[New Dolfan Satisfaction Meter poll is up and running in separate blog post just above this. Vote!]
FINAL: Enormously impressive road win for Miami, led by stellar offensive-line play not giving up a sack and paving the way for a big, big effort by Ricky Williams in the absence of injured Ronnie Brown. Wildcat was minimal; Miami did it old-school.
FOURTH QUARTER: Carolina 48-yard FG for 24-17 with 1:41 left. Likely onside kick coming ..... Ricky Williams' 46-yard TD run gives Dolphins a winning 24-14 lead late in game. Huge 3rd down catch by Davone Bess set it up ..... Steve Smith TD pass from Jake Delhomme, then a DeAngelo Williams 2-point run pull Carols within 17-14 with 5 minutes left ..... Dan Carpenter FG makes it 17-6 Miami and it will take a bizarre ending for Dolphins to lose this game ..... Panthers settle for FG to draw within 14-6 in first minute of 4Q, after big sack by Randy Starks.
THIRD QUARTER: Nose-tackle Jason Ferguson out injured for Miami. Could be serious, based on his body language ..... Randy Starks having a big game defensivley for Miami, one of the reasons why this is looking more and more like an upset road win for the Dolphonics.
HALF: Panthers driving, but drive erased by Nathan Jones INT. Huge. Jacory I mean Jake Delhomme continuing with his pick issues ..... Impressive show by Miami. Plenty enough defense so far led by Joey Porter's two sacks, and Ricky Williams stepping up large -- with his first career TD catch and TD run in same game -- in the void of Ronnie Brown.
SECOND QUARTER: This time it's a short Ricky Williams run ot of the Wildcat for a 14-3 Miami lead just before halftime ..... Davone Bess is team's most reliable receiver ..... Chad Henne to Ricky Williams TD pass and Miami up 7-3. Ricky may be the best back his age (32) in the NFL. Lex Hilliard with a couple of nice runs in an impressive 81-yard drive.
FIRST QUARTER: Quarter ends with Carolina running pretty well and Miami needing to show something offensively ..... By the way, Miami 2-4 this year after losing the coin toss. Oy! ..... Hate to pile on Ted Ginn, but the guy just has a knack of not getting open ..... I know 3rd and 8's a big play, but that's awfully early to burn a timeout, Dolphins ..... Miami stiffens late in opening drive and limits Carolina to FG and 3-0 lead. Big sack by Joey Porter. Like Vontae Davis getting in Steve Smith's grill. To play corner in the NFL you need balls the size of grapefruits. CAN I SAY THAT!?
PREGAME: Surprised Matt Millen's career survived his having driven the Detroit Lions into the ground. I say that nuetrally ..... Just heard from a buddy at Bodog.com. Betting over/under on Ricky Williams rushing yards is 82.5. What you got? ..... Inactives out. Too bad for Miami neither DeAngelo Williams nor Jonatahn Stewart are on Carolina's.
Original post:
Tonight comes a tough battle between teams that have fought back from 0-3 starts but, at 4-5, are still too shaky in the playoff chase to comfortably abide a loss. Dolphins at Panthers. Big duel of power-running teams, although Ronnie Brown out injured for the season could change things -- open things up.
The possibility presents itself that Brown's injury might force, or allow, Miami's Wildcat offense to be more what it was intended to be: a run/pass double threat. That's why they drafted Pat White. With Brown as triggerman it was heavily run-oriented. With Ricky Williams taking snaps it still will be. But I suspect Brown's absence will mean more White ["Stay White, Miami!" -- Micky Arison, 2006] and more passing from the 'Cat -- which I loosely define as any offensive set in which QB Chad Henne is not taking snaps.
I'm on record predicting a 24-20 Carolina win. Panthers have quality running in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. That, the venue and no-Ronnie tip it for me. Then again, I may be wrong!
Your thoughts welcome here before, during and for sure after tonight's game.
Join us here just before kickoff for our Unofficial Semi-Live Boutique Blog, which recently was voted America's favorite Unofficial Semi-Live Boutique Blog.
Then watch for the latest installment of the Dolfan Satisfaction Meter poll in a separate post soon after the final whistle, probably around midnight.
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Phins win by 21. Henne will have his first 300+ yard passing game and Ricky will rack up 150+ all purpose yards. The front seven will have four sacks and both rookie corners will have an INT. Ginn will only drop three passes. You heard it here first Naples Jack!
Posted by: Dave in VA | November 19, 2009 at 07:43 PM
men,
what good is putting pat white into the game if he is not allowed to throw? his first pass of the season and of his career was overthrown and had he been a couple of yards shorter on that a legend would have been born. until the dolphins let him do more, there willbe none men on the line of scrimmage waiting for either the QB draw, option pitch, or end around.
Posted by: the shadow knows | November 19, 2009 at 07:45 PM
gents,
calling time-outs with 6+ minutes to go in the first quarter? just run a play and if it fails put them inside the 10. don't get it
Posted by: the shadow knows | November 19, 2009 at 08:39 PM
gents,
time-out wasted and punt goes into the end zone; as stated, i don't understand the call; let us see if that TO is needed later in the half.
Posted by: the shadow knows | November 19, 2009 at 08:42 PM
Easy guys, slow start but our boys came on strong. Bess and Portet appear to be out for redemption. If I may, I want to change my prediction to Henne throwing for 200+ yards...
Posted by: Dave in VA | November 19, 2009 at 09:55 PM
fellers,
now wonder jerry richardson fired his sons who jake of carolina a fortune in guaranteed money- the worst veteran QB in the NFL.
Posted by: the shadow knows | November 19, 2009 at 11:01 PM
should read "no wonder..."; jake delhome is putrid!!
Posted by: the shadow knows | November 19, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Have you considered having your blog read top to bottom?
It is really annoying reading it all backwards.
Posted by: artie lange | November 19, 2009 at 11:50 PM
Bess was a beast tonight, he is the fill to the void left by the Welker trade. Watch this dude grow over the years, he's going to get better.
Posted by: Dave in VA | November 19, 2009 at 11:50 PM
Great win, our coaching staff is way underrated..all year we have won or come close with lackluster talent.
We've traded a shut down D for a dominant O line. If we add a stud safety or LB or a play maker at WR or TE, I'll be talking super bowl.
Posted by: artie lange | November 19, 2009 at 11:52 PM
Artie Lange,
You're right and don't worry, this draft promises to bring a 6th or 7th round RB, a 1st round WR, a 2nd round LB... and so on. The Dolphins next season will have depth at every position and ride it all the way to the super bowl!
Posted by: enrique1085 | November 20, 2009 at 08:15 AM
Dave in VA,
always love to read positives about my guy, #15, who had a really good game and contributed mightily to the win.
Posted by: the shadow knows | November 20, 2009 at 09:31 AM
shadow,
bess is growing into a dependable wr who makes the best out of his ability.
Posted by: Jimbo | November 21, 2009 at 12:13 AM