28
Apr
2010
ESPN’s “Run Ricky Run” should be mandatory viewing
In case you haven’t been watching, ESPN’s 30 for 30 series is must-see sports programming. It’s a series of documentary shorts from different filmmakers on a variety of sports topics, resulting in some of the best sports films in recent memory (see the docs on the University of Miami football program and Allen Iverson’s trial as a youth, in particular). Set your DVR’s, folks.
The latest episode is entitled “Run Ricky Run”, with Sean Pamphilon and Royce Toni taking an in-depth look at the fascinating journey of former Heisman Trophy-winner and Dolphins RB Ricky Williams. It’s a story that demanded to be told, and this film provides unparalleled access to Williams and those close to him.
It doesn’t take long to realize that Williams is as far from the run-of-the-mill professional athlete as could possibly be. His much-publicized love of marijuana led to multiple suspensions, and when he went to Canada to play ball in 2006, it seemed to signal the end of his NFL career.
1
Feb
2010
Good Morning Miami from Rex Ryan!
Rex Ryan displaying the type of devil-may-care attitude we've come to expect
The awesome picture above comes from Miami, where the NFL’s elite have gathered for the pre-Super Bowl festivities. It’s also where our favorite rabble-rousing head coach, Rex Ryan, decided to take in a MMA Strikeforce event on Saturday night … where he was inevitably surrounded by Dolphins fans, eager to express their distaste their AFC Rival Jets. You can see where this is going.
Our friends at SportsByBrooks has the whole story, including video of the interview Rex gave over the jumbotron that might have ruffled some feathers in Miami. If you need even more coverage, The Miami Herald has the first-hand story from the photographer, along with Ryan’s clearly forced apology.
Does anyone else notice that Rex’s shirt says “Wide Guy” on it? Is this a brand for big & talls, or a cautionary sign for whenever he’s transported on the freeway?
9
Nov
2009
Reminder: Randy Moss is still incredible
Patriots WR Randy Moss seems to be flying under the radar so far this season. Despite the fact that he’s currently 5th in the NFL in receiving yards, Moss has been relatively quiet in 2009, with other receivers (Ochocinco, Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald) getting most of the ink.
Yesterday Moss reminded us that he’s still one of the most dominant players in the league, with a 6-catch, 147-yd, 1-TD performance in the Patriots win over the Dolphins. And in case you missed it, early in the game, he made this freakish one-handed catch:
3
Nov
2009
VIDEO: Ted Ginn Jr. returns back-to-back kickoffs for TD
In case you missed it, here’s the video of Dolphins return man Ted Ginn Jr. single-handedly taking it to the NY Jets on Sunday, with consecutive kickoff returns of 100+ yards for scores.
He’s fast.
It marked the first time anyone had ever done that in the same NFL game, let alone in the same quarter. Crazy.
28
Sep
2009
Chad Pennington may be done for the year
Credit: Associated Press
Per ESPN’s Chris Mortenson, Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington may be done for the season after dislocating his throwing shoulder in yesterday’s 23-13 loss to the San Diego Chargers. He’s currently seeking a second opinion before undergoing a third major operation on his throwing arm.
“Chad (Pennington) is our leader,” wide receiver Greg Camarillo told the Associated Press. “Any injury to him is an injury to our offense.”
The injury serves as an opportunity for backup Chad Henne, the Dolphins’ 2008 2nd-round draft pick out of Michigan, who completed 10 of 19 passes for 92 yards and a pick in relief of Pennington. If Pennington sits out, Henne may start this Sunday, at home, against the Buffalo Bills.
Pennington has suffered a string of severe injuries during his 10-year playing career, and there are people out there who will wonder if this may be the end of Pennington’s career. It would be a shame. He is often overlooked, but he has been a gritty, tough competitor–not always the most physically gifted player on the field, but a motivated, team-first leader who isn’t afraid to run the show.
Who can forget his moment of redemption last season, ending the Jets’ season en route to leading the Dolphins to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth?
13
Sep
2009
Greg Camarillo caught the ball with his legs
Everyone – including us – is talking about the Stokley TD as the highlight of the season so far. But for my money, this catch by Dolphins WR Greg Camarillo today might be one of the wildest grabs I’ve ever seen:
Too bad the Dolphins lost to the Falcons, 19-7.
5
Sep
2009
NFL ISSUES SWINE FLU WARNING
Last week, the NFL Players Association’s website has released a memo to players about the autumn return of H1N1, aka “swine flu.” “H1N1 can easily spread in locker rooms,” said NFLPA Medical Director Dr. Thom Mayer. “We want to make sure we have the best advice possible to protect our players and their families, and we want to be prepared now, especially if—as many believe it will—H1N1 turns into a pandemic this fall.”
