From all of us here on the Dolphin Shout. We would like to wish you a Happy Thankgiving, and thank all of you that read and comment on these boards. Without your comments this site would be lost in the cyber world of the World Wide Web.
So from Paul, Mike, Kenny, Patrick, Todd (Buckeye), Shawn, and my self Gary (Riverdog) Have a great day, enjoy your Families, watch some football, and most importantly. Thank You for making the Dolphin Shout the best Dolphin Community on the net.
The Dolphins Continue Finding Ways to Lose
The Miami Dolphins blew yet another lead in the closing seconds in what has become a season filled with missed opportunities. Averaging just 29.4 yards rushing in the second half this season, Miami could not control the ball and went away from Mike Wallace who had just three receptions for 17 yards in the second half. In fourth quarters this season, Ryan Tannehill's quarterback rating is a paltry 60.2.
The song remains the same for the Dolphins, taking commanding leads only to squander them away in the second half. The inability to put opponents away is glaring and has become contentious even with the most loyal fans. The Dolphins failed to score a fourth quarter offensive TD for the seventh consecutive game. Mike Wallace described the entire game in a few sentences, “I tried to find the ball,” Wallace said. “I had a big cushion, big run across the field. Just tried to make a play on the ball … I just didn’t make the play.”
Ryan Tannehill had 3 other opportunities to connect with Wallace before that last second heave, he just missed. The reoccurring theme of the 2013 Miami Dolphins, Tannehill misses Wallace and the Dolphin offense takes the second half off. There is still a chance for the Dolphins to make it into the playoffs, but getting there and winning there are far different conclusions for a team incapable of making critical plays in critical moments that define winners and losers.
This collection of Miami Dolphins is capable of playing with any opponent. Unfortunately, the team does not have the heart of a winner and continually comes out on the wrong side of the score. Ryan Tannehill explained the difference, “I can’t put my finger on it,” while Cam Newton made the play on fourth and ten. The blood spewing from Newton’s mouth spoke of the beating he took to come out a winner. The Dolphins, couldn’t put their finger on it…
The song remains the same for the Dolphins, taking commanding leads only to squander them away in the second half. The inability to put opponents away is glaring and has become contentious even with the most loyal fans. The Dolphins failed to score a fourth quarter offensive TD for the seventh consecutive game. Mike Wallace described the entire game in a few sentences, “I tried to find the ball,” Wallace said. “I had a big cushion, big run across the field. Just tried to make a play on the ball … I just didn’t make the play.”
Ryan Tannehill had 3 other opportunities to connect with Wallace before that last second heave, he just missed. The reoccurring theme of the 2013 Miami Dolphins, Tannehill misses Wallace and the Dolphin offense takes the second half off. There is still a chance for the Dolphins to make it into the playoffs, but getting there and winning there are far different conclusions for a team incapable of making critical plays in critical moments that define winners and losers.
This collection of Miami Dolphins is capable of playing with any opponent. Unfortunately, the team does not have the heart of a winner and continually comes out on the wrong side of the score. Ryan Tannehill explained the difference, “I can’t put my finger on it,” while Cam Newton made the play on fourth and ten. The blood spewing from Newton’s mouth spoke of the beating he took to come out a winner. The Dolphins, couldn’t put their finger on it…
Miami Dolphins vs. Carolina Panthers Game Chat
Miami is taking on a hot Carolina Panthers this week. Let's see how they do against Carolina's tough defense.
Click here to watch the game live. You don't need to download anything or click on any ads to watch the game.
Click here to watch the game live. You don't need to download anything or click on any ads to watch the game.
Believe it or Not, the Dolphins Have Life
What to expect from the Miami Dolphins in any given week is a mystery, but Sunday's 20-16 victory over the San Diego Chargers could be a victory that the Dolphins look back on as a turning point moving forward in 2013. Not only did the Dolphins overcome locker room adversity and a loss to the NFL's last winless team, to top San Diego on Sunday, but Miami with the victory, moved into a tie for the final wild card spot in the AFC.
Thanks to a 37-14 victory from the Buffalo Bills over the New York Jets, Miami and division rival New York are all square for the final wild card spot in the AFC at 5-5. Miami, who entered Sunday with a 4-5 record, also got help from around the league as the four other 4-5 AFC teams entering Week 11 all lost. Miami helped itself by beating a San Diego team that like the Dolphins, entered Sunday 4-5. Losses this week however, by Tennessee, Cleveland and Baltimore have helped eliminate some of the clutter in the race for the final AFC playoff spot as well.
