SB Nation User Blog: mikem1224

Hindsight? For the Jets it's tunnelvision

mikem1224 — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:53:02 -0000

Hindsight is always 20/20, or so the saying goes. I just finished reading an impassioned blog on GGN suggesting that it was not a bad decision by the Jets to discard Pennington in favor of Favre. The blog for the most part says all the right things, and it makes a lot of sense. The thing that makes me laugh about it - and this is true of all teams everywhere - is that it's ALWAYS about the last season. Coaches and players will say different. They say that last year no longer matters. I say like hell. I also say the blogger over there is wrong. The Jets, last season, won how many games? Was it 4? Pennington played in 8 of them, won only one of them, and was then benched for the abyssmal Kellen Clemmens. I read this blog and the first thing I wanted to say to the writer was YEAH BUT IS IT ALL ON PENNINGTON THAT THE JETS LOST SO MANY GAMES? No, it wasn't. Want evidence? How about the free agent shopping spree the Jets embarked upon over the off-season? I remember them outbidding (and overspending) Miami for Calvin Pace. The Jets had holes all over last year and they spent the off-season spending lavishly and filling them. You can blame Pennington's arm and injuries all you want for his release, Jets fans. But I have news for you: You didn't scout Brett Favre. You saw the rocket arm, the veteran savvy, the box draw, the PAST. But you overlooked the present. A whining, finger-pointing, flip-floppy prima-donna who saw Aaron Rodgers given his former job and selfishly decided he would come out of retirement and that once he did, the Packers would fall all over themselves gushing about how great it is to have Brett for one more year. That must have hurt his feelings when the Pack only let out an exasperated sigh instead, because all Brett did was (alledgedly) broker deals with other teams behind the Pack's backs, call out people in the Packer organization and put them on the spot and wage a symathy war using the media and the Packer faithful to needle his former team into releasing him - all so he could soothe his bruised ego elsewhere. Yeah, he was coming off a season where he led his team to the championship game, but that WAS in the NFC, folks. Here's a question: If Favre was so great, why didn't the Pack want him back? I guess the answer lies in the behavior that I just discussed. But the other part of the Pack's reasoning lies on the field of play. In New Jersey. Brett does a lot of great things for a team as an individual. He plays pranks on the guys and keeps them loose. He throws those "gambler sorties" that hit for touchdowns now and again. But in week one of the current season, he said he knew maybe 50 percent of the Jets playbook (I'm guessing at the number - but it was not good). With just slightly less time in Miami, Chad Pennington knew 75-90 percent, if not all of Miami's. Sorry to tell you this Jets fans - but the answers were right in front of your organization BEFORE they signed Brett and dumped Chad. It was playing out like a soap opera and it was ignored because Brett was coming to get this team to the promised land. TO THE PROMISED LAND. You dumped Chad for Brett because - as your blog indicates - Brett can win you the Superbowl. Now the Jets are a Patriots victory away from elimination, and they watched Chad lead Miami to the greatest single season turnaround of all time. If you can honestly sit there and say that you are pleased as a fan with the front office moves this last off season - I, as a Dolphins fan wish to thank you for supporting their ineptitude. Please allow us to come down this weekend and scout some other players on your team. Maybe we can scoop them up when you blame them and flush them next year. Chad will direct our offense, our scouts will sit in the stands and evaluate your talent. We will patiently wait until you jettison them needlessly and blame them for coaching failures. Of course, Favre will chuck some surface to air darts for you. Some will hit. Some will get picked. Some will miss. Miami thanks you!

Last but not least...as you go into the off season looking to fill in those holes that you saw this season (or the holes you created when you got rid of a great player)? Have fun waiting for Brett to make up his mind about what he's going to do next, while the media eats you alive. Promised land, indeed!

As the playoffs loom.....

mikem1224 — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:18:27 -0000

Ahh the playoffs. One of the more intriguing parts of the short NFL season. Scenarios abound! I haven't been excited about this aspect of the NFL in some time, but, since Miami is now in contention, I give a crap! Here is how the AFC stacks up so far (If the playoffs started today, which they dont, but IF they did):

1) Tennesee (Clinched division and 1st round bye) 12-2

2) Pittsburgh (clinched division and 1st round bye) 11-3

3) NY Jest (clinching their butts, hoping others lose so they get in lol) 9-5

4) Denver (someone has to rep the AFC West) 8-6

5) Indianapolis (Hottest team in the league right now, no lie) 10-4

6) Baltimore (Riding that D we hate sooooo much) 9-5

Just outside

7) Miami Dolphins (best franchise ever. miracle. Finishers) 9-5

8) New England (Refuse to roll over. Jerks. cheaters) 9-5

9) San Diego (another refusal to die, can still win the west! Lol) 6-8

Thats it. All other AFC teams are eliminated.

