Live blog of Dolphins versus Pats starts here

We will be blogging live today as the Dolphins and Patriots play at Land Shark Stadium. The game and the live blog get going around 1 p.m.

I will be here earlier to give you the heads-up on pregame news, including inactives.

In the meanwhile, you should take a look at my column in today's Miami Herald that suggests the Dolphins need to get a lot more aggressive than they have been in free agency and the draft starting next year.

The point is we've seen Big Tuna Bill Parcells and Tuna Helper Jeff Ireland lay a foundation for this team the past two years with safe, logical moves. Well, mostly anyway. It's time to get a little more aggressive now.

One aggressive move I suggest is targetting Vince Wilfork, New England's star nose tackle who is scheduled to become a free agent in the offseason. Before you say, New England will never let Wilfork go, I ask you this question:

Do you know for sure?

Has Bill Belichick called you and detailed his plans to you?

You don't know and neither do any of the people commenting about the column. And yes, I know the Pats can franchise Wilfork. You know what that would do? Still help the Dolphins. It would put such a burden on New England financially that they might not be able to make other moves.

It is aggressive and competitive and a good idea.

In the midst of this conversation during pregame, I will be keeping my eyes on New England quarterback Tom Brady.

No, I don't swing that way. I do want to see if the rumors concerning some sort of finger or hand injury that has caused Las Vegas degenerates bookies and gamblers to dramatically alter the line on this game is a real concern or not. I'll be looking for hints of an altered passing release. I'll be looking for hints that perhaps the Dolphins will have an advantage when Brady attempts to throw.

Anyway, we can discuss your thoughts on these topics in the comments section. Same place the live blog begins. 

Comments

[David]

We absolutely need to overhaul the receiving corps. Camarillo and Hartline are keepers. The rest of the guys are too unreliable on a game to game basis. We need to pursue a young veteran at the one position. It would give the team a better idea as to whether Henne is the long-term answer. Right now his options are too limited to make a fair assessment.

[EmoFinFan]

I have not yet read anything on the Vegas line issue, but the radio pre-game guys have mentioned it---but several guests (Marvez or Cole) said they watched TB on sideline last week & did not see him getting treatment.

My gut tells me it is an interesting story but ultimately meaningless to a non-betting fan, like me. Time will tell.

[Finatic]

Amando! There is a virus in the iPhone App. Help please!

[Litos]

new england has the patsies, the most arrogant football team, they cheat to win and whine to the refs like no ones ever seen. Their uniforms are ugly, their weather sucks, their women fans look like trolls, and when you say new england it's no more super bowls!!!

[scott in cape coral]

Mando,

Wilfork would be a great addition. Even if unlikely it is worth pursuing by the Phins front office. You are right never know with the patriots. Be great to pull a Welker/Morris/Izzo on them for a change.

Also agreed the Phins need to be less conservative this offseason. Building a strong base team is great and all, but its time to go after some high end folks at skill positions. WR is a must and I am still surprised at our lack of attention to that position this past offseason.

I also believe ILB is more of a need than has been talked about

Enjoyed your articles Mando thanks.

[test]

pats win big due to:
1. tony morono
2. henning drive killers
3. paul im so soft on defense

[cocoajoe]

Parcells is a 3-4 guy. Nothing wrong with that if you have a dominating NT and top shelf LBs. Take away either and you have what we've got, a D that can't stop anyone.

[Eeriemoon]

Wilfork will be franchised and if the Fins had anybody worth taking Belichick would also take them to boot.

[j dizzle]

Mando

I sencond the notion!! The foudation has been laid its start to start adding floors and V.Wilfork would be a great fisrt floor addition and I'm sure he'd love to get back to that lovely South Florida weather!!!

[j dizzle]

Eeriemoon

If they do franchise him it'll only be to trade him cause there's no way they could finacially cover his franchise tag cost along with T.Brady's monster contract!! Why do you think they got rid of R.Seymour?!?!

[EmoFinFan]

precisely cocoajoe--

w/o a top notch NT, and/or one or two stud LBs, the 3-4 ain't shyte. I was watching that Nebraska defensive all star Suh last night....I don't know his physical details, & I'm not a draftnik, but first I thought "can he play NT," then I thought "F! NT---put him on a four-man line & build a defense...
...the point being, if we cannot come up w/ an NT & better LBs, esp ILBs, perhaps the 4-3 should be considered.

[Ace]

"Be great to pull a Welker/Morris/Izzo on them for a change. "

Agree with you scott. Hey I thought I was the only one in Cape Coral!!!

[c]

c

[EmoFinFan]

Ace--

agree.....but I'd settle for us not giving them the next Welker/Morris/Izzo even if we don't "raid" them!

[Finatic]

WTF

[Steve]

Dolphins suck!! Patriots will win 42-17

[Hayden Fox]

Vince Wilfork will be franchised, Mando.

Nobody has a chance to get him without a crazy amount of compensation.

Casey Hampton or Ryan Pickett is plausible.

[j dizzle]

thanks Steve

[Wayne Fontes]

Mando, can you make sure that the comments section loads faster than the past few weeks. It has been frustrating.

[Wayne Fontes]

See it already is not working.

[Wayne Fontes]

Now it came up. I love the blog and your insight...just wanted to make sure it was working okay. I love technology when it works.

[Marc]

Go Dolphins!

I still believe!

Mia 31 NE 20

[bobbyd12]

Steve, u suck

[bobbyd12]

I think Armando forgets as of right now there will be no salary cap so we will see

[cocoajoe]

EmoFinFan, you are correct sir: 4-3 should be what we're playing. Not sometimes but all the time. At least until we have the talent to play 3-4. But unfortunately, Parcells doesn't see it our way.

