What They're Saying: Schedule Edition

by Matty I on Apr 16, 2008 12:13 AM EDT in News

Unless you live under a rock, you know that the NFL's 2008 regular season schedule was released yesterday. And we talked about it quite a bit right here.

So since I'm a little short on time, I thought we'd take a quick look around and see what others are saying about the Dolphins schedule.

We start with head coach Tony Sparano, who basically states the obvious:

"It's always been critical to win your divisional games, and that certainly will be true when we start our season, with two of our first three games against teams from the AFC East. And we certainly face a challenge at the end of the year, with four out of our final five games on the road, including an international game against the Bills in Toronto."

He does make a good point, though. This is the second time since 1996 that the Dolphins will play divisional games in two of their first three games, and is the first time this will occur since 2003.

Next, the Palm Bech Post's Edgar Thompson talks a little bit about why the Fins were shut out of having any prime-time games:

The snub of the Dolphins isn't a big surprise based on last season's franchise-worst finish. But even last year's team, with rookie head coach Cam Cameron, played a Monday night game.

It would seem Tony Sparano, with Bill Parcells overseeing things, would generate a little interest, too.

But the real problem is the Dolphins don't have many players to get people excited.

No players to get excited about? How about Teddy Ginn? How about Will Allen? Or whoever the Dolphins take first overall?

Alright. I'm being sarcastic. Outside of Jason Taylor, this team really doesn't have any "nationally recognized" players. Ronnie Brown was probably on his way to becoming a household name (nationally speaking) until that damn injury (yea, thanks Cleo). But in reality, we all should have expected to be shut out if any prime-time games. And anyone who says any differently is just kidding themselves. Of course, the Dolphins could surprise some people and pressure NBC to flex in one of their late-season games to their Sunday night package. But we'll cross that bridge if/when we come to it.

Over at ESPN's Hashmarks blog listed a complaint for each team in regards to the newly released schedule. Below is what they say about the Dolphins' schedule:

Miami: There is nowhere to go but up for the Dolphins, who were 1-15 last season. But four of their final five games on the road is just cruel and unusual punishment. Add in two games against the New England Patriots (Sept. 21 and Nov. 23) and it could be another long season for the Dolphins.

I'm actually surprised I haven't read/heard more Dolphin fans complaining about this. It's very rare that any NFL team plays for of their last 5 games on the road. So for a team that was 1-15 the previous season to get the shaft here is a bit frustrating. But I guess we just got to shut up and play the hand we were dealt.

So how about you all? What gripes, if any, do you guys and gals have with Miami's 2008 schedule?

Don't forget to cast your vote for the next pick in our community mock draft by clicking here.

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Comments

No complaints here

We do have one of the easiest schedules (10th based on winning % of opponents last year).
The list of the strength of schedules can be found here
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3347716

Our last 4 road games at the end of the year should be very beatable even by our team. If we don't beat any of those teams we probably go 2-14.

One note I would like to add is the fact that our game in Toronto most likely will be televised nationally unless I am misunderstanding what primetime means.

by EvilPsycho on Apr 16, 2008 12:47 AM EDT 0 recs

prime-time = night games

Also, the Toronto game is a CBS game. So if you live in a town whose team has a game at the same time on CBS, you won't get the Dolphins game.

by Matty I on Apr 16, 2008 1:03 AM EDT up 0 recs

as my lawyer says "It is, what it is"

AS long as we win the first and last game, we are twice as good as last year, Did I mention i hate the jets!!!!!!!

I just cant wait for the draft for the simple fact we are talking about schedules

What happend to the Killer BEEs

by FinfanT on Apr 16, 2008 12:57 AM EDT 0 recs

Maybe, just maybe...

...Week 12 might end up being a prime-time game. Imagine this. Week 12 comes along, and the Pats are 11-0 "chasing perfection" again. Now, what if Miami is actually having a good season, and has wins over NYJ, ARI, BAL, BUF, and OAK (All very winnable games), with losses to NE, SD, HOU, DEN, and SEA. This would put us at 5-5 going into Week 12 (3-7 or 4-6 is probably more realistic, but work with me here). People know that Pats/Fins is a rivalry game, and they also know that rivalries can produce some very unexpected results. Not to mention the whole "1972 Dolphins vs. Patriots Perfection" thing that sports broadcasters love to talk up.

