AFC East: Dan Henning
Dan Henning went all D.B. Cooper when he parachuted from the Miami Dolphins after last season. He was largely blamed for the Dolphins' offensive woes and might've been the most unpopular member of the organization -- until Stephen Ross publicly humiliated Tony Sparano.
By then, Henning had stepped down as offensive coordinator and disappeared.
Six months later, Palm Beach Post reporter Ben Volin tracked him down. Henning talked about his three seasons, which were supposed to be just two when old pal Bill Parcells convinced him to come out of retirement in 2008.
Dolfans expected big things from their boys last year. They'd won the AFC East title in 2008 and slipped to 7-9 the next season, but Chad Henne had a season of NFL starts to his credit and was the clear starter. Ricky Williams was coming off a 1,000-yard season and the Dolphins traded for Brandon Marshall, the presumed missing piece to unlocking the offense.
The Dolphins floundered. They finished 30th in scoring and 21st in yardage. A once-proud ground game also checked it 21st. Their passing offense was 16th.
Henning was the popular scapegoat. I never bought into that sentiment. Henning and quarterbacks coach David Lee were considered progressive-minded wizards when they installed the Wildcat offense and helped the Dolphins go from 1-15 to the division title.
"What we accomplished, with what we took over, was a very good thing for everybody’s feelings down there, that there was still a spark," Henning told Volin. "And there was a great deal of enjoyment in being able to turn it around like that."
The difference, of course, wasn't that Henning got stupid overnight. The loss of Chad Pennington at quarterback was what dropped the team's collective IQ.
But Henning said he still believes in Henne.
"I feel like Chad will get the opportunity to turn it around; I really do," Henning said. "He's always ready to do what you ask him to do, very studious about the game, good questions, aware of personalities and idiosyncrasies with player personnel that he has to deal with. No problem working with Chad Henne."
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Steve Mitchell/US PRESSWIREDan Henning thinks Chad Henne has what it takes to lead the Dolphins on the field.
Steve Mitchell/US PRESSWIREDan Henning thinks Chad Henne has what it takes to lead the Dolphins on the field.Six months later, Palm Beach Post reporter Ben Volin tracked him down. Henning talked about his three seasons, which were supposed to be just two when old pal Bill Parcells convinced him to come out of retirement in 2008.
Dolfans expected big things from their boys last year. They'd won the AFC East title in 2008 and slipped to 7-9 the next season, but Chad Henne had a season of NFL starts to his credit and was the clear starter. Ricky Williams was coming off a 1,000-yard season and the Dolphins traded for Brandon Marshall, the presumed missing piece to unlocking the offense.
The Dolphins floundered. They finished 30th in scoring and 21st in yardage. A once-proud ground game also checked it 21st. Their passing offense was 16th.
Henning was the popular scapegoat. I never bought into that sentiment. Henning and quarterbacks coach David Lee were considered progressive-minded wizards when they installed the Wildcat offense and helped the Dolphins go from 1-15 to the division title.
"What we accomplished, with what we took over, was a very good thing for everybody’s feelings down there, that there was still a spark," Henning told Volin. "And there was a great deal of enjoyment in being able to turn it around like that."
The difference, of course, wasn't that Henning got stupid overnight. The loss of Chad Pennington at quarterback was what dropped the team's collective IQ.
But Henning said he still believes in Henne.
"I feel like Chad will get the opportunity to turn it around; I really do," Henning said. "He's always ready to do what you ask him to do, very studious about the game, good questions, aware of personalities and idiosyncrasies with player personnel that he has to deal with. No problem working with Chad Henne."
Miami's backfield about diminishing returns
June, 10, 2011
6/10/11
2:09
PM ET
By Tim Graham | ESPN.com
Mark Zerof/US PresswireRonnie Brown averaged 3.7 yards per carry last season, a career low.The Wildcat unleashed all sorts of possibilities for Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams in 2008. They were an envied backfield tandem. Brown went to the Pro Bowl.
In 2009, with Brown battling injuries, Williams rushed for over 1,100 yards. The Dolphins tied for the NFL lead with 22 rushing touchdowns. They ranked fourth in run offense and eighth in average yards per carry.
Perceptions swung 180 degrees last year. The Dolphins went from a model of rushing excellence to anemic. They ranked 11th in carries, but 21st in yards. Their average carry plummeted 0.7 yards to a measly 3.7. Only the Cincinnati Bengals were worse.
What in the world happened?
A combination of inconsistent offensive line play, creeping age and lack of an offensive identity were to blame. Now, the two running backs many Dolfans thought could run for 1,000 yards apiece in the same season are free agents who might not be wanted anymore.
Before the draft, Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano told reporters at the NFL owners' meeting in New Orleans he thought Brown and Williams were fine last year.
"I honestly thought both players played well for us," Sparano said. "I really did. I said it during the season, I didn't have a problem with how either guy played."
Even with All-Pro left tackle Jake Long in place and the reliable Vernon Carey at right tackle, Sparano cited the offensive line's inability to bust holes into the defense's second level as a serious problem.
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AP Photo/Hans DerykRicky Williams' carries and rushing yards in 2010 both shrank considerably from 2009.
AP Photo/Hans DerykRicky Williams' carries and rushing yards in 2010 both shrank considerably from 2009.No wonder they drafted Florida center Mike Pouncey with the 15th overall pick. The Dolphins also traded up to make Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas their second-round pick, adding him to a depth chart that also includes Lex Hilliard and Kory Sheets, who's coming off an Achilles injury.
But back to the offensive line for a moment. The Dolphins have been plagued by Sparano's seemingly uncontrollable tinkering on the interior. Pouncey should become the Dolphins' fourth starting center in as many seasons. At guard, they've shuffled through draft picks, waiver claims and street free agents. Sparano, an old offensive line coach himself, fired his first O-line assistant after just one season.
That's a significant reason why Brown went from hip to a blip. He's now an NFL afterthought at 29 years old.
NFL.com senior analyst and former New York Jets executive Pat Kirwan recently rated Brown no higher than 31st among all running backs and trending down from there. Kirwan wrote: "Teams seeking a backup for 10 carries and a Wildcat role should value Brown."
ESPN.com's fantasy football crew rated Brown the 45th-best running back.
Williams, 34, has a worse outlook. Kirwan didn't list him at all. In fact, three other Williamses did make the chart, and one of them was Arizona Cardinals rookie Ryan Williams. On the fantasy rankings, Ricky Williams was the 53rd running back.
At the end of last season, Williams took a couple of swipes at Sparano's penchant for micromanaging. But on Wednesday, Williams tweeted "I'd love nothing more than to finish my career winning a Super Bowl with the Dolphins, but that's gonna take some cooperation from others."
"Cooperation," in this case, almost certainly is synonymous with "lovely contract."
Maybe Williams' change of heart has to do with Brian Daboll replacing Dan Henning as offensive coordinator. Daboll oversaw an impressive Cleveland Browns run game that featured Peyton Hillis.
Sparano has said Miami still will emphasize the run under Daboll.
"We're going to continue to run the football because that's my nature," Sparano said. "That might not be popular with everybody, but that's what I like to do. So we're going to continue to run the football."
And they will -- with or without Brown and Williams, running backs who were trendy a year ago, but aren't considered to be much of anything anymore.
» NFC Draft Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
Each Thursday leading up to the NFL draft (April 28-30), the ESPN.com NFL blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today's topic: schemes and themes.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills went through a defensive overhaul last year under new head coach Chan Gailey and coordinator George Edwards. They morphed from Dick Jauron's 4-3 Tampa 2 scheme to a traditional 3-4 set. The Bills drafted accordingly, but as the season wore on and they failed to stop the run -- they ranked dead last in the league in rushing yards allowed per carry and per game -- they sunk back into a 4-3 mindset and frequently added another defender to the line. They've also hired Dave Wannstedt as assistant head coach and linebackers assistant. Wannstedt is a 4-3 devotee. All of this adds up to the Bills being interested in the best available defenders they can find, regardless of whether or not they fit into a preconceived scheme.
Miami Dolphins
Rightly or wrongly, the Dolphins' offensive identity the past three seasons has been the Wildcat. Those days would appear to be over. Offensive coordinator Dan Henning and quarterbacks coach David Lee (the man who introduced the Wildcat) are gone. Wildcat trigger man Ronnie Brown and speed-motion back Ricky Williams don't have contracts, and both could be on other teams. The one player the Dolphins drafted specifically to enhance the Wildcat, quarterback Pat White, was released after one season. Miami's new offensive identity has yet to be determined under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Nobody can say for sure what he'll be looking for, but the run game must be strengthened. Head coach Tony Sparano said this week the Dolphins will remain a power rushing team. Brown and/or Williams will need to be replaced, and reliable interior linemen must be found.
New England Patriots
The Patriots are the NFL's most flexible club entering the draft. They own two picks in each of the first three rounds and in three of the top 33 slots. Bill Belichick can go any direction he chooses and certainly will have his staff working the phones for trade possibilities. The Patriots have a rich history of trading back to accumulate more picks, but they might be more open to trading up this year. They have decent youth on the roster, so when you consider the possibility of adding six more players drafted no later than the third round -- plus their picks in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds -- you have to wonder if there will be room for them all on the 53-man roster. The glut of picks also allows the Patriots to select the best available player and not fret about specific needs with any given pick.
New York Jets
The Jets made it to the AFC Championship Game again and will draft 30th. Head coach Rex Ryan has playfully groused about the late position and the fact the Jets will have to rummage for the best player still on the board. The Jets drafted cornerback Kyle Wilson 29th last year and immediately named him the team's starting nickelback and punt returner. That didn't work out. Wilson started six games, made 19 tackles, defensed five passes and returned 15 punts. While that negative experience could entice the Jets to return to their usual ways and move up in the draft for a prospect they truly covet -- as they did with cornerback Darrelle Revis, linebacker David Harris and quarterback Mark Sanchez -- an inability to trade players until there's a new collective bargaining agreement might make that difficult.
