Marlins Rebound to Winning Ways

After quite a sporadic start to the season it seems like the Marlins have stabilized and are no longer at a loss of confidence. Leading the pack, unexpectedly, is Jorge Cantu and his recent HR spree in the last handful of games. Marlins fans must feel relieved to see that their team isn't the "best team turned worst" anymore.

The key to this three game win streak is in the Marlins pitching. The team has allowed an average of 3 runs in the win streak and have received great production from the starting pitchers.

Josh Johnson was solid once again versus the Mets, despite Johan Santana's dominant showing. Beyond the starters, the relief pitchers did one simple thing: not throw away games.

In fact, they've done more than that. Our relief pitching has allowed zero (zip, zilch, nada!) earned runs in the course of the win streak. All runs were scored on our starters, which played well and did not allow more than 4 runs.

Hanley Ramirez has not been his usual self and fans are still waiting for him to break out. The injury to his wrist may delay that breakout, but I'm sure the fans will be satisfied with Cantu's random offensive outburst. We can only wait and see how long he stays on his game.

The positive side to this, it is likely that another Marlins batter will pick up where Cantu leaves off (maybe Cody Ross, Dan Uggla or Jeremy Hermida). The element of surprise can also be a good thing on this team, despite the unfavorable surprise the team dished out in their seven game losing streak.

Final Word: We mustn't over analyze this success as we did early on in the season. The fact that there is a long season ahead of us must stay in the back of our minds at all times. There will be ups and downs and hopefully more pros than cons. We still have potential waiting to develop itself in the form of Hanley Ramirez (a ticking time bomb before he breaks loose) and a few youngsters like Leo Nunez (great talent). I think that at the end of the day we will have a smile on our face with the Marlins' overall performance this season.

The Loss Train Does Not Stop for Marlins

How do you go from winning 7 straight to losing 7 straight? Do the Marlins have Bipolar Syndrome? That may a be a bit drastic, but fans are beginning to wonder about the Marlins they saw in the first 12 games of the season. 

The Florida Marlins cannot stop the losing landslide. It can be said that they are officially having a mental breakdown. They can't seem to win a game after losing all their confidence in the series versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. The remaining question is "when will it end?" That answer is yet to be foreseen. With no glimmers of confidence in sight, things may continue to get worse before they get better.

We can only hope that the Marlins' record does not fall below the .500 mark. After starting off with stellar pitching and outstanding offense, there has been an identity loss in the clubhouse and nobody seems to know who the real Marlins are. A stabilizing series where the Marlins take 2 out of the 3 games will be the ultimate end of this nightmare.

Emilio Bonifacio has done a disappearing act on the Marlins after coming off as a promising underrated free agent pick up. Our relief pitching has gone from finding ways to win to doing everything possibly wrong. Hanley, Uggla, Cantu and Ross are not their usual selves and have not produced as expected.     

Positive side to this all - it can't get that much worse. 

Don't expect the Marlins to be as good as they were at the beginning of the season, but do expect them to bounce back and at least be an "above average" ball club. I think a good spa day with complimentary manicures and pedicures might be the solution to the entire team's confidence crisis. We all just need to take a deep breath and..."Woosa."

Heat Can't Turn it Up in Game Four

You know that you have a problem when Zaza Pachulia out rebounds your entire front court, combined. Yes that's right, Big Zaza cleaned up the boards in Miami with 18 rebounds. Houston, we have a problem.

As Miami dropped game four to the Hawks on their home court, it was evident that it was not Dwyane Wade's night, despite his 22 point performance. It was frustrating to watch him shoot four air balls in the 1st QTR of the game and never gain a real rhythm all night.

The Atlanta Hawks disrupted our offense, denied Wade from getting in the paint, and made the shots when it counted. The Heat never led the game and the Hawks fought off all runs by the Heat. Hats off to them.

The series now moves back to Atlanta for game five and puts home court back in the lap of the Hawks. In a sense, it was a wasted effort because winning one in ATL would only matter if you won both at home. Now the road to victory will not be paved with slick concrete, but rather rocky obstacles that will not be easily overcome.

Despite all this, the series is not over for the Heat just yet. As long as Dwyane Wade is on Miami's sideline the team has a chance. Once again, you will not see Wade have another poor performance in consecutive games. If Wade sets the pace, penetrates the defense and distributes the ball effectively, then expect a reenactment of game two.

Final word: Getting Michael Beasley and Daequan Cook in the mix early can jump start the Heat offense. Let's pray that Coach Spo does not deny Cook and Bease in the early QTRs and expect them to produce in late game situations.

Dolphins Draft Recap - Analyze This.

This was one of NFL’s most anticipated weekends of the year. It’s built up from the end of the season. There are disappointments, there are surprises, and then there are those picks that make you scratch your head.

Here at Miami Sports Generation, we stuck to our position that Corner Back was the Dolphins top need this off season, followed by Wide Receiver.

The 2009 NFL Draft is over and the Miami Dolphins have made their choices. With a total of nine draft picks, the Fins went with 3 Corner Backs, 3 Wide Receivers, 1 Tight End, 1 Offensive Tackle, and 1 Line Backer. Here's the complete draft breakdown:

• 1st Round - Vontae Davis (CB) Illinois
• 2nd Round - Pat White (QB/WR) West Virginia
• 2nd Round - Sean Smith (CB) Utah
• 3rd Round - Patrick Turner (WR) USC
• 4th Round - Brian Hartline (WR) Ohio State
• 5th Round - John Nalbone (TE) Monmouth
• 5th Round - Chris Clemons (S) Clemson
• 6th Round - Andrew Gardner (OT) Georgia Tech
• 7th Round - J.D. Folsom (LB) Weber St.

Beyond all the hard facts, every Dolfan is asking themselves the simple question: "What does it all mean?" In other words, how much better are we now than we were before the draft. Analysis can be different from everyone's perspective, but we will try to make as much sense of this as possible.

