Miami Dolphins

1. We often hear how good offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia is. On Sunday, we saw exactly why. LT Matt Light was scratched from the game minutes before kickoff. LG Logan Mankins slid over to fill the spot and reserve Donald Thomas stepped in for Mankins. When Mankins went down with a knee injury, rookie Nate Solder flipped from right tackle to left and Marcus Cannon, another rookie, took over on the right side. It wasn’t a smooth transition, as QB Tom Brady was sacked three times in the first half, but Scarnecchia’s half time adjustments led to one sack allowed and 86 of the team’s 119 rushing yards. Patriots fans should be Tebowing in honor of Scarnecchia. Eh…on second thought…maybe not. But coach Scar deserves praise from Patriot Nation.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 16"

For pretty much all season, the Patriots had the worst pass defense in the league. If the two-week trend continues, they will have a league worst rush defense to match.

The Denver Broncos repeatedly gashed the D for 252 yards. The week before the Washington Redskins plowed their way to 170 yards. What was a decent run defense for 13 weeks became generous, as if they have the Christmas Sprit.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 16"

1. QB Tom Brady’s regular season streak of pass attempts without an interception came to an end at 358. It was the only blemish on a career night. He completed 67 percent of his passes for a career high 517 yards and four touchdowns. Please note I said in the preview that Brady is getting older, not he’s old.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 1"

Quarterback Tom Brady said he would like to play until he’s 40. Head coach Bill Belichick is already assembling his contingency plan.

Everyone thought life without Brady in 2008 would be a catastrophe yet they won 11 games with Matt Cassel leading the way. Belichick is not expecting another serious injury to Brady, but for the first time in years Belichick kept three quarterbacks on the roster.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 1"

With all the talk about whether or not the starters should play, how long do they play, which uniforms they should wear when they play, do they perform the ancient Celtic (hard “C” sound like a K, not like the basketball team) New Year’s ritual before they play, etc. Few people talked about who will play after the starters take a seat.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 17"

I’m not quick to be sold on singular performances. I’ll applaud when a player or team does something good in a game, but I’ll take a wait and see approach, demanding they do it again before I buy what I’m seeing. 

Continue reading "Stepping Up, Step Forward"

outburst towards quarterbacks coach Bill O’Brien at halftime of the Monday night win over the Miami Dolphins. Before the season and after the season opening win against the Cincinnati Bengals Moss said he believed 2010 would be his last season with the Patriots. 

Continue reading "Patriots Had to Trade Moss"

If the game ended at halftime, the Patriots would had lost to Miami. And fans would blame one person for that: Cameron Wake. 

The OLB was terrorizing Brady in the first half. He consistently beat his blocker, using speed, brute strength, some spin moves, and a non-stop motor. He got pressure a handful of times and even got a sack. The former two-time Canadian Football League Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008 was nearly unstoppable. 

Continue reading "Which is Better for the Patriots?"

s selected out of the University of Michigan. 

Meet the new 2000s New England Patriots, the Miami Dolphins. I’m not saying the Dolphins are going to kidnap the 2010 Patriots team, take their identity, and play the rest of the season masquerading as the team from New England. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 4"

What happens in preseason games doesn’t matter. 

That’s garbage. Try telling that to a head coach after a piss-poor performance by his team as his hair goes gray during the post game press conference. 

Continue reading "A Running Concern"

When CB Terrence Wheatley walked off the Gillette Stadium field last Thursday with a couple of trainers, it crossed my mind it would be for the last time as a Patriot for Wheatley. But his chance of sticking around went up with CB Leigh Bodden going down. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Preseason Four"

You would think with the lack of leadership in the Patriots locker room expressed from all angles that the more veteran presences the better. No so in the secondary. Surprisingly, CB Shawn Springs was released on Tuesday. 

Continue reading "Shawn's Gone"

In 2005, the Patriots “lost” the season finale to the Miami Dolphins. Because of that “loss,” the Pats hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card game instead of facing Pittsburgh. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 16"

Where do I start? 

