Miami Sports Generation

Norris Cole: The Reason Why Mario Chalmers Should Be Worried

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:58:00 +0000

As sharp as his flat top, Norris Cole has played extremely efficient during the early stages of the 2013 NBA Playoffs. Coming off the bench, Cole has provided a solid defensive presence as well as a reliable scoring option for Miami. Meanwhile, Mario Chalmers has faded into the background with mediocre production this postseason. What this spells is a cause for concern for Rio and his future with the Miami Heat.

Cole Versus Chalmers

With Cole garnishing attention from analysts, fans and the Heat staff, he is bolstering his value as a viable point guard in this league. The high-energy, quick-footed guard is stepping it up when it counts: in the playoffs. He's averaging 9.3 points per game (ppg) compared to his 1.8 ppg in the 2012 NBA Playoffs.

And Cole has performed even better during the Eastern Conference Semi Finals this season, averaging 12.5 ppg while shooting 75% from the field (18 of 22) and 90% from three-point land (9 of 10). That's what you call undeniable efficiency.

On the other hand, Chalmers is averaging 7.1 ppg while posting a 41% FG percentage and shooting 30% from behind the arc this series. Don't forget, Chalmers is also getting more minutes than Cole. In other words, he's being nowhere near as effective as his backup.

Miami's Point Guard Situation

The Miami Heat's "Position-Less Basketball" system does not require the role of a traditional point guard. With LeBron James and Dwyane Wade doing most of the ball-handling, the Heat's point guard primarily needs to worry about consistently hitting open shots and playing sound defense. That's exactly what Cole is providing right now.

Keep in mind that Chalmers is entering the final year of his contract next season. If Cole keeps improving and Chalmers continues to be stagnant, Rio will essentially become expendable next season.

Think about it, if Miami believes that Cole is the answer now, then trading away Chalmers will make complete sense for them. That's $4 million they can take off their salary cap while receiving a future draft pick or an affordable player in return. Plus, team's in need of a point guard could test out Chalmers with the benefit of having his expiring contract (i.e. if things don't work out they don't re-sign him, if they do they can negotiate on their own terms).

Knowing Pat Riley, he will field all calls inquiring about Chalmers starting this offseason. We all know that Godfather Riley can lure a veteran point guard to replace Chalmers with a minimum contract offer.

So, either Rio responds in the coming games with exceptional play or he'll be driven out of town by the Cole Train. It's as simple as that.

Miami Dolphins 2013 Draft Class Recap

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:45:00 +0000

Photo courtesy of ESPN.com

Every year football fans ponder the possibility of drafting the next game-changer, star athlete to their team's respective roster. This season Dolphins fans were extra eager to see the direction their team took after an aggressive offseason, highlighted by acquisitions like WR Mike Wallace and LB Dannell Ellerbe. So the Fins took to the clock with a new sense of hope as well as a new look (check out the new uniforms here), ready to build a contending team with solid draft choices.

Here's the rundown on the Dolphins 2013 draft picks:

1. Dion Jordan (DE, Oregon)

First Round, 3rd Overall Pick
Height: 6'6
Weight: 248 lbs

Continuing the theme of an aggressive offseason, the Dolphins made a splash early in the draft by unexpectedly trading up to the 3rd overall pick with the Oakland Raiders. At the point, many analysts were claiming Miami would take one of draft class' highly touted offensive tackles.

Nope. They went pass rusher. And they took the freak athlete known as Dion Jordan. If you haven't watched the Sport Science feature on Jordan, then stop reading this post and go now.

Talent wise, this guy has all the tools to compete in the NFL and become a premiere pass rusher in the league. While Oregon wasn't known for it's defense, Jordan was a standout in both pass rushing and coverage situations. Miami will be thrilled to line up Jordan on one end and have Cameron Wake on the other.

2. Jamar Taylor (CB, Boise State)

Second Round, 54th Overall Pick
Height: 5'11
Weight: 192 lbs

Last season Miami allowed the 6th most passing yards in the league. With that said, the secondary was clearly an area in need of improvement entering the draft - especially after losing Vontae Davis and Sean Smith. Jamar Taylor was their first attempt at addressing that need.

Taylor is a strong, physical defensive back (22 reps on bench press) that is unafraid of challenging receivers off the line. He's also athletic enough to keep up with speedy receivers (ran a 4.39 40-yard dash) and make plays on the ball. He may need to sure up his run tackling technique and gain more discipline on reading routes but Taylor has plenty of upside.

3. Dallas Thomas (OT, Tennessee)

Third Round, 77th Overall Pick
Height: 6'5
Weight: 300 lbs

Since trade talks with the Kansas City Chiefs over Branden Albert went awry, Miami decided to draft Dallas Thomas and add depth to the offensive line. Thomas is a versatile lineman that played both tackle and guard in college against SEC opponents. Analysts believe he would excel more in the NFL as a guard but could be a viable tackle option as well.

Thomas provides both solid pass blocking and run blocking skills. Scouting reports state that he can defend against pass rushers with his agile footwork and fast recovery. In the run game, Thomas can pull block and reach the second level of defense quickly. He'll just have to adapt to stronger defensive linemen in the pro game and improve on areas like strength, quickness and consistent handwork.

Looks like Thomas will become a plug-and-play lineman for the Dolphins in case of injury or when starting linemen need rest.

4. Will Davis (CB, Utah State)

Third Round, 93rd Overall Pick
Height: 5'11
Weight: 186 lbs

As we mentioned earlier, the Fins needed to addressed their DB situation with secondary picks. So, they selected Will Davis in the third round; an athletic, fluid corner that is instinctive and has ball hawk tendencies.

Many describe Davis as a raw talent with his limited football experience (only played one year in high school before entering college). But the kid has shown an impressive skill set on the field, deflecting and intercepting passes throughout his college career. Davis is known to be overaggressive at times and is susceptible to double moves by receivers as a result. However, his instincts get it right more times than not.

5. Jelani Jenkins (LB, Florida)

Fourth Round, 104th Overall Pick
Height: 6'0
Weight: 243 lbs

The Dolphins didn't really need another linebacker; they already had seven on the roster entering the draft. Regardless, they felt that Jenkins could provide help on special teams and compete for a spot in their defensive sub-packages. Jenkins is known for his cover skills against running backs and tight ends.

The main concern with Jenkins is his medical history, suffering from injuries to his hamstring, hand and foot during college. If he manages to stay healthy and earn a spot on the depth chart, Jenkins can provide solid tracking and tackling skills whenever he's on the field.

6. Dion Sims (TE, Michigan State)

Fourth Round, 106th Overall Pick
Height: 6'5
Weight: 262 lbs

Miami's main two tight ends are Charles Clay and Dustin Keller, with Michael Egnew struggling to earn playing time. Enter Dion Sims; a big-bodied target that has the potential to become Miami's red zone threat. Despite his large stature, Sims actually has an impressive vertical jump (35 inches) and surprisingly soft hands.

