The math of the Dolphins running back tandem

Yes, Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas will play Sunday. And here's how it should be split if coach Tony Sparano has a favorable situation and the game is going along in an orthodox fashion -- meaning Miami isn't down 27-0 to the Houston Texans as they were the last time the team's played in 2009.

Reggie Bush would be on the field 70-75 percent of the time. Thomas would serve 25-30 percent of the time -- at least initially until the rookie gets acclimated to the NFL game.

"I don't know how the games are going to go so that dictates touches," Sparano said this afternoon. "... But from our end, in a perfect world, I wouldn't mind it being somewhere around 70-30. Somewhere to that effect, where Reggie's ability on third down is a factor and we get Daniel going a little bit. And then at the end of the game we see which one has a hot hand."

The issue has been on Sparano's mind because Bush got every carry by a Dolphins runner against New England save two -- both carries that went to Lex Hilliard. That is not the way to keep Bush healthy and fresh.

"Obviously I didn't take Reggie out of the game last game," Sparano said. "So in a perfect situation, 70-75 percent of the time you keep Reggie in there. You use somebody else 25 percent of the time early on in this thing until you grow him a little bit and see how they handle this. That would be good for Reg."

Obviously, the Dolphins aren't comfortable simply thrusting Thomas in there. Obviously, he hasn't exploded onto the scene, suggesting the team must use him as much as possible as soon as possible. So the Dolphins will work him him slowly.

And Sparano, meanwhile, will be on the lookout for other players that perhaps played too many downs against New England but can't keep up that pace:

"I have to do a little bit better job of play counts of a few guys," he said. "We have to get some plays off of them. Otherwise it ends up being a long season."

Comments

[yerp]

true oscar

[curiousbutnotthatmuch]

Who the hell is T-Choke?

[Nah!]

Well the Texans are probably feeling pretty good about things even thought the Colts were Manning-less. It was a division game for them.

Dolphins gotta be feeling pretty shytty after losing a division game in front of the whole world.

I would propose that the Dolphins fell a greater sense of urgency to perform and vindicate themselves.

I'll pick the Dolphins in a squeaker: 33-27.

[odinseye]

All this because "SOMEONE" cant admit that the QB for the team he "supposedly" roots for LIT IT THE FVCK UP!!!!

ROTFLMAO-I don't know or care what you think, but I'm happier than a pig in shyt over the fact that we MAY have a QB!

A few short weeks ago, I was seriously concerned.

But hey, it's just a QB, it's not like he's that important to the team or anything-Duh!

[yerp]

I wonder if he acts like a 7 year old in real life.

[oscar canosa]

Well, the only + out of all this situation is that I can untune my Radio now.

[odinseye]

Oh man, I feel like I'm being ostracized here on the blog. What to do, what to do?

Think quick Odin..........THINK!............

I got it:

Hey man, did you guys see Cognito?

Yeah man, he sucks! He got blown up Monday Night, he sucks, sucks, SUCKS!

(there, that oughtta win em over)

[odinseye]

PS: Were gonna LOSE!

YEAH!

(I just want to fit in)

[LewD]

A total ahole for sure, get a life.

[odinseye]

Polluting your world with OPTIMISM IS my life!

Whoo Whoo Huh Ha Haaaaaaaaa Haaaaaaa(My Dracula laugh)!!!!

[jason]

questions for mr. sporano.............
1. if you are a former o-line coach, why is the o-line not solidified? why has it been "assembled/gelling" for the last 3 years?
2. why are you trying to make reggie bush a feature tailback when he has rushed for 100 yds. ONCE in his career?
3. why do you not understand that sooner or later you have to charge forward with the team you have? it is not ok to consistently think that a team will get better after year after year of adjustments and decisions...........you are taking advantage of what a "grace period" means. take the reigns or get out.

[odinseye]

I can't believe I'm on a Dolphins Blog pissing people off by giving props to their starting QB!

WTF? I don't understand it, but I sure am digging it!

PS: This Just In: T-Bone STILL SUCKS!

ROTFLMAO!!!!

[phinfan1975]

odin your my hero thank god for loyal objective fans keep up the good work

[LewD]

Odinseye has made the blog intolerable for the moment. Just a childs rant. Try back later, he should have his pacifier by then.

