Hours Before Kickoff: Preseason Four posted by Randolph Charlotin

When CB Terrence Wheatley walked off the Gillette Stadium field last Thursday with a couple of trainers, it crossed my mind it would be for the last time as a Patriot for Wheatley. But his chance of sticking around went up with CB Leigh Bodden going down.

As one of the handful of moves needed to get the roster down to the 75 player limit, Bodden was placed on injured reserve for the 2010 season with a shoulder injury. That takes away the secondary’s doyen from a unit that averages just 2.5 years experience without Bodden.

The back four was going to be under pressure to begin with this season. Playing behind a front seven that needs to blitz to pressure the quarterback will leave the secondary in a lot of one-on-one situations. Without blitzing, the secondary will have to cover receivers for five or more seconds as the passer stands in the pocket as if surrounded by a force field.

It’s a costly loss for New England. Bodden was the top corner on the team and was expected to start on the left side, drawing the toughest assignment frequently. Now the starters likely will be second year Darius Butler and rookie Devin McCourty.

Besides taking a chunk out of the team’s depth, losing Bodden and the experience he could share with the young corners on the team will be costly. The little things Leigh notices during the course of the game that he could share with the youngsters would be invaluable. The insights Bodden would recognize can’t always been seen by the safeties.

It will be a very challenging season for the corners, starting with Cincinnati’s WRs Chad Ochocino and Terrell Owens in the season opener. That’s followed by the New York Jets’ Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery, and later Santonio Holmes for the December rematch. They will also have to deal with Miami’s Brandon Marshall twice, Detroit’s Calvin Johnson, Baltimore’s Anquan Boldin, and two top six passing offenses from last year in Houston (6th) and Green Bay (2nd).

Shawn's Gone posted by Randolph Charlotin

You would think with the lack of leadership in the Patriots locker room expressed from all angles that the more veteran presences the better. No so in the secondary. Surprisingly, CB Shawn Springs was released on Tuesday.

Springs was signed for three years last year, but the Pats decided to clear the path for the young corners to compete for playing time.

Springs had an intermittent season, as he started the first four games, was demoted, was a healthy scratch for four games, before returning to the starting lineup for the final four games of the season.

It was during the last four games that Springs played his best, as he broke up two passes and came away with his lone interception against Jacksonville. But the flip side was Springs turned into toast by Brandon Marshall in the week four loss to Denver. That’s the performance few will forget, knowing that New England must deal with Marshall twice a year after being traded to Miami.

With 13-year veteran Springs gone, the average age of the secondary on opening day will be 24, eleven years younger than Springs. Leadership will have to come from eight-year veteran CB Leigh Bodden and safetys James Sanders (six years) and Brandon Merriweather (four years). No one is even 30 years old.

It’s a trend also reflected at linebacker, as the average age will be 25 on opening day after the release of 10-year veteran, 32-year old Adalius Thomas (this average also includes Jermaine Cunningham, Marques Murrell, Rob Ninkovich, and Derrick Burgess, though they are listed as defensive ends).

Miami Dolphins Acquire Brandon Marshall from the Denver Broncos posted by Somsak Bounchareune

About time! Finally the Miami Dolphins have a legitimate number one receiver in the recently acquired Brandon Marshall. The Denver Broncos traded the talented but troubled Marshall for Miami’s second round draft pick in this year and next year’s draft.

Chad Henne (or Chad Pennington) will now have an explosive passing game with the addition of Marshall. The 6 foot 4 229lbs receiver will provide the need element that Miami has desperately needed for several years.Continue reading "Miami Dolphins Acquire Brandon Marshall ..."

2010 NFL Draft Linebacker Options for Miami Dolphins posted by Somsak Bounchareune

The 2010 NFL Draft in a couple of weeks will provide some interesting choices for the Miami Dolphins, especially in the needed linebacker position. With veterans Joey Porter leaving to the Arizona Cardinals and Jason Taylor still unsigned, the Dolphins are looking to the draft to fill those spots.

This year’s draft has a strong pool of linebackers and according to ESPN’s Mel Kipper, “its because there are a lot of combo guys”. With defensive ends that can play outside linebackers, like Georgia’s Tech Derrick Morgan, who would fit well in the Dolphins’ 3-4 scheme. Analysts also have Texas’ Sergio Kindle, Tennessee’s Dan Williams, and possibly USF Jason Pierre-Paul.Continue reading "2010 NFL Draft Linebacker Options ..."

Miami Dolphin's Unrestriced Free Agent Jason Taylor leaves New York Unsigned posted by Somsak Bounchareune

What is Gary Wichard thinking? He is Jason Taylor’s agent and the person who convinced the 13-year veteran to head up to New York and talk to the Jets. Taylor, who is well known for his bitterness towards the Jets, has yet to be resigned by the Miami Dolphins but has made it known that he wants to stay with the team he has spent the majority of his career with. Miami’s General Manager, Jeffery Ireland, has said that the team won’t make a move to resign Taylor till after the upcoming draft.