Each Thursday leading up to the NFL draft (April 28-30), the ESPN.com NFL blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today's topic: schemes and themes.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills went through a defensive overhaul last year under new head coach Chan Gailey and coordinator George Edwards. They morphed from Dick Jauron's 4-3 Tampa 2 scheme to a traditional 3-4 set. The Bills drafted accordingly, but as the season wore on and they failed to stop the run -- they ranked dead last in the league in rushing yards allowed per carry and per game -- they sunk back into a 4-3 mindset and frequently added another defender to the line. They've also hired Dave Wannstedt as assistant head coach and linebackers assistant. Wannstedt is a 4-3 devotee. All of this adds up to the Bills being interested in the best available defenders they can find, regardless of whether or not they fit into a preconceived scheme.
Miami Dolphins
Rightly or wrongly, the Dolphins' offensive identity the past three seasons has been the Wildcat. Those days would appear to be over. Offensive coordinator Dan Henning and quarterbacks coach David Lee (the man who introduced the Wildcat) are gone. Wildcat trigger man Ronnie Brown and speed-motion back Ricky Williams don't have contracts, and both could be on other teams. The one player the Dolphins drafted specifically to enhance the Wildcat, quarterback Pat White, was released after one season. Miami's new offensive identity has yet to be determined under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Nobody can say for sure what he'll be looking for, but the run game must be strengthened. Head coach Tony Sparano said this week the Dolphins will remain a power rushing team. Brown and/or Williams will need to be replaced, and reliable interior linemen must be found.
New England Patriots
The Patriots are the NFL's most flexible club entering the draft. They own two picks in each of the first three rounds and in three of the top 33 slots. Bill Belichick can go any direction he chooses and certainly will have his staff working the phones for trade possibilities. The Patriots have a rich history of trading back to accumulate more picks, but they might be more open to trading up this year. They have decent youth on the roster, so when you consider the possibility of adding six more players drafted no later than the third round -- plus their picks in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds -- you have to wonder if there will be room for them all on the 53-man roster. The glut of picks also allows the Patriots to select the best available player and not fret about specific needs with any given pick.
New York Jets
The Jets made it to the AFC Championship Game again and will draft 30th. Head coach Rex Ryan has playfully groused about the late position and the fact the Jets will have to rummage for the best player still on the board. The Jets drafted cornerback Kyle Wilson 29th last year and immediately named him the team's starting nickelback and punt returner. That didn't work out. Wilson started six games, made 19 tackles, defensed five passes and returned 15 punts. While that negative experience could entice the Jets to return to their usual ways and move up in the draft for a prospect they truly covet -- as they did with cornerback Darrelle Revis, linebacker David Harris and quarterback Mark Sanchez -- an inability to trade players until there's a new collective bargaining agreement might make that difficult.
With the offseason in full swing, let's take a look at one major question facing each AFC East team as it begins preparations for the 2011 season:
BUFFALO BILLS
Can the defense become a difference-maker?
That abysmal 0-8 start and a record meager enough to lock down the third overall pick in the draft suggest the Bills were an utter mess in 2010. Statistically, they were on both sides of the ball.
Yet there's an unquestionably different vibe about the Bills' offense despite ranking 28th in points, 25th in yards, 18th in rushing offense and 24th in passing offense. Bills fans debate whether Ryan Fitzpatrick is an adequate starter. Running back Fred Jackson and wide receiver Steve Johnson are fan favorites.
There's a general belief head coach Chan Gailey has his young offense trending upward.
Buffalo's defense generates no such sentiment despite similar rankings: 28th in points, 24th in yards, 32nd in run defense and a misleading third in pass defense -- because opponents didn't need to throw. Opposing quarterbacks still recorded the league's fifth-highest passer rating against the Bills.
Buffalo needs an overhaul on defense, and they appear willing to try. Gailey brought in old pal Dave Wannstedt as assistant head coach and linebackers assistant. Wannstedt's influence is uncertain at the moment, but he has better credentials than defensive coordinator George Edwards, who oversaw a switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 and, in the end, mashed them together.
The Bills also re-signed outside linebacker Shawne Merriman. He's a reclamation project. But who knows? At least they're trying.
Much more must be done. The Bills have a foundation player in defensive tackle Kyle Williams, but he's surrounded by flotsam. Inside linebacker and leading tackler Paul Posluszny is a free agent. Merriman was worth the gamble because the Bills are desperate for pass-rushers with 2009 first-round pick Aaron Maybin looking like a bust and a half.
The draft won't solve all their problems, and general manager Buddy Nix is averse to patching holes with free agents. Unless the Bills strike big in the draft and Merriman turns out to be worth the risk, expect the defense to cost them more games in 2011.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Will Chad Henne be their long-term quarterback?
The Dolphins revealed a lack of faith in Henne in 2010. They benched him twice.
The first time was an out-and-out demotion. In Week 10 -- with Tom Brady performing like an MVP, Mark Sanchez well on his way to the playoffs again and Fitzpatrick giving Bills fans something to cheer about -- the desperate Dolphins replaced Henne with Chad Pennington. There's no telling how long Henne would have remained on the sideline if Pennington didn't reinjure his throwing shoulder shortly after kickoff.
The next time Tony Sparano pulled Henne was in the season finale, a blowout loss to a Patriots squad that rested some of its best players and had nothing to play for. Henne completed six of his 16 passes, threw an interception and had a 25.8 passer rating. Not the way any quarterback wants to enter the offseason.
Henne was the Dolphins' supposed quarterback of the future. They drafted him in the second round in 2008, the year they took his Michigan teammate Jake Long first overall. Henne hasn't worked out yet. He studied under Pennington for a season and then took over in 2009, when Pennington got hurt two games into the season.
In his two nearly full seasons, Henne, at best, has looked decent. Great games have been rare. He has frustrated Dolfans more often than not. Henne has a career 75.3 passer rating. He has thrown six more interceptions than touchdown passes.
There are no guarantees Henne will remain Miami's starter, although the prediction here is that he will be in 2011. A new infrastructure is in place, and whenever a young quarterback has new idea men around, there's a tendency to extend opportunities -- especially when owner Stephen Ross, a Michigan man himself, has promoted Henne as a future Dolphins legend.
The Dolphins said goodbye to offensive coordinator Dan Henning and hired Brian Daboll, formerly of the Cleveland Browns. Henne's position coach, David Lee, left to be offensive coordinator at Mississippi. Receivers coach Karl Dorrell was switched to quarterbacks.
Will new voices be enough to inspire Henne to another level? I'm skeptical. While it's easy to scapegoat Henning -- and to an extent Lee -- for the offense's struggles, it should be noted Henning and Lee were considered geniuses when Pennington ran the offense and the Wildcat became an NFL trend. I doubt Henning and Lee turned vapid when Henne became quarterback.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Will the defense remain a weakness?
Week by week, the Patriots' defense evolved into a commendable unit. In four of their last five regular-season games, they allowed 20 combined points. Two of those opponents were playoff teams.
They sent four defensive players to the Pro Bowl: nose tackle Vince Wilfork, inside linebacker Jerod Mayo, cornerback Devin McCourty and safety Brandon Meriweather. Three of them were starters.
Not bad.
The numbers tell a different story. The Patriots ranked eighth in points allowed, but 25th in yards allowed, 11th in run defense and 30th in pass defense. The Patriots were dead last in third-down efficiency. They let opponents move the chains 47 percent of the time. They improved over the final few games, but in December they were on track to record the fifth-worst defense on third down since the NFL-AFL merger.
The Patriots gave up 34 points to the Browns, 30 points to the Bills and 24 points each to the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals.
Bill Belichick's defense can improve simply with another year of experience and the return of a couple of key contributors who missed 2010 with injuries.
The Patriots were young on defense. They started four rookies a couple of times. Their top secondary -- cornerbacks McCourty and Kyle Arrington, safeties Meriweather and Patrick Chung -- went into the season with four combined NFL seasons.
Not only will the defense improve by being another year older and wiser, but they'll also be reinforced when defensive end Ty Warren and cornerback Leigh Bodden come back.
Hip surgery wiped out Warren's season. Warren was a fixture at left end and forced the Patriots to juggle their line continually. A shoulder injury sidelined Bodden, and while McCourty emerged as a Pro Bowler, Bodden's presence over undrafted sophomore Arrington would have given the Patriots a much more formidable secondary.
New England's obvious need is a pass-rusher. With two draft choices in each of the first two rounds and the wherewithal to lure a free agent, there are plenty of reasons to expect New England's defense to upgrade in 2011.
NEW YORK JETS
Can the Jets retain their loaded receiving corps?
The Jets are in a bad spot when it comes to free agency in general, but particularly in regard to their wide receivers.
Contracts are up for Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith. They accounted for 17 of the club's 39 touchdowns.
Holmes spent the first four games on suspension, but he and Edwards combined for 105 receptions, 1,591 yards and 12 touchdowns. Smith was less of a threat in the receiving game, but he lined up as an option quarterback. He threw a touchdown pass and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.
Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum declared his intentions to re-sign them all, but he added the plan was in pencil and expressed considerable doubt he would hammer out any deals before March 3, when the collective bargaining agreement is expected to expire.
Until there's a new CBA, nobody knows what free agency will look like. When will the signing period commence? How many seasons of NFL experience will determine restricted or unrestricted free agency? What will salary-cap parameters be?
That's why bringing back all three receivers will be unlikely. Once they hit the open market, the Jets will have to compete with the rest of the league for three players who will be coveted.
The Jets acquired Holmes and Edwards because they had baggage, but they have enhanced their reputations immensely. Holmes served his suspension and was on his best behavior. Edwards defied his rap as a habitual ball-dropper.
The always-respected Smith once again proved to be a versatile weapon at a time when such players are in high demand.
The Jets must keep at least two of them. They can't afford to give Sanchez less to work with. The young quarterback has many admirable traits, but he has shown little capacity to carry the offense himself. Sanchez requires a strong support staff.
