Last night was a great night to get a look into the future for the Miami Dolphins.  With drafting a QB in the first round a top prority, this year's class could have plenty to choose from.  The top 5 QB's I have that I believe would be a good fit for Miami should they all come out are Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley, Robert Griffin III, Landry Jones, and Kirk Cousins.  Miami needs one of these QB's on it's roster going into next season, new coach or not. 

Andrew Luck is hailed as the best QB prospect to come out of college since John Elway.  He has the ability to read defenses and adjust plays at the line, which usually takes a couple years to learn in the NFL, so he's ahead of the curve in that aspect.  He's big, and can run.  His lacks elite arm strength, but has the timing to be able to make any throw in the NFL.  He's been tabbed a 'can't miss' by most, and will likely be the first overall pick in the draft, the chances of him going to Miami are small, extrememly small. 

Matt Barkley would look awesome in a Dolphin uniform.  I really think this guy is going a little under the radar.  In the past 6 weeks, he's outplayed Andrew Luck in my opinion, and I had that same opinion when the two teams played with Stanford coming away with an overtime win.  Although he lost, I thought Barkley was sensational.  The big question for Barkley is whether or not he will enter the draft or not.  Should he leave for the NFL, he would be leaving a chance to make history at USC, and win a national title.  USC has been banned from post season play for the past two seasons, and this year's team would have likely been given an at large BCS bid.  This team is also young, with many of it's key components returning next season.  Barkley would have a chance to end his college career on the ultimate high, something he may find self rewarding considering the sanctions he's had to play through with his USC team the last two seasons.  Barkley has been a pure trooper during the past two seasons.  He didn't want out of USC, he didn't complain about anything, all he did was perform, and he has done that as well as anyone the last half of this season.  If that doesn't show he has high character and great leadership skills I'm not sure what does. 

RGIII is expected to come out and should.  It would be hard for him to raise his stock any higher than it is now as the season he has had will be very hard to duplicate.  I got a chance to really watch him for the first time last night.  I came away impressed, and all I've heard and read about him seems true.  He's quick, and is extremely accurate when he throws on the run.  At 6'2" 220lbs, he almost looks like a bigger Michael Vick, just not as fast.  His knack for running will surely raise questions about whether or not he could hold up to the punishment running QB's take when they try to make plays with their feet.  He may be a bit undersized to take much, but the ability to make plays will sure way heavy toward the side of taking a chance on him. 

Landry Jones is quietly putting up some big numbers at OU.  Much of those numbers can be attributed to the system he plays in, and he too could go back for his senior season, but will likely come out.  He's a big pocket passer with a good arm.  Much like Sam Bradford, he will be questioned about his ability to take snaps under center. If he is able to adjust to that at the NFL level, he should be a solid starter.  Like I said, he has the arm strength and size to be a good starter in the NFL, but if it comes down to it, I would take Jones after Barkley and RGIII.

Kirk Cousins is the wildcard in this bunch.  I wouldn't have listed him if it weren't for ESPN's own Trent Dilfer listing him as possibly the second best QB in this class should Barkley not come out.  I have no idea about Cousins, but it does seem like he has been playing in college forever.  Who knows, maybe he could be the next Chad Henne.  A four year starter in the Big 10, who won't translate to the NFL.  I know Trent Dilfer knows way more than I do about what college QB's translate to the NFL, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Cousins will not rank that high compared to the rest of this class.  If I were Miami, I would be hoping and praying that Barkley decides to come out in this draft, though it would be hard for him to turn all that may lay before him down.  If he decides not to, we may be cheering for RGIII come this time next year.

Phins Up!

