Marino or Faulk? C’mon man!

Make sure you like and tweet this post or just spread the word to Miami Dolphins nation so we can put Dan the Man on the cover of Madden!

Click here to vote for Dan Marino!

Volin also says the Dolphins and Ross’s company FanVision will offer a free app available for download on your smartphone (I’m assuming Android and iOS) will also be available in addition to the free Wi-Fi.

Cell phone towers only allow a certain number of connections at a time, so when 70,000+ people are gathered in a concentrated area at once like a professional sports stadium, most people are left waiting in line for a new connection to open up.  Even those that are connected experience extremely low and most times unusable bandwidth.  This makes it impossible to do more than send and receive text messages, and perhaps a static-filled phone call.  Data transfer such as web pages loading, emails, and especially video is extremely hard to get.

This is just the first step in a number of upgrades to Sun Life Stadium as the decision for a $400 million renovation is decided/voted upon over the next month.  These upgrades, namely the $400 million overhaul, are key to the Dolphins and the city of Miami landing the 50th NFL Super Bowl in February, 2016.

New Logo will be Unveiled on April 18

Citing several sources, the Miami Dolphins new logo and uniforms will be shown to the public for the first time on April 18.  Speculation has been rampant on what the new logo will look like, but I am very certain this is not it. Although this logo might have been one of the original variations, I doubt it made it past a first look.

After blowing the first game against the Jets in Miami, the Dolphins answered with a resounding pounding of the biggest talkers in the NFL.  Mark Sanchez was confused, Tim Tebow couldn’t block on special teams, and the Dolphins offense answered despite an injury to starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

I’ll have more later, but this is a SWEET afternoon to be a Dolphins fan.  After about 15 years of mediocrity, our loyalty is finally paying off.  We’re seeing a team that is well-coached, well-disciplined, and on a mission.

Let’s not forget, Dolfans, this team could very well be 6-1 were it not for a couple of missed field goals and late game collapses.  But I’ll take 4-3 and the direction our Dolphins are headed any day.

I have to also give a huge shout-out to the Dolfans NYC crew who were heard loud and clear after discouraged Jets fans had left halfway through the THIRD quarter.  We’ve got a great fan base around the country, and this game just proves it.  Let’s start making it out to home games now, okay?

Things are looking up ladies and gentlemen, things are definitely looking up.

J-E-T-S! SUCK! SUCK! SUCK!

Alright, now that we feel better, have pumped our chests a couple times, and annoyed the neighbors, let’s look at this game with some perspective.

Last week, I thought the Dolphins would beat the Raiders by a slim margin.  Of course, as fans, we didn’t know what to expect out of this team.  Anyone who predicted the actual final score would have been laughed at.  Now that we know what the Dolphins are capable at home, it becomes easier to analyze these match-ups.

Football is a simple formula when you look at it on a high level, and the Dolphins are a young team.  If the Dolphins stop the run, and don’t commit mistakes on offense, they have a chance to win the game.  Even against Houston, until a string of four turnovers in the second quarter turned into 24 Texans points, the Dolphins were competitive and very much in the game against a great football team.

So how does this relate to the hated Jets?  The Jets do not have the “ground and pound” ingredients of their ground and pound mentality.  Shonne Greene hasn’t lived up to expectations, LaDanian Tomlinson is retired, and Tim Tebow has a grand total of 33 yards rushing in two games.  Add to that, the Dolphins have the fourth ranked rushing defense in total yards and first in yards-per-carry average.  This adds up to a big advantage for the Dolphins on defense as long as Tebowmania doesn’t resurface itself in South Florida again.

Mark Sanchez, despite his propensity to make mistakes, has played solid mistake-free football against the Dolphins in his career.  Miami’s secondary is going to have to force Sanchez into some bad decisions and that means the pass rush is going to need to get going this week.

But what it all comes down to?  Ryan Tannehill and his ability to manage the game as a rookie quarterback against a confusing defense.  If Tannehill plays mistake-free football, the Dolphins win this game.

For the record, I’m not worried about the Jets putting any hot sauce on Reggie Bush.  Go eat a burrito Rex Ryan.

To commemorate this historic anniversary, every fan attending the season opening game at 1:00 p.m., September 16, against the Oakland Raiders will receive a commemorative 40^th Anniversary 1972 Perfect Season cap. Titled “Still Perfect”, the high quality caps will be presented by Publix. Additionally, members of the 1972 team will be at stadium gates greeting fans as they enter the stadium.

“40 years later, the achievements of Coach Shula and the ’72 team remain unmatched and continue to be a great legacy for the Dolphins franchise,” said Miami Dolphins CEO Mike Dee. “We are proud to partner with Publix to ensure that every single fan in attendance on Sunday can take home a piece of history with these throwback hats, handed to them directly by the players that brought Miami its first Super Bowl championship.”