It’s not just the offense that’s predictable. Opponents know what’s coming and figured out how to stop it. 

It’s not just the lack of a reliable third receiver when Randy Moss and Wes Welker are covered. Whether it is a slot guy or the tight end, QB Tom Brady doesn’t trust them. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 13"

Absent from the buildup for this divisional match-up between the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots has been a bulletin board quote from the irascible Joey Porter. 

The outside linebacker, who’s never at a loss for words, hasn’t said anything to rile up the Pats. That’s understandable, considering QB Tom Brady said after the last game between the teams that Porter’s statement of genuine hate between the players inspired the Pats. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 13"

When it comes to the winning, New England is still the team everyone wants to beat. To make a statement to the rest of the league, a win over the Patriots is the best feather any team can stick in their cap. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week Nine"

Just like the Patriots addressed the secondary with defending tall receivers in mind, the Miami Dolphins did the same in the off-season. The difference was the source of the remedy. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 9"

Hopefully RB Laurence Maroney doesn’t think he’s off the hook after rushing for 123 yards (7.7 average) and a score. If anything, the expectations have gone up. It’s nice to see you blow up in one game as the undisputed primary ball carrier. But can you do this week after week after week? 

Continue reading "Staying On the Run"

The Patriots offense was virtually shut down by the New York Jets. QB Tom Brady was unable to get the offense into the endzone and was constantly rushed by a relentless New York blitz. It got people saying the Jets had the blueprint for beating the Patriots and with the rest of the league as witnesses, every opponent will follow suit. 

Continue reading "The Blueprint"

There are two things you need to know about New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan. 

One, he has a big mouth. He didn’t even wait until the ink dried on his contract before he started throwing verbal spears. He had an entertaining one-on-one with Miami LB Channing Crowder. And Patriot fans had his “I never came here to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings” statement memorized since Ryan said it in June. 

Continue reading "Nothing Wrong with Rex Ryan in my Book"

I’m not much of a poker player, but since the beginning of training camp, head coach Bill Belichick has been exchanging cards, looking for a full house. 

They looked at QB Cleo Lemon. DE Kevin Carter seems to be getting serious consideration. QB Matt Gutierrez was cut and QB Andrew Walter signed to replace Gutz. 

Continue reading "Ninkovich in the Cards"

In the world of journalism, it's the greatest compliment when an article you wrote inspires others to express their own opinion on the same subject.

Back in February, I wrote an article asking the question should teams draft tight ends in the first round. It was a relevant question because Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew could be the only TE selected within the first 32 picks.

Continue reading "Great Minds Think Alike"

f the “why can’t we all be this lucky department”, it was recently announced that Miami Dolphins minority owner Wayne Huizenga amended an opt-out clause in the four year, $12 million contract of the Dolphins’ executive VP of football operations, Bill Parcells, prior to selling his majority share on Jan. 20. The clause originally stated if the Miami franchise was sold, Parcells would have 30 days from the time of the sale to leave the organization and still collect all $12 million regardless of how many years he lingered. If that wasn’t ridiculous enough, somehow, beyond on logical comprehension and business sense, Huizenga removed the time limit, and now Parcells can depart with all the money whenever he feels like it. The 30-day window is gone. Huzienga stated that it was the right thing to do for Parcells and new majority owner Stephen Ross, and that the Big Tuna now has no reason to feel pressured into leaving. Need I remind Huizenga that Parcells has been a staff member for a combination of 14 college programs and professional teams since he began as the linebackers coach for Hastings in 1964, and he’s only remained at three of those organizations for four or more years without receiving an upgrade in position or packing his bags? What are the odds that stir-crazy Parcells remains in Miami through 2011?

Continue reading "The Sports Don's Sunday Musings: Volume II"

Brett Lorenzo Favre, the beloved gunslinger from Southern Mississippi who was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, made his first pass completion on his way to prominence as a Packer to himself and adorned a New York Jets uniform in his final season, announced his retirement yesterday…again.

Continue reading "Favre Retires. Finally. I Think."

