I'm ready to forgive Michael Vick, are you?

So today Mike Vick is released from prison after serving time for his part in an organised dog fighting ring. And I’ve got a question for you: Are you ready to get over it already? Because you know what? You should be.

Us bloggers love Vick. Just like Brady, whenever we can’t think of something to write about, we can always do a quick post ridiculing him, safe in the knowledge that it will be accepted by our peers in the blogosphere. I’m sure I’ve been guilty of that many times here on STN. We love to hate on him, vilify him for what he’s done and poke fun at him. He’s an easy target and lets face it, it sure beats having to research a fresh story doesn’t it?

But in this humble bloggers’ mind it’s time to let go.

Now, I’m not a fan of dog fighting, cock fighting, hunting or anything like that. Heck, I don’t even like WWE for crying out loud, but when you put Vick’s crime into perspective and look at the attention it has received and how badly he has paid for it, surely the punishment has gone far enough. The man made a horrible, stupid mistake but come on people, it’s not like he stabbed someone, ran someone down with a car or held them at gunpoint and robbed them. What he did was wrong, but he’s more then paid his price hasn’t he?

Surely he has. Vick has lost everything for his crime. Not just a temporary suspension of his freedom, but also his house, his money and quite possibly, his career too. But why should that be? If a construction worker commited the same crime, he would be allowed back to work the minute he was released. Why then should Vick not be allowed to return to his job? Because it pays more? Get the hell out of here.

I know that football players are supposed to be role models but you know what? That’s a cop out. We’re all supposed to be role models. We’re all supposed to show respect for our elders, be polite and play by the rules. But name me one person that hasn’t made a mistake in his life. Show me one person who hasn’t done something stupid that they sincerely regret. Or even better, find me someone who had millions of dollars in his early twenties and didn’t do something that others would be horrified by. Spare me your outrage you high-horse riding, moral high-ground fuck.

The truth is that Vick was a poster boy and as such has had the kind of fall from grace that people in his position who screw up can only expect. But he’s paid for his crime, a crime that no actual human being was hurt by.Why am I saying this now? Because somebody has to. You don’t have to like the guy, I sure as hell don't, but I’ll tell you what I do like-watching Mike Vick split a defense in half with a ridiculous, touchdown scoring run. I miss watching him play and if you’re being totally honest, you miss that too.

What I’m saying is simple. If someone wants to give him the chance, Vick should be allowed to play again. I’m not saying that we should forget what he’s done, but we shouldn’t stand in the way of his chance of redemption either. What right have we to deny a person his right to make amends? If he screws up again, that’s when we bring the hammer down.

So I’m asking you, openly and honestly: Are you ready to let sleeping dogs lie (sorry), are you ready to give a guy who fucked up another chance? Are you ready to get over yourself?

Draft Day Winners and Losers (and Diners)

My most recent article for Football Diner has just gone up. Check it out here.

--------------------------------------

NFL Tickets, NBA Tickets, and MLB Tickets from Vividseats.com, including all New England Patriots Tickets and Nuggets Tickets! Also, we sell the cheapest Soccer Tickets and Golf Tickets.

The Hole is Filled - Jake Becomes a Dolphin

Last year, the top O-line prospect in the NFL Draft went fishing. This year, the top O-line prospect is a Phish. After pondering the question yesterday, it looks like we have our answer. Jake Long has signed to a five year, $57.5 million contract with $30 million guaranteed. As of Saturday, Jakezilla will be a Dolphin.

And I really couldn't be happier. Although I do have a twinge of disappointment that the other Long will is not the one, I am extremely happy at how well the Dolphins front office has handled this.

We've heard a lot of talk about the god vs bad of having the number one pick, but I think Parcells has shown the rest of league how to do it. Choose your guy and then go after him. Sort it out early, before the draft if you can and all the usual first pick issues will be lessened a great deal.

All of a sudden, the Dolphins O-line looks very tasty indeed and I can't wait to see what John Beck can do under centre now that he actually has some blocking up front. I'm sure Jakezilla will be a star in the NFL for many years to come!

------------------------------------------

[digg=http://digg.com/football/The_Hole_is_Filled_Jakezilla_Becomes_a_Dolphin_3]

NFL Tickets, NBA Tickets, and MLB Tickets from Vividseats.com, including all New England Patriots Tickets and Nuggets Tickets! Also, we sell the cheapest Soccer Tickets and Golf Tickets.