MDBW Commentary

Being a former season ticket holder, I received a call from Bob Griese (yes, it was a recording) urging me to come out and watch the Dolphins take on the Raiders.  ”I want to personally invite you to come out this Sunday as the Miami Dolphins take on the Oakland Raiders,” Griese said. “Come out to the stadium and help create a home-field advantage. Also, everyone in attendance will receive a limited edition 1972 Perfect Season Throwback cap.”

The voice recording was played overtop of the original Miami Dolphins Fight Song.  Speaking of which — the Dolphins will play the fight song after every score rather than that stupid Jimmy Buffet beach motel song.

The team is trying really hard to win back its fans and rebuild the home-field advantage the Dolphins enjoyed with Dan Marino.  Coincidentally, both Ryan Tannehill and Joe Philbin were wearing the hat (seen below) in their post-practice interviews today.

While the hat is a nice touch and something I definitely would be there for if I could, a win would be a better giveaway on Sunday! Go Dolphins!

Yeah, I’ll eat the crow.  I called out the South Florida media before the game.  I straight up said ”they aren’t going to get their asses kicked like every local reporter thinks.”  Who looks like a fool now? Not only was I wrong about them being wrong, but one of them was actually right (follow?)!  Greg Cote of the Miami Herald actually predicted the right score (30-10), and Adam Beasley was one point off (31-10) while correctly predicting: “The Tannehill Era gets off to a rocky start. Houston’s lethal pass rush makes sure of that.”  More like the Dolphins offensive line couldn’t contain J.J. Watt, and Ryan Tannehill couldn’t throw over him.

Crap.

Not only did the Dolphins and my Fantasy team kick my ass (and their own), but the very local media pundits who I was disgusted with prior to the game were exactly right.  I’m not gonna spin the Houston game as a positive for the future, as a learning experience, or talk about Marcus Thigpen’s awesome punt return touchdown.  However, it doesn’t mean I can’t go back to being a homer while looking forward to the Raiders game .

The Oakland Raiders (0-1) come to town on Sunday for the Dolphins home opener, and while they didn’t get beat as badly as the Dolphins, they didn’t exactly have the same level of competition, nor did they have a rookie QB making his first start on the road.  This is what picked me up off the ground today: the fact that the Dolphins may have a chance to play well and even squeak out a win on Sunday.

There will be no articles predicting the Dolphins won’t get blown out, I’m not going to predict they’ll win (I didn’t last week either just to keep things in perspective), but after one week of sh*tty football, I’m not giving up on this young team just yet.

The Dolphins have a lot to work on this week in order to put on a better performance in front of their home crowd (please go to the game!). They face a less talented offense at home in their silver and black jerseys at 1:00 in 90-degree Miami heat.  Add to that the Raiders are making a 3,000 mile trip across country after having just lost to the Chargers last night at around 1:00am East Coast time.  Short week, heat, up-tempo offense: bad news for the Raiders.

As the week progresses, we’ll take a deeper look into the Raiders game, but for now, at least I’m picking myself up (and hopefully you are too).

I’m not about to predict the Dolphins will win this game because on paper they are extremely overmatched.  But why are they overmatched?  Because they have a rookie head coach, rookie quarterback, a rookie right tackle, and unproven wide receivers outside Davone Bess.  But as Joe Philbin has said, everyone has to start somewhere.  Hopefully for us Dolfans, that starts today.

Ryan Tannehill

This guy is gonna be good. We’ve all heard that statement before, haven’t we? Four years ago, every Dolphins fan was drooling over Chad Henne’s strong arm, prototypical size, accuracy, and extensive and celebrated 4-year starting career at the University of Michigan.  That is, every fan except me.  I made the mistake of buying into the John Beck hype, so for Henne I wanted to take a step back and look at how he would be different than Beck.  The more I looked at it, the more I saw how similar the two QBs were.  Both had all the intangibles an NFL quarterback should have (Henne may have had a few more), but they also both were shy, introverted, non-vocal players who kept to themselves.

Dan Marino wasn’t quiet. Tom Brady isn’t shy. Peyton Manning isn’t an introvert.  Heck, even Eli Manning has come out of his shell.  Henne and Beck were just not confident enough to play quarterback in the NFL.  What it basically boiled down to is they did not have the essential leadership quality that every great quarterback has had in the National Football League.

This brings me back to Tannehill. There’s hype again which is warranted.  There are concerns which are also valid.  But assuming the quarterback has a strong arm, the tough stature, and the accuracy, what is the single most important quality an NFL starter must have? Leadership.  Ryan Tannehill is a leader.  He’s outspoken. He’s not shy.  And he certainly isn’t introverted.

