Miami Dolphins Frolic Across The Pond

The Oakland Raiders tootled around London for seven days whilst the Miami Dolphins stuck to their usual routine amongst the blood thirsty Miami media and fan speculation. Miami head coach Joe Philbin in an attempted quarterback motivating move, (by not naming his starting quarterback for the week four match up) fueled the jumping to conclusions paparazzi like mob.

No-Matter!
What does matter! Is that Ryan Tannehill's liver felt the force of Joe Philbins foot to his backside, and responded by leading his team from behind with THIRTY EIGHT UNANSWERED Miami Dolphin points.

Oakland took the opening kickoff and drove 74 yards for an early 7 - 0 lead, and didn't score again until a touchdown in garbage time.

The Dolphins responded with a field goal to the Raiders opening touchdown and trailed 7 - 3. At this point, Ryan Tannehill proceeded to complete FOURTEEN successive attempts on three Miami Dolphin first half touchdown drives.

Miami executed scores on four of their six first half possessions for a 24 to 7 halftime lead. The two possessions that they didn't score on were due to a fumbled punt return in Oakland territory, and a purposeful first half ending kneel down.

In facing a 7 - 3 deficit. The Dolphins marched 91 yards that ended in a Mike Wallace TOUCHDOWN on their second possession. Wallace took the screen pass at the 15 yard line, uncharacteristically powered through two defenders at the five yard line, and another at the two for the score in Charles Clay type fashion. Ryan Tannehill went 6 for 6 for 86 yards of the ninety one that led to a 10 - 7 Miami lead.

On the Dolphins following drive of 63 yards. Tannehill went 3 for 3 and Miami scored in an aggressive manor from 8 yards out on a Lamar Miller 4th & one TOUCHDOWN play. Fins 17 Raiders 7.

After a Miami fumbled punt return possession on Oakland's side of the field, and another defensive stop/Raider punt. The Dolphins marched 90 yards on 9 plays for a 24 - 7 scoreboard advantage. Ryan went 5 for 5 and capped the drive with his fourteenth consecutive completion which was an absolutely beautiful TOUCHDOWN pass and catch of eighteen yards to backup tight end Dion Sims.

Miami took a knee on their final first half possession and went to the tunnel ahead by 17 points.

Ryan Tanne-THRILL was 17 of 19 for 204 passing yards and two touchdowns with 18 additional yards coming by way of his legs in only the first half of play.

The Dolphins took the second half kickoff, and Ryan's second down attempt of a 15th consecutive completion was dropped. No-Matter. On the next 3rd and 12 play he converted a pass of fourteen yards to Brian Hartline for "another Miami Dolphins first down". He drove HIS TEAM seventy yards down to the opponents two yard line before a Lamar Miller fumble at the goal line.

Oakland took the ball at their own 20, and NOW it was the Miami Dolphins defenses turn. On a Courtland Finnegan blitz that forced an errant throw, Brent Grimes intercepted the ball at the Raiders 35 and returned it to Oakland's three yard line. Two plays later Lamar Miller neutralized his own previous fumble with his second TOUCHDOWN of the day for a Dolphin lead of 31 - 7.

Upon the Raiders next attempt, a bad snap blew by the quarterbacks head and was swooped up by Courtland Finnegan who walked 50 yards for another Miami Dolphins TOUCHDOWN to go up by a score of 38 - 7.

The Raiders next possession resulted in Miami's Jimmy Wilson returning an Oakland interception from his own 38 to the opponents 31, (the ball was placed on the 16 yard line after an Oakland personal foul penalty on the play). On the Dolphins first play Ryan Tannehill hit a short pass to Daniel Thomas who scored his first touchdown of the season and Miami's 45th point of the day, but it was reversed by a penalty. On another touchdown attempt during the same possession, Dion Sims had the ball bounce off his two forearms for a Raiders interception, Tannehills first and only of the day. Oakland went three and out.

Later down the long and winding road whilst trailing by a score of 38 - 7, Oakland scored a touchdown with 11:50 remaining in the 4th quarter to pull within the games 24 point spread finality.

The Miami Dolphins defense didn't have a 2014 interception prior to this game. Late in the 4th quarter Rookie corner back Walt Aikens added a team third interception to the day for the "Jolly Ole Chaps" of the American South East Football Franchise.

