2012 Miami Dolphins Thread

[Beef]

Just in case they get a QB

[Party]

Is this 2011-12 discussion or 2012-13 discussion?

[Beef]

I think the regular season is just 2012. Also, for the sake of keeping things consistent, this season's NFL thread (I assume it is this season, but maybe it's 2010-2011) just says 2011.

[Party]

I have consulted Wikipedia and they list them by 2011, 2012, etc.

Carry on.

[Hugg]

They get to play the Rams next year.

I think that means they get to be good or something.

[Beef]

They gon return punts for TDs.

If they get a QB, we can post in here and watch their games instead of watching Redzone

[Metes]

I miss Zach Thomas

His face was so big

[Hugg]

I will not watch their games, but I might post in here.

[Beef]

Your posts will get moved to the Official Miami Dolphins might make the Playoffs in 2012-2013 Thread General Discussion Thread Thread where MH will say that he never stopped watching every Dolphins snap and Dan LeBatard's dad will have videos about how he hates anyone that ever said anything not nice about the Dolphins

[Hugg]

I still have never seen a second of that fella's dad. I hope I can continue this streak for a while.

[Beef]

How can that be true? You made that one post that one time asking if anyone outside of Miami likes the show. You must have seen it to know how terrible it is. And if you seen it, you must have seen his dad kinda speaking a little bit of English and talking about how he hates Stanvan and Charles Barkley because they did not quit their jobs to become professional Heat fans.

[Hugg]

No, I just assumed it was terrible because I hate Dan LeBatard.

I don't need to see it to know it sucks to anyone who isn't a MiamiHomer.

[Metes]

I ain't seen it neeths

I also ain't watched a non-sporting event on ESPN in about a year (at least)

Except for the biography about Erika Amundsen

[Beef]

ehe, SportsCentury Erika Amundsen

[Metes]

She is a national treasure

[Beef]

Let's keep this on topic.

Maybe Erika Amundsen can save the Dolphins like she saved Steve Bartman

[Metes]

She would take Matt Moore to her apartment and sooth his nerves

[Beef]

She would take him to Denver so he could put up 14 points per game and become a national hero

[Hugg]

Have they signed Moore to an extension yet?

[Metes]

I think they are waiting to see who will start when Vince Young gets injured, then sign him for next year

[Hugg]

It's Mike Kafka.

He used to play for Northwestern.

Mainge will come tell us about him and then you take the exact opposite of what he says and there you go.

[Beef]

I only like Todd when he is angry

[Metes]

It's Mike Kafka.

He used to play for Northwestern.

Mainge will come tell us about him and then you take the exact opposite of what he says and there you go.

Perhaps he will give the Dolphins a real Metamorphosis.
--------------------
That was my high-brow joke for the night

[Hugg]

He will go 1-3 and get benched for Jay Fiedler.

[Beef]

Because of Franz!
--------------------
Jay Fiedler was a winner

[Hugg]

Like Tim Tebow.

[Metes]

Fiedler on the Roof

[Beef]

Yeah, one of the MHs on the radio here tonight was talking about how people are ridiculous for talking down about Tebow's abilities and saying he wins ugly because even though he wins unconventionally, he wins.

It's silly to credit a QB for winning unconventionally when unconventionally means winning without scoring points

[Hugg]

Jay Fiedler was a poor man's Rich Gannon.
--------------------
Tim Tebow is awesome because Terry Bradshaw sucked when he was a rookie 40 years ago

[Beef]

The Panthers need to win on Saturday so that they don't lose

[Mainge]

It's Mike Kafka.

He used to play for Northwestern.

Mainge will come tell us about him and then you take the exact opposite of what he says and there you go.

:-(

[MiamiHomer]

Jeff Fisher has left the Dolphins building ... I feel like I'm covering Elvis. Wearing a suit and walking astride a man that Herald reporter David J. Neal believes was Carl Peterson, Fisher boarded the helicopter that was waiting on the Dolphins practice field adjacent to the team's Davis facility minutes ago and cruised away. I'd like to tell you he might come back. I'd like to tell you the pair maybe went for lunch. But who the heck takes a helicopter to lunch? I can definitely tell you Fisher is gone for now. Meanwhile, the San Diego Chargers have announced that head coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith will return for the 2012 season. “Bottom line, I believe these two men give us the best chance to get back to the playoffs,” Spanos said. “A.J. Smith is the best man to improve our roster, and Norv Turner is the best man to lead that roster on the field. “Together, we have stability and experience that’s hard to find in the NFL. They’ve both been in this league a long time. I don’t think there is anything they haven’t seen or experienced. They’ve led us through some difficult situations. “As we’ve seen throughout Norv’s tenure and particularly this past season, the players believe in him, respect him and play hard for him. When we went through that tough stretch, no one quit. The team kept playing hard, and that’s a tribute to Norv’s leadership and the respect the players have for him. “Now we will take a hard look at everything, from player evaluation to coaching to the rash of injuries we’ve suffered in recent years. Injuries have killed us. And no one is ever perfect in this business. Player evaluation isn’t an exact science. We need to improve across the board and I’m going to make sure we do. “We all have our quirks and faults, but I want A.J. and Norv on my side. They are the right men to help us win a championship.” So why is that important on a Dolphins blog? Are you kidding? The fact is the potential San Diego opening would have been very attractive, and probably the most attractive opening to Jeff Fisher -- who today happens to be touring the Dolphins facility and being begged to take the Dolphins job. The Chargers are a Southern California team and Fisher is from, wait for it, Southern California. The Chargers have franchise-caliber quarterback Phillip Rivers on the team and Fisher has been floating through handlers that he wants to coach a team with a fairly settled quarterback situation. The Chargers have a lot of talent. Fisher likes teams with lots of talent. So the deletion of the Chargers from the list of potential suitor improves Miami's chances. No question.


Fisher boards helicopter and leaves Dolphins facility
(http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/)
--------------------
Stupid blog doesn't keep the spacing after copying.

[MiamiHomer]

This is amazing.

Carl Peterson, longtime associate of Dolphins owner Steve Ross and former president of the Kansas City Chiefs, has long been rumored to take that same position in Miami and help restructure the organization.

And, according to sources, that still could be the case, assuming Peterson can land the coach he wants.

Peterson is spearheading the effort to court Jeff Fisher, who interviewed Tuesday in Miami, though numerous general managers and people involved in coaching searches believe the former Tennessee Titans boss will join the St. Louis Rams. If Peterson can't grab Fisher, then the likelihood of him formally joining the Dolphins is minimal, the sources said.

