Ask Mike!
SunSentinel Dolphins Writer Mike Berardino answers YOUR questions about the team! You can read his latest comments below. To submit your question, e-mail here.
Please include your name, city and state with each question.
Sept. 16
Q: John Abraham is quoted saying he watched film of Jake Long and [spotted] a weakness against the bull rush and an inside move. If a player can see this why can't our own coaching staff do the same, and work on correcting the problem? Will, New York.
A: Dolphins coach Tony Sparano, a former college center and O-line coach himself, shared his thoughts Monday on what the line was doing wrong in pass protection. Basically, he said the Dolphins linemen were giving too much ground to the Falcons' pass rushers and not making contact until they had dropped back within two yards or less from where Chad Pennington was setting up in the pocket. Sparano calls this "shortening the edges" and has instructed his blockers to be careful about giving up "too much air in the pass rush." With Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis up next on Monday night, that's an adjustment the Dolphins' offensive line had better make in a hurry. But at least Sparano believes he and offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo have identified the problem. "We can fix that," Sparano said.
Q: Mike, thanks for your Q&A.; It's great! My question is for the scheme of the offensive line. We were playing a 4-3 defense [against Atlanta] and the majority of our opponents have a 3-4. Does that mean that our schemes we normally use were part of the problem last Sunday? James, Sumter, S.C.
A: Interesting theory, James, but just four of the Dolphins' regular-season opponents (and six of their total games) are slated against teams that play the 3-4. That's the Chargers, Steelers, Jets (twice) and Patriots (twice), and the Patriots are moving into more of a hybrid defense where they will slide the ends inside and have their outside linebackers put a hand on the ground. That leaves a clear majority of the Dolphins' games against 4-3 defenses this year, including all four teams they played in the preseason. Blocking schemes shouldn't have been the problem in the opener.
Q: Hi Mike. You've really taken to this football thing man. Love what you're doing. I'm not 100 percent certain I have all my facts & I'm a little late with this, but I'd still like to know. On that ATL TD pass to the fullback, was it or was it not Crowder that got lost and completely blew that coverage? I thought he played a good game and was as good as I've ever seen him vs. the run. I also know that was just one play & anyone can make a mistake. But if my read is right, that was a BIG mistake to make on the goal line! Thanks Mike! Rob, Lynn Haven.
A: Thanks, Rob. Much appreciated. As for that 1-yard TD pass to Ovie Mughelli in the second quarter, yes, it was Crowder who was trying to cover him in the right flat. But I wouldn't say he "got lost." Rather, second-year QB Matt Ryan made a tremendous play fake to big Michael Turner, and that one false step toward the line cost Crowder in coverage. And you're right, Crowder was a menace against the run. After hearing all week about Turner's ability to break tackles and make yards after contact, the NFL's No. 2 rusher from a year ago was held to 65 yards on 22 carries (3.0 average).
Q: How much do you think [NFL Commissioner Roger] Goodell will fine Serena Williams for her behavior at the U.S. Open? Can you suspend an owner from games and, if so, how many games do you think is appropriate? I need to know, because I have plans to attend an upcoming game, and there's no way I'm going if Serena isn't there walking down the red carpet! (It may in fact be orange and, if so, I apologize to Mr. Ross for not getting the color right). Andrew, Coral Gables.
A: I'd say she's looking at two games, minimum. Once that suspension ends, though, I think the Dolphins should sign her to play special teams.
Q: Who won the Oakland game MONDAY night? Shirley, Boynton Beach.
A: Surely, you jest. Oh, well. As you may or may not know by now, the Chargers won on a last-minute TD run by Darren Sproles in a game that was much closer than expected. Hope that answers your question, Shirley.
Sept. 15
Q: What young quarterback(s) in the game today remind you of Dan Marino? Joe D, Ridgewood, N.J.
A: You're joking, right? There will never be another No. 13. There certainly aren't any worthy heirs running around in their 20s these days in the NFL. That's not to say there aren't some great young quarterbacks. Matt Ryan is impressive. Joe Flacco, too. And Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are two of the all-time greats. They just don't do things in a way that evokes vintage Marino. Not in my mind, anyway. By the way, today is Marino's 48th birthday. Which means he was four days past his 22nd birthday when he made his NFL debut on Monday night in Oakland with those two late touchdown passes. Happy birthday, No. 13.
Q: First a statement, then my question. If I were Sparano, I'd sit Ted Ginn, Jr. in front of a continuous loop of Hines Ward game tape then send him out to hit sleds until he toughens up. His softness frustrates me to no end. Do you think there will ever come a time that Bess is elevated to our #1 WR, Camarillo #2 and Ted Ginn #3? Is there really a downside to that move? Bess continually outplays Ginn. Teams don't respect potential, they respect playmakers. Paul K, Portola Hills, Calif.
A: Not sure it's that simple, Paul. As for the future order of things, this is a merit-based team. If you're not producing, you're not going to play, so everything – and I mean EVERYTHING – is always subject to change.
