Posted on Fri, Jul. 25, 2008
Dolphins camp | Five things to watch
By JEFF DARLINGTON
WHO REPLACES NO. 99?
Ever heard of Quentin Moses? How about Charlie Anderson? We didn't think so. But before long, the Dolphins hope one of those names will help you forget about one of the greatest defensive players in their history. Moses and Anderson have been charged with replacing Jason Taylor, who was traded to the Washington Redskins last weekend. Good luck, fellas. Just remember: The mambo isn't as easy as it looks.
QUARTERBACK QUANDARY
A decade ago, No. 13 actually seemed lucky around these parts. But Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino's jersey has been retired, and now that number is taking on a different meaning. If veteran Josh McCown or rookie Chad Henne wins the quarterback competition during training camp, he will become the 13th player to start at the position since Marino left the game. It is going to be up to John Beck, who is very much in the mix, to stop this from happening.
BIG PICK, BIG PRESSURE
Rookie tackle Jake Long might be the only person in South Florida who can afford more than a few gallons of gas these days, but the newly made millionaire and first overall draft pick still won't be able to buy his way into the NFL history books. He will have to earn it. As the team's new anchor on the offensive line, Long is going to need to make an immediate impact if the quarterback will have a chance in the pocket this season.
THE RETURN OF RICKY
Remember Ricky Williams? Yeah, we know. How could you forget him? Well, a No. 34 jersey might have just come back into style. The nomadic star is back for more -- and Bill Parcells has a new man crush. Apparently, Williams has worked hard enough this offseason to have some teammates clamoring about his potential to be named the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year.
CATCH-22 If wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. wants to prove himself worthy of being selected ninth overall in 2007, a controversial pick, this would be a dandy time. This year's corps of receivers has so little star power that even ESPN analyst Keyshawn Johnson considered a comeback solely to play for Miami. Ouch. So, Ginn, it is time to show Keyshawn why the Dolphins don't need him.
Posted on Tue, Jul. 29, 2008
Ricky is driven by road to redemption
BY GREG COTE
Sweat is glistening on Ricky Williams' face beneath the black skullcap stretched tightly over his close-cropped hair. It is Tuesday, wind sprints have ended, and he is walking off the Dolphins' practice field, every step inching him closer to something that once seemed impossible for him to ever have but now appears within his reach:
Redemption.
It matters to him.
Ricky can come off at times as guarded, or aloof, his passion for football not worn like a badge or macho statement. You might cast him as the pacifist begrudgingly abiding war. The enigmatic free spirit in him hasn't left, as his passions for photography and yoga suggest. But know this:
He cares about his football legacy, about how he is regarded. That means he cares about you, about fans. He cares that ''Ricky Williams'' had come to connote ''quitter,'' or ''selfish.'' He cares that past marijuana use turned him into a punch line.
He wants to make things right.
You ask him why he came back to football (again), at age 31, and he starts with, ''No. 1, it's a good salary. There's not many jobs where you make this kind of money.'' Because Ricky is nothing if not honest.
But then you get the answer more fundamental than a paycheck.
''The way I left made it difficult,'' he said Tuesday. ``To come back and clear my name was important to me.''
This is an athlete asking forgiveness, in a way.
This is an athlete trying to fix what he broke, which is our trust in him.
Williams' comeback is one of the extraordinary NFL stories in 2008. It was overshadowed locally by the Jason Taylor soap opera, and is overshadowed nationally by the Brett Favre soap opera.
But Ricky's is the more compelling tale because it involves going wrong and getting right.
SIMILAR PATH
In baseball, Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton overcame years of drug and alcohol addiction that threatened to ruin his career if not his life, only to be embraced as heroic, his recent showing in the Home Run Derby serving as national affirmation of his recovery.
Williams' 2008 Dolphins season would make him football's version of Hamilton, if he does his part -- staying clean, reliable, productive -- and if Dolfans remain as generous with their forgiveness as they seem to be with a player most embrace as the wayward son who found his way home.
That Ricky looms as a genuine feel-good Miami story is rather astounding. What were the odds a mercurial player with a checkered past of drug use and league suspensions would be embraced by no-nonsense Bill Parcells and tough-guy coach Tony Sparano? What were the odds a running back who has started only three NFL games since 2003 would emerge as arguably the Dolphins' best, most important player five long years later?
Pieces dovetail to make it so, almost as if fate is a friend.
Miami's starting quarterback will either be a so-so journeyman (Josh McCown), a man inexperienced and unproven (John Beck) or a raw rookie (Chad Henne). That, along with Parcells' and Sparano's histories, suggest a power running game will be this offense's favored flavor.
That means Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. Except Brown is not yet fully recovered from last season's major knee surgery, to the degree Sparano admitted this week Brown's comeback is ''a little bit of a slow process,'' and the player himself acknowledged, ``I still have a long way to go.''
