The Dolphins are rockin' the aqua tops and white pants tonight on Monday Night Football. The field is rockin' real sod again following last night's season-finale for the Florida Marlins. That means there are strange, brown, uneven patches from about the 30 yard line going in to the west end zone here at Sun Life Stadium.
I expect a high-scoring game.
I simply don't see how the Patriots will be able to stop the Dolphins running game. I know they will try. I know they will present multiple fronts that could include the dreaded eighth defender. But I just think the Dolphins have seen so much of it, they will be able to move the ball on the ground if they stick to it.
I also think the Dolphins will be able to pass the ball. The Patriots have shuffled their defensive backfield this week, benching both cornerback Darius Butler and safety Brandon Meriweather. They can be exploited.
And, obviously, I think the Patriots will be able to move the ball on Miami. I think Tom Brady can find the holes in the Miami secondary but the truth is the Patriots now think themselves something of a good running team with Benjarvus Green-Ellis in the backfield.
They think they can run it against a Miami team that has given up over 140 rushing yards each of the past two weeks and doesn't like putting eight men in the box.
So what do you have when all this comes together?
Points!
I could be wrong, but it's hard to argue with the logic. We'll see.
Come back here for the updates on the inactives. The live blog starts in the comment section below. See you there.,
[Update: The Dolphins inactives are Channing Crowder, Jared Odrick, John Jerry, Jeron Mastrud, Marlon Moore, Robert Rose, Patrick Brown, with Tyler Thigpen the third QB.]
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3rd and 4. Down by 20 and running. Really?
Posted by: dp | October 04, 2010 at 11:02 PM
SPARANO AND ALL HIS CRONIES INCLUDING OWNER ROSS AND THE TUNA SHOULD BE FIRED AND BRING START STUDDED JETS DOWN HER WITH COACH RYAN AS CEO/COACH FOR CONSOLATION :)
Posted by: ARPAS12345 | October 04, 2010 at 11:02 PM
WILD CAT..... WILD CAT....
Posted by: bfish | October 04, 2010 at 11:02 PM
FISH SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FISH SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FISH SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FISH SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FISH SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FISH SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FISH SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FISH SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FISH SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FISH SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FISH SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FISH SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FISH SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FISH SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: bfish | October 04, 2010 at 11:04 PM
Cue the excuses in 3..2..1
Posted by: MrBaltimore | October 04, 2010 at 11:04 PM
FIRE SPARANO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FIRE SPARANO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FIRE SPARANO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FIRE SPARANO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FIRE SPARANO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FIRE SPARANO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FIRE SPARANO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FIRE SPARANO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FIRE SPARANO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: bfish | October 04, 2010 at 11:05 PM
that was absolutely pathetic. 0-2 in the division, and we still have to go
to Foxboro and NY.
Posted by: imiss#13 | October 04, 2010 at 11:05 PM
exuxses???? MrBaltimore bobbing the refs???
Posted by: bfish | October 04, 2010 at 11:06 PM
For a coach whose specialty is o line, the fins sure are getting beat there.
Posted by: dp | October 04, 2010 at 11:06 PM
there are no excuses...something is wrong in miami folks
Posted by: cowkilla | October 04, 2010 at 11:07 PM
the way we are playing now, we will be lucky to win 8
Posted by: woody5077 | October 04, 2010 at 11:08 PM
at least Devone Bess showed up.
Posted by: dramo31 | October 04, 2010 at 11:09 PM
Maybe this yr they will ace the guts to move up in the draft to get a defensive playmaker. Enough of this trading sown and getting avg players
Posted by: dp | October 04, 2010 at 11:09 PM
Ravens > Lolphins
Posted by: MrBaltimore | October 04, 2010 at 11:09 PM
we're down by 20, 9 minutes left...don't have the luxury of checking down...throw it downfield now. Have we thrown the ball over 20 yards tonight?
Posted by: paul | October 04, 2010 at 11:10 PM
This is really a stupid team. Down by 20 and walking to the hiddle
Posted by: dp | October 04, 2010 at 11:11 PM
Henne only throws over 20 yards have been to the PATS!!!!!
Posted by: Miami Vice | October 04, 2010 at 11:11 PM
GUYS YOU SHOULD LET THE OWNER ROSS HOW U ALL FEEL ABOUT PUTTING A LOWLY TEAM IN MIAMI!
WITH ALL THE STARS THAT ROSS IS SURROUNDED THEY HAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO SPEND FOR A QUALITY TEAM NEXT YEAR :)
I REALLY FEEL BAD WATCHING THESE GAME GUYS EVEN THOUGH I AM A JETS FAN ALL THE WAY :(
Posted by: ARPAS12345 | October 04, 2010 at 11:12 PM
Time to start thinking about 2011. This team ain't got it.