Please include your name, city and state with each question.
Sept. 16
Q: John Abraham is quoted saying he watched film of Jake Long and [spotted] a weakness against the bull rush and an inside move. If a player can see this why can't our own coaching staff do the same, and work on correcting the problem? Will, New York.
A: Dolphins coach Tony Sparano, a former college center and O-line coach himself, shared his thoughts Monday on what the line was doing wrong in pass protection. Basically, he said the Dolphins linemen were giving too much ground to the Falcons' pass rushers and not making contact until they had dropped back within two yards or less from where Chad Pennington was setting up in the pocket. Sparano calls this "shortening the edges" and has instructed his blockers to be careful about giving up "too much air in the pass rush." With Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis up next on Monday night, that's an adjustment the Dolphins' offensive line had better make in a hurry. But at least Sparano believes he and offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo have identified the problem. "We can fix that," Sparano said.
Q: Mike, thanks for your Q&A.; It's great! My question is for the scheme of the offensive line. We were playing a 4-3 defense [against Atlanta] and the majority of our opponents have a 3-4. Does that mean that our schemes we normally use were part of the problem last Sunday? James, Sumter, S.C.
A: Interesting theory, James, but just four of the Dolphins' regular-season opponents (and six of their total games) are slated against teams that play the 3-4. That's the Chargers, Steelers, Jets (twice) and Patriots (twice), and the Patriots are moving into more of a hybrid defense where they will slide the ends inside and have their outside linebackers put a hand on the ground. That leaves a clear majority of the Dolphins' games against 4-3 defenses this year, including all four teams they played in the preseason. Blocking schemes shouldn't have been the problem in the opener.
Q: Hi Mike. You've really taken to this football thing man. Love what you're doing. I'm not 100 percent certain I have all my facts & I'm a little late with this, but I'd still like to know. On that ATL TD pass to the fullback, was it or was it not Crowder that got lost and completely blew that coverage? I thought he played a good game and was as good as I've ever seen him vs. the run. I also know that was just one play & anyone can make a mistake. But if my read is right, that was a BIG mistake to make on the goal line! Thanks Mike! Rob, Lynn Haven.
A: Thanks, Rob. Much appreciated. As for that 1-yard TD pass to Ovie Mughelli in the second quarter, yes, it was Crowder who was trying to cover him in the right flat. But I wouldn't say he "got lost." Rather, second-year QB Matt Ryan made a tremendous play fake to big Michael Turner, and that one false step toward the line cost Crowder in coverage. And you're right, Crowder was a menace against the run. After hearing all week about Turner's ability to break tackles and make yards after contact, the NFL's No. 2 rusher from a year ago was held to 65 yards on 22 carries (3.0 average).
Q: How much do you think [NFL Commissioner Roger] Goodell will fine Serena Williams for her behavior at the U.S. Open? Can you suspend an owner from games and, if so, how many games do you think is appropriate? I need to know, because I have plans to attend an upcoming game, and there's no way I'm going if Serena isn't there walking down the red carpet! (It may in fact be orange and, if so, I apologize to Mr. Ross for not getting the color right). Andrew, Coral Gables.
A: I'd say she's looking at two games, minimum. Once that suspension ends, though, I think the Dolphins should sign her to play special teams.
Q: Who won the Oakland game MONDAY night? Shirley, Boynton Beach.
A: Surely, you jest. Oh, well. As you may or may not know by now, the Chargers won on a last-minute TD run by Darren Sproles in a game that was much closer than expected. Hope that answers your question, Shirley.
Sept. 15
Q: What young quarterback(s) in the game today remind you of Dan Marino? Joe D, Ridgewood, N.J.
A: You're joking, right? There will never be another No. 13. There certainly aren't any worthy heirs running around in their 20s these days in the NFL. That's not to say there aren't some great young quarterbacks. Matt Ryan is impressive. Joe Flacco, too. And Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are two of the all-time greats. They just don't do things in a way that evokes vintage Marino. Not in my mind, anyway. By the way, today is Marino's 48th birthday. Which means he was four days past his 22nd birthday when he made his NFL debut on Monday night in Oakland with those two late touchdown passes. Happy birthday, No. 13.
Q: First a statement, then my question. If I were Sparano, I'd sit Ted Ginn, Jr. in front of a continuous loop of Hines Ward game tape then send him out to hit sleds until he toughens up. His softness frustrates me to no end. Do you think there will ever come a time that Bess is elevated to our #1 WR, Camarillo #2 and Ted Ginn #3? Is there really a downside to that move? Bess continually outplays Ginn. Teams don't respect potential, they respect playmakers. Paul K, Portola Hills, Calif.
A: Not sure it's that simple, Paul. As for the future order of things, this is a merit-based team. If you're not producing, you're not going to play, so everything – and I mean EVERYTHING – is always subject to change.