Peterson was with Fisher in Miami, shown on television in Ross' helicopter. However, according to numerous sources with knowledge of the Dolphins' hiring process, Peterson has no role whatsoever in the interviewing process of other candidates.

Current general manager Jeff Ireland has compiled a list of less-experienced and less-powerful candidates whom he's interviewing with Ross. For example, interim coach Todd Bowles interviewed for the full-time job Monday, and Chicago Bears special teams coach Dave Toub met with Ireland and Ross on Tuesday.

Ross and Ireland also met with Fisher while he was in Miami.

So, in essence, the Dolphins are leading two different but parallel searches. If one of Ireland's candidates is hired, then several sources said there's little chance Peterson has a role with the team otherwise. If Peterson were to grab Fisher (and sources mentioned Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett as another candidate Peterson supports), then not only could Peterson take a team president position, but Ireland's status might end up in doubt, with Peterson considering bringing several of his former personnel people from Kansas City to Miami with him.

Should the Dolphins not land Fisher, the team will try to keep Bowles on its defensive staff, sources said, but other teams are eyeing him for head-coaching and coordinator openings.

This marks the second consecutive offseason the Dolphins have conducted an unusual coaching search. Last January, Ross and team officials traveled across the country in an attempt to land Jim Harbaugh -- then at Stanford -- all while Tony Sparano still was under contract as the Dolphins' coach.

Harbaugh chose the San Francisco 49ers, Sparano received an extension to his contract and then was fired in-season, leading to this vacancy.

Peterson, Ireland running separate coaching searches in Miami (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d825b0e67/article/peterson-ireland-running-separate-coaching-searches-in-miami)

[Swifty]

Ehe.

[Fritz]

Seriously?

Not Carl Peterson. Fuck.

[dim]

I do not like either Peterson or Fisher. I'd rather keep Ireland and hire Chudzinski.

A lot of people here (I know I did) wanted Chudzinski as offensive coordinator. He did an amazing job with the offensive group in Carolina. I think he'd make a good candidate for a coach. But I know Ross wants somebody who has prior coaching experience, so I expect this inevitable Peterson (czar) and Fisher (coach) experiment to go into effect.

[Mainge]

I don't care for Chud.

[MiamiHomer]

AdamSchefter Adam Schefter
Jeff Fisher said today he is considering coaching next season in only two places, Miami or St. Louis, and will make his decision next week.


twitter

[MiamiHomer]

ESPN Radio reporting that the Dolphins have hired Jeff Fisher as their new HC.

[Fritz]

Bleh.

[Mainge]

Yay.

[AdamRavs]

I'm excite!

[dim]

meh.

[Chewford]

As both a Miami Dolphins fan and a member of the International Coalition for the Advancement of Jeffs, I approve.

[AdamRavs]

You gotta figure they sold him on trading up to get either Luck or RG3.

[Mainge]

Why?

[MiamiHomer]

Or Ross is offering some insane contract which is what some believe is the case.

[Mainge]

Bleh.

meh.

Curious as to why y'all feel this way.

[MiamiHomer]

By the way, none of this has been confirmed but the thought seems to be that they are finalizing contract details before announcement.

[Bobbob1313]

Curious as to why y'all feel this way.

Six winning seasons in 17, and I was always turned off by how he handled Vince Young.

[Mainge]

Six winning seasons in 17, and I was always turned off by how he handled Vince Young.

Well that's too easy. What about his five 8-8s, or his teams having the 7th best winning percentage in that 16 year run, or the fact that after they moved to Tennessee, he had just one losing season and only Indy, New England, Pitt won more games?. Or the fact that his teams were 6th in rushing, 4th in stopping the run, 4th in sack production and 3rd in sacks allowed in those 16 years? And he did all of this with the second cheapest owner in the league.

He can coach.

[Fritz]

I feel the same as RobertRobert.

[Mainge]

No response to the above?

[TheMendozaLine]

Let's not forget, Jeff Fisher was the brains behind the schematic magnum opus that was the Music City Miracle.

[dim]

Jeff Fisher just gives me a "meh" feeling. I also didn't like how he handled Young. I hate coaches with conservative offensive play calling (especially in today's NFL). I just don't have a real positive view on Fisher.

[MiamiHomer]

Not really giving substance to your viewpoint though.

[Bobbob1313]

Well, six winning seasons and five 8-8s in 17 years is kind of "meh," no?

Nobody is saying "THIS IS THE WORST FUCKING HIRE EVER."

But I think there's plenty of room to say "meh" here. I'm not totally excited about it, especially because it's another conservative ball control coach on a team that has had that for a long time. Whether that's fair or smart, it's a common complaint among Dolphins fans.

[Mainge]

Yeah well fuck Dolphins fans.

4th in winning percentage after finally finding a home isn't meh. I also don't think he's inherently ball control conservative, but did so because that's what his personnel dictated.
--------------------
The only hire that would make me more excited is Mike Zimmer or like, Chip Kelly.

[MiamiHomer]

KohneysKorner Marc Kohn
Working to confirm interesting Fisher/Dolphins financial news that I have heard. A.Breer noted $$$ he's hearing is ridiculous. Hearing same


...

[TheMendozaLine]

5yrs, $50 million?

[Mainge]

That would be insanity.

[Ralph]

Rumor for Harbaugh last year was like 7-8 million. I'd guess it's probably in that ball park. Doesn't count towards salary cap so I could give a fuck what he makes. Also what intrigues me most about Fisher is the potential staff he'd put together.
--------------------
Mainge whatcha think about Gregg Williams Saints D-coordinator? Talk is he's gonna follow Fisher wherever he goes.

[Mainge]

Yeah I'm down for Gregg Williams.

[dim]

I'm totally down for Kelly and Zimmer, way more than I am for Fisher. Obviously Chip Kelly would be the most exciting possibility, and Zimmer's got great credentials.

[Hugg]

You guys don't want Zimmer!



:confused

[Mainge]

Wed totally rather have like Gruden or Philbin.

[Hugg]

Jon Gruden?

[Mainge]

Yeah, sarcasm.

I'd take Jay as OC in a heartbeat though.

[Hugg]

Jim Bollman's got years of OC experience. You can have him.

[Mainge]

No.

[Hugg]

Would have also accepted "fuck you."

