Marlins Face Tougher Division?

April 29, 2010

As of this writing, the Florida Marlins are fourth in the N.L. East behind the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals. Only 22 games into the season, the current standings may not foreshadow the final position of each team as there is ample time for standings to fluctuate and teams to improve or regress. Nevertheless, there are things to be noted based on the present state of the Marlins' division.

We list the current standings and weigh in on the potential future of each team and the division as a whole. 

1. New York Mets (13-9)

Believe it or not, the Mets are currently atop the division ahead of the favored Phillies. Perhaps the talent that New York boasts on paper is beginning to show up on the field, unlike previous seasons. However, we must consider the possibility that this may not last for long. With the Mets' injury plagued past and history of inconsistency, the underachieving Mets we have known to accept may return as the season goes on.

Focusing on their present state, the Mets have fared well in the early season with a steady flow of offensive production and decent pitching from starters and relievers. New York's first two starters, Johan Santana and Mark Pelfrey have three and for wins, respectively. SP John Maine may be struggling with a 7.15 ERA, but has been proceeded by respectable performances from Jon Niese (3.68 ERA) and Oliver Perez (4.35 ERA). Not to mention, Francisco Rodriguez (AKA "K-Rod") has not disappointed in his 10.2 innings pitched, posting a 0.84 ERA and three saves in four opportunities.

And while the batting lineup does not have anyone with a post-.300 batting average (excluding recent called-up 1B Ike Davis), the Mets have found ways to drive in runs collectively. The team has averaged over four runs a game to open the season, which is commendable given their decent pitching support. Time will determine their success as true contenders or just pretenders.

2. Philadelphia Phillies (12-9)

The N.L. Champions enter 2010 as favorites to reach the World Series once again with newly-acquired Roy Halladay at the helm of their pitching staff, surrounded by postseason-caliber teammates. Only one game behind the surging Mets, Philly is sticking close to the top, and many expect them to be kings of the hill when it's all said and done.

The offense has done a solid job as expected, but has toned down in recent games. The team has produced over five runs a night with seven games of eight runs or more in just 21 games. Three starters currently hold over .300 batting averages in 3B Placido Polanco, OF Jason Werth and SS Jimmy Rollins. Basically, you can expect this team to put up runs. On a side note, the Marlins were able to suppress Philadelphia's high octane offense in their recent series, holding them to one run in the final two games of the series after a series-opening eight run outburst.

Surprisingly enough, the troubles faced by the Phillies are coming from the starting rotation. Outside of Halladay, three starters hold an ERA above five. Halladay (four wins) himself has almost as many wins as the rest of the rotation combined (five wins). Relief pitching has done a decent job, but have done so underneath the burden of excessive runs by their starting predecessors.Expect the Phillies to balance their pitching woes out by the end of the season. There is no doubt this is a playoff-worthy team. Onlye an unfortunate sequence of events can hold back this team from the postseason.

3. Washington Nationals (12-10)

That's right. The Nationals are not the fifth team in the N.L. East. Just one game behind the division lead, the Nats have surprised the league thus far. A dosage of decent offense and steady pitching has helped Washington stay in divisional discussions. Typically, we would find them sitting at the very bottom of the bracket increasing their distance from the pack by the day. Perhaps those are not the same Nationals we see today.

This team already has two three-game winners on their starting rotation in Livan Hernandez and Tyler Clippard, both of which have ERAs of 0.87 and 0.54, respectively. The other three starters are struggling as they each have ERAs well above five, combining for three total wins amongst themselves. Their bullpen is still suspect, but contributions from key relievers like Matt Capps have kept them afloat.

The team averages just over four runs per game and have two starters batting above .300, C Ivan Rodriguez (.400) and 3B Ryan Zimmerman (.326). In their lineup, four batters have double-digit RBIs already, hinting at their collective approach on offense. What will be interesting to see if this team can hold up their end on offense until pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg joins the team. Strasburg's addition could add more win opportunities as long as the bats show up to play during his starts. Nevertheless, his youth may play a rule in his early success or lack thereof. 

4. Florida Marlins (11-11) 

Standing at an even 11-11 record, the Marlins have clearly had an average start to the season. A mixture of consistent batting and volatile pitching has been the story of the season to this point. Defensive errors still trouble the Marlins as they are one of the league leaders in fielding errors. But the team has definitely shown signs of improvements throughout the first few weeks, some improvements coming quicker than others.

For instance, SP Josh Johnson has buckled down in his last three starts. JJ began the season giving up seven runs in his first two games, but only allowed four runs in the next three starts. Beyond that, Johnson has struck out double-digit batters in two of his last three starts. Essentially, the Marlins are getting what they paid for in an Ace. And for the most part, the rest of the rotation has done a solid job as well with SP Ricky Nolasco (3.03 ERA) and SP Anibal Sanchez (4.32) beginning to prove their worth. Unfortunately, the bullpen has ruined quite a few games after decent showings by the starters. Manager Freddi Gonzalez is still struggling to find a dependable group for relief situations. 

The batting has had its usual combination of streaky hitters, with 3B Jorge Cantu starting the season hot and cooling down in recent games. 2B Dan Uggla has also connected at the plate early on, but no starter currently holds a post-.300 batting average. Nonetheless, Hanley Ramirez, the reigning N.L. Batting Champion, still has not shown up to play at full potential. The consensus is that Florida will not have to worry about the offense once they get in their groove. It's the pitching that will decide the Marlins chances at the playoffs, but there is still time to work the kinks out as the season progresses.

5. Atlanta Braves (8-13) 

Do not be fooled by the Braves' current position. It's difficult to believe that this team will end at the bottom of the barrel come season's end. The mixture of solid starting pitchers, worthy hitters and a future Hall-of-Fame manager make this team a threat. Beyond that, the rise of Jason Heyward adds more potential to the Braves lineup as he develops. But do not discount to possibility of Atlanta being this season's Mets. In general, the offense has been quiet and the pitching has not delivered consistently thus far. Expectations may just be too high for the Braves.

SP Derek Lowe and SP Tim Hudson have done a relatively decent job at setting the tone for the pitching rotation, but their followers have not been able to keep the pace (except for SP Tommy Hanson). Relief pitching has contributed with solid efforts, but have received no production from the offense to result in victories.

The lineup is severely struggling with two starters below the .200 mark and a majority of the rest floating around the mid-.200s. Only 2B Martin Prado has a stellar batting average (.361). Heyward leads the team in RBIs (16), but is batting .224 in 67 AB. One can expect the offense to pick things up, but the ceiling may be lower than expected for this group. The Braves could either be a serious threat or a major flop at the end of it all.

Overview

The current standings could be a disguise of the real state of the division, but could also be a forecast of the future. The Marlins, if they develop their pitching staff and reduce their defensive errors, can at least make a push at the division. Realistic predictions would place Florida as a Wild Card contender if anything, but the constantly underestimated Marlins seem to always surprise the doubters. 

Bust, Bust, Hit: Third Season's a Charm?

April 26, 2010

It's time to be frank and honest. The Trifecta has not succeeded in improving the Miami Dolphins roster through free agency and trades. Their greatest success has come via the draft, which is a time-consuming means of bolstering a team. Nonetheless, the Dolphins have posted a 18-14 record under Bill Parcells and Company in their first two seasons at the helm. Hence, the Dolphins have played well, but not well enough to contend.

In their most aggressive pursuit of talent yet, the Dolphins went out and traded for WR Brandon Marshall, signed LB Karlos Dansby and signed G Richie Incognito this offseason. By DolFans standards, it is an impressive gesture and commitment on behalf of the front office; something that has not been seen in the last decade.

