Some Random Thoughts...

Well the Dolphins SUCK right now, but aside from Trent Green's embarrasment a couple of weeks ago, they aren't as bad as I thought they'd be. The Defense has unfortunately been wearing down late in games.
I'm glad Beck is having the opportunity to learn and has not been thrown into the fire as of yet. I mean we are going to lose anyway, no need to shake his confidence yet and be blamed for loses. Hopefully by the end of the year however he see's some playing time. Just another opportunity to mature.
I'll be interested to see what happens with the Ricky Williams situation in the next few weeks. I think he can apply for reinstatement next week. Cameron has shown a few gaffs in handling personnel decisions and I hope it does not continue. If anything get Ricky back in and use him for some kind of trade leverage in the next off season. Unfortunately I don't think that'll happen. Oh well.
All right, go Phish. Get the Rooks in and get them some experience. Let's see more of Lorenzo Booker.
Late...

Fantasy Football

Well I'm not as excited about my team as in past years, but think I managed pretty well.
We play 1 QB, 2 RB's, 2 WR's, 1 TE, 1 Flex RB/WR, 1 Kicker, and 1 Defense. 6 Bench spots.
My Team:
QB- C. Palmer (Cin)
RB- F. Gore (SF)
RB- L. Maroney (NE)
WR- D. Driver (GB)
WR- L.Evans (Buf)
TE- V. Davis (SF)
Flex- R. Brown (Mia)
Kicker- J. Wilkins (Stl)
Defense- New England
Bench- B. Jackson (RB-GB)
Bench- M. Clayton (WR-Bal)
Bench- M Barber III (RB-Dal)
Bench- T. Houshmandzadeh (WR-Cin)
Bench- J. Witten (TE-Dal)
Bench- J. Cotchery (WR-NYJ)

I dropped Deangelo Williams for B. Jackson and have been back and forth on it a few times. Not sure if I should go pick him back up or not. Don't want to replace any of the Wr's on the bench as I feel I have some strong players there. It's always a toss up at the beginning of the year and no doubt someone will emerge at the RB spot that no one expected to. Will have to keep a close eye on it and hope I can get someone to strengthen the RB spot.

Finally, something to be excited about.

So camp has started and as expected, my prior pessimism is being overtaken by excitement about the upcoming football season. No, I don't expect the Dolphin's to be Super Bowl contenders. Nor do I have any fanciful playoff ambitions.
The fact is, I love the football season and can't wait to watch some games. Honestly there is not much better than football Sunday with a few cold ones. Add in some friends and/or family and I'm in heaven.
The expectations of years past are not there and because of it I may enjoy this year a bit more. We obviously have a team that is rebuilding. That aside I'm looking forward to seeing our new players. I want to see how Porter fits in with the Defense. Is that side going to dominate with Porter giving Taylor more freedom? How will Trent Green hold up behind a very shaky Offensive line? Will he be able to get the ball down field and open up some room for Ronnie Brown and Lorenzo Booker? Will Ronnie carry the load and have a breakout season?
I'm looking forward to seeing the development of Lorenzo Booker, Ted Ginn Jr, and John Beck. I also am looking for a good season from last years first round pick Jason Allen who should have a better year being able to focus on one position.
So there is a lot to look forward to and a lot of questions to be answered. I'm just glad we'll have some Miami Dolphin's football to look forward to very soon!

Dennis Green Flips

Another classic.

Playoffs?!

It's been slow lately so I thought I'd post this all time classic.
Great stuff.

Checks and Balances?

Saban had complete control over the roster and it appears as though, so far Cameron does as well. I thought Mueller was in place as a checks and balance system. So far that does not seem to be the case. Cameron seems to be pulling the strings and getting away with whatever roster moves he deems neccessary to fullfill his 'plan'.
Funny that the controversial moves Cameron has made so far invlove players he his personal ties to. Ginn Jr? Trent Green?
Cameron appears to be putting his personal relationships with players ahead of his team. The only excuse you get is that you have to buy into the statement that 'he has a plan.' If you don't, well too bad, Cameron is an offensive genius and you? Well you have only bled orange and teal year after year.
It is sad when most Dolphin's fans are rooting for Culpepper to play well elsewhere making Cameron look foolish for the trade for Trent Green.
Oh and they also say that Quinn had better play poorly in Cleveland so Cameron and Mueller don't look foolish as well.

