GREG COTE'S RANDOM EVIDENCE BLOG: MIAMI. SPORTS. AND BEYOND.
1) It's WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6. Remembering the great Bob Marley, who would have turned 74 today. 2) Football is done, but never to late to buy our 'Fins At 50' book for the Dolfans in your life. Check it out on Amazon. 3) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Patriots beat Rams in Super Bowl, Hot Button Top 10, Smirk Quintet, your Canton-inductees verdict & more. 4) Join us on Twitter @gregcote. Also Facebook and Instagram.
Super Bowl wrapup: Patriots won. I did, too: Dull, unorthodox game, 13-3, but Patriots won sixth championship of the Brady/Belichick era. I won, too. Had Patriots winning outright. (Check). Had Patriots covering at minus 2 1/2 points. (Check). And had the 'under' on what what a 56 1/2-point line on scoring. (Check). Visit Super Bowl Gem for the full pick. A fitting end to our personal-record-setting season of predictions! Also, a last chance to revisit our Super Bowl With a Smirk Quintet: Smirk V: Mahomes, Reed top Honors night. But what about Miss Colombia? / Smirk IV: Of 100-plus Super Bowl Canes, he was 1st / Smirk III: No comment, say halftime performers / Smirk II: No. 1 Dolfan on edge of history / And Smirk I: Welcome to 'Suit' Bowl LVIII.
THE DOLPHINS' BRIAN FLORES HIRE: MY TAKE ... NOW YOUR TURN: I've had my say, in my latest column. Visit Here's Why Dolphins Hit Big With Flores Gamble to read in full. I mention the cautions and caveats, but also why on balance I like the hire. I think Flores has the chance to be the only post-Shula era Dolphins hire since Jimmy Johnson in 1996 and Nick Saban in 2005 to spark true excitement in the fandom. But enough of my say, Now it is your turn. This poll invites your reaction to the Flores hire. Pick the one option that best describes your feeling. Ready? Vote!
ON HEAT'S BOSH JERSEY RETIREMENT: Heat announced yesterday it would retire Chris Bosh's No. 1 jersey this spring. I have since heard some argument on social media. There shouldn't be any. The honor is deserved. Bosh played six seasons here, including the four straight NBA Finals and two championships. His 18.0-point scoring average is fifth all-time for Miami. His rebounds are top-10. He was an exemplary off-court presence. He stuck with the franchise when LeBron James bolted in free agency and Bosh could have, too. Dwyane Wade left as well. Bosh never did. Only blood clots could remove him. He'd likely still be a Heat fixture, today, at 34, in his ninth season, if not for his medical issue. Congratulations, Chris Bosh!
NEW 'BACK IN MY DAY': MEDICINE!: xHere's the new BIMD video that premiered Tuesday on the Le Batard Show on ESPN Radio and ESPNews:
Other most recent columns: Le'Veon wants Dolphins, And Interest Should Be Mutual / Bonds and Clemens Inch Toward Cooperstown, But A-Rod Faces Tougher Road / We All Got Cheated, Not Just Saints. This Is Offseason for Dolphins to Be Bold, Not Think Tanking / Kooch Never Made Canton But Helped Make Dolphins History / A Better Coach Isn't Dolphins' Biggest Need / From Dark and Empty to the Top Of the World: Dan Le Batard at 50 / Hurricanes' Wild Ride From Chaos to Calm / Wade Deserves All-Star Sendoff / The Dolphins Seem Desperate, And It's About Time / Getting Diaz Back The Perfect Fit For UM / Richt Can Call It Retirement, But He Just Quit On The Canes / Miami's Hate-Hate Relationship With Nick Saban.
APSE-HONORED WORK: The Associated Press Sports Editors 2018 writing awards ranked us a Top 10 national sports columnist in the major-outlet category. Thanks, APSE. Here are the five nominated columns that earned the honor: At Doral, an annual tradition since 1962 is replaced by silence, and by what's missing / Marlins' Jose Fernandez statue is divisive yet has a chance to serve a greater purpose / NFL has moral obligation to help Buonicontis and Kiicks while it limits future suffering / What led to El Clasico Miami began with Joe Robbie's unlikely, accidental love of soccer / With 59 home runs, Stanton still had a magic season. Just hope this wasn't goodbye.
Revisit our blog often because we update and add to our latest posts throughout the day.
Twitter @gregcote
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