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By: Jason Sarney The 1-6 Miami Dolphins travel to Western New York this weekend to play the 4-2 Buffalo Bills, who are in control of the AFC East and quite possibly the entire conference. Currently the Bills are 2nd in the NFL in both scoring offense and scoring defense and inversely, Miami owns a 29th and 31st ranking in those areas, respectively. On paper, this game may not look pretty with trade rumors, inactivity, and overall trouble looming in South Florida. With a November 2nd trade deadline, this is the last game prior to any potential moves, or even “no-moves.” This will no-doubt be a very interesting week in Miami Dolphins Football. A Happy Halloween to all, and although things have been scary and tricks have happened all season, this day has been a treat to the Dolphins. Miami is a perfect 6-0 all-time in games played on Halloween. The most recent Halloween victory was on Thursday Night Football in 2013 when the Dolphins beat Cincinnati 22-20 in overtime on a "Wake-Off" safety. -MIA is 61-53-1 all-time against BUF, including 4 playoff games. -TUA STATS- In the last 2 weeks, he has completed 65 of 87 passes (74.7 %) 620 yards, 6 touchdowns, 3 INTs 102.7 QB rating In that span, Tagovailoa’s 65 completions are the most in the NFL. His 620 passing yards & 74.7 comp % ranks 3rd. -And his 6 passing TDs are tied for 3rd. -In the past 2 games, Tua has been terrific in the 4th quarter. He’s completed 20 of 24 passes (83.3%) for 233 yards, 3 TDs & 1 INT in the final frame of those games. His 129.3 rating, 233 passing yards & 83. comp% are all tops in the league in 4th quarters in that span. -Tagovailoa is already near the top in several Dolphins career passer charts. He is second in completion percentage (65.7 pct.) and passer rating (89.4) and tied for fifth in 300-yard passing games (3) -Tua as a Fin: -The first rookie QB in MIA history to win each of his first 3 starts -Highest completion% by a rookie in MIA history (64.1) -2nd in MIA rookie history in comps (186) & passer rating (87.1) -2nd NFL QB in the SB era to not throw INT & win his first 3 starts.  -Rookie WR Jaylen Waddle has only played 7 NFL games but he’s already caught 44 passes. His 44 receptions are the 2nd-most by a WR in his first 7 career games in NFL history: 1st on that list - Eddie Royal.
3rd Michael Thomas 4th Anquan Boldin 5th Odell Beckham Jr. -The Dolphins aren't NOT trying to get to the QB. MIA is tied for 2nd in the NFL in quarterback hits (51). Ogbah leads with 11 Then 5 players have (6) each Andrew Van Ginkel Christian Wilkins Jerome Baker Jaelan Phillips Sam Eguaveon. -Xavien Howard is the best in the business, and I don't care what the situation is, you make sure he stays home forever. Howard has played just 55 games since 2017, but still leads the NFL in interceptions over the past five seasons: -The quantum leap Miami Dolphin this season is Christian Wilkins. He has passed career bests already this season in QB hits with 6, and equaled his 4 tackles for loss just 7 games in. He is a leader, and with maturity and time, could become a massive force and "C" in Miami. -In the Tale of the Tape across the board, BUF is TOP-10 in 12 major NFL statistical categories. They are top 2 in 6 They are top in 2 MIA ranks in the 20's or worse in 11 categories & are only in the top-10 in 1, Takeaways, & are Tied at 10th. They are last in total defense. -Mike Gesicki has a seasonal catch rate of 72.5% up from his career mark of 63.4% He has had 4 games this season his mark was in the 80%'s. In those games he had 10 5 8 7 receptions. He is entering his prime, or maybe even a year away from it. -In 7 career games against the Bills, Xavien Howard has 4 INTs and 8 Pass Defended 27 tackles and a sack as well. By: Brandon Liguori Brian Flores’ Miami Dolphins are a 1-6 football team after seven weeks of play. Is this a surprise? You bet it is. Miami’s latest loss came Sunday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium in a back-and-forth contest vs. Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons, 30-28 and for the second consecutive Sunday, Flores’ team loses on a game-winning field goal in the closing seconds. “We didn’t do a good enough job. They made some plays. Threw it to Pitts on the over route on the nine ball. Weren’t able to stop them there at the end,” Flores said. The Dolphins were so close to putting an end to their frustrating five-game losing streak that dates back to Sept. 19, but Kyle Pitts’ game-high 163 receiving yards on seven receptions and Matt Ryan’s 336 yards and two touchdowns kept Miami winless since their dramatic season-opening victory in Foxborough.  Tua Tagovailoa, playing in the midst of the Deshaun Watson trade rumors, put together his second consecutive respectable Sunday, logging a career-high four touchdown passes. The four scores were Tua’s positive Sunday, but two questionable interceptions, one on the very next play off a defensive turnover for the second game in a row, were his negative.
