DOL-FANS UNITE!!!! 5-5 SEASON: RUN RICKY RUN, 119 YARDS, 2 TD'S, 1 REC. TD!

[Vandy58]

I really did not watch much of the game but how in the hell does Mare miss a 25 yard field goal???

[Chugga]

Well henry did pretty bad with our o-line and I may be bold enough to say ours might be SLIGHTLY better than yours but not by much if at all. Back when our team blocked players from the opposing team he was an amazing back. But since we don't like to do that anymore we have to rely on McGahee just outrunning everyone and he's done a pretty good job of it so far...only 6 starts and I think he may be 2nd in the league for rushes over 20 yards.

[Mr._Marcus]

I guarantee the pick will be traded! Guarantee it, no way will the Niners be able to afford to pay a top pick

Jay

That makes me sad in my heart.

[Vandy58]

LOL go FINS!

[nevsky41]

According to scouts and the "Draft experts" ... this year's draft is weak.

I've been saying that for months. What a time for the niners to get the top draft pick, no cap room and only crappy players coming out of college.

What a great time to be a 49ers fan... I hear Tim Couch and Chris Redman are still out of work... :cool:

[rocco]

I knew the Dolphins would win this one... I made my mom pick them in her pool this week.

Too bad they still suck. After all, it was a battle of the worst

[Chugga]

Bump for the dolphins embarrassing loss tomorrow

[juicyjay504]

Bump for the dolphins embarrassing loss tomorrow
lol, dont really know if loses are that embarassing anymore after losing this many. at least for me as a Niners fan they arent as bad any more

Jay

[Goalkeeper]

Bump for the dolphins embarrassing loss tomorrow
Too bad Bledsoe is going to throw 3 INT's and the Fins are going to win by 4...

:D :p

[Chugga]

Too bad Bledsoe is going to throw 3 INT's and the Fins are going to win by 4...

:D :p
It's funny you should say that because I recall back in week 6 everyone was talking about how bad bledsoe was going to suck etc but playing in that absolutely terrible wind he had a pretty good game. More than you could say for jay "can't throw the ball more than 5 yards" fiedler. I hope they start fiedler in this game because I will guarentee you feeley will be knocked out if he plays. If the guy can't take a pat on the butt believe me he won't be liking the pressure he'll be getting from spikes and posey.

[juicyjay504]

It's funny you should say that because I recall back in week 6 everyone was talking about how bad bledsoe was going to suck etc but playing in that absolutely terrible wind he had a pretty good game. More than you could say for jay "can't throw the ball more than 5 yards" fiedler. I hope they start fiedler in this game because I will guarentee you feeley will be knocked out if he plays. If the guy can't take a pat on the butt believe me he won't be liking the pressure he'll be getting from spikes and posey.
Fiedler got put on IR, hes done for the year

[Chugga]

They should have put him on the IR 11 weeks ago

Who is their backup option now? I seriously don't think Feeley can last more than a quarter against the bills....we aren't dirty but we hit and one solid hit should be enough to send him back to the sideline

[juicyjay504]

They should have put him on the IR 11 weeks ago

Who is their backup option now? I seriously don't think Feeley can last more than a quarter against the bills....we aren't dirty but we hit and one solid hit should be enough to send him back to the sideline
Sage Rosenfels(spelling?) is the back up Im not sure who the 3rd is if they even have one

[Chugga]

Ok so what dolphins fans want to make a avatar bet? If you don't want to it's ok....believe me I can understand how McGahee being back in miami could be a very scary thing to fins fans

[cochese75]

Fiedler got put on IR, hes done for the year
thats great news.
his miami career is over.






:spawnorb:

[Chugga]

hey it's cochese....so how afraid are you of going 2-10 this week?

[juicyjay504]

thats great news.
his miami career is over.






:spawnorb:
as much as I agree, hes still 100x better than Feeley is IMHO

Jay

[cochese75]

Ok so what dolphins fans want to make a avatar bet? If you don't want to it's ok....believe me I can understand how McGahee being back in miami could be a very scary thing to fins fans

i thought we did?:confused:
must be very confident. kind of hard to have 2 dolphin avatars.





:spawnorb:

[cochese75]

as much as I agree, hes still 100x better than Feeley is IMHO

Jay


well hopefully Feeley's our backup next year.




:spawnorb:

[cochese75]

hey it's cochese....so how afraid are you of going 2-10 this week?
not to scared.
this is my rivarly week.
UCLA vs SUC
Miami vs BARFallo




:spawnorb:

[Chugga]

I can wear an avatar 2 weeks in a row if we lose....but since you seem so intent on our bet I'll just keep it at that.

Hey is Marino still in playing condition? I mean Marino is no Bledsoe...I mean bledsoe has a SB appearence and ring...but he could still be a good boost to the offense.

[Goalkeeper]

I'll make an avatar bet with you, Chugga... what the hell, ya know?

I agree- Feely is terrible and all Jay has ever done was win a bunch of games and then throw INT's (returned for TD's) in critical games.

Bledsoe did play well in that wind, I'll give ya that much!

You're making me laugh my @ss off with that Marino/Bledsoe comparison!!! Are you talking about, Drew "I have as many SB starts as Marino and the only ring I have is because I sat the bench that season" Bledsoe? LOL!!! Yeah, Bledsoe was riding the pine watching a REAL QB win a Championship.

When is Kyle going to get some playing time? That kid is going to pretty good IMHO.

[Chugga]

Bledsoe is built to play in the wind...he's got a really strong arm, possibly too strong for his own good because he tries to squeeze passes into areas he shouldn't be throwing into. He looks pretty darn good when he plays in buffalo while other QB's look like they are throwing into brick walls.

Needless to say I don't think Bledsoe will have much to do with the Bills win this weekend. He'll do his job, he'll do it pretty good but McGahee will be running all over that defense. You guys give up entirely too many rushing ypg. I just hope his performance is good enough to get him even closer to his own figure. The 4td's last week definately didn't hurt

[Goalkeeper]

You are absolutely correct in your asessment of the Miami D. While we have the 6th ranked passing defense in the NFL (Buffalo is ranked 3rd) our rushing defense is ranked 29th. (Buffalo is ranked 4th)

Don't let that statistic fool you, though. Teams run all over the Dolphins from the middle of the 3rd quarter on... the fact our offense is so pathetic leaves the D out there and they just wear down after a while. When your offense is '3 and out' every damn series there isn't much you can do.

I don't know how the Fins can with this game seeing as how our weakness is your strength but I have faith...

[Chugga]

We are averaging over 26 points a game when McGahee starts....I personally don't think the Dolphins can put up more than 21 points against the bills. Unless they are all off of interceptions returned for TD's

[Goalkeeper]

Honestly, I think we'll be doing well to score anywhere in the 14-17 point range... I think you're being too generous with 21.

If Miami wants to win this game they will have to keep Buffalo to less than 14 I would think.

[Goalkeeper]

On another topic:

I hope to god UCLA beats USC!!

I can't stand Pete Carroll...

[cochese75]

On another topic:

I hope to god UCLA beats USC!!

I can't stand Pete Carroll...
we almost had them. but our dumb QB throws it away.

wow sounds like miami too. :(




:spawnorb:

[Chugga]

Might want to change the title....you guys are currently 2-9....although you can wait to change the title until after the bills game if you want to conserve energy....get that 2-10 ready

[Vandy58]

Damn thanks for the bump and the correction chugga. I will need to put 3-9! ;)

[Vandy58]

change chugga

[Chugga]

great phantom call. McGahee goes for 66 yards and then it's brought back by non-exsisting holding.

[Goalkeeper]

great phantom pass... taylor had BOTH arms around Bledsoe when he 'threw' that pass...

[Valanb]

woohoo another pick6

[Chugga]

We need an AJ Feeley SP....the heck with Moulds, McGahee, Spikes, Evans, etc....Feeley has meant more to the Bills than any of those guys

[Vandy58]

How in gods name does a 300 pound dl run back for a td???? This just sucks!!!!! But on a good note I just got my FINS Broncos Tickets for next week, 50 yard line, row 11 at the Visitors bench!!!!!!!!! Man I am going to have some fun!

[Chugga]

How in gods name does a 300 pound dl run back for a td???? This just sucks!!!!! But on a good note I just got my FINS Broncos Tickets for next week, 50 yard line, row 11 at the Visitors bench!!!!!!!!! Man I am going to have some fun!
Hahaha Pat Williams has some speed to him...I'm pretty sure he almost had a heartache after that 20 yard return but hey he got there.

As for the tickets sound pretty impressive, lets hope that game is half as entertaining as todays. Throughout the entire game I never thought the bills actually had the game won....not until the last 30 or so seconds thats when I finally knew we had it. We just couldn't stop the dolphins offense for the life of us...they had us figured out, if any other QB was playing we might have been blown out...but the 5 int's killed you guys...you had the right gameplan, a ton of luck...but the wrong qb

[pyrrhonist]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20041205/capt.pps10212051929.bills_dolphins_pps102.jpg

[Chugga]

Look at him slightly spit out his mouthpiece so that he can smile and wave at everyone he's about to pass for a touchdown....he's so thoughtful

[cochese75]

***???? :mad:
7 TOs?? we should have won this game.
Jackass Feely

Start SAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:spawnorb:

[Chugga]

Too bad you guys didn't have Bledsoe he could have thrown for 4 td's and 0 interceptions for you guys

[Chugga]

I will savor this buffalo sweep for months to come

[shopson1]

great phantom pass... taylor had BOTH arms around Bledsoe when he 'threw' that pass...
That would be the "tuck rule", ask any Raiders fan...:D

[Chugga]

GO DOLPHINS YOUR UP 7-0 HOLD THE LEAD WIN THE GAME!!

[Vandy58]

Man I froze my arse off today!!! The first half was fine then the temp just plummeted just like jake plummer!! Oh well it was a close game donks won. Nobody ever said the fins would be a good team this year, well except me :(

[Mr._Marcus]

Jason Taylor needs a SP!

[Vandy58]

Jason Taylor needs a SP!
Preach it brotha!!!!!!!!! Actually from what ron tells me there was a leak about a week or so ago and Taylor will be in NFL 11 man I hope this is true!

[Mr._Marcus]

Ron don't tell me things anymore.

[rocco]

don't use words you can't spell :D

worst

[cochese75]

Saban talking with Dolphins
BATON ROUGE (AP) -- LSU head coach Nick Saban met with officials of the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday evening about their head coaching position, he announced Wednesday.

"I owe it to the people of Louisiana and the fans of LSU football to let them know I have had a preliminary conversation with the Dolphins to exchange ideas about their head coaching position," Saban said. "No decisions were made in this meeting and they will continue their search for a coach. I will continue to be committed to LSU, our football program and totally focused on our bowl game versus Iowa."

"Wayne Huizenga and I had a preliminary conversation last night with Nick Saban concerning our head coach position, but no decisions were made on either side," Dolphins president Eddie Jones said. "In keeping with our policy to conduct this search with integrity, prior to speaking with Coach Saban we did contact LSU interim chancellor William L. Jenkins to inform him of our meeting."

The discussion took place after Saban notified LSU in writing of the meeting, LSU athletics director Skip Bertman said.

Bertman praised Saban for his handling of the situation.

"Life decisions like this are difficult, and it only complicates matters to have to deal with it in a public setting," Bertman said. "Nick Saban has revolutionized LSU football and he has energized the state of Louisiana, and we hope he will be our coach for a long time. But he has been forthright in his communication with the University about this and I support him in any direction that he may take.

"We are all aware that other NFL teams have made overtures to him in the past and he hasn't expressed any interest," Bertman said. "But this is one of the premier jobs in the NFL and he owes it to his family and their future to hear what the Dolphins have to say."

Bertman will make no further comment on the situation until its conclusion.

Saban will have his regular meeting with the media following practice on Wednesday, but he will comment only on LSU's bowl preparations at that time.





:spawnorb:

[Vandy58]

ttt for the beatuie of a win against the PATS!!!!

[Chugga]

You guys beat the patriots and you couldn't give a little more effort against the broncos? You guys make no sense. If you had beaten the broncos that would have been one less team in the way.

[Vandy58]

Sorry man I was at the game I tried cheering really freaking hard for me and you. I hate the bills but I would rather they go then Denver!

[Chugga]

Well you may get your wish....your win against the pats makes the bills vs. steelers game nearly pointless for the steelers. If the steelers beat the ravens (please please please I hope they do) not only does it knock the ravens out of the playoff hunt but it makes week 17 pointless for the steelers giving us an even easier win then we would have had.

[rocco]

To be completely honest, I had a feeling the Dolphins would upset the Pats this week... just had the wierdest feeling. I was right :(

Playing the Bills in Buffalo is a tough game. I'm calling it right now... Bills over the Steelers

[Chugga]

To be completely honest, I had a feeling the Dolphins would upset the Pats this week... just had the wierdest feeling. I was right :(

Playing the Bills in Buffalo is a tough game. I'm calling it right now... Bills over the Steelers
If we come home with a 6 game winning streak knowing that our game against the steelers is our only hope for the playoffs I can only imagine that it would be a VERY tough game for the steelers to win.

But the importance of that game can really go down the tube depending on what happens next week. If the Steelers beat the ravens they clinch homefield throughout the playoffs making week 17 pointless and if the bills lose to the 49ers (oh my god I would hope not) then our playoff hopes are shot making week 17 pointless for us too.

