By Nunnie Robinson, Westside Gazette Sports Editor
       Watching the Dolphins play on national television, MNF, at the HardRock was painstakingly difficult. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa concussion injury seems to have deflated the team, one veiled in ineptitude and self -inflicted errors. Itâs not as if we havenât done this before. In the 70s when Bob Griese went down with a knee injury, Earl Moral field in admirably. In professional sports like football, even the backups should have demonstrated a certain level of skill and proficiency so Skylar Thompson sans the injury or Tim Boyle, after months of preparation, are expected to perform with some degree of efficiency. Signing and starting Tyler Huntley after only 2 weeks in a supposedly complicated offense seems radical so we give him an initial pass based his performance. The greater concern is just how good is the team overall?
The injury-prone offensive line appears average at best based on performance, and teams that dominate up front usually win the game. The defense gives up too many yards on first downs, placing them strategically at a disadvantage and are subject to untimely physical and mental mistakes at crucial moments in games. In terms of opponents, we barely squeaked by an imploding, winless Jaguar team, then lost to a Tennessee squad that rolled into Miami without a win. Just how good of an NFL team has been constructed by management, specifically the owner, general manager and coach? Iâve never questioned the effort, mental fortitude and determination of the players. But – are we even good enough to compete for a playoff spot this year?
Expectations were obviously and rightfully high for this season following last yearâs disappointing loss to Buffalo at home. Perhaps we were delusional. I do know or believe that weâre capable of playing much better, so letâs see if the Dolphins as an organization can salvage this season. If not, then a partial rebuild via major trades and the draft must be on the table.
The deaths of NBA great Dekembe Mutombo and MLB should be HOF Pete Rose remind of our own mortality. As a center, Mutombo, a 7 foot native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was known for blocking shots, then waving his finger defiantly as if to say:Â not in my space. A hero in America and his native land for his humanitarianism, he succumbed to brain cancer at 58 years old.
Pete Rose, baseballâs all-time hits leader, aka âCharlie Hustleâ because of how hard he played the game, had a star-crossed career as a manager of the Cincinnati Reds after being found guilty of betting on baseball games. After spending 5 months in prison for tax evasion, he finally omitted after 14 years that he did bet on games. That baseball cardinal sin has kept him out of the Hall of Fame.
He is among a group of great players such as Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds excluded from induction because of steroids, gambling or betting on games or other aberrant behaviors.