“I think the margin for error is slim in this league. That’s kind of what ‘Flo’ has been telling us this entire week and I think we had many opportunities to get good drives going. We just didn’t make use of those opportunities that the defense gave us,” Tagovailoa said. Is there a legitimate possibility Tagovailoa played his final professional football game as a member of Stephen Ross’s Miami Dolphins? Yes, but who really knows what is going to happen before Nov. 2, the NFL’s trade deadline? One can almost guarantee that, despite being a professional football player, it has to be somewhat of a distraction to be the quarterback of a franchise that is thinking about moving you to another organization within the next week. Regardless of who is under center for the Dolphins, this group is undergoing a current six-game losing streak, hesitant as to whether Tua Tagovailoa is their franchise-changing quarterback or not and their next opponent is the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills, who gave Flores’ squad a 35-0 beatdown in Week 2. Sigh. By: Hussam Patel This past weekend, Iowa went down at home to unranked Purdue. Riley Moss’ absence was felt by the Hawkeyes, and the Boilermakers took advantage of that. Alabama bounced back, Georgia continued to dominate, Oklahoma is inching back toward Natty thanks to Caleb Williams, and the ending to the Ole Miss – Tennessee game put all of Knoxville on tilt. As if all of this wasn’t enough, Appalachian State upset #14 Coastal Carolina. Let's check out this week’s slate of games: Wisconsin vs. Purdue
Players to Watch Wisconsin: Graham Mertz, Chez Mellusi, Jake Ferguson, Tyler Beach, Kayden Lyles, Keanu Benton, Jack Sanborn, Leo Chenal, Scott Nelson Purdue: Tyler Witt, David Bell, George Karlaftis, Christopher Jefferson Prediction: Wisconsin 20, Purdue 14 USC vs. Notre Dame
Players to Watch: USC: Kedon Slovis, Keontay Ingram, Drake London, Brandon Pili, Drake Jackson, Isaiah Pola-Mao Notre Dame:Jack Coan, Kyren Williams, Micheal Mayer, Cain Madden, Jaret Patterson, Kyle Hamilton, Isaiah Foskey Prediction: Notre Dame 33, USC 21 Clemson vs. Pittsburgh
Players to Watch: Clemson: D.J. Uiagalelei, Kobe Peace, Joe Ngata, Jordan McFadden, Will Putnam, Bryan Breese, Tyler Davis, Myles Murphy, James Skalski, Baylon Spector, Andrew Booth Jr. Pittsburgh: Kenny Pickett, Calijah Kancey, Deslin Alexandre, Cam Bright, Prediction: Pittsburgh 24, Clemson 21  By: Jason Sarney Miami is set to face off against Jacksonville in London today at 9:30 AM EST. This will be the 5th regular-season game MIA has played in London, yet it’s the first time MIA will play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium MIA is 1-3 in London games and 5-5 against JAX in their all-time series. -In the DIG DEEP section of MIA positive stats - I got ya. They are top-5 (5th) in the NFL in opponent punt return yardage with just 6.1 per return. Somewhere, Michael Palardy and Mack Hollins appreciate this. Palardy has 7 Punts inside the 20 in the last 3 games. -The Jaguars are dead last in the NFL in takeaways. They have one more, collectively, than I do. -The Dolphins are 2nd in the NFL in quarterback hits (38) and tied for 6th in passes defended (24). I'm scratching my head and wondering things when looking at these numbers. -The Jaguars have 11 turnovers this season and a (-10) differential. Their 11 turnovers are 2nd-most in NFL. This is a matchup Miami should.....SHOULD...get turnovers and protect the ball.  -As a once Dolphins head coach, even Adam Gase rattled off a 6 game win streak…… When sitting at 1-4……. And made the playoffs. Just. Putting. This. Out. There. -The Jaguars have allowed over 90 rushing yards from their opponents in all but 1 game. They allowed 160 rushing yards Week 1 and 184 last week. -It's a very small sample size, but when Tua Tagovailoa threw to Preston Williams, he had a QB Rating of 101.5 -With Xavien Howard OUT and Byron Jones questionable, Noah Igbinoghene dressing or not will answer pretty much all the questions. Something to track. -Nik Needham will be on an international stage at his natural position. The outside. As a rookie he played in place of Xavien Howard when the all pro was hurt. Needham is a major player to watch this weekend. -Kirk Merritt has played 1 official offensive snap in his Dolphins career. 7 on ST. He is looking for his first official reception as a pro. He was undrafted in 2020. Isaiah Ford, from Jacksonville, is looking for his 1st professional TD. Ford had 2 catches in 2020 vs. Jax. -Yes , MIA has been scary to watch early on however, if history is a guide & hopeful trend, here's something to keep in mind. In Brian Flores’ 1st 2 seasons as MIA HC his teams improved as the season moved on. He’s 12-6 in games after Halloween, with 6-3 marks in both NOV & DEC. -It's VITAL Miami gets off to a fast start against JAX tomorrow. In an early bright spot, early on in games, so far in 2021, Miami is 4th in the NFL averaging 6.8 points per first quarter. - Mike Gesicki is in his 4th season w/ MIA & was selected in the 2nd round of the 2018 NFL Draft, 42nd overall. He