While the Jets hold the current tiebreaker over the Dolphins, Miami will have every opportunity to change that as the teams face off twice in the final six weeks. Regardless of what happens in Sunday's upcoming contest with the Carolina Panthers, the Dolphins can be at the very least tied for the final wild card spot heading into the final quarter of the season simply by winning in East Rutherford on December 1st, a place where Miami dominated the Jets a season ago.
Sunday's victory was one to certainly be encouraged about as the Dolphins were coming off of a devastating loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a franchise-low 2 yards rushing. Without starting center Mike Pouncey, the Dolphins finished with 104 yards rushing on 19 carries, a 5.5 yards-per-carry average. Tight end Charles Clay had a big day leading all receivers with six catches for 90 yards and the only touchdown of the second half which put the Dolphins ahead for good.
The win over San Diego on Sunday also marked the first time this season in which the Dolphins did not trail in the second half.
With six weeks to go, the Miami Dolphins have life. Despite dropping five of their last seven games after a 3-0 start and having to deal with the first locker room bullying scandal in NFL history, the Dolphins have managed to rally around one another and appear to have as good a chance as any of the teams on the outside looking in in the AFC, to be playing football in January.
Though Miami has played either up or down to its competition all season long, only two of Miami's final six opponents currently have winning records and both will have to come to Sun Life Stadium. Two games with the Jets will prove crucial as will a December 8th visit to Pittsburgh, a team that suddenly sits just a game back of the final playoff spot.
It's hard to envision the final team making the playoffs in the AFC with a record of better than 9-7. For Miami, that would mean a 4-2 finish in its last six games. While we don't know at this point what will happen over the final six weeks of the NFL, what we have learned is that this Dolphins team doesn't look to be one that's willing to roll over and die. For that, head coach Joe Philbin deserves a lot of credit.
Mike Ferguson is a staff writer at Dolphin Shout and the founder and editor of Outside the Redzone. Like Outside the Redzone on Facebook! Also, follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
Thanks to a 37-14 victory from the Buffalo Bills over the New York Jets, Miami and division rival New York are all square for the final wild card spot in the AFC at 5-5. Miami, who entered Sunday with a 4-5 record, also got help from around the league as the four other 4-5 AFC teams entering Week 11 all lost. Miami helped itself by beating a San Diego team that like the Dolphins, entered Sunday 4-5. Losses this week however, by Tennessee, Cleveland and Baltimore have helped eliminate some of the clutter in the race for the final AFC playoff spot as well.
 |
| The Dolphins are alive. (Wilfredo Lee/AP) |
Sunday's victory was one to certainly be encouraged about as the Dolphins were coming off of a devastating loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a franchise-low 2 yards rushing. Without starting center Mike Pouncey, the Dolphins finished with 104 yards rushing on 19 carries, a 5.5 yards-per-carry average. Tight end Charles Clay had a big day leading all receivers with six catches for 90 yards and the only touchdown of the second half which put the Dolphins ahead for good.
The win over San Diego on Sunday also marked the first time this season in which the Dolphins did not trail in the second half.
With six weeks to go, the Miami Dolphins have life. Despite dropping five of their last seven games after a 3-0 start and having to deal with the first locker room bullying scandal in NFL history, the Dolphins have managed to rally around one another and appear to have as good a chance as any of the teams on the outside looking in in the AFC, to be playing football in January.
Though Miami has played either up or down to its competition all season long, only two of Miami's final six opponents currently have winning records and both will have to come to Sun Life Stadium. Two games with the Jets will prove crucial as will a December 8th visit to Pittsburgh, a team that suddenly sits just a game back of the final playoff spot.
It's hard to envision the final team making the playoffs in the AFC with a record of better than 9-7. For Miami, that would mean a 4-2 finish in its last six games. While we don't know at this point what will happen over the final six weeks of the NFL, what we have learned is that this Dolphins team doesn't look to be one that's willing to roll over and die. For that, head coach Joe Philbin deserves a lot of credit.
Mike Ferguson is a staff writer at Dolphin Shout and the founder and editor of Outside the Redzone. Like Outside the Redzone on Facebook! Also, follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
The Dolphins Are in the Win Column
After quickly going over the stat sheet, which by now most of you know is my favorite thing to do (NOT), I noticed the stats were about even for both teams. The Chargers had the ball for a touch longer and a few more plays than the Dolphins did, but that is nothing new. The Chargers gained roughly 100 more yards than the Dolphins did. They just didn't score very much. 16 Charger points didn't get it done yesterday.