Taylor return back to Miami unsigned despite the warm welcome he received from current Jets players while visiting with them during a voluntary team workout. The Dolphins-Jets rivalry is one of the few in the NFL that has lasted for decades and to have a vetted player like Taylor change teams would not sit well with the fans in Miami.Continue reading "Miami Dolphin's Unrestriced Free ..."

And on the 4th Day of Free Agency the Jets & Dolphins Apparently Passed the Patriots.... posted by Mike Dussault

Free Agency just started on Friday, and the Jets and Dolphins have both made significant moves while the Patriots have stuck to signing their own guys, and it's become a popular article around the interwebs whether these moves have dethroned New England as the AFC East favorites.

First of all, Miami and New York should be doing whatever they can do to pass the Patriots this year. No one realized it heading into last year but 2009 was the year Bill Belichick had to begin rebuilding his defense. He realized it at the end of training camp and unloaded Richard Seymour to Oakland. But the Patriots are well suited for the rebuild that is ahead of them.

Jerod Mayo and Vince Wilfork will be the centerpieces of the new defense. And will 4 picks in the first two rounds of this years draft, as well as 2 1st-rounders in next years, the Patriots are in position to add a lot of quality players in the next two seasons. Meaning if you're going to beat the Patriots you better do it now before all this talent is added and begins to gel.

That being said, while Miami and New York both added potential playmakers to their respective defenses, their offenses (the things that would exploit a young/inexperienced Patriot defense) remain fairly unthreatening. Not to say they aren't respectable but the loss of Thomas Jones for the Jets shouldn't be minimized, nor should Miami's continued lack of a dangerous passing game.

So let's all take a deep breath, there are still alot of Free Agents out there, mid-level veterans like those that the first Patriots dynasty were built on. We're clearly a long ways away from how the rosters will look on opening day, and there are still plenty of additions and subtractions for every team.

The Best Quarterback Matchups in the Super Bowl Since 1985 posted by Colin Linneweber

The Indianapolis Colts will play the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV on February 7 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The contest is expected to be an offensive shootout pitting Colts (16-2) quarterback Peyton Manning against Saints (15-3) signal-caller Drew Brees.

Manning, 33, a four-time AP NFL MVP, and Brees, 31, a three-time All-Pro selection, are two of the greatest quarterbacks to grace the gridiron during this generation.

In recognition of the impending Super Bowl matchup, I decided to rank the best quarterback showdowns to have occurred in the Super Bowl since 1985.

1)      Super Bowl XXIV- Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers destroyed John Elway and the Denver Broncos 55-10 in the most lopsided championship game ever at the Superdome in New Orleans.

Montana, a three-time First Team All-Pro selection who made the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, was named the Super Bowl MVP after he completed 22 of 29 passes for 297 yards and five touchdowns.

Elway, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time All-Pro, played horrifically in the embarrassing blowout loss.

In total, Elway completed 10 out of 26 passes for a measly 108 yards and two interceptions.

On this January evening, Montana and the 49ers overwhelmed Elway and the Broncos.

Nevertheless, this Super Bowl showcased perhaps the two greatest quarterbacks in the annals of the NFL.

2)      Super Bowl XIX- Montana and the Niners thrashed Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins 38-16 at Stanford Stadium in California.

Joe's Opening Drive: Week 17 posted by Joe Anello

Happy New Year everyone! The NFC is all about seeding this Sunday, with all of the players at the table. In the AFC, the two wildcard spots will be hotly contested with the Ravens and Jets owning the inside track. Let's not waste time, here's the Opening Drive of week 17 in the NFL! *sniffle* It goes by so fast!

(8-7) Pittsburgh Steelers at (7-8) Miami Dolphins

Well they need help, but the Steelers aren't eliminated from post-season play yet. However, every scenario that finds the Steelers defending their title requires at least two teams in front of them to fall plus an obvious Pittsburgh win. After a late rally against the Texans last week, the Dolphins will be focused on getting to 8-8 but will need Chad Henne to play near-perfect along with a large dose of Ricky Williams (who may not play). Even on the road without Troy Polamalu, I like Pittsburgh to win. Though any Steeler (lookin' at you LaMarr Woodley) or Steeler fan who thinks the Colts or Patriots are resting players because they don't want to see the Steelers in the playoffs is delirious. Maybe you shouldn't have lost five straight?