Vontae Davis was a safe pick at # 25 and addressed the secondary a bit more beyond the off-season acquisitions of Gibril Wilson and Eric Green. It's pretty evident that Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland, and Tony Sparano are trying to work on the "outside," now that they've worked on the "inside" (i.e. Jake Long, Jack Grove, and Joe Berger). Davis was the best secondary option Miami had in the late-1st round. Just as any rookie, he has to work on his NCAA to NFL transition and study the new defensive packages that the Fins practice. He'll be fine in Miami and will sure up the secondary unit in the long run.

Our Grade: A

Pat White is a great pick for the Dolphins. This choice tells you one thing - the wildcat is here to stay. This opens up the playbook for Miami. He had a strong showing at the combine. He surprised a lot of scouts with his decision to not tryout as a wide receiver and with his arm. To those who are questioning the Dolphins loyalty to Chad Henne, don't. Pat White gives us flexibility. It saves us from having to line up Pennington as a wide receiver in the wildcat formation. Don't forget Bill Parcell's philosophy - No one is guarenteed a job, you have to earn it. So if he beats out Henne in the future he will be the starter, but his main purpose is utility.

Our Grade: B (Only because he is not a full time player)

Sean Smith was a highly touted Corner Back in the draft and was spoken highly of by various NFL scouts. Smith is definitely a large, physical CB that has the height to match up with Randy Moss and the toughness to compete with Hines Ward. Cockiness may be an issue, but Parcells will put him in his place when it's all said and done. The best part of it all, is that Davis and Smith were arguably two of the top three CBs in the entire draft. Miami got the cream of the crop in the secondary department.

Our Grade: B+

Patrick Turner is no Michael Crabtree or Jeremy Maclin, but I'll tell what he is - instinct, awareness, and athletic potential. Don't expect him to become a #1 WR, but a definite contender for the #2 & 3 spots. His height is a huge advantage (6'5) and is what the Fins were lacking. This separated from the WR pack. It's a known fact that the Dolphins are not a deep threat, so his quick feet and great lateral movement is a big plus. We hope Turner builds off his bust-out Senior year at USC.

Our Grade: C+

Brian Hartline brings experience as a special teams player, an area where the Dolphins suffered greatly in last year. His production suffered last year when Ohio switched QB's. He was still a big play threat averaging 22.4 yards a reception. Just like Turner, he lacks deep threat capabilities, but is a solid route runner. He is great when he has the ball in his hand. He was another wildcat minded pick, because of his downfield blocking and safety like hitting capability. He will be used in multiple levels on the field.

Our Grade B-

John Nalbone was a head-scratcher prick. We have two solid Tight Ends in Anthony Fasano and David Martin. Nalbone excels as a receiving TE, the same thing Fasano and Martin do well. My guess is that Tony Sparano is going to implement a 3 TE set or a full house formation. Nalbone earned All-Northeast Honors three years in a row. He holds records in Career catches and receiving yards for Monmouth University.

Our Grade D+

Chris Clemons was the fastest safety at the combine running a 4.41 40 yard dash. He is consistent in his coverage and a good open field tackler, another area where the Fins struggled last year. He lacks the NFL body for someone in his position. He will have time to develop behind Yeremiah Bell and Gibril Wilson.

Our Grade: C

Andrew Gardner is a risky pick. He is coming off a right shoulder injury that definately dropped his stock. Here is something that shouldn't suprise you. Gardner played for Georgia Tech's high powered option offense. Something that I said the Dolphins are looking to do with Pat White. He adds depth to our Offensive Line, but should be getting the playing time during wildcat formations. His 6'7 frame allows him to cover rushing or downfield linebackers.

Our Grade C-

J.D Folsom is another Wildcat pick, oh wait, he played for the Weber State Wildcats. Sorry for the dry humor. Little is known about Folsom. He only played one year of NCAA football. He transfered out of Snow Junior College his junior year. He lacks experience and and play against top-tier talent. He has good upperbody and shoulder strength.

Our Grade: D

Sunday Brunch Rant Week 8

This rant is a rant at myself for overreacting at the Florida Marlins' early success this season. We went from being 11-1 to 11-6 in a flash. This team showed that it had so many different ways of winning, yet now they reveal so many game-costing flaws. First we get swept by the Pirates in a comprehensive butt-whooping that defeated the Marlins in just about every aspect of the game. Now we have already lost the series to the Phillies and could very well be swept. I love this team, but I don't love the streaky drama - it's like a roller coaster ride of emotions.

I'm not sure how you can do so well and then do so horrible at the flip of a switch. Maybe the hype reached the players' heads. Everyone, including myself, was talking about the Marlins being "the hottest team in baseball." Now they are "the coldest team in baseball" and colder than dry ice. 

There's a long season ahead and I hope that we don't have a year of drastic streaks ahead of us. I'd rather we win a few, lose a few, and so forth, than win seven, lose eight, etc. That's just mental terrorism for any fan. It gives us a confused identity. 

I still have faith in the Fish and expect them to at least compete for a playoff spot this season. The Phillies have proven to be the more prepared team and the Braves and Mets are not out of the conversation. The Nationals are unfortunately a punching bag for the NL East and an easy 2-3 game win generator. I guess we can always be happy that we aren't in Washington's position right now. 

May the real Florida Marlins please stand up?

Heat Blaze the Hawks in Blowout

"Black is Back" and the AA Arena was packed. What did the Miami Heat have to show? Nothing less than a blowout victory that extended their dominance in game two in Atlanta. The team was firing on all cylinders throughout most of the game and gave the fans their money's worth at the end of the night.

All Heat starters scored in double-digits, something that has not happened all season long (don't quote me on that). Dwyane Wade led the team as usual, but Jermaine O'Neal was not far behind with an impressive performance (22 PTS, 10 REBS, and 3 BLKS). The team made 12 out of their 23 three-point shots, just above 50%. The Heat was simply hot (cheesy but true).

While the offense was electrifying, the defense could be defined as shutdown. The team set an NBA Playoff record in blocked shots by erasing 12 of Atlanta's attempts - Wade and O'Neal had 7 by themselves. Joe Johnson and Josh Smith were flustered all night long as the Heat forced them to shoot a combined 9 of 31. Miami was on their game on both ends of the court, for the exception of the two Atlanta Hawks comeback runs.