If Miami wins out (at Chiefs, at Jests) they win the AFC East (and would be seeded 3rd - which is the best they can finish). Same is true for the Jests (at Seattle, Miami), making the final game against each other a huge one (not to mention the storylines, Brett vs Chad, Chad vs the team that dissed him, etc etc). New England (Arizona, at Buffalo) is circling like a buzzard, hoping both teams stumble along the way and THEY can win the East. If NE fails to win the east, they can still get into the playoffs with help). With all three teams currently tied, record within the division is crucial. Miami and NE split their games, if both ended with matching divisional records (4-2), the edge goes to Miami due to strength of victory (ours is bigger, lol). Miami can lose a game and still make the playoffs, but the chances of that are amazingly bad, as they'd need losses from way too many teams. Mental note to Fins: Don't freakin lose dudes!

Anyway, it's important to note that we don't need to sweat New England as long as we do our part and win out. Best case scenario right now is to hope BALTIMORE (at Dallas, Jacksonville) loses at Dallas this coming Saturday. The game is huge. If Baltimore loses, Miami automatically leap-frogs them into that 6th seed spot (assuming Miami does it's part and beats KC, no jinxes here by not accounting for reality - cough cough Miami kill KC please cough). This is game is also huge for Dallas. They have Tampa Bay and more importantly Atlanta with matching records right on their butts. A loss virtually takes Dallas out of the playoff equation. One of these teams will be outside the playoff bracket looking in and hoping for help by this game's end - we need to root for those Dallas jerks this Saturday. Anyway, with Miami in that 6th seeded spot, we arent guaranteed playoffs, as it would still be possible to lose to NYJ, and up with the same record as Baltimore, and get edged out on tiebreakers. Then why mention this? Because a loss by Baltimore literally puts them behind not just Miami but also New England and NYJ. Assuming Miami beats the Jests like they should, that could make Miami's playoff matchup a rematch vs NE, rather than the Ravens, whose defense scares me (I am assuming that the Colts win out, or finish with the number 5 seed in this scenario. It's looking pretty likely as they finish with the Jags then the defense depleted (injuries) Titans).

The other games of interest to us Dolphins fans (because controlling our destiny is nice, but we like it when our rivals eat crap and die too) are the Jests AT Seattle this week (NYJ's havent fared so well on the west coast. If they continue to play like garbage - and by all means, NY, please continue to play like garbage - they could lose this game and make the finale more interesting for themselves). And, of course, New England's remaining two games. NE has Arizona at home, then they visit Buffalo. I can only imagine what Arizona will bring to the table in that matchup. I think they can score on NE, but they are mistake prone and NE loves mistake prone teams at home, in the cold. Still, the optimist in me says that Arizona would like to win the NFC west with a better than 500 record. Maybe they'll bring their A game...lol, okay it IS Arizona. They can bring their usual C+ game and hope for the best. Lastly, Buffalo hasn't won a single division game. They'll be at home. Maybe somehow, someway, they rise up and stick one on NE and knock 'em out of the playoff race. Who better than a division rival to do that? Of course, Buffalo sucks and are also turnover prone. So keep winning Miami!!!

Also, the Steelers are at the Titans this week and that winner likely clinches homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. Where's that dude who suggested that the NFL is rigged? The SAME weekend we also have NY Giants playing the Carolina Panthers and THAT could also decide homefield in the NFC. Whoa. That sounds planned to me. Now if only they could battle to see who is second best all-time franchise to Miami. Reason for that battle? To amuse the Dolphin fans, of course!

San Diego is hoping Denver loses this week so that forces a week 17 showdown for the AFC west. Yep. The Chargers are hoping to win the west with a pathetic 8-8 record. When all is said and done, while the Chargers MIGHT get past Tampa Bay this week and force that showdown, Denver plays Buffalo. Have a nice off-season, San Diego! Thanks for playing!

So am I close here? Any corrections that anyone wants to make? Bottom line - let the other teams scramble, and as long as Miami keeps their cool, and wins out like they oughta, all will be well!