T'Was like night and day in comparison to Miami's previous contest. The Dolphins stuck to their routine while changing everything with brilliant play calling designed towards the proficiency of Ryan Tannehills strengths. Miami skill players (for the most part) executed to a tee, the special teams showed up, and the defense forced turnovers play after play, after play.

Miami totaled 435 yards, (Tanne-THRILL directly accounted for 313 via his arm and legs). The Dolphins accrued 278 yards through the air on 31 passes with Brian Hartline being tops for 74 yards on six catches. Miami had 157 on the ground off of 35 attempts with Lamar Miller leading the way on 12 carries for 64 yards and two touchdowns. The defense had two sacks and forced four turnovers (one for six points) whilst allowing 317 yards, (53 via the ground). The Dolphins punter Brandon Fields had just two attempts on the day.


To the joy (in one way or another) of all the attempting to be a distraction media, as well as all the faithful Dolphin fans far and wide. Backup Quarterback Matt Moore did indeed play on this day, (for the last eight minutes of the game) along with the rest of The Miami Dolphins much appreciated backups.

Head Coach Joe Philbin learned and understood that his ploy to motivate his young quarterback backfired to some extent by causing noise from the outside. In order to assure his team of such knowledge, he and his coaching staff relinquished their first class seats to the players on the flight from Miami to London! A CLASS MOVE and total team motivator!

Now (for at least two weeks through the Fins bye). The media saboteurs and Dolphin doubters must fall on their sword and attempt to LEARN TO APPRECIATE that The Miami Dolphins are quickly LEARNING from their previous mistakes!


THANK YOU for an Open-Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view !!

YEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAA, GIGGGGITTTTY, WOOOOOO HOOOOOO MIAMI DOLPHINS !!

Cheery-Ohhh, GOFINS !!

Ninety Six Miami Dolphin Hours

"ALLLLLLL-RIGHTTTT M I A M I"

...over a pitcher of eggnog is what Mad Dog Mandich and riverdoGary are howling from The Pearly Gates Sports Bar & Grill!

The Miami Dolphins have signed a total of FOUR NFL All Star Pro Bowlers in the first four days of 2014's Free Agency Period!

One day prior to Tuesday's 4pm March 11th opening of the new NFL season. Owner Stephen Ross' new General Manager Dennis Hickey and previous staff members (Dawn Aponte, Joe Philbin) secured their number one defensive free agent priority in Pro Bowl corner back Brent Grimes who was scheduled to hit Tuesdays free for all. The Dolphin's 2013 defensive standout and team leader Grimes will account for only four million dollars against the 2014 cap and will be in Miami for the next four years.

In another beat the Open House Tuesday deadline move. Miami swooped on an enforcer type Safety with the acquisition of Louis Delmas (27) who will upgrade the pre-planned free agency loss of former safety Chris Clemons. Delmas signed a one year 3.5 million dollar deal similar to that of Grimes' 2013 prove it to us contract, and we'll reward you down the road.

Delmas, ""It's like turning on the TV and watching a car race, and that one dude who leads the race goes ahead and runs into that brick wall full speed and actually breaks that brick wall. That's what I'm here for.""


Once upon Tuesdays 4pm first minute, the actual beginning of the 2014 Free Agency Period and NFL Season. THE MIAMI DOLPHINS addressed their number one offensive priority with the signing of the top rated free agent Left Tackle and Kansas City Pro Bowl All Star Branden Albert (29). He will be quarterback Ryan Tannehill's blindside blocker (a specialty of his) for at least the next three years at approximately 8.333 million per year. Miami inked the extremely athletic Albert to a five year 25 million dollar guaranteed contract. The fourth and fifth years are no guarantee and Miami can get out without compensating Albert if he no longer fits.

Branden Albert; ""I'm just here to work and protect Ryan Tannehill""


On Wednesday, a well rounded yet young run stopper and quarterback chaser in Defensive Tackle Earl Mitchell (26) was reeled in at four million per year times four. Mitchell will fill the staffs foreseen through a crystal ball loss of Dolphin free agent defensive tackle Paul Soliai. The studly yet one dimensional 340 pound run stopping specialist Soliai (30) signed at a later time with Atlanta for 6 plus million per year.

