Dolphins Making Playoff Soup out of Patriots

By Ronn Burner • on December 8, 2009

The NFL defies logic in every way shape and form. I don’t care what Denny Green says, when it comes to the NFL “they are not who we thought they were”! Walk with me here, teams we expected to be elite like the Steelers, Cowboys and Patriots are nowhere near as good as we once thought they were. The Raiders, Redskins and Titans are nowhere near as bad as we once thought they were. The Cardinals, Broncos and Chargers are much better than we thought they were and believe it or not, I do not think (which I realize is a complete oxymoron to the point) that the Colts, Saints and Vikings are not as good as we think they are and history agrees with me on this one. Well, maybe I’m agreeing with history but teams that have looked unbeatable in years past, got beat, and they got beat when it mattered most, in the playoffs. Remember when the unbeatable 98 Vikings, 01 Rams and 07 Patriots were all getting fitted for rings at this point in the season? Whoops.

It doesn’t stop there in this whacky “any given Sunday” league. What about the Bears, Panthers and 49ers who at one time had promise, now they have big off-season decisions to make? Are the Bengals, Eagles and a healthy Falcons team just smoke and mirrors? I think they are fool’s gold and there’s not one team in the league that is more afraid of them than teams that they hope don’t make the playoffs. Would you be overly shocked to see this seasons middle of the standings teams like the Jaguars, Ravens, Giants, Packers or Dolphins actually barely make the playoffs yet manage to be a force to reckon with in them? I promise the Chargers would rather face the Bengals than the Dolphins or Ravens and wouldn’t the Saints rather play the Eagles than the Packers or Giants? Even if they wouldn’t, it’s close enough to actually have this debate. If you took the 5 best players off the Saints and gave them to Browns wouldn’t Cleveland be a playoff team? That’s how close the NFL really is, which makes the draft, trades and finding hidden gems the difference between being the class of the league and being the doormat of the league.

Now let’s get to the Miami Dolphins playoff chances after Chad Henne’s Marino-esque afternoon in their big 22-21 victory over the New England Patriots. The Dolphins are alive. The Patriots are beatable. It was a huge win for many reasons but to quote the masterful Quentin Tarantino line in ‘Pulp Fiction’s’ for the astute Mr. Wolf, “Well let’s not start sucking each others @#&*% just yet, gentlemen”. First of all, the Dolphins don’t control their fate. They could win all four of their games and still miss the postseason entirely but we’ll get to that later.

Sure, Henne was Marino-esque, on his best day as a pro, he looked like Dan Marino on his worst day and before you start crying about how well Henne played think about what I just said. That’s a gigantic compliment I just paid him. Hey! I compared him to Dan Marino! That’s a big damn deal. It’s a start. It’s something that wasn’t worth the keyboard I typed it on before Sunday. He was 29-52 for 335 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. He missed throws, he actually missed huge throws but that will come with time but the thing to take away from this game was he was trusted and unleashed and showed every bit of what his teammates, coaches and fans thought he could be. On this day he was a leader, he was poised, he made good decisions and he showed he was capable of being our franchise quarterback for the next decade and beyond. Davone Bess was finally utilized exactly the way the Patriots use Wes Welker with 14 targets resulting in 10 grabs for 117 yards and a score, easily his best day as a pro, and I might add I’ve been complaining all season as to why Bess isn’t catching 8-10 balls a game for 80-100 yards moving the chains. Finally, they scrapped the Wildcat all together running exactly zero plays out of the formation and trusting in Henne. It proved to be effective as even Ted Ginn stepped up and made a great grab tip toeing on the sidelines for a huge first down. He finished with only 2 catches for 34 yards but he finally made it through a game without having a play the media and fans could rip him for and that’s big moving forward because Miami will need him if they are serious about this playoff run.

In reality the story was really more that the Patriots just couldn’t put Miami away after opening a 14-0 lead by failing on multiple 3rd and 1’s and even two 4th and 1’s and came away with zero points on two first and goal situations with a Vontae Davis pick of a Tom Brady pass intended for Randy Moss and another on the Dolphins stuffing a 4th and 1. That said, a win is a win and it pulled the Dolphins to within one game of AFC leading New England.

If the Dolphins win their remaining four games — and if the Patriots lose to one of three teams (the Bills, the Jaguars or the Texans) — Miami would retain the division title.