In addition, the memo states that “the NFLPA and the NFL have retained two well-known infectious disease specialists to write an infectious disease quarterly newsletter focusing on topics that specifically affect NFL players and club personnel. The newsletter offers preventative measures for clubs and helps team physicians formulate a treatment plan to control the spread of H1N1 when it affects their teams.”
In late August, a pair of Miami Dolphin cornerbacks, Sean Smith and Jason Allen, were suspected of having swine flu. When the story was reported, the Dolphins were quick to respond–saying that they were only “testing” the players for the illness, and that results would be kept private.
MSNBC reported this past week that “The World Health Organization says at least 625 people have been reported dead from swine flu in the last week. That’s more than 20 percent of the 2,837 known deaths since the novel virus first emerged in Mexico and the United States earlier this year.” In addition, WHO estimates suggest that the virus could eventually infect 2 billion people, or a third of the world’s population.
While it’s easy for fans to dismiss this, especially if it might interrupt their fun, but an autumn pandemic could have an impact on the NFL. There are others, however, who believe that the swine flu virus has a more menacing purpose.
23
Aug
2009
DeAngelo Williams does his best Barry Sanders impression
In case you missed it, this 22-yd TD scamper by Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams last night against the Dolphins was clearly the best play of the weekend, and might be one of the better runs you’ll see this year:
This run came in the first quarter, so it was theoretically against the Dolphins first string defense. But Miami went on to win the game, so I’m sure new team co-owner Gloria Estefan had some choice words for her club at halftime.
12
Aug
2009
Dolphins continue to set new standards for awful fight songs
If only the Dolphins had enlisted Andy Samberg for this gig
It has been a busy off-season for the defending AFC East Champion Miami Dolphins. Not that they’ve done anything particularly notable to improve their football club, but owner Stephen Ross sure has been busy rubbing elbows with the South Florida music community!!!
First, Jimmy Buffett became a minority owner in the Dolphins and wrote a horrendous fight song for the team. Then, both Gloria Estefan and Marc Anthony purchased stakes in the franchise, ensuring that Miami had cornered the market on mediocre pop stars in the NFL.
Well, it appears the Dolphins weren’t satisfied there, and have now enlisted auto-tuning hip-hop sensation T-Pain to craft a new anthem for the club … and it’s even worse than you could have possibly imagined.
It’s like they didn’t even try. T-Pain just threw in an 1987 video game soundtrack on a loop and had his 3-yr old nephew write the lyrics.
This begs the question, though, has anyone consulted Bill Parcells in all of this?!? I mean, if Sundays in Miami are filled with this crap, followed by “Conga” and “Margaritaville” to psych out their opponents … I don’t suspect Landshark Stadium is going to be an intimidating place for rival teams to play.
Unless they are worried that the rhythm is, in fact, gonna get them. In that case, they should be afraid. Very afraid.
Cleanse your aural palette with a much better T-Pain joint after the jump: The Lonely Island’s “On A Boat”
25
Jul
2009
Ricky Williams: Holistic Shaman of the NFL
Ricky Williams at Acupuncture Massage College. (Michael Francis Mcelroy for The New York Times)
The New York Times has an interesting look at what Dolphins RB Ricky Williams has been up to this off-season … namely, studying to be a massage therapist in a Florida strip mall.
It’s just the latest outpost on Williams’ long, strange journey, which has brought him from Heisman Trophy winner and #1 draft pick to the world’s most infamous pothead, and most recently, to a yoga practicing, world-traveling spiritual seeker.
What once seemed like a strange series of encounters, Williams hopes to one day fully integrate. He envisions becoming something like an N.F.L. shaman, responsible to a team or players for a holistic approach — body, mind, soul — to healing.
“The more I pay attention to what’s going on inside, the more I realize that how I feel, and how I react to what I feel, really creates my reality,” Williams said. “And the more in touch I can be, the better chance I have to control what’s happening in my life.”
And so that’s what Williams is doing these days. Trying to take control over his life. He’s returning to play for the AFC East Champion Dolphins this year, having rushed for 683 yards last season. But at the same time, Williams has also taken the time to engage in the search for self, and to grow as a human being.
For all the jokes that can be made at Williams’ expense, he’s always come across as genuine and humble in his search for truth. And regardless of what happens on the football field, it seems that Williams has achieved a level of perspective and self-awareness that eludes most.
“At the core, we’re all spiritual beings,” Williams said. “It’s something that I had been pushing down my whole life. The search for meaning, I guess, the whispering of the soul.”
Not exactly a soundbite you’d expect to get from most NFL players.