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. Salguero

"Has Bill Belichick called you and detailed his plans to you?"

Not at this moment.....waiting patiently for the phone to ring.

Soiled :)

[smirish]

funny you should mention it. i did talk to belichick this morning over pancakes. he said wilfork isnt going anywhere. when i brought up you column he said you had a good idea, but its not tealistic.

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. Salguero

"Has Bill Belichick called you and detailed his plans to you?"

My Belicheat ringtone is "Your cheatin heart"

Still waiting for the call.

Soiled :)

[Dolphin Disciple]

David,

You said overhaul the whole receiver corp but keep 2 receivers. We only have 5. Keeping 40% and getting rid of 60%, is not overhauling the whole crew.

You are right about Camarillo and Hartline, keep them both! But what about Bess? He leads the team in receptions and yards. Plus he contributes on special teams. We need to get a look at Turner before we make a decision on him.

We need to trade Ginn and take whatever we can get. Trade him to Cam Camoron. Then sign a big time receiver! Its Easy. it’s the plan, and it will happen!!

A great receiver + offseason w/ Henne and receivers + easier schedule =

AFC East Champs

[Ace]

Mia 27 NE 24

Go phins

[Wayne Fontes]

Face it: The Fins get killed today. Why does anyone think they can win today?

They will win at Jacksonville and split one of their last two at the Shark, go 7-9 and then we will go into the offseason.

[nyfinfan]

NE is 0-4 on the road, let's if we can help them continue that trend or get them outta their funk like we seem to do to faltering teams lately.

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. Wayne Fontes

"Face it: The Fins get killed today. Why does anyone think they can win today?"

There is a movie called "Revenge of the Nerds" with a powerful message about overcomming bullies.

Soiled :)

[Wayne Fontes]

Joe Rose sounds like an idiot on the radio. He comes to the conclusion that "we need to get a passing game going"...oh!!!! I get it. It is a matter of "getting it going". That is what they missed all this time.

He makes out like it is a matter of calling for a hit and run or sacrifice bunt. Of course they cannot throw. Maybe by August, but not in the next 45 minutes.

[carlito from golfito]

How bad could Brady's finger really be?

[josh]

new england has the patsies, the most arrogant football team, they cheat to win and whine to the refs like no ones ever seen. Their uniforms are ugly, their women look like trolls, and when you say new england it's no more super bowls!!! LOL hehe. Why is Porter starting? he wont do a damn thing, and its embarassing watching his broken down injured shell of himself try.THANK YOU AGAIN TRI FECTA!!!! YEAH ANOTHER LOSS DUE TO PERSONEL CHANGES!!

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. Carlito from Golfito

"How bad could Brady's finger really be?"

No tellin where that fingers been.

Soiled :)

[Litos]

Go Fins! Win or lose I'd rather be a Fins fan than a Patsy. But we'll win anyway.

[pj]

can someone please post some linkage :-)

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. PJ

"can someone please post some linkage :-)"

JimmyDeanSausage.com

Soiled :)

[Jon]

" And yes, I know the Pats can franchise Wilfork. You know what that would do? Still help the Dolphins. It would put such a burden on New England financially that they might not be able to make other moves."

Well yeah, except for one little small detail you forgot: They're won't be a salary cap next year, unless the league signs a new CBA which doesn't look likely since they just pulled the plug on revenue sharing today. So, New England can spend whatever they want next year. And I'm pretty sure it alters Wilfords contract, not making him a FA for another year. Same thing with Ronnie Brown. A for effort though, really.

[H8dpats]

CBS stating Brady looked fine in warm ups with the finger issue. Who knows maybe it will get worse as he throws. Go Fins!

[HH]

Whoever posts a link tell the person posting the link to rename the game to a non NFL teams.

Example mintuemen vs. da fish

[test]

i'm ready for the henning drive killer stupid play calls, our soft defense from no halftime adjustments paul, and tony morono sucking once again

[john]

does anyone know of a stream yet?

[Wayne Fontes]

I think you have a motivated Pats team that matches up well with the Dolphins. Fins cannot hang with them for 60 minutes.

[Armando Salguero]

Jon, the Dolphins are proceeding as if there will be a salary cap until they are told otherwise.

The truth of the matter is there is ALWAYS much posturing in a negotiation until both sides are close to the deadline. And the history of NFL labor talks is they usually get things resolved on time.

[test]

we lost to the crappy bills

and yet many think we can beat the pats...

we can't beat any good teams with this garbage coaching staff

[Eeriemoon]

Brady is gonna give the fish the finger

[Armando Salguero]

Expect something of a split crowd here today. Tons of Pats fans in the parking lots when I drove in.

[Eeriemoon]

Has Porter run his mouth this week?

[Beerndrums]

Hey

[Eeriemoon]

I must be banned from this for some reason, no Pats fans allowed here?

[patrick]

OK....WHOS GOT THE LINK???

[Armando Salguero]

The Pats wearing their red tops and throwback helmets.

[BlazzinAce]

KICK OFF!!!

[Armando Salguero]

Pats get the ball first.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Mando . wilfork is going NOWHERE ! There's a reason the pats traded Richard Seymour. That was to have money for Wifork, CASE CLOSED ! KEEP DREAMING !. NE 31 Miami 20.

[DyingBreed]

http://p2p4u.net/watch-live-sports.php?id=9576&link=1

This gamelink looks fine so far.

[OinOtown]

GO PHINS! 5 in a row