John Beck over Brady Quinn TAKE 2.

Here we go again. Cameron and Mueller had their mind on who they wanted in the QB position and have been evasive with the media and fans. The trade for Trent Green has finally happened. Although Cameron has repeatedly said he would not evaluate Daunte Culpepper until he was 100%, the team notified Culpepper this morning that they are looking to trade him. Culpepper was just given his medical release!
So Cameron evaluated Culpepper when exactly?
If Cameron was honest in saying they would not evaluate Daunte until he was 100%, then why is Daunte not getting the chance to prove himself if this weekends upcoming minicamp? What's another week or 2 to evaluate Daunte? Heck, if anything it'd probably help the trade value. That and you get a better feel for the work Daunte has put in and how he could fit into this offense. The Dolphin's owe it to Daunte and their fans. Instead, Cameron and Mueller already had their minds made up. There was never going to be an evaluation of Daunte or a chance for him to play this year.
I have not been a big fan of this trade as I don't believe that a healthy Trent Green is a better QB than a healthy Daunte Culpepper. Now that Daunte is healthy and been given his notice, I realize that I was also unhappy with this trade because of the way Cameron and Mueller were handling it.
Cameron and Mueller have again made a largely unpopular move at the QB position. Almost as if to say, they don't care what anyone thinks, they are doing it their way. 'Stick it fans, we are running this show and we don't care what you think.' Cameron had better hope that both the John Beck and Trent Green moves are successful ones for this team.

Cheerleaders

That'll put a smile on your face.

So your a FinFan?

So how did you become a Dolphins fan?
My dad was in the Air Force and stationed at Avon Park, FL. It was the 1972-1973 season and although he kind of followed the Dolphins because it was the local team, he was still more of a Bears fan having grown up in Illinois. The Dolphins were undefeated and in the playoffs, yet everytime he'd talk to the manager of the trailer park they were living in, the guy always had something negative to say about the Dolphin's.
So the Dolphin's were headed to the Superbowl and the manger was again running his mouth that there was no way the Dolphins were going to win. In his moronic rambling the guy bet my dad $5 that the Dolphins would lose in the Superbowl.
My twin brother and I had just been born and my parents didn't have two nickels to rub together, so $5 was a lot of money. More out of contempt for the manager, than being a faithful fan, my dad took the bet.
Of course the Dolphins won that game and my dad has been a Dolphins fan since. They used the $5 to buy milk and bread.
A few years later we were now stationed in Italy. It was 1984 or so and we didn't have American TV broadcasting at the villa our parents rented outside of a small Italian town. My dad would take us to the base on Sunday evenings when the Dolphins games were going to be televised. Yeah, we usually fell asleep since it was relatively late due to time change, but I still fondly remember watching those games with my dad and brothers. It was a treat, something special.
Throughout the years I have some specific and some faint memories of my dad and the Dolphins games. I remember him going to the base to watch the Superbowl vs the 49ers. It was too late for us and we had school the next day. I was waiting for the bus when I found out the 49ers had won that game. I remember watching Marino and the Mark's brothers. The Monday night game vs the Chargers during a visit to my grandparents house. And the list goes on...
So over the years, I became a Dolphins fan as well and I'm glad I did. It is something extraordinary to be able to share the passion I have gained for the Dolphins with my father. We watch every game we can together. If there is news about the team, we are on the phone talking about it. So although our beloved team has had a few down years, I am not deterred. They will always be something more to me than just another NFL team.

