Every week on FantasyGuru.com, Greg Cosell breaks down seven or eight match-ups from the previous weekend based on extensive observation of the same game film used by real NFL coaches.  Cosell is, in the estimation of many, one of the preeminent figures in the field not currently employed by an actual team.  He's chosen to breakdown Miami film on a number of occasions, but it is not a given that he will do so every week.  He has, however, taken a liking to our young signal caller, Chad Henne—his praises have grown in each passing week.  Here are the highlights specifically for Henne:

Henne’s comfort in the pocket was evident on his first throw of the game.

Henne really firm in the pocket, oblivious to bodies around him – Showed the ability to progression read with awareness and decisiveness.

Henne great throw to Hartline for 25 yds in the second quarter, It came against “2 man” coverage on 2nd + 11; A stick throw into a very tight window, Not many NFL QBs even attempt that throw much less complete it – Henne continued to show the attributes that lead to quality QB play in the NFL.

Love Henne’s willingness to pull the trigger, he intuitively understands what open means in the NFL; I don’t think you can teach that – He’s a decisive and confident passer.

Henne also showed the intuitive ability to move and manipulate coverage with his head and body, also a critical attribute to be successful as an NFL QB.

On the ball Henne overthrew Bess in the third quarter Bess slowed down for no reason, It would have been a perfect throw if Bess did not throttle down.

Henne misread the coverage on his fourth quarter interception, he anticipated Cox running vertically with Hartline but he dropped off and sat on the out to Fasano – The defense did not react the way Henne anticipated they would.

I would highly recommend book marking and reading Cosell's weekly reviews, even those that are non-Dolphins related.  Enjoy!

ALDS - Game 3

6.1 IP 3 H 1 ER 1BB  K

ALCS - Game 6

6.1 IP 7 H 1 ER 1BB 6K

World Series - Game 6

???

While it would have been infinitely more enjoyable to just wrap up the title on Monday night in Philadelphia, there is something to be said about having Andy take the hill in the the Bronx with a chance to lock down number twenty-seven.  You'd like to believe that if any of the "ghosts" from across the street were to ever make their way over to the new Stadium for a Yankee classic, it would be with #46 on the mound.  Here's to one more win, Andy!

While I may be a passionate Yankee fan (from Amherst, no less), I spend a fair amount of my time perusing Boston sports media such as your blog here, Dirt Dogs, WEEI, etc.  And even though I don't always agree with what Red Sox fans have to say, your opinions are generally pretty level-headed and based in some semblance of fact.

As you probably know all too well, my Yanks are gearing up for their ALCS match-up with the Angels this Friday.  In order to better prepare, I decided to take the next step and become a member of Halos Heaven, the LAA Sports Blog Nation affiliate.  Now, I'm more often than not pretty impressed with the coverage SB provides for each team, but... what's the deal with Rev Halofan (the head blogger at Halos Heaven)?  

The guy seems a little off his rocker when it comes to following his team.  Does he ever provide objective analysis or will he continue to refer to CC Sabathia as that "fat guy" from New York that doesn't even belong on the same field as "the great John Lackey?"  Most SB head bloggers maintain some sort of professionalism when putting together posts, but this guy doesn't seem like he belongs in the same league as any of the guys from our site, or Atheltics nation, or your very own Randy Booth.

So please, can anyone tell what this guy's deal is?

I haven't posted on The Phinsider in quite some time, but have continued to read the Matty and Co. content religiously.

Who doesn't love speculation, particularly in the NFL?  Here's a quick glimpse of my personal wants and needs for the Dolphins going forward into the 2009 season and beyond.  I hope you enjoy the read and feel compelled to offer your own insight!

- A definitive answer on Chad Henne.

Quite simply, is he, or isn't he the one?  As has been previously pointed out, Chad now has 13 games with which to prove himself capable of leading this team.  If the front office can go into the 2010 offseason knowing whether or not they have to start from square one at the quarterback position, the team will be that much better off—waffling will only serve to set things back.

- A resigned Ronnie Brown.

Number 23 is, without a doubt, the most talented player on the Miami roster.  He has, in the opinion of many a Dolphin fan, MVP-caliber abilities.  Any hope of a respectable win-loss record in 2009 is contingent on his personal success.  More importantly, however, are Ronnie's long term plans.  I know Matty is a big fan of locking down Ronnie for the long run, and so am I.  I am, however, growing increasingly wary of Ronnie bolting for another team, perhaps one that is just a big-time running back away from going all the way.  If the "Trifecta" are anything close to the front office masterminds that we've made them out to be, they will not let this nightmare scenario come to fruition.

- A legitimate #1 wide receiver.

