Ricky Williams leads the way as Dolphins defeat Panthers
It sure did get nerve-racking a few times on Thursday night. But when all was said and done, the Dolphins went up to Charlotte and officially dug themselves out of the 0-3 hole they put themselves in to start the season by knocking off the Panthers 24-17.
Ricky steps up in Ronnie's absence to lead the way
There was a lot of panic amongst Dolphin fans over the past few days as we all awaited word on how serious Ronnie Brown's injury was. We then learned yesterday that Brown would be done for the season with a Lisfranc fracture to his right foot (he'll have surgery Friday, by the way). That's when we all began to wonder whether Ricky Williams could step into the role of workhorse and lead this offense. We all learned on Thursday night that - at least for now - Ricky's still got it.
In an outstanding performance, Williams carried the ball 22 times for 119 yards and two touchdowns - adding a receiving touchdown as well. This, by the way, was Ricky's third career three touchdown game and the first time in his career that he scored a touchdown both running and receiving. Not bad for a 32 year old back.
Don't let the numbers fool you, though. It was an up and down game for Williams. Nine of Ricky's 22 carries went for two yards or less - including four runs for negative yardage. Of course, it's not all Ricky's fault - sometimes he just got no blocking help from his line. But what impressed me most was how explosive Ricky was on some of those other carries. He looked very spry on that 3rd & 1 toss left to get down to the one yard line on Miami's second touchdown drive. And then, of course, there's the 46 yard scamper by Ricky in which he showed good burst and long speed on his way to the endzone - on carry number 22 on the night, by the way.
We said this week that without Ronnie and on a short week with little preparation time, the Dolphins would get back to the basics and play "conventional" football. They did just that - and it worked thanks to Ricky Williams. Now can Ricky keep it up for the rest of the season?
113 comments | 0 recs |
Post-Game Celebration Thread: Dolphins win in Carolina
It got a little tight in that fourth quarter, but the Dolphins made a couple of big plays and they are now back at .500 following a 24-17 win.
I'm writing up my full recap (might not be as long as usual due to the time) as we speak. Use this thread to discuss your thoughts on the game in the meantime.
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Week 11: Dolphins at Panthers Game Thread
| MIAMI DOLPHINS (4-5) |
WEEK 11 |
CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-5) |
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| AT | |||||
| Date: | November 19, 2009 |
Location: | Charlotte, NC |
| Time: | 8:20 p.m. ET |
Stadium: | Bank of Amer. Stad. |
| TV: | NFL Network |
Spread: | Panthers by 3.5 |
| Radio: | WQAM (560 AM) |
Over/Under: | 42 |
| Weather: |
Partly Cloudy, 56°F | SBN Affiliate |
Cat Scratch Reader |
| Final Score: | Dolphins 24 - Panthers 17 |
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Today's Inactives:
- Dolphins - QB Tyler Thigpen, OL Lydon Murtha, NT Paul Soliai, LB Erik Walden, TE Anthony Fasano, OT Andrew Gardner, DE Lionel Dotson and S Nate Ness
- Panthers - RB Mike Goodson, WR Kenneth Moore, S Charles Godfrey, FB Brad Hoover, OG Duke Robinson, DE Charles Johnson, DE Hilee Taylor, and QB A.J. Feeley
We got a big game here, folks. Two teams who started 0-3 will look to get back to .500 for the first time this year. The loser, however, will fall to 4-6 and get even closer to being buried.
How much does Ricky Williams have left as a lead back? Tonight we begin to answer that question.
It's worth noting that Kory Sheets is active for the first time this season. Also, Nate Garner will start at left guard even though Justin Smiley is active. I guess his shoulder is still giving him trouble.
For those not in the Miami area and who don't have NFL Network, you can head over to NFL.com and watch their "online extra." Not sure how much of the game they will air, but I'd imagine you'll get to see the critical moments of the game.
As usual, please don't post any pictures in this thread - they only slow it down. And remember - do not request or post links to illegal internet streams of the game (instant temporary ban if you do).
Overflows will be posted as needed.
Overflow Thread: Click Here
Overflow Thread #2: Click Here
GO DOLPHINS!!!
935 comments | 1 recs
Dolphins vs Panthers: Game Capsule
MIAMI DOLPHINS (4-5) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-5)
SERIES
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DOLPHINS |
PANTHERS |
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SERIES LEADER |
3-0 |
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STREAKS |
Past 3 |
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COACHES VS. OPP. |
Sparano: 0-0 |
Fox: 0-1 |
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LAST WEEK |
W 25-23 vs. Buccaneers |
W 28-19 vs. Falcons |
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LAST GAME |
9/25/05: Panthers 24 at Dolphins 27. Miami S Lance Schulters intercepts pass with 1:51 remaining to set up Dolphins K Olindo Mare's game-winning FG with 4 seconds left. |
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LAST GAME AT SITE |
11/15/98: Dolphins 13, Panthers 9. Miami limits Carolina to 210 total yards as Dolphins S Brian Walker intercepts Panthers QB Steve Beuerlein twice. |
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BROADCAST |
NFLN (8:20 PM ET): Bob Papa, Matt Millen. Westwood One Radio: Ian Eagle, Boomer Esiason, Laura Okmin (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 124 (WW1), 126 (Mia.), 125 (Car.). XM: 124 (WW1), 103 (Mia.), 102 (Car.). |
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14 comments | 0 recs |
Happy Birthday to The Phinsider!!
