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- May 12, 2006
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Well, there is some good news for the first time in an awfully long time in Dolphinland. Instead of lamenting over whom we should choose with the number one overall pick in the 2009 draft today, I find myself happy about what the dolphins proved to me and everyone else yesterday.
The truth is, we are not the worst team in the NFL this year. I would say that dubious honor is currently being fought over for by the Kansas City Chiefs (my personal choice) and the St. Louis Rams.
In fact, yesterday's win is proof that we have honestly improved this year and some of the things that we had hoped for with the arrival of the tuna this off season have in fact happened, namely:
Better coaching. Yesterday's game was an incredible coaching job by Sparano, and in particular Dan Henning and QB coach David Lee. Quite simply, Miami's coaches completely outcoached the coaches for the patriots. This isn't something you see happen very often. On defense, Miami abused New England's unexperienced "deer in the headlights quarterback Matt Cassel" like a cheap hooker on 156th street who owes you money which is exactly what you are supposed to do to an inexperienced QB making their first or second start in the NFL. And what was up with that formation? Holy crap, that was a thing of beauty, and a heck of alot more creative than probably anyone anticipated coming from our offensive coordinator who let's be honest, is a bit crusty. The Patriots certainly didn't expect it.
Ronnie Brown is healthy. I must say, I've been watching this game for over 30 years and I've seen lots of guys blow out their knees, but I can't recall seeing a running back recover as fast as Ronnie has from such a serious knee injury in less than one year. Half the battle with that sort of thing is pyschological in being able to trust the knee and not be afraid of reinjuring it, and Ronnie has certainly won that battle and is every bit looking the part of the number 2 overall pick in an NFL draft. Let's be honest, the draft Ronnie came out of isn't considered particularly strong, but is there any more doubt that Ronnie is the best player we could've selected that year? What a stud! I hope he stays healthy.
Our running back tandem looks like it really is one of the best if not the best in the national football league. The rumors we heard about Ricky Williams during the preaseason but didn't really see evidence of the first couple of games proved true yesterday. He also looks strong, punishing, shifty, and fast, and that's a good thing, what a one-two punch that can hopefully keep both guys healthy.
Of course, the running game wouldn't work without solid blocking up front which is exactly what they got yesterday but was missing the first two games. The line got off to a slow start the first couple of games, but in case anyone wasn't paying attention, that was a very solid front 7 that we pimp slapped around yesterday. Faesano had some great blocks, as did Smiley, Jake Long, and Vernon Carey. The most important thing about what this group did in this game against a highly regarded opponent in the trenches is that it will give the group some confidence, and that is more than half the battle. I look forward to seeing if the group can keep it up against San Diego, if they can, look out. Now I know what some of you haters are going to say, that the success was due to a gimick and a scheme that had the patriots "D" running around like 11 clowns trying to get in and out of one car, and there is some truth to that, but I will point out that that was still Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, and Richard Seymour that were getting pushed out of the way to open up big holes for Ronnie and Ricky. Bruschi and Adalius Thomas were handled. Half of all battles in football are mental and schematic, the best scheme in the world is meaningless without good if not flawless execution, and that's something that up until yesterday I dont think any of us have seen from this team in an awfully long time, quite possibly since the last time we beat the patriots.
The other thing that the front office focused on this year besides putting a group together that could run the football was stopping the run. In this league if you can run the football, stop the run, and play good special teams (we still need lots of work on that last one) you will probably win more games than you will lose. Whilst Maroney was out with an injury, the last thing I wanted to see was another former dolphin (Sammy Morris) gash this team for more big plays and big yardage. That didn't happen, our front seven was in a word magnificent. Not only did we do a good job against the run, but we got tons of pressure on the QB, hell, Starks even got an interception. Joey Porter backed up his talk (I'm as pleased and as shocked as anyone else about that one on this board), Philip Merling got a sack, Langford continued to demonstrate that he is a disruptive force in the pocket and one of the steals of the 08 draft, Ferguson's play demanded double teams, and Randy Starks is starting to show that maybe he is worth the money. Oh and Vonnie Holiday got a seriously bum deal on that roughing the passer play. That should've been an interception and a great play by Holiday, I doubt the coaches will get on him about that one.
