Bleacher Report - Articles by Sean d'Oliveira

A Look at Three Critical Positions Battles Facing the Miami Dolphins

Sean d'Oliveira — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:55:22 -0400

If there’s one thing you know Tony Sparano wants to see at every position, it’s competition. Sparano is a big believer that the harder a player has to work to earn his job, the better off that player and the entire team will be.

There is competition for just about every spot on the Dolphins’ roster including at quarterback, but assuming Sparano was truthful when he said Chad Pennington was his quarterback for 2009, Chad Henne should be prepared for another year on the sidelines.

Also, the return of Jason Taylor will spark plenty of debate on whether he should be an every down player or just a passing rushing specialist. However, the Dolphins have more pressing concerns about who will fill out their depth chart.

As Bill Parcells and company continue to tweak the roster throughout the offseason and regular season, here are three key training camp battles that will be critical to the teams’ success in 2009.

Cornerbacks

A glance at the depth of the secondary position before the recent NFL draft and just about anybody could tell the Dolphins were in need of more youth and athleticism at the position.

With two of the first three picks spent on cornerbacks, the competition for the starting spot opposite Will Allen will be fierce and could determine the Dolphins’ starting secondary for years to come.

First round pick Vontae Davis and second round selection Sean Smith will no doubt receive plenty of opportunities to prove they’re capable of that starting spot, but they will have to earn it, just the way Sparano likes it.

Before the draft, the Dolphins signed veteran corner Eric Green after an injury-filled season with the Arizona Cardinals. Yet, he is not their only challenge for playing time.

Former 2006 first round pick Jason Allen will have one more chance to remove the bust label many fans have already placed on him. Also,cornerback Nate Jones, who played in nickel packages last year, will vie for the coveted spot.

Facing multiple superstar receivers in their own division, the Dolphins desperately need to find a permanent and solid corner opposite Will Allen.

Guard

Last year, the Dolphins offensive line struggled to open holes mainly because of season-ending injuries to starting guards Justin Smiley and Donald Thomas.

It was Smiley’s second consecutive season that ended on injured reserve and while Donald Thomas has recovered from the broken foot that ended his season, he now has a torn pectoral muscle and will be out until training camp, at the earliest.

So, if the Dolphins’ offensive line is going to make strides this year, finding capable replacements at guard is critical.

Last year, Ikechuku Ndukwe filled in for Thomas, but he still struggled with pass protection and moving bigger lineman.

How bad did the Dolphins err on last year’s fourth round draft choice Shawn Murphy? Even after Smiley and Thomas were done for the season, waiver wire pickups Andy Allenman and Brandon Frye received playing time ahead of the rookie.

Murphy will be given another chance, but he again will be pitted against Allenman, Frye and Ndukwe for playing time.

Free agent signing and versatile lineman Joe Berger should provide the Dolphins with more experience, so they don’t have to resort to raiding other teams’ practice squad players to fill critical needs.

If Thomas and Smiley continue to struggle with injuries and if no one from the current group emerges as a capable replacement, the Dolphins could again be forced to mix and match along the offensive line.

Wide receiver

Much like Will Allen, Ted Ginn is entrenched as the No. 1 player at his position. If the Dolphins’ passing game is to improve in 2009, finding the correct complements to Ginn will be critical for the unit’s success.

Currently, second-year receiver Davone Bess is working with the starting unit, but he will be pressed throughout the year. Bess is also cut from the same mold as Ginn, a small, fast receiver who does well in the open field.

Third round draft pick Patrick Turner could prove to be a good complement to Ginn’s speed, as the 6-5 receiver should provide the Dolphins with a solid red zone threat.

The draft pick who will be fighting for a roster spot is Brian Hartline, and he will be hard pressed to make the team as he will have to beat out Brandon London, Ernest Wilford and Anthony Armstrong, among others.

London enters his second season with the Dolphins and his contributions to special teams should garner him a roster spot and possible playing time.

If the rookies and others fail to impress, last year’s No. 1 receiver Greg Camarillo is working his way back from an ACL tear and should provide depth and competition for the starting spot opposite Ginn, once he recovers fully later in the season.

