Finatics

Hard Rock Stadium Ready for Opening Day

Written by Finatic Bob

This Sunday, the Dolphins return home for a clash with the Cleveland Browns and hopefully victory #1. As most of you witnessed, Miami fought bravely in Seattle and New England, and those teams can be thankful that the games are not 5 quarters.  It's obvious that we are getting off to a slow start, but it was also apparent that we were able to fight back and be in both games in the 4th quarter. It's still a matter of growing pains and I think this team will get better as the season progresses. Hopefully we will have an answer to our rushing defense that let us down in last week's 4th quarter finish.

If you are lucky enough to have a ticket for Sunday, you will see a great game in a great new venue. The new roof seems to compact the crowd and focuses them on the field, and I expect the stadium to be louder than it's ever been. The food has been upgraded throughout the stadium. Try the fried pickles at Shula Burger, best I've ever tasted.  Also getting attention is Grown, a restaurant featuring organic food by former Miami Heat start Ray Allen and his wife. If you are into craft beers, there are 16 taps at two separate bars dedicated to only local brews, such as Doral’s MIA Beer Company, Wynwood’s J. Wakefield Brewing and Wynwood Brewing, and Fort Lauderdale’s 26 Degree Brewing.

After your stomach is filled, feed your mind with new art and murals that will be added to the stadium. Check out this link: Art Unexpected - "HARD ROCK STADIUM WILL FEATURE 19 MURALS AND 17 FINE ART PIECES, BY 18 ARTISTS, FROM 10 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES"

So all that's left is the game! I expect that the Dolphins will be ready and we will come away with our first win. Enjoy the tailgate and Go Dolphins!

 

 

Is The Dolphins D-Line Better?

Written by Finatic Dave

Here is what Ryan Tannehill says about our definsive line in practice...  “(I am) definitely glad that I don’t have to see them in live action. (Laughter) We had a grueling training camp against those guys, battling every day (with) our guys up front, battling against those quality players and quality pass rushers. They kept the heat on us the whole camp, and I think it really made our offensive line improve and get better quickly, because of the quality of the rushers. Now we’re getting into the season and seeing those guys disrupt the run game a little bit and get after the quarterback, it’s a lot of fun.”

Coach Gase Conference Call with Cleveland Media on 9/21/16

Written by Finatic Dave

(On the challenges of facing a rookie quarterback that he knows little about and has little tape on) – “I think the hardest thing for our guys is going to be just kind of the unknown. You can always try to do as much research as you possibly can as far as what looks like could be his strengths and weaknesses in the NFL from the limited exposure you have on him. You try to lean on possibly some of the scouting evaluation that went on coming out (of college), as much as you can; but obviously it’s such a different game at this level that it’s hard to really get great detail from college film. But you take everything you can and then the thing that you have to do more than anything is be able to adjust during the game.”

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DeVante Parker Shines Despite Loss To Patriots

Written by Finatic Dave

WR DeVante Parker posted statistically the best performance of his career against the Patriots. His eight receptions were a career high, and his 106 receiving yards match his career high set in the last game he played, Jan 3, 2016 vs. New England.

All of WR DeVante Parker’s eight receptions for 106 yards came in the second half. He is the first Dolphins player to have 100 – plus receiving yards in a half since WR Jarvis Landry gained 115 yards in the air in the in the second half at the NY Jets on Nov. 29 2015.

 

 

Dolphins vs. Patriots Game Facts

Written by Finatic Dave

The Dolphins will open AFC East play on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 1 p.m. when they travel to New England to play the Patriots for the 102nd time in franchise history. It will be Miami's second road game in as many weeks against an opponent who made the playoffs in 2015. The Dolphins took the last meeting between the two teams - a 20-10 victory in Week 17 last year, to finish the 2015 season on a winning note.

Foxborough has been a difficult place to play for quite some time and that has proven true for the Dolphins. Miami has dropped the last seven contests there. It's the Dolphins' longest road losing streak in the all-time series and the team's longest active road winless streak against any NFL team. Miami's last win at New England came on Sept. 21, 2008 in what has been aptly termed as "The Wildcat Game." The Dolphins won the contest, 38-13, behind 113 rushing yards from RB Ronnie Brown, who spent a significant portion of the game lined up in the "Wildcat formation." QB Chad Pennington completed 17 of 20 passes for 226 yards and the Dolphins picked up their first win of the season en route to an 11-5 record and AFC East title.

 

Coach Gase Friday 9/16/2016 Press Conference

Written by Finatic Dave

(On whether DE Mario Williams is out of the concussion protocol) – “No, he’s not. He’s on whatever the next step is right now. Being able to get out there and do some stuff was the next step. We haven’t officially been told, ‘He has completed every step, as far as being able to play in this game.’ I’ll find out more once I get back in the building (following the press conference).”

(On RB Jay Ajayi) – “I think he has been really good. He has been really engaged in meetings. I know he has done a great job. I know (Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Darren) Rizzi brought it up to me that he has done a great job in special teams meetings. He has done a very good job at practice. We’re heading in the right direction in that area.”

(On whether RB Jay Ajayi will be available on Sunday) – “We haven’t made any final decisions yet, right now. We’ll have a better idea as far as exactly what we’re going to do Saturday night.”

(On having to address questions publicly about his coaching decisions as a first time head coach) – “I think it’s more times than not when (the media) ask me a question, I answer it for the most part. Some of the stuff that has come out as far as what happened with Jay (Ajayi), … When you go on the road, you have to declare guys out and say why they’re not there or why they didn’t make the trip. It is what it is. You’re not going to hide anything. I just don’t see the point of beating around the bush.”

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