The good news? Browns starting RB Peyton Hillis is not playing for the Browns today. Starting RT Tony Pashos is also not playing today so backup tackle Artis Hicks is starting in his place.
So there's that.
The Dolphins have some injuries, as you know, so those players -- Vontae Davis, Roberto Wallace, Tony McDaniel -- are inactive. But there's the healthy scratch that raises eyebrows: Phillip Merling.
Merling, a second-round pick in 2008, will not play today even though he is healthy. So he's obviously not as good, in the coaching staff's eyes, as Igor Olshansky and Ryan Baker who are active ahead of him. Olshansky was signed four days ago.
Call it another instance of a player not playing up to the talent the team believed he would have.
I wrote about that on this blog yesterday. I wrote about it today in my column in The Herald. Bottom line?
I think the Dolphins will beat the Browns today. But I do not believe this win will change a whole lot about what we know of this team. The column explains why.
There is a live blog today. Go to the comments section below for the first quarter festivities.
Dear Mr. Salguero
1st......who's #1 now YEAH!
In the city of Cleveland the people have not forgot how one of there own suerstars left them to go to Miami.
Cleveland said to there superstar...the offense is yours we will get whatever parts you need...but the superstar left and broke all of Clevelands collective hearts anyway.
Meanwhile in Miami we now wonder how many championships the big 3..... Ireland/Sparano/Daboll will win.
Soiled :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | September 25, 2011 at 11:55 AM
#1
Posted by: Yeah! | September 25, 2011 at 11:55 AM
#1.
Posted by: Yeah! | September 25, 2011 at 11:55 AM
Soiled,
I salute you. Well done!
Posted by: Yeah! | September 25, 2011 at 11:57 AM
DD, repost from last blog:
DD, I'm gonna take your word for it (don't really watch baseball anymore).
What impressed me about Beane (in the movie at least, not sure how close to the truth it was) is that he realized he couldn't do the same thing and expect different results. That (apparently) is the hardest thing for a GM/Coach to do. Look here, we've had a bunch of different people running the team, but all did relatively the same thing, and NOTHING EVER CHANGED. We were mediocre back with Fiedler (though better than today), and we're mediocre now, a decade later.
Beane took a chance on something new. Also, to call it a quirky system, small market, to me says nothing to the fact that he was offered the job of Red Sox GM, and didn't take it, and the Red Sox used HIS QUIRKY SYSTEM to win the World Series, something no fan ever thought they'd ever be able to do. I think that gives some justification to his quirky system, don't you?
I just WISH, there was a GM/Coach here with the BALLS to try something new. You're telling me no one thought of drafting a 1st-round QB in TWELVE YEARS here? No one thought of maybe, you know, putting together a powerhouse offense to outscore other teams regardless of what the defense was doing? That it took 4 years to figure out that running on first and second down is a LOSING strategy? That we didn't need a TE combo (like Martin in '08) with Fasano LAST year? That our secondary CAN'T COVER A MANNEQUIN?
A Billy Beane-type GM would have figured that out MUCH sooner than the yahoos running this organization, and for that I stand behind my initial statement. I don't like (or know) everything about the guy, and am not saying the A's are the best team in baseball (however, they did break records with that 20 game win streak, right?), all I'm saying is he was a guy that didn't do the same thing again and again and expect different results, and as a fan of a crumbled franchise, that was a refreshing sight to see.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | September 25, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Mando, wondering if the team is upbeat (being on the road, with that Road Warrior mentality from last year)? Can you give us any info to how they look from your vantage point? I think if they don't start strong (and build a lead) it'll be a long game (and end in a loss for us).
Posted by: DC Dolfan | September 25, 2011 at 11:59 AM
Dolphins wearing road whites today? Read somewhere last week that Cleveland is wearing all white at home this year
Posted by: zachydean | September 25, 2011 at 12:10 PM
Too late ted, not sure if you've seen team payrolls, but Miami has consistently been in the bottom half of the league. How've we done? Right, mediocre. I think someone thinking outside the box with ownership not willing to invest more money would be a good thing.
