Ah, there's nothing like the month of May to really make football fans feel close to their favorite team. We're officially at the point where tumbleweeds would be a compelling news item, so it's a probably a good idea to take a step back from the NFL and acknowledge the fact that three other sports (four if you count Nascar, and I am purely doing so because Kevin and Duke will be heartbroken if I omit that ... pastime) are currently in season. Hockey is actually my No. 1 fave sport (yes, more so than football), so I've been paying close attention to the NHL playoffs (loving the L.A. Kings right now, btw). I know most of you here are Heat fans (I promise to not make any more mention of flops, FBI refs or Miami's "improved" bench during this article. We're good. It's out of my system). Tex is a die-hard Texas Rangers fan, while Kevin has something like five favorite baseball teams (not sure how that's even possible or acceptable), and I am sure many more of you are big baseball fans. My point, you ask? I am getting to it! Patience, please.

(clears throat)

(takes a bathroom break)

(returns three hours later with a half-empty bottle of Crown Royal)

My point is that there's a good chance some of your all-time favorite sports memories don't involve the Miami Dolphins (I just opened the gate for a crapload of jokes from Pats and Jets fans, didn't I?). I'll even go on a limb and say the Dolphins aren't anywhere near my top 3 for greatest sports memories. Part of the reason for that, of course, is because they just haven't been overly wonderful during the majority of my lifetime (I was born in 1984; I was in high school the last time the Dolphins won a playoff game); the other reason is because I am a sucker for the sports stories that typically trickle out of the NHL, NBA and MLB. Don't get me wrong, the NFL can be downright captivating, but the "meat market" aspect of the game sucks, imo. Honestly, these players we know and love have a very small window when it comes to competing at their absolute athletic peak, and that fact has always bummed me out. I almost feel like getting attached to a football player is like getting attached to a character in a Friday the 13th film--enjoy them while they're around, because some maniac is going to butcher them into oblivion right before your eyes. The NFL is fantastic, but its violence is a doubled-edged sword. We (myself included) crave the big hits, but God only knows how many of those "big hits" a player's body chemistry can endure before it's curtains for his career.

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In a statement that will surprise no Miami Dolphins fans or players, New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller has told the New Jersey based Star-Ledger that new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano "runs a tighter ship than I've seen from anyone before." Sparano was the Dolphins head coach from 2008 to 2011, leading the team to an 11-5 record and the playoffs in his first season, before having three consecutive losing seasons.

After starting the season 0-7 last year, Sparano relaxed from his well documented strict rules and schedules, allowing the Dolphins to have more fun, and get more productive in practice. The loosening of the reins led the the Dolphins winning four of the next six games before Sparano was relieved of his coaching duties.

Now, as a member of a coaching staff in New York that has, at times, seemed to be the antithesis of his coaching mentality, Sparano is looking to bring a stricter scheme to the Jets. And, apparently, it's being well received.

"He's not going to let anyone skip up," Keller continued, speaking at the United Say of New York City's Gridiron Gala. "I think that's when problems do arise. It's going to continue. You can tell it's not just a one day or an OTA thing, this thing is going to keep on going and going, and I think we need it."

While never mentioning former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who is currently holding the same position for the St. Louis Rams, Keller did continue to explain his fondness for the systems that Sparano uses. "When Sparano is in there talking, all eyes are on him," Keller said. "It's a change. Before, I would say it was a little more laid-back. But with him it's more stern, and he just has everybody's attention, and I think guys are paying more attention to details now more than ever.

"Most all the guys have been very accountable to themselves, to the things they're doing, but I think this year more than ever. Everything from the details of how far you need to line up and everything, guys already have that stuff down, and if you don't, he's kind of coming down on you. And that's how it's going to be all season, you can already tell."

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Today the news of the ex-Syracuse coach's wife who was accused of molesting two of his ball boy's and her now threats to sue ESPN for their shoddy reporting. It seems to me that they had little to base their story on other then the claim of a couple of guys. Of course there is no proof that it did or did not happen but reporting in the fashion that they did as if it were fact seems at the very least irresponsible. It got me to thinking and reminded me a lot of the whole UM/Yahoo story.

Yahoo, although they knew parts of their story had been proven inaccurate before posting the story chose to still go forward with it in its entirety with not a single edit to show the facts as they actually knew them to be at the time. I honestly wonder how some of these people sleep at night and still at the same time somehow, someway call themselves journalist?

There was a time in journalism where you would check your sources, back the facts up with another source and then double check both of those before ever thinking of printing or broadcasting anything. Now days it seems as if beating everyone else to the punch is all that matters. Be damned the facts, journalistic integrity or the people you might hurt or the lives you might destroy. The worst part of it is the guilty parties seem to do so with total impunity.

I am not and never have been a fan of suing anyone for anything and think that as a society we have become way too litigious but I hope someone eventually comes along and sues the hell out of one of these media outlets. If for no other reason then to prove that there is a price to pay for shoddy reporting or just doing whatever it takes, be damned those that you must trample along the way, to get the big ratings and that precious advertising revenue.

Remember this is open thread and as such any subject is on the table outside of religion and politics. Please keep pics to a maximum of 2 per person and no GIF's in any of the live threads. Also try your best to keep things as close to PG as possible as we are on the front page.

So my question to you is do you trust any of these sports media outlets to report things in a factual manner any longer?

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A few days ago, we voted on the 2011 AFC Playoff team most likely to miss the 2012 NFL Playoffs. In a league that normally sees about 50% turnover in playoff teams every year, selecting just the AFC teams doesn't seem right. So, today, we bring the vote for the NFC team. We will review the final results in a follow up post.

The 2011 NFC playoff teams were the Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, and Detroit Lions. Compared to 2010, the NFC matched the AFC with exactly a 50%. In 2010, the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Seattle Seahawks each won their division before being replaced by the 49ers, Giants, and Lions the next year.

Which again brings us to our discussion and the poll.

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Good interview with former Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams, but it's definitely the Ricky Williams Dolphins fans got to know with the retirement and holistic medicine side. Williams has always thought of things a little differently than most - and this is another example of that.

At least he's proud to be weird.

Former Atlanta Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli scheduled to meet with the Miami Dolphins tomorrow.The free agent fullback was been a Pro Bowl selection in 2010, and has twice been an All-Pro (2006, 2010). He spent 2011 on injured reserve with the Falcons, and was released on May 8.

It's an interesting free agent visit for the Dolphins, who have gone away from the traditional fullback recently. It could signal a move by the team to use sophomore h-back Charles Clay in a more tight end type role.

Here are the Miami Dolphins news stories you may have missed over the last 24 hours:

DOLPHINS QUARTERBACKS:

Garrard Loves Dolphins Up-Tempo Offense " The Finsiders – Miami Dolphins
No matter who wins the Dolphins’ quarterback competition heading into the season, one thing has become evident. They better be ready to play fast.

DOLPHINS WIDE RECEIVERS:

Seventh-rounder Rishard Matthews has a chance in anonymous WR corps | The Daily Dolphin
Jeff Ireland’s seventh-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Jimmy Wilson, impressed as a rookie and could be in contention for a starting job at safety this year. Could Ireland do it again in 2012 with Nevada wide receiver Rishard Matthews?

DOLPHINS OFFSEASON:

Miami Dolphins host FinsWeekend to benefit the Miami Dolphins Foundation - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
Miami Dolphins host FinsWeekend to benefit the Miami Dolphins Foundation

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