The Jets might be able to get away with losing one of these receivers. Tight end Dustin Keller was sensational while Holmes was suspended. Through the first four games, Keller had 19 receptions for 234 yards and five touchdowns. Then Keller got lost in the offense and didn't score another TD.
BUFFALO BILLS
Can the defense become a difference-maker?
That abysmal 0-8 start and a record meager enough to lock down the third overall pick in the draft suggest the Bills were an utter mess in 2010. Statistically, they were on both sides of the ball.
Yet there's an unquestionably different vibe about the Bills' offense despite ranking 28th in points, 25th in yards, 18th in rushing offense and 24th in passing offense. Bills fans debate whether Ryan Fitzpatrick is an adequate starter. Running back Fred Jackson and wide receiver Steve Johnson are fan favorites.
There's a general belief head coach Chan Gailey has his young offense trending upward.
Buffalo's defense generates no such sentiment despite similar rankings: 28th in points, 24th in yards, 32nd in run defense and a misleading third in pass defense -- because opponents didn't need to throw. Opposing quarterbacks still recorded the league's fifth-highest passer rating against the Bills.
Buffalo needs an overhaul on defense, and they appear willing to try. Gailey brought in old pal Dave Wannstedt as assistant head coach and linebackers assistant. Wannstedt's influence is uncertain at the moment, but he has better credentials than defensive coordinator George Edwards, who oversaw a switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 and, in the end, mashed them together.
The Bills also re-signed outside linebacker Shawne Merriman. He's a reclamation project. But who knows? At least they're trying.
Much more must be done. The Bills have a foundation player in defensive tackle Kyle Williams, but he's surrounded by flotsam. Inside linebacker and leading tackler Paul Posluszny is a free agent. Merriman was worth the gamble because the Bills are desperate for pass-rushers with 2009 first-round pick Aaron Maybin looking like a bust and a half.
The draft won't solve all their problems, and general manager Buddy Nix is averse to patching holes with free agents. Unless the Bills strike big in the draft and Merriman turns out to be worth the risk, expect the defense to cost them more games in 2011.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Will Chad Henne be their long-term quarterback?
The Dolphins revealed a lack of faith in Henne in 2010. They benched him twice.
The first time was an out-and-out demotion. In Week 10 -- with Tom Brady performing like an MVP, Mark Sanchez well on his way to the playoffs again and Fitzpatrick giving Bills fans something to cheer about -- the desperate Dolphins replaced Henne with Chad Pennington. There's no telling how long Henne would have remained on the sideline if Pennington didn't reinjure his throwing shoulder shortly after kickoff.
The next time Tony Sparano pulled Henne was in the season finale, a blowout loss to a Patriots squad that rested some of its best players and had nothing to play for. Henne completed six of his 16 passes, threw an interception and had a 25.8 passer rating. Not the way any quarterback wants to enter the offseason.
Henne was the Dolphins' supposed quarterback of the future. They drafted him in the second round in 2008, the year they took his Michigan teammate Jake Long first overall. Henne hasn't worked out yet. He studied under Pennington for a season and then took over in 2009, when Pennington got hurt two games into the season.
In his two nearly full seasons, Henne, at best, has looked decent. Great games have been rare. He has frustrated Dolfans more often than not. Henne has a career 75.3 passer rating. He has thrown six more interceptions than touchdown passes.
There are no guarantees Henne will remain Miami's starter, although the prediction here is that he will be in 2011. A new infrastructure is in place, and whenever a young quarterback has new idea men around, there's a tendency to extend opportunities -- especially when owner Stephen Ross, a Michigan man himself, has promoted Henne as a future Dolphins legend.
The Dolphins said goodbye to offensive coordinator Dan Henning and hired Brian Daboll, formerly of the Cleveland Browns. Henne's position coach, David Lee, left to be offensive coordinator at Mississippi. Receivers coach Karl Dorrell was switched to quarterbacks.
Will new voices be enough to inspire Henne to another level? I'm skeptical. While it's easy to scapegoat Henning -- and to an extent Lee -- for the offense's struggles, it should be noted Henning and Lee were considered geniuses when Pennington ran the offense and the Wildcat became an NFL trend. I doubt Henning and Lee turned vapid when Henne became quarterback.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Will the defense remain a weakness?
Week by week, the Patriots' defense evolved into a commendable unit. In four of their last five regular-season games, they allowed 20 combined points. Two of those opponents were playoff teams.
They sent four defensive players to the Pro Bowl: nose tackle Vince Wilfork, inside linebacker Jerod Mayo, cornerback Devin McCourty and safety Brandon Meriweather. Three of them were starters.
Not bad.
The numbers tell a different story. The Patriots ranked eighth in points allowed, but 25th in yards allowed, 11th in run defense and 30th in pass defense. The Patriots were dead last in third-down efficiency. They let opponents move the chains 47 percent of the time. They improved over the final few games, but in December they were on track to record the fifth-worst defense on third down since the NFL-AFL merger.
The Patriots gave up 34 points to the Browns, 30 points to the Bills and 24 points each to the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals.
Bill Belichick's defense can improve simply with another year of experience and the return of a couple of key contributors who missed 2010 with injuries.
The Patriots were young on defense. They started four rookies a couple of times. Their top secondary -- cornerbacks McCourty and Kyle Arrington, safeties Meriweather and Patrick Chung -- went into the season with four combined NFL seasons.
Not only will the defense improve by being another year older and wiser, but they'll also be reinforced when defensive end Ty Warren and cornerback Leigh Bodden come back.
Hip surgery wiped out Warren's season. Warren was a fixture at left end and forced the Patriots to juggle their line continually. A shoulder injury sidelined Bodden, and while McCourty emerged as a Pro Bowler, Bodden's presence over undrafted sophomore Arrington would have given the Patriots a much more formidable secondary.
New England's obvious need is a pass-rusher. With two draft choices in each of the first two rounds and the wherewithal to lure a free agent, there are plenty of reasons to expect New England's defense to upgrade in 2011.
NEW YORK JETS
Can the Jets retain their loaded receiving corps?
The Jets are in a bad spot when it comes to free agency in general, but particularly in regard to their wide receivers.
Contracts are up for Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith. They accounted for 17 of the club's 39 touchdowns.
Holmes spent the first four games on suspension, but he and Edwards combined for 105 receptions, 1,591 yards and 12 touchdowns. Smith was less of a threat in the receiving game, but he lined up as an option quarterback. He threw a touchdown pass and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.
Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum declared his intentions to re-sign them all, but he added the plan was in pencil and expressed considerable doubt he would hammer out any deals before March 3, when the collective bargaining agreement is expected to expire.
Until there's a new CBA, nobody knows what free agency will look like. When will the signing period commence? How many seasons of NFL experience will determine restricted or unrestricted free agency? What will salary-cap parameters be?
That's why bringing back all three receivers will be unlikely. Once they hit the open market, the Jets will have to compete with the rest of the league for three players who will be coveted.
The Jets acquired Holmes and Edwards because they had baggage, but they have enhanced their reputations immensely. Holmes served his suspension and was on his best behavior. Edwards defied his rap as a habitual ball-dropper.
The always-respected Smith once again proved to be a versatile weapon at a time when such players are in high demand.
The Jets must keep at least two of them. They can't afford to give Sanchez less to work with. The young quarterback has many admirable traits, but he has shown little capacity to carry the offense himself. Sanchez requires a strong support staff.
The Jets might be able to get away with losing one of these receivers. Tight end Dustin Keller was sensational while Holmes was suspended. Through the first four games, Keller had 19 receptions for 234 yards and five touchdowns. Then Keller got lost in the offense and didn't score another TD.
How do AFC East QBs stack up for 2011?
January, 27, 2011
1/27/11
6:30
PM ET
By Tim Graham | ESPN.com
All four AFC East starting quarterbacks are under contract and in place for 2011.
Yet each comes with his own set of intriguing circumstances and at least one major question for next season.
Even the resident superstar, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, hasn't won a playoff game in three years and faces a recovery from foot surgery.
The other three -- Mark Sanchez, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Chad Henne -- certainly don't come with any guarantees.
Sanchez's sophomore season seems like a success in the afterglow of another deep postseason run with the New York Jets, but he still has a long way to go to deserve his Sanchize nickname.
The Buffalo Bills like Fitzpatrick but could be tempted to draft a quarterback with the third overall pick. The Miami Dolphins already could be searching for Henne's replacement.
With those issues in mind, let's look ahead to the 2011 season by breaking down each quarterback in the context of what we learned about him in 2010.
I've ranked them in terms of impact and asked Scouts Inc. analyst Matt Williamson to weigh in with his thoughts.
1. Tom Brady
Big 2011 question: How long can he keep doing it?
Pluses: Brady showed he can win with practically any supporting cast. His teammates have been transitory regardless of perceived significance (e.g. Randy Moss). Even with inexperienced help and a few retreads, Brady obviously was the league's MVP and earlier this week was announced as the only unanimous All-Pro selection.
Brady is the ultimate field general. He manipulates defenses, makes quick decisions at the line of scrimmage and delivers the ball with pinpoint accuracy. He broke the record for consecutive throws without an interception and led the NFL in touchdown passes.
Minuses: The combination of age and injuries are the biggest concern -- if there is one. Brady will turn 34 before next season begins and had foot surgery last week to repair a stress fracture. It was his second major operation in three years. At this rate, we can't expect Brady to be in his prime four or five more years. The window is closing.
Brady, though, doesn't rely on mobility. Perhaps his biggest shortcoming -- a flaw that opened the door for people to make a case for Michael Vick as MVP -- is that Brady doesn't make plays with his legs. As Williamson noted, Brady's not the best improviser when a play breaks down.
Brady also has lost three straight postseason games. While some would chalk that up to happenstance, it's a trend that certainly will be on Brady's mind the next time they make it, which should be in a year.