Will it be Jakezilla for the Phish?

The 2008 NFL Draft is finally upon us and I couldn't be more excited. Although, for some reason the latest news stories have me a litlle disappointed.

It's not that I don't think Jake Long will be a fantastic #1 pick for the Dolphins, it's just that ever since the combine, I've had my eyes on the other Long. No, not in that way you sordid so and so...

Chris Long as been at the top of mine and almost everybody else's mock drafts for weeks. He's a heck of a competitor and an exciting prospect for a 1-15 side.

But in perspective, either of the Longs would be a great choice and Miami do have a vacancy at the tackle position. Jake is incredibly big and strong and the Dolphins O-line was a major factor in last years terrible season. I'd love to see how John Beck plays when he actually has some blocking in front of him and a run game to support the pass!

For me right now the worst scenario would be Vernon Gholston. For me, he just isn't in the game enough to warrant a number one pick. Actually, thinking about it there is a worse scenario. Picking up Matt Ryan would really make me puke!

-----------------------------------------------

[digg=http://digg.com/football/Will_it_be_Jakezilla_for_the_Phish]

NFL Tickets, NBA Tickets, and MLB Tickets from Vividseats.com, including all New England Patriots Tickets and Nuggets Tickets! Also, we sell the cheapest Soccer Tickets and Golf Tickets.

Why The Dolphins Should Go With John Beck

I think it's time to set the record straight with regards to Miami's QB dilema. And by that I mean, Miami doesn't actually have a QB dilema; they have a quarterback and his name is John Beck.

Now it's not that I don't think Josh McCown can turn the Dolphins around and get them a division title or two (oh wait a minute, that's exactly what I think), it's just that I believe John Beck has the right qualities to be a superstar in the NFL. He just needs the chance to prove it.

Last year Beck was thrown into a deeper deep-end then any rookie QB in recent history. The Dolphins hadn't won a single game, were down to their third string RB and had an offensive line that just could not block on pass protection. Oh and his first start would be against The Eagles in Philly. And yet, until the Bills game where Cameron pulled him in knee-jerk response to a fumble, Beck had done well and shown all the right signs.

He was nervy to begin with, but soon settled in. He was poised, accurate and he created long drives that the Dolphins hadn't seen all season (including one against the Eagles that should have been the game winner, were it not for some terrible run blocking and frankly shocking play calling). Sure he made some rookie mistakes, but he showed some flashes of brilliance too, like in this touchdown play against the Bengals:

[youtube="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lrBhuFw7rg"]

That's a 22 yard throw on the run to the corner of the endzone - and it hits Hagan right between the numbers. Awesome! Notice how Beck has less then a seconds worth of protection from the O-line as well.

It is clear to me that with the right amount of patience and development, John Beck can become the franchise QB that the Dolphins have been scratching around for since Big Dan retired. The Dolphins must surely give him that chance.

------------------------------------------------

[digg=http://digg.com/football/Why_The_Dolphins_Should_Go_With_John_Beck#]

NFL Tickets, NBA Tickets, and MLB Tickets from Vividseats.com, including all New England Patriots Tickets and Nuggets Tickets! Also, we sell the cheapest Soccer Tickets and Golf Tickets.

Former Olympic Star Justin Gatlin Tries Out For Titans

Former 100m World Champion Justin 'The Gun' Gatlin has taken part in the Tennessee Titans' pro timing day.

This is not Gatlin's first attempt to break into Football since being banned from the track for substance abuse. Last year he made an unsuccessful attempt to join the Buccaneers.

When Gatlin tested positive, atheltics was robbed of one of it's biggest stars. Gatlin was well liked by fans and media alike and many were shocked when they heard the news of his positive test.

He is appealing his four year ban from the track.

Drugs or no drugs, Gatlin is still one of the fastest men in the world and it would make sense for an NFL team to give him a shot.

-----------------------------------------------------------

[digg=http://digg.com/football/Former_Olympic_Star_Justin_Gatlin_Tries_Out_For_Titans]

NFL Tickets, NBA Tickets, and MLB Tickets from Vividseats.com, including all New England Patriots Tickets and Nuggets Tickets! Also, we sell the cheapest Soccer Tickets and Golf Tickets.

Words fail me...

