Biggest Dolphin "What-If"'s -- 2009
by rroan28 on Dec 17, 2009 2:59 AM EST
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So tonight, I was bored and started watching NFL game highlights from the Fins games this season. I noticed a lot of interesting things that made me wonder "What-If?"
Yes, I know "What-If" doesn't change anything, but still, it's fun to wonder.
Week 2 -- Indianapolis vs. Miami
What if...
...the Gibril Wilson catch was called an interception?
The infamous "What can happen in :08?" play. If Wilson hangs on to the ball all the way to the ground, Indy doesn't kick a field-goal at the end of the half to tie the game at 13. Indy only possesses the ball three times in the second half, they score two touchdowns. Miami's final drive has them only trailing 24-23. Instead of desperation heaves, the offense needs only work the Wildcat into position for a game-winning field goal.
...the Ted Ginn drop in the endzone.
An interesting point on this play, even if Ginn catches that pass, I don't think it would hold up. After watching the replays, it looks to me that Pennington was across the line of scrimmage as he released the ball. It seems that since it was incomplete, they didn't take a second look at it, but if this pass is caught, they'll review it to be sure. Would the play stand?
Week 4 -- New Orleans vs. Miami
What if...
...instant replay was working?
Early in the game on a 3rd-and-4, Henne completed an 8-yard pass to Davone Bess for a first down...or did he? The replays showed the ball clearly hitting the ground. However, only after the allotted maximum replay time had passed were the teams informed that the replay booth had a malfunction, and as a result, the play would stand as called. If Miami doesn't get that first down, they don't jump out to a 7-0 early lead. Do they ever get the momentum that led to a 24-3 lead? Does New Orleans blow the game wide open right off the bat?
...Colston's completion was ruled correctly on the field?
Late in the first half trailing 24-3, Drew Brees hits Marques Colston for what is ruled a touchdown with five seconds left. After a booth review, the play is overturned, and the ball placed at the one-half yard line. The second part of this "What-if" involves Sparano's inexplicable timeout call. No timeout, and perhaps it's 24-6 at the half. But here's the real key to this moment. If the call was made on the field, the Saints, with no timeouts, cannot stop the clock. The stop is made in the field of play, and time runs out. 24-3, halftime. Instead, the replay stops the clock, allowing New Orleans the opportunity to set up for a field goal, and eventually, a game-changing touchdown.
...Sharper's fumble is correctly ruled?
Early in the third quarter, Miami leading 24-10, Henne directs a pass to Ginn that is tipped twice and caught by Darren Sharper. Sharper appeared to fumble before returning the ball to the endzone for a touchdown. The play stood as called and New Orleans was suddenly within 24-17. However, photo evidence proves that this was a fumble. A photo in the following week's Sports Illustrated shows Sharper losing control of the ball inside the two-yard line. The ball went out of the endzone, and by rule, should have been a touchback. Miami maintains its two-touchdown lead, and gets effectively, a fresh set of downs.
Week 10: Tampa Bay vs. Miami
What if...
...the Jason Taylor interception was never overturned?
Inside of two-minutes to go in the half, Josh Freeman throws a pass to Michael Clayton. Clayton caught the ball, and so it looked, was down by contact. Yeremiah Bell rips the ball free and it goes into the arms of Jason Taylor. If Miami doesn't get the ball deep in the Bucs territory, Tampa either runs out the clock, or punts it away where Miami lacks the firepower to score the touchdown that makes the score 16-6, or possibly Carpenter's field goal. The score stays 9-6 at the half. Does Miami still win?
Week 12: Miami vs. Buffalo
What if...
...Ricky doesn't pass.
On Miami's opening drive, Ricky Williams is called upon to pass from the 3-yard line. The pass is intercepted. If the pass isn't called, and Miami instead runs in for a score, it's a 14-0 lead. The fourth quarter drive on which Lindell kicks a go-ahead 56-yard field goal, the score would be 21-14. Does Buffalo go for it on fourth-down instead? Henne isn't forced to pass late in the game, do the turnovers still happen?