But despite the impressions these moves have made on the Fins faithful, the work of these players have yet to be seen in a Dolphins uniform. After all, was it not S Gibril Wilson and CB Eric Green that were supposed to improve Miami's secondary unit? Was it not TE Ernest Wilford that was projected to elevate the Dolphins' passing game? And the list of poor and questionable free agent pick-ups and trades continue. Not to mention, C Jake Grove and G Justin Smiley have not fully proven themselves in Miami.

The question now is: Will this season's offseason moves change that trend? The Dolphins can only hope that Dansby excels as Miami's new defensive leader, Marshall continues his elite wide receiver play and Incognito can hold the line in the offensive trenches. Key word, hope.

However, the possibility of failing in their acquisitions seems much lower. For one thing, these players all have a proven track record of production beyond a single season. Dansby has posted in excess of 100 tackles in the last two seasons and has missed no more than two games per season. Marshall has averaged over 100 receptions and 1,000 reception yards in his past three seasons, including an outstanding 21-reception game in 2009. Incognito is a six-year veteran with a potential to play many more seasons at the ripe age of 26. Furthermore, these players were sought after by a plethora of teams, meaning they have something of significant value to offer.

With that said, it seems that this time around Miami has gotten things right. For their moves to backfire it will take an unforeseeable sequence of events. On paper and on film, the arrows are pointing in a positive direction. The administration's third season in power may just be their charm.

* * *

Stay tuned for draft analysis once training camp begins. Predicting what each draftee will contribute to the team will be pointless prior to that, and will still be speculative without actual game experience being taken into account. At any rate, we'll keep you covered on the development on the Fins' newest members.    

Marlins Lose First Series of Season

April 22, 2010

Two games into the series against the Houston Astros, the Florida Marlins have officially lost their first series of the season. Prior to dropping the first two of this three-game series, Florida had won three series and tied one. As fate would have it, the two consecutive losses to the Astros came at the hands of for Marlins' closer Matt Lindstrom.

Drowned under the limelight of the 2010 NFL Draft, the Marlins will avoid a series sweep tonight before they head to Colorado Friday for a weekend series versus the Rockies. Currently the Marlins hold a record of 8-7 and are third in the NL East, behind the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies.

Just 15 games into the season, there is not much to be said about the team's future. But plenty can be said of the brief past. For one thing, the relief pitching has been as consistent as a politician's promises, while the offense has been honest to its expectations. It is becoming increasingly difficult for Manager Fredi Gonzalez to make his bullpen decisions game-in and game-out without second guessing himself. While he expects the bullpen to balance out as the season progresses, the Marlins must sure up their pitching if they hope to stay close in the division race.

The Marlins currently have five batters with over 35 AB exceeding the .300 batting average mark.Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla are posting averages north of .320 and both have 18 hits for the season. However, Jorge Cantu has surpassed the production of Ramirez and Uggla combined with four HRs and 18 RBIs. Even Cameron Maybin has chipped in with a .369 OBP at the lead off spot. On average, the complete Marlins offense tallies five plus runs per game.

What we are left is a team that shows sparks of brilliance, such as in the recent series against the Phillies, and glimpses of trouble like we are seeing in Houston. Last season was definitely a rollercoaster kind of season for the Fish and they still emerged with a solid 87 victories. If they can minimize the drastic freefall drops and stay on the climb more often, we may witness a post-90 wins season. But there is much work to be done.

Mockeration 2.0: Dolphins 2010 Mock First Round

April 20, 2010

Back in February we released version 1.0 of the Miami Dolphins' first round draft projections according to various mock drafts. As you now know, plenty has happened since then and it's time to see what analysts, writers and bloggers have to say with the actual draft just days away. Let the "mockeration" begin, once again:

And with the 12th pick in 2010 NFL Draft the Miami Dolphins select...

• Phin Phanatic - Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan (Predicted April 17)
• Pewter Report, Charlie Campbell - Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas (Predicted April 17)
• FFToolbox.com, Joshua Lobdell - Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama (Predicted April 16)
• WalterFootball.com, Walter Cherepinsky - Dan Williams, T, Tennessee (Predicted April 15)
• The Football Expert, Mike Abromowitz - Dan Williams, T, Tennessee (Predicted April 15)
• The Football Expert, Clint Clearwater - Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech (Predicted April 15)
• ESPN, Mel Kiper Jr. - Dan Williams, T, Tennessee (Predicted April 14)
• NFLDraftDog.com - Jason Pierre-Paul, LB, South Florida (Predicted April 12)
• Draft King, Lou Pickney - Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas (Predicted April 12)

Out of this small sample (of the thousands of mock drafts out there) we can deduct one thing: the consensus is that Miami will go defense in the first round.

Rarely do you see mocks that include Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant going to the Dolphins anymore because of the new "Marshall" in town. The only other offensive pick that is still floating around as a wild card is Clemson RB C.J. Spiller. But having lost their second round pick in the Marshall trade, the Dolphins will likely address the side of the football with the most holes: defense. With that said, it's safe to limit Miami's first round options to linebacker/defensive end, nose tackle and safety.

Losing Joey Porter and perhaps Jason Taylor leaves a major void in the linebacking core, even with Karlos Dansby jumping on board. Channing Crowder, Cameron Wake and Reggie Torbor make up the rest of the unit and are not considered both well-rounded and dominant in their own realm. That's where picks like Derrick Morgan, Sergio Kindle, Brandon Graham, Rolando McClain and Jason Pierre-Paul come in. Most of these players would add another pass rusher to the front seven to create more pressure on opposing QBs. Morgan, Kindle and McClain seem like the most NFL-ready of the bunch, whereas Graham and Pierre-Paul require some fine tuning to compete at the next level.

Dan Williams is the sole nose tackle being projected at number 12 and would address the need for a run-stopper and hole-plugger while Jason Ferguson serves his eight-game suspension. Williams' stock skyrocketed in the past few months, placing him as a legit first round pick according to many analysts. Whether Miami decides to apply the pressure through the defensive line or linebacking core, the need for an improved front seven is evident.

The safety spot is the final position of need for the Fins. Earl Thomas' name has swirled around the Dolphins, but his stock has risen by the week, which means he could be gone before Miami is on the clock. Currently, Chris Clemons and Tyrone Culver are the only options at free safety, leaving the last stand in the secondary in question. Drafting Thomas, if available, would sure up FS with a player that is both physical and holds a high football IQ. The Dolphins' decision will ultimately depend on their philosophy on defense: does the front seven make a better secondary, or does the secondary make a better front seven? Similar to the debate of what came first, the chicken or the egg, this answer lies in the hands of the Trifecta and newly-acquired defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. 

All this speculation will soon be gone one April 22nd rolls around and the Dolphins place their bets of the franchise's future. Having changed the direction of this organization, the Trifecta has already made some impressive improvements through their draft decisions the past two seasons. Fans can only hope this trend continues on Thursday, pushing Miami toward elite status in the NFL.

 * * * 

For those that are mock draft junkies and want to stay on top of the latest predictions in the coming days, check out the mock draft database that HailRedskins.com offers. 

The Highly Decorated Sioux Falls Skyforce

April 20, 2010

While the season may have not ended the way they planned, the Sioux Falls Skyforce earned their fair share of awards and accolades during the 2009-2010 season. Clinching a playoff berth as the fourth overall seed, they were set to make a postseason push before being derailed by the Tulsa 66ers in the opening round. Nevertheless, various Skyforcers earned honorable awards throughout the season, making Sioux Falls one of the most decorated D-League teams this season.

