Tony's in Hot Water

September 27, 2011
Written by Julia Chongarlides

Coach Tony Sparano is 0-3 in the month of September and his job is being questioned. After last year’s season, his seat began to sizzle but now it is definitely starting to boil.

Last game in Cleveland, Miami scored just one touchdown in three stabs at the red zone. They can’t seem to get it done. And let's not forget about Reggie Bush and his inexcusable red zone fumble. He had 11 carries and a measly 12 yards in Sunday’s loss to the Browns. The worst part: It’s not like the Browns played well either. Colt McCoy was missing receivers all game until the winning drive, when he completed 9 out of 13 passes for 80 yards.

In the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss, Chad Henne threw three straight incomplete passes followed by an interception intended for Brandon Marshall. Confidence is still and issue according to Saprano and Henne. What’s it going to take for these guys to go out there and get that ever-so-elusive W?

There are 13 games left for the Fins to show if they have any resilience in them. Otherwise, Tony might be heading to the bench for good. Miami travels to San Diego on Sunday, October 2nd, to face off against the Chargers. This will be Miami's final game before entering their bye week. Kick off starts at 4:15 EST on CBS.

Fins Stuck in Their Old Ways

September 21, 2011
Written by Julia Chongarlides

Coming off back-to-back 7-9 seasons, the Miami Dolphins are still looking for answers but their 0-2 start this season will make it an uphill climb. The Fins have an exceptionally inexperienced team this year with no depth. They have 15 players that have two years or less playing in the NFL. Vontae Davis will be playing on limited basis with a hamstring injury and Karlos Dansby is out with an injured groin. This allows for second-year player Nolan Carroll and veteran Will Allen, re-signed by the Dolphins on September 14 after Benny Sapp was fired, a chance to see some snaps. They're hoping to avoid another embarrassing performance like when they gave up 517 yards to Tom Brady in the season opener.

After last Sunday’s loss versus the Houston Texans, Coach Sparano and Linebacker Jason Taylor said the Dolphins need more confidence. But where does Miami find the confidence when they've had no success thus far? This is the most mind-boggling question facing the team right now. This is especially true when most of Miami's young players are still trying to find their own self-confidence and comfort in a brand new league. Daniel Thomas, running back out of Kansas State, had some good runs but gave up one crucial fumble last game. While the rookie looks like he has potential, he still has plenty to learn.

Acquiring veteran Reggie Bush in a pre-season trade that sent reserve safety Jonathan Amaya to New Orleans was perceived as a sign of improvement for Miami. But Bush has only recorded a total of 17 carries and 56 yards rushing to begin the 2011 season with the Miami Dolphins. That’s not exactly the Reggie Bush fans were hoping to see at Sun Life Stadium.

But are fans really hoping to see their guys in aqua and orange win at home this season? The Fins are 1-11 over the past 12 home games. That's why it might be a good sign for Miami to be on the road for 5 out of the next 6 games. Perhaps they will earn the label of road warriors as they did early on last season.

The Dolphins head to Ohio this Sunday to face Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll's former team, the Cleveland Browns. Kickoff starts at 1:00 PM EST on CBS.

Goodbye, not farewell

Greetings.

Miami Sports Generation promised you intense hockey coverage over the course of the 2011-12 season. It is with many apologies that we say we cannot commit to this promise.

Over the weekend I was hired to be a correspondent with Inside Hockey.com, a website that produces columns on all 30 NHL teams. I will be the Panthers beat writer. I do not know what David plans to do or if he plans to replace me on the hockey beat, but in the mean time I encourage you to go to the website and enjoy some articles on all of the teams (Especially the Panthers). It'll be worth it, I promise!

My intention is to remain and write features for the site, and maybe next year I will actually get a few Marlins posts in! Of course, all of this depends on David's decisions. It's been a pleasure being your brief hockey beat writer here at Miami Sports Generation. Hopefully you will see some RED and I will get to see you out at the BankAtlantic Center this season. If you see me, feel free to say "hi!" and let me know what you think of my columns! I love feedback.

Justin

Rookie Camp: Panthers improve to 1-0; Lightning lose 2 games

CORAL SPRINGS - The Florida Panthers topped the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first game of the "Kevin Dineen Era" last night at the Saveology Iceplex in Coral Springs.

Before the game, the two teams paused for a moment of silence to remember Wade Belak (Suicide), Ruslan Salei, Karlins Skratstans, and Alexander Karpovtsev (Plane Crash), all of the Lokomitiv hockey team, and all of the victims of the 9/11 attacks.

Scott Timmins, who was celebrating his birthday, scored the first goal at the 15:20 mark in the first period. The goal came off a rebound in front of the net. Logan Shaw and Alexander Petrovic were credited with assists on the play. Timmins played in 19 games with the Panthers last year and had one goal.

After Tampa Bay's Cory Conacher scored early in the 2nd period, tying the game at 1, the Panthers rookies took over.Vladislav Namestinkov, the Lightning's top pick in the 2011 draft, took a high sticking call, and his Florida counterpart took advantage. Jonathan Huberdeau passed the puck to Timmins, who tried to give it right back to the Number 3 Overall pick in June's draft. Huberdeau saw it in front of the net and put the puck home at 6:20 for his first goal in a Panther uniform.

The Panthers made it a trifecta, with Timmins taking a penalty for boarding, and John McFarland scoring a shorthanded goal 10:52 in.

At the 17:52 mark, however, Ondrej Palat brought the Lightning back to within one. But the Panthers came out of the gate looking to get the goal back, and did 3:39 in. Left-winger Corey Durocher gave the Cats the insurance and ultimately, the Panthers won 4-2.

CAT BYTES:

• Erik Gudbranson and Carter Ashton fought in the game. The fight led to a loud chant of "Let's Go Panthers".
• Approximately 2,000 fans were in attendance for the game Sunday night. 
• The Rookies were coached by AHL coach Chuck Weber.
• The Lightning fell to the Nashville Predators 7-3 Monday night.
• The Panthers will face the Predators at 11am on Tuesday. Look for live updates on here or on Twitter. Follow @790Justin for more!

Looking For Updates on the 2011-12 Florida Panthers? We've Got You Covered!

Well, I can finally say it: It's hockey season! This was perhaps the most exciting offseason in Panthers history and it is sure to be followed with an exciting regular season.

Rookie camp opened today at the Saveology IcePlex in Coral Springs, and we're only a week away from the first full-squad workouts.

Myself, along with Miami Sports Generation, have you covered this season. On and off the ice, we'll make sure you see RED! I will be posting my story on the 4 former Panthers players we lost in the past week + over the weekend, followed by a full off-season recap. The Panthers will host a rookie tournament this weekend. On Sunday, they'll face the Tampa Bay Lightning at 6pm, on Monday the Lightning take on the Nashville Predators, also at 6pm. Tuesday will see the Panthers and the Predators, at 11am...and on Wednesday, the Panthers and Lightning square off again at 11am.

My work commitments will keep me away from camp until Tuesday, but I will be out there at 11am for the rookie game. More on that to come.

Stay tuned for more on Rookie Camp and Training camp, as we countdown to the preseason opener on Monday, Sep 19. (It's a doubleheader against the Nashville Predators...and I'll be at BOTH games!!!)