As J.O. stated after the game, this game is only "justified if we win on Monday." He's absolutely right. A 2-1 series lead is great and all, but if you lose on Monday night Atlanta regains home court advantage. It would be a wasted effort.

Miami can enjoy Saturday's win and embrace the team's recent surge, but must refocus their attention to game four. Atlanta won't go down like this twice and the Heat must be prepared for a Hawks team that is out for revenge. I am confident about Monday's game and trust D. Wade and Company to take a commanding 3-1 lead going back to the ATL.

"To the Doubters" - Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr. (Guard - Miami Heat)

Draft Day Ahead, Last Season Behind

The Miami Dolphins enjoyed a better-than-expected 2008-09 season which gave them the AFC East title for the first time since 2000. The most remarkable part of it all is that they did it without being atop of any prominent statistical category. The Fins were 21st in points,  12th in total yards, 11th in rush yards, and 10th in passing yards. That's nothing special. At the same time, it was good enough to go 11-5 in the regular season and knock off the New York Jets from playoff contention. 

The reality of it all now: that's in the past and the draft marks the present and future. We must move on now.

As Dolfans we must appreciate last year's performance, but not dwell on it. 2009 is a new year, a tougher season, and an uphill battle that should be taken one game at a time. The 2009 NFL Draft will help reinforce some of the weak spots in our offense, defense,  and special teams. With plenty of draft picks on our side, thanks to trades and deals made last year, we have a good chance to choose some solid players.

Here's our draft order:

• Round 1, Pick 25 (25th overall)             
  
• Round 2, Pick 12 (44th overall)             
  
• Round 2, Pick 24 (56th overall)             
  
• Round 3, Pick 23 (87th overall)             
  
• Round 4, Pick 8 (108th overall)             
  
• Round 5, Pick 25 (161st overall)             
  
• Round 6, Pick 8 (181st overall)             
  
• Round 7, Pick 5 (214th overall)             
  
• Round 7, Pick 28 (237th overall)
  

Don't be surprised to see pick swaps and/or pick-for-player trades by the Dolphins. Parcells seems to have considerable mastery over the NFL Draft and has a good sense of what is worth and not worth a draft choice. 

It will be a long weekend, but I'm confident that the Dolphins can make picks, even late in the draft, that will ultimately improve the team this season. Look at Yeremiah Bell (6th Round) Channing Crowder (3rd Round), and Kendall Langford (3rd Round) - just to name a few. 

Check back at the end of this Draft weekend and we'll recap the picks, evaluate the talent, and foresee our post-draft potential.

Heat Set Pace, Steal One in Atlanta

While many knew that the Miami Heat were not their usual selves in game one of the series, I'm not too sure anyone thought they'd be back with such a dominating performance in game two. We predicted that the Heat would only get better from their awful showing in their first appearance and that Dwyane Wade would finally show up to play the next time around. Not only did Wade step up, he stepped back (and hit six out of ten three pointers). His overall performance told the league, "not so fast before you cast your LeBron MVP votes on the ballot."

Wade was magnificent on Wednesday night, but let's not deny the contributions of a few other key players that made a huge difference in game two.

Jermaine O'Neal had an epiphany in game two. It was as if his knees resurrected from the abyss of injury and gave him a pep in his step from the first to the last minute. To prove my point, O'Neal posted 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots; a huge improvement over his virtual absence in game one. Dwyane Wade told reporters after the game that O'Neal wanted to assert himself more in the offense and Spoelstra played on that idea - we all saw the results.

Michael Beasley was another game one non-factor that played a big role in game two. Coming off the bench, he scored 12 points and gobbled up 7 rebounds. If the Heat want to win this series, they will need production off the bench and that's what they got from Beasley on Wednesday night. This time around B-Easy seemed more poised and less anxious to shoot the ball. I believe Spoelstra's order of setting the pace played a role in that.

Daequan Cook was instant offense off the bench next to Michael Beasley. He reminded everyone in Atlanta that he was the Three Point Competition Champion in the All-Star Weekend. Cook dropping 6 three pointers, matching Wade beyond the arch, helped add 20 points to the scoreboard and created a perimeter threat all game long for the Hawks.

Udonis Haslem was not a statistically beneficial to the Heat, but he did come through with big shots when the game was on the line. Mid way through the 4th quarter Atlanta was making a run and Wade received his 5th personal foul. Who came though? The savvy veteran forward with back-to-back jumpers that kept the Heat lead intact. He may have only scored 10 points and secured 7 rebounds, but he was a clutch performer and that's what counts.

Now the Heat head back to Miami where the AA Arena will be packed and rockin'. Miami's new playoff theme, "Black is Back," will paint the arena in a sea of darkness. Black means business and that's what the Miami Heat mean.

One thing we must note is that two games in Miami does not guarantee two wins in Miami. The same way we stole one in ATL, the Hawks can steal one in MIA. The fans will be in full force to support their team and the players will have momentum at their backs. The edge will go to Miami, but the task that lies ahead will not be simple at the least.

Let's see if Miami can repeat their 2004 performance when they dethroned the surging New Orleans Hornets and made it to the second round. Only time will tell if destiny is on Miami's side this time around.

Marlins Run Hijacked by Pirates

After a burst of victories for the Florida Marlins, the Pittsburgh Pirates derailed the Fish and swept them in convincing fashion. Marlins players are now left with one thing - a wake up call. This dominant trend was not going to last all year long and the Marlins learned that the hard way.

Scoring as usual was a difficulty for the Fish in this series, only scoring six total runs in all three games; one game was a shut out. The Pirates displayed solid pitching and extraordinary defense that kept the Marlins from breaking open their offense.

Emilio Bonifacio continued his slump by racking up only 3 hits in the entire series, dropping his batting average to .311 (which is still good). The rest of the usual offense-starters (including Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, Jorge Cantu, Cody Ross, and Jeremy Hermida) were also stunted by the Pirates pitching and fielding. It was the first series where the Marlins suffered offensively in each game. 