has increased his receptions, yardage & TD totals in each of his 1st 3 NFL seasons. He is now among the most decorated tight ends in Dolphins history. (Keep him) -Fantasy Owners and Gesicki-ites. Gesicki has 12 TD receptions in his past 26 games, which is fourth-most by an NFL tight end in that span. He and Darren Waller are the only NFL Tight Ends this season to catch 10 passes in one game so far. - Myles Gaskin (no S at the end, people) is averaging 59.6 yards per game from scrimmage in 5 contests so far in 2021. Last season, his weekly average was 97 yards from scrimmage. Hence - get Myles (yes, an S at the end here) involved more. Last week was a good start. -Christian Wilkins Career Progression Tweet: In 2021, so far, he has already equaled his seasonal high in tackles for loss. Five games in. He has 4 TFLs at the moment. - UDFA CB, Nik Needham, who will likely be (and is better) on the outside tomorrow as a CB1 or CB2, leads All Miami Dolphins cornerbacks in tackles with 21 this year. -Jaelan Phillips has 1.5 sacks in his last two games. He has 4 QB hits in those games and a Tackle for Loss. He played in 77% of the snaps last week, 41% the week prior, and 59% the week before that. He is yet to be unleashed.... He will be soon. Now's a good time. By: Chip Turner There’s a great line from a great movie that I won’t wax poetic about, because the entire Dolphins fanbase is tired. So, very simply, “The saddest thing in life is wasted talent.” And that’s really the crux of why I didn’t want to write this article. Because this season, a season full of promise and hope, is in a metaphorical death spiral into the depths of the AFC. Welcome to Week Six of the 2021 Miami Dolphins season. This season has gone wrong in a spectacular variety of ways. This wouldn't be unusual as most Dolphins seasons have gone recently, but this offesason and preseason gave rise to much anticipation, so the Dolphins’ cratering has evoked a particularly vehement response. And justifiably so. In one day, we’re going to find out if this season is salvageable. Tua Tagovailoa is expected to start against the Jaguars. The Jaguars aren’t good. They’re actually spectacularly bad. Miami SHOULD eviscerate them. Now, quick show of hands: Who is genuinely confident that the Dolphins will eviscerate the Jaguars? Yeah, me either. There are considerable problems on the Miami Dolphins. And, as a huge supporter and believer of Brian Flores and Chris Grier, it pains me to say this, but they need to be addressed. Right now. Maybe things turn around tomorrow. And…I hope they do. But I have zero confidence that they will, so we’re gonna get a few things out of the way.  NUMBER ONE:
The Miami Dolphins no longer have a talent issue. They don’t. You can argue with me all you want about this, but there simply isn’t a curse over Hard Rock Stadium that magically makes players suck. Rookies Jaylen Waddle, Jaelan Phillps, and Jevon Holland have all shown flashes of absolute brilliance. There have been FIVE offensive linemen drafted in the past two years. Will Fuller was brought in. DeVante Parker is tremendously talented. So is Preston Williams. So is Albert Wilson. All of these players SHOULD be producing consistently, but aren’t. Why is that? We’ll get back to that shortly. NUMBER TWO: The Miami Dolphins are tremendously inexperienced at every level. The head coach is in his third year. The DC is in his second. The OCs are in their first. The OL coach is in his first. The DB coach is in his second. The cornerbacks coach is in his first. Rather than continue this exercise, I’ll just say that the ONLY coaches on the staff with more than three years of experience (at their current position) on the entire team are Dave Puloka and Jim Arthur. Dave Puloka and Jim Arthur are the Strength and Conditioning coaches. As far as the roster, there is a tremendous lack of experience at almost every position. There’s talent, but little veteran leadership. At best, this was going to lead to growing pains. Currently, it’s led to considerable (and increasing) agony. So, who’s accountable for this? We’ll get back to that shortly, too. NUMBER THREE: The Miami Dolphins have a talent evaluation problem. This is the one that really irks me, because it’s more than just a drafting problem. It’s not just that Miami doesn’t know how to evaluate talent in the draft, because that isn’t entirely true. It’s partially that, and it’s partially that the extremely inexperienced staff apparently has absolutely no idea how to properly use the talent they have. There is no reason that Jaylen Waddle should be running seven-yard comeback routes. There is absolutely no reason that Austin Jackson should have regressed from an ascending rookie last year to a borderline unplayable offensive lineman. There is absolutely no reason that offensive linemen who were cut by the Dolphins during the preseason are performing extremely well on other teams, while the Dolphins can’t assemble an offensive line that can keep a QB healthy for more than a game, using the linemen they kept. And there is no reason that the Miami Dolphins have