What do you see?

Oh the Schedule... its such a wonderful thing. I see Miami is coming to Cincinnati, and Indianapolis this year, which means I'm likely going to get to attend 2 games. (If anyone plans on heading to those games let me know). The Indy game will be a freaking blast thats gonna require me showing up a day early... I've done a lot of stomping around in Indy when I was a DJ, and that means trouble will be afoot.

Anyway, back to the Rant.

What happens when the schedule comes out? The prognosticators come out, and by morning we'll have people telling us how many wins they see, how many losses etc.... and I'll be one of them. Kind of.

You see, I heard a point of view today on Colin Cowherd's show, that really REALLY made me reconsider how I view the schedule, and its impact upon our season as well as our goal of getting a franchise Quarterback.

How so you ask?

The Quarterbacks. Its all about the Quarterbacks. Not just ours, but the ones on the teams we are facing.

With the right QB, you can expect to win almost every game, or at least be in a position to win. There are only a few of those in the league, and we aren't lucky enough to have one of them.

So, lets say you put the Quarterbacks in Tier's. We'll put the Elite guys that can beat you by themselves, in Tier 1. We'll put the guys who are good but not great in Tier 2, and in Tier 3, we are putting rookies and guys that nobody is afraid of. I'm putting us down as a loss for every one of the Tier 1 guys, simply because our offense doesn't have the firepower to keep up with them. With our defense, we should expect to win about 50% against the Tier 2 guys, and we should beat all of the Tier 3 guys based on our Defense alone, at least in my own not so humble opinion.

For the record, Matt Moore & David Garrard, are Tier 3 QB's... maybe Moore is closer to Tier 2, but there isn't a Defensive Coordinator in the League that sits down and thinks, "Damn it, how the hell am I gonna stop Matt Moore or David Garrard, it boggles the mind".

Who is in Tier 1? (QB's we should lose to)

Peyton Manning (Broncos)
Brady (Pats)
Rodgers (Packers)
Big Ben (Steelers)
Brees (Saints)
Eli Manning (Giants)
Phillip Rivers (Chargers)

How many games do we play these guys?
ONLY 2 THIS SEASON (Brady, twice)

So, Who is in Tier 2? (QB's we should go 50/50 with)

Matt Schaub (Texans)
Cam Newton (Panthers)
Joe Flacco (Ravens)
Matt Stafford (Lions)
Matt Ryan (Falcons)
Josh Freeman (Bucs)
Tony Romo (Cowboys)
Mike Vick (Eagles)
Carson Palmer (Raiders)
Sam Bradford (Rams)
Matt Hasselback (Titans)
Mark Sanchez (Jets)
Andy Dalton (Bengals)
Alex Smith (Niners)
Jay Cutler (Bears)

How many games do we play against these guys?
8. (Texans, Raiders, Rams, Titans, Jets x2, Bengals, Niners)

And Finally Tier 3 (QB's we should expect to beat)

Colt Mccoy (Browns)
Joe Webb/Christian Ponder (Vikings)
Andrew Luck (Colts)
Blaine Gabbert (Jags) (if its Henne, I make him a Tier 2)
Matt Moore / David Garrard (Dolphins)
Ryan Fitzpatrick (Bills)
Griffin III (Redskins)
Matt Cassel (Chiefs)
Kevin Kolb (Cardinals)
Tavaris Jackson (Seahawks)

How many games do we play against these guys?
6. (Bills x2, Jags, Cardinals, Seahawks, Colts)

Whats the Initial Result? 10 - 6

We lose 2 to Brady, and 4 more to the tier 2 guys.... thats only 6 losses. That means we've actually got a shot at being a 10 win team...... Now, I look at our team, and think... No way in Hell are we a ten win team. So lets look a little closer.

Tier 2 - I think the Texans, Bengals, Niners are definite losses. I also think we split with the Jets....so do I see an extra loss coming from the Raiders, Rams, or Titans? I don't know. Rams are a mess, and no have no DC, Titans have a shot but we play them at Home, and the Raiders have Palmer, who I reluctantly made a Tier 2....but he's played like a Tier 3 guy for the last several years. So if I had to pick one, I'll say maybe the Titans find a way to win even though its a Home game for us, I can't see the other teams getting it together. That makes us 9-7..

Tier 1 - No way the Jags, Seahawks, or Colts beat us. The Cardinals MAYBE but they were horrible a year ago, so that leaves the Bills who have had a ton of upgrades this offseason. So, lets give the Bills a split. Thats 8-8.... and if we give the Cardinals a win since its an away game, we're 7-9 at worst....

Thats right, I look at our schedule, and I have to find a way for us to lose more than 6-7 games. I don't think my logic is that far off (do you?). This is the season I wanted to play all Tier 1 guys, and put us in contention for the likes of Barkley...

I just don't see any way possible for us to be in position for a high first round pick next season. Things are going to have to go drastically wrong AGAIN, for us to not be a middle of the road team... HELL we could be 10-6 or 9-7 easily... and its not a big stretch to get there.

The Good:
We've got an outside shot, but a shot, at a playoff run. We have a weak as hell schedule, which should translate to wins

The Bad
Unless we make MAJOR moves trading back for future picks in this draft, we're going to be on the outside looking in as far as being in position next years draft.

Am I crazy? Does this make sense to anyone? Do you agree with me? Is my logic sound?
Am I typing to myself?

So, just this past Saturday I made a 3 hour trip up to Montpelier, OH... Why you ask? Why would I ever go to such a god forsaken place?

Well, my 10 year old daughter has been wanting a pet of her own....and she chose a Hedgehog as a pet... Now the hedgehog is pretty damn cute... and the more I think about it, the more it reminds me of Miami fans as a whole.

You see, the Hedgehog is a great pet, very loving, rarely bites, is a little prickly around the edges, huffs and puffs a lot when something happens that it doesn't like, and will roll up into a little ball when stressed out. Sound like this very forum? I think so.

Matt Moore

Alight, lets start with what he's earned? Easy. Nothing more than what he started with. A roster spot. A back up QB position. He's Chad Henne 2.0, who himself is a reboot of Jay Feeley and so on down the line.

I was a Chad Henne supporter, as I've never been sold on Moore, and truthfully nothing about that has changed. I think Moore and Henne are almost interchangeable. He started 12 games, and won half of them.

Lets start with the good. He had a 16:9 TD to INT ratio, which its always nice to see on the good side... and he was more mobile in the pocket (although Henne was looking good early in the season too)... He added 2 rushing touchdowns. The game seemed to be different when he was on the field...and I'll attribute that to the way he moved around more.

Now the bad. He only had 2 games over 250 yards passing, and zero above 300. He took 36 sacks, costing the team 229 total yards, and he fumbled the ball and unbelievable 14 times.....losing 6 of them. He averaged less than 200 yards passing per game which ranks him 28th in the league. Out of the six games he won this season, only one of them finished with a .500 record or better (Oakland). So while he looked good when we won.. he wasn't exactly beating the cream of the crop.