Mitchell has been playing productively for the last three years while out of position in a 3-4 Houston defense as a 300 pound Nose Tackle. His versatility of both run stopping and interior pass rush skills are likely to explode in Miami's most prominent 4-3 defensive scheme, the same scheme he played collegiately at Arizona. The Dolphins new Offensive Line Coach John Benton has first hand knowledge of Mitchell's skills while his OLine faced him everyday in practice for the last three years.

Earl Mitchell's self description. “I’m extremely passionate . I love this game. That’s why I’m here. I’m here to work and I’m coming to produce and I’m definitely trying to help this team reach new heights. That’s really my reason for being here and I want to work. I want to play and at the end of the day I’m trying to get us to a Super Bowl. That’s all my focus and that’s my objective and that’s the only reason why I play this game.”

Thursday the sun came up so the Dolphins decided that they would re-sign another of their own All Stars, and did so with the extraordinarily versatile, Mr does everything Defensive Tackle and End Randy Starks. The long time Dolphin stud who has never missed a game during his six Dolphin seasons signed a multi-year deal for just over 6 million per year, and less than what Soliai signed for with the Falcons.

After Thursday is Friday. Approximately Ninety Six hours after the re-signing of the leagues third most proficient coverage corner since 2010 in Dolphins Pro Bowl Corner Back Brent Grimes. Hickey's Hell Raisers signed 2011's second highest ranked corner back Courtland Finnegan (30). He has had a tough couple of years since his 2011 top ranking, including a facial orbital injury that forced him to miss half of the 2013 season which should not hamper his in your face style. Finnegan is a play making intimidator, a guy that gets in the oppositions head and takes him out of his game. The Pro Bowl All Star signed a new beginning two year contract that is suggested to be in the vicinity of 10 to 11 million. Finnegan will start opposite of Grimes while being a huge upgrade to the pre-determined free agent loss of Nolan Carroll.

Pro Bowler Courtland FINNegan


But wait. Friday is a 24 hour day so the Dolphins sign a much needed guard too by the 4pm Ninety Six hour mark. Shelly Smith (26)is a three year veteran that spent his first year for the Texans (under current Dolphins offensive line coach John Benton). The following two years he was in St.Louis where he started 8 of 11 games played in 2012, he started two of 14 games played last year. Smith is an explosive and very physical run blocker that signed with Miami for two years at 5.5 million total.

Ninety Six hours ago (as of Friday March 14th at 4pm). The Miami Dolphins were about to become extremely thin at defensive tackle and corner back with the potential loss of all four 2013 starters. They re-signed their two Pro Bowlers (Grimes & Starks), and addressed the other two free agent losses even before they became losses! They upgraded one of those losses with a nasty former Pro Bowl corner back (Finnegan), and replaced the other specialist with a well rounded youngster in defensive tackle (Mitchell)!

Miami entered the process with one legitimate starting offensive lineman on the roster in Elite NFL Center Mike Pouncey. At one minute into the process they signed the prominent left tackle that they have been chasing for several years (Albert).

In the ninety sixth hour they signed a young three year veteran guard that Miami's offensive line coach helped develop. They now have three more than capable guards with Shelly Smith, Nate Garner, and Sam Brenner while second year left side guard/potential tackle Dallas Thomas also waits in the wings. A standout veteran is still in the cards that are being dealt.

Miami has only one absolutely glaring empty spot remaining, and that is at the right tackle position! The Dolphins still have plenty of money and time to land a right tackle while a few good tackle options still remain. Miami's 2013 left and right side starting tackles Bryant McKinnie (who wants to come back), and Tyson Clabo are two of those few remaining on the market. Though they both struggled horribly early on in 2013, both Bryant and Tyson are very good players who are more than worthy right tackle Dolphin candidates! Both can also play left tackle in a pinch, and a team has to have a reliable backup to their left tackle, the signing of one of them will fill two needs!

Should Miami sign one of those two? They will find themselves in great position to seek early round skill players in the upcoming 2014 draft! If not? A couple more early round offensive lineman will remain a necessity! A couple offensive lineman will be drafted anyway at some point, but it would be almost too sweet for them to not be early round priorities!

What do you think of Dennis Hickey and his Staff's first 96 hours on the clock?

Thank You for an Open Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view!!

GOFINS!!