DOLPHINS WIN! DOLPHINS WIN! Miami beats Baltimore, 22-16, in OT to avert specter of winless season

               Perhaps not in the history of sports has a 1-13 record ever felt better. When it ended, with Cleo Lemon-to-Greg Camarillo the improbable heroic tandem, you saw Wayne Huizenga up in his owners' box, wiping away tears. You saw what you rarely have all season: Cam Cameron smiling. You saw players hugging and high-fiving as if they'd just won a Super Bowl.

     They had the right. Finally, after 13 straight losses and 16 in a row dating to last season, they'd earned the right to the joy they were feeling. Give them that, at least

     Sunday's win still leaves Miami with the worst record in the league, but the historic shame this team dodged by avoiding an 0-16 season cannot be underestimated. In the context of this dwindling season, winning -- even just once -- had become everything.

     I had predicted Miami to win, so I'm happy for that. But I'll also admit I'm happy for Cameron and the team, after all they've been through.

     Your thoughts welcome on the long-overdue win, and on who impressed you most. I thought both Bookers (Marty and Lorenzo) cam up big. Jason Taylor was a monster. Lemon rallied to acquit himself fairly well, too, although, now that 0-16 is out of play, I still think Miami needs to return to rookie John Beck for the final two games. Do you?

     In-game chatter:

     Cleo Lemon to Greg Camarillo on quick-hit pass that turns into long TD! Dolphins win!

     Dolphins staring at defeat. Again. Baltimore to attempt winning 44-yard FG. Miami timeout. Kick is NO GOOD! Wide left. Still tied. Miami ball. What a break.

     Unbelievable. The Dolphins find new ways to not win. Ravens chip-shot FG with eight seconds left ties it. Heading to overtime. Jay Feel kickoff out of bounds was a killer.

     At 2-minute warning, Dolphins have fourth down close and are poised to kick what should be game-winning field goal. Jay Feely kick is GOOD! Miami up 16-13 with less than two minutes left!

     Dolphins forced to punt after Cleo Lemon brainlessly runs out of bounds for a loss rather than throwing it away, taking Miami out of long FG range.

     Jay Feely 22-yard FG ties it 13-13.

     Michael Lehan deflection-interception for Miami off what should have been a long completion. Huge break. Momentum with Miami. Could today be the day? Dolphins driving as quarter ends.

Samkon Gado 7-yard TD run pulls Miami within 13-10 early in third quarter. Keeping hope alive!

     Promising KO return by Ted Ginn opens second half for Miami. I refuse to Say Ted Ginn Jr. We all know it's not his dad. Series ends in punt. Or, did that go without saying?

     The 1972 Perfect Season Dolphins being honored at halftime on 35 anniversary of that accomplishment. Juxtaposed with the current calamity, that's pure torture. Isn't it time for Mercury Morris to claim -- in rap form -- that he could get out there at age 60 and do better than these guys?

     Halftime: Ravens 13, Dolphins 3. Bottom line? This is a JV offense competing in a varsity league. Cleo Lemon handing off to Samkon Gado and throwing to Greg Camarillo does not begin to cut it in the NFL. I cannot remember a team with fewer offensive weapons than this one.

     Dolphins block 50-yard FG attempt as time expires.

     FIU's Antwaan Barnes with a big sack against the Dolphins in closing seconds of 1H.

     Derrick Mason short TD catch in last minute of first half puts Baltimore up 13-3. Only with the Dolphin offense does that seem like a big hole. What little momentum Miami had after the FG is lost.

     Miami settles for chip-shot FG after threatening inside Ravens' 10. Second down incomplete to Jason Taylor in end zone. That's a lot to ask of a defensive end: Run a fade route and toe the sideline on a tough catch.

    
     Ravens 39-yard FG. Stout effort by Miami D so far. Time for Cleo Lemon to show something. Anything.

     Dolphins force punt, driving Baltimore out of FG range with consecutive sacks. (Who celebrates a big play more: Jason Taylor? or Ray Lewis? A tie, probably).

     Ravens driving, late first quarter. Kyle Boller, below-average NFL starter, being made to look good by Miami defense. Boller clearly sharper today than Lemon, so far.

