I understand that the Dolphins going on a winning streak is exactly what a lot of people could use right now to feel better about this season. It makes emotional sense, as does the thought that the players, with an 'us-against-the-world' mentality will give us a storybook ending to this drama. But objectively (does that trigger the profanity filter?) is there really evidence to support this hope? Some factors: - Even if we come out determined to 'prove something' will this emotional bump last beyond one game? I'm not sure why it would. Tonight's Bucs game is the "return to football" moment where players can finally let out all their pent up frustration on the field. (Which could also backfire if it leads to lack of discipline) but after that, i think some of that pent up steam is gone. - The Oline, our biggest weakness, lost two of it's starters. Now, this may hurt, or may actually help, since it was so bad with the starters to begin with. We'll see. - Our secondary continues to be very thin due to injuries and apparent lack of trust in rookies Jamar Taylor and Will Davis. - The coaching staff seemed to begin to adjust it's approach last game, with Sherman finally succumbing to what I believe is internal pressure to run the ball more. But he has shown a tendency to veer away from the run at every opportunity, especially lat win games with leads (head scratcher). Will he be able to resist his own predilections and habits and run a balanced offense? - Distraction and focus. Let's face it. It's possible the drama off the field may have distracted the team and it may show up in their execution. Look for OL penalties. Missed assignments. Mistimed routes or running backs out of sync with the holes opening up as possible ways this could show up. Also, Tannehill seems cool amidst this storm, but let's see how he plays once on the field. We are a 4-4 team at present. Mediocre. .500 I'm not sure I see how we are suddenly an above average team just off the back of surviving a difficult week in the media and locker room. Let's hope the human factor of being angry and having something to prove is enough to significantly elevate this team. Because I would love to see this team and organization have something positive go it's way right now.
I would say mainly its the view of the first 8-games vs the last 8-games of this years schedule. It was said the opening part was tougher than the close...so some optimism on that close is whats leading to the belief W's will follow.
Well....you are also playing for your coaches job. Which also...unless you are a superstar....means you're playing for your job too.
This made some sense in September... but does it still make sense? Carolina is looking pretty good. The jets are not the pushover everyone had hoped. The Chargers gave a powerhouse Broncos team a run for it's money. Our Atlanta win is looking less impressive as the Falcons melt down. In all, I am not so sure this last half of the schedule is significantly easier than the first half.
This is what has been said for months. But the Jets Bills and Pats are trying most of all to spoil it. Edit: and BSPN
We either go on a roll, or we go in the tank. Pretty much that simple. Common sense and the reality of a patch work O-line tells me the latter and not the former will hold true. But, the eternal optimist and fan is me is hoping for the former and not the latter. Either way, I think we'll see what these guys are made of tonight. Go Phins!
I would hope so. Because the situation is there. If Philbin bombs the rest of the season....a new coach comes in. If me, the dumb fan can pick up on that.....I'd hope one of those guys in the lockerroom could pick up on it and communicate it.
Prior to the start of the season, it did appear that the second half of the season would be the easier part of the season, compared to the first half of the season. Yet it was also thought that the Jets and Bills would both be going through rebuilding seasons and most people on here thought the games against these two teams would be fairly easy wins. The Bills already came to Miami and beat the Dolphins and the Jets are not the mess many people thought they would be this year. So the two games left against the Jets and the away game against the Bills will be a tough game for the Dolphins because they always have a tough game when they go to Buffalo to play the Bills. Also in the division, we still have a game left at home against the Patriots. Until the Dolphins actually beat the Patriots, this has to be considered a possible loss later in the season. The remaining games are against the Chargers,Steelers, Panthers, and tonight against the Bucs. The game tonight against Tampa Bay should be the one remaining game the Dolphins should feel confident of victory. Tampa Bay has a rookie QB and they haven't won a game the entire season. A loss tonight would only cause this season to spiral out of control and would probably lead to their fourth sub 500 record in a row. I expect a win tonight, but the games remaining against the Chargers, Panthers, and even the Steelers are not games any Dolphin fan can take for granted. I can see the Dolphins winning 3 or 4 of their remaining 8 games, if they win tonight. I just don't think this team has the talent to win more than 7 or 8 games this season and that just isn't enough, considering all the expectations going into this season.
What happens if there is evidence that Ireland bungled the situation and the nfl comes down hard on us ?
Ummmm, what did you say..... I love when you post, but I can never read a word of it because your signature is awesome. I love those two girls.