Look, you guys complaining about Beane, that's fine. I could care LESS about Beane, the A's and baseball. Relate his story to football. To THIS team (that's what I was getting at bringing that up, what I care about). And nothing we've done last decade has helped. NOTHING! So, my question to you guys is: what do we do now?
Posted by: DC Dolfan | September 25, 2011 at 12:10 PM
I think I'm gonna be sad
I think it's today, YEAH!
The coach that's driving me mad is going away
He had a ticket to ride.........
He had a ticket to Ride-Hi-Hide!
He had a ticket ride
And I don't CARE!
The END IS NEAR!!!!
Posted by: odinseye | September 25, 2011 at 12:11 PM
Going forward I believe the NFL owners must spend at least 90% of the cap number. Thought I read that.
Posted by: Chris in the 623 | September 25, 2011 at 12:11 PM
Chris, I think so too. I guess my point of all that is to say that maybe a different way of looking at things might bring different results. Baseball is all statistics, so I see how that might be a better sport for that system. But I heard soccer teams now are trying to use it to their advantage. Also thought I heard the Patriots taking a look at it.
I'm not saying it would definitely work. I'm not even saying I want to try "IT". I'm just saying we NEED to try something, ANYTHING different here. We need to build a winning system, period. I don't know how, I don't know what exactly, I just know everything tried to date has failed miserably.
I've seen bad teams get better, good teams get worse, and all I've seen here (for the most part) is mediocrity. That means you're not bad enough to get one of the top draft picks, yet not good enough to compete with the elite teams, everything is just in the middle. We're in the middle in standing (as of last year), in the middle as of team payrolls, in the middle as of quality of personnel. We're stuck in a ditch. And I just want to find a way out of the ditch. '07/'08 was actually refreshing in the sense that we were the worst, then one of the best, for a change. But then, right back to the middle. I just don't want to be 15-18 anymore. I can't stand it anymore.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | September 25, 2011 at 12:18 PM
Funny that it takes some people 3 years to figure out what others of us knew immediately...JEFF IRELAND IS HORRIBLE...Of course, Mandy thought he was a "Rising Star". 3 years later the O-line is in shambles and we're still a revolving door of Cowboy rejects!
Posted by: Marc | September 25, 2011 at 12:18 PM
By the way DD, read your response to the Beane thing, and you sound WAY more knowledgeable about him, the A's and baseball than me, so again, I'll take your word for it. Just trying to think out-of-the-box here.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | September 25, 2011 at 12:21 PM
And if they lose?
Posted by: Hayden Fox | September 25, 2011 at 12:22 PM
There can be no justifiable, acceptable, reasonable, understandable, conceivable, convincible, excusable reason for the Dolphins not to win against Cleveland without their star RB today. None.
Win the damn game! Or else.....
Posted by: DevilsAdvocate | September 25, 2011 at 12:22 PM
Marc taking shots at Mando? No WAY!!!!
Wait a sec.......I get it. He drove right on past your corner didn't he? The nerve of some people ;P
Posted by: odinseye | September 25, 2011 at 12:25 PM
1 bottle of Jack Daniels. A eight pack of tiny cokes. I think I can make it through today's game. If they are trailing at half time, I have an emergency 12 pack of Heineken, on stand by.
Posted by: mike d | September 25, 2011 at 12:25 PM
There can be no justifiable, acceptable, reasonable, understandable, conceivable, convincible, excusable reason for the Dolphins not to win against Cleveland without their star RB today. None.
Win the damn game! Or else.....
Posted by: DevilsAdvocate | September 25, 2011 at 12:22 PM
You! Yoooooooooooooooooooou! You're GOOD ;)
Posted by: odinseye | September 25, 2011 at 12:27 PM
I don't take shots at anyone odin. I just call it like I see it, ALWAYS.
