Interview Session With Key Fins Players

[MiamiSportsGen]

Interview Session With Chad Pennington, Ronnie Brown, Vontae Davis and More...

I was able to catch up with a few players in the locker room after the Dolphins 2nd pre season game (versus the Panthers) and ask some questions regarding the game, the upcoming season and their feelings about the team.

Quarterback Unit in Focus

Chad Pennington, Chad Henne and Pat White were in the lock room after the game open for questions from the media. Luckily I was able to sneak in a few questions to each one and get a better grasp of the state of Miami's QB position.

With Chad Henne playing the second half this time around I asked him what the difference was from last game. He said that it was easier to "get comfortable playing a whole half," hinting at the fact that it allowed for more continuity with the offensive unit. Henne went onto state that no matter what time he's put into the game he just wants to focus on the basics, citing that "Coach Sparano preaches fundamentals" to the team constantly.

Pat White only played the second quarter, but was a focus of my attention as he will likely play an intricate role with the team this year and down the road. "How did it feel playing in the first half as opposed to the second half, was there any difference?," I asked. Pat responded with a simple "football is football, you know." I followed up by asking if he noticed that the defensive players were faster and tougher to play against. Pat just said "if you worry about that stuff you've already lost the game."

Pat was very humble and came off as a genuine guy in our brief exchange. On a final note with the QB from West Virginia I inquired about his readiness for the season and how he feels being in Miami. "I feel comfortable and I'm just learning the game," Pat stated. For a young QB with plenty of talent and potential, Pat White seemed like a steward of the game and someone who wants to improve his game everyday.

Next up was Chad Pennington, and I was able to get in a question after ESPN's Chris Mortensen had finished his rounds on the final stop of Mort goes to Camp. Pennington came off as a seasoned professional who knew how to deal with the media and answer questions with ease and poise. I opened up by citing last year's success on his first stint with Miami and asked how he feels entering this season with last year's experience under his belt. Chad said "it's a smooth transition as opposed to a cram session...but at the same time there are higher expectations to perform at a higher level." Very worthy answer and a great show of awareness by the starting QB - there is no doubt that this upcoming season will hold higher standards for the defending AFC East Champions.

The Rookie and the Star

Vontae Davis and Ronnie Brown stuck around after most Dolphin players found their way out of the lock room. I was able to speak with both of them in casual and slightly humorous manner.

Vontae had come off a game where he committed three penalties and didn't get in a groove at all, but redeemed himself with four tackles against the Panthers. So, I asked him what was different this time around. His response: "Coach Sparano preaches fixing one's mistakes...if you don't do that, you aren't playing the game." Davis took the same path as Henne in citing their head coach, which says a lot about his influence on the team and the young players in particular.

I also asked Vontae about his readiness for the regular season and he took a cautious approach by saying "I still got to go watch film and take it a game at a time." At least we know that the first-round pick is taking the pre season as seriously as possible.

To finish off the night, I was able to throw Miami's star running back, Ronnie Brown, a question - one which was a bit unorthodox. "Where do you feel more comfortable running the Wild Cat: on the field or in Madden 10?," I jokingly asked. After a brief chuckle, Ronnie said "on the field because I have more control over what's going on."

On a more serious note, I added onto the Wild Cat discussion by asking how he feels the Wild Cat will play out this season now that teams have seen it. Ronnie rebutted with, "it's no surprise...we will have to execute well in order for it to work well." Fair enough - team's will study film until night's end before they face Miami, but with Brown and Williams in the backfield it will not be easy to stop Miami's smash-mouth RB tandem. Add Pat White to the equation and now there's a legitimate passing threat with the Wild Cat.

With that said, who knows what the Wild Cat will bring to Miami's dynamic offense.

MiamiSportsGeneration.com

 

[NBP81]

"if you worry about that stuff you've already lost the game."

That doesnt sound like a rookie...

 

[MiamiSportsGen]

"if you worry about that stuff you've already lost the game."

That doesnt sound like a rookie...

Yea, Pat was very humble and professional. He doesn't have the same swagger as some of the other players, which you would expect from a four-time college bowl champion who's used to winning. I'm glad he's on-board with the Fins.

 

[MiamiSportsGen]

By the way, if any of you guys ever get to go into the Fins locker room (or any other NFL locker room for that matter) after a game, be prepared to witness some "parts" that you don't want to see. Let's just say it's a very "open" environment in there. But hey, what do you expect from a football locker room.

 

[NBP81]

We all saw Any Given Sunday but thx for the heads up...lol

 

[Predaphin]

We all saw Any Given Sunday but thx for the heads up...lol

:lol2::lol2:

 

[MiamiSportsGen]

:lol2::lol2:

:foundout:

 

[Rev Kev]

Pat may not see as much field this year as people might predict there is simply no reason to rush the guy

 

[MiamiSportsGen]

Pat may not see as much field this year as people might predict there is simply no reason to rush the guy

Well if Chad Pennington continues his stellar play and the Wild Cat works fine without Pat White, then you're probably right. I still expect Miami to use him on occassion just to throw teams off. It forces the opposing teams to study that much more game tape.

Also, If Pennington goes down Henne is virtually a lock for the replacement, so White won't be getting time as our conventional QB any time soon.

 

[MiamiSportsGen]

FYI, I added a link to the original story at the bottom of the post.

 

[biggrouper]

Just a question... why do I read about the statement "Add Pat White to the equation and now there's a legitimate passing threat with the Wild Cat." is Ronnie Browns td pass against the Pats last year an iligitimate pass... sounds like Chads 34 yard pass to cobbs (out of the wild cat formation) is an outside child to the passing game... Personally its Pat Whites LEGS that make him the threat! the fact that he can pass accourately down the field will keep the D on their toes but its his running ability that will hurt people... either way Im glad he is there to bring some excitement to my Sundays...

 

[MiamiSportsGen]

Just a question... why do I read about the statement "Add Pat White to the equation and now there's a legitimate passing threat with the Wild Cat." is Ronnie Browns td pass against the Pats last year an iligitimate pass... sounds like Chads 34 yard pass to cobbs (out of the wild cat formation) is an outside child to the passing game... Personally its Pat Whites LEGS that make him the threat! the fact that he can pass accourately down the field will keep the D on their toes but its his running ability that will hurt people... either way Im glad he is there to bring some excitement to my Sundays...

I say "legitimate passing threat" because many skeptics say that Ronnie Brown lining up as QB is not a legitimate passing threat, and they go on to say that all a team needs to do is blitz the crap out of him. By blitzing they expect to put pressure on Ronnie and either stop him short or force him into a bad pass.

Now a QB like Pat White can line up as QB and either run the ball or scramble to make a decent pass under pressure. Chad Pennington is not known for his scrambling ability. And I never meant that Brown's TD pass was "illegitimate" - I meant to make the point that teams will have to be afraid of someone like Pat White when he lines up as QB in the Wild Cat. Pennington's pass was off a flea-flicker and not under center, so it's a different situation there.

Sorry for the misunderstanding there. I should have been a bit more clear.