BEL

As we come mercifully closer to the end of the 2011 season hope is around the corner as the draft, free agency and a new coaching staff will be the talk of the town in Miami in just a little more than a month. After an 0 - 7 start the Miami Dolphins did something no team in NFL history has done and won three in a row. The three wins were a bit jaded as the Chiefs, Redskins, and the Bills just aren't that good. With that being said Miami did what good teams should do against bad teams and that's beat them convincingly. This week Miami fought tooth and nail with one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now in their home stadium on a short week and lost on a field goal as time expired. While a loss is never a good thing and there really are no moral victories we as fans can come away from a loss many times and know more about our team than we did in a win, or three consecutive wins in Miami's case.

Miami is what their record says they are and that's a 3-8 team that is searching for direction. Fans were starting to wonder if this team had the make-up to win out and make a run for the playoffs. As fans we always hope that, but reality is usually something different. The three game win streak was a little like the 2008 season. It was a weak part in the schedule against teams that were beat up and Miami took full advantage of it. That's not faulting anyone, but it is what it is. I took more from the loss to Dallas than I did in the wins the previous three weeks.

Takeaway 1 - Miami does have a talented roster. The score will show that Miami lost and they did, but the Dolphins outplayed the Cowboys on Thanksgiving day. The problem is they couldn't capitalize when they got into the red zone, which has been an ongoing problem during the Tony Sparano tenure. For most of the game Brian Daboll and the Dolphins offense played aggressive, taking shots downfield, and throwing the ball in running situations and vice versa. However, once they got into the redzone it was the same old coaching not to lose instead of coaching to win. Running a 206 pound Reggie Bush up the middle against a goal line defense instead of the 231 pound Daniel Thomas is just beyond me. As the previous two blogs on this site stated Tony is what he is and he just can't help himself. The three game win streak was nice and it showed the players are willing to play hard for Sparano, and we saw no difference in the Dallas game, the fact of the matter is Sparano is too conservative for the NFL now that it has become a passing league. His style would have been great in the 90's, but this isn't the 90's and field goals don't win games. No matter how the reaming games play out Sparano must go and an innovative coach that embraces the new rules of the NFL and understands the aggressiveness of an offensive attack is what wins championships in the NFL in the 2010's.

Takeaway 2 - While Matt Moore has played well he is not a franchise QB. He is a solid backup and in the right situation he could be an average starter in the NFL. That situation would have to be similar to that of average QB's in the past decade or so that have won Super Bowls. They had great defenses that could actually win a game by creating turnovers and scoring. Miami does not have that. Moore's numbers aren't bad, and if you look at just his numbers one could argue that he is a franchise QB but if you watch him and not look at the stats you will see differently. Moore has that "gunslinger" mentality and I will give him credit he throws a very good deep ball, but he does too many other things that I just can't get over. He doesn't go through his progressions well and has missed wide open receivers while throwing to covered receivers. He seems to have lapses in concentration which just kills a team. He also does not put the ball in good position on short and intermediate throws. Prime example was late in the game where Miami had a third and long and he had Bess with a step on the defender in a crossing pattern about 9 yards down the field right at the first down mark. If Moore would have led Bess it would have been a completion and a first down and a chance for Miami to run the clock out for a win. Instead he threw it behind Bess who had to adjust and couldn't come up with the ball, and even if he would have, he more than likely would have been tackled just short of the first down. I like Moore as a backup and a guy that can compete with a rookie next year and the best man wins, but he is not the answer Miami is looking for at QB.

Takeaway 3 - There are some exceptions and while I may not like how he goes about his business Jeff Ireland has put a good roster together. Even without a franchise type QB and a coach that coaches not to lose instead of coaching to win the Miami Dolphins can be competitive with anyone. I think whoever the coach is that takes over for Miami in 2012 he will be in a good situation. Not sure if Ireland will be back in Miami or not (my gut feeling is he will be) but I am sold that he has done a good job for the most part in putting this team together. I do feel there are three areas that have not been addressed or have been addressed wrongly and that is QB, FS and offensive line. I am putting the QB and FS on Ireland, but I am pinning the offensive line on Sparano since that is supposed to be his specialty. The offensive line is big and strong, but outside of Pouncey they just aren't that athletic. This is one of the reasons we don't see more screens from the offense that would help get Bush into space. I do expect all three areas to be addressed in the draft or free agency in 2012.

