The Larry Johnson story was nice. You know, former star turned washout realizes the terrible error of his off-field ways and, after much soul-searching, transforms himself as a person, and after tons of hard work finds a new team. And then he becomes a better player than he ever was.
Yeah, really cool stuff.
Except Johnson is still working on the script. He is obviously a different person and he has found a roster spot with the Dolphins. So far, so good. But that is pretty much where the story is meeting a Haloti Ngata-Vince Wilfork-Cullen Jenkins type gang tackle.
Johnson has not been able to recapture his 1,700-yard rusher form -- not that he's gotten much of an opportunity. He has only 2 yards on one carry this season. And with rookie Daniel Thomas getting more and more confidence and more and more healthy with each passing day, Johnson's days on the roster may be numbered.
At this point it seems Johnson's status is directly tied to the team's injury situation.
If the Dolphins need to fill a roster spot to tighten up a position lessened by injuries -- say, cornerback, for example -- Johnson's roster spot might be at stake.
If Charles Clay (hamstring) is finally healthy enough to become active, Johnson's roster spot might be at stake.
If the Dolphins feel the need to add more help at defensive line because Tony McDaniel isn't available, but they don't want to yet put McDaniel on injured reserve, Johnson's roster spot might be at stake.
Yes, his one-year deal is guaranteed. So the Dolphins are on the hook for the contract, which I assume was a split deal. But sometimes a team swallows the money and makes the moves necessary to meet its needs.
And with every passing injury, with every ounce of improvement that Clay makes, every ounce of confidence that Thomas gains, the less it seems the Dolphins will value Johnson as an insurance policy at RB.
Odin...welcome to the realistic side....
Still waiting on passengers...
Poizen
Craig M
Passengers Poizen and Craig M...the this is your last call for the realistic side......please check in immediatly......
Damn 4:45 came early.....
Gym time......
Posted by: kris | September 20, 2011 at 05:08 AM
Before I go.....
TAKE THAT YEAH!!!!!!
Posted by: kris | September 20, 2011 at 05:09 AM
Where is Yeah? Wakey Wakey you twit.
If they aren't going to use him, then getting someone in that they can use is obviously the way to go.
Posted by: klndry | September 20, 2011 at 05:31 AM
i'm gonna miss the realistic train coz i can't stand all the gloom and doom, there's still 14 games left this season and there have been some positives, the negatives have been greater, redzone/missing fg/ allowing andre johnson free reign/ marshall drops to name but a few of the negatives, as long as this team doesn't self destruct mentally but is prepared to fight for the season i still think we can have a winning season, i'm a finfan for life and am sick of feeling ripped off so i'm not gonna i'm just gonna let that bitterness go and believe in the positives and hope the players find the character to be a team and overcome their deficiencies,
c'mon guys in both the pats and texans games we competed - we actulally had to find a way to lose in the texn game- missed fg/fumbles etc
now its time to find a way to win
i realise i'm gonna be all alone in my icu dreamworld of believing we can turnaround but i'd rather be here than spend the rest of the season spewing vitriol about the fins
Posted by: The Wolf, ICU, starvation coma,LSU, after resuscitation | September 20, 2011 at 06:30 AM
The mis-use of Johnson is no different than......
Moore or Wallace (can't remeber wich since they never play)....returning a kick-off 60 yards....then the very next kick-off return...slow Cobbs is back there...
The Mis-use of Ginn...(still not a fan)...but he wasn't a #1 WR either...
The Mis-use of Ronnie and Ricky...(alternate EVERY SERIES...REALLY.....who does that).....
The mis-use of Reggie Bush.....I don't care WHAT BUSH SAYS...he is not an every down back.....maybe if we had ran him more in pre-season...the EVALUATORS..would have EVALUATED that.....
The CONTINUED miss use of Chad Henne....he was abused by Henning......and he is being equally abused by DaBoll....Henne is a game managing QB who should not throw more than 20-25 times a game....this put it all on Henne's sholder's mentality of DaBoll is becomming a bit much for me...
The Miss use of Brandon Marshall...making him a decoy...1st and a possesion reciever 2nd.....there wasn't another HC in the NFL who would have allowed that to happen....at least DaBoll is correcting that....
The Dolphins have a history of abusing player....playing them out of postion...or not playing to thier strengths...LARRY JOHNSON is just another name added to the list.....
Posted by: kris | September 20, 2011 at 06:38 AM
Wolf...
what is negative about being realistic.....
should I or others not point out what we see....
There is no santan clause......
To be honest....I post neither optimisim or negativity....mostly I post what happened...or what didn't....