And to all you that engage with him...why oh why oh why?

[Mr.Smith]

WE WANT ORTON! WE WANT ORTON! Where are you guys at. That's right no where to be found. MOOOOOROOOOONSSSS.

[jrljr2]

My question is this: aren't the football people supposed to know more than us? If the answer is yes, then why did we all see the Problems at safety, IlB, Oline, RB and CB( Sapp instead of Allen) and Sparano and Ireland didn't? Simple because they are over their heads. Same problems plague this team and it amazes me how they continue ignoring them. It was so obvious to all of us. Some say we are too negative, but if it's true it's more reality than negativity.

Also, if you all look it up I called the score exactly at 38-24. This team is pathetic. Mario Williams will kill Henne this week. Score 28-13. Gonna be an ugly year folks.

[Moneyman13]

Odin,
I know some do not really care but the only fin who really played well was
Henne and I too was pulling for a replacement during off season. Give credit where credit is due. Time for coaches and D to man up and give us something
to root for. 10-4 to you on this issue.

[odinseye]

questions for mr. sporano.............

1. if you are a former o-line coach, why is the o-line not solidified? why has it been "assembled/gelling" for the last 3 years?

-This has got to be the most legitimate concern or criticism I have seen. 3 years a slew of high picks a ton of free agents and money! Yet opening night, no run game, no protection. For all the reasons to hate on SpOrano, this one, in my opinion is the biggest.

2. why are you trying to make reggie bush a feature tailback when he has rushed for 100 yds. ONCE in his career?

I know he/they said this, but I still don't believe it. No one can be this ignorant. Not even Tony and Jeffy. Hopefully the reason we used him so much last week is just because of the injuries to Clay and Thomas(though it doesn't explain why Johnson didn't get touches)and the fact that we were playing catch up to Brady. I agree though, Bush's skills should be exploited, NOT misused.

3. why do you not understand that sooner or later you have to charge forward with the team you have? it is not ok to consistently think that a team will get better after year after year of adjustments and decisions...........you are taking advantage of what a "grace period" means. take the reigns or get out.

Posted by: jason | September 15, 2011 at 07:43 PM

I agree Jason, no more grace period, no more excuses. Get it done or get out of the way.

[dm1dolphan]

don't want to here that odrick and some others played well on defense. nobody played well on defense. the defense got a big fat F. it's a team effort and the defense contributed NOTHING to the game. had they contributed at least something miami may have had a chance to look respectable on monday but they looked like fools against a team that looked like they could do what they wanted at will.
if sparano is satisfied with any facet of the way the team performed in that game then maybe it is time for this team to find a new head coach. satisfaction is for amateurs. if that's what these guys want to be then it's time for them to move on. they want respect, they want to be among the elite in this league they need to pay the price day in and day out and it is painfully apparent that the leadership on this team and the players on this team don't want to do the work necessary to get to that point. in that vein, they will stay among the mediocre, the cellar dwellars until they make the changes necessary to improve and bring the level of their game up to snuff with the real competitors.

[odinseye]

DM,

Odrick made ONE really good play.........ONE!

I don't think that offsets the other 59 minutes and 54 seconds of questinable mediocrisy.

It doesn't matter how anyone tries to spin it or analyze it.

The defense individually and as a unit gets an F-Minus!

Having said that, I predict they'll bounce back against the Texans and have a solid day. They keep Shaub and Johnson's damage to a minimum, Henne and co. do just enough to squeak one out!

I mean, we have to beat the Texans sooner or later. Over the years the odds have to improving, right-lol?

[fading fan]

Sparano saw a team with bright spots.
Belichek saw a team that needed improvements.

and thats the difference. But hey....it's fixable.

[Tracy474]

It's not that most of us don't like Mando, or this blog. It's just that he writed as if he really doesn't want to write anything positive about the team we all love! We hope thayt we can turn him into a fan and make him a better writer! It's hard to read a beat reporter's column, or blog, when it seems that he isn't a fan.

[odinseye]

Is there any way we can bring in a new Head Coach without blowing everything up?

Ross should already be contemplating an interim Coach to bring in that can work with Daboll and Nolan. If he's brought in on the interim, maybe we keep Daboll, Nolan and SOME continuity going forward.

