Miami Dolphins Blogs

1. We often hear how good offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia is. On Sunday, we saw exactly why. LT Matt Light was scratched from the game minutes before kickoff. LG Logan Mankins slid over to fill the spot and reserve Donald Thomas stepped in for Mankins. When Mankins went down with a knee injury, rookie Nate Solder flipped from right tackle to left and Marcus Cannon, another rookie, took over on the right side. It wasn’t a smooth transition, as QB Tom Brady was sacked three times in the first half, but Scarnecchia’s half time adjustments led to one sack allowed and 86 of the team’s 119 rushing yards. Patriots fans should be Tebowing in honor of Scarnecchia. Eh…on second thought…maybe not. But coach Scar deserves praise from Patriot Nation.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 16"

It was a Christmas Eve of meaningful NFL action as all the remaining playoff spots were nearly filled and draft orders are beginning to finalize. Miss any of the action? No need to worry, because the Final Drive starts right now!

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 16, 2011"

For pretty much all season, the Patriots had the worst pass defense in the league. If the two-week trend continues, they will have a league worst rush defense to match.

The Denver Broncos repeatedly gashed the D for 252 yards. The week before the Washington Redskins plowed their way to 170 yards. What was a decent run defense for 13 weeks became generous, as if they have the Christmas Sprit.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 16"

After the Big Ben-flavored drama on Thursday night, week 14 in the NFL season keeps on trucking in Sunday’s slate of games. While some will take a first glance at most of the games and shrug them off as meaningless, there are some hidden contests that could be much better than fans may expect. Plenty of options for “Trap of the Week.”

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 14, 2011"

It happens every year. Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, football and food comas. Unfortunately, you’ll want to pay attention to all three games today as they all feature teams with something to prove. It’s time for a breakdown of the holiday’s action!

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Thanksgiving Day Preview"

There are plenty of close games to discuss from the week 11 slate, some with interesting consequences for the division races involved. The Final Drive. It’s on.

(7-3) Detroit Lions 49

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 11, 2011"

Week seven in the NFL features the annual London affair, an early battle for the AFC South, and Kyle Boller starting at quarterback. (And it’s not 2003. I know. So odd.) The Opening Drive gets you ready for the day’s action!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive, Week 7, 2011"

We’ve got some week three action on tap in the NFL! Division rivalries, rookie quarterbacks, and a crapper of a Sunday-nighter are on deck. Let’s start The Opening Drive!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 3, 2011"

1. QB Tom Brady’s regular season streak of pass attempts without an interception came to an end at 358. It was the only blemish on a career night. He completed 67 percent of his passes for a career high 517 yards and four touchdowns. Please note I said in the preview that Brady is getting older, not he’s old.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 1"

Quarterback Tom Brady said he would like to play until he’s 40. Head coach Bill Belichick is already assembling his contingency plan.

Everyone thought life without Brady in 2008 would be a catastrophe yet they won 11 games with Matt Cassel leading the way. Belichick is not expecting another serious injury to Brady, but for the first time in years Belichick kept three quarterbacks on the roster.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 1"

Kicking off my eight division previews is the AFC East. Owned by the Patriots for so many years, the East’s postseason success has now been abducted by the New York Jets, who are hoping to take the division crown in the hopes of furthering their success past the AFC title game. In Miami, Tony Sparano is hoping Chad Henne can save his job while Buffalo is well… still Buffalo. Previews commence!

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 NFL Season Preview: The AFC East"

With a lock-out now imposed in the NFL, I decided to take a look back at the 2010-2011 season standings and see where I went right/wrong with my preseason picks. Starting with the AFC, here’s what I predicted… and then what really happened, along with a five-star scale of my correctitude.

Continue reading "How Much I Effed Up: The 2010 AFC Edition"

With all the talk about whether or not the starters should play, how long do they play, which uniforms they should wear when they play, do they perform the ancient Celtic (hard “C” sound like a K, not like the basketball team) New Year’s ritual before they play, etc. Few people talked about who will play after the starters take a seat.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 17"

After last week’s glut of possible playoff previews, week 14’s weekend of action is… less than tremendous. Still, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of stories to examine! Let’s get into our stances for the Opening Drive!

