The Dolphins better play the game of their lives this week. | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

The Dolphins better play the game of their lives this week.

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raving

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Against New York we went up there and laid an egg. Against Carolina we were bailed out by a late interception that really never should have been. We were in the midst of a COMPLETE 4th quarter collapse. Our offense petered out, our defense was giving up penalties and chunks of yardage and valuable time was coming off the clock. We were the same old forgettable, laughable Dolphins. And even after the pick and the intelligent play calling, I was sure Mare was gonna stick a knife in our hearts as he has been doing for last few seasons. To his credit he came through. So we came out alive but honestly we are not playing nearly well enough. Carolina NEVER should of had a 4th quarter tie, the ball and a chance to win - NEVER!

To this day I cannot figure out why pennington walked away from the game we played against him (versus being carted off the field). If I were coach (this is why I am not coach) he would have either made a herculean effort to simply remain in the game or he would of been smashed to bits, as he was a week later. That porcelin doll would have been returned to manufacturer for full refund. I would have gone after his neck with reckless abandon. I would have insisted to my team that I did not care what it took but that Fiedler beat us or no-one beats us. I am not advocating dirty play, but our players continue to lack the intensity needed to win at the next level for SIXTY minutes.

So for the Dolphins playing against Buffalo this week, and for all you over-confident fans who think we will win by virtue of showing up, we better be ready for the game of our lives. We better play out of our heads or we will be holding our heads in our hands.

Saban better get his act together RIGHT NOW because as far as I am concerned this is the make or break point of our season. Who are we gonna be? Are we gonna be the same old Dumbstadt Dolphin laughing stocks of the NFL or are we gonna go up to Buffalo and make them wish they had never had us on the schedule once much rather twice? Are Dolphin defensive veterans gonna go out of the league as forgettable bozo almost winners or are they gonna get serious and give themselves a shot to be champions? Is Zach and Taylor and Madison and Seau perrenial Almost winners or are they gonna step up and play better then they ever have?

I am waiting Saban. And I am SO damn tired of being a fan of a team that squanders talent and opportunities. This is an absolute must win because of the psychological lull that we are capable of falling into. This I am sure will destroy our season if we do not transcend N-O-W! If we win we are not out of the woods, but if we lose I truly do not give us much hope this season at all. It is that big of a deal. This is a game we should win, because of our talent and because of our coaching and because of our situation. Can we win when no-one is watching?
 
raving said:
Against New York we went up there and laid an egg. Against Carolina we were bailed out by a late interception that really never should have been. We were in the midst of a COMPLETE 4th quarter collapse. Our offense petered out, our defense was giving up penalties and chunks of yardage and valuable time was coming off the clock. We were the same old forgettable, laughable Dolphins. And even after the pick and the intelligent play calling, I was sure Mare was gonna stick a knife in our hearts as he has been doing for last few seasons. To his credit he came through. So we came out alive but honestly we are not playing nearly well enough. Carolina NEVER should of had a 4th quarter tie, the ball and a chance to win - NEVER!
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You're kidding, right? The Dolphins - 4-12 last year, remember? - fought a team predicted by some to be the NFC superbowl rep tooth and nail and won the game. How is that the "same old forgettable, laughable Dolphins"? Last year we wouldn't have even been in that game.

Did anyone before this season started actually expect them to wipe out Denver and beat Carolina? Realistically, I had them at 0-3 at this point of the season.

I don't get some people...:shakeno:
 
I agree, the fins need to play a tight game. Maybe you should let zach know that he is laughable, or jason or Gus for that matter, this is a much different team than last year:evil:
 
That is true. The Dolphins will hear this to the end if they give up this game... I don't think they will, they've had two weeks to concentrate on themselves and cleaning up mental errors.
Start Fast will be both teams mentalities... Not that that has helped the Bills.
 