As long as keep Daboll and especially Nolan, my choice for a new head Coach would be Singletary! He knows how to deal with Prima Donna's and questionable character guys.

PS: There you go, if you want to ridicule me, I just threw Singletary out there for ya!

[fading fan]

We have a team that is never even favored at home anymore, yet some are talking playoffs. Playoffs?

I am for anything that expedites Sparano's exit. He is a potato farmer.

[ALoco]

TRACY................. ARMANDO LOVES ONLY TO WRITE THAT CRAP CALLED ARTICLES ABOUT JASON TAYLOR B/C HE GOES TO HIS HOUSE AND EAT .

[Tracy474]

Meant "he writes" not "he writed". Sorry. I'm typing on my stupid crackberry!

[Tracy474]

Sparano is like a plumber who fixes a leak, then next week you have to call him back because another pipe leaks. And, then another. And another. He keeps saying that "it's fixable" but you keep racking up a plumbing bill!

[oscar canosa]

Maybe Tony suffers from what Shula did in his 1st year as a HC when he said "I assumed too much" regarding Players professionalism and work ethics. Soon after that Don Shula would get on these athletes a-s and ....

[Tracy474]

Just beat the Texans and the fans will start coming back! We'll all forgive you if you just start freakin' winning!!!

GO Dolphins!!!

[fading fan]

JT will have 3 good plays all year. Then off to hollywood.

Burnett will be cut. Crowder will be back.

Thomas won't have more than 27 yards rushing in any game.

Clyde Gates will never be a starter.

Half of our receivers are undrafted 'costco' free agents.

Henne makes $9 and hour after his bonus.

The defense is not as good as every one thinks.

Tony puts his team to sleep before game time.

[oscar canosa]

But it is Sparano's 4th year. Are these smart, athletic brats taking him for a ride? If so, after practice, keep them on the Field, doing nothing, for 12345678hrs. Of course, no cell phones or Nintendos allowed.

[Tracy474]

The Texans' weakness is their secondary. We have to attack them in the air. One of their strengths is their running game, we have to shut that down and pray that our secondary can generate turnovers! We have to wear down their defense. Their offence can't score if they aren't on the field.

GO FINS!!!

[odinseye]

After last Monday I would be treating the whole team like a bunch of Pop Warners.

1. Run some laps!

2. Wind Sprints!

3. Run some more laps!

4. Now, wind sprints!

5. Second verse, same as the first. Run some laps........!

[odinseye]

The defense can only do one of two things.

1. Buckle and admit they're a bunch of panzies!

2. Fight back with a vengence!

I predict no. 2 happens.

[ALoco]

ODEN,HOW YOU LIKE THE DOLPIN DEFENCE?, YOUR ALL-HENNE NOW,IVE BREN PRASING THE GRAET HENE ALL YEAR,HE"LL SIGN A 10 MILON CONTRACT NEXT YEAR,TO BAD THEY GOT RID OF GRTEAT TED GIN,OTHERWEISE HIS CIONYTRACT WOULD BEEN SINED.

[redsky]

Odin, I still don't know why they didn't play LJ!!! To me that's retarded! A guy with his experience? C'mon Man!

[odinseye]

players to roll in Week 2

Ladd Biro Special to The Miami Herald

.By Ladd Biro
Special to The Miami Herald

Are you wondering whether to start Aaron Rodgers and Ray Rice, or bench Tarvaris Jackson and Bernard Berrian?

The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you’re looking for help with real starting-lineup conundrums, read on.

Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 2:

Watch ‘em roll

• Chad Henne, QB, Dolphins (vs. Texans): Lost amid Tom Brady’s passing heroics Monday night were the terrific numbers compiled by Henne (416 yards passing, 59 rushing yards, three total touchdowns). He will likely find himself in another shootout this week, against a secondary that isn’t as good as it looked against the Colts.

[bennett3dolfan]

I agree with you odinseye. If Henne would have had a bad game that would be all we would be reading about from Armando. Every post would be ripping Henne in some way.

[odinseye]

ALoco,

You predicted Henne would throw for over 4000 yards this season.

416 x 16 = 6656

So far so good.

I think the defense was simply unprepared, out of shape for the no huddle and mostly shell shocked! They looked to me like they were thinking way more than actually trying to play.

