My column in the Miami Herald today deals with the topic of defining this season. I write Monday night's game against the Patriots will tell us if the Dolphins will be contenders in the AFC East the rest of the season or just the team that watches the Patriots and Jets duke it out.
Why?
Read the column because it outlines the situation clearly.
The column also outlines how players feel about the importance of winning the game before the bye weekend.
If you win this game things are great in Dolphinsland for the next two weeks.
"Well it makes it easier; practices are easier, the week may be a little shorter so it definitely helps to go into the bye week with some momentum," wide receiver Brandon Marshall said.
A loss on the week before a bye ... Not good.
"Yeah, I mean you definitely have a sour taste in your mouth for one long week and you definitely want to get out on the field if you lose," quarterback Chad Henne said. "So, going into this bye-week we want to win. Last year we played the Jets and we won that game. We went in and had a little extra time to go against New Orleans. So, getting on this winning page and having success is important … This is the most important game, I mean there’s no doubt about it. If we lose this game we’re setting ourselves back in the division. So, this is a must, you know. We got to come out, trying to win this game."
we have to strike 1st with a couple tds and then run it down their f#$%ing throats!! its time to take the training wheels off Henne obviously hes ready!!
Posted by: glenn from nj | October 03, 2010 at 08:44 AM
I think our schedule is brutal.I'm really wishing at number twelve in the draft that we could of had a great safety.that's all we need.
Posted by: lucas stames | October 03, 2010 at 08:55 AM
The Buffalo Bills are my favorite team today.
Posted by: beerndrums | October 03, 2010 at 09:12 AM
Wetz go down against bills but blame the refs
Posted by: Lebron's headband | October 03, 2010 at 09:16 AM
The season is not over if we lose this game there will still be 12 games to go I think what we have to look at is how they play becuase that game with the jets could have went either way and if we are a good team like I think then we can start winning games like that, but I do have to say the defense is a concern and was a concern for me when the season started but they did play the first 2 weeks, but they did not look good at all against the jets so that will be what we should look at on Monday just my take
Posted by: scott from Delaware | October 03, 2010 at 09:44 AM
crowder is a panzy. send him packing. the dolphins had enough time to study film and make proper adjustments for tomorrow's game. if they come out and stink it up, their seasons over!
Posted by: dolphin77 | October 03, 2010 at 10:13 AM
definitely time for the coaches and henne to play to win. that means going all out to score TD's even if there's some risk. this is nfl football;should be pedal to the metal for all 60 minutes. take the training wheels off henne;either he can compete or he can't but its time we don't obsess about mistakes. when we worried about INT's in buffalo we fumbled twice. hopefully the coaches have these young guys ready to PLAY!!!! lets get all these young receivers ready to roll. you know brady is going to.
Posted by: greg z. | October 03, 2010 at 10:23 AM
I AGREE THAT A WIN IS HUGE BUT +++ARMANDO+++ IS WRONG SAYING A LOSS WILL DEFINE THE SEASON.
WHERE WAS HE WHEN WE WENT 0-3 AND WON THE DIVISION.0-3 LAST YEAR AND WAS IN THE PLAYOFF HUNT TILL THE LAST GAME OF THE SEASON.
IT's THE FIRST QUARTER AND 3-1 WOULD BE GREAT BUT 2-2 IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD.
WE're A YOUNG TEAM ON THE RISE SO ALLOW THEM TO GROW.
IF YOU're LOOKING FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN WATCHING THEM PLAY BETTER WEEK IN AND WEEK OUT THAN YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTMENT.
YOU TEACH YOUR KID TO RIDE A BIKE KNOWING THAT THEY WILL FALL BUT YOU TEACH THEM AND WATCH THEM SHAKE FOR A FEW FEET UNTIL THEY DO INDEED FALL.
BUT SOONER OR LATER THEY ARE RIDING WELL EVEN STANDING UP THEN THEY're DOING WHEELIES AND BUNNY HOPS.
