Of course, I seem to say the same thing EVERY year this around this time when it comes to the Dolphins, so it can't really be taken seriously, but I just wonder how many more times this is going to happen. I think I'm quickly becoming like Randy Quaid in the Major League sequel. That's where I am with this team right now. Even last night where they were able to score 24 on Phily, they couldn't win for trying.
But then, I have an entire offseason to cool off at least. Here's just hoping the next coach doesn't suck.
If Martha Stewart's obituary had a typo in it, would it read "Beloved Aunt"?
Originally posted by Blanket JacksonOf course, I seem to say the same thing EVERY year this around this time when it comes to the Dolphins, so it can't really be taken seriously, but I just wonder how many more times this is going to happen. I think I'm quickly becoming like Randy Quaid in the Major League sequel. That's where I am with this team right now. Even last night where they were able to score 24 on Phily, they couldn't win for trying.
But then, I have an entire offseason to cool off at least. Here's just hoping the next coach doesn't suck.
I understand the frustration, and as a Dolphins fan I'm not happy with the trend. It must be said though that Miami's two December losses came to teams that were better than them. New England is the hottest team in the AFC and Philly will probably have homefield sown up in the NFC. Now if Miami cannot beat the woeful Buffalo Bills this weekend, then I am ready to jump on the "Curse of December" bandwagon. I am not going to fault Miami for playing hard against playoff teams.
Damn you WWE for making me change my sig. I'm sure you have good enough reasons to get rid of Shannon, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. Let me thus be the first to say: BRING BACK DAFFNEY!
I really don't think losing 12-0 in the snow in New England, then losing by ten to the NFC's best team last night really constitutes the "typical Miami choke" come December.
They lost to two VERY good teams...that's it, that's all.
Now, if they lose to Buffalo and the Jets over the next two weeks, THEN we have a problem.
True, and New England kicked our ass, period. However, there were about 5-10 different points in that game last night where if it wasn't for an error in strategy or for a stupid mistake that certain things the Eagles did never happened.
And it has nothing to do with Ricky's shoulder. Ricky played his guts out last night. But the problem with the Dolphins is that they do the big things well (sacks, INTs) but the little things not so well.
But put it this way: a game in possible snow with a team that's been deflated AND it's a short week? It don't look good.
I mean, it's not HOPELESS...the best thing that can happen is if Buffalo and the Jets are halfway to the Golf course...but now Denver has to has to HAS TO lose it's last 2 games. Which I realize are 2 tough road games, but I figured they'd split.
And besides, the Dallas game was the continuation of a trend that I've noticed over the years called "The Last Asskicking Before The Fall". It's like they have one last game whenere they click (usually late November/first week December) and they go and kick a team's ass, and usually that's the last highlight of the year. This year it was Dallas, the year before it was the Bears/Raiders, and the year before that it was killing Indy's season dead.
If Martha Stewart's obituary had a typo in it, would it read "Beloved Aunt"?
All they had to do was tackle, and they could have been in good shape to win the game. In the 1st half alone there were 3-4 blatantly bad attempts at tackling that gave Philly big plays, including Westbrook's 1st TD and Thrash's run to the 1 yard line.
They've got nobody to blame but themselves for that loss. Poor tackling, failure to stop Philly when it counted, dropped passes (Chambers on the play prior to Fiedler's last int.), and key penalties (that was a very dubious pass int. call against Freeman).
Regardless, Wannstedt has got to be done after the season. And, as much as I like Fiedler, I'm thinking his days are numbered, too (although, keeping him as a #2 wouldn't be bad, depending on the money). I don't think Griese is the answer at QB, either.
Not only are they two road games, but they're two road games in freezing climates and against divisional opponents (who despite being out of the playoffs, will still get up for Miami because of the rivalry).
Miami = finished....even if Denver chokes, the Bengals or Ravens might snap up that last wild card.
Oh Tino...put some pants on for God's sake.-- Chuckc14 in the Worst Album Covers thread Click Here (The W)
Manny [Ramirez] could show up for spring training with ice-blue hair, a "Free Lee Boyd Malvo" tattoo and a batting helmet made out of chorizo and I wouldn't be surprised. Hey, it's just Manny being Manny.-- Bill Simmons
Watching "Mad Dog Time" is like waiting for the bus in a city where you're not sure they have a bus line.-- Roger Ebert
I was so shocked last night because the one thing a FinFan could always count on before was the D coming up big in home games like that.
The tackling was horrendous, especially in the fourth when they had the Eagles backed up inside the 5.
On offense, things looked pretty good last night, although Fiedler threw the pick right when it hurt the most...
Who is the answer at QB? I am not sure I know the answer. I really did think Griese would be it. He seemed more confident and sure with himself in Denver.
They should be able to beat the Bills and the Jets, but then again it is December in Buffalo...
---------- WHO'S NEXT?!!! ----------
----------Where the wild are strong, and the strong are the darkest ones, you're the Darkest One.----------
Originally posted by hazI really did think Griese would be it. He seemed more confident and sure with himself in Denver.