If the Dolphins and the Patriots win their remaining games, only one team — the Ravens — would stand between Miami and the AFC’s second wild-card spot. And because of Baltimore’s loss to the Packers on Monday, if Baltimore loses another game, Miami would control its own destiny in that regard, too.

Essentially, if the Dolphins win their final four games, they would have an incredibly solid chance, based on a few complex calculations of the wild-card landscape and the AFC East situation, to make the postseason.

But here’s why going undefeated down the stretch will push them so close.

• If the Patriots lose to the Bills and the Dolphins win their remaining four games, Miami would retain its title as AFC East champs based on its record within the division.

• If the Patriots lose to the Jaguars or the Texans and Miami wins out, the Dolphins would still retain their title as the AFC East champs because of a four-step tiebreaker process. The teams would have the same record (10-6), the same division record (4-2) and the same record against common opponents (8-4).

But the Dolphins would ultimately take the tiebreaker with a better conference record. Miami would finish 8-4 against AFC opponents, while the Patriots would be 7-5 with a loss to the Jaguars or the Texans.

• If the Patriots lose to Carolina, but win their other three games, this is where things get trickier: New England would still finish the year with a conference record of 8-4 (same as Miami) because the Panthers are in the NFC.

So the tiebreaker would then move to another level: Strength of victory. To determine the team’s strength of victory, it requires calculating the total winning percentage of all of opponents that Miami and New England have beaten.

It remains too early to forecast which team would have the edge in that category.

Now, onto the possibilities when it comes to the wild card:

The Jets, Steelers, Ravens, Jaguars and Dolphins are the five teams in the immediate hunt for the second wild card spot, while the Broncos (8-4) are currently set up to take the first spot.

But because the Dolphins can knock out the Jaguars this week and the Steelers in the season’s final week — and because they have already swept the Jets — only the Ravens could keep Miami from reaching a wild-card berth if the Dolphins win out.

That’s where the Ravens come into play.

So basically, if Miami wins its final four games, it would have an incredibly solid chance — based on calculations of the wild card landscape and the AFC East situation – to make the postseason.

Some things just pass through your vocal cords and come off the tongue in horrible ways. Like just saying the name “Ron Jeremy” is so filthy you feel like you need a breath mint immediately before someone asks you a question forcing you to open your disgusting mouth again. Well, that’s exactly how I’m about to feel because the Dolphins aren’t good enough to end their season on a 5 game winning streak against New England, at Jacksonville, at Tennessee, Houston and Pittsburgh. Miami is close and only a few players away but with that loss to Buffalo they’ve put themselves in a bigger hole than Tiger Woods after hitting that tree and 9 girls fell out of his Escalade.

The (7-5) Jacksonville Jaguars are that breath mint. If Miami can beat them they just may be close enough to the surface to see daylight.

The “Brees Effect”

By Ronn Burner • on December 4, 2009

Just wanted to share this comment I read on Bill Simmons Page 2 over on ESPN.com and other than New Orleans there is no team in the league that this resonates with more than the Miami Dolphins. Although it’s not new information and anybody that follows my articles is fully aware that any debate that includes “What ifs” or any other hypothetical as it pertains to sports is about as useless as Tiger Woods’ surveillance system but this was a fun read and it really makes you wonder “What if…”

You know how my basketball book has a chapter about the greatest What-Ifs in NBA history? (What? You didn’t know? You haven’t gotten the book yet? It’s only $12 on Amazon right now!) Pennsylvania reader Thomas Rogers came up with an excellent “What If?” for the NFL:

“What if Drew Brees had gone to Miami instead of New Orleans? The NFL would not be the same. Miami wouldn’t run the wildcat, and every other NFL team wouldn’t be running a version of it. New Orleans could still be at the bottom of the NFL. Vick may have never gotten a shot with the Eagles …” And also, Miami might be a perennial contender. We’d have “Brady versus Brees” twice a year. Daunte Culpepper would have killed some other team. Heck, what if he stunk for the Saints in that post-Katrina season and the franchise never recovered? Would New Orleans even have a football team right now? Find me a better NFL-related “What If” this decade. You won’t.

