RiderOnTheStorm
Starter
On the first day of his second Dolphins training camp, Nick Saban will gather players and attempt to inspire with carefully crafted words of wisdom.
May we suggest a little something from Malcolm X:
"You're not to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it."
The Dolphins should not be so blind with Patriotism, as in the New England football variety, that they believe those who say Bill Belichick's team is destined to win the AFC East for a fifth time in six seasons. Toppling the Patriots is the Dolphins' clearest route to the playoffs, since at least five teams from the other three divisions figure to compete for two wild-card spots.
And toppling the Patriots, these Patriots, is possible.
The Patriots may find the image in its rear-view mirror not only looks frighteningly familiar, but that it is much closer than it appears.
Eleven reasons for New England's vulnerability, one for each victory a division title may require:
1. Simple math. Since the NFL went to an eight-division format in 2002, division champions have repeated nine times and been dethroned on 15 occasions. Only the Patriots and Colts have won three in a row. It's time.
2. No longer Automatica. Martin Gramatica (out of the league last season) competes with rookie Stephen Gostowski to replace clutch kicker Adam Vinatieri (now in Indianapolis). So Olindo Mare (82.0 percent career) gives the Dolphins the kicking edge over Gramatica (76.2 percent)? You can say that emphatica-lly.
3. Tom Brady, imperfect. Teenage girls may differ. In football terms, though, there's a blemish. After 10 playoff wins, he finally lost one, with a careless, critical 99-yard interception playing a major role. Champ Bailey is still sprinting the other way, with Brady's invincibility.
4. Running saga. Sure, Ricky Williams' suspension depleted the Dolphins' backfield depth, yet eliminated a potential distraction. The Patriots still have the combustible Corey Dillon, who struggled with a sore calf and ankle last season and could have a sore ego when rookie Laurence Maroney steals carries.
5. Karma. Nearly a decade after then-Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson stomped on Doug Flutie's charity cereal (Flutie Flakes), the quarterback got revenge in the 2005 season finale, converting a historic drop kick against the Dolphins. It was quite a cute sendoff into retirement. Now it's the Dolphins' turn to respond to a mildly disrespectful gimmick.
6. Out on a limb. Stressed about the Dolphins' receiving depth? Deion Branch is the only proven Patriot wideout still in his prime, and he's holding out. With David Givens gone to Tennessee, Reche Caldwell (76 passes in four seasons) is atop the depth chart.
7. Soap opera vs. reality show. Sweating about repercussions related to Jason Taylor's trouble in his marriage to Zach Thomas' sister? Those preferring tackle football to In Touch Weekly might identify a more relevant issue: the Patriots' two emotional defensive leaders (Tedy Bruschi and Rodney Harrison) are less than a year removed from a stroke and major knee surgery, respectively. Big-play linebacker Willie McGinest now plays for Cleveland and Pro Bowl defensive lineman Richard Seymour is on the physically unable to perform list. Those consumed with tabloid talk are welcome to review Belichick's offseason.
8. Staff stability. Yes, the Dolphins have their sixth offensive coordinator (Mike Mularkey) in eight seasons, not counting Joel Collier's 37.6 seconds on the job. The Patriots, however, are breaking in their third defensive coordinator in three years, Dean Pees, who has spent three years in the NFL. Dom Capers, who takes over the Dolphins' defense, has eight years of NFL head coaching experience. After his last axing as a head coach, Capers coordinated the Jaguars defense to an AFC Championship appearance.
9. Tuning out. Not everything Saban says is decipherable, but at least his words and methods are fresh to most Dolphins. Belichick has credibility, but he's in his seventh Patriots season. Just about every coach's voice gets tiresome in time. Plus, players become prone to grumbling when an organization acts as consistently, stubbornly frugal as New England.
10. Primary concern. Sure, it seemed easy to pass on the Dolphins' 2005 secondary. Run the numbers, and you'll find the Dolphins ranked third of 16 AFC teams in net passing yards yielded per play. The Patriots (who added little) were 15th.
11. Media consensus. You can't find a preview magazine or TV analyst that picks anyone but the Patriots to win the AFC East. You know how right the experts always are.