While we weren't scoring, the Pirates were racking up points to solidify their wins. They scored eight runs in game one, three runs in game two, and seven runs in game three. That's a total of 18 runs in the series. Something went wrong with our pitching. Anibal Sanchez did a decent job of holding the Pirates to three runs in his start, but the Marlins didn't give him enough run support to secure a victory. On the other hand, Andrew Miller and Ricky Nolasco had poor efforts and dug the Marlins into a hole early on in their outings. The problem with this is that the Fish didn't have the same come-from-behind luck that they had in Washington versus the Nationals.

I guess you can say this was a genuine three-game defeat where the Pirates simply outplayed the Marlins. This may seem like a bad thing, but I look at it as somewhat of a positive thing. 

The Marlins can now realize that their success was earned by hard work and competitive attitudes. With the knowledge that the Philadelphia Phillies are coming to town on Friday, the Fish have a chance to refocus their mindsets and get ready for the defending World Series Champions. 

The season may still be young, and we may have over-hyped the Marlins early success, but this is a turning point for the Fish. Do they continue to slip and lose the series to the Phillies? Or do they come back and regain their confidence versus the defending champs? 

We'll see what happens and finally begin to see whether this early season surge was just a "miracle" or if this team is actually a legitimate playoff contender. 

2009 NFL Draft: The Miami Dolphins Select...

Update: Here's our pick-by-pick analysis of the Miami Dolphins 2009 draft picks: "Dolphins Draft Recap - Analyze This."

With the 25th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select...[insert name]. The truth is that, there is no external consensus as to who the Fins will pick on Saturday, April 25th. In order to understand what choices many mock drafters have put out there, we will list the players others chose to go at the 25th pick:

• WalterFootball.com - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
• NFL Draft Dog - Larry English, DE/OLB, Northern Illinois
• Draft King - Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
• NFL Draft Blitz - James Laurinaitis, MLB, Ohio State
• Scott Wright's Draft Countdown - Everette Brown, OLB, Florida State
• Sporting News - Clint Sintim, ILB, Virginia
• NFL Draft Site - Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
• FFToolbox.com - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
• National Football Post - Sean Smith, CB/FS, Utah
• Football's Future - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
• Scout.com - Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State
• About.com - Larry English, DE/OLB, Northern Illinois

Vontae Davis, Larry English and Percy Harvin are the only players who were predicted to go to Miami by more than one mock draft. Another clear trend is the fact that many mock drafts believe that Miami will either select a Cornerback, Linebacker, or Wide Receiver - positions that definitely need to be addressed somehow.

Going with the most popular pick, Vontae Davis, we had predicted him as a potential pick earlier in the year and are optimistic about the skills he brings to the table. Speed, physicality, and solid route coverage are the three areas where Davis excels. His addition could bolster Miami's secondary to an even tougher unit, with the current presence of Yeremiah Bell and Gibril Wilson.

At the OLB position, Larry English portrays some of the same upsides that Vontae Davis does at his position. English is fast, athletic and has fierce instincts. He may not be great at pass coverage or have a lot to show in the height department, but his overall skill package is good enough to be considered a first round pick. Adding English would be great for the Linebacker core, as Channing Crowder and Joey Porter will have some young company to assist with their duties.

I'm not too sure on LB being such a crucial position to address, to the point that we pick one in the 1st round, but if English proves worthy of Parcell's approval then he'll be on his way down to South Florida come April 25th.

Percy Harvin - there's a funny story about this. I had criticized Draft King for predicting that Harvin would be selected by the Dolphins on the basis that he was "too good" to pass up on earlier in the 1st round. I had also promised Draft King that I "will officially write a blog post praising Draft King for their expertise." That bet online is still on and I have no problem giving Draft King props because Percy Harvin could be a useful play maker in Miami, at least in my eyes. It looks like Harvin at # 25 is not such an irrational pick after all, as a matter of fact, he may even drop to the 2nd round.

One thing that's for sure is the Miami needs to fill in many holes if they hope to compete in the AFC East this time around. Tom Brady will be back and ready to play; Terrell Owens will be lined up on the opposite end of the line of scrimmage for quite a few times; and the Jets defense will be re-tooled with the likes of Calvin Pace, Bart Scott, Lito Sheppard, and Jim Leonhard. On top of it all, the Fins have arguably the toughest schedule in the NFL next season.

There's a bumpy road ahead, but luckily the draft will be a pit stop for Miami to refuel and reinforce there roster coming into the 09-10 season. As faithful Dol-Fans we must place our faith in one phrase: "In Parcells We Trust."

Fish Serving Up a Bit of Everything

The Florida Marlins in their early season surge have given their fans a variety of ways to taste the joy of victory. We've been handed a plate of blow out a la mode, a small dose of dominant pitching victories, a dash of late game comeback wins and a complete recipe for the best record in the Major Leagues. The best part of it all is that it looks like there is room for more as this only seems to be the first entree of a full course meal.

Now, enough with all the food metaphors (hungry yet?) and let's focus on the success that the Florida Marlins have had entering the 2009 season. One thing that the team has definitely shown is that they are not a one-trick show. It's not like last season, where home runs where the only means of scoring and offense was our best defense. Those days are gone and a new outlook on baseball has settled in. 

The Marlins have done all the small things (i.e. steals, singles, doubles) and coupled them with the big things (i.e. home runs) and created a formidable offense that is as good as any team in the league. The pitching has improved in both the staring and bullpen lineups - our starters are healthy and our relievers are executing. The best part of it all: the success is a product of a team effort and not an individual's performance.   

One game you have Dan Uggla coming through with multi-run homers, another game you have Cody Ross delivering a  game-winning double. Not to mention, Hanley Ramirez has not even showed to play, relatively speaking when you account for his potential. Whether our batters score 5 runs in the first inning or in the ninth inning, the offense is there and have come through for a majority of the season's start. There is no one hero to this story because every game has its own hero. That's what you call multi-dimensional.  

Break this all into production and efficiency and this is what you get:

Production: 15 HRs and 74 RBIs in 12 games. 

