Tony Sparano addresses Dolphins tackle mysteries

Tony Sparano was making the rounds of South Florida radio shows Tuesday morning and, first up, he visited Armando and the Amigo, giving us a chance to have some fun with the Dolphins coach and get some interesting nuggets as well.

The nuggets mostly included Miami's offensive tackles -- an area of much mystery since training camp began.

Firstly, the coach gave the most clear view of a timetable for brining LT Jake Long off the physically unable to perform list. Basically, the Dolphins expect Long in the lineup for the regular season opener against New England and probably even a little before.

"I can't say 100 percent right now but that's been the plan and right now the plan is going according to script," Sparano said. "If the plan continues we would see him actually on the field a little before that. I don't know how this is going to go but the most important thing is we have him there for New England and that was the goal from Day 1."

So good news on the left tackle front. On the right tackle front the scenario is a little more murky.

As you know if you're keeping track, the Dolphins signed former Dallas right tackle Marc Colombo on Monday afternoon. Then they gave Vernon Carey a "personal day," off from practice Monday evening. Carey is not injured. Carey didn't need a rest as Monday was the first day in full pads.

The rumors throughout the Internet is Carey was given time to go home and ponder the possibility of a pay cut. If that is true, it makes sense the team would not allow Carey on the field, where he might risk a season-ending injury that would cost the team his entire salary for the year.

Carey is scheduled to cost upwards of $7 million against the cap and while that is fine for an elite tackle, Carey was not elite last season. That, combined with Colombo's addition makes him a prime candidate for a pay cut.

I asked Sparano about the rumors and whether he could guarantee Carey would be on the team in 2011.

"You know better than to ask me that question," Sparano began. "At the end of the day, anything I talk about with my players I'm going to keep in house here. But I gave Vernon a personal day last night. That's all I'll say about it. He and I are going to visit again today at some point."

So Sparano and Carey will talk today on a day players are off from practice. That suggests the Dolphins will try to get an answer from Carey on a topic -- the acceptance of the paycut?

Also, sometimes what goes unsaid is just as important as what is said. Coach did not guarantee Carey will be on the team.

The man does not lie. So no wonder he would not make that guarantee. 

You can listen to Armando and the Amigo every weekday morning 6-10 a.m. on 640-AM in South Florida or 640sports.com on the web.

Comments

[Poizen]

Take the pay cut Vernon, you have a lot of money already, help the team out.

[ALoco]

POIZENS RIGHT,BOO THE IDOITS POSTING NAGATIVE COMENTS,ILLL START FIRST BOOOOOO KRIS,FG4FPs,GREG Z, OZCAR AND THE REST OF THE DONKY BREGADE.BOOOOO

[Poizen]

I was 1st!!!! !st time ever...

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

[greg z.]

i doubt carey or jerry will make the team unless carey takes a $ paycut and jerry improves greatly from last year. neither can move or block.

[Poizen]

Kris, I see your point in the previous blog, I was not there, however according to another friend who was, they even Boo'd Henne when a receiver dropped a ball, and did not boo Brandaster or Devlin when they missed their passes. that was where my anger came from.

I will drop it now, thanks for the posr Kris,

And A- thanks for the support. :)

[ALoco]

THE WORD (( NUGGETS )) SHOULD BE BANED FROM THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ......... IT MAKE NO TO USE ,ANY ONE USE THAT WORD ,HE SHOULD WORKING IN FARMER'S MARKET .

[Kris]

I hope Sporano is correct about Long....sounds to me like he won't be getting any pre-season work....he may be a bit rust for a week or 2....but a rusty pro-bowler is easily 10X's better than anything we could put out there to replace him....

Heal up Long....

[Simon Says]

This is not the kiddie league where you cheer no matter how bad they are. This is professional sports, MILLIONS of dollars are spent on athlestes to PERFORM.

If any pro athlete can't handle something as trivial as fan booing, they are not cut out to be a pro athelete.

[DyingBreed]

Poizen,

Just for the record, Im glad the fans booed Henne.