I know, I know, wondering what if doesn't change a thing, but still, it's interesting to think about. Would Miami's 7-6 be 10-3 right now? It's just a few plays away from it. Of course...it's a few plays away from being 3-10 too....
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Dammmmmmnnnnnn
this just shows in what commanding position we could had been in the afc east race or wild card race.
I want what's coming to me, the world and everything in it. - Tony Montana, Scarface
What if always is painful ...
It def could always go both ways and I’m sure there are some teams that would have more postings than this. Calls come and go and it def hurts when the right call isn’t made but remember these refs are human and do make mistakes … one of the toughest jobs in the world IMO.
The Saints calls are the only calls that bother me when I really think about it … A 14 point swing due to those two missed calls, that is hard to overcome espcially to such a good team. The crazy thing is that one both calls the ref was right there to make the call a just missed it.
Nice post
Don’t forget Bills at Patriots, first game of the season, Bills leading with 2:06 left. Leodis McKelvin brings the ball out instead of fair catching, fumbles, and Pats win. Miami (assuming season plays out the same) are tied with NE for AFC East lead and hold the tie-breakers.
Abandoned the Draft Sean Smith at #25 Bandwagon to Join the Draft Sean Smith at #61 Bandwagon and get Vontae Davis and Chris Clemons. Trio > me.
Oh that's definitely a big one
If McKelvin doesn’t fumble — the Pats start 0-2. Can you just imagine the disarray that team would have been in?
This is bad joojoo!
Baa’aadd joojoo!
For heaven sakes! Don’t look back now! You can’t be a titan killer looking back over your shoulder!
The biggest fool that ever hit the big time -and all I gotta do is act naturally.
Actually...
It’s a good thing. It’s a reminder. Don’t make mistakes, take care of business, and you won’t have to wonder “What-if?”
Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Nothing to do with learning from history.
It’s mulling over selected “what if’s” disregarding countless other plays that may (or not) have negated them -not to mention the other team’s what if’s.
What does a coach tell a player after he blows it? Forget it and move on. QB’s gotta have a short memory when they throw pics.
The biggest fool that ever hit the big time -and all I gotta do is act naturally.
I am glad I am not alone in reliving the "what-if's"
The Saints fumble that wasn’t called bothers me the worst. That called properly has the Saints with one loss, and the Dolphins tied right now with New England for the best record in the East. No doubt.
Second is the “almost” interception by Gibril against the Colts.
Another “what if” that drives me nuts, is “what if” we played the Colts and Saints later in the year giving our Rookie corners more time to adjust?
Dolphdallas had a good one about the first Buffalo -New England game too. WOW
Superbowl Starved
i enjoyed this post because it
sums up all of our seasons faults quickly. And yes, we are just a few plays away from being 10-3. A ted ginn mistake here, a sparano hiccup there….it adds up. Point is, we have a good team, who is just a few players, and a few hiccup away from being a great team.
2009 is a year of respect ladies and gentlemen. Lets get it.
"i think we have to look at it through his shoes" tuscanitunr talkin about brett farve.
13 1/2 phinsider fued points!!!
That's really what I'm trying to get at
This is a good team that’s just a few plays(and players) away from really being something special.
Shoot — last year the 2008 team was two plays away from finishing 13-3. A 13-3 Miami team would have been the two seed — playing San Diego at home in the divisional round. Does Baltimore beat Pittsburgh on the road in the Wild Card?
this is the kind of stuff that will drive you insane
when it’s over, it’s over. but, i think about it everyday. what if?
What if we didn't call timeout before half-time against the Saints?
Gave them the opportunity to change their strategy and go for the TD
by DanMarinoIsGod on Dec 17, 2009 11:19 PM EST reply actions
i hate this wat if stuff
wats the point? its over
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
No hating on Jay Fiedler, please.
Official Back-Up Phinsider LOL'er.
The one and only "ho-nerd"
I see what your saying Sam,
the “meter” of life is still running, dats heavy man ;^J
by uncle finster on Dec 18, 2009 2:43 PM EST up reply actions
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