Sports Agenda for Wednesday (3/14/12)
Big Story:
The Heat stunk it up in Orlando last night. The Panthers won to keep a slim lead in the southeast division. But today's agenda is primarily about the Miami Dolphins and NFL free agency.
Lyric of the day:
"Now in darkness world stops turning. Ashes where the bodies burning. No more war pigs have the power. Hand of God has struck the hour. Day of judgment God is calling. On their knees the war pigs crawling. Begging mercy for their sins. Satan laughing spreads his wings."
Miami Dolphins/NFL Free Agency:
I was trying to think of a witty way to start this, but the best I could come up with was a line from the movie Major League 2, said by Harry Doyle.
"Well he's gonna walk Beck to pitch to Parkman… obviously Taylor's thinking... I don't know WHAT the hell he's thinking."
That fits the Dolphins so far this year.
We sit here less than 24 hours into free agency and the Dolphins have yet to make a significant move to improve the team.
The Fins ditched Brandon Marshall yesterday for some magic beans, but that's about it.
So the Fins got rid of their best player because he might have thrown a punch in a fight?
Isn't this the same team that still re-signed Phillip Merling who was accused of punching out his pregnant wife?
Obviously Marshall didn't fit with the new coaches, but it makes me question what the heck the new coaches were looking at on the roster.
Think about it.
Right now, the Fins receivers are: Brian Hartline, Davone Bess, Anthony Fasano, Charles Clay, and….a few other stiffs.
If you're a defense, you stack 9 men in the box and dare them to throw it to a receiver.
Talk about easy game planning against the Fins.
But, we shouldn't be surprised by this.
Why you ask?
Because this is the blueprint laid down in Green Bay, and we're essentially going to be turned into Green Bay south.
The Packers build through the draft. They don't attack free agency at all, except rookie free agency when the seventh round of the draft ends.
So, think about what the Fins have done, gotten rid of their headache for more draft picks.
It's a good idea, except for a few flaws.
First, do you really trust Jeff Ireland and the Dolphins scouting department to put together a good draft?
Let's not forget, outside of the first round, these guys swing and miss more than Barry Bonds and Hank Aaron combined.
Second, the chances of hitting on a late round receiver to be as good as Marshall right out of the gate is not good.
Third, who the hell is going to be the quarterback?
Which brings us to…..
MANNINGEDDON:
So we're still waitin' for Peyton to make up his mind.
I guess Miami is hoping to get his final rose during decision time and then to ride off in the sunset with him.
Not. Going. To. Happen.
The more I've thought about it, the less I like Miami's chances.
Denver is really about one or two players away from making a serious run in the playoffs.
They got to the divisional round with Tim Tebow as the quarterback, think how far they can get with Manning.
Plus, they can finally rid themselves of Tebowmania.
And NO DOLPHINS FANS YOU DON'T WANT TIM TEBOW AS YOUR QUARTERBACK.
Sorry, but fans who think Tebow can win you a Super Bowl are as delusional as Rick Santorum supporters (yes, that was a cheap shot at Ignorbama and Moronissippi)
Honestly, the Broncos could draft a tight end late in the first round, sign a few players in free agency, and be set for a Super Bowl run immediately.
Unless…..
Wouldn't it be funny if the Colts were the sleeper team no one saw coming?
Not likely, but with Reggie Wayne re-signing there, it would be funny, but would never happen given Manning's cap costs already.
What Now For The Fins?
After giving it some thought, here's what the Fins should look into doing from here on out.
If Matt Flynn is your guy, give him no more than 6-7 million per for about 4 years to let him prove it on the field.
Use your new third round picks to trade up in the first round above the Rams and select wide receiver Justin Blackmon.
Sign right tackle Eric Winston.
Draft a tight end in the second round.
Draft a guard or defensive end with the third round pick.
Fill in gaps with remaining picks.
Maybe pick up Richard Marshall as a third corner/free safety.
That would solve all of your problems and give you a solid, young team going forward.
It would require some work, but nothing worth doing is never easy.
Carry that out, and I think the offseason is a massive success.
Anything short of that, and well, top 10 of 2013 NFL Draft, here we come!!!!!
Miami Heat: (vs. Chicago Bulls, 9:30 p.m., ESPN)
After a brutal loss to Orlando, really Orlando, the Heat travel to the Windy City to take on Da Bulls.
The Bulls are in first place and look good, but are easily beatable if the Heat are properly motivated, which they should be.
This year has been up and down for the Heat, but I think they may be about to hit an uptick after losing to the Magic.
Really? The Orlando Magic?
Sorry, still makes me scratch my head.
One thing I do know, if the Heat don't start guarding the 3-point line better, it's going to be a short playoff run if a team can knock down the trey.
Tipoff tonight is set for 9:30 p.m.
Florida Panthers: (off tonight, vs. Boston Thursday)
So the Cats buried the leafs last night 5-2.
Maybe should have saved a goal or two for Thursday's game against the ridiculously good Bruins.
Florida is exactly one point ahead of the Washington Capitals and five points ahead of Buffalo for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
A few more wins and the Cats can get in.
They play the Flyers, Sabres, Hurricanes, and Oilers next.
All those games except the Flyers are winnable.
Add in a game against the Islanders and Canadiens, plus the Wild and Blue Jackets and Florida ends the season against some very bad teams.
*Phew*
I'll be on top of all the free agent moves today, plus Peytonpalooza, and anything else I can find worth printing.
