Best Loss Ever :D

[Box_O_Rocks]

On the attempted two point conversion, it really looked like Cassell either had a big brain fart, or like the plan was not really for him to complete that pass.

It has to be a bit frustrating for Miami, which sort of won and lost at the same time!

Miami knows they lost the game, you could see the frustration on Saban's face as he prowled the sideline. They'll take the six game streak and try to build on it for next year, but they left that field knowing the reserves walked all over them.

Watching replays of the two point throw on the post-game programs, I have to agree with alamo when he credited it to a rookie mistake; I'm not sure if it was Cassell's or Childress'. Still, the kids looked good out there.

 

[The Gr8est]

Miami knows they lost the game, you could see the frustration on Saban's face as he prowled the sideline. They'll take the six game streak and try to build on it for next year, but they left that field knowing the reserves walked all over them.

Watching replays of the two point throw on the post-game programs, I have to agree with alamo when he credited it to a rookie mistake; I'm not sure if it was Cassell's or Childress'. Still, the kids looked good out there.

Cassell has already shown more ability to be a #2 (or better) than Rohan Davey EVER showed in his time in New England.

 

[The Gr8est]

On the attempted two point conversion, it really looked like Cassell either had a big brain fart, or like the plan was not really for him to complete that pass.

It has to be a bit frustrating for Miami, which sort of won and lost at the same time!

I can't ever remember a game (except with massive injuries) when two teams walked off the field and the team with the W felt like crap and the team with the L actually seemed like they had gained more.

The Pats got the playoff matchup they wanted, valuable experience for the reserves, another addition to the Patriot's legend with the dropkick, and relatively good health for the playoffs...essentially a "bye" week.

The Dolphins got the W but what did they gain? ...a lower draft position and the humiliation of being shown up by third-stringers.

 

[FloridaPatsFan]

Couple of comments from Dolphin players are probably more telling than typical post game comments: Zach Thomas said that they struggled to win the game against 2nd and 3rd stringers and mentioned that it was more of an example of just how well-prepared team the Pats are. The second comment was in the paper today down here in Orlando: A Dolphin player is quoted as saying that "The Patriots look like a team that is ready to go on a long playoff run".

I'm still wondering if BB or TB said something to Cassel before the 2 point conversion about "Just throw it away if you don't see anyone open".

The Pats are nobody's fool...They knew that playing Jax is a much more preferable matchup than Pitt. And as one of the game announcers brought up during the game, you would head to Indy for the divisional game against a team that has not played many starters in almost as month....a team that could be rusty....Good point.

 

[Fanfrom1960]

I can't ever remember a game (except with massive injuries) when two teams walked off the field and the team with the W felt like crap and the team with the L actually seemed like they had gained more.

The Dolphins got the W but what did they gain? ...a lower draft position and the humiliation of being shown up by third-stringers.

Oh please, the Dolphins improved to 9 - 7 this year, vs. 4 - 12 last year. That's a five game improvement. They also appear to have a very good young coach. A W is a W and an L is an L. Let's see what we can do in the playoffs.

 

[The Gr8est]

Oh please, the Dolphins improved to 9 - 7 this year, vs. 4 - 12 last year. That's a five game improvement. They also appear to have a very good young coach. A W is a W and an L is an L. Let's see what we can do in the playoffs.

Granted I think Saban is a great addition to the Dolphins but 8-8 is also an improvement over 4-12...do you see this "win" as a game the Dolphins can build on?

The Pats didn't care about winning the game and their reserves embarrassed the Dolphins. THAT is NOT the way Saban wanted to end the season.

This "win" will be an irritant to the Dolphins all off-season.

 

[Fanfrom1960]

Granted I think Saban is a great addition to the Dolphins but 8-8 is also an improvement over 4-12...do you see this "win" as a game the Dolphins can build on?

The Pats didn't care about winning the game and their reserves embarrassed the Dolphins. THAT is NOT the way Saban wanted to end the season.

This "win" will be an irritant to the Dolphins all off-season.

The Dolphins statistically dominated, especially before that last Pats drive:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/teamstats/NFL_20060101_MIA@NE

The Pats couldn't run the ball (what, did they rest the O-line also?). I know, no Dillon, but Faulk 6 carries for 12 yards? This game was a no-win situation for the Pats, literally. If they won, they got Pittsburgh, and a loss is a loss. I doubt if Belichick is talking about this game at all today. Move on and stop trying to put lipstick on a pig, make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, whatever.

 

[T-ShirtDynasty]

The Pats couldn't run the ball (what, did they rest the O-line also?).

Yeah, they did. We had Mruczkowski, Yates, and Tucker in there on the line.

 

[stcjones]

good post

Call me a blind drunk stoned homer, whatever... I've never been so happy after a loss. Not because of the silly 3rd vs. 4th seed argument, but because it was a fun game to watch and our backups got some great experience while playing very well.