[Mainge]

Didn't realize Zimmer was actually interviewed by Miami this week. Now I'm semi-hoping for the Fisher thing to fall through.

[Sandroimbuto]

I miss Shula/Marino

:(

[MiamiHomer]

Jeff Fisher is going to the Rams. He wanted authority over Ireland which seemed to be the breaking point.

[Mainge]

Heh. Good fucking luck with Sam Bradford

[Ralph]

Zimmer or Chip and we cool.

[Beef]

Has there been any talk about Chip wanting to go to the NFL?

[MiamiHomer]

I don't think so, it's been more of writers making the suggestion of him being an intriguing candidate.

[Ralph]

Nothing. there was a rumor Dolphins contacted Chips agent but Miami Herald shot it down.

[Mainge]

Nothing. there was a rumor Dolphins contacted Chips agent but Miami Herald shot it down.

Dolphins officials shot it down.

[Big Z]

Ireland you mother fucker. Ross you dumb fucker.

Can we get an owner that actually knows shit about football?

[Mainge]

Check craigslist

[TheMendozaLine]

Reports say Dolphins have lost the Jeff Fisher sweepstakes. Hey, it's the first time the Dolphins have lost this late in January since 2002.

LOL

[Hugg]

AlbertBreer Albert Breer
Winner: Mike Zimmer. He moves to the top of Miami's list, is also in consideration in Tampa. Zimmer and Ireland worked together in Dallas.

:-(

good for him though

[Mainge]

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/001/525/851/136832720_crop_650x440.jpg?1326357663

[Hugg]

Mainge, meet me in the NFL off-season thread.

[MiamiHomer]

CK says Dave Toub is getting a second interview this weekend.
--------------------
https://p.twimg.com/AjEcO3OCEAEukcn.jpg:large

[Bobbob1313]

Really don't get the Jeff Ireland hate.

Like I get it because the team has struggled, but he's brought in good players.

[Mainge]

Yeah but, the general public is stupid. It's why I couldn't believe you hit me with:

I'm not totally excited about it, especially because it's another conservative ball control coach on a team that has had that for a long time. Whether that's fair or smart, it's a common complaint among Dolphins fans.

Anyone that can't look at Ireland's body of work and see that he's done a lot more good than bad isn't paying attention.

[Beef]

Yeah but, the general public is stupid. It's why I couldn't believe you hit me with:



Anyone that can't look at Ireland's body of work and see that he's done a lot more good than bad isn't paying attention.

Mainge, that's what I couldn't believe he hit you with either!

[Mainge]

It was weird, right?

[Bobbob1313]

You asked why people didn't like the Fisher talk. So yeah, it actually makes perfect sense to throw that in. Sorry, brah.

[Mainge]

I specifically asked why Fritz/Dim didn't like him.

[Bobbob1313]

And I answered for them because fuck them they don't have voices.

[Mainge]

They're no Danilo.

[dim]

I bestow all my current and future opinions to the voice of bobbob1313

[Bobbob1313]

Probably for the best.

[MiamiHomer]

To give Mainge hope:

JasonLaCanfora Jason La Canfora
Hear a strong buzz about Mike Zimmer's interview in Miami. May get asked back. Also, Fins mulling interview for Mike McCoy #insideslant

[Hugg]

Oh shit Mike McCoy!? You guys should definitely hire him.


/has no idea who that is

[Fritz]

Me neither. I looked it up and he's the Denver OC.

[Hugg]

Oh yeah, he's apparently great now because he came up with that offense that could score 14 points with Tebow.

[Fritz]

He was there pre-Tebow.

[Hugg]

I know.

But they all like him now because he changed the offense on the fly to suit Tebow.

meaning he just took out all the plays Tebow couldn't run (80%) and added the read option

[Fritz]

By NFL standards that is amazingly progressive.

[Mainge]

Although Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin could be available to be hired by the Dolphins fairly soon, there’s increasing chatter in league circles that the Dolphins are presently leaning toward Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

The move would reunite Zimmer and Miami G.M. Jeff Ireland, who spent six seasons together from 2001 through 2006 as employees of the Cowboys.

Zimmer, 55, has spent four seasons with the Bengals. The organization rallied around Zimmer in 2009, when his wife, Vikki, suddenly died.

The Bengals feared losing both Zimmer and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden after an unlikely playoff berth in 2011. Gruden has opted to stay. It would actually hurt a little less for Zimmer to go, given that head coach Marvin Lewis was a defensive coordinator before taking over the team in 2003.

Zimmer also is a candidate for the head-coaching vacancy in Tampa.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/15/zimmer-to-miami-picking-up-steam/

[MiamiHomer]

AdamSchefter Adam Schefter
Dolphins scheduled to bring Broncos OC Mike McCoy to New York to meet with owner Stephen Ross on Thursday; McCoy's 2nd Dolphins interview.


oh noez

[dim]

c'mon Zimmer. You can do it!

[MiamiHomer]

JasonLaCanfora Jason La Canfora
MIA bringing back Bowles and McCoy back for 2nd interviews. Believed to be only 2 finalist but not entirely certain just yet #insideslant


...

[Hugg]

:-O

[dim]

c'mon Bowles!

[CrimsonCane]

This has all the makings of another patented let down.

Please, surprise me. I really want to root for this team again. (They have lost me as a fan until they get a quarterback or, at least, find a way to be less boring.) This is what happens when you toe the line between mediocrity and abject failure, you basically get stuck being the same 4-12 / 6-10 team you were last year and the year before that and ...

[Hugg]

ClaytonESPN John Clayton
The Bengals got a break now that Mike Zimmer is no longer a Miami candidate. They just have to hope Tampa Bay doesn't go for him.

:-O

[Mainge]

=(.

[AdamRavs]

End result.. we keep Bowles. Lost Nolan to ATL. Epic fail!

[TheMendozaLine]

@KohneysKorner
So a list that started with Cowher, Gruden and Fisher now reads McCoy, Philbin and Bowles.#Dolphins

[AdamRavs]

@KohneysKorner

Sounds AH-mazing. Big things happening for the Fish :fip

[Mainge]

It's like when Green Bay hired an offensive coordinator that guided the 49ers to the worst ranked offense in the league, and everyone laughed at them.

And then he went 63-33 and won a Superbowl

[TheMendozaLine]

What was Mike McCarthy's QB rating during that stretch?