Pagan said:
You're kidding, right? The Dolphins - 4-12 last year, remember? - fought a team predicted by some to be the NFC superbowl rep tooth and nail and won the game. How is that the "same old forgettable, laughable Dolphins"?

Did anyone before this season started actually expect them to wipe out Denver and beat Carolina? Realistically, I had them at 0-3 at this point of the season.

I don't get some people...:shakeno:
Click to expand...

Let me explain. I said that we would be the same team that we were over the last few years. Which includes a bunch of 9-7 and 10-6 outings. Had we continued to collapse against Carolina I have to believe your response would not be here now. We got bailed out. And granted we did ALOT correct that afternoon to make one play enough to bail us out, but the next level includes SLAMMING the door on people's heads. Delhomme was right in the post game interview when he was boasting that he was marching his team down the field for a simple game winning field goal. He was correct when he felt shame for having squandered that opportunity. That smacks of the same old Dolphins to me. So who are we gonna be? I have been saying since Jan that I think this team is capable of ANYTHING - division championship and beyond - Who are we gonna be will be spelled out to some degree Sunday. A win is not enough but a loss speaks volumes.
 
raving said:
Let me explain. I said that we would be the same team that we were over the last few years. Which includes a bunch of 9-7 and 10-6 outings. Had we continued to collapse against Carolina I have to believe your response would not be here now. We got bailed out. And granted we did ALOT correct that afternoon to make one play enough to bail us out, but the next level includes SLAMMING the door on people's heads. Delhomme was right in the post game interview when he was boasting that he was marching his team down the field for a simple game winning field goal. He was correct when he felt shame for having squandered that opportunity. That smacks of the same old Dolphins to me. So who are we gonna be? I have been saying since Jan that I think this team is capable of ANYTHING - division championship and beyond - Who are we gonna be will be spelled out to some degree Sunday. A win is not enough but a loss speaks volumes.
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Your post makes too much sense, since we'er 2-1, a lot of people don't see the problems like you've described, very well explained, I may add. Hopefully we've gotten better in this 2 week period, because we were playing on the threshole prior to the bye.

Our run blocking is still a concern to me. It's not the kind of blocking that can put a team away once we get a big lead. We still have to rely too much on the pass and we saw what that could do in Marino later days. Some games we need to run the clock out period.
 
Even if the Dolphins lose this week that will not make them the laughing stock of the NFL. That is currently held by the Packers. Sure the Packers have had some injury problems but that is no excuse for their performance and current record. The Dolphins on the other hand have exceeded expectations. This game is huge for us since it is a Division rival but most people still believe the Bills are better than they have been playing. I haven't looked but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bills favored. The point is, even if we lose you can't take away the accomplishments in the first three games.
 
Against Carolina we were bailed out by a late interception that really never should have been. We were in the midst of a COMPLETE 4th quarter collapse. Our offense petered out, our defense was giving up penalties and chunks of yardage and valuable time was coming off the clock. We were the same old forgettable, laughable Dolphins. And even after the pick and the intelligent play calling, I was sure Mare was gonna stick a knife in our hearts as he has been doing for last few seasons. To his credit he came through. So we came out alive but honestly we are not playing nearly well enough. Carolina NEVER should of had a 4th quarter tie, the ball and a chance to win - NEVER!
Click to expand...

I disagree completely with this. The game was only close because of Smith. He was absolutely the only thing Carolina had to offer, and without him the game would have been over by halftime. We outplayed Carolina and they were lucky to even get close.
 
raving said:
Saban better get his act together RIGHT NOW because as far as I am concerned this is the make or break point of our season.


I am waiting Saban. And I am SO damn tired of being a fan of a team that squanders talent and opportunities.
Click to expand...

Get his act together?

IMO he's done more in a short time than anyone has expected.

