Ryan Fitzpatrick’s bomb to DeVante Parker was the longest pass of Week 13

/0 Comments/in , /by

In a season of lows, Ryan Fitzpatrick has provided some excitement for Dolphins fans. Miami has won three of its last five games and Fitzpatrick is a crucial part of the recent run.

Sunday’s 37-31 win over Philadelphia was no different. Fitzpatrick finished the afternoon with three touchdowns and 365 yards. His favorite target on the day was DeVante Parker, who caught seven receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns.

Fitzpatrick showcased his big arm on a third and 13 from Miami’s 40-yard line that went 52.4 yards through the air and ended in Parker’s arms for a long completion.

Parker and Fitzpatrick have developed quite the rapport. Parker already has career highs in yards and touchdowns. He also caught touchdowns in three-straight games earlier in the season. Keep in mind, there are still four games remaining in the 2019 season.

Fitzpatrick’s big performance was noticed by the league as he was nominated for the FedEx Air & Ground player of the week award.

Madden also added a little Fitzmagic to the popular video game with a new Fitzpatrick card available in the Ultimate Team game mode.

It is also worth noting that Ryan Tannehill, the former quarterback with the Dolphins, was responsible for one of the week’s longest passes. Tannehill has been impressive with the Titans since taking over as the team’s starting quarterback. He has thrown 12 touchdowns to just four interceptions with a quarterback rating of 113.9.

The Titans are currently 7-5 and riding a three-game winning streak. They’re currently one game behind Houston and will play them twice over the seasons final four games.

Miami will look to end the season on a good note. They’ll head to New York on Sunday to face Adam Gase and the Jets. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

Miami Heat: Three-point shot rules the day in win over Raptors

/0 Comments/in /by
The three-point shot helped Miami defeat a tough Toronto team.

The Miami Heat beat the Toronto Raptors by a 121-110 score on Wednesday night. A big reason for the win was the Heat’s success shooting the three-point shot.

As a team, the Heat went 15-of-38 from behind the arc. Duncan Robinson had the most success for Miami. His play has improved over the past couple games, and he made a major contribution on Tuesday night. He went six-of-nine from the three-point line and totaled 22 points. That was tied with Jimmy Butler for the team lead on the evening. As a team, they shot 39.5% from behind the line on the evening.

Miami Heat eliminated three-point shot defensively

The team also stifled the Toronto Raptors three-point shooters. Fred VanFleet was held to three-of-nine from behind the arc. In 43 minutes of play, he could not get anything going at it consistent rates. Kyle Lowry also had a rough night, missing all 11 three-pointers he took. The player who had the most success from three-point range was Serge Ibaka, going two of three from beyond the arc.

There are definitely other factors as to why the Miami Heat won. However, making the three-point shot offensively while eliminating it defensively was crucial on Tuesday night. Miami is third in the league in thee point percentage at 38.9 %.  They make 12.6 three-point shots per game while attempting 33.8 per contest.

The three-pointer hasn’t always been a big part of Miami’s game. However, that is the way the game is trending. Threes are huge part of what many teams do, and it’s nice that Miami has capable players that can get it done on the roster. Their efficiency in shooting the three-ball will help them come playoff time. Now, they look to continue their success from beyond the arc against Boston on Wednesday. The Celtics have capable three-point shooters in their own right. Tipoff in Boston is  7:30 pm.

Miami Heat: Kendrick Nunn named NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of Month

/0 Comments/in /by

A Miami Heat rookie received an accolade on Tuesday. Kendrick Nunn was named to the NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for November.

Nunn is the first Miami Heat player to win the award since Josh Richardson in 2016.

He averaged 14.1 points per game in addition to 2.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest. He had four 20-point games in the month of November. His best game came against Cleveland on the 14th. In that contest, he played 37 minutes , going 10-of-16 from the field. Scoring 23 points, he also recorded five rebounds and eight assists. His efficiency from the field has also been impressive. Prior to Tuesday’s game, he is shooting 46.4% from the field and 36.2 % from behind the three-point line.

In his last game against Brooklyn, he started the month of December off right. In what was a balanced team effort, he scored 11 points and chipped assists in 25 minutes play. He has been a strong source of secondary scoring. With Jimmy Butler averaging 18.8 points on the year, Nunn is second on the team in ppg.