It's hard to be excited even if Miami pulls this game out of their @$$ and wins a close one. We're playing a Winless, Undisciplined Bucs team with mostly BACKUPS. And Miami has 3 extra days rest. And apparently have some "us against the world" thing going on...though you wouldn't know it by watching them struggle against Tampa Bay. You can't play well for half a game and like garbage the other half against teams like SD, Carolina, NYJ, NE.
The blood is in the water. There's very little helping now. All we had to do was beat an 0-8 team on national television. I guess what follows is an overhaul and 4 to 5 more years of re-building (if that, assuming this fanbase doesn't get impatient during the next rebuild).
Rebuilding a myth - it's a matter of getting a good coach, having a good QB and filling the right holes. KC is a prime example - the right people in place turn around a franchise overnight. Each year there are teams coming from nowhere, and others falling down. We just haven't been finding the right people for awhile now. Starts with Ireland, and I have lost faith in Philbin pretty heavily as well.
Yeah, I kind of thought this may happen but hoped it wouldn't. Oh well. More free time Sunday. Not watching this team until it proves worthy.
Tried that. I can't pretend to love a team. It's either there or it isn't. I'm stuck with this one. Doesn't mean I have to watch their disgraceful performances though.
Honest question. It's not intended to offend in anyway. What do you think makes a fan? For me, it's about presence. It's easy to be a fan when you're winning. It's harder to be one when you're losing. But no matter what, I think a fan is always there through thick and thin. Otherwise, what's the point? Sunday's are Dolphin day. 19-0 or 0-16.
Yeah well, maybe I'm not as much of a fan anymore. I don't like the coaches, don't like the GM, and don't like the owner. I don't like what this organization stands for and have little faith that any of them are competent to solve it. I don't respect them. I can't root for people I have little respect for. It's not genuine. That's the same reason I can't root for another team. I love this one. But I won't watch this disgraceful organization **** on the tradition and image of a franchise I love. Do I still love "The Dolphins" Yes. That's why it bothers me. But I have better things to do than watch something as disrespectful as what they insultingly call football and force feed us. **** them. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Nope. I actually have to believe in the things I root for. I love this team, no other. Doesn't mean I have to tolerate the garbage it's perpetrating by enduring the games. I'd rather discuss how to excise the cancer and get this franchise healthy again. I don't think that happens until Ross sells or has nothing to do with the team other than its annual report. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
I understand your points and agree with you on many of them. I will always only be a real fan of one NFL team . I kind of am ok with some other teams but that is more I like them more than another team they may be playing. I am not a fan per se. I won't even buy or wear other team gear even if some if it looks great or is a fantastic deal. Sometimes I feel I need to distance myself some as I become too emotionally involved and for far too long realize there is just disappointment and frustration ahead. I get my hopes up as we all do and with my age , there have been more let downs than rewards . Doesn't mean I won't be a fan though , but I temper it when I need to. Ross isn't selling the team ,so what will it take to get to a resemblance of past glory and esteem? Well from him down needs to go imo . It isn't a secret I have been a big Ireland detractor and have been for dismissing him for years . He simply has to be done . No ifs ands or buts . He needs to be gone. He is what I knew he was and that just is not and never will be good enough to take this team to the Super Bowl. End of discussion , at some point right after the season , the end has to come . So Barry , I think Ross truly wants this done correctly and hates to see how this team is now perceived and to be a non factor on playoff radar year after year. He needs to change that by hiring the best GM / football czar he can . I don't care if it follows tradition or if it is a current model or even a brave new version. There is a disconnect that has to change and while I see some things I like about Philbin , I see more and more we are not prepared , we aren't utilizing players properly and we make it harder than it has to be on ourselves to win . Those aren't positives of course. KC had some very good players yet had a horrible season last year and once again we see how quickly things can turn around. We have to stop making major mistakes , and unfortunately once again that starts with management and coaches. Maybe a bright spot of this putrid mess is just that , what a mess it is . If we meandered to a 9-7 record , missed the playoffs , but had no negative spotlights shone on us , we likely would have Ireland , Philbin et all back . That imo would mean just more time wasted , at least this way I believe Ross has to and will act. Too late , as some of us have known , and that isn't to gloat , but it should have been done years ago imo. C'est la vie say the old folks it goes to show you never can tell . I hope the new direction offers you and I and all of us encouragement , we do deserve it . We really do. Just get it right , get it right , give us a realistic chance. Please.
Tried to un-love the PHINS during Cam Cam to avoid the pain. But couldn't uncouple and watched it all. Like that scene in Clockwork Orange where his eyelids are held open. And I thought about whether I could enjoy any team as much as the PHINS and the answer was No, because I don't love any other team as irrationally. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