That means a lot of Ricky. A 1,000-yard rushing season would not surprise. You might take him earlier than most expect in your fantasy draft, and do so with a knowing smile.
Have we seen anything like this comeback in South Florida sports? Comes to mind only the Heat's Alonzo Mourning, stricken with a serious kidney ailment, coming back, traded, coming back.
Bear in mind Williams was as good as any runner in football for Miami over the 2002 and '03 seasons, rushing for 3,225 yards with 97 receptions and 27 touchdowns.
His No. 34 jerseys were the hottest in town because he was wildly popular.
Then his jerseys were the hottest in town because they were on fire, burned in effigy.
Williams cast himself in a villain's role by abruptly retiring, chasing his muse, quitting the team on the eve of the 2004 preseason. A career and a reputation, gone in a cloud of smoke.
A CLEAN SLATE
He would return in '05 after serving a four-game league drug suspension, miss the entire '06 NFL season suspended, then, after being reinstated late last year, carry only six times for 15 yards before leaving his first game and the season injured.
Now the runner best known for his missteps moves improbably toward redemption.
''To clear my name was important to me,'' he said.
Ricky Williams is getting there. As always, the only man who can stop him is himself.
The Dolphins will win more than 6 games this year and anyone who bets under that should just donate the money to charity. Parcells is taking over a team that has a great run blocking line and will get some offense together.
Also Parcells is great at taking young defensive players who are fast and are not afraid to hit and the defense should be about average.
Overall I can see them going 8-8 if not better. Don't forget who is putting this team together.
Also Parcells is great at taking young defensive players who are fast and are not afraid to hit and the defense should be about average.
Overall I can see them going 8-8 if not better. Don't forget who is putting this team together.
Posted on Tue, Aug. 26, 2008
Miami Dolphins turn to Pennington
BY JEFF DARLINGTON
Only in Miami, where the Dolphins have been plagued by years of misfortune at quarterback since Dan Marino retired, would the unluckiest of numbers still get so much respect.
It is the No. 13 that Marino wore, a number that has been retired in these parts since 2000. Now, the Dolphins hope new meaning to the same digits will serve as the answer to the years of misery that have followed.
On Monday, coach Tony Sparano officially named Chad Pennington as the 13th starting Miami quarterback since Marino retired. Pennington will begin the regular season under center Sept. 7 against the New York Jets, the team that released him earlier this month after acquiring legendary quarterback Brett Favre.
Although many assumed Pennington would be the starter the minute he signed with Miami on Aug. 9, Sparano was adamant in recent weeks that a competition existed between Pennington and rookie Chad Henne.
`IT'S CHAD'
The competition formally ended Monday -- when Sparano playfully told reporters who would start at quarterback against the Jets.
''It's Chad,'' Sparano said, leaving off the last name for a moment of intended suspense that was about as effective as a bad horror movie.
Pennington ended any talk of a competition Saturday with his effective play during his second start of the preseason.
Pennington completed 11 of 15 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown in Miami's 24-0 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Further solidifying the decision, an until-now impressive Henne showed his age by completing just 2 of 7 passes with an interception.
''I talked to both of them,'' Sparano said. ``This has been a competition from the first day we got here. Really, none of us here knew Chad Pennington. Bill [Parcells] knew him, but that was a while ago.
``So we needed to see him, and see what he can do and see how the team responded to him as well.''
In every way, from his leadership to his accuracy, Pennington's transition to his new team has been smooth. His arrival instilled an immediate sense of confidence in his teammates, and it has been seen on the field in two preseason wins.
FITTING IN
Although Pennington has taken his share of criticism for a perceived lack of arm strength, his indisputable assets are precisely what this team has been looking for. The veteran, who was drafted by the Jets and Parcells in 2000, has exceptional game-management skills.
''I like what we've seen, and I think the guy will do a great job out there managing the game,'' Sparano said. ``He's moved our team [down the field], and the team has responded really well to him. So that's where we're going.''
It wasn't only what Pennington did on the field that impressed the coaching staff. The evaluation of the quarterback also was taking place off the field, most notably during halftime of Saturday's game against the Chiefs.
His interaction with teammates revealed a readiness to become the captain of this organization -- not just a leader of the offense.
''I liked what he did at halftime,'' Sparano said. ``His demeanor with the players at halftime and the way they responded to him -- that really made my decision.''
Pennington, though, said his decision to lead the team has not been something he has forced. Instead, he is following his instincts as he attempts to acclimate himself to a new team and a new offensive playbook less than three weeks into his new job.
''I'm just out here trying to learn my teammates, trying to learn the offense and when my number is called, I'm ready to play,'' Pennington said Monday, minutes before Sparano said he told Pennington that he had won the battle. ``That's my goal right now.''
With his title as the starter solidified, Pennington's goal will now become even more specific: Beat the Jets. If the Dolphins didn't already have enough motivation to defeat their AFC East rivals, Pennington will add his own individual fuel.