Beyond that, many scouts were impressed with his pass blocking skills - something Anthony Fasano provided before he left to the Chiefs. Sims could use some work on run blocking situations and is limited when it comes to agility and quickness in the passing game. His frame alone is intriguing but he'll have to prove his worth before lining up in a game for the Fins.

7. Mike Gillislee (RB, Florida)

Fifth Round, 164th Overall Pick
Height: 5'11
Weight: 208 lbs

With three backs on the roster already, Miami decided to add more competition to the running back unit with this pick. Mike Gillislee is known as a strong back that prefers going inside and taking on defenders rather than being elusive. He is an well-rounded rusher that can also catch out of the backfield.

Gillislee needs to work on his decisiveness in the ground attack in order to succeed in the pro game. He'll have staunch competition in Miami with Lamar Miller, Daniel Thomas and Marcus Thigpen ahead of him on the depth chart. His first shot at playing time may come in the special teams unit.

8. Caleb Sturgis (K, Florida)

Fifth Round, 166th Overall Pick
Height: 5'10
Weight: 188 lbs

The Dolphins continued their University of Florida recruitment tour with the addition of Caleb Sturgis. That marked the third Gator drafted in two consecutive rounds. Dolphins Special Teams Coach, Darren Rizzi was very high on Sturgis and clearly approved of the pick. With that said, Dan Carpenter's seat has officially begun to heat up.

Look for Sturgis to compete for Carpenter's job from day one. It might get interesting if Sturgis starts nailing 72-yard field goals in practice, like this:

9. Don Jones (SS, Arkansas State)

Seventh Round, 250th Overall Pick
Height: 5'11
Weight: 191 lbs

Just four spots away from being Mr. Irrelevant, Don Jones joined the Fins as their final pick of the 2013 draft. Jones was drafted as a strong safety but many believe he'll be competing for a spot as cornerback. He was a track star back in high school, so you know the speed is there. Jones actually logged 4.42 and 4.40 times in his 40-yard dash during the Arkansas State pro day.

There isn't much to say on his production in college other than he was sound special teams player and did a decent job playing the nickel position at Arkansas State. Looks like Miami just wanted to bring in his athletic skills to see if they can translate that into special teams production and perhaps secondary help.

How LeBron Surpassed His 2012 MVP Season

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:32:00 +0000

In an astonishing 2012 accolade-filled season, LeBron James racked up some impressive awards and recognitions: NBA All-Star, All-NBA First Team, All-Desfensive First Team, League MVP, NBA Champion & Finals MVP. Let's not forget about that gold medal from the Summer Olympics.

Come 2013 and fans could only hope that LeBron matches such a spectacular year. Well, he didn't match it. He surpassed it.

The numbers tell the story. Check out his 2012 stats versus his 2013 stats:

2012 Regular Season

PPG: 27.1
AST: 6.2
REB: 7.9
FG%: 53.1%
3-PT FG%: 36.2%

2013 Regular Season

PPG: 26.8
AST: 7.3
REB: 8.0
FG%: 56.5%
3-PT FG%: 40.6%

From one season to another, LeBron elevated his game to become more efficient and more complete. That is perhaps the most fitting word to describe LeBron James at this point of his career: complete. He may have taken a 0.3 dip in points per game but he also averaged one less shot attempt per game than last season.

There's little doubt that James will be named the 2013 NBA MVP. That would bump his career MVP titles up to four and give him the distinct recognition of winning the award four out of the last five years. No other player in NBA history has won that many in a five-year span.

LeBron's transcendent 2013 performance has poised Miami for another championship run. He's also helped the Heat make history by spearheading their 27-game win streak and helping the team secure a franchise-best 66 wins.

Miami was favored to win the title before the 2013 NBA season even started. Now they're even greater favorites with online sportsbooks placing them at 2-3 odds to win it all. With LeBron leading a relentless, effective and seemingly unstoppable attack on opposing teams, there's no surprise that oddsmakers are picking the Heat.

While it has been beyond entertaining to watch LeBron in the regular season, we all know that the playoffs bring another level of competition. So, although it may be difficult to imagine, we can expect LeBron to provide even more legendary performances to the NBA stage.

Folks, get comfortable because we are about to witness the epitome of playoff basketball in Miami.

Top 3 Value Players for the Miami Heat

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

We all know about the Big 3 and what they mean to this Miami Heat team. LeBron James is playing at an extraterrestrial level that's overshadowing his stellar 2012 season. Dwyane Wade has resurged in the second half of the season and Chris Bosh has consistently produced solid numbers.

But what about the rest of the supporting cast? Which players have given this team the most bang for their buck?

After all, the Heat do pay a premium for their three superstar studs - dishing out in excess of $17 million per player. But there's nothing better than getting valuable production at a bargain price. That's why we've looked at the Miami Heat's top 3 value players this season.

3. Ray Allen

It's still incredible to think that Miami landed this future Hall of Famer that has made a legendary reputation off of dissecting defenses with his lethal perimeter shooting. Allen has provided the Heat with a consistent scoring option at the reasonable price of $3.09 million this season. Rumors claimed that the Celtics were offering Allen double that amount to stay in Boston. Clearly, he chose title contention over cash. The concept of having Allen come off the bench for Miami is still insane. No other team can say they have the top three point shooter in NBA history coming off their bench.

2. Shane Battier

Coming in at an affordable $3.135 million contract, Shane Battier has filled the essential role of "Glue Guy" on the Heat roster. Comparable to what James Posey was for the '06 Heat team, Battier's contribution goes beyond the stat book and box score. Drawing charges, defending elite scorers, boxing out defenders and forcing turnovers are just some of the intangibles that Shane brings to Miami. Not to mention, his three-point shooting has been a valuable asset for the Heat - nearly 90% of all the shots he's taken this season are from beyond the arc! In essence, Shane does the dirty work that not many people notice but his team absolutely appreciates.

1. Chris "Birdman" Andersen

Take a guess at how much Chris Andersen is earning as a member of the Miami Heat? Whatever you came up with, think less. Birdman is donning a Heat jersey for the bargain price of roughly $700,000 this season. That's based on a veteran minimum contract and the fact that he joined the team mid-season. Regardless of the limited time he's been with the team, Andersen has added an athletic, big man presence in the paint for the Heat, who were criticized for lacking that element. With Andersen, Miami is getting a shot blocker, strong rebounder and emphatic dunker at an extremely low cost. He is the epitome of a value player for any team, especially one that is a title contender. It's safe to say that acquiring Birdman was a steal for the Heat - a move that makes Miami's roster that much more complete.

Marlins Organization Faces Turning Point Season

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:31:00 +0000

Travesty is perhaps the proper word to describe it. The Miami Marlins enter yet another season with a cast of mostly fresh faces, unknown names and a dejected fan base. Owner Jeffrey Loria did his best to frame yet another fire sale as a "business decision" that would benefit the team in the long run. Loria even hired a new PR firm to spearhead his campaign to revamp the organization's image, as well as his own.

