Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins / Image: Zuma Press

The injury is by no means career threatening, but it is severe enough to sideline Ronnie for a couple months, thus ending his 2009 season. Sadly, he was on a pace (648 yards after nine games) to set a career high for rushing yardage, much as he was in 2007 (602 yards after just seven games) before his season also ended early with a knee injury.

With Ronnie out, it drastically affects Miami’s offensive scheme. And if the team plans to continue with the Wildcat, it certainly means more playing time for slasher Pat White and running back Ricky Williams.

Source: MiamiDolphins.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Ronnie Brown Fractures Foot, Season Over

Ted Ginn, Miami Dolphins / Image: Zuma Press

Dropping passes, especially in crucial situations, will do that to you. And talk of a demotion was brewing. In fact, receiver Brian Hartline ended up replacing Ted in the Dolphins’ starting lineup today. But Jr. found a way to turn things in his favor by becoming the first player in NFL history to score two kickoff-return touchdowns of 100 or more yards in the same game. Which, of course, was great news for Ted’s future. But the best part for the Dolphins? Those returns helped them beat the Jets for the second time this season.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Ted Ginn Silences Critics With KO Returns

Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins / Photo: Newscom

Said Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano of his new star quarterback:

“I think first and foremost it was a hell of an education for the guy tonight. I think he had a couple of opportunities, certainly at the end there, to have to bring his team back and he handled it with poise. I thought he did a tremendous job managing the clock in all the situations there at the end.”

This Dolphins team is poised for Chad to succeed. Just look at the supporting offensive numbers. With a very creative Wildcat formation attack, the Dolphins are leading the NFL in rushing the football (a quarterback’s best friend) with 177 ypg and their defense is top five at stopping the run (76 ypg). That’s a recipe for success and the Miami Dolphins are well on their way in that department. I’m not predicting a Super Bowl run, but I do think the Dolphins can win the AFC East and advance in the playoffs.

Source: NFL.com, MiamiDolphins.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Chad Henne, Wildcat Offense Leads Dolphins

Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins / Image: Zuma Press

This is a major loss for the Dolphins because Chad was instrumental—some would even say the most important element—in helping the Dolphins improve from a 1-15 team in 2007 to a playoff team last year. He was chosen as the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year last season and he tied for second behind Peyton Manning in the league’s MVP voting.

In Chad’s absence, an opportunity arises for another Chad—Henne, the quarterback the Dolphins picked after passing on Matt Ryan two years ago. This was eventually going to be his job, but as with most young QBs just getting their first opportunity to be a starter, he’ll have his share of growing pains—ala Matthew Stafford in Detroit. His supporting cast will have to adjust from playing with a seasoned veteran to, essentially, working with a rookie as their offensive leader.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Chad Pennington Out For the Season

Davone Bess, Miami Dolphins / Image: Zuma Press

Fans on a Dolphins message board became suspicious of the statements made on the Twitter site. Apparently, this impostor was answering fan questions. A representative of the Dolphins blog “The Phinsider” brought the Twitter site to Davone’s attention. So agent Kenny Zuckerman is taking care of business.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Twitterer Pretending to be Davone Bess

Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins / Image: Zuma Press

Jason was being courted by the New England Patriots. And he turned down $8.5 million to return to the Redskins this season. So, it was pretty clear he was going to do whatever it took to return to South Beach:

“My heart has always been in Miami, and so I’m truly excited to call myself a Dolphin once again. I was presented with a number of different opportunities, but in the end the combination of this being the best situation for my family, my love for this community and my tremendous loyalty to a great organization made this an easy decision.”

Jason belongs in South Beach and I respect his proper placement of priorities. And the Dolphins are certainly happy to see him back. After all, Jason holds team career records for consecutive games started (130), sacks (117), opponents fumble recoveries (26), fumble returns for touchdowns (5), defensive touchdowns (8) and interceptions by a defensive lineman (7). As improved as the Dolphins were from 2007 to 2008, they’ll be an even better team for having Jason Taylor back in the fold at his defensive end position in 2009.

Sources: MiamiDolphins.com, NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Jason Taylor Returning to Miami Dolphins

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

After suffering through a miserable 1-15 rookie season, Miami Dolphins center Samson Satele and his teammates are enjoying the fruits of their labor as the Dolphins accomplished the biggest single season turnaround in National Football League history. Personally, Samson continued to a current 32-game start streak, the longest in team history for an offensive lineman starting a career. The simple recap — the Dolphins went from being the worst team in the NFL to AFC East champs with a home field Wild Card game this weekend against the Baltimore Ravens. I talked with Samson from his home in South Beach after another day at the office. Guest appearance by Samson’s son — Samson LotoToa (meaning “brave heart”) Satele.

