MIAMI — It wasn't the type of dropped pass that drives a coach crazy, not like those 10 missed opportunities during practice a day earlier. This was different.

This particular pass grazed the extended hands of Dolphins wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., who made a nice cut toward the ball but couldn't stretch long enough to pull it in. Would it be ruled a drop? Maybe not. Could it have been caught? Depends whom you're asking.

"Let's go!" hollered coach Tony Sparano, watching the drill yesterday from behind the line of scrimmage. "Do something special!"

At this point in training camp, that's the standard Sparano expects his best receivers to be striving toward. He doesn't want average. He wants special. That's probably also the reason Sparano was publicly frustrated with his corps of pass catchers yesterday.

His message? Stop dropping the football. Or start checking the classifieds.

"I'll be honest with you: There were too many dropped passes Tuesday, and there were too many dropped passes Wednesday," Sparano said. "I mean, we're running routes on air without anyone in coverage, and we're not catching the ball. If we go to the game and we don't catch the ball, I can get anybody to do that."

Sure, there are a few excuses that might seem plausible, such as grueling humid weather that causes slippery footballs. But since the fundamental job of a wide receiver is quite simple (after all, they don't call them "wide droppers), Sparano is clearly annoyed that his highly paid professionals can't get beyond this essential quality.

Asked how players can fix the latest case of the drops, Sparano offered a few ideas, such as spending more time with the JUGS passing machine after practice. Then he added this little nugget of advice:

"At the end of the day, it's throwing and catching," Sparano said. "Some of these guys have been doing it since they were 6 years old."

Derek Hagan, who has been the most consistent wide receiver in training camp, hasn't been immune to a case of the drops in the past. He, too, has dealt with this very ailment during his first two seasons.

Yesterday, Hagan said the cure might be as simple as returning to the fundamentals, something even professionals need to remind themselves to do.

"It just comes down to watching the ball the whole time," Hagan said. "When you drop the ball, most of the time it's just because you're trying to make a play before it's even in your hands. With some guys, that's the problem with them right now. They've just got to keep working and not worry about it."

Ginn said the struggles of the wide receivers could be the result of familiar competition during training camp. If you go up against the same defenders every day, he said, they eventually will figure out every move you have.

Although that might not sound like a proper excuse for dropped passes, it might be a reason for lacking concentration.

"You've just got to be able to fight through," Ginn said. "If you can make plays on guys that know where you're going and how you're getting there, then you know you've got your offense down.

"You just need to keep working toward that point to get better."

For now, nearly everyone but Hagan has been dealing with the drops. Former Hawaii receiver Davone Bess, Greg Camarillo and David Kircus aren't struggling quite as much, but they still have made their share of contributions.

It has instead become more concerning when a player such as Ernest Wilford, who has a proven past of success, coughs up a few easy catches. Wilford is certain his problems will be resolved when the stadium lights turn on.

"I'd rather have them now than during the game," Wilford said. "This is an opportunity for us to just get better and stay focused."

Everyone — not just Wilford — had better step up soon, or the Dolphins' new coach might soon start taking action.

"We really need to make sure that we're concentrating on catching the ball," Sparano said. "I have not been happy with that end of the deal right now. We have to keep the ball off of the ground."