Guess that effort hasn't entirely worked with the team taking to Groupon to sell Opening Day tickets. The general sentiment in Miami is one of anger, frustration and utter disappointment toward South Florida's pro baseball organization (which some don't even consider at the professional tier anymore).

Despite all this negativity surrounding the Marlins, this season will be a turning point for the team and the league. The result of this season will have league-wide implications that extend way beyond the Miami city limits.

A miserable, losing season will drive Loria's reputation deeper into the ground than he can even fathom. It would make his proclamation of not selling the team much more difficult to stand by. Simply put, it'll be one nail short of firmly sealing his coffin shut.

However, what if the Marlins manage to muster a miraculous winning season? A seemingly insane and highly unlikely scenario but in the wild world of sports nothing is impossible. Perhaps, newly hired skipper Mike Redmond proves to be a masterful manager; motivating his young troops to compete above and beyond expectations.

Wishful thinking? That's an understatement. Impossible? Not really.

The point here is that if, for whatever reason, the Fish have a winning season and actually compete for a playoff spot, Miami will set a new league standard for building winning teams. Let's not forget about the way the Marlins' 2003 World Series team was built: with a young, talented core that nobody expected to win a title.

The youthful faces of Miguel Cabrera, Josh Beckett and Dontrelle Willis come to mind. Sure, you had the veteran presence of players like Jeff Conine and Luis Castillo but the team makeup was overwhelmingly unseasoned.

So, while many anticipate a failing year filled with poor performances and growing pains, there's still a grander implication underneath it all. Needless to say, it'll be entertaining to see what direction this team's fate heads in. Whether that be racing straight to an eventual crash and burn or soaring out the ashes like a newborn phoenix.

With Long Gone, New Era Begins

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:53:00 +0000

Jake Long's departure from Miami marks the end of a forgetful era in Dolphins history. An era riddled with mediocrity and little sense of direction. Drafted by Bill Parcells as the 2008 #1 overall pick, Long was supposed to be the foundation of a team built to win championships. Instead, the supporting cast surrounding Long did not add up to that championship equation.

It's not to say that Jake was the cause of the Dolphins' mediocrity. On the contrary, he played all-star caliber football for years in Miami. From '08 to '11 he was voted into the Pro Bowl and Miami couldn't have asked for better protection on the left side of the O-Line.

However, Long symbolically represented the Parcells' dated philosophy of building teams from within the trenches (i.e. drafting and acquiring sound offensive and defensive linemen). And former offensive line coach Tony Sparano was supposed to compliment that philosophy with his line experience. They felt that winning the battle at the line meant winning the game. While this may be partially true, the game has dramatically changed and the front office's focus on the line led to a neglected offense.

The NFL has become a pass heavy league that requires a bonafide quarterback and an array of offensive weapons in order to succeed. Gone are the days where ground attack and defensive minded teams win titles. The Ravens and 49ers may have touted top defenses in the league but they also featured pretty impressive offenses. I mean, the final score was 34 to 31 - the complete opposite of a defensive game.

So, to put this all in perspective, Miami can now begin a new era that values offense more than it did in the past and shies away from conservative football. Coach Joe Philbin is beginning to implement the very principles that helped Green Bay earn a title just a few seasons ago. With Ryan Tannehill at the help and the front office making moves to acquire more offensive weapons, the Dolphins seem to be righting the ship and setting sail toward a more promising future.

We wont jump the gun and say that WR Mike Wallace, TE Dustin Keller and WR Brandon Gibson are the end all, be all. But we will say that they are much better options for Tannehill and should only help the QB orchestrate a more prolific offense in Miami.

UM Basketball Living Up to the Hype

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:00:00 +0000

If you would've said that the Miami Hurricanes Men's Basketball team would be nationally ranked this season, most people would call you delusional. Yet today they aren't only ranked but stand at #2 in the nation. Unexpected, surprising and ridiculous are just some of the words that come to mind when digesting that fact.

Head Coach Jim Larranaga has met and exceeded all expectations after replacing Frank Haith (who is under NCAA investigation). Larranaga's second year resume has been nothing short of impressive.

Beat Duke? Check.

Beat Michigan State? Check.

Beat North Carolina? Check that one off twice.

The way that Coach Larranaga has this team playing is not only entertaining but a testament to the maturity and discipline he has instilled in his players. The intense defense, dynamic offense and unselfish collective play has led to a perfect record in the ACC and sold out games at The BankUnited Center. It even has some Canes fans ready to bet on March Madness. Many forget about Larranaga's magical run with George Mason back in 2006, leading that team to an unprecedented Final Four appearance. It looks like he's attempting a similar push with The U.

The Canes own "Big 3" include PG Shane Larkin, G Durand Scott and F Kenny Kadji - all of which are averaging about 13 points per game and shooting over 47% from the field. Collectively, Miami is holding opponents under 59 points per game and outscoring them by over 10 points a night. If you scroll through the stat lines, Miami is essentially outplaying opponents across the board.

It's safe to say that with all the hype Miami built up over the course of this season, they've continued to live up to it and backed it up with more quality wins. At this pace, they are primed to not only make the NCAA tournament but earn a high seed as well.

If you're a basketball fan in Miami, it's truly an exciting time with the Canes and Miami Heat playing top notch ball right now. You really cant complain.

Miami Sports Website Veterans Create Alternative Sports Scene

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:33:00 +0000

Owners of CrankUpTheHeat.com and MiamiSportsGeneration.com team up to create a new Miami sports website, covering all local teams and events in South Florida. LiveFromThe305.com will provide fresh content beyond game recaps and short-lived stories.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MIAMI, FL - Long gone are the days in which a website offered insightful news and a fresh take on the sports world. Lately, sports blogs and websites are settling for “cookie cutter” stories about overhyped topics, whether it’s Tim Tebow, LeBron James or the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports website gurus, Pedro Heizer and David J. Verjano, are primed to change all that. Heizer and Verjano are starting the newest Miami sports site that will revolutionize the way sports news is delivered to Miami fans: LiveFromThe305.com.

“Too many sites are sacrificing sports journalism in favor of drive-by entertainment,” says Pedro Heizer, the founder and editor of CrankUpTheHeat.com and 90MinutesStrong.com and sports editor of The Boca Raton Tribune. “People are ignorantly fed ‘Hotties of the Week’ and cliché, dated sports stories from sites that define themselves by social media fame.”

Live From The 305 will provide a unique balance of content that separates it from the excessive extravagance of sports infotainment blogs and the “cookie cutter” coverage of newspaper sites. The site will delve into stories that are beyond the box score and offer in-depth analysis of relevant Miami sports stories. Rather than wasting time on game recaps, Live From The 305 will deliver lasting, insightful coverage.

“We want to break away from the mold of entertainment sports sites and revolutionize the Miami sports scene,” says Verjano, founder and editor of MiamiSportsGeneration.com and an experienced Marketing Communications Professional. “That’s why we collaborated to launch Live From The 305.”