He was a different breed of average Quarterback for us this year... and that's why we got excited when he did something different. But this is his 5th year in the league, and I don't see anything about him that says he can strap the team on his back and carry them to victory.

My personal opinion of Matt Moore, is the same of Chad Henne, Jay Fiedler, etc... He's an average run of the mill quarterback, that will win you 3 games per season, and keep you in position to win 3 more. If you want any more wins, the defense and or rushing game better be stepping up.

My wish: No Shocker here...Move up and get whichever QB Indy doesn't take (Luck/Griffin). I have no interest in Matt Flynn. The only way I'd be interested in Peyton Manning, is if 20 other clubs are all interested in Manning. If 20 other clubs are actively going after him, then I'm okay with throwing the world to get him. I want him to pass the majority of clubs physicals before I say yes. I absolutely love Peyton Manning, but the last thing I want is another Culpepper or Trent Green Fiasco.... Good QB's who had injuries that put them at risk for a career ender, only to be signed by us...and surprise, their career's ended.

The New Guy - Philbin

I'll ask a simple question? What do you expect from him? I'll tell you what I expect. The same as when every head coach comes in. Not a whole lot. I expect some pretty speeches, some motivational talks about his philosophy...which lets be honest. When a coach is asked about their philosophy and what they want to change, its like asking a pro athlete for a quote at the end of the game.

"Gotta give 110%....gotta make plays.... change the culture.... credit the team... put ourselves in position to make plays" We've all heard it before...many times.

The fact is it doesn't matter what he did in Green Bay. We're not Green Bay. We don't have the same personnel, the same people calling the plays, so its ludacris to think that what he did in Green Bay is going to somehow translate itself to our team.

Remember this guy named Cameron? Offensive stud for the 13-3 Baltimore Ravens, helped lead them to their franchises best regular season record, before losing to the Superbowl winnings Colts in Rnd 2 of the playoffs. He came into Miami, with lofty expectations...I along with some of you were probably pretty damn excited with Cam came in...1-15 later... we were happy to see him go.

Tony Sparano.... Offensive Line Guy.... he was going to take our rushing attack to the next level. Instead, we had a Offensive Line that never played to anyone's expectations, and I don't need to rehash the last couple years as you all know how that went.

My take: We have to be realistic. We're likely not making the playoffs next year, or even the year after that. Could we? Yes. Am I holding my breath? no. Why would I? With our current personnel we're 9-7, 8-8...that's our sweet spot right now. We could easily repeat 2007 or 2008. I just don't know. I'm hopeful. But not blindly.

Brandon Marshall

I'm so very confused at the amount of people that want to trade away this guy. I'm even more confused at the number of people that seem to be surprised that Marshall drops passes. That's not exactly a new thing for Marshall. He's always dropped passes.

That happens when you are consistently one of the top 5-10 most targeted Wide Receivers in the league. Now, the last 2 years, his total receptions have gone down, by close to 20 catches... he's on his 5th straight 1,000 yard season, and despite having 5 less catches that last year, he finished with exactly 200 yards more (1,214 yards). Which again, puts him in the top 10 in the NFL in both receptions, and yards. He was also 8th in the league in plays over 20+ yards....

No, he's not getting the TD's. But that's not necessarily his fault. We all saw the balls thrown to him in the Red Zone. Many of them just bad, and it was amazing to see him even get his hands on some of the balls... bad play designs, bad patterns, and sometimes bad throws...and yes, sometimes, he just didn't catch the ball.

But that doesnt' change the fact that despite every defensive coordinator out there game planning for Marshall, he caught for 1,214 yards with a guy named Matt Moore throwing him the ball.

The fact is he's still an elite receiver, producing like an elite receiver, in all aspects..... outside of the TD's. If we can get an him better option at QB...who knows what he'll do. I think he knows what he'll do... but I think we all have no idea.

Mr. Daniel Thomas.....

I almost didn't want to put this picture up of him.. because this picture makes him look exciting, like he's making big things happen.

There were 10 rookie Running Backs that had at least 50 carries this season. The running back with the worst yards per carry? Our very own Daniel Thomas. He had the most attempts of all rookie RB's, but finished a distant 4th in total yards.

Now, i'm not going to dismiss him after one season, and maybe he's serving his purpose as the 2nd punch behind Reggie Bush... but I actually thought it was supposed to be the other way around.

Bush was supposed to be our versatile guy. The guy we lined up all over the field, forcing defenses to compensate and causing mismatches... while Thomas was pounding the rock inside. I know he's a young running back and he's got some growing to do, and hell, he's still learning the position. But made a monster jump in the last draft to snag him, and not only did he under perform, he had trouble staying healthy to boot.

Lets hope he turns that around....we need him too. I'm certainly not sold on Reggie being a primary back. We all laud him for his 1,000 yard season... but seriously, do you believe he can repeat that consistently? I'm still of the belief that he is a different kind of weapon, and a not a feature back....at least not a between the tackles guy.

So anyway, that's my opinion....

Feel free to comment away. Yes I didn't cover it all, but, gotta save something for the next one lol

So, I haven't been around as much as I used to, and it appears a lot (not all) but a ton of the negativity has flushed itself away.... (coincidence maybe?)....

But I felt it absolutely necessary to come back and make this post about one of our own. Griffin "OFF4L Van Nest, is far and away more than just the guy in the face paint with all the cool stories and the pictures that we look forward to. He's ohhhh so much more than that.

My first experience with OFF4L was just like most of us here on the site. He made a post, and inside that post was a man (and his wife) with a fandom that made me stand in awe. Now, I consider myself a pretty hardcore fan.... but this guy... this guy put me at the kiddie table.

Knowing he was from Toledo, I had extended the invite to meet up for a beer if his travels ever brought him thru Columbus, and I'll be damned if it didn't happen shortly after that. He found himself in town, for the Buckeyes home opener and we met over at the Roosters by my office in Grove City (just south of Columbus). It wasn't hard to miss his ride, the Impala with the Red Wings, Block O, and Monster Dolphins Decal on the back window...

For the next hour we sat and Griffin rambled off his adventures along with some details I didn't know. For instance, I knew it worked in healthcare in some capacity, but what I learned is that he works with the elderly doing physical therapy. It takes a special kind of soul to work long and hard and travel the country doing what he does, and that more than anything is what Griffin should be remembered for.

Shortly after our meeting in Columbus, I made it down to the Dolphins game in Cincinnati on Halloween (My Birthday). It was there that Griffin guided me to the Dolphins tailgate, and it was there I started to see the magic that is OFF4L, in all his glory. He was decked out in the Face paint, the aqua blazer, and he brought with him what appeared to be a crowd of 100+ of his closest friends.

