Miami Dolphins recognize the high stakes of an opener in the NFL

[DKphin]

DAVIE — For three exciting and excruciating days, Greg Camarillo kept a secret from his parents.
Never mind that a relative had been to each of the Dolphins' games since he made the team in 2007. When he got the news that he would open last season as an honest-to-goodness, NFL starting receiver, he was so afraid of jinxing himself that he didn't tell them until the night before the game - too late for either to fly from California to South Florida to witness the milestone.
"I didn't want the added pressure," he said.
That first game of a season - and for many of the Dolphins, the first game of an NFL career - is a unique experience that Miami will enjoy again this Sunday in Atlanta.
"It's so much like Christmas," said linebacker Joey Porter, 32, who will be on the field for his 11th NFL opener. "You know, at this age, you don't get Christmas presents, so you look forward to opening day"
Linebacker Channing Crowder can recall every detail of the first big play he made in the 2005 opener, when he was a rookie starter.
The Denver Broncos came to town for a 1 p.m. kickoff, and Crowder remembered the heat index on the field reaching 118 degrees.
On the second play, Broncos running back Travis Henry carried the ball, kicking up dirt at the edge of the Florida Marlins' infield, which remains grass-free in September. Crowder blasted through the line for a tackle for a loss.
"I remember it like it was yesterday," said Crowder, who finished with three tackles in a 34-10 victory. "I'll never forget it."
Offensive lineman Vernon Carey grew up in Miami and played at UM, but the sweltering conditions nevertheless stunned him almost as much as it did the Denver defenders, who dropped to their knees during every stoppage in play.
"It was so hot, I was seeing stars," Carey said. "I was like, 'If every game is going to be like this, I'm going to have a problem. Man, I'm going to black out.' "
He and his teammates have spent this week with a renewed sense of ugency. Crowder said he awoke Monday with his heart pounding - the first time that had happened since the last game of last season.
Game week is different, Sparano said, with less gabbing and more intensity. That is especially true the week before the opener, when the roster has just been cut to 53 and players are getting more repetitions and studying harder for a regular-season opponent than they would for an exhibition game.
"The stakes are a lot higher. Our team knows that," Sparano said.
Team meetings have been more comprehensive this week, too, said rookie cornerback Vontae Davis. After one of the long meetings, nine-year veteran cornerback Will Allen turned to him and said, "Welcome to the NFL."
For all off the rookies, Sunday will be a special baptism, when those with a future in the league will separate themselves from training camp all-stars.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/dolphi...0910dolphins.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=46

 

[Predaphin]

Smith was striding confidently through the locker room when someone asked Allen if the rookies would be ready for the opener in Atlanta.

"They better be ready," Allen said loudly enough for Smith to hear. "I'd like to say they're ready, but we'll see Sunday."

I like that piece right there

 

[NYC#1finsfan]

It is also true that you can start the season 0-2 and finish 11-5 and win your division. Not the preferred route but possible nontheless.:hump:

 

[Sirspud]

As much as I feel its important to win all of your games, I find that week one results aren't as good of an indicator as people would like to think. Even though most first teams played a lot in week 3 of the preseason, the first game is really the first time that you let everything fly. Most of the time, what you see on the field in week one is going to look a lot different once teams have gained or lost momentum by midseason and really figured out where their identities lie.

 

[SRM]

As much as I feel its important to win all of your games, I find that week one results aren't as good of an indicator as people would like to think. Even though most first teams played a lot in week 3 of the preseason, the first game is really the first time that you let everything fly. Most of the time, what you see on the field in week one is going to look a lot different once teams have gained or lost momentum by midseason and really figured out where their identities lie.

Yeah, true. Just look at us last year

 

[LANGER72]

I think the Falcons game is winnable and will set the tone for the early part of the season. We need to win this game. I hope we come ready to pluck some falcon feathers.

 

[DolfanBerg]

Also liked Will's comment at the end...

 

[Pinkboy]

The first game of the season always seems to feel like a playoff game.

Season openers are awesome.

 

[Lorenzo Rules]

the main thing is its better to have a slow start and win the last few games ,then to sart off fast and choke in the last four games.

 

[mikethewreck]

I vote for start strong AND finish strong. Yes, you can survive 0-2 and win your division, but I'd rather not go that route. I sense Sparano doesn't either. With our schedule this year we need to hit the ground (field?) running.