Patience…Patients

Posted on March 26, 2012 by jimberrysports

     By now, many Dolphin fans feel ready to commit themselves to an insane asylum.  “I must be crazy to keep rooting for this team”, they must sometimes think.    After interrogating Dolphin owner Stephen Ross at the NFL owners meetings, I can only say..Patience patients.

     Ross will never win any motivational speaking awards, but he does make some sense.  The Dolphins should not add overpaid free agents to this patchwork team.  They should not pay mega-millions for ANY quarterback unless he is clearly better than Matt Moore, and are wise to bring in a guy like David Garrard who can at least push Moore to play better.  They should build a team primarily through the draft until they reach the point where adding key pieces makes sense. 

    Of course, it will backfire if the Dolphins don’t draft the right players, and don’t coach up the ones they do pick. Ross is convinced Joe Philbin and his staff know how to make good players better. We’ll see.

  Ross remains confident in Jeff Ireland, who actually drafted well in his first year away from the shadow of Bill Parcells.  However, Ross can not afford for Ireland to be a PR liability.  If the Fins are not better next season, Ross will have no choice but to hire a GM with more NFL clout.

  Are the Dolphins a team nobody wants to join ? Not according to one coach who spurned them. Jeff Fisher told me he actually LIKED Ross and Ireland, and respects the Dolphins for playing so hard after a dismal start last season. He just thought dull St. Louis was a better place for him than sexy South Florida. To each his own.

  What’s a Dol-fan to do ? Accept the fact that your team is rebuilding. Actually I should say re-re-re building…it seems they do this every few years. If they get it right, the Dolphins are gonna be really good…in the 2014 season.

Dol-fans will you go crazier waiting that much longer ? Patience..patients.

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Still raisin’ Cane…

Posted on March 23, 2012 by jimberrysports

The New Orleans Saints bounty scandal has UM alumni footprints all over it.  Linebacker Jonathan Vilma is accused of putting up at least $10,000 of his own money to encourage teammates to “take out” opponents.    Tight end Jeremy Shockey is accused of being the “snitch” who told on them.  His  accuser ?  Former UM defensive lineman Warren Sapp.

This scandal was just too juicy for UM somehow NOT to be involved. Of  course, extra pay for extra special licks is not new to the Canes. Uncle Luke introduced the concept back in the day when he paid “bonuses” for vigorous hits.

Still,  paying for hard hits is not the same as rewarding players who deliberately hurt people.  That’s scary.

No one is pretending that football isn’t violent, but players should be on the field to win, not to cause injury. The truth is, however, that its a fine line between wanting to inflict pain and inflict INJURY.

Defensive players for years have bragged to each other about bone crushing hits that “took out” other players.  Once upon a time, UM took that to another level.

It should not be surprising that the concept carried over into the pros. The players all understand that.  The element of fear is a big part of football.

The defense is trying to force mistakes from offensive players who fear those crazy guys on the other side of the field WANT to hurt them.

Roger Goodell has already lowered the boom on those in charge of the Saints “bounty” system.  Soon, he’ll punish some of the players who carried it out.  Vilma could head the list. The NFL commissioner might even reprimand Warren Sapp for calling out Shockey.  He might even wrist slap Shockey for publishing a profane tweet defending himself from Sapp’s accusation.

Those UM guys. Even long after leaving Coral Gables, they still know how to “raise Cane.”

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And the plan is..?

Posted on March 14, 2012 by jimberrysports

  I can’t say I’ll miss Brandon Marshall, but his trade to the Chicago Bears has me wondering about the Dolphins game plan.  Clearly, new coach Joe Philbin does not want to inherit any headaches.  However, if you’re trying to recruit one of the all-time great quarterbacks, why do you trade your best receiver ?

  Maybe the Dolphins plan is to get a lot of fast young guys who can catch passes and go the distance. That’s the essence of the West Coast offense. I’m cool with that.  But if your plan is to go young, then why are you chasing an OLD quarterback like Peyton Manning.