Efficiency: The entire pitching staff has a 3.24 ERA, while relievers have a 2.34 ERA

When one player gets into a slump (i.e. Emilio Bonifacio) another player steps up (i.e. Cody Ross). This is the kind of chemistry and balance that equates into victories. The Marlins are cookin' and its only a matter of time before the entire league begins to smell the roast.  

It Only Gets Better From Here

There are plenty of things we can criticize about the Heat's performance on Sunday night. The defense was non-existent for most of the game. The offense had no flow whatsoever. Most importantly, Dwyane Wade was not himself, at all. 

So, out of all the negative what's the positive side to the story?

 Well, we can't play any worse and it only gets better from here.

It was a painful sight to watch from the 2nd QTR onwards. Towards the end it seemed that Coach Spoelstra had given up, even prior to substituting the starters with bench players. 

As a loyal Heat fan who followed the team throughout all 82 regular season games, it was difficult to believe that the people playing out there were the same players from the Miami Heat that I know. 

Uncharacteristic, unexpected, and unlikely to ever happen again. 

There is no doubt in my mind that the Heat will rebound in game 2. Even if they don't win and go down 0-2 in the series, expect a booming crowd at the American Airlines Arena when the two teams face off in Downtown Miami. 

The shooting drought we saw in the 3rd and 4th QTRs will be in the past. Dwyane Wade will not have loose hands and turnover the ball on ever other possession. Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers will not be as nervous and anxious as they were in game 1. Things will change, and I predict they will change for the better.

Remember, Miami wasn't even expected to reach the playoffs, nonetheless reach the 2nd round. Well the doubters were proven wrong all year long and now the Heat are in position to silence the critics once again. Don't be too quick to judge the passion and desire of the Dwyane Wade and Miami Heat. If you think you've seen the best of Wade, then you will be surprised to see what's in store for the rest of the series.  

Sunday Brunch Rant Week 7

Although this is nothing new in the sports world, the issue of stadiums and ticket prices have caught my attention. In particular, the New York area happens to be the prime example for the latest wave of constructing brand new stadiums. The New York Giants (NFL), NY Yankees (MLB), and NY Mets (MLB) have all either began constructing or already erected the new sites where they hope to call home. The only problem is that the "Welcome Home" mats have been swept from under of some of their most loyal fans - leaving them in shock and creating a controversy.

PSLs. Personal Seat Licenses. I'm sure you've heard of them by now, especially if you are a Dallas Cowboys fan. A simple way to define it is: pay to have the right to buy season tickets in a specific seat. You can't just pay for a seat. No. You pay for the chance to pay for a seat. Unfair? That's not what the owners say.

Dallas Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, is placing a PSL price tag on exclusive seats ranging from $50,000 all the way to $150,000. Let's think about that for a second. $50,000 is the equivalent to buying a brand new car with all the bells and whistles. $150,000 is the equivalent to about five times an average American's salary (approx. $30,000). 

Jerry, Jerry, Jerry. Let's sit down and talk about this for just a moment and get this straight. You want people to pay that much money just so they can have a chance to buy a seat? You mean that paying that amount does NOT include the actual season tickets? Well that doesn't sound irrational at all now, does it? By the way, the US is still in an economic recession if you haven't checked.

And hold up, don't think that this only applies to luxury suite occupants and lower bowl season ticket holders. This is stadium-wide. Even upper deck seats have PSLs that start at $1,000 and go up to $5,000 - that coming from the New York Giants PSL calculator for their up-and-coming Meadowlands Stadium.  

Besides the whole PSL issue, ticket prices have sky-rocketed. The NY Yankees' highest ticket price for a single game stands at a whopping $2,625. Not to single out the Yanks, the Mets have just about doubled their ticket prices, even after increases of 14% and 25% in the previous two seasons. 

All of this comes under the justification that the teams "must stay competitive" in the league. Well the old Yankee stadium might have been outdated (to an extent), but it was still functional and the team still held the highest payroll in the MLB for quite a while now. You stay competitive by enhancing the product on the field, not the other way around. 

The funniest case of "staying competitive" came from the NY Giants. One the eve of winning the Super Bowl, the Giants still want a new stadium. To coin the phrase from a third-generation Giants fan, "I don't know how much more competitive you can get than that."

I think it's time for owners to take a look at the situation and realize that we are not in an economic boom right now, and even if we were, those prices may still be considered a rip-off. 

The Yankees did not need to spend $1.5 billion on their new stadium. 

The Cowboys did not need to spend $1.3 billion on their new stadium. 

The Mets did not need to spend $900 million on their new stadium.

Remember that spending billions on your house will not guarantee that it will become your home.

Throwback Saturday: Jeff Conine

Jeff Conine had a long-standing career in Major League Baseball, but South Florida will always remember him for his years in the Florida Marlins. Joining the team through the expansion draft in 1993, the Inaugural Season, he was a part of the Marlins organization since day one. Why was he seen in such a bright light by South Floridians? We'll tell you why.

Conine was not your superstar athlete that wooed the crowd with countless home runs and outstanding defensive plays. Conine was a hard-nosed, clutch-hitting, solid all-around baseball player that was there through thick and thin. His lengthy tenure with the Marlins dubbed him the name "Mr. Marlin" - the living, breathing symbol of Marlins success. Jeff was not only there for the 1997 World Championship, he came back in 2003 to be a part of the magical 2003 World Championship run as well.

Conine spent a total of 8 seasons with The Fish and was recognized for each and every on of them. For his career, he recorded 7 out his 8 best batting averages in the south side of the Sunshine State (try and say that 5 times fast). In other words, his best days were played in Joe Robbie/Pro Player Stadium, today's Dolphin Stadium. He hit a total of 120 HRs and 553 RBIs with the Marlins - talk about production.

What solidified Conine as an iconic figure in South Florida sports was his community service beyond the cleats and dirt. He's done everything from hosting golf tournaments to supporting Joe Dimmagio Children's Hospital to running the Ironman Triathalon. He now has a stake in Joe Dimmagio Children's Hospital as they created "Conine's Clubhouse" in order to commemorate his service. Now underprivileged children and families have another place to stay when the times get tough. We honor Mr. Marlin for everything he's done in South Florida.

