Dolphins coach Sparano tries to shield team from hype as Patriots game nears -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
And here I thought he would have said the toughest thing is catching them on camera. I hate the patsies.
I've said all week, the pats have a lot more to lose in this rematch than we do. They are struggling for their spot in the playoffs...2 losses to the Fins and one to the jests puts them in jeopardy of getting nudged out of the playoff picture come week 16 or so...but...but...they already have a built in excuse for a 'poor' season if they don't make the playoffs (cough....Brady....knee....cough) and the press will be blaming any losses on that...of course...they may have a point... At any rate, keeping this team's nerve under check is going to take all of Sparano's wile and coachspeak he can muster...with a little help from the Tuna as well. Someone may even get scolded by the staff this week, you never know... But as difficult as this week is for the staff, imagine how difficult it'll be for them next week should we beat the patsies again...then to have to get the team up for the Rams ?? At any rate, I'm satisfied with this team's progress as it is now..if we lose to the pats, so be it..we still have a chance to get to the end...and Sparano's handling of the pyschy of this team is as big a part of the success as Penny landing in our laps in August...
I agree. We have such a solid head coach!! He has built a team, no a family, of players that are learning, from the staff and themselves, what it takes to win in the NFL. Win, lose, or draw. In or out of the playoffs, this team is setting a foundation for success, over a long period, in the NFL. Love where we are and where, it appears, we are heading.
Larryfinfan, I agree to a point... It is great what Sparano and the staff have done but they've gone one step further than that. I BELIEVE IN NOW! I really thought of that as an afterthought or even laughable when applied to us this season. But you know what? I think we can handle this game with this coaching staff and front office. They are using every ounce of talent on this team to its hilt, and very impressively!
I'll believe more in NOW after the next two weeks...face it, although the team has found a way to win, they've struggled against lesser teams...I count in the Ravens, Texans and jests when we played them...(on the other hand, the jests are much improved now). That said, victories over NE who most consider to be better than we are and the Rams, who we should beat would probably win me over to 'now'... I'm still not displeased in any way about this season though...
I absolutely love Sparano’s passion, he clearly believes in the players and they now believe in themselves. The 4th and 1 conversion on the winning drive against the broncos set the tone for the season imo. Sparano made the decision in milliseconds to go for it without any hesitation and a few simple words of encouragement were all that was needed. As the team got into their formation for that play, you could see them oozing confidence, no hint of nervousness, just confidence. Needless to say, the play was converted and the rest is history. The way the guy handles himself on the sidelines you would have thought he had been an NFL head coach for years. He is astute in his game preparation and I am 100% confident that he will have the team pumped up and ready to go come game time on Sunday. Belicheat will have to prepare his team for a war in South Florida for the first time as patsies HC.
I don't care about woulda, coulda, shouda. I want to win and I think we can beat these cheats. I want to be optimistic and hopeful for this team and us. I refuse to think they will beat us. I'm anxious, don't get me wrong, but I'm keeping my hopes high. We've got a good bunch of players and a good coach now, so I'm up for it! Is any body with me??
Man you can almost feel the excitement and intensity build for this game on this site! You know the players can't wait, I can't wait. What a big big game for our Phins!!
oh we're seeing a new wrinkle on sunday. i'd bet my first born child on it (Wait. I don't have or want a first born child...)
You just know that if we are psyched as PhinFans, guys like Porter and Big Jake Long are hyped up as well, ditto Ronnie and Rickey, all the years in the wilderness and now here is our chance...
"No, Charles, we can't do it." "Yes we can, Paul. Kill the bear, kill the bear, kill the bear!" I'm with you Debby, lets go kill that bear!