   For the past several years, the Dolphins have been a team with dual agendas. They’re trying to win now…but they’re also re-building. You can’t do both.

Brandon Marshall said he wasn’t a diva, but once he got here, his diva-ness came out. He didn’t produce like the superstar the Dolphins paid him to be, and he could be a royal pain.  I don’t blame them for lettin’ him go.

But what’s the alternative ? Should a Dolphin fan have hope for the present, or hope for the future ?  Unless the team settles on a clear path, I’m afraid the answer will be…no hope at all.

Last year, when the Dolphins started miserably, some Dol-fans were actually happy. They wanted to “suck for Luck” so the team could once and for all get another franchise quarterback.  They were willing to endure short term pain for long term gain.

The Dolphins messed that up by winning too much, pushing them down in the draft to where they will most likely get a nice player, but maybe not an impact one.

Fans who were glad to see them win a few games now are left wondering if the team is half bad, or half good. Being a bad team is rough. Being stuck on mediocre is even worse.  So Dolphins…what’s the plan ?  Tell us before more fans decide they simply don’t care.

 

 

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What am I..chopped liver ?

Posted on February 22, 2012 by jimberrysports

My name is Matt Moore, and frankly..I’m getting a little tired of people always talking about how the Dolphins need a quarterback. What am I..chopped liver ?

Didn’t I come in last year and turn around the season, and win the respect of the entire team. Weren’t we a winless team coached by a dead man walking until I took over and led the team to a strong finish. Shoot, maybe if I had started from the beginning of the season, we would have made the playoffs.  That’s why I’m getting a little ticked off when folks keep talking about the Dolphins quarterbacking needs as if I’m not here. HELLO..PEOPLE  !  What am I, chopped liver ?

I usually put the ball on the money, and if my diva Pro Bowl receiver hadn’t dropped so many passes, my respectable quarterback rating could have been even higher. How dare he give me an indirect slap at the Pro Bowl by saying he played so well because he had “elite” quarterbacks throwing him the ball. I wish he had “elite” hands, and an “elite” attitude.

I’m not saying I’m an All-Pro. I can get better. But with a new coach, a seasoned offensive coordinator, and a few more weapons (like a game breaking tight end) I believe I can hang with the best of ‘em. I know I struggled a bit sometimes in the second half, but did you see pass rush I was under.  It felt like my offensive line WAS chopped liver.

I can’t believe anybody would think a broken down Peyton Manning, an untested Matt Flynn, or an unproven Robert Griffin the third is better than me right now.  I deserve to prove I can keep this job, and I welcome all the competition. If I beat ‘em out, show me some respect.

I’m Matt Moore the quarterback. And I’m NOT chopped liver.

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Sports and music

Posted on February 13, 2012 by jimberrysports

    Whitney Houston’s tragic passing took me back to the Super Bowl at Tampa, Florida in 1991. I remember because I was there. It was the first Super Bowl where security was amped up to a high level because the US was in the Gulf war.

    Everyone was feeling patriotic when Whitney stepped up and sang her resounding Star Spangled Banner.  Actually, she didn’t just sing it. She BELTED it out. It stuck with you.  The dramatic game between the Bills and Giants was decided on a missed field goal by Buffalo’s Scott Norwood. Still, afterwards, players on both teams were talking about Whitney. Her version was SO good, it actually became a hit recording.

  It was one of those moments that reminds you of how sports and music always dance together. I tune out the endless hip hop at NBA games. But I remember real singers bringing their “A” game at major sporting events.

  Marvin Gaye at the NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles in 1983 was another such moment. Marvin sang the anthem as only he could, with unmistakeable soul.  Its the only time I ever recall an audience clapping in unision during the anthem. We were at a basketball game, but Marvin took us to church.

 Prince singing “Purple Rain” IN the rain at the 2007 Super Bowl. You couldn’t have scripted that any better.  Great theatre. It took our minds off of the fact that this was the soggiest Super Bowl in history.  

Whitney’s gone, but my memory of how she blended sports and music will stick with me. As athletes often say about each other…she had game.