Dolphin fans, Bengal's fans, it didn't matter. Everyone was interested in this painted concierge of the tail gate. You see Griffin does just show up with a case of beer, and a smile... Griffin shows up with a truck decked out in Dolphins gear, he shows up with a grill the size of the Florida Pan handle, and enough food to feed the small army of his fellow friends. (Burgers, Chicken, Shrimp, Steak, Kabobs, Cookies, Pies, Cakes, Snack foods, Jello Shots & more)

Beer and Pumpkin Pie on Halloween? I'm in....

I can't tell you how many of the Cincinnati Faithful came over to say Hi, and get a picture with Ohio. His attitude, demeanor and charismatic attitude is infectious. He was actually handing out Dolphins gear to the crowd of fans that were there. He tried to give me a couple Toledo Dolphins Fan Club Drinking Glasses, but I felt it was better to go to some of the other more deserving fans that were milling about. This guy is the absolute definition of a philanthropist.

I walked away a better person know OFF4L, and it truly is hard to see how anyone could do anything but like Griffin.

We've all seen his pictures and MM Adventures here on thePhinsider, and we've all read about his exploits witch Channing Crowder, and the numerous other guys he's had the fortune of speaking with and getting to know on a fairly regular basis.... but hopefully everyone garnered even more respect for him when we heard about the DCC.

He jumped head first into a 100 mile bike a thon to help raise money for a charity. Not because he it was something he did regularly, but because he felt the need to help more people. Yes, Griffin loves his mountain bike, but this is an entirely different beast altogether. He showed zero hesitation in what he was getting into, and I'll be damned if he didn't come out on top. He wasn't riding for you, he wasn't riding for me... he was riding for Cancer Survivors and Cancer patients everywhere. There was no option to fail.... and he didn't.

So it comes as no surprise....

When I read that our own OFF4L is going to have his own Bronze Bust in Canton. Seriously? In Canton!! The freaking Football Hall of Fame. I'm already planning my 2 hour drive over there to get a picture...hopefully I can time it right and meet up with Griff...

Boldest Fan? Maybe.

Boldest Person? Absolutely.

I like many before and many after, will be a better person because of the blessings Ohio leaves for others. We share in his experiences, his joy, and more over, he takes that same energy and enthusiasm in his work with the elderly, the love him...with good reason.

Thanks Griffin for all you do.

I couldn't think of a more deserving person for this award.

This isn't a rant..... its a Rave.

You are a Hall of Famer on the forum.

You are a Hall of Famer in Person

and you are soon to be a Hall of Famer in Canton..... amazing.

Congrats.

Where do we begin this week?  Hmmmmm... Lets go with everyone's favorite quarterback.

  Chad Freaking Henne

Lets start with the obvious.  Its just one game, and a game we lost.  But I don't really have the same feeling about this loss, as I would a normal loss.  

Why?  Well, for starters, we had 488 Total Yards of offense in this game.  Chad contributed 416 Yards passing, 2 TDs, and a pick...and i"m not counting the pick. We put up the 2nd most offensive yards in the league yesterday, against the New England Patriots.....  Chad looks faster, making better decisions, and HOLY COW, CALLING HIS OWN PLAYS AT THE LINE!!!!  His hand signals to Marshall were enough for me to do back flips.  I love he has that ability this year.

Reggie Bush

I'm not so sure about the running between the tackles.  I get that we really didn't have a RB we had faith in to help him out against New England, but he's not cut out for it.  He needs to move around like he did in New Orleans.  The fact he had 9 catches, tells us he's going to do just that as well.  I'm excited to have him, but my expectations aren't ridiculous.  If used correctly, he's an awesome piece to the team... if used incorrectly, he's an overpaid, under producing RB.  He's a Percy Harvin guy, and I expect them to continue to use him that way.

Brandon Marshall

With the new found freedom Henne has to audible to Marshall if they see something they like, I expect even bigger things from his this year.  He had a phenomenal game against New England, just still having issues in the red zone.  I don't know if its a communication issue between Henne & Marshall, bad play calling or what, Hopefully he finds the end zone more and more.  Personally I don't care if he never gets into the endzone, as long as he leads the team down there.... and someone gets in.  7 for 139, I'll take that every game.

But some things never change...

So, do you think we still have a Tight End Coverage issue?  For the love of god, shut down the middle of the field!  Nolan got royally out coached, and the defense got out played.  13 Passes, for 189 Yards to Tight Ends in this game.  Come on!  We've got a great group of outside CB's, how about maybe doubling up on tight ends and let our guys play on the outside?  (when they aren't cramping....which is sad).  The Tight Ends have killed us, murdered us for several years now.... 

This also highlights another area.  Where the hell is our stud TE?  Fasano, 5 for 82, respectable numbers I know.  But there isn't a single person in the stadium, watching on TV, playing Madden, or anywhere, that looks at Fasano and says, 'Yeah, he's the guy I would want, that kid is gonna be special."  Because he's not.  He's going to be average.  We already know he'll have his good games, and his bad games.  But he's not consistent.  I wouldn't count on him in any given game.  Would you?

The Vontae - Sean Debate

Did you see what I saw?  They picked on Vontae in the first quarter.  I mean wherever he was, the ball went.  I'm not saying anything...I'm just saying when the game started, and the Patriots wanted to go down and make a mark by scoring first...they picked on Vontae.  Obviously later in the game it was Sapp and Carroll, but initially they went after Vontae.  Something to watch in future games.

Notice to the Coaches & Sean Smith

If you are cramping, and hopping around...they are going to throw right at you deep next snap.  Sean needs to know to take himself out of the game when that happens....but more so, the Coaches have a responsibility to see he's cramping severely, and take him out...even if Smith doesn't say anything.  The whole world saw Smith cramp and hobble up and it only takes 1 person on the New England Offense to say, "Hey, #24 is cramping bad, go after him". Hell the freaking overhead screen in the stadium showed him cramping.... Everyone KNEW!!  

Sometimes you need to know when to call it a day

There are times when you look around, and things aren't the same.  The people are different, the feel is different, everything about this blog is different.  We're a victim of our own success.  The site has grown exponentially, and has long ago passed the point that it needed moderators....they never appeared.  I used to enjoy coming to thePhinsider and would spend countless hours a day on here, debating the games, the players, the situational playcalling, everything.  Sometimes we all agreed, sometimes we didn't, but it we all recognized why we were here.

The Chicken Littles have gotten larger, the juvenile fan posts have gotten more prevalent, and the quality posts, conversations and insights have gotten lost.  Oh, there are a few good Fan Posts still around, and new quality contributors for sure... but I don't have the time to sift thru the rest of the junk anymore, its too many.

I look at the Fan Post screen.  I see pages of posts with only 1-2 fanposts having over 50 comments.  There is no more discussion around here.  Its become a place, where people get a random thought, and make a fanpost, noone discusses things anymore.  

We're truly a victim of our own success.  Greater visibility = more members.  More Members (without moderation) = More junk.  More Junk = Less Quality.  Less Quality = Less Enjoyable.  but.. More Hits = More revenue...and thats what SBNation wants.

