Miami head coach Tony Sparano certainly set the cat down amidst the pigeons yesterday. When asked if he would consider Brett Favre as an option for his team's problems at quarterback he said he wouldn't rule it out. There's no evidence of interest on Favre's part, but this comment, along with bringing in Tiki Barber in for a workout, shows the head coach is pulling out all the stops to try and keep up with the Jets and Patriots in the AFC East.

Sparano's time would be better served in shoring up his offensive line. He's got a great left tackle in Jake Long, and it's possible the coach can bring John Jerry and Richie Incognito along into solid guards. But they need more drive-blocking capacity if they're going to make room for new free agent signing Reggie Bush. The defensive front seven is no less troubled. Here too, the Fish have a couple really good pieces, with nose tackle Paul Soliali and linebackers Cameron Wake and Karlos Dansby, but the left side of the linebacking corps is a problem, as are both ends in the 3-4 defense.

If we look on the outside, both offensively and defensively, there's promise. Brandon Marshall had a decent year, although not quite what Miami was expecting when they acquired him from Denver and he's somewhat of an issue in the clubhouse. Brian Hartline and Davon Bess are steady possession receivers, so whomever is quarterback has a good package of targets to throw to. On the defensive side, last year's Miami team failed to live up to expectations because corners Sean Smith and Vontae Davis never could put it all together. They're both still young and if they can get over the hump this season, they can be the foundation of a really good secondary.

Like most teams, the quarterback is getting all the attention, and Chad Henne has lost the confidence of the organization and the fans, and admitted he was "hurt" by fans recently chanting a demand to trade for Denver's Kyle Orton. If Henne has lost confidence, then by all means go in another direction. But he's not their problem. Their problem is more basic--there are not as many good football players here as there are in Foxboro and the Meadowlands, especially up front. Fix that problem rather than figure out which free agent or retiree you can persuade to take their talents to South Beach and you've got a much better shot at competing all season long in this tough division.

Miami is a 6-1 shot to win the AFC East. This and other betting propositions are available at Legends.

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