Tony Sparano Q&A: How important is Jason Ferguson's personality to the team?

Aug. 31--The following is a team-released transcript of Dolphins coach Tony Sparano's Sunday news conference:

(On how important DT Jason Ferguson's personality is to the team) -- "I think pretty important. I mean, you know, especially when you're into this period where it's practice 33, you know, you still got nine or ten more before you play Atlanta; and, I think it gets a little bit long, you know, you start to think it's not going to come, and, you know, you have somebody like him out there who's keeping' the party live, I think that's pretty good. Now, he's also really good for the young players on this team, which has already been noted. Kind of, young guys watching' him and he's a guy that sets a real good example for them, I think with the way he practices, the way he plays. You know, [a] guy his age, let me choose my words correct, but a guy his age, doesn't beg out of practice, doesn't look for periods off, and doesn't look for any of those things. Does what's asked of him and a pretty good example for these young guys."

(On his evaluation of QB Chad Pennington's preseason and if he thinks Pennington is regular season ready) -- "Yes, I think he's regular season ready. I'd say he's probably completed about 65% of his passes right now, somewhere in that range for the preseason. He's had a couple scoring drives, so I feel like he's done a pretty nice job. You know, hasn't turned the ball over. I'd say he's about ready, yeah."

(On if his performance is just 'Chad being Chad') -- "Just Chad being Chad. I mean, he's a lot stronger, you know, I mean, the throw he made in the game the other night, I bet you that none of you guys would have bet on that. So, it's a pretty good throw that he made in the game the other night. So, it's probably a lot of 'oohs' and …