The Dolphins tonight celebrate their most important preseason game of 2010 and already they have good news on the horizon: The team will soon announce that it has surpassed the 50,000 season-ticket mark for the first time in the Bill Parcells era and the first time since 2007.
Although the club has not yet made it official, I'm told by several sources there is a sense of pride at the fact the local fans have seen fit to invest in season-tickets at a rate not seen in several years despite the tough economic times that plagues the nation and South Florida.
There is much work to do, however, for the Dolphins business side. While there has been a steady increase in the sale of tickets since they fell off the table following Nick Saban's departure, 50,000 to ,51,000 is not the goal. The club would like to be closer to 2006 levels and be in the 60,000s season tickets sold.
One supposes the success the team will have this year will go far toward determining that.
To that end, I present to you tonight's game.
Things to look for:
The secondary: Um, they've been pretty bad this preseason and now they're facing the best quarterback (Matt Ryan) they've seen so far and for a much longer period of time. The expectation is the Ryan will go at least one half tonight as will Miami's starting DBs.
[Update: Jason Allen is slated to start ahead of Sean Smith at RCB. Smith has been on notice all preseason that his job is at stake. Count this another strongly worded message that he needs to pull up and play better or he'll find himself coming off the bench when the season begins.]
To blitz or not to blitz: I've shared with you what the Dolphins' defense is going to be this year in previous posts. Attacking is the operative word. But this preseason the Dolphins have shown no blitzes with their first-team defense. Do they unwrap some of that package tonight? I do not know. But I'll be watching with interest to see how effetive Koa Misi and Jared Odrick can be when three or four of their teammates are also trying to bust down the offensive line wall along with them.
No injuries, please: That is a key goal. The coaching staff hasn't babied this team, but it has been cautious to avoid the physical, emotional, and psychological distress that a season-ending or other signifcant injury can have upon a team. Today the St. Louis Rams are sick at the loss of receiver Donnie Avery for the season. Teams that come out the third preseason game relatively healthy usually go into the regular season that way because the final preseason game is usually a passing excersize on the field. If Miami can escape this contest unscathed, that will bode wll for the opener.
Last minute news: Will Allen and Nate Garner are the only scratches for the Dolphins. That is interesting because it suggests Channing Crowder is dressed ... but he will not start. Tim Dobbins is starting for Crowder tonight. Jake Grove is starting at center.
So meet me at kickoff in the comments section for the live blog. It should be a hoot.
http://atdhe.net/22917/watch-atlanta-falcons-vs-miami-dolphins
this link also works fellas.
Posted by: acwalsh8 | August 27, 2010 at 07:36 PM
Reality Check:
The Fins look like they've regressed. The O-line and secondary haven't improved at all. Maybe the excuse is it's just the preseason.
Posted by: TommyA | August 27, 2010 at 07:37 PM
See? i said to fire him, if we did he wouldn't have missed the block.
However, he didn't have to, since the o-line sucks so bad, especially long, we should get rid of them as well.
Posted by: test | August 27, 2010 at 07:37 PM
i kinda wish Dan Henning liked the shotgun more than he does. that under center no-back formation is too gimmicky for my tastes.
Posted by: Jim in NYC | August 27, 2010 at 07:37 PM
Yeesh.. That wasn't a great series for the line..
Posted by: Dino the Dolfan | August 27, 2010 at 07:37 PM
Bierman is a stud. Mentioned earlier this week he would be a handful
Posted by: Darryl Dunphy | August 27, 2010 at 07:37 PM
poor blitz pick up....i am glad atlanta is throwing everything at us..... we will learn from any mistakes now rather then in game 1....i am glad we are not showing anything on D ... teams will have to learn when it counts againts us!!
Posted by: tony | August 27, 2010 at 07:37 PM
wow that was bad. ouch
Posted by: BoulderFinFan | August 27, 2010 at 07:38 PM
Well, Koa Misi lost the edge on that last run by Turner.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 27, 2010 at 07:38 PM
What Is The Score, And How Do We Look?
Posted by: madfin | August 27, 2010 at 07:39 PM
armando just wanted to say im a big fan, i read ur blog everyday on my iphone, keep up the good work!
Posted by: jj | August 27, 2010 at 07:39 PM
Misi fell down
Posted by: cocoajoe | August 27, 2010 at 07:39 PM
Misi didnt keep edge containment
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2010 at 07:39 PM
Why Are None Of My Comnents Posted?
Posted by: drbruce2 | August 27, 2010 at 07:39 PM
Fire dansby And Misi, right now
And sparano.
Posted by: test | August 27, 2010 at 07:39 PM
This is ridiculous; we're either giving them 3rd and short or we're not making the stops on 3rd and long. Go figure!
Finally a play by vontae!
Posted by: FB | August 27, 2010 at 07:39 PM
just gave up a first?
wth..
Fire mike nolan, why do all our coaches suck so badly?
