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Singletary defying coaching jinx of ex-greats

Star players rarely make great coaches, which isn’t true of 49ers boss so far

Image: Singletary Getty Images
Mike Singletary was a Hall of Fame linebacker with the Chicago Bears, but he's turning into a pretty decent head coach as well, writes Dan Pompei.

Q: Will the Dolphins receiver core ever have a good week? I know the phins are a time-clock run team, but if they don't start showing some deep threat or even decent 5-8 yard passing attack, the D-line will be stacked and their offense will falter completely. Is there any real talent in Ginn, Bess or even Fasano?
Brent, Scottsdale, Ariz.

A: Legitimate question, Brent.

You are right in that the Dolphins need balance in their offense. But the receivers can’t do it all by themselves. They need help from the quarterback and the pass protection too.

There is no doubt Ted Ginn has elite speed and real talent. But he hasn’t always shown it in his short career. The Dolphins need to get more big plays out of Ginn (like his 53-yarder against the Jets) and the wide receiver group if they are going to stay in the AFC East race.

Q: I know Miles Austin won’t have a game like that every week, but please tell me the Cowboys are going to start using him more often. Roy Willams and Patrick Crayton can sit.
Rigg, Waco, Texas

A: After Austin’s performance against the Chiefs, the Cowboys need to play him as much as any wide receiver on their roster.

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It would be different if the Cowboys offense had been functioning at a high level before Austin’s big game, but it had not been. This is a team that is searching for another dimension, and they need to find out of Austin can give it them consistently.

Q: Has there been any other instance of brothers as starting quarterbacks besides than the Mannings?
Brad Brill, Indianapolis

A: Among the other brothers who recently have played quarterback in the NFL are the Hasselbecks (Matt and Tim), the Detmers (Ty and Koy), the McCowns (Luke and Jake) and the Huards (Brock and Damon).

Q: Hello Dan: I think everyone can agree that grabbing or jamming your hand into a face mask is dangerous so it definitely merits a 15 yard penalty. Then why does the NFL have a double standard that allows a ball carrier to jam his hand smack in the middle of a tackler's face mask? Not only is it allowed, he will actually receive praise for a terrific straight hand. If putting your hands on the face mask of an opponent is in fact dangerous, it should always be a penalty.
Robert T, Trenton, N.I.

A: The rule is a player can’t grap, twist or pull a facemask. There is not a penalty for touching or pushing a player’s facemask. So if a defender wanted to push a facemask, he could.

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