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 NFL Opening Drive: Week 14"

On a night when the Bears had every reason to come out flat after a big win, they dominated a desperate opponent to climb to 7-3 on the year. Never in doubt after the first series, the Bears shut out the Miami Dolphins in a 16-0 win Thursday night.

Continue reading "Joe's Gameday Recap: Bears 16, Dolphins 0"

Riding high after an impressive win over the Vikings, the Chicago Bears are on a short week, flying down to Miami to take on the Dolphins on Thursday Night Football. Is this a trap game for the Bears or will their winning streak continue?

Continue reading "Joe's Gameday Preview: Bears at Dolphins"

 Week ten got an early start on Thursday, but the bulk of the action takes place today. Here are the games to keep an eye on this weekend!

 

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 NFL Opening Drive: Week 10"

So an ugly slate of games turned into ugly action on Sunday, but there was still plenty of drama to be found. Minnesota is still on their downward spiral towards football irrelevancy along with the Cowboys. In the AFC, two supposed powerhouses found themselves on the wrong side of the final score. Here's the week eight edition of the Final Drive!

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 8"

Week seven in the NFL has passed us by. Controversial endings and interceptions galore riddled the weekend's action. Here are my highlights (and low-lights) of week seven!

(5-2) Atlanta Falcons 39

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 7"

I’m not quick to be sold on singular performances. I’ll applaud when a player or team does something good in a game, but I’ll take a wait and see approach, demanding they do it again before I buy what I’m seeing.

Continue reading "Stepping Up, Step Forward"

The Boston Herald reported WR Randy Moss and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick had exchanged words before. ESPN Boston said Moss had an outburst towards quarterbacks coach Bill O’Brien at halftime of the Monday night win over the Miami Dolphins. Before the season and after the season opening win against the Cincinnati Bengals Moss said he believed 2010 would be his last season with the Patriots.

Continue reading "Patriots Had to Trade Moss"

If the game ended at halftime, the Patriots would had lost to Miami. And fans would blame one person for that: Cameron Wake.

 

The OLB was terrorizing Brady in the first half. He consistently beat his blocker, using speed, brute strength, some spin moves, and a non-stop motor. He got pressure a handful of times and even got a sack. The former two-time Canadian Football League Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008 was nearly unstoppable.

Continue reading "Which is Better for the Patriots?"

They drafted DE Jared Odrick in the first round. He’s the final piece to a homegrown defensive line.

 

That D-line is the centerpiece of a big and physical defense.

 

The offense is built to be a power running unit that will wear opponents down and use play-action to open up the passing game.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 4"

 

Week four is here and with it comes bye weeks. Grr. Here are the storylines to look for this weekend.

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 NFL Opening Drive: Week 4"

What happens in preseason games doesn’t matter.

 

That’s garbage. Try telling that to a head coach after a piss-poor performance by his team as his hair goes gray during the post game press conference.

Continue reading "A Running Concern"

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.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Preseason Four"

 

Aside from the lowly Bills, the AFC East is one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL. Formely the play-house of the Patriots, the East is closer than ever now that the Jets and Dolphins are starting to catch up. Here's how I think the 2010 season will play out for these four teams. 

Continue reading "Joe's NFL 2010 Season Preview: AFC East"

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.

Continue reading "Shawn's Gone"

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.

Continue reading "Miami Dolphins Acquire Brandon Marshall ..."

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.

Continue reading "2010 NFL Draft Linebacker Options ..."

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.

Continue reading "Miami Dolphin's Unrestriced Free ..."

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.

Continue reading "And on the 4th Day of Free Agency ..."

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.

Continue reading "The Best Quarterback Matchups in ..."

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!

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 17"

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.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 16"

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!

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 14"

Where do I start?

 

It’s not just the offense that’s predictable. Opponents know what’s coming and figured out how to stop it.

 

It’s not just the lack of a reliable third receiver when Randy Moss and Wes Welker are covered. Whether it is a slot guy or the tight end, QB Tom Brady doesn’t trust them.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 13"

Absent from the buildup for this divisional match-up between the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots has been a bulletin board quote from the irascible Joey Porter.

