Shoog Dawg's 2007 Pregame Report
Week 15 - Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins - Dec 16, 2007
Dolphins are in big trouble of becoming the worst team in NFL history. This is the week they avoid going winless.
Dolphins 17 Ravens 16
Phins Defensive Player of the Game: Jason Taylor (He's due)
Phins Offensive Player of the Game: Ted Ginn Jr. (Has a better game this week)
Week 14 - Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills - Dec 9, 2007
Buffalo in December with an 0 - 12 Dolphins team = 0 - 13.
Bills 30 Dolphins 13
Phins Defensive Player of the Game: Channing Crowder (Finally gets a turnover)
Phins Offensive Player of the Game: Lorenzo Booker (lol)
Week 13 - New York Jets at Miami Dolphins - Dec 2, 2007
What can you say about the Dolphins....losing yet another game by 3 points.
Well, it could be now or never it the Dolphins want to avoid the stigma associated with being the only 0-16 team in NFL history.
The Jets are not having the year most expected and a lot of it has to do with inconsistant QB play. A large part of the Dolphins winless season has been due to inconsistant QB play as well. John Beck will have "homefield" advantage for the first time in his brief NFL career as a starter. I put "homefield" in quotes because the obnoxious Jets fans may come close to outnumbering and out cheering the Dolphins fans. Given the fact that Beck's first two NFL games came in Philly and Ptitsburgh under brutal conditions and that he didn't make any crucial mistakes, one might be inclined to think he could finally bring stability to the QB position in Miami....something us fans have been waiting for since Danny Marino retired.
The Jets Run Defense is actually rated worse that the Phins who have been playing much better the past few games. If we continue to see improvement in the D, especially with the 2 Allens, Jason and Will, then we should be able to limit the Jets. Laveraneous Coles has been a Dolphins killer over the years, so stopping him is a first priority.
If we can see improvement in the offense then the Dolphins should be able to pull out there first, and possibly only, win of the season. If not......................god help us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dolphins 23 Jets 20
Phins Defensive Player of the Game: Will Allen (has been playing at a high level)
Phins Offensive Player of the Game: John Beck (Cam finally takes the training wheels off)
Week 12 - Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers - Nov 26, 2007
The Dolphins are actually on Monday Night....the scheduler makers would like this one back I bet!!!!!!
Ted Ginn.....very impressive.
Jason Allen......also impressive.
John Beck.....what we expect at this point. Hopefully Cam will let Beck play and not hand cuff him with brutal play calling like in Philly.
I don't expect a win here, but hopefully Beck progresses and even gets to take a few shots down field to Ginn.
Steelers 31 Dolphins 17
Phins Defensive Player of the Game: Joey Porter (has and axe to grind in Pittsburgh)
Phins Offensive Player of the Game: Ted Ginn Jr. (he continues to improve and impress)
Week 11 - Miami Dolphins at Philadelpha Eagles - Nov 18, 2007
Time for Beck is now....why? Do you even need to ask? But if havn't been watching the Dolphins play it's because Cleo Lemon simply is not a starting caliber QB in this league. We are not doing this TEAM any favors by sticking with Cleo as he is clearly not the future of the Miami Dolphins.
On the the Iggles. Phily hasn't exaclty been lighting it up lately but they did beat the Skins last week in Washington...plus even though they are below 500 for the season (4-5) they are still a whole lot better than the Dolphins.
Miami's Defense played surprisingly well against the Bills but Donovan McNabb is in a different league than JP Losman, so expect the Eagles to put up some passing yards on the Dolphins. The Dolphins Offense is improving somewhat but Cleo Lemon is far from productive at the QB spot. It will be interesting to see if Cam finally goes with Beck in this one. If he does, I would not expect Beck to put up big numbers as it would be his first ever NFL action in probably one of the craziest places to play as a visitor. I remember former Dolphins Troy Vincent saying that even after he signed with the Eagles as a free agent that the crowd "still" scared him!!! Very tough for a rookie QB to make his debut....but what's that old saying......"if it doesn't kill you, it will only make you stronger".
For some reason I think the Dolphins will keep this game close for the most part, but will come up short yet once again in the end.
