Submitted by Dream Team from Miami, Florida

Q: There is a rumor that the Dolphins are going to trade out of the 15th pick because the player they really want Ryan Mallet will still be there at 20 something, the rumor is they really like this kid and they would still get a second round pick. Ryan Mallett #15 QB 2010 STATS RATING YARDS TOUCHDOWNS 163.65 3,869 32 CAREER STATS YARDS TOUCHDOWNS 8,388 69 Birth Date June 5, 1988 Hometown TEXARKANA, AR Height 6-6 Weight 238 lbs.

Answered 02/10/11 21:40:35 by Jeff Darlington

A: Why exactly do you think the Dolphins would decide to trade out of the 15th pick when they have not evaluated the Scouting Combine, when they don't know how they'll fare in free agency (if free agency even occurs) and when they have no idea what other players have been chose before No. 15? Wherever you are hearing this "rumor," I'd suggest you no longer trust that source of information.

Submitted by Luis Montana from Washington DC

Q: Hi Jeff is it true that the coaches that the Dolphins just hire do not have any expirience???

Answered 02/10/11 21:37:09 by Jeff Darlington

A: Yes, they have experience. Let's work on the questions, guys!

Submitted by jerry melillo from caldwell, nj

Q: Kevin Kolb? Yay or Nay?

Answered 02/10/11 21:32:54 by Jeff Darlington

A: For a first-round pick? Nay.

Submitted by daniel santos from sun city ca.

Q: hey jeff do you think the dolphins sign another qb and do they get rid of henne?

Answered 02/10/11 21:32:14 by Jeff Darlington

A: Yes, I think the Dolphins will do something to add a competitive quarterback to the mix -- whether through the draft, free agency or a trade. No, I don't think they will get rid of Henne.

Submitted by Jeremy Collins from Dupont, PA

Q: I am extremely frustrated that over the past several drafts and free agency we have devoted so much time to the offensive and defensive lines and have seemingly forgotten about the skill positions and in the process have let a lot of very good playmakers slip away from us. Do you think that this is the offseason where we finally address the skill positions and add much-needed speed to the offense?

Answered 02/10/11 21:31:07 by Jeff Darlington

A: From my perspective, I'd imagine the more frustrating part for fans isn't so much the lack of focus on the skills position players -- but instead the inability to feel secure about the interior of the offense line after so much attention being paid to the trenches. In general, though, the Dolphins have done a much better job with their past three drafts (under Jeff Ireland) than any other three-year span in recent memory. Let's not forget: Fans felt pretty good about Ronnie and Ricky going into this last season, and they also surely like the progress of Davone Bess and Brian Hartline. The Dolphins also devoted two second-round picks toward acquiring Brandon Marshall. So really, attention has been paid to those positions. Now, it's time to devote a few early-round picks to finding a dynamic player -- whether a running back, a field-stretching wide receiver or both -- to improve the offense's play-making ability. So I guess, when it comes down to it, I do understand your frustrations. I'd also suggest you keep a very open mind when evaluating those frustrations in comparison to what the team has indeed accomplished.

Submitted by Aidan lever from Orlando

Q: Do we need to help long with peppers with a te or rb or can he handle him with one good shoulder?

Answered 11/18/10 11:45:30 by Jeff Darlington

A: Great question. I'd imagine you'll see him get a little help with some chipping added to the blocking scheme -- but that's probably going to be dictated by how Long's shoulder reacts. If he isn't having any problems being his usual effective self, perhaps the Dolphins won't have to stray from their usual plan. They'll probably get a good idea about how to move forward based on the Dolphins' first few offensive series.

Submitted by Brian from Zapata, Texas

Q: Do you think that Tyler Thigpen has what it takes to lead this team into a playoff run? I like him as a backup, but he hasn't proven that he has the goods to lead a team. He has one win in 11 starts. I know the talent level around him in KC hasn't anywhere near what he has in Miami.

Answered 11/18/10 11:43:26 by Jeff Darlington

A: We'll find out tonight, Brian. I think Tyler Thigpen turned out to be a great option to have around for last week's fourth quarter. But for any of us to suggest he has what it takes to make a playoff run would be a bit presumptuous. I'm a fan of Thigpen. I like what he's done with his opportunities in Kansas City and Miami. Still, I think we should hold off before anointing him as Henne's replacement. Once upon a time, I remember when everyone in South Florida and across the NFL was convinced Henne was the future of this organization. Suddenly, that portion of the population has shrunk based on what he has shown on the field. So rather than try to predict whether Thigpen is going to be great -- rather than suggest he's going to fail -- I'm going to save my thoughts until after we see him play. You make some good points regarding his time in KC and the talent around him in Miami. When meshing the two together, it'll be fun to watch whether he can be an effective, winning quarterback.

Submitted by Fred Martin from Fort Lauderdale, FL

Q: Hi Jeff, What is the extent of Jake Long's injury and will he be available for Thursday night's game? Your early feedback would be appreciated.