AFTER WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR WE ARE STANDING AND RIDING VERY FAST.
YOU MAY SAY 7-9 WHAT DID WE DO?
WE STOOD TOE TO TOE WITH THE BOTH SUPERBOWL CONTENDERS AND EVERYBODY ELSE WE FACED THAT WAS IN THE PLAYOFFS LAST YEAR.
UNLIKE THE JETS WHO PLAYED SOME WEAK TEAMS AND GOT TWO FREEBIES AT THE END.
Posted by: JUSTIN CREDIBLE | October 03, 2010 at 10:32 AM
nice work, son!
Posted by: Home`s mom | October 03, 2010 at 10:35 AM
HENNE IS GOING TO MAKE 7 MILLION DOLLARS NEXT YEAR .
4 teams are ready to make him an offer .
jets loss today will be a gift from god .
OUR defense has to show up not to show biz .
Posted by: ALoco | October 03, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Henne will be making 17 million in a few years. He's our franchise QB for the next 10-12 years.
I would rather the Phins control the clock in this game. I don't think they should go in thinking this will be a shoot out. Control the clock, keep Brady on the sideline.
I know they say Brady this and Brady that, but the guy get's frustrated out there. Make him sit, he'll start chucking the ball up for grabs (check Jets game).
Posted by: BennyV | October 03, 2010 at 11:17 AM
Watch out for screen plays!
Patriots love them screen plays.
Posted by: R & R EXPRESS | October 03, 2010 at 11:20 AM
All this conjecture may be a moot point with Dan Henning calling the plays.
I swear......one more drive killing Wildcat stunt and I am going spend the rest of my life getting Dan Henning fired!
Posted by: R & R EXPRESS | October 03, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Was it my imagination or was Pat McQuistan just awful last week?
Posted by: R & R EXPRESS | October 03, 2010 at 11:42 AM
the most imbaresd coach by the dolphins wildcat is belichick .look for the wildcat by fins at least 2 times .
Posted by: ALoco | October 03, 2010 at 11:43 AM
the guy who's pictured w/brady's wife is gay as reported by the boston media .
Posted by: ALoco | October 03, 2010 at 11:46 AM
im confident miami wins vs pats. B marshall really regrets that last TD attemp vs jets.because who he is, he wont give up on a play like that again if he can help it.Henne must start playing at marshalls level Now. marshall was frustrated at some of his passes thrown to him. Sometimes losses like that can be the best lesson taught to a team with so much talent(Dolphins).
and still......
ITS OUR TIME!!!!
Posted by: finatic | October 03, 2010 at 11:53 AM
Today I root for the Ravens and Giants.
If they win, the only undefeated team would be KC.
KC will have to go down next week.
And of course I will be rooting for the Bills.
Go Buffalo!
Posted by: R & R EXPRESS | October 03, 2010 at 11:58 AM
Dan Henning will finally scrap the wildcat once and for all.
On Monday night Henning will unveil his newest innovation in retreaded offensive philosophies.
It's called "The Grave Digger"!
It's based on the concept of digging a hole for your team to fall into, just prior to getting buried by the opposing opponent.
Posted by: odinseye | October 03, 2010 at 12:02 PM
the guy who's pictured w/brady's wife is gay as reported by the boston media .
Posted by: ALoco | October 03, 2010 at 11:46 AM
I'm sure Tommy Boy feels a lot better knowing the guy that was boning his wife is gay.
Tommy might have game on the field, but apparently he can't even beat out a gay guy when it comes to the bedroom.
Get in where you fit in Giselle!
Posted by: odinseye | October 03, 2010 at 12:06 PM
ODIN,
it's not a kiss ,it's just a drunk guy hugging sort of .in that world they all share the love .
Posted by: ALoco | October 03, 2010 at 12:16 PM
jets must lose today to make breath better .
dolphins must win to make us make love .
Posted by: ALoco | October 03, 2010 at 12:25 PM
R & R EXPRESS,
All I want for christmas is Ricky Williams to not fumble....Can you help me out.