 

The outside linebacker, who’s never at a loss for words, hasn’t said anything to rile up the Pats. That’s understandable, considering QB Tom Brady said after the last game between the teams that Porter’s statement of genuine hate between the players inspired the Pats.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 13"

Miami has historically always been a tough place for Tom Brady and the Patriots to win a game, and this week will provide just the test the Pats need. Miami is never a pushover, despite the fact that they will be missing RB Ronnie Brown, the heart of the offense, NT Jason Ferguson, the heart of the defense,  and Jake Grove, the center signed almost specifically to deal with Vince Wilfork.

Continue reading "Win at Miami Just What Patriots Need"

Wow, the weeks after the Patriots lose are certainly depressing. This is the 4th time in 2009 that I've found myself entering a football-free bubble. When the Patriots win I pretty much watch every bit of football news I can get my eyes on. Everyone loves to hear all the commentators glow over their team.

Continue reading "Patriots Turn the Page to the Miami Dolphins"

When it comes to the winning, New England is still the team everyone wants to beat. To make a statement to the rest of the league, a win over the Patriots is the best feather any team can stick in their cap.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week Nine"

Just like the Patriots addressed the secondary with defending tall receivers in mind, the Miami Dolphins did the same in the off-season. The difference was the source of the remedy.

 

New England signed free agent veteran cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden. Miami went the younger route and drafted Vonta Davis and Sean Smith.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 9"

 

A slew of division match-ups are highlighted in this week’s NFL schedule. First place is up for grabs in the NFC East and one team hopes to avoid falling further behind the Colts in the AFC South. What games should you be watching? Find out in the Opening Drive of week nine!

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 9"

This week we've got a new feature we're calling "Donning the Hoodie", where yours truly will step into the role of Bill Belichick and lay out a game plan of how the Patriots might game plan against their opponent.

Continue reading "Donning the Hoodie: Patriots Defense ..."

It's Wednesday, and that means that Sunday's AFC East clash between the Dolphins and Patriots is quickly approaching. Finally we're back to games that count for something. With a win the Pats can really put themselves in great position to retake the AFC East and restore order to the galaxy.

Continue reading "More Drama for Adalius Thomas?"

The Titans and Rams each found their first wins, another team fell from the undefeated ranks and both New York squads lost key division games. By the way, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning are pretty good. *cough*Favre won*cough* Let’s wrap the week eight in the NFL with the Final Drive!

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 8"

Over the past few games Derrick Burgess role with the Patriots has been gradually increasing. Originally brought in as what was thought to be strictly a hand-down pass rusher, Burgess has been seen playing stand-up outside linebacker as the Patriots have employed of their usual 3-4 defense.

Continue reading "Patriots' Burgess Will Play a Key ..."

It's November and as you might've noticed from yesterday's NFL game action, teams are starting to play their best football. The Patriots bye came at a great time, as they now face five games that will determine the 2009 season.

Continue reading "The Real Season is About to Start ..."

     The Saints unbelievably exciting come-from-behind victory forces Big Daddy to start working on his Super Bowl Shuffle, preparing for the Black ’n’ Gold’ s next visit to South Beach— in early February. Boy, things looked bleak until Drew Brees’ touchdown just before halftime sparked an amazing turn of events. Having a record of 5-0 following our destruction of the vaunted Giants felt great, but the Saints late afternoon fish fry had Little Havana muttering all sorts of Cuban expletives. In this week’ s edition of

Continue reading "Big Daddy Handles The South Beach Dress Rehearsal:"

 

This weekend Denver faces yet another stiff challenge, and four division match-ups make the Opening Drive! Oh yeah, and some guy named Favre returns to the second team he played for. No big whoop. Let’s analyze! 

Continue reading "Joe’s NFL Opening Drive: Week 8"

Wide receiver Miles Austin helped lead the Dallas Cowboys to a 37-21 victory over the Atlanta Falcons Sunday at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

 

Austin, 25, an undrafted free-agent from Monmouth University in New Jersey, had eight receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns as the Cowboys improved their record to 4-2.

Continue reading "Cowboys Receiver Miles Austin and Daddy Warbucks"

Wow, it was blowout city this weekend. 11 of the 13 NFL games in week 7 were decided by ten points or more. That’s just ridiculous. Maybe it was good I was moving furniture on Sunday… wait, no it still wasn’t. To the Final Drive of week 7! 