REVENGE
New York selected Pennington as the 18th overall selection in 2000 (when Parcells served as the Jets' head of personnel), but the team was quick to cast him aside for Favre.
Now, Pennington will have an immediate shot at revenge.
The quarterback was not available to discuss the highly anticipated game after he was named the starter Monday. So while he wasn't yet talking about the Jets, he is nonetheless excited to take his shot as the 13th player to replace No. 13. ''I am excited about the opportunity to lead this team,'' Pennington said in a statement following Sparano's announcement. ``We've worked extremely hard over the last two weeks, and I'm proud to be a Miami Dolphin.''
I'm a biased Dolphin fan, but I never thought they were that bad last year. It was the worst coaching the NFL has ever seen, but I thought talent wise the Dolphins were better than that.
This year they technically have less talent (although Pennington is an upgrade), but the coaching will be infinetly better. Plus, the schedule is surprisingly easy especially in the beginning. I think they'll get 6 wins for sure.
This year they technically have less talent (although Pennington is an upgrade), but the coaching will be infinetly better. Plus, the schedule is surprisingly easy especially in the beginning. I think they'll get 6 wins for sure.
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Love the announcing though, MIAMI HAS WON!!!
PS i love the Dolphin player who jumped on a Raven, the Raven guy wanted to knock him out
Love the announcing though, MIAMI HAS WON!!!
PS i love the Dolphin player who jumped on a Raven, the Raven guy wanted to knock him out
1. NYJ - WIN
2. @ ARI - WIN
3. @ NE - LOSS
4. bye
5. SD - LOSS
6. @ HOU - WIN
7. BAL - WIn
8. BUF - WIN
9. @ DEN - LOSS
10. SEA - LOSS
11. OAK - WIN
12. NE - LOSS
13. @ STL - WIN
14. @ BUF - WIN
15. SF - WIN
16. @ KC - WIN
17. @ NYJ - WIN
By my caculations, the Dolphins will go 11-5. :hump:
2. @ ARI - WIN
3. @ NE - LOSS
4. bye
5. SD - LOSS
6. @ HOU - WIN
7. BAL - WIn
8. BUF - WIN
9. @ DEN - LOSS
10. SEA - LOSS
11. OAK - WIN
12. NE - LOSS
13. @ STL - WIN
14. @ BUF - WIN
15. SF - WIN
16. @ KC - WIN
17. @ NYJ - WIN
By my caculations, the Dolphins will go 11-5. :hump:
pretty easy schedule for the dolphins, lots of winnable games.
they lost something like 7 games last year by 3 points or less, and this was a ton that was decimated by injuries at QB, RB, CB, Safety, Linebacker. They were starting a 3rd string practice squad secondary.
they have flushed out the old veterans, and established a new culture. they are tough, they are young, they are big.
little known fact, with QBs with at least 1,500 attempts, chad pennington is #1 in NFL History in completion percentage.
chad pennington is a huge upgrade over cleo lemon and john beck and brings stability, confidence, efficiency and leadership to the position. dont forget parcells drafted pennington and im sure pennington feels great to feel wanted and has confidence again
the line has been revamped on both sides of the ball with big young guys
the losing culture and sour grapes veterans such as jason taylor, zach thomas, etc are gone
ricky williams might be the comeback player of the year
ted ginn should see vast improvement in his 2nd year at wideout, and with a QB who can actually complete passes
the secondary and playmakers such as yeremiah bell are back
i think 6-7 wins is about right, nothing more - nothing less
they lost something like 7 games last year by 3 points or less, and this was a ton that was decimated by injuries at QB, RB, CB, Safety, Linebacker. They were starting a 3rd string practice squad secondary.
they have flushed out the old veterans, and established a new culture. they are tough, they are young, they are big.
little known fact, with QBs with at least 1,500 attempts, chad pennington is #1 in NFL History in completion percentage.
chad pennington is a huge upgrade over cleo lemon and john beck and brings stability, confidence, efficiency and leadership to the position. dont forget parcells drafted pennington and im sure pennington feels great to feel wanted and has confidence again
the line has been revamped on both sides of the ball with big young guys
the losing culture and sour grapes veterans such as jason taylor, zach thomas, etc are gone
ricky williams might be the comeback player of the year
ted ginn should see vast improvement in his 2nd year at wideout, and with a QB who can actually complete passes
the secondary and playmakers such as yeremiah bell are back
i think 6-7 wins is about right, nothing more - nothing less
It's his first year in the front office. Don't expect too much. They do have Ricky Williams back and now with Pennington they have an experienced QB. They are headed in the right direction but don't expect any more than 4 wins. 5.5 is about right. 4 if things go as right and 5 if things go well. 6 if they have a couple fluke games. Under or nothing in my opinion.
