December 10, 2006. That was the last time the Miami Dolphins had won a game before this afternoon. It had been 371 days of poor decision making and even worse luck, all of which resulted in 16 consecutive losses dating back that glorious 21-0 victory over Tom Brady and the Patriots last winter. That will be the first and last time I mention anything about losing because that's all any Dolfan has known for some time now. Today is about winning and what a great feeling it is. After the game, most players spoke about not knowing how to react after Greg Camarillo ran the last few yards of the 68 he needed for the game's winning score. Most fans, including myself, could relate. I simply sat and smiled with my hands raised towards the heavens while, to my surprise, just about everyone in attendance at the Indigo Joes Sports Bar in Mooresville, NC clapped and cheered.
Everyone from the front office down to the fans deserved the applause. This team, despite some recent grumblings, never quit, and the same could not be said for the other 31 NFL teams had they been faced with this situation. Take a look at the Ravens. They have four wins, but have lost eight straight and quit on this season a long time ago. As for the fans, they deserve the applause for sticking it out. Week after week, loss after loss, the team gave fans reason after reason to utilize their Sunday free-time in another way. So for you Dolfans out there who stuck it out, give yourself a pat on the back.
You had to feel a victory was coming for these Dolphins. Six losses by three points or less and two overtime losses showed how competitive the team has been throughout '07. This season has been about injuries at key positions and the ball always bouncing the other way. That was not the case Sunday as the ball bounced the Dolphins way a couple different times, and those bounces proved to be the difference. In the second quarter, Kyle Boller put a ball right on the numbers of receiver Mark Clayton. The ball popped out of Clayton's arms as he hit the ground and fell into the arms of Michael Lehan as he headed for the turf. The Dolphins converted that turnover into three points. Then in the overtime Matt Stover missed his 44-yard field goal attempt wide left, which set up Cleo Lemon's game winning touchdown pass three plays later. These were the breaks that eluded them all year, and they found a way to take advantage.
As can be said for a majority of Dolphin victories the past eleven years, they don't win this game without Jason Taylor. Last year's Defensive Player of the Year had his best performance of the season, making a number of game changing plays throughout. He started off by sacking Boller for a six-yard loss on 3rd and goal on the game's opening possession, forcing Baltimore to settle for a field goal. He blocked Stover's 50-yard field goal attempt just before the half, a play that may have contributed to Stover pushing the overtime kick wide. And just before that failed attempt in overtime, Taylor got into the backfield and tackled Willis McGahee for a five-yard loss, which made the field goal that much harder to convert. JT finished the day with five tackles, two sacks, four quarterback hurries, and a blocked kick- all on a nagging right foot. Attitude and effort reflects leadership, and Taylor deserves much of the credit for keeping this team together all year despite all the losing and negativity surrounding his previously winless team.
As a reward for their first victory, the Dolphins will travel to New England next weekend where they will likely be four touchdown underdogs. But now is not the time to discuss the prospect of another loss, or the impending doom that always seems to be surrounding the team. Now is about Dec. 16: Baltimore- 22-16 (OT), W. It's time to bask in the sweet aura of victory; something that had eluded this prestigious franchise and its faithful followers for much too long.
DTM
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