phinfein
we need marino.
Sparano OK with Dolphins -- so far
Tony Sparano is usually watching film around the time Jason Taylor appears on "Dancing With the Stars," so he's only seen his Pro Bowl defensive end/linebacker cut the rug once.
But not only is the new Miami Dolphins coach not worried -- at least publicly -- about his star player skipping voluntary offseason workouts to go Hollywood, he's not concerned about whether Taylor still wants to be in South Florida, either.
"I haven't really thought about that," Sparano told reporters this week. "My only concern right now is that Jason has the success right now that he wants to have right now doing what he's doing. And that when he gets back here, I know he's ready to go to work.
"I know that's going to happen. Jason and I have had great conversations. I know exactly where Jason's head is."
Speaking to reporters for only the third time since he was hired on Jan. 16, Sparano gave a little insight into what is rattling around in his own noggin as he and the Dolphins try to rebound from a franchise-worst 1-15 season.
Among the tidbits:
Second-year quarterback John Beck has been one of the first to arrive and last to leave the facility this offseason. He also has been working on changing his mechanics because his low delivery is ripe for having passes batted down at the line of scrimmage.
"He really does do extra and has been doing it since the day we walked through the door," Sparano said. "More importantly, we're trying to get the game to slow down for him. We haven't had as much opportunity as we'd have liked to spend time with him in the meeting room and the classroom right now. But we want to get the game to slow down for him when he gets out to the line of scrimmage. Make it as simple as we can."
As it stands, Beck will compete with free-agent pickup Josh McCown for the starting job. Sparano feels there are several quarterbacks in this year's draft who can come in and start right away, but gave no indication if the team is leaning toward selecting one of them.
The team believes running back Ronnie Brown (torn ACL) will be back in time for the start of training camp, where he will compete with Ricky Williams for the starting job.
Those who liked the R&R Express in 2005 can expect to see some form of it again in 2008. Sparano is trying to figure out just how the two backs complement each other, and has also been impressed with second-year running back Lorenzo Booker.
"He's a guy that when you watch, he jumps off the film a little bit in that way," Sparano told reporters. "He's interesting in that he's a guy that you've got to get touches for."
While he still won't commit to a 3-4 or 4-3 defense, Sparano listed his starting defensive linemen as Matt Roth, Jason Ferguson and Vonnie Holliday with Randy Starks providing depth up front. The linebackers would then be Taylor and Joey Porter on the outside with Channing Crowder and Reggie Torbor both shifting inside.
Vernon Carey is the left tackle -- for the moment -- with Samson Satele at center and Justin Smiley at right guard. Drew Mormino is penciled at left guard for the moment and in Sparano's words, "right now right tackle has a hole."
That could lead to some speculation that Miami will select Michigan tackle Jake Long with the first pick, which would allow Carey to move back to the right side, and then select a guard early in the draft.
However, rather than trying to figure out which position is most important to the Dolphins right now, try finding an area where they don't need help.
"In my mind there are a couple of areas on the team that are probably greater needs than others," Sparano said. "But we have a lot of needs. We've tried to address some of those needs, but as we go on, we're going to try to fill as many holes as we possibly can. We need linebackers, we need secondary players, we need receivers, we need linemen. We need a bunch of things right now."
While the team's need to improve special teams brought in players such as Keith Davis, Charlie Anderson and Nate Jones, all will be given a chance to earn a starting job as well.
This year's training camp will be about competition, from the quarterback and running back spots all the way down to the kicking position, where Jay Feely will have to fend off Dave Raymer.
Asked if there were any players who had guaranteed starting positions, Sparano gave an indication of what Dolphins players -- veterans and rookies alike -- will be in for the next few months leading to the start of the season.
"I like to think there's a couple of players on our team that are guaranteed starters," Sparano told reporters. "But, that being said, at some point every player on our team, no matter who they are, will have to show me that they can still do it.
"So the 10-year veteran will have to show me on the practice field that he can still do it. The first-year guy will have to show me on the practice field he can do it. Obviously there are some guys -- having Jason Taylor on your team and knowing what he brings to the table is important for us."
Contact Kotala at 242-3692 or e-mail ckotala@floridatoday.com.