[NFL.com]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NFL Tickets, NBA Tickets, and MLB Tickets from Vividseats.com, including all New England Patriots Tickets and Nuggets Tickets! Also, we sell the cheapest Soccer Tickets and Golf Tickets.

So, Why Is The NFL So Big In Britain?

We've all heard the story by now, 500,000 ticket requests for the last UK game and three further games to be played in the UK in 08,09 and 2010, but how did American Football become so big in blighty?

To find the answer we have to look both at the current psyche of the British sports fan and the sporting climate in which he/she now lives.

Soccer is and always has been, the number one sport in Britain. The country is saturated with teams and leagues that run the length and breadth of the country. A town may not have a post office, a school or a population of more then 22, but it will almost certainly have a football team. That's just the way it is in Britain.

Though there have been numerous calls over the years for the FA to condense the leagues and force the small (and generally bankrupt) clubs to come together, they, like so many another cries for change in football, fallen on deaf ears. As a result of a staunch resistance to and lets not mince words here, a total fear of, any change, the leading sport in Britain has become an overindulged, predictable bore. No team outside the famous 'top four' has one the league in ten years and none outside that 'elite' has won the FA Cup in thirteen. The soccer season itself seems to get longer every year and there now appears to be scarcely any off-season.

Read more »

So Hard To Say Goodbye...

So I was all ready to write a piece on the ridiculous awesomeness that is Alan Voskuil, when the biggest news story of the year (well ok, maybe that's a tad OTT) hit me square in the chest.

The Miami Dolphins have released Zach Thomas.

When I first heard this, everything kind of stopped for a second. All sounds around me went hollow and I just sort of sat, staring at the wall for a minute.

Zach Thomas... is was the Dolphins. And now he's gone. But even when the new regime cut the cord, Thomas was still class personified:

"I am healthy and look forward to playing in 2008, but will always consider myself a Miami Dolphin."

This is a huge move for the (un) holy trilogy of Parcells, Ireland and Sparano... if they don't produce results next year this decision will definitely come back to haunt them. The fans will let it play for now, but it had better work out.

But whatever happens, where ever he goes, I wish him all the luck and happiness in the world. Good luck Zach, thanks for everything and God bless.


---------------------------------------------------------------

NFL Tickets, NBA Tickets, and MLB Tickets from Vividseats.com, including all New England Patriots Tickets and Nuggets Tickets! Also, we sell the cheapest Soccer Tickets and Golf Tickets.

The Unmissable...

The latest offering from Football Diner can be found HERE. It's a great site, so head on over there stat.

[Football Diner]

------------------------------------------------------

NFL Tickets, NBA Tickets, and MLB Tickets from Vividseats.com, including all New England Patriots Tickets and Nuggets Tickets! Also, we sell the cheapest Soccer Tickets and Golf Tickets.

'The Eli Evasion'

What an incredible game. I had to pinch myself when I woke up this morning and I haven't stopped smiling yet.

Am I allowed to feel this good about a Giants victory though?

I'm a Dolphins fan and I have no connection to NY whatsoever and yet I still have the irresistible urge to hug Eli Manning and give him a pat on his big ol' stupid head.

Am I alone here? Does this feel like an incredible victory for everyone else as well?

------------------------------------------------------

NFL Tickets, NBA Tickets, and MLB Tickets from Vividseats.com, including all New England Patriots Tickets and Nuggets Tickets! Also, we sell the cheapest Soccer Tickets and Golf Tickets.

For Queen and Country...

Now that's the endorsement the NFL was looking for...

Does a New York Giants linebacker saying the London game was beneficial to the team's Superbowl challenge, make the NFL smile?

"Everybody needs to get accustomed to a different environment," linebacker Antonio Pierce said. "I think it's good because we went to London."

You bet it does.

The fact that the New York Giants made it all the way to the Superbowl was a bit of a coup for the NFL and for Britain. In one season the Giants have shown the rest of the NFL that playing an international series game is not detrimental in any way.

And the fact that the players are now citing it as beneficial to their season - that's huge.

"That was the best. Besides the field, I would love to go back." ( Osi Umenyiora)

You know what the biggest complaint from the British fans was after the Wembley game?

"Not enough merchandise available" - I kid you not.

The NFL loves the UK. And you know what? The UK loves the NFL right back.

[BBC Sport]

The Best Weekend of Sports Is Nearly Upon Us

In all the anticipation ludicrous buildup to the Superbowl I almost forgot that this weekend is one of the best sporting weekends of the year.