gotten almost zero results out of a plethora of early-round draft picks over the past three years, except for one specific reason. And that is.... NUMBER FOUR: The Miami Dolphins have a coaching problem. I think, up to this year, Brian Flores did an admirable job as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. But this year, he deserves every bit of the criticism he’s received. One of the main jobs of a head coach is to put his players and staff in a position to succeed. And the deeper you dig into what’s happened so far in 2021, the more you realize that Flores didn’t do that. If anything, he set the whole team up to fail. A very young team, a very inexperienced staff, and continual turnover at many key coaching positions has led to one very unfortunate conclusion that a lot of people have danced around. It’s something that a lot of people, myself included, are very reluctant to say. But it needs to be said: The Miami Dolphins look like they don’t have any idea what they’re doing this year. Not only are there very young and inexperienced players, but also these players are being led by a very young and inexperienced staff. There was definitely a plan in place by Flores early on, but he assembled such an inexperienced staff and team that they’re simply incapable of achieving it. Their offense isn’t working. Their defense isn’t working. Their special teams isn’t working. And the schemes that are being utilized don't make any sense. And the guy on the hook for this is Flores…or at least he should be. He’s the chef of this particular stew, and so far it smells rancid. I truly hope the team turns it around tomorrow morning. Tua is back, and then there are a handful of games coming up against bad teams. Maybe the offense clicks. Maybe the defense stops getting gashed. Maybe, just maybe, this team comes together and rallies to save the season. Maybe the whole organization matures in the heat of battle and works together as a finely-tuned machine. But do you really believe that’s going to happen? Yeah, me either. By: Hussam Patel Texas A&M was able to take down the Alabama Crimson Tide in College Station in one of the biggest upsets of the season so far. Lincoln Riley did the unimaginable and pulled Spencer Rattler out of the game and put in Freshman Kaleb Williams who led the Sooners to a comeback of the ages. Williams, looks to start against TCU. Cincinnati is ranked inside the top 3 for the first time in its history and could make the CFB playoffs, a big win for the G5 schools. Let's look forward to this week’s games Texas vs. Oklahoma St.
Players to Watch: Texas: Casey Thompson, Bijan Robinson, Jordan Whittington, Xavier Worthy, Derek Kersetter, Junior Angilou, Alfred Collins, De’Marvion Overshown Oklahoma State: Spencer Sanders, Dezmon Jackson, Josh Sills, Hunter Woodard, Tyler Lacy, Devin Harper, Tre Sterling Prediction: Texas 37, OkSt 30 Georgia vs. Kentucky
Georgia: Zamir White, James Cook, Kearis Jackson, Arik Gilbert, Jamaree Salyer, Justin Shaffer, Jordan Davis, Travon Walker, Adam Anderson, Derion Kendrick, Tykee Smith, Lewis Cine Kentucky: Chris Rodriguez, Wan’Dale Robinson, Darian Kinnard, Dare Rosenthal, Jordan Wright, Carrington Valentine, Yusuf Corker Prediction: Georgia 33, Kentucky 20  Michigan State vs. Indiana
Players to Watch: Michigan State: Payton Thorne, Kenneth Walker III, Jailen Nailor, JD Duplain, Maverick Hansen, Quavaris Crouch, Angelo Grose Indiana: Ty Fryfogle, Peyton Hendershot, Micah McFadden, Taiwan Mullen, Marcelino McCrary Ball, Devon Matthews Prediction:- Michigan State 31, Indiana 13 By: Brandon Liguori It is a very difficult challenge to secure a victory in the National Football League, but Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-1), fresh off a tight two-point victory last Sunday night against the New England Patriots, took care of Brian Flores’ Miami Dolphins (1-4) Sunday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium in comfortable fashion, 45-17. “That’s a hard question to ask. It comes down to just execution. We are not executing at all. That’s the main thing,” a frustrated Jerome Baker said after Miami’s 28-point defeat. Tom Brady, facing the Dolphins for the first time as a Buccaneer, shredded Miami for 411 passing yards and five touchdown tosses, two to Mike Evans. Josh Boyer’s unit, for the third time in five games, has coughed up 30 or more points and for a young, dangerous defense that had such high expectations, it has not gone in Miami’s favor thus far. Miami jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and Myles Gaskin’s second touchdown of the first half saw the Dolphins go ahead by three, 10-7, but aside from that, Brady took command Sunday. Flores knew his team would have to execute the game plan perfectly from start to finish and his team did not do that.  “It’s obviously a good offense, so the idea was to have good communication and try to disguise a little bit. We weren’t really able to execute any part of it,” Flores said, whose team has now lost four consecutive since a 17-16 season-opening win against Mac Jones’ New England Patriots.
