Dolphins tight end Anthony Fasano already understands the magnitude of this weekend's game. Ask him why it's important, and he will deliver a quick, sensible response to a seemingly obvious question.

''Because we play the Patriots,'' Fasano said.

Fair enough. From a team's perspective (and that is, after all, what matters), Sunday's game at Dolphin Stadium is critical because of the opponent. But for Fasano, this game could be important for one more reason: He is due for a breakout game.

After getting 14 receptions in Miami's first four games, Fasano's production in the passing game has tapered. The Patriots, though, have proved to be vulnerable to a pass-catching tight end in their past two losses.

Last week, Jets tight end Dustin Keller caught eight passes for 87 yards. Two weeks before that, Colts tight end Dallas Clark caught four passes for 63 yards.

''Yeah, I've kind of seen that on film,'' Fasano said. ``I try not to pay attention to it, though. Our game plan is built for our offense. You can learn some things from the success of other teams, but I think we have a good game plan without that.''

NOT JUST A RECEIVER

In recent weeks, though, the game plan hasn't necessarily managed to utilize Fasano's pass-catching skills. He still is finding open routes, but his versatility also is causing the team to use him in other areas that might limit those opportunities.

Because many of the Dolphins' opponents fear their ground game, defenses have been loading eight players instead of seven close to the line, which can cause a tight end's role to change.

''With a tight end, it's a little bit hard if you've been running the ball and you're starting to see a lot of eight-man boxes,'' Sparano said. ``When that starts to happen, you need to start to move this guy around a little bit, do some of those things to get him involved.''

The Patriots could make a prime target. Without safety Rodney Harrison, who is out for the season because of an injured right leg, pass-catching tight ends have sometimes had it easier. Also, rookie linebacker Jerod Mayo, who has been an exceptional tackler, still needs to grow in his pass coverage.

As a result, coach Bill Belichick understands the challenge of stopping Fasano and David Martin, even if neither tight end has been overly productive in recent weeks.

''These tight ends are solid,'' Belichick said. ``They are good in the running game, they are good in the passing game and they are good in the red area. They are clutch guys. They catch the ball well and they get open.''

It is not as if Fasano's season has been a disappointment. But he also realizes he's capable of much more. Already this season, though, he has doubled his number of receiving yards from either of his first two seasons.

GETTING A CHANCE

With 22 catches, 305 yards and two touchdowns, Fasano has been given an opportunity to become a factor in the passing game, something he didn't get during his first two seasons in Dallas because of Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten. But Sparano, who also coached Fasano in Dallas, said Fasano's role still requires so much versatility, and it doesn't always open him up to big numbers.

''He has to be able to move, he has to be able to play in the backfield, he has to be able to play out split, he has to protect, he has to do those things,'' Sparano said. ``That was kind of the role that we brought him into in Dallas and that's really what he's done here.''

Sparano said he has been pleased with Fasano's progress this season, mostly because Fasano appears to be emerging into a more complete player.

''The reason that we brought him there was to be this complete tight end and he's done that right now,'' Sparano said. ``I think he's gotten much better as a blocker. . . . I see him coming together and really becoming a complete guy.''

Fasano would like to see more production in the passing game, but he also is happy with something else instead: producing victories. On Sunday against the Patriots, Fasano might get the opportunity for both.

''We're winning,'' Fasano said. ``Whatever role I play in a win is a good role because we're winning. Whatever role they put me into this weekend, I'm going to do my best.''

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