The Rugby Six Nations gets underway on Saturday with Ireland, Italy followed by England, Wales and then Scotland, France on Sunday.

Then there's the little matter of the Superbowl of course, on Sunday evening.

Any spare time in between can be used to catch the A1GP from Australia (ok it ain't Formula 1 but it treats the withdrawal symptoms nicely!

So there you go, you can literally sit on your sofa watching great sports for the whole weekend! (like you didn't do that already...) But make the most of it, 'cause the next month or so is utterly barren.

More Hooplah for the Shooplah...

My second article is up over on Football Diner. Check it out HERE

Is It Ok To Make That Really Obvious Joke Now?

Try saying 'Tony Sparano' three times one time fast... I don't think I'm ever going to get used to this.

But hopefully, I'll have the time to. More then anything right now, the Dolphins need consistency at the Head Coaching position.

Name a team that has done well in recent times (Colts, Steelers, Pats) and what do you notice? They've all had at least four years with the same head coach. We've had five in five seasons - it's not hard to see the problem here.

So the first job for 'Big-Tone' is to not get fired (may be tough with Miami's roster). The second is to have a great FA and an even greater Draft. After that there's the small matter of bringing John Beck along and molding into the superstar QB we so badly need.

Is that all? Err... no. But you've got to start somewhere...

As Long As We're Talking 'Shelf Life'...

So Cam Cameron has been fired and Parcells is deciding which of his buddies he'd most like to spend the '08 season rimming.

*sigh*

The Dolphins are going to have their fifth coach in five seasons, but hey, at least the papers have something to write about for the next few weeks. There's always a silver lining...

Perhaps I'm crazy, but I think the Dolphins are in better shape now then they were after last years 6-10 Saban debacle. And that is largely due to Cameron laying the foundations for rebuilding; good drafting, solid free agents and a great value trade for Chris Chambers. It's a shame he'll never get the chance to actually finish (or even start!) the project.

What we need now, more then anything, is stability at HC. This was a bad move by the Big Tuna. You simply cannot judge Cameron on this season alone, he has become the fall-guy for a decade of mismanagement and bad drafting. It's a damn shame.

Last Call for the 1-15 Bandwagon!

This article by Jeff Darlington of the Miami Herald, sums up the future of the Dolphins perfectly, after their '07 season.

It was great to see John Beck come back from that nervy fumble to lead two impressive drives and not only throw his first NFL TD, but Rush for another one as well.

The big news now is whether Parcells has the strength of character (and mind) to ignore the pleas of fans and media alike and give Cam Cameron another year at the helm.

I see this as a big step for the NFL. In previous days, when the media were less persistently salivating over the prospect of a story, Head Coaches would be given the time to rebuild. They wouldn't be expected to perform miracles with a bad roster and a bundle of injuries to key players. But in this day and age, the media sadly have more power to dictate the future of a team.

I believe that a new Head Coach is not what Miami need right now. I believe that consistency and smart off-season moves are far more important for the future of this team. And I believe that Cam Cameron can turn this team around as early as next season, if he is just given the chance.

Reasons To Keep The Cameron Rolling

Imagine what would've been if the 49'ers had dropped Bill Walsh after his first season as head coach finished 2-14. Imagine if the Broncos had dropped John Elway after he was benched in his rookie year.

In the 24hr media driven world in which we now live, the press have become more concerned about the story of a fired coach then they have about what it means for the team.

And for the Dolphins, losing Cam would mean starting all over again. Again.

Cameron's first year as the Phins Head Coach cannot be judged solely on the results. Inspite of the cliche, they do not tell the whole story.

Take for instance, the injuries that the Dolphins have suffered this season. Imagine your teams roster... now put a big line through the starting quarter-back... done that? Ok, now put one through the starting running back, the second string running back, the third string running back... oh and the fourth string running back too.

How does that look to you? But wait, we're not done! Now strike a line through five DBs (any five you like, as long as at-least three of them are starters) and strike a line through your star linebacker, the leader of your team, and then one through the guy that replaced him. Stick all those players on I/R and tell me how many games you think you will win with what's left of your roster?

You see my point.

What coach could find a win with all of those injuries? Well, Cam Cameron actually. He found one against the Ravens just two weeks ago.

But aside from harking on the bad luck, what other reasons might we have for wanting Cameron to remain as head coach in Miami?