Posted by: Dirty Duhe | October 04, 2010 at 11:12 PM
The curse of Joe Robbie lives....When they rename the stadium Joe Robbie Stadium after the man who built it, the curse will be over
Posted by: GFIDUDE | October 04, 2010 at 11:13 PM
i think I would fire the special teams coach right now, before the game ends. Have security walk him out of the stadium immediately
Posted by: paul | October 04, 2010 at 11:13 PM
DP spelling is a perfect example of the Miami-Dade public school system.
zing
Posted by: MrBaltimore | October 04, 2010 at 11:13 PM
This is absolutely the worst friggin game on monday night. The dolphin coaching staff should be embarrassed by having this product on the field not ready for prime time!! From now on, I am boycotting the miami dolphin football team! Sick of hearing the commentators talking how good our opponents are. Sick of this crap! And to think I orderd the NFL package AGAIN this year hoping this was it. WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING....FFFFFUUUUU&&&&^^^%%%%KKKKKKK
Posted by: socalfinfan | October 04, 2010 at 11:13 PM
How can you be down 20 in the fourth and have NO URGENCY at all? There are running plays like they are up by 20.
Posted by: Jgh | October 04, 2010 at 11:13 PM
And the Dolphins new offense coordinator is... JOHN GRUDEN!!!
Posted by: Brian | October 04, 2010 at 11:13 PM
Ross guaranteed a trip to the Super Bowl...what an idiot!!!!!
Posted by: Miami Vice | October 04, 2010 at 11:14 PM
I can't believe the stupid clock mgmt. They are making mcnabb look like a super bowl genius. What about the sidelines. They have given up and so have I. I'm going to follow the jets. At least they have a mouthy coach he knows how to prepare a team. This team will win no more 5 games. I'm out.
Wow an int for td. What a surprise.
Posted by: dp | October 04, 2010 at 11:15 PM
How bad do you feel for season ticket holders right now? Dropping tons of $$ for this piece of crap
Posted by: GFIDUDE | October 04, 2010 at 11:15 PM
Ok the pats just got another interseption by Chung.... what a freakin joke the fins have become on monday night... this is a slaughter.
Posted by: socalfinfan | October 04, 2010 at 11:17 PM
look at it this way...... the heat begin tomorrow lol
Posted by: jrm | October 04, 2010 at 11:17 PM
So they scored on an intercepton return, kick off return, FG block, and a 130lb running back who outperformed your multimillionaire LB Dansby
Posted by: GFIDUDE | October 04, 2010 at 11:17 PM
this is the game that guarantees Miami will not have a single prime time game next year...what an absolute embarrassment for the NFL. This looks like a AA college team
Posted by: paul | October 04, 2010 at 11:17 PM
this team is garbage, cant rip me anymore for saying it. another pathetic season over
Posted by: bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com | October 04, 2010 at 11:17 PM
How about watching a real football team (The Ravens).
Posted by: MrBaltimore | October 04, 2010 at 11:17 PM
I hope Ross meant he was buying tickets
Posted by: Fished | October 04, 2010 at 11:18 PM
DOLPHINS ARE SELF DESTRUCTING BEFORE MY EYES ,LOL
EVEN THE COMMENTATORS ON ESPN ARE SAYING HOW BAD THIS DOLPHINS ARE !
IF YOU ARE TRULY A DOLFAN TOMORROW MORNING YOU SHOULD RECALL EVERYONE IN TEAL UNIFORM ALONG WITH MAYOR CARLOS ALVAREZ !
CALL MR BRAHMAN TO PUT THIS IN THE BALLOT !
Posted by: ARPAS12345 | October 04, 2010 at 11:19 PM
funny how all the regulars arent here now. team gets destroyed and they hide. so sick of watching this garbage year after year. team will be 2-6 after 8 games
Posted by: bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com | October 04, 2010 at 11:19 PM
The Miami Dolphins SUCK and will NEVER be any good.
Posted by: DMoe | October 04, 2010 at 11:20 PM
Man we just can't seem to win the big ones.
Posted by: finfan83 | October 04, 2010 at 11:21 PM
This is a complete embarrassment. The special teams coach needs to be fired before the game is over. This team is a dumpster fire. You begin the season with two road wins and then totally implode two consecutive weeks at HOME. Wow, this is a bad sign for this team. I HAD hope two weeks ago, looks like 6-10 at best. Actually, I hope they lose the rest of their games and finish 2-14 that way this joke of a coaching staff and team can be gone.
Posted by: mikepete24 | October 04, 2010 at 11:21 PM
I'm out
Posted by: Finished with the Fish | October 04, 2010 at 11:21 PM
IM selling my loyalty to another NFL team... Im done with the fins for good.