You know what? The game really wasn't about what the stat sheet read. This game was more about the team looking more like a team and working together to get a job done, each unit pulling it's own weight, and not letting each other down. Team unity is something the Dolphins have been having problems with all year.
I think there has been a rift in the team this entire year. The meltdown of the offensive line was at the heart of all of it. Yesterday we saw an offensive line that, although they didn't play great (they gave up four sacks and allowed 107 rushing yards), they still played much better than the week before. They did that with Bryant McKinnie at left tackle (who was riding the bench in Baltimore four weeks ago), a rookie by the name of Sam Brennner playing left guard (who was on the practice squad three days before), and the versatile Nate Garner playing guard. Lets not forget Tyson Clabo, who has had a rough year to say the least, back at right tackle after being benched a few weeks ago.
If you had asked me before the game how I thought the offensive line would play I would have just asked who we play next week after a loss this week? That has me thinking. How does a patchwork offensive line play better without Martin, Incognito, and Pouncey? Have the Dolphins been playing the wrong players all along on the offensive line?
In any event it was a good win, and for that I am happy. For those that still think the Dolphins are in the hunt for a playoff spot this win should keep your hopes up.
You know what? The game really wasn't about what the stat sheet read. This game was more about the team looking more like a team and working together to get a job done, each unit pulling it's own weight, and not letting each other down. Team unity is something the Dolphins have been having problems with all year.
I think there has been a rift in the team this entire year. The meltdown of the offensive line was at the heart of all of it. Yesterday we saw an offensive line that, although they didn't play great (they gave up four sacks and allowed 107 rushing yards), they still played much better than the week before. They did that with Bryant McKinnie at left tackle (who was riding the bench in Baltimore four weeks ago), a rookie by the name of Sam Brennner playing left guard (who was on the practice squad three days before), and the versatile Nate Garner playing guard. Lets not forget Tyson Clabo, who has had a rough year to say the least, back at right tackle after being benched a few weeks ago.
If you had asked me before the game how I thought the offensive line would play I would have just asked who we play next week after a loss this week? That has me thinking. How does a patchwork offensive line play better without Martin, Incognito, and Pouncey? Have the Dolphins been playing the wrong players all along on the offensive line?
In any event it was a good win, and for that I am happy. For those that still think the Dolphins are in the hunt for a playoff spot this win should keep your hopes up.
Miami Dolphins at Chargers Game Chat
Miami is without Mike Pouncey today. Let's see how well the offensive line holds up.
Click here to watch the game live. Don't click on any ads or download anything. You don't need to download anything to watch. Look for an 'x' to get rid of the ad.
Click here to watch the game live. Don't click on any ads or download anything. You don't need to download anything to watch. Look for an 'x' to get rid of the ad.
20-Year Phiniversary: Shula Passes Halas
After a 27-10 loss in the Meadowlands to the New York Jets the week before, the Miami Dolphins arrived at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia on November 14th, 1993 with a record of 6-2. Miami's head coach Don Shula arrived tied with former Chicago Bears' head coach George Halas with 324 career victories, the most in the history of the NFL.
Shula needed just one win to become the winningest coach in league history and the Dolphins were six-point favorites over a 4-4 Eagles team. Miami's 6-2 start came as a surprise to many as the Dolphins had lost starting quarterback and perennial All-Pro Dan Marino to a foot injury earlier in the season.
With Scott Mitchell at the helm, the Miami Dolphins were 2-1 and remained atop the AFC East. On that Sunday afternoon of November 14th, 1993 however, the Dolphins would find a way to top the Eagles late without the services of Mitchell.
Miami jumped to a 6-0 lead on a touchdown pass from Mitchell to running back Terry Kirby in the first quarter. Running back Mark Higgs would add a short rushing touchdown for the Dolphins later in the first half, but a pair of touchdown passes from Ken O'Brien to Calvin Williams had Philadelphia ahead at the break 14-13.
With Miami trailing in the second half, Pete Stoyanonvich's 46-yard field goal in the third quarter put the Dolphins ahead 16-14. Clinching to a small lead, Mitchell went down with an injury and for Shula to collect the record-breaking 325th career win, Miami was going to have to hold on with Doug Pederson, who had never thrown a NFL pass, at quarterback.
Pederson finished the day just 3-for-6 passing, but the Dolphins were able to do just enough offensively while the defense pitched a second half shutout.
