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Happy New Year Dolphins Fans

Happy New Year 2019 with colorful fireworks

Well, 2018 wasn’t a great season for the Miami Dolphins. I believe to most of us, a change was more than welcome, and the Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross did not disappoint. Apparently, he’s as displeased with the teams performance as we are, and change was a necessity. The Adam Gase era is now over, lasting only 3 seasons in Miami. The offensive minded coach was expected to bring the Dolphins to new heights, but instead it was new lows. The Dolphins offense finished the season ranked #31 of 32 teams in total yards per game at just under 299 yards per game. #26 in scoring at 19.9 PPG. At 7-9, the Dolphins ended up with a -114 point differential. It’s kind of amazing that we were 7-9 considering how awful and inept we were on both sides of the ball.

The good news – Not only is Adam Gase removed as HC, Dowell Loggains is gone as OC, and Matt Burke also gone as DC.

More good news – Mike Tannenbaum is demoted from VP of Football Operations, and GM Chris Grier now absorbs that title.

GM Chris Grier has already begun the search for a new Head Coach. Rumors are flying around, and it’s difficult to really believe a lot of what is said, so take caution in what you start to fall for. Is John Harbaugh really going to leave the Baltimore Ravens? Is Jim Harbaugh going to leave the college ranks and leave Michigan to break his back again working 20 hour days during the NFL season? Is foot-loving Rex Ryan going to land feet first in Miami? We don’t really know, but it sure is fun to speculate.

The thing that makes me most happy about this transition is Chris Grier is speaking music to my ears. He says he wants to build a team, not try for the quick fix. (Check!)

Grier says we will not be big spenders in Free Agency, especially on veteran players, it would only be on young players, and no overspending. (Check!)

Really, that’s all I can ask for. A plan that can bring the Miami Dolphins to a point where winning is sustainable and consistent. Of course, it’s just a plan, and as we know the plan still has to be executed, and executed well. Regardless, I’m happy, very happy with the entire philosophy. It’s precisely where I think this team should be heading.

As of the moment, we do know the Miami Dolphins have asked the Bears permission to interview their DC Vic Fangio. Fangio is a long time NFL defensive coach, since 1995, first with the Carolina Panthers, the Indianapolis Colts, The Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers and then of course the Chicago Bears. The Bears lead the NFL allowing only 17.7 PPG, astounding in this new era of high scoring affairs. Personnel always has something to do with it, and the Bears trading for Khalil Mack had a huge impact on the defense.

Other names that will be bandied about are Mike McCarthy, Bruce Arians, Urban Meyer, Eric Bieniemy, Mike Munchak, Rex Ryan and more . . .

When Chris Grier makes his decision, I hope that the Head Coach chosen share many of the same philosophies and visions for the team, and then are able to fill out their staff with qualified coordinators. I truly hope that ST’s coordinator Darren Rizzi is still part of our team. Special teams has been an excellent unit here, and that’s all due to Rizzi, so I hope he’s being considered.

Here’s to hoping that we finally got this right, and Dolphins fans everywhere can enjoy competitive football for many years to come. As I’ve said in other articles, taking a step or two backwards is a necessary part of rebuilding, and I’m willing to take those lumps. A 3-13 or 4-12 season will bring better things for 2020, when some serious QB talent is expected to be available. That doesn’t mean I think we shouldn’t take one this season, I definitely hope we do. Doesn’t have to be early, but we need competition at the QB position, so somewhere in this draft I hope we find it.

Happy New Year!

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1,658 Responses to Happy New Year Dolphins Fans

  1. son of a son of a shula says:

    Parkey poor fucker

  2. The Flying Pig says:

    Remember Parkey in your thoughts and prayers tonight

  3. The Flying Pig says:

    No Porkey for Parkey

  4. Mike E. says:

    Man, that really sucks for the Bears. So damn close, and now it’s all ovah

  5. son of a son of a shula says:

    The Miami Miracle
    The Midway Double Doink

  6. The Flying Pig says:

  7. mf13ss says:

    Cody Parkey, the entire universe just gave you a collective hug… you need it. Man!

  8. BailBondMike says:

    Feel bad for the Bears. Now lets go hire Fangio! Something tells me he might not go anywhere unless the situation is right for him.

  9. Mike E. says:

    I wanted the Bears to win, I feel bad, but then I think about the Ravens losing, and all is well again.

  10. Ken says:

    Nick Foles stock rises again

  11. mf13ss says:

  12. mf13ss says:

  13. mf13ss says:

    Hey BB Mike,

    If we were to sign Fangio ASAP, I’d bet he now has HUGE respect for Nick Foles defeating his #1 Defense. I’d say Fangio might even pursue Foles as our next QB.

  14. mf13ss says:

  15. mf13ss says:

    Helps to have a nice O-Line, as the Eagles have.

  16. ElephantRider says:

    Bears are fools gold. Been saying it all year.

  17. Nick Foles reads the D well, audibled to other plays successfully today, moved around to avoid pressure, made plays under pressure and did a great job today to take his team down the field and win the game. He deserves a lot of credit.

  18. mf13ss says:

    I’m willing to sign Nick Foles, if the price is right. Let’s be honest: he’s only started 9 regular season games over the last 3 years, and he’s been up and down (more up than down, really). However, it is what it is. I can’t just go out there and sign him to a 3-year, $20M/per year contract.

    I don’t know if he has the stamina/consistency (remember Matt Moore?), and the most games Foles has ever started in a single season is 11, back in ’15.

    Could we land him for the $13M we’d free up by cutting/trading Tannehill? If so, I’M IN.

    • mf13ss says:

      And NO(!)… if the Eagles want to re-up him, I’m NOT trading for him. We’ve been down that road all too many times.

    • The Flying Pig says:

      I really want to draft a QB

      Signing one should be cheap and short term

      • mf13ss says:

        Absolutely agreed. I don’t want a FA QB to be our long-term future, but rather a short-term place-holder for the rookie we draft… either this year or next.

  19. ElephantRider says:

    Rather just go with Falk/Fales if rebuilding. Why spend the money….especially if drafting QB early. Throw him out there and see what hes got.

  20. ocalarob says:

    From what Ross has said it would not be likely that we sign a FA QB, that seems to be a win now philosophy,

    I would assume we have to get past Tannehills dead money first and buy time to reload in other areas. i think Drafting a QB either this year or next and going with who’s on the roster at this point seems more likely.

  21. ocalarob says:

    That was a crucial time out for Pederson, you would think having had a practice kick would make the next kick easier.

  22. John Harbaugh is signed thru 2019 so the only way the Phins would acquire him is thru trade. Ravens would reportedly be seeking two first rd picks as compensation. Would you be willing to do that?

    To me, this is a Ross/Tannenbaum move that sets the team back further. So, after all the TALK of saying they are rebuilding and not going to be in win now mode this would be the most Ross/Tannenbaum move ever.

    • The Flying Pig says:

      The contract doesn’t prevent them from firing him

      If no one trades for him, there a pretty good chance they fire him
      Unfortunately, that will take longer to develop than you want for hiring a HC

      But it’s possible the Ravens asks for 1 1st or morenintially and then lower the demands significantly when no one wants to make that trade for the same reasons we don’t want to

      It’s unsual to trade for a coach

  23. mf13ss says:

  24. mf13ss says:

  25. stangerx says:

    Didn’t know before today that Kris Richard played for the Phins. Got axed in the final cuts, but he was here. And Saban cut him… that’s a positive. 🙂

  26. Rockphin says:

    I think out of the choices that have been publicized I am leaning towards Eric Bieniemy or Rizzi.

    • stangerx says:

      Rock — either way….. seems real likely you get your blow it up. Gonna be a most interesting off season. First who it the HC and then what does he do.

    • CavalierKong says:

      That is where I am at. I’d like to see Rizzi get a shot, but I do think there is some concern about what kind of staff he can put together.

      Bieniemy is a solid choice, but is he going to want to come to Miami? He’ll likely have his pick of teams.

  27. D says:

    ocalarob says:
    January 7, 2019 at 8:20 am

    From what Ross has said it would not be likely that we sign a FA QB, that seems to be a win now philosophy,

    I would assume we have to get past Tannehills dead money first and buy time to reload in other areas. i think Drafting a QB either this year or next and going with who’s on the roster at this point seems more likely.
    Depends on the QB you get. McCown and Fitzpatrick are near idea transition QB’s because they are QB smart, a coach-player that you aren’t expecting to win now with but they help make a successful transition to a new QB since you dont have to throw them to the wolves and you dont have to leave them out there if you do put them out and they really flounder. I dont think anything about Fitzpatrick or McCown, or even Bridgewater say win now.

    There are no FA QB’s outside of maybe Nick Foles that says we are getting this guy to be our starter for the future. Bridgewater says you think he could be but i dont think you pay him to be the future either. All these QB’s are 7-8mil one to two year contracts and they are temporary solutions.

    If you get rid of Tanny’s horrible contract, re-coup 13mil of it and use 7-8 to sing a transition vet just to keep your rookie from being overwhelmed, you still pocket 5mil back to spend on another position. We could go no-vet, not backup option, which is what Falk and Fales would be, but thats a lot of pressure to put on the new dude. Some like the sink or swim philosophy when getting a new QB, id rather give him a chance to acclimate, thats why i purpose the transition vet.

  28. D says:

    I dont think its unusual to trade for a coach, its a commodity just like a player is. You have something people want, you have a contract that makes themyours unless they meat your trade request. I dont think the Ravens are in a position where they want out of the contract. The new QB was drafted by the current coaching staff, there doesnt seem to be a reason they would want to fire him. I would agree that you dont trade for him if you dont have to but i dont see this as any different than a player move. If you have a player and he fits your team you trade if you get the right offer, and you dont if you dont.

    Even if they would fire him (which again i dont tink they have motivation to do) it becomes a bidding war, so a trade locks him into being yours. I thin there is a lot of potential that Harbaugh would be traded for if he plays for anything but Balt next year. I really dont know if someone would meet their two firsts price tag, but i dont think the raven cut him if they dont get that offer filled.

  29. D says:

    I’m not a big fan of any of these coaches, i dont think hey seem a marked improvement over anything. They only off the idea of fresh blood and new ideas and hope for something better, which is fine, but i dont see success stamped on any of them. You also have some guys who have been HC’s before but they didn’t have a lot of success at it, or they are old and it seems that the new way of the NFL is passing them by.