This is what excites me about our new starting quarterback, and this is one of the main reasons he is the first Miami Dolphins rookie to start an opening day game.

Unproven Wide Receivers

You know what makes unproven wide receivers proven? A great quarterback. So, Legadu Naanee, Marlon Moore, and Anthony Armstrong have the benefit of making a name for themselves with a quarterback who will make a name for himself.  You guys remember a guy named Mark Clayton? He was drafted in the 8th round out of the University of Louisville. Low pick, no expectations, and no big name.  You know what helped him make a name for himself, go to five Pro Bowls, and pair up with Mark Duper to become the famed “Marks Brothers”?  He was drafted in 1983, seven rounds after Dan Marino.  Let’s see what happens with these unproven receivers.

Unproven Rookie Head Coach

Joe Philbin and this coaching staff’s success will go as far as Ryan Tannehill.  That’s the bottom line.  Why is Bill Belichick such a genius? Tom Brady.  Why did Don Shula enjoy a 32 year head coaching career, two Super Bowls, the only perfect season in NFL history? Bob Griese (with some help from Earl Morrall) and Dan Marino.  Griese’s teams had a lot more than just a passing offense, but it all starts with the quarterback.

So let’s sit back and watch this new era of Dolphins football introduce itself.  They may not win their first game together (Houston is really good), but they aren’t going to get their asses kicked like every local reporter thinks.

Go Dolphins!

The Bad News

The Dolphins finished the pre-season 0-4, and looked anemic on offense.  The receivers dropped more passes than a team realistically should in an entire regular season.  Undrafted project WR Roberto Wallace has been cut, failing to live up to his stature as a big physical receiver after 2+ years with the team.  Similarly, speedster Clyde Gates got the axe after being drafted in the fourth round last year.  Gates failed to establish himself as the deep threat the team hoped, and lacked explosion on kickoff returns (to put it nicely).

After trading Vontae Davis to the Colts earlier this week, the Dolphins still need to sign at least one veteran cornerback to join Sean Smith, Richard Marshall and Nolan Carroll.

Fans are extremely upset that Ireland and the Dolphins front office have yet to address the need at receiver after trading Pro Bowl MVP Brandon Marshall to the Bears.  Rookie Rishard Matthews might end up being a nice player, but he doesn’t replace Marshall.  So, ten days before the Dolphins first game at Houston, Ireland is frantically on the phone with other teams talking trades and scouring the waiver wire.

It’s an unsettling feeling when your team’s roster isn’t 98% set by the end of the pre-season. Dolphins are probably around 80%.

The Good News

The quarterback position is not an area of need for the first time in years.  Rookie Ryan Tannehill played well in the pre-season despite being victim to double-digit drops by many now-former Dolphins receivers.

The Dolphins have a vision. Many fans and media (loud-mouths) may not agree with it, but at least they have one for the first time in forever.  I haven’t been shy in my public support of Philbin-Ireland ticket.  Although Ireland has had many personnel failures, I believe he’s had equally as many successes.  The problem is he needs to start reducing the failures and increasing the successes before the Dolphins do better than 5-7 wins a season.

The defensive line is stacked, and the linebackers are solid.  While the safeties still need help, they are improved despite the loss of Yeremiah Bell (now with the Jets). I liked Bell’s career with the Dolphins, he was excellent in run support, but he gave up way too many big plays — especially to tight ends.  Reshad Jones and Chris Clemons are improved, and the depth is there with Tyrone Culver and hybrid S/CB Jimmy Wilson.

The running game was purposefully quiet in the pre-season.  That position is set, and has very good depth.

Trade in the Works for Wide Receivers

Rumors have it that Ireland is talking to the Redskins about acquiring former Dolphins practice squad player Anthony Armstrong in a straight-up deal for Steve Slaton. Armstrong emerged as a legitimate deep threat in 2010 with the Redskins.  This would fill the need created by the release of Clyde Gates (or what he was supposed to be), and Steve Slaton would be released anyway.

The door isn’t closed on trading with the Green Bay Packers for WR James Jones.  The Packers supposedly want a 2nd round pick for Jones, but Ireland does not want to go higher than a 3rd.  Should the trade work out, expect Legadu Naanee to be cut.

Should both these trades happen, the Dolphins immediately look better at the receiver position.  Jones would be coming from the same offensive system in Green Bay, and most likely see significant playing time week 1 if not start alongside Davone Bess.

Brian Hartline, injured all camp, is returning to practice today which is also good news for Miami. He’s a solid route runner with some speed, and rarely drops the ball.

Still Need a Veteran Cornerback

Miami will have to fill their fourth cornerback position with another team’s release.  Miami released Vincent Agnew and Quinten Lawrence today too which means they’ll have to sign a 5th corner for depth as well.  The Dolphins are definitely not better after the trade of Vontae Davis, but it’s a move that will pay off in the long run.