For one it sends him a very early personal message from the fans themselves. Two, that message will have one of 2 results:

A. It'll hasten his play
B. It'll hasten his departure

Every fan that booed are hoping it will hasten his play, not his departure. But if it doesnt hasten his play, we all hope it hastens his departure.

[ALoco]

I HEAR THAT THE GANG OF DEFEAT HAS BEEN DESBANDED LIKE THE NFLPA AND ARE NOW ORGANIZING THERE NEW UNIT AS THE DONKY BRAGADE.

[JC]

ALoco, are you sure you want to be so critical of a common colloquial term when you yourself butchered the English language is an attempt make your point??

[BoulderFinFan]

Mando,
What does sparano think of henne in this new offense at this point after 4 practices?

[ALoco]

AND NOW THE BOSS OF THE DONKEY BREGADE HAS ARRIVED, DB, DID YOU ORGANISE THIS NEW COALITION USING YOUR INITALS? D.B.

[Kris]

Poizen....

I know we disagree on the Henne subject....he is a point of contention for sure....

but i do respect your post....and i know when we do debate....we will both be respectful.....(although i know i took it right up to the line)....

and your thoughts will be both mature and thought out.....not just some insult riddles dribble....

were good......

[Poizen]

Whatever floats your boats.

I vented what I needed to.

[Kris]

What is Long's injury...

Is it the knee....or the shoulder.....

[Poizen]

Cool Kris, we are good... Thanks

I think you saw my point in the anger babble. I have no clue if im right or wrong... I admit... :)

[Poizen]

Long IS the bigger concern at the moment. MANDO, could you shed light on which injury we are looking at right now?

[Kris]

Poizen....your point was recieved.....trust me.....

[Bill Parcells]

"I am really disappointed in Chad Henne",
Fox News Sept. 2010

[ALoco]

POIZEN,BEWARE KRIS IS TRYING TO LURE YUO INTO THE BREGADE.

[Bill Parcells]

Rex Ryan is one of the very few coaches I admire.

[#1 Dolphin Fan in Montreal]

If O'Hara signs, Jerry and Carey are HISTORY. You can bank on that...

[v2]

***ON A SERIOUS NOTE***

Whether you agree with the fan behavior or not, I think the Miami Dolphins need to be VERY concerned about the negative attitude of the fans (especially concerning Henne and the FO) BEFORE the season has even started! This is the most disdain I think fans have shown at this early in the year EVER. Usually at this time of year there is SOME optimism. Not this year. Fans are already revolting against CHAD HENNE, IRELAND and SPARANO. Chad Henne has no chance to succeed unless he lights it up immediately. It is going to turn VERY UGLY, VERY FAST. Dolphin management needs to do something immediately about the QB situation or they are going to see a backlash like you have never seen before!

[Las Vegas Odds]

Miami Dolphins 2011 expectation:
8-8

[v2]

Armando-- I think it would be a good idea to write a column about how much fan disdain there is at this point even before the season starts. I think that is a FAIR thing to write about...

[DyingBreed]

Gotta luv Rex Ryan. Issued a challenge to entire league that someone has to beat the Pats besides them.

Ironically, both the Ryan brothers came out on the winning side against the Pats in 2010. The Pats only 2 losses were against Rex(Jets) and Browns(Rob Ryan, DC).

2011 first batter up: Miami Dolphins. Rexy has called you out to beat the Pats. Do we have the balls to play ball?

[bobbyd12]

Sporano was on Mando's. radio show today. Said hopefully Long will be able to be back near end of PreSeason. Said Nolan Carroll has been most impressive so far. Did't sound like Ricky or Ronnie were coming back. Says he will meet with Vernon Cary today, IMO he can restructure or he is gone.

[ALoco]

v2 IS RIGHT, I SEA THAT THE DONKEY BRIGADE IS GROWING BY THE MINUTE,CONGRATULATIONS MR. BRED, YOUVE ACOMPLISHED MORE THIS OFF SEASONN THEN THE DOLPINS HAVE.

[Simon Says]

v2

The Dolphins FO have not beem remotely concerned about the fans since 1999. They certainly aren't showing that now either. Still signing Dallas retreads while other teams are signing the top performers.