It all began with F Reggie Williams, who eventually was called-up by the Golden State Warriors for his stellar play. During his stint in the D-League, Williams represented the Skyforce with leadership and command as he earned Performer of the Week and Performer of the Month awards in Sioux Falls. Not to mention, his election to the NBA D-League All-Star game was another notch on his belt.

Upon Williams' departure, F Alexander Johnson stepped up and took the leadership role on the team. Following in Williams' footsteps, Johnson earned the Performer of the Month award for the month of March. Averaging a double-double for the season, he began to dominate the D-League on a nightly basis. For his efforts, he was called up by the Houston Rockets. That made two Skyforcers that were rewarded for their impressive performances at the minor league level.

Having lost Williams and Johnson, Sioux Falls was left without their two top players entering the playoffs. That's when C Greg Stiemsma came in. While not as offensively talented as his two former teammates, Stiemsma made his mark on the defensive end of the court. For his league-best 3.6 blocks season average, along with other defensive intangibles, the Skyforce center earned the title of D-League Defensive Player of the Year. For that, he was also called-up to the NBA by the Minnesota Timberwolves near the end of the regular season.

Thus, the Skyforce ended their year on a high note with all the commendable awards that they earned during the season. Next season will bring its own share of pleasant surprises for Sioux Falls as they continue to develop quality basketball talent year in and year out.

Heat Must Capitalize on Suspension

April 19, 2010

Sometimes the rules are not fair. Many Boston Celtics fans will argue that the suspension of Kevin Garnett for game two of the first round series is unfair, and they are not alone in that plea. But the NBA has made their decision and moved forward with their enforcement of it. With that said, game two must go on. And the Miami Heat will have a greater opportunity of stealing a game at Boston come Tuesday night.

A fierce competitor like Dwyane Wade enjoys competing against the greatest challenge available. Nevertheless, when a unique advantage poses itself in front of a playoff-hungry team, they must capitalize on that opportunity, no matter the fairness of the situation.

KG is the spiritual and physical embodiment of Boston's defense and his absence will surely test the Celtics' resilience.With that said, the Celtics will still be worthy adversaries for the Heat with the support of a home crowd behind them in game two.

It will be up to Miami's veteran leadership to capitalize on this moment. Boston's intensity will still be present, but its persistence will be lacking without number five huffing and puffing in demonstrative manners to pump up the team and crowd. The Heat will need to apply pressure early and maintain their intensity throughout the game in order to emerge victorious.

Last game, the Heat made an early push in the first half before going stale in the second half. That cannot happen come Tuesday. The defense played fairly well throughout, but the offensive production dropped off as the game progressed. Players like Michael Beasley (6 points) and Jermaine O'Neal (8 points) will need to establish their presence in the paint through a combination of mid-range jumpers and at-the-rim finishes.

Wade will be Wade, and the C's will likely double team him at certain points in the game. But the improved collective effort from role players (e.g., Dorell Wright, Carlos Arroyo, etc.) that Miami enjoyed in their final regular season stretch must show up again.

It is expected that Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will take up increased roles on offense without KG in the lineup. That's a given. However, the Heat must prevent other role players from disrupting their defensive efforts like Tony Allen did Saturday night, scoring 14 points in the process.

In essence, the key to game two lies on Miami's ability to apply and sustain offensive proficiency while limiting Boston's surges throughout the game. This is no time to underestimate the Celtics' roster as unsuspecting players will rise to the occasion on any given night, especially in the playoffs. This is the time for Miami to send a message that they can bounce back quickly and exploit any sign of weakness in their opponent.

State of the AFC: Q&A with Mike Kranzler

April 19, 2010

The last time we spoke with Mike Kranzler he gave us his perspective on the Dolphins' draft projections earlier in mid-February. A few months and some key offseason moves later, he's back to talk about the Dolphins and the state of the AFC. Having covered the San Diego Chargers for quite some time now, he's offered his journalistic commentary through sites like Scout.com, the San Diego Union-Tribune and Bleacher Report. Here's his take on the latest happenings in the NFL as the draft nears in our Q&A session.

Miami Sports Generation: Having covered the AFC through your writings on the San Diego Chargers, what do you think this offseason has done to the power rankings of the conference?

Mike Kranzler: The biggest change has to be the balance of power in the AFC East. The Jets and Dolphins have both made significant improvements through free agency, and the Patriots have done little to keep up with them. If Mark Sanchez proves himself to be a quality starting quarterback (which at this point remains to be seen), the Jets could be the class of the division for a long time due to the young stars on this team.

Dolphins fans should really be breathing a sigh of relief right now, because Brandon Marshall came dangerously close to becoming a Jet before he signed with the Dolphins. Apparently, the Jets were set to sign him to an offer sheet that would have sent their first-round pick (No. 29) to the Broncos in exchange for Marshall, but they couldn't agree on a contract. That would have been a disaster scenario for DolFans, but it couldn't have worked out better for them in the end.

Additionally, the Baltimore Ravens took a big step forward in signing Anquan Boldin, and could be the team to beat this season in the North.

On the other side, I expect the Broncos and Steelers to take a tumble down the power rankings this year. A year after trading their franchise QB, the Broncos unloaded their star wide receiver to the Dolphins in a move that I personally think will be very beneficial to both sides.

One of the most under-reported aspects of Brandon Marshall's attitude issues in Denver seems to be his guilt over his role in the death of teammate Darrent Williams in 2007. Mike Klis of the Denver Post had a great story in February about his troubles (http://www.denverpost.com/broncosheadlines/ci_14441207?source=rss), and I think that a change of scenery will be more than enough to straighten him out.

As for the Steelers, they've just traded their star wide receiver for a 5th rounder, and their franchise quarterback could soon be out the door due to his frequent brushes with the law (along with the two widely-reported accusations of sexual assault, there have been grumblings of at least two or three more cases where the victim chose not to press any charges). The Steelers are one of the classiest organizations in the NFL, and I don't think many would blame Art Rooney for making a statement and cutting ties with Big Ben. They will likely struggle this year without Santonio Holmes and possibly Big Ben, but should be set up to draft one of next year's star QBs such as Jake Locker (Washington), Andrew Luck (Stanford), or Ryan Mallett (Arkansas).

MSG: Having lost two "big name" players from the Chargers to the Jets, who do you see as the team that benefited the most?

MK: I would have to say that the Chargers benefited the most, although we will not be able to know for sure until after the draft next season. Tomlinson is one of the greatest running backs of all time, but there's no denying (unless you're LT) that he's past is prime. I would have really liked to see him stick around for one more year to mentor whatever young running back (my money is on Fresno State's Ryan Mathews or Auburn's Ben Tate) the Chargers pick up in the draft, but he obviously felt like he was no longer welcome in San Diego.

As for Cromartie, he is an incredibly talented athlete, but he has some major attitude issues. I've watched him loaf through practice for several years in training camp, and his play on the field often reflected that. He has a tendency to gamble in coverage, and lately has been beat more often than not. Outside of his standout All-Pro campaign when he notched 10 interceptions, he's only had five over the rest of his career. He also is a surprisingly unwilling tackler for a cornerback of his size, and his performance against the Jets in the playoffs (http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2010/01/22/antonio-cromartie-looks-like-he-was-tanking-against-the-jets-on-two-crucial-4th-quarter-plays/) was the last straw for the Chargers.

Along with his off-field exploits, I think the Chargers were the big winners in the Cromartie deal, especially if he plays enough to net them a 2nd rounder next year.

Additionally, the Jets have made several big-name moves at the risk of destroying their locker room chemistry. Cromartie and Holmes both have had multiple run-ins with the law, and even Tomlinson wasn't the best influence for the younger players in San Diego. If the Jets add Jason Taylor this week, they will be adding another veteran who has made his feelings for the Jets and their fans very well-known, and this team could very easily implode from all these moves.