Playing big ben for an extended period of time come week 17 would be like throwing him to the wolves...the bills defense is already tough and relentless...you throw playoff hopes on their back too and I fear for his health when big Sam Adams breaks a block and all 350+ pounds of him comes running at ben.

[Spider Man]

The next game sunday night with the Cleveland Browns will determain who will get the 2nd pick in the 2005 NFL Draft... you gonna let us win? lol

[UKGaz]

Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor has been selected to the 2005 AFC Pro Bowl team. The honor marks the third time in Taylor?s eight-year career he has been chosen, as he also went to Hawaii following the 2000 and 2002 seasons. It also represents the seventh straight year the Dolphins have had a player selected as an All-Star. This year?s game will be played on Sunday, February 13, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

The starting lineups for the game will be announced at halftime of one of the two Saturday, January 8, 2005 Wild Card Playoff Game telecasts on ABC-TV.

Dolphins tight end Randy McMichael and cornerback Patrick Surtain were named first alternates at their respective positions. Brendon Ayanbadejo is the second alternate as a special teamer and linebacker Zach Thomas is a third alternate at his position.

[cochese75]

just wanting on Saban

One year after LSU coach Nick Saban began considering the Miami Dolphins as a franchise with which he might someday return to the NFL, Saban has the opportunity to turn intrigue into employment, ESPN.com has learned.


Saban was formally offered the Dolphins job on Wednesday, but contrary to some reports he has not yet accepted. ESPN.com has confirmed Saban will spend at least Wednesday evening and perhaps even a few more days considering the proposal and discussing it with family members.



Saban's agent Jimmy Sexton spent much of Wednesday meeting in Miami with Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga discussing contract parameters. The two made what one source termed "significant progress" toward a deal, but an agreement was not reached. Some details still need to be agreed upon.



Financial details of Miami's offer are not known. But the contract would provide Saban, if he accepts, near-absolute control over football-related decisions and allow him to help reshape the organization following its disastrous 2004 season. Sexton will review the contract with Saban on Wednesday night.



The Dolphins will hire a new team president to replace the much-respected Eddie Jones, who will retire in March, and hiring Saban might also end the tenure of general manager Rick Spielman, who has been a part of the search for Dave Wannstedt's successor. It is anticipated that Saban would want to bring aboard his own general manager or personnel director to head the scouting department.



One of the deal-breakers 11 months ago, when Saban rejected an offer to become coach of the Chicago Bears, was he was not offered control over some staffing and personnel matters. Confidants of Saban have reiterated to ESPN.com that control, particularly in terms of acquiring players, was a more critical issue to him than finances.



Saban began taking a hard look at the Dolphins a year ago, when it appeared Wannstedt's job was in jeopardy following a second season of missing the playoffs. A candidate for several NFL jobs since leaving the league to become coach at Michigan State in 1994, Saban has always indicated he would return to the NFL only under optimum conditions.



Part of his attraction to the job was that Huizenga is regarded as an owner who does not meddle in football matters, who essentially gets out of the way and lets his coach do his job. The other intriguing element for Saban is the opportunity to rebuild an organization to his own specifications.



The Dolphins first huddled with Saban on Dec. 14, in a late-night meeting, and it was clear from the outset that he topped Miami's wish list. Teams officials also interviewed former Oakland Raiders coach Art Shell, currently a league vice president, and interim coach Jim Bates for the position. But there was never any doubt Saban was their man if a deal could be reached.



Saban, 53, has enjoyed great success at LSU, and leaving the program would be a difficult decision for him. As late as Tuesday morning, even before he had the Dolphins' offer in hand, he told athletic director Skip Bertman that he probably faced a tough call and praised the school for its commitment to him and his family. After rebuffing the Bears' advances, Saban signed a new seven-year contract, making him the highest-paid college football coach in the country.



His Tigers won the national championship in 2003; in five seasons in Baton Rouge he was 48-15. LSU won its final six games this season to finish 9-2 and will face Iowa in the Capital One Bowl on New Year's Day.



In stints at LSU (2000-present), Michigan State (1995-99) and Toledo (1990), Saban had a record of 91-41-1.



His previous NFL experience came as secondary coach with the Houston Oilers (1988-89) and defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns(1991-94), where he worked on longtime friend Bill Belichick's staff.

hopefully Saban keeps Coach Bates as Def Cord. The team actually played well for him.





:spawnorb:

[Vandy58]

season is over bump

[Vandy58]

come on no talk?

[cochese75]

DAVIE, Fla. (Jan. 4, 2005) -- In the weeks ahead, new Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban must revamp the coaching staff, evaluate the players he inherited, trim payroll to meet the salary cap, hire a player personnel chief, shop for free agents and prepare for the college draft. "We'll have a busy few months coming up," Saban said. "Let me just say this: We will make haste slowly when it comes to making decisions. We're going to be methodical in evaluating all those areas."

The sixth coach in the Dolphins' 39-year history reported for work, arriving at the team complex by helicopter shortly before 11 a.m. He met with three assistant coaches, spoke at an introductory news conference and expressed confidence he can revive a franchise coming off its worst season since the 1960s.

"I'm not here to predict championships," Saban said. "I'm here to formulate a process that helps people be successful. If we can do that, we're going to put ourselves in a position to have an opportunity to win a championship sometime in the future."

Despite his reputation for turning around programs at LSU and Michigan State with a hard-nosed approach, the 53-year-old Saban said he's not a savior, workaholic or disciplinarian. Indeed, he sounded more like a CEO conducting a Power Point presentation.

"In every part of this organization, we want to try to be on the cutting edge of everything we do -- in systems, analysis, everything," he said.

During a 45-minute news conference, Saban never smiled but did flash occasional humor, such as when he drew a parallel between coaching and raising his two children.

"Nicholas is 18," Saban said. "If you take the keys to the truck away, you can get just about anything you want done."

On Christmas Day, Saban agreed to a five-year deal with the Dolphins, but he delayed starting the job until after coaching in LSU's loss to Iowa at the Capital One Bowl on New Year's Day. After repeatedly turning down past overtures from the NFL, Saban was lured to the Dolphins by their winning tradition -- the recent 4-12 disaster notwithstanding -- and Wayne Huizenga's reputation as a hands-off owner.

"The challenge that is here with a great organization and a great owner in a great part of the country was very appealing," Saban said. "I felt like after 11 years of being a coach in college, I was ready for a new challenge."

The Dolphins set a franchise record for defeats, but Saban said there's enough talent on the roster to do better. He left the door open to the return of running back Ricky Williams, whose retirement in July began Miami's downward spiral.

"If Ricky Williams has value to this organization, he's somebody we'd like to have be a part of this organization," Saban said. "I would be open to that."

Saban met with friend and former colleague Jim Bates, who went 3-4 as the Dolphins' interim coach after being promoted from defensive coordinator when Dave Wannstedt resigned in November. Bates might return to his coordinator job, but he's also interested in head-coaching opportunities elsewhere in the NFL.

"We'll probably have another meeting in a week or so," Saban said. "The decision is going to get made -- not what's best for anyone but this organization, and how we can work together to help this organization. If that's not going to be the case, it's something we really shouldn't do."

Chris Foerster is unlikely to be retained as offensive coordinator, and Saban said he hopes to hire someone with NFL experience for that job.

There will be plenty of applicants. There was also a phone message from Saban's mentor Bill Belichick, coach of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. They'll now be rivals in the AFC East.

"Just because you compete against each other doesn't mean you still can't respect each other and be good friends," Saban said.

Saban went 48-16 in five seasons at LSU and won the 2003 BCS title. His career college record is 92-42-1, and he helped turn around the Cleveland Browns as Belichick's defensive coordinator in 1991-94.

"Nick Saban has a track record of being a winning coach, and I believe he will continue that here with the Dolphins," Huizenga said in his brief introduction at Saban's news conference.

The transition from college to the NFL has tripped up many coaches, but Saban said he'll draw on his experience with the Browns, and at Michigan State and LSU.

"We recruited in college like we drafted in the pros," Saban said. "I don't think many of these other coaches that went to the NFL actually did that. The system we learned in the NFL in terms of size and speed and athletic attributes and mental and psychological characteristics are all things we used in college. Most people don't do that."

Saban declined to say how quickly he expects to rebuild a franchise that has been out of the playoffs the past three years. But he said he'll be as impatient as the rest of South Florida.

"Fans think they're the only ones affected by the fact we lost a game," he said. "But when we lose a game, I don't sleep at night."




:spawnorb:

[cochese75]

Dolphins hire Linehan as offensive coordinatorhttp://m3.doubleclick.net/viewad/817-grey.gif (http://ad.doubleclick.net/click;h=v3|3206|0|0|%2a|o;44306;0-0;0;10732674;238-150|30;0|0|0;u=Qe8MEgooBIIAADBNhZ8;~sscs=%3f)http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/sponsorships.nfl.com/fs/stories;arena=nfl;feat=stories;type=psa;team=MIA;user=Anonymous;cust=no;vip=no;sz=150x30;tile=5;ord=327771106185289? (http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/sponsorships.nfl.com/fs/stories;arena=nfl;feat=stories;type=psa;team=MIA;user=Anonymous;cust=no;vip=no;sz=150x30;tile=5;ord=327771106185289?)

MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 19, 2005) -- Scott Linehan agreed to a three-year contract as offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins.

Linehan held the same job with the Minnesota Vikings for the past three seasons, overseeing one of the league's best offenses. Now he takes over one of the league's worst.

"Scott is the person we targeted as our first choice to be our offensive coordinator, but we had to wait until the Vikings finished their season," Dolphins coach Nick Saban said. "He did an outstanding job in Minnesota, and they had one of the most effective offenses in the league."

The Dolphins also hired three defensive assistants, adding George Edwards, Travis Jones and Dan Quinn to the staff for next season.

After interviewing with Saban, Linehan told The Associated Press by phone that the security offered by Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga was too attractive to pass up.

"He's hired a new coach and given him a very good basis to retool here, and they're going to give him time to get it done," Linehan said.

Minnesota coach Mike Tice, who gave Linehan his first chance to coach in the NFL in 2002, has one year left on his contract. Owner Red McCombs also has the team on the market, and the uncertainty surrounding the franchise was a concern for Linehan and his family.

"I'm indebted to the Vikings' organization for giving me an opportunity," Linehan said.

Last season, the Dolphins were the fourth-worst offense in the NFL, averaging just 275.2 yards and scoring just 17.2 a per game.

The 41-year-old Linehan came to Minnesota from the University of Louisville - where he spent three seasons as the Cardinals' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Playing for coach Dennis Erickson, Linehan led Idaho to three NCAA Division I-AA playoff appearances during his career from 1982-86.

Edwards spent last season as linebackers coach for the Cleveland Browns after two years as defensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins.

Jones joins Saban from LSU, where he was the school's defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator.

Quinn worked the last four seasons in San Francisco, where he was the 49ers' defensive line coach the last two years.




:spawnorb:

[Chugga]

Great year guys....you couldn't beat the Bills this year. Maybe some other time

[cochese75]

Great year for you guys as well..you ALMOST made the playoffs. Maybe next year






:spawnorb:

[cochese75]

two more Offensive Coordinators added




There's no movement as far as getting a new defensive coordinator, but the Dolphins continue to add pieces to what is becoming a nice offensive staff. After signing former Vikings offensive coordinator Scott Linehan to run the offense, the Dolphins on Tuesday announced the addition of two new assistants, including one of the top offensive line coaches around.

That would be Hudson Houck, who joins the Dolphins after spending the last three seasons with the San Diego Chargers.

Houck, whose contract with the Chargers expires on Monday, worked wonders last season with a San Diego line that included two rookies and a few no-names.

Houck replaces Tony Wise, whose unit was a disaster each of the last two seasons. Wise interviewed for the same position with the Oakland Raiders, and he is said to be one of two candidates for the job.

The other late addition to the Dolphins staff is Charlie Baggett, who was hired as wide receivers coach. Baggett held the same job with the Vikings last season.

Baggett, who worked with new Dolphins head coach Nick Saban at Michigan State in the late 1990s, was selected over incumbent Jerry Sullivan and former Dolphins receivers coach Robert Ford, who was fired by Arizona after the season.

Sullivan wound up accepting the receivers coach position with the San Francisco 49ers.

Also taking another job was Jim Bates, who was hired as defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers.

The Dolphins have interviewed Tampa Bay secondary coach Mike Tomlin and former Cleveland defensive coordinator Dave Campo for the position, but Saban was said to be interested in New England linebackers coach Dean Pees. But there are now reports that Pees, who is under contract to the Patriots beyond this season, will be denied permission to interview for the Miami job. So that means it might be a little while longer before the Dolphins have themselves a new defensive coordinator.




:spawnorb:

[Miami Mike]

Jan. 26 - Don't expect the Dolphins to make a change at the quarterback position. New coach Nick Saban endorsed A.J. Feeley as his starting QB when the season begins, The Miami Herald reported.
Feeley threw 11 TDs and 15 INTs in his first season as starter. Jay Fiedler, the veteran backup, likely will be cut for salary cap reasons by March 1.