How far can this be extrapolated? Imagine if New Orleans goes undefeated winning the Super Bowl and therefore making history. This thing hasn’t really played out yet but the “Brees Effect” is clearly having a massive ripple effect over the NFL and with each perfectly thrown strike for a score and as New Orleans racks up victory after victory Dolphins fans far and wide cringe at the thought that he could have been ours. Not once, but twice! Think about that. This ranks right up there with Sam Bowie getting drafted ahead of Michael Jordan. Portland still feels that sting. Drew Brees is our Michael Jordan… even Sam Bowie did more for Portland than Daunte Culpepper did for Miami. I think I’m going to be sick.

Burner's Fearless Predictions - Vol. 11 & 12

By Ronn Burner • on December 3, 2009

Score Sheet

I apologize for not being able to post my picks at the time but here is my official online selections for the missing weeks of 11 and 12. Been sort of hectic having a new born and all. I’m sure you will survive considering I was only able to go 17-15 over those 2 weeks. Not great but I’ve done much worse. Anyway, moving forward I will try my best to post a word or two about each game along with a predicted winner with score. I’ll also include an updated season to date record against the spread and with best bets… which usually means “sure to be wrong.”

“Dave O’s Pro Football” Pool, BURNER

NFL Week 11

Thursday, November 19
Miami (5-6) 24	at	Carolina (4-7) 17 (-3.5)	W
Sunday, November 22
Indianapolis (11-0) 17	at	Baltimore (6-5) 15 (-0.5)	L
Buffalo (4-7) 15	at	Jacksonville (6-5) 18 (-8.5)	L
Cleveland (1-10) 37	at	Detroit (2-9) 38 (-3.5)	L
New Orleans (11-0) 38	at	Tampa Bay (1-10) 7 (+11.5)	L
San Francisco (5-6) 24	at	Green Bay (7-4) 30 (-6.5)	W
Seattle (4-7) 9	at	Minnesota (10-1) 35 (-10.5)	L
Washington (3-8) 6	at	Dallas (8-3) 7 (-11.5)	W
Atlanta (6-5) 31	at	NY Giants (6-5) 34 (-6.5)	L
Pittsburgh (6-5) 24	at	Kansas City (3-8) 27 (+9.5)	L
Arizona (7-4) 21	at	St. Louis (1-10) 13 (+9.5)	W
Cincinnati (8-3) 17	at	Oakland (3-8) 20 (+9.5)	L
NY Jets (5-6) 14	at	New England (7-4) 31 (-10.5)	W
San Diego (8-3) 32	at	Denver (7-4) 3 (+2.5)	W
Philadelphia (7-4) 24	at	Chicago (4-7) 20 (+2.5)	L
Monday, November 23
Tennessee (5-6) 20	at	Houston (5-6) 17 (-4.5)	W
Week Record (W-L-T):			7-9-0
Tennessee at Houston (47.5) Point Total Guess:			44.0

“Dave O’s Pro Football” Pool, BURNER

NFL Week 12

Thursday, November 26
Green Bay (7-4) 34	at	Detroit (2-9) 12 (+10.5)	W
Oakland (3-8) 7	at	Dallas (8-3) 24 (-13.5)	W
NY Giants (6-5) 6	at	Denver (7-4) 26 (+6.5)	W
Sunday, November 29
Wash (3-8) 24	at	Philadelphia (7-4) 27 (-9.5)	W
Tampa Bay (1-10) 17	at	Atlanta (6-5) 20 (-11.5)	L
Seattle (4-7) 27	at	St. Louis (1-10) 17 (+3.5)	W
Cleveland (1-10) 7	at	Cincinnati (8-3) 16 (-13.5)	L
Miami (5-6) 14	at	Buffalo (4-7) 31 (+3.5)	L
Indianapolis (11-0) 35	at	Houston (5-6) 27 (+3.5)	L
Carolina (4-7) 6	at	NY Jets (5-6) 17 (-3.5)	L
Jacksonville (6-5) 3	at	San Francisco (5-6) 20 (-3.5)	W
Kansas City (3-8) 14	at	San Diego (8-3) 43 (-13.5)	L
Arizona (7-4) 17	at	Tennessee (5-6) 20 (-2.5)	W
Chicago (4-7) 10	at	Minnesota (10-1) 36 (-10.5)	W
Pittsburgh (6-5) 17	at	Baltimore (6-5) 20 (-2.5)	W
Monday, November 30
New England (7-4) 17	at	New Orleans (11-0) 38 (-2.5)	W
Week Record (W-L-T):			10-6-0
New England at New Orleans (55.5) Point Total Guess:			51.0