Rex Ryan, while quite controversial, is a great coach, but I think it will take his best job yet in order to keep this locker room intact.

MSG: Since the last time we spoke, many factors have changed the landscape of the upcoming draft, do you have any new and different perspectives now?

MK: With the offseason additions of Marshall and Karlos Dansby, the Dolphins are likely no longer targeting my original possibilities of Rolando McClain and Dez Bryant. However, I could see them going for a pass-rushing outside linebacker like Sergio Kindle of Texas or a run-stuffing defensive tackle like Tennessee's Dan Williams. Since the Fins are much more likely to find a capable OLB with one of their later picks, I would suggest that they go with Williams if he is available.

Another route that a lot of Miami fans have been clamoring for lately is Clemson stud C.J. Spiller, but I don't see him lasting until No. 12.

In terms of the rest of the draft, I think the two big possibilities are Tim Tebow and/or Colt McCoy sneaking into the end of the 1st round or very beginning of the 2nd round. There have been grumblings of QB-needy teams like the Buffalo Bills trading back into the end of the 1st for Tebow, and Colt McCoy reminds me a lot of Drew Brees. Those two, while nowhere near as highly rated as Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen, have what it takes to be successful pros if put in the right situations.

The only other surprise could be the possibility of Clausen suffering an Aaron Rodgers-like freefall if he makes it past the Bills at No. 9, but I think the big news will be the start of Round 2, now that the 1st round has been moved to primetime on Thursday. With a whole day to reevaluate their draft boards and hit the phones, the first few picks on Day 2 are going to be in very high demand for teams looking to trade up to grab the players they covet.

It's going to be a very exciting draft with the combination of the new format and one of the deepest groups of prospects in years, and I think it's going to be a lot of fun. The NFL Draft is already the best weekend of the year for many football fans, and I think this is a great idea to make it even more exciting.

Heat Versus Celtics: What to Watch

April 17, 2010

November 29th, 2009, the Boston Celtics head to Miami and defeat the Heat 92-85. January 6th, 2010, the Celtics head back to South Florida and escape with another victory in a 112-106 overtime thriller. February 3rd, 2010, the Heat travel to Boston and fall to the Celtics for the third consecutive time to the tune of 107-102.

Who cares? The Miami Heat surely don't.

It's about the playoffs now. In the eyes of Coach Erik Spoelstra and his players, the focus is now.

Dwelling on the past will only help Miami excel in the present through their game tape sessions. The outcomes of those games are meaningless.

Hence, we look at the future and what the 2010 playoffs have in store for the Heat. Here are a few noteworthy factors to take into account going into the Heat-Celtics series:

• The Heat are 19-2 when Dwyane Wade scores 30+ points in the postseason, including a perfect 11-0 at home. In other words, give Wade the ball and good things will happen.

• Dwayne Wade and Udonis Haslem have reached the playoffs in six of their last seven seasons at members of the Miami Heat. Playoff-tested is an understatement. 

• Miami finished 27-2 when holding opponents under 90 points. Unfortunately, Boston scored over 90 points in all three match-ups against Miami this season.

• The Heat finished the season ranked second in the league in average points allowed (94.2) and opponents' field goal percentage (43.9%). Boston averaged 99.2 points per game this season.

• Boston and Miami have never faced eachother in the postseason, making this the first ever playoff series between the two. 

While the idea of Miami advancing past the first round may seem unlikely, momentum is actually in their favor. Miami ended the season winning 12 of their last 13 games while Boston posted a 3-7 record in their final 10 games of the season.

Role players like Quentin Richardson, Dorell Wright and Carlos Arroyo all improved in the final stretch of the regular season. Richardson had at least one three pointer in the final seven games of the season, averaging 14.1 points in that stretch. Wright has also produced from behind the arc, averaging 1.8 three-pointers per game and 11.8 points per game in the month of April. Arroyo dished out 3.5 assists and logged double-digit points in four of the seven games in April.

On the contrary, an injury-plagued Kevin Garnett, an aging Ray Allen, and a regressed Paul Pierce are making the once-formidable "Big Three" look less than dominant. But Rajon Rondo is the key to their ignition, and perhaps the key to this series. If Miami can contain him, which they've struggled to do in the past, they will stunt Boston's full potential. Otherwise, the Heat could be facing an early 2-0 deficit heading back to Miami.

With that said, Miami will still have a chance at upseting the favored Celtics with a consistent collective effort sprinkled with some D. Wade magic.

Ginn No Longer A Miami Dolphin

April, 16 2010

As some expected, Bill Parcells found a suitor to take Wide Receiver Ted Ginn Jr. The San Francisco 49ers will send the 145th draft pick in next week's draft to the Dolphins in return. Ted Ginn was put on the chopping block prior to the Dolphins acquiring Brandon Marshall from the Denver Broncos, making his departure eminent.

This move makes Brian Hartline, who started in lieu of Ginn a couple games last year, the clear-cut No. 2 receiver. Davone Bess and Greg Camarillo will play slot.

Stay tuned for more coverage on how this move will affect Miami's wide receiver unit.

Series to Watch: Thunder vs Lakers

April 16, 2010

Don't call it an upset just yet, but this is a series that is definitely worth watching.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are very underestimated and are not expected to make any splash in the playoffs, especially against the Los Angeles Lakers. With that said, there are intriguing factors in this first-round playoff series that should be taken into consideration.

With this being the first ever playoff series for the Thunder since leaving Seattle, the Oklahoma City crowd will be intense and in full support of their Thunder. The first taste of postseason stardom will definitely generate an electrifying environment among Thunder fans. And their emotions will be strikingly similar to those felt by Golden State Warrior fans in 2007.

In the '07 Western Conference Playoffs match-up between the Dallas Mavericks (first seed) and Golden State Warriors (eighth seed), the crowd played an integral role in the Warriors' success. Winning the series in six games (4-2), Golden State fueled their performances on the passion of a city, having not reached the playoffs since 1994. The energy of the crowd was palpable, even through television sets.

There is no doubt that Oklahoma City will mimic that same passion.

Behind MVP-candidate Kevin Durant, the Thunder will bring a combination of youth, energy and swagger to the court come playoff time. Most notably, the Thunder will having nothing to lose when they face the Lakers, which could be a dangerous factor to consider for L.A. Conversely, the Lakers will have something to prove as they are expected to reach the NBA Finals once again and contend for another title.

This season the Thunder have played the Lakers four times, losing the series 1-3. But the Lakers winded down their season on a mediocre note (5-5 in the final 10 games), while the Thunder had some impressive wins down the stretch, defeating the Lakers, Celtics and Mavericks in the process.

Don't just count this series out as a four-and-out for the Lakers, the Thunder could very well steal a few games and make it exciting. However, if L.A. even dismisses the Thunder as a meager challenge, it could be the making of an unprecedented upset.

Series Preview: Florida Marlins @ Philadelphia Phillies 4/16 - 4/18

April 16, 2010

vs.

Game 1

7:05 PM ET, April 16, 2010

Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Anibal Sanchez (0-0, 6.00 ERA) vs Roy Halladay (2-0, 0.56 ERA)

Game 2

7:05 PM ET, April 17 2010

Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Ricky Nolasco (0-0, 5.68 ERA) vs Jaime Moyer (1-0, 7.50 ERA)

Game 3

1:35 PM ET, April 18 2010

Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Nate Robertson (1-0, 3.60 ERA) vs Cole Hamels (2-0, 5.06 ERA)

Jorge Cantu brings his Major League record 10-game streak with a hit and RBI to open the season to Philadelphia (7-2, 2-1 Home) where he will have to face Roy Halladay in game one. Cantu has struggled against Hallady going 2-13 in his career, so he is going to have to bring his "A" game. Hallady has been nothing short of masterful (1 ER in 16 IP) in his first two games as a National League pitcher. Although he is winless (0-1, 5.00 ERA) against Florida in his career, Roy has never had the offensive fire power that he has now.