Give credit to quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who likely will head back to the bench next Sunday morning in Miami’s Week 6 contest against the 0-5 Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Why? Tua Tagovailoa, who was placed on IR three weeks ago because of fractured ribs, is eligible to come off the injured list and start for the first time since Miami’s disastrous 35-0 loss in its home opener vs. the Buffalo Bills. The quarterback conversation can be put aside, however, because whether it’s Brissett or Tagovailoa under center, this team will have a difficult time earning their second win of 2021 if the defense allows over 500 total yards like they did this afternoon. The third-down defense Sunday? It was flat-out atrocious, too, as Brady’s unit finished 8-of-11 on the all-important down. The Buccaneers’ offense scored on four of their five first-half drives, walking in the locker room with a 14-point cushion. At the end of the day, Flores’ football team is 1-4 after five weeks of play and Flores’ football team is pretty much a defensive play away from staring at an abysmal 0-5 start. Next Sunday’s coaching battle features Flores and Urban Meyer; two energetic, interesting men. Grab your popcorn, folks. By: Hussam Patel It’s looking like Clemson will be left out of the College Football Playoffs for the first time since its inception. Cincinnati was able to take down the Fighting Irish in South Bend. Both Alabama and Georgia managed to defend their co-dominance of the SEC against Ole Miss and Arkansas respectively. Michigan continues to win because of their defense. Let's look forward to this weeks games Oklahoma vs Texas, RED RIVER SHOWDOWN!
Players to Watch: Oklahoma: Spencer Rattler, Kennedy Brooks, Marvin Mims, Marquis Hayes, Tyrese Robinson, Perrion Winfrey, Isaiah Thomas, Nik Bonitto, Brian Asamoah, Key Lawerence Texas: Bijan Robinson, Jordan Whittington, Derek Kersetter, Junior Angilou, Alfred Collins, De’Marvion Overshown Prediction: Oklahoma 45, Texas 42  Arkansas vs. Ole Miss
Players to Watch: Arkansas: KJ Jefferson, Trelon Smith, Treylon Burks, Myron Cunningham, Ricky Stromberg, Jalen Catalon Ole Miss: Matt Corral, Jerion Ealy, Dontario Drummond, Tariqious Tisdale, Sam Williams, Chance Campbell, Tylan Knight Prediction: Arkansas 28, Ole Miss 27 Penn State vs. Iowa
Players to watch: Penn State: Sean Clifford, Jahan Dotson, Rasheed Walker, Caedan Wallace, Adisa Isaac, PJ Mustipher, Brandon Smith, Tariq Castro-Fields, Jaquan Brisker Iowa: Spencer Patras, Sam LaPorta, Tyler Linderbaum, Jack Campbell, Riley Moss, Jack Koerner Prediction: Iowa 13, Penn State 10 By: Matthew Morin The Miami Dolphins sent slot receiver Jakeem Grant to the Chicago Bears for a 2023 6th round pick earlier this afternoon, initially reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, thus ending the 4 year marriage between Miami and the speedy Texas Tech University product. This doesn’t come as a surprise to some people, as Jakeem’s role has steadily decreased in past weeks. When Miami selected Grant back in 2016, they envisioned a slot receiver with incredible speed (Grant recorded a 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine) who could make winning plays from time to time. Even though he isn’t the most imposing physical specimen at 5’8 & 160 pounds, Grant still managed to deliver some memorable kick/punt returns during his tenure in Miami...as well as when he lined up as a traditional slot receiver. However, recently and somewhat in the past, Grant had his fair share of turnover struggles. His hands as a pass catcher also haven’t been regarded as the most reliable.  This sentiment came to life again this past weekend. With a little over 4 minutes left in the 3rd quarter of Sunday’s game against the Colts, Grant muffed a punt that basically eliminated any chance of Miami building some momentum to possibly come back and win the game. Grant’s body language spoke for itself after the play, his day was done shortly after.