2009 Vital to Dolphins 2010

By Ronn Burner • on December 3, 2009

The Dolphins are out of the playoffs and it’s time to get over it and move forward productively and efficiently. Quit dreaming about all the “if this” and “if that” crap people. Our Wild Card chances are over even at 10-6 meaning their only “chance” is to win the AFC East. Even if Miami beats the Patriots to move to within 1 game, due to the tie breaker which NE would own provided they beat Buffalo, which they will, then Miami still needs to run the table getting to 10-6 and hope New England falls to 9-7 by losing 2 games to teams that they are not going to lose to such as Carolina, Buffalo, Jacksonville and Houston. It’s a pipe dream people. We couldn’t beat Buffalo! I know, I know…. “It happens. We were banged up. Blah blah blah.” Yes, I’m aware of what happened to Pittsburgh in Kansas City and Cincinnati in Oakland but there are very big differences in those losses to this one.

1. Pittsburgh and Cinci didn’t have their seasons on the line in those match ups. Miami did.
2. Yes, I know we were NOT healthy nor will we be. That line of reasoning is part of my point; we are also NOT going to be healthy moving forward. Who did we not have against Buffalo that we will have against New England? That team against Buffalo as far as the roster is concerned is the same team we need to run the table. If “that” team couldn’t beat Buffalo how do you expect the same group to go on a 5 game winning streak?
3. They crossed time zones. Miami didn’t. That counts! Besides, it helps support my point.

Sometimes we’re too close to the trees to see the forest. Things look bleak for Miami at best. That doesn’t mean quit and that we are hopeless, it just means that Buffalo loss essentially put them in such a bad position that even talking about the “playoffs” is somewhat comical. It makes me want to look people in the eye and with a squinty condescending look say “Really?” just to see what’s going on in there.

Possible? Yes. So is Megan Fox having my children.

There will be numerous monkey wrenches thrown into the mix changing things that we have no way of knowing at this point which is what makes the GM side of things in the NFL so much darn fun. We may not definitively know how these things will unfold but we do definitively know that these are the very same questions being addressed by Dolphins brass. As each question gets answered more questions arise. That’s the name of the game.

Is Chad Henne our future? In fairness Henne is rarely asked to sling it. Which brings me back to my original post regarding the next 5 games not being about some fairy tale belief that Miami can make the playoffs but rather about answering questions such as finding out what Henne is really capable of when asked to spread the field and throw it 40+ times? Hurry up? No huddle? Shotgun? Deep throws? Calling his own plays? Managing the game? Audibles? Anything aggressive out of the passing game would be nice that doesn’t involve throws by Ricky Williams. Based on what he’s been asked to do we have no idea how effective he can be at these very important game facets. I don’t think there’s any doubt that the kid has poise and the skill set to be elite. We just have to unleash him and allow him to grow, learn, gain experience, confidence and instill fear into future opponents as a legitimate dangerous passing threat. Nobody will appreciate that more than Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.

How will injuries affect our roster? They have devastated us and recovering from them isn’t always as simple as surgery and time. Ronnie Brown’s foot is likely to return to 100% and that will likely be the reason we keep him. It’s not easy to get fair market value for a guy that has missed the better part of two seasons to injury. This is good… I feel like Ronnie deserves to be a Fin for life. Will Allen, however, is a great corner but a torn ACL for a corner is generally a 2-year thing. Not such an easy or guaranteed thing to return to form from. With the emergence of Vontae Davis and Sean Smith does that make him expendable at corner or will he become a nickel back? Another guy a love but there are certainly decisions to be made in regards to moving forward with him. Age is certainly a factor with Jason Ferguson, Joey Porter and Jason Taylor. It seems very likely Porter is gone (and easily replace in my opinion) and Jason Taylor may come back but the Ferguson thing is a major issue considering what a brute force he is despite his age. Replacing him has to one of our bigger offseason priorities. Obviously injury has stamped a huge question mark on his future in Miami.