The secondary wasn't awful, and there's alot to be said about that. Not sure how much of their relatively solid play yesterday had to do with a conscious effort to keep Randy Moss in Front of them and improved communication from Renaldo Hill at the safety position, or the fact that our front 7 was getting alot of pressure on a very inexperienced QB. I saw at least one play where if it were Brady instead of Cassell, they likely would've got 6 on what looked like a wide open receiver on a busted coverage down the field, but Cassell panicked and ended up getting sacked instead. In any case, there was improvement after last weeks debacle which is something to be happy for, hooray.
Chad Pennington was fantastic. I feel like we have some pretty solid QB play for the first time in ages, with the future also looking bright.
I really like Camarillo. I know, I know, he wouldn't even crack the starting line up for most teams in the NFL, but this guy has alot of heart. Let's not forget, he was responsible for our sole win last year, which was a big deal, and he is starting to look like he has something going with Pennington, looks like he could develop into an unembarassing possession receiving option which is sorely needed.
Anthony Faesano is the best overall tight end we've had in a long time and he doesn't even beat his wife, plus he actually blocks. Woo hoo, more reason for optimism.
They really need to put Ted Ginn back on kick returns and punt returns, he seems like he might be more of a threat to make something happen back there then in the receiving game, and Bess has been mediocre on special teams, just like Ginn has been mediocre (and that's being kind) as a receiver, but maybe he can turn it around, I sure hope so.
In summary, I will say that while I'm not getting carried away and dreaming about a playoff birth for this team this year, I am optimistic that we can and will win 7 or 8 games this year which would be great because another top 5 draft pick could destroy our salary cap, although with the owners opting out of the current collective bargaining agreement this past off season, that might not be true, but I digress. I guess what I've been trying to say in my long winded way is that for the first time in a long time it seems like this team isn't run by bozo the clown and that it is heading in the right direction and that sometimes on sundays we all may have something to cheer for again, it feels great. I was yelling at my television set yesterday, my girlfriend and dog both thought I was crazy, but I loved it and can't wait for more!
The truth is, we are not the worst team in the NFL this year. I would say that dubious honor is currently being fought over for by the Kansas City Chiefs (my personal choice) and the St. Louis Rams.
In fact, yesterday's win is proof that we have honestly improved this year and some of the things that we had hoped for with the arrival of the tuna this off season have in fact happened, namely:
Better coaching. Yesterday's game was an incredible coaching job by Sparano, and in particular Dan Henning and QB coach David Lee. Quite simply, Miami's coaches completely outcoached the coaches for the patriots. This isn't something you see happen very often. On defense, Miami abused New England's unexperienced "deer in the headlights quarterback Matt Cassel" like a cheap hooker on 156th street who owes you money which is exactly what you are supposed to do to an inexperienced QB making their first or second start in the NFL. And what was up with that formation? Holy crap, that was a thing of beauty, and a heck of alot more creative than probably anyone anticipated coming from our offensive coordinator who let's be honest, is a bit crusty. The Patriots certainly didn't expect it.
Ronnie Brown is healthy. I must say, I've been watching this game for over 30 years and I've seen lots of guys blow out their knees, but I can't recall seeing a running back recover as fast as Ronnie has from such a serious knee injury in less than one year. Half the battle with that sort of thing is pyschological in being able to trust the knee and not be afraid of reinjuring it, and Ronnie has certainly won that battle and is every bit looking the part of the number 2 overall pick in an NFL draft. Let's be honest, the draft Ronnie came out of isn't considered particularly strong, but is there any more doubt that Ronnie is the best player we could've selected that year? What a stud! I hope he stays healthy.
Our running back tandem looks like it really is one of the best if not the best in the national football league. The rumors we heard about Ricky Williams during the preaseason but didn't really see evidence of the first couple of games proved true yesterday. He also looks strong, punishing, shifty, and fast, and that's a good thing, what a one-two punch that can hopefully keep both guys healthy.