"I think we have a young quarterback who definitely made some progress last year who we have to give an opportunity to in the future to see if this guy can elevate his play, his leadership, ability to execute with consistency, take care of the ball -- do all the things a good quarterback needs to do so we can have success in the future," Saban said in The Herald.

[Vandy58]

Ive read some very good things about Saban..comparing him to Bellichek on the way he prepares and his philosophies....as for Feely...we traded a 2nd rounder for him so we have to give him a chance and a Running game

question...what pick did we get from chicago in the ogunleye trade?

I believe it was a wide reciever who I cannot remember! I could be wrong on that but personally I still think that was a bad trade but it had to be done because two of our recievers were injured and Boston is out I believe all of next season because of the nose canyd!:mad:

[Miami Mike]

I believe it was a wide reciever who I cannot remember! I could be wrong on that but personally I still think that was a bad trade but it had to be done because two of our recievers were injured and Boston is out I believe all of next season because of the nose canyd!:mad:

The Bears received holdout defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, the 2003 AFC leader in sacks and a three-year veteran who had declined to accept the qualifying offer Miami had made him as a restricted free agent, boycotting all of the club's offseason workouts. Miami landed two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Marty Booker and also gets a third-round pick in the 2005 draft.

[Miami Mike]

I think Feeley should be just fine this year. Yeah Its Playoff time. :D

[Vandy58]

The Bears received holdout defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, the 2003 AFC leader in sacks and a three-year veteran who had declined to accept the qualifying offer Miami had made him as a restricted free agent, boycotting all of the club's offseason workouts. Miami landed two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Marty Booker and also gets a third-round pick in the 2005 draft.

Thats right, Booker

[Miami Mike]

ah 3rd round...was hopin for second round...hopefulyl we draft an o-line man and a WR....perhaps Mike Williams with the #2 pick?

Man, A Williams/Chambers combo would rock. :D

[runRICKYrun]

Miami will trade down, bank on it.

[cochese75]

i think its too early to tell what Miami will do. It all depends on F/A acquisitions(sp?) made.
this draft doesnt have a clear #1 or isnt that loaded so who's willing to trade up?
Obviously if we land Alexander/James/Lamont at RB then of course they should trade down and draft best player available.


:spawnorb:

[Vandy58]

chamber,williams,mcmichael and if boston can stay clean....wow..running game could open up

Like I said though I could have sworn that Boston was suspened next season for failing a drug test

[cochese75]

i think its a four game suspension




:spawnorb:

[daves84]

Miami better do something big or its over early again next year

[runRICKYrun]

Boston was active for Miami's last 4 games and he served his suspension then so he is free and clear to start from week 1 in 2005 however he is going to be cut. He is owed a large roster bonus next month (over 3 million) and he won't be back.

Edge says he wants to come to Miami so if that happens I expect us to go defence when we trade down.

[cochese75]

the latest on Surtain and Indy's pick not Edge.
He eliminates rejoining Coach Bates in GB and Minnesota. i take it he doesnt like the cold weather in GB but Minnesota i dont know why i was going to say turf cause of his knees but Indy had turf.:confused:



Indianapolis might quickly emerge as the leading contender for Dolphins cornerback Patrick Surtain, but that doesn't mean Colts running back Edgerrin James will be the bait.

According to two sources, Surtain is interested in playing for the Colts, and Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning is interested in having Surtain play there as well.

''It's early in the process, but I think there's a lot of interest in making that happen,'' a source said. ``The Colts have the cap room and the need, no question.''

There are a number of other teams expected to be interested, including Cleveland. The only teams Surtain will not play for are Green Bay and Minnesota, another source said.

The Colts are expected to have approximately $20 million in salary cap space by the start of the league year (March 1). That cap space will allow the team to put the ''franchise'' tag on James (worth approximately $8.2 million) to keep him for another year and still give them about $12 million for free agency.

In short, the Colts will be able to keep James and still trade for Surtain.

The Dolphins are expected to want draft picks in return for Surtain rather than acquire James, whose contract demands will be similar to Surtain's. While James wants to play in South Florida, he also wants a signing bonus of approximately $14 million for a contract extension.

The Dolphins are shopping Surtain, who is scheduled to cost more than $8.3 million, because he also wants a contract with a signing bonus of about $14 million.





:spawnorb:

[cochese75]

new hire for OL

University of Southern California offensive line coach Tim Davis quit the Trojans on Monday to become an assistant offensive line coach with the Dolphins. Dolphins' line coach Hudson Houck is also a former assistant of USC.

Davis, 46, interviewed with the Dolphins on Friday in Miami. USC coach Pete Carroll made a counteroffer that Davis pondered over the weekend before deciding on Monday to pursue the NFL opportunity.

"I couldn't sleep a wink," Davis said. "I just said, 'Let's go.' I talked to Norm (Chow) and talked to Pete. It's a good opportunity — that crack in your life when you've got to go."

Carroll said he wished Davis well.

"I hate to see him go," said Carroll, who hired Davis before the 2002 season. "He's been an awesome part of our program and a big reason for us winning with all the development of the young kids. It's a big loss, but I couldn't be more happy for him."




:spawnorb:

[cochese75]

new title bump




:spawnorb:

[feeleyrox]

Dude you can NOT say anything bad about Feeley! Look what he has done to Miami.He led us to beat the Pats.The only reasons he is throwing all ints is cause he is constantly pressured and the D knows he is gonna throw,cuz we aint got a run game! :mad:

[feeleyrox]

please pass over whatever you are smoking...yea he had a few good throws but he is no way going to get us to a SB anytime soon not to mention if not for Jason Taylor rushing Brady the INTs never wouldve come

Ok Here you go,Maybe it will help you see what I see in AJ

[Vandy58]

new title bump




:spawnorb:

Done and done sorry been away for awhile!

[daves84]

Feeley Sucks

[daves84]

We need to quit screwing around and get a real quaterback along with a little running game. What the hell is Feeley or Fiedler going to do that will make a differance. Its time for some new blood.

[Vandy58]

Forgot to post this but Fielder was released last week. To bad if you ask me he would have been a great secondary next to anybody but feeley!

[cochese75]

new Defensive Coordinator

Saban, Smith worked together in Houston




MIAMI -- The Miami Dolphins named Richard Smith as their defensive coordinator on Tuesday.

Smith served as a linebackers coach with the Detroit Lions for the last two seasons.

New Dolphins coach Nick Saban and Smith worked on the same staff with the Houston Oilers in 1988 and 1989.

"Richard is an outstanding coach who has been in the NFL for 17 years," Saban said. "I coached with him in Houston and have always thought he was one of the best coaches I've had the chance to work with."

Smith replaces Jim Bates, who left Miami after Saban was hired to become the defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers

Before joining the Lions in 2003, Smith spent six seasons as linebackers coach with the San Francisco 49ers






:spawnorb:

[Goalkeeper]

i know i'm in the less-than-one-percent minority but i *LIKE* the feely situation.

and BELIEVE ME i pissed, *****ed, moaned and threw a fit from the time they signed him up until the last 3 or 4 games of the season. feely is just incredibly inexperienced. he showed incredible toughness and the ability to make plays last season. he just needs to elimiate those "JESUS CHRIST THIS GUY IS A MORON" mistakes from his game. if he can do that then i think they might have found someone.

anyway, i'm excited to see what feely can do. and it's not like the Fins are going to go to the Super Bowl next year, anyway. they are in a semi-rebuilding mode. why not give the guy a year to show what he can do? if he can't handle the load we're no worse off and they can go sign a legit FA QB.

JMHO.
-B

[Yukoner]

Kevin Carter signed now? Hmm. Signing Holliday and Carter, with Taylor already there... sounds like we are deep on the DE's.

[Yukoner]

OL, or OLB? :)

[FinFan4Life]

Personally, I would like to see us trade Surtain for T.J. Duckett and a 3rd rounder from Atlanta. I haven't heard any rumors about this, I just know that Duckett is going into the last year of his contract and his body has less "miles" on it than the Edge does.

[Vandy58]

Statement From Dolphins Head Coach Nick Saban:

"We have no intention of moving or trading Jason Taylor. Everything we have done is to build our defense around what Jason does best. He's an outstanding player. We want him to be a focal point of our defense. We will use him in schemes that best feature his talents."

Thank god!

Here is some more news
We now have Gus Frerotte, Stockar McDougie, and Donnie Spragan! So back up quaterback, linebacker, O tackle

[cochese75]

Thank god!

Here is some more news
We now have Gus Frerotte, Stockar McDougie, and Donnie Spragan! So back up quaterback, linebacker, O tackle

when did McDougie sign??:confused:

Frerotte is soon to be offical
Gus Frerotte has canceled a trip to Denver and has agreed to sign a contract with the Miami Dolphins to be a backup quarterback.

The current Vikings backup decided Monday that negotiations were close enough with the Dolphins that he would allow his agent, Marvin Demoff, to work out the final details of a contract. Terms of that deal will be finished up over the next 24 hours.

Frerotte was the personal choice of new Dolphins offensive coordinator Scott Linehan to replace Jay Fiedler, who was released and eventually signed with the New York Jets. A.J. Feeley is expected to go into the season as the starting quarterback for new head coach Nick Saban.

Frerotte, 33, will be joining his sixth team. He's been with the Redskins, Lions, Broncos, Bengals, Vikings and now the Dolphins during his 11-year career.



:spawnorb:

[deluxe]

did anyone in here hear about plaxico?

[cochese75]

hear what?
that he wants to come to miami?


:spawnorb:

[deluxe]

hear what?
that he wants to come to miami?


:spawnorb:


ya, i heard he hired drew rosenhaus as his agent and now he would like to play in miami.
can anyone give me an update on that situation?

[Chugga]

I wish the dolphins the best luck in landing Burress. That way you can pair him up with Boston and you'll have 2 of the most underachieving WR's to ever play in the NFL on one team.

[Valanb]

Miami dropped Boston. However, it wouldn't surprise me that they are planning on making some kind of move for Plaxico, who is definitely an underachiever, after releasing Rob Konrad.

[Vandy58]

when did McDougie sign??:confused:




:spawnorb:

Last week I believe the 5th it is on the site

[Vandy58]

I wish the dolphins the best luck in landing Burress. That way you can pair him up with Boston and you'll have 2 of the most underachieving WR's to ever play in the NFL on one team.

Boston is long gone buddy!

[Kramer26]

hey dolphin fans
Want to make a trade with the Saints for Tebucky Jones? :)

[Kramer26]

isnt jones released?

no

[Indy Jones]

WOOHOO! Dolphins suck! WOOT!

[cochese75]

Last week I believe the 5th it is on the site


you must have read it wrong? :confused:
i havent found any info on the signing. i read they offered him a contract today.






:spawnorb:

[cochese75]

hey dolphin fans
Want to make a trade with the Saints for Tebucky Jones? :)

nah dont need to! :p


[ESPN] After two years with the New Orleans Saints, safety Tebucky Jones was deemed expendable and released on Tuesday. Jones immediately agreed in principle to a two-year deal with the Miami Dolphins.

The deal will pay the veteran $1.5 Million in 2005, which includes signing and roster bonuses totaling $835,000 with a base salary of $650,000. An additional $500,000 can be earned through incentives. If the Dolphins choose to retain Jones after this season, they will have to pay $3.3 million next spring, at a base salary of $3 million.

Tebucky Jones will be competing to play strong safety in Miami. In New Orleans he played out of position as a free safety, where he lead the Saints with 102 tackles last season, but his range and basic ball skills were questioned. He had just two interceptions and two forced fumbles last year. His chief attribute is heavy hitting, a quality he demonstrated in 2004 in a full 16 game slate.



:spawnorb:

[cochese75]

Last week I believe the 5th it is on the site

now its offical :)

Dolphins Sign UFA Offensive Tackle Stockar McDougle
March 15, 2005
The Miami Dolphins today signed offensive tackle Stockar McDougle to a one–year contract as an unrestricted free agent from Detroit. McDougle was a first-round draft choice of the Lions in 2000 (20th overall) who has played in 61 games since that time, including 53 starts.

The 28-year old McDougle has opened all 16 games at right tackle each of the last two years, during which time the Lions have yielded a total of only 48 sacks. Last year, the line led the way for rookie running back Kevin Jones, who finished fifth in the NFC with 1,133 yards rushing. In 2003, the unit allowed just 11 sacks, the fewest in the NFL and franchise single-season record. In 2002, he opened 11 of the 12 games that he played at right tackle and was part of a line that permitted an NFL-low 20 sacks and helped James Stewart to rush for 1,021 yards.

McDougle is a native of Deerfield Beach, Fla., where he attended that city’s high school, and then went on to play two years apiece at Navarro Junior College in Corsicana, Texas (1996-97) and Oklahoma (1998-99). The older brother of former University of Miami defensive tackle and current Philadelphia Eagle Jerome McDougle, Stockar was born on January 11, 1977 in Ft. Lauderdale.






:spawnorb:

[Vandy58]

Nice!

[cochese75]

id take him back in a heartbeat






:spawnorb:

[Vandy58]

He would be good to have back but I do not know how I would feel about it!

[gregg1234]

he's 30lbs less. He is ment to be a power back and can't be weighing 30lbs less

[Vandy58]

lets hope this face brings us back to the playoffs!
http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/NYML12504231827_thumbnail.jpeg

[Vandy58]

I hope the Fins woop up on the Donks on 9/11

[Vandy58]

lkyhf

[runRICKYrun]

i do believe you are confused...last i heard he was OVER weight

no, he was correct, he has lost alot of weight.