Posted by: Marc | September 25, 2011 at 12:27 PM
After last year, I did what any die hard fan should, I bought a liquor store. So now I am all set for another Great Phins season... :(
Posted by: ctphinsfan | September 25, 2011 at 12:29 PM
I don't take shots at anyone odin. I just call it like I see it, ALWAYS.
Posted by: Marc | September 25, 2011 at 12:27 PM
Hey, there's nothing wrong with that.
Or maybe I should've said:
Not that there's anything wrong with that.........?
To-mato
To-MAH-to
Hmmmmmph!
Posted by: odinseye | September 25, 2011 at 12:30 PM
Acorns = NFL players who've never played to thier potential or only had very limited upside to begin with. Squirrels loves acorns because there's no worry of acorns biting back.
This fo has drank so much of the play not to lose koolaid. They've been forever innoculated against playing to win. Even Herm Edwards knows, "You Play To Win The Game"!
When this doesnt happen, see Herm Edwards current mode of employment.
As I stated yesterday, the Miami Dolphins have become a bad B-rated movie with even worse C-rated actors!
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 12:31 PM
After last year, I did what any die hard fan should, I bought a liquor store. So now I am all set for another Great Phins season... :(
Posted by: ctphinsfan | September 25, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Yeah, can I......uh........run a tab?
It's going to be a LONG season!
Posted by: odinseye | September 25, 2011 at 12:31 PM
This is off the wall- but I think back to the draft and the fins should have drafted Prince A from Nebraska- they need corners who van play-
This season is over- I'm with dan leverets- I used to care so much- now it's going to indifference and I hate that!!
Go fins- beat the Browns!!
Posted by: flyrodderbob | September 25, 2011 at 12:32 PM
Squirrels loves acorns because there's no worry of acorns biting back.
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Well DB, like I've always said, if they don't bite when their acorns, they.......ah........um.......
They just bite!
Posted by: odinseye | September 25, 2011 at 12:35 PM
After last year, I did what any die hard fan should, I bought a liquor store. So now I am all set for another Great Phins season... :(
Posted by: ctphinsfan | September 25, 2011 at 12:29 PM
No ctphinsfan,
Ive decided to stay in shape for my 80th birthday. If I owned a liquor store there's no way Im still around for the next Dolphin SB win. I estimate this to happen 30 seasons or more away.
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 12:36 PM
This is off the wall- but I think back to the draft and the fins should have drafted Prince A from Nebraska- they need corners who van play-
This season is over- I'm with dan leverets- I used to care so much- now it's going to indifference and I hate that!!
Go fins- beat the Browns!!
Posted by: flyrodderbob | September 25, 2011 at 12:32 PM
This fo's draft strategy is to hit homeruns with players hardly anyone ever heard of until draft day. Instead we almost always find out why hardly anyone heard of them until draft day!
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 12:39 PM
The only way to find out who is responsible for what is to determine, Who cuts players, Sparano or Ireland(or less probably Ross)? =, who signs those players?
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Im about to puke. Bill Parcells talking about his blueprint on espn. What wont be done is them asking wth went wrong with his flawed blueprint in Miami.
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 12:42 PM
This is off the wall- but I think back to the draft and the fins should have drafted Prince A from Nebraska- they need corners who van play-
This season is over- I'm with dan leverets- I used to care so much- now it's going to indifference and I hate that!!
Go fins- beat the Browns!!
Posted by: flyrodderbob | September 25, 2011 at 12:32 PM
Can I just call you ah, bob?
Anyways, I wanted Nate Solder if we went O-line. Of course that was because I though Prince A was going to be gone.
By the time our pick rolled around and he was still on the board, I had visions of Brady facing Davis, Smith and the Prince. Of course, at that time I was till suffering from delusions of granduerosity in regards to Davis and Smith's talent levels!