Miami went on to lose to Indianapolis, 27-17, falling to 1-3 on the season. Coach Brian Flores alluded to him and his team needing to turn things around in today’s press conference, “We are re-evaluating everything, the whole operation , down to the way we practice...we have to do everything better.” Quotes like this and a trade of a featured target on an already struggling offense is worrisome, and rightfully so. Miami now ranks second to last in the NFL in total yards for the season, while averaging 15.5 PPG as an offense. Not the most amusing stats in the world, but a necessary topic of discussion to say the least. One positive: with Grant on his way to Chicago, this will give rookie Jaylen Waddle more of an opportunity to showcase his skill set on special teams seeing as Grant was the main returner on Punt and Kickoff for Miami. Waddle can now step in and flash his own game-breaking ability (hopefully without the muffed punts).
By: Jason Sarney
While things in life are rarely “Perfect,” one man arguably could claim to have been. The Miami Dolphins honored legendary coach, Don Shula, the ceremony on Saturday The event was extremely well done by all parties involved, and included many surprise guests including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who spoke, as well as Pro Football Hall of Fame President, David Baker. This was nearly the "perfect" start to a "perfect" weekend.
Shula, the architect of all things Miami Dolphins, created so much within the organization, the NFL, the Miami sports scene, as well as an arena this franchise has "perfected" following his lead, philanthropy and charity in community. While this piece is not a “game” or “football” oriented one, per say, it is a recognition of greatness, both on and off the field, in the past and in the hopeful future. Focusing on the winning aspect of the weekend, personally, there was a first for me and a goal reached that only could have been accomplished with the help and support I have been fortunate to receive from several people, especially Jason Jenkins, who gave PhinManiacs the opportunity to be credentialed for the Miami Dolphins Press Box. For yours truly, it had been a goal since the time Don Shula roamed the sidelines, and ironically, at 40 years old, a dream was reached, the same age Coach started his run with the Dolphins. As a New Yorker, I have moments in the 1990’s, not seasons of live viewing. This because of it being pre-DirecTV and pre-internet, games in my living room were scarce. A cut-in to a 1993 Eagles game, where Coach became the NFL’s alll-time winningest coach, was a moment I was lucky enough to view live, as it happened, still wearing my shin guards from my earlier afternoon soccer game. My life, childhood, and the Peter-Pan version of my adulthood, has been cloaked in aqua and orange and while the last few decades have hurt, the pride will never leave me. The reasons are beyond wins and losses. As Owner Stephen Ross said, “Don Shula is the Miami Dolphins.”
Not only a surrogate father to his players, but a role-model to individuals looking to be their best selves, because that is what Shula demanded, and brought out in people. His was a life led by example, and hearing even broadcasting legend Jim Gray talk about his “Dear Friend,” coach Don Shula, the gravity of his importance on the world truly hit me.
Shula embodies everything the Miami Dolphins mean to me today, as well as so many fans. The charity works with local community programs like Football Unites, as well as the Dolphins phenomenal efforts in the world of cancer research. The DCC, The Dolphins Challenge Cancer, has its roots in the Don Shula Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.
Without Coach Shula, millions of dollars would not have been raised. This tradition is still continued in Miami, and the Dolphins are one of the best in sports in these efforts and endeavors. Just listen to Nat Moore...
In terms of on field, it’s time to channel the ways of Don Shula, and his teams of the 1970’s and 1980’s. A passion and dedication for excellence, on and off the field. To me, that is Don Shula, and thanks to him, the Miami Dolphins are an organization to be proud to support, through thick and thin.
While frustrating, lets us all remember what Dolphin great Larry Csonka said to the Saturday crowd to a massive ovation…”When Don Shula came to the Dolphins, we were the worst team in football...Four years later, we were the best team in history.”
By: Brandon Liguori Honoring one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Football League in Don Shula was going to provide a major spark for Brian Flores’ desperate Miami Dolphins Sunday afternoon vs. the winless Indianapolis Colts (1-3), right? Nope.