Philadelphia has the best two, three, and four hitters in the league right now. Placido Polanco (.475 avg), Chase Utley (.343 avg), and Ryan Howard (.357 avg) have combined for more RBIs (35) than the entire Houston (19), Baltimore (29), Cleveland (29) and Seattle (28) team. Add Jimmy Rollins (.391 avg), who was recently put on the disabled list, to the lead-off spot and you have to pray that your starting pitcher gets out of the first inning with minimal damage.

Florida will face Philadelphia's best three pitchers. After starting 12-0 in his career against the Marlins, Florida has been able to solve the mystery that is Jaime Moyer. Moyer is 1-4 in his last 5 against the Fish including 3 losses last year.Cole Hamels has had his share of problems against the Marlins posting a 2-6 record with a 4.48 ERA in 12 starts.

The Florida bats are starting to heat up. Seven out of the eight current starting position players are hitting over .300, but defense is still a major concern. Florida leads the Majors with 13 errors. Thats not including a couple of misplayed balls by Cameron Maybin in center field. That's one thing Florida cannot give up against the highest scoring team in the Majors: free hits.

Florida will have an opportunity to strike a blow and take an early division lead in a place where they went 7-2 last year. As we witnessed last season, it's not easy to play catch up and the end of the year. Florida will enter this series trailing Philadelphia by 1 1/2 games.

Fifth Seed Secured, Heat Face Celtics

April 15, 2010

And so it took a double overtime victory over the New Jersey Nets to decide Miami's final position in the Eastern Conference standings. As a result, Miami will head to Boston to face the fourth seeded Celtics in the opening round of the 2010 NBA Playoffs.

Had Miami lost Wednesday night, they would be packing their bags for Atlanta to reignite a Heat-Hawks rivalry that began last postseason. Instead, the Milwaukee Bucks will grab that flight to Georgia. The Bucks hold a series record 1-2 against the Hawks this season, but all games were decided by an average of five points. Similarly, the Heat have struggled against their impending opponent as they dropped all three games versus the Celtics this season, yet did not lose by more than seven points in those match-ups.

The first game of the series will be played on Saturday April 17 at 8:00PM on ESPN.

While the Heat are tasked with a difficult challenge in the form of a playoff-tested Celtics team, they have improved over the course of this season. Having won five more games than last season, Miami has continued to progress all the while Dwyane Wade took a slightly reduced role and supporting cast members stepped up. Although the odds will be stacked against them, this team has challenged the league's best without regard for the stakes.

With the experience of a seven-game series underneath their belt, this postseason should be characterized by less jitters and more poise by Miami's younger athletes. Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers should be more prepared for playoff-level basketball and embrace their roles with greater maturity. The elder statesman on the team will be there to keep them in line and positively channel their talent.

Position match-ups will be the area of greatest concern for the Heat as Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen have found ways of burning Miami's defense on multiple occasions. However, Boston stumbled their way into the playoffs as they posted a 3-7 record in their final 10 games of the season. And it is clear: this is not the 2007 Boston Celtics, the same one's that hoisted a championship trophy. Age and injuries have caught up to the Celts and it could affect the outcome of this upcoming series.

Will age only act as a facilitator for wisdom in the Celtics elder core or will Miami's youth catch up to the aged Bostonians in a best-of-seven series? In this case, age is not only a number, it's a deciding factor.

Depth at RB Makes Ronnie Brown Expendable

April 15, 2010

I am not the first one to say it and I won't be the last. The Ronnie Brown rumor mill has been churning since the 2008 offseason. And it could be the reason that Brown has not signed his tender yet.

This morning we saw how fast the Brandon Marshall deal happened upon signing his tender. No team has made any public inquiries, as of yet, but the same could happen with Ronnie Brown. Detriot, who is looking for someone to take pressure off Matthew Stafford, could be a possible suitor.

If the Dolphins are ready to move away from the wildcat formation, moving forward without Ronnie makes sense. Miami incorporated the wildcat when the passing game was not working and defenses played the run, rendering Miami's offense useless. Miami's acquisition of Brandon Marshall improved the receiving core twofold. Add a solid running game, and the use of the wildcat is no longer needed.

The Dolphins struggled running the formation last year after Brown went down for the year, so if the offense plans on keeping the same game plan, by all means keep him. But, I don't think the team wants to upset their new wide receiver by limiting the number of attempts he gets to make a play. So let's shake thing up.

Ricky Williams plans on retiring after this season. I'm sure your asking yourself, why get rid of Ronnie when Miami is going to lose Ricky next year? It's simple. Why lose Ricky to retirement and Ronnie to free agency with nothing in return?

Trading Ronnie Brown this year can pay dividends in the next two years. A first rounder in return for Brown is not impossible, but unlikely considering he is prone to injury (two season-ending injuries in three seasons). How about a 2011 and 2012 second rounder? How about the 2012 pick being conditional that can become a first-rounder if Brown doesn't get hurt and meets a certain performance criteria?

Ricky Williams showed last year that he is still capable of anchoring a running game. He was the NFL's quietest 1,000-yard rusher last year. Patrick Cobbs is returning from a season-ending injury in the opener last year. In 2008, Cobbs showed flashes of potential when given the opportunity. Shipping Brown would give Cobbs the chance to mature, get more repetitions, and have the possibility to become the running back of the future. Couple that with 2nd year player Lex Hilliard and the Dolphins have three players that can carry the load. Ronnie is Miami's best running back by far, but these three will have something Ronnie didn't have - someone to attract attention away from them.

Last year, the New England Patriots used a combination of five running backs that combined for 1,792 yards. Lawrence Maroney led the team with 757 yards (3.9 avg). Sammy Morris (319 yds, 4.4 avg), Fred Taylor (269 yds, 4.3 avg), Kevin Faulk (333 yds, 5.4 avg) and BenJarvus Green-Ellis (114 yds, 4.4 avg) combined for the remaining 1,035 yards. None of them are Pro-Bowl players or have the potential to start for another NFL team, but on a team with a vertical game, they are able to get through the tackles.

So, how much value does Ronnie Brown have? Is he worth more on the squad or as trading chip? One thing is for sure. Until Brown signs his tender with the Dolphins he will remain a Miami Dolphin. After that anything is possible.

Brandon Knight Chooses Kentucky

April 15, 2010

After a long-awaited decision, South Florida high school hoops phenom Brandon Knight chose John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats as his next destination. Rumors had Kansas, Syracuse, Connecticut and Florida all in the mix for Knight's services. But Kentucky's program lured in the 6'3, 175-lb guard out of Pincrest High School.

And Kentucky needed another wave of star recruits to replenish their NBA-bound freshman class, which included John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe and Daniel Orton. Only one Kentucky upperclassman declared for the draft, that being junior Patrick Patterson.

That leaves Brandon Knight with a shot at starting or receiving significant playing time off the bench from his first year. While he may not have the freakish athletic abilities that other five-star recruits behold, Knight brings an uncanny ability to penetrate into the paint, effectively use crossover moves and create plays for teammates.