Williamson's take: "To me, he's still the king of the castle. It's pretty hard to argue against Brady or Peyton Manning. The bar is set so high that 30 teams in the league would kill for either of those guys to be their quarterback, and that will be true a year from now.
"He's so competitive. His work ethic is so great. He can throw the football as well as anyone. His supporting cast is phenomenal. His head coach isn't going anywhere. If your biggest problem is 'How much longer is he going to last?' then that's not much of a problem. The guy's great."
2. Mark Sanchez
Big 2011 question: Can he evolve into a truly great quarterback in his third season?
Pluses: Sanchez seemed ordinary for major chunks of 2010. I would have ranked Fitzpatrick ahead of him halfway into December. But Sanchez proved to be a money quarterback with two more road playoff victories and another solid performance in the AFC Championship game.
Sanchez is developing into a clutch quarterback, a topic I examined in a column last week. Authorities such as Bill Parcells and Sam Wyche have been impressed with Sanchez's ability to rise to the occasion. His postseason stats dwarf his regular-season numbers. He has five fourth-quarter comebacks and won back-to-back overtime road games this season, something that never had been done before.
Sanchez is only 24 years old and already has played in six playoff games. His combination of age, experience and potential will keep him in the spotlight for a long time. Jets backup quarterback Mark Brunell told me last week that Sanchez is "going to be an elite quarterback someday."
Minuses: There are plenty of negatives to keep Williamson and me from jumping on the Sanchez bandwagon. Sanchez is inconsistent from game to game and inaccurate with his throws. He's prone to turnover flare-ups, proving he can be rattled. He has trouble coping with blitzes.
Sanchez completed 54.8 percent of his attempts, third-worst in the NFL. He threw only 13 interceptions (wonderful number compared to the 20 he threw as a rookie). But Football Outsiders charted 15 more dropped interceptions, an excessive number. Football Outsiders managing editor Bill Barnwell noted Sanchez should have thrown more interceptions than a year before because he had only five dropped as a rookie. Defenders held onto 80 percent of potential picks in 2009, but just 46 percent this season.
So Sanchez's abysmal 75.3 passer rating (fifth from the bottom and behind Henne) downplayed how scattershot he was. Take away Sanchez's four games with 100-plus passer ratings and he threw six touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
You can see why the Jets need to maintain their infrastructure and not become dependent on Sanchez yet.
Williamson's take: "I have been a huge basher of him. I think he's been vastly overrated. To talk about him as a top 10 quarterback, top 12 or 15 quarterback, is crazy to me. But these last two games have opened my eyes. I will give him much more benefit of the doubt now.
"I still need to put an asterisk next to him. In the AFC Championship Game, that's as good as he's going to play, and that's good enough for the Jets to win. They have the formula. He has great receivers, a great line and one of the best defenses in the league. But he still has issues. His best moments are something that anybody can do. He still struggles with the blitz. His arm is still average. He's not a guy who can attack outside the numbers. He can't drive the ball deep downfield.
"I'd rather play against him than with him. Still, he plays his best when it matters most, and most quarterbacks don't. His intangibles are really encouraging. I don't think the stage ever is too big for him."
3. Ryan Fitzpatrick
Big 2011 question: Will he be the long-term answer or just a stopgap?
Pluses: Fitzpatrick was a journeyman backup who could be on the verge of his first full-fledged offseason as somebody's starting quarterback. The Bills brain trust opted for Trent Edwards at the start of training camp and gave him all of the first-team reps. But two games into the season, new head coach Chan Gailey had seen enough and inserted Fitzpatrick.
Despite Fitzpatrick's limited interaction with the first-teamers, he provided a noticeable spark with his mobility and deep throws. The coaching staff and his teammates almost immediately seemed to have renewed faith in the offense. He helped previously anonymous receivers such as Steve Johnson and David Nelson turn into dangerous contributors.
Fitzpatrick also became easy for Bills fans to root for. He was a seventh-round draft choice out of Harvard who nearly became the first Bills quarterback to throw 30 touchdowns in a season since Jim Kelly. Fitzpatrick challenged defenses and took chances downfield.
Minuses: Fitzpatrick is 28 and probably has hit his ceiling. He might be satisfactory as a caretaker, but his prospects as a playoff quarterback are dubious. He was a backup his first five years in the league and didn't stand out in 15 starts with the St. Louis Rams and Cincinnati Bengals. The fact he signed with the Bills to be a backup in 2009 reflected his worth on the open market.
Fitzpatrick is fun to watch because he takes chances, but his swashbuckling tendencies get him into trouble. He's liable to feather a pass between two defenders or throw a horrendous interception on any given play. He committed five turnovers in Week 16 against a Patriots team that had nothing to play for.
General manager Buddy Nix told Buffalo News reporter Mark Gaughan this week that the Bills need to draft a quarterback in April. Whether the Bills grab Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert with the third overall pick will clarify the plan for Fitzpatrick as a long-term solution.
Williamson's take: "I don't think Fitzpatrick is the answer. I don't think he can ever be in the top 50 percent of starting quarterbacks in this league. He can get you to 8-8, but in the end you're going to want to replace him. But I wouldn't fault the Bills at all to say 'Let's give him another year. Let's give him an entire offseason as The Man.' They should say 'This is your team, and we're going to go out and get you a receiver, a defense and a blocker or two.'
"The Bills can jump off that bridge a year from now. The Bills can't reach on a quarterback in the first round and have him sit behind Fitzpatrick. That organization has too many issues. Their needs are too great to spend No. 3 money on the 12th-best player in the draft. You tread water with Fitzpatrick for now and hope he gets a little better."
4. Chad Henne
Big 2011 question: Will he be able to seize the starter's job again?
Pluses: Henne was benched once and pulled from a game late in the season. He had a rough year, but he's 25 years old -- young enough to be considered a prospect yet with substantial experience. Henne was a four-year starter at Michigan and sat for a year behind Chad Pennington before taking over the Dolphins' job in 2009.
Henne has a strong arm and can make all the throws. He's also tough, missing only one week with a knee injury that the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported would "more than likely" end his season. Henne returned in Week 12 and, on the other side of the country with the season on the line, threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns against the Oakland Raiders.
Henne could benefit from some new voices. Offensive coordinator Dan Henning retired, and quarterbacks coach David Lee took a job with Ole Miss. The Dolphins hired young offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who has been exposed to Brady and Brett Favre. Receivers coach Karl Dorrell, the former UCLA head coach, will be Henne's position coach.
Minuses: The Dolphins publicly expressed their dissatisfaction in Henne by benching him. He flopped in 2010 even though the Dolphins made one of the offseason's biggest acquisitions, trading two second-round draft choices and committing a metric ton of cash to star receiver Brandon Marshall. Henne also had one of the league's top slot receivers, Davone Bess.
But Henne's erratic play doomed their season. He produced a trio of three-interception games and posted a passer rating below 70 five times.
Henne plays like a robot. Every motion appears purposeful, as though it was programmed, rather than coming naturally. He doesn't perform well off the script, can lock onto receivers and freezes in the pocket.
Williamson's take: "If we had this conversation 365 days ago, I would have been all about Chad Henne. I was very much a believer in him before this season. There wasn't one player in the league who let me down more than Henne. I thought he was on the verge of being really good.
"The Dolphins really handcuffed him with the play-calling and lack of a vertical passing game. That hurt him. He needs to throw the ball a lot. He needs to go deep. He needs to use his arm.
"But when you watch him play the game now, he's not even close to being good enough. I think a change of scenery would do him a world of good, but they can't afford to get rid of him for nothing. They would be foolish not to bring competition in for him.
"I like his skill set and think he can be very good, but he looks the worst I've ever seen him, and I was involved at trying to recruit him out of high school to Pitt. He was horrible this year."
Yet each comes with his own set of intriguing circumstances and at least one major question for next season.
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Greg M. Cooper/US PresswirePatriots quarterback Tom Brady led the NFL in TD passes this season.
Greg M. Cooper/US PresswirePatriots quarterback Tom Brady led the NFL in TD passes this season.The other three -- Mark Sanchez, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Chad Henne -- certainly don't come with any guarantees.
Sanchez's sophomore season seems like a success in the afterglow of another deep postseason run with the New York Jets, but he still has a long way to go to deserve his Sanchize nickname.
The Buffalo Bills like Fitzpatrick but could be tempted to draft a quarterback with the third overall pick. The Miami Dolphins already could be searching for Henne's replacement.
With those issues in mind, let's look ahead to the 2011 season by breaking down each quarterback in the context of what we learned about him in 2010.
I've ranked them in terms of impact and asked Scouts Inc. analyst Matt Williamson to weigh in with his thoughts.
1. Tom Brady
Big 2011 question: How long can he keep doing it?
Pluses: Brady showed he can win with practically any supporting cast. His teammates have been transitory regardless of perceived significance (e.g. Randy Moss). Even with inexperienced help and a few retreads, Brady obviously was the league's MVP and earlier this week was announced as the only unanimous All-Pro selection.
Brady is the ultimate field general. He manipulates defenses, makes quick decisions at the line of scrimmage and delivers the ball with pinpoint accuracy. He broke the record for consecutive throws without an interception and led the NFL in touchdown passes.
Minuses: The combination of age and injuries are the biggest concern -- if there is one. Brady will turn 34 before next season begins and had foot surgery last week to repair a stress fracture. It was his second major operation in three years. At this rate, we can't expect Brady to be in his prime four or five more years. The window is closing.
Brady, though, doesn't rely on mobility. Perhaps his biggest shortcoming -- a flaw that opened the door for people to make a case for Michael Vick as MVP -- is that Brady doesn't make plays with his legs. As Williamson noted, Brady's not the best improviser when a play breaks down.
Brady also has lost three straight postseason games. While some would chalk that up to happenstance, it's a trend that certainly will be on Brady's mind the next time they make it, which should be in a year.