It was bound to happen sooner or later. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels turned down opportunities after last season, but he knew teams would keep knocking on his door. He was waiting for the right opening, and the chance to be the Denver Broncos' head coach might be exactly what he wants.

Continue reading "McDaniels Leaves the Nest"

When I heard that LB Jerod Mayo received 49 of 50 votes for Defensive Player of the Year, I asked two questions: 1. Who got the one vote, then later, 2. Who the hell voted for Keith Rivers?

I won't argue Rivers won't be a good player down the road. In limited playing time, he had 37 tackles with an interception. But to compare a player that only played seven games versus someone who started 16 is illogical. Even if Rivers' number were projected to 16 games he's far behind Mayo's production. Sorry Rivers that you got your jaw broke by Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hines Ward, but that's football.

Continue reading "Stray Votes"

Well, that's it. The Patriots did what they needed to do Sunday, but it just didn't happen. That's why every team should handle their business on their own and don't leave the job for a third party to complete.

Continue reading "The Drive in '09"

According to The Boston Globe, DE Richard Seyour will miss today's game. With Big Sey is out, DE Jarvis Green probably starts in Richard's place.

While it's nothing new to the team, I'm going to repeat head coach Bill Belichick's mantra that worked so well in the past and this season:

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 17"

I can't believe I'm about to say this. It makes me feel dirty just thinking about it. But it's what has to be done.

Go Jets.

 Ugh! I'm gonna need a shower.

As much as I despise New York and their teams (the Yankees once again came through with more than $400 million reasons to hate them more this off-season), for once, I want the Jets to win.

Continue reading "Sacreligious"

Usually I’m not one to consider a conspiracy in sports but the “flex schedule” set up by the NFL has gotten me perturbed to say the least. With their slaughter over the Cardinals last week the Patriots did their part in the efforts to make the playoffs. As luck would have it the Seahawks, allowing a glimmer of hope for New England, downed the Jets. In the final week of the regular season the Jets and Dolphins were to meet in an AFC East clash that will determine the fate of the division. With the entirety of the East playing at 1pm all of the NFL would know by early evening their AFC East divisional winner.

Continue reading "A Final Punishment?"

As I watch the Patriots season I can help but be reminded of baseball seasons past. As an avid Red Sox fan the race for the pennant is always one that leaves fans on the edge of their seats, gaspin

Continue reading "Sizing up the Playoff Picture"

Well it's a clear as day now. In order to get in, the Patriots must win out and get some much needed help.

Assistance wasn't provided last night as Dallas gave away their final game at Texas Stadium to visiting Baltimore. And how the Ravens won was unbelievable. Two consecutive runs gained 159 yards and two touchdowns. The Cowboys looked more like security detail clearing the way through the paparazzi than defenders going in for the tackle.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 16"

I would like to thank the Minnesota Vikings for putting the boots to the Arizona Cardinals, with their back-up quarterback, to the tune of 35-14. As if the Cards didn't have reason enough to win this Sunday. They're still jockeying for playoff positioning. Now they are hungry to bounce back from Sunday's butt-kicking.

Continue reading "Another Inspired Patriots Opponent"

Next Tuesday the NFL Network will announce the AFC and NFC Pro Bowl teams. Unlike last year, there won't be as many Patriot players sprinkled throughout the roster, but that doesn't mean there are no deserving players on the team. Of course I'm a homer, but I'll try to exercise a bit of common sense and select players who should be on the AFC team:

Continue reading "Pro Bowl Pats"

As bad as that loss to the Steelers was, I hope for a rematch. 

Yes, Pittsburgh out-everythinged the Patriots on Sunday. It was a completely convincing win. The Steelers showed why they rank first in a handful of defensive categories. We saw first hand why they are the best team in the AFC. 

Continue reading "Another Shot at the Steelers for the Patriots"

the Washington Redskins.  The Baltimore Ravens are at -7 at the Cincinnati Bengals.  The Miami Dolphins are -7.5 to St. Louis, and the Indianapolis Colts are -5 at the Cleveland Browns. 

