Fins: Playing the starters

[DolFan619]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_seasonticket/2008/08/fins-playing-th.html

Fins: Playing the starters

You couldn't have two more different approaches than we've seen in the summers of 2007 and 2008.

Here's another example:

Cam Cameron rested his veteran defensive starters throughout the preseason, then rested even more veterans in the fourth game while turning over some coaching responsibilities to his coordinators.

Tony Sparano not only plans to coach the game -- imagine that! -- but also plans to play just about everybody for a few series.

This is risky, but necessary, in my view.

First thing, with Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor gone, this team doesn't have that many veterans who need to be protected. Many of the key players for this team are young players who need all the experience they can get.

So I'm going on the record:

If Jake Long or Phillip Merling or Ted Ginn Jr. is injured this game, you won't read criticism here.

What's your thought on Sparano's approach?

> Posted by Ethan J. Skolnick at 9:09:31 AM

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Good thought.  Everyone treats the last preseason game as "Play your starters for one series, then get them out of there." 

Not so here.  The young guys, and injured veterans (Ronnie Brown, Joey Porter, Michael Lehan) need this game to get some work in.