Godspeed Ricky

I think it was pretty clear after drafting Lorenzo Booker (which I thought was a great move, by the way) that Ricky Williams would unlikely be returning to the Miami Dolphins.
Apparently Ricky has had a slight, but costly, mistep in his recovery and ongoing pursuit to be reinstated by the NFL.
"Due to the recent reports about me failing a drug test, I feel it is appropriate for me to issue this statement. Last month, following a psychological evaluation requested by the NFL, we -- the psychiatrist and I -- came to the realization that there were a few things I needed to iron out about myself in order to make my return to the NFL as successful as possible.
"I am an honest, God-fearing man who is intensely dedicated to being the best person I can be on and off the football field. There is no need to smear my name or to defame my character for the sake of news. When the time is right, God willing, I will be back on the field scoring touchdowns for whatever team is fortunate enough to believe in me."
"I appreciate all the support I have received from my fans and I assure all others that I am strong, clean, and happily preparing myself for a triumphant return to the NFL."
It is unfortunate the path this gifted players career and life has taken. Although he'll likely never play for the Dolphin's again, I sincerely wish Ricky the best.

Focus on what matters

Ok,as I said before I was dissapointed during the draft. We have had a few days to let it settle in and although it still stings a bit, it's time to look forward.
You had to know the Dolphin's would be looking to fill the WR spot after unsuccessfully aquiring their target WR's in free agency. Ironically those WR's ended up with the Patriots, who also took our top WR and returner last year, Wes Welker. So the Dolphin's moved early to fill those needs and drafted Ginn Jr. Yes the move makes some logical sense, but you have to wonder couldn't they have gotten someone later than the 9th pick?
There I go again. Have to stay positive and look forward. I really do hope Ginn works out for this team. He is going to be under heavy scrutiny and needs to work his tail off to improve his recieving skills. I know this kid has a tremendous upside, but honestly I'm still weary of him. Why? I don't like flashy showboat players. I like teamplayers that are hard working and make plays. Yes, I loved Welker.
Ginn is still nursing a foot injury and may not be at full speed for quite some time. He can't fully work out and try to improve before preseason workouts begin. So we are losing precious developmental opportunity. All because Ginn injured himself during a celebration in the endzone. What a moron. Yes, the kid has potential but if he is only in it for himself and not the team, he is not going to be worth that #9 pick. As I previously stated, Ginn has a lot of work to do. While he is not able to improve his physical skills because of the injury, I hope the Dolphin's are working on improving his focus and attitude.

That one hurt

Been under the weather for the past few days and haven't really had the motivation to post anything.
Was in Dallas this last weekend. Met my brothers, dad, and a friend for the Byron Nelson golf tournament. My dad and I are big Dolphin's fans so we were pretty happy to find draft coverage on a large scoreboard screen in the beer gardens at the tournament. We sat down while the 5th or 6th pick was being made. After a few minutes the previous selections were posted and I soon realized Brady Quinn had not been taken by the Browns. Minnesota was up and I was sure they'd select Quinn. when they did not, my dad and I looked at each other and couldn't believe our good fortunes. Quinn had fallen to the Dolphins! We were so excited. Beers in hand with a fun day of golf ahead of us, it was looking like the perfect day. The Dolphin's pick came up and we were high fiving each other. My friend and brothers were happy too and we talked about the Dolphins good fortunes. Then the selection.
We were dumbfounded. I think I actually yelled out, "WHAT!?" Way to go Dolphin's. Put another dagger in our hearts. We just were in shock. Little to nothing was said, other than 'What in the hell are the Dolphin's doing?' Heart break and disbelief are all I can describe.
We haven't been very excited about Cam Cameron in the first place. Then what seems like a monumental mistake right off the bat in his first draft. Sure we have to go ahead and half heartedly say we have to trust Cameron's and Mueller's 'professional' opinions. Yeah we hope the picks they made are for the best for the team. That's all we can do as Dolphin's fans anymore. There was a chance to be excited about this team again and it feels as though this franchise has again taken that away from us.
Though I thought it was a little classless, I was glad to see Cameron heckled when he came out to speak about the Ginn pick. I'm glad he knows that Dolphin's fans are tired of bad decisions. In most Dolphin's fans minds it appears that Ginn was only picked because of the personal relationship Cameron has with him and his family. It felt like Cameron put his personal feelings over the so many Dolphin's fans who yearn for that next franchise QB.
At dinner we watched the second round coverage and realized that the Dolphin's probably could have had Quinn and Jarrett or any number of other receivers. Instead we had Beck and Ginn. Ouch.
Yes, there were needs for the team to address in the draft. Hope and promise for the fans seems not to have been one that Cameron and Mueller really considered however. I guess we'll see what happens, but for now there is not much to be excited about as a Dolphin's fan.