Williamson's take: "To me, he's still the king of the castle. It's pretty hard to argue against Brady or Peyton Manning. The bar is set so high that 30 teams in the league would kill for either of those guys to be their quarterback, and that will be true a year from now.
"He's so competitive. His work ethic is so great. He can throw the football as well as anyone. His supporting cast is phenomenal. His head coach isn't going anywhere. If your biggest problem is 'How much longer is he going to last?' then that's not much of a problem. The guy's great."
2. Mark Sanchez
Big 2011 question: Can he evolve into a truly great quarterback in his third season?
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Alan Maglaque/US PresswireJets quarterback Mark Sanchez continued to play his best in big games this season.
Alan Maglaque/US PresswireJets quarterback Mark Sanchez continued to play his best in big games this season.Sanchez is developing into a clutch quarterback, a topic I examined in a column last week. Authorities such as Bill Parcells and Sam Wyche have been impressed with Sanchez's ability to rise to the occasion. His postseason stats dwarf his regular-season numbers. He has five fourth-quarter comebacks and won back-to-back overtime road games this season, something that never had been done before.
Sanchez is only 24 years old and already has played in six playoff games. His combination of age, experience and potential will keep him in the spotlight for a long time. Jets backup quarterback Mark Brunell told me last week that Sanchez is "going to be an elite quarterback someday."
Minuses: There are plenty of negatives to keep Williamson and me from jumping on the Sanchez bandwagon. Sanchez is inconsistent from game to game and inaccurate with his throws. He's prone to turnover flare-ups, proving he can be rattled. He has trouble coping with blitzes.
Sanchez completed 54.8 percent of his attempts, third-worst in the NFL. He threw only 13 interceptions (wonderful number compared to the 20 he threw as a rookie). But Football Outsiders charted 15 more dropped interceptions, an excessive number. Football Outsiders managing editor Bill Barnwell noted Sanchez should have thrown more interceptions than a year before because he had only five dropped as a rookie. Defenders held onto 80 percent of potential picks in 2009, but just 46 percent this season.
So Sanchez's abysmal 75.3 passer rating (fifth from the bottom and behind Henne) downplayed how scattershot he was. Take away Sanchez's four games with 100-plus passer ratings and he threw six touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
You can see why the Jets need to maintain their infrastructure and not become dependent on Sanchez yet.
Williamson's take: "I have been a huge basher of him. I think he's been vastly overrated. To talk about him as a top 10 quarterback, top 12 or 15 quarterback, is crazy to me. But these last two games have opened my eyes. I will give him much more benefit of the doubt now.
"I still need to put an asterisk next to him. In the AFC Championship Game, that's as good as he's going to play, and that's good enough for the Jets to win. They have the formula. He has great receivers, a great line and one of the best defenses in the league. But he still has issues. His best moments are something that anybody can do. He still struggles with the blitz. His arm is still average. He's not a guy who can attack outside the numbers. He can't drive the ball deep downfield.
"I'd rather play against him than with him. Still, he plays his best when it matters most, and most quarterbacks don't. His intangibles are really encouraging. I don't think the stage ever is too big for him."
3. Ryan Fitzpatrick
Big 2011 question: Will he be the long-term answer or just a stopgap?
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Luc Leclerc/US PresswireBuffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick could enter next season as the Bills' starter after some inspired play this season.
Luc Leclerc/US PresswireBuffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick could enter next season as the Bills' starter after some inspired play this season.Despite Fitzpatrick's limited interaction with the first-teamers, he provided a noticeable spark with his mobility and deep throws. The coaching staff and his teammates almost immediately seemed to have renewed faith in the offense. He helped previously anonymous receivers such as Steve Johnson and David Nelson turn into dangerous contributors.
Fitzpatrick also became easy for Bills fans to root for. He was a seventh-round draft choice out of Harvard who nearly became the first Bills quarterback to throw 30 touchdowns in a season since Jim Kelly. Fitzpatrick challenged defenses and took chances downfield.
Minuses: Fitzpatrick is 28 and probably has hit his ceiling. He might be satisfactory as a caretaker, but his prospects as a playoff quarterback are dubious. He was a backup his first five years in the league and didn't stand out in 15 starts with the St. Louis Rams and Cincinnati Bengals. The fact he signed with the Bills to be a backup in 2009 reflected his worth on the open market.
Fitzpatrick is fun to watch because he takes chances, but his swashbuckling tendencies get him into trouble. He's liable to feather a pass between two defenders or throw a horrendous interception on any given play. He committed five turnovers in Week 16 against a Patriots team that had nothing to play for.
General manager Buddy Nix told Buffalo News reporter Mark Gaughan this week that the Bills need to draft a quarterback in April. Whether the Bills grab Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert with the third overall pick will clarify the plan for Fitzpatrick as a long-term solution.
Williamson's take: "I don't think Fitzpatrick is the answer. I don't think he can ever be in the top 50 percent of starting quarterbacks in this league. He can get you to 8-8, but in the end you're going to want to replace him. But I wouldn't fault the Bills at all to say 'Let's give him another year. Let's give him an entire offseason as The Man.' They should say 'This is your team, and we're going to go out and get you a receiver, a defense and a blocker or two.'
"The Bills can jump off that bridge a year from now. The Bills can't reach on a quarterback in the first round and have him sit behind Fitzpatrick. That organization has too many issues. Their needs are too great to spend No. 3 money on the 12th-best player in the draft. You tread water with Fitzpatrick for now and hope he gets a little better."
4. Chad Henne
Big 2011 question: Will he be able to seize the starter's job again?
Henne has a strong arm and can make all the throws. He's also tough, missing only one week with a knee injury that the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported would "more than likely" end his season. Henne returned in Week 12 and, on the other side of the country with the season on the line, threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns against the Oakland Raiders.
Henne could benefit from some new voices. Offensive coordinator Dan Henning retired, and quarterbacks coach David Lee took a job with Ole Miss. The Dolphins hired young offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who has been exposed to Brady and Brett Favre. Receivers coach Karl Dorrell, the former UCLA head coach, will be Henne's position coach.
Minuses: The Dolphins publicly expressed their dissatisfaction in Henne by benching him. He flopped in 2010 even though the Dolphins made one of the offseason's biggest acquisitions, trading two second-round draft choices and committing a metric ton of cash to star receiver Brandon Marshall. Henne also had one of the league's top slot receivers, Davone Bess.
But Henne's erratic play doomed their season. He produced a trio of three-interception games and posted a passer rating below 70 five times.
Henne plays like a robot. Every motion appears purposeful, as though it was programmed, rather than coming naturally. He doesn't perform well off the script, can lock onto receivers and freezes in the pocket.
Williamson's take: "If we had this conversation 365 days ago, I would have been all about Chad Henne. I was very much a believer in him before this season. There wasn't one player in the league who let me down more than Henne. I thought he was on the verge of being really good.
"The Dolphins really handcuffed him with the play-calling and lack of a vertical passing game. That hurt him. He needs to throw the ball a lot. He needs to go deep. He needs to use his arm.
"But when you watch him play the game now, he's not even close to being good enough. I think a change of scenery would do him a world of good, but they can't afford to get rid of him for nothing. They would be foolish not to bring competition in for him.
"I like his skill set and think he can be very good, but he looks the worst I've ever seen him, and I was involved at trying to recruit him out of high school to Pitt. He was horrible this year."
Pennington lauds Daboll, wants to play
January, 17, 2011
1/17/11
9:34
PM ET
By Tim Graham | ESPN.com
Miami Dolphins backup quarterback Chad Pennington gave his endorsement for their new offensive coordinator and said he intends to play another season despite a fourth surgery on his throwing shoulder.
PenningtonPennington told Palm Beach Post reporter Ben Volin that Brian Daboll had a major impact on his development as a quarterback and was influential in teaching Pennington how to read a defense, instruction Dolphins starter Chad Henne certainly could benefit from.
Daboll was New York Jets quarterbacks coach in 2007 and 2008, encompassing Pennington's last year with them and Brett Favre's stopover.
"A lot of the coverage knowledge that I have and understanding defenses comes from Brian," Pennington said. "The year I spent with him, I just learned so much about how defenses attack offenses and all of the nuances of coverage that I didn't understand before."
Daboll was a low-level defensive aide to New England Patriots defensive backs coach Eric Mangini for two seasons before head coach Bill Belichick promoted Daboll to receivers coach. Daboll followed Mangini to the Jets and then the Cleveland Browns, where Daboll was offensive coordinator the past two seasons.
"He made me a better quarterback and helped make me become a quarterback who not only understood what I was doing, but how to do it, and why, why we are running certain plays and why we were attacking certain coverages the way we were," Pennington said.
Previous offensive coordinator Dan Henning retired. Quarterbacks coach David Lee left to become offensive coordinator at Ole Miss.
As for Pennington's future, he told Volin he will extend his career if his shoulder holds up through yet another rehabilitation. Pennington is the only two-time Comeback Player of the Year winner in league history.
"I'm going to make a run at it, and the reason I am is that I still have that fire inside," Pennington said. "I have to go out and see if my shoulder can respond. If it doesn't respond, I can live with that. But if it does, or it could have responded and I didn't give it a chance, I don't think I could live with that."
Daboll was New York Jets quarterbacks coach in 2007 and 2008, encompassing Pennington's last year with them and Brett Favre's stopover.
"A lot of the coverage knowledge that I have and understanding defenses comes from Brian," Pennington said. "The year I spent with him, I just learned so much about how defenses attack offenses and all of the nuances of coverage that I didn't understand before."
Daboll was a low-level defensive aide to New England Patriots defensive backs coach Eric Mangini for two seasons before head coach Bill Belichick promoted Daboll to receivers coach. Daboll followed Mangini to the Jets and then the Cleveland Browns, where Daboll was offensive coordinator the past two seasons.
"He made me a better quarterback and helped make me become a quarterback who not only understood what I was doing, but how to do it, and why, why we are running certain plays and why we were attacking certain coverages the way we were," Pennington said.