Stoyanovich's second field goal of the day padded the lead to 19-14 and the defense did the rest. Defensive end Jeff Cross recorded three sacks while fellow end Marco Coleman added one of his own.
The Dolphins' 19-14 victory put Miami at 7-2 for the season and Halas' NFL record of 324 wins was no more. The Miami Dolphins would win their next two games, but would drop their final five to finish 9-7 in 1993 and narrowly miss the playoffs.
That day in mid-November however, belonged to Shula. The man who had delivered the Miami Dolphins their only two world championships stood alone as the NFL's all-time wins leader. Shula would be carried off the field by his players and claims today that was only one of two instances in which Shula was ever carried by his team with the other following Miami's 14-7 victory over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII more than 20 years earlier.
Shula would coach the Dolphins to the AFC East title in 1994 and a playoff berth in 1995 before resigning following a 37-22 playoff loss to Buffalo. Shula would finish his career with 347 wins, 23 more than Halas, with 288 coming as the head man of Miami.
Shula had always been regarded as a man of integrity and remains a popular figure in South Florida today. While it may seem hard to believe for many, it was 20 years ago today that Don Shula first stood alone as the winningest coach in NFL history.
Mike Ferguson is a staff writer at Dolphin Shout and the founder and editor of Outside the Redzone. Like Outside the Redzone on Facebook! Also, follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
Shula needed just one win to become the winningest coach in league history and the Dolphins were six-point favorites over a 4-4 Eagles team. Miami's 6-2 start came as a surprise to many as the Dolphins had lost starting quarterback and perennial All-Pro Dan Marino to a foot injury earlier in the season.
Miami jumped to a 6-0 lead on a touchdown pass from Mitchell to running back Terry Kirby in the first quarter. Running back Mark Higgs would add a short rushing touchdown for the Dolphins later in the first half, but a pair of touchdown passes from Ken O'Brien to Calvin Williams had Philadelphia ahead at the break 14-13.
With Miami trailing in the second half, Pete Stoyanonvich's 46-yard field goal in the third quarter put the Dolphins ahead 16-14. Clinching to a small lead, Mitchell went down with an injury and for Shula to collect the record-breaking 325th career win, Miami was going to have to hold on with Doug Pederson, who had never thrown a NFL pass, at quarterback.
Pederson finished the day just 3-for-6 passing, but the Dolphins were able to do just enough offensively while the defense pitched a second half shutout.
Stoyanovich's second field goal of the day padded the lead to 19-14 and the defense did the rest. Defensive end Jeff Cross recorded three sacks while fellow end Marco Coleman added one of his own.
The Dolphins' 19-14 victory put Miami at 7-2 for the season and Halas' NFL record of 324 wins was no more. The Miami Dolphins would win their next two games, but would drop their final five to finish 9-7 in 1993 and narrowly miss the playoffs.
That day in mid-November however, belonged to Shula. The man who had delivered the Miami Dolphins their only two world championships stood alone as the NFL's all-time wins leader. Shula would be carried off the field by his players and claims today that was only one of two instances in which Shula was ever carried by his team with the other following Miami's 14-7 victory over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII more than 20 years earlier.
Shula would coach the Dolphins to the AFC East title in 1994 and a playoff berth in 1995 before resigning following a 37-22 playoff loss to Buffalo. Shula would finish his career with 347 wins, 23 more than Halas, with 288 coming as the head man of Miami.
Shula had always been regarded as a man of integrity and remains a popular figure in South Florida today. While it may seem hard to believe for many, it was 20 years ago today that Don Shula first stood alone as the winningest coach in NFL history.
Mike Ferguson is a staff writer at Dolphin Shout and the founder and editor of Outside the Redzone. Like Outside the Redzone on Facebook! Also, follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
The Dolphins Nightmare Continues
I have no idea why I am writing this. Maybe it's because I know no one else wants to do it. I really can't say. This should be pretty short. I could actually write this in one sentence and close down.
The Miami Dolphin players quit.
Not all of them, mind you, but enough of them to say this coaching staff could be blown to bits at the end of the season if they make it that far. After hearing Stephen Ross last night, I believe he has faith in Joe Philbin. It was pretty clear after watching the game last night the players don't feel the same way.
As for Jeff Ireland, he is finished as the general manager of the Dolphins. Stephen Ross never mentioned his name at the six o'clock interview, nor did he mention him during his halftime interview. I don't have any information that confirms he will be let go, but I know the kiss of death when I see it, and Stephen Ross delivered that kiss of death last night.
