DOLPHINS: So....what's gonna happen tomorrow ?

[Michael Fischer]

All;
Like Glenn (and most of you, I'm sure) this has been a game I have  
been thinking about since our first loss to the Jets the first game of  
the season.

What a remarkable season this has been.

I've thought long and hard about the game tomorrow. At first, the word  
that came to mind was dread. Would we lose to the hated JETS again?

But, a funny thing happen on the way to this final regular season  
game. The Dolphins found a real quarterback in Chad Pennington. They  
found discipline. They found new leaders. They found a way to win and  
they have done it 10 times this season. Sometimes against weak  
opponents, sometimes against good opponents. But they've won, and,  
along the way, they've shed the stink of last season, and, more  
importantly, the stench of JJ, Wanny, Saban and Cameron.

In short, they've become winners.

I started challenging the feeling of dread several weeks ago. If the  
Dolphins can win, why can't I at least have faith in them? This isn't  
Wanny, or Satan or Cameron - it's Tony and some guy nicknamed Tuna. I  
never even looked at how injuries and the whole self destruction the  
JETS have gone through might be a factor.

Is this game a cinch? Not by a long shot. If Farve gets hot, and he  
very well could knowing it is his last game, it could be a long  
afternoon. On the other hand, the guy is 39 years old.

Chad Pennington, who got dumped to the curb by the JETS coaching staff  
for Brett Farve two weeks into preseason, has plenty of motivation to  
be successful. PLENTY. More than one JET fan probably wishes it was  
Chad taking snaps for the New York team tomorrow. Expect noodle arm  
Chad, with only the best completion average in the history of the NFL,  
to keep Farve on the bench simply because the Dolphins will ball  
control the game.

Gentlemen, this could be a movie it's so rich in plot. It has all the  
makings of a great flick. We've got a better running attack, our QB  
isn't hurt and makes darn few mistakes. The defense has to get to  
Farve, pressure him, knock him down. This defense can do it. It's over  
achieved all season. I see no reason to stop tomorrow just because  
it's the New York Jets.

I know we can win. All we have to do is do what we've done 10 other  
times this season.

One more chance to avenge what past Dolphin teams for the past 15  
years or so didn't achieve. One more chance to not be the team that  
went 1-15, but the team that turned it around and made the playoffs  
the next season.

I expect we'll see Ronnie at his best, as usual, but I also expect  
Ricky to run like the Ricky we knew. His clock is ticking, too.

Could we lose? Yes, we certainly could.

This team reminds me SO much of the 1970 Miami Dolphins. Good team  
with lots and lots of potential. I remember the late Al Derogodis (sp)  
going on to Curt Gowdy just good they were going to be late in the  
1970 season. So did my Dad. Like those early Dolphins, this Dolphin  
team has come miles and miles. They need only fufill one more promise  
they made to themselves after playing hard and, playing well all  
season, and that is to make the playoffs.

Enjoy the game tomorrow. I know I will, win or lose. This has been one  
of the most amazing teams I've ever seen.

And don't bother checking. The 1970 Dolphins, under new head coach Don  
Shula, made the playoffs. The rest, as they say, is history.

Michael


On Dec 27, 2008, at 6:43 PM, Glenn Rushworth wrote:

> I have to admit this is the first Dolphins game I have been  
> emotionally invested in for awhile. I just get this bad feeling that  
> whenever Favre starts the drama queen "Oh, my ______ is sore and I  
> don't know if I'll be back next week/season" and he has been putrid  
> for a couple of games he pulls something out of his butt to make  
> himself look like a god. Being from Iowa there are plenty of Packer  
> fans here and I am pretty sick of it. He certainly could have one of  
> those magic games against us but I don't think there is any way the  
> JEST get in; NE and the Ravens win tomorrow.
>
> All that said, I think Favre is done. I think the Dolphins, if they  
> play their game, and can contain the run, will win. And I think win  
> or lose, this will be #4's last NFL game.
>
>
> Glenn
>
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