Please to not try to spin my words for those that are challenged in their reading comprehension skills...
Lets keep this where it's suppose to be...about Miami Dolphins football.....
Posted by: kris | September 20, 2011 at 06:46 AM
Those that refuse to learn (or believe) history...are dommed to repeat it......over...and over....and over...and over...and.....
-----------------------------------------------------
the word fan might be the root word of fanatic.....
But Fanatic ...while close related to....does not mean delusional.....
Hold YOUR teams FEET TO THE FIRE....
Expect more....demand better.....
From coaches...player...GMs...and owners....
Do not go gently in to that Good Night!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: kris | September 20, 2011 at 06:55 AM
KRIS............
MIS-USE POST @ 6;38 AM IS ONE OF THE BEST POSTS I EVER READ ......... THIS IS REALISTIC HONEST VIEW OF THINGS..............
Posted by: ALoco | September 20, 2011 at 06:56 AM
kris
i have no problem with your opinions and u validate them with strong argument, we r 0-2 the possible results from here range from 14-2 to 0-16, reality has not happened yet i'm just trying to stay positive about the fins correcting the mistakes rather than repeating them, i agree that things don't look good
there's nothing negative or postive about being realistic but is based on opinion,
i still believe we can have a winning season and possibly make the playoffs but hope is less high than was but prefer to think positive (or unrealsitic if u prefer)!!
Posted by: The Wolf, ICU, starvation coma,LSU, after resuscitation | September 20, 2011 at 07:10 AM
Johnson will not get a fair chance to show what he's got left on the tank. Period. Forget about Thomas feeling comfortable and bla bla .. that was Thomas' first game only. How about keeping these RBs fresh and giving the opposing defense different looks. Nah. The coaching staff have no idea how to use these players. I don't agree with blaming Nolan and Daboll. It starts at the top. Not choosing the right players for your team is one. Not gaining your players complete trust by losing all the time and not playing them when you should, is two. And the list goes from there. Ireland and Sparano, hope you are preparing yourself and your families to get out of this town sooner than you expect.
Posted by: Gian | September 20, 2011 at 07:11 AM
WOLF/////////////// IT'S 7;00 AM AND SEEMS YOU HAVE THE ENERGY TO WRITE POSTS 1/2 PAGE LONG .WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR BREAKFAST ?
Posted by: ALoco | September 20, 2011 at 07:15 AM
I agree with chris, a forum is to discuss the good and the bad about the subject.
If you don't agree on the post and don't want to discuss the subject, move on to one you have something to say about it.
Posted by: armchair | September 20, 2011 at 07:18 AM
Wolf.....
As much as I post on realisim....I will sit down and watch EVERY game...and hat the start of the game I will have all the hope and optomisim of any fan...of any team......
But when the final whistle blows....I can't deny what just happened....and the realisim kicks in.....not negativity.....just evaluations...if you will....
Before the start of the season I posted 10-6 as my prediction......
10 wins...and no playoffs....
I drink the Henne-aid as well......
They still have a shot at it......but anything less than 10 wins....in my book is a failure of a season....
Posted by: kris | September 20, 2011 at 07:22 AM
ARMCHAIR............ HOW DID YOU COME UP W/ THAT NAME (( ARMCHAIR ))............PLEASE MAKE IT BRIEF ................
Posted by: ALoco | September 20, 2011 at 07:23 AM
Aloco....thanks.....
Posted by: kris | September 20, 2011 at 07:23 AM
KRIS .WE NEED A MIRACLE TO WIN 10 GAMES.WE MUST WIN ALL 6 GAMES AT HOME AND 4 OUT OF 8 ON THE ROAD ......... OUR PLAYERS JUST CAN'T DO IT .
Posted by: ALoco | September 20, 2011 at 07:30 AM
This regime has no idea on how to build a superbowl team. Their recruting and game preparation is the worst I have seen in my lifetime.
Once upon a time, the dolphins possessed a winning tradition. We have allowed, as fans, to let owners and adminsitrators to compromise that tradition and are becoming another Detriot Lions of the past; dag; even they are exceling. Just sad.
Posted by: Rey Rey | September 20, 2011 at 07:31 AM
REMEMBER ALSO..WHEN PLAYERS SENSE A LOSING SEASON ,THEY TEND TO MAKE SURE THAT, THEY DON'T GET INJURED LIKE LONG AND PLAY IT SAVE AND HOPE THINGS WILL IMPROVE THE NEXT SEASON.