So while the season is coming to a close, once again look for Miami to have a very busy offseason and the blogs and forums to be a blaze with all the opinions of what the Dolphins should do.

After yet another gut wrenching loss, the Miami Dolphins players and coaches find themselves in 'no man's land.'  With a 3-8 record, the 2011 Miami Dolphins have virtually no shot at making the playoffs.  How this team responds is really going to say a lot about the future of this team, and a lot of questions could be answered and asked over these last 5 games.

It now seems like it's going to be a certainty the Miami Dolphins will have a new head coach at the beginning of next season.  Known throughout the coaching circles as a grinder, Tony Sparano has his team regressing rather than making progress.  His conservative method of playing football just doesn't work in today's pass happy NFL.  If you take a look around the league, the teams at the top are the teams that can throw the ball, especially when they need to.  Those teams can come from behind in the 4th quarter.  Those teams take pressure off the defense because their offense can score quick through the passing game.  Those teams are successful in the 2 minute drill.  How many times have you seen Tom Brady get the ball with 2 minutes left and your immediate thought is he is going to lead his team to a touchdown?  Mine is, all the time.  It's the same with Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Big Ben, Eli.  I can't even remember the last time I had that thought with the Miami Dolphins getting the ball with the game on the line and 2 minutes left.  Every time it happens now I find myself searching for a miracle.  The 2 minute drill and the redzone are the most important situations for an offense, and Miami hasn't been good at either of them the past 3 seasons.  And it doesn't look like it's going to get any better under this current coaching staff.  A change is needed, and it's almost a fore gone conclusion that one will take place.

A change in a head coach most always means a change in offensive and defensive coordinators.  A change in coordinators also leads to some roster turnover, how much depends mostly on whether or not GM Jeff Ireland is retained.  GM's and coaches usually have the same philosophy on how to win games.  They build their rosters accordingly.  It's a package deal in most situations, and I see this fitting that mold.  The questionable moves Ireland has made since he took over full control of the roster just haven't worked out.  Much has been made of Ireland's ability to find 'acorns,' that go undrafted and end up starting, but doesn't that really say that he hasn't drafted that well in the early rounds?  Why not find these 'acorns' in the 2nd - 6th rounds of the draft, instead of after it is over?  This roster has no depth, and that is something you should have after 4 years.  This roster doesn't have a solid offensive line that has worked together at least 2 full seasons like it should.  The list for woulda shoulda coulda for Ireland goes on and on.  I think he's going to be gone after this season as well, I would be shocked if he wasn't.

So with 5 games left and no hope, how will these players and coaches react?  Will they pack it in, or will they gain motivation to play spoiler the rest of the way?  Of the 5 teams they play to finish things out, all 5 could be playing Miami in a must win situation to keep their playoff hopes alive, and the first two games have interesting twists to them at the quarterback position.  Next week it's Oakland, with Carson Palmer, who Miami did not trade for.  Oakland pulled the trigger, and have a legit shot at the playoffs.  Then it's Philadelphia, and no matter who starts in that game, whether it be Vince Young or Michael Vick, Miami could have signed either one of them too.  And they may be playing for their playoff lives in two weeks.  Then Buffalo, who could be eliminated should they suffer a loss against Miami on Dec. 18th, if they aren't out of it by then.  On Dec. 24th, Miami plays a New England team that may need a win to wrap up homefield advantage in the playoffs.  The final game of the year, Miami plays the much hated Jets, who may need a win to get in the playoffs.  These last 5 games for the Miami Dolphins have a lot riding on them, though it's not necessarily for the Dolphins.  I really hope they show up and just make a mess out of the playoff picture, but only time will tell.

Phins Up!