    I think id rather have Jim Harbaugh out of all the potentials, but that may not even be a potential since he is still under contract at Michigan. Id be most excited by that hire. That said, Dennis Allen is starting to grow on me, I think Richards and Bienemy are risky but fresh new minds in the NFL on either side of the ball. I like Rizzi’s personality and his connection to the players. I think im in a position right now, that where i cant see a clear cut winner for the job, im ok with whatever decision they make out of the ones they have already spoken with, and unless they add Ryan to that list, i wont have any real opposition to other names that they bring in.

    I just want them to get this done so our coach can be involved in the upcoming player events like Senior Bowl and Combine. I really hope we dont risk not having them there when we are looking over some of these QB prospects, because a lot of the success that the coach and Grier will have or not have will depend on that selection.

  30. D says:

    ocalarob says:
    January 7, 2019 at 8:22 am

    That was a crucial time out for Pederson, you would think having had a practice kick would make the next kick easier.
    I dont believe that icing the kicker really works. I think that when they do miss after the time out lends creedence to it, but how many times does it not make a difference? How many times has it helped. I think it all balances out to it being a bogus thing.

    I mean it could have just as easily happened that the first kick bounced around like that and the second one, after the time out went right down the middle. That has happened plenty too. They got lucky is all. The icing shit doesnt really work.

    • CavalierKong says:

      I agree with this and the numbers appear to back up your point of view. This article is from 2011, so it’s possible the numbers have changed, but kicker percentage goes up significantly after an ‘icing’ attempt.

      Also Philly didn’t rush the first kick because the whistle blew, and I read an article this morning that says that Hester tipped the ball likely causing the missed kick. Video is inconclusive, but it looks possible. Maybe it gets tipped on the 1st kick if they had rushed, so it wasn’t so much icing as it was just another clutch play by Philly.

  31. Randy says:

    Most kickers say they like when the other team calls a TO. But, that second kick was tipped, so who knows if the TO made a difference. I tend to think they don’t. If your kicker is that fragile mentally, they probably wouldn’t be playing in the NFL anyway.

    • stangerx says:

      Eagles said it was tipped at least….. and see not reason why they would fib about it. If so, not all on Parkey unless was low, and didn’t look that.

  32. Mike E. says:

    We’re already spending over $13M on Tannehill, and he won’t be our QB. No futher spending on the QB position! We have Falk and Fales and the QB we draft. Keep saving cap money and roll into the next season, and the next. No need for a 1YR transition deal for a QB.

    • mf13ss says:

      I sense that you’re suggesting we tank in ’19! 😉

      • Mike E. says:

        You can say that. We’re just not going to waste any financial resources on a 1 year deal that won’t really make a difference for a franchise. I would expect we will struggle next year, and that’s fine. No one seems to mind when other teams trade all their stud players and throw in the towel and then get a top pick, so no one should care when we do it.

      • mf13ss says:

        We’ll just have to wait and see what the future holds. IMO? Our franchise QB isn’t there to be had in the ’19 Draft. Take that for what it’s worth! 😉

      • D says:

        Mikey im looking at it as having a mentor in the building to help the rookie along. I dont wanna go into the year with a Rookie and the best we have as a mentor in the QB room is Fales. I dont think thats giving the QB a good chance at success. Having the vet transition guy makes shit a lot easier on the transition of the rookie to be the starter, both from a mentor aspect and a no pressure in development aspect.

  33. mf13ss says:

    • D says:

      Thats why i would see it taking some stupid level offer to get him. something we shouldn’t be interested in doing.

      • mf13ss says:

        VERY MUCH agreed. I won’t trade for Harbaugh, period. What’s more (as I’ve stated before), it’s most unwise for Steve Ross to commit himself to the brothers… blood is thicker than water.

  34. ElephantRider says:

    Mike E

    That’s where i’m at with the QB situation. And hey, you never know what can happen!

    • D says:

      Id feel different if we had a QB capable of mentoring the rookie already on the roster, if if that guy wasnt good enough to be a starter, but someone that knows how to be a QB. I dont wanna spend to get a starting quality guy, i wasn’t to to spend enough not to just have the rookie hung out to dry.

  35. Mike E. says:

    D – I don’t really expect the QB we draft in this draft to be our franchise QB. He might be, but that’s the QB coach’s job to bring the QB along. We need talent at QB even if we draft a QB in 2020 early. We need to have talent and competition.

    • D says:

      I agree with that but i want to give the guy an adequate shot, i just dont want to fuck the kid up right out the gate. I dont see the harm in doing a transition guy, still save money off whats left from Tanny’s cap savings and then draft a guy, give him a chance to get acclimated to NFL speed, and then maybe draft again next year and let the 2nd year guy and the new rookie duke it out. We might find though we dont have to draft again, if the transition guy is phased out by week 6 or 7, we could get a real feel of the rookie and know if we need to draft again in 2020.

  36. stangerx says:

    If we are gonna go total rebuild….. how about kick the tires on Kaep if he is in shape? He’ll come on the cheap.

    • D says:

      Hell no….
      Not worth it for the shit it will stir. He burned down any chance to be in Miami with that shirt he wore about Castro. I think he would be bad for fan relations like on a HUGE level.

      • D says:

        I seriously hope you were joking about that lol.

      • stangerx says:

        You have a point on the Castro shirt….. but yeah was serious. Don’t let politics get too much in the way of my football. And dude has not committed a crime. Plus he can play some, and back to would come cheap.

    • mf13ss says:

  37. mf13ss says:

  38. mf13ss says:

    I seriously doubt Kap could even pass a drug test right now, let alone still be in football shape. And that’s just coming from the football side of things, let alone the political ramifications of what he’s done on the sideline and off the gridiron. He’s DONE.

    • stangerx says:

      All it takes is a call to find out. He says no and then he does. Can play better than what we have on the roster and he sure got Nike’s sales going.

  39. Tim Knight says:

    I don’t see Foles being a fit for a rebuild. I think he’d be a good fit for the Giants though.

  40. mf13ss says:

  41. mf13ss says:

  42. mf13ss says:

  43. Mike E. says:

    Stanger – I see no reason to bring Kaep here now. We’re in the beginning of rebuilding, what would be the point of bringing him in? 1 YR show me deal? He’s going to be 32, and he hasn’t played football in what will be 3 years. What’s your rationale for bringing him here?

    • stangerx says:

      Just to have a QB that makes things more interesting in 2019. And dude has — or at least did have — a scrambling make a play kind of talent that would work well with what assume will be a rebuilding team. Was in no way suggesting would be the QB of the future, especially given his age. But might be a good transition guy and a possible back-up for whoever is….. or maybe even the back up next year. Never really cared about the political part…. and always though he should be on an NFL roster.

      • Mike E. says:

        I think the last thing a new HC wants is a media circus following his team for all the wrong reasons.

      • stangerx says:

        I think you are right in that Mike E….. but just brainstorming. And I at least would be cool with him showing up to camp, even if also understand the spotlight would come with. But if team is going rebuild, why not take that on?

  44. mf13ss says:

    stangerx says:
    January 7, 2019 at 2:55 pm
    All it takes is a call to find out. He says no and then he does. Can play better than what we have on the roster and he sure got Nike’s sales going.
    Stanger, Kap is DONE. He’d likely be murdered in South Beach, and who really cares about Nike’s sales unless one is an investor in Nike? And even if Steve Ross was an investor in Nike, I KNOW he’s smart enough not to bring a mouse into a land of mice traps… that which Kap laid for himself.

    HE’S DONE.

  45. Tim Knight says:

    It’s time to stockpile young QBs and let them compete. Not vets. Keep searching for “the guy”.

  46. Just want to say one last thing about the head coach search. When you have a chance to hire someone from the Andy Reid coaching tree you do it. You don’t choose sloppy seconds.

  47. Randy says:

    Tanny is not the sort of guy I’d want mentoring a rookie QB. He doesn’t have a great QB mind himself and has never looked like he has great QB/football smarts. Just let the guy go and move on.

  48. mf13ss says:

  49. Mike E. says:

    I just realized David Fales is a FA next season. That just leaves Luke Falk (if we trade or cut Tannehill)

    • mf13ss says:

      You just now realized that?!! Yessir, we’ve got to find a FA QB… even as a backup to Falk (who isn’t the one).

      • ElephantRider says:

        According to folks around here, can put anything out there at QB and not notice a difference. So QB i’m not worried about. Besides…..arent we tanking for Tua?

      • mf13ss says:

        I don’t want to “tank” for anybody, but IF we were to, it would be for a QB in the ’20 Draft class.

  50. mf13ss says:

    The strangest thing is this: 2 of our last 3 HCs have made the playoffs in their first year on the job (Sparano and Gase).

    But then again, we’ve been mired in mediocrity. If we don’t get bounced out of the Wildcard round with ease, we JUST miss out on the playoffs every year.

    Something has to change to get us out of the mediocrity bubble.

    • D says:

      Sometimes teams can get a spark out of change, and that can give them that first year success. I think though Gase really didnt d much in his first year. A lot was mad about the 6 game streak we went on, but when i looked it up earlier this year, we really havent beat many good teams. We have strung together some wins against bad/sub .500 teams. Our wins in the time Gase was our HC have not been quality wins showing we were arriving as a team. I was glad to get them, dont get me wrog, but we got a false sense of accomplishment.

  51. D says:

    Randy says:
    January 7, 2019 at 3:34 pm

    Tanny is not the sort of guy I’d want mentoring a rookie QB. He doesn’t have a great QB mind himself and has never looked like he has great QB/football smarts. Just let the guy go and move on.
    Me either, i dont want Tanny mentoring anyone, nor Fales, thats why i was pushing for Fitzpatrick or McCown as the mentor/transition guy. Both know the QB position, they just werent talented enough to play it at an elite level.

  52. D says:

    I really dont think we are going to have to tank to rank in the bottom of the league next year. No that i dont think first year success might not happen, but by the time the next coach is done making all his changes to get his team, im betting we look pretty vulnerable lol.

  53. D says:

    I bet next years team we will look at nd go…welll ummm….its a team alright!

  54. D says:

    stangerx says:
    January 7, 2019 at 4:31 pm

    I think you are right in that Mike E….. but just brainstorming. And I at least would be cool with him showing up to camp, even if also understand the spotlight would come with. But if team is going rebuild, why not take that on?
    I dont think the guy is any good. Im not biased against his political stuff, i have my own feeling on that but him as the QB of this team, i just dont think he offers us anything that betters this team. He would be a horrible mentor, he is a system QB and most dont run that kind of system (we dont know who we will have at HC/OC so im not sure we wont, but its unlikely). I just see no benefit to Kaepernick and a lot of negatives with him, specifically the Castro thing.