With quarterback Chad Pennington in the midst of his first offseason with the team, continuity between him and the receivers should improve the passing game, but establishing a solid starting unit and backups will be the key to the teams’ passing game.

Ricky Williams: 15 Questions I'd Like to Ask

Sean d'Oliveira — Wed, 27 May 2009 22:31:16 -0400

Over the years, Ricky Williams has been one of the most enigmatic and interesting characters in the NFL. From sitting out a season because of a drug suspension to living in a tent in Australia, Williams hasn’t lived the typical NFL superstar life.

With a Heisman Trophy and an NFL rushing title, Williams has never had his talent questioned. But his activities away from the field have cost him millions of dollars.

Diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, Williams was classified as an “oddball” by teammates, but has come out of his shell in recent years. An avid photographer and certified yoga instructor, Williams has a twin sister and was born Errick Lynne Williams.

At 32, he is now a complementary running back to Ronnie Brown, and has accepted the role despite his previous success.

So, here are 15 questions intended to delve deeper into the mind of one of the more peculiar players in the NFL.

What’s the biggest misconception about Ricky Williams?
You conducted interviews with your helmet on during your rookie season and won a "Good Guy Award" in 2005 for being cooperative with the local media. What was the key factor in that transition?
What’s been the biggest change in your life over the last five years?
What was the key factor in overcoming your social anxiety disorder?
You’re taking classes at a local university. How does studying for school compare to preparing for an upcoming opponent?
You’ve developed a close relationship with Ronnie Brown. Does that make it easier to split carries?
What do you think was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome while in the NFL?
You’ve said in the past how you didn’t enjoy football, but now you do. How did that change?
When you retired in 2004 from the Dolphins and they sued you for breach of contract, did you ever think you would play for them again.
What was the most important thing you learned about yourself while being suspended from the NFL.
You were drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies out of high school and played in the minor leagues. Is there anything you can take from baseball and apply to football?
Who’s had the biggest influence on your career?
What would you like to be known for?
What’s your biggest regret?
What’s the worst advice you’ve ever received?

Continuity Among Miami Dolphins' Coaches Should Improve 2009 Performance

Sean d'Oliveira — Mon, 25 May 2009 21:39:16 -0400

If the Miami Dolphins are to be successful in 2009, retaining both offensive and defensive coordinators will provide players and coaches with the continuity the team has lacked over the last decade.

Unfortunately, as the Dolphins changed head coaches over the last 10 years, they also went through offensive and defensive coordinators. Teams need to develop stability among players and coaches, and the Dolphins had to install a new scheme every other year.

This year, the only major change to the coaching staff is at offensive line, where new offensive-line coach Dave DeGuglielmo will bring a new attitude to the unit.

Sparano enters sophomore campaign in Miami

Tony Sparano’s rookie season as an NFL coach didn’t start well as the Dolphins sputtered to an 0-2 start. But he kept his cool, made adjustments, and his attitude won over the locker room—and brought in a division title.

Sparano began his coaching career in 1984 at the University of New Haven, where he spent four seasons teaching the offensive line. After serving in a variety of offensive positions, Sparano got his first head coaching gig at New Haven, where he worked from 1994 to 1998, before entering the NFL.

His rise to fame begun as a Dallas Cowboys assistant from 2003 to 2007, when he served in a range of offensive roles under Bill Parcells and Wade Phillips. Yet his first start in the NFL was with the Cleveland Browns in 1999, as an offensive-quality-control coach.

Despite Sparano never holding a head coaching position above Division II at the University of New Haven, Parcells saw enough of him while at Dallas to know he was an NFL-caliber head coach. Parcells was proved right, as Sparano led a 1-15 team the year before, to an 11-5 record and division title.

Sparano’s instinct to go for it on numerous fourth-down attempts helped reinforce to his Dolphins players that he believed in them, which resonated throughout the locker room and spurred the team to its success in 2008.

However, a rookie head coach needs good assistants with plenty of experience to have success, and Sparano’s staff had plenty of NFL seasoning to rely on.

Henning brings decades of experience to offensive

An NFL coach for nearly 30 years, offensive coordinator Dan Henning’s creativity and expertise allowed the Dolphins’ offensive to be more successful than the talent would allow in 2008.