Posted by: socalfinfan | October 04, 2010 at 11:22 PM
I am a 42 year, born and raised south Florida Dolphins fan. I have never been so disappointed by this team! You spend an entire draft on defense, play Pats twice yearly--THAT'S ALL YOU GOT? Nolan, Sparano, Henning, Parcells, they can all go you know where. Very upset, this is an all time let down. Very poor performance. Good luck trying to go 8-8.
Posted by: jokyla | October 04, 2010 at 11:22 PM
hey, where are all the ahole fin fans that harp on the realists on this board? hows that perennial all pro misi palying? hows sean smith making out? hows Henne playing or the constantly waived and recycled bottom of the roster? i said at the end of camp that for this team to waive and bring in all those new guys at the end of camp and beginning of season was not a good sign. well those are the guys that lost this game and season. all the negatism is actually realism by those that dont wear rose colored glasses. we just call it the way it is and this is a mediocre team. i said it at the end if summer and im repeating it now.
Posted by: jrljr2 | October 04, 2010 at 11:23 PM
DOLPHINS WOULD BE WATCHING THE JETS IN THE SUPERBOWL THESE YEAR !
Posted by: ARPAS12345 | October 04, 2010 at 11:24 PM
PATHETIC
Posted by: randy | October 04, 2010 at 11:24 PM
don't even know how to describe this game - it was sickening. Literally making me sick to watch these losers. No heart, no brains, no plan, no talent
Posted by: paul | October 04, 2010 at 11:24 PM
It is amazing that you can see the difference in a GOOD coach vs. a mediocre coach (Belicheat vs. spermano) just by the way the teams handle themselves. This game is a total TEAM disaster, just like the rest of the season.
Wow, imagine that, another INT by the Patriots. The dolphins ARE A COMPLETE DUMPSTER FIRE AND THE IDIOT JAWS IS EVEN TALKING SMACK ABOUT THEM ON NATOINAL TV.
Posted by: mikepete24 | October 04, 2010 at 11:24 PM
Goodbye Tony.....Goodbye Tony.....we hate to see you go....see you all in 2011!!!!!
Posted by: Miami Vice | October 04, 2010 at 11:25 PM
Another freakin interception!! Well you can be sure that they will be on sportscenter.
Posted by: finfan83 | October 04, 2010 at 11:25 PM
joke of a season. was over quickly. maybe next year right? what we always say. lets hope we continue to lose every game and get rid of these fools running this thing
Posted by: bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com | October 04, 2010 at 11:27 PM
the dolphins are a subpar product that no one should be forced to stomach...pathetic...fans should pay there money to boo these overpayed pieces of dung
Posted by: joe | October 04, 2010 at 11:28 PM
LOSERS!!!!!!
and did you see Brandon Marshall quit on his route for an interception???
That's the kind of cr@p he used to pull when he was a donkee.
I think Denver may have really punked us on that Brandon Marshall deal!!
LOSERS!!!!
Posted by: Finfan69 | October 04, 2010 at 11:28 PM
Well....my old Dolphins are back! They teased us like they do every year.
At least they are consistent.
.500 if we're lucky.
The Phins never fail to break your heart.
Posted by: Todd | October 04, 2010 at 11:29 PM
at the time Misi got drafted, i called it out as a joke. one of the regulars here basically called me an idiot. well whis the idiot now? he didnt produce in college and wont in pros. another in a long line of failures. we all could take a 1-15 team and improve it. this regime is a joke. there were 20 guys we could have drafted in first three rounds in last three years. terrible. im 44 and have been a fan since Csonka and Griese days. im disgusted because i allowed them to fool me again.
Posted by: jrljr2 | October 04, 2010 at 11:29 PM
Remember, this disaster started with the first qtr play calling of a wildcat run when they needed 4 yds on 3rd down. You could already see how out coached they were. Sad to say that they really don't know how to put together a team. There is talent there that will be wasted unless they get rid of these coaches. No motivation to win.
Posted by: dp | October 04, 2010 at 11:30 PM
hopefully with a new coach and gm next year things can change.
Posted by: bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com | October 04, 2010 at 11:30 PM
wow this is UGLY!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: steve | October 04, 2010 at 11:30 PM
If we weren't fans of the fins, we would laugh at this. Anyone who was just watching would be laughing at Miami
Posted by: paul | October 04, 2010 at 11:30 PM
Dolphins..... What a disappointment. When will be the year we get a good quarterback.... Many years will pass before we even win our division. Jason Taylor smart choice for leaving the stinking dolphins.
Posted by: Dolfan | October 04, 2010 at 11:31 PM