Orange and Teal

Future of Orange and Teal

Hey everybody. Sorry to be so out of touch the past few weeks. Let me assure you it has nothing to do with the Dolphins play as of late, which has been good until yesterday. As for the future of the site I think I’m going to mothball it for the rest of the season. Work commitments and the other two blogs I run are a bit more pressing. Plus, I like just being a fan of the Dolphins without the constant commentary. I got burned out on writing about music in the same way but that took about eight years. This was about eight months. Not good.

Anyway, I apologize to those out there that were so supportive since launching. Thanks for all the kind words along the way. And if you really miss me commenting and complaining you can always check out www.firejeffzucker.com and www.fightingthesuburbs.com.

Week 9: Game Hangover

Yesterday was amazing. The morning started off sunny and beautiful. Who would have thought a Bears game in November would be 50 degrees and sunny. Here are some shots of the walk to the game. Of course it got a bit cloudier and colder as the day went on...

If you guys haven’t been to Soldier Field it’s an interesting stadium. The old exterior still stands and looks as awe-inspiring as any monuments in Washington D.C. The new spaceship part juts up like Superman’s fortress of solitude in the Arctic, like it isn’t supposed to be there. On its own the new design would’ve been fine but this futuristic look stinks, except from inside.

From our seats, second deck 25-yard line or so, we had a great view of the field. I was wearing a Marino jersey and there were about one Miami fan per every hundred Bears fan I would guess. Most Bears fans were fine with it thinking that this would be a blow out so they didn't bother me. I think I got two obscenely negative comments during the game mostly when walking to the bathroom.

We're Off

We're heading out now to hit a pre-game brunch near Soldier Field where they let you valet for $10. That's a bit better than game parking at $100 a pop. Seriously, $100! We'll take lots of pictures but be on the lookout for a guy in a Dan Marino jersey with his wife in a Bears shirt.

Countdown To Dolphins-Bears

Four days to the Dolphins vs. Bears and I’m not nearly as excited about attending the game as I was for the months leading up to the first few weeks of the season. This year has just been miserable as a Dolphins fan. I keep apologizing to you, my readers, for such a negative outlook and fewer blog posts in general but I can’t write about the team with any enthusiasm, even in a negative way. Things are just that bad.

However! I plan to write about Sunday in-depth. From the morning brunch where we’re parking the car to the game itself, to the aftermath and dinner that night, it’ll be fun, no matter the score. Why? Because it’s not often you get to go to a football game and why not enjoy the fall day, football, food and beer, lots and lots of beer!

A/V Set-Up, Perfect for Watching the Dolphins Lose

Here’s an update on my new home theater set-up for those tired of reading about the Dolphins’ woes. I’m really not jazzed to be blogging about the team right now. I’m sure everyone notices my anti-excitement. I’d rather just fast forward to the end of the season and talk off-season moves, draft etc. Is that wrong?

I’m Allowed to Be a Bears Fan Now

My cell phone beeped around 4 p.m. CST. It was a voice mail. I checked it promptly and it was my brother-in-law calling from the parking lot of Dolphins Stadium. He simply said “You’re allowed to be a Bears fan now.”

That’s how dismal today’s game was to two different family-members and life-long Dolphins fans. Where to start? Honestly do you want me to repeat what we all saw?
No.

So instead I’ll point out how bad the broadcasters were. First: they got the yardage wrong on almost every play. If it was a no-gain they said “he got about three yards out of that.” Next it was second and ten. Umm…you can’t get three yards and have a second and ten. Also every time Green Bay scored there was a shout and scream of “the Pack!” WTF?

The only good news is we’re moved into our new place after about a two week purgatory. The new 50 inch plasma is installed and they even had the game shown locally this week here in Chicago (because the Bears are on a bye and Green Bay has a huge following here). Here’s a picture of the new screen and another one of my dog looking at me as I screamed at Ronnie Brown to “make a cut dammit” or the other half of the time “just go straight!”

I’m not going to be a Bears fan but after another miserable loss how can this team go on? What’s the explanation? Is it all Randy McMichael’s fault? Bad bounces/tips? I don’t know. All I know is that I haven’t followed college ball enough this year to figure out who we would pick in the top five of the draft.

Moving Hiatus Over Tomorrow

Hello readers. We apologize for taking so long to update the site but we’re in the middle of a hellacious move (soon to be discussed on a new blog) that should be over, meaning the Internet will be back, tomorrow. Thanks for sticking with us through our own technical difficulties.

Great Hyde Column

This is why Dave Hyde is one of my favorite columnists in

South Florida

. Perfectly sums up my Dolphin fandom (I’m not a Canes fan).

Week Four: Please, No More

Watching yesterday’s game was like a bad flashback. It was like seeing the worst of the Jimmy Johnson and Dave Wannstedt era. An ineffective offense let down an aging defense. For every bright spot – Will Allen asserting himself as our best corner – there were dozens of ulcer inducing moments.

During the first quarter after repeated third down misses that seemed entirely Culpepper’s fault I was expecting to see Harrington. Then during more mis-steps in the second quarter I was sure Saban would slip Harrington in to get some reps before the second half. Then when the second half opened I was sure I’d see Joey starting.

There was no Harrington. Instead we get an offense that gave Mario Williams his first sack.

Time to Bring in Harrington?

So, says Greg Stoda of The Palm Beach Post. I still am not a fan of Stoda but he’s got a point. Culpepper is clearly nto ready to start and that’s why we got Harrington in the first place. Take that detour Dolphins. Start Joey Sunday against  Houston.

The Post is also reporting we’re on pace to break the season sacks allowed record. That’s grrrrreat!

Oh and in tasteless news of the day from the NFL: The Arizona Cardinals stadium will now be named University of Phoenix Stadium. Wonder what Deadspin will make of that... 

Any Win Is a Good Win?

That’s the saying isn’t it? Any win is a good win. I don’t know if the team feels that way this morning after Kerry Collins and the lowly Titans looked like playoff contenders compared o the Dolphins. Culpepper looked flat, again. Luckily is his late game work actually paid off this time. Just like last week it will allow him to keep his job for another game.

I’m trying to pick out good things from the game yesterday but nothing really comes to mind. The running game was average. The passing game, well you know. The defense allowed way too many yards and I think I even caught Zach Thomas half-assing it on one play. That is a sight I’ve never seen before.

This defense is just too old up front to be on the field so long. The offense, as always, needs to step it up. The Jets and Bills are both looking better than the team some stupid magazine picked to go to the Super Bowl. That’s just not right. At least New England also looked pathetic last night. Perhaps it is a division we can still win. That would require both a miracle and a different team to show up next week.

Other NFL News: I’m not a big fan of Chris Sims but let’s hope he makes a recovery. I can’t remember an injury so severe in the past few years. He seems like one tough kid and let’s hope his career is not over. 

New Place, Dave’s Media Report

OK guys, I’ll do a full install report later, but so far everything I’m waiting to get installed in the new place is ordered or in already. Check it out here.