Fins Still Searching For First Win
NEW YORK (CBSMiami.com) – The winless Miami Dolphins head to New York Sunday trying to end their season-long losing streak against Eli Manning and the New York Giants.
Head coach Tony Sparano, whose job is seemingly in question after each loss, is not worried about whether the player's are losing their confidence or their swagger.
"Obviously at times, I don't care whether you're 6-0 or whether you're 0-6, you get bumps along the way," Sparano said. "I can read too and I read a lot of that stuff out there with some pretty good teams. You get a few bumps, but when you have a locker room like we have in there and leaders like we have, these guys are pretty upbeat and excited for another opportunity."
But, Sparano's words may ring hollow on some of the players. Running back Reggie Bush, whose Dolphins tenure has been a huge bust, said this week that the Dolphins "stink." After Yeremiah Bell and the Dolphins' p.r. team got hold of Bush, he pulled back to a degree.
Bush's honest assessment of the team is one that fans can certainly agree with. The fan misery with each loss continues to add fuel to the fire of the "Suck for Luck" sweepstakes that is alienating the players from the fans.
But most of the players agree that things are going very poorly and things have to change.
"I mean, at the end of the day, we're disappointed," wide receiver Brandon Marshall said. "I think the fans are disappointed. We put a lot of work into what we're doing. And things to turn out like this. Even though our situation maybe a little nasty, we're still blessed to have an opportunity to do what we do."
Marshall also took it a step further when he said that when the Dolphins win on Sunday, there will be no excuses for the Giants.
The Dolphins' biggest problem coming into Sunday will be trying to keep quarterback Matt Moore on his feet. The Fins have given up 11 sacks in the last three games and are now set to take on the Giants defense that is tied for the league lead in sacks.
The Giants have posted three or more sacks in four of their six games and at least one in every game except the last game against the Bills. Miami, well, the Fins have given up four or more sacks in four of seven games.
One way to slow down the pass rush will be for the Dolphins to get Reggie Bush involved in multiple screens. If the Fins can keep Moore upright, and the receivers don't play hot potato with the football, the offense has a chance to succeed.
But, given the Dolphins' problems, and the fact that New York is a superior team, a win may not be in the cards for the Fins this Sunday.
Sunday's game can be seen on CBS4 at 1:00 p.m.
