Some Very Cool Observations From Web Weekend VI

UPDATE:  I will be in the live chat tonight.  Hope you can join us.

For those of you who don’t know, I am one of a lucky 70 who gets invited once a year to Miami as part of the Web Weekend contingent.  Basically, it’s something that the Miami Dolphins and only the Dolphins do to recognize webmasters who cover the team.  This year, 23 sites invited to the festivities that started with a dinner at Bokampers Restaurant (former Dolphins great Kim Bokamper) in Plantation, a stadium tour on Saturday, a training facility tour and dinner on Saturday night, and “Club Level” seats for Sunday’s Buc’s game.  Here are a few things I came away with this weekend that I think you may enjoy.

Tonight the Phins will take on the Panthers.  Here is the “out” list for the Phins.  Ronnie Brown, Anthony Fasano, Paul Soliai, and Justin Smiley.  Joey Porter is active and will play.  The Phins also signed a safety to the roster and he is active tonight as well.  I don’t have the name in front of me so someone add it to the comments section.

The live game day chat will be open by clicking the “chat” menu option.  I don’t know yet if I will make it.  I have a serious bronchial infection and the meds tend to knock me out.

First, did you know that you can get season tickets for less than a 1,000.00 bucks?  Me neither and I have to say I am tempted to buy them next year although I live in NC.  I go down to Orlando enough to warrant another 3 hour drive and honestly, watching at home is nothing like actually being there.  For what’s it worth, the Club Level section is by far the best seats I have ever had for a football game.  I was on the 10 yard line and have to say my view of the field was fabulous.  All of the picture that I took of the game itself, which will appear on site every now and then, were taken from section 239.  Do yourself a favor and spend the extra money.  Incredible.  Plus we got access to the entire club level amenities.

Vontae’ Davis is one of the nicest guys I have met.  I got to ride the elevator with him on Saturday night as we stayed at the team hotel.  Super cool.  Not as tall as I thought he would be but his arms are huge.  It’s funny to run into players and realize that they are like the rest of us.

That same thing can’t be said about Center Jake Grove.  He is tall and built.  I will say that he was a lot more “cleaned” up as opposed to unshaved look.  Still, I wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley, I was a little scared of meeting him in the lobby of the hotel.

Our very own Joey Haynos stopped by to sign a few autographs.  What an incredibly nice “kid”.  I use that term for one reason, he looks like he is in high-school.   Towering figure, I can’t see how Henne could ever miss him.  Still, Haynos was by far easy going and so polite.  Definitely a product of his upbringing.

Tony Sparano answered some questions at the Saturday night festivities and I have to say, he is very authoritative.  He doesn’t mince words and he loves his job.  When asked about Porter he simply said it was a “coaches” decision.  I can tell you this, no one wanted to try and pry any further.  I can see why the players have so much respect for him.  You always know what you get.  I did laugh at one point, Patrick Cobbs was in the back of the room and Tony Sparano made no qualms about Cobbs being his favorite player.  The rumors were true.

Speaking of Cobbs, he and Ricky and Ronnie get together every now and then and play video games but wouldn’t elaborate on which ones.  Cobbs said that the team is starting to become a family, something that he says was not the case under Saban and Cameron.  He said the players are starting to hang out outside of football which makes them better on the field.  He said when asked about being Sparano’s favorite, “Rick (Ricky Williams), comes up to me all the time and says ‘don’t make a mistake Pat, you’ll make Sparano cry’.”  Apparently the players are well aware of Sparano’s fondness.  Cobbs said he doesn’t really know why.

Jeff Ireland is a fantastic GM.  He is cordial and seems to thoroughly enjoy speaking to fans.  While he plays things close to the hip, he displays a bit of humor in his answers and when asked said the best part of his job is the feeling of winning a game.  The worst obviously the opposite.  For what it’s worth, he seems to relish being a Miami Dolphin and because of that, I think he will be around for awhile.  (my personal opinion, when BP leaves, look for Ireland to take over the BP title).  He is that respected.

Keith Byars came to talk to us and he loathes Jimmy Johnson.  Even the word loathe may not be strong enough.  Not surprising, most of the players I have spoken with or listened to have very little respect for JJ.  Oddly enough, one person in the organization did wonder out loud if the feelings toward JJ would be completely different if he had taken the team to a SB.  Someone quitely said…No!

As a pre-game ritual, defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni will walk out of the tunnel and then around the entire outside of the field.  He was cordial and waived to fans but for the most part was all business.  Sparano on the other hand will barely acknowledge that there are fans by the field during pre-game.  He gives slight waves but nothing more.  All business.  He will walk up and down the lines of players stretching and tap their helmets, shoulder pads, or shake their hands.

Channing Crowder is a scary dude.  But he is also one of the nicest guys you could meet.  He genuinely loves playing for the Dolphins and he is quick to wave at the fans.  He seems to be very thankful for his career.  He makes it a point before the game while the team is warming up to walk by the throngs of fans standing at the barrier.  Does a few high-fives and smiles.

Sean Smith and Vontae Davis are going to be grow together as players and friends.  The two were seen before the game jawing about this and than and getting each other psyched up.  They stayed pretty close to each other.

Brian Hartline acts like a veteran and not a rookie.  He carries himself so professionally.  Can’t wait to see this kid in 2 years.

Kory Sperry made a great first game impact for the team.  His first TD catch of his career (pictured) was a beauty.  Sperry is hard to miss on the field.  He lines up outside and in the slot and draws LB coverage.  This kid has some serious potential.  Anthony Fasano can’t be happy sitting at home watching Sperry and Haynos play so well.