That's right. The Phinsider turned 3 years old yesterday. Wait - so why didn't I post this yesterday? Because I thought it was actually launched on the 19th of November back in 2006. But when I went back into the archives, I saw that my original "welcome" post (which you can see by clicking the above link) was actually on November 18. Of course, the site looked far different back then. If you don't remember - or never saw - the original site layout, then check it out right here.
Ironically enough, our birthday here was also a day that brought bad news. But because of that bad news, the site's three year old birthday was actually the 5th most viewed day in the site's history. In fact, outside of draft weekend back in April (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of draft weekend are spots 1-3 all-time in this site's history), yesterday's birthday was the second busiest day in site history - only topped by the Tuesday following the Dolphins' exciting Monday night win over the Jets.
So thanks to all of you who have helped this little Dolphins community grow into the best one anywhere. And hopefully the next three years will be even more successful than these last three. Hmmm...a Super Bowl win would really help us achieve that, don't ya think?
1 day ago
Matty I
49 comments
1 recs
Dolphins vs Panthers: Keys to Victory
It's hard to believe that the Dolphins will already take the field just days after a late rally prevented them from falling to the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In less than 24 hours, the Dolphins will battle the Panthers up in North Carolina - with the winner completing their giant dig out of the 0-3 hole both started the season in and reaching .500 for the first time this season.
For the Dolphins, this will mark the third time in less than a month that they will have a chance to get back the the .500 mark. Below are just some of the most important factors for Thursday night's game.
Win the battle in the trenches
Here's the situation. The Dolphins played a game on Sunday. On Monday, they had their players in for film work. On Tuesday, the Dolphins hit the practice field for what essentially was a "Friday practice" - meaning it was shorter and less physical than a typical midweek practice. On Wednesday, the team went through a walkthrough before boarding a plane and heading up to North Carolina. Preparation time? Not much this week.
I take this to mean two things. One - I wouldn't be shocked if the Dolphins unravel some new wrinkle - likely involving Pat White - on Thursday night given that the Panthers also had minimal time to prepare for this game. But more importantly, I get the feeling that this game is going to come down to which team can execute better in the trenches. Who will physically dominate who? The answer to that question will go a long way towards determining who wins this game.
The Panthers and Dolphins come into this game ranked third and fourth respectively on the ground - each averaging just over 156 yards per game. Miami, of course, comes into it without their top running back while the Panther will likely have both of their guys who make up their own dynamic duo. The Dolphins, though, are expected to have Justin Smiley back at left guard after he missed last week with a shoulder injury - certainly good news for us.
24 comments | 0 recs |
Fears confirmed: Ronnie Brown's season is over
So I'm in my car driving home when my cell phone starts blowing up with text messages. And it was not good news.
Various sources - including ESPN, the Palm Beach Post, and the Miami Herald - are confirming that the Dolphins have indeed placed Ronnie Brown on Injured Reserve, ending his 2009 season with a foot injury.
We should learn more about the severity of Ronnie's foot injury in terms of long-term issues in the coming days. But speculation is that Ronnie suffered the dreaded Lisfranc fracture - which is treatable but requires rest for weeks.
This means that Ricky Williams will suddenly be thrust back into the workhorse role - a role he isn't exactly a big fan of. Expect to see some opportunities for Lex Hilliard and Kory Sheets as well.
You also can't help but wonder about Ronnie's future in Miami. If a new CBA is not reached between the players and the owners, then Brown is under contract in Miami for one more season - with a salary of $5 million. But if a new CBA is reached prior to the start of the 2010 "league year" - meaning that the uncapped season does not happen - then Brown is a free agent.
It's a tough break for Ronnie, no doubt about it. And it's sickening to me as well - as one of the NFL's "good guys" suffers his second season-ending injury in three years. Talk about bad luck.
133 comments | 0 recs |
Dolphins/Panthers Final Injury Report
With the game tomorrow night, today's injury report is the equivalent of a typical Friday injury report. And both sides have key injuries.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Probable
Gibril Wilson, S (hamstring)
Questionable
Justin Smiley, OG (shoulder)
Tyrone Culver, S (ankle)
Out
Ronnie Brown, RB (foot)
Anthony Fasano, TE (hip)
Paul Soliai, NT (ankle)
Erik Walden, LB (hamstring)
Notes
-A source told the Miami Herald that Smiley is will indeed play. He practiced fully on Wednesday.
-Culver hurt his ankle in practice and was limited. He'll likely be a game time decision.
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