Any person that observed or met Jeff Conine during his time with the Marlins, will attest to the genuine care he displayed for his fans and the sport. Jeff wasn't the type to shy away from public showings and avoid fans. Jeff was the type that understood that the fans are what fueled his enduring career with the Marlins. In our books, he deserves the utmost respect from the Marlins and the South Florida community - and we think the best way to show that respect is by retiring his number when the new stadium is erected. It will ultimately make Mr. Marlin the symbol of our past success and our model for future glory.

The Emergence of Michael Beasley

On draft day Miami knew that Michael Beasley was their guy. A dynamic forward with ambidextrous skills and the uncanny ability to score in bunches, Pat Riley had a vision of B-Easy in a Miami uniform. For most of the season Beasley had played well, maybe not as well as expected, but good enough to have an impact. As the season neared an end, Beasley found his niche and began to prove to the league that: "I'm not just as they say I am, I'm better."

The development of Number 30 in Miami has been slow but progressive. Averaging about 13 points a game throughout most of the year, he played a role on the starting lineup and off the bench. While Derrick Rose was playing the role of leader in Chicago, Beasley was being mentored by veterans like Udonis Haslem, Jermaine O'Neal, and the former Shawn Marion. Rose may be the eventual Rookie of the Year, but Beasley has definitely proven that his potential is sky-high.

In the final five games of the Heat regular season, Beasley averaged a double-double in 3 out of the 5 games. Over the stretch, he had 24.2 PPG and 11.2 REB - statistics that solidify his readiness to play in the NBA. Give Michael a starting spot next season and you can expect those numbers all season long. Michael Beasley is officially "in the building."

There isn't a better time that B-Easy could be performing at such a high level and we can only hope that it carries over into the playoffs. Let's not forget his 23 points in 24 minutes versus the Hawks on April 14th. He can score, and now he's shown that he can score against the Hawks. Let's see how it plays out on April 19th when the lights shine brighter and intensity grows larger.

It's game time and Michael Beasley is ready to play.

Heat-Hawks Playoff Preview

The matchup Tuesday night between the Miami Heat and the Atlanta Hawks was a precursor to the eventual playoff series that will begin by the weekend. Despite the fact that Dwyane Wade, Jermaine O'Neal, and Udonis Haslem were not suited up to play, the Hawks came onto the court with virtually their full starting lineup. So does this mean that the results will mimic how the playoffs will play out? The answer is yes...and no.

Obviously, there is no way to compare the game to a playoff environment since the Heat basically started a bench lineup and the Hawks only played their starters for a portion of the game (about the equivalent of one quarter and a little more). The tell tale pieces to this story that can be a preview to the playoffs is Michael Beasley's overall performance. The kid is a beast, with pun intended, as he recorded a double-double in the first quarter of the game. This was not against some second stringers and bench warmers; it was against Josh Smith, Al Horford, Marivin Williams and the starting front court crew. Beasley finished the game with 23 points and 13 rebounds in 24 minutes of play. I predicted that if he would have played a bit longer he would have easily tallied a 30 point-15 rebound showing.

The positive to this game was the fact that the Heat bench showed lots of resilience as the team's 2nd stringers kept neck-a-neck with the Hawks throughout most of the game, especially when the original Atlanta starters were on the court. To make a point, the Heat starters combined for 53 points, while the Hawks starters combined for 33 points - a 20 point differential. Whether you believe the Hawks were playing at full force or not, that's up to you, but I'd say the Heat did well for being a completely different team without the presence of 4 out of 5 of their starting lineup.

On a different note, expect a completely different ambience come April 18th. The real starters will be back on both sidelines and the level of competition will rise to new heights. Atlanta is no joke. They are a legitimate Eastern Conference team that has the potential to reach the 2nd and 3rd playoff rounds with ease. Miami has its hands full, but they got the lesser of all evils by avoiding 1st round matchups with Orlando, Boston, and Cleveland. I'd take Atlanta over that bunch any day.

This series can go either way, with a slight advantage going towards Atlanta and their playoff experienced squad. The Heat have youth and with youth comes inexperience. The upside is that both teams player similar styles of basketball, which will likely lead to games that will be played down to the wire. I expect at least a 6-game series and a very exciting one at that.

The Heat will be "Back in Black" and ready to continue their "Something2Prove" campaign. Whether Wade secures the MVP title or not, he will be poised to lead the Heat into uncharted waters just as he's done all season long. If you think Wade can't play at a higher level, then you have a short memory. Just look back at the 2006 playoff run and you'll quickly find that Wade has a "7th Gear." Strap yourselves in because this series will be the epitome of "Where Amazing Happens."

Good luck to the Miami Heat and congratulations to the organization for a huge one-season turnaround. Going from 15 to 40+ wins in such a short time span is an accomplishment in itself and makes this season a success as is. The playoffs are icing on the cake, and a 2nd round appearance would be the cherry on top. Let's see how much desert we will be fed.

Fish Battle Early for NL East Lead

If a month ago, I would of told you that the Marlins were going to have a crucial three-game series in April, you would have said I was crazy. But that's exactly what the Marlins are staring at when they visit their cross-state rivals in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Florida and Atlanta are tied atop the National League East at 5-1. These are two teams that were receiving no respect (like Rodney Dangerfield) before the start of the season. They are like the disowned godchild in the NL East family as the the Mets and the Phillies get all the attention. Well, Florida just won a series against the Mets and the Braves opened up with a 2-1 series win against the Phillies - both teams swept the Washington Nationals. The records are talking more volumes than hype now.

This series is going to give one team division separation and throw the other into a potential whirlwind. In case you haven't noticed, if history repeats itself, the Marlins should win the World Series this year. Is the six-year pattern be a prophecy or a hoax? 1997, 2003, 2009...? Hey it's never too early to talk October.

The Marlins are sending out Chris Volstad, Andrew Miller, and Anibal Sanchez while the Braves counter with Javier Vazquez, Derek Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami, respectively.