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The book of Eli

Posted on February 7, 2012 by jimberrysports

    When I first met Eli Manning, it was the week before his brother Peyton played the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl five years ago.  While everyone  was casual chic on South Beach, Eli walked around in a suit and tie. Yes, he looked dorky, but he was being himself.

     Now that he has surpassed Peyton with two Super Bowl rings, Eli still comes across kinda dorky…but he’s still himself.  At the team’s big victory parade in Manhattan,  Eli’s Giant teammates hammed it up.  Eli still politely talked about a “team win.”   He’s no motivational speaker. He’s just himself.

  In this era of athletes who are quick to promote themselves WITHOUT winning anything, Eli is a refreshing throwback. He’s the guy who won’t brag even when he can. It’s just not his nature.

  What a contrast he is to the head coach of that other New York team. The Jets Rex Ryan talks big. Eli just PLAYS big.  Now that he has whipped the glam Tom Brady and gruffy Bill Belechik twice, Eli can walk on water in New York.

  However, he’s no Tim Tebow, being interviewed again in a prime time special. He’s just Eli. Nondescript….but quite effective on the field, especially in crunch time.   The New York pressure cooker has not changed him. He has drowned out the noise, and stayed true to himself.

      Maybe somewhere Eli does have a personality. I remember people thinking his big brother Peyton Manning was also kind of bland, until we started to see his wacky sense of humor. 

    With Eli..what you see might be what you get.  He may never be a GQ magazine cover boy. That’s OK.  There’s nothing wrong with just being a solid quarterback who lets his play do all of the talking.

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Peyton’s new place ?

Posted on February 1, 2012 by jimberrysports

  Get ready South Florida. I got a feeling its coming. Peyton Manning hype.  It sure looks like the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback and the Indianapolis Colts are about to part company.

Manning has tried to put a good spin on his relationship with the Colts, but c’mon. How much sense does it make for the Colts to pay Peyton $28 mil to stick around AND draft Andrew Luck.  Why would Manning want to remain with a Colts team that is clearly heading in a new direction.

Should they follow through with their football divorce, Manning will become the hottest NFL free agent since Reggie White.  The Dolphins will get in the Manning sweepstakes. The question is…SHOULD they ?

I say NO.  Stay away from an old quarterback who has missed a year after his THIRD neck surgery in two years. Too scary..too risky for me.  But I’m betting Dolphins owner Stephen Ross won’t be able to resist.

Manning would sell tickets to an empty Sun Life Stadium, re-excite Dolfans who miss those Dan Marino days, and give the Fins instant Super Bowl hope.

But what if he can’t play. Then the Dolphins are right back where they are…with no franchise quarterback.  Taking the Manning shortcut could blow up in their faces.

The smart money says go find a young Peyton Manning.  The Dolphins new head coach Joe Philbin is known for offense. Let him coach up a young QB, and not play caretaker for an older one who may be fragile and set in his ways.

And….do you REALLY trust that Dolphin offensive line to protect Manning. I’d feel better with somebody who can run away from the pass rush.

In my book, there’s only one good reason for the Fins to get in the Manning sweepstakes. Keep him away from the New York Jets.  For the Dolphins to play third fiddle in a division with Tom Brady AND Peyton Manning….now THAT might get me to change my mind.

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General Ireland

Posted on January 25, 2012 by jimberrysports

When Tony Sparano got fired as Dolphins head coach,  many fans thought G-M Jeff Ireland should also have been whacked.  I didn’t agree. Now, Ireland has the chance to prove me right.

Last year, when he was finally free of Bill Parcells’ considerable shadow, Ireland made some astute football moves. The Dolphins draft was solid. Snagging Reggie Bush and Matt Moore proved smart. Even Kevin Burnett started to play like the linebacker he was supposed to be.   But let’s not sugarcoat it.   This team does not yet have much elite talent.  Unless Ireland raised the talent bar, then he should follow Sparano out the door.

