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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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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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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Reality check

Posted on November 24, 2011 by jimberrysports

   The Dolphin fantasy was nice while it lasted.  The Thanksgiving Day loss to Dallas proves that when it comes to playing the better teams, the Dolphins are still just a really good sparring partner.

  They hit the Cowboys on the chin several times, but couldn’t knock ‘em out.  Dallas shrugged off two early turnovers, and still led the Dolphins at halftime.  Even when the Fins rallied to regain the lead twice,  Dallas bullied its way down the field when it mattered to kick the winning field goal, leaving the upset-minded Dolphins no time for another rally.  

The Dolphins deserve mucho credit for playing inspired football after starting 0 and 7, but beating up on the Chiefs, Redskins, and Bills is not the same as trying to beat a good football team on its home field.  To do that, the Dolphins need more difference-makers who can dominate their positions.  Receivers who catch passes in stride and take them to the house. Defenders who will sack Tony Romo when they get a hand on him. Offensive linemen who will bulldoze tacklers so that the Dolphins are the team running out the clock, instead of handing it back to Dallas after what felt like an inevitable three and out.

Playing with heart makes you commendable.  Playing with talent makes you dangerous. Dolphin owner Stephen Ross knows the difference. In a few weeks, we’ll see what he does about it.

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Moore than a backup ?

Posted on November 7, 2011 by jimberrysports

He may not be a franchise quarterback, but the more I see Matt Moore, the more I think he’s a STARTING quarterback.   The guy makes plays with his legs, spreads the ball around, and is accurate with his throws.  He looks like a gamer, and doesn’t seem nearly as robotic as Chad Henne.

Yes, the Dolphins should clearly still draft a quarterback. They have been woefully understocked at this position for years.  But pair the QB of the future with Moore, and the Dolphins should no longer be so embarrasingly thin at the most critical position.

Don’t Suck for Luck….try to get more out of Moore.

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