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 7"

Hopefully RB Laurence Maroney doesn’t think he’s off the hook after rushing for 123 yards (7.7 average) and a score. If anything, the expectations have gone up. It’s nice to see you blow up in one game as the undisputed primary ball carrier. But can you do this week after week after week?

Continue reading "Staying On the Run"

Um… I struggled to find six games with real significant drama. Bob Sanders will return to the Colts, but it’s against the lowly Rams! The Packers face the bumbling Browns, New England faces winless Tampa Bay in London, and Buffalo takes on Carolina. *shudder* Here’s the best of week seven in my Opening Drive! 

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 7"

After the Jets got pushed around by Miami on Monday night football, there were a lot of complaints coming out of the Jets locker room.  Head Coach Rex Ryan said that the Wildcat was “gimmicky”.  Jets outside linebacker Calvin Pace, who returned from a 4-game suspension for getting performance enhancing drugs, said that there was no place for the Wildcat offense in professional football. 

Continue reading "Wildcat Whining"

The Miami Dolphins physically outmuscled the New York Jets and earned a 31-27 victory Monday night at Land Shark Stadium in Florida.

 

“First off, it was a complete embarrassment by our defense and by me,” said Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan to the

Continue reading "The Jets Will Only Fly If Their Offensive ..."

Still love me some NFL. Josh McDaniels kicked Bill Belichick’s Patriots right out of Denver while Matt Ryan picked apart a supposedly stout San Francisco defense. Oh, and Peyton Manning is still awesome. I wrap up week five in the NFL in the Final Drive! 

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 5"

 

With some downright horrendous match-ups this weekend, this edition of the Opening Drive is shorter than usual. Just writing about Cleveland versus Buffalo would put me to sleep. Let’s get things going with the most anticipated games of week four! 

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 5"

Someone finally looked like a rookie quarterback; things are going south in Tennessee, and some guy named Brett Favre made headlines. I wrap up week four in the NFL with the Final Drive! 

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 4"

The Patriots offense was virtually shut down by the New York Jets. QB Tom Brady was unable to get the offense into the endzone and was constantly rushed by a relentless New York blitz. It got people saying the Jets had the blueprint for beating the Patriots and with the rest of the league as witnesses, every opponent will follow suit.

Continue reading "The Blueprint"

There are two things you need to know about New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan.

 

One, he has a big mouth. He didn’t even wait until the ink dried on his contract before he started throwing verbal spears. He had an entertaining one-on-one with Miami LB Channing Crowder. And Patriot fans had his “I never came here to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings” statement memorized since Ryan said it in June.

Continue reading "Nothing Wrong with Rex Ryan in my Book"

Suicide Pick.

The Lions travel to the big Easy. Saints have high hope this year after Drew Brees awesome season last year. One more Touchdown drie and he would of had a new record. Now to the Contest. The Lions have won outright the last 2 times they where dogs against the Saints. The under is 8-2 last 10 times these teams meet.

Continue reading "Week 1 NFL Season!!!!!!! Sweet!"

Do you smell that? It smells like football! No more preseason, no more scrubs fighting for jobs. It's time for the return of the Opening Drive!

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 1"

      Mid August in North Florida has again arrived.  The tropics are getting active, the heat is oppressive,the kids are getting ready for another school year, and the collective attention of the greatest football fans in the country

Continue reading "THE STATE OF THE JAGUARS"

I’m not much of a poker player, but since the beginning of training camp, head coach Bill Belichick has been exchanging cards, looking for a full house.

 

They looked at QB Cleo Lemon. DE Kevin Carter seems to be getting serious consideration. QB Matt Gutierrez was cut and QB Andrew Walter signed to replace Gutz.

Continue reading "Ninkovich in the Cards"

The Dolphins were a much improved team last year.  There might be a slight step back this year, or maybe a stand still.  This team won't be better.  Mostly because they did not upgrade their talent that much and their scheduale will be a lot harder.  The defense will be the strength of this team and the offense will be a ball control type offense.  So, low scores means a good fantasy pick for the defense.

Continue reading "Miami Dolphins fantasy outlook"

Philadelphia Sports Fans Are Scumbags

A man was beaten to death in a savage and needless fracas that occurred outside of Citizen’s Bank Park in the final innings of the Philadelphia Phillies 14-6 home win versus the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday night.  

Continue reading "Philadelphia Sports Fans Are Scumbags, ..."