[Vandy58]

Dolphins Suck

Bills fan was here

wow great words from a great person:rolleyes:

[Vandy58]

Dolphins Suck

Bills fan was here

http://www.buffalobills.com/photos/kellyhofred_640.jpg

http://www.profootballhof.com/assets/default/2005_HS_Marino_1_7.jpg

They both never did get the superbowl ring, difference Marino hold more Quaterback records than Kelly!

[Vandy58]

People I did a Jason Taylor poll! WE NEED A TAYLOR FIGURE!

[bambam73]

If they god rid of taylor or thomas. :mad:
Like him or not, I wish they would of went after K. Warner.
With that defence and warner- 14-2 :)

[Chugga]

Go dolphins!

[Chugga]

http://www.profootballhof.com/assets/default/2005_HS_Marino_1_7.jpg

They both never did get the superbowl ring, difference Marino hold more Quaterback records than Kelly!

Theres also another large difference. Dan Marino has 1 AFC title Jim Kelly has 4....so where as marino has one of those trophies in his glass case Kelly has 4...sure marino has a nice dusty book of statistics but Peyton Manning will make that book obsolete sooner or later.

[Yukoner]

Theres also another large difference. Dan Marino has 1 AFC title Jim Kelly has 4....so where as marino has one of those trophies in his glass case Kelly has 4...sure marino has a nice dusty book of statistics but Peyton Manning will make that book obsolete sooner or later.

I'm sure Jim Kelly sleeps well at night knowing that.

[Vandy58]

Go dolphins!

Man chugga you are a funny one and no payton will not break all records! He broke one that stood for 20 years!!!! Kelly has no records like that!

[cochese75]

http://www.miamidolphins.com/images/pressbox/pressreleases/pressrelease_3816.jpg





:spawnorb:

[Chugga]

Man chugga you are a funny one and no payton will not break all records! He broke one that stood for 20 years!!!! Kelly has no records like that!

You wanna know the difference between Records and Trophies? Records can be broken by anyone who knows how to throw a football....trophies can only be broken if they fall from your display case.

[Vandy58]

Kelly only has the same trophy as Marino! Granted he has three more but who cares both could not go on and get that one last coveted trophy!

[Chugga]

Maybe it's the little red guy on my shoulder telling me to post this but I just couldn't help myself....

http://images.nfl.com/u/nfl/photos/nfl1603_lower.jpg

[Vandy58]

Hey Chugga is a funny man :rolleyes: ;)

[Vandy58]

So I have been working a ton latley anything going on?

[Yukoner]

Will Poole out for the year...

[Vandy58]

David Boston was resigned to a one year deal a couple of days ago!

[cochese75]

Jason Cole of the Miami Herald reported today on the local Dolphins flagship station, 790 The Ticket that running back Ricky Williams has expressed direct interest of a return to Nick Saban.

Williams is back stateside and spoke with the coach by telephone. Saban believes that he is "very close" to a possible July return to the team.

According to ESPN's Len Pasquarelli, if Williams returns, he'd likely have to wait until July to un-retire. Otherwise, he would face a one-year suspension for his violations of the NFL's substance-abuse program. Williams will still face a four-game suspension for failing a third drug test for marijuana last July, just before he retired.


Ricky and Ronnie
:eek:




:spawnorb:

[cochese75]

i like the Boston signing. Came cheap and has lots of potential IF he stays healthy






:spawnorb:

[Vandy58]

I agree with boston and I do not know about rickey

[cochese75]

The Miami Dolphins bolstered the middle of their defensive line today when they signed 14-year veteran tackle Keith Traylor to a two-year contract. Traylor had been released by the Patriots on May 4. To make room on their roster, the Dolphins waived linebacker Billy Strother.




:spawnorb:

[cochese75]

i dunno aything abou traylor....do we need him tho? i thought our D line was pretty stacked as it was

i just know he's a force in the middle and been around along time(14years)

yeah we need him cause Timbo and/or Chester might not be back

Miami Dolphins head coach Nick Saban said there is a possibility that defensive tackles Larry Chester (recovering from knee surgery) and Tim Bowens (chronic back trouble) may not return.

"Both have not participated in any (mini-camps) because of injury and that is of some concern as to when those two guys will be able to come back and if they'll be able to come back," Saban said. "I think both those situations are a little bit up in the air right now."

Saban said Chester and Bowens are the team's only true, every-down defensive tackles.


Bowens might retire
Defensive tackle Tim Bowens is pondering retirement, while the club is studying how and when to break ties with its longest standing veteran.

Bowens got bad news last week when he visited a specialist and was told he has made no progress in recovering from the back ailment that forced him to miss all but two games last season.

The doctor also told Bowens nothing could be done to cure the problem, short of hoping time would do the trick. A source close to Bowens said Sunday that the player is frustrated with his condition to the point where retirement is now a serious consideration.

Bowens has been unable to participate in any of Miami's offseason training sessions, and the injury is so serious he can't even stand on the field for extended periods of time, according to the source.



:spawnorb:

[Vandy58]

Well thank god this thread was saved from this crash!

[Valanb]

I find it funny that Saban said Bowens and Chester are the only every down DTs the phins have since those two have been consistently injured every season. I think they are good DTs, but Miami needs to get younger at that position, one of the reasons I would have preferred Miami take Vince Wilfork in the 2004 Draft instead of Vernon Carey, and signing Traylor does not help that, even though he was a wrecking ball at DT in his prime.

[Goalkeeper]

Ricky is moving back to S. Florida to get back in shape...

Holy CRAP!!!

If the D is improved, Gus plays well, Boston is back in form AND Ricky/Ronnie combo works well the Fins could be VERY competitive this season!!!!

SWEEEET!!!

Granted, that's a LOT of "ifs" but at least there is reason to be optimistic.

[Valanb]

Just read on espn that Bowens is very likely to retire after failing a physical. Oh he got waived as well, guess they updated the story.

As for Ricky coming back the guy is nowhere near football shape and he is probably going to be a non-factor. Last I heard he lost at least 20-25 pounds of muscle on his excursion to the orient, not to mention he hasn't played a down of football in close to a year.

I agree with stapler about the dolphins maybe only winning 5 games this year. Hopefully that will net us Leinart in the draft cause the QB situation down there is just horrid.

I think next year may be the turning point since this years draft/offseason was basically D oriented next year will probably be more of an offensive preseason.

[Vandy58]

http://images.auctionhelper.com/images/nfl.auction@nfl.com/NA200078_1.jpg

[Vandy58]

Reserve was never met!

[Vandy58]

:D :D

Dolphins Jason Taylor And Junior Seau Named As Sporting News Good Guys
June 28, 2005


Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Taylor and linebacker Junior Seau have been named by The Sporting News as two of sports’ “Good Guys.” This marks the seventh year in which the publication has selected winners for its annual “Good Guys” issue, choosing athletes from the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and NASCAR, “who open their hearts as well as their wallets to serve the needy and unfortunate.” The honorees are nominated by their teams and/or leagues.


Taylor, the 2004 Miami Dolphins Most Valuable Player and Founder & President of the Jason Taylor Foundation, is featured as one of sports’ premier multi-taskers. He is recognized as one of several professional athletes whose philanthropic foundations serve many needy organizations and establish grass-roots programs to fill voids in charitable fields.

Taylor and his Foundation have contributed more than $250,000 to charitable causes since April of last year, including $36,000 for the funding of three scholarships through the Take Stock in Children program. Much more went to the help renovate the learning center at Holtz Children’s Hospital in Miami, which is now named in his honor. Taylor also hosted 11 different athletic teams to view either Friday Night Lights or Coach Carter as part of his Big Screens – Big Dreams Program.

Seau is noted in the section entitled, “The Givers,” for his $900,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs. Seau, Founder and President of the Junior Seau Foundation, has continued his generosity and willingness to help his local community since coming to Miami from San Diego in 2003. He and his foundation continue to make lasting impacts in both areas, including hosting their Shop with a Jock Program, which enables Boys and Girls Clubs members to purchase Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas gifts for loved ones during the Holiday Season.

Seau has been a longtime model for his peers regarding community service. He is a former NFL Man of the Year Award winner (1994), and in May, 2005, was honored by President George W. Bush with his Volunteer Service Award. The 12-time Pro Bowler has also earned the Miami Dolphins Don Shula Leadership Award, as voted on by teammates, each of his first two seasons with the club, in 2003 and 2004.

[Valanb]

Dolphins bolster their DLine in the supplemental draft by taking Manuel Wright in the Fifth round. I think it's a great move. The DT position is aged and there isn't much pop there and they get wright in a steal. Of course his workouts sucked, but hopefully he gets better.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2107860

[Miami Mike]

Miami Dolphins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=mia)

If you want to see what the Miami Dolphins look like in 2005, just look at the New England Patriots (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nwe) over the last couple of seasons.

Head coach Nick Saban believes in the Bill Belichick approach on both sides of the ball, and he will utilize it with the Dolphins. Miami will run the ball to set up the pass, and they will not take a lot of chances offensively. New offensive coordinator Scott Linehan is aggressive, but he will react to what the defense gives him. For example, if he faces eight man fronts, he will throw the ball on the perimeter. But if he faces a lot of cover schemes, he will pound the ball inside.

The offense asks the QB to be a caretaker. They will run the ball a ton with rookie first round draft pick, Ronnie Brown (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7178), but they must improve their offensive line because right now, that is a tremendous weakness. Don't look for them to take a lot of chances, as they will try to control the clock, slow down the game, and keep it close until they get better personnel.

Defensively, Saban will try to get this group bigger and more physical in a hurry, and he will utilize more 3-4 schemes. The Dolphins have been an undersized, speed oriented, 4-3 unit for the last several years, but that all changes now. Miami will mirror the New England Patriots most on defense where they will change their looks from week to week and even during a game. Saban will get players that can be interactive parts and can play in a lot of different schemes. This is a work in progress and player departures and arrivals on defense in Miami will occur at a fast pace for the next year or two.

[Miami Mike]

Saban will need to settle on QB

As another NFL season approaches, Scouts Inc. breaks down every roster and offers position-by-position breakdowns.

Quarterbacks
A.J. Feeley (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5603) and Gus Frerotte (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2869) will split snaps in the preseason before head coach Nick Saban makes his decision on the starter. Feeley started eight of the 11 games that he played in 2004, completing 53.7 percent of his attempts for 1,893 yards, with four more interceptions (15) than touchdowns (11). He is still young, has shown flashes and shouldn't be completely judged on last year's performance.

However, Feeley continues to make too many critical mistakes that take away from all the other positive things he does, and Saban won't have much patience in what promises to be a ball-control, power-run offense. That's where journeyman Frerotte comes in.

Frerotte is on the downside of his career and has always had problems beating the blitz, but is still a quality backup. He reads defenses well, his arm strength remains good and he has excellent experience. Frerotte also has played in the same system with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan in Minnesota.

Sage Rosenfels (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5557) and Brock Berlin will compete for the No. 3 reserve job. Rosenfels started one game last year and appeared in two others. He has a powerful arm and good mobility, but hasn't progressed as expected and is entirely too erratic. In terms of intangibles, Berlin is everything you want in a quarterback prospect.

The problem, however, is that the undrafted rookie free agent is simply too inconsistent and has below average size and arm strength. Rosenfels doesn't look like a long-term fit with Saban, but has am edge in the competition with Berlin.

Running backs
The Dolphins went from having one of the worst running back situations in 2004 to one of the more promising ones in 2005. And, if nothing else, this group is deep, versatile and intriguing. For starters, there's just no telling what Ricky Williams (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4653) will offer.

He unexpectedly abandoned his team last summer and has done very little over the last calendar year to prepare for the upcoming season. There's no telling if he will be suspended because of his notorious marijuana habits. At 195 pounds, and with a year of rust, how effective will he be, even if he's healthy and mentally prepared?

If Williams does make a full return to the NFL in 2005, it will likely be as a situational player who will complement top pick Ronnie Brown (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7178). The good news is that Brown is capable of being a load-carrier and/or load-sharer, as he proved in his days with Carnell Williams (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7181) in Auburn's backfield.

Coach Saban drafted Brown with the second overall pick largely because he knows first hand of Brown's versatility, having coached against him in the SEC. Brown can play the up-back, tailback, one-back, in the slot and even split out wide. He is a powerful north-south runner with good straight-line speed, and also is extremely versed as a receiver and a blocker for a young player coming out of the college ranks.

The depth behind Brown and Ricky Williams is very good. Travis Minor (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5532) is a quality third-down and change-of-pace back who can generate mismatches in the passing game, especially when he and Brown are on the field at the same time. Sammy Morris (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5185) doesn't have the speed or explosiveness of an every-down back, but can be an extremely valuable player because of his versatility as a receiver, blocker, change-of-pace runner and special teams' contributor.

Lamar Gordon (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5970), who the Dolphins acquired in a trade early last season, is coming off season-ending shoulder surgery. He may never have the explosiveness of a premier back, but is a strong north-south runner who can take some of the load off Brown and Williams if necessary. Finally, the team signed undrafted rookie free agent Kay-Jay Harris, a "boom-or-bust" prospect with baggage, but loads of upside because of his size and speed.