Sounds like you were expecting worst-to-first results.... :confused:
 
raving said:
Against New York we went up there and laid an egg. Against Carolina we were bailed out by a late interception that really never should have been. We were in the midst of a COMPLETE 4th quarter collapse. Our offense petered out, our defense was giving up penalties and chunks of yardage and valuable time was coming off the clock. We were the same old forgettable, laughable Dolphins. And even after the pick and the intelligent play calling, I was sure Mare was gonna stick a knife in our hearts as he has been doing for last few seasons. To his credit he came through. So we came out alive but honestly we are not playing nearly well enough. Carolina NEVER should of had a 4th quarter tie, the ball and a chance to win - NEVER!

To this day I cannot figure out why pennington walked away from the game we played against him (versus being carted off the field). If I were coach (this is why I am not coach) he would have either made a herculean effort to simply remain in the game or he would of been smashed to bits, as he was a week later. That porcelin doll would have been returned to manufacturer for full refund. I would have gone after his neck with reckless abandon. I would have insisted to my team that I did not care what it took but that Fiedler beat us or no-one beats us. I am not advocating dirty play, but our players continue to lack the intensity needed to win at the next level for SIXTY minutes.

So for the Dolphins playing against Buffalo this week, and for all you over-confident fans who think we will win by virtue of showing up, we better be ready for the game of our lives. We better play out of our heads or we will be holding our heads in our hands.

Saban better get his act together RIGHT NOW because as far as I am concerned this is the make or break point of our season. Who are we gonna be? Are we gonna be the same old Dumbstadt Dolphin laughing stocks of the NFL or are we gonna go up to Buffalo and make them wish they had never had us on the schedule once much rather twice? Are Dolphin defensive veterans gonna go out of the league as forgettable bozo almost winners or are they gonna get serious and give themselves a shot to be champions? Is Zach and Taylor and Madison and Seau perrenial Almost winners or are they gonna step up and play better then they ever have?

I am waiting Saban. And I am SO damn tired of being a fan of a team that squanders talent and opportunities. This is an absolute must win because of the psychological lull that we are capable of falling into. This I am sure will destroy our season if we do not transcend N-O-W! If we win we are not out of the woods, but if we lose I truly do not give us much hope this season at all. It is that big of a deal. This is a game we should win, because of our talent and because of our coaching and because of our situation. Can we win when no-one is watching?
Click to expand...
Great post! Well said, well written and should echo the sentiments of all intelligent dolphin fans. This game will go a long way towards proving to us and themselves what they are capable of, and forming a new identity as a team that is ready to play consistently at the highest level. ;)
 
Pagan said:
Did anyone before this season started actually expect them to wipe out Denver and beat Carolina? Realistically, I had them at 0-3 at this point of the season. I don't get some people...:shakeno:
Click to expand...

For my 100th Post: You better believe that Saban or any of the Dolphins players are surprised about their record. Saban knew that this was going to be a team that would compete game in and game out, and when you do, you win close games. Saban set this team up to win early and often. I doubt it that Saban could have convinced season veterans to come and play in his 3-4 scheme as just another stop in their long careers or for retirement plans in the Florida communities. Saban convinced these players that this team has a chance to be successful, this year and years to come.

