Submitted by Smylie from Vero Beach, FL

Q: Jeff, Does Anthony Armstrong make the 53 man roster, and is so who does he beat out? I get the impression from Pennington that he has been the best(consistent) wr on the roster since the start of OTAs. Thanks, Smylie

Answered 06/23/09 16:37:23 by Jeff Darlington

A: Hey Smylie. Before that last minicamp, my answer would have been very simple: "No." However, Armstrong looked impressive during that camp, which prompted Armando to ask Sparano whether Anthony has been looking that solid on other days as well. Sparano's response made me immediately think Anthony has a real chance to do something few might have otherwise expected. I'd love to see this work out for Armstrong, who is a really cool, very enjoyable guy to be around. Check out what the coach said in response to the question: "Honestly, that has been the case throughout. Every day I can say that every day Anthony Armstrong has done something like that right now. To the point that I see these quarterbacks are trying to find him in matchups. Now what I can take from that…Until I see it in a game, I am still at 50 percent that way with the evaluation part of it. I need to see that go from the practice field to the game and I think we’ve got something. He has done a really nice job right now of making some big plays out here when given the opportunity. I need to see him take that from the practice field to the game. There are a few guys out there in the same mix that have done those kinds of things, but he is certainly one of those guys."

Submitted by Darrel from Castro Valley

Q: Why wont the Miami Dolphins acquire and be the first in NFL History to have on the roster an 6ft8 NBA Basketball player.Such as,an Lebron James type just to block field goal kicks.In 1985,the Bears use the fridge in the red zone as an fullback just to bulldoze the pile ALL 365lbs of him.So why wont Dolphins surprise the entire NFL

Answered 06/23/09 16:33:07 by Jeff Darlington

A: I'm not sure how much of a surprise it would be if a team randomly acquired a 6-foot-8 basketball player, but I'll still attempt to give you the most legitimate explanation for why that wouldn't work: Unless the player can contribute in other ways, aside from jumping up and down really high on field goal attempts, it would not be beneficial for a squad that's limited to 53 players. The Dolphins will have a tricky enough time making space on the game-day roster for someone like Pat White, who is actually much more versatile than a lot of players. But unless your hoopster can also play tight end (ala Antonio Gates), I don't see it happenin'.

Submitted by ALBERTO AMADOR from MIAMI, FLORIDA

Q: I WOULD LIKE YOU TO EMCEE AN EVENT, CAN YOU PROVIDE ME WITH YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION. THANKS!

Answered 06/23/09 16:28:21 by Jeff Darlington

A: You must be confusing me with Joe Rose, Alberto. Alas, if I can still be of any assistance, you can reach me at jdarlington@miamiherald.com.

Submitted by Case Cassedy from Ft Lauderdale

Q: In light of the wet conditions during this weekends US Open, could you give the all of us golfers a tip for playing through a round being completely soaked? Seems you have some experience taking a swim on the course. Look forward your insight. Case

Answered 06/23/09 16:26:52 by Jeff Darlington

A: HA! Two words: Keep drinking.

Submitted by Jack Stepongzi from Land O Lakes, Fl

Q: I see something really special developing with the Miami Dolphin defense this offseason. I see a good mix of young players with quality veterans. All the focus seems to be on the offense and the possibilities with the Wildcat. What is your view on the defense?

Answered 06/23/09 16:23:19 by Jeff Darlington

A: You're absolutely right, Jack: If this team is going to exceed their record from one year ago, the defense needs to continue to morph into one of the top units in the league. And while I feel pretty comfortable saying Miami's starting unit has the potential to do something special, I'm not as comfortable with the depth of this defense -- specifically along the defensive line. We saw what happened last year when Jason Ferguson went down. Although Paul Soliai has surely made some strides, that position is a question mark behind Fergie. Also, I want to see how those young defensive ends -- like Phillip Merling and Kendall Langford -- progress through training camp. Obviously, we know this team did plenty to rebuild the secondary. And the starting linebackers look very solid in the wake of JT's reunion. So while this unit has some really nice elements, it still has some very clear question marks.

Submitted by Dan Giunta from Bethlehem, PA

Q: Hey Jeff - I just wanted to say first you've done a great job covering the Dolphins since taking over for Jason Cole a couple of years ago. I also noticed you got some tv time on ESPN and NFL Network..congrats to you! With Andrew Gardner and John Nalbone being the first picks signed, when do you expect Vontae Davis, Sean Smith and Pat White to sign also? Thanks Jeff!