Fullbacks
Heath Evans (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5529) never reached his potential as Mack Strong (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2620)'s backup in Seattle, but is a versatile fullback with good blocking skills, top-end speed and hands out of the backfield. He's not nearly as polished as the departed Rob Konrad (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4692), but has as much or more upside.

Jamar Martin (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6015) ranks among the elite in the NFL, as far as pure blocking fullbacks are concerned, but offers very little in terms of running or receiving skills, and has yet to develop into a solid performer on special teams. Martin will only make the roster if Evans fails to prove his blocking skills during training camp.

Finally, Ben Moa is a longshot to make the roster, but he's a player to keep an eye on during camp. Moa is actually more of an H-back than anything -- a poor man's Jim Kleinsasser (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4693) (Vikings).

Wide Receivers
It's difficult to evaluate this group's performance last year, due to the lack of pass protection and poor overall quarterback play. One thing we can tell is that this group has enough talent to succeed, but also has a lot of question marks. The go-to-guy will continue to be Chris Chambers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5499), who finished last season with 69 receptions and seven touchdowns in 15 games played.

The four-year veteran is a solid No. 1 receiver, but has failed to take his game to the next level in each of the last two seasons. In order to do so, he must become more consistent versus zone coverage and can't disappear out of frustration if he isn't getting involved enough early in games.

Opposite Chambers will be Marty Booker (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4728), who can be a terrific complementary receiver, but failed to play to his potential after his frustrating in-season trade from the Bears. He still has the strength, speed, savvy and hands to make things happen on the perimeter and downfield. However, Booker needs to play with more passion and show a better grasp of the new scheme.

David Boston (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4656) is a wildcard who shouldn't be counted on for much. Boston has exceptional physical tools, but has not played a full 16-game season since 2001 because of numerous injuries and suspensions. He missed eight games in 2002, two games in 2003 and the entire 2004 season.

Boston would have been suspended for four games in 2004, after testing positive for steroids, but was out with a season-ending knee injury he suffered in the preseason. Unless Boston defies the odds, Derrius Thompson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4995) will resume his role as the team's No. 3 receiver. Thompson lacks the consistency of an outside starter, but has the height and vertical tools to stretch the field from the slot position, as well as generate mismatches in the red zone.

Brian Gilmore isn't a home run threat and lacks upside, but is a solid No. 4 possession receiver and special teams' contributor. Wes Welker is likely to earn the No. 5 receiver position because of his production as a return specialist. Welker lacks size and blazing speed, but has the hands and elusiveness to develop into a No. 4 slot-receiver in the future.

The only other contenders for a spot on the roster are youngsters Ronald Bellamy (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7091), a possession-receiver with good size, but little explosiveness, Kendall Newson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6074), a fringe NFL receiver who is coming off a season-ending Achilles heel injury, and Josh Davis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7049), an undrafted rookie free agent with more upside than his veteran counterparts.

Tight End
McMichael can still improve his strength and blocking skills, but has developed into a decent "space" blocker and one of the best seam-stretching receivers at the TE position in the NFL. He has been durable throughout his career, continues to improve each season and is coming off his best season in 2004, when he finished with 73 receptions for 791 yards and four touchdowns.

In our opinion, McMichael ranks as one of the top-10 tight ends in the league, and his ability to generate mismatches as a receiver should give Linehan a lot of options. McMichael's backup, Donald Lee (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6492), saw a lot of time in two-tight end packages and actually started 10 games in 2004. Lee has upside because of his frame, athletic ability and speed.

However, he has failed to make enough progress in his first two NFL seasons, and remains nothing more than a decent backup TE. If he is to reach full potential, he must catch the ball more consistently, improve his strength and do a better job with his blocking angles.

Because of Lee's failure to emerge, the Dolphins have brought in three developmental rookie free agents -- Alex Holmes, Joe Munson and Victor Sessay -- to push him. None of the three is likely to take Lee's job in 2005, but the one that shows the most upside during training camp should win the No. 3 TE job and will work to unseat Lee in 2006. Of the three, Holmes is the most intriguing.

Holmes has physical limitations (height and top-end speed) but, if used correctly, he could become an excellent weapon in the underneath passing game, and a solid blocker in space as a No. 2 tight end. Sessay also has some upside because of his impressive size and athleticism combination, but must get stronger and more technically sound.

Offensive line
Saban proved where his emphasis was in the offseason, when he opened up the team's pocketbook in order to secure one of the top free agent offensive tackles, Stockar McDougle (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5049), and one of the league's best offensive line coaches, Hudson Houck. This unit may have ranked as one of the worst in the NFL in 2004, but it stands to be much improved this season.

McDougle will anchor the ROT position. Although he lacks great technique, he is a formidable run blocker, has improved as a pass protector and will continue to get better if he controls his weight and improves his endurance. The big question, however, is who will start opposite McDougle at LOT.

Vernon Carey (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6778) was a major disappointment as a first-round pick in 2004, but the team is giving him a crack at the starting LOT versus last year's starter, Damion McIntosh (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5112). McIntosh is a decent starter when healthy, but has missed 13 games due to injury over the course of the last four seasons and fits best at ROT. Ideally, the team would love for Carey to emerge as the clear-cut starter, which would allow McIntosh to play a versatile swingman role as the backup at both tackle positions.

John St. Clair (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5123) is another wildcard among the group, as he graded out as one of the Dolphins' top offensive lineman last season and continues to improve with experience. Nevertheless, his best fit is clearly inside at OG, where his lack of ideal feet isn't exposed on the perimeter.

St. Clair likely will earn the starting ROG position over Rex Hadnot (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6933), who showed some flashes as a rookie and has good versatility as an OG/OC type, but lacks ideal power and athleticism. Jeno James (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5211) failed to play up to potential as a free agent last season, but is still a solid starter at LOG. In all likelihood, the OC position will come down to a training camp battle between Seth McKinney (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5976) and Wade Smith (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6414).

McKinney is the incumbent and is an efficient, technically sound player, but lacks Smith's athleticism and potential. Smith failed to develop into a solid starter at LOT, but his upside is still great and may fit better as an undersized lineman at OC. Even if McKinney wins the job early in camp, it wouldn't be surprising if Smith became the eventual starter.

While this group will be patched together and may struggle with its continuity early on, the starting five is better, and the depth is tremendously better. McIntosh will likely be the top backup at both OT spots, but there's young talent being developed behind him in the form of second-year pro Tony Pape (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6980) and rookie fifth-round pick Anthony Alabi (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7338). Hadnot can backup both OG positions, but Damion Cook (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5810) and Taylor Whitley (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6423) are also experienced and capable reserves.

[Miami Mike]

Defensive line
The Dolphins are experimenting with a hybrid 3-4/4-3 scheme that is likely to rotate fronts throughout the season. Several veteran defensive linemen were signed as a result, but Jason Taylor (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3968) remains the focus of the unit. Taylor, who finished last season with 68 total tackles, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception, has the athleticism and versatility to play a hybrid role as a RDE in the 4-3, and as a ROLB in the 3-4.

On the opposite side, Vonnie Holliday (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4282) was signed to play a versatile role as the LDE in both packages. Holliday will move inside and take on more of a two-gap role in a three-man front, but will play the more traditional power-end position in a four-man front.

Holliday's physical tools are on the decline, and his durability is a huge issue after missing 17 games throughout the course of the last five seasons, but he's a better fit in this new role because he has good size and quickness, but lacks explosive speed as a pass rusher off the edge.

David Bowens (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4808) is coming off a breakout season in 2004, but there are still major questions regarding his durability. While he does show very good pass rushing production and can be extremely active versus the run, we still view him as a situational player, which is why Bowens is a great fit as a complement to Holliday at LDE. Rookie second round pick Matt Roth (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7222) is a good fit as a backup to Taylor, as a versatile RDE/ROLB.

The defensive tackle position is also loaded with bodies and will experience a makeover after Tim Bowens (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2736)' retirement. The unit will essentially have a four-man rotation between Kevin Carter (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3158), Larry Chester (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4585), Keith Traylor (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=1487) and Jeff Zgonina (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2386).

When the team is in a traditional 4-3 look, Chester and Carter are likely to be the starters, with Traylor backing up Chester at the NT position and Zgonina backing up Carter at the RDE spot, which is essentially a one-gap penetration role. When it moves into a three-man front, Chester and Traylor are the ideal fits as the massive two-gap NTs, which means Carter and Zgonina will stay at the RDE position.

Overall, this is an aging group without much hope for the long-term, but if these four players can stay healthy, the Dolphins have great experience, depth and versatility for 2005, as they look to play a hybrid scheme. There will be competition between Josh Shaw (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6061), Kevin Vickerson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7392) and Orrin Thompson for the fifth and final DT position. Vickerson was a seventh-round pick this year, and Thompson was an undrafted free agent.

Both have upside but will have a difficult time earning a regular-season roster spot, as Shaw overcame some early off-the-field trouble and has bounced back well within the last two years. He showed some upside in limited game-action in 2004, as he proved capable of holding his ground as a situational run-stuffer.

Linebackers
As is the case throughout all three levels of the Dolphins' defense, the linebacking corps is above average, but aging. Zach Thomas (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3569) will continue to anchor the unit at MLB. Thomas missed three games because of injury last season and wasn't nearly the playmaker in the passing game he had been in year's past.

His body has taken a beating and is beginning to age, but he still grades out as an above average starter with sideline-to-sideline run-stopping ability, if he's protected by the big guys upfront. In the traditional 4-3 scheme, Junior Seau (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=1548) will remain at WLB.

Seau is 36 years old and looking to return for his 16th NFL season in 2005, after finishing last season on the IR (pectoral muscle) last season. He played well prior to the injury and remains a decent starter when healthy, but is by no means a good starter anymore and has a lot more matchup limitations than ever before. There will be competition between Eddie Moore (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6385) and Donnie Spragan (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6198) for the SLB job.

Moore still shows upside because of his speed, strength and toughness, but has missed 19 games because of injury in two seasons. Spragan is a blue-collar overachiever, who is stout against the run and won't make a lot of mistakes, but lacks prototypical speed and athletic ability. Essentially, Moore is the much more gifted athlete, but Spragan is the safer option.

When the team moves to a 3-4, Taylor becomes the ROLB, and it still remains to be seen if Seau will move over to LOLB, or if the winner of the Moore/Spragan battle at SLB will man the starting position at LOLB. In that 3-4 look, if Seau does move over to LOLB, there will be competition between Derrick Pope (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6981) and rookie third-round pick Channing Crowder (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7246) for the ILB spot next to Thomas.

Pope gives a great effort and is a tough, instinctive young player. He proved capable of filling in during Thomas' injury in 2004 and has found a niche covering kicks on special teams, but has to be stouter versus the run in order to win this job. Crowder has an outstanding combination of size and athleticism. He could eventually develop into a long-time starter in the NFL, but comes out of the college ranks with limited playing experience, poor technique and some character issues.

Regardless, there will also be good competition for the final one or two OLB positions in training camp between Corey Jenkins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6517), Tony Bua (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6919) and Derek Curry. Jenkins, a sixth-round pick in 2003, and Bua, a fifth-round pick in 2004, are both undersized SS/OLB 'tweener types who need to improve their ability to take on blockers versus the run. Curry, an undrafted rookie free agent, is a fine athlete with better size, but lacks the speed and experience of both Jenkins and Bua.

Defensive Backs
The trade of Pro Bowl LDC Patrick Surtain (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4303) was expected, but is still a blow to this unit. RDC Sam Madison (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3929) is still a fine starter, but Surtain had emerged as the better of the two.

For several years, the Dolphins boasted one of the finer cornerback tandems in the league, which created freedom in terms of blitzing linebackers and cheating safeties for eight-man fronts. Now, with an aging Madison playing opposite an inexperienced Will Poole (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6861), the roles will be reversed, as the front seven will be counted on to protect secondary.

Madison can still hold up in man-to-man coverage in most situations, but will need deep help versus upper echelon receivers. Poole lacks great size and speed. He is at his best when protected from having to turn and run downfield, and may never be able to hold up on an island as a fulltime starter on the perimeter in a primarily man-coverage scheme.

However, Poole is tough for his size and also very instinctive in space. He showed a lot of promise as a rookie and we think he can be an adequate starter in 2005, if the Dolphins mask his weaknesses by using more zone and give him consistent deep help when in man-coverage.

Reggie Howard (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5353) was brought in as a free agent last year and should have made a smooth transition to the nickel/dime slot-cover corner role in 2004, but didn't. He looked too mechanical and seemed out of place playing in the slot. That's why the team added Mario Edwards (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5209), who had some trouble playing on an island with the Cowboys, but has the size, strength and short-area coverage skills to emerge as a solid nickel corner for the Dolphins in 2005.

Rookie fourth-round pick Travis Daniels (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7280), who played for Saban at LSU, also lacks great speed, but is tough and instinctive as an underneath cover corner. Daniels should win the No. 5 cornerback spot ahead of journeyman Alphonso Roundtree (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6709).

Both of the starting safeties figure to be new, as free agents Travares Tillman (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5087) (Panthers) and Tebucky Jones (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4284) (Saints) will man the FS and SS positions, respectively. Jones is a solid run support safety with good tackling skills.