[Mainge]

That's my whole point really. Won't matter who it is, if guys like Moore, Henne and whoever else is our QB during his run.
--------------------
And I'm a Moore "fan"

[MiamiHomer]

AdamSchefter Adam Schefter
Filed to ESPN: Miami plans to hire Joe Philbin as its head coach.


Matt Flynn is coming now.

[Big Z]

Matt Flynn is coming now.

YESSSSSSSSSS! I've been pulling for Philbin! I would've betted on us getting McCoy though because of our recent history. I am so happy :mischief

So if we get Flynn, do we draft a RT? nasty ass O-Line!

I love Blackmon but we would have to trade up.

[TheMendozaLine]

OMG OMG OMG. I'm buying season tickets now for sure!!!!! YAY!

[AdamRavs]

Umm yay. Hopefully his head will be in football with his son dead from drowning.

[dim]

This isn't a jump up and down for joy signing. It's a resigned sigh, keep an open mind and pray Matt Flynn isn't going to be Kevin Kolb (both performance and contract) kind of coaching hire.

[Ralph]

Bring Tom Clements with you. Kthxbai.

[Mainge]

Matt Flynn is coming now.

Probably the best option besides Luck that's available for this year.

[Big Z]

Hopefully Flynn has a good relationship with Philbin.

[Mainge]

Well, we're assuming Philbin wants Flynn too. He would know as well as anyone if Flynn can or can't play.

[Big Z]

Flynn is a FA this year, right?

[Mainge]

If Green Bay doesn't franchise him.

[Big Z]

You think they'll do it for a backup QB? That would freaking suck balls for us.

[Ralph]

If they franchise Flynn a part of me would love to go after Finley, but his drops got pretty bad this year. He also doesn't put much effort into blocking. But he's one talented individual.

[Mainge]

You think they'll do it for a backup QB? That would freaking suck balls for us.

I don't know who else is up for a contract but assuming no one of importance, I totally would. QBs are a valuable commodity and I would not let those go freely. Look at what Philly got for a far inferior QB (IMO) in Kolb.

[Fritz]

Are they really going to pay a backup QB $20 million?

[Mainge]

And trade him.
--------------------
Also it would be 14.5m

[Hugg]

The AJ Feeley Matt Flynn era is going to be very awesome to read on this board as the elation turns to anger and then sadness.

[Mainge]

And I'm not saying it's going to happen, I'm just saying it's what I would do.

No reason to let him walk free if you can get something in return.
--------------------
The AJ Feeley Matt Flynn era is going to be very awesome to read on this board as the elation turns to anger and then sadness.

He's definitely not Feeley. Feeley wasn't even good with Philly.

We gonna find out if he's Kolb or Schaub

[Fritz]

If they sign him I'll presume he's good. If they don't sign him I'll presume he sucks.

[Mainge]

He sorta looks like Metes

[Swifty]

I don't know nearly enough about football to make an educated comment on this, but am I wrong in thinking that Tom Brady got his offensive coordinators around $100 million in guaranteed money to go elsewhere and do nothing when he wasn't there, so shouldn't we be very weary of this kind of move...?

I still like it more than Fisher/Gruden, this is forward thinking, and, quite frankly, we need that.

[Mainge]

If the process is sound, it shouldn't matter. If they went into this thinking that they wanted that Packers offense in Miami and hired Philbin to do that, yeah probably not a good idea.

If they were looking for an intelligent football coach who can manage this team, put together a good staff, and be a leader of men, and Philbin is the guy that came out on top, than you shouldn't think twice about hiring him because the Patriots have yet to produce a competent coach.

There are just as many successes as there are failures when it comes to hiring coordinators from successful organizations.

[Big Z]

In my opinion, this franchise can not let another Drew Brees happen. If we would have picked up Drew, like we should have, who knows where we'd stand today.

[Swifty]

If the process is sound, it shouldn't matter. If they went into this thinking that they wanted that Packers offense in Miami and hired Philbin to do that, yeah probably not a good idea.

If they were looking for an intelligent football coach who can manage this team, put together a good staff, and be a leader of men, and Philbin is the guy that came out on top, than you shouldn't think twice about hiring him because the Patriots have yet to produce a competent coach.

There are just as many successes as there are failures when it comes to hiring coordinators from successful organizations.

I agree, if he has whatever characteristics that were identified as desirable and/or necessary, I don't care what potential red-flags may be there. Trust your evaluation process.

I do think, however, that this whole "potential process" (meaning Flynn + Packers South) is a story we've all seen before. Feeley, Kolb, Cassel, McDaniels, Weiss...

[Mainge]

In my opinion, this franchise can not let another Drew Brees happen. If we would have picked up Drew, like we should have, who knows where we'd stand today.

Flynn and Brees aren't even remotely close to being similar players, though. Flynn is maybe like Matt Moore with a ceiling that may or may not be higher.

[Bobbob1313]

Flynn and Brees aren't even remotely close to being similar players, though. Flynn is maybe like Matt Moore with a ceiling that may or may not be higher.

I seem to remember you shitting pretty hard on Moore when we grabbed him. Has your opinion on him changed?

[Mainge]

I seem to remember you shitting pretty hard on Moore when we grabbed him. Has your opinion on him changed?

My opinions always change when new information is presented to me. I am no Todd, sir.

He's pretty clearly an average starting QB. Maybe better.

[Bobbob1313]

Ok, just asking. He's come quite a ways from "fucking sucks." That is good.

[Swifty]

In my opinion, this franchise can not let another Drew Brees happen. If we would have picked up Drew, like we should have, who knows where we'd stand today.

I don't see how this is at all similar.

[Mainge]

Ok, just asking. He's come quite a ways from "fucking sucks." That is good.

Yeah. Daboll helped that, I think, with a very QB friendly system compared to whoever the fuck was in Carolina at the time.

[Bobbob1313]

I don't see how this is at all similar.

There is probably no such thing as a situation that is similar to Drew Brees. He seems like a total outlier.

[Mainge]

I don't see how this is at all similar.

They are both short white QBs with four letter first names.

[Swifty]

You broke the code.

[Mainge]

Just looking back at though, makes me sad. We'd have our own Brady and Belichick with Brees and Saban. And UF would have another National Championship.

[Big Z]

I don't see how this is at all similar.

Just the whole thing about us and not taking chances. We should take our chances and not rely on the handicapped Culpepper's of the league and shit like that.