Posted by: ALoco | September 20, 2011 at 07:33 AM
The fact that Jason Taylor had to speak to team about bad practises speaks volumes!!
Great practise makes great well prepared teams.
I never knocked Coach Sparano because I feel like the guy gets a raw deal, but this concerns me.
The players need to have pride and heart!!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 20, 2011 at 07:34 AM
JEFF IRELAND RUNS THE DOLPHINS AS GARAGE MANGER WHO LOVES BUYING USED CARS .
Posted by: ALoco | September 20, 2011 at 07:35 AM
TONY......... WHY EVERY YEAR WE SIGN JASON TAYLOR WE HAVE VERY BAD SEASON ??????
Posted by: ALoco | September 20, 2011 at 07:36 AM
This is how ridiculous our coaches are: A player has to tell its teammates that they need to practice with more intensity. What is that all about? This coaching staff has no reall control of its players and winning expectations. We need true winners guiding our team. We need folks who know how to win at all cost. You have to walk the walk. Wake-up people!!!
Posted by: Rey Rey | September 20, 2011 at 07:39 AM
That is funny, ALoco. Lol
Rey Rey
Posted by: Rey Rey | September 20, 2011 at 07:40 AM
This weeks game is as simple as it can be. Win, needed for confidence and great boost for the Jets game.
Lose, the season is over. Plain and simple!
Posted by: TONY'S CLIP BOARD | September 20, 2011 at 07:40 AM
THE QUALITY COACH IS TS'S SON .HE'S 0-2 ON HIS FIRST YEAR AS A QUALITY COACH..........FUNNY.....
Posted by: ALoco | September 20, 2011 at 07:41 AM
I LOVE TO KNOW WHAT DOES A QUALITY COACH DO BESIDE STANDING ON THE SIDELINE WEARING NICE SHORTS PRETENDING HE'S WORKING .
Posted by: ALoco | September 20, 2011 at 07:45 AM
poor talent eval,lack of seasoned vets and no leadership or "system" has us looking at another 7-9 if we get "lucky". sparano and ireland need to look into unemployment benefits.
Posted by: greg z. | September 20, 2011 at 07:46 AM
aloco, i've no idea how i manage to post in my condition
kris, the dissapointment at the end of the game is .... well... ouch
i agree that we just don't seem to have it
some parts of the team are functional others aren't each week seems to highlight another 5 woes
but i say f**k that if koolaid is what it takes i'm having it iv bring on the browns and lets TURN IT ROUND,
at least the bills or pats will lose a game this week
Posted by: The Wolf, ICU, starvation coma, LSU, after resuscitation | September 20, 2011 at 07:47 AM
BEFORE I GO TO WORK ,
WHO
S THE LOTTERY WINNER ON THE DOLPHINS TEAM ?
1-SOLIAI
2-TS
3-R.BUSH
4-COLOMBO
Posted by: ALoco | September 20, 2011 at 07:49 AM
ADD TO THAT LIST--
5-DANSBY.........48 MILLION
6-ODRICK................. 14 MILLION
Posted by: ALoco | September 20, 2011 at 07:55 AM
7-HENNE............... 656 DOLLARS
Posted by: ALoco | September 20, 2011 at 07:56 AM
BILLS.............. 2-0
DET................ 2-0
REDSKINS........... 2-0
JETS............... 2-0
DOLPHINS................ 0-2
Posted by: ALoco | September 20, 2011 at 08:00 AM
WE HAVE A MULTITUDE OF PROBLEMS , MOST OF IT HEART AND WANT TO, THIS TEAM LOOKS VERY LAZY AND NOT INTERESTED ESPECIALLY THE D,D THOMAS LOOKED PRETTY GOOD, THIS IS A REBUILDING YEAR IF YOU CAN CALL IT THAT MEANING WE ARE GOING NOWHERE SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL PLAY THE YOUNG GUYS LIKE CLAY AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE AND MAYBE THE NEXT COACH WILL MAKE BETTER DECISIONS ON WHO TO KEEP ON THE TEAM, MY REAL QUESTION TH FELLOW FANS IS AT THE END OF THIS YEAR WILL IRELAND BE GONE ALONG WITH TONY?
Posted by: scott from delaware | September 20, 2011 at 08:01 AM
You better watch Detroit this year. Ive been calling them sleepers all off season. If stafford stays Healthy I see them possibly 1 maybe 2 games deep in the playoffs
Posted by: ericatl | September 20, 2011 at 08:11 AM
Start it all over. Fire Fat Tony and Ireland. Get A Luck and recruit a coach like Cowher or Hoke. Get rid of all those "Has-Beens" that were kicked out of their former teams, happy enough that Ireland and TS were too dumb to realize that.