For the second time this season, the Miami Dolphins (1-3) were bullied at Hard Rock Stadium in front of their home crowd, 27-17 and the score seemed closer than the game played out. “I think we played bad across the board: offensively, defensively, in the kicking game, drops, penalties, turnovers. I mean we played poorly really across the board, so we got a lot we got to fix, a lot of things we got to correct,” Dolphins head coach Brian Flores said. Jacoby Brissett, in for Tua Tagovailoa for the second consecutive week due to injury, struggled. Brissett, a former Colt, tossed his only touchdown of the day to Mike Gesicki in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late for an offense that managed to gain just 203 total yards on 49 plays. “It for sure is frustrating, and it’s all on us, and we’re putting our defense in bad situations and things of that nature,” a disappointed Brissett said. There is a stronger word to use than “disappointed.” Indianapolis came into this match without five of their starters, three of which were on defense and at the end of the day, Carson Wentz, knowing his football team was in a must-win spot, delivered with ease. Wentz finished the game throwing for 210 yards and two touchdown passes. “It feels great. I feel like I got the monkey off my back a little bit, for me and the team,” Wentz said. Jason Sanders’ early field goal in the first quarter put the Dolphins in front, 3-0, a lead the team and fans would not enjoy for very, very long. What did Frank Reich’s group do to get their offense going? Score 20 unanswered points. Folks, I really do not want to say this, but this Miami Dolphins football team is bad. Really, really bad. If it wasn’t for a late Xavien Howard fumble recovery in Miami’s season-opening 17-16 victory against Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots, this team would be staring at an 0-4 start after four weeks of play. They are not 0-4, but at 1-3 and with a date next Sunday against Tom Brady and the dangerous Tampa Bay Buccaneers on deck, scary times in Miami Gardens lie ahead and Halloween is 28 days away. By: Brandon Liguori Honoring one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Football League in Don Shula was going to provide a major spark for Brian Flores’ desperate Miami Dolphins Sunday afternoon vs. the winless Indianapolis Colts (1-3), right? Nope.
For the second time this season, the Miami Dolphins (1-3) were bullied at Hard Rock Stadium in front of their home crowd, 27-17 and the score seemed closer than the game played out. “I think we played bad across the board: offensively, defensively, in the kicking game, drops, penalties, turnovers. I mean we played poorly really across the board, so we got a lot we got to fix, a lot of things we got to correct,” Dolphins head coach Brian Flores said. Jacoby Brissett, in for Tua Tagovailoa for the second consecutive week due to injury, struggled. Brissett, a former Colt, tossed his only touchdown of the day to Mike Gesicki in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late for an offense that managed to gain just 203 total yards on 49 plays. “It for sure is frustrating, and it’s all on us, and we’re putting our defense in bad situations and things of that nature,” a disappointed Brissett said. There is a stronger word to use than “disappointed.” Indianapolis came into this match without five of their starters, three of which were on defense and at the end of the day, Carson Wentz, knowing his football team was in a must-win spot, delivered with ease. Wentz finished the game throwing for 210 yards and two touchdown passes. “It feels great. I feel like I got the monkey off my back a little bit, for me and the team,” Wentz said. Jason Sanders’ early field goal in the first quarter put the Dolphins in front, 3-0, a lead the team and fans would not enjoy for very, very long. What did Frank Reich’s group do to get their offense going? Score 20 unanswered points. Folks, I really do not want to say this, but this Miami Dolphins football team is bad. Really, really bad. If it wasn’t for a late Xavien Howard fumble recovery in Miami’s season-opening 17-16 victory against Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots, this team would be staring at an 0-4 start after four weeks of play. They are not 0-4, but at 1-3 and with a date next Sunday against Tom Brady and the dangerous Tampa Bay Buccaneers on deck, scary times in Miami Gardens lie ahead and Halloween is 28 days away.
By: Jason Sarney
The Miami Dolphins face-off against the Indianapolis Colts today at 1:00 at Hard Rock Stadium, presented by Pepsi. The 1-2 Dolphins look to get to .500 and keep the 0-3 Colts out of the Win Column.
With about an hour prior to kick-off, it was announced that Preston Williams, Noah Igbinoghene and Hunter Long will not be active today. The Dolphins have been dealing with injuries, must notably of course to Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, which is leading to Jacoby Brissett getting another start. Brissett, who completed 32 passes last week against the Raiders in a comeback effort that feel short, played admirably, and even scrambled for a 4th quarter score, then added a 2-point conversion pass to Will Fuller to force overtime. That was last week, and the Dolphins have to right the ship, after dropping two in a row, following a Week 1 road win against New England. Helping Miami’s cause today, is the infirmary that is the Indianapolis Colts roster at the moment, as they have nearly a dozen scratched players. For Miami to be successful today, they must sack Carson Wentz, and make him uncomfortable in the pocket. The more duress Wentz will be in, can only be amplified by the stress of the 90 degree heat, as the sun will be beaming on the Colts sidelines, while Miami will be cool and comfortable in the shade.
