G16: Cincinnati 38, Dolphins 25
There is nothing good to say about a 38-25 home loss that ends a 1-15 season. Unless it is that A) the Dolphins and their fans have been put out of their misery, or B) the consolation prize called the No. 1 draft pick awaits.
Welcoming thoughts here on the game, the season and the future.
In-game chatter:
John Beck good-looking 22-yard TD strike to Derek Hagan in final minute, then same combo on the two-point conversion, gives the final score a veneer of respectability. Can't say the same for the season.
'Gals add late FG just before 2-minute warning. All over but the weeping.
Well, so much for the fighting chance, huh? Another Chad Johnson catch sets up another Bengals TD, and now it's 35-17. The Dolphin pass defense has taken a giant public crap before Bill Parcells.
John Beck finishes TD drive with QB sneak. Early fourth. Fish within 28-17, now with a fighting chance, at least.
Dolphs driving as third quarter ends. Need a TD here (not a FG) to have any chance. Keeping my upset-pick hope alive! Albeit barely.
Nightmare! John Beck enters cold for a shaken-up Cleo Lemon, bobbles shotgun snap, fumbles, and it's returned for a Cincy TD. Game out of hand. Only a miracle prevents 1-15 season.
Deflection-interception by Derrick Pope starts second half off right for Miami.
Halftime. Wonder what Bill Parcell's thoughts are. Guessing something along the lines of, "This team needs help all over the field. And on the sideline, too."
Carson Palmer's third TD pass, this a short flip to Antonio Chatman in closing seconds of first half, gives Cincy a 21-10 lead. Only against Miami's tepid offense does this seem a huge deficit.
Miami kid Chad Johnson burns his hometown team again. Long TD catch and run makes it 14-10, Bengals. You get the feeling "cover corner" may be moving up on Tuna's lengthy wish list.
Cleo Lemon to Ted Ginn Jr. on a short TD flip = 10-7, Miami. Bengals defense is a bad offense's best friend.
Cincy TD on catch by Miami's Chad Johnson. Dolphins couldn't get off field on 3rd downs, and two penalties hurt. Some nice work, though, by the D-line and by Joey Porter.
Dolphins 3-0 after an opening-drive FG. Series ends on Lorenzo Booker drop. How Not to Impress the Tuna.
Game on!
Pregame ramble:
Finally, the finale. The humane bullet to end the suffering. The day when the worst season in the Dolphins' 42 years (1-14) mercifully fades to history and focus on the future can take over.
Welcoming thoughts here on today's game, how it went, why it went and who impressed you or didn't. More important: Who impressed Bill Parcells or didn't! Thinking John Beck should get at least a couple of series. I'm sticking with my pick: Miami, 24-20.
Two main questions to answer in the wake of the game: Does/should Cam Cameron keep his job? And who'll be Miami's 2008 opening-day quarterback?
I'll be blogging live during the game. We invite you to join us for the ride.