CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Factoid interesting perhaps only to me: For the first time this season the Dolphins and the Panthers will leave a game week with different results.
One team will win, the other will lose tonight and will be live blogging most of the way through.
But the previous nine games, both teams lost their first three games this year. Both teams won two straight. And each won lost, won, lost, won the past four games.
It is very mild here, temperatures in the 60s. There is a light haze in the air.
The biggest news tonight is that Nate Garner will start at left guard for the Dolphins but Justin Smiley is not inactive. He will be available to play.
Patrick Turner was working and he will be active for tonight's game. The inactives are Tyler Thigpen (3rd QB), Lydon Murtha, Paul Soliai, Erik Walden, Anthony Fasano, Andrew Gardner, Lionel Dotson and Nate Ness are inactive.
RB Kory Sheets is active for the first time this season.
For the Panther an interesting note is that WR Steve Smith was involved in an auto accident on the way to the game tonight, but he is not injured. He is expected to play.
Meantime, this is where the live blog will start. So join me in the comments section just prior to kickoff.
as long as fasano and crowder on the bench we will win .
Posted by: patman | November 19, 2009 at 06:43 PM
Unleash the beast play Patrick Turner!
See what the rookie can do out there? There is no one bigg enough to take him.
Posted by: Dolphins4life | November 19, 2009 at 06:49 PM
More Pat White! More Pat White!
Posted by: dolfandave | November 19, 2009 at 06:52 PM
What local channel is carrying game. I hears it's on NFL channel which I don't get.
Posted by: Aquaman | November 19, 2009 at 06:54 PM
gonna be interesting to see Jake Long battle Everette Brown who got a sack on him in the pre season and Julius Peppers when they line him up to Longs side this will be a good battle.
Posted by: Dolphins4life | November 19, 2009 at 06:54 PM
N
Posted by: D-dense | November 19, 2009 at 06:56 PM
Mando,
Got a strange feeling the Phins will have a huge game.
Phins 34
Car 17
D- forces turnovers
Ginn- big game yeah I said it
Ricky steady
Henne- will look composed and look more in sync with the receivers
Special teams- big returns
J.Porter will play pissed
Can't wait here on the West Coast
Go Phins!
Posted by: Martin | November 19, 2009 at 06:56 PM
Wrong on this one Mando! Your predessors crucified the guy for smoking weed. I think what he said was appropriate canned answers come from asking the same question over and over again.
I hope he breaks some long ones against Carolina. Run Ricky run!!!
Posted by: D-dense | November 19, 2009 at 06:57 PM
what jersey we wearing tonight?
Posted by: carlito from golfito | November 19, 2009 at 06:58 PM
pink
Posted by: x | November 19, 2009 at 07:00 PM
D-dense agree I hope he break off two big runs.
Posted by: The Cuban Assassin | November 19, 2009 at 07:04 PM
Matt Millen is talking crap (Steve Smith will school our young secondary)
How do you even get a job on evaluating talent after his crap job in Detroit.
Only in America!
Go Phins!
Posted by: Martin | November 19, 2009 at 07:04 PM
This game will end in a tie, then the two teams finish the season by winning out, then meeting in the Superbowl.
Ya, that is my prediction.
You heard it here first.
On a side note: Anyone interested in buying tickets to the Bills/Jets game in Toronto? If I can't sell them, am going to wear my Dolphins jersey and BOO every single play all game long.
Posted by: LipsinToronto | November 19, 2009 at 07:07 PM
I wish Steve Smith would have sprained his ankle in that car accident on the way to the stadium. Heard it on NFL Network
Posted by: The Cuban Assassin | November 19, 2009 at 07:07 PM
Time to do some serious cat-swinging. I reckon the ground ought to be big enough for us to get the Panthers by two paws and a tail and give them the helicopter treatment! Wonder what Sparano will say after the game to their losing coach? "My Wildcat is bigger than yours" maybe?
Posted by: RickyWilliams | November 19, 2009 at 07:07 PM
game is on channel 39 and on 4 in wpb.
Posted by: finfan23 | November 19, 2009 at 07:07 PM
The inactives are up and Nate Garner is starting for Smiley even though Smiley is active for the game.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | November 19, 2009 at 07:07 PM
will the game be ch39 fsflorida is that so?
Posted by: francois dillinger | November 19, 2009 at 07:07 PM
i live in charlotte area. Panthers are just awful. Delhomme is awful. We have to win this game. It would be embarrassing not to win it. The Panthers have no identity at all and are lucky to win anything. I hope we can adjust quickly to a new wildcat version without Ronnie
Posted by: finfan23 | November 19, 2009 at 07:09 PM
I can see the ESPN talking heads raving about how Steve Smith gets in a car accident and he goes off tonight...makes me sick.
I hate that stupid subplot always happens to us.
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | November 19, 2009 at 07:10 PM
Sperry?
Posted by: Runrickyrun | November 19, 2009 at 07:10 PM
We are limited in the Wildcat.
So we will have to go to Whites Pistol Package and
Ted Ginn's Pussycat Package will bust out tonight!
Go Phins!
Posted by: Martin | November 19, 2009 at 07:10 PM
so we picking up the game here in florida locally? and can anyone confirm is gonna be on ch4 and 39fsn. i would love for it to be pick up.
Posted by: francois dillinger | November 19, 2009 at 07:12 PM
Thanks for the update Mando!
Your thoughts on Turner?
Go Phins!
Posted by: Martin | November 19, 2009 at 07:13 PM
LMAO Martin:
Ted Ginn's Pussycat Package will bust out tonight!
Posted by: LipsinToronto | November 19, 2009 at 07:13 PM
I cannot believe that Big O and Keith Sims are saying that Ronnie being hurt it is a silver lining to the offense. Are you kidding me?