So.... even though its only week 1... This will be my only rant of the season.  And I too will disappear along with the fallen bloggers of yesteryear.

I consider many of you my friends (internet-wise), and I look forward to tailgating with OFF4L at the Browns game, maybe I"ll see some of you there.

I won't bother to list everyone, for fear that I will forget someone.... but I've enjoyed my time here.  And maybe I'll find my way into a CKC sometime.  If you have my contact info, feel free to keep in touch :)

Thanks for everything!

Shane 

  Its good to know things don't change.  

 You know there are always going to be Fans who over react to everything.  This blog is a perfect example of that.  Look at some of you, yes you.  You are pathetic.  For Real?

Look, lets go start with the obvious.  We don't know what we have as a football team for this year.  We don't know.  This last game certainly didn't show us anything.  It was a glorified practice, with 2 of our main Offensive weapons sitting on the sidelines.

I swear a lot of you are nothing more then a bunch of women.  My 9 year old daughter whines and cries less about Football than a large portion of you fans around here.  And No, your argument of "We're just not happy with mediocrity", "We haven't had a QB since Dan Marino" doesn't fly.  Get over yourselves.  Do you honestly think there isn't a single fan on this blog that isn't aware of this fact?    How do you think the Colts are gonna do when Manning Retires...    I swear its like you have this sense of entitlement.   Madden comes out August 30th kids.  Focus on that will ya.

Leave the real football to the big boys.

Seriously.  Its called Decaf try it.   Please for the love of god, don't listen to REM - Everybody Hurts after a preseason game, or there's going to be a lot of dead bloggers in the news...   Take your anti depressants, stay away from the alcohol, and don't handle any fire arms without adult supervision.

But, But...Chad Henne Threw 2 Interceptions in 8 Passes!!

Look nimrods.  Chad Henne threw 1 Interception in 8 passes, Fasano gets the 1st Interception.  The only interception that Henne threw was the pass to Bess where Grimes goes up and makes one hell of an athletic play to go up and snatch that ball out of the air.  Sure the pass shouldn't have been thrown.  Bess was covered, and there were 2 defenders in the area to make a play on the ball.  Whether or not Bess runs the wrong route, it doesn't matter, it was a bad decision to throw the ball.   Henne did however attempt to "touch pass" it over the defender to Bess....something I'm happy to see him at least attempt.... but it was a bad throw, and a great play by the defender.

The first interception hits Fasano on on the left shoulder.  In professional football this is the equivalent of hitting a receiver in the hands.  Fasano should have come down with this ball 99% of the time, but the ball bounced off his shoulder and into John Abrahams waiting arms.  This is not Chad Henne's fault.

Someone tell Me Why Chad Henne can become an Average QB?

Yeah, I saw that Fan Post title, and thought...man this dude needs to relax.  Lets go off last years stats for now.  Chad Henne's QB Rating put him 22nd in the league.  Right behind Matt Ryan & Jay Cutler who both played pretty well last year.  Ten Quarterbacks threw more Interceptions than Chad Henne last year, including one guy by the name of Peyton Manning, and he's pretty good.  

Look, I'm not apologizing for Chad Henne.  I'm not saying he's the answer.  I'm not saying he isn't going to struggle this season.  What I am saying, is we don't have a clue.....not a clue as to what this season has in store for us.

If you actually watched this game, Henne did a good job of going thru his reads.  Henne moved in the pocket well, and didn't just stand there like a statue.  That Playaction pass to Hartline was a thing of Beauty.  

Remember:

• We Publicly Acknowledged we didn't game plan for this game... basically, we "Wing'd It"
• Two of our best offensive weapons were on the sidelines all game (Marshall, and Bush)
• No Mini Camps
• No OTAs
• No Playbooks or Coaching for how long in the offseason?  Until just a couple weeks ago?

Fellas, its time to get away from the ledge.  Get a Beer, Get Laid, relax.
You want to concerned.  Worry about the Offensive Line that we have that still isn't making the running lanes that we need, despite a Head Coach who specializes in Offensive Lines.  

But Really Boo Birds.  Its the FIRST PRESEASON GAME.  Numero Uno.  
And for you Tyler Thigpen folks.....one for 5, for 5 yards total.  Drew Brees was 1-4... and Peyton Manning didn't play at all.... The end is Near Folks.

Build a Shelter

Fill up the tub with water

Buy Ammuntion

Stock up the food storage.

Give me a break.

ITS ONLY PRESEASON!    ITS ONLY PRESEASON!!!  

I'll make this rant a lot shorter than normal, because i'm at work and should be doing some paperwork....plus, there is already a million posts so I'm going to consolidate them.

Pouncey Pick

Look, the OLine was a need.  I get it.  He's a good Guard, I get that.  But we drafted him way too early.  AND, we drafted him as a Center it seems, and he had exchange issues all last season.  He's only played Center for one year, and we want him to anchor our Offensive Line?  Especially in a year, where there likely won't be an OTAs, Mini camps, or maybe even Training Camp depending on how long the Labor Dispute goes.

That's not a plug and play type of position, he's got to learn the line calls, and clearly needs to work on the actual snap (after a year of playing, snapping in practice, and probably snapping at home in his spare time, he still had issues).  As a Gator fan, and former Gator Alum, I watched every game of us....I'm not thrilled at the prospect of him playing Center.

So, He fills a need... but maybe not the need we drafted him for, and we drafted him way too early. 

Daniel Thomas

Personally I didn't watch him play all year, so I can't give you my opinion of him.  I'll defer to others that have watched him play.  He only been a RB for a couple seasons, as he was a QB in HS.  While learning a new position he became the 2nd best rusher in Kansas State History (not really saying a lot imo), but that means he's growing.  Ireland spoke of 40 runs over 10 yards, and 15 runs over 20 yards.  No he's not the 2nd coming of Chris Johnson, but he'll get small chunks of yardage from what it seems.  I'm okay with that.  As long as the ball moves forward.

He apparently fumbled 6 times last year.... which doesn't really concern me.... I mean we are used to it, Ricky has fumbled at least 4-5 times a year every year.  Hopefully he works on it, but it sounds like he has some upside.

Not Getting Ryan Mallett

Yes, it was a Latin Soap Opera in the draft chats.... the love affair for this Mallett kid was insane.  I'm going to point out a few things.

• Did you really want the Dolphins to use ANOTHER 2nd round pick on a QB?  Seriously? 
• Other than Brady, name the last time the 7th QB off the board turned into anything more than a Clip Board Holding Junk Time Career Back Up?   It just doesn't happen.  Odds are, Mallett never sees significant time on the field.  
• So what if the Patriots picked him?  The Patriots also picked him with their 5th pick.  That means they valued 2 Running Backs, a Defensive Back, AND a Tackle, over Mallet.  Don't get confused into thinking they valued him as much as they said.  Everyone around here is upset we didn't take him with our 1st or 2nd pick.... how would you have felt if we waiting until our 5th pick?  Exactly.    They may say he was the "Top Rated QB" on their board, but would you really expect them to say, "He was the 7th rated QB on our board, but we didn't rate him higher than a Tackle, or a DB we didn't really need, or 2 RBs"... Use your head.  See thru the statements.