TECMO SUPER BOWL: Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets (Part 2)

Check out part 1 first. Audio is classic.

TECMO SUPER BOWL: Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets (Part 1)

This is great. If you are from my generation you'll love this. Make sure to check out part 2 as well. Hilarious...

Carl Peterson is out of his mind

These comments were made this last Tuesday by Carl Peterson regarding the potential trade for Trent Green.

“I told Randy that they made a great trade with New England,” Peterson said, referring to a recent deal that sent Wes Welker to the Patriots. “They got for what we would consider a third wide receiver and kick-return specialist second- and seventh-round draft picks. I told him that I think a starting quarterback is worth that.
“Now we need to work toward something that’s fair. We’ll talk again this week. Whether it gets done before the draft or not, I can’t say. It may happen this week, or it may not happen until after the draft.”

What a joke. Something that is fair? A starting QB? This guy actually thinks they are trading away a starting QB when they aren't starting Green themselves? Amazing.

If Peterson is this feebleminded the Phin's should pull the plug on the trade and just wait for KC to release Green. With Green apparently already commited to Miami with a contract agreed upon, Peterson has little leverage at this point. If Green wants to come to Miami, then it appears he holds all the cards. No doubt the Chiefs will ask him to take a salary cut and when he doesn't they don't have many other options but to release him.

Apparently Peterson still thinks he can still steal 'starter' compensation from Miami since the deal has not been made yet. I assume Mueller is holding strong and not budging on the late round pick they have offered. There is absolutely no reason to panic and commit to a bad deal on Miami's side. If the Chiefs don't get the trade done this week and miss out on a possible pick, even a late rounder, there is going to be hell to pay for Peterson in KC. The guy is already considerably unpopular there and failing to land an additional pick for a player they don't want would be idiotic. No doubt KC fan's would be in an uproar over his latest flap. They know he is asking too much and his callousness is getting in the way of the deal.

I've made it clear I'm not a big fan of bringing Green to Miami. What I've been more worried about is Miami making a foolish trade. So far that has not happened. (Knock on wood.) If this is going to happen, however, I pray that Miami continues to play hard ball. Only give up the late round pick that was inititally offered. Peterson can continue thinking the Phin's got a great deal for Welker and needs to redefine his definition of a 'fair' deal in regards to Green.

Williams future in Miami still unclear

Thursday St Louis Rams head coach Scott Linehan said he'd consider adding Ricky Williams to his roster as a backup. The Rams need depth behind Steven Jackson as the Dolphins do behind Ronnie Brown. It's remarkable how each of the teams head coaches have approached Williams pending return to the NFL.

"He's proven himself with me," Linehan said. "I know there would be a certain amount of risk involved based on that, but I would just because he deserves that based on what he was able to do... based on how he played and the kind of person he was to be around, I would certainly consider it, and I'd fight for him."

Did you catch that?
"I'd fight for him."

Exactly the opposite stance Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron has taken. In fact Cameron has said he refuses to publicly discuss or speak with Williams until the running back is reinstated by the NFL following a yearlong drug suspension.

With that reinstatement not likely to come until after the draft, I think we'll be able to determine Williams future based on how the Dolphins use their picks. Without another viable option behind Brown at this time, the Dolphins would be flat out crazy not embrace him upon his reinstatment. However, if the Dolphins are fortunate enough to pick up say Adrian Peterson in round 1, you can essentially punch William's ticket out of Miami. There are other options as well later in the draft, but those picks should be focused on area's of greater need. Offensive Line, Defensive Line, Secondary, WR, Return specialist, and the list goes on. Sure they may pick up another back in the later rounds, but not anyone that would be able to contribute in the same way Williams can.

So in the likely scenerio that the Dolphins need Ricky's services, I sure hope Cameron changes his stance and 'fights' for Williams as well.

Payton Manning - United Way

Well it looks inevitable.

Though I'm excited about the upcoming draft, I'm still in a quandry as to why adding Trent Green is deemed an upgrade at the QB spot. Media outlets have been reporting that the trade for Trent Green will happen before the draft in 2 weeks.