He has great size and good speed, but is not a fluid athlete, has below average coverage skills and is not much of a playmaker, which is why he'll be a better fit as a SS than he was as a FS earlier in his career. The problem, however, is that Tillman is a gamble at the FS position. There is no question about Tillman's physical skills. He has everything that you are looking for in a safety, including size, speed, and range.

He is also a strong player who is capable of coming up versus the run. However, his instincts are questionable, he has a history of giving up too many big plays, and he missed all of 2004 with a broken arm. As a result, depth will be critical. Unfortunately, there is more quantity than quality behind Jones and Tillman.

Yeremiah Bell (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6549), Chris Akins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4862), Quinton Williams, Deandre Eiland, Atari Bigby and Jack Hunt all figure to compete for the final two safety spots. Bell, Akins and Williams have the most experience, but Akins missed all of 2004 with a knee injury, Bell finished 2004 on injured reserve with a knee injury, and Williams is more of a long-term project who has yet to find a niche.

Special teams
The Dolphins were solid on special teams last season, but there are no guarantees in 2005. Unexpectedly, RS Wes Welker was the star of the unit, as he ranked second in the AFC in punt returns and seventh in kickoff returns as a rookie last season. Welker should only continue to improve with more experience, but the age of PT Matt Turk (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3276) and the recent inconsistency of PK Olindo Mare (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3888) have to be concerning.

Turk, who finished 18th among punters with 50-or-more attempts with a gross average of 41.7 yards on 98 attempts, will be 38 years old by the start of the season, and his time is clearly beginning to run out. He has done a good job of maximizing his physical tools and taking advantage of good coverage teams the last couple of seasons, but the bottom line is that Turk is just a mediocre punter at this point of his career and his skills are noticeably declining.

Mare started all 16 games for the Dolphins from 1997-2003, but missed four games due to a calf injury in 2004. He connected on 12 of 15 FGAs in 2004, with a long of 51 yards. Mare was once one of the league's best field goal kickers and kick-off men, but his production has tailed off the last three seasons (2002-'04), and durability is now an added concern.

Coaching
Saban is a Bill Belichick disciple and it's already evident in his early personnel and scheme moves. Saban is a defensive-minded football coach. He believes in protecting the football by using an offensive philosophy centered around the power-run game, which explains his free agent and draft emphasis on the running back position and the offensive line.

Saban brought in former Vikings offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, who is known for his versatile scheme and quarterback development. With so many running backs, including versatile rookie Brown, and with a young quarterback in Feeley, Linehan seems like the right fit early on.

The defensive coordinator title goes to Richard Smit, but in all reality, it will be Saban's unit. Saban is already shifting the defense to a 3-4 look, which wasn't what he used at LSU, but clearly is a decision predicated on Belichick's success in New England. The defense will be versatile, show a lot of different looks and will rely on intelligent veterans who don't make a lot of mistakes. The secondary got a facelift, and isn't nearly as talented as it once was, but Saban is a defensive back guru who knows how to get the most out of his players. Look for a lot more zone and mixed coverage looks out of the secondary than in the past.

[Vandy58]

thanks for the updates Mike, I hope all is well!

[cochese75]

actually it stalled

Agent Brian Levy said Monday that it's unlikely free-agent safety Lance Schulters will sign with Miami unless he receives a better contract offer.

"I'm not anticipating anything in the near future with him and the Dolphins," Levy said.

"At this point, we haven't been able to come to an understanding that both sides are happy with, but we'll continue to talk in good faith."

Schulters made a free-agent visit with the Dolphins last month shortly after being released by Tennessee because of salary-cap reasons.

Levy said the Dolphins had some concerns about the foot injury that sidelined Schulters for 13 games last season but that his client had passed a physical "and could play right now."

If he signs, it is believed Schulters would compete with Travares Tillman for starting free safety.



:spawnorb:

[Chugga]

http://images.nfl.com/u/nfl/photos/nfl1a7c_lower.jpg

Oops I thought this was that red hot picture thread...my bad, sorry for intruding.

[Vandy58]

Miami Dolphins in Superbowls 2-3

Bills-0-4,

oooooooooooooppppppppps that slipped

[Vandy58]

139 total points against???? Dam the dolphins have one more superbowl and only have 109, now it is nothing like the donks but that is pretty damn high

[Chugga]

4 - 12http://www.buffalobills.com/uploads/photo/3E03EFED215D47E9926214E6BFC8AA86.jpg

[Chugga]

at least we didnt lose to the steelers JV team..and we own Brady

Yeah but you got owned by just about everyone elses JV as they started sitting starters at the half.

4-12

[Vandy58]

http://www.miamidolphins.com/history/1972perfectseason/left.jpg
http://www.miamidolphins.com/images/history/team_photo_1972.jpg

Still the only team to have a perfect season, only superbowl ring to say perfect season

[Chugga]

And I bet you weren't even born when any of that happened. Congrats on celebrating something that you weren't even alive to be a part of. Heck I bet your mom was still playing with dolls when that happened.

[Chugga]

Tomorrow I'm going to go out and celebrate Abraham Lincoln's presidential victory.

[Vandy58]

Ha ha actually my mom was 22 my dad was 30. My sister was 1 and no I was not born but that does not matter, last season, 30 years ago does not matter all in the past. You brought up the past so I thought I would bring up the past. I thougth we would reminis on history.

[Vandy58]

MIAMI 49, BUFFALO 32 (1 tie)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09/19/66 -- at Buffalo 58, Miami 24
11/06/66 -- Buffalo 29, at Miami 0
11/05/67 -- at Buffalo 35, Miami 13
11/26/67 -- at Miami 17, Buffalo 14
10/12/68 -- at Miami 14, Buffalo 14 (tie)
11/10/68 -- Miami 21, at Buffalo 17
10/26/69 -- at Miami 24, Buffalo 6
11/16/69 -- at Buffalo 28, Miami 3
10/18/70 -- Miami 33, at Buffalo 14
12/20/70 -- at Miami 45, Buffalo 7
09/26/71 -- Miami 29, at Buffalo 14
11/07/71 -- at Miami 34, Buffalo 0
10/22/72 -- at Miami 24, Buffalo 23
11/05/72 -- Miami 30, at Buffalo 16
10/21/73 -- at Miami 27, Buffalo 6
11/18/73 -- Miami 17, at Buffalo 0
09/22/74 -- Miami 24, at Buffalo 16
11/17/74 -- at Miami 35, Buffalo 28
10/26/75 -- Miami 35, at Buffalo 30
12/07/75 -- at Miami 31, Buffalo 21
09/13/76 -- Miami 30, at Buffalo 21
12/05/76 -- at Miami 45, Buffalo 27
09/18/77 -- Miami 13, at Buffalo 0
12/17/77 -- at Miami 31, Buffalo 14
09/17/78 -- at Miami 31, Buffalo 24
11/12/78 -- Miami 25, at Buffalo 24
09/02/79 -- Miami 9, at Buffalo 7
10/14/79 -- at Miami 17, Buffalo 7
09/07/80 -- at Buffalo 17, Miami 7
10/19/80 -- at Miami 17, Buffalo 14
10/21/81 -- at Buffalo 31, Miami 21
12/19/81 -- at Miami 16, Buffalo 6
11/21/82 -- Miami 9, at Buffalo 7
12/27/82 -- at Miami 27, Buffalo 10
09/04/83 -- Miami 12, at Buffalo 0
10/09/83 -- Buffalo 38, at Miami 35 (ot)
09/17/84 -- Miami 21, at Buffalo 17
10/28/84 -- at Miami 38, Buffalo 7
11/24/85 -- Miami 23, at Buffalo 14
12/22/85 -- at Miami 28, Buffalo 0
10/12/86 -- at Miami 27, Buffalo 14
11/16/86 -- Miami 34, at Buffalo 24
10/25/87 -- Buffalo 34, at Miami 31 (ot)
11/29/87 -- at Buffalo 27, Miami 0
09/11/88 -- at Buffalo 9, Miami 6
11/14/88 -- Buffalo 31, at Miami 6
09/10/89 -- Buffalo 27, at Miami 24
10/29/89 -- at Buffalo 31, Miami 17
09/16/90 -- at Miami 30, Buffalo 7
12/23/90 -- at Buffalo 24, Miami 14
01/12/91 -- *at Buffalo 44, Miami 34
09/01/91 -- at Buffalo 35, Miami 31
11/18/91 -- Buffalo 41, at Miami 27
10/04/92 -- Miami 37, at Buffalo 10
11/16/92 -- Buffalo 26, at Miami 20
01/17/93 -- **Buffalo 29, at Miami 10
09/26/93 -- Miami 22, at Buffalo 13
12/19/93 -- Buffalo 47, at Miami 34
10/09/94 -- at Buffalo 21, Miami 11
12/04/94 -- Buffalo 42, at Miami 31
10/29/95 -- at Miami 23, Buffalo 6
12/17/95 -- at Buffalo 23, Miami 20
12/30/95 -- *at Buffalo 37, Miami 22
10/13/96 -- Miami 21, at Buffalo 7
12/16/96 -- at Miami 16, Buffalo 14
11/02/97 -- at Buffalo 9, Miami 6
11/17/97 -- at Miami 30, Buffalo 13
09/13/98 -- at Miami 13, Buffalo 7
11/01/98 -- at Buffalo 30, Miami 24
01/02/99 -- *at Miami 24, Buffalo 17
10/04/99 -- Buffalo 23, at Miami 18
11/14/99 -- at Buffalo 23, Miami 3
10/08/00 -- at Miami 22, Buffalo 13
12/03/00 -- Miami 33, at Buffalo 6
11/25/01 -- Miami 34, at Buffalo 27
01/06/02 -- at Miami 34, Buffalo 7
10/20/02 -- Buffalo 23, at Miami 10
12/01/02 -- at Buffalo 38, Miami 21
09/21/03 -- at Miami 17, Buffalo 7
12/21/03 -- Miami 20, at Buffalo 3
10/17/04 -- at Buffalo 20, Miami 13
12/05/04 -- Buffalo 42, at Miami 32

[Vandy58]

wow better record

[Chugga]

Who has the better record from when you were born? Since I'm pretty sure you weren't watching many games from the whomb

[Chugga]

http://images.snapfish.com/3444%3B4%3A723232%7Ffp7%3Enu%3D3238%3E9%3B4%3E5%3C6%3EWSNRCG%3D3232%3A6%3C45%3A775nu0mrj

[Chugga]

I've been alive for 46 games...of those 46 games the bills have won 25 games....oh my a winning record for me.

Go Bills....

http://www.footballlegends.org/images/hectorbrooks.gif

[Chugga]

Ha ha actually my mom was 22 my dad was 30. My sister was 1 and no I was not born but that does not matter, last season, 30 years ago does not matter all in the past. You brought up the past so I thought I would bring up the past. I thougth we would reminis on history.

I didn't bring up the past I brought up last season...last season is considered current when there is no "this season" yet. What would you like me to do post pictures of randy mcmichaels offseason routines, thats about as current as I can get....

1. Wake up
2. Take shower
3. Slap wife
4. Lift weights
5. Eat breakfast
6. Punch wife
7. Lift weights
8. Go out on a job
9. slap wife
10. eat dinner
11. slap wife
12. go to sleep
13. it's a new day

Hard to find those pics on google so I went with what I had.

[Vandy58]

I have been alive for 50 of those games, I know we share the same birthday chugga but for some reason I thought it was the same year, oh well I was wrong

[cochese75]

35 wins 30 losses against BARFallo since i was born




:spawnorb:

[Vandy58]

Oh and if it happened yesterday it is in the past, you sound like a broncos fan!

[cochese75]

....

1. Wake up
2. Take shower
3. Slap wife
4. Lift weights
5. Eat breakfast
6. Punch wife
7. Lift weights
8. Go golf
9. slap wife
10. eat dinner
11. slash wife and boyfriend
12. pack for flight
13. hide evidence
14. take flight out of la
15. it's a new day
16 im free





sounds like your famous RB OJ

[Chugga]

Oh and if it happened yesterday it is in the past, you sound like a broncos fan!

You sound like a dolphins fan....constantly in search of a way to reference the 70's

http://www.noneckschevelle.com/images/carpics/Lee's%201970%20442.jpg

[Chugga]

sounds like your famous RB OJ

Sorry I don't grasp at glory years that happened before I was born....no point in celebrating the career of OJ simpson when the entirety of it happened before I spoke my first word.

[Chugga]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/nfl/images/030922ricky_williams.JPG

Suprised you can post pictures about him last I knew you guys were still in a dark corner crying about how he left you

[Vandy58]

http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/2929167.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=E2399169AC85D6DEEF0C1075A1B4138D1130C69440066E87 You might see a little more of him again

[Chugga]

haha nah i wiped my tears...and i couldnt find one of him running over Spikes

Probably because it never happened. But since I like you dolphins fans so much I hunted down a spikes picture for you so you wouldn't have to...

http://images.nfl.com/u/nfl/photos/nfl1ae4_lower.jpg

[Chugga]

http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/2929167.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=E2399169AC85D6DEEF0C1075A1B4138D1130C69440066E87 You might see a little more of him again

Of who mr. red x? Dante Hall doesn't play on the dolphins

[cochese75]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/2005/02/27/2002191811.jpg
anyone seen my helmet??





:spawnorb:

[Chugga]

http://www.utexas.edu/opa/news/99newsreleases/nr_199902/ricky.jpg
anyone seen my weed??

