Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams (left) will get plenty of work under HC Sparano and OC Henning.

Sparano began his NFL coaching career in 1999 as an offensive quality control coach while a member of Chris Palmer's staff with the Cleveland Browns. The following year he coached their offensive line, but Palmer would be fired after the 2000 season. Sparano then spent a year in Washington coaching tight ends before joining Jacksonville under the same capacity.

In 2003 he began his five-year tenure with the Dallas Cowboys, the first four of which were spent under head coach Bill Parcells. While a member of Parcells' staff Sparano worked under a variety of roles: first, as their tight ends coach during the 2003 and 2004 campaigns; then, as their offensive line coach and rushing game coordinator during the 2005 season; and later, adding the title of assistant head coach to his responsibilities in 2006.

Sparano handled much of the play calling in 2006 and Dallas' offense averaged 360.8 yards per game, fifth highest in the NFL. They also scored 425 points, an average of 26.6 per game, ranking them fourth in the league. That same season they also sent four offensive players to the Pro-Bowl, three of whom progressed directly under Sparano's guidance at the o-line and tight end positions: Flozell Adams (LT), Andre Gurode (C), and Jason Witten (TE). Quarterback Tony Romo was also voted in as a member of the team. Despite posting more than a thousand yards each, wide receivers Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn did not make the trip to Hawaii that year.

Bill Parcells, now the Dolphins Executive Vice President of Football Operations, would resign from coaching after the Cowboys 9-7 finish in 2006. Owner Jerry Jones hired Wade Phillips as his replacement, but Sparano remained with the team as an assistant head coach of the offensive line. Within a week of his hiring by the Dolphins, Parcells fired head coach Cam Cameron and eventually hired Tony Sparano as his replacement.

Joining Sparano's staff in Miami will be offensive coordinator Dan Henning. Henning has 28-years of coaching experience in the NFL, most recently as the Panthers offensive coordinator from 2002-2006. During that tenure, Carolina would make two trips to the NFC Championship game, advancing to the Super Bowl during the 2003 season.

Like Sparano, Henning has previously worked under Bill Parcells while a member of his staff with the New York Jets. He spent the 1998-1999 seasons as Parcells' QB coach in New York. He then worked as the Jets offensive coordinator in 2000 under Al Groh.

Other noteworthy accomplishments on Henning's resume include head coaching stints with the Atlanta Falcons (1983-1986) and San Diego Chargers (1989-1991). He also won two Super Bowl rings in 1982 and 1987 as Joe Gibbs' offensive coordinator with the Washington Redskins.

Sparano's Impact On The Offense:

Quarterbacks: Josh McCown; John Beck; Chad Henne

Any one of the three quarterbacks on the Dolphins roster could be their starter come opening day. Although free agent signee Josh McCown would seem to have the inside track, second-year veteran John Beck is guy the Dolphins hope to solidify his status as starter. Henning has said in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that "I guarantee it, nobody in the league has worked any harder than John Beck," “Rookie second round pick Chad Henne will also be given the opportunity to compete for the starting job, but it's likely he'll begin the year third on the depth chart.

Regardless of which QB is under center for the Dolphins, it's hard to imagine any of them being useful in fantasy leagues. Miami's primary means of attack will come from the ground game this season, and without any proven targets at the wide receiver position, it will be difficult for one of their quarterbacks to throw for better than 3000 yards and 15-18 touchdowns. Even those modest numbers are likely to be on the high side.

Running Backs: Ronnie Brown; Ricky Williams; Patrick Cobbs; Reagan Mauia (FB); Jalen Parmele; Lex Hilliard; Boomer Grigsby (FB)

Brown, who missed most of last season after suffering a torn ACL in October, was back on the field and running plays with his teammates during the Dolphins recent mini-camp. This is good news considering he and Ricky Williams are expected to be the crux of Miami's offense this season.

Both Sparano and Henning know the value of strong rushing attack in the NFL. Considering the current state of Miami's passing game both backs could be in line for a heavy workload in 2008. With Sparano coming from Dallas, where Marion Barber and Julius Jones were used in tandem, and Henning coming off his years in Carolina, where their own rotation of backs have been used in recent years, there is good reason to expect a similar situation to play out in the Miami backfield this season.

Look for Brown to handle the majority of carries, rushing 225-250 times for somewhere in the range of 950-1050 yards with 5-7 touchdowns. Williams could end up handling 130-160 carries himself for 600-700 yards and 4-6 scores. In terms of receptions both running backs could come away with about 30 apiece.

Wide Receivers: Ernest Wilford; Ted Ginn Jr; Greg Camarillo; Derek Hagan; David Kircus

The Dolphins cast of wide receivers doesn't have much to offer fantasy owners in 2008. Ernest Wilford, formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars, figures to be their lead receiver. Considering the group of players behind him however, that isn't saying much. His ceiling would seem to be something along the lines of 60 receptions, for 800 yards, with 4-6 touchdowns this season. Keep in mind that would be on the high end of production one could expect from him.

Behind him is last years ninth overall pick Ted Ginn Jr. Ginn made nine starts for the Dolphins last season and finished with 34 receptions, for 420 yards, and 2 scores. Not bad for a rookie, but his numbers this season figure to be no higher than those mentioned above for Wilford.

The other receivers on the roster aren't likely to see much playing time this year, or at least not enough to warrant consideration in fantasy leagues. It should be noted however that third-year veteran, and former third round pick Derek Hagan, has been getting positive feedback from both Tony Sparano and wide receivers coach Karl Dorrell. He, along with Wilford and Ginn, would become stronger options should the Dolphins passing game progress quicker than expected.

Tight Ends: David Martin; Anthony Fasano; Justin Peelle

Anthony Fasano, acquired in an off-season trade with the Cowboys, will battle David Martin throughout mini-camp and the pre-season to be named the Dolphins opening day starter at tight end. While Fasano's skills as a blocker are considered better than those of Martin, it's been mentioned he's been slow to develop as a receiving option at the position.

Martin, who started at tight end for Miami last season, finished the year with 34 receptions, for 303 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Regardless of which player is named the starter there is little reason to expect either will surpass Martin's production of a year ago.