     Dolphins punt despite winning challenge on Cleo Lemon's reach for the first down. In a season of losses for Cam Cameron, a small victory. Lemon runs too much. Either his receivers are getting no separation or he isn't seeing them. Ray Lewis continues to be a madman, by the way.

     Ravens 27-yard FG makes it 3-0 early. Not a terrible result for Miami considering a 36-yard pass had made it first and goal. Jason Taylor's sack saved Miami four points. Opening kickoff had gone out of bounds, a gloomy harbinger.

     Wayne Huizenga looking out at thousands of unoccupied seats surely won't discourage his thoughts of selling the team.

     Play ball!

     Pregame ramble:

     The 0-13 Dolphins today attempt to avoid tying the NFL's worst season record since the 1976 expansion Tampa Bay Bucs finished 0-14. I predict a Miami win against a Ravens team that has lost seven straight, has a weak offense and is the only team with more turnovers than the Dolphins. Do you agree? Does today finally feel like W-Day to you?

     Took in the Fort Lauderdale Christmas Boat Parade last night, by the way (thanks to the good folks at Briny's for the hospitality), and one of the entries was a giant yacht with a 1972 Perfect Season theme, with Dolphins from that team on deck in uniform jerseys.

     No, wiseguy, the 2007 Dolphins were not represented by a canoe sinking in the '72 yacht's wake.

     We'll crank up our live blog just before kickoff. Join us for the ride.

Comments

[jack]

Is it Sunday already?
And the Ravens are in town?
Ray Lewis, Kyle Boller
Todd Heap.... will bring a frown.
Methinks it's number 14
for our unhappy Fins.
At 4Pm today,
there'll be no laughing and no grins.
Just a little murmur,a sigh, a little squeek.
Hey, folks, the Pats are gonna make it 15 next week.

[Noel]

Dear Dolphins, I'm sure you won't let us down today, Will you?

[Dave in VA]

I started drinking an hour ago to prepare for this game. My wife is worried about me, I don't scream and cuss or show emotion of any kind on Sundays anymore. I think this is the last shot at a win this season.

[Turb0wned]

Noel.... I think they might just let us down again today... Cam and Randy dont want happiness for us fans..

[Tom]

As far as I'm concerned this is the beginning of our 3 game playoff series. In essence, we win our "Super Bowl" if we win just one, that's as in just one f****** game Cam, out of the next 3. This game and the game against the Bungles are very winnable games for our players if only we can get Cam to stop f****** it up for us. What are the odds of that? Not us winning, but getting Cam to stop f****** it up for us?

[Dave in VA]

Tom, if you don't drink you need to start. I've found it numbs the pain of watching Cameron drive this team into the shit can.

[Tom]

Thanks for the tip Dave. No I don't drink, but it is seasons like this one that make me reconsider whether that is a wise choice. I think I might see if I can get lowercasedean to help me out with some of his stuff.

Looks like JRS is empty. My congrats to the season ticket holders who are sending a very loud message to Wayne - FIRE THAT IDIOT YOU CALL HEAD COACH!

[Dave in VA]

That's a good start.

[Noel]

whoa! Taylor made a play.

[Tom]

Could this be the day?

[Dave in VA]

Seriously Tom, reconsider your abstinance. I'm afraid we're going to make these guys look like the Patriots today. I was a reverand when the season started, now I'm a f*cking sot!

[Tom]

Talking about the Pats, they already scored on an interception return.

[Noel]

Has this team broken the record for 2 yard runs in a season, yet?

[Save us Dan]

Cant wait for next weeks historical matchup

[Carlos]

Oh well at least we can try to throw the ball with Lemon

[Carlos]

what do you a first down for us and a call that went for the fins

[Carlos]

Not looking good for the fish at all

[Noel]

Where have you gone, Dan Marino?

[Tom]

Did you hear that stat on our rookie punter? He has not had a punt that was fair caught since the 5th game of the season. Hmm? Guess I have to reassess our draft. It's even worse than I thought 5 minutes ago.

[Noel]

I have a bad feeling the defense is going to turn Boller into a superstar today.

[Noel]

Looks like Jason Taylor came to play today.

[Dave in VA]

Unfortunately, Taylor is the only recognizable name in aqua and orange on the field today Noel. The worst conditioning program in the NFL I'm guessing.