Nunn is a great story to boot. Having gone undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft, he was in the G-League just last year. Now he is making valuable contributions for the Miami Heat. Miami begins a tough two-game stretch on Tuesday night. They face the Toronto Raptors, and then the Boston Celtics and what should be great tests for the team. Tipoff for Tuesday’s game is 7:30 PM.

Miami Heat: Rebounding will be crucial against Raptors

/0 Comments/in /by

The Miami Heat are set to battle the Toronto Raptors in a battle of the second and third-seeded teams in the Eastern Conference. There are certainly many storylines to watch in this game, as both teams have talent and stars at several positions. With what looks like an even matchup on paper, the margin for error shrinks. This is something that could work to the Miami Heat’s advantage in one area in particular: rebounding.

Toronto has given up the second-most rebounds in the NBA. With 48.5 per game allowed on the season, they trail only the Chicago Bulls in that category. The 13.2 offensive rebounds are the most-allowed in the NBA and they’re tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers for 17th in most defensive rebounds with 35.4.

The Miami Heat have certainly done their part in keeping opponents off the glass. They allow the least amount of defensive rebounds per game with 31.2 per contest. They also only allow 9.3 rebounds per contest on the offensive glass.

For what it’s worth, the Miami Heat are 20th in the NBA 44.6 rebounds per game. They average nine rebounds on the offensive glass and 35.6 rebounds defensively.

Opportunities for second-chance points for Miami Heat

The lack of rebounding on the part of Toronto and Miami’s willingness to crash the offensive glass may work out in their favor. This may lead to second-chance points: a category that Miami needs to be better in. They rank 21st in the NBA with 12.4 second-chance points per game.

Miami put together a good rebounding game on Sunday against Brooklyn.  Outrebounding the nets 62-56, they certainly were able to win the battle on the glass. Winning that same battle will be important for Miami on Tuesday night. This Toronto team is extremely talented, especially on the perimeter. Bam Adebayo had 16 rebounds on Sunday night,leading the way for Miami. He leads the team in rebounds and 10.6 per game on the season. Expect him to play a crucial role on Tuesday night.

This will be a great test for the Miami Heat and a win against the Raptors will add another impressive notch to their 2019 season. But in order to do that, they have to rebound.

Dolphins sign Eric Rowe to three-year contract extension

/0 Comments/in , /by

Dolphins sign defensive back Eric Rowe to three-years, $18-million contract extension.

Prior to the 2019 season, it was Minkah Fitzpatrick that was praised as the versatile defensive back in Miami’s secondary. However, not long after the season kicked off, did his true colors start to show. And whether it was an outburst from his mother on Twitter. Or a dispute with the coaching staff privately, Fitzpatrick was never going to last in Miami. So, the Dolphins traded him to Pittsburgh in exchange for a first-round draft pick. Unfortunately, this left a large hole in the back-end of the Dolphins’ defense. One that wouldn’t get situated until midway through the 2019 season.

The unusual suspect was Eric Rowe.

Rowe, 26, was a New England disciple. He spent three seasons with the Super Bowl Champions, before following Coach Brian Flores and his staff to Miami. He was widely considered a low-risk, high-reward signing–a placeholder, some might say. But since transitioning to safety after the Dolphins suffered a plethora of injuries, Rowe has been outstanding. This season, Rowe has started 11 games for Miami recording 59 tackles with 7 pass defended. Again, he has been outstanding since mo

On Sunday, Rowe made his presence felt. He continued is dominance vs tight ends, something Miami has failed to do as of late. In fact, Rowe held Zach Ertz to just three catches for 24 yards. He also broke up a touchdown in the back of the endzone, that could’ve significantly altered the outcome of the game.

It was reported before Sunday’s game that Miami was looking to extend the versatile defensive back. And that’s exactly what they did.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Miami Dolphins have agreed to a three-year, $18M extension with Rowe.

Who’s next?

Goran Dragic provides spark in nailbiting victory

/3 Comments/in , /by

Sunday’s action on the hardwood was exciting to the very end. The Miami Heat beat the Brooklyn Nets by a 109-106 score. It seemed like every starter contributed, and that was great to see. This season in particular, Miami has been all about balance in terms of scoring and that was evident on Sunday. And they once again got a major impact off the bench from Goran Dragic.