BEL

Coming into the Thanksgiving Day game against the Cowboys, thousands of Miami Dolphins fans and all of the Dolphins players and coaches were holding out hope for a miracle – a chance to run the table and pray for a little bit of luck and sneak into the playoffs as the sixth seed. This thinking made many believe their was hope once again and finally, there was a game that now had some sort of meaning.

However, at the end of the game, it became clear why the Dolphins only have three wins and why it really is time for a change once again in this organization.

The Dolphins had numerous chances throughout the game to strike and take the lead. However, when these opportunities arose, Sparano and the Dolphins became conservative. They ran the ball, threw some low – risk passes, and kicked field goals. This was reminiscent of various games throughout Sparano’s tenure here, especially the one against the Steelers last year when the Dolphins had three chances early on in the game but settled for field goals all three times. Like the Steelers game, the settling for field goals mentality came back to bite the Dolphins at the end of the game.

The Dolphins defense, like they have many times this year, played well throughout the game. For the most part, they held Jason Witten and Dez Bryant in check. DeMarco Murray had some nice plays but really couldn’t get it going. However, the Dolphins defense, like so many times this year, couldn’t finish out the game. Jason Witten rumbled and tumbled down the field. Dez Bryant caught a few passes and racked up some yards. DeMarco Murray ran at will at the end and ran over numerous defenders while running out the clock, setting up a game winning field goal by Dan Bailey.

In the end, it all boils down to the fact that you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. An old dog is settled in his ways and won’t be receptive to new thinking and ideas. This is Tony Sparano. He has always been and will always be the conservative coach who is afraid to air it out and take some risks. There have been at least four games, this one included, where the Dolphins lost because they became conservative and couldn’t get it into the endzone. There have been at least four games, this one included, where the Dolphins lost because the defense couldn’t finish out the game.

You can blame it on the coordinators but ultimately, Tony Sparano is the one calling the shots and no doubt has input on what they are calling throughout the game. This is why Tony Sparano, Jeff Ireland, and the coaching staff need to be released from their contracts the day after the end of the regular season, which is known to many as Black Monday.

Jim Harbaugh went to San Francisco and didn’t make many changes to the roster and that team is now 9 – 2. There is no need for an overhaul of the roster here in Miami. They need a coach like Harbaugh who can come in, make some tweaks here and there, and get the most out of these players.

Who that is remains to be seen. However, it will definitely be an interesting offseason as the Dolphins search once again to find that coach who is the right fit for this organization.

Finally, a Thanksgiving full of games that have a little meaning to them for a change.  For years, we have had to suffer through seeing the woeful Detroit Lions, who have been blownout year after year on Thanksgiving, heck I can't even remember the last time they played a competitive game on Thanksgiving.  Well this year I think things will be different.  And not to mention, each one of these games has something to do with the Miami Dolphins.  Wouldn't it be great if today was the day the '72 Dolphins pop the champagne bottles if Green Bay suffers their first loss of the season?  Then the Dolphins play in Dallas in what has always been an exciting Thanksgiving Day battle.  Then the Harbaugh Bowl, when we get to see what could have been as San Francisco looks to go to 10-1, and continue to fight for the number 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.

After the Detroit game we will be treated with the Miami Dolphins taking on the Dallas Cowboys, in Dallas.  I live in Cowboy country, and to be quite honest, I had been dreading this game until recent weeks.  Now, I have some hope, at least for now.  I think the Miami Dolphins will keep it close and have a chance to win it at the end.

To show either how lucky, how fixed, or just how good the NFL schedule makers are, us fans will be treated with the first ever Harbaugh Bowl.  If you are a fan of the game, this has to excite you, it's going to be a knock down, drag out, which team is going to be more physical throwback of a game, and it's taking place on one of the most prized traditions this country has, Thanksgiving Day.