In order to come out on top, our bullpen will need to step up and bring the heat. They have a 5.19 ERA through 17 innings of work. On a positive note, the starters are posting a solid 2.03 ERA.

Cody Ross (.091 BA) and the rest of the bottom half of the batting order need to pick it up as well. The brunt of the offense cannot fall on the shoulders of the top of the batting order always. Let's hope that Emilio Bonafacio continues to surprise the league with his great performances. He has been know to have problems making contact, but obviously he has worked the kinks as he is batting .500.

It may be early, but let's see if the Fish can keep up the magic and prove the doubters wrong. Let's make this a year to remember.

Marlins No Longer Undefeated

Amidst the blackout on Saturday night's game between the Florida Marlins and New York Mets, fans came out in the masses to see the showdown between the division rivals - totaling to an attendance of 39,412. The game was not aired on television due to its scheduling at an earlier time than usual, resulting in conflicting interests with the network. The reason why the Marlins moved up the game: to accommodate the post-game performances by hip-hop artists Flo Rida, Pitbull, and DJ Laz. 

The game ended in a 8-4 loss for the Fish after an afternoon where their offense did not perform as well as usual. All four runs scored by the Marlins came in the 7th and 9th innings. The Mets' 3-run 8th inning virtually sealed the deal as they went up 8-2 with two innings left. The Marlins were able to salvage two runs in the 9th, but they were not enough to lead a comeback run. 

Once again, Bonifacio and Ramirez were the catalysts of the offense as they scored 2 out of the 4 runs batted in (RBI). That leaves both with a combined total of 14 RBIs in five games. 

Bonifacio has a batting average (BA) of .588 for the season thus far and Ramirez is not too far behind with a .421 BA. 

It was evident that the Marlins "undefeated streak" would end at some point, but it was not particularly expected on a night where the ace, Ricky Nolasco, was pitching. The good news is that the Marlins still have a decent scoring average as they have not scored less than 4 runs a game and recorded a 12-run game on Opening Day. 

Given the fact that every MLB team must lose at some point, the Fish can now be more realistic with their outlook on games and not worry about the pressures of staying "undefeated." We must now wait and see where the Marlins go from here. Do they rebound and continue their success? Will they fall into a sudden slump and get behind the pack? Or maybe they'll have some unpredictable ups and downs?

The answer is unknown, but the fact remains that the Marlins still have a whole season ahead of themselves. They have youth. They have athleticism. They have passion. And they have the opportunity to prove to everyone that they are not a team to be forgotten. 

Just as a fun fact: The Marlins won their first World Series in 1997 and their second in 2003. That's a six-year difference. Now if you count the difference between 2003 and 2009, that's six years as well. I'm not saying that their due for another World Series....I'm just sayin'. 

Throwback Saturday: Glen Rice

In our first edition of "Throwback Saturday" we take a look at a former professional athlete that played a significant role in Miami sports. As a six-year member of the Miami Heat, Glen Rice played a pivotal role in Miami Heat history, emerging as arguably the best scorer in franchise history (until Dwyane Wade came into the picture, of course). In order to appreciate his presence as a memorable athlete in South Florida sports, we will give brief background of his career and highlight some of his accomplishments as a member of the Heat.

G-Money, as local sports commentators liked to call him, was the premier prolific scorer on the Heat squad during the early to mid-1990's. Over his six-year tenure in Miami he averaged 19.3 points per game, and in two of those six seasons he recorded 22.3 points per game. Rice was especially known for his long-range shooting as he knew how to drop buckets from behind the 3-point line. He progressively got better at his 3-pt % as the seasons went by - tallying up a 3-pt % of 41 and setting his place as the 3rd best 3-pt shooter in NBA history. Need I say anymore about his ability to get the ball in the hoop?

Well, I'll tell you what he got in return as the fruits of his labor. He was on the 2nd Team All-Rookie class right off the bat, proving that he was ready to make a splash on the NBA. During his six seasons in South Beach, G-Money racked up enough points to secure the leading scorer in Miami Heat history, until it was recently broken by Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade. After leaving the Heat at the finish of the 1994-95 season , Rice went on to make three straight All-Star game appearances and claimed the MVP of the 1997 All-Star game.

After taking in all this hard data, it's hard to deny that Glenny Boy was key player in Heat history as well as in the greater South Florida sports community. His presence back then is equal to to that of Dwyane Wade's presence is today. Rice was a quick-strike, bucket-scoring, fan favorite that brought crowds to the former day Miami Arena. After all, it was Rice's great performance that ultimately led to the trade between Miami and Charlotte, bringing Alonzo Mourining to the heart of Miami. After that, all else is history. Had it not been for G-Money we may not have ever felt the power of Zo in Miami. Miami thanks Glen for the great moments he brought and the lasting memories he left. To number 41 - Glen Rice.

In order to sum up Glen Rice's career as a Heat swingman we've attached a video that depicts G-Money's unbelievable scoring showcase versus the Orlando Magic back in 1995.

Marlins Bring Out the Brooms Early

It may not be an accomplishment of epic proportions, but it feels damn good to start off a season with a 3-0 sweep of any team, nonetheless a team in your division. Throughout the three-game series versus the Washington Nationals the Marlins showcased an unexpected knack for scoring, averaging 8.7 runs per game during the opening stretch. The fans got a taste of a little bit of everything from doubles, triples, steals, an "inside the park" HR, a Grand Slam, and much more. Let's just say that the Fish started off with a bang.

If you look at the offensive statistics that the Marlins posted you will immediately notice the staggering amount of runs that they recorded - that is 26 of them. The team has a combined average of .304 amongst all active players, with a total of six HRs, five doubles, and two triples. Not to mention, the Fish also have a team average slugging percentage of .696 in their opening series.

The star performers include Jorge Cantu (5 RBIs), Hanley Ramirez (5 RBIs), Emilio Bonifacio (4 RBIs), and Dan Uggla (2 RBIs). It's nice to know that the Marlins have not missed a beat after parting ways with long-ball hitters Mike Jacobs and Josh Willingham.