Dragic provides spark for Miami Heat

Dragic contributed 24 points, six assists, and two rebounds in 31 minutes of play. His 24 points were the most since he scored 25 on November 7 against the Phoenix Suns. This was another case of a player stepping up and helping Miami get the job done. He went three-of-six from behind the three-point line. He also chipped in three free throws.

Sunday night he was definitely looking for his shot, going nine-of-18 from the field. His 18 shot attempts were his most to this point in the season. If the Miami Heat can get him going on a consistent basis, that’s just another weapon they have in their arsenal.  Miami’s versatility this season has allowed Dragic to seamlessly transition from starter to sixth man. That’s the benefit of having depth on the roster. The rookies are playing so well that Miami can mix and match their lineups. For Miami, it’s a nice luxury to have.

With games against the Toronto raptors and Boston Celtics coming up, the Miami Heat need to be firing on all cylinders.  Dragic has been a valuable piece to their success so far. Playing well and with efficiency will be key for both the Heat and Dragic and it will be interesting to see how they do over these next couple of games. These will be two very difficult road tests and will pit Miami against two of the best in the Eastern Conference.

Fitzpatrick, Parker, Gesicki tank-proof as Dolphins stun Eagles

/0 Comments/in /by

This seemed like the Dolphins’ ideal afternoon until the 2019 season mercifully ends.

Play hard. Play smart. Play close. Lose, while others among the NFL’s lowliest win — in this case, the Bengals and the Redskins.

Except for one thing.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, DeVante Parker, Mike Gesicki and Brian Flores didn’t oblige.

All four were outstanding in Miami’s come-from-behind 37-31 win against the sagging Philadelphia Eagles, part of the NFL’s worst division. The Dolphins, yes, the Dolphins, simply couldn’t stop scoring, with 23 unanswered in the second half. Without a running game, at least until tank commander Kallen Ballage left for Patrick Laird due to a leg injury, Fitzpatrick was nearly perfect in the second half, finishing 27 of 39 for  365 yards. Parker and Gesicki combined for 238 of those yards, manhandling their matchups, frequently high-pointing the ball, with Fitzpatrick completing 12 of 17 to them.

And the undrafted Laird, who should have been playing more the past few weeks, showed wiggle on the drive that put the Dolphins ahead late. They did this is front of a crowd that was roughly 70 percent Eagles fans, serenading them with “Fly Eagles Fly.”

And they did it with Flores flair, with the first year head coach taking every conceivable chance, a welcome change from most of his predecessors.

A deep completion to Parker for a touchdown on fourth down, and another fourth down conversion to Parker on the clinching drive.

One of the most creative trick plays you’ll ever see, as punter Matt Haack flipped to kicker Jason Sanders for a touchdown.

And so, now with the Jets, Giants and Bengals remaining on the schedule, the Dolphins could be headed for 6-10.

Think about that? 6-10! After the way this season started.

Maybe Tua will be available at No. 8.

Here’s the best from the account of our Josh @Houtz, serial videographer and Laird fanatic…..

 

Full boat for Miami Heat: Blessing or problem?

/0 Comments/in /by

The untold national story of the Miami Heat’s 13-5 start is how much they’ve done with less.

When training camp started, it was assumed by many that Justise Winslow, James Johnson, Dion Waiters and even Derrick Jones Jr. would be integral parts of the rotation. After all, those are two of the team’s highest paid players, the projected starting point guard and a prospect the Heat have compared to first round value.

But Winslow missed three weeks with a concussion. Johnson wasn’t in Heat shape to start camp and has fallen out of favor. Jones has had an assortment of maladies. And Waiters? Well, you know.

Now, though, all are back.

That gives the Heat 15 available players as they face the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday at the start of a compelling 3-game Eastern road swing.

So how will this shake out?

Start with the starting lineup. Since Winslow returned, Erik Spoelstra has inserted sixth man Goran Dragic in his place anyway. But the Heat are committed to Dragic as bench stalwart. So you’d guess Winslow gets back in the lineup, now that his minutes are up, to start to build offensive chemistry with Jimmy Butler — arguably the most important objective for this team in the short term.