Answered 11/18/10 11:31:26 by Jeff Darlington

A: I would anticipate Long will play tonight with the help of harness to stabilize a dislocated shoulder. I'm told Jake has been in quite a bit of pain the past several days, but there is nobody tougher on this team than him. He's a warrior -- and I think he'll prove to be just that tonight against the Bears. How long he can play, or how effective he will be, remains to be seen.

Submitted by Albert A. Lamelas from Miami, Florida

Q: With Anthony Fasano being signed, who are the other un-restricted free agents left going into next year?

Answered 11/18/10 11:29:50 by Jeff Darlington

A: How's this for a timely answer: Three of the most notable players who don't have contracts beyond this year are Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams and Tyler Thigpen. All three have some serious coin on the line during the second half of this season. And since Thigpen won't know how many shots he'll get, he needs to make the most of this opportunity right now.

Submitted by Slater from Sydney

Q: Jeff, Living in Australia I usually have to settle for highlights of the Dolphins games so apologies if my analysis is a little off. Did catch the Titans game and was hoping for your opinion on Ronnie Brown. I know he had a great season 2 seasons back but I think he is looking incredibly sluggish these days. Whilst Ricky has maintaned some consistency over the years, Ronnie just doesn't look like he has that explosiveness that some of the other RBs in the competition have. Case in point Chris Johnson from the Titans. What is your view on Ronnie and what the Dolphins should do with the RB position going forward? PS you are outstanding as Phil in Modern Family.

Answered 11/18/10 11:27:42 by Jeff Darlington

A: At the risk of sterotyping, I can't help but picture a surfer when I hear the name, "Slater from Sydney. But since you're here to talk about football, we'll go ahead and stick to the topic! I don't think you'll find anyone who disagrees that Miami's running game has been both sluggish and underwhelming. While there are plenty of theories to blame for why (interior offensive line? Dan Henning? Ronnie and Ricky?), I'd argue that Ronnie and Ricky have never had more reason to play with production than they'll have against the Bears. They are the veterans on this offense. They are the faces of this team. With a banged-up offensive line and a quarterback who hasn't take any first-team reps to this point, it is on Ronnie and Ricky to show up. They averaged just 2.9 yards per carry against the Titans. That's not good enough. So if either of those players want to be considered for a contract extension, this is their chance to prove why they deserve it.

Submitted by Luis Santos from Miami

Q: Short and sweet....When will Ikaika Alama-Francis FINALLY hit the feild?

Answered 09/30/10 15:50:19 by Jeff Darlington

A: It looks like it's simply a matter of getting Ike back into the proper condition at the proper playing weight. The sickness that has kept him sidelined for each of the last three games took a serious toll on his body, and although his transition to outside linebacker required him to shed some weight anyway, it didn't call for nearly as much as he lost. So maybe a week. Maybe two. I can't imagine it taking much longer than that.

Submitted by Thomas Heider from Moedling, Austria

Q: Hey Jeff! which one of the two upcoming games against he jets and the patriots do you think is going to be the harder task for the dolphins and how do you think the record is going to look like after the week 4 matchup against the patriots? thx and greetings Tom

Answered 09/23/10 12:15:11 by Jeff Darlington

A: I know this sounds strange, given the Jets' success against the Patriots on Sunday, but I'd actually suspect Miami's game against New England might be the tougher matchup. I'm fully aware of the recent play of the Dolphins' secondary, and I'm as pleased as anyone to see a great guy like Jason Allen making a big splash, but the Patriots' passing attack is still a very, very dangerous force. I'll be interested to see how the Dolphins plan to cover Wes Welker specifically, since he'll provide the first great challenge for Miami's coverage linebackers.

Submitted by Adrian from Eugene (OR)

Q: Ha! Alright, I'll draw things back to this week's game. It's still unclear whether Revis will play this week, which would leave Cromartie on Marshall for most of the game. I'd assume they'd try to get some safety help so how crucial do you think getting Bess and Fasano more involved in the short and intermediate passing game is? They were invisible this past week.

Answered 09/20/10 13:16:50 by Jeff Darlington

A: There ya go. Much better question! I think you're absolutely right -- if Revis can't play, it should create a very good mismatch for Marshall that will require safety help over the top. In those situations, Anthony Fasano should have more opportunities across the middle of the field. I don't think it's a matter of getting them more involved by design. Instead, I think it's going to happen for natural reasons. It could be a very important day for Fasano AND Bess.

Submitted by daga-nj from nj

Q: First as it was a GREAT Win...anything else is nitpicking.. that being said, it seems like most of Henne's passes are to receivers that are stationary rather than hitting them on the move (the 1st play bomb of course being the exception). I know its been said that Hennes throws a hard ball but YAC are about hitting receivers on the move even more than threading the needle with a bullet. Is this part of the game plan for his maturation or just the best way to avoid a mistake? If the latter do they really have that little confidence in him (or that hes that fragile mentally that it would erode his learning process)?