    • stangerx says:

      Just throwing stuff around D. Not sold on who is on the roster right now for next year other than Tanny (and that not “sold” either). Have a hard time seeing Fales as the QB for next year, at least not without bringing someone else in.

    • D says:

      mf13ss says:
      January 7, 2019 at 5:34 pm

      Suffice it to say, our chances of finding a franchise QB is exponentially greater in 2020 than this year.
      I really dont think so. This pool this year isnt as bereft of talent as everyone thinks it is. I think there are some good candidates this year. You have a couple splashy player types in 2020 but i feel solid about this group too.

  55. ElephantRider says:

    Tua is that QB in 2020.

    • mf13ss says:

      I’m very well aware of Tua, good friend, but there are a few others who could be very good QBs as well. The 2019 college football season will reveal much more: it’s far too early to anoint anybody, and God forbid one of these QBs suffer major injuries.

      Time shall reveal! 🙂

  56. mf13ss says:

    DON’T DO IT, he’s not worth the gamble. 1-year starter, and we all know how that generally works out.

  57. mf13ss says:

  58. mf13ss says:

  59. mf13ss says:

  60. Randy says:

    Sorry, I must’ve misread your post. I thought you wanted Tanny as a mentor. Thank Jahn you didn’t, or I would have had to ask MikeE to get his hand involved. Lol

  61. Randy says:

    I’m leaning towards using this draft to build our defense. It seems to be the strength of this draft, and these playoffs are proving yet again that defense wins championships. Get this defense a couple more stud players, and we have a chance to be pretty good in a few years.

  62. D says:

    D says:
    January 7, 2019 at 5:59 pm

    mf13ss says:
    January 7, 2019 at 5:34 pm

    Suffice it to say, our chances of finding a franchise QB is exponentially greater in 2020 than this year.
    I really dont think so. This pool this year isnt as bereft of talent as everyone thinks it is. I think there are some good candidates this year. You have a couple splashy player types in 2020 but i feel solid about this group too.

  63. Rockphin says:

    D says:
    January 7, 2019 at 4:33 pm
    An one of them is John Denney……again

  64. Mike E. says:

    mf13ss says:
    January 7, 2019 at 3:49 pm (Edit)

    You just now realized that?!! Yessir, we’ve got to find a FA QB… even as a backup to Falk (who isn’t the one).

    LOL – You said that like I work for the Dolphins FO. 🙂

  65. son of a son of a shula says:

    Did we fire Tannehill yet?

  66. son of a son of a shula says:

    Get Haskins, there’s your rebuild

    • Mike E. says:

      I’m not stuck on any QB this year. It doesn’t have to be a the 1st RD either. Just bring in a talented QB, and we’ll see what happens. I’m looking to ’20 for our QB, but it would be nice to have a QB problem with too much talent, something that never happens here.

  67. son of a son of a shula says:

    Grier, despite me not knowing really all that much about him, gives me a lot of confidence. I feel like he’s going to do a great job and get us where we want to go. He’s going to get his coach and then together they’ll get themselves a quarterback, a good one.

  68. ocalarob says:

    No way should be able to get Haskins, if we do it’s another get rich quick scheme and we will be draft poor for future years I believe you can trade #1 draft picks up to 4 years in advance.

    .depending on who’s there at 13 trade back get draft rich, get a 2020 1st rnder for trading back, Tank next year and we will be in a great position to take the best QB. if he’s not there wait another year acquire more picks.

    be patient.

  69. son of a son of a shula says:

    The Cowboys coach that played in Miami might be a smart choice.

  70. ocalarob says:

    Maybe let Rizzi take over until one of the Harbaughs becomes free.

  71. son of a son of a shula says:

    Kris Richard, I was close

    I like him so far

  72. naplesfan2010 says:

    Please god do not hire Dennis Allen.
    My two faves so far are Kris Richard and Eric Bieniemy.

    Oh And Rizzi. Only thing is he might bring in his good buddy who just got fired from jests
    and i don’t think he is a good enough DC.

  73. naplesfan2010 says:

    PLEASE GOD NO GREG SCHIANO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  74. Mike E. says:

    Renee Richards. He can relate to both sexes very well. Good hire!

  75. Mike E. says:

    Son – You like Reshad? Let him go win a SB, Wake too. That ain’t happening here for at least 2-3 years.

    • son of a son of a shula says:

      We’re not as bad off as everyone suddenly thinks. Shit a few weeks ago we all thought playoffs were possible. We need a good quarterback so bad. We need D line and healthy Oline. I don’t see it as so dire. Keep adding talent and don’t be stupid.
      Get a quarterback and go

  76. Tim Knight says:

    I’m just going to throw this out there. The teams interviewing these asst. coaches for HC positions know more about them than any of us here, and even they don’t know if they will be successful or not. So this idea that we fans know who is good and who isn’t is silly. We have no say in it anyway so just go with the flow and hope for the best.

    10 HCs in the playoffs this year are first time HCs meaning they never were HCs anywhere else before they held the job with their current teams. Some are newer than others and some have been grinding for a few years or more. Nobody knows how it’s going to pan out. There are very few HCs in the league that are on their second team as HCs. Just saying!

  77. son of a son of a shula says:

    We start scoring like a normal offense our defense suddenly won’t look so bad

    • Tim Knight says:

      The defense also needs more work. But we were very young and knew in all phases. It wasn’t just about QB on offense either.

  78. son of a son of a shula says:

    He said “Rockits” – Fail

    Rockets red glare 🚀

  79. son of a son of a shula says:

    I’m watching 99 Raekwon Smith

  80. son of a son of a shula says:

    I’m going Clemson 🐅

  81. Tim Knight says:

    Son, I also think we have a young core where if we have two good offseasons in a row from here, we could be one of those up and coming teams in 2021. It doesn’t have to take 4-5 years. It can be 2-3 easily, and along the way you don’t have to suck. It’s not like we have no talent, but we don’t know who will still be on the team during that breakout 3rd season.

  82. son of a son of a shula says:

    Pick 6 Clemson
    Thanks Tua

  83. Mike E. says:

    Our QB just got pick 6ed

  84. Tim Knight says:

    Then BOOM!!! LOL

  85. Mike E. says:

    Our QB just threw a beauty of a TD

  86. naplesfan2010 says:

    Saban got speed matched against a run support safety one on one. …great coaching.

  87. Tim Knight says:

    Mando basically has his face in Tua’s crotch. Relax, dude! LOL

  88. Tim Knight says:

    Is Tua reportedly going to declare for the draft this year? If not, kind of early for 2020 no? LOL

    He’s really young (20) and just a sophomore.

    • ElephantRider says:

      Hes got IT…..cant teach that apparently

      • Tim Knight says:

        I’d be careful with that. He plays on a team that sends 10+ players to the NFL every year and multiple 1st rounders every year. Now everyone is Alabama when it comes to your competition. You don’t get to play the business and liberal arts students 5-6 times per year. LOL

    • The Flying Pig says:

      I mean right everyone expects him to go 1 in 2020

      But honestly I’ve seen qbs drop significantly in a year
      Hard to believe Bama won’t be good in 2020
      Or he won’t be go

      Would really take a 180
      But it happens

  89. The Flying Pig says:

    Go 🐅

    Signed 🐖

  90. The Flying Pig says:

    Rumors spreading that a Brian Flores is the front runner to get HC job with Dolphins

    • Tim Knight says:

      A clone or the real Brian Flores? 😉

    • The Flying Pig says:

      But the source of the rumor isn’t reliable

    • Tim Knight says:

      His resume is very versatile. I don’t know much about him but how would I? I didn’t know who Sean McVay was other than name as a young asst. coach. Do we really know these guys?

      • The Flying Pig says:

        No one really knows until they get to work
        Predictions on this subject are bullshit
        I don’t take anyone’s preferences seriously
        With the exception of people noting prior success or prior failure as a HC

        But performance as an assistant has limited value in terms of predicting success if you ask me

  91. The Flying Pig says:

    It looks like Fangio and Munchak might be out

  92. ElephantRider says:

    I want no Cheatriot garbage here!

  93. Tim Knight says:

    Anyone know how many HC’s were in the league this past year who have been HC’s for two different teams in the NFL? The answer my friend is you can’t count them on one hand, so you need your other hand. 😉

  94. ElephantRider says:

    Tua has a very high ceiling. What he did as a freshman was nerves of steel. Cant teach that either.

    • Tim Knight says:

      On Alabama. Not putting the kid down just saying maybe realize he’ll still have a learning curve in the NFL. The league that plays for pay.

  95. son of a son of a shula says:

    Feaster Bunny

  96. naplesfan2010 says:

    helmet to helmet on the QB run.

  97. son of a son of a shula says:

    Etienne is a nice back

  98. The Flying Pig says:

    Maybe Tua wants to Tank for us

  99. son of a son of a shula says:

    2 picks Tua

  100. TryPod says:

    Long story short- my daughter was looking at 2 schools: Alabama and University of South Carolina. I’m so glad she chose USC. I really don’t like Dabo, but Satan is Satan.. Go Tigers!!! And yes, I know the difference between USC and Clemson.

    • son of a son of a shula says:

      🐅 / 🐓

    • naplesfan2010 says:

      what is there to not like about Dabo? He seems like a very nice person.
      Not even homering for Clemson, as I went to grad school at Carolina and was born and raised in the state.

      just never heard anybody say anything bad about Dabo.

      • TryPod says:

        I’d rather not get into it- let’s just say he has things he believes that I don’t agree with. To each his own.

  101. son of a son of a shula says:

    ETN again!

  102. Tim Knight says:

    Tim Knight says:
    January 7, 2019 at 8:58 pm
    Anyone know how many HC’s were in the league this past year who have been HC’s for two different teams in the NFL? The answer my friend is you can’t count them on one hand, so you need your other hand. 😉

  103. The Flying Pig says:

    He didn’t see that coming

  104. The Flying Pig says:

  105. The Flying Pig says:

  106. Tim Knight says:

    This Alabama/Clemson rival is awesome if not boring. LOL

  107. naplesfan2010 says:

    They changed the Parkey kick to a blocked kick instead of a missed FG.

  108. naplesfan2010 says:

    Piggy i heard a rumor that the frontrunner for HC at Miami is Richard with Rizzi the dark horse.

