It Could have Been Worse!

No really, it could have been worse.  The New England Patriots toyed with the Miami Dolphins yesterday.  While the Miami offense went out there and showed why they are improving the Dolphins defense showed why they play like they belong in high-school.

It could have been much worse.

Take for example the fact that Tom Brady took a seat so that 2nd string quarterback, Matt Cassel, could get some reps.  All Cassel did was come in and give Jason Taylor his 8th career TD, by throwing an interception.

Perhaps it was Jason Taylor who made Bill Belichick throw Brady back in to prove a point, the Dolphins defense had been manhandled the entire game, Jason Taylor was nothing more than a body on the field, yet as he reached the endzone, he jumped high with the ball in hand over the goal line, it was a shameful display on a day that his defense had given up 35 points in the first half.

The Dolphins kicked the ball off to the Pats and Tom Brady came back out off the bench.

He would throw his 6th TD pass of the game.  It was a quick drive that proved to the Dolphins that they were nowhere near the level that the Patriots were, at least when Brady was in the game.

The Dolphins have a long way to go before they can start thinking of winning with consistency, heck, they may have a long way to go before they can think about winning at all.  The problems are all over the field, but glaringly are present on the defense and on the special teams.

Ronnie Brown was cruising for another big day before a knee injury forced him out of the game.  Official word to the severity and nature of the injury have not been made public, but replay showed that it may be nothing more than a hyper-extension.  Jesse Chatman would play for about a quarter before cramps would sideline him for Patrick Cobbs.  Both Cobbs and Chatman would score a TD yesterday.

With the Dolphins setting a franchise record in losses to open a season, previously held by the 2004 Dave Wannstedt Dolphins, the Phins will meander through what is left of the season, a wonderful 9 weeks of tough road games and one extra week for their bye.

The Miami Dolphins season is almost officially over.