What is our draft outlook? At this rate we’re a near lock for a top 15. Check the standings, look at our play and then check out the remaining schedule. Hey, I love Miami as much as the next Dolfan but that’s a very real and probable outcome. With that selection there are legitimate NFL WR’s like Dez Bryant, Damian Williams and Golden Tate that may be coming out but the downside being that it is so difficult to make that transition from Saturdays to Sundays for receivers. Unless we get a monster at the position that will step in and start than Free Agency is the way to go. Hopefully Brandon Marshall or Vincent Jackson or any receiver of that caliber is available. We’re almost certainly not getting those two I’m just saying that type of player. Regardless, the receiver position will be the area that receives the most attention from this point forward.

That’s my rant.

Dolphins Embarrassed by Struggling Bills Ending Their Season

By Ronn Burner • on December 1, 2009

There are numerous water cooler conversations amongst Dolphins fans that can be summed up in blanket statements such as “Miami over looked Buffalo.” “Miami allowed Buffalo to hang around.” “Miami made poor coaching decisions.” “Miami didn’t make plays when they needed to and Buffalo did.” All of these things may be true but the bottom line is they lost in embarrassing fashion to the Buffalo Bills, 31-14, on a 24-0 4th quarter collapse that for all intensive purposes ended their season.

The Buffalo Bills?! Let me get this straight, the same bottom feeding Bills that Miami beat 38-10 earlier this season that has changed their minds at quarterback more times than Brett Favre has with retirement and the same dysfunctional team that recently fired their Head Coach just destroyed the Dolphins with an interim coach?

They didn’t care enough to show up and take care of business and now I don’t care enough to rehash their careless play with a summary. The season is over. End of story. No more pain, no more heartache and no more anger. It’s that simple. It’s actually quite relieving to know that for the next 5 weeks it will be virtually impossible for them to do anything that would tick me off. New England can now beat them by 40 this week and it won’t matter one bit. Better yet, what if New England wins on a last second Hail Mary to complete a 40 point 4th quarter comeback. Imagine how that would have felt had Miami beat Buffalo this week? It would be so sickening and heartbreaking that we would spend weeks in bed battling depression. Now, it won’t matter one stinking little tiny iota. I refuse to even begin the ”mathematically alive” preposterous scenarios because it really doesn’t matter. The season is over. If you think otherwise than I got a bridge I’d like you to take a look at. Miami couldn’t beat the Buffalo Bills in a gigantic game that their season was riding on. How can you possible look yourself in the mirror and say with a straight face that you really believe than Miami can run the table and finish at 10-6? Even if that miracle were to happen they would get slaughtered in the first round by… well, anyone! The season is over.

Now that we’ve clearly established that the playoffs are out of the question, Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano have to use these next 5 games to answer the numerous questions that littered throughout the Dolphins roster and coaching staff. We need to evaluate everyone involved and get the young players as much experience as possible. Every snap the rest of the year needs to count towards next year. Here are a few questions that come to mind just off the top of my head.

- Is Bill Parcells sticking around for another year?
- Is Ted Ginn patially blind? Maybe more valuable elsewhere?
- Can Patrick Turner play at all? Dress him! Let’s find out.
- Will Pat White become a lethal weapon?
- Does Dan Henning even know how to draw up deep routes?
- Does Paul Pasqualoni know what a tight end is and if so, how to stop one?
- Is Jason Ferguson too old and banged up?
- How many guys do we ditch in the WR corps? Bess? Hartline? Ginn? Camarillo? Turner? At the very least two of these are gonzo.
- Will Ronnie Brown be back?
- What is the fate of Joey Porter and Jason Taylor?
- What do we have to do to get improved play at the Safety positions?
- Is our offensive line in tact?
- Is Chad Henne really the quarterback of the future?
- What trades will we make?
- Who gets cut?
- Where are we looking in the draft?
- Where will we fall in the draft?

Some of these may seem obvious but the point is these are questions that need to be addressed and answered as soon as possible as each one directly or indirectly affects the next.

All I know is this conversation should not have had to happen in November. The fact that it is speaks volumes to the importance of answering them correctly.

The Buffalo Bills!?! Great googly moogly.

Dolphins Head to Buffalo for Business Trip

By Ronn Burner • on November 26, 2009

The banged up Miami Dolphins will be limping into Buffalo as a 3.5 point favorite to improve their record to 6-5 and in very much in the mix in the AFC Playoff picture. The dysfunctional 3-7 Bills will be drooling over the opportunity to play spoiler after losing a game they could have won in Jacksonville, 18-15.