I would talk about the game a bit, but since very few of the Dolphins players showed up, I don't see any need to do that. Have at it everyone.
The Miami Dolphin players quit.
Not all of them, mind you, but enough of them to say this coaching staff could be blown to bits at the end of the season if they make it that far. After hearing Stephen Ross last night, I believe he has faith in Joe Philbin. It was pretty clear after watching the game last night the players don't feel the same way.
As for Jeff Ireland, he is finished as the general manager of the Dolphins. Stephen Ross never mentioned his name at the six o'clock interview, nor did he mention him during his halftime interview. I don't have any information that confirms he will be let go, but I know the kiss of death when I see it, and Stephen Ross delivered that kiss of death last night.
I would talk about the game a bit, but since very few of the Dolphins players showed up, I don't see any need to do that. Have at it everyone.
Miami Dolphins at Buccaneers Thursday Night Game Chat
After all the mess, we're back to football. Let's see how the Dolphins do.
Click here to watch the game live. Don't click on any ads. You don't need to download anything to watch the game. Look for a way to exit out of the ads.
Click here to watch the game live. Don't click on any ads. You don't need to download anything to watch the game. Look for a way to exit out of the ads.
Jonathan Martin Releases Statement
Jonathan Martin's lawyer David Cornwell has released the following statement regarding Jonathan Martin and the "bullying" he was subjected to:
Jonathan Martin's toughness is not at issue. Jonathan has started every game with the Miami Dolphins since he was drafted in 2012. At Stanford, he was the anchor for Jim Harbaugh's "smash mouth" brand of football and he protected Andrew Luck's blind side.Let me know your thoughts.
The issue is Jonathan's treatment by his teammates. Jonathan endured harassment that went far beyond the traditional locker room hazing. For the entire season-and-a-half that he was with the Dolphins, he attempted to befriend the same teammates who subjected him to the abuse with the hope that doing so would end the harassment. This is a textbook reaction of victims of bullying. Despite these efforts, the taunting continued. Beyond the well-publicized voice mail with its racial epithet, Jonathan endured a malicious physical attack on him by a teammate, and daily vulgar comments such as the quote at the bottom. These facts are not in dispute.
Eventually, Jonathan made a difficult choice. Despite his love for football, Jonathan left the Dolphins. Jonathan looks forward to getting back to playing football. In the meantime, he will cooperate fully with the NFL investigation.
Quote from teammate: "We are going to run train on your sister. . . . She loves me. I am going to f-k her without a condom and c- in her c-."
Miami Dolphin Players Are Moving Forward, and Jeff Ireland Could Be in Trouble
Well folks, there is a game on the horizon. I think after a tough week of false accusations from the media and fans alike the players seem to be coming together and they are circling the wagons.
As late as yesterday the players came to their own defense amid talk that the locker room had racial undertones. Nothing could be further from the truth from where I sit. The management did not want the players to say anything to the media. In essence, they were under a gag order, and they defied that gag order.
It is my view the Dolphins are worried about a law suit being brought by Jonathan Martin and his attorneys. The last thing the team wanted was for their players to begin talking. Anything they say could be damaging in court. The players undermining Ireland and the gag order shines a light on Ireland and why he wants the players to remain quiet. I think Ireland is in big trouble, and his own players put him there.
It all comes down to how Stephen Ross views Ireland. He knows Jeff Ireland brought Jonathan Martin to the Dolphins. What could be worse than that in Mr. Ross's eyes is that Jeff Ireland, with that selection, could cost the Dolphins Millions of dollars in attorney fees if Martin brings a suit. Add to that the general revolt of the players deifying the management yesterday and that can't bode well for Jeff Ireland.
In the meantime the players have come together. I believe they think it is them against the world, and right now I wouldn't want to be the next team that is in their way. I originally thought they would be in trouble for the remainder of the year. After seeing the interviews yesterday I think they are all pissed off, and the best thing the coaching staff can do for them is to stay out of their way and let them go beat up on someone. They even get an extra day to hear how horrible they are because they play on Monday night. That gives them one more day to boil.
If I were the Tampa Bay I would duck when the Dolphins run through the tunnel.
As late as yesterday the players came to their own defense amid talk that the locker room had racial undertones. Nothing could be further from the truth from where I sit. The management did not want the players to say anything to the media. In essence, they were under a gag order, and they defied that gag order.