DJ Williams

This is the guy I've wanted since Day 1... a speedy pass catching Tight End.  A guy that takes advantage of the middle of the field, opens up the rest of the field, and gives Henne another outlet where there will typically be a mismatched Linebacker covering him.   

My fingers are crossed.

Free Agency Changes Everything

We can still get our scat back, in DeAngelo Williams (if he isn't an RFA), Darren Sproles, Reggie Bush, Jerious Norwood, or others.  I'd prefer DeAngelo or Reggie Bush (because he's the original Percy Harvin type of back).  

We can still get a Veteran QB to back up Henne (and unless its Carson Palmer or Matt Hassleback, they will be backing up Henne).... names noone is going to flip for, but Thigpen, Rosenfells, Tavaris Jackson, Bulger (goes to AZ I bet), and others are out there....

Ross has already said months ago that his wallet will be open in Free Agency, and after last year, there is no reason to suspect he won't do it again.

Please stop with the BS Comments

I'm not talking to the guys who are pissed in the draft chats, or the ones are mad because we didn't take Mallett.  I'm talking to Sheep who continue to rant, "He's a Dolphin, and I'll support him", blah blah blah.  

Look, its okay to get pissy with those kind of comments during the season, If a fan is mad during the season and in games, and talks about leaving the team IF WE DON'T DO (insert action).....sure, jump on those guys.  God knows I do.  But don't jump on fans for wanting to improve their team.  There isn't a single pair of people here who agree on what is best to improve the team.  So, people are going to disagree....  It doesn't make us any less of a fan for questioning the Front Office moves, for questioning why they play it safe, and why we continue to have an 8-8 record.  We'd be British if we didn't question things, and if we didn't want to get better.  We aren't.

The draft is an emotional time, ever fan has their hopes and their favorite college players that they will unilaterally fall in love with for whatever reason (maybe they saw a bunch of their games, they went to the same school, fans of the school etc).... but most fans scouting consists of just the college teams we are interested in, and teams that play those teams.....thats it..... not exactly a good canvas.

To think that we SHOULDN'T question our Front office staff, is ludacris, especially given that our team owner himself was actively trying to replace the Head Coach in the offseason.  If the owner does it, damn sure better expect the fans to do it too.  So just stop.

Damn, this wasn't as short as I expected lol......go figure.

So Where the F&#% have I been?  

I use this image because its exactly how I felt several months ago when I decided to stop frequenting the site as much as I was.

I was losing way too much time at work (as I am now), I was on the site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, just waiting constantly checking for new replies.... and then I realized, that the quality of the posts had just tanked.  The people I enjoyed reading weren't posting, and there was this onslaught of new people (nothing wrong with that), but it seemed that most of them had the mentality of a child...... A million different Fan Posts saying the same thing, and all of them 1 paragraph long, I needed a break.

But as in Lost, even when they weren't there.....they were always around.  And thats where I've been.

The Draft Rant

So last year around this I made a post about the value of Draft Picks vs. Trading/Restricted Free Agents, while I was on my "Operation: Bring BM to Miami" kick....   I think this year, more than any in recent years that post absolutely applies.  I look at this draft, and nobody jumps out at me.  Other than AJ Green / Julio Jones, I don't see a player that this team HAS to have.

1. There is no overall Consensus QB, that is a must have.  He's just not there, and we have more needs than to settle for another Work in Progress.  If we aren't in a position to get as close to a sure thing as possible (which we aren't), we leave this alone.
2. Mark Ingram would fill a need.  He seems NFL ready (as most HBs are).  On paper he looks like an upgrade over what we have.... but who would you rather have, Ingram or DeAngelo Williams?  (if you said Ingram, go stand in the corner and think about what you just said).  DeAngelo fills a need, he's a proven producer... but, he does have Ronnie Brown-like Injury history....... I'd rather take Williams and use a later round pick on a back, than take Ingram in the 1st.
3. Prior to Brandon Marshall getting stabbed, a speedy wide receiver was a pretty consensus need.  Although I'd argue the loss of Hartline last year severely hampered our WR core.... but with him getting stabbed now WR is a NECESSITY.  Either we are adding speed to compliment Marshall, OR we are adding a WR to eventually replace Marshall.... (more on him later)
4. A fast pass catching Tight End is a must in this league.  Fasano isn't the guy, and won't ever be the guy.  Fasano lacks consistency, and really lacks big play ability.  But is there a guy you'd take that high?
5. The offensive line is a must address.... but is anyone willing to part with a high pick here?  nope.

So we are walking into a draft, with some needs to fill, and no super sexy players to fill them with.  Its doubtful Julio Jones and/or AJ Green are anywhere near available when we will have our picks, so what do you do?
I"ll be honest, There isn't anyone that I'm going to be thrilled with getting if its not one of those 2 WR's.... There isn't anyone in this draft that is just going to get me excited, and I think "WE" (thats all Miami Fans) have to prepare ourselves for a not so exciting draft.  If we're going to make any major moves its going to be backwards in the draft to recoup that 2nd rounder that BMarsh cost us.... 
I request that we don't have a million Fan Posts about how horrible the draft picks were.  Besides, common sense tells you that you don't know how well you did in a draft until 3-4 years later.... 
So here's to hoping we make a big splash in Free Agency, and get an immediate impact guy or 2.

Brandon Marshall Rant
Its no secret I was one of the top supporters of getting Marshall on this team.  Its no secret I was for betting the house on him as well.... To this day I say his talent was worth a 1st and a 3rd.... and even more so for two 2nd rounders..... but, there was always risk involved.

Brandon Marshall isn't Herb on the street corner. He's not the quiet guy who surrounds himself with boring individuals.  We had all thought and hoped, that the change of scenery, and his marriage would calm his life down a little.  Obviously we all were wrong.

Marshall has a life filled with poisonous relationships.  I've argued time and time again that he was never charged with anything, but he's a classic example of a domestic abuse participant.  Its possible, this is all he knows.  Psychologists will tell you, some people in those circumstances equate domestic trauma with love.  They equate the beatings the arguments, the poisonous atmosphere with "attention and caring".

Marshall is no different.  Thats his world, and I guess "WE" all (myself included) were a little naive to think he would move past it.   We don't know whether Brandon was the aggressor or the victim yet.  We know he had defensive wounds on his hands, but thats going to happen with a crazy bitch comes at you with a knife.  The fact that he lied to police about falling on a vase concerns me..... That reeks of protecting oneself.  So, we'll let this play out...

I hope to see the Beast scoring TD after TD after TD this year..... but lets hope he doesn't have to heal after every one of them.

