We've all seen this song and dance before from the Miami Dolphins.
This may come as a surprise to some, but in all actuality, just because this team hasn't been to the postseason in five years doesn't mean they haven't been in the running.
In 2009 they entered December 6-6, very much in the wild card race and only a game back of the Patriots.
They finished 7-9, and 1-4 down the stretch.
Flash forward to the next season. Four games to go, and, once again, a 6-6 record. Win out and you have a good shot to get in, besides, the final wild card team that year would be the Jets, who finished at 11-5.
7-9 again, including a three game losing skid to end the season.
How about last season, where the 5-7 Miami Dolphins needed to win out just to give themselves a fighting chance at the end of year. What did that team do?
7-9. A 2-2 finish, and another January filled with tee times rather than kickoff times.
Let's quickly go back to that 2008 season before moving on. The wild card was not an option that year for the Miami Dolphins. They had to win out and take the division. That was their only option.
That team entered December 7-5.
They finished 11-5, and hosted a playoff game.
The last playoff game this franchise would play in.
Now, back to this season, where the Miami Dolphins once again find themselves at that all too familiar fork in the road.
Finish the year 4-0 or 3-1, and you're all but playing January football.
Anything less than that, and it's Groundhogs Day all over again. Another frustrating offseason filled with questions about the quarterback, coach, and general manager.
And you know what?
I can't do that again. I've lived through so many of those it makes me sick. I can't take another 6 months of Ryan Tannehill talk, or "Fireland" talk, or whether or not Joe Philbin's the right guy for the job.
I can't do it. Not now. Not after seeing how close we are.
I mean, just take a look, folks. Look how close this team is to that final wild card spot.
IT'S. RIGHT. THERE.
As Indiana Jones would tell his father in Last Crusade while dangling from the edge of a bottomless pit, "It's right there, dad, I can almost reach it."
Indy was trying to reach the Holy Grail.
And you know what? So are the Miami Dolphins.
Some may laugh. If you're a fan of the Patriots, or Broncos you're looking at me like I have six heads when I call the final wild card spot the "holy grail."
But you know what, for this team, after all they've been through, it is. This isn't a Super Bowl team. Even if they do get in, it's a long shot that they even make it past the first round. I know that, I'm not naive to all Miami's shortcomings.
I know their offensive line resembles a race car returning to the track after a huge crash.
I know their running game is about as productive as a Geno Smith drop back.
I know that this journey won't end in New York, and, if they do get in, the final destination for this team is probably Cincinnati or Indianapolis.
But I don't care. Just give me a taste of it. Show me that all of the heartache, all of the hours I've (stupidly) put in, all of the emotional investment I've given to this team is worth it.
Just give me a taste. I don't want the entire cake. I know I'm not good enough to get that.
I just want a piece. A crumb, even.
Because, quite frankly, I can't do another meaningless January. Just give me one extra week. A couple more days of hope. One more Sunday where I wake up with butterflies.
One more trip to the bar.
Heck, I'll even take one more sad, lonely walk home after a likely loss.
I DON'T CARE!
This is a message to you, Joe Philbin. This is a message to you, Ryan Tannehill.
Don't tease us again this year. Don't pull the football away when we're just starting to kick it.
Finish the job. Finish what we all started five months ago. It's all laid out for you, neater than the clothes on my bed when I was a boy.
Find a way to get it done on Sunday. Find a way to beat Tom and Bill for the first time in three years. Find a way to go to Buffalo and get a win in the snow.
And then, after all of that, come back home for one final time this season and reward those who stuck with you through a bullying scandal and four-game losing streak with an extra week of Miami Dolphins football.
Because I can't do this again. I watched this team fail in 2009, 2010, and last year. I can't do it again this year.
Not with this team. Not with this opportunity.
Please be different, 2013 Miami Dolphins.
You can break my heart all you want. I'm used to it.
Could you just do it in January this year?
No comments:
Post a Comment