2.5 Dogs @ Cleveland

[miamid45]

Early line has us  as  2.5 Underdogs @ Cleveland.  So far, have been unable to stop the run...seems to me, that the key will be stopping Hillis.

Time for the Defence to live up to all the hype...albeit probably without  Dansby and Davis.

[Brian Fein]

I'd love to see improved tackling this week.  I think I would take the 2.5 points, though. 

[Thundergod]

Not surprised. But I think Miami can take this game. Miami 24 Cleveland 20

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

I think Miami wins by 10+ this weekend!!!!! Just a feeling I have!!!!!

[Brian Fein]

A guy in my office is a Colts fan. So, amidst all the doom and gloom of the Dolphins fans whining about how horrible we are, he comes in with an impartial view...

"The Dolphins should blow Cleveland away this week"

I hope he's right.

[EDGECRUSHER]

He is lucky being a Colts fan. They will suck their way to a 1-15 record, draft Andrew Luck and then have Peyton mentor him for 2-3 seasons.

[Doc-phin]

"The Dolphins should blow Cleveland away this week"

We should, but we won't.  I have no doubt that our staff is fearfull of blowing this game.  My guess is they do the wrong thing and try to ground and pound it and keep it close to the end.

If this staff really wants to keep their jobs, they need to make a statement.  A big win "blowout" would show that the 1st two games were potentially just early season issues against good teams.  If they keep it close, it is just going to allow the Browns to keep diversity in their game plan and they could pull it out.

Two things...

I would blitz damn near every down.  Keep a linebacker or safety as a spy, but send guys from all kinds of places and keep it rolling.  It will stop the run and get their young QBs head spinning.  If they get one or two big plays, fine.  But pressure also creates turnovers and our defense needs this chance to get a few turnovers in its favor.

If we win and it is a small victory, it won't quiet the criticism.  If we get blown out, the season and their jobs are over.  If we win big, people will start to consider who our 1st two opponents were and cut some slack for a bit.  This team really needs to get folks off their back, you can see that the frustration and all the questioning is getting them to doubt what they are doing (not good in this league).

[jtex316]

^ I will agree to cut some slack off of the first two games if the Dolphins can score for over 40+, the defense can hold them to under 14 points, and Henne can throw for 300+ yards, 2+ TDs and <1 interceptions @ Cleveland this Sunday.

Those statistics are ones that I would associate with a "blow-out, statement" type of performance, so if they can do it, slack will be provided.

[masterfins]

^^^Slack? Heck if they do that you should have to wear a Henne jersey the rest of the season.   

[jtex316]

^^^Slack? Heck if they do that you should have to wear a Henne jersey the rest of the season.   

Brian will tell you that I have a White, a Teal, and a Orange Henne jersey in my closet, because I'm such a closet Dolphins fan and I root for the Dolphins but pretend to hate them on the TDMMC message board...so that won't be a problem for me b/c I wear a Henne jersey 4 times a week anyways.

Go Phins!!!!!

[jtex316]

Trivia Question: I actually do own one Miami Dolphins jersey (or at least I used to own at some point in a box somewhere). Can anyone name the player?

[fyo]

throw for 300+ yards, 2+ TDs and <1 interceptions

Since negative interceptions are... unlikely, you're saying zero interceptions.

[jtex316]

Since negative interceptions are... unlikely, you're saying zero interceptions.

Just like the title of this thread. 2.5 points scored are unlikely...so I have to set the line somewhere.

[masterfins]

Trivia Question: I actually do own one Miami Dolphins jersey (or at least I used to own at some point in a box somewhere). Can anyone name the player?

Since Csonka once played for the Giants I'd go with him.

[fyo]

Just like the title of this thread. 2.5 points scored are unlikely...so I have to set the line somewhere.

Yes, but why not just say "and no interceptions"?

Anyway, 300 yards and a couple of touchdowns is realistic, IMHO. (Call me optimistic, if you will). 40+ points is probably not. And the defense... sigh, I have no confidence they'll get their act together. I hope so... anything less than a solid performance by them will be a huge disappointment.