Arrowhead Pride

Many thanks to Matt from The Phinsider for taking time out to answer our questions. Check out The Phinsider later tonight or tomorrow for our answers to Matt's questions.

What is Pennington's future role with the team?

Right now, it’s looking more and more like Chad Pennington is here to be the team’s starting quarterback. But we’ll know a lot more about this following Saturday night’s game.

So far, though, everyone in South Florida – fans, media, and coaches – has been impressed with how Pennington has performed. He’s picking up the offense easily. He’s showing his leadership skills, both on the field and off. And he’s beginning to show good chemistry with Ted Ginn, which is a great sign. Perhaps the most important thing that Pennington brings to this offense, though, is confidence. No longer is this team over-matched in clear passing situations. Now they have the most accurate QB to ever play in the NFL on their side.

Long-term, though, Pennington is likely just a "caretaker" until rookie Chad Henne, who has also been impressing people, is ready to take over.

Are Derek Hagan and Ted Ginn Jr. the real deal at WR?

First, let me address the simpler answer. No, Derek Hagan is not the real deal. He’s barely even a "deal." He’s the kind of player who stars in practice but disappears in games, though his consistency catching the ball seems to have improved. Entering his 3rd year now, this is the season Hagan has to show that he’s at least a capable NFL receiver. Personally, I’d feel much better if Hagan was a 3rd or 4th WR, not a starter. But it is what it is, I suppose.

As far as Teddy Ginn goes, let me preface my response by saying this: I’m trying to be as objective as possible here. With that said, Ted Ginn can very easily become a true #1 wide receiver. Those who think he’ll never be anything more than a #2 WR and a solid return man are mistaken. I know, it seems like I’m a homer. But I was thinking the same thing last season that you are now: Ted’s nothing more than a glorified #2 receiver. But I was wrong.

First of all, he catches EVERYTHING. That’s what most surprised me last season. I always wondered about his hands. But he had just 1 dropped ball last year, which is impressive when you consider the kind of "ducks" that he had to catch from these QBs in Miami. Now with a player like Pennington behind center, we are really going to see just how much progress Teddy has made as a receiver. And it’s a lot. He runs much better routes. He’s added a little meat to him so he can take a pounding. And the proof of his improvement from last year to this year can be seen just by watching his performance last week against the Jaguars, when Ginn consistently beat Pro-Bowl CB Rashean Mathis all 1st half long.

Make no mistake about it. Ted Ginn can become a true #1 receiver. He’s going to be a guy who can develop into a 75-85 reception, 1200 yard, and 10 TD player. That probably won’t be this year, but it’s also not too far off. Call me a "homer" if you want, but I’ve never spoken truer words – and I’m 100% shocked that I’m saying this, too.

I’ve heard Jake Long is struggling with speed rushers. Has he shown improvement?

First off, let me say that Jake Long is going to be a Pro-Bowl left tackle at some point in his career. His run-blocking alone is damn impressive. He’s a mauler, really.

With that said, he has struggled at times, more so in practice, against speed rushers off the edge. But the coaches seem to think that it’s more of a "technique" thing than a "talent" thing. So I’m confident he’ll get it corrected. And, in fact, he already has been improving, shutting down speedy edge rusher Quentin Groves last week against the Jaguars. Also, last year against Florida in a bowl game, Long was able to shut down Derrick Harvey, a top 10 pick this year. So I think the potential is there. Jake likely won’t make the impact that Joe Thomas did last year – primarily because Thomas is a better pass protector – but Jake was still the right pick by this team and he’s going to be the cornerstone of this offensive line for the next 10+ years.

Are Fins fans taking to Henne better than Beck? What’s the difference there?

This is probably the most interesting question of them all. And I say that because this Beck vs Henne storyline is one that could be used as a good psychological study.

On one hand you have John Beck. Some still believe in his abilities. Others think he’s absolutely terrible. But the only way to judge him in game situations so far has been in one preseason game (went 5 for 9), and last year’s play – where he was playing as part of the very worst offenses in NFL history. He never had Chris Chambers. He never had Ronnie Brown. And he had Ricky Williams for about one play before he got hurt. So to judge him off of last year’s disaster is unfair.

On the other hand you have Chad Henne, the "hand-picked" QB of the future by Bill Parcells and company. That idea lone has caused many Dolphin fans to jump on his bandwagon. But to his credit, he’s played well this preseason. Of course, Beck played just as well last preseason – perhaps even better (he at least led some TD drives – Henne hasn’t yet). But for some reason, probably the "Parcells factor" being the biggest, fans are taking a liking to Henne over Beck. Basically, Henne is this preseason’s "flavor" while Beck was the hot "flavor" last preseason. That’s why I’m not buying into any of them and will take the "wait and see" approach.

How about their defensive ends, Langford and Merling? OT Shawn Murphy seemed like an incredible reach in round 4 — how’s he looked?

Let me address the latter first. Shawn Murphy has been a disappointment thus far. There’s no doubt about that. But he’s young and could be a factor down the road at the guard spot. Luckily, though, the Dolphins found a true gem in the 6th round that alleviates the disappointment of Murphy. Donald Thomas, a guard out of UCONN, has been the story of training camp. He’s taken hold of the starting right guard spot and hasn’t looked back. Even the defensive veterans are raving about how Thomas has come in and just taken over that RG job. Some people around the league even are saying that Thomas is going to end up being the steal of the draft (can’t find the link right now…sorry).

As far as the two defensive ends go, both have been quite good. Kendall Langford, though, has been especially impressive, being named the starting left defensive end already despite being just a 3rd round pick. But he has 3-4 experience coming out of college, which has set him apart from Merling. But that’s not to say Merling has struggled. He’s likely going to be the top reserve at DE for the Dolphins, only behind Langford and veteran Vonnie Holliday. And the coaches have already said that they are going to rely heavily on a defensive line rotation, meaning Merling is going to see a lot of action this year.

But when you look at this draft as a whole, it’s the best one Miami has had in a long, long time. They have potentially picked up 5 future starters (Long, Merling, Henne, Langford, and Thomas), with 3 of them likely starting week one against the Jets. And they may have hit on an undrafted WR out of Hawaii named Davone Bess, who is likely going to be at least the team’s 4th WR, and is even penciled in as the "starting" slot receiver right now. Not too bad for a team that was desperate for a solid draft.