Anyways, take Flynn, who knows what he may turn out to be. Maybe he's the next Henne or maybe he's the next Rodgers, you don't know until he starts playing everyday. He has had 4 years under the belt of Rodgers so I would hope he's learned a thing or two.

[Bobbob1313]

Revisionist history alert!

Both were coming off major injuries, one to his knee, one to his throwing shoulder. Both were considered huge risks at the time, but Culpepper was not thought of as done when we picked him up.

We picked up Culpepper and Sports Illustrated picked us to make the Super Bowl that year. That move was definitely considered "taking a chance." Sucks that we made the wrong one, but you're totally misrepresenting what happened at the time.

Also, "Take Flynn, who knows what he may turn out to be" is probably not the right way to go about it. Take Flynn if you think he's the answer and the price is right.

"A boat is a boat, but a mystery box could be anything! It could even be a boat!"

[Big Z]

Revisionist history alert!

Both were coming off major injuries, one to his knee, one to his throwing shoulder. Both were considered huge risks at the time, but Culpepper was not thought of as done when we picked him up.

We picked up Culpepper and Sports Illustrated picked us to make the Super Bowl that year. That move was definitely considered "taking a chance." Sucks that we made the wrong one, but you're totally misrepresenting what happened at the time.

Also, "Take Flynn, who knows what he may turn out to be" is probably not the right way to go about it. Take Flynn if you think he's the answer and the price is right.

"A boat is a boat, but a mystery box could be anything! It could even be a boat!"
I agree with you.

regarding the boat, you always take the boats & hoes.

http://www.whatilink.com/sites/default/files/boats%20and%20hoes.jpg

[Bobbob1313]

You agree with me about disagreeing with you.

[jOOj]

Don't overthink it.

[TealMonster08]

He is Dr. Ace77 and Mr. Big Z.

[Mainge]

Ehe Clayton thinks Flynn gets close to 5/60.

Yeah, no thanks.

[TheMendozaLine]

5/60?! WHAT?! I would much rather use that cash to lock up Stanton long term.

[Mainge]

Exactly

[Big Z]

Haha, I think Finley is a FA too. What if we get Flynn Finley and draft a RT? It's going to be a fun offseason!

[Fritz]

We gon draft Reiff and the fanbase is going to go into full blown meltdown.

[Mainge]

But it would be a real good pick. Him or Upshaw please.

Philbin was the offensive line coach at Iowa earlier in the decade too. Coached Robert Gallery and Eric Steinbach. It could definitely happen.

[Ralph]

Not against it one bit. O-line gonna be a big need with the switch to a zone blocking scheme. Kevin Zeitler in round 2 or 3 could be a fit too.

[Mainge]

If we switch.

[Mainge]

I am not real big on getting excited for new head coaches during the honeymoon phase, but this quote, and the bolded in particular, really stood out to me:

We're going to build a football team, No. 1," Philbin said. "Obviously the play and performance of the quarterback in the National Football League is important. One of the things I believe in strongly when you analyze your football team is you have to look at the quarterback rating differential, with how your guys are performing as opposed to the opposition. So that's certainly a key component in winning football games but it wasn't on one individual or one player. I don't necessarily buy into the one-player-away mentality at anywhere I've coached at any level. I think you build a team. In this league, it's about the 53 players, the eight practice squad players, your staff. You're building a team."



It's exciting know that your coach has knowledge of something that, statistically, directly correlates to winning games, and it was refreshing to hear that acknowledged that publicly.

[Hugg]

Dolphins finished 14th in that stat and were one of only 2 teams with a positive differential to have a losing record

FOR AGAINST
Rate Rk Rate Rk Diff Record PO
Packers 122.6 1 80.6 9 42.0 15-1 X
Saints 110.5 2 86.4 22 24.1 13-3 X
Texans 92.7 7 69.0 2 23.7 10-6 X
Patriots 105.7 3 86.1 20 19.6 13-3 X
Steelers 89.7 10 71.7 4 18.0 12-4 X
49ers 91.4 8 73.6 5 17.8 13-3 X
Lions 97.2 5 82.1 12 15.1 10-6 X
Ravens 81.7 15 68.8 1 12.9 12-4 X
Cowboys 100.1 4 88.4 25 11.7 8-8
Jets 78.4 18 69.6 3 8.8 8-8
Falcons 91.1 9 83.3 14 7.8 10-6 X
Giants 92.9 6 86.1 20 6.8 9-7 X
Seahawks 77.6 20 74.8 6 2.8 7-9
Dolphins 84.9 12 83.7 15 1.2 6-10
Titans 84.4 14 85.1 18 -0.7 9-7
Raiders 79.4 17 81.3 11 -1.9 8-8
Chargers 88.7 11 92.5 27 -3.8 8-8
Bengals 79.6 16 85.0 17 -5.4 9-7 X
Bears 73.8 24 79.3 8 -5.5 8-8
Chiefs 73.0 28 79.1 7 -6.1 7-9
Eagles 78.3 19 85.7 19 -7.4 8-8
Browns 72.8 29 80.6 9 -7.8 4-12
Cardinals 73.9 23 82.5 13 -8.6 8-8
Bills 77.0 21 90.4 26 -13.4 6-10
Panthers 84.8 13 98.3 30 -13.5 6-10
Redskins 73.3 27 87.4 24 -14.1 5-11
Rams 69.0 31 87.3 23 -18.3 2-14
Broncos 73.5 26 93.1 28 -19.6 8-8 X
Jaguars 62.2 32 83.7 15 -21.5 5-11
Buccaneers 73.6 25 97.2 29 -23.6 4-12
Colts 72.2 30 103.9 31 -31.7 2-14
Vikings 74.6 22 107.6 32 -33.0 3-13

[Mainge]

Awesome, Hugg. Rep coming when I get to my computer.

So we can not improve at all and win 3-4 more games than last year and Philbin is a hero.

[Bobbob1313]

Dolphins were also one of only two teams to finish with a positive point differential and a losing record.

They were 2-5 in games decided by seven points or less.

That team could not improve at all from a talent standpoint and end up 9-7 next year and he will be a savior!

[Mainge]

You just repeated what Hugg and I said.

[Bobbob1313]

With different numbers! I was adding to what was previous said!

[Fritz]

If we have better luck we gon win more games and Philbin gon be a genius.

[Mainge]

Paul Soliai going to the pro bowl.

[Ralph]

Paul Soliai going to the pro bowl.
Do you think he should be re-signed? I'm kinda torn. He's been a good run stuffer the past couple of seasons but I feel his contract is gonna be worth more than his actual production.

