Reasons for optimism heading into Monday night battle
by Matty I on Sep 21, 2009 12:17 AM EDT
in 2012 Miami Dolphins News
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PrintI said on Sunday that while it's great to have the Monday night game, it stinks to not have a Dolphins game to watch on Sunday afternoon. But the absolute worst part of having the Dolphins play on Monday night is the fact that we all have to get through Monday before we get to enjoy the game. To some, that means having to go to work. For others, it means having to go to school. Either way, the wait really sucks.
More importantly, it seems like us Dolphin fans really need this game to get here and really need to see a solid performance out of our team. They played poorly last week in Atlanta, creating a lot of dissension among fans and making this past week a tough one to be a Fins fan. But nothing brings us fans together like gameday. This past week felt like forever but the wait is almost over.
And with that, I wanted to share some reasons for optimism as we head into a primetime battle with one of the NFL's best teams:
- I think Sunday was a great example of how it doesn't matter if - top to bottom - you are the better football team. And don't kid yourself here - the Colts are a better football team than the Dolphins. But just look at the results of some of today's games - the Texans beat the Titans, the Bears beat the Steelers, the Jets beat the Patriots, and the Bengals beat the Packers. The bottom line - the team that executes better will win.
- The Jets (who, unfortunately, are for real) showed just how consistent pressure on a quarterback can ruin an offense that isn't a good running team. Well the Colts are not a good running team and I suspect the Dolphins will be able to contain Joseph Addai and Donald Brown. But they must bring pressure and force Peyton Manning to throw the football before he wants to. And I'm not talking about just a four or five man rush. Bring six players at times. Overload one particular side of Indy's offensive line so that a pass rusher can come through unblocked. This Colts offensive line is average best. They had trouble protecting Manning in the preseason. The Jaguars only got to him once last week - but the Jaguars aren't a good pass-rushing team (they couldn't get to Kurt Warner at all on Sunday). And even better for Miami, Indy's starting LT Charlie Johnson is nursing a back injury and isn't 100%.
- Jason Taylor makes his "official" return to Miami. Yes - he's played two preseason games already at Land Shark Stadium. But now they count. And JT will be welcomed back by thousands of screaming fans on national television. Call me crazy, but would anyone be surprised if Monday's game turned into one of those classic "JT domination" games where he just makes big play after big play?
- I trust Tony Sparano. I remember after the Arizona game last year, Tony told the media, "It's not always going to be like this." The way he said it and his look when he said it really made me believe it. Well I get feeling that Tony's going to have this team fired up and ready to play on Monday. I hate to use the phrase "better prepared" because it makes it seem like the other team will be unprepared - which is never the case in this league. But I expect Sparano to have this football team ready to go from pre-game through the final whistle. He knows how to motivate this team and his coaching staff knows how to gameplan for an opponent. I guess I'm just saying that I would trust Tony Sparano and this staff over Jim Caldwell and his staff.
We're less than 24 hours away, folks! Get excited and be sure to join us for our live game thread. Look for a pre-game fanpost to get posted sometime in the early evening with the official game thread going up at 8 pm eastern.
Go Dolphins!!!
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I hope we blitz all night long.
Bring Vontae in on the pass rush and never let Manning get comfortable with his timing and those precise routes of the Indy receivers. We need this game to keep pace in what is looking like a rough-and-tumble year in the AFC East. Go Dolphins!
and the dragfly aint a beer. on the flip! - Finsxfactor's tribute to Wild Zion Beaver
23 Phinsider Feud Points!
LETS GO PHINS!!
I need a win from these guys to assure me we made some good off season decisions
For the Dolphins to stay in the game... they need the defense to kick that ass..!!
… and for Ronnie and Ricky to show us their stuff…
I believe their linebackers are small and that bodes well for the offensive linemen and smashing running backs… woooohoooo!!!
Here we go Dolphins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Adjutant General, Matty Fan Club
64 "Phinsider Fued" Points..!!
"Everybody wants a hero, but they're not willing to wait for one"
Hell yeah!
I can’t wait until game time.
"If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes really good you did it. That's all it takes to get people to win football games for you."
Coach Paul Bear Bryant
It was my B-day a few weeks ago, and my mom got me this nice...
authentin Dan Marino jersey, so I’m wearing all day, even in a Steeler school.
I can’t wait for tonight, first time I’ve seen the Phins live in ages, except the preseason game, which doesn’t count.