Marshall's talent is worth the risk.... and there ARE going to be more incidents like this (hopefully not this severe) in his future..... Its going to happen....... The current Front Office is married to Marshall.  They paid two 2nd round picks for him, gave him a monster deal (with opt out options of course), and there is no way they cut him.... because their future is tied to the teams success....and without question, he does more than any other play on offense for these Miami Dolphins.

Furthermore, if you are on the CUT MARSHALL bandwagon..... all I gotta say, is pick a bandwagon and stay on it.  Fair weather fans aren't fans, they are cry babies... It takes Brass Balls to real fan.  (anyone get the edited reference?)

Lets start out with the obvious:

Where to start?   How about the Obvious.

FRONT OFFICE F'UPS

The problem's we experienced offensively pale in comparison to the problems we have starting with the OC and up all the way to the very owner.

• Tony Sparano lost his job.  He may be with the team next year, he may get a pay raise, but he lost his job over the past few days.  There isn't a single player in that locker room that is really going to hang on anything he says...   The "Wolf" can't be fed, because it no longer has any teeth, and the players realize it.
• Congrats to Mr. Ross, he's neutered the Head Coach.
• WTF is Sparano thinking?  Seriously.  He clearly HAD to know what was going on, and he let it happen.  Does this HC not have a backbone?  How the hell does he not immediately approach the owner and ask to be bought out of his deal, so he could look for more work.  How do you sit there and let this happen to you?  Where is this guys backbone?   I'm sorry, I lost respect for Sparano, as I'm sure the players have as well.
• Who offers a College coach with no NFL coaching experience $7 million a year?!?!  WHO does that?  Noone.  We were essentially going to make an unproven coach, the highest paid coach in the league... Harbough was great in college, and is a great coach, but better then Belechick? Seriously?
• Given the point above, how bad does your team need to be to get turned down on an offer like that?  What the Frack is going on in Davey?  We offer an unheard of contract, and still get turned down by a team offering less money..... am I the only one scratching my head?

I can't think of a worse scenario (well maybe if Henning had stayed), then the one that just played out in Miami.  Between the jet setting owner, everyone in the world outside of North Korea knowing that we were trying to replace Sparano, and LETTING SPARANO HANG OUT TO DRY.....and then Sparano letting it happen....  I just can't fathom how this happened.

Then there were the Patriots

So, continuing the theme above..... along with the comment by Ricky Williams that Sparano had pretty much lost the locker room, and the team wasn't focused going into the last game of the season.  

If he had started to lose the locker room then, then he definitely lost the locker room over the last 3 days.  No amount of money Ross throws at Sparano is going to make up for the fact that every player on that roster KNOWS that we were trying to replace him.  They KNOW that we may STILL try to replace him, this year or next.   Not only that, with the attitudes these guys, I imagine a lot of them have lost respect for Sparano for letting it happen, and just taking it like a beaten dog.

Andrew Luck just f'd us.

By no means did I think we were going to be able to draft Luck.... Zero chance of that happening, HOWEVER, it meant that another decent (not great) QB might fall to us.  Now, that QB is likely going to go ahead of us, and we're back with Henne, and maybe a QB drafted in the 3rd/4th round.  There is no ZERO chance we take a QB in round one, and more chance that we trade back to regain our 2nd round pick.

I expected Henne to be the starter next year, and I assume he absolutely will be now.

Missing Piece.  Offensive Coordinator

We are still missing a very big piece of what ails us.  We need to replace Henning with top talent.  But, now where is the top talent going to come from?  Apparently we are willing to overpay, so who are we going to get?  I was down with Kubiak...but thats not going to happen now.  Josh McDaniels is out, due to Nolan and Marshall.   So who is out there that you really want?  Do we trust the OC position to a college guy?  I'm not sure I do, its a different breed, its a completely different game.

Rookie Wage Scale

If it doesn't come in 2011, its coming in 2012.  How will that affect the ability to for teams to move up in the draft?  Most teams have been trying to trade out of the top 5 picks due to the financial commitment in signing those guys.  Now that that financial commitment will be gone, whats the incentive to move down?  Teams will have to overpay even more now (with picks), since teams won't have to worry about the financial risk.

Going up and getting that Franchise QB is going to get a whole lot harder.

VINCE YOUNG

Everyone say it with me.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
and unless you are a Madden-ite, I shouldn't have to explain why.

I had more to rant about, but I seriously was just spit balling this one....and I am still very fired up as I type this.  Unfortunately, that meant I lost track of a bunch of the stuff I wanted to talk about....grrrr.

Happy F'ing New Year.

Lets start with the easiest part of all of this. A Conversation with Mr. Ross

Who created our Quarterback mess?

You know whats funny?  We are.  Why?  Because Chad Henne is exactly who he was last year.  Coming into the season there was one thing that we as fans, and the National media were sure of.  We were sure that the Miami Dolphins had one of the best Quarterback situations in the league.  

The overall consensus coming into the 2010 season was that we had a Top 12-15 QB in Chad Henne, and we had 2 guys sitting on the bench that could start for most NFL teams (Pennington and Thigpen).  People everywhere were gushing about our depth at the position, and we talked constantly about how teams wished they were in our situation.

Flash forward to 16 weeks later, and look at how blind we actually were.  Pennington is more brittle than ever, Thigpen hasn't proven that he can handle anything, and Chad Henne is playing EXACTLY like he did last year....maybe even a little better.... except, we now consider our QB situations one of the worst in the league.  How did that happen?  Who is to blame?

Well, before I say who, I want to show you some statistics....granted statistics don't show the picture of what actually happens "in-game", but its a guide.

Chad Henne's Stats thru 13 starts.

Looking at these stats, what do we see?

• He completed 21 more passes, in 23 more attempts.  His Completion % is about the same.
• His average yards is about equal
• He's got 3 more TD's, and 4 more INTs, but he's also lost 2 Fumbles.

Its called consistency folks, and its staring you in the face.  Now, I'm not trying to sit here and type out some kind of major support for Chad Henne, because I don't support him any longer.  Its clear he's not the guy we hoped he would be... but, he is exactly what he showed us last year.  The Win-Loss record is pretty much the same as well.

So who do we blame?  (hold your seats folks).

 Dan Marino is who we blame.

Why do I blame Danny Boy?  Simple.  He gave us more than just a glimpse of greatness.  The sad part of all of this is that many people here and fans abroad, never even got to see him play.... yet they continue to compare any and all of our Quarterbacks to Great One.  Why?

We've got to stop.  Talent like Marino's only comes around once every few generations.  Look across the league, how many QBs are truly elite?  Very few.  We're not going to find the next Dan Marino anytime soon, and we've got to stop expecting it.  Its killing us.  How many teams have ever had Elite Quarterbacks in the modern era one after another?   I can think of San Fran, as the only example.  And how has their franchise done since Steve Young/Montana retired?  What do you think the fans of the Patriots, or Colts will be doing when Brady & Manning retire, and their franchises go the way of the 1990-2010 Dolphins (which they will).