Eagles 24 Dolphins 20
Phins Defensive Player of the Game: Zach Thomas (back from injury and showing he still got it)
Phins Offensive Player of the Game: Jesse Chatman (continuing an impressive showing)
Week 10 - Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins - Nov 11, 2007
I guess the John Beck era is on hold...at least for the start of the Bills game anyway. I have to believe....I need to believe that Cleo Lemon is on a very short leash. If Cleo continues his trend of turning the ball over, we may indeed get to see John Beck in this game....or a least we damn well better.
Offensively we have shown some signs of improvement....even with Cleo Lemon. The Dolphins could potentially put up a few points against the Bills. Problem is the Bills, in particular Lee Evans, has torched the Dolphins in the past....when we were a top 5 Defense.....I can't imagine what he might do with the secondary in the shape it's in now.
One bright spot on the D is Zach Thomas and Vonnie Holliday have both been cleared to play. Getting these veterans back will help a dismal Defense and may actually provide a little spark to the team. If the D can mount a pass rush and pressure Losman, who looks like he will get the nod, then they may be able to compensate for the poor secondary. Not sure that will happen though.
Bills 27 Dolphins 24
Phins Defensive Player of the Game: Jason Allen (Yes, I have been drinking!)
Phins Offensive Player of the Game: Ted Ginn Jr. (Ted continues his progression)
Week 9 - Bye Week for the winless Miami Dolphins
Well, at least we won't lose this weekend!! (On tap....Buffalo in Miami....the beginning of the John Beck era? Stay tuned....)
Week 8 - New York Giants at Miami Dolphins (London, England) - Oct 28, 2007
What can you say about the Dolphins Defense that hasn't already been said...fact is they suck. We are basically down to the bottom of the barrel looking for seconday help...and to add to it, our best player (by a landslide) is now out for the season...when it rains, it pours....and when it pours, it turns into a monsoon.
Dolphins have looked decent on Offense as the O Line has shown improvement in almost every game this season...one of the few bright spots. The loss of Ronnie Brown is enormous, but Chatman and Cobbs filled in nicely last Sunday...lets hope they can again this week...also, we will finally get to see Lorenzo Booker, as he will be active for the first time this season.
The Giants have been playing well, winning thier last 5 games, but this is where it comes to an end. Call me stupid, call me a homer, tell me I am looking through teal and orange glasses (yes it is TEAL not aqua as the team says!) and I will tell you....yeah, you're probably right! ....but....this is where the Dolphins get in the win column. The Dolphins will have a fair number of fans at this game...possibly more than they would at Dolphin Stadium. (Sad but true). There is a GIANT statue of JT, it's Wembley Stadium, it's the first regular season game played outside of North America, and it will be the Dolphins first win in a dismal 2007 season. Mark it down...the Dolphins WILL win.
Dolphins 34 Giants 31
Phins Defensive Player of the Game: Jason Taylor (He has to with a giant statue made in his likeness!)
Phins Offensive Player of the Game: Ted Ginn Jr. (He will have a great return game as well)
Week 7 - New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins - Oct 21, 2007
Well, I would love to sit here and say the Dolphins have a shot at upsetting the undefeated Pats. I predicted a Dolphins victory back in 04 when everyone had us written off and AJ Feeley delivered a 20 yard strike on 4th down to win the game in heroic come from behind fashion. Now if that happened again this week it would be the equivalent of winning the superbowl for Miami fans. Problem is, there is a better chance of Shed Dawg Barry actually showing up at the Shed than there is for a Miami win. (Actually Barry will be in Miami for the game so I guess there's no chance for a Dolphins win.)
The Patriots are like a well oiled machine through six weeks and the only way Miami wins is if there is a sniper in the crowd that takes out Tom Brady. As long as Brady is healthy, he has too many weapons on offense. Miami's Defense has been like a sieve lately, so there will be little hope in slowing down the high powered Pats. Look for former Dolphins Welker, Morris, and Eckel to have huge days...it seems everyone has a grudge and a debt to settle when playing the Dolphins (see Culpepper and B. Edwards, who in the past 2 weeks combined for 8 TDs).
This game could be over early in the second quarter....I hope not, and will be cheering my Dolphins on as usual, looking for that miracle....I just won't be betting any money on it happening.
Patriots 51 Dolphins 24 (No, that is not a typo...I figure if the beat the Cowboys like they did, then this might actually be a conservative score for the Pats)
Phins Defensive Player of the Game: Jason Taylor (I am thinking JT will elevate his game and give Tom Brady some trouble, at least on a few downs anyway.)