In the first game, I look for the Lions to keep it close, and they may have a good shot at pulling off the upset.  They are playing at home.  They are coming off a 49 point outburst against the Carolina Panthers, and they are playing against a Green Bay team that is playing it's 3rd game in 11 days.  If there is going to be a loss on the record of the Green Bay Packers, today's game has a shot to be the one.  The Lions can score, and Green Bay may just be tired after this stretch. 

In order for Miami to win they are going to have to win 2 battles, covering Jason Whitten, and protecting Matt Moore.  If they can do those two things, they will have a chance to pull off the upset.  I know Tony Romo is 18-2 in the month of November as a starter, but considering how up and down the Cowboys have been this season, they are due for a down game after winning their last 3 like the Dolphins have.  During the 3 game winning streak for the Dolphins, they have not faced a tight end that scares anyone, and today will be the ultimate test for this defense to show it has really arrived.  Their achilles heel all season has been covering the tight end, and I for one am really excited to see how well they have adjusted to correct that huge hole that everyone exploited.  With Miles Austin out, Whitten will see a lot of targets today.

Keeping Matt Moore upright against this Dallas pass rush is also going to be a huge challenge for the suspect offensive line that has been playing well as of late.  Demarcus Ware leads the NFL with 14 sacks, keeping him off of Moore will ultimately determine how well this offense moves the ball.  Brandon Marshall should be able to have a good game today against this Dallas secondary, which ranks 27th in yds allowed and 8.1 yds per attempt.  Look for him to open things up for Bess and Fasano as well, which is something Moore has been able to take advantage of over the 3 game winning streak.  Look for the X-Factor in this game to be Reggie Bush.  I can see Sparano running him out to return a punt or two if the Dolphins are close late in the game.  Look for him to make an exciting play today.

In the late game, the key to the entire game is how well Joe Flacco plays.  If he is able to pass the ball well,things will open up for Ray Rice and the Baltimore running game.  If Flacco comes out and stinks it up, the Ravens will be counting on their defense to win this one.  I like the chances of Flacco, not because of confidence in him, but because San Francisco is traveling across the country on a very short week, and the odds of this team winning it's 5th game going from the Pacific to the Eastern Time Zone aren't very good.  

Ahh I can't wait, great games, great food, and great times!  May you all have a Very Happy Thanksgiving! 

Phins Up!

BEL   

One can't help but wonder about the effect this 3 game winning streak for the Miami Dolphins will have on the future of Head Coach Tony Sparano.  The defense is starting to show up every week, the offense is putting points on the board, and scoring TD's in the red zone.  Heck, even the special teams have been better over the past few weeks.  With the recent show of success after the Dolphins were thrust into the lead of the 'Suck For Luck' sweepstakes, could Sparano be saving his job?

One can only speculate, but I think Sparano is really making a good case to keep his job.  Let's look at the obvious, his contract.  He's extended through 2013, two seasons after this one.  Now let's look at the Harbaugh depacle.  Ross admittedly made a huge mistake with this, one so big it's been the center of converation when the question of dedication from the organization shows up.  Why in the world would anyone want to go coach in Miami when the current coach was all but fired after last season, then given a 'token' extension? The entire NFL coaching circle feels sorry for Sparano, and Ross knows that.  Throw in the lock-out and the hiring of offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, without the benefit of OTA's and Minicamps, and one could make the excuse the offense got off to a slow start because of a lack of cohesiveness. 

Join us tonight for Finsradio.net our Wednesday show kicks off at 8:00 PM eastern time and will run until about 9:00 PM or shortly after.  

Come talk about the Miami Dolphins and what you expect tomorrow.  Join us in our live chat or call in to our show and express your opinion.

Can't make it? No problem, you can listen to us on our archives or download our free PodCast on iTunes...search for On the Fin Side.

We are Miami Dolphins fan football talk!

This site is currently looking for staff writers.  The requirements are simple, you must be able to commit to no less than two articles per week.  These articles can be on news, commentary, or opinion.  They must be original and not copy and paste jobs.