Latin pop singer Marc Anthony officially became a minority owner of the Miami Dolphins last week.

 

New Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross decided to add Anthony, 40, as an investor after he received a call from a lawyer who suggested he meet with Jennifer Lopez’s bitch.

Continue reading "With Marc Anthony As An Owner, The ..."

As long as everyone else is throwing in their two cents about disgraced NFL quarterback Michael Vick's next career move, I thought I should chime in because the answer is just common sense.

Mike -- can I call you Mike? -- this is what you should do: Forget about a return to pro football for 2009 and contact dog whisperer Cesar Millan about becoming his sidekick.

Continue reading "Two Words of Advice for Vick: Reality Series"

 

  There's a saying about every sport that goes "Love the game first, the league second, your team third, and the players last". This saying poignantly displays that all fans are interconnected by their love for the game, no matter which team they support. I'm going to identify 3 teams that every NFL fan should be rooting for this season (of course unless they face your favorite team) and 3 you should be rooting against (unless they are your hometown team).

Continue reading "3 NFL teams to love (and 3 to hate!) this season"

Over the last two years America has slowly sunk into an economic mess. People are losing their jobs, their homes, and their self-esteem as they find it harder and harder to make ends meet. It appears however that not everybody is suffering. As college educated people lose jobs they've held for years, and recent college graduates struggle to find any job at all, there are some signing on the dotted line for millions that haven't earned a dime of what they are being given. America's two largest, and most arguably most popular, professional sports leagues are doing nothing to curtail ballooning salaries for top rated rookies who haven't even set foot on the field to prove they are worthy of a contract.

Continue reading "More and more money, but for what?"

I had alot of hope for this guy, I still do. If you have not heard of Cameron Wake by now I am not suprised. His presence has been buried by the return of Jason Taylor (WELCOME BACK!). Wake was plucked from the CFL where in two seasons he collected 39 sacks, was the Outstanding Rookie Of The Year his first season, and was Most Outstanding Defensive Player both years. Now I know the CFL is in no way shape or form the NFL, but looking at those sack stats got me giddy at the thought of what he could possibly do in this league.

Continue reading "Miami Dolphins LB Cameron Wake"

There seems to be a little controversy over Jason Taylors possible homecoming to Miami.  Some fans seem to think his best days are behind him.  This would be the view of some short-sighted people, in my opinion.  Though he didn't have a great season last year, it was his first year with a new team and a new system, along with his injuries, I would think it would be pretty unfair to make any kind of negative judgments towards 2007's defensive player of the year.  I would say that last year Jason's priorities were split between football and another passion of his, Hollywood.  We all know you can't play footbal forever, especially when you play a tough position like DE.  Jason earned his "year off" if you will, with Miami in my opinion, and I was personally very disappointed when the fins decide not to keep him last year.  Unfortunately the NFL like everything else in this country is becoming more about the money than about the people involved.  I think Jason was disheartened with Miami's decision and I think it made his try for an acting career a lot harder than it should have been.  You can't blame the Redskins for being dissapointed, but I just don't think Jason's heart was in it last year.  It sounds like he's ready to play football again, and we know if he plays here he's going to give 110%.  His injuries were probably a result of poor conditioning last year, not a sign of age.  I'm personally looking forward to another great season from the Dolphins, and eagerly anticipating the return of one of the greatest footbal players in my time.

Continue reading "Jason Taylor WELCOME HOME to Miami"

Jason Taylor Doesn't Want to Play for the Jets? The Jets Don't Want or Need Taylor! 

Free agent defensive end Jason Taylor told a reporter last week that he would like to return to Miami to play for the Dolphins this upcoming season and he likely would not even consider signing a contract with the New York Jets.

Continue reading "Jason Taylor Doesn't Want the Jets ..."

Wow, Coach Tony was seen pitching balls for the Mets in Port St Lucie. You should have seen his release, incredible!! I am not sure where they got his t-shirt though, it must have been specially made.

Continue reading "Coach Tony and the Mets"

Shaq and Kobe “Had a Good Time” with Each Other 

Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O’Neal and Los Angles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant begrudgingly shared co-MVP awards at the All-Star game this past Valentine’s Day weekend as the Western Conference dominated the East 146-119 at the US Airways Center in Arizona.  