  109. Rockphin says:

    6 out of 7 first time head coaches hired in 2016 are no longer at their jobs. The other? one the superbowl last year.

  110. naplesfan2010 says:

    I’m glad to not get Munchak. He’s done.

  111. The Flying Pig says:

    Trevor Lawrence looks a lot like a Rogers Waters

  112. naplesfan2010 says:

    My wife just watched the Saban halftime interview. Her comment.
    “Is that guy gay?” … “He sounds so effeminate.”
    Mind you, she’s not against ppl being gay;
    she said, “I didn’t think a gay guy could be a football coach.”

  113. Rockphin says:

    I am so tired of waiting to find out who our head coach is going to be. It seems like every 2-3 years we have to hire a new one……

    • naplesfan2010 says:

      Gase let me down big time.
      I really thought he was the guy to be coach 10-15 yrs at a high level of team success.
      I am still really disappointed in the way it went.

    • wyoming85 says:

      Wonder why????
      Mr blow it the fuck up!

      • Rockphin says:

        Wyoming, don’t put that on me. It had to happen. Gase is gone. Tannenbaum is gone. There is a chance Grier might succeed.

  114. The Flying Pig says:

    Is this standard procedure when removing some one

  115. son of a son of a shula says:

    WTF is this halftime?

  116. naplesfan2010 says:

    Clemson can’t feel safe with the RBs bama has.
    Plus that guy Jeudy is dangerous.
    And one year their TE beat us.
    15 points is not enough lead to relax.
    We miss our big guy on the DL.

  117. naplesfan2010 says:

    I’d rather have watched Lil Kim than Lil Wayne.

  118. The Flying Pig says:

    If I never see Lil Wayne perform again it will be perfect

  119. The Flying Pig says:

    Harris is a good back that doesn’t get a lot of attention

  120. The Flying Pig says:

  121. son of a son of a shula says:

    Boom 💥

  122. Tim Knight says:

  123. The Flying Pig says:

    No Senor!

  124. Tim Knight says:

    We discuss 4-3 vs. 3-4 DEF and then we see that the LAC DEF played 7 DBs against Jackson and the Ravens 58 out of 59 snaps.

    It’s a nickel and dime game. Just be stout up front and you’re okay. Secondary is huge and we have that.

    Build on it!

  125. The Flying Pig says:

    We didn’t get any comp picks btw

  126. son of a son of a shula says:

    Mother do you think they’ll drop the bomb

  127. naplesfan2010 says:

    We just ate ’em alive at the goal line.

  128. New Age says:

    That Clemson DL makes me really happy at #13. Some great talent Clelin!

  129. Tim Knight says:

    Alabama got destroyed. Wow!

  130. naplesfan2010 says:

    Go my mighty Tigers.
    Go Dolphins.

  131. Tim Knight says:

    Tank for skank. Never do it! It’s a fallacy. Playing good ball is as good as adding talent and there is always plenty available.

  132. naplesfan2010 says:

    Is it Swinney’s calling on the Lord that bothers you? I understand what you mean. I do not agree with that. I wish he would not invoke Jesus as he does. Even though I do love Jesus.

    I do not think that Clemson won because God favored them or blessed them in some supernatural way.

    I think we just beat the shit out of Alabama.

  133. ElephantRider says:

    LaFleur GB’s new HC?? I guess I missed something on TN’s offense……he must be friends with Rodgers.

  134. The Flying Pig says:

    Last night the conversation on twitter changed from tank for Tua to Tank for Trevor
    Bc Twitter is the knee jerk capital of the internet

  135. olddolphan says:

    WELL THAT WAS A MAJOR LEAGUE ASS-KICKING CLEMSON PUT ON ALABAMA!!! – – AND the biggest reason why it happened was CLEMSON’s DEFENSE!! – – I’m starting to come around to the idea that the Fins should go O-Line and D-Line in rounds 1 and 2, given the unlikely scenario of getting a stud QB in round 1. STILL, if our future starting QB can be had, we’ve GOT to get him!!
    SOME HC candidates will become head coaches within the next 3-5 days. ARIANS definitely seems headed to the Bucs. Meanwhile, look for ROSS to, once again, pick THE WRONG GUY!!
    no chance THAT THIS FOOTBALL CLUELESS OWNER will pick the best man for the job. Instead of wondering who our next HC will be, I’ll be focussing on WHO WILL BE OUR NEXT OWNER.

  136. son of a son of a shula says:

    Lafluer blocks Gase from Green Bay job.

    Gase we can’t have you come in here and start getting rid of our best players, as I’m sure Gase had a difficult time explaining this in his interviews.

  137. mf13ss says:

  138. Mike E. says:

    CBS Sports has us taking QB Daniel Jones in their latest mock @13

    • The Flying Pig says:

      You can see a player like Jones being hyped up and turning into a 1st rounder easily

      It’s similar to what happened to Patrick Mahomes or EJ Manuel before th draft obviously with much different results

      Teams don’t just reach for QBs
      But usually every year, some one gets a little more attention in the weeks before a draft and all of the sudden – he’s a high pick

  139. mf13ss says:

  140. mf13ss says:

  141. mf13ss says:

  142. mf13ss says:

    This was a cute tweet that should be taken with a grain of salt. Even Gil knew as much went he hit the post button.

    • stangerx says:

      Would GM GIl Brandt really be planing his team’s future around taking a QB in the 2021 draft? And unless he would be sucking for Luck….. whoever got the top pick might feel the exact same way and just say no. But guess just put out the grain of salt you talked about. 🙂

      • mf13ss says:

        Gil (WAY more so than me!!!) and I have both seen freshmen QBs tear up the NCAA. And we both know that so much can happen between now and draft eligibility. Least of which is GAME TAPE. The secret is now out.

        Yes… AMERICA now has their eyes on one Trevor Lawrence, and I think we all hope the very best for him! I hope young Trevor can handle his newfound celebrity in the most responsible of ways, for there are too many tales of those who could not…

  143. Rockphin says:

    Brian Flores emerging as top candidate for Dolphins head coach position

    This one get’s me upset. WHY!? What has he done? The only fruit from that coaching tree has been rotten. Not ONE of belicheat’s assistants has been a successful head coach. Bat has confirmed that the assistant coaches were not part the the deal made between NE and hell.

    • Rockphin says:

      “what has he done” – I.e. he doesn’t design plays, he doesn’t call plays, he is not even a coordinator. Piss on him!

  144. mf13ss says:

  145. Rockphin says:

    From the Phinsider poll:

    Who do you want to be the next head coach of the Miami Dolphins?
    23% Patriots LB coach Brian Flores

    26% Cowboys DB coach Kris Richard

    3% Saints DC Dennis Allen

    12% Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy

    36% Dolphins STC Darren Rizzi

    Obviously (to me at least) a bunch of morons read the phinsider….

    • stangerx says:

      They are just fans like us. And this one knows little about any of them except for Rizzi, who I do like but wouldn’t be crushed if does not get the job

      • Rockphin says:

        I was just throwing that out there as an opinionated dickhead. Like I know any better than they do! LOL I just don’t want Flores of all the choices he is the lowest on my list.

  146. stangerx says:

    M13 — I can’t remember which movie, but Trevor Lawrence with the long blond hair reminds me of the QB who came in a threw like anything in a football movie. Think he was from Cali and it was a high school team. Was it Remember the Titans?

    • mf13ss says:

      Honest to God, my good Brother Stanger, I’m not the guy to ask about movies. Many of my friends bust on me for not knowing or seeing many movies, but it’s true… I’m really not a movie buff, bud.

      • mf13ss says:

        That said, I could talk to you to ETERNITY about Star Wars, Indiana Jones, horror flicks, and certain movies that I will go out of my way to see! 🙂

  147. Rockphin says:

    A fresh complication for Xavien Howard in his quest to be league’s richest cornerback:

    Damarius Bilbo, the Atlanta-based sports agent who helped Jarvis Landry land a lucrative long-term contract with the Browns and had hoped to do the same with Xavien Howard this spring, has been suspended for three months by his industry’s governing body.

  148. mf13ss says:

  149. mf13ss says:

  150. stangerx says:

    M13 — I found him, and yeah it was Remember the Titans (worth a watch). Think you will see why was thinking Trevor Lawrence

  151. mf13ss says:

    • Rockphin says:

      next ex-head coach…..sigh

    • ElephantRider says:

      Says the guy that’s been harping for the team to tank for the last several weeks…..

    • CavalierKong says:

      His 1st point is the only one with validity. We may not land a top coach prospect because they don’t want to lose the 1st year or 2.

      His 2nd point about FAs not wanting to come here is stupid, because the point is to get away from high priced FAs.

      His 3rd point about fans calling it quits is stupid, because if the plan works and we actually become a good team, they will return. If you build it, they will come.

      And this article is such a load of douchebaggery. What was this article meant to accomplish other than sow seeds of discord?

      • Tim Knight says:

        Mando gets off on the negative sometimes. Nobody knows how any of this is going to go down.

  152. Rockphin says:

    Terrell Buckley Inducted Into College Football Hall Of Fame

    Good for him. Toast will never see the ballot for NFL hall of fame. TOAST Buckley. He was Chris Chambers on Defense.

    Chambers would make an incredible circus catch on one play and then drop the easy pass right in his numbers on the next play.

    Toast would make an Int on one drive and then try and miss on the next to give up the TD. He was so frustrating I wound up hating the player and wishing him gone.

  153. mf13ss says:

  154. mf13ss says:

    • son of a son of a shula says:

      He’s my front runner. Seems like he’d be good for our team. No more corpse we need some emotion from our coach. He’ll know how to get our defense going too.

  155. son of a son of a shula says:

    We play in Dallas next year I wonder if it will be on Thanksgiving

    • stangerx says:

      1 in 8 chance, except with them trying to put div games at the end even better than that. Actually hope so. National TV and creates more possibles for the fest. We don’t like no stinking turkeys for the fest. 🙂

    • CavalierKong says:

      I love Thanksgiving Dolphins games. Thank you, Leon Lett!!!

      • olddolphan says:

        KONG: Somewhere I have the headline from USA TODAY which said “Cowboys ‘LETT’ one get away!”

  156. naplesfan2010 says:

    Go Tigers

    • son of a son of a shula says:

      I’m happy for you man what a great win

      • naplesfan2010 says:

        thank you Sir
        … just very inspiring to see a smaller school have success and do it the right way with the players and their parents almost universally happy with the total experience.