There has been speculation as to what the Fins will do with their first pick. There are many options, but it all depends on who may fall to them at the 9 spot. Brady Quinn, Adrian Peterson? Heck yeah. Who knows, that is all up in the air. Don't look for the Phin's to trade up though, they need all of the picks they have acumulated.

There is little speculation though that the Fins will look to pick up a young QB in the 2nd round either with their pick at 40 or 60 if Quinn is not available to them in the first round. So, we bring in Trent Green for a temporary 1 year go at the QB position and allow the rookie to mature and learn while riding the bench. This whole situation just doesn't feel good.

Putting on rosy colored glasses and ignoring all sensable logic, Green has at most a year left in the tank. More realistically, however, is the fact that he is a 37 year old QB returning from a concussion that many other's would have retired over. So essentially the Phin's are willing to sell out Daunte for a temporary and hopeful 1 year stopgap, praying the kid will be able to take over the reigns next year? Ouch. So what happens next year at this time? Are we still riding a 38 year old Green or are we again looking at yet another used QB to mentor, help develop, and/or back up our young QB? Are we then giving up another draft pick to secure that backup vetran QB?

What this really boils down to is whether the kid going to really learn Cameron's prefered pocket QB style better from Green over Daunte? Maybe so, but is it really worth the cost? Cameron should be able to groom his young QB despite who is starting for us this year.

Heck the Fins are rolling the dice anyway with this upcoming season. Does anyone really expect them to be contenders in the AFC East this year? Trent Green is going to change that? Why not go with what they already have and 'rebuild' with their picks rather than wasting them for a temporary and doubtful solution?

I keep trying to look at the possible aquisition of Green and just can't find any positive spin on it.

I'm currently working here in KC and let me tell you, everyone here is praying the Phin's waste picks on aquiring Green. They act almost as if they are getting away with something. KC doesn't want Green and hope to rob some team that does. They are looking for Carl Peterson to pull off a miracle to resurrect his floundering reputation. Cash in on Green and Cameron's realtionship, get more than he is worth. Oh and do it quickly before the Phin's realize the mistake they are making. Nevermind the fact that they chose Huard, a Miami castoff, over Green for their starting position. Trying to get starter compensation for someone they wouldn't start themselves.

Well it should be an interesting couple of weeks. I just hope it is a positive couple of weeks and not regretful.

What is Cameron's angle?

Has anyone else noticed that coach Cameron has distanced himself from players that he potentially needs, at least in the short term? No contact with Ricky? Non commital with Daunte? What gives?
Fact is the Dolphins desperatley need the services of Ricky after the departure of Sammy Morris this offseason. There is not another back available that will fit in as a solid contributer and back up Brown. Ricky was a monster even with limited carries in Browns rookie season. He has had time away from the game and is completely healthy. Apparently he has been pot free for the past 3 years and seems to be in a good place mentally. So why not reach out to him? Why wait until the league rules on his iminent return?
There is not a better option for the Phish at QB at this point in time. Why not give some support to Daunte and say this guy is an amazing talent when healthy? Why not say this organization made a commitment to Daunte and back him up a little in his rehab?
Cameron just is not coming across as a very personable coach. Yeah, it has been said he is all business, but there has to be a line. A coach has to stand by his guys and go to battle for them. In turn they will go to battle for him and create a cohesive team. Instead Cameron distances himself. Not good.

Wait for Green

Aquiring Green will be trying to fix one mistake with another. I think most Phin fan's would have prefered Brees over Culpepper, but what is done is done. The team made a commitment to Culpepper and should stick by him. Give him the time to heal. Sure, Culpepper was not exactly a student of the game in the past. You don't think he is aware that he won't be as mobile and needs to be better prepared beforehand? What is wrong with you people? Culpepper will be back sooner or later. Patience! Adding Green will just take away a pick we desperatly need to fill other positions. At most Green will be riding the bench and mentoring a younger QB. If that is the case either wait for him to be released and pick him up for nil, or wait until he retires and add him as a QB's coach. He down't have anything left to offer KC or Miami as a starter and his playing career will be over by this time next year. Wait! Why are we so eager to go grab him now? If this is Cameron's idea of an upgrade at the QB position, I'm really worried about what the future holds for this team.