Continue reading "Shaq & Kobe "Had a Good Time" and ..."

Another week has come and gone, and there is another Sunday crossword to make me feel like college was a waste of money and another week of sports in our memory banks. From the aftermath of Alex Rodriguez’ steroid scandal to a NBA player looking like the lovechild of a Georgetown basketball coach and a patriotic Muppet, there’s much to talk about and a whole lot more on my mind.

Continue reading "The Sports Don's Sunday Musings: Volume II"

Brett Lorenzo Favre, the beloved gunslinger from Southern Mississippi who was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, made his first pass completion on his way to prominence as a Packer to himself and adorned a New York Jets uniform in his final season, announced his retirement yesterday…again.

Continue reading "Favre Retires. Finally. I Think."

Wow after an 0-16 season finding a new coach for the lions will be like finding Bigfoot in NYC.  It's not gonna be easy but at least Matt Millen isn't helping this time.  The Lions are on the verge of a new begining and they need the right coach to start the process.  Rumors have it that they are looking into one of the Assistant head coaches of the cinderella story Miami Dolphins (Todd Bowles).  Also they have had a second interview with Titan's Jim Schwartz. 

Continue reading "Search for a new Coach Continues!!!"

It was bound to happen sooner or later. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels turned down opportunities after last season, but he knew teams would keep knocking on his door. He was waiting for the right opening, and the chance to be the Denver Broncos' head coach might be exactly what he wants.

Continue reading "McDaniels Leaves the Nest"

When I heard that LB Jerod Mayo received 49 of 50 votes for Defensive Player of the Year, I asked two questions: 1. Who got the one vote, then later, 2. Who the hell voted for Keith Rivers?

I won't argue Rivers won't be a good player down the road. In limited playing time, he had 37 tackles with an interception. But to compare a player that only played seven games versus someone who started 16 is illogical. Even if Rivers' number were projected to 16 games he's far behind Mayo's production. Sorry Rivers that you got your jaw broke by Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hines Ward, but that's football.

Continue reading "Stray Votes"

Ok this is my first post for my sports blog. As my profile says I am interested in the minutiae of these sports.

I am thinking that it would be impossible for the "cleaners" (they probably have a cool title) of sports uniforms to wash them after every game and get the grass stains out. Because they would have to budget in brand new uniforms for every game. Isn't that excessive? I mean with all those salaries they pay. Maybe they have little people in the basement scrubbing these things with some secret substance. That would be the real money maker!!! Now that would sell to all those kids teams in the burbs. 

Continue reading "Green stains, Tide and the Miami Dolphins"

Analyzing Sunday's Ravens-Dolphins game:

1. Joe Flacco: The rookie posted his lowest completion percentage of the season (9 completions in 23 attempts, or 39.1%). He threw for only 135 yards, and missed on at least 3 bombs to receivers open downfield (though he would have had a TD pass if Todd Heap had held onto a catchable ball in the end zone). Still, on a day when his counterpart in teal threw 4 interceptions and took some vicious hits, Flacco made smart decisions, converted several third downs on both TD drives, and ran a perfect QB keeper up the middle for the icing score. In short, nothing special—most likely nothing that will get it done against the Titans or Steelers—but he gave his team enough to walk away with the win. The first win ever for a rookie QB making his playoff debut on the road, by the way. Not even Ben Roethlisberger can say that.

Continue reading "Baltimore Ravens-Miami Dolphins post-game ..."

It is weekends like the one we just had that make me glad I don’t make actual predictions in my blog. I would have been at best two for four, and maybe even one for four if I had gone with the Dolphins as a sentimental favorite. Showcasing its parity, each day of the NFL’s Wild Card Weekend followed different themes. On Saturday, the home teams pulled out the close victories, while on Sunday the road teams won in a more lop-sided manner. Let’s take a look at the weekend that was in this Wild Card edition of the Final Drive. 

Continue reading "Joey A's Final Drive: Wild Card Weekend"

Continue reading "Motivation for this weekends games."

I'm not sure how much to take from a game that was basically handed to us during a stunning 22-minute stretch, when a Dolphins team that tied a league record for fewest turnovers in a season self-imploded. Miami turned the ball over 5 times during those 22 minutes (including 4 picks, most of them gift-wrapped by a QB who'd thrown only 7 in the previous 16 games), and a 3-3 nail-biter became a 20-3 laugher.