Let's see... How about personnel?

Just about every bright spark in this dark Dolphins season has come from a player who was either, drafted by Cameron, brought in by Cameron or developed by Cameron.

This year we saw Ronnie Brown finally become the stud RB we have been waiting for and Jason Allen come back from the bust abyss to lead the team in interceptions.

We saw Greg Camarillo come off of free agency and score two touch downs in two games, (one of which was the winning one in OT) and we saw Jesse Chatman over-performing week after week as second string RB until he too went down.

From his first draft we have the incredible success stories of Samson Satele, Ted Ginn Jnr (who is looking remarkably un-bustlike), Lorenzo Booker, Paul Soliai and Reagan Mauia. The jury is still out on John Beck.

Remember all that hullabaloo about the Dolphins draft last year? All seems a bit silly now, doesn't it?

Whether we like it or not, the Dolphins are in a state of rebuilding. Cameron has already put one superb set of youngsters in place and has set about rebuilding the roster. He has found diamonds in the free agency rough at times when we desperately needed them and he has held the locker room together, despite a truly horrendous season. What more can you ask from a head coach in his situation?

I am fully behind Cameron and I have everything crossed that Parcells will give him another year to continue rebuilding this team. The press may not like it, but it's the sensible thing to do.

1-13 Never Felt So Good

Let's just savor that moment again for a second:

[youtube="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfKy4rtexhk"]

CamaREEEEEEOOO!

There were a lot of 'Here we go again' moments yesterday. Up by three with 1.56 left on the clock, Feeley sends the Kickoff out of bounds - 'Here we go again'. The Ravens drive the entire length of the field and equalise - 'Here we go again'. The Ravens win the coin toss for overtime - 'Here we go again'. Matt Stover misses a field goal despite already hammering through three during the game - 'Here we... oh wait a minute... this isn't in the script...'

It's hard to describe the relief myself and so many other Dolphins fans are feeling today. It doesn't matter what happens in the last two games now, we've got our mark in the 'W' column and no matter how small, we've got some semblance of respect back. Today there's a smile on my face. Today I'm proud to be a Dolphins fan again.

Still With You...

When I was a kid, playing football in the yard in my Miami Dolphins tracksuit, it was all about Marino.

Marino took the snap, Marino dropped back and Marino either handed it off to Marino or threw a long bomb down the field to Marino who would score an incredible 75 yd touchdown with a one handed catch.

And when I got a little older and was working hard in school, I didn’t have dreams of playing in the NFL, I had dreams of playing Middle Linebacker for the Miami Dolphins.

Back then I used to take it for granted that the Dolphins would make it to the playoffs, but now those glory days are gone. We are 0-13 and have little hope in sight. The media have drawn the knives for Cameron and the fans are fuming. 0-16 is a real possibility.

When you take football as seriously as I do, watching your team lose every week can be a horrible experience. Every Sunday has left me feeling sick to the stomach and depressed beyond consoling. It takes me a full week to recover. I still get a little optimistic on a Sunday morning, but only to see the Dolphins crushed again. It’s terrible.

But it’s ok.

I understand that everything in the NFL is cyclical and that there is a ‘worst’ team in every season, this just happens to be our turn. I understand that, given time, the Dolphins will rebuild. They will turn it around.

So while some fans find it too much and turn away, while some reporters fill their papers with bile and call for everybody’s head, know that I’m still with you Dolphins, for better or worse.

And if you go 0-16 this year and then go 0-16 the year after that, I’ll still be with you. ‘Cause I’m a Miami Dolphins fan, always have been, always will be and if you go through tough times, then I go through them with you.

So when it’s -200° in Foxborough and we’re down 75-0 to the Patriots in the forth quarter and all the fly-by-night, glory seeking, lightweight Pats fans have gone home to their warm beds, you can look up and through the blizzard and the fog you’ll see one fan still standing. He’ll be cheering every first down you make and screaming ‘D-Fense’ ‘til his lungs burst. And he won’t leave the stands ‘til you leave the field.

And that fan will be me. I will never desert my team just because times are tough.

So play with heart Dolphins, play with pride. Fight for every inch and remember, I’m pulling for you.

And when the glory days return and Dolphin Stadium is filled with bandwagon jumpers, I’ll be there with a smile on my face and a beer in my hand. And I’ll be cheering, as always. Cheering to the bitter end.