Posted by: Kris | October 03, 2010 at 12:34 PM
Aloco,
Who cares if it's a kiss or not. Do you know what hotties do with their lips?
Hugging up on em is way more fullfilling :)
Posted by: odinseye | October 03, 2010 at 12:35 PM
DONE, express ....ricky is not going into the game ,i think .
Posted by: ALoco | October 03, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Aloco,
I think your right...
Posted by: Kris | October 03, 2010 at 12:37 PM
I like to drag them around by the hair, put their faces up against the head board and hug up on those hips!!!!
Posted by: odinseye | October 03, 2010 at 12:38 PM
kris, rick is not into the game .the most important game in sparano's life .if he loses this game he will not be hired again as head coach but if he wins all the donkeys on TV will declare him COACH of the year .
Posted by: ALoco | October 03, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Aloco,
I don't think they go that far...i think Mike Tomlin has coach of the year locked up...hopefully B'more and the Bills get a win so wee can keep pace
Posted by: Kris | October 03, 2010 at 12:47 PM
For all of you who hate the WILDCAT....It seems to work just well for other teams....The leaugue has caught up to us....we must innovate better.....
jets up 7-0, scored on 1st drive...1 play from the WILDCAT FOR ABOUT 10-12 POSITIVE YARDS
Posted by: Kris | October 03, 2010 at 01:10 PM
go bills.lol
Posted by: ALoco | October 03, 2010 at 01:10 PM
Bills fumble kickoff...jets ball wtf!!!
Posted by: Kris | October 03, 2010 at 01:12 PM
bills D finnally showed up...we might have a game
Posted by: Kris | October 03, 2010 at 01:29 PM
henne will never make 17 million. even 7 mill. thats crazy. he hasn't proved himself at all. until he leads this team to a division title, a afc championship and a super bowl trophy, then you can say he established himself as a proven winner in this league!
Posted by: dolphin77 | October 03, 2010 at 01:30 PM
Bills offense looks as bad as ours for the 1st quarter....damn
Posted by: Kris | October 03, 2010 at 01:39 PM
who are you to say henne isnt going to make 7 million ,there's a lot of money in the nfl .it's the people's money .no is paying that money out of his pocket .
go bills /
Posted by: ALoco | October 03, 2010 at 01:41 PM
jets 7-0 over bills....end of the 1st
Posted by: Kris | October 03, 2010 at 01:42 PM
like i said, until he proves he's a winner, he's not worth squat!
Posted by: dolphin77 | October 03, 2010 at 01:44 PM
Armando, can you please write something (just once) that makes sense and is not blatantly obvious.
Posted by: db21 | October 03, 2010 at 01:47 PM
Let Henne out..... air it out all night long.....!!!
and Ricky Williams, please hang on to the ball, no more fumbles!!
Posted by: joeywatts | October 03, 2010 at 02:00 PM
jets looking good in buffalo
Posted by: richard3000 | October 03, 2010 at 02:11 PM
Touchdown bill!!! Fitzpatrick has some bite to him...no wonder they released tren edwards
Posted by: Kris | October 03, 2010 at 02:20 PM
Man the Bills blow.
Posted by: beerndrums | October 03, 2010 at 03:00 PM
i was hoping buff could pull it out but they are horrible...kinda makes us look bad because the puke green is killing them and we sqeeked by
Posted by: cowkilla | October 03, 2010 at 03:13 PM
Here's what has to happen for our Miami Dolphins to win this year. Henning has to replaced for one of the following reasons: 1) Fired...not likely with Parcells still lingering on the fringes 2) Retired...not likely during the season, has this ever happened? 3) Quit citing health reasons or wanting to spend more time with family (not really but a good excuse for 'stepping down') and not likely.
Conclusion: We're stuck with this moron for the rest of the season
Posted by: cocoajoe | October 03, 2010 at 03:58 PM
The jets did what we can never seem to do..blow a a bad team....Dolphins need to step their game up ....