    • mf13ss says:

      I AM a big fan of Dabo Swinney…both the person and the coach.

      Naples, I think you know how “Dabo” got that name, no?

  157. olddolphan says:

    PHELONIUS PHISH: AS OF TODAY, I’ve NOT received your $50 check you said you mailed about a week ago.
    DO I NEED to give you my address again?

  158. mf13ss says:

  159. TryPod says:

    naplesfan2010 says:
    January 7, 2019 at 11:58 pm
    Is it Swinney’s calling on the Lord that bothers you? I understand what you mean. I do not agree with that. I wish he would not invoke Jesus as he does. Even though I do love Jesus.

    I do not think that Clemson won because God favored them or blessed them in some supernatural way.

    I think we just beat the shit out of Alabama.
    Mr Naples- no need to be formal. I’m fairly non-confrontational.
    You asked me about Swinney. Yes, he has said some fairly stupid things. I cannot keep track of everything that has come out of his mouth that I find stupefying. I Googled “Stupid things Swinney said” and was greeted with several links to stories on the subject. Some I knew about, others I learned about for the first time.
    You know how butt-hurt some people get when an athlete or an entertainer makes some political or social statement? I think coaches should be held to the same standard.
    I’m glad Clemson best Alabama. Enjoy your “We” moment.

  160. son of a son of a shula says:

    “That boy” had his boys playing at a high level last night

  161. New Age says:

    I like Swinney a lot. He says what he thinks and doesn’t back down to people who expect him to toe the line. Hell of a coach too considering he completely out-coached the best in the business. His recruiting is amazing too.

  162. TryPod says:

    I was just responding to Naples direct question. I don’t expect many or any to she with me, not to say if they like him or not. “I don’t like him” doesn’t mean “I hate him” or that he can’t coach. I don’t like hypocrisy as rule.

    • TryPod says:

      *agree with me, nor to say if they

      • New Age says:

        I don’t know his hypocrisy too much so maybe that’s why. I’m also tired of the Saban dynasty so that could be part of my thoughts as well. I liked Richt a lot and he wasn’t really a great coach so no biggie. We all have our guys we like and dislike in all phases of sports.

  163. Rockphin says:

    ElephantRider says:
    January 8, 2019 at 3:00 pm
    Says the guy that’s been harping for the team to tank for the last several weeks…..

    What!? Me? Never! You have never ever ever heard me root to lose.

    Wasn’t set up and wishing for Gase to get fired? yes but I have never ever rooted for the Miami Dolphins to lose a game

  164. Tim Knight says:

    OD, I believe Ross said Grier makes all football decisions. Of course Ross will be in the know and sign the checks.

  165. Tim Knight says:

    Man people on Omar and Mando’s twitter etc. are real worry warts. If we wait too long to hire our HC we might not get good assistants for the staff. As if they know WTF they’re talking about. LOL

  166. Mike E. says:

    I’m not really a fan of the article Mando wrote about us tanking. First off, tanking is not entirley accurate. We’re going to try to get younger, and while doing that, shed some of the higher contracts. That doesn’t guarantee we’re going to be terrible, and it definitely doesn’t mean we’re not going to try to win games.

    • Tim Knight says:

      Agreed. I also have no real horse in the HC race and coaches usually hire people they know or are currently available looking for a job but have good reputations. Whoever the HC and staff are I’m just going with the flow. What we do personnel wise is what I’m really interested in. That and what type of team they want to be. Besides winning, wise guys. LOL

  167. Mike E. says:

    Is it true the Cardinals are going with Angela Lansbury as HC?

  168. mf13ss says:

  169. mf13ss says:

    son of a son of a shula says:
    January 8, 2019 at 6:23 pm
    “That boy” had his boys playing at a high level last night
    You’ve got it, man! Except, it was “dat boy”. Deep south. Hence, “Dabo”.

  170. wyoming85 says:

  171. mf13ss says:

  172. mf13ss says:

    Adam Gase, you’re FI—-… oh yeah, you’ve already been fired. Just another example as to why he was fired.

    • Tim Knight says:

      I didn’t understand why he didn’t use Drake more. I know he had a shoulder injury late in the season but even before that he was used sparingly. I thought he was going to be a focus of the offense and that’s why I protected him in FF. We’ll see what the new HC thinks about him along with the OC.

  173. mf13ss says:

  174. The Flying Pig says:

    Right now the rumor is Richard is the favorite
    But I’m wondering if a Harbaugh brother is a possibility

    • son of a son of a shula says:

      The four guys interviewed are still in the playoffs and Harbaugh is negotiating with Baltimore. I haven’t heard even a peep about Jim, I seriously doubt he’s in play. And then there’s Rizzi, who knows where he truly stands in this.

    • Tim Knight says:

      I’m thinking Grier may go with a defensive HC. Our last 4 have been offensive coaches. Get a defensive minded coach and find a OC that fits with his philosophy and let him run it. You can always be in games with good defense. Offense takes you over the top and that will come with some work on the OL and a QB.

  175. naplesfan2010 says:

    I think (among a lot of other things) Gase was overwhelmed by the choices on offense, especially before all the injuries.

    Several commentators laughed about “not having enough footballs to go around,” which is a common joke when an offense has multiple lesser stars (and thus does not have one mega star).

    Gase failed to find the right mix of throwing to the smurfs, developing the 3 young TEs, and proportionally splitting carries between Gore and Drake (and ignoring Ballage way too much).

    Of course in Gase’s defense, Tannehill has never been real good at spreading the ball around, we have not had a true WR1 in a long time, Gore is 52 yrs old, and 7 of the 11 playmakers were on a different team the previous yr. Throw in the Osweiler games and it’s a hot mess for a play-caller, especially one who must also manage the game cuz he was too stubborn to use a real OC.

    • son of a son of a shula says:

      Glad you mentioned Tannehill because he had a big hand in our ineptness.

      • Tim Knight says:

        He didn’t do himself any favors down the stretch and once Gase was fired and we went in the new direction I think it became clear he’s not part of the vision moving forward.

        Now is the time to let Grier build it the way he envisions it – build on the good young players we do have and keep adding more good young players. With win now out of the mix there can’t be a better time to do it this way.

  176. olddolphan says:

    SPEAKING OF OSWEILER, the Fins defeated the mighty Bears with Brock the Inept at quarterback!! I REALLY BELIEVED, going into the playofffs, the Bears were over rated.
    I CAN’T SETTLE THIS DEBT the way I did the old one because A) I don’t have his phone number and B) to the best of my knowledge, I’ve never met this guy.
    NOT concerned that Fins haven’t zeroed in on a coaching candidate. There will STILL be plenty of bad choices available a week from now. A local Bucs’ fan, noting Munchak’s statement that he has no interest in working for Ross, said to me “Well, Ross could always offer Gase his old job back!?!?”
    These Buccaneer fans think they are accomplished comedians.

  177. The Flying Pig says:

    This is all over twitter

  178. son of a son of a shula says:

    Bieniemy is the only offensive coach who’s been interviewed. Even Rizzi and Harbaugh as we know are ST guys.
    I like a Defensive coach for us even if he brings a 3-4. The only problem with that is Gase gave our NT to Buffalo.

    • Tim Knight says:

      I don’t think Phillips would be a good NT. Not consistent enough and lacks the motor to play a really tough position.

  179. naplesfan2010 says:

    well I typed in “stupid things swinney said” and was met with an article on VS.

    The writer ‘s first point was to defend Kaepernick, so he lost me right there.

    I am also against college player unions, so I agreed with Dabo on that one also.

    The writer said the game is less safe now than it used to be, disagreeing with Dabo, but I played the game back in the day, and the only was it is more dangerous today is the pure size of players and thus over-stress on body parts which can’t be made stronger through weight training. The rules protecting players nowadays are much stricter and violent collisions are much less frequent.

    Anyway, I don’t need to defend Swinney. So I will stop.

    I am a strong supporter of separating church and state, so if Dabo wants to make a rule that players must attend church, that is wrong, but I do not find any evidence of coercion.

    However, invoking high moral standards while teaching teenagers how to become good men is not mixing church and state, it is what every parent, coach, teacher, and rock star ought to be doing 24/7.

    • TryPod says:

      I don’t think any of this makes him a horrible human being. I just said I didn’t like him. I certainly was not trying to affect yours or anyone else’s opinion of him. To each his own.

  180. naplesfan2010 says:

    I don’t get Mando’s lamenting “how long” the coach search is taking.
    We need to get this right, not fast.
    I get not wanting to lose a good hire to another team, but I do not think Arians is a good fit for us at all, LaFleur is less than a 50/50 to succeed, and Kingsbury is a prayer in the desert.

    Munchak and Fangio are stodgy frumps, relics who have not kept up with the times, although they are good football men who have coached well in the past. I don’t want them here, either.

    I think we need an uptempo guy, but not a chaotic guy like Gase. We need toughness, but not stubbornness like Gase displayed. We need someone to keep the players loose, but not get into peer level hissy fit power struggles that make over-achievers into divas like what happened with Landry and Phillips and Ajayi.

  181. Tim Knight says:

    Rizzi has to blow them away with his plan on how to turn the team around. Everyone in the building already knows him and loves him. The other guys had to meet and greet and put their plan together. I’d have no problem with Rizzi but my gut says Flores or Richard – defensive coach.

  182. dcoralsprings says:

    I get the dumping high price tag fa etc
    And build young is always a good idea to me,
    We may have to bring in a fa qb to help transition

    But doesn’t the current bargaining agreement state we have to spend X percent (huge) of the cap to player contract ie: can’t keep it ?

    • Tim Knight says:

      You can rollover a % but you also don’t have to lock up any high priced UFAs long-term. Sign more 2nd tier guys than the big fish. If you spread your FA out at multiple positions with young talent now you have more competition throughout the team and the chance to build chemistry moving forward with the best of the lot. In a few years when you think your close maybe then you target a big time FA or make a trade to help put you over the top.

  183. ElephantRider says:

    My comment was directed at Mando and his article….not you. 🙂

  184. ElephantRider says:

    Rizzi can explain how he gets the most out of each player. If anybody comes in and says I will adapt to each players strengths, hire that guy!

    Gase always said he would gameplan and each week would be different depending on the matchups. Never saw it….ever .

    • Tim Knight says:

      It did happen but each week we lost another player. The team was playing backups to backups and guys off the street at the end. It doesn’t matter now. Let’s hope the new regime has more good fortune. 🙂

      The Gase project didn’t work.