That is dumbest assessment I have ever heard. They sound so stupid.
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | November 19, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Keith Sims is an idiot by the way.
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | November 19, 2009 at 07:14 PM
I'd like to see the Lousakat.
Posted by: tjh | November 19, 2009 at 07:15 PM
Lipsin-
It came about when on one of his drops my brother yelled-more wildcat! I was yelling Ginn don't be a P#@$! We both looked at eachother and the Pussycat was born.
Just like the old chocolate and the peanut butter thing
Go Phins!
Posted by: Martin | November 19, 2009 at 07:17 PM
Joey Haynos is the starting TE for Miami.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | November 19, 2009 at 07:21 PM
need a link stuck in chicago
Posted by: GOL | November 19, 2009 at 07:21 PM
I had envisioned it was borne from a moment he cowered to the ground or dove out of bounds.. but I like it just the same!
Posted by: LipsinToronto | November 19, 2009 at 07:21 PM
You can watch the game live on nfl.com people
Posted by: carlito from golfito | November 19, 2009 at 07:21 PM
Its Pat White's night tonight
Posted by: carlito from golfito | November 19, 2009 at 07:22 PM
patman - Of course Fasano will be on the bench since he is inactive DUH!
Posted by: Indiana Dolfan | November 19, 2009 at 07:22 PM
Me too GOL! Need a link! Anyone?!!
Posted by: MsCuba | November 19, 2009 at 07:23 PM
What did Keith Sims say, Wayne Fontes?
Posted by: Armando Salguero | November 19, 2009 at 07:28 PM
Thanks Carlito! But isn't that audio only? Or am I just technically challenged!
Posted by: MsCuba | November 19, 2009 at 07:29 PM
So I am stuck with a cable provider that does not offer the NFL Network...does anyone know a link for the game and/or the pregame talk?
Posted by: Indiana Dolfan | November 19, 2009 at 07:30 PM
"Two teams enter, one team leaves!"
Go Fins!!
Posted by: MadMax | November 19, 2009 at 07:31 PM
Question for everyone: Where do the Dolphins get offense from the rest of the season?
Tonight, because the Panthers are so terrible against the run, I expect Ricky Williams will be fine. But what about the rest of the year?
Where does it come from without Ronnie Brown?
Posted by: Armando Salguero | November 19, 2009 at 07:31 PM
i am interested to see what kory sheets can do.
Posted by: Oliver Rubber | November 19, 2009 at 07:31 PM
My assessment was that it forces the Wildcat to go away and makes the Fins use a conventional offense. Henne, in their minds, is now forced to be under center exclusively and he will go as QB.
How stupid? Take away a back destined for 1,000 plus yards and his only game changer. That is great for a young QB.
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | November 19, 2009 at 07:32 PM
Aqua and Orange!
RickyBobby in Talladega Nights-
"These Colors don't Run"!
Just before he got his arm broken like a Cheesy Gordita
Go Phins!
Posted by: Martin | November 19, 2009 at 07:32 PM
My assessment meaning, what Sims and Big O were getting at...
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | November 19, 2009 at 07:33 PM
Anyone know if Sheets is active tonight?
Posted by: AK FinFan | November 19, 2009 at 07:34 PM
Williams and our new te spasomething will be huge factors also Jason Taylor tonight will be huge... I see ginn getting the long ball tonight too
Posted by: Dolphan0421 | November 19, 2009 at 07:36 PM
Dolphins come onto the field for warmups and when they gather in a huddle, Joey Porter is the guy talking to them from the middle of that huddle.
Shows who the players believe is their leader.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | November 19, 2009 at 07:36 PM
Oops just saw the rest of Mandy's comments...
Please feel free to ignore the previous post
Posted by: AK FinFan | November 19, 2009 at 07:36 PM
Mando,
I really feel like Ricky will be Ricky and go for 100yds.
Something tells me the passing game will bust out tonight.
I think the defense will force turnovers tonight.
Just a feeling.
Go Phins!
Posted by: Martin | November 19, 2009 at 07:37 PM
if the game is a tie, they will still have the same results for every game.
Posted by: eddie | November 19, 2009 at 07:37 PM
Porter is old.
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | November 19, 2009 at 07:38 PM
AK Fin Fan - Did yuou read what Armando wrote in this blog:
"RB Kory Sheets is active for the first time this season"
Posted by: Indiana Dolfan | November 19, 2009 at 07:39 PM
What will make rickys game tonight huge is if he doesn't fumble the ball... If he can hold on to it all game we will win no questions asked
Posted by: Dolphan0421 | November 19, 2009 at 07:40 PM
Wayne,
Who is the big O?
Posted by: odinseye | November 19, 2009 at 07:42 PM
Is Lex Active?
Posted by: Chris | November 19, 2009 at 07:42 PM
Is Lex Active?
Posted by: Chris | November 19, 2009 at 07:42 PM
Of courde, he's backing up Ricky.
Posted by: odinseye | November 19, 2009 at 07:43 PM
why do i feel that HENNE will have 2 interceptions .
Posted by: jet in love | November 19, 2009 at 07:44 PM
Mando,
Don't want to minimize the loss of Ronnie.
Parcells built teams usually flex their muscle about this time of the season. When every team is beat up. I believe he builds the teams from the lines out. Time for the O' line and D' line to step up.
Ricky/Polite/Hilliard are an above average trio behind this line.
Henne will only get better as I think the receivong corp will be serviceable (less drops).
P. White will add some spark ala Kordell Stewart.
Tonight will tell us a lot.
Go Phins!
Posted by: Martin | November 19, 2009 at 07:45 PM
Sims just said they will be better in the long run without Ronnie...
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | November 19, 2009 at 07:47 PM