There is no doubt that this kid will excel at the next level, but what will matter more is whether he will fall to the trend of "one-and-dones" that have plagued some marquee NCAA programs. For his sake, a college career beyond his freshman season will serve Knight well and mold him into an NBA-ready guard. At any rate, South Florida will see their hometown product blaze the college hoops world fairly soon, and perhaps become an eventual lottery draft pick at the pros.

Last Minute NFL Schedule Changes?

April 14, 2010

With the NFL Schedule set to be released on Tuesday April 20 live on ESPN2, fans are anticipating if their team will be featured on Prime Time. Particularly, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets fans who have seen their teams make big splashes this last week, with the Jets adding another threat to line up opposite of Braylon Edwards in Santonio Holmes and the Dolphins acquiring Brandon Marshall from the Denver Broncos.

Can such moves prompt Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL to go back and make some last minute tweaks to the nationally televised games?

Goodell is worried that teams that clinch their respective divisions early in the season are tanking the last few games, so he pushed for more divisional games towards the end of the season. The Dolphins and Jets have faced each other prior to week four of the season in five of the last eight years. If Goodell gets his wish, these two teams might not see each other until after Santonio Holmes returns from his suspension.

What better than a week five game between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night?

If that isn't intriguing enough to make a quick revision, I don't know what is.

Marshall to Dolphins Narrows Draft Choices

April 14, 2010

Update (4/15/10): Click here to watch the Brandon Marshall press conference.

The day that all DolFans have been waiting for has arrived: The Miami Dolphins have addressed the No. 1 wide receiver spot. In what developed rapidly without much media coverage, the Dolphins reached an agreement with the Denver Broncos to send them a 2010 and 2011 2nd round draft pick in return for WR Brandon Marshall. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that according to a league source, Marshall and the Dolphins subsequently agreed on a four-year, $47.5 million contract extension that includes $24 million in guaranteed money. This coming after WR Santonio Holmes was shipped off to the New York Jets for a 5th round pick.

Now that the arms race for wide receivers in the AFC East is seemingly over, the Dolphins can now narrow their choices for the upcoming draft. We now know that Dez Bryant will not be a Miami Dolphin come April 22nd. We also have reason to believe that Rolando McClain will not be the name called at number 12 overall. Thus, we are left with three positions: OLB, DE, and DT.

We've heard of Sergio Kindle as a back-up option, but the likelihood of him landing in Miami has just increased dramatically. The need for a pass rusher is perhaps the most dire priority for the Fins, especially with Jason Taylor in talks with the Jets. But some believe that a DE could meet those needs and combo as an OLB in Miami's 3-4 defense. That's where DE Derrick Morgan and DE Jason Pierre-Paul come into the picture. Both considered athletic specimens of elite ranking, but may have struggles adapting to a different defensive scheme. That's where DT Dan Williams comes in, which would be the least buzz-worthy pick for the Dolphins to make, but likely a solid one.

In losing this season's second round draft pick for Marshall, Miami now must make their first rounder count even more. Given, Marshall is worthy of that second rounder and Miami would have likely used either their first or second round pick to draft a WR otherwise. But now with one less selection, the choice becomes a bit more difficult.

In all, DolFans cannot complain about management's approach to this offseason. While it may have been frustrating to see other teams improve while Miami sat back, patience was a virtue as it landed them Brandon Marshall. In reality, whomever Miami picks at number 12 will be one that fans will be fine with. The real excitement has already arrived in the form of Chad Henne's new target.

Let's see if Marshall can mimic his 21-reception performance in a Dolphins uniform.

* * *

The Dolphins Highest Draft Priority Is...

Linebacker	12 (16%)
Wide Receiver	37 (50%)
Safety	11 (15%)
Defensive Tackle	9 (12%)
Tight End	3 (4%)
Other	1 (1%)

Total Votes: 73

We've had a running poll for quite some time now regarding the Dolphins highest draft priority. Prior to acquiring Marshall, fans believed that WR was the most significant position to address via draft. Clearly that has changed and the draft priority now shifts to another position. What do you think is the new priority?

Series Preview: Cincinnati Reds @ Florida Marlins 4/12 - 4/15

April 12, 2010

VS

Game 1
7:10 PM ET, April 12, 2010
Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Johnny Cueto (0-0, 3.00 ERA) vs Ricky Nolasco (0-0, 4.05 ERA)

Ricky Nolasco will take the mound for the second time this season after receiving a no decision for his first outing in New York. The Marlins have averaged just over 5 runs in the last five games and Nolasco will be looking for that kind of offensive support against the Reds. Cueto has only one career start versus the Marlins, but he came away with a victory on six innings, eight strikeouts and three earned runs in that start. Expect Jorge Cantu to continue his recent success at the plate as he has homered twice off Cueto in his three career at bats. On the other end, Reds clean-up batter Brandon Phillips has not succeeded against Nolasco in the past, facing Ricky eight times and going down on strikes in four of those appearances.

Game 2
7:10 PM ET, April 13, 2010
Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Bronson Arroyo (0-0,1.13 ERA) vs Nate Robertson (1-0,1.80 ERA)

Nate Robertson had a decent showing in his first start as a Marlin after securing a win at Citi Field versus the Mets. Robertson pitched five innings and allowed one run during that span, but got into high pitch counts early in the game. His counter-part, Bronson Arroyo, is coming off an impressive eight innings, one run performance against the high-powered St. Louis Cardinals. This pitching duel will be an interesting one to watch, as two savvy veterans will try to prove they still have what it takes. Marlins star SS Hanley Ramirez has not had much success against Arroyo, only batting .222 with two hits in nine at bats, but the tides could change with a more mature, patient Ramirez at the plate.


Game 3
7:10 PM ET, April 14, 2010
Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Homer Bailey (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs Chris Volstad (0-1, 2.84 ERA)


Chris Volstad will look to rebound after a disappointing loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on the home opener. Volstad only allowed two runs in 6.1 innings pitched, but received no help from the offense and had poor support from the bullpen, leading to his first loss of the year. On the other end, Homer Bailey will look to make his second career start versus the Marlins. Bailey struck out seven and allowed one run in his first showing against the Fish. Similarly, Volstad will also be making his second career start versus the Reds, which should make interesting match-ups for opposing batters. Both pitchers have been known to allow runs when struggling to find command early in a game. Expect one team to capitalize on those mistakes. The Marlins can only hope that Bailey will be the one making them.


Game 4
7:10 PM ET, April 15, 2010
Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Aaron Harang (0-1, 4.50 ERA) vs Josh Johnson (0-1, 6.30 ERA)

Josh Johnson has yet to tally his first win of the season after two starts so far. But a third start may be the charm for JJ after two mediocre starts in New York and at home. Reds Ace Aaron Harang has experienced similar struggles through his first two starts as well, yielding three runs in each of those games. Unfortunately, Harang must face Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla, which have posted four home runs and two home runs, respectively, and high-.300 batting averages against him. In JJ's favor, he has fared well against the Reds' lineup, only sacrificing one homer to newly acquired Miguel Cairo. As the final game in a four-game series, this should play out to be one of the most exciting match-ups in the series.   

A Look at Former Marlins

April 12, 2010


A couple of former Florida Marlins shined on Sunday with their respective teams.

With the performances from these players, their  teams were able to put one in the win column. Even though they are no longer part of the Marlins organization it is good to see that they are still playing at a high level.