      • ElephantRider says:

        I never saw it. No Stills, no TEs, only the same WR screens and abandoned run game. If he was limited by QB that’s on him too.
        I pulled for him and he never changed anything.
        Injuries happened and what changed?

  185. CavalierKong says:

    So now Gase’s only shot pretty much has to be with the Jest, right? I haven’t seen anything saying the Bengals are interviewing him.

    • Tim Knight says:

      Yeah he only interviewed with ARZ, GB and NYJ, all teams with QBs – Rodgers and the youngins Rosen and Darnold. I did see a tweet on the SS as a possible OC at Alabama due to his ties with Saban.

  186. Tim Knight says:

    ER, not saying nothing wasn’t on Gase, just that it wasn’t ideal. The team fell apart which is also a problem. Even one of our best players in Howard missed the last 3 games. I mean come on! WTF with so many guys going down?!!!

    • ElephantRider says:

      It’s an annual event down there. I dont know. At least M is working on solving the mystery. 😉

      Gase definitely was losing the team towards the end. Oh well….on to the next one! Its gotta end one day right?

      GO Fins

  187. ukfinfan says:

    Morning mob and Happy New Year to everyone. Quick fly by – saw some posts about TL. I know Simon Clancy isn’t liked by some of y’all, but this is a good read if you have nothing better to do in between play-off weekends in which the Dolphins fail to appear yet again.

    Here’s hoping the next reset reaps more results than the last eleventeen (sic)

    • stangerx says:

      Good to see you OK — and great article. I’ve always like Simon’s stuff…. and seemed he’s moved up i the world to the point where he gets to visit high school prospects.

      • ukfinfan says:

        Thanks Stanger – you too and glad you enjoyed your vacay. Sounds very cool.

        Simon is doing well for himself. He was a producer for the BBC sports prog but also writes for Gridiron UK, a nationwide magazine and is a journalist with Joe.UK now. Top chap …… except he supports Liverpool – my soccer team’s hated enemy. He has a MILLION connections with American Footy at all levels including inside the Fins. He doesn’t always get it right – he loved Gase. He’s bigging up Richards at the mo. He created he Legion of Boom and turned Da Bears into a top D (Khalil Mack didn’t do them any harm either!) A good follow on Twitter, if you happen to Tweet.

      • stangerx says:

        Well if Simon supports Liverpool he is right happy now (yeah watched a lot of BBC over the holidays). And glad he has turned his passion into his profession, very few get to do that. But he used to blow me away with how much he knew about college football prospects that one year at the SS. Would be like me breaking down cricket test match rosters better than any Brit could do.

  188. Mike E. says:

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Kalamazoo Water Damage Repairs

Kalamazoo MI Flood Cleanup and Water Damage Restoration

No one ever wants to walk into their home to see that they have sustained water damage. It can be devastating to see home and your valuables ravaged by water. Thankfully, Fire Water and Storm Pros of Michigan have expertise in this field and can help you restore your property to pre-disaster condition.  We have been in this business for over 30 years, and that is something that sets us apart from other companies. We will come to your home at the earliest and asses your property then set up a plan with you.  If you need your personal belongings to be restored, have no worries. We can take them to our offsite facility, where they will then be dried with our state of the art equipment.

When your home or business suffers water damage, quick repair and restoration is required. The reason every minute counts when dealing with water damage is water damage gets worse with time. Every moment of indecision of a home owner means more water damage. Quick and effective water damage repair from trained and certified professionals can mean the difference between saving building materials and possessions versus losing them. Fire Water and Storm Pros of Kalamazoo, Michigan has over 30 years of experience in emergency water damage cleanup and restoration.

Water Removal and Structural Drying Services

Water Damage RestorationWhat makes Fire Water and Storm Pros of Kalamazoo, Michigan different then many other water damage mitigation companies? We employ the most advanced rapid drying equipment in the field of water damage repair for one. With our advanced rapid drying equipment we can usually have a home or business completely dry with 48 hours or less. We also employ moisture meters to detect any hidden water and moisture, such as water that may have seeped below a floor, or into walls. We have the know how and means to remove even water that a home owner cannot see, yet water that is destroying a home from inside.

As a leading disaster recovery contractor we provide the following services to Kalamazoo property owners: , fire damage restoration,storm damage repairs, flooded basement cleanup.

Water damage can be one of the most devastating things to ever face a home owner. Our emergency technician teams are standing by 24/7, and can be dispatched immediately to your home or business. Our emergency technician teams can access the damage and give you a quote on the damage and restoration costs. We will then begin the work immediately after we get your approval. We will even work with your insurance adjuster to help you with your claim. Every bit of damage is recorded by photograph for your insurance adjuster to back up your claim.

Fire Water and Storm Pros of Kalamazoo, Michigan’s water damage repair and water damage restoration teams have the most advanced equipment in the industry, and over 20 years experience necessary to even handle your worst flood problems. Fire Water and Storm Pros of Kalamazoo can even handle content drying and . We can even prevent mold outbreaks from occurring with our sanitization methods we employ. Mold often occurs after water damage as mold thrives in wet and damp environments. we safely dry and disinfect all the areas of the property that have been flooded or damaged by water and rain. Water from a flood is often contaminated with dangerous pathogens, and our expert teams strive to protect our clients from these pathogens with our sanitization methods. We will also deodorize any site should the home or business be effected by any odors from the water damage. We there for test for mold and mildew and treat any bacterial growth in the home.

Our experts even know what is the most important stages to begin first on any given restoration job. We can also temporarily store your personal items safely during the restoration and clean up process and safely deliver them back to you. Fire Water and Storm Pros of Kalamazoo can even handle restoration of documents damage by water if necessary. We can restore anything from building materials to its contents.

Resources for property owners in the Kalamazoo region:

City Website

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kalamazoo MI

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PSA: Hobbyist Resellers Should Avoid Selling Big Ticket Items

I have been reselling now for a little over a year.  In that time I had never had a return until a few weeks ago. The return process was not a big pain in the ass but it did make me thankful that I never had a return on the larger ticket items I used to focus on.

For the last couple of months I have been selling a product that I’ve been pretty happy with.  My ROI is around 30% and the individual cost per product is about $46.  I have been buying 20 at a time and I usually sell out within 7 days of the product listing.  I am not going to disclose what the product is since it is a clearance item and I feel pretty darn lucky that it has not run out yet.

Recently, however, I had two items returned.  I wanted to talk about the process because I think it highlights why, if you are a small time reseller like me, you should avoid reselling big ticket items.

First: Notice of Refund

I got an email from Amazon informing me that a customer was refunded their purchase price and $128 dollars was deducted from my account.  This was not too big of a deal since I had just sold out of this product and had $1300 in my account.

However, I noticed in the email it said nothing about the return process itself so I made an inquiry and here is the gist the response:

Therefore I would like to inform you that whenever a refund is issued to the buyer, a 45 days return window is provided to the buyer in which they can ship the product back to our fulfillment center. When the product is returned to FC units upon investigation returned to your inventory if sell-able and if the buyer fail to return the product then after 45 days you will be reimbursed automatically.”

After receiving this email, I thought thank god I did not get a return on the $1,000 iPads I was selling.  I play around with $1,000 to $2,000 in inventory.  My habit is to not buy more product until I have received payment from Amazon for products already sold.  A potential 45+ day wait for a refund would have sucked big time.

Second: The Refund Process

Turns out with this particular return I did not have to wait 45 days.  For whatever reason (Amazon never said why) they initiated a reimbursement to me on this product about a week later.  The one problem was they reimbursed me $116 or to put another way $12 less than what they took out of my account.

I emailed Amazon to ask for an adjustment. The process was sort of a pain in the ass but that was my fault.  They would send me an email and I would respond to the email, instead of logging in to my account to respond.  I guess you can’t respond directly to the email you get.

Anyway, they asked for an invoice (my purchase receipt) to process my claim.  I provided the receipt and they promptly refunded me an additional $12 to bring it back in line with what was deducted from me.

Again, however, the reimbursement process also made me question the wisdom of big ticket items.  While most of my iPad purchases, for example, came from Staples I did occasionally buy from eBay.  Given the issues around reselling Apple products, I wonder if Amazon would have so easily accepted a receipt from a non-authorized seller of Apple products?

I am still learning the reselling game and I feel like this was another bullet point to add to the list of reasons why I am wiser to move away from big ticket items and focus on lower priced and higher ROI items.

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Monthly Archives: June 2013

The boys and I and my friend Jason hit opening day of trout season on a reasonably-kept secret Finger Lakes stream again this past April first. I don’t know if two years counts as tradition, but I’m gonna say we’ve got the start of one on our hands. Once we traipsed past the set-up-camp-on-the-closest-damn-hole-to-the-road-and-dunk-the-hell-out-of-egg-sacks-and-worms crew, we found some space and water. And the snow flew. And the temps had the boys putting their hands in their armpits. And I have no idea how the fish we found made it to where we found them. And a video was made to the Beasties. Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there.

Filed under Fatherhood and venison jerkey, On the water

Skiff full-on running out of Islamorada open water pounding wave to wave in the backcountry fleeting bottom playing tag rising and falling beneath our haul and current rip sprawling flat to white sand pothole to grass edge to channel to suddenly skinny water again and again four days in a row dockside coffee and painfully gorgeous sunrises bow to still blazing overcast-and-blue to slate gray and blackening skies clouds rising up and over dragging walls of rain blasting the water’s surface swallowing each key erasing each from the horizon south north west east sounding like the wind in the hardwood leaves of my northeast youth rod tips buzzing electrically current finding its obvious channel we don’t abide till evening sore backs or empty gas tanks force us grudgingly to the take out

Here we are four names from four corners that have become grateful handshakes beers laughs and stories here we are comrades in hard-fought long-ass patrols staring in shit light at likely expanses for tails shadows pushes nervous water fish that make you forget to breathe here we have discovered that time is nothing and timing is everything here we wade into the psychedelic sunset and gulf-side glass philosophy of fly proportions hypothesize about the geometry of presentations and 30 knot right-shoulder double-hauls theorize about instinct and the insanity that should ensue and consider the futility of our efforts reliving every short-strike follow spook snub blown shot or un-buttoned fish grateful for the few brilliant cold bodies we brought to hand here we may be humbled and mortal but here our souls have discovered immortality

Immortality. Photo by Eric Estrada

Thanks need to go out to those Comrades mentioned above: Davin Ebanks (, Bjorn Stromsness (, Adrienne Comeau ( and Eric Estrada ( Thanks also to Mark Richens of Thomas & Thomas Fly Rods for generously putting us up (and putting up with us) for the weekend and the fine folks at Skinny Water Culture and Fishpond for the gear.