It is my view the Dolphins are worried about a law suit being brought by Jonathan Martin and his attorneys. The last thing the team wanted was for their players to begin talking. Anything they say could be damaging in court. The players undermining Ireland and the gag order shines a light on Ireland and why he wants the players to remain quiet. I think Ireland is in big trouble, and his own players put him there.
It all comes down to how Stephen Ross views Ireland. He knows Jeff Ireland brought Jonathan Martin to the Dolphins. What could be worse than that in Mr. Ross's eyes is that Jeff Ireland, with that selection, could cost the Dolphins Millions of dollars in attorney fees if Martin brings a suit. Add to that the general revolt of the players deifying the management yesterday and that can't bode well for Jeff Ireland.
In the meantime the players have come together. I believe they think it is them against the world, and right now I wouldn't want to be the next team that is in their way. I originally thought they would be in trouble for the remainder of the year. After seeing the interviews yesterday I think they are all pissed off, and the best thing the coaching staff can do for them is to stay out of their way and let them go beat up on someone. They even get an extra day to hear how horrible they are because they play on Monday night. That gives them one more day to boil.
If I were the Tampa Bay I would duck when the Dolphins run through the tunnel.
The Miami Dolphins - Caught in the Crosshairs
The game of professional football is violent. Men make enormous sums of money recklessly subjecting their bodies to horrific injury playing it. They enter the arena knowing their career could end on every snap. No place on earth is like a football locker room. Even in a marine boot camp, the inevitability of going under a surgeon’s knife does not permeate the air. This place is a domain where the only man without a scalpel’s scar, is a man who will eventually have one.
Comparison to a school bus, a schoolhouse, a normal workplace, a gym or even a military barracks is grossly ignoring the dynamics of this unique environment. In the places listed above, one should expect to peacefully navigate those halls without the threat of violence, but football is a world based on violence. It is a world where a man’s livelihood is derived from how well he delivers violence. Unlike a boxer who is mano-e-mano opposite a single opponent, the football player must exist as part of a team.
On a team where the object is to distribute violence better than the opponent, imagine a teammate whose mentality does not fit the environment. He enters this world because his draft status carries with it a multi-million dollar payday. Having played the game most of his life he believes he can handle this level until the realization becomes obvious, he is not violent enough. He could walk away to pursue other careers, but there are few with multi-million dollar paydays. The management that offered him the contract cannot simply fire him because he was drafted, not hired. They don’t get to try the draft again.
Squandering multi-millions of dollars is not an option management can explain away without their own judgment coming into question. In the locker room, teammates know the tale all too well. A player is drafted in a pay-slot way above his ability and they are expected to remain silent while he is given opportunities equivalent to his draft status. Some must sit on the bench knowing they are better players but because of the draft, are paid drastically less. Some must take the field with this player.
Those players watch a QB take hit after hit reminded repeatedly, the game is a business. Try as they may, they cannot walk through the locker room knowing a player does not belong regardless of his draft status and remain silent. There must be a rite of passage, there must be a pecking order established in a world where the slightest mistake ends another man's career. It’s not a baseball team where a mistake means a highly paid player bats ninth. A mistake in the NFL literally costs a player his knees or worse.
The pecking order in the locker room means the designated leader is expected to “help” the draft day mistake become, at least a cog in the wheel. In a place where violence is normal how can leadership be equated to a place where violence is abhorred? It cannot. The comparison cannot be made. Rules that make sense outside are laughable in this place, where the stitch pattern of a knee scar is as common as a neck tie in the normal world. The question is, can the locker room be regulated without destroying the NFL?
The dynamics are unfathomable on so many levels. An obviously brutish asshole on the outside world is an alpha male leader on the inside world. A mountain of a man on the outside world is not violent enough among the mountainous men on the inside world. Can a man who takes punishing head-on collisions play after play be unable to take the hateful words of another man, even when those words are common in his environment?
A football locker room is a sanctuary for the players. On practice fields and meeting rooms, coaches control and teach, but players police the locker room. In the locker room, players are expected to resolve their differences among their own. Even if those differences lead to fistfights, they are expected to remain in that domain between those people. If differences cannot be resolved, the players are expected to follow the chain of command as they would in any organization.
A team can never function when grievances are aired outside the organization. The right and the wrong cannot be aired for public consumption because the general public could not exist in a work place centered on violence. The public must make a choice between losing the game they are watching in record numbers or allowing the game to exist on its own terms. Those terms are not acceptable in any other work place. Running full speed and smashing a man head-on as hard as possible, is the game. Expecting to establish common policy in an uncommon place is paramount to destroying the game.