Answered 06/23/09 16:18:16 by Jeff Darlington

A: Hi Dan. Thanks for the kind words. I had a quick conversation about a month ago with Jeff Ireland, when I asked him if he thought the Dolphins could still get their rookies signed as rapidly as they did last year despite having much later picks in each round. He said it's typically up to the agents of the players, because those are the ones who actually care about the whole "slotting" deal. Nonetheless, the players you mentioned are likely to take a bit longer than those guys like Gardner and Nalbone. I don't anticipate any holdouts, but if I had to guess, I'd imagine Pat White might be the most difficult deal to get done -- simply because it's so difficult to nail down exactly what he is. My guess? All of the rookies will be signed by July 20.

Submitted by Brian from Miami, FL 33413

Q: Jeff, I have heard very little about John Nalbone, other than that he signed. I would appreciate any info, impressions, or comments about how he has looked in the OTAs. Thanx.

Answered 06/12/09 14:39:05 by Jeff Darlington

A: Yeah, Brian, there hasn't been much to see yet from Nalbone. He's splitting reps with three other tight ends, so he's going to really have to fight hard to gain any type of noteriety around here. The team drafted him, which means he definitely has a shot, but he's in the mix of a very challenging competition if he's going to make the roster. Wouldn't be surprised to see him on the practice squad by the time camp rolls around. Then again, I hear David Martin's injury is a pretty serious groin tear. So if Martin can't make a full recovery (I highly anticipate that won't be the case and Martin will be just fine), it might open a door for Nalbone in the futre. Either way, I wish Nalbone well. He went to Monmouth, my home county where I grew up in Middletown, NJ.

Submitted by Matt from North Palm Beach

Q: Have the Dolphins thought about moving Porter inside? JT, Porter, Crowder, Roth are the best LB’s on the team. Porter can make plays downhill like none of our current ILB’s can. Also, just before the snap, the lineman could slide, JT could assume his 4 point stance, Porter can slide over to OLB, and now we’re in a 4-3. The offense would never know if they’re facing a 3-4 or 4-3. It would be the defence's version of the Wildcat. Also, it would sometimes take a little pressure off of Ferguson. DT is not as demanding as NT. Starks' versatility (DE, DT) would be utilized, also. It would require Porter sacrificing stats for the good of the team.

Answered 06/12/09 14:20:20 by Jeff Darlington

A: No, no, no. I'm guessing your last name must be Roth if you're suggesting Porter should play inside. Because Matt Roth is the only person in America (aside from opposing quarterbacks) who might prefer the team make that move. This team is a 3-4. It isn't a 4-3 or a hybrid. It is as pure of a 3-4 as it gets. And Porter is as ideal of a 3-4 linebacker as you can find. The reason Porter struggled so badly with Dom Capers as the defensive coordinator was a result of the team trying to do too many things with him. LIke having him run downhill. Send Peezy off the edge, and let him terrorize quarterback. Nothing else. Nothing more. Alas, I appreciate the creativity!! Thanks, Matt.

Submitted by Danny G from Cocoa, FL

Q: Jeff. What the Heck, I just heard Pat White was drafted by the GD Yankees! Any chance he's gonna pursue that career. I know he's been drafted in the MLB 4 times now, but I just wanted to hear from someone with some sense! THANKS BRO!

Answered 06/12/09 14:14:41 by Jeff Darlington

A: Yup, Pat just held a press conference down the street from Dolphins camp in his driveway. Just as he finished a set of sit-ups, he grabbed a Yankees hat from behind a bush and said, "The Wildcat is dead! New York here I come!" Ok, so that's not entirely true. Actually, White just said, in a voice that's so quiet it requires a spy kit to transcribe his interview, he appreciates the opportunity -- but that he's committed to the Dolphins. Still, that's pretty damn cool that the guy even got drafted in the first place. I asked Sparano about it a few minutes ago, and he thinks the idea of a two-sport athlete (i.e. Bo Jackson) is probably dead as a result of the time and commitment now necessary to contribute on the NFL level. I tend to agree. So fear not, Danny. The Wildcat will remain alive and well.

Submitted by Joey from New York, New York

Q: Hi Jeff I want to know when the Dolphins have their official OTAs, and when training camp begins. I was watching the NFL network and scanned the web. I thought they had an OTA on June 8-9, and I believe a source stated that they have one around June 14. Would you be able to give some insight?

Answered 06/09/09 16:29:21 by Jeff Darlington

A: Hey, Joey. The Dolphins will be conductng their mandatory minicamp June 12-14, as well as one more OTA that's open to the media June 17. But keep in mind -- the team has still been holding much more frequent OTAs that are closed to the public and the media. Also, don't expect much difference between the minicamp this weekend and the previous OTAs. The biggest difference is the "mandatory" nature of this weekend camp, which means very little when "voluntary" OTAs are still getting nearly 100 percent attendance on every occasion.

Submitted by brad moore from fort lauderdle

Q: call me crazy but i think pennington will have an even better year than last year. i think he is going to take this team to the super bowl, this year, cause i think he is talented enough and has enough talent around him on offense and defense to do so. which in turn that will cause the dolphins to resign him and therefore he will go down as the second best quarterback in dolphins history. what do you think?

