Miami Dolphins

ALL
OUTSIDER

Vote for Joey: Porter up for Defensive Player of the Year

By Sean Fowler | January 5, 2009 | The Phish Tank

The Dolphins haven't had much luck with postseason awards this year. Chad Pennington, while winning Comeback Player of the Year, was a distant second to Peyton Manning in the NFL MVP voting. Dolphins Coach Tony Sparano fell just two votes short of winning Coach of the Year. But the Dolphins can still add another piece of postseason hardware to the trophy case.Dolphins LB Joey Porter has been named a candidate for the GMC Sierra NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Porter, himself an outside candidate for Comeback Player of the Year, thrived in the return to his natural position, nabbing 17.5 sacks which knocked opponents back a total of nearly a football field, 96 yards. His nearly 18 sacks led the AFC and were 2nd overall in the NFL. He had 47 total tackles and forced four fumbles. 1/4 of his games this year, four, were multiple sack games. Porter...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Awards, Joey Porter, Miami Dolphins, NFL

Handicapping The Jets Head Coach Search

By Joe Caporoso | January 5, 2009 | The Cockpit

The Jets search for a new head coach is relatively wide open as of right now, here is a breakdown of the candidates and their odds to become the next person to attempt to save this cursed franchise: In the Lead: - Steve Spagnoulo - It would look great for the Jets if they could pull this highly coveted assistant. It is no secret how many other teams are interested in him, especially Denver. The Jets main advantage is Spags' comfort level in the NY/NJ area. - Brian Schottenheimer - Apparently he made a very strong impression during his interview, yet he would be a very tough sell to fans who were often disgusted by the playcalling this year. - Jeff Jagodzinski - If the guy is willing to get fired from BC to interview with the Jets, you have to think he believes he has a good shot at...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: A.F.C East, AFC, Jets, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, NFL

NFL Rumor Mill: Gilbride, Parcells, Mike Smith

By Greg Trippiedi | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

EaglesChick.com/Flickr.com

The Oakland Raiders have contacted Giants Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride regarding the teams' coaching opening. Former Raider coach Tom Cable could not save his job by winning two games at the end of the season over an 8 win and a 9 win team respectively. Four of the five Raider wins came over non-losing teams, which certainly did not go unnoticed by Al Davis. My question is this: is the Raiders firing their head coach no longer news worthy? Tom Cable's dismissal was basically unreported by the national media. Gilbride has done a good job, and makes a lot of sense for the team that the Raiders want to be. Bill Parcells will be staying with the Miami Dolphins, according to Wayne Huizenga. Reports from ESPN's Chris Mortensen, among others, referred to a clause in Parcells' deal with the Dolphins that he could opt out of his contract and receive...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers

Nevermore - Dolphins One and Done Thanks to Ravens' Defense

By Sean Fowler | January 5, 2009 | The Phish Tank

var iamInit = function() {try{initIamServingHandler(320,224,468929,"http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Css/css2.css")}catch(ex){}}() A season of rebuilding. A team led by a rookie head coach, and a cast-away quarterback. Yet somehow, some way, this team fought and clawed its' way to a division title and a home playoff game. But in a season full of good breaks, a bad one must come. It seems the bad break was the opponent. The Ravens barely made the playoffs, but that was mostly due to their division and a stacked AFC. So once again, the Dolphins won the toss but gave away the ball. The Ravens were rolling along quickly, going 1st and 10, 2nd and 2, 1st and 10, 1st and 10, then 2nd and 5. But on that 2nd and 5, Le'Ron McClain was slammed in the backfield by Paul Soliai, causing a fumble. Joey Porter jumped on it, and the Dolphins had great field position on their own...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Game Recap, Miami Dolphins, NFL, Playoffs

Defecate on a turtle, if you wish

By Dat Roro Kid | January 5, 2009 | Fins Nation

I don't think I could possibly add much to The Dude's astute observations and natural eloquence regarding yesterday's shitshow (see previous post) but, as the dust settles, I'm beginning to appreciate this truly awesome season bit by bit. Fact is, that is one dirty nasty team that is easily one of the top 5 playoff teams remaining in the tournament. Ed Reed (just as I feared) was damn near all over the place. No surprise there. We just don't have Ravens-level talent yet on either side of the ball. Congrats to them on that. Aside from maybe the runningback position, they're more talented and skilled than us at damn near every position. It was truly sobering to watch and by the 3rd Quarter you just knew it was over...

