Three Questions for a Dolphin Insider
During the offseason, we worked with some of the excellent AFC East SBNation blogs to talk about the team. It was an arrangement that we agreed to until the start of training camp, but with the Dolphins on the plate we wanted to check back in with our friends over at The Phinsider.
1) Many Jets fans love and revere Pennington, but sadly what’s past, is past. How has Pennington been working with his new receivers?
Phinsider: Chad Pennington has really been a great acquisition for this franchise. He brings with him a sense of swagger and confidence that the Dolphins haven’t had in a long time at the QB position. And he’s already won the team’s respect. He was voted as the team’s offensive captain by the players – which says a lot about what he brings to this team, both on the field and off.
As far as how he’s been working with his receivers, all I can say is that there’s clearly been marked improvement in the effectiveness of the receivers since Pennington got here. And the biggest improvement has been from Ted Ginn, who looks like a different player since Chad got here. The chemistry that these two players have shown almost reminds me of the chemistry that Pennington and Laveranues Coles developed in NY together.
But in a nut shell, with Pennington in Miami, I no longer feel that the Dolphins are over-matched in clear passing situations – a feeling I haven’t had since Dan Marino retired.
2) Jake Long and Justin Smiley are an excellent tandem … how have they been playing together so far?
Phinsider: I’d say that so far, everything has come together nicely. Long has come to Miami as advertised. Smiley has seem to struggle at times in pass protection at times, but I’m not too worried about that. The most important thing about these 2 is how strong they make the left side of the offensive line in the running game. I’d look for many of rush attempts, especially early on, to be behind those two on the left side.
3) There’s been a lot of changes for the Phins, where’s the biggest upgrade on the team’s defense from last season?
Phinsider: Without a doubt, the greatest improvement defensively has been along the defensive line. Last year, the Dolphins’ defense was run all over. But things have changed now. The acquisition of Jason Ferguson at nose tackle and the drafting of defensive ends Phillip Merling and Kendall Langford have dramatically improved Miami’s rush defense. This past preseason, the Dolphins held Deuce McAllister, Larry Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, and Fred Taylor to just 85 combined rushing yards on 33 carries (a 2.58 ypc).
Ferguson, without a doubt, is the key to this defense. And Langford, a 3rd round pick, is already a starter at defensive end. With Merling acting as Vonnie Holliday’s primary backup, there is depth to this unit now. Look for a heavy defensive line rotation throughout the game, keeping them fresh well into the 4th quarter.
24 Responses to Three Questions for a Dolphin Insider
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kc says:
i wonder what dolphin TASTES like?
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hank/naples says:
Bassett:
You have to be careful with the positive information you give us about pennington. You may be in the process of losing one of the most extreme, biased pennington hater by poisoning himself from the inside out with vile. -
Liam says:
gosh bassett! easy on the inside out poisoning with the vile, jeez, how many times do we have to talk about that??
interesting how the phins blogger referred to comfort in obvious passing situations. thats exactly the PROBLEM with pennington. he can’t beat you if you know he has to throw the ball because of his arm limitations. i wonder if the blogger will be singing the same song after a couple of 3rd and tens?
Smiley and Long on the left does have the potential to be a very nice run blocking duo and Ferguson is a quality upgrade from what they had in the middle of their 4-3 a year ago (assuming he stays healthy and doesn’t wear down). having said that, this is still a pretty bad football team and i would be surprised if they won more than one game in division this year.
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kixworld says:
DOLPHINS ARE NOW RUNNING A 3-4 DEF THIS WILL NOT BE A GAME IM JUST GLAD CHAD IS BLOWING SUNSHINE UP SOMEONE ELES ASS THIS YEAR IM JUST GLAD ITS NOT OURS.THERE MUST BE A GOD
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kjgracey says:
kc – they have dolphin at seaworld right by shamu and the dolphin performance area ..and from what i understand u’re eating whoever doesn’t make their jumps ..lol jk
enough being evil .. so 2 former jets are the best additions to the dolphins ..hmm lol
i’m ready to see this game anyone got a time machine so i can hop forward a day
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kc – by the way i heard dolphin does taste like intelligence and unconditional love ..sort of like dog only makes u feel smarter
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is a very smart person…and I’ll say it again!
J
E
T
S
JETS! JETS! JETS!! SUCK ASSSS!!!!
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Guys guess what it taste like chicken.lol like you did not know..everything not known taste like chicken and fergie in the middle of the 3-4 jones will have over 110 yards rushing… are we trying to make this into a bigger game than what its going to be.. they are worried about ike they should be worried about the jets i know bill is lol thats how funny it is..can not wait for next week so we can start talking about real players in NE god i hated writing that but true..
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roof says:
how much **** have you guys taken over the years from fins fans about chad and his arm? now hes their messiah? i wish i had it all on tape. im looking fwd to chad signing a one day deal with the Jets before retiring.
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Someone needs to call animal protective services, Brett is about to harm some dolphins!
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DID I HEAR RIGHT 3 STARTING ROOKIES IN THE DEF BACKFIELD ARE YOU KIDDING ME. THIS IS GOING TO GET UGLY QUICKLY IF TRUE
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my bad false info after checking for myself but they still dont look very good back there either Roof deffently with you on that one lol
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Nikolas says:
Chad is not losing this game, he will win it even if he plays with one toe.
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Nikolas next thing i know your going to tryto put this guy in the hall fame lol i know your a jet fan but stop acting like coles please
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The only thing that will win it for the Jets is NOT Farve. It will be Keller and Washington raising hell in the box and Farve imitating Pennington.
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whos going to throw to both of them keller is now a running back? youve been posting for awhile you should know better washington ,keller they will big time but watch out for our big Cs cole and cotchery in case you lost your mind again lol oh unless now washington became a qb last night i dont get it
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jetfan4life says:
This guy is drinking orange and teal kool aid. Their D will stink
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All Things NY says:
KC…
Dolphins taste like Tuna
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All things NY:
That is the Best comment I have read so far!!!!! -
pat d says:
hank/naples
We will win by Farve imitating Pennington. Why would a hall of fame QB imitate someone that won’t make it through the season, maybe not even this game. -
JonnyK says:
Jets – 27
dolphins – 10 -
hank/naples and Nickolas
Overall wins for starting QB
1. Brett Farve – 160Most TD passes NFL history
1. Brett Farve – 442Most consecutive 3,000 yards passing seasons
1. Bret Farve – 16Most consecutive starts at QB
1. Bret Farve – 253Do I need to go on. Pennington isn’t even close. This was done in 17 years – the same as Dan Marino and Fran Tarkenton.
Doesn’t matter, we’re still gonna to kick the crap out of em!