I feel like Week 12 Pats @ Fins either going to be flexed into a prime time game, or somebody is going to regret not flexing it to make it a prime time game.

Some people try to find things in this game that don't exist but football is only two things - blocking and tackling. ~Vince Lombardi

by ratenxs on Apr 16, 2008 1:20 AM EDT 0 recs

Correction.

Correction: The Pats would be 10-0 going into week 12 in this scenario. Their bye is week 4.

Some people try to find things in this game that don't exist but football is only two things - blocking and tackling. ~Vince Lombardi

by ratenxs on Apr 16, 2008 1:22 AM EDT up 0 recs

I doubt the pats make

any kind of run at going undefeated this year.

If anything, I think last year showed that in not losing, the pressure only skyrocketed on them.

Plus, there were serious signs of problems on that team (NE) with a number of razor thin wins. All which helped disguise the fact that they had problems stopping the run on D, running it on O, and protecting Brady at times.

None of which makes it less satisfying to beat them, undefeated or otherwise!

by Natalya on Apr 16, 2008 10:57 AM EDT up 0 recs

EVERYONE BEING POSITIVE !

First post on any blog, but dolphin fan for almost 40 years. I enjoy reading the good articles on the PHINSIDER, and the comments. For the last at least 25 plus years all i hear is TOO MANY COLD GAMES,OR WHY DID WE GET SCREWED TRAVING TO THE WEST COAST FOR X-AMOUNT OF GAMES? The bottom line my friends is,this team, and its fans have got to start believing that they can beat anyteam, anywhere, at anytime. Not just on a hot field in september! So the schedule is what it is. We need to win in Sept-Dec, to play in Jan,or Febuary.

by NOIDAHOFIN on Apr 16, 2008 2:30 AM EDT 0 recs

AMEN NOIDAHOFIN !!

You could not say it better.
Last year was a weak schedule and we were part of that weakness. SO we better star wining game, no matter were or went.
GO DOLPHINS!!
PS Another long season, but full of hope, yes people, hope is not as painfull as last year ; )

I will see the Dolphins win a SUPER BOWL before i die(20 years and counting)

by Aleta on Apr 16, 2008 8:24 AM EDT 0 recs

Home or on the road!!

I don't care where they play or who is on the schedule. Its time to come together as a team, play hard, and just win.
Win, Win, Win!!

by ecks on Apr 16, 2008 9:14 AM EDT 0 recs

Several late season away games...

...means more early season home games. Let's get behind our home team and get a good start out of the gate. Other teams may know what to expect out of Bill Parcells but they won't have a scouting report on the "new" Miami Dolphins. I also think we should be proud fans to know that even with a terrible season last year the NFL considers the Dolphins a respectable international ambassador of the game.

by misterx on Apr 16, 2008 9:17 AM EDT 0 recs

Looks like...

I'll be watching all these games at the track. Which is fine, because if I have to leave crying it won't seem odd to the guy who lost two grand sitting across from me.

Actually, I like the schedule. The NFC West is horrible, year in and out. I won't entertain that the Seahawks are ever anything but made of paper and the other teams can't beat them.

The AFC West can be tough, despite a down year last year.

I may be wrong, but I feel like this could be a great year for a young quarterback like John Beck to learn on the job against softer defenses.

Though don't tell Patrick Willis I called his defense soft.

www.thephinisher.com

by The Phinisher on Apr 16, 2008 10:13 AM EDT 0 recs

Ya know

Just play football. Ya we got screwed playing 4 out of our last 5 on the road, but it's not like we were going to the playoffs this year anyway. We just need to man-up and get better.

You Savvy?

by Neo on Apr 16, 2008 11:41 AM EDT 0 recs

exciting players

Well.. if Ricky somehow makes an impact thsi year.... his return to Toronto where he played in the CFL shouuld be a primetime game.

by YatilGinnJr on Apr 16, 2008 12:09 PM EDT 0 recs

Dolphins Tough End of Year Schedule

Disclaimer: I love and have always loved the dolphins. I have lived in South Florida all my life so don't question my allegiance when you read this.

