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Dolphins Head Coach Tony Sparano
With two games remaining, the Dolphins are still alive in the race for the playoffs, but Tony Sparano would have preferred a little less suspense and a little more positive certainty. Sparano looks at the state of his team, last Sunday's loss at Tennessee and the final two games in this interview with Dolphin Digest editor Andy Cohen.
Q. What does it tell you about your team that, down 24-6 in the second half at Tennessee in front of a hostile crowd, you were able to come back and tie the game?
TS: It tells me what I've already known about them for a long time. They are a resilient bunch. They believe anything is possible for them and they will play hard until the end.
Q. What do you hope Chad Henne gained from what happened in that Tennessee game?
TS: I hope he gained an experience of a critical situation in a ballgame. Right now he has been in several fourth quarter games where he had to bring the team from behind, some have gone his way, some have not. More have gone his way than have not. He's now been in an overtime situation. I would hope that at the end of this thing that taking care of the football, no matter what else is going on out there, is the most important thing on the field.
Q. When you look at the interceptions Chad Henne has had, is it matter of looking at each one individually or is there a common thread that he needs to improve upon?
TS: No, each one is individual. When you break them down, there was a couple where you are trying to win a game when you're behind and that's a bad situation to be in for a quarterback. There was a couple early on in the process where he has learned how to throw the ball away in some of those situations. There is no common thread. I wish there was, but there's not.
Q. What are the specific challenges this week against Houston?
TS: One of the biggest challenges is not giving up the big play. This team does a great job of manufacturing big plays to Andre Johnson. The quarterback is, in my opinion, having a tremendous season, a Pro Bowl season. They have 54 passes of over 20 yards. Andre Johnson has caught nine for over 40 yards. It's a big play, big strike offense. They have seen all the coverages you can possibly throw at them. From my mind, we have to eliminate the big plays and, on our end, we have to eliminate turnovers.
Q. You mentioned turnovers. How big a negative factor has that been this season.
TS: It's been huge. We have turned the ball over many more times this year than last year. Look at the numbers. The interceptions. The fumbles. They are game-changing plays. We are aware of it and each week we do everything we possibly can to correct the problem.
Q. Last year the Texans beat you on a quarterback draw. Is it likely you will see that play again?
TS: Absolutely. We are preparing for it. They obviously ran the play because they saw something in our defense, something they saw on film. A lot of times a team will try to figure out whether we fixed the problem. I'm not sure it will happen in that situation again, but there is a chance it will be on their game plan sheet.
Q. Vontae Davis and Sean Smith have gotten quite an introduction to the NFL. This week they get Andre Johnson. Are the challenges the same as they were with Randy Moss and Terrell Owens?
TS: Yes, the challenges are similar. I happen to personally believe that this player is an outstanding, outstanding player. I do think this guy has some skills that separate him in some areas. All three of those players are outstanding players with great strengths. But this guy has some different strengths.
Q. How would you evaluate how your two young cornerbacks have done in the heat of this playoff race?
TS: They have both done some very good things the majority of the time. But they both have had some hurdles that they need to get over. It will take an off season of complete dedication from both of them to be able to get better at some of those things. These guys need to continue to become better pros and I think that will happen.
Q. You had a huge two-point conversion at Tennessee. Do you have plays installed specifically for that situation and how does the decision-making process work in regard to which play to run?
TS: We have three plays on the game plan sheet, sometimes two plays going into the game that are designated two point plays. We practice those plays in those situations. In the game, some of those plays can be pulled to a third and short. So third and one, or third and two you might take a two-point thought and bring it into that area. So when you do have a two point situation occur you are going to the next play if you've already used it. So you prioritize the top three plays you have for two point conversions. In the game against Tennessee, our top play was available to us and we had a lot of confidence in it.
Q. When you evaluate the entire body of work so far this season, how encouraged are you?
TS: I'm encouraged in a lot of places. But I'm not going to ignore the signs. I feel like this team has accomplished a great deal even though the record might now show it. In this league depth is important and we've overcome some things with good depth. I think we played a lot of young players. There is a bright future here. I'm encouraged what I've seen from our players in some critical situations.
Q. Let's talk about wide receiver Brian Hartline. Has he surpassed what you thought he could accomplish in his rookie season?
TS: I've been impressed with Brian. From the first day when I went Ohio State to work him out, I really felt an awful lot about this guy. I felt like his skill set would be very good in our offense. I thought he was sneaky quick, had good speed down the field, had good hands and was a football gym rat type of a guy. I felt good about his place here. I felt he had the right make up. I'm impressed with what he's done, but with where we picked him there was obviously a strong belief that he would do this.
Q. Finally, any holiday thoughts to Dolphins fans everywhere?
TS: Sure, I wish every Dolphins fan a super holiday. It's a great time of year to be able to spend some quality time with your family. There is nothing like Christmas and New Years. Also, I want to thank all the fans for your support. We have two great home games left and we're looking forward to playing in front of our great fans.
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