Posted by: Pierchen | September 20, 2011 at 08:18 AM
ALoco-
What time will the LITTLE BUS be picking you up today?
Posted by: finsfan72 | September 20, 2011 at 08:18 AM
LJ is just another small piece in the very intricated puzzle of Ireland's incompetence.
Average roster with a sub-par head coach...7-9 (at best) here we go again.
Posted by: Wanttowastepicks?CallJeffIreland | September 20, 2011 at 08:22 AM
kris just stop posting please go away back to where ever you came from odin is a god here your nothing but a dog of a mortal.
Posted by: phinfan1975 | September 20, 2011 at 08:25 AM
Armando,
Shhhhhh!
Posted by: Larry Johnson | September 20, 2011 at 08:31 AM
I'm baffled.
Posted by: PastaBrain Sparano | September 20, 2011 at 08:36 AM
Watch out for Detroit? Sleepers? Really. They are 2-0 , they tore the Pats (with Brady ) a new one in the preseason, and every pundit and pinhead suit with sports show has been blowing their horn since the draft. Why do sports fans have to have the 'you heard it here first' thing going on? And another thing - enough with the this guy is a 'beast' that guy is a 'beast', Sheez ... everyone is suddenly a freakin beast. Fantastic - glad we got that cleared up. Next.
Posted by: That guy | September 20, 2011 at 08:39 AM
I wonder if all of the Ram fans are screaming about red zone incompetence this morning?
Posted by: NewEnglandFinFan | September 20, 2011 at 08:40 AM
Watching the Dolphins play on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Miami is like well uh,....watching the Marlins play on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Miami....or the Panthers..or the 'Canes....GET A LIFE! GO SAILING, fishing in the Keys, to South Beach and look at the gorgeous women. It's much better than watching this swill...GOD, I miss Neil Rogers.
Posted by: Slap Johnson | September 20, 2011 at 08:44 AM
Cut Nolan Carroll & let Johnson play CB. Couldn't do any worse.
Posted by: Turd Ferguson | September 20, 2011 at 08:45 AM
Kris, Not sure what your looking for out of me.
I have basically lost my mind on the previous posts about how pathetic this team has been so far. the only thing I STILL have been doing is defending Henne. Not because I am a HUGE fan of him, because I am not realistically.
But because he seems to be the only guy going balls out every game, and shown the most improvement.
Our d is unbelievably bad. We have names that are supposed to be talented, yet they are not ready for the games. they gas out, their is no pressure. what happened to Nolan being the "wizard"?
You mentioned misuse of Marshall? Look Kris, the gguy has freak talent, but it seems NO BRAINS. He also has dropped 2 passes in the end zone that above average receivers make. He also is breaking off patters and routes and winging it on plays, where our QB has no time to alter the play because his o-line SUCKS!
And there is again, a WTF! Sparano in 3 years can not even make a average o-line with the BEST left tackle in the league.
The reality is Coaching has let us doen again. Now we find out the team has not been practicing at a high level... WTF? Would that happen with a team under Belicheck? Feet Ryan? any other team for that matter not named the Bengals?
This is a epic disaster for 2 games. the truth is, if their heads are on right, and no major injuries, and somehow the right side of our line gets a clue, we are a good team. Huw the F that has not happened I have no clue!
So back to Henne. If Marshall catches those balls the red zone numbers change. If coaches call a run instead of a fade patter, Henne's biggest weekness to date, to flatline, the numbers may change. Henne has had great pocket awareness something we have not seen.
If anything, the batted balls are a concern and he over threw receivers in the back of the end zone twice... Guess what, I saw Brady do that 3 times last week here in New England. Then guess what? His tight ends get seperation in the end zone and he gets 5 secs to throw the ball to a wide open guy. Does Henne have any of that??? NO!
the reality is, if our coaches can prepeare as well as the rest of the F'n league and the players are smart enough to get it, we hang with anyone. But I have doubts that will happen now.
Posted by: Poizen | September 20, 2011 at 08:52 AM
I'm baffled.
Posted by: PastaBrain Sparano | September 20, 2011 at 08:52 AM
NE fin fan. GREAT point.
Henne put better balls in the red zone than Bradford this year. Yet Henne sucks and Bradford is a Stud for the future.
Someone make sense of it.
Posted by: Poizen | September 20, 2011 at 08:55 AM
Right on Poizen! Nail on the head!
Posted by: NewEnglandFinFan | September 20, 2011 at 08:56 AM
kris, good post @ 6:38. Let's also include Carey in the wrong position.
