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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.