Read more | 27 Comments | Tags: 2008 season, find a turtle and shit on it, John Harbaugh still looks like an insufferable asshole, Lord you took him as you took so many bright flowering young men at Khe Sanh at Langdok at Hill 364!, Miami Dolphins, moving on, shitting on turtles forever and ever amen, sobering realizations, well at least i'm housebroken, what a ride, wish I'd gotten some of that AFC East Champs gear in the mail already

Ravens roll over Dolphins, and await the Titans

By Mike Brown | January 5, 2009 | Ravens Roost

Was there ever any doubt? Did anyone really think the Dolphins were physical enough to slow down the Baltimore Ravens defense? Well, the reality of it is, no they weren't. Reminiscent of the Ravens 2000 defense this unit shut down everything the Dolphins could throw at them. Miami quarterback Chad Pennington had only thrown 7 interceptions coming into this game, and by the time it was over he had increased that number to 11, as the oppertunistic Ravens defense picked Pennington 4 times. The Ravens defense knew they would win out when Ed Reed picked off a Pennington pass and returned it for a quick 6 points. This was a kidney punch which sent the Dolphins into distress mode, and they could never find an answer for it. The Ravens defense constantly pounded the Dolphins offensive line, harrassing Pennington into making mistakes, and the Ravens D was there to capitlize on them, taking the heart...

Read more | 6 Comments | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Ed Reed, Joe Flacco, Miami Dolphins, Titans, Willis McGahee

NFL WILDCARD WEEKEND PREDICTIONS PART 2

By Pete1020 | January 4, 2009 | Community

After Day 1 of the NFL Wildcard Weekend, we have seen the MVP and the Rookie of the Year eliminated, while the division winners of the worst divisions in the NFL have advanced. Day 2 of Wildcard Weekend gives us...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles

NFL Power Rankings: Ranking the 12 Playoff Teams

By Greg Trippiedi | January 4, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Knowing the outcome of Saturday's games makes this a bit tougher to do, because I have to act like I don't know the outcomes of those games to rank the 12 teams pre playoffs. It would be easy to put Atlanta or Indy on bottom, but I had both teams reaching the round of eight. So, with that in mind, here's how MVN saw the Playoff Power Poll as of yesterday.1. Pittsburgh SteelersThe Steelers never led the MVN Power Rankings in any week but they are the most battle-tested, injury resistant team in the post season. Ben Roethlisberger had his best month in December, and figures to play in the AFC Divisional round coming off a concussion, but even if backup Byron Leftwich has to play, the Steelers might be in even better hands.2. Tennessee TitansHard to say how effective DT Albert Haynesworth and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch will be...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, power rankings, San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans

NFL Rumor Mill: Gilbride, Parcells, Mike Smith

By Greg Trippiedi | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

EaglesChick.com/Flickr.com

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers

NFL Power Rankings: Ranking the 12 Playoff Teams

By Greg Trippiedi | January 4, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MVN Previews the NFL's Wild Card Round

By Anthony Hall | January 2, 2009 | MVN Outsider

To preview the four games slated for this weekend's Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs, MVN asked a variety of bloggers who cover the teams involved to chime in with a few quick thoughts on their game and a prediction...Atlanta at Arizona:Saturday's late game marks the return to the playoffs for two teams that have been suffering from postseason drought. The 11-5 Atlanta Falcons have not seen a week 18 game since 2004 and the 9-7 Arizona Cardinals haven't been past the regular season since 1998. While the Cards come in as NFC West Division Champs, don't think for a second that they are the stronger team. Limping past Seattle this past Sunday after being slaughtered by the Patriots the prior week, the Cards aren't the team to be reckoned with this Wild Card weekend. That distinction goes to the NFC's hottest team, the Falcons. Riding a three game...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers

NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Pennsylvania teams eventually rise to top