With 28 seasons of NFL coaching under his belt, Henning is the most experienced coach on Sparano’s staff.

Henning’s stint in coaching began in 1968 as he served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Florida State University. His first taste of the NFL came in 1972 as the quarterbacks and receivers coach for the Houston Oilers.

Over the years, Henning has seen just about every type of offensive and defensive scheme, as he as worked as a head coach, assistant head coach, quarterbacks coach, receivers coach and offensive coordinator in the NFL and in the college ranks as well.

He is even on his second stint with the Miami Dolphins as he worked under Don Shula from 1979 to1980 as the quarterbacks and receivers coach.

And with him entering his second consecutive season with the Dolphins, his familiarity with the players and vice versa, the Dolphins’ offensive should continue to exploit defenses in 2009.

Lee brings 'Wildcat' to Dolphins

Of course it was quarterbacks coach David Lee who brought the Wildcat formation from the University of Arkansas to the Dolphins last year. The formation helped turn around the Dolphins’ anemic offensive and win a division crown.

Another former Dallas Cowboy assistant under Bill Parcells, Lee spent more than 25 years developing college quarterbacks before his break with the Cowboys in 2003.

With Henning getting up in years, Lee could be the offensive coordinator waiting in the wings. If he does, the Wildcat may become a staple of the Dolphins for years to come.

Pasqualoni rebuilds Dolphins’ D

With the Dolphins converting from a traditional 4-3 defense to a 3-4 system in 2008, an experienced defensive coordinator was needed and Paul Pasqualoni was hired for the job.

Under Pasqualoni, the Dolphins improved their sacks, takeaways and, most importantly, they were able to control the opponents’ running game as they were ranked 10th in 2008 against the run, while finishing last in 2007.

Pasqualoni climbed to the NFL in 2005 as a Cowboys defensive assistant, after starting out as a high school coach and spending 29 years as a college coach, including 14 seasons as the head coach at the University of Syracuse.

After leading the Dolphins to a ninth-ranked defense in terms of points given up, Pasqualoni will be returning to the unit, which should only improve the chemistry.

Revamped secondary will rely on Bowles’ experience

With three rookies and two free agent signings, the Miami Dolphins’ secondary will need to grow together throughout the year to be successful, but the unit’s coach should help speed the process.

In his first year in Miami, secondary coach Todd Bowles led a unit that improved its interception total from 14 in 2007 to 18 in 2008. A former Cowboys assistant under Parcells, Bowles also has sixteen combined years of NFL coaching and playing experience to rely on.

The Dolphins were fortunate to retain Bowles as he had been interviewed for head coaching positions during the off season and should continue to be a strong candidate for the position.

For now, the secondary will benefit from his understanding of the NFL and with games against Randy Moss and Terrell Owens looming, Bowles will be heavily counted on to continue to improve the Dolphins’ revamped secondary.

With almost no turnover among the coaches, the Dolphins should be able to build on last year’s success and with a brutal schedule; they’ll need all the familiarity with each other they can get.

Five Plays That Propelled the 2008 Miami Dolphins to a Division Title

Sean d'Oliveira — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:35:17 -0400

After two less than entertaining offensive efforts to open the 2008 season, the creativity of Miami Dolphins’ quarterbacks coach David Lee and Offensive coordinator Dan Henning allowed the Dolphins’ offensive to flourish beyond anybody’s expectations. Despite personnel shortcomings, Henning’s play calling and skill to put players in the right situations maximized the talent on the roster. Of course, having a legitimate veteran quarterback such as Chad Pennington fall onto their laps helped, but Henning’s ability and brashness to call on the Wildcat and use misdirection plays helped catapult the Dolphins to an unlikely division title. Here’s a look at Henning’s five most effective plays in 2008.

Begin Slideshow

Miami Dolphins Remain a Work in Progress

Sean d'Oliveira — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:43:59 -0400

As the Miami Dolphins head into their offseason training program, weaknesses remain on the roster that could derail a promising season.

The most glaring need is at nose tackle. At 34, Jason Ferguson’s career is winding down, and to think he can play every down is unrealistic. He will see the majority of the snaps at that position, but the depth at that spot could prove to be the team’s biggest weakness.