Continue reading "NFL Week 13 Musings"

Good thing about Sundays is all the talk stops. It's put up or shut up time.

Yeah, that's a direct stab at Pittsburgh Steelers reserve safety Anthony Smith. I repeat: Reservesafety Anthony Smith. He esentially guaranteed a win over the Patriots, the second year in a row he's made that promise.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 13"

Is this game against Miami a must win?

Personally I hate that phrase because it suggests that if a team loses the game, there's no hope for the rest of the season. I don't think that's the case for the Pats. They stand at 6-4 and while one loss hurts their chances of reaching the playoffs, it doesn't completely kills their chances of advancing to the second season.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 12"

Kendrick Perkins with his league leading 7th technical right before the half?  I am surprised the Celtics lead the league in technical fouls this season and more shocked that Perkins leads the team.  Are the Celtics getting a little too boistrous after their championship? 

Continue reading "Second Half Should See More of Same"

The Miami Dolphins are improving and quite intriguing, but they play the Oakland Raiders, a team that probably couldn’t compete in Canada, let alone the NFL.

I could go down the list, but all we would find are teams with flaws, with gaping holes. One team has no defense, another has no quarterback. Parity in the NFL has robbed us of any one great football team to watch.

Continue reading "Planning A Long Nap On Sunday"

He has raised the Miami Dolphins up from the ashes of last season’s 1-15 record to a respectable 5-4, only two games behind his division leading ex-Jets. They are tied with Buffalo and only trailing the mighty Patriots by a game. 

Continue reading "A Case for Global Warming"

The Dolphin Pod is the ultimate fan site for the serious fan, written by a true fan.  Do you know all of
Dan Marino’s records by heart?  Are you not liking Brett Farve so much for

Continue reading "MyTeamRivals - The Dolphin Pod"

Are these Rams for real?

St. Louis was the 98-pound weakling just three weeks ago. But they changed coaches from Scott Linehan to Jim Haslett and now they're Ram tough? They lost by an average of 26 points in the first month. All of a sudden they bounce back and upset the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 8"

The Boston Globe is reporting that QB Tom Brady had successful surgery to repair his injured knee on Monday. The anticipated recovery time is about six to eight months.

Since it is October, we'll project that Brady will be ready to practice between February and April. He will be a participant in mini-camps most likely and absolutely training his butt off in the weight room.

Continue reading "Get Well...Whenever"

I'm glad to hear that RBs Laurence Maroney and LaMont Jordan are not on the injury report. That's the good news. The bad news is San Francisco RB Frank Gore is absent from the 49ers' injury report.

Continue reading "Ground to a halt"

After the QB Tom Brady injury, I wrote a column about WR Randy Moss fulfilling his role as a team captain. Just two weeks later, there are reports of Moss exhibiting the bad behavior that the Minnesota Vikings tired of and the Oakland Raiders wouldn't deal with.

Continue reading "The Randy Rules"

feel the team deserved all the boos rained down upon them during that sorry performance against the Miami Dolphins. For all those guys saying the season is over after one loss without the team's best player. For anyone who shed a tear after the loss. For those who will switch their attention to MLB Playoffs or to the upcoming NHL season. And if there are any Patriots fans that will watch Desparate Housewives instead of a prime time Patriots game against San Diego, I want to reassure you.

Continue reading "Back to School"

Before the Patriots became the league's model franchise, how did you define what a Patriot was? An over-achiever. Played all-out and with heart. Never gives up. A clutch player in big games. Willing to do anything to help the team win.

Continue reading "Troy Brown Comes Home"

OK, we knew the Pats would lose a game sometime, but like this? And to Miami? Miami?!?!!? The Dolphins had one win last year!

Worst of all, Dolphins LB Joey Porter has bragging rights! Ugh! He claims it wasn't a guarantee, but come on, he said it would be nice to get our first win. That's pretty much calling it.