These staff positions are not paid but will give you exposure to a wide readership base.  In addition, this site is connected to both Finsradio.net and Phinphanatic.com as well as connected to other Miami Dolphins fan sites around the web.

This is the first time that Phinatics.com has featured daily original content in article style blogging.  This is an opportunity for you to help grow this site and your own reputations as a sports writer.

In addition, I will also be looking for people to run more specialized portions of this site like updating rosters on the site, maintaining link pages and blog rolls, as well as covering local events, cheerleaders, and the draft.

If you are interested and would like to apply, please Email me a three hundred word article showing your writing style.  You can Email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

Thank you and good luck!

Brian Miller

Today I am proud to reveal the new Phinatics.com re-design.  A very special thanks to Gerald Fanner of Phinzmania.com for the great work in bringing my ideas to reality.  He surpassed anything that I could have imagined.

The forum also got a quick re-design as well and I encourage all of you to join the forum and start communicating with other Miami Dolphins fans.  

Over the course of the next several months, we will continually make changes to this main page by adding new RSS feeds from all of the Miami Dolphins sites, adding new informative pages along our menu tab, and linking this site with Finsradio.net and Phinphanatic.com.

Our goal is to make this trio of sites the go to ring of Miami Dolphins sites.  By reaching out to other Miami Dolphins webmasters in the coming months, we hope to form the largest group of sites that cover the Miami Dolphins so you never have to be without the knowledge you seek.

For now, we hope you enjoy our new look and we promise to continue our efforts to provide you with some of the best coverage of the Miami Dolphins.  

This site is currently looking for staff writers to assist our new Senior writer Bert Smith who will be joining the site later this week.  Thanks again for being a part of our network of Miami Dolphins sites!

Brian Miller

Manager and owner

A few days ago I wrote an article basically congratulating the team for not pointing fingers at each other and taking a look only in the mirror to place blame.  Even while the Tony Sparano watch continues into week 8 the Dolphins still have not folded under the pressure of a winless season. 

Yesterday it was reported that Sparano and his wife put their home up on the market.  I see nothing wrong with that.  Nor did I view it as an earth shattering news event that others did.  Today however, it appears that the cracks that were likely invisible a few days ago are starting to show.

Last week Reggie Bush remained behind after the Denver loss and answered questions.  He manned up so to speak instead of “Cowhering” behind excuses.  When he was asked about the team playing for their HC and how they felt about his likely termination, Bush replied that “no player should be worried about that stuff and if they are they shouldn’t be here”.  In a nut shell.

Today, Bush decided to answer questions and one reply was simply this.  “We stink”.  He isn’t lying by any stretch.  He isn’t calling anyone out, he doesn’t refer to the team as specifically not him, but instead as a team.  It’s easy to see and easier for fans to stand up and shout “WELL DUH!”  In fact, maybe if the players start believing that they stink then maybe they would stop playing like it.

Apparently, Miami Dolphins safety Yeremiah Bell has taken exception to that.  Earlier this evening, Bell said “Bush Stinks” in reference to Reggie and not the former President.  Bell said that no player should be saying that out of the locker room.  I suppose it doesn’t matter that they really do stink.

This is the first personal jab that a Dolphins player has vollied and it likely won’t be the last.  One thrown out will inevitably open up the vine for more comments and so on.

Earlier this week Anthony Fasano took a jab at Dolphins fans who think that the team should “suck for Luck” calling those fans “sick” and not “real” fans.  It only further illustrates a growing sense of anxiety in the locker room and a disconnect with their own fans. 

A loss this week will only further divide the resolve of players still holding up and if losses continue to mount against visiting Washington and Kansas City in the following two weeks, it’s safe to say that the claws will be completely out.

For now, what little bit of sway or respect that Sparano currently has over his team…if any, will be needed to quell this divide before it becomes an uprising.