVRERYBODY raves about on here all the time and the reality is they haven't won ANYTHING yet. Matty Ice is still waiting for his first playoff win. Let's not annoint these guy quite yet guys.
Posted by: Craig M | January 16, 2011 at 12:35 PM
The Dolphins without Cam Newton Suck
Period
Want to win @ Home
Want fannies in the seats
Want the Dolphins to be back in the Play Offs
Draft QB Cam Newton or NOTHING
Period
Posted by: Home | January 16, 2011 at 12:41 PM
PREPARE FIVE GUAVA PASTRIES FOR MY ARRIVAL.
Posted by: TERRIBLE MONKEY SCREAMS | January 16, 2011 at 12:42 PM
Watch then end of the World... Home.
Watch then end of the World... Home.
Watch then end of the World... Home.
Watch then end of the World... Home.
Watch then end of the World... Home.
Watch then end of the World... Home.
Watch then end of the World... Home.
Watch then end of the World... Home.
Watch then end of the World... Home.
Watch then end of the World... Home.
Watch then end of the World... Home.
JUST WATCH.
Posted by: clubberlang | January 16, 2011 at 12:44 PM
Cam Newton might be a 6'6" Version of Vince Young.
Posted by: Carbon Copy | January 16, 2011 at 12:49 PM
Craig M....whats your opinion on the other 2 QBs that won???
Posted by: Kris | January 16, 2011 at 12:49 PM
Craig M.....would you say Flacco is better than Rothisberger..q...Ryan better than Rodgers?
just answer that....simple yes or no will do
Posted by: Kris | January 16, 2011 at 12:51 PM
I have always thought that Dave Hyde is supremely FOS.
Posted by: oscar canosa | January 16, 2011 at 12:56 PM
I figured Craig M would come on here with his "i'll post anything to prove we don't need a QUALITY QB BS......but I never thought he would TWIST it to the point were he would be trying to tell us Ryan is a better QB than Rodgers...and Flacco is better than Rapistberger.....I thought he would wait until the seattle game.....
Post anything and twistit any way to prove your rapidly failing points...huh craig??......the REAL question is why are the teams playing......
ITS THE QB........
Until you figureout the question you will never come up with the answer......you will just twist facts and perception to make them say what you want....
Posted by: Kris | January 16, 2011 at 12:58 PM
Futher prove that I knew Craig M....would come on here trying to find some way to twist this.....this is from the previous blog...
I don't know what it looks like to you guys....but to ME....the better QB theory seems to hold water.....it has a few holes in it and it leaks from time to time....but overall....if your team has the better QB....your team's chances of winning increase expendentially......
your team has more room for error.....your Defence can give up 21 unaswered in the 1st half....you have better chance of erasing fumbles.....INTs....minus plays....how many 3rd and more than 15 did pit convert???
I know guys like CRAIG M.....will wait until the Bears lose to Seattle and spout off a bunch of stuff about how the that PROVES the QB isn't that important......but my argument is this....and I will write it in caps....WE ARE TALKING PERCENTAGES....NOT MIRICALES...as Craig M likes to twist my words to say.....THE PERCENTAGE OF BEING A CONTENDER AND STAYING A CONTENDER WILL ONLY HAPPEN WHEN WE HAVE A COMPETENT TOP 10-12 QB BEHIND CENTER......then and only then will we be in the playoffs YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT...barring the occassional hiccup.
for the record.....i hope seattle beats the bears.....and I PRAY that NE DESTROYS the jets.....AMEN
Posted by: kris | January 16, 2011 at 07:21 AM
Posted by: Kris | January 16, 2011 at 01:00 PM
I think it's time for Armando to find a new beat... His constant negativity and sarcasm are getting old. At least Omar Kelly is looking to the future, and actually considering whether a potential move to the West Coast offense makes sense. Heck, even the Palm Beach Post is providing better coverage.
Posted by: JC | January 16, 2011 at 01:00 PM
It's "exponentially," kris.
Posted by: cola | January 16, 2011 at 01:05 PM
thanks cola
Posted by: Kris | January 16, 2011 at 01:09 PM
Lima Beans for Jesus!
Posted by: Fish Under Clean Kingdom You Odd Udder | January 16, 2011 at 01:09 PM
The QBs of 2 12-4 teams suck.....lol
Posted by: Kris | January 16, 2011 at 01:16 PM
Gosh, all we need is to dump Henne and get Matt Ryan and we can't lose!
oh wait...
Posted by: steveyoung(ex Buccaneer) | January 16, 2011 at 01:20 PM
Big Ben > Flacco
Rodgers > Ryan
That's just how it is....
The better qb's did win yesterday.
Still a team sport, though.
Posted by: Utdolfan | January 16, 2011 at 01:21 PM
Well said UT......
Posted by: Kris | January 16, 2011 at 01:23 PM
I was the better QB almost every Sunday with the Buccaneers and almost always lost...