In addition to covering the major Miami sports teams, like the Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins and Miami Marlins, Live From The 305 will also cover the Florida Panthers, Miami Hurricanes, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, and other local South Florida sports teams.

Heizer and Verjano are not only sports website veterans but savvy social media users as well, engaging the Miami sports community through various social media platforms. Heizer’s 90 Minutes Strong (@90MinutesStong), a soccer website, went from 100 followers to over 1,500 in less than a week. Live From The 305, a site dedicated to Miami and South Florida sports, will be active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and any other relevant social media platforms that may emerge in an effort to connect with fans.

“Reaching out to Miami sports fans and creating a discussion about local sports teams is just part of our passion,” stated Verjano. “We don’t just follow trends, we create them - to further the conversation, add greater insight and contribute to the fan IQ,” added Heizer.

ABOUT LIVE FROM THE 305

LiveFromThe305.com is set to launch in March 2013. In the meantime, the latest news and updates on Live From The 305 can be found on Twitter (@The305Live), Facebook (Facebook.com/The305Live) and Instagram (@The305Live). To reach Pedro Heizer, email Pedro@LiveFromThe305.com and to reach David J. Verjano, email David@LiveFromThe305.com.

# # #

Note from David: This by no means Miami Sports Generation is closing down. Instead we will collaborate and be a source of Miami sports news for Live From The 305.

Heat Returning to Championship Form

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Defense. That's where it all starts with the Miami Heat. And we've begun to see this team return to its high-energy, disruptive defensive habits in the past few weeks. It took them 35 games into this long 82-game season but we are starting to see Miami embody their 2012 championship form.

Want proof? Check out Miami's defensive stats in the past five games compared to their season average:

Season-to-Date Opponents Points Per Game = 97 points (15th overall)
Last 5 games = 89 points (3rd overall)

Season-to-Date Opponents Field Goal % = 43.5% (8th overall)
Last 5 games = 39.6% (2nd overall)

Season-to-Date Blocks per Game = 5.2 (16th overall)
Last 5 games = 7.4 (3rd overall)

We saw it in the Portland game despite Miami's loss to the Trailblazers. Miami was suffocating their opponents, seamlessly rotating on defense and forcing turnovers. It's no secret that the Heat is at their best when they turn their defensive stops into scoring opportunities. That's what we are witnessing as the league nears the All-Star Break and Miami bolsters their top spot in the Eastern Conference.

While we can expect a few more ups and downs throughout the season, we now know Miami still has their signature defense ready to be unleashed at any given moment. What matters most is that Miami stays healthy entering the playoffs. A great record is worth nothing if your team is banged up and not at their full potential in the postseason. Let's just say the Heat is good shape right now.

Fantasy Football Focus: AFC East

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Much like the past few years, the New England Patriots seem to be the favorites in the AFC East. Through Week 6, they are in a four-way tie for 1st place in the division after their recent loss to the Seattle Seahawks; some people definitely lost money on that game and should've taken a look at these sports betting sites. Regardless, the Pats are still predicted to win the division.

On the fantasy football front, some of the best teams come with some of the best individual performers. That's why it's no surprise that some of the most viable fantasy options in the AFC East (unfortunately) come from New England. Here’s a look at the top five fantasy options in the division through Week 6, based on standard scoring leagues:

1. Tom Brady (NE - QB)

The Patriots quarterback is getting it done once again this season. New England might be incorporating a bit more running than people predicted, but when they really need results, Brady is the play-maker. Brady has racked up 97 fantasy points (16.2 points per week) this season, which places him 4th among all NFL QBs. Whether it's Gronkowski, Welker, Lloyd or Hernandez, Brady has an arsenal of weapons that he utilizes masterfully.

2. Ryan Fitzpatrick (BUF - QB)

After a stellar start to 2011, this season has not been quite as kind for Fitzpatrick. He’s already thrown for 12 touchdowns, but his eight interceptions have really held him back. If he cuts those down, he can become a great fantasy quarterback starting option for many teams. Fitz has recorded 76 fantasy points (12.7 points per week) thus far and is a viable back-up option for any team.

3. Stevan Ridley (NE - RB)

That non-existent Patriots running game everyone talks about? Not the case this season. Ridley is just shy of averaging 100 yards and one touchdown a game. With New England's strong passing game, Ridley will continue to have a lot of opportunities to put up solid numbers throughout the year. Ridley is currently ranked 4th among all RBs in terms of fantasy points. He's put up 73 points this season, which averages out to 12.2 points per week.

4. Reggie Bush (MIA - RB)

Getting his chance to shine as the featured back for an offense has worked out well for Bush. Despite being banged up recently, Reggie has found ways of being an impact player for Miami and is their clear cut #1 offensive weapon. In the fantasy football world, Bush is a top 10 RB thus far (ranked 8th to be exact) and has put up 65 points this season. That's an average of 10.8 points each week.

5. CJ Spiller (BUF - RB)

If he didn’t get hurt, we could easily be talking about him being at the top of this list. Spiller set the league on fire earlier this season, but then suffered an unfortunate shoulder injury. Still being the fifth best fantasy option in this division is a testament to how well he started. Spiller has posted 64 points (10.7 points per week) so far, which is almost equal to Bush's fantasy output.

Honorable Mentions:

Brian Hartline (MIA - WR) - 56 points (9.3 per week)
Wes Welker (NE - WR) - 50 points (8.3 per week)
Rob Gronkowski (NE - TE) - 44 points (7.3 per week)
Dolphins (MIA - DEF) - 44 points (7.3 per week)
Jeremy Kerley (NYJ - WR) - 43 points (7.2 per week)

Thanks to the guys at FanDuel.com for this guest article. To draft a new team every week to play fantasy football for money take a look.

Fireland Campaign Picks Up Steam

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 20:16:00 +0000

The notorious campaign to fire Miami Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland, aptly named "Fireland 2012," is picking up steam in the South Florida sports community. After recent claims that Ireland called a Dolphins fan an "asshole" during Sunday's game versus the Oakland Raiders, other fans have taken to the web to voice their disapproval of Miami's General Manager.

Don't Hate Miami, a Miami-based sports website, recently amped up efforts to oust Ireland with their Fireland 2012 Campaign. According to the website, the goal of the campaign is to "put a stop to Ireland's reign of terror and reclaim the Dolphins of Miami." They take it a step further by stating that "Ireland is the worst NFL Draft Day executive in sports." This coming on the heels of another public outcry by the local puppet personality, Pepe Billete, to replace Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross with Miami Heat Owner Micky Arison.

Ireland released the following statement regarding the incident:

"It did happen at halftime. I was going back to my booth after seeing my wife and I did talk to several fans that were very nice. But as I'm walking back this person introduced himself to me and made a comment to me.

It caught me off guard. I just turned and walked away, but I did say something I regret. I thought I was saying it to myself under my breath, but I must have said it loud enough that he could hear it. At the time I felt I handled the situation privately, but I probably spoke a little too loud. I regret that I said anything."