Filed under On the water, The road


text:
Tag Archives: fishing

The leaves aren’t the only things that turn in this neck of the woods once Fall arrives. In our barn, upstairs in the hunt/fish lodge, the fishing gear that has been sitting in various states of take-out and put-back for the past four-or-so months has do-si-do’d with my hunting gear. Chest-packs and tackle boxes, rods and kayak paddles have changed places with tree stands and goose blinds, compound bows and camo clothes. A bittersweet swap, this season, leaving one girl at her front door while another waits in the truck honking the horn. Fortunately, my wife is remarkably understanding.

While my annual shift in pastimes is essentially no different than it ever has been, there is one welcome addition to the mix: the boys. Their enthusiasm for all things wild and fishy is not new. I’ve told many a story about their outdoor revelry in previous posts. But this past weekend brought about an outdoor first for them. And a bit of perspective for me.

Saturday morning was windy and cold. Not creep-into-your-backbone-make-you-have-to-pee cold, but cold enough. Like a headlamp with fading batteries, the exactly-half moon cast the woods in a soft light under a cloudless pre-dawn sky. The deer would be moving and, in the dark of ten minutes to six, my gut was telling me that they’d be moving in my direction. At ten to nine a big doe made good on my gut’s intuition.

Broadside at 35 yards, but walking. I drew, put my 30 yard pin juuuust a touch high on her shoulder and let loose an arrow which found the heart of a very big shag-bark hickory behind her. That tree didn’t stand a chance. I lost sight of her at about 80 yards as she headed into a thicket. Figuring my arrow found a twig or branch somewhere between my bow and where she had stood, I counted it a clean miss and hunted for another hour or so. At 11:30 I started my walk out, heading to my trophy hardwood to retrieve my arrow.

When I got there however, the arrow told another story. It had found it’s mark prior to finding the tree. Considering the doe’s unhurried retreat, I figured the shot was probably good but not stellar. I decided I’d better let her be for a little while longer, left the woods and went home to get my blond bloodhounds. No sooner had I told them I had a deer down and needed their help tracking her, every piece of camouflaged clothing they owned was on and they were yahoo-ing their way to the truck. They’ve only ever seen the deer in the back of the truck when we brought them home. This was their first time to actually be a part of the hunt.

Holding his homemade stick-and-string bow, Jonah, told me, Dad, I’m gonna bring my bow in case there’s another one around. Followed by, can I use one of your arrows? I don’t have any.

Cam demonstrated a make-shift karate kick-chop that he would employ if the wild-animal need should arise.

We were off.

My dad met us for the search. I gave the boys the lay of the land.

You’ve got to be quiet and whisper when you talk. If she’s still alive we don’t want to spook her. Make sure you stay behind Papa and me. And if you see something, I added, give me a psssst!

They started right off into the brush ahead of us, jabbering away. In a short while they got the hang of the search. Pointing things out to each other, giving me a pssssst! every now and again to point out a red leaf or show me a cool new stick that was perfect for another bow. We followed the trail for a half-hour before I spotted the doe.

I see her! said Cam, following the direction of my point.
So do I! said Jonah, not really seeing her yet.

After a holy cow and she’s-a-big-one and the obligatory can I touch her eye? I got to work. The next half-hour was full of more anatomy and physiology questions than timeouts in the last 2-minutes of a college basketball game. My guess is that when they get into dissecting frogs or pigs in Biology class, the girls will be scrambling to have them as partners. We got the doe in the truck and took her to get set for the freezer. On the ride home, the boys were both off out the window with their thoughts.

That was cool.
Yea, Dad, that was cool.

The next day was Halloween. After trick-or-treating, I got a text from my dad that he needed my help. He had been out in his stand that afternoon and had shot a big buck around dusk. Dad saw him go down. Thinking the jig was up, he made his way over toward the deer only to have it jump up and bound off in the direction of a 40 acre swale field and thick stand of pines. Night settling in, along with snow-showers, he decided to head home and get a hold of his own bloodhound. Cam wanted to go with me, but bedtime won out.

As I hope they boys and I will, Dad and I have tracked many, many deer together. Our purposeful zig-zags covering acres and acres of fields and woods, day or night, regardless of weather. We strategize and hypothesize about likely directions and how far they might have run before lying down again. We joke and talk about life. We learn more about each other with every deer we find. It’s a big part of why I enjoy hunting as much as I do.

Snow-showers turned into good old fat, wet flakes. I could see from his headlamp, Dad was slogging his way through a stand of cattails. I was working my way back down through the swale field toward him, shining my flashlight back and forth from over my head, when I caught sight of the buck’s antlers.

Got him! I hollered. Right up here, pop!

ALL RIGHT! was the response, followed by, OK. I’ll be there in a second, bud… I’ve gotta say a little prayer.

He was a beautiful deer. A big 9. Needless to say, we took a few breaks on the drag back out to the truck. On the ride home, we were both off out the window with our thoughts.

Glad I was able to help you find him, pop.
Wouldn’t want to be out there with anyone else, bud.

Filed under In the woods

OK folks…the big giveaway is here. I’ve managed to blog my way through a whole year and have had some great support and response. As a thank you, I’m giving away 5 of the new fishingpoet T-shirts. Winner’s choice of color.

O.D. green - for those times you find yourself inexplicably drawn to the outdoors...

...and sport gray for those times you find yourself, inexplicably, in need of workout gear.

The random drawing will be held on Friday November 5th from the Facebook fan-base. Become a fan (if you aren’t already), subscribe to the blog and share this with folks you think would appreciate it. If you aren’t on FB, leave me a comment and I’ll be sure to get you in.

Here’s to many more years to come!

Filed under In the woods, On the water

MORNING BROWNS WITH DAD, Installment 6, Thesis

* The 6th installment in a series of sections from my Masters thesis, which was (in large part) about fishing.

Villager Restaurant. 5:30 a.m.
Laminated breakfast menus. Short lived eggs, toast, sausage—coffee-to-go, toothpicks by the register.

We head to the bait shop for sawbellies, a wriggling handful of bump & tick in our aluminum bait bucket. Slight lapping of water against marina-moored boats, footsteps echo quietly on the dock.

Wind & engine, water & shoreline, we nose a white V out onto Canandaigua Lake. Bare Hill a hunched silhouette above black trees under the dawn sky.

5, 10, 15 minutes. The boat slows to an idle, settling into the dark water toward the south end. Ears ringing from sudden silence. I stir my hand into the flipping mass of minnows, lift a chubby sawbelly, its head in my palm, tail wagging from between my thumb & forefinger, mouth gaping a small o. My tackle box holds a snelled double hook & black bait-threading needle.

I cast my line.
Bait & bobber end-over-end then plop onto the surface.

We sit quietly, sipping our coffee. The sawbelly swims random circles three feet below a barely tipping bobber. Shore is now slightly visible. Trees, rocks, cottages through mist clinging to the water’s surface. A loon’s cry drifts across the lake. Another answers, closer.

The bobber disappears for a moment, then follows the bait & fish, trickling, bouncing the surface for thirty yards, forty, fifty, then stops. I wait. The fish flexes its jaw, exhales the stunned bait for a moment, circles to swallow it head first. The idle bobber springs to life again.

The line sings its tense song. Sunrise has cleared Bare Hill.
I reel. Dad waits with net in hand.

Filed under Fatherhood and venison jerkey, On the water, Poetry

Independence Day weekend was upon us and my wife, three kids and I were staying with friends in their cabin in Old Forge to celebrate. Three bedrooms, an open kitchen/dining/living area, screened porch, big stone fireplace and indoor plumbing. No grand hand-hewn beams, lofts or giant picture windows. Just a simple, comfortable single-story cabin that’s been a lake-side snowmobiling, fishing, swimming and bonfire-ing family get-away for a couple generations–three actually, since our friends now have kids of their own tracking sand and pine-needles into the place.

Twenty-five years ago, I spent a long weekend at the same cabin as a guest of the family and their son. Being one prone to spending every waking minute in pursuit of fish, I had brought with me one rod and my tackle box. Thankfully, my mom had made sure a backpack with things like extra shirts and shorts, clean underwear and a toothbrush made it’s way with me too.

That weekend, I managed to catch a bass that is still talked about amongst their family members–even their Old Forge cabin neighbors speak with great reverence and enthusiasm about it. Its size fluctuates between good-eatin’, pretty dang big and trophy, depending on who you talk to. That’s a story for another time though. I digress.

It just so happened that on this particular Adirondack summer morning, heavy clouds elbowed their way in-between our 4-day vacation and sunny blue sky. Since the plan was for the dads and boys to fish for bass on a remote mountain lake anyhow, I didn’t necessarily mind the clouds, or the light mist-rain that came with it–although I had neglected to bring any wet-weather gear. The 10-day forecast had called for nothing but sun. Fortunately, I now have a wife who is as diligent about packing the practical stuff as my mom was when I was 13. I could count on a warm change of clothes to wear while I my rain-filled tackle box and I dried out. My boys, on the other hand, thought otherwise of the weather and made the 11th-hour call to hang out and watch a movie. A wise choice, as fate would have it.

Chris and I lashed the 14 foot aluminum rowboat into the bed of his pickup and stowed our gear. Harry, Chris’ son, waited patiently in the cab. It should be said that Harry is a born fisherman, like my boys. They all inherited the fin-tuition gene from their fathers. They are as comfortable on the water as they are tormenting their sisters. Thankfully, it’s a condition for which there is no cure…fin-tuition, not tormenting their sisters. They will carry the malady for the rest of their lives. We climbed in the truck and made haste to Little Safford Lake.

Chris had recounted fabulous tales of big bodied largemouth caught right from the shore, before the boat had even been taken off the back of the truck. Eager, hungry and ready for a fight, a morning of Little Safford bass was supposedly enough to make a man wonder if he should’ve spent some time in the weight room before casting a line in that tea-colored water.

I’m telling you, he said, there’s fish in here like swimming pigs.

I must admit, I’ve never seen a pig swim. But I have heard of a diving pig, named Ralph. Used to leap full-on into Aquarena Springs – the head of the San Marcos River in Texas – back in the 60’s and 70’s. Swimming pigs. I was wondering if I had heavy enough line.