While backup Paul Soliai showed flashes of potential when he was inserted into the lineup last year, he was also suspended twice during the season for discipline issues. There are also reports that he is having trouble controlling his weight during the offseason.

And addressing this problem during the season could prove problematic. Teams just don’t release quality nose tackles and if the Dolphins were interested in anybody on the market, they would have signed them by now.

To be successful in a 3-4 defense, the nose tackle has to clog the middle by engaging two people. After Ferguson and Soliai, the rest of the players are developmental projects who will be competing for the practice squad.

When Tony Sparano became head coach, he preached that a system must fit the players. And without that vital clog at nose tackle, the Dolphins may be forced to abandon the 3-4 defense, especially if anything happens to Ferguson.

Last year, the Miami Dolphins’ receiving corps was one of the least talented and undermanned positions the team had.

Drafting receivers Patrick Turner and Brain Hartline added much needed depth to that position, but the Dolphins still lack an elite receiver. Ted Ginn may develop into that role in his third year, and much of the receiving corps success will depend on whether or not he does.

Anquan Boldin is still available in a trade, but with a new contract and multiple draft picks needed to acquire him, the cost is too much for this regime.

Quality depth behind the interior offensive line also remains a concern.

With projected starters Justin Smiley and Donald Thomas both coming off season ending injuries, and beyond signing versatile guard Joe Berger as a backup, the reserves remain the same as last year.

Signing center Jake Grove will provide the line with more of a physical presence, but the Dolphins may regret trading last year’s starting center Samson Satele, as he could have been converted to guard to provide more experience and depth.

Unfortunately, the Dolphins may need to revert to the waiver wire, if injuries once again decimate the interior of the line.

As the Dolphins enter year two of rebuilding from a disastrous 1-15 season, much has been done to overhaul the Dolphins into a respectable franchise, but more depth along the lines and a playmaking receiver is needed before Miami can take the next step to annual Super Bowl contenders.

The 2008 Miami Dolphins Remarkable Run to Respectability

Sean d'Oliveira — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:14:41 -0400

Unfortunately, the first 25 years of my life haven’t been the most successful for the Miami Dolphins.

I did have the fortune of growing up during the Dan Marino years, which helped me developed my passion for the team. While the Dolphins were always considered Super Bowl contenders, the team always fell short of expectations, which left me waiting for next year.

After Marino retired, I questioned whether I would be as zealous about the team without him. My worries were quickly put to rest, as I still rooted for them just as passionately as I previously had. However, the end result was still the same: A good team with great expectations that always seemed to fall short.

I thought I suffered though the worst season in the franchise’s history when the Dolphins finished 4-12 in 2004. Two mediocre years followed, however, before my loyalty was firmly established in 2007.

After torturing myself sitting through a 1-15 season and still coming out a loyal fan, I knew the Dolphins would be the only NFL team I would ever root for.

I never went into a season with lower expectations for my team than in 2008. Teams don’t go from 1-15 to Super Bowl champions in just a year. It’s a process, and I prepared myself for a losing campaign. However, the Dolphins had other ideas.

After unleashing the Wildcat on the New England Patriots, the Dolphins remarkable run to an AFC East title that concluded with a win against the New York Jets.

While the season ended with a disappointing playoff loss, I will always remember the character, effort and enthusiasm demonstrated by the entire team. They didn’t care what other people said about them; they just went out and performed, as a team.

Many games were decided by a few points, just like in 2007, but the 2008 team’s resolve and character willed them to victory and into a relevant NFL franchise.

The 2008 team didn’t have mainstays such as Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor, but it did have quality veterans like Vonnie Holiday and Chad Pennington to demonstrate how to act like a professional.

Then, unheralded players like undrafted receivers Greg Camarillo and Davone Bess contributed beyond anybody’s expectations.

From the washed-up quarterback to the rookie kicker, the 2008 Dolphins featured a variety of personalities that were able to mesh together and transform the Dolphins into a respectable franchise once again.

I can now at least dream that the Dolphins might win a Super Bowl in the coming years. And for that, I will be forever grateful to every member of the 2008 team.