Tony Sparano is usually watching film around the time Jason Taylor appears on "Dancing With the Stars," so he's only seen his Pro Bowl defensive end/linebacker cut the rug once.
But not only is the new Miami Dolphins coach not worried -- at least publicly -- about his star player skipping voluntary offseason workouts to go Hollywood, he's not concerned about whether Taylor still wants to be in South Florida, either.
"I haven't really thought about that," Sparano told reporters this week. "My only concern right now is that Jason has the success right now that he wants to have right now doing what he's doing. And that when he gets back here, I know he's ready to go to work.
"I know that's going to happen. Jason and I have had great conversations. I know exactly where Jason's head is."
Speaking to reporters for only the third time since he was hired on Jan. 16, Sparano gave a little insight into what is rattling around in his own noggin as he and the Dolphins try to rebound from a franchise-worst 1-15 season.
Among the tidbits:
Second-year quarterback John Beck has been one of the first to arrive and last to leave the facility this offseason. He also has been working on changing his mechanics because his low delivery is ripe for having passes batted down at the line of scrimmage.
"He really does do extra and has been doing it since the day we walked through the door," Sparano said. "More importantly, we're trying to get the game to slow down for him. We haven't had as much opportunity as we'd have liked to spend time with him in the meeting room and the classroom right now. But we want to get the game to slow down for him when he gets out to the line of scrimmage. Make it as simple as we can."
As it stands, Beck will compete with free-agent pickup Josh McCown for the starting job. Sparano feels there are several quarterbacks in this year's draft who can come in and start right away, but gave no indication if the team is leaning toward selecting one of them.
The team believes running back Ronnie Brown (torn ACL) will be back in time for the start of training camp, where he will compete with Ricky Williams for the starting job.
Those who liked the R&R Express in 2005 can expect to see some form of it again in 2008. Sparano is trying to figure out just how the two backs complement each other, and has also been impressed with second-year running back Lorenzo Booker.
"He's a guy that when you watch, he jumps off the film a little bit in that way," Sparano told reporters. "He's interesting in that he's a guy that you've got to get touches for."
While he still won't commit to a 3-4 or 4-3 defense, Sparano listed his starting defensive linemen as Matt Roth, Jason Ferguson and Vonnie Holliday with Randy Starks providing depth up front. The linebackers would then be Taylor and Joey Porter on the outside with Channing Crowder and Reggie Torbor both shifting inside.
Vernon Carey is the left tackle -- for the moment -- with Samson Satele at center and Justin Smiley at right guard. Drew Mormino is penciled at left guard for the moment and in Sparano's words, "right now right tackle has a hole."
That could lead to some speculation that Miami will select Michigan tackle Jake Long with the first pick, which would allow Carey to move back to the right side, and then select a guard early in the draft.
However, rather than trying to figure out which position is most important to the Dolphins right now, try finding an area where they don't need help.
"In my mind there are a couple of areas on the team that are probably greater needs than others," Sparano said. "But we have a lot of needs. We've tried to address some of those needs, but as we go on, we're going to try to fill as many holes as we possibly can. We need linebackers, we need secondary players, we need receivers, we need linemen. We need a bunch of things right now."
While the team's need to improve special teams brought in players such as Keith Davis, Charlie Anderson and Nate Jones, all will be given a chance to earn a starting job as well.
This year's training camp will be about competition, from the quarterback and running back spots all the way down to the kicking position, where Jay Feely will have to fend off Dave Raymer.
Asked if there were any players who had guaranteed starting positions, Sparano gave an indication of what Dolphins players -- veterans and rookies alike -- will be in for the next few months leading to the start of the season.
"I like to think there's a couple of players on our team that are guaranteed starters," Sparano told reporters. "But, that being said, at some point every player on our team, no matter who they are, will have to show me that they can still do it.
"So the 10-year veteran will have to show me on the practice field that he can still do it. The first-year guy will have to show me on the practice field he can do it. Obviously there are some guys -- having Jason Taylor on your team and knowing what he brings to the table is important for us."
Contact Kotala at 242-3692 or e-mail ckotala@floridatoday.com.