I'm not saying we settle for mediocrity (even though thats become a common statement around here lately). Instead, we need to start building a team that makes average to above average Quarterbacks better.   

Quarterback play is the most important piece on the field, no doubt about it.  And you have to continue to use draft picks trying to find the next Marino.  Hell, I say draft a quarterback every single year.

The Quote that exemplifies the Quarterback position, is said from a man who had never EVER even heard of Football.

Ability will never catch up with the demand for it. - Confucious, Born 551 B.C.

Where is the Tight End?

What do all of the top passing teams have in common?  A stud receiving Tight End.

Passing Rank
          1 - Indianapolis Colts (Dallas Clark, Jacob Tamme - combined 97 catches, 911 Yards)
          2 - New Orleans Saints (Jimmy Graham, Jeremy Shockey  - combined 70 catches, 749 Yards)
          3 - San Diego (Antonio Gates, Randy McMichael - combined 68 catches, 997 yards)
          4 - Dallas Cowboys (Jason Witten 90 catches, 956 yards)
**       5 - Green Bay Packers (Jermichael Finley, Andrew Quarless - 41 catches, 534 Yards)
          6 - Houston Texans (Owen Daniels, Joel Dressen - 67 catches, 877 Yards)
      #14 - Miami Dolphins (Anthony Fasano, Mickey Shuler - 41 catches, 572 Yards)

** Green Bay's Tight End Jermichael Finley was injured for the year in week 5.

Anthony Fasano isn't going to be confused as an Elite Tight End in this league anytime soon, or most likely ever.  If we are going to develop any Quarterback, and if we want to continue to improve, we need a better pass catching Tight End.  We missed the boat on a unbelievable crop of pass catching Tight Ends in the past draft, but I don't think we could afford to take them.... I was pissed we didn't get one at the time, but looking at the leaps and bounds our defense has made, I think we made the right decisions.

Stop looking at the past drafts.  You can't change them.

Just stop.  We drafted Jake Long, not Matt Ryan.  We drafted Pat White, not someone else.  We can't go back and change them, and its ridiculous to try and saw with 20/20 hindsight now, that we made the bad choice.  There is going to be bad draft choices every year (Ginn, White, Turner, etc)....its going to happen.  

There is absolutely nothing that can come of dwelling on "Well we should've taken Matt Ryan."  For the love of god that was a few years ago, let it go.  We didn't take them..... You know we didn't take them.  I know we didn't take them, EVERYONE KNOWS we didn't take them.  So stop bringing it up.  It serves no purpose, and since they haven't been on our roster, we don't know how they would have turned out.  Ryan could've turned into David Carr under our roster and system......we just don't know, so its pointless to bring it up.  

Argue something tangible.

We aren't getting Logan Mankins

I don't believe it'll happen.  I want him, but I don't think it happens, and it has everything to do with money.

Last year we spent a combined $90 million dollars on Karlos Dansby and Brandon Marshall.  Thats a whole lot of money for a new owner to spend, and see a 1-7 home record.  I don't think spending the money is the issue, but I think Ross is a helluva businessman, and that means he wants to see results from his expenses.  He's not seeing them now.

Like any good businessman, you reevaluate your expenses.  I don't expect any major Free Agent acquisitions this year....maybe Kyle Orton, if the price is right, but that might be more of a reactionary move to keep fans in the stands, as Henne will stay on the team.  Thigpen will be let go, and we draft another QB.

Speaking of Thigpen.....If he doesn't get the start this coming Sunday, I don't want to hear a word about him anymore.  Not a one.  If he can't earn a starting spot after Henne's play last week?  Then I don't want to see him.  Not to mention if we start him, we better be planning on starting him all of next season, otherwise it makes no sense.  

As much as I hate to say it, I still believe Chad Henne will be the starter next year.

Alright, thats enough for today.....

End of Line.

The Sun was more than half way down, but it was obscured by an very overcast day here in Columbus, Ohio.  The clock read 3.59pm on my office phone, which was still flashing because I've been too lazy to check my voice messages all day.  You see, I'm at work, and I"m spacing out..... I'm thinking about the holiday upcoming, and really not focused on work right now.

But then my phone buzzes.... and its my Google Voice account, which means either its a business referral, or its a friend I'll talk to anytime.....so I instinctively grap my phone.

"This is Shane"   ** for those of you who didn't, know, I'm Shane 

"Dude its Griffin, How the hell are you?"   ** For those of you who don't know, Griffin is OhioFinFan4Life.

.....and so begins a conversation with someone I actually met, right here on this particular forum.   Someone who I've shared a beer with here in my town, and had the pleasure of tail gating with at the Cincinnati game, where I also met his lovely wife, and many other Fin Fans.

Griffin asks how I'm holding up, with my current circumstances....and I let him know I'm doing well... You see, the great thing about OFF4L, is that even though we don't know each other all that well, you can tell he actually cares when he asks you these kinds of questions..... and he'll listen if you actually talk to him.... :)  

But thats not why he's calling.....because today, Griffin transcends everyone here...and he utters it in 6 simple words.

"Dude, I'm going on the Field"

The same Field Dan Marino threw TD passes on.
The same Field the Wildcat ran over everyone on.
The same field that Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas dominated on.

Yes, Our own OhioFinFan4Life, has been invited onto the Field at Halftime at the next Home Game.

Griffin!   We expect to see a ton of Pictures.....smell the grass, take in the roar of the crowd, and live in the moment bro.  You're the fan we all love to read about.

*** Griff will obviously chime in here, but he's a hunt and peck typist, so I thought I'd get it done for him.  Let the man know how we feel about his exploits and how we love to see his pictures and commentary.  Unfortunately, too often when he shares his story, the Fan Posts gets shoved down from all the Chicken Little Whiney Beyotch posts....

You are the man Bro.

Come Halftime.....you'll be where Dan the Man played....(shivers)

Before I start the Rant, I find the need to address a certain subset of the Phinsider Population that are absolutely making me sick.  Yes, you moronic, temper tantrum, spineless children, I'm talking to you.

I'm absolutely sick of what you've turned this blog into.  It makes my stomach regurgitate my last meal.  The Chicken Little routine is so over, you've now graduated to the Gods have shit on your pillow..... Look, grow the f- up.  Stop the little temper tantrums.  There isn't a person on this blog, or in the entire world that cares that you will no longer "Root for the Dolphins".  No one.  Want a shoulder to cry on?  Call your Mom.  We don't need you to come here and piss and moan and talk about giving up on a team you've spent the last eleventy-billion years rooting for.  We don't.  You were never a fan.

A real fan takes his lumps.  A real fan understands the game, and not Madden.  This is football, there is no crying.  Again, we're not here to give you a nipple to suck on when you are crying like a child.   If that is all you are planning on bringing to the discussion here.....save it.  Or call you buddy and cry to him.  We don't want to hear it.