Answered 09/20/10 13:14:08 by Jeff Darlington

A: I think this goes back to my most recent response regarding making fast decisions. I noticed on one late play in particular, Brandon Marshall made a break toward the sideline on his route, ready to receive his pass in a very good place -- but Henne hadn't yet thrown the pass. By the time he did, Marshall was stopped and the defender caught up. There was no chance, at that point, that Henne's pass would be able to find Marshall without being knocked down by the defender. Again, once Henne stops thinking so much and starts trusting himself, I think you'll see a different result on that play and many others. As you point out, Henne has a gift. He needs to now find the best ways to use it.

Submitted by Rick from Austin, TX

Q: After two impressive road games on defense, in your opinion, what is the biggest cause for concern on the offensive side of the ball? Some might say it's the passing game, but other will say that our running game needs to step up (and in that case does it fall on the backs or the offensive line?)

Answered 09/20/10 13:05:45 by Jeff Darlington

A: I think Henne's comfort level is the biggest cause for concern. He's a fast decision maker by nature, and he's not making decisions nearly fast enough in the first two games. That's got me a little concerned. It's good to see him making smart decisions, but he still needs to also grow confident and comfortable with his ability. I'm not seeing that right now, not even as much as we saw it last year. I think once he gets the ball off faster, it will help the receivers become more effective -- while also putting the offensive line in a better position for success, as well.

Submitted by Lathaniel from Miami, Florida

Q: When should we expect Channing Crowder to return?

Answered 09/20/10 13:03:12 by Jeff Darlington

A: Two weeks ago. Seriously, I was told by some very reliable people that he expected to be ready to play in the first week. But as I've learned from seeing other players come back from injuries in that area, an optimistic update isn't always a realistic one. Just because a player feels like he's getting better, it's an issue that can creep back up on a moment's notice. You've got to think he'll be back either this week or next. Otherwise, you've instead got to wonder why they'd put someone like Will Allen on IR and not do the same with Crowder. I really hope it doesn't get to that point, since I think Crowder can be a really nice addition to what has already been a solid defense.

Submitted by Tom from Baltimore

Q: Jeff, with Allen and Vontae playing so well, where does this leave Sean Smith? He seemed to come along so much faster than Vontae last year, but now is the odd man out. What is holding him back? Keep up the good work, man.

Answered 09/20/10 13:00:53 by Jeff Darlington

A: It leaves Smith in a position to need to get better, that's for sure. He's in a tough spot right now, mostly because he's not equipped to play the nickel spot. You typically want someone smaller, craftier and quicker rather than a big, tall frame like Smith. That's why I'd expect to see Benny Sapp in the game more often than Smith in some of those sub packages. I'd imagine, if the Dolphins believe they would be better suited to have Smith's big body on the field instead of Allen, they could use him in situational moments. That was the case on the final play of Sunday's win, when Smith was the player in coverage for Favre's incomplete pass on fourth down. When Smith gets those opportunities, he needs to make the most of them. That's the only way to keep him continuously in competition for a starting job. My sources told me, when Allen got the starting job, they expected Smith would eventually ascend back into the position once he played with more urgency. My sources, though, clearly didn't expect Allen to play as well as he's been playing. So again, it's just up to Smith to keep a sense of urgency about him. You never know when his number will get called. And when it does, he needs to perform.

Submitted by Adrian from Eugene (OR)

Q: I know I'm getting ahead of myself but, assuming there are no significant losses, what corps do you think needs the most attention in the draft? And which do you think would be bolstered with the first rounder? I'm thinking we'll go defense in the first if there isn't a top interior lineman in the range of the pick.

Answered 09/20/10 12:56:20 by Jeff Darlington

A: The draft?! We just finished Week Two!! You're definitely right: You're getting too far ahead of yourself! Enjoy the games. The draft is pointless if you can't do that.

Submitted by Jason Clary from Orlando, FL

Q: Why have the Dolphins been so anemic on offense? I feel like the defense has all of the swagger, and the offense is just looking around for a clue.

Answered 09/20/10 12:54:45 by Jeff Darlington

A: I know the offense's mediocrity is concerning plenty of fans right now, but I'll put it like this: I am still convinced this group has plenty of playmakers to turn this unit into a high-powered group. Don't forget, all of us expected the offense to be the catalyst for Miami's success this season. So given the defense's unexpected success early on, I'd view the team's current situation as a positive one. I really believe it's only a matter of time before the offense begins to follow suit. And I think much of that will be about Chad Henne settling into his position -- and playing the way he knows how to play. In the meantime, he still hasn't thrown a single interception this year. And while that doesn't completely compensate for his inability to get his team into the endzone more consistently, it's not such a bad quality who had a few too many picks last year. Now, it's time to find a balance between taking risks and playing too conservatively. When that happens, I think you'll see a more complete team capable of consistently being in the hunt for wins every week.

Submitted by Derrick Cooper from Sanford Florida

Q: Do you think that the dolphins will add a RB with speed to threaten the edge of the defense, all of their RB's have the same skill sets.

Answered 09/08/10 09:58:13 by Jeff Darlington

A: Ronnie and Ricky don't have the same skill sets at all. Ricky is a crafty scat back; Ronnie is a powerful, downhill bruiser. I'd imagine you'll see plenty of Ricky threatening the edge of the field, just as he's done as an end-around in the Wildcat package.