Previous offensive coordinator Dan Henning retired. Quarterbacks coach David Lee left to become offensive coordinator at Ole Miss.
As for Pennington's future, he told Volin he will extend his career if his shoulder holds up through yet another rehabilitation. Pennington is the only two-time Comeback Player of the Year winner in league history.
"I'm going to make a run at it, and the reason I am is that I still have that fire inside," Pennington said. "I have to go out and see if my shoulder can respond. If it doesn't respond, I can live with that. But if it does, or it could have responded and I didn't give it a chance, I don't think I could live with that."
Dolphins hire Brian Daboll to run offense
January, 17, 2011
1/17/11
3:30
PM ET
By Tim Graham | ESPN.com
Brian Daboll knows all about the AFC East.
He was raised in the Southtowns of Buffalo, got his start in the NFL as a New England Patriots gopher and was New York Jets quarterbacks coach when Brett Favre was there.
And he'll be the Miami Dolphins' next offensive coordinator, multiple sources tell ESPN. Daboll was the Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator the past two seasons under Eric Mangini, who was fired.
Daboll, 35, is a disciple of former Dolphins head coach Nick Saban and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. And like many of their protégés, Daboll's career is a story of perseverance from the ground floor.
He went from unpaid volunteer at a nonscholarship Division I-AA program to three Super Bowls rings as an assistant and now his second crack as an offensive coordinator.
Daboll graduated from St. Francis High in suburban Buffalo. He played safety at the University of Rochester, a Division III college.
His first coaching job was a volunteer assistant at William & Mary. Then he flooded Division I schools with his résumé. Saban, the head coach at Michigan State, took in Daboll as a graduate office assistant.
Saban's connection with Belichick led to a grunt assignment as a Patriots defensive aide in 2000. Daboll worked with Mangini, who was New England's defensive backs coach. Daboll's thankless duties included breaking down game film to record formations and personnel groupings.
Belichick was impressed enough with Daboll to make him wide receivers coach in 2002. He held the post until he went to the Jets as quarterbacks coach in 2007, working with Dolphins backup Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens the first season and Favre the next.
When the Jets fired Mangini after their collapse from 8-3 to not in the playoffs, Daboll migrated with him to Cleveland and was named offensive coordinator.
The Browns had quarterback problems throughout the past season because of injuries and inexperience. They ranked 31st in points per game, 29th in total offense, 20th in rushing offense and 29th in passing offense.
Cleveland fielded one of the few offenses worse than Miami's.
The Dolphins ranked 30th in scoring, 21st in total offense, 21st in rushing offense and 16th in passing offense. The campaign, which included a benching of supposed franchise quarterback Chad Henne, was brutal enough to convince Dan Henning to retire.
He was raised in the Southtowns of Buffalo, got his start in the NFL as a New England Patriots gopher and was New York Jets quarterbacks coach when Brett Favre was there.
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David Richard/Icon SMIBrian Daboll will get a chance to fix Miami's anemic offense.
David Richard/Icon SMIBrian Daboll will get a chance to fix Miami's anemic offense.Daboll, 35, is a disciple of former Dolphins head coach Nick Saban and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. And like many of their protégés, Daboll's career is a story of perseverance from the ground floor.
He went from unpaid volunteer at a nonscholarship Division I-AA program to three Super Bowls rings as an assistant and now his second crack as an offensive coordinator.
Daboll graduated from St. Francis High in suburban Buffalo. He played safety at the University of Rochester, a Division III college.
His first coaching job was a volunteer assistant at William & Mary. Then he flooded Division I schools with his résumé. Saban, the head coach at Michigan State, took in Daboll as a graduate office assistant.
Saban's connection with Belichick led to a grunt assignment as a Patriots defensive aide in 2000. Daboll worked with Mangini, who was New England's defensive backs coach. Daboll's thankless duties included breaking down game film to record formations and personnel groupings.
Belichick was impressed enough with Daboll to make him wide receivers coach in 2002. He held the post until he went to the Jets as quarterbacks coach in 2007, working with Dolphins backup Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens the first season and Favre the next.
When the Jets fired Mangini after their collapse from 8-3 to not in the playoffs, Daboll migrated with him to Cleveland and was named offensive coordinator.
The Browns had quarterback problems throughout the past season because of injuries and inexperience. They ranked 31st in points per game, 29th in total offense, 20th in rushing offense and 29th in passing offense.
Cleveland fielded one of the few offenses worse than Miami's.
The Dolphins ranked 30th in scoring, 21st in total offense, 21st in rushing offense and 16th in passing offense. The campaign, which included a benching of supposed franchise quarterback Chad Henne, was brutal enough to convince Dan Henning to retire.
Report: Miami to interview Brad Childress
January, 13, 2011
1/13/11
10:54
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By Tim Graham | ESPN.com
The Miami Dolphins are casting a wide net in their search for an offensive coordinator, speaking to coaches from all corners.
Some are younger. Some are older. Some are assistants on the rise. And, in the case of the latest name, a fired head coach.
Brad Childress told Minneapolis Star Tribune columnist Sid Hartman he would interview with the Dolphins on Saturday. The Dolphins have openings after offensive coordinator Dan Henning retired and quarterbacks coach David Lee left for Ole Miss.
The Dolphins already have spoken to San Diego Chargers tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski, Dallas Cowboys tight ends coach John Garrett, Hartford Colonials head coach Chris Palmer and former Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
Childress is the biggest -- and most controversial -- name to surface so far.
He had a tumultuous turn as Minnesota Vikings head coach. His job there will forever be remembered for his handling of Brett Favre the past two seasons. Childress seemed to surrender power in his attempts to appease the legendary quarterback. A series of missteps made Childress look like a bumbler until he was fired during the season.
Childress as offensive coordinator is curious because he hasn't been a successful playcaller in the NFL. He initially became a commodity as the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterbacks coach, working with Donovan McNabb.
But when Childress was the Eagles' offensive coordinator, head coach Andy Reid called the plays. Shortly after Childress left for the Vikings, Reid gave the duties to Childress' successor, Marty Mornhinweg.
Childress, who favors a power-running version of the West Coast offense, was Minnesota's playcaller for one season before he had Darrell Bevell do it.
Perhaps the Dolphins will bring Childress aboard to mentor young, struggling quarterback Chad Henne and break up the offensive coordinator role. Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano is familiar with delegated play calling. Sparano served as the Cowboys' run-game coordinator (2005-06) and called plays (2006).
Some are younger. Some are older. Some are assistants on the rise. And, in the case of the latest name, a fired head coach.
Brad Childress told Minneapolis Star Tribune columnist Sid Hartman he would interview with the Dolphins on Saturday. The Dolphins have openings after offensive coordinator Dan Henning retired and quarterbacks coach David Lee left for Ole Miss.
The Dolphins already have spoken to San Diego Chargers tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski, Dallas Cowboys tight ends coach John Garrett, Hartford Colonials head coach Chris Palmer and former Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
Childress is the biggest -- and most controversial -- name to surface so far.
He had a tumultuous turn as Minnesota Vikings head coach. His job there will forever be remembered for his handling of Brett Favre the past two seasons. Childress seemed to surrender power in his attempts to appease the legendary quarterback. A series of missteps made Childress look like a bumbler until he was fired during the season.
Childress as offensive coordinator is curious because he hasn't been a successful playcaller in the NFL. He initially became a commodity as the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterbacks coach, working with Donovan McNabb.
But when Childress was the Eagles' offensive coordinator, head coach Andy Reid called the plays. Shortly after Childress left for the Vikings, Reid gave the duties to Childress' successor, Marty Mornhinweg.
Childress, who favors a power-running version of the West Coast offense, was Minnesota's playcaller for one season before he had Darrell Bevell do it.
Perhaps the Dolphins will bring Childress aboard to mentor young, struggling quarterback Chad Henne and break up the offensive coordinator role. Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano is familiar with delegated play calling. Sparano served as the Cowboys' run-game coordinator (2005-06) and called plays (2006).
Chris Palmer a Dolphins name to consider
January, 11, 2011
1/11/11
9:13
AM ET
By Tim Graham | ESPN.com
For the second straight season, the Miami Dolphins have a coordinator opening.
Last year, the Dolphins fired defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni and seemed to already have his replacement in mind, hiring Mike Nolan a week later.
The process might not be so snappy in finding somebody to take offensive coordinator Dan Henning's vacated post.
Miami probably has known for a long time Henning wouldn't be back, thereby compiling a list of possibilities head coach Tony Sparano can spring on.
One name that stands out because of all his links to Sparano is Chris Palmer, the former Cleveland Browns head coach and New York Giants quarterbacks coach.
There are several dots to connect:
I'm not saying Palmer is the frontrunner, but that's a lot of linkage to ignore.
Palmer was Giants quarterbacks coach when they knocked off the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Palmer retired after last season, but was lured back to be a head coach and general manager in the short-season UFL. He is said to be willing to come back to the NFL as a coordinator.
Eli Manning's passer rating improved every season under Palmer. Without him this season, Manning threw 31 touchdowns, but also 25 interceptions. Both were career-highs.
Last year, the Dolphins fired defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni and seemed to already have his replacement in mind, hiring Mike Nolan a week later.
The process might not be so snappy in finding somebody to take offensive coordinator Dan Henning's vacated post.
Miami probably has known for a long time Henning wouldn't be back, thereby compiling a list of possibilities head coach Tony Sparano can spring on.
One name that stands out because of all his links to Sparano is Chris Palmer, the former Cleveland Browns head coach and New York Giants quarterbacks coach.
There are several dots to connect:
- Palmer was University of New Haven head coach with Sparano on staff as his offensive coordinator in 1986 and '87.
- Palmer went to Boston University as head coach in 1988 and took Sparano with him.
- Palmer was Cleveland's head coach when he gave Sparano his NFL break, hiring him as an offensive quality control assistant in 1999 and promoting him to offensive line coach in 2000.
