The F - Word

Here's a few things to think about, Dolfans:

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Sparano may be getting softer on his players.  Don't get me wrong, he didn't come across as a 'hard-ass' before this season, but some of his comments this year have been downright disheartening to those of us who want the team to get a kick in the arse.  For one, every coach has made some excuse for Ted Ginn's performance in the last couple of weeks.  Sparano has not actually shuffled the roster around at all, leaving Gibril Wilson as starter, and failing to increase Cameron Wake's presence on defense, despite the lackluster season thus far from Joey Porter and to a lesser degree, Jason Taylor.  In a way, he seems to be coddling his veteran starters.  

This is football.  It's a tough game, and sometimes, coaches need to be tough with their players.  The latest words from Sparano on Anthony Fasano's production is a perfect example.  Sparano said that Fasano's drop in production was due to the increased running game, suggesting fewer pass targets.  I'm going to go out on a limb here and call that BS.  If we're going to launch into Ginn for dropping passes, why does Fasano get a free pass?  Truth is, he almost single handedly lost the Atlanta game for us.  He followed it up with another disastrous performance in the Indy game.  He was absent in the San Diego game, especially blocking, allowing the Chargers to have a monstrous day rushing the passer. And of course, he blew it versus the Saints, dropping a perfect 20 yard strike from an under-pressure Ronnie Brown.

Personally, I think the Dolphins made a mistake in thinking that Fasano was the total package.  He seems to be swimming out there, looking confused, and perhaps overwhelmed.  I think a scaled down package would help to get him back in to form.  I also think the Dolphins should dress Patrick Turner and use him in replacement of David Martin, at least a few times a game, to help to open things up for Fasano. Your thoughts?

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The Dolphins two rookie cornerbacks will get a lot more playing time this week.  Regardless of who actually starts, Vontae Davis will no longer be splitting reps with Sean Smith, so both of their rep counts will go up significantly.  Can they handle this?

Last season we saw a dropoff in energy and production from our rookies as they hit that 'rookie wall'.  So the question is, since Davis and Smith were splitting reps until now, does that mean their wall will move back to later in the year, or will it have the reverse effect of having their bodies not adjusted to a full 60 minutes of NFL football, thus wearing them down faster now that they have to play more?

One thing I will say, is that I fully expect our ball-hawkishness to increase.  If Chris Clemons, who got his first action last week playing only special teams, can get on the field at the same time as Smith and Davis, it would be quite a sight, and I'd definitely sit up in expectation of some big plays.

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Tomorrow night is Halloween, be safe, have fun, and then don't forget to turn your clocks back one hour before going to bed.  You wouldn't want to tune in to the game only to have to sit through an hour of CBS pre-game drivel.  Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will be the announcers for the game.