[Mainge]

Really depends on the contract. If we're going 4-3, he becomes expendable. but I'd still like him back. If we're staying 3-4 it's almost a necessity.

Not an answer I know but yeah. Paul Soliai > No Paul Soliai.

[MiamiHomer]

I read that Philbin wants to go to a 4-3.

[Hugg]

GeoffHobsonCin Geoff Hobson
NFL source: Indications #Bengals DB coach Kevin Coyle could be named Dolphins DC as soon as Friday

indifference

[Metes]

indifference

Ah, the classic Dolphins slogan

[AdamRavs]

Mike Sherman is our O.C.

[TheMendozaLine]

Wake me when they draft/sign a QB worth talking about.

[AdamRavs]

Wake me when they draft/sign a QB worth talking about.

Might be sleeping for awhile

[Mainge]

Mike Sherman is our O.C.

We gon draft Tannenhill

[Fritz]

That would be rad.

[Mainge]

Letter to high school coaches from Mike Sherman:

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for allowing my staff and me to come into your high schools, recruit your players and share ideas with you. I am forever grateful for the access and opportunity you’ve offered me over the last four years.

Other than going to practice every day and being on the field with my players, the one thing I am going to miss the most is visiting with high school coaches, listening to you talk about your kids and your programs, and watching practices and off-season workouts. Since this will be my last letter to high school coaches, besides thanking you for the opportunities to visit with you, I wanted to share with you some of the things I learned over the years that might be of help to you down the road. Sometimes I think as football coaches we are so competitive we are reluctant to share ideas. This profession has been good to me. I believe giving back when you can is important. These are my ideas – not suggesting they are for you. They are some of the things I came away with.

I. Core Values

If a player learns anything from me, he’ll learn that you have specific core values to live his life. These ‘core values’ are his guiding light in the decisions he makes not just as a football player, but as a man.

Our ‘core values’ for our team were simple.


Truth and Love. I believe these are essential elements to run a football team, a business, organization, government or family.
A. Truth:

Be who you say you are.

Do what you say you are going to do.

Be truthful to yourself and others.

Be accountable.

No excuses.

Seek the truth.

Demand the truth.

Tell the truth.

Live the truth.

If there is no truth, there is no trust.

If there is no trust, there is no relationship.

If there is no relationship, there is no value or substance to what you are doing.

As coaches we must

Never, never lie or mislead a player.

It’s simple. He has to trust you. You have to trust him. There is no trust when truth isn’t at the forefront.

You cannot fix something unless there is absolute truth.

Never, never let a player get away with lying to you. Go the Nth degree if necessary to confirm what he is telling you is true. He’s got to know you will not accept dishonesty and there are consequences for not being honest. Without absolute truth, there is no relationship. Without relationships there is no chemistry. Without chemistry, you lack a major component towards winning championships.

B. Love:

Love your God.

Love your family and friends.

Love your country.

Love your freedom and those who protect those freedoms.

Love your teammates, coaches and school.

Love the game of football.

Love competition and winning.

Love all things that equate to winning.

Love is a passion that can bring great success to your life and to your team.. It is one emotion that always plays out positively. It is the glue for your team and promotes great chemistry. Watching this year¡¯s Texas H.S. State Championship games, I saw a lot of this on the field and on the sidelines.

I must admit, this is something I’ve learned over time. I have not been a “touchy feely guy” and have been a fairly private person with my words and actions, but once I began to tell players that I loved them I could see it started to make a difference in their lives. I’ve said it to my wife and five kids often but it was not natural for me to say it outside that circle. A lot of my players like yours never hear that word. It took a conscious effort on my part. After disciplining a player I always would say, “you know I love you, right?” Reluctantly they would agree and eventually say it back. When I was dismissed as the HFC, I can’t tell you how many players texted me to tell me “love ya coach.” This brought great closure to me because I feel we impacted them in a positive way – even beyond the game of football. This was a great lesson I learned that will stay with me forever.

II. Be Honest But Positive

One thing I’ve learned is that young men respond better to honesty than “blowing smoke” at them. Too many people – parent and friends – tell them they are all this and all that. People tell them they are ¡°great. Everyone is worried about self-esteem so much , no one tells them what is real. Kids today have a false sense of confidence and bravado that when the first time things go bad in their lives or on the field, they can’t handle it. They have to know where they truthfully stand and what they need to do to get better. I do believe this is the best approach. Honesty however, must be buoyed by positive encouragement not negative criticism.

III. Embrace Your Players

Another thing I’ve learned the past four years is that you need to physically embrace your players with a tap on the back, arm around the shoulder, hand shake, hug. They not only need to hear your care about them but feel you care about them. They need to know you love them and care for them beyond just their ability as a football player. They have to feel you are going to be their coach for life, not just until they graduate and they are done playing for you. They have to trust that you will be there for them in the long term.

IV. Be Harder On Your Star Players

To become a great team I believe you must push your star players harder than the rest of the team. You cannot concede your principles because you know these players are the ones who will help you win games. Become more demanding of them, not less. The lesser players will respond to this in a positive way because you do not play favorites. The star players will also benefit from this because they will not be thinking they are something they are not. (See Tom Brady – perfect example.)

V. Be Respectful and Positive Toward the Lesser Talented Kids in Your Program

It’s not necessarily their fault they can’t play as well as you would like. As long as they are part of the program, as long as they are working hard, they deserve your respect as well as respect from your entire staff. Empower them whenever you can. If they earn it, say things like “great job by our scout team today -best in the country.” Compliment them on their little accomplishments. They won’t forget you for that. They are the ones in ten years that will come back to visit their Coach.

I promise you, they may not all play in the game on Friday or Saturday, but they share a locker room with every member of the team all year long. If you empower them, you will have a tighter, stronger team. You will have a better locker room, and ultimately, if you don’t have a good locker room, you can’t win.

VI. Have Components of Championship Play

Have specific components for Championship play for offense / defense / special teams. These are your components that you believe are most valuable in your quest to win a Championship. You must reference them three times a week. Do not stray from them. Be committed to them. Constantly reinforce these components.. It’s what you believe and it’s what the staff and players must believe. (See the end of this letter for my components.)

VII. Delegate to Your Assistant Coaches

I believe I tried to do too much at times. Step back so you can be more objective about problems that arise. You can fix them better from this perspective as a Head Football Coach.