They should hire me to HC.. I can OC and DC as well, and i'll fix special teams.
Posted by: test | August 27, 2010 at 07:40 PM
ODRICK will not start!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: come on mando!!! | August 27, 2010 at 07:40 PM
Vontae can keep his job..
For now.......
Posted by: test | August 27, 2010 at 07:41 PM
That should have been picked off by clemons.
Posted by: FB | August 27, 2010 at 07:41 PM
Both Misi and Odrick have been yanked! WOW!
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2010 at 07:41 PM
Thank you, JJ!
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 27, 2010 at 07:41 PM
Vontae is looking good...
Posted by: carlito from golfito | August 27, 2010 at 07:41 PM
NASTY doublteteam split by mcdaniel
Posted by: Jim in NYC | August 27, 2010 at 07:42 PM
Looked more like a bad throw more than good coverage.
Posted by: superPHIN | August 27, 2010 at 07:42 PM
Davis looking good
Posted by: cocoajoe | August 27, 2010 at 07:42 PM
why isnt odrick starting?
Posted by: HUGEPHINSPHAN | August 27, 2010 at 07:42 PM
seeing more out of mcdaniels and grant for sure
Posted by: come on mando!!! | August 27, 2010 at 07:42 PM
Good stop.
Go Vontae
Posted by: Po White Trash | August 27, 2010 at 07:42 PM
Does This Lag 25 Min Behind On Everyones Phone?
Posted by: anthjcornell | August 27, 2010 at 07:43 PM
Marshall and Hartline out of the game, Fason and Polite lined up tight and they want to throw?
No thank you.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 27, 2010 at 07:43 PM
when do we EVER run an empty set, i like how were opening up our offense
Posted by: Zach | August 27, 2010 at 07:44 PM
good pressure with a 4 man rush.... WE WILL NOT BLITZ AT ALL THIS GAME...if we didnt on 3 and 9 we will not the whole game... davis is playing great!!
Posted by: tony | August 27, 2010 at 07:44 PM
henne shouldn't have checked down, even if it got us a fist, fire him, and fire ronnie brown for not dropping the pass in disgust
Posted by: test | August 27, 2010 at 07:44 PM
jeeze o-line...how much are these guys making?
Posted by: cocoajoe | August 27, 2010 at 07:44 PM
Misi and Odrick were playing like rookies. Thats why both have been yanked!
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2010 at 07:44 PM
Henning loves being cute.
Posted by: Jim in NYC | August 27, 2010 at 07:44 PM
Jake Long called for holding.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 27, 2010 at 07:45 PM
Good mommentum killer!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | August 27, 2010 at 07:45 PM
Terrible throw by Henne!
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2010 at 07:45 PM
told you long sucks, he couldn't carry my jock
not that i wear one
Posted by: test | August 27, 2010 at 07:46 PM
Bad call on Long
Posted by: Po White Trash | August 27, 2010 at 07:46 PM
that reposition of the umpire really wasnt a good idea for the game
Posted by: Zach | August 27, 2010 at 07:46 PM
henne was going to get sacked
he had to throw it
Posted by: test | August 27, 2010 at 07:46 PM
floating turd from Henne.
Posted by: Eric | August 27, 2010 at 07:46 PM
ST is pitiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! damn wtf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: come on mando!!! | August 27, 2010 at 07:46 PM
shitty call
Posted by: tony | August 27, 2010 at 07:46 PM
WOW an imposter test
get the hell out...
Posted by: test | August 27, 2010 at 07:47 PM
Henne is too antsy. He needs to learn how to be more patient. Marshall was wide open.
Posted by: FB | August 27, 2010 at 07:47 PM
Why No Updares?
Posted by: drbruce2 | August 27, 2010 at 07:47 PM
what was that henne????
Posted by: Zach | August 27, 2010 at 07:47 PM
We look like an 8-8 team at best right now.
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2010 at 07:47 PM
What is going on? i wanna see more henne-marshall action
Posted by: HUGEPHINSPHAN | August 27, 2010 at 07:47 PM
wow, you guys are all so optimistic
Posted by: Zach | August 27, 2010 at 07:47 PM
What a total lack of effort for Bmarsh.
the ball landed next to him
he should have adjusted
can we get our two picks back from denver?
Posted by: test | August 27, 2010 at 07:47 PM
henne was about to get sacked...
he had no more time...
Posted by: test | August 27, 2010 at 07:47 PM
Test u must be blind, lol!
Posted by: DyingBreed | August 27, 2010 at 07:48 PM
the refs are killing us..... our gunner got clipped and held by both atl guys and no call... WTF!!
Posted by: tony | August 27, 2010 at 07:48 PM
Henne had enough time to throw, he just heard some footsteps.
Posted by: Eric | August 27, 2010 at 07:48 PM
Henne should have had Marshall...Darn.
Posted by: Yazzi | August 27, 2010 at 07:48 PM