[Vandy58]

Of who mr. red x? Dante Hall doesn't play on the dolphins

really you cannot see that? I can see it just fine

[Chugga]

http://www.georgecoghill.com/gc02/images/illustration/_commercial/_scene/wanted-ricky-williams.png

[Miami Mike]

Hey Chugga, Don't worry about Losman, we will break him in ala Rob Johnson Stylie. ;)

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL366/1160512/2192805/105304038.jpg

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL366/1160512/2192805/105304037.jpg

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL366/1160512/2192805/105304033.jpg

[Vandy58]

http://www.utexas.edu/opa/news/99newsreleases/nr_199902/ricky.jpg
anyone seen my weed??

Funny I think, he was that good on weed, imagine what he will be like when he gets off the stuff!

[cochese75]

http://images.nfl.com/xxxvi/history/images/kelly-xxvi.jpg
JK: did i complete the pass?
assistant: Jim you sure did, to the other team for the 4th time



:spawnorb:

[Chugga]

Thank you for breaking Rob Johnson it allowed for Flutie to come in and lead us to the playoffs...the same playoffs that I believe you missed that year.

[Vandy58]

http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/51575010.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=E2399169AC85D6DE7F9CD95D11365232A57EBC81D908A729621B2AC3A62513D3

[Vandy58]

http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/2826211.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=E2399169AC85D6DE75B5B3942D6AEE7D4F8A749D3F92F334

[Vandy58]

http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/51636012.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=CB711602F2C0BA5239A3F8432690E4BBA9C30E9B9B114CE8

[Chugga]

http://images.nfl.com/xxxvi/history/images/kelly-xxvi.jpg
JK: did i complete the pass?
assistant: Jim you sure did, to the other team for the 4th time



:spawnorb:

Funny you should use a picture of the same man that completely owned you for a decade. Why don't you ask Marino how it feels to have an absolutely disgraceful record against Kelly

[Chugga]

red x
red x
red x

[Vandy58]

funny everybody can see them but you,

[Chugga]

By everyone do you mean you

[Vandy58]

stapler sees them, can you not see images from getty?

[Miami Mike]

im getting red x's too

[Chugga]

Apparently not...although I saw all the rob johnson pics and those are getty

[Vandy58]

really???????????????? hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmm I wonder why? Although I have heard people having problems posting from getty before. I could not tell you why, I see them just fine. Oh well great pictures of Jason Taylor and the Bills

[Vandy58]

and stapler still sees them, oh well time to go be with the fiance, duties call, night all! Chugga I will contact you with a little wager later on

[Miami Mike]

the rob johnson pics I hosted myself.

[Vandy58]

oh, still does not explain why stapler can see them but you guys cannot oh well, night!

[Miami Mike]

MIAMI (Ticker) - The Miami Dolphins (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/mia/) on Friday signed defensive end David Bowens (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4808/) to a one-year contract extension, keeping him with the club through the 2006 season.

The Dolphins also came to terms with fourth-round pick Travis Daniels (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7280/) and defensive tackle Manuel Wright, a fifth-round selection in the recent supplemental draft, on four-year deals.

Bowens, who started 15 of 16 games last season, registered numerous career highs in 2004, including tackles (41), sacks (seven) and forced fumbles (three). In a Week 12 win over the San Francisco 49ers (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/sfo/), the 28-year-old posted a season-high six tackles, including a sack, and forced two fumbles.

http://speed.pointroll.com/PointRoll/Media/banners/trans.gif
Daniels, a cornerback, played the last four seasons with Louisiana State. He started all 14 games during the Tigers' national championship season in 2003. Wright appeared in 20 games over the last two years at Southern California, including two starts during last season's undefeated championship run.


Looks like Bowens will be back for one more year

[cochese75]

todays pics of Ricky

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20050725/capt.flsm10707251600.dolphins_williams_flsm107.jpg
http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20050725/capt.flsm10107251559.dolphins_williams_flsm101.jpg
http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20050725/capt.flsm10507251519.dolphins_williams_flsm105.jpg
http://www.miamidolphins.com/images/pressbox/pressreleases/extraphotos/prextra18187.jpg





:spawnorb:

[Vandy58]

I think I might buy one of these and poop on it! ;)
http://board.spawn.com/images/board/happychugga.jpg

[hadylan]

Training camp troubles
Rookie defensive tackle Manny Wright leaves the field in tears after being yelled at by coach Nick Saban.
(Sun-Sentinel/Robert Mayer)

Jul 26, 2005
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2005-07/18664123.jpg

[Valanb]

Dolphins signed Lace Schulters. Last I heard talks had broken down, but I like the addition of schulters. Especially since he will likely be starting beside Tebucky at the S position.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2118821

[Miami Mike]

1. Against our better judgment, and because we know the hot-button topic is the guy with the dreadlocks and not the coach with the dreaded stare, we'll address first the prodigal tailback instead of the man who will really determine the direction of the Miami Dolphins' future. Truth be told, maybe it's better to get the topic of Ricky Williams (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4653) out of the way first, in case he lapses back into reefer madness and bolts again. Our guess is Nick Saban, even now that he knows the enormity of the task in front of him, isn't about to run off to a third-world country. He may retreat into Georgia's mountains, but not some lean-to in say, Nepal.

So here's the straight talk on a guy who hasn't always been able to walk the straight line: Grudgingly, we concede that Williams actually looks pretty good. He isn't back up to his normal playing weight of 225-230 pounds yet, has not taken a really tough lick and hasn't been asked to run with power. But there is little doubt the guy, at least in the first few days of camp, exudes raw talent. He is quick, has not lost the great vision that all successful backs must have, and doesn't seem to be toting around nearly as much rust as most pundits had expected after his year spent trying to discover himself.

Williams was never the classic "downhill" runner, but he did deliver a lot of power, and whether he can do that again following his self-imposed exile remains to be seen. Just a few days into his reincarnation, though, it's not blowing smoke (pun intended) to concede that, yeah, he looks like an NFL player. He seems a little more fluid now, caught the ball well in the first two days, showed some willingness to block, and didn't make mental errors.

But Williams doesn't like being overworked -- just ask the man he helped get fired, former Miami coach Dave Wannstedt, how many times His Weirdness asked to be taken out of the third-down package because he felt he was playing too many snaps -- and the Saban camp is all about work and discipline. So stay tuned on that front. Time will tell just how much his coaches and teammates -- and trust us, skeptics remain in both those groups -- come to trust him.

A month ago, when we visited with Jason Taylor (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3968) at mini-camp, the Dolphins' star defensive end insisted what he wanted most when Williams reported was to be able to look into the tailback's eyes and see the same kind of commitment he expects from all his teammates. So has Taylor seen it yet? "Not yet, but I don't need to see it right now," Taylor said. "I need to see it in September or October, or whenever it is that he plays. We've talked. He knows where I'm coming from, and I guess I understand, maybe, a little bit more about his situation. We'll see. For now, I guess we're cool." It won't be until Oct. 16 at Tampa Bay that Williams, who must serve four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, can get in a game that actually counts.

One thing that is still the same about Williams is he's definitely different. The guy walks everywhere without shoes. Around the complex. In the dining room. In the team hotel. The way the league has bent over backwards to let him come back, you half-expect Paul Tagliabue to issue a ban against spikes, just so Williams can go barefootin' on the field as well. Maybe Williams prefers to go sans shoes so that he has a really easy target, assuming he decides to shoot himself in the foot again.

One guy who has pretty good feet, even with cleats on, is Lamar Gordon (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5970), who looks like the best among a very deep running back corps at this point. The fourth-year veteran, acquired from St. Louis last year in a trade when the Dolphins tried to spackle the ***e after Williams' abrupt departure, is a very, very solid back. Too bad an injury scuttled Gordon's 2004 season and limited him to only three games, because he might have allowed Miami to slam the door on Williams' face this spring when he asked to return. Gordon has deceptive power, and a little glide to him, and is bigger and stouter than he initially appears.

There's all kinds of speculation the Dolphins will trade Williams once he gets into shape and they showcase him in the preseason games. The bet here is the Dolphins will get more inquiries (possibly from Jacksonville) about Gordon.



2.
OK, now on to the guy whose return to the NFL, as far as the Miami franchise is concerned, is far more significant than Williams' comeback. We're glad we visited the Dolphins, and huddled with Saban during their June mini-camp. Why? Because we were a month ahead of our national media buddies in figuring out just how good a coach Saban is going to be at the NFL level. Everyone else seemed genuinely surprised at the discipline, detail and design of the camp practices. But they shouldn't have been. This is, after all, how Saban runs things. There's a very palpable clockwork precision to his practices, a reason for everything, and every segment is seen as an excuse to do some old-fashioned teaching. Which is, Saban learned a long time ago, the essence of coaching.

Remember, Saban isn't just some college coach moving into the NFL ranks. The guy worked in the league as a defensive coordinator and he knows the ropes. He ran the Michigan State and LSU programs like NFL teams that just happened to be operating at the college level. If the devil is in the details, then Saban is Lucifer incarnate. Every drill starts right on time. There is no wasted effort. "You're never standing around just watching, getting bored, and with your attention wandering out there while the sun beats down on you," cornerback Sam Madison (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3929) said. "There is a reason for everything he does."

This is not the most talented team around. But in the first couple days, it was anything but a sloppy team, that's for sure. There were not the kind of false-start and short-attention span penalties you typically expect from a bad team. Not a lot of botched plays or turnovers. Make no mistake, as we indicated in June, the guy can coach. And coach he does. Saban spends oodles of time working with the secondary, his old area of expertise, and he's not just a passive observer. He is hands-on all the way.

Hard to say how many victories this will translate to, but Saban definitely isn't allowing himself the luxury of buying into the notion it will take three seasons to fix what ails the Dolphins, and the guess here is that his presence and approach will make his team markedly more competitive than most pundits feel it can be in 2005.



3.
About that $800,000 per year that Saban is reportedly paying offensive line coach Hudson Houck? The investment was worth every cent. Houck suggested in June that he is not a miracle worker. And maybe he isn't. But he's doing a damned fine imitation.

Quick, we dare you, name one starter on the Miami offensive line. Unless you are a died-in-wool Dolphins fan, you probably can't. Here's the kicker: By the end of the season, you might not be able to identify one, either. But by that time, too, the Miami line will be a pretty good one, if early camp results are any indicator. There remains plenty of work to be done, and we'd be lying if we tried to pretend there weren't some rough spots during the practices we saw, but Houck is again well into the process of transforming a pile of chicken feathers into something approximating chicken salad.

"It's been pretty encouraging," Saban conceded. "I think we've got maybe seven guys there who can line up and play." Houck is famous for salvage jobs and the one he's undertaken this summer -- turning last year's first-rounder, Vernon Carey (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6778), into more than just another misguided pick by deposed general manager Rick Spielman -- is certainly daunting. But Carey has the temperament, it seems, to be a good player and could be the starter at left tackle. Free-agent addition Stockar McDougle (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5049), a former Detroit starter, seems to have reduced the mental errors that plagued him during his Lions tenure.

Let's face it, given the question mark at the quarterback position, the Dolphins figure to run the ball a lot in 2005. And they should, since that seems to be a strength, which means the offensive line will get a chance to fire off the ball and do some old-fashioned road grading. Truth be told, the unit didn't exactly carve out gaping holes in the early workouts. But there is progress nearly every time on the field, and Houck, whether he wants the miracle worker mantle or not, looks to be fashioning a respectable unit.



4.
Not since 1997 has the Miami defense ranked statistically outside of the league's top 10 units. In the past seven seasons, in fact, the defense's average ranking was No. 6, and the unit was in the top five in four of those campaigns. To hold to that standard, though, the Miami defense is going to have to get a big season out of a group of veterans who are beginning to show some age. The six highest-profile players on the defense -- Madison, linemen Taylor, Kevin Carter (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3158) and Vonnie Holliday (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4282), and linebackers Zach Thomas (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3569) and Junior Seau (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=1548) -- average 31.7 years of age and 5.7 seasons of NFL tenure.

It doesn't seem possible, but the defense's most critical player, Taylor, will turn 31 before the regular season opens. Not an age when you want to have to learn a new position, but Taylor, who has always lined up at right end, will be a hybrid-type guy in '05, as the coaches move him around to try to create mismatches and give him even more sack opportunities. Taylor looked excellent in the dual role in mini-camp, but the staff didn't unleash him much the first two days of camp, and he suddenly seemed a bit more wary about the switch than he did a month ago.

None of this is to suggest the Dolphins' old-timers can't summon solid outings in 2005. If they don't, this team will be in deep trouble. But Saban understands his best defensive players are closer to the ends of their careers than the beginnings, and Miami has to begin to develop younger players to soon take over. Toward that end, two rookies, cornerback Travis Daniels (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7280) and linebacker Channing Crowder (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7246), stuck out in the early practices.

Daniels, a fourth-round pick, seems a lock to start at the corner spot vacated by Patrick Surtain (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4303), who was traded to Kansas City. That's in part because, as a former LSU star, he knows the defense better than anyone else. And although he doesn't have great stopwatch speed, Daniels is usually around the ball and has an uncanny ability to create big plays. Crowder has been working at two linebackers spots (middle and strong-side), and Saban has to get him onto the field, even if it means taking snaps away from Seau. If Crowder's creaky knees can hold up, he'll be a player.