Ireland emerges from the Fins coaching search with even greater authority than before.  New coach Joe Philbin figures to defer to him initially on personnel matters, meaning Ireland won’t be able to pass the buck on any mistakes. The buck will stop with him.   He seems to know what the needs are….quarterback, tight end, pass rushers.   More importantly, the Dolphins need some DIFFERENCE makers.  Jason Taylor just retired and will someday be in the team’s ring of honor. But who now on the roster will join him. Jake Long..maybe ?

The Dolphins need Tom Brady, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed kind of players. I would settle even for Vernon Davis and Victor Cruz type talent. GAME CHANGERS.

Reggie Bush is very good, but is he all-pro ? Brandon Marshall is Pro bowl bound, but his pouty attitude scares me. Unless the other team is game planning to stop you, you are not a game changer.

Ireland emerged the winner in the battle of Jeffs. Team owner Stephen Ross chose him over Jeff Fisher, a seasoned coach who probably wanted more control than he deserved. I’ve been saying for years that the Dolphins need an organization, not a savior. Now, the clear leader of this rebuilding job is the military-looking Ireland.

General Ireland…you got the power. Now use it wisely.

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Touchdown ?..Jesus !!

Posted on January 8, 2012 by jimberrysports

That’s it…I’m a believer.  Seeing Tim Tebow throw that 80-yard touchdown to Damarius Thomas on the first play of overtime converted me.

I was thorougly convinced that Pittsburgh would march into Denver and demolish the Broncos. The Tebow charade would be over. John Elway would then be free to go get a “real” quarterback.  Things would get back to reality.

But the more gimpy Ben Roethlisberger struggled, the more I began to wonder. Tebow actually completed some passes downfield. They may have taken an hour to get there, but they were on target. The Broncos got a lead, and their defense was playing lights out.

Then, just like I thought, the Steelers would wake up. They tied the game. In overtime, they would put little Timmy in his place. Was I fooled. Tebow fearlessly put the ball on the money, beating a Pittsburgh defense so worried about him running that they left a speedy tight end wide open.  Game over. Of course, Tebow instantly dropped to one knee..and “Tebow-ed.”  They say prayer changes things. It sure has in Denver.

The final stats say that Tebow threw for 316 yards. His favorite Biblical verse is John 3:16. “For God so loved the world…he gave us his only begotten son..” is the gist of it.  In Denver, they want to amend that verse to say..”he gave us his only begotten QUARTERBACK.”

So now we know. Beyond a shadow of a doubt. TIM TEBOW IS TOUCHDOWN JESUS !! You don’t have to believe. But I do.

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Taylor made

Posted on January 1, 2012 by jimberrysports

       

 

  Jason Taylor was always cool. When he played football, and even when he danced,  J-T was always the king of composure.  His emotional farewell finally revealed the man behind that cool exterior. 

        Taylor acknowledged the family that raised him through humble beginnings in Pittsburgh, the coaches who helped mold him into a Hall-of-Fame caliber player, and even the Dolphins public relations people who urged him to do countless media interviews.

      Who knew that the best Dolphin defensive player of all time had such a dose of humility. Maybe THAT’s what helped propel him to greatness.  All week long, Taylor talked about not being owed anything.   He didn’t always feel that way.  He rightfully thought the Dolphins left him hangin’ a few years ago when Bill Parcells foolishly kicked him to the curb.

      Luckily for the Dolphins, Taylor’s loyalty to the aqua and orange got over the snub. He returned not once but twice to guarantee his career would end where it started.  Taylor might go down as the Dolphin player with the fewest critics in history.   Who can say anything bad about a guy who played to the hilt, and then faced the music whether it was good or bad ?

     Sometimes the stars align and sometimes they don’t.  Dan Marino retired without a Super Bowl ring because the Dolphins didn’t have a defense. Taylor leaves without one because the Dolphins didn’t have enough offense.  Imagine if the two had been team mates during their prime. 

   As Lebron James said, Marino and Taylor might have had “not one…not two…not three..” but who knows how many.  Marino’s legacy is not dimished, and Taylor’s won’t be either.

      As it turns out, the Dolphins coolest player…was also a cool guy.

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