The boorish asshole is banished, the man not cutout for the violence, quit. The media having its frenzy must recognize its own vulnerability in the bright lights of the information age. The media exists because of the game. If it cannot allow the NFL to define its workplace as uncommon in the eyes of the law, the nature of the product will lead to its demise.
Players are paid millions of dollars because of this unique venue. Those same players cannot expect common treatment in the eyes of the law if they eagerly accept uncommon paychecks. Fans and media must differentiate the NFL from the common workplace or the NFL will not survive. Former players willfully paid to bash their heads into other men were awarded an enormous sum because lawyers declared them not responsible for their own actions.
Give those same lawyers one more step into this game and the media that makes their living off reporting the NFL and fans who spend their Sundays watching the NFL will be left wondering…
How did we let the game slip away…
Comparison to a school bus, a schoolhouse, a normal workplace, a gym or even a military barracks is grossly ignoring the dynamics of this unique environment. In the places listed above, one should expect to peacefully navigate those halls without the threat of violence, but football is a world based on violence. It is a world where a man’s livelihood is derived from how well he delivers violence. Unlike a boxer who is mano-e-mano opposite a single opponent, the football player must exist as part of a team.
On a team where the object is to distribute violence better than the opponent, imagine a teammate whose mentality does not fit the environment. He enters this world because his draft status carries with it a multi-million dollar payday. Having played the game most of his life he believes he can handle this level until the realization becomes obvious, he is not violent enough. He could walk away to pursue other careers, but there are few with multi-million dollar paydays. The management that offered him the contract cannot simply fire him because he was drafted, not hired. They don’t get to try the draft again.
Squandering multi-millions of dollars is not an option management can explain away without their own judgment coming into question. In the locker room, teammates know the tale all too well. A player is drafted in a pay-slot way above his ability and they are expected to remain silent while he is given opportunities equivalent to his draft status. Some must sit on the bench knowing they are better players but because of the draft, are paid drastically less. Some must take the field with this player.
Those players watch a QB take hit after hit reminded repeatedly, the game is a business. Try as they may, they cannot walk through the locker room knowing a player does not belong regardless of his draft status and remain silent. There must be a rite of passage, there must be a pecking order established in a world where the slightest mistake ends another man's career. It’s not a baseball team where a mistake means a highly paid player bats ninth. A mistake in the NFL literally costs a player his knees or worse.
The pecking order in the locker room means the designated leader is expected to “help” the draft day mistake become, at least a cog in the wheel. In a place where violence is normal how can leadership be equated to a place where violence is abhorred? It cannot. The comparison cannot be made. Rules that make sense outside are laughable in this place, where the stitch pattern of a knee scar is as common as a neck tie in the normal world. The question is, can the locker room be regulated without destroying the NFL?
The dynamics are unfathomable on so many levels. An obviously brutish asshole on the outside world is an alpha male leader on the inside world. A mountain of a man on the outside world is not violent enough among the mountainous men on the inside world. Can a man who takes punishing head-on collisions play after play be unable to take the hateful words of another man, even when those words are common in his environment?
A football locker room is a sanctuary for the players. On practice fields and meeting rooms, coaches control and teach, but players police the locker room. In the locker room, players are expected to resolve their differences among their own. Even if those differences lead to fistfights, they are expected to remain in that domain between those people. If differences cannot be resolved, the players are expected to follow the chain of command as they would in any organization.
A team can never function when grievances are aired outside the organization. The right and the wrong cannot be aired for public consumption because the general public could not exist in a work place centered on violence. The public must make a choice between losing the game they are watching in record numbers or allowing the game to exist on its own terms. Those terms are not acceptable in any other work place. Running full speed and smashing a man head-on as hard as possible, is the game. Expecting to establish common policy in an uncommon place is paramount to destroying the game.
The boorish asshole is banished, the man not cutout for the violence, quit. The media having its frenzy must recognize its own vulnerability in the bright lights of the information age. The media exists because of the game. If it cannot allow the NFL to define its workplace as uncommon in the eyes of the law, the nature of the product will lead to its demise.
Players are paid millions of dollars because of this unique venue. Those same players cannot expect common treatment in the eyes of the law if they eagerly accept uncommon paychecks. Fans and media must differentiate the NFL from the common workplace or the NFL will not survive. Former players willfully paid to bash their heads into other men were awarded an enormous sum because lawyers declared them not responsible for their own actions.