[ALoco]

I HEARED THEY INTERVIEW BETWEENE ARMANDO AND TS ...THEY BOTH SPEAK THE SAME LANGAGE , THEYIR ENGLISH NEED MAJOR HELP,THEY KEEP USING THE SAME WERDS AGAIN AND AGAIN ............

KRIS OR DD CAN HELP W/THAT ........

NUGGETS........... VERY ANNOYING WERD .........

[DyingBreed]

Guys,

In a way Armando is just as bad as any regime that's recently come thru Miami. Those regimes havent respected fans IQ and judging by many of his blogs Armando doesnt either.

So go figure?

[bobbyd12]

BTW, didn't sound happy with Fasano drops yesterday. I just don't get these guys at times. Zack Miller and Braylon Edwards, a Henne team mate at Michigan, are sitting out there. There comes a time you have to stop worrying about Orton and give this kid some serious weapons!! Let's go

[v2]

I think the JT signing definitely was a move to appease the fan base. But you do realize what is going to happen the first Monday night game against the Pats? The boos for Henne will start with the first incompleted pass. If he throws an INT, you will start hearing the "Henne Sucks!" chants. They will echo throughout the stadium. It will be nothing compared to the "Sammy Sucks!" chants. THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN. Then where do the Dolphins go? It is going to be very ugly, very fast.

[ALoco]

DB... DO YOU LIKE THW WORD (( NUGGETS )) ? IT'S ALMOST CRAZY .

[DC3GURU]

According to bleacherreport.com our old friend John Beck might be coming back to haunt us. Apparently his poor play in camp to date, may result in the Redskins looking for QB help elsewhere, i.e. Orton / Denver Broncos.

[2 watt]

kris.his knee,and if he's aint ready. pup will make him miss the 1st 6 games.

[Aloco]

I CAN'T GET REGGIE OFF MY MIND. The dude has some package. Call me Reggie pleaseeeeeeeee.

[DyingBreed]

v2,

Word over in Germany is, "you use to be da bomb!"

[Simon Says]

Boohoo.

Several Dolphins players were seen crying on the bench in the 4th quarter of last nights Mia/NE game due to fan booing. Coach Sparano tried to console them with cookies and milk but to no avail.

Gimme a break!

[DyingBreed]

I CAN'T GET REGGIE OFF MY MIND. The dude has some package. Call me Reggie pleaseeeeeeeee.

Posted by: Aloco | August 02, 2011 at 11:04 AM

ALOCO, PLEASE DONT TELL US YOU'RE A KARDASIAN!

[ALoco]

ANOTHER WORD THATS CRAZY IS "ACORNS", MUST BE A RED-NECK WORD MEANING DALLAS CAST AWAYS.LIKE IN GALLIGANS ISLANDS.

[Simon Says]

I'm done with this booing discusion. Absolutely silly.

Fans cheer, fans boo. When the team is not playing well, booing is about the only fun thing left to do!

Pay me the league minimum and I will sit on a stool mid-field and let a full house boo me for two hours a day.

[Gary Stevens]

It is times like this I go back to my updated Dolphin cheat - sheet - -which I should update

