Phins choke big time..

[Upton]

Houston raced to an early 27-point lead Sunday, then held on to beat the Miami Dolphins 27-20.

The Texans (8-7) scored on their first five possessions and won despite being outscored 20-0 in the final 31 minutes. Houston kept alive its slim hopes of making the playoffs for the first time, while defending AFC East champion Miami (7-8) was all but eliminated.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20091227_HOU@MIA

Yep, this year Miami is playing a REAL schedule.

[Forkboy]

1. ....

:eyes:

[TZ]

2. Don't the Phins

Have a better record than the Niners?

[Upton]

4. It depends...

if the 49ers win today, they'll both be 7-8..

[trumad]

3. The one trick pony strikes again...

Thing is---The Phins have an incredible upside for next season---The Niners have Alex Smith.

[Upton]

5. Sure they do..

and the Dolphins were going to improve on last year's 11-5 too. You know, it would make things so much more interesting if you were right at least sometimes..

[trumad]

8. Oh really---

Did I ever say that the Dolphins would have a better record than 11-5.... uh no dipshit.

You and douche one came up with the "real schedule" all on your own.

Then when it became evident that the Niners had the easiest schedule in the league---you started to change your tune.

The easiest schedule in the league and you're barely at .500.

Douche---you really need to start worrying about your pathetic team---a team with absolutely no upside.

[Scurrilous]

9. Trumad picked the Dolphins to go 8 and 8...

...way back in September.

They still have a chance to do that.

[trumad]

12. LOL--- thanks for digging that up.

Douche two seems to think I picked them for the SB.

[WilliamPitt]

15. Woop

There it is.

:)

[madinmaryland]

6. They must have been watching the San Francisco Raiders last weekend!

Learning how to lose, ugly!

[Scurrilous]

7. "Miami seemed shockingly listless at the outset..."

I blame South Beach.:P

[Awsi Dooger]

10. It was smoke and mirrors all season

I get ripped on the Dolphin message boards for pointing it out, but that doesn't make it any less valid. The most relevant stat is Yards Per Pass Attempt Differential and the Dolphins have been near the bottom of the league all season. You can't hide from that stat because it's bottom line devastating; no ability to pass or stop the pass. Today it wasn't exactly a difficult handicap, taking a +1.4 getting points vs. -1.8.

Now comes the difficult part. Henne is a coach killer. Sparano will destroy his career if he doesn't realize it and pursue someone else. It reminds me precisely of Butch Davis at Cleveland about 7 or 8 years ago. He had Tim Couch, a guy with a significant hitch in his delivery and very poor ability to rescue a bad play. But Couch was touted by football people who wanted to pretend he could overcome those flaws. No chance.

[trumad]

11. Awsi---

I'm normally in agreement with you on just about everything...but not about Henne. This is Henne's first year as a starter so he's bound to throw some int's and make some boneheaded throws. Add that he is throwing to receivers who get horrible separation on the ball---and well--- it's like threading a needle.

He's smart---has a cannon of an arm--- has decent pocket presence. I definitely give this kid another year but give him the weapons to put the ball down the field.

The Phins need--- a revamped linebacking core--- Linebackers who can cover the middle especially the tight ends... A Wide Receiver who teams fear---- not a cream puff like Ted Ginn---and finally---a Safety who can cover the field.

Oh---and they need to fire the Defensive Coordinator Paul Pasqualoni. The dude simply coaches them to play flat coming out of the gate.

And finally: I still don't have too much faith in Tony Sparano. He made several maddening calls this season that had many fans and pundits scratching their heads. If there is no overall improvement next season....I think he needs to go.

So let's see what happens in the off-season and let's give Henne one more year. mho

[JonLP24]

13. About receivers

I agree it will help them a lot to land a playmaker. Hopefully not Boldin because I fear cheap ass owners will let him go.

But how do feel about Davone Bess? He leads the team in receptions and had 5O+ last year. I feel he should break a few more big plays but he is just in his second year. Remember it takes awhile for most receivers to develop but he is at a great pace and he was undrafted. I think they have something to work with there.

[trumad]

14. Davone is the Wes Welker of the Phins

Ironically Wes was a Phin and I'm still smarting that they stupidly let him go to the Pat's...

Devone had a bit of a fumble problem this year and I hope he can fix that. With a stud receiver occupying defenses, Bess should become a Pro Bowler.

The Phins need a contributing proven receiver now and should pursue one in Free Agency. Boldin would be a dream...an expensive dream for sure.

On edit: I found this list of 2010 Receiver Free Agents:

Vincent Jackson ,Brandon Marshall,Antonio Bryant,Steve Breaston,Kevin Walter,Miles Austin,Derrick Mason,Jason Avant,Davone Bess,Mark Bradley,Isaac Bruce,Chris Chambers,Mark Clayton,David Clowney,Ronald Curry,Malcom Floyd,Domenik Hixon, Lance Moore,Muhsin Muhammad,Josh Reed, Brad Smith,Bobby Wade,Kelley Washington, Demetrius Williams,Troy Williamson, Jerheme Urban,

[JonLP24]

16. Interesting

I think Marshall and Austin will sign contracts with their current teams if they offer what they are looking for.

Breaston gets lost in the shuffle with Boldin and Fitzgerald but he is a great talent. He had 1,OOO receiving yards last year and 7OO this year. Not sure what will Arizona do with him but I'm less than 5O% sure he stays, about 45% sure he does.

Bruce and Muhammed are clearly not the same players they once were. Chris Chambers was much better in KC than he was in San Diego so I think he can still be effective for a couple of year but not a top 25 receiver. I think KC may offer to keep him around for a year or two.

Troy Williamson hasn't had a good year yet, plus I imagine Mike Sims-Walker is the future at WR for Jax. Jerheme Urban lost his job as #4 receiver in Arizona to Early Doucet. He's gone.

Edit: Boldin is signed through 2O1O so that was a mistake on my part. He may request a trade if they don't offer him a better contract especially coming off another 1,OOO yard season.

[trumad]

17. You obviously know your football Jon and the players in the league

far more than I do..... I'm pretty much a homer for my team and really don't venture out much to see other teams talent.

Miami needs one stud receiver and that will help the offense and Chad Henne immensely. They've got the running game, now they need the vertical game.