[Dave in VA]

Taylor has been a beast today, but I'm afraid he's going to end up hurt like the rest of our starters. The damn offense can't hold the ball long enough to give the D a five minute rest.

[Tom]

This may be the day. The offense has sucked and we're still in this game. I'm getting the feeling this may be our day - in spite of the idiot who coaches our team.

[Dave in VA]

Awesome! Now Taylor is going to have to line-up at running back, because god knows Cameron won't use Lorenzo Booker!

[Dave in VA]

Tom, I'm glad to see you took my advice and started drinking. Stuff hit you fast though, you're already talking crazy.

[Dave in VA]

Another running back down! Screw the alcohol, I need opiates!

[Turb0wned]

sniff sniff... 0-14

[Dave in VA]

2nd and seven and they throw for 9 yards. Did someone pull Cameron aside and explain this concept to him?

[Noel]

I hope you are right, Tom , but Cam is very, very good at finding ways to lose

[Dave]

Fade to Taylor? Is everyone on f**king crack?

[TorturedDolphan]

God help me.

2nd and THREE in the red zone and Cam puts JT out at WR and throws a fade rout. ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME ????

Who are you kidding Cam. What you didn't think they would cover him? You have a roster full of WRs.

Christ I can't stand Cam Moron. I hate this man more than I hate the bills/jets/patriots. He is such an idiot I can hardly bring myself to watch this crap.

[Tom]

That Taylor play represents reason #1,793 that Cam should be fired immediately.

[TorturedDolphan]

Well I don't know what Wayne's track record is for hiring minority employees, but all mentally handicapped can have hope seeing a guy like Cam succeed.

[Noel]

Who the hell is our strength and conditioning coach. Cam must be doing that too.

[TorturedDolphan]

If Wayne still owns this team next year I have a terrible feeling Cam will be back for another year along with that donkey Mueller.

[Noel]

0-16!

[Noel]

Dave,
I think you are right about the conditioning program. Watch us get manhandled in the second half.

[Noel]

Were the Miami Dolphins, Miami Dolphins with the worst coach you've ever seen. Were the Miami Dolphins, Miami Dolphins, Were going to go 0 and 16.

[Noel]

Sorry guys, but I have to say it again.
SELL THE TEAM, WAYNE. SELL IT, SELL IT, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dave in VA]

Noel, players are dropping like flies and we're not talking about brutal hits. I understand the "freak injury", but these guys seem to be laying down. It's like a really shitty Pop Warner team, when you know you won't win you just don't give a rat's ass and there's no effort. That's what I'm seeing in this team. Unfortunate.

[Noel]

Should have hired Jim Bates,Wayne. There was always effort when he coached.

[Dave in VA]

Totally agree with the Bates comment.

You know what's sadder than this team is watching Dan Marino listen to the jabs from the other jack-asses during half-time. The Dolphins are truely the laughing stock of the NFL...

[mike1]

The selling the team notice did not help with this week's motivation. That notice could've waited til the end of the season. Cameron firing last week with a replacement, might've resulted in a win.

No doubt based on all the reports of disharmony in the team, Taylor talked Cam into putting him in as WR. Cam probably just caved on that one ..to show that he is listening to JT. I think JT is super-motivated to win one and therefore is doing what he can.

I never liked those fades. When on short and goal, I like the roll out or quick pass like Brady does with EX-DOLPHIN Welker.

[Carlos]

There HAS to be wholesale changes for this team, the owner, coachs, players all have to go...The owner is a scum bag garbage man, the head coach is a moron, and the player just dont care.

[mike1]

Dave in Va..you must've missed those half-time and post-game shows where Marino participated in the jabs and laughed at the jokes. That's been the last two weeks post game shows. If he's not doing today, maybe someone talked to him about it.

[Carlos]

39 rushing yards, 45 passing yards, 84 total yards = 0-14

[Carlos]

well so much for that 2nd half kickoff wasted effort for ginn

[Noel]

A 46 year old taped together Dan Marino would do better than the QBs we have now. Come back, Dan.

[Tom]

Good thing we have an "offensive genius" as our head coach. Could you imagine how bad we would be on offense if we didn't have Cam as our HC?