• 1B Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers: 3-3, 3 BB, 3 Runs, 1 RBI

• SS Alex "Sea Bass" Gonzalez, Toronto Blue Jays: 2-4, 1HR, 2 RBI, 2 Runs

• P Livan Hernandez, Washington Nationals - 7.0 Innings, 0 runs allowed

• LF Josh "The Hammer' Willingham: 2-3, GS, 5 RBI, 1 Run

• C Matt Treanor, Texas Rangers: 2-4, 2 RBI, 1 Run

• C Miguel Olivo, Colorado Rockies: 2-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 Run, 1 SB

Jets Get Stronger, Dolphins Sit and Watch

April 12, 2010

2009 Super Bowl MVP, Santonio Holmes, was traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the New York Jets for a 2010 5th round pick. Holmes is coming off his career best season after catching 79 passes for 1,248 yards and five touchdowns.

The Jets have been on a tear this off-season. Despite being part of the last eight in this uncapped year, New York has been able to maximize their limited free agency moves and stack up with trades.

The Jets began the off-season with a bang by acquiring former Pro Bowl Cornerback Antonie Cromartie from the San Diego Chargers for a 2011 conditional third round pick. Cromartie will join arguably the best shutdown corner in the league Darrelle Revis. To make room for Cromartie the Jets traded their weakest link on defense, CB Kerry Rhodes to Arizona after the Cardinals lost Antrell Rolle to the Giants in free agency.


Rex Ryan then went after another San Diego Charger in recently cut RB LaDainian Tomlinson. Tomlinson was between joining the Minnesota Vikings back field or the Jets before ultimately heading for the Big Apple. The Vikings publicly presented a better offer for Tomlinson as Coach Brad Childress said Adrian Peterson would be the number one and LaDainian 1A. With the Jets he will serve as back-up to second year player Shonn Greene.

The Jets are still heavily pursuing Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor. Taylor was in New York for three days touring the new facilities, meeting with players and dining with the brass. Taylor has yet to make a decision on if we will join a city that he has publicly despised. The Dolphins have yet to comment or make any attempts in keeping Taylor for the 2010 season.

The Jets have also signed S Brodey Pool and K Nick Folk.

After themselves opening free agency with a bang by signing LB Karlos Dansby, the Dolphins have done nothing to address their needs at wide receiver, safety, nose tackle or outside linebacker. That begs to question, what are the Dolphins waiting for?

This doesn't look like a team that's going to be able to compete with the rest of the division. And one that is on their way to another 7-9 season. the Dolphins need to begin inquiring about players on the block (and even players that aren't) like the Jets. Neither Cromartie or Holmes were publicly on the trading block, but were traded after a simple phone call. So my message to Bill Parcells is this: Pick up the phone and dial a friend.

Strive for Five

April 12, 2010

This is what it boils down to. Two games will decide the owner of the Eastern Conference's fifth seed.

After an 111-98 victory over the New York Knicks, the Miami Heat reestablished a tie with the Milwaukee Bucks for the five spot. A spot in which Milwaukee holds the advantage for.

Miami will close out the regular season with an away game at the Philadelphia 76ers followed by a home closer versus the New Jersey Nets. Milwaukee will face the Atlanta Hawks at home before heading on the road to battle the Boston Celtics.

In terms of difficulty, Miami will match-up against the easier opponents, while the Bucks close out against playoff contenders.

Nevertheless, appearances can be deceiving.

The 76ers and Nets, both out of the playoff picture,  will have nothing to lose when they step on the hardcourt against the Heat. Thus, they should not be taken for granted and dubbed "easy wins." On the same token, Atlanta and Boston are still vying for the third seed in the East and will not rest their starters in the final games of the season.

Determination will crown the fifth seed as the mad dash to the finish will be won by whoever wants it more.

Milwaukee's surprising run has clinched them an ever-so-elusive playoff berth for the first time since 2006. And they hold the key to the final chapter of their regular season story. It will take some help from Miami's prospective playoff opponents to dethrone the Bucks from their spot, as well as some perseverance from the Heat roster to win out.

Will Dwyane Wade will his team to an impressive 12-1 record to close out the season? Or will Milwaukee's momentum outweigh Miami's push?

Although the postseason has not yet arrived, this is what playoff basketball is all about.

Another Skyforcer Rewarded for Stellar Play

April 11, 2010

Following in the footsteps of Reggie Williams, Alexander Johnson has been rewarded for his impressive performance as a member of the Sioux Falls Skyforce. The reward: Called up to the NBA to play for the Houston Rockets. This marks the second time this season that a member of the Skyforce is called up to the pros.

Johnson averaged 23 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1 block per game as a member of the Skyforce this season. His play elevated after Reggie Williams was sent up to the Golden State Warriors and gave way for a new leader to step up. Johnson answered that call and received various accolades along the way, including Performer of the Month in March.

The Houston Rockets have used the NBA D-League on a regular basis this season in their search for a consistent rotation and dependable roster. Other Rockets call-ups in '09-'10 include Mike Harris (Rio Grande Valley Vipers), Will Conroy (Rio Grande Valley Vipers) and Garrett Temple (Rio Grande Valley Vipers).

On the downside, Johnson's call-up could not have come at a worse time for the Skyforce as they are in the middle of a playoff series versus the Tulsa 66ers. Sioux Falls dropped the first game of the best-of-three playoff series Thursday night, but bounced back at home in game two. They'll play game three on Sunday at home to determine the victor.

News Flashes: April 10, 2010

April 10, 2010

Florida Marlins

• The Florida Marlins opened up at home for the first time of the season last night, but came up short in front of the 40,000 plus attendance, losing 7-3 versus the Los Angeles Dodgers.

• Chris Volstad gave up two earned runs in 6.1 innings pitched and was tagged with his first loss of the season.

• The Marlins bullpen was less than impressive once again as Jose Veras and Renyel Pinto allowed a combined three hits and three earned runs in the eighth and ninth innings.

• Wes Helms came up big in the ninth inning as the Marlins attempted to rally back when he cracked a 2-RBI double with the bases loaded. Unfortunately, Dodgers RP Jonathan Broxton went on to strike out the final two Marlins batters to end the rally and the game.

Miami Heat

• The Miami Heat were unable to push their win streak to 10 with the Detroit Pistons coming into town, losing 106-99 at home.

• Ben Gordon was one point shy of a 40-point night and lit up the Heat, followed by Tayshaun Prince's 28 points.

• Four Heat players recorded double-digit points, led by Dwyane Wade's 19. 

• Miami now falls to sixth place in the East, trailing the Milwaukee Bucks by one game. The Bucks are forced to play the Boston Celtics twice in their final three games, while the Heat play the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets to close out their season. 

Series Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers @ Florida Marlins 4/9 - 4/11

vs.

After an Opening Day loss to the Mets at Citi Field, the Marlins (2-1, 0-0 Home) were able to bounce back and take the first series against their division rival. Florida battled through control problems in the bullpen the first two games, allowing 6 runs, 6 walks and a hit batter before pitching four scoreless innings on Thursday.

The Florida Marlins will now welcome Manny Ramirez and the Los Angeles Dodgers (1-2, 1-2 Away) to Dolphin Stadium....I mean Land Shark Stadium...No, that's not right...Oh yeah! They welcome them to the newly christened Sun Life Stadium for their first home series of the year. They will play three games over the weekend that will include the first Super Saturday Concert of the season, featuring Nelly, Kevin Rudolf and the New Boyz. On Friday Hanley Ramirez and Chris Coghlan will be honored for their accomplishment in wining the N.L Batting Title and N.L. Rookie of the Year, respectively. Florida got off to a great start at home in the 2009 campaign wining five out of their first six games.