• 0:11 – Three games in one week at Dolphin Stadium
• 0:34 – Bill Parcells and head coach Tony Sparano lead new Dolphins
• 1:27 – Almost 40 new players have ignited a rebirth in South Beach
• 1:50 – Learning how to win and developing a winning attitude
• 2:20 – Quarterback Chad Pennington NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year
• 2:49 – Creating the Wild Cat offense and watching the “copy cats”
• 3:22 – Working with trainers and taking care of a 32-game start streak
• 4:02 – The Dolphins have been in playoff mode for the past five games
• 4:52 – Blevins29, Huntington, WV: toughest player and team to block
• 5:41 – Sean, Pensacola, FL: difficulty of adjusting to life on the mainland
• 6:25 – Samson hasn’t cut his hair since he was a freshman in college
• 6:58 – New Year’s resolutions: being a good husband and father

Links: MiamiDolphins.com, NFLPlayers.com, NFL.com

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Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

EMQB Interview: Samson Satele

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

I’ll be speaking with Miami Dolphins center Samson Satele for a Wild Card weekend EMQB Interview on New Year’s Day. If you would like to ask Samson a specific question about his career or the Dolphins’ remarkable season as AFC East champs, leave a comment on this post or send me an email before midnight on Wednesday, December 31 and I’ll do my best to ask him for you. Please include your first name, city and state along with your question.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Ask Miami Dolphins C Samson Satele

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington couldn’t have scripted this any better. The team that discarded him back in the preseason in favor of Brett Favre is the very team that stands between him and the AFC East title — in the final game of the regular season, no less. The N.Y. Jets will host the Dolphins Sunday in one of several huge matchups with playoff implications. And Chad Pennington knows it was meant to be:

“It wasn’t going to happen any other way. It wasn’t.”

What’s even more remarkable than Chad’s story is the fact the Dolphins are on the verge of completing the most remarkable turnaround season in NFL history. Last year the Dolphins were the laughing stock of the National Football League, winning only one game. This season, with Chad as the team’s veteran leader at QB, the Dolphins are an impressive 10-5. And they’ve won their past four games. I don’t think the Dolphins have the weapons to take down the likes of Tennessee or Pittsburgh, but I think they can give any other team in the AFC a run for their money. And if they get the opportunity to play the Titans or Steelers — well, that’s why they play the games.

Source: MiamiDolphins.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Chad Pennington on Season Finale vs. Jets: ‘It Wasn’t Going to Happen Any Other Way’

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

You’ve heard the phrase “defense wins championships.” Think that’s an antiquated notion? The Pittsburgh Steelers certainly don’t. In the Steel City — where defense has been and always will be king — bloodying opposing offenses is what matters most. The modern day “Steel Curtain” is currently ranked first in pass defense (163.3 ypg) and total defense (239.1 ypg). And they’re second in run defense (75.8 ypg). Head coach Mike Tomlin brought his defensive mind to Pittsburgh last year and continues in a longstanding tradition that heralds defensive dominance. I caught-up with Steelers 2007 first round Draft pick linebacker Lawrence Timmons (four tackles, a sack and forced fumble last week) after practice today to talk about where the Steelers have been (AFC North champs) — and where they’re headed (Super Bowl XLIII?).

• 0:11 – For the Steelers, AFC North title is just the beginning
• 0:36 – Last week’s game vs. Ravens was instant defensive classic
• 1:04 – This week’s game vs. Titans could decide home field through playoffs
• 1:24 – The difficulty of taking one game at a time and not looking ahead
• 1:47 – Being “battle tested” against good teams keeps Steelers sharp
• 2:24 – Steelers’ top defense only has three names on the 09 Pro Bowl roster
• 2:46 – Comparisons to great “Steel Curtain” defenses of the 70s inevitable
• 3:29 – The NFL encourages points scored, but defense still wins championships
• 4:03 – Giving credit to the Steelers coaching staff for defensive dominance
• 4:45 – Staying healthy has been key to Steelers success so far this season
• 5:13 – The natural progression from rookie to second-year in the NFL

Links: Steelers.com, NFL Players, NFL.com

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Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

EMQB Interview: Lawrence Timmons