Miami has been plagued with injuries losing numerous key starters for the year but remarkably have had little drop off with their back ups. Chad Henne has played efficiently, effectively and poised in place of Chad Pennington. Vontae Davis and Sean Smith have stepped up and proved to be exceptional draft picks this past year in place of Pro Bowl corner Will Allen. They get to face Terrell Owens and Lee Evans this week after already having matched up against the league’s very best in Randy Moss, Steve Smith, Reggie Wayne, Marques Colston, Roddy White and Vincent Jackson. Ronnie Brown goes down, Ricky Williams steps in and shoulders the load with 3 touchdowns against the Panthers and consecutive 100+ yard performances. It would take an entire medical staff and a press conference to detail the injuries and events that have unfolded on the offensive line. All you need to know is Nate Garner took snaps at 4 positions on the offensive line against Carolina. Justin Smiley, Vernon Carey and both centers, Jake Grove and Joe Berger had to leave the game due to injury. Garner stepped in and displayed a versatility of Magic Johnson proportions. He even took a snap at tight end and at that point I was pretty sure his next snap was going to be directly to him out of the Wildcat. Charlie Anderson and Cameron Wake even stepped in and played phenomenal football after Head Coach Tony Sparano benched out cast Joey Porter for undisclosed reasons. That wasn’t due to injury but the point being the Dolphins reserves have been more important to the teams 5-5 record than J. Lo’s booty has been to her career.

The Dolphins are now forced to replace run-stopper and savvy 13-year veteran, Jason Ferguson, in the middle of their defense. Paul Soliai, Tony McDaniel and Randy Starks will be asked to plug that giant hole with little drop off if Miami is serious about making a playoff push. No small request considering the success or failure of the entire defensive unit falls solely on the push up front against the pass and the ability to stuff the run.

Luckily, the Dolphins get the Bills this week as sort of a litmus test as to where they stand and more importantly the opportunity to gain invaluable experience and cohesion all in the form of a victory – there I’ve said it – before hosting New England in what will amount to the AFC East driver seat. (More on that later.) The Dolphins will be flying back to Miami Sunday afternoon after defeating the Buffalo Bills improving to a 6-5 record. It’s pretty simple really; if they get on that plane at 5-6 then all of this is moot and we start talking about whether or not we would rather have Dez Bryant or Damian Williams lining up at WR for us next year.

It’s pro football and Buffalo defeating Miami at home would be far less shocking than Oakland upsetting Cincinnati or Kansas City stunning Pittsburgh last week but considering that Miami’s season is on the line anything other than a Dolphins drubbing of Buffalo would be very disappointing. Miami is the better team in nearly every single area statistically not to mention they’ve already dominated Buffalo by 4 touchdowns, 38-10, in week 4. Buffalo is the 3rd most penalized team (75-566) while only Jacksonville, with one less, has fewer penalties than Miami 51-418). Only the Colts at 50% are better than Miami (49%) on 3rd down conversions, Buffalo is 31st at 27%. Buffalo is better defensively on 3rd downs, however, allowing only 42% converted while Miami is tied for dead last forcing a punt 33% of the time but other than that it’s pretty one sided in Miami’s favor. Aside from all the “any given Sunday” crap the Dolphins are a road favorite despite being only a .500 team and decimated by injuries. Bottom line: Miami better win this game.

Now that we’ve established a Dolphins victory let’s get back to the Patriots and the AFC East race. Walk with me here: With 7-3 New England heading into New Orleans as under dogs to face the 10-0 Saints it’s very possible, if not likely, that Miami and New England collide in week 13 with only 1 game in the standings separating them and the division title at stake. Miami would be 4-1 in the division (assuming they beat Buffalo) with New England at 3-1 but having already beaten Miami 3 weeks earlier and only hapless Buffalo remaining on their divisional schedule, essentially putting them at 4-1 as well. The goal and key to the AFC East crown is a 5-1 record in the division and only one team can achieve it.

In other words, the entire season will be decided in week 13 when the Dolphins host New England and despite what you may think the Dolphins stand an excellent chance of winning that game. Why? Consider this: in addition to Miami getting 10 days to rest, heel and gel for Buffalo the Patriots are forced to travel to New Orleans for a much hyped and likely physically and emotionally demanding game on Monday Night Football against the undefeated Saints and then turn around and travel to Miami for their 2nd consecutive road game on a short week to face a hungry and motivated division rival. Ironically, the NFL’s “hardest schedule” is doing Miami a huge favor and putting the Dolphins in the perfect scenario to defend their title as long as they don’t overlook Buffalo.