Phins Offensive Player of the Game: Ronnie Brown (Why not make it 5 games in a row!!!)
Week 6 - Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns - Oct 14, 2007
Defense let us down again. Trent Green may have played his last football game period. Secondary is in shambles. That being said, I think the Dolphins will finally get their first win against the Browns. Cleo Lemon will have a full week of practice with the starters and "should" be better prepared entering this game. Let in be said here now though, Cleo had a golden opportunity to step up against the Texans and he really did not. He played adequate at times but he threw a miserable interception and also looked lost and useless in the final drive for the Dolphins. This week he has no excuse. It's time to Step Up or Step Off and let John Beck in.
The Defense should be ashamed of themselves for folding with under two minutes left in the game...especially after special teams pinned the Texans at their own 3 yard line. If the Dolphins Defense has any pride what-so-ever, then they need to come out this week with a big game....and I think they will.
Dolphins 24 Browns 23
Phins Defensive Player of the Game: Jason Taylor (He finally showed some signs last week of the Defensive MVP)
Phins Offensive Player of the Game: Ronnie Brown (Why not make it 4 games in a row!!!)
Week 5 - Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans - Oct 7, 2007
Defense can't stop anyone. Trent Green is tied for the league lead in interceptions. Daunte "Gimp Knee" Culpepper ran for 3 TDs and the Defense gave up 299 yards rushing. Schaub, or Schwab, or Shwab...oh hell, a cotton swab could pass for 250 yards against the Defense the way they are playing.
Texans 27 Dolphins 17
Phins Defensive Player of the Game: Zach Thomas if he plays....No one if he doesn't
Phins Offensive Player of the Game: Ronnie Brown
Week 4 - Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins - Sept 30, 2007
Oh Oh Oh...and 3. It's now or never Dolfans.
Miami must not, cannot, should not lose to the Raiders at home...and they WILL NOT!
Yours truly along with Shed Dawgs JK, Monkey, Double A Dawg and the Rook will all be at the game in Miami this week and we refuse to travel thousands of miles for a loss. The Dolphins will win, yes they will.
The Offensive line IS getting better. The play of Ronnie Brown IS getting much better. The play of Chris Chambers and Marty Booker HAS been good through the first 3 games. Ted Ginn Jr. IS going to return a kick this season. The Defense WILL step up and finally play to the level they are capable of playing. Combine all of this and you get a Dolphins win!
The Dolphins will finally walk away with a game...something we havn't seen in a long time with Miami. The Dolphins will play a solid game all around and will win this one easily.
Dolphins 31 Raiders 10
Phins Defensive Player of the Game: Joey Porter
Phins Offensive Player of the Game: Chris Chambers
Week 3 - Miami Dolphins at New York Jets - Sept 23, 2007
Here we go again.
Well, we didn't get many answers to the questions I posed last week, in fact, I think we can go ahead and ask them again.
As it looks right now, New England could have the AFC East won by mid-season! Miami, New York and Buffalo are all 0-2 with the Patsies 2-0. (Of course we know the Pats cheated! ;-)
Miami heads to New York where they havn't had a lot of success in recent years. The Jets have won 5 of the last 6 games against the Dolphins, including a sweep last season, and are 14/18 over the past 9 years. Unfortunately I don't expect that trend to change next week.
The Dolphins are a team searching for an identity right now. Ronnie Brown is on the bench when the game is on the line. Ted Ginn Jr. and family are no where to be seen when we need "them". Lorenzo Booker...is he even still on the team? The Defense does look old and Trent Green may have been picked up a few years too late. Oh, Chambers did have a decent game as did Booker...but other than that, this team is in hard shape. And I wouldn't exactly get excited about Chambers because putting a string of good games together hasn't actually been his forte.
The Jets had Kellen Clemens start on Sunday. He threw for almost 300 yards and a TD, but he also threw 2 picks, was sacked 4 times and had an overall passing rating of 60.6. Not good you could say....however...then you look at Trent Green's stats. Green also came close to 300 yards with 2 TDs, but he threw 4 picks, was sacked twice and fumbled twice, losing one. He ended with an overall passing rating of 57.0. Both teams obviously need better play out of the Quarterback, and whichever team 's signal caller makes the leasts mistakes, could come out on the winning end in this game.