You better believe Ricky had to hear the right things for him to come back. Some people cite his $8.6 million judgment, but since I am now taking Bankruptcy law, it is apparent that this judgment could have been wiped out had Williams taken the appropriate steps and filed for bankruptcy. Therefore, the money cannot be the true reason Ricky came back. He came back because Saban told him that the Dolphins offense will not be 34 up the middle three times and punt or if we're lucky, 34 might break one. Saban told Ricky that his offense would open things up and take some of the pain off his aching body. Ricky left the game because he didn't want to end up like his idol Earl Campbell. For those that think he left because he wanted to smoke are sadly mistaken. Everyone knows that it is very possible to smoke and still play football. Today's example is Randy Moss. He's dominating his position, and no one would have suspected that he still smokes if not for his HBO interview. Another notable example is Mark Stepnoski (center for the great Cowboys teams), he's now the president of Texas' chapter of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). So you see, Ricky came back with assurances from Saban that things would be different.
Then Saban covered his back, and drafted Ronnie Brown just in case Ricky had another sudden change of heart. Now the team will have the luxury of service from both backs. You better believe Nick Saban didn't accept the job in Miami for the "challenge of rebuilding this team into a champion." He has no plan on rebuilding, he plans on winning now and more for years to come. This is evident in the way he built his team. He now has veteran players at key positions serving as mentors to the younger players. Vickerson and Wright will be better D'linemen based on the wealth of knowledge that they are getting from Truck, Holiday, Taylor, and Carter. Crowder gets to work daily with two of the greatest linebackers in the game. Travis Daniels is getting to learn from Madison. And now, Ronnie Brown will get some tutoring and help from Ricky that will pay dividends in his career. Now Saban is looking for a young QB that can learn the intricacies of the offense from Linehan and the veteran Frerrote. Nobody in that lockerroom is surprised by their record.
 
raving said:
Against New York we went up there and laid an egg. Against Carolina we were bailed out by a late interception that really never should have been. We were in the midst of a COMPLETE 4th quarter collapse. Our offense petered out, our defense was giving up penalties and chunks of yardage and valuable time was coming off the clock. We were the same old forgettable, laughable Dolphins. And even after the pick and the intelligent play calling, I was sure Mare was gonna stick a knife in our hearts as he has been doing for last few seasons. To his credit he came through. So we came out alive but honestly we are not playing nearly well enough. Carolina NEVER should of had a 4th quarter tie, the ball and a chance to win - NEVER!

To this day I cannot figure out why pennington walked away from the game we played against him (versus being carted off the field). If I were coach (this is why I am not coach) he would have either made a herculean effort to simply remain in the game or he would of been smashed to bits, as he was a week later. That porcelin doll would have been returned to manufacturer for full refund. I would have gone after his neck with reckless abandon. I would have insisted to my team that I did not care what it took but that Fiedler beat us or no-one beats us. I am not advocating dirty play, but our players continue to lack the intensity needed to win at the next level for SIXTY minutes.

So for the Dolphins playing against Buffalo this week, and for all you over-confident fans who think we will win by virtue of showing up, we better be ready for the game of our lives. We better play out of our heads or we will be holding our heads in our hands.

Saban better get his act together RIGHT NOW because as far as I am concerned this is the make or break point of our season. Who are we gonna be? Are we gonna be the same old Dumbstadt Dolphin laughing stocks of the NFL or are we gonna go up to Buffalo and make them wish they had never had us on the schedule once much rather twice? Are Dolphin defensive veterans gonna go out of the league as forgettable bozo almost winners or are they gonna get serious and give themselves a shot to be champions? Is Zach and Taylor and Madison and Seau perrenial Almost winners or are they gonna step up and play better then they ever have?

I am waiting Saban. And I am SO damn tired of being a fan of a team that squanders talent and opportunities. This is an absolute must win because of the psychological lull that we are capable of falling into. This I am sure will destroy our season if we do not transcend N-O-W! If we win we are not out of the woods, but if we lose I truly do not give us much hope this season at all. It is that big of a deal. This is a game we should win, because of our talent and because of our coaching and because of our situation. Can we win when no-one is watching?
Click to expand...


Completely agree!! We played awful in the Carolina game, but still got away luckily. Can't keep playing like that. Just once I'd like to see the offense AND defense show up for all 4 quarters. Is that too much to ask?
 
You do realize that we've already won half of the games we won last year right? Rome wasn't built in a day.
 
I agree with all of the above. We need to play lights out football. I want to see us going for the throat. Never giving the other team any type of advantage ala Bellicek. I loved it when Saban said "I want other teams to hate playing our team". I want the Dolphins to play lights out and be feared throughout the league. It all starts with the coaches. And, so far the coaches are doing an enviable job.
 
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