Having said that, I think they swallow their pride and bounce back big time this week.

[redsky]

Odin, the D was embarrassed, I think they start playing like last year, if the O puts up the points they did against the Pats!!! It's a win!

[Harry Taylor]

ESPN "game pickers"

Jaworski (the best)- Texans
Shecter (the worst)- Dolphins
all the rest -Texans
Computer- Dolphins

Is Jimmy Cefalo really such a big bore on the radio? Didn't they add Griese? He's pretty much of a bore himself, no?

[ALoco]

THEYE HAvE ON THE NFL NETWORK A SPICAL ON THE GREAT HAED COCH BILL BELICHEK,I WONDER IF THE PIZZA GUY SPORONOS WATCHING?, I HOPE SO OTHERWISE LOOK FOR A CHANGE TO THE CHINA MAN NEXT SAESON.

[Hmmmmm!]

redsky = bennet3dolfan = odinseye

[Mark]

Why not run Larry Johnson in short yardage situations. Reggie Bush is not an every down back, in my opinion

[redsky]

Aloco, what's a SPICAL?

[victor]

i agree..start larry johnson and reggie bush and let thomas wait a bit on the sidelines..
o and another thing..when we score a touchtown , tell tony to stop dancing and acting like a clown..do you see belichik doing that when his team scores ????

[odinseye]

redsky = bennet3dolfan = odinseye

Posted by: Hmmmmm! | September 15, 2011 at 09:22 PM

Anybody that posts with an optimistic, going forward perspective is a Troll now? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.......

Especially if they praise their own starting QB. The worlds not upside down, this blog is.

Everyone of you knows, whether you admit it or not, If we signed Palmer and he opened the season with identical stats and circumstances, Armando praises it, no?

Conversely, as Bennet points out, had Henne bombed, Armando would be CONTINUING to rip him a new A-Hole!

Facts are facts and everyone here knows, these are THE FACTS!

Petty and hypocritical.......................

Henne - Nutted Up!

Armando - Fum-BELL!

Henne - 1 - Armando - 0

[ALoco]

ODEN,DIDNT YOU SAY THE DEFENCE WOULD HOLD UP THE TEAM THIS YEAR?,SEEMS LIKE THE BAGEL MAKER NOLAN IS HOLDING UP MR.ROSS WITH OUT GUN.

[ALoco]

REDSKY AKA THE CUBAN MENACE AKA FAKE ALOCO IS TALKING TO HIMSELF ..............

[redsky]

They should play Bush and LJ, until the rookies catch on!! I agree Mark!

[Harry Taylor]

heard that today was Dapper Dan's birthday (or close enough)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kShJAEODWMc

[fading fan]

At least we have four 3rd string TE's. How many teams can say that?

[ALoco]

REDSKY,

DO YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND OR A GIRLFRIEND ?

[ALoco]

FAKE ALOCO AT 9:35.

[ALoco]

FAKE ALOCO AT 9:39, MUST BE ARMANDO AND HIS MINIONS FROM THE HAERLD,ITS SHAMEFUL,MANDOI PLEASE STOP THE HARRASMENT.

[ALoco]

LOL

[fading fan]

Pouncey should be a guard
Cognito should be a center
Carey shouldn't be starting
Columbo should be retired
Bush should be a situational back
Thomas is not a starter
Lex isn't really on the team
Neither is LJ
Nobody knows what position Clay plays
Marshall doesn't have great hands
Clemons is not a starting safety
Jones is not a starting safety
Smith is not a starting corner
Burnett is lost
Dabolls lifetime record as an OC: 5-12
Daboll does not have Hillis this year, he has?
I like the kicking game

Otherwise we are in excellent shape.

[fading fan]

Belichek > Sparano
Ryan > Sparano
Gailey > Sparano
Kraft > Ross
Woody Johnson > Ross
Ralph Wilson > Ross

[ALoco]

FADING FAN TRYING TO JOIN A NEW GANG, HE CANT BE IN GANG OF DEFEET,NOR THE DONKY BRIGADE,NOR THE MARINATED ACORN GRIOUP, BUT KEEP TRYIN, YOUR POSTS OF HATER MUST IMPROVE TO JOIN ONE OF THE BIG 3.

[fading fan]

Just commenting. I don't hate.