But who is the guard between them? Still Kendrick Nunn? Duncan Robinson, who played so well as part of the five-man opening group with Winslow out? Or is this the time to insert Tyler Herro, the Bucket Brother who has undeniable chemistry with Butler?

That, of course, will affect the bench. Assuming Dragic goes back there, does he pair better with Herro or Nunn? And what about the frontcourt? Kelly Olynyk has found his game of late. Does he replace Meyers Leonard in the starting lineup? What becomes of two-way surprise Chris Silva? In some games, the Heat have needed his energy. They’re not worried about his service time clock. Send him to the G-League for a week as Jones and Johnson get some run? Or stay with what’s working?

You’d always rather have more talent than less.

But some of Spoelstra’s decisions have been made for him so far, by circumstance.

Now, as even he has said, the decisions will get more difficult.

His motto: Force me to watch you, force me to play you, force me to make a tough choice.

Make that two: Harrell decides to stay home, commits to Miami

/0 Comments/in , /by

Not even 24 hours after RB Jaylan Knighton announced his commitment to the Hurricanes, Champagnat Catholic safety Jalen Harrell followed suit early Friday afternoon on his birthday and chose to stay home to play for the hometown Hurricanes.

The 6’2” 181 lb. safety chose Miami over Georgia Tech and Nebraska.

Harrell is currently ranked as the 23rd best safety in the country and 231st overall according to 247Sports. He transferred to Champagnat Catholic for his senior season after attending Miami Central previously.

According to MaxPreps, he currently has 48 tackles, one forced fumble, and one interception through nine games.

Harrell had been committed to the Seminoles for over six months before re-opening his recruitment in October. And even while he was committed, Miami safeties coach Ephraim Banda still kept in contact with Harrell and paid off dividends upon receiving the news.

Miami had him in Coral Gables for an official visit on November 9th and he got the chance to watch Miami’s beatdown of Louisville. 

With Knighton and Harrell now in the fold, Miami now has the 14th best class in the country and 2nd in the ACC with their 21 commitments.

While it is somewhat surprising that Miami received Knighton and Harrell’s commitments following the unfortunate loss to FIU this past weekend, this exemplifies coach Manny Diaz’s approach towards recruiting.

Diaz has reiterated that he wants players that understand the value of suiting up in the orange and green despite any turmoil or adversity that may get in the way.

In my opinion, the fact that both players mentioned “staying home” or “making the crib great” goes to show these are a couple of special commits on top of the fact that they have a chance to be impact players the minute they step foot on campus. 

Miami adds another RB to 2020 fold in Deerfield star Jaylan Knighton

/0 Comments/in , /by

Head coach Manny Diaz and the Miami Hurricanes staff received a nice bit of news as they were chowing down on Thanksgiving dinner. Only three and half weeks after de-committing from Florida State, four-star running back Jaylan Knighton from Deerfield Beach has committed to the Miami Hurricanes, noting in his commitment note that “supporting the city I grew up in is best for me.”

Jaylan is ranked as the 10th-best All-Purpose back in the country and the 100th player overall according to 247Sports. He is the second tailback in Manny Diaz’s 2020 recruiting class, joining five-star Belen Jesuit star Don Chaney.

The 5’9”, 185 lb. Knighton also been clocked at 4.49 seconds in the 40-yard dash and has a vertical leap of 32.9 inches. Jaylan will also finish his career at Deerfield Beach as the 2nd all-time leading rusher in Broward County history.

Keeping his recruitment under wraps for the most part, Knighton had been committed to the Seminoles for about three months. But amidst the uncertainty at head coach following FSU’s loss to Miami, Knighton made the decision to de-commit from the Seminoles to re-evaluate his options. That’s when coach Diaz and running backs coach Eric Hickson once again got to work in hopes of convincing Knighton and his family that Coral Gables was the place for him, with his campus visit on 11/18 sealing the deal.

Indeed, it is a big deal landing Knighton despite the adversity Miami is currently enduring. But it’s an even bigger deal considering that the team is 6-5 and they have the two best running backs out of South Florida committed and two of the top three in the entire state. 

Assuming Deejay Dallas returns for his senior season (which according to reports is more unlikely than not), Miami’s backfield will be reminiscent of the early 2000s, if not better: Dallas, Cam Harris, Lorenzo Lingard, and now Don Chaney and Knighton.