There are two schools of thought on the Dolphins' tight end play this season.

One is that the Dolphins having the NFL's No. 2 rushing attack limits the number of passes thrown, thus dragging down the reception numbers of wide receivers and tight ends. The other is that Dolphins tight ends Anthony Fasano and Joey Haynos simply haven't been able to get open or catch the ball on a consistent basis.

Asked to explain why many fans and media believe the latter, Fasano said, ``I think they're more worried about fantasy points than if I can block `36 Power.' ''

In giving self-analysis of their seasons, both Fasano and Haynos talk more about their blocking than receiving. Haynos, in particular, said one of his season goals was to improve as a blocker.

``I'm grading well on my gradeouts,'' Fasano said. ``I'd like to have a couple of plays back, as anybody would. Those couple of plays would skew the view of the public, who doesn't know much about our game plans. But I think I'm progressing. I think I'm an asset to the offense in our game plan, whatever it may be.''

COSTLY FUMBLES

``Those couple of plays'' brings to mind the season opener in Atlanta. Fasano fumbled both of his receptions, one leading to an Atlanta field goal after ending a Dolphins drive at the Falcons' 10. A drive-killing fumble followed the longer of Haynos' two catches this season, a 21-yarder.

Yet, Fasano said, as far as the coaches' game-film grading, Atlanta was his best game. For his inadequate blocking, Haynos picks out Atlanta as his worst game of the season.

Last year, Fasano (454), David Martin (450) and Haynos (22) combined for 926 yards last season, the most in Dolphins history for one season from the tight end position, and the trio tied the franchise tight end-best with 11 touchdown catches. The Dolphins put Martin on injured reserve before the season with a knee injury from which the timetable said he now would be recovering. In six games, Fasano and Haynos have a combined 11 catches for 115 yards and Fasano's touchdown against the Jets (which Fasano names as his worst game of the season).

``I think it matters a little bit with the quarterback, whether he is comfortable throwing the ball in the middle of the field, I think, because that is where most tight ends work,'' Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said. ``At the same time, I think our run game has a little bit to do with the lack of maybe balls that are out there that way. What I mean by that is you are not getting the middle of the field open against us. The middle of the field is closed.''

Sparano's theory goes that teams have played their safeties down in the middle, which doesn't allow the tight ends room to work the area without great effort.

``When you are running the ball as well as we are running the ball, not too many teams are going to sit there and say, `Hey, we are going to put two of these guys deep and just try to stop this thing with seven guys,' '' he said. ``That is not what is happening.''

MISSING MARTIN

What also isn't happening, however, are the Dolphins hitting the tight ends (or anybody else) downfield with any regularity to make teams pay for the strategic sneer at the Dolphins passing game.

This is where they most miss Martin. He got downfield. There wasn't much YAC (yards after catch) in Martin's team-high eight receptions of over 20 yards last year. By comparison, wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. had seven catches over 20 yards, and Greg Camarillo and Davone Bess, six each.

``As far as the passing game, would I like to get more? Always,'' Haynos said. ``You always want to get those stats. But, at this point, it's whatever the team needs. Anthony and I both take a lot of pride in blocking. One hundred fifty yards per game rushing, 200 yards per game, we take a lot of pride in that because we're a big part of that.''

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