As I just got done saying on my radio show for the last two hours, today's game is a defining one for the Dolphins.
Notice I did not say it is a must-win. It is not that.
But it is one that will tell us exactly what we have in these Dolphins. It will tell us if this team can successfully compete with the elite teams in the NFL -- which, in turn, will tell us how legitimate a playoff contender Miami is.
Or it will tell us that the Dolphins are what they have been the first five weeks of this NFL season -- a good team that can hang with elite teams, but cannot actually beat elite teams.
The 2-3 Dolphins are a on a two-game win streak and that's great. They are undefeated in the AFC East and that's great. And they hung with Indy and Atlanta earlier in the season. But ...
The teams Miami beat are a combined 5-7. At some point the Dolphins have to beat a really good team to convince everyone, including themselves, they are a legitimate playoff contender.
And what better time than today? The Dolphins are coming off a bye so they've had extra time to prepare. They're at home. They're playing a team that had an emotional game last week and has difficult division games the next two weeks after this one.
So the time is now. Today we find out about these Dolphins.
Today defines the Dolphins.
Join me in the comments section for the first quarter of the live blog.
Come strong so you can show the New Orleans trolls, whodatbeattheSaints.
Omar Kelly just ripped Ronnie Brown...that means Brown goes off today.
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | October 25, 2009 at 03:01 PM
What'd he say?
Posted by: Dishpan | October 25, 2009 at 03:05 PM
What channel on Justin can I find this on?
Posted by: Keithwpb2lv | October 25, 2009 at 03:07 PM
Things like he is not a premier back until he proves it for another season. He is not Adrian Peterson. The other guys are the set are basing their views on one season...
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | October 25, 2009 at 03:07 PM
whose inactive?
Posted by: dolphins53 | October 25, 2009 at 03:08 PM
Yeah Wayne, that's just typical. You can't argue with what we've watched on the field, bottom line
Posted by: Dishpan | October 25, 2009 at 03:09 PM
The opposite of whatever Omar says ALWAYS happens. He has the worst insight in South Florida.
The only thing I can say for him is he is not like Darlington of the Herald saying Sean Smith and Jason Allen had the Swine Flue
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | October 25, 2009 at 03:10 PM
Lol. Omar does seem a little clueless at times. Mando said it best: Miami will run, and run well
Posted by: Dishpan | October 25, 2009 at 03:11 PM
Inactives:
RB Kory Sheets, QB Tyler Thigpen, OT Andrew Gardner, DE Lionel Dotson, WR Pat Turner, TE John Nalbone, LB Quentin Moses, and OT Lydon Murtha
Posted by: Matty I | October 25, 2009 at 03:12 PM
How about the Omar wants the guy from the Black Eyed Peas to have a tryout with the Dolphins?
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | October 25, 2009 at 03:13 PM
Didn't hear that. In that case, I want whatever Omar's smokin'
Posted by: Dishpan | October 25, 2009 at 03:14 PM
http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2009/09/why-not-give-william-a-dolphins-tryout.html
If you want to type that in, you can hear his "idea"...
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | October 25, 2009 at 03:18 PM
Thank goodness for Mando.
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | October 25, 2009 at 03:18 PM
Just read it. Deadlines were probably looming on that one. Pretty dumb
Posted by: Dishpan | October 25, 2009 at 03:21 PM
Why can't I find wilbur23 on Justin tv?
Posted by: Keithwpb2lv | October 25, 2009 at 03:23 PM
Cris Clemons getting some playing time at safety maybe...adds some speed back there and he can tackle
Posted by: dolphins53 | October 25, 2009 at 03:35 PM
Omar also said that Jonathan Vilma is not very physical.
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | October 25, 2009 at 03:37 PM
I thought the team re-building was going to take three years. We're in year two.
Have this conversation regarding can we "beat the elite" next year when the three years are up.
Posted by: steve | October 25, 2009 at 03:40 PM
Let's go Fins!!!!!! I have the faith we are going to win today....Have faith boys!
Posted by: Ashley Farrington | October 25, 2009 at 03:42 PM
Just helping a brother out Armando..
Heres the list of inactives of the dolphins and saints from www.profootballtalk.com
"For the Dolphins today against the New Orleans Saints, per NFL.com, the inactive players are running back Kory Sheets, tackle Andrew Gardner, defensive end Lionel Dotson, tackle Lydon Murtha, tight end John Nalbone, wide receiver Patrick Turner and linebacker Quentin Moses. Tyler Thigpen is the third quarterback.
For the Saints, the inactives are kicker Garrett Hartley, defensive back Leigh Torrence, cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, running back Lynell Hamilton, linebacker Scott Fujita, center Nick Leckey and nose tackle Kendrick Clancy. Chase Daniel is the third quarterback."