Posted by: steveyoung(ex Buccaneer) | January 16, 2011 at 01:24 PM
Yeah...don't refute my post...,don't answer my questions...just post stuff under different names.....
Posted by: Kris | January 16, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Did Armando defecate at the Copley Plaza Hotel?
Posted by: Ceramic Cat Head | January 16, 2011 at 01:25 PM
>THE PERCENTAGE OF BEING A CONTENDER AND STAYING A CONTENDER WILL ONLY HAPPEN WHEN WE HAVE A COMPETENT TOP 10-12 QB BEHIND CENTER
--------------------------------
Duh. That goes for every position on the field. Just tired of the magic bullet theory all the CAPS shouter spew about Miami just needs to dump Henne...
I 'sucked' at TB, and did just fine for SF.
Posted by: steveyoung(not a kicker) | January 16, 2011 at 01:28 PM
wow...either craig M....has a boy friend that rns to his defense...or he is turning himself in to a troll....my money is on the latter.....
since I don't converse with troll....named Craig M...or otherwise.....
Happy New Year!!!!
Posted by: Kris | January 16, 2011 at 01:32 PM
There will be some shuffling of the O-line, again! A good Center would definitely help, but if we want to run the ball, a Left Guard who knows how to pull to the right would be more effective than having Long come from the Left Tackle position. Actually, I think we need two Tight Ends in the draft! Teams are using 3 TE set-ups now. And, someone needs to send copies of ALL the play-off games to Henne so he can see how good QBs play the game! Maybe a good off-season can turn the kid around some!
Posted by: Tracy474 | January 16, 2011 at 01:32 PM
I hope that Armando defecated at the Copley Plaza so that he could fully enjoy the fine bathroom features available there.
The Copley features "Torocca" bath products, which are very high end and most pleasant to use.
The Copley instructs their maids to fold toilet paper ends into a POINT, with both ends tucked UNDERNEATH.
I am hopeful that Armando had a very pleasant defecation (or two!) at the Copley Plaza Hotel.
Posted by: Ceramic Cat Head | January 16, 2011 at 01:35 PM
JC, I think its time for you to find a girlfriend.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 16, 2011 at 01:37 PM
The Dolphins were there when Gronkowski was available, Pitta? Look what a force this kid is in New England. Gronkowski will be a big time player for years.
Posted by: BOBBYD12 | January 16, 2011 at 01:57 PM
Seattle/Chicago.
Boring and stupid game. I'd rather be shopping for celery.
Posted by: Larry Loves Lesbians | January 16, 2011 at 02:01 PM
Armando,
I just don’t get it… You are supposed to have your hand on the pulse of what’s happening with our Fins yet it appears as if you have been forgetting something of importance…
We have been teased since last week about Childress interviewing yesterday for the OC job, etc. Here it is a day and a half later and absolutely ZERO information is made available by not only you but that “other” guy.
Also, I again don’t get it and perhaps you or the fans can expand on the sole purpose of THIS blog on our enemies.
Why in hells bells would you think that we need a LIVE blog concerning the stinking Jets and Pats?
I thought LIVE blogs were reserved for Dolphin games ONLY yet here we are reminded and slapped around with the facts that the Jets and Pats are playing as WE FANS are sitting home. Sure, the game is a great match up but the outcome means nothing to us Fin fans. We despise BOTH teams and some favor the Jets over the Pats and vice versa.
Myself, I want the Jets to lose just because JT went there and I want to see HIM a loser as he truly is. JT left US for the enemy so I want HIM to suffer the loss. Hey.. it’s the only revenge us Fin fans have.
Again, how about a live blog on how much Sparano, Henne, Ireland and Parcells including Ross is. How about a live blog on how the Fins in 2011 will once again have a losing season of perhaps 5 wins at most.
Nothing will change with the Fins as the philosophy is the same. We don’t draft #1 QB’s and we draft loser QB’s like Patty White.
Until the owner grows a set of balls like Mike Ditka did when he gave up his entire draft for Rickey, we will always have more of the same.
Posted by: NY "G" | January 16, 2011 at 02:32 PM
think we all knew just how bad seattle was. if your a gambler and didnt put ur weekly budget all on chicago -10 then u arent much of one
Posted by: bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com | January 16, 2011 at 02:33 PM
bill_cnnrs...I screwed the pooch yesterday and gave the points away in the Falcons, Packers Game. Did convince my friend in which I gave said points. To carry this game over, double or nothing with the points. Looking good right now. It's only a cool hundo. But I dodn't want to hear him skquwak about his superior gambling skills.....
Posted by: Darryl Dunphy | January 16, 2011 at 02:45 PM
Armando..Keep your eye on a rookie on the Pats. His name is Dane Fletcher. He played on the state JV team(Montana State Bobcats). But is a good player none the less. He should be part of their third down packages.
Posted by: Darryl Dunphy | January 16, 2011 at 02:50 PM