Posted by: Kris | October 03, 2010 at 04:16 PM
blow out a bad team
Posted by: Kris | October 03, 2010 at 04:16 PM
Correct Kris. How long has it been since we beat another team? I don't mean a W in the win/loss. I mean beat a team by a couple of TDs?
Never bought into the Parcells Kool aide but I've always liked Sparano. The time has come for him to break out and put his stamp on this team or lose his job. And that will surely happen if he doesn't drop Henning like a used rubber.
You have to put points on the scoreboard to win these days. This isn't a theory and shouldn't be up for debate. Running the ball/controlling the clock will win you some games but won't win championships
Posted by: cocoajoe | October 03, 2010 at 04:37 PM
ONE BILL DOWN AND ONE FISH TO GO:)
NEXT THE FISH WILL JOIN HIS BUDDY THE BILLS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE AFC PIT,OUCH!
GO J-E-T-S,JETS,JETS, SUPERBOWL BOUND :)
Posted by: ARPAS12345 | October 03, 2010 at 05:43 PM
ONE BILL DOWN AND ONE FISH TO GO:)
NEXT THE FISH WILL JOIN HIS BUDDY THE BILLS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE AFC PIT,OUCH!
GO J-E-T-S,JETS,JETS, SUPERBOWL BOUND :)
Posted by: ARPAS12345 | October 03, 2010 at 05:43 PM
How dare you jet scum post next to me. If you only knew how much we despise you. Go home and have consensual sex with your family members.
Posted by: cocoajoe | October 03, 2010 at 06:13 PM
Destined to be a miserable season for you losers. Made all the better by the fact that you guys actually believed in this team. Did you see what the Jets did to the Bills today? You guys barely beat them. Then our second stringers came to SOFLA and mopped the floor with you guys.
My fav was watching our TE mop the floor with your pro bowl safety. You won two games against lousy teams. Enjoy your two straight home loses to start the year.
Posted by: TorturedDolphan | October 03, 2010 at 06:34 PM
J E T S
JETS JETS JETS
Posted by: TorturedDolphan | October 03, 2010 at 06:36 PM
Looking forward to Brady surgically tearing your collective a&& holes apart Monday night.
Everyone in the league knows you can't cover the middle of the field. Couldn't do it last year vs the Colts, Saints, Falcons, Chargers, and well every team you played. You've been exposed AGAIN this year. Couldn't cover Keller and Shiancoe these past two weeks and it will be a complete embarrassment when the rookies rip you Monday night.
Posted by: TorturedDolphan | October 03, 2010 at 06:40 PM
Tortured's Douchbaggery is showing.....
Posted by: Cuban Menace | October 03, 2010 at 06:48 PM
It is a must win for the mighty airbreathers though..........
Posted by: Cuban Menace | October 03, 2010 at 06:49 PM
Cuban, what's up! My regards to Hot Ashley! I'm back from a weekend in Key Largo, spent some of my retired time on a boat with loose women and filled coolers. What's the feeling about tomorrow? So I don't have to read thru everyone's BS!
Posted by: redsky | October 03, 2010 at 07:18 PM
TorturedDolphin, ESAD! HooRaahh!
Posted by: redsky | October 03, 2010 at 07:23 PM
I do not care what the circumstances are.........
I will NEVER blog on an opponent's website.
It's Dolphins first and only Dolphins with me.
If I go down, I will go down with both my middle fingers pointed directly at you.
I will spit in your face and curse your mother's womb.
You can have the body......you do not get the soul.
Tortured is an idiot and cannot understand such things.
Posted by: R & R EXPRESS | October 03, 2010 at 07:27 PM
tortureddolphan, sorry, youre a jets fan, so i have to explain myself, when i said ESAD, i meant eat s#it and die! comprende.
Posted by: redsky | October 03, 2010 at 07:36 PM
Hey Tortured...guess what homoo, we swept you that year so you cant say sheet lil boy
Posted by: cowkilla | October 03, 2010 at 07:38 PM