Posted by: cosmodo | September 20, 2011 at 08:57 AM
I'm baffled.
Posted by: PastaBrain Sparano | September 20, 2011 at 08:58 AM
WHEN PLAYERS VOCE THEIR CONCERN ABOUT PRACTICE AS BELL DID ,THAT MEANS TS WILL BE OUT THE DOOR VERY SHORTLY ............
NOTICE HOW TS SAID (( I AM BAFFLED )) ,THEN PLAYERS TALK ABOUT PRACTICE.
THAT MEANS THAT TS IS A SABOTGE COACH,HE'S WAITING TO BE FIRED AND GET HIS 6 MILLION......... ......
Posted by: ALoco | September 20, 2011 at 08:59 AM
This team is BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Release some baggage Mastrud is absolutely awful, can't block, o career receptions, yet he is on the field playing? Sparano's nephew?
Trusnick - 2 games 3 holds cut his ass already
Are you kidding me? Special Teams are awful.
Attitude, its entirely wrong here , Vonte Davis spends more time being a puss on the sideline and running his mouth , then he uis actually on the field..... This stuff all adds up,
head coach is where it needs to begin... ROSS FIRE HIM NOW OR THE SEATS WILL BE EMPTY ALL YEAR
Posted by: brad | September 20, 2011 at 08:59 AM
suck for luck and cowher...right now only the colts are a worse team
Posted by: DC3GURU | September 20, 2011 at 09:00 AM
LJ can still play, that wolf just needs to be fed.
- Boycott the Police State pat downs @ NFL games.
Just Say NO and Don't Go!
Posted by: Dolphono | September 20, 2011 at 09:01 AM
poizen well said. I'm willing to give sparano until after the browns game. If we lose this week I think the best course is to let sparano go and make dabol the HC but allow Nolan run the defense until the end of year. Ireland should get the axe by the end of season
Posted by: BoulderFinFan | September 20, 2011 at 09:05 AM
brad, THANK YOU AND I AGREE!!! We've been talking about the stars on the team (Henne, Marshall, Bush, Thomas) but haven't mentioned the REAL problems. The real problem is Trusnick. He has no business playing. As brad said, 2 games, 3 penalties (and not insignificant ones, penalties that steal Sparano's famed "hidden yardage"). Get this douche and all others who constantly commit penalties OFF THE TEAM. Why? For helping the team to beat itself! We're not good enough to overcome stupid penalties that shouldn't be occurring, so cut that cancer NOW.
Also, want to commend kris for going to the gym at 4:45am. I could never do that (I go after work) so big respect to kris, maybe he needs to mail some of his dedication to Davie so the Dolphins can see what us fans go through without million dollar contracts, just to hopefully get a friggin' slice of happiness with a win on Sundays.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | September 20, 2011 at 09:12 AM
I'm baffled.
Posted by: PastaBrain Sparano | September 20, 2011 at 09:14 AM
Thanks for defending Henne Poizen...at least one blogger here does have a clue....fix the line and figure out what the F--- happened to the defense this year so far and the "phins will win more than they loose
Posted by: Egreen | September 20, 2011 at 09:15 AM
Boulder, I think the chance of Sparano being axed after a potential Browns loss is nill. It would send a really bad message to all potential new HC candidates that Ross is not to be trusted. He already dug himself a hole with the Harbaugh incident, then rewarded Sparano with a ringing endorsement and a bigger paycheck afterwards, and now only to fire Sparano after the third game? What quality HC would want a job with an owner like that? I follow your sentiment, but I think it would be better in the long run if we stick to Sparano a little bit longer. Not saying the full season just yet, maybe up to week 10.
Posted by: cosmodo | September 20, 2011 at 09:17 AM
As far as realism and optimism, neither excludes the other. You can be optimistic, but realistic too. Like I can believe Miami one day will be good, but today aren't that good. I can also say I'm optimistic because personnel-wise, the team is improved from last year, but record-wise, they haven't improved but remained static.
Either way, who cares. When/If we lose 5 games, it won't matter, because we'll have effectively been removed from any Playoff talks, and our Season will be over when it usually is (1st week in Jan).
As fans, our opinions (optimistic or pessimistic) are only that, opinions, and have no bearing to the team or how they fare during the Season. Yeah, possibly someone in the organization reads these blogs and gets their feelings hurt, but so what. We can't help or hurt the events that unfold with our reactions, all we can do is talk about what occurs, debate how it happened and predict what might happen next.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | September 20, 2011 at 09:26 AM