This is difficult for me since I love to coach every play. I tried to fix every problem and player. I think I would have been more helpful in other phases if I wasn’t so consumed. I tried on occasion to step away, but certain issues arose that brought me back to it.

VIII. Break Down Barriers

When I got to campus at Texas A&M, I felt there were barriers between our student body and our athletes. I felt our players had an overly high opinion of themselves but the students had a low opinion of our athletes. I have adamantly explained to our kids that they are “special” on Saturday when we play the game as well as when they practice and prepare to play. But during the week, walking across campus, they are students just like everyone else and should act and engage themselves that way. We were able to include the student body and faculty in a lot of football functions. This helped us eliminate the barriers.

I wanted our faculty and student body to embrace our players and wanted our players to embrace them as well. I believe we accomplished this. I believe when players play for something bigger then themselves, they player better.

IX. Never Throw a Player Under the Bus

I see this all too often at the college level. The Head Football Coach has to assume all responsibility publicly for the player’s performance. Privately it is different. Hold them accountable one on one and in team meetings in front of their peers.

X. Players Have to Play for You

The only way this happens is if they ultimately believe in you and trust in you. Other than pure talent, there is no greater component towards winning than this. Schemes, practice plans, game plans, off season, concepts, philosophy and ideas mean nothing if you can’t get the players to play for you. This is key. Relationships with players have to be at the forefront of who you are as a coach.

XI. Peer Pressure is a Valuable Tool

Although I will not throw a player under the bus publicly, I will call him out in a team meeting when he displays behavior contrary to what we want to accomplish as a team, whether it be on or off the field. As long as you are consistent with this to all players, it will be very effective.

XII. Battalions

One of the best things I did was break our locker room down into 6 battalions. The seniors drafted players to their battalions (locker room section). Battalions are about accountability. As a player, you are accountable to yourself, but you are also accountable to your battalion. When a player steps out of line, the player is punished, usually a difficult conditioning run, but if it happens a second time, the entire battalion runs. Stepping out of line usually revolved about class and study hall attendance, but it wasn’t limited to that. The seniors who understood the purpose of battalions drafted not based upon talent, but based upon accountability. One of our very best players talent wise was the last player drafted this past year. He had no idea his teammates viewed him this way. He was embarrassed and disappointed that he was viewed this way. It changed him instantly and dramatically. He didn’t want to be that guy.

The lesson I learned about battalions is that players will sometimes let themselves down, but very few are willing to let their team mates down.

XIII. Fundamentals Fundamentals Fundamentals

There were times this past season I felt our fundamentals were not at the level I wanted them. I talked about this weekly to coaches but I felt it was an area we could and should have been better at. Sometimes players forget what got them to be the players they are.

Sometimes coaches get too tied up in the scheme and they sacrifice fundamentals in the process. There has to be a consistent commitment to this from beginning to end of season. It’s still a game of blocking and tackling, throwing and catching. That will never change. If you do those things well, you will win regardless of what scheme you run.

XIV. Never Pass Up an Opportunity to Practice Tackling

Whether in pads or in shorts, your team can always practice the techniques of proper form tackling. Breaking down, coming to balance, bending knees and keeping eyes with a form fit can be practiced every day and in every drill. With pads or without – always coach the proper angle and fit on a tackle.

XV. Hiring Staff

When hiring a staff, always take your time and get the right fit and what you want. Not everyone should be the same personality or talent. You need different personalities, different strengths, but all on the same page from what you as Head Football Coach want to accomplish. You are only as good as those around you. Take your time here. Very critical to get the right fit, staff talent and chemistry is key. It carries over to the players.

XVI. Dismissing a Staff Member

If someone is not doing their job the way you want it done, it is imperative you tell them immediately. I think it is unfair to fire someone without letting them know they are not meeting your expectations first. I believe you give a staff member three opportunities to fix what needs to be fixed. You hired him, you fix him. You owe him that . If you can’t, you owe it to the rest of the staff and team to make a change.

I tell the staff every pre-season what my expectations are. I tell them I will be up front and honest with them about their performance. I tell them if during the season I don’t like something, you’d better fix it.

It’s important to separate the professional criticism from the personal. You may like the person but you may not like how he is doing his job. When relieving someone of their duties, never let it get personal. This was always the toughest part of being a head coach. Your obligation is to the overall team and you cannot allow poor performance keep you from getting there. If you have been up front and honest with the coach, he can have no qualms about the direction you eventually decide to go.

XVII. Take Care of the Person and the Football Player Will Come Out

I tell our coaches this all the time. The players have to know you care before they will care about what you want them to do. Be involved in their lives. Ask questions about their families and girlfriends. Know their likes and dislikes. They have to know your care and are concerned about them as men first, players second. They have to know you care about their lives outside of and after football.

XVIII. Never Let the Negative Criticism Get to You

As Head Football Coach, you must assume total responsibility for your players and coaches performance. In order to handle this responsibility you must keep your head above the fray. Do not let things on the outside influence you. Be the leader you were hired to be.

Never let other people define you. You and you alone define the coach and the man that you are. No matter what happens, they can’t take that away from you. Hold true to your principles regardless of the circumstances or consequences.. Your players are watching how you react to these situations. In times of adversity are you who you say you are? Anybody can make it work when you are winning and everyone is happy. More importantly , your own family watches you and will learn a lot about their husband and dad in these adverse situations..

XIX. The Burst

You have to coach “the burst.” This is the fine line between making a tackle and not making a tackle, scoring a T.D. or not. Wins and losses are dictated and determined by a player’s ability and desire to show a burst. In season and out of season, you must coach this. They have to know the difference between running to the ball and bursting to the ball- running toward the end zone or ¡°bursting¡± toward the end zone. We always reward/acknowledge “the Burst of the Week” whether it be in season or out of season.

XX. More Game Are Lost Than Won

At times this past season, I thought we might be trying to do too much. You win games when players are comfortable and know what to do. Thinking too much can cause hesitancy. You want them to be aggressive, play with good fundamentals, do not make the game too hard for them. From watching tapes of different teams and even my own, I’ve come to the conclusion that the best coaches are the one who don’t feel they have to out smart the opponent, but would rather out coach and out play them. You do this with fundamentals.

If players on defense know what to do and recognizes offensive schemes faster, they will make plays and create turnovers.

If players on offense know what to do and recognize defensive schemes, they will make plays and not turn the ball over. Ultimately in football, the team that makes plays and creates turnovers and doesn’t give the ball away, wins games.