I might just stay home I’ve got a migrain…
Your best? Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen! -Sean Connery
"Why not us?"- Tony Sparano
authentic^
Your best? Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen! -Sean Connery
"Why not us?"- Tony Sparano
If no one's heard yet,
Akin Ayodele may be out tonight, that will hurt
Your best? Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen! -Sean Connery
"Why not us?"- Tony Sparano
only 13 hours and 20 minutes til game time.............UGH !!!
FALL IS FOR FOOTBALL !!!!!
by Ohiofinfan4life on Sep 21, 2009 7:11 AM EDT reply actions
Hello from Russia
Hello Matty, this your post finally forced me to sign up to SB Nation.
While your american waiting for Monday Night really sucks, try to imagine how hard it is for me. Monday Night starts 5 a.m. my time. It’s okay to get up early for watching Dolphins, no problems. And it’s okay to go to work right after finishing watching.
But, again, try to imagine how hard it is to force yourself to get asleep in the previous evening…. you’re in bed and your head constantly screams: “IT’S MONDAY NIGHT!!! IT IS COMING!!! GOOD NIGHT, BABY!! MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL IS APPROACHING!!”
I am waking up 1 a.m., then 2 a.m., then 3 a.m. and it’s so hard to get to bed again…
Go Dolphins!
Welcome to the Phinsider, Dolphin Ru!
You come from a long way off! I hope can be online when the game plays.
Armchair QB's always complete the pass and armchair coaches always pick the right players.
Yes, Larry Little is still the man.
Matty, Where's the one on one questions and answers for the opposing SB blogger site manager (indy)
I didn’t remember seein that this week
by D0lphins4Life on Sep 21, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
BBS is on his Honeymoon, that probably killed it
Matty and I (unknowingly) did something in that vein for a 3rd site.
http://www.covers.com/articles/articles.aspx?theArt=173344&t=0
and I answered hundreds* of questions in the Ask a Colts fan fanpost.
*only exaggerating a bit
It's not just your perceptions that can be wrong. Even your memory is often incomplete or possibly flat out wrong.
by shake n bake on Sep 21, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for welcome
Matty, i would like to use this opportunity to thank you for this blog, i really like to read your opinions / analysis.
Thanks and go Phins!
I hear ya.
I’m living in Bishkek, KG. Kak Dela.
Mee it suck'd first, and now it sucks thee,
and in this flee, our two bloods mingled bee.
Hello Kyrgystan!
Join us at nflrus.ru – biggest russian-language NFL site. Hmmmm… too many Patsies there, but they are having a hard time there with me. :)
-
But… if you know English, what’s the use of russian site at all? :)
welcome RU
the game starts at 3am for me!!! Screw trying to go to sleep. ILL BE UP ALL NIGHT!!!!
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!!!
Hmm, MrMedic
3 a.m. is even worse, i guess, i feel for you the same way you feel for me :)
Thanks for welcome
welcome
u will now see how dumb americans are
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
No hating on Jay Fiedler, please.
Official Back-Up Phinsider LOL'er.
well, new yorkers
and certaint texans
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
No hating on Jay Fiedler, please.
Official Back-Up Phinsider LOL'er.
You need to visit Texas more often brother.
I am from South Florida but the people here are tons friendlier than on the East Coast.
by texascowpunk on Sep 22, 2009 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions
im sure they are
id like to check out texas one day
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
No hating on Jay Fiedler, please.
Official Back-Up Phinsider LOL'er.
Come on down.
I know after being here for a long time that when I get back to Miami I am not there an hour before I am asking myself WTF is wrong with the people.
by texascowpunk on Sep 23, 2009 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey, i didn't say anything like this :)
Just suck to sleep before night games. :)
lol just sayin
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 game will be won or lost on the offensive line.
Wide right again! Another graduate of the Norwood school for problematic kickers.....
The game will be WON!! ; )
I will see the Dolphins win a SUPER BOWL before i die(22 years and counting)
Points on offense
- establish the base running game and mix in wildcat WITH RONNIE TAKING SNAPS early to get a tempo going. i have zero desire to see pat white until chad,ronnie,and the rest of the offense gets something clicking.
- get fasano passes early. the guys still a good recieving tight end and two fumbles is something he needs to get out of his mind. get him involved early and often.
- Run the ball, quick slants to bess, and after the colts get a little flat run something,anything,deep to ginn. he had the defenders burnt on the white overthrow and thats what we drafted him for…time to get the ball there.
- no more polite back to back carries. 4th and short/ goal line only please.
- O-LINE….enough said.
enjoy the game guys. hope we have something to celebrate tommorow morning.
like I said
wait until Pat White is ready to run the WV before using him.
Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23
fantastic points DTG
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!!!
I can not wait for this game.
And I’m optimistic
Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman
by dolphinsinbuffalo on Sep 21, 2009 9:33 AM EDT reply actions
at least one other person is
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
No hating on Jay Fiedler, please.
Official Back-Up Phinsider LOL'er.
I got a good feeling about this game.
I dont know why, but its the same feeling i had last year against the Pats.
Go Dolphins!!!!!
Chief of Paprazzi for the official Matty I Fanclub.
Gieco Needs A New Slogan...So Easy A Jets Fan Can Do It LOL
by EverybodyLovesDolphins on Sep 21, 2009 9:46 AM EDT reply actions
aint even gonna say PTR...
because we just don’t seem able. We have to win by other means. Turnovers and Chad at his 250 yards 2TD best I’d say.
Phinz 11 Colts 8
Pogue Mahone Rex Ryan
so how are they getting those 8 points?
a touchdown and a two point conversion?
a touchdown and a safety?
two field goals and a safety?
four safeties?
lol did I forget any?
Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman
by dolphinsinbuffalo on Sep 21, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
lol which one?
because I’m going to piss my pants if it was that obvious and I missed it
Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman
by dolphinsinbuffalo on Sep 21, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
2 drop kicks and a safety
I believe in John Beck and that Cbdolphin is the man. I'll make you proud LCFF
Official Leader of the Trade for Kenny Britt Bandwagon
Longest Sig In the History of Phinsider belongs to Me. 53 Lines in Total.
Check it out.Front Paged - Class of 08. and 09.
Finsx-LOL-Chart by KCsince88
lol
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
No hating on Jay Fiedler, please.
Official Back-Up Phinsider LOL'er.
lol if that really did happen I would literally lmfao
Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman
by dolphinsinbuffalo on Sep 21, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Work function tonight...
…but I’ll be home in time to catch most if not all of the second half. Hoping to turn the TV and find a low-scoring, tight game. I think that’s the only way the Fins have chance tonight. Getting into a shoot-out with Indy would not be a good thing.
Go O-line!! Go D!! Go Fins!!
Important distinction between the Jags D the Colts faced and the one that got stomped by the Cards
the Jags best pass rusher broke his leg in the 4th quarter of the Colts game.
It's not just your perceptions that can be wrong. Even your memory is often incomplete or possibly flat out wrong.
Well..
Correct me if I am wrong, but isnt a team supposed to find a way to do these things when a player gets hurt? I understand maybe not getting as much pressure on the QB, but Warner litterally just broke the NFL record for highest game completion percentage EVER….oh, I live in AZ and can tell you that the cards o-line is average at best. So, if the Jags got to Manning all day, then it will be a long night for you watching the Finz tear your o-line apart.
Official Leader of the "Bring Back Zach Thomas!!" Foundation
On Matty's "Draft Sean Smith Squad" since he declared
Smacking Beck lovers for opening their mouths, since 09'
that Jags didn't get to Manning that much
the guy that got hurt had one sack before his leg exploded, but other than that it was mostly two fluky turnovers (Addai’s 5th fumble in 900+ touches, and Peyton making an uncharacteristicly bad decision/throw on a endzone fade) in Jags territory that kept the Colts O in check.
It's not just your perceptions that can be wrong. Even your memory is often incomplete or possibly flat out wrong.
by shake n bake on Sep 21, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
and the Jags didn't have anyone else to rush the passer
because they were counting on their 1st and 2nd round busts, Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves to not be 1st and 2nd round busts.
It's not just your perceptions that can be wrong. Even your memory is often incomplete or possibly flat out wrong.
by shake n bake on Sep 21, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Bust
Like I always tell people, if some NFL team wants to pay me 1/10th of what these first/second rounders get I will gladly show up and be a bust for them too. At least they will be able to say that they didnt have to pay me much in comparison to these other guys. Its a win/win if you ask me!
Official Leader of the "Bring Back Zach Thomas!!" Foundation
On Matty's "Draft Sean Smith Squad" since he declared
Smacking Beck lovers for opening their mouths, since 09'
Dink and dunk
Lets hope CP10 can command his troops. No dink and dunkin. Establish the running game, play defense and control the clock. We sure as hell are not going to win unless ronnie or ricky can have big games. Cant count on
noodle arm.
I agree.
Give the ball early and often to Ronnie Brown. And throw the ball down the field. We have a speeedster in Ginn he should be able to get seperation on a play action pass.