Posted by: Chase | October 25, 2009 at 03:45 PM
Clemons has great ball skills. Should be somewhat of an upgrade against a pass happy Saints club
Posted by: Dishpan | October 25, 2009 at 03:47 PM
Official weather is 89 degrees and no winds to speak of 2 MPH.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 03:49 PM
Kansas City is awful
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | October 25, 2009 at 03:50 PM
Any rain in the forecast?
Posted by: Dishpan | October 25, 2009 at 03:51 PM
Harvin just ran one back for Minn. Did we have a chance to move up and get him? Good luck Dolphins!
Posted by: mgo268 | October 25, 2009 at 03:52 PM
Dolphins wearing all white. Saints in black jerseys.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 03:52 PM
Miami 34 NO 31!!
Posted by: BlazzinAce | October 25, 2009 at 03:52 PM
Thanks for the help on the inactives, guys.
I was STARVING after the radio show and headed straight to the free buffett.
chicken cordon bleu, rice and a lemon tart for dessert.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 03:55 PM
Tampa to be first franchise with 2 winless seasons. The Yucks R Back.
Posted by: Randthefin | October 25, 2009 at 03:56 PM
Anybody have a link to watch the game? Am stuck up here in Carolina Panther-land.
Posted by: Matt in NC | October 25, 2009 at 03:56 PM
play hard boys GO DOLPHINS
Posted by: robert evans | October 25, 2009 at 03:57 PM
Scott Fujita is inactive for New Orleans. That really is the only significant inactive today.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 03:58 PM
In Nebraska stuck with Bears and Bengals no point letting my wife watch syfy keep track on pc
Posted by: robert evans | October 25, 2009 at 03:58 PM
Guys. Get the NFL Redzone on cable. Amazing.
Posted by: Randthefin | October 25, 2009 at 03:59 PM
Mando-
How has Paul Solai been doing this year?? I haven't heard him mentioned much, which I think is a good thing.
Posted by: Matt in NC | October 25, 2009 at 03:59 PM
I hate the all white. Shoulda went orange again...
Posted by: Chase | October 25, 2009 at 04:00 PM
totally agree on Soliai not making news is good news, Matt.
He's improved over last year. And yet, he's not nearly as good as 35-year-old Jason Ferguson, who just played his best game of the season.
Put another way, it's good Ferguson is around.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:01 PM
Traditional 4pm all white at home works.
Posted by: Randthefin | October 25, 2009 at 04:03 PM
man you can watch game on channel surfing net. jus scroll down to dolphins saints
Posted by: phinfan from birth73 | October 25, 2009 at 04:04 PM
Ronnies going to own today!
Posted by: Chase | October 25, 2009 at 04:05 PM
Is there a radio broadcast I could listen to online? Appreciate it
Posted by: Andrew | October 25, 2009 at 04:05 PM
Yeah, go to NFL.com and buy the league pass for like 10 bucks.
Posted by: Randthefin | October 25, 2009 at 04:06 PM
need a video stream
Posted by: pj | October 25, 2009 at 04:07 PM
I just hope that miami's D give them a chance in this game. Lets go Sean Gibril Yeremiah Vonte and Allen
Posted by: Chase | October 25, 2009 at 04:07 PM
Mando,
Great radio show today!
Posted by: Tommya | October 25, 2009 at 04:08 PM
Where's Matt from Connecticut? Good call in today!
Posted by: Tommya | October 25, 2009 at 04:09 PM
thank you tommmy!
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:11 PM
Fins 27
NO 24
Let's go Fins Nation!!
Posted by: Sailorbob | October 25, 2009 at 04:12 PM
Hi, UK fan here just watched NE destroy TB, thanks for bringing it over here!
Posted by: Geoff Lambert | October 25, 2009 at 04:12 PM
Need a stream!
Posted by: Ashley Farrington | October 25, 2009 at 04:13 PM
come on lets start!!!!
Posted by: venom | October 25, 2009 at 04:13 PM
ARMANDO - whats your prediction for todays game?
Posted by: Andrew | October 25, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Release the hounds let go'
Posted by: Standley23 | October 25, 2009 at 04:14 PM
89 degrees and wearing BLACK!! I like it!! Hope humidity is high!!! Let's go FINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Robbyhenz | October 25, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Anyone streaming?
Posted by: John | October 25, 2009 at 04:14 PM
anyone have any feeds for the game?
Posted by: Jimmie Johnson | October 25, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Dolphins open in base defense.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:16 PM
FINS UP!
Posted by: Randthefin | October 25, 2009 at 04:16 PM
defence
Posted by: venom | October 25, 2009 at 04:16 PM
still got commercials here damnit
Posted by: Marc | October 25, 2009 at 04:17 PM