I expect this game to be anything but pretty. Trent Green should be on a short leash for Miami. I am not calling for him to be benched, but if he doesn't look sharp early, like he didn't against Dallas, then we should take a look a Cleo Lemon before the game is out of reach. Trent was high on most of his passes in Week 2 and we are not good enough to overcome multiple turnovers. I am still convinced the Dolphins can play with anyone in this league, but they need to play a near perfect game to do it. We do not have the talent to overcome 5 turnovers...then again, not many teams do.
If Miami doesn't turn the ball over AND they eliminate the cosly penalties, then they have a shot a winning this game. Unfortunately, I havn't seen anything in the past two games to indicate that they will.
Jets 19 Dolphins16
Phins Defensive Player of the Game: Jason Taylor (It is time now!)
Phins Offensive Player of the Game: Marty Booker
Week 2 - Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins - Sept 16, 2007
The more things change, the more they...well, you know how it goes.
There were a lot of unanswered questions from Week One. It's hard to say what will happen without knowing the answers to some of these questions.
- Why was Ronnie Brown on the bench with 5 minutes left in a tight game?
- Why did we not take a time out with 20 seconds left in the 1st half when it was only 2nd down and we had 2 timeouts left?
- Why didn't we send Ted Ginn Jr. deep? Isn't that why we drafted him...because of his speed?
- Why was Joey Porter on the bench in OT?
- Why was Lorenzo Booker inactive?
- Was our Defense not prepared for the temperature in DC?
I guess we probably won't get the answers to these questions, so I may as well go ahead with this weeks report.
Dallas certainly looked good against the G Men last week. I'm still not 100% sold on Tony Romo but TO is without question one of the games top Wide Receivers. With the loss of Yerimiah Bell in the Miami secondary, TO could be in for a big day. The Dolphins pass rush will have to be much better than they were last week if we are going to have a chance in this one.
Offensively we need to stick with the running game. We had less then 20 attempts rushing last week which is usually not enough. Trent Green did look OK in game one, but the drops by the WR's were brutal. The penalties were devastating as well. If Miami doesn't correct these problems it could be another loooooooooonnng season....again.
Thay being said, I DO, that's right, I said I DO think the Dolphins will show a marked improvement on Offense and I thing the D will be out to avenge last weeks collapse in the OT period. The Dolphins will rattle Romo early and often and force him into some bad decisions.
Dolphins 27 Cowboys 20
Phins Defensive Player of the Game: Jason Taylor
Phins Offensive Player of the Game: Chris Chambers
Week 1 - Miami Dolphins at Washington Redskins - Sept 9, 2007
Well, that time of the year is here again! Finally! It's been a long wait but the season is finally upon us. Now, down to business.
Miami has gone through yet "another" event filled off season, which seems to be the norm in South Flordia the past number of years. I don't need to go into detail about the changes that occurred...that has been done to death. So let's get right to the point.
Miami's achilles heal over the past few years has been problems on Offense, in particular along the O-Line. This year some things have changed and others are still up in the air. Cam Cameron brings an offense philosophy that the Dolphins havn't had since their first head coach some 40 years ago. He has a proven track record and knows how to get the most out of his players. He does not try to force square pegs in round holes like the past three coaches seemed to want to do. This will undoubtedly make our offense better than it has been in years. The one problem that stands out though, is that O-Line again. The oline has a different starter at every position compared to last year, so cohesion could be a problem early on. Let's just hope Cam has the same success he had in San Diego when he started 2 or 3 rookies and had a terrific season.
Trent Green brings a savvy veteren presence that Miami hasn't had since Dan Marino left and he should definitely have the edge over Jason Campbell on Sunday...especially when Campbell feels the heat from the Dolphins Defense.
Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas, Joey Porter, Channing Crowder, Vonnie Holiday, Keith Traylor and Matt Roth form as good a front seven as you will find. I would expect Dom Capers to unleash some crazy blitz packages that should keep Campbell on his toes and force him to get rid of the ball quickly. This will keep Santana Moss at bay and should allow the Dolphins to win the opener on the road.
Dolphins 24 Redskins 16
Phins Defensive Player of the Game: Matt Roth
Phins Offensive Player of the Game: Marty Booker
