Time 1 pm Place Foxboro Distribution: http://the506.com/sports/?cat=14 Announcers: Bill Macatee and Rich Gannon At stake: Well, not much, yet somethings: -Dolphins have a .500 season for only the 3rd time in the last 7 yrs -Brady's 26 game home winning streak Weather: 40ish with a chance for rain Out: Dolphins: Dansby, Murtha, Carroll Patriots: Aaron Hernandez Storyline: Heading into this one the Pats have the AFCE and Home Field in the playoff sewn up, Belicheck has been known to rest players and allow backups such as Bryan Hoyer to play a couple of series. For the Dolphins Tony Sparano is firmly on the hot seat after starting out 2-0 and stumbling to finish 5-8, Chad Henne is also coming off of a hellish streak of games including key interceptions that led to opponents victories in 2 of the final 3 games Also: Cam Wake can win the NFL sack title he also will become the 4th Dolphin in the last decade to lead the AFC in sacks Brandon Marshall needs 10 receptions and 83 yds to set the all time single season reception record and become the 1st Wr since Chris Chambers in 05 to reach 1k yds Brandon Fields needs 5 punts of 51 yds gross to set the all time NFL record Dan Carpenter needs at least 2 FG's to tie for the NFL lead Chad Henne with 425 yds will pass Chad Pennington's 2008 season mark Overall Defense is 1 pt ahead of the Jets Defense. Will break out the Jason Taylor orange jersey for this one: As for "lose to get a better draft pick" err: http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2010/12/27/1897941/2011-nfl-draft-order-still-largely-up-for-grabs There are 7 other teams at 6-9 but unfortunately our Strength of Schedule is all better than theirs, meaning we lose every single tie breaker, we are pretty much cemented into the #16 pick with only the Vikings in any danger of falling down past us that .538 SoS mark is the "best" of the 6-9 teams with the Vikes at .524. 8-8 would however bump us back a bit as once again, our .538 schedule strength is touger than teams such as the Jags and Chargers, we have played a meat grinder of a schedule folks.
Well, injuries may prevent that 2-3, I do think people are interested in where we wind up drafting and whom, the interesting thing is, if we do finish 8-8, and the Jags and Chargers pass us, our needs are totally different from their needs, however if the Vikings win and we lose we are still sort of sunk as we won that head to head game against them, meaning we may as well win the game as the Vikes will take a Qb either way.
Friend BlameItOnTheHenne: could go a ways to providing answers to the question @ center if Incognito has pro-bowl potential, demonstrated by neutralizing a perennial pro-bowl NT we wouldn't have to make the position a priority during the up-coming draft and/or free-agency would be worth some moving around & adjustments in an otherwise meaningless game
Well, for me, I'd like to see Cam Wake win the sack title and BM to set that record and make it to 1,000yds as it would be a source of optimism for the offseason, 5 yrs without a wr breaching 1k yds is long enough and Wake is a huge part of the resurgence of the Defense which to me is the strongest building block moving forwards.
I'm not sold on Minny taking a QB high. They might have an eye on McNabb and Webb showed great promise. EDIT: Miami is finally going to be on TV in the Orlando area. I can't wait for Jax to go to LA.
Cam Wake can win the NFL sack title he also will become the 4th Dolphin in the last decade to lead the AFC in sacks Brandon Marshall needs 10 receptions and 83 yds to set the all time single season reception record and become the 1st Wr since Chris Chambers in 05 to reach 1k yds Brandon Fields needs 5 punts of 51 yds gross to set the all time NFL record Dan Carpenter needs at least 2 FG's to tie for the NFL lead Chad Henne with 425 yds will pass Chad Pennington's 2008 season mark Overall Defense is 1 pt ahead of the Jets Defense. Nice to hear of some positive stats and individual accomplishments that could happen. In all seriousness,do these numbers show us to be better than what we are this season? I would of said this is a playoff caliber team looking at these numbers before 10' started.
Love to see Wake take the sack title, which of course would mean he'd put a beating on Brady. Love to make Bellichick and the Pats pay for playing their starters in a meaningless game to them.
For me, I want the "W" more than anything else as the change in draft position is meaningless, 8-8 with such a young squad to me would be a nice milepost. To me, to not wish to win is sort of like Armando and the High Five.
I just want it over...have no idea how iam gonna feel 2maro.. I would love to play all backups but sparano is coachin for his ***..lol.
New England (echo) tomorrow? I have about 07 cents to put in this shananigetogether...is that a word? No? Well, here it is anyways....So the Pats have home field clinched, so what can they do in this game to help their cause? How 'bout this.....Beli likes Chad Henne, Right now the Fins are manageable, they are average at best, and maybe he can preserve that by giving Miami a late Christmas present....yea that's right, let's give these guys a win, to hurt their draft spot, and help keep them on their losing track. Let Henne look like Joe Montana, give Sparano more life and make the Dolphins feel like they are making improvements for next season, then with the team preserved, the Pats come to play next season and beat the tar out of us and ruin yet another season.....Bill preserves at least one more dominating season against a division foe, yea that's right, Bill you are a Genius, and I am just about to get sick to my stomach thinking about it, What a day for the PHINS! They squeak by the Patsies 23-20 in a meaningless OT game......well, not meaningless for the Pats I guess.........
Padre thanks as this is the last game thread for a while it's appreciated. I just want to see our d do good but I think we r gonna miss dans by again this week ...maybe wake can break bradysleg
Not bad, still like the home whites the best. Dolphins are +5, apparently Hoyer may play 3/4th of the game
Let's enjoy this one people, last one for about 8 months. I know it's been a disappointing season but 8-8 sounds a lot better than 7-9. LET'S GO DOLPHINS!!!
Well, with the labor issues, I really want to end this yr on a positive note, as much as I have a love for the CFL, the NFL is my first football love...
Wow honestly why toucher ourselves. In New England without about 4 starters. No one of the Phins is looking to get hurt. I really feel we lose this one real early on. Brady pulled at half. Sparano and co **** the bed this season and now they need to sleep in it.
Casserly just said Ross is out of the country and will meet with Sparano when he comes back. Wow..John Harbaugh was also in his lame duck yr this season.
Hard to believe the seasons over already after today. Very disappointing to say the least. Reading and watching all the possible playoff scenarios and once again the Dolphins are not in the mix. I would never root against the Fins but my only worry is if we win today it might cloud the judgement of what needs to be done this offseaon. The people in charge (GM,Owner),must realize that one win does not erase all the negatives that got us to this point in the first place. Win or lose today everyone must be evaluated and held accountable for yet another dismal season.
I think it is always better to finish at .500 or better RGF, losing becomes an infection and habit forming, so I'll always prefer .500 or better so in that sense this game matters to me at least, whether the current Staff returns or not.
How many times have "we" heard about so and so in the Draft being a beast, they make it to the NFL then they suck? Give me the win, each time, every time. My only caveat is if you are in line for the #1 overall and there is a honest to goodness Franchise Qb there
Good vibe here in wanting to win this game regardless. It's business as usual today as a fan for me. I want a Dolphins win.