Anywhoo...........Let's Kill the Colts......ah or the Bengals..........um........whatever, can we just get a win!?!?
Posted by: odinseye | September 25, 2011 at 12:42 PM
Parcells says the coach and gm has to be on the same page about players brought in.
If Sparano and Ireland are on the same page about the players brought in. It means they both terribly suck!
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 12:44 PM
A complete package indeed!(Cam Newton).
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 12:45 PM
mike d for blog President. Keep one Coke for the heartburn later bro.
But, it's 15 min to game time, so I'm changing into fan-mode folks. I'm getting ON THE BUS. I don't know how long I'll ride, but d*mnit, I'm a DOLFAN! For better or worse. Take off the bib, take out the pacifier, and GROW SOME NUTS!!! LET'S GO! Just win baby.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | September 25, 2011 at 12:46 PM
HOME HAS BEEN PROVEN TERRIBLY WRONG. HE THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY SEAN SMITH THAT SUCKED.
NEW FLASH:
VONTE DAVIS SUCKS TOO!
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 12:46 PM
Rob Ryan for HC 2012 !!! A quick hair trim and facial shave would clean him up if that's what Ross requires...bit I'd tell him to stay with his current look personally. Battle brother Rex twice per year and beat Rex twice per year...he would be hungry Mando.
Posted by: C63-AMG | September 25, 2011 at 12:47 PM
If that is so, DB, then let them walk together.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 12:47 PM
"A complete package indeed!(Cam Newton)."
Liar, Cheater and thief...a triple threat if you will
Posted by: SoiledBottom | September 25, 2011 at 12:48 PM
AS I POSTED YESTERDAY:
ACROSS THE BOARD THIS TEAM NOW HAS MORE ISSUES THAN THE 1-15 2007 TEAM. AT LEAST BACK THEN THE ISSUE WAS OFFENSE ONLY. NOW ITS OFFENSE, DEFENSE, AND ST'S!
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 12:50 PM
But, it's 15 min to game time, so I'm changing into fan-mode folks. I'm getting ON THE BUS. I don't know how long I'll ride, but d*mnit, I'm a DOLFAN! For better or worse. Take off the bib, take out the pacifier, and GROW SOME NUTS!!! LET'S GO! Just win baby.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | September 25, 2011 at 12:46 PM
That's what I'm talking about DC!
All the BS whinning and crying goes away right now.
All the jokes are put on hold.
It's time to FVCK Cleveland Up!!!!
We have to do the best we can with what we got. There'll be plenty of time for the whinners to lick their wounds LATER.
LOCK AND LOAD!!!!
Posted by: odinseye | September 25, 2011 at 12:50 PM
Don't think those marvelous character traits are much important to Carolina, Soiled.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 12:51 PM
Huge break for the Dolphins playing the Browns without Hillis. Really huge!! You guys are right, if we can't win this one there is no hope!! This game sets up the way the Packers game did for us last year. Do they want it bad enough? Let's watch and see.
DC, glad you enjoyed Moneyball. I'm going to get out tomorrow and see it.
Posted by: Craig M | September 25, 2011 at 12:52 PM
any internet feeds of the game today not being shown where i live
Posted by: james | September 25, 2011 at 12:52 PM
can anyone post where i can stream the game?
Posted by: Jimbo | September 25, 2011 at 12:53 PM
SOILEDBOTTOM,
RIGHT NOW I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HAVE A QB THAT KNEW HOW TO LIE, CHEAT, AND STEAL WHEN HE GOT OUR TEAM INTO THE REDZONE!
IF PUTTING TD'S ON THE BOARD IN THE REDZONE WERE A CRIME. THE JURY WOULDNT HAVE TO DELIBERATE 3 SECONDS TO FIND CHAD HENNE INNOCENT ON ALL COUNTS!
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 12:54 PM
Time to kick stinky Cleveland butt! C u guys after the beat-down! My guess is Moore will play some today...just a gut feeling...I could be wrong!