Trade Rumor Involving QB Matt Moore Invalidated

Sid Rosenberg, of Miami Sports radio, fiendishly spread a rumor over the air earlier in the day that the Dolphins had dealt Matt Moore. Dolphins media members quickly discredited this claim, however, Jeff Ireland has received calls about Moore’s availability.

Surprising Cuts So Far Around the League

• Patriots WR Deion Branch
• Patriots QB Brian Hoyer
• Patriots OL Dan Koppen
• Rams DE Vernon Gholston
• Eagles S Oshiomogho Atogwe
• Redskins RB Tim Hightower

Let’s examine some NFL franchises that have been powerhouses over the past 5-10 seasons: the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and Baltimore Ravens. What do all these teams have in common? The front office and coaching staff does not tolerate headaches, and the whole locker room buys into the culture they’ve cultivated. Heck, even Chad Ochocinco bought into the “Patriot Way“  last year. He was cut because he didn’t perform, not because he was a distraction.

Ochocinco (again Chad Johnson) is at a crossroads because it is his inherent nature to be a selfish prima donna, distraction, whatever you wanna call it. His stints with the Patriots and Dolphins have proven that.

Conventionally, each of these franchises has become successful on the field before stripping their roster of headaches and not considering them in the Draft or free agency. But Joe Philbin was brought in by Steve Ross with the understanding that he would have to do things his way. Since the Dolphins aren’t the most talented team in the NFL, he’s having to develop the culture and then start winning.

Karlos Dansby better watch out. He showed up to camp last year extremely out of shape which rendered him ineffective until halfway through the regular season. This new coaching staff knows that. And now he’s speaking out against what they’re doing. He’s looking at the new coach’s strategy too linearly. While Chad Johnson and Vontae Davis are no doubt talented NFL players, they do not fit the mold of this franchise’s model employee.

I work in a close office environment in which we work closely on teams to deliver a superior product. We are very careful in the hiring process to not only hire qualified individuals, but also to feel out their personality and how they might fit into our working environment. Because of this, in just 3 short years, we’ve gone from being a 2 person team to a 35 employee small company that is top-5 in our industry. How’d we do this? Hiring quality people, getting rid of distractions, and investing time in training to develop expertise.

An NFL team is no different. It’s a business that needs all its employees to come to work and believe in the company’s direction.

This is why I worry about Dansby. He’s a talented player, and the Dolphins interior defense is better when he plays, but he’s starting to become a cancer by questioning managerial decisions. Now that Ireland and Philbin have clearly shown they’re not afraid to get rid of their most talented players if they don’t fit, anybody’s game.

This is the way the Patriots operate, it’s why the Packers don’t show up in the news for anything but wins, and it’s why the Giants have won two Super Bowls in the past 4 seasons.

Tom Coughlin hasn’t always been the most popular “player’s” coach like, say, a Tony Sparano, but he gets sh*t done. The team is winning, and guess what? The whole organization has bought in to his approach from the players to their not-easy-to-please New York fan base.

The same thing is happening in Miami. Players who don’t fit, who don’t get it, will eventually be working somewhere else. And similarly, fans who don’t get it are going to jump ship and pretend they were with the team all along when the Dolphins start winning.

Why not the “Dolphin Way“?

This doesn’t mean the Dolphins aren’t talking to teams about trade offers. The media is abuzz about possible receivers Jeff Ireland could land with his new “ammunition” after trading Vontae Davis to the Colts.  James Walker over at the ESPN.com blogs has even put together a list of possible WR targets and the likelihood Miami will pull the trigger.

But unless an offer comes to the table that is too good to be true (like Davis for a likely high 2nd round pick offer), Ireland is probably going to stockpile his picks and use them in next April’s draft for “ammunition” to land the best player of need.

We need to have some patience, both short-term, and unfortunately long-term.  Friday night at 9pm is when NFL teams are required to trim their rosters down to 53. This means there will be a large handful of veteran receivers looking for work who could easily start ahead of Legadu Naanee. Heck, the Patriots have already released Jabar Gaffney and Donte Stallworth.

Look y’all, Miami is in rebuilding mode.  Ireland is doing it his way this time without Bill Parcells breathing down his neck and demanding he draft losers like Pat White.  It doesn’t make sense to make a trade for a receiver that can possibly help this year. We’re not a “one player away” kind of team right now.  Frankly, neither are the Colts, and that’s why I think the Dolphins got the better end of the Davis deal.

Sure, players like Karlos Dansby will be upset about the recent personnel moves by Ireland, but as a veteran who wants to win now, it’s not easy to look at things objectively.

It’s up to us to do that.