- Palmer was Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks coach when Sparano was assistant head coach, O-line assistant and run game coordinator under Bill Parcells.
- Palmer is head coach and general manager for the UFL's Hartford Colonials. His assistant defensive line coach is Tony Sparano Jr.
I'm not saying Palmer is the frontrunner, but that's a lot of linkage to ignore.
Palmer was Giants quarterbacks coach when they knocked off the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Palmer retired after last season, but was lured back to be a head coach and general manager in the short-season UFL. He is said to be willing to come back to the NFL as a coordinator.
Eli Manning's passer rating improved every season under Palmer. Without him this season, Manning threw 31 touchdowns, but also 25 interceptions. Both were career-highs.
» NFC Wrap-ups: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
Arrow indicates direction team is trending.
Final Power Ranking: 22
Preseason Power Ranking: 11
Biggest surprise: The Dolphins seemed to have all the parts in place for a vibrant and diverse offensive attack. They traded for prolific receiver Brandon Marshall. They've fielded a quality offensive line since they drafted left tackle Jake Long. They had a capable backfield tandem Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. The team harbored high expectations for second-year starting quarterback Chad Henne. And they stunk. Miami ranked 30th in points, 21st in total offense, 21st in rushing offense and 16th in passing offense. Henne was benched at one point. The Wildcat became a farce because defenses figured it out. The interior O-line, tinkered with for three years, fell apart.
Biggest disappointment: The Dolphins started the season with a pair of road games and won them both. At 2-0 and with all eight home games to go, they bolted to a gargantuan head start in the playoff race. Since the NFL went to its current playoff format 20 years ago, only nine teams had done that. Six went to the playoffs. Four won their division. The Dolphins went 6-2 on the road. Had they split their home games, they would have gone 10-6. If the New York Jets were one of those home victories, then the Dolphins might have gotten into the playoffs. Alas, the Dolphins posted a shameful 1-7 home record, losing in Sun Life Stadium to the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.
Biggest need: The Dolphins crave offensive help. The defense did just fine under new coordinator Mike Nolan, ranking sixth in total defense, seventh in run defense and eighth in pass defense. The Dolphins probably will be looking for a new offensive coordinator with Dan Henning reportedly about to retire. They'll also be in the market for a running back. Brown and Williams are free agents. Williams recently made comments that strongly indicated he will be gone. Interior O-line reinforcements are a necessity. But there's still a major problem at quarterback. The Dolphins know what a reliable quarterback could mean. Chad Pennington parachuted into training camp in 2008 and guided them from a 1-15 season to the AFC East title. If the Dolphins can stomach bringing in another quarterback -- they've had 15 starters since Dan Marino retired -- then a steady free agent probably is the best way to pull the offense together.
Team MVP: Cameron Wake, outside linebacker. The Canadian Football League import broke out in his second NFL season. He recorded 14 sacks to rank third in the league.
Pivotal moment: Sept. 7 was a symbolic date for the Dolphins. Just five days before opening day, the Dolphins made a bizarrely timed announcement that Bill Parcells was stepping down as football operations vice president to become a mere "consultant." The Dolphins gave off the vibe of an adrift franchise from that moment on -- and played like it. Parcells packed up his office shortly thereafter, leaving general manager Jeff Ireland and head coach Tony Sparano to fend for themselves. Parcells hired them while working for previous owner Wayne Huizenga. But with Parcells on a golf course or at the race track, jobs seemed increasingly tenuous under current owner Stephen Ross, and the uninspiring product on the field didn't measure up either.
Arrow indicates direction team is trending.
Final Power Ranking: 22
Preseason Power Ranking: 11
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Lynne SladkyChad Henne had a disappointing season in his second year as Miami's starter.
AP Photo/Lynne SladkyChad Henne had a disappointing season in his second year as Miami's starter.Biggest disappointment: The Dolphins started the season with a pair of road games and won them both. At 2-0 and with all eight home games to go, they bolted to a gargantuan head start in the playoff race. Since the NFL went to its current playoff format 20 years ago, only nine teams had done that. Six went to the playoffs. Four won their division. The Dolphins went 6-2 on the road. Had they split their home games, they would have gone 10-6. If the New York Jets were one of those home victories, then the Dolphins might have gotten into the playoffs. Alas, the Dolphins posted a shameful 1-7 home record, losing in Sun Life Stadium to the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.
Biggest need: The Dolphins crave offensive help. The defense did just fine under new coordinator Mike Nolan, ranking sixth in total defense, seventh in run defense and eighth in pass defense. The Dolphins probably will be looking for a new offensive coordinator with Dan Henning reportedly about to retire. They'll also be in the market for a running back. Brown and Williams are free agents. Williams recently made comments that strongly indicated he will be gone. Interior O-line reinforcements are a necessity. But there's still a major problem at quarterback. The Dolphins know what a reliable quarterback could mean. Chad Pennington parachuted into training camp in 2008 and guided them from a 1-15 season to the AFC East title. If the Dolphins can stomach bringing in another quarterback -- they've had 15 starters since Dan Marino retired -- then a steady free agent probably is the best way to pull the offense together.
Team MVP: Cameron Wake, outside linebacker. The Canadian Football League import broke out in his second NFL season. He recorded 14 sacks to rank third in the league.
Related Coverage
• Clayton: AFC grades | NFC | Vote
• Clayton: 2010 All-Pro Team
• Fantasy MVPs
• Outsiders: Off. Players of the Year 
• Next-Level Awards: QB | WR-RB-DEF
• Photo Gallery: Season rundown
• MVP Watch | Rookie Watch
Marshall on Henne: 'We have to evaluate'
December, 30, 2010
12/30/10
8:15
PM ET
By Tim Graham | ESPN.com
The blockbuster acquisition of star receiver Brandon Marshall failed to make the Miami Dolphins better.
In fact, they got worse. The Dolphins won the AFC East two years ago. They went 7-9 last season but still had playoff hopes entering their finale.
Marshall
The best they can do this year is 8-8. They were eliminated from playoff contention two weeks ago.
At his weekly news conference, Marshall was asked for his thoughts on the team's direction. He didn't hesitate to endorse head coach Tony Sparano's return for next year, but withheld any praise for quarterback Chad Henne or offensive coordinator Dan Henning.
Marshall said he came to Miami with aspirations he and Henne would achieve greatness.
"I'm not sure," Marshall said. "We had some opportunities this year to do that, and we didn't get it done. I guess we have to evaluate what we've done this year and see if we can improve and see if can become good before we become great."
Marshall joined the Dolphins with three straight 100-reception campaigns and 10 touchdowns last year.
With one game left, he has 81 catches and three touchdowns.
Marshall advised Henne to chuck the ball around more often and trust him to make the catch. In talking about Marshall's previous quarterbacks, he said "Jay Cutler was my guy. He threw it up."
"Just got to let it go, you know?" Marshall said in a story by South Florida Sun-Sentinel reporter Mike Berardino. "Don't worry about the consequences. Just throw it up and see what happens. Throw a pick or whatever. Let's live and die by it.
"We want to play smart football, and we want to be consistent, but at the same time if you look at what teams do with Roddy White, Calvin Johnson, that's something I'm used to in the past, just guys believing in me.
"You make plays like that, you build confidence in each other. You get a little snowball effect. We didn't get that this year, and it's disappointing."
In fact, they got worse. The Dolphins won the AFC East two years ago. They went 7-9 last season but still had playoff hopes entering their finale.
Marshall
The best they can do this year is 8-8. They were eliminated from playoff contention two weeks ago.
At his weekly news conference, Marshall was asked for his thoughts on the team's direction. He didn't hesitate to endorse head coach Tony Sparano's return for next year, but withheld any praise for quarterback Chad Henne or offensive coordinator Dan Henning.
Marshall said he came to Miami with aspirations he and Henne would achieve greatness.
"I'm not sure," Marshall said. "We had some opportunities this year to do that, and we didn't get it done. I guess we have to evaluate what we've done this year and see if we can improve and see if can become good before we become great."
Marshall joined the Dolphins with three straight 100-reception campaigns and 10 touchdowns last year.
With one game left, he has 81 catches and three touchdowns.
Marshall advised Henne to chuck the ball around more often and trust him to make the catch. In talking about Marshall's previous quarterbacks, he said "Jay Cutler was my guy. He threw it up."
"Just got to let it go, you know?" Marshall said in a story by South Florida Sun-Sentinel reporter Mike Berardino. "Don't worry about the consequences. Just throw it up and see what happens. Throw a pick or whatever. Let's live and die by it.
"We want to play smart football, and we want to be consistent, but at the same time if you look at what teams do with Roddy White, Calvin Johnson, that's something I'm used to in the past, just guys believing in me.
"You make plays like that, you build confidence in each other. You get a little snowball effect. We didn't get that this year, and it's disappointing."
» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 16:
Notable Miami Dolphins could experience their final games at Sun Life Stadium. Teams never remain exactly the same from year to year, but the Dolphins might experience more turnover than most organizations before next season. Thanks to a 1-6 home record entering Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions, head coach Tony Sparano's job carries no guarantees. Offensive coordinator Dan Henning likely will be gone. Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan should be considered for head coaching vacancies. Running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams also will leave the field not knowing if they'll be back.
Mark Sanchez's shoulder injury is disconcerting. Reports out of New York indicate Sanchez will play Sunday against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, but the mere idea his status is in question reminds us who the Jets' backup quarterback is. Mark Brunell is 40 years old. Since 2006, he has started one game and attempted 31 passes. The Jets are on the cusp of clinching a playoff berth. Although Sanchez is rated 28th among all NFL passers, he makes improvisational plays with his legs a rusty quadragenarian cannot. The Jets' chances would diminish substantially if Brunell were forced to take over.
The New England Patriots are in a "hat and T-shirt game." ESPN analyst and former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi emphasized the importance of donning division championship regalia, which the Patriots can do with a victory or tie against the Buffalo Bills in Ralph Wilson Stadium (or if the Jets don't win in Chicago).