Sticking with the defense, Miami looks to continue their turnover streak, currently at 25 games. Xavien Howard has created two of those turnovers, and defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah already has 7 QB hits, which is top-4 in the NFL, so sacks should come soon for the free agent to be.
For the Dolphins to be successful today, there has to be an offensive identity, something that has been lacking this season, as there seems to be a three-headed monster calling the plays or at least attempting to, in co-coordinators Eric Studesvill and George Godsey, along with QB Coach Charlie Frye. On the heels of a Saturday afternoon honoring Don Shula, perhaps there could be a “winning edge” today in Miami Gardens.
By: Jason Sarney
On the eve of a Week 4 game against the first team Don Shula coached in the NFL, the Miami Dolphins brought out the legends to honor the patriarch of this Franchise. Miami Dolphins legends, broadcasting greats, an NFL Commissioner, a Miami Archbishop, and family members spoke eloquent and moving words about the winningest coach in NFL history.
"Don Shula is the Miami Dolphins..." said owner Stephen Ross as he closed the ceremony. Prior to his words, players like Larry Csonka, Bob Griese, Bob Baumhower, John Offerdahl, Larry Little and of course Dan Marino, shared theirs. The Dolphins organization put together a terrific tribute, and with a must win game today against that first NFL team Shula coached, the winless Colts come to Hard Rock Stadium. Regardless of what happens today on the field, some of the best take-aways from yesterday's tribute focused on Don Shula's importance off the field. I had the opportunity to ask former Fin wide receiver, Nat Moore about his memories of Shula off the field, and here is what he told me: It was great to listen and learn.
The legend of Don Shula goes beyond his NFL record 347 victories and two Lombardi Trophies. He spent 21 years on the NFL's competition committee and as Commissioner Rodger Goodell said, "he changed the game, and made it better."
He also contributed philanthropically. In addition to supporting United Way, Shula developed the Don Shula Foundation for Breast Cancer Awareness. The Foundation was a precursor to October's Crucial Catch initiative the NFL takes such pride in, and rightfully so. Shula was more than a football coach. He was an icon in sport, philanthropy, hospitality and community; the words used to sum up his life are, "Faith. Family. Football. Community." One thing is certain, Coach Don Shula is a Hall of Famer in all of those areas. He coached eight Hall of Fame Players, and as Jimmy Cefalo told us all, he helped his players make the right decisions in their careers and life. Don Shula was a coach, a mentor, a father--figure, and an inspiration to so many. His influence was evident, as Larry Csonka (arguably the toughest Miami Dolphin player ever held back tears as he spoke glowing and lovely words about his Head Coach. The Head Coach who led the 1972 Miami Dolphins to the ONLY perfect season in NFL History. As Csonka told, when Shula took over the Miami Dolphins team..."we were the worst team in football, and four years later we were the best team ever." A "perfect" way to incapsulate the great coach ever, and arguably, one of the world's greatest human beings as well. Thank you, Coach.
By: Hussam Patel As we get into the Week 5 previews, we need to recap another crazy week of college football. We got a big upset with NC State beating Clemson in double overtime, No. 12 Notre Dame took care of business against No. 18 Wisconsin with a 41-13 win in Soldier Field in Chicago and 16 Arkansas beat No. 7 Texas A&M in AT&T Stadium in Dallas Cincinnati vs. Notre Dame
Players to watch: Notre Dame: Jack Coan, Kyren Williams, Micheal Mayer, Cain Madden, Jaret Patterson, Kyle Hamilton, Isaiah Foskey Cincinnati: Desmond Ridder, Jerome Ford, Josh Whyle, Myjai Sanders, Ahmad Gardner, Coby Bryant Prediction: Notre Dame 24, Cincinnati 21 Arkansas vs. Georgia
Arkansas: KJ Jefferson, Trelon Smith, Treylon Burks, Myron Cunningham, Ricky Stromberg, Jalen Catalon Georgia: J.T. Daniels, Zamir White, James Cook, Kearis Jackson, Arik Gilbert, Jamaree Salyer, Justin Shaffer, Jordan Davis, Travon Walker, Adam Anderson, Derion Kendrick, Tykee Smith, Lewis Cine Prediction:- Georgia 33, Arkansas 21  Ole Miss vs. Alabama
Alabama: The entire Team Ole Miss: Matt Corral, Jerion Ealy, Dontario Drummond, Tariqious Tisdale, Sam Williams, Chance Campbell, Tylan Knight Prediction: Alabama 30, Ole Miss 23   |
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