HOWEVER..... if you can stop the tears long enough to put on your Big Boy Pants, and write a good article that breaks down the team's deficiencies, mistakes, and find a way to be critical but adult......have at it.  Those are usually the best.  However, if you want to whine about your emotions, call a Psychotherapist, they get paid to listen to your pathetic little crybaby flip outs.

The Rant after the Jump  (Why exactly is the jump here anyway?)

Continue reading this post »

I normally try to avoid putting up this post on Monday's or Tuesday's just because the board is flooded with a bunch of really short, Fan Posts, and everything tends to get pushed down and lost......but, I am going to be swamped this week.....so.....

A Win is a Win.....right?

Question:  What is the difference between our victory over the Jets, and the Patriots win over the Jets?
Answer:    Absolutely nothing.  They both go down as a W on our schedule.  The rest is all window dressing.

So, why is there another slew of posts about Henne, our offense, and just negativity in general?  Well, because we didn't put up 30+ points, which you won't do in every game (unless you are the Patriots, Saints, or most versions of the Colts).   But you have to put up enough points to win the game, and we did just that.

Cameron Wake

How is this guy a "Dark Horse" candidate for Defensive Player of the Year?  How can he not be a front runner?  Big players come up with big plays when the game is on the line....and nothing drives that home more than 2 big sacks on the final drive of the game to clinch the victory.   As far as I'm concerned thats akin to leading a 80 yard TD drive with under 2 minutes to play and zero timeouts.   Wake is a stud, we all knew it, the rest of the league is figuring it out, and maybe our record is why he's not being considered a front runner, but if so its a shame.

Sean Smith

5 Tackles,4 Passes Defended, 3 Dropped INTs.
Okay, so the dropped INTs is a made up stat, but Smith is only credited with 9 passes defensed all year long, so almost half of those came against the Jets this past week.  He played Big in a big game, and I love that out of the sophomore CB!    If he catches those interceptions, this game is an absolute blowout (well at least 2 more FGs).
From a stats only perspective, he's tied with Vontae for Passes Defensed and INTs on the season in less games.... (don't take that as me saying he's playing better or as well as Vontae, its just from a STATS ONLY perspective)

Ronnie Brown

16 Carries. 55 Yards, Only 3.44 Yards per Carry.  1 Lost fumble, AND a fumble that we lost because he chose to try and scoop it and run, instead of just falling on it when he had perfect positioning.  Ronnie isn't running well this season, even out of the wildcat, which gives him an extra blocker.  Yes, the offensive line shoulders some of this blame, but Ronnie used to be able to drop a shoulder and power thru defenders and fight for the extra yards?  It seems like when Ronnie tries to do that now, he fumbles.  

We often point out that Ronnie fumbles very little, and that Ricky has always had fumble-itis.  Well, this year both Ricky and Ronnie have fumbled 3 times, Ronnie losing 1 more than Ricky has......in a contract year, facing free agency.

Brandon Fields

If he didn't get the game ball, then I don't know who could possibly deserve it more.  I even gandered over at the Jets Game Thread during the game, and the guys over at GGN were just beaming about Fields ability to kick the ball.  When even the opposing fans recognize how much of a game changer your punter is, then you know you have a special kind of player.   Fields and Wake are the seasons MVPs so far.    Can you believe Special Teams could be the reason we won this game?

Where I disagree with Matty

In Matty's front page breakdown of the game, he said the following about why the offense sucks.

You could blame it on the weather. But that would be a poor excuse.

I don't think its a poor excuse at all.  I think its a very valid reason for the piss poor performance, but let me at least explain why I feel this way.

a)  Neither team was adept in moving the ball on offense.  Yes, we both have good defenses, but moving the ball hasn't been a major concern for either team most of the year.  Scoring maybe, but moving the ball down the field has never been an issue.

b)  Watching Henne fumble the ball on the handoff, it was clear the ball just slipped out.  It wasn't a bad handoff, it was just a matter of a wet ball slipping.  Sure, if Henne had bigger hands, maybe he doesn't lose it, but when is the last time you watched a game when the QBs combined for 6 out of the 7 fumbles in the game?  That tells me weather was a big factor.

c)  How many dropped passes were in this game?  I'm not sure of the official stat, but everyone was dropping passes (lucky for us, one of those was Santonio's TD pass).  I don't think there was a single pass catcher on the field who didn't drop a pass in the game.....again, the elements.

Before I get into this next point, I want to point out I hate the guy as a analyst....can't stand him, but he's got a perspective that I'll never have, that of a QB.  Trent Dilfer was on Colin Cowherd this morning talking mostly about Sanchez's performance, but said its fairly common for all young QBs in the league.  He went on to talk about how their throwing mechanics in bad weather break down...the ball is wet and heavy, so they hesitate on their motion as they try to "feel" the ball....and then end up taking bigger strides and slower release, which cause passes to sail and be wildly inaccurate......and I think that is exactly what we saw from both Sanchez and Henne.   The evidence is no clearer than the pass to an open Davone Bess, where Henne threw it 15 yards out of bounds.

I absolutely hate blaming the weather for bad performances, but sometimes its just so clearly evident that you can't overlook it.

The Tripping Fiasco of 2010

Disgraceful.  Bush League.  A million other colorful adjectives describe what happened.  Do I blame the Jets or the Head coach?  No.  I think this was an impulsive act by an idiot staffer, and hopefully the Jets, the NFL or both make an example out of him.  There is no place for this in the NFL, especially when they NFL is focusing on player safety, the last people players should be concerned about are those on the sidelines.

Quick Hits

• Henne won the game, in bad weather.  If he gets the criticism for losing close games, he also gets the credit for winning close games, no matter how bad they are.
• The entire defense played phenomenal.  I still would love to see our CBs using the Jugs machine for an hour every day after practice....imagine where we'd be if they learned to hold onto the ball.
• Neither Ricky nor Ronnie are building a case to be re-signed.  If we have to re-sign one of them, who would you rather have?  I don' t know.....I really want to say the younger Ronnie, but I can't help but feel Ricky is the better player right now.
• Read the article about Mike Nolan being the perfect candidate for Denver.....God lets hope not.
• Since I pointed out that the Weather was a big factor, this next point isn't as strong..... but do you think Henne and the offense were missing Brian Hartline?  Neither Moore nor Wallace had any receptions, and Moore was only targeted once.
• Buffalo next week.....but don't sleep on Detroit, they are better than people give them credit for.

This isn't the "Ask the Phinsider" post, I'm sure someone will make one of those a bit later in the week.... But, I wanted to ask you guys how you feel about Jason Taylor these days?

I know a lot of you really didn't like the idea of bringing him over there, and a lot of us didn't like the idea of him going to the Jets :)

How is he perceived these days?  Has he become somewhat of a fan favorite ala Chad Pennington in Miami?  Whats the scoop?

I was just thinking about it, and thought I'd ask......Curious.

Okay, I really don't know where to start for this week.  How about we start with a discussion with our own Blog member, DRoyce.

Okay, now onto the Rant.

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