I, as well as most other Bronco fans, would beg to differ. Even though he won't admit it, the fact that he succeeded Elway and pretty much played in his shadow got to his head, and the fans and local media breathing down his neck didn't help much either.
Originally posted by hazI really did think Griese would be it. He seemed more confident and sure with himself in Denver.
I, as well as most other Bronco fans, would beg to differ. Even though he won't admit it, the fact that he succeeded Elway and pretty much played in his shadow got to his head, and the fans and local media breathing down his neck didn't help much either.
That's partially Fiedler's problem - he succeeded Dan Marino. Now he doesn't let it get to him, but even when he has a good game the fans call for his head. I agree that he isn't the best or most accurate QB in the league, but he wins a lot of games (3rd best winning percentage amongst current starters, I think). If he could just cut down on the interceptions a little, Fiedler could be a long-term answer at QB (with a better offensive line, of course).
Yo, it's me, it's me, it's (points to self) P-A-B!
So do you Fish fans think that this is it for Wannstedt? He's a good coach, but I think he's better suited as a defensive coordinator somewhere.
I think Fiedler is a good QB, but I've never been sold on him as the starter ... maybe it's time to draft someone (Eli?) that they could build the franchise around (like Marino).
Ralph Wiggum: "We're going to Africa; land of lions and giraffes and Santa and balloons ... "
I absolutely think it's time to get rid of Wannstedt. I'd happily take either Dan Reeves or Jim Fassel as his replacement. At one point Monday night Ricky Williams had 105 yards on 15 carries, so what did Wannstedt do? Throw long over and over until Fiedler got intercepted and the game was lost. They did the same thing in New England. Williams had a great 3rd quarter, so when they needed to put points up in the 4th it was pass pass pass. It's reminiscent of when Jimmy Johnson was there and he ran Karim Abdul-Jabbar so much that Marino had to try and bring them back just about every week. Not since Shula have the Fish had a coach that played to the team's strengths rather than trying to get by on their weaknesses. Both Reeves and Fassel can do that, and I'd take either of them with a smile. Hell, I wouldn't be opposed to bringing Jimmy Johnson back either, now that we've actually got an RB who can move the ball.
Oh yeah...and I'd take Kurt Warner too...
The Toronto Maple Leafs are built for the playoffs. Of course they are. What Leafs fans don't realize, though, is "built for the playoffs" is just GM-speak for "short on skill, kinda slow, and can't score over an 80 game season".
I do think Wannstedt is done. Let's be clear, though. He does not call the plays, so to blame him for the style of offense is not right. That blame goes to Norv Turner, the so-called offensive genius...
I do not want Reeves for sure. Fassel is a possibility, but I don't like what has happened with teh G-men this year, so I am leery... Of the other names I have heard out there, the most intriguing to me would be Dennis Green...
In terms of a QB, they definitely need to draft a young one this year to groom. Sage Rosenfels is not the one. They can get 1-2 years out of Fiedler and Griese while grooming a rookie QB to eventually take over.
As far as Griese goes, his QB ratings for his four years in Denver were 75.6, 102.9, 78.5, 85.6. He threw for no less than 2600 yards in those 4 years and had a > 60 completion percentage. I figured once he got his chance when Fiedler was hurt that he would hold onto it. Especially with the weight off his shoulders where it was in Denver...
What I really believe they need is another WR to take the pressure off and help Chambers/McMichael...
---------- WHO'S NEXT?!!! ----------
----------Where the wild are strong, and the strong are the darkest ones, you're the Darkest One.----------
Eli Manning, Ben Rothelisberger via draft (I'd do what I had to do to get Manning, personally) Trent Dilfer? Jon Kitna? Drew Henson? Kurt Warner? (intriguing...)
“To get ass, you’ve got to bring ass." -- Roy Jones Jr.
"Your input has been noted. I hope you don't take it personally if I disregard it." -- Guru Zim
Wannstedt should be done. No question about it. His track record as a coach is mediocre at best.
My problem with the QB position is that Fiedler and Griese are like Kerry Collins. Good QB's when they have the lead but not the type of players that can lead a team from behind to victory.
The injuries on the offensive line hurt but in this league you need to have some depth and the Dolphins do not have that depth.
Well, they had a choice in the offseason at left tackle...either keep Brent Smith, who had been solid, or keep Mark Dixon, who had been above solid but highly injury-prone and was coming off an injury.
They picked Dixon, Dixon never played a down all year and Wade Smith at left tackle has cost Miami at least 2 games by his ownself.
Obviously they've made more good personnel moves than bad moves, it's just the bad ones (Dixon, Thompson, Lucas, Griese) just stick out that much more.
Also, Wanny's had four years to right the ship and while granted Miami's in better shape than most teams (until the cap problems inevitably force a housecleaning), it's been the same thing all along. And whether the Dolphins want to admit or not the Decmber thing isn't in their heads, IT IS. The December thing is ALL they've been talkng about ALL SEASON. Now whether that's the media's fault or not is a debatable point. But most likely the best thing for all parties involved (Wanny and the Dolphins) is to move forward at this point and call it a day.
If Martha Stewart's obituary had a typo in it, would it read "Beloved Aunt"?