Answered 06/05/09 14:53:16 by Jeff Darlington

A: Wow, Brad. Those are some ambitious expectations. If, indeed, your prediction works out, that would cause a pretty fascinating situation in South Florida. Strangely enough, though, anything shy of a conference championship could still cause the team to move toward Henne. So I pose this question back to the rest of you: What would it take for Pennington to earn back the job for another year, knowing that it would put Henne (who looks damn good in his second offseason as a pro) on the backburner for yet another season?

Submitted by Mike from Virginia Beach

Q: Why doesn't anyone believe Ginn can be a true number 1? OJ wasn't big either and Ronnie Didn't really break out till his third year.

Answered 06/05/09 14:37:46 by Jeff Darlington

A: Judging by the opinions I often hear about Ginn, I don't think anyone questions Ginn based on his size. (See: Steve Smith) And I also don't think you can really compare him to Ronnie, considering they play entirely different positions. It's important to be careful when trying to use historical references to gauge a players' potential, because you need to consider everything from the offensive system to the coaches to the rest of the personell on the given team. So while I understand if someone wants to make a case for Ginn being a potential No. 1 receiver based on the fact that he has the speed -- and only still needs the maturity and experience -- to make the leap. But to suggest he can be a number one reciever based on the success of O.J. (one of the hardest working, overachieving players in team history) and Brown (a pure talent who probably would have been an even more productive player during his first three years in the right offensive system) just doesn't quite work. Before I believe Ginn is capable of being a No. 1 receiver, I want to see a more aggressive, more hard-nosed player. I'm not saying he can't be that guy -- I just really want to see it first. And I'm not hating. Just waiting.

Submitted by Bill from Miami, Fl

Q: While Dan Marino is by far the best pure QB ever to wear aqua and orange, and arguably the best in NFL history, I'll take Bob Griese and the championships any day. Marino made the Super Bowl once and the playoffs were pretty much a sure thing every year. Hell, Wood-Strock took us to the Super Bowl and even Fiedler won a playoff game. So to start mentioning Pennington in the same breath as Griese and Marino after one year and a playoff loss is premature at best. 1. Marino 2. Griese 3. Earl Morrall 4. Woodley/Strock. Fiedler and Pennington can duke it out for who's the most mediocre QB Miami has ever had. That may merit a fifth place all-time vote.

Answered 06/03/09 10:38:11 by Jeff Darlington

A: Another good entry, Bill. I tend to agree with your assessment of Pennington's place in Miami's ranks. Although I still wonder where Pennington would fit if he had a legacy that lasted about five seasons here. Nonetheless, that's not the case. So I think you make a pretty solid argument.

Submitted by David in Orlando from Orlando, Florida

Q: Bob Griese as the best Dolphin QB? Listen, the Dolphin team in the early 70's was so dominant that a lot of QB's could have done just fine. In the '73 Super Bowl Griese completed 8 of 11 passes for 88 yards with one TD and one interception. Good grief, Marino used to do that in a single quarter! Griese had a great defense to protect leads, and Marino had defenses that gave up points just as fast as he scored them. And just think if Marino could have handed off to Csonka/Kiick/Morris or Ricky/Ronnie? C'mon, in the 13 years that Dan played who were his best RB's? Bernie Parmelee (recruited as a free agent from UPS) and Fumblin' Sammie Smith! Here's something else to consider: after Csoka, Kiick and Warfield left for the WFL, the Dolphins under Griese never got close to a Super Bowl again. The fact that Marino won so many games while on some very mediocre teams speaks volumes about his ability and ferocious desire to win.

Answered 06/03/09 10:36:36 by Jeff Darlington

A: Nice case, David. If this were Around the Horn, you'd get the points.

Submitted by Anonymous from Miami, Fl.

Q: The best Q. B. in Dolphin history?; that's a no brainer!. It's Bob Griese. He didn't have the most talent but he won 2 titles, including the most wins in an undefeated season. Marino HAD records but they are gone. His problem was that his talent wasn't as big as his ego.

Answered 06/01/09 17:51:27 by Jeff Darlington

A: Ok, we might have an interesting debate brewing. No way is Bob Griese the best quarterback in Dolphins history. Dan Marino, in my opinion, is one of the Top 5 quarterbacks in NFL history. And if you don't agree with that, you'll have to at least agree he's in the Top 10. And there's no way Griese comes on that list before Marino, right? Then again, I wonder if the perception of a Dolphins diehard might be different than the perception of an NFL diehard as a result of the Super Bowl factor. Might that be the case? Are there really several fans out there who believe Griese is the best quarterback in team history? I'm curious to hear some thoughts on this one.