The Miami Dolphins may find themselves in a four-way tie for 1st place in AFC East after two games of the 2012 NFL season, but that isn't keeping some fans from pouring out their passion against upper management.

If the Dolphins don't win a Super Bowl this season, it would mark 39 seasons since Miami last won a title. With fans' patience at an all-time low and expectations still high, the Fins find themselves in rough waters. Will Ross side with the fans (as he's done recently) and fire Ireland or stay the course and ride the storm? Stay tuned.

Stephen Ross is Trying, Not Succeeding (Yet)

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Updated: 9/18/12

Miami Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross

It’s no secret that Miami Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross is widely criticized by many Dol-Fans. Even Miami’s local puppet personality Pepe Billete has come out and spoken against Ross, asking Miami Heat Owner Micky Arison to take over the Dolphins. That’s only one voice among plenty of others that don’t like the job Ross has done.

Ross shelled out $1 billion to purchase the Dolphins franchise along with the stadium back in 2009 (this just in: the stadium is still called Sun Life Stadium, for now). He entered the league with no experience as an owner of a professional sports team, only touting a background in real estate. Owning a team was always a dream of his but he didn’t know what living out that dream entailed.

Then reality hit. Mr. Ross now had to make decisions over a storied franchise that has a rich winning history and the fame of recording the only perfect season in NFL history. The high expectations were there and they still are.

Star-Studded Beginnings

Emilio and Gloria Estefan become Dolphins minority owners

Ross started by keeping Bill Parcells as VP of Football Operations to manage football-related decisions. After all, he had no idea how to run a football team. Instead, Ross focused on drawing attention to the franchise by tapping into the pool of celebrity power that is concentrated in Miami.

He rolled out the Orange Carpet for stars to become minority owners and generate buzz around Fins games. He took it a step further by trying to change the Dolphins’ fight song with a new version sung by T-Pain. And more recently he considered changing the team logo. In essence, Ross wanted an extreme makeover for the Dolphins.

The fact remained that most fans didn’t care for all the glitz, glamour and change that Ross had to offer. Dol-fans just wanted to see plain ole football without the extravagance. All of these alterations only confused and angered the average fan, making them question Ross’ leadership abilities.

The Downfall

Former VP of Football Operations Bill Parcells

After a successful 2009 season, where the Dolphins reached the playoffs with an 11-5 record, the wheels began to fall of the wagon. The Dolphins slowly slipped into mediocrity, posting less than 8 wins in each of the next two seasons.

Bill Parcells’ football decisions had failed Miami and he exited before the roof caved in. Ross stood by as his team drafted Phillip Merling, Chad Henne, Pat White and Patrick Turner as 2^nd and 3^rd round picks. He also watched Parcells’ bring in Gibril Wilson, Joey Porter, and a stockpile of Dallas Cowboys outcasts.

These are just some of the many moves that didn’t pan out for Miami under Ross’ watch. Many blamed Parcells for poor judgment but also dished some of it onto the Dolphins owner for allowing it to happen. Today the Dolphins find themselves in full rebuilding mode as a result of the past three seasons. With this comes the highest disapproval Ross has experienced in his tenure at the helm.

Starting From Scratch

Forced to start fresh after hitting rock bottom, Ross has taken strides to right the ship and lift this team from the ashes. He began by recruiting Joe Philbin as the new head coach, coming from the 2010 NFL Champion Green Bay Packers. Believing in Philbin’s philosophy, he approved of Chad Johnson’s release despite the upside that the veteran WR could have provided.

QB Ryan Tannehill

He followed up by pushing for the Dolphins to draft a QB in the first round, namely Ryan Tannehill. This is something that Miami hadn’t done in 29 years and had been a topic of public outcry for multiple seasons now.

And more recently, Ross rolled away the Orange Carpet in an effort to refocus on football. This shows that Ross has strayed from his initial ownership philosophy in favor of making more fan-oriented decisions.

The Stephen Ross of 2009 probably wouldn’t have made these decisions today. Where he once stayed away from football decisions, Ross is taking a more proactive approach to managing the team. After a little learning on the job, suffering costly mistakes and listening to the fans, Ross is beginning to grow into his role as an NFL owner – one that values winning and tradition over stardom and fluff.

Final Word

We can’t say that these moves will ultimately lead the Dolphins back to the Promised Land. But we can say that Ross is doing what he can to reverse the downward trend this franchise is headed toward.

This by no means is an endorsement of Stephen Ross. He still has plenty to prove in this league. Let's not forget that he also stuck with the unpopular Jeff Ireland as the team's GM after many fans called for his head (Note: The "Fireland" campaign has picked up steam with websites like Dont Hate Miami supporting the cause).

This is an approval of the steps Ross has taken to correct his own mistakes and swallow his pride for the sake of putting a winning product on the field. Always keep the fan faith alive, victory is so much sweeter after fighting through the sour taste of defeat.

Low Expectations May Lead to Surprise Season for Dolphins

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Photo courtesy of the Sun-Sentinel

Not many Dol-Fans will utter the words "Miami" and "Super Bowl" in the same sentence this season, unless they're seeing the Fins Fight Song of course. But realistically nobody expects the Dolphins to reach the promised land this season and perhaps not even make the playoffs. But these low expectations may only serve as fuel to a team that feels it can prove doubters wrong.

We've all heard about the "BIM" trend that WR Clyde Gates began earlier this year. And we know about Reggie Bush's lofty goal to earn the NFL rushing title in 2012.

But these are just a couple of pieces to a bigger puzzle; a puzzle comprised of players ready to face an uphill battle and deflect the clout of skepticism that looms above them. While there still are many questions surrounding this team, they are entering the 2012 season with a newfound hope to turn things around behind Joe Philbin.

The Quarterback Situation

Photo courtesy of Finsiders.com

The biggest concern entering this season is the quarterback battle between David Garrard, Matt Moore and Ryan Tannehill. As of August 10th, Garrard lowered his chances of starting after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery that will sideline him for 2-4 weeks. That gives Moore an opportunity to reclaim his #1 spot on the depth chart. In all likelihood, he will be Miami's starting QB to start off the season, which should set some of the fans at ease and provide comfort to the offense. After all, Moore deserves a second shot after his solid play last season.

Tannehill has looked good in practices as well as in the Fins' first preseason game (14-of-21, 167 yards & 1 TD). However, Miami's brass has made it clear that it does not want to rush the rookie into the game. Ryan's chances at starting will likely come in the event that Miami has a poor start to the season and/or are out of playoff contention. Not to mention, there's also a possibility that Tannehill doesn't get a shot this season if Garrard or Moore light it up.

Miami Moving Forward

Dol-Fans may be anxious to have an official starting QB but that decision will definitely be made soon enough. The coaching staff wants to milk every ounce of competition that their QB unit has to offer before making the final decision, and competition is what this game is all about. Don't sweat it.