Mee it suck'd first, and now it sucks thee,
and in this flee, our two bloods mingled bee.
This waiting sucks. If we don’t turn the ball over, we win. That’s my prediction. If we turn the ball over, it’s an 80% chance the Colts take the game.
If we play well and lose, I’m not gonna worry. If it’s a close game into the last seconds, what a Monday night game it’ll be!
Take care of the little things, and the big things will take care of themselves.
O/U for Bess Receptions on the season...
I am setting it at 80. and i am comfortably taking the over. What does everyone think? As for tonights game, with basically only Reggie Wayne and Clark as downfield threats, this is a game that needs to be won, enough said. My predictions are never right, and my analysis is similar to Madden on coke, I just wanna say this needs to be a win.
Matty I !
You live in New York or New Jersey? I am looking for a good place tonite to watch the game, any suggestions on bars in NY, posibly dolphin heavy?
?
A Finz friendly bar in NY? Good luck there my friend…..you will be lucky to even make it to a bar without getting shanked by a stupid Jets fan first. I would suggest purchasing a tazer before you sport your jersey on your way to the bar.
Official Leader of the "Bring Back Zach Thomas!!" Foundation
On Matty's "Draft Sean Smith Squad" since he declared
Smacking Beck lovers for opening their mouths, since 09'
hahaha...
Jets fans r too drunk to shank. There was an article in the paper last sunday about how NY has at least one bar devoted to every team in the NFL and I lost it, figured id check on here cause im assuming a few people r from the area. Somehow, the bar down the block from me is a CAROLINA PANTHERS bar on sundays lol. thats just depressing.
by captain flitzy on Sep 21, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I live in Jersey
and, from what I hear, a good fins friendly bar in north jersey is Miami Mike’s. It’s actually a Dolphins bar.
ahh....
i just moved from north jersey to NY beginning of september…that sucks…
by captain flitzy on Sep 21, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
also in jersey...
blue rock cafe in keyport. the owner billy is a die hard fins fan the whole place is decked out in miami stuff. its an allright time and pretty good food and drinks. im there every sunday pretty much.
by DRINKtheGINN on Sep 21, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
somehow..
in my shitty little 1 mile by 1 mile town in jersey there is a packer crazy bar…..
by captain flitzy on Sep 21, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Adjutant General, Matty Fan Club
64 "Phinsider Fued" Points..!!
"Everybody wants a hero, but they're not willing to wait for one"
Tivo
Man, this sucks, I will be in class all night…stupid MBA. I set up my Tivo to record the game and will have to watch it after work tomorrow….which means I will unfortunately not be able to visit this site until tomorrow night. :( Someone please crack a cold one for me tonight while I doze off in the middle of class. AND, anyone that will miss me that much tomorrow, I have some tissues that I can send you to dry those tears. Sorry Matty, I hope you can forgive me for not being in here tomorrow..
Official Leader of the "Bring Back Zach Thomas!!" Foundation
On Matty's "Draft Sean Smith Squad" since he declared
Smacking Beck lovers for opening their mouths, since 09'
And you have to avoid all those that may want to talk about the game.
Tough luck brother!
by texascowpunk on Sep 21, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
I know, tell me about it. It will be a feat within itself! I guess I will just have to keep rocking out with the ipod pretty much all day tomorrow.
Official Leader of the "Bring Back Zach Thomas!!" Foundation
On Matty's "Draft Sean Smith Squad" since he declared
Smacking Beck lovers for opening their mouths, since 09'
quarterbacks should be replaced when playing bad
Quarterbacks should be replaced when it is apparent they are not having a good game.i have been playing and watching sports all of my life in the Dolphins game against Atlanta it was apparent to anyone that pennington was not sharp in the game and he should have been replaced at the start of the second half by henne 2nd string on the depth chart.What the Dolphins chose to do was to try to create offense with Pat white via the spread.I think the dolphins and the NFL in general should not be so reluctant to replace a struggling Quarterback with his replacement.Anyone can have a bad day but to continue with the same personel and strategy the whole game doesnt make sense just like in baseball bring in the reliever.
To some, that means having to go to work. For others, it means having to go to school.
You’re a pain…but deep down you do care…
(sniff sniff)
I believe in John Beck and that Cbdolphin is the man. I'll make you proud LCFF
Official Leader of the Trade for Kenny Britt Bandwagon
Longest Sig In the History of Phinsider belongs to Me. 53 Lines in Total.
Check it out.Front Paged - Class of 08. and 09.
Finsx-LOL-Chart by KCsince88
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