This loss was more reminiscent of 62-7 than of 2007. As bad as 2007 was, this performance outdid the putrid play of that forgettable season in a matter of 60 minutes. The Cardinals spotted the Dolphins 10 yards in penalties, running their first play from scrimmage out of 1st and 20. They then proceeded to dismantle the Dolphins defense, scoring a 79 yard touchdown on a pass from ancient Kurt Warner to should-have-been-a-Dolphin Anquan Boldin, who was being covered by a linebacker.

 Chris Crocker, one of those Parcells-type players, was nowhere to be seen in a spot on the field where he is usually lining up. Crocker, who for some reason has beaten out Jason Allen for the starting free safety position, was once again responsible for allowing a huge pass play. Last week, he was caught out of position by Brett Favre for a 56-yard strike to Jerricho Cotchery. This week, he was so out of position that it seemed on TV that he wasn't even on the field for the play. Maybe next week Chris Crocker will do everyone a favor and simply not show up for the game.

What followed after that 79-yard touchdown was a complete meltdown of a team who was supposed to show improvement this season but instead showed regression.

Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald put up huge numbers, each catching 6 passes and going for over 100 yards. Boldin caught 3 TD passes. Maybe the Dolphins was so confused by trade speculation that they thought Boldin was already on the Dolphins and decided not to cover him. It wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibility for this team to be that stupid.

Kurt Warner, who is old enough to personally attest to the existance of dinosaurs on planet Earth, completed 19 of 24 passes for 361 yards and 3 touchdowns. Those are the types of numbers you can put up if you play Madden on rookie mode.

Conversely, the Dolphins offense was an exercise in futility. Chad Pennington completed only half his passes for 112 yards. Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown, instead of being a two-headed monster, were once against relegated to being a two-headed pussy cat. Ted Ginn had a huge game, catching one pass for 9 yards.

Next week, the Dolphins play the Patriots. Even with Tom Brady out, it is questionable if the Dolphins will even be able to compete in that game.

Stay tuned, if you have the stomach for it.

Miami goes into the 4:00 game with Arizona at 0-1 and there is a sense of urgency that has been put on this game by Coach Sparano, who has stated that this is a must win game.  Sparano realizes that this is a young team that needs something good to happen to them to build on, and nothing is better for a young team than a win.

     Will we see improvement in this team from game 1 to game 2?  That is a big key in this game and if we see that improvement along with cutting down on some of the costly mistakes that can be made by a young team, a win is not out of the question.  If not, then our Dolphins will come home 0-2 and will be in a precarious position with a road game at New England next on the schedule.

     One big key to this game will be the offensive line.  Once again you have an OL that is looking to gel and become a unit and that has been hindered with the season ending injury to Donald Thomas.  That being said, they will face a Cardinal defensive front that is not the caliber of the Jets and I believe this is a favorable matchup for Miami.  Miami needs to establish the running game and pound Ronnie and Ricky in this game.  If they can, this opens up play action for Chad Pennington and the passing game.  If the Dolphins once again have trouble establishing the run game, this means trouble for the offense.

     Another key to this game and probably just as big is the front seven defensively for Miami.  They must be able to keep constant pressure on Kurt Warner and I believe they can.  Once again, I do not believe the Cardinals OL is at the level of the Jets, and Miami had consistent pressure on Brett Farve and sacked him 3 times.  The difference is Farve has far more mobility than Warner and Warner has also been fumble prone.  Miami being on the plus side in the turnover factor will be a big plus.  Not knocking Edgerrian James and the run game for the Cardinals, but I believe Miami will do a better job against the run and will take that away from Arizona.  Pressure on Warner is the key, as Miami matchup up with there secondary against Arizona tandem of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald is a big mismatch.

     Finally, Miami needs to get better play from the WR position and Ted Ginn in particular.  We all went into this season very concerned about the TE position and who would step up.  Well, after game 1 Anthony Fasano and David Martin had a combined double digit catches and both of the TD catches from game 1.  Miami needs the WR position to step up and be able to stretch the field, they need the WR to be a factor in the game.

     Will these things happen, we will find out this afternoon.  Go Dolphins.