Phins Lose Another Heartbreaker

There is a difference between a good team and a great team.  It’s the difference between the Miami Dolphins and teams like Indy, New England, New York Giants, and the New Orleans Saints.  It’s the ability to hold a big lead and come back from big deficits.  The Dolphins are not there yet.  Today, the Phins took the undefeated New Orleans Saints to the final bell in a mistake filled game that the Dolphins controlled.

Drew Brees and his high-potent offense was held in check for the most part today and the Dolphins kept Brees down throughout the first half holding the Saints to a mere 3 points until the Dolphins gave the ball away on a questionable fumble by Davone Bess and even larger questionable time out called by head coach Tony Sparano that gave opposing HC Sean Payton an extra few seconds to change his mind from a chip shot field goal to a 7 point momentum changer.

The Dolphins had the Saints number for 28.5 minutes of the first half until Bess fumbled the ball giving the Saints a chance to get back into the game.  The Saints were down by 21 points heading to the half and the fumble allowed the Saints a chance.  A long pass to Marques Colston put the ball on the 1 half foot line and the Saints lined up for a FG with 5 seconds left.  The play was reviewed and once the ball was set time would resume.  Tony Sparano yelled for a time out and Payton changed his mind and one play and 4 seconds later, Drew Brees was in for a TD that put his team down by 14  going into the half instead of down by 18.

The opening of the second half set the tone as the Phins took the opening kick and two plays later Ted Ginn tipped a ball that was then intercepted and ran back for a touchdown.  The Dolphins would spend the second half fighting to keep their lead but after the early 3rd quarter pick 6, the Phins no longer had the edge despite a 10 point lead.  The N.O. offense switched from a pass happy scheme to a run first team and it caught the Phins off guard allowing the team to eventually take the lead for good.

In the end, Chad Henne did his best to drive the Phins down field with less than 3 minutes left and his team down by 6.  A Greg Camarillo attempt to get out of bounds was flagged for an illegal forward pass as he tried to flip the ball out of bounds.  A play later and Ted Ginn dropped a pass that would have been close to a first down.  Anthony Fasano  dropped a pass a minute later that would have been a first down and Ricky Williams dropped a pass that could have resulted in a first down.  The Dolphins were left with less than 2 minutes and a 4th and 11.

Henne dropped back felt the pressure and threw to where his receiver should have been.  Instead, the receiver cut in and the CB stepped out to take the ball away for another pick 6 ending the game.

The Dolphins learned something about themselves today.  They have the team and the make-up to hang with the best teams in the league.  Forget about only beating the Bills or the Jets, they have  come within minutes of beating the Colts and the Saints.  Two of the hottest passing offenses in the league.  They are only missing a few more pieces.  A couple of sure fire playmakers that can make a difference.  It’s the difference between a good team and a great team.  For now, the Miami Dolphins, despite the loss, proved that they are for real and can hang with the big boys.  They also proved they are still only a good team.   For now.