Fiedler Throws the game away

Sunday, September 7, 2003
Robert Henderson
MDBW Staff Writer

Anyone could have seen it coming, yet we all chose not to. A sold out stadium on opening day in Miami; the Dolphins are 14 point favorites, and some think are going to have a super-like season. We, as Dolphins fans, are let down year in and year out, and this year looks to be no different.

Perhaps once I have time to think about it more my optimism will creep in. However, right now, at this very moment, I am livid and ready to rip the Dolphins in the next 500 words or so.

I tried to warn myself earlier this offseason about this team, but that obviously didn't work. Despite one of the better offseasons in this franchise's history, and high expectations from basically everyone, the Miami Dolphins can't manage to beat a 2nd year team full of 1st and 2nd year starters.

If you missed the game, lucky you. "Why am I so lucky?" you ask, "Chris Chambers had 118 yards and 2 TDs, and Fiedler threw for 3!" Wouldn't you know that the minute these two start clicking we lose. Yes, Fiedler threw a stupid interception at the end of the game that gave up the Texans' winning field goal. Would that have mattered had we padded our lead early on though?

The Dolphins couldn't have broken this game into the open, had they tried. Actually we will never know. I don't remember the last time I watched effort in a Dolphins game. What happened to Junior Seau, Sammy Knight, Jeff Zgonina, Terrell Buckley, etc. To be blunt, our defense sucked. There was no sign of leadership, no sign of heart, no sign of the offseason that supposedly achieved getting those two aspects of the game. Miami didn't force a turnover, and didn't sack a quarterback who was sacked an NFL record 76 times last season.

The minute they got something going, someone else screwed it up! Fiedler hooks up with Chambers for a 57 yard touchdown - Ricky fumbles. Mark Royals shanks a punt, or two. Heck, even the referees chipped in after Ricky's 48 yard scamper down to the 2. Randy, we know, that was not holding. Then, finally, Fiedler throws the game away. I'm sure this isn't the first time you've read these words.

Given so many chances, as expected, the Dolphins screwed over themselves, their fans, and their chances. How many more times does Madison have to drop an interception before the NFL doesn't invite him back to the pro bowl?

The only team to win in the AFC East was the Buffalo Bills, and in commanding fashion too. They walloped the Patriots 31-0. They deserve to be ahead of Miami, good job Buffalo.

So many years of pain and heart break this team has given to us fans. Well, perhaps this season we won't be disappointed in December.

Wish me luck, I have to go to the Jets' game next Sunday.

Robert Henderson can be reached by e-mailing webmaster@miamidolphinsbahamas.com. Or you can talk about this story and more on the MDBW Forums message board!