By Greg Trippiedi | December 18, 2008 | MVN Outsider

1. Tennessee Titans (12-2) The Titans hold the top spot at least one more week through the loss, but they will have to beat Pittsburgh at home without Albert Haynesworth and Kyle VandenBosch to hold it any further. Good luck guys.2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5-1)The Eagles jump up to number two this week behind the strength of a third consecutive win, and the Steelers knocking off the Ravens, who beat the Eagles back when this was a team in turmoil. 3. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) Do the Steelers have the greatest defense of all time? Only a championship would validate this. The offense apparently isn't going to assist them until the final two minutes of every game.4. Baltimore Ravens (9-5) The Ravens aren't going to fall too far, falling victim to the "Tuck Rule curse". They should have taken care of business in Pittsburgh, and then it wouldn't have come down to...Read more

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, power poll, Tennessee Titans

Notable pro-bowl snubs; 2008 Edition

By Greg Trippiedi | December 17, 2008 | MVN Outsider

It's because of the way that the pro bowl selection process works that makes snubs inevitable. The fans get one third of the vote. The players get one third of the vote. And the coaches get one third of the vote. Herein lies the problem: no one knows anything. The coaches and players are too busy watching film on their opponents to be able to accurately grade players on teams they don't play. Same with the players. And don't get me started on the fans: who if they would have had their way would have sent Redskins K Shaun Suisham to Honolulu, and he's one of the larger reasons the Redskins have lost 5 out of their last 6 games.With all that out of the way, the selection trio from hell actually did a relatively good job this year. But they still inexcusably omitted some overqualified players in order to...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Pro Bowl, San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, Snubs, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins

NFL Stock Market Week 16: Giants firesale!

By Greg Trippiedi | December 16, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Don't you feel foolish for buying those back2back Giants World Champions posters so early? It's the NFL Stock Market on MVN Outsider!Sell, Sell, Sell...New York GiantsYes, the Dallas front seven has been playing great football lately, but eight sacks?! The best offensive line in the league would never allow that many sacks in a game, perhaps not in three. Eli will be forced to play back inside the conditions next week, and then against a Minnesota team in Week 17 that has had his number going back to last year. Getting Brandon Jacobs back will help a lot, but were talking about a potential 3 seed here. They're a super bowl contender, still, but maybe not even the front-runner from the NFC.It's time to get on the bandwagon....Houston TexansAll the Texans needed from Santa this year was an NFL-caliber defense. Fortunately for the Texans, they found that by themselves sometime...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, NFL stock market, Philadelphia Eagles

Monday Overtime: Giants are in, Steelers are men, Packers in sin

By Anthony Brown | December 8, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Philadelphia Eagles 20, New York Giants 14The Philadelphia Eagles are the only NFC East team to win over the weekend; thank you very much Brian Westbrook. They climbed into third place in the division and kept their faint playoff hopes alive. New York's Domenik Hixon impressed as a reserve. So, Plaxico Burress just seemed like another player the Giants wouldn't miss with Hixon as starter. That's probably, almost certainly might still be true. Or not. With the Cowboys' loss, the G-men clinched the NFC Beast anyway.Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Dallas Cowboys 13The Steelers started something when they found and hired Mike Tomlin. It's not just that there are excellent black assistant coaches who are head coach material. It's that owners should be mining young coaching talent within the pro ranks rather than college coaches. College coaches (Spurrier, Saban, Petrino) will quit on you. Tomlin is 20-9 since becoming Steelers head coach....Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers

News and notes from around the NFL

By Andrew Strickert | December 5, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Six players have been suspended for four games, the remainder of the regular season, for violating the league's steroid policy. Hardest hit are the Vikings, who lost defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, two keys for the Vikes' playoff hopes. Minnesota has a one-game lead in the NFC North and will struggle to keep it without the Williams Wall to stop the run. The Williamses obtained a temporary restraining order Wednesday which allows them to practice but does not guarantee they will play on Sunday. The judge in the case is awaiting legal briefs by both sides before making a final ruling. Meanwhile, the Vikings have signed Jimmy Kennedy as an insurance policy. The Saints lost three players, running back Deuce McAllister and defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith, but New Orleans is in last place in their division with no realistic playoff hopes. The sixth player is Texans long snapper Bryan...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins

MVN: Most Valuable Network