Of course, the running game wouldn't work without solid blocking up front which is exactly what they got yesterday but was missing the first two games. The line got off to a slow start the first couple of games, but in case anyone wasn't paying attention, that was a very solid front 7 that we pimp slapped around yesterday. Faesano had some great blocks, as did Smiley, Jake Long, and Vernon Carey. The most important thing about what this group did in this game against a highly regarded opponent in the trenches is that it will give the group some confidence, and that is more than half the battle. I look forward to seeing if the group can keep it up against San Diego, if they can, look out. Now I know what some of you haters are going to say, that the success was due to a gimick and a scheme that had the patriots "D" running around like 11 clowns trying to get in and out of one car, and there is some truth to that, but I will point out that that was still Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, and Richard Seymour that were getting pushed out of the way to open up big holes for Ronnie and Ricky. Bruschi and Adalius Thomas were handled. Half of all battles in football are mental and schematic, the best scheme in the world is meaningless without good if not flawless execution, and that's something that up until yesterday I dont think any of us have seen from this team in an awfully long time, quite possibly since the last time we beat the patriots.
The other thing that the front office focused on this year besides putting a group together that could run the football was stopping the run. In this league if you can run the football, stop the run, and play good special teams (we still need lots of work on that last one) you will probably win more games than you will lose. Whilst Maroney was out with an injury, the last thing I wanted to see was another former dolphin (Sammy Morris) gash this team for more big plays and big yardage. That didn't happen, our front seven was in a word magnificent. Not only did we do a good job against the run, but we got tons of pressure on the QB, hell, Starks even got an interception. Joey Porter backed up his talk (I'm as pleased and as shocked as anyone else about that one on this board), Philip Merling got a sack, Langford continued to demonstrate that he is a disruptive force in the pocket and one of the steals of the 08 draft, Ferguson's play demanded double teams, and Randy Starks is starting to show that maybe he is worth the money. Oh and Vonnie Holiday got a seriously bum deal on that roughing the passer play. That should've been an interception and a great play by Holiday, I doubt the coaches will get on him about that one.
The secondary wasn't awful, and there's alot to be said about that. Not sure how much of their relatively solid play yesterday had to do with a conscious effort to keep Randy Moss in Front of them and improved communication from Renaldo Hill at the safety position, or the fact that our front 7 was getting alot of pressure on a very inexperienced QB. I saw at least one play where if it were Brady instead of Cassell, they likely would've got 6 on what looked like a wide open receiver on a busted coverage down the field, but Cassell panicked and ended up getting sacked instead. In any case, there was improvement after last weeks debacle which is something to be happy for, hooray.
Chad Pennington was fantastic. I feel like we have some pretty solid QB play for the first time in ages, with the future also looking bright.
I really like Camarillo. I know, I know, he wouldn't even crack the starting line up for most teams in the NFL, but this guy has alot of heart. Let's not forget, he was responsible for our sole win last year, which was a big deal, and he is starting to look like he has something going with Pennington, looks like he could develop into an unembarassing possession receiving option which is sorely needed.
Anthony Faesano is the best overall tight end we've had in a long time and he doesn't even beat his wife, plus he actually blocks. Woo hoo, more reason for optimism.
They really need to put Ted Ginn back on kick returns and punt returns, he seems like he might be more of a threat to make something happen back there then in the receiving game, and Bess has been mediocre on special teams, just like Ginn has been mediocre (and that's being kind) as a receiver, but maybe he can turn it around, I sure hope so.
In summary, I will say that while I'm not getting carried away and dreaming about a playoff birth for this team this year, I am optimistic that we can and will win 7 or 8 games this year which would be great because another top 5 draft pick could destroy our salary cap, although with the owners opting out of the current collective bargaining agreement this past off season, that might not be true, but I digress. I guess what I've been trying to say in my long winded way is that for the first time in a long time it seems like this team isn't run by bozo the clown and that it is heading in the right direction and that sometimes on sundays we all may have something to cheer for again, it feels great. I was yelling at my television set yesterday, my girlfriend and dog both thought I was crazy, but I loved it and can't wait for more!