Continue reading "Baltimore Ravens-Miami Dolphins post-game ..."

It was a bitter end. The 2008 Miami Dolphins unexpected ride on the road to the Super Bowl came to a quick end at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens. When the clock reached triple zeroes, the Fins were on the losing end of a 27-9 slaughter.

Continue reading "Baltimore Ravens defeat Miami Dolphins 27-9"

    The AFC East Champion Miami Dolphins have not shown any team dominance over the last few games of the season and find themselves playing the underdog role against the Baltimore Ravens.  The Ravens come into Dolphins Stadium after securing the last playoff spot with a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Continue reading "Wild Card Prediction"

The playoffs are finally here, and not a moment too soon. After a crazy regular season, twelve teams are left with their eyes on the Super Bowl. Let’s get you ready for this weekend with a wild-card edition of the Opening Drive.

Continue reading "Joey A's Opening Drive: Wild Card Weekend"

  

           Each week, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games.  I will prognosticate on all the playoff games each week.  Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling.  That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

Continue reading "Predictions Wildcard Weekend"

Continue reading "Wild Card Weekend"

Before previewing the big Vikings/Eagles matchup that will cap off the NFC Wild Card playoff round, I would first like to give my "official" (meaning they are most likely completely wrong!) predictions for the other three wild card games:

Continue reading "NFL Playoffs: Wild Card Preview"

Thin-slicing. It is the act cutting through all extraneous information and getting to the key items that characterize something. Malcolm Gladwell wrote an entertaining and informative book on thin-slicing called

Continue reading "Thin-slicing Week 1 of the NFL Playoffs"

  

The crystal ball had a mediocre performance this past week, going a mere 2-2.  We’re not sure what happened, but this is not acceptable.  The crystal ball took its lumps on the Cowboys game, but it may have been predicting with its heart rather than its fortune-telling powers?  Either way, that puts the crystal ball at 33-26-1 for the season.  That’s seven games over .500 (.558 to be exact).  Hopefully the crystal ball will perform better in the playoffs!  Let’s take a look back, and review what happened last week.

Continue reading "Week 17 Review"

 

           This past Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys traveled to Lincoln Financial Field to play the Philadelphia Eagles in what was a win and you’re in the playoffs game.  This game had a lot of build-up prior kick-off.  The Eagles found out, about 15 minutes before the game started, that the stars had aligned for them; the Bears and Buccaneers had both lost.  This game had everything football fans wanted.  It was the ‘Boys against the Birds, with their playoff destinies on the line.

Continue reading "Underachievers"

In an improbable year, the biggest story in the NFL continues.  The Miami Dolphins went from winning only one game last season to capturing the AFC East title by handling the New York Jets a home defeat. 

Continue reading "Miami Dolphins capture AFC East title"

Well, that's it. The Patriots did what they needed to do Sunday, but it just didn't happen. That's why every team should handle their business on their own and don't leave the job for a third party to complete.

Continue reading "The Drive in '09"

  

           Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games.  I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two or more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you).  Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling.  That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

Continue reading "Predictions Week 17"

I'm not here to rant and rave about Pennington being snubbed from the AFC Pro Bowl team.  Do I think the man deserved a spot on the squad? Absolutely. But, do I understand why he was left off the roster? Of course.  Pennington's numbers — 3,453 yards to go with 17 TDs and 7 picks — aren't quite as flashy as the stats Peyton Manning, Brett Favre and Jay Cutler have put up through the air this season, but they are certainly solid.  For the record, Manning has thrown for 3907 yards, 26 TDs and 12 picks, Favre has 3239/21/19 and Cutler has 4210/24/16 through 15 games this year. Sure, CP has more yards and 12 fewer completions to the other team than Favre, but remember, it's Brett Favre.  As long as Favre is healthy and somewhat productive, the man will be in the Pro Bowl.

Continue reading "Props for Pennington"

 

           Each week I will answer questions submitted by my loyal readers.  I personally read every single email I receive.  I will pick out the best five or so to use for the weekly post, as I won’t be able to answer all of them.  I will also answer one or two questions on my daily posts as well.  Now it’s time to open the mail!

Continue reading "Reality Mail Bag - 12/25/08"