Dolphins RB Lamar Miller

What we all can be excited about is Miami's running back core, its promising offensive line and its crop of talented, young receivers. The Dolphins' running game has loads of potential with Bush, Daniel Thomas and Lamar Miller spearheading the ground attack. The addition of Jonathan Martin to the O-Line should bolster Miami's already solid core of Jake Long, Mike Pouncey and Richie Incognito. Lastly, the Fins may not have a stud wide receiver but appear to have plenty of upside in their younger receivers like Gates, Roberto Wallace and Marlon Moore.

As mentioned earlier, we never said it's a Super Bowl year but we shouldn't be surprised if Miami can pull off eight wins or more. Crazier things have happened in the NFL.

An After Thought

Chad Johnson's mugshot

Speaking of expectations, Miami had high hopes for Chad ~~Ochocinco~~ Johnson until he ruined his opportunity with a domestic violence misdemeanor. The Dolphins officially cut Johnson from the roster on Sunday evening and have moved on.

The upside: This shows that the Dolphins mean business and will not condone nonsense. The downside: They'll probably have lower ratings on Hard Knocks now (HBO cant be too happy). Regardless, there are plenty of those young receivers ready to step up in Chad's absence.

Top 10 Heat Games to Watch (2012-13 Season)

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 16:35:00 +0000

UPDATED: August 11, 2012

As much as we loved watching the Miami Heat secure their 2nd NBA Championship, we're ready to see them make another title run! The NBA has officially announced the 2012-13 season schedule and we've analyzed it to determine the top 10 games to watch. Here they are:

#10: Miami Heat @ Cleveland Cavaliers - March 20, 2013

Let's face it, Cleveland hates the fact that LeBron James won it all in Miami. There's no doubt that it'll be fun to watch the Cleveland fans "welcome" their once beloved star and his championship team (it has a nice ring to it, don't you think?). In all likelihood, the game wont be too competitive but will still provide for great TV.

#9: San Antonio Spurs @ Miami Heat - November 29, 2012

The Spurs had an amazing run entering the 2012 playoffs and seemed unstoppable entering the Western Conference Finals. While their title run was stunted by the Oklahoma City Thunder, their season was definitely one to remember. With that said, the Spurs should be just as competitive next season and make for a great match-up against Miami.

#8: Brooklyn Nets @ Miami Heat - November 7, 2012

The freshly branded Brooklyn Nets enter next season with a new look and a retooled roster. Their offseason moves will surely make them a playoff contender, which could mean a potential post-season match-up against the Heat. Should be fun to watch Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace and Brook Lopez take on Miami's star-studded squad.

#7: Miami Heat @ Los Angeles Clippers - November 14, 2012

Lob City East versus Lob City West. Need I say more? I mean the Clippers have a very talented roster that always is entertaining to watch, regardless of your team affiliation. This game should be filled with amazing alley-oops, thunderous dunks and pure athleticism.

#6: Miami Heat @ Indiana Pacers - January 8, 2013

After a chippy second round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, you can bet there will be some bad blood between these two when they meet. That's why we had to pencil in this match-up at #7. Miami will have to face a hostile Indiana crowd that still believes in their Gold Swagger.

#5: Chicago Bulls @ Miami Heat - January 4, 2013

Assuming that Derrick Rose recovers from his ACL injury by next season, the Chicago Bulls will be a force in the Eastern Conference once again. The Bulls seem bring out the best in Miami whenever they match-up, which should make this meeting another clash of the East's elite.

#4: Miami Heat @ Boston Celtics - January 27, 2013

Circle this one on your calendars three times. Once for the rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals. Twice for the return of Ray Allen to Boston wearing his once-rival's jersey. And three times for all the shots Miami will be draining from beyond the arc. Okay, I got a little carried away there but regardless this is a must-watch game!

#3: Miami Heat @ Los Angeles Lakers - January 17, 2013

The Los Angeles Lakers made a huge splash this offseason by acquiring two-time league MVP Steve Nash and perennial All-Star center Dwight Howard, rivaling Miami's 2010 offseason. These acquisitions immediately catapult LA to championship contender status without a doubt. This game will showcase two of the most star-studded lineups of all-time under the bright lights of Hollywood. As Terrell Owens would say, "get your popcorn ready!"

#2: Boston Celtics @ Miami Heat - October 30, 2012

Opening night! This is how you start off the season. Sure, the game at Boston will make for lots of drama but this one will rub the Celtics the wrong way as Miami raises their title banner and receives their championship rings. I expect Boston to come out swinging with full-out revenge in their eyes.

#1: Oklahoma City Thunder @ Miami Heat - December 25, 2012

This was a no-brainer; Finals rematch plus Christmas Day equals awesomeness! This match-up should provide the intensity of a playoff environment and will probably be the highest-rated game all season. You know OKC has painted the biggest bullseye possible on Miami's chest and they're preparing their arsenal just for this game. This one should be pure NBA magic; Where amazing happens.

Miami Heat 2012 Finals by the Numbers

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:22:00 +0000

Flashback to June 2011 and the Miami Heat were in the same position they're in today: up 2-1 in the NBA Finals. The difference: The Heat have the experience, camaraderie and resolve that they didn't have last time around. Just compare the stats and you'll see what a year has done for the Heat.

LeBron James has 91 points and 31 rebounds through three games in this year's finals. Last season, LeBron had a total of 107 points and 43 rebounds through six Finals games. That's almost equal the production in half the amount of games. Not to mention, he has already gotten to the free throw line 9 more times than he did in all of 2011 Finals, which is a product of his relentless attack mentality this series.

Miami's perimeter shooting has also elevated this playoff run, growing from 34% in 2011 to 39% in 2012. Shane Battier has come up huge this series from behind the arc, hitting 11 of 15 three-point shots thus far. Battier's lights out shooting has forced the Oklahoma City Thunder to spread the court defensively and open up driving lanes for Miami's Big Three. Hence, the 48 and 46 points in the paint that Miami scored in Game 2 and 3, respectively.

Free throw shooting also plagued Miami in the 2011 playoffs as well as through the first three rounds of the 2012 playoffs. The Heat shot less than 71% in all of the 2011 playoffs but have turned things around in the 2012 Finals by shooting 85% from the charity stripe. In essence, they're attacking the basket, getting to the line and making the Thunder pay.

Beyond the numbers, fans, writers and analysts can all see a different demeanor with this team. The excessive celebration and showmanship has been replaced with a collective business-first composure. Miami now understands the challenges and pressures that present themselves in a Finals series while the Thunder are learning those lessons on the job. It's experience versus youthful energy and, up to this point, experience has prevailed.

Around the Dolphins' Rumor Mill

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:04:00 +0000

Fresh into the NFL offseason we've already begun to hear rumblings of the Miami Dolphins' potential moves. Sweeping changes have already taken over the organization with a completely new coaching staff grabbing the reigns. Now the focus shifts to the team's roster and depth chart.