Key to this…. Beat Buffalo!

Dolphins Tenacity Too Much for Panthers

By Ronn Burner • on November 20, 2009

	1	2	3	4	T
MIA (5-5)	0	14	0	10	24
CAR (4-6)	3	0	0	14	17

8:20 PM ET

November 19, 2009

Bank of America Stadium,

Charlotte, NC

The Miami Dolphins improved to 5-5 and very much alive in the AFC Playoff picture and dropped the Carolina Panthers to 4-6 with a gritty 24-17 victory. They did so despite losing their best player, Ronnie Brown, to a season ending foot surgery that is being surgically repaired as I write this sentence, traveling on the road for their second game in 4 days and after being decimated by injuries during the game including the loss of run stopping force Jason Ferguson and the offensive lineman moving around trying out more positions than Sting. The Dolphins were down to their 3rd center and nose tackle and at one point had to re-enter injured Jake Grove and Joe Berger to replace each other because utility lineman Nate Gardener who played three spots had to leave the game. Through it all the gritty Dolphins 2nd and 3rd teamers stepped up and played very well considering the circumstances.

What Tony Sparano’s club may lack in talent or experience they more than make up for with resiliency and pride. The Dolphins are extremely relentless and physical and that combined with no turnovers, only 5 penalties for 30 yards and great play calling by OC Dan Henning and the Dolphins become very difficult to contend with.

With 4 minutes left in the first half Carolina held a 3-0 lead and Elvis had a stronger pulse than the Dolphins offense that only managed 45 total yards after three possessions. On their 4th possession Miami mounted a huge 9-play 81-yard drive capped off by a 14-yard touchdown pass from Chad Henne to Ricky Williams, who also scored 2 rushing touchdowns on an impressive 22-119 night. The Dolphins defense followed by forcing a three and out capped with a huge Davone Bess 22 yard punt return placing Miami deep in Panthers territory at the 29-yard line. Williams then took a direct snap i.e. Wildcat and raced to the pylon for a 1 yard touchdown run 8 plays later vaulting the Dolphins to a 14-3 lead at the half.

After Miami opened the 2nd half with a pathetic three and out DeAngelo Williams took a 2nd down handoff and exploded down the sideline 50 yards to the Dolphins 31. Jonathan Stewart then burst up the middle for 7 more and just when it appeared Miami had no shot at stopping the Panthers they let Delhomme throw it and of course Nate Jones picked off his horrible throw 4 yards shy of the goal line. The Panthers struggled offensively until midway through the 4th quarter thanks to a vicious Dolphins pass rush led by recently benched Joey Porter and his 8 tackle, 2 sack effort not to mention the numerous quarterback pressures he racked up.

Delhomme hit Steve Smith on a 27-yard acrobatic touchdown with 7 minutes to go bringing Carolina within 3 points and causing every Dolfan on the planet to take a collective gulp before screaming “Not again!” On the Fins ensuing drive Bess, who had a spectacular game (6-63), including three difficult and clutch 3rd down receptions, crossed the Panthers zone and Henne found him. Williams took the next snap off tackle for a 46-yard touchdown with 3:55 remaining and the Dolphins defense held on for the victory.

Just saying…

- Joey Haynos dropped several key passes. That compiled with the missing person report filed weeks ago on Anthony Fasano makes me think that WR is not our only position of need.
- Just watching Steve Smith makes you wonder doesn’t it? Wow! Imagine a guy like that for Henne to play catch with.
- If Ricky Williams is 32 years old than weed is the fountain of youth.
- Dan Henning calls a good game.
- Vontae Davis getting in Steve Smith’s face made my heart flutter.
- If I ever go to battle I want to take Lusake Polite with me.
- Davone Bess is emerging to Chad Henne what Wes Welker is to Tom Brady.
- A healthy and motivated Joey Porter can still bring it.
- Ted Ginn looked more confident and although every pitch and catch is a bit of an adventure he took baby steps in the right direction… and that is leaps and bounds for the Miami Dolphins.

- oh, and I almost forgot….I’m a New York Jets fan this Sunday!