Give those same lawyers one more step into this game and the media that makes their living off reporting the NFL and fans who spend their Sundays watching the NFL will be left wondering…
How did we let the game slip away…
Where Do the Dolphins Go from Here?
It has been a crazy nine days since the Miami Dolphins suffered a loss to the Patriots in New England.
In that time Miami offensive lineman Mike Pouncey was served a subpoena in the Aaron Hernandez case, Jonathan Martin left the team with an undisclosed (at the time) illness, Miami won a thrilling overtime Thursday night matchup against the Bengals with a walk-off safety, and just yesterday a rather nasty transcript of a voicemail sent from Richie Incognito to Martin was made public, which prompted the Dolphins to suspend Incognito indefinitely.
If you thought the Dolphins offensive line was bad before, you probably won't want to see what it looks like now. We have witnessed a historically bad offensive line this season, and it's not looking any more promising.
We can look on the bright side, though. Miami snapped their four-game losing streak with a huge victory last week. They are back in the playoff hunt at .500 and face the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Monday night in another prime time game. Miami isn't getting much respect before that game, so if you're looking to place a bet SBO.ag is the site for your football odds.
The Dolphins finally committed to the run last week, with Lamar Miller running for his first career 100-yard game. If Miami continues to make an attempt to run the ball they should hopefully be able to confuse the defense enough to give Ryan Tannehill a little time to throw the football.
Will this team rebound from losing two of its starting offensive linemen? The national eye is on them following a big win, but for all the wrong reasons. Winning cures everything, though, so let's hope for a little Thursday night magic.
Thanks for stopping by. Email me at paul@dolphinshout.com. I'm also on twitter @PaulDSmythe.
In that time Miami offensive lineman Mike Pouncey was served a subpoena in the Aaron Hernandez case, Jonathan Martin left the team with an undisclosed (at the time) illness, Miami won a thrilling overtime Thursday night matchup against the Bengals with a walk-off safety, and just yesterday a rather nasty transcript of a voicemail sent from Richie Incognito to Martin was made public, which prompted the Dolphins to suspend Incognito indefinitely.
If you thought the Dolphins offensive line was bad before, you probably won't want to see what it looks like now. We have witnessed a historically bad offensive line this season, and it's not looking any more promising.
 |
| Source: Robert Mayer |
The Dolphins finally committed to the run last week, with Lamar Miller running for his first career 100-yard game. If Miami continues to make an attempt to run the ball they should hopefully be able to confuse the defense enough to give Ryan Tannehill a little time to throw the football.
Will this team rebound from losing two of its starting offensive linemen? The national eye is on them following a big win, but for all the wrong reasons. Winning cures everything, though, so let's hope for a little Thursday night magic.
Thanks for stopping by. Email me at paul@dolphinshout.com. I'm also on twitter @PaulDSmythe.
ALL RIGHT MIAMI!
That was a badly needed win for the Miami Dolphins.
What a great game by the defense. They made plays everywhere, and that's what it takes to win in this game. Make some plays and you have great chance to win. Not enough can be said about Cameron Wake. What a difference maker he is. Wow! He had three sacks, a strip, a fumble recovery, and the nail in the coffin safety to win the game in overtime. Whew, that is a full night's work.
Honorable mention must go to Brent Grimes, Dimitri Patterson, Jared Odrick, Dannell Ellerbe, Phillip Wheeler, and Olivier Vernon. On a night that the Bengals ran over 90 plays this defense stood up and made play after play when it counted. That is how you win games. They actually played exactly as the words in the Dolphins Davie practice facility say: "Sound, Smart, Tough"
This is what I expected when this season began. A kick-ass defense and an offense that could get the job done when it was needed. I have nothing more to say. This week the Dolphins did the talking.
What a great game by the defense. They made plays everywhere, and that's what it takes to win in this game. Make some plays and you have great chance to win. Not enough can be said about Cameron Wake. What a difference maker he is. Wow! He had three sacks, a strip, a fumble recovery, and the nail in the coffin safety to win the game in overtime. Whew, that is a full night's work.
Honorable mention must go to Brent Grimes, Dimitri Patterson, Jared Odrick, Dannell Ellerbe, Phillip Wheeler, and Olivier Vernon. On a night that the Bengals ran over 90 plays this defense stood up and made play after play when it counted. That is how you win games. They actually played exactly as the words in the Dolphins Davie practice facility say: "Sound, Smart, Tough"
This is what I expected when this season began. A kick-ass defense and an offense that could get the job done when it was needed. I have nothing more to say. This week the Dolphins did the talking.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