Courtesy of Ethan J. Skolnick (Sun-Sentinel)
May we suggest a little something from Malcolm X:
"You're not to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it."
The Dolphins should not be so blind with Patriotism, as in the New England football variety, that they believe those who say Bill Belichick's team is destined to win the AFC East for a fifth time in six seasons. Toppling the Patriots is the Dolphins' clearest route to the playoffs, since at least five teams from the other three divisions figure to compete for two wild-card spots.
And toppling the Patriots, these Patriots, is possible.
The Patriots may find the image in its rear-view mirror not only looks frighteningly familiar, but that it is much closer than it appears.
Eleven reasons for New England's vulnerability, one for each victory a division title may require:
1. Simple math. Since the NFL went to an eight-division format in 2002, division champions have repeated nine times and been dethroned on 15 occasions. Only the Patriots and Colts have won three in a row. It's time.
2. No longer Automatica. Martin Gramatica (out of the league last season) competes with rookie Stephen Gostowski to replace clutch kicker Adam Vinatieri (now in Indianapolis). So Olindo Mare (82.0 percent career) gives the Dolphins the kicking edge over Gramatica (76.2 percent)? You can say that emphatica-lly.
3. Tom Brady, imperfect. Teenage girls may differ. In football terms, though, there's a blemish. After 10 playoff wins, he finally lost one, with a careless, critical 99-yard interception playing a major role. Champ Bailey is still sprinting the other way, with Brady's invincibility.
4. Running saga. Sure, Ricky Williams' suspension depleted the Dolphins' backfield depth, yet eliminated a potential distraction. The Patriots still have the combustible Corey Dillon, who struggled with a sore calf and ankle last season and could have a sore ego when rookie Laurence Maroney steals carries.
5. Karma. Nearly a decade after then-Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson stomped on Doug Flutie's charity cereal (Flutie Flakes), the quarterback got revenge in the 2005 season finale, converting a historic drop kick against the Dolphins. It was quite a cute sendoff into retirement. Now it's the Dolphins' turn to respond to a mildly disrespectful gimmick.
6. Out on a limb. Stressed about the Dolphins' receiving depth? Deion Branch is the only proven Patriot wideout still in his prime, and he's holding out. With David Givens gone to Tennessee, Reche Caldwell (76 passes in four seasons) is atop the depth chart.
7. Soap opera vs. reality show. Sweating about repercussions related to Jason Taylor's trouble in his marriage to Zach Thomas' sister? Those preferring tackle football to In Touch Weekly might identify a more relevant issue: the Patriots' two emotional defensive leaders (Tedy Bruschi and Rodney Harrison) are less than a year removed from a stroke and major knee surgery, respectively. Big-play linebacker Willie McGinest now plays for Cleveland and Pro Bowl defensive lineman Richard Seymour is on the physically unable to perform list. Those consumed with tabloid talk are welcome to review Belichick's offseason.
8. Staff stability. Yes, the Dolphins have their sixth offensive coordinator (Mike Mularkey) in eight seasons, not counting Joel Collier's 37.6 seconds on the job. The Patriots, however, are breaking in their third defensive coordinator in three years, Dean Pees, who has spent three years in the NFL. Dom Capers, who takes over the Dolphins' defense, has eight years of NFL head coaching experience. After his last axing as a head coach, Capers coordinated the Jaguars defense to an AFC Championship appearance.
9. Tuning out. Not everything Saban says is decipherable, but at least his words and methods are fresh to most Dolphins. Belichick has credibility, but he's in his seventh Patriots season. Just about every coach's voice gets tiresome in time. Plus, players become prone to grumbling when an organization acts as consistently, stubbornly frugal as New England.
10. Primary concern. Sure, it seemed easy to pass on the Dolphins' 2005 secondary. Run the numbers, and you'll find the Dolphins ranked third of 16 AFC teams in net passing yards yielded per play. The Patriots (who added little) were 15th.
11. Media consensus. You can't find a preview magazine or TV analyst that picks anyone but the Patriots to win the AFC East. You know how right the experts always are.
Courtesy of Ethan J. Skolnick (Sun-Sentinel)