And no matter what happens...just remember one thing...week 4 of this season I read laughter and a whole lotta "give it some time and dont get too ambitious" when the playoffs got prematurely especulated. Whatever happens next, and however it goes down...lets all remain positive, see the upside and appreciate how huge this season has truly been for those Dolphins and for us loyal fans. Hey, it's not like anyone outside of the true-blue-believers thought this was even possible! Lets enjoy it!

Loyalty is killing the Dolphins

mikem1224 — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 23:58:04 -0000

I have not given up hope that Miami can somehow salvage some dignity before this season ends. That said, it's become apparent that any success they do find will be of the non-playoff, non-championship variety. I have tremoendous respect for guys like Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor, but to see them languish as they have the last few years, I hate to say this but...they need to be sent to a contender so that they'll get their shot.
This works in 2 ways. At this stage of their careers, both probably won't fetch a 1st rounder in the next draft (maybe together they might), but they should at least net 3rd and 2nd round picks for a team looking for veteran leadership that will push them above contender status.
These picks, in conjunction with what I believe will be a very high first rounder, can help shore up the offensive, defensive lines and secondary. Adding another talented wide receiver and tight end wouldn't hurt either. Several more picks give Miami trading options and allows for them to get younger.
Right now, trying to infuse youth in with the veterans isn't working. If Ginn stepped up, i'd say it might be time to part ways with Chambers as well (he clearly needs to work opposite another top flight receiver that can complement him. He gets lost in the shuffle when there's no major threat on the other side).
I think this team is a few moves away from being on the right track. It might be time to realize that loyalty to the veterans who have meant so much in the past is also weighing Miami down.
It may not guarantee a playoff appearance next year if Miami goes for a more youthful team, but I guarantee they will be a lot better than 0-5.
I'm all about loyalty and wanting to see Jason and Zach win one with the Fins, but truth be told, being realistic, i'd like these guys to just have a shot at winning one. Not too many others in the league deserve it more than they do to be on a contender.
Just food for thought. Here's one last thought; I wonder how much better Ginn would be if Beck were the starter? I was against Beck starting this year...but if the offensive line can continue to improve, why not? he may just get fans excited for the future, rather than sitting here anticipating another losing effort next year with too many holes to point at and not enough time to discuss it all.

Pat's season is done now too

mikem1224 — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 11:28:42 -0000

Ballsy. If the NFL gave rings for having a huge set of balls, the Patriots should have a jewelry box the size of a coffin. Last year, Miami got a little attention for admitting they'd legally figured out some of Brady's offensive calls. Some wondered if it was cheating, others said it was crafty, but nobody realized that it was really just desserts. Saban, a former staffer of Belichick, must have known something about the man's practices. So is it any surprise that NY Jets head coach Mangini, another former Belichick staffer, was present when the Patriot's were caught with their hands in the jar yet again? I say again because as this story develops, at least 2 other teams have reportedly had the Patriots film their signals from the sideline (Packers and Lions - and really...why the Lions???).
You can read the story on newswires everywhere - But my rant is this; How deep does this go? This is a team with Hall of Famers to be on it. This is a team with 3 Superbowl rings. This is a team that, on paper, could very well win the Superbowl this year. How longs have they been cheating? If this is happening now, while the Pats have assembled their best team ever, what about the last several years during Belichick's tenure as coach? Some call Belichick a genius, and I scoff at that. I have for years. He's classless and detached. He's a poor sport. Look at his career prior to New England - he wasn't bad, but he wasn't great. He was merely average. He took Cleveland to the playoffs. His resume's brightest spot was "Defensive coordinator for Bill Parsells."
This scandal mars everything. The NFL in general (I personally think it is WORSE and more egregious than steroid use to gain advantages). The rings. Brady's career and purported "best all time QB status. And most importantly, it destroys the Pats season before it gets off the ground. Whether every player, or only a few were clued in to these illegal practices, no matter how great the team performs, any success they have will only be met with hisses and boos.
There should be no first three rounds of draft picks for the Pats. I'd take those right away. I would asterisk their every Superbowl victory. Most importantly - i'd drum Belichick out of New England and out of the sport all-together.
How much better would the last several seasons been for Miami, Buffalo, or NY had the Pats been merely average and honest? How might the difference of 2 wins made for each of those teams in those years?
Us fans don't get those unsuccessful seasons back.
The Pats should be punsihed. And hard.