Game 1
7:10 PM ET, April 9, 2010
Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Hiroki Kuroda (0-0, 0.00) vs Chris Volstad (0-0, 0.00)

Florida and Los Angeles split their 6 meetings last year with the Dodgers taking 2 of 3 in South Florida. The Marlins will send Chris Volstad to the mound on Friday to kick things off. Volstad will attempt to piggy back off his last Spring Training start, where he was not only stellar with his arm, but with his bat too as he went 3-4 with a double, 2 singles and 2 RBI. Volstad is 1-1 with a 6.35 ERA against the Dodgers in his short career with the loss coming at home last year.

Game 2
7:10 PM ET, April 10, 2010
Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Vicente Padilla (0-1, 14.54) vs Josh Johnson (0-1, 7.20)

Marlins Ace Josh Johnson and Dodgers Ace Vicente Padilla will have a chance to redeem themselves on this day. Johnson allowed 4 runs in 5 innings of work on Opening Day including a two-run homer to David Wright in the top of the 1st inning. He was solid the rest of the way through the fifth. Having thrown 89 pitches by the end of the 5th inning, the decision to bring him out in the 6th was questionable. Manager Fredi Gonzalez wanted to test the limit of his pitcher and paid the price for it. Padilla was tossed around like a rag by the Pirates earlier in the week. He was tagged for 7 runs in 4 1/3 innings. Padilla is 4-5 with a 2.92 ERA in 17 games with 11 starts against the Marlins.

Game 3
1:10 PM ET, April 11, 2010
Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Charlie Haeger (0-0, 0.00) vs Anibal Sanchez (0-0, 0.00)

Anibal Sanchez will try to prove to the skipper that he deserves to be on the team after a horrible Spring (1-3 6.38 ERA) that might have been the cause for his demotion to 5th in the rotation. The most concerning stat this Spring was the number of walks issued (12). Haeger has spent most of his 4 year career in the minors. He a has only appeared in 25 games, four of them as a starter. This is the first time that Haeger has started the year on a Major League club. He has served primarily as a late season call-up.

ESPN Analysts Torn on Dolphins' Pick

April 8, 2010

While much attention is paid to ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay whenever the NFL Draft rolls around, their mock drafts are as good as the average mock junkie; like this year's NCAA Tournament brackets, they are likely to be busted early and often. Nevertheless, their insight is always interesting to chime into whether fans agree or disagree.

Thus, their most recent mock draft ("Mock Draft 4.0") projects Miami going in one direction: defense. But the positions Kiper and McShay believe the Dolphins will address are slightly different. Kiper stuck with his previous choice of Tennessee's DT Dan Williams, while McShay shifted his selection towards Georgia Tech's DE Derrick Morgan. While both Williams and Morgan have been mentioned in the past, it's interesting to see the developments in the draft stock of key prospects and how they've affected the scheme of draft predictions.

McShay threw himself off the Dan Williams bandwagon and factored in the rising value of Derrick Morgan into the equation. After all, it was Kiper and McShay that raved about Williams' rise to prominence in their previous mock. But it seems that acquiring a dominant pass rusher and solid run stuffer was what McShay believes is Miami's primary goal.

We previously mentioned the effect that Donovan McNabb's trade to the Washington Redskins could have on the Dolphins, which made Jimmy Clausen's selection at number four overall highly unlikely. It's moves like those, along with changes in draft stock, that constantly change possible draft scenarios.

Miami is fortunate to have a wealth of options available to them despite all player transactions and draft value changes to date. Other recent mock drafts have the Dolphins selecting the following:

• FWGNFL.com (April 7): Dan Williams, T, Tennessee
• Saturdays2Sundays.com (April 7): Dan Williams, T, Tennessee
• Draft Academy (April 7): Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
• WalterFootball.com (April 6): Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
• TheFootballExpert.com (April 6): Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
• NFLDraftDog.com (April 5): Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
• NFLDraftScout.com (April 2-5): Dan Williams, T, Tennessee (all four mocks)

Just to name a few.

A notable factor among this small sample of mock drafts is that they all agree Miami will go defense. After all, it seems to be the "Parcells Way" of building teams. But most mocks have eliminated the possibility of Miami addressing the safety position and/or picking a pure linebacker at number 12. Given, Earl Thomas (Texas) is the only other safety outside of Eric Berry (Tennessee) worthy of a Top 15 pick and some of the prospective DE's on Miami's board can switch off as OLBs in a 3-4 defense. But while we can narrow down the positions that Miami will not be addressing, we must still be conscious of what's available when the Fins are on the clock.

The idea of an unsuspecting prospect stumbling down past the first 11 picks could easily sway the Dolphins' final decision. It's difficult to argue that an available Dez Bryant or (by divine intervention) Eric Berry would not make The Trifecta think twice about their choice and what either player could mean to the future of the franchise.

News Flashes: April 8, 2010

April 8, 2010

Miami Heat

• By the score of 99-95, the Miami Heat secured their ninth straight victory with just four games left in the regular season.

• The Heat now hold the longest active win streak in the entire league, followed by the San Antonio Spurs, which have won four in a row.

• With an Atlanta Hawks loss, the third and fourth seeds in the East are now up for grabs between them and the Boston Celtics; Assuming that the Heat hold on to the fifth seed, this will determine who Miami will play in the first round.

• Miami's stays home for their Friday match-up versus the Detroit Pistons. Tipoff is at 7:30 PM.

Florida Marlins

• Having to dig into extra innings, the Marlins avoided a complete late-game collapse in New York and posted their first win of the 2010 season.

• Ricky Nolasco had a decent showing, pitching 6.2 innings and allowing three earned runs, but the bullpen blew the lead and prevented Nolasco from obtaining his first win. 

• The Marlins bullpen continued to struggle with a sub-par performances by Renyel Pinto, Jose Veras, and Leo Nunez, who combined for six walks, three hits and three earned runs. Tim Wood closed the door with a solid 10th inning.

• Ronny Paulino came through for the Fish in the 10th inning, driving in the go-ahead run to win the game. Hanley Ramirez, Jorge Cantu and Dan Uggla all chimed in with solo home runs.

Whatever Happened to...

April 7, 2010

Just over a season ago the Florida Marlins were glad to have a versatile and unique utility player on their roster. One that could play both outfield and infield, as well as use his speed to generate offensive production for the team. At one point he was dubbed "The Flying Mexican" as he carried the pride of a country every time he stepped on the field. His name: Alfredo Amezaga. His status: No longer with the Fish.

But whatever happened to this local fan favorite? At what point did he drop off the map for the Marlins?

Well, Amezaga can now be found styling a Los Angeles Dodgers jersey with a number four on his back. Ironically enough, the Marlins will be opening up their first home series against L.A. on Friday.

Here's a guy that went from playing every position short of pitcher and catcher (literally) in Florida's 2006 and 2007 seasons. And like a swift breeze his role on the team eroded away into nothingness by 2009. From playing in just over 130 games on average during his first three seasons in Florida to barely scratching 25 games in his last season, Amezaga's drop-off was sudden and unforeseen.

What can this be attributed to? A season-ending knee injury that required microfracture surgery in July of '09. The same injury that has kept him away from L.A.'s active roster and relegated him to the minors for rehabilitation with the expectation of a mid-season call-up.

As the Fish continued without him in '09, making a playoff push into the final stretch of the season, the front office realized that Amezaga's services were no longer necessary for the Marlins to succeed.

While Fish fans were both perplexed and saddened by the departure of "The Flying Mexican," the emergence of Chris Coghlan outweighed those emotions. It was the unfortunate demise of Amezaga that gave way for others, like Coghlan (and Brett Carroll), to prove themselves worthy of a Major League roster spot.

Despite his short stint in Florida, Amezaga's passion and effort will be remembered by the Marlins faithful for years to come. Even if he now dons the colors of a foe, you can expect only warm wishes for the former Marlin by the team and the fans.