In general, it will be interesting to see if the Miami defense can play up to the lofty standards it has established in the last seven seasons. And interesting, as well, to see if young players get increased playing time, to prepare them for the future if the season goes south early on. With such a suspect group of tackles, the Dolphins might really struggle to stop the run, an area in which they statistically ranked next-to-last in the NFL in '04.



5.
The alleged quarterback "competition" between journeyman Gus Frerotte (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2869) and A.J. Feeley (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5603) is a sham. (Actually, it's a shame, too, that this is the best the Dolphins can do at the position, but so be it.) It makes for good copy, and manufactures an interest level, but it will be a monumental upset if Frerotte isn't the opening day starter.

For one thing, he simply has a better grasp of the Scott Linehan design, having played for the offensive coordinator in Minnesota. For another, he's just better. Not great, just better, and far less mistake-prone. That will mean a lot to Saban, who abhors turnovers, and is going to try to keep games close by running the ball and playing tight defense. Saban swears he hasn't made up his mind on the quarterbacks, that both will get a shot to win the job in preseason, that he doesn't want to cheat his team out of having the best guy on the field. But the best guy, it says here (and, we're betting, they're probably saying it in the coaches' evaluation sessions), is Frerotte. Word is coaches regularly groan when they watch the daily video of some of Feeley's efforts.

[jjezioro225]

I came here to inform you of your team's suckiness, but I see Chugga has taken care of that.

[Vandy58]

Buffaloe did not make it to the playoffs either, how does that make them better??? Better record??? Buffaloe has had some pretty stupid coaches, the dolphins for the first time that I can think of in there entire history went through a coaching nitemare. Its okay I know that it is all in the past but at least the Fins can win a superbowl!

[Chugga]

I think I might buy one of these and poop on it! ;)
http://board.spawn.com/images/board/happychugga.jpg

At least he has the right color facemask you can tell mcfarlane could care less about the dolphins too

[Vandy58]

At least he has the right color facemask you can tell mcfarlane could care less about the dolphins too

I will give you that one! Either the workers could not see a difference between green and aqua or somebody needs to extract their head out of Todd's butt and pay attention to stupid stuff like that!

[jjezioro225]

Buffaloe did not make it to the playoffs either, how does that make them better??? Better record???
Uhhh, yeah. 5 more wins = better.

And why are our coaches stupid?

[Vandy58]

Not all I was trying to say you guys have had stupid coaches in the past or times like I described coaching nitemares. It happens will all teams, unfortunatly it happened with the Fins last year. Wins do not matter unless you are in the playoffs, only reason why teams win is to get to the playoffs, not enough wins= no playoffs

[Vandy58]

Dolphins not enough wins
Bill not enough wins

Does not matter if you win 10 times or 4 times, if you not in the playoffs nobody cares

[jjezioro225]

Dolphins not enough wins
Bill not enough wins

Does not matter if you win 10 times or 4 times, if you not in the playoffs nobody cares
I agree. Still, you can't say that all the teams that miss the playoffs are on the same level.

The Bills had 5 more wins than the Dolphins. They are better.

[Vandy58]

So you are summing up an entire team history by just a single year??? If that is the case then lets look at the 72 Fins, only team to ever go undefeated!

[DEN7ER]

Hey, I'll bet you a sportspick that the BRONCOS win on opening Day... ;)

[jjezioro225]

So you are summing up an entire team history by just a single year??? If that is the case then lets look at the 72 Fins, only team to ever go undefeated!
Oh no. I was talking about last year's team only. A little misunderstanding. At some point you switched over to the team history, and I was still comparing last season's teams.

[Vandy58]

Hey, I'll bet you a sportspick that the BRONCOS win on opening Day... ;)

Which one????

[Vandy58]

Oh no. I was talking about last year's team only. A little misunderstanding. At some point you switched over to the team history, and I was still comparing last season's teams.

1 crappy year, I have a gut feeling that things will be way different this season! Hell Saban has already made somebody cry!

[jjezioro225]

1 crappy year, I have a gut feeling that things will be way different this season! Hell Saban has already made somebody cry!
So how well do you expect the Dolphins to do?

I think the Dolphins have a good defense, and Ronnie Brown (with the occasional Ricky) makes for a good backfield. But I'm not convinced on the receivers (except McMichael) and I'm definitely not convinced on the QB.

I think the Fins are gonna have similar results to last year, and they're going to get a good QB in next year's draft, likely trying for Leinart.

BTW, I really like Saban's hat! And I know I posted this in another thread, but I think that number on the sign means what place the team comes in. :D

http://espn-att.starwave.com/media/nfl/2005/0728/photo/a_saban_372.jpg

[Vandy58]

Well sorry I did not bump this during the game guys! I was in Vegas so no computer! That game almost cost me freaking 100.00! Freaking had the game! Luckily because of the point spread I was able to get my money back but it would have been better to win! Gus looked great! Fleely looked like Fleely normally does! Rickey hopefully will be awsome! And JT is a pimp as he always is! GO FINS!!!!!!!!!

[Giant Fan]

Frerotte is a good QB and the Dolphins have a chance at .500 with him at the helm! His experience can guide Miami past Buffalo's inexperienced J.P. Losman!

[Sk8er Boy]

Pre-Season counts for squat!! As long as they are better than last year (and that's not hard to do) they're improving. And I'll be happy. (They do need a proven QB tho).

[GOPATS]

I look forward to our next game!

[Chugga]

Frerotte is a good QB and the Dolphins have a chance at .500 with him at the helm! His experience can guide Miami past Buffalo's inexperienced J.P. Losman!

Sorry but this goes down as one of the dumber things I've heard today....not counting people thinking the redskins, cowboys, and giants now all of a sudden have a shot at the SB.

Frerotte isn't a good qb. Dolphins fans would agree he isn't a good qb. He's adequate. Theres no one else out there they can pick up so "he'll do". To put the label good next to frerote is a horrible overstatement. Is he better then Feely? Probably but being better then Feely isn't exactly something worth celebrating.

How do you figure the dolphins are going to get past the Bills this year based solely off of Frerotte? Did you forget to take into account a few of these things.

1. The bills have a young strong defense that yearly is in the top 2 of the league. On the opposite side of the coin the dolphins have an aging defense that has increasingly gone downhill over the years. They went from being on par with the bills D to at the very least a couple notches down

2. Special teams, do we forget that the bills had the number 1 special teams player on their team last year and they'll have that same guy on their team this year. We've got a top 3 team when it comes to special teams. McGee and Clements put Walker to shame reguardless of how great he actually is

3. RB. Did we so soon forget what McGahee did last year. He'll be twice the player Brown is this year. For a career maybe not but Brown is a rookie playing behind a crappy offensive line.

I don't even have to mention how good the WR's are. Eric Moulds has been playing with completely horrible QB's for years now and he made them look great. He can make Losman's first year look alot smoother then normal.

The Bills have the luxury of breaking in their young qb by letting McGahee do the majority of the work on offense and letting the defense take over games by themselves.

[Chugga]

You know me I'm not the kind of guy who kicks people when they are down but talk about having to pick the less of 2 evils. Lets look at the stat lines from tonight

Feeley - 6-13 for 60 yards and 1 interception
Frerotte - 6-14 for 51 yards

You guys are 0-2 in the pre-season so far and you don't have to look much farther then the QB position to see why

By the way Losman went 11-19 for 88 yards and a TD

[Vandy58]

what can you do this is a re-design type of year! Are the fins going to the playoffs, most likley no, are they going to go .500, a chance with rickey. Give them a couple of years! I wish the fins had gone after Van Pelt! The guy was a freaking stud for CSU and played well last night against the Texans! The guy has skills! Hell I wish the Fins would go after some sort of quaterback, as for what chugga said I can agree. I think Feroit is the lesser of two evils but will never in a million years lead a team to a superbowl, he is not that good! Anyway I am no bandwagoner and would never abonden my team! GO FINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Wes Welker]

*starts Wes Welker bandwagon*

[Vandy58]

eh>?

[cochese75]

Ronnie Brown signs :D



DAVIE, Fla. -- Top Miami Dolphins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=mia) draft pick Ronnie Brown (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7178) ended a three-week holdout and joined the team's training camp practice Monday.

ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports the five-year contract has a maximum value of nearly $35 million, if Brown reaches predetermined performance and playing time levels. The guaranteed portion of the contract, which is $19.5 million-$20 million is among the most lucrative ever for a non-quarterback.



And the deal, negotiated by Atlanta-based agent Todd France, does not compel Brown to assume an insurance policy to fund some of the guaranteed money. In the cases of each of the last two top overall choices, quarterbacks Alex Smith (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7177) (2005) of San Francisco and Eli Manning (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6760) (2004) of the New York Giants (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nyg), the players are responsible for the insurance premiums that help guarantee portions of their contracts. Those premiums can total about $1 million.



The guaranteed money is believed to be the most ever for a running back and is the most ever awarded in Miami franchise history.





Brown, the former Auburn running back, the No. 2 overall pick in the April draft, flew late Sunday from his Georgia home to South Florida after missing the Dolphins' first two exhibition games. His contract was expected to include about $20 million in guaranteed money.

Brown practiced with the team Monday afternoon and will compete for playing time with 2002 NFL rushing champion Ricky Williams (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4653), who is coming back from a one-year retirement and must sit out the first four games of the season for violating the league's drug policy. Running back was a revolving door for Miami last season after Williams quit before training camp.

Brown is the Dolphins' highest draft selection since 1966, and the first rusher in the draft to be taken higher than fourth since Ki-Jana Carter (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3118) was the No. 1 pick in 1995. Brown ran for 2,707 yards and 28 touchdowns at Auburn, including 913 yards and eight scores last season.

Miami coach Nick Saban declined to criticize Brown during the holdout. The Colts' Edgerrin James (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4652) and the Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson both enjoyed big rookie seasons despite extended holdouts.





:spawnorb:

[Chugga]

Now if only Dan Marino would come out of retirement

[Chugga]

Frerotte can be pretty tricky. He's 7 for 18 for 87 yards technically that doesn't look like that bad...if you look a little farther down the stat sheet though you see the 2 fumbles lost and that kinda ruins it.

[jjezioro225]

Caption that pic!
I'm thinking, "Oh man, I really suck." or possibly "Where's my Nick Saban hat".

http://www.billszone.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10011/PPS108120518_lower.jpg
http://www.billszone.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10011/PPS110120517_lower.jpg
http://www.billszone.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10003/billsdolphins39.jpg

[Chugga]

Just wanted to bump the thread and remind you that you are no longer 0-2....you are now 0-3

[Chugga]

Hey I can respect a person who sees the glass as half full

[Vandy58]

thanks chugga

[Chugga]

Almost time for the regular season!!! You ever wonder if Marino could get into playing shape in time for opening day?

[Vandy58]

They are definitly going to the superbowl

[R. Giles]

Yep and they will be playing the niners..

[Vandy58]

Almost time for the regular season!!! You ever wonder if Marino could get into playing shape in time for opening day?

I think of that as much as you probably think about kelly in the same way

[Chugga]

I think of that as much as you probably think about kelly in the same way

No I'm actually pretty settled on Losman now. 2 games, 2 td's, 0 interceptions. Thats all I want out of him, Trent Dilfer type play

[Vandy58]

I am also pretty settled on the fact that Dan Marino was one of the best quaterbacks ever if not the best and the dolphins suck harder then George Michael in a LA public restroom!

[Vandy58]

I will never leave the fan base though 0-16, 16-0 they will always be my team!

[Chugga]

You weren't alive when they went 16-0

[Vandy58]

Your right none of us were, nobody has ever gone 16-0, they went 14-0 then 3-0 in the playoffs. But anyway not my point I was simply saying I will always be a fan

[Chugga]

Ok well then I can agree to that. But if you try to claim any of their SB victories as your own then I have the right to smack you

[Vandy58]

Dude you have smacked me enough for that seeing how you and I are what the exact same age or am I 1 year older??? I am 1981, you?

[Chugga]

83 so 2 years. So technically speaking for the duration of our lives the bills have owned the dolphins

[Vandy58]

I know I was not alive to see them win a superbowl but when you are a fan of a team that includes historical victories, I think!

[Vandy58]

83 so 2 years. So technically speaking for the duration of our lives the bills have owned the dolphins

LOL, It is still crazy for me that so many of us have a halloween birthday! I have only met two people in life up until I got on here!

[Chugga]

Nope, you can't claim things that happened before your lifetime. If you weren't alive to celebrate then you can't celebrate 20 years after the fact. It's written in the rulebook of sports fans. It's why kids are no longer growing up as cowboys fans because they can't latch onto those bandwagon years. Now everyone growing up is an eagles/pats fan

[Vandy58]

Nope, you can't claim things that happened before your lifetime. If you weren't alive to celebrate then you can't celebrate 20 years after the fact. It's written in the rulebook of sports fans. It's why kids are no longer growing up as cowboys fans because they can't latch onto those bandwagon years. Now everyone growing up is an eagles/pats fan

LOL man you got that dead on balls right!

[Chugga]

I went to school with 2 other kids that had the same birthday as me so it's definately not rare. Every halloween my class would throw a big halloween/birthday party.

[Vandy58]

Hell yes wish that was the same for me! I actually did work with a chick that I was something like 2 hours older.