This point grows more and more painfully obvious with each passing game.  I've watched Roddy White, Reggie Wayne, and Vincent Jackson during this early season and wept silently to myself.  These wideouts are quintessential game changers, something that our receiving corp is sorely lacking.  I consider myself a staunch supporter of Ted Ginn, as he can and will provide this team with a meaningful presence one day, but it's certainly not as a #1 wide receiver.

-  A playmaking free safety.

If it's not apparent to you already, the Miami Dolphins are currently employing two strong safeties in their defensive backfield.  Antonio Gates and Dallas Clark had field days with this roster blunder. I appreciate Yeremiah Bell and his ability to bounce back from injury in years past, and at the time of the signing, I thought the addition of Gibril Wilson was a positive one.  That was, of course, based on the notion that he could successfully transition back to his free safety form from New York.  Now, I feel as if the situation at safety necessitates a trade, particularly if the team is to eventually employ an Ed Reed-type player.  Which one to part ways with would be subject to much conjecture, but my vote would be to keep the younger Wilson.

- A tight end who can break defensive coordinator's game plans.

By all accounts, Anthony Fasano had a very successful 2008 campaign.  No one can argue with seven touchdown's worth of production out of the tight end position.  But 2009 has, thus far, been a horse of a different color for our Italian Stallion.  As has been allured to on the site, this is in all likelihood due to opposing coordinators' renewed efforts to game plan against our tight end.  This, however, is not the case with a number of teams around the league.  Jason Witten rarely gets shut down by a defensive scheme.  Tony Gonzalez, Dallas Clark, and Antonio Gates make defenders adjust their game plans, rather than the other way around.

- A black hole at defensive tackle.

The centerpiece of a properly run 3-4 defense is a massive, gravity well of a nose tackle.  Since coming over in a trade during the mass exodus from Dallas, Jason Ferguson has, for better or worse, filled this role admirably.  But Ferguson is an elder statesmen in NFL terms, and probably on his last legs as a Miami Dolphin.  Now, if I'm aware of and concerned with this pressing need, I'm positive that the front office tosses and turns at night over it.  More than likely this need will be addressed in the 2010 draft, especially if a certain Oklahoma Sooner is available.

- DeMarcus Ware.

This is probably (definitely) wishful thinking on my part, but I would love to coax, arguably, the most dominating pass-rushing outside linebacker in the NFL out of Dallas and into South Florida.  Certainly, Mr. Parcells can pull some strings for us?  This is, of course, contingent on Ware's refusal to resign with the Cowboys, and I haven't the slightest clue how likely that is.  It's just nice to picture big number 94 lining up to pressure Tom Brady into an errant pass or strip sack, isn't it?

I hearby put forth the suggestion that any more calls for Joba in the pen should be commented on with, and only with, the precious words of our GM, Cashmoney (graciously provided by Eddie V):

"That's all crap," he said. "Wake up and smell the coffee. If he's on national television on ESPN and throws 91 on the 22nd pitch, why would you think if he comes in in the eighth inning protecting a 4-3 lead [he'd throw 96]? Stop, he's a starter.''

It's tiring to hear the same arguments over and over again, and I think it's time to stop giving them merit.  Hopefully, seeing a FanPost commented on with nothing but this quotation will get the point across.  Here's to Joba!

Continue reading this post »

Continue reading this post »

Continue reading this post »

Continue reading this post »

Continue reading this post »

Does coach Sparano and our boys in Aqua and Orange know that they don't actually have to play a game this weekend?  Apparently, the outcome of our Wild Card round playoff match-up this Sunday is a foregone conclusion.  I would be lying if I said that I didn't expect this type of reaction from the national media, but it still leaves me upset.  The Dolphins are "obviously" not supposed to be in the post season, and they are "obviously" going to get manhandled this weekend.  I cannot think of a better "backs-up-against-the-wall" type situation in which Miami could play this game, but hey, we've been there and done that.  So, enjoy the ride ladies and gentlemen, and let's hope Porter and the boys have their ears pinned back for this one!

I'll add to this list as I find more.

Continue reading this post »

2008 Statistics

In my humble opinion, the following statistics best summarize the kind of value that Chad Pennington has provided for the Dolphins this year.

Completion percentage - 67.4%  (Best in NFL)

Interceptions - 7 (Fewest for any quarterback to start all 16 games in 2008)

Quarterback rating - 97.4 (Second in NFL)

First down percentage - 37.8% (Tied for third best in NFL)

December wins - 4 (Tied for best in NFL)

Road wins - 6 (Tied for best in NFL)

Continue reading this post »

Continue reading this post »

Continue reading this post »

Continue reading this post »

Continue reading this post »

Continue reading this post »

Continue reading this post »

Continue reading this post »