Most notably, the Dolphins are making quarterback their top priority this offseason with Peyton Manning, Robert Griffin III, and Matt Flynn dominating the candidate field. Assuming that Manning and the Indianapolis Colts part ways, Miami will make a strong push for the future Hall of Famer. However, analysts believe Manning would prefer playing in a dome if he does leave Indy. If that's true, Miami's tropical weather will actually work against them for once. This is all speculation of course and it ultimately goes down to Manning's decision and his ability to play at a high level.

As for RG3 and the NFL draft, that's another uphill battle for the Fins, who'll likely need to cough up quite a bit to move up in the first round. We're talking multiple picks and/or players. The Dolphins brass will need to evaluate Griffin to the utmost extent and unanimously feel that he's The One before pulling the trigger. Lastly, we have the enticing, yet unproven, Matt Flynn waiting to be snatched out of Green Bay's grasp. The Philbin-Packers connection could make this a very likely possibility but it will be contingent of his asking price and whether Miami can secure any of the previously mentioned options. Flynn's basically a third option here.

Moving on to other positions in need of addressing, Miami will be looking to fill the vacuum that is the right tackle position. Marc Colombo didn't cut it last season and it's doubtful that he'll return in 2012. That leaves the door open to possibly using an early round draft pick on a RT. The infamous Mel Kiper Jr. suggests that Miami take Reilly Reiff - an offensive tackle of out Iowa - in the first round. Fans might not be too fond of such a pick but it might serve Miami best in the long run (especially if they can't draft a franchise-caliber QB in the first round).

On the defensive end, the Fins will need to deal with nose tackle Paul Soliai and his expiring contract. The prevailing opinion is that Soliai will be asking for a long-term contract worth big bucks. This coming after he was franchise tagged last season, which earned him roughly $15 million. If Miami were to franchise tag him again, that amount would be even steeper. That's why many believe the two sides will be parting ways this offseason, leaving the NT position vacant. Here's an unofficial list of free agent defensive linemen.

Another intriguing story comes out of Houston and their cash-strapped salary cap situation. Many believe that the Texans will be unable to re-sign defensive end Mario Williams. If so, plenty of teams will be knocking on the door of the Williams' residence, Miami being one of them. The cost of adding Williams would undoubtedly be hefty but understandable, given he's an elite talent in the NFL. To put this in perspective, Miami's chances are probably in the long shot status. But the Fins have been able to pull off surprising acquisitions in recent years, with Brandon Marshall and Reggie Bush as living proof. Just keep a watchful eye on this situation.

Expect these stories to escalate in the coming weeks and months. As always, there's never a dull moment when you're a Dol-Fan.

Cats Shootout Struggles Continue

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:34:00 +0000

Written by Julia Chongarlides

The Florida Panthers were last in the Eastern Division last season, but this year seems to be the year for Hockey fans in South Florida. The Cats are 22-15-11 and have plenty to be pleased about heading into the All-Star break.

However, they're still struggling in shootouts. Once again, the Panthers failed to execute in last night’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Florida has now lost six shootouts and 11 overtime games this season. Philadelphia’s Claude Giroux scored the lone goal in the shootout, catapulting the Flyers to a 3-2 win over the Cats.

Florida took the lead early when Mikael Samuelsson hit a slap shot from 50 feet out. Later in the first period, the Flyers were called for interference and a bizarre bounce off Scott Clemmensen’s back slipped into the net to tie up the game at 1-1. The Flyers didn’t hold back, finishing off the first period in the lead with a goal by Jakub Voracek, 2-1.

In the second period, Versteeg broke free on a breakaway and backhanded a pass to Tomas Fleischmann, who flipped the puck into the net to tie it up at 2-2.

The Cats had plenty of opportunities in the remainder of the game, but couldn’t capitalize in the end.

Florida is tied with Washington Capitals in the Southeast Division, but is officially 7th in the Eastern Division with 34 games left. The Cats play at home next Wednesday, February 1st, against the rival Capitals. The puck drops at 8:00pm.

Hot Points: Miami's Statistical Advantage

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:24:00 +0000

January 6, 2011

Chris Bosh drains a three-pointer with 0.6 left to tie the game.

The NBA season is still young but the Miami Heat are burning up the stat charts already, leading the league in points per game (ppg), point differential, and field goal percentage thus far.

LeBron James is currently the NBA's top scorer with 29.9 PPG and is shooting a stellar 59% from the field. His high percentage is due in part to his improved post game and reduction of three point shots (he's only attempted two shots from behind the arc this season).

Chris Bosh is averaging over 20 PPG with almost nine rebounds and one block a night. These numbers can be attributed to Miami increasing the touches Bosh receives in the post, which has allowed the big man to become more comfortable and aggressive.

Despite Dwyane Wade's recent foot injury, he's been able to contribute with over 18 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds per game. Not to mention, Wade is ranked 7th in league in blocks with 12 so far, that's better than any other guard in the NBA. And his game will only get better once he heals up.

Mario Chalmers is off to the best start in his career and has provided the Heat with great perimeter defense (two steals per game) and perimeter shooting (50% three-point percentage). Chalmers' 29-point performance versus the Atlanta Hawks marked a season-high for him in scoring.

Miami is also receiving considerable support off the bench with Udonis Haslem posting 10 rebounds a nights, Norris Cole scoring 11 PPG, and James Jones shooting 50% from three-point land.

While numbers can be skewed to paint various pictures, these are stats that are difficult to dismiss. As the cliche goes, these numbers don't lie.

Establishing a Championship Pedigree

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:32:00 +0000

January 5, 2012

Seven games into the NBA's 2011-12 season and the Miami Heat have already begun establishing their dominance in the league. Miami is building upon last season's success with a quick 6-1 start, mostly overwhelming their opponents on their journey toward the promised land. However, it took a season's worth of grueling criticism, an agonizing Finals loss, and a long offseason of reflection to push the Heat to this point. Fortunately for Miami these are just the stages of building a championship pedigree.

Can the Heat finish close games? How will they manage three superstar egos? Is Erik Spoelstra fit to coach this team? These are just some of the tough questions Miami faced last season, all while making an impressive playoff run that ended just two games short of a title victory. This season the expectations are greater but the team's growth is equally great. They come in with one year of chemistry under their belt, a better understanding of their offensive potential and a tremendous thirst for redemption. That sounds like a solid recipe for success to me.

What the Heat endured last season can't be compared to anything else in NBA history, perhaps even all of sports history for that matter. They were thrown "Into the Fire" and are emerging with muscles flexing (a la Alonzo Mourning).

LeBron James is averaging almost 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists to start off the season, which rivals his numbers from the good ole' Cleveland days. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have also elevated their games; Wade on defense (averaging two blocks per game), Bosh on offense (averaging about 19 points a night). And the rest of the squad is pitching in nicely in their respective roles, with Udonis Haslem, Norris Cole, James Jones, and Shane Battier providing the bulk of reserve support.

What it adds up to is the Heat averaging 108 points per game while they hold opponents to 95 points per game. That's about a 13-point margin of victory each game. The season may be young but those stats speak volumes about Miami, especially when compared to last year's 9-8 start. Not only are they closing out close games but they're also pressing the gas when taking large leads. They've come a long way.

