Miami Mice

[FrontSeven]

I know, I know, we traditionally have trouble in Miami.

This year ain't traditionally. If Tom struggles again I'll be shocked. Tom has struggled down there but guys, there ain't no magic to this: He has great receivers now, and Miami's defense is not what it used to be. They still retain their defensive schemes (which have been effective in the past), but do they have the personnel now?

For one thing it's hard for me to envision a ton of pressure coming from that defense. Their defense is cracking and aging; our OL is vastly improved, and we have Kyle the Road Grader out there to max protect. I don't see huge pressure. Without huge pressure, what is the result? Does anybody here think that those Miami DBs can cover guys that San Diego or Dallas could not cover?

Likewise, it's hard for me to picture Miami generating even 10 points. They don't have their starting QB or Chris Chambers. They have Ronnie Brown and Ronnie Brown.

OJ McDuffy has retired.

I just don't see the threat since this team can play flat and beat you by 17. I know it's not a good idea to cross reference performances but Cleveland does have a much better offense than Miami, and Romeo knows us as well as anybody. Result: 17 point differential.

I hate to say "give the points" because at some point we have to fail to cover. I just don't see it being this week. If you're not going to cover, that usually means the other team put up *some* points.

 

[desi-patsfan]

Wouldnt surprise me if Tom struggled at first. Listening to some people this is the Phins Super Bowl. They will come out "JACKED UP" and ready to hit. I think thigns will settle down by the start of the 2nd quarter and then the Pats will pull away.

 

[Redcell]

I happened to visit ESPN's Madden 08 Forecast (or whatever it's called) and the simulation has it 13-0 Patriots with Brady going 30-36 for 175 yds and a touchdown.

http://sports.espn.go.com/videogames/simulation/nfl?id=3066729

 

[patchick]

Miami usually scares me no matter what. Usually. But this isn't just an 0-6 team, it's a team that has just thrown in the towel by trading away its #1 receiver for draft picks. That's extremely rare in football -- the early trade deadline is designed to keep it from happening -- so it comes across as a total kick to the gut. The veteran leaders sound dispirited, bordering on bitter. Good luck to Cam Cameron getting everybody up to give their best effort this week.

 

[everlong]

The reason I'm not worried is because they beat us 21-0 last year down there and then Thomas and others gloated about taping the line calls and how confused Brady was.

If you rob a bank and get away with it going to a bar and bragging about it is a sure fire way to bring the ire of the cops down on you.

There could be more than one EFF U TD this week.

 

[mojocaster.com]

Ted Ginn has 700 yards returning on the year... just sayin'... also, I suppose he's gonna be a starter now that Chambers is gone.

Am I worried? Nah

 

[wistahpatsfan]

I smell a shutout...
Pats 34-0

 

[PATSNUTme]

Until we prove that we can play an "A" game in Miami, I'll always be concerned when we play down there.

We haven't done that yet, so I am concerned.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

You guys are such weenies.

Sure the Pats had major problems there in the past. But think a moment before you folks post. The prior Phin teams had at least SOME offense combined with a really good defense in their prime. Sunday, the Pats face a terrible offense with a top notch RB but a nothing QB without quality receivers. Even more significant is that the Pats offense facing the over the hill Phins D is for once replete with WRs who can utilize Brady's HOF ability.

History is NOT a valid arguement in the face of vastly different teams. Those citing prior history had to be flummoxed by the Colts turnaround and 3 game dominance of the Pats.

 

[FrontSeven]

History is NOT a valid arguement in the face of vastly different teams.

History might be a good argument when the two teams' profiles remain relatively static. This year is the exception. With their injuries, trades, defeatism, and our obvious push in the opposite direction, it just seems like the right time to break with precedence.

Look what SD just did to Denver. Where was the mile high mystique there? Nothing trumps a good team on a roll who is playing a bad team. The bad team can hang skulls from the rafters for all I care. All that means is that it's their skulls, not the guys who just ran them over like a tractor trailer hauling stone over the speed limit.

What's a black hole without some cosmic energy?

What's thin air when it's your own team that is gassed?

What is humidity when your defense is running after really fast, tall guys all day?

 

[FrontSeven]

Until we prove that we can play an "A" game in Miami, I'll always be concerned when we play down there.

We haven't done that yet, so I am concerned.

There's that old Jimmy The Greek sayin' that you never bet against a streak. I can see the point. Usually that's the way to go. But sometimes streaks end, and why not pick that too? Why not notice that if there is ever going to be an end to a streak, it's now?

The tractor trailer full of hog jowels is rolling down hill at 90mph, and the creaky Miami defense is standing in the road getting ready to stop it. Good luck is all I can say!

 

[Deus Irae]

You guys are such weenies.

Sure the Pats had major problems there in the past. But think a moment before you folks post. The prior Phin teams had at least SOME offense combined with a really good defense in their prime. Sunday, the Pats face a terrible offense with a top notch RB but a nothing QB without quality receivers. Even more significant is that the Pats offense facing the over the hill Phins D is for once replete with WRs who can utilize Brady's HOF ability.

History is NOT a valid arguement in the face of vastly different teams. Those citing prior history had to be flummoxed by the Colts turnaround and 3 game dominance of the Pats.

The Dolphins have won at least one game against the Patriots in 8 of the last 9 seasons. In 2004, a Miami team that finished up 4-12 and was being coached by Dave Wannstedt defeated a Patriots team that would end up going 14-2 on the season. That Dolphins team was only 28th in points scored and 20th in points allowed, but that didn't matter. The 'weenies' are those who think nothing can go wrong and the Patriots win just by showing up.