I'm not worried about the loss of momentum.... hell our third stringers almost beat the Dolphins first team. Offense and Defense third stringers really stood up to the first string of our supposed division threat. Had this been a real game it would have been a merciless killing.

Bam Childress, welcome to the NFL, you're starting to look like a Patriot. Be careful or they might start calling you Troy Brown Jr.

Doug Flutie, I've never been a fan, but damn I smiled ear to ear for about 15 minutes after the drop-kick. Welcome to history. Belichick, you're all class.

This was our bye week folks, I had fun and feel relaxed and refreshed, as I would expect most of our boys do too.

good post t-shirt...........bring on Jax......GO PATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[stcjones]

another great post

I can't ever remember a game (except with massive injuries) when two teams walked off the field and the team with the W felt like crap and the team with the L actually seemed like they had gained more.

The Pats got the playoff matchup they wanted, valuable experience for the reserves, another addition to the Patriot's legend with the dropkick, and relatively good health for the playoffs...essentially a "bye" week.

The Dolphins got the W but what did they gain? ...a lower draft position and the humiliation of being shown up by third-stringers.

great post........I was pissed initially because we "lost" to the doofins...who I detest.....but once I started to think rationally....I started thinking like your post above. The doofins can take nothing away from this because our SCRUBS almost (and probably could have done it had cassels not airmailed (intentionally?) the last pass) beat their STARTERS...........secondly.......we DID get some good playing time for the reserves....and may have found a possible filler in TBC, should tedy not be able to go.........TBC looked really good,......NO one is a replacement for Tedy, but perhaps he could step in and help out........lastly, BB rested the starters and secured the "safer" matchup against Jax......Don't get me wrong....they are a GOOD football team.......however, Pitt is still a tougher team to BEAT IMHO.....good points again....

 

[stcjones]

yeah....

Oh please, the Dolphins improved to 9 - 7 this year, vs. 4 - 12 last year. That's a five game improvement. They also appear to have a very good young coach. A W is a W and an L is an L. Let's see what we can do in the playoffs.

but remember this... FOUR of the teams that they beat had 4-11 records or WORSE.......Oakland....Tenn......Buff......Jests.......puh-leeese.....then they beat our scrubs BARELY yesterday........they did win a HUGE upset against S.D. (which was helped immensely by Marty sh**enheimer's brainless coaching. In all seriousness, for doofin fans.......there team has shown improvement.......but has a long way to go.........Saban has basically proven that he is a better coach than wanny thus far.....I personally will need to see a few more seasons from Nick to see if he is as great of a pro coach as he was in college.........(Did spurrier have a winning record first year in Wash by the way???....thought they were 8-8 or 9-7 that year.......)

 

[Weishuhn]

Granted I think Saban is a great addition to the Dolphins but 8-8 is also an improvement over 4-12...do you see this "win" as a game the Dolphins can build on?

The Pats didn't care about winning the game and their reserves embarrassed the Dolphins. THAT is NOT the way Saban wanted to end the season.

This "win" will be an irritant to the Dolphins all off-season.

I think that is exactly how Saban would want to end the season. It says to his team,"We improved this year, but we have a lot of work to do."

 

[stcjones]

great points.....

Granted I think Saban is a great addition to the Dolphins but 8-8 is also an improvement over 4-12...do you see this "win" as a game the Dolphins can build on?

The Pats didn't care about winning the game and their reserves embarrassed the Dolphins. THAT is NOT the way Saban wanted to end the season.

This "win" will be an irritant to the Dolphins all off-season.

The quotes that I have read from the dolphin players emphasize that they did NOT feel good about "winning" this game......they were frustrated and embarrased by our scrubs..........when you "give" something to someone often.....and they don't actually "EARN" it......the feeling is pretty "hollow/empty".......the doofins and Saban know that BB gave them(especially Saban....who needed that win for some sense of creibility in S. Florida in many ways)......a belated Xmas gift...........good points gr8

 

[JoeSixPat]

I'm with you T-shirt

In fact, after much contemplation, I actually WANTED the Pats to lose and take the 4 seed, as I prefer playing at Indy over at Denver -

I don't think BB threw the game in any way, but his actions in personnel decision indicate that he too couldn't care less about the final score... just the way his backups played

 

[stcjones]

ummmmmmmmmm

The Dolphins statistically dominated, especially before that last Pats drive:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/teamstats/NFL_20060101_MIA@NE

The Pats couldn't run the ball (what, did they rest the O-line also?). I know, no Dillon, but Faulk 6 carries for 12 yards? This game was a no-win situation for the Pats, literally. If they won, they got Pittsburgh, and a loss is a loss. I doubt if Belichick is talking about this game at all today. Move on and stop trying to put lipstick on a pig, make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, whatever.

We didn't have our Oline starters in there for that much of the game DID we?? check the stats but I believe machowski (SP) and many of the scrubs were in there most of the game.........not much to brag about if you are the doofin D.....