I hate the Jets. Are you with me? I also love to hate the Jets. I know you are with me there as well. What would the AFC East be like for us if we did not have two games to circle on the calendar each season? I don't even want to think about it.
What is with all the posturing that the Jets do before a game? I'll tell you what it is ... it's nothing but hype in the hopes that they can push up their own game. They like to come into a game with a little swagger and a chip on their shoulder. Why else would a backup linebacker, Aaron Maybin, run his mouth even though he's only made 1 of the 469 total tackles the Jets have made this year? I like Mike Pouncey's reply but all it does is fire up an insignificant player like Maybin.
"I don't even want to talk about (Maybin). He's a joke. He's not even going to play enough plays to touch Reggie. I have to be on punt block to say something to him."
While I do hate the Jets, it sure makes the NFL season a lot of fun when these two teams go head-to-head as they will this Sunday. I think Rex Ryan has done a good job of enhancing the rivalry. A lot of Jets fans are starting to turn on him, but in my opinion the problem isn't with him ... it's with the young talent that Tannehaum has brought to the Jets. Thie Jets are a team that was built to "win now" a few years ago. They are not replacing their aging veterans. It is good to see that Jeff Ireland is adding fresh young players to the Dolphins through the draft.
Tomorrow's game is a must-win game for the Dolphins. If we lose then the Jets can say they swept us this year. If we win, then we will have a winning record for the first time in a very long time.
CAN THE DOLPHINS GET CHARLES CLAY INVOLVED THIS WEEK?
The one thing we fans are tired of is hearing about the "hype" about a talented player that never pans out. So many players have been drafted with "potential" and they seem to come and go.
The one thing you have to really like about Head Coach Philben is that our young players are starting to develop into difference-makers. Credit the coaching staff that he has surrounded himself and we are seeing players on both sides of the ball develop.
The Dolphins have had two weeks to try to get Clay more involved. He was a FB/TE tweener. He has the skills to create mismatches as he has good speed and the ability to run over people. He isn't a good blocker and his hands are inconsistent. On Monday, Miami OC Mike Sherman had this to say about Clay, "Charles Clay is someone who could really help us down the stretch as we continue after the bye and beyond. I would like to see Charles Clay step up and be a factor in what we do." Let's get thing going with Clay as he can be a real difference-maker in the remaining games on our schedule.
ESPN Insider Analysis on Charles Clay entering 2011 NFL Draft
Competitiveness/Toughs
Can lower shoulder and run over defensive backs. Not shy going over the middle and pops up after taking a big hit. Runs hard and fight for yards after contact most of the time but can run out of bounds to avoid big hit. Aggressive in-line blocker and flashes the ability to uncoil on defenders but not as aggressive in space as teams would like and it hinders ability to get into position. Can get muscled out of routes.
Blocking Skills
Struggles to sustain. Average upper body strength and flashes a compact punch but inconsistent hand placement and fails to lock on. Can lead with head, duck and whiff. Doesn't generate push as an in-line blocker. Can be a step late recognizing and picking up blitzes when asked to help out in pass protection. However, shows adequate body control in space and can get into position at the second level. Took better angles to second level blocks as a senior. Plays with a wide base and fights to sustain once in position. Sinks hips and flashes the ability to hold ground in pass protection.
Inside Run Skills
Quick enough to turn the corner and can hit second level going full speed when gets a seam between the tackles. Patience and follows blocks for the most part. Above average balance and can run through would-be arm tackles. Adequate vision and can locate cutback lane but doesn't anticipate well and can be split second late locating speed. While runs hard and can lower shoulder to finish run upright runner that's easier to tackle than size would suggest.
Receiving Skills
Ability to move around the formation makes it easier for coordinator to create mismatches for him. There is some tightness in hips and doesn't make crisp cuts at the top of stem but tempos routes well and quick enough to separate from linebackers. Can line up wide where size causes matchup problems for defensive backs. Excellent initial quickness and fast enough to make plays down the seam. While body catches some passes, can extend arms and snatch the ball out of the air. Flashes the ability to make the first defender miss after the catch.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (3-3) VS. NEW YORK JETS (3-4)
OFFICIAL MEDIA INFORMATION
GAME DAY NFL DISTRIBUTION MAP
Unless you are in the Miami or New York area, it looks like your best chance to watch the game is at a Sports Bar unless you have the NFL Ticket.
TV: CBS WFORCBS 4
DirecTV: 710
Sirius: 136
PHINFEVER CHAT
We hope that you will join us 1 pm Sunday (come sooner if you would like) for the Dolphins/Jets game.
The Phinfever Sports Bar (chat room) is embedded in our forum, so, you will have to be logged into our forum before you can access the chat room. From what I understand, Firefox works best with our Flash software. I use Google Chrome for the chat. Internet Explorer 8 users have connection problems.
DO NOT USE: Internet Explorer 8
If you are looking for a streaming link to watch the game or a radio station, we can definitely tell you where you can go to get it. The best thing is getting together with other Dolphins fans around the country and sharing your observations on each play.
So, come on by ... and bring extra wings and refreshments for the rest of us. I prefer Dos Equis and I like my wings medium hot;)
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