I have been a die hard Miami Dolphins fan ever since I can remember. I am frustrated with the state of the organization, and I believe that some of the most loyal fans are as well. Year after year, we fail to make the playoffs, and I think several changes should have been constructed during this offseason. Starting quarterback Chad Henne is not the person that is going to help us win a division title this year. His decision making is mediocre at best, and he lacks the intangibles to survive in one of the toughest divisions in The National Football League. When you are in a very competitive division, you have to take the necessary steps in order to compete. Our offensive line has one of the best offensive linemen in football in Jake Long. On the defensive side of the ball, former Canadian Football League player Cameron Wake had defensive player of the year type season last year.
There is no way that we were only capable of winning one game at home during the duration of the 2010 season. Tony Soprano was awarded for leading his team to consecutive 7-9 seasons. I can’t figure out why Tony Soprano was kept, when we could have signed former Stanford Cardinals coach Jim Harbaugh. We will live in mediocrity, until we find a quarterback and a legitimate coach that can lead us to prominence. We have not had a great quarterback since Hall of Famer Dan Marino. After the lockout ends, I fear that we will have another disappointing season. We are entwined in the same division with powers such as The Jets and The Patriots. I project at best we finish this upcoming season with a record of 8-8. You can’t survive in this division with a mediocre coach and a mediocre starting quarterback. I hope this upcoming season forces management to make the proper adjustments so that South Beach will no longer be known as Miami Heat territory.
The Year of the Upsets
The world of sports has brought quite a few upsets thus far into the year. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the star studded Miami Heat in the NBA Finals and some of soccer’s strongest nations have all been denied their respective championships. Yes this is the sports world where anything goes whether it is shocking, legit, or simply lucky. This year should be remembered as the teams that could have cemented their place in championship history.
First, the Miami Heat acquired Lebron James and Chris Bosh to bolster their squad. They were added to aid Dwayne Wade in becoming the big three in Miami. Once they were added, the country and the world expected them to win the NBA title quite easily. However things did not go as planned.
After a rocky regular season where they lost a number of games due to the lack of the ability to score game winning buckets and disappointing teamwork, they entered the play-offs with their heads held high. They defeated Philadelphia, Boston, and Chicago in five games and won the right to play in the NBA finals against the Dallas Mavericks. They were expected to win this with ease but the Mavs had something to prove.
Miami had home court advantage in the series and at the beginning it paid off as they won the first game. However Dallas won the second evening the series at 1 apiece heading home for a three game stint. Dallas lost game 3 but won games 4 and 5 and eventually finished the job in Miami making it a 4-2 series victory.
This was sweet for Dallas because back in 2006, both sides appeared in their first ever NBA finals and it was against one another. IN their second finals against one another and in history, Dallas gained the sweetest revenge by winning the series with the same scoreline away in Miami. Back then Miami had won it in 6 with the final game being played in Dallas.
Was this victory for Dallas considered an upset? Yes because Dallas have one superstar in Dirk Nowitzki opposed to Miami who have 3 in Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh. This was the first of the upsets.
Next we have Women’s World Cup where the favored United States met minnows Japan. The US had a bumpy road to the final and arguably it was their toughest game. They played very well but missed some very good chances with 2-3 hitting the wood work. He US went up 1-0 and Japan were given a golden to chance to equalize and did after taking advantage of a US defensive error.
The US went up 2-1 in Extra Time and Japan again equalized just minutes before the end with a wonder goal. Japan was equally as lucky as the US were in the quarter-finals against Brazil.
The US unfortunately lost in penalty kicks to Japan 3-1 which ultimately ended their dream of becoming world champions. It was tough for Christie Rampone (Team USA captain) and star striker Abby Wambach who are 36 and 31 years old respectively. This could have very well been their last world cups.
Keeper Hope Solo saved one penalty kick and got her hand on another but due to lady luck the ball still went in. No matter what they did, Japan’s luck, heart, and pride denied them victory. After everything their nation has been through, it was nice to see them have a glimmer of hope. However the United States were the better and more deserving side and truly took us Americans for a memorable ride.
Now there is the COPA America where favorites Brazil and Argentina crashed out of the tournament in unconvincing fashion. After tying the game at 1 apiece, hosts Argentina were unable to put away a host of chances throughout 120 minutes of play and eventually lost out to Uruguay 5-4 on penalty kicks after Uruguayan keeper Fernando Muslera saved Carlos Tevez’s shot. Muslera seemed invincible in front of goal as he stopped many shots from Argentina besides the 4 penalty kicks and Higuain’s headed goal. Uruguay owes him their gratitude.
Brazil was also unable to put any goals past Paraguay’s keeper in a game that ended 0-0 after 120 minutes of play. Unlike Argentina who scored four, Brazil was unable to convert any of their penalty kicks which ultimately allowed Paraguay to eliminate them from the competition as well. Chile and Colombia were also eliminated by Venezuela and Peru respectively.
The point is that the top teams do not always win no matter how much they deserve to do so. We all expect the better teams to provide us with a show by going on an impressive journey to championship glory. However the year of 2011 as produced upsets in the world of sports. Are there more surprises to come? Stay tuned and find out.
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