Tony Sparano is item #4
Vernon Carey is item #9

Jeff Ireland is creepy.
Brian Daboll is underqualified to be an OC
Mike Nolan is overqualified to be a DC
Tony Sparano is extremely qualified to be a high-school football coach.
Steven Ross is not winning ‘boss of the year’
Jake Long is a stud
Chad Henne is underwhelming
Paul Soliai is fat and superb
Vernon Carey is fat and terrible
Mike Pouncey is, unfortunately, not as good as his brother
Vontae Davis is, fortunately, much better than his brother
Brandon Marshall is a terrifying presence when his head is screwed on right (prophetic)
Brandon Marshall’s wife is a terrifying presence when here head isn’t screwed on right.
Channing Crowder is CUT
Dan Carpenter is the guy who inspires Tony Sparano’s fist-pumps
Brandon Fields is good against everyone except the Patriots
Karlos Dansby is as good as advertised.
Cameron Wake is awesome and still peaking
Koa Misi is still working to his potential.
Brian Hartline is pretty damn fast for a white WR
Edmund Gates is pretty damn fast for a black WR
Anthony Fasano is pretty unremarkable for an Italian TE
Daniel Thomas is carrying the hopes of the Dolphins offense on his shoulder
Davone Bess is young and can catch
Sean Smith is young and can’t catch
Yeremiah Bell is the most consistent Dolphin despite playing on some terrible teams.
Kendall Langford is strong.
Randy Starks is stronger
Philip Merling is the odd man out
Jared Odrick is finally healthy
Chris Clemmons is not an upgrade over Rashad Jones
Rashad Jones is not an upgrade over Chris Clemmons
Ronnie Brown is solid player and a solid guy
Ricky Williams is Ricky Williams
Lex Hilliard is a preseason beast.
Tyler Thigpen is a guy who keeps both teams in the game
Charles clay is versatile but slow
John jerry is not versatle but slow
Reggie Bush is taking his talents to south beach
Matt Moore is, inexplicably, a member of the Miami Dolphins
Jason Taylor is old but beloved.
Jimmy Wilson is a killer on and off the field

[Kris]

Thanks for the info 2 watt.....

[BLACKCEROTE]

Vernon is a ok pass blocker..but as a run blocker...below average.

[DyingBreed]

@ GARY STEVENS 11:08 AM. Seems someone had thier Wheaties this morning. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DyingBreed]

ALoco,

I saw the "hot for Reggie Bush" comments by you. My question is:

ARE YOU A KARDASIAN?

[Aloco]

I HAVE A FIXATION FOR REGGIE! WOULD LOVE TO COOK SUPPER FOR HIM SOME NIGHT AND SEE WHAT IT LEADS TO.

[DyingBreed]

I could do more for Reggie Bush's desires than Kim ever did for him! Call me Reggie,you won't be sorry.

Posted by: Aloco | August 02, 2011 at 10:46 AM

ALOCO KARDASIAN?

[Michael]

Simon anyone out on the street right now is a retread. The reason they sign Dallas player is their familiarity with them, and their familiarity with the blocking schemes. I mean most of the people they sign will be back ups.

[Steve]

Every season Carey shows up at camp out of shape and moving around like a blob. The guy isn't worth anywhere near $7 million. He either takes a big pay cut or I'd send him down the road.

[Michael]

PUP will keep him out of the 1st 6 games of the season if they don't activate him by the 1st game of the season.

[Gary Stevens]

Thanks Dyingbreed, I shall be updating the cheat sheet as the Dolphins continue to make inexplicable personnel decisoins.

I'm brainstorming ways to describe Marc Columbo now...

[ALoco]

CHIEF DYEING BREED AGAIN POSTING AS ME, MANDO WHEN WIL THES STOP?

[Poizen]

Simon, all due respect.. maybe.

you never played sports for a passionate home town in your life.

you can say otherwise, but your comments prove it to be so.

that does not make you a bad person, I am not judging you as a fan.

Just making an abservation. Thanks

[BLACKCEROTE]

Support the Dolphins....no matter what //They can have Stevie Wonder at QB..Support them..Not every team has a good QB..People like Dave Hyde..Sid Rosenberg ..Omar Kelly..These guys are starting all this negativity..everyone is looking for a quick fix..GO DOLPHINS!

[ALoco]

GARY STEVENS = SOILED BOTTOMS.

[Gary Stevens]

Remember when that Dolphins fan cut the youtube video of Ted Ginn dropping passes to the soundtrack of Snoop's 'Drop it Like its hot"? (probably someone on this blog)

I would like to see a similar cut-up of terrible Chad Henne throws -- but an stumped on what the backing track should be.

[newman]

that word right there "acorns" thats the whole problem with this front office, while every other team in the league is out looking for superstars that can possibly help win a super bowl these bozos are out looking for acorns that might end up being decent players, a good front office goes after good players then finds acorns by accident they dont ignore good players and just search for acorns and thats the whole problem here