"Those hats and T-shirts mean something. It means you've accomplished something," he said in the latest "Bruschi's Breakdown" at ESPNBoston.com. "There have been plenty of teams that have been wild-card teams and gone to the AFC or NFC Championships and have nothing to show for it -- no division title or anything. When you win your division, it says something, right there on the hat and T-shirt: 'Division Champs.' I was always proud to put those T-shirts on, and you want a set of three -- division, conference and you all know what the last one is. It starts with that first one, though."
Buffalo's defense deserves some credit. The Bills' defense has been ranked at or near the bottom of the league all season. But it has quietly put together some impressive performances. The Bills have allowed more than 16 points in regulation time just once since Thanksgiving and have given up only 20 points over their past two games. Encompassing the entire season, Buffalo still has the NFL's worst run defense. But take away Cleveland Browns bulldozer Peyton Hillis' first five carries on the opening drive in Week 14, and the Bills have held Hillis, Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown to 118 yards on 31 carries.
AFC East players are approaching some milestones. With two games left, it's appropriate to take a look at some season stats. Bills receiver Steve Johnson needs two touchdown receptions to set the team record. Bills running back Fred Jackson needs 189 yards to hit 1,000 in back-to-back seasons. Ryan Fitzpatrick is seven touchdown passes away from 30, which would trigger a promise from Buffalo News columnist Jerry Sullivan to run down Hertel Avenue in his underwear. Dolphins receivers Brandon Marshall and Davone Bess need three catches to break the team record for two receivers set by Mark Duper and Mark Clayton in 1984. Cameron Wake needs 4.5 sacks to tie the Dolphins record of 18.5 held by Bill Stanfill and Jason Taylor. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady must average 219.5 passing yards to hit 4,000 for the fourth time. Patriots running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis is 176 yards from hitting quadruple digits. Wes Welker needs 17 receptions to get 100 a fourth straight season. Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson is 114 yards from reaching 1,000 for the first time in three seasons.
Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 16:
Notable Miami Dolphins could experience their final games at Sun Life Stadium. Teams never remain exactly the same from year to year, but the Dolphins might experience more turnover than most organizations before next season. Thanks to a 1-6 home record entering Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions, head coach Tony Sparano's job carries no guarantees. Offensive coordinator Dan Henning likely will be gone. Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan should be considered for head coaching vacancies. Running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams also will leave the field not knowing if they'll be back.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Wilfredo LeeSunday could be the final Dolphins home game for Ricky Williams, 34, and Ronnie Brown.
AP Photo/Wilfredo LeeSunday could be the final Dolphins home game for Ricky Williams, 34, and Ronnie Brown.The New England Patriots are in a "hat and T-shirt game." ESPN analyst and former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi emphasized the importance of donning division championship regalia, which the Patriots can do with a victory or tie against the Buffalo Bills in Ralph Wilson Stadium (or if the Jets don't win in Chicago).
"Those hats and T-shirts mean something. It means you've accomplished something," he said in the latest "Bruschi's Breakdown" at ESPNBoston.com. "There have been plenty of teams that have been wild-card teams and gone to the AFC or NFC Championships and have nothing to show for it -- no division title or anything. When you win your division, it says something, right there on the hat and T-shirt: 'Division Champs.' I was always proud to put those T-shirts on, and you want a set of three -- division, conference and you all know what the last one is. It starts with that first one, though."
Buffalo's defense deserves some credit. The Bills' defense has been ranked at or near the bottom of the league all season. But it has quietly put together some impressive performances. The Bills have allowed more than 16 points in regulation time just once since Thanksgiving and have given up only 20 points over their past two games. Encompassing the entire season, Buffalo still has the NFL's worst run defense. But take away Cleveland Browns bulldozer Peyton Hillis' first five carries on the opening drive in Week 14, and the Bills have held Hillis, Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown to 118 yards on 31 carries.
AFC East players are approaching some milestones. With two games left, it's appropriate to take a look at some season stats. Bills receiver Steve Johnson needs two touchdown receptions to set the team record. Bills running back Fred Jackson needs 189 yards to hit 1,000 in back-to-back seasons. Ryan Fitzpatrick is seven touchdown passes away from 30, which would trigger a promise from Buffalo News columnist Jerry Sullivan to run down Hertel Avenue in his underwear. Dolphins receivers Brandon Marshall and Davone Bess need three catches to break the team record for two receivers set by Mark Duper and Mark Clayton in 1984. Cameron Wake needs 4.5 sacks to tie the Dolphins record of 18.5 held by Bill Stanfill and Jason Taylor. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady must average 219.5 passing yards to hit 4,000 for the fourth time. Patriots running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis is 176 yards from hitting quadruple digits. Wes Welker needs 17 receptions to get 100 a fourth straight season. Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson is 114 yards from reaching 1,000 for the first time in three seasons.
Video: John Clayton's AFC East Huddle
December, 22, 2010
12/22/10
3:42
PM ET
By Tim Graham | ESPN.com
ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton takes command of the AFC East huddle with insights on all four teams.
Clayton gives his take on Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning, talks up Buffalo Bills rookie linebacker Arthur Moats, mentions New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez's bounce-back game and expresses concern over the New England Patriots' defense.
Dan Henning likely on his way out in Miami
December, 21, 2010
12/21/10
10:46
AM ET
By Tim Graham | ESPN.com
Much to his fan base's dismay, Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano delivered a sparkling testimonial for offensive coordinator Dan Henning on Monday.
It was the kind of approval you'd expect to see on a dust jacket or DVD cover.
"I think that Dan Henning -- for Tony Sparano -- has been tremendous, and I think that the guy has done a wonderful job here," Sparano said. "I would tell you that -- for Tony Sparano -- Dan Henning's been tremendous."
And you should buy a Dan Henning, too. Take it from me, Tony Sparano.
Sparano's comments evoke the image of Fred McGriff pointing at me while talking up Tom Emanski videos.
Miami Herald reporter Jeff Darlington writes Sparano likely was being respectful when talking about Henning because unnamed sources around the Dolphins understand Henning will retire after this season.
With that in mind, Sparano has no reason to speak ill of him. Sparano's comments should provide no indication whether Henning would be back -- not only because of the retirement rumors, but also because there are no guarantees Sparano will be back either.
The Dolphins have regressed each year since Sparano set the bar in his rookie season as head coach. They won the 2008 AFC East title in the regular-season finale, still were alive for a playoff berth entering last year's finale and were eliminated from the postseason race with two games left this season.
Miami's offense is the main reason for their problems.
Henning, who turned 68 in June, sat out the 2007 season and was believed to be retired when he joined the Dolphins to help out old friend Bill Parcells.
For the past three years, Henning has overseen a fascinating offense that set an NFL trend with the Wildcat. But quarterbacks coach David Lee conjured up the idea to get Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams on the field together to compensate for a marginal passing game.
The Dolphins have struggled on offense all year. They added star receiver Brandon Marshall to a group that had proved it could grind out yardage, but neither the run nor the pass game evolved.
The Dolphins enter Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions ranked 22nd in total offense, 21st in run offense and 17th in pass offense.
It was the kind of approval you'd expect to see on a dust jacket or DVD cover.
"I think that Dan Henning -- for Tony Sparano -- has been tremendous, and I think that the guy has done a wonderful job here," Sparano said. "I would tell you that -- for Tony Sparano -- Dan Henning's been tremendous."
And you should buy a Dan Henning, too. Take it from me, Tony Sparano.
Sparano's comments evoke the image of Fred McGriff pointing at me while talking up Tom Emanski videos.
Miami Herald reporter Jeff Darlington writes Sparano likely was being respectful when talking about Henning because unnamed sources around the Dolphins understand Henning will retire after this season.
With that in mind, Sparano has no reason to speak ill of him. Sparano's comments should provide no indication whether Henning would be back -- not only because of the retirement rumors, but also because there are no guarantees Sparano will be back either.
The Dolphins have regressed each year since Sparano set the bar in his rookie season as head coach. They won the 2008 AFC East title in the regular-season finale, still were alive for a playoff berth entering last year's finale and were eliminated from the postseason race with two games left this season.
Miami's offense is the main reason for their problems.
Henning, who turned 68 in June, sat out the 2007 season and was believed to be retired when he joined the Dolphins to help out old friend Bill Parcells.
For the past three years, Henning has overseen a fascinating offense that set an NFL trend with the Wildcat. But quarterbacks coach David Lee conjured up the idea to get Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams on the field together to compensate for a marginal passing game.
The Dolphins have struggled on offense all year. They added star receiver Brandon Marshall to a group that had proved it could grind out yardage, but neither the run nor the pass game evolved.
The Dolphins enter Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions ranked 22nd in total offense, 21st in run offense and 17th in pass offense.
Get your AFC East chat wrap right here
December, 11, 2010
12/11/10
9:05
AM ET
By Tim Graham | ESPN.com
So you went to bed in tears last night because you missed my weekly AFC East chat?
Cheer up, Sparky.
You don't have to catch it live to experience the thrill. There's always the chat wrap transcript to peruse.
Some questions we addressed:
All that and more is just a click away. It's the most fun you can have without a prescription.
Cheer up, Sparky.
You don't have to catch it live to experience the thrill. There's always the chat wrap transcript to peruse.
Some questions we addressed:
- Can the Jets win a postseason rubber match against the Patriots after losing 45-3?
- Does Chad Henne have a future in Miami?
- Should the Bills sign outside linebacker Adalius Thomas?
- What should the Dolphins do about offensive coordinator Dan Henning?
- Will former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels return to the AFC East?
- Could the Jets lose all of their remaining games?
- Can the Bills be contenders next year?
All that and more is just a click away. It's the most fun you can have without a prescription.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
James Walker
Walker joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the NFL and NBA for the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch. He's a Temple graduate and Hyattsville, Md. native who lives in Miami.