We followed miles of dirt roads through the mountain pines – snowmobile trails in the winter, when the snow is deep enough to necessitate directional signs placed 7 – 10 feet up on poles. A few lefts and rights at forks in the road and the road became less a road and more like a wagon trail. Then quite suddenly the trees opened up and the lake appeared.

Now, I’m pretty much a sucker for just about any body of water, but Little Safford, at first glance, looked about the fishiest I could hope a mountain lake to look. We pulled the boat and gear out of the back of the truck and staged it on the shore. By the time Chris had walked the forty-or-so yards back from where he parked the truck, Harry and I had already fought, caught and released a bass each. By the time we decided to actually put the boat in the water, we had managed a dozen between the three of us. No pigs to speak of, but very good fish nonetheless.

Even as we shoved off, the sky looked unhealthy and the misty rain had pulled itself together into respectable drops. A half-hour later and a quarter-mile into the wind, unhealthy gave way to down-right ugly, as if Mother Nature had just woke up with a hangover. Undaunted, we pressed on. We had adopted the tactic of rowing 40 yards up-wind of a likely stretch of bog shoreline and then fishing the 40 yard drift back. And it was working. Even with the worsening weather, fish were still biting in the water along the face of the bog. Then the temperature dropped like a stone. As if to put an actual sound to the falling temperature, a thunder clap shook loose from around the far side of a not-so-distant mountain at the other end of the lake.

An aluminum row-boat. Four or five graphite fishing rods. A good quarter-mile between us and where we put in. And at least 300 yards of bog between us and the safety of the nearest treeline and cover. Now Mother Nature had our full attention. So as to keep from attracting any of her more electrically charged hints, we elected to pull the boat into a small cut-back in the bog, get out onto the bog, and hunker down on the bog as far away from the boat as we could safely tread.

This wasn’t a black, muddy, tractor-pull type bog like you find crowding out a smaller pond. This bog was a 6 to 8 foot thick tangled mat of bramble-like growth that half floats on top of the black, muddy, tractor-pull build-up on the bottom of the lake. Acres of it. Under normal circumstances, most all wildlife avoids these bogs. Well, most wildlife that carries any sort of weight anyhow. False steps and weak spots are met with nature’s equivalent to the carnival dunking booth. And much like the carnival itself, it’s tough to get out once you’re in, and you feel lucky to be alive when you finally do.

We hunkered down and weighed our options–praying the hair on our arms would not stand on end as lightning flung itself like jagged party streamers around the valley. Mother Nature’s own version of fireworks.

Looks like this is going to be around for a while, Chris said.
We should make a run for it, I replied.
In the boat? Chris asked.
Yea. Look for a cloud break, we’ll pace it, I replied.
I’m not rowing, added Harry.

And so we rallied and rooted for Mother Nature to give us a break in the clouds.

Now, I’m not sure if it was an actual break or if our imaginations had fabricated that small window, a blue-sky oasis in the clouds. But we all saw it and piled into the boat with the fervor of hunting dogs after waterfowl. Chris was first up on the oars. The wind refused to cooperate though, blowing at an angle across our three man tub. As we zigged and zagged roughly in the direction of where we put in, rain picking up, I grabbed hold of the oars as well and we rowed with the intensity of Vikings approaching an unsuspecting seaside village.

Reaching our port, we dragged the boat up on the shore and raced to the truck to get out of the rain and get some heat going. No sooner did we get the doors closed, our window in the sky closed as well. Sheets of rain and hail, cracking thunder and flash after flash of lightning made sure we understood just how lucky we were to have arrived when we did. After a while the heat sank in to our wet clothes and backbones and our chattering teeth stopped chattering. Harry scarfed down a snack he never had the chance to eat while in the boat, smiling at his dad as if adventures like these happen every day.

Any idea what the weather’s supposed to be like this afternoon? I asked.
Calling for more sun, Chris said.
Cool, Harry added. I won’t even have to change my clothes.

Filed under Fatherhood and venison jerkey, On the water

Like any other fishing morning, Saturday started very early and with a strong pot of coffee. Tony arrived around 5 and we wasted some time talking at the kitchen table, having misjudged first light by about a half hour. By the time we got to the marina, loaded my gear on his boat, untied the ropes and shoved off, it was 5:45. Right on time.

Canandaigua Lake sunrise

Before the sun found its way clear of the hills to the east, we settled into a spot just up from the water treatment plant. It was cold and the breeze couldn’t make up its mind. It pushed us away from shore. We repositioned. It pushed us south along the shore. We repositioned again. We drifted north.

Guess it’d been nice if I remembered the trolling motor, Tony offered.

Fish–possibly trout after minnows–were rising everywhere. After an hour, Tony had fought and landed a scrappy rock bass. I stayed busy pruning weed-beds and exercising most every lure in my tackle box. We decided to head back to the north end of the lake and fish the shallows by Squaw Island.

The Captain

The shallows up near Squaw Island are some of the fishiest-looking water anywhere. 3 – 5 feet deep and gin clear. Weed-beds that all keep an uncanny 10 – 12 inch distance from the surface and hold a buffet of sunnies, bluegill, perch, small and largemouth and pickerel. Tasty, sand-shell-shale-bottomed ambush clearings throughout. Every cast feels fully-loaded…like you’re pitching metal to a lake-full of lightning bolts.

By the time we shut off the engine, the breeze decided to cooperate. As the boat found a nice north/northeasterly drift, the sun continued its climb and the temperature followed. We got back to work.

Some measure success on the water by the size of their catch. Some by the number they landed. Since we had neither size or numbers on our side, we re-tooled our measuring stick. Our morning turned out to be stellar as a result of how many different species we boated and released. We managed a couple perch, more rock bass, a smallie and a pickerel. Four different species in one morning isn’t too shabby considering our slow start.

Get the net

Pretty...and pretty feisty

Sun's up

But our list of species didn’t end at four. As a matter of fact, it even headed into another Kingdom entirely. Within minutes of pulling into the shallows and getting our lines in the water, we had to start thwarting a gull’s best efforts at nabbing our lures.

Yes. I am going there.

I had just made a cast off the back of the boat when I heard from behind me,

Son-of-a…DROP IT, you stupid bird! DROP IT!

I turned around to see Tony in a tug-of-war with the gull. He looked like he was flying an unruly, squawking kite. I reeled in my line so as to not hook up with a bird of my own and went up front to help him. Reeling it down toward the boat slowly, he got it close enough for me to grab the line, coax the bird to fold its wings and sit on the water next to the boat. I must say, Tony played that gull like a pro. Definitely a shoo-in for the BIRD Tour, if there was one.

Tony grabbed the pliers I had in my tackle box and I had him grab my sweatshirt too. I lifted the gull by the line and lure, draped the sweatshirt over it to get those crazy wings under control and grabbed it–carefully and gently–by the neck behind it’s head. The squawks and flapping stopped. Tony removed the hook with one deft, surgeon-like move and, with an underhand toss, I released the bird to the air…and released my sweatshirt into the lake.

Stories like this always seem to belong to somebody else. Always told by someone who was fishing alone, they always seem fantastic and hard to believe. And they usually do not end well for the bird, turtle, muscrat or–occasionally–the fisherman. Not any more. We’d have taken pictures, but our hands were full.

The gull met up with a couple others and flew off, presumably to find another boat with fewer sharp objects being thrown from it. We wrapped up our successful morning with a breakfast fit for a king…or a couple happy fishermen who could corroborate each others story.

Filed under On the water


text:
“Evonne Quek is in one of our latest student intakes for the Personal Trainer Development Program. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management from Taylor’s University and has gained invaluable working experience for several years; first in the banking industry followed by working in the sales and distribution department of an established international chain of hotels.

Being a fun loving person, she could only see herself growing in the fitness industry and is now in the midst of setting up a 24-hour fitness club franchise in Singapore.

Evonne used to be someone who is very low in self-confidence and had even gone through depression but they are now history. Her life begun to change when she started working out in the gym doing both cardio and strength training on an almost daily basis. Fitness has changed her life totally and it is where she found her passion in assisting other people to change their lives for the better.

Getting herself certified internationally is crucial as it will strengthen and boost her credibility in transforming peoples’ lives, thus she saw the value in our Personal Trainer Development Program to prepare her for an international certification exam and signed up for the same.

We, the team at FIT would like to take this opportunity to wish Evonne all the best in her future endeavours!


text:
Toni Simonds Raulerson

toniMy name is Toni  (with an “i”), and I’m pretty sure my mom wanted a boy, but instead she got three girls. I am the oldest of them, all born and raised in Plant City. I absolutely love this town. I moved away twice for short periods of time but had to come back home — there is no place like it.

That’s where I had a simple and rewarding childhood. I cherish the memories of summers with my “Granny,” picking fruit for jellies and pies, canning vegetables, cane-pole fishing and playing in old junk cars at her and Grandpa’s auto shop off of Hwy 574 just outside of town. She was my best friend from another generation and had a huge impact on my life.

I am happily married to my best friend from this generation, Roy Raulerson. He is a lineman for Tampa Electric and also a native of Florida. Together, we spend every spare moment in the outdoors, hunting for deer and turkey, fishing the flats or the lake, lobstering and watching baseball. In November 2012, we were blessed with our baby boy, Drake. He is by far my proudest accomplishment in life.

Before there were Roy and Drake, I was in real estate, starting with a large management company in Florida as the sales and marketing director of almost 2,000 units. After a short span of success, I was asked to help with a joint venture with one of the largest builders in the country, working for several years as a lead sales representative. I loved on-site sales, but with a downturn in the market causing many folks to question short-sale options, I decided to venture into general real estate in early 2006 to stay ahead of market trends. Short sales were exhausting but certainly rewarding for both buyer and seller.

Later, with the mortgage experience I was forced to learn during my real estate career, I decided to cross over to the lending side. Here’s where I determined to be the mortgage partner that I had always longed for as a real estate professional.

My love for the industry is apparent to all of my customers. With more than 15 years of combined real estate and mortgage experience, I understand the big picture. With my extensive customer base and strong realtor relationships, I go above and beyond the call of duty to satisfy everyone with whom I work.

Whether purchasing your first home, refinancing your existing home or investing in a second home, I will ensure you get the loan program and rates that fit your individual mortgage needs, all with service that is unsurpassed. If you want someone who understands a mortgage transaction from all perspectives, call or email me today. I would love the opportunity to earn your business.

Toni Simonds Raulerson, Loan Officer
Florida Mortgage Firm
NMLS #380055

If you need me to prequalify you, simply click the blue button.

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