I actually think that the NFL purposely gave the dolphins the hardest schedule that they could. Since the dolphins were going to get a relatively easy schedule based on their performance last year, the NFL tried to figure out a way to help the rebuilding process a bit further. Its a given that the dolphins will have a better record than last season, but the question is how much better? We still have sooo many holes to fill. Another bad season will give us another batch of very good picks in the draft. This will allow us to really build a team and will give Parcell more picks to convert us into their scheme. Maybe the NFL did it in purpose to try and give us the chance to really rebuild into greatness instead of just missing the playoffs like we did in the post-marino era.

After all, Miami is one of the big markets for football and it would be very very good for the league if we became title contenders again.

Logan J

by Logan J on Apr 16, 2008 12:32 PM EDT 0 recs

Ricky has..

,ade an impact in the area, already. The mary james have been sold out for the past couple of weeks LOL, i know, it was low, but... Sorry : (

People are saying that we could go 6-10 or 7-9, i think we could be doing better than that, only if the luck came back to us. That was supposse to be our number last year, how many games were taken away from us for mis-management? like 4 or 5? and then we're the luckless team in the entire word, no luck at all, more injuries than a hospital. With everybody healthy, BETTER management(for real),this schedule and some luck, i don't see something wrong with finishing this season with a 9-7 or 10-6 record. Look at the propelers(jets) the went to the playoff because the did have all those factors put together, the year after that, the came back to what they were, a bluff. We, in hte other hand, are building from the ground up, we are going to get better stedily. That is my 2 cents
GO DOLPHINS!!

I will see the Dolphins win a SUPER BOWL before i die(20 years and counting)

by Aleta on Apr 16, 2008 12:38 PM EDT 0 recs

Fine by me,

I would rather have a tough schedule then an easy one. You won't know where you stand without adversity. I want us to win, but at the same time I want us to earn the wins. I have no expectations this year so I'm OK with the schedule.

by feelthepain on Apr 16, 2008 2:07 PM EDT 0 recs

I like the last 4 out of 5

On the Road. This will be a young team who will need this experence playing on the road against teams trying to get in the playoffs. Hopefully we will to, but I'm thinking more about playoffs next year. Going into this kinda atmosphere late in the season will do these guys good. Now if we had a good shot at the Super bowl this year, it would suck to end like this. Lets get the bad schedule out of the way. I also like haveing the bye week early my guess is we will be a much better team in week 4-5 than what where going to look like in week 1 and 2 especially with the QB play. If Beck doesn't start the season this may be a good spot for him to start after the bye.

by jvw on Apr 16, 2008 3:01 PM EDT 0 recs

Scheduling

From what I have heard in the past: The NFL likes to schedule teams that they expect to be weaker with more home games early on so that attendane will not be so adversely affected. For example, how bad attendance was for us the last couple of home games in December. The more home games early, when interest is at its peak, for the teams that tend to mount losses.

Too young to remember 72...not old enough to forget about ever other year since!

by JGray on Apr 16, 2008 3:41 PM EDT 0 recs

That makes Sense

Thanks for the info

by jvw on Apr 16, 2008 4:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

Guys...

most everybody has complaints about the schedules before the season. Yet some teams go out and win their games anyway, while others fall apart and make excuses (see '2007 dolphins under cam-cam).

Let's just worry about the team getting itself together, drafting the right players, and playing hard.

The rest will take care of itself...

by Natalya on Apr 16, 2008 4:50 PM EDT 0 recs

really

who cares that miami was hosed this year??

there isn't really any way short of beck becomming J Montana that this team is going to win more then 5 or 6 games... so its better to have the usual hose them hard schedule the NFL likes dump on the fins and take another top 10 pick....

Really is playing 4 of 5 on the road any worse then last season where they never stayed at home for 2 weeks.... (granted that was partially because wayne decided that in the best interest of the NFL he'd sacrifice his teams season)

Now the plus to the season is the team gets a heck of a lot of home games early which will give the new coaching staff time to develop a young team in a friendly environment....

by W NY Fins Fan on Apr 16, 2008 8:14 PM EDT 0 recs