XXI. Common Language

I believe it is imperative to have certain principles of the game of football defined the exact same way by all staff members. Effective communication is the key to success. Players cannot hear the same concept defined multiple ways. Definitions must be consistent.

A. Physical Play – finish each play in a dominant position

B. Mental Toughness – complete the task at hand regardless of the circumstances

C. Fanatical Effort – the maximum level of strain or speed toward the successful completion of the play

These are just a couple of examples but a common vocabulary on certain fundamentals is critical for the ultimate success of teaching and evaluating those fundamentals. You ask ten coaches to define “physical play” you will have ten different interpretations. As the Head Football coach, you determine how you want it defined and demand everyone use that definition.

XXII. Leadership

Different situations call for different styles of leadership. Players and coaches must know that if things do not go right in preparation and practice, the Head Football Coach may snap or vent or lose it to those not working toward the desired goal that week.

Preparation time requires a different form of leadership than game time.

On game day, however, the Head Football Coach – in my opinion – must keep his composure and not show panic but rather calmness and direction in adverse situations. Losing it in this situation does not necessarily create the desired result conducive to winning.

This concept of leadership was re-enforced on my trip to Iraq two years ago in visiting with General Odierno and others in position of leadership. Cool heads must prevail when adversity strikes. Players (soldiers) do not and will not follow panic driven reactionary leaders, but rather those with confidence, composure, and direction of purpose.

Leadership does require that you be yourself and not try to be someone you are not, but it requires the best version of yourself.

XXIII. Maintaining Balance

Keep everything in perspective is keeping everything in ¡°balance¡°. There have been times in my career I have lost this balance. As a football coach, it is so easy to become consumed by it all. We are evaluated publicly every Friday night or Saturday afternoon. The pressures we impose on ourselves to be the best and to win are vastly greater than those pressures we face on the outside. Our competitiveness is a great thing- although if not kept in check- can be our downfall as well. You have to have balance in your life to make it all work effectively. Make sure you keep vision on your principles. Faith and family cannot take a back seat to football and winning.

I have made this mistake in my career at times.

Trust me when I say this, and I say it from my own experience, the more balanced you are, the better coach you will be. Do not neglect the essential elements of your life. If you win a state championship but miss seeing your son dress up as Brett Favre at Halloween or see your daughter play her viola in a Christmas recital ¨C what have you gained in the long term compared to what have you lost? I do believe you can have both but it takes a conscious effort and discipline to maintain balance in your life and make it work. You will be a better coach, husband, father and man if you do this.

It’s been a hectic couple of weeks for me to say the least. I’m disappointed I won’t have the opportunity to finish what we started at Texas A&M. We have come a long way in my four years here. I believe in the foundation we have laid both on and off the field. Talent levels and expectations have increased dramatically. We had record crowds at Kyle Field this year. Graduation rates and GPAs are higher than they’ve ever been. We have great kids in the program that know how to work. They understand the principles of the university. We have kids who have core values which will not only help them be better football players but men, husbands, and fathers as well. I feel good about that.

Last season we exceeded expectations with a young football team. This past season we had opportunities to do some great things , but they literally slipped through our fingers. Our season basically came down to 5 or 6 plays. If we made those plays, we could have ended up with a 10 or 11 win season. Winning and losing is a fine line- we ended up on the wrong side one too many times. As the Head Coach, I am ultimately responsible for that- me and me alone.

This season has been difficult because we have not been able to meet the expectations we ourselves have created with what we accomplished in the previous season. Our season this year was a lot like the Houston Texans last year. I do believe this, however, if you stay true to your principles, and given the opportunity, you eventually will win out in the long run. My Dad always told me many years ago¡¬ ¡°the cream always rises to the top¡± and I still believe that

I do feel the future is bright for Texas A&M Football, however.

Kevin Sumlin will do a great job as the new Head Football Coach at A&M. He is a good coach and a good man.

In closing I want you to know that if there is ever anything I can do for any of you, do not hesitate to contact me. You’ve always been very gracious towards my staff and me and I thank you for that. It’s meant world to me.

Again, I appreciate the opportunity to have met and talked with many of you. Of those I haven’t met, I want you to know I respect the work you all do with your high schools, teams and players. I believe high school football coaches are the most influential leaders of their high schools and communities. Their impact on not just the football players but students and administration, as well as the cities and towns they live is huge.

Coaching high school football is not an easy job. If you all got paid by the hour, you’d be very wealthy men. With that said, coaching is an extremely rewarding and honorable profession. The game of football is so special on so many fronts. Winning is the ultimate goal and there are few things more fun than being in that locker room after a hard fought victory. I never remember scores of games, but I do remember locker rooms after we won- faces of players and coaches all huddled together yelling, screaming, smiling and laughing, ¬acting totally emotional and truthful- devoid of any apprehensiveness or inhibitions, ¬just enjoying the moment. There is no doubt that it’s the competition week in and week out that keeps us going- wanting to relive that experience again.

We must never lose sight, however, that with the opportunity to coach these young men and experience victory together, there also comes the huge responsibility to make a difference in their lives. We must never lose sight of the fact- “once their coach always their coach.” Where others may have failed them , we as coaches cannot. Where others have created mistrust, we must bring trust . Where others have created disrespect, we must bring respect. Where others have let them down, we must support them. We owe that to them regardless of their talent or ability. We owe that to them regardless of wins and losses.

We owe that to this great game of football which constantly challenges us- week in and week out. What job could anyone of us have that does that? This game we coach not only challenges us to keep our egos in check when we win, but forces us to face our fears when we lose. This “game” also has the ability to bring out the very best in us at times as well the very worst in us at times. Here is hoping that it brings out the very best in each and every one of us all the time.

Best wishes for great success both on and off the field.

God bless, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.

Mike Sherman

http://smartfootball.com/grab-bag/former-texas-am-coach-mike-shermans-letter-to-texas-high-school-coaches

[Beef]

Burst of the Week

[Mainge]

Benjamin Volin @BenVolinPBP
According to Edmonton Journal, #Dolphins sign Eskimos RB Jerome Messam, a 6-3, 245 bruiser who was CFL's first 1,000-yard rusher in 12 years

That's a big dude.

[AdamRavs]

Jerome Bettis big. Well not height wise

[Fritz]

Canadian Brandon Jacobs.

[jOOj]

I wish he was a real Eskimo.