As for the defensive aspect, particularly pitching, the starting pitchers averaged an ERA of about 3.0 and the entire pitching staff contributed for a 4.50 ERA. If the starting staff continues to go deeper in games and leave the relief pitching for the later innings, then we may see an improvement in overall pitching from the team this season.

Last year only three out of the seven pitchers that started 10+ games averaged an ERA of under 4.0 - Chris Volstad (2.88 ERA), Ricky Nolasco (3.52 ERA), and Josh Johnson (3.61 ERA). It may be a lot of numbers to take in, but these numbers don't lie and the fact is that the Marlins seem to be en route to posting better numbers than last season already.

A key feature to the team that was previously non-existent is the depth of speed found at the beginning of the lineup. Bonifacio, Ramirez, and Maybin are all dash artists that can make it to 1st base in under four seconds. It has even been rumored that Bonifacio recorded a 3.6-second run during Spring Training. That's speed and that's what we have been missing from other batters in the lineup besides Ramirez and Amezaga (on occassion).

To sum things up, it has been an exciting start for the Marlins, but one which must be taken with a grain of salt. It is only the third game out of 162, so the long haul is still ahead. As long as this team stays healthy and produces a consistent offense they will have a shot at the playoffs - just as good of a chance as the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies.

Florida Marlins Jump Fresh Out of Water

The Florida Marlins began their season with a clean slate and a fresh start, without the injuries and the stadium talks looming overhead.

The Fish went ahead and took advantage of this new beginning by opening up their offense with a revamped starting lineup and a new approach to their offensive strategy. The team recorded 12 hits and 12 runs versus the Washington Nationals on Monday afternoon and came out batting right from the get-go. 

The highlights included four home runs, one of which was "inside the park," and an onslaught of small ball tactics which consistently put the Marlins in scoring position. Emilio Bonafacio couple with Hanley Ramirez contributed 2 HRs and 7 RBIs as well as 3 stolen bases. It was the Bonifacio-Ramirez show and the fans recognized them with well-deserved curtain calls.

Besides all the basic news coverage and statistics, I want to touch upon a few points that I find important to the Marlins' Opening Day victory. 

As a Marlins fan, one must look at that game and feel excited about the potential the team has, despite the fact that Washington is no "shining star." Emilio Bonifacio seems like the prospect he has been painted out to be. Three stolen bases in an opening game is a bold way to show the fans one thing - "I am here to play." He showcased his freakish speed with the "inside the park" HR and wowed the crowd from the first pitch. It seems like the Marlins have equipped themselves with a secret weapon that has added a new dimension to the line up and a much-needed  lead off batter.

Hanley Ramirez did not disappoint with his Grand Slam in the 6th inning. It just goes to show that he's no one hit wonder, rather a solid athlete equal to the likes of Jimmy Rollins and Jose Reyes. The man has taken the role of "Star Player" and solidified his franchise status with the Marlins organization. To anyone who picked up Hanley on their fantasy baseball team, congratulations, enjoy the ride because he will bring thrills night in and night out. 

Overall, the Marlins gave the fans a glimpse of hope and a spark of excitement on day one of this 162-game long journey. The defense may not have been completely corrected, but the offense is back with a vengeance. Not to mention, the Fish have a healthy pitching staff now and can look forward to a more consistent performance on a daily basis.

It's time to prove the everyday doubters wrong. The one's that say the Marlins are a first-half team and nothing more. The one's that dismiss the team as "too young" and "too inexperienced."

To the next 161 games - Lace up those cleats and tighten those gloves because Miami is officially a Big League City.

Sunday Brunch Rant Week 6

NFL teams need financial protection from idiot superstars. Roger Goodell has to make a move. He needs to get together with the players association president and change the rules.

I propose the following:

Any player who commits, is found to have committed, has overwhelming evidence against him that he committed a crime, pleads guilty or no contest to a crime, shall have his contract revoked immediately and shall reimburse such team he is under contract with, any money that the player was paid after the date in question.

Plaxico Burress was cut this week by the New York Giants. Here's the thing, he's still going to receive part of his salary. He is facing at least 3 years in prison.

Donte Stallworth was charged with DUI Manslaughter this week but he is out on bond, participating in off season work outs, and still getting paid. He is facing a max of 15 years in prison.

The Atlanta Falcons are still trying to recoup 6.5 million that Michael Vick owes them.

What makes playing football any different from a regular blue collar job? Lets make it simple: If you don't play, you don't get paid, especially if you are sitting in an eight by four prison cell.

Stallworth shouldn't even be allowed to participate in team functions. He should be banned from attending. The evidence is out already. He was driving while over the alcohol limit and someone paid the price with their life. Allowing him to continue to get ready for a football season is a slap in the face to a grieving family.

Plaxico was cut, so he is not participating in team functions, but again, the evidence is clear. He has a gun shot wound in his thigh.

Both players are in court to try to lower their sentence, not prove thier innocence. They should be out of a job.

I applaud Commissioner Goodell for his strong disciplinary ways since he took over but now it's time to take it a step further.

Marlins Make a Move on Gaby Sanchez

Word is out that the Florida Marlins have demoted their University of Miami baseball prospect, Gaby Sanchez, to their Triple A affiliate team, the New Orleans Zephyrs. We predicted that Sanchez would be in a difficult position as he battled Jorge Cantu for a position at 1st base - he came out on the losing end of the early spring training position battles.

Although he was sent down to the minors, Gaby Sanchez has a huge upside to his game and has potential to become a future Marlins starter. As Dan Uggla once put it while he was on the Dan LeBatard Show, "he has a nice package" (I know, that doesn't sound right and LeBatard let him have it).

The decision to demote Gaby came as a result of a chain reaction of events. First of all, Emilio Bonifacio won the 3rd baseman spot with the team. That left Jorge Cantu battling for 1st base with Gaby. After Gaby had a sub-par performance in spring training, the team decided that Cantu was the safer pick.

We'll see what happens as the season begins and gets underway. I would like to see Gaby back in the active roster at some point in the season and play a few games in order to gain experience. The South Florida baseball fans will be rooting for him as they'll want the hometown athlete to get a legitimate shot at proving that he belongs in "The Majors."