All in all, Miami is looking good, damn good. What remains in question is whether they can keep it up throughout the regular season and carry it over into the playoffs, ultimately landing them back in the Finals. Ah, but this is the beauty of sports and the reason why we watch.

Dolphins Send Sparano Packing

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:58:00 +0000

December 13, 2011
Written by Julia Chongarlides

One day after the Miami Dolphins' 26-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Head Coach Tony Sparano joined the already-crowded unemployment line. Many thought that after back-to-back 7-9 seasons he would be gone by the beginning of the 2011 season, but he lasted 13 games, only four of which were wins.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross had this to say regarding his decision to fire Sparano:

“As you know when I purchased the team I told you there is nothing more important to me at all than being a winning team and bringing back the glory to Miami that it had in the past. There has been a lot of distractions and speculation in regard to if Tony would stay or Tony would go and I think in the interest of the football team and the development of this team that this is the time we need to make a change.”

Todd Bowles will take over as the Dolphins interim head coach for the last three games of the season. “I love Todd Bowles,” said Jason Taylor. “He’s a great football coach and it’s a tough situation to get your chance but we’ll be behind him.” Miami heads into back-to-back road games. First, heading to Buffalo this Sunday and then to New England for a Christmas Eve match-up. Then bringing it home for the last game of season against the Jets at Sun Life Stadium.

The Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland can’t afford any more losing seasons with his job on the line as well. So, he will be looking for someone with experience entering next year. Someone like a Jon Gruden, Jeff Fisher, Andy Reid, Brian Billick, Bill Cowher or Joe Philbin. All have their pros and cons but Ireland really wants someone who has the pedigree to lead the Dolphins to winning seasons. If that doesn't happen, Ireland may suffer the same fate as Sparano.

Cats Claw Their Way to First Place

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:22:00 +0000

December 7, 2011
Written by Julia Chongarlides

The first place Florida Panthers showed the Washington Capitals why they deserve to be atop the Southeast Division. The Panthers have a seven-point lead over the Caps in the division, which is the largest division lead in the NHL.

Dmitry Kulikov scored a career-high three points (1-2-3) and a season-high five shots, while Steven Weiss notched two goals to lead the Cats to their 5-4 win over the Capitals on Monday night. For the first time in 12 years the Florida Panthers are 15-8-4 on the season.

The Cats travel to Boston on Thursday night to face off with the defending Stanley Cup Champs. The Bruins are first in the Northeast Division and have a one-point lead over the Panthers in the East. The puck drops at 7:00 PM ET.

Dolphins Thankful for Turnaround

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 04:23:00 +0000

Written by Julia Chongarlides

The Miami Dolphins have surely mounted an impressive turnaround despite their atrocious 0-7 start. Fate seems to have turned in their favor with Matt Moore stepping in as the starting QB. For the second time this season, Moore has been named as a finalist for the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week. He threw for 3 TDs in last Sunday’s win against the Bills and has totaled 622 yards in the past three games.

Miami approaches its Thanksgiving game against the Dallas Cowboys on a three game winning streak. In that span, the team has averaged over 28 points per game and haven't allowed a single touchdown. They're clicking on all cylinders in every dimension of the game, as clearly displayed during Sunday’s 35-8 win.

According to the books, the Fins have a pretty good track record on Thanksgiving. They have won 5 out of 6 games on Turkey Day. “The pageantry and build up to the game in Dallas is really big and they do a great job with it. It’s an honor, privilege to play on Thanksgiving. We are looking forward to represent South Florida,” said Coach Tony Sarpano.

The Cowboys are coming into this game 6-4, obviously a better record than Miami. However, 4 out of those 5 Miami victories on Thanksgiving were against teams with winning records.

The Fins look to continue that trend in Big D. Kick off beings at 4:15PM on CBS.

Almost Doesn't Count, Fins Falter Again

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:26:00 +0000

November 1, 2011
Written by Julia Chongarlides

Seven games in and the Miami Dolphins are seven games down in the loss column, still seeking that ever-so-elusive win. Sunday afternoon Miami took the field against a vulnerable New York Giants team, hoping they'd upset the G-Men just like the Seattle Seahawks did a couple weeks back. Needless to say, the Fins played three solid quarters of football but faltered in the fourth, which ended up costing them the game.

Miami QB Matt Moore performed fairly well as he completed 13 of 22 attempts for 101 yards and ran for a touchdown. However, the Dolphins offense only mustered 17 points (just two points above their season average of 15 points per game). The defense gave up 10 points in the fourth quarter and allowed Giants WR Victor Cruz to snag 7 passes for 99 yards. It's safe to say that Miami missed CB Vontae Davis, who was out with a hamstring injury.

Although the game ended in another disappointment, there were some positives. RB Reggie Bush completed his second career 100-yard rushing performance. Even though Moore was intercepted twice at the end of the fourth quarter, he was accurate for the most of the game and made plenty of smart plays both inside and outside the pocket.

Miami continues its search for win number one next Sunday, November 6th, as they head to Kansas City. Kick off begins at 1:00pm on CBS.

Panthers Pounce Lightning for 2nd Win

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:22:00 +0000

October 17, 2011
Written by Julia Chongarlides

The Florida Panthers secured their second victory of the season by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 on Saturday night. Panthers' Goaltender Jose Theodore shined as he made 28 saves and denied three Lightning players during the shootout.

Let’s not forget about Jovo, who scored the opening goal of the gas and his for Florida in 13 years. Kris Versteeg chalked Florida's next goal during a power play with 2:55 left in regulation, which gave the Cats a 2-1 lead. But it didn’t take long for Tampa’s Marc-Andre Bergeron to tie it up 39 seconds later.

Marcel Goc came through for the Panthers by scoring the lone goal of the shootout to clinch the win for Florida. The Cats head to Tampa for a rematch tonight at 7:30 PM. The Lightning will seek revenge at home while the Panthers look to build on their success.

The Cat Fight Begins

noreply@blogger.com (David Verjano) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:22:00 +0000

October 11, 2011
Written by Julia Chongarlides

There is a win in South Florida! Yup…that’s right, a win! And it didn’t come from the Miami Hurricanes or the Miami Dolphins, who was on their bye week, this weekend.

The Florida Panthers shut out the Islanders 2-0. Stephen Weiss and Jason Garrison each scored and Goaltender, Jose Theodore made 27 saves for Kevin Dineen’s first win as the Panthers head coach.

With the Cats winning their first game, We See Red is becoming a household name. The Panther’s president and CEO, Michael Yormark took to twitter before the game on Saturday stating:

@PantherYormark At the bankatlantic center and standing in the bowl. It’s a sea of red with red seats, red scoreboard, and 3 rings of digital signage.

Although the Panthers don’t play at home until October 15, fans await to see the revamped rink. But first the Cats head to Pittsburgh to face off with the Penguins tonight.