Posted by: C63-AMG | September 25, 2011 at 12:54 PM
Odds dropping down in LV in our favor.
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 12:54 PM
if anybody has a link to the game feel free to post it up, it would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by: phiniac | September 25, 2011 at 12:54 PM
link?
Posted by: Fin Fan Buck | September 25, 2011 at 12:56 PM
limk?
Posted by: Fin Fan Buck | September 25, 2011 at 12:56 PM
odin/Craig, time to pay the bills! START STRONG! If we win the coin toss, TAKE THE BALL FIRST! DRIVE DOWN THE FIELD! TD! GO UP FOR A CHANGE!
LOCK AND LOAD, DRINK IN HAND!!!!
P.S. Craig, really good movie regardless if it's true or not, I enjoyed it a lot.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | September 25, 2011 at 12:57 PM
http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/82767/1/watch-cleveland-browns-vs-miami-dolphins.html
Posted by: Scotty | September 25, 2011 at 12:57 PM
WHY DO I GET THE FEELING I'LL BE MUCH BETTER OFF NOT WATCHING THIS GAME?
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 12:58 PM
OH, to whoever said we're wearing white, we're not, we're wearing Aqua.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | September 25, 2011 at 12:58 PM
DC,
From all accounts the book was better (usually the case, right?). But still I think it will be entertaining and I think if you're a sports fan, like we are, it will be interesting to watch.
Posted by: Craig M | September 25, 2011 at 12:59 PM
Mando,
Activating Igor instead of Merling says nothing about Merling! You got it all wrong!
It's another(maybe their last-hopefully)"Tony and Jeffy knows better than EVERYONE else" deals.
They are hell bent on STILL trying to prove that these Dallas guys were the smart choices way back then. Through their jobs with the PHINS, there ignorantly still trying to prove they were wright, 8 years back in DALLAS! The one big problem is, these guys were wrong then and there even WRONG-ER NOW!
I hope Ross see's this and makes a mental note-Sheesh.
Were 0-2 on the verge of collapse and Tony and Jeffy are still trying to justify their huge egos. it's disgusting!
Like John F. Kennedy said, An error doesn't become a mistake until we fail to correct it.
These guys aren't even trying to correct anything. Their still trying to prove their errors weren't exactly what they were, ERRORS!
Oh well, Live by Ignorance, Die by Ignorance!
Have fun Tony and Jeffy, NFL means NOT FOR LONG!
Posted by: odinseye | September 25, 2011 at 12:59 PM
yeah, book is always better (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Gone with the Wind, etc.). But Aaron Sorkin is a screenplay WIZ. And he co-wrote it.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | September 25, 2011 at 01:00 PM
Thanks Scotty!!! U da man!!!
Posted by: Fin Fan Buck | September 25, 2011 at 01:00 PM
http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/82767/1/watch-cleveland-browns-vs-miami-dolphins.html
Posted by: Marc | September 25, 2011 at 01:01 PM
Parcells says the coach and gm has to be on the same page about players brought in.
If Sparano and Ireland are on the same page about the players brought in. It means they both terribly suck!
Posted by: DyingBreed | September 25, 2011 at 12:44 PM
The only way to find out who is responsible for what is to determine, Who cuts players, Sparano or Ireland(or less probably Ross)? =, who signs those players?
Posted by: oscar canosa | September 25, 2011 at 12:41 PM
MANDO!!!
This is the story you should be chasing! If Ireland and Sparano are on the same page about these players then YES without a doubt they both should be tarred feathered and then fired. Someone needs to be held accountable.
My biggest fear is that Ross would fire Sparano. Keep Ireland, then miss on replacement coach. Cohwer would not come here with Ireland. Then it's just endless suffering.
Posted by: mike d | September 25, 2011 at 01:01 PM
Dolphins win the toss and will receive.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | September 25, 2011 at 01:01 PM