Continue reading "There's Something About Miami"

I was going to talk about the two starting quarterbacks benched this week in favor of their back-ups, but then I saw these comments by Miami LB Joey Porter about QB Matt Cassel on ESPN:

I just know he's not a Tom Brady. So if it's not Tom Brady, it shouldn't be that hard.

Continue reading "Thank you, Joey Porter"

Though I'm not done gloating and soaking up this win over the Jets, it's time to take an objective view of the game.

For starters, it could had been a blowout. QB Matt Cassel hesitated on a few passes. If he threw it on time to WR Randy Moss deep, that would had been a score (but Moss still should had caught that pass - bounced off his chest). There was a curl ran by Wes Welker that could had been a first down. And finally TE David Thomas beat the coverage but Cassel held on a beat too long. By the time he threw it, Cassel had to throw a bullet. If Cassel released it on Thomas' cut, the required touch would had floated the pass over LB Calvin Pace's hand and to the target just before LB Eric Barton arrived. That's 14 points the offense missed out on, not including the other trips into the red zone.

Continue reading "Monday Morning"

Will the Patriots play the season with a grudge? To be more precise, will Bill Belichick coach with a chip on his shoulder, intent to embarrass all teams that cross his path?

Think about the leads the Patriots had in the second half and how long he left the starters in the game. The pinnacle of rubbing it in was the total destruction of Washington, 52-7. The first unit scored their sixth touchdown to make the score 45-0 with 9:06 left in the fourth quarter. They converted a 4th-and-1 on Brady's last drive and a 4th-and-2 during a drive that ended in a 10-yard touchdown run by Matt Cassel.

Continue reading "Eye to the future"

Taking advantage of Pennington's availability was the Miami Dolphins, who signed Chad for two years. Both passers with new addresses are expected to start for their new teams.

I'll admit these are good moves by the respective franchises. They improved a position of weakness. And as veterans, the transitions shouldn't be hard, as Favre goes from Green Bay to Gang Green while Pennington changes his tastes from New York Clam Chowder to working for The Tuna.

Continue reading "Better competition"

Miami defensive end Jason Taylor has drawn a line in the sand. After a second place finish on Dancing With the Stars, he won't report for any off-season team functions, including training camp. They say it's his way of demanding a trade.

Continue reading "Taylor Made"

Two weeks ago, Taylor took a break from his dancing gig and visited the Dolphins. He visited with teammates in the locker room and, after a warm reception, decided to call on Parcells.

Taylor walked into a room where Parcells was watching tape, and Parcells ignored him. He looked at Taylor and went back to his work without saying a word.

Continue reading "Taylor Trash"

After seven rounds and 252 picks, one thing stands out. 41 defensive linemen were drafted and 39 offensive linemen were granted employment.

Did someone say monkey see, monkey do? They always said the NFL is a copycat league and it couldn't be more obvious.

Continue reading "Draft Review"

NFL commissioner Roger Godell wasted little time handing out penalties after head coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots were caught with the poorly hidden camera. Besides the monentary fines, he docked the Pats their first round pick.

Continue reading "Got 'till it's gone"

99 wins. That's the total number of wins in 2007 of the Patriots' opponents for the upcoming season. It is the easiest schedule for any team in the NFL and it already has ESPN analyst Chris Carter saying the Patriots can go undefeated in '08.

Continue reading "Schedule redux"

It could just be talk, it could be serious, or it could be fishing.

Latest word is the Miami Dolphins have opened negotiations with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long. Considering the condition of the team, this would be a smart move to solidify a porous offensive line to protect likely a new starter in John Beck (42 sacks allowed) and add a road grader to pave the way for the running game that will depend on two ball carriers coming off injuries (Ronnie Brown torn ACL and Ricky Williams torn chest muscle).

Continue reading "Miami bluff"

Bill Parcells' new gig as the Miami Dolphins is Vice President of Football Operations. What does that mean? No idea. But it sort of sounds like the sort of obscure title that sort of does everything. So, in Leyman's terms...

Continue reading "Parcells Wants to Start Over in Franchise Mode"