(10-5) New England Patriots at (8-7) Houston Texans

If the Texans are going to make their first ever playoffs, they need losses from two of the following three teams: the Jets, Ravens, or Broncos. Matt Schaub has taken great strides to become a top signal-caller this season and he'll be staring at a weak New England secondary today.  The real question is how long the Patriots will feel like playing. Tom Brady says he expects to play the entire game, but I'm not convinced. Perhaps a half, but anything beyond that would be foolish. Bill Belichick's Pats aren't playing for anything other than the 3 or 4 seed, so unless they prefer to play San Diego I don't envision more than a half for Brady, Welker and Moss. Houston should get the win unless Belichick has a second coach-fart this season. 

Hours Before Kickoff: Week 16 posted by Randolph Charlotin

In 2005, the Patriots “lost” the season finale to the Miami Dolphins. Because of that “loss,” the Pats hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card game instead of facing Pittsburgh.

Was it cowardly to throw a game to avoid playing the hottest team in the playoffs? You could say that. But it was also ingenious by head coach Bill Belichick to arrange the best match-up for his team.

With the playoffs just two weeks away and New England insured to play a Wild Card game, is there a team fighting to get in that would be the easiest prey for the Patriots in the first round?

A lot of probabilities have to work for certain teams to get in. But two of the teams that need help are the Patriots final two opponents, Jacksonville and Houston.

If the Pats win out, they may eliminate the Jaguars and Texans in the process. With that in mind, which of the remaining teams would be most desirable?

Denver – Personally I’d like to see the Patriots get another crack at the Broncos after they blew the regular season game. Since starting 6-0, Denver is 2-6. Though they’re reeling, they created the blueprint of doubling WRs Rand Moss and Wes Welker. Until the Pats have a consistent third target, they are at risk of blowing it against the Broncos a second time. Chances: Even

Baltimore – I’m sure LB Ray Lewis and the Ravens defense haven’t forgotten the week 4 loss that they attribute to favorable calls from the referees. Maybe if receiver Mark Clayton caught that pass for a first down, B-more wouldn’t have something to whine about. Chances: Even

Joe's Final Drive: Week 14 posted by Joe Anello

It was a crazy week 14 in the NFL, book-ended by division upsets on Thursday and Monday night. While the playoff picture is coming into focus, we still have loads of drama in the NFC East and two undefeated teams with their eyes set on the Lombardi Trophy. The Final Drive starts now!

(13-0) New Orleans Saints 26
(6-7) Atlanta Falcons 23

A Chris Redman-led Falcons mounted a valiant comeback, but Drew Brees and the Saints pulled out a thriller to clinch the NFC South. With a Saturday night game against Dallas coming up, the unbeaten New Orleans is proving they are the true team to beat in the NFC, winning in a variety of ways. 

(7-6) Miami Dolphins 14
(7-6) Jacksonville Jaguars 10

Jacksonville had control of their playoff destiny. That is, until Miami won in a squeaker. Now the last AFC wildcard spot is up for grabs in a free-for-all. Sorry Jaguars, you had you chance. Chad Henne continues to impress and Ricky Williams continues to shoulder the load without Ronnie Brown. 

(13-0) Indianapolis Colts 28
(8-5) Denver Broncos 16

Even when he throws three interceptions, Peyton Manning finds a way to crush your dreams. Josh McDaniels' defense looked lost at times and could never get anything substantial going on offense. I could care less about Brandon Marshall's NFL record 21 receptions. It happened in a loss where the Broncos were forced to pass all the time. Color me not impressed.

Vikings acquire WR Camarillo from Miami (AP)

The Minnesota Vikings have acquired receiver Greg Camarillo from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for cornerback Benny Sapp. Sapp's agent tweeted Wednesday that his client was headed to Miami. A person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to The Associated Press that the Dolphins were trading Camarillo to the Vikings in return. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Marshall drops 2 passes in Miami debut (AP)

In the matchup of new receivers for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins, rookie Mike Williams outplayed Pro Bowler Brandon Marshall. The Bucs' Williams caught a deep pass for a 30-yard gain to set up the only score by either first-team offense Saturday night, while Miami's Marshall dropped both passes thrown his way in the Dolphins' 10-7 victory. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

NCAA, NFL discuss unscrupulous agents (AP)

A group of prominent college football coaches joined in a conference call with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, the NCAA and others to address problems with unscrupulous agents that have led to investigations at several schools this summer. Alabama's Nick Saban, a former Miami Dolphins head coach, said Thursday that he helped organize the call with coaches he "had a tremendous amount of... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Dolphins ink CB Hobbs, re-sign G Feinga (AP)

Cornerback Kevin Hobbs has signed with the Miami Dolphins to replace reserve cornerback Evan Oglesby, who was placed on injured reserve with a left ankle injury. The Dolphins also re-signed guard Ray Feinga and